Identification of thermal front dynamics in the northern Malacca Strait using ROMS 3D-model

The thermal front in the oceanic system is believed to have a significant effect on biological activity.During an era of climate change,changes in heat regulation between the atmosphere and oceanic interior can alter the characteristics of this important feature.Using the simulation results of the 3D Regional Ocean Modelling System(ROMS),we identified the location of thermal fronts and determined their dynamic variability in the area between the southern Andaman Sea and northern Malacca Strait.The Single Image Edge Detection(SIED)algorithm was used to detect the thermal front from model-derived temperature.Results show that a thermal front occurred every year from 2002 to 2012 with the temperature gradient at the location of the front was 0.3°C/km.Compared to the years affected by El Ni?o and negative Indian Ocean Dipole(IOD),the normal years(e.g.,May 2003)show the presence of the thermal front at every selected depth(10,25,50,and 75 m),whereas El Ni?o and negative IOD during 2010 show the presence of the thermal front only at depth of 75 m due to greater warming,leading to the thermocline deepening and enhanced stratification.During May 2003,the thermal front was separated by cooler SST in the southern Andaman Sea and warmer SST in the northern Malacca Strait.The higher SST in the northern Malacca Strait was believed due to the besieged Malacca Strait,which trapped the heat and make it difficult to release while higher chlorophyll a in Malacca Strait is due to the freshwater conduit from nearby rivers(Klang,Langat,Perak,and Selangor).Furthermore,compared to the southern Andaman Sea,the chlorophyll a in the northern Malacca Strait is easier to reach the surface area due to the shallower thermocline,which allows nutrients in the area to reach the surface faster.

Review and update on the management of triangular fibrocartilage complex injuries in professional athletes

Triangular fibrocartilage complex injuries are common in amateur and professional sports.These injuries are mainly caused by acute or chronic repetitive axial loads on the wrist,particularly on the ulnar side and in association with rotations or radial/ulnar deviations.In order to treat professional athletes,a detailed specific knowledge of the pathology is needed.Moreover,the clinician should fully understand the specific and unique environment and needs of the athletes,their priorities and goals,the type of sport,the time of the season,and the position played.An early diagnosis and appropriate management with the quickest possible recovery time are the uppermost goals for both the athlete and the surgeon.A compromise between conservative vs surgical indications,athletes’needs and expectations,and financial implications should be achieved.Arthroscopic procedures should be timely planned when indicated as they could allow early diagnosis and treatment at the same time.Conservative measures are often used as first line treatment when possible.Peripheral lesions are treated by arthroscopic repair,whilst central lesions are treated by arthroscopic debridement.Further procedures(such as the Wafer procedure,ulnar osteotomies,etc.)have specific indications and great implications with regard to rehabilitation.

Protection of Intellectual Property for Both Sides of the Straits

At the invitation of Pen-tsao Chang, Chairman of the Commercial Affairs Coordination Committee for the Two Sides of the Straits, a delegation composed of nine intellectual property experts and scholars, headed by Xie Jianqun, Vicechairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and Chairman of the Economic and Trade Coordination Committee for the Two Sides of the Straits, recently paid a nineday visit to Taiwan. The visit caught the attention of Taiwan’s mass media as it was the first high-ranking economic

Relation Between Both Sides of the Taiwan StraitsIn Anticipation of the Trends of Its Development

In the issue of January, 2002, the magazine "Relation Between Both Sides of the Taiwan Straits" published by the Association of the Relation Between the Both Sides of the Taiwan Straits, a signed essay was carried out, stating that the development of the relation between the both sides last year, anticipates the trends of such relation in the future.

Reproductive biology of Hemitripterus villosus in the Bohai Strait,China

To understand the reproductive biology of Hemitripterus villosus in the Bohai Strait,and fill the key knowledge gap in verifying reproductive seasonality and documenting gonadotropin dependent reproductive cycle of this species,a year-round detail study was conducted for the first time.In total,263 individuals were randomly sampled off the coasts of the Bohai Strait.Results show that and the overall female-to-male ratio(1.35:1)did not differ significantly from the 1:1 sex ratio.The length and weight relationship for females and males were regressed,depicting an isometric growth for both sexes.Four reproductive phases of the complete gonadotropin dependent reproductive cycle in both sexes were identified.The monthly variations in the gonadosomatic and hepatosomatic indexes for both sexes further indicated that this species spawns a single batch of eggs per year and the peak spawning period is from October to December.The average diameter of eggs ranged from 2.10 to 3.57 mm.The length at first sexual maturity was 224.87 mm for females and 241.26 mm for males.Significant positive relationships between absolute fecundity and fish size,and also gonadal weight were observed.H.villosus from the Bohai Strait exhibited smaller body size,smaller egg diameter,lower gonadosomatic index,lower absolute fecundity,and higher population extinction risk than the other populations’studied previously.Our findings contribute to understanding the status of this isolated westernmost population,and we emphasize that more efficient protection measures for the species and control measures are urgently required to improve the coastal environment in the Bohai Strait.

