On the Uses of Belladonna

n/

Multiple ethnic identities and the Christchurch Malaysian Chinese

This thesis is concerned with multiple ethnic identification in a multiethnic society. The primary objective is to investigate the fundamental dynamics which underlie the ethnic phenomenon. This is undertaken by empirically evaluating the validity of two hypotheses on ethnic identification. The theoretical framework employed is formulated from a number of works on ethnicity, particularly Barth's (1969) theory on boundaries, and Cohen's (1978) theory on nesting dichotomization. The first hypothesis concerns the flexible and situational nature of ethnic identification. Individuals identify according to sets of shared qualities which stand in contrast to other sets of shared qualities within different contexts. The second hypothesis concerns nesting identities. Individuals identify in a set of nesting dichotomizations of inclusiveness and exclusiveness. Empirical evidence from a case study carried out on the Malaysian Chinese community in Christchurch, New Zealand, largely verified the validity of the two hypotheses. The thesis concludes with three main findings. First it is found that ethnic identification is based on relevant and significant contrasts and similarities in relation to others which create the boundary for an identity. Second, ethnic identification is flexible, situational and individual in nature. Individuals exhibit particularism, employ different criteria and identify differently in different contexts. This quality of ethnic identification is responsible for multiple ethnic identities. Third, it is found that for some people, ethnic identification is a function of interactive experiences. This suggests that ethnic identification is not simply a function of socialization as is widely believed. The findings of the study confirm that ethnicity is an interactive phenomenon. As a result of these findings, it is suggested that ethnicity should be conceptualized in a way which would more adequately reflect ethnicity within contemporary society

Tropical cyanobacterial blooms: A review of prevalence, problem taxa, toxins and influencing environmental factors

© 2015, Page Press Publications. All rights reserved. Toxic cyanobacterial blooms are a major issue in freshwater systems in many countries. The potentially toxic species and their ecological causes are likely to be different in tropical zones from those in temperate water bodies; however, studies on tropical toxic cyanobacterial blooms are sporadic and currently there is no global synthesis. In this review, we examined published information on tropical cyanobacterial bloom occurrence and toxin production to investigate patterns in their growth and distribution. Microcystis was the most frequently occurring bloom genus throughout tropical Asia, Africa and Central America, while Cylindrospermopsis and Anabaena blooms occurred in various locations in tropical Australia, America and Africa. Microcystis blooms were more prevalent during the wet season while Cylindrospermopsis blooms were more prevalent during the dry period. Microcystin was the most encountered toxin throughout the tropics. A meta-analysis of tropical cyanobacterial blooms showed that Microcystis blooms were more associated with higher total nitrogen concentrations, while Cylindrospermopsis blooms were more associated with higher maximum temperatures. Meta-analysis also showed a positive linear relationship between levels of microcystin and N:P (nitrate:phosphate) ratio. Tropical African Microcystis blooms were found to have the lowest microcystin levels in relation to biomass and N:P (nitrate:phosphate) compared to tropical Asian, Australian and American blooms. There was also no significant correlation between microcystin concentration and cell concentration for tropical African blooms as opposed to tropical Asian and American blooms. Our review illustrates that some cyanobacteria and toxins are more prevalent in tropical areas. While some tropical countries have considerable information regarding toxic blooms, others have few or no reported studies

Generisches Simulationsmodell für Stückgutspeditionsanlagen auf Basis der Anforderungen von KMUs

Simulation can be used to plan and optimize less-than-truckload (LTL) terminals. To develop simulation models, specific expertise in this field is needed, which often requires high financial investments for acquisition of this knowledge. Due to limited financial resources, SMEs are often incapable to get to this expertise. The objective of the paper is to develop a generic model for LTL terminal planning that can be used without simulation expertise and that can be adapted to individual SME layouts. Therefore, based on focus group interviews with SMEs, a catalog of requirements is developed, including input variables and design criteria. Key performance indicators (KPIs) are defined to evaluate the results. A feasibility study for implementing a generic model based on the identified requirements is then performed. The implementation is done by modeling the I-layout of an LTL terminal

Limiea Woolf, Mildred E. Mowe, Madge E. Iverson, Cynthia Cynthia J. Willett, Reve J. Abelow, Ruth S. Elderkin, Carl Locke, Rev. Brown, Barbara Dascher, John H. Doscker to James Meredith (7 October 1962)

https://egrove.olemiss.edu/mercorr_pro/2039/thumbnail.jp

Plate versus bulk trolley food service in a hospital: comparison of patients’ satisfaction

Objective The aim of this research was to compare plate with bulk trolley food service in hospitals in terms of patient satisfaction. Key factors distinguishing satisfaction with each system would also be identified. Methods A consumer opinion card (n = 180), concentrating on the quality indicators of core foods, was used to measure patient satisfaction and compare two systems of delivery, plate and trolley. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to build a model that would predict food service style on the basis of the food attributes measured. Further investigation used multinomial logistic regression to predict opinion for the assessment of each food attribute within food service style. Results Results showed that the bulk trolley method of food distribution enables all foods to have a more acceptable texture, and for some foods (potato, P = 0.007; poached fish, P = 0.001; and minced beef, P ≤ 0.0005) temperature, and for other foods (broccoli, P ≤ 0.0005; carrots, P ≤ 0.0005; and poached fish, P = 0.001) flavor, than the plate system of delivery, where flavor is associated with bad opinion or dissatisfaction. A model was built indicating patient satisfaction with the two service systems. Conclusion This research confirms that patient satisfaction is enhanced by choice at the point of consumption (trolley system); however, portion size was not the controlling dimension. Temperature and texture were the most important attributes that measure patient satisfaction with food, thus defining the focus for hospital food service managers. To date, a model predicting patient satisfaction with the quality of food as served has not been proposed, and as such this work adds to the body of knowledge in this field. This report brings new information about the service style of dishes for improving the quality of food and thus enhancing patient satisfaction

Available carbon source influences the resistance of Neisseria meningitidis against complement

Neisseria meningitidis is an important cause of septicaemia and meningitis. To cause disease, the bacterium must acquire essential nutrients for replication in the systemic circulation, while avoiding exclusion by host innate immunity. Here we show that the utilization of carbon sources by N. meningitidis determines its ability to withstand complement-mediated lysis, through the intimate relationship between metabolism and virulence in the bacterium. The gene encoding the lactate permease, lctP, was identified and disrupted. The lctP mutant had a reduced growth rate in cerebrospinal fluid compared with the wild type, and was attenuated during bloodstream infection through loss of resistance against complement-mediated killing. The link between lactate and complement was demonstrated by the restoration of virulence of the lctP mutant in complement (C3−/−)-deficient animals. The underlying mechanism for attenuation is mediated through the sialic acid biosynthesis pathway, which is directly connected to central carbon metabolism. The findings highlight the intimate relationship between bacterial physiology and resistance to innate immune killing in the meningococcus