Health monitoring of reinforced concrete slabs subjected to earthquake-type dynamic loading via measurement and analysis of acoustic emission signals

Gallego, Antolino,Benavent-Climent, Amadeo,Infantes, Cristobal Techno-Press 2011 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.8 No.4

This paper discusses the applicability of Acoustic Emission (AE) to assess the damage in reinforced concrete (RC) structures subjected to complex dynamic loadings such as those induced by earthquakes. The AE signals recorded during this type of event can be complicated due to the arbitrary and random nature of seismicity and the fact that the signals are highly contaminated by many spurious sources of noise. This paper demonstrates that by properly filtering the AE signals, a very good correlation can be found between AE and damage on the RC structure. The basic experimental data used for this research are the results of fourteen seismic simulations conducted with a shake table on an RC slab supported on four steel columns. The AE signals were recorded by several low-frequency piezoelectric sensors located on the bottom surface of the slab. The evolution of damage under increasing values of peak acceleration applied to the shake table was monitored in terms of AE and dissipated plastic strain energy. A strong correlation was found between the energy dissipated by the concrete through plastic deformations and the AE energy calculated after properly filtering the signals. For this reason, a procedure is proposed to analyze the AE measured in a RC structure during a seismic event so that it can be used for damage assessment.

Health monitoring of reinforced concrete slabs subjected to earthquake-type dynamic loading via measurement and analysis of acoustic emission signals

Antolino Gallego,Amadeo Benavent-Climent,Cristóbal Infantes 국제구조공학회 2011 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.8 No.4

This paper discusses the applicability of Acoustic Emission (AE) to assess the damage in reinforced concrete (RC) structures subjected to complex dynamic loadings such as those induced by earthquakes. The AE signals recorded during this type of event can be complicated due to the arbitrary and random nature of seismicity and the fact that the signals are highly contaminated by many spurious sources of noise. This paper demonstrates that by properly filtering the AE signals, a very good correlation can be found between AE and damage on the RC structure. The basic experimental data used for this research are the results of fourteen seismic simulations conducted with a shake table on an RC slab supported on four steel columns. The AE signals were recorded by several low-frequency piezoelectric sensors located on the bottom surface of the slab. The evolution of damage under increasing values of peak acceleration applied to the shake table was monitored in terms of AE and dissipated plastic strain energy. A strong correlation was found between the energy dissipated by the concrete through plastic deformations and the AE energy calculated after properly filtering the signals. For this reason, a procedure is proposed to analyze the AE measured in a RC structure during a seismic event so that it can be used for damage assessment.

The Magnesium-Rich Formula for Functional Constipation in Infants: a Randomized Comparator-Controlled Study

Benninga, Marc A.,MENA Infant Constipation Study Group,Vandenplas, Yvan The Korean Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology 2019 Pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology & nutrition Vol.22 No.3

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of the magnesium (Mg)-enriched formula vs. control formula in constipated infants. Methods: An open-label, interventional, and the comparator-controlled study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the Mg-enriched formula in formula-fed infants ${\leq}6$ months old presenting with functional constipation according to modified Rome IV criteria. Infants were randomized 1:1 to intervention or control formula for 30 days. Parents recorded stool consistency (hard, normal, or watery) and frequency on days 1-7 and 23-29. Physicians recorded patient baseline characteristics and performed the clinical examination at the time of three patient visits (baseline, day 8, and 30). Results: Of the 286 recruited infants, 143 received the Mg-rich formula and 142 received the control formula. After 7 days, significantly more infants had stools with normal consistency with the Mg-rich formula compared to the infants fed with the control formula (81.8% vs. 41.1%; p<0.001). The number of infants passing one or more stools per day was increased at day 7 in the Mg-rich formula group (86.7% vs. 68.2%; p<0.001). At days 7 and 29, >25% of infants responded completely to the Mg-rich formula compared to <5% of infants fed with the control formula (p<0.001). Parents of infants in the Mg-rich formula group were very satisfied with the treatment (80.8% vs. 10.2%), with the majority willing to continue treatment after 30 days (97.9% vs. 52.6%; p<0.001). Conclusion: The Mg-rich formula significantly improved stool consistency and frequency compared to the control formula in constipated infants.

The Magnesium-Rich Formula for Functional Constipation in Infants: a Randomized Comparator-Controlled Study

Marc A. Benninga,MENA Infant Constipation Study Group,Yvan Vandenplas 대한소아소화기영양학회 2019 Pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology & nutrition Vol.22 No.3

