The effect of added electrolyte on the phase behaviour of the micellar liquid crystal system caesium pentadecafluorooctanoate/water: a thesis presented in the partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in chemistry at Massy [i.e. Massey] University

This thesis is a study of the effects of added electrolyte (CsCl) on the aggregate structure and hence on the macroscopic phase behaviour of the micellar liquid crystal system caesium pentadecafluorooctanoate / heavy water. The techniques used were 2H, 133Cs and 35Cl N.M.R. spectroscopy. The relationship between the quadrupole splittings of these nuclei and the structure and order of the liquid crystal mesophase is discussed in detail. A partial phase diagram for the CsPFO / CsCl / 2H2O system at a fixed 1 : 1 weight ratio of CsPFO to 2H2O is presented. The phase behaviour has been compared with that for a hydrocarbon surfactant. The changes in phase transition temperatures with added salt has been shown to be due to an increase in the micellar size. This increases with added electrolyte but is constant along the lamellar to nematic transition line. It is shown that there is a strong coupling between micelle size and the micellar fractional surface charge. Specifically the effect of caesium chloride on the CsPFO / 2H2O system was investigated using 2H, 133Cs and 35CI N.M.R. spectroscopy to probe the micellar structure and identify the phase transitions. A full description of the N.M.R theory pertaining to this work is presented

Giant cystic pheochromocytoma with low risk of malignancy: A case report and literature teview

Giant pheochromocytomas are rare silent entities that do not present with the classical symptoms commonly seen in catecholamine-secreting tumors. In many cases they are accidentally discovered. The algorithm to diagnose a pheochromocytoma consists of biochemical evaluation and imaging of a retroperitoneal mass. The female patient in this case report presented with a palpable abdominal mass and was cured with surgical resection. She suffered no recurrence or complications on follow-up. The left retroperitoneal mass measured 27 × 18 × 12 cm and weighed 3,315 grams. Biochemical, radiological, and pathological examinations confirmed the diagnosis of a pheochromocytoma. In this paper, we report on our experience treating this patient and provide a summary of all giant pheochromocytomas greater than 10 cm reported to date in English language medical journals. Our patient’s giant cystic pheochromocytoma was the fourth heaviest and fifth largest maximal diameter identified using our literature search criteria. Additionally, this tumor had the largest maximal diameter of all histologically confirmed benign/low metastatic risk pheochromocytomas. Giant cystic pheochromocytomas are rare entities requiring clinical suspicion coupled with strategic diagnostic evaluation to confirm the diagnosis

Captive breeding and conservation : lessons from captive lion breeding

Abstract : Please refer to full text to view abstract.M.Sc. (Zoology

The benzodiazepine class of compounds as a potential for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in over 70 countries in the tropics and neotropics. Several Leishmania species are the causative agent of this form of the disease and are transmitted to humans and animals by a bite of a phlebotomies sandfly. Antileishmanial drugs including antimonials, Amphotericin B, pentamidine, paromomycin, allupurinol and miltefosine have been the treatment of choice over recent years. However, toxicity, difficulty of administration and emergence of resistance have limited the number of chemotherapeutic options available hence underlying the urgency for the identification of new classes of compounds with antileishmanial activity. The benzodiazepine class of compounds whose core structure entails the fusion of a benzene and diazepine ring have been used over the past 50 years as psychoactive drugs in the treatment of anxiety, insomnia and as an anticonvulsants. The aim of this study was to explore the antileishmanial effects of this class of compounds on stationary phase promastigotes of old and new world Leishmania species (L. aethiopica, L. major, L. tropica and L. mexicana) using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol+2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium(MTS) assay for assessing parasite viability. An array of compounds with modifications brought about at the benzene and diazepine structures were tested over a range of concentrations over a 24-hour period for all species mentioned above. The three most active compounds (RRP223, RRP262 and RRP 199) displayed a different range of activity with inhibition of parasite growth at micromolar range in all 4 species. These findings implicate selective activity and demonstrate Leishmanicidal potential in the benzodiazepine class of compounds

