When Is International Protection No Longer Necessary? The "Ceased Circumstances" Provisions of the Cessation Clauses: Principles and UNHCR Practice, 1973-1999

The challenges posed by situations of mass influx and protracted refugee emergencies have prompted a reexamination of the international asylum regime established by the 1951 Convention and subsequent instruments. This has included increasing attention to the cessation clauses of the 1951 Convention and Statute of the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees. The cessation clauses establish the linkage between the duration of international protection and the basis for recognition of refugee status. To some, the clauses therefore appear to be a potentially useful method of ensuring that international protection is reserved for those who truly need it

Using Competitions and Requests For Proposals

This short book describes the most effective ways that the Ford Foundation has found to utilise competitions and requests for proposals (RFPs) to select grantees. It discusses the advantages of implementing the project as well as the administrative aspects of it, including making it match programme areas, communication, checklists and timelines. The volume is one in a series by GrantCraft on basics for grantmakers and is sponsored by the Ford Foundation

Social Network Analysis of female reindeer (Rangifer tarandus): Do females assort based on relatedness and age during the rut?

Understanding the drivers of how animals socialize and associate with each other in a population has insights into the ecology, biology, and behaviour of its members. Social Network Analysis (SNA) has been growing in popularity as a tool to understand the social patterns of animal populations, where multiple factors such as age and relatedness affect social patterns. The effect of genetic relatedness and age on the social patterns of an animal population exhibiting fission-fusion group dynamics (i.e. frequent changes in group membership) was assessed using a semi-domestic herd of female reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), situated in Kaamanen, Finland. Analyses were done using SNA in 2009 and 2011 during the breeding season (or rut), using GPS data. We found that females had distinct social groups (or communities) and associated non-randomly in both years; however, females did not spatially assort into communities based on genetic relatedness and age. Although age did not influence community structure, age affected association levels, where females socialized with others significantly less after the age of 7. We concluded that although genetic relatedness and age may not explain the non-random spatial associations between female reindeer during the rut, there may be other factors yet to be discovered that could play a role in their social organizations. Overall, our results provided insights into the social patterns of a population exhibiting fission-fusion group dynamics

Diversity of Butterflies (Rhopalocera) inBulusukan (San Ildelfonso, Bulacan, Philippines)

There are 1,615 species and sub species of butterflies in the entire Philippines (C.R Baltazar, 1991), LUBG San Fernando La Union has 104 species recorded they belong to 6 families and 66 genera(Nacua et al2015).In Manila,Nacua (2016) 22 species of butterflies belong to 6 families 17 genera were also recorded. Thisstudyseeks to determine the species composition, conservation status, richness and abundance of butterflies in the town of Bulusukan, a community in San Ildefonso, Bulacan province (Luzon Island, Philippines). The opportunistic transect sampling method was used to collect butterflies. Collection was done at daytime on August 6, 2016 from 8 am up to 5 pm in areas with GPS of 15°04'26.0652"northand 121°02'39.9588"east near the vicinity of Bulusukan Cave.Species richness and butterfly diversity in all areas sampled was calculated. A dendogram showing 75% species abundance was accounted and comes mostly from the secondary dipterocarp forest. Graphium antiphates Cramer, Ypthima semperaand Ptychandra lorquini-lorquini were found to be endemic to Bulusukan. Butterflies were observed to be attracted to shady forest areas consisting of mosses clinging on metamorphic rocks along a river and includes species from the families Nymphalidae and Papilionidae. This study was able to identify 21 butterfly species with 19 genera 2 of them are rare and 2 endemic species of butterflies in Bulusukan. It is recommended to continue further study for wet and dry season

Babesia divergens–like Infection, Washington State

Most reported U.S. zoonotic cases of babesiosis have occurred in the Northeast and been caused by Babesia microti. In Washington State, three cases of babesiosis have been reported previously, which were caused by WA1 (for “Washington 1”)-type parasites. We investigated a case of babesiosis in Washington in an 82–year-old man whose spleen had been removed and whose parasitemia level was 41.4%. The complete 18S ribosomal RNA gene of the parasite was amplified from specimens of his whole blood by polymerase chain reaction. Phylogenetic analysis showed the parasite is most closely related, but not identical, to B. divergens (similarity score, 99.5%), a bovine parasite in Europe. By indirect fluorescent-antibody testing, his serum reacted to B. divergens but not to B. microti or WA1 antigens. This case demonstrates that babesiosis can be caused by novel parasites detectable by manual examination of blood smears but not by serologic or molecular testing for B. microti or WA1-type parasites

