Earthquake Induced Liquefaction Using Shake Table Test

Loose saturated cohesionless soils may undergo liquefaction due to strong ground motions. Such liquefaction causes significant damage to the structure resting on such soil. The extent of damage primarily depends upon soil properties, intensity of earthquake and type of structure. Various analytical models have been developed to estimate the likelihood of liquefaction of particular site based on field performance. However, if it is possible to identify the sites which are likely to liquefy due to specific intensity of earthquake it will help implementing the reduction in the damage which it would otherwise cause. One such analytical model has been developed by one of the authors of this paper and has been found to satisfactorily demarcate ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ zones of liquefaction for number of earthquakes. However, earlier research shows that laboratory tests could also be conducted to study the liquefaction behavior of soil under specific condition. The present study mainly deals with an attempt made in conducting Shake Table Test in laboratory by simulating earthquake conditions on site. The results obtained from the trial tests have been compared with the actual field cases and also with laboratory tests conducted for such soil by other researchers. It is observed that the criterion of the occurrence of liquefaction in the laboratory model is in close agreement with actual field data. Shake table test is found to be more effective in simulating the strong ground motion during earthquake

Dissolution rate of apatite powders in acidic fluoride solutions and the relationship to hydroxyapatite disk and bovine enamel behavior

The dissolution kinetics of synthetic hydroxyapatite (HAP) and carbonate-containing HAP powders have been studied in fluoride-containing acetate buffer solutions partially saturated with respect to HAP (KFAP = 10-115 to 10-123). The experimental results indicate that in the case of HAP powders the dissolution rates become very slow when the KFAP values of the dissolution medium are larger than 10-119. For the carbonate-containing apatites, however, there is a significant dissolution in the region 10-115 >= KFAP >= 10-119 which is in the region of physiological and therapeutic significance.The present results with the HAP powder together with HAP pellet data show that the dissolution of HAP pellets in the region 10-114 > KFAP > 10-119 results from an extended transient period rising from sustained deposition of F- on the surface and at intermediate depths in the `lesion'. Similar effects have also been observed with bovine teeth dissolution in acidic F- solutions.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/25136/1/0000569.pd

Multiple rectal carcinoids with diffuse ganglioneuromatosis

BACKGROUND: Rectal carcinoids comprise only about 1% of all anorectal neoplasms. In addition, ganglioneuroma of the gastrointestinal tract is a rare tumor composed ganglion cells, nerve fibers, and supporting cells. Multiple carcinoid tumors with diffuse ganglioneuromatosis limited to the rectum are quite unusual. CASE PRESENTATION: A 69-year-old man was referred to us because of about 100 small submucosal rectal tumors. He underwent abdominoperineal resection. Pathology revealed carcinoid tumors for about 30 submucosal nodules and diffuse ganglioneuromotosis. To date (6 months later) he remains well with no recurrence. CONCLUSION: Although the optimal treatment for the multiple rectal carcinoids remains to be clearly established, it is believed that not all patients with multiple rectal carcinoids (measuring less than 1 cm in diameter) need to have a radical operation. However, the treatment plan for each case should be individualized and a careful follow-up is mandatory

Testing a global standard for quantifying species recovery and assessing conservation impact

Recognizing the imperative to evaluate species recovery and conservation impact, in 2012 the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) called for development of a “Green List of Species” (now the IUCN Green Status of Species). A draft Green Status framework for assessing species’ progress toward recovery, published in 2018, proposed 2 separate but interlinked components: a standardized method (i.e., measurement against benchmarks of species’ viability, functionality, and preimpact distribution) to determine current species recovery status (herein species recovery score) and application of that method to estimate past and potential future impacts of conservation based on 4 metrics (conservation legacy, conservation dependence, conservation gain, and recovery potential). We tested the framework with 181 species representing diverse taxa, life histories, biomes, and IUCN Red List categories (extinction risk). Based on the observed distribution of species’ recovery scores, we propose the following species recovery categories: fully recovered, slightly depleted, moderately depleted, largely depleted, critically depleted, extinct in the wild, and indeterminate. Fifty-nine percent of tested species were considered largely or critically depleted. Although there was a negative relationship between extinction risk and species recovery score, variation was considerable. Some species in lower risk categories were assessed as farther from recovery than those at higher risk. This emphasizes that species recovery is conceptually different from extinction risk and reinforces the utility of the IUCN Green Status of Species to more fully understand species conservation status. Although extinction risk did not predict conservation legacy, conservation dependence, or conservation gain, it was positively correlated with recovery potential. Only 1.7% of tested species were categorized as zero across all 4 of these conservation impact metrics, indicating that conservation has, or will, play a role in improving or maintaining species status for the vast majority of these species. Based on our results, we devised an updated assessment framework that introduces the option of using a dynamic baseline to assess future impacts of conservation over the short term to avoid misleading results which were generated in a small number of cases, and redefines short term as 10 years to better align with conservation planning. These changes are reflected in the IUCN Green Status of Species Standard

