435 research outputs found
Recommended from our members
Combating the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons: Strengthening Domestic Regulations
yesSmall arms and light weapons have become the weapons of choice in conflicts around the world
and figure prominently in crime. Recently, considerable attention has been focused on the
proliferation of SALW at the national, regional and international level. The recognition that m o s t
illicit SALW began as legal weapons is, however, fundamental to efforts to reduce the proliferation
and misuse of SALW and the diversion of civilian weapons is one source of supply. Indeed,
it is estimated that there are as many SALW in the hands of civilians worldwide as there are
in the possession of states, and that in many parts of the world diversion from civilian stocks
is the principal source of the illicit supply. Consequently, strengthening domestic regulation,
which reduces the diversion of legal weapons to illegal markets, is a critical part of any strategy
to address illicit trafficking. It is also consistent with resolutions from the United Nations
Security Council and other Commissions as well as regional initiatives. This briefing reviews
the ways in which SALW are diverted from legal to illegal markets and the measures which
can be used to reduce this diversion. In addressing illicit trafficking in all its aspects, it is
imperative that the UN Conference not does neglect this significant problem
Recommended from our members
Regulation of Civilian Possession of Small Arms and Light Weapons
yesThe majority of small arms and light weapons currently in circulation are in civilian possession1. An
estimated fifty-nine percent of weapons around the world are in civilian hands and in some regions such
as Europe this is closer to eighty per cent.2 While the majority of these arms are used for lawful purposes
a significant percentage are not. The misuse of these arms by civilians can cause major damage to
peopleÂżs livelihoods, health and security as well as broader repercussion such as hampering economic,
social and political development and the provision of health care. One of the more controversial outcomes of the UN Small Arms conference was the failure of states
to explicitly commit to more effective regulation of civilian possession and use of small arms and light
weapons (SALW). Despite clear evidence of the opportunities for diversion of SALW from civilian
possession to illicit trade and the serious impact of this on human security, opposition from some
states to any mention of this issue within the Programme of Action (PoA) prevented the inclusion of
language concerning the regulation of privately owned SALW. Nevertheless, the Programme of
Action does contain limited provisions including the criminalisation of illicit possession of SALW and
a requirement that states ensure responsibility for SALW issued by them.
This Policy Briefing elaborates on how these and other international commitments should be
interpreted and implemented so as to enhance human security
Strong coupling theory for driven tunneling and vibrational relaxation
We investigate on a unified basis tunneling and vibrational relaxation in
driven dissipative multistable systems described by their N lowest lying
unperturbed levels. By use of the discrete variable representation we derive a
set of coupled non-Markovian master equations. We present analytical treatments
that describe the dynamics in the regime of strong system-bath coupling. Our
findings are corroborated by ``ab-initio'' real-time path integral
calculations.Comment: 4 LaTeX pages including 3 figure
Differential performance of two forage species, Medicago truncatula and Sulla carnosa, under water-deficit stress and recovery
The response patterns during water deficit stress and subsequent recovery of two forage species, Medicago truncatula and Sulla carnosa, were studied. After germination and pre-treatment, seedlings were individually cultivated for two months under two irrigation modes: 100% and 33% of field capacity. Measured parameters were plant growth, water relations, leaf osmotic potential, lipid peroxidation, and leaf inorganic (Na+ and K+) and organic (proline and soluble sugars) solute contents, as well as delta-1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase (P5CS) and proline dehydrogenase (PDH) activities. Our results showed that under control conditions, and in contrast to roots, no significant differences were observed in shoot biomass production between the two species. However, when subjected to water-deficit stress, M. truncatula appeared to be more tolerant than S. carnosa (reduction by 50 and 70%, respectively). In the two studied species, water-deficit stress led to an increase in root/shoot ratio and leaf proline and soluble sugar contents, and a decrease in leaf osmotic potential. Enzymatic assay revealed that in the two species, P5CS activity was stimulated whereas that of PDH was inhibited under stress conditions. Despite greater accumulation of proline, sugar, and potassium in leaves of S. carnosa, M. truncatula was more tolerant to water deficit. This was essentially due to its capacity to control tissue hydration and water-use efficiency, in addition to its greater ability to protect membrane integrity. Following stress relief, M. truncatula and S. carnosa showed partial re-establishment of growth capacity
