Protein-RNA interactions: a structural analysis

A detailed computational analysis of 32 protein-RNA complexes is presented. A number of physical and chemical properties of the intermolecular interfaces are calculated and compared with those observed in protein-double-stranded DNA and protein-single-stranded DNA complexes. The interface properties of the protein-RNA complexes reveal the diverse nature of the binding sites. van der Waals contacts played a more prevalent role than hydrogen bond contacts, and preferential binding to guanine and uracil was observed. The positively charged residue, arginine, and the single aromatic residues, phenylalanine and tyrosine, all played key roles in the RNA binding sites. A comparison between protein-RNA and protein-DNA complexes showed that whilst base and backbone contacts (both hydrogen bonding and van der Waals) were observed with equal frequency in the protein-RNA complexes, backbone contacts were more dominant in the protein-DNA complexes. Although similar modes of secondary structure interactions have been observed in RNA and DNA binding proteins, the current analysis emphasises the differences that exist between the two types of nucleic acid binding protein at the atomic contact level

Complete Genome Sequences of a Clinical Isolate and an Environmental Isolate of Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is the leading cause of seafood-borne infections in the United States. We report complete genome sequences for two V. parahaemolyticus strains isolated in 2007, CDC_K4557 and FDA_R31 of clinical and oyster origin, respectively. These two sequences might assist in the investigation of differential virulence of this organism

The role of institutional and family embeddedness in the failure of Sub-Saharan African migrant family businesses

There is considerable interest among European politicians and policymakers in how to integrate migrants in the local and national economy. Drawing on in-depth qualitative interviews with 20 owners of Sub-Saharan African migrant family businesses (SSAMBs) in the United Kingdom, this article critically examines why SSAMBs fail or underperform. This investigation draws upon three streams of literature – notably migrant business failure, institutional theory and family embeddedness. The findings highlight the challenges of doing business and the reasons for business failure among this group. These are different from other small businesses and include culture, family interference and ethnicity. The main contribution of the article lies in the development of a conceptual model that highlights the relationships between institutional contexts and migrant family business outcomes. The model proposes that institution and family embeddedness results in the enactment of ethnic behaviours that drive migrant businesses into cultural markets leading to business underperformance or failure

Safety of blood transfusion: prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen in blood donors in Zaria, Northern Nigeria

Background: Hepatitis B infection has long been known to be common in the general population and due to its mode of transmission through blood transfusion; it had made provision of safe blood difficult especially in developing countries. Method: A retrospective study aimed at reassessing the current of sero-prevalence of hepatitis B infection in blood donors in a typical developing country was conducted. Results: Six thousand and twenty five regular blood were screened our of which 254 (4.2%) were HBsAg positive with lowest rates being in 2001 (3.5%) and the highest rates occurred in 2002(5.1%).Age of donors ranged from 19-42years with a mean 33 years, 98% were males while only 2% were females. Prevalence of HBsAg was 47.2% in patients' replacement donors, 44.5% in relations of antenatal clinic attendees and 8.3% in voluntary donors. Conclusions: This study has revealed a high prevalence rate of hepatitis B infections in all age groups and categories of blood donors in our setting which makes transfusion of unscreened hazardous. Nigerian Journal of Surgical Research Vol. 7(3&4) 2005: 290-29

On verifying timed hyperproperties

We study the satisfiability and model-checking problems for timed hyperproperties specified with HyperMTL, a timed extension of HyperLTL. Depending on whether interleaving of events in different traces is allowed, two possible semantics can be defined for timed hyperproperties: asynchronous and synchronous. While the satisfiability problem can be decided similarly to HyperLTL regardless of the choice of semantics, we show that the model-checking problem, unless the specification is alternation-free, is undecidable even when very restricted timing constraints are allowed. On the positive side, we show that model checking HyperMTL with quantifier alternations is possible under certain conditions in the synchronous semantics, or when there is a fixed bound on the length of the time domain.EP/K026399/1 and EP/P020011/

