Análisis financiero de la empresa Cementos Argos de Colombia S.A y el sector cementero en Colombia

A partir del 2010, el sector cementero en Colombia experimentó un crecimiento en sus ventas que lo ha posicionado como uno de los sectores más rentable en el país. Esta oportunidad de crecimiento ha permitido que Cementos Argos de Colombia se convirtiera en la empresa líder del sector. Expandiéndose así a mercados internacionales teniendo presencia en países de Centroamérica y Estados Unidos. Por lo tanto es necesario indagar las implicaciones que han tenido los cambios en el sector en las finanzas de la empresa. Para tal fin, se realiza el presente trabajo, que busca determinar de qué manera Cementos Argos de Colombia usa sus recursos para ser una de las empresas del sector mejor posicionada a pesar del crecimiento del mismo y la fuerte competencia que existente. Para esto, se estableció el análisis financiero de Cementos Argos de Colombia, diferentes herramientas e indicadores financieros que ayudaron a identificar, analizar, describir y evaluar los aspectos claves que garantizan el éxito de la empresa.

In vitro analysis of shear bond strength and adhesive remnant index comparing light curing and self-curing composites

OBJETIVO: Avaliar in vitro a resistência ao cisalhamento de compósitos autopolimerizáveis (Concise e Alpha Plast) e fotopolimerizáveis (Transbond XT e Natural Ortho) utilizados na colagem de braquetes metálicos da marca Morelli, analisando o índice de adesivo remanescente (ARI) e da integridade da superfície do esmalte por meio de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). MÉTODOS: foram utilizados 40 pré-molares humanos extraídos. As raízes dos dentes foram incluídas em gesso-pedra especial, no interior de tubos de PVC usados para a confecção dos corpos de prova. Esses corpos de prova foram divididos em quatro grupos: grupo G1, braquetes associados ao compósito Concise; grupo G2, braquetes associados ao compósito Alpha Plast; grupo G3, braquetes associados ao compósito Transbond XT; e grupo G4, braquetes associados ao compósito Natural Ortho. Os grupos foram submetidos ao teste de cisalhamento em máquina universal de ensaios, a uma velocidade de 0,5mm por minuto. RESULTADOS: houve diferença estatística entre os grupos G3 e G4, sendo os valores de G4 superiores; no entanto, não foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os grupos G1, G2 e G3 e G1, G2 e G4. Na análise do ARI não foram encontradas diferenças estatísticas entre os grupos, predominando escores baixos. De acordo com a análise da MEV, constatou-se o rompimento dos compósitos e a integridade do esmalte entre os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: a resistência ao cisalhamento foi satisfatória e semelhante entre os compósitos utilizados, sendo que a resina Natural Ortho apresentou-se superior à Transbond XT.

Aspects of tic like behaviour and serotonergic control

Tic-like movements in rodents bear close similarities to those observed in humans both pharmacologically and morphologically. Pharmacologically, tics are modulated by serotonergic and dopaminergic systems and abnormalities of these systems have been reported in Tourette's Syndrome (TS). Therefore, serotonergic and dopaminergic modulation of tics induced by a thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) analogue were studied as possible models for TS. The TRH analogue MK771 induced a variety of tic like movements in mice; blinking fore-paw-licking and fore-paw-tremor were quantified and serotonergic and dopaminergic modulation was investigated. The selective dopamine D1 receptor antagonists SCH23390 and SCH39166 and dopamine D2 antagonists raclopride and sulpiride had no effect on MK771 induced blinking. The D1 antagonists attenuated fore-paw-tremor and -licking while the D2 antagonists were generally without effect on these behaviours. Ketanserin (5-HT2A/ alpha-1 antagonist) and ritanserin (5-HT2A/2C antagonist) were able to attenuate MK771-induced blinking and ketanserin, mianserin (5-HT2A/2C antagonist) and prazosin (alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonist) were able to attenuate MK771-induced fore-paw-tremor and -licking. The 5-HT2C/2B antagonist SB200646A was without effect on blinking and fore-paw-licking but dose-dependently potentiated fore-paw-tremor. The 5-HT1A agonists 8-OH DPAT and buspirone attenuated blinking at the lower doses tested but were ineffective at the higher doses; the converse was found for fore-paw-licking and -tremor behaviours.The effects of these ligands appeared to be at a postsynaptic 5-HTlA site since para-chlorophenylalanine was without effect on the manipulation of these behaviours. (S)-W A Y100135 was without effect on MK771-induced behaviours, spontaneous and DOl-induced head shakes. Because kynurenine potentiates head shakes and plasma concentrations are raised in TS patients the effects of kynurenine on the 5-HT2A/2C agonist DOl mediated head shake were established. Kynurenine potentiated the DOl head shake. Attempts were made to correlate serotonergic unit activity with tic like behaviour in cats but this proved unsuccessful. However, the pharmacological understanding of 5-HTlA receptor function has been hampered because of the lack of selective antagonists for this site. For this reason the effects of the novel 5-HTlA antagonists (S)-WA Y- 100135 and WAY -100635 were tested on 5-HT single-unit activity recorded from the dorsal-raphe-nucleus in the behaving cat. Both drugs antagonised the suppression of unit activity caused by 8-0H DPAT. (S)-WA Y-100135 reduced unit activity whereas WAY-100635 increased it. This suggests that WAY-100635 is acting as an antagonist at the 5-HTlA somatodendritic autoreceptor and that (S)W A Y -100135 acts as a partial agonist at this site. Aspects of tic like behaviour and serotonergic control are discussed.

