Motion synthesis and editing for the generation of new sign language content

Machine Translation - Existing work on the animation of signing avatars often relies on pure procedural techniques or on the playback of Motion Capture (MoCap) data. While the first solution...     

Development and application of a simplified clean-up procedure for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in horse fat by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS)

A simplified clean-up procedure was developed in combination with gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in adipose tissue. Clean-up was performed by the successive application of a Mega Bond Elut® silica column and a Bond Elut® PCB column. Validation of the method was conducted according to European Union Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. In order to evaluate the applicability of the method, 44 horse fat samples were analysed. The total PCB concentration (sum of PCBs 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180) ranged from 5.35 to 140 ng g^-1 lipid weight. The total PBDE concentration (sum of BDEs 28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154 and 183) ranged from below the decision limit to 6.34 ng g^-1 lipid weight.     

Metaux lourds dans les sediments de l'estuaire de la loire

Estuaries, being interfaces between fluviatile and marine environments, are the scene of considerable physico-chemical and biological gradients which can have an effect on the distribution of metallic elements between the solid and dissolved phases. The purpose of the present study was to determine the relative influence of each parameter in this distribution.The study included two series of samples (ICOLO 26 and ICOLO 32) taken by means of the Schipeck grab at 19 selected points of the estuary as indicated in Fig. 1.Within the framework of this study we first investigated and were able to determine the origin and evolution of the metallic elements in the Loire estuary.Pollution levelTable 1 and Fig. 2 summarize the results: firstly, the metallic element contents are relatively low, indicating that pollution is not very strong. Secondly, the contents measured in the different samples vary considerably due to the great heterogeneity of sample composition and particle-size distribution.Upstream-downstream evolutionFigure 2 shows that the longitudinal profiles for metals are very similar to those obtained for the different characteristics of the sediments. Such an observation has already been made by various authors. Owing to the existence of these relationships, we believe, as do Boust et al. (1981), that it is preferable to interpret the results relative to metals obtained on a given site in terms of the various characteristics of the sediment. In Fig. 3, the metallic element contents (ICOLO 26 samples) is thus plotted against organic carbon. As shown in the figure, there is a very good relationship between the two parameters. Figures 2 and 3 indicate that the contents are uniform throughout the estuary with no evidence of further significant sedimentation this uniformity being due to tidal action. Owing to this uniformity, the impact of significant discharges is highly localized except for the wastewater from the city of Nantes as a whole, whose impact which is felt along the entire estuary.The relationship between copper and volatile matter for the ICOLO 32 samples, as represented in Fig. 4, shows that the points fall into two groups, which are the same whatever the explanatory parameter involved. Though the results are more uniform for the ICOLO 26 than for the ICOLO 32 samples, Fig. 6 clearly shows that the “marine” points stand out in both series of samples. This is indicative of a reduction in contents in the downstream direction, especially noticeable beyond point B (Zn, Cr, Ni) or even M (Cd, Cu, Pb).The seasonal evolution is clearly shown on the “metal-characteristic of sediment” graphs by the comparison of the slopes of the lines linking the same point sampled during the two sampling campaigns. The example of copper is shown in Fig. 7.On the whole, analysis of the results derived from the study of one characteristics of the sediment, indicates that only limited enrichment or depletion occurs at a point over a period of time. This probably reflects a good constancy over time of the metallic flux in the estuary. There is little doubt that changes in the composition of the sediment, will cause changes in the trapping of the metallic flux. In this case, variations in contents do not reflect alterations in the metallic flux over the sediment, but the varying capacity of the sediment under investigation to trap the same polluting flux according to is own composition.This study was also productive in the investigation of the various phenomena responsible for the reduction in metal contents during estuarial transit, which phenomenon can be expected to occur in a large number of estuaries.The impact depends on the chemical properties of the element under investigation.Solubilization of metallic elements due to to increased salinity occurs but plays only a secondary role in the upstream-downstream reductions. This is presumably because of the low percentages of metal absorbed in relation to the total amount of metals associated with the sediments.The reduction in metal contents related to the degradation of organic matter also occurs but it is of little significance compared with the overall phenomenon. The disappearance of metals associated with organic matter could well be related to salinity.The considerable reduction of contents in the lower estuary markedly occurs downstream of the salinity front and precisely where the first sediments characteristic of the marine environment are encountered. Consequently, the most obvious parameter responsible for the reduction in the metallic element contents is the mixing of relatively laden fluviatile sediment with “clean” marine sediments.     

