Modal Identification of Damaged Frames

Summary The paper investigates the possibility of identifying localised damages for multi-span and multi-floor linear elastic frames using only natural frequencies measured in the undamaged and damaged configurations. Namely, frames of increasing complexity are studied by exploring one by one their significant substructures (i.e. multi-span beams, floor by floor); the error function is defined and minimised on a database of finite element damaged models that only includes the natural frequencies of the local modes of the substructure, that is, the only modes significantly affected by the localised damage considered here. The performances and limits of the procedure are here discussed by means of numerical simulations on steel frames of increasing complexity; a particular attention is also devoted to the role of noise on the identification procedure. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Monitoring and structural significance of ground deformations at Campi Flegrei supervolcano (Italy) from the combined 2D and 3D analysis of PS-InSAR, geophysical, geological and structural data

Cities are growing around active volcanoes. Campi Flegrei supervolcano (CF, Italy) is a nested structure formed during two main collapses associated with two caldera-forming eruptions at 39 ka and 15 ka. The last event occurred in AD 1538 (Monte Nuovo volcano). CF hosts 350,000 people and two main uplift phases were recorded in 1968–1972 and 1982–1984 with deformations of about 2 m. The town of Pozzuoli was partially evacuated during the last crisis. Subsequent minor deformations (subsidence and uplift), seismicity, and diffuse CO2 degassing concentrate in the central part of the caldera. Here, we apply the Permanent Scatterers Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (PS-InSAR) to investigate the ground deformations of CF by using data acquired from 1993 to 2007 from ascending and descending tracks by ERS-1 ,ERS-2 and RADARSAT satellites. Deformation maps identify a subsidence interrupted by micro-uplift episodes. These maps are combined with digitized topographic, geological (faults and landslides), seismic, and urbanization data. The merged information allow us to identify the areas involved in the deformation and the volcanotectonic structures activated during the uplift and subsidence episodes. We propose a structural-volcanological model for the unrest pisodes. Data indicate that uplift episodes, which re associated to seismicity, are followed by subsidence episodes accommodated by pre-existing faults. The urbanized areas subjected to the higher deformations and shaking are also identified and mapped. A multi-hazard zonation including landslides is also provided. The approach used here may be utilized to (a) recognize the tectonic and/or volcanic structures activated during ground deformations, (b) to investigate structural models, (c) to evaluate and map multi-risk zonations, and (c) monitor other volcanic areas or nonvolcanic zones subjected to gravity instability or tectonics

methotrexate renal clearance by low dose dopamine in severe nephrotoxicity

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Analysis of the performance in the linear field of Equivalent-Frame Models for regular and irregular masonry walls

The Equivalent-Frame Method (EFM), a simplified procedure for structural modelling of masonry constructions, is having a great success for the good balance that it allows between the accuracy of the geometrical description and the simplicity of the mechanical calibration. Despite the widespread use of EFM in scientific and professional field, some uncertainties affect its application to the specific problem of the existing unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings. For these structures, in fact, irregular geometries, the presence of deformable diaphragms and the interaction with other structures in aggregate configurations represent hard-to-model features that limit the accuracy of EFM. The paper presents a comparative study in the linear field between EFM and the more accurate Finite Element Method (FEM), assumed as reference. The comparative analysis involves a wide set of geometrical schemes, characterized by both regular and irregular configurations, and it is aimed at providing a measure of the EFM modelling accuracy as a function of the geometry of the wall. Non-dimensional parameters allow exploring the limits of applicability of EFM for both regular and irregular walls. Based on the parametric analyses, some recommendations are given for improving the effectiveness of the method and preserving the simplicity of application that makes EFM models so popular and widely used.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Numerical investigation of non-linear equivalent-frame models for regular masonry walls

The accuracy of the Equivalent Frame Method (EFM) in modelling the seismic non-linear behaviour of unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings is investigated for regular walls (i.e. walls with regular openings’ distribution) with different pier-to-spandrel geometrical relations. The developed EFM is composed of pier and spandrel elements with spread plasticity to simulate the flexural behaviour and lumped plasticity to simulate the shear behaviour. The investigation focuses on checking, by means of comparison with Finite Element Model (FEM) assumed as reference, the applicability of EFM to existing buildings. These structures are often characterized by geometrical schemes difficult to be represented by ideal frames. To point out the role of the geometrical configuration, the numerical results provided by the two modelling approaches are compared for different representative cases of regular walls characterized by pier-spandrel configurations rather typical in existing URM buildings. In addition to the innovative EFM approach, based on a fiber discretized beam element, also a more traditional approach, based on beam elements with lumped plasticity, is included in the comparative study. The two different EFM approaches were implemented in the software Midas GEN © [44], while an open source software was used to implement the FEM (Kratos Multiphysics [59–60]). All the models were used to perform static non-linear analyses under equivalent loading and boundary conditions. The evaluation of EFM and FEM is derived from a comparative simulation of a two-storey URM wall experimentally tested by other researchers. Two alternative approaches are assumed for the definition of piers’ effective heights in the EFM, i.e. the models proposed by Dolce [1] and Augenti [2]. The results demonstrate that remarkable differences may be detected in EFM and FEM predictions of the shear capacity and damage mechanisms as a function of pier-spandrel geometrical configurations. This result highlights the need for a cautious application of EFM to existing URM structures.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Vitamin E–loaded dialyzer resets PBMC-operated cytokine network in dialysis patients

