BACKGROUND Although inflammatory diseases commonly affect the pleura and pleural space,their mechanisms of action remain unclear.The presence of several mediators emphasizes the concept of pleural inflammation.Adenosi...BACKGROUND Although inflammatory diseases commonly affect the pleura and pleural space,their mechanisms of action remain unclear.The presence of several mediators emphasizes the concept of pleural inflammation.Adenosine deaminase(ADA)is an inflammatory mediator detected at increased levels in the pleural fluid.AIM To determine the role of total pleural ADA(P-ADA)levels in the diagnosis of pleural inflammatory diseases.METHODS 157 patients with inflammatory pleural effusion(exudates,n=124,79%)and noninflammatory pleural effusion(transudates,n=33,21%)were included in this observational retrospective cohort study.The P-ADA assay was tested using a kinetic technique.The performance of the model was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC).The ideal cutoff value for P-ADA in pleural inflammation was determined using the Youden index in the ROC curve.RESULTS The transudates included congestive heart failure(n=26),cirrhosis of the liver with ascites(n=3),chronic renal failure(n=3),and low total protein levels(n=1).The exudate cases included tuberculosis(n=44),adenocarcinoma(n=37),simple parapneumonic effusions(n=15),complicated parapneumonic effusions/empyema(n=8),lymphoma(n=7),and other diseases(n=13).The optimal cutoff value of P-ADA was≥9.00 U/L.The diagnostic parameters as sensitivity,specificity,positive and negative predictive values,positive and negative likelihood values,odds ratio,and accuracy were 77.69(95%CI:69.22-84.75);68.75(95%CI:49.99-83.88);90.38 and 44.90(95%CI:83.03-95.29;30.67-59.77);2.48 and 0.32(95%CI:2.21-11.2;0.27-0.51);7.65(95%CI:0.78-18.34),and 75.82(95%CI:68.24-82.37),respectively(χ^(2)=29.51,P=0.00001).An AUC value of 0.8107(95%CI:0.7174-0.8754;P=0.0000)was clinically useful.The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed excellent discrimination.CONCLUSION P-ADA biomarker has high diagnostic performance for pleural inflammatory exudates.展开更多
The current study aimed to evaluate the first aid knowledge and general awareness of bleeding control, and their relations with different variables among the population of Jazan City, Saudi Arabia, in 2023. A cross-se...The current study aimed to evaluate the first aid knowledge and general awareness of bleeding control, and their relations with different variables among the population of Jazan City, Saudi Arabia, in 2023. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Jazan City, Saudi Arabia between April 2023 and May 2023. Participants, >13 years old, living in Jazan City, were self-enrolled. Data collection was carried out by distributing a self-reported online survey questionnaire via email and social media apps. A validated, pretested online self-report questionnaire was used for data collection, with data analysis performed using (MS) Excel 2022 and SPSS version 26. A Chi-square test was used to determine the association of sociodemographic variables and Bleeding Control (BC) knowledge with, significance set at p < 0.05. A total of 250 participants completed the questionnaire, predominantly aged between 16 - 25 years, with 152 (60.8%) being male, and about 90% being Saudi citizens. Only 53 (21.2%) participated in previous first aid training concentrating on bleeding control. Only 76 (30.4%) of participants had good knowledge, while 131 (52.4%) exhibited positive attitude towards BC first aid. There were no statistically significant associations between BC knowledge and age, gender, occupation, nationality, and education. However, a significant association was observed between previous BC training and knowledge (Chi-test = 40.373, d.f = 1, p = 0.000) at p < 0.05. Conclusion: The prevalence of poor knowledge of bleeding control among community members in Jazan City was high. The findings of this study should be carefully considered by various healthcare organizations to implement educational first-aid programs and activities aimed at enhancing community awareness and knowledge of bleeding control.展开更多
Accurate estimates of ductility demands on buckling-restrained braced frames(BRBFs)are crucial to performance-based design of BRBFs.An analytical study on the seismic behavior of BRBFs has been conducted at the ATLSS ...Accurate estimates of ductility demands on buckling-restrained braced frames(BRBFs)are crucial to performance-based design of BRBFs.An analytical study on the seismic behavior of BRBFs has been conducted at the ATLSS Center,Lehigh University to prepare for an upcoming experimental program.The analysis program DRAIN-2DX was used to model a one-bay,four-story prototype BRBF including material and geometric nonlinearities.The buckling- restrained brace(BRB)model incorporates both isotropic and kinematic hardening.Nonlinear static pushover and time- history analyses were performed on the prototype BRBF.Performance objectives for the BRBs were defined and used to evaluate the time-history analysis results.Particular emphasis was placed on global ductility demands and ductility demands on the BRBs.These demands were compared with anticipated ductility capacities.The analysis results,along with results from similar previous studies,are used to evaluate the BRBF design provisions that have been recommended for codification in the United States.The results show that BRB maximum ductility demands can be as high as 20 to 25.These demands significantly exceed those anticipated by the BRBF recommended provisions.Results from the static pushover and time- history analyses are used to demonstrate why the ductility demands exceed those anticipated by the recommended provisions. The BRB qualification testing protocol contained in the BRBF recommended provisions is shown to be inadequate because it requires only a maximum ductility demand of at most 7.5.Modifications to the testing protocol are recommended.展开更多
