Engineering Advanced Training Environment for Crisis Management: The Pandora Project

The paper describes the technical framework of a near real-life training environment for learning activities suitable for training in crisis scenarios. The underlying architecture features a design that makes provision for a learning environment capable of training collaborative, as well as independent, decision making skills among crisis managers in potential crisis situations. Modelling the training scenarios takes into consideration both the pragmatic nature of responding to crisis, as well as the human behavioural factors involved in dealing with situations of chaos and uncertainty. This work is part of ongoing research on the Pandora1 project, which aims to provide a near-real training environment at affordable cost

Non-Linear Finite Element Analysis of RC Beams With Special Detailing of Stirrups

1 ABSTRACT The paper includes the development and application of a non-linear finite element model for studying the structural behavior of beams designed using a flexure-shear interaction model. A two-dimensional material model with elasto-plastic and quadratic hardening function is used for concrete. The model takes the influence of confinement due to stirrups into considerations. The cracks propagation is modeled using a rotating crack smeared model. A modified quadratic Lagrange isoparametric element is used for modeling the concrete. This modeling allows variable positions of the interior nodes on both the edge and within the element. A bilinear elasto-plastic model is used for steel. The effect of tension stiffening and tension softening is considered in the analysis. Each bar of the reinforcement is modeled using either a discrete or a smeared model. A quadratic one dimensional isoparametric element is used for steel. The flexure-shear interaction design model considers the influence of shear force on reducing the flexural capacity of beams. The full flexural capacity is achieved by providing the load path within the beam with confinement stirrups. The beneficial influence of confinement on the strength and ductility of concrete is utilized in preventing the brittle shear failure. The test results have confirmed the applicability of the developed non-linear finite element and the flexure-shear interaction models. There was a good matching between the test results and the finite element analysis. 2 INTRODUCTION Normal size and short beams subjected to transverse loading may fail by diagonal cracking due to shear if they are not provided with web reinforcement. Traditional design methods for shear [1,2] are based on truss analogy developed by Mrsh one century ago [3]. These approaches do not necessary represent actual behavior of beams. They ignore the shear-flexure interaction behavior. The beam is first designed for flexure then checked for shear. The nominal (average) shear strength " bd V v = " assumed to occur on a section perpendicular to the beam axis is not a real indicator for shear strength of the beam since failure occurs along diagonal surface due the development of tensile stresses. The applied shear is assumed to be resisted by the concrete shear strength through beam and/or arch actions while the remaining shear is resisted by shear reinforcement through a truss action. The assumption of simultaneous occurrence of three actions to resist applied shear is totally unrealistic since this would result in strain incompatibility. Recognizing these limitations, a more realistic approach for shear design "flexure-shear interaction design model" has been developed based on actual behavior of beams [4]

Superconducting Quantum Point contacts and Maxwell Potential

The quantization of the current in a superconducting quantum point contact is reviewed and the critical current is discussed at different temperatures depending on the carrier concentration as well by suggesting a constant potential in the semiconductor and then a Maxwell potential. When the Fermi wave length is comparable with the constriction width we showed that the critical current has a step-like variation as a function of the constriction width and the carrier concentration.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures, some figures are clarified; scheduled to appear in an issue in MPLB Vo.21, (2007

After the Revolution: Egypt\u27s Changing Forms of Corruption

Egypt’s revolution of January 25, 2011 was impelled by a desire to eliminate “conventional corruption,” a particular kind of corruption that occurs when government officials illegally abuse public office for private gain. Illegal quid pro quo transactions, including acts of bribery, are prominent examples of conventional corruption. This form of corruption is to be contrasted with “unconventional corruption,” a form of corruption that has (thus far) been absent in Egypt. Unconventional corruption occurs when elected officials put personal campaign finances ahead of the public interest without engaging in a quid pro quo transaction. These different forms, conventional and unconventional corruption, are not necessarily exhaustive of the universe of corruption. However, classification of corruption in these terms serves a purpose: when conventional corruption decreases, there is often a correlating increase in unconventional corruption. This relationship is relevant for purposes of analyzing corruption in Egypt because Egypt’s new constitution, although imperfect, provides for greater restraints on executive power, and thus, in turn provides a foundation for a reduction in conventional corruption. However, as a result, problems of unconventional corruption are likely to emerge. Fortunately, unconventional corruption is not an inevitable side effect of progress—it can be contained. With a certain bit of insight and courage, the people of Egypt can reform their campaign finance system and bring forth a true democracy—one where elected officials make decisions not for the benefit of potential political funders, but rather, for the benefit of the people

SLE, An Overlooked Disease: Possibilities for Early Rescue by Early Diagnosis

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a progressive autoimmune disease associated with widespread organ damage that can eventually cause death. Worldwide prevalence of SLE is difficult to report mainly due to difficulty in diagnosis as a result of its heterogeneous nature and nonspecific protean manifestations. Currently, circulating anti-DNA antibodies are the most specific diagnostic biomarkers for SLE where many detection assays are being employed in clinical practice. However, the diagnostic value of these techniques is challenged by the detection of only subpopulations of these antibodies with varying sensitivity and specificity. This is mainly attributed to differences in the antigen source and presentation and in the employed reaction conditions. This chapter will thoroughly discuss the technology, advantages, and limitations of each assay in addition to a special focus on the recently developed diagnostic technologies and novel biomarkers. Moreover, SLE will be presented as a disease model highlighting the importance of personalized medicine

Synergetic effect of aged garlic extract and methotrexate on rheumatoid arthritis induced by collagen in male albino rats

