Scholars and jurists have long assumed that, when the executive branch declines to defend a federal statute, Congress may intervene in federal court to defend the law. When invalidating the Defense of Marriage Act, for example, no Justice challenged the authority of the House of Representatives to defend federal laws in at least some circumstances. At the same time, in recent litigation over the Fast and Furious gun-running case, the Department of Justice asserted that the House could not go to court to enforce a subpoena against the executive. We seek to challenge both claims. We argue that Congress has the constitutional power to enforce subpoenas but not defend federal statutes in court. Congressional defense of federal statutes violates two constitutional norms. First, except in certain specified situations (none of which are applicable here), the Constitution prohibits Congress or one of its components from having any role in the implementation of federal law. Second, unilateral defense by the House or the Senate violates the constitutional norm of bicameralism. The Constitution does not authorize either chamber to speak on behalf of "the Congress," much less the United States, in defense of federal law. By contrast, the Constitution gives each chamber considerable power to investigate wrongdoing by the executive, and to conduct litigation growing out of such investigations ― by, for example, enforcing subpoenas. We believe that this limited congressional power to appear in court makes eminent sense. The House and Senate counsel, as currently constituted, are poorly suited to defend their joint work product in court but are well situated to represent their respective institutions in other proceedings against the executive. Furthermore, this investigative power gives each chamber a powerful (and often overlooked) constitutional tool to do battle with the executive.


Both activated platelets and circulating microparticles were described to express tissue factor (TF), the principal initiator of coagulation, on their cell surface (intravascular TF). It is still not clear whether TF is functionally active on activated platelets. TF expressed on activated monocytes and various other cell types has been described to be functionally inactive (encrypted or latent TF). In the present study, cellular mechanisms are analyzed that could release the TF procoagulant activity of blood components.
Tissue factor pathway inhibitor-1 (TFPI) represents the main physiologic inhibitor of the coagulation start. It inhibits the ternary initiator complex of the extrinsic coagulation pathway by first binding the circulating factors X / Xa and subsequently interacting with VII / VIIa. We found that after stimulation with thrombin and collagen type I, TFPI was recovered in the platelet releasate and it was degraded by neutrophil elastase (NE) released from activated neutrophils. TFPI degradation was also induced by NE on neutrophil microparticles. We found that NE is bound to negatively charged macromolecules (proteoglycans, RNA) on the surface of activated neutrophils by polar interactions. Overall, we could provide substantial experimental evidence that upon interaction of activated platelets with PMN a microenvironment is formed, which allows the efficient degradation of TFPI by the PMN-associated serine protease NE. This cross talk between the innate immune system and the coagulation system might be of general importance in pathologies, such as sepsis, arterial and venous thrombosis and myocardial infarction.
TF-encryption has represented an unsolved problem for several decades. We reveal that thiol-disulfide exchange in the extracellular C186/C209 disulfide pair of TF triggers the TF procoagulant activity. Formation of the intramolecular C186/C209 disulfide activates TF procoagulant function, whereas reduction of the disulfide to the appropriate sulfhydryls and the formation of mixed disulfides (protein S-glutathionylation of TF) were found to suppress its procoagulant function. TF activation is supported by the thiol isomerase protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and it is facilitated by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxifying enzyme glutaredoxin (GRX). Protein S-glutathionylation of TF was uncovered as one reversible mechanism preventing the intravascular coagulation start.
We suggest that thiol isomerases are injury-responsive signals driving coagulation through posttranslational cysteine modifications of TF. This mechanism could help to explain the augmented occurrence of vasoocclusive pathologies during ageing, where increasing concentrations of ROS might favour TF oxidation.


Forrest County, Mississippi, became a focal point of the civil rights movement when, in 1961, the United States Justice Department filed a lawsuit against its voting registrar Theron Lynd. While thirty percent of the county's residents were black, only twelve black persons were on its voting rolls. United States v. Lynd was the first trial that resulted in the conviction of a southern registrar for contempt of court. The case served as a model for other challenges to voter discrimination in the South, and was an important influence in shaping the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Count Them One by One is a comprehensive account of the groundbreaking case written by one of the Justice Department's trial attorneys. Gordon A. Martin, Jr., then a newly-minted lawyer, traveled to Hattiesburg from Washington to help shape the federal case against Lynd. He met with and prepared the government's sixteen black witnesses who had been refused registration, found white witnesses, and was one of the lawyers during the trial. Decades later, Martin returned to Mississippi and interviewed the still-living witnesses, their children, and friends. Martin intertwines these current reflections with commentary about the case itself. The result is an impassioned, cogent fusion of reportage, oral history, and memoir about a trial that fundamentally reshaped liberty and the South.


OBJECTIVE
To clarify the efficacy and tolerability of bupropion sustained release (SR) for the treatment of cigarette smoking in people with schizophrenia.

METHOD
The first study is a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with 32 outpatients from the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center. From May 2003 to July 2007, clinically stable people with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who smoked at least 10 cigarettes per day and who were interested in quitting smoking or cutting down were recruited for participation. All participated in a 9-week support group and were randomly assigned to receive 12 weeks of bupropion SR or placebo. The primary outcome measure was 4 weeks' sustained abstinence over the last 4 study weeks. Secondary outcome measures included decrease in smoking behavior and change in symptoms, neuropsychological performance, and side effects. In the second study, we performed an electronic literature search of MEDLINE in September 2008. Articles in English published between 2003 and 2008 were searched for the terms schizophrenia, bupropion SR, and smoking. Bibliographies of studies identified through the MEDLINE search were also examined. Case reports, open-label studies, crossover studies, and studies using nonstandard dosing of bupropion SR were excluded. In this way, 4 studies similar in methodology to the currently presented clinical trial were identified and the individual data combined in a meta-analysis. A random effects meta-analysis using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software was used to obtain a pooled estimate of the odds ratio for 4-week smoking abstinence between bupropion SR and placebo.

RESULTS
There were no significant results on the primary or secondary smoking measures for the clinical trial, although a numeric advantage favored the bupropion SR group. There were no significant findings for secondary symptom or side effect measures and no significant change in neuropsychological performance. For the meta-analysis totaling 226 subjects, there were significant findings in favor of bupropion SR. The pooled estimate of the odds ratio for 4-week abstinence was 2.7 (95% CI, 1.3 to 5.7; P = .009), and clinically significant greater smoking reduction in the bupropion SR group, with pooled difference estimates increasing over time between groups, became statistically significant by week 5 of study medication (P < .02).

CONCLUSIONS
New clinical trial data and a meta-analysis strongly support the tolerability and efficacy of bupropion SR for the treatment of cigarette smoking in people with schizophrenia

TRIAL REGISTRATION
clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00176449.


Homogeneous introduction of organic additives is a key of ceramic powder processing. Addition of organics to ceramic slurries holds advantages compared to dry processing like organic content reduction and a more homogeneous additive distribution on the particle surface.
Investigations of the alumina slurries were primarily based on zeta potential measurements and sedimentation analysis by optical centrifugation. Both methods were combined to determine a suitable additive type, amount and composition, whereas the spray drying suitability has been ensured by viscosity measurements. Granules, yielded by spray drying of such ideally dispersed alumina slurries, are mostly hollow and possess a hard shell. Those granules cannot easily be processed and can only hardly be destroyed in the following shaping step, leading to sinter bodies with many defects and poor strength and density.
The precise slurry destabilization, carried out after ideally dispersing the ceramic powder, shows a strong influence on the drying behavior of the granules and hence on the granule properties. A promising degree of destabilization and partial flocculation was quantified by optical centrifugation and resulted in improved granule properties. Spray drying the destabilized alumina slurries yielded homogeneous "non-hollow" granules without the above mentioned hard shell. Sample bodies produced of these granules exhibited a reduction of defect size and number, leading to better results for sinter body density and strength.
The positive effect of the slurry destabilization has been further improved, by exchanging the atomizing unit from a two-fluid one to an ultrasound atomizer with only minor slurry adjustments necessary. The controlled destabilization and ultrasound atomization of the ceramic slurry show excellent transferability for zirconia and even ZTA (zirconia toughened alumina) composite materials.


N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a dietary supplement demonstrating antioxidant and liver protecting effects that is widely used in clinics. NAC is considered to possess potential therapeutic activity for health disorders characterized by generation of free oxygen radicals, as well as potential for decreasing negative side effects of various drugs. However, the mechanisms of such tissue-protective actions of NAC remain poorly understood. The main aim of this work was to study therapeutic effects of NAC applied together with the "gold standard" of chemotherapy doxorubicin (Dx) or the novel experimental drug landomycin A (LA) to mice bearing NK/Ly lymphoma. It was revealed that NAC significantly decreased the nephrotoxicity of Dx (measured as creatinine level), possessed moderate immunomodulating activity (as revealed by an increase in number of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes), and partially increased survival of NK/Ly lymphoma-bearing animals treated with Dx. On the contrary, there was little tissue-protective effect of NAC towards LA due to the weak side effects of this anticancer drug, however, the combined use of NAC and LA significantly increased survival (60+ days) of LAtreated animals with NK/Ly lymphoma. Summarizing, NAC possesses a moderate tissue-protective activity towards Dx action but lacks a major therapeutic effect. However, in the case of LA action, NAC significantly increases its anticancer activity with no impact on its negative side effects. Further studies of the molecular mechanisms underlying that activity of NAC towards the action of LA are in progress.


