Latest Developments in the Batchwise Application of Hot-dyeing Reactive Dyes to Cellulosic Knitwear

A dyeing profile for a range of reactive dyes suitable for application to cellulosic knitwear is defined. Such a profile shows good level-dyeing, reproducibility and fastness properties together with potential for simplified dyeing processes.     

Frequency Dependence of Fatigue Life and Internal Heating of a Fiber-Reinforced/Ceramic-Matrix Composite

The influence of loading frequency on the fatigue life and internal (frictional) heating of unidirectional SiC-fiber/ calcium aluminosilicate-matrix composites was investigated at room temperature. Specimens were subjected to tension–tension fatigue at sinusoidal loading frequencies from 25 to 350 Hz and maximum fatigue stresses of 180 to 240 MPa. The key findings of the study were that (1) fatigue life decreased sharply as the loading frequency was increased, (2) for all loading frequencies, fatigue failures occurred at stress levels that were significantly below the monotonic proportional limit stress of ∼285 MPa, and (3) pronounced internal heating occurred during fatigue, with the surface temperature of the fatigue specimens increasing by 160 K during 350-Hz fatigue at a peak stress of 240 MPa.     

A vibrational study of the activation sequence of C–H and C–C bonds of isobutene and 1-butene on Mo(110) and (4 × 4)-C/Mo(110) surfaces

The thermal decomposition pathways of isobutene and 1-butene on both Mo(110) and 4 × 4-C/Mo(110) surfaces have been studied using high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) in order to highlight the substantially different activities of these two surfaces towards the cleavage of C–H and C–C bonds. On clean Mo(110), the CH₂ group of isobutene decomposes upon heating to 150 K, producing either a /-bonded isobutenylidene [(CH₃)₂CCH] species or a 1,1-di-/-bonded isobutenyl [(CH₃)₂CC] species. Upon further heating, extensive C–H bond scission occurs to form hydrocarbon fragments which do not contain CH₃ or CH₂ groups, but appear to have largely intact carbon skeletons. By contrast, isobutene is molecularly adsorbed on the carbide-modified surface at 150 K. Further heating produces isobutylidyne [(CH₃)₂HCC] by 300 K, which subsequently decomposes via C–C bond scission to generate surface methyl groups. The different activation sequence of the C–H and C–C bonds of isobutene on clean and carbide-modified Mo(110) surfaces is also qualitatively confirmed by comparative studies of 1-butene on the two surfaces.     

Dehydrocyclization of 1-hexene to benzene on Cu3Pt(111)

The disproportionation ofn-butane (and of isobutane) was catalyzed by sulfated zirconium oxide containing 1.5 wt% Fe, 0.5 wt% Mn, and 4.0 wt% sulfate at 2.0 atm and temperatures in the range of 30–60C. The reaction accompanies isomerization, which under some conditions is as much as one or two orders of magnitude faster than disproportionation. The conversion to each of the products increased with time on stream in a flow reactor, and then declined. The time on stream for maximum conversion was the same for each product. The results suggest that the disproportionation and isomerization reactions proceed through a common C₈ intermediate. Rates of the disproportionation reaction were determined at the time on stream corresponding to the maximum conversion at each temperature; for example, the rate of conversion ofn-butane into isopentane at 60C with ann-butane partial pressure of 0.58 atm was about 1×10^–7 mol/(g of catalyst s).     

INFORMATION LITERACY IN A RESEARCHER'S LEARNING LIFE: THE SEVEN AGES OF RESEARCH

This article uses data from research conducted in the course of writing a book on the needs, wants and characteristics of researchers to examine how researchers view themselves and the research process. As a result of this, the Seven Ages of Research model was developed which categorises a researcher's learning life into a series of discrete stages. The article explores learning needs relevant to each age in the learning life and links them to the development of information literacy. The authors explore the polarisation that exists between what researchers think research is about and what they believe the library can offer them, and suggest that information literacy needs to be seen as involving a change in understanding of, and attitude to, the world of information, as well as the nature of those information needs. Finally, they explore the librarian's role in an e-environment which has changed the way researchers work and identify some of the challenges facing library and information services professionals in the future in supporting researchers throughout their learning lives.     

Discovery of an Allosteric Ligand Binding Site in SMYD3 Lysine Methyltransferase

SMYD3 is a multifunctional epigenetic enzyme with lysine methyltransferase activity and various interaction partners. It is implicated in the pathophysiology of cancers but with an unclear mechanism. To discover tool compounds for clarifying its biochemistry and potential as a therapeutic target, a set of drug-like compounds was screened in a biosensor-based competition assay. Diperodon was identified as an allosteric ligand; its R and S enantiomers were isolated, and their affinities to SMYD3 were determined (K_D=42 and 84 μM, respectively). Co-crystallization revealed that both enantiomers bind to a previously unidentified allosteric site in the C-terminal protein binding domain, consistent with its weak inhibitory effect. No competition between diperodon and HSP90 (a known SMYD3 interaction partner) was observed although SMYD3–HSP90 binding was confirmed (K_D=13 μM). Diperodon clearly represents a novel starting point for the design of tool compounds interacting with a druggable allosteric site, suitable for the exploration of noncatalytic SMYD3 functions and therapeutics with new mechanisms of action.     

The seafood supply chain from a fraudulent perspective

Food fraud is an intentional act for economic gain. It poses a risk to food integrity, the economy, public health and consumers’ ethics. Seafood is one commodity which has endured extensive fraudulent activity owing to its increasing consumer demand, resource limitations, high value and complex supply chains. It is essential that these fraudulent opportunities are revealed, the risk is evaluated and countermeasures for mitigation are assigned. This can be achieved through mapping of the seafood supply chains and identifying the vulnerability analysis critical control points (VACCP), which can be exposed, infiltrated and exploited for fraudulent activity. This research systematically maps the seafood supply chain for three key commodities: finfish, shellfish and crustaceans in the United Kingdom. Each chain is comprised of multiple stakeholders across numerous countries producing a diverse range of products distributed globally. For each supply chain the prospect of fraud, with reference to species substitution, fishery substitution, illegal, unreported and unregulated substitution, species adulteration, chain of custody abuse, catch method fraud, undeclared product extension, modern day slavery and animal welfare, has been identified and evaluated. This mapping of the fraudulent opportunities within the supply chains provides a foundation to rank known and emerging risks and to develop a proactive mitigation plan which assigns control measures and responsibility where vulnerabilities exist. Further intelligence gathering and management of VACCPs of the seafood supply chains may deter currently unknown or unexposed fraudulent opportunities.     

Quality control and due diligence in project management: Getting decisions right by taking the outside view

This paper explores how theories of the planning fallacy and the outside view may be used to conduct quality control and due diligence in project management. First, a much-neglected issue in project management is identified, namely that the front-end estimates of costs and benefits – used in the business cases, cost–benefit analyses, and social and environmental impact assessments that typically support decisions on projects – are commonly significantly different from actual ex post costs and benefits, and are therefore poor predictors of the actual value and viability of projects. Second, it is discussed how Kahneman and Tversky's theories of the planning fallacy and the outside view may help explain and remedy this situation through quality control of decisions. Third, it is described what quality control and due diligence are in the context of project management, and an eight-step procedure is outlined for due diligence based on the outside view. Fourth, the procedure is tested on a real-life, multibillion-dollar project, organized as a public–private partnership. Finally, Akerlof and Shiller's recent discussion in economics of “firing the forecaster” is discussed together with its relevance to project management. In sum, the paper demonstrates the need, the theoretical basis, a practical methodology, and a real-life example for how to de-bias project management using quality control and due diligence based on the outside view.