Influence of variability of material mechanical properties on seismic performance of steel and steel-concrete composite structures

Modern standards for constructions in seismic zones allow the construction of buildings able to dissipate the energy of the seismic input through an appropriate location of cyclic plastic deformations involving the largest possible number of structural elements, forming thus a global collapse mechanisms without failure and instability phenomena both at local and global level. The key instrument for this purpose is the capacity design approach, which requires an appropriate selection of the design forces and an accurate definition of structural details within the plastic hinges zones, prescribing at the same time the oversizing of non-dissipative elements that shall remain in the elastic field during the earthquake. However, the localization of plastic hinges and the development of the global collapse mechanism is strongly influenced by the mechanical properties of materials, which are characterized by an inherent randomness. This variability can alter the final structural behaviour not matching the expected performance. In the present paper, the influence of the variability of material mechanical properties on the structural behaviour of steel and steel/concrete composite buildings is analyzed, evaluating the efficiency of the capacity design approach as proposed by Eurocode 8 and the possibility of introducing an upper limitation to the nominal yielding strength adopted in the design

Steel-based applications in earthquake-prone areas

Steel-Earth project aims at distributing among technicians, engineers, design companies and standardization bodies the results of three past RFCS projects (Steel-Retro [3], Opus [2] and PrecaSteel [1]), providing useful tools for the design and for the retrofit of existing buildings. Technical documents and practical applications to case studies, regarding design of steel and composite steel/concrete buildings and innovative steel-based techniques for the retrofit of existing r.c. and masonry constructions, have been elaborated and collected into a volume distributed during the final workshop of the dissemination project. Pre-normative and background documents concerning the design of steel and composite structures and the rehabilitation of existing constructions have been prepared. A lot of attention has been paid to the analysis of the influence of overstrength factors on the seismic design of steel and composite structures. The prepared documents have been distributed to the attending people and to the members of WG 2 (CEN/TC 250/SC 8/WG 2 “Steel and Composite Structures”) during the final workshop of the project. Technical sheets, working examples and background documents have been translated into several languages (German, French, Italian, Romanian and Greek) and are free available on the website of the project (https://www.steelconstruct.com/site/), where information regarding Steel-Earth are also presented.11 Workshops in Italy, Greece, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Spain and Romania and 5 conferences in Emilia-Romagna have been organized, as well as 2 practical courses for engineers and academic people in Pavia (Italy). Flash-drives with the technical documents and applications elaborated in Steel-Earth have been distributed to the attending people

Targeting the T cell receptor β-chain constant region for immunotherapy of T cell malignancies

Mature T cell cancers are typically aggressive, treatment resistant and associated with poor prognosis. Clinical application of immunotherapeutic approaches has been limited by a lack of target antigens that discriminate malignant from healthy (normal) T cells. Unlike B cell depletion, pan–T cell aplasia is prohibitively toxic. We report a new targeting strategy based on the mutually exclusive expression of T cell receptor β-chain constant domains 1 and 2 (TRBC1 and TRBC2). We identify an antibody with unique TRBC1 specificity and use it to demonstrate that normal and virus-specific T cell populations contain both TRBC1+ and TRBC2+ compartments, whereas malignancies are restricted to only one. As proof of concept for anti-TRBC immunotherapy, we developed anti-TRBC1 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, which recognized and killed normal and malignant TRBC1+, but not TRBC2+, T cells in vitro and in a disseminated mouse model of leukemia. Unlike nonselective approaches targeting the entire T cell population, TRBC-targeted immunotherapy could eradicate a T cell malignancy while preserving sufficient normal T cells to maintain cellular immunity

Combined analysis of HPV DNA, p16, p21 and p53 to predict prognosis in patients with stage IV hypopharyngeal carcinoma

We examined p16, p21 and p53 expression in combination with the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA as molecular markers to predict survival in patients with stage IV hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC).Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tSCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Towards screening Barrett’s Oesophagus: current guidelines, imaging modalities and future developments

Barrett’s oesophagus is the only known precursor to oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC). Although guidelines on the screening and surveillance exist in Barrett’s oesophagus, the current strategies are inadequate. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) is the gold standard method in screening for Barrett’s oesophagus. This invasive method is expensive with associated risks negating its use as a current screening tool for Barrett’s oesophagus. This review explores current definitions, epidemiology, biomarkers, surveillance, and screening in Barrett’s oesophagus. Imaging modalities applicable to this condition are discussed, in addition to future developments. There is an urgent need for an alternative non-invasive method of screening and/or surveillance which could be highly beneficial towards reducing waiting times, alleviating patient fears and reducing future costs in current healthcare services. Vibrational spectroscopy has been shown to be promising in categorising Barrett’s oesophagus through to high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and OAC. These techniques need further validation through multicentre trials

