cometadata/datacite-rtg-text-other-reclassification-records huggingface dataset:
Treatment uptake and outcomes among current and former injection drug users receiving directly observed therapy within a multidisciplinary group model for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection
Creators: name: Grebely, Jason
name: Genoway, Krista
name: Milan, Khara
name: Duncan, Fiona
name: Viljoen, Mark
name: Elliott, Doug
name: Raffa, Jesse Daniel
name: DeVlaming, Stanley
name: Conway, Brian
Publisher: name: The University of British Columbia
Year: 2017

description: Injection drug use accounts for the majority of incident and prevalent cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, very few injection drug users (IDUs) have received treatment for this condition given issues of medical or psychiatric co-morbidity, ongoing substance abuse and a widely held belief that such individuals will not be able to adhere to the requirements of therapy, including regular medical follow-up. With this in mind, we sought to evaluate HCV treatment uptake and outcomes among current and former IDUs attending a weekly peer support group and receiving directly observed HCV therapy. Utilizing the existing infrastructure for the management of addictive disease, we have developed a model of “one-stop shopping” whereby the treatment of addiction, HCV and other medical conditions are fully integrated, with the collaboration of nurses, counselors, addiction specialists, infectious disease specialists, primary care physicians and researchers. Subjects interested in receiving treatment for HCV infection were referred to a weekly peer-support group and evaluated for treatment. Patients received therapy with pegylated interferon-a2a or -a2b, both in combination with ribavirin. All injections were directly observed. Overall, we observed a high uptake of HCV treatment among attendees, with 51% either receiving or about to receive therapy. To date, 18 patients have initiated treatment for HCV infection and 12 have completed therapy. Overall, 8/12 (67%) subjects achieved an end of treatment response (Genotype 1 – 67%, Genotypes 2/3 – 67%), despite ongoing drug use in 75% of patients during treatment. These data demonstrate that with the appropriate programs in place, a high uptake of HCV treatment can be achieved among IDUs referred to a peer-support group. Moreover, the treatment of HCV in current and former IDUs within a multidisciplinary DOT program can be successfully undertaken, resulting in ETRs similar to those reported in randomized controlled trials.
title: Penser la fin de vie / Penser la santé #1
Publisher: name: Université Toulouse - Jean Jaurès
Year: 2024

description: La loi sur l’aide à mourir suscite le débat en France, mais quels changements apportera-t-elle aux soins palliatifs ? Certains États, comme le Québec, ont déjà légiféré sur l’aide active à mourir. Que pouvons-nous apprendre de leur expérience ?
title: Webinar SCOAP³
Creators: name: Ludwig, Judith
Publisher: name: Hannover : Technische Informationsbibliothek
Year: 2024
Subjects: subject: SCOAP³
subject: SCOAP³-DH
subject: HEP
subject: Open Access
subject: Hochenergiephysik
subject: 020
subject: 530

description: Im diesem SCOAP³-Webinar, welches am 07. Juni 2018 stattgefunden hat, wurden die Grundlagen von SCOAP³ und SCOAP³-DH vorgestellt. SCOAP³ steht für „Sponsoring Consortium for Open Access Publishing in Particle Physics“ und ist ein internationales Konsortium unter Führung des des CERN zur Förderung von Open Access im Bereich der Hochenergiephysik (HEP). SCOAP³-DH steht für Sponsoring Consortium for Open Access Publishing in Particle Physics - Deutsche Hochschulen. SCOAP³-DH hat als nationale Kontaktstelle die Aufgabe, die finanzielle Beteiligung der deutschen Hochschulen an dem internationalen Konsortium SCOAP³ zu organisieren.
title: Update SCOAP³-DH
Creators: name: Ludwig, Judith
name: Schröer, Charlotte
Publisher: name: Hannover : Technische Informationsbibliothek
Year: 2024
Subjects: subject: SCOAP³
subject: SCOAP³-DH
subject: SCOAP³ for Books
subject: Hochenergiephysik
subject: HEP
subject: Open Access
subject: 020
subject: 530

description: Ein SCOAP³-Webinar, welches am 14. Oktober 2020 stattfand. Ziel des Webinars war es über den aktuellen Stand der dritten Phase von SCOAP³ (2020-2022) zu informieren. Es wurde außerdem ein weiteres SCOAP³-Projekt, SCOAP³ for Books, vorgestellt. SCOAP³ steht für „Sponsoring Consortium for Open Access Publishing in Particle Physics“ und ist ein internationales Konsortium unter Führung des des CERN zur Förderung von Open Access im Bereich der Hochenergiephysik (HEP). SCOAP³-DH steht für Sponsoring Consortium for Open Access Publishing in Particle Physics - Deutsche Hochschulen. SCOAP³-DH hat als nationale Kontaktstelle die Aufgabe, die finanzielle Beteiligung der deutschen Hochschulen an dem internationalen Konsortium SCOAP³ zu organisieren.
Barriers associated with the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection among illicit drug users
Creators: name: Grebely, Jason
name: Genoway, Krista
name: Duncan, Fiona
name: Raffa, Jesse
name: Conway, Brian
name: Dhadwal, Gurbir
name: Rajan, Tasleem
name: Showler, Grey
name: Kalousek, Kate
name: Tyndall, Mark
name: Fraser, Chris
name: Fischer, Benedikt
Publisher: name: The University of British Columbia
Year: 2017

