Post-processing of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers for transverse mode and polarization control

The operation on how high quality single-mode operation can be readily attained on etching circles in multimode devices is discussed. Arrays of such spots can also be envisaged. Control of the polarization state is also achieved by use of deep line etches. The output filaments and beam shapes of the conventional multimode vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSEL) is shown to be engineered in terms of their positions, widths, and polarizations by use of focused ion beam etching (FIBE). Several GaAs quantum well top-emitting devices with cavity diameters of 10 μm and 18 μm were investigated.

Water quality parameters of coastal shrimp farms from southwest and southeast regions of Bangladesh

The impacts of shrimp farming on water quality and effluent loading of shrimp farms in southwest (Khulna) and southeast (Cox's Bazar) regions of Bangladesh was investigated during March-August and August-October season, respectively. Water salinity fluctuated from 3.0 to 15.0 ppt in the southwest, whereas it was between 2.5 to 20.0 ppt. in southeast region. Total ammonia nitrogen as recorded in most farms of Cox's Bazar region was higher (0. 1160.438 mg/L) than the recommended level of shrimp farming. Mean values of total ammonia nitrogen and total nitrogen at the outlet of shrimp farms were higher than those of inlet in both regions. Mean values of phosphate phosphorus and total phosphorus at outlet were lower than inlet except in harvest time of Penaeus monodon. Total suspended solids were deposited on the bottom of shrimp farms in both regions, which resulted in higher concentration in inlets than outlets in both regions.

Studies on the egg quality of Penaeus monodon Fabricius based on morphology and hatching rates

Eggs of P. monodon are classified into 5 different types on the basis of morphological criteria and hatching rates: A sub(1) eggs, which undergo normal development with 58% hatching rate; A sub(2) eggs, which show delayed and/or abnormal development with 32% hatching rate; B eggs, which are unfertilized and characterized by irregular cytoplasmic formation; C eggs, which are unfertilized and show no change in appearance; and D eggs, which are unfertilized and show extensive bacterial presence. The establishment of a highly linear relationship between percent A sub(1) eggs and hatching rate provides a useful tool to aid the hatchery technician in determining which spawnings to reject outright and which to rear through the larval and post-larval stages.

Effect of delayed icing on the quality of tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon Fab.)

Effect of delayed icing on the quality of Penaeus monodon iced after three hours of harvest was studied in plastic and bamboo baskets. After harvest of three hours at ambient temperature (28°-32°C), ice was added to the shrimp at a ratio of 1:1 (shrimp:ice) and stored for 21 hours in both the baskets. Quality evaluation was carried out through visual assessment, biochemical analysis and microbial analysis for 24 hours. The organoleptic evaluation and scoring was done from the time of harvest treated as 0 hour and the average score was 10. At 9th hour after iced condition quality of shrimp was found reduced to the next stage (acceptable) with a score ranged from 8.4-6.5 in both baskets. This acceptable stage was observed throughout the experiment for bamboo basket whereas in the plastic basket the quality was reduced to a small extent with a score of 6.4 (moderately acceptable). Till the end point of the experiment the quality of shrimp was acceptable in respect to biochemical analysis. The microbial load was found log sub(10) 3.99±0.12 cfu/g to log sub(10) 4.33±0.21 cfu/g and log sub(10) 4.01 ±0.12 cfu/g to log sub(10) 4.83±0.19 cfu/g in the bamboo and plastic basket respectively. The importers or buyers suggests for immediate icing to maintain good quality but results of the present experiment suggest that the quality does not vary drastically for first three hours.

