Techniques for the transport and maintenance of scleractinian coral

Several small scleractinian coral colonies were collected from a remote reef and transferred [to] the Louisiana Universities Marine Center (LUMCON) for in vitro reproductive and larval studies. The species used here were Porites astreoides and Diploria strigosa. Colony size was ~20 cm in diameter. Colonies were brought to the surface by liftbag and stored in modified ice coolers. They were transported from Freeport, TX to Cocodrie, LA by truck for nearly 15 hours where field conditions were simulated in waiting aquaria. This document describes the techniques and equipment that were used, how to outfit such aquaria, proper handling techniques for coral colonies, and several eventualities that the mariculturist should be prepared for in undertaking this endeavor. It will hopefully prevent many mistakes from being made.

Cadmium leachability and microbial population dynamics in a stabilized and bioaugmented model contaminated soil

This article presents a laboratory study on the consequences of the application of combined soil stabilization and bioaugmentation in the remediation of a model contaminated soil. Stabilization and bioaugmentation are two techniques commonly applied independently for the remediation of heavy metal and organic contamination respectively. However, for a cocktail of contaminants combined treatments are currently being considered. The model soil was contaminated with a cocktail of organics and heavy metals based on the soil and contaminant conditions in a real contaminated site. The soil stabilization treatment was applied using either zeolite or green waste compost as additives and a commercially available hydrocarbon degrading microbial consortium was used for the bioaugmentation treatment. The effects of stabilization with or without bioaugmentation on the leachability of cadmium and copper was observed using an EU batch leaching test procedure and a flow-through column leaching test, both using deionized water at a pH of 5.6. In addition, the population of hydrocarbon degrading microorganisms was monitored using a modified plate count procedure in cases where bioaugmentation was applied. It was found that while the stabilization treatment reduced the metal leachability by up to 60%, the bioaugmentation treatment increased it by up to 100% Microbial survival was also higher in the stabilized soil samples.

Anti Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) Agents 4. Discovery of 5,5 '-(p-Phenylenebisazo)-8-hydroxyquinoline Sulfonates as New HIV-1 Inhibitors in Vitro

To search for compounds with superior anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) activity, ten 5,5'-(p-phenylenebisazo)-8-hydroxyquinoline sulfonates (4a-j) were synthesized and preliminarily evaluated as HIV-1 inhibitors in vitro for the first time. Some compounds demonstrated anti-HIV-1 activity, especially 5,5'-(p-phenylenebisazo)-8-hydroxyquinoline p-ethylbenzenesulfonate (4g) and 5,5'-(p-phenylenebisazo)-8-hydroxyquinoline p-chlorobenzenesulfonate (41) showed the more potent anti-HIV-1 activity with 50% effective concentration (EC50) values of 2.59 and 4.01 mu g/ml, and therapeutic index (TI) values of 31.77 and 24.51, respectively.

Toward automated generation of parametric BIMs based on hybrid video and laser scanning data

Only very few constructed facilities today have a complete record of as-built information. Despite the growing use of Building Information Modelling and the improvement in as-built records, several more years will be required before guidelines that require as-built data modelling will be implemented for the majority of constructed facilities, and this will still not address the stock of existing buildings. A technical solution for scanning buildings and compiling Building Information Models is needed. However, this is a multidisciplinary problem, requiring expertise in scanning, computer vision and videogrammetry, machine learning, and parametric object modelling. This paper outlines the technical approach proposed by a consortium of researchers that has gathered to tackle the ambitious goal of automating as-built modelling as far as possible. The top level framework of the proposed solution is presented, and each process, input and output is explained, along with the steps needed to validate them. Preliminary experiments on the earlier stages (i.e. processes) of the framework proposed are conducted and results are shown; the work toward implementation of the remainder is ongoing.

