Observations on Stoloniferous grasses in Kenya

Volume: XX

Sonic spectrometer and treatment system

A novel system and method for treating an object with sonic waveforms. A traveling broad-band sonic waveform containing a broad-band of sonic frequencies is radiated at the object. A traveling reflected sonic waveform containing sonic frequencies reflected by the object is received in response to the traveling broad-band sonic waveform. A traveling transmitted sonic waveform containing sonic frequencies transmitted through the object is also received in response to the traveling broad-band sonic waveform. In a resonance mode, the frequency spectra of the broad-band and reflected sonic waveforms is analyzed so as to select one or more sonic frequencies that cause the object to resonate. An electrical resonance treatment sonic waveform containing the sonic frequencies that cause the object to resonate is then radiated at the object so as to treat the object. In an absorption mode, the frequency spectra of the electrical broad-band, reflected, and transmitted sonic waveforms is compared so as to select one or more sonic frequencies that are absorbed by the object. An electrical absorption treatment sonic waveform containing the sonic frequencies that are absorbed by the object is then radiated at the object so as to treat the object

Pinvox Method to Enhance Self-Study in Blended Learning: Experiences at University of Bucharest

We report results on the first large-scale trial implementation of the new Pinvox algorithm carried out at the Department of Distance Learning (DL) of the University of Bucharest to encourage hundreds of Bachelor and Master DL students to perform their self-study. Pinvox is an open source tool that helps to ensure "on-line attendance" and to induce "student's attention��� through the identification of different, randomly selected, brief audio PINs embedded automatically in videos or audio files assigned to each student. We argue that checking how students watched a video lecture has many advantages in the formative assessment work

Thermal lattice boltzmann simulation of diffusion/ forced convection using a double mrt model

The Lattice-Boltzmann method (LBM) is an alternative and flexible approach for computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Unlike many other direct numerical simulation (DNS) techniques, LBM is not solving the Navier-Stokes equations but is based on the kinetic theory and the discrete Boltzmann equation. LBM utilizes a Cartesian mesh and hence does not require a complex mesh derivation or a re-meshing in case of moving boundaries. Thermal LBM (TLBM) which is capable of solving thermal convection/diffusion problems relies on a set of two distribution functions, the so called double distribution function (DDF) approach; one for the fluid density and one for the internal energy. For the carried out numerical investigations a 3D TLBM framework is derived involving a multiple-relaxation-time (MRT) collision operator for both, the fluid and the temperature field which is yet not applied widely. Hydrodynamic and thermal boundary conditions are represented by interpolated bounce back schemes. The derived TLBM framework is applied to diffusion and convection-diffusion problems (e.g. forced convection) for plane and curved boundaries and is validated against analytical solutions, when available or compared to established correlations. The thermal MRT operator is further compared against an existing LBM model based on a thermal Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook (BGK) operator regarding accuracy and numerical stability. Averaged and local heat transfer coefficients are presented. The findings indicate that the double MRT framework with interpolated boundary conditions offers a highly accurate and efficient approach for the analysis of heat transfer problems especially for particle/fluid systems under detailed resolved flow

Method and means for dynamic measurement of rates of adsorption from solutions

A method and apparatus for dynamic measurement of rates of absorption from solutions. The method has the advantage of avoiding the use of solvent normally used to establish a baseline. The method involves pre-evacuating the adsorbent contained in an adsorbent cell and thereafter rapidly contacting the adsorbent with analytical solution, all without prior exposure of adsorbent to pure solvent. The result is a sharp characteristic adsorption line

Un sport anglais importé de France: Le rugby comme objet de recherche sur l'élite en Roumanie (1913-1940)

Cette contribution analyse l’émergence du rugby en Roumanie comme une discipline de l’élite, circonscrite à Bucarest. Nous argumentons que, alors que ce caractère élitiste vient des origines sociales des joueurs, l’échec à populariser ce sport au-delà des frontières de la capitale renvoie à un problème structurel. Cependant, la particularité la plus intéressante concernant le rugby roumain est son origine française, ce qui fut également et publiquement mis en avant durant la période communiste. Ces deux particularités (ascendance française et statut élitiste) furent excellemment visibles lors la participation de la Roumanie à deux tournois internationaux majeurs qui se tinrent à Paris au lendemain de la Première guerre mondiale, les Jeux interalliés de 1919 (Pershing Games) et les Jeux olympiques de 1924. Traduit de l'allemand par Joris Lehnert.Cette contribution analyse l’émergence du rugby en Roumanie comme une discipline de l’élite, circonscrite à Bucarest. Nous argumentons que, alors que ce caractère élitiste vient des origines sociales des joueurs, l’échec à populariser ce sport au-delà des frontières de la capitale renvoie à un problème structurel. Cependant, la particularité la plus intéressante concernant le rugby roumain est son origine française, ce qui fut également et publiquement mis en avant durant la période communiste. Ces deux particularités (ascendance française et statut élitiste) furent excellemment visibles lors la participation de la Roumanie à deux tournois internationaux majeurs qui se tinrent à Paris au lendemain de la Première guerre mondiale, les Jeux interalliés de 1919 (Pershing Games) et les Jeux olympiques de 1924. Traduit de l'allemand par Joris Lehnert

Computational study of amiloride – a WADA banned molecule

Amiloride (AMI) is a representative of diuretics. Among other purposes, it is utilized for high blood pressure or swelling induced by heart failure. While it is identified as one of the safest medicines available, it is also listed in the World Anti-doping Agency’s list of substances banned in sport, because it is considered a masking agent. Since it has been abused in sports, methods have been developed to be able to detect it during doping controls. We have computationally investigated selected structural and reactive properties of the AMI molecule in this work, employing density functional theory calculations

Nonlinear spectroscopic studies using sum- and difference-frequency generation

A detailed study is presented of resonant sum- and difference-frequency generation for the mixed-crystal system azulene in naphthalene. The S0 -> S1, S0 -> S2 and S1 -> S2 transitions of azulene provide the 3 needed dipoles for the existence of c(2), and a relatively small static elec. field was used to break the interference between the waves generated in the 2 crystal sublattices. Second-order nonlinear processes can occur sep. in each sublattice. All the theor. predicted resonances, except the DICE effect, were obsd. The generated field intensity satd. at higher fields, and in certain circumstances exhibited hysteresis as a function of the d.c. field strength. The line-narrowing capabilities of these new forms of spectroscopy were explored