The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of combination specific resistance and ordinary swimming training on Breaststroke swimming performance in young boys. Twenty boys of Alborz province swimming team age of 13±1 years ,weight 50/ 65±1/02kg and height 159/8 ±4/91cm, participated in this study. After the initial testing of the performance variable (Fifty-meter record of Breaststroke swimming) , technical variable (stroke number) and strength variable (strength of spinal extensor muscles), subjects were randomly divided in two groups, Experimental group (combination specific resistance and ordinary swimming training) and control group(ordinary swimming training).A week of familiarization training was performed to adapt with vest (specific resistance) and then training program were performed for 6 weeks, three sessions per week .Training program consisted of 15minutes of warmup and 8 repeats of 50 meters breaststroke with 1minute rest interval between repetitions, in exprimental group (with vest of training) and control group(without vest of training). At the end of the training, post test was performed in accordance with the conditions of the pre test. Kolmogorov –Smirnov test was used to determine normality of data distribution, Paired t-tests was used to determine within group changes and the covariance analysis was used to compare the progress of dependent variables between the two groups. The results of this study indicated that although swimming performance was significantly improved in both groups (p≤0.05) ,but there were no significant differences between the groups in fifty-meter record of Breaststroke swimming, stroke number and strength of spinal extensor muscles (p≥0.05).It may be attributed to non-professional subjects or Low-intensity resistance training.


The standard Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) is derived under
some regularity conditions which are not always satisfied by the graphical
models with hidden variables. In this paper we derive the BIC score for
Bayesian networks in the case when the data is binary and the underlying
graph is a rooted tree and all the inner nodes represent hidden variables. This
provides a direct generalization of a similar formula given by Rusakov and
Geiger in [10]. Geometric results obtained in this paper are complementary to
the results in the previous paper [18] extending our understanding of this class
of models. The main tool used in this paper is the connection between asymptotic
approximation of Laplace integrals and the real log-canonical threshold.


Viewing religious conversion through the lens of exchange rather than change calls attention to the web of interactions, practices, and discourses that constitute conversion as a relational domain. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork that straddles the institutionalized interface of state-run Jewish conversion in Israel, I show how the conversion process constitutes a reciprocal transaction by which each party to the exchange—the state and its subjects—provides the other with national recognition while also receiving and thus validating its own national identity. I trace the historical and political circumstances that have entangled the Jewish state and a significant cohort of Jewish converts within this reciprocal relationship. In doing so, I identify the biopolitical, moral, and bureaucratic frameworks that bear on this institutional transaction. [conversion, reciprocity, exchange, biopolitics, bureaucracy, ethnography of the state, Jews, Israel]


In the last decade, large public screens and globally organized public viewing areas (PVAs) have become increasingly significant elements of media events, expanding the possibilities for mass audiences to collectively watch events together in real time. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork carried out in connection with the British Royal wedding (2011) and the London Olympics (2012), this article explores the 'sociality' of public space broadcasting, focusing on interactions and performances of identity by people gathered for collective viewing in the city centres of London, Birmingham and Manchester. The analysis shows that public space broadcasting mobilizes a variety of social identities and performances, spanning from 'relaxed' forms of engagement to more fannish articulations of nationality, cosmopolitan hybridity and spectacle participation. Geographical location and structural embedding strategies clearly impinge on public performances within PVAs. The article concludes that the degree of commercialization and presence of journalists and other media professionals are particularly central external drivers of performativity in connection with public consumption of media events.


Tidal stream energy is a low-carbon energy source. Tidal stream turbines operate in a turbulent environment, and the effect of the structure between the turbine and seabed on this environment is not fully understood. An experimental study using 1:72 scale models based on a commercial turbine design was carried out to study the support structure influence on turbulent intensity around the turbine blades. The study was conducted using the wave-current tank at the Laboratory of Maritime Engineering (LABIMA), University of Florence. A realistic flow environment (ambient turbulent intensity = 11%) was established. Turbulent intensity was measured upstream and downstream of a turbine mounted on two different support structures (one resembling a commercial design, the other the same with an additional vertical element), in order to quantify any variation in turbulence and performance between the support structures. Turbine drive power was used to calculate power generation. Acoustic Doppler velocimetry (ADV) was used to record and calculate upstream and downstream turbulent intensity. In otherwise identical conditions, performance variation of only 4% was observed between two support structures. Turbulent intensity at 1, 3 and 5 blade diameters, both upstream and downstream, showed variation up to 21% between the two cases. The additional turbulent structures generated by the additional element of the second support structure appears to cause this effect, and the upstream propagation of turbulent intensity is believed to be permitted by surface waves. This result is significant for the prediction of turbine array performance.


Demand for commercially grown Uniola paniculata L. (southern seaoats) is increasing for use in restoring beaches damaged by tropical storms. Fresh seeds harvested from the Jekyll Island, Ga area (with permission of the Jekyll Island Authority), were planted in 50 peat: 50 perlite and treated with 100 or 500 ppm GA4 for 24 h. Germination was higher for 100 compared to 500 ppm GA4. Liners grown from seed and planted with the crowns even with the surface of the pine bark-sand media, compared to deep planting to simulate burial conditions of beach planting, had the highest shoot and root weights after 100 days. Uniola paniculata liners with the crowns buried had reduced weights due to higher moisture conditions in the bottom of the containers. Uniola paniculata grown without supplemental fertilization had shoot weights similar to those of plants receiving 1.5 lb N/yd (0.89 kg N/m) from both quick or slow release fertilizers. Increasing N to 3 lb/yd (1.78 kg N/m) and/or supplying micronutrients only, reduced shoot weight. Nursery production of Uniola paniculata in pine bark-sand is one way to increase the supply of this important dune plant.


The seasonal fluctuations in the worm burdens of pigs, sheep, cattle, impala and blesbok exposed to infestation on improved or natural pastures in the Transvaal were determined. The prevalence of infestation in pigs slaughtered at the Pretoria Municipal Abattoir and in impala near Pafuri and blesbok at Badplaas was also established. Sheep, goats and cattle were successfully artificially infested with a number of nematodes of impala origin and sheep with those of blesbok origin.
The various methods used to determine the seasonal incidence of
helminth parasites are discussed and the wastage of valuable
material criticised when complete recoveries of both internal and
external parasites are not attempted at each necropsy.
Host specificity and the distribution of parasites according to
climate and the zoogeographical distribution of their hosts are
discussed and the epizootiology of the major nematode genera
parasitizing sheep, cattle, impala and blesbok in the Transvaal is
determined. The phenomenon of arrested development in nematodes is compared with that of diapause in insects and measures to control helminth parasites 1n domestic stock and antelope in the Transvaal are suggested.


Rayon/nylon sheath/core composite fibers with enhanced adhesion were produced using a wire coating type process. One objective of this research was to determine an effective coupling agent and the most appropriate application conditions for maximum interfacial adhesion in the rayon/nylon bicomponent fibers. The second objective was to characterize the interfacial adhesion between the core fiber and the rayon skin. It was found that fumaric acid (FA) was an effective adhesion promotor for rayon/nylon composite fibers since it has difunctionality and steric hinderance necessary to form covalent bonds to both layers. After removal of the spin finish by water washing the nylon core fibers were pretreated with fumaric acid (FA) as an adhesion promoter and then were coated with viscose rayon. The results indicated that the interfacial adhesion in the rayon/nylon composite fibers was significantly improved under the application conditions of 1.0% with 36 second pretreatment time, 1.5% with 18 second pretreatment, and 2% with 9 second pretreatment time. After curing, the FA formed amide bonds to the nylon and ester bonds to the rayon. A fiber pull adhesion test method was developed to test the interfacial adhesion. This method effectively determined xii the adhesion between the core and the skin. Coating weight loss and interfacial shear stress were determined from the fiber pull adhesion test. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe the cross sectional and longitudinal surfaces of these composite fibers before and after the adhesion test to confirm the fiber pull adhesion test results. The fiber linear density and moisture regain were determined. Bending properties of the fabrics made from coated and uncoated fibers were also determined and compared to similar properties of the fibers.


This article discusses the beginnings of wind law and national development in judiciary and state law. Identifying it as the state standing at the forefront of wind law, the authors review the development of wind law in Texas. A review of wind-related statutes provides insight into how those statutes (and the lack of others) lead to growth in the wind industry. This article also discusses select wind cases and statutes from other states to further explore how wind law is developing, and it examines areas where case law is lacking, but likely to appear soon.


This study attempted to explore the notion of construct validity of Graduate Record Exam (GRE) tests (especially when it is used in some Iranian universities as a high-stakes test) taking a qualitative perspective. High-stakes assessment is any assessment whose outcome has life-changing implications for the test taker (Rover, 2001). To do so, five university instructors of English, all having post-graduate degree, were selected to take a GRE test. From different parts of the GRE test the analogy and the quantitative as well as the vocabulary parts of the GRE test were chosen for the experiment. It is because these parts, it seems, render GRE tests inappropriate in a situation like that of Iran. The data were then gathered via think-aloud technique, an introspection method. The study revealed some insights about the construct validity of GRT tests from the test takers' perspectives. The subjects unanimously reported that the mathematics questions in the quantitative part had little or nothing to do with the notion of English proficiency. In other words, they believed that GRE tests were not a good indicator of one's English knowledge. The participants also reported they had problems answering the analogy part of the test for a good number of reasons. This was partly had to do with the fact that the analogy questions needed more time to be solved and partly with the fact that they were more of intelligence questions than English proficiency items. In the end, it was concluded that GRE tests suffer from both construct under-representation and construct-irrelevant problems. Consequently, GRE tests should not be used as a high-stakes test in Iranian universities.


