Discrete element models of soil-geogrid interaction

Geogrids are the geosynthetics of choice for soil reinforcement applications. To evaluate the efficiency of geogrid reinforcement, several methods are used including field tests, laboratory tests and numerical modeling. Field studies consume long period of time and conducting these investigations may become highly expensive because of the need for real-size structures. Laboratory studies present also significant difficulties: large-size testing machines are required to accommodate realistic geogrid designs. The discrete element method (DEM) may be used as a complementary tool to extend physical testing databases at lower cost. Discrete element models do not require complex constitutive formulations and may be fed with particle scale data (size, strength, shape) thus reducing the number offree calibration parameters. Discrete element models also are well suited to problems in which large displacements are present, such as geogrid pullout. This paper reviews the different approaches followed to model soil-geogrid interaction in DEM and presents preliminary results from pull-out conditions.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Placental blood transfusion in newborn babies reaches a plateau after 140 s: Further analysis of longitudinal survey of weight change

Objective: With the introduction of active management of the third stage of labour in the 1960s, it became usual practice to clamp and cut the umbilical cord immediately following birth. The timing of this cord clamping is controversial, as blood may beneficially be transferred to the baby if clamping of the cord is delayed slightly. There is no agreement, however, on how long the delay should be before clamping the cord. This study aimed to establish when blood ceased to flow in the umbilical cord to determine how long to delay clamping of the umbilical cord following delivery of the term newborn to maximise placental transfusion. Methods: This observational study collected longitudinal weight measurements set in a hospital labour ward. A total of 26 mothers at term and their singleton babies participated in the study. In this reanalysis, the velocity of weight change over the first minutes of life determined by functional data analysis was estimated. Results: We found that the flow velocity in the umbilical cord was on average 0 at 125 s after placing the baby on the scales, which was typically 140 s after birth. Conclusions: To maximise placental transfusion, cord clamping should be delayed for at least 140 s following birth of the baby

A Case Study on effect of Vamana Karma in Lupus Induced Hypothyroidism

Introduction- Auto-immune thyroid disease is most common in lupus.  Anti-Nuclear-Anti-body is related to both. Primary hypothyroidism occurs in about 15%-19% in patient of Lupus. Hypothyroid Signs and symptoms include low metabolic rate, tendency to weight gain, somnolence, lethargy, menstrual disturbance, aches, muscle stiffness, hair loss, infertility and sometimes myxedema. The above symptoms closely resemble the symptoms of Vikruta Kapha Dosha which are Gaurava, Shaithya, Slatangatwa, Tamah, Klaibya. The location of thyroid gland is In Urdwajatrugata Pradesha i.e., Greeva. Adoption of Vamana karma is best shodhana for Kapha Dosha and also for Urdwa Shareerasthitha Roga making an ideal Panchakarma for hypothyroidism. Aim- To evaluate the efficacy of Vamana Karma in Lupus induced Hypothyroidism. Methodology- Single subject was treated with Deepana-Pachana followed by Shodhananga Snehapana and was subjected to Vamana. As per the Shuddhi the subject was advised Samsarjana Krama. Assessment was done with thyroid profile before and after treatment. Result- Significant changes were noted in thyroid profile.  Discussion- Vamana Karma which is ideal for Kapha Dosha has a positive effect over the disease Hypothyroidism in managing and also maintaining health for longer duration

Assessment of broiler surface temperature variation when exposed to different air temperatures

This study was conducted to determine the effect of the air temperature variation on the mean surface temperature (MST) of 7- to 35-day-old broiler chickens using infrared thermometry to estimate MST, and to study surface temperature variation of the wings, head, legs, back and comb as affected by air temperature and broiler age. One hundred Cobb® broilers were used in the experiment. Starting on day 7, 10 birds were weekly selected at random, housed in an environmental chamber and reared under three distinct temperatures (18, 25 and 32 ºC) to record their thermal profile using an infrared thermal camera. The recorded images were processed to estimate MST by selecting the whole area of the bird within the picture and comparing it with the values obtained using selected equations in literature, and to record the surface temperatures of the body parts. The MST estimated by infrared images were not statistically different (p &gt; 0.05) from the values obtained by the equations. MST values significantly increased (p < 0.05) when the air temperature increased, but were not affected by bird age. However, age influenced the difference between MST and air temperature, which was highest on day 14. The technique of infrared thermal image analysis was useful to estimate the mean surface temperature of broiler chickens.25926