Caracterização mecânica e tribológica de dois glazeadores disponíveis comercialmente e uma composição experimental

O objetivo desse estudo, in vitro, foi avaliar através de testes mecânicos e tribológicos, a aplicação de dois glazeadores disponíveis comercialmente e uma composição experimental como material de cobertura em restaurações de resina composta com relação à rugosidade superficial, à dureza e à resistência ao desgaste. Foram confeccionados 24 corpos de prova (CP) do compósito Z350XT (3M/ESPE) e divididos em 4 grupos. O grupo controle (GC) não recebeu selamento, o grupo Biscover LV (GB) recebeu aplicação do Biscover LV (Bisco), o grupo Natural Glaze (GN) recebeu aplicação do Natural Glaze (Nova DFL) e o grupo Experimental (GE) recebeu aplicação de um glazeador experimental contendo nanopartículas (1% em peso). Posteriormente, os CP foram submetidos à análise da rugosidade superficial utilizando um perfilômetro e avaliação da dureza através de um nanoindentador, que fornece também o módulo elástico do material. Em seguida, os CP foram submetidos ao teste de desgaste linear alternado, durante 15.000 ciclos, com carga de 5N, em água destilada. A profundidade máxima de desgaste foi avaliada através de um perfilômetro. A análise dos dados relativos à rugosidade superficial (m) foi realizada utilizando ANOVA/Duncan (p-valor = 0,000). As médias e desvio padrão foram: GC-0,12(0,01); GB-0,06(0,01); GN-0,13(0,02); GE-0,13(0,01). A análise da dureza (GPa) e módulo elástico (GPa) foram avaliados aplicando o teste não-paramétrico de Kruskal-Wallis. As médias e desvio padrão para dureza foram: GC-1,10(0,24); GB-0,31(0,004); GN-0,08(0,004); GE-0,12(0,008) para carga de 1,25mN; GC-1,08(0,139); GB-0,32(0,004); GN-0,08(0,003); GE-0,13(0,006) para carga de 2,5mN; GC-1,10(0,101); GB-0,33(0,003); GN-0,09(0,002); GE-0,13(0,056) para carga de 5,0mN. As médias e desvio padrão para módulo elástico foram: GC-17,71(1,666); GB-5,44(0,084); GN-3,484(0,114); GE-4,55(0,178) para carga de 1,25mN; GC-17,5(1,449); GB-5,18(0,065); GN-3,38(0,078); GE-4,55(0,12) para carga de 2,5mN; GC-17,69(1,793); GB-5,04(0,041); GN-3,63(0,066); GE-4,85(0,104) para carga de 5,0mN. A análise dos dados relativos à profundidade de desgaste (m) foi realizada utilizando ANOVA/Dunnett (p-valor = 0,000). As médias e desvio padrão foram: GC-12,51(0,89); GB-0,59(0,07); GN-1,41(0,12); GE-1,84(0,18). A partir dos resultados apresentados pode-se concluir que apenas o Biscover LV foi capaz de reduzir a rugosidade superficial da resina composta testada. Os demais, Natural Glaze e Experimental, não alteraram a rugosidade superficial e foram estatisticamente semelhantes entre si e com o grupo controle. Todos os glazeadores testados reduziram a dureza e o módulo elástico da resina composta quando comparados com o grupo controle, diferindo entre si, apresentando uma ordem crescente de dureza e módulo elástico (Natural Glaze < Experimental < Biscover < Controle). Todos os glazeadores testados foram capazes de reduzir o desgaste da resina composta, quando comparados com o grupo controle, diferindo entre si, apresentado uma ordem crescente de desgaste (Biscover < Natural Glaze < Experimental < Controle).

