Nineteenth meeting of national customs directors of Latin America, Spain and Portugal

First meeting on European soil. The Nineteenth Meeting of National Customs Directors of Latin America, Spain and Portugal was held in Palma, Mallorca, Spain, from 2 to 6 November 1998. The opening session stressed the importance of this being the first meeting held on European soil, and members were urged to pool their efforts to develop closer cooperative ties between the region's customs services.

FEA and microstructure characterization of a one-piece Y-TZP abutment

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The haematological profile of female bronze turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) vaccinated with various commercial strains of Newcastle disease

The effects of vaccination on avian blood parameters are poorly understood. The present study was designed to evaluate whether different strains (Ulster 2C, B1, live LaSota and inactivated LaSota) of Newcastle disease vaccines had an effect on the haematological profile of female turkeys. Seventy-five female turkeys were allocated to treatment groups according to vaccination strain. All the birds, except those in the control group, were vaccinated at 32 weeks of age and revaccinated at 40 and 48 weeks of age. Blood samples were obtained for haematological analyses and serum samples for the haemagglutination inhibition test. Haemoglobin concentration was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in vaccinated female turkeys than in the control birds 28 days after vaccination. Monocytes were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in 44-week-old female turkeys vaccinated with inactivated LaSota strain compared with the other groups. Turkeys vaccinated with the B1 strain showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) total white blood cell counts compared with the other groups vaccinated with various commercial strains of the Newcastle disease virus. In conclusion, female turkeys showed significant differences in haemoglobin concentrations, monocytes and white blood cell counts when vaccinated against Newcastle disease.

Biochemical and genotoxic effects of a commercial formulation of the herbicide tebuthiuron in Oreochromis niloticus of different sizes

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effect of surface treatments on the shear bond strength of luting cements to Y-TZP ceramic

Statement of problem Because zirconia is a glass-free material, alternative surface treatments such as airborne-particle abrasion or silica coating should be used for long-term bonding. However, these surface treatments in combination with different bonding agents and luting cements have not yet been studied. Purpose The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of surface treatments on the shear bond strength (SBS) of luting cements to Y-TZP ceramic. Material and methods Zirconia disks (N=240) were airborne-particle abraded with the following particles (n=48): 50 μm Al2O3; 120 μm Al2O3; 30 μm silica-coated Al2O3 (Rocatec Soft); 120 μm Al2O3+110 μm silica-coated Al2O3 (Rocatec Plus); and Rocatec Plus. After silanization of the zirconia surface, composite resin disks were bonded with (n=12) RelyX Luting 2; RelyX ARC; RelyX U100; and Panavia F. The bonded specimens were thermocycled (10 000 cycles) and tested for SBS. Failure mode was determined with a stereomicroscope (×20). The morphology and elemental composition of airborne-particle abraded surfaces were evaluated with scanning electron microscopy (×500) and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (×50). Results Surface treatments, cements, and their interaction were significant (P<.001). For RelyX ARC, Rocatec Soft and Rocatec Plus provided the highest SBS. In general, surface treatments did not influence the SBS of RelyX U100 and Panavia F. Regardless of the cement, no significant difference was found between 50 μm and 120 μm Al2O3 particles, between Rocatec Soft and Rocatec Plus, or between Rocatec Plus and 120 μm Al2O3 particles+Rocatec Plus. All groups showed adhesive failures. Different particle sizes provided differences in morphological patterns. The elemental composition comprised Al and Al/Si for alumina and silica-abraded zirconia. Conclusions Particle size did not influence the SBS of the groups abraded exclusively with alumina or silica-coated particles. RelyX ARC was more surface-treatment dependent than RelyX U100 or Panavia F.

Surface roughness and hardness of yttria stabilized zirconia (Y-TZP) after 10 years of simulated brushing

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Availability and Use of Audiovisual and Electronic Resources by Distance Learning Students in Nigerian Universities: a Case Study of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Ibadan Study Centre

This study investigated the availability and use of audiovisual and electronic resources by distance learning students at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). A questionnaire was administered tothe distance learning students selected across the various departments of the NOUN. The findings revealed that even though NOUN made provision for audiovisual and electronic resources for students' use, a majority of the audiovisual and electronic resources are available through personal provision by the students.The study also revealed regular use of audiovisual and electronic resources by the distance learning students. Constraints on use include poor power supply, poor infrastructure, lack of adequate skill, and high cost of access.

Sensitivity of Eisenia andrei (Annelida, Oligochaeta) to a commercial formulation of abamectin in avoidance tests with artificial substrate and natural soil under tropical conditions

Obtaining ecotoxicological data on pesticides in tropical regions is imperative for performing more realistic risk analysis, and avoidance tests have been proposed as a useful, fast and cost-effective tool. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the avoidance behavior of Eisenia andrei to a formulated product, Vertimec(A (R)) 18 EC (a.i abamectin), in tests performed on a reference tropical artificial soil (TAS), to derive ecotoxicological data on tropical conditions, and a natural soil (NS), simulating crop field conditions. In TAS tests an adaptation of the substrate recommended by OECD and ISO protocols was used, with residues of coconut fiber as a source of organic matter. Concentrations of the pesticide on TAS test ranged from 0 to 7 mg abamectin/kg (dry weight-d.w.). In NS tests, earthworms were exposed to samples of soils sprayed in situ with: 0.9 L of Vertimec(A (R)) 18 EC/ha (RD); twice as much this dosage (2RD); and distilled water (Control), respectively, and to 2RD: control dilutions (12.5, 25, 50, 75%). All tests were performed under 25 +/- A 2A degrees C, to simulate tropical conditions, and a 12hL:12hD photoperiod. The organisms avoided contaminated TAS for an EC50,48h = 3.918 mg/kg soil d.w., LOEC = 1.75 mg/kg soil d.w. and NOEC = 0.85 mg/kg soil d.w. No significant avoidance response occurred for any NS test. Abamectin concentrations in NS were rather lower than EC50, 48h and LOEC determined in TAS tests. The results obtained contribute to overcome a lack of ecotoxicological data on pesticides under tropical conditions, but more tests with different soil invertebrates are needed to improve pesticides risk analysis.

