Some uses of porous nickel in biotechnology

Imperial Users onl

Precluding the Treasure Hunt: How the World Bank Group Can Help Investors Circumnavigate Sovereign Immunity Obstacles to ICSID Award Execution

This Comment highlights the frustrating road that investors travel in search of assets when states do not honor arbitration awards and discusses how the World Bank Group can unify investor–state arbitrations to preclude such hollow victories for investors. Part II introduces the contemporary framework of investor–state arbitration, including an overview of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID or the Centre), a summary of the scope of noncompliance with investor–state arbitration awards, and the unique ICSID enforcement mechanism used to address challenges to awards and noncompliance. Part III provides examples of the challenges investors face in award execution proceedings in various jurisdictions with respect to amorphous sovereign immunity laws, and highlights the need for a non-judicial solution to the issue of award noncompliance. Part IV explores the feasibility of using the World Bank Group affiliates to alleviate the need to seek out assets of recalcitrant states in efforts to satisfy arbitration awards. Part V concludes

Abdominal wall paresis as a complication of laparoscopic surgery

Purpose: Abdominal wall nerve injury as a result of trocar placement for laparoscopic surgery is rare. We intend to discuss causes of abdominal wall paresis as well as relevant anatomy. Methods: A review of the nerve supply of the abdominal wall is illustrated with a rare case of a patient presenting with paresis of the internal oblique muscle due to a trocar lesion of the right iliohypogastric nerve after laparoscopic appendectomy. Results: Trocar placement in the upper lateral abdomen can damage the subcostal nerve (Th12), caudal intercostal nerves (Th7-11) and ventral rami of the thoracic nerves (Th7-12). Trocar placement in the lower abdomen can damage the ilioinguinal (L1 or L2) and iliohypogastric nerves (Th12-L1). Pareses of abdominal muscles due to trocar placement are rare due to overlap in innervation and relatively small sizes of trocar incisions. Conclusion: Knowledge of the anatomy of the abdominal wall is mandatory in order to avoid the injury of important structures during trocar placement

Information Display Protocol

Objective: Human Factors Engineers and air traffic control Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) developed a protocol to support in decisions on how to present needed information on the en route controller\u2019s visual displays. The protocol provides guidance for determining the criticality of the information and uses this criticality to determine where and how the information should be displayed. Background: Human Factors Engineers and air traffic control SMEs developed and validated the protocol with current and upcoming FAA Next Generation Air Transportation System informational items and scenarios. Application: The model provides a systematic method for integrating the informational needs of controllers and supports the decision process for designing air traffic control displays

Artículo

Atmospheric plasma treated carbon fiber filaments (10 micrometer) were used as the base substrate in the design of a probe intended for use within intravascular access devices. The microfiber probe was further functionalized with a polyplumbagin layer through which the line pH could be determined voltammetrically and therein provide the potential for obtaining diagnostic information relating to bacterial colonization of the line. The redox processes attributed to the immobilized polymer are characterized and a methodology developed to enable the acquisition of a redox signal that is selective and sensitive to pH. The applicability of the composite probe was demonstrated through examining the direct response in whole blood.The authors thanks the Royal Society (London, JP100125)), Ministry of Science and Innovation (SAF-2009-10399), and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC, U.K.) for supporting this workPeer Reviewe