东喜马拉雅构造结新生代碰撞变形与岩石圈演化

The Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis (EHS) is one of the strongest deformation area along the Himalayan belt resulted from the collision between Indian plate and the Eurasian Plate since the 50～60Ma, and has sensitivity tracked and preserved the whole collisional processes. It should depend on the detail geological investigations to establish the deformational accommodate mode, and the uplift history, to elucidate the deep structure and the crust-mantle interaction of the Tibet Plateau of the EHS. The deep-seated (Main Mantle Thrusts) structures were exhumed in the EHS. The MMT juxtapose the Gangdese metamorphic basement and some relic of Gangdese mantle on the high Himalayan crystalline series. The Namjagbawa group which is 1200～1500Ma dated by U/Pb age of zircon and the Namla group which is 550Ma dated by U/Pb age of zircon is belong to High Himalayan crystalline series and Gangdese basement respectively. There is some ophiolitic relic along the MMT, such as metamorphic ocean mantle peridotite and metamorphic tholeiite of the upper part of ocean-crust. The metamorphic ocean mantle peridotites (spinel-orthopyroxene peridotite) show U type REE patterns. The ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr ratios were, 0.709314～0.720788, and the ~(143)Nd/~(144)Nd ratios were 0.512073～0.512395, plotting in the forth quadrant on the ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr-~(143)Nd/~(144)Nd isotope diagram. Some metamorphic basalt (garnet amphibolite) enclosures have been found in the HP garnet-kynite granulite. The garnet amphibolites can be divided two groups, the first group is deplete of LREE, and the second group is flat or rich LREE, and their ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr, ~(143)Nd/~(144)Nd ratios were 0.70563～0.705381 and 0.512468～0.51263 respectively. Trace element and isotopic characteristics of the garnet amphibolites display that they formed in the E-MORB environment. Some phlogolite amphibole harzburgites, which exhibit extensive replacement by Phl, Amp, Tc and Dol etc, were exhumed along the MMT. The Phl-Amp harzburgites are rich in LREE and LILE, such as Rb, K etc, and depletes Eu (Eu~* = 0.36 ～ 0.68) and HFSE, such as Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, P, Ti etc. The trace element indicate that the Phl-Amp harzburgites have island arc signature. Their ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr are varied from 0.708912 to 0.879839, ~(143)Nd/~(144)Nd from 0.511993 to 0.512164, ε Nd from- 9.2 to - 12.6. Rb/Sr isochrone age of the phlogolite amphibole harzburgite shows the metasomatism took place at 41Ma, and the Amp ~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar cooling age indcate the Phl-Amp harzburgite raising at 16Ma. There is an intense crust shortening resulted from the thrust faults and folds in the Cayu block which is shortened more 120km than that of the Lasha block in 35～90Ma. With the NE corner of the India plate squash into the Gangdese arc, the sinistral Pai shear fault and the dextral Aniqiao shear fault on the both sides of the Great bent of Yalun Zangbu river come into active in 21～26Ma. On the other hand, the right-lateral Gongrigabu strike-slip faults come into activity at the same period, a lower age bound for the Gongrigabu strike-slip fault is estimated to be 23～24Ma from zircon of ion-probe U/Pb thermochronology. The Gongrigabu strike-slip faults connect with the Lhari strike-slip fault in the northwestern direction and with the Saganing strike-slip at the southeastern direction. Another important structure in the EHS is the Gangdese detachment fault system (GDS) which occurs between the sedimental cover and the metamorphic basement. The lower age of the GDS is to be 16Ma from the preliminary 40Ar/39Ar thermochronology of white mica. The GDS is thought to be related to the reverse of the subducted Indian crust and the fast uplift of the EHS. Structural and thermochronology investigation of the EHS suggest that the eastern