Antioxidant capacity and mineral content of pulp and peel from commercial cultivars of citrus from Brazil

Four Citrus species (C. sinensis, cvs. Pera and Lima; C. latifolia Tanaka cv. Tahiti; C limettioides Tanaka cv. Sweet lime and C. reticulate, cv. Ponkan) grown in Brazil were characterised in relation to contents of minerals, ascorbic acid, total polyphenols and antioxidant capacity of pulps and peels. In general, the peels demonstrated significantly higher contents of all compounds than the pulps (p < 0.05), with the exception of the Pera orange pulp that presented the highest acid ascorbic content (68 mg/100 ml), while the Tahiti lime peel presented the lowest (8 mg/100 g). Citrus showed high levels of potassium, calcium and magnesium, and the peels were considered sources of these minerals. The Ponkan mandarin peel presented the highest antioxidant capacity. The antioxidant capacity of citrus was correlated both to vitamin C and phenolics. Aside from citrus pulps, the peels are also good sources of bioactive compounds and minerals, and can be explored for their health promoting values in food products. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

When Shareholders choose not to Maximize Value: The Union Bank of Switzerland's 1994 Proxy Fight

The staid Union Bank of Switzerland, in a very close vote, won the support of its shareholders in its battle against an attempt by dissidents to guide the way the nation's biggest bank is run. The special shareholder vote, held in a packed Zurich sports hall, was one of the most keenly awaited events in recent Swiss financial histroy. The Wall Street Journal, November 23, 1994

Bank of Palestine

Ernst Davis

Abundance of mesozooplankton in the western part of the Black Sea in summer 2001 during the National Monitoring Programme of the Bulgarian Institute of Oceanography

The dataset is based on samples collected in the summer of 2001 in the Western Black Sea in front of Bulgaria coast (transects at c. Kaliakra and c. Galata). The whole dataset is composed of 26 samples (from 10 stations of National Monitoring Grid) with data of mesozooplankton species composition abundance and biomass. Samples were collected in discrete layers 0-10, 10-20, 10-25, 25-50, 50-75, 75-90. Zooplankton samples were collected with vertical closing Juday net,diameter - 36cm, mesh size 150 µm. Tows were performed from surface down to bottom meters depths in discrete layers. Samples were preserved by a 4% formaldehyde sea water buffered solution. Sampling volume was estimated by multiplying the mouth area with the wire length. Mesozooplankton abundance: The collected material was analysed using the method of Domov (1959). Samples were brought to volume of 25-30 ml depending upon zooplankton density and mixed intensively until all organisms were distributed randomly in the sample volume. After that 5 ml of sample was taken and poured in the counting chamber which is a rectangle form for taxomomic identification and count. Large (> 1 mm body length) and not abundant species were calculated in whole sample. Counting and measuring of organisms were made in the Dimov chamber under the stereomicroscope to the lowest taxon possible. Taxonomic identification was done at the Institute of Oceanology by Lyudmila Kamburska and Kremena Stefanova using the relevant taxonomic literature (Mordukhay-Boltovskoy, F.D. (Ed.). 1968, 1969,1972). Taxon-specific abundance: The collected material was analysed using the method of Domov (1959). Samples were brought to volume of 25-30 ml depending upon zooplankton density and mixed intensively until all organisms were distributed randomly in the sample volume. After that 5 ml of sample was taken and poured in the counting chamber which is a rectangle form for taxomomic identification and count. Copepods and Cladoceras were identified and enumerated; the other mesozooplankters were identified and enumerated at higher taxonomic level (commonly named as mesozooplankton groups). Large (> 1 mm body length) and not abundant species were calculated in whole sample. Counting and measuring of organisms were made in the Dimov chamber under the stereomicroscope to the lowest taxon possible. Taxonomic identification was done at the Institute of Oceanology by Lyudmila Kamburska and Kremena Stefanova using the relevant taxonomic literature (Mordukhay-Boltovskoy, F.D. (Ed.). 1968, 1969,1972).

"Cruel sacrifices of popish preests" : Teología y cuestión eucarística en The Discoverie of Witchcraft de Reginald Scot

Las siguientes páginas intentarán echar luz sobre la teología desarrollada por Reginald Scot a partir de una de las temáticas más propias del siglo XVI: la cuestión eucarística. Uno de los objetivos es demostrar que la idea que el inglés tiene de la divinidad no sólo es la causa de su desmantelamiento de la demonología positiva, sino también de la aproximación en igual sentido al dogma católico de la transubstanciación. Lo que se plantea aquí es que Scot rechazaba las bases intelectuales de la persecución de brujas por el mismo motivo por el que negaba la transformación del pan y el vino en el cuerpo y sangre de Cristo. Producto del contexto histórico de su elaboración intelectual, el autor utiliza su teología como una herramienta de proselitismo anticatólico, relacionando al papismo con todas las creencias equivocadas en materia religiosa. A su vez, se abre la posibilidad de rastrear si el inglés propone una postura eucarística positiva, y -en caso de hacerlo- cómo se vincula con la posición oficial de la Iglesia de Inglaterra y la de las corrientes predominantes de la Reforma continental