Research related to vibrations from high speed railway traffic

We discuss here recent results from several research programmes related to dynamic aspects and vibrations induced by high speed railway traffic, developed at the computational mechanics group, within the “Escuela de Ingenieros de Caminos” of the Technical University of Madrid. The first part of this work concerns the dynamic response of railway bridges and structures under high speed traffic. The study of vertical dynamic effects in bridges has lead recently to improved understanding and practical design concepts, embodied in the new engineering codes [1,2,3,4,5]. Some special and seldom considered features of the dynamic response are also discussed. In the second part we present some results for lateral dynamic effects. These have not been so widely studied as the vertical vibrations, however they may pose significant problems for bridges. Finally, in the third part we discuss recent results of ongoing research for the mechanical response of slab track and ballast track, focusing on the vertical vibration of the track and the associated dynamic traffic loads

Building Library Collections, the eBay Way

Abstract eBay provides a fresh way to find and purchase items that build a library’s special collections and archives, supplement circulating collections, or replace journal issues that are missing. At Western Oregon University (WOU), we have used eBay to build our archives collections and are looking to expand our use to the general collections. This article uses some of our experiences to describe how eBay can be used to acquire library materials and includes lessons that we have learned, tips for optimizing your searches, and hints for eBay novices

Dynamic effect of high speed railway traffic loads on the ballast track settlement

The traditional ballast track structures are still being used in high speed railways lines with success, however technical problems or performance features have led to non-ballast track solution in some cases. A considerable maintenance work is needed for ballasted tracks due to the track deterioration. Therefore it is very important to understand the mechanism of track deterioration and to predict the track settlement or track irregularity growth rate in order to reduce track maintenance costs and enable new track structures to be designed. The objective of this work is to develop the most adequate and efficient models for calculation of dynamic traffic load effects on railways track infrastructure, and then evaluate the dynamic effect on the ballast track settlement, using a ballast track settlement prediction model, which consists of the vehicle/track dynamic model previously selected and a track settlement law. The calculations are based on dynamic finite element models with direct time integration, contact between wheel and rail and interaction with railway cars. A initial irregularity profile is used in the prediction model. The track settlement law is considered to be a function of number of loading cycles and the magnitude of the loading, which represents the long-term behavior of ballast settlement. The results obtained include the track irregularity growth and the contact force in the final interaction of numerical simulatio

Large-scale assignment of orthology: back to phylogenetics?

Automated use of phylogenetic trees to deduce orthology relationships in proteins

Sistema para la detección de antibióticos en alimentos

Sistema para la detección de antibióticos en alimentos. La presente invención hace referencia a un sistema para la detección de antibióticos en alimentos que comprende una carcasa (1) que a su vez comprende al menos 1 hendidura para la adición de la muestra a analizar (3) y al menos 1 ventana de visualización de resultados (4) y una tira reactiva (2). Además la invención se refiere a un procedimiento para la detección de antibióticos en alimentos mediante el sistema anterior, que comprende las etapas de preparación del sistema de detección de antibióticos en alimentos, preparación de la muestra a analizar y detección de antibióticos.Ciencias de la Alimentació

Morality and Homicide among Young Killers

Morality among juveniles convicted of homicide is approached through balance or polarity, while self-empowerment becomes central for accounts. Feelings are analyzed as a source of plausible grounds for acting, though not necessarily suited to or legitimate according to a conventional code of behavior. Fear, in a sense of despair and menace, and rage, connected to power and excitement, were recurrent. Perceptions of self-enhancement and polarity rather than balance, without belittling the victim or presenting her as disreputable, marked a trend. Punishment was often linked to deprivation of contacts with family, suggesting social relevance of relatives, particularly women, in killings and   accounts. A novel approach is suggested for assessing moral claims in homicides by juveniles, addressed to alternative audiences beyond the criminal justice system.A moralidade entre jovens condenados por homicídio é abordada por meio de equilíbrio ou polaridade, quando o autoempoderamento se torna central para o relato. Os sentimentos são analisados como uma fonte de fundamentos plausíveis para o agir, embora não necessariamente adequados ou legítimos de acordo com um código de comportamento convencional. O medo, em um sentido de desespero e ameaça, e a raiva, ligada ao poder e à excitação, foram recorrentes. Percepções de autoengrandecimento e de polaridade em vez de equilíbrio, sem menosprezo da vítima ou de apresentá-la como desonesta, revelaram uma tendência. O castigo estava frequentemente ligado à privação de contatos com a família, sugerindo a relevância social dos familiares, particularmente das mulheres, nos homicídios e nos relatos. Em Moralidade e homicídio entre jovens assassinos uma nova abordagem é sugerida,  a fim de avaliar as alegações morais em homicídios por jovens, dirigidas a audiências alternativas para além do sistema de justiça criminal