On the simulation of the seismic energy transmission mechanisms

In recent years, considerable attention has been paid to research and development methods able to assess the seismic energy propagation on the territory. The seismic energy propagation is strongly related to the complexity of the source and it is affected by the attenuation and the scattering effects along the path. Thus, the effect of the earthquake is the result of a complex interaction between the signal emitted by the source and the propagation effects. The purpose of this work is to develop a methodology able to reproduce the propagation law of seismic energy, hypothesizing the "transmission" mechanisms that preside over the distribution of seismic effects on the territory, by means of a structural optimization process with a predetermined energy distribution. Briefly, the approach, based on a deterministic physical model, determines an objective correction of the detected distributions of seismic intensity on the soil, forcing the compatibility of the observed data with the physical-mechanical model. It is based on two hypotheses: (1) the earthquake at the epicentre is simulated by means of a system of distortions split into three parameters; (2) the intensity is considered coincident to the density of elastic energy. The optimal distribution of the beams stiffness is achieved, by reducing the difference between the values of intensity distribution computed on the mesh and those observed during four regional events historically reported concerning the Campania region (Italy)

Strength hierarchy provisions for transverse confinement systems of shell structural elements

Through-the-thickness (TT) confinement of masonry and concrete panels by composite or steel reinforcements, aiming at seismic retrofit of existing structures, has recently growth in popularity. However, structural design of transversal reinforcements, modeled as an homogeneized material, is often performed by neglecting the cyclic nature of seismic actions and by using static approaches. For this reason, a proper strength hierarchy between the confined core material and the confining devices should be accounted for in order to ensure that the retrofit system remains effective until the crisis of the core material is attained. This research introduces strength hierarchy conditions for TT-confinement systems, made of materials exhibiting a nonlinear behavior, aiming at determining the minimum strength required for uniaxial confining devices. The relevant relationships, theoretically derived by assuming a Drucker Prager constitutive model for the confined material and by enforcing equilibrium and compatibility conditions between the core and the confining devices, are characterized by simple mechanical parameters, usually available in common practice applications, familiar to most of the designers. Numerical examples confirm the effectiveness of the proposed provisions

Equipamiento revitalizador: centro multimodal de transporte

Este trabajo tiene por objetivo renovar y revitalizar el vacío urbano de la estación Tolosa, procurando el mejoramiento de la accesibilidad y la integración de programas alternativos en el área de influencia del centro de transferencia a proponer. La propuesta urbana del predio busca responder a las necesidades de una sociedad que se encuentra constantemente haciendo énfasis en las relaciones espaciales, comprendiendo para ello diferentes usos y espacios de diversas características. El principal desafío consistía en brindar diversas soluciones urbanas, arquitectónicas y sociales que respondan a las necesidades concretas del barrio y de los actores involucrados, logrando así poder hacer que la sociedad se apropie de esos espacios y de uso constante. Evitando de esta forma, la disgregación de los diferentes factores, a fin de no tener que lidiar a futuro con la aparición de los no lugares. Para la elaboración de la propuesta nos centraremos en entender como se relacionan los diferentes tipos de espacios públicos con diversidad funcional, logrando racionalizar sus dimensiones en función de lo esencial para el sector, diferenciando los lugares de transición de los lugares estancos, con la finalidad de entender el predio como un solo lugar compuesto de diversas funciones, en definitiva lograr una fluidez y continuidad de todas estas actividades dentro del sector urbano, logrando espacios flexibles con dimensiones acordes a las necesidades de la localidad.Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanism

