The evolution of a Ku-Band satellite network

The purpose of this study was to undertake the management and development of CTS terminals and time on appropriate Ku-Band satellites was procured. A community of public service users who have readily addressable needs and resources to pay for services on an ad hoc Ku-Band network was developed and a test network for selected users was managed

The impacts of EU accession on the agriculture of the Visegrad Countries

The Visegrad Countries (VC)2 joined the European Union in 2004, which has offered several possibilities and challenges for their agriculture. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the status of the sector in the light of latest available data as well as to identify the factors lying behind different country performances. Results suggest that EU accession has had a diverse impact on the Visegrad Countries’ agriculture and member states capitalised their possibilities in a different manner, due to initial conditions and pre- and post-accession policies

Electroanalytical study of Prussian Blue modified glassy carbon paste electrodes

Two types of glassy carbon (GC) powder (i.e., Sigradur K and Sigradur G) have been mixed with mineral oil to obtain glassy carbon paste electrodes (GCPE's). The electrochemical behavior of such electrodes at different percentages of glassy carbon has been evaluated with respect to the electrochemistry of ferricyanide as revealed with cyclic voltammetry and the best paste composition was chosen. GC was then modified with Prussian Blue (PB), mixed at different percentages with unmodified GC and with a fixed amount of mineral oil in order to obtain PB modified glassy carbon paste electrodes (PB-GCPE's). PB-GCPE's with different percentages of GC modified with PB (PB-GC) were compared and the dependence on the amount of PB on their performances was evaluated by studying the parameters of cyclic voltammetry (i.e., current peak, Ep, anodic and cathodic current ratio, charge density) and the amperometric response to H2O2. Data interpretation based on the GC surface area is presented. GCPE's with a selected amount of PB-GC were then tested as H2O2 probes and all the analytical parameters together with the dependence on pH were evaluated. Some preliminary experiments with these electrodes assembled as glucose, lysine and lactate biosensors are also reported

Benefits of a marketing cooperative in transition agriculture: Mórakert purchasing and service co-operative

The paper analyses the potential benefits of marketing cooperatives in Hungary, employing a transaction cost economics framework. We found that the purchased quantity, the existence of contracts, flexibility and trust are the most important factors farmers consider when selling their products via a cooperative. The most striking result is that diversification has positive influences on the share of cooperatives in farmers’ sale. Furthermore, farmers with larger bargaining power have less willingness to sell their product to the cooperative. Surprisingly, asset specificity has rather negative effects on the share of cooperatives in members’ sales

Connecting nursing education across clinical environments

Nurse educators can use several strategies to address the perceived versus actual gap between on-campus learning lab and off-campus clinical practice. This presentation will provide Nursing educators with actual strategies used to address the gap and outcomes from the change in educational practice within the on-campus and off-campus learning environments

Engagement of clinical teaching faculty in scholarship of teaching and learning: What really occurred

Session presented on Saturday, November 7, 2015 and Sunday, November 8, 2015: Background: Historically, the engagement of Clinical Teaching Track Faculty (CTTF) in the scholarship of teaching and learning (SOTL) has not been at the same level as faculty who are tenured, or on the tenure track. In order to increase the engagement of CTTF in the SOTL and dissemination of this work, a project was developed to increase the engagement of this group in scholarship and dissemination of their scholarship. Methods: Through the Experienced Nurse Faculty Leadership Academy (ENFLA) sponsored by Sigma Theta Tau International/Chamberlain College of Nursing Center for Excellence in Nursing Education, the scholar participated in a faculty guided leadership program and mentorship over a 12 month period to increase engagement of the CTTF in the scholarship of teaching and learning, hone existing leadership practices, deepen existing strengths, and develop new leadership practices. The triad team, scholar Dr. Karen Gorton, mentor, Dr. Angela McNeils and faculty, Dr. Karen Carlson, were instrumental in facilitating scholar growth as a leader and implementation of the project even as the environment changed. Results: The ENFLA scholar developed and implemented a plan to increase the engagement of CTTF in the SOTL. Additionally, needed infrastructure was created with the Area of Excellence - Scholarship of Teaching and Learning; 6 month touch-base process was implemented with CTTF; significant personal growth continues; and increased numbers of CTTF have engaged in the dissemination of scholarship. Conclusions: The ENFLA experience has provided the scholar with the opportunity for mentorship, leadership development, personal growth and facilitated the development and implementation of a project aimed to facilitate increased engagement of CTTF in the scholarship of teaching and learning. Additionally, growing challenges were presented to the scholar by the mentor and faculty which facilitated self-reflection and positive change

Preliminary genetic evidence of two different populations of Opisthorchis viverrini in Lao PDR

Opisthorchis viverrini is a major public health concern in Southeast Asia. Various reports have suggested that this parasite may represent a species complex, with genetic structure in the region perhaps being dictated by geographical factors and different species of intermediate hosts. We used four microsatellite loci to analyze O. viverrini adult worms originating from six species of cyprinid fish in Thailand and Lao PDR. Two distinct O. viverrini populations were observed. In Ban Phai, Thailand, only one subgroup occurred, hosted by two different fish species. Both subgroups occurred in fish from That Luang, Lao PDR, but were represented to very different degrees among the fish hosts there. Our data suggest that, although geographical separation is more important than fish host specificity in influencing genetic structure, it is possible that two species of Opisthorchis, with little interbreeding, are present near Vientiane in Lao PDR