Activated ductile CFRP NSMR strengthening

Significant strengthening of concrete structures can be obtained when using adhesively-bonded carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) systems. Challenges related to such strengthening methods are; however, the brittle concrete delamination failure, reduced warning, and the consequent inefficient use of the CFRP. A novel ductile near-surface mounted reinforcement (NSMR) CFRP strengthening system with a high CFRP utilization is introduced in this paper. It is hypothesized that the tailored ductile enclosure wedge (EW) end anchors, in combination with low E-modulus and high elongation adhesive, can provide significant strengthening and ductility control. Five concrete T-beams were strengthened using the novel system with a CFRP rod activation stress of approximately 980 MPa. The beam responses were compared to identical epoxy-bonded NSMR strengthened and un-strengthened beams. The linear elastic response was identical to the epoxy-bonded NSMR strengthened beam. In addition, the average deflection and yielding regimes were improved by 220% and 300% (average values), respectively, with an ultimate capacity comparable to the epoxy-bonded NSMR strengthened beam. Reproducible and predictable strengthening effect seems obtainable, where a good correlation between the results and applied theory was reached. The brittle failure modes were prevented, where concrete compression failure and frontal overload anchor failure were experienced when failure was initiated.The funding source do not wish to be revealed as stated in this section

Sikker til fods - Analyser og anbefalinger baseret på danske fodgængeruheld i byzonen

I sammenligning med eksempelvis cyklisterne har der siden 2000 været et mere begrænset fokus på fodgængernes trafiksikkerhed. Eksempelvis er uheld med fodgængere i modsætning til uheld med cyklister ikke udpeget som et særligt indsatsområde i Færdselssikkerhedskommissionens handlingsplan. Der er dog væsentlige begrundelser for at forbedre trafiksikkerheden for fodgængere. Blandt andet er alvorlighedsgraden af fodgængeruheld betydeligt højere end for de fleste andre trafikantgrupper.På denne baggrund er der i projektet foretaget analyser af fodgængernes trafiksikkerhed i byområ-derne i Danmark. Formålet for analysearbejdet er, at udvikle viden, der kan omsættes i værktøjer og anbefalinger, der kan sikre omkostningseffektive reduktioner i antallet af dræbte og (alvorligt) tilskadekomne fodgængere. Uheldsproblematikken relateret til fodgængere er analyseret ved fire forskellige tilgange.I første række er der gennemført en analyse af politiregistrerede uheld i byzone i Danmark i årene 1999-2008. Denne analyse dokumenterer blandt andet fodgængeruheldenes høje alvorlighedsgrad samt det forhold, at uheldsproblematikken primært relaterer sig til fodgængernes krydsning af vej. I anden række er der derfor gennemført en mere detaljeret analyse af krydsningsuheld med fodgængere i byzone. Disse analyser afslører, at krydsningsuheldene i kryds primært sker på steder med og under brug af fodgængerfelter eller lignende facilitet. De strækningsrelaterede krydsningsuheld sker i højere grad på lokaliteter, hvor der ikke er etableret krydsningsfacilitet, eller dækker over uheld, hvor fodgængerne ikke har benyttet en allerede etableret krydsningsfacilitet. Som sådan indikerer analyserne, at der er sikkerhedspotentialer knyttet til at forbedre fodgængernes krydsningsfaciliteter samt fodgængernes anvendelse af krydsningsfaciliteter.I et løsningsorienteret perspektiv er der i forlængelse heraf foretaget en vejinventering på en række udvalgte lokaliteter i Aalborg, hvor der er registreret høje forekomster af krydsningsuheld. Grundlaget for inventeringen er det norske Statens Vegvesens vejledning omkring planlægning, udformning og placering af fodgængerfelter – ”Gangfeltkriterier – Håndbok 270” (Statens Vegvesen, 2007). Til trods for de høje forekomster af krydsningsuheld afslører inventeringen, at lokaliteterne for så vidt angår placering og udformningen af krydsningsfaciliteter efterlever de retningslinjer, der er formuleret i Gangfeltkriterier. Efterfølgende analyser af uheldsbilledet på lokaliteterne tegner i forlængelse heraf et billede af, at en større del af uheldene kan henføres til fodgængernes adfærd – manglende brug af eksisterende krydsningsfacilitet eller manglende overholdelse af vigepligt. Sammenfattede tegner de samlede analyser et billede af, at de væsentligste potentialer til forbedring af fodgængernes sikkerhed knytter sig til ændringer af fodgængernes adfærd, konsekvent hastighedsplanlægning i byområderne samt separering af fodgængere fra den motoriserede trafik på lokaliteter med høje hastighedsgrænser

Challenges Related to Probabilistic Decision Analysis for Bridge Testing and Reclassification

