24,496 research outputs found
Failure assessment of lightly reinforced floor slabs. I: Experimental investigation
This paper is concerned with the ultimate behavior of lightly reinforced concrete floor slabs under extreme loading conditions. Particular emphasis is given to examining the failure conditions of idealized composite slabs which become lightly reinforced in a fire situation as a result of the early loss of the steel deck. An experimental study is described which focuses on the response of two-way spanning floor slabs with various materials and geometric configurations. The tests enable direct assessment of the influence of a number of key parameters such as the reinforcement type, properties, and ratio on the ultimate response. The results also permit the development of simplified expressions that capture the influence of salient factors such as bond characteristics and reinforcement properties for predicting the ductility of lightly reinforced floor slabs. The companion paper complements the experimental observations with detailed numerical assessments of the ultimate response and proposes analytical models that predict failure of slab members by either reinforcement fracture or compressive crushing of concrete. Ā© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers
AVIRIS data characteristics and their effects on spectral discrimination of rocks exposed in the Drum Mountains, Utah: Results of a preliminary study
Airborne Visible and Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) data collected over a geologically diverse field site and over a nearby calibration site were analyzed and interpreted in efforts to document radiometric and geometric characteristics of AVIRIS, quantify and correct for detrimental sensor phenomena, and evaluate the utility of AVIRIS data for discriminating rock types and identifying their constituent mineralogy. AVIRIS data acquired for these studies exhibit a variety of detrimental artifacts and have lower signal-to-noise ratios than expected in the longer wavelength bands. Artifacts are both inherent in the image data and introduced during ground processing, but most may be corrected by appropriate processing techniques. Poor signal-to-noise characteristics of this AVIRIS data set limited the usefulness of the data for lithologic discrimination and mineral identification. Various data calibration techniques, based on field-acquired spectral measurements, were applied to the AVIRIS data. Major absorption features of hydroxyl-bearing minerals were resolved in the spectra of the calibrated AVIRIS data, and the presence of hydroxyl-bearing minerals at the corresponding ground locations was confirmed by field data
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Implications of moderate altitude training for sea level endurance in elite distance runners
Elite distance runners participated in one of
two studies designed to investigate the e ects of mod-
erate altitude training (inspiratory partial pressure of
oxygen Ā»115Ā±125 mmHg) on submaximal, maximal and
supramaximal exercise performance following return to
sea-level. Study 1 (New Mexico, USA) involved 14
subjects who were assigned to a 4-week altitude training
camp (1500Ā±2000 m) whilst 9 performance-matched
subjects continued with an identical training programme
at sea-level (CON). Ten EXP subjects who trained at
1640 m and 19 CON subjects also participated in study 2
(Krugersdorp, South Africa). Selected metabolic and
cardiorespiratory parameters were determined with the
subjects at rest and during exercise 21 days prior to
(PRE) and 10 and 20 days following their return to sea-
level (POST). Whole blood lactate decreased by 23%
(P < 0.05 vs PRE) during submaximal exercise in the
EXP group only after 20 days at sea-level (study 1).
However, the lactate threshold and other measures of
running economy remained unchanged. Similarly, su-
pramaximal performance during a standardised track
session did not change. Study 2 demonstrated that
hypoxia per se did not alter performance. In contrast, in
the EXP group supramaximal running velocity de-
creased by 2% (P < 0.05) after 20 days at sea-level.
Both studies were characterised by a 50% increase in the
frequency of upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tract
infections during the altitude sojourns, and two male
subjects were diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis
following their return to sea-level (study 1). Group mean
plasma glutamine concentrations at rest decreased by
19% or 143 (74) lM (P < 0.001) after 3 weeks at alti-
tude, which may have been implicated in the increased
incidence of infectious illness
FEEDER CATTLE PRICE SLIDES
A theoretical model is developed to explain the economics of determining price slides for feeder cattle. The contract is viewed as a dynamic game with continuous strategies where the buyer and seller are the players. The model provides a solution for the price slide that guarantees an unbiased estimate of cattle weight. An empirical model using Superior Livestock Auction (SLA) data shows price slides used are smaller than those needed to cause the producer to give unbiased estimates of weight. Consistent with the model's predictions, producers slightly underestimate cattle weights.Demand and Price Analysis,
Promoting independent learning skills using video on digital language laboratories
This is the author's PDF version of an article published in Computer assisted language learning Ā©2006. The definitive version is available at http://www.informaworld.com/The article discusses the potential for developing independent learning skills using the digital language laboratory with particular reference to exploiting the increasingly available resource of digital video. It investigates the potential for recording and editing video clips from online sources and digitalising clips from analogue recordings and reflects on the current status quo regarding the complex copyright regulations in this area. It describes two pilot self-access programmes based on video clips which were undertaken with University College Chester undergraduates and reflects on the value of the experience for students in developing a wide range of language skills as well as independent learning skills using their feedback on the experience
Climatically driven loss of calcium in steppe soil as a sink for atmospheric carbon
During the last several thousand years the semiāarid, cold climate of the Russian steppe formed highly fertile soils rich in organic carbon and calcium (classified as Chernozems in the Russian system). Analysis of archived soil samples collected in Kemannaya Steppe Preserve in 1920, 1947, 1970, and fresh samples collected in 1998 indicated that the native steppe Chernozems, however, lost 17ā28 kg mā2 of calcium in the form of carbonates in 1970ā1998. Here we demonstrate that the loss of calcium was caused by fundamental shift in the steppe hydrologic balance. Previously unleached soils where precipitation was less than potential evapotranspiration are now being leached due to increased precipitation and, possibly, due to decreased actual evapotranspiration. Because this region receives low levels of acidic deposition, the dissolution of carbonates involves the consumption of atmospheric CO2. Our estimates indicate that this climatically driven terrestrial sink of atmospheric CO2 is ā¼2.1ā7.4 g C mā2 aā1. In addition to the net sink of atmospheric carbon, leaching of pedogenic carbonates significantly amplified seasonal amplitude of CO2 exchange between atmosphere and steppe soil
The Economic Consequences of Increased Disclosure: Evidence From International Cross-Listings
We examine market behavior around earnings announcements to understand the consequences of the increased disclosure that non-U.S. firms face when listing shares in the U.S. We find that absolute return and volume reactions to earnings announcements typically increase significantly once a company cross-lists in the U.S. Furthermore, these increases are greatest for firms from developed countries and for firms that pursue over-the-counter listings or private placements, which do not have stringent disclosure requirements. Additional tests support the hypothesis that it is changes in the individual firm\u27s disclosure environment, rather than changes in its market liquidity, ownership, or trading venue, that explain our findings
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