Axial Load-carrying Capacity of Steel Tubed Concrete Short Columns Confined with Advanced FRP Composites

Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRPs) have wide applications in the field of concrete construction due to their superior performance over conventional materials. This research focuses on the structural behavior of steel tube FRP jacket–confined concrete (STFC) columns under axial concentric loading and proposes a new empirical equation for predicting the axial load-carrying capacity of STFC columns having thickness of FRP-fabric ranging from 0.09 mm to 5.9 mm. A large database of 700 FRP-confined concrete specimens is developed with the detailed information of critical parameters, i.e. elastic modulus of FRPs (Ef), compressive strength of unconfined concrete (fc’o), diameter of specimen (D), height of specimen (H), total thickness of FRPs (N.tf), and the ultimate strength of confined concrete (fc’c). After the preliminary evaluation of constructed database, a new empirical model is proposed for the prediction of axial compressive strength of FRP-confined specimens using general regression analysis by minimizing the error functions such as root mean squared error (RMSE) and coefficient of determination (R2). The proposed FRP-confinement strength model presented higher accuracy as compared with previously proposed models. Finally, an equation is proposed for the predictions of axial load carrying capacity of STFC columns. For the validation of proposed equation, an extensive parametric study is performed using the proposed nonlinear finite element model (FEM). The FEM is calibrated using the load-deflection results of STFC columns from literature. A close agreement was observed between the predictions of proposed finite element model and proposed capacity equation

Influence of edaphic properties in determining forest community patterns of the Zabarwan Mountain Range in the Kashmir Himalayas

The significance of edaphic factors in describing forest vegetation patterns is becoming more well acknowledged, with significant implications for the description of biogeographical regions and biome classification, as well as abundance and growth patterns at regional levels. The current study examines the vegetation association in the Zabarwan mountain range of the Western Himalayas and its association with edaphic factors. To collect data on forest types, we employed a systematic random sampling strategy in 60 plots (0.1 ha) across five forest types. We investigated data using ordination and cluster analysis approaches after calculating the important value index (henceforth IVI) for each plant species and edaphic data from forests. In total, 76 plant species from 39 different families were found in the area. The Rosaceae family was the most numerous, followed by Fabaceae and Asteraceae. Scrub forest types have lower diversity indices, while broad-leaved forest types have greater diversity indices. Two-way cluster analyses classified the forest vegetation of the Zabarwan mountain range into two plant communities on the basis of indicator plant species. The ordination analysis (canonical correspondence analysis) indicated that vegetation association tended to be influenced differently by distinct levels of soil parameters. The soil pH and calcium content were the main factors influencing the species distribution in the different forest types. The phytosociological features (basal area) were higher in coniferous forest type (74.49 m2ha−1) compared to broad-leaved (58.63 m2ha−1) and scrub forest type (15.4 m2ha−1). Overall, the goal of this research is to gain a better understanding of the impact of soil elements on forest composition and associations in order to develop scientifically based management options for forest ecosystem protection in the Himalayan region

BHPR research: qualitative1. Complex reasoning determines patients' perception of outcome following foot surgery in rheumatoid arhtritis