AIM： TO determine the expression of DNA （MMR） proteins, including hMLH1 and hMSH2, in gastric epithelial cells in the patients with or without Helicobacter pylori （H pylori）-infected gastritis. METHODS： Fifty Hp...AIM： TO determine the expression of DNA （MMR） proteins, including hMLH1 and hMSH2, in gastric epithelial cells in the patients with or without Helicobacter pylori （H pylori）-infected gastritis. METHODS： Fifty Hpylori-positive patients and 50 H pylori-negative patients were enrolled in the study. During endoscopy of patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia, two antral and two corpus biopsies were taken for histological examination （Giemsa stain） and for immunohistochemical staining of hMLH1 and hMSH2. RESULTS： The percentage of epithelial cell nuclei that demonstrated positivity for hMLH1 staining was 84.14 ± 7.32% in Hpylori-negative patients, while it was 73.34 ±10.10% in Hpylori-positive patients （P 〈 0.0001）. No significant difference was seen between the two groups regarding the percentage of epithelial cell nuclei that demonstrated positivity for hMSH2 staining （81.16±8.32% in H pylori-negative versus 78.24 ± 8.71% in Hpylori-positive patients; P = 0.09）. CONCLUSION： This study indicates that Hpylori might promote development of gastric carcinoma at least in part through its ability to affect the DNA MMR system展开更多
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of acupressure applied to UB60 and K3 acupuncture points in order to relieve the procedural pain caused by heel lancing blood sampling process in the term newborns.METHODS:The data ...OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of acupressure applied to UB60 and K3 acupuncture points in order to relieve the procedural pain caused by heel lancing blood sampling process in the term newborns.METHODS:The data were collected by using the Information Form and the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale.Acupressure applied for 3 min before heel lancing blood sampling in the newborns in the experimental group(n=31).No intervention was applied to newborns in the control group(n=32).RESULTS:A significant difference was found between mean scores of the newborns in the control and acupressure group in favor of the acupressure group in terms of heart rate during and after the procedure,oxygen saturation before,during and after the procedure,duration of crying during and after the procedure(P<0.05).It was found that there was a significant difference between groups in terms of Neonatal Infant Pain Scale mean scores during(P=0.001)and after the procedure(P<0.05),and the difference was found to be in favor of the acupressure group.CONCLUSION:As a result,acupressure was found to be an effective method in relieving pain caused by heel lancing blood sampling in newborns.展开更多
Development and testing of a serially multiplexed fiber optic sensor system is described.The sensor differs from conventional fiber optic acoustic systems,as it is capable of sensing AE emissions at several points alo...Development and testing of a serially multiplexed fiber optic sensor system is described.The sensor differs from conventional fiber optic acoustic systems,as it is capable of sensing AE emissions at several points along the length of a single fiber.Multiplexing provides for single channel detection of cracks and their locations in large structural systems. An algorithm was developed for signal recognition and tagging of the AE waveforms for detection of' crack locations,Labora- tory experiments on plain concrete beams and post-tensioned FRP tendons were pcrlormed to evaluate the crack detection capability of the sensor system.The acoustic emission sensor was able to detect initiation,growth and location of the cracks in concrete as well as in the FRP tendons.The AE system is potentially suitable lot applications involving health monitoring of structures following an earthquake.展开更多
The impact of earthquakes in urban centers prone to disastrous earthquakes necessitates the analysis of associ- ated risk for rational formulation of contingency plans and mitigation strategies.In urban centers,the se...The impact of earthquakes in urban centers prone to disastrous earthquakes necessitates the analysis of associ- ated risk for rational formulation of contingency plans and mitigation strategies.In urban centers,the seismic risk is best quantified and portrayed through the preparation of'Earthquake Damage and Loss Scenarios.'The components of such scenarios are the assessment of the hazard,inventories and the vulnerabilities of elements at risk.For the development of the earthquake risk scenario in Istanbul,two independent approaches,one based on intensities and the second on spectral displacements,are utilized.This paper will present the important features of a comprehensive study,highlight the method- ology,discuss the results and provide insights to future developments.展开更多
The capability of embedded piezoelectric wafer active sensors(PWAS)to perform in-situ nondestructive evaluation(NDE)for structural health monitoring(SHM)of reinforced concrete(RC)structures strengthened with fiber rei...The capability of embedded piezoelectric wafer active sensors(PWAS)to perform in-situ nondestructive evaluation(NDE)for structural health monitoring(SHM)of reinforced concrete(RC)structures strengthened with fiber reinforced polymer(FRP)composite overlays is explored.First,the disbond detection method were developed on coupon specimens consisting of concrete blocks covered with an FRP composite layer.It was found that the presence of a disbond crack drastically changes the electromecfianical(E/M)impedance spectrum lneasurcd at the PWAS terlninals.The spectral changes depend on the distance between the PWAS and the crack tip.Second,large scale experiments were conducted on a RC beam strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced polymer(CFRP)composite overlay.The beam was subject to an accelerated fatigue load regime in a three-point bending configuration up to a total of 807,415 cycles.During these fatigue tests,the CFRP overlay experienced disbonding beginning at about 500,000 cycles.The PWAS were able to detect the disbonding before it could be reliably seen by visual inspection.Good correlation between the PWAS readings and the position and extent of disbond damage was observed.These preliminary results demonstrate the potential of PWAS technology for SHM of RC structures strengthened with FRP composite overlays.展开更多