Olfaction disorders: retrospective study

Introduction:The smell, subjective phenomenon of great importance, is poorly understood and studied in humans. Physicians with more knowledge about smell disorders tend to consider the phenomenon important and to better manage the diagnosis and its treatment.Aims:First to describe a sample of patients presenting with main complaint of disturbances of smell. And second, to show our experience on management and treatment of this disease.Design:Retrospective cross-sectional cohort study.Materials and methods:Sample description and assessment of treatment response in patients with main complaint of hyposmia or anosmia from January 2005 to October 2011.Results:From 38 patients presented with main complaint of an olfactory disorder, 68.4% of the patients were presented with hyposmia and 31,5% with anosmia, with a mean duration of 30.8 months. The main etiologic diagnoses were idiopathic (31.5%), rhinitis (28.9%) and CRS with polyps (10.5%). Responses to treatment with topical steroids and alpha-lipoic acid were variable, as well as in the literature.Conclusion:Greater importance should be given to disorders of smell in practice of otolaryngologists, since its large differential diagnosis and the fact that could increase morbidity to patients, impacting on their quality of life.Introdução:O olfato, fenômeno subjetivo de grande importância, é pouco compreendido e estudado no ser humano. Médicos com maior conhecimento sobre os distúrbios desse sentido tendem a considerar a doença mais importante e manejar melhor o diagnóstico e o tratamento.Objetivo:Descrever a amostra dos pacientes com queixa principal de distúrbios do olfato e mostrar a experiência do serviço no manejo e tratamento.Delineamento:Estudo retrospectivo de coorte histórica com corte transversal.Materiais e métodos:Descrição da amostra e avaliação de resposta ao tratamento de pacientes com queixa principal de hiposmia ou anosmia atendidos no ambulatório de Rinologia no período de janeiro de 2005 a outubro de 2011.Resultados:Dos 38 pacientes com distúrbio da olfação, 68,4% dos pacientes apresentaram queixa de hiposmia e 31,5% de anosmia, com duração média de 30,8 meses. Os diagnósticos etiológicos principais foram idiopática (31,5%), rinopatia alérgica (28,9%) e RSC com pólipos (10,5%). As respostas ao tratamento com corticosteroide tópico e ácido alfa-lipoico foram variáveis, assim como na literatura.Conclusão:Maior importância deve ser dada aos distúrbios do olfato na prática do otorrinolaringologista, uma vez que o diagnóstico diferencial é amplo e pode trazer grande morbidade ao paciente, com impacto na sua qualidade de vida.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) EPM Departamento de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeca e PescocoUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeca e PescocoSciEL

Performance of Ground Anchors Built in a Flysch Deposit

AbstractThe ultimate pull-out tensile load of ground anchors is strongly dependent onsoil nature,grout injection and effective stress state around the bulb. In this paper, the comparison between the results of conventional pull-out testson instrumented anchors built in a flysch formation and those of small scale pull-out tests performed in the laboratory,on undisturbed soil samples recovered at the depth of the anchor bulb,allowed to closely examine the skin friction that can be mobilizedin undrained conditionsat the soil-structure interface. The experiments highlight a strong scale effect, probably depending on the real size androughness ofthe lateral surface of the bulb. In fact, theirregular bulb profiledue to flysch features strongly contributes to the pull-outstrength

Interface and Structural Characterization of Buried CoSi2/Si(001) Nanoplatelets

The knowledge of the crystal shape and of the CoSi2/Si interface is essential for the theoretical modeling of these systems because these features have important influence on the electronic behavior, in particular the Schottky barrier height. Here is presented a comprehensive high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) investigation of buried CoSi2/Si nanostructures unconventionally obtained from a soft-chemistry method. In addition, the HRTEM images were studied by a strain state analysis method (GPA) [3] to calculate the 2D lattice distortion around the nanostructures. These results were compared with predictions as obtained by Finite Element Simulation (FE) to verify the induced 3D strain state.Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicada

Alteração cérvico-orofacial em indivíduos com síndrome da resistência de via aérea superior

