West & Central Africa, 1873 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Stanford's map of the Guinea Coast, West Africa including the whole course of the Niger, and shewing Ashanti and its surroundings. It was published by E. Stanford in 1873. Scale 1:6,336,000. Covers portions of West and Central Africa.The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Africa Sinusoidal projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, cities and other human settlements, territorial boundaries and claims, roads, exploration routes, shoreline features, and more. Relief shown by hachures and spot heights. Includes notes.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

West & North Africa, 1810 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Charte von Nord-Africa : nach dem neuesten Entdeckungen. It was published in 1810. Scale [ca. 1:9,875,000]. Covers West & North Africa and a portion of Europe. Map in German.The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Europe Lambert Conformal Conic coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, cities and other human settlements, roads and routes, territorial boundaries, shoreline features, and more. Relief shown by hachures.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

West Africa, 1799 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Charte des Reisewegs des Herrn Mungo Park : von Pisania am Gambia Fluss, bis Silla am Joliba oder Nieger, nebst seine Rückreise auf der südlichen Strasse nach Pisania, nach Her. Parks Beobachtungen, Bemerkungen u. Reisen entworfen von J. Rennell It was published by B.G. Hoffmann in 1799. Scale [ca. 1:5,000,000]. Covers a portion of West Africa. Map in German.The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Africa Lambert Conformal Conic projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, cities and other human settlements, territorial boundaries, roads, shoreline features, and more. Relief shown pictorially. Includes notes.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

West Coast of Africa, 1745 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: A draught of the coast of Africa from the streights-mouth to Cape Bona-Esprance. It was published by E. Say in 1745. Scale [ca. 1:19,000,000]. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Africa Lambert Conformal Conic projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, cities and other human settlements, territorial boundaries, shoreline features (ports, shoals), and more. Shows trading posts by national claim.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Iohn Huighen van Linschoten, His discours of voyages into ye Easte [and] West Indies : deuided into foure bookes

The second booke: the true and perfect description of the whole coast of Guinea, Manicongo, Angola, Manicongo, Angola, Monomotapa ... / and now translated out of dutch into english by W.P. (p. [3], 198-259) -- The thirde booke: The nauigation of the Portingales into the East Indies, containing their trauels by sea, into East India, and from the East Indies into Portingall ... / translated out of dutch by W.P. (p.[2], 307-447) -- The fourth booke: A most true and certaine extract and summarie of all the rents, demaines, tolles, taxes, impostes, tributes ... of the King of Spania ... / translated out of spanish into low-dutch by Iohn Hughen ... and out of dutch into english by W.P. (p. [3], 452-462)

Novel natriuretic peptides from the venom of the inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus): isolation, chemical and biological characterisation

Three natriuretic-like peptides (TNP-a, TNP-b, and TNP-c) were isolated from the venom of Oxyuranus microlepidotus (inland taipan) and were also present in the venoms of Oxyuranus scutellatus canni (New Guinea taipan) and Oxyuranus scutellatus scutellatus (coastal taipan). They were isolated by HPLC, characterised by mass spectrometry and Edman analysis, and consist of 35-39 amino acid residues. These molecules differ from ANP/BNP through replacement of invariant residues within the 17-membered ring structure and by inclusion of proline residues in the C-terminal tail. TNP-c was equipotent to ANP in specific GC-A assays or aortic ring assays whereas TNP-a and TNP-b were either inactive (GC-A over-expressing cells and endothelium-denuded aortic rings) or weakly active (endothelium-in tact aortic rings). TNP-a and TNP-b were also unable to competitively inhibit the binding of TNP-c in endothelium-denuded aortae (GC-A) or endothelium-in tact aortae (NPR-C). Thus, these naturally occurring isoforms provide a new platform for further investigation of structure-function relationships of natriuretic peptides. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Formulation and characterisation of cationic microparticles for the delivery of DNA vaccines