Mechanical joints can have significant effects on the dynamics of assembled structures.However,the lack of efficacious predictive dynamic models tot joints hinders accurate prediction of their dynamic behavior.The goa...Mechanical joints can have significant effects on the dynamics of assembled structures.However,the lack of efficacious predictive dynamic models tot joints hinders accurate prediction of their dynamic behavior.The goal of our work is to develop physics-based,reduced-order,finite element models that are capable of replicating the effects of joints on vi- brating structures.The authors recently developed the so-called two-dimensional adjusted lwan beam element(2-D AIBE) to simulate the hysteretic behavior of bolted joints in 2-D beam structures.In this paper,2-D AIBE is extended to three-di- mensional cases by formulating a three-dimensional adjusted lwan beam element(3-D AIBE).hupulsive loading experi- ments are applied to a jointed frame structure and a beam structure containing the same joint.The frame is subjected to ex- citation out of plane so that the joint is under rotation and single axis bending.By assuming that the rotation in the joint is linear elastic,the parameters of the joint associated with bending in the flame are identified from acceleration responses of the jointed beam structure,using a multi-layer teed-torward neural network(MLFF).Numerieal simulation is then per- formed on the frame structure using the identified parameters.The good agreement between the simulated and experimental impulsive acceleration responses of the frame structure validates the efficacy of the presented 3-D AIBE,and indicates that the model can potentially be applied to more complex structural systems with joint parameters identified from a relatively simple structure.展开更多
AIM To evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its relation to diabetes and kidney disease in Veterans residing in the North East United States(VISN 2).METHODS In this retrospective study,we used data from...AIM To evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its relation to diabetes and kidney disease in Veterans residing in the North East United States(VISN 2).METHODS In this retrospective study,we used data from the computerized patient record system at Stratton Veterans Administration Medical Center at Albany,NY(VHA)for those patients who had 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and 1,25(OH)vitamin D levels measured between 2007 and 2010.We collected demographic information including age,sex,body mass index and race;clinical data including diabetes,hypertension and CAD;and laboratory data including calcium,creatinine and parathyroid hormone(PTH)(intact).Vitamin D deficiency is defined as a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level of less than 20 ng/mL(50 nmol/L),and insufficiency is defined as a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level of 20 to 30 ng/mL(50 to 75 nmol/L).RESULTS Data was available for approximately 68000 subjects.We identified 64144 subjects for analysis after exclusion of duplicates.Among them,27098 had diabetes.Themean age of subjects with diabetes was 68±11 with a mean body mass index(BMI)of 32±7 and duration of diabetes of 5.6±3.2 years.The mean 25(OH)vitamin D level among subjects with diabetes was 27±11.6.There was no significant difference in 25(OH)vitamin D levels between subjects with diabetes and glomerular filtration rate(e-GFR)<60 compared to those with e-GFR≥60.As expected,subjects with e-GFR<60 had significantly lower 1,25(OH)vitamin D levels and significantly elevated PTH-intact.Of the 64144 subjects,580 had end-stage renal disease.Of those,407 had diabetes and 173 did not.Vitamin D levels in both groups were in the insufficiency range and there was no significant difference irrespective of presence or absence of diabetes.Subjects with vitamin D levels less than 20 ng/mL had a higher BMI and elevated PTH,and higher HbA 1C levels compared to those with vitamin D levels more than 20 ng/mL.CONCLUSION We conclude that we need to keep a close eye on vitamin D levels in subjects with mild chronic kidney disease as well as those with moderate control of diabetes.展开更多
BACKGROUND Heart rate variability(HRV) and pulse-wave velocity(PWV),indicators of cardiac function,are altered in patients with spinal cord injury(SCI),suggesting that autonomic cardiac function and arterial stiffness...BACKGROUND Heart rate variability(HRV) and pulse-wave velocity(PWV),indicators of cardiac function,are altered in patients with spinal cord injury(SCI),suggesting that autonomic cardiac function and arterial stiffness may underlie the high risk of cardiovascular complications in these patients.No study has simultaneously investigated HRV and PWV in the same patients.AIM To evaluate cardiovascular complications in SCI patients by comparing HRV and PWV between patients with and without SCI.METHODS In this cross-sectional pilot study,patients with(n = 60) and without SCI(n = 60) were recruited from December 7,2019 to January 21,2020.Each participant received a five-minute assessment of HRV and the cardiovascular system using the Medicore HRV Analyzer SA-3000 P.Differences in HRV and PWV parameters between participants with and without SCI were statistically examined.RESULTS We observed a significant difference between participants with and without SCI with respect to the standard deviation of all normal-to-normal intervals,square root of the mean sum of squared successive risk ratio interval differences,physical stress index,total power,very-low frequency,low frequency,high frequency,and arterial elasticity.CONCLUSION Patients with SCI have weaker sympathetic and parasympathetic activity as well as lower arterial elasticity compared to those without,suggesting that SCI may increase cardiac function loading.展开更多
This study describes the seismic performance of an existing five storey reinforced concrete building which represents the typical properties of low-rise non-ductile buildings in Turkey. The effectiveness of shear wall...This study describes the seismic performance of an existing five storey reinforced concrete building which represents the typical properties of low-rise non-ductile buildings in Turkey. The effectiveness of shear walls and the steel bracings in retrofitting the building was examined through nonlinear static and dynamic analyses. By using the nonlinear static analysis, retrofitted buildings seismic performances under lateral seismic load were compared with each other. Moreover, the performance points and response levels of the existing and retrofitting cases were determined by way of the capacity-spectrum method described in ATC-40 (1996). For the nonlinear dynamic analysis the records were selected to represent wide ranges of duration and frequency content. Considering the change in the stiffness and the energy dissipation capacities, the performance of the existing and retrofitted buildings were evaluated in terms of story drifts and damage states. It was found that each earthquake record exhibited its own peculiarities, dictated by frequency content, duration, sequence of peaks and their amplitude. The seismic performance of retrofitted buildings resulted in lower displacements and higher energy dissipation capacity depending mainly on the properties of the ground motions and the retrofitting strategies. Moreover, severe structural damage (irreparable or collapse) was observed for the existing building. However, buildings with retrofit alternatives exhibited lower damage levels changing from no damage to irreparable damage states.展开更多