description: Background: Illicit drug users account for the majority of cases of HCV in the developed world, but few have received treatment. Methods: We evaluated barriers to initiating HCV treatment – including general treatment willingness – and factors associated with these among HCV infected illicit drug users. Participants were recruited via convenience sampling from two community clinics in Canada. Individuals age >18 years with a history of illicit drug use completed interviewer-administered surveys. Those reporting positive HCV testing underwent additional questioning on willingness, uptake and barriers to treatment for HCV. Results: Of 188 HCV positive illicit drug users, 16% (n = 30) received treatment for HCV. Factors associated with a decreased treatment uptake included current heroin use and HIV/HCV co-infection. Among those not having received therapy, 77% (117/153) indicated a willingness to receive treatment. Factors associated with treatment willingness included not being infected with HIV, having not recently used drugs by injection and having reported physical health problems. Among those not having sought treatment (n = 107), the major reasons for not doing so were: lack of information about HCV or knowledge that treatment was available (23%), the absence of symptoms (20%) and the perceived side effects of treatment (14%). Conclusions: Among illicit drug users attending inner city clinics, we have observed a low uptake of HCV treatment, but a high willingness to receive therapy. An increased focus on improving education about the long-term consequences of HCV and the availability of effective treatment are important components for expanding HCV treatment among illicit drug users.
Modeling fabrication, and measurement of laterally-coupled distributed feedback lasers
Creators: name: Millett, Ronald R
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2009
Subjects: subject: Engineering, Electronics and Electrical.

description: This thesis describes the modeling, design, fabrication, experiment, and measurement analysis of a 1310 nm laterally-coupled distributed feedback (LC-DFB) laser diode with higher order gratings. In LC-DFB lasers, a grating is etched directly out of the waveguide ridge, eliminating regrowth steps. We propose the use of stepper lithography for LC-DFB laser fabrication, a technique more suitable for high-volume manufacture than traditional approaches, such as electron-beam lithography. We also propose the use of higher order gratings, requiring larger grating periods than first-order gratings, to improve manufacturing tolerances. Simulations using Streifer's modified coupled-mode approach were used to explore the laser design space. This thesis extends the original formulation to a two-dimensional cross-section to accurately model the LC-DFB lasers. The effective coupling coefficient, Keff, calculated using this approach varied considerably from the generally used simple coupling coefficient, Kp, found when neglecting Streifer correction terms. Our model determined that larger duty cycles (> 0.5), and greater ridge width contrasts produce higher |Keff| values. The inclusion of a gamma/4 phase-shift tends to degrade higher order grating performance. Non-rectangular grating shapes, such as triangular and sinusoidal, often have stronger coupling, particularly at higher grating orders, and are potentially simpler to fabricate. The fabricated lasers had excellent side-mode suppression ratios of > 50 dB. The efficiencies and threshold currents of the LC-DFB lasers are comparable to the Fabry-Perot lasers, indicating that the higher order grating losses are not prohibitive. The single-mode yield was compromised by weaker than expected gratings due to rounding during fabrication, and cross-wafer variations, however, yields of ∼50% on the best design variations are very promising, particularly for a first fabrication mn. The overall performance indicates that with some design improvements, guided by our model, this laser has commercial potential. The experimentally determined Keff matched well with the simulated values, within fabrication and experimental variations.
Directly observed therapy for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection in current and former injection drug users
Creators: name: Grebely, Jason
name: Raffa, Jesse Daniel
name: Meagher, Caite
name: Duncan, Fiona
name: Genoway, Krista
name: Khara, Milan
name: McLean, Mark
name: Mead, Annabel
name: Viljoen, Mark
name: DeVlaming, Stanley
name: Fraser, Chris
name: Conway, Brian
Publisher: name: The University of British Columbia
Year: 2017

description: Background and Aim:  There are few studies investigating the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in current and former drug users. With this in mind, we sought to evaluate the antiviral efficacy of interferon alpha-2b (IFN α-2b) or pegylated-interferon alpha-2b (PEG-IFN α-2b) and ribavirin (RBV) in injection drug users (IDU) enrolled in a directly observed therapy (DOT) program, as measured by sustained virologic response (SVR). Methods:  Viremic HCV-infected IDU, with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) >1.5× upper limit of normal (ULN) were offered 24–48 week (based on HCV genotype) therapy with RBV (800–1200 mg/day, based on weight) along with IFN α-2b (3 million IU thrice weekly) replaced by PEG-IFN α-2b (1.5 ìg/kg once weekly) as it became available. All injections were directly observed. The primary endpoint was SVR. Results:  Overall, 40 patients (33 males) received IFN α-2b (12) or PEG-IFN α-2b (28), 55% with HCV genotypes 2 or 3. Only 14 discontinued therapy, 5 due to toxicity, 6 due to illicit drug use and 3 did not achieve an early virologic response. In an intent-to-treat analysis, the overall SVR was 55% (22/40), 64% (14/22) in subjects with genotypes 2/3. There was no significant difference in response rates among those with >6 (50%) or ≤6 months (64%) drug abstinence (P = 0.51) or among those with (53%) and without (57%) intercurrent drug use (P = 0.99); however, frequent users (n = 9) had a decreased SVR (22%) when compared with occasional users (n = 10, 80%, P = 0.12). Conclusion:  Treatment of HCV in current and former IDU within a multidisciplinary DOT program can be successfully undertaken, resulting in SVR similar to those in randomized controlled trials.
Enhancement of neural cell regeneration and survival by altering gap junctional communication following brain injury
Creators: name: Morin, Mario Y
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2006
Subjects: subject: Biology, Neuroscience.
subject: Chemistry, Biochemistry.

