Recently, the agricultural, industrial and mining activities have led to increase in contaminant emission. Trace metals or herbicides are among the pollutants to be concerned in the world. In this study we evaluated the effects of the herbicide atrazine (at the concentrations of 5, 50 and500 µg L-1) and its combination with copper (Cu, 50 µg L-1) and chromium (Cr, 50 µg L-1) on duckweed over the period of 10 days in the laboratory conditions. We found that 50 and 500 µg atrazine L-1 severely impacted on the growth or even caused the death of the plants, whereas there was no statistically significant difference in the duckweed growth rate between the 5 µg atrazine L-1 exposure and control. In the combined treatments (50 µg atrazine L-1 with Cu; with Cr or with both Cu and Cr), the plant growth rate of atrazine with either Cu or Cr was strongly reduced. However, the mixture of atrazine with Cu and Cr did not significantly decrease the development and growth rate of duckweed. Besides, atrazine and investigated heavy metals resulted in turning whiteof duckweek leaves that evidence ofthe chlorophyll degradation. Our results showed the negative influences of the herbicide atrazine and metals on development and morphology of duckweed. / Gần đây, những hoạt động nông nghiệp, công nghiệp và khai khoáng đã và đang dẫn đến sự gia tăng phát thải các chất gây ô nhiễm. Kim loại nặng hoặc thuốc diệt cỏ là những chất gây ô nhiễm đang được quan tâm trên thế giới. Trong nghiên cứu này, chúng tôi đánh giá ảnh hưởng của thuốc diệt cỏ atrazine (nồng độ 5, 50 và 500 µg/L) và sự kết hợp của chất này với đồng (Cu, 50 µg/L) và crom (Cr, 50 µg/L) lên bèo tấm trong thời gian 10 ngày trongđiều kiện phòng thí nghiệm. Chúng tôi nhận thấy atrazine tại nồng độ 50 và 500 µg/L đã gây nên những ảnh hưởng nghiêm trọng lên sự phát triển hay thậm chí làm cho bèo tấm bị chết, trong khi đó, không ghi nhận được bất kì sự khác biệt có ý nghĩa thống kê về tốc độ tăng trưởng của bèo tấm giữa lô thí nghiệm phơi nhiễm 5 µg atrazine / L và lô đối chứng. Trong những lô phơi nhiễm kết hợp (50 µg atrazine / L với Cu, với Cr hoặc với đồng thời Cu và Cr), tốc độ tăng trưởng của bèo tấm khi phơi nhiễm với atrazine và Cu hoặc Cr bị giảm mạnh, tuy nhiên, việc phơi nhiễm đồng thời atrazine với Cu và Cr đã không làm giảm đáng kể sự phát triển và tốc độ tăng trưởng của bèo tấm. Bên cạnh đó, atrazine và kim loại nặng đã làm cho màu của lá bèo tấm chuyển sang màu trắng, điều này chứng tỏ có sự suy giảm chlorophyll. Kết quả nghiên cứu này đã cho thấy những ảnh hưởng tiêu cựccủa thuốc diệt cỏ atrazine và kim loại lên sự phát triển và hình thái của bèo tấm.

