Stress-strain characteristic of SFRC using recycled fibres

This paper presents work from a comprehensive study on the development of a flexural design framework for concrete reinforced with steel fibres that are recovered from used tyres. The experimental flexural behaviour of notched concrete prisms reinforced with these fibres is initially presented. For comparison purposes, prisms reinforced with industrially produced fibres are also considered. An attempt to adopt an existing RILEM design framework to derive appropriate tensile stress-strain blocks is made, but problems are identified with key parameters of the framework. The influence of crack propagation and location of neutral axis depth on the tensile stress distribution is examined. Following an analytical study, it is concluded that the uniaxial stress-strain model, proposed by RILEM overestimates the load-carrying capacity and should be modified by utilising more advanced analytical techniques. © RILEM 2006

Une exposition sur les maladies sexuellement transmissibles et le SIDA pour les apprentis vaudois. [An exhibition on sexually transmissible diseases and AIDS for Vaudois apprentices]

An exhibition on STDs and AIDS, animated constantly by specially trained professionals, was organized in a school for apprentices (6500 pupils). Its purposes: to help youngsters make more personal and responsible decisions about their sexual lives; to reinforce their knowledges on STDs and AIDS transmission and prevention; modify their attitudes and behavior in the field of contraception (discussions with partner, use of condoms). The impact of this exhibition will be measured scientifically

Un programme de prevention et de promotion de la sante aupres des jeunes Vaudois de 16 a 19 ans. [Program of prevention and health promotion among young inhabitants of Vaud from 16 to 19 years]

The first part of the presentation deals with a new school health program for adolescents 16 to 19. The second part focuses on a prospective evaluative study of the validity of hypertension detection among adolescents, which is part of this new program

Les interruptions volontaires de grossesse dans le canton de Vaud en 2002 [Voluntary pregnancy termination in the canton of Vaud in 2002].

No rates of pregnancy termination are available for Switzerland as a whole. In the canton of Vaud, however, pregnancy termination has been monitored for over ten years. The annual incidence (10.9 per 1000 residents in 2002) is one of the lowest recorded worldwide, but considerable variations are observed depending on age and on nationality; the incidence for non-Swiss nationals being three times higher than for Swiss nationals. As in the past, and in line with legislative changes that came into effect in October 2002, the vast majority of pregnancy terminations take place before the twelfth week of pregnancy. Repeat termination is relatively frequent: a quarter of those requesting termination in 2002 reported previous experience of pregnancy termination. In parous women, one in five requests for termination occurs less than one year after the birth of the last child. These data indicate that contraceptive counselling should be reinforced at the time of childbirth and following pregnancy termination

Methadone maintenance treatment in the Swiss Canton of Vaud: demographic and clinical data on 1,782 ambulatory patients.

Using data from the Public Health Service, we studied the demographic and clinical characteristics of 1,782 patients enrolled in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) during 2001 in the Swiss Canton of Vaud, comparing our findings with the results of a previous study from 1976 to 1986. In 2001, most patients (76.9%) were treated in general practice. Mortality is low in this MMT population (1%/year). While patient age and sex profiles were similar to those found in the earlier study, we did observe a substantial increase in the number of patients and the number of practitioners treating MMT patients, probably reflecting the low-threshold governmental policies and the creation of specialized centers. In conclusion, easier access to MMT enhances the number of patients, but new concerns about the quality of management emerge: benzodiazepine as a concomitant prescription; low rates of screening for hepatitis B, C and HIV, and social and psychiatric preoccupations