Region-based object tracking for multipoint video conferencing using wavelet transform

2000-2001 > Academic research: refereed > Refereed conference paperVersion of RecordPublishe

A review of landslide problems and mitigation measures in Chongqing and Hong Kong: Similarities and differences

The cities of Chongqing and Hong Kong are both located at hilly areas which are highly populated, with buildings and major highways located very close to slopes and earth-retaining structures. Landslides and rockfalls are very common in both cities, and large expenditures are being incurred by both Governments on the investigation, design and implementation of mitigation and preventive measures to reduce the likelihood of the loss of life and economic losses due to landslides. As a result of the collaborative studies and technical exchange programs between the University of Hong Kong and the Chongqing Jianzhu University, a more in-depth understanding of the landslide problem, methodology and mitigation measures in Chongqing and Hong Kong was achieved. The objective of this paper is therefore to: (1) highlight the similarities and differences of the slope safety problems which these cities have been facing and (2) present and compare the key technical approaches these two cities have been undertaken to reduce the risk of landslide and rockfalls, so that both cities could benefit from the experience and lesson learnt. Based on the review of literature and published case records, it is concluded that the city of Chongqing has to deal with natural hazards such as earthquake, river erosion and flooding more than that in Hong Kong, but both cities have been applying practical and latest technology to mitigating the landslide problem. It is recommended that the city of Chongqing should consider establishing a sustainable long-term landslide management plan and that the landslide prevention system being used in Hong Kong could be a good reference starting point. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.postprin

A comparison between a conventional optical method and image-analysis for measuring the unimpeded eruption rate of the rat mandibular incisor

The impeded/unimpeded eruption rates of the rat incisor have been much studied. The most commonly used optical microscopic method, which has inherent weaknesses, was compared here with an image-analysis method to measure the eruption rate of the mandibular incisor. The study also evaluated the incisal edge as a reference point for the measurement of the unimpeded eruption rate, and the frequency of shortening the mandibular incisor. The image-analysis method was found to be a simple and reliable technique that could replace the optical method. There was no significant difference between the data from the two methods; their κ coefficients were similar at the 0.99 level. It was concluded that shortening the incisor in the measurement of the unimpeded eruption rate should be done at least every 48 h, and that the incisal edge of the shortened incisor can be used as the reference point for that measurement. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.postprin

Comparison of effects of sleeve gastrectomy, duodenal-jejunal bypass and ileal transposition for type II diabetes

Oral Presentations: OS9 - Surgery for Diabetes: no. OS9.02INTRODUCTION: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG), duodenal jejuna bypass (DJB) and ileal transposition (IT) have been reported to be effective for the treatment of T2DM. OBJECTIVES: It is unknown which procedure has a stronger anti-diabetic effect. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of these novel procedures METHODS: SG, DJB, IT and sham operation of each procedure were performed in 10-12 weeks old Goto-Kakizaki rats, a spontaneous non-obese model of T2DM. The glucose homeostasis effect was evaluated by measuring fasting glucose (FBG) and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Gut hormonal profiles and lipid absorption were also examined. Rats were observed for 1 year. RESULTS: All three procedures had significant lower FBG when compared to the respective sham groups. DJB and IT had lower FBG than SG (SG vs DJB, p=0.023; SG vs IT, p=0.009) whereas DJB and IT had a similar FBG level, p=0.678. For HbA1c, all procedures had lower levels than the respective sham groups, p<0.001. The HbA1c of SG rebounded on 8th week whereas HbA1c of DJB and IT remained at low level. SG had a significant higher HbA1c level than DJB and IT, p<0.001 while DJB and IT had a similar level, p=0.685. GLP-1 and PYY were raised in DJB and IT whereas GIP level increased in DJB. All three procedures have different lipid absorption profile. CONCLUSION: SG, DJB and IT all had anti-diabetic effect. DJB and IT had more potent anti-diabetic effect than SG. Each procedure has different effects on metabolic diseases and their clinic application deserve individual consideration.published_or_final_versio

