Influence of continuity on punching resistance at edge columns

The paper considers punching failure at edge columns of reinforced concrete flat slabs without shear reinforcement and unbalanced moments about an axis parallel to the slab edge. Edge column punching shear tests have been carried out on a variety of isolated and continuous specimens. The influence of eccentricity and continuity on punching resistance is assessed using existing experimental data, nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) and the Critical Shear Crack Theory (CSCT) as implemented in fib Model Code 2010 (MC2010). Relating punching resistance to the elastic unbalanced moment as done in MC2010 Levels I to III is shown to be overly conservative for continuous slabs. The ACI 318 and Eurocode 2 (EC2) practice of making the design punching resistance independent of the unbalanced moment is reviewed and shown to be reasonable particularly for continuous slabs

Development of a robust algorithm to compute reactive azeotropes

In this paper, a novel approach for establishing the route for process intensification through the application of two developed softwares to characterize reactive mixtures is presented. A robust algorithm was developed to build up reactive phase diagrams and to predict the existence and the location of reactive azeotropes. The proposed algorithm does not depend on initial estimates and is able to compute all reactive azeotropes present in the mixture. It also allows verifying if there are no azeotropes, which are the major troubles in this kind of programming. An additional software was developed in order to calculate reactive residue curve maps. Results obtained with the developed program were compared with-the. published in the literature for several mixtures, showing the efficiency and robustness of the developed softwares.23339540

Trends in method-specific suicide in Brazil from 2000 to 2017

Purpose: Understanding long-term patterns of suicide methods can inform public health policy and prevention strategies. In Brazil, firearm-related policies may be one salient target for suicide prevention. This study describes trends in method-specific suicide at the national and state-levels in Brazil, with a particular focus on firearm-related suicides. / Methods: Brazilian mortality data for suicide and undetermined intent among people aged 10 years and older between 2000 and 2017 were obtained from the National Mortality Information System. We examined national and state-level trends in age-standardised suicide rates for hanging, self-poisoning, firearms, jumping from a high place, other, and unspecified methods. We also compared total rates of mortality from suicide and undetermined intent over the period. Applying Joinpoint regression, we tested changes in trends of firearm-specific suicide rates. / Results: The total suicide rate increased between 2000 and 2017. Rates of hanging, self-poisoning by drugs or alcohol and jumping from a high place showed the largest increases, while firearm-specific suicide rates decreased over the study period. Trends in methods of suicide varied by sex and state. / Conclusion: It is of public health concern that suicide rates in Brazil have risen this millennium. Restricting access to firearms might be an effective approach for reducing firearm-specific suicides, especially in states where firearm availability remains particularly high. Treatment and management of substance misuse may also be an important target for suicide prevention policies. More work is needed to understand the causes of rising suicide rates in Brazil and to improve the mental health of the population

Association between homicide rates and suicide rates: a countrywide longitudinal analysis of 5507 Brazilian municipalities

Objective: To estimate the association between homicide and suicide rates in Brazilian municipalities over a period of 7 years. / Design: We conducted a longitudinal ecological study using annual mortality data from 5507 Brazilian municipalities between 2008 and 2014. Multivariable negative binomial regression models were used to examine the relationship between homicide and suicide rates. Robustness of results was explored using sensitivity analyses to examine the influence of data quality, population size, age and sex on the relationship between homicide and suicide rates. / Setting: A nationwide study of municipality-level data. / Participants: Mortality data and corresponding population estimates for municipal populations aged 10 years and older. / Primary and secondary outcome measures: Age-standardised suicide rates per 100 000. / Results: Municipal suicide rates were positively associated with municipal homicide rates; after adjusting for socioeconomic and demographic factors, a doubling of the homicide rate was associated with 22% increase in suicide rate (rate ratio=1.22, 95% CI: 1.13 to 1.33). A dose–response effect was observed with 4% increase in suicide rates at the third quintile, 9% at the fourth quintile and 12% at the highest quintile of homicide rates compared with the lowest quintile. The observed effect estimates were robust to sensitivity analyses. / Conclusions: Municipalities with higher homicide rates have higher suicide rates and the relationship between homicide and suicide rates in Brazil exists independently of many sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors. Our results are in line with the hypothesis that changes in homicide rates lead to changes in suicide rates, although a causal association cannot be established from this study. Suicide and homicide rates have increased in Brazil despite increased community mental health support and incarceration, respectively; therefore, new avenues for intervention are needed. The identification of a positive relationship between homicide and suicide rates suggests that population-based interventions to reduce homicide rates may also reduce suicide rates in Brazil