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The authors review the work of the previous Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare and the current European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in providing scientific advice on the welfare aspects of animal transport and the impact of this advice on the European Union (EU) regulatory framework. Through its Protocol on the Protection and Welfare of Animals, the Treaty of Amsterdam obliges European institutions to pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals when formulating and implementing EU legislation. Regulation 1/2005 states that EU legislation should be amended to take into account new scientific evidence. Provisions for poultry, cats and dogs take into account the recommendations included in EFSA's Scientific Opinion which considers different species (poultry, deer, rabbits, dogs and cats, fish and exotic animals). Examples of the effect of the scientifically based conclusions and recommendations from the Scientific Opinion on the measures in Regulation 1/2005 are summarised and show the impact of scientific evidence on EU legislation.

Mechanisms to maintain the physiological and behavioural stability of animals during long distance transport are explored according to the epidemiological concept of the risk factor. The purpose is to consider quality assurance and risk management as two practical means of protecting animal health and welfare during long distance transport. The hierarchy of welfare, health and disease is treated as an indivisible whole to ensure that surveillance for welfare will encompass surveillance for infectious disease and that ethical consideration applies to the totality. Disease can have devastating effects on the well-being of both animals and people. Risk factors and epidemiological methods are explained and promoted for use in managing the health and welfare of animals transported over long distances. A 'one medicine' approach is emphasised and the depiction of stress as the cost of adaptation to stressors or the allostatic load is introduced to illuminate the challenges confronting transported animals. Aspects of heat stress in cattle are explored to illustrate how various sources of information, including inference from general biological knowledge, can assist in characterising risk factors that derive from the constitution of animals themselves.

Issues pertaining to the long distance transportation of animals are examined according to the aspirations of the world’s zoo community. Guidance comes from the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), the civil society organisation that provides ‘leadership and support for zoos, aquariums and partner organisations of the world in animal care and welfare, conservation of biodiversity, environmental education and global sustainability’. The authors describe why it is necessary to transport zoo animals over long distances and how animal welfare can be protected during the process. Transportation of animals among zoos is essential for the cooperative breeding programmes undertaken for the ex situ conservation of wildlife with the help of WAZA studbooks. The challenge is to satisfy the entwined ethical imperatives of safeguarding animal welfare and protecting biodiversity.

• Aspheric lens for large depth-of-field terahertz imaging at long distances. • Depth-of-field extension is achieved by incident light with a wide field-of-view. • Farther from the element than the Bessel beam depth-of-field start point. • Fast imaging of large targets can be achieved with multipixel terahertz detectors. Terahertz (THz) imaging can serve as a versatile instrument to disclose contents of various packages or items hidden under clothing. When imaging a large target with a certain thickness at a long distance, the requirements for the imaging speed and imaging quality of the system are particularly worthy of attention. To tackle these problems and extend an assortment of application, this paper proposes a wide field-of-view (FOV) aspheric lens suitable for rapid imaging systems for extending the depth-of-field (DOF) of THz imaging at long distances. The designed aspherical lens with a diameter of 264 mm – made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and manufactured by machining – allows extending the DOF up to 85 mm by separately focusing incident light with different FOV angles, which not only allows fast THz imaging combined with linear array detector but also refuses the use of complicated imaging optical paths. A reflective one-dimensional (1D) scanning imaging system with a 0.1 THz source reveals that the lens can simultaneously achieve wavelength-level resolution and a DOF range of 85 mm for objects at a distance greater than 415 mm from the lens surface in a wide-field illumination system, in which the contrast of the obtained results can reach more than 15%. The observed results justify the application value of the lens in long-distance, wide-field THz imaging systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Super-resolution imaging (SRI) for mid-wave infrared (MWIR) has attracted increasing attention in recent years due to the expensive price for a large number of pixels MWIR cameras. Investigation of the compressed sensing method can partially improves the resolution. However, the quality of SRI is highly related to the transfer function matrix of the optical system, which is difficult to be accurately measured because of the noise existed in MWIR detection, especially in long-distance systems. In this work, we propose a transfer function matrix calculation method which overcomes the issues of low imaging contrast and signal-to-noise ratio compared with previous studies. And we further establish a long-distance focal