Toxicological aspects of the use of phenolic compounds in disease prevention

The consumption of a diet low in fat and enhanced by fruits and vegetables, especially rich in phenolic compounds, may reduce risks of many civilization diseases. The use of traditional medicines, mainly derived from plant sources, has become an attractive segment in the management of many lifestyle diseases. Concerning the application of dietary supplements (based on phenolic compounds) in common practice, the ongoing debate over possible adverse effects of certain nutrients and dosage levels is of great importance. Since dietary supplements are not classified as drugs, their potential toxicities and interactions have not been thoroughly evaluated. First, this review will introduce phenolic compounds as natural substances beneficial for human health. Second, the potential dual mode of action of flavonoids will be outlined. Third, potential deleterious impacts of phenolic compounds utilization will be discussed: pro-oxidant and estrogenic activities, cancerogenic potential, cytotoxic effects, apoptosis induction and flavonoid-drug interaction. Finally, future trends within the research field will be indicated

Testing a global standard for quantifying species recovery and assessing conservation impact.

Recognizing the imperative to evaluate species recovery and conservation impact, in 2012 the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) called for development of a "Green List of Species" (now the IUCN Green Status of Species). A draft Green Status framework for assessing species' progress toward recovery, published in 2018, proposed 2 separate but interlinked components: a standardized method (i.e., measurement against benchmarks of species' viability, functionality, and preimpact distribution) to determine current species recovery status (herein species recovery score) and application of that method to estimate past and potential future impacts of conservation based on 4 metrics (conservation legacy, conservation dependence, conservation gain, and recovery potential). We tested the framework with 181 species representing diverse taxa, life histories, biomes, and IUCN Red List categories (extinction risk). Based on the observed distribution of species' recovery scores, we propose the following species recovery categories: fully recovered, slightly depleted, moderately depleted, largely depleted, critically depleted, extinct in the wild, and indeterminate. Fifty-nine percent of tested species were considered largely or critically depleted. Although there was a negative relationship between extinction risk and species recovery score, variation was considerable. Some species in lower risk categories were assessed as farther from recovery than those at higher risk. This emphasizes that species recovery is conceptually different from extinction risk and reinforces the utility of the IUCN Green Status of Species to more fully understand species conservation status. Although extinction risk did not predict conservation legacy, conservation dependence, or conservation gain, it was positively correlated with recovery potential. Only 1.7% of tested species were categorized as zero across all 4 of these conservation impact metrics, indicating that conservation has, or will, play a role in improving or maintaining species status for the vast majority of these species. Based on our results, we devised an updated assessment framework that introduces the option of using a dynamic baseline to assess future impacts of conservation over the short term to avoid misleading results which were generated in a small number of cases, and redefines short term as 10 years to better align with conservation planning. These changes are reflected in the IUCN Green Status of Species Standard

Echocardiographic features of the interventricular sep­tal motion in constrictive pericarditis

Echocardiographic features of interventricular septum were studied in four patients with constrictive pericarditis. The systolic motion was normal in one patient and paradoxic in the other three. All four patients had an abrupt anterior motion which was followed by a sudden brisk posterior motion immediately in early diastole, following the diastolic dip of the septum. This motion was coinci­dent with the 'y' trough of the jugular venous pulse. The septal thickening values were within normal range

Seismic Behaviour of Retaining Structures, Design Issues and Requalification Techniques

The realistic estimation of seismic earth pressure is very crucial for the design of retaining structures in seismic-prone areas. Several researchers have developed analytical and numerical methods for the estimation of seismic earth pressure. Some experimental studies are also reported to clearly present the seismic behaviour of retaining structures. Pseudo-static and pseudo-dynamic methods are the ones which are popularly used for the calculation of seismic earth pressure. Pseudo-dynamic method is a modification of the conventional pseudo-static method by eliminating most of the limitations. Recently, the researchers have shown that the new dynamic method considering Rayleigh wave, which plays a major role in the calculation of seismic earth pressures to maintain compatible dynamic stress boundary conditions, is better than pseudo-dynamic method as validated through the available dynamic centrifuge test results. This state-of-the-art paper presents a critical review of the literature on the available procedures for the seismic analysis, design and requalification of retaining structures. The methods which are currently used in routine practice for the seismic design of retaining structures are also explained briefly. Indian and some other international design codes for the seismic design of retaining structures are explained. For new design and requalification of existing retaining structures in seismic-prone areas, a worked out example is provided with recommendations for techniques of requalificatio