Following the 9/11 terrorist events in the United States, the Mexican Navy developed strategies designed to prevent similar attacks on the strategic facilities located in the Campeche Sound in the Gulf of Mexico. The Sound is of great economic importance because more than 83 percent of the petroleum produced in Mexico is extracted from that area. This also makes it a key potential target for international terrorists. This research analyzed and evaluated the Mexican Navy's allocation of surveillance and interdiction resources assigned to the Campeche Sound. The data was obtained via an agent-based simulation, implemented through the use of the software program Map Aware Non-uniform Automata (MANA). The simulation model includes the presence of terrorist boats attacking oil platforms, the Navy resources in the area, service-provider ships in the Sound, and fishing boats that often penetrate into the Sound's exclusion and prevention zones. From the study is concluded that: the most important threat factor in the scenarios is the speed of the enemy boats; and, with its broad surveillance and communication capabilities, the HAWKEYE is the most important navy resource in the area. The results also provide an operational guide to allocate the Navy units in the Campeche Sound.

This thesis explores how the Philippine-American security cooperation can contribute to building a sustainable peace in Mindanao by analyzing the proceedings and outcome of the 2002 RP-US Balikatan exercise at Basilan Island. Balikatan 02-1 was a counterterrorism cooperation wherein US military forces were deployed to the southern Philippines and provided training, equipment, and intelligence information assistance to the AFP in their combat operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group. Balikatan 02-1 successfully forced the ASG out of Basilan and this accomplishment facilitated humanitarian assistance and civic action projects that proved to be beneficial to the people of Basilan. Furthermore, Balikatan 02-1 helped restore a â new sense of peace and securityâ in the province. In view of these outcomes, this thesis asks how future Balikatan exercises may be conducted in order to contribute to a sustainable peace in the southern Philippines. This thesis argues that the RP-US Balikatan exercise series can be a tool for peace-building in Mindanao by means of concentrating its activities in the southern Philippines, as well as focusing on stabilization and reconstruction operations.

Cooperation Command (JSACC). JSACCs will allow the United States to succeed in supporting a partner nation in an environment that is neither war nor peace.

CHDS State/Local / Local law enforcement agencies play a significant role in domestic counter-terrorism and homeland security. The intelligence function of law enforcement agencies enhances their ability to detect criminal activity related to terror groups, as well as the ability to prevent, or respond to a terrorist attack. This research project identifies policies and procedures that could be implemented by local law enforcement agencies to enhance cooperation and collaboration with other public sector agencies, private sector security providers, and the general public. The policies and procedures are based on intelligence-led policing and public-private partnerships, and will generate the ability to increase the flow of information disseminated from, and collected by, law enforcement intelligence entities. The resulting intelligence developed by law enforcement intelligence can be pushed up to the state and national level to improve the nation's ability to detect potential terrorist activity, protect citizens, and safeguard critical infrastructure. / Captain, Nassau County Police Department

CHDS State/Local / Fire service personnel are ideally suited to contribute to the concerted national effort of homeland security. If they intend to be an effective component of this effort then a revamping of existing preparedness activities must occur. This thesis will analyze the effectiveness of the Los Angeles Fire Departments counterterrorism efforts to date. The central argument is that much more needs to be accomplished in the area of prevention strategies. The way ahead will require an analysis of the impediments to change which continue to obstruct the department's progress toward preventative measures. Barriers discussed herein are leadership, firefighting culture, lack of training and educational opportunities, and ineffective use of community involvement. The citizens of the United States have benefited from awareness and prevention programs in the past. Three models were considered to determine which attributes could be extracted and used to construct the foundation for a terrorism prevention model. Frameworks used in some nationally recognized agendas were studied in order to draw information for the development of a terrorism awareness program for first responders. Relative to each of these issues, a recommended course of action specific to the LAFD will be outlined in considerable detail. / Captain, Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD)

Class of 2009 Abstract / OBJECTIVES: Skin cancer is particularly prevalent in Arizona, with incidence rates ranking number two worldwide. Pharmacists are useful advocates for educating patients about the risks of skin cancer and methods of prevention. This study was conducted to assess pharmacists’ knowledge of skin cancer and their demographics and to evaluate how these factors impact skin cancer prevention patient counseling. METHODS: Participants were recruited using a listserv from pharmacists that were members of the Arizona Pharmacy Alliance or preceptors of the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy. Subjects completed an online questionnaire consisting of knowledge- based questions, questions about patient counseling preferences and subject demographics. RESULTS: The average score by pharmacists on the Skin Cancer and Sun Exposure Knowledge Indicator was 5.8 + 1.9. Pharmacists living in Arizona for longer times were more likely to know the minimum recommended SPF of sunscreen for adults to use when outdoors (p=0.003) and the factors associated with malignant melanoma prognosis/survival (p=0.004), but were less likely to know the definition of ABCD acronym (p=0.027). Having a family or friend diagnosed with any form of skin cancer or precancerous skin condition led to more pharmacists knowing the risk factors for developing melanoma (p=0.046) and knowing how often to apply water resistant sunscreen (p=0.035). CONCLUSIONS: The length of pharmacy practice in Arizona and having a family member or close friend affected by skin cancer significantly impacted a pharmacists’ knowledge of skin cancer.

