Numerical and asymptotic solutions of generalised Burgers’ equation

The generalised Burgers’ equation has been subject to a considerable amount of research on how the equation should behave according to asymptotic analysis, however there has been limited research verifying the asymptotic analysis. In order to verify the asymptotic analysis, this paper aims to run long time and detailed numerical simulations of Burgers’ equation by employing suitable rescalings of Burgers’ equation. It is hoped that this technique will make it possible to notice subtle changes in the shock structure which would otherwise be impossible to observe. The main aim of this paper is to validate the numerical methods used in order to allow further research into shock evolution where further relaxation effects will be included

Teacher Transformations: A Phenomenological Study on the Effect of Courage to Teach on Experienced Teachers\u27 Growth and Development: A Dissertation

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a professional development experience on ten experienced teachers who participated as a cohort in Courage to Teach. Courage to Teach, founded by Parker Palmer, is a program of quarterly retreats that foster personal and professional renewal for teachers. The program focused on renewal through deep reflection that helps teachers to investigate the inner and outer landscapes of their lives. By using seasonal themes, poetry, readings, and insights from various wisdom traditions, teachers reflect on their identity and integrity as teachers as large groups, and solitary settings

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

Effectiveness of 3D-printed orthoses for traumatic and chronic hand conditions: A scoping review

Background In the field of orthotics, the use of three-dimensional (3D) technology as an alternative to the conventional production process of orthoses is growing. Purpose This scoping review aimed to systematically map and summarize studies assessing the effectiveness of 3D-printed orthoses for traumatic and chronic hand conditions, and to identify knowledge gaps. Methods The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, IEEE, and PEDro were searched for studies of any type of 3D-printed orthoses for traumatic and chronic hand conditions. Any outcome related to the effectiveness of 3D-printed orthoses was considered. Two reviewers selected eligible studies, charted data on study characteristics by impairment type, and critically appraised the studies, except for case reports/series. Results Seventeen studies were included: Four randomized controlled trials, four uncontrolled trials, four case series and five case reports. Only three studies had a sample size >20. Impairments described were forearm fractures (n = 5), spasticity (n = 5), muscle weakness (n = 4), joint contractures (n = 2) and pain (n = 1). Four poor to fair quality studies on forearm fractures supported the effectiveness of 3D-printed orthoses on hand function, functionality, and satisfaction. One good quality study on spasticity demonstrated the effectiveness of 3D-printed orthoses on hand function. One poor quality pain study reported limited positive effects on satisfaction. Studies on muscle weakness and joint contractures showed no benefits. Conclusion Current literature addressing the effectiveness of 3D-printed orthoses for traumatic and chronic hand conditions consists primarily of small and poor methodological quality studies. There is a need for well-designed controlled trials including patient-related outcomes, production time and cost analyses

Understanding sleep regulation in normal and pathological conditions, and why it matters

Sleep occupies a peculiar place in our lives and in science, being both eminently familiar and profoundly enigmatic. Historically, philosophers, scientists and artists questioned the meaning and purpose of sleep. If Shakespeare’s verses from MacBeth depicting “Sleep that soothes away all our worries” and “relieves the weary laborer and heals hurt minds” perfectly epitomize the alleviating benefits of sleep, it is only during the last two decades that the growing understanding of the sophisticated sleep regulatory mechanisms allows us to glimpse putative biological functions of sleep. Sleep control brings into play various brain-wide processes occurring at the molecular, cellular, circuit, and system levels, some of them overlapping with a number of disease-signaling pathways. Pathogenic processes, including mood disorders (e.g., major depression) and neurodegenerative illnesses such Huntington’s or Alzheimer’s diseases, can therefore affect sleep-modulating networks which disrupt the sleep-wake architecture, whereas sleep disturbances may also trigger various brain disorders. In this review, we describe the mechanisms underlying sleep regulation and the main hypotheses drawn about its functions. Comprehending sleep physiological orchestration and functions could ultimately help deliver better treatments for people living with neurodegenerative diseases

Seismic Vulnerability of Heritage Churches in Québec: the Néo-Roman Typology

Several seismic events have demonstrated the vulnerability of masonry churches. The long seismic history of the Italian territory has provided materials to observe and to study the structural performance of churches. Since the 1976 Friuli earthquake many studies have contributed to the definition of specific damage and vulnerability assessment methods for churches, based on the identification of macro-elements and kinematic mechanisms. In this context, the paper presents the application of a vulnerability assessment methodology developed and currently applied in Italy to a case study representative of the néo-roman church typology in Montreal, Québec. The study is part of a collaborative project between Politecnico di Milano and École de Technologie Supérieure of Montreal. The relevance of such a study derives from the moderate seismicity of Montreal associated to a high density of churches. Starting from a previous inventory of 108 churches in Montreal Island, the Néo-roman church typology was selected to be investigated. Specificities of this typology are the position of the bell tower in the middle of the façade and the interaction between the timber structure and masonry walls. This combination between the façade and bell tower macro-elements requires to reconsider the mechanisms associated to these elements in the original reference method. A detailed survey of the roof and bell tower timber structures of a néo-roman church was done, and a three-dimensional numerical model was developed for a better understanding of this type of structure. Modal analysis of a global model was then carried out and the first results of the modal shapes discussed