3,463 research outputs found
Turbulent plane Couette flow with wall-transpiration
No full textIn the present abstract, DNS results obtained for turbulent plane Couette flow with wall-normal transpiration velocity are presented. Important equations valid in such a flow are derived, describing the total shear stress and the relation between the friction velocities at the lower and upper wall. These expressions are of importance, as there are neither experimental nor DNS data to compare with. Equally important, we derive a center region and a viscous sublayer velocity scaling for the suction wall, which were both validated using the DNS data
Redevelopment after the Abruzzo event
No full textNatural disasters raise quite a number of interdisciplinary issues concerning regional economic growth and local development, as well as public finance and sustainability, to mention only a few of them. These issues deserve special attention in our globalized world, given the expectation of a growing impact of climate-related disasters: no surprise that disaster management stands as a new discipline aimed at bridging the gap between theory and practice, so as to prevent natural disasters in the first place; afterwards, considerable efforts are required to accelerate business recovery, quickly restore vital energies, and hopefully carry out specific improvement projects as a sort of compensation for the (both personal and economic) losses suffered. Interesting lessons can be learned from natural disasters and can be shared as a payback to those who helped upon their occurrence. Actually, cooperation calls for cross-cultural activities that are likely to benefit from direct experience made by impacted scholars and practitioners: a case in point has to do with the earthquake that devastated L’Aquila and its environs on April 6, 2009 causing more than 300 deaths, apart from extensive damage in the Abruzzo region, in Central Italy; the Abruzzo event – as this natural disaster is currently referred to – fuels the debate on redevelopment problems to be faced under similar circumstances, that may obliterate the economic environment and attractiveness of an area in a few moments. Due to the huge amount of money needed to undertake appropriate strategies, finance plays a key role and useful insights can be gained by exploring the process of financial innovation. A supporting argument deals with the recourse to micro-finance in order to make the business and economic scenario revive after a natural disaster: micro-credit might be resorted to even within the framework of new financial engineering instruments, such as Urban Development Funds, recently promoted by the European Investment Bank; they include JESSICA (Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas) and JEREMIE (Joint European Resources for Micro to Medium Enterprises), to be properly considered as strategic tools in sight of redeveloping L’Aquila and its surrounding boroughs.
Biological activities of Murdannia species / Ashley Wasli and Nor Aziyah Bakhari
No full textNumerous studies have recently revealed that the genus Murdannia is well-known for its biological activities that gives them the potential use as cure for certain diseases. Biological activities of the genus Murdannia is evaluated through the contributing factor of bioactive compound that exist in the genus itself. A review and comparison study of the related literature to the biological activities of Murdannia species has been conducted in this study. The papers were gathered using online database search (Science Direct, Springer, ResearchGate, Scopus, Wiley, Taylor & Francis and others) and classified by their publication year, author, published journal, parameters, and methods. In vitro study of M. Bracteata crude extracte revealed to have anti-oxidant, cytotoxic, hepatoprotective and α-glucosidase activity. Roots extract of M. Lanuginosa has been identified to posses anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activity. M. Simplex roots extract revealed fungicidal activity due to the presence of protamine. Crude extract of M. Nudiflora demonstrated analgesic, anti-inflmmatory, anti-oxidant, and cytotoxic activity due to the presence of major phenolic compounds. M. Loriformis possess antiinflammatory, anti-oxidant antimutagenicity, anti-ulcerogenic analgesic, DT-diaphrose and antipyretic activity which influenced by chemical constituents such as alkaloids, amino acids, flavonoids, and polyphenols that exist in the plant extract
Adolescent bereavement and social support perception of need according to gender
No full textPlan BIn the empirical studies that have specifically addressed adolescent grief recovery, the issue of gender differences in perceptions of social support following bereavement has not been thoroughly examined. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of difference in perceptions of social support for bereaved adolescents according to gender. 50 males and 50 females from freshman psychology classes at the University of Wisconsin-Stout participated in the study. During their years in high school, all of them had experienced the death of at least one person who was close to them. The researcher used a self-constructed survey instrument to measure the subjects’ perceptions of the social support they received and the social support they desired following their loss. A student’s t-test for independent means was used to determine the statistical significance of the results. An alpha level of .05 was used for all statistical tests. The point-biserial correlation coefficient was used to describe the strength of statistically significant differences. The results of the study indicated that males and females were most likely to identify their parents, other family members, and peers as providing helpful support after their loss. Clergypersons/spiritual leaders, teachers, and school counselors were less likely to be identified as helpful support providers. The majority of males and females were likely to identify more than five people who provided helpful support. However, more males than females identified only one or two support people. Males were more likely than females to identify a parent, followed by a peer