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While studies on horizontal axis tidal turbines are plentiful, those on ducted twin vertical axis alike HydroQuest's turbines are lacking. For such a device, both the relative counter-rotation direction of the rotors and the tripod base geometry upstream are different between ebb and flood tide. Consequently, this paper analyses the effect of the two opposed flow directions on the hydrodynamic performance and on the wake of the turbine. The study is based on experimental measurements at a 1/20th scale in Ifremer's wave and current flume tank. The hydrodynamic performance of the model are characterised over a wide range of operating points with the turbine installed on a tripod and on a monopile base. In addition, the 3D wake of the turbine is thoroughly analysed in the two flow directions using 3-component laser Doppler velocimetry. Overall, the drag and the maximum average power coefficient are not affected by the current direction but the optimal tip speed ratio is 7 % lower during ebb with 1.5 times higher power fluctuations compared to flood tide. Besides, the wake of the two rotor columns interact differently depending on the flow direction, leading to a 30 % faster surface averaged velocity recovery in the flood tide configuration. The observed effect of flow direction provides a better knowledge of twin vertical axis turbine wake interactions and highlights the impact of the gravity base geometry on the development of the overall turbine wake. This paper also provides a wide experimental database for the validation of numerical models applied to ducted twin-vertical axis tidal turbines. • Ebb and flood tides modelled experimentally in a tank by turning the turbine around. • Twin vertical axis turbine (2-VATT) mean power is barely affected by the flow direction. • Gravity based 2-VATT power fluctuation and wake development depend on base geometry. • Rotors wake merging distance and recovery depend on the counter-rotation direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research evaluates the performance of different protective solutions for reinforced concrete slabs subjected to blast loading. A series of full-scale blast tests were carried out on concrete slabs at scaled distances ranging from 0.20 to 0.83 m/kg1/3. For this purpose, 16 concrete slabs were tested; eight of them were unreinforced as 'control specimens', and the other eight were protected with five different protective solutions. After the tests, a damage assessment was conducted based on three different parameters. The results showed that there was no clear improvement in the concrete performance when the charge was located 0.5 m from the slab. Significant local damage that completely perforated the slab occurred. In the tests with the load placed 1 m from the slab, the reinforcements that were used significantly contributed to the retention of some fragments produced in these tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research delves into the utilization of biofertilizers as a sustainable substitute for conventional chemical fertilizers, offering multifaceted advantages for soil fertility, plant vitality, and ecological equilibrium. The study investigates the effects of different application rates of biofertilizers on various growth parameters, nutrient assimilation efficiency, yield components, and physiological responses in spinach cultivation. A series of experimental trials were conducted to evaluate the impacts of biofertilizer treatments, comprising vermicompost, Azotobacter, and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), on spinach plants. The results indicate that combined application of biofertilizers significantly enhances key parameters including plant height, leaf area, shoot biomass, root biomass, nutrient assimilation efficiency, yield components, and physiological responses compared to conventional fertilizer practices and control groups. Correlation and regression analyses reveal strong positive relationships between levels of biofertilizer application and various growth metrics, nutrient assimilation efficiency, yield components, and physiological responses. Furthermore, ANOVA results confirm the statistical significance of differences among treatment groups, highlighting the efficacy of biofertilizers in promoting spinach growth and productivity. Economic evaluations suggest that despite higher initial costs, the use of biofertilizers results in increased spinach yields, making it a financially viable and environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional fertilization methods.