Tibet and the western Yunnan rotated clockwise around the EHS in the period of 35～60Ma. Later, the large-scale strike-slip faults (RRD, Gaoligong and Saganing fault) prolongate into the EHS, and connect with the Guyu fault and Gongrigabu fault, which suggest that the Indianchia block escape along these faults. Two kind of magmatic rocks in the EHS have been investigated, one is the mantle-derived amphibole gabbro, dioposide diorite and amphibole diorite, another is crust origin biotit-garnet adamellite, biotit-garnet granodiorite and garnet-amphibole-biotite granite. The amphibole gabbro dioposite diorite and amphibole diorite are rich in LREE, and LILE, such as Ba, Rb, Th, K, Sr etc, depleted in HFSE, such as Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, Ti etc. The ratio of ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr are from 0.7044 to 0.7048, ~(143)Nd/~(144)Nd are from 0.5126 to 0.5127. The age of the mantle origin magamatic rocks, which result from the partial melt of the raising and decompression anthenosphere, is 8Ma by ~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar dating of amphibole from the diorite. The later crust origin biotite-garnet adamellite, biotite-garnet granodiorite and garnet-amphibole-biotite granite are characterized by aboudance in LREE, and strong depletion of Eu. The ratios of ~(87)Sr-~(86)Sr are from 0.795035 to 0.812028, ~(143)Nd/~(144)Nd from 0.51187 to 0.511901. The ~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar plateau age of the amphibole from the garnet-amphibole-biotite granite is 17.5±0.3Ma, and the isochrone age is 16.8±0.6Ma. Their geochemical characteristics show that the crust-derived magmatic rocks formed from partial melting of the lower curst in the post-collisional environment. A group of high-pressure kaynite-garnet granulites and enclave of high-pressure garnet-clinopyroxene grnulites and calc-silicate grnulites are outcroped along the MMT. The peak metamorphic condition of the high-pressure granulites yields T=800～960 ℃, P=1.4～1.8Gpa, corresponding the condition of 60km depth. The retrograde assemblages of the high-pressure grnulites occur at the condition of T=772.3～803.3 ℃, P=0.63～0.64Gpa. The age of the peak metamorphic assemblages are 45 ～ 69Ma indicated by the zircon U/Pb ion-plobe thermochronology, and the retrograde assemblage ages are 13～26Ma by U/Pb, ~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar thermochronology. The ITD paths of the high-pressure granulites show that they were generated during the tectonic thickening and more rapid tectonic exhumation caused by the subducting of the Indian plate and subsequent break-off of the subducted slab. A great deal of apatite, zircon and sphene fission-track ages, isotopic thermochronology of the rocks in the EHS show that its rapid raising processes of the EHS can be divided into three main periods. There are 35～60Ma, 13～25Ma, 0～3Ma. 3Ma is a turn in the course of raising in the EHS which is characterized by abruptly acceleration of uplifting. The uplift ratios are lower than 1mm .a~(-1) before 3Ma, and higher than 1mm .a~(-1) with a maximum ratio of 30mm .a~(-1) since 3Ma. The bottom (knick point) of the partial anneal belt is 3.8km above sea level in the EHS, and correspond to age of 3Ma determined by fission-track age of apatite. The average uplift ratio is about 1.4 mm .a~(-1) below the knick point. The EHS has raised 4.3km from the surface of 2.36km above sea level since 3Ma estimated by the fossil partial anneal belt of the EHS. We propose a two-stage subduction model (B+A model) basing on Structural, thermochronological, magmatical, metamorphic and geophysical investigations of the EHS. The first stage is the subduction of the Indian continental margin following after the subduction of the Tethys Ocean crust and subsequent collision with the Gangdese arc, and the second stage is the Indian crust injecting into the lower crust and upper mantle of the Tibet plateau. Slab break-off seems to be occurred between these two stages.

