Impedance-based Damage Measurement in Concrete using Bonded PZT patches

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is a process of assessing the structural integrity of the constituent parts and the level of damage level in the structure during its life period. SHM relies on non-destructive evaluation (NDE) procedures and continuous monitoring of structural parameters to determine the intensity and location of the damage. Coupling the structure to the PZT changes the mechanical impedance of the PZT, which produces a change in its vibration characteristics. The change in the electrical impedance of the PZT due to the elastic restraint by the surrounding medium provides the basis for impedance-based measurements. Thesis evaluating the existing analytical formulations and develop a numerical framework for interpreting the electro-mechanical impedance-based measurements of a PZT patch bonded to a concrete substrate. Assessment of incipient damage and the evolution of damage are studied using electromechanical impedance based technique. Root mean square deviation (RMSD) is used to quantify the effect of stress and damage in the concrete

News Consumption and Anti-Western Narratives in Russia:A Case Study of University Students

This essay investigates the relationship between habits of news consumption and geographical imaginations in Russia. It uses results from a survey of students at a Moscow university to demonstrate an association between the news sources used by respondents and their acceptance of the Russian authorities’ narrative about the West. Students who used at least one state-aligned news source were inclined to express greater agreement with the official (negative) narrative about the West than students who did not use any state-aligned news sources. However, some of the Russian authorities’ anti-Western claims resonated strongly even amongst the non-users of state-aligned sources

Pride and popcorn: consuming the idea of community at film screenings in the Turkish diaspora

A range of studies have revealed the interrelatedness of identity construction, community formation and media among diasporas, mostly focusing on domestic contexts. Seeking to add further nuance to the understanding of the social lives of diasporas, we concentrate on media culture in the public environment of the film theatre. The significance of diasporic film consumption is investigated through a local audience study of Turkish film screenings in Antwerp. The phenomenon of the screenings was analysed through a multi-method approach, including 536 questionnaires among audiences, 19 in-depth interviews and 3 group interviews, along with previous findings (on distribution and exploitation) of the same project. The results show that Turkish films are almost exclusively attended by people with Turkish roots, creating a Turkish diasporic space within the boundaries of the urban and the public. The audience study shows that the screenings fulfil a major social role but also affect understandings of community

USING AERATION FOR RECARBONATION OF WATER AFTER SOFTENING BY LIME-SODA ASH

Theresearch focus on using the aeration process as means for water recarbonationafter lime-soda softening. The results indicated that aeration efficientfor  recarbonation of three water sampleswith different characteristics. The lime-soda softening increased the (pH)values of the three samples to  reach(10.08,10.39,10.54) respectively. The aeration decreased these (pH) values to(8.26,8.36,8.23) respectively within (60)minutes. The depression was related tothe convert of the hydroxide and carbonate of the sample to the bicarbonateform by CO2 gas absorbed from the air bubbles. The absorptionefficiencies were (30.9,31.0,24.7)% for the three samples respectively. Theresearch also determined the value of (pH) at which the softened sample issaturated with  calcium  carbonate . These values  for the  three  samples were (8.30,8.39,8.44) respectively. Accordingly the Langer saturationindex for each sample have a positive value. The samples is at  supersaturation condition with calciumcarbonate for all samples. Therefore the aeration period needed to obtain thesaturation state at which the sample is stable was determined to be(58.8,59.1,55.2)minutes for the three samples respectively

Incidence and Risk Factors for Acute Transient Contrast‐Induced Neurologic Deficit: A Systematic Review With Meta‐Analysis

Background After MR CLEAN (Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands) demonstrated that endovascular therapy improved outcomes in patients with stroke, the number of endovascular procedures has risen sharply. We describe acute transient contrast‐induced neurological deficit (ATCIND), a group of neurological syndromes associated with arterial contrast administration during angiography. Our goal is to elucidate the incidence, risk factors, outcomes, pathogenesis, and diagnostic characteristics of ATCIND. Our primary objective is to elucidate the incidence of ATCIND in the setting of coronary or cerebral angiography. Secondary outcomes include potential risk factors, demographics, treatment modalities, and patient recovery. Methods The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. The databases of the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Embase were queried, yielding studies from 1974 to 2021. Inclusion criteria for articles were the following: (1) contrast‐induced encephalopathy, contrast‐induced neurotoxicity, or cortical blindness after contrast administration during angiography were the focus of the article; (2) incidence was reported; (3) studies included ≥3 cases; and (4) follow‐up tests were described to rule out other causes. Exclusion criteria included the following: (1) incidence was not reported; (2) unavailable in the English language; (3) abstracts and unpublished studies; and (4) did not exclude other possible causes, or findings suggested other possible causes, such as worsening ischemic injury. Of 627 articles, 7 were retained. This systematic review with meta‐analysis was performed in accordance with guidelines provided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) and the Meta‐Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) checklists. Independent extraction by multiple reviewers was performed. Data were pooled using a random‐effects model. Results The primary study outcome was incidence of ATCIND, which was formulated before data collection began. We hypothesized that the pooled incidence of ATCIND would be similar to that of individual studies. A total of 70 of 21007 patients had the diagnosis of contrast‐induced encephalopathy, contrast‐induced neurotoxicity or angiography‐associated cortical blindness, and ATCIND. The incidence rate of ATCIND is estimated to be 0.51% (CI, 0.3%–1.0%; P150 mL was a positive, significant predictor of visual disturbance (OR, 7.083; CI, 1.1742–42.793 [P=0.033]). Full recovery is estimated at 89.5% (95% CI, 76.9%–95.6%; P<0.001 [I2=0]). Conclusions This study confirms the rare incidence of ATCIND, although it shows moderate heterogeneity, likely reflecting the type of angiography performed. Risk factors include larger contrast dose and prior stroke. Full recovery occurs in the majority of patients. It should remain in the differential diagnosis in patients with certain risk factors for blood–brain barrier compromise