This article presents modelling, simulation, and development of a wall-climbing robot based on coupled wheel and arm-type locomotion mechanism. The developed robot consists of two mobile modules connected with a robot arm mechanism. The actuation of the robot arm is inspired by inchworm locomotion, particularly during wall-to-wall transition, obstacle avoidance, and uneven surface locomotion. Easiness in the interchanging of wheel to arm and vice versa makes the robot more effective compared to previously developed wall-climbing robots. The kinematic and dynamic model for the proposed coupled wheel and arm locomotion concept has been established. A combination of particle swarm optimization (PSO) and proportional, integral, derivatives (PID) feedback control algorithm has been developed using MATLAB to simulate the different cases of robot motions. The developed prototype of the wall-climbing robot is used to verify the coupled wheel and arm locomotion concept in various wall climbing scenarios. The simulation and experimental findings show good comparisons and validate the model-based design of the wall-climbing robot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A transfer function determination method is proposed in this study to predict the unsteady fluctuations of the performance of a tidal turbine model. This method is derived from the Response Amplitude Operator (RAO) applied in the offshore industry to predict linear wave-induced loads on large structures. It is based on a spectral approach and requires the acquisition of a turbine parameter (e.g. torque, thrust, power or root-blade force) in synchronization with an upstream flow velocity measurement. On the frequency range where the causality between these two signals is proven, the transfer function is established using the ratio between the cross-spectral density and the spectral density of the incoming velocity. The linearity is verified using the coherence function, which shows validity for the turbine power in the lowest frequencies only. This transfer function is then used to reconstruct the power fluctuations which is compared to the recorded one for a particular flow condition with bathymetry generated turbulence. The result shows the dependence on the accurate location of the velocity measurement point used for the reconstruction. This point must exactly correspond to the expected turbine location, i.e. where the turbine response needs to be processed. Bearing in mind its limits, the method can be used to predict the loadings of extreme events on the turbine structure and the performance variations corresponding to the unsteady characteristics of a turbulent flow, for a better grid integration.

This research evaluates the performance of different protective solutions for reinforced concrete slabs subjected to blast loading. A series of full-scale blast tests were carried out on concrete slabs at scaled distances ranging from 0.20 to 0.83 m/kg1/3. For this purpose, 16 concrete slabs were tested; eight of them were unreinforced as ‘control specimens’, and the other eight were protected with five different protective solutions. After the tests, a damage assessment was conducted based on three different parameters. The results showed that there was no clear improvement in the concrete performance when the charge was located 0.5 m from the slab. Significant local damage that completely perforated the slab occurred. In the tests with the load placed 1 m from the slab, the reinforcements that were used significantly contributed to the retention of some fragments produced in these tests.

In the present paper the metric of distance is adapted to a sequence of binary trials and the concept of r-weak runs is introduced and defined. The new structure gives rise to new families of binomial-type distributions, which are studied in the case of independent but not necessarily identically distributed binary trials. It is highlighted how the new theoretical results can be profitably applied to various fields, such as Agriculture, Finance and Reliability Engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To investigate whether physical performance and concentration are influenced by a custom-made mouthguard (CMG). Materials and Methods: Twelve healthy university students (nine males and three females, mean age: 22.7 years), belonging to sports clubs and with out history of CMG use, participated. They completed a questionnaire concerning breathing, swallowing, amount of saliva, physical performance and comfort related to CMG wear. Physical indicators of hand grip, sit-ups, seated forward bend, side steps, standing long jump, and 20-meter shuttle run provided by a governmental entity in Japan were assessed. A modifie d Uchida-Kraepelin psycho-diagnos tic test was used to assess concentration. Tests were performed on 3 days over a 1-month period of CMG use. Day 1 was for rehearsal without CMG wear. Trials with and without CMG wear were randomized on days 2 and 3. Results: All participants complained of discomfort with CMG wear. Seven felt their performance had changed, although no significant differences in either physical performance or concentration were found between trials with and without CMG wear. Side steps were lower on day 1 than on days 2 and 3, but not significantly different on days 1 and 2. Fewer items were answered correctly on the concentration test on day 1 than on day 3 (P < 0.01). Conclusions: CMG wear does not objectively affect physical performance