Background: Foot surgery is common in patients with RA but research into surgical outcomes is limited and conceptually flawed as current outcome measures lack face validity: to date no one has asked patients what is important to them. This study aimed to determine which factors are important to patients when evaluating the success of foot surgery in RA Methods: Semi structured interviews of RA patients who had undergone foot surgery were conducted and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis of interviews was conducted to explore issues that were important to patients. Results: 11 RA patients (9 ♂, mean age 59, dis dur = 22yrs, mean of 3 yrs post op) with mixed experiences of foot surgery were interviewed. Patients interpreted outcome in respect to a multitude of factors, frequently positive change in one aspect contrasted with negative opinions about another. Overall, four major themes emerged. Function: Functional ability & participation in valued activities were very important to patients. Walking ability was a key concern but patients interpreted levels of activity in light of other aspects of their disease, reflecting on change in functional ability more than overall level. Positive feelings of improved mobility were often moderated by negative self perception ("I mean, I still walk like a waddling duck”). Appearance: Appearance was important to almost all patients but perhaps the most complex theme of all. Physical appearance, foot shape, and footwear were closely interlinked, yet patients saw these as distinct separate concepts. Patients need to legitimize these feelings was clear and they frequently entered into a defensive repertoire ("it's not cosmetic surgery; it's something that's more important than that, you know?”). Clinician opinion: Surgeons' post operative evaluation of the procedure was very influential. The impact of this appraisal continued to affect patients' lasting impression irrespective of how the outcome compared to their initial goals ("when he'd done it ... he said that hasn't worked as good as he'd wanted to ... but the pain has gone”). Pain: Whilst pain was important to almost all patients, it appeared to be less important than the other themes. Pain was predominately raised when it influenced other themes, such as function; many still felt the need to legitimize their foot pain in order for health professionals to take it seriously ("in the end I went to my GP because it had happened a few times and I went to an orthopaedic surgeon who was quite dismissive of it, it was like what are you complaining about”). Conclusions: Patients interpret the outcome of foot surgery using a multitude of interrelated factors, particularly functional ability, appearance and surgeons' appraisal of the procedure. While pain was often noted, this appeared less important than other factors in the overall outcome of the surgery. Future research into foot surgery should incorporate the complexity of how patients determine their outcome Disclosure statement: All authors have declared no conflicts of interes

Prognostic model to predict postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery based on a national prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Acute illness, existing co-morbidities and surgical stress response can all contribute to postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery. The aim of this study was prospectively to develop a pragmatic prognostic model to stratify patients according to risk of developing AKI after major gastrointestinal surgery. Methods: This prospective multicentre cohort study included consecutive adults undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection, liver resection or stoma reversal in 2-week blocks over a continuous 3-month period. The primary outcome was the rate of AKI within 7 days of surgery. Bootstrap stability was used to select clinically plausible risk factors into the model. Internal model validation was carried out by bootstrap validation. Results: A total of 4544 patients were included across 173 centres in the UK and Ireland. The overall rate of AKI was 14·2 per cent (646 of 4544) and the 30-day mortality rate was 1·8 per cent (84 of 4544). Stage 1 AKI was significantly associated with 30-day mortality (unadjusted odds ratio 7·61, 95 per cent c.i. 4·49 to 12·90; P < 0·001), with increasing odds of death with each AKI stage. Six variables were selected for inclusion in the prognostic model: age, sex, ASA grade, preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate, planned open surgery and preoperative use of either an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker. Internal validation demonstrated good model discrimination (c-statistic 0·65). Discussion: Following major gastrointestinal surgery, AKI occurred in one in seven patients. This preoperative prognostic model identified patients at high risk of postoperative AKI. Validation in an independent data set is required to ensure generalizability

Left Main Coronary Artery Revascularization in Patients with Impaired Renal Function: Percutaneous Coronary Intervention versus Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Introduction: The evidence about the optimal revascularization strategy in patients with left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease and impaired renal function is limited. Thus, we aimed to compare the outcomes of LMCA disease revascularization (percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI] vs. coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG]) in patients with and without impaired renal function. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 2,138 patients recruited from 14 centers between 2015 and 2,019. We compared patients with impaired renal function who had PCI (n= 316) to those who had CABG (n = 121) and compared patients with normal renal function who had PCI (n = 906) to those who had CABG (n = 795). The study outcomes were in-hospital and follow-up major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). Results: Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of in-hospital MACCE was significantly higher in CABG compared to PCI in patients with impaired renal function (odds ratio [OR]: 8.13 [95% CI: 4.19–15.76], p &lt; 0.001) and normal renal function (OR: 2.59 [95% CI: 1.79–3.73]; p &lt; 0.001). There were no differences in follow-up MACCE between CABG and PCI in patients with impaired renal function (HR: 1.14 [95% CI: 0.71–1.81], p = 0.585) and normal renal function (HR: 1.12 [0.90–1.39], p = 0.312). Conclusions: PCI could have an advantage over CABG in revascularization of LMCA disease in patients with impaired renal function regarding in-hospital MACCE. The follow-up MACCE was comparable between PCI and CABG in patients with impaired and normal renal function

