Shear critical R/C columns under increasing axial load

Structural elements in old reinforced concrete (R/C) frame buildings are often prone to shear or flexure-shear failure, which can eventually lead to loss of axial load capacity of vertical elements and initiate vertical progressive collapse of a building. An experimental investigation of shear and flexure-shear critical R/C elements subjected to increasing axial load is reported herein. The focus is on the effect of vertical load redistribution from axially failing columns on the non-linear (pre- and post-peak) response of neighboring shear-dominated members. The test results along with an analysis of the recorded deformation, strength, stiffness and energy dissipation characteristics shed light on the performance of sub-standard columns under constant and increasing axial load subsequent, or just prior, to failing in shear, thus providing useful insights into the assessment of existing R/C structures

Evaluation of the ability of a novel miconazole formulation to penetrate nail by using three in vitro nail models

This document is the Accepted Manuscript of the following article: Luisa Christensen, Rob Turner, Sean Weaver, Francesco Caserta, Lisa Long, Mahmoud Ghannoum, and Marc Brown, ‘Evaluation of the Ability of a Novel Miconazole Formulation To Penetrate Nail by Using Three In Vitro Nail Models’, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, Vol. 61 (7): e02554-16, July 2017. The final, published version is available online at DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/AAC.02554-16.In an effort to increase the efficacy of topical medications for treating onychomycosis, several new nail penetration enhancers were recently developed. In this study, the ability of 10% (wt/wt) miconazole nitrate combined with a penetration enhancer formulation to permeate the nail is demonstrated by the use of a selection of in vitro nail penetration assays. These assays included the bovine hoof, TurChub zone of inhibition, and infected-nail models.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Principles and Operational Parameters to Optimize Poison Removal with Extracorporeal Treatments

A role for nephrologists in the management of a poisoned patient involves evaluating the indications for, and methods of, enhancing the elimination of a poison. Nephrologists are familiar with the various extracorporeal treatments ( ECTR s) used in the management of impaired kidney function, and their respective advantages and disadvantages. However, these same skills and knowledge may not always be considered, or applicable, when prescribing ECTR for the treatment of a poisoned patient. Maximizing solute elimination is a key aim of such treatments, perhaps more so than in the treatment of uremia, because ECTR has the potential to reverse clinical toxicity and shorten the duration of poisoning. This manuscript reviews the various principles that govern poison elimination by ECTR (diffusion, convection, adsorption, and centrifugation) and how components of the ECTR can be adjusted to maximize clearance. Data supporting these recommendations will be presented, whenever available.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/108055/1/sdi12247.pd

Extracorporeal Treatment in Phenytoin Poisoning: Systematic Review and Recommendations from the EXTRIP Workgroup

The Extracorporeal Treatments in Poisoning (EXTRIP) Workgroup conducted a systematic literature review using a standardized process to develop evidence-based recommendations on the use of extracorporeal treatment (ECTR) in patients with phenytoin poisoning. The authors reviewed all articles, extracted data, summarized findings, and proposed structured voting statements following a predetermined format. A 2-round modified Delphi method was used to reach a consensus on voting statements, and the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method was used to quantify disagreement. 51 articles met the inclusion criteria. Only case reports, case series, and pharmacokinetic studies were identified, yielding a very low quality of evidence. Clinical data from 31 patients and toxicokinetic grading from 46 patients were abstracted. The workgroup concluded that phenytoin is moderately dialyzable (level of evidence = C) despite its high protein binding and made the following recommendations. ECTR would be reasonable in select cases of severe phenytoin poisoning (neutral recommendation, 3D). ECTR is suggested if prolonged coma is present or expected (graded 2D) and it would be reasonable if prolonged incapacitating ataxia is present or expected (graded 3D). If ECTR is used, it should be discontinued when clinical improvement is apparent (graded 1D). The preferred ECTR modality in phenytoin poisoning is intermittent hemodialysis (graded 1D), but hemoperfusion is an acceptable alternative if hemodialysis is not available (graded 1D). In summary, phenytoin appears to be amenable to extracorporeal removal. However, because of the low incidence of irreversible tissue injury or death related to phenytoin poisoning and the relatively limited effect of ECTR on phenytoin removal, the workgroup proposed the use of ECTR only in very select patients with severe phenytoin poisoning

C4 photosynthesis boosts growth by altering physiology, allocation and size.