and concentration. However, because both physical performance and concentration tended to be lower in initial tasks, adequate rehearsal for habituation should be conducted in advance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the excretion of purine derivatives (PDs) and nitrogen compounds (NCs) and their ratios with creatinine in supplemented Zebu heifers kept on pastures by comparing total urine collection and spot sampling. Five Nelore heifers (400 ± 15 kg) were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The treatments were the amount of concentrate (220 g of crude protein/kg dry matter) offered (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 g/kg BW). In each period, the total urine collection was performed continuously for 3 days (subsampled at intervals of 4 h, 00:00–04:00 h, 04:00–08:00 h, 08:00–12:00 h, 12:00–16:00 h, 16:00–20:00 h and 20:00–24:00 h). The spot urine samplings were performed (in each period) for 24 h (0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 h). Creatinine, total urinary nitrogen (UN), urea nitrogen (UreaN), allantoin and uric acid were analysed. Creatinine excretion was 23.01 ± 0.19 mg/kg BW and was not affected by collection day, treatment or their interactions (p > 0.05). Treatments affected (p < 0.05) PD excretions, however did not affect the ratio PD:creatinine (p > 0.05). Treatments and collection time affected (p < 0.05) NC excretion, whereas the UN:creatinine and UreaN:creatinine ratios were not affected (p > 0.05). Creatinine excretion and the PD:creatinine ratios in the urine samples estimated by the total or spot sampling were not different (p > 0.05). However, sampling method affected (p < 0.05) the UN:creatinine and UreaN:creatinine (p < 0.05) ratios. Creatinine can adequately estimate urinary excretion in grazing heifers, and a single spot urine sample at any time of the day can be used to estimate PD excretion in grazing heifers. But two spot urine samples are needed for proper NC excretion estimations in grazing heifers' urine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the main tidal energy sites like Alderney Race, turbulence intensity is high and velocity fluctuations may have a significant impact on marine turbines. To understand such phenomena better, a three-bladed turbine model is positioned in the wake of a generic wall-mounted obstacle, representative of in situ bathymetric variation. From two-dimensional Particle Image Velocimetry planes, the time-averaged velocity in the wake of the obstacle is reconstructed in the three-dimensional space. The reconstruction method is based on Proper Orthogonal Decomposition and enables access to a representation of the mean flow field and the associated shear. Then, the effect of the velocity gradient is observed on the turbine blade root force, for four turbine locations in the wake of the obstacle. The blade root force average decreases whereas its standard deviation increases when the distance to the obstacle increases. The angular distribution of this phase-averaged force is shown to be non-homogeneous, with variation of about 20% of its time-average during a turbine rotation cycle. Such force variations due to velocity shear will have significant consequences in terms of blade fatigue. This article is part of the theme issue 'New insights on tidal dynamics and tidal energy harvesting in the Alderney Race'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In high flow velocity areas like those suitable for tidal applications, turbulence intensity is high and flow variations may have a major impact on tidal turbine behaviour. A three-bladed horizontal axis turbine model (scale 1:20) is positioned in the wake of a square wall-mounted cylinder, representative of specific in situ bathymetric variation, to experimentally study these effects in a current flume tank. Local and global loads are acquired in synchronization with velocity measurements to study the turbine response to flow fluctuations. Velocity measurements need to be obtained close to the turbine, contrary to what is commonly considered, to properly correlate velocity and loads fluctuations. Results show that the loads phase average and their dispersion evolve according to the sheared velocity profile. We conclude that the turbine load fluctuations directly respond to the low frequency velocity fluctuations and are dominated by the turbulent structures shed from the cylinder. It is then possible to compare the effects of large coherent turbulent structures on the turbine behaviour to cases with more classical free stream turbulence commonly studied. These results provide a substantive database in high Reynolds number flows for further fatigue analysis or recommendations for turbine positioning in such flows. • Large coherent turbulent structures effects on turbine behaviour are studied. • Loads phase average and dispersion evolves according to the sheared velocity profile. • Turbine loads fluctuations directly respond to low frequency velocity fluctuations. • Turbine loads are dominated by the turbulent structures shed from the cylinder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider Bayesian prediction modeling to evaluate a satisfaction index after a first phase of experiment in order to decide to stop or continue at the second stage. We apply this method to Poisson and Gamma distributed outcomes in many fields such as reliability or survival analysis for early ter- mination due to either futility or efficacy. We look at two kinds of decisions making: an hybrid Bayesian-frequentist or a full Bayesian approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In high flow velocity areas like those suitable for tidal applications, turbulence intensity is high and flow variations may have a major impact on tidal turbines behaviour. Large boils that can be observed at the sea surface are emitted from the sea floor and may interact with the tidal turbines. These boils have then to be characterized. The Reynolds number, based on the rugosity height and the mean flow velocity, is rather high in this context: R e = 2.5 × 10 7 . For that purpose, experiments are carried out in a flume tank with R e as high as achievable in Froude similitude (in the tank: R e = 2. 