Nonparametric Monitoring for Geotechnical Structures Subject to Long-Term Environmental Change

A nonparametric, data-driven methodology of monitoring for geotechnical structures subject to long-term environmental change is discussed. Avoiding physical assumptions or excessive simplification of the monitored structures, the nonparametric monitoring methodology presented in this paper provides reliable performance-related information particularly when the collection of sensor data is limited. For the validation of the nonparametric methodology, a field case study was performed using a full-scale retaining wall, which had been monitored for three years using three tilt gauges. Using the very limited sensor data, it is demonstrated that important performance-related information, such as drainage performance and sensor damage, could be disentangled from significant daily, seasonal and multiyear environmental variations. Extensive literature review on recent developments of parametric and nonparametric data processing techniques for geotechnical applications is also presented

Comparative study of uterine repair during caesarean section: exteriorization repair versus in-situ repair

Background: Cesarean section is one of the most common major obstetrical operation performed worldwide and the rates of cesarean section are increasing. It is associated with both intra-operative and post-operative complications. Many variations in surgical methods have been devised to decrease the adverse effects and morbidity. One such method is technique of uterine repair after delivery of the fetus and placenta by exteriorizing the uterus or in-situ repair.Methods: A prospective comparative study was conducted in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at MGMCRI Pondicherry over 18 months from March 2015 to August 2016. Two hundred women undergoing caesarean section were assigned to 2 groups. Group 1 (Exteriorization) 100 women and Group 2 (In-situ repair) 100 women. Intra-op and post-operative complications were assessed in both groups and compared.Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to age, parity, gestational age and type of cesarean section. There was no significant difference between two groups with regard to fall in Hb, operating time, mean drop in pulse rate and blood pressure, nausea, vomiting and intra-op pain. There was significant difference in blood loss during surgery in in-situ repair, P value was <0.001 highly significant and also statistically significant increase in transfusion rates in in-situ group with a p value of 0.038. Postoperative complications like febrile morbidity was significantly more in in-situ repair P=0.046. There was no significant difference in other variables like urinary tract infection, surgical site infection, endometritis and hospital stay.Conclusions: Both techniques are accepted methods of uterine repair. Technique of repair depends on surgeon’s choice and clinical situation. Exteriorization repair is a valid option with no significant increase in morbidity compared to In-situ repair especially in cases where exposure of lower uterine segment is difficult, there is extension of incision and difficulty in achieving hemostasis

A Comprehensive Review on Water Quality Parameters Estimation Using Remote Sensing Techniques

Remotely sensed data can reinforce the abilities of water resources researchers and decision makers to monitor waterbodies more effectively. Remote sensing techniques have been widely used to measure the qualitative parameters of waterbodies (i.e., suspended sediments, colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM), chlorophyll-a, and pollutants). A large number of different sensors on board various satellites and other platforms, such as airplanes, are currently used to measure the amount of radiation at different wavelengths reflected from the water’s surface. In this review paper, various properties (spectral, spatial and temporal, etc.) of the more commonly employed spaceborne and airborne sensors are tabulated to be used as a sensor selection guide. Furthermore, this paper investigates the commonly used approaches and sensors employed in evaluating and quantifying the eleven water quality parameters. The parameters include: chlorophyll-a (chl-a), colored dissolved organic matters (CDOM), Secchi disk depth (SDD), turbidity, total suspended sediments (TSS), water temperature (WT), total phosphorus (TP), sea surface salinity (SSS), dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD)

Meshless Modeling of Flow Dispersion and Progressive Piping in Poroelastic Levees

Performance data on earth dams and levees continue to indicate that piping is one of the major causes of failure. Current criteria for prevention of piping in earth dams and levees have remained largely empirical. This paper aims at developing a mechanistic understanding of the conditions necessary to prevent piping and to enhance the likelihood of self-healing of cracks in levees subjected to hydrodynamic loading from astronomical and meteorological (including hurricane storm surge-induced) forces. Systematic experimental investigations are performed to evaluate erosion in finite-length cracks as a result of transient hydrodynamic loading. Here, a novel application of the localized collocation meshless method (LCMM) to the hydrodynamic and poroelastic problem is introduced to arrive at high-fidelity field solutions. Results from the LCMM numerical simulations are designed to be used as an input, along with the soil and erosion parameters obtained experimentally, to characterize progressive piping

