Experimental and Numerical Analysis on the Core Lateral Thrust in Bolted BRBs

The paper aims at presenting numerical and experimental results on the lateral thrust exerted by the inner core of a buckling restraining brace (BRB) when, after buckling in compression, it arrives into contact with the external restraining case. The BRB consisted of a plate core restrained by bolted U- shaped member, thus allowing an easy assembly of the BRB, as well as the inspection and the substitution of its core after a seismic event [1, 2]. The results of six tests on BRBs having a plate core with a cross section of 5x50 mm2 and a dissipative length of 560 mm are shown. The gap dimension was varied between 0.25 and 0.70 mm. Cyclic displacements of increasing amplitude were applied to the core up to a steel strain of 2%, adopting the loading history prescribed by AISC standards [3]. The instrumented bolts connecting the restraining elements and a thin tactile pressure sensor placed within the gap allowed to steadily monitor both the lateral thrust and the buckling shape of the plate core during the experiment. The results showed that the lateral thrust increased linearly with the gap dimension, thus confirming the trend provided by the analytical formulation proposed by Genna and Gelfi [4]. As reported in Table 1, for a maximum axial force of about 110 kN, the value of the transverse thrust ranged from 36.5 kN in the specimen 1 with a gap of 0.25 mm to 86.6 kN in the specimen 3 with a gap of 0.70 mm. Furthermore, the specimens 6, without stiffening plates in the web of the restraining U- profiles, showed the significant role of the local transverse deformation on the value of the lateral thrust, which was twice the thrust of the specimen 1, characterized by the same gap of 0.25 mm but with a stiffened case. The experimental results allowed to validate a non-linear 3D Finite Element model performed with the code ABAQUS [5]. The numerical analyses accurately predicted the cyclic behaviour of the tested BRBs in term of axial load, buckling shape of the core and lateral thrust action. The difference between the measured thrust and the calculated thrust at the end of the loading history (steel strain c=2%) ranges between -8% to +17%, while the 2D plane stress model proposed in [6] overestimated the lateral thrust of +85%, owing to the inability of the 2D model to describe the local transverse deformations of the case

The Same-Sex Marriage Cases and Federal Jurisdiction: On Third-Party Standing and Why the Domestic Relations Exception to Federal Jurisdiction Should Be Overruled

In this paper, we consider two questions. First, we address whether there was proper standing for the Article III courts to decide United States v. Windsor, 570 U.S. 133 S. Ct. 2675, 2696 (2013) and Hollingsworth v. Perry, 133 S. Ct. 2652, 2668 (2013). We conclude that the third-party appellants lacked standing in federal court. Second, we examine whether cases challenging state same-sex marriage bans were and are cases in “law and equity” or instead, barred under the domestic relations exception for the purposes of federal question jurisdiction. We conclude that the domestic relations exception to federal jurisdiction is an archaic, historical remnant that should be overruled by the U.S. Supreme Court, and thus, the Article III federal courts have jurisdiction to hear pure marital status cases despite their domestic nature. We call on the Supreme Court to eliminate the domestic relations exception as to all forms of federal jurisdiction

Presence of Candida zemplinina in Sicilian Musts and Selection of a Strain for Wine Mixed Fermentations

The purpose of this work was to investigate the presence of C. zemplinina yeasts in Sicilian musts andgrapes and to identify strains of oenological interest. We report on the taxonomical reclassificationof Candida yeast isolates from Sicilian musts and on the selection of one strain of oenological interest(Cz3), based on mixed micro-fermentation experiments in sterile Nero d’Avola musts. Our results showthat Candida zemplinina is abundant in Sicilian grapes and musts, and that the Cz3 strain is suitablefor Candida zemplinina/Saccharomyces cerevisiae mixed fermentations. The higher glycerol content andthe lower ethanol level stood out as the most promising features of the wines obtained upon sequentialinoculation of the Cz3 and (S. cerevisiae) NDA21 yeast starters. We therefore have isolated a Sicilian Czstrain endowed with very promising features for the future development of mixed fermentation protocols

Vino e Ambiente: sostenibilità e qualità primaria nel sottobacino Iudeo-Bucari (TP).

