bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treadmill gait analysis of rehabilitated and independent lower-limb amputees
Authors: Luz Soraia Cristina Tonon da , Ávila Aluisio Otavio Vargas , Andrade Mario César de , Rodrigues Beatriz Conceição Silva Alves
Published: February 2013

Purpose

A description of gait analysis during overground locmotion has been the subject of various studies, in relation to describing both the kinetic and spatial-temporal characteristics of walking. Measuring the gait of amputees using treadmills is a useful test to quantify locomotive ability, and a tool that helps to control gait parameters during rehabilitation. The aim of this study is to describe the kinetic and spatial-temporal characteristics of gait of rehabilitated amputees, measured with an instrumented treadmill.

Methods

Twenty-four participants aged between 20 and 40 years were chosen, who had all suffered unilateral traumatic amputation either above or below the knee, and were classified as well-rehabilitated. Following a paperbased assessment form, the participants were subjected to gait analysis on an instrumented treadmill fitted with two force platforms.

Results

The first peak vertical force of intact and amputated limbs presented higher values and was significantly (p < 0.05) larger than the second peak vertical force for the amputated limb, indicating less propulsion during walking. A significant difference was observed in the load rate in intact and amputated limbs, indicating more overload in the intact limb. The spatial-temporal variables, cadence, step and stride length were significantly greater (p < 0.05) in the below-knee than in the above-knee amputees.

Conclusions

The kinetic and spatial-temporal characteristics of gait, measured with an instrumented treadmill, which were observed in all lower limb amputees involved in this study, were similar to the ones commonly reported in numerous studies on overground walking. Thus, treadmill gait training and control of the progress of rehabilitation with amputees is recommended.
Association between anthropometric indicators and serum lipid profile in adolescents
Authors: Pelegrini Andreia , Glaner Maria Fátima , Petroski Edio Luiz
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The aim of this study was to verify and analyze the association between anthropometric indicators and serum lipid profiles in adolescents.

Methods

The study included 250 adolescents aged 11–17 years from both sexes. The anthropometric variables measured were body weight, height and waist circumference. Body mass index and waist circumference were used to calculate a nutritional status rating (whether normal weight or overweight) and abdominal obesity, respectively. Total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins, low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels were determined by an enzymatic colorimetric method using automatic spectrophotometry and were categorized according to cutoff points established by the III Brazilian Guidelines on Dyslipidemia and Atherosclerosis Prevention from the Brazilian Society of Cardiology.

Results

The overweight and abdominal obesity prevalence was found to be 23.6% and 40.0%, respectively. Undesirable total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels were found in 40.8%, 8.4%, 36.0% and 13.6% of the studied adolescents, respectively. Overweight adolescents were 2.29 (CI 95%, 1.07-4.91) times more likely to have high triglyceride levels, and those with abdominal obesity were 2.47 (CI 95%, 1.14-5.37) times more likely to show high triglyceride levels.

Conclusions

A high prevalence of overweight and abdominally obese adolescents, with high levels of serum lipid profiles, were observed. Moreover, overweight and abdominally obese adolescents were more likely to have high triglyceride levels.
The use of the “eduball” educational ball in rural and urban primary schools and the physical fitness levels of children
Authors: Cichy Ireneusz , Rokita Andrzej
Published: February 2013

Purpose

Our study aimed at assessing the effects of introducing a modified physical educational program that uses “eduball” educational balls during exercise, play-time and games on the physical fitness of first-grade primary school students. In addition, the study also took under consideration whether any noted changes depended on where the students lived, i.e., in an urban or rural environment.

Methods

A total of 127 first-grade students were selected to participate in the pedagogical experiment, with 48 students from a primary school in an urban environment and 79 students from two primary schools located in rural villages. The physical fitness levels of the children were assessed by using selected batteries from the International Physical Fitness Test before and after implementing the “eduball” physical education program.