Splenic artery aneurysm: a case report with review of literature

Splenic Artery Aneurysm (SAA) is very rare in occurrence and they occur in approximately 1% of the population and are usually an incidental finding,but the necropsy studies have given rates as high as 10%. For its rarity in occurrence  here we present a case of splenic artery aneurysm in a 40 year old alcoholic presenting with upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding. He was diagnosed as splenic artery aneurysm on CT scan and confirmed by laparotomy and pathological examination

Acinic cell carcinoma of parotid with predominant follicular pattern mimicking follicular neoplasm of thyroid

Acinic Cell Carcinoma (ACC) was previously called acinic cell tumor and it is a neoplasm demonstrating cytological differentiation towards serous acinar cells. The histological architecture of ACC is diverse and classification consists of various histological subtypes. This is a case of acinic cell carcinoma of parotid gland in a 45 years female patient which showed predominant follicular variant of ACC. It is a least frequent variant of ACC occurring in only 5% and it mimics follicular neoplasm of thyroid

Apoptosis Inducing Effect of Plumbagin on Colonic Cancer Cells Depends on Expression of COX-2

Plumbagin, a quinonoid found in the plants of the Plumbaginaceae, possesses medicinal properties. In this study we investigated the anti-proliferative and apoptotic activity of plumbagin by using two human colonic cancer cell lines, HT29 and HCT15. IC50 of Plumbagin for HCT15 and HT29 cells (22.5 µM and 62.5 µM, respectively) were significantly different. To study the response of cancer cells during treatment strategies, cells were treated with two different concentrations, 15 µM, 30 µM for HCT15 and 50 µM, 75 µM for HT29 cells. Though activation of NFκB, Caspases-3, elevated levels of TNF-α, cytosolic Cytochrome C were seen in both HCT15 cells HT29 treated with plumbagin, aberrant apoptosis with decreased level of pEGFR, pAkt, pGsk-3β, PCNA and Cyclin D1was observed only in 15 µM and 30 µM plumbagin treated HCT15 and 75 µM plumbagin treated HT29 cells. This suggests that plumbagin induces apoptosis in both HCT15 cells and HT29 treated, whereas, proliferation was inhibited only in 15 µM and 30 µM plumbagin treated HCT15 and 75 µM plumbagin treated HT29 cells, but not in 50 µM plumbagin treated HT29 cells. Expression of COX-2 was decreased in 75 µM plumbagin treated HT29 cells when compared to 50 µM plumbagin treated HT29 cells, whereas HCT15 cells lack COX. Hence the observed resistance to induction of apoptosis in 50 µM plumbagin treated HT29 cells are attributed to the expression of COX-2. In conclusion, plumbagin induces apoptosis in colonic cancer cells through TNF-α mediated pathway depending on expression of COX-2 expression

Pore Structure Variation Of Porous Media Under Vibrations

Variation of pore structures of soils due to seismic activities affects density and fluid distribution in the pores, which in turn could affect the strength and liquefaction potential of the porous media. This paper, based on experimental investigation, studied the effect of vibrations on pore sizes of porous media. A monolayer of glass beads of different sizes under full saturation condition was used to simulate porous media, and the glass beads were subjected to the vibrations provided by a small-scale shaking table. A microscopic camera, which was positioned above the glass beads and connected to a computer, captured the pore variations during the vibration at 1sec interval. Then, graphical software was employed to analyze the changes of pore size distributions before, during, and after the vibrations. The experimental study revealed that the pore size distributions of saturated and densely packed glass beads changed little before and after the vibration. During the vibration, however, the number of bigger pores decreased and the number of smaller pores increased. It may be concluded from this preliminary experimental study that although the pore structure of dense subsoil may remain relatively unchanged before and after seismic activity, the soil could experience significant change of pore structure during the vibration, which could affect the soil\u27s density, strength, and liquefaction potential. © 2008 ASCE

Filtration and drainage in geotechnical/geoenvironmental engineering/ Edit.: Reddi

vii, 204 hal.: tab.; 22 cm

One room at a time: SensorFlow’s sustainable energy management system for the hospitality industry

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