Indefinite Period Of Time Research Articles

Zero boil-off methods for large-scale liquid hydrogen tanks using integrated refrigeration and storage

NASA has completed a series of tests at the Kennedy Space Center to demonstrate the capability of using integrated refrigeration and storage (IRAS) to remove energy from a liquid hydrogen (LH2) tank and control the state of the propellant. A primary test objective was the keeping and storing of the liquid in a zero boil-off state, so that the total heat leak entering the tank is removed by a cryogenic refrigerator with an internal heat exchanger. The LH2 is therefore stored and kept with zero losses for an indefinite period of time. The LH2 tank is a horizontal cylindrical geometry with a vacuum-jacketed, multilayer insulation system and a capacity of 125,000 liters. The closed-loop helium refrigeration system was a Linde LR1620 capable of 390W cooling at 20K (without any liquid nitrogen pre-cooling). Three different control methods were used to obtain zero boil-off: temperature control of the helium refrigerant, refrigerator control using the tank pressure sensor, and duty cycling (on/off) of the refrigerator as needed. Summarized are the IRAS design approach, zero boil-off control methods, and results of the series of zero boil-off tests.

Inter- and intra-annual patterns of seed rain in the black spruce stands of Quebec, Canada

Abstract: Divergent reproductive strategies of tree species generate differences in the dynamics of seed production and dispersion. The spatial and temporal variability in seed rain abundance and viability was monitored during the period 2000-2007 in four boreal stands in Quebec, Canada. The aim was to compare the inter- and intra-annual patterns of seed dispersal between species with diverging adaptive characteristics and reproductive strategies by testing the hypothesis that sympatric species can exhibit different patterns of seed dispersal according to specific ecological adaptations. The coefficient of variation (CV), representing the inter-annual variability in seed rain, was close to or higher than 1 in balsam fir (Abies balsamea [L.] P. Mill.) and white birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) and confirmed the mast seeding habit of the two species. In contrast, CV in black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.] BSP) ranged between 0.24 and 0.54, indicating a more homogeneous inter-annual amount of seed dispersal because of its semiserotinous cones that preserve seeds for an indefinite period of time. The species showed divergent intra-annual patterns of seed dispersal. Most seed dispersal of the companion species was observed in September-November, while black spruce concentrated seed rain in spring, when the proportion of germinated seeds was higher. Boreal stands experience annual seed rains constituted by a gradual dispersal of seeds of different ages and originating from cones belonging to multiple cohorts. However, asynchronous seed rains in terms of quantity and quality can occur if companion species are associated to the dominant black spruce.

Domination and Resistance: The United States and the Marshall Islands during the Cold War by Martha Smith-Norris

