Pattern recognition. v- samp - a computer program for estimating surface area from contour maps

Fortran computer program for computing linear approximation of surface area for any given portion of digitized contour ma

Modelling of building performance under the UK climate change projections and the prediction of future heating and cooling design loads in building spaces

New climate change projections for the UK were published by the United Kingdom Climate Impacts Programme in 2009. They form the 5th and most comprehensive set of predictions of climate change developed for the UK to date. As one of main products of UK Climate Projections 2009 (UKCP09),the Weather Generator, can generate a set of daily and hourly future weather variables at different time periods (2020s to 2080s) and carbon emission scenarios (low, medium, high) on a 5 km grid scale. In a radical departure from previous methods, the 2009 Projections are statistical- probabilistic in nature. A tool has been developed in Matlab to generate future Test Reference Year (TRY) and Design Reference Years (DRY) weather files from these Projections and the results were verified against results from alternative tools produced by Manchester University and Exeter University as well as with CIBSE's Future Weather Years (FWYs) which are based on earlier (4th generation) climate change scenarios and are currently used by practitioners. The Northumbria tool is computationally efficient and can extract a single Test Reference Year and 2 Design Reference Years from 3000 years of raw data in less than 6 minutes on a typical modern PC. It uses an established ISO method for generating Test Reference Year data and an alternative method of constructing future Design Reference data is proposed

High-heeled walking decreases lumbar lordosis.

An estimated 78% of women regularly walk in high heels. However, up to 58% complain about low back pain, which is commonly thought to be caused by increased lumbar lordosis. However, the extent to which a subject’s posture is modified by high-heeled shoes during dynamic activities remains unknown. Therefore, we sought to evaluate whether low- or high-heeled shoes influence the kinematics of the pelvis and the spine during walking. Twenty-three inexperienced women, and seventeen women experienced in wearing high-heeled shoes, all aged 20–55 years, were measured barefoot and while wearing low- (4 cm) and high-heeled (10 cm) shoes during gait at a self-selected speed. A 22-camera motion capture system was used to assess the gait patterns for each condition. No significant inter-experience-group kinematic differences were found. In contrast to the results of some studies, our results show that the heels’ height does indeed influence the motion of the pelvis and the spine during walking, whereby low-heeled shoes influenced the subjects’ trunk kinematics during gait less than high-heeled shoes compared to barefooted walking. However, inexperienced high-heel wearers showed less thoracic curvature angle while wearing high-heels than while wearing low-heels. Importantly, both groups exhibited significantly lower maximum and minimal lumbar and thoracic curvature angles when wearing high-heeled shoes compared to the barefoot condition. As a result, it seems that low back pain might be associated with other factors induced by high-heels

Gender Analysis of Socio-Cultural Perception of \u3cem\u3eMoringa Oleifera\u3c/em\u3e Amongst Farmers in Southwestern Nigeria

Moringa oleifera (horseradish tree - English) is a perennial plant, which has been found to possess high economic and cultural values in many countries of the world. This study was carried out to analyse the socio-cultural perception about Moringa oleifera according to farmers’ gender in Southwestern Nigeria. It specifically established the correlates of perception of Moringa oleifera among the farmers; described the socio-demographics of the farmers; examined the gender gaps in the level of awareness and propagation of Moringa oleifera; compared their willingness to adopt innovation on Moringa oleifera and analysed the constraints associated with men’s and women’s propagation of Moringa oleifera. A snow-ball sampling technique was used to select equal number of male and female respondents across the region. The results revealed amongst others, that widowhood and illiteracy were the likely interlocking system, which has reshaped oppression among the female respondents. Statistically significant gender gaps or inequalities at P ≤ 0.05 level, existed in the level of awareness (F = 6.29), propagation (F = 15.56), willingness to adopt innovation (F = 12.61) and socio-cultural perception of Moringa oleifera (F = 11.34). The study concluded that the gender differential gaps could reverse the gains of innovations on Moringa oleifera by limiting the adoption of innovation and propagation of the plant among the farm families. It, therefore, recommended that the generated innovations should be properly screened to ensure that they do not upset the delicate economic power balance between men and women in the farming sector or widen the gender inequalities or create other vectors of oppression. So, policies that encourage women’s literacy as well as access to innovations and farm labour, most especially amongst the widows are indispensable in enhancing socio-cultural perceptions and adoption of innovation as well as propagation of Moringa oleifera for sustainable development in Southwest Nigeria

Physiology and Pathology of Calcium Signaling in the Brain

Calcium (Ca2+) plays fundamental and diversified roles in neuronal plasticity. As second messenger of many signaling pathways, Ca2+ as been shown to regulate neuronal gene expression, energy production, membrane excitability, synaptogenesis, synaptic transmission, and other processes underlying learning and memory and cell survival. The flexibility of Ca2+ signaling is achieved by modifying cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations via regulated opening of plasma membrane and subcellular Ca2+ sensitive channels. The spatiotemporal patterns of intracellular Ca2+ signals, and the ultimate cellular biological outcome, are also dependent upon termination mechanism, such as Ca2+ buffering, extracellular extrusion, and intra-organelle sequestration. Because of the central role played by Ca2+ in neuronal physiology, it is not surprising that even modest impairments of Ca2+ homeostasis result in profound functional alterations. Despite their heterogeneous etiology neurodegenerative disorders, as well as the healthy aging process, are all characterized by disruption of Ca2+ homeostasis and signaling. In this review we provide an overview of the main types of neuronal Ca2+ channels and their role in neuronal plasticity. We will also discuss the participation of Ca2+ signaling in neuronal aging and degeneration

Tree Streets property survey

As stated in the thesis project, "Increasing demands on decreasing financial resources, both public and private, are causing non-profit agencies to seriously examine their opportunities and threats in the accomplishment of their goals and objectives like never before. Developing, implementing, and monitoring a strategic plan that leads the agency to the successful completion of their mission has taken on new significance. Fundamental to the completion of the various tasks an agency undertakes, is a complete, flexible, and up to date data base. Information has a short shelf life and the need to update information quickly is becoming increasingly important. The purpose of-this project was to create such a data base. Within the delineated geographical boundaries of the Tree Streets neighborhood, residential properties range from the newly restored to the dilapidated. This neighborhood suffers from the highest crime rate in the City of Nashua, as well as associated problems. Key to the restoration of this entire area is a concerted effort by elected representatives, city officials, residents, and many others who share the common goal of a livable, safe, and healthy urban environment that contributes to the quality of life of the City as a whole.Over the last five years the economic profile of ^Nashua has evolved from a deep recession to modest growth level. This current period of growth may offer opportunities to those who are prepared and vigilant of the possibilities that accompany growth. While many factors contribute to the decision making process to pursue opportunities or to let them pass, being adequately prepared to make informed decisions is critical to this process. It's envisioned this project serve as a useful tool for those charged with these responsibilities." (Library-derived description)Yeomans, M. A. (1996). Tree Streets property survey. Retrieved from http://academicarchive.snhu.eduMaster of Science (M.S.)School of Community Economic Developmen

Volume 75 Issue 12

https://dc.swosu.edu/the_southwestern/1819/thumbnail.jp

Montana Kaimin, October 25, 1985

Student newspaper of the University of Montana, Missoula.https://scholarworks.umt.edu/studentnewspaper/8810/thumbnail.jp