Hidden in Plain Sight: Achieving More Just Results in Hostile Work Environment Sexual Harassment Cases by Re-Examining Supreme Court Precedent

Control of a hydraulic crane is considered. Due to the oscillatory character of the system smooth the operation of the crane is a demanding task. In order to improve the handling properties feedback control of the crane is studied. Based on linearized models feedback regulators of both LQG and PID type are designed. The feedback is based on position, pressure and acceleration measurements. Since the properties of the system change with load and operating point adaptive control is also introduced. The use of accelerometer signals for impact detection is also discussed. The proposed solutions are tested in both simulations and experiments on a real crane

Plan for Exploitation and Dissemination of results (PEDR)

The aim of this deliverable is to establish a strategy for the proper exploitation and dissemination of the results obtained in OceanNETs. We develop guidelines for knowledge management and protection as well as dissemination goals and also identify the target audiences and define the relevant communication channels and tools

Protein Mass Spectrometry Aids In Chagas Vector Blood Meal Identification And Offers An Innovative Approach To Battling Vector-Borne Diseases

Vector borne-diseases make up a significant portion of morbidity and mortality worldwide, being responsible for around 700,000 deaths annually according to the World Health Organization. Neglected, tropical diseases such as Chagas disease have a significant impact on people in Latin America, affecting millions, and especially those residing in rural areas. Chagas disease is the number one cause for heart disease in Latin America, and is caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, carried by Triatominae insect vectors. The intricate life cycle of the parasite, ecology and behavior of the vector, and lack of disease treatment options, make Chagas disease challenging to control. Prevention measures are highly sought after, and implementation science approaches such as Ecohealth management engage affected communities in disease prevention. Knowing what insect vectors are feeding on sheds light on vector ecology and behavior, aiding in vector management which is pivotal in disease prevention. While DNA-based methods have traditionally been used to study vector blood meals, they come with limitations and challenges, such as the need for fresh, high abundance blood meals. Therefore, the goal of this research was to evaluate Chagas vector blood meal sources using an innovative protein mass spectrometry-based approach. We demonstrate first the ability to utilize liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to correctly identify hemoglobin protein peptides from mouse blood and subsequently identify Chagas vector blood meal sources from field-collected insect vectors where blood meal identification is compared with traditional DNA-based methods as a control. An experimental feeding study allowed us to then demonstrate the longevity of hemoglobin protein peptides for blood meal detection, showing LC-MS/MS-based blood meal identification outperforms DNA-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at least 4 weeks post-feeding and 12 weeks post-molting. This allowed us to test the limits of our innovative detection method experimentally and comparatively. Finally, we evaluated blood meals in field-caught insect vectors collected as part of a large collaborative Ecohealth project in Central America. LC-MS/MS identified two times as many blood meals in insect vectors, including those that did not have blood meals detected with DNA-based PCR. As single vectors often feed on multiple sources, we also validated our ability to decipher multiple blood meals from an individual vector and showed the ability to quantify a blood meal using synthetic AQUA (Absolute QUAntification) peptides, a first step in using quantification data for identifying blood meals not currently in our underlying database. Furthermore, we show that lower resolution mass spectrometers are able to identify blood meals from taxa correctly, an important and strong attribute of our LC-MS/MS-based method, opening the door to using proteomics in countries where Chagas disease is endemic and resources are limited. Even though expertise and resources of research labs differ in locations across the globe, herein is described how LC-MS/MS is a valuable additional tool for fighting neglected tropical diseases. Ultimately, hemoglobin-based LC-MS/MS vector blood meal identification is a complementary technique to available molecular methods and can confidently identify Chagas vector blood meal sources to aid in understanding vector biology and ecology, and aid in developing appropriate Ecohealth vector control measures

SUPPLY CHAIN INTEGRATION IN THE FOOD AND CONSUMER GOODS INDUSTRIES

The interorganizational structures necessary to implement and achieve the logistical performance improvements identified in the Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) initiative and related supply chain management concepts are difficult to develop. Firms continue to struggle to implement integrated programs and techniques, particularly with respect to changing operating structures, relationships, and mindsets to facilitate true supply chain integration. This research explores the logistical strategies and structures used by selected food and consumer goods firms to integrate their supply chains. It illustrates effective integration strategies and identifies critical success factors and barriers to successful ECR implementation. A framework is used to guide managers in developing the competencies essential to integrating the supply chain and to establishing the relationships necessary to operate in an ECR environment. The framework, entitled Supply Chain 2000, depicts supply chain value creation as achieving synchronization and coordination across four critical supply chain flows: product/service; market accommodation; information; and cash.Industrial Organization,

