Including the influence of waves in the overall slope stability analysis of rubble mound breakwaters

An offshore breakwater is designed for the construction of a LNG-terminal. For the slope stability analysis of the rubble mound breakwater the existing and the extreme wave climate are considered. Pore water pressure variations exist in the breakwater and its permeable foundation. A wave trough combined with the moment of maximum wave run-up results in a decrease and increase of the pore water pressure, respectively. Therefore, the wave actions have on overall effect on the slope stability of the breakwater. To include the wave actions in the slope stability analysis a simplified method is used. For the slope stability analysis, a specific piezometric line is determined. This piezometric line consists of a wave profile and the profile of wave run-up. The slope stability analysis are performed with GEO-SLOPE/W 2007. For the geotechnical design of the breakwater load cases of extreme and normal waves combined with, respectively, extreme and normal water levels are analysed. All the load cases which included the wave actions result in lower stability safety factors than the load cases with only still water levels. Therefore the wave actions are the determining load case for the geotechnical stability of the breakwater and it should be studied in detail

How Does Information Processing Speed Relate to the Attentional Blink?

Background When observers are asked to identify two targets in rapid sequence, they often suffer profound performance deficits for the second target, even when the spatial location of the targets is known. This attentional blink (AB) is usually attributed to the time required to process a previous target, implying that a link should exist between individual differences in information processing speed and the AB. Methodology/Principal Findings The present work investigated this question by examining the relationship between a rapid automatized naming task typically used to assess information-processing speed and the magnitude of the AB. The results indicated that faster processing actually resulted in a greater AB, but only when targets were presented amongst high similarity distractors. When target-distractor similarity was minimal, processing speed was unrelated to the AB. Conclusions/Significance Our findings indicate that information-processing speed is unrelated to target processing efficiency per se, but rather to individual differences in observers' ability to suppress distractors. This is consistent with evidence that individuals who are able to avoid distraction are more efficient at deploying temporal attention, but argues against a direct link between general processing speed and efficient information selection

Graph Theoretical Analysis of Structural Covariance Reveals the Relevance of Visuospatial and Attentional Areas in Essential Tremor Recovery After Stereotactic Radiosurgical Thalamotomy.

Essential tremor (ET) is the most common movement disorder. Its pathophysiology is only partially understood. Here, we leveraged graph theoretical analysis on structural covariance patterns quantified from morphometric estimates for cortical thickness, surface area, and mean curvature in patients with ET before and one year after (to account for delayed clinical effect) ventro-intermediate nucleus (Vim) stereotactic radiosurgical thalamotomy. We further contrasted the observed patterns with those from matched healthy controls (HCs). Significant group differences at the level of individual morphometric properties were specific to mean curvature and the post-/pre-thalamotomy contrast, evidencing brain plasticity at the level of the targeted left thalamus, and of low-level visual, high-level visuospatial and attentional areas implicated in the dorsal visual stream. The introduction of cross-correlational analysis across pairs of morphometric properties strengthened the presence of dorsal visual stream readjustments following thalamotomy, as cortical thickness in the right lingual gyrus, bilateral rostral middle frontal gyrus, and left pre-central gyrus was interrelated with mean curvature in the rest of the brain. Overall, our results position mean curvature as the most relevant morphometric feature to understand brain plasticity in drug-resistant ET patients following Vim thalamotomy. They also highlight the importance of examining not only individual features, but also their interactions, to gain insight into the routes of recovery following intervention

Target Cueing Provides Support for Target- and Resource-Based Models of the Attentional Blink

