Modeling and Its Application of Reinforced Concrete Columns Considering Nonlinear Shear Effects

A fiber beam-column element in conjunction with zero-length elements attached to its ends was proposed to simulate the flexural and shear mechanism respectively. Based on the Limit State Material model and the Shear Limit Curve model provided by OpenSees, the nonlinear shear effect of reinforced concrete column and its coupling with the flexural effect were defined. The reliability of the proposed model was validated by means of comparisons with existing test results. Finally, a plane frame from in-situ pushover test was simulated. It is shown that the proposed method, by taking the nonlinear shear effect into account, produces satisfactory results for frame columns with shear strength and stiffness degradation, while the conventional fiber beam-column element can hardly simulate actual flexure-shear failure mechanism for columns characterized by insufficient transverse reinforcement. The proposed method is applicable for nonlinear analysis of reinforced concrete frame structures with shear deficiencies.     

Shear resistant performance of RC columns subjected to vertical near-fault velocity pulse-like earthquake actions

The aim is to evaluate the seismic properties of ancient timber structure after strengthening and analyze the failure process and corresponding failure state. Based on the hysteretic behavior and energy dissipation principle of the dovetail column-frame strengthened with CFRP and Arches Brackets under the low reversed cyclic loading, the “potential of destruction-resisting” of the two energy-consuming components is obtained. The dissipated energy of each energy-consuming component under the various earthquake conditions is calculated combining with the shaking table test of ancient timber structure. The model of seismic damage evaluation of the two energy-consuming components is established on the basis of the “potential of destruction-resisting” and the dissipated energy. By means of the energy distribution coefficient, the relationship of the failure state between energy-consuming components and overall strengthened structure is discovered, and the model of seismic damage evaluation of the overall structure under the various earthquake conditions is presented. With the derived model of seismic damage evaluation, the failure coefficient of the energy-consuming components and the overall strengthened structure is quantitatively calculated. According to the failure state, the corresponding damage grade of overall strengthened structure is obtained. The results can provide a reliable theoretical basis for predicting the destruction before earthquake and re-reinforcement to the strengthened ancient timber structures after earthquake.     

Research on Mechanical Characteristics of the Cemented Sandstone Based on 3Dimensional PFC Numerical Model

Sandstone is sediment rock composed of many cemented sand particles, and corresponding particle constraint and force bearing capacity are greatly controlled by the cemented property. In order to better reflect the cemented property influencing on the mechanical characteristics of the sandstone, take the oil sandstone reservoir for instance, a numerical model based on 3Dimensional Particle Flow Code (PFC3D) considering the parallel bond model was brought forward to simulate the failure mechanism during shearing process. The sandstone cemented property is modeled based on random mathematics and advanced development of Particle Flow Code (PFC), and the relation of the stress ratio, volume strain, coordination number and bond-broken number and the axial strain is analyzed in detail, especially the contact network evolution indicated the force chain is important to transfer the external force, which verifies the feasibility of the numerical model. Based on the above PFC3D model, a series of researches on changing the cemented radius ratio, parallel bond stiffness and cemented volume of the particles have been done to clearly illuminate the importance of cemented property for the bearing capacity of the sandstone structure, which provides a scientific base for research on the failure mechanism of the sandstone under special conditions. Therefore, the above numerical method is more efficient and applicable for comparatively large scale and complex experiments, and the obtained research results can bring a new thought for the real cemented sandstone to research on its macro-micromechanical response and the structure failure mechanism, and also is significant for the sand production mechanism, sand volume prediction and sand control measures for the sandstone reservoir.     

