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Developing Stage (developing + stage)
Selected AbstractsProtection of seismic structures using semi-active friction TMDEARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 6 2010Chi-Chang Lin Abstract Although the design and applications of linear tuned mass damper (TMD) systems are well developed, nonlinear TMD systems are still in the developing stage. Energy dissipation via friction mechanisms is an effective means for mitigating the vibration of seismic structures. A friction-type TMD, i.e. a nonlinear TMD, has the advantages of energy dissipation via a friction mechanism without requiring additional damping devices. However, a passive-friction TMD (PF-TMD) has such disadvantages as a fixed and pre-determined slip load and may lose its tuning and energy dissipation abilities when it is in the stick state. A novel semi-active-friction TMD (SAF-TMD) is used to overcome these disadvantages. The proposed SAF-TMD has the following features. (1) The frictional force of the SAF-TMD can be regulated in accordance with system responses. (2) The frictional force can be amplified via a braking mechanism. (3) A large TMD stroke can be utilized to enhance control performance. A non-sticking friction control law, which can keep the SAF-TMD activated throughout an earthquake with an arbitrary intensity, was applied. The performance of the PF-TMD and SAF-TMD systems in protecting seismic structures was investigated numerically. The results demonstrate that the SAF-TMD performs better than the PF-TMD and can prevent a residual stroke that may occur in a PF-TMD system. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The use of fall prevention guidelines in German hospitals , a multilevel analysisJOURNAL OF EVALUATION IN CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 3 2010Kathrin Raeder MA RN Abstract Aims, Falls and fall-related injuries are major problems in hospitals. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of fall prevention guidelines on falls and fall-related injuries in hospitals. Method, A cross-sectional study was conducted in German hospitals. Some 28 hospitals participated with a total of 5046 patients. Eleven of these hospitals had already implemented a fall prevention guideline, 10 were in the process of developing such a guideline and seven hospitals were not using any fall prevention guideline at all. A standardized questionnaire was used on the individual patient level to obtain details regarding the socio-demographic background, falls, fall-related injuries and other problems relevant to nursing. A further questionnaire referred to the use of fall prevention guidelines in the individual hospitals. Data specific to falls were analysed both on hospital level and on ward and patient level by means of a multilevel logistic model. Results, The univariate analyses suggest that patients in hospitals that are using guidelines are more likely to fall [odds ratios (OR) = 1.19, confidential interval (CI) = 0.65,2.18] than in hospitals that do not use any guideline (reference category) or are still in the developing stage (OR = 0.82, KI = 0.77,0.87). If, in a multivariate analysis, the ward level and individual patient variables (age, disorientation, confusion, incontinence) are included, the following results are obtained: the probability of falls in hospitals not using guidelines (reference category) is higher than in hospitals developing a guideline (OR = 0.86, KI = 0.58,1.28) or using a guideline (OR = 0.71, KI = 0.44,1.14). The differences are even more distinct regarding the injuries resulting from a fall that require medical treatment. The probability of these injuries is significantly lower in hospitals using guidelines (OR = 0.27, KI = 0.09,0.85) than in hospitals developing a guideline (OR = 0.61, KI = 0.24,1.54) or not using any guidelines at all (reference category). Conclusion, The present results of the multilevel analysis show that falls and fall-related injuries can be reduced by the implementation of fall prevention guidelines. [source] Transforming growth factor-,1 induced alteration of skeletal morphogenesis in vivoJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 4 2004Cristin M. Ferguson Abstract Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-,) is expressed in the growth plate and is an important regulator of chondrocyte maturation. Loss of function results in premature chondrocyte maturation both in vitro and in vivo. While TGF-, inhibits chondrocyte maturation in cell cultures, the effect of increased TGF-, has not been well characterized in an in vivo development model. Addition of Affi-gel agarose beads loaded with TGF-,1 (10 ng/,l) to developing stage 24,25 chick limb buds resulted in limb shortening and altered morphology. In situ hybridization studies showed down regulation of Indian