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Cieľom tejto bakalárskej práce bolo štúdium ópiových alkaloidov obsiahnutých v maku siatom (Papaver somniferum). Práca je zameraná na ich chemické a fyzikálne vlastnosti, biosyntézu či metabolizmus. Uvedené sú tiež rôzne typy extrakčných techník týchto alkaloidov z rastlinných aj biologických materiálov. Nakoniec, v poslednej časti sú vyhodnotené možnosti kvantitatívnej analýzy., The aim of this bachelor thesis was the study of opium alkaloids contained in opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). The thesis is focused on their chemical and physical characteristic, biosynthesis and metabolism. Various types of extraction techniques of these alkaloids from plant and biological materials are also mentioned. Finally, the possibilities of quantitative analysis are evaluated in the last part., Fakulta chemicko-technologická, Průběh obhajoby bakalářské práce: 1. Prezentace výsledků bakalářské práce. 2. Diskuze k posudku vedoucího bakalářské práce. 3. Studentka zodpověděla všechny dotazy a připomínky k bakalářské práci.

Downy mildew (DM) caused by the biotrophic obligate oomycete Peronospora arborescens (Berk.) is one of the most economically limiting diseases of opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) worldwide. The first symptoms appear as small chlorotic leaf lesions, which can evolve to curled and thickened tissues that become deformed and necrotic as the disease develops. The present study explored the use of high-resolution thermal and multi-spectral imagery as an indicator of DM infection. Work was conducted in two opium poppy field plots artificially infected by P. arborescens. Airborne thermal and multi-spectral imagery were acquired at 200 mm resolution on three dates in spring of 2009 using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Leaf reflectance and transmittance spectra of DM asymptomatic and symptomatic opium poppy leaves were measured using an integrating sphere. Simulation work was conducted with the coupled PROSPECT + SAILH radiative transfer model to assess the effects of the variability found in an opium poppy plot developing a DM epidemic on the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the green/red index (R550/R670) calculated from the multi-spectral imagery. The airborne flights enabled DM detection by using image-derived canopy temperature (Tc) normalized by air temperature (Tc − Ta) and the green/red index (R550/R670). Tmin for each grid unit was calculated to estimate pure-vegetation temperature removing background and soil effects. Tmin − Ta and R550/R670 were assessed as a function of aggregated NDVI clusters to compare asymptomatic and symptomatic plants normalized by similar growth levels. Results demonstrated that Tc − Ta and the R550/R670 index were related to physiological stress caused by DM infection. In addition, Tmin − Ta was found to decrease as the NDVI increased and symptomatic plants reached significantly higher (P < 0.05) temperatures for an NDVI ≥0.6. The R550/R670 index was positively correlated with the NDVI, showing significantly higher v

Presidential Study Directive-10 directed executive agencies to improve efforts in preventing human atrocities. Conflict analysis has identified that internal conflict has significant adverse effects on civilian populations. Apart from increased casualties arising out of collateral damage, civilian populations also suffer loss of income, destruction of property and food stores, internal displacement, and even involuntary conscription and forced labor. Reducing internal conflict is part of conflict prevention. Research into economic theories of conflict analysis has examined the role of primary export commodities as they relate to increases in internal conflict. As part of this area of research, this thesis examines whether illicit raw opium production, as a primary export commodity, appears to have a similar function with respect to conflict. Analyzing data on changes in raw opium production in the context of the national economy, and comparing that data to changes in internal armed conflict suggests that increased illicit opium production relates to increases in internal conflict. This apparent association implies that atrocity prevention may benefit from incorporating opium crop monitoring and eradication into planning efforts. The primary research question is as follows: If a nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reflects an increase in illicit opium trade, does this data demonstrate an increased likelihood of internal armed conflict? To effectively interpret the results of the primary research question, the secondary research questions focus on the following: (1) isolating the cause of any variance in results, and (2) explaining the qualitative relevance of these results to conflict prediction and atrocity prevention., The original document contains color images.

Opium poppy cultivation and drug trafficking have eroded Afghanistan's fragile political and economic order over the last 30 years. In spite of ongoing counternarcotics efforts by the Afghan government, the United States, and their partners, Afghanistan remains the source of over 90% of the world's illicit opium. Since 2001, efforts to provide viable economic alternatives to poppy cultivation and to disrupt drug trafficking and related corruption have succeeded in some areas. However, insecurity, particularly in the southern province of Helmand, and widespread corruption fueled a surge in cultivation in 2006 and 2007, pushing opium output to all-time highs. In 2008, poppy cultivation decreased in north-central and eastern Afghanistan, while drug activity became more concentrated in the south and west. National poppy cultivation and opium production totals dropped slightly in 2008, as pressure from provincial officials, higher wheat prices, drought, and lower opium prices altered the cultivation decisions of some Afghan poppy farmers. Some experts have questioned the sustainability of rapid changes in cultivation patterns and recommend reinforcing recent reductions to replace poppy cultivation over time., CRS Report for Congress

It is all too clear that there is a linkage between Afghanistan's drug lords and the Taliban and other anti-government extremists. Public statements indicate that this has been recognized strategic levels, but the linkage has not truly been acknowledged at the operational and tactical level. As a result, US military forces have provided relatively limited support to counter-narcotics efforts. There are frequent misconceptions about the ability of US forces to execute counter-narcotics operations. Department of Defense policy allows US forces to participate to a great extent and what is now needed is a refocusing of US military operations in Afghanistan to prosecute counter-narcotics efforts to the maximum degree allowed. US forces can and must do more to stop Afghanistan from falling into a narcotics abyss.