Results

The results found that physical fitness levels were not affected by the use of the “eduball” educational ball, regardless of the environment. However, the physical fitness results of both the boys and girls in the rural experimental group may confirm that the activities that used the educational balls, which emphasize running, can have an impact on the motor development of children’s speed and agility skills.

Conclusions

The boys from the urban experimental and urban control groups in both tests achieved better results than their peers from rural areas. However, this may be more strongly related to the overall higher physical fitness levels of the boys from an urban environment (as was found in the first test), rather than their place of residence or their schools’ sports facilities, which were found to be comparable. In the groups of girls, a somewhat different trend was observed, with girls from the urban environment performing better than girls from rural areas among the analyzed fitness variables in the first test, but with the differences leveling out by the second test.
Physical education in the decade of education for sustainable development: a study with brazilian physical education teachers and educators
Authors: Osborne Renata
Published: February 2013

Purpose

In light of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, an international proposal led by UNESCO beginning in 2005 and continuing until 2014, this study’s objective was to investigate how physical education, at a local level, can contribute to the goal of sustainable educational development.

Methods

In order to analyze the research objective, a qualitative method was used. Sixteen professionals from public schools participated in the study. Seven schools and three administrative buildings were visited with data collected by means of interviews, observations and document analysis.

Results

The following issues were addressed: school culture; the relationships between Environmental Education, Education for Sustainable Development and physical education; the cultivation of values through cooperative and competitive games; various challenges; and the opportunities for physical education within the UN’s Decade of Education for Sustainable Development initiative.

Conclusions

This study concluded that: future partnerships with schools should be aware of and respect school culture; efforts should be made to facilitate schoolwork done outside of school; there is a need for investment in school resources as well in the continuing education of teachers; it is necessary to treat both Environmental Education and Education for Sustainable Development as one symbiotic entity and focus more on the execution of its prerogatives rather than nomenclature.
New geochemical data on fossil wood from the Albian of the Dolomites (Southern Alps, Italy)
Authors: Lukeneder Alexander , Bechtel Achim , Gratzer Reinhard
Published: February 2013

Information is provided about organic-matter bearing sediments and fossil drift-wood from the Puez area (Col de Puez, Southern Alps) near Wolkenstein (S. Tyrol, Italy). The locality is located on the Trento Plateau which represents a submarine high during the Lower Cretaceous. Its terpenoid hydrocarbon composition indicates that the wood fragment derived from a conifer belonging to the family Podocarpaceae or Araucariaceae. Intense degradation of OM argues for lengthier drifting. Long-term drifting is also indicated by the infestation of the bivalve Teredo (“shipworm”). The finding of a fossil tree trunk sheds some light on the early Lower Cretaceous tectonic history of the Trento Plateau and the Dolomites.
Remagnetization of Upper Jurassic limestones from the Danubian Unit (Southern Carpathians, Romania): tectonic implications
Authors: Cristian G. Panaiotu , Cristina E. Panaiotu , Iuliana Lazăr
Published: February 2013

We present a pioneering paleomagnetic study on Upper Jurassic limestones from the Danubian Unit (Southern Carpathians, Romania). Thermal and alternating field demagnetizations were applied to define the characteristic remanent magnetization component in all six localities (81 samples). All samples have a normal polarity characteristic remanent magnetization. Negative regional and local fold tests suggest that this remanent magnetization is in fact a remagnetization produced by late diagenetic processes. The studied limestones were probably remagnetized during the collision of the Getic Unit and Danubian Unit which took place during the long normal polarity Chron C34 (82-118 Ma). The area mean direction (D = 75.5°, I = 50.0°, α95 = 10.2°, k = 44) implies about 75° clockwise rotation post remagnetization. Our paleomagnetic results further indicate the absence of significant relative rotation between the Getic Unit and the Danubian Unit during the Cenozoic.
Unconventional hydrocarbon resources of the Bjelovar Subdepression (Pannonian Basin System) in Croatia: an overview
Authors: Tomislav Malvić , Ana Majstorović Bušić
Published: February 2013