Impact of male condition on his spermatophore and consequences for female reproductive performance in the Glanville fritillary butterfly

In butterflies, male reproductive success is highly related to the quality and the size of the spermatophore transferred to the female. The spermatophore is a capsule produced by the male during copulation, which in many species contains sperm in addition to a nuptial gift, and which is digested by the female after copulation. The nuptial gift may contribute to egg production and offspring quality, and in some cases also to female body maintenance. The production of the spermatophore, however, represents a cost for the male and, in polyandrous species, ejaculates are sometimes allocated adaptively across matings. Nonetheless, although the ecological factors affecting the reproductive success of female butterflies have been the topic of numerous studies, little information exists on the factors affecting males’ contribution to reproduction, and the indirect impacts on female fecundity and fitness. We used the Glanville fritillary butterfly, Melitaea cinxia (Linnaeus, 1758) (Nymphalidae), in order to assess variation in male allocation to matings. In this species, smaller males produce smaller spermatophores, but variation in spermatophore size is not correlated with female reproductive success. We show that spermatophore size increases with male age at first mating, decreases with mating frequency and adult food-deprivation, and is not influenced by developmental food-limitation. The length of copulation period does not influence the spermatophore size nor influences the polyandrous mating behavior in this species. Male contribution to his spermatophore size is clearly influenced by his condition and adult-resource at the time of mating. Despite this variation, spermatophore size does not seem to have a direct impact on female reproductive output or mating behavior.Peer reviewe

Development and characterization of a novel drug dissolution test method using a quartz crystal microbalance

Current dissolution apparatuses require several hundred milligrams of sample per trial, measure dissolution rate indirectly via concentration sampling, and cannot maintain sink conditions throughout the duration of a test. This work describes a novel dissolution testing methodology developed using a commercial quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) system to measure dissolution rates of drugs while overcoming the limitations of current dissolution methods. The apparatus was characterized for a sample drug system of benzoic acid dissolved using a dissolution medium of deionized water at flow rates of 1000, 100, 50, and 10 &mgr;L/min. Using an analysis method that combines the responses of resonance frequency and resistance of the quartz crystal during dissolution, the dissolution rate of benzoic acid was found to be 4.029 ± 0.743, 2.026 ± 0.913, 1.565 ± 0.349, and 1.060 ± 0.103 % mass/s, for each flow rate, respectively. The QCM dissolution apparatus method can be used to measure drug dissolution directly by quantifying mass loss (rather than indirectly via concentration changes as with current methods), reduce sample sizes compared with current methods by three orders of magnitude onto the microgram scale, and maintain sink conditions throughout the duration of the test

A systems study on the scheduling and monitoring of Remerco Garments Manufacturing, Inc.

Remerco Garments Manufacturing, Inc. is a company that manufactures excellent quality children wears. The firm caters only to foreign buyers as far as the job orders are concern. Being in the garment business for almost 20 years already does not spare the company from problems occuring during production.From occular inspections and observations of the firm\u27s present system, it was disclosed that delays in the production department of the company had created disadvantageous effects. These effects range from late shipping of orders which could lead to cancellation of orders and rush in production which could naturally lead to overtime. All of which would definitely cost the company a lot of money.After analyzing the present system of the company, it was found out that the true causes of the delay in production is the poor and unrealistic scheduling and monitoring system of the company.In the proposed system, a time study was constructed that would allow the company to make a proper and realistic scheduling in order to meet the shipment dates of the job orders. Also, monitoring tools were provided in order to perceive In-House Processes presently undergoing stages of work in the working area

An assessment of the nitrogen fertilizer requirements of winter cabbages (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.): a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Soil Science at Massey University