Reviewed by: Domination and Resistance: The United States and the Marshall Islands during the Cold War by Martha Smith-Norris Holly M Barker Domination and Resistance: The United States and the Marshall Islands during the Cold War, by Martha Smith-Norris. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, 2015. isbn 978-0-8248-4762-3, x + 159 pages, extensive endnotes, bibliography, index. Cloth, us $62.00. Anthropologists, journalists, and filmmakers examining the impacts of US militarism in the Marshall Islands are numerous and sometimes trip over one another during research. It is refreshing to have a trained historian provide perspectives from a different discipline, as each field of study brings its own methods and foci. Martha Smith-Norris's book supplements our collective knowledge about US Cold War activities in the Marshall Islands in many important ways. The sixty-five pages of endnotes and bibliography, as well as many photos in the text, include resources not discussed in other examinations of this topic and bring into clarity large-scale patterns of US behavior. Rather than treat US nuclear weapons testing and US missile testing in the Marshall Islands as two separate activities, the author shows how the missile testing is an evolution of US actions and motivations at its Pacific proving grounds that began with nuclear weapons tests in 1946 and continue with contemporary US activities on Kwajalein Atoll. Of critical importance to this history, Smith-Norris's archival sleuthing amplifies the contributions of Marshallese activists by documenting resistance to US military tests, including the sail-ins and sit-ins led by the landowners of Kwajalein. The archival research focuses on the ways that these protests embarrassed the United States or halted missile tests and on the fact that these resistance groups sometimes comprised mostly women. The impact of Marshallese protests on the military and political leadership in the United States becomes evident in source material Smith-Norris presents, such as the response of the US commander of the missile base in Kwajalein to the 1982 sit-in: "We should not underestimate the determination of the landowners … or their capacity to undertake further occupation measures calling for physical discomfort or even violent confrontation" (121). Through her archival research, Smith-Norris also amplifies the colonial arrogance of US Government practices, such as the takings of land without obtaining Marshallese consent, including the decision to use Bikini Atoll in 1946 for nuclear weapons tests: "For a sum of $10, the government of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands granted the United States the 'exclusive right to use and occupy' all of the Bikini Atoll 'for an [End Page 382] indefinite period of time.' This document was signed by two American representatives … [but] significantly, no members of the Bikini Council were asked to sign the agreement" (45–46). Another pattern that surfaces from the archival evidence is the US Government's repeated resettlement of Marshallese on atolls or islands that were not previously occupied and that were unfit for full-time human habitation such as Rongerik, Ujelang, Ejit, Kili, and Mejatto. Smith-Norris's meticulous archival research also substantiates previously documented patterns of human experimentation involving Marshallese exposed to radioactive fallout, resettled on contaminated lands, or used as control populations in biomedical research; none of these activities were for the "benefit" of the Marshallese. After reviewing documents pertaining to biomedical experimentation on Rongelap, the inhabited atoll closest to the ground-zero location of Bikini Atoll, the author concludes: "Clearly, the [Atomic Energy Commission's] research interests prevailed over concerns for the health of the Rongelapese" (89). While the standard format for most book reviews is to discuss both the strengths and critiques of a publication, this review draws inspiration from Shawn Wilson's call (in Research Is Ceremony: Indigenous Research Methods [2008]) to build relationships, in this case between disciplines and researchers. As Wilson pointed out: "Criticizing or judging would imply that I know more about someone else's work and the relationships that went into it than they do themselves. I have no doubt that as others did their research, they used the methods and paradigms that seemed most suited to the job as they saw it" (2008, 43). With Wilson's...

Underwater energy storage through application of Archimedes principle

This paper presents an alternate method of underwater energy storage utilizing an object's inherent buoyancy as a means for storage known as buoyancy battery energy storage (BBES). Utilizing a simple pulley, reel and float mechanism, energy can be stored for an indefinite period of time. Governing equations of charge and discharge are defined through application of Archimedes principle of buoyancy for an ideal system. Inefficiencies, losses as well as potential application configurations are presented and discussed. Basic experimental validation was completed to confirm system properties of constant discharge force with respect to both float position and storage duration.

The onset of rheumatoid arthritis following trauma.

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is known to have many predisposing factors.ObjectiveWe studied individuals whose RA was initiated by physical injuries.Patients and methodsSixty patients (43 females), previously well, developed RA following trauma. No other known environmental or familial influences were present. Fourteen sustained a fracture; of the 46 who did not, 36 sustained multiple injuries that in part involved the axial skeleton. Subsequent unremitting daily pain, stiffness, limited motion, pain on motion, and/or swelling in the injured areas were mandatory for inclusion.ResultsNine months after injuries (span: 2 weeks–36 months), more obvious signs of inflammation (IM) appeared in multiple other joints that were previously not affected by the original trauma. In those with laboratory tests done prior to the spread of IM (30/60), 22 (73%) were normal until an average 8 months after the spread of IM. Of the entire cohort of 60, only 23% had a positive rheumatoid factor, but 43% had a positive antinuclear antibody.ConclusionIt seems apparent that any severe trauma to a joint may precipitate an ongoing localized chronic inflammatory disorder for an indefinite period of time, which may then lead to the spread of IM to multiple other joints. The initiation of RA following trauma warrants consideration as a legitimate entity.

