262 research outputs found
Fern Distortion Syndrome of Leatherleaf Fern in Costa Rica: Symptoms, Incidence, and Severity
No full text A syndrome has been recognized on leatherleaf fern (Rumohra adiantiformis) in Costa Rica for many years that causes widespread damage but has not been described in the literature. A full description of the syndrome, termed fern distortion syndrome (FDS), is reported here, along with evidence that FDS is a new disease and that it is associated with endophytic fluorescent pseudomonads but not with any other major groups of pathogens or pests. The main aboveground symptoms of FDS are twisting and distortions of fronds, which make the fronds unmarketable. In advanced cases of FDS, fronds are often thickened, new frond growth ceases or slows dramatically, and uneven sporulation is apparent on the underside of fronds. Symptoms of FDS belowground are reduced diameter of rhizomes and reduced overall root mass. The incidence of FDS in Costa Rica was typically over 80%, and severity typically ranged from 1.26 to 2.48 using a 0 to 3 rating scale in fields propagated vegetatively with rhizomes from fields with FDS. In contrast, in three fields planted 1.5 to 4 years previously with rhizomes derived from tissue culture, incidence and severity were markedly lower: 23 to 34% and 0.24 to 0.36, respectively. Paired sampling of symptomatic and asymptomatic plants revealed significantly greater populations of fluorescent pseudomonads inside rhizomes of symptomatic plants. </jats:p
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No full textAbstract not availableM Reddy, F da Silva Costa, B Mo
Dividing and Conquering Meshes within the NIST Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) on Multicore Computing Systems
No full textThe National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) provides a computational fluid dynamics model of a fire, which can be visualized by using NIST Smokeview (SMV). Users must create a configuration file (*.fds) that describes the environment and other characteristics of the fire scene so that the FDS software can produce the output file (*.smv) needed for visualization.The processing can be computationally intensive, often taking between several minutes and several hours to complete. In many cases, a user will create a file that is not optimized for a multicore computing system. By dividing meshes within the fds file, the author was able to substantially reduce the computing time
Renal function effects of FDS, a saponin isolated from Filicium decipiens seeds: Biochemical and Histopathological studies
No full textPhysicochemical and pharmacological studies indicated that Filicium decipiens seeds contained various specialized metabolites, including saponins. The aim of this work is to reveal the nephrotoxicity of FDS, a saponin isolated from Filicium decipiens seeds on male Wistar rats histopathological and biochemical parameters. Rats were submitted to oral ingestion of FDS (6.0 mg/kg) and crude extract (120.0 mg/kg) and were observed high levels of urea and creatinine in blood analyses of all animals followed by an acute renal failure by glomerular retraction. In the present study, FDS and crude extract when administered in Wistar rats induced an increase of serum levels of Urea and Creatinine, biochemical markers of kidney function. Table 1 shows Urea concentration at Test group with FDS (54.3 ± 1.80 mg/ml) and Test group with crude extract (49.7 ± 2.00 mg/ml), were 47% and 34.7% higher, respectively, when compared to control group (36.9 ± 2.00 mg/ml), and Creatinine at the test group with FDS (2.1 ± 0.03 mg/ml) and test group with crude extract (1.6 ± 0.09 mg/ml) presented a value 3.5 and 2.8 times higher, respectively, than control (0.6 ± 0.08 mg/ml). Based on these results, our data demonstrate a significant effect in renal function of rats treated with F. decipiens saponin
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FDS Modelling of Hot Smoke Testing, Cinema and Airport Concourse
No full textThe construction of smoke hazard management systems in large buildings such as shopping malls, cinemas, airports and train stations are increasingly being based on performance based design. Hot smoke tests are a method of using simulated fire conditions to evaluate the functionality of the completed building and the installed systems without causing damage. The author amongst others performed hot smoke tests (HST) according to Australian Standard AS 4391 -1999 in several buildings. In some tests air temperatures, air speed and smoke optical density were recorded at several locations during the test of which two tests are reported.