description: The adult brain is particularly susceptible to injury given that it lacks significant regenerative capacity. The presence of rare neural stem and progenitor cells - cells capable of self-renewal and specification to a neuronal or a glial lineage - in specific areas of the adult central nervous system (CNS) offers new hope for therapeutic cell replacement. Our laboratory has previously implicated connexin32 (Cx32) in participating in neural progenitor cell fate determination to an oligodendrocyte lineage (Melanson-Drapeau et al., 2003; Hebb et al., submitted). Based on these previous findings, I hypothesized that neuronal regeneration might be increased in Cx32 knockout (KO) mice following hippocampal injury. Kainic acid (KA)-induced epileptic seizure was used to elicit loss of hippocampal neurons and study subsequent progenitor cell proliferation and specification to neurons and oligodendrocytes in the hippocampus of adult wild type (WT) and Cx32KO mice. The kinetics of hippocampal cellular degeneration and regeneration were established following seizure by qualitative and quantitative histological analyses. I found that the viability of the granule cell population in the dentate gyrus (DG) was compromised following excitotoxic challenge but that damaged cells recovered four weeks post-injury without undergoing significant cell death. Substantial neuronal loss with both apoptotic and non-apoptotic characteristics was detected in the CA3 field of the hippocampus 0.5 weeks post-injury in both genotypes. Significant progenitor cell amplification (proliferation) was observed in the CA3 field at the same time period. Progenitor cells in Cx32KO mice preferentially committed to a neuronal lineage, increasing neuroregeneration 4.5 weeks following injury. The Morris water maze, a hippocampal dependent spatial memory task, was used to test the functionality of these new neurons four weeks following KA-induced injury. I show that uninjured WT and Cx32KO mice exhibit comparable indices of spatial learning and memory. Following KA-induced seizure, WT mice are behaviourally impaired while Cx32KO mice are not, providing strong evidence of enhanced functional neuroregeneration in the absence of Cx32. Finally, to provide a tool to track the fate of neural progenitors destined to express Cx32 over time following injury, a new transgenic marker mouse, that expresses the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in place of Cx32, was engineered for use in future studies.
Why the creative process is not Darwinian
Creators: name: Gabora, Liane
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2018

description: Simonton (2006) makes the unwarranted assumption that nonmonotonicity supports a Darwinian view of creativity. Darwin’s theory of natural selection was motivated by a paradox that has no equivalent in creative thought: the paradox of how change accumulates when acquired traits are not inherited. To describe a process of cumulative change in which acquired traits are retained is outside of the scope of the theory of natural selection. Even the early evolution of life itself (prior to genetically mediated template replication) cannot be described by natural selection. Specifically, natural selection cannot describe change of state that involves horizontal (Lamarckian) exchange, or occurs through interaction with an incompletely specified context. It cannot describe change wherein variants are evaluated sequentially, and wherein this evaluation can itself change the state space and/or fitness function, because no two variants are ever evaluated according to the same selection criterion. Concerns are also raised as to the methodology used in Simonton’s study.
Interferon regulatory factor-3 activation in adenovirus infection
Creators: name: Chaisson, Koralee
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2007
Subjects: subject: Biology, Microbiology.
subject: Biology, Virology.

description: Adenovirus (Ad) infection is accompanied by an early inflammatory response that is stimulated by the binding and/or entry of the Ad capsid to the cell. Several studies have linked NF-kappaB to the activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines early in Ad infection, however, for many other viruses, another key transcription factor, Interferon Regulatory Factor 3 (IRF-3), also acts early in viral infection. We sought to determine if IRF-3 is activated upon Ad infection, and to examine its importance in establishing an anti-viral state in Ad-infected cells. Our data suggests that wtAd5 infection results in phosphorylation of IRF-3 on a novel amino acid residue, and this event is dependent on virus replication. Moreover, IRF-3 is an important transcription factor for induction of RANTES expression in wtAd5-infected cells. Taken together, these data suggest that IRF-3 activation in response to Ad DNA replication is important in establishing an anti-viral state within the infected cell.
Performance of linear detectors using partial decision techniques in CDMA systems with multiple antenna
Creators: name: Chan-Taw, Stephan
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2006
Subjects: subject: Engineering, Electronics and Electrical.

