Multicomponent gas-mixture measurements using an array of gas sensors and an artificial neural-network

An Electronic Nose is being jointly developed between the University of Greenwich and the Institute of Intelligent Machines to detect the gases given off from an oil filled transformer when it begins to break down. The gas sensors being used are very simple, consisting of a layer of Tin Oxide (SnO2) which is heated to approximately 640 K and the conductivity varies with the gas concentrations. Some of the shortcomings introduced by the commercial gas sensors available are being overcome by the use of an integrated array of gas sensors and the use of artificial neural networks which can be 'taught' to recognize when the gas contains several components. At present simulated results have achieved up to a 94% success rate of recognizing two component gases and future work will investigate alternative neural network configurations to maintain this success rate with practical measurements.

The Complexity of Approximately Solving Influence Diagrams

Influence diagrams allow for intuitive and yet precise description of complex situations involving decision making under uncertainty. Unfortunately, most of the problems described by influence diagrams are hard to solve. In this paper we discuss the complexity of approximately solving influence diagrams. We do not assume no-forgetting or regularity, which makes the class of problems we address very broad. Remarkably, we show that when both the treewidth and the cardinality of the variables are bounded the problem admits a fully polynomial-time approximation scheme.

Recueil de pièces originales, copies et gravures, formé par GAIGNIÈRES sur les duels et les combats. II Extraits divers relatifs aux duels, 1454-1709.

(fol. 1). — Pièces originales sur parchemin et papier relatives aux duels entre le comte d'Armagnac et le comte de Foix ; lettres de Philippe le Bel, datées d'Orléans, 22 mai 1296 (fol. 32), — Jean de Lescave et les Anglais Willebeude et Jean Coupelaude ; lettres de Charles VI sous le vidimus de Hugues Aubriot, 1380 et 1382 (fol. 36, 37), — Jean Du Mesnil dit Le Gallois et Jean de Bourgeauville ; mandements des gens tenant l'Échiquier à Rouen, de Guillaume de Tancarville, et comptes pour la fabrication des lices, 1403. Dix-huit pièces (fol. 40-55), — MM. de Baucher et de Meneton, 1520 (fol. 62), — Gaucher de Dinteville, de Vanlay et Jean Du Plessis, 1538 (fol. 65-74), — François de Vivonne, sieur de La Chastaigneraye, et Chabot, sieur de Montlieu, 1547 (fol. 75), — Claude Daguerre, baron de Vienne, et Jacques Fontaines, sieur de Fendilles, 1548 (fol. 79) ; avec une lettre de Robert de La Marck, 1549 (fol. 82), — Jacques Des Essars, sieur de Lignières, et Paolo Baptista Spinola ; lettres de François de Lorraine, duc d'Aumale, 1549 (fol. 84-87), — le colonel de Rancé et le capitaine Bretel ; lettre de François de Luxembourg (fol. 88), — M. de La Cassaigne et de Cilliac ; lettre du maréchal de Brissac, 1557 (fol. 96), — MM. de Chabrignac et Du Cluzel, 1616 (fol. 111), — MM. de Lignoyre et de Casteaux, 1583 (fol. 113), — MM. de Cadaillan et de Savaillan (fol. 114), — MM. de Chambon et de Lignoyre (fol. 115, 122), — MM. Danjunies et La Pachevie (fol. 117), — MM. de Conros et Du Grifoulles (fol. 119), — MM. de Vaureilles et de Malecoste (fol. 120), — MM. de Sauvebeuf et de Queyssac (fol. 124), — MM. de Murat et de Chiensac, 1608 (fol. 125), — MM. de Tournemire et de Rageault, 1603 (fol. 127, 136), — MM. de Lanteuil et du Peschier, 1613 (fol. 129), — MM. de Saint-Geniez et de Chauveroche, 1613 (fol. 131), — MM. de La Barthe et de Bassignac, 1610 (fol. 133), — MM. de Sauvebeuf et Peyrot, 1596 (fol. 138), — MM. Jacques Renouart, sieur Du Pays de Brun, et de Chamonceaux (fol. 141) ; la plupart de ces duels terminés par l'arbitrage du duc de Noailles, — MM. de Montbrun et Villandry, 1643 (fol. 152). — Requêtes de M. Du Pont d'Antremaux (fol. 155) et du baron de Verfeuil de Gouvernet, 1686 (fol. 159) au duc de Noailles. — Plan de l'histoire des duels (fol. 161).

