The history, usage, and technique of the Chinese cheng

Includes bibliographical references.Throughout Chinese history, music has been an integral part of the lives of the Chinese people. It was very symbolic; it was considered part of the universe. The entertainment value of music was secondary to its use for religious purposes and for the education of gentlemen. The instruments of China generally fall into one of two categories: metal and string. Among the major string instruments are the ‘pi-p’a (a four-stringed, lute-type instrument), the erhu (a two-stringed, bowed instrument), the sanxian (a three-stringed, banjo-like instrument), and the zither family. The two main Chinese zithers are the ch’in and the cheng. The ch’in, a classical instrument with seven strings, was a symbol of learning for the Chinese people. The cheng, which was more an instrument for entertainment, will be discussed in great detail in the pages to follow

Continuing vocational education and training (CVET) for fire brigades : the start of a series of seminars to professionalise CVET teaching

Der vorliegende Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit den Lehrenden in der betrieblichen Weiterbildung und deren pädagogischem Professionalisierungsbedarf. Beschrieben wird ein von der Feuerwehr- und Rettungsdienstakademie der Branddirektion Frankfurt am Main (FRA) und dem Fachbereich Erziehungswissenschaften der Goethe-Universität entwickeltes Konzept zur Aus- und Weiterbildung pädagogisch tätiger FeuerwehrbeamtInnen, das 2012 erstmals umgesetzt wird. Bislang existierten hierfür weder in Deutschland noch in Österreich einheitliche Vorgaben. Ausgehend von den Bedürfnissen der Feuerwehren und geleitet von theoretischen Positionen der Erwachsenenbildung wird mit dem Konzept nicht zuletzt auch eine lernende Organisation zu verwirklichen versucht. Der Beitrag erläutert Ausgangslage, pädagogische Grundhaltung, Ziele und Ergebnisse der Voruntersuchung und skizziert die konkreten Modulinhalte und den Seminarablauf. Fazit der Autoren: Analog zu der bereits begonnenen Entwicklung in Wirtschaftsunternehmen wird das Niveau der pädagogischen Kenntnisse von lehrendem Personal auch bei den Feuerwehren steigen müssen. (DIPF/Orig.)This article deals with teachers in CVET and their need to professionalise their teaching. It describes a concept to train and further develop the skills of fire brigade employees involved in education. Developed by the Academy for Fire and Rescue Services of the Fire Protection Authorities of the City of Frankfurt am Main (Feuerwehr- und Rettungsdienstakademie der Branddirektion Frankfurt am Main – FRA in German) and the Faculty of Educational Sciences at Goethe University, it was implemented for the first time in 2012. Previously there had been no uniform standards in either Germany or Austria. Based on the needs of fire brigades and guided by adult education theories, this concept is being used to establish a learning organisation. The article explains the starting point, educational principle, objectives and results of the pre-investigation and outlines the actual content of the modules and the seminar schedule. The conclusion of the authors: analogous to the development that has already started in companies, the level of educational knowledge of teachers in fire brigades must also increase. (DIPF/Orig.

Microclimatic effects on Central European deciduous tree species and their interactions with arthropod herbivory

