Pure mechanical wear loss measurement in corrosive wear

The method for the measurement of the pure mechanical wear loss for 321 stainless steel, 1045 steel and pure iron in the study of the synergy between corrosion and wear was studied, The methods studied included the measurement in distilled water, by cathodic protection and by adding inhibitor KI, and all were compared with the wear loss in air. The experiment showed that the pure mechanical wear losses and friction coefficients obtained by the three methods were close to each other and can be used to calculate the various wear components in the study of the interaction of corrosion and wear, but the measurements in distilled water for pure iron and 1045 steel are not recommended due to their corrosion.

Experimental warming causes large and rapid species loss, dampened by simulated grazing, on the Tibetan Plateau

We investigated the independent and combined effects of experimental warming and grazing on plant species diversity on the north-eastern Tibetan Plateau, a region highly vulnerable to ongoing climate and land use changes. Experimental warming caused a 26-36% decrease in species richness, a response that was generally dampened by experimental grazing. Higher species losses occurred at the drier sites where N was less available. Moreover, we observed an indirect effect of climate change on species richness as mediated by plant-plant interactions. Heat stress and warming-induced litter accumulation are potential explanations for the species' responses to experimental warming. This is the first reported experimental evidence that climate warming could cause dramatic declines in plant species diversity in high elevation ecosystems over short time frames and supports model predictions of species losses with anthropogenic climate change.

预应力结构抗滑桩设计计算方法及其在滑坡治理中的应用研究

Landslide is a kind of serious geological hazards and its damage is very great. In recent years, landslides become more and more frequent along with increase of scale of engineering constructions and cause greater loss. Consequently, how to protect landslides has become important research subject in the engineering field. This paper improves the method how to compute landslide thrust and solves the irrational problem in the design of piles because of the irrational landslide thrust according to the theory and technology of existed anti-slide piles and pre-stressed cable anti-slide piles. Modern pre-stressing technology has been introduced and load balancing method has been used to improve the stressing behavior of anti-slide piles. Anchor cables, anti-slide piles and modern pre-stressing technology have been used to prevention complicated landslide. It is an important base to select values for the landslide thrust. An improved method to calculate design thrust of anti-slide piles has been presented in this paper on the base of residual thrust method by comparing existing methods to select values of landslide thrust in the design of anti-slide piles. In the method, residual landslide thrust behind the anti-slide piles and residual skid resistance before the piles has been analyzed, equitable distribution of residual landslide thrust behind the piles has been realized, and the method to select value of design thrust becomes more reasonable. The pre-stressed cable anti-slide piles are developed from the common anti-slide piles and are common method to prevent landslide. Their principle is that internal force of anti-slide piles is adjusted and size of section is diminished by changing constraint conditions of anti-slide piles. For landslides with deep slip surface and large scale of slopes, limitation of the method appears. Such landslides are in need of long piles and anchor cables which are not only non-economic but also can generate larger deformation and leave potential danger after prevention. For solving the problem, a new kind of anti-slide piles, inner pre-stressing force anti-slide piles, is presented in this paper, and its principle is that an additional force, which is generated in the inner anti-slide piles by arranging pre-stressed reinforcement or tight wire in a certain form in interior of anti-slide piles and stretching the steel reinforcement or tight wire, may balance out the internal force induced by landslide thrust whole or partly (load balancing method). The method will change bending moment which anti-slide piles are not good at bearing into compressive stress which piles are good at bearing, improve stressing performance of anti-slide piles greatly, diminish size of section, and make anti-slide piles not fissured in the natural service or postpone appearance of the fissures, and improve viability of anti-slide piles. Pre-stressed cable anti-slide piles and inner pre-stressing force anti-slide piles go by the general name of pre-stressed structure anti-slide piles in the paper, and their design and calculation method is also analyzed. A new calculation method is provided in the paper for design of anti-slide piles. For pre-stressed structure anti-slide piles, a new computation mode is firstly presented in the paper on the foundation of cantilever piles. In the mode, constraint form of load-bearing section of the anti-slide piles should be confirmed according to reservoir conditions in order to figure out amount of pre-stress of the anchor cables, and internal force should be analyzed for the load-bearing section of pre-stressed structure anti-slide piles so as to confirm anchorage section of anti-slide piles. Pre-stressed cables of the pre-stressed cable anti-slide piles can be arranged as required. This paper analyzes the load-bearing section of single-row and double-row pre-stressed cable anti-slide piles and provides a calculation method for design of the pre-stressed cable anti-slide piles. Inner pre-stressing force anti-slide piles are a new kind of structural style. Their load-bearing section is divided into four computation modes according to whether pre-stressed cables are applied for exterior of the anti-slide piles, and whether single-row or double-row exterior pre-stressed cables are applied. The load balancing method is used to analyze the computation modes for providing a method to design the inner pre-stressing force anti-slide piles rationally. Pre-stressed cable anti-slide piles and inner pre-stressing force anti-slide piles are applied to research on Mahe landfall in Yalong Lenggu hydropower station by the improved method to select value of design thrust of anti-slide piles. A good effect is obtained in the analysis.

Volumetric consequences of particle loss by grading entropy.

Chemical and biological processes, such as dissolution in gypsiferous sands and biodegradation in waste refuse, result in mass or particle loss, which in turn lead to changes in solid and void phase volumes and grading. Data on phase volume and grading changes have been obtained from oedometric dissolution tests on sand–salt mixtures. Phase volume changes are defined by a (dissolution-induced) void volume change parameter (Λ). Grading changes are interpreted using grading entropy coordinates, which allow a grading curve to be depicted as a single data point and changes in grading as a vector quantity rather than a family of distribution curves. By combining Λ contours with pre- to post-dissolution grading entropy coordinate paths, an innovative interpretation of the volumetric consequences of particle loss is obtained. Paths associated with small soluble particles, the loss of which triggers relatively little settlement but large increase in void ratio, track parallel to the Λ contours. Paths associated with the loss of larger particles, which can destabilise the sand skeleton, tend to track across the Λ contours.