plane array-based compressive imaging system with a resolution of two digital micro-mirror device pixels which just satisfies the system diffraction limit. In addition, we achieve the 4 × 4 times super-resolution high-quality reconstruction of long-distance digital and physical objects with only six measurements. • Establish a long-distance mid-wave infrared imaging system with high resolution. • Calculate the transfer function matrix for 256 × 256 pixels with 100 random masks. • Realize 4x4 times super-resolution reconstruction of digital or physical objects. • Enhance the peak signal-to-noise ratio of 50% with only 6 measurements. • Achieve the resolution of 2 pixels which fully utilizes the modulation resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is generally recognised that long distance travelling accounts for a significant part of the mileage of person travel. However, estimates have been hardly made. The paper estimates volume and GHG emissions of long-distance travel by Western Europeans. The analysis is predominantly based on data of the DATELINE project, the only EU-wide survey on long-distance travelling, conducted in 2001 and 2002. Some studies demonstrate that DATELINE suffers from serious underreporting of journeys. We analysed the causes for underreporting and developed expansion factors that correct for that. These gave the opportunity to estimate long-distance travel volumes and related GHG emissions in 2001/2002. Next an update to 2013 is made using statistics on the development of tourist travel and patronage of long-distance modes. Defining long distance ⩾100 km crow-fly, the estimates per capita in the Western European countries in 2013 are 7.5 journeys (defined as round-trips), 8600 km, and 1300 kg greenhouse gasses. The estimated total GHG emissions of long-distance travelling is 520 megaton. In the Netherlands and Flanders, countries where data on short-distance travelling were available, long-distance travelling accounts for 45% of the mileage and nearly 50% of the GHG emissions of all person transport. Long-distance travelling is growing and is expected to continue to grow, particularly by air. The GHG emissions are expected to grow as well, though to a smaller extent. Because short-distance travelling is stagnating, the shares of long distance travelling in both mileage and GHG emissions are likely to increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing our understanding of the traits and adaptations that promote the survival and persistence of organisms in highly dynamic environments will aid in the conservation of populations and communities. Projected effects of climate change and land alterations suggest headwater streams may become more intermittent and less predictable, consequently altering biological processes (i.e. dispersal or movement) that govern population dynamics. Few studies have provided insight into movement dynamics of nongame fishes in small headwater streams that commonly experience intermittent conditions. The purpose of this study was to investigate movement of a fish species adapted to intermittent stream conditions. Our objectives were to (i) describe the general movement patterns of creek chub, Semotilus atromaculatus, in an intermittent stream and (ii) investigate which ecological factors may influence movement in patchy environments. Creek chub displayed some of the longest distances moved compared to many other stream fishes in perennial streams (179-1069 m seasonal averages; 4678 m maximum distance). Directional movement was significant only in May with more individuals moving upstream. The probability of creek chub movement was inversely related to habitat complexity and pool area. Creek chub adapted to intermittent stream conditions not only exhibited increases in the frequency and distance of movement compared to other nongame fishes, but also exhibited movements in relation to local habitat metrics. These results demonstrate some of the potential adaptations that are likely to promote the survival and persistence of populations in highly dynamic environments such as intermittent streams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthy romantic relationships are beneficial to an individual's physical and mental health. The prevalence of long-distance relationships (LDRs) is increasing; yet, no research has assessed whether the marriage–health association applies to individuals in LDRs. The present study investigated the marriage–health association in LDRs by comparing PR and LDR individuals on various health and relationship indices. Using both Qualtrics and Amazon's Mechanical Turk, we designed an online survey (N = 296 married, 21 years or older, English speakers). Health measures included the patient-reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS-29); Perceived Stress Scale; and substance use, diet, and exercise surveys. Relationship variables assessed included satisfaction, maintenance, relationship stress, and sex. Overall, results were mixed, with no clear relationship arrangement relating to better health or relationship variable ratings. Relationship satisfaction did not differ across groups; however, individuals in PRs reported better maintenance, higher sexual frequency, and lower relationship stress. In terms of health, LDR individuals reported better health on several indices: overall scores; lower anxiety, depression, and fatigue subscale scores; and better diet/exercise behaviors. PR individuals reported lower individual stress levels, better medication adherence, and higher physical functioning scores than their LDR counterparts. Regression analyses indicated being in a LDR predicted more individual and relationship stress but simultaneously better diet and exercise behaviors. This study challenges the popular