Effects of supplemental feed and fertilizer on growth and survival of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) post larvae in pond nursery system

The study was conducted to compare the performance of different nursing practices of giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) post-larvae (PL). Three treatments such as only fertilizers (T1), fertilizers with 5% supplementary feed (local feed) (T2), and 10% commercial feed (T3) were applied in the nursing system of prawn PLs in earthen pond. An earthen pond (315m²) was divided into nine equal small ponds by fine meshed nylon nets. Feeds were used once daily on a tray placed near the pond bottom. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in some water quality parameters like pH and total alkalinity, but all measured water quality parameters viz. water temperature, transparency, dissolved oxygen and ammonia-nitrogen were within the acceptable range for nursing of prawn PL. The results showed that the mean final lengths of prawn post-larvae were 6.3±0.07 cm, 7.12±0.22 cm and 8.17±0.16 cm in T1, T2 and T3, respectively. There were significant difference (p<0.05) in mean final length of prawn PL among the treatments. Significantly higher (p<0.05) average daily weight gain was observed in T3 (0.071 ±0.007 g) than in T2 (0.052±0.006 g) and T1 (0.031 ±0.002 g). The specific growth rate (SGR) of T3 (8.81±0.26) was found significantly higher (p<0.05) than T2 (8.35±0.22) and T1 (7.42±0.11). Survival rate (%) was also significantly higher (p<0.05) in T3 (66.24±1.58) than in T2 (60.52±1.64) and T1 (53.86±2.71). Therefore, it may be concluded that the growth and survival in prawn nursery was better in commercial feed than only fertilizers and fertilizers with local feeds.

Physiological and biochemical study of over-ripened oocyte in the cultivated Caspian brown trout (Salmo trutta caspius) and determination of egg quality markers

To determine the best time for egg stripping after ovulation and over-ripened oocyte in the Caspian brown trout (Salmo trutta caspius), the eggs were retained in the parental abdominal cavity for 40 days post-ovulation (DPO) at 7±0.6°C. Eggs were stripped every 10-day interval in 4 treatment and were fertilized with a pool of semen obtained from 8 males. Also, the physiology and biochemistry of the eggs and ovarian fluids were studied. Results showed that the level of eyed eggs and hatched alevins declined with over-ripening time: that is, the expected amounts (90.65 ± 6.28% for eyeing and 86.33 ± 6.82% for hatching) in newly ovulated eggs (0–10 DPO) decreased to 0.67 ± 1.34% and 0.49 ± 0.98%, respectively, in over-ripened eggs (30–40 DPO). However, larval abnormalities remained constant for 30-days after ovulation. During the course of oocyte over-ripening, the pH of the ovarian fluid significantly decreased and the concentration of glucose, protein, calcium, iron, and aspartate aminotransferase activity significantly increased. Moreover, the concentration of protein, triglycerides, and aspartate aminotransferase activity in the eggs also changed. In the newly ovulated egg, the yolk consisted of homogenous tissue and its perivitelline space diameter had no considerable differences. With over-ripening, the yolk became heterogeneous, while chorion diameter and micropyle did not change. The perivitelline space diameter varied among different areas. The present study demonstrated that the best time to take Caspian brown trout eggs after ovulation at 7± 0.6°C was up to 10 DPO. Among the studied parameters of the egg and ovarian fluid, egg quality was related to both ovarian fluid parameters (e.g., pH, protein, aspartate aminotransferase, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, calcium, iron) and egg parameters (e.g., cholesterol, triglycerides, iron, aspartate aminotransferase). Thus, these parameters can be used as a egg quality markers in this species.

The study of the ergosan and vibromax effects on growth performances, survival rate and increase of the resistance to some of the environmental stresses in post larvae stage of the Indian white shrimp

