The antimicrobial activity of chitosan and chitosan derivatives has been well established. However, although several mechanisms have been proposed, the exact mode of action is still unclear. Here we report on the investigation of antibacterial activity and the antibacterial mode of action of a novel water-soluble chitosan derivative, arginine-functionalized chitosan, on the gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens and Escherichia coli. Two different arginine-functionalized chitosans (6% arginine-substituted and 30% arginine-substituted) each strongly inhibited P. fluorescens and E. coli growth. Time-dependent killing efficacy experiments showed that 5000 mg L -1 of 6% substituted and 30% substituted chitosan-arginine killed 2.7 logs and 4.5 logs of P. fluorescens, and 4.8 logs and 4.6 logs of E. coli in 4 h, respectively. At low concentrations, the 6% substituted chitosan-arginine was more effective in inhibiting cell growth even though the 30% substituted chitosan-arginine appeared to be more effective in permeabilizing the cell membranes of both P. fluorescens and E. coli. Studies using fluorescent probes, 1-N-phenylnaphthylamine (NPN), nile red (NR) and propidium iodide (PI), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) suggest that chitosan-arginine's antibacterial activity is, at least in part, due to its interaction with the cell membrane, in which it increases membrane permeability.

The ballistic performance of thick ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) composite was experimentally determined for panel thicknesses ranging from 9 mm to 100 mm against 12.7 mm and 20 mm calibre fragment simulating projectiles (FSPs). Thin panels (<~10 mm thick) were observed to undergo large deflection and bulging, failing predominantly in fibre tension. With increased thickness the panels demonstrated a two-stage penetration process: shear plugging during the initial penetration followed by the formation of a transition plane and bulging of a separated rear panel. The transition plane between the two penetration stages was found to vary with impact velocity and target thickness. These variables are inter-related in ballistic limit testing as thicker targets are tested at higher velocities. An analytical model was developed to describe the two-stage perforation model, based on energy and momentum conservation. The shear plugging stage is characterised in terms of work required to produce a shear plug in the target material, while the bulging and membrane tension phase is based on momentum and classical yarn theory. The model was found to provide very good agreement with the experimental results for thick targets that displayed the twostage penetration process. For thin targets, which did not show the initial shear plugging phase, analytical models for membranes were demonstrated as suitable.

Ballistic performance analysis of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) is critical for the design of armour systems against ballistic threats. However, no validated modelling strategy has been published in literature for UHMW-PE composite that captures the penetration and damage mechanisms of thick targets impacted between 900 m/s and 2000 m/s. Here we propose a mechanistically-based and extensively validated methodology for the ballistic impact analysis of thick UHMW-PE composite. The methodology uses a non-linear orthotropic continuum model that describes the composite response using a non-linear equation of state (EoS), orthotropic elastic plastic strength with directional hardening and orthotropic failure criteria. A new sub-laminate discretisation approach is proposed that allows the model to more accurately capture out-of-plane failure. The model is extensively validated using experimental ballistic data for a wide range of UHMW-PE target thicknesses up to 102 mm against 12.7 mm and 20 mm calibre fragment simulating projectiles (FSPs) with impact velocities between 400 m/s and 2000 m/s. Very good overall agreement with experimental results is seen for depth of penetration, ballistic limit and residual velocity, while the penetration mechanisms and target bulge behaviour are accurately predicted. The model can be used to reduce the volume of testing typically required to design and assess thick UHMW-PE composite in ballistic impact applications

This paper describes the derivation and validation of a numerical material model that predicts the highly dynamic behaviour of CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced plastic) under hypervelocity impact. CFRP is widely used in satellites as face sheet material in CFRP-Al/HC sandwich structures (HC = honeycomb), that can be exposed to space debris. A review of CFRP-Al/HC structures typically used in space was performed. Based on this review, a representative structure in terms of materials and geometry was selected for study in the work described here. An experimental procedure for the characterisation of composite materials is documented in [1]. The test results from the CFRP of the current study allow for the derivation of an experimentally based orthotropic continuum material model data set that is capable of predicting the mechanical behaviour of CFRP under hypervelocity impact. Such a data set was not previously available. In [2] an orthotropic material data set was used for modelling HVI on AFRP (aramid fibre reinforced plastic), which shows relatively high deformability before failure. The enhancements of the modelling approaches in [1] and [3] necessary to model brittle CFRP are specified. An experimental hypervelocity impact campaign was performed at two different two stage light gas guns which encompassed both normal and oblique impacts for a range of impact velocities and projectile diameters. Validation of the numerical model is provided through comparison with the experimental results. For that purpose measurements of the visible damage of the face sheets and of the HC core are conducted. In addition, the numerically predicted damage within the CFRP is compared to the delamination areas found in ultrasonic scans.

Background: There are well-described benefits to separating emergency and elective surgery. Geelong Hospital lacked the resources to implement a separate acute surgical unit, but instituted daily dedicated emergency general surgery operating sessions, managed by an on-site consultant. This study aims to assess the impact of this on service delivery and surgeons' job satisfaction. Methods: From 1 February 2011, daily half-day operating lists were allocated for general surgical emergencies. Patients treated on these lists were studied prospectively until 31 December 2011. Theatre waiting times and hospital stay were compared with the previous year. A quality-of-life questionnaire was administered to participating surgeons before the project commenced and after 6 months. Results: A total of 966 patients underwent surgery during an emergency general surgery admission in the control period, and 984 underwent surgery during the study period. The median time from arrival in the emergency department (ED) to surgery was reduced from 19 (18-21) h in the control group to 18 (17-19) h in the study group (P = 0.033). The time from booking surgery to operation was reduced from 4.8 (4.3-5.4) h to 3.9 (3.5-4.3) h (P < 0.0001). For patients undergoing emergency laparotomy, the time from booking to surgery was reduced from 3.1 (2.2-4.1) to 2.4 (1.8-2.9) h, and hospital stay was reduced from 13 (11-15) to 10 (9-12) days (P = 0.0089). The surgeons' responses to the questionnaires showed improvement in job satisfaction (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: This intervention has improved service delivery for emergency surgery patients, and improved the participating surgeons' job satisfaction.

The introduction of the ASM at GH has not significantly altered the rate of NA or PA. The NA rate at GH is comparable to other published UK and Australian series.

The design of variable-stability coiled-coil heterodimers is described. The electrostatic interface between helices, formed by contact between side chains in heptad e/g positions, is manipulated to produce complexes ranging in stability from ones that are essentially unstructured to those that cannot be thermally denatured. The tuning is accomplished by incremental extension or contraction of parent glutamic acid and lysine side chains by single methylene units, producing peptides that bear either carboxylic acids or amines separated from the peptide backbone by one to four CH2 groups. Detailed examination of all homodimers and electrostatically compatible heterodimers generates interesting combinations, particularly those in which longer-chain acids are incorporated into peptides paired with lysine-bearing ones. The discovery of very stable dimers allows exchange experiments in which one strand of an original heterodimer is specifically replaced by an added one, even in cases where the original complex features the native-like glutamic acid/lysine pairing. The reported results add significantly to the available design templates for coiled-coil construction and enable the future implementation of various triggered-recognition strategies.

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