Comparison of various models for the simulation of a Core Disruptive Accident in the MARA 10 mock-up

During a Hypothetical Core Disruptive Accident in a Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor, it is assumed that the core of the nuclear reactor melts down partially and that the interaction between hot molten fuel and relatively cold liquid sodium creates a high-pressure gas bubble in the core. The violent expansion of this bubble loads and deforms the reactor vessel and the internal structures, thus endangering the safety of the nuclear plant.The MARA 10 experimental test simulates a Core Disruptive Accident in a 1/30-scale mock-up schematising a reactor block. In the mock-up, the liquid sodium cooling the reactor core is replaced by water and the argon blanket laying below the reactor roof is simulated by an air blanket. The explosion is triggered by an explosive charge.This paper presents some models available within the EUROPLEXUS code to simulate a Core Disruptive Accident and an analysis of the computed results. In particular, results are compared with experimental measurements and previous numerical simulations carried out with the codes SIRIUS and CASTEM-PLEXUS.     

Metaux lourds dans les sediments de l'estuaire de la loireHeavy metals in the sediments of the loire estuary

Estuaries, being interfaces between fluviatile and marine environments, are the scene of considerable physico-chemical and biological gradients which can have an effect on the distribution of metallic elements between the solid and dissolved phases. The purpose of the present study was to determine the relative influence of each parameter in this distribution.The study included two series of samples (ICOLO 26 and ICOLO 32) taken by means of the Schipeck grab at 19 selected points of the estuary as indicated in Fig. 1.Within the framework of this study we first investigated and were able to determine the origin and evolution of the metallic elements in the Loire estuary.Pollution levelTable 1 and Fig. 2 summarize the results: firstly, the metallic element contents are relatively low, indicating that pollution is not very strong. Secondly, the contents measured in the different samples vary considerably due to the great heterogeneity of sample composition and particle-size distribution.Upstream-downstream evolutionFigure 2 shows that the longitudinal profiles for metals are very similar to those obtained for the different characteristics of the sediments. Such an observation has already been made by various authors. Owing to the existence of these relationships, we believe, as do Boust et al. (1981), that it is preferable to interpret the results relative to metals obtained on a given site in terms of the various characteristics of the sediment. In Fig. 3, the metallic element contents (ICOLO 26 samples) is thus plotted against organic carbon. As shown in the figure, there is a very good relationship between the two parameters. Figures 2 and 3 indicate that the contents are uniform throughout the estuary with no evidence of further significant sedimentation this uniformity being due to tidal action. Owing to this uniformity, the impact of significant discharges is highly localized except for the wastewater from the city of Nantes as a whole, whose impact which is felt along the entire estuary.The relationship between copper and volatile matter for the ICOLO 32 samples, as represented in Fig. 4, shows that the points fall into two groups, which are the same whatever the explanatory parameter involved. Though the results are more uniform for the ICOLO 26 than for the ICOLO 32 samples, Fig. 6 clearly shows that the “marine” points stand out in both series of samples. This is indicative of a reduction in contents in the downstream direction, especially noticeable beyond point B (Zn, Cr, Ni) or even M (Cd, Cu, Pb).The seasonal evolution is clearly shown on the “metal-characteristic of sediment” graphs by the comparison of the slopes of the lines linking the same point sampled during the two sampling campaigns. The example of copper is shown in Fig. 7.On the whole, analysis of the results derived from the study of one characteristics of the sediment, indicates that only limited enrichment or depletion occurs at a point over a period of time. This probably reflects a good constancy over time of the metallic flux in the estuary. There is little doubt that changes in the composition of the sediment, will cause changes in the trapping of the metallic flux. In this case, variations in contents do not reflect alterations in the metallic flux over the sediment, but the varying capacity of the sediment under investigation to trap the same polluting flux according to is own composition.This study was also productive in the investigation of the various phenomena responsible for the reduction in metal contents during estuarial transit, which phenomenon can be expected to occur in a large number of estuaries.The impact depends on the chemical properties of the element under investigation.Solubilization of metallic elements due to to increased salinity occurs but plays only a secondary role in the upstream-downstream reductions. This is presumably because of the low percentages of metal absorbed in relation to the total amount of metals associated with the sediments.The reduction in metal contents related to the degradation of organic matter also occurs but it is of little significance compared with the overall phenomenon. The disappearance of metals associated with organic matter could well be related to salinity.The considerable reduction of contents in the lower estuary markedly occurs downstream of the salinity front and precisely where the first sediments characteristic of the marine environment are encountered. Consequently, the most obvious parameter responsible for the reduction in the metallic element contents is the mixing of relatively laden fluviatile sediment with “clean” marine sediments.     