In this study, which has been done in Hormoz larve Hatchery at Kohestak in Minab at 1385, the efficiency of Ergosen and Vibromax vaccine and the effect of them on growth factors such as total length, Carapase, dry weight and the number of upper mordents of rostrum and survival of the stages of larvae and post larvae of Indian white shrimp was studied. Thus in order to comparison the effects of Vibromax and Ergosen, each of them separately, in one treatment, and in another simultaneously with one control treatment was used. Vaccination against larvae shrimps was done through Artemia. This study used four treatments with three replicates in a completely randomized design and comparison of means was done through Duncan test. Breeding larvae and post larvae of Indian white shrimp from zoa I stage to PL 15 was done in 20 litter plastic buckets. Present results indicated that the highest amount of growth and survival factors in larvae stage (from zoa to PL1), and also in stages of PL5 and PL15, in the treatment of Ergoson effect + vaccine and it was with a little difference from that treatment of Ergoson effect which was in high significance difference in regard to control treatment at α<0.01 level and treatment of vaccine effect and control treatment at α<0.01 level often have no significant difference. This research used environmental stress tests to study the quality of post larvae under experiment. Studying in this field showed that feeding vaccine to larvae of Indian shrimps which was done through Artemia nauplii enrichment ,and ergosen , in treatment of ergosen vaccine lead to more resistance of post larvaes against salinity stress tests and formalin .This case was observed in every three stages ,so that in stress formalin test 100 parts per million and also 10 and 20 salinity parts in thousands the most survival was observed in treatment of Ergosan effect+vaccine and after that in treatment of Ergoson effect and with a little difference in treatment of vaccine effect. Of course this case, in treatment of Ergoson effect + vaccine due to the synergistic properties vaccine with Ergoson was more than to other treatments, while every three treatments, in most stages had significant difference toward control treatment at α<0.01 level and the control treatment because of not having Ergoson and nauplii artemia with vaccine, having the least survival rate in this stages.

Aquatic ecology monitoring: water quality, fish, fish catch, sanitation and disease vectors: monitoring no.12, 25th-30th April 2013

Bujagali hydropower dam construction is now completed and a reservoir behind the dam has been created, extending all the way up to Kalange-Makwanzi, an upstream transects. During the 10th monitoring survey-April 2012, a third transect was established in the mid of the reservoir where it runs up to 30 m deep and sampled similarly as at the two original sampling transects, Kalange-Makwanzi and Buyala-Kikubamutwe for comparative purposes. This monitoring survey No. 12 undertaken between 25th and 30th April 2013 is the third one to be conducted after completion of construction of Bujagali Hydropower Dam. Two pre-construction baseline surveys in April 2000 and April 2006 were conducted and during construction phase, eight monitoring surveys (September 2007, April 2008, April 2009, October 2009, April 2010, September 2010, April 2011, September 2011) were conducted. Since 2009 biannual monitoring surveys have been conducted at an upstream and a downstream transect of the BHPP with emphasis on the following aspects: water quality determinants, biology and ecology of fishes and food webs, fish stock and fish catch including economic aspects of catch and sanitation/vector studies (bilharzias and river blindness). In the post-construction monitoring surveys, the assessments of algae, zooplankton and benthic macro-invertebrates which had been restrained since April 2008 were also included.

Post-growth and in situ annealing on GaInNAs(Sb) and their application in 1.55 mu m lasers

Rapid thermal annealing (RTA) has been demonstrated as an important way to improve the crystal quality of GaInNAs(Sb)/GaAs quantum wells. However little investigation has been made into their application in laser growth, especially at a wavelength of 1.55 mu m. When a GaAs-based laser is grown, AlGaAs is usually used for cladding layers. The growth of the p-cladding layer usually takes 30-45 min at a growth temperature higher than that of the GaInNAs(Sb) active region, which affects the material quality. To investigate this effect, various post-growth annealing processes were performed to simulate this process. Great enhancement of the PL intensity was obtained by a two-step process which consisted of annealing first at 700 degrees C for 60 s and then at 600 degrees C for 45 min. We transferred this post-growth annealing to in situ annealing. Finally, a GaInNAsSb laser was grown with a 700 degrees C in situ annealing process. Continuous operation at room temperature of a GaAs-based dilute nitride laser with a wavelength beyond 1.55 mu m was realized for the first time.