notion that health and happiness in a relationship stem from partner proximity and provides potential points of intervention to improve relationship satisfaction and health for individuals in both PRs and LDRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Synthetic aperture rainbow refractometry for long distance droplet measurement. • SASRR measures mono-dispersed droplets at 1650 mm distance. • SAGRR measures refractive index and size of spray with high accuracy. Optical characterizations of droplets and sprays at a long stand-off distance are of great demand in large scale facilities. Synthetic aperture rainbow refractometry (SARR) is proposed for long range measurement. The aperture of the imaging system is enlarged via synthesizing rainbow signals of the same droplet illuminated by multiple crossing laser beams from different channels of a color image simultaneously. The formation of the synthetic aperture rainbow signal is modeled by taking spectral response into account, and the retrievals of true rainbow signals are proposed. Both synthetic aperture standard rainbow refractometry (SASRR) and synthetic aperture global rainbow refractometry (SAGRR) are investigated, with corresponding inversion algorithms, and then validated with simulations and experiments. The uncertainties of refractive index and size of mono-dispersed droplet measured with the SASRR are 8 × 10 - 4 and 3 μ m at 1650 mm distance, and for sprays measured with the SAGRR the deviation of refractive index is 8 × 10 - 4 . The proposed synthetic aperture rainbow refractometry enables transparent and spherical droplets and sprays measurement at long distance, and have great potential for large scale industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of barefoot running on foot-strike patterns, eversion–inversion, running speed and vertical foot rotation in endurance runners. Eighty healthy recreational runners (age = 34.11 ± 12.95 years old, body mass index = 22.56 ± 2.65 kg · m−2) performed trials in shod/unshod running conditions on a treadmill at comfortable and competitive self-selected speeds. Data were collected by systematic observation of lateral and back recordings at 240 Hz. McNemar’s test indicated significant differences between shod/unshod conditions and foot strike at comfortable and competitive speeds (P < 0.001). Speed was related to vertical foot rotation type for shod (P < 0.01) and unshod conditions (P < 0.05). Significant differences were found between shod/unshod conditions in foot rotation at comfortable running speeds (P < 0.001) and competitive running speeds (P < 0.01). No significant difference was found in inversion or eversion (P ≥ 0.05). In conclusion, the results suggest that running kinematics, in terms of foot-strike patterns and vertical foot rotation, differ between shod/unshod conditions, while the inversion or eversion degree remains unchanged. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Following the relational turbulence model, we examined the extent to which relational uncertainty and partner interference mediate distance and relational maintenance, here assessed as relational continuity constructional units (RCCUs), as predictors of relational turbulence. Results were consistent with and extend the relational turbulence model, with relational uncertainty mediating RCCUs and partner interference mediating distance. In addition to highlighting RCCUs as a communicative buffer against relational uncertainty, the results reveal a complex picture of geographic distance. Addressing mixed findings in previous research, it appears distance may foster relational turbulence yet also predict reduced turbulence when accompanied by diminished partner interference. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Pacing strategy has been investigated in elite 100 km and elite 161 km (100 mile) ultra-marathoners, but not in age group ultra-marathoners. This study investigated changes in running speed over segments in male elite and age group 100 km ultra-marathoners with the assumption that running speed would decrease over segments with increasing age of the athlete. Running speed during segments in male elite and age group finishers for 5-year age groups (ie, 18-24 to 65-69 years) in the 100 km Lauf Biel in Switzerland was investigated during the 2000-2009 period. Average running speed over segment time station (TS) TS1-TS2 (56.1 km) was compared with running speed Start-TS1 (38 km) and Start-TS3 (76.7 km) and running speed TS2-TS3 was compared with running speed Start-Finish. For the top ten athletes in each edition, running speed decreased from 2000 to 2009 for TS1-TS2 and TS2-TS3 (P,0.0001) but not in TS3-Finish (P.0.05). During TS1-TS2, athletes were running at 98.0%±2.1% of the running speed of Start-TS1. In TS2-TS3, they were running at 94.6%±3.4% of the running speed of TS1-TS2. In TS3-Finish, they were running at 95.5%±3.8% of running speed in TS2- TS3. For age group athletes, running speed decreased in TS1-TS2 and TS2-TS3. In TS3-Finish, running speed remained unchanged with the exception of the age group 40-44 years for which running speed increased. Running speed showed the largest decrease in the age group 18-24 years. To summarize, the top ten athletes in each edition maintained their running speed in the last segment (TS3-Finish) although running speed decreased over the first two segments (TS1- TS2 and TS2-TS3). The best pacers were athletes in the age group 40-44 years, who were able to achieve negative pacing in the last segment (TS3-Finish) of the race. The negative pacing in the last segment (TS3-Finish) was likely due to environmental conditions, such as early dawn and the flat circuit in segment TS3-Finish of the race. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Theories of island biogeography typically predict a close link between patterns of immigration and the dynamics of colonization and extinction on islands, but relatively little is known of the immigration process owing to the difficulty of observing immigration directly. We assess the relationship between propagule immigration and colonization success using records of out-of-range 'vagrant' animals compiled by amateur and professional biologists. Location A global sample of 66 oceanic islands and archipelagos. Methods We compiled a database of landbird records from each archipelago including occasional visitors (vagrants) and colonizers (defined as non-endemic species with breeding populations on islands). Using a database of species traits for all the world's passerine and near-passerine birds (migratory status and range size), we compared the characteristics of vagrants and colonizers and assessed how island characteristics influenced vagrant and colonizer communities. Results We show that variation in the propensity for vagrancy to oceanic islands world-wide is a surprisingly poor predictor of colonization success across species on a global scale. Colonization success is positively related to global range size, and is higher for migrants than residents (particularly on higher-latitude islands). Species richness of vagrant communities increases with the area and local isolation of island groups, and decreases with isolation from continents and latitude. Colonizer species richness increases with island area and decreases with isolation and latitude, and is little influenced by vagrant species richness. Main conclusions Contrary to expectations, we find that the capacity for trans-oceanic dispersal may not be a key determinant of oceanic island colonization amongst landbirds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article contributes to recent work on the figure of the passenger and ‘passengering’ in mobilities research. It does so by considering the experiences of one passenger over two journeys on an ocean liner undertaken in 1930. The article ‘follows’ the passenger over the course of the two journeys in order to open up the processuality of passengering. The article makes two core contributions. First, it demonstrates the need to lend attention to the specific socialities and materialities of mobile modalities that work on and form the passenger. It is shown how specific assemblages come together at sea to create atmospheres that shape the experiences of long-distance travel over water. Second, by following the passenger over the course of journeying, it demonstrates the emergence of the passenger in relation to shifting affective atmospheres, not as a static figure but one of becoming passenger, as a shifting set of subjectivities, and, in turn, shows the value of ‘following’ a journey within mobilities research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We study parents’ decisions about long distance travel with young children. [•] We explore attitudes and perceptions using semi-structured in-depth interviews. [•] Long distance travel with children is valued as a positive quality time experience. [•] Convenience is the overwhelming factor influencing most respondents to opt for car. [•] Potential exists to capitalise on positive attitudes to rail to instigate modal shift. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article reports on a numerical investigation of the performance of long-haul dispersion management wavelength division multiplexing links in terms ofQ-factor and spectral efficiency. To take into account the role of the phase and amplitude modulations, two well-known transmission formats were analyzed: return-to-zero differential quadrature phase shift keying and coherent 8 quadrature amplitude modulation. To optimize the spectral efficiency, the role of the pulse shape, investigating both Gaussian and Nyquist pulses, was also considered. Furthermore, the role of polarization is studied considering both polarization multiplexing and transmission of adjacent channels with orthogonal states of polarization. Such a study is carried out on a 700-km-long dispersion management link consisting of G.652 spans (100-km long) and by adopting a periodical compensation of the chromatic dispersion by means of fiber gratings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Long-distance measurements (10–1000m) with an accuracy of 10−7 is a challenge for many applications. We show that it is achievable with Frequency Shifted Feedback (FSF) laser interferometry technique, provided that the determination of the radio frequency beat order be made without ambiguity and on a time scale compatible with atmospheric applications. Using the pulsed-FSF laser that we developed for laser guide star application, we propose and test, up to 240m, a simple method for measuring the beat order in real time. The moving-comb and Yatsenko models are also discussed. The first of these models fails to interpret our long-distance interferometry results. We show that the accuracy of long-distance measurements depends primarily on the stabilization of the acoustic frequency of the modulator. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Mentoring plays an important role in learning and career development. Mentored researchers are more productive and more likely to publish their work. However, mentorship programs are not universally used in most settings or disciplines. Furthermore, successful and mutually beneficial mentoring relationships are not always easy to arrange. Long-distance mentoring relationships are even more difficult to handle and may break down for a wide variety of reasons. Drawing from our experiences with the first Canadian Institutes of Health Research - Canadian HIV Trials Network international postdoctoral fellowship program, we describe the roles of the context, the key mentor and the mentee attributes; goals and expectations; environments, local support, a communication plan, funding, face-to-face contact, multidisciplinary collaboration, co-mentoring, and evaluation as they apply to the successful implementation of a long-distance mentoring program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Even if the beneficial cardiovascular effects of moderate exercise are recognized, effects of prolonged and intense exercise are still debated. This study aims to detect cardiovascular changes associated with long endurance running by assessing the relationship between echocardiographic parameters and cardiac biomarkers during long-distance trail running., Methods: We performed a prospective observational study that included 20 participants who were all amateur runners (median age of 41 years old, still alive after a 7-year clinical follow-up) from 80-km trail running. All the participants underwent an echocardiographic examination and venous blood sampling before the race, at the intermediate refreshment checkpoints of the race (21st and 53rd km), and within 10 min after arrival., Results: Mitral E/A velocity ratio and mitral TDI e' wave were significantly decreased at the 21st km to arrival ( p < 0.05). Mitral S wave and global longitudinal strain (GLS) were significantly decreased from the 53rd km to arrival ( p < 0.05 for 53rd and 80th km). As compared to baseline, T-troponin and NT-proBNP were significantly increased at the 21st km in all the participants, but T-troponin values were systematically increased above the significative threshold. Diastolic echocardiographic abnormalities were mainly observed among participants with highest NT-proBNP (> 77 ng.l -1 ) values at the 21st km. As compared to baseline, mitral e' wave was significantly decreased (-35%) in participants with highest values of NT-proBNP. Similarly, GLS was also depressed among participants with highest troponin values at the 53rd km ( p = 0.01 for 53rd km and p = 0.04 for arrival)., Conclusion: During the long-distance trail running, the early LV decrease in diastolic echocardiographic parameters is associated with increase in NT pro-BNP blood levels, and the decrease in LV systolic echocardiographic parameters later is associated with increase in T-troponin blood levels., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Jouffroy, Hergault, Antero, Vieillard Baron and Mansencal.)

The objective of the present study was to document current commercial practices during long haul transport (>400 km) of cattle in Alberta through surveys delivered to truck drivers (6,152 journeys that transport-ed 290,362 animals). The live beef export industry to the United States (89% of all journeys) had a large influence on long haul transport. This was particularly true for fat cattle going to slaughter (82%) and backgrounded feed-ers going to feed yards (15%). Most drivers had either limited (31% with < 2 yr) or extensive (35% > 10 yr) experience hauling cattle. The type of tractors and trail-ers used most frequently were those with more number of axles (quad-axle trailers pulled with push tractors) because they can accommodate extra weight. Mean (± SD) distance travelled was 1,081 ± 343 km (maximum of 2,560 km) whereas time animals spent on truck averaged 15.9 ± 6.3 h with a maximum of 45 h. However, only 5% of all journeys were greater than 30 h. The most frequent cause of delay was at the Canada-United States border crossing due to paperwork and veterinary inspections. Border delays occurred on 77% of all journeys which had a mean of 1.3 ± 1.9 h and up to 15-h long. Driver rest stops and waiting to unload cattle at destination were the second most frequent and longest cause of delay. Ambient temperature across all journeys ranged from -42 to 45°C with a mean value of 18 ± 11.8°C while temperature variation within a journey was from 0 to 46°C with mean value of 15 ± 6.6°C. The proportion of dead, non-ambulatory, and lame cattle for all journeys was 0.011, 0.022, and 0.011%, respectively. The cattle transport industry showed compliance with federal regulations and to a lesser extent with recommendations. Findings showed extreme values and very large variability in transport conditions however further research is needed to assess their impact on animal welfare outcomes. Delays within the journey as a result of border crossing, weather conditions, time on truck, shrink and space allowance may play an important role in improving cattle welfare during long haul transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Iteckne is the property of Universidad Santo Tomas, Division de Ingenierias and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract: We present a time-shared Third Spin Assisted Recoupling (TSTSAR) experiment that allows for simultaneous acquisition of homonuclear (13C–13C) and heteronuclear (15N–13C) long-distance contacts in biomolecular solids under magic angle spinning. TSTSAR leads to substantial time savings and increases the information content of 2D correlation spectra. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Humidity is one of the key atmospheric parameters influencing the refractive index of air. Consequently, humidity influences all length measurements whose scale is derived from the speed of light. In this work, we present two laser spectrometers developed for determining the average humidity of air over a long measurement path where local variations may be difficult to measure using conventional sensors. Further, these laser-based systems allow, in principle, good spatial overlap with the beams used in dimensional measurements. The developed systems were compared to each other and to traceable reference sensors during a 65 h measurement campaign. The performance of the systems was investigated under three different conditions: steady state, humidity transient and temperature transient. Both systems were separately tested in outdoor environment at distances up to several hundreds of metres. The measurement results demonstrate that the systems are able to measure the relative humidity below the 4% uncertainty level both in indoor and in outdoor environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ammonia–water absorption cycle could transfer thermal energy into chemical energy by the change in solution concentration, which low-grade heat released by industry-concentrated areas could be utilized to provide heating or cooling in the user site over long distance. No heat insulation is required for the transportation pipelines and the energy consumption is reduced greatly. The simulation researches show that thermal coefficient of performance (COP) is at 0.5 and exergy efficiency is >0.2 when generation temperature is at 110°C to provide cooling in summer; thermal COP is at 0.6 and exergy efficiency is >0.3 to provide heating in winter. Electrical COP as high as 50 could be realized if the transportation distance is >50 km. Therefore, the COP of the system is determined by thermal COP (nearly equal). An experimental prototype has been built to testify this theory. Thermal COP is 0.43 when chilled water at 8°C is obtained in summer. In winter, thermal COP is 0.45 when hot water at 58°C is obtained. The deviations between experimental and simulation results are ∼20%. The economic assessment based on the reasonable assumptions shows that the investment cost of the transportation pipelines of a 500 MW, 50 km system could be recovered within 15 months, in which the whole system costs could be recovered within 4 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ording to the specific geological condition, analyzed the stress distribution of the overlying strata, the displacement of pressure released seam, thickness variation and the distribution of plastic zones by FLAC software to simulate mining of the long-distance lower protective seam. The research results show that the distribution of vertical stress appears as a 'Double-hump' within the pressure-relief range of the protected coal seam and the swelling deformation curve of coal bodies takes an 'M' shape. The swelling is divided into initial swelling, swelling increase and swelling compression stability. The maximum swelling ratio of the pressure released seam is 1.84%, protection angle of the lower protective coal seam along the strike direction is about 55°, protection angle below the dip direction is about 50°, protection angle above the dip direction is about 55°, and the coal seam compression zone resembles a 'U' shape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Despite the many socio-economic similarities between Sweden and Norway, differences in jurisdiction, organisation, cooperation, and financing of long-distance passenger train and coach services have led to the development of four distinctively different ways of serving the markets. This paper describes how the train and coach markets have developed in the two countries, with emphasis on regulatory and industrial structure and a couple of performance variables. Looking at passenger rail, both countries separated infrastructure from operation over a decade ago. However, while Norwegian rail is characterised by an almost monopoly supplier, rail services in Sweden are partly decentralised to the responsibility of county authorities and are widely subjected to competitive tendering. The rest of the network is about to be opened up for on-the-track competition. Swedish Rail (SJ) has spent the last decades consolidating its core business (passenger rail) and sold out its other businesses. In contrast, the Norwegian state rail (NSB) has expanded its business to become a major bus operator and property owner, with extensions also into the Swedish market. The coach industry was more recently deregulated in both countries. The Swedish coach market is dominated by privately owned companies operating services to and from Stockholm. In Norway, state-owned NSB is a major coach operator on medium distance routes, and is also the largest partner of Nor-Way Bussekspress which totally dominates long-distance coach services. Further, the Norwegian coach market is characterised by cross-ownership and cooperation which has enabled an extensive route network which covers most of Norway. We find distinct differences in achievements in the two modes and in the two countries. Swedish rail services have succeeded in winning market shares and in renewing and developing both infrastructure and service levels to a greater extent than the Norwegian model. On the other hand, the Norwegian coach market seems to be more developed and efficient compared to its Swedish counterpart. The paper concludes with a discussion on the possible links between the different approaches and the performance observed, with the aim to stimulate further and more detailed research on some important issues. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Recent work on metazoans has uncovered the existence of an endogenous RNA-silencing pathway that functionally recapitulates the effects of experimental RNA interference (RNAi) used for gene knockdown in organisms such as Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila. The endogenous short interfering (si)RNA involved in this pathway are processed by Dicer-like nucleases from genomic loci re-arranged to form extended inverted repeats (IRs) that produce perfect or near-perfect dsRNA molecules. Although such IR loci are commonly detected in plant genomes, their genetics, evolution and potential contribution to plant biology through endogenous silencing have remained largely unexplored. Through an exhaustive analysis performed using Arabidopsis, we provide here evidence that at least two such endogenous IRs are genetically virtually indistinguishable from the transgene constructs commonly used for RNAi in plants. We show how these loci can be useful probes of the cellular mechanism and fluidity of RNA-silencing pathways in plants, and provide evidence that they may arise and disappear on an ecotype scale, show highly cell-specific expression patterns and respond to various stresses. IR loci thus have the potential to act as molecular sensors of the local environments found within distinct ecological plant niches. We further show that the various siRNA size classes produced by at least one of these IR loci are functionally loaded into cognate effector proteins and mediate both post-transcriptional gene silencing and RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) of endogenous as well as exogenous targets. Finally, and as previously reported during plant experimental RNAi, we provide evidence that endogenous IR-derived siRNAs of all size classes are not cell-autonomous and can be transported through graft junctions over long distances, in target tissues where they are functional, at least in mediating RdDM. Collectively, these results define the existence of a bona fide, endogenous and systemic RNAi pathway in plants that may have implications in adaptation, epiallelism and trans-generational memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Diffusion is one of the most frequently used assumptions to explain dispersal. Diffusion models and in particular reaction–diffusion equations usually lead to solutions moving at constant speeds, too slow compared to observations. As early as 1899, Reid had found that the rate of spread of tree species migrating to northern environments at the beginning of the Holocene was too fast to be explained by diffusive dispersal. Rapid spreading is generally explained using long distance dispersal events, modelled through integro-differential equations (IDEs) with exponentially unbounded (EU) kernels, i.e. decaying slower than any exponential. We show here that classical reaction–diffusion models of the Fisher–Kolmogorov–Petrovsky–Piskunov type can produce patterns of colonisation very similar to those of IDEs, if the initial population is EU at the beginning of the considered colonisation event. Many similarities between reaction–diffusion models with EU initial data and IDEs with EU kernels are found; in particular comparable accelerating rates of spread and flattening of the solutions. There was previously no systematic mathematical theory for such reaction–diffusion models with EU initial data. Yet, EU initial data can easily be understood as consequences of colonisation–retraction events and lead to fast spreading and accelerating rates of spread without the long distance hypothesis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Structural and functional separation of telecommunications operators is being considered in many parts of the world following the U.K. functional separation of BT into retail and network operations. The attractiveness of separation is understandable due to the problems regulators often experience when regulating a monopoly that is vertically integrated into competitive markets, but separation in practice rarely if ever lives up to its promises. We examine experiences with business separation in the United States to draw lessons about its effects. We consider the separation of local and long distance, separation between telecommunications and information services, and separation between wholesale networks and retail services. These experiences show that business separation lowers efficiency and delays innovation, that adapting separation rules to an ever changing industry is costly and creates controversies, that rivals try to gain strategic advantage through the regulatory process, and that behavioral rules can be more effective in facilitating competition and innovation than structural rules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatial genetic composition of hybrid zones exhibits a range of possible patterns, with many characterized by patchy distributions. While several hypothetical explanations exist for the maintenance of these “mosaic” hybrid zones, they remain virtually unexplored theoretically. Using computer simulations we investigate the roles of dispersal and assortative mating in the formation and persistence of hybrid zone structure. To quantify mosaic structure we develop a likelihood method, which we apply to simulation and empirical data. We find that long distance dispersal can lead to a patchy distribution that assortative mating can then reinforce, ultimately producing a mosaic capable of persisting over evolutionarily significant periods of time. By reducing the mating success of rare males, assortative mating creates a positive within-patch frequency-dependent selective pressure. Selection against heterozygotes can similarly create a rare-type disadvantage and we show that it can also preserve structure. We find that mosaic structure is maintained across a range of assumptions regarding the form and strength of assortative mating. Interestingly, we find that higher levels of mosaic structure are sometimes observed for intermediate assortment strengths. The high incidence of assortment documented in hybrid zones suggests that it may play a key role in stabilizing their form and structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Education. Physical Training. Sport / Ugdymas. Kûno kultûra. Sportas is the property of Lithuanian Sports University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)