Avaliação in vivo da efetividade e do pH de géis clareadores no clareamento em consultório em 12 meses de acompanhamento

O objetivo deste estudo in vivo, internacional, randomizado e duplo cedo foi avaliar comparativamente a efetividade e o pH de diferentes géis clareadores na técnica de clareamento em consultório, com e sem o emprego de fonte de luz híbrida em função do grau de alteração de cor, sensibilidade e manutenção do tratamento ao longo de 12 meses de acompanhamento. Foram selecionados 48 voluntários de acordo com os critérios de inclusão e exclusão. Os pacientes foram divididos, de forma randomizada, em 4 grupos de 12 participantes cada, onde: Grupo EXP10 5 aplicações do gel de peróxido de hidrogênio a 10% (Gel Experimental DMC Equipamentos) e ativação de luz híbrida de LED (violeta)/Laser (Experimental DMC Equipamentos) com 7′ e 30″ por aplicação, com tempo total de 37′30; Grupo LP15 5 aplicações do gel de peróxido de hidrogênio 15% (Lase Peroxide Lite DMC Equipamentos) seguindo mesmo protocolo do grupo EXP10; Grupo TB35LH 3 aplicações do gel de peróxido de hidrogênio a 35% (Total Blanc Office - DFL) e ativação de luz híbrida de LED (azul)/Laser (Whitening Lase II DMC Equipamentos) de 7′ e 30″ por aplicação, com tempo total de 22′30″; Grupo TB35 3 aplicações do gel de peróxido de hidrogênio a 35% (Total Blanc Office - DFL) sem ativação com fonte de luz, totalizando 45″. A determinação dos valores de pH foi realizada com o peagômetro digital (Sentron Model 1001, Sentron) nos tempos inicial e após o término do protocolo clareador. A aferição da cor foi feita com espectofotômetro VITA Easyshade antes do clareamento, após 24 horas, 1 semana, 1, 6 e 12 meses. A sensibilidade dentária e grau de satisfação dos pacientes foram avaliados por meio do questionário VAS e IPS antes, imediatamente após o clareamento, 24 horas e uma semana após. Os resultados da alteração do pH receberam tratamento estatístico pela ANOVA e teste de Bonferroni a 0,05%. Os resultados indicaram que o pH aumentou do momento inicial para o final para todos os protocolos. Não houve diferenças significativas entre os protocolos TB35 e TB35LH em nenhum dos momentos, e o pH médio do grupo EXP10 foi maior em comparação aos outros três grupos nos dois momentos avaliados. Os resultados do ΔE receberam tratamento estatístico pela ANOVA e teste de Bonferroni a 0,05%. Os resultados indicaram que não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos LP15, TB35 e TB35LH. O ΔE médio observado após 24 horas foi estatisticamente maior que para os outros tempos (inicial, 1 semana, 1 mês, 6 e 12 meses). Para análise da sensibilidade foi construído um modelo linear misto e atribuídos postos (ranks) aos valores de Δ e teste de Bonferroni a 0,05% para comparações pareadas. Não houve diferença nos valores da sensibilidade imediatamente e 24 horas após o tratamento, com relação ao momento inicial. Houve diferença significativa entre Δ1 e Δ3 indicando que a sensação de dor após uma semana do tratamento foi menor do que as observadas nos instantes imediato e após 24 horas. Para os resultados de satisfação foi construído um modelo linear misto e atribuídos postos (ranks) e o Método de Bonferroni (0,05%) foi utilizado para as comparações pareadas do efeito de tempo. Os resultados indicam queda nos níveis de satisfação entre os períodos imediato e um ano e entre os períodos 24 horas e um ano. Todos os géis clareadores apresentaram mínima variação do pH nos tempos avaliados, entretanto houve um aumento do pH da primeira para a última aplicação em todos os grupos estudados e o grupo EXP10 apresentou os maiores valores de pH seguido do LP15, TB35LH e TB35 apresentaram os valores mais baixos de pH. Os grupos LP15, TB35 e TB35LH apresentaram menor variação da cor ao longo de 12 meses de acompanhamento. O efeito do protocolo clareador não influenciou a sensibilidade dos pacientes e após uma semana a sensibilidade retornaram aos níveis normais. O nível de satisfação dos pacientes foi significativo em relação ao tempo e não aos protocolos clareadores, os pacientes do grupo TB35 mostraram-se mais insatisfeitos ao longo da pesquisa.

Influencing pre-service teachers, skills and attitudes towards diversity. Is DOL the Answer?