Use of computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) to evaluate the quality of cryopreserved sperm in red seabream (Pagrus major)

In the present study, the quality of post-thaw sperm of red seabream Pagrus major frozen with 6-24% DMSO was investigated. The motility, average path velocity and fertilizing capacity of fresh and their corresponding post-thaw sperm were examined for evaluation of the post-thaw sperm motion characteristics and its association with fertilizing capacity. An analysis of sperm motility before and after cryopreservation has been performed using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). For post-thaw sperm frozen with 12-21% DMSO, the percentages of motile sperm were not significantly (P > 0.05) changed 10 s after activation. Moreover, the main motility pattern and swimming velocity of the motile post-thaw sperm were not significantly (P > 0.05) changed and the progressive linear motion was still the dominant pattern. However, the total motility of post-thaw sperm (72.3 +/- 6.3%) 30 s after activation was (P < 0.05) lower than the corresponding fresh sperm (82.7 +/- 7.2%). Additionally, the fertilizing capacity of post-thaw sperm was investigated with a standardized sperm to egg ratio 500:1. There is a linear regression relationship between the percentage of motile post-thaw sperm and fertilizing capability. These data demonstrate that 12-21% DMSO can provide good protection to the sperm during the freezing-thawing process. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The Quality of Democracy in Belarus and Ukraine

Korosteleva-Polglase, Elena, 'The Quality of Democracy in Belarus and Ukraine', The Journal of Communist Studies and Transition Politics, (2004) 20 (1), pp. 122-142(21) Special Issue: The Quality of Democracy in Post-Communist Europe RAE2008

Team-teaching for inclusive learning: Purposes, practices and perceptions of a team-teaching initiative in Irish post-primary schools

Background. Schools unequivocally privilege solo-teaching. This research seeks to enhance our understanding of team-teaching by examining how two teachers, working in the same classroom at the same time, might or might not contribute to the promotion of inclusive learning. There are well-established policy statements that encourage change and moves towards the use of team-teaching to promote greater inclusion of students with special educational needs in mainstream schools and mainstream classrooms. What is not so well established is the practice of team-teaching in post-primary settings, with little research conducted to date on how it can be initiated and sustained, and a dearth of knowledge on how it impacts upon the students and teachers involved. Research questions and aims. In light of the paucity and inconclusive nature of the research on team-teaching to date (Hattie, 2009), the orientating question in this study asks ‘To what extent, can the introduction of a formal team-teaching initiative enhance the quality of inclusive student learning and teachers’ learning at post-primary level?’ The framing of this question emerges from ongoing political, legal and educational efforts to promote inclusive education. The study has three main aims. The first aim of this study is to gather and represent the voices and experiences of those most closely involved in the introduction of team-teaching; students, teachers, principals and administrators. The second aim is to generate a theory-informed understanding of such collaborative practices and how they may best be implemented in the future. The third aim is to advance our understandings regarding the day-to-day, and moment-to-moment interactions, between teachers and students which enable or inhibit inclusive learning. Sample. In total, 20 team-teaching dyads were formed across seven project schools. The study participants were from two of the seven project schools, Ash and Oak. It involved eight teachers and 53 students, whose age ranged from 12-16 years old, with 4 teachers forming two dyads per school. In Oak there was a class of first years (n=11) with one dyad and a class of transition year students (n=24) with the other dyad. In Ash one class group (n=18) had two dyads. The subjects in which the dyads engaged were English and Mathematics. Method. This research adopted an interpretive paradigm. The duration of the fieldwork was from April 2007 to June 2008. Research methodologies included semi-structured interviews (n=44), classroom observation (n=20), attendance at monthly teacher meetings (n=6), questionnaires and other data gathering practices which included school documentation, assessment findings and joint examination of student work samples (n=4). Results. Team-teaching involves changing normative practices, and involves placing both demands and opportunities before those who occupy classrooms (teachers and students) and before those who determine who should occupy these classrooms (principals and district administrators). This research shows how team-teaching has the potential to promote inclusive learning, and when implemented appropriately, can impact positively upon the learning experiences of both teachers and students. The results are outlined in two chapters. In chapter four, Social Capital Theory is used in framing the data, the change process of bonding, bridging and linking, and in capturing what the collaborative action of team-teaching means, asks and offers teachers; within classes, between classes, between schools and within the wider educational community. In chapter five, Positioning Theory deductively assists in revealing the moment-to-moment, dynamic and inclusive learning opportunities, that are made available to students through team-teaching. In this chapter a number of vignettes are chosen to illustrate such learning opportunities. These two theories help to reveal the counter-narrative that team-teaching offers, regarding how both teachers and students teach and learn. This counter-narrative can extend beyond the field of special education and include alternatives to the manner in which professional development is understood, implemented, and sustained in schools and classrooms. Team-teaching repositions teachers and students to engage with one another in an atmosphere that capitalises upon and builds relational trust and shared cognition. However, as this research study has found, it is wise that the purposes, processes and perceptions of team-teaching are clear to all so that team-teaching can be undertaken by those who are increasingly consciously competent and not merely accidentally adequate. Conclusions. The findings are discussed in the context of the promotion of effective inclusive practices in mainstream settings. I believe that such promotion requires more nuanced understandings of what is being asked of, and offered to, teachers and students. Team-teaching has, and I argue will increasingly have, its place in the repertoire of responses that support effective inclusive learning. To capture and extend such practice requires theoretical frameworks that facilitate iterative journeys between research, policy and practice. Research to date on team-teaching has been too focused on outcomes over short timeframes and not focused enough on the process that is team-teaching. As a consequence team-teaching has been under-used, under-valued, under-theorised and generally not very well understood. Moving from classroom to staff room and district board room, theoretical frameworks used in this research help to travel with, and understand, the initiation, engagement and early consequences of team-teaching within and across the educational landscape. Therefore, conclusions from this study have implications for the triad of research, practice and policy development where efforts to change normative practices can be matched by understandings associated with what it means to try something new/anew, and what it means to say it made a positive difference.