The Croatian part of the Pannonian Basin System includes several Miocene chronostratigraphic (sub)stages mostly characterized by weak permeable clastic sediments. They are often also mature source rocks at depths of more than 2500 m, from Late Badenian to Early Pannonian ages, represented by marls and calcitic marls, and kerogene Types II and III. The other types of weakly permeable sediments are tight sandstone mostly of Badenian age. Those two lithotypes are potential unconventional reservoirs described in the Bjelovar Subdepression, regarding their age, geological evolution, lithology, porosity and permeability. Domination of kerogene Type III and low total organic carbon defined marls as gas-bearing source rocks. Both marls and tight sandstones mostly have porosity less than 10 % and permeability less than 10-3 µm2. It is about 10-100 times lesser permeability than in conventional reservoirs. Weakly permeable zones are highly stochastically distributed and fluid flows are relatively short (several meters), which could be enhanced only by the using hydraulic or other fracturing techniques.
Stability of kaolin sand from the Vyšný Petrovec deposit (south Slovakia) in an acid environment
Authors: Martin Pentrák , Jana Madejová , Slávka Andrejkovičová , Peter Uhlík , Peter Komadel
Published: February 2013

Comprehensive characterization of kaolin sand from the Vyšný Petrovec (VP) deposit in Slovakia by a variety of experimental methods was performed. The quantitative XRD analysis (RockJock software) revealed that the acid-untreated sample contained mainly kaolinite (~60 wt. %), a considerable amount of dioctahedral micas (~32 wt. %) and quartz (~ 7 wt. %). The Hinckley index (HI) and Aparicio-Galán-Ferrel index (AGFI) calculated from the 02l and 11l reflections showed medium-defect kaolinite to be present in the VP kaolin. The influence of the mineral composition of VP kaolin on its stability in 6 mol · dm-3 HCl at 95 °C was investigated. The solid reaction products were examined by chemical analysis; XRD and infrared spectroscopy in both middle (MIR) and near (NIR) regions. Considerably higher dissolution rate of Fe compared to Al indicated that Fe was bounded in a readily soluble phase rather than in kaolinite. While the MIR spectra confirmed the gradual release of the central atoms from the clay minerals layers and creation of amorphous silica upon acid treatment, the NIR spectra revealed the formation of Si-OH groups in the solid reaction product. Relatively high dissolution rate of VP kaolin resulted from the presence of small-grains of mediumdefect kaolinite and clay admixtures in VP kaolin sand.
Pharmacological influence on processes of adjuvant arthritis: effect of the combination of an antioxidant active substance with methotrexate
Authors: Drafi Frantisek , Bauerova Katarina , Kuncirova Viera , Ponist Silvester , Mihalova Danica , Fedorova Tatiana , Harmatha Juraj , Nosal Radomir
Published: February 2013

Oxygen metabolism has an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. A certain correlation was observed between oxidative stress, arthritis and the immune system. Reactive oxygen species produced in the course of cellular oxidative phosphorylation and by activated phagocytic cells during oxidative burst, exceed the physiological buffering capacity and result in oxidative stress. The excessive production of ROS can damage protein, lipids, nucleic acids, and matrix components. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have an altered antioxidant defense capacity barrier. In the present study the effect of substances with antioxidative properties, i.e. pinosylvin and carnosine, was determined in monotherapy for the treatment of adjuvant arthritis (AA). Moreover carnosine was evaluated in combination therapy with methotrexate. Rats with AA were administered first pinosylvin (30 mg/kg body mass daily per os), second carnosine (150 mg/kg body mass daily per os) in monotherapy for a period of 28 days. Further, rats with AA were administered methotrexate (0.3 mg/kg body mass 2-times weekly per os), and a combination of methotrexate+carnosine, with the carnosine dose being the same as in the previous experiment. Parameters, i.e. changes in hind paw volume and arthritic score were determined in rats as indicators of destructive arthritis-associated clinical changes. Plasmatic levels of TBARS and lag time of Fe2+- induced lipid peroxidation (tau-FeLP) in plasma and brain were specified as markers of oxidation. Plasmatic level of CRP and activity of γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in spleen and joint were used as inflammation markers. In comparison to pinosylvin, administration of carnosine monotherapy led to a significant decrease in the majority of the parameters studied. In the combination treatment with methotrexate+carnosine most parameters monitored were improved more remarkably than by methotrexate alone. Carnosine can increase the disease-modifying effect of methotrexate treatment in rat AA.
Review of skin irritation/corrosion hazards on the basis of human data: a regulatory perspective
Authors: Basketter David , Jírova Dagmar , Kandárová Helena
Published: February 2013