The Telling Moment: Pre-Crossings of Mexican Teenage Girls and their Journeys to the Border

ABSTRACTAccounts of migration journeys are often situated after an emigrant crosses the international border and becomes an immigrant. Yet, journeys to the border require planning and preparations, a kind that may include little or no packing, farewells to loved ones for an indefinite period of time, and a reorganisation of a past and immediate present for an uncertain future. Along with planning, there is a fracturing and disruption that unfolds before the physical journey begins. Once a decision to physically migrate is made, an important transformation takes place. Some migrants, such as children, have little involvement in the planning yet still begin their journey before arriving at the border, namely when they are told of their imminent departure. For Mexican teenage girls raised in transnational families, a decision to migrate is made for them. It is the moment of telling and its impact on their lives that this article aims to capture.

Opinion 2/13 of the Court of Justice of the European Union: Analysis and Further Perspectives of European Union Accession to the European Convention on Human Rights (Мнение 2/13 Суда Европейского Союза: анализ и дальнейшие перспективы присоединения Европейского Союза к Европейской конвенции по правам человека)

This paper is devoted to the legal analysis of CJEU Opinion 2/13 on European Union accession to the European Convention on Human Rights. The article examines the CJEU’s approach to the interpretation of Art. 267 and 344 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union — in the light of Protocol No. 16 to the European Convention on Human Rights, as well as the previous case law of the Court of Justice (Mox Plant and Melki and Abdeli). The conclusions are drawn as to the manner in which Opinion 2/13 develops EU legal order autonomy doctrine and how it affects the future perspectives of EU accession to the European Convention on Human Rights. Firstly, while interpreting the content and purpose of Art. 344 TFEU, the CJEU gives a positive answer to the question as to whether the ECHR compliance system falls within the ambit of this Treaty provision. Secondly, the Court of Justice takes an extremely protective approach in giving its interpretation to the role of preliminary rulings procedure guaranteed by Art. 267 TFEU for the unity and efficiency of European law, making even the legal protection of individuals secondary to these purposes. It is quite probable that the accession will be delayed for an indefinite period of time — due to the likely impossibility of reaching a consensus on a new version of the Draft accession agreement with all members of the Council of Europe (such as Russia, Ukraine and Turkey) in the very near future. At the same time, European Union accession to the European Convention on Human Rights remains a legal duty in accordance with Art. 6 Treaty on the European Union (TEU), Declaration No. 2 on Article 6 (2) TEU and Protocol No. 8 to the Lisbon Treaty.

Closing a quantum feedback loop inside a cryostat: Autonomous state preparation and long-time memory of a superconducting qubit

We propose to use a cryogenic nonlinear resonator for the projective readout, classical memory, and feedback for a superconducting qubit. This approach sidesteps many of the inefficiencies inherent in two-way communication between temperature stages in typical systems with room temperature controllers, and avoids increasing the cryogenic heat load. This controller may find a broad range of uses in multi-qubit systems, but here we analyze two specific demonstrative cases in single qubit-control. In the first case, the nonlinear controller is used to initialize the qubit in a definite eigenstate. And in the second case, the qubit's state is read into the controller's classical memory, where it is stored for an indefinite period of time, and then used to reinstate the measured state after the qubit has decayed. We analyze the properties of this system and we show simulations of the time evolution for the full system dynamics.

Perceptions about the hospital environment from the perspective of high-risk puerperal women based on Florence Nightingale's theory

to understand the perceptions of high-risk puerperal women about the hospital environment based on Florence Nightingale's theory. High-risk postpartum period is the period of time when post-partum women care for their babies in the neonatal ICU, and experience high stress levels. it is a qualitative study with narrative approach based on Florence Nightingale's theory, conducted at a public institution in southern Brazil, from January to March 2010. Seven mothers over 18 years with newborns admitted to the neonatal ICU were the research subjects. the contextualization of their narratives, the caring environment in which they experienced this particular stage in their lives, indicates that high-risk puerperal women seek ties and support. the challenge of spending an indefinite period of time in a strange environment, away from home, with their babies under the care of health professionals, while apart from their relatives, highlights the need for nursing care during this stage.