A search of the Cancer Family Registry of the National Cancer Institute revealed 24 kindreds with the syndrome of sarcoma, breast carcinoma, and other neoplasms in young patients. Cancer developed in an autosomal dominant pattern in 151 blood relatives, 119 (79%) of whom were affected before 45 years of age. These young patients had a total of 50 bone and soft tissue sarcomas of diverse histological subtypes and 28 breast cancers. Additional features of the syndrome included an excess of brain tumors (14 cases), leukemia (9 cases), and adrenocortical carcinoma (4 cases) before age 45 years. These neoplasms also accounted for 73% of the multiple primary cancers occurring in 15 family members. Six of these patients had second cancers linked to radiotherapy. The diversity of tumor types in this syndrome suggests pathogenetic mechanisms which differ from hereditary cancers arising in single organs or tissues. The syndrome is presently diagnosed on clinical grounds; laboratory markers are needed to identify high-risk individuals and families and to provide insights into susceptibility mechanisms that may be shared by a wide variety of cancers.


Three little known facts: Africa is now the world's fastest growing continent, with average GDP growth of 5.5% the past 10 years. Malaria deaths have declined by 30% and HIV infections by 74%. Nigeria produces more movies than America does."The Lion Awakes" is the true story of today's Africa, one often overshadowed by the dire headlines. Traveling from his ancestral home in Uganda, East Africa, to the booming economy and (if chaotic) new democracies of West Africa, and down to the "Silicon Savannahs" of Kenya and Rwanda, Ashish J. Thakkar shows us an Africa that few Westerners are aware exists. Far from being a place in need of our pity and aid, we see a continent undergoing a remarkable transformation and economic development. We meet a new generation of ambitious, tech savvy young Africans who are developing everything from bamboo bicycles to iPhone Apps; we meet artists, film makers and architects thriving with newfound freedom and opportunity, and we are introduced to hyper-educated members of the Diaspora who have returned to Africa after years abroad to open companies and take up positions in government. They all tell the same story: 21st Century Africa offers them more opportunity than the First World. Drawing from his business experience, and his own family's history in Africa, which include his parents' expulsion from Uganda by Idi Amin in the 70s and his own survival of the Rwandan genocide in 1994, Ashish shows us how much difference a decade can make.


I. INTRODUCTION II. ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS OF INFORMED CONSENT III. LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF INFORMED CONSENT LAWS IV. FEDERAL ABORTION LEGISLATION A. Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act B. Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act of 2005 C. Potential Impact of the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act V. INFORMED CONSENT LAWS A. Planned Parenthood of Central Missouri v. Danforth B. Franklin v. Fitzpatrick C. Freiman v. Ashcroft D. Leigh v. Olson E. Charles v. Caroy F. Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey G. Summit Medical Center of Alabama, Inc. v. Siegolman VI. THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION ARTICLE VII. CONCLUSION I. INTRODUCTION On April 17, 2007, the United States Supreme Court handed down a long awaited opinion concerning the constitutionality of a law banning a single, specific abortion procedure. (1) The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act (the Act) criminalized a surgical procedure known as "intact D & E" or "D & X" [hereafter D & X]. (2) The method, which is extremely rare and used only after the first trimester of pregnancy, is known outside of the medical community as "partial-birth abortion." (3) In the months of litigation leading up to the Supreme Court's decision to review the Act, opponents had expressed two primary concerns. First, the Act lacked an exception for the health of the mother. The Supreme Court mandated such an exception in Roe v. Wade and reaffirmed its position numerous times, most recently in Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. (4) Second, while proponents claimed it applied only to D & X, it was actually broad enough to include all surgical techniques used after thirteen and one third weeks of gestation, thus, imposing an undue burden on women undergoing abortion after that point. Three federal districts courts agreed with those challenging the Act. The decisions of these courts were upheld by the circuit courts which reviewed the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003. (5) For guidance, all of the courts reviewing the Act relied on a 2000 Supreme Court opinion finding almost identical language in a Nebraska law to be unconstitutional. (6) Surprisingly, the Supreme Court agreed to review two of the circuit court cases. Before the Supreme Court accepted certiorari, in what appeared to be no more than an attempt to circumvent the judicial system, the 109th United States Congress considered a new abortion measure. If passed, the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act would have forced abortion providers to deliver a scripted message to women requesting abortion services. (7) Under this legislation, physicians violate the law unless they inform patients who have attained thirteen and one third weeks of pregnancy that "the process of being killed in an abortion will cause the unborn child pain." (8) Sponsors claimed that the bill merely required "informed consent" but opponents contended that the language was meant to dissuade women from undergoing second trimester abortions. Congress was also criticized for choosing physicians to deliver the government's message about fetal pain, a topic on which the medical community has not reached a consensus. Laws mandating disclosure of particular information are known as informed consent laws. They exist primarily in the area of reproductive health and most often apply to women seeking abortion. This article discusses the legal and ethical issues that arise when lawmakers decide what patients must be told before they can access certain medical procedures. Part II examines some of the ethical implications of informed consent laws. Physicians have a duty to obtain a patient's informed consent before acting. (9) The duty to inform arises from the principle of individual autonomy. (10) In the past, physicians were sometimes accused of withholding material information from patients. …


Quantifying an expected improvement when considering moderate-complexity changes to a process is time consuming and has potential to overlook stochastic effects. By modeling a process as a Numerical Design Structure Matrix (NDSM), simulating the proposed changes, and evaluating performance, quantification can be rapidly accomplished to understand stochastic effects. This thesis explores a method to evaluate complex process changes within Six Sigma DMAIC process improvement to identify the most desirable outcome amongst several improvement options. A tool to perform the modeling and evaluation is developed. This process evaluation tool is verified for functionality, then is demonstrated against generic processes, a case study, and a real world Continuous Process Improvement event. The application of modeling and simulation to improve and control a process is found to be a positive return on investment under moderate complexity or continuous improvement events. The process evaluation tool is demonstrated to be accurate in prediction, scalable in complexity and fidelity, and capable of simulating a wide variety or evaluation types. Experimentation identifies the importance of understanding the evaluation criteria prior to "Measurement" in DMAIC, which increases the consistency of process improvement efforts.


New stratigraphic and high-resolution seismic data from the Bengal Fan indicate that the world9s largest fan shows active growth during the most recent sea-level rise and the recent highstand. This unique phenomenon contradicts common sequence-stratigraphic models, and the sediment preserved provides new insight into the sedimentological response of a fan system to sea-level rise, climatic terminations, and monsoon intensity during the past climatic cycle. We present a detailed dated sequence of turbidite sedimentation based on a core transect perpendicular to the active channel-levee system in the upper mid-fan area. Between the two major terminations 1a (12 800 14 C yr B.P.) and 1b (9700 14 C yr B.P.), and especially at the end of the Younger Dryas, a 13-km-wide channel built up levees 50 m high. With decreasing sediment supply, continued sea-level rise, and increasing monsoon intensity during the early Holocene, turbidity currents were confined to the channel and gradually filled it. The canyon "Swatch of No Ground," a shelf depocenter that serves as the source for frequent turbidity currents, and the channel-levee system provide the unique opportunity for studying an active highstand system. Many fans showed this behavior only during lowered sea-level.


Bafokeng South Mine, one of Union Corporation's Impala group of platinum mines, lies in Bophuthatswana, about 20 km north of Rustenburg in the western Transvaal. Platinum group metals are extracted from ores of the Merensky reef mined at relatively shallow depths. The hard mined ore is milled to rock flour for extraction of the precious metals and the residue, mixed with water, is pumped to tailings or slimes dams from which any recovered water is recirculated. South African practice for the construction of slimes dams was developed on the Witwatersrand for the disposal of gold mining slimes and, with minor modifications, has been adopted on the platinum mines.


The current lifestyle and the greater awareness of the health benefits of wine are causing an increase in demand for wines with higher levels of bioactive compounds, principally red wine. Scientific evidence supports the benefits of wine, mainly related to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This chapter, in its first section, reviews previous studies aiming to elucidate the action mechanisms through which the bioactive compounds act on the human organism in the prevention of diseases. According to the existing literature, studies dealing with specific procedures to enhance the bioactive profile of wines are scarce. Therefore, in the second section, we pay attention to some aspects related with applicable technological strategies during the winemaking process and its incidence in the extraction and stability of bioactive compounds. Furthermore, we discuss some applicable strategies in (i) the vineyard during the vine cultivation and (ii) the raw material level in pre-fermentative stage within winery, as well as, biotechnological strategies during the fermentation and aging. All these are directed to improve the content of bioactive compounds in the wine and, thus, transmit its benefits to the consumer's health.