梅花鹿和驯鹿外周血和茸血对牛蛙离体心脏心肌收缩力和心率的影响

为探讨鹿血对牛蛙离体心脏收缩力和心率的影响,采用斯氏法离体蛙心,分别用不同的鹿血对离体心脏进行灌流,用BL 420E生物技能试验系统记录离体心脏给药前、后心肌收缩力和心率的变化。试验结果表明:梅花鹿外周血、梅花鹿茸血、驯鹿外周血和驯鹿茸血与任氏液对照组相比心肌收缩力增加42.27%¹26.62%,差异极显著(P<0.01),其中梅花鹿外周血和驯鹿外周血较比梅花鹿茸血和驯鹿茸血对增强离体蛙心心肌收缩力更为明显,但对各组间的心率没有影响(P>0.05)。     

VERTEBRAL HEART SCORES IN EIGHT DOG BREEDS

The vertebral heart score (VHS) measurement is commonly used to provide a more objective measurement of cardiomegaly in canines. However, several studies have shown significant breed variations from the value previously established by Buchanan and Bücheler (9.7 ± 0.5). This study describes VHS measurements in Pug, Pomeranian, Yorkshire Terrier, Dachshund, Bulldog, Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, and Boston Terrier dog breeds. Dogs with two or three view thoracic radiographs, no subjective radiographic evidence of cardiomegaly, and no physical examination findings of heart murmurs or gallop rhythms were included in the study. The Pug, Pomeranian, Bulldog, and Boston Terrier groups were found to have a VHS significantly greater than 9.7 ± 0.5 (P < 0.00001, P = 0.0014, P < 0.0001, P < 0.00001, respectively). Body condition score (BCS) was found to have a significant effect on the VHS of Lhasa Apso group. Anomalous vertebrae in the thoracic column were associated with a significant increase in VHS of the Bulldog (P = 0.028) and Boston Terrier (P = 0.0004) groups. Thoracic depth to width ratio did not have a significant effect on VHS.     

非最终灭菌无菌灌装生产工艺人员微生物质量风险分析

为最大程度地降低药品无菌工艺生产中微生物污染的风险,以重组溶葡萄球菌酶粉的生产过程为例,利用休哈特控制图、饼图统计工具、失效模式及影响分析(FMEA)风险工具对生产中操作人员可能引入微生物污染的五个因素(手套、前臂、胸口、前额、口罩)进行了监控和风险分析.试验结果表明,口罩的微生物检测结果最差,手套为污染的高风险因素.经过最差条件干预的培养基模拟灌装试验,验证了以预防为主的微生物质量控制措施可以有效控制无菌灌装生产工艺中人员对药品污染的风险.     

A possible predisposition to dilated cardiomyopathy in Huntaway dogs

AIM: To compare the prevalence of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in New Zealand Huntaway dogs with the prevalence of DCM in other breeds of dog.

METHODS: The necropsy database at Massey University was used to identify cases of DCM diagnosed between January 1999 and March 2006. Dogs were considered to have DCM if echocardiographic, gross necropsy, or histological findings were consistent with this diagnosis. The prevalence in Huntaways was then compared with the prevalence observed in all breeds of dog, as well as the prevalence observed in large breeds of dog.

RESULTS: Twelve dogs were identified with DCM. One was diagnosed using echocardiography, while the other 11 were diagnosed by gross necropsy examination. The gross diagnosis of DCM was confirmed histologically in 6/11 dogs. The prevalence of DCM in Huntaways was significantly higher than the prevalence seen in all breeds of dog (p=0.008), and the prevalence in large breeds of dog (p=0.025). All four Huntaways diagnosed with DCM were male, and had an average age of 4 years. Three dogs presented with symptoms attributable to impaired heart function while one presented with symptoms of chronic renal failure. The duration of clinical symptoms prior to presentation ranged between 1 day and 3 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that Huntaways may be predisposed to the development of DCM. Although the increased prevalence in this breed was significant, only small numbers of affected Huntaways were identified, and additional cases are required to confirm these preliminary findings.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Huntaways are the most common working dog in New Zealand. The premature loss of a working dog is expected to have a significant economic impact on farmers. Further investigation of DCM in Huntaways may allow measures to reduce the prevalence in this breed.