In questa raccolta di scritti, vengono riportati i risultati dell’attività di ricerca realizzata con la collaborazione della cantina UVAM e dell’Istituto Regionale Vino e Olio di Sicili

Investigating the feasibility and acceptability of the HOLOBalance system compared with standard care in older adults at risk for falls: study protocol for an assessor blinded pilot randomised controlled study

INTRODUCTION: Approximately one in three of all older adults fall each year, with wide ranging physical, psychosocial and healthcare-related consequences. Exercise-based interventions are the cornerstone for falls prevention programmes, yet these are not consistently provided, do not routinely address all components of the balance system and are often not well attended. The HOLOBalance system provides an evidence-based balance training programme delivered to patients in their home environment using a novel technological approach including an augmented reality virtual physiotherapist, exergames and a remote monitoring system. The aims of this proof-of-concept study are to (1) determine the safety, acceptability and feasibility of providing HOLOBalance to community dwelling older adults at risk for falls and (2) provide data to support sample size estimates for a future trial. METHODS: A single (assessor) blinded pilot randomised controlled proof of concept study. 120 participants will be randomised to receive an 8-week home exercise programme consisting of either: (1) HOLOBalance or (2) The OTAGO Home Exercise Programme. Participants will be required to complete their exercise programme independently under the supervision of a physiotherapist. Participants will have weekly telephone contact with their physiotherapist, and will receive home visits at weeks 0, 3 and 6. Outcome measures of safety, acceptability and feasibility, clinical measures of balance function, disability, balance confidence and cognitive function will be assessed before and immediately after the 8 week intervention. Acceptability and feasibility will be explored using descriptive statistics, and trends for effectiveness will be explored using general linear model analysis of variance. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has received institutional ethical approvals in Germany (reference: 265/19), Greece (reference: 9769/24-6-2019) and the UK (reference: 19/LO/1908). Findings from this study will be submitted for peer-reviewed publications. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04053829. PROTOCOL VERSION: V.2, 20 January 2020

Candida zemplinina for Production of Wines with Less Alcohol and More Glycerol

We developed a new protocol for winery mixed fermentations, using the selected Candida zemplinina yeaststrain Cz3. The results of a two-year study, in which red musts (Merlot in 2010; Merlot, Nero d’Avolaand Frappato in 2011) were inoculated with Cz3, is discussed. These wines were compared with winesobtained by inoculation with commercial Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strains (NDA21 and AR06 in2010; NDA21 in 2011), or with those obtained by spontaneous fermentation (only in 2011). The inoculationof Cz3 always resulted in a two-phase fermentation: the first phase was driven by the C. zemplinina strain,while the second was dominated by the indigenous S. cerevisiae yeasts coming from the grapes and/or thewinery. In both years the Cz3 wines contained less alcohol and more glycerol than those made with thecommercial yeast strains or those obtained by spontaneous fermentation. Triangle tests showed that asensorial difference between wines could only be achieved through the utilisation of Cz3

Le prove di vinificazione della cultivar grillo su tre vigneti sperimentali site nel sottobacino Iudeo - Bucari (TP).

Gli Autori, dopo aver descrittole caratteristiche ambientali del sottobacino Iudeo Bucari e l’attività agricola prevalentemente legataalla vitivinicoltura, descrivono alcune prove di vinificazione di uve Grillo provenienti da tre vignesite nel sottobacino Iudeo – Bucari gestite in modo ordinario, delle quali si è monitorata la maturazione delle uve. L'obiettivo è quello di caratterizzare il prodotto vino ottenuto attraverso una tecnica di vinificazione uniforme ed ordinaria nella zona, ma che mira a mettere in evidenza la diversa qualità tecnologica delle uve utilizzate espressione dicontesti eco-pedologici diversi

candida zemplinina for production of wines with less alcohol and more glycerol

We developed a new protocol for winery mixed fermentations, using the selected Candida zemplinina yeast strain Cz3. The results of a two-year study, in which red musts (Merlot in 2010; Merlot, Nero d'Avola and Frappato in 2011) were inoculated with Cz3, is discussed. These wines were compared with wines obtained by inoculation with commercial Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strains (NDA21 and AR06 in 2010; NDA21 in 2011), or with those obtained by spontaneous fermentation (only in 2011). The inoculation of Cz3 always resulted in a two-phase fermentation: the first phase was driven by the C. zemplinina strain, while the second was dominated by the indigenous S. cerevisiae yeasts coming from the grapes and/or the winery. In both years the Cz3 wines contained less alcohol and more glycerol than those made with the commercial yeast strains or those obtained by spontaneous fermentation. Triangle tests showed that a sensorial difference between wines could only be achieved through the utilisation of Cz3