Computational fluid dynamics （CFD） modeling of the complex processes that occur within the burner of a gas turbine engine has become a critical step in the design process. However, due to computer limitations, it is...Computational fluid dynamics （CFD） modeling of the complex processes that occur within the burner of a gas turbine engine has become a critical step in the design process. However, due to computer limitations, it is very difficult to completely couple the fluid mechanics solver with the full combustion chemistry. Therefore, simplified chemistry models are required, and the topic of this research was to provide reduced chemistry models for CH4/O2 gas turbine flow fields to be integrated into CFD codes for the simulation of flow fields of natural gas-fueled burners. The reduction procedure for the CH4/O2 model utilized a response modeling technique wherein the full mechanism was solved over a range of temperatures, pressures, and mixture ratios to establish the response of a particular variable, namely the chemical reaction time. The conditions covered were between 1000 and 2500 K for temperature, 0.1 and 2 for equivalence ratio in air, and 0.1 and 50 atm for pressure. The kinetic time models in the form of ignition time correlations are given in Arrhenius-type formulas as functions of equivalence ratio, temperature, and pressure; or fuel-to-air ratio, temperature, and pressure. A single ignition time model was obtained for the entire range of conditions, and separate models for the low-temperature and high-temperature regions as well as for fuel-lean and rich cases were also derived. Predictions using the reduced model were verified using results from the full mechanism and empirical correlations from experiments. The models are intended for （but not limited to） use in CFD codes for flow field simulations of gas turbine combustors in which initial conditions and degree of mixedness of the fuel and air are key factors in achieving stable and robust combustion processes and acceptable emission levels. The chemical time model was utilized successfully in CFD simulations of a generic gas turbine combustor with four different cases with various levels of fuel-air premixing.展开更多
This paper focuses on propagating perturbed two-body motion using orbital elements combined with a novel integration technique.While previous studies show that Modified Chebyshev Picard Iteration(MCPI)is a powerful to...This paper focuses on propagating perturbed two-body motion using orbital elements combined with a novel integration technique.While previous studies show that Modified Chebyshev Picard Iteration(MCPI)is a powerful tool used to propagate position and velocity,the present results show that using orbital elements to propagate the state vector reduces the number of MCPI iterations and nodes required,which is especially useful for reducing the computation time when including computationally-intensive calculations such as Spherical Harmonic gravity,and it also converges for>5.5x as many revolutions using a single segment when compared with cartesian propagation.Results for the Classical Orbital Elements and the Modified Equinoctial Orbital Elements(the latter provides singularity-free solutions)show that state propagation using these variables is inherently well-suited to the propagation method chosen.Additional benefits are achieved using a segmentation scheme,while future expansion to the two-point boundary value problem is expected to increase the domain of convergence compared with the cartesian case.MCPI is an iterative numerical method used to solve linear and nonlinear,ordinary differential equations(ODEs).It is a fusion of orthogonal Chebyshev function approximation with Picard iteration that approximates a long-arc trajectory at every iteration.Previous studies have shown that it outperforms the state of the practice numerical integrators of ODEs in a serial computing environment;since MCPI is inherently massively parallelizable,this capability is expected to increase the computational efficiency of the method presented.展开更多
Aids are only one of the instruments with which the disabled person can often reach a good level of autonomy,he can improve his conditions of life and prevent the aggravating of his situation. Aids serve also to facil...Aids are only one of the instruments with which the disabled person can often reach a good level of autonomy,he can improve his conditions of life and prevent the aggravating of his situation. Aids serve also to facilitate care on the part of the family. The rights confirmed by Law 104 can also be achieved through the use of aids. The Italian state has planned a system of care with regards to aids so that some of them can be purchased with different tax concessions but essential aids,those necessary for the reaching of autonomy goals and prevention defined by an individual rehabilitative project,are supplied free of charge. In Italy essential aids are part therefore of a rehabilitation plan that is identified for each person with disabilities by a team made up of different professionals.展开更多
In this paper, a wavelet-fi ltered genetic-neuro-fuzzy(WGNF) control system design framework for response control of a highway bridge under various earthquake loads is discussed. The WGNF controller is developed by co...In this paper, a wavelet-fi ltered genetic-neuro-fuzzy(WGNF) control system design framework for response control of a highway bridge under various earthquake loads is discussed. The WGNF controller is developed by combining fuzzy logic, discrete wavelet transform, genetic algorithms, and neural networks for use as a control algorithm. To evaluate the performance of the WGNF algorithm, it is tested on a highway bridge equipped with hydraulic actuators. It controls the actuators installed on the abutments of the highway bridge structure. Various earthquakes used as input signals include an artifi cial earthquake, the El-Centro, Kobe, North Palm Springs, Turkey Bolu, Chi-Chi, and Northridge earthquakes. It is proved that the WGNF control system is effective in mitigating the vibration of the highway bridge under a variety of seismic excitation.展开更多
