Cryopreservation of flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) sperm with a practical methodology

A simple and convenient protocol for the cryopreservation of the flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) sperm was established for "on the spot" cryopreservation of large quantities of semen. The use of three cryoprotectants, dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), glycerol (Gly) and methanol was tested in the method. The percentage of motile sperm present in semen after it had been frozen and thawed in the presence of DMSO, Gly or methanol was 60.5 +/- 3.6, 79.17 +/- 4.5 and 13.25 +/- 4.7%, respectively. The fertilization rates of this sperm were 67.06 +/- 15.1, 76.20 +/- 10.0 and 44.93 +/- 22.6%, while the hatching rates of eggs fertilized with this sperm were 37.40 +/- 8.3, 48.18 +/- 25.7 and 23.35 +/- 10.8%, respectively. It was found that Gly and DMSO were better cryoprotectants than methanol, with Gly giving the best overall results. Under scanning electron microscopy, it could be seen that while the majority of the frozen-thawed sperm remained morphologically normal, some exhibited lost or dilated mitochondria, swollen mid-pieces, broken tails, or damaged cell membrane, which probably caused the decrease in motility and fertility of the frozen-thawed sperm. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.

准噶尔盆地侏罗系层序格架和油气成藏条件研究

Jurassic is an important hydrocarbon-bearing formation in Junggar Basin. Analyzing in strata sequence stratigraphy and hydrocarbon formation has both theoretical and practical values. First of all, strata sequence stratigraphy of continental facies is a new development and supplement in the theory of stratigraphic geology. Stratum of continental facies, unlike sea facies, has rich sup-plements, rapid facies changes, and was influenced slightly by sea level changes. The structural background and sedimentary environment of the basin in west China are greatly different from those of the basins in east China. So it is important to build the patterns of strata sequence stratigraphy in west China basins. Secondly, it is also of significance to find out all kinds of traps, for the dominant types are structural ones so far. After 50 years exploration, the stratigraphic or litholigic traps have become the main concern. This desertation is mainly focused on establishing the isochronal strtaum frame for Junggar Basin to show the evolvement characters of the basin sediment system and the regionalstuctrue background. By analyzing the conditions and patterns of the regional oil and gas bearing formations with typical cross-sections, we have established the patterns of sedimentary conditions for different reserviors. By authur's study, several fruitful results have been obtained in the following: Strata sequence frame and evolvement characteristics of Jurassic: By studing strata sequence, Jurassic has been divided into 2 second rank strata sequences and 3 third rank strata sequences based on the interface unconformities. Only 2 fourth rank strata sequences were grouped in BaDaoWan group. Also different seismic facies and sediment units have been recognized with the establishment of the of sediment system model. The oil-gas system characteristics in Jurassic: We conclude that hydrocar bon resources have the best oil potential. Potential of coal, carbonaceous and dark mudstone were reduced in turn. In this thesis we have made the evaluation of three hydrocarbon sources and the distribution oil-gas resource, and studied the potentials of hydrocarbon and evolvement for each kind of micro-component of the two main resource rocks. Prediction of paleo-temperature: In Junggar basin the evolvement of paleo-ground temperature can be divided into three stages. From Carboniferous to early Permian grads of ancient ground temperature was 8-5 ℃/100m, 5-3 ℃/100m from later period of Permian to end Trias, 3-2 ℃/100m from Jurassic to early Tertiary. Patterns of Jurassic hydrocarbon-bearing reserviors: There were two kinds of hydrocarbon source of Permian and Jurassic. They form different hydrocarbon - bearing systems. Six fundamental hydrocarbon - bearing trap modeS have been established. Directions for later exploration: There were two kinds of regional belts in Jurassic, One is structural belt caused by Yanshan and Ximalaya process, and the other was the stratum one caused by paleostructural rises.

