Attenuation of Traffic Induced Ground Borne Vibrations due to Heavy Vehicles

Traffic induced vibrations, which are transmitted through the ground, may interfere with the proper operation of vibration sensitive equipments and cause nuisance on local population. Influence of these vibrations on surrounding buildings and sensitive devices play an important role on acceptance of the projects. In this study, main objective is the estimation of ground-borne vibration levels due to operation of heavy vehicles at two different sites where soil type and stratification significantly differs. For this purpose, site specific vibration surveys are conducted. A series of dynamic finite element modeling analyses are performed to predict actual vibration records at measurement points. Parameters used in finite element modeling are obtained through geotechnical and geophysical surveys conducted at the site. Modeling results are in good agreement with the actual vibration levels in the considered frequency range. Frequency range of dominant structural responses due to ground borne vibrations induced by heavy vehicles is found to be between 10 Hz to 50 Hz for a single degree of freedom system with 3% damping. Calibrated finite element models are further used to predict the attenuation of vibrations with distance from the source. Slightly better wave attenuation is observed in soil site compared to the rock site

Določitev dinamičnih zemeljskih tlakov delujočih na toge prepuste

The seismic safety of underground structures (culvert, subway, natural-gas and water-sewage systems) plays a major role in sustainable public safety and urban development. Very few experimental data are currently available and there is no generally accepted procedure to estimate the dynamic pressures acting on these underground structures. This study aims to enhance the state of the prevalent information necessary to understand the dynamic behaviour of box culverts and the stresses acting under dynamic excitations through experimental analyses. For this purpose, a series of shaking-table tests were conducted on box-type culverts buried in dry sand. To simulate the free-field boundary conditions, a laminar box was designed and manufactured for use with a 1-g shake table. Two culvert models having different rigidities were tested under various harmonic motions in order to examine the effect of the flexibility ratio on dynamic lateral soil pressures. Based on the test results, a simplified dynamic pressure distribution acting on the sidewalls of the culvert model was suggested. Then, a dynamic lateral coefficient was defined for the proposed peak pressure value in the distribution. The values of this coefficient were obtained as a function of the shear strain by considering the relative stiffness between the soil and the underground structure.Potresna varnost podzemnih objektov (prepusti, podzemne železnice, sistemi za oskrbo z zemeljskim plinom in vodo), igra pomembno vlogo v trajnostni javni varnosti in urbanem razvoju. Ne poznamo splošno sprejetega postopka za oceno dinamičnih pritiskov, ki delujejo na podzemne objekte. Prav tako je na voljo zelo malo eksperimentalnih podatkov za oceno dinamičnih pritiskov. S študijo želimo izboljšati razumevanje dinamičnega obnašanja škatlastih prepustov in pritiskov, ki delujejo pri dinamičnih vzbujanjih s pomočjo eksperimentalnih analiz. V ta namen smo izvedli niz preizkusov na potresni-mizi na škatlastih prepustih zakopanih v suhem pesku. Za simulacijo robnih pogojev prostega polja, smo za uporabo v 1 g potresni mizi zasnovali in izdelali laminarno škatlo. Na dveh modelih prepustov, ki imata različne togosti smo v raznih harmoničnih gibanjih preučili vpliv razmerja prožnosti na vrednosti dinamičnih bočnih pritiskov tal. Na podlagi rezultatov preskusov predlagamo poenostavljeno porazdelitev dinamični pritiskov, ki delujejo na stranske stene modela prepusta. Za predlagano vrhnjo vrednost tlaka v porazdelitvi tlakov smo definirali dinamični bočni koeficient. Vrednosti tega koeficienta so funkcija strižnih specifičnih deformacij z upoštevanjem relativne togosti med tlemi in podzemno konstrukcijo

Intracellular localization of beta-catenin expression plays a possible prognostic role on the outcome of hepatoblastoma patients

Dokumcu, Zafer/0000-0002-4996-7824; Ataseven, eda/0000-0003-3419-5814; Yilmaz, Funda/0000-0003-1837-6498; Celtik, Ulgen/0000-0001-5707-2986WOS: 000534437900001PubMed: 32436062Purpose Wnt/Beta-catenin pathway plays an essential role in liver development and regeneration. Abnormal activation in this pathway leads to development of hepatoblastoma (HB). Although its importance has invoked attention, its prognostic role is debatable. We aimed to evaluate the significance of intracellular localization of beta-catenin (BC) expression in the outcome of hepatoblastoma patients. Methods Medical records of HB patients between 2004 and 2018 were reviewed. Patients were grouped according to intracellular localization of BC expression by immunohistochemistry as being cytoplasmic or nuclear. Demographics, radiological images, PRETEXT classifications, vascular involvement, risk groups, chemotherapy responses, and survival rates were analyzed and compared between groups. Results There were 41 patients. Thirteen patients were excluded for unavailability of records in four, negative/unclear BC expressions in seven. Cytoplasmic expression of BC was observed in 17 patients whereas 13 patients displayed nuclear expression. Demographics were similar in both groups. Cytoplasmic BC expression was associated with poor chemotherapy response (p = 0.001) and increased vascular involvement (p = 0.0162) requiring more extensive surgeries (p = 0.039). Conclusion Although the numbers are limited in our series, the intracellular localization of BC expression has been found to be a promising determining factor for hepatoblastoma prognosis. With larger patient series, more reliable results can be achieved

Awareness and Knowledge of Pneumococcal Vaccination in Cardiology Outpatient Clinics and the Impact of Physicians' Recommendations on Vaccination Rates

Aim: We aimed to evaluate the awareness of pneumococcal vaccination (PCV13, PPSV23) in general cardiology outpatient clinics and impact of physicians' recommendations on vaccination rates. Methods: This was a multicenter, observational, prospective cohort study. Patients over the age of 18 from 40 hospitals in different regions of Turkey who applied to the cardiology outpatient clinic between September 2022 and August 2021 participated. The vaccination rates were calculated within three months of follow-up from the admitting of the patient to cardiology clinics. Results: The 403 (18.2%) patients with previous pneumococcal vaccination were excluded from the study. The mean age of study population (n = 1808) was 61.9 +/- 12.1 years and 55.4% were male. The 58.7% had coronary artery disease, hypertension (74.1%) was the most common risk factor, and 32.7% of the patients had never been vaccinated although they had information about vaccination before. The main differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients were related to education level and ejection fraction. The physicians' recommendations were positively correlated with vaccination intention and behavior in our participants. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant correlation between vaccination and female sex [OR = 1.55 (95% CI = 1.25-1.92), p < 0.001], higher education level [OR = 1.49 (95% CI = 1.15-1.92), p = 0.002] patients' knowledge [OR = 1.93 (95% CI = 1.56-2.40), p < 0.001], and their physician's recommendation [OR = 5.12 (95% CI = 1.92-13.68), p = 0.001]. Conclusion: To increase adult immunization rates, especially among those with or at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), it is essential to understand each of these factors. Even if during COVID-19 pandemic, there is an increased awareness about vaccination, the vaccine acceptance level is not enough, still. Further studies and interventions are needed to improve public vaccination rates