hedgehog (ihh), bone morphogenetic protein 6 (bmp6), and collagen type X (colX) expression, markers of chondrocyte maturation, in TGF-,1 treated limbs. TGF-,1 also decreased chondrocyte proliferation in the developing anlage. The findings confirm a critical role for TGF-, during skeletal development. A more complete understanding of the role of TGF-, and its down-stream signals will lead to improved understanding and treatment of cartilage diseases. © 2004 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. [source] Microphysical structure of a developing convective snow cloud simulated by an improved version of the multi-dimensional bin modelATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE LETTERS, Issue 3 2010Ryohei Misumi Abstract A new version of the multi-dimensional bin-microphysics model, which employs four dimensions to represent ice-particle properties (ice mass, solute mass, aspect ratio and volume), was developed. The model was incorporated into an adiabatic parcel model to simulate the developing stage of a convective snow cloud observed over the Sea of Japan. The results suggest that crystals originating from deposition/condensation,freezing nuclei grow the fastest in the cloud, and isometric crystals among them effectively act as embryos of graupels. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society [source] MELATONIN REDUCES BLOOD PRESSURE IN RATS WITH STRESS-INDUCED HYPERTENSION VIA GABAA RECEPTORSCLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Hua-Li Li SUMMARY 1Several groups have reported that melatonin produces a significant decrease in blood pressure in mammals and that pinealectomy in rats causes hypertension. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of melatonin and bicuculline methiodide on the blood pressure of rats, both in the developing and fully developed stage of stress-induced hypertension (SIH). 2Rats with SIH were generated by mild electric foot shocks for 15 days, after which tail arterial systolic pressure and plasma angiotensin (Ang) II levels were measured. The effects of melatonin injections (i.p. or i.c.v.) on mean arterial pressure (MAP) in rats with SIH were also determined. 3Pretreatment with 1 mg/kg, i.p., melatonin significantly diminished the elevated tail arterial systolic pressure and plasma AngII levels caused by 15 days stress. The suppressive effects of melatonin were blocked by i.p. injection of 1 mg/kg bicuculline methiodide, an antagonist of the GABAA receptor. 4Intraperitoneal (0.2, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg) or i.c.v. (0.15 and 1.5 µg/3 µL) injection of melatonin produced a dose-dependent lowering of MAP in rats with SIH. The antihypertensive response induced by melatonin was blocked by injection of both 1 mg/kg, i.p., and 1.5 × 106 µg/3 µL, i.c.v., bicuculline methiodide. 5In conclusion, melatonin not only prevents increases in blood pressure during the developing stage of SIH, but can also reduce the blood pressure of rats that have already developed SIH. The antihypertensive effect of melatonin may be mediated by GABAA receptors through inhibition of plasma AngII levels. [source] Effect of corticosterone on developing hippocampus: Short-term and long-term outcomesHIPPOCAMPUS, Issue 4 2009Wen-Bin He Abstract Many documents implicate that corticosterone plays a negative role in brain function, especially in learning and memory. However, less evidence confirms its direct actions on hippocampal development. In the work reported here, pro treatment, minimum corticosterone administration in infant mice, and con treatment, corticosterone deprivation by adrenalectomy, were used to examine the effects imposed by corticosterone on the structure and function of developing hippocampus. Our study shows that adrenalectomy induces decrease of plasma corticosterone levels and results in the impairment of learning performance and the degenerative changes not in CA regions of hippocampus but in dentate gyrus. Noteworthily, this damage effect is severer in 5-week-old mice than that in 10-week-old mice. In addition, the short-term effect of minimum corticosterone administration may accelerate the development of dentate gyrus of 10-day-old mice. Moreover, minimum corticosterone administration during infancy contributed to the learning performance and the structural integrity of hippocampal CA regions in different developing stages, while this phenomenon was not observed in dentate gyrus. In conclusion, corticosterone is necessary for the development of dentate gyrus, especially in relatively young individuals, and administration with minimum corticosterone in infancy has a long-term positive influence on the hippocampal structure and function in different developing stages. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Spatial variations in the composition and abundance of zooplankton in the Bahir Dar Gulf of Lake Tana, EthiopiaAFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Tunde Ohiokhioya Thadeus Imoobe Abstract The zooplankton in the littoral and open water zones of Bahir Dar Gulf, Lake Tana, collected in June and July 2007, were investigated using basic statistical measurement of diversity indices and one way analysis of variance to characterize the zooplankton fauna, with respect to its composition, abundance and spatial distribution patterns. The zooplankton composition was typical of a tropical freshwater lake, with a total of 44 species made up of sixteen rotifers, sixteen c1adocerans and twelve copepods and their developing stages in the following order of dominance; Rotifera > Cladocera > Cylopoida > Calanoida. Variation in spatial distribution was noticeable, the abundance of zooplankton was significantly higher (P < 0.05) at the littoral zone (Stations 2 and 3) than the open water (Station 1) as a result of the preponderance of the small-bodied nauplii stages, small rotifers and c1adocerans particularly Bosmina longirostris. Species richness, evenness, and diversity also increased as abundance increased in the littoral zones of the lake. The rotifers, particularly the brachionids Keratella and Brachionus spp., which are considered good indicators of lake trophic status constituted the dominant zooplankton group in terms of abundance and diversity, thus indicating that the lake has a high fisheries potential. Résumé Le zooplancton des berges et des eaux ouvertes du golfe de Bahir Dar, récolté en juin et juillet 2007 dans le lac Tana, a étéétudié en utilisant des indices de mesures statistiques de base et une analyse de la variance à une voie, pour caractériser la faune du zooplancton, tant au point de vue de la composition que de l'abondance et du schéma de distribution spatiale. La composition du zooplancton était typique d'un lac d'eau douce tropical, avec un total de 44 espèces réparties entre 16 rotifères, 16 cladocères et 12 copépodes à différents stades de développement dans l'ordre de prépondérance qui suit : Rotifères > Cladocères > Cylopoïdes > Calanoïdes. Il y avait une variation notable de la distribution spatiale : l'abondance de zooplancton était significativement plus grande (P < 0.05) dans la zone littorale (Stations 2 et 3) qu'en haute eau (Station 1), suite à la prépondérance des petits corpuscules comme les stades nauplius, les petits rotifères et cladocères, et particulièrement Bosmina longirostris. La richesse en espèces, l'uniformité et la diversité augmentaient aussi en même temps que l'abondance dans les zones littorales du lac. Les rotifères, et particulièrement Keratella et Brachionus spp., qui sont considérés comme de bons indicateurs du statut trophique du lac étaient le groupe de zooplancton dominant en termes d'abondance et de diversité, ce qui indique que le lac a un fort potentiel piscicole. [source] Seasonal synchrony of life cycles between the exotic predator, Pseudoscymnus tsugae (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and its prey, the hemlock woolly adelgid Adelges tsugae (Homoptera:Adelgidae)AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 4 2000Carole A. S. -J. Abstract 1 The seasonal synchrony between the exotic predator, Pseudoscymnus tsugae and its prey, the hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae, was investigated in field cages and in the forest in Connecticut, U.S.A. from 1997,1999. 2 In early spring, egg to adult development took 45 d at 18.7 °C, 39.7 d at 20.2 °C and 31.5 d at 22.7 °C. Earliest emerging F1 adults mated and oviposited in the same year. whereas F1 and F2 females emerging later in the summer mated and reserved most of their egg complement for the following year. 3 A second generation of P. tsugae is possible in Connecticut but may be delayed by cool mid-spring temperatures. Individuals of three generations of P. tsugae, including overwintering survivors, may coexist in July and August and adults can be found year-round with A. tsugae in infested hemlock forests. 4 A linear regression model for development from egg to adult under field temperatures gave good agreement with results from constant temperature findings. The model predicted a lower development threshold of 9.5 °C and a sum of effective temperatures of 405 day °C. Development time of P. tsugae is shorter relative to its prey A. tsugae and generation time ratios of predator to prey was 0.16,0.5, with an advantage conferred on the coccinellid. 5 Overwintering ability and behaviour were determined in 1998,1999 and adults remained on infested hemlock branches throughout a mild winter, becoming reproductively active in mid-April. Peak oviposition period extended from April to July, in synchrony with peak oviposition and developing stages of two generations of A. tsugae. [source] | ||||||||||||||||