DISCOVERING HOW COMMUNITY ORGANIZING LEADS TO SOCIAL CHANGE: DEVELOPING FORMAL PRACTICE THEORY FOR SOCIAL WORKERS ENGAGED IN EMPOWERING COMMUNITY ORGANIZING By Shane R. Brady A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2012 Major Director: Dr. Mary Katherine O'Connor Professor, School of Social Work Community organizing as an area of social work practice has historic roots in challenging inequality, building capacity, and meeting the needs of local peoples through taking collective action. While the literature of community organizing is rich in conceptual frameworks, practice approaches, and case studies, it lacks the level of formal theory that exists in clinical social work. Formal practice theories provide social workers with evidence informed guidance about "what to do", "how to do it", and "what to expect"; however, social workers engaging in community organizing have little formal practice theory. The results of this study build the beginning foundation for a direct practice theory of community organizing that can be utilized by social workers engaged in community organizing to better inform practice. In this study, I used Delphi methodology to build formal practice theory by exploring the perspectives of nine community-organizing experts with an average of nearly 30 years of experience from the union organizing and civil rights organizing traditions. Through three waves of data collection, I learned that community organizing is a dialectical process that includes three distinct stages: community building, plan, and mobilize. These distinct stages do not operate solely in a linear or cyclical fashion, but work dynamically with the ever changing social environment to achieve social change. My findings support the idea that community organizing is dependent upon the participation and inclusion of local peoples. While practitioners have distinct roles in organizing efforts, community members determine many aspects of what and how the organizing process unfolds. My findings provide the beginning foundation for a direct social work practice theory of community organizing that can be utilized to guide professional practice as well as provide a basis for further research. It is through further research that community organizing can be better understood and utilized to create evidence informed interventions that are both respectful and inclusive of community members as well as empirical and evidence informed.


We present a calculation of s- and t-channel single top-quark production and decay at next-to-leading order in QCD for the Tevatron and for the LHC. The calculation includes the off-shell effects of the intermediate top-quark and the non-factorisable corrections arising from interferences between the production and decay subprocesses, extending the results beyond the narrow-width approximation. A general method for including such effects is outlined. The method comprises a simultaneous expansion in the coupling constants, as in a standard perturbative approach, along with an expansion in the virtuality of the intermediate heavy-particle. This expansion makes it possible to identify the contributions relevant to the calculation, up to a desired accuracy, before computation of the amplitudes, allowing significant simplifications to be made to the final calculation. Results obtained using this method are presented, along with results obtained using both the standard and improved narrow-width approximations. This enables us to investigate the impact of both off-shell and spin-correlation effects on the cross section and various kinematic distributions. In general, both effects are found to be small except close to kinematic boundaries or for specific distributions, such as the top-quark invariant-mass, where their effects can become sizeable.


Cancer is usually considered to be an acquired disease caused by the progressive accumulation of somatic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) changes. It is clear, however, that inherited factors may also play a significant role in the initiation of this disease. Some of these factors represent loss-of-function mutations in tumour suppressor genes, resulting in an increased cancer risk among carriers. Such an increased risk may also be attributed to the presence of multiple polymorphic variants such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), each of which may convey a mild effect upon cancer susceptibility. DNA copy number variation (CNV) and other structural variations in the human genome are increasingly recognised as an alternative source of genetic variation that may influence cancer risk. Specifically, rare CNVs may affect important cancer-associated genes and/or pathways and, thus, provide an explanation for moderate- to high-risk cancer families. Therefore, it is anticipated that the identification of rare germline CNVs in unexplained familial and early onset cancer patients will contribute to our understanding of cancer predisposition and development.

Key Concepts:

Copy number variation (CNV) is a common form of normal variation affecting a significant proportion of the human genome.

CNVs frequently encompass annotated genes.

Disruption and/or silencing of critical genes located in rare CNVs may result in increased risk of disease, including cancer.

Genome-wide copy number analysis can be used as a strategy to identify novel moderate- to high-penetrant cancer predisposing genes and/or mechanisms.

Discovery of cancer-predisposing CNVs may reveal new cancer syndromes that exhibit additional clinical features.

Keywords:

copy number variation;
cancer predisposition;
colorectal cancer;
cancer syndromes


PERT RASOLONDRAIBE [*] Introduction My assignment was to present a "Lutheran position on ecciesiology and mission". At the outset I should like to make three remarks. First of all, what I am presenting is not a "Lutheran position" as such. Rather, it is a brief overview of the development of the understanding of the church and its mission in the history of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). The approach is more historical than theological or doctrinal, with the emphasis on the understanding of the relation between church and mission. Secondly, I approach the LWF understanding of church and mission from the perspective of the Lutheran churches in the Southern hemisphere. Therefore, I am not presenting an official LWF position on the issue. Thirdly, this presentation is only a discussion starter and comes in a telegraphic style. Thus, some of the affirmations are not sufficiently nuanced or argued at any length. 1. From the church without mission to mission without the church For a discourse on ecclesiology Lutherans usually refer back to the source, namely, the Augsburg Confession (AC). Article VII of the AC presents a peculiar understanding of the church: "The Church is the congregation of saints, in which the Gospel is rightly taught and the Sacraments are rightly administered". [1] Much has been said already about this understanding or definition of the church but, for our purpose, we should concentrate only on its relation to mission. Given the historical context of the Augsburg Confession, it is not surprising that the emphasis in this definition is placed on what God does rather than on what the church does. What guarantees the being of the church in time is God's gracious self-giving action in word and sacraments, which creates and sustains a living faith; the faith that bears fruits, viz. good works (AC VI, XX). [2] Mission, as churches came to speak of it later, is not explicit in this article or in the entire Confession. It has been argued that the Lutheran reformers did not speak of mission as a function of the church. Also, during the time of Lutheran orthodoxy (17th century), when the focus was on the "right teaching of the gospel", the church became so preoccupied with self-justification that it became unwilling, unable and unfit for mission. In this period, mission was seen as a function of the state or a colonial government, which were expected to be responsible for convening pagans, by force -- jure belli -- if necessary. [3] In addition, the onslaught of rationalism and empiricism on the churches during the period of the Enlightenment (18th century) did not afford any fertile ground for mission either. With the Enlightenment view of human beings as autonomous individuals without any supernatural reference, says Bosch, the church's sense of mission was undermined. The church was busy struggling for her own relevance and had to carry on without mission. [4] The history of the church, however, shows that when God's creative word is rightly taught, that is, when it is "communicated in ways that engage and transform the actual pains and brokenness of the world," [5] mission happens. The revival movements of the 18th and 19th centuries had to break away from the grip of the institutionalized mainline churches (establishment), which had been weakened by rationalism and empiricism, to recapture the essence of the church as a movement of living discipleship (e.g. pietism in the 18th century and student missionary movements of the 19th and 20th centuries). [6] Thus, the move from a church without mission to mission without the (established) church took place. Granted, in that period, mission was understood mainly as foreign mission aimed at the conversion of pagans into Christians. 2. From missionary church to church in mission As the history of missions has attested, missionary "movements" (and, later on, societies) gave birth to churches (established churches! …


This thesis examines the various kinds of material (including diary-style writing, impressions of people and places, and notes on work in progress) collected in Carmen Martin Gaite's Cuadernos de todo and subsequently considers the significance of diaries, letters, and life-writing in her novels of the 1990s.
After observations on the importance of diaries and letters in women"s literature, there is an assessment of such narrative material in the contemporary novel and references to how Foucault's essay on 'self-writing' serves to channel the ideas of the self-reflective capacities of letters and diaries. There follows an examination of Cuadernos de todo, with particular reference to the use of diaries and letters in Martin Gaite's work, their relationship to the 'writing-cure'.
The section dedicated to Cuadernos de todo opens with an analysis of the first cuadernos (which were written in the 1960s) as notebooks used by the author as a site for her reflections on society and other matters, themes which are developed in her later novels. Next, there is a discussion of how Martin Gaite used these cuadernos as a writer"s notebooks, for developing ideas on her novels and essays, showing the close link between the authors 'diaries' and her work, between life and literature. The cuadernos americanos constitute the last part of the assessment of Cuadernos de todo. Written during different periods the author spent on lecture-tours and as a university teacher in the United States, these cuadernos americanos are particularly significant for her development as a novelist. They reveal a new approach to diary-writing as, free from the family and the social commitments she had in Spain, the author found more time for reflection. The last of the cuadernos americanos is also a clear example of the use of diary writing as therapy, of the 'writing-cure'.
The final part of the thesis focuses on Martin Gaite's four novels of the 1990s – in which the use of diaries, letters, and life-writing is especially significant. Here the theories of Donald Winnicott and Nancy Chodorow on child development and motherhood, themes which run troughout Martin Gaite's writing, are discussed to shed additional light on the author's approach to life-writing and fiction.


The northern North Sea rift basin developed on a heterogeneous crust comprising structures inherited from the Caledonian orogeny and Devonian postorogenic extension. Integrating two‐dimensional regional seismic reflection data and information from basement wells, we investigate the prerift structural configuration in the northern North Sea rift. Three seismic facies have been defined below the base rift surface: (1) relatively low‐amplitude and low‐frequency reflections, interpreted as pre‐Caledonian metasediments, Caledonian nappes, and/or Devonian clastic sediments; (2) packages of high‐amplitude dipping reflections (>500 ms thick), interpreted as basement shear zones; and (3) medium‐amplitude and high‐frequency reflections interpreted as less sheared crystalline basement of Proterozoic and Paleozoic (Caledonian) origin. Some zones of Seismic Facies 2 can be linked to onshore Devonian shear zones, whereas others are restricted to the offshore rift area. Interpreted offshore shear zones dip S, ESE, and WNW in contrast to W to NW dipping shear zones onshore West Norway. Our results indicate that Devonian strain and ductile deformation was distributed throughout the Caledonian orogenic belt from central South Norway to the Shetland Platform. Most of the Devonian basins related to this extension are, however, removed by erosion during subsequent exhumation. Basement shear zones reactivated during the rifting and locally control the location and geometry of rift depocenters, e.g., in the Stord and East Shetland basins. Prerift structures with present‐day dips >15° were reactivated, although some of the basement shear zones are displaced by rift faults regardless of their orientation relative to rift extension direction.


