Polarographic study of cadmium 5-hydroxy 2-(hydroxymethyl) 4H-pyran-4-one complex

A polarographic study was performed on the products formed in the interaction of cadmium (II) with a 5-hydroxy 2-(hydroxymethyl) 4H-Pyran-4-one, using varying conditions of pH, supporting electrolytes, and concentrations. Measurements using the differential pulse method show that cadmium (II) exhibits a molar combining ratio of complexing agents to cation ranging from 1 to 1 to 3 to 1 depending on the pH and the supporting electrolyte employed

Interfacing peripheral nerve with macro-sieve electrodes following spinal cord injury

Macro-sieve electrodes were implanted in the sciatic nerve of five adult male Lewis rats following spinal cord injury to assess the ability of the macro-sieve electrode to interface regenerated peripheral nerve fibers post-spinal cord injury. Each spinal cord injury was performed via right lateral hemisection of the cord at the T9–10 site. Five months post-implantation, the ability of the macro-sieve electrode to interface the regenerated nerve was assessed by stimulating through the macro-sieve electrode and recording both electromyography signals and evoked muscle force from distal musculature. Electromyography measurements were recorded from the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles, while evoked muscle force measurements were recorded from the tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, and gastrocnemius muscles. The macro-sieve electrode and regenerated sciatic nerve were then explanted for histological evaluation. Successful sciatic nerve regeneration across the macro-sieve electrode interface following spinal cord injury was seen in all five animals. Recorded electromyography signals and muscle force recordings obtained through macro-sieve electrode stimulation confirm the ability of the macro-sieve electrode to successfully recruit distal musculature in this injury model. Taken together, these results demonstrate the macro-sieve electrode as a viable interface for peripheral nerve stimulation in the context of spinal cord injury

Post-activation Potentiation: Increasing Power Output in the Block Power Clean

The effect of post-activation potentiation has been shown to increase both jumping height and sprinting over short distances (Wilson, et al., 2013). PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine if a PAP protocol could also enhance bar-velocity (m/s) in the block power clean, a movement commonly used in strength and conditioning to enhance explosive athletic attributes such as jumping and sprinting. METHODS: ECU throwers (n=6, 67% male) participated in two session separated by three to 14 days. The first session consisted of a three-to-five repetition max of the block power clean using the Auto-regulated Progressive Resistance Exercise method, vertical jump, and a training history questionnaire. During the second session, participants performed a series of trials testing peak bar-velocity of the block power clean following a 6-second maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). Rest times were counter-balanced, varied between 15 and 120 seconds of rest between the MVIC and block power clean. Mean differences and effect sizes were calculated on the peak bar-velocities. RESULTS: Our results indicate that 15, 30, 90, and 120 seconds rest increase the peak bar-velocity. The highest effect size (ES= 1.159) and mean difference (MD= 0.123) were seen with 90 seconds of rest compared to the baseline. CONCLUSION: These initial findings suggest that the effects of post-activation Potentiation can increase peak bar-velocity of the block power clean in collegiate athletes when given appropriate rest. These finding hold important implications for training applications, however, further analysis and testing is needed

Graduates of Character - Values and Character: Higher Education and Graduate Employment

Graduates of Character is the product of an empirical enquiry into the values, virtues, dispositions and attitudes of a sample of students and employees who volunteered to be involved. The research team sought host sites which would offer a diverse set of interviewees in gender, ethnicity, religion and aspiration. In this study we discuss what character is taken to mean by students and employees in their years of higher education and employment. We examine what their values are, what they gain from the university, what they believe employers look for when recruiting, what they hope to give to an employer, and what they expect from their employer. We then explore who or what influenced their values and moral development. We also examined the role of the personal tutor or mentor, and the persons or services to which they might go for personal and/or professional support

THE CHANGING CLIMATE FOR FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT INTO JAPAN

Japans prolonged recession over the last five years has provided the impetus for regulatory reform and industry restructuring. Historically, the flow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Japan has been small for an economy of its size. The high degree of vertical integration and relatively closed business networks that characterised the corporate system made it hard for newcomers to gain access, while the tradition of lifetime employment limited the ability of foreign firms to recruit quality staff. Dramatic declines in the price of Japanese equities and land since the collapse of the bubble economy of the early nineties has been accompanied by a sharp increase in foreign participation in the Japanese economy. Traditional business relationships are opening up, regulations are being dismantled or revised and increased foreign involvement is now accepted as inevitable, even through mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Potentially profitable openings created by restructuring and reform is likely to see the trend towards greater foreign investment in Japan maintained over the next decade, especially in non-manufacturing.FDI, Japan, Vertical Integration