The Italian care situation with regards to prostheses and aids is satisfying. The norm which establishes the ways in which aids can be supplied to disabled people goes back to 1999 and,even though it is based on corre...The Italian care situation with regards to prostheses and aids is satisfying. The norm which establishes the ways in which aids can be supplied to disabled people goes back to 1999 and,even though it is based on correct principles and even though it has produced positive effects in the improvement of the life of disabled people,it must be updated in the light of the more recent technological and scientific innovations and of the new information instruments such as the diffusion of information and communication systems.展开更多
The trilateral seminar of'China-Japan-ROK Relations in PostBeijing Olympics'—organized by China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations(CICIR),the Asahi Shimbun Asia Network(AAN) of Japan and the H...The trilateral seminar of'China-Japan-ROK Relations in PostBeijing Olympics'—organized by China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations(CICIR),the Asahi Shimbun Asia Network(AAN) of Japan and the Hwajeong Peace Foundation of Northeast Asia Daily(the Dibg-A Ilbo)in South Korea—opened in Beijing on October 11th,2008.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND Although inflammatory diseases commonly affect the pleura and pleural space,their mechanisms of action remain unclear.The presence of several mediators emphasizes the concept of pleural inflammation.Adenosine deaminase(ADA)is an inflammatory mediator detected at increased levels in the pleural fluid.AIM To determine the role of total pleural ADA(P-ADA)levels in the diagnosis of pleural inflammatory diseases.METHODS 157 patients with inflammatory pleural effusion(exudates,n=124,79%)and noninflammatory pleural effusion(transudates,n=33,21%)were included in this observational retrospective cohort study.The P-ADA assay was tested using a kinetic technique.The performance of the model was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC).The ideal cutoff value for P-ADA in pleural inflammation was determined using the Youden index in the ROC curve.RESULTS The transudates included congestive heart failure(n=26),cirrhosis of the liver with ascites(n=3),chronic renal failure(n=3),and low total protein levels(n=1).The exudate cases included tuberculosis(n=44),adenocarcinoma(n=37),simple parapneumonic effusions(n=15),complicated parapneumonic effusions/empyema(n=8),lymphoma(n=7),and other diseases(n=13).The optimal cutoff value of P-ADA was≥9.00 U/L.The diagnostic parameters as sensitivity,specificity,positive and negative predictive values,positive and negative likelihood values,odds ratio,and accuracy were 77.69(95%CI:69.22-84.75);68.75(95%CI:49.99-83.88);90.38 and 44.90(95%CI:83.03-95.29;30.67-59.77);2.48 and 0.32(95%CI:2.21-11.2;0.27-0.51);7.65(95%CI:0.78-18.34),and 75.82(95%CI:68.24-82.37),respectively(χ^(2)=29.51,P=0.00001).An AUC value of 0.8107(95%CI:0.7174-0.8754;P=0.0000)was clinically useful.The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed excellent discrimination.CONCLUSION P-ADA biomarker has high diagnostic performance for pleural inflammatory exudates.
文摘The current study aimed to evaluate the first aid knowledge and general awareness of bleeding control, and their relations with different variables among the population of Jazan City, Saudi Arabia, in 2023. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Jazan City, Saudi Arabia between April 2023 and May 2023. Participants, >13 years old, living in Jazan City, were self-enrolled. Data collection was carried out by distributing a self-reported online survey questionnaire via email and social media apps. A validated, pretested online self-report questionnaire was used for data collection, with data analysis performed using (MS) Excel 2022 and SPSS version 26. A Chi-square test was used to determine the association of sociodemographic variables and Bleeding Control (BC) knowledge with, significance set at p < 0.05. A total of 250 participants completed the questionnaire, predominantly aged between 16 - 25 years, with 152 (60.8%) being male, and about 90% being Saudi citizens. Only 53 (21.2%) participated in previous first aid training concentrating on bleeding control. Only 76 (30.4%) of participants had good knowledge, while 131 (52.4%) exhibited positive attitude towards BC first aid. There were no statistically significant associations between BC knowledge and age, gender, occupation, nationality, and education. However, a significant association was observed between previous BC training and knowledge (Chi-test = 40.373, d.f = 1, p = 0.000) at p < 0.05. Conclusion: The prevalence of poor knowledge of bleeding control among community members in Jazan City was high. The findings of this study should be carefully considered by various healthcare organizations to implement educational first-aid programs and activities aimed at enhancing community awareness and knowledge of bleeding control.
文摘Accurate estimates of ductility demands on buckling-restrained braced frames(BRBFs)are crucial to performance-based design of BRBFs.An analytical study on the seismic behavior of BRBFs has been conducted at the ATLSS Center,Lehigh University to prepare for an upcoming experimental program.The analysis program DRAIN-2DX was used to model a one-bay,four-story prototype BRBF including material and geometric nonlinearities.The buckling- restrained brace(BRB)model incorporates both isotropic and kinematic hardening.Nonlinear static pushover and time- history analyses were performed on the prototype BRBF.Performance objectives for the BRBs were defined and used to evaluate the time-history analysis results.Particular emphasis was placed on global ductility demands and ductility demands on the BRBs.These demands were compared with anticipated ductility capacities.The analysis results,along with results from similar previous studies,are used to evaluate the BRBF design provisions that have been recommended for codification in the United States.The results show that BRB maximum ductility demands can be as high as 20 to 25.These demands significantly exceed those anticipated by the BRBF recommended provisions.Results from the static pushover and time- history analyses are used to demonstrate why the ductility demands exceed those anticipated by the recommended provisions. The BRB qualification testing protocol contained in the BRBF recommended provisions is shown to be inadequate because it requires only a maximum ductility demand of at most 7.5.Modifications to the testing protocol are recommended.