Arthropod herbivores act as mediators for effects that cascade up and down the trophic chain. Therefore, herbivory plays an important role for driving ecosystem processes and influencing ecosystem structures and functions. Generally, ecosystem processes are mediated by interactions between organisms. The plant community composition is influenced by competitive interactions among plants, which is affected by herbivore species. Leaf area loss to insects can reduce tree growth, but alters material flows from canopies to forest soils. Therefore, the chemical quality of litter is changed (increases in nitrogen content) through enhanced nutrient cycling rates caused by herbivory. Climate and microclimate can affect insect physiology and behaviour directly or indirectly through climate-induced changes of host plants. Temperature determines the geographical range, site and timing of activities, success of oviposition and hatching, and the duration of developmental stages of arthropod herbivores. The activity of poikilothermic insects increases with temperature, and therefore growth and consumption rates are enhanced. However, morphological and functional leaf traits that determine host plant palatability often mediate indirect environmental effects on herbivory. Leaf palatability is determined by leaf toughness, nutrients, and defence compounds. In warm environments, expected high rates of arthropod herbivory can then be suppressed by negative changes of leaf traits. Microclimate gradients are found across the different strata of forest ecosystems. Abiotic factors change vertically between forest layers due to a micro-environmental gradient. Along the vertical gradient, microclimate is affected by the light regime, with increasing temperatures and decreasing humidity from understorey to upper canopies. Various organisms are distributed along the vertical forest gradient based on changes in environmental conditions and in the quality and quantity of available resources. Temperate deciduous forests reveal highly stratified arthropod communities with vertical and horizontal distribution patterns. Microclimatic requirements and the availability of food resources along the vertical forest gradient can reflect spatial distributions and preferences of arthropods. This research study investigated arthropod herbivory on leaves of deciduous tree species along the vertical gradient of temperate forests. A field study with ten forests sites in Central Germany and an experimental study in greenhouses were conducted, addressing effects of microclimate and leaf traits on arthropod herbivory. Juvenile and adult individuals of Fagus sylvatica L. (European beech), the dominant deciduous tree species in Central Europe, were chosen as main research subjects. Furthermore, Acer pseudoplatanus L. (Sycamore maple) and Carpinus betulus L. (hornbeam), two frequent tree species in the forest understorey, were also surveyed

An Exposure Study Linking Environmental and Human Biological Parameter Measurements, with a Focus on Th1/Th2 Cytokine Expression

Diesel exhaust (DE) and ozone (O3) inhalation exposures are both recognized for creating, or exacerbating, cardiopulmonary health effects in humans. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has regulations described in the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) that establish ambient standards for O3 and for some of the constituents of DE, including particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides, but there are no regulations that include all components of DE emissions. While there is scientific evidence for exposure-related health effects from DE and O3 separately, there is little research investigating co-exposures to these two pollutants. To address this data gap, this dissertation explores the human inflammatory response as an early indicator for exposures sufficient for activating the immune system with a series of highly-controlled environmental chamber studies. Healthy human subjects were exposed to clean filtered air, DE, O3, and DE+O3 at typical urban air concentrations. A multiplex immunochemistry method was used to analyze the Th1/Th2 inflammatory cytokines: interleukins (1beta, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12p70 and 13), interferon-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, in human blood, breath and urine samples. In addition, health outcome parameters for cardiopulmonary function (systolic/diastolic blood pressure, forced exhaled volume in 1 second, and forced vital capacity) were measured. The results demonstrated sufficient sensitivity for characterizing all 10 cytokines at levels of 0.05-0.10 pg/ml with a dynamic range up to 100 ng/ml. Specific cytokines responded to the DE-only and O3-only exposures, and a synergistic relationship was found as a suppression (lasting as long as 22 hrs) of IL-5, IL-12p70, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha after DE + O3 co-exposure. Varieties of relationships were explored between subject meta-data and physiological (cardiopulmonary) observations, which demonstrated high exposure-response variability between individuals and that summary data can mask certain underlying relationships. The overall results suggest that O3 exposure is highly correlated with decreased pulmonary function, that Th1-mediated inflammation is a moderator between DE+O3 exposure and post-exposure blood pressure modifications, and that epidemiologically observed associations between environmental exposures and cardiopulmonary effects are mediated by inflammatory response mechanisms.Doctor of Philosoph

A Comparison of Indoor Fungal Spore Concentrations between Naturally Ventilated and Mechanically Ventilated Dormitories at Duke University

It is well recognized that the quality of air a person breathes can have a significant impact on their health. "Clean" indoor air is especially important since people in the US spend 88% of their time in the indoor environment. Some research has identified links between dampness, indoor microbial growth, and health effects in single-family homes, but little research has been conducted concerning community living areas, such as college dorms and large apartment buildings. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated that in 2007 there were 17.9 million students enrolled in colleges around the United States of which 1/3 live in on-campus housing. In this study we tried to address three general questions: one, are there diferences between indoor fungal spore concentrations and outdoor fungal spore concentrations, two, are indoor fungal concentrations different between naturally ventilated dormitories and mechanically ventilated dormitories, and three, what effect do open windows have on the indoor fungal concentration? We sampled outdoors and inside four dormitories at Duke University, one with natural ventilation and three with mechanical ventilation. Our results indicate that the indoor fungal concentration in each of the dorms was less than the outdoor concentration. Natural ventilation produces indoor fungal levels that are significantly higher than those observed in mechanically ventilated dormitories. Open windows can have an effect on the indoor fungal spore concentrations in mechanically ventilated dorms.Master of Science in Public Healt

