Seismic risk in the city of Al Hoceima (north of Morocco) using the vulnerability index method, applied in Risk-UE project

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11069-016-2566-8Al Hoceima is one of the most seismic active regions in north of Morocco. It is demonstrated by the large seismic episodes reported in seismic catalogs and research studies. However, seismic risk is relatively high due to vulnerable buildings that are either old or don’t respect seismic standards. Our aim is to present a study about seismic risk and seismic scenarios for the city of Al Hoceima. The seismic vulnerability of the existing residential buildings was evaluated using the vulnerability index method (Risk-UE). It was chosen to be adapted and applied to the Moroccan constructions for its practicality and simple methodology. A visual inspection of 1102 buildings was carried out to assess the vulnerability factors. As for seismic hazard, it was evaluated in terms of macroseismic intensity for two scenarios (a deterministic and probabilistic scenario). The maps of seismic risk are represented by direct damage on buildings, damage to population and economic cost. According to the results, the main vulnerability index of the city is equal to 0.49 and the seismic risk is estimated as Slight (main damage grade equal to 0.9 for the deterministic scenario and 0.7 for the probabilistic scenario). However, Moderate to heavy damage is expected in areas located in the newer extensions, in both the east and west of the city. Important economic losses and damage to the population are expected in these areas as well. The maps elaborated can be a potential guide to the decision making in the field of seismic risk prevention and mitigation strategies in Al Hoceima.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Simple method for real-time seismic damage assessment of bridges

Seismic damage of bridges may pose a severe threat to motorway users, and preventive closure until post-seismic inspection may be viewed as the only safe option. However, such a measure may incur pronounced losses by obstructing transportation of rescue teams. On the other hand, allowing traffic on earthquake-damaged bridges is a difficult decision with potentially dire consequences. Hence, the main dilemma for the motorway administrator is whether to interrupt the operation of the network, calling for timely development and implementation of a RApid REsponse (RARE) system. The development of such a RARE system requires an effective means to estimate the seismic damage of motorway structures in real time. This paper contributes towards such a direction by introducing a simple method for real time seismic damage assessment of motorway bridges. The proposed method requires nonlinear dynamic time history analyses using multiple seismic records as seismic excitation. Based on the results of the analyses, statistical models are estimated, and nonlinear regression equations are developed to express seismic damage as a function of statistically significant intensity measures (IMs). Such equations are easily programmable and can be employed for real-time damage assessment, as part of an online expert system. In the event of an earthquake, the nearest seismic motion(s), recorded by an online accelerograph network, will be used in real time to estimate the damage state of motorway structures, employing the developed equations. The efficiency of the proposed method is demonstrated using a single bridge pier as an illustrative example. Based on finite element (FE) analysis results, three nonlinear regression models are estimated correlating three damage indices (DIs) with statistically significantly IMs.</p

Validation of a simplified micromodel for analysis of infilled RC frames exposed to cyclic lateral loads

An RC frame structure with masonry infill walls (‘‘framed-masonry’’) exposed to lateral loads acts as a composite structure. Numerical simulation of framed-masonry is difficult and generally unreliable due to many difficulties and uncertainties in its modelling. In this paper, we reviewed the usability of an advanced non-linear FEM computer program to accurately predict the behaviour of framed-masonry elements when exposed to cyclic lateral loading. Numerical results are validated against the test results of framedmasonry specimens, with and without openings. Initial simplified micromodels were calibrated by adjustment of the input parameters within the physically justifiable borders, in order to obtain the best correlation between the experimental and numerical results. It has been shown that the use of simplified micromodels for the investigation of composite masonry-infilled RC frames requires in-depth knowledge and engineering judgement in order to be used with confidence. Modelling problems were identified and explained in detail, which in turn offer an insight to practising engineers on how to deal with them

Opioid and Non-Opioid Prescribing Rates for Ankle Fractures in Emergency Departments Across the United States Between 2006 and 2015

Context: An ankle fracture is a common injury observed in the Emergency Department (ED) and is often treated conservatively or surgically, depending on whether the fracture is stable. Opioids provide value for the management of acute musculoskeletal pain. However, prolong opioid use is associated with well-known consequences in the United States such as dependence, abuse and/or misuse. Considering these concerns and the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for the treatment of acute pain, it is critical to identify the prescribing patterns for patients diagnosed with an ankle fracture in the ED. Objective: Describe the percentage of patients prescribed a scheduled and non-controlled medication in the ED. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of the publicly available data collected through the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 2006-2015. Data analyzed using the sampled visit weight, yielding an unbiased national estimate of ED percentages. Due to the complex sample design, sampling errors were determined using SAS software. Results: From 2006-2015, 86.9% of patients presenting with an ankle fracture received medication during their ED visit. Among those prescribed a medication, 63.02% were prescribed a controlled substance and 34.29% were prescribed a non-controlled substance. The majority of the controlled substances were given to patients between the ages of 25-64. Conclusion: Approximately 2 out of 3 patients diagnosed with an ankle fracture in the ED received a controlled substance. The majority of these given to young-adults. Other effective non-pharmacological interventions should be explored to prevent the risk of the well-known consequences associated with opioid use. Word Count: 25