as their most helpful support person. Females were split evenly between naming a parent or peer as their most helpful support person. Males were likely to receive support for shorter periods of time, with half of them receiving only a few days of support. Females were more likely to receive support for a few weeks or more. However, the males were more likely to desire support for shorter periods of time, and most of them received the duration of support they desired. The females were more likely to desire a longer duration of support, and they were less likely to receive the duration of support they desired. A brief look at the statistically significant differences indicates that females were more likely than males to receive helpful support in the form of having someone listen, understand their feelings, express sorrow, hug them, let them cry, and share their experience of the loss. Males and females received similar levels of support in the form of being helped with problem solving, being distracted from the loss, sharing memories of the deceased, and being allowed to grieve alone. A brief look at the statistically differences indicates that females were more likely than males to want someone to listen, to help with problem solving, to understand their feelings, to express sorrow, to hug them, to let them cry, and to share their experiences of the loss. Males and females desired similar levels of support in the form of being distracted from the loss, sharing memories of the deceased, and being allowed to grieve alone. The author compared participants’ experiences and perceptions of loss and social support following the loss, integrating the findings with prior research on adolescent bereavement and grief support issues. Implications for professionals, such as educators and counselors, who work with adolescents are discussed, as well as suggestions for future research
Robbing Peter and Blaming Paul: A Comment Explaining How Professor Robert Hockett Incorrectly Assess the Cause of the Underwater Mortgage Crisis and an Aquinian Explanation of how His Eminent Domain Solution is Neither Ethically Correct Nor Appropriate
No full textThe Author’s purpose is to show the American community—and specifically the legal community—how and why Hockett’s proposal is not an ethically correct or appropriate solution for the underwater mortgage crisis. To achieve this end, the Author will give a detailed explanation of Professor Hockett’s proposal in Part II. Next, the Author will set forth Hockett’s explanation of what caused the underwater mortgage crisis in Part III. In Part IV the Author will provide his own belief on what the cause of the underwater mortgage crisis is. Then, after showing how Hockett does not assess the cause of the underwater mortgage crisis correctly, the Author will then show the reader how Hockett’s solution is not ethically appropriate in Part V. This Comment will evaluate the ethical resolve of Hockett’s solution using the legal philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas. However, the Author is confident that if the reader is willing to inspect Hockett’s solution against the facts of what created the underwater mortgage crisis, the reader will then develop an intuitive sense for why Hockett’s solution is neither ethically correct nor appropriate
A value chain analysis of Malaysia's seaweed industry
No full textA global shortfall in protein supply from capture fisheries has motivated the Malaysian government to revise its aquaculture strategy, focusing on three commodities: seaweed, fish and marine shrimp. However, the performance of the Malaysian aquaculture sector, particularly seaweed production, is poorly documented. This is the first empirical study to undertake a value chain analysis (VCA) of the Malaysian seaweed sector using stakeholder perceptions and secondary data that encompass members of seaweed farming cooperatives (the Semporna Area Farmers’ Association and the governments’ flagship Seaweed Cluster Project). Fieldwork was conducted between April and June 2015 among seaweed stakeholders involved in the value chain using a mixed methods approach—in-depth interviews with key informants, focus group discussions, household surveys, personal observation and secondary data. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from both upstream (seaweed farming, marketing structure and the Malaysian Good Aquaculture Practices [MyGAP] certification programme) and downstream (seaweed processing) activities involving farmers, intermediaries/middlemen (buyers), processors and officials. Kappaphycus spp. was sold in two forms: (1) dried seaweed to be used as raw materials in carrageenan processing (approximately 90% of total harvest) and (2) fresh seaweed to be used as a source of seedlings (approximately 10% of total harvest). The value chain ended with the carrageenan form, which is exported to international markets. The price of dried seaweed varied according to a combination of seaweed quality, the strength of farmer’s relationships with intermediaries and processors and in response to demand from the carrageenan industry. The prices obtained by Malaysian farmers for dried seaweed and carrageenan remained low, US 4.43 per kg, respectively, despite efforts by the government to enhance the value chain by imposing seaweed standards (via MyGAP) for farm management, dried seaweed and semi-refined carrageenan. The VCA was a useful tool to identify and map the market, with the results providing a better understanding of the seaweed sector, which could be helpful in supporting further aquaculture development in Malaysia
Is a cooperative approach to seaweed farming effectual? An analysis of the seaweed cluster project (SCP), Malaysia