An investigation into numerical analysis alternatives for predicting reingestion in turbine disc rim cavities

Reliable means of predicting ingestion in cavities adjacent to the main gas path are increasingly being sought by engineers involved in the design of gas turbines. In this paper, analysis is to be presented that results from an extended research programme, MAGPI, sponsored by the EU and several leading gas turbine manufactures and universities. Extensive use is made of CFD modelling techniques to understand the aerodynamic behaviour of a turbine stator well cavity, focusing on the interaction of cooling air supply with the main annulus gas. The objective of the study has been to benchmark a number of CFD codes and numerical techniques covering RANS and URANS calculations with different turbulence models in order to assess the suitability of the standard settings used in the industry for calculating the mechanics of the flow travelling between cavities in a turbine through the main gas path. The modelling methods employed have been compared making use of experimental data gathered from a dedicated two-stage turbine rig, running at engine representative conditions. Extensive measurements are available for a range of flow conditions and alternative cooling arrangements. The limitations of the numerical methods in calculating the interaction of the cooling flow egress and the main stream gas, and subsequent ingestion into downstream cavities in the engine (i.e. re-ingestion), have been exposed. This has been done without losing sight of the validation of the CFD for its use for predicting heat transfer, which was the main objective of the partners of the MAGPI Work- Package 1 consortium. Copyright © 2012 by ASME.

Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes Between Cloned and Zygote-Developing Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Embryos at the Dome Stage Using Suppression Subtractive Hybridization

Comparative analyses of differentially expressed genes between somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos and zygote-developing (ZD) embryos are important for understanding the molecular mechanism underlying the reprogramming processes. Herein, we used the suppression subtractive hybridization approach and from more than 2900 clones identified 96 differentially expressed genes between the SCNT and ZD embryos at the dome stage in zebrafish. We report the first database of differentially expressed genes in zebrafish SCNT embryos. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that zebrafish SCNT embryos undergo significant reprogramming processes during the dome stage. However, most differentially expressed genes are down-regulated in SCNT embryos, indicating failure of reprogramming. Based on Ensembl description and Gene Ontology Consortium annotation, the problems of reprogramming at the dome stage may occur during nuclear remodeling, translation initiation, and regulation of the cell cycle. The importance of regulation from recipient oocytes in cloning should not be underestimated in zebrafish.

Magnetic barrier on strained graphene: A possible valley filter

We put forward a two-terminal valley filter based on a bulk graphene sheet under the modulations of both a local perpendicular magnetic field and a substrate strain. When only one of the two modulations is present, no valley polarization can be generated. A combination of the two modulations leads to a different (but not opposite) shifts of the K and K' valleys, which could be utilized to generate a valley-polarized current. The degree of the valley polarization can be tuned by the strain strength and the inclusion of a scalar potential. The valley polarization changes its polarity as the local magnetic field switches its direction.

The Obduction of Equatorial 13 degrees C Water in the Pacific Identified by a Simulated Passive Tracer

The obduction of equatorial 13 degrees C Water in the Pacific is investigated using a simulated passive tracer of the Consortium for Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean (ECCO). The result shows that the 13 degrees C Water initialized in the region 8 degrees N-8 degrees S, 130 degrees-90 degrees W enters the surface mixed layer in the eastern tropical Pacific, mainly through upwelling near the equator, in the Costa Rica Dome, and along the coast of Peru. Approximately two-thirds of this obduction occurs within 10 years after the 13 degrees C Water being initialized, with the upper portion of the water mass reaching the surface mixed layer in only about a month. The obduction of the 13 degrees C Water helps to maintain a cool sea surface temperature year-round, equivalent to a surface heat flux of about -6.0 W m(-2) averaged over the eastern tropical Pacific (15 degrees S-15 degrees N, 130 degrees W-eastern boundary) for the period of integration (1993-2006). During El Nino years, when the thermocline deepens as a consequence of the easterly wind weakening, the obduction of the 13 degrees C Water is suppressed, and the reduced vertical entrainment generates a warming anomaly of up to 10 W m(-2) in the eastern tropical Pacific and in particular along the coast of Peru, providing explanations for the warming of sea surface temperature that cannot be accounted for by local winds alone. The situation is reversed during La Nina years.

