Comparative study on behaviour of cable-stayed bridge with normal support and spring controlled system

The main objective of this research is to study the damped spring controlled system to reduce the earthquake-induced forces in the structure of cable-stayed bridges by applying STAAD-Pro structural analysis. The total length of the proposed cable-stayed bridge is 450 ft from abutment to abutment. It has symmetrical span arrangement with 250 ft (main span length) and 100 ft (each of side span length) respectively. It consists of dual H-type tower and the warren truss type steel girder. The girder has 10ft each panel bays and 5ft in height. A reinforced concrete, H-type tower, rises 50 ft above the truss girder base. Its apex is 15 ft high in pylon that supports a dual-plane cable system. Two pairs of cables on each side are arranged as a fan type cable system. Cables are installed from the outermost cable connections; from the ends of the bridge to the tower with 50 ft spacing to distribute axial load throughout the deck. HS 20-44 AASHTO loading will be applied. Effects of impact loading, wind loading, temperature forces and horizontal seismic loading will also be considered. Firstly, the static analysis of cable-stayed bridge is accomplished without considering the effect of earthquake forces. After that the spring supports are installed between tower and girder for effective flexible responses of the cable-stayed bridge due to the horizontal earthquake forces only. The intelligent control system is used to guarantee the relative movements between the connected structural parts. The bridge is analyzed and designed by using the STAAD-Pro engineering software in this study. The materials and loads are specified according to the AASHTO specifications. This study provides the proof of seismic protection and the comparative results of the controlled and uncontrolled structural system such as tower deformations, truss girder axial forces, cable axial forces, truss girder displacement and support reactions

Gestational diabetes mellitus prevalence in Maela refugee camp on the Thai–Myanmar Border: a clinical report

Background: Individuals in conflict-affected areas rarely get appropriate care for chronic or non-infectious diseases. The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing worldwide, and new evidence shows conclusively that the negative effects of hyperglycemia occur even at mild glucose elevations and that these negative effects can be attenuated by treatment. Scientific literature on gestational diabetes in refugee camp settings is critically limited. Methods: A 75 g 2-hour glucose tolerance test was administered to 228 women attending the antenatal care (ANC) clinic in Maela refugee camp on the Thai–Myanmar border. Prevalence of GDM was determined using the HAPO trial cut-offs [≥92 mg/dL (fasting),≥180 (1 hour), and≥153 (2 hour)] and the WHO criteria [≥126 mg/dL (fasting), and 140 mg/dL (2 hour)]. Results: From July 2011 to March 2012, the prevalence of GDM was 10.1% [95% confidence interval (CI): 6.2–14.0] when the cut-off determined by the HAPO trial was applied. Applying the older WHO criteria yielded a prevalence of 6.6% (95% CI 3.3–9.8). Age, parity, and BMI emerged as characteristics that may be significantly associated with GDM in this population. Other risk factors that are commonly used in screening guidelines were not applicable in this diabetes-naïve population. Discussion: The prevalence of GDM is lower in this population compared with other populations, but still complicates 10% of pregnancies. New evidence regarding gestational diabetes raises new dilemmas for healthcare providers in resource-poor settings. Efforts to identify and treat patients at risk for adverse outcomes need to be balanced with awareness of the risks and burdens associated with over diagnosis and unnecessary interventions. Screening approaches based on risk factors or using higher cut-off values may help minimize this burden and identify those most likely to benefit from intervention

(Methanol-κO)(2-methyl-3-nitro­benzoato-κO)triphenyl­tin(IV)

The five-coordinate Sn atom in the title compound, [Sn(C6H5)3(C8H6NO4)(CH3OH)], exists in a trans-C3SnO2 trigonal-bipyramidal coordination polyhedron of which the O atoms of the methanol mol­ecule and carboxyl­ate group occupy the apical sites. In the crystal, adjacent mol­ecules are linked by inter­molecular O—H⋯O inter­actions, generating a helical hydrogen-bonded chain running along the b axis

The role of effectors in nonhost resistance to filamentous plant pathogens

In nature, most plants are resistant to a wide range of phytopathogens. However, mechanisms contributing to this so-called nonhost resistance (NHR) are poorly understood. Besides constitutive defences, plants have developed two layers of inducible defence systems. Plant innate immunity relies on recognition of conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). In compatible interactions, pathogenicity effector molecules secreted by the invader can suppress host defence responses and facilitate the infection process. Additionally, plants have evolved pathogen-specific resistance mechanisms based on recognition of these effectors, which causes secondary defence responses. The current effector-driven hypothesis is that nonhost resistance in plants that are distantly related to the host plant is triggered by PAMP recognition that cannot be efficiently suppressed by the pathogen, whereas in more closely related species, nonhost recognition of effectors would play a crucial role. In this review we give an overview of current knowledge of the role of effector molecules in host and nonhost resistance and place these findings in the context of the model. We focus on examples from filamentous pathogens (fungi and oomycetes), discuss their implications for the field of plant-pathogen interactions and relevance in plant breeding strategies for development of durable resistance in crops

Pathways to a cancer-free future: a protocol for modelled evaluations to minimise the future burden of colorectal cancer in Australia.

INTRODUCTION:With almost 50% of cases preventable and the Australian National Bowel Cancer Screening Program in place, colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prime candidate for investment to reduce the cancer burden. The challenge is determining effective ways to reduce morbidity and mortality and their implementation through policy and practice. Pathways-Bowel is a multistage programme that aims to identify best-value investment in CRC control by integrating expert and end-user engagement; relevant evidence; modelled interventions to guide future investment; and policy-driven implementation of interventions using evidence-based methods. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Pathways-Bowel is an iterative work programme incorporating a calibrated and validated CRC natural history model for Australia (Policy1-Bowel) and assessing the health and cost outcomes and resource use of targeted interventions. Experts help identify and prioritise modelled evaluations of changing trends and interventions and critically assess results to advise on their real-world applicability. Where appropriate the results are used to support public policy change and make the case for optimal investment in specific CRC control interventions. Fourteen high-priority evaluations have been modelled or planned, including evaluations of CRC outcomes from the changing prevalence of modifiable exposures, including smoking and body fatness; potential benefits of daily aspirin intake as chemoprevention; increasing CRC incidence in people aged <50 years; increasing screening participation in the general and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations; alternative screening technologies and modalities; and changes to follow-up surveillance protocols. Pathways-Bowel is a unique, comprehensive approach to evaluating CRC control; no prior body of work has assessed the relative benefits of a variety of interventions across CRC development and progression to produce a list of best-value investments. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION:Ethics approval was not required as human participants were not involved. Findings are reported in a series of papers in peer-reviewed journals and presented at fora to engage the community and policymakers