Comparison of effects of sleeve gastrectomy, duodenal-jejunal bypass and ileal transposition for the treatment of type II diabetes

This journal suppl. entitled: 2014 DDW AbstractThe SSAT’s 55th Annual Meeting took place during Digestive Disease Week 2014SSAT Poster Session (8215) - Stomach: Basic (I)BACKGROUND: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG), duodenal jejunal bypass (DJB) and ileal transposition (IT) have been reported to be effective for the treatment of T2DM. It is unknown which procedure has a stronger anti-diabetic effect. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of these novel procedures METHODS: SG, DJB, IT and ...postprin

Determination of bearing capacity of shallow foundations without using superposition approximation

The Terzaghi superposition assumption has been widely used to determine the bearing capacity of shallow footings. Although this assumption always errs on the safe side, a rigorous procedure to calculate the bearing capacity is still of engineering value. This paper presents such a procedure that is free from errors as a result of the superposition assumption. It demonstrates that the ultimate bearing capacity can be precisely expressed by the Terzaghi equation, except that the bearing capacity factor N y is dependent upon the surcharge ratio. A recently developed numerical method, i.e., the critical slip field method, is used to calculate the modification coefficient for modifying N y It is found that this modification coefficient increases with the surcharge ratio at small values of surcharge ratio and then remains constant for large values of surcharge ratio. However, the errors invoked by the superposition assumption do not exceed 10%. On the basis of numerical calculations, a simple closed-form expression of the modification coefficient is proposed that yields the theoretically rigorous ultimate bearing capacity. In the later part of the paper, errors in bearing capacity calculations owing to the use of conventional procedures are analyzed. It is concluded that the continued use of conventional procedures is justified, but the inherent errors should not be neglected in assessing the performance of shallow foundations.published_or_final_versio

Weathered rock characterization using drilling parameters

The characterization of weathered rocks by the use of drilling parameters is presented. Drilling parameters obtained from the drilling process monitoring system during the installation of soil nails into weathered rocks are used in this investigation. A new drilling index Pi, simplified from the concept of the specific energy, is used in an attempt to differentiate weathered rocks. With Pi, or the penetration rate, boundaries of weathered rocks between (1) soil and rock ranges, and (2) grade II and grade III rocks in accordance with the six-fold rock material decomposition grade are identified. For weathered rocks in the soil range, quantitative characterization has been established in this study by using the drilling parameters. An empirical equation has been established for estimating the standard penetration resistance N value from the drilling parameter Pi, which is used in turn to determine the Mohr-Coulomb friction angle based on the work of Schmertmann. Although this approach tends to yield a slightly larger Mohr-Coulomb friction angle than that from laboratory tests, results obtained in this attempt reveal that estimation of the Mohr-Coulomb friction angle from drilling parameters is attainable with reasonable accuracy.published_or_final_versio

Laboratory study of soil-nail interaction in loose, completely decomposed granite

The technique of soil nailing is seldom used in stabilizing loose fill slopes because there is a lack of understanding of the interaction behaviour of nails in loose fills. A large-scale laboratory apparatus has been built to study the soil-nail interaction in loose fill materials. Pullout tests were performed in a displacement-rate-controlled manner on steel bars embedded in loose, completely decomposed granitic soils. The load-displacement curves have distinct peak values followed by a sharp decrease in the pullout force. The test results also show that the normal stress acting on the nail changes because of the volume-change tendency and arching effect of the soil being sheared around the nail. The post-peak decrease in the pullout force is mainly due to the reduction in the normal stress caused by the arching effect of soil around the nail. The conventional method of analysis tends to give a low interface friction angle and high interface adhesion. The correct interface parameters can be determined by taking the changes in the normal stress acting on the nail into account. © 2004 NRC Canada.published_or_final_versio

Role of AMPK signaling in mediating the anticancer effects of silibinin in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

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