Modeling of Cold-formed Purlins-sheeting Systems

Purlin-sheeting systems used for roofs and walls commonly take the form of cold-formed channel or zed section purlins, screw-connected to corrugated sheeting. This paper presents two nonlinear elasto-plastic finite element models, capable of predicting the behaviour of purlin-sheeting systems without the need for either experimental input or over simplifying assumptions. The first model incorporates both the sheeting and the purlin while the second, a simplified version of the first model, includes only the purlin. Both models are able to account for cross-sectional distortion of the purlin, the flexural and membrane restraining effects of the sheeting, and failure of the purlin by local buckling or yielding. The validity of the models is shown by their good correlation with experimental results

The incidence and risk factors of hypocalcaemia after thyroid surgery

Background: Hypocalcaemia is a well-recognized complication of thyroid surgery. It is the most often transient event that occurs after extensive thyroid resection that may require calcium and/or vitamin D supplements to alleviate or prevent the symptoms. Objective: of this study is to determine the incidence of hypocalcaemia after thyroid surgery and find out the risk factors involved regarding the patient age, gender, and muscular build, clinical diagnosis, the extent of surgery, ligation of the inferior thyroid artery, pathology report and the experience of the surgeon. Patients and methods: This prospective study was carried out on 100 patients who underwent thyroid surgery for various thyroid diseases at the surgical department of Baghdad teaching hospital in the period between November 2009 to November 2013.Serial serum calcium measurements were recorded as well as details of the operation, patient age and gender, ligation of the inferior thyroid artery or not, pathological report and experience of the operator. Hypocalcaemia was considered transient if it was resolved within 6 months and permanent if it persisted after 6 months and the patient was maintained on supplementation therapy of calcium and vitamin D. Results: We found that the incidence of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia was 30 % and in the majority of the cases (24%) was transient, while it was permanent in only (6%) of cases and had occurred mainly after total thyroidectomy and in cases with ligation of the inferior thyroid artery. Conclusions: We concluded that post thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia is a relatively common complication, but it is transient in the majority of the patients. Its incidence is related to the extent of the surgery and can be reduced by the use of the correct surgical procedures. Keywords: hypocalcaemia, post thyroidectomy, total thyroidectomy, subtotal thyroidectom

Genetic relationships within and among Iberian fescues (Festuca L.) based on PCR-amplified markers

The genus Festuca comprises approximately 450 species and is widely distributed around the world. The Iberian Penninsula, with more than 100 taxa colonizing very diverse habitats, is one of its main centers of diversification. This study was conducted to assess molecular genetic variation and genetic relatedness among 91 populations of 31 taxa of Iberian fescues, based on several molecular markers (random amplified polymorphic DNA, amplified fragment length polymorphisms, and trnL sequences). The analyses showed the paraphyletic origin of the broad-leaved (subgenus Festuca, sections Scariosae and Subbulbosae, and subgenus Schedonorus) and the fine-leaved fescues (subgenus Festuca, sections Aulaxyper, Eskia, and Festuca). Schedonorus showed a weak relationship with Lolium rigidum and appeared to be the most recent of the broad-leaved clade. Section Eskia was the most ancient and Festuca the most recent of the fine-leaved clade. Festuca and Aulaxyper were the most related sections, in concordance with their taxonomic affinities. All taxa grouped into their sections, except F. ampla and F. capillifolia (section Festuca), which appeared to be more closely related to Aulaxyper and to a new independent section, respectively. Most populations clustered at the species level, but some subspecies and varieties mixed their populations. This study demonstrated the value in combining different molecular markers to uncover hidden genetic relationships between populations of Festuca

Energy absorption in lattice structures in dynamics: Experiments

Lattice structures offer the potential to relatively easily engineer specific (meso-scale properties (cell level)), to produce desirable macro-scale material properties for a wide variety of engineering applications including wave filters, blast and impact protection systems, thermal insulation, structural aircraft and vehicle components, and body implants. The work presented here focuses on characterising the quasi-static and, in particular, the dynamic load-deformation behaviour of lattice samples. First, cubic, diamond and re-entrant cube lattice structures were tested under quasi-static conditions to investigate failure process and stress–strain response of such materials. Following the quasi-static tests, Hopkinson pressure bar (HPB) tests were carried out to evaluate the impact response of these materials under high deformation rates. The HPB tests show that the lattice structures are able to spread impact loading in time and to reduce the peak impact stress. A significant rate dependency of load-deformation characteristics was identified. This is believed to be the first published results of experimental load-deformation studies of additively manufactured lattice structures. The cubic and diamond lattices are, by a small margin, the most effective of those lattices investigated to achieve this

A Comprehensive Case Study of Macrosegregation in a Steel Ingot

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11663-015-0386-yA case study is presented that examines the macrosegregation and grain structure present in a 12-tonne steel ingot, which was cast for experimental purposes. Details of the casting procedure were well documented and the resulting ingot was characterized using a number of techniques that measured chemical segregation, shrinkage, and porosity. The formation of the porosity and segregation patterns is discussed in reference to the particular grain structure observed in the ingot. It is hoped that this case study can be used as a tool for the validation of future macromodels.This work was undertaken as part of a Project sponsored by Rolls-Royce Power Nuclear plc in collaboration with Sheffield Forgemasters International

Natural hybridization of Aeluropus Logopoides (L.) Trin. ex. Thw. and Aeluropus Littoralis (Gouan.) parI.

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Unilateral cancer-associated retinopathy: a case report

We write to report a rare case of unilateral cancer-associated retinopathy previously undocumented in the literature. Cancer-associated retinopathy is an uncommon paraneoplastic syndrome. It is characterised by retinal antigen autoantibodies causing rod and cone dysfunction and abnormal electroretinography findings with consequent progressive visual loss. Our patient, known to have a primary cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, presented with unilateral blurred vision as well as a disturbance in colour and night vision. Electroretinography findings of reduced a and b waves in the right eye, together with a fundoscopic appearance of a mottled retinal pigment epithelium, attenuated blood vessels and optic disc pallor were consistent with unilateral cancer-associated retinopathy. Posterior subtenon injections of triamcinolone were administered to control active disease. With periocular steroid injections, at 4 years, our patient’s visual acuity remained relatively stable and her condition persisted strictly unilaterally. Cancer-associated retinopathy may be the first presenting sign of an underlying malignancy or may indicate its recurrence. Moreover, in patients with a diagnosed gynaecological malignancy, visual symptoms could reflect cancer-associated retinopathy. In our patient visual symptoms came secondary to the diagnosis of cancer