Opium poppy cultivation and drug trafficking have become significant negative factors in Afghanistan's fragile political and economic order over the last 25 years. Afghan, U.S., and coalition efforts to provide viable economic alternatives to poppy cultivation and to disrupt corruption and narco-terrorist linkages succeeded in reducing opium poppy cultivation in some areas during 2004 and 2005. However, escalating violence, particularly in Helmand, and widespread corruption fueled a surge in cultivation in 2006 and 2007, pushing opium output to all-time highs. Cultivation has decreased in north-central Afghanistan and skyrocketed in the southwest. In spite of ongoing efforts by the Afghan government, the United States, and their partners, Afghanistan is now the source of 93% of the world's illicit opium. Across Afghanistan, militia commanders, criminal organizations, and corrupt officials have exploited narcotics as a reliable source of revenue and patronage, which has perpetuated the threat these groups pose to the country's fragile internal security and the legitimacy of its embryonic democratic government. U.N. officials estimated that in-country illicit revenue from the 2006 opium poppy crop reached over $3 billion, sustaining fears that Afghanistan's economic recovery continues to be underwritten by drug profits. The trafficking of Afghan drugs also appears to provide financial and logistical support to a range of extremist groups that continue to operate in and around Afghanistan, including the resurgent remnants of the Taliban and some Al Qaeda operatives. Although coalition forces may be less frequently relying on figures involved with narcotics for intelligence and security support, many observers have warned that drug-related corruption among appointed and elected Afghan officials may create new political obstacles to further progress., CRS Report for Congress

Since its national debut in 1987, Fresh Air with Terry Gross has been a highly acclaimed and much adored weekday magazine among public radio listeners. Each week, nearly 4.8 million people turn to Peabody Award-winning host Terry Gross for insightful conversations with the leading voices in contemporary arts and issues. The renowned program reaches a global audience, with over 620 public radio stations broadcasting Fresh Air, and 3 million podcast downloads each week. Fresh Air has broken the mold of 'talk show' by weaving together superior journalism and intimate storytelling from modern-day intellectuals, politicians and artists alike. Through probing questions and careful research, Gross's interviews are lauded for revealing a fresh perspective on cultural icons and trends. Her thorough conversations are often complemented by commentary from well-known contributors. Fresh Air is produced at WHYY-FM in Philadelphia and broadcast nationally by NPR., (1.) New York Times reporter ANDREA(on-DRAY-uh)ELLIOTT talks about her recent New York Times Magazine cover story. She explains how the small Moroccan neighborhood of Jamaa Mezuak (Ja-MA mez-WOK)has bred terrorists responsible for a number of recent high profile attacks. Some were involved in the Madrid train bombings, some went to Iraq. She won a Pulitzer Prize this year for her series 'An Imam in America.' (2.) JOEL HAFVENSTEIN (HAF-ven-stine)worked in Afghanistan for a year trying to convince Afghan opium poppy farmers to give up what he calls "the perfect crop." Working for a private company funded by the United States Agency for International Development, it was Hafvenstein's job to provide Afghan farmers with small jobs like building canals and roads and hopefully, convince them to give up their alliance to the former Taliban government. (3.) Jazz critic KEVIN WHITEHEAD reviews the Dewey Redman reissue 'The Struggle Continues' (ECM)

Two new species of Idiomacromerus Crawford (Hymenoptera: Torymidae), Idiomacromerus luteus Nieves-Aldrey & Askew and Idiomacromerus mesoplanus Askew & Nieves-Aldrey are described from Spain. The two new species were reared from stem galls in the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum L., induced by the cynipid Iraella luteipes (Kieffer) (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae). The last instar of I. luteus also is described, and the generic placement and taxonomic affinities of the two species are discussed. Data also are given on the biology of the new species, including illustrations of the host plant and galls. I. luteus and I. mesoplanus are part of a community of undescribed parasitic chalcid wasps associated with the opium poppy stem gall. The remaining species will be described elsewhere.

This article presents a brief outline of caveats associated with the employment of fusarium oxysporum to eradicate coca and opium poppy production. These caveats are based on an analysis developed by Dr. Archie Dickey, an environmental biologist at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, Arizona, USA.

A literature review has identified six promising methods for the synthesis of fentanyl. Those methods have been compared for overall efficiency. The best method to date is identified.

Presidential Study Directive-10 directed executive agencies to improve efforts in preventing human atrocities. Conflict analysis has identified that internal conflict has significant adverse impacts on civilian populations. Apart from increased casualties arising out of collateral damage, civilian populations also suffer loss of income, destruction of property and food stores, internal displacement, and even involuntary conscription and forced labor. Reducing internal conflict is part of conflict prevention. Research into economic theories of conflict analysis has examined the role of primary export commodities as they relate to increases in internal conflict. As part of this area of research, this thesis examines whether illicit raw opium production, as a primary export commodity, appears to have a similar function with respect to conflict. Analyzing data on changes in raw opium production, in the context of the national economy, and comparing information to changes in internal armed conflict suggests that increased illicit opium production relates to increases in internal conflict. This apparent association implies that atrocity prevention may benefit from incorporating opium crop monitoring and eradication into planning efforts.