BACKGROUND Condylar osteophytes,a remodeling form of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis(TMJ OA),mainly manifest as marginal angular outgrowths of the condyle.Previous researchers have advocated surgical removal of...BACKGROUND Condylar osteophytes,a remodeling form of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis(TMJ OA),mainly manifest as marginal angular outgrowths of the condyle.Previous researchers have advocated surgical removal of condylar osteophytes.Reports on the effect of occlusal splint on TMJ OA patients’joints have mostly focused on treatment with this splint,which can reduce the absorption of the affected condyle and promote repair and regeneration.However,the effect of the splint on the dissolution of condylar osteophytes has not yet been reported.CASE SUMMARY A 68-year-old female patient suffered from occlusal discomfort with left facial pain for 2 years.Cone beam computed tomography showed a rare osteophyte on top of her left condyle.She was finally diagnosed with TMJ OA.The patient refused surgical treatment and received conservative treatment with a muscle balance occlusal splint.The pain experienced by the patient on the left side of her face was relieved,and her chewing ability recovered after treatment.The osteophyte dissolved,and the condylar cortex remained stable during long-term follow-up observations.CONCLUSION The muscle balance occlusal splint could be a noninvasive means of treating condylar osteophytes in TMJ OA patients.展开更多
Objective:To test two theories from traditional Chinese medicine:'exterior -interior relationship between the lung and large intestine' and 'treating from the intestine principle for lung disorders'.Th...Objective:To test two theories from traditional Chinese medicine:'exterior -interior relationship between the lung and large intestine' and 'treating from the intestine principle for lung disorders'.The influence of intestine-based treatment using Xuan Bai Cheng Qi Tang (XBCQT) on the concentration of three trace elements-copper (Cu),zinc (Zn),and manganese (Mn)-was observed in the tissues of the lung,small intestine,large intestine,and stomach of rats suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods:Thirty-five male Wistar rats were divided randomly and equally into five groups:control;model;Fei treatment (A);Chang treatment (B);and Fei-Chang treatment (C).A rat model of COPD was prepared by tracheal injection of lipopolysaccharide plus exposure to cigarette smoke.Treatments with medicinal herbs started day-22 of administration and exposure to cigarette smoke for 7 days.The control group and model group were administered physiologic (0.9%) saline solution via the stomach.After 7 days of intervention,the tissues of the lung,small intestine,large intestine,and stomach were removed.Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy was used to detect the levels of Cu,Zn,and Mn in those tissues.Results:Compared with the control group,the Cu concentration in the tissues of the small intestine,large intestine,and stomach increased significantly in the model group (P <.05);the Mn concentration in the tissues of the lung,large intestine,and stomach increased significantly in the model group (P <.05);the Zn concentration in the tissues of the lung and large intestine decreased significantly in the model group (P <.05).In comparison of the model group:the Cu concentration in the tissues of the lung and large intestine decreased significantly in the B group (P <.05);the Mn concentration in the tissues of the lung,small intestine,and large intestine decreased significantly in the B group (P <.05);the Zn concentration in the tissues of the lung,small intestine,and large intestine increased significantly in the B group (P <.05).For the A group versus C group comparison,the Zn concentration in the tissues of the small intestine and stomach increased significantly in the latter (P <.05).Conclusion:This study showed that 'treating from the intestine' using Xuan Bai Cheng Qi Tang and its modified formulae can regulate the concentration of trace elements in the main organs of COPD rats.This may be one of the mechanisms for intestine-based treatment for COPD.展开更多
An improved method for estimation of causal effects from observational data is demonstrated. Applications in medicine have been few, and the purpose of the present study is to contribute new clinical insight by means ...An improved method for estimation of causal effects from observational data is demonstrated. Applications in medicine have been few, and the purpose of the present study is to contribute new clinical insight by means of this new and more sophisticated analysis. Long term effect of medication for adult ADHD patients is not resolved. A model with causal parameters to represent effect of medication was formulated, which accounts for time-varying confounding and selection-bias from loss to follow-up. The popular marginal structural model (MSM) for causal inference, of Robins et al., adjusts for time-varying confounding, but suffers from lack of robustness for misspecification in the weights. Recent work by Imai and Ratkovic?