REDESAIN IDENTITAS VISUAL “BASO RAOS FROZEN DAPUR IBU NIT NIT” UNTUK MENARIK PELANGGAN SECARA LEBIH LUAS

Dapur Ibu Nit-Nit merupakan merek dagang pada beberapa produk makanan olahan yang fokusnya pada bakso beku atau bakso frozen. Identitas visual pada Dapur Ibu Nit-Nit tidak diterapkan secara maksimal sehingga produknya tidak dikenal lebih luas. Oleh karena itu, redesain identitas visual perlu dilakukan sebagai langkah yang tepat untuk melakukan promosi dan membangun citra positif konsumen terhadap produk Dapur Ibu Nit-Nit yang sehat dan berkualitas. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif deskriptif dengan desain penelitian practice led research. Penelitian yang dilakukan adalah redesain pada Dapur Ibu Nit-Nit untuk diaplikasikan dan implementasi pada produk makanan olahan untuk membangun desain yang positif dan baik di masyarakat. Hasil penelitian yang telah dilakukan dapat disimpulkan bahwa peneliti menginterpretasikan visi misi, karakter konsumen dan penempatan brand Dapur Ibu Nit-nit dalam bentuk elemen visual yang dijadikan dasar identitas visual meliputi logo, warna, tipografi, dan desain mockup pada media-media tertentu. ----------- Ibu Nit-Nit's Kitchen is a trademark for several processed food products which focus on frozen meatballs. The visual identity of Ibu Nit-Nit's Kitchen was not implemented optimally so the product was not widely known. Therefore, a visual identity redesign needs to be carried out as the right step to promote and build a positive consumer image of healthy and quality Ibu Nit-Nit Kitchen products. This research uses a descriptive qualitative method with a practice-led research design. The research carried out was a redesign of Ibu Nit-Nit's Kitchen to be applied and implemented in processed food products to build a positive and good design in society. The results of the research that has been carried out can be concluded that the researcher interpreted the vision and mission, consumer character and placement of the Ibu Nit-nit Kitchen brand in the form of visual elements which are used as the basis for visual identity including logos, colors, typography and mockup designs in certain media

To evaluate and compare the stress distribution pattern in the crestal bone around implants with various thread designs : A three dimensional finite element study

Aim:- To evaluate and compare the effect of thread geometry i.e. V-shape, Square and Buttress under 100 N force on peri-implant bone via Finite &nbsp;Element. Materials &amp; Method:- Three virtual models was prepared having implants with different thread designs:- V– thread design Model I; Square thread design Model II and Buttress thread design Model III. Loading points were marked on the superstructure (crowns virtually fabricated for each of the abutments) and 100N of vertical and oblique forces at an angle of 45º were applied. ANSYS software was used for qualitative and quantitative stress analysis. Maximum von Mises stresses and strain values at the implant surface and abutment were recorded. Results:- Highest displacement was seen in square shaped thread designed implants (0.46) followed by buttress shaped and then V-shaped thread design of implants (0.056). The mean stress for V-shaped design implants, square shaped design implants and buttress design implants were 6.12, 6.18 and 6.11 respectively. Highest difference in stress on abutment was 33.84, 32.59 and 20.53 in V shaped, square shaped and buttress shaped designs respectively. Conclusion:- Square shape thread design has biomechanical advantages in terms of reducing stress concentration and microstrain in bone

Adverse Effect of Lead Acetate on Light Weight Protein of Bactrocera cucurbitae

Lot of insectsareinfluenced easily by a number of pollutants; such as, the influence of lead (as lead acetate) on Bactrocera cucurbitae. Lead is considered to be an important toxic waste which could contaminate the environment, such as soil, air and water. Therefore, insects could be influenced by the lead. Bactrocera cucurbitae, was studied at 48 hours post treatment, under the effects of lead acetate, in different concentrations. Lead is found to exert a definite specific physiological and morphological effect on these flies.It was observed that under the effect of lead abnormalities and deformities were developed in the larvae of flies. Thus these flies could present a useful module for the quick transmission of the environmental hazards due to lead contamination, which exerts a specific physiological and morphological effect on these flies. The purpose of the present work was to determine the effects of lead on proteins as a major indicator of physiological features along with morphological features of larvae of Bactrocera cucurbitae flies

