Elbow flexion strength curves in untrained men and women and male bodybuilders

The mechanical response of intervertebral joints is deeply influenced by disc degeneration. The phenomenon is expressed in terms of variations in the biomechanical properties of the material, whose compressibility characteristics change because of the liquid content loss in the tissue and, what is even more important, to prolapse. In this work, the problem is investigated by means of a computational mechanics approach; a coupled material and geometric non-linear model is developed, representing vertebra, annulus and nucleus submitted to an axial load. A transversely isotropic law is assumed for cortical bone in the vertebral body and an isotropic law for the cancellous portion; a hyperelastic formulation is assumed for the disc, allowing effective interpretation of the mechanical characteristics of degeneration. The results obtained are reported with regard to bony endplate and annulus behaviour; interaction phenomena between bony endplate and nucleus are emphasized.     

Hydrogen Reduction and Microstructural Changes of ISF Sinter

The reduction rate and microstructural changes of imperial smelting furnace (ISF) sinter have been investigated by means of thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray difFraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM ), energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDAX) and optical microscope.It is demonstrated that the overall reaction rate of the reduction is influenced by temperature and hydrogen partial pressure in H2 /N2 gas mixtures. There are two distinct zones observed in the partially reduced sinter. The reduction of zincite proceeds predominantly in a narrow range between the two zones, while the reduction of tead oxide and silicate takes place throughout the sinter. The differences between zincite and lead oxide or silicate in reducibility are analysed by thermodynamlcs. The phase transformations and microstructural changes occurring during the reduction process are discussed     

Demonstration of Sustainable Development of Groundwater through Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR)

Water Resources Management - Sustained pumping of groundwater can lead to declining water levels in wellfields and concerns regarding the sustainability of groundwater resources. Aquifer Storage...     

A discussion of the methods for comparing the relative effectiveness of phosphate fertilizers varying in solubility

Because various phosphate (P) fertilizers differ widely in their solubility, it is commonly observed that crop response to P fertilizers varies under the same soil and crop conditions. Furthermore, a major problem encountered in the methods for determining the relative effectiveness (RE) of water-insoluble P fertilizer (e.g., phosphate rock) with respect to water-soluble P fertilizers, e.g., single superphosphate (SSP) and triple superphosphate (TSP), is that their growth response curves are usually nonlinear and often do not share a common maximum yield. In this paper, we review and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the three most commonly used methods for calculating the RE of phosphate rock with respect to TSP (or SSP). The three methods are vertical comparison, horizontal (substitution rate) comparison, and linear-response comparison.     

临邑—仪征输油管道腐蚀分析与对策

2003-04-21 调查分析了临邑—仪征输油管道防腐层状况、恒电位仪运行参数等.认为该管道腐蚀的原因是防腐层老化，出现保护死角.并提出了加强管道防腐层检补漏、大修和增设阴极保护装置等措施.     

SecondSkin: An interactive method for appearance transfer

SecondSkin estimates an appearance model for an object visible in a video sequence, without the need for complex interaction or any calibration apparatus. This model can then be transferred to other objects, allowing a non‐expert user to insert a synthetic object into a real video sequence so that its appearance matches that of an existing object, and changes appropriately throughout the sequence. As the method does not require any prior knowledge about the scene, the lighting conditions, or the camera, it is applicable to video which was not captured with this purpose in mind. However, this lack of prior knowledge precludes the recovery of separate lighting and surface reflectance information. The SecondSkin appearance model therefore combines these factors. The appearance model does require a dominant light‐source direction, which we estimate via a novel process involving a small amount of user interaction. The resulting model estimate provides exactly the information required to transfer the appearance of the original object to new geometry composited into the same video sequence.     

FMS for Unmanned Aerial Systems: HMI Issues and New Interface Solutions

To integrate UASs in the NAS, an improvement in navigation, planning, communication and 4D trajectory control capabilities is mandatory. A way to obtain this enhance is to adopt a Flight Management System. A FMS for an UAS has some differences with respect to one for a manned aircraft, in terms of architecture and performed functions. In particular, from HMI point of view, the specific UAS human factor issues shall be added to the current manned FMS interface lacks. Starting from these considerations, a new FMS HMI for the Alenia Aeronautica TCS has been developed, using as data entry devices two touch screens.     

Electrophoretic deposition of alkaline earth coatings from EDTA complexes

A novel process route combining electrophoretic deposition (EPD) and ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) complexation has been developed and used to produce crack-free coatings of alkaline earth oxides with thickness up to 8 m after heat treatment at 700°C. Aqueous systems were found to be unsuitable for the EPD process due to their high conductivity and the effect of liberated gas evolved on the electrodes, and a non-aqueous based alternative formulation was developed based on methanol (solvent/carrier) and ethanediol (stabiliser) in conjunction with the EDTA complexes to allow the EPD process to be successfully used to deposit porous coatings. The coating process has been investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and is thought to involve a combination of the migration of complexed ions in solution, their precipitation as charged colloidal particles in the vicinity of the anode, followed by their aggregation at, and adhesion to the anode surface. It is believed the process may have application for the low cost deposition of a wide range of porous coatings.     

Individual differences, exercise and leisure activity in predicting affective well-being in young adults

This study focuses on the prevalence of exercise and health-related leisure activities (smoking, drinking), across groups of subjects, defined by personality and gender, in relation to subjective well-being. Results from a cross-sectional survey of 187 participants are reported. Males (n = 80) reported more drinking (p < 0.001) and smoking (p < 0.001) than females, though they also reported higher habitual physical activity levels (p < 0.001). Females (n = 107) reported more frequent use of social support coping (p < 0.01). There was a positive association between extraversion and self-reported habitual physical activity as well as alcohol consumption (even when controlling for gender). Neuroticism was not related to any of the exercise and leisure activity variables. Multiple regression analyses predicted 34% of variance for the depression-enthusiasm and 39% of the variance for the anxiety-contentment measures of affective well-being. Neuroticism (p < 0.001) and avoidance coping (p < 0.05) were the only significant predictors of both anxiety-contentment and depression-enthusiasm. It is concluded that the influence of individual differences such as personality and gender on coping behaviour and well-being is consistent with social learning theory research. Limitations of cross-sectional research designs necessitate caution with inferring causal paths. Recommendations for future research are presented concerning the use and value of repeated measures designs within research into exercise and well-being.     

The implementation of case statements in Pascal

This paper examines the probable implementations of the case statement in Pascal, and analyses their consequences. A particular implementation for the Burroughs B6700/7700 series illustrates the necessary investigations. The techniques, although not new, are brought together to serve as a stimulus to improving the implementation of case-statements in other compilers for Pascal, and to provide ideas for implementors. The architectural limitations of even high-level computers in implementing the case statement are briefly discussed.