Process-to-Policy (P2Pol): using carbon emission pinch analysis (CEPA) tools for policy-making in the energy sector

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy - Global warming is a major international issue due to rising levels of greenhouse gases such as CO2. Many countries now face the challenge to find...     

Efficient Generation of Hydrazides in Proteins by RadA Split Intein

Protein C-terminal hydrazides are useful for bioconjugation and construction of proteins from multiple fragments through native chemical ligation. To generate C-terminal hydrazides in proteins, an efficient intein-based preparation method has been developed by using thiols and hydrazine to accelerate the formation of the transient thioester intermediate and subsequent hydrazinolysis. This approach not only increases the yield, but also improves biocompatibility. The scope of the method has been expanded by employing Pyrococcus horikoshii RadA split intein, which can accommodate a broad range of extein residues before the site of cleavage. The use of split RadA minimizes premature intein N cleavage in vivo and offers control over the initiation of the intein N cleavage reaction. It is expected that this versatile preparation method will expand the utilization of protein C-terminal hydrazides in protein preparation and modification.     

Risk assessment in the maintenance of offshore caisson operations

Undertaking maintenance of offshore caissons is a pervasive challenge that involves an array of risks and uncertainties. Despite the adoption of standardised and routine maintenance procedures that are subject to on-going improvements, the rate of failure in offshore caissons remains relatively high. To manage the effect of risk and uncertainties associated with the maintenance of offshore caissons, expert judgment can be drawn upon to better understand and capture the issues that contribute to their failure. Using a case study of an offshore hydrocarbon discharge caisson in the North Sea of the United Kingdom, expert judgements from industry practitioners are obtained using the Delphi Interview and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique to rank 14 possible recovery options. Sensitivity analysis is used to ascertain the suitability of each of the options. Results reveal that the Delphi technique employed provided a robust means to garner invaluable insights from experts about the issues associated with caisson failure. The corollary is the development of a framework that serves as a point of reference to identify and assess the risks in offshore caisson maintenance operations. This framework can also be used in conjunction with existing probabilistic methods to improve the effectiveness of decision-making during operations and maintenance.     

Clinical results of peroperative transesophageal echography in peri-valvular leaks of heart prosthesis

Unlike normal melanocytes, primary and metastatic human melanomas express high levels of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 (FGFR-1) messenger RNA, and expression of these genes is essential in sustaining the proliferation of malignant melanomas in vitro. To determine whether bFGF and FGFR-1 are also required for tumor formation in these cells, liposome-mediated gene transfer was used to deliver episomal vectors containing antisense-oriented bFGF or FGFR-1 cDNAs into human melanomas, grown as subcutaneous tumors in nude mice. The growth of tumors injected with these constructs was completely arrested or the tumors regressed as a result of blocked intratumoral angiogenesis and subsequent necrosis. Thus, inhibition of bFGF/FGFR-1-mediated signaling may open a new avenue for the treatment of advanced-stage melanomas.     

Propofol or midazolam for sedation and early extubation following cardiac surgery

PURPOSE: The purpose of this randomized, double-blind study was to evaluate the efficacy of midazolam and propofol for postoperative sedation and early extubation following cardiac surgery. METHODS: ASA physical status II-III patients scheduled to undergo elective first-time cardiac surgery with an ejection fraction > 45% were eligible. All patients received a standardized sufentanil/isoflurane anaesthesia. During cardiopulmonary bypass 100 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 propofol was substituted for isoflurane. Upon arrival in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), patients were randomized to either 10 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 propofol (n = 21) or 0.25 microgram.kg-1.min-1 midazolam (n = 20). Infusion rates were adjusted to maintain sedation within a predetermined range (Ramsay 2-4). The infusion was terminated after four hours. Patients were weaned from mechanical ventilation and their tracheas extubated when Haemodynamic stability, haemostasis, normothermia and mental orientation were confirmed. Haemodynamic measurements, arterial blood gas tensions and pulmonary function tests were recorded at specified times. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups for the time spent at each level of sedation, number of infusion rate adjustments, amount of analgesic and vasoactive drugs, times to awakening and extubation. The costs of propofol were higher than those of midazolam. There were no differences in haemodynamic values, arterial blood gas tensions and pulmonary function. CONCLUSION: We conclude that midazolam and propofol are safe and effective sedative agents permitting early extubation in this selected cardiac patient population but propofol costs were higher.     

Cognition and social adversity in the depressed elderly.

This study investigated the cognitive patterns and social circumstances of the depressed elderly. Compared to elderly nondepressed controls, the depressed elderly reported more negative thoughts, hopelessness, and dysfunctional attitudes. Although severe life events were more common in the depressed group, social adversity was unrelated to scores on these cognitive measures. Furthermore, when compared with findings using younger adults, our results suggest that the age of the depressed person has little effect on cognitions in general, with the possible exception of automatic thoughts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behaviour of the clay/bitumen/water sludge system from oil sands extraction plants

Rational waste management for large mineral extraction operations requires behavioural information and a clear understanding of processes. The behaviour of the clay/water/bitumen/sand systems at Syncrude Canada Ltd. is being studied. The macroscopic behaviour is becoming well understood, particularly with respect to the role of bitumen. The bitumen aids settlement, but hinders consolidation. Clay mineral behaviour in the presence of bitumen is unclear and remains worthy of detailed study, particularly with respect to the nature of the mineral/bitumen interface in the presence of various ions.Data are presented on system rheology, gel strength of sand/sludge mixes, the void ratio to permeability relationships for sludge, and the void ratio/effective stress relationship for sludge. Of considerable interest are the data at extremely low stresses, less than 1.0 kPa, as the great majority of water is expelled below this stress value.     

Practical multimedia electronic mail on X.400

X.400 is ideal for organizations that require e-mail security and accountability. However, its multimedia content and interoperability are limited. As a joint university, government, and industry sponsored project, the University of Ottawa's MCRLab designed a prototype that provides X.400 that offer multimedia capabilities intrinsic interoperability with the Internet/MIME standard     

Simulation of the forming of mash seam welded sheets

The paper presents results on the optimization of the process of mash seam welding for improving the formability of the joined sheet metal semi-products. An integrated concept including the welding, smoothing and heat treatment of mash welded sheets has been developed. As an example, fatigue tests and the simulation of the forming behaviour of a mash seam welded tensile specimen simulated by the finite element method (FEM) is discussed. The determination of the material properties of the seam which, so far, have been determined experimentally is thus considerably simplified.