These were later modelled by the author using Fire Dynamic Simulator (FDS) to show that typical fire protection engineering consultant applying the computer model may reasonably predict some results comparable to a full sized simulation scenario. However, some aspects were not well predicted. The modelling was improved by the outcomes of an investigation of the relationship between fuel properties, plume temperature and dynamics, and grid sensitivity. Areas of potential further improvement were identified. This work highlighted that the conditions witnessed in a hot smoke test can provide a guide, but do not represent all aspects of a real fire or design fire scenario. Although the FDS hot smoke model predicted comparable results to the hot smoke test, whilst suitable for system design, computer modelling should never be used as a system installation certification tool. Data from hot smoke tests, if gathered cost effectively, can be a valuable resource for computer model verification
Evaluation of Corridor Smoke Exhaust Systems with FDS Software
No full textA corridor smoke exhaust system is used in high buildings to exhaust smoke in case of fire. This system consists of exhaust fans, piping and dampers set in the corridors of the floors in the building. The system can be controlled automatically or manually. The evaluation of the performance of this system is a very difficult job. This paper introduces the application of FDS software to simulate fire situations in the building and the operation of the exhaust corridor smoke system. Thereby the author assesses the performance of the system in different situations and proposes measures to control the system most effectively
Diagnostic d'une dysplasie rénale multikystique fœtale au premier trimestre de grossesse par échographies 2D et 3D
No full textUne femme primigeste de 35 ans a subi une échographie du premier trimestre visant le dépistage d'anomalies fœtales à 13 semaines de grossesse. La clarté nucale était normale (1,9 mm), et la combinaison des résultats obtenus à l’échographie et aux analyses biochimiques indiquait un risque faible d'aneuploïdie fœtale. Or, l'examen de l'anatomie fœtale a révélé que le rein gauche, d'apparence réniforme, contenait plusieurs espaces kystiques, ce qui laissait supposer une dysplasie rénale multikystique (DRM) unilatérale ( Figure 1 ). Le rein droit était normal. Une échographie ciblée des voies rénales réalisée à 14 5 semaines a montré que le rein gauche était hypertrophié (longueur : 22 mm) et que des espaces kystiques (allant de 2 à 8 mm) y étaient encore dispersés; le rein droit semblait toujours normal ( Figure 2 ). Aucune pyélectasie n’était visible, et le reste de l'appareil génito-urinaire, y compris la vessie, les organes génitaux, et le volume de liquide folliculaire, était sans particularité. Au deuxième trimestre (à 20 semaines), une échographie 3D réalisée en mode multiplanaire et en mode rendu a confirmé la présence d'un rein fœtal gauche très hypertrophié contenant de multiples kystes de tailles variées (de 5 à 22 mm) ( Figure 3 ). Une dilatation moyenne de l'uretère gauche a également été constatée. Le rein droit était normal, et le reste de l’évaluation morphologique détaillée n'a révélé aucune autre anomalie chez ce fœtus de sexe féminin. Une évaluation subséquente a été menée à 30 semaines de grossesse : le rein fœtal gauche était toujours hypertrophié et contenait de nombreux kystes non communicants de tailles variables. Le parenchyme rénal était échogène, mais il n'y avait aucun signe évident de dilatation des uretères. Un examen urologique prénatal a été prévu, et la patiente a accouché à 38 semaines complètes de grossesse. Une échographie postnatale et une scintigraphie rénale au MAG3 ont confirmé que le rein gauche présentait une DRM et était non fonctionnel, et que le rein droit était normal et fonctionnel.No Full Tex
The Relationship Between Frustration Intolerance, Unhealthy Emotions, and Assertive Behaviour in Italian Students
No full textThe aim of the present research was to investigate the relationship between frustration intolerance and emotional-behavioural problems. Specifically, the study explored whether frustration intolerance beliefs were associated with difficulties in assertive behaviour, anxiety, depression, and anger in a non-clinical student sample (N = 250). For this purpose an Italian version of the Frustration Discomfort Scale (FDS) was developed. The findings supported a multidimensional model of frustration intolerance and the relationship between specific frustration intolerance beliefs and emotional-behavioural problems. Regarding unhealthy emotions, structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses (model A) indicated that discomfort intolerance and emotional intolerance had a significant relationship with state anxiety, trait anxiety, and depression. The discomfort intolerance and entitlement sub-scales had a significant relationship with state anger and trait anger, while entitlement directly predicted trait anger. Regarding assertiveness, SEM analyses (model B) indicated that emotional intolerance had a significant relationship with distress when being assertive. More generally, the FDS full scale score (model C) was significantly related to unhealthy emotions and (model D) unassertive behaviour (distress). The present study provided evidence of the cross-cultural applicability of the FDS
