SUMMARYThe generation of all-hexahedral finite element meshes has been an area of ongoing research for the past two decades and remains an open problem. Unconstrained plastering is a new method for generating all-hexahedral finite element meshes on arbitrary volumetric geometries. Starting from an unmeshed volume boundary, unconstrained plastering generates the interior mesh topology without the constraints of a pre-defined boundary mesh. Using advancing fronts, unconstrained plastering forms partially defined hexahedral dual sheets by decomposing the geometry into simple shapes, each of which can be meshed with simple meshing primitives. By breaking from the tradition of previous advancing-front algorithms, which start from pre-meshed boundary surfaces, unconstrained plastering demonstrates that for the tested geometries, high quality, boundary aligned, orientation insensitive, all-hexahedral meshes can be generated automatically without pre-meshing the boundary. Examples are given for meshes from both solid mechanics and geotechnical applications.

Summary:Unconstrained Paving and Plastering [1] were introduced as new methods of generating all-quadrilateral and all-hexahedral finite element meshes. Their introduction was after preliminary conceptual studies. This paper presents an update on Unconstrained Paving and Plastering after significant implementation and conceptual development.

Goosegrass (Eleusine indica L. Gaertn.) is a problematic C4 weedy grass species, occurring in the warmer regions of the world where it is difficult to selectively control without injuring the turfgrass. Furthermore, control efficacy is affected by plant maturity. End-user options for satisfactory goosegrass control has decreased; thus, the need for developing management techniques to improve the selectivity of POST goosegrass control options in turfgrass systems is ever increasing. One possible means of providing control, yet maintaining turf quality is immediately incorporating applied products via irrigation. Greenhouse and field trials were conducted in Pickens County, SC, with the objectives of 1) evaluating turfgrass injury following use of POST goosegrass control options; 2) assessing if irrigating (0.6 cm) immediately following the herbicide application reduces injury of ‘Tifway 419’ bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × Cynodon transvaalensis Burtt-Davy]; and 3) determining if immediate irrigation influences goosegrass control at one- to three-tiller and mature growth stage. Following the application of herbicide treatments, irrigation was applied (+) or not applied (−). Treatments included the following: control (+/− irrigation); topramezone at 12.3 g a.i./ha (+/− irrigation); metribuzin at 420 g a.i./ha (+/− irrigation); and topramezone plus metribuzin (+/− irrigation) at 12.3 and 420 g a.i./ha. Irrigation treatment had minimum effect on greenhouse-grown goosegrass biomass, all treatments provided >85% control of 1- to 3-tiller goosegrass plants. However, control for mature plants was <50% for topramezone- and 60% to 70% for metribuzin-containing treatments. In field studies, at 1 week after treatment (WAT), the irrigated metribuzin and topramezone plus metribuzin had ≈37% and ≈16%, respectively, less goosegrass control vs. nonirrigated treatments. At 2WAT, irrigated metribuzin and irrigated topramezone plus metribuzin–treated plots, had ≈50% less mature goosegrass control vs. nonirrigated treatments. Irrigated herbicide treatments, however, experienced ≈23% less turfgrass injury at this time. At 4 WAT, irrigated metribuzin- and irrigated topramezone plus metribuzin–treated plots experienced reduced mature goosegrass control by ≈65% and ≈59%, respectively. Overall, incorporating POST herbicide applications via 0.6 cm of irrigation reduced turfgrass injury by at least 20% for all herbicide treatments, while maintaining goosegrass control.

This study demonstrates that, from a societal perspective, catheter ablation appears to be a cost-effective alternative to amiodarone for treating VT patients.

Objectives. Characterize the skills and abilities required for department chairs, identify development needs, and then create AACP professional development programs for chairs. Methods. A 30-question electronic survey was sent to AACP member department chairs related to aspects of chairing an academic department. Results. The survey identified development needs in the leadership, management, and personal abilities required for effective performance as department chair. The information was used to prioritize topics for subsequent AACP development programs. Subsequent programs conducted at AACP Interim and Annual Meetings were well attended and generally received favorable reviews from participants. A list of development resources was placed on the AACP website. Conclusions. This ongoing initiative is part of an AACP strategy to identify and address the professional development needs of department chairs. Survey results may also inform faculty members and other academic leaders about the roles and responsibilities of department chairs.

No abstract

Objectives: The rate of suicide among young men is rising. However, young men are reluctant to use mental health services. In this study we explored young men's attitudes towards mental illness and mental health services, as well as their willingness to use these services.Methods: Four focus groups were conducted in two Dublin schools. A total of 18 students participated in the study.Results: Students held negative views towards mental health services, particularly in respect to psychiatric hospitals and medication. Students were not well informed about whom to contact if they had depression and were very conscious about the stigma of going to see a ‘professional’. Many students did not recognise depression as being a mental illness and could not differentiate between depression and feeling sad.Conclusions: This study shows that a lack of knowledge and understanding about mental illness, combined with prejudice against mental health professionals and fear of stigma, are important barriers to access of mental health services for young men.

Summary Patterns of seedling emergence of ten weed species from soil cultivated at intervals of approximately one month are described. All species examined showed clearly defined emergence patterns. Polygonum persicaria L. seedlings emerged in spring and early summer. Seedlings of Chenopodium album agg., Portulaca oleracea L. and Solanum nigrum L. emerged in late spring, summer and early autumn.Plantago major L., Rumex spp. (mostly R. obtusifolius L.) and Trifolium spp. (mostly T. repens L.) emerged mostly in spring and early summer. Coronopus didymus (L.) Sm. and Juncus bufonius L. tended to emerge in both autumn and spring.Veronica persica Poir. emerged in spring, summer and autumn. Close similarity between emergence patterns in New Zealand and northern Europe, despite differences in rainfall and temperature, suggests that annual dormancy:nondormancy cycles of seeds buried in the soil are largely responsible for seedling emergence patterns. In New Zealand, seedling emergence tended to be more spread out than in Europe, although seasonal patterns were still distinct. Further work on dormancy cycles in these species would be useful, as would a comparison of the factors inducing and breaking dormancy of comparable seed populations in northern and southern Europe and New Zealand. When seeds were left buried for several years before being encouraged to germinate, seedling emergence patterns tended to be of smaller amplitude, although the overall patterns were still very similar.