5 × 10 5 and F r = 0. 23) in order to study coherent flow structures emitted behind seabed obstacles. The obstacle is here a canonical square wall-mounted cylinder chosen to be representative of specific in-situ bathymetric variations. Using PIV and LDV measurements, the flow past the cylinder is investigated. Using a POD filter, large coherent structures are identified and their trajectories are analysed. By means of a Lamb-Oseen profile approximation, properties of these structures are determined. The formation mechanism of such structures is discussed in this paper and their behaviour is characterized. It is assumed that vortices periodically shed from the obstacle interact and generate hairpin structures. ● Experimental study of coherent flow structures past a wall-mounted square cylinder. ● Tests are carried out on a wall-mounted cylinder representative of seabed elements, in Froude similitude with high Reynolds number. ● PIV measurements are performed in vertical measurement planes and spatial analyses are performed. ● POD analysis and center detection allow to study the vortices behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea Linn) is grown on nearly 23.95 million hectares worldwide with a total production of 36.45 million tons. In the country, peanut is one of the food legumes with commercial importance that contributed much to domestic earnings. There are promising peanut lines that need to be evaluated to pass the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) Certification. Hence, the National Cooperative Trials from 2011-2014 were conducted to evaluate their agronomic characteristics, reaction to diseases and yield potential in Pampanga, Philippines. Experimental trials were laid out following Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Data were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and treatment means were compared using Least Significant Difference (LSD). At wet season trials, results revealed significant differences in all treatments relative to days to flower, number of pods/plant, weight of 100 seeds, shelling percentage and pod yield except days to maturity. The ICGV 00350 and ICGV 99046 obtained the highest pod yield with 2.1 and of 2.4 tons/ha, respectively. During dry season, significant differences were noted among peanut lines in relation to days to flower, days to maturity, number of pods/ plant, weight of 100 seeds, shelling percentage and pod yield (tons/ha). The ICGV 01273 out yielded the 10 peanut lines.  Keywords— Agriculture, National Cooperative Trials, Arachis hypogaea, experimental trials, Philippines, Asia

Abstract The present study aims at investigating turbulence characteristics in high flow velocity areas like those suitable for marine energy application. The Reynolds number, based on the rugosity height and mean flow velocity, is rather high: R e = 2. 5 × 1 0 7. For that purpose, experiments are carried out in a flume tank with R e as high as achievable in Froude similitude (in the tank: R e = 2. 5 × 1 0 5 and F r = 0. 23). Obstacles are canonical wall-mounted elements chosen to be representative of averaged bathymetric variations: a cube and a cube followed by an inclined floor. First, the wake topology past a canonical wall-mounted cube is illustrated from PIV measurements. Results show a flow behaviour already observed in the literature but for different upstream conditions (R e and turbulence intensity). Second, the impact of the addition of an inclined floor is studied. It is shown that the inclination causes a squeezing of the cube wake that strongly impacts the shape and intensity of the shear layer (up to 10% more intense with the inclined floor). To fully grasp the turbulence organization in the wake for both test cases, an analysis using both complementary Proper Orthogonal Decomposition and quadrant method is performed. POD acts as a turbulent noise filter and quadrant method decomposes turbulent events. Results show the predominance of ejection (Q2) and sweep (Q4) events in the flow Reynolds shear stress. Q2 events are more energetic although Q4 events prevail. It is observed that the inclined floor causes a persistence of Q2 and Q4 events higher into the water column, more than the impulsion given by the floor altitude variations. The rise of the cube wake due to the inclined floor is thus illustrated using Q4 predominance area. Highlights • Tests are carried out on a wall-mounted cube with and without an inclined floor representative of seabed elements, in Froude similitude with high Reynolds number. • PIV measurements are performed in horizontal and vertical measurement planes and spatial analyses are performed. • POD filter and quadrant analyses show the rise of coherent energetic structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The influence of the airflow bypass at the impeller input on the operational stability of a compressor is considered. The bypass structure is discussed, and a new chamber design is proposed for a compressor with diffuser blades. Numerical analysis of the flow structure is conducted. The compressor's margin of operational stability is assessed experimentally for bypass chambers of different geometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bubble sweep-down phenomenon around the oceanographic research vessels generates acoustic perturbations. A specific experimental protocol has been developed in a wave and circulating tank to study this phenomenon. This protocol is used to carry out trials on three different ship models in order to study the influence of the bow geometry on the bubble generation. For different test configurations, bubble clouds are described and compared in terms of area, maximal depth and vertical velocity to highlight bubble cloud dynamics surrounding the three ship models. The relation between the hydrodynamic flow field and the bubble generation is studied by means of Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements to study the phenomenon by the use of phase averaged velocity fields. The overall results enable us to characterize the bubble sweep-down phenomenon from the air bubble generation and propagation to the frequency of occurrence and the clouds behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The place of evidence to inform educational effectiveness has received increasing attention internationally in the last two decades. An important contribution to evidence-informed policy has been greater attention to experimental trials including randomised controlled trials ( RCTs). The aim of this paper is to examine the use of evidence, particularly the use of evidence from experimental trials, to inform national curriculum policy. To do this the teaching of grammar to help pupils' writing was selected as a case. Two well-regarded and influential experimental trials that had a significant effect on policy, and that focused on the effectiveness of grammar teaching to support pupils' writing, are examined in detail. In addition to the analysis of their methodology, the nature of the two trials is also considered in relation to other key studies in the field of grammar teaching for writing and a recently published robust RCT. The paper shows a significant and persistent mismatch between national curriculum policy in England and the robust evidence that is available with regard to the teaching of writing. It is concluded that there is a need for better evidence-informed decisions by policy makers to ensure a national curriculum specification for writing that is more likely to have positive impact on pupils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Short Rotation Coppices (SRC) can be a suitable solution for the production of biomass, mainly due to the easy-to-harvest good-quality feedstock. Besides technical, social and economic aspects, environmental issues are important to be taken into account when developing SRC. Although some studies focused on environmental sustainability of SRC were carried out only few compare different arboreous species using primary data. In this study, the environmental evaluation of SRC plantations carried out with 14 poplar and 6 willow clones was performed using primary data collected during experimental field tests over 12 years. Twelve impact potentials were evaluated using the characterization factors reported by the ILCD method: climate change (CC), ozone depletion (OD), Human toxicity, cancer effects (HTc), Human toxicity, non-cancer effects (HT), particulate matter (PM), photochemical ozone formation (POF), acidification (TA), freshwater eutrophication (FE), terrestrial eutrophication (TE), marine eutrophication (ME), freshwater ecotoxicity (FEx) and mineral, fossil and renewable resource depletion (MFRD). Both for poplar and for willow, among the different clones the environmental performance greatly vary mainly due to the yield. The choice of the most productive clones involves a reduction of the environmental impact of the produced biomass of about 35% (respect to the average results both for poplar and willow). However, biofuel production from willow SRC achieves lower environmental burdens respect to poplar SRC considering both the average biomass yield and the most productive clones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this second part, images acquired from the specific trials developed in order to study the phenomenon of bubble sweep-down are analysed. A post-processing method has been developed to analyse the two air entrainment mechanisms described in the first part, for several test configurations. Bubble clouds are described in terms of depth, area and velocity for both vortex shedding and breaking wave bubble clouds. A parametric study is also performed to calculate the influence of each test parameter on the frequency of bubble generation. It is demonstrated that the occurrence of bubble clouds is proportional to the wave height, with a considerable influence of the phase shift between waves and motions. The overall results provide new elements for the understanding and the study of the phenomenon, with the final objective of obtaining a reliable tool that facilitates the design of research vessels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bubble sweep-down is a