Islamic corporate financing : does it promote profit and loss sharing?

Islamic financing instruments can be categorised into profit and loss/risk sharing and non-participatory instruments. Although profit and loss sharing instruments such as musharakah are widely accepted as the ideal form of Islamic financing, prior studies suggest that alternative instruments such as murabahah are preferred by Islamic banks. Nevertheless, prior studies did not explore factors that influence the use of Islamic financing among non-financial firms. Our study fills this gap and contributes new knowledge in several ways. First, we find no evidence of widespread use of Islamic financing instruments across non-financial firms. This is because the instruments are mostly used by less profitable firms with higher leverage (i.e., risky firms). Second, we find that profit and loss sharing instruments are hardly used, whilst the use of murabahah is dominant. Consistent with the prediction of moral-hazard-risk avoidance theory, further analysis suggests that users with a lower asset base (to serve as collateral) are associated with murabahah financing. Third, we present a critical discourse on the contentious nature of murabahah as practised. The economic significance and ethical issues associated with murabahah as practised should trigger serious efforts to steer Islamic corporate financing towards risk-sharing more than the controversial rent-seeking practice.

Biological rationale for regular physical exercise as an effective intervention for the prevention and treatment of depressive disorders

Depression is a major medical and social problem. Here we review current body of knowledge on the benefits of exercise as an effective strategy for both the prevention and treatment of this condition. We also analyze the biological pathways involved in such potential benefits, which include changes in neurotrophic factors, oxidative stress and inflammation, telomere length, brain volume and microvessels, neurotransmitters or hormones. We also identify major caveats in this field of research: further studies are needed to identify which are the most appropriate types of exercise interventions (intensity, duration, or frequency) to treat and prevent depression.

Crime Prevention and New Technologies: The Special Case of CCTV

Norris, G. & Wilson, P., 'Crime Prevention and New Technologies: The Special Case of CCTV', In: Issues in Australian Crime and Criminal Justice, Lexis-Nexis, pp.409-418, 2005. RAE2008

Herbal supplements: Recent findings in exercise, health and weight loss

Natural herbs have been in use for weight loss purposes since history began. However, the current global obesity epidemic and the rise in obesity-related chronic diseases, including type-II diabetes and cancer, have highlighted the need for novel and effective approaches for herbal remedies. Whilst the popularity of several prescribed and non-prescribed slimming aids and herbal plant supplements have been marketed for their weight loss efficacy, single and multi-ingredient herbal supplements are still being investigated for their single or combined weight loss benefits. Limited research have highlighted an interesting efficacy for several popular herbal plant supplements including caffeine and capsaicin, Ayurvedic preparations and herbal teas, resulting in various degrees of effectiveness including thermogenic, appetite control and psychological benefits such as mood state. Recent research has suggested acute augmented weight-loss effects of combining herbal ingestion with exercise. For example, ingesting green tea, yerba mate and/or caffeine have been shown to increase metabolic rate, and augmented fatty acid metabolism and to increase energy expenditure from fatty acid sources during exercise with various intensities, particularly at low and moderate intensities. Other promising weight-loss effects have also been also reported for combining exercise with multi-ingredient herbal supplements, particularly those that are rich in phytochemicals and caffeoyl derivatives. Combining herbal ingestions with exercise still require further research in order to establish the supplementation most effective protocols in terms of dosage and timing, and to determine the long-term benefits, particularly those related to exercise protocols, and the long term adherence to sustain the weight loss outcomes.

The nature of emotional support and counselling provision for people with sight loss in the United Kingdom

People with sight loss in the United Kingdom are known to have lower levels of emotional wellbeing and to be at higher risk of depression. Consequently ‘having someone to talk to’ is an important priority for people with visual impairment. An on-line survey of the provision of emotional support and counselling for people affected by sight loss across the UK was undertaken. The survey was distributed widely and received 182 responses. There were more services offering ‘emotional support’, in the form of listening and information and advice giving, than offered ‘counselling’. Services were delivered by providers with differing qualifications in a variety of formats. Waiting times were fairly short and clients presented with a wide range of issues. Funding came from a range of sources, but many felt their funding was vulnerable. Conclusions have been drawn about the need for a national standardised framework for the provision of emotional support and counselling services for blind and partially sighted people in the UK

Estudo sobre as medidas de intervenção social nos maus tratos ao idoso

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Trabalho Social.

Perda de dimensão vertical de oclusão e estruturas dentárias remanescentes

Projeto de Pós-Graduação/Dissertação apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Medicina Dentária

Laser de baixa intensidade na Regeneração Óssea

Projeto de Pós-Graduação/Dissertação apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Medicina Dentária

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure: Towards Physically-Correct Specifications of Embedded Real-Time Systems

Predictability — the ability to foretell that an implementation will not violate a set of specified reliability and timeliness requirements - is a crucial, highly desirable property of responsive embedded systems. This paper overviews a development methodology for responsive systems, which enhances predictability by eliminating potential hazards resulting from physically-unsound specifications. The backbone of our methodology is a formalism that restricts expressiveness in a way that allows the specification of only reactive, spontaneous, and causal computation. Unrealistic systems — possessing properties such as clairvoyance, caprice, infinite capacity, or perfect timing — cannot even be specified. We argue that this "ounce of prevention" at the specification level is likely to spare a lot of time and energy in the development cycle of responsive systems - not to mention the elimination of potential hazards that would have gone, otherwise, unnoticed.