2,866 research outputs found
1D Seismic Response Analysis of Soil-building Systems Including Failure Shear Mechanisms
Modelling of soil shear rupture due to an earthquake is not generally implemented in the common codes for 1D seismic response analysis. It requires the use of advanced plasticity-based constitutive models of soil, that are often neglected in practice. A good balance between simplicity and reliability can be achieved with methods based on simplified formulations of the mathematical equations and of the constitutive models. The paper presents a computer code based on this philosophy conceived, addressed and optimised to reliably model both the 'transient' seismic response ('stick' mode) and the permanent deformation mechanisms accounting for the coupled effects of deformability and strength ('slip' mode). The code can be adopted to evaluate the seismic performance of different geotechnical systems that can be reasonably approximated to a 1D problem. In the paper, the code is applied to model a soft-storey failure occurred in a framed structure heavily damaged during a strong-motion earthquake
The effect of the displacement damage on the Charge Collection Efficiency in Silicon Drift Detectors for the LOFT satellite
The technology of Silicon Drift Detectors (SDDs) has been selected for the
two instruments aboard the Large Observatory For X-ray Timing (LOFT) space
mission. LOFT underwent a three year long assessment phase as candidate for the
M3 launch opportunity within the "Cosmic Vision 2015 -- 2025" long-term science
plan of the European Space Agency. During the LOFT assessment phase, we studied
the displacement damage produced in the SDDs by the protons trapped in the
Earth's magnetosphere. In a previous paper we discussed the effects of the Non
Ionising Energy Losses from protons on the SDD leakage current. In this paper
we report the measurement of the variation of Charge Collection Efficiency
produced by displacement damage caused by protons and the comparison with the
expected damage in orbit.Comment: 17 pages, 7 figures. Accepted for publication by Journal of
Instrumentatio
Impacto das mudanças climáticas sobre a produção de cana-de-açúcar no Estado de Goiás.
A elevação do preço do petróleo, o apelo mundial pela redução das emissões de gases de efeito estufa e a produção de energia renovável viabilizaram o aumento da produção de álcool e criaram a necessidade de identificação de áreas de expansão do cultivo da cana-de-açúcar no Brasil. Por outro lado, o último relatório do IPCC apresenta informações conclusivas sobre ocorrências de alterações do clima e elevação das temperaturas. Neste sentido, estudos para identificar a vulnerabilidade dos sistemas agrÃcolas e quantificar o impacto das mudanças climáticas sobre as culturas agrÃcolas tornaram-se uma necessidade. O objetivo deste trabalho foi simular o efeito das mudanças climáticas sobre a produção de cana-de-açúcar, variedade RB72454, cultivada em três localidades de Goiás, admitindo-se a elevação da temperatura em 1,8°C, 2,4°C e 4,0°C. Os resultados mostraram elevação na produtividade média, mesmo no cenário pessimista (4,0°C), nos municÃpios de Goiânia e JataÃ, em 3% e 4%, respectivamente; enquanto em Goianésia, observou-se uma redução de 6% na produtividade.CBA 2009
Diretrizes para escolha de um Sistema de Gerenciamento de Conteúdos.