Regulatory classification of skin irritation has historically been based on rabbit data, however current toxicology processes are transitioning to in vitro alternatives. The in vitro assays have to provide sufficient level of sensitivity as well as specificity to be accepted as replacement methods for the existing in vivo assays. This is usually achieved by comparing the in vitro results to classifications obtained in animals. Significant drawback of this approach is that neither in vivo nor in vitro methods are calibrated against human hazard data and results obtained in these assays may not correspond to situation in human.

The main objective of this review was to establish an extended database of substances classified according to their human hazard to serve for further development of alternative methods relevant to human health as well as resource for improved regulatory classification. The literature has been reviewed to assemble all the available information on the testing of substances in the human 4 h human patch test, which is the only standardized protocol in humans matching the exposure conditions of the regulatory accepted in vivo rabbit skin irritation test.

A total of 81 substances tested according to the defined 4 h human patch test protocol were found and collated into a dataset together with their existing in vivo classifications published in the literature. While about 50% of the substances in the database are classified as irritating based on the rabbit skin test, on using the 4 h HPT test, less than 20% were identified as acutely irritant to human skin. Based on the presented data, it can be concluded that the rabbit skin irritation test largely over-predicts human responses for the evaluated chemicals. Correct classification of the acute skin irritation hazard will only be possible if newly developed in vitro toxicology methods will be calibrated to produce results relevant to man.
Predicting co-morbidities in chemically sensitive individuals from exhaled breath analysis
Authors: Zeliger Harold I. , Pan Yaqin , Rea William J.
Published: February 2013

The exhaled breath of more than four hundred patients who presented at the Environmental Health Center - Dallas with chemical sensitivity conditions were analyzed for the relative abundance of their breath chemical composition by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry for volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds. All presenting patients had no fewer than four and as many as eight co-morbid conditions. Surprisingly, almost all the exhaled breath analyses showed the presence of a preponderance of lipophilic aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. The hydrophilic compounds present were almost entirely of natural origin, i.e. expected metabolites of foods. The lipophile, primarily C3 to C16 hydrocarbons and believed to have come from inhalation of polluted air, were, in all cases, present at concentrations far below those known to be toxic to humans, but caused sensitivity and signs of chemical overload. The co-morbid health effects observed are believed to be caused by the sequential absorption of lipophilic and hydrophilic chemicals; an initial absorption and retention of lipophile followed by a subsequent absorption of hydrophilic species facilitated by the retained lipophile to produce chemical mixtures that are toxic at very low levels. It is hypothesized that co-morbid conditions in chemically sensitive individuals can be predicted from analysis of their exhaled breath.
Braided-river and hyperconcentrated-flow deposits from the Carboniferous of the Lublin Basin (SE Poland) – a sedimentological study of core data
Authors: Waksmundzka Maria I.
Published: February 2013

Fining-upwards cyclothems found in five boreholes in the Carboniferous (Lower Bashkirian) of the Lublin Basin were analysed sedimentologically. It was established that the cyclothems represent fluvial deposits, and the lithofacies were grouped into lithofacies associations. Most lithofacies associations represent three types of sand-bed braided rivers: (1) high-energy, (2) deep and (3) distal sheetflood-affected. Other associations represent hyperconcentrated flows. Both coarse-grained (type I) and fine-grained (types IIa and IIb) occur among the fining-upward cyclothems. The formation of most thick cyclothems was related mainly to allocyclic factors, i.e. a decrease in the river’s gradient. The thickest fining-upward cyclothems are characteristic of hyperconcentrated flows and braided-river channels. The aggradation ratios were commonly high.