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In Sub-Saharan Africa, 76 % of the population lack access to electricity. This situation prohibits economic growth, causes major health issues, and impedes the education of its populace. Considerable work and effort are being made to increase the populace’s access to electricity. Even small amounts of electricity can make a difference and increase the quality of life. There have been several studies conducted that investigate possible solutions for small scale power generation in Mozambique, but the proposed solutions have not been implemented. Other studies have been carried out that investigate practical solutions for small scale power generation and implementing them, albeit not in Mozambique. This thesis therefore tries to cover the entire spectra, from possible solution to practical implementation, in Mozambique. This thesis is conducted as a case study, with a rural clinic in the village of Linga Linga, Mozambique, as case. The thesis analyses the clinic’s energy demand, the most suitable renewable energy resource for the clinic as well as local materials and components to construct a small scale power generation solution. The main research question that is answered is "What renewable and sustainable small scale power generation solution can be built, using local resources, to deliver electricity to a rural medical clinic?". To answer the main research question, necessary information was gathered, where Mozambique’s energy situation, renewable energy technologies in general and previous small scale energy projects in particular were studied. Thereafter, the energy demand as well as the daily variation of demand were investigated. An evaluation of which renewable energy resources that were locally available and most suitable was also conducted. Finally, a small scale power generation solution, using local material and components, was constructed and evaluated. The energy demand of the clinic was estimated to be 2 795 Wh per day, with a maximum power demand of 150 W. The energy demand consisted of five lamps and one refrigerator. Solar energy was evaluated as the renewable energy resource most suitable for the particular area. Moreover, a solar power system was constructed, with a maximum power of 880 W and a total battery energy capacity of 5 760 Wh, of which 50 % can be utilised without risking the health and lifetime of the batteries. The total cost for the solar power system amounted to 141 482 MZN, corresponding to circa 20 447 SEK. The purpose with the thesis was to evaluate a viable way to produce electricity and to implement a practical solution for a medical clinic. With a solar power system in place, the life quality of the inhabitants in Linga Linga has been improved. Looking forward, this thesis provides a piece of the puzzle for how electrification of rural Sub-Saharan Africa can be conducted, from energy demand to installation, and contributes to the Agenda 2030 goal of clean energy for everyone. / I Subsahariska Afrika saknar 76 % av invånarna tillgång till elektricitet. Detta leder till försämrad ekonomisk tillväxt, betydande hälsoproblem och undermåliga utbildningsresultat. Omfattande arbete och åtgärder genomförs för att förbättra situationen och öka tillgången till elektricitet. Även den minsta mängd elektricitet kan göra skillnad och höja livskvaliteten. Flera studier har gjorts där möjliga lösningar för småskalig kraftproduktion i Moçambique utreds, men inga föreslagna lösningar har implementerats. Det har också gjorts studier som har undersökt praktiska lösningar för småskalig kraftproduktion och därefter implementerat dessa, om än inte i Moçambique. Denna studie försöker därför täcka hela spektrat, från möjlig lösning till implementering, i Moçambique. Denna studie genomförs som en fältstudie där en klinik i byn Linga Linga på den moçambikanska landsbygden står i fokus. Studien analyserar klinikens energibehov, den mest lämpliga förnybara energikällan samt de mest lämpliga lokala materialen och komponenterna nödvändiga för att bygga en småskalig kraftproduktionslösning. Huvudfrågan som utreds och besvaras är: "Vilken förnyelsebar och hållbar småskalig kraftproduktionslösning kan byggas med lokala resurser för att förse en medicinsk klinik på landsbyggden med elektricitet?". För att besvara huvudfrågan har nödvändig information inhämtats, där energisituationen i Moçambique, förnybara energiteknologier och tidigare projekt rörande småskalig kraftproduktion studerats. Därefter undersöktes energibehovet och den dagliga variationen av energiförbrukningen i kliniken. Vidare utvärderades vilka förnybara energikällor som var lokalt tillgängliga och mest lämpliga. Slutligen konstruerades en småskalig kraftproduktionslösning av lokalt tillgängliga material och komponenter. Energibehovet för kliniken uppskattades till 2 795 Wh per dag, med ett maximalt effektbehov om 150 W. Energibehovet består av fem lampor och ett kylskåp. Solenergi utvärderades som den lämpligaste energikällan för applikationen. Ett solkraftssystem konstruerades också, med en maximal effekt om 880 W och en total batterikapacitet om 5 760 Wh, av vilken 50 % kan användas. Den totala kostnaden för systemet uppgick till 141 482 MZN, motsvarande cirka 20 447 SEK. Avsikten med denna studie var att utvärdera både en teoretisk möjlig lösning såväl som en praktisk implementering av en kraftproduktionslösning till en klinik. Med ett system på plats, har nu livskvaliteten för invånarna förbättrats. För den framtida forskningen bidrar denna studie till att lägga kunskapspusslet om hur elektrifiering av subsahariska Afrika kan genomföras, från energibehov till installation, och bidrar därmed till Agenda 2030 och det globala målet om hållbar energi för alla. / Na África subsaariana, 76 % da população não tem acesso a electricidade. Este problema inibe o crescimento económico, causa enormes problemas de saúde e conduz a precários resultados em matéria de educação. Trabalhos e esforços consideráveis têm sido envidados no sentido de aumentar o acesso à rede eléctrica. Por menor que seja o sinal de energia, pode fazer a diferença e melhorar a qualidade de vida. Diversos estudos têm sido realizados com vista a encontrar possíveis soluções para geração de energia de pequena escala em Moçambique contudo, as soluções propostas não chegaram a ser implementadas. Outros