Re-engineering Sources of Law for Unaided Litigants

The better models of e-Gov posit high levels of informational communication between citizen and state. Unfortunately, in one area, that communication has traditionally been poor: that is, access to sources of law. There have been a number of reasons for this, but a primary one has been that law was historically mediated for the citizen by the legal profession. This situation is changing with ever increasing numbers of unrepresented litigants being involved at all levels of national court systems in each and every country as well as a generally higher level of intrusion of legislation into everyday home and business life. There have been attempts to improve access through internet based services, but these have improved communication (‘understanding of law’) to only a limited extent. It may be time, this article suggests, to consider re-engineering legal sources so that they better fit the needs of eGov.

Intrinsic variability in the detection of micrometastases in lymph nodes for re-staging of colorectal cancer: effect of individual markers and tissue samples

In this study, we investigated whether (a) carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytokeratin-20 (CK-20) and guanylyl cyclase C (GCC) are clinically useful markers for the molecular detection of submicroscopic metastases in colorectal cancer (CRC) and (b) whether overexpression of CEA, CK-20 and GCC can be reliably detected in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues as well as frozen lymph nodes. We studied 175 frozen lymph nodes and 158 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded lymph nodes from 28 cases of CRC. CEA or CK-20 or GCC-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out on mRNA transcripts extracted from the nodal tissues. Ten out of I I Dukes' B CRC cases had detectable CEA and CK-20 while 6 out of 11 Dukes' B CRC cases had detectable GCC. In general, the difference of re-staged cases when comparing frozen and paraffin-embedded samples was marked; the only statistically significant correlation between frozen and paraffin tissue was for the CEA marker. Our results indicated a high incidence (>50%) of detecting micrometastases in histologically-negative lymph nodes at the molecular level. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Preservation methods alter stable isotope values in gelatinous zooplankton: implications for interpreting trophic ecology

Jellyfish are increasingly topical within studies of marine food webs. Stable isotope analysis represents a valuable technique to unravel the complex trophic role of these long-overlooked species. In other taxa, sample preservation has been shown to alter the isotopic values of species under consideration, potentially leading to misinterpretation of trophic ecology. To identify potential preservation effects in jellyfish, we collected Aurelia aurita from Strangford Lough (54(o)22'44.73aEuro(3)N, 5(o)32'53.44aEuro(3)W) during May 2009 and processed them using three different methods prior to isotopic analysis (unpreserved, frozen and preserved in ethanol). A distinct preservation effect was found on delta N-15 values: furthermore, preservation also influenced the positive allometric relationship between individual size and delta N-15 values. Conversely, delta C-13 values remained consistent between the three preservation methods, conflicting with previous findings for other invertebrate, fish and mammalian species. These findings have implications for incorporation of jellyfish into marine food webs and remote sampling regimes where preservation of samples is unavoidable.

Catalytic hydrogenation of tertiary amides at low temperatures and pressures using bimetallic Pt/Re-based catalysts

Hydrogenation of tertiary amides, in particular, N-methylpyrrolidin-2-one, can be efficiently facilitated by a TiO(2)-supported bimetallic Pt/Re catalyst at low temperatures and pressures. Characterisation of the catalysts and kinetic tests have shown that the close interaction between the Re and Pt is crucial to the high activity observed. DFT calculations were used to examine a range of metal combinations and show that the role of the uncoordinated Re is to activate the C=O and that of the Pt is as a hydrogenation catalyst, removing intermediates from the catalyst surface. The rate enhancement observed on the TiO(2) support is thought to be due to the presence of oxygen vacancies allowing adsorption and weakening of the C=O bond. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of Pt and Re oxidation state in a pressurized reactor: difference in reduction between gas and liquid phase

Determination of metal oxidation state under relevant working conditions is crucial to understand catalytic behaviour. The reduction behaviour of Pt and Re was evaluated simultaneously as a function of support and solvent in a pressurized reactor (autoclave). The bimetallic catalysts are used in selective hydrogenation of carboxylic acids and amides. Gas phase reduction reduced the metals more efficiently, in particular Pt.

Re-imagining DDR Ex-combatants, leadership and moral agency in conflict transformation

Drawing upon criminological studies in the field of prisoner rehabilitation, this essay explores the relevance of the Demobilisation, Disarmament and Reintegration (DDR) framework to the process of conflict transformation in Northern Ireland. In a similar fashion to the critique of 'passivity' offered by, for example, the 'strengths based' or 'good lives' approach to prisoner resettlement and reintegration more generally, the authors contend that the Northern Ireland peace process offers conspicuous examples of former prisoners and combatants as agents and indeed leaders in the process of conflict transformation. They draw out three broad styles of leadership which have emerged amongst ex-combatants over the course of the Northern Ireland transition from conflict-political, military and communal. They suggest that cumulatively such leadership speaks to the potential of ex-prisoners and ex-combatants as moral agents in conflict transformation around which peacemaking can be constructed rather than as obstacles which must be 'managed' out of existence.

3D Analysis of Heat Transfer Intensification by Re-Entrance Flow Pin-Fins Microstructures with a Highly Thermal-Conductive Plate

Joule heat-induced hot-spot formation sets severe limits in the operation of continuous annular electrochromatography (CAEC), a new concept for preparative separation as an analog to analytical capillary electrochromatography (CEC). This may lead to eluent flow perturbance, even to boiling, which would massively weaken separation efficiency and may even hamper the stationary phase used for separation. For reasons of system integration and high-efficiency heat transfer, micro flow heat exchangers are considered with a separate coolant flow. A 3D numerical analysis of the heat transfer of water single-phase laminar flow in a square microchannel and different arrays of micro pin-fins was carried out using COMSOL Multiphysics. Several advanced materials with low electric conductivity and at the same time with high heat conductivity were put forward to be used in the CAEC system. As essential design point, it is proposed to constitute the micro heat exchanger from two different parts of the CAEC system, namely a microstructured pin-fins plate and a so-called conductive plate.