Analysis of Flexural Behavior and Lateral Buckling of Inelastic Steel Beams under Cyclic Loads

Inelastic steel beams are analyzed with emphasis on their transient flexural behavior and lateral buckling under cyclic loads. The constraint and load conditions are chosen so that they simulate inelastic beams, of a frame structure subjected to a horizontal seismic motion. An analytical model of inelastic beams is proposed that accounts for basic transient behaviors of mild steel. On this basis, a detailed discussion is made on the mechanism of transient behaviors including those of the plasic hinge, loaddeflection relation, lateral buckling load, etc. A physical interpretation is given as regards the transient flexural behavior and the deformation capacity for the lateral buckling of steel beams under monotonic and cyclic loadings

Seismic Response Analysis of Joint-Connected Buried Pipelines Including Bent Sections

Response analysis of joint-connected buried pipelines including bent sections has been carried out using analytical models, types of which are commonly used in the actual underground lifeline systems. The details of the structures and materials along the trunk routes of the Kyoto City Water Supply Districts have been intensively examined to establish these analytical models. Response analysis for four representative models of buried pipelines has been performed with some analytical parameters of pipe-structures, input ground motions, and soil springs, etc., focusing on the effects of the structural and input ground motion parameters on the response behavior of pipelines

Design for adaption - Making timber buildings ready for circular use and extended service life

The construction sector has a significant share of Green House Gas emission and raw material consumption globally. Among common construction materials, timber has a long tradition of numerous applications as a renewable material. The implementation of the concept of circularity in the process of the construction of timber buildings has a high potential sustainability impact. The concept of design for adaption is to extend the service life of timber building to the maximum in several life cycles. In this paper the demand regarding circularity is analysed from interviews with different stakeholders and their economic, social and environmental incentive. The possibility to assess the sustainability impact of design for adaption are evaluated. Different examples of existing practices and potential solutions for design for deconstruction and adaption are summarized

Numerical and real-life assessment of the moisture safety of CLT structure with PIR insulation composite under the Swedish climate

The building industry is a major contributor of CO2 emission. Wood construction is a good option for carbon storage among various construction alternatives. Considering the growing market of multi-story wooden building in Sweden, CLT (cross laminated timber) structure with an alternative insulation composite with PIR insulation and MgO board was proposed. In order to prove the applicability of this construction for moisture safety, the hygrothermal performance of the wall was measured in real life at HSB Living Lab (Gothenburg, Sweden) throughout 2019. Furthermore, a numerical model to analyse its performance by transient heat and moisture transfer analysis was created to predict the performance of the wall system. After the successful validation of the numerical model, a parameter study was carried out to investigate the moisture risk of the wall system in the case of extensive wetting of the CLT panel and in various areas in Sweden (Gothenburg, Stockholm, Lund, Karlstad and Lule). The study showed a low mould growth risk either in the test at the living lab or in the feasibility study. The development of the technology should further focus on the cost-effectiveness and design of all the construction details for the future market application

A Chinese Herbal Medicine, Tokishakuyakusan, Reduces the Worsening of Impairments and Independence after Stroke: A 1-Year Randomized, Controlled Trial

In post-stroke patients, the recurrence of stroke and progression of impairments lead to a bedridden state and dementia. As for their treatments, only anti-hypertension and anti-coagulation therapies to prevent the recurrence of stroke are available. In Asia, post-stroke patients with impairments are often treated with herbal medicine. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of tokishakuyakusan (TS) in improving the impairment and independence in post-stroke patients. Thirty-one post-stroke patients (mean age = 81.4 years) were recruited and enrolled. Participants were randomly assigned to the TS group (n = 16) or non-treatment (control) group (n = 15) and treated for 12 months. Impairments were assessed using the Stroke Impairment Assessment Set (SIAS). Independence was evaluated using the functional independence measure (FIM). For each outcome measure, mean change was calculated every 3 months. The results were that impairments according to SIAS did not significantly change in the TS group. In contrast, SIAS significantly worsened in the control group. There was a significant difference between the two groups. In each term of SIAS, affected lower extremity scores, abdominal muscle strength, function of visuospatial perception, and so forth. in the TS group were better than those in the control group. Independence according to FIM did not change significantly in the TS group. In contrast, FIM significantly worsened in the control group. There was also a significant difference between the two groups. In conclusion, TS was considered to suppress the impairments of lower limbs and to exert a favorable effect on cerebral function for post-stroke patients

