Aging Effects on Mechanical Characteristics of Multi-Layer Asphalt Structure

This chapter focuses on Asphalt ages during construction, transportation, application phases and service life, as well. Exposure of environmental conditions such as traffic and climate is one of the prominent reasons aging in asphalt. The most common mechanism of aging is the degradation in the chemical structure of the binder by oxidation. Asphalt aging could cause several serious issues on the pavement such as stiffening, stripping that accelerates fatigue cracking and different moisture-induced problems such as raveling and potholes. Therefore, various additives are used as modifiers to improve the mechanical properties of asphalt. The most commonly used modifiers are polymers. Styrene butadiene styrene (SBS) polymers are utilized to prevent from deteriorating against external factors during its service life and to delay its aging in asphalt pavement. In the scope of this study, it was aimed to provide the general perspectives on mechanical characteristics of multi-layer asphalt structure under the aging effects besides traffic conditions

Structural damage caused to RC buildings by tunnelling work

Nagli pomaci u tlu mogu dovesti do oštećenja armiranobetonskih građevina. Takvi pomaci mogu između ostalog biti uzrokovani gradnjom tunela, pa se utjecaj takve gradnje treba uzeti u obzir u postupku projektiranja građevina. U ovom se radu na primjeru postojeće bolničke zgrade analiziraju konstrukcijska oštećenja armiranobetonske građevine uslijed naglih pomaka tla. Kako bi se dobili što točniji podaci za potrebe analiza, primijenjen je multidisciplinarni pristup radi povezivanja raznih inženjerskih disciplina koje su sudjelovale u ovom istraživanju.Structural damages to RC (Reinforced concrete) buildings occasionally occur as a consequence of sudden ground movements. One of these is effect of tunnel excavation on the structures and the design process should be carried out by taking the effect into account. In this study, the structural damages caused by the impact of sudden movement emanating at the ground were investigated for a selected hospital building. Within the scope of this study, it was aimed to obtain the most accurate data by combining different engineering disciplines through a comprehensive approach

The relationship between functional capacity and ultrasonic tissue characterization in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

Background: Ultrasonic tissue characterization (UTC) has been widely used to investigate left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in various cardiac disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between functional capacity and UTC in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM).Methods and Results: Treadmill test according to modified-Bruce protocol was performed in 48 patients with IDCM to assess their functional capacity. Baseline clinical and echocardiographic variables were obtained and UTC was performed on images obtained from septum and posterior wall (PW). Cyclic variation (CV) index of mean gray level (MGL) was calculated according to the formula: [(MGLdiastole − MGLsystole) ÷ MGLdiastole] × 100.PW and septum CV indices were correlated with exercise duration (r = 0.63, p = 0.001 and r = 0.67, p = 0.0001, respectively) and “MET” level (r = 0.80, p = 0.0001 and r = 0.83,p = 0.0001, respectively). The ROC curve analysis revealed that the PW CV index was a strong indicator of good exercise capacity (> 8 METs) with an AUC of 0.97 (95% CI0.90–1.0), as the interventricular septum (IVS) CV index (AUC = 0.97, 95% CI 0.89–1.0). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value to identify good exercise capacity for IVS CV index were 90%, 88%, 82%, and 94%, respectively and for the PW CV index, 90%, 88%, 82%, and 94%, respectively.Conclusions: In this particular study, we found out that in patients with severe LV dysfunction good exercise capacity was related to septum and PW CV indices measured by UTC, and these indices may be used as an indirect prognostic marker in heart failure