[1][2] achieves robustness in the MSM, through improved covariate balance (CBMSM). The CBMSM (freely available software) was compared with a standard fit of a MSM and a naive regression model, to give a robust estimate of the true treatment effect in 250 previously non-medicated adults, treated for one year, in a specialized ADHD outpatient clinic in Norway. Covariate balance was greatly improved, resulting in a stronger treatment effect than without this improvement. In terms of treatment effect per week, early stages seemed to have the strongest influence. An estimated average reduction of 4 units on the symptom scale assessed at 12 weeks, for hypothetical medication in the 9 - 12 weeks period compared to no medication in this period, was found. The treatment effect persisted throughout the whole year, with an estimated average reduction of 0.7 units per week on symptoms assessed at one year, for hypothetical medication in the last 13 weeks of the year, compared to no medication in this period. The present findings support a strong and causal direct and indirect effect of pharmacological treatment of adults with ADHD on improvement in symptoms, and with a stronger treatment effect than has been reported.展开更多
The implementation of the EU-water framework directive (EU-WFD) demands a financeable and adaptable sewage treatment, creating a need for action especially in rural areas, where the “good ecological status” is often...The implementation of the EU-water framework directive (EU-WFD) demands a financeable and adaptable sewage treatment, creating a need for action especially in rural areas, where the “good ecological status” is often not reached even though the sewage works fulfill the legal minimum requirements. Therefore the construction of new, more efficient wastewater treatment plants is advisable. Due to the precarious financial situation in most rural areas, many municipalities can however not master the necessary funds for an improved waste water infrastructure. A large part of the costs would have to be shouldered by the local population in the form of additional sewage levies, leading to massive socio-economic strain. Hence, different solutions, which are tailored to the socio-economic, demographic and environmental characteristics of rural areas and fulfill the legal requirements, need to be developed. One possible approach is presented in the form of the Dirlammen case study (municipality Lautertal, Hesse, Germany). It consists of 1) biological and physicochemical analyses of the waste waters, 2) a modified eco-balance for the construction of a new sewage works and 3) socio-economic and demographic analyses of the population. It serves as a tool for the assessment of the influencing ecological, socio-economic and demographic factors on the sewage problems in rural areas. These findings can easily be transferred to other rural areas with a similar configuration and thus deliver the basis for a generally applicable approach to these problems. The results of the comprehensive analysis have shown for the municipality Dirlammen/Lautertal that the continued operation of the existing pond sewage plant is, with regards to the ecological, socio-economic and demographic points of view, preferable to the construction of a new waste water treatment plant. With regard to the sustainability principles of the sewage treatment and the objectives of the EU-WFD, existing sewage works should be operated for as long as the sewage treatment is feasible within technical and legal boundaries. With the construction of new facilities on the other hand, the expected improvement of the water quality has to be weighed against the ecological impairments caused by the construction itself. Rural waste water plans have to be developed for the long-term, taking not only the ecology into account but also the demographic change. Possible approaches in this regard could be a shift towards a decentralized waste water treatment concept and–even more important–improvements of the river morphology. But also the reduction of the diffuse pollution from agricultural sources should be considered for the development of strategies for the improvement of the ecological state. Short-term optimization measures in the existing sewage works might also improve the water quality until the long-term development plans can be implemented. In particular the challenges of the demographic change and linked with that the changing requirements for the rural waste water treatment must be addressed by any future plans. Only with the help of such a comprehensive approach the dangers of bad planning and unacceptable socio-economic burdens can be minimized.展开更多