The attentional blink (AB) describes a time-based deficit in processing the second of two masked targets. The AB is attenuated if successive targets appear between the first and final target, or if a cueing target is positioned before the final target. Using various speeds of stimulus presentation, the current study employed successive targets and cueing targets to confirm and extend an understanding of target-target cueing in the AB. In Experiment 1, three targets were presented sequentially at rates of 30 msec/item or 90 msec/item. Successive targets presented at 90 msec improved performance compared with non-successive targets. However, accuracy was equivalently high for successive and non-successive targets presented at 30 msec/item, suggesting that–regardless of whether they occurred consecutively–those items fell within the temporally defined attentional window initiated by the first target. Using four different presentation speeds, Experiment 2 confirmed the time-based definition of the AB and the success of target-cueing at 30 msec/item. This experiment additionally revealed that cueing was most effective when resources were not devoted to the cue, thereby implicating capacity limitations in the AB. Across both experiments, a novel order-error measure suggested that errors tend to decrease with an increasing duration between the targets, but also revealed that certain stimulus conditions result in stable order accuracy. Overall, the results are best encapsulated by target-based and resource-sharing theories of the AB, which collectively value the contributions of capacity limitations and optimizing transient attention in time

Neo-Atlantis: The Netherlands under a 5-m sea level rise

What could happen to the Netherlands if, in 2030, the sea level starts to rise and eventually, after 100 years, a sea level of 5 m above current level would be reached? This question is addressed by studying literature, by interviewing experts in widely differing fields, and by holding an expert workshop on this question. Although most experts believe that geomorphology and current engineering skills would enable the country to largely maintain its territorial integrity, there are reasons to assume that this is not likely to happen. Social processes that precede important political decisions - such as the growth of the belief in the reality of sea level rise and the framing of such decisions in a proper political context (policy window) - evolve slowly. A flood disaster would speed up the decision-making process. The shared opinion of the experts surveyed is that eventually part of the Netherlands would be abandoned. © 2008 The Author(s)

Rh-POP Pincer Xantphos Complexes for C-S and C-H Activation. Implications for Carbothiolation Catalysis