As the scale of parallel systems continues to grow, fault management of these systems is becoming a critical challenge. While existing research mainly focuses on developing or improving fault tolerance techniques, a number of key issues remain open. In this paper, we propose runtime strategies for spare node allocation and job rescheduling in response to failure prediction. These strategies, together with failure predictor and fault tolerance techniques, construct a runtime system called FARS (Fault-Aware Runtime System). In particular, we propose a 0-1 knapsack model and demonstrate its flexibility and effectiveness for reallocating running jobs to avoid failures. Experiments, by means of synthetic data and real traces from production systems, show that FARS has the potential to significantly improve system productivity (i.e., performance and reliability).


A series of RGB molecules (FXs) with a tuneable light-emitting core and difluorenylamino-based peripheries were synthesized through the Heck coupling reaction in good yields. The intramolecular energy transfers and antenna effects were verified in this series of compounds. Strong photoluminescence (PL) from deep blue (∼415 nm) to saturated red (∼645 nm) was observed. The FXs exhibit good solubility and stability, high fluorescence quantum efficiency (up to 93% in THF and 73% in film), short lifetime (1.3–2.6 ns), and high charge injection and transport properties, revealed by both experimental measurements and theoretical calculations. The preliminary organic light-emitting diode devices exhibit only slightly blue-shifted electroluminescence in comparison with PL without stack characters. This full-colour emitting and solution-processable D–π-X–π-D star-burst molecules are highly attractive for organic optoelectronics.


ABSTRACT A large body of research has demonstrated an association between childhood trauma exposure (TE) and adolescent delinquency. This association may be explained by callous–unemotional (CU) traits, which may stem from TE and are associated with persistent offending and recidivism. However, research on the mechanisms underlying TE and delinquency has lacked specificity regarding the posttraumatic symptoms that may drive this effect, particularly new models that distinguish between posttraumatic symptoms (PTS) of overmodulation versus undermodulation. This article sought to investigate the role of overmodulation in the association between TE and CU traits and their relations with persistent offending. Participants included 829 detained youth who completed self-report measures of TE, PTS, and CU traits. Official records of youth offenses were also obtained. Results of path analyses demonstrated that the association between interpersonal TE and persistent offending exhibited an indirect effect through overmodulation and CU traits. Efforts to address overmodulation among traumatized detained youth may represent a promising avenue of intervention for reducing recidivism.


This paper reports high level production of a cellulase-free xylanase using wheat bran, a cost-effective substrate, under submerged fermentation by alkalophilic Bacillus subtilis ASH. Production of xylanase was observed even at alkaline pH up to 11.0 and temperature 60 °C, although the highest enzyme titer was recorded at neutral pH and 37 °C. The enzyme production under optimized fermentation was 1.5-fold greater than under unoptimized conditions. Pre-treatment of unbleached pulp of 10% consistency with crude xylanase (6 IU/g o.d. pulp) at 60 ºC for 2 h increased the final brightness by 4.9%. The enzyme treatment reduced the chlorine consumption by 28.6% with the same brightness as in the control. A reduction in kappa number and increase in viscosity was observed after enzyme pre-treatment. Scanning electron microscopy revealed loosening and swelling of pulp fibers. The strength properties viz. grammage, fiber thickness, beating degree, tensile index, breaking length, tear index and double fold of the treated pulp were improved as compared to the control pulp. This study reveals the potentialof B. subtilis ASH xylanase as a biobleaching agent for the paper and pulp industry.


OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of cases suggestive of repetitive strain injury/work-related musculoskeletal disorders (RSI/WRMSD), three decades after restructuring of banking.

METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study on 356 employees in 27 bank branches of public and private banks in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil, between April and August 2009. After crude statistical analysis, adjustments were made using a Poisson regression model with robust variance and a three-level hierarchy that incorporated the design structure and adjustments for the clusters. The results were stratified according to the size of the bank branch and were dichotomized (> 25; ≤ 25 employees).

RESULTS
The prevalence of cases suggestive of RSI/WRMSD was lower among the men (PR = 0.62; 95%CI: 0.47-0.81). Workers aged 26 to 45 years (PR = 2.51; 95%CI 1.02;6.14) presented greater prevalence of this outcome. Individuals with postgraduate qualifications (PR = 0.45; 95%CI 0.22;0.90) and length of time in the job between 5.1 and 15 years (PR = 0.62; 95%CI 0.47;0.81) presented protection against RSI/WRMSD. On stratifying the analyses according to size, it was found that age, income and length of time in the job remained associated in branches with 25 employees or fewer, while in branches with more than 25 employees, sex and schooling level were associated with the outcome.

CONCLUSIONS
The characteristics of importance in relation to bank employees who become ill due to rsi/wrmsd seem to be different today from those that were known historically. greater attention to organizing work and management strategies should be taken into consideration in drawing up illness prevention programs for banking work.


We study learning formulations with non-convex regularizaton that are natural for sparse linear models. There are two approaches to this problem:

• Heuristic methods such as gradient descent that only find a local minimum. A drawback of this approach is the lack of theoretical guarantee showing that the local minimum gives a good solution.

• Convex relaxation such as L1-regularization that solves the problem under some conditions. However it often leads to sub-optimal sparsity in reality.

This paper tries to remedy the above gap between theory and practice. In particular, we investigate a multi-stage convex relaxation scheme for solving problems with non-convex regularization. Theoretically, we analyze the behavior of a resulting two-stage relaxation scheme for the capped-L1 regularization. Our performance bound shows that the procedure is superior to the standard L1 convex relaxation for learning sparse targets. Experiments confirm the effectiveness of this method on some simulation and real data.


The VAD (Velocity Azimuth Display) technique for retrieving winds from a single Doppler weather radar is well known as a robust and simple one, though still not used on its merits. Precipitation generally gives VAD winds, but it is less known that even in high latitudes during the warmer seasons the Doppler weather radars of today record enough clear air echos to give wind profiles in the planetary boundary layer. There are, however, few verifications of VAD winds in general, and hardly any concerning clear air. In this paper mainly VAD winds from one Ericsson Doppler Weather Radar in Jonsered, Gothenburg (57.723 degrees N, 12.172 degrees E, 164 m above MSL) are compared to Radiosonde Winds (RAWINDs) from Landwetter (57.668 degrees N, 12.296 degrees E, 155 m above MSL). The sites are about 10 km apart, and the radiosonde is within the range used for the VAD (30 km). The VAD soundings were made each hour, and the radiosoundings every 6th (00, 06, 12 and 18 UTC). About seven months of data were available (9 Dec. 1994 to 14 Feb. 1995 and 28 Jun. to 30 Nov. 1995). The LORAN C system was used to retrieve the RAWINDs during the first period (Dec. 1994 to Feb. 1995), and the OMEGA system was used during the second period. The comparisons are made using the five standard pressure levels, 925, 850, 700, 500 and 400 hPa, corresponding to heights above MSL of about 750, 1450, 3000, 5600 and 7200 m. As overall results, the average differences, in m/s, between the VAD and RAWIND were largest at the lowest (geometrically) levels, and higher up more or less constant with height. This is remarkable, since the wind speed increases with height, and the relative differences thus decrease with height. As an example, the average of the magnitude of the wind vector differences was 3.2 m/s at 925 hPa, but about 2.8 m/s at the higher levels. The differences also tend to be somewhat larger for winds retrieved from clear air echos. In the planetary boundary layer during summer, that is up to about 800 hPa, the availability of VAD winds was about 90 %. The availability decreases with height, and at 400 hPa it was 15 % for the whole period. Comparisons are also performed between VAD winds and winds from a limited area model, HIRLAM.


This book addresses the intersections between the interdisciplinary realms of Ecocriticism and Indigenous and Native American Studies, and between academic theory and pragmatic eco-activism conducted by multiethnic and indigenous communities. It illuminates the multi-layered, polyvocal ways in which artistic expressions render ecological connections, drawing on scholars working in collaboration with Indigenous artists from all walks of life, including film, literature, performance, and other forms of multimedia to expand existing conversations. Both local and global in its focus, the volume includes essays from multiethnic and Indigenous communities across the world, visiting topics such as Navajo opera, Sami film production history, south Indian tribal documentary, Maori art installations, Native American and First Nations science-fiction literature and film, Amazonian poetry, and many others. Highlighting trans-Indigenous sensibilities that speak to worldwide crises of environmental politics and action against marginalization, the collection alerts readers to movements of community resilience and resistance, cosmological thinking about inter- and intra-generational multi-species relations, and understandings of indigenous aesthetics and material ecologies. It engages with emerging environmental concepts such as multispecies ethnography, cosmopolitics, and trans-indigeneity, as well as with new areas of ecocritical research such as material ecocriticism, biosemiotics, and media studies. In its breadth and scope, this book promises new directions for ecocritical thought and environmental humanities practice, providing thought-provoking insight into what it means to be human in a locally situated, globally networked, and cosmologically complex world.