Abstract: This paper reports on a preliminary investigation into the success of an undergraduate course, in helping preservice teachers at a regional university develop the skills and attitudes necessary to design inclusive learning environments that cater for, and celebrate, difference. The study is particularly relevant given recommendations by the Education Queensland Ministerial Taskforce (Queensland Government, 2004) that all pre-service teacher education programs must ensure that inclusive education is a pervasive theme. The paper starts by providing an overview of inclusive contexts and a rationale for inclusive education including critical elements. This leads into an overview of the undergraduate course EDED11400 Managing Diversity and discussion, based on feedback from the teaching team, on the capacity for the course to help pre-service teachers develop inclusive curriculum and pedagogical practices. The pedagogical framework Dimensions of Learning* is then discussed, with consideration given to whether this framework with its focus on critical thinking and habits of mind, might improve future learning outcomes in the course EDED11400 Managing Diversity. (*Dimensions of Learning is a pedagogical framework designed to teach thinking skills (Marzano et al., 1988). It explores five types of thinking represented in the framework by five dimensions of learning.)

DFL: A Data Flow Language

Many novel computer architectures like array and multiprocessors which achieve high performance through the use of concurrency exploit variations of the von Neumann model of computation. The effective utilization of the machines makes special demands on programmers and their programming languages, such as the structuring of data into vectors or the partitioning of programs into concurrent processes. In comparison, the data flow model of computation demands only that the principle of structured programming be followed. A data flow program, often represented as a data flow graph, is a program that expresses a computation by indicating the data dependencies among operators. A data flow computer is a machine designed to take advantage of concurrency in data flow graphs by executing data independent operations in parallel. In this paper, we discuss the design of a high level language (DFL: Data Flow Language) suitable for data flow computers. Some sample procedures in DFL are presented. The implementation aspects have not been discussed in detail since there are no new problems encountered. The language DFL embodies the concepts of functional programming, but in appearance closely resembles Pascal. The language is a better vehicle than the data flow graph for expressing a parallel algorithm. The compiler has been implemented on a DEC 1090 system in Pascal.

Morphometry and length-weight relationship of Coilia dussumieri, Valenciennes, 1848 from Mumbai waters

Coilia dussumieri Valenciennes, 1848 a component of 'dol' net fishery forms an important pelagic resource along northwest coast of India. The present communication deals with morphometry and length-weight relationship of this species along Mumbai coast. Morphometric study showed a positive correlation among the compared characters. The length-weight relationship for the species from Mumbai coast was found to be W=0.017L super(2.4223).

Growth performance and morphological variations of local and Thai climbing perch (Anabas testudineus, Bloch)

Climbing perch locally known as koi (Anabas testudineus) is a popular food fish in our country. Thai climbing perch was introduced in Bangladesh from Thailand. To explore the variation in growth performance and orphological features of local and Thai climbing perch a study was undertaken. The highest gain in length, weight and SGR were found in Thai koi 12.23±0.38 cm, 55.83±0.53 g and 7.92±0.11 %/day respectively. Fourteen morphometric characters were studied where eleven (TL, SL, HL, HBD, LBD, DFL, PECFL, PELFL, AFL, UJL and LJL) showed significant difference (p<0.01) in Thai koi from the local ones. Of the meristic characters no. of dorsal fin rays (hard), anal fin rays (hard), caudal fin rays and scale along lateral line (upper and lower) as recorded from the Thai koi were significantly higher (p<0.01) than that of the local koi. The no. of dorsal fin rays (soft) in Thai koi were also significantly higher (p<0.05) from that of local koi. The number of vertebra were also variable in local and Thai climbing perch (25 in case of local koi and 26 in case of Thai koi). Hence, the results obtained form the present study satisfy the characteristics of A. testudineus which reveals that both the local and Thai koi belongs to the same species. Growth performance of Thai koi was better compared to local koi reared in same conditions.

Dol net fishery off Nawabunder (Gujarat)

Extimated catch of 6,484.9; 3,505.6 and 4,797.7 t of fishes were landed at Nawabunder in 'dol.' net during 1976-77, 1977-78 and 1978-1979 respectively. There has been an increasing trend in effort and decline in catch and catch rate. The catch rate came down from 174.8 kg in 1976-77 to 84 kg in 1978-79. The detailed studies on the catch composition revealed that the Bombay duck formed about 68.6-77% of the total catch. The other important constituents being Coilia dussumieri 1.5-9.2%, ribbon fish 3.0-6.5%, non-penaeid prawn, namely, Acetus indicus, Nematopalaemon tenuipes and Hippolysmata ensirostris together formed about 6.1-13.7% and penaied prawns 1.5-3.1% of the total dol net landings. In addition, quality fishes such as ghol, warn, pomfret and catfishes were also landed in considerable quantities. The landings of ghol are on the increase from 4.9 t in 1976-77 to 59 t in 1978-79. Large number of juveniles of economically important fishes namely, Harpodon nehereus, Pampus argenteus, Trichiurus lepturus and Ilisha filigera have been observed in the catch particularly during February-May. The destructive nature of the gear has been commented along with the suggestions for regulation of the fishery.