description: Partial decision variables exploit the code diversity available in a code division multiple access system by detecting the received signal over different portions of the signaling interval to produce multiple decision intervals. Decision variables can then be weighted using adaptive filtering techniques, improving signal to interference plus noise ratio. In this thesis, we integrate the partial decision variable technique with multiple antennas to further improve performance by exploiting spatial diversity without greatly increasing the complexity of the system. Specifically, we will demonstrate the use of the partial decision variable technique through simulated and measured channel data for different configurations of single and multiple antenna system with least mean square weighting. Further, a multiuser detection technique using partial decision variables is developed for space-code division multiple access which significantly reduces the effects of multi-access and self interference to provide good performance with low incremental complexity. Throughout this thesis we will show using simulations and discussion that the use of multiple partial decision variables provide better BER performance over single decision variable systems at higher signal to noise ratios. Overall the use of multiple PDV with properly chosen least mean square step sizes, can provide additional gain with relatively low increase in complexity.
The immigration of Jews from France to Montreal: An investigation of the changes in a complex Jewish identity
Creators: name: Reis, Diana Cohen
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2008
Subjects: subject: Canadian Studies.
subject: Jewish Studies.

description: This thesis is an exploratory examination of Jewish identity among recent Jewish immigrants from France in Montreal Quebec. It examines the relationship and the role that Jewish identity has played in the immigration of these Jews from France to Montreal and their integration. It also examines other factors, which may have led these Jews to immigrate to Montreal. In order to investigate and analyze their Jewish identity, various theories of identity and other components of "Jewishness 1" are presented in this analysis. It was hypothesized that Jewish identity was one of the factors that led these Jews to leave France. In the analysis of the interviews with these participants, it was considered that not only had their Jewish identity or "Jewishness" led them to immigrate, but also that threats to their "Jewishness" and loved ones were among the main reasons why they immigrated from France to Montreal. All the participants' Jewish identities had also strengthened as a result of the immigration process: they now considered themselves to be "even more Jewish" than before their immigration. This analysis allowed me to conclude that Jewish identity did indeed play a role in the immigration of these Jewish immigrants from France, and that, as a result of their immigration, this identity was reinforced and strengthened within the Montreal Jewish community. I decided to devote my life to telling the story of the Jews because I felt that having survived. I owe something to the dead and anyone who does not remember betrays them again. (Elie Wiesel, 1980). I marvel at the resilience of the Jewish people. Their best characteristic is their desire to remember. No other people have such an obsession with memory. (Elie Wiesel, 1980) 1"Jewishness" refers to specific qualities or characteristics of being Jewish.
Linear coding of dynamic stimuli by electroreceptor afferents
Creators: name: Gussin, Daniel Jeffrey
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2008
Subjects: subject: Biology, Neuroscience.

description: To determine how sensory receptors respond to signal modulations, we estimated the frequency-intensity (f-I) curves of P-unit electroreceptors using 4 Hz random amplitude modulations (RAMs) and the covariance method (50 Hz RAMs). Both methods showed that P-units are linear encoders of stimulus amplitude with additive noise. The covariance method showed that a linear combination of eigenvectors representing the time-weighted stimulus intensity (E1) and its derivative (E2) could account for 92% of the total response variability. The low gain of the low frequency f-I curve implies that detection of prey would require integration over many receptors and time. Weak signals at the limit of behavioural thresholds could be detected if the animal were able to extract E1 from the population of responding P-units. We propose a tentative mechanism for this operation despite no evidence as to whether it is actually implemented in the nervous system of these fish.
Descriptive Epidemiology of Osteoarthritis in British Columbia, Canada
Creators: name: Kopeć, Jacek A.
name: Rahman, Md Mushfiqur
name: Berthelot, Jean-Marie
name: Le Petit, Christel
name: Aghajanian, Jaafar
name: Sayre, E. C.
name: Cibere, Jolanda, 1962-
name: Anis, Aslam H. (Aslam Hayat), 1959-
name: Badley, Elizabeth M.
Publisher: name: The University of British Columbia
Year: 2020

description: Objectives Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent and often disabling disease. Data on the incidence of OA in the general population are limited. Our objectives were (1) to estimate OA prevalence and incidence rates by age and sex in a geographically defined population of 4 million people (British Columbia, Canada) using an administrative database and (2) to determine the effects of different administrative definitions of OA and observation (run-in) time on such estimates. Methods We used data on all visits to health professionals and hospital admissions covered by the Medical Services Plan (MSP) of British Columbia (BC) for the fiscal years 1991/1992 through 2000/2001. OA was defined based on ICD-9 diagnostic codes required for administrative purposes. Results The overall prevalence of OA in 2001 was 10.8%; 8.9% in men and 12.6% in women. Prevalence was higher in women in all age groups. By age 70-74, about one-third of men and 40% of women had OA. I ncidence rates in 2000/2001 were 11.7 per 1000 person-years in the total population, 10.0 in men and 13.4 in women. Rates increased linearly with age between 50 and 80 years of age. Both prevalence and incidence depended strongly on the definition of OA and the run-in period. Conclusion Prevalence of physician-diagnosed OA in BC was slightly lower than self-reported prevalence of arthritis in population surveys. Routinely collected administrative data could be a valuable source of information for OA surveillance but more research is needed on the validity of OA diagnosis in administrative databases.
Recidivism among mentally disordered offenders: An Ontario study
Creators: name: Marcoux, Kyla
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2010
Subjects: subject: Sociology, Criminology and Penology.