estudos foram levados a cabo de forma a encontrar soluções práticas de geração de energia em pequena escala e a sua implementação mas não em Moçambique. Esta tese, por sua vez, procura cobrir o espectro completo, partindo de uma possível solução para uma implementação prática em Mocambique. Esta tese é realizada como um estudo de caso, baseado em uma clínica localizada na vila de Linga Linga, Moçambique. A tese analisa a demanda de energia da clínica, os recursos de energia renováveis mais apropriados assim como os materiais locais e componentes necessários para a construção de um gerador de energia de pequena escala. A principal questão da pesquisa a qual se responde é " Que geradores de energia de pequena escala renováveis e sustentáveis se podem construir com o uso de recursos locais por forma a fornecer energia a uma clínica médica?". Para responder a principal questão da pesquisa, foi levada a cabo uma revisão literária, onde se estudadou a situação de acesso a energia em Moçambique, as tecnologias de energias renováveis no geral e os projectos anteriores voltados para a energia de pequena escala. Em seguida, a procura pela energia foi de igual modo investigada como variação diária. Foi feita uma avaliação sobre os recursos de energias renováveis disponíveis localmente e os mais apropriados. Por fim, uma solução para geração de energia de pequena escala com recurso a materiais e componentes locais foi construída e avaliada. A demanda da clínica foi estimada em 2 795 Wh por dia, com uma demanda máxima de 150 W de energia. As exigências de energia consistiam em cinco lâmpadas e um refrigerador. A energia solar foi avaliada como sendo a energia renovável mais apropriada para a área em particular. Adicionalmente, foi construído um sistema de energia solar com potência máxima de 880 W e uma capacidade total da bateria de 5 760 Wh, dos quais se pode usar 50 %. O custo total do sistema de energia solar totalizou 141 482 MZN, correspondendo a cerca de 20 447 SEK. A tese tenciona avaliar uma forma viável de produzir electricidade e implementar uma solução prática para uma clínica médica. Com o sistema de energia solar estabelecido, a qualidade de vida dos habitantes de Linga Linga foi melhorada. Olhando para frente, esta tese oferece uma solução sobre como se pode processar a electrificação da África subsaariana, desde a demanda pela energia até a sua instalação e seu contributo para a meta energia limpa para todos da Agenda 2030.

The Hebrew Bible is the product of scribes. Whether copying, editing, conflating, adapting, or authoring, these ancient professionals were responsible for the various text designs, constructions and text-types that we have today. This thesis seeks to investigate the many practices employed by ancient scribes in literary production, or, more aptly, scribal composition. An investigation of scribal composition must incorporate inquiry into both synchronic and diachronic aspects of a text; a synchronic viewpoint can clarify diachronic features of the text and a diachronic viewpoint can clarify synchronic features of the text. To understand the text as the product of scribal composition requires recognition that the ancient scribe had a communicative goal when he engaged in the different forms of scribal composition (e.g. authoring, redacting, etc.). This communicative goal was reached through the scribal composer's implementation of various literary techniques. By tracing the reception of a text, it is possible to demonstrate when a scribal composer successfully reached his communicative goal. Using Malachi as a test-case, three autonomous yet complementary chapters will illustrate how investigating the text as the product of scribal composition can yield new and important insights. Chapter 2: Mal 2.10-16 focuses on a particularly difficult portion of Malachi (2.10-16), noting patterns amongst the texts reused in the pericope. These patterns give information about the ancient scribe's view of scripture and about his communicative goal. Chapter 3: Wordplay surveys Malachi for different types of the wordplay. The chapter demonstrates how a poetic feature such as wordplay, generally treated as a synchronic element, can also have diachronic implications. Chapter 4: Phinehas, he is Elijah investigates the reception of Malachi as a finished text. By tracing backwards a tradition found throughout later Jewish literature, it is evident that the literary techniques employed by the composer made his text successfully communicative.

Background: Critical care is a relatively young speciality with its intention to treat critical illness equally all around the world. Patients admitted to ICUs receive advanced treatments in order to save lives, however some patients will pass away during critical care, which put family members in great physical and emotional distress. It is important to support family needs and keep core principles of palliative care in mind in order for patients and family members to cope with current situation. The need for palliative care is greater than ever, but in most parts of the world it is poorly developed. Brazil struggles with several challenges regarding implementation of a palliative approach within ICU settings. Aim: the aim was to explore nurses’ experiences of palliative care, focusing on family involvement in Brazilian ICUs. Method: semi-structured interviews were analysed using content analysis. Five female nurses were included from one public and one private hospital in the city of Rio de Janeiro, with an average ICU working experience of nine years. Results: three main categories were identified describing nurses’ experiences of palliative care and family involvement: to care for a dignified death, to promote family involvement and areas for future improvement. Discussion: the results reveal that the nurses, even though lack of professional training, believe that palliative care is important for both patient and their family members at the EOL. Brazilian nurses also face several challenges in order to perform palliative care successfully within ICUs. They struggle with strict visiting policy and the perception of nurses being inferior to physicians. There is a wish for acknowledgement of the nursing profession during EOLC in Brazilian ICUs, since nurses spend most time at each patient’s bedside along with their family members.