Introduction Studies that assess the upper airways in sleep-related breathing disorders have been performed only in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome who seek medical attention. Therefore, in addition to the need for population studies, there are no data on the orofacial-cervical physical examination in subjects with upper airway resistance syndrome. Objectives To compare the orofacial-cervical examination between volunteers with upper airway resistance syndrome and without sleep-related breathing disorders. Methods Through questionnaires, physical measurements, polysomnography, and otorhinolaryngological evaluation, this study compared the orofacial-cervical physical examination, through a systematic analysis of the facial skeleton, mouth, throat, and nose, between volunteers with upper airway resistance syndrome and volunteers without sleep-related breathing disorders in a representative sample of the adult population of the city of São Paulo. Results There were 1042 volunteers evaluated; 49 subjects (5%) were excluded as they did not undergo otorhinolaryngological evaluation, 381 (36%) had apnea–hypopnea index > 5 events/hour, and 131 (13%) had oxyhemoglobin saturation < 90%. Among the remaining 481 subjects (46%), 30 (3%) met the criteria for the upper airway resistance syndrome definition and 53 (5%) met the control group criteria. At the clinical evaluation of nasal symptoms, the upper airway resistance syndrome group had more oropharyngeal dryness (17% vs. 29.6%; p = 0.025) and septal deviation grades 1–3 (49.1% vs. 57.7%; p = 0.025) when compared to controls. In the logistic regression model, it was found that individuals from the upper airway resistance syndrome group had 15.6-fold higher chance of having nose alterations, 11.2-fold higher chance of being hypertensive, and 7.6-fold higher chance of complaining of oropharyngeal dryness when compared to the control group. Conclusion Systematic evaluation of the facial skeleton, mouth, throat, and nose, between volunteers with upper airway resistance syndrome and volunteers without sleep-related breathing disorders, showed that the presence of upper airway resistance syndrome is mainly associated with nasal alterations and oropharyngeal dryness, in addition to the risk of hypertension, regardless of gender and obesity.Introdução: Estudos que avaliam a via aérea superior (VAS) nos distúrbios respiratórios relacionados ao sono (DRRS) foram realizadas somente em pacientes com Síndrome da apneia obstrutiva do sono (SAOS) que procuram o atendimento médico. Portanto, além da necessidade de estudos populacionais, não há dados sobre o exame físico cérvico-orofacial em indivíduos com Síndrome de Resistência das Vias Aéreas Superiores (SRVAS). Objetivos: Comparar o exame cérvico orofacial entre voluntário com SRVAS e sem DRRS. Método: Através de questionários, medidas físicas, polissonografia e avaliação otorrino-laringológica comparou-se o exame físico cérvico orofacial, através de uma análise sistemática do esqueleto facial, boca, faringe e nariz, entre voluntários com SRVAS e voluntários sem DRRS em uma amostra representativa da população adulta da cidade de São Paulo. Resultados: Avaliamos 1042 voluntários. Foram excluídos: 49 indivíduos (5%) que não realizaram avaliação otorrinolaringológica; 381 (36%) apresentaram índice de apneia e hipopnéia (IAH) > 5 eventos/hora e 131 (13%) apresentaram saturação da oxihemoglobina < 90%. Entre os 481 voluntários restantes (46%), 30 (3%) preenchiam os critérios estabelecidos para a definição de SRVAS e 53 (5%) que preenchiam os critérios do grupo controle. Na avaliação clínica dos sintomas nasais, o grupo SRVAS apresentou mais ressecamento orofaríngeo (17% vs. 29,6%; p = 0,025), desvio septal grau 1 a 3 (49,1% vs. 57,7%; p = 0,025), comparado ao controle. No modelo de regressão logística observamos que indivíduos do grupo SRVAS apresentaram uma razão de chance 15,6 vezes maior de apresentarem nariz alterado; 11,2 vezes maior de serem hipertensos e 7,6 vezes maior de se queixarem de ressecamento orofaríngeo quando comparados ao grupo controle. Conclusão: A avaliação sistemática do esqueleto facial, boca, faringe e nariz, entre voluntários com SRVAS e voluntários sem DRRS, mostrou que a presença de SRVAS está principalmente associada à alterações nasais e ressecamento orofaríngeo, além do risco de hipertensão arterial, independentemente do gênero e obesidade.Univ Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Otorhinolaryngol & Head & Neck Surg, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Dept Pneumol, Postgrad Program, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilInst Sono, Ctr Estudos, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Escola Paulista Med, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Psychobiol, Escola Paulista Med, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Otorhinolaryngol & Head & Neck Surg, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Escola Paulista Med, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Psychobiol, Escola Paulista Med, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc