Analysis of Uncontrolled Concrete Bridge Parapet Cracking

The Ohio Transportation has recently identified the problem of wide-spread premature cracking of concrete bridge parapets throughout its District 12 region (Northeast Ohio). Many of the bridge decks that contain these prematurely cracked parapets are of relatively recent construction. In severe cases, replacement of the parapet may be required before replacement of the bridge deck itself. This incurs a sunk cost upon the bridge owner, as the parapets will again be replaced during the regularly scheduled replacement of the bridge deck. In a recent instance, the replacement of a cracked parapet (without replacing the deck) cost District 12 approximately $140,000. In addition, parapet walls are a crucial safety feature of roadway bridge construction, and severe deterioration of these barriers could introduce a significant safety hazard. Premature cracking of concrete bridge parapets is a potentially complex problem, with a number of possible causes. The objective of this study was to determine the reasons for uncontrolled concrete bridge parapet cracking, and to provide recommendations to ODOT to prevent such cracking in the future. Potential factors examined in this study included: properties of the concrete mixtures used, construction methods, joint details, composite structural action, and durability of the concrete and reinforcement. Identifying the cause of, and avoiding this problem in the future, has several benefits, including: a potential cost savings for the district, increasing the safety of these structures in future construction, and increasing the overall understanding of the durability of these structure

La Guinée maritime aujourd’hui

Les travaux menés à l’occasion du programme « Observatoire des mangroves de Guinée » , soit la cartographie de l’ensemble des informations thématiques disponibles sur la Guinée Maritime, une cartographie plus fine pour des sous-préfectures témoins, des enquêtes directes sur un échantillon de villages sur les thèmes des modes de mise en valeur, de leurs contextes ethno-historiques, sociaux et économiques, permettent de faire apparaître les principales dynamiques qui affectent la Guinée Maritime depuis la libéralisation économique de 1984. Deux tendances lourdes se dégagent : la monétarisation croissante des activités dans les campagnes et la polarisation de l’espace régional. Ces dynamiques conjuguées sont porteuses de progrès social mais constituent aussi un nouveau risque pour les ressources.Coastal Guinea Today. The research and study undertaken during the “Observatory of the Guinean Mangroves” program, whether the mapping of the total information available regarding Coastal Guinea, or a more detailed mapping for the sub-prefecture areas concerned, plus direct investigations based on a selection of villages as regards development, their ethno-historical, social and economic contexts, make it possible to reveal the main dynamic forces that affect Coastal Guinea since the economic liberalization inaugurated in 1984. Two tendancies, pregnant with significance, stand out : the growing money-making activities in the countrysides, and the polarization of the regional space. These combined dynamics are encouraging for social progress, but they also constitute a new risk for the natural resources in the entire area

Micronutrientes no solo sob diferentes fitofisionomias no Pantanal da Nhecolândia, Mato Grosso do Sul.

A paisagem do Pantanal é composta por um mosaico de formações vegetais de aspectos diversos, que compreendem campos inundáveis, cerrado, cerradões e florestas. Aliado ao regime de inundação, os solos têm um papel primordial na diferenciação das comunidades vegetais. Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o teor de micronutrientes no solo, nas camadas superficiais, sob diferentes fitofisionomias no Pantanal da Nhecolândia, visando contribuir com elementos para a caracterização dos ambientes do Pantanal. The landscape of the Pantanal is composed of a mosaic of vegetation of different aspects, which include flooded fields, arboreal savannah, forested savannah and forests. Coupled with the system of flood, the soils have a greater role in the differentiation of plant communities. This study aimed to evaluate the content of micronutrients in soil under different vegetation types in the Nhecolandia, aiming to contribute elements to characterize the environments of the Pantanal

COVID-19: Is There Evidence for the Use of Herbal Medicines as Adjuvant Symptomatic Therapy?

Background: Current recommendations for the self-management of SARS-Cov-2 disease (COVID-19) include self-isolation, rest, hydration, and the use of NSAID in case of high fever only. It is expected that many patients will add other symptomatic/adjuvant treatments, such as herbal medicines. Aims: To provide a benefits/risks assessment of selected herbal medicines traditionally indicated for “respiratory diseases” within the current frame of the COVID-19 pandemic as an adjuvant treatment. Method: The plant selection was primarily based on species listed by the WHO and EMA, but some other herbal remedies were considered due to their widespread use in respiratory conditions. Preclinical and clinical data on their efficacy and safety were collected from authoritative sources. The target population were adults with early and mild flu symptoms without underlying conditions. These were evaluated according to a modified PrOACT-URL method with paracetamol, ibuprofen, and codeine as reference drugs. The benefits/risks balance of the treatments was classified as positive, promising, negative, and unknown. Results: A total of 39 herbal medicines were identified as very likely to appeal to the COVID-19 patient. According to our method, the benefits/risks assessment of the herbal medicines was found to be positive in 5 cases (Althaea officinalis, Commiphora molmol, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Hedera helix, and Sambucus nigra), promising in 12 cases (Allium sativum, Andrographis paniculata, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea, Eucalyptus globulus essential oil, Justicia pectoralis, Magnolia officinalis, Mikania glomerata, Pelargonium sidoides, Pimpinella anisum, Salix sp, Zingiber officinale), and unknown for the rest. On the same grounds, only ibuprofen resulted promising, but we could not find compelling evidence to endorse the use of paracetamol and/or codeine. Conclusions: Our work suggests that several herbal medicines have safety margins superior to those of reference drugs and enough levels of evidence to start a clinical discussion about their potential use as adjuvants in the treatment of early/mild common flu in otherwise healthy adults within the context of COVID-19. While these herbal medicines will not cure or prevent the flu, they may both improve general patient well-being and offer them an opportunity to personalize the therapeutic approaches

Vigor de sementes e adubação nitrogenada na produtividade e qualidade fisiológica de sementes de trigo.

A utilização de sementes de qualidade, associada à adubação nitrogenada aplicada em doses e momentos adequados, pode aumentar a produtividade e o potencial fisiológico das sementes produzidas. Neste sentido, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito do vigor de sementes utilizadas na semeadura associado a combinações de doses e épocas de aplicação de nitrogênio sobre a produtividade e a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de trigo. O experimento foi conduzido com a cultivar BRS Gralha-Azul, sob delineamento de blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 2x7, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram em dois níveis de vigor de sementes (alto e baixo) associados a sete combinações de doses e aplicação da adução nitrogenada (N1- sem N; N2- 40 kg ha-1 de N no perfilhamento; N3- 80 kg ha-1 de N no perfilhamento; N4- 40 kg ha-1 de N na semeadura; N5- 80 kg ha-1 de N na semeadura; N6- 40 kg ha-1 de N na semeadura e 40 kg ha-1 de N no perfilhamento; N7- 20 kg ha-1 de N na semeadura e 60 kg ha-1 de N no perfilhamento). Foram avaliados: germinação, primeira contagem da germinação, comprimento e massa seca de plântulas, emergência de plântulas em areia, índice de velocidade e emergência, condutividade elétrica, massa de mil sementes e produtividade de sementes. A adubação com 20 kg ha-1 de N na semeadura e 60 kg ha-1 de N no início do perfilhamento foi o mais eficiente para a produção de sementes vigorosas da cultivar BRS Gralha-Azul. Sementes com alto vigor apresentam melhor potencial fisiológico. Os níveis de vigor de sementes e as combinações de épocas de aplicação e doses de nitrogênio não alteram a produtividade da cultura e a massa das sementes produzidas.Empregado da Embrapa Trigo na época da publicação