description: The de-institutionalization of mental health facilities believed to be responsible for the "criminalization" of mental illness has lead to a large number of persons with a mental illness to come into contact with the correctional system. Once labelled as an 'offender', it is difficult to gain access to mental health resources. Consequently, a significant number of mentally ill persons who are also criminal offenders find themselves caught in a vicious cycle of incarceration, release and subsequent re-incarceration, without ever benefiting from psychiatric treatment. Recidivism is the most commonly used measure of the performance of the correctional system; however, there is little research on the rates of recidivism of mentally ill offenders within corrections. Multiple logistic regression revealed that mentally disordered offenders were twice as likely as non-mentally disordered offenders to have recontact with the provincial correctional system; however, survival analysis showed that they came into re-contact at the same rate.
"I think it well to search for truth everywhere": Religious Identity and the Construction of the Self in L M Montgomery's "Selected Journals"
Creators: name: Thomson, Heather
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2010
Subjects: subject: Biography.
subject: Religion, General.
subject: Literature, Canadian (English).

description: This thesis considers the religious identity that Lucy Maud Montgomery constructed in The Selected Journals of L.M. Montgomery. As an adequate theoretical model to study religion in modern autobiography is not available, this thesis approaches the Selected Journals with a "social construction" model (adapted from autobiography theory on gender) in a consideration of her religious identity. Montgomery's religious self-constructions---as unorthodox, Presbyterian, and a seeker of truth---are considered in successive chapters through close readings of passages from her journals. Though her separate self-constructions are apparently paradoxical, I argue that Montgomery's overall religious identity is nonetheless fairly consistent with her most crucial religious self-construction---that of being a seeker of truth---and that she ultimately presents herself in her journals as having faith centred on hope. In conclusion, I offer reflections on the need for the development of an autobiography theory in which religion is regarded as an important aspect of identity.
Human pharmaceuticals in the environment: Effects of fibrate drugs on two fish species
Creators: name: Mimeault, Caroline
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2008
Subjects: subject: Biology, General.
subject: Environmental Sciences.
subject: Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture.

description: Human pharmaceuticals have been reported in the aquatic environment but information pertaining to their effect(s) in aquatic non-target species was scarce when this project was initiated. The two main objectives of this research were to determine if these new emerging contaminants are available to aquatic species and to assess if exposure can lead to unfavourable effects in two fish species, the goldfish (Carassius auratus) and the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Most studies were done with the fibrate drug gemfibrozil (GEM), although the other fibrates bezafibrate (BEZA), clofibrate (CLO) and fenofibrate (FENO) were used for specific experiments. Waterborne GEM exposure resulted in bioconcentration factors up to 500 in goldfish using LC-MS/MS estimates. Results provided strong evidence that environmental concentrations of GEM are not indicative of plasme concentration in fish. Tissue distribution for the three peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) subtypes were established in goldfish and rainbow trout by estimating mRNA levels using reverse-transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR). The monitoring of PPARalpha mRNA was found not to be a good indicator of GEM exposure as mRNA levels were not modified. Interestingly PPARbeta mRNA appears to be modulated in comparable ways in the two species and PPARgamma was affected but only in rainbow trout. Identified potentially harmful effects resulting from exposure to fibrate drugs include (1) a challenged hepatic antioxidant defense system in goldfish exposed to an environmentally relevant concentration of GEM determined using spectrophotometric assays and (2) an impaired cortisol response in rainbow trout exposed to high concentrations of CLO and FENO determined through in-vitro head kidney cell stimulation. A mechanistic approach to understand the effects of fibrate drugs allowed identifying potential target steps of corticosteroidogenesis, hence contributing to the understanding of basic endocrinology. This thesis is an important contribution to the emerging field of the effects of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment as it provides evidence that environmental concentrations significantly underestimate in-vivo drug levels and that exposure to human drugs may challenge or impair essential physiological functions in fish. Future research should focus on assessing effects over longer periods of time and at lower concentrations.
ПОЛИМЕР КОМПОЗИТ МАТЕРИАЛЛАРГА МЕХАНИК ИШЛОВ БЕРИШНИНГ ЗАРУРАТИ
Creators: name: Тўхтасинов, Рустамбек
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024

description: Ҳозирги кунда машинасозликда полимер композит материалларга (ПКМ) мехник ишлов бериш долзарб бўлиб қолмоқда. Механик ишлов бериш, деталларнинг сифатини ошириш ва ишлаб чиқариш унумдорлигини оширишда ПКМ деталларнинг ўрни катта. ПКМ механик, физик ва химик хоссаларининг тузилиши туфайли кенг миқёсда тарқалишга эришдилар. Масалан, асосий кўрсаткич бўлган – қалинлик, эластиклик модули, шикастланишларга чидамлилиги, ўз хусусиятини йўқотмаслиги, хоссаларини сақлаб қолиши ва коррозион турғунлиги бўйича ПКМ -60° С дан +200°С гача ҳарорат доирасида алюмин қотишмалардан устун туради.
Supplementary information from Squid male alternative reproductive tactics are determined by birth date
Creators: name: Hosono, Shota
name: Masuda, Yoshio
name: Tokioka, Shun
name: Kawamura, Tomohiko
name: Iwata, Yoko
Publisher: name: The Royal Society
Year: 2024
Subjects: classificationCode: 310399
subject: Ecology not elsewhere classified
classificationCode: 310499
subject: Evolutionary biology not elsewhere classified
classificationCode: 310901
subject: Animal behaviour