The aim of this research was to formulate a novel biodegradable, biocompatible cationic microparticle vector for the delivery of DNA vaccines. The work builds upon previous research by Singh et al which described the adsorption of DNA to the surface of poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) microparticles stabilised with the surfactant cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CT AB). This work demonstrated the induction of antibody and cellular immune responses to HIV proteins encoded on plasmid DNA adsorbed to the particle surface in mice, guinea pigs and non-human primates (Singh et aI, 2000; O'Hagan et aI, 2001). However, the use of surfactants in microparticle formulations for human vaccination is undesirable due to long term safety issues. Therefore, the present research aim was to develop an adsorbed DNA vaccine with enhanced potency and increased safety compared to CTAB stabilised PLG microparticles (PLG/CTAB) by replacement of the surfactant CTAB with an alternative cationic agent. The cationic polymers chitosan and poly (N- vinylpyrrolidone/2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate), dimethyl sulfate quaternary (PVP-PDAEMA) were investigated as alternative stabilisers to CTAB. From a variety of initial formulations, the most promising vector(s) for DNA vaccination were selected based on physicochemical data (chapter 3) and in vitro DNA loading and release characteristics (chapter 4). The chosen formulation(s) were analysed in greater depth (chapters 3 and 4), and gene expression was assessed by in vitro cell transfection studies using 293T kidney epithelial and C2C12 myoblast non-phagocytic cell lines (chapter 5). The cytotoxicity of the microparticles and their constituents were also evaluated in vitro (chapter 5). Stability and suitability of the formulation(s) for commercial production were assessed by cryopreparation and lyophilisation studies (chapters 3 and 4). Gene expression levels in cells of the immune response were evaluated by microparticle transfection of the dendritic cell (DC) line 2.4 and primary bone marrow derived DCs (chapter 6). In vivo, mice were injected i.m. with the formulations deemed most promising on the basis of in vitro studies and humoral and cellular immune responses were evaluated (chapter 6).

Hyphenated cultures: Ethnicity and nation in Trinidad

This dissertation attempts to unravel why and how postcolonial Trinidad has displayed relative stability in spite of the presence of the factors that have produced conflict and instability in other postcolonial societies.^ Trinidad's distinctive social formation began in the colonial period with a unique politics of culture among the landowning European groups, Anglican English and French Creole. Contrary to the materialist assumption of landowners' class solidarity, the development of Trinidad's plantation economy into two crops, each controlled by a separate European ethno-religious faction, impeded the integration and subsequent ideological domination of European-Christians. Throughout the nineteenth century neither group dominated the other, nor did they fuse into a single ruling class. The dynamics between them both generated recurring conflict while simultaneously creating mechanisms that limited conflict. ^ Based on original in-depth fieldwork and historical analysis, the dissertation proceeds to demonstrate that Trinidad's unique intra-class conflict within the dominant European population has produced hyphenated, as opposed to hybridized cultural elements. Supplementing the historical analysis with empirical examinations of contemporary inter-religious rituals and post-colonial politics this dissertation argues that social integration is inseparable from the question of inter-cultural mixture or articulation. In Trinidad, however, the resulting combination of distinct cultural elements is neither a "plural society" (M.G. Smith 1965; Despres 1967) nor an integrated totality in the structural-functionalistic sense (R.T. Smith 1962; Braithwaite 1967). Moreover, Trinidad does not conform to the post-structural framework's depiction of the social linkage between power and culture. The concept of cultural hybridization is equally misleading in the case of Trinidad. The underlying assumption of a monolithic European population's cultural hegemony and post-structural analysis's almost exclusive focus on the inter -class politics of culture seriously misrepresent and misunderstand Trinidadian cultural and its associated social and political relations. The dissertation examines this reflexive influence of culture not as an instrument of the powerful few but as an autonomous force that reproduces social divisions, yet restrains conflict.^

Helium and oxygen isotope ratios of ODP Sites 193-1188 and 193-1189

Fluid mixing processes and thermal regimes within the Snowcap and Roman Ruins vent sites of the PACMANUS hydrothermal system, Papua New Guinea, were investigated using 3He/4He ratios from fluid inclusions within pyrite and anhydrite and the d18O signature of anhydrite. Depressed 3He/4He ratios of 0.2-6.91RA appear to be caused by significant atmospheric diffusive exchange, whilst He-Ne diffusive fractionation precludes correction using 20Ne. 40Ar/36Ar ratios of 295-310 are elevated above seawater, indicating the majority of argon is seawater derived but with a magmatic component. d18O anhydrite ratios are 6.5 per mil to 11 per mil for Snowcap and 6.4 per mil to 11.9 per mil for Roman Ruins. Using oxygen isotope fractionation factors for the anhydrite-water system, the temperatures calculated assuming isotopic equilibrium at depth are up to 100 °C cooler than fluid inclusion trapping temperatures. It is likely that anhydrite is precipitated rapidly, preventing d18O equilibration. By comparing new d18O values for anhydrite with corresponding published 87Sr/86Sr ratios, seawater is inferred to penetrate deep into the Snowcap system with little conductive heating. A simple fluid mixing model has been constructed whereby the differing venting styles can be explained by a plumbing system at depth which favors delivery of end-member hydrothermal fluid to the high temperature sites.

