54 research outputs found
Mass minimization of an AFG Timoshenko beam with a coupled axial and bending vibrations
No full textThe paper considers mass minimization of an axially functionally graded (AFG) Timoshenko beam of a variable cross-sectional area, with a specified fundamental frequency. The analyzed case of coupled axial and bending vibrations involves contour conditions as the cause of coupling. The problem is solved applying Pontryagin’s maximum principle, where the beam cross-sectional area is taken for control. The two-point boundary value problem is obtained, and the shooting method is used to solving it. The property of self-adjoint systems is deployed. The percent saving of the beam mass is determined, achieved by using the beam of an optimum variable square cross-section as compared to the beam of a constant cross-section. The procedure developed by the author in his earlier papers is extended herein to the case of a limited cross-sectional area. The second generalization relates to the general case of contour conditions at the beam ends
Sport’s Impact on the Francophoneness of the Alberta Francophone Games (AFG)
No full textThis article discusses the conflict between two discourses on “sport” and how their intersection with discourses on the “francophone” shaped the Alberta Francophone Games (AFG). A brief description of the two discourses is articulated in the context of the AFG. Whereas the “discourse of excellence” emphasizes both sporting competitiveness and the reproduction of established technical and organizational standards, the “discourse of participation” promotes recreational sport and the modification of structural and technical criteria. The author outlines the three principal debates generated by the interaction of sport and francophone discourses: competitive vs. recreational Games; smaller “francophone” Games vs. bigger French-speaking Games; and sport vs. francophoneness. The conclusion points to the effects of this muddled discursive space on organizers’ practices leading them to focus on the development of an expertise in sport performance and in sport management rather than developing a more sophisticated knowledge of the promotion of francophoneness.Cet article examine le conflit entre deux discours sur le « sport » et la manière dont leur croisement avec les discours sur les « Francophones » ont modelé les Jeux francophones de l’Alberta (JFA). Une brève description des deux discours s’articule dans le contexte des JFA. Tandis que le « discours de l’excellence » met l’accent à la fois sur la compétitivité sportive et sur la reproduction de standards techniques et organisationnels établis, le « discours de la participation » promeut le sport récréatif et la modification des critères structurels et techniques. L’auteur relève les trois débats principaux générés par l’interaction du sport et du discours sur la francophonie : la compétition contre les jeux récréatifs ; les petits jeux « francophones » contre les grandes compétitions se déroulant en français ; et le sport contre la francophonie. La conclusion fait remarquer la confusion de cet espace discursif et ses effets sur les pratiques des organisateurs, qui sont amenés à développer leur expertise en performance et en organisation sportive plutôt qu’à développer une connaissance plus sophistiquée de leur promotion de la francophonie
Effect of hierarchically aligned fibrin hydrogel in regeneration of spinal cord injury demonstrated by tractography: A pilot study
No full textSome studies have reported that scaffold or cell-based transplantation may improve functional recovery following SCI, but no imaging information regarding regeneration has been provided to date. This study used tractography to show the regenerating process induced by a new biomaterial-aligned fibrin hydrogel (AFG). A total of eight canines subjected to SCI procedures were assigned to the control or the AFG group. AFG was implanted into the SCI lesion immediately after injury in 5 canines. A follow-up was performed at 12 weeks to evaluate the therapeutic effect including the hindlimb functional recovery, anisotropy and continuity of fibers on tractography. Using tractography, we found new fibers running across the SCI in three canines of the AFG group. Further histological examination confirmed limited glial scarring and regenerated nerve fibers in the lesions. Moreover, Repeated Measures Analysis revealed a significantly different change in fractional anisotropy (FA) between the two groups during the follow-up interval. An increase in FA during the post injury time interval was detected in the AFG group, indicating a beneficial effect of AFG in the rehabilitation of injured axons. Using tractography, AFG was suggested to be helpful in the restoration of fibers in SCI lesions, thus leading to promoted functional recovery.Tsinghua University Initiative Scientific Research Program of China [20121087982, 20131089199]; Tsinghua University Initiative Scientific Research Program [20121087982, 20131089199]SCI(E)ARTICLE