description: Alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) are discontinuous phenotypes associated with reproduction, observed in males of many species. Typically, large males adopt a tactic of competing with rivals for mating, while small males adopt a tactic of stealing fertilisation opportunities from the large males. The ‘birthdate hypothesis', proposing that the date of birth influences the determination of each male's reproductive tactic, has been tested only in teleost fish to date. Here, the birthdate hypothesis was tested in ARTs of Japanese spear squid Heterololigo bleekeri (consort/sneaker) by analysing statolith growth increments. The birth date significantly differed between consorts (early hatch) and sneakers (late-hatch). However, no differences were detected in growth history up to 100 days from hatching. Most immature males caught during the reproductive season were larger than sneakers, and their hatch date was similar to that of consorts, suggesting that these immature males had already been following a life-history pathway as a consort. These results indicate that ARTs of H. bleekeri are determined based on their hatch date in early life. This study firstly suggests that the birthdate hypothesis applies to aquatic invertebrates, suggesting that the mechanism by which birthdate determines the individual phenotype is a phenomenon more common than previously believed.
Protest Geographies and Cross-Modal Icons in Hong Kong’s Umbrella Movement
Creators: name: Kurfürst, Sandra
Publisher: name: ASIEN: The German Journal on Contemporary Asia
Year: 2021

description: In September 2014, thousands of people occupied the heart of Hong Kong’s state and corporate power, the central business district. This paper provides a snapshot of the first days of the events that resulted in what would ultimately become a 79-day-long occupation, which eventually came to be known as the “Umbrella Movement.” The paper first maps the protest geographies, focusing on the symbolism of place. It then proceeds to decipher the symbols employed by the protestors both in urban public and in digital space. The paper argues that the transformation of tangible everyday items like the umbrella into intangible digital icons demonstrates resilience in the face of state coercion in physical space. Acknowledging the symbolism of place and its inherent contestation, the paper, moreover, shows that the symbols that became cross-modal icons were those that were non-place-specific ones, and thus those shared by a wider collective. Finally, the article suggests it is important to reflect on the distribution of leadership across a wider collective and via different media forms. The data is drawn from participant observation on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon during the week of university class boycotts, from September 21–26, 2014, before the official start of Occupy Central — as well as from internet ethnography, newspaper analysis, and secondary literature research too.
description: ASIEN: The German Journal on Contemporary Asia, Nr. 148 (2018): ASIEN (Juli)
Legates of the Roman pontiff---Permanent Observers of the Holy See Missions at the United Nations
Creators: name: Melnyk, Roman A
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2008
Subjects: subject: Religion, General.
subject: Political Science, International Law and Relations.

description: The thesis addresses questions regarding the history of the gradual involvement of the representatives of the Holy See and the corresponding development of their legal status in the newly created international organization of the United Nations, the canonical determination of the office of papal legate to the UN in view of pertinent ecclesiastical legislation, the role and functions of papal representatives to the UN within the context of current world events, and the important contribution to the work of the United Nations in the service of humanity. The first chapter examines the international status of the Holy See during the 1870--1929 period; the development of pre-United Nations international structures from 1939--1945; the participation of the Holy See in the early stages of development of UN agencies and international bodies, i.e. FAO, WFP, IFAD, UNESCO. The second chapter examines the legal status of the Permanent Observer and the Mission of the Holy See at the United Nations in view of relevant special law; the development of CIC canons in the process of the revision of the Code of Canon Law and the reform of the Roman Curia; the important characteristics of the post of papal legate as ecclesiastical office; the presence of laity in the context of pontifical representation. The third chapter is a study of the range of involvement of the Holy See in the United Nations, its agencies and related bodies throughout the world, more specifically in New York, Geneva, Vienna, Nairobi and other UN centres. This chapter reviews the extensive work undertaken by these UN bodies and the specifics of the Holy See's involvement. The fourth chapter focuses on the work of the Permanent Observer of the Holy See in the context of the mission of the Church, as expressed in c. 747, §2; current diplomatic directions of the activity of Permanent Observers. Insights are presented into a possible expansion of the role and function of pontifical legates, especially in application of their leadership and mediation skills in light of the transformative and internal reform process underway at the United Nations and the world diplomatic community.
Exploring the relationship between job quality and firm productivity in the manufacturing sector: Panel data evidence from Ethiopia
Creators: name: Getahun, Tigabu D.
name: Fetene, Gebeyehu M.
name: Baumüller, Heike
name: Kubik, Zaneta
Publisher: name: Center for Development Research (ZEF)
Year: 2024
Subjects: subject: Africa
subject: Employment
subject: Food processing
subject: ddc:630
subject: ddc:670