Equity Research : Netflix Inc

Mestrado em FinançasEste estudo contém a avaliação da Netflix, Inc., elaborado em conformidade com o Trabalho Final do Programa de Mestrado em Finanças do Insituto Superior de Economia e Gestão (ISEG). Esta pesquisa é emitida tendo em conta a informação pública disponível em 15 de Outubro de 2016. Assim, o relatório não considera quaisquer eventos ou circunstâncias que surgiram após esta data. O estudo foi elaborado através do método dos Fluxos de Caixa Descontados (DCF). Os pressupostos considerados para realização deste trabalho foram o resultado de uma análise de dados históricos divulgada publicamente pela empresa. A recomendação final para Netflix, Inc. é de 'Comprar', com um preço-alvo de USD 125,57 para 2016YE, correspondendo a um ganho potencial de +23.8% aquando comparado com o preço de fecho a 14 de Outubro de 2016 de USD 101,47.This study contains the valuation of Netflix, Inc. elaborated in accordance with the Lisbon School of Economics & Management´s (ISEG) Finance Master´s Final Work Project. Our research is issued considering the public available information on Netflix, Inc. on October 15th, 2016. Thus, the report does not consider any events or circumstances which have arisen after this date. The study was elaborated recurring to the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Approach. The assumptions considered to conduct this work were the result of a historical data analysis publicly disclosed by the company. The final recommendation for Netflix, Inc. stands for ?Buy?, with a price target of USD 125.57 for 2016YE, corresponding to an upside potential of +23.8% when compared to the closing price on October 14th 2016 of USD 101.47.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The complete mitogenome of the fairy shrimp Streptocephalus cafer (Lovén, 1847) (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Anostraca) from an ephemeral pond in Botswana, southern Africa

Fairy shrimps (Anostraca) constitute an important component of seasonally aquatic habitats, but few complete mitochondrial genomes have been published for this group. Here, we report the mitogenome of a common southern African species, Streptocephalus cafer, from Botswana (accession number: MN720104). Low-coverage shotgun sequencing recovered two contigs 15653 bp and 1347 bp in length that are separated by a repetitive region of unknown length within the non-coding control region. The mitogenome’s GC content is 31.80%. Phylogenetic analysis using protein-coding genes confirms the sister taxon relationship of S. cafer with the only other congener whose mitogenome has been reconstructed to date, the Asian S. sirindhornae

Physiological Role of Gap-Junctional Hemichannels: Extracellular Calcium-Dependent Isosmotic Volume Regulation

Hemichannels in the overlapping regions of apposing cells plasma membranes join to form gap junctions and provide an intercellular communication pathway. Hemichannels are also present in the nonjunctional regions of individual cells and their activity is gated by several agents, including calcium. However, their physiological roles are unknown. Using techniques of atomic force microscopy (AFM), fluorescent dye uptake assay, and laser confocal immunofluorescence imaging, we have examined the extracellular calcium-dependent modulation of cell volume. In response to a change in the extracellular physiological calcium concentration (1.8 to ≤1.6 mM) in an otherwise isosmotic condition, real-time AFM imaging revealed a significant and reversible increase in the volume of cells expressing gap-junctional proteins (connexins). Volume change did not occur in cells that were not expressing connexins. However, after the transient or stable transfection of connexin43, volume change did occur. The volume increase was accompanied by cytochalasin D-sensitive higher cell stiffness, which helped maintain cell integrity. These cellular physical changes were prevented by gap-junctional blockers, oleamide and β-glycyrrhetinic acid, or were reversed by returning extracellular calcium to the normal level. We conclude that nongap-junctional hemichannels regulate cell volume in response to the change in extracellular physiological calcium in an otherwise isosmotic situation

Multidimensional Atomic Force Microscopy: A Versatile Novel Technology for Nanopharmacology Research

Nanotechnology is giving us a glimpse into a nascent field of nanopharmacology that deals with pharmacological phenomena at molecular scale. This review presents our perspective on the use of scanning probe microscopy techniques with special emphasis to multidimensional atomic force microscopy (m-AFM) to explore this new field with a particular emphasis to define targets, design therapeutics, and track outcomes of molecular-scale pharmacological interactions. The approach will be to first discuss operating principles of m-AFM and provide representative examples of studies to understand human health and disease at the molecular level and then to address different strategies in defining target macromolecules, screening potential drug candidates, developing and characterizing of drug delivery systems, and monitoring target–drug interactions. Finally, we will discuss some future directions including AFM tip-based parallel sensors integrated with other high-throughput technologies which could be a powerful platform for drug discovery

Valuing the voices of children: a case study of involving children in the process of medical equipment design in the hospital environment

Paediatric hospital design is receiving growing attention internationally around the value of involving children (the users) in the process. Many studies demonstrate the value of involvement and consultation/collaboration with children, seeking their input in the design of their paediatric hospital environments. This should extend to furniture and equipment in the environment. However little evidence suggests children are involved in the design of either medical equipment or general products found in these environments. As a design student, I explored the feasibility of involving children alongside stakeholders in the design of medical equipment, through the design of Sprout IV Pole; an Intravenous Pole produced with the intention of positively impacting the hospital experience for children. Through an extensive process of consultation, Sprout IV Pole was trialled in hospital. While trialled, children alongside their parents and nurses were involved through a questionnaire to gain their feedback upon the design, to determine what value Sprout IV Pole offered in comparison to existing IV Poles. This process illustrated the complexity of involving/consulting children in hospital but also demonstrates the value their involvement holds to designing medical equipment. This case study concludes by offering advice to fellow design students and researchers aiming to design medical equipment, as well as hospital organisations to seek the involvement of children through the process if improving their healthcare environment, service and products