In order to re-examine some trends related to tropical cyclones（TCs） over the western North Pacific since 1949,the unreliable maximum sustained wind(V;) recorded in the 1949-1978 TC best-track data from the Shanghai...In order to re-examine some trends related to tropical cyclones（TCs） over the western North Pacific since 1949,the unreliable maximum sustained wind(V;) recorded in the 1949-1978 TC best-track data from the Shanghai Typhoon Institute was modified based on the wind-pressure relationships（WPRs） in this study. Compared to the WPR scheme based on the cyclostrophic balance,the WPR scheme based on the gradient balance could give a better fit to TCs under higher wind speeds and could introduce smaller estimated errors for TCs locating at higher latitudes as well as TCs landing on the continent.After the V;modification based on minimum sea-level pressure and TC center latitude,the revised annual number of category 4-5 typhoons shows no long-term trend,while the potential destructiveness measured by power-dissipation index decreases slightly,and this trend is not significant in the period 1949-2008.展开更多
To evaluate the nitrogen pollution load in an aquifer, a water and nitrogen balance analysis was conducted over a thirty-five year period at five yearly intervals. First, we established a two-horizon model comprising ...To evaluate the nitrogen pollution load in an aquifer, a water and nitrogen balance analysis was conducted over a thirty-five year period at five yearly intervals. First, we established a two-horizon model comprising a channel/soil horizon, and an aquifer horizon, with exchange of water between the aquifer and river. The nitrogen balance was estimated from the product of nitrogen concentration and water flow obtained from the water balance analysis. The aquifer nitrogen balance results were as follows: 1) In the aquifer horizon, the total nitrogen pollution load potential (NPLP) peaked in the period 1981-1990 at 1800 t·yr-1;following this the NPLP rapidly decreased to about 600 t·yr-1 in the period 2006-2010. The largest NPLP input component of 1000 t·yr-1 in the period 1976-1990 was from farmland. Subsequently, farmland NPLP decreased to only 400 t·yr-1 between 2006 and 2010. The second largest input component, 600 t·yr-1, was effluent from wastewater treatment works (WWTWs) in the period 1986-1990;this also decreased markedly to about 100 t·yr-1 between 2006 and 2010;2) The difference between input and output in the aquifer horizon, used as an index of groundwater pollution, peaked in the period 1986-1990 at about 1200 t·yr-1. This gradually decreased to about 200 t·yr-1 by 2006-2010. 3) The temporal change in NPLP coincided with the nitrogen concentration of the rivers in the study area. In addition, nitrogen concentrations in two test wells were 1.0 mg·l-1 at a depth of 150 m and only 0.25 mg·l-1 at 50 m, suggesting gradual percolation of the nitrogen polluted water deeper in the aquifer.展开更多
A methodology is described for understanding the interaction of karstic aquifers with allogenic rivers, where little information is available. This methodology includes conventional hydrogenology methods tracer tests ...A methodology is described for understanding the interaction of karstic aquifers with allogenic rivers, where little information is available. This methodology includes conventional hydrogenology methods tracer tests and measurements of flow into, out of and circulating within the karstic system. The method is designed to understand the hydrogeological behaviour of a river in sufficient detail, given a short study period. The methodology is applied to a karstic system in Spain, obtaining useful, quantitative results for a hydrological year, such as an estimate of the water balance, differentiation between autogenic and allogenic natural recharge, relationship and connection between the river and the aquifer, and measurements of infiltration capacity in watercourses under different hydrological situations. The paper deals with a useful example that could be applied to other rivers and aquifers where few data are available. It can be applied to aquifers under a natural regime and Mediterranean climate.展开更多
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of central nervous system (CNS), characterized by the presence of multifocal demyelination plaques with characteristic symptoms as fatigue, balance disorder, ...Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of central nervous system (CNS), characterized by the presence of multifocal demyelination plaques with characteristic symptoms as fatigue, balance disorder, reduced endurance in gait and decrease in quality of life. The study supposed that the motor treatment through dance could represent useful therapeutic option, together with other treatments already in use such as the pharmacological and physiotherapy one. We included 9 person (6 male and 3 female) affected by relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) with an expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score less than 3, underwent rehabilitation treatment with Argentine Tango (Riabilitango®method). The study lasted twenty months, considering a sixty-minute session a week. The aim of the study was to verify the real improvement of quality of life, fatigue, balance disorder and gait endurance due to the dance treatment. We collected outcomes data of Short Form 36 (SF-36) in physical function (PF) (45.56 ± 21.42 vs. 69.44 ± 23.64), vitality (VT) (45.00 ± 7.90 vs. 67.77 ± 6.18), social function (SF) (54.00 ± 13.86 vs. 75.11 ± 6.25), general health (GH) (32.22 ± 5.06 vs. 54.11 ± 5.20);Modified fatigue impact test scales (MFSI) (3.56 ± 3.72 vs. 37.22 ± 3.88);Berg balance scale (BBS-it) (33.89 ± 4.12 vs. 45.11 ± 3.51);Six Minute Walk Test (6mWT), in distance (m) (352.89 ± 174.56 vs. 397.22 ± 174.83), oxygen saturation in arterial blood (%SpO2) (87.67 ± 3.35 vs. 91.78 ± 5.92) and beast per minute (bpm) (82.67 ± 13.08 vs. 72.67 ± 10.52). We found statistically significant (p In conclusion, despite the small sample size included, the results confirm that Riabilitango®significantly leads to better functional performances in person affected by RRMS with EDSS less then 3, finding benefits in terms of quality of life. Data suggest that integration between dance treatment method and the pharmacological, could represent the useful approach.展开更多
The cultivation of komatsuna (Brassica rapa L. Nothovar) was carried out hydroponically using a nutrient film technique (NFT) system inside a greenhouse, applying a quartz porphyry (QP) treated nutrient solution. Quar...The cultivation of komatsuna (Brassica rapa L. Nothovar) was carried out hydroponically using a nutrient film technique (NFT) system inside a greenhouse, applying a quartz porphyry (QP) treated nutrient solution. Quartz porphyry is a natural mineral containing many substances that easily ionize with water to improve water quality. Different growth attributes of komatsuna such as leaf length, leaf width and plant fresh weight increased in plants that received QP treated nutrient solution. The coefficient of variation was smaller for QP treated nutrient solution plants when compared to the control. High light intensity, long duration of solar radiation and higher temperatures in the summer (July-Aug.) promoted plant growth compare to winter (Dec.-Feb.). In contrast, plants grown in the winter accumulated more fresh weight compare to plants grown in the summer. Results also showed that the rapid exchange of ion in the nutrient solution due to the QP treatment enabled the solution to maintain the ion balance, and thus plants grew uniformly and vigorously. The cations Na+ and Ca2+ and the anions Cl- and were dominant and made the media saline. There was a decrease of Na+ ion concentration in the recirculating nutrient solution (NFT) due to ion exchange by QP. Results suggest that water treatment with QP could be used for production of high quality vegetables.展开更多
In social networks, opinions diffusion often leads to relationships evolution. Then changes of relationships result in the change of balance degree of social system. We simulate the opinion diffusion on Barabasi &...In social networks, opinions diffusion often leads to relationships evolution. Then changes of relationships result in the change of balance degree of social system. We simulate the opinion diffusion on Barabasi & Albert (BA) network and Watts & Strogatz (WS) network to study the effects of the two types of networks, dynamical parameters and structural parameters on the balance degree of system. We employ the spectral analysis to quantify the balance degree of system before and after opinion propagation. The result reveals that it is very similar effect of BA networks and WS networks on it. However, it is opposite effects between dynamical parameters and structural parameters. The balance degree of system is proportional to the two dynamical factors (P,Q) at initial state and always inversely proportional to the two structural factors (,Pne) at initial and convergence state.展开更多
The multi-polar structure is a new international relationship structure, which differs greatly from both the bi-polar and uni-polar structures in both structure and nature, mainly emerging from the evolution of two as...The multi-polar structure is a new international relationship structure, which differs greatly from both the bi-polar and uni-polar structures in both structure and nature, mainly emerging from the evolution of two aspects: first, the meaning of"polar"has undergone a major change; and second, beyond the power structure, the relationship structure between nations is much different from the past and is inflicting an increasingly important impact on the structure. Decentralization is the core implication of the multi-polar structure. In the current reality of international politics, decentralization refers to the dissolution of US hegemony, as different nations and power centers are busy competing and cooperating with one another at different levels in accordance with their own advantages and characteristics. Globally, the multi-polar structure manifests a state in which the current power structure is loosening, while international relationships have become more diversified due to their ongoing development. This is the development of a new relationship structure that is of great significance and what calls for our closest attention.展开更多