Recueil de pièces relatives à la Papauté et aux républiques de Venise, Gênes et Lucques ; conclaves du XVII° siècle, etc. (1513-1658, et 1303-1400).

Contient : Rome (1513-1658). — Pièces diverses, relatives aux affaires de Rome, 1513-1527 (f. 1) ; « Lettre du Roy au cardinal de Rambouillet, sur le sujet de la liberté du comte Gaiasse », 1571 ; « Commentarius caussarum belli a Paulo IIII, Pont. Max., in Italia suscepti anno 1556 », pièce anciennement paginée 509-528 ; Manifeste en faveur de Marc-Antoine Colonna, 1572 ; Minutes de lettres de Charles IX, à l'occasion de la maladie de Pie V, 1572 ; « Relatione dell'illustrissimo seignore Giovanni Dolfino, cavalliere e procuratore di Santo-Marco, ritornato d'ambasciatore à Roma l'anno 1598 » ; « Discours de l'Estat de l'Esglise et court de Rome », 1604, par J. Bosc ; Pièces relatives à divers conclaves ; Relations de la mort et éloges de Clément VIII (f. 173), — et du cardinal Baronius (f. 174) ; Pièces relatives à l'élection de Grégoire XV, 1621 ; « Relation des affaires de la cour de Rome..., faite par le sr de Brèves », 1623 ; Pièces relatives à l'élection d'Urbain VIII, 1623 ; Relation de la cour de Rome, 1624 ; Pièces relatives à l'élection d'Innocent X, 1644 ; « Mémoire, fait durant la maladie du pape Innocent X, des noms des cardinaux, de leurs aages et qualitez », 1655 ; Pièces relatives à l'élection d'Alexandre VII, 1655 ; « Relatione del clarissimo Mgr Bernardo Navagiero, che fu poi cardinale, ritornando da Roma ambasciatore à papa Paolo quarto, l'anno 1558 » ; « Il sussesso della morte di signori Carafi, con la declaratione et il modo che morirono » ; Mémoire sur la Cour pontificale au temps de Paul V, vers 1615 (f. 457) ; Venise (XVIe siècle-1627). — « Discours de l'évesque de Rodez [Georges d'Armagnac], ambassadeur pour le Roy à Venise... » (f. 291) ; « Mémoire pour... faire sçavoir les payemens ordonnez à la seigneurie de Venise et au duc de Florence, sur les prests par eux faicts au Roy », 1573 (f. 293), — et autres pièces concernant Venise et principalement les relations de Venise avec la France (f. 294) ; Pièces relatives aux différends entre les papes Clément VIII et Paul V et les Vénitiens, 1600-1607 ; « Relation de Venize, de l'année 1627 » ; Gênes (1575-1629). — « Relazione di Genova », 1575, mémoire très détaillé (f. 367) ; « Relatione della cità et dominio Genovese », 1580 ; Autre relation, adressée à Charles IX ; « Instruction baillée à Monsieur de Sabran, envoyé... vers le duc et la seigneurie de Gênes », 1629 (f. 440) ; Lucques . — « Mémoire de l'Estat de Lucques, depuis 1303 jusques en 1400... » (f. 446)

Vasco Núñez de Balboa (1513-1517)

UANL

Enseñanzas mínimas de educación primaria : Real Decreto 1513-2006, de 7 de diciembre, por el que se establecen las enseñanzas mínimas de la educación primaria.

