Climate change adaptation and vulnerability assessment of water resources systems in developing countries: a generalized framework and a feasibility study in Bangladesh

Water is the primary medium through which climate change influences the Earth’s ecosystems and therefore people’s livelihoods and wellbeing. Besides climatic change, current demographic trends, economic development and related land use changes have direct impact on increasing demand for freshwater resources. Taken together, the net effect of these supply and demand changes is affecting the vulnerability of water resources. The concept of ‘vulnerability’ is not straightforward as there is no universally accepted approach for assessing vulnerability. In this study, we review the evolution of approaches to vulnerability assessment related to water resources. From the current practices, we identify research gaps, and approaches to overcome these gaps a generalized assessment framework is developed. A feasibility study is then presented in the context of the Lower Brahmaputra River Basin (LBRB). The results of the feasibility study identify the current main constraints (e.g., lack of institutional coordination) and opportunities (e.g., adaptation) of LBRB. The results of this study can be helpful for innovative research and management initiatives and the described framework can be widely used as a guideline for the vulnerability assessment of water resources systems, particularly in developing countries

Further education in transition

This paper provides an overview of the national perspective in further education (FE) developments in Information and Learning Technology (ILT) since 1992, from the unique perspective of a number of key staff members at the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta) and a member of staff with a role in quality improvement in the Further Education Funding Council (FEFC). It sets in context the research reported in this section in the papers by Cockrill et al. and Caven‐Atack

The use of geomagnetic field models in magnetic surveys

The importance of global geomagnetic field models for the reduction of magnetic surveys is discussed. It is demonstrated that a numerical model with adequate secular variation correction, provides a suitable representation of the regional field. The limitations of the presently available models are reported, with emphasis on the International Geomagnetic Reference Field

Correlation between genetic polymorphisms and stroke recovery: analysis of the GAIN Americas and GAIN International Studies.

Background and purposeRecovery after stroke occurs on the basis of specific molecular events. Genetic polymorphisms associated with impaired neural repair or plasticity might reduce recovery from stroke and might also account for some of the intersubject variability in stroke recovery. This study hypothesized that the ApoE ε4 polymorphism and the val(66) met polymorphism for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are each associated with poorer outcome after stroke. Associations with mitochondrial genotype were also explored.MethodsGenotypes were determined in 255 stroke patients who also received behavioral evaluations in the Glycine Antagonist In Neuroprotection (GAIN) clinical trials. The primary outcome measure was recovery during the first month post-stroke, as this is the time when neural repair is at a maximum and so when genetic influences might have their largest impact. Two secondary outcome measures at 3 months post-stroke were also examined.Results  Genotype groups were similar acutely post-stroke. Presence of the ApoE ε4 polymorphism was associated with significantly poorer recovery over the first month post-stroke (P = 0.023) and with a lower proportion of subjects with minimal or no disability (modified Rankin score 0-1, P = 0.01) at 3 months post-stroke. Indeed, those with this polymorphism were approximately half as likely to achieve minimal or no disability (18.2%) versus those with polymorphism absent (35.5%). Findings were confirmed in multivariate models. Results suggested possible effects from the val(66) met BDNF polymorphism and from the R0 mitochondrial DNA haplotype.Conclusions  Genetic factors, particularly the ApoE ε4 polymorphism, might contribute to variability in outcomes after stroke

Comparison of irradiation damage in artifical and natural graphite at different irradiation temperatures

COMPARISON Of IRRADIATION DAMAGE IN ARTIFICIAL AND NATURAL GRAPHITE AT DIFFERENTIRRADIATION TEMPERATURES. Results of irradiation experiments on artificial and natural graphite in the three temperature ranges 70 - 150°C, 300 - 400°C and 550 - 650°C are compared. These irradiation experiments were carried out in core or pool positions of tbe GETR. Vallecitos. The samples investigated received neutron doses up to 5x10$^{21}$ nvt with E > 0.17 eV, which is approximately 3X1O$^{21}$ nvt with E > 0.18 MeV. Changes in the lattice parameters. the electric and thermal conductivity, the macroscopic dimensions and the bending strength are discussed. The natural graphite samples investigated were manufactured partly with, partly without a binding material. The results obtained during these investigations indicate, in addition to the dependence on the irradiation temperature and the neutron dose, a strong influence exerted by tbe basic materials, the treatment during production and the density. Strong anisotropic effects in natural graphite at lower irradiation temperatures, resulting from the treatment during production, level out at higher irradiation temperatures