The first relatively complete exoccipital-opisthotic from the braincase of the Callovian pliosaur, Liopleurodon

A newly recognized left exoccipital-opisthotic of a Callovian pliosaur, derived from the Peterborough or lower Stewarby Members of the Oxford Clay Formation of Peterborough, is described and figured. This isolated bone is tentatively identified as belonging to an ‘adult’ individual of Liopleurodon ferox that is inferred to have had a skull length of 1.26 metres and an overall body length of 6.39 metres

How can new forms of food governance contribute to creating alternative economic spaces for the revitalisation of rural areas?

In a context of recurrent economic crisis, lasting distrust towards the incumbent agrifood system and withdrawal of state institutions from core regulatory tasks, new initiatives are emerging throughout Europe. Diverse stakeholders forge new alliances with partners in order to develop or maintain the quality of food, the sustainability of agriculture and the agrifood economy as well as lively rural areas. At the same time mainstream actors incorporate similar arguments and appropriate values like seasonality, rare breeds and varieties, traceability, localness, or short circuits for their ends. However, there are other mainstream market actors, some producer cooperatives for instance, who adapt their activities and contribute to an enhanced resilience of agrifood systems. New forms of long-term partnerships and networks between food chain actors emerge, which are built on shared sets of values. These find expression in the products as well as in the relationships between partners along the supply chain. Some of these arrangements seem to make the growth of a ‘values-based food network’ possible, which may benefit the livelihoods of rural regions. Such new forms of food governance establish themselves on different levels and scales, oriented vertically along supply chains or territorially within regions, market oriented or policy driven. Working group 2b examines the emergence and impact of these new forms of governance in rural space

The practice of telemedicine and challenges to the regulatory authorities

The practice of telemedicine is viewed as a possible solution to the human resources crisis in health care in South Africa and internationally. Reports on its successful implementation and combating of health-related problems are readily available from both developed and developing countries. Even though these reports indicate that telemedicine seems to have addressed the problem related to the shortage of health care personnel, it is still posing a challenge to regulatory authorities such as the Health Professions Council of South Africa. The regulatory authorities are there to ensure that quality health care service is delivered and that the patient will be protected from possible mismanagement by the health care practitioners involved. Misconduct can occur through improper clinical care or excessive billing. Policies and guidelines from both developing and developed countries were reviewed to highlight how telemedicine is regulated elsewhere. The focus was on the ethical implications of telemedicine practice. Telemedicine has proved itself to be a possible solution to the human resources crisis, especially in developing countries or where there are vast rural communities. Success of telemedicine has been reported in a number of developed and developing countries as a way of alleviating the human resources crisis and providing quality health care to needy communities

Myth and Madness in Grupo Galpão's Expressionistic Production of Álbum de família

A number of scholars have discussed the mythic elements in Nelson Rodrigues’s Álbum de Família, an emphasis present in Grupo Galpão’s award-winning production that was staged in Belo Horizonte in 1990. This essay discusses the expressionistic techniques that were used to articulate the play’s mythic dimensions, particularly its use of Mircea Eliade’s notion of the eternal return, a cyclical concept of human existence. Similarly, the theme of madness as a higher form of consciousness pervades the play, emphasized through expressionistic staging. Because form is so adroitly married to theme in this innovative production, it is entirely worthy of the critical accolades and prizes it received. (JCMA/MN

On-line field measurements of BVOC emissions from Norway spruce (Picea abies) at the hemiboreal SMEAR-Estonia site under autumn conditions

We investigated biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions from a Norway spruce (Picea abies) in a hemiboreal mixed forest in autumn. Measurements were performed at the SMEAR-Estonia forest station, using PTR-MS techniques and a dynamic branch enclosure system. Parallel to BVOC measurements, atmospheric (CO2, CH4, H2O, CO) and meteorological (temperature, relative humidity, global radiation, wind speed, precipitation) parameters were monitored in the ambient atmosphere and inside the enclosure (temperature, relative humidity, ozone). Prior to the measuring period, a new inlet line consisting of 19.4 m of heated and isolated glass tube was constructed. The new inlet system allowed the on-line detection and calculation of sesquiterpene (SQT) emission rates for the first time for a hemiboreal forest site. In total, 12 atmospherically relevant BVOCs were continuously monitored during the measurement campaign and the emission rates of terpenoid species and predominant oxygenated VOCs were estimated, with monoterpenes to be emitted the most, followed by acetone, acetaldehyde and sesquiterpenes

Introductory Information Systems Course Redesign: Better Preparing Business Students

Aim/Purpose The dynamic nature of the information systems (IS) field presents educators with the perpetual challenge of keeping course offerings current and relevant. This paper describes the process at a College of Business (COB) to redesign the introductory IS course to better prepare students for advanced business classes and equip them with interdisciplinary knowledge and skills demanded in today’s workplace. Background The course was previously in the Computer Science (CSC) Department, itself within the COB. However, an administrative restructuring resulted in the CSC department’s removal from the COB and left the core course in limbo. Methodology This paper presents a case study using focus groups with students, faculty, and advisory council members to assess the value of the traditional introductory course. A survey was distributed to students after implementation of the newly developed course to assess the reception of the course. Contribution This paper provides an outline of the decision-making process leading to the course redesign of the introductory IS course, including the context and the process of a new course development. Practical suggestions for implementing and teaching an introductory IS course in a business school are given. Findings Focus group assessment revealed that stakeholders rated the existing introductory IS course of minimal value as students progressed through the COB program, and even less upon entering the workforce. The findings indicated a complete overhaul of the course was required

High-temperature superconducting fault current microlimiters

High-temperature superconducting microbridges implemented with YBa(2)Cu(3)O(7-delta) thin-films are shown to be possible fault current limiters for microelectronic devices with some elements working at temperatures below the superconducting critical temperature and, simultaneously, under very low power conditions (below 1W). This is the case in the important applications of superconductors as SQUID based electronics, and technologies for communication or infrared detectors. In this paper it is shown that the good thermal behavior of these microlimiters allows working in a regime where even relatively small faults induce their transition to highly dissipative states, dramatically increasing their limitation efficiency. The conditions for optimal refrigeration and operation of these microlimiters are also proposed.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures. LaTeX and EPS file

Enabling Vaccine Delivery Platforms and Adjuvants for Malaria

Enabling vaccine delivery platforms and adjuvants with promising attributes for malaria vaccine development are reviewed within the framework of accessibility, efficacy, clinical status, cost, and cold-chain considerations. An emphasis is placed on commercially available platforms and adjuvants including virus-like particle, nanoparticle, microneedle, and mRNA vaccine delivery platforms as well as lipid vesicle, microparticle, and emulsion-based adjuvants. Strategies for addressing complications of vaccine delivery in endemic regions due to concatenate vaccination and infection, and parasite immune avoidance mechanisms are presented. Additionally, recent findings regarding how malaria infection triggers inflammatory pathways and T cell exhaustion along with negative impacts to the development of effective memory responses are described in a context relevant to vaccine development