An anaerobic expanding-bed reactor was adopted to investigate the feasibility of an innovative integrated process of simultaneous desulfurization and denitrification (SDD) for high strength wastewater. In the reactor,...An anaerobic expanding-bed reactor was adopted to investigate the feasibility of an innovative integrated process of simultaneous desulfurization and denitrification (SDD) for high strength wastewater. In the reactor, heterotrophic bacteria (including sulfate reducing bacterium and denitrifying bacteria) and autotrophic bacteria (including Thiobacillus denitrificans) cooperated together by incubating and enriching functional bacteria on different carriers in the anaerobic activated sludge. Synthetic wastewater with high concentrations of sulfate and nitrate was employed. The experimental results showed that the removal efficiency of sulfate and nitrate was above 85%, elemental sulfur was observed while nitrate was absent in effluent. The balance of sulfur, nitrogen and electron was discussed respectively, which indicated that the integrated SDD process could be actualized. These results might provide a guidance to further investigate the key factors affecting the integrated SDD process and to improve the efficiency of desulfurization and denitrification in wastewater treatment.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND Condylar osteophytes,a remodeling form of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis(TMJ OA),mainly manifest as marginal angular outgrowths of the condyle.Previous researchers have advocated surgical removal of condylar osteophytes.Reports on the effect of occlusal splint on TMJ OA patients’joints have mostly focused on treatment with this splint,which can reduce the absorption of the affected condyle and promote repair and regeneration.However,the effect of the splint on the dissolution of condylar osteophytes has not yet been reported.CASE SUMMARY A 68-year-old female patient suffered from occlusal discomfort with left facial pain for 2 years.Cone beam computed tomography showed a rare osteophyte on top of her left condyle.She was finally diagnosed with TMJ OA.The patient refused surgical treatment and received conservative treatment with a muscle balance occlusal splint.The pain experienced by the patient on the left side of her face was relieved,and her chewing ability recovered after treatment.The osteophyte dissolved,and the condylar cortex remained stable during long-term follow-up observations.CONCLUSION The muscle balance occlusal splint could be a noninvasive means of treating condylar osteophytes in TMJ OA patients.
文摘Objective:To test two theories from traditional Chinese medicine:'exterior -interior relationship between the lung and large intestine' and 'treating from the intestine principle for lung disorders'.The influence of intestine-based treatment using Xuan Bai Cheng Qi Tang (XBCQT) on the concentration of three trace elements-copper (Cu),zinc (Zn),and manganese (Mn)-was observed in the tissues of the lung,small intestine,large intestine,and stomach of rats suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods:Thirty-five male Wistar rats were divided randomly and equally into five groups:control;model;Fei treatment (A);Chang treatment (B);and Fei-Chang treatment (C).A rat model of COPD was prepared by tracheal injection of lipopolysaccharide plus exposure to cigarette smoke.Treatments with medicinal herbs started day-22 of administration and exposure to cigarette smoke for 7 days.The control group and model group were administered physiologic (0.9%) saline solution via the stomach.After 7 days of intervention,the tissues of the lung,small intestine,large intestine,and stomach were removed.Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy was used to detect the levels of Cu,Zn,and Mn in those tissues.Results:Compared with the control group,the Cu concentration in the tissues of the small intestine,large intestine,and stomach increased significantly in the model group (P <.05);the Mn concentration in the tissues of the lung,large intestine,and stomach increased significantly in the model group (P <.05);the Zn concentration in the tissues of the lung and large intestine decreased significantly in the model group (P <.05).In comparison of the model group:the Cu concentration in the tissues of the lung and large intestine decreased significantly in the B group (P <.05);the Mn concentration in the tissues of the lung,small intestine,and large intestine decreased significantly in the B group (P <.05);the Zn concentration in the tissues of the lung,small intestine,and large intestine increased significantly in the B group (P <.05).For the A group versus C group comparison,the Zn concentration in the tissues of the small intestine and stomach increased significantly in the latter (P <.05).Conclusion:This study showed that 'treating from the intestine' using Xuan Bai Cheng Qi Tang and its modified formulae can regulate the concentration of trace elements in the main organs of COPD rats.This may be one of the mechanisms for intestine-based treatment for COPD.
