Ground Motion Spatial Incoherence, Its Modelling And Effects On Long Gravity Dams

Seismic design of concrete gravity dams is usually based on a two-dimensional analysis of one monolith, or slice. This analysis provides the basic information but neglects the interaction between adjacent dam monoliths and assumes uniformity of dam section, foundation properties and ground motions along the dam longitudinal axis. While the seismic response of gravity dams has been investigated in considerable detail, the effects of ground motion spatial incoherence on dam response have not been investigated to any great detail.;In this study, dam response to spatially variable seismic excitations is theoretically investigated. Deterministic and random representations of the space-time random field of the ground motion are included.;Available models for the spatial coherency function are critically reviewed and unified in a general model. This model agrees well with theoretical studies, coherency established for similar random fields, and data collected during recent earthquakes. Two novel simulation techniques for generating spatially multi-dimensional seismic motions are developed. These simulation techniques allow for the digital simulation of ground motions in the near and far fields of small and extended faults. They are computationally efficient and require the summation of cosine functions only.;For long dams, a simplified analytical model, complementary to the conventional two-dimensional analysis is formulated. Dam-reservoir-foundation interaction is accounted for including water viscosity and through-rock interaction of foundation elements. Both continuous and segmented dams are considered. An extensive parametric study is conducted and the relative importance of the main parameters is identified.;Responses of long structures to spatially incoherent ground motions are also derived in closed forms neglecting soil-structure interaction.;The results suggest that both spatial incoherence and wave passage effects can produce significant stresses on dams. The effects of spatial incoherence are qualitatively different and can be more important than those of fully correlated travelling waves. Dam response is considerably affected by the interaction with the foundation and the reservoir.;The formulations presented are quite general and may be equally applicable in response analysis of other structures subjected to similar random fields such as those of turbulent wind and sea waves

Isothermal Transformation Temperatures and Its Effect in Hardiness of Pearlite Eutectic Steels R350HT Rails

يتميز الفولاذ المقاوم للصدأ  بعدد من الخواص الميكانيكية المرغوبة ، وبالتالي تمت دراسته على أنه بنية مجهرية مرشحة للسكك الحديدية المقواة برأس R350HT وفقًا لمعيار EN-13674. يدرس هذا العمل دور درجة حرارة التحويل لصف السكك الحديدية R350HT وتأثيرها على صلابة السكك الحديدية. تم الحصول على بنية الدقيقة المرغوبة تحت درجات حرارة تحويل  مختلفة. يتوافق تباين صلابة البرليت التي يتم الحصول عليها في ظل ظروف TTT مع التغيرات في تركيبها الداخيلي ودرجة حرارة التحول Abstract Fine pearlitic eutectic steel have a number of desirable mechanical properties and have thus been studied as candidate microstructure for R350HT head hardened rail according to EN-13674 standard. This work examines the role of transformation temperature of R350HT rail grade and their effect on rail hardiness. The fine pearlite structure has been obtained under different isothermal transformation temperatures. The variation of pearlite hardiness that obtained under TTT conditions conform to the changes in its structure and transformation temperature

Characterisation of the melano protein of Venturia inaequalis and its impact on plant pathogenesis

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A Qualitative Study on the Determination of Healthy Cafeteria Practice in Selangor, Malaysia

The prevalence of obesity around the world is increasing yearly. Dietary intake, physical inactivity, and sedentary lifestyle are the common causes of obesity. This situation has created an urge to improve a healthy eating environment in the community. Eating outside is more common nowadays especially during working hours. Workers normally will have their meal at the cafeteria. Their dietary intake is directly affected by the availability of food choices at the cafeteria. Thus, a qualitative study was conducted to identify the perceptions of healthy cafeteria among food operators in Selangor, Malaysia. Eleven food handlers at three selected cafeterias were recruited by a convenience sampling based on the inclusion criteria of the study. The respondents consist of three full-time managers, five full-time food handlers, and three full-time cleaners. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the aid of video and audio recording. The phenomenon of interest was to explore the perceptions, suggestions, challenges and limitation of healthy cafeteria practice among cafeteria operators. The interview transcripts were analysed verbatim based on the objectives and identified themes of the study. Themes include food safety, food handling course, food availability, methods of cooking, foods’ hygiene and sanitation.  Findings showed that most of the respondents have the similar understanding of healthy cafeteria in which includes healthy menu and clean environment. The respondents also have the knowledge on food safety. The challenges faced by the food handlers were making sure every staff has the correct understanding of healthy foods, using the safe kitchen utensils and financial constraint. Regarding promoting healthy cafeteria environment, the respondents suggested to provide printed educational materials, serve healthy menu selections, organise healthy eating campaign and provide appropriates kitchen utensils. This study revealed that training on food safety and education on healthy food choices are important to provide a healthy eating environment.Keywords: Obesity; Healthy Cafeteria, Food Safety; Healthy Eating.ISSN: 2398-4287© 2017. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia

Composition and rheological properties of flour and dough from genetically modified wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Hi-Line 111

The main objective of this work was to evaluate the composition, nutritional, physical and rheological properties of wheat flour and dough from genetically modified wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Hi-Line 111 (GMW) compared to conventional wheat (non-GMW). Analyses were conducted to measure the proximate chemical composition with references to 18 components including total solid, protein, lipids, crude fiber, ash, carbohydrate, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids. In addition, physical and rheological properties such as water absorption, arrival time, dough development time, stability value, dough weakening value, extensibility of dough, resistance to extension, and ratio of resistance/extensibility were evaluated. The results showed that there were no significant differences between GMW and non-GMW in terms of chemical composition. Results revealed the presence of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids wherein there were no significant differences between GMW and its counterpart in the levels of fatty acids. In addition, there were no significant differences on the levels of amino acids. In addition, there were no significant differences between the GMW and non-GMW in the physical and rheological properties. From these results, it can be concluded that GMW Hi-Line 111 is confirmed to have nearly the composition and rheological properties as non-GMW

Change in Behavior, Blood Parameters and Pain Score in Response to Different Treatment Strategies in Bull Infected with FMD or LSD

Foot and mouth disease and lumpy skin disease of cattle is a common disease on commercial cattle farms which associated with changes in behavior, blood parameters, pain related behaviors and pain scale measurements, but little is known about this effect. The objectives of the present study were to test 2 hypotheses. First, investigate these changes; second, explained the effect of different treatment strategies (analgesic with Flunixin meglumine) or non-analgesic on lameness and pain scale. 125 bull cows were enrolled in the study based on visual observation of abnormal behavior the present study was done in Assiut governorate in Egypt was divided in three groups, which 25 clinically healthy bull (control group), FMD clinically infected group (25 analgesic + 25 non-analgesic and LSD (25 analgesic + 25 non analgesic). Obtained data illustrated that; there are significant increase physiological parameters (rectal temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate), lying behavior and total pain scale, while, there are significant decrease in feeding, drinking, rumination and standing behaviors, activity of exploration and activity of body care which may be corrected by Flunixin using. Conclusion: Flunixin injection may help in decreasing the negative pain behaviors and physiological changes caused by LSD or FM

Chemosensetizing and cardioprotective effects of resveratrol in doxorubicin- treated animals

BACKGROUND: Doxorubicin (DOX), an anthracycline antibiotic is one of the most effective anticancer drug used in the treatment of variety of cancers .Its use is limited by its cardiotoxicity. The present study was designed to assess the role of a natural product resveratrol (RSVL) on sensitization of mammary carcinoma (Ehrlich ascites carcinoma) to the action of DOX and at the same time its protective effect against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. METHODS: Ehrlich ascites carcinoma bearing mice were used in this study. Percent survival of tumor bearing mice was used for determination of the Cytotoxic activity of DOX in presence and absence of RSVL. Uptake and cell cycle effect of DOX in tumor cells in the presence of RSVL was also determined. Histopatholgical examination of heart tissues after DOX and/or RSVL therapy was also investigated. RESULTS: DOX at a dose level of 15 mg/kg increased the mean survival time of tumor bearing mice to 21 days compared with 15 days for non tumor-bearing control mice. Administration of RSVL at a dose level of 10 mg/kg simultaneously with DOX increased the mean survival time to 30 days with 70% survival of the tumor-bearing animals. RSVL increased the intracellular level of DOX and there was a strong correlation between the high cellular level of DOX and its cytotoxic activity. Moreover, RSVL treatment showed 4.8 fold inhibition in proliferation index of cells treated with DOX. Histopathological analysis of rat heart tissue after a single dose of DOX (20 mg/kg) showed myocytolysis with congestion of blood vessels, cytoplasmic vacuolization and fragmentation. Concomitant treatment with RSVL, fragmentation of the muscle fiber revealed normal muscle fiber. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that RSVL could increase the cytotoxic activity of DOX and at the same time protect against its cardiotoxicity