During the early Namurian C and early Westphalian A (Early Bashkirian), the eastern part of the Lublin Basin was located close to the source area. The sedimentary succession developed due to a transition from high-energy braidedrivers and hyperconcentrated flows to lower-energy braided rivers, controlled by a rise of the regional base level.
Effects of Aliskiren on Blood Pressure and Myocardial Function Assessed by Global Longitudinal Strain in Patients with Arterial Hypertension and Diastolic Dysfunction
Authors: Manov Emil , Shabani Rabhat , Naydenov Stefan N. , Runev Nikolay M. , Donova Temenuga I.
Published: February 2013

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of aliskiren on blood pressure and myocardial functionassessed by global longitudinal strain in patients with uncontrolled arterial hypertension.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-fi ve patients were included in the study (29 males, 16 females,
mean age 58.7 ± 12.4 years) with BP > 140/90 mmHg despite treatment with combined antihypertensive
therapy and echocardiographic data for diastolic dysfunction: Е/Е’ratio ≤
8, Е/А ratio < 0.8, deceleration time (DT) > 200 msec. Aliskiren (2 х 150 mg per day) was
added to the previous therapy. The follow-up period was 1 year, including monthly clinical
visits. Echocardiographic assessment of the left ventricular function by longitudinal strain
and Doppler analysis of the trans-mitral blood flow was performed at months 1, 6, 12.

RESULTS: The baseline systolic and diastolic blood pressures scores were 153.4 ± 14.4/99.2
± 6.7 mmHg and 157.6 ± 12.5/97.3 ± 8.2 mmHg for males and females, respectively. The
systolic and diastolic values at 1 month were 131.7 ± 7.4/83.6 ± 5.2 mmHg for males and
132.4 ± 5.3/81.8 ± 6.9 mmHg for females (р < 0.05 vs. baseline). The baseline Е/Е’ was 6.5
± 0.9, Е/А - 0.6 ± 001, DT - 258 ± 32.7 msec. These indicators at month 12 were as follows:
Е/Е’ - 7.0 ± 0.64, Е/А - 0.7 ± 0.05, DT - 239 ± 16.5 msec, р = NS. Baseline global longitudinal
strain in males was -10.4 ± 0.7% and -11.0 ± 0.9% in females and at month 12 - 16.3 ± 0.9%
and -17.5 ± 0.7% for males and females, respectively, р < 0.05. For the period of follow-up
no adverse effects due to aliskiren treatment were registered.

CONCLUSIONS: Adding aliskiren to combined antihypertensive therapy leads to significant
improvement of hypertension control and myocardial function assessed by global longitudinal
strain.
Evaluation of participation of Czech regions in FP7 projects
during the period 2007 – 2011
Authors: Frank Daniel
Published: February 2013

The aim of this paper is to evaluate existing stakeholder participation by region in the FP7, to determine the success of regions in terms of utilization of funds provided by the FP7 and the use of their scientifi c research capacities in human resources, to try to analyze regional differences in access to the FP7 at the regional level and compare the results with previous data on the participation of entities from the Czech Republic in the past FP.
The effect of AgroHydroGel and irrigation on celeriac yield and quality
Authors: Kosterna Edyta , Zaniewicz-Bajkowska Anna , Rosa Robert , Franczuk Jolanta
Published: February 2013

