Federation of Piling Specialists’ casing extraction review

During construction of rotary bored piles it is necessary to install a temporary casing to prevent the collapse of material into the open bore and provide edge protection. T he preferred method of removal for some contractors is by means of the handling crane. The Federation of Piling Specialists (2010) released guidance to predict the load developed in the removal of casings. This paper investigated whether the recommended constants applied to the overburden and clay terms were reasonable for various casing diameter s , embedment and depth of overburden. A series of five ce ntrifuge tests were conducted where loads were recorded as casings were extracted. Results showed that the FPS method over predicted the pull - out force and indicated that the adhesion factor, α , and angle of dilation between the casing and soil, tan δ , are not constant. This paper proposes a new method of predicting extraction forces which was found to predict forces to within ±10% of those measured in centrifuge tests

The high-pressure behavior of CaMoO4

We report a high-pressure study of tetragonal scheelite-type CaMoO4 up to 29 GPa. In order to characterize its high-pressure behavior, we have combined Raman and optical-absorption measurements with density-functional theory calculations. We have found evidence of a pressure-induced phase transition near 15 GPa. Experiments and calculations agree in assigning the high-pressure phase to a monoclinic fergusonite-type structure. The reported results are consistent with previous powder x-ray-diffraction experiments, but are in contradiction with the conclusions obtained from earlier Raman measurements, which support the existence of more than one phase transition in the pressure range covered by our studies. The observed scheelite-fergusonite transition induces significant changes in the electronic band gap and phonon spectrum of CaMoO4. We have determined the pressure evolution of the band gap for the low- and high-pressure phases as well as the frequencies and pressure dependences of the Raman-active and infrared-active modes. In addition, based upon calculations of the phonon dispersion of the scheelite phase, carried out at a pressure higher than the transition pressure, we propose a possible mechanism for the reported phase transition. Furthermore, from the calculations we determined the pressure dependence of the unit-cell parameters and atomic positions of the different phases and their room-temperature equations of state. These results are compared with previous experiments showing a very good agreement. Finally, information on bond compressibility is reported and correlated with the macroscopic compressibility of CaMoO4. The reported results are of interest for the many technological applications of this oxide.Comment: 36 pages, 10 figures, 8 table

Isolation of seed-borne fungi of sorghum (Sorghum vulgare pers.)

Sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers.) is the fifth most important cereal crop in the world after wheat, rice, maize and barley. The grain had been used for consumption of both humans and livestock and also different genes of the plant serve many other important uses. The crop has been suffer from various type of diseases, majority of them are known to be caused by fungi, which are mostly seed born. In present study Seed-borne fungi of sorghum in Marathwada region were surveyed. A total of 24 seed samples of eight different varieties from various locations, collected were tested, using the blotter and agar plate methods. Twenty eight fungal species of eighteen genera appeared in the seeds of eight different variety of Sorghum. In untreated seeds of the entire varieties maximum incidence was of Curvularia lunata. Treated seeds showed complete absence of Cladosporium herbarum, Trichothecium roseum and Absidia ramose. Agar plate method was found to be favorable for the maximum counts of saprophytic fungi and also favorable for detection of some specific fungi. Presence of many pathogenic fungi in considerable number of seed samples indicates the need of field surveys for these and other pathogens.Â

Gag Deadens but doesn't Mute the Crime: a Case Series of Homicidal Gagging

Background: Asphyxia is the commonest mode of death in various violent homicidal deaths and in majority of such cases, there may not be any evidence of external injury except the general features of asphyxia being the only proof to rely upon. Under such circumstances, even an experienced medicolegal expert may not go further than to declare the death to be due to asphyxia; the exact mode adopted being left unexplained.Case Report: We present here a case report of three family members who were killed by means of gagging with the motive of taking over the property.Conclusion: Deaths due to gagging is rare but most of the times homicidal. This case was peculiar as there were multiple individuals who were gagged simultaneously and their bodies were stuffed into trunk