改革对教师工作生活质量影响的跨文化比较研究

From the organizational behavior point, this study initially explored how factors of educational changes influenced on teachers. This study adapted the questionnaire made up by Consortium for Cross-Culture Research in Education (CCCRE), by cooperating with other countries, interviewed 513 teachers in nine countries. The main results are as follows: 1. Factors of educational changes include: domain, origin, objective, teachers' role, and timetable. Comparative results show: More similarities than differences tend to be presented in five factors. The detail results are: in domain, it mainly involves teaching change and learning outcomes change; in origin, the educational change most teachers participated was initialed by government; in role, teachers more act as the implementer; in timetable, gradual development is the chief characteristic. 2. The domain of change, origin and teachers' role has a significant impact on the quality of worklife of teachers, but timetable of change has not. The further study about the influence of educational origin on the quality of worklife of teachers shows: Changes of teachers' time -using, professional development were significantly impacted by the origin of education, and there is a significant difference in the change of time-using among nine countries. 3. Change on students, change on teachers' relationship are two important factors to impact the teachers' evaluation about educational change. But the teachers' evaluation, teaching age and the change on relationship are valid factors to predicate teachers participate in next educational change. 4. Compared with the educational change of other eight countries, the change in school system management and the change in learning outcomes are more carried on in China. There is no significance about other factors between China and overall nine countries. In China, the educational change has a more positive impact on teachers' time-using and professional development, but professional development is also a important factor to impact teachers' evaluation on change; however there is a negative relationship between the Chinese teachers' evaluation and the teachers' participation in next change.

Biblioteka Uniwersytecka w Poznaniu w Web 2.0 - rozwój przyjaznej komunikacji cyfrowej i wynikające z niej korzyści

Poster pokazuje metody komunikacji z czytelnikiem stosowane w Bibliotece Uniwersyteckiej w Poznaniu w technologii mediów cyfrowych. Cyfrowe narzędzia komunikacji stały się bardzo pomocne, niemal niezbędne w pozyskiwaniu nowych czytelników, podtrzymywaniu i rozwijaniu współpracy w społeczności w sieci Web.2.0, zarówno tej globalnej, jak i lokalnej akademickiej. Strona WWW jako statyczna komunikacyjnie jest wspierana przez fora dyskusyjne, chaty, wideokonferencje, warsztaty informacyjne, które są prowadzone w czasie rzeczywistym. Twórczą siłę relacji społecznych z biblioteką rozwinęły interaktywne serwisy społecznościowe (Facebook) oraz komunikatory internetowe integrowane na platformie Ask a Librarian. Biblioteka stała się Biblioteką 2.0 ukierunkowaną na komunikację z czytelnikiem. Aktywne uczestnictwo i udział czytelników przy tworzeniu zasobów naukowych wdrożyliśmy w projekcie instytucjonalnego repozytorium - Adam Mickiewicz Repository (AMUR). Biblioteka zmienia się dla czytelników i z czytelnikami. Wykorzystywane platformy i serwisy społecznościowe dostarczają unikatowych danych o nowych potrzebach informacyjnych i oczekiwaniach docelowego Patrona 2.0, co skutkuje doskonaleniu usług istniejących i tworzeniu nowych. Biblioteka monitoruje usługi i potrzeby czytelników przez prowadzone badania społeczne. Technologie cyfrowe stosowane w komunikacji sprawiają, iż biblioteka staje się bliższa, bardziej dostępna, aby stać się w rezultacie partnerem dla stałych i nowych czytelników. Biblioteka Uniwersytecka w Poznaniu bierze udział w programach europejskich w zakresie katalogowania i digitalizacji zasobu biblioteki cyfrowej WBC, w zakresie wdrożenia nowych technologii i rozwiązań podnoszących jakość usług bibliotecznych, działalności kulturotwórczej (Poznańska Dyskusyjna Akademia Kominksu, deBiUty) i edukacji informacyjnej. Biblioteka Uniwersytecka w Poznaniu jest członkiem organizacji międzynarodowych: LIBER (Liga Europejskich Bibliotek Naukowych), IAML (Stowarzyszenie Bibliotek Muzycznych, Archiwów i Ośrodków Dokumentacji), CERL - Europejskie Konsorcjum Bibliotek Naukowych.