Prochloron research

The purpose was to prepare Prochloron photosynthetic membranes for the isolation of the two major chlorophyll-proteins, the P700-chlorophyll a-protein and the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-protein, using SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The prepared proteins (purified) were examined for their cross-reactivity to polyclonal antibodies prepared from higher plant proteins. In addition, material was prepared for electron microscopy, and isolation of the DNA for determination of its general complexity (COT analysis) and similarity to barley chloroplast DNA and Anabaena DNA by using restriction-endonuclease analysis. Kleinschmidt spreads of the DNA were in the electron microscope to identify and measure the extent and size of the circlar DNA

A dilogarithmic integral arising in quantum field theory

Recently, an interesting dilogarithmic integral arising in quantum field theory has been closed-form evaluated in terms of the Clausen function $\text{Cl}_2(\theta)$ by Coffey [J. Math. Phys.} 49 (2008), 093508]. It represents the volume of an ideal tetrahedron in hyperbolic space and is involved in two intriguing equivalent conjectures of Borwein and Broadhurst. It is shown here, by simple and direct arguments, that this integral can be expressed by the triplet of the Clausen function values which are involved in one of the two above-mentioned conjectures.Comment: 6 page

The views of young people with congenital cardiac disease on designing the services for their treatment

Background and purpose: There is little documented evidence of young people with congenital cardiac disease being consulted as to what help, if any, they really need in relation to their condition. Most research concentrates on the medical aspects of the condition. There are studies of psychological and social functioning, but few have directly sought the opinions of the young people. More recent research has indicated a need for health professionals to develop services to meet both psychosocial and physical needs of young people with congenital cardiac disease. The findings of the recent Kennedy Report support this need. The purpose of this study was to explore the views of young people with a range of congenital cardiac conditions, on what would help them better deal with their condition, and when and how help might be provided. Methods: This was a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. We interviewed 16 young people in their own home. Interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed. Analysis was conducted using the "Framework" method. Results: Whilst most of the young people interviewed actively manage their condition, they think more support from others would be beneficial. Issues of activity and communication were cited most often as areas requiring more understanding from people they interact with, for example teachers and peers. The discussion focuses on how health professionals might change or develop their practice to help young people better cope with their condition. Conclusions: Most of the young people interviewed in this study had developed their own strategies for coping with their condition. Although this is a small study, the young people provided important suggestions as to how health professionals could better develop current services

A simple screening method for determining knowledge of the appropriate levels of activity and risk behaviour in young people with congenital cardiac conditions

Objective: To assess a novel method for assessing risk and providing advice about activity to children and young people with congenital cardiac disease and their parents. Design and setting: Questionnaire survey in outpatient clinics at a tertiary centre dealing with congenital cardiac disease, and 6 peripheral clinics. Interventions: Children or their parents completed a brief questionnaire. If this indicated a desire for help, or a serious mismatch between advised and real level of activity, they were telephoned by a physiotherapist. Main measures of outcome: Knowledge about appropriate levels of activity, and identification of the number exercising at an unsafe level, the number seeking help, and the type of help required. Results: 253/258 (98.0%) questionnaires were returned, with 119/253 (47.0%) showing incorrect responses in their belief about their advised level of exercise; 17/253 (6.7%) had potentially dangerous overestimation of exercise. Asked if they wanted advice 93/253 (36.8%) said “yes”, 43/253 (17.0%) “maybe”, and 117/253 (46.2%) “no”. Of those contacted by phone to give advice, 72.7% (56/77) required a single contact and 14.3% (11/77) required an intervention that required more intensive contact lasting from 2 up to 12 weeks. Of the cohort, 3.9% (3/77) were taking part in activities that put them at significant risk. Conclusions: There is a significant lack of knowledge about appropriate levels of activity, and a desire for further advice, in children and young people with congenital cardiac disease. A few children may be at very significant risk. These needs can be identified, and clinical risk reduced, using a brief self-completed questionnaire combined with telephone follow-up from a suitably knowledgeable physiotherapist