Standardization of the collection of exhaled breath condensate and exhaled breath aerosol using a feedback regulated sampling device

Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and associated exhaled breath aerosols (EBA) are valuable non-invasive biological media used for the quantification of biomarkers. EBC contains exhaled water vapor, soluble gas-phase (polar) organic compounds, ionic species, plus other species including semi- and non-volatile organic compounds, proteins, cell fragments, DNA, dissolved inorganic compounds, ions, and microbiota (bacteria and viruses) dissolved in the co-collected EBA. EBC is collected from subjects who breathe 'normally' through a chilled tube assembly for approximately 10 min and is then harvested into small vials for analysis. Aerosol filters without the chilled tube assembly are also used to separately collect EBA. Unlike typical gas-phase breath samples used for environmental and clinical applications, the constituents of EBC and EBA are not easily characterized by total volume or carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, because the gas-phase is vented. Furthermore, EBC and associated EBA are greatly affected by breathing protocol, more specifically, depth of inhalation and expelled breath velocity. We have tested a new instrument developed by Loccioni Gruppa Humancare (Ancona, Italy) for implementation of EBC collection from human subjects to assess EBC collection parameters. The instrument is the first EBC collection device that provides instantaneous visual feedback to the subjects to control breathing patterns. In this report we describe the operation of the instrument, and present an overview of performance and analytical applications

Quality improvement program decreases mortality after cardiac surgery

ObjectiveThis study investigated the effects of a quality improvement program and goal-oriented, multidisciplinary protocols on mortality after cardiac surgery.MethodsPatients were divided into two groups: those undergoing surgery (coronary artery bypass grafting, isolated valve surgery, or coronary artery bypass grafting and valve surgery) after establishment of the multidisciplinary quality improvement program (January 2005–December 2006, n = 922) and those undergoing surgery before institution of the program (January 2002–December 2003, n = 1289). Logistic regression and propensity score analysis were used to adjust for imbalances in patients' preoperative characteristics.ResultsOperative mortality was lower in the quality improvement group (2.6% vs 5.0%, P < .01). Unadjusted odds ratio was 0.5 (95% confidence interval 0.3–0.8, P < .01); propensity score–adjusted odds ratio was 0.6 (95% confidence interval 0.4–0.99, P = .04). In multivariable analysis, diabetes (P < .01), chronic renal insufficiency (P = .05), previous cardiovascular operation (P = .04), congestive heart failure (P < .01), unstable angina (P < .01), age older than 75 years (P < .01), prolonged pump time (P < .01), and prolonged operation (P = .05) emerged as independent predictors of higher mortality after cardiac surgery, whereas quality improvement program (P < .01) and male sex (P = .03) were associated with lower mortality. Mortality decline was less pronounced in patients with than without diabetes (P = .04).ConclusionApplication of goal-directed, multidisciplinary protocols and a quality improvement program were associated with lower mortality after cardiac surgery. This decline was less prominent in patients with diabetes, and focused quality improvement protocols may be required for this subset of patients

Systemic Exposure to PAHs and Benzene in Firefighters Suppressing Controlled Structure Fires

