Effects of Near-fault Strong Ground Motions on Probabilistic Structural Seismic-induced Damages

Seismic fragility curves measure induced levels of structural damage against strong ground motions of earthquakes, probabilistically. These curves play an important role in seismic performance assessment, seismic risk analysis and making rational decisions regarding seismic risk management of structures. It has been demonstrated that the calculated fragility curves of structures are changed while the structures are excited by near-field strong ground motions in comparison with far-field ones. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the extents of modification for various performance levels and variety of structural heights. To achieve this goal, Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA) method is applied to calculate seismic fragility curves. To investigate the effects of earthquake characteristics, two categories of strong ground motions are assumed through IDA method, i.e. near and far-field sets. To study the extent of modification for various heights of structures, 4 – 6 and 10 stories moment-resisting concrete frames are considered as case studies.  Furthermore, to study the importance of involving near-field strong ground motions in seismic performance assessment of structures, the damage levels are considered as the renowned structural performance levels (i.e. Immediate Occupancy, Life Safety, Collapse Prevention and Sidesway Collapse). Achieved results show that the fragility curve of low-rise frame (i.e. 4-story case study) for IO limit state presents more probability of damage applying near-fault sets in comparison with far-fault set. Investigating fragility curves of the other performance levels (i.e. LS, CP and Collapse) and the higher frames, a straightforward conclusion, regarding probability of damage. To achieve the rational results for the higher frames, mean annual frequency of exceedance (MAFE) and probability of exceeding limit states in 50 years are calculated. MAFE is defined as the integration of structural fragility curve over seismic hazard curve. According to the achieved results for 6-story frame, if the structure is excited by near-field strong ground motions the probability of exceedance for LS, CP and collapse limit states in 50 years will be increased up to 11%, 2.4%, 0.7% and 0.4% respectively, comparing with the calculated probabilities while far-field strong ground motions are applied. On the other hand, while the 10-story case study is excited by near-field strong ground motions, the exceedance probability values for mentioned limit states decreases up to 20%, 5%, 4% and 4%, respectively. Consequently, it can be concluded that the lower is the height of the structure, the more will be the increment of probability of damage in the near-field conditions. Furthermore, this increment is much more for IO limit state in comparison with other limit states. These facts can be applied as a precaution for seismic design of low-rise structures, while they are located at the vicinity of active faults

Antithrombotic Therapy and Outcomes After ICD Implantation in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Coronary Artery Disease: An Analysis From the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR)®

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/112259/1/jah3831.pd

(Z)-N-[5-Bromo-2-(4-methyl­anilino)-3H-indol-3-yl­idene]-4-methyl­aniline oxide

The crystal structure of the title compound, C22H18BrN3O, is stabilized by π–π contacts [centroid–centroid distance = 3.476 (2) Å] between five-membered rings as well as inter­molecular C—H⋯O and C—H⋯N hydrogen bonds. An intra­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bond occurs. The benzene rings make a dihedral angle of 59.89 (8)°. The dihedral angles between the fused ring systemand the two benzene rings are 3.46 (7) and 61.97 (7)°

(2Z)-N-(4-Meth­oxy­phen­yl)-2-(4-meth­oxy­phenyl­imino)-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3-amine

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C22H19N3O3, inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into a zigzag chain parallel to the face diagonal of the ac plane. The meth­oxy phenyl rings make a dihdral angle of 32.38 (7)° and form dihedral angles of 0.66 (8) and 24.17 (7)° with the fused benzooxazine ring system

Haptic microrobotic intracellular injection assistance using virtual fixtures

In manual cell injection the operator relies completely on visual information for task feedback and is subject to extended training times as well as poor success rates and repeatability. From this perspective, enhancing human-in-the-loop intracellular injection through haptic interaction offers significant benefits. This paper outlines two haptic virtual fixtures aiming to assist the human operator while performing cell injection. The first haptic virtual fixture is a parabolic force field designed to assist the operator in guiding the micropipette\u27s tip to a desired penetration point on the cell\u27s surface. The second is a planar virtual fixture which attempts to assist the operator from moving the micropipette\u27s tip beyond the deposition target location inside the cell. Preliminary results demonstrate the operation of the haptically assisted microrobotic cell injection system

Haptic guidance for microrobotic intracellular injection

The ability for a bio-operator to utilise a haptic device to manipulate a microrobot for intracellular injection offers immense benefits. One significant benefit is for the bio-operator to receive haptic guidance while performing the injection process. In order to address this, this paper investigates the use of haptic virtual fixtures for cell injection and proposes a novel force field virtual fixture. The guidance force felt by the bio-operator is determined by force field analysis within the virtual fixture. The proposed force field virtual fixture assists the bio-operator when performing intracellular injection by limiting the micropipette tip\u27s motion to a conical volume as well as recommending the desired path for optimal injection. A virtual fixture plane is also introduced to prevent the bio-operator from moving the micropipette tip beyond the deposition target inside the cell. Simulation results demonstrate the operation of the guidance system.<br /

The effect of Self-care educational program on sexu al function and quality of life in patients with ischemic heart disease

Sexual activity is a multi-dimensional relationship, which affected by many factors such as psychological, individual and social factor. Sexual education in patients with ischemic heart disease can reduce many of the consequences of it. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate the effect of Self-care education program on sexual function and quality of life in patients with ischemic heart disease. This semi experimental study was performed on 60 patients with ischemic heart disease, in Holy vali asr hospital in Qom, Iran in 2017. Patients were divided into control and intervention groups by Randomize sampling. Self-care education was provided through CD. Data collection was done through using the “demographic and clinical data questionnaire”, “Seattle Angina questionnaire”, and “Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale”. Questionnaires were completed in both groups, Before and at least one month after education,. Data were analyzed using central indexes, mann-whitney test and Wilcoxon Test. The average age of intervention and control participants were 58.1±5.8 and 57.66±4.5, respectively. Quality of life and sexual function, before and after education, in the intervention group had a significant difference. But the quality of life and sexual function, before and after the education, in control groups were not significantly. The results show that sexual educational programs as film for cardiac patients can improve sexual function and quality of life of these patients. Therefore; it is recommended that nurses must pay attention to education concerning the sexual function and quality of life in patients with Ischemic heart

Acute onset bilateral myopia induced by Chlordiazepoxide

Oral drugs may have adverse effects that affect vision. There are some drugs that are confirmed to induce ciliary effusion such as topiramate. Here we present a case of sudden onset decreased vision after consumption of chlordiazepoxide for a while.</p