Globalization, NGOs and Multi-Sectoral Relations

This paper seeks to make sense of the impact of globalization on nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations. We argue that globalization processes have contributed to the rising numbers and influence of NGOs in many countries, and particularly in the international arena. International NGOs and NGO alliances are emerging as increasingly influential players in international decision-making, and we discuss some of the roles they can be expected to play in the future. We consider whether the emergence of domestic and international NGOs as important policy makers strengthens or weakens the future of democratic accountability, and we suggest several patterns of interaction among civil society, government and business in future governance issues.This publication is Hauser Center Working Paper No. 1. The Hauser Center Working Paper Series was launched during the summer of 2000. The Series enables the Hauser Center to share with a broad audience important works-in-progress written by Hauser Center scholars and researchers

Using pressure pulse seismology to examine basal criticality and the influence of sticky spots on glacial flow

Here we report results of water pressure pulse studies conducted at Storglaciären (Sweden) and West Washmawapta Glacier (British Columbia, Canada). Comparison of pressure pulse records with meteorological conditions at Storglaciären indicates that several periods of increased basal slip activity observed during a 10 day interval of summer 2008 were due to precipitation loading of the glacier surface, rather than to infiltration of surface water to the glacier bed; this indicates that the glacier bed was close to the failure strength for much of this interval. Pressure pulse magnitudes for the two glaciers were well-fit by power law distributions similar to those earlier observed at Trapridge Glacier (and similar in form to the Gutenberg-Richter relationship commonly used in seismology), suggesting that the mechanical processes that give rise to these distributions are robust features of soft-bedded glaciers. In contrast, interevent time distributions for both glaciers diverge from those observed at Trapridge Glacier for short recurrence intervals, suggesting that the factors that govern the rate at which these processes occur differ between glaciers. An examination of pressure pulse characteristics at West Washmawapta Glacier indicates that the establishment of a basal drainage system in summer 2008 resulted in increased stability and reduced sensitivity to meltwater input, suggesting that common assumptions about the relationship between meltwater production and ice flow are oversimplified. These results demonstrate that water pressure pulse observations can provide valuable insight into the dynamics of soft-bedded glaciers

African trypanosomiasis in travelers returning to the United Kingdom.

Two returning safari tourists with African trypanosomiasis were admitted to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London, in a 3-day period, compared with six cases in the previous 14 years. We describe the clinical features, diagnosis, and problems encountered in accessing appropriate therapy, and discuss the potential for emergence of this disease in increasingly adventurous international travelers

Methyl and t-butyl group rotation in a molecular solid: 1H NMR spin-lattice relaxation and X-ray diffraction

We report solid state 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spin-lattice relaxation experiments and X-ray diffractometry in 2-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy-6-bromonaphthalene. This compound offers an opportunity to simultaneously investigate, and differentiate between, the rotations of a t-butyl group [C(CH3)3] and its three constituent methyl groups (CH3) and, simultaneously, a pair of \u27lone\u27 methyl groups (attached to the Si atom). The solid state 1H relaxation experiments determine activation energies for these rotations. We review the models for the dynamics of both \u27lone\u27 methyl groups (ones whose rotation axes do not move on the NMR time scale) and models for the dynamics of the t-butyl group and its constituent methyl groups (whose rotation axes reorient on the NMR time scale as the t-butyl group rotates)

Methyl and t-butyl group rotation in a molecular solid: 1H NMR spin-lattice relaxation and X-ray diffraction

We report solid state 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spin-lattice relaxation experiments and X-ray diffractometry in 2-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy-6-bromonaphthalene. This compound offers an opportunity to simultaneously investigate, and differentiate between, the rotations of a t-butyl group [C(CH3)3] and its three constituent methyl groups (CH3) and, simultaneously, a pair of \u27lone\u27 methyl groups (attached to the Si atom). The solid state 1H relaxation experiments determine activation energies for these rotations. We review the models for the dynamics of both \u27lone\u27 methyl groups (ones whose rotation axes do not move on the NMR time scale) and models for the dynamics of the t-butyl group and its constituent methyl groups (whose rotation axes reorient on the NMR time scale as the t-butyl group rotates)