Transit Migration

As a result of the expanding human mobilization in the today’s world due to wars, workforce markets, etc., the scope of migration and diaspora studies has increased in many areas. This is also true for musical studies, where a growing body of literature has been produced about these issues. However, by focusing mainly on settled communities and their musical productions, such as hybrid genres and forms created in the destination land, this literature does not adequately cover “transit migration”. Transit migration, being a particular type of human mobility, refers to the migration that includes at least three or more steps. This means that transit migrants do not permanently inhabit the land they firstly enter as migrants, but are supposed to stay in this transit country for a while and then continue their journey in order to reach a final destination point. In this article, I deal with this specific type of migration based on my intense field study on the Chaldean-Iraqi migrant community in Istanbul. The Chaldean community in Iraq, as a religious minority, is one of the most affected groups in the ongoing situation in Iraq, especially after the US invasion in 2003. Turkey functions as a transit country on their way to their prospective destination points, mainly including the US, Canada, and Australia. While dealing with the role of music during the indefinite time period that the participants are in the process of being temporary inhabitants in a foreign land, the applicability of the theoretical concepts of permanent migration to temporary migration is also discussed.

Modeling hydrodynamics and path/residence time of aquaculture-like particles in a mixed-cell raceway (MCR) using 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD)

A three-dimensional (3D) simulation of a commercial-size mixed-cell raceway (MCR) was performed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Hydrodynamics of the MCR were fully characterized and validated against experimental data. A simulation of path and residence time of aquaculture-like particles was also conducted to understand solids removal mechanisms and potential efficiencies within a mixed-cell. A structured 3D grid model of one mixed-cell was constructed using 250,000 hexahedral elements, and simulations were conducted using the Realizable k–ɛ turbulence model. From the results of the CFD simulations, average cell rotational velocities, radial velocity profiles, and velocity contour and vector plots were generated at three different water depths. As observed in experimental trials conducted by the authors, predicted velocity contours and vector plots revealed the development of a strong rotational flow in each mixed-cell with lower velocity zones at the center and corners of the cells. Also, a linear trend of increasing rotational velocities from the cell's center to its circumferential perimeter was described. Good fluid-flow pattern agreement was observed between the experimental and predicted vector and contour plots. Average rotational velocities at the bottom (95cm depth), middle (50cm depth), and top (20cm depth) planes of the mixed-cell (1-m water depth) were 17.2, 14.9, and 13.7cm/s, respectively. Comparison of these velocities with the observed values revealed an overall agreement of nearly 96%. Similarly, when the average velocities at radial distances of the MCR were compared at the three depths, the correlation between the experimental and predicted data was on the range of 89–95%.Simulations of aquaculture-like particles trajectories revealed that roughly 100% of particles larger than 500μm settled and were removed in less than 15min through the mixed-cell’ central drain. Also, 100% of the 100-μm particles were removed within one mixed-cell hydraulic retention time (HRT) cycle, with approximately half being removed by the bottom-center drain and half being removed via the upper-side drains. Only 50% of the 10-μm particles was removed; and this mainly occurred through the upper-side drains of the mixed-cell after 17 HRT cycles. Smaller particles appeared to stay in the tank for an indefinite period of time.

The old-new meaning of the researcher's responsibility.