企业效率表现和中国环境政策-以造纸企业为例

Understanding relationship between environmental protection and economic development is crucial to form practical environmental policy. At micro level, implementation of environmental regulations often causes production mills adjustment of technology which might leads to change of productive efficiency and cost, which, in turn, determine effort level of mills and even local government in pollution control. Using a stochastic frontier production model and a set of survey data on 126 paper mills from six provinces of China, we measure the technical efficiency changes and analyze the determinants of efficiency. in particular, we examine impact of environmental policy on paper mills' efficiency, using an indicator of environmental policy-the levy ratio of COD. We also estimate a simultaneous-equation model in which the levy rate and emission are jointly determined. The results indicate that there have been efficiency improvements during 1999-2003, when enforcement of environmental regulations have been tightened. The impacts, nevertheless, are different for different types of mills. We also find the levy ratio, which is influenced by both the local social and economic conditions and the characters of paper mills, such as scale, has strong impact on the abatement of the pollutant-COD. Additionally, paper mills' technical efficiency has positive effect on the reduction of the emission intensity of the pollutant-COD. These results lead a set of implications pertinent to policy improvement.

A practical approach to the degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls in transformer oil

A practical and efficient disposal method for hydrodechlormation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in transformer oil is reported. Transformer oil containing PCBs was treated by nanometric sodium hydride (nano-NaH) and transition metal catalysts. High destruction and removal efficiency (89.8%) can be attained by nano-NaH alone under mild conditions. The process exhibits apparent characteristics of a first order reaction. The reductive ability of nano-NaH was enhanced by the addition of transition metal catalysts. In the presence of TiCl4, 99.9% PCBs was hydrodechlorinated. The complex reducing reagents, Ni(OAc)(2) + i-PrONa, show extra hydrodechlorinating activity for di-chlorinated biphenyls. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Undrained behaviour of two silica sands and practical implications for modelling SSI in liquefiable soils.

The aim of the present study is twofold. Firstly, the paper investigates the undrained cyclic and post-cyclic behaviour of two silica sands by means of multi-stage cyclic triaxial tests. Secondly, based on the post-cyclic response observed in the element test, the authors formulate a simplified stress–strain relationship that can be conveniently used for the construction of p–y curves for liquefiable soils. The multi-stage loading condition consists of an initial cyclic loading applied to cause liquefaction, followed by undrained monotonic loading that aimed to investigate the post-cyclic response of the liquefied sample. It was found that due to the tendency of the liquefied soil to dilate upon undrained shearing, the post-liquefaction strain–stress response was characterised by a distinct strain–hardening behaviour. The latter is idealized by means of a bi-linear stress–strain model, which can be conveniently formulated in terms of three parameters, i.e.: (i) take-off shear strain, γto, i.e. shear strain required to mobilize 1 kPa of shear strength; (b) initial secant shear modulus, G1, defined as 1/γto; (c) post-liquefied shear modulus at large strain, G2 (γ⪢γto). Based on the experimental results, it is concluded that these parameters are strongly influenced by the initial relative density of the sample, whereby γto decreases with increasing relative density. Differently both shear moduli (G1 and G2) increases with increasing relative density. Lastly, the construction of new p–y curves for liquefiable soils based on the idealized bi-linear model is described.

Variation of modal parameters of pile-supported structures in seismically liquefiable soils.

This paper presents experimental results that aimed to investigate the effects of soil liquefaction on the modal parameters (i.e. frequency and damping ratio) of pile-supported structures. The tests were carried out using the shaking table facility of the Bristol Laboratory for Advanced Dynamics Engineering (BLADE) at the University of Bristol (UK) whereby four pile-supported structures (two single piles and two pile groups) with and without superstructure mass were tested. The experimental investigation aimed to monitor the variation in natural frequency and damping of the four physical models at different degrees of excess pore water pressure generation and in full-liquefaction condition. The experimental results showed that the natural frequency of pile-supported structures may decrease considerably owing to the loss of lateral support offered by the soil to the pile. On the other hand, the damping ratio of structure may increase to values in excess of 20%. These findings have important design consequences: (a) for low-period structures, substantial reduction of spectral acceleration is expected; (b) during and after liquefaction, the response of the system may be dictated by the interactions of multiple loadings, that is, horizontal, axial and overturning moment, which were negligible prior to liquefaction; and (c) with the onset of liquefaction due to increased flexibility of pile-supported structure, larger spectral displacement may be expected, which in turn may enhance Pdelta effects and consequently amplification of overturning moment. Practical implications for pile design are discussed.

Fuzzy Interpolation and Extrapolation: A Practical Approach

Z. Huang and Q. Shen. Fuzzy interpolative and extrapolative reasoning: a practical approach. IEEE Transactions on Fuzzy Systems, 16(1):13-28, 2008.