Se presenta el Real Decreto 1513-2006, de 7 de diciembre que establece las enseñanzas mínimas a impartirse en la educación primaria. Se desarrollan los objetivos, contenidos y criterios de evaluación de cada una de las áreas, según los distintos ciclos de la educación primaria.

Laser microstructuring of azopolymers via surface relief gratings: controlling hydrophobicity

In this paper the large-scale mass transport mechanism is used to microstructure azopolymeric films, aiming at controllable hydrophobic surfaces. Using an Ar(+) laser with intensity of 70 mW/cm(2), we produced egg-crate-like surfaces with periods from 1.0 to 3.5 mu m that present distinct wetting properties. The static contact angle of water was measured on the microstructured surfaces, and the results revealed an increase of approximately 9 degrees for a surface pattern period of 2 mu m. Our results indicate the use of the microstructuring method described here for the fabrication of devices with controllable hydrophobicity.

Pregnancy-related low back pain and pelvic girdle pain approximately 14 months after pregnancy : pain status, self-rated health and family situation

Background: Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) in pregnancy is distinct from pregnancy-related low back pain (PLBP). However, women with combined PLBP and PGP report more serious consequences in terms of health and function. PGP has been estimated to affect about half of pregnant women, where 25% experience serious pain and 8% experience severe disability. To date there are relatively few studies regarding persistent PLBP/PGP postpartum of more than 3 months, thus the main objective was to identify the prevalence of persistent PLBP and PGP as well as the differences over time in regard to pain status, self-rated health (SRH) and family situation at 12 months postpartum. Methods: The study is a 12 month follow-up of a cohort of pregnant women developing PLBP and PGP during pregnancy, and who experienced persistent pain at 6 month follow-up after pregnancy. Women reporting PLBP/PGP (n = 639) during pregnancy were followed up with a second questionnaire at approximately six month after delivery. Women reporting recurrent or persistent LBP/PGP at the second questionnaire (n = 200) were sent a third questionnaire at 12 month postpartum. Results: A total of 176 women responded to the questionnaire. Thirty-four women (19.3%) reported remission of LBP/PGP, whereas 65.3% (n = 115) and 15.3% (n = 27), reported recurrent LBP/PGP or continuous LBP/PGP, respectively. The time between base line and the 12 months follow-up was in actuality 14 months. Women with previous LBP before pregnancy had an increased odds ratio (OR) of reporting 'recurrent pain' (OR = 2.47) or 'continuous pain' (OR = 3.35) postpartum compared to women who reported 'no pain' at the follow-up. Women with 'continuous pain' reported statistically significant higher level of pain at all measure points (0, 6 and 12 months postpartum). Non-responders were found to report a statistically significant less positive scoring regarding relationship satisfaction compared to responders. Conclusions: The results from this study demonstrate that persistent PLBP/PGP is a major individual and public health issue among women 14 months postpartum, negatively affecting their self-reported health. However, the perceived relationship satisfaction seems to be stable between the groups.

Stable isotopes (H-2, O-18 and C-13) in groundwaters from the northwestern portion of the Guarani Aquifer System (Brazil)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Benefits of low-frequency attenuation of baha® in single-sided sensorineural deafness

To investigate the effect of low-frequency attenuation of Bone-Anchored Hearing Aids (Bahas) in users with single-sided sensorineural deafness (SSD). The underlying notion is that low-frequency sounds up to approximately 1500 Hz reach the contralateral ear without significant attenuation and that Bahas tend to show more distortion at lower frequencies. Furthermore, to transmit low frequencies, higher moving masses are needed when compared with high frequencies.