Biological control of weeds in the 22 Pacific island countries and territories: current status and future prospects

Biological control of introduced weeds in the 22 Pacific island countries and territories (PICTs) began in 1911, with the lantana seed-feeding fly introduced into Fiji and New Caledonia from Hawaii. To date, a total of 62 agents have been deliberately introduced into the PICTs to control 21 weed species in 17 countries. A further two agents have spread naturally into the region. The general impact of the 36 biocontrol agents now established in the PICTs ranges from none to complete control of their target weed(s). Fiji has been most active in weed biocontrol, releasing 30 agents against 11 weed species. Papua New Guinea, Guam, and the Federated States of Micronesia have also been very active in weed biocontrol. For some weeds such as Lantana camara, agents have been released widely, and can now be found in 15 of the 21 PICTs in which the weed occurs. However, agents for other commonly found weeds, such as Sida acuta, have been released in only a few countries in which the weed is present. There are many safe and effective biocontrol agents already in the Pacific that could be utilised more widely, and highly effective agents that have been released elsewhere in the world that could be introduced following some additional host specificity testing. This paper discusses the current status of biological control efforts against introduced weeds in the 22 PICTs and reviews options that could be considered by countries wishing to initiate weed biological control programmes.

Strongyloides stercoralis - a Legacy from the Past

The authors present the case of a 65-year-old Caucasian man who had previously lived in Guinea-Bissau. The patient was diagnosed in Portugal with an anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis and started on corticosteroids plus cyclophosphamide, with clinical improvement. Some months later, his general status deteriorated, iatrogenic bicytopenia developed and immunosuppressive drugs were tapered. Microbiological tests identified numerous larvae and eggs of Strongyloides stercoralis in various biological samples, and a diagnosis of hyperinfection syndrome was established. The patient was started on antihelminthic drugs but developed septic shock and died. This case highlights a rare and severe complication of immunosuppression in developed countries.

Draft genome of the Leptospira interrogans strains, Acegua, RCA, Prea, and Capivara, obtained from wildlife maintenance hosts and infected domestic animals

In the present paper, we announce new draft genomes of four Leptospira interrogans strains named Acegua, RCA, Prea, and Capivara. These strains were isolated in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, from cattle, dog, Brazilian guinea pig, and capybara, respectively.

Caixa dos estímulos para o ensino pré-escolar

Dissertação de Mestrado para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Design de Comunicação, apresentada na Universidade de Lisboa - Faculdade de Arquitectura.

Age estimation of unaccompanied minors: A portuguese overview

Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Evaluación cuali-cuantitativa de espermatozoides de la cola del epedídimo de cuyes cavia porcellus criollos y mejorados en dos edades reproductivas

El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar las características cuali-cuantitativas de espermatozoides de cuyes extraídos de la cola del epidídimo según su fenotipo y edad reproductiva. Se realizó en la granja Irquis de la U. de Cuenca en 20 reproductores identificados por sus características fenotípicas y dispuestos en cuatro grupos: 5 criollos jóvenes (CJ), 5 criollos adultos (CA), 5 mejorados jóvenes (MJ), y 5 mejorados adultos (MA). Los cuyes fueron hemicastrados y de los epidídimos fueron disectados la cola sobre una caja petri. Se recuperó los espermatozoides por Swim up, diluidos en 1ml de medio (18% rafinosa y 3% leche descremada), procesados con Triladyl®, refrigerados a 5oC/1 hora, y equilibrados por 0, 2, 24, 48, 96, 192, y 360 horass para su análisis de viabilidad espermática. Se congelaron únicamente los espermatozoides de 2 hs de equilibrio en vapores de nitrógeno. Se usó un DCA de 2x2: fenotipo y edad, y se usó un ANOVA para comprobar significancia. Se obtuvo interacción (P<0,05) entre factores con eficiencia atribuida a MJ a las 0 hs: en Concentración (C) y Anormalidades de cola (AC), a las 24 hs: en motilidad individual (MIP) y 48 hs: en Vitalidad (VE). En MIP no se encontró diferencias (P>0,05) en ningún tiempo de medición. En VE sólo encontró diferencias (P<0,05) a las 96 hs (CJ:18,0;MJ:10,2;MA:8,6;CA:6,0%). En anormalidades totales (AT) sólo se encontró diferencias (P<0,05) a las 0 hs (MJ:26,3;CJ:32,6;MA:36,2;CA:38,5%); y en AC se encontró diferencias (P<0,05) a las 0 hs (MJ:4,6; CJ:9,5; CA:11,5; MA:16,4%), y a las 48 hs (CA:5,7;CJ:7,3;MJ:16,0;MA:18,1%). En Integridad de la membrana (HOS-Test) se obtuvo (P<0,05) diferencias a las 2 hs (MJ:20,0; MA:13,1;CA:10,7;CJ:9,0%) y a las 96 hs (CA:25,4;CJ:15,3;MJ:9,7; MA:8,8%). A la congelabilidad no se obtuvo sobrevivencia de espermatozoides en ninguno de los tratamientos. En conclusión, la cantidad y calidad de espermatozoides epididimarios de cuyes identificados fenotípicamente varía según su edad; sin embargo, no se pudo comprobar su variación en la congelabilidad mostrándose absolutamente inviables a la crío conservación