significant issue for the oceanographic vessels, which affect the acoustic surveys. Experimental trials, carried out in the Ifremer wave and current circulating tank on a 1/30 model of the Pourquoi pas? , are presented. The results demonstrate that this kind of experimental facility is well suited to study the phenomenon of bubble sweep-down encountered around the bow of a ship under specific conditions. From these results, two kinds of bubble clouds formation have been observed and analysed: bubble clouds generated by vortex shedding and breaking waves. The vortex shedding bubble clouds appear randomly in all the configurations tested, even without waves or motions. This phenomenon is due to the interaction between the turbulent flow and the specific bow shape of the Pourquoi pas? . On the other hand, the breaking wave clouds appear in the presence of relative motions between the free surface and the bow ship and more significantly under wave sollicitations. A complementary paper presents a parametric study carried out to quantify the influence of the test conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polesini Cave is located nearby Tivoli (RM) on the Eastern side of the Aniene river (RM). The cave held archaeological deposits ranging from Late Upper Palaeolithic to Late Roman Empire. The Late Upper Palaeolithic deposits are well known and studied since their richness in both lithic and faunal remains and, moreover, for the conspicuous presence of mobile art and personal ornaments. The huge lithic assemblage found in this site consists of 400.000 chipped stone tools, among which the shaped items are 25.000. Many artefacts made of hard animal material are also present, together with ornaments made out of the same raw materials. The mobile art is represented by various stone pebbles and bones engraved with zoomorphic or geometric patterns that represent the most important evidence of Palaeolithic art in Central Italy. This article presents the results achieved from an investigation on the functional role of one of the most common typological categories of chipped stone tools found at Polesini Cave: burins. Various technological and use-wear studies have shown that the functional role of this type is not univocal. In fact, a "burin like" morphology can be related to an artefact used to engrave but also to scrape; it can be related to a hafting area or, instead to be an artefact, it could be a core or, simply, a technological or a post-depositional accident. Whit this picture in mind, we carried out the experimental and use-wear analysis of a selection of 500 burins coming from ten different layers. The results of the use-wear analysis show that only 20% of the sample holds traces of use, suggesting that a great part of this category was unused. The functional interpretation of the items with use-wear fits well with a systematic use as carving tools on different materials, with few exceptions related to scraping activities. Since Polesini Cave is rich in carved mobile art, we tried to investigate the role that these burins had for the production of the artwork. The integration of the use-wear analysis of the lithic tools with the techno-morphological analysis of the signs engraved on the stone mobile art allowed to recognize a functional relation, although not exclusive, between burins and mobile art. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objetivos: verificar o efeito do óleo de copaíba no colo uterino de ratas ooforectomizadas. Métodos: foram utilizadas 120 ratas adultas distribuídas em 4 grupos: as que receberam aplicação de óleo de copaíba, óleo de milho, água e um grupo sem tratamento. Todos os animais foram submetidos a ooforectomia bilateral e posteriormente mantidos em gaiolas por um período de 20 dias antes de iniciar a aplicação das substâncias. Estas foram administradas via vaginal na dose de 0,3 ml, diariamente, uma vez ao dia até os dias determinados para o sacrifício (7º, 14º e 21º), sendo sacrificados de cada grupo 5 animais por dia. Resultados: todos os animais do grupo copaíba apresentaram epitélio exuberante, estratificado pavimentoso queratinizado, em torno de 10 fileiras de células epiteliais, e lâmina própria com tecido conjuntivo denso, rico em fibroblastos, fibras colágenas, inúmeros vasos sanguíneos e alguns leucócitos. Conclusões: o óleo de copaíba utilizado neste modelo experimental promoveu espessamento do epitélio do colo uterino, que se apresentava pavimentoso estratificado com queratinização, além do espessamento progressivo deste epitélio no decorrer dos dias de estudo.Purpose: to study the effect of copaíba oil on the uterine cervix of oophorectomized rats. Method: 120 female adults were used, divided into four groups: control, water, corn oil and copaíba oil. All animals were submitted to bilateral oophorectomy, and kept in cages for twenty days before applying the substances. These substances were applied by vaginal route at a dose of 0.3 ml, once a day until the predetermined day of sacrifice (7, 14 e 21 days). Results: the animals from the copaíba oil group showed on all days of the study exuberant, keratinous stratified squamous epithelium with about 10 epithelial cell layers and the chorion with conjunctive tissue, fibroblasts, collagen fibers, blood vessels and some leukocytes. Conclusions: The copaíba oil used in this experimental model promoted a thickening of the epithelium, which was keratinous stratified squamous, and epithelium increase was progressive along the study.

