Combat-Related Reproductive Trauma: Implications for Quality of Life and the Reproductive Narrative

Little research exists on the experiences of a combat-related injury that impairs fertility. This dissertation is a qualitative exploration of the lived experiences of military members after a genitourinary (GU) injury. It addresses the biological, psychological, and social impact on quality of life during recovery and subsequent attitudes about family development and sexual functioning. Building on both the life course perspective and the reproductive story model, this dissertation reviews literature on military culture, GU injury, and infertility to give a context to further analyze the essences of the phenomenon (Elder & Giele, 2009; Jaffe & Diamond, 2011). This study is based on intensive interviews of 10 recent veterans from the post- 9/11 War on Terror. Through a phenomenological analysis approach, results suggest that the reproductive trauma is difficult to fully internalize, as it impacts many areas of life (i.e.-intimate relationship, sexual functioning, fertility). Yet, in the lived experience of these veterans, the GU injury is insufficiently addressed due to more critical health needs and the lack of medical resources to reverse testicular function. The reproductive trauma is often put aside until physical injuries are stabilized and some independence is regained. Finding meaning and purpose is a way to reconstruct the reproductive narrative. The results of this study have implications for social work policy and practice, as well as future research, for persons who have experienced military-related GU injuries. Approaching this trauma-based experience through a reproductive narrative provides clinicians a tool to reconstruct the life course and manage the unknowns of this trauma

Towards zero solid waste: utilising tannery waste as a protein source for poultry feed

Zero waste is now a strongly emerging issue for sustainable industrial development where minimisation and utilisation of waste are a priority in the leather industry. In a tannery hides and skins converted in to leather through various processes. Approximately 20% (w/w) of the chrome containing tannery solid waste (TSW) is generated from one tonne of raw hides and skins. However, tannery solid waste may also be a resource if it is managed expertly as we move towards zero waste. This research illustrates the potential of tannery solid waste as a poultry feed additive. An oxidation method was used to achieve 95% of dechroming rate of chrome tanned waste followed with thermal and enzymatic treatment to produce gelatin solution and collagen concentrates. The thermal stability and fibre structure of samples were analysed by Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Protein content and fourteen amino acid concentrations were determined using amino acid analysis. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used to compare the amino acid composition with wheat and soya bean meal that is conventionally used in poultry feed. The nutrient requirements for poultry feed vary according to the purpose for which they have been developed. The high content of arginine, leucine, threonine, serine and methionine in the extract were of a sufficient level for poultry feed. Hexavalent chromium test was performed and showed that levels of the metal were low enough to be used in feed additives. In addition, the extracted product showed 75% digestibility (in vitro) and appears that treated TSW may be utilised in poultry feed, this demonstrates a clear example of waste utilisation. In Bangladesh plans are being formed to use the extract in poultry feed production

Zero-energy Andreev surface bound states in the lattice model

The conditions for zero-energy Andreev surface bound states to exist are found for the lattice model of d-wave superconductor with arbitrary surface orientation. Both nearest neighbors and next nearest neighbors models are considered. It is shown that the results are very sensitive to the surface orientation. In particular, for half-filled $(hl0)$-surface zero-energy Andreev surface states only appear under the condition that $h$ and $l$ are odd simultaneouslyComment: 9 pages, 1 figur