Racing car coastdown analysis

Coastdown testing is a proven method for the determination of vehicle drag coefficients for road cars whilst the vehicle is in its normal operating environment. A method of achieving this has been successfully developed at Loughborough University of Technology over the past few years. This study is concerned with the adaptation of the technique to the specific application of a contemporary Formula One racing car, this work was undertaken in conjunction with the Benetton Formula One racing team. [Continues.

Frequency distribution of worker sizes in Megaponera joetens (Fabricius)

No Abstract

Life Satisfaction among People with Progressive Disabilities

This study investigated the life satisfaction among 218 individuals with progressive disabilities, who were recruited through the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Participants completed questionnaires containing several scales measuring predictor and outcome variables. Regression analyses were performed to analyze the quantitative data. The results indicated that 49% of the variance in life satisfaction among individuals with neuromuscular and neurological diseases was explained in the regression model. The best predictors of life satisfaction were the level of acceptance of disability, hope, spiritual well-being; age, sex, marital status, and employment status. This study suggests the importance of understanding the role of psychological and spiritual constructs in life satisfaction among people with progressive disabilities

Structural capacity assessment of corroded RC bridge piers

A new numerical model is developed that enables simulation of the nonlinear flexural response of reinforced concrete (RC) components and sections with corroded reinforcement. The numerical model employs a displacement based beam-column element using the classical Hermitian shape function. The material nonlinearity is accounted for by updating element stiffness matrices using the moment-curvature response of the element section considering uniform stiffness over the element. The cover concrete strength is adjusted to account for corrosion induced cover cracking and the core confined concrete strength and ductility are adjusted to account for corrosion induced damage to the transverse reinforcement. The numerical model is validated against a bench mark experiment on a corroded RC column subject to lateral cyclic loading. The verified model is then used to explore the impact of corrosion on the inelastic response and the residual capacity of corroded RC sections. The results show that considering the effect of corrosion damage on RC sections changes the failure mode of RC columns

Influenza- and respiratory syncytial virus-associated adult mortality in Soweto

Background. Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)infections cause seasonal excess mortality and hospitalisationin adults (particularly the elderly) in high-income countries. Little information exists on the impact of these infections on adults in Africa.Objectives. To estimate influenza- and RSV-related adult mortality, stratified by age and hospitalisation in Soweto.Study design. A retrospective hospital-based study in Sowetofrom 1997 to 1999 to estimate influenza- and RSV-related excess all-cause deaths and hospitalisation using a ratedifferencemethod. The study was based on influenza seasons of varying severity, provided by surveillance data.Results. Influenza seasons were significantly associated with excess mortality in adults across all 3 years, except for 18 - 64-year-olds in 1998. Excess mortality was highest in those .65 years of age: 82.8/100 000 population in the mild 1997 season and 220.9/100 000 in the severe 1998 season. Influenza significantly increased adult medical hospitalisation in the severe 1998 season alone. RSV did not significantly affect mortality or hospitalisation.Conclusion. Influenza-related mortality was substantial and disproportionately affected the elderly. Influenza vaccination for the elderly warrants consideration. The RSV-related burden was not significantly increased but merits observation over a longer period

Observation of nonhexagonal superlattices in high-stage cesium intercalated graphite

Using a scanning transmission electron microscope with an electron beam size of ∼800 Å, we have found that unsaturated cesium intercalated graphite at 98±2 K exhibits multiple structural phases with a typical domain size of ∼1 μm. Electron diffraction patterns from individual structural islands were studied, and the p(2×2), p(3√×2), and p(3√×13−−√) in-plane superlattices were identified

Murine leukaemia virus expression in the AKR following thymectomy.

Thymectomy effectively prevents the development of spontaneous lymphoma in the AKR but how this effect is achieved remains to be determined. One possible mechanism, namely suppression of genomic expression of the oncogenic murine leukaemia virus now seems unlikely since levels of the group specific MuLV antigen were in comparision with their sham operated controls unaltered in both neonatally and adult thymectomized AKR

Computational Modelling Strategies for Nonlinear Response Prediction of Corroded Circular RC Bridge Piers

A numerical model is presented that enables simulation of the nonlinear flexural response of corroded reinforced concrete (RC) components. The model employs a force-based nonlinear fibre beam-column element. A new phenomenological uniaxial material model for corroded reinforcing steel is used. This model accounts for the impact of corrosion on buckling strength, post-buckling behaviour and low-cycle fatigue degradation of vertical reinforcement under cyclic loading. The basic material model is validated through comparison of simulated and observed response for uncorroded RC columns. The model is used to explore the impact of corrosion on the inelastic response of corroded RC columns