If the technological situation is unique, the ways to understand the contemporary moral condition are not. We link it to age-old questions: in fact, the power promised by technol- ogy only establishes a new form of human finitude. In the face of this continuity of the fundamental moral condition, we examine a number of alternative ways of thinking about the basis of responsible innovation, exploring the metaphors of quasi-parental and political responsibilities, as well as the place of virtue in innovation and the role of cul- tural narratives in helping us understand the limits of responsible innovation. The problem of responsible innovation stems from a contradiction that af- fects the social authority possessed by scientific knowledge. This is the con- tradiction between the promise of knowledge without intrinsic limits, and the limits that actually emerge when the products of this knowledge, in the form of technology, generate radical uncertainty about the future. Human desire is yet another part of the human condition that also possesses no in- trinsic limits. Unconstrained by the voice of reason, passions can reinforce themselves with unbounded strength for an indefinite period of time. They provoke emotions, whose contribution to moral judgement stands on a par with the input of a consequentialist calculation of costs and benefits associ- ated with one's action. Hence the necessity to take them into account in ad- dressing the problems of responsible innovation. The 20 th century was replete with reflections and reactions on what was perceived as the failed promises of rational science and the enlightened man. From the Holocaust and the Gulag on the social side, to Chernobyl, Fuku- shima, the debacle of GMOs, intrusions of privacy, and contaminated medi- cines (from haemophilia blood products in the 1980s to cardiac drugs in the 2010s) on the technological side, all of these catastrophic events involved the unforeseen consequences of technological innovation as either leading vec- tors or helpful mediators of evil. The psychological and moral experiences that these events induced in human societies had a traumatic character (Frankl 1946), in which the claims of a trusted authority were unexpectedly

PD35-01 HOW LONG SHOULD BE EXTENDED FOLLOW UP AFTER SURGERY FOR RENAL CANCER? RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF A COHORT OF PATIENTS WITH MORE THAN 10 YEARS OF FOLLOW UP

You have accessJournal of UrologyKidney Cancer: Advanced I1 Apr 2015PD35-01 HOW LONG SHOULD BE EXTENDED FOLLOW UP AFTER SURGERY FOR RENAL CANCER? RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF A COHORT OF PATIENTS WITH MORE THAN 10 YEARS OF FOLLOW UP Francesca Carobbio, Alessandro Antonelli, Mario Sodano, Maria Furlan, Giacomo Galvagni, Alberto Cozzoli, Tiziano Zanotelli, and Claudio Simeone Francesca CarobbioFrancesca Carobbio More articles by this author , Alessandro AntonelliAlessandro Antonelli More articles by this author , Mario SodanoMario Sodano More articles by this author , Maria FurlanMaria Furlan More articles by this author , Giacomo GalvagniGiacomo Galvagni More articles by this author , Alberto CozzoliAlberto Cozzoli More articles by this author , Tiziano ZanotelliTiziano Zanotelli More articles by this author , and Claudio SimeoneClaudio Simeone More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2015.02.2224AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES There is no agreement in literature on the duration of follow up after surgery for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The present study analyzes the oncological outcome in a large cohort of patients followed at least for 10 years. METHODS Retrospective consultation of a database that stores the data of more than 2300 consecutive patients submitted to surgery for RCC at a tertiary academic institution, from 1983 to 2013. All the patients underwent to a tailored follow up protocol extended for an indefinite period of time For the present study were retrieved the records of patients with M0 RCC followed for a minimum of 10 years, during which no progression of the disease was detected. The rate and features of progression and survival were analyzed. RESULTS Were included into the study 554 patients (231 female, 323 male, medium age 59.3+/-11.6 ys) with a M0 RCC, followed for a median follow up time of 15.1 years (range 11.2-18.1 yrs), submitted to partial (131 cases) or radical nephrectomy (423 cases); the mean tumor diameter was 5.1 cm (range 3.0-6.5 cm); the pathological stage was 1 in 386 cases (70.3%), 2 in 53 (9.7%), 3 in 104 (18.9%) e 4 in 6 (1.1%); the grading was 1 in 85 (16.1%), 2 in 301 (56.9%), 3 in 113 (21.4%) e 4 in 30 (5.7%); histology was consistent with clear cell RCC cell in 477 cases (86.1%), papillary in 40 (7.2%), chromofobe in 27 (4.9%), other in 9 (1.6%). The cancer-specific survival was 98.2% and 96.0% at 15 and 20 years, respectively. A progression was observed in 29 patients (5.2%) after a median time of 161 months (range 132-172 months) from surgery. The sites of progression were: the contralateral kidney in 10 cases (1.8%), lung in 5 (0.9%), bone in 1 (0.2%), liver in 1 (0.2%), some other atypical sites in 5 (0.9%), multiple sites in 4 (0.7%), a local relapse in 3 cases (0.6%). Through a logistic regression analysis, was found that the pathological stage was the only independent factor related to progression. CONCLUSIONS The risk of progression after surgery for RCC after ten years of negative follow up, is around 5%, related to pathological stage, and the most frequent sites involved are the contralateral kidney and the lung. Controls can be suspended after 10 years of follow up in patients with pT1 RCC. © 2015 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 193Issue 4SApril 2015Page: e759 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2015 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Francesca Carobbio More articles by this author Alessandro Antonelli More articles by this author Mario Sodano More articles by this author Maria Furlan More articles by this author Giacomo Galvagni More articles by this author Alberto Cozzoli More articles by this author Tiziano Zanotelli More articles by this author Claudio Simeone More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF DownloadLoading ...