The Knowledge Base for Geography Teaching (GeoKBT): A Preliminary Model

Funded by the National Center for Research in Geography Education, this study investigated the nature of the knowledge needed for geography teaching. Informed by existing research about science and mathematics teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), the research group developed a conceptual model of the knowledge base for geography teaching, identifying six key components: (a) orientations toward teaching geography, (b) knowledge of geography curricula, (c) knowledge of students’ understanding of geography and responses to geography learning, (d) knowledge of instructional strategies appropriate to learning geography, (e) knowledge of assessment of geography learning, and (f) knowledge of educational contexts. The conceptual model was refined and revised according to the results of case studies of four expert geography teachers. Data analyzed included classroom observations, teacher interviews, geography lesson video-recordings, teachers’ lesson plans and reflections, and student work samples. The resulting preliminary model (GeoKBT) is offered to the geography education community to inform both geography teacher education and further research on geography-related pedagogical knowledge

Enteroclysis for the Examination of the Small Bowel

Detailed evaluation of the small bowel is difficult because of its inaccessibility. The small bowel follow-through examination using barium, has low diagnostic sensitivity. Enteroclysis, the injection of contrast material through a duodenal or jejunal tube, offers a newer and highly sensitive method of radiological evaluation. Our paper describes the technique, clinical indications, and side effects of enteroclysis

Chemical composition and technofunctional properties of carrot (Daucus carota L.) pomace and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) pulp as affected by thermomechanical treatment

Fiber rich by-products derived from primary agri-food production such as carrot pomace and potato pulp are available in large quantities, but their functional properties do not necessarily meet the requirements for use in specific food applications. Thermomechanical treatment (extrusion) of carrot pomace and potato pulp changes both dietary fiber polysaccharide structures and technofunctionality of the materials. Solubility of dietary fiber constituents changes, resulting in higher levels of water- and ethanol-soluble poly-/oligosaccharides. On a structural level, particularly arabinans and galactans as neutral side chains of type I rhamnogalacturonan were degraded under thermomechanical stress. Galacturonic acid portions (preferably from homogalacturonan or rhamnogalacturonan I) and their degree of methylation were also negatively affected. On a functional level, water absorption of potato pulp increased up to three times following extrusion, whereas water absorption of carrot pomace decreased with extrusion processing. The observed, enhanced swelling behavior for extruded carrot pomace was accompanied by higher complex viscosity of the dispersions. Swelling of potato pulp particles increased largely (up to 25 times) following extrusion, resulting in highly viscous pastes. Phytochemicals were retained up to 50%, heat-induced contaminants were formed only to a small extent (up to 8.1 mg 5-hydroxymethylfurfural·kg− 1 dry matter for carrot pomace; up to 71 µg acrylamide·kg$^{− 1}$ dry matter for potato pulp)

Report I of the interaction with the SRG and within WPs that have stakeholder sub-groups

This report provides an overview of OceanNETs engagement with relevant stakeholders and the OceanNETs stakeholder reference group in the first 18 month of the project (01.07.2020 – 31.12.2021)

Age Affects Quantity but Not Quality of Antibody Responses after Vaccination with an Inactivated Flavivirus Vaccine against Tick-Borne Encephalitis

The impairment of immune functions in the elderly (immunosenescence) results in post-vaccination antibody titers that are significantly lower than in young individuals. It is, however, a controversial question whether also the quality of antibodies declines with age. In this study, we have therefore investigated the age-dependence of functional characteristics of antibody responses induced by vaccination with an inactivated flavivirus vaccine against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). For this purpose, we quantified TBE virus-specific IgG and neutralizing antibody titers in post-vaccination sera from groups of young and elderly healthy adults and determined antibody avidities and NT/ELISA titer ratios (functional activity). In contrast to the quantitative impairment of antibody production in the elderly, we found no age-related differences in the avidity and functional activity of antibodies induced by vaccination, which also appeared to be independent of the age at primary immunization. There was no correlation between antibody avidity and NT/ELISA ratios suggesting that additional factors affect the quality of polyclonal responses, independent of age. Our work indicates that healthy elderly people are able to produce antibodies in response to vaccination with similar avidity and functional activity as young individuals, albeit at lower titers

RELACIÓN DE LA INVERSIÓN PÚBLICA CON LA SALUD MATERNA DE LA PROVINCIA DE ALTO AMAZONAS, PERU 2010–2014

El objetivo fue establecer la relación de la inversión pública en salud con indicadores de salud materna de la provincia de Alto Amazonas, Perú, 2010–2014. La investigación fue un diseño descriptivo correlacional con muestra universal en los distritos de Yurimaguas, Balsapuerto, Lagunas, Jeberos, Teniente César López Rojas y Santa Cruz que conforman la provincia Alto Amazonas. Mediante el análisis de documentos se recogieron datos del Ministerio de Salud, Gobierno Regional Loreto, Gobiernos Locales y Red de Salud. Los resultados demostraron que, en los distritos y en la provincia no existe relación de la inversión pública en salud con las gestantes controladas; no existe relación de la inversión pública en salud con el parto institucional; solo en el distrito de Santa Cruz existe relación de la inversión pública en salud con la razón de mortalidad materna, pero, al análisis provincial se determinó una relación no significativa de ambas variables. Se concluye que, no hay evidencia suficiente para establecer la relación positiva de la inversión pública con la salud materna, siendo altamente probable que ésta no tenga impacto en la salud materna de Alto Amazonas, Perú