A report of three cases of diabetic nephropathy satisfactorily treated with traditional herbal medicine

We reported that three cases of diabetic nephropathy, who had overt proteinuria, were treated satisfactorily not only for their symptoms but also renal nephropathy with traditional herbal medicine over the long term. In Case 1, the level of S-Cr had changed from 1.2 to 2.0 mg/dl over 98 months, in Case 2 from 0.9 to 1.9 mg/dl over 70 months, and in Case 3 from 1.1 to 2.9 mg/dl over 81 months, acceptably moderate increases, meaning that the progression of their renal insufficiency was controlled over the long term. At the same time, the symptoms of hotness, numbness and edema were improved. Diabetic nephropathy with overt proteinuria is known to develop into renal failure after several years. In these cases, traditional herbal medicine was considered responsible for improving their QOL and prolonging the pre-dialysis period of diabetic nephropathy. 顕性蛋白尿期にある糖尿病性腎症の患者に漢方治療を施行した。その結果,随伴する諸症状の改善のみならず長期問,腎機能低下の進行を抑制した3症例を経験したので報告した。症例lでは,98ケ月の観察でS-Cr値はl.2から2.0mg/dl,症例2では70ケ月の観察で,S-Cr値は0.9から1.9mg/dl,症例3では81ケ月の観察で,S-Cr値は1.1から2.9mg/dl,と長期間腎機能低下の進行を抑制した。同時に,手足の火照りやしぴれ感,下肢の浮腫などの症状の軽快も認めた。持続的に蛋白尿を認める顕牲腎症期に至った糖尿病性腎症は数年の経過で,末期腎不全から血液透析に至ると言われている。今回の症例から和漢薬は,糖尿病性腎症における腎機能障害に対して腎機能障害の進行抑制作用を有する可能性が示唆された。このことから,和漢薬は糖尿病に随伴する諸症状を緩和し,QOLを改善するのみでなく,血液透析導人までの期間を延長し,予後を改善したと考えられた

Discrepancy in the Responsiveness to Hip Range of Motion Between Harris and Oxford Hip Scores

Background: The primary objectives of total hip arthroplasty (THA) include mobility improvement and pain relief; however, the correlation between hip range of motion (ROM) and function remains unclear. We aimed to explore how ROM affects hip functions after THA and compare the responsiveness of each component of the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) and Oxford Hip Score (OHS) to preoperative and postoperative ROM. Methods: This prospective observational study involved 120 patients who underwent unilateral THA. Univariate regression analyses were performed using the University of California Los Angeles activity score and mHHS and OHS to determine the effects of preoperative and postoperative flex ROM on clinical scores at 12 months. Multivariate regressions were performed to adjust for the confounding effects of patient factors: age, sex, body mass index, and diagnosis. Results: A larger preoperative flexion ROM was associated with a higher score in the mHHS socks component (standardized coefficient [SC] = 0.26, P = .0041) at 12 months; the effect on the OHS socks component was not significant (P = .34). A larger flexion ROM at 12 months was associated with higher scores in the mHHS support (SC = 0.21, P = .026), stairs (SC = 0.35, P = .0002), and socks (SC = 0.32, P = .0007) components but had no significant effect on any OHS component. The effects of ROM on University of California Los Angeles activity score were limited. Conclusions: A discrepancy was noted in the responsiveness to ROM between the two major measurement tools; this difference might be because mHHS and OHS are surgeon- and patient-administered questionnaires, respectively. This discrepancy also suggests that the patients have higher satisfaction than that assumed by the surgeons