Post-1945 Danish Piano Trio Literature: A Recording Dissertation

This recording dissertation surveys post-1945 literature written for piano trio (violin, violoncello and piano) by ten Danish composers. The literature was first considered for inclusion by searching a database provided by the Danish Music Information Center (www.mic.dk). Scores were rented from the publisher Edition Wilhelm Hansen AS, or purchased from the publisher Samfundet til Udgivelse af Dansk Musik. An additional score published by Viking Musikforlag was used as well. The music was then studied and evaluated for selection. During the selection process, the following criteria were considered: 1) quality of the compositions; 2) recognition of the composers at the national or international level; 3) whether the compositions had been previously recorded; and 4) variety of compositional styles. The selected works are written by Niels Viggo Bentzon, Vagn Holmboe, Anders Koppel, Herman D. Koppel, Bent Lorentzen, Anders Nordentoft, Per Norgard, Michael Nyvang, Karl Aage Rasmussen, and Poul Rovsing Olsen. The selected compositions were practiced, rehearsed, and performed under direct supervision of the composers and other expert musicians. In order to better understand the compositional style of each composer, relevant books, articles, and recordings were researched and studied. This recording dissertation is supported by a written document. A subjective preference for program balance was exercised to determine the order of recorded works. The written document is divided into chapters defined by composer, following the order of the recorded document, which include the composers' biographies and notes referring to the recorded compositions. The recording took place at the Manzius Gaarden, Birkerod, Denmark during three sessions: July 31-August 2, 2002, March 2 and 3, 2003, and June 2-4, 2003. The music for this dissertation was recorded by the members of the Jalina Trio; Line Fredens, violin, Janne Fredens, cello and Natsuki Fukasawa, piano. Aksel Trige, a well-respected recording engineer, was engaged for the recording and editing. Additionally, a Hamburg Steinway concert grand piano was rented and a Joseph Guarnerius filius Andreas Cremona violin (1706) was provided by the Augustinus Fonden, Denmark. The cellist used her own instrument, Vuillaume of Paris (c. 1850). The expense of this recording was partially paid by generous grants from the Augustinus Fonden, the Solist Foreningen af 1921, and the Dansk Musikerforbunds Kollective Rettighedsmidler. The compositions selected for this recording dissertation are assumed to be previously unrecorded, with the exception of Poul Rovsing Olsen's Trio II.