No full textSeaweed (Kappaphycus spp.) farming has been practised in Malaysia since the late 1970s following government policy incentives (training and farming inputs). However, numerous governance, economic, environmental, technological and sociocultural challenges have limited the industry from achieving its full potential. The Seaweed Cluster Project (SCP) was introduced in 2012 to address some of these challenges. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the SCP in delivering its central objectives of increasing seaweed production, optimising the farming area, improving seaweed quality and farming efficiency, raising farmers’ income, and reducing the environmental impact of seaweed farming. Community and industry perceptions of the SCP were obtained from seven communities using a mixed-methods approach based on face-to-face semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, household surveys, observation and secondary data. Views on the SCP outcomes were generally negative, including low take-up rates by indigenous people, poor stakeholder participation in decision-making, limited acceptance of new technologies, economic vulnerability, a complex marketing system, and low social cohesion of seaweed farming communities. Positive perceptions included recognition that the SCP confers high social status upon a community, reduces operating costs, and facilitates the production of certified seaweed. The SCP’s problems are linked to poor multi-level governance, weak market mechanisms and unintegrated community development. The study concludes with five recommendations to improve the SCP: promote the participation of indigenous people; legalise existing migrant farmers; strengthen local seaweed cooperative organisations; provide entrepreneurship skills to farmers; and fully integrate stakeholders into decision-making
A study of procurement behaviour in small firms
No full textThe purpose of this paper is to introduce research which analyses buyer-supplier relationships from the perspective of small and medium firms (SMEs). The study to be outlined shows that actors within a supply chain are not homogeneous in terms of their size, resources and business motives, which bring into question the validity and relevance of the purchasing literature when examining small firms. The paper will explain the usefulness and importance of studying purchasing behaviour in SMEs and explain how these relationships might differ depending on the nature of the firm. The methodology for the field research will be explained in the paper. The fieldwork draws principally from a series of interviews undertaken with owner-managers within plastic moulding companies in Lancashire. The empirical data will be explored in some depth with a particular focus on their implications for practice
Effects of Moritella viscosa antigens on pro-inflammatory gene expression in an Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar Linnaeus) cell line (SHK-1)
No full textMoritella viscosa is the causative agent of winter ulcer disease in salmonids reared in North-Atlantic countries. In this study the effects of selected M. viscosa antigens on cytotoxicity and pro-inflammatory gene expression in an Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar Linnaeus) macrophage-like cell line (SHK-1) were examined. SHK-1 cells were stimulated with live and heat-killed bacterial cells, extracellular products (ECP) and an extracellular vibriolysin, termed MvP1. Following incubation, cytotoxicity and expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were examined at different time points. Both live M. viscosa cells and ECP were cytotoxic, but neither heat-killed cells, nor the MvP1 peptidase caused cell death. Expression levels of both IL-1β and IL-8 increased significantly after stimulation with live cells, but heat-killed cells only caused increased IL-8 expression. ECP did not affect IL-1β expression, but did stimulate IL-8 expression. The isolated MvP1 peptidase stimulated both IL-1β and IL-8 expression at the highest concentration tested. This study reveals a difference in the induction of pro-inflammatory gene expression in salmon SHK-1 cells between live and heat-killed M. viscosa cells, and also that an unknown secreted factor is the main stimulant of IL-β and IL-8 expression.ID: S1050464809000990; M3: Article; Accession Number: S1050464809000990; Author: Bryndis Bjornsdottir (a, b); Author: Mark D. Fast (b, 1); Author: Sandra A. Sperker (b); Author: Laura L. Brown (b, 2); Author: Bjarnheidur K. Gudmundsdottir (a, ∗); Affiliation: Institute for Experimental Pathology, University of Iceland, Keldur v/Vesturlandsveg, 112 Reykjavík, Iceland; Affiliation: National Research Council Canada, Institute for Marine Biosciences, 1411 Oxford Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2Z1, Canada; Keyword: Moritella viscosa; Keyword: Extracellular products; Keyword: MvP1 vibriolysin; Keyword: Atlantic salmon; Keyword: SHK-1; Keyword: Gene expression; Keyword: Immune response; Keyword: Pro-inflammatory cytokine; Keyword: Interleukin-1β (IL-1β); Keyword: Interleukin-8 (IL-8); Number of Pages: 6; Language: English;Source type: Electronic(1
Subsidence of dredged organic sediments in cultivated peatlands
No full textMany low-lying peatlands in delta areas undergo significant subsidence due to drainage for agricultural purposes. Subsidence may be attributed to shrinkage, consolidation or oxidation. At the same time the canals and ditches are regularly dredged to maintain water quality and drainage capacity. Often these dredged sediments are placed on land, which may help to slow down subsidence. In this study subsidence of organic sediments was monitored for a period of three years. The sediments were dredged from lakes and canals in the peatlands of Wormer- en Jisperveld, in the Netherlands and placed in an on-land constructed depot. Samples were collected at regular time intervals to measure water content and organic content. Additionally, laboratory tests were performed to characterize the organic sediments and determine the compression, consolidation, shrinkage and water retention characteristics under various oxidizing conditions. The laboratory tests showed that oxidation can significantly affect the compression, consolidation, water retention and shrinkage characteristics of organic soils. However, monitoring results in the field showed that the major part of the subsidence, which occurred within the three years of this study, could be attributed to shrinkage of the dredged sediments and the remainder to consolidation of the underlying peat layers, while the organic matter content did not change significantly
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