This paper reviews historical developments and recent challenges in full scale bridge testing and introduces results- and hypotheses related to an ongoing bridge testing research project. This research project encompasses full scale bridge testing in conjunction with bearing capacity analysis as well as related contact- and non-contact monitoring procedures combined with a decision analytical approach. Results from the first steps of the project, focusing on full scale load testing of bridges, are presented. The next part approaches the interfaces between three project areas namely the bearing capacity analysis, the utilization of monitoring procedures and a decision analytical approach. The proposed probabilistic decision analysis approach is described for two scenarios: (1) The decision support for the actual proof load test providing decision rules for a safe and efficient in-situ test and (2) for the identification of efficient strategies for the bridge reclassification accounting for modeling, simulation, and monitoring information. The paper concludes with a summary highlighting deemed challenges in the used approaches

Tranexamic Acid for Prevention of Hematoma Expansion in Intracerebral Hemorrhage Patients With or Without Spot Sign

Background and Purpose:The computed tomography angiography or contrast-enhanced computed tomography based spot sign has been proposed as a biomarker for identifying on-going hematoma expansion in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage. We investigated, if spot-sign positive participants benefit more from tranexamic acid versus placebo as compared to spot-sign negative participants.Methods:TICH-2 trial (Tranexamic Acid for Hyperacute Primary Intracerebral Haemorrhage) was a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial recruiting acutely hospitalized participants with intracerebral hemorrhage within 8 hours after symptom onset. Local investigators randomized participants to 2 grams of intravenous tranexamic acid or matching placebo (1:1). All participants underwent computed tomography scan on admission and on day 2 (24±12 hours) after randomization. In this sub group analysis, we included all participants from the main trial population with imaging allowing adjudication of spot sign status.Results:Of the 2325 TICH-2 participants, 254 (10.9%) had imaging allowing for spot-sign adjudication. Of these participants, 64 (25.2%) were spot-sign positive. Median (interquartile range) time from symptom onset to administration of the intervention was 225.0 (169.0 to 310.0) minutes. The adjusted percent difference in absolute day-2 hematoma volume between participants allocated to tranexamic versus placebo was 3.7% (95% CI, −12.8% to 23.4%) for spot-sign positive and 1.7% (95% CI, −8.4% to 12.8%) for spot-sign negative participants (Pheterogenity=0.85). No difference was observed in significant hematoma progression (dichotomous composite outcome) between participants allocated to tranexamic versus placebo among spot-sign positive (odds ratio, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.29 to 2.46]) and negative (odds ratio, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.41 to 1.45]) participants (Pheterogenity=0.88).Conclusions:Data from the TICH-2 trial do not support that admission spot sign status modifies the treatment effect of tranexamic acid versus placebo in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage. The results might have been affected by low statistical power as well as treatment delay.REGISTRATION:URL: http://www.controlled-trials.com; Unique identifier: ISRCTN93732214

Targeted AntiBiotics for Chronic pulmonary diseases (TARGET ABC):can targeted antibiotic therapy improve the prognosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infected patients with chronic pulmonary obstructive disease, non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, and asthma? A multicenter, randomized, controlled, open-label trial

BACKGROUND: Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection is seen in chronic pulmonary disease and is associated with exacerbations and poor long-term prognosis. However, evidence-based guidelines for the management and treatment of P. aeruginosa infection in chronic, non-cystic fibrosis (CF) pulmonary disease are lacking. The aim of this study is to investigate whether targeted antibiotic treatment against P. aeruginosa can reduce exacerbations and mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), non-CF bronchiectasis, and asthma. METHODS: This study is an ongoing multicenter, randomized, controlled, open-label trial. A total of 150 patients with COPD, non-CF bronchiectasis or asthma, and P. aeruginosa-positive lower respiratory tract samples will be randomly assigned with a 1:1 ratio to either no antibiotic treatment or anti-pseudomonal antibiotic treatment with intravenous beta-lactam and oral ciprofloxacin for 14 days. The primary outcome, analyzed with two co-primary endpoints, is (i) time to prednisolone and/or antibiotic requiring exacerbation or death, in the primary or secondary health sector, within days 20–365 from study allocation and (ii) days alive and without exacerbation within days 20–365 from the study allocation. DISCUSSION: This trial will determine whether targeted antibiotics can benefit future patients with chronic, non-CF pulmonary disease and P. aeruginosa infection in terms of reduced morbidity and mortality, thus optimizing therapeutic approaches in this large group of chronic patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03262142. Registered on August 25, 2017. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-022-06720-z

European research priorities for intracerebral haemorrhage

Over 2 million people are affected by intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) worldwide every year, one third of them dying within 1 month, and many survivors being left with permanent disability. Unlike most other stroke types, the incidence, morbidity and mortality of ICH have not declined over time. No standardised diagnostic workup for the detection of the various underlying causes of ICH currently exists, and the evidence for medical or surgical therapeutic interventions remains limited. A dedicated European research programme for ICH is needed to identify ways to reduce the burden of ICH-related death and disability. The European Research Network on Intracerebral Haemorrhage EURONICH is a multidisciplinary academic research collaboration that has been established to define current research priorities and to conduct large clinical studies on all aspects of ICH. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Base