Adverse Effect of Lead Acetate on Light Weight Protein of Bactrocera cucurbitae

Lot of insectsareinfluenced easily by a number of pollutants; such as, the influence of lead (as lead acetate) on Bactrocera cucurbitae. Lead is considered to be an important toxic waste which could contaminate the environment, such as soil, air and water. Therefore, insects could be influenced by the lead. Bactrocera cucurbitae, was studied at 48 hours post treatment, under the effects of lead acetate, in different concentrations. Lead is found to exert a definite specific physiological and morphological effect on these flies.It was observed that under the effect of lead abnormalities and deformities were developed in the larvae of flies. Thus these flies could present a useful module for the quick transmission of the environmental hazards due to lead contamination, which exerts a specific physiological and morphological effect on these flies. The purpose of the present work was to determine the effects of lead on proteins as a major indicator of physiological features along with morphological features of larvae of Bactrocera cucurbitae flies

Rancang Bangun Sistem Photovoltaic Berbasis MPPT Untuk Produksi Hidrogen Menggunakan Electrolyzer

Indonesia merupakan negara dengan energi terbarukan yang melimpah. Energi surya dan angin merupakan energi terbarukan yang banyak dimanfaatkan untuk kelangsungan kehidupan. Energi surya yang dimanfaatkan di Indonesia kebanyakan dalam bentuk radiasi atau penyinaran dengan persebaran rata-rata sekitar 4,8 kWh/m2 setiap harinya. Namun, tidak semua energi yang dihasilkan oleh PV dapat tersimpan di baterai. Jika baterai sudah penuh, maka energi tersebut akan terbuang. Oleh sebab itu, diperlukan electrolyzer agar energi yang seharusnya terbuang dapat dimanfaatkan maksimal menjadi energi hidrogen. Algoritma yang digunakan untuk pengendalian adalah Maximum Power Point Tracking dengan metode Perturb and Observe. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengaplikasikan suatu desain DC-DC Converter yang dilengkapi dengan sebuah mikro-kontroler untuk mengendalikan kelebihan daya yang dihasilkan oleh PV 100 Wp yang tidak semuanya terserap oleh baterai. Hasil yang didapat pada penelitian ini parameter Sistem DC-DC Converter yang digunakan adalah Buck converter Sinkron didapat dari perhitungan induktor sebesar 761uH dan kapasitor 340uF sehingga menggunakan inductor yang tersedia adalah 2mH dan kapasitor 470uF. Efisiensi buck converter terbesar sebesar 96% dan rata-rata efisiensi sebesar 93%. Daya yang maksimal yang mampu dihasilkan oleh PV adalah sebesar 51,686W dengan rata-rata sebesar 28,645W. Efisiensi PV rata-rata didapat sebesar 9,31% dengan efisiensi tertinggi sebesar 13,76%. Sistem yang dirancang mampu mengendalikan kelebihan daya yang tidak terpakai pada sistem charging baterai menjadi daya untuk elektrolyzer dan mampu memaksimalkan daya dari PV. ===================================================================================================================================== Indonesia is a country equipped with abundant renewable energy. Solar and wind energies are some of the renewable energies that are widely used to fulfil human needs. Solar energy used in Indonesia is usually in the form of radiation or irradiation, with a daily average distribution of around 4.8 kWh / m2. Unfortunately, the energy generated by PV cannot be entirely stored in the battery. If the battery is fully charged, then it will no longer accept energy. As a result, those energies will be wasted. Thus, an electrolyzer is needed to maximize the utilization of energy by transforming the wasted energy into hydrogen energy. The algorithm used in this research is Maximum Power Point Tracking with Perturb and Observe. The algorithm was chosen due to its excellence in performing relatively simple and fast maximum power achievement calculations. This study intends to apply a DC-DC Converter with a micro-controller to handle the extra power generated by PV 100 Wp that is not completely absorbed by the battery. The study generates the parameters of the DC-DC Converter system used were the Synchronous Buck converter obtained from the calculation of an inductor of 761uH and a 340uF capacitor, so that the available inductor is 2mH and a 470uF capacitor. The largest buck converter efficiency is 96% and the average efficiency is 93%. The maximum power that PV can produce is 51,686W with an average of 28,645W. The average PV efficiency was 9.31% with the highest efficiency of 13.76%. The system is designed to be able to control excess unused power in the battery charging system into power for the electrolyzer and is able to maximize power from PV