Despite the importance of community in mitigating the problems associated with disadvantage in children's lives, there are very few studies which seek to understand what is important about community to primary-school aged children from their perspective. Using Photovoice, this study sought to address this gap in the literature and hear from children about their likes and dislikes about the community in which they live. Photovoice was employed with 33 primary-school aged children in a regional Australian primary school, with 26 children later interviewed. Findings highlighted the importance that children placed on their natural environment and the areas which facilitate their play and recreation. It also showed how children believed that the maintenance of such areas contributed to their sense of health and wellbeing. This paper concludes with recommendations for future research and practice.


This article describes a case formulation-driven approach to cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) that draws on the formulations and interventions in the ESTs while helping the therapist make many of the clinical decisions that are not directly addressed in the ESTs. We begin the article with an overview of
case formulation
-driven CBT. Then we describe each of the steps of case formulation-driven CBT, giving special attention to the step of developing a case formulation. We conclude with a brief discussion of alternate approaches to case formulation in CBT, and a brief review of evidence supporting the use of a case formulation approach to CBT.


In 2012 it was discovered that roughly 4 miles of interstate median barrier along Interstate 540 had rapidly deteriorated. After the initial inspection, a sample was submitted for analysis, and found to contain evidence of alkali-silica reaction (ASR). A research program was implemented with the goal of determining the cause of ASR and developing a program for mitigating the ongoing deterioration. The median barrier had not deteriorated equally throughout the 4 miles, and the level of damage varied considerable throughout the length. A visual inspection of the median barrier was conducted and the median barrier was divided into sections based on visible damage. A research program was implemented to evaluate several treatment methods, with the goal of slowing or arresting the deterioration within the median barrier. Several sections of the median barrier were instrumented with devices to measure expansion and internal relative humidity. The sections were then treated and monitored to evaluate the efficacy of each treatment. The treatments were applied to sections of each damage level to evaluate the effect of damage at the time of treatment on the efficacy of the treatment. Monitoring was conducted for one year and some preliminary conclusions and recommendations were developed from the results. The aggregates used in the median barrier construction were also evaluated in laboratory testing, which included the accelerated mortar bar test and the concrete prism test. The fine aggregate and course aggregate were evaluated, and the results compared to the findings from the petrographic analysis. Additionally the cement alkalis and supplementary cementations materials (SCMs) were evaluated to determine if they were a contributing factor in the development of ASR in the median barrier. The results of laboratory testing were used to develop recommendation on the prevention of ASR in concrete which contains these aggregates.


Interest in the bacteria responsible for the breakdown of lignocellulosic feedstuffs within the rumen has increased due to their potential utility in industrial applications. To date, most studies have focused on bacteria from domesticated ruminants. We have expanded the knowledge of the microbial ecology of ruminants by examining the bacterial populations found in the rumen of non-domesticated ruminants found in Canada. Next-generation sequencing of 16S rDNA was employed to characterize the liquid and solid-associated bacterial communities in the rumen of elk (Cervus canadensis), and white tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Despite variability in the microbial populations between animals, principle component and weighted UniFrac analysis indicated that bacterial communities in the rumen of elk and white tail deer are distinct. Populations clustered according to individual host animal and not the association with liquid or solid phase of the rumen contents. In all instances, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were the dominant bacterial phyla, although the relative abundance of these differed among ruminant species and between phases of rumen digesta, respectively. In the elk samples Bacteroidetes were more predominant in the liquid phase whereas Firmicutes was the most prevalent phyla in the solid digesta (P = 1×10−5). There were also statistically significant differences in the abundance of OTUs classified as Fibrobacteres (P = 5×10−3) and Spirochaetes (P = 3×10−4) in the solid digesta of the elk samples. We identified a number of OTUs that were classified as phylotypes not previously observed in the rumen environment. Our results suggest that although the bacterial diversity in wild North American ruminants shows overall similarities to domesticated ruminants, we observed a number of OTUs not previously described. Previous studies primarily focusing on domesticated ruminants do not fully represent the microbial diversity of the rumen and studies focusing on non-domesticated ruminants should be expanded.


Domestication of dogs from wolves is the oldest known example of ongoing animal selection, responsible for generating more than 300 dog breeds worldwide. In order to investigate the taxonomic and functional evolution of the canine gut microbiota, a multi-omics approach was applied to six wild wolves and 169 dog faecal samples, the latter encompassing 51 breeds, which fully covers currently known canine genetic biodiversity. Specifically, 16S rRNA gene and bifidobacterial Internally Transcribed Spacer (ITS) profiling were employed to reconstruct and then compare the canine core gut microbiota to those of wolves and humans, revealing that artificial selection and subsequent cohabitation of dogs with their owners influenced the microbial population of canine gut through loss and acquisition of specific bacterial taxa. Moreover, comparative analysis of the intestinal bacterial population of dogs fed on Bones and Raw Food (BARF) or commercial food (CF) diet, coupled with shotgun metagenomics, highlighted that both bacterial composition and metabolic repertoire of the canine gut microbiota have evolved to adapt to high-protein or high-carbohydrates intake. Altogether, these data indicate that artificial selection and domestication not only affected the canine genome, but also shaped extensively the bacterial population harboured by the canine gut.


This project involves enhancement of the HWSIM distribution system model to more accurately model pipe heat transfer. Recent laboratory testing efforts have indicated that the modeling of radiant heat transfer effects is needed to accurately characterize piping heat loss. An analytical methodology for integrating radiant heat transfer was implemented with HWSIM. Laboratory test data collected in another project was then used to validate the model for a variety of uninsulated and insulated pipe cases (copper, PEX, and CPVC). Results appear favorable, with typical deviations from lab results less than 8%.


Purpose. To determine the expression and functional coupling of EP prostanoid receptor subtypes to second messenger pathways in bovine ciliary epithelium. Methods. Primary cultures of bovine ciliary epithelial (BCE) cells were established and maintained in culture up to four passages. EP receptor protein expression was examined by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy with subtype selective antibodies in both tissue sections and primary cultures of BCE cells. Messenger RNA expression was determined using reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction. The effects of prostanoid agonists on total inositol phosphate accumulation and cAMP formation were used to assess functional activity. Results. Positive immunoreactivity was obtained in both frozen thin-sections and primary cultures of bovine ciliary process to the prostanoid EP 1, EP 2, EP 3 and EP 4 receptor subtypes. Reverse transcription followed by the polymerase chain reaction yielded products corresponding to each of the prostanoid EP subtypes which was confirmed by restriction enzyme analysis. PGE 2 dose-dependently stimulated the accumulation of total inositol phosphates in cultured cells with an EC 50 value of 100 nM. PGE 2, forskolin and isoproterenol produced dose-dependent increases in cAMP formation with EC 50 values of 100, 300 and 200 nM, respectively. Isoproterenol-stimulated cAMP formation was attenuated by the EP 3 receptor agonist sulprostone in cultured BCE cells. The inhibition elicited by sulprostone was reversed in cells pretreated with pertussis toxin. Conclusions. This study demonstrates the presence of functional prostanoid EP receptor subtypes in the bovine ciliary epithelium. EP 1 and EP 4 receptor subtypes were found primarily in the NPE cells, whereas, EP 2 receptor subtype immunofluorescence was detected in the PE cells. EP 3 receptor subtype labeling was observed in both the NPE and the PE cells. PGE 2 produces opposing effects on adenylyl cyclase through EP 2 /EP 4 and EP 3 receptor activation. The predominant effect of PGE 2 is on the adenylyl cyclase stimulatory receptors (EP 2 /EP 4) .


Land–atmosphere interactions are a critical component of precipitation processes within the Amazon basin and La Plata River basin (LPRB) in South America. Two of the possible pathways through which the land surface can affect precipitation are 1) by changing the amount of moisture available for precipitation (moisture recycling) and 2) by changing the atmospheric thermal structure and consequently affecting circulation patterns. In this study, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model with embedded water vapor tracers (WVT) is used to disentangle these relative contributions, with a particular focus on the precipitation of LPRB. Using WRF-WVT we track the moisture that originates from the Amazon basin over a 10-yr period. It is estimated that Amazon evapotranspiration (ET) contributes to around 30% of the total precipitation over the Amazon and around 16% over the LPRB. Focusing on large-scale circulation patterns that transport moisture into the LPRB, we show that land surface conditions in northwestern Argentina are critical for the meridional transport of moisture to higher latitudes via Chaco jet events (CJEs). Warm surface air temperature associated with dry soil moisture over northwestern Argentina is linked to enhanced CJE northerly low-level winds that intensify moisture transport by changing continental-scale circulation patterns. WRF sensitivity tests confirm that soil moisture variations over this region affect meridional moisture transport.


International law has long been concerned with resolving issues of international jurisdiction; however, the unique circumstances involved in Internet cases have thrown a wrench in the traditional machinery of international jurisdiction law. Domestic courts continue to struggle with the issue, and the international community has dragged its feet on developing a uniform standard for determining international Internet jurisdiction. Further complicating matters, states often have divergent substantive Internet regulations and policies. This Note discusses and analyzes the leading cases and theories on international Internet jurisdiction and concludes that none of the current proposed solutions alone provide a satisfactory solution. Nevertheless, an international resolution on internet jurisdiction that borrows elements from each of these proposals could be successfully established.