Gnathostomiasis: An Emerging Imported Disease

As the scope of international travel expands, an increasing number of travelers are coming into contact with helminthic parasites rarely seen outside the tropics. As a result, the occurrence of Gnathostoma spinigerum infection leading to the clinical syndrome gnathostomiasis is increasing. In areas where Gnathostoma is not endemic, few clinicians are familiar with this disease. To highlight this underdiagnosed parasitic infection, we describe a case series of patients with gnathostomiasis who were treated during a 12-month period at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London

SRRs Embedded with MEMS Cantilevers to Enable Electrostatic Tuning of the Resonant Frequency

A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) cantilever array was monolithically fabricated in the gap region of a split ring resonator (SRR) to enable electrostatic tuning of the resonant frequency. The design consisted of two concentric SRRs each with a set of cantilevers extending across the split region. The cantilever array consisted of five beams that varied in length from 300 to 400 μm, with each beam adding about 2 pF to the capacitance as it actuated. The entire structure was fabricated monolithically to reduce its size and minimize losses from externally wire bonded components. The beams actuate one at a time, longest to shortest with an applied voltage ranging from 30–60 V. The MEMS embedded SRRs displayed dual resonant frequencies at 7.3 and 14.2 GHz or 8.4 and 13.5 GHz depending on the design details. As the beams on the inner SRR actuated the 14.2 GHz resonance displayed tuning, while the cantilevers on the outer SRR tuned the 8.4 GHz resonance. The 14.2 GHz resonant frequency shifts 1.6 GHz to 12.6 GHz as all the cantilevers pulled-in. Only the first two beams on the outer cantilever array pulled-in, tuning the resonant frequency 0.4 GHz from 8.4 to 8.0 GHz

Effect of a Cold Margin on Ice Flow at the Terminus of Storglaciaren, Sweden: Implications for Sediment Transfer

The cold-based termini of polythermal glaciers are usually assumed to adhere strongly to an immobile substrate and thereby supply significant resistance to the flow of warm-based ice upglacier. This compressive environment is commonly thought to uplift basal sediment to the surface of the glacier by folding and thrust faulting. We present model and field evidence from the terminus of Storglaciaren, Sweden, showing that the cold margin provides limited resistance to flow from up-glacier. Ice temperatures indicate that basal freezing occurs in this zone at 10−1 –10−2 ma−1, but model results indicate that basal motion at rates greater than 1ma−1 must, nevertheless, persist there for surface and basal velocities to be consistent with measurements. Estimated longitudinal compressive stresses of 20– 25 kPa within the terminus further indicate that basal resistance offered by the cold-based terminus is small. These results indicate that where polythermal glaciers are underlain by unlithified sediments, ice-flow trajectories and sediment transport pathways may be affected by subglacial topography and hydrology more than by the basal thermal regime

Outcomes and patients’ perspectives of transition from paediatric to adult care in inflammatory bowel disease

This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-nc/4.0/AIM: To describe the disease and psychosocial outcomes of an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) transition cohort and their perspectives. METHODS: Patients with IBD, aged > 18 years, who had moved from paediatric to adult care within 10 years were identified through IBD databases at three tertiary hospitals. Participants were surveyed regarding demographic and disease specific data and their perspectives on the transition process. Survey response data were compared to contemporaneously recorded information in paediatric service case notes. Data were compared to a similar age cohort who had never received paediatric IBD care and therefore who had not undergone a transition process. RESULTS: There were 81 returned surveys from 46 transition and 35 non-transition patients. No statistically significant differences were found in disease burden, disease outcomes or adult roles and responsibilities between cohorts. Despite a high prevalence of mood disturbance (35%), there was a very low usage (5%) of psychological services in both cohorts. In the transition cohort, knowledge of their transition plan was reported by only 25/46 patients and the majority (54%) felt they were not strongly prepared. A high rate (78%) of discussion about work/study plans was recorded prior to transition, but a near complete absence of discussion regarding sex (8%), and other adult issues was recorded. Both cohorts agreed that their preferred method of future transition practices (of the options offered) was a shared clinic appointment with all key stakeholders. CONCLUSION: Transition did not appear to adversely affect disease or psychosocial outcomes. Current transition care processes could be optimised, with better psychosocial preparation and agreed transition plans