description: By leveraging firm-level panel data from 400 agro-processing and leather manufacturing firms in Ethiopia, this paper investigates links between firm productivity and monetary and non-monetary dimensions of job quality. The results point to a positive impact of higher salaries on firm productivity, but limited effects of non-monetary job quality indicators. Specifically, a 10% increase on each of the salaries of tenured medium- and high-skilled workers increase sales per worker by 1.79% and 1.46%, respectively, ceteris paribus. Similarly, increasing the starting salary of medium-skilled workers by 10% increases profit per worker, sales per worker and value-add per worker by 2.27%, 2.43% and 2.44%, respectively. Non-monetary job quality indicators had a weak impact on productivity, however, reducing the incentive of employers to invest in job quality improvements. Impact of productivity increases on monetary and non-monetary job quality indicators follow a similar pattern. An increase in profit per worker was found to increase the salaries of both tenured employees and new hires. For instance, a 10% increase in profit per worker increases tenured salaries of low-and medium-skilled workers by 0.2% and 0.3%, respectively, and starting salaries for low, medium and high-skilled workers by 0.21%, 0.28% and 0.27%, respectively. However, a statistically significant impact of profit per worker and value add per worker on non-monetary aspects of job quality was not.
To Transfer, but Not to Serve? Central Asian Studies Inside Out
Creators: name: Coppenrath, Florian
name: Heller, Lena
name: Klausmann, Kyara
name: Kucherova, Elizaveta
name: Mamadshoeva, Davlatbegim
name: Petrova, Mariya
name: Reichhardt, Björn
Publisher: name: Asien
Year: 2021

description: “Central Asian Studies should be relevant, but not at the price of their independence” — such could be, in one sentence, the said result of the debate led by the early-career researchers taking part in the two-day workshop “Central Asian Studies Inside Out” (CASIO). On February 8–9, 2018, the workshop brought together masters and PhD students from different European universities at the Leibniz-Zentrum Moderner Orient and the Institute for Asian and African Studies at Humboldt University Berlin, to discuss knowledge transfer between Central Asian Studies on the one side and social and political actors outside of academia on the other. A core goal was to address a structural problem faced by Central Asian Studies: scholars of area studies produce knowledge of high social and political value, but it usually remains within very concise circles. Apart from only a few exceptions, such as the Central Asian seminar at Humboldt University, research on Central Asia in Europe is usually marginalized within wider disciplines and poorly connected, not to speak of the very limited access to expertise produced within the region itself. Organizing a workshop dedicated to the topic of Central Asian Studies and knowledge transfer was meant, then, as a way to underline the dynamics of the field and the mutual benefits of engagement with practitioners. Thus, what do Central Asian Studies have to offer? As Botakoz Kassymbekova underlined in her keynote speech, a core role of the humanities and social sciences in dealing with Central Asia is to challenge the grand narratives on the region. In giving voice to previously unheard people and highlighting the unexpected, scholars can point to many realities missed out on by problem-oriented research. To do this, scholars need to get out of the “comfort zone” of their area studies. Indeed, given the funding threats that institutions like the Central Asian seminar at Humboldt University now face, scholars of area studies need to underline the relevance of their work for a wider audience.
description: Asien, Nr. 148 (2018): ASIEN (Juli)
Tissue engineered biomimetic corneas for promoting corneal regeneration
Creators: name: McLaughlin, Christopher Ryan
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2009
Subjects: subject: Biology, Molecular.

description: Corneal transplantation with allograft tissue is currently the gold standard treatment for treating corneal damage following trauma or disease. However the supply of good quality donor tissue cannot meet the demand, especially in developing countries. Currently, the only alternative treatment option has been the use of corneal prostheses (keratoprostheses) but these do not permit integration with the host tissue. We utilized a regenerative medicine approach to enhance the natural ability of the cornea to regenerate by providing an acellular but highly bioactive scaffold to serve as a corneal extracellular matrix (ECM) substitute. The corneal substitutes tested were based on the predominant ECM protein found in the cornea, which is type I collagen. Cross-linked collagen corneal scaffolds were formed into the appropriated dimensions and cross linked using a simple methodology, and tested in vitro to assure that they would support cellular growth of epithelial cells and nerves. The most promising candidate implants were then implanted into a range of animal models as either lamellar grafts, or full thickness grafts by lamellar and penetrating keratoplasties, respectively. Following implantation, it was observed that the scaffolds promoted regeneration of the corneal epithelial and stromal cells. The implants themselves were remodelled, observed through biotin conjugation, to give a seamless host-graft interface. The grafts remained stably integrated. At 12 months post implantation, the implanted corneas had comparable mechanical properties compared to contralateral controls. Nerves had reinnervated the cornea at densities comparable to controls and were shown to be functionally active, capable of responding to external stimuli through electrophysiological testing. We were also able to improve the mechanical properties of our gels by incorporating the biomimetic molecule 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC), which allowed for full thickness transplantation into guinea pigs. Finally, with the advent of recombinant human collagen, we were able to create a novel class of human based materials for corneal implantation, which were successfully transplanted into pigs. Type III recombinant human collagen, a minor component of the human cornea, showed superior optical transmission compared to type I collagen gels, and both showed stable integration, with corneal regeneration of cells, tear film, and nerves. Substantially more work is needed to determine the limits of this approach in treating corneal blindness, i.e. what clinical causes of blindness can be treated in this manner. Nevertheless, we have demonstrated that a simple, ECM mimetic could promote the regeneration of corneal cell types, and the reinnervation of functional nerves, in a stable and seamless fashion.
Mengenal lebih dekat ofiolit
Creators: name: Suparka, Emmy
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2020
Subjects: ofiolit
tektonik lempeng
mid oceanic ridge