文摘An improved method for estimation of causal effects from observational data is demonstrated. Applications in medicine have been few, and the purpose of the present study is to contribute new clinical insight by means of this new and more sophisticated analysis. Long term effect of medication for adult ADHD patients is not resolved. A model with causal parameters to represent effect of medication was formulated, which accounts for time-varying confounding and selection-bias from loss to follow-up. The popular marginal structural model (MSM) for causal inference, of Robins et al., adjusts for time-varying confounding, but suffers from lack of robustness for misspecification in the weights. Recent work by Imai and Ratkovic?[1][2] achieves robustness in the MSM, through improved covariate balance (CBMSM). The CBMSM (freely available software) was compared with a standard fit of a MSM and a naive regression model, to give a robust estimate of the true treatment effect in 250 previously non-medicated adults, treated for one year, in a specialized ADHD outpatient clinic in Norway. Covariate balance was greatly improved, resulting in a stronger treatment effect than without this improvement. In terms of treatment effect per week, early stages seemed to have the strongest influence. An estimated average reduction of 4 units on the symptom scale assessed at 12 weeks, for hypothetical medication in the 9 - 12 weeks period compared to no medication in this period, was found. The treatment effect persisted throughout the whole year, with an estimated average reduction of 0.7 units per week on symptoms assessed at one year, for hypothetical medication in the last 13 weeks of the year, compared to no medication in this period. The present findings support a strong and causal direct and indirect effect of pharmacological treatment of adults with ADHD on improvement in symptoms, and with a stronger treatment effect than has been reported.
文摘The implementation of the EU-water framework directive (EU-WFD) demands a financeable and adaptable sewage treatment, creating a need for action especially in rural areas, where the “good ecological status” is often not reached even though the sewage works fulfill the legal minimum requirements. Therefore the construction of new, more efficient wastewater treatment plants is advisable. Due to the precarious financial situation in most rural areas, many municipalities can however not master the necessary funds for an improved waste water infrastructure. A large part of the costs would have to be shouldered by the local population in the form of additional sewage levies, leading to massive socio-economic strain. Hence, different solutions, which are tailored to the socio-economic, demographic and environmental characteristics of rural areas and fulfill the legal requirements, need to be developed. One possible approach is presented in the form of the Dirlammen case study (municipality Lautertal, Hesse, Germany). It consists of 1) biological and physicochemical analyses of the waste waters, 2) a modified eco-balance for the construction of a new sewage works and 3) socio-economic and demographic analyses of the population. It serves as a tool for the assessment of the influencing ecological, socio-economic and demographic factors on the sewage problems in rural areas. These findings can easily be transferred to other rural areas with a similar configuration and thus deliver the basis for a generally applicable approach to these problems. The results of the comprehensive analysis have shown for the municipality Dirlammen/Lautertal that the continued operation of the existing pond sewage plant is, with regards to the ecological, socio-economic and demographic points of view, preferable to the construction of a new waste water treatment plant. With regard to the sustainability principles of the sewage treatment and the objectives of the EU-WFD, existing sewage works should be operated for as long as the sewage treatment is feasible within technical and legal boundaries. With the construction of new facilities on the other hand, the expected improvement of the water quality has to be weighed against the ecological impairments caused by the construction itself. Rural waste water plans have to be developed for the long-term, taking not only the ecology into account but also the demographic change. Possible approaches in this regard could be a shift towards a decentralized waste water treatment concept and–even more important–improvements of the river morphology. But also the reduction of the diffuse pollution from agricultural sources should be considered for the development of strategies for the improvement of the ecological state. Short-term optimization measures in the existing sewage works might also improve the water quality until the long-term development plans can be implemented. In particular the challenges of the demographic change and linked with that the changing requirements for the rural waste water treatment must be addressed by any future plans. Only with the help of such a comprehensive approach the dangers of bad planning and unacceptable socio-economic burdens can be minimized.
基金National Basic Research Program of China(973 Program, 2009CB421502)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.40830958,40730948,and 90715031).
