Two Anglo-Norman inedita from MS Douce d.6

This article presents an edition of and commentary on the Anglo-Norman prose version of "Seth and the Holy Rood" (the legend of "L'arbre de paradis" or "Le bois de la croix"). The text is found in four manuscripts and has remained without edition. A rhymed Anglo-Norman version has been edited (1960), along with its Latin source, both found in a single manuscript. Dean and Boulton comment that the Anglo-Norman prose version is possibly based on a Picard original. The legend recounts Seth's trip to Paradise at the bequest of Adam, to seek the oil of life, where he is shown the tree associated with the first sin, and from which the tree of the cross will eventually spring. It is part of a longer legend known as "The Penitence of Adam.

Arras 200: revisiting Britain's most famous Iron Age cemetery

In the bicentenary year of its excavation, remote sensing has revealed, for the first time, the full extent of this iconic type-site Iron Age cemetery and its landscape context in East Yorkshire. A total of 23ha was surveyed, revealing new insights concerning the burial ground and damage through modern farming

Hydraulic Computations for Stepped Concrete Overlays of Embankment Dams

One method for rehabilitating and modernizing embankment dams is the addition of a concrete overlay that protects the embankment and allows floods to pass safely over the dam. Roller compacted concrete is commonly used, which makes it practical to use a stepped construction that also enhances energy dissipation. Analysis of flow conditions over such structures requires computation of aerated flow and its effects on flow depth, training wall design, and energy dissipation. This paper describes Spillway Pro, an energy-based water surface profile calculation tool for smooth spillway chutes (Wahl et al. 2019), recently improved to also analyze stepped chutes. The tool is applicable to a wide range of chute slopes, including flatter slopes typical of embankment dam overlays and steeper slopes encountered on concrete gravity dams. An energy-based analysis allows Spillway Pro to be applied to situations differing from the idealized configurations covered by available empirical approaches, such as non-constant slopes, varying step heights, and converging chutes. Spillway Pro integrates water surface profile calculations, aerated flow effects, and cavitation analysis, which is potentially important for steeper slopes and large unit discharges. Simultaneous calculation of smooth and stepped-chute flow profiles enables rapid assessment of the energy dissipation benefits of steps, as well as a comparison of the aerated flow and cavitation issues for smooth vs. stepped chute alternatives

Discerning population connectivity and natal origins of Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi): inferences on population structure from otolith chemistry

Pacific herring, Clupea pallasi, undertake annual migrations between feeding and spawning grounds that link life stages, habitats, populations, communities, and ecosystems. However, movement patterns of these highly mobile fish are poorly understood. Declines in Pacific herring abundance and slow population recoveries in the absence of fishing pressure have elevated concerns over the status of this ecologically, economically, and culturally important species. Pacific herring spawn on substrate in nearshore habitats where eggs and larvae develop for approximately two weeks before hatching. Early development within discrete spawning grounds could facilitate the incorporation of distinctive chemical signatures within otoliths that could be used as intrinsic markers to trace movements and mixing among groups or regions. Identifying the direction and strength of connectivity among groups can reveal source populations and promote the development of population- and ecosystem-based management strategies that reflect ecologically relevant spatial scales. We applied otolith microchemistry data to: 1) test the utility of elemental signatures to distinguish the natal origins of larval herring; 2) evaluate inter-annual variation in natal signatures within spawning sites; and 3) assess the similarity of edge and natal signatures of adult herring within and among spawning sites. In 2015 and 2016, we sampled actively spawning adult herring and their offspring in the northern Salish Sea and across British Columbia, Canada. Otoliths were extracted, aged, and their elemental composition analyzed using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Cohort-specific analyses were applied to assess consistency among elemental signatures and broader, age-specific movement patterns. Our analyses show that otolith elemental signatures of Pacific herring can provide insight into complex population structure at scales of 10s – 1000 kms to inform and enhance spatially-explicit approaches to conservation and management