文摘AIM： TO determine the expression of DNA （MMR） proteins, including hMLH1 and hMSH2, in gastric epithelial cells in the patients with or without Helicobacter pylori （H pylori）-infected gastritis. METHODS： Fifty Hpylori-positive patients and 50 H pylori-negative patients were enrolled in the study. During endoscopy of patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia, two antral and two corpus biopsies were taken for histological examination （Giemsa stain） and for immunohistochemical staining of hMLH1 and hMSH2. RESULTS： The percentage of epithelial cell nuclei that demonstrated positivity for hMLH1 staining was 84.14 ± 7.32% in Hpylori-negative patients, while it was 73.34 ±10.10% in Hpylori-positive patients （P 〈 0.0001）. No significant difference was seen between the two groups regarding the percentage of epithelial cell nuclei that demonstrated positivity for hMSH2 staining （81.16±8.32% in H pylori-negative versus 78.24 ± 8.71% in Hpylori-positive patients; P = 0.09）. CONCLUSION： This study indicates that Hpylori might promote development of gastric carcinoma at least in part through its ability to affect the DNA MMR system
基金Supported by Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University(COMU)Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit(SRPCU)grant"TYL 2017/1360"。
文摘OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of acupressure applied to UB60 and K3 acupuncture points in order to relieve the procedural pain caused by heel lancing blood sampling process in the term newborns.METHODS:The data were collected by using the Information Form and the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale.Acupressure applied for 3 min before heel lancing blood sampling in the newborns in the experimental group(n=31).No intervention was applied to newborns in the control group(n=32).RESULTS:A significant difference was found between mean scores of the newborns in the control and acupressure group in favor of the acupressure group in terms of heart rate during and after the procedure,oxygen saturation before,during and after the procedure,duration of crying during and after the procedure(P<0.05).It was found that there was a significant difference between groups in terms of Neonatal Infant Pain Scale mean scores during(P=0.001)and after the procedure(P<0.05),and the difference was found to be in favor of the acupressure group.CONCLUSION:As a result,acupressure was found to be an effective method in relieving pain caused by heel lancing blood sampling in newborns.
基金National Science Foundation,Grant number CMS-9900338
文摘Development and testing of a serially multiplexed fiber optic sensor system is described.The sensor differs from conventional fiber optic acoustic systems,as it is capable of sensing AE emissions at several points along the length of a single fiber.Multiplexing provides for single channel detection of cracks and their locations in large structural systems. An algorithm was developed for signal recognition and tagging of the AE waveforms for detection of' crack locations,Labora- tory experiments on plain concrete beams and post-tensioned FRP tendons were pcrlormed to evaluate the crack detection capability of the sensor system.The acoustic emission sensor was able to detect initiation,growth and location of the cracks in concrete as well as in the FRP tendons.The AE system is potentially suitable lot applications involving health monitoring of structures following an earthquake.
文摘The impact of earthquakes in urban centers prone to disastrous earthquakes necessitates the analysis of associ- ated risk for rational formulation of contingency plans and mitigation strategies.In urban centers,the seismic risk is best quantified and portrayed through the preparation of'Earthquake Damage and Loss Scenarios.'The components of such scenarios are the assessment of the hazard,inventories and the vulnerabilities of elements at risk.For the development of the earthquake risk scenario in Istanbul,two independent approaches,one based on intensities and the second on spectral displacements,are utilized.This paper will present the important features of a comprehensive study,highlight the method- ology,discuss the results and provide insights to future developments.
基金the National Seienee Foundation through grants NSF#CMS-9908293 and NSF INT-9904493the Federal Highway Administration and the South Carolina Department of TransPortation(projeet Number 614)
文摘The capability of embedded piezoelectric wafer active sensors(PWAS)to perform in-situ nondestructive evaluation(NDE)for structural health monitoring(SHM)of reinforced concrete(RC)structures strengthened with fiber reinforced polymer(FRP)composite overlays is explored.First,the disbond detection method were developed on coupon specimens consisting of concrete blocks covered with an FRP composite layer.It was found that the presence of a disbond crack drastically changes the electromecfianical(E/M)impedance spectrum lneasurcd at the PWAS terlninals.The spectral changes depend on the distance between the PWAS and the crack tip.Second,large scale experiments were conducted on a RC beam strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced polymer(CFRP)composite overlay.The beam was subject to an accelerated fatigue load regime in a three-point bending configuration up to a total of 807,415 cycles.During these fatigue tests,the CFRP overlay experienced disbonding beginning at about 500,000 cycles.The PWAS were able to detect the disbonding before it could be reliably seen by visual inspection.Good correlation between the PWAS readings and the position and extent of disbond damage was observed.These preliminary results demonstrate the potential of PWAS technology for SHM of RC structures strengthened with FRP composite overlays.