Progressive lung cancer determined by expression profiling and transcriptional regulation

Clinically, our ability to predict disease outcome for patients with early stage lung cancer is currently poor. To address this issue, tumour specimens were collected at surgery from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients as part of the European Early Lung Cancer (EUELC) consortium. The patients were followed-up for three years post-surgery and patients who suffered progressive disease (PD, tumour recurrence, metastasis or a second primary) or remained disease-free (DF) during follow-up were identified. RNA from both tumour and adjacent-normal lung tissue was extracted from patients and subjected to microarray expression profiling. These samples included 36 adenocarcinomas and 23 squamous cell carcinomas from both PD and DF patients. The microarray data was subject to a series of systematic bioinformatics analyses at gene, network and transcription factor levels. The focus of these analyses was 2-fold: firstly to determine whether there were specific biomarkers capable of differentiating between PD and DF patients, and secondly, to identify molecular networks which may contribute to the progressive tumour phenotype. The experimental design and analyses performed permitted the clear differentiation between PD and DF patients using a set of biomarkers implicated in neuroendocrine signalling and allowed the inference of a set of transcription factors whose activity may differ according to disease outcome. Potential links between the biomarkers, the transcription factors and the genes p21/CDKN1A and Myc, which have previously been implicated in NSCLC development, were revealed by a combination of pathway analysis and microarray meta-analysis. These findings suggest that neuroendocrine-related genes, potentially driven through p21/CDKN1A and Myc, are closely linked to whether or not a NSCLC patient will have poor clinical outcome.

Direct-on-line axial flux permanent magnet synchronous generator static and dynamic performance

In distributed energy production, permanent magnet synchronous generators (PMSG) are often connected to the grid via frequency converters, such as voltage source line converters. The price of the converter may constitute a large part of the costs of a generating set. Some of the permanent magnet synchronous generators with converters and traditional separately excited synchronous generators couldbe replaced by direct-on-line (DOL) non-controlled PMSGs. Small directly networkconnected generators are likely to have large markets in the area of distributed electric energy generation. Typical prime movers could be windmills, watermills and internal combustion engines. DOL PMSGs could also be applied in island networks, such as ships and oil platforms. Also various back-up power generating systems could be carried out with DOL PMSGs. The benefits would be a lower priceof the generating set and the robustness and easy use of the system. The performance of DOL PMSGs is analyzed. The electricity distribution companies have regulations that constrain the design of the generators being connected to the grid. The general guidelines and recommendations are applied in the analysis. By analyzing the results produced by the simulation model for the permanent magnet machine, the guidelines for efficient damper winding parameters for DOL PMSGs are presented. The simulation model is used to simulate grid connections and load transients. The damper winding parameters are calculated by the finite element method (FEM) and determined from experimental measurements. Three-dimensional finite element analysis (3D FEA) is carried out. The results from the simulation model and 3D FEA are compared with practical measurements from two prototype axial flux permanent magnet generators provided with damper windings. The dimensioning of the damper winding parameters is case specific. The damper winding should be dimensioned based on the moment of inertia of the generating set. It is shown that the damper winding has optimal values to reach synchronous operation in the shortest period of time after transient operation. With optimal dimensioning, interferenceon the grid is minimized.

Cure Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of Maleic Anhydride Grafted Reclaimed Rubber/ Styrene Butadiene Rubber Blends

Blends of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) with maleic anhydride grafted whole tire reclaim (MA-g-WTR) have been prepared and the cure and mechanical properties have been studied with respect to the reclaim content. The grafting was carried out in the presence of dicumylperoxide (DCP) in a Brabender Plasticorder at 150'C. The presence of anhydride group on the WTR was confirmed by infrared spectrometry (IR) study. The properties were compared with those of the blends containing unmodified WTR. Though the cure time was marginally higher, the mechanical properties of the blends containing grafted WTR were better than that of the unmodified blends.