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of the magnesium (Mg)-enriched formula vs. control formula in constipated infants. Methods: An open-label, interventional, and the comparator-controlled study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the Mg-enriched formula in formula-fed infants ≤6 months old presenting with functional constipation according to modified Rome IV criteria. Infants were randomized 1:1 to intervention or control formula for 30 days. Parents recorded stool consistency (hard, normal, or watery) and frequency on days 1–7 and 23–29. Physicians recorded patient baseline characteristics and performed the clinical examination at the time of three patient visits (baseline, day 8, and 30). Results: Of the 286 recruited infants, 143 received the Mg-rich formula and 142 received the control formula. After 7 days, significantly more infants had stools with normal consistency with the Mg-rich formula compared to the infants fed with the control formula (81.8% vs. 41.1%; p <0.001). The number of infants passing one or more stools per day was increased at day 7 in the Mg-rich formula group (86.7% vs. 68.2%; p <0.001). At days 7 and 29, >25% of infants responded completely to the Mg-rich formula compared to <5% of infants fed with the control formula ( p <0.001). Parents of infants in the Mg-rich formula group were very satisfied with the treatment (80.8% vs. 10.2%), with the majority willing to continue treatment after 30 days (97.9% vs. 52.6%; p <0.001). Conclusion: The Mg-rich formula significantly improved stool consistency and frequency compared to the control formula in constipated infants.

Politicians, Firms and the State of Institutional Environment

Davide Infante,Janna Smirnova 서울대학교 경제연구소 2010 Seoul journal of economics Vol.23 No.3

The model we develop analyses how the state of an institutional environment influences resources allocation in a transition economy. We capture the interaction between politicians who influence firms' decisions regarding resources allocation and managers, introducing a parameter which measures the strength of institutions. The results of our model confirm that building up strong institutions in a transition economy can play a central role in privatisation and restructuring processes and motivate agents to agree on a better resources allocation.

Platelet Rich Plasma and Culture Confi guration Aff ect the Matrix Forming Phenotype of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells

Arantza Infante,Eva Rubio-Azpeitia,Patricia Sa´nchez,Rau´ l Alberdi,Clara I. Rodriguez,Isabel Andia 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2017 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.14 No.5

We aim to examine the influence of platelet rich plasma (PRP) and spatial cues in cartilage/bone matrix forming proteins, and to evaluate the mitotic and chemotactic potential of PRP on human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Directed cell migration towards PRP gradients was assessed in chemotactic chambers, and recorded by time-lapse microscopy. hMSCs cultured in three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds were visualized by scanning electron microscopy; Hoechst dye was used to confirm cell confluence in 3D-constructs and monolayers before experimental treatment. MSCs were treated with 10% PRP lysate or 10% PRP lysate supplemented with TGF-b-based differentiation medium. The expression of cartilage (COL2A1, Sox9, ACAN, COMP), and bone (COL1A1, VEGF, COL10A1, Runx2) fundamental genes was assessed by real time PCR in monolayers and 3D-constructs. PRP had mitotic (p\0.001), and chemotactic effect on hMSCs, Ralyleigh test p = 1.02E - 10. Two and three-week exposure of MSCs to PRP secretome in 3Dconstructs or monolayers decreased Sox9 expression (p\0.001 and p = 0.050) and COL2A1, (p = 0.011 and p = 0.019). MSCs in monolayers exposed to PRP showed increased ACAN (p = 0.050) and COMP (p\0.001). Adding TGF-b-based differentiation medium to PRP increased COMP, and COL2A1 expression at gene and protein level, but merely in 3D-constructs, p\0.001. TGF-b addition to monolayers reduced Sox9 (p\0.001), aggrecan (p = 0.004), and VEGF (p = 0.004). Cells exposed to PRP showed no changes in hypertrophy associated genes in either monolayers or 3Dconstructs. Our study suggests hMSCs have high-degree of plasticity having the potential to change their matrix-forming phenotype when exposed to PRP and according to spatial configuration.

Factors affecting the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of PEGylated liposomal irinotecan (IHL-305) in patients with advanced solid tumors

Wu, Huali,Infante, Jeffrey R,Keedy, Vicki L,Jones, Suzanne F,Chan, Emily,Bendell, Johanna C,Lee, Wooin,Kirschbrown, Whitney P,Zamboni, Beth A,Ikeda, Satoshi,Kodaira, Hiroshi,Rothenberg, Mace L,Burris Dove Medical Press 2015 International journal of nanomedicine Vol.10 No.-

<P>IHL-305 is a PEGylated liposomal formulation of irinotecan (CPT-11). The objective of this study was to evaluate the factors associated with interpatient variability in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of IHL-305 in patients with advanced solid tumors. IHL-305 was administered intravenously once every 4 weeks as part of a Phase I study. Pharmacokinetic studies of the liposomal sum total CPT-11, released CPT-11, SN-38, SN-38G, 7-ethyl-10-[4-N-(5-aminopentanoic acid)-1-piperidino]-carbonyloxycamptothecin, and 7-ethyl-10-[4-amino-1-piperidino]-carbonyloxycamptothecin in plasma were performed. Noncompartmental and compartmental pharmacokinetic analyses were conducted using pharmacokinetic data for sum total CPT-11. The pharmacokinetic variability of IHL-305 is associated with linear and nonlinear clearance. Patients whose age and body composition (ratio of total body weight to ideal body weight [TBW/IBW]) were greater than the median age and TBW/IBW of the study had a 1.7-fold to 2.6-fold higher ratio of released CPT-11 area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC) to sum total CPT-11 AUC. Patients aged <60 years had a 1.3-fold higher ratio of percent decrease in monocytes at nadir to percent decrease in absolute neutrophil count at nadir as compared with patients aged ≥60 years. There was an inverse relationship between patient age and percent decrease in monocytes at nadir, ie, younger patients have a higher percent decrease in monocytes. Patients with a higher percent decrease in monocytes at nadir have a decreased plasma exposure of sum total CPT-11. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of IHL-305 are consistent with those of other PEGylated liposomal carriers. Interpatient variability in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of IHL-305 was associated with age, body composition, and monocytes.</P>