Caffeine Intake in College Students

Caffeine is a widely consumed substance that is readily available through many sources that may influence consumption in the college setting. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between caffeine intake and sleep behavior and the effect of campus dining frequency on caffeine intake in college students. Three hundred and fifty students (212 males and 138 females) participated in a 72-hour dietary analysis that provided the students’ age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity level. The students were asked to record dining frequency as well. Ninety-six of the 350 students completed a 7-day sleep diary to complete the sleep analysis. Chi-square tests, regression analysis, and t-tests were performed to analyze relationships and differences between variables. Results showed that there were no significant relationships between caffeine intake and age, gender, BMI, physical activity, sleep time, or frequency of dining and caffeine intake in college students

Asymmetric resting scapular posture in healthy overhead athletes

Context: Observation of the scapular posture is one of the most important components of the physical examination in overhead athletes. Postural asymmetry is typically considered to be associated with injuries. However, asymmetry in the overhead athlete&apos;s scapula may be normal due to the dominant use of the limb. Objective: To quantify the differences in resting scapular posture between the dominant and nondominant sides in 3 groups of healthy overhead athletes (baseball pitchers, volleyball players, and tennis players) using an electromagnetic tracking device. Design: Cross-sectional design. Setting: University-based biomechanics laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 43 players participated, including 15 baseball pitchers, 15 volleyball players, and 13 tennis players. All participants were healthy college-aged men. Intervention(s): Bilateral 3-dimensional scapular kinematics with the arm at rest were measured using an electromagnetic tracking device. Main Outcome Measure(s): Bilateral scapular position and orientation were measured. Between-groups and between-sides differences in each variable were analyzed using separate analyses of variance. Results: In tennis players, the scapula was more protracted on the dominant side than on the nondominant side (P , .05). In all overhead athletes, the dominant-side scapula was more internally rotated (P 5 .001) and anteriorly tilted (P 5 .001) than the nondominant-side scapula was. Conclusions: The dominant-side scapula of the overhead athletes was more internally rotated and anteriorly tilted than the nondominant-side scapula. The dominant-side scapula of the tennis players was more protracted than that on the nondominant side. Clinicians evaluating overhead athletes need to recognize that scapular posture asymmetry in unilateral overhead athletes may be normal. Our results emphasize the importance of the baseline evaluation in this population in order to accurately assess pathologic change in bilateral scapular positions and orientations after injury

Нові явища у функціонально-стилістичному вживанні протиставних сполучників в українській літературній мові кінця ХХ — початку ХХІ століть

У статті досліджено зміни у функціонуванні найуживаніших протиставних сполучників у мові української преси та художньої літератури кінця ХХ — почат ку ХХІ століть, обґрунтовано слабку семантико-синтаксичну спеціалізацію протиставних сполучників та визначено їхні транспозиційні можливості.In the article the changes in the functioning of the most used adversative conjunctions in the language of Ukrainian press and artistic literature of the end of the XX — the beginning of the XXI centuries have been investigated, weak semantic-syntactic specialization of adversative conjunctions has been explained and their transisting resources have been determined

Influence of Different Plant Species on Methane Emissions from Soil in a Restored Swiss Wetland

Plants are a major factor influencing methane emissions from wetlands, along with environmental parameters such as water table, temperature, pH, nutrients and soil carbon substrate. We conducted a field experiment to study how different plant species influence methane emissions from a wetland in Switzerland. The top 0.5 m of soil at this site had been removed five years earlier, leaving a substrate with very low methanogenic activity. We found a sixfold difference among plant species in their effect on methane emission rates: Molinia caerulea and Lysimachia vulgaris caused low emission rates, whereas Senecio paludosus, Carex flava, Juncus effusus and Typha latifolia caused relatively high rates. Centaurea jacea, Iris sibirica, and Carex davalliana caused intermediate rates. However, we found no effect of either plant biomass or plant functional groups – based on life form or productivity of the habitat – upon methane emission. Emissions were much lower than those usually reported in temperate wetlands, which we attribute to reduced concentrations of labile carbon following topsoil removal. Thus, unlike most wetland sites, methane production in this site was probably fuelled chiefly by root exudation from living plants and from root decay. We conclude that in most wetlands, where concentrations of labile carbon are much higher, these sources account for only a small proportion of the methane emitted. Our study confirms that plant species composition does influence methane emission from wetlands, and should be considered when developing measures to mitigate the greenhouse gas emissions

Food Sharing across Borders

Evolutionary models consider hunting and food sharing to be milestones that paved the way from primate to human societies. Because fossil evidence is scarce, hominoid primates serve as referential models to assess our common ancestors’ capacity in terms of communal use of resources, food sharing, and other forms of cooperation. Whereas chimpanzees form male-male bonds exhibiting resource-defense polygyny with intolerance and aggression toward nonresidents, bonobos form male-female and female-female bonds resulting in relaxed relations with neighboring groups. Here we report the first known case of meat sharing between members of two bonobo communities, revealing a new dimension of social tolerance in this species. This observation testifies to the behavioral plasticity that exists in the two Pan species and contributes to scenarios concerning the traits of the last common ancestor of Pan and Homo. It also contributes to the discussion of physiological triggers of in-group/out-group behavior and allows reconsideration of the emergence of social norms in prehuman societies