Recent advances in steel-concrete composite and hybrid structures: Concrete elements reinforced by steel profiles

International audienc

CYCLIC BEHAVIOUR OF A DOVETAIL-SHAPE NOTCHED CONNECTION FOR CROSS-LAMINATED-TIMBER-CONCRETE COMPOSITE SLABS

International audienceTimber-concrete composite members can be used in medium-to-large span structures as a more sustainable but structurally efficient solution. The performance of such members relies largely on the degree of composite action, which is in turn dependent on the type of shear connectors used. Concrete notches are seen to perform well in terms of high strength and stiffness while retaining simplicity in installation as an efficient fabrication of the notches with different shapes can be carried out by high capacity machinery in warehouses. However, there is a lack of knowledge on the cyclic behaviour of these connectors, particularly when used in CLT-concrete composite floors. This paper presents an experimental study on notched connectors for CLT-concrete composite slabs by three symmetrical pushout tests under reversed-cyclic loading. The notched connector has a dovetail shape, which is able to limit the separation between the concrete and the CLT without the need for metallic screws or dowels. Shear capacities and ductility ratio were determined. The test results showed noticeable pinching effect, which became more pronounced after each series of cycles. This phenomenon was originated from compressive settlement of CLT layers that were in contact with the concrete notches and the degradation of the cross layer of the CLT, creating gaps when the load was reversed. The failure mode was governed by shear rupture of the CLT layer caused by rolling shear action, thus achieving low ductility. © Fédération Internationale du Béton – International Federation for Structural Concrete

[Laryngeal metastasis of a colonic adenocarcinoma].

We report the case of a 63 year old man with laryngeal metastasis of a colonic adenocarcinoma recurrent after partial cordectomy by CO2 Laser microlaryngoscopy. This patient was followed for this condition between 2009 and 2010. The rarity of metastatic laryngeal metastases, particularly when the primary tumor is colic, justifies this presentation

EXPERIMENTAL TESTING ON AN INNOVATIVE NOTCHED CONNECTION FOR TIMBER-CONCRETE COMPOSITE STRUCTURES

International audienceIn an effort towards the achievement of more sustainable buildings in construction, the use of timber structures has seen a rise these past few years. If combined with concrete elements, such structures provide great compromise between resistance and sustainability. Connections used in timber-concrete composite structures may consist of concrete notches which must be associated to metallic screws. Those allow to limit the uplift between both elements, to increase the connection’s strength as well as improve its ductility. To avoid the use of such steel screws, an innovative design of a concrete notch has been developed. The shape of the notch should be able to limit the uplift without the necessity of an additional steel component. In addition, the proposed notched connection with three shear planes presents an increased strength against shear forces compared to classic notched connections. This study aims at characterising the behaviour of such a connection by performing six symmetrical push out tests with different (i) timber properties and (ii) notch geometries. Furthermore, the study aims at evaluating the effects of the presence of reinforcements in the notch. The purpose is to determine the shear strength, the stiffness and the ductility of the connection. Results point out the important strength and stiffness of the connection. All connections tested show larger stiffness compared to those achieved with metallic screws and more strength than classic notched connections. Failure is governed by the compressive crushing of the timber, thus highlighting great ductility of the system. © Fédération Internationale du Béton – International Federation for Structural Concrete

Identification of novel accessible proteins bearing diagnostic and therapeutic potential in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Pancreas ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a deadly malignancy with poor early diagnostic and no effective therapy. Although several proteomic studies have performed comparative analysis between normal and malignant tissues, there is a lack of clear characterization of proteins that could be of clinical value. Systemically reachable ("potentially accessible") proteins, suitable for imaging technologies and targeted therapies represent a major group of interest. The current study explores potentially accessible proteins overexpressed in PDAC, employing innovative proteomics technologies. In the discovery phase, potentially accessible proteins from fresh human normal and PDAC tissues were ex vivo biotinylated, isolated and identified using 2D-nano-HPLC-MS/MS method. The analysis revealed 422 up-regulated proteins in the tumor, of which 83 (including protein isoforms) were evaluated as potentially accessible. Eleven selected candidates were further confirmed as up-regulated using Western blot and multiple reaction monitoring protein quantification. Of these, transforming growth factor beta-induced (TGFBI), latent transforming growth factor beta binding 2 (LTBP2), and asporin (ASPN) were further investigated by employing large scale immunohistochemistry-based validations. They were found to be significantly expressed in a large group of clinical PDAC samples compared to corresponding normal and inflammatory tissues. In conclusion, TGFBI, LTBP2, and ASPN are novel, overexpressed, and potentially accessible proteins in human PDAC. They bear the potential to be of clinical value for diagnostic and therapeutic applications and merit further studies using in vivo models