Aquatic weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) assembly response to the different ecological conditions in artificial lakes in central Serbia

Artificial stagnant aquatic ecosystems such as reservoirs, are suitable for monitoring the succession of biocenoses because they are usually formed by rearrangement of the former current river ecosystems. The weevil assembly, as part of such a dynamic biocenose, develops following host macrophytes. In the frame of weevil fauna studies realized during 2001 and 2002 in wet habitats beside four artificial lakes in Central Serbia (Gruža, Grošnica, Šumarice and Bubanj), the aquatic adults from 13 species, divided into two families, Eryrhinidae (Tanysphyrus lemnae and Notaris scirpi) and Curculionidae (Bagous bagdatensis, B. collignensis, B. lutulentus, Pelenomus canaliculatus, P. comari, P. waltoni, Phytobius leucogaster, Rhinoncus castor, R. inconspectus, R. pericarpius and R. perpendicularis), were collected. The quantitative and qualitative picture of the studied aquatic weevil assemblies, as well as indices of similarity among them, are given and related to the dimensions and ecological characteristics of studied aquatic systems (particularly the level of eutrophication)

Experimental and finite element analyses of multifunctional skins for morphing wing applications

As a consequence of operational efficiency because of rising energy costs, future transport systems need to be mission-adaptive. Especially in aircraft design the limits of lightweight construction, reduced aerodynamic drag and optimized propulsion are pushed further and further. The first two aspects can be addressed by using a morphing leading edge. Great economic advantages can be expected as a result of gapless surfaces which feature longer areas of laminar flow. Instead of focusing on the kinematics, which are already published in a great number of varieties, this paper emphasizes as major challenge, the qualification of a multi-material layup which meets the compromise of needed stiffness, flexibility and essential functions to match the flight worthiness requirements, such as erosion shielding, impact safety, lighting protection and de-icing. It is the aim to develop an gapless leading edge device and to prepare the path for higher technology readiness levels resulting in an airborne application. During several national and European projects the DLR developed a gapless smart droop nose concept, which functionality was successfully demonstrated using a two-dimensional 5 m in span prototype in low speed (up to 50 m/s) wind tunnel tests. The basic structure is made of commercially available and certified glass-fiber reinforced plastics (GFRP, Hexcel Hexply 913). This paper presents 4-point bending tests to characterize the composite with its integrated functions. The integrity and aging/fatigue issues of different material combinations are analyzed by experiments. It can be demonstrated that only by adding functional layers the mentioned requirements such as erosion-shielding or de-icing can be satisfied. The total thickness of the composite skin increases by more than 100 % when required functions are integrated as additional layers. This fact has a tremendous impact on the maximum strain of the outer surface if it features a complete monolithic build-up. Based on experimental results a numerical model can be set up for further structural optimizaton of the multi-functional laminate. © (2016) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only

Assessment of methods of identification of dynamic properties based on measured seismic response of a building

El monitoreo de estructuras, que es cada vez más común, impone la necesidad de escoger uno o más métodos de procesamiento y análisis de los datos obtenidos, siendo esta elección un aspecto clave para el cumplimiento del objetivo de dicho monitoreo. Considerando que existe gran cantidad de métodos con capacidades y requerimientos diferentes, la elección señalada es un problema complejo. En este trabajo se presenta una metodología para la evaluación y selección de métodos de identificación de propiedades de respuesta dinámica de edificios a partir del monitoreo de vibraciones. Como caso de estudio y ejemplo de aplicación, se han considerado métodos bien conocidos basados en el análisis en el dominio del tiempo (subespacio-estado) y métodos no paramétricos basados en el dominio de la frecuencia, aplicados a los registros de vibraciones producto de sismos en un edificio de hormigón armado que cuenta con una red de acelerómetros triaxiales de fuerza balanceada. A pesar de que en un periodo de 2 años y 6 de meses la red ha registrado más de 500 sismos sensibles, en este trabajo se incluyen aquellos que presentan una magnitud superior a 4.8 (ML o MW) y que ocurrieron entre septiembre de 2015 y septiembre de 2016. Por medio de seis versiones de métodos de identificación se determinan parámetros modales de respuesta en las dos direcciones principales del edificio, tomando en consideración diferentes niveles de información adquirida por la red de monitoreo (información por nivel). Una evaluación del desempeño de cada método es realizada en función de la cantidad de frecuencias y razones de amortiguamiento modales identificadas; la variabilidad de las mismas (coeficiente de variación); y el tiempo de procesamiento requerido para ello. Como resultado y conclusión del uso de esta metodología, se tiene que no solo es posible escoger el método más conveniente para procesamiento de registros de vibraciones aplicado a monitoreo del estado estructural (SHM), según el objetivo del mismo, sino que también es posible mejorar progresivamente el diseño de la red de monitoreo.The structural monitoring, which is becoming increasingly common, makes it necessary to choose one or more methods of processing and analyzing the obtained data. This choice is key to meeting the objectives of this monitoring. Considering that there are many methods with different capacities and requirements, this choice is a complex problem. This paper presents a methodology for the assessment and selection of methods for the identification of dynamic response properties of buildings using vibration monitoring. In this work, well-known methods based on time domain analysis (subspace-state) and non-parametric methods based on the frequency domain are studied when applied to seismic vibration records for a reinforced concrete building instrumented with a network of tri-axial force-balance accelerometers. For two and a half years, the sensor network has recorded close to 500 sensitive earthquakes. Nonetheless, it only includes those with a magnitude higher than 4.8 (ML or MW) and that occurred between September, 2015 and September, 2016. Using six versions of identification methods, modal response parameters are determined for each of the two main directions of the building, considering different levels of information acquired by the sensor network (floor information). An assessment of the performance of each method is conducted based on the number of identified modal frequencies and damping ratios; their variability (coefficient of variation); and the processing time of each method. As a result and conclusion regarding the use of this methodology, it is not only possible to choose the most convenient method for processing vibration records applied to structural health monitoring (SHM) according to its own objective, but also to progressively improve the design of the sensor network.Peer Reviewe

