EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH ON T-STUBS UNDER ELEVATED TEMPERATURES

Bolted end plate connections are widely used in multi-storey steel frame structures. Their design is based on the component method, which evaluates the behaviour of the basic components through equivalent T-stubs, to model the tension zone that constitutes the most relevant source of deformability. The paper presents the results of an experimental research on bolted T-stubs, tested under elevated temperatures, in normal and high strain rate loading conditions. The influence of the loading rate on the resistance and ductility of the T-stubs subjected to elevated temperatures is emphasized

Sustainable Wages and Need for Convergence in EU-28 Countries

Abstract: In context of recent transformation of the EU economic and socia

Incremental View Maintenance For Collection Programming

In the context of incremental view maintenance (IVM), delta query derivation is an essential technique for speeding up the processing of large, dynamic datasets. The goal is to generate delta queries that, given a small change in the input, can update the materialized view more efficiently than via recomputation. In this work we propose the first solution for the efficient incrementalization of positive nested relational calculus (NRC+) on bags (with integer multiplicities). More precisely, we model the cost of NRC+ operators and classify queries as efficiently incrementalizable if their delta has a strictly lower cost than full re-evaluation. Then, we identify IncNRC+; a large fragment of NRC+ that is efficiently incrementalizable and we provide a semantics-preserving translation that takes any NRC+ query to a collection of IncNRC+ queries. Furthermore, we prove that incremental maintenance for NRC+ is within the complexity class NC0 and we showcase how recursive IVM, a technique that has provided significant speedups over traditional IVM in the case of flat queries [25], can also be applied to IncNRC+.Comment: 24 pages (12 pages plus appendix

AHTR Mechanical, Structural, and Neutronic Preconceptual Design

This report provides an overview of the mechanical, structural, and neutronic aspects of the Advanced High Temperature Reactor (AHTR) design concept. The AHTR is a design concept for a large output Fluoride salt cooled High-temperature Reactor (FHR) that is being developed to enable evaluation of the technology hurdles remaining to be overcome prior to FHRs becoming a commercial reactor class. This report documents the incremental AHTR design maturation performed over the past year and is focused on advancing the design concept to a level of a functional, self-consistent system. The AHTR employs plate type coated particle fuel assemblies with rapid, off-line refueling. Neutronic analysis of the core has confirmed the viability of a 6-month 2-batch cycle with 9 weight-percent enriched uranium fuel. Refueling is intended to be performed automatically under visual guidance using dedicated robotic manipulators. The present design intent is for used fuel to be stored inside of containment for at least 6 months and then transferred to local dry wells for intermediate term, on-site storage. The mechanical and structural concept development effort has included an emphasis on transportation and constructability to minimize construction costs and schedule. The design intent is that all components be factory fabricated into rail transportable modules that are assembled into subsystems at an on-site workshop prior to being lifted into position using a heavy-lift crane in an open-top style construction. While detailed accident identification and response sequence analysis has yet to be performed, the design concept incorporates multiple levels of radioactive material containment including fully passive responses to all identified design basis or non-very-low frequency beyond design basis accidents. Key building design elements include: 1) below grade siting to minimize vulnerability to aircraft impact, 2) multiple natural circulation decay heat rejection chimneys, 3) seismic base isolation, and 4) decay heat powered back-up electricity generation. The report provides a preconceptual design of the manipulators, the fuel transfer system, and the salt transfer loops. The mechanical handling of the fuel and how it is accomplished without instrumentation inside the salt is described within the report. All drives for the manipulators reside outside the reactor top flange. The design has also taken into account the transportability of major components and how they will be assembled on sit

The evaluation of the pain threshold modification in patients with removable partially dentures

Rezumat Mucoasa orală fiind frecvent sediul inflamaţiilor acute sau cronice, evaluarea a permis analiza pragului la durere, alodiniei sau hiperalgeziei aspecte care poate conferi informaţii corelative valoroase, utilizate ulterior pentru interpretarea activităţii nociceptive. Scop: Evaluarea modificărilor de sensibilitate dureroasă la pacienţii protezaţi parţial amovibil cu patologie mucozală. Material şi metodă: S-au examinat şi luat în studiu 24 de pacienţi purtători de proteze parţiale amovibile cu patologie mucozală. Lotul martor a fost format din 10 pacienţi sănătoşi clinic, neprotezaţi. Pentru a investiga pragul de apariţie a durerii am utilizat două frecvenţe ale stimulului, 50 Hz pentru fibrele A6 şi 5 Hz pentru fibrele C. Stimularea elecrică s-a efectuat în tehnica monopolară la nivelul bolţii palatine. Rezultate: S-au observat diferenţe statistice semnificative ale pragului dureros şi ale toleranţei dureroase la pacienţii cu leziuni inflamatorii difuze, comparativ cu celelalte tipuri de leziuni pentru valori ale stimulului de 5 Hz pentru fibrele C (p= 0,001 < 0,05) şi de 50 Hz pentru fibrele A5 (p= 0,001 < 0,05). Concluzii: Stimularea electrică, vine în ajutorul altor metode de depistare, control şi monitorizare a durerii pe parcursul adaptării cu protezele.Summary Because the oral mucosa is frequently affected by acute or chronic inflammations, the evaluation allows the analysis of the pain threshold, alodinia and hyperalgesy, which may gives us correlative information used for the understanding of nociceptive activity. Aim of the study: The aim was to establish the changes of the pain sensibility on the patients with mucosal pathology, wearing removable partially dentures. Material and method: Clinical trial was made for 24 patients with mucosal lesions, wearing removable partially dentures. To investigate the pain threshold and pain tolerance, we used two frequencies of the electrical stimulus: 50 Hz for A6 fibers, respectively 5 Hz for C fibers. The electrical stimulation was released in monopolary technique. Results: The results showed statistically significant differences of pain threshold and pain tolerance between patients with inflammatory diffusive lesions and other types of mucosal lesions, for a stimulus value of 5 Hz for C fibers (p= 0,001 < 0,05) and 50 Hz for A6 fibers(p= 0,001 < 0,05). Conclusions: The wearing of the removable partially dentures decreases the pain threshold and pain tolerance