Turnout gear provides protection against dermal exposure to contaminants during firefighting; however, the level of protection is unknown. We explored the dermal contribution to the systemic dose of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other aromatic hydrocarbons in firefighters during suppression and overhaul of controlled structure burns. The study was organized into two rounds, three controlled burns per round, and five firefighters per burn. The firefighters wore new or laundered turnout gear tested before each burn to ensure lack of PAH contamination. To ensure that any increase in systemic PAH levels after the burn was the result of dermal rather than inhalation exposure, the firefighters did not remove their self-contained breathing apparatus until overhaul was completed and they were >30 m upwind from the burn structure. Specimens were collected before and at intervals after the burn for biomarker analysis. Urine was analyzed for phenanthrene equivalents using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and a benzene metabolite (s-phenylmercapturic acid) using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry; both were adjusted by creatinine. Exhaled breath collected on thermal desorption tubes was analyzed for PAHs and other aromatic hydrocarbons using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. We collected personal air samples during the burn and skin wipe samples (corn oil medium) on several body sites before and after the burn. The air and wipe samples were analyzed for PAHs using a liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection. We explored possible changes in external exposures or biomarkers over time and the relationships between these variables using non-parametric sign tests and Spearman tests, respectively. We found significantly elevated (P < 0.05) post-exposure breath concentrations of benzene compared with pre-exposure concentrations for both rounds. We also found significantly elevated post-exposure levels of PAHs on the neck compared with pre-exposure levels for round 1. We found statistically significant positive correlations between external exposures (i.e. personal air concentrations of PAHs) and biomarkers (i.e. change in urinary PAH metabolite levels in round 1 and change in breath concentrations of benzene in round 2). The results suggest that firefighters wearing full protective ensembles absorbed combustion products into their bodies. The PAHs most likely entered firefighters’ bodies through their skin, with the neck being the primary site of exposure and absorption due to the lower level of dermal protection afforded by hoods. Aromatic hydrocarbons could have been absorbed dermally during firefighting or inhaled during the doffing of gear that was off-gassing contaminants.National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) by intramural award under the National Occupational Research AgendaOpe

Durable Zinc Oxide-Based Regenerable Sorbents for Desulfurization of Syngas in a Fixed-Bed Reactor

A fixed-bed regenerable desulfurization sorbent, identified as RVS-land developed by researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory, was awarded the R&amp;D 100 award in 2000 and is currently offered as a commercial product by Sued-Chemie Inc. An extensive testing program for this sorbent was undertaken which included tests at a wide range of temperatures, pressures and gas compositions both simulated and generated in an actual gasifier for sulfidation and regeneration. This testing has demonstrated that during these desulfurization tests, the RVS-1 sorbent maintained an effluent H2S concentration of &lt;5 ppmv at temperatures from 260 to 600 C (500-1100 F) and pressures of 203-2026 kPa(2 to 20 atm) with a feed containing 1.2 vol% H{sub 2}S. The types of syngas tested ranged from an oxygen-blown Texaco gasifier to biomass-generated syngas. The RVS-1 sorbent has high crush strength and attrition resistance, which, unlike past sorbent formulations, does not decrease with extended testing at actual at operating conditions. The sulfur capacity of the sorbent is roughly 17 to 20 wt.% and also remains constant during extended testing (&gt;25 cycles). In addition to H{sub 2}S, the RVS-1 sorbent has also demonstrated the ability to remove dimethyl sulfide and carbonyl sulfide from syngas. During regeneration, the RVS-1 sorbent has been regenerated with dilute oxygen streams (1 to 7 vol% O{sub 2}) at temperatures as low as 370 C (700 F) and pressures of 304-709 kPa(3 to 7 atm). Although regeneration can be initiated at 370 C (700 F), regeneration temperatures in excess of 538 C (1000 F) were found to be optimal. The presence of steam, carbon dioxide or sulfur dioxide (up to 6 vol%) did not have any visible effect on regeneration or sorbent performance during either sulfidation or regeneration. A number of commercial tests involving RVS-1 have been either conducted or are planned in the near future. The RVS-1 sorbent has been tested by Epyx, Aspen Systems and McDermott Technology (MTI), Inc for desulfurization of syngas produced by reforming of hydrocarbon liquid feedstocks for fuel cell applications. The RVS-1 sorbent was selected by MTI over other candidate sorbents for demonstration testing in their 500-kW ship service fuel cell program. It was also possible to obtain sulfur levels in the ppbv range with the modified RVS-1 sorbent