The Application of ANN-Linear Perceptron in the Development of DSS for a Fishery Industry

Abstract Overfishing is a global environmental problem that risks fisheries since many of the fish stock of the fisheries have already reduced to below a tolerable level. One of solutions that often implemented in the fishery management is by calculating the value of Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) as the maximum tolerable harvest that can be taken out from the natural stock without harming the population over an indefinite period of time. A proper tool used for computing the MSY is needed to support the fishery manager in solving this decision making problem. In this paper we propose a software development of Decision Support System (DSS) to address such fishery industry problem. The DSS is developed to compute the MSY from the annual yield-effort data of the fishery. We use two sigmoid growth equations, Logistic and Gompertz equations, as the underlying population models, which then are approximated by their discrete forms for computing several growth parameters. Most known methods of growth parameter estimation use a Multiple Linear Regression with Ordinary Least Square method (MLR-OLS). Here we propose the application of Artificial Neural Network with Linear Perceptron method (ANN-LP). A case study in this paper shows that the effectiveness of the proposed ANN-LP is as good as the MLR-OLS in estimating both the growth parameters and the MSY of the fishery in the case study needed in the computation of its MSY by using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) Linear Perceptron.

How I treat splanchnic vein thrombosis

AbstractAntithrombotic treatment of splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT) is a clinical challenge. Depending on the site of thrombosis, patients are at risk of developing liver insufficiency, portal hypertension, or bowel infarction and may experience recurrence in both the splanchnic veins and other vein segments. To prevent recurrence, anticoagulant therapy should be started as soon as possible after diagnosis and is often continued for an indefinite period of time. However, active bleeding is not infrequent at the time of SVT diagnosis, and major risk factors for bleeding, such as esophageal varices or a low platelet count, are frequently present in these patients. In real-world clinical practice, a proportion of SVT patients are left untreated because the risks associated with anticoagulant therapy are felt to exceed its benefits. However, the majority of patients receive anticoagulant drugs, with heterogeneous timing of initiation, drug choice, and dosages. Evidence to drive treatment decisions is limited because no randomized controlled trials have been carried out in these patients. This review provides practical guidance for the use of anticoagulant drugs in patients presenting with SVT, including symptomatic as well as incidentally detected events.

Highly Stable Water‐Soluble Platinum Nanoparticles Stabilized by Hydrophilic N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes

AbstractControlling the synthesis of stable metal nanoparticles in water is a current challenge in nanochemistry. The strategy presented herein uses sulfonated N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands to stabilize platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) in water, under air, for an indefinite time period. The particles were prepared by thermal decomposition of a preformed molecular Pt complex containing the NHC ligand and were then purified by dialysis and characterized by TEM, high‐resolution TEM, and spectroscopic techniques. Solid‐state NMR studies showed coordination of the carbene ligands to the nanoparticle surface and allowed the determination of a 13C–195Pt coupling constant for the first time in a nanosystem (940 Hz). Additionally, in one case a novel structure was formed in which platinum(II) NHC complexes form a second coordination sphere around the nanoparticle.