Freshening of the Intermediate Waters in the Northern South China Sea over the Past Six Decades

The properties of salinity in the South China Sea(SCS),a significant marginal sea connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans,are greatly influenced by the transport of fresh water flux between the two oceans.However,the long-term changes in the intermediate water in the SCS have not been thoroughly studied due to limited data,particularly in relation to its thermodynamic variations.This study utilized reanalysis data products to identify a 60-year trend of freshening in the intermediate waters of the northern South China Sea(NSCS),accompanied by an expansion of low-salinity water.The study also constructed salinity budget terms,including advection and entrainment processes,and conducted an analysis of the salinity budget to understand the impacts of external and internal dynamic processes on the freshening trend of the intermediate water in the NSCS.The analysis revealed that the freshening in the northwest Pacific Ocean and the intensification of intrusion through the Luzon Strait at intermediate levels are the primary drivers of the salinity changes in the NSCS.Additionally,a weakened trend in the intensity of vertical entrainment also contributes to the freshening in the NSCS.This study offers new insights into the understanding of regional deep sea changes in response to variations in both thermodynamics and oceanic dynamic processes.

Monforts to debut the coaTTex at Techtextil 2024

At the Techtextil show for technical textiles which take place in Frankfurt from April 23-25,Monforts launched its new coaTTex coating unit exclusively dedicated to air knife and knife-over-roller coating.For single-sided application with paste or foam,the versatile coaTTex is suitable for both incorporation into existing finishing ranges as well as installation with new Monforts lines,notably the industry-leading Montex stenter systems.

Effects of multiple dynamic processes on chlorophyll variation in the Luzon Strait in summer 2019 based on glider observation

Luzon Strait is the main channel connecting the South China Sea(SCS)and the western Pacific,with complex atmospheric and oceanic dynamic processes.Based on 44 days of glider measurements and satellite observations,we investigated the temporal and vertical variations of chlorophyll-a(Chl-a)concentration in the Luzon Strait from July 25 to September 6,2019.The Chl a was mainly distributed above 200 m and concentrated in the subsurface chlorophyll maximum(SCM)layer.The depth of SCM ranged between 50 m and 110 m,and the magnitude of SCM varied from 0.42 mg/m3 to 1.12 mg/m3.The variation of Chl a was identified with three stages responding to different dynamic processes.Under the influence of Kuroshio intrusion,the SCM depth sharply deepened,and its magnitude decreased in Stage 1.Afterward,a prominent Chl-a bloom was observed in the SCM layer from August 6 to August 16.The Chl-a bloom in Stage 2 was related to the influence of a cyclonic eddy,which uplifted of the thermocline and thus the deep nutrients.During Stage 3,prolonged heavy rainfall in the northeastern SCS resulted in a significant salinity decrease in the upper ocean.The convergence of upper water deepened the thermocline and the mixed layer.Thus,the Chl a decreased in the SCM layer but increased in the surface layer.In particular,a typhoon passed through the Luzon Strait on August 24,which induced the Chl a increase in the upper 50 m.However,there was little change in the depth-integrated Chl a(0-200 m),indicating that the Chl a increase in the surface layer was likely associated with physical entrainment of SCM caused by strong mixing,rather than the phytoplankton bloom in the upper water column.Underwater gliders provide frequent autonomous observations that help us understand the regional ocean’s complex dynamic processes and biological responses.

ISA Assembly concludes twenty-eighth session with participation of heads of States and governments and high-level representatives and adoption of decisions on the establishment of the Interim Director General of the Enterprise

The 28th session of the Assembly of the International Seabed Authority(ISA)closed on 28 July 2023 after five days of meetings in Kingston,Jamaica.The meeting was presided over by H.E.Mr.Alhaji Fanday Turay,former Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the United Nations and upcoming Minister for Transportation and Aviation of Sierra Leone.

Why Don’t We Adequately Identify and Manage Adverse Drug Reactions despite Having the Needed Information?

