Everything counts in small amounts

This paper describes an encoding tool which utilises the "data is code" principle of symbolic expressions available in Lisp-like languages to allow the scripting of tightly packed, cross-platform network protocols. This dynamic approach provides specific flexibility when working on embedded systems as it reduces the amount of cross compilation and deploy cycles that occur following more traditional development approaches. In addition, the separation of how the data is encoded from the compiled application facilitates a concept known as extensibility of the network protocol without requiring special handling

A Degradation Function Consistent with Cocks–Ashby Porosity Kinetics

The load carrying capacity of ductile materials degrades as a function of porosity, stress state and strain-rate. The effect of these variables on porosity kinetics is captured by the Cocks–Ashby model; however, the Cocks–Ashby model does not account for material degradation directly. This work uses a yield criteria to form a degradation function that is consistent with Cocks–Ashby porosity kinetics and is a function of porosity, stress state and strain-rate dependence. Approximations of this degradation function for pure hydrostatic stress states are also explored

An optimised recovery method for thermophilic Campylobacter from liver

BACKGROUND: The past three decades have witnessed the rise of Campylobacter enteritis in man from virtual obscurity to notoriety, with present isolation rates superseding those of other enteric pathogens such as Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. in most developed countries. Although campylobacters are not completely new to applied bacteriology, they have evaded traditional isolation techniques used for the isolation of pure cultures, apart from single isolations that were free from competing organisms. Offals, in particular liver have been decribed as both a source of campylobacters, as well as a route of transmission of this organism to human. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop an optimum method for the recovery of Campylobacter spp. from porcine liver. RESULTS: Four isolation techniques (methods A-D) were compared in a small pilot study for their ability to successfully recover campylobacters from freshly eviscerated porcine liver. The optimum isolation method involved direct swabbing of the liver tissues followed by plating onto Preston Selective medium, which was superior to methods involving mechanical disruption to liver tissues, including direct plating and enrichment methods, with and without blood. Consequently, any isolation method that involves disruption of liver tissue e.g. homogenisation or stomaching, is not suitable for the detection of campylobacters from liver and hence it is recommended that employment of a direct swabbing technique without mechanical disruption of tissues in combination with selective plating to optimally recover campylobacters from freshly eviscerated liver. CONCLUSIONS: Employment of a direct swabbing technique in combination with selective plating allow Campylobacter spp. to be optimally recovered from freshly eviscerated liver and therefore this technique is recommended when examining liver for the presence of this organism

A prediction of 3-D viscous flow and performance of the NASA low-speed centrifugal compressor

A prediction of the 3-D turbulent flow in the NASA Low-Speed Centrifugal Compressor Impeller has been made. The calculation was made for the compressor design conditions with the specified uniform tip clearance gap. The predicted performance is significantly worse than that predicted in the NASA design study. This is explained by the high tip leakage flow in the present calculation and by the different model adopted for tip leakage flow mixing. The calculation gives an accumulation for high losses in the shroud/pressure-side quadrant near the exit of the impeller. It also predicts a region of meridional backflow near the shroud wall. Both of these flow features should be extensive enough in the NASA impeller to allow detailed flow measurements, leading to improved flow modelling. Recommendations are made for future flow studies in the NASA impeller

NHBC Foundation: improving recruitment of young people into home building : a literature review

This literature review was undertaken to support research into young people's attitudes to careers in house building. The review is based on database searches supplemented by the evidence gathered during stakeholder interviews and through requests made to the wider careers and home building sectors. In order to fully answer the main research questions, the literature mapping the barriers faced by young people to working within the sector was explored. Based on the review a set of criteria for analysing and categorising industry sector initiatives will also be developed. The criteria will be presented as a separate compendium of opportunities.National House Builders Council Foundatio

Four directions: Native American lending in Maine

Four Directions, a community development financial institution established by Maine’s four Native American tribes, is overcoming many traditional barriers to lending on tribal land.Community development - Maine ; American Indian ; Financial institutions - Maine ; Loans - Maine

Explicit finite-volume time-marching calculations of total temperature distributions in turbulent flow

A method was developed which calculates two-dimensional, transonic, viscous flow in ducts. The finite volume, time-marching formulation is used to obtain steady flow solutions of the Reynolds-averaged form of the Navier-Stokes equations. The entire calculation is performed in the physical domain. This paper investigates the introduction of a new formulation of the energy equation which gives improved transient behavior as the calculation converges. The effect of variable Prandtl number on the temperature distribution through the boundary layer is also investigated. A turbulent boundary layer in an adverse pressure gradient (M = 0.55) is used to demonstrate the improved transient temperature distribution obtained when the new formulation of the energy equation is used. A flat plate turbulent boundary layer with a supersonic free-stream Mach number of 2.8 is used to investigate the effect of Prandtl number on the distribution of properties through the boundary layer. The computed total temperature distribution and recovery factor agree well with the measurements when a variable Prandtl number is used through the boundary layer