Physical capacity of rescue personnel in the mining industry

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The mining industry has one of the highest occupational rates of serious injury and fatality. Mine staff involved with rescue operations are often required to respond to physically challenging situations. This paper describes the physical attributes of mining rescue personnel.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>91 rescue personnel (34 ± 8.6 yrs, 1.79 ± 0.07 m, 90 ± 15.0 kg) participating in the Queensland Mines Rescue Challenge completed a series of health-related and rescue-related fitness tasks. Health-related tasks comprised measurements of aerobic capacity (VO₂max), abdominal endurance, abdominal strength, flexibility, lower back strength, leg strength, elbow flexion strength, shoulder strength, lower back endurance, and leg endurance. Rescue-related tasks comprised an incremental carry (IC), coal shovel (CS), and a hose drag (HD), completed in this order.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Cardiovascular (VO₂max) and muscular endurance was average or below average compared with the general population. Isometric strength did not decline with age. The rescue-related tasks were all extremely demanding with heart rate responses averaging greater than 88% of age predicted maximal heart rates. Heart rate recovery responses were more discriminating than heart rates recorded during the tasks, indicating the hose drag as the most physically demanding of the tasks.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Relying on actual rescues or mining related work to provide adequate training is generally insufficient to maintain, let alone increase, physical fitness. It is therefore recommended that standards of required physical fitness be developed and mines rescue personnel undergo regularly training (and assessment) in order to maintain these standards.</p

Low-cost automated vectors and modular environmental sensors for plant phenotyping

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. High-throughput plant phenotyping in controlled environments (growth chambers and glasshouses) is often delivered via large, expensive installations, leading to limited access and the increased relevance of “affordable phenotyping” solutions. We present two robot vectors for automated plant phenotyping under controlled conditions. Using 3D-printed components and readily-available hardware and electronic components, these designs are inexpensive, flexible and easily modified to multiple tasks. We present a design for a thermal imaging robot for high-precision time-lapse imaging of canopies and a Plate Imager for high-throughput phenotyping of roots and shoots of plants grown on media plates. Phenotyping in controlled conditions requires multi-position spatial and temporal monitoring of environmental conditions. We also present a low-cost sensor platform for environmental monitoring based on inexpensive sensors, microcontrollers and internet-of-things (IoT) protocols

Relationship Between Physical Activity and Risk of Falls in Elderly of West Marin

Background: Fall injury is a leading cause of death and disability among older adults (Alamgir, 2012). Fall injury may result in fractures, infection and fear of movement. By reinforcing engagement in muscles used during balance and walking, seniors may avoid unnecessary falls within their homes and the community. Setting/Target Population: West Marin is the largest rural area of Marin County, California and includes seven unincorporated communities. A large percentage of the elderly population who reside in West Marin live alone--thus suffering from isolation. Within the rural, isolated communities of West Marin, the rate of falls among the elderly are increasing. Improvement Project: At the Community Center in Point Reyes, a seated Zumba class is offered to seniors. This class is offered only once per week, yet there is great value in encouraging seniors to utilize their muscles, develop core strength, and improve balance while having fun and being engaged. Twelve Dominican Nursing Students propose to make a video of the seated Zumba class and distribute the DVDs to the patrons of the Senior Luncheons in Point Reyes and San Geronimo Valley (approximately 150 people). Prior to the DVD distribution, the Nursing Students will perform a health presentation to the seniors on the benefits of exercise to encourage their desire to participate. Objectives: 1) increase the number of days per week that West Marin seniors perform the seated Zumba exercises from one day per week to most days of the week; 2) increase strength, mobility, and balance among West Marin seniors who participate in the seated Zumba project; 3) reduce risk of falls among West Marin seniors participating in the seated Zumba project; 4) increase exercise-related endorphins and reduce depression among West Marin seniors participating in the seated Zumba project. Outcomes/Lessons Learned: To be completed at end of project and presented at conference