Syftet med denna uppsats är att studera det allmänna skadeståndet inom arbetsrätten. Mer ingående ska denna uppsats försöka ge en korrekt bild av vad detta skadestånd fyller för funktion, inom ramen för systemet av ersättningar vid en överträdelse av arbetsrättsliga regler.   När det gäller skadestånd så är det rimligt att man ska få ersättning för ekonomisk förlust. Vad som inte är lika självklart är när det ska betalas ut ersättning för skador, där skadan inte kan mätas i pengar. Sådana skador har kommit att kallas för ideella skador. Under denna kategori finns exempelvis sveda och värk inom ramen för personskada och allmänt skadestånd i arbetsrättsliga situationer. Allmänt skadestånd är en typ av ersättning för den kränkning som exempelvis en felaktig uppsägning eller ett felaktigt avskedande inneburit för den skadelidande.   Parallellt med det allmänna skadeståndet så utgår i de allra flesta fall även ett ekonomiskt skadestånd. Detta skadestånd är ersättning för den faktiskt mätbara förlusten i pengar, exempelvis genom betalning av utebliven lön. Sammanfattningsvis så ska denna uppsats försöka ge läsaren en bred bild av vad det allmänna skadeståndet är för något och vilken funktion det verkar fylla.

No description available.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biology and Control of African Disease Vectors. Johannesburg, February 2012 / In Tanzania both Anopheles funestus and An. gambiae s.l. play a role as major vectors of malaria. Different species exist in the An. funestus group and the An. gambiae complex and play different roles in disease transmission. For malaria vector control programmes knowledge of vector species and their behaviour is key. A recent report on increased exophagy of An. funestus in southern rural Tanzania as a response to increased use of insecticide treated bed nets raised the question of whether there was misidentification of species and/or behavioural insecticide resistance playing a part. The present study used molecular tools to identify the species and determine human biting rates indoors and outdoors along with development and field evaluation of a new tool for sampling malaria vectors which is more effective than human landing catches. The results showed that the majority (96.2%) of the An. funestus group that were collected were An. funestus s.s. by PCR assay. Also, the exophagic proportion (45.9%) of An. funestus was lower than the endophagic proportion (54.1%), similar to other places in Africa, although in this study the difference was insignificant when untreated bed nets and treated bed nets were used. In addition, there was significant outdoor biting activity early in the evening that could lead to the malaria transmission cycle being unaffected by ITNs. The new trap, “Sticky Bucket Trap”, caught considerably fewer mosquitoes (14.2%) than that caught by human landing catches (85.8%), with statistical significance of P>0.05. These results imply that the sticky bucket trap is not a suitable substitute for human landing catches and some modifications are needed to make it more effective. Whereas indoor and outdoor proportions insignificant difference in feeding preference imply that both indoor and outdoor interventions should be used to control this vector.

Biotène® products have been developed with the intention of preventing tooth decay, plaque accumulation and oral infections in individuals with xerostomia (dry mouth). Not much is known about the effect of Biotène® chewing gums. Biotène® chewing gum contains host proteins. Due to these contents the manufacturer claims that Biotène® chewing gum is an “enzyme gum” that “boosts and strengthens the mouths natural defences”. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Biotène® chewing gum on saliva flow rates, saliva buffering capacity, plaque index, as well as salivary Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli counts, in healthy subjects with hyposalivation. One hundred and nine subjects with an age range of 18 to 23 years were screened for hyposalivation. Hyposalivation is a reduced salivary flow rate in a subject based on examination of the subject. Thirteen healthy subjects, who initially presented with hyposalivation, were included in the study. A baseline laboratory analysis of saliva was performed. Saliva was collected at rest and with masticatory stimulation, and measured. Resting saliva is saliva produced without any stimulation and can be obtained by allowing the subject to passively drool into a sputum jar. Stimulated saliva is produced as a result of stimulation of the salivary glands and may be obtained by allowing subject to chew inert rubber tubing while expectorating into a sputum jar. Buffering capacity was performed on both the saliva samples. Plaque index and DMFT was measured. Bacterial counts such as S. mutans and Lactobacilli counts were performed on the stimulated saliva. Subjects were given rubber tubing, xylitol chewing gum or Biotène® chewing gum to use for 2 weeks. A rubber tubing phase was introduced into the study to eliminate the effect of masticatory stimulation, which any chewing gum can provide. A xylitol-containing chewing gum (xylitol) phase was also introduced into the study in order to eliminate the effect of xylitol, as Biotène® chewing gum contains xylitol. A second laboratory analysis of saliva was performed. After a two weeks wash out period the second test product was given and the same procedure was repeated with the third product. The results showed that two weeks use of Biotène® chewing gum had no significant effect on the resting and stimulated saliva flows. It did not increase the buffering capacity of either the resting or stimulated saliva samples. Although it did not reduce the plaque index and S. mutans counts, it significantly reduced the Lactobacilli counts. Xylitol chewing gum, which was used as a control to eliminate the xylitol effect from the Biotène® chewing gum, significantly increased the stimulated saliva, reduced the plaque index and the salivary Lactobacilli count. Biotène® chewing gum which contains host proteins has no beneficial effects regarding saliva flow rate or against dental plaque and therefore against dental caries.