Puerarin is a major active ingredient of the traditional Chinese plant medicine, Radix Puerariae, and commonly used in the treatment of myocardial and cerebral ischemia. However, the effects of puerarin on neuropathic pain are still unclear. In this study, a neuropathic pain animal model was created by partial sciatic nerve ligation. Puerarin (30 or 60 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected once a day for 7 days. Mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were examined at 1 day after model establishment. Mechanical threshold and paw withdrawal latency markedly increased in a dose-dependent manner in puerarin-treated rats, especially at 7 days after model establishment. At 7 days after model establishment, quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction results showed that puerarin administration reversed mRNA expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (Trpv1) and transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (Trpa1) in a dose-dependent manner in dorsal root ganglion neurons after peripheral nerve injury. These results suggest that puerarin dose-dependently ameliorates neuropathic pain by suppressing Trpv1 and Trpa1 up-regulation in dorsal root ganglion of neuropathic pain rats.


Since the regime was brought down by coalition forces in 2003, Iraq has been undergoing the process of democratisation through some significant political changes, namely, relatively free and competitive elections, and the freedom to form political and civil organisations. However, it faced crucial challenges that undermined this process such as ethno-sectarian violence/conflict. This thesis examines the impact of ethnic and sectarian conflict on the failure of the power sharing democracy. The thesis covers the period from 2003 until April 2014. The main themes that the thesis analyses are societal security/ethnic and sectarian violence, ethnic and sectarian inclusion, proportionality, and power devolution/federalism. For the purposes of the thesis, the societal security dilemma (SSD) theory, which focuses mainly on the roles of elites and external actors in societies that experience a power vacuum or institutional collapse in divided societies, is adopted. This theory is used for two purposes: firstly, to examine why and how the ethno-sectarian behaviour of elites affects societal security and the failure to establish a stable democracy; and secondly, to examine the viability of consociational design for the Iraqi case with the existence of distrust, fear and uncertainty among identity groups. The thesis argues that, due to fear, distrust and grievance among groups, the implementation of ethnic regions that draw lines between groups and localise the armed and security forces under a locally elected government is one of the mechanisms for reducing identity based violence and ensuring an effective power sharing democracy.


The survey of the professional integration of 5,500 graduates from higher education establishments coming under the Ministry of Culture and Communication in the three years following obtaining their degree in 2004 reveals the quality of these courses. Providing immediately useable professional training, they guarantee quick access to employment related to the training received for nearly four graduates out of five. The results confirm the importance, for continuity in employment, of a match between the field, the level of education and the first job undertaken. Three years after obtaining their degree, 81% of culture graduates are working, against 77% of the whole generation graduating in 2004. Finally, the speed of integration, the remuneration level and the unemployment rate vary with the courses followed: architecture inserts its graduates, who most often work full time, quickly, whereas entertainment graduates most often work part time and those in the plastic arts experience an 20% unemployment rate. The survey, carried out in collaboration with the Centre for Study and Research on Qualifications (Cereq), included 120 establishments and covered 1,200 graduates and is unprecedented for graduates in cultural subjects..


This paper describes the use of near infrared spectroscopy as a tool for the determination of moisture and resin content on papers impregnated with melamine-formaldehyde resins for high-pressure laminate production. The papers had different colours and grammages. The near infrared analysis range comprised wavelengths between 12,000 cm−1 and 4000 cm−1. Several multivariate calibration procedures and pre-processing techniques were tested for selection of the best spectral interval, including interval partial least-square, forward interval partial least-square and synergy interval partial least-square. The performance of calibration models was evaluated computing the root mean-squared error of cross-validations and the coefficient of determination (R2). An external validation procedure was done using different decorative papers (red, pearl, yellow, violet and pale green). The performances of the best models were compared using the statistical criterion root mean square error of prediction. It was shown that the developed models can be applied in the determination of resin content independently of the grammage and colour of the papers. However, regarding the volatile content, the models seemed to be affected by external factors, such as the presence of dyes and pigments, and were only applicable to papers having spectra similar to those used in the calibration model.


To clarify the pathogenesis of a typical case of musicogenic epilepsy, we examined interictal spikes using the dipole tracing method (DTM). The patient was a 49-year-old, right-handed Japanese man. He first experienced seizures at the age of 32 years; listening to his favorite piece of music frequently triggered them. His seizure type is partial (often complex, but sometimes simple). An interictal EEG examination revealed many focal spikes in F8 and T4. We estimated equivalent current dipoles (ECDs) using DTM. We performed one-dipole analyses on the peaks of the spikes using an EEG analyzer with a three-layer head model called the scalp-skull-brain (SSB) model. We analyzed the interictal EEG because there were no spikes during the seizure. The ECDs were located in the posterior transverse temporal gyrus. The characteristics in this patient not only bolstered arguments in favor of the role of the right temporal lobe in musicogenic epilepsy, but also showed that transverse temporal gyri, which are included in the auditory area, could play an important role in musicogenic epilepsy.


In situ H2 etching and homoepitaxial growth of 4H-SiC were performed on on-axis Si-face substrates using low-pressure chemical vapor deposition. We investigated the effect of various etching temperatures and durations on the surface of the on-axis substrates and used optimized etching characteristics to enhance the polytype stability of the epitaxial layer. It was found that the micro-steps at the etched surface of the on-axis substrates play a vital role in enhancing the stability of the 4H-SiC polytype. Homoepitaxial 4H-SiC with up to 99% stability was successfully grown with spread-out micro-steps without step-bunching during the etching process.


Abstract. Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is a process which strives towards the sustainable management of water resources in river basins. The approach integrates insights and knowledge from various scientific disciplines comprising natural, socio-economic, and engineering sciences. These three pillars of sustainability are important components of this approach integrating the environmental, economic and social dimension. In the ideal IWRM case planning is based on the river basin scale and therefore is comparatively discussed herein for the two twinning BRAHMATWINN river basins, i.e. the Upper Danube River Basin (UDRB) in Europe and the Upper Brahmaputra River Basin (UBRB) in South Asia. In this chapter major challenges for the implementation of the IWRM process towards a sustainable management of water resources in the two UDRB and UBRB twinning river basins of the BRAHMATWINN project are analysed. The study revealed that in the UDRB the IWRM approach is already part of water management planning and the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) is a good example in this regard. Contrary in the UBRB the implementation of IWRM is just at the beginning phase, only recently is being discussed in the riparian states but has not been implemented in any way so far on the basin scale.


This thesis is a study of the spatial evolution of the sound field. We first present an analysis of the sound field along different geometries. In the case of the sound field studied along a line in a room, we describe a two-dimensional function characterizing the sound field along space and time. Calculating the Fourier transform of this function leads to a spectrum having a butterfly shape. The spectrum is shown to be almost bandlimited along the spatial frequency dimension, which allows the interpolation of the sound field at any position along the line when a sufficient number of microphones is present. Using this Fourier representation of the sound field, we develop a spatial sampling theorem trading off quality of reconstruction with spatial sampling frequency. The study is generalized for planes of microphones and microphones located in three dimensions. The presented theory is compared to simulations and real measurements of room impulse responses. We describe a similar theory for circular arrays of microphones or loudspeakers. Application of this theory is presented for the study of the angular sampling of head-related transfer functions (HRTFs). As a result, we show that to reconstruct HRTFs at any possible angle in the horizontal plane, an angular spacing of 5 degrees is necessary for HRTFs sampled at 44.1 kHz. Because recording that many HRTFs is not easy, we develop interpolation techniques to achieve acceptable results for databases containing two or four times fewer HRTFs. The technique is based on the decomposition of the HRTFs in their carrier and complex envelopes. With the Fourier representation of the sound field, it is then shown how one can correctly obtain all room impulse responses measured along a trajectory when using a moving loudspeaker or microphone. The presented method permits the reconstruction of the room impulse responses at any position along the trajectory, provided that the speed satisfies a given relation. The maximal speed is shown to be dependent on the maximal frequency emitted and the radius of the circle. This method takes into account the Doppler effect present when one element is moving in the scenario. It is then shown that the measurement of HRTFs in the horizontal plane can be achieved in less than one second. In the last part, we model spatio-temporal channel impulse responses between a fixed source and a moving receiver. The trajectory followed by the moving element is modeled as a continuous autoregressive process. The presented model is simple and versatile. It allows the generation of random trajectories with a controlled smoothness. Application of this study can be found in the modeling of acoustic channels for acoustic echo cancellation or of time-varying multipath electromagnetic channels used in mobile wireless communications.


