Framework for Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of RC High-rise Wall Buildings

With population growth and urbanization, the number of high-rise buildings is rapidly growing worldwide resulting in increased exposure to multiple-scenario earthquakes and associated risks. The wide range in the frequency content of expected ground motions impacts the seismic response and vulnerability of this class of structures. While the seismic vulnerability of some high-rise building classes has been evaluated, the vulnerability of these structures under multiple earthquake scenarios is not fully understood, highlighting the pressing need for the development of a framework to address this complex issue. This study aims to establish a refined framework to assess the seismic vulnerability of RC high-rise wall buildings in multiple-scenario earthquake-prone regions. A deeper understanding of the responsive nature of these structures under different seismic scenarios is developed as a tool to build the framework. The framework is concluded with analytically-driven sets of Seismic Scenario-Structure-Based (SSSB) fragility relations. Different nonlinear modelling approaches, software, and key parameters contributing to the nonlinear analytical models of RC high-rise wall structures are investigated and verified against full-scale shake table tests through a multi-level nonlinear modelling verification scheme. The study reveals the superior performance of 4-noded fibre-based wall/shell element modelling approach in accounting for the 3D effects and deformation compatibility. A fundamental mode damping value in the range of 0.5% is found sufficient to capture the inelastic response when initial stiffness-based damping matrix is employed. A 30-storey reference wall building located in the multiple-scenario earthquake-prone city of Dubai (UAE) is fully designed and numerically modelled as a case study to illustrate the proposed framework. A total of 40 real earthquake records, representing severe distant and moderate near-field seismic scenarios, are used in the Multi-Record Incremental Dynamic Analyses (MRIDAs) along with a new scalar intensity measure. A methodology is proposed to obtain reliable SSSB definitions of limit state criteria for RC high-rise wall buildings. The local response of the reference building is mapped using Net Inter-Storey Drift (NISD) as a global damage measure. The study reveals that for this class of structures, higher modes shift the shear wall response from flexure-controlled under severe distant earthquakes to shear-controlled under moderate near-field events. A numerical parametric study employing seven RC high-rise wall buildings with varying height is conducted to investigate the effect of total height on the local damage-drift relation. The study reveals that, for buildings with varying heights and similar structural system, NISD is better linked to the building response and well correlated to structural member damage, which indicates that only one set of SSSB limit state criteria is necessary for a range of buildings. The study concludes with finalising the layout of the proposed refined framework to assess the seismic vulnerability of RC high-rise wall buildings under multiple earthquake scenarios. A methodology to develop refined fragility relations is presented where the derived fragility curves are analysed, compared, and correlated to varying states of damage. Finally, a methodology to develop Cheaper (simplified) Fragility Curves (CFC) using the defined limit state criteria with a lower number of records is proposed along with a new record selection criterion and fragility curve acceptance procedure. It is concluded that fairly reliable CFCs can be achieved with 5 to 6 earthquake records only

Anaerobic Bacteria Associated with Periodontitis

Oral bacteria are highly associated with oral diseases, and periodontitis is a strongly prevalent disease, presenting a substantial economical burden. Furthermore, there is a strong association between periodontal bacteria and other diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or diabetes, so it becomes clear that efficient periodontal cure would be of good medical benefit to general health. Periodontally, Healthy loci show a low number of bacteria which are cultivable by individual sulcus, 102–103 microorganisms with almost Gram-positive microbiota, including Streptococcus and Actinomyces species. In gingivitis, it is characterized by an increased bacterial number, 104–105 microorganisms by periodontal sulcus, besides an increased diffusion of Gram negative bacteria (15–50%).The increased number of oral bacteria could be associated with the decreased role of the innate and adaptive immunity; so, this chapter will focus on the most prevalent bacteria associated with the oral disease on the one hand and the role of innate immunity and adaptive immunity (Interleukin 1 Beta Il-1β and Tumor necrosis factor-alpha TNF-α) in oral diseases on the other hand

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fulminant Myopericarditis and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) in a Middle-Aged Male Patient

Myopericarditis remains a prominent infectious inflammatory disorder throughout a patient\u27s lifetime. Moreover, viral pathogens have been proven to be the leading contributors to myopericarditis in the pediatric and adult populations. Despite the current comprehensive knowledge of myocardial injury in viral and post-viral myopericarditis, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2-induced myopericarditis are poorly understood. This report presents a case of coronavirus (COVID-19) fulminant myopericarditis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in a middle-aged male patient: a 51-year-old man with a history of hypertension who arrived to the emergency department with a dry cough, fatigue, dyspnea, and a fever. A real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay confirmed a diagnosis of COVID-19 infection, resulting in the patient\u27s admission to the airborne isolation unit for clinical observation. When his condition began to deteriorate, the patient was transferred to the cardiac care unit after electrocardiography detected cardiac injury, demonstrating diffuse ST-segment elevation. Laboratory evaluations revealed elevated troponin T and BNP, with an echocardiogram indicating global left ventricular hypokinesia and a reduced ejection fraction. The patient was treated with hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, dobutamine, remdesivir, and ventilatory support. This specific case highlights the severity and complications that may arise as a direct result of COVID-19 infection

Solar Assisted Heat Pump System for High Quality Drying Applications: A Critical Review