Angewandte Kulturwissenschaften – Überlegungen zum Studienprogramm einer akademischen Disziplin nach dem cultural turn im Hinblick auf berufliche Perspektiven

The author tries to attract attention for the careers ant the education of that what we call applied Cultural Studies after the cultural turn in the Humanities. He refers to some empirical studies and tries to put it out how differs the several institutes especially in the German spoken academic world. After all the conclusion of the author could be that there is an big demand for specialists in the area of applied cultural studies. The formation or education has to refer widely to a conception or the terminus of every-day-culture, so that it could be a big help in economic, social and education professions.

The parish priest on duty : a practical manual for pastors, curates, and theological students preparing for the mission : being a brief summary of the prescribed manner of administering the sacraments, the service of the dead, and sundry other pastoral functions in accordance with the Roman Ritual (The Sacraments) / by H.J. Heuser.

http://www.archive.org/details/theparishpriesto00heusuoft

Living with Jesus: Practical Christologies in Two Boston American Baptist Churches

This dissertation, an exercise in practical theology, undertakes two tasks. First, it examines how the story of Jesus is appropriated and embodied in the corporate practices of worship and mission (congregational christology) and in the daily lives of ordinary believers (everyday christology) at First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain and Ruggles Baptist Church in Boston, Massachusetts. Second, it places these practical christologies in dialogue with the academic christology of James McClendon to see what creative and critical insights emerge. A key assumption of the study is that doctrinal reflection is precipitated when the story of Jesus interacts with human stories in both autobiographical and public domains. "Living with Jesus" contends that the understandings of Jesus present in the everyday lives of believers and in a congregation's worship and mission merit the attention of scholars in the disciplines of sociology and theology. This dissertation demonstrates that scholarly research on the visible church, everyday religion, and Christian doctrine pays limited attention to the theologies operative in the everyday lives of believers and congregational practices. A gap exists in scholarly knowledge, which "Living with Jesus" attempts to redress. The empirical results of qualitative research fieldwork are set in the context of historical overviews and contemporary snapshots of First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain and Ruggles Baptist Church. "Living with Jesus" identifies three types of practical christology operative across the two congregations in corporate practices and the everyday lives of individuals: evangelical christology; exemplarist christology; and prophetic christology. The empirical research shows that for a significant minority of people in the sample, the prevailing understanding of Jesus can best be described as a hybrid christology. By paying attention to McClendon's treatment of the Jesus story and placing the three identified practical christologies in dialogue with his christology, it becomes apparent that each practical christology is simultaneously liberating and limiting. This dissertation argues that evaluating a particular practical christology in relation to the Gospel requires an intentional and disciplined effort on the part of congregations, ordinary believers, and theologians. Questions are proposed to assist further christological reflection on worship, mission, pastoral care, and Christian education.

The Practice and Understanding of the Eucharist in the United Church of Christ: A Practical Theological Study

This dissertation explores the complexity of the understanding and practice of the Eucharist in the United Church of Christ as revealed in a textual analysis of the UCC Book of Worship (1986) and a qualitative study of five representative UCC congregations. Little has been written on this topic, save for several brief articles on the history of the theology of the sacrament in the two bodies that merged to form the UCC in 1957: the Congregational Christian Churches (CC) and the Evangelical and Reformed Church (E&R). This dissertation advances the topic through a practical-theological study that brings into critical conversation contemporary eucharistic practices in five congregations and a historical theological analysis of liturgical traditions in the UCC and antecedent denominations. Through this conversation, the study articulates common themes of a UCC eucharistic theology and explores implications for ongoing theology and practice in the denomination. The introduction explicates the methodology employed in this study, guided by Don Browning's work. The first two chapters present the findings of the focus group interviews and an interpretation of those results respectively. Chapter three analyzes the eucharistic liturgies in three historic books of worship used in the E&R heritage. In chapter four, two of the antecedent resources utilized in the CC tradition are analyzed. The short-lived Hymnal of the United Church of Christ, published in 1974, includes liturgies that would find fuller expression in the 1986 Book of Worship. That hymnal is examined in chapter five. Chapter six interprets the two services of "Word and Sacrament" found in the Book of Worship. Chapter seven offers a comparative analysis of the focus group findings and the theology inherent in the Book of Worship. The final chapter offers strategic recommendations for revised theory and practice. The conclusion points toward areas for further research: it propels a critical conversation around the notion of covenant, Christ's presence in the meal, and who can receive and officiate at the Eucharist. This dissertation concludes that the UCC lives within a balance of multiple, complementary theologies and challenges the denomination to make stronger connections between the meal and mission, reconciliation, and tradition.