文摘In order to re-examine some trends related to tropical cyclones（TCs） over the western North Pacific since 1949,the unreliable maximum sustained wind(V;) recorded in the 1949-1978 TC best-track data from the Shanghai Typhoon Institute was modified based on the wind-pressure relationships（WPRs） in this study. Compared to the WPR scheme based on the cyclostrophic balance,the WPR scheme based on the gradient balance could give a better fit to TCs under higher wind speeds and could introduce smaller estimated errors for TCs locating at higher latitudes as well as TCs landing on the continent.After the V;modification based on minimum sea-level pressure and TC center latitude,the revised annual number of category 4-5 typhoons shows no long-term trend,while the potential destructiveness measured by power-dissipation index decreases slightly,and this trend is not significant in the period 1949-2008.
文摘To evaluate the nitrogen pollution load in an aquifer, a water and nitrogen balance analysis was conducted over a thirty-five year period at five yearly intervals. First, we established a two-horizon model comprising a channel/soil horizon, and an aquifer horizon, with exchange of water between the aquifer and river. The nitrogen balance was estimated from the product of nitrogen concentration and water flow obtained from the water balance analysis. The aquifer nitrogen balance results were as follows: 1) In the aquifer horizon, the total nitrogen pollution load potential (NPLP) peaked in the period 1981-1990 at 1800 t·yr-1;following this the NPLP rapidly decreased to about 600 t·yr-1 in the period 2006-2010. The largest NPLP input component of 1000 t·yr-1 in the period 1976-1990 was from farmland. Subsequently, farmland NPLP decreased to only 400 t·yr-1 between 2006 and 2010. The second largest input component, 600 t·yr-1, was effluent from wastewater treatment works (WWTWs) in the period 1986-1990;this also decreased markedly to about 100 t·yr-1 between 2006 and 2010;2) The difference between input and output in the aquifer horizon, used as an index of groundwater pollution, peaked in the period 1986-1990 at about 1200 t·yr-1. This gradually decreased to about 200 t·yr-1 by 2006-2010. 3) The temporal change in NPLP coincided with the nitrogen concentration of the rivers in the study area. In addition, nitrogen concentrations in two test wells were 1.0 mg·l-1 at a depth of 150 m and only 0.25 mg·l-1 at 50 m, suggesting gradual percolation of the nitrogen polluted water deeper in the aquifer.
文摘A methodology is described for understanding the interaction of karstic aquifers with allogenic rivers, where little information is available. This methodology includes conventional hydrogenology methods tracer tests and measurements of flow into, out of and circulating within the karstic system. The method is designed to understand the hydrogeological behaviour of a river in sufficient detail, given a short study period. The methodology is applied to a karstic system in Spain, obtaining useful, quantitative results for a hydrological year, such as an estimate of the water balance, differentiation between autogenic and allogenic natural recharge, relationship and connection between the river and the aquifer, and measurements of infiltration capacity in watercourses under different hydrological situations. The paper deals with a useful example that could be applied to other rivers and aquifers where few data are available. It can be applied to aquifers under a natural regime and Mediterranean climate.
文摘Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of central nervous system (CNS), characterized by the presence of multifocal demyelination plaques with characteristic symptoms as fatigue, balance disorder, reduced endurance in gait and decrease in quality of life. The study supposed that the motor treatment through dance could represent useful therapeutic option, together with other treatments already in use such as the pharmacological and physiotherapy one. We included 9 person (6 male and 3 female) affected by relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) with an expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score less than 3, underwent rehabilitation treatment with Argentine Tango (Riabilitango®method). The study lasted twenty months, considering a sixty-minute session a week. The aim of the study was to verify the real improvement of quality of life, fatigue, balance disorder and gait endurance due to the dance treatment. We collected outcomes data of Short Form 36 (SF-36) in physical function (PF) (45.56 ± 21.42 vs. 69.44 ± 23.64), vitality (VT) (45.00 ± 7.90 vs. 67.77 ± 6.18), social function (SF) (54.00 ± 13.86 vs. 75.11 ± 6.25), general health (GH) (32.22 ± 5.06 vs. 54.11 ± 5.20);Modified fatigue impact test scales (MFSI) (3.56 ± 3.72 vs. 37.22 ± 3.88);Berg balance scale (BBS-it) (33.89 ± 4.12 vs. 45.11 ± 3.51);Six Minute Walk Test (6mWT), in distance (m) (352.89 ± 174.56 vs. 397.22 ± 174.83), oxygen saturation in arterial blood (%SpO2) (87.67 ± 3.35 vs. 91.78 ± 5.92) and beast per minute (bpm) (82.67 ± 13.08 vs. 72.67 ± 10.52). We found statistically significant (p In conclusion, despite the small sample size included, the results confirm that Riabilitango®significantly leads to better functional performances in person affected by RRMS with EDSS less then 3, finding benefits in terms of quality of life. Data suggest that integration between dance treatment method and the pharmacological, could represent the useful approach.