Developing NGO competencies in post-disaster reconstruction: a theoretical framework

In the aftermath of recent natural disasters, NGOs have become increasingly involved in the permanent reconstruction of affected communities. These organizations, often operating well outside their expertise, encounter significant barriers as they implement reconstruction programmes. This paper presents the theoretical bedrock of a current research project, the overall goal of which is to design a competency-based framework model that can be used by NGOs in post-disaster reconstruction projects. Drawing on established theories of management, a unique perspective has been developed from which a competency-based reconstruction theory emerges. This theoretical framework brings together three distinct fields; Disaster Management, Strategic Management and Project Management, each vital to the success of the model. This theoretical study will incorporate a critical review of literature within each field. It is imperative that NGOs involved in post-disaster reconstruction familiarize themselves with concepts and strategies. It is hoped that the competence-based frame-work model that is produced on the basis of this theory will help define the standard of best practice to which future NGO projects might align themselves.

Beyond the shadow space: architecture as a professional and creative process; during and post-conflict.

Introduction

Much has been written about the impact of conflict on the physical nature of cities; most obviously perhaps the damage, destruction, defensive construction and spatial reconfigurations that evolve in times of conflict. Set within the context of Belfast, Northern Ireland, this paper will focus on three areas. First, a closer reading of the long-term physical impact of conflict, in particular, the spatial forms and practices that persist conceptually and culturally, and/or resist re-conceptualisation. Secondly, the effect of conflict on the nature of architectural practice itself, considering whether issues such as appointment and procurement impacted on architectural expectation and the context of operation. Thirdly, the effect of conflict on people, in particular in relation to creativity and hence the psyche of practice itself. This section will also identify the conditions that undermine or support design quality and creativity not only within times of conflict but also as society evolves out of the shadow space. 1
Twelve years on from the Peace Agreement,2 it may seem remarkable from an external perspective that Northern Ireland still needs to be reflecting on its troubled past. But the immediate post-conflict phase offered the communities of Northern Ireland place and time to experience ‘normal life’, begin to reconcile themselves to the hurt they experienced and start to reconfigure their relationships to one another. Indeed, it has often been expressed that probing the issues too much, at too early a phase, might in fact ‘Open old wounds without resolving anything’ and/or ‘Destabilise the already fragile political system.’3 This tendency not to deliberate or be too probing is therefore understandable and might be the reason why, for example, Northern Ireland's first Architecture and Built Environment policy, published in June, 2006, contains only one routine reference to ‘the Troubles’.

Clearly, however, there is a time in the development of a healthy, functioning society, when in order effectively to plan its future, it must also carry out a closer reading and deeper understanding of its past. As Maya Angelou puts it, ‘History, despite its wrenching pain/ Cannot be unlived, and if faced/ With courage, need not be lived again.’4

Increasingly, those within the creative arts sector and the built environment professions are showing interest in carrying out that closer reading, teasing out issues around conflict. This was led in part by the recent publication of the Troubles Archive by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.5 Those involved in the academic or professional development of future generations of architects are also concerned about the relevance of a post-conflict condition. As a profession, if architects purport to be concerned with context, then the almost tangible socio-political circumstances and legacy of Northern Ireland does inevitably require direct eye contact. This paper therefore aims to bring the relationship between conflict and architectural practice in Northern Ireland into sharp focus, not to constrain or dull creative practice but to heighten its potential.