The neutral Rh­(I)–Xantphos complex [Rh­(κ³-_P,O,P-Xantphos)­Cl]_<i>n</i>, <b>4</b>, and cationic Rh­(III) [Rh­(κ³-_P,O,P-Xantphos)­(H)₂]­[BAr^F₄], <b>2a</b>, and [Rh­(κ³-_P,O,P-Xantphos-3,5-C₆H₃(CF₃)₂)­(H)₂]­[BAr^F₄], <b>2b</b>, are described [Ar^F = 3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃; Xantphos = 4,5-bis­(diphenylphosphino)-9,9-dimethylxanthene; Xantphos-3,5-C₆H₃(CF₃)₂ = 9,9-dimethylxanthene-4,5-bis­(bis­(3,5-bis­(trifluoromethyl)­phenyl)­phosphine]. A solid-state structure of <b>2b</b> isolated from C₆H₅Cl solution shows a κ¹-chlorobenzene adduct, [Rh­(κ³-_P,O,P-Xantphos-3,5-C₆H₃(CF₃)₂)­(H)₂(κ¹-ClC₆H₅)]­[BAr^F₄], <b>3</b>. Addition of H₂ to <b>4</b> affords, crystallographically characterized, [Rh­(κ³-_P,O,P-Xantphos)­(H)₂Cl], <b>5</b>. Addition of diphenyl acetylene to <b>2a</b> results in the formation of the C–H activated metallacyclopentadiene [Rh­(κ³-_P,O,P-Xantphos)­(ClCH₂Cl)­(σ,σ-(C₆H₄)­C­(H)CPh)]­[BAr^F₄], <b>7</b>, a rare example of a crystallographically characterized Rh–dichloromethane complex, alongside the Rh­(I) complex <i>mer</i>-[Rh­(κ³-_P,O,P-Xantphos)­(η²-PhCCPh)]­[BAr^F₄], <b>6</b>. Halide abstraction from [Rh­(κ³-_P,O,P-Xantphos)­Cl]_<i>n</i> in the presence of diphenylacetylene affords <b>6</b> as the only product, which in the solid state shows that the alkyne binds perpendicular to the κ³-POP Xantphos ligand plane. This complex acts as a latent source of the [Rh­(κ³-_P,O,P-Xantphos)]⁺ fragment and facilitates <i>ortho</i>-directed C–S activation in a number of 2-arylsulfides to give <i>mer</i>-[Rh­(κ³-_P,O,P-Xantphos)­(σ,κ¹-Ar)­(SMe)]­[BAr^F₄] (Ar = C₆H₄COMe, <b>8</b>; C₆H₄(CO)­OMe, <b>9</b>; C₆H₄NO₂, <b>10</b>; C₆H₄CNCH₂CH₂O, <b>11</b>; C₆H₄C₅H₄N, <b>12</b>). Similar C–S bond cleavage is observed with allyl sulfide, to give <i>fac</i>-[Rh­(κ³-_P,O,P-Xantphos)­(η³-C₃H₅)­(SPh)]­[BAr^F₄], <b>13</b>. These products of C–S activation have been crystallographically characterized. For <b>8</b> in situ monitoring of the reaction by NMR spectroscopy reveals the initial formation of <i>fac</i>-κ³-<b>8</b>, which then proceeds to isomerize to the <i>mer</i>-isomer. With the <i>para</i>-ketone aryl sulfide, 4-SMeC ₆H₄COMe, C–H activation <i>ortho</i> to the ketone occurs to give <i>mer</i>-[Rh­(κ³-_P,O,P-Xantphos)­(σ,κ¹-4-(COMe)­C₆H₃SMe)­(H)]­[BAr^F₄], <b>14</b>. The temporal evolution of carbothiolation catalysis using <i>mer</i>-κ³-<b>8</b>, and phenyl acetylene and 2-(methylthio)­acetophenone substrates shows initial fast catalysis and then a considerably slower evolution of the product. We suggest that the initially formed <i>fac</i>-isomer of the C–S activation product is considerably more active than the <i>mer</i>-isomer (i.e., <i>mer</i>-<b>8</b>), the latter of which is formed rapidly by isomerization, and this accounts for the observed difference in rates. A likely mechanism is proposed based upon these data