Highly stable water-soluble platinum nanoparticles stabilized by hydrophilic N-heterocyclic carbenes.

Controlling the synthesis of stable metal nanoparticles in water is a current challenge in nanochemistry. The strategy presented herein uses sulfonated N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands to stabilize platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) in water, under air, for an indefinite time period. The particles were prepared by thermal decomposition of a preformed molecular Pt complex containing the NHC ligand and were then purified by dialysis and characterized by TEM, high-resolution TEM, and spectroscopic techniques. Solid-state NMR studies showed coordination of the carbene ligands to the nanoparticle surface and allowed the determination of a (13)C-(195)Pt coupling constant for the first time in a nanosystem (940 Hz). Additionally, in one case a novel structure was formed in which platinum(II) NHC complexes form a second coordination sphere around the nanoparticle.

The Quality of Spermatozoa of Gembrong Goats during Cryopreservation Process

Gembrong goat is an Indonesia local goat having specific characteristic that is currently categorized as a breed that is at risk of extinction. In this context, the cryopreservation of gametes is important to support a genome resource bank for storage of gametes for an indefinite period of time. Evaluation of semen and spermatozoa quality was performed to determine the survival of spermatozoa and this information will be used as a reference in the cryopreservation of semen and spermatozoa. The aim of this experiment was to study the characteristics of Gembrong goat’s semen and spermatozoa during cryopreservation process. Once a week, semen from three Gembrong goats (ages about 2-3 years old) was collected using artificial vagina and then frozen with TRIS extender. After freezing, the semen was thawed. Macro- and microscopic parameters of semen and spermatozoa were assessed in fresh and frozen-thawed semen. Results showed that in the fresh semen, the volume was 0.5 mL, sperm abnormalities was 5.74%, sperm concentration was 6731 x 106/mL, the sperm motility was 78.33%, live sperm was 83.17%, and sperm membrane integrity was 78.53%. After-thawing observation showed that sperm motility decreased to 49% (P<0.05) that was lower as compared to that in the fresh and post-equilibration semen. Similarly, the percentage of sperm viability and membrane integrity during cryopreservation showed a similar pattern with the sperm motility. In conclusion, the fresh semen of Gembrong goat had a good quality and met the requirement for further cryopreservation process. Similarly, the quality of frozen-thawed semen of Gembrong goat is eligible for artificial insemination (AI) or in vitro embryo production.

A SELF-DESTRUCTION SYSTEM FOR DYNAMIC GROUP DATA SHARING IN CLOUD

Cloud computing, a recent computing technology which entirely changed the IT industry since it started to deliver resources as services through a single click. Even though cloud offers different services among storage as a service is widely used one, where users are free to store any information irrespective of its content. But, security and privacy becomes the issues here. Multi-owner data storing and sharing in a dynamic environment dumps huge amount of data files in the cloud, which remains in cloud for indefinite period of time. Since it remains there for a long period of time, the sensitive information stored may misused by any miscreant or even by service providers. To maintain cloud file’s security and privacy regular removal of unwanted files is needed. A self-destructing system can be used to remove unwanted files automatically when the predefined time period for sharing specified by data owner has been expired. Such a system destructs the decryption keys immediately after time expiration followed by deletion of all replicas of the data file. By using RSA algorithm and Shamir’s secret sharing scheme such a system can be developed.

Climate change refugees

Under the UNHCR definition of a refugee, set out in the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, people fleeing their homes because of natural disasters or other environmental problems do not qualify for refugee status and the protection that come from such status. In a recent paper, I defended the essentials of the UNHCR definition on the grounds that refugee status and protection is best reserved for people who can only be helped by granting them refuge in a safe state for an indefinite period of time, and argued that this does not include most people fleeing from natural disasters. This claim is most strongly challenged by the possibility of displacement from climate change. In this paper, I will explore to what degree the logic of the refugee convention, as set out in my earlier paper, can and should be extended to those fleeing the results of climate change.