description: Dalam rangka membuka rangkaian Webinar Geologi ITB Menyapa: Solidaritas untuk Negeri, kami Prodi Teknik Geologi ITB mengundang Bapak/Ibu/Saudara untuk mengikuti webinar “Mengenal Lebih Dekat Ofiolit, Lantai Samudera yang Tersingkap” oleh Prof. Dr. Emmy Suparka (Moderator: Dr.eng. Mirzam Abdurrachman, pada: Hari : Sabtu, 16 Mei 2020 Waktu : Pukul 13.00-14.30 WIB Pendaftaran : https://bit.ly/3bhD5c9 Diskusi diselenggarakan melalui platform Google Meet. Diskusi ini juga disiarkan secara langsung melalui tautan youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dCaJk7FOLc Bersama dengan ini kami juga membuka donasi untuk program penanganan Covid-19, yang akan disalurkan melalui Satuan Tugas Covid ITB. Donasi dapat dikirimkan ke rekening Prodi Teknik Geologi sebagai berikut: Bank Mandiri a.n Aswan no rek 1300016247861
 (harap ditambah Rp. 100 pada donasi anda untuk kemudahan deteksi, atau cantumkan “Geologi ITB Menyapa” pada berita transfer) Kami berharap Bapak/Ibu/Saudara dapat berpartisipasi dalam webinar ini. Atas perhatian Bapak/Ibu/Saudara kami ucapkan terima kasih. (artikel ini diunggah oleh: Dasapta Erwin Irawan)
ESM Figures and Tables from Individual variation in life history timing: synchronous presence, asynchronous events and phenological compensation in a wild mammal
Creators: name: Beltran, Roxanne S.
name: Lozano, Raquel R.
name: Morris, Patricia
name: Robinson, Patrick W.
name: Holser, Rachel R.
name: Keates, Theresa R.
name: Favilla, Arina B.
name: Kilpatrick, A. Marm
name: Costa, Daniel P.
Publisher: name: The Royal Society
Year: 2024
Subjects: classificationCode: 310399
subject: Ecology not elsewhere classified

description: Many animals and plants have species-typical annual cycles, but individuals vary in their timing of life history events. Individual variation in fur replacement (molt) timing is poorly understood in mammals due to the challenge of repeated observations and longitudinal sampling. We examined factors that influence variation in molt duration and timing among elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris). We quantified the onset and progression of fur loss in 1178 individuals. We found that an exceptionally rapid visible molt (7 days, the shortest of any mammals or birds), and a wide range of molt start dates (spanning 6–10× the event duration) facilitated high asynchrony across individuals (only 20% of individuals in the population molting at the same time). Some of the variation was due to reproductive state, as reproductively mature females that skipped a breeding season molted a week earlier than reproductive females. Moreover, individual variation in timing and duration within age-sex categories far outweighed (76–80%) variation among age-sex categories. Individuals arriving at the end of the molt season spent 50% less time on the beach, which allowed them to catch up in their annual cycles and reduce population-level variance during breeding. These findings underscore the importance of individual variation in annual cycles.
Förderung der regionalen Identität des ASEAN durch interregionale Gespräche zwischen EU und ASEAN zur Errichtung einer strategischen Partnerschaft
Creators: name: Maier-Knapp, Naila
Publisher: name: ASIEN: The German Journal on Contemporary Asia
Year: 2021

description: Regional identity-building has been described within the literature on the European Union (EU)–Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) relationship as a function of interregionalism. While this literature has commonly premised regional identity-building as the direct result of interregional interaction in the sense of region-to-region best practice-sharing and capacity-building, it has also recognized that there have been instances of EU–ASEAN interregional disagreement which have raised levels of regional self-awareness and identity indirectly through processes of self-and-othering. Prominent examples of this kind of ASEAN regional identity-building through interregional othering processes have been the EU–ASEAN dispute over human rights and Myanmar in the 1990s. Even though the official EU-ASEAN relationship has come a long way since then, Thailand’s recent experience as the coordinator of the official EU–ASEAN dialogue reveals that regional identity-building through interregionalism continues to build on processes of differentiation. Specifically, through Thailand’s experience in managing the EU–ASEAN Strategic Partnership talks, as part of its role as the Southeast Asian EU–ASEAN coordinator from 2015 until 2018, this article demonstrates the interplay of differentiation and identification processes within contemporary ASEAN regional identity-building and -affirmation.
description: ASIEN: The German Journal on Contemporary Asia, Nr. 148 (2018): ASIEN (Juli)