Vitamin E–loaded dialyzer resets PBMC-operated cytokine network in dialysis patients.BackgroundIn hemodialysis patients the activity of stimulated Th1 lymphocytes is depressed, while Th2 cells are constitutively primed. Such phenomena may depend on monocyte activation and altered release of interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-18, which regulate Th cell differentiation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) activate monocytes; therefore, a hemodialyzer with antioxidant activity would contrast ROS, prevent monocyte activation, reset IL-12 and IL-18 release, and restore Th1/Th2 balance.MethodsTen patients on regular dialysis treatment (RDT) with cellulosic membrane (CM) were shifted to vitamin E–coated dialyzer (VE). During treatment with CM and after 3, 6, and 12months of treatment with VE, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and purified CD4+ cells were isolated, and cultured, resting, mitogen-stimulated, and interferon γ (IFNγ), IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, and IL-18 release was measured. Vitamin E and A plasma levels and the effects of a single dialysis session on peripheral blood NO levels were assayed.ResultsThe constitutive release of IL-4 and IL-10 by CD4+ cells was abated significantly by treatment with VE (nadir -77.8% and -55.3%, respectively, at 12months). INFγ release by mitogen-stimulated CD4+ recovered with VE (zenith +501% at 12months). PBMC constitutive production of IL-12 and IL-18 was significantly reduced by VE (nadir at 12months -64.7% and -51.3%, respectively). VE increased plasma levels of vitamins E and A. NO plasma levels fell after a single dialysis treatment with VE (-17%, P < 0.05) in contrast with CU (+27.1%, P < 0.05).ConclusionThe network of cytokines released by monocytes and Th cells is reset toward normality by treatment with vitamin E–coated dialyzer

Trapianto renale e infezione da HCV: analisi retrospettiva dei dati relativi alla popolazione del Centro Trapianti di Pavia

Abstract non disponibil

Step-like displacements of a deep seated gravitational slope deformation observed during the 2016–2017 seismic events in Central Italy

Deep Seated Gravitational Slope Deformations are characterized by low deformation rates although they can experience partial-collapse phases or more rapid movements, especially in presence of active tectonic structures. In the Central Italy, considering the high seismicity rate, seismic activity must be considered to be an important trigger of deep slope movements. We aim to contribute to the research in this field by reporting the results of a monitoring program on a Deep Seated Gravitational Slope Deformation in this region that involves marly calcareous rocks. We documented the pre-earthquakes evolution of the phenomenon and measured its displacements during the seismic sequence in 2016 and 2017 in Central Italy, which largest events were Mw 5.0-to-6.5. A multidisciplinary approach that combines a field geomorphological survey, installation of permanent GPS stations, and InSAR elaborations was adopted for this study. The average ground motion rate of the slope deformation before the earthquakes was very low (< 3 mm/y) and not spatially homogenous, as detected by GPS and InSAR. In detail, the uppermost area of the slope instability likely moves faster than the lowest sector. On the other hand, GPS and InSAR recorded significant step-like movements, one to ten times higher than the normal activity rate, triggered by the M-w 5.0-to-6.5 earthquakes. In detail, the movement mainly depended on the magnitude of the earthquake and the distance from the epicenter, and only secondarily on the number of larger magnitude earthquakes on a given day. In conclusion, we furnished monitoring data on the activity rate of a Deep Seated Gravitational Slope Deformation in seismic context, we indicated two sectors of the investigated deformation that resulted more unstable and we proved that the combination of InSAR and GPS data is a useful monitoring system for earthquake activated, slow-moving slope instabilities.Published337-3482T. Deformazione crostale attivaJCR Journa

Monitoring of a coastal zone by independent fast photogrammetric surveys: The case of Monterosso a Mare (Ligurian Sea, Italy)

The Structure-from-Motion photogrammetry (SfM) allows a fast and easy data acquisition and a highly automated data processing, leading to accurate photorealistic point clouds. The results of a SfM-based modeling of the coastal zone of Monterosso a Mare (Eastern Liguria, Italy) are shown here. Four photogrammetric surveys of the area were carried out from both moving surface (boat) and aerial (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) platforms. The corresponding results were compared in order to provide information about precision and model reliability from fast ad cheap SfM surveys carried out without Ground Control Points (GCPs). The important issue of scale factor evaluation was solved by means of selection of points easily recognizable in each point cloud and measurement of the length of the polyline that connects these points. The ratio between the lengths of the polyline defined on a point cloud and the corresponding polyline defined in a metric reference frame provided the scale factor. The results highlight that the SfM technique can be used in emergency conditions, where GCPs cannot be used, and is compatible with a floating platform-based observation, leading to point clouds whose resolution is some centimeters for an acquisition distance of 100-150 m.Published73-817A. Geofisica per il monitoraggio ambientaleN/A or not JC