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Investigation of peatland restoration (grip blocking) techniques to achieve best outcomes for methane and greenhouse gas emissions/balance. Controlled Environment (Mesocosm) Experiment. Final Report to Defra. Project code SP1202
Parametric Investigation of Seismic Interaction Between Precast Concrete Cladding Systems and Moment Resisting Frames
This paper presents the results of a preliminary numerical investigation into
the interaction between precast concrete cladding systems and moment resisting
frames. Macro-scale models of cladding systems are implemented in existing lumped
plasticity models for moment resisting frames. Different failure mechanisms and
various configurations are considered in order to show the effect of the entire
cladding system upon a structure’s seismic behavior. Several parameters are varied
in order to establish their associated influence on the overall structural response.
Results show that it is clearly more advantageous to have a failure mechanism
governed by the connection than one governed by either the panel or the frame.
An experimental program is now underway building on what has been learnt
from the parametric investigation. The authors intend to continue the research to
successively develop improved or innovative low-damage cladding-moment resisting
frame systems. They also aim to produce simple design tools that provide easy
inclusion of the seismic effects of cladding-frame interaction
Wide-Area Imaging of Ultrasonic Fields by Digital Phase-Stepping Shearography
Shearography, introduced in 1973 by both Hung & Taylor [1] and Leendertz & Butters [2], was developed from speckle pattern interferometry. Both methods are full- field optical techniques which generate interference patterns by combining a reference beam with the reflected light from a diffusive surface. However, a significant difference exists between the manner in which these two methods form their resulting interferograms. Shearography is a common path intereferometer; the reference beam is derived from the same beam as that used to probe the object. This distinction has a number of advantages including tolerance to rigid body motions, reduced laser coherence requirements, compact design, convenient sensitivity adjustment, and direct measurement of differential displacement. The advent of modern video cameras has allowed designers to build upon these intrinsic advantages producing a portable low-cost sensor. In this configuration, (electronic) shearography has gained acceptance as a nondestructive inspection technique [3–5], which is commonly used on aerospace structures and materials [6–10]
DynPeak : An algorithm for pulse detection and frequency analysis in hormonal time series
The endocrine control of the reproductive function is often studied from the
analysis of luteinizing hormone (LH) pulsatile secretion by the pituitary
gland. Whereas measurements in the cavernous sinus cumulate anatomical and
technical difficulties, LH levels can be easily assessed from jugular blood.
However, plasma levels result from a convolution process due to clearance
effects when LH enters the general circulation. Simultaneous measurements
comparing LH levels in the cavernous sinus and jugular blood have revealed
clear differences in the pulse shape, the amplitude and the baseline. Besides,
experimental sampling occurs at a relatively low frequency (typically every 10
min) with respect to LH highest frequency release (one pulse per hour) and the
resulting LH measurements are noised by both experimental and assay errors. As
a result, the pattern of plasma LH may be not so clearly pulsatile. Yet,
reliable information on the InterPulse Intervals (IPI) is a prerequisite to
study precisely the steroid feedback exerted on the pituitary level. Hence,
there is a real need for robust IPI detection algorithms. In this article, we
present an algorithm for the monitoring of LH pulse frequency, basing ourselves
both on the available endocrinological knowledge on LH pulse (shape and
duration with respect to the frequency regime) and synthetic LH data generated
by a simple model. We make use of synthetic data to make clear some basic
notions underlying our algorithmic choices. We focus on explaining how the
process of sampling affects drastically the original pattern of secretion, and
especially the amplitude of the detectable pulses. We then describe the
algorithm in details and perform it on different sets of both synthetic and
experimental LH time series. We further comment on how to diagnose possible
outliers from the series of IPIs which is the main output of the algorithm.Comment: Nombre de pages : 35 ; Nombre de figures : 16 ; Nombre de tableaux :
"If Not Me, Then Who?": Exploring the Challenges Experienced by Front-Line Clinicians Screening for, and Communicating About, Domestic Violence in the Emergency Department.
Screening for domestic violence in healthcare settings increases detection. The emergency department (ED) is one setting where victims frequently attend with injuries and illnesses sustained from violence. However, screening rates remain suboptimal. There is little research about how formal screening occurs, or how less structured interactions are negotiated within the ED context. This article explores this important, but non-mandatory procedure within the context of clinician-patient interactions in Australia. A descriptive qualitative study was undertaken with 21 clinicians across seven EDs in Australia. Thematic analysis was undertaken by two researchers. Results indicate a lack of confidence around DV screening, and tensions in clinicians initiating conversation while managing their own emotional stressors. No participants expressed knowledge of formal screening processes in their workplaces. Successful DV screening programs must provide clinicians with the tools to minimize perceived discomfort in initiating and sustaining conversations while accepting patient preferences regarding disclosure
Entrepreneurship in a Transition Economy: An Examination of Venture Creation in Hungary
This study examines entrepreneurs and new ventures in a transition economy, Hungary, and identifies what variables distinguish between Hungarian entrepreneurs and their new ventures in the pre-1988 transition period from that which followed. The variables that discriminate most strongly are their business strategies. The newer firms had a concentration strategy while the older firms had a new product development strategy. Other variables that discriminated between the groups include reacting to the political environment, satisfaction with firm performance, encouragement from investors, recent investment in building improvement, and family history of entrepreneurship. The newer entrepreneurs had more family role models of entrepreneurship
Electronic behavior of the Zn- and O-polar ZnO surfaces studied using conductive atomic force microscopy
We have used conducting atomic force microscopy (CAFM) to study the morphology and electronic behavior of as-received and air-annealed (0001) Zn- and (0001¯) O-polar surfaces of bulk ZnO. Both polar surfaces exhibit relatively flat morphologies prior to annealing, which rearrange to form well-defined steps upon annealing in air at 1050 °C for 1 h. Long-term exposure to air results in surface layer pitting and the destruction of steps for both the as-received and air-annealed (0001¯)surfaces, indicating its enhanced reactivity relative to the (0001) surface. CAFM I-V spectra for polar surfaces are similar and indicate Ohmic to rectifying behavior that depends on the maximum applied ramp voltage, where higher voltages result in more conducting behavior. These data and force-displacement curves suggest the presence of a physisorbed H2O layer, which is removed at higher voltages and results in higher conduction
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