Transcarotid Access for Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES: Despite the success of mechanical thrombectomy in large vessel acute ischemic stroke, recanalization may fail due to difficult anatomic access or peripheral arterial occlusive disease. In these cases, transcarotid access may be used as an alternative, but it has not gained prominence due to safety concerns. Our objective was to assess the efficacy and safety of transcarotid access for mechanical thrombectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used to perform a systematic review with articles published from 2010 to 2020 summarizing pre-intervention characteristics, techniques utilized, and outcomes of patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy via trans-carotid puncture. We performed a meta-analysis of clinical outcomes, reperfusion times and overall complications rates of trans-carotid approach. RESULTS: Six studies describing 80 total attempts at carotid access, 72 of which were successful (90% success rate), were included. Direct carotid puncture was most often used as a rescue technique (87% of patients) secondary to failed femoral access. Successful recanalization was achieved in 76% of patients. 90 day modified Rankin Scale ≤ 2 was achieved in 28% of patients. Carotid puncture-reperfusion time was 32 min (CI = 24-40, p \u3c 0.001). Cervical complications occurred at a rate of 26.5% (95% CI = 17%-38%). Only 1.3% (1/80 patients) had a fatal outcome and 96% of complications required no intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Our results on the safety and efficacy of transcarotid access suggests that this approach is a viable alternative to failed thrombectomy when transfemoral or trans-radial access may be impractical

Abstract 1122‐000059: Considering Transcarotid Access for Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Meta‐Analysis and Systematic Review

Introduction: Despite the success of mechanical thrombectomy in large vessel acute ischemic stroke, there remain cases where recanalization fails due to difficult anatomic access or peripheral arterial occlusive disease. In these cases, transbrachial or transcarotid access may be considered as alternatives to the transfemoral or increasingly popular transradial route. Of these approaches, the transcarotid route has not gained prominence due to safety concerns despite its prior routine use in angiography. In this study, we conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the literature in order to better summate the data on transcarotid access. Methods: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used in order to perform a systematic review of articles published from 2010–2020 summarizing pre‐intervention characteristics of patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy via transcarotid puncture. We performed a meta‐analysis focused on clinical outcomes, reperfusion times (in minutes), and overall complication rates of transcarotid access for mechanical thrombectomy. Pooled analyses were performed to examine predictors of complications and outcomes. Results: Six studies describing 72 patients, out of 80 attempts at carotid access (90% success rate), were included. Age ranged from the 5th to 9th decade (median 7.5). Initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ranged from 4 to 28 (median 17). Direct carotid puncture was most often used as a rescue technique (86% of patients) secondary to failed femoral access. Successful recanalization was achieved in 85% of patients. Good 90‐day outcome (modified Rankin Scale ≤2) was achieved in 27% of patients. Median carotid puncture‐to‐reperfusion time was 32 minutes (CI = 24–40, p < 0.001). Cervical complications occurred at a rate of 23% (CI = 14– 35%, p < 0.001). Only one complication resulted in a fatal outcome and only one required an intervention (each 1.4%). Use of IV thrombolysis did not significantly predict better mTICI outcome. Complications were not predicted by use of IV thrombolysis or closure method. Carotid puncture as the primary access route was associated with significantly shorter procedure times and carotid puncture as a rescue route was associated with comparable procedure times to the classic femoral access route. Conclusions: Our results suggest that, despite current concerns about the use of transcarotid access, this technique can be considered a viable backup route in cases of failed transfemoral or transradial access. Though this method requires further research to better understand the variables that might play into clinical decision‐making for its use in acute stroke management, it is a promising area of study that could allow for thrombectomy in patients where it would otherwise be aborted