The experiment investigated the effect of different irrigation methods (no irrigation, irrigation by means of a drip tape) and method of AgroHydroGel application (control, AgroHydroGel applied to seedlings, AgroHydroGel applied to plants in the field, half of the AgroHydroGel applied to seedlings, the other half to plants in the field) on the yield level and quality of celeriac grown in the field. Irrigation significantly increased yields as well as the average weight of the marketable root; however, it had no influence on the nutrient contents. The application of AgroHydroGel to plants in the field or in a split proportion resulted in the most favourable influence on yielding. In the non-irrigated combination, AgroHydroGel applied entirely to plants in the field or in a split proportion increased marketable root yields. In the irrigated treatments, the highest yield was obtained in the plots where hydrogel was applied to plants in the field. Roots from the treatments where AgroHydroGel had been applied in a split proportion contained more dry matter as compared to the control. In the non-irrigated combination, AgroHydroGel applied entirely to plants in the field and in a split proportion increased ascorbic acid content. Simultaneously, irrigation and hydrogel application in a split proportion increased total sugar content as compared to the plants in which the hydrogel was only applied to the seedlings
Stress responses of spring rape plants to soil flooding
Authors: Balakhnina T. , Bennicelli R. , Stêpniewska Z. , Stêpniewski W. , Borkowska A. , Fomina I.
Published: February 2013

Stress responses of spring rape to soil hypoxia were investigated during 8-days flooding. Soil air-filled porosity decreased from 25-30% to 0%, oxygen diffusion rate - from 2.6-3.5 to 0.34 μmol O2 m-2 s-1, and redox potential - from 460 to 150mVwithin few hours. Alcohol dehydrogenase activity in roots increased up to 7-fold after one day of flooding and then decreased to 170% of control. Superoxide dismutase activity in roots increased by 27% during first 3 days and then dropped to 60% of control; in the leaves superoxide dismutase activity increased in average by 44%. Ascorbate peroxidase activity in leaves increased by 37% during first 3 days and then decreased to control value. Glutathione reductase activity increased by 45% in roots of flooded plants but did not change in leaves. Proline concentration in leaves increased up to 4-fold on the 3d day of flooding and then decreased to control value. Thus soil flooding induces increase of alcohol dehydrogenase activity and subsequent increase of superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase activities in roots while the leaves display a few days increase of free proline concentration and ascorbate peroxidase activity, and a long-term increase of superoxide dismutase activity.
Stabilities of ant nests and their adjacent soils
Authors: Echezona B.C. , Igwe C.A.
Published: February 2013

Nests habour ants and termites and protect them from harsh environmental conditions. The structural stabilities of nests were studied to ascertain their relative vulnerability to environmental stresses. Arboreal-ant nests were pried from different trees, while epigeous-termite nests were excavated from soil surface within the sample area. Soils without any visible sign of ant or termite activity were also sampled 6 m away from the nests as control. Laboratory analysis result showed that irrespective of the tree hosts, the aggregate stabilities of the ant nests were lower than those of the ground termite, with nests formed on Cola nitida significantly showing lower aggregate stability (19.7%) than other antnest structures. Clay dispersion ratio, moisture content, water stable aggregate class <0.25mm and sand mass were each negatively correlated with aggregate stability, while water stable aggregate class1.00-0.50 mm gave a positive correlation. Nest structures were dominated more by water stable aggregate class >2.00 mm but path analysis demonstrated that water stable aggregate class <0.25 mm contributed most to the higher aggregate stability of the termite nest than the other nest. Nest aggregates had greater structural stability compared to the control soil. The higher structural stability of termite nests over other nest and soil was considered a better adaptive mechanism against body desiccation.
Enhancement in growth and yield of mushroom using magnetic field treatment
Authors: Jamil Y. , Haq Zia ul , Iqbal M. , Perveen T. , Amin N.
Published: February 2013

