Comparison of avalanche-velocity measurements by means of pulsed Doppler radar, continuous wave radar and optical methods

Velocities of mixed dense-flow/powder-snow avalanches have been measured by means of pulsed Doppler radar and by continuous wave radar at the full scale avalanche test site Vallée de la Sionne. From the radar data, we derive velocities of the saltation layer and of the powder part of the avalanche. The results obtained by the two different radar measurement techniques are compared and also are checked against the velocity data obtained by opto-electronic velocity sensors installed at different heights on the 20 m high mast in the avalanche track and against videogrammetry velocity data. We demonstrate that the measurements are consistent and discuss how information about the avalanche structure can be derived from the measurements.     

Endocrine apparatus of the epithelium of the appendicular mucosa (the appendix-- an endocrine gland, functioning in the embryonal period?

Based on the concept on gastroenteropancreatic system, endocrinocytes of which are diffusely scattered throughout the digestive tract epithelium and are found in pancreatic islets, an analysis of endocrine apparatus of epithelium in human appendicular mucosa was performed at different stages of ontogenesis. The response of appendicular endocrinocytes to clinical pathology of both this organ and the entire organism was studied. On the base of the analysis of the appendix function from morphological view, the authors proposed a hypothesis postulating it to be an organ equal to an actively functioning endocrine gland and its unique role on early stages of embryogenesis.     

Increased amygdala fMRI activation after secretin administration.

It has recently been reported that secretin activates gene expression in the central nucleus of the amygdala in rats. To examine the neurophysiological effects of secretin on amygdalar activation in humans, the authors measured Blood Oxygen Level Dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging signal change during facial affect processing in a placebo-controlled double-blind study. The authors studied 12 healthy male subjects who were presented with three stimulus conditions: viewing happy, fearful, and neutral faces, before and after infusion with either secretin or placebo. To test whether treatment was associated with distinct patterns of activation, the two conditions (Pre and Post) were subjected to a subtraction analyses in SPM99 and hypotheses regarding the activation of the left and right amygdala were tested using a region-of-interest approach. Subtraction of treatment minus baseline activation during the fear condition yielded significant (p=.001) activation in the right amygdala and a nonsignificant increase in activation in the left amygdala. No significant differences were seen between the treatment conditions for the amygdala when viewing happy or neutral faces. These preliminary findings indicate that secretin may alter responsivity to affective stimuli. The presence of increased activation of the amygdala during the viewing of fearful faces is consistent with findings from animal studies and suggests a mechanism by which secretin may modulate social behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sewer modelling based on highly distributed calibration data sets and multi-objective auto-calibration schemes

Pollutant load modelling for sewer systems is state-of-the-art, especially for the estimation of discharged pollutant loads and development of sewer management strategies. However, conventionally obtained calibration data sets are often not exhaustive and have significant drawbacks. In the Graz West catchment area (Graz, Austria), continuous high-resolution long-term online measurements for discharge and pollutant concentration have been carried out since 2002. In this paper, the application of single- and multi-objective auto-calibration schemes based on evolution strategies for a deterministic hydrological pollutant load model will be discussed. Three approaches for pollutant load modelling are examined and compared: using a constant storm weather concentration and two build-up wash-off approaches with basic respectively extended wash-off equations. It is shown that the applied auto-calibration method leads to very satisfying results for both the calibration and the validation data set, and also for the dry and the storm weather runoff. However, until now, convective storms have not been convincingly represented. The build-up wash-off approach using the basic wash-off equation shows the best correlations between measured data and simulation results. As one of the chosen objectives for the multi-objective optimisation reacted highly sensitively to measurement errors, additional improvements can be expected after refining the criteria used in this algorithm.     

连续分析冶金炉中钢水化学成分的新型VAI-CON（○,R）Chem系统

奥钢联同约翰尼斯开普勒大学实验物理研究所联合开发了一种可以连续分析各种冶金炉中钢水化学成分的新型系统并命名为VAI-CON○RChem,已在真空脱气设备上成功进行了工业试验.它可以在冶金炉整个操作过程中准确给出选定元素的分析结果,为改善工艺控制提供可靠帮助.伯乐特殊钢公司订购了第一套该设备并正在安装,用以连续分析其50 t AOD转炉中不锈钢的成分.     

Application of ion-sensitive sensors in water quality monitoring.

Within the last years a trend towards in-situ monitoring can be observed, i.e. most new sensors for water quality monitoring are designed for direct installation in the medium, compact in size and use measurement principles which minimise maintenance demand. Ion-sensitive sensors (Ion-Sensitive-Electrode--ISE) are based on a well known measurement principle and recently some manufacturers have released probe types which are specially adapted for application in water quality monitoring. The function principle of ISE-sensors, their advantages, limitations and the different methods for sensor calibration are described. Experiences with ISE-sensors from applications in sewer networks, at different sampling points within wastewater treatment plants and for surface water monitoring are reported. An estimation of investment and operation costs in comparison to other sensor types is given.