Isokinetic evaluation of knee muscles in soccer players: discriminant analysis [Avaliação isocinética dos músculos do joelho em jogadores de futebol: análise discriminante]; [Evaluación isocinética de los músculos de la rodilla en jugadores de fútbol: análisis discriminante]

Introduction: Muscle activity in soccer players can be measured by isokinetic dynamometer, which is a reliable tool for assessing human performance. Objectives: To perform isokinetic analyses and to determine which variables differentiate the under-17 (U17) soccer category from the professional (PRO). Methods: Thirty four players were assessed (n=17 for each category). The isokinetic variables used for the knee extension-flexion analysis were: peak torque (Nm), total work (J), average power (W), angle of peak torque (deg.), agonist/ antagonist ratio (%), measured for three velocities (60°/s, 120°/s and 300°/s), with each series containing five repetitions. Three Wilks' Lambda discriminant analyses were performed, to identify which variables were more significant for the definition of each of the categories. Results: The discriminative variables at 60°/s in the PRO category were: extension peak torque, flexion total work, extension average power and agonist/antagonist ratio; and for the U17s were: extension total work, flexion peak torque and flexion average power. At 120°/s for the PRO category the discriminant variables were: flexion peak torque and extension average power; for the U17s they were: extension total work and flexion average power. Finally at 300°/s, the variables found in the PRO and U17 categories respectively were: extension average power and extension total work. Conclusion: Isokinetic variables for flexion and extension knee muscles were able to significantly discriminate between PRO and U17 soccer players. RESUMO Introdução: A atividade muscular em jogadores de futebol pode ser medida por meio do dinamômetro isocinético, que é um instrumento confiável para avaliação do desempenho humano. Objetivos: Conduzir análises isocinéticas e discriminar quais variáveis diferenciam a categoria sub-17 (S17) da profissional (PRO). Métodos: Trinta e quatro jogadores de futebol (n=17 para cada categoria) foram avaliados. As variáveis isocinéticas utilizadas para a análise de extensão-flexão do joelho foram: pico de torque (Nm), trabalho total (J), potência média (W), ângulo de pico de torque (graus), razão agonista/antagonista (%), testadas em três velocidades (60°/s, 120°/s e 300°/s), com cada série contendo cinco repetições. Três análises discriminantes foram feitas usando o método Wilk's Lambda para identificar quais variáveis fariam uma discriminação significativa entre as duas categorias. Resultados: As variáveis discriminantes a 60°/s na categoria PRO foram: pico de torque extensores, trabalho total flexores, potência média de extensores e razão agonista/antagonista; e para os S17 foram: trabalho total de extensores, pico de torque de flexores e potência média de flexores. A 120°/s para a categoria PRO as variáveis discriminantes foram: pico de torque de flexores e potência média de extensores; para os S17 foram: trabalho total de extensores e potência média de flexores. A 300°/s, as variáveis encontradas para as categorias PRO e S17 foram, respectivamente: potência média de extensores e trabalho total de extensores. Conclusão: As variáveis isocinéticas para os músculos do joelho flexores e extensores foram capazes de fazer uma discriminação significativa entre jogadores de futebol PRO e S17. RESUMEN Introducción: La actividad muscular en jugadores de fútbol puede ser medida por medio del dinamómetro isocinético, que es un instrumento confiable para evaluación del desempeño humano. Objetivos: Conducir análisis isocinéticos y discriminar qué variables diferencian la categoría sub-17 (S17) de la profesional (PRO). Métodos: Fueron evaluados treinta y cuatro jugadores de fútbol (n=17 para cada categoría). Las variables isocinéticas utilizadas para el análisis de extensión-flexión de la rodilla fueron: pico de torque (Nm), trabajo total (J), potencia media (W), ángulo de pico de torque (grados), razón agonista/antagonista (%), probadas en tres velocidades (60°/s, 120°/s y 300°/s), con cada serie conteniendo cinco repeticiones. Fueron realizados tres análisis discriminantes usando el método Wilk's Lambda para identificar qué variables harían una discriminación significativa entre las dos categorías. Resultados: Las variables discriminantes a 60°/s en la categoría PRO fueron: pico de torque extensores, trabajo total flexores, potencia media de extensores y razón agonista/antagonista; y para los S17 fueron: trabajo total de extensores, pico de torque de flexores y potencia media de flexores. A 120°/s para la categoría PRO las variables discriminantes fueron: pico de torque de flexores y potencia media de extensores; para los S17 fueron: trabajo total de extensores y potencia media de flexores. A 300°/s, las variables encontradas para las categorías PRO y S17 fueron, respectivamente: potencia media de extensores y trabajo total de extensores. Conclusión: Las variables isocinéticas para los músculos de la rodilla flexores y extensores fueron capaces de hacer una discriminación significativa entre jugadores de fútbol PRO y S17

Sulfatide Recognition by Colonization Factor Antigen CS6 from Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

The first step in the pathogenesis of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infections is adhesion of the bacterium to the small intestinal epithelium. Adhesion of ETEC is mediated by a number of antigenically distinct colonization factors, and among these, one of the most commonly detected is the non-fimbrial adhesin coli surface antigen 6 (CS6). The potential carbohydrate recognition by CS6 was investigated by binding of recombinant CS6-expressing E. coli and purified CS6 protein to a large number of variant glycosphingolipids separated on thin-layer chromatograms. Thereby, a highly specific binding of the CS6-expressing E. coli, and the purified CS6 protein, to sulfatide (SO3-3Galβ1Cer) was obtained. The binding of the CS6 protein and CS6-expressing bacteria to sulfatide was inhibited by dextran sulfate, but not by dextran, heparin, galactose 4-sulfate or galactose 6-sulfate. When using recombinantly expressed and purified CssA and CssB subunits of the CS6 complex, sulfatide binding was obtained with the CssB subunit, demonstrating that the glycosphingolipid binding capacity of CS6 resides within this subunit. CS6-binding sulfatide was present in the small intestine of species susceptible to CS6-mediated infection, e.g. humans and rabbits, but lacking in species not affected by CS6 ETEC, e.g. mice. The ability of CS6-expressing ETEC to adhere to sulfatide in target small intestinal epithelium may thus contribute to virulence