1,367 research outputs found
Reproducibility of electrical caries measurements: A technical problem?
The currently available instrument for electrical detection of occlusal caries lesions {[}Electronic Caries Monitor (ECM)] uses a site-specific measurement with co-axial air drying. The reproducibility of this method has been reported to be fair to good. It was noticed that the measurement variation of this technique appeared to be non-random. It was the aim of this study to analyse how such a non-random reproducibility pattern arises and whether it could be observed for other operators and ECM models. Analysis of hypothetical measurement pairs showed that the pattern was related to measurements at the high and low end of the measurement range for the instrument. Data sets supplied by other researchers to a varying degree showed signs of a similar non-random pattern. These data sets were acquired at different locations, by different operators and using 3 different ECM models. The frequency distribution of measurements in all cases showed a single or double end-peaked distribution shape. It was concluded that the pattern was a general feature of the measurement method. It was tentatively attributed to several characteristics such as a high value censoring, insufficient probe contact and unpredictable probe contact. A different measurement technique, with an improved probe contact, appears to be advisable. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel
Coupling JOREK and STARWALL for Non-linear Resistive-wall Simulations
The implementation of a resistive-wall extension to the non-linear MHD-code
JOREK via a coupling to the vacuum-field code STARWALL is presented along with
first applications and benchmark results. Also, non-linear saturation in the
presence of a resistive wall is demonstrated. After completion of the ongoing
verification process, this code extension will allow to perform non-linear
simulations of MHD instabilities in the presence of three-dimensional resistive
walls with holes for limited and X-point plasmas.Comment: Contribution for "Theory Of Fusion Plasmas, Joint Varenna - Lausanne
International Workshop, Villa Monastero, Varenna, Italy (27.-31.8.2012)",
accepted for publication in Journal of Physics Conference Serie
Exporting protection: EU trade agreements, geographical indications, and gastronationalism
One of the main objectives of EU trade policy is to establish wider protection for its regional specialty foods, known as Geographical Indications (GIs). In spite of US opposition, the EU has successfully considered additional protection for its GIs a red line in recent trade agreements. A key piece to the puzzle of this success is that whereas the literature has typically treated trade and non-trade issues as a dichotomy, GI protection encompasses both trade and non-trade aspects. In the EU, trade agreements are negotiated by the Commission but require member state approval. Both Greece and Italy have threatened not to ratify CETA over insufficient GI protection, so GIs clearly matter. This article develops and tests a theory of GI protection using new data on GIs listed for protection in 11 recent EU trade agreements. It finds that EU trade agreements are more likely to protect GIs with higher sales values and from countries in the South of Europe, where GIs are highly salient because of gastronationalism. These findings illustrate how economic, cultural and political factors shape and enable EU policy exports through trade agreements
Double-resonant fast particle-wave interaction
In future fusion devices fast particles must be well confined in order to
transfer their energy to the background plasma. Magnetohydrodynamic
instabilities like Toroidal Alfv\'en Eigenmodes or core-localized modes such as
Beta Induced Alfv\'en Eigenmodes and Reversed Shear Alfv\'en Eigenmodes, both
driven by fast particles, can lead to significant losses. This is observed in
many ASDEX Upgrade discharges. The present study applies the drift-kinetic
HAGIS code with the aim of understanding the underlying resonance mechanisms,
especially in the presence of multiple modes with different frequencies. Of
particular interest is the resonant interaction of particles simultaneously
with two different modes, referred to as 'double-resonance'. Various mode
overlapping scenarios with different q profiles are considered. It is found
that, depending on the radial mode distance, double-resonance is able to
enhance growth rates as well as mode amplitudes significantly. Surprisingly, no
radial mode overlap is necessary for this effect. Quite the contrary is found:
small radial mode distances can lead to strong nonlinear mode stabilization of
a linearly dominant mode.Comment: 12 pages, 11 figures; Nuclear Fusion 52 (2012
Effect of three surface conditioning methods to improve bond strength of particulate filler resin composites
Serological research of Salmonella on Belgian pig farms
Risk factors for Salmonellosis in pigs were investigated in a cross-sectional study on 144 Belgian farrow-to-finish herds belonging to one slaughterhouse co-operation. Herd data were collected using a questionnaire. The blood samples were serologically analyzed. Variables significantly related to the Salmonella prevalence in the univariate analyses were subsequently analysed in a multivariate model. Furthermore, the clustering of Salmonella infection within the herd, section and pen was studied. The average within-herd seroprevalence was: 73.4% when using OD 10%. In the multivariate analyses the structure of the feed seems to be the most important factor of the model with five factors. Feeding pigs meal instead of granulated or crumb is a protecting factor for Salmonella. Other risk factors in the multivariate model are natural ventilation, less then 3 days emptiness after wet cleansing, not dry cleansing of sows’ pen before wet cleansing and the absence of dogs in the pig houses
Effect of three surface conditioning methods to improve bond strength of particulate filler resin composites
Effect of three surface conditioning methods to improve bond strength of particulate filler resin composites
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