Baths and becks
No full textA report on two prominent dialectal variables in England. Using rather informally collected data, The author looks here at two well-known variables in the English of England: first, whether there is a short or long vowel in words such as grass and bath; second, what regional words people know for streams. The treatment of these variables is consistent over time, and seems to have little to do with social status or carefulness of speech
Not Available
No full textNot AvailableA qualitative as well as quantitative categorization of seed storage proteins profiles of 23 genotypes of Trigonella foenum graecum L. were performed by using sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) for exploring
the level of genetic discrepancy at seed storage protein level. Total soluble proteins were resolved on 10% resolving gel. A
dendrogram was constructed on the basis of weight of seed storage proteins, which divide total genotypes into two groups
further classified into different sub groups containing different genotypes in them. The bands obtained from gel electrophoresis
can serve as a potent tool in discrimination of different genotypes on the basis of their protein content. Proteins with
molecular weight 66, 43 and 35 kDa were found in all the genotypes except Fgk-76, PR, Rmt-303, PEB and Rmt-361, The
43 kDa protein band was found missing in Fgk-67, AFg-2, AM-2, AFg-4, Fgk-73, although the protein with 35 kDa weight
was present in all the genotypes but not in Rmt-303 same as 63 kDa which is not present in Fgk-70 and 55 kDa protein
band was found missing in Fgk-67, Afg-4 and Rmt-361.Not Availabl
The Dutch employment miracle? A comparison of employment systems in the Netherlands and Germany
No full textIn the 1980s, the Netherlands had one of the highest unemployment rates in the European Community, Germany one of the lowest. Today, the reverse is true. Is there a Dutch employment miracle? If so, how can it be explained? This essay is an attempt to answer these questions in seven steps. Beginning with the development of an analytical framework within which employment systems are compared, the author measures the performance of the two labour markets and economies, paying particular attention to the role of labour market policy in the process of adapting to structural change. It is shown that the Netherlands has an interesting new configuration in which the advantages of competitive and coordinated capitalism are combined with a modernised form of the welfare state. A key shortcoming of both employment systems remains the hitherto highly passive character of employment redistribution. Transitional labour markets would be a more appropriate strategy for redistributing employment in order to link long-term social needs and economic efficiency. On the whole, however, developments in the Netherlands point much more clearly than those in Germany to a path along which the European model could move. -- In den achtziger Jahren war die Arbeitslosenquote in den Niederlanden noch eine der höchsten in der Europäischen Gemeinschaft, und Deutschland hatte eine der niedrigsten Quoten. Heute ist es umgekehrt. Gibt es ein niederländisches Beschäftigungswunder und wie ist es zu erklären? Der folgende Essay versucht, diese Frage in sieben Schritten zu beantworten. Nach der Entwicklung eines analytischen Bezugsrahmens zum Vergleich von Beschäftigungssystemen wird die Performanz der beiden Arbeitsmärkte und Volkswirtschaften gemessen. Besondere Aufmerksamkeit gilt der Rolle der Arbeitsmarktpolitik im Anpassungsprozeß an den Strukturwandel. Der bewertende Vergleich der Beschäftigungssysteme ergibt, daß sich in den Niederlanden eine interessante neue Konfiguration herausbildet, in der die Vorteile des Konkurrenz- und Konkordanzkapitalismus mit einer modernisierten Form des Wohlfahrtsstaats verknüpft werden. Ein zentrales Defizit beider Beschäftigungssysteme bleibt der bisher stark passive Charakter der Arbeitsumverteilung. Übergangsarbeitsmärkte wären eine geeignetere Strategie der Arbeitsumverteilung, um langfristig soziale Belange mit wirtschaftlicher Effizienz zu verbinden. Insgesamt zeigt die Entwicklung in den Niederlanden jedoch deutlicher als in Deutschland in eine Richtung, in die sich das Modell Europa bewegen könnte.
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