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Development Applications (development + application)
Selected AbstractsModified Hadamard transform microchip electrophoresisELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 16 2005Renato Guchardi Abstract Sensitivity is a crucial point in the development applications for medicine or environmental samples in which the analytes are present in the nanomolar range. Besides further technical development of detection systems, the multiplex sample injection technique can be applied for enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio. Hadamard transform is easily applied to microchip electrophoresis due to the fact that sample injection is generally achieved through cross, double-tee, or tee injector structures. This paper reports the first demonstration of a modified Hadamard transform electrophoresis on a microchip by using an amperometric detector. Contrary to the previous Hadamard applications, the resolution (number of points per unit of time) of electropherograms obtained is independent of the number of injections. [source] Ethics in operations research and sustainable developmentINTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS IN OPERATIONAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2010Jean-Pierre Brans Abstract During the last 100 years, major social, economic, environmental and technical problems have arisen that today jeopardise mankind's very existence. The authors argue that operations research (OR) should be more strongly involved by developing models to face today's crucial challenges. OR should change drastically because it is traditionally involved mainly with optimisation problems, which are often counterproductive in the sense of ethical behaviour: new basic approaches are required. This paper provides some avenues on how to develop instruments for addressing mankind's sustainability problems, and for complying with ethical principles. It is proposed to have a mix of techniques, mainly: systems thinking, multi-criteria decision-making and dynamic control. A global framework, called ASMC (Adaptive, Systemic, Multi-criteria, Control procedure), is proposed for developing these ideas. Some sustainable development applications are presented. [source] Cryopreservation of fish sperm: applications and perspectivesJOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 5 2010E. Cabrita Summary Cryopreservation is of interest not only for fish farming but also for the conservation and genetic improvement of resources. This technique has been well established in some freshwater fish species mainly, salmonid, sturgeons and carps, however, only in the last decade research was focused in marine fish species. The benefits of sperm cryopreservation include: (i) synchronization of gamete availability of both sexes, (ii) sperm economy; (iii) simplification of broodstock management, (iv) transport of gametes from different fish farms, and (v) germplasm storage for genetic selection programs or conservation of species. These issues would certainly benefit the aquaculture industry. The tremendous impact that biotechnology is having in aquaculture has been particularly obvious in recent years. Several species are being used as research models not only for aquaculture development applications but also for medical research. Sperm cryopreservation can give an important contribution in the germ storage of all transgenic lines. However, in all applications in fish sperm, cryopreservation needs to overcome a lack in standardization of methodologies and procedures, a correct assay of seminal quality and the development of tools to characterize cryoinjury. Many efforts have recently been made in the study of DNA using different approaches such as the comet assay (single cell gel electrophoresis), TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-nick-end-labelling), SCSA (sperm chromatin structure assay) and the analysis of specific DNA sequences using RT-PCR, since DNA damage may impair fertility or embryo development. Cryopreservation of gametes would certainly benefit from a higher concern on male improvement, basically through nutrition or selection of resistant stocks (e.g. stress resistant individuals or highly adapted to captivity) producing gametes of higher quality. There is a huge window of opportunities for improve the resistance of cells to cryopreservation through diet supplementation of certain compounds such as amino acids (taurine and hypotaurine), vitamins (Vit. E and C) and lipids or through a direct supplementation of the extender media. An equilibrium of those compounds will improve spermatozoa and seminal plasma composition protecting cells against oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, DNA fragmentation, enzyme protection) that is gaining each day more importance in cryodamage research. [source] Conserved features of type III secretionCELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 9 2004A. P. Tampakaki Summary Type III secretion systems (TTSSs) are essential mediators of the interaction of many Gram-negative bacteria with human, animal or plant hosts. Extensive sequence and functional similarities exist between components of TTSS from bacteria as diverse as animal and plant pathogens. Recent crystal structure determinations of TTSS proteins reveal extensive structural homologies and novel structural motifs and provide a basis on which protein interaction networks start to be drawn within the TTSSs, that are consistent with and help rationalize genetic and biochemical data. Such studies, along with electron microscopy, also established common architectural design and function among the TTSSs of plant and mammalian pathogens, as well as between the TTSS injectisome and the flagellum. Recent comparative genomic analysis, bioinformatic genome mining and genome-wide functional screening have revealed an unsuspected number of newly discovered effectors, especially in plant pathogens and uncovered a wider distribution of TTSS in pathogenic, symbiotic and commensal bacteria. Functional proteomics and analysis further reveals common themes in TTSS effector functions across phylogenetic host and pathogen boundaries. Based on advances in TTSS biology, new diagnostics, crop protection and drug development applications, as well as new cell biology research tools are beginning to emerge. [source] |