Practical nonlinear analysis of unreinforced concrete tunnel linings

A comprehensive methodology for modelling, analyzing and assessing the structural response of unreinforced concrete tunnel linings is presented. Various modelling techniques are described, considering the plane finite element representation of the lining geometry, material constitutive laws, and boundary and interface conditions. Furthermore, all relevant external loading cases are studied, including gravity, environmental, fire, blast, and seismic loading. Potential pitfalls in the modelling and analysis procedures are identified and properly dealt with. The suggested methodology is finally applied to actual tunnel linings and the interpretation of the analysis results leads to important conclusions regarding the applicability of different analysis methods and the performance of unreinforced concrete linings

Focused Deterrence and the Prevention of Violent Gun Injuries: Practice, Theoretical Principles, and Scientific Evidence

Focused deterrence strategies are a relatively new addition to a growing portfolio of evidence-based violent gun injury prevention practices available to policy makers and practitioners. These strategies seek to change offender behavior by understanding the underlying violence-producing dynamics and conditions that sustain recurring violent gun injury problems and by implementing a blended strategy of law enforcement, community mobilization, and social service actions. Consistent with documented public health practice, the focused deterrence approach identifies underlying risk factors and causes of recurring violent gun injury problems, develops tailored responses to these underlying conditions, and measures the impact of implemented interventions. This article reviews the practice, theoretical principles, and evaluation evidence on focused deterrence strategies. Although more rigorous randomized studies are needed, the available empirical evidence suggests that these strategies generate noteworthy gun violence reduction impacts and should be part of a broader portfolio of violence prevention strategies available to policy makers and practitioners

Reading the Second Code: Mapping Epigenomes to Understand Plant Growth, Development, and Adaptation to the Environment

We have entered a new era in agricultural and biomedical science made possible by remarkable advances in DNA sequencing technologies. The complete sequence of an individual's set of chromosomes (collectively, its genome) provides a primary genetic code for what makes that individual unique, just as the contents of every personal computer reflect the unique attributes of its owner. But a second code, composed of "epigenetic" layers of information, affects the accessibility of the stored information and the execution of specific tasks. Nature's second code is enigmatic and must be deciphered if we are to fully understand and optimize the genetic potential of crop plants. The goal of the Epigenomics of Plants International Consortium is to crack this second code, and ultimately master its control, to help catalyze a new green revolution

Computational Strategies in Optimizing a Real-Time Grad-Shafranov PDE Solver Using High-Level Graphical Programming and COTS Technology

Abstract This paper describes an alternative approach based on LabVIEW that solves the critical plasma shape and position control problems in tokamaks. Input signals from magnetic probes and flux loops are the constraints for a non-linear Grad-Shafranov PDE solver to calculate the magnetic equilibrium. An architecture based on offthe-shelf multi-core hardware and graphical software is described with an emphasis on seamless deployment from development system to real-time target. A number of mathematical challenges were addressed and several generally applicable numerical and mathematical strategies were developed to achieve the timing goals. Several benchmarks illustrate what can be achieved with such an approach. commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) multi-core computers • In the first step, compute reduced iDST instead of full iDST. • In the second step, use optimized DST leveraging sparsity. Hardware and Software Grad-Shafranov PDE • Ψ is the poloidal flux function; • j is the current density; • R is the radial component; • Z is the axial component. • 33x65 grid Benchmarks Benchmarks for the real-time Grad-Shafranov solver and simultaneous function paramerisation and Grad-Shafranov solvers using 8 cores

Factors Associated with D-Dimer Levels in HIV-Infected Individuals

Matti A Ristola on työryhmän jäsen.Peer reviewe

A Case for the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Glaucoma Assessment

We hypothesize that artificial intelligence (AI) applied to relevant clinical testing in glaucoma has the potential to enhance the ability to detect glaucoma. This premise was discussed at the recent Collaborative Community on Ophthalmic Imaging meeting, “The Future of Artificial Intelligence–Enabled Ophthalmic Image Interpretation: Accelerating Innovation and Implementation Pathways,” held virtually September 3–4, 2020. The Collaborative Community on Ophthalmic Imaging (CCOI) is an independent self-governing consortium of stakeholders with broad international representation from academic institutions, government agencies, and the private sector whose mission is to act as a forum for the purpose of helping speed innovation in healthcare technology. It was 1 of the first 2 such organizations officially designated by the Food and Drug Administration in September 2019 in response to their announcement of the collaborative community program as a strategic priority for 2018–2020. Further information on the CCOI can be found online at their website (https://www.cc-oi.org/about). Artificial intelligence for glaucoma diagnosis would have high utility globally, because access to care is limited in many parts of the world and half of all people with glaucoma are unaware of their illness. The application of AI technology to glaucoma diagnosis has the potential to broadly increase access to care worldwide, in essence flattening the Earth by providing expert-level evaluation to individuals even in the most remote regions of the planet

Incomplete reversibility of eGFR following tenofovir exposure.

Background. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) has been linked to renal impairment but the extent to which this impairment is reversible is unclear. We aimed to investigate the reversibility of renal decline on TDF.Methods. Cox Proportional Hazards models assessed factors associated with discontinuing TDF in those with >6 months exposure. In those who discontinued TDF, linear piecewise regression models estimated eGFR slopes (mL/min/1.73 m(2)/yr) before, during and after TDF exposure. Factors associated with not achieving eGFR recovery 6 months after discontinuing TDF were assessed using multivariable logistic regression.Results. We observed eGFR declines during TDF exposure (mean (95% CI) slopes -15.7 (-20.5, -10.9) during the first 3 months; -3.1(-4.6, -1.7) thereafter), and evidence of eGFR increases following discontinuation (12.5 (8.9, 16.1) during the first 3 months; 0.8 (0.1, 1.5) thereafter). Following TDF discontinuation, 38.6% of patients with eGFR decline did not experience recovery. A higher baseline eGFR, lower discontinuation eGFR and more prolonged TDF exposure were associated with increased risk of incomplete recovery at 6 months post-TDF discontinuation.Conclusions. This study shows that eGFR decline on TDF was not fully reversible in one third of patients, and suggests that prolonged TDF exposure at low eGFR should be avoided