Bolted and hybrid beam-column joints between I-shaped FRP profiles Chapter Bolted and hybrid beam-column joints between I-shaped FRP profiles

Presented are test results from five full-scale pultruded FRP beam-to-column joints subjected to cyclic load-ing. The parameters include cleat position, connection method and cleat material. The joints’ behaviour is assessed through hysteresis moment rotation loops, accumulated dissipated energy and failure patterns. The hybrid joints with steel cleats showed the best overall cyclic performance with accumulated dissipated ener-gy 75% higher than the bolted joint. The bolted joint with FRP cleats exhibited the lowest dissipated energy, four times lower than the joint with steel cleats. The cyclic performance of web and flange cleated joint was same as flange cleated joint. Three failure patterns were noticed, namely shear-out failure of the beam’s bolted region (bolted joint with steel cleats), adhesive debonding followed by shear-out failure (hybrid joint with steel cleats) and delamination cracking (bolted joint with FRP cleats)

Cyclic Response of Bolted and Hybrid Pultruded FRP Beam-Column Joints between I-Shaped Sections

This paper presents cyclic behaviour of bolted and hybrid–combined bolted and bonded fibre re-inforced polymer (FRP) beam-to-column joints between I-shaped members using steel and FRP cleats. Five full-scale cyclic tests are carried out to study moment-rotation behaviour, cyclic re-sponse, and failure patterns. The test parameters include position of cleat (flange or combined web and flange), fastening method (bolting or hybrid–combining bolting and bonding) and cleat ma-terial (steel or FRP). First two tests had bolted and hybrid joints with steel flange and web double angles. Next two tests had the same joint detailing but with no web cleats. Last test used bolted joint only with FRP web and flange cleats. Three failure modes were observed: shear-out failure of the beam’s bolted zone, adhesive debonding with shear-out failure and delamination cracking. Cyclic performance of the joints was assessed by hysteresis moment-rotation curves and accumulated dissipated energy. Hybrid joints showed the best overall cyclic performance with accumulated dissipated energy about 75% higher than the bolted joints. Bolted joints with FRP cleats exhibited the worst cyclic performance. Flange cleated joints showed similar performance to web and flange cleated joints

Pharmacists' knowledge and attitudes about natural health products: A mixed-methods study

Objectives: To explore knowledge and attitude of pharmacists in Qatar towards natural health products (NHPs). Methods: The quantitative component of this study consisted of an anonymous, online, self-administered questionnaire to assess knowledge about NHPs among pharmacists in Qatar. Descriptive statistics and inferential analysis were conducted using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS®). Means and standard deviation were used to analyze descriptive data, and statistical significance was expressed as P-value, where P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Associations between variables were measured using Pearson correlation. The qualitative component utilized focus group (FG) meetings with a purposive sample of community pharmacists. Meetings were conducted until a point of saturation was reached. FG discussions were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using a framework approach to sort the data according to emerging themes. Results: The majority of participants had average to poor knowledge about NHPs while only around 7% had good knowledge. In the FG meetings, participants considered the media, medical representatives, and old systems of natural health as major source of their knowledge. They criticized undergraduate pharmacy courses (for inadequately preparing pharmacists to deal with NHPs) and the pharmacy regulations (for being irrelevant). A perception of NHPs as being “safe” still exists among pharmacists. Conclusions: Pharmacists’ ability to provide effective services associated with NHPs is limited by poor access to evidence-based information and poor knowledge. A perception of NHPs and CAM as 'safe' still exists among pharmacists, and regulations related to NHPs require addressing to follow best practice and ensure patient safety.Scopu

Diagnosis of Viral Diseases in Sudan: Coronaviruses Unveil the Concealed Venues

Establishing the diagnosis of viral diseases often needs sophisticated settings, equipment, expertise, and strict laboratory methods.  In Sudan, as in most developing countries, viral diseases are mostly diagnosed by clinical presentation. As most viral infections are self-limiting and there is no specific treatment for most of them, laboratory diagnosis has not been a focus for improvement, particularly in public sector until the current pandemic of COVID-19. During this pandemic, the vital need for well-equipped clinical virology laboratories is urged. The aim of this work is to highlight the various diagnostic methods and to describe the current situation of clinical virology diagnostics in Sudan

Effects of a Home-Based Nursing Intervention Program on Caregivers Care Adherence of Children Affected with Type I Diabetes Mellitus

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic disease that affects many children worldwide. Caregivers of children with T1DM play a crucial role in managing the child's health, but often face challenges in adhering to the recommended care guidelines. This study aimed to find out the effects of home-based nursing intervention programs on caregivers regarding the home care of children affected by T1DM. A quasi-experimental design with pre-and post-test control and intervention groups was used. This study was conducted in Akre, Duhok, Iraq, with 60 caregivers (30 in an intervention group and 30 in a control group) of children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus who were registered at the Gulan General Hospital in Akre city and were selected using the systematic sampling method between 3rd of January to 5th of September, 2022. A home-based nursing intervention program (5 months) was provided to the intervention group, while standard care was provided to the control group. A t-test, chi-squared analysis, and a structural equation model were used for data analysis of the iterative measurements. The end result shows the home-based nursing intervention program changed the behaviour of caregivers toward diet and insulin, modification of the diabetes care plan, intervention behaviour, and additional diabetes care practices were significant differences between groups. The home-based nursing intervention program was effective in increasing the frequency of diabetes management and taking responsibility for managing diabetes at home

Heparanase Levels Are Elevated in the Urine and Plasma of Type 2 Diabetes Patients and Associate with Blood Glucose Levels