Cirurgia de revascularização do miocårdio: complicaçÔes pleuro-pulmonares agudas caracterizadas por tomografia computadorizada de tórax
INTRODUCTION: Pleuropulmonary changes are common following coronary artery bypass grafting surgery performed with a saphenous vein graft, with or without an internal mammary artery. The presence of atelectasis or pleural effusions reflects the thoracic trauma. PURPOSE: To define the postoperative incidence of changes in the lung and in the pleural space and to evaluate the influence of the trauma. METHODS: Thirty patients underwent elective coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (8 saphenous vein grafts and 22 saphenous vein grafts and internal mammary artery grafts with pleurotomy). Chest tubes in the left pleural space were used in all internal mammary artery patients. On the second (day 2) and seventh (day 7) postoperative day, patients underwent a computed tomography, and pleural effusions were rated as follows: grade 0 = no fluid to grade 4 = fluid in more than 75% of the hemithorax. Atelectasis was rated as follows: laminar = 1, segmental = 3, and lobar = 10 points. RESULTS: All patients had pleural effusion or atelectasis. Between day 2 and day 7, the number of patients with effusions or atelectasis on the right side decreased (P < 0.05). The incidence of effusions on day 2 in the saphenous vein graft group (87.5%) was higher (P < 0.05) than in the internal mammary artery group (52.3%). The incidence of atelectasis in the lower right lobe decreased (P < 0.05) from 86.7% (day 2) to 26.7% (day 7). The degree of atelectasis in both sides did not differ on day 2 (P = 0.42) but did on day 7 (P < 0.0001). There was a decrease in the atelectasis from day 2 to day 7 on the right side (P < 0.001), but not on the left (P = 0.21). On day 2 there was a relationship between atelectasis and effusion on the right (P = 0.04), but not on the left (P = 0.113). CONCLUSION: The present series demonstrates that there is a high incidence of both minimal pleural effusion and atelectasis after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, which drops on the right side from day 2 to day 7 post surgery. Factors that contribute to the persistence of changes on the left side include the thoracic trauma and the presence of chest tubes and pericardial effusion.INTRODUĂĂO: O comprometimento pleuro-pulmonar Ă© freqĂŒente apĂłs cirurgia de revascularização do miocĂĄrdio independente do uso de veia safena ou de artĂ©ria mamĂĄria interna. A presença de atelectasias e derrame pleural tem sido atribuĂda ao trauma torĂĄcico. OBJETIVOS: Definir a incidĂȘncia do comprometimento pleuro-pulmonar observado atravĂ©s de tomografia computadorizada, analisando a influĂȘncia do trauma no desenvolvimento destas complicaçÔes. MĂTODOS: Trinta pacientes foram submetidos a cirurgia eletiva de revascularização do miocĂĄrdio (8 safena e 22 tambĂ©m mamĂĄria com pleurotomia). Foi drenada a cavidade pleural esquerda de todos os pacientes do grupo mamĂĄria. Realizada Tomografia Computadorizada do tĂłrax no 2Âș e 7Âș dias pĂłs-op, avaliando-se o derrame pleural (0: sem lĂquido e 4: derrame em mais de 75% do hemitĂłrax) e atelectasias (laminar: 1, segmentar: 3 e lobar: 10 pontos). RESULTADOS: Todos os pacientes apresentaram derrame pleural ou atelectasia. Entre o 2Âș e o 7Âș dia, o nĂșmero de pacientes com derrame ou com atelectasia, no lado direito, diminuiu (p < 0.05). A prevalĂȘncia de derrames, no 2Âș dia, no grupo safena, (87.5%) foi maior (p < 0.05) do que no grupo mamĂĄria (52.3%). A prevalĂȘncia de atelectasias no lobo inferior direito diminuiu (p < 0.05) de 86.7% (2Âș dia) para 26.7% (7Âș dia). O grau de atelectasias, em ambos os lados, nĂŁo diferiu no dia 2 (p = 0,42) mas sim no dia 7 (p < 0.0001). Houve diminuição das atelectasias do dia 2 para o 7, Ă direita (p < 0.001), mas nĂŁo Ă esquerda (p = 0.21). Houve correlação (dia 2) entre as atelectasias e os derrames Ă direita (p = 0.04), mas nĂŁo Ă esquerda (p = 0.113). CONCLUSĂO: Este estudo evidencia alta prevalĂȘncia de derrame pleural e atelectasias apĂłs cirurgia de revascularização do miocĂĄrdio, que se reduz Ă direita no 7Âș dia de pĂłs-operatĂłrio. Os fatores envolvidos na persis-tĂȘncia das alteraçÔes Ă esquerda incluem o maior trauma torĂĄcico, ressaltando-se a drenagem e a presença de derrame pericĂĄrdico
Increasing confidence and changing behaviors in primary care providers engaged in genetic counselling.