Solar assisted heat pump (SAHP) system integrates a solar thermal energy source with a heat pump. This technique is a very fundamental concept, especially for drying applications. By combining a solar thermal energy source such as solar thermal collectors and a heat pump dryer will assist in reducing the operation cost of drying and producing products with high quality. Many review papers in the literature evaluated the R&D aspects of solar-assisted heat pump dryers (SAHPD). This critical review paper studies some of the researches conducted in this field to understand and provides an update on recent developments in SAHPD. Also, a detailed explanation of principles and operation for SAHPD and its applications are presented. The used types of solar thermal collectors, as well as various heat pump dryers, are all discussed in this article. Finally, it is concluded that there is a clear lack of research in the techno-economic and environmental evaluation, while most of SAHPD studies focused on the performance study of the system

Evaluation of artificial neural networks with satellite data inputs for daily, monthly, and yearly solar irradiation prediction for Pakistan

Solar irradiation is the most critical parameter to consider when designing solar energy systems. The high cost and difficulty of measuring solar irradiation makes it impractical in every location. This study’s primary objective was to develop an artificial neural network (ANN) model for global horizontal irradiation (GHI) prediction using satellite data inputs. Three types of ANN, namely, the feed forward neural network (FFNN), cascaded forward neural network (CFNN), and Elman neural network (EMNN), were tested. The findings revealed that altitude, relative humidity, and satellite GHI are the most effective parameters, as they are present in all the best-performing models. The best model for daily GHI prediction was FFNN, which decreased daily MAPE, RMSE, and MBE by 25.4%, 0.11 kWh/m2/d, and 0.01 kWh/m2/d. The FFNN daily MAPE, RMSE, and MBE values were 7.83%, 0.49 kWh/m2/d, and 0.01 kWh/m2/d. The EMNN performed best for monthly and annual prediction, reducing monthly MAPE, RMSE, and MBE by 50.62%, 0.13 kWh/m2/d, and 0.13 kWh/m2/d, while the reduction for yearly was 91.6%, 0.11 kWh/m2/d, 0.2 kWh/m2/d. The EMNN monthly MAPE, RMSE, and MBE values were 3.36%, 0.16 kWh/m2/d, and 0.16 kWh/m2/d, while the yearly values were 0.47%, 0.18 kWh/m2/d, and 0.004 kWh/m2/d

Education as a Predictor of Chronic Periodontitis: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis Population-Based Studies

The impact of socioeconomic inequalities on health is well-documented. Despite the links of periodontal disease with cardiovascular diseases, adverse pregnancy outcomes and diabetes, no meta-analysis of socioeconomic variations in periodontal disease exists. This meta-analytic review was conducted to determine the extent to which education attainment influences risk of periodontitis in adults aged 35+ years in the general population.The authors searched studies published until November 2010 using EMBASE and MEDLINE databases. References listed were then scrutinised, our own files were checked, and, finally, we contacted experts in the field. The authors included only general population-based studies conducted in adults aged 35 years and more. All articles were blind reviewed by two investigators. In the case of disagreement, a third investigator arbitrated. Using PRISMA statement, two reviewers independently extracted papers of interest.Relative to the higher education group, people with low education attainment experience a greater risk of periodontitis (OR: 1.86 [1.66–2.10]; p<0.00001). The association was partially attenuated after adjustment for covariates (OR: 1.55 [1.30–1.86]; p<0.00001). Sensitivity analyses showed that methods used to assess periodontitis, definition of cases, study country and categorization of education are largely responsible for the heterogeneity between studies. No significant bias of publication was shown using both the Egger (p = 0.16) and rank correlation tests (p = 0.35).In the studies reviewed, low educational attainment was associated with an increased risk of periodontitis. Although this evidence should be cautiously interpreted due to methodological problems in selected studies, efforts to eliminate educational inequalities in periodontitis should focus on early life interventions

Impact of the energy use of biodegradable waste on CO2 emission reduction

Wzrost zapotrzebowania na surowce energetyczne i wzrost cen paliw kopalnych oraz obawy związane z globalnym ociepleniem wymusiły na krajach Unii Europejskiej większe wykorzystanie alternatywnych źródeł energii w celu zastąpienia paliw konwecjonalnych oraz ograniczenia emisji dwutlenku węgla. Według Deryktywy zwanej 3 razy 20% (2009/28/EC) Polska zobowiązała się do roku 2020 ograniczyć emisji gazów cieplarnianych o 20% (w porównaniu z rokiem 1990). W pracy przedstawiono potencjał energetyczny odpadów biodegradowalnych w województwie śląskim oraz możliwości ich wykorzystania dla zmniejszenia emisji CO2.The constant increase of energy consumption and the global greenhouse effect are the reasons for introducing the policy of replacement of conventional energy sources by renewable energy sources in EU. As a result the Directive known as 3x20 was introduced in 2008. One of possible way of CO2 emission reduction from combustion processes in Poland is thermal utilization of bio-fraction of municipal solid waste and sewage sludge as sources of energy. The potential and possible effect of this process in Silesia region is presented in the paper

End-of-life vehicles recovery and recycling and the route to comply with EU directive targets

In an attempt to reduce waste originating from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) which is becoming a serious environmental problem, the European Union enforced in 2000 the End-of-Life Vehicles Directive 2000/53/EC. Each European member state has to comply with the achievement of the following recycling and recovery targets: 80% and 85% by 2006 and increasing to 85% and 95%, respectively, by 2015. The required and achieved recovery and recycling targets for ELVs in Poland in 2011 have been discussed and compared. The data shows that the achieved targets of recovery and recycling were about 82% and 80%, respectively. Therefore, the barrier factors affecting management of ELVs have been identified and the route useful to comply ELVs recovery and recycling in Poland and for other developing countries has been presented. The experience shows that this goal could be achieved by energy recovery and materials recycling of automotive shredder residue