Venlafaxine''s effects on healthy volunteers'' driving, psychomotor, and vigilance performance during 15-day fixed and incremental dosing regimens

Patients, providers, and families are increasingly involved in end-of-life decisions (advance directives, health care proxy, do-not-resuscitate [DNR] status consents). These decisions can be complex processes whereby the participants in the process must come to terms with often painful and difficult decisions. The role perception of the nurse in end-of-life decision making is not well delineated. This chapter explores the results of a study that addresses the question, "What are the experiences of oncology nurses as they interact with patients and/or family members during the process of patients/families signing DNR consents. The grounded theory method of data collection and analysis was used to explore this question. The results of the study indicate that central to the process of consenting to DNR status is the degree of shared understanding about the meaning of DNR status among participants and the conflict that can occur when meanings are not shared. A model is presented that illustrates the connections between the meanings of DNR (patient, family, and provider) and congruence and conflict in the DNR consent process. Strategies are discussed that facilitate prevention or resolution of conflict in the DNR status decision-making process. Strategies used by the nurse to facilitate decision making by patient and families include communicating with, caring for, educating, advocating for, and collaborating with patients, families, and other providers.     

Raman spectroscopic investigations on the kinetics of gelation and densification of Cd- and Pb-doped silica glasses under basic conditions

In the present work, the evolution of the gelation of undoped and Cd²⁺-and Pb²⁺-doped silica sols has been studied. Tetramethyl orthosilicate and cadmium and lead nitrates were selected as suitable precursors for the synthesis of nanoporous undoped and doped silica systems. Raman spectroscopy was used both to follow the different species formed and the structural changes occurring at various stages of the sol-gel transformation. The combination of information obtained from Raman spectra and from textural measurements using nitrogen adsorption-desorption served to investigate the effects of doping metal ion on the structure of both the gels and on the resulting nanoporous silica glasses. Results showed that doping silica materials with different concentrations of Cd²⁺ or Pb²⁺ makes it possible both to decrease the densification time and to control the porosity of the resulting gels and glasses.     

Bone healing capacity of titanium plasma-sprayed and hydroxylapatite-coated oral implants

The authors report preliminary results of Brief Supportive Psychotherapy (BSP) in the Beth Israel Brief Psychotherapy Program for a sample with primarily Cluster C Axis II disorders. This study compares 24 patients treated with BSP with 25 patients treated with Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (STDP). STDP was chosen because its confrontational methods contrast dramatically to BSP, which emphasizes building self-esteem, reducing anxiety, and enhancing coping mechanisms. Videotaped therapies were based on manualized 40-session protocols. Similar degrees of improvement were seen in BSP and STDP at termination and at 6-month follow-up. A study of therapeutic alliance in BSP showed stable and high levels of alliance in good-outcome cases and more variability in poor-outcome cases. These preliminary findings are consistent with other studies and suggest supportive psychotherapy may be effective for many patients, leading to significant and lasting change.     

Numerical simulation of a Hypothetical Core Disruptive Accident in a small-scale model of a nuclear reactor

In the case of a Hypothetical Core Disruptive Accident (HCDA) in a Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor, it is assumed that the core of the nuclear reactor has melted partially and that the chemical interaction between molten fuel and liquid sodium has created a high-pressure gas bubble in the core. The violent expansion of this bubble loads and deforms the reactor vessel and the internal structures, thus endangering the safety of the nuclear plant.The MARA 10 experimental test simulates a HCDA in a 1/30-scale mock-up schematising a reactor block. In the mock-up, the liquid sodium cooling the reactor core is replaced by water and the argon blanket laying below the reactor roof is simulated by an air blanket. The explosion is triggered by an explosive charge.This paper presents a numerical simulation of the test with the EUROPLEXUS code and an analysis of the computed results. In particular, the evolution of the fluid flows and the deformations of the internal and external structures are analysed in detail. Finally, the current computed results are compared with the experimental ones and with previous numerical results computed with the SIRIUS and CASTEM-PLEXUS codes.