Software Usability:A Comparison Between Two Tree-Structured Data Transformation Languages

This paper presents the results of a software usability study, involving both subjective and objective evaluation. It compares a popular XML data transformation language (XSLT) and a general purpose rule-based tree manipulation language which addresses some of the XML and XSLT limitations. The benefits of the evaluation study are discussed

Estimation of residual resource of steam pipeline welded joints with cracks

Задача про визначення залишкового ресурсу зварних з’єднань труб паропроводів з тріщинами розв’язана з допомогою сформульованого раніше авторами енергетичного підходу. При цьому для спрощення розв’язку такої складної просторової задачі застосований метод еквівалентних площ.The method for determination of residual resource of steam pipeline pipes the welded connections with cracks is proposed. The method is based on the first low of thermodynamic on energy balance and the balance of energy change rate in a metallic body, containing a macro crack and subjected to long-term loading tension under high-temperature field. It is assumed, that the period of well-established creep dominates here. In this case the main mechanism of fracture is high temperature creep fracture. We assume that crack propagation occurs by jumps during incubation periods of high temperature creep in the prefracture zone near the crack tip. Then the crack growth rate can be represented as the average ratio of the length of its jump to the time of incubation period. Basing on it and some ideas of fracture mechanics available in literature the equation has been obtained for description of high temperature creep cracks growth kinetics. This equation together with initial and final conditions form a mathematical model for determination of the period of high temperature creep crack subcritical growth in the metallic materials. This equation depends on the stress intensity factors, which for welded joints with cracks are defined as follows. Stress intensity factors for weld crack pipe represent the approximate as stress intensity factor for plates with semielliptical surface crack on the surface of which is applied the amount of residual stress of welded joints and stress in the wall of the pipe. This stress intensity factor is found on the basis of published data. Substituting this value of this stress intensity factor in the above-mentioned equation we obtain a mathematical problem to determine the residual life of the pipe, in the weld joint which is semielliptical surface crack. Solution of this problem is associated with considerable mathematical difficulties.Thus for simplification of decision of such intricate spatial problem the method of equivalent areas is applied. Numerically and graphically it was shown that the residual life of welded connections of steam crack strongly depends on the initial value of the size of the defec

Determination of the residual life time of thin-walled structural elements under high temperature creep

A calculation model for evaluation of sub critical crack propagation hightemperature creep in metallic plates is proposed. The model is based on the first low of thermodynamics on energy balance and the balance of energy change velocity in a metallic plate, containing a macro crack and subjected to long-term static loading tension under hightemperature field effect, thus providing the process of stable creep in the process zone near the crack tip. On the basis of above mentioned the equation with original and final conditions are obtained that composed the mathematical model for determining the sub critical crack growth period under high-temperature creep in metallic plates

L'impératif patriotique, mutation conceptuelle et conjoncture politique. 1795-1813

L'analyse des concepts politiques a pour avantage de déceler les glissements qui s'opèrent dans une période de politisation intense, comme le furent les années 1780-1787 et 1795-1800. Ceux de Patrie et de Nation, par exemple, en disent long sur les mutations à l'œuvre, dans le même temps où ils traduisent les frustrations et les attentes d'un pays pressuré par un allié exigeant.The Categorical Imperative: Conceptual Change in a Political Context (1795-1813).The analysis of political concepts has the advantage of revealing the shifts that occur in a period of intense politicization, such as the years 1780-1787 and 1795-1800. Those of patrie and nation, for instance, have much to tell about the changes underway, while simultaneously translating the frustrations and expectations of a country undergoing pressure from a demanding ally

Comparative Fatty Acid Composition of Eggs from White Bass Fed Live Food or Commercial Feed

We evaluated the influence of two broodstock feeding practices on fatty acid composition and viability of eggs in white bass Morone chrysops. The two dietary groups tested were (1) white bass females fed a commercially formulated feed (crude protein, 45%; crude fat, 16%) and (2) white bass females maintained on live food (fathead minnow Pimephales promelas and golden shiners Notemigonus crysoleucas). Significant differences existed between the dietary treatments in egg fatty acid levels. Eggs of white bass fed live food contained more 11-octadecenoic acid (18:1[n-7]), α-linolenic acid (18:3[n-3]), arachidonic acid (20:4[n-6]), docosahexaenoic acid (22:6[n-3]), and total n-3 fatty acids than eggs of fish fed formulated feed. Conversely, eggs of fish fed the formulated feed contained more oleic acid (18:1[n-9]), linoleic acid (18:2[n-6]), and total monoeic acids. Female white bass fed live food produced significantly more viable eggs (68.0 ± 2.0%) at 48 ± 2 h posthatch than did females fed the commercial feed (57.0 ± 2.0% [mean ± SD]). We found that the egg fatty acids of white bass are significantly affected by the diet of the female and suggest that the fatty acid composition of eggs contribute to overall reproductive success and viability of progeny. More information on the nutrient requirements of piscivorous broodstock is needed to allow feeds to be formulated to enhance the viability of eggs and fry

Qualification of electron-beam welded joints between copper and stainless steel for cryogenic application