This study was carried out on 24 Nili-Ravi buffalo neonatal calves divided into four equal groups and maintained at Livestock Production Research Institute, Bahadurnagar, Okara. Diarrhoea was induced with oral administration of enteropathogenic E. coli in first three groups while the fourth group was kept as uninfected untreated control. Twenty four hours post-infection Ist group was treated with rehydration solution and kanamycin, 2nd group with kanamycin and the 3rd group with rehydration solution. Treatment continued till the recovery or maximum up to six days. Results obtained on clinical parameters indicated green to yellow white colour of diarrhoeic contents while consistency varied from watery to semisolid. Generally in treatment groups in about first two days, calves passed faeces around 6-10 times a day. This frequency became low in about further 2-4 days. During first 3-4 days of treatment all calves appeared weak, dull depressed, emaciated and dehydrated. Total erythrocyte counts, hemoglobin concentration packed cell volume was low in calves treated with rehydration solution + kanamycin as compared to other treatment and control group. Total leukocyte counts were high in calves treated with rehydration solution than other groups. Neutrophil and lymphocyte counts varied significantly (P

Prediction provides discipline and pragmatic importance to empirical research. Two stages design is commonly used in phase II experimental trials. This design possesses good frequentist properties and allows early termination of the trial when the interim data indicate that the experimental regimen is inefficacious. The design with the predictive probability approach provides an excellent alternative for conducting multi-stage phase II trials. It is efficient and flexible and possesses desirable statistical properties. Often, preliminary experimental information is already available as a "pilot", where a first experience that we ask for confirmation of results. Formally, we consider the following situation: Given a first sample of data, we want to plan an experiment (or a new sample) to have good chances of getting the relief sought if the experiment is not abandoned. We propose the procedure based on the notion of satisfaction index which is a function of the p-value and we expect, given the available data to calculate an estimate of satisfaction for future data as Bayesian predictive index conditional on previous observations. To illustrate the proposed procedure, several models have been studied by choosing the prior distribution justifying the motivations of objectivity or neutrality that underlie the analysis of experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Previous assessments of wildlife road mortality have not used directly comparable methods and, at present, there is no standardized protocol for the collection of such data. Consequently, there are no internationally comparative statistics documenting roadkill rates. In this study, we used a combination of experimental trials and road transects to design a standardized protocol to assess roadkill rates on both paved and unpaved roads. Simulated roadkill were positioned over a 1 km distance, and trials were conducted at eight different speeds (20–100 km·h−1). The recommended protocol was then tested on a 100‐km transect, driven daily over a 40‐day period. This recorded 413 vertebrate roadkill, comprising 106 species. We recommend the protocol be adopted for future road ecology studies to enable robust statistical comparisons between studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The long term reliability of tidal turbines is critical if these structures are to be cost-effective. Optimized design requires a combination of material durability models and structural analyses which must be based on realistic loading conditions. This paper presents results from a series of flume tank measurements on strain gauged scaled turbine blades, aimed at studying these conditions. A detailed series of tests on a 3-blade horizontal axis turbine with 400 mm long blades is presented. The influence of both current and wave-current interactions on measured strains is studied. These tests show that wave-current interactions can cause large additional loading amplitudes compared to currents alone, which must be considered in the fatigue analysis of these systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Reliable closure is a prerequisite for conventional and innovative endoscopic procedures, such as NOTES. The purpose of this study is the systematic evaluation of the procedural and clinical success rates in closure of iatrogenic gastrointestinal perforations and acute anastomotic leaks by means of the over-the-scope-clip system (OTSC). Design: PubMed and other sources were searched systematically for clinical and preclinical research on the evaluation of the OTSC System for closure of gastrointestinal perforations and leaks. Appraisal of studies for inclusion and data extraction was performed independently by two reviewers using an a priori determined data extraction grid. Major endpoints to be extracted were data on procedural success (successful clip application) and clinical access (durable closure of defect without secondary adjunct therapy). Results: A total of 17 clinical research articles/abstracts and 22 preclinical research articles/abstracts were identified. The examined clinical studies comprised case series and clinical single-arm studies. The reviewed studies revealed a consistently high mean rate of procedural success of 80-100 % and durable clinical success of 57-100 %. An identified major drawback preventing successful clip application was occurrence of fibrotic or inflamed lesion edges. Usage of the OTSC System was accompanied by neither major clip-related nor application-related complication. In experimental settings, closure of larger perforations and gastric access sites of NOTES or endoscopic full-thickness resection were achieved with high rates of success. Conclusions: Because randomized, clinical trials are not available in this field of indication, the evaluation is based on small case series. Nevertheless, by pooling all experience gained, we conclude that endoscopic closure of iatrogenic gastrointestinal perforations and acute anastomotic leaks by means of the OTSC System is a safe and effective method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper it's present an indexing device used to protect the blooms tilting mechanisms on rolling train, the modeling and its CAD using Autodesk Inventor Professional, respectively that experimental tests on a laboratory model of the device together with the results analyzes in table and graphically form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]