Importance/Objective: Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are unavoidable, but recognizing and addressing ADRs early can improve wellness and prevent permanent injury. We suggest that available medical information and digital/electronic methods could be used to manage this major healthcare problem for individual patients in real time. Methods: We searched the available digital applications and three literature databases using the medical subject heading terms, adverse drug reaction reporting systems or management, filtered by clinical trial or systemic reviews, to detect publications with data about ADR identification and management approaches. We reviewed the reports that had abstract or summary data or proposed or implemented methods or systems with potential to identify or manage ADRs in clinical settings. Results: The vast majority of the 481 reports used retrospectively collected data for groups of patients or were limited to surveying one population group or class of medication. The reports showed potential and definite associations of ADRs for specific drugs and problems, mostly, but not exclusively, for patients in hospitals and nursing homes. No reports described complete methods to collect comprehensive data on ADRs for individual patients in a healthcare system. The digital applications have ADR information, but all are too cumbersome or incomplete for use in active clinical settings. Several studies suggested that providing information about potential ADRs to clinicians can reduce these problems. Conclusion and Relevance: Although investigators and government agencies agree with the need, there is no comprehensive ADR management program in current use. Informing the patient’s healthcare practitioners of potential ADRs at the point of service has the potential for reduction of these complications, which should improve healthcare and reduce unneeded costs.

Analysis on Features of Temperature and Salinity in the Northern Taiwan Straits During February-March, 1998

The distributional features of temperature and salinity in the northern Taiwan Straits have been analyzed based on the CTD data during February-March, 1998. The characteristics of temperature and salinity are summarized as follows: (1) there exists a coastal water along the western coast of the Taiwan Straits, with low temperature and low salinity at the upper layer; (2) a high temperature and high salinity water tongue extends northeastward along the eastern coast of the Taiwan Strait.

Studies on ecological characteristics variation and population dynamics of four lizardfishes in the southern Taiwan Straits

The ecological characteristics of four lizardfishes, Trachinocephalus myops, Saurida undosquamis, Saurida tumbil and Saurida elongata, were studied from specimens （910 T. myops, 454 S. un-dosquamis, 686 S. tumbil and 744 S. elongata） collected monthly in the southern Taiwan Straits from April 2005 to March 2006. The population dynamics of the four lizardfishes was also discussed by the comparison with the previous studies. All being composed of 7 a classes; the dominant group of T. myops and S. tumbil was 1–2 a, while S. undosquamis and S. elongate were 2–3 a. The total mortality coefficient Z and the fishing mortality F were at high as indicated by the exploitation ratio E（0.5）, and a large number of by-caught juvenile and young fishes showing that the stock of lizardfishes in this area was overexploited and the fishing gear was irrational. Compared with the previous studies, the maximum and mean fork length, body mass and age of the four lizard- fishes declined gradually, the lizardfishes populations were younger in age and smaller in size. The asymptotic fork length L ∞ decreased while increasing growth coefficient k, and age at the inflexion point of mass t r was younger compared with the previous studies. The declining of older ones has moderated the feeding competition and the younger ones grew faster. The larger mortality param-eters Z, M and F have revealed higher fishing pressure. The smaller change of the first mature fork length of female T . myops and the change from K selection pattern to r selection pattern of S. tumbil have indicated a more vulnerable fishery ecosystem in this area. The changes of ecological characteristics and population dynamics may be caused by over-exploitation of demersal fishes such as the lizardfishes, especially a large number of juvenile and young fishes by-catch by the current fishing gears and methods. Therefore, in addition to the traditional fishery management approach such as the minimum length-limit, ecosystem approach to fisheries management （EAF） should be taken to improve the practical marine ecosystem management, including increased fishing intensity of the non-economic species especially the feeding competitors of the lizardfishes and the conservation of the pelagic fishery population in the fisheries ecosystem, in order to restore the fishery population and achieve the sustainable use of the fishery stocks.

Development of a Side Door Composite Impact Beam for the Automotive Industry

The automobile industry has been searching for vehicles that use less energy and emit fewer pollutants, which has resulted in a high demand for fuel-efficient vehicles. Because of their higher strength-to-weight ratio compared to traditional steel, using fiber-reinforcement composite materials in automobile bodies has emerged as the most effective strategy for improving fuel efficiency while maintaining safety standards. This research paper examined the utilization of fiber-reinforced composite materials in car bodies to meet the increasing consumer demand for fuel-efficient and eco-friendly vehicles. It particularly focused on a carbon-aramid fiber-reinforced composite impact beam for passenger car side door impact protection. Despite the encouraging prospects of the carbon-aramid fiber-reinforced beam, the research uncovered substantial defects in the fabrication process, resulting in diminished load-bearing capacity and energy absorption. As a result, the beam was un-successful in three-point bending tests. This was accomplished by using an I cross-section design with varying thickness because of the higher area moment of inertia. Vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) manufacturing process was used and the finished beam underwent to three-point bending tests.