Exploration on reduced graphene oxide/strontium pyro niobate electrode material for electrochemical energy storage applications

Kumar M. Infant Shyam,Kirupavathy S. Shahil,Shalini S. 한국탄소학회 2021 Carbon Letters Vol.31 No.4

Most recently, graphene-related composite-modifed electrode surfaces are been widely employed to improve surface interactions and electron transfer kinetics. Hydrothermally prepared strontium pyro niobate (SPN) and reduced graphene oxide/ strontium pyro niobate (RGOSPN) nanostructures reveal excellent morphology. X-ray difraction analysis of SPN and RGOSPN agree with standard data. Thermogravimetry–diferential scanning calorimetry analyses show that RGOSPN has higher thermal stability than SPN. In addition, from the polarization–electric feld (P–E) loop measurements, the estimated value of remnant polarization (Pr ) and coercive electric feld (Ec) of SPN are 0.039 µC cm−2 and −2.90 kV cm−1 and that of RGOSPN nanocomposite are 0.0139 µC cm−2 and −2.04 kV cm−1. Cyclic voltammetry measurements show that RGOSPN nanocomposite manifests the possibility of electrochemical reversibility beyond long cycles without change in performance. The redox cycle reveal that RGOSPN can be used as part of a composite electrode for hybrid capacitors dynamic conditions. Moreover, the specifc capacitance of SPN and RGOSPN was calculated using galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) technique. The observed energy density of 9.1 W h kg−1 in RGOSPN is higher when compared with previous reported values.

Diversity minimization through part combination – a Portuguese railway infrastructure case study

Diogo Rechena,Luís Sousa,Virgínia Infante,Elsa Henriques 한국CDE학회 2020 Journal of computational design and engineering Vol.7 No.1

With increasing market needs for product and service variety, companies struggle to provide diversity in cost-effective ways. Through standardization of components with a low perceived added value, companies can take advantage of economies of scale while maintaining product diversity. Railway infrastructure managers face similar challenges of providing economically sustainable services while dealing with the costs of maintaining the system diversity. Typically, unintended design diversity stems from design practices in which existing solutions are not reused for new problems and new solutions are rarely planned considering the dynamics of requirement changes. In this paper we provide a methodology to assess how to standardize different designs to minimize design diversity and to assess design divergence in a product family. The developed methodology is able to take into account any set of standardization compatibility constraints that the user can define. The methodology was applied in the context of a small-scale railway infrastructure manager using a dataset of 223 unique designs of functionally similar components from its electrification system. Depending on the activated compatibility constraints, results indicate that over 60% of components can be reduced to a set of 86 unique designs.

Performance of the cobas u 701 Analyzer in Urinary Tract Infection Screening

Victoria Ortiz de la Tabla,,Gregoria Gázquez,Ana Infante,Coral Martin,Fernando Buñuel,Félix Gutiérrez 대한진단검사의학회 2019 Annals of Laboratory Medicine Vol.39 No.5

Background: Negative urine cultures to rule out urinary tract infections (UTI) generate a considerable laboratory workload; thus, a rapid screening test is desirable. We evaluated the performance of a new automated microscopy analyzer, cobas u 701 (Roche Diagnostics International, Rotkreuz, Switzerland) for the screening of UTI, and developed a rule-out strategy to reduce the number of samples requiring culture. We also assessed squamous epithelial cell (SEC) count as a predictor of culture contamination. Methods: In total, 1,604 urine samples from outpatients were analyzed with cobas u 701 and culture. Bacterial (BAC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts were used for sample interpretation. To determine a useful cut-off point to predict negative cultures, we selected the highest sensitivity and specificity values obtained from ROC curves. Diagnostic accuracy by age and gender was evaluated. Results: Urine culture showed growth of ≥104 colony forming units (CFU)/mL in 256 samples (16.0%). The highest sensitivity (91.8%) and specificity (68.4%) were obtained for cut-off points of 119 BAC/μL and 22 WBC/μL. The combination of BAC and WBC improved the performance of the rule-out strategy with a low rate of false-negative results (1.5%) and a high negative predictive value (NPV, 97.3%). Fifty-seven percent of the samples would not have required culture. SEC count was a poor predictor of culture contamination. Conclusions: cobas u 701 can substantially reduce the number of urine samples requiring culture, with a low false-negative rate and a high NPV.