Effect of nitrogen fertilization on the nutritional value of corn silage as determined by feedlot performance of beef heifers, digestion trials, and in vitro studies

Beef cattle production in the southern United States and especially in Tennessee has increased at a phenomenal rate during the past decade. This increase in cattle numbers has resulted in a greater demand for forage crop production. No other area of this country has enjoyed a more favorable opportunity for intensive grassland beef production. Greater demands for winter feeds have been accompanied by an increase in forage production. Many areas of Tennessee and especially the eastern portion, which is less favorable for hay production, have met this increased demand for cheap forages with silages. Because of the high energy content and palatability of the com silage, it has been of increasing importance for beef cattle. More emphasis has been placed on intensive forage production in this area as the available labor supply has been decreasing along with a narrowing margin in farm operations. Therefore, the total pounds of digestible nutrients produced by a forage crop has received more at-tention. The cost of silage operations accompanied by the increased labor costs per unit and decreased margin in cattle operations has necessitated the cattle farmer to make optimum use of his available land, labor, feeds, and cattle. As in row crop production of all kinds, silage production has been directed toward highest possible yields per acre. This increase in yield has been due primarily to the introduction of more productive varieties, better management in silage production, and the extensive use of more fertilizers per acre. Increased plant population per acre and the use of more productive varieties have created a greater demand for available plant food. Since the prices of fertilizer have remained relatively stable, the cattle farmer has been able to increase silage yields more economically with fertilizer than through any other means. Nitrogen has been the element most commonly increased in use for silage production. Some people have postulated that this increase in nitrogen application in silage production may result in a detrimental build-up of nitrates and nitrites in the silage. The first report in recent years of a vitamin A deficiency in beef cattle being fed on a conventional ration has led investigators to examine several possible causative agents. Some workers have postulated that the nitrate accumu-lation in plants causes an interference in carotene conversion to vitamin A. Inadequate data have been reported to substantiate this theory. One of the purposes of this research was to determine the effect of high levels of nitrogen fertilization on the nitrate build-up in corn silage. Another objective of this work was to determine the effects of this build-up, if indeed it did occur, on subsequent performance of beef cattle fed these silages with and without vitamin A supplementation as the major component of the wintering ration in addition to determining any carry-over effect during the finishing period. Realizing that the high level of nitrogen (300 pounds per acre) is not recommended nor economical, it was the objective of this study to allow for possible detrimental levels of nitrate to accumulate. The low level of nitrogen (100 pounds per acre) is the level generally recommended. However, with increasing plant population per acre and more productive varieties the recommended economical level of nitrogen application may increase in the future. Therefore, these data may answer some questions as to the effect of these higher levels of nitrogen application on cattle performance. A comparison of some other techniques for forage evaluation was made. Another objective was to determine the digestibility of these silages with cattle and sheep. An in vitro technique was employed to measure possible differences in the silages that might be reflected in rumen microbial activity. Cellulose breakdown was used as a measure of microbial activity in these studies. An objective evaluation was made of these silages as determined by cattle performance, digestibility, and cellulose digestion by rumen microbes. Further, the various techniques were evaluated as measures of forage nutritive value

The Constitutional Jurisprudence of Sandra Day O\u27Conor: A Refusal to Foreclose the Unanticipated

Part I of this essay covers an early period on the Court when Justice O’Connor seemed principally concerned with questions of jurisdiction and appellate process, during which she was frequently inclined to dispose of cases on technical or procedural grounds. Part II discusses Justice O’Connor’s attention to detail and consideration of factual context and her tendency to adjust the traditional standards of review in light of the circumstances of the case. Part III outlines Justice O’Connor’s respect for precedent and commitment to the principle of stare decisis particularly as it relates to her refusal to overrule Roe v. Wade. Part IV describes how her judicial philosophy evolved during her tenure on the Court to the point where she achieved a deep understanding and formulated a nuanced articulation of the fundamental American values embodied by the Constitution

Mill\u27s Theory of Liberty in Constitutional Interpretation

I wish to apply Justice Thompson\u27s discussion of the nature of liberty in a more general context in addressing fundamental questions of constitutional interpretation. Justice Thompson\u27s essential inquiry is, Should the enforcement of morals be the concern of the law? I take the liberty of slightly rephrasing that question: Is the enforcement of traditional moral norms per se constitutional? I suggest that the answer to this question is no. Courts and scholars have often confused our moral traditions with our traditions of liberty and equality. My central premise is that it is for the legislature to enact morality into law, and it is for the courts to determine when moral norms infringe upon constitutionally guaranteed liberty and equality. The difficult problem is to develop a coherent theory of liberty and equality