<p>This paper is the result of a minor field study conducted in Istanbul, Turkey, during the period of November and December 2007. The purpose of the paper is to investigate the current business environment for apparel manufacturing in Istanbul. Research was carried out through an industry analysis in terms of competition and potential future development for apparel manufacturers.</p><p>The research has been carried out through interviews with actors related to the apparel manufacturing segment. Interviewees include five manufacturers, two sourcing agents, one trade organization and one professor with research in the area.</p><p>Our findings concerning the business environment are based on Michael E. Porters theoretical framework on “How Competitive Forces Shape Strategy”. In the case of Turkish apparel manufacturers this paper concludes how the barriers of entry for new actors are high, unless integrating forward. Additionally in general terms the suppliers have a weak bargaining position while customers are relatively strong in the bargaining process. The rivalry among apparel manufacturers is low, but it can be stated how less differentiated manufacturer experience significant higher level of rivalry. Further on this paper also concludes how these factors not are affected by any substitute products, much due to the broad scope of the study.</p><p>In respect to these factors a general strategy used by apparel manufactures has been identified as they try to affect the balance of these competitive forces through e.g. differentiation and vertical integration.</p>

African monkey species are natural hosts of simian hemorrhagic fever virus (SHFV) and develop persistent, asymptomatic infections. SHFV was previously shown to also cause a rapid onset fatal hemorrhagic fever disease in macaques. Infection of macaques with a new isolate of SHFV from persistently infected baboon sera, that showed high nucleotide identity with the lab strain LVR, resulted in viremia, pro-inflammatory cytokine and tissue factor production, and symptoms of coagulation defects. Primary macrophages and myeloid dendritic cell cultures from disease-susceptible macaques efficiently replicated SHFV and produced pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6 and TNF-α, as well as tissue factor. Cells from disease resistant baboons produced low virus yields and the immunomodulatory cytokine IL-10. IL-10 treatment of macaque cells decreased IL-6 levels but had no effect on TNF-α levels, tissue factor or virus production suggesting that IL-10 plays a role in modulating immunopathology in disease-resistant baboons but not in regulating the efficiency of virus replication. SHFV is a member of the family Arteriviridae. The SHFV genome encodes 8 minor structural proteins. Other arteriviruses encode 4 minor structural proteins. Amino acid sequence comparisons suggest that the four additional SHFV minor structural proteins resulted from gene duplication. A full-length infectious clone of SHFV was constructed and produced virus with replication kinetics comparable to the parental virus. Mutant infectious clones, each with the start codon of one of the minor structural proteins substituted, were analyzed. All eight SHFV proteins were required for infectious virus production. The SHFV nonstructural polyprotein is processed into the mature replicase proteins by several viral proteases including papain-like cysteine proteases (PLPs). Only one or two PLP domains are present in other arteriviruses but SHFV has three PLP domains. Analysis of in vitro proteolytic processing of C- and N-terminally tagged polyproteins indicated that the PLP in each of the three SHFV nsp1 proteins is active. However, the nsp1α protease is more similar to a cysteine protease than a PLP. Analysis of the subcellular localization of the three SHFV nsp1 proteins indicated they have divergent functions.