Influence of geometry on the bearing capacity of sheet piled foundations

Bored concrete piles are commonly used to support moderate loads from buildings in urban areas. At the end of their 25-30 year lifespan these structures are decommissioned but their foundations are left in place. These cannot be inspected hence the bearing capacity cannot be accurately verified. A hybrid foun- dation comprising sheet piles and a pilecap to mobilise shaft friction and end bearing was demonstrated to be a feasible and sustainable alternative to cast in-situ concrete piles. This research investigated the influence of sheet pile geometry on ultimate bearing capacity. A centrifuge test at 50 g was performed in over- consolidated clay where a square hybrid sheet pile group was ax ially loaded and vertical settlements recorded. Results indicated a square sheet pile group offers 70% greater capacity than a circular sheet pile group of similar surface area and 24% improved performance over the solid p ile loaded in the same test. Analysis of results suggested that the ultimate bearing capacity of the square sheet pile group compared with a solid pile of equivalent base area were within 0.2%, emphasising the importance of shape on capacity and the feasibility of the hybrid system as a viable foundation solution

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: the spectrum of computed tomography appearances

AbstractAlthough computed tomography (CT) of the thorax has been compared to plain chest radiography and bronchography for demonstration of central bronchiectasis (CB) in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), the CT presentation of the disease is yet to be highlighted. With this in view, the CT appearances in 23 patients with ABPA were evaluated. The scans were assessed for bronchial, parenchymal and pleural abnormalities.Central bronchiectasis was identified in all patients, involving 114 (85%) of the 134 lobes and 210 (52%) of the 406 segments studied. Other bronchial abnormalities such as dilated and totally occluded bronchi (11 patients), air-fluid levels within dilated bronchi (five patients), bronchial wall thickening (10 patients) and parallel-line shadows (seven patients) were also observed.Parenchymal abnormalities, which had a predilection for upper lobes, included consolidation in 10 (43%) patients, collapse in four (17%) patients and parenchymal scarring in 19 (83%) patients. A total of six cavities were seen in three (13%) patients, and an emphysematous bullae was detected in one (4%) patient. The pleura was involved in 10 (43%) patients. Ipsilateral pleural effusion with collapse was observed in one patient, while in nine other patients, parenchymal lesions extended up to the pleura. Concomitant allergic Aspergillus sinusitis (AAS) was also detected in three (13%) of the 23 patients.Computed tomography of the thorax in patients with ABPA provides a sensitive method for the assessment of bronchial, parenchymal and pleural abnormalities, and should constitute a part of the diagnostic work of the disease

Pattern of adverse drug reaction in geriatric inpatients of medicine in a tertiary care center: a prospective observational study

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) represent a major public health problem in older age. In order to better evaluate this problem, this study was designed to assess the prevalence and spectrum of ADRs in terms of frequency, type, severity and preventability in geriatric patients in medicine ward of Guru-Gobind Sing hospital, Jamnagar during 12 months study period.Methods: All ADR related patient’s necessary data was obtained and recorded on a pre- designed case record form (CRF). The data record includes general details e.g., name, age, sex, past and present history, general and systemic examination, laboratory investigation, diagnosis and treatment. Details regarding suspected medications, treatment given, and the outcome were documented with prior permission of institutional ethics committee.Results: Demographic analysis of prospective study revealed that out of 84 patients, 45 male and 39 were female. The patients had developed ADR within the age ranges of 31 (65-69) followed by 23 (75-79). The majority of ADR was vomiting and diarrhea 15 followed by chills 08 and cough 04. It is evident that antimicrobials 31 agents were mainly suspected followed by NSAIDs 18. According to WHO-UMC scale, the possible cases had a higher incidence 63, followed by probable 19 and certain 2. After estimating the severity by Hartwigs scale 79.8% were mild to moderate while 20.23% were severe in nature.Conclusions: Age is not an independent risk factor of ADRs and suitable monitoring and regular medication review can reduce the incidence of ADRs in geriatric people