Showing papers by "University of Bedfordshire published in 1986"

Protection of proteins and the like

Abstract: Sensitive proteins and other macromolecules, such as enzymes, antibodies, antigens, serum complement, fluorescent proteins, vaccine components, polysaccharides such as agarose etc, can be preserved by drying at ambient temperature and at atmospheric pressure in the presence of trehalose A porous matrix impregnated with trehalose is provided as a receiver for a blood or other liquid sample to be dried

Synthetic Hydrogels as Substrata for Cell Adhesion Studies

Abstract: Synthetic polymer hydrogels have many proven and potential biomedical applications as wound coverings, drug delivery systems, surgical prostheses, contact lenses and in extracorporeal circuitry. Their success in long-term contact with biological fluids and cellular tissue depends upon their interfacial properties in such environments, and in turn, upon their physical and chemical nature. One approach to defining requirements for interfacial events at polymer surfaces in vivo is to investigate cell adhesion behaviour on these materials in culture, and to correlate this behaviour with polymer structure and theories of in vivo biocompatibility. At the same time, polymer hydrogels provide the opportunity to extend existing cell culture systems for the study of environmental cues for cell behaviour under normal and pathological circumstances.

A century of fermenter design

Abstract: Modern designs of continuous and batch fermenters owe their origins to the first decade of the 20th Century. The cylindro-conical vessel, if designed to carry out fermentation and maturation above 3°C, appears the best choice of batch fermenter for most purposes. For quality reasons its height should be minimised consistent with retaining a sufficiently steep cone for yeast removal and adequate turbulence for effective temperature control. Radical changes in design are not anticipated in the near future. Development effort is likely to focus increasingly on automatic control of fermentation. This development in turn will redirect attention to continuous fermentation which was more or less abandoned ten years ago following failure of commercial systems which had acknowledged defects. These can be overcome in modified systems, at least one of which has been tested successfully on an experimental scale.

Fuel control system for gas turbine engine reheat apparatus

Abstract: A fuel control system for a gas turbine engine reheat system has a plurality of fuel metering devices for controlling fuel flow to respective ones of the reheat burners, and a plurality of throttle valves in series with the respective metering devices. One of the throttle valves regulates a pressure difference across its associated metering device and the remaining throttle valves maintain the pressure difference across their respective metering devices equal to that controlled by the aforesaid one throttle valve. The system may include a fuel supply valve which is responsive to a pressure signal controlled by two of the metering devices so that fuel supply from a pump is provided only when both of the two metering devices are open. The pump may include a delivery pressure regulating arrangement responsive to pump delivery pressure and to the highest of the pressures downstream of the metering devices, for regulating pump delivery pressure so as to maintain the metering pressure differences constant.

Misidentification of Cercospora effusa

Abstract: The confusion over the application of the name Cercospora effusa is discussed, and Solheim's statement that the basionym, Cladosporium effusum Berk. & Curt., was based on a specimen on Polygonum punctatum is substantiated. An earlier name for the fungus on Lobelia , which has incorrectly been called Cercospora effusa , has been found and is now published as Mycovellosiella lobeliae-cardinalis (Schw.) comb.nov. A fungus on Isotoma from Trinidad, which was wrongly identified as Cercospora effusa , is here described as Phaeoramularia isotomae sp.nov.

Debate and Controversy

Abstract: The past is at the same time both changeless and changing. Events that have occurred in the past cannot change. Magna Carta was signed, Julius Caesar was assassinated, the First World War did take place; but historical interpretation of those events and people does change. Historians develop new ways of looking at the past, alternative methods for examining evidence and undiscovered sources. These can all result in revisions of accepted orthodoxies. This chapter draws together the work on evidence and is concerned with three examples of debate and controversy in which the parameters and historical problems involved will be outlined.

Telescopic mast assembly

Abstract: A telescopic mast assembly for a fork-lift-truck comprises a fixed mast section (10) and two relatively movable mast sections (15, 16). A slidably mounted lifting carriage (26) is supported on the movable section (16) which is itself slidably mounted on the movable section (15). The carriage (26) is raised up the movable section (16) by a hydraulic cylinder (50) and the movable section (16) is raised up the movable section (15) by a hydraulic cylinder (40). The movable section (15) is raised up the fixed section (10) by a pair of cylinders which are arranged in series with the cylinders (50) and (40) so as to operate in sequence.

Gas cooker with a pivotable lid

Abstract: A gas cooker is described which includes a gas hob having a number of gas burners 1 each having a hob tap 3 for controlling the supply of gas thereto, a lid 7 movable between an open position giving access to the burners and a closed position in which the lid covers the burners, and a gas control valve 10 controlling the supply of gas to the hob taps 3, the gas control valve 10 being operatively connected to the lid 7 whereby when the lid is closed the gas supply to the taps 3 is cut-off and when the lid is open the gas supply is restored, the gas control valve 10 being further provided with a pressure operated valve 16. 19 for preventing the restoration of the gas supply to the hob taps 3 on movement of the lid 7 to its open position unless all the hob taps are "OFF" (Figures 1 and 2).