Making Sadza with Deaf Zimbabwean Women: A Missiological Reorientation of Practical Theological Method toward Self-Theologizing Agency among Subaltern Communities

Missiological calls for self-theologizing among faith communities present the field of practical theology with a challenge to develop methodological approaches that address the complexities of cross-cultural, practical theological research. Although a variety of approaches can be considered critical correlative practical theology, existing methods are often built on assumptions that limit their use in subaltern contexts. This study seeks to address these concerns by analyzing existing theological methodologies with sustained attention to a community of Deaf Zimbabwean women struggling to develop their own agency in relation to child rearing practices. This dilemma serves as an entry point to an examination of the limitations of existing methodologies and a constructive, interdisciplinary theological exploration. The use of theological modeling methodology employs my experience of learning to cook sadza, a staple dish of Zimbabwe, as a guide for analyzing and reorienting practical theological methodology. The study explores a variety of theological approaches from practical theology, mission oriented theologians, theology among Deaf communities, and African women’s theology in relationship to the challenges presented by subaltern communities such as Deaf Zimbabwean women. Analysis reveals that although there is much to commend in these existing methodologies, questions about who does the critical correlation, whose interests are guiding the study, and consideration for the cross-cultural and power dynamics between researchers and faith communities remain problematic for developing self-theologizing agency. Rather than frame a comprehensive methodology, this study proposes three attitudes and guideposts to reorient practical theological researchers who wish to engender self-theologizing agency in subaltern communities. The creativity of enacted theology, the humility of using checks and balances in research methods, and the grace of finding strategies to build bridges of commonality and community offer ways to reorient practical theological methodologies toward the development of self-theologizing agency among subaltern people. This study concludes with discussion of how these guideposts can not only benefit particular work with a community of Deaf Zimbabwean women, but also provide research and theological reflection in other subaltern contexts.

STAIR: Practical AIMD Multirate Congestion Control

Existing approaches for multirate multicast congestion control are either friendly to TCP only over large time scales or introduce unfortunate side effects, such as significant control traffic, wasted bandwidth, or the need for modifications to existing routers. We advocate a layered multicast approach in which steady-state receiver reception rates emulate the classical TCP sawtooth derived from additive-increase, multiplicative decrease (AIMD) principles. Our approach introduces the concept of dynamic stair layers to simulate various rates of additive increase for receivers with heterogeneous round-trip times (RTTs), facilitated by a minimal amount of IGMP control traffic. We employ a mix of cumulative and non-cumulative layering to minimize the amount of excess bandwidth consumed by receivers operating asynchronously behind a shared bottleneck. We integrate these techniques together into a congestion control scheme called STAIR which is amenable to those multicast applications which can make effective use of arbitrary and time-varying subscription levels.

Basis Token Consistency: A Practical Mechanism for Strong Web Cache Consistency

With web caching and cache-related services like CDNs and edge services playing an increasingly significant role in the modern internet, the problem of the weak consistency and coherence provisions in current web protocols is becoming increasingly significant and drawing the attention of the standards community [LCD01]. Toward this end, we present definitions of consistency and coherence for web-like environments, that is, distributed client-server information systems where the semantics of interactions with resource are more general than the read/write operations found in memory hierarchies and distributed file systems. We then present a brief review of proposed mechanisms which strengthen the consistency of caches in the web, focusing upon their conceptual contributions and their weaknesses in real-world practice. These insights motivate a new mechanism, which we call "Basis Token Consistency" or BTC; when implemented at the server, this mechanism allows any client (independent of the presence and conformity of any intermediaries) to maintain a self-consistent view of the server's state. This is accomplished by annotating responses with additional per-resource application information which allows client caches to recognize the obsolescence of currently cached entities and identify responses from other caches which are already stale in light of what has already been seen. The mechanism requires no deviation from the existing client-server communication model, and does not require servers to maintain any additional per-client state. We discuss how our mechanism could be integrated into a fragment-assembling Content Management System (CMS), and present a simulation-driven performance comparison between the BTC algorithm and the use of the Time-To-Live (TTL) heuristic.