Numerical Modeling of the Effects of Channel Configurations and Inclination Angles Inducing Buoyancy on Reverse Osmosis

This numerical study presents a comparison between two different reverse osmosis channel configurations. The physical properties were considered in the computational model as a function of the solute mass fraction. A critical comparison was performed between double-sided membrane channel and single-sided one considering the concentration and flow distribution. Gravitational effect was implemented by introducing the inclination of double membrane geometry for the first time in the literature of reverse osmosis systems. FORTRAN in-house code was developed to resolve conservation equations (mass, momentum, and solute mass fraction) based on the finite volume method. The results of the simulation show that the water recovery factor of double-membrane arrangement is two times higher than the single membrane arrangement. Concentration polarization (CP) can be reduced by both increasing the feed Reynolds number (Re) and decreasing the Aspect Ratio (AR). Considering the cases of low flow rates (up to Re = 40) with the flow orientation in the direction of gravity inducing buoyancy effects. The influence of the inclination showed that the average permeate flux, and the water recovery are proportional to the inclination angle up to the maximum values at the right angle (vertical plane)

Burial practices at the dawn of the neolithic (6th millennium and first half of the 5th millennium cal-BC) in southern France and Italy: from “simple” pit graves to an architectural typology [La sépulture au début du Néolithique (VIe millénaire et première moitié du Ve millénaire cal BC) en France méridionale et en Italie : de l’idée d’une « simple » fosse à une typologie architecturale]

For a long time, the matter of burial practices at the dawn of the neolithic in the north-western Mediterranean region had been considered as settled. These practices were thought to be highly uniform, consisting of primary burials that obeyed a particular norm in which the deceased were always placed individually in a “simple” pit, lying in a contracted position on one side and with few grave goods, if any. However, an archaeo-thanatological approach, applied to virtually the entire corpus of available documentation and osteological collections in Italy and southern France, has invalidated the hypothesis of uniform burial patterns and revealed a multiplicity of funeral practices. We chose to focus on graves used for primary individual burials because these were considered to be the norm. Our paper presents the results of a series of taphonomic analyses (many applied for the first time to these graves), which have produced a very different picture, which indicate much more complex practices than simple pit burials. The reconstruction of 48 individual graves has demonstrated the existence of five different types. This new architectural typology definitively shows that the funerary system of early farmers in Italy and southern France was much more diverse and complex than previously thought, and thus offers new pointers to unravel the polymorphism of the impresso-cardial complex

New radiocarbon dates and isotope analysis of Neolithic human and animal bone from Fontbrégoua Cave (Salernes, Var, France)

International audienc

Experimental Study on Splice Strength of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Reinforcing Bars in Normal and Self-Consolidating Concrete

This study investigated the effect of several parameters on the bond behavior of spliced glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforcing bars in self-consolidating concrete (SCC) and normal concrete (NC). A total of 21 full-scale reinforced concrete (RC) beams were tested under four-point bending up to failure. Six influential design Code parameters were investigated, specifically concrete type, casting position, casting height, splice length, beam height, and longitudinal reinforcement type. The experimental results and observations reveal that the SCC and NC beams behaved similarly in terms of failure load, crack pattern, failure mode, and load-deflection response. The bond strength of the spliced bars in the SCC beams was slightly lower than that of the NC. The SCC beams exhibited lower reductions in bond strength than the NC beams due to the casting-position effect. In addition, the experimental findings confirm that the top-bar factor of 1.3, recommended in current design codes, can provide adequate safety margins for GFRP-reinforced NC and SCC beams with a splice length of 40db. Furthermore, the threshold depth of 305 mm (12 in.) provided in current design codes and guidelines appears to be reasonably safe

Experimental Study on the Bond Behavior of GFRP Bars in Normal and Self-Consolidating Concrete

The bond behavior of reinforcing bars is one of the critical issues in the design of reinforced-concrete (RC) structures. This paper sheds light on the effect of various parameters on the bond behavior of spliced glass-fiber-reinforced-polymer (GFRP) bars in self-consolidating concrete (SCC) and normal concrete (NC). A total of 11 full-scale RC beams measuring 4300 mm in length, 250 mm in width, and 400 or 600 mm in height were constructed and tested under four-point bending up to failure. The test parameters included (1) concrete type; (2) splice length (20 db and 40 db, where db is the bar diameter); (3) beam height (400 or 600 mm); and (4) longitudinal-reinforcement type (GFRP or steel). The test results are reported and discussed. In addition, the splice-length predictions using JSCE-97, CSA S806-12, CSA S6-14, and ACI 440.1R-15 were assessed. Furthermore, a recommendation was made to improve the design equation suggested in CSA S6-14. The test results show that the SCC beams exhibited load capacity, crack pattern, failure mode, and load-deflection response similar to their NC counterparts. The bond strength of the reinforcing bars in the SCC beams was similar or slightly lower than that of the NC beams. Moreover, the JSCE-97 provisions gave the highest safety margin

Bleeding Recurrence and Mortality Following Interventional Management of Spontaneous HCC Rupture: Results of a Multicenter European Study

International audienceBACKGROUND: The incidence of spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is low in Europe, at less than 3%. HCC rupture remains a life-threatening complication, with mortality reported between 16 and 30%. The risk of bleeding recurrence has never been clearly evaluated in such clinical situation. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the current risk of mortality related to HCC rupture and to focus on the risk of bleeding recurrence following interventional management. METHODS: All patients admitted to 14 French-Italian surgical centers for spontaneous rupture of HCC between May 2000 and May 2012 were retrospectively included. Clinical data, imaging features, relevant laboratory data, treatment strategies, and prognoses were analyzed. RESULTS: Overall, 58 of the 138 included patients (42%) had cirrhosis. Thirty-five patients (25%) presented with hemorrhagic shock, and 19% with organ(s) dysfunction. Bleeding control was obtained by interventional hemostasis, emergency liver resection, and conservative medical management in 86 (62%), 24 (18%), and 21 (15%) patients, respectively. Best supportive care was chosen for 7 (5%) patients. The mortality rate following rupture was 24%. The bleeding recurrence rate was 22% with related mortality of 52%. In multivariate analysis, a bilirubin level \textgreater17 micromol/L (HR 3.768; p~=~0.006), bleeding recurrence (HR 5.400; p~\textless~0.0001), and ICU admission after initial management (HR 8.199; p~\textless~0.0001) were associated with in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: This European, multicenter, large-cohort study confirmed that the prognosis of ruptured HCC is poor with an overall mortality rate of 24%, despite important advances in endovascular techniques. Overall, the rate of bleeding recurrence was more than 20%, with a related high risk of mortality