In-service supervision of a prestressed concrete pressure vessel

On-line measurements of the physical state of a prestressed concrete pressure vessel, and comparison with the design predictions of the distribution of temperature, strain and stress within the concrete member and the criteria of layout, provide an efficient and economical method of operating the vessel with a high potential of safety. The requirements of instrumentation and the comparison with static calculations are discussed with reference to the prototype vessel at Seibersdorf Research Centre during the phase of construction and prestressing, the phase of the first thermal treatment (stabilization), the pressure tests and under the operating conditions of a high temperature reactor (150°C, 50 bar).     

Sound–Sights An Interdisciplinary Project

An interdisciplinary project between geometry, architecture and music resulted in a concert and exhibition with sound installations. Professors and students of architecture and mathematics of the Technical University of Kaiserslautern worked with a professor and students of music composition of the Music Academy of Cologne in Germany. The theoretical and historical analyses of the relationships between geometry and music formed the basis for original creative works in interdisciplinary groups. Music was composed according geometrical-architectural concepts and geometrical images, forms and processes were developed after musical ideas. Geometrical forms are combined with the music into a kinetic, visual and acoustic work of art. Through such interdisciplinary art projects it is possible to experience scientific coherence in a sensual way. The combination of geometry, architecture and music enables a visual and aural approach to formal thinking of sciences.     

Effects of whole cottonseed, niacin, and niacinamide on in vitro rumen fermentation and on lactating Holstein cows

In Experiment 1, effects of whole cottonseed (0, 5, 15, or 30% of the total ration DM) on in vitro ruminal fermentation showed increased ruminal pH and ammonia concentration but lowered microbial protein. Acetic acid concentration was greatest with diets of 15 and 30% whole cottonseed, but propionate and total VFA concentrations were reduced by increasing whole cottonseed from 0 to 30%. In Experiment 2, neither niacin nor niacinamide (0, 100, 200, or 400 ppm) altered substantially fermenter pH or ammonia concentration. Both niacin and niacinamide increased synthesis of microbial protein. Acetate and propionate concentrations were not altered by treatment. Total VFA concentration tended to be lower as concentration of niacin and niacinamide increased. In Experiment 3, 28 Holstein cows were used to determine the effects of supplemental niacin on feed intake, milk yield, and composition. Cows were fed individually complete mixed diets ad libitum containing either: 1) 0; 2) .015; 3) .03; or 4) .06% niacin. There was a trend for lower milk fat test with niacin supplementation. Milk protein percentage was higher without niacin than with niacin at .015 or .03% in the diet, but daily milk and protein yields were higher with .06% versus .015% of niacin. Supplemental niacin did not affect casein nitrogen, lactose or minerals percentage, or concentrations of plasma glucose and insulin.     

Two methods for administering colostrum to newborn calves

Comparison was of immunoglobulin G concentrations in blood serum of calves to which colostrum was administered by nipple bottle or by esophageal tube. Pooled batches of colostrum were given by the designated method soon after birth and at 12 and 24 h thereafter. Blood samples to measure immunoglobulin G concentrations were taken before initial feeding and at 4-h intervals thereafter through 32 h. The rate of increase of immunoglobulin G concentration following feeding was essentially the same for calves given colostrum by the two methods, and the concentration attained by 20 h after initial feeding was similar for the two groups and adequate for calf survival.     

Control of data processing systems by voice commands

A spoken dialogue between a user and a computer system has to be governed by the system because of: (i) the limited capabilities of present word-recognition apparatus; and (ii) the limited possibilities of the system for 'understanding' its user. The user's part of the dialogue therefore needs to be unobtrusively controlled by the system by carefully phrased and timed prompts. Short pauses in these prompts enable the experienced user to make shortcuts through the dialogue, without forsaking complete explanations for the inexperienced user. The user is also able to control the system by utilizing other pauses in the system utterances for corrective words or protests in case of incorrect recognition.     

Surgical treatment of induced peri-implantitis in the micro pig: clinical and histological analysis

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine if lost osseous support adjacent to root form implants could be regenerated using a guided tissue regeneration technique. Three fixtures were placed in each edentulous mandibular bicuspid region of two micro pigs. A total of 6 fixtures were placed in each pig. Due to the presence of a pathologic condition, which was in no way related to the research, the results of one pig were not evaluated. Following osseointegration, peri-implantitis were induced by the use of ligatures and a soft diet. Three modalities of treatment were performed. Utilizing a surgical flap approach, one third of the fixtures (one per quadrant) were covered with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane and submerged under the soft tissue complex. The second group of fixtures were submerged under the soft tissue complex with no ePTFE membrane. The control fixtures along with their abutments were debrided and remained non-submerged. All fixtures were debrided using an air-abrasive polishing system. The osseous defects around the fixtures were measured from a fixed reference point at the time of surgery and after obtaining block sections.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Characterization of the 2H12 antigen as a nonshuttling human isoelectric variant of the nucleolar protein B23

It has become obvious that a better understanding of the nucleolar compartment should encompass the elucidation of structural and functional relationships between its molecular constituents. Using a mouse monoclonal antibody referred to as 2H12, we have identified a human epitope that appears to be implicated in the regulatory events governing the elaboration and stabilization of the nucleolar architecture. By immunofluorescence and immunoblotting, the 2H12 monoclonal was shown to be directed against a nucleolar protein with a relative mobility of 38-40 kDa and an isoelectric point of 5.1 that is present in human cells, regardless of their proliferation state. No reactivity was detected in cells from other species, implying that the targeted epitope could be unique to humans. Investigation of the fate of the epitope throughout the cell cycle led to evidence that its immunoreactivity was phosphodependent and suggested that the disassembly and reassembly of the nucleolar apparatus during cell division is accompanied by dephosphorylation/phosphorylation modifications at this site. In a series of double immunofluorescence experiments and two-dimensional immunoblotting analyses, it was demonstrated that the 2H12 antigen corresponds to an isoelectric variant of the human nucleolar protein B23 that is most prominent during interphase. Tightly associated with the nuclear matrix, this human B23 isoelectric variant did not shuttle between the nucleus and the cytoplasm but remained sequestered within the human nucleolus during mobility assays in human-murine heterokaryons.     

Binary nonlinear joint transform correlator performance with different thresholding methods under unknown illumination conditions

The correlation performance of binary joint transform correlators with unknown input-image light illumination is investigated for different thresholding methods used in the Fourier plane. It is shown that a binary joint transform correlator that uses a spatial frequency dependent threshold function for binarization of the joint power spectrum is invariant to uniform input-image illumination. Computer simulations and optical experimental results are provided.     

Achieving agility using business model stress testing

Business Model (BM) Innovations aim at making systemic changes in the business logic of companies when they are bringing innovative products and services to the market. Companies should be sensitive to changes in their business environment and able to modify their BMs in an agile way. To assess the agility of BMI during specific market entry situations, this paper uses a method that stress tests the value proposition and the components of a BM against contingent uncertainties. We present three qualitative case studies of companies that differ in their market entry approach. Starting from their strategic orientation, these case companies’ stress test their Business models and BM components, using a scenario-based identification of uncertainties. The BM Stress Test method contributes to a quick understanding of the components their BM needs to monitor, reconsider, or improve. Such stress testing helps enhance business agility. The research contributes to market strategy and business modelling research by introducing BM Stress Testing as a new method that can achieve and maintain agility regarding BM uncertainties.