Preliminary design of high rise buildings for global adaptation using the linear static method

Preliminary sizing of the members of high-rise buildings for adaptation in Nigeria and other countries with similar earth tremor data is carried out in this work using the linear static (lateral force) method. The studied building model comprises a regular, symmetric 50 storey Steel Dual-Concentric (chevron) Brace Frame, SD-CBF. European wide flange beam section of HE220M, column section HE260M and brace section HE180B were realised as initial design sections which are structurally safe. Results indicate that the aforementioned sections, though structurally safe can be made more robust for greater safety by applying a factor of safety ranging from 1.25 to 1.5 depending on available investment and seismicity of the environment. This is to justify safety of lives and properties.Keywords: High-rise, Earth-tremor, Linear Static Method and SD-CBF

RAPD-PCR based genomic characterization of two populations of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera : Culicidae)

The present paper deals with the RAPD-PCR based genomic characterization of Culex quinquefasciatus Say which is a major vector of filariasis in several parts of the Indian subcontinent. One population of the test organism used in the study was procured from Goa (pop.A) while the other (pop.B) was collected from a village Nadasahib (20 kms from Chandigarh). The RAPD-PCR amplification of whole body homogenate of freshly hatched individual specimens was carried out by using three random primers: primer I- 5’- GTCCCGACGA – 3’; primer II- 5’– TGATCCCTGG – 3’ and primer III- 5’- GTGACGTAGG – 3’. Primer I produced 5 distinct bands from the DNA of pop. A, whose base composition ranged from 200-1000 bp. Likewise, 7 bands ranging from 130-750 bp and 4 bands ranging from 270-950 bp were generated with primers II and III respectively. In case of pop.B, a total of 8 bands ranging from 200-1000 bp were generated with primer I. Similarly, a total of 6 bands ranging from 250-900 bp with primer II and 4 bands ranging from 180-950 bp with primer III were produced. Based on the bandsharing coefficient and the application of Nearest Neighbour Joining (NJ) analysis it was found that primer Iwas more suitable for detecting genomic differences at the species and generic levels while primer II was ideal for detecting variations in the number of bp in RAPD generated bands among different populations of Cx. quinquefasciatus

Rings of real functions in pointfree topology

AbstractThis paper deals with the algebra F(L) of real functions on a frame L and its subclasses LSC(L) and USC(L) of, respectively, lower and upper semicontinuous real functions. It is well known that F(L) is a lattice-ordered ring; this paper presents explicit formulas for its algebraic operations which allow to conclude about their behaviour in LSC(L) and USC(L).As applications, idempotent functions are characterized and previous pointfree results about strict insertion of functions are significantly improved: general pointfree formulations that correspond exactly to the classical strict insertion results of Dowker and Michael regarding, respectively, normal countably paracompact spaces and perfectly normal spaces are derived.The paper ends with a brief discussion concerning the frames in which every arbitrary real function on the α-dissolution of the frame is continuous

Temperature dependent characterization of optical fibres for distributed temperature sensing in hot geothermal wells

This study was performed in order to select a proper fibre for the application of a distributed temperature sensing system within a hot geothermal well in Iceland. Commercially available high temperature graded index fibres have been tested under in-situ temperature conditions. Experiments have been performed with four different polyimide coated fibres, a fibre with an aluminum coating and a fibre with a gold coating. To select a fibre, the relationship between attenuation, temperature, and time has been analyzed together with SEM micrographs. On the basis of these experiments, polyimide fibres have been chosen for utilisation. Further tests in ambient and inert atmosphere have been conducted with two polyimide coated fibres to set an operating temperature limit for these fibres. SEM micrographs, together with coating colour changes have been used to characterize the high temperature performance of the fibres. A novel cable design has been developed, a deployment strategy has been worked out and a suitable well for deployment has been selected.Comment: PACS: 42.81.Pa, 93.85.Fg, 47.80.Fg, 91.35.Dc, 07.20.Dt, 07.60.V

Chiral Supergravity

We study the linearized approximation of N=1 topologically massive supergravity around AdS3. Linearized gravitino fields are explicitly constructed. For appropriate boundary conditions, the conserved charges demonstrate chiral behavior, so that chiral gravity can be consistently extended to chiral supergravity.Comment: 30 page

Penicillin allergy de-labelling ahead of elective surgery: feasibility and barriers

Background: Around 10–15% of the in-patient population carry unsubstantiated ‘penicillin allergy’ labels, the majority incorrect when tested. These labels are associated with harm from use of broad-spectrum non-penicillin antibiotics. Current testing guidelines incorporate both skin and challenge tests; this is prohibitively expensive and time-consuming to deliver on a large scale. We aimed to establish the feasibility of a rapid access de-labelling pathway for surgical patients, using direct oral challenge. Methods: ‘Penicillin allergic’ patients, recruited from a surgical pre-assessment clinic, were risk-stratified using a screening questionnaire. Patients at low risk of true, immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergy were offered direct oral challenge using incremental amoxicillin to a total dose of 500 mg. A 3-day course was completed at home. De-labelled patients were followed up to determine antibiotic use in surgery, and attitudes towards de-labelling were explored. Results: Of 219 patients screened, 74 were eligible for inclusion and offered testing. We subsequently tested 56 patients; 55 were de-labelled. None had a serious reaction to the supervised challenge, or thereafter. On follow-up, 17 of 19 patients received appropriate antimicrobial prophylaxis during surgery. Only three of 33 de-labelled patients would have been happy for the label to be removed without prior specialist testing. Conclusion: Rapid access de-labelling, using direct oral challenge in appropriately risk-stratified patients, can be incorporated into the existing surgical care pathway. This provides immediate and potential long-term benefit for patients. Interest in testing is high among patients, and clinicians appear to follow clinic recommendations. Patients are unlikely to accept removal of their allergy label on the basis of history alone