Comparison of Clinicopathological and Survival Features of Right and Left Colon Cancers: Experience of the Medical Oncology Department of Fez

Right-sided colon cancers (RCC) and left-sided colon cancers (LCC) have different epidemiological, physiological, pathological, genetic, and clinical characteristics, which result in differences in the course, prognosis, and outcome of disease. The objective of our study is to compare right-sided colon cancers and left-sided colon cancers regarding clinicopathological and survival characteristics. This is a retrospective study of 664 patients with colon cancer treated at the medical oncology department of Fez over a period from December 2009 to September 2020. Rectosigmoid, descending colon, and splenic flexure tumors were considered left-sided colon cancers, whereas ascending colon tumors were considered right-sided colon cancers. The Kaplan Meier method was used to estimate median survival. The study included 664 patients (female, 47%) having colon cancer with a median age of 60 years (23 - 83). Of the patients, 78.5% (n = 519) had LCC and 19.36 % (n = 128) had RCC. The rate of patients aged ≥ 65 years and the rate of patients with a family history of colon cancer was higher in the LCC patients. The proportion of poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas represented 3%, of which 63% had cancer of the right colon. There was a significantly higher proportion of higher T stage (T3-4: 62% vs 38%) in right sided tumors as compared to left sided tumors. The rate of metastatic patients was 64.1% in the RCC group and 43% in the LCC group. The median follow-up period was 14 months in the RCC group and 19 months in the LCC group with higher median overall survival in the LCC group (32 vs 21 months). We found histopathological differences between right and left sided colon cancer. Tumors on the right colon were found to be more aggressive, as expressed by poorer differentiation, higher T stage associated with a median overall survival better in left colon cancer.

ON THE SOLUTION OF THE SINGULAR INTEGRAL EQUATIONS WITH BOTH CAUCHY AND CONVOLUTION KERNEL

The following equations are basic forms of C-K equation (which is simplified in the following as singu-lar integral equations with convolution, that is C-K equations):where a,b,a_j,b_j are known constants or known functions, and find its solution f L_P(R), {0} or {α,β}.There were rather complete investigations on the method of solution for equations of Cauchy type aswell as integral equations of convolution type. But there is not investigation to the C-K equations, nodoubt, such that is important.

SPATIAL VARIATION OF Zn GEOCHEMICAL FRACTIONS IN THE SURFACE SEDIMENTS OF THE STRAITS OF MALACCA: NATURAL OR ANTHROPOGENIC?

Total concentrations of Zn in the sediments of the offshore and intertidal areas of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia were recently reported in the literaturs. However, total concentrations of metals in the sediment samples do not reflect the portion or carrier phase which is attributable to anthropogenic activities and those of natural origins. In this work, geochemical fraction of Zn in the sediments of the same areas was studied and the potential use of CV as an indicator of Zn pollution was determined. The geochemical study by using sequential extraction technique revealed that nonresistant fraction of the offshore and intertidal sediments (summation of ‘easily or freely leachable and exhangeable (EFLE)’, ‘acid-reducible’ and ‘oxidisable-organic’) covered about 30% and 48% of total zinc concentrations, respectively, in the sediments while most of the total zinc concentrations (offshore: 70%; intertidal: 52%) found in the sediments could be mostly due to natural origins (nonresistant fraction). Thus, the Zn levels in the Straits of Malacca should not pose a risk to the living organisms. Based on Spearman’s correlation coefficients, the source of Zn contamination in the Straits of Malacca was mainly contributed by the intertidal coastal area rather than offshore area. The present study also indicated the coefficient of variation can be used as a potential indicator of total summation of geochemical Zn concentrations in the coastal sediment but of different geochemical of Zn needs further validation.

