Growth parameters of Lepturacanthus savala (Cuvier, 1829) from Mumbai waters

Lepturacanthus savala (Cuvier, 1829) constitutes a minor fishery contributing 23.3% to the total ribbonfish catch in Maharashtra. Based on the length data obtained from shrimp trawlers and the traditionally operated bag nets, age and growth of the species have been investigated from Mumbai waters. Growth was studied by various computer-based methods incorporated in FiSAT Programme. The growth parameters L∞ and K (on annual basis) by Gulland-Holt plot were 683.3 mm and 0.87, respectively. As the seasonal temperature variations in coastal waters of Mumbai are not pronounced, the seasonally oscillating growth patterns by ELEFAN and Appledoorn's method were not considered. Following the von Bertalanffy growth model, the fish attains 399.8, 567.2 and 637.4 mm at the end of 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively, and the lifespan of the fish is about 3.3 years.

Parameter measurement for heavy-vehicle fuel consumption modelling

A mathematical model is developed to predict the energy consumption of a heavy vehicle. It includes the important factors of heavy-vehicle energy consumption, namely engine and drivetrain performances, losses due to accessories, aerodynamic drag, rolling resistance, road gradients, and driver behaviour. Novel low-cost testing methods were developed to determine engine and drivetrain characteristics. A simple drive cycle was used to validate the model. The model is able to predict the fuel use for a 371 tractor-semitrailer vehicle over a 4 km drive cycle within 1 per cent. This paper demonstrates that accurate and reliable vehicle benchmarking and model parameter measurement can be achieved without expensive equipment overheads, e.g. engine and chassis dynamometers.

Impedance control and internal model use during the initial stage of adaptation to novel dynamics in humans.

This study investigated the neuromuscular mechanisms underlying the initial stage of adaptation to novel dynamics. A destabilizing velocity-dependent force field (VF) was introduced for sets of three consecutive trials. Between sets a random number of 4-8 null field trials were interposed, where the VF was inactivated. This prevented subjects from learning the novel dynamics, making it possible to repeatedly recreate the initial adaptive response. We were able to investigate detailed changes in neural control between the first, second and third VF trials. We identified two feedforward control mechanisms, which were initiated on the second VF trial and resulted in a 50% reduction in the hand path error. Responses to disturbances encountered on the first VF trial were feedback in nature, i.e. reflexes and voluntary correction of errors. However, on the second VF trial, muscle activation patterns were modified in anticipation of the effects of the force field. Feedforward cocontraction of all muscles was used to increase the viscoelastic impedance of the arm. While stiffening the arm, subjects also exerted a lateral force to counteract the perturbing effect of the force field. These anticipatory actions indicate that the central nervous system responds rapidly to counteract hitherto unfamiliar disturbances by a combination of increased viscoelastic impedance and formation of a crude internal dynamics model.

Are Hylobates lar Extirpated from China?

The Nangunhe Nature Reserve in Southwest Yunnan (PRC) has long been presumed to be the last stronghold of lar (or white-handed) gibbons (Hylobates lar) in China and the likely last place of occurrence of Hylobates lar yunnanensis. We conducted a comprehen

Lamins and their genes

The nuclear lamina is an important nuclear structure. The studies on its peptides lamins and genes have made substantial progress in recent years. In this paper, the new achievements in studies of new lamin members and their functions, lamin genes and their origin and differentiation, are reviewed and discussed. Some research areas that deserve to be investigated further are put forward.

Dynamic centrifuge tests on shallow tunnel models in dry sand

In the framework of the Italian research project ReLUIS-DPC, a set of centrifuge tests were carried out at the Schofield Centre in Cambridge (UK) to investigate the seismic behaviour of tunnels. Four samples of dry sand were prepared at different densities, in which a small scale model of circular tunnel was inserted, instrumented with gauges measuring hoop and bending strains. Arrays of accelerometers in the soil and on the box allowed the amplification of ground motion to be evaluated; LVDTs measured the soil surface settlement. This paper describes the main results of this research, showing among others the evolution of the internal forces during the model earthquakes at significant locations along the tunnel lining. © 2010 Taylor & Francis Group, London.

Correlating Multiple 2D Vision Trackers for 3D Object Tracking on Construction Sites

Tracking methods have the potential to retrieve the spatial location of project related entities such as personnel and equipment at construction sites, which can facilitate several construction management tasks. Existing tracking methods are mainly based on Radio Frequency (RF) technologies and thus require manual deployment of tags. On construction sites with numerous entities, tags installation, maintenance and decommissioning become an issue since it increases the cost and time needed to implement these tracking methods. To address these limitations, this paper proposes an alternate 3D tracking method based on vision. It operates by tracking the designated object in 2D video frames and correlating the tracking results from multiple pre-calibrated views using epipolar geometry. The methodology presented in this paper has been implemented and tested on videos taken in controlled experimental conditions. Results are compared with the actual 3D positions to validate its performance.

基于光合色素的化学分类法在淡水藻类研究中的应用

采用反相高效液相色谱技术(RP-HPLC)系统研究了我国主要淡水藻类———蓝藻、绿藻、硅藻、甲藻、金藻、裸藻和隐藻等的光合色素,在8种纯培养藻类中共确定类胡萝卜素、叶绿素及其衍生物19种。分离到的主要标志性色素按洗脱时间分别为脱植基叶绿素a、19′-丁酰氧岩藻黄素、叶绿素c、脱镁叶绿素a、多甲藻素、甲基脱植基叶绿素a、岩藻黄素、新黄质、紫黄质、蓝藻叶黄素、硅甲藻黄素、硅藻黄质、叶黄素、玉米黄素、叶绿素b异构体、叶绿素b、叶绿素a异构体、叶绿素a和β-胡萝卜素;其中在纯培养的铜绿微囊藻中首次鉴定到19′-丁

三峡水库成库期间鱼类空间分布的水声学研究

2007年4月18日～5月1日,利用SIMRAD EY60回声探测仪(又称鱼探仪)对三峡水库坝前到丰都干流以及9条主要支流进行了水声学探测。采用垂直探测结合"之"字形路线的方法对库区整个水体鱼类的分布状况进行了研究。调查水域长度约有600km,回波数据分成1232个片段进行分析。结果表明:在5m以下水层,体长大于6cm的鱼类在该区域平均密度为567.68尾/dam3,且鱼类分布不均匀。在巫山至奉节江段鱼类的密度最低,密度的平均值和标准误(mean±S.E)为(8.1±0.47)尾/dam3;在忠县到丰都江