The study investigated the relationship between elementary school classroom organizational structure (i.e., self-contained versus departmental formats) and standardized achievement scores, transition time between classes, and instruction time. Participants included 103 fifth-grade and 94 sixth-grade students from one school district. Based on previous findings, students from self-contained classes were predicted to achieve significantly more than comparable students from departmentalized classes, take significantly less time to change classes, and spend more time in instruction. Results indicated that the self-contained group gained significantly more on Total Battery, Language, and Science subtests compared to the departmentalized group. Departmentalized classes took significantly longer to transition from subject to subject than did the self-contained classes. No differences were evident for instructional time. Findings were consistent for fifth and sixth grades. The results are limited because of only using one school district. ********** Educators have debated elementary school organizational structure since the beginning of the twentieth century (Gibb & Matala, 1962; Lamme, 1976). One aspect of organizational structure involves the number of subject areas covered by each teacher. In the self-contained approach, the teacher acts as a generalist and carries responsibility for the curriculum all day. The other extreme is the departmentalized approach. Here students change teachers for instruction in different subjects. Thus teachers cover fewer subject areas (Roger & Palardy, 1987; Mac Iver & Epstein, 1992). Advocates for a self-contained organizational pattern argue that it promotes instruction which is child-centered rather than subject-centered. Self-contained classrooms allow the teacher and students the opportunity to become well-acquainted. Moreover, self-contained teachers know their students' strengths, weaknesses, and personality traits enabling better accommodation of the students' individual learning styles (Squires, Huitt, & Segars, 1983). Additionally, self-contained classes allow for greater flexibility in scheduling. Elkind (1988) argues that the time students spend gathering books and paper and moving to other departmental classes cuts into valuable instruction time. On the other hand, some educators have found that departmentalized organizational approaches offer distinct advantages for the student (e.g., Culyer, 1984). Anderson (1962) presented a strong case for specialization when he reported that only 4 of 260 teachers considered themselves well prepared in all subject areas. Walker (1990) noted greater emphasis on curriculum matters in departmentalized elementary schools. This paper is similar to one by Garner and Rust (1992) which found that fifth-grade students in self-contained rooms scored significantly higher on group achievement tests compared to their departmentalized peers. The present study added measures of transition time and actual instruction time. Method Participants The participants included 197 students (103 fifth graders and 94 sixth graders) from two kindergarten-sixth grade schools in rural Tennessee. There were 109 students from school A. Of these students, 58 fifth graders (30 boys and 28 girls) and 51 sixth graders (23 boys and 28 girls) attended departmentalized classes. School B's participants included 88 students. Of these students, 45 fifth graders (20 boys and 25 girls) and 43 sixth graders (21 boys and 22 girls) attended self-contained classrooms. All of the participants attended self-contained classrooms in the fourth grade. School A used departmentalized fifth-and-sixth grade classes. School B maintained self-contained classes through Grade 6. The social class compositions of Schools A and B were similar, with 27% of the students at each school getting free or reduced-fee lunch. Apparatus The scale scores and normal curve equivalents of the norm referenced component of the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) were dependent variables. …


The paper examines the diversification of Nigerian Economy for sustainable development: issues and challenges. The main objective of this paper is to explain how the Nigerian economy engulfed in the problem of Dutch disease and how it can be diversified and sustained through plerotha of several resources endowed rather than over depending on oil and gas. This paper uses time series data obtained from CBN Statistical Bulletin, to provide a thorough assessment of the sectoral contribution to GDP based on economic sector of the Nigerian economy from 1960-2010.the paper explained that Nigerian economy is faced with the symptom of the Dutch disease syndrome looking at it's over reliance on oil revenue and real sectors have not been accorded much concern and their contributions are low towards GDP. the paper also pointed out some of the challenges facing the diversification of the Nigerian economy, and give measures that will help in diversifying the economy which include: exploring other mineral resources, transforming and boosting the Agricultural sector, and strengthening the manufacturing sector among others.


Book synopsis: In 2008 for the first time the majority of the planet's inhabitants lived in cities and towns. Becoming globally urban has been one of mankind's greatest collective achievements over time and raises many questions. How did global city systems evolve and interact in the past? How have historic urban patterns impacted on those of the contemporary world? And what were the key drivers in the roller-coaster of urban change over the millennia - market forces such as trade and industry? rulers and governments? competition and collaboration between cities? or the urban environment and demographic forces? This pioneering comparative work by fifty leading scholars drawn from a range of disciplines offers the first detailed comparative study of urban development from ancient times to the present day.

The Handbook explores not only the main trends in the growth of cities and towns across the world - in Asia and the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Americas - and the different types of cities from great metropolitan centres to suburbs, colonial cities, and market towns, but also many of the essential themes in the making and remaking of the urban world: the role of power, economic development, migration, social inequality, environmental challenge and the urban response, religion and representation, cinema, and urban creativity. Split into three parts covering Ancient cities, the medieval and early modern period, and the modern and contemporary era, it begins with an introduction by the editor identifying the importance and challenges of research on cities in world history as well as the crucial outlines of urban development since the earliest cities in ancient Mesopotamia to the present.


Column separation on both the upstream and downstream sides of a valve in an aviation kerosene pipeline was the subject of an investigation involving the method of characteristics to solve the partial differential equations governing pressure transient propagation. Particular attention was given to obtaining accurate velocity results at the instant the predicted pressure at a section reached vapour pressure. A test rig utilizing L.56 aluminium alloy fuel piping and other aircraft standard components and pumping Aviation Kerosene Specification 2494, was employed to investigate the phenomenon and test the computing procedures. For separation upstream of a valve following closure, a comparison of the computed and observed results indicated an accuracy within 3% for the first peak following valve closure and 5% for the cavity duration. Computed results within 10% of the observed were obtained for the later peaks following cavity collapse.Observation and filming of the sequence of events downstream of the valve during and following closure indicated that the air released during initial separation remained out of solution. The effect of this air was significant but could be included, in terms of its partial pressure, in the cavity boundary equations. The predicted cavity collapse pressures were consistently above those observed. Predicted values of maximum and minimum pressures, and their event times, following valve closure were, at worst, within 10% of the observed results. Analysis of the released gas indicated that it had normal air composition. Measurement of column velocity from the films and the use of a hot film probe and anemometer supported the assumptions made with reference to column motion. The hot film probe results demonstrated that this flow measurement technique was practical in this application.


Climatic change has frequently been identified as a key driver of change in biological communities. These changes can take the form of alterations to population dynamics, phenotypic characters, genetics and the life history of organisms and can have impacts on entire ecosystems. This study presents a novel investigation of how changes in a large scale climatic index, the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) can influence population dynamics and phenotypic characters in a population of ungulates. We use an integral projection model combined with actual climate change predictions to project future body size distributions for a population of Soay sheep Ovis aries. The climate change predictions used to direct our model projections were taken from published results of climate models, covering a range of different emissions scenarios. Our model results showed that for positive changes in the mean NAO large population declines occurred simultaneously with increases in mean body weight. The exact direction and magnitude of changes to population dynamics and character distributions were dependent on the greenhouse gas emissions scenario and model used to predict the NAO. This study has demonstrated how integral projection models can use outputs of climate models to direct projections of population dynamics and phenotypic character distributions. This approach allows the results of this study to be placed within current climate change research. The nature of integral projection models means that this methodology can be easily applied to other populations. The model can also be easily updated when new climate change predictions become available, making it a useful tool for understanding potential population level responses to climatic change.

Synthesis

Understanding how changes in climate affect biological communities is a key component in predicting the future form of populations. Utilising a novel approach that incorporates climatic drivers (in this instance the winter North Atlantic Oscillation) into an integral projection model framework, we predict future Soay sheep dynamics under specific climate change scenarios. Tracking quantitative trait distributions and life history metrics, our results predict declining population size and increasing body weight for an increasingly positive winter North Atlantic Oscillation index, as predicted by climate models. This has important implications for future wildlife management strategies and linking demographic responses to climate change.


Nine species of siphonophores were collected during the Belgian?Magga Da? Expedition in a transect from South Africa to Antarctic waters between December 1966 and February 1967. Two species were recorded for the first time in Antarctic waters: Bargmannia elongata and Nanomia bijuga. The bracts of Thalassophyes crystallina were found and described from material collected during this expedition. Two substantial colonies of Mica micula allowed a redescription of species and its systematic position is discussed.


Using a 15‐min High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) elution program, the current study compared pigment extraction efficiencies in aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria (AAPB; Dinoroseobacter shibae, Roseobacter denitrificans, Erythrobacter longus, and a strain of Rhodovulum sp. isolated from Tagus estuarine intertidal sediments — SPS1025T) using four extraction times (15, 30, 60, and 120 min) and three solvents (acetone, acetone/methanol, and methanol). Overall, increasing extraction time showed no significant effect on bacteriochlorophyll a (BChl a) and carotenoid extraction efficiencies in all strains. BChl a extraction efficiency was significantly higher in the mixture acetone/methanol and methanol, but methanol induced significantly higher BChl a degradation for all strains. Carotenoid extraction efficiencies were dependent on solvent and pigment polarity. Non‐polar carotenoids were better extracted with acetone and polar carotenoids with methanol. We suggest the application of the used HPLC procedure for the quantification of photosynthetic pigments in AAPB due to its high sample throughput and peak resolution. We also recommend the use acetone/methanol for extraction of AAPB photosynthetic pigments with extraction periods of 15 min to achieve higher BChl a extraction yields and minimize carotenoid degradation.


The Eric Reid Fund for Methodology is a grant of up to £4000, awarded to members of the Biochemical Society for projects with an emphasis on methodology and a preference for cellular or bioanalytical work. Applicants can use the fund to support research developing new techniques, exploring the application of a known technique in a novel circumstance or for feasibility studies and the Society is pleased to enable researchers to continue to learn new skills.
 Here, Alfred Fernández-Castané and Charlotte Clarke-Bland from Aston University, used their grant to purchase the necessary chemicals to run confocal microscopy experiments and more importantly, it has allowed them to start a collaboration.