The increasing costs of N fertilizers and the danger of creating environmental pollution due to excessive N fertilisation practices create a need for more efficient N fertilisation of vegetable crops. This present study was conducted with the main objective of assessing the N fertilizer requirements of winter cabbages on a coarse loamy mixed mesic Dystric Eutrochrept soil and consequently developing a model which would assist in predicting N fertilizer requirements over a wider area. Glasshouse and field experiments were conducted to assess the utility of soil and plant (sap) tests for assisting in determining the N fertilizer requirements of winter cabbages. The concentrations of NO3-N and NH4-N in either the xylem or petiole sap of cabbages were found to be influenced by several factors such as leaf position, time of day, sample storage time, plant age and form of fertilizer N. A large field trial indicated that at 4 sampling dates (50, 60, 80 and 90 days after transplanting; DAT) and prior to sidedressing, xylem (R2 = 0.73**) and petiole (R2 = 0.86**) sap were strongly correlated to extractable NO3-N and NH4-N in the soil to a depth of 30 cm. Nitrate-N levels in xylem sap at 60 and 80 DAT and petiole sap at 50, 60 and 80 DAT were good predictors of harvestable fresh head yield. Maximum marketable fresh head yield (55 t/ha) was achieved with an initial N application of 300 kg N/ha over a growing period of 150 days in which 448 mm of drainage was estimated. At heading, on the 300 kg N ha-1, soil mineral N levels were 75 kg N ha-1, xylem sap concentration was 333 μg NO3-N ml-1 and 1651 μg NO3-N ml-1 in the petiole sap. This critical value for petiole sap is higher than that reported in the literature for cabbages. At petiole sap levels below the critical value, sidedressing with 100 kg N/ha as urea was required to achieve a similar yield as found with an initial application of 300 kg N ha-1 as calcium ammonium nitrate. In a small scale field experiment, plant recovery (62-65%) of sidedressed 15N labelled urea N did not differ between sidedressing rates (100 and 200 kg N). Total recovery of 15N in the plant and soil was considered high (114 ± 0.9% and 90 ± 1.1%) for the respective rates. Using the data obtained from the field trials, a simple model termed a "sidedressing model" was developed. The model specifically determines the amount of N fertilizer needed to be applied as a sidedressing at a critical time (heading) to obtain maximum yield. The model was validated, using the data from another N fertilizer field trial conducted in the following year. The model successfully predicted whether N sidedressing is required or not but only a limited validation could be made of the prediction rates. The limitation of the sidedressing model of being site and season specific can be reduced by using simple submodels to predict the measured component which assessed N in cabbages at heading (Nh). One submodel used (the heat unit model) was modified by including data from 2-year trial results, to predict Nh and also provided a prediction of N uptake at maturity (Ny). Although not able to be validated in this study, the model shows potential for use by environmental administrators in predicting the likely effects of various growers practices in relation to identifying problems associated with NO3-N in drinking water and in edible cabbage heads

Development and characterization of a novel drug dissolution test method using a quartz crystal microbalance

Current dissolution apparatuses require several hundred milligrams of sample per trial, measure dissolution rate indirectly via concentration sampling, and cannot maintain sink conditions throughout the duration of a test. This work describes a novel dissolution testing methodology developed using a commercial quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) system to measure dissolution rates of drugs while overcoming the limitations of current dissolution methods. The apparatus was characterized for a sample drug system of benzoic acid dissolved using a dissolution medium of deionized water at flow rates of 1000, 100, 50, and 10 &mgr;L/min. Using an analysis method that combines the responses of resonance frequency and resistance of the quartz crystal during dissolution, the dissolution rate of benzoic acid was found to be 4.029 ± 0.743, 2.026 ± 0.913, 1.565 ± 0.349, and 1.060 ± 0.103 % mass/s, for each flow rate, respectively. The QCM dissolution apparatus method can be used to measure drug dissolution directly by quantifying mass loss (rather than indirectly via concentration changes as with current methods), reduce sample sizes compared with current methods by three orders of magnitude onto the microgram scale, and maintain sink conditions throughout the duration of the test