An Evaluation of the Load-Displacement Behavior and Load Test Interpretation of Micropiles in Rock

This paper summarizes a series of never-before reported axial compression load tests conducted on single micropiles that are embedded in or constructed on rock. These data are augmented by load tests on similar micropiles that have been reported by others. The observed displacements at the maximum test load (QMAX) and reported unfactored design load (QDL) are summarized. In addition, the small-strain load-displacement behavior of these foundations is evaluated by comparing the initial tangent slope (IS) to the theoretical elastic slope (ES), which is calculated by modeling the micropile as a free-standing column exhibiting fully -composite behavior. The data demonstrate that the ES/IS ratio has a strong dependence on the slenderness ratio D[depth]/B[diameter]. The observed results for micropiles in rock are discussed in the context of the micropile load test acceptance criteria proposed by the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI, 2001). In addition, recommendations are proposed for the maximum acceptable vertical displacement under the unfactored design load for such micropiles

Concentration Dependence of the Effective Mass of He-3 Atoms in He-3/He-4 Mixtures

Recent measurements by Yorozu et al. (S. Yorozu, H. Fukuyama, and H. Ishimoto, Phys. Rev. B 48, 9660 (1993)) as well as by Simons and Mueller (R. Simons and R. M. Mueller, Czhechoslowak Journal of Physics Suppl. 46, 201 (1976)) have determined the effective mass of He-3 atoms in a He-3/He-4 mixture with great accuracy. We here report theoretical calculations for the dependence of that effective mass on the He-3 concentration. Using correlated basis functions perturbation theory to infinite order to compute effective interactions in the appropriate channels, we obtain good agreement between theory and experiment.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur

Integrated TiO2 resonators for visible photonics

We demonstrate waveguide-coupled titanium dioxide (TiO2) racetrack resonators with loaded quality factors of 2x10^4 for the visible wavelengths. The structures were fabricated in sputtered TiO2 thin films on oxidized silicon substrates using standard top-down nanofabrication techniques, and passively probed in transmission measurements using a tunable red laser. Devices based on this material could serve as integrated optical elements as well as passive platforms for coupling to visible quantum emitters.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Getting podiatry research off the ground

Few studies have investigated the outcomes of chiropody treatment, especially in a large community sample. There is an increasing need for research in this field. Podiatrists and other professionals allied to medicine need the evidence from research to back up their opinions within health care. Collaboration between clinicians and higher education is critical for success

The Debrisoft ® monofilament debridement pad for use in acute or chronic wounds: A NICE medical technology guidance

As part of its Medical Technology Evaluation Programme, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) invited a manufacturer to provide clinical and economic evidence for the evaluation of the Debrisoft ® monofilament debridement pad for use in acute or chronic wounds. The University of Birmingham and Brunel University, acting as a consortium, was commissioned to act as an External Assessment Centre (EAC) for NICE, independently appraising the submission. This article is an overview of the original evidence submitted, the EAC’s findings and the final NICE guidance issued. The sponsor submitted a simple cost analysis to estimate the costs of using Debrisoft® to debride wounds compared with saline and gauze, hydrogel and larvae. Separate analyses were conducted for applications in home and applications in a clinic setting. The analysis took an UK National Health Service (NHS) perspective. It incorporated the costs of the technologies and supplementary technologies (such as dressings) and the costs of their application by a district nurse. The sponsor concluded that Debrisoft® was cost saving relative to the comparators. The EAC made amendments to the sponsor analysis to correct for errors and to reflect alternative assumptions. Debrisoft® remained cost saving in most analyses and savings ranged from £77 to £222 per patient compared with hydrogel, from £97 to £347 compared with saline and gauze, and from £180 to £484 compared with larvae depending on the assumptions included in the analysis and whether debridement took place in a home or clinic setting. All analyses were severely limited by the available data on effectiveness, in particular a lack of comparative studies and that the effectiveness data for the comparators came from studies reporting different clinical endpoints compared with Debrisoft®. The Medical Technologies Advisory Committee made a positive recommendation for adoption of Debrisoft® and this has been published as a NICE medical technology guidance (MTG17).The Birmingham and Brunel Consortium is funded by NICE to act as an External Assessment Centre for the Medical Technologies Evaluation Programme

Paradoxical protection from atherosclerosis and thrombosis in a mouse model of sickle cell disease

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/98139/1/bjh12342.pd