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Today pilots have to obtain required information from a number of different sources like airport/SID/STAR/approach or enroute charts (respectively their electronic representations), printouts like the flight plan or a weather briefing, and updates via voice communications. The flight crew is required to mentally combine all this information. This situation will become even more difficult to cope with in the SESAR/NextGen world with dynamic changes of the trajectory (flight plan), and more frequent updates of weather, NOTAMs and other information requiring a higher degree of automation and better information presentation. To address these issues, lower the pilot's workload, and increase his situational awareness, a concept is presented where all required information is provided through one application. Depending on the phase of flight (taxi-in/taxi-out, departure, enroute, arrival, approach) the application will select the currently required information and provide a seamless representation for the crew. The challenge is to provide the right information at the right time to the crew (e.g. significant weather moving into the direction of the flight plan). The focus of this paper will be on the components of the new application related to ground operations. This includes an enhanced, AMM-like view with integrated taxi-routing support, graphical and textual display of chart notes (e.g. wingspan restrictions, taxiway closures etc.), and updates of such information by automatic inclusion of digital NOTAMs.

We reviewed 34 patients (38 joints) with hallux rigidus treated from 1989 to 1999 with arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. Average patient age at time of surgery was 52 (24–71) years, and the mean follow-up was 54 (18–116) months. There were six superficial infections, and all arthrodeses united. There was a good functional result with a significant pain reduction. The mean postoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 53 (5–84) points.

The present study was conducted in order to isolate and identify the phytochemical constituents responsible for analgesic effects shown by a methanolic extract obtained from Sebastiania schottianaroots. Conventional chromatographic procedures led to the isolation of moretenone, glutinol, β-sitosterol and stigmasterol. The structural elucidation of these compounds was done on the basis of spectral data (IR, 1H- and 13C-NMR) and comparison with authentic samples. Either glutinol or moretenone exhibited marked analgesic action against acetic acid induced abdominal constrictions in mice by intraperitoneal route, indicating 16 to 26-fold higher efficacy than aspirin and paracetamol. When analyzed in a formalin test, both compounds and standard drugs inhibited only the second phase (inflammatory pain). Our results suggest that the roots of S. schottianacontain analgesic compounds which justify, at least partially, the popular use of this plant for the treatment of urinary problems.

Summary An epidemiological, cross-sectional study was conducted in order to assess non-neoplasic effects on the lung due to chronic exposure to arc welding fumes and gases. The study involved 346 arc welders and 214 control workers from a factory producing industrial vehicles. These workers (welders and controls) had never been exposed to asbestos. Respiratory impairments were evaluated by using a standardized questionnaire, a clinical examination, chest radiophotography and several lung function tests (spirometry, bronchial challenge test to acetylcholine, CO transfer tests according to the breath-holding and the steady-state methods, N2 washout test). The only significant differences between the welders overall compared to the controls were a slightly higher bronchial hyper-reactivity to acetylcholine and a lower lung diffusing capacity for CO in the welders. However, non-specific, radiologic abnormalities (reticulation, micronodulation) and obstructive signs were more frequent in the most exposed welders (welding inside tanks) than in welders working in well ventilated workplaces. The nature of the metal welded (mild-steel, stainless steel, aluminium) did not seem to have an influence on respiratory impairments. In the mild-steel welders, respiratory symptoms (dyspnoea, recurrent bronchitis) and obstructive signs were more frequent in the welders using a manual process than in the welders involved with the semi-automatic process (MIG). For all the workers (welders and controls), smoking had a markedly adverse effect on respiratory symptoms and lung function. Moreover, smoking seemed to interact with welding since CO lung transfer was more impaired in smoking welders than in smoking controls.

Summary An unusually long-lived (33 hours), devastating (local maximum rainfall rate over 800 mm/24 hr) meso-ß-scale (diameter smaller than 200 km) convective system that occurred over the Mediterranean coast of Spain has been simulated reasonably well by means of a regional numerical model. Several runs of the model including parameterized convection and boundary conditions of varying degrees of complexity have been performed. In most of these experiments, the main characteristics of the event, namely its, stationarity and duration, are captured. The direct relationship between the Lagrangian lifetime of a meteorological system and its degree of deturministic predictability seems to be corroborated by the results: It appears that the meso-a-scale forcing that preceded and favoured the MCS was especially well predictable, and once initiated, the simulated MCS seems to have several feedback mechanisms helping to extend its life. Results are encouraging, because they reveal that it might be possible to predict very severe episodes of small MCSs such as the one shown here sufficiently in advance.

Co-stimulation of mixed complementary mating types of Euplotes vannus was blocked if [K+]o was raised to at least 60 mmol l−1. This inhibition could be cancelled by simultaneously raising [Ca2+]o. An electrophysiological investigation showed that elevation of either [K+]o or [Ca2+]o depolarized the cell. The effect of potassium was observed at concentrations above 50 mmol l−1, with a slope of about 38 mV/decade change, and was accompanied by a reduction in membrane resistance. Calcium had an effect at lower concentrations than potassium, but the slope was lower, and was associated with a rise in resistance. When potassium and calcium were applied together in ratios at which the calcium level was just sufficient to annul the K+-induced block of conjugation, the membrane was depolarized only slightly more than in potassium alone, and resting resistance was near the control level. It is therefore proposed that high [K+]o blocks co-stimulation by acting upon membrane resting conductance.

A newly discovered recessive mutation,clk, in the marine ciliateEuplotes vannusis responsible for induction of intraclonalconjugation atlow, i.e. <2 instead of 10 mM [K+]o. Heredity was assured by crosses to standard clones and by backcrosses. Pairing inclkclones is prevented by K+at 2 mM, by Rb+and Cs+and Cs+at 4 mM, not by Li+, NH4+, and TEA+up to 10 mM. Clones with theclkphenotype were found in several natural populations.