Psychosocial stress, demoralization and the consumption of tobacco, alcohol and medical drugs by veterinarians

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In this cross-sectional study the association between psychosocial stress, demoralization and the consumption of psychotropic substances in veterinarians was examined using data from a sample of 1,060 subjects (52.7% response).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Multiple logistic regression models were used to determine risk factors for psychosocial stress, demoralization, tobacco consumption (≹ 10 items/day), high-risk alcohol consumption (men > 20 g pure alcohol/day, women > 10 g pure alcohol/day), binge drinking, problem drinking according to CAGE and regular medical drug intake (at least weekly).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Intense psychosocial stress is a risk factor for binge drinking and for regular drug use. High demoralization values are associated with tobacco consumption, problem drinking and regular drug intake. The probability of a high demoralization value increased with intense psychosocial stress.</p> <p>Practicing veterinarians are more frequently affected by psychosocial stress and have a greater risk of alcohol or drug consumption than veterinarians working in a non-clinical area of work (e.g. Department of Veterinary Services, Industry).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The findings support the hypothesis of complex interrelationships between psychosocial stress, demoralization and the consumption of psychotropic substances in the veterinary profession and underscore the need of further research.</p

Important Trends and Developments Influencing the Nursing Care

Aim: The aim of this scientific paper was to examine important trends and developments influencing the nursing care in order to forecast future opportunities and challenges and how to deal with them in the best possible way. Background: The Corona-pandemic demonstrated the importance of nursing care in the entire world and had drawn attention to the issue of a well-educated and enough nursing staff. The nursing care will face opportunities and challenges due to current trends and developments, which are important to examine in order to provide the best possible nursing care. Methods: To reach the above-mentioned aim, intensive research was done by using secondary sources and surveys. Results/Findings: After a detailed analysis of the research it can be summarized that there are three important topics influencing the nursing care: The demographical development with an increasing life expectancy leading to an increasing amount of old people with a demand for care and decreasing birth rates leading to less working people. Cultural transformation and diversity imply many opportunities because the employment market can fill gaps with foreign workers and the immigrating people can compensate the decreasing birth rates. Nevertheless, it can imply many challenges and potential problems which need to be solved by the society and the immigrating people. Furthermore, the changing gender roles can lead to more men becoming a nurse, which might have a significant impact on the shortage of nursing staff. The third important topic influencing the nursing care is technological trends which can help to decrease physiological stress, by facilitating the nurses’ work and by taking over some work from them. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the trends and developments influencing the nursing care are very diverse and imply many different opportunities as well as challenges

Physikalische Grundlagen des thermischen Raummodells THERAKLES

Das thermische Raummodell THERAKLES berechnet das dynamische Verhalten eines Raumes und seiner Umschließungsflächen in Abhängigkeit von realistischen Klimarandbedingungen, sowie Nutzer- und Anlagenverhalten. Neben Energieverbrauchswerten werden die operative Temperatur sowie weitere Kriterien zur Beurteilung der Behaglichkeit berechnet. Schwerpunkt der Anwendung liegt auf Optimierung der thermischen Behaglichkeit im Sommerfall, sowie energetischer Optimierung der Regelung von Heizungsanlagen unter Ausnutzung der Dynamik schwerer Baukonstruktionen und Massivbauwände. Das Modell beschreibt das dynamische Verhalten der Umfassungskonstruktionen durch instationäre, räumlich aufgelöste Simulation der Wand-, Fußboden-, und Decken- bzw. Dachflächen. Dadurch werden in der Konstruktion enthaltene Phasenwechselmaterialien (PCM) berücksichtigt und die zeitliche Verfügbarkeit der zusätzlichen Wärmespeicherfähigkeit abgebildet

Die beiden grossen Hochverraths-Prozesse vor dem Reichsgericht 1880-1884

Die Verfassung für den norddeutschen Bund enthielt (§ 75) die Bestimmung, dass das gemeinschaftliche Ober-Appellationsgericht der drei freien und Hansestädte Hamburg, Bremen und Lübeck "für diejenigen Unternehmungen gegen den norddeutschen Bund, welche, wenn gegen einen Einzelstaat gerichtet, als Hochverrath oder Landesverrath zu qualifiziren wären", die zuständige Spruchbehörde in erster und letzter Instanz sein solle; das Nähere über die Zuständigkeit und das Verfahren solle durch ein Reichsgesetz angeordnet werden. ..