Estimation of water volume transports through the main straits of the East China Sea

The structure of current speed and the variability of volume transports of the Kuroshio in the Tokara-kaikyo and Osumi-kaikyo are discussed on the basis of data of KER in the period from 1977 to 1984. The average geostrophic transport through these two straits is estimated to be 24. 5×106 m3/s and only 1/12 of the transport is through the Osumi-kaiky5. Countercurrents on both sides of the Kuroshio trunk are observed in the Tokara-kaikyo. Calculation indicates that the average geostrophic current speed is less than the GEK current speed, systematically. On the basis of the current measurements, the northward transports through the Taiwan Strait in winter and summer are estimated to be 1. 05×106and 3. 16×106m3/s, respectively. From Chu's data (1976) the average transport of the Kuroshio flowing into the East China Sea passing through the passage east of Taiwan is about 29. 3×106m3/s. From Miita and Ogawa's data (1984) the average transport through the Tsushima-kaikyo is 3. 6×106m3/s. Thus the volume transports through the above four straits are roughly in balance, the total outflowing transport is slightly larger than the total inflowing transport. The possible reasons resulting in the difference of transports are also discussed.

Source Parameters Evaluation of the 28^(th) December 1908 and 16^(th) January 1975 Earthquakes in the Messina Straits(Southern Italy)

The Calabria-Peloritani Arc is one of the most seismically active regions of Southern Italy.The most damaging event(Ⅰ0=ⅪMSK)occurred on December 28th,1908 in the Messina Straits area.This event,which caused at least 85000 casualties and widespread damage,has been identified as the greatest European seismic disaster of the 20th century.

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Sediment and Intertidal Gastropod Nerita lineata from Two Opposing Sites in the Straits of Malacca

The concentrations of Cd,Cu,Pb,Zn,Ni and Fe were determined in the surface sediment and marine gastropod Nerita lineata collected in May 2005 from the intertidal zone of Dumai,Sumatera,Indonesia and Johor,Peninsular Malaysia.The results showed that metal concentrations in sediment and the soft tissue of N.lineata varied at different sampling stations.Mean heavy metal concentrations were 0.92 μg/g(Cd);6.40 μg/g(Cu);32.77 μg/g(Pb);54.41 μg/g(Zn);11.56 μg/g(Ni) and 2.97%(Fe) in sediment from Dumai and 1.15 μg/g(Cd);26.73 μg/g(Cu);53.45 μg/g(Pb);130.77 μg/g(Zn);20.79 μg/g(Ni) and 2.72%(Fe) in sediment from Johor.Concentrations of metals in gastropod N.lineata were 0.71 μg/g(Cd);15.16 μg/g(Cu);9.35 μg/g(Pb);94.69 μg/g(Zn);5.08 μg/g(Ni) and 397.97 μg/g(Fe) in samples from Dumai and 1.24 μg/g(Cd);18.02 μg/g(Cu);19.75 μg/g(Pb);95.09 μg/g(Zn);5.57 μg/g(Ni) and 473.56 μg/g(Fe) in samples from Johor.Although they were not statistically significant(p>0.05),heavy metal concentrations in N.lineata were correlated with the concentrations of respective metals in sediment in both samples from Dumai and Johor.In general,samples of sediment and gastropod from Johor accumulated significantly higher heavy metal concentrations when compared to samples from Dumai(p<0.05).Higher concentrations of metals were recorded in samples collected from the stations close to the industrial and anthropogenic activities in both Dumai and Johor areas.However,most of the concentrations were still comparable to the previous reported studies from other geographical areas.

Labetalol versus Hydralazine in the Management of Severe Pre-Eclampsia at Tertiary Hospitals in a Low-Resource Setting: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Objective: Intravenous labetalol and hydralazine are both considered first-line medications for the management of acute-onset, severe hypertension in pregnant and postpartum women. The study compared the efficacy and safety profile of intravenous labetalol and hydralazine in the control hypertension in severe pre-eclampsia. Materials and Methods: One hundred patients who presented with severe pre-eclampsia were randomized into two study groups. The fifty patients in each arm of the study received either intravenous labetalol or intravenous hydralazine for the control of blood pressure. Results: The mean age of the labetalol subjects was 28.6 ± 5.47 years while that of their hydralazine counterparts was 29.12 ± 5.77 years. The majority of respondents in both groups were primigravidae (76% vs. 78%) (P = 0.813). The number of doses of drug needed to significantly lower the mean systolic blood pressure was slightly lower in the labetalol group (2 doses) compared to the hydralazine group (5 doses) (t = 0.803Y, P = 0.977). The incidence of headaches which were the commonest complaints was comparable in both groups 8% and 10% of respondents respectively (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Although both intravenous labetalol and hydralazine are useful in patients with severe pre-eclampsia, the response to labetalol was better with comparable side effects.