Autonomic dysfunction and peripheral nerve involvement in patients with Parkinson's disease

Introduction: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic illness which damages central and peripheral nervous system. The presence of peripheral neuropathy (PN) in PD, it has been suggested to be the effect of treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate autonomic cardiac control in PD patients with normal serum levels of vitamin B12 by means of spectral analysis of short-term heart rate variability (HRV) and also to assess the prevalence of PN using electrophysiological examinations. Methods: 30 (18 male and 12 female) with PD were compared to 20 age- and sex-matched control subjects. Short-term ECG was used to calculate time domain and spectral parameters of HRV. The stimulodetection examination was realized in the motor fibers of median, peroneal and tibial nerves, and in the sensitive fibers of median and sural nerve according to the standard procedures. Results: Low and high frequency were lower in PD patients than in controls (LF: 332.±288.4 ms² PD vs 723.9±348.2 ms2 C; HF: 283.72±241.97 ms² PD vs 530.54±226.5 ms² C, p<0.01). No differences between LF/HF ratio of PD and controls appeared. Sensory nerve action potential in sural nerve was reduced in PD patients. No differences between sensory and motor nerve conduction velocities of PD and controls appeared. Conclusions: PD causes dysfunction of autonomic cardiovascular regulation and peripheral nerve involvement

Specialized Manual Therapy Techniques which Can Improve Neuromotor Outcome in Patients with Foot-Drop Syndrome

Introduction: Functional rehabilitation of foot-drop syndrome due to lumbar disc herniation it is a problem that concerns many researchers. Study objective was to investigate if specialized manual therapy techniques and functional electrical stimulation alone and combined can influence the overall neuromotor outcome. Methods: 90 subjects were randomized to 3 groups, 30 subjects allocated to control group (CG) which received physical therapy, 30 subjects in functional electrical stimulation group (FES) and 30 subjects in combined FES with manual therapy techniques (FES-MT). All groups received a number of 20 sessions. We evaluated nerve conduction study, dynamometry, goniometry, functional ankle disability index (FADI), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Results: For Compound muscle action potential we have found significant modifications when comparing FES-MT vs CG (p&lt;0.011). For dynamometry we registered as follows: FES-MT vs CG (0.0001), FES-MT vs FES (p&lt;0.003). ODI and FADI scores were more significant in FES-MT and FES compare with CG. Conclusions: Manual therapy techniques utilized for increasing the excitability of neuromuscular spindle can increase the overall functionality of the tibialis muscle in case of foot drop syndrome. The combination between FES and MT showed better functional results than physical therapeutic exercises and FES alone

MLSys: The New Frontier of Machine Learning Systems

Machine learning (ML) techniques are enjoying rapidly increasing adoption. However, designing and implementing the systems that support ML models in real-world deployments remains a significant obstacle, in large part due to the radically different development and deployment profile of modern ML methods, and the range of practical concerns that come with broader adoption. We propose to foster a new systems machine learning research community at the intersection of the traditional systems and ML communities, focused on topics such as hardware systems for ML, software systems for ML, and ML optimized for metrics beyond predictive accuracy. To do this, we describe a new conference, MLSys, that explicitly targets research at the intersection of systems and machine learning with a program committee split evenly between experts in systems and ML, and an explicit focus on topics at the intersection of the two

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker initiation on organ support-free days in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

IMPORTANCE Overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may contribute to poor clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Objective To determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) initiation improves outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In an ongoing, adaptive platform randomized clinical trial, 721 critically ill and 58 non–critically ill hospitalized adults were randomized to receive an RAS inhibitor or control between March 16, 2021, and February 25, 2022, at 69 sites in 7 countries (final follow-up on June 1, 2022). INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized to receive open-label initiation of an ACE inhibitor (n = 257), ARB (n = 248), ARB in combination with DMX-200 (a chemokine receptor-2 inhibitor; n = 10), or no RAS inhibitor (control; n = 264) for up to 10 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was organ support–free days, a composite of hospital survival and days alive without cardiovascular or respiratory organ support through 21 days. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model. Odds ratios (ORs) greater than 1 represent improved outcomes. RESULTS On February 25, 2022, enrollment was discontinued due to safety concerns. Among 679 critically ill patients with available primary outcome data, the median age was 56 years and 239 participants (35.2%) were women. Median (IQR) organ support–free days among critically ill patients was 10 (–1 to 16) in the ACE inhibitor group (n = 231), 8 (–1 to 17) in the ARB group (n = 217), and 12 (0 to 17) in the control group (n = 231) (median adjusted odds ratios of 0.77 [95% bayesian credible interval, 0.58-1.06] for improvement for ACE inhibitor and 0.76 [95% credible interval, 0.56-1.05] for ARB compared with control). The posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitors and ARBs worsened organ support–free days compared with control were 94.9% and 95.4%, respectively. Hospital survival occurred in 166 of 231 critically ill participants (71.9%) in the ACE inhibitor group, 152 of 217 (70.0%) in the ARB group, and 182 of 231 (78.8%) in the control group (posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitor and ARB worsened hospital survival compared with control were 95.3% and 98.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this trial, among critically ill adults with COVID-19, initiation of an ACE inhibitor or ARB did not improve, and likely worsened, clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0273570