Chemical characterization of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa) seeds

The aim of this study was to determine the chemical characteristics of passion fruit seeds and their oil for possible use in human food and reduction of organic waste from fruit industrialization. Passion fruit seeds were analyzed for moisture, lipids, proteins, ash, fibers, titratable acidity, pH, soluble solids and antioxidant activity. The oil was characterized for parameters such as acid value, saponification, iodine and peroxide. The content of oil extracted demonstrates that it has good potential for  industrial utilization. According to analyses, the oil has characteristics similar to conventional edible oils such as soybean, and may be a new source of human consumption. Passion fruit seeds have high nutritional value, proving to be a promising product, mainly because it contains  significant amounts of proteinase. Therefore, passion fruit seeds and their oil should be used as raw material in the food, chemical and pharmaceutical industry, as they have beneficial features.Key words: Industrial utilization, characterization, by-products

An examination of cancer epidemiology studies among populations living close to toxic waste sites

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Toxic waste sites contain a broad range of suspected or confirmed human carcinogens, and remain a source of concern to many people, particularly those living in the vicinity of a site. Despite years of study, a consensus has not emerged regarding the cancer risk associated with such sites.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We examined the published, peer-reviewed literature addressing cancer incidence or mortality in the vicinity of toxic waste sites between 1980 and 2006, and catalogued the methods employed by such studies.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Nineteen studies are described with respect to eight methodological criteria. Most were ecological, with minimal utilization of hydrogeological or air pathway modeling. Many did not catalogue whether a potable water supply was contaminated, and very few included contaminant measurements at waste sites or in subjects' homes. Most studies did not appear to be responses to a recognized cancer mortality cluster. Studies were highly variable with respect to handling of competing risk factors and multiple comparisons.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We conclude that studies to date have generated hypotheses, but have been of limited utility in determining whether populations living near toxic waste sites are at increased cancer risk.</p

Atkins v The Emperor: the cautious use of unreliable expert opinion

What happens to a country under constant surveillance? The recent decision in Atkins v The Queen provides a partial answer.1 The sheer availability of images seems to be driving decisions about their admissibility and use as identification evidence. Confronted with CCTV recordings associated with criminal activities English courts have been reluctant to restrict their admission or impose limitations on the scope or form of incriminating opinion derived from them. Although the Court of Appeal decision in Atkins v The Queen is concerned primarily with the way in which an opinion derived from CCTV images was expressed, the decision exposes jurisprudential weakness and continuing problems with photo comparison and facial-mapping evidence

The Light Stop Scenario from Gauge Mediation

In this paper we embed the light stop scenario, a MSSM framework which explains the baryon asymmetry of the universe through a strong first order electroweak phase transition, in a top-down approach. The required low energy spectrum consists in the light SM-like Higgs, the right-handed stop, the gauginos and the Higgsinos while the remaining scalars are heavy. This spectrum is naturally driven by renormalization group evolution starting from a heavy scalar spectrum at high energies. The latter is obtained through a supersymmetry-breaking mix of gauge mediation, which provides the scalars masses by new gauge interactions, and gravity mediation, which generates gaugino and Higgsino masses. This supersymmetry breaking also explains the \mu\ and B_\mu\ parameters necessary for electroweak breaking and predicts small tri-linear mixing terms A_t in agreement with electroweak baryogenesis requirements. The minimal embedding predicts a Higgs mass around its experimental lower bound and by a small extension higher masses m_H\lesssim 127 GeV can be accommodated.Comment: 20 pages, 3 figures; v2: changes in the conventions; v3: more details on the Higgs mass prediction, version published in JHE

Does moxibustion work? An overview of systematic reviews

Abstract Background Several systematic reviews (SRs) have assessed the effectiveness of moxibustion for a range of conditions, often with contradictory conclusions. Our aim was to provide a critical evaluation and summary of these data. Methods Electronic searches were conducted to locate all SRs of moxibustion for any condition. Data were extracted by two authors according to predefined criteria. Results Ten SRs met our inclusion criteria, which related to the following conditions: cancer, ulcerative colitis, stroke rehabilitation, constipation, hypertension, pain conditions and breech presentation. Their conclusions were contradictory in several instances. Relatively clear evidence emerged to suggest that moxibustion is effective for breech presentation. Conclusions Based on evidence from the currently available SRs, the effectiveness of moxibustion has been demonstrated for several conditions; however, due to the poor quality of the primary studies, there remains considerable uncertainty.</p