O objetivo deste documento é apresentar as diretrizes básicas para escolha de um CMS tomando por base a experiência adquirida com o desenvolvimento do Agritempo.bitstream/CNPTIA/10192/1/comtec53.pdfAcesso em: 28 maio 2008
Molecular dysfunction and phenotypic derangement in diabetic cardiomyopathy
The high incidence and poor prognosis of heart failure (HF) patients affected with diabetes (DM) is in part related to a specific cardiac remodeling currently recognized as diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). This cardiac frame occurs regardless of the presence of coronary artery diseases (CAD) and it can account for 15-20% of the total diabetic population. The pathogenesis of DCM remains controversial, and several molecular and cellular alterations including myocardial hypertrophy, interstitial fibrosis, oxidative stress and vascular inflammation, have been postulated. The main cardio-vascular alterations associated with hyperglycemia comprise endothelial dysfunction, adverse effects of circulating free fatty acids (FFA) and increased systemic inflammation. High glucose concentrations lead to a loss of mitochondrial networks, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation and a reduction in cGMP production related to protein kinase G (PKG) activity. Current mechanisms enhance the collagen deposition with subsequent increased myocardial stiffness. Several concerns regarding the exact role of DCM in HF development such as having an appearance as either dilated or as a concentric phenotype and whether diabetes could be considered a causal factor or a comorbidity in HF, remain to be clarified. In this review, we sought to explain the different DCM subtypes and the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Therefore, the traditional and new molecular and signal alterations and their relationship with macroscopic structural abnormalities are described
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A 3D printed drug delivery implant formed from a dynamic supramolecular polyurethane formulation
Using a novel molecular design approach, we have prepared a thermo-responsive supramolecular polyurethane as a matrix material for use in drug eluting implants. The dynamic supramolecular polyurethane (SPU) is able to self-assemble through hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking interactions, resulting in an addressable polymer network with a relatively low processing temperature. The mechanical properties of the SPU demonstrated the material was self-supporting, stiff, yet flexible thus making it suitable for hot-melt extrusion processing, inclusive of related 3D printing approaches. Cell-based toxicity assays revealed the SPU to be non-toxic and therefore a viable candidate as a biocompatible polymer for implant applications. To this end, the SPU was formulated with paracetamol (16 %w/w) and 4 wt% or 8 wt% poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as an excipient and hot melt extruded at 100 °C to afford a 3D printed prototype implant to explore the extended drug release required for an implant and the potential manipulation of the release profile. Furthermore, rheological, infra-red spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy studies revealed the chemical and physical properties and compatibility of the formulation components. Successful release of paracetamol was achieved from in vitro dissolution studies and it was predicted that the drug would be released over a period of up to 8.5 months with hydrophilic PEG being able to influence the release rate. This extended release time is consistent with applications of this novel dynamic polymer as a drug eluting implant matrix
Il ruolo degli effetti di sito sulla risposta strutturale degli edifici nella conca aquilana
Il terremoto de L’Aquila del 6 aprile 2009 è stato significativamente caratterizzato dagli effetti di sito, evidenziati sia dalla variabilità delle registrazioni accelerometriche in zona near fault che dalla disuniforme distribuzione del danno rilevato. In particolare, nel quartiere aquilano di Pettino, in corrispondenza di un complesso residenziale composto da sette edifici della stessa tipologia strutturale, è stato osservato un danneggiamento molto diversificato.
La nota riporta i risultati di una serie di analisi di risposta sismica locale 1D, condotte in corrispondenza di alcuni degli edifici del quartiere, per i quali si disponeva di indagini geotecniche di dettaglio, finalizzate a valutare l’influenza degli effetti di sito sulla risposta delle strutture. I risultati delle analisi condotte in condizioni di campo libero hanno mostrato significative amplificazioni del moto proprio in corrispondenza delle frequenze fondamentali del moto di input. Le analisi del sistema sottosuolo-edificio, condotte mediante l’utilizzo di un codice con formulazione a masse concentrate hanno inoltre consentito di verificare l’incidenza dell’interazione inerziale sul moto in superficie, nonché di riprodurre in forma semplificata il meccanismo di piano soffice osservato
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: current concepts in pathophysiology and management.
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is characterized by
a low platelet count, which is the result of both increased pla-
telet destruction and insufficient platelet production. Although
the development of autoantibodies against platelet glycoproteins remains central in the pathophysiology of ITP, several abnormalities involving the cellular mechanisms of immune modu-
lation have been identified. Conventional treatments for ITP aim
at reducing platelet destruction, either by immunosuppression or splenectomy. Two new thrombopoietic agents,AMG 531 and eltrombopag, have been used in clinical trials to stimulate platelet production in ITP patients not responsive to standard
treatments. These new molecules bear no structural resemblance to thrombopoietin, but still bind and activate the thrombopoietin receptor. This review will focus on the pathophysiology and treatment of ITP in adults, highlighting recent advances
in both fields
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