Joints between copper and stainless steel are commonly applied in cryogenic systems. A relatively new and increasingly important method to combine these materials is electron-beam (EB) welding. Typically, welds in cryogenic applications need to withstand a temperature range from 300K down to 4 K, and pressures of several MPa. However, few data are available for classifying EB welds between OFHC copper and 316L stainless steel. A broad test program was conducted in order to qualify this kind of weld. The experiments started with the measurement of the hardness in the weld area. To verify the leak-tightness of the joints, integral helium leak tests at operating pressures of 16MPa were carried out at roomand at liquid nitrogen temperature. The tests were followed by destructive tensile tests at room temperature, at liquid nitrogen and at liquid helium temperatures, yielding information on the yield strength and the ultimate tensile strength of the welds at these temperatures. Moreover, nondestructive tensile tests up to the yield strength, i.e. the range in which the weld can be stressed during operation, were performed. Also, the behavior of the weld upon temperature fluctuations between room- and liquid nitrogen temperature was tested. The results of the qualification indicate that EB welded joints between OFHC copper and 316L stainless steel are reliable and present an interesting alternative to other technologies such as vacuum brazing or friction welding

Potential loss of nutrients from different rearing strategies for fattening pigs on pasture

Nutrient load and distribution on pasture were investigated with fattening pigs that: 1) spend a proportion of or their entire life on pasture, 2) were fed either restrictively or ad libitum, and 3) were weaned at different times of the year. The N and P retention in pigs decreased the longer they were kept on pasture. The contents of soil inorganic N and exchangeable K were significantly raised compared to the soil outside the enclosures but with no differences between treatments. Pig grazing did not affect extractable soil P. Regular moving of huts, feeding and water troughs was effective in ensuring that nutrients were more evenly distributed on the paddocks. Grass cover, as determined by spectral reflectance, was not related to the experimental treatments but only to time of year. During spring and summer, grass was present in parts of the paddocks, whereas during autumn and winter the pigs kept grass cover below 10%. Fattening pigs on pasture carries a high risk of nutrient loss and it is concluded that the most environmentally acceptable way of keeping fattening pigs on pasture involves a combination of reduced dietary N intake, reduced stocking rate and seasonal rather than all year production

Avian malaria is absent in juvenile colonial herons (Ardeidae) but not Culex pipiens mosquitoes in the Camargue, Southern France

Apicomplexan blood parasites Plasmodium and Haemoproteus (together termed “Avian malaria”) and Leucocytozoon are widespread, diverse vector-transmitted blood parasites of birds, and conditions associated with colonial nesting in herons (Ardeidae) and other waterbirds appear perfect for their transmission. Despite studies in other locations reporting high prevalence of parasites in juvenile herons, juvenile Little Egrets (Egretta garzetta) previously tested in the Camargue, Southern France, had a total absence of malaria parasites. This study tested the hypotheses that this absence was due to insufficient sensitivity of the tests of infection; an absence of infective vectors; or testing birds too early in their lives. Blood was sampled from juveniles of four species shortly before fledging: Little Egret (n = 40), Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis; n = 40), Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax, n = 40), and Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides; n = 40). Sensitive nested-Polymerase Chain Reaction was used to test for the presence of parasites in both birds and host-seeking female mosquitoes captured around the colonies. No malaria infection was found of in any of the heron species. Four different lineages of Plasmodium were detected in pooled samples of female Culex pipiens mosquitoes, including two in potentially infective mosquitoes. These results confirm that the absence of malaria parasites previously demonstrated in Little Egret is not due to methodological limitations. Although the prevalence of infection in mosquitoes was low, conditions within the colonies were suitable for transmission of Plasmodium. These colonial heron species may have evolved strategies for resisting malaria infection through physiological or behavioral mechanisms

Secondary Sex Ratio among Women Exposed to Diethylstilbestrol in Utero

BACKGROUND. Diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic estrogen widely prescribed to pregnant women during the mid-1900s, is a potent endocrine disruptor. Previous studies have suggested an association between endocrine-disrupting compounds and secondary sex ratio. METHODS. Data were provided by women participating in the National Cancer Institute (NCI) DES Combined Cohort Study. We used generalized estimating equations to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the relation of in utero DES exposure to sex ratio (proportion of male births). Models were adjusted for maternal age, child's birth year, parity, and cohort, and accounted for clustering among women with multiple pregnancies. RESULTS. The OR for having a male birth comparing DES-exposed to unexposed women was 1.05 (95% CI, 0.95-1.17). For exposed women with complete data on cumulative DES dose and timing (33%), those first exposed to DES earlier in gestation and to higher doses had the highest odds of having a male birth. The ORs were 0.91 (95% C, 0.65-1.27) for first exposure at ≥ 13 weeks gestation to < 5 g DES; 0.95 (95% CI, 0.71-1.27) for first exposure at ≥ 13 weeks to ≥ 5 g; 1.16 (95% CI, 0.96-1.41) for first exposure at < 13 weeks to < 5 g; and 1.24 (95% CI, 1.04-1.48) for first exposure at < 13 weeks to ≥ 5 g compared with no exposure. Results did not vary appreciably by maternal age, parity, cohort, or infertility history. CONCLUSIONS. Overall, no association was observed between in utero DES exposure and secondary sex ratio, but a significant increase in the proportion of male births was found among women first exposed to DES earlier in gestation and to a higher cumulative dose.National Cancer Institute (N01-CP-21168, N01-CP-51017, N01-CP-01289