Evaluation of administration of isoflurane at approximately the minimum alveolar concentration on depression of a nociceptive withdrawal reflex evoked by transcutaneous electrical stimulation in ponies

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects of isoflurane at approximately the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) on the nociceptive withdrawal reflex (NWR) of the forelimb of ponies as a method for quantifying anesthetic potency. ANIMALS: 7 healthy adult Shetland ponies. PROCEDURE: Individual MAC (iMAC) for isoflurane was determined for each pony. Then, effects of isoflurane administered at 0.85, 0.95, and 1.05 iMAC on the NWR were assessed. At each concentration, the NWR threshold was defined electromyographically for the common digital extensor and deltoid muscles by stimulating the digital nerve; additional electrical stimulations (3, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mA) were delivered, and the evoked activity was recorded and analyzed. After the end of anesthesia, the NWR threshold was assessed in standing ponies. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD MAC of isoflurane was 1.0 +/- 0.2%. The NWR thresholds for both muscles increased significantly in a concentration-dependent manner during anesthesia, whereas they decreased in awake ponies. Significantly higher thresholds were found for the deltoid muscle, compared with thresholds for the common digital extensor muscle, in anesthetized ponies. At each iMAC tested, amplitudes of the reflex responses from both muscles increased as stimulus intensities increased from 3 to 40 mA. A concentration-dependent depression of evoked reflexes with reduction in slopes of the stimulus-response functions was detected. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Anesthetic-induced changes in sensory-motor processing in ponies anesthetized with isoflurane at concentrations of approximately 1.0 MAC can be detected by assessment of NWR. This method will permit comparison of effects of inhaled anesthetics or anesthetic combinations on spinal processing in equids.

Performance evaluation of VIP latrines in the Upper West Region of Ghana

The prevalence of Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrines in Ghana suggests that the design must have a high user acceptance. The two key factors attributed to user acceptance of a VIP latrine over an alternative latrine design, such as the basic pit latrine, are its ability to remove foul odors and maintain low fly populations; both of which are a direct result of an adequate ventilation flow rate. Adequate ventilation for odorless conditions in a VIP latrine has been defined by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the World Bank, as an air flow rate equivalent to 6 air changes per hour (6 ACH) of the superstructure’s air volume. Additionally, the UNDP determined that the three primary factors that affect ventilation are: 1) wind passing over the mouth of the vent pipe, 2) wind passing into the superstructure, and 3) solar radiation on to the vent pipe. Previous studies also indicate that vent pipes with larger diameters increase flow rates, and the application of carbonaceous materials to the pit sludge reduces odor and insect prevalence. Furthermore, proper design and construction is critical for the correct functioning of VIP latrines. Under-designing could cause problems with odor and insect control; over-designing would increase costs unnecessarily, thereby making it potentially unaffordable for benefactors to independently construct, repair or replace a VIP latrine. The present study evaluated the design of VIP latrines used by rural communities in the Upper West Region of Ghana with the focus of assessing adequate ventilation for odor removal and insect control. Thirty VIP latrines from six communities in the Upper West Region of Ghana were sampled. Each VIP latrine’s ventilation flow rate and micro-environment was measured using a hot-wire anemometer probe and portable weather station for a minimum of four hours. To capture any temporal or seasonal variations in ventilation, ten of the latrines were sampled monthly over the course of three months for a minimum of 12 hours. A latrine usage survey and a cost analysis were also conducted to further assess the VIP latrine as an appropriated technology for sustainable development in the Upper West Region. It was found that the average air flow rate over the entire sample set was 11.3 m3/hr. The minimum and maximum air flow rates were 0.0 m3/hr and 48.0 m3/hr respectively. Only 1 of the 30 VIP latrines (3%) was found to have an air flow rate greater than the UNDP-defined odorless condition of 6 ACH. Furthermore, 19 VIP latrines (63%) were found to have an average air flow rate of less than half the flow rate required to achieve 6 ACH. The dominant factors affecting ventilation flow rate were wind passing over the mouth of the vent pipe and air buoyancy forces, which were the effect of differences in temperature between the substructure and the ambient environment. Of 76 usable VIP latrines found in one community, 68.4% were in actual use. The cost of a VIP latrine was found to be equivalent to approximately 12% of the mean annual household income for Upper West Region inhabitants.