Comparison of actions and resistances in different building design codes

AbstractStructural design codes of different countries provide engineers with data and procedures for design of the various structural components. Building design codes from USA, Europe, and Egypt are considered. Comparisons of the provisions for actions (loads), and for the resistance (strength) of sections in flexural and compressive axial loading are carried out. Several parameters are considered including variable actions for occupancy and different material strengths. The comparison is made considering both concrete and steel structures. Issues and consequences of mixing actions from one code and resistance from another code are also discussed

Finite element analysis of gradient coil deformation and vibration in NMR microscopy

Resolution degradation due to gradient coil deformation and vibration in NMR microscopy is investigated using finite element analysis. From the analysis, deformations due to the Lorentz force can be as large as 1-10 μm depending on the gradient strength and coil frame material. Thus, these deformations can be one of the major resolution limiting factors in NMR microscopy. Coil vibration, which depends on the input current waveform and resolution degradation due to time-variant deformation and time-invariant deformation are investigated by numerical simulations

Enriching BIM with unmanned aerial systems data for enhancing construction management operations

The use of an unmanned aerial system (UAS) in construction project management (CPM) is an emerging methodology aimed at improving the performance of project management practices. Despite the different functions that an UAS offers, which are well covered in various sources ranging from isolated exploratory works to ad hoc case studies, construction practitioners still demonstrate little interest in UAS technology. The underwhelming interest is rooted in a lack of an understanding of the value of the data collected using UASs and their potential to enrich Building Information Modelling (BIM). This research presents the details of the UAS developed to check the accuracy of work performed, along with the generation of the corresponding progress payment reports as well as referencing and tracking information in real time, for a residential project. This study also discusses combining the data generated from the UAS and 5D BIM to develop a smart construction site. The UAS–BIM combination enables the project stakeholders to be fully informed of the work’s progress and quality to avoid mistakes that could lead to extra costs and delays. The paper identified the main obstacles to applying the UAS via interviews with the project managers and tradespersons involved in the selected project. Assuredly, a digital culture is essential for a smart construction site to shift the project team from a passive data user to a more proactive analyzer to improve performance and site safety. Other obstacles include ethical reservations, legal requirements, liability risks, weather conditions, and the continuation of using an UAS in non-open-air construction environments

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor gene polymorphism (rs2010963) in ST- Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: An Egyptian Pilot Study

ST- segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is the most severe form of coronary artery disease. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) is critical in post- Myocardial Infarction (MI) angiogenesis. VEGF-A (rs2010963) gene polymorphism hasn’t been explored in Egyptian ethnicity. This study aimed to explore the role of the VEGF-A gene (rs2010963) polymorphism in STEMI and its outcome. It was carried out on 50 STEMI patients and 50 controls who gave blood samples for VEGF-A level estimation by ELISA and VEGF-A gene(rs2010963) polymorphism by real-time PCR. We revealed that VEGF-A level was higher in STEMI cases vs. control at baseline and in STEMI cases at 2-weeks vs. baseline. At a cut off value > 20 pg/ml was a statistically significant discriminator of STEMI vs. control [AUC (95% CI) = 0.785 (0.692-0.861), sensitivity 82%, specificity 72%]. Participants with C/G-G/G genotypes of VEGF-A (rs2010963) had 2.8-times higher odds vs. those with C/C genotype to exhibit STEMI. C/G genotype was associated with highest VEGF-A level. STEMI participants with C/G genotype had 4.3-times higher odds vs. those with C/C-G/G genotype to exhibit poor outcome. In conclusions, VEGF-A level can discriminate STEMI cases from control. VEGF-A (rs2010963) gene polymorphism affects VEGF-A level, associated with risk of developing STEMI and affects clinical outcome

The impact of surgical delay on resectability of colorectal cancer: An international prospective cohort study

AIM: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to explore the impact of surgical delays on cancer resectability. This study aimed to compare resectability for colorectal cancer patients undergoing delayed versus non-delayed surgery. METHODS: This was an international prospective cohort study of consecutive colorectal cancer patients with a decision for curative surgery (January-April 2020). Surgical delay was defined as an operation taking place more than 4 weeks after treatment decision, in a patient who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy. A subgroup analysis explored the effects of delay in elective patients only. The impact of longer delays was explored in a sensitivity analysis. The primary outcome was complete resection, defined as curative resection with an R0 margin. RESULTS: Overall, 5453 patients from 304 hospitals in 47 countries were included, of whom 6.6% (358/5453) did not receive their planned operation. Of the 4304 operated patients without neoadjuvant therapy, 40.5% (1744/4304) were delayed beyond 4 weeks. Delayed patients were more likely to be older, men, more comorbid, have higher body mass index and have rectal cancer and early stage disease. Delayed patients had higher unadjusted rates of complete resection (93.7% vs. 91.9%, P = 0.032) and lower rates of emergency surgery (4.5% vs. 22.5%, P < 0.001). After adjustment, delay was not associated with a lower rate of complete resection (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.90-1.55, P = 0.224), which was consistent in elective patients only (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.69-1.27, P = 0.672). Longer delays were not associated with poorer outcomes. CONCLUSION: One in 15 colorectal cancer patients did not receive their planned operation during the first wave of COVID-19. Surgical delay did not appear to compromise resectability, raising the hypothesis that any reduction in long-term survival attributable to delays is likely to be due to micro-metastatic disease

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

A922 Sequential measurement of 1 hour creatinine clearance (1-CRCL) in critically ill patients at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI)

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ICAR: endoscopic skull‐base surgery

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