Heparanase is an endoglycosidase that specifically cleaves heparan sulfate side chains of heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Utilizing an ELISA method capable of detection and quantification of heparanase, we examined heparanase levels in the plasma and urine of a cohort of 29 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), 14 T2DM patients who underwent kidney transplantation, and 47 healthy volunteers. We provide evidence that heparanase levels in the urine of T2DM patients are markedly elevated compared to healthy controls (1162±181 vs. 156±29.6 pg/ml for T2DM and healthy controls, respectively), increase that is statistically highly significant (P<0.0001). Notably, heparanase levels were appreciably decreased in the urine of T2DM patients who underwent kidney transplantation, albeit remained still higher than healthy individuals (P<0.0001). Increased heparanase levels were also found in the plasma of T2DM patients. Importantly, urine heparanase was associated with elevated blood glucose levels, implying that glucose mediates heparanase upregulation and secretion into the urine and blood. Utilizing an in vitro system, we show that insulin stimulates heparanase secretion by kidney 293 cells, and even higher secretion is observed when insulin is added to cells maintained under high glucose conditions. These results provide evidence for a significant involvement of heparanase in diabetic complications

Semiclassical Mechanics of the Wigner 6j-Symbol

The semiclassical mechanics of the Wigner 6j-symbol is examined from the standpoint of WKB theory for multidimensional, integrable systems, to explore the geometrical issues surrounding the Ponzano-Regge formula. The relations among the methods of Roberts and others for deriving the Ponzano-Regge formula are discussed, and a new approach, based on the recoupling of four angular momenta, is presented. A generalization of the Yutsis-type of spin network is developed for this purpose. Special attention is devoted to symplectic reduction, the reduced phase space of the 6j-symbol (the 2-sphere of Kapovich and Millson), and the reduction of Poisson bracket expressions for semiclassical amplitudes. General principles for the semiclassical study of arbitrary spin networks are laid down; some of these were used in our recent derivation of the asymptotic formula for the Wigner 9j-symbol.Comment: 64 pages, 50 figure

Simple sequence repeat variation in the Daphnia pulex genome

Background: Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are highly variable features of all genomes. Their rapid evolution makes them useful for tracing the evolutionary history of populations and investigating patterns of selection and mutation across gnomes. The recently sequenced Daphnia pulex genome provides us with a valuable data set to study the mode and tempo of SSR evolution, without the inherent biases that accompany marker selection. Results: Here we catalogue SSR loci in the Daphnia pulex genome with repeated motif sizes of 1-100 nucleotides with a minimum of 3 perfect repeats. We then used whole genome shotgun reads to determine the average heterozygosity of each SSR type and the relationship that it has to repeat number, motif size, motif sequence, and distribution of SSR loci. We find that SSR heterozygosity is motif specific, and positively correlated with repeat number as well as motif size. For non-repeat unit polymorphisms, we identify a motif-dependent end-nucleotide polymorphism bias that may contribute to the patterns of abundance for specific homopolymers, dimers, and trimers. Our observations confirm the high frequency of multiple unit variation (multistep) at large microsatellite loci, and further show that the occurrence of multiple unit variation is dependent on both repeat number and motif size. Using the Daphnia pulex genetic map, we show a positive correlation between dimer and trimer frequency and recombination. Conclusions: This genome-wide analysis of SSR variation in Daphnia pulex indicates that several aspects of SSR variation are motif dependent and suggests that a combination of unit length variation and end repeat biased base substitution contribute to the unique spectrum of SSR repeat loci

Diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin in critically ill immunocompromised patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Recognizing infection is crucial in immunocompromised patients with organ dysfunction. Our objective was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin (PCT) in critically ill immunocompromised patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This prospective, observational study included patients with suspected sepsis. Patients were classified into one of three diagnostic groups: no infection, bacterial sepsis, and nonbacterial sepsis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We included 119 patients with a median age of 54 years (interquartile range [IQR], 42-68 years). The general severity (SAPSII) and organ dysfunction (LOD) scores on day 1 were 45 (35-62.7) and 4 (2-6), respectively, and overall hospital mortality was 32.8%. Causes of immunodepression were hematological disorders (64 patients, 53.8%), HIV infection (31 patients, 26%), and solid cancers (26 patients, 21.8%). Bacterial sepsis was diagnosed in 58 patients and nonbacterial infections in nine patients (7.6%); 52 patients (43.7%) had no infection. PCT concentrations on the first ICU day were higher in the group with bacterial sepsis (4.42 [1.60-22.14] vs. 0.26 [0.09-1.26] ng/ml in patients without bacterial infection, <it>P </it>< 0.0001). PCT concentrations on day 1 that were > 0.5 ng/ml had 100% sensitivity but only 63% specificity for diagnosing bacterial sepsis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.851 (0.78-0.92). In multivariate analyses, PCT concentrations > 0.5 ng/ml on day 1 independently predicted bacterial sepsis (odds ratio, 8.6; 95% confidence interval, 2.53-29.3; <it>P </it>= 0.0006). PCT concentrations were not significantly correlated with hospital mortality.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Despite limited specificity in critically ill immunocompromised patients, PCT concentrations may help to rule out bacterial infection.</p

Computer-Integrated Design and Manufacture of Integrated Circuits

Contains research goals and objectives, reports on sixteen research projects and a list of publications.Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/U.S. Navy Contract N00174-93-K-0035Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/U.S. Army Contract DABT 63-95-C-0088Multisponsored Projects Industrial/MIT Leaders for Manufacturing Progra