文摘Mechanical joints can have significant effects on the dynamics of assembled structures.However,the lack of efficacious predictive dynamic models tot joints hinders accurate prediction of their dynamic behavior.The goal of our work is to develop physics-based,reduced-order,finite element models that are capable of replicating the effects of joints on vi- brating structures.The authors recently developed the so-called two-dimensional adjusted lwan beam element(2-D AIBE) to simulate the hysteretic behavior of bolted joints in 2-D beam structures.In this paper,2-D AIBE is extended to three-di- mensional cases by formulating a three-dimensional adjusted lwan beam element(3-D AIBE).hupulsive loading experi- ments are applied to a jointed frame structure and a beam structure containing the same joint.The frame is subjected to ex- citation out of plane so that the joint is under rotation and single axis bending.By assuming that the rotation in the joint is linear elastic,the parameters of the joint associated with bending in the flame are identified from acceleration responses of the jointed beam structure,using a multi-layer teed-torward neural network(MLFF).Numerieal simulation is then per- formed on the frame structure using the identified parameters.The good agreement between the simulated and experimental impulsive acceleration responses of the frame structure validates the efficacy of the presented 3-D AIBE,and indicates that the model can potentially be applied to more complex structural systems with joint parameters identified from a relatively simple structure.
基金salary support from Veterans Health Administration
文摘AIM To evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its relation to diabetes and kidney disease in Veterans residing in the North East United States(VISN 2).METHODS In this retrospective study,we used data from the computerized patient record system at Stratton Veterans Administration Medical Center at Albany,NY(VHA)for those patients who had 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and 1,25(OH)vitamin D levels measured between 2007 and 2010.We collected demographic information including age,sex,body mass index and race;clinical data including diabetes,hypertension and CAD;and laboratory data including calcium,creatinine and parathyroid hormone(PTH)(intact).Vitamin D deficiency is defined as a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level of less than 20 ng/mL(50 nmol/L),and insufficiency is defined as a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level of 20 to 30 ng/mL(50 to 75 nmol/L).RESULTS Data was available for approximately 68000 subjects.We identified 64144 subjects for analysis after exclusion of duplicates.Among them,27098 had diabetes.Themean age of subjects with diabetes was 68±11 with a mean body mass index(BMI)of 32±7 and duration of diabetes of 5.6±3.2 years.The mean 25(OH)vitamin D level among subjects with diabetes was 27±11.6.There was no significant difference in 25(OH)vitamin D levels between subjects with diabetes and glomerular filtration rate(e-GFR)<60 compared to those with e-GFR≥60.As expected,subjects with e-GFR<60 had significantly lower 1,25(OH)vitamin D levels and significantly elevated PTH-intact.Of the 64144 subjects,580 had end-stage renal disease.Of those,407 had diabetes and 173 did not.Vitamin D levels in both groups were in the insufficiency range and there was no significant difference irrespective of presence or absence of diabetes.Subjects with vitamin D levels less than 20 ng/mL had a higher BMI and elevated PTH,and higher HbA 1C levels compared to those with vitamin D levels more than 20 ng/mL.CONCLUSION We conclude that we need to keep a close eye on vitamin D levels in subjects with mild chronic kidney disease as well as those with moderate control of diabetes.
文摘BACKGROUND Heart rate variability(HRV) and pulse-wave velocity(PWV),indicators of cardiac function,are altered in patients with spinal cord injury(SCI),suggesting that autonomic cardiac function and arterial stiffness may underlie the high risk of cardiovascular complications in these patients.No study has simultaneously investigated HRV and PWV in the same patients.AIM To evaluate cardiovascular complications in SCI patients by comparing HRV and PWV between patients with and without SCI.METHODS In this cross-sectional pilot study,patients with(n = 60) and without SCI(n = 60) were recruited from December 7,2019 to January 21,2020.Each participant received a five-minute assessment of HRV and the cardiovascular system using the Medicore HRV Analyzer SA-3000 P.Differences in HRV and PWV parameters between participants with and without SCI were statistically examined.RESULTS We observed a significant difference between participants with and without SCI with respect to the standard deviation of all normal-to-normal intervals,square root of the mean sum of squared successive risk ratio interval differences,physical stress index,total power,very-low frequency,low frequency,high frequency,and arterial elasticity.CONCLUSION Patients with SCI have weaker sympathetic and parasympathetic activity as well as lower arterial elasticity compared to those without,suggesting that SCI may increase cardiac function loading.
文摘This study describes the seismic performance of an existing five storey reinforced concrete building which represents the typical properties of low-rise non-ductile buildings in Turkey. The effectiveness of shear walls and the steel bracings in retrofitting the building was examined through nonlinear static and dynamic analyses. By using the nonlinear static analysis, retrofitted buildings seismic performances under lateral seismic load were compared with each other. Moreover, the performance points and response levels of the existing and retrofitting cases were determined by way of the capacity-spectrum method described in ATC-40 (1996). For the nonlinear dynamic analysis the records were selected to represent wide ranges of duration and frequency content. Considering the change in the stiffness and the energy dissipation capacities, the performance of the existing and retrofitted buildings were evaluated in terms of story drifts and damage states. It was found that each earthquake record exhibited its own peculiarities, dictated by frequency content, duration, sequence of peaks and their amplitude. The seismic performance of retrofitted buildings resulted in lower displacements and higher energy dissipation capacity depending mainly on the properties of the ground motions and the retrofitting strategies. Moreover, severe structural damage (irreparable or collapse) was observed for the existing building. However, buildings with retrofit alternatives exhibited lower damage levels changing from no damage to irreparable damage states.
基金supported by a University Turbine Systems Research grant from the South Carolina Institute for Energy Studies, contract number 04-01-SR114
文摘Computational fluid dynamics （CFD） modeling of the complex processes that occur within the burner of a gas turbine engine has become a critical step in the design process. However, due to computer limitations, it is very difficult to completely couple the fluid mechanics solver with the full combustion chemistry. Therefore, simplified chemistry models are required, and the topic of this research was to provide reduced chemistry models for CH4/O2 gas turbine flow fields to be integrated into CFD codes for the simulation of flow fields of natural gas-fueled burners. The reduction procedure for the CH4/O2 model utilized a response modeling technique wherein the full mechanism was solved over a range of temperatures, pressures, and mixture ratios to establish the response of a particular variable, namely the chemical reaction time. The conditions covered were between 1000 and 2500 K for temperature, 0.1 and 2 for equivalence ratio in air, and 0.1 and 50 atm for pressure. The kinetic time models in the form of ignition time correlations are given in Arrhenius-type formulas as functions of equivalence ratio, temperature, and pressure; or fuel-to-air ratio, temperature, and pressure. A single ignition time model was obtained for the entire range of conditions, and separate models for the low-temperature and high-temperature regions as well as for fuel-lean and rich cases were also derived. Predictions using the reduced model were verified using results from the full mechanism and empirical correlations from experiments. The models are intended for （but not limited to） use in CFD codes for flow field simulations of gas turbine combustors in which initial conditions and degree of mixedness of the fuel and air are key factors in achieving stable and robust combustion processes and acceptable emission levels. The chemical time model was utilized successfully in CFD simulations of a generic gas turbine combustor with four different cases with various levels of fuel-air premixing.
文摘This paper focuses on propagating perturbed two-body motion using orbital elements combined with a novel integration technique.While previous studies show that Modified Chebyshev Picard Iteration(MCPI)is a powerful tool used to propagate position and velocity,the present results show that using orbital elements to propagate the state vector reduces the number of MCPI iterations and nodes required,which is especially useful for reducing the computation time when including computationally-intensive calculations such as Spherical Harmonic gravity,and it also converges for>5.5x as many revolutions using a single segment when compared with cartesian propagation.Results for the Classical Orbital Elements and the Modified Equinoctial Orbital Elements(the latter provides singularity-free solutions)show that state propagation using these variables is inherently well-suited to the propagation method chosen.Additional benefits are achieved using a segmentation scheme,while future expansion to the two-point boundary value problem is expected to increase the domain of convergence compared with the cartesian case.MCPI is an iterative numerical method used to solve linear and nonlinear,ordinary differential equations(ODEs).It is a fusion of orthogonal Chebyshev function approximation with Picard iteration that approximates a long-arc trajectory at every iteration.Previous studies have shown that it outperforms the state of the practice numerical integrators of ODEs in a serial computing environment;since MCPI is inherently massively parallelizable,this capability is expected to increase the computational efficiency of the method presented.
文摘Aids are only one of the instruments with which the disabled person can often reach a good level of autonomy,he can improve his conditions of life and prevent the aggravating of his situation. Aids serve also to facilitate care on the part of the family. The rights confirmed by Law 104 can also be achieved through the use of aids. The Italian state has planned a system of care with regards to aids so that some of them can be purchased with different tax concessions but essential aids,those necessary for the reaching of autonomy goals and prevention defined by an individual rehabilitative project,are supplied free of charge. In Italy essential aids are part therefore of a rehabilitation plan that is identified for each person with disabilities by a team made up of different professionals.
基金MOF(Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries)and a Grant(12-RTIPB01)from Regional Technology Innovation Program funded by MOLIT(Ministry of Land,Infrastructure and Transport)of Korean government
文摘In this paper, a wavelet-fi ltered genetic-neuro-fuzzy(WGNF) control system design framework for response control of a highway bridge under various earthquake loads is discussed. The WGNF controller is developed by combining fuzzy logic, discrete wavelet transform, genetic algorithms, and neural networks for use as a control algorithm. To evaluate the performance of the WGNF algorithm, it is tested on a highway bridge equipped with hydraulic actuators. It controls the actuators installed on the abutments of the highway bridge structure. Various earthquakes used as input signals include an artifi cial earthquake, the El-Centro, Kobe, North Palm Springs, Turkey Bolu, Chi-Chi, and Northridge earthquakes. It is proved that the WGNF control system is effective in mitigating the vibration of the highway bridge under a variety of seismic excitation.
文摘The Italian care situation with regards to prostheses and aids is satisfying. The norm which establishes the ways in which aids can be supplied to disabled people goes back to 1999 and,even though it is based on correct principles and even though it has produced positive effects in the improvement of the life of disabled people,it must be updated in the light of the more recent technological and scientific innovations and of the new information instruments such as the diffusion of information and communication systems.
文摘The trilateral seminar of'China-Japan-ROK Relations in PostBeijing Olympics'—organized by China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations(CICIR),the Asahi Shimbun Asia Network(AAN) of Japan and the Hwajeong Peace Foundation of Northeast Asia Daily(the Dibg-A Ilbo)in South Korea—opened in Beijing on October 11th,2008.