BackgroundScreening and counseling for genetic conditions is an increasingly important part of primary care practice, particularly given the paucity of genetic counselors in the United States. However, primary care physicians (PCPs) often have an inadequate understanding of evidence-based screening; communication approaches that encourage shared decision-making; ethical, legal, and social implication (ELSI) issues related to screening for genetic mutations; and the basics of clinical genetics. This study explored whether an interactive, web-based genetics curriculum directed at PCPs in non-academic primary care settings was superior at changing practice knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors when compared to a traditional educational approach, particularly when discussing common genetic conditions.MethodsOne hundred twenty one PCPs in California and Pennsylvania physician practices were randomized to either an Intervention Group (IG) or Control Group (CG). IG physicians completed a 6 h interactive web-based curriculum covering communication skills, basics of genetic testing, risk assessment, ELSI issues and practice behaviors. CG physicians were provided with a traditional approach to Continuing Medical Education (CME) (clinical review articles) offering equivalent information.ResultsPCPs in the Intervention Group showed greater increases in knowledge compared to the Control Group. Intervention PCPs were also more satisfied with the educational materials, and more confident in their genetics knowledge and skills compared to those receiving traditional CME materials. Intervention PCPs felt that the web-based curriculum covered medical management, genetics, and ELSI issues significantly better than did the Control Group, and in comparison with traditional curricula. The Intervention Group felt the online tools offered several advantages, and engaged in better shared decision making with standardized patients, however, there was no difference in behavior change between groups with regard to increases in ELSI discussions between PCPs and patients.ConclusionWhile our intervention was deemed more enjoyable, demonstrated significant factual learning and retention, and increased shared decision making practices, there were few differences in behavior changes around ELSI discussions. Unfortunately, barriers to implementing behavior change in clinical genetics is not unique to our intervention. Perhaps the missing element is that busy physicians need systems-level support to engage in meaningful discussions around genetics issues. The next step in promoting active engagement between doctors and patients may be to put into place the tools needed for PCPs to easily access the materials they need at the point-of-care to engage in joint discussions around clinical genetics
Electron energy loss and induced photon emission in photonic crystals
The interaction of a fast electron with a photonic crystal is investigated by
solving the Maxwell equations exactly for the external field provided by the
electron in the presence of the crystal. The energy loss is obtained from the
retarding force exerted on the electron by the induced electric field. The
features of the energy loss spectra are shown to be related to the photonic
band structure of the crystal. Two different regimes are discussed: for small
lattice constants relative to the wavelength of the associated electron
excitations , an effective medium theory can be used to describe the
material; however, for the photonic band structure plays an
important role. Special attention is paid to the frequency gap regions in the
latter case.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figure
Chaos or Noise - Difficulties of a Distinction
In experiments, the dynamical behavior of systems is reflected in time
series. Due to the finiteness of the observational data set it is not possible
to reconstruct the invariant measure up to arbitrary fine resolution and
arbitrary high embedding dimension. These restrictions limit our ability to
distinguish between signals generated by different systems, such as regular,
chaotic or stochastic ones, when analyzed from a time series point of view. We
propose to classify the signal behavior, without referring to any specific
model, as stochastic or deterministic on a certain scale of the resolution
, according to the dependence of the -entropy,
, and of the finite size Lyapunov exponent,
, on .Comment: 24 pages RevTeX, 9 eps figures included, two references added, minor
corrections, one section has been split in two (submitted to PRE
Phase diffusion as a model for coherent suppression of tunneling in the presence of noise
We study the stabilization of coherent suppression of tunneling in a driven
double-well system subject to random periodic function ``kicks''. We
model dissipation due to this stochastic process as a phase diffusion process
for an effective two-level system and derive a corresponding set of Bloch
equations with phase damping terms that agree with the periodically kicked
system at discrete times. We demonstrate that the ability of noise to localize
the system on either side of the double-well potenital arises from overdamping
of the phase of oscillation and not from any cooperative effect between the
noise and the driving field. The model is investigated with a square wave
drive, which has qualitatively similar features to the widely studied
cosinusoidal drive, but has the additional advantage of allowing one to derive
exact analytic expressions.Comment: 17 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.
Perturbations of Noise: The origins of Isothermal Flows
We make a detailed analysis of both phenomenological and analytic background
for the "Brownian recoil principle" hypothesis (Phys. Rev. A 46, (1992), 4634).
A corresponding theory of the isothermal Brownian motion of particle ensembles
(Smoluchowski diffusion process approximation), gives account of the
environmental recoil effects due to locally induced tiny heat flows. By means
of local expectation values we elevate the individually negligible phenomena to
a non-negligible (accumulated) recoil effect on the ensemble average. The main
technical input is a consequent exploitation of the Hamilton-Jacobi equation as
a natural substitute for the local momentum conservation law. Together with the
continuity equation (alternatively, Fokker-Planck), it forms a closed system of
partial differential equations which uniquely determines an associated
Markovian diffusion process. The third Newton law in the mean is utilised to
generate diffusion-type processes which are either anomalous (enhanced), or
generically non-dispersive.Comment: Latex fil
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