33-38Aged garlic extract (AGE) exhibit anti-inflammatory effect in many diseases, and methotrexate (MTX) as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment drug shows adverse hepatotoxicity effect. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of AGE treatment alone or with MTX in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats to diminish the hepatotoxicity. The study used eight groups of rats as one control non treated group and seven treated groups with CIA, AGE (200 mg/kg/PO), MTX (1.5 mg/kg/2 days/subcutaneous), CIA-AGE, CIA-MTX, AGE-MTX and CIA-MTX-AGE. All treatments started from day 21 after the symptoms of arthritis appeared to day 50. The CIA-AGE and CIA-MTX-AGE groups showed significantly decreased serum liver function markers ASAT, ALAT and ALP enzymes activities. In line with the significantly increased antioxidants, total glutathione and SOD and CAT enzymes activities and decreased MDA levels as compared to CIA and CIA-MTX treated groups' values. In addition, the CIA-AGE and CIA-MTX-AGE groups recorded significant decrease in the measured cytokines (CRP and TNF) and interleukins (IL-17, IL-6, and IL-1) values as compared to the corresponding values in CIA and CIA-MTX groups. Results suggested the safety of AGE for achieving a better control in treatment of RA with the conventional drug MTX to diminish its hepatotoxicity

Study of quality of life and its determinants in patients after urinary stone fragmentation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study was designed to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients who had undergone lithotripsy for treatment of urinary stones and to identify factors that significantly affect the HRQOL of these patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A comparative cross-sectional study was performed at the main university and main Ministry of health hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All patients admitted to the urology service and who underwent lithotripsy for urinary stones during a 9-month period were included in the study. An observation period of 3-15 months following the last treatment was allowed before patients completed the QOL questionnaire. Information on socio-demographic, and medical characteristics, and number and type of lithotripsies were collected. The Medical Outcome Study Short-Form 36-item survey (SF-36) was used to assess HRQoL. For comparison, the HRQoL in an equal number of healthy individuals was investigated; multivariate analysis of variance was used for comparisons between groups.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared with healthy subjects, lithotripsy patients had significantly higher mean scores in the different subscales of the SF-36 questionnaire such as physical functioning, vitality, role-physical, role-emotional and mental health, indicating a better HRQOL. Compared with patients who underwent ureteroscopic or extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsies, those who underwent percutaneous lithotripsy had significantly worse mean scores for all the SF-36 scales, except for body pain. Factors impacting HRQOL of the patients were age, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and stone characteristics such as localization (in the kidney) and recurrence (multiple lithotripsies).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Post-lithotripsy, patients have a favorable HRQOL compared with healthy volunteers. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm these results owing to the inherent limitations of the cross-sectional design and backward analysis of this study.</p

NANO-VESICLES OF SALBUTAMOL SULPHATE IN METERED DOSE INHALERS: FORMULATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND IN VITRO EVALUATION

Objective: The present work was aimed to prepare niosomes entrapping salbutamol sulphate (SS) using reversed phase evaporation method (REV).Methods: Niosomes were prepared by mixing span 60 and cholesterol in 1:1 molar ratio in chloroform, SS in water was then added to organic phase to form niosomal SS. Formulations after evaporation of chloroform, freeze centrifuged then lyophilized, were evaluated for particles size, polydispersity index (Pdi), zeta-potential, morphology, entrapment efficiency (EE%) and in vitro release. For pulmonary delivery; metered dose inhalers (MDI) were prepared by suspending SS niosomes equivalent to 20 mg SS in hydrofluoroalkane (HFA). The metered valve was investigated for leakage rate, the total number of puffs/canister, weight/puff, dose uniformity and particle size.Results: The results showed spherical niosomes with 400-451 nm particles that entrapped 66.19% of SS. 76.54±0.132% SS release from niosomes that showed a controlled release profile for 8h. The leakage test was not exceeding 4 mg/3 d, the number of puffs were up to 200puffs/canister, the dose delivered/puff was 0.1 mg and 0.64-4.51μm niosomal aerosol.Conclusion: The results indicate an encouraging strategy to formulate a controlled drug delivery by entrapping (SS) in niosomes which could be packaged into (MDI) that met the requirements of (USP) aerosols guidelines which offering a novel approach to respiratory delivery

After the Revolution: Egypt\u27s Changing Forms of Corruption

Egypt’s revolution of January 25, 2011 was impelled by a desire to eliminate “conventional corruption,” a particular kind of corruption that occurs when government officials illegally abuse public office for private gain. Illegal quid pro quo transactions, including acts of bribery, are prominent examples of conventional corruption. This form of corruption is to be contrasted with “unconventional corruption,” a form of corruption that has (thus far) been absent in Egypt. Unconventional corruption occurs when elected officials put personal campaign finances ahead of the public interest without engaging in a quid pro quo transaction. These different forms, conventional and unconventional corruption, are not necessarily exhaustive of the universe of corruption. However, classification of corruption in these terms serves a purpose: when conventional corruption decreases, there is often a correlating increase in unconventional corruption. This relationship is relevant for purposes of analyzing corruption in Egypt because Egypt’s new constitution, although imperfect, provides for greater restraints on executive power, and thus, in turn provides a foundation for a reduction in conventional corruption. However, as a result, problems of unconventional corruption are likely to emerge. Fortunately, unconventional corruption is not an inevitable side effect of progress—it can be contained. With a certain bit of insight and courage, the people of Egypt can reform their campaign finance system and bring forth a true democracy—one where elected officials make decisions not for the benefit of potential political funders, but rather, for the benefit of the people