The magnetic treatment effects on mushroom spawn growth and yield were studied. The spawn of mushroom were exposed to full-wave rectified sinusoidal magnetic field. The spawn were grown after magnetic field treatment under controlled laboratory conditions. The magnetic field treatment resulted in significant increase (P<0.05) in the growth and yield of mushroom. The number of pin heads formed, number of pin heads developed into mature mushrooms, fresh (wet) and dry masses increased up to 38.18, 34.83, 76.43, and 38.26%, respectively, while reduction in number of days for spawn complete running and number of days for appearance of pin heads was found to be -3.14 and -26.86%, respectively.
Effect of 1-methylcyclopropene treatment on green asparagus quality during cold storage
Authors: Zhang Peng , Zhang Min , Wang Shaojin , Wu Zhishuang
Published: February 2013

Green asparagus was treated with 1-methylcyclopropene at three concentration levels at room temperature for 24 h after harvest to evaluate the postharvest quality during cold storage at 4°C. Comparing with the controls, the loss of vitamin C, decomposition of chlorophyll, and accumulation of the malonydiadehyde under treatments of 1-methylcyclopropene were reduced during storage. The enzyme activities in asparagus including peroxidase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase were inhibited by 1-methylcyclopropene treatments, while the activity of superoxide dismutase was enhanced. Based on non-significant difference of the treated samples with 6 ìl l-1, 1-methylcyclopropene treatments at 4 ìl l-1 could be selected to maintain postharvest quality of green asparagus and provide long storage life.
Cold-bent laminated glass and steel canopy for a bus station next to Amsterdam Central Station
Authors: Vákár László , van Wolfswinkel Jan , Snijder Bert
Published: February 2013

Construction of a new bus station has started on the waterfront behind Amsterdam Central Station. The finished canopy will be 360 m long and 63 m wide, and consists of steel arches. The arches are interconnected by purlins and covered mainly with a new material: cold-bent laminated glass panes. Cold-bent glass makes it possible to build a roof of this size to a limited budget. Not only is the glass itself cheaper than some other materials, but bent glass panes can be thinner, reducing dead weight. Furthermore, cold-bent glass can follow any deformation in the structure easily and the joints between the long, bent (unfacetted) glass-carrying profiles are simple. The glass detailing also ensures safety in the event of a fire. This paper presents the advantages of cold-bent laminated glass over traditional glass and plastics, and demonstrates that cold-bent laminated glass makes it possible to build a very elegant station canopy at an affordable price.
Constitutive Models for Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete Members
Authors: Lee Seong-Cheol , Cho Jae-Yeol , Vecchio Frank J.
Published: February 2013

The constitutive models for the monotonic compressive and tensile behaviour of SFRC members were presented in this paper. The developed fibre tension model was expanded to the cyclic tensile behaviour of SFRC. The proposed models have been verified through the test results obtained from the extensive experimental program conducted by the authors’ research group. In addition, with the consideration of stress variation of concrete matrix between cracks, which are due to steel fibres bridging a crack and the bond mechanism of a conventional rebar, the tension stiffening model and the average crack spacing model have been also developed so that the tensile behaviour of SFRC members with a conventional rebar (R/SFRC) could be accurately predicted. The proposed models can easily be implemented in most analysis procedures so that they will be useful in simulating the structural behaviour of SFRC or R/SFRC members.
Shaping of Multi-Span Concrete Viaducts in Urban Areas
Authors: Onysyk Jerzy , Biliszczuk Jan
Published: February 2013

The majority of viaducts constructed in urban areas are concrete beam viaducts with spans of 25.0÷60.0 m. Due to the specific location of these viaducts, their elevations as well as the structural solutions applied in them are visibly accessible to the users of the transport infrastructure. When shaping such viaducts, it is thus essential to pursue their positive aesthetic reception, meeting the reasonable cost requirement. The material presented in this paper may inspire a debate binding the above-mentioned issues. Conditions for standard bridge architecture have been presented. The paper provides also examples of pier and span shaping in urban concrete viaducts (mainly prestressed concrete viaducts designed by the authors) as well as commentaries on particular solutions. Final conclusion have been drawn.
Construction control of an urban space steel arch bridge with double cable planes
Authors: Liu Chao , Xu Haijun , Zhang Jingwei , Xu Dong
Published: February 2013