Contexte. Les phénotypes ABO et Rh(D) des donneurs de sang ainsi que des patients transfusés sont analysés de façon routinière pour assurer une complète compatibilité. Ces analyses sont accomplies par agglutination suite à une réaction anticorps-antigènes. Cependant, pour des questions de coûts et de temps d’analyses faramineux, les dons de sang ne sont pas testés sur une base routinière pour les antigènes mineurs du sang. Cette lacune peut résulter à une allo-immunisation des patients receveurs contre un ou plusieurs antigènes mineurs et ainsi amener des sévères complications pour de futures transfusions. Plan d’étude et Méthodes. Pour ainsi aborder le problème, nous avons produit un panel génétique basé sur la technologie « GenomeLab _SNPstream» de Beckman Coulter, dans l’optique d’analyser simultanément 22 antigènes mineurs du sang. La source d’ADN provient des globules blancs des patients préalablement isolés sur papiers FTA. Résultats. Les résultats démontrent que le taux de discordance des génotypes, mesuré par la corrélation des résultats de génotypage venant des deux directions de l’ADN, ainsi que le taux d’échec de génotypage sont très bas (0,1%). Également, la corrélation entre les résultats de phénotypes prédit par génotypage et les phénotypes réels obtenus par sérologie des globules rouges et plaquettes sanguines, varient entre 97% et 100%. Les erreurs expérimentales ou encore de traitement des bases de données ainsi que de rares polymorphismes influençant la conformation des antigènes, pourraient expliquer les différences de résultats. Cependant, compte tenu du fait que les résultats de phénotypages obtenus par génotypes seront toujours co-vérifiés avant toute transfusion sanguine par les technologies standards approuvés par les instances gouvernementales, les taux de corrélation obtenus sont de loin supérieurs aux critères de succès attendus pour le projet. Conclusion. Le profilage génétique des antigènes mineurs du sang permettra de créer une banque informatique centralisée des phénotypes des donneurs, permettant ainsi aux banques de sang de rapidement retrouver les profiles compatibles entre les donneurs et les receveurs. / Background. ABO and Rh(D) phenotyping of both blood donors and transfused patients is routinely performed by blood banks to ensure compatibility. These analyses are done by antibody-based agglutination assays. However, blood is not routinely tested for minor blood group antigens on a regular basis because of cost and time constraints. This can result in alloimmunization of the patient against one or more minor antigens and may complicate future transfusions. Study design and Methods. To address this problem, we have generated an assay on the GenomeLab SNPstream genotyping system (Beckman Coulter, Fullerton, CA) to simultaneously test polymorphisms linked to 22 different blood antigens using donor’s DNA isolated from minute amounts of white blood cells. Results. The results showed that both the error rate of the assay, as measured by the strand concordance rate, and the no-call rate were very low (0.1%). The concordance rate with the actual red blood cell and platelet serology data varied from 97 to 100%. Experimental or database errors as well as rare polymorphisms contributing to antigen conformation could explain the observed differences. However, these rates are well above requirements since phenotyping and cross-matching will always be performed prior to transfusion. Conclusion. Molecular profiling of blood donors for minor red blood cell and platelet antigens will give blood banks instant access to many different compatible donors through the set-up of a centralized data storage system.

The selected aspects of the legal relationship of doctor, parents and minor patient - the criminal aspects. (Abstract) This paper discusses various legal aspects of the relationship, which may arise between a minor patient, his parents and his doctor (or other appropriate health professional). The most important general rule holds good also in the Czech healthcare law. The general rule says that any interference with bodily integrity, and therefore each therapeutic medical intervention, can take place only with the consent of the patient. To be eligible to make such an agreement is a crucial legal capacity according to the arrangements of the Czech Civil Code. If someone is not eligible in this way about himself decide to grant consent to an intervention, it must be done by his legal guardian. In the case of minors it is usually intended by both parents. The most important regulation of the legal issues that arise in the care of the patient is found in Act No. 20/1966 Coll. Health Care. However from the perspective of the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine this regulation appears to be somewhat outdated and patients and physicians (as well as other medical staff) find the law like overly complex, unintelligible and therefore unsuitable for their use. Unfortunately this law should help and serve...

Mouse polyomavirus is a type species of Polyomaviridae family and serves as model for studying viral infection of human pathogenic polyomaviruses. Minor proteins of viral capsid have been found to be necessary for effective initiation of infection. In order to study their role in the early steps of infection we utilized the novel Cre-LoxP system for production of the viral mutant lacking both minor proteins. Virus produced this way was compared with virus produced by standard method and we found that both systems facilitate production of mutant virus with the comparable quality and quantity. The mutant virus contained reduced amount of viral DNA and formed virions with impaired stability. For further studies of intracellular virion trafficking we prepared virions with genomes modified by thymidine analogues 5- bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) and optimized the methods for analogue detection. The viral genome become accessible for detection 4 hours post infection. For ultramicroscopic analysis of translocation of virus to the nucleus we used freeze substitution. All this methods will be utilized for detailed study of distinct steps in viral infection. Key words: Mouse polyomavirus, minor proteins,...