Second trimester cervical length measurement for prediction spontaneous preterm birth in an unselected risk population
No full textObjective To assess the predictive capacity of cervical length (CL) measurement underwent during the second trimester ultrasound for prediction preterm birth < 32, 34, and 37 weeks of gestation in an unselected risk population. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed with 751 singleton pregnancies between 20 and 24+6 weeks of gestation. The CL measurement (mm) using the transvaginal route was obtained in a sagittal view and the calipers positioned to measure the linear distance between the triangular area of echodensity at the external os and the internal os. To compare the preterm (<37 weeks) and term births (≥37 weeks), we used unpaired t test. We assessed whether the CL measurement was dependent of gestational age by performing a linear regression and assessing the coefficient of determination (R2). We additionally assessed the accuracy of CL measurement to predict preterm birth by assessing the area under receiver operating characteristics curves with its respective confidence intervals (CIs) 95%. Results Preterm birth < 37 weeks was found in 13.6% (102/751) of pregnant women. Short cervix (≤25 mm) was found in 2.7% (20/751) of pregnancies. Only 30% (6/20) of pregnant women with short cervix have used progesterone to prevent preterm birth. There was a weak correlation between CL measurement and gestational age at delivery (R2=0.01, P=0.002). Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis of the ability of CL measurement to predict preterm birth < 32, 34, and 37 weeks, showed an area under the curve of 0.693 (95% CI, 0.512 to 0.874), 0.472 (95% CI, 0.353 to 0.591), 0.490 (95% CI, 0.426 to 0.555), respectively. Conclusion There was a weak correlation between CL measurement and gestational age at delivery. In an unselected population, CL measurement screening at 20 to 24+6 weeks of gestation does not seem to be a good predictor of preterm birth.Full Tex
Direct generation of floor design spectra (FDS) from uniform hazard spectra (UHS) — Part II: extension and application of the method
No full textThis paper extends the methodology presented in the companion paper to study the effects of non-structural components’ (NSCs) damping ratio and their location in the building on the pseudo-acceleration floor response spectra (PA-FRS) of reinforced concrete buildings, and propose equations to derive floor acceleration design spectra (FDS) directly from the uniform hazard design spectra (UHS) for Montréal, Canada. The buildings used in the study are 27 existing reinforced concrete structures with braced frames and shear walls as their lateral load resisting systems: 12 are low-rise (up to 3 stories above ground), 10 are medium-rise (4 to 7 stories), and 5 are high-rise (10 to 18 stories). Based on statistical and regression analysis of floor acceleration spectra generated from linear dynamic analysis of coupled building–NSC systems, two sets of modification factors are proposed to account for floor elevation and NSC damping, applicable to the experimentally-derived FDS for roof level and 5% NSC damping. Modification factor equations could be derived only for the low-rise and medium-rise building categories, as insufficient correlation in trends could be obtained for high-rises given their low number. The approach is illustrated in detail for two typical buildings of the database, one low-rise (Building #4) and one medium-rise (Building #18), where the proposed FDS/UHS results show agreement with those obtained from detailed dynamic analysis. The work is presented in the context of a more general methodology to show its potential general applicability to other building types and locations.The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the pdf file of the accepted manuscript may differ slightly from what is displayed on the item page. The information in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript reflects the original submission by the author
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