Scalar Field Theory at Finite Temperature in D=2+1

We discuss the $\phi^6$ theory defined in $D=2+1$-dimensional space-time and assume that the system is in equilibrium with a thermal bath at temperature $\beta^{-1}$. We use the $1/N$ expansion and the method of the composite operator (CJT) for summing a large set of Feynman graphs.We demonstrate explicitly the Coleman-Mermin-Wagner theorem at finite temperature.Comment: 12 pages, 1 figure. To be published in Journal Mathematical Physics, typos adde

An orientable, stabilized balloon-borne gondola for around-the-world flights

A system capable of pointing a balloon-borne telescope at selected celestial objects to an accuracy of approximately 10 arc minutes for an extended period (weeks to months) without reliance on telemetry is described. A unique combination of a sun/star tracker, an on-board computer, and a gyrocompass is utilized for navigation, source acquisition and tracking, and data compression and recording. The possibilities for intelligent activities by the computer are also discussed

Applications of DFT to the theory of twentieth-century harmony

Music theorists have only recently, following groundbreaking work by Quinn, recognized the potential for the DFT on pcsets, initially proposed by Lewin, to serve as the foundation of a theory of harmony for the twentieth century. This paper investigates pcset “arithmetic” – subset structure, transpositional combination, and interval content – through the lens of the DFT. It discusses relationships between interval classes and DFT magnitudes, considers special properties of dyads, pcset products, and generated collections, and suggest methods of using the DFT in analysis, including interpreting DFT magnitudes, using phase spaces to understand subset structure, and interpreting the DFT of Lewin’s interval function. Webern’s op. 5/4 and Bartok’s String Quartet 4, iv, are discussed.Accepted manuscrip

Decontextualizing contextual inversion

Contextual inversion, introduced as an analytical tool by David Lewin, is a concept of wide reach and value in music theory and analysis, at the root of neo-Riemannian theory as well as serial theory, and useful for a range of analytical applications. A shortcoming of contextual inversion as it is currently understood, however, is, as implied by the name, that the transformation has to be defined anew for each application. This is potentially a virtue, requiring the analyst to invest the transformational system with meaning in order to construct it in the first place. However, there are certainly instances where new transformational systems are continually redefined for essentially the same purposes. This paper explores some of the most common theoretical bases for contextual inversion groups and considers possible definitions of inversion operators that can apply across set class types, effectively decontextualizing contextual inversions.Accepted manuscrip

Decision making processes in people with symptoms of acute myocardial infarction: qualitative study

Objective To identify, the themes that influence decision making processes used by patients with symptoms of acute myocardial infarction. Design Qualitative study using semistructured interviews. Setting Two district hospitals in North Yorkshire. Participants 22 patients admitted to hospital with confirmed second, third, or fourth acute myocardial infarction. Main outcome measure Patients' perceptions of their experience between the onset of symptoms and the decision to seek medical help. Results Six main themes that influence the decision making process were identified: appraisal of In symptoms, perceived risk, previous experience, psychological and emotional factors, use of the NHS, and context of the event. Conclusions Knowledge of symptoms may not be enough to promote prompt action in the event of an acute myocardial infarction. Cognitive and emotional processes, individual beliefs and values, and the influence of the context of the event should also be considered in individual interventions designed to reduce delay in the event of symptoms of acute myocardial infarction

Characterisation of untreated and treated biodegradable wastes

As part of a Defra sponsored project (WRT220), approximately 40 biodegradable wastes were characterised according to biodegradability (DR4 and BM100), total PTE content, C:N ratio and biochemical composition. Two leaching tests were employed; upflow percolation test and a one step LS10 test; eluates were analysed for TOC, pH, electrical conductivity, PTEs and a range of cations and anions. This paper contains a limited set of data for a selection of untreated and treated waste types representing four waste treatment processes (composting, MBT, MHT, anaerobic digestion). The DR4 and BM100 tests were found to be appropriate for a wide range of waste types but where possible they should be used in conjunction with other related tests. Longer-term MBT composting processes appeared to produce compost material with reduced ammonium concentrations and extractability of some PTEs. Carbon content (carbon analyzer - LECO) could be estimated as C = LOI/1.9 which is a routine operation. N LECO values were approximately 12% greater than the equivalent N Kjeldahl values