文摘The cultivation of komatsuna (Brassica rapa L. Nothovar) was carried out hydroponically using a nutrient film technique (NFT) system inside a greenhouse, applying a quartz porphyry (QP) treated nutrient solution. Quartz porphyry is a natural mineral containing many substances that easily ionize with water to improve water quality. Different growth attributes of komatsuna such as leaf length, leaf width and plant fresh weight increased in plants that received QP treated nutrient solution. The coefficient of variation was smaller for QP treated nutrient solution plants when compared to the control. High light intensity, long duration of solar radiation and higher temperatures in the summer (July-Aug.) promoted plant growth compare to winter (Dec.-Feb.). In contrast, plants grown in the winter accumulated more fresh weight compare to plants grown in the summer. Results also showed that the rapid exchange of ion in the nutrient solution due to the QP treatment enabled the solution to maintain the ion balance, and thus plants grew uniformly and vigorously. The cations Na+ and Ca2+ and the anions Cl- and were dominant and made the media saline. There was a decrease of Na+ ion concentration in the recirculating nutrient solution (NFT) due to ion exchange by QP. Results suggest that water treatment with QP could be used for production of high quality vegetables.
文摘In social networks, opinions diffusion often leads to relationships evolution. Then changes of relationships result in the change of balance degree of social system. We simulate the opinion diffusion on Barabasi & Albert (BA) network and Watts & Strogatz (WS) network to study the effects of the two types of networks, dynamical parameters and structural parameters on the balance degree of system. We employ the spectral analysis to quantify the balance degree of system before and after opinion propagation. The result reveals that it is very similar effect of BA networks and WS networks on it. However, it is opposite effects between dynamical parameters and structural parameters. The balance degree of system is proportional to the two dynamical factors (P,Q) at initial state and always inversely proportional to the two structural factors (,Pne) at initial and convergence state.
文摘The multi-polar structure is a new international relationship structure, which differs greatly from both the bi-polar and uni-polar structures in both structure and nature, mainly emerging from the evolution of two aspects: first, the meaning of"polar"has undergone a major change; and second, beyond the power structure, the relationship structure between nations is much different from the past and is inflicting an increasingly important impact on the structure. Decentralization is the core implication of the multi-polar structure. In the current reality of international politics, decentralization refers to the dissolution of US hegemony, as different nations and power centers are busy competing and cooperating with one another at different levels in accordance with their own advantages and characteristics. Globally, the multi-polar structure manifests a state in which the current power structure is loosening, while international relationships have become more diversified due to their ongoing development. This is the development of a new relationship structure that is of great significance and what calls for our closest attention.
基金Sponsored by the New Century Distinguished Experts Supporting Program (Grant No 2005601310)
文摘An anaerobic expanding-bed reactor was adopted to investigate the feasibility of an innovative integrated process of simultaneous desulfurization and denitrification (SDD) for high strength wastewater. In the reactor, heterotrophic bacteria (including sulfate reducing bacterium and denitrifying bacteria) and autotrophic bacteria (including Thiobacillus denitrificans) cooperated together by incubating and enriching functional bacteria on different carriers in the anaerobic activated sludge. Synthetic wastewater with high concentrations of sulfate and nitrate was employed. The experimental results showed that the removal efficiency of sulfate and nitrate was above 85%, elemental sulfur was observed while nitrate was absent in effluent. The balance of sulfur, nitrogen and electron was discussed respectively, which indicated that the integrated SDD process could be actualized. These results might provide a guidance to further investigate the key factors affecting the integrated SDD process and to improve the efficiency of desulfurization and denitrification in wastewater treatment.