Anthropometric and Physical Performance Characteristics of Swimmers

Introduction: The study of body measurements and proportions by anthropometry is important for the identification of young talents in swimming. Therefore, the aim of this study was to a) compare the physical performance profile of swimmers on land and in water and b) understand the relationship between anthropometric and physical performance tests. Methods: To this end, 31 anthropometric variables were determined in 6 male (n=3) and female (n=3) swimmers using the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) protocols and VO2max laboratory tests. Body fractionation (adipose, muscle, bone, residual, and skin tissue masses) was determined using the validated Kerr & Ross five-way fractionation model for body composition. Data analysis included the person correlation coefficient. Results: The swimming performance test was positively strongly correlated with body height, seat height, arm span, shoulder and pelvic width, and arm and leg length (p ≤ 0.001). In conclusion, these studies reveal some potential key anthropometric factors in the performance of active swimmers. These results support the view that while swimmers have unique anthropometric profiles, more successful swimmers tend to have greater arm spans. Conclusion: These results suggest that anthropometric characteristics are important in swimming performance. This study concluded that improvement in swimming performance is strongly related to anthropometric and kinanthropometric profiles.Introducción: El estudio de las medidas y proporciones corporales por antropometría es importante para la identificación de jóvenes talentos en la natación. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este estudio fue a) comparar el perfil de rendimiento físico de nadadores en tierra y en agua yb) comprender la relación entre las pruebas antropométricas y de rendimiento físico. Métodos: Para ello, se determinaron 31 variables antropométricas en 6 nadadores masculinos (n=3) y femeninos (n=3) utilizando los protocolos de la Sociedad Internacional para el Avance de la Cineantropometría (ISAK) y pruebas de laboratorio de VO2max. El fraccionamiento corporal (masa de tejido adiposo, muscular, óseo, residual y de la piel) se determinó utilizando el modelo de fraccionamiento de cinco vías validado de Kerr & Ross para la composición corporal. El análisis de datos incluyó el coeficiente de correlación persona. Resultados: La prueba de rendimiento de natación se correlacionó positivamente con la altura del cuerpo, la altura del asiento, la extensión de los brazos, el ancho de los hombros y la pelvis, y la longitud de los brazos y las piernas (p ≤ 0,001). En conclusión, estos estudios revelan algunos posibles factores antropométricos clave en el rendimiento de los nadadores activos. Estos resultados respaldan la opinión de que, si bien los nadadores tienen perfiles antropométricos únicos, los nadadores más exitosos tienden a tener una mayor amplitud de brazos. Conclusión: Estos resultados sugieren que las características antropométricas son importantes en el rendimiento de natación. Este estudio concluyó que la mejora en el rendimiento de natación está fuertemente relacionada con los perfiles antropométricos y cineantropométricos

The interrelations of radiologic findings and mechanical ventilation in community acquired pneumonia patients admitted to the intensive care unit: a multicentre retrospective study

BACKGROUND: We evaluated patients admitted to the intensive care units with the diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) regarding initial radiographic findings. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study was held. Chest x ray (CXR) and computerized tomography (CT) findings and also their associations with the need of ventilator support were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 388 patients were enrolled. Consolidation was the main finding on CXR (89%) and CT (80%) examinations. Of all, 45% had multi-lobar involvement. Bilateral involvement was found in 40% and 44% on CXR and CT respectively. Abscesses and cavitations were rarely found. The highest correlation between CT and CXR findings was observed for interstitial involvement. More than 80% of patients needed ventilator support. Noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) requirement was seen to be more common in those with multi-lobar involvement on CXR as 2.4-fold and consolidation on CT as 47-fold compared with those who do not have these findings. Invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) need increased 8-fold in patients with multi-lobar involvement on CT. CONCLUSION: CXR and CT findings correlate up to a limit in terms of interstitial involvement but not in high percentages in other findings. CAP patients who are admitted to the ICU are severe cases frequently requiring ventilator support. Initial CT and CXR findings may indicate the need for ventilator support, but the assumed ongoing real practice is important and the value of radiologic evaluation beyond clinical findings to predict the mechanical ventilation need is subject for further evaluation with large patient series

A New Application of Absolute Matrix Summability of Infinite Series

In this study, we establish a general theorem concerning absolute matrix summability of infinite series by using almost increasing sequences. Finally, we give some results about absolute summability

Leptospirosis; AND#8220;Fever Aftermath of DelugeAND#8221;

Flooding provides an opportunity for epidemics of waterborne viral, protozoan, or bacterial diseases to develop in affected areas. May be, the only epidemic-prone infection which can be transmitted directly from contaminated water is leptospirosis, a zoonotic bacterial disease. Leptospirosis is commonly founded in bodies of water, moist soil, or vegetation contaminated by the urine or tissues of infected animals. Outbreaks of leptospirosis have occurred many times following flood events in different part of the world especially in India, Latin America and South-East Asia. Leptospirosis should be kept in mind of health workers and local administrators in every where even also developed regios and countries especially during the water associated nature events. Many of the leptospirosis symptoms can be mistaken for other epidemic prone diseases. So, spesific laboratuary methods are needed for accurate diagnosis. Both of medical facilities and medical personnels might be affected by natural disasters. Beyond of these, reason of a lot of leptospirosis cases and other water based contagious diseases, running of the complicated and time consuming or expensive tests could be impossible. So, preferring of the rapid tests like slide agglutination test or urine dipstick tests for leptospirosis diagnosis could be reasonable. Concisely, due to Leptospirosis is a water-borne disease and can often be overlooked, it should be kept in mind especially for patients presenting with fever and multi-organ involvement just after natural disasters like tsunami, land sliding, flooding, sudden or heavy reains. This fact is extremely important nowadays and in the future, because of ingreasingly aggravated global climatic change. [TAF Prev Med Bull 2010; 9(6.000): 651-654

On Generalized Absolute Matrix Summability of Infinite Series

In this paper, we have generalized a known theorem on vertical bar(N) over bar ,p(n)vertical bar(k) summability factors of infinite series with a new summability method by using almost increasing sequences. This new theorem also includes several new and known results