Pingcheng Road Bridge is an urban space steel arch bridge with a main span 89 m. The space arch and curve deck system will be assembled in temporary false work, and the influence on deck system of false work under cables tensioning construction should be considered. The keys about the construction control of this bridge are as the following: 1) the reasonable tensioning time and forces of cables taken the influence of false work into account; 2) the accurate transverse pre-camber of deck system; 3) the appropriate removal time and sequence of false work; 4) the overall and local stability of bridge in the whole construction process.
Numerical Computations for Aerodynamic Forces on Triangular Sections
Authors: Noh Jae Geun , Lee Sungsu , Kim Hak Sun
Published: February 2013

Recent increase in construction of long span bridges requires wind-resistance design for dynamic stability. Conventional wind tunnel tests of scaled model are still widely, but applications of computational fluid dynamics(CFD) have recently been increasing. One of the major drawbacks of CFD application based on body-fitted grid to wind flow around bridge is complexity in grid system and inaccuracy due to unfavorable mesh. In order to overcome these, immersed boundary method (IBM) is applied in this paper, which utilized Cartesian, non-body conforming grid. Instead of traditional extrapolation scheme for momentum forcing in IBM often yielding numerical instability when the body has sharp corners such as in bridge decks, interpolation scheme is adopted and shown to result in stable results. In this paper, the numerical stability and accuracy of developed scheme were verified from numerical analysis for unsteady, viscous flow around 2-dimensional equilateral triangular at =250 by comparing results with previous studies. In addition, aerodynamic forces on isosceles triangular shape cylinders of aspect ratio from 0.5 to 4 of at =250 are simulated. The results show the reduction of mean drag and the increase of lift fluctuation as increase of aspect ratio. As the aspect ratio approaches to 2:1, the relatively large amplitude of lift with low frequency is observed due to the reattachment of separated flow and leading vortex shedding of long period when the windward side of the triangular section is vertical to the inflow. The present results show that the interpolation scheme adapted to IBM can be applied to CFD of wind flow around bridges.
The Application of Smartphones in Bridge Inspection and Monitoring
Authors: Morgenthal Guido
Published: February 2013

Smartphones and tablets have the potential to revolutionise the mobile collection of data. The inspection of infrastructures, specifically of bridges, is an important aspect of maintenance in relation to ensuring a long service life and hence improving the sustainability of the building stock.

Numerous technical features of modern smartphones make these very light and mobile devices perfectly suitable for recording, storing, transmitting and visualising data acquired “in the field”. Numerous built-in sensors can be utilised. This paper presents the main relevant features of such devices, the software implementation that has been developed and possible usage scenarios on actual structures.
West Gate Bridge Strengthening Project - Strengthening of the Main Cable Stayed Bridge
Authors: Murphy Chris , Percy Robert , Platt Alan
Published: February 2013

This paper describes the structural assessment work carried out by the West Gate Bridge Strengthening Alliance ("WGBSA") on the West Gate cable-stayed spans in devising the necessary strengthening measures, the approaches adopted to optimise the strengthening and the various challenges faced by the construction team to implement the strengthening.
West Gate Bridge Strengthening Project - Context and Project Objectives
Authors: Ccunningham John
Published: February 2013

In 2006 the Victorian Government announced funding to carry out essential strengthening of the West Gate Bridge to ensure that it was able to continue to perform its critical function within the State’s transport network. The strengthening project was to be planned and carried out over a 10 year period consistent with the approach adopted for the strengthening of similar bridges elsewhere in the world.

At the same time, and independent of the announcement regarding West Gate Bridge, the Government entered into a contract to complete a $1.5bn upgrade of the Monash-CityLink-West Gate (M1) Freeway over a length of 75km either side of the West Gate Bridge