Timed hyperproperties

We study the satisfiability and model-checking problems for timed hyperproperties specified with HyperMITL, a timed extension of HyperLTL. While the satisfiability problem can be solved similarly as for HyperLTL, we show that the model-checking problem for HyperMITL, unless the specification is alternation-free, is undecidable even when very restricted timing constraints are allowed. On the positive side, we show that model checking HyperMITL with quantifier alternations is possible under certain semantic restrictions. As an intermediate tool, we give an ‘asynchronous’ interpretation of Wilke's monadic logic of relative distance (L ) and show that it characterises timed languages recognised by timed automata with silent transitions. d

How research nurses and midwives are supporting Covid-19 clinical trials

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, many clinical trials have tested existing drugs that may help treat Covid-19. NHS trusts have been encouraged to prioritise studies approved by the four chief medical officers, and clinical research nurses and midwives have been crucial to the delivery of these studies. Adaptations to standard research practices have been required – the consent process has been changed to reflect patients’ loss of capacity and the absence of family members, while the collection of biological samples and other patient data has required research nurses and midwives to find solutions to being in an isolation environment. Results of early studies have identified some initial treatment options for patients; many other studies are ongoing

Predicting the cost of the consequences of a large nuclear accident in the UK

Nuclear accidents have the potential to lead to significant off-site effects that require actions to minimise the radiological impacts on people. Such countermeasures may include sheltering, evacuation, restrictions on the sale of locally-grown food, and long-term relocation of the population amongst others. Countries with nuclear facilities draw up emergency preparedness plans, and put in place such provisions as distributing instructions and iodine prophylaxis to the local population. Their plans are applied in simulated exercises on a regular basis. The costs associated with emergency preparedness and the safety provisions to reduce the likelihood of an accident, and/or mitigate the consequences, are justified on the basis of the health risks and accident costs averted. There is, of course, only limited actual experience to indicate the likely costs so that much of the costing of accidents is based on calculations. This paper reviews the methodologies used, in particular the approach that has been developed in the UK, to appraise the costs of a hypothetical nuclear accident. Results of analysing a hypothetical nuclear accident at a fictitious reactor site within the United Kingdom are discussed in relation to the accidents at Three Mile Island 2, Chernobyl and Fukushima Dai-ichi

The value of carbon sequestration and storage in coastal habitats

Coastal margin habitats are globally significant in terms of their capacity to sequester and store carbon, but their continuing decline, due to environmental change and human land use decisions, is reducing their capacity to provide this ecosystem service. In this paper the UK is used as a case study area to develop methodologies to quantify and value the ecosystem service of blue carbon sequestration and storage in coastal margin habitats. Changes in UK coastal habitat area between 1900 and 2060 are documented, the long term stocks of carbon stored by these habitats are calculated, and the capacity of these habitats to sequester CO2 is detailed. Changes in value of the carbon sequestration service of coastal habitats are then projected for 2000–2060 under two scenarios, the maintenance of the current state of the habitat and the continuation of current trends of habitat loss. If coastal habitats are maintained at their current extent, their sequestration capacity over the period 2000–2060 is valued to be in the region of £1 billion UK sterling (3.5% discount rate). However, if current trends of habitat loss continue, the capacity of the coastal habitats both to sequester and store CO2 will be significantly reduced, with a reduction in value of around £0.25 billion UK sterling (2000–2060; 3.5% discount rate). If loss-trends due to sea level rise or land reclamation worsen, this loss in value will be greater. This case study provides valuable site specific information, but also highlights global issues regarding the quantification and valuation of carbon sequestration and storage. Whilst our ability to value ecosystem services is improving, considerable uncertainty remains. If such ecosystem valuations are to be incorporated with confidence into national and global policy and legislative frameworks, it is necessary to address this uncertainty. Recommendations to achieve this are outlined