C4 photosynthesis is a complex set of leaf anatomical and biochemical adaptations that have evolved more than 60 times to boost carbon uptake compared with the ancestral C3 photosynthetic type(1-3). Although C4 photosynthesis has the potential to drive faster growth rates(4,5), experiments directly comparing C3 and C4 plants have not shown consistent effects(1,6,7). This is problematic because differential growth is a crucial element of ecological theory(8,9) explaining C4 savannah responses to global change(10,11), and research to increase C3 crop productivity by introducing C4 photosynthesis(12). Here, we resolve this long-standing issue by comparing growth across 382 grass species, accounting for ecological diversity and evolutionary history. C4 photosynthesis causes a 19-88% daily growth enhancement. Unexpectedly, during the critical seedling establishment stage, this enhancement is driven largely by a high ratio of leaf area to mass, rather than fast growth per unit leaf area. C4 leaves have less dense tissues, allowing more leaves to be produced for the same carbon cost. Consequently, C4 plants invest more in roots than C3 species. Our data demonstrate a general suite of functional trait divergences between C3 and C4 species, which simultaneously drive faster growth and greater investment in water and nutrient acquisition, with important ecological and agronomic implications

Lab Development for Android Devices Hacking

Android, as the most widely used mobile operating system, is a prime target for cyber-attacks due to its open-source nature and diverse ecosystem. This final year project focused on developing an ethical hacking lab designed for Android devices to educate students and professionals in the field of cybersecurity. The methodology involved setting up a controlled lab environment using Android devices and emulators, deploying tools such as Metasploit, Wireshark, Frida, and MobSF to conduct reverse engineering, static and dynamic analysis, and simulate real-world attacks including privilege escalation and man-in-the-middle scenarios. The results showed that by integrating different free and open-source tools, it is possible to execute realistic attack scenarios at the network, system, and application levels, providing an effective platform for learning. It was concluded that the lab effectively supported hands-on training in theoretical cybersecurity concepts and served as a platform for ethical hacking education focused on Android security through the combined use of various open-source tools.Android on maailman laajimmin käytetty mobiilikäyttöjärjestelmä, ja sen avoimen lähdekoodin sekä monimuotoisen ekosysteemin vuoksi se on keskeinen kohde kyberhyökkäyksille. Tämä opinnäytetyö keskittyi eettisen hakkerointilaboratorion kehittämiseen Android-laitteille kyberturvallisuuden koulutuksen tueksi opiskelijoille ja ammattilaisille. Tutkimusmenetelmä sisälsi hallitun laboratorioympäristön rakentamisen Android-laitteita ja emulaattoreita hyödyntäen. Laboratoriossa käytettiin työkaluja kuten Metasploit, Wireshark, Frida ja MobSF suorittamaan käänteissuunnittelua, staattista ja dynaamista analyysiä sekä simuloimaan todellisia hyökkäyksiä, kuten oikeuksien korotuksia ja man-in-the-middle-hyökkäyksiä. Tulokset osoittivat, että yhdistämällä eri ilmaisia ja avoimen lähdekoodin työkaluja voidaan toteuttaa todentuntuisia hyökkäysskenaarioita sovellus-, järjestelmä- ja verkkotasoilla, tarjoten tehokas oppimisympäristö. Johtopäätöksenä todettiin, että laboratorio tuki tehokkaasti kyberturvallisuuden teoreettisten konseptien käytännön koulutusta ja tarjosi alustan eettisen hakkeroinnin opetukseen, keskittyen Android-turvallisuuteen avoimen lähdekoodin työkalujen yhdistetyllä käytöllä

Classification of grouplike categories

In this paper we study grouplike monoids, these are monoids that contain a group to which we add an ordered set of idempotents. We classify finite categories with two objects having grouplike endomorphism monoids, and we give a count of certain categories with grouplike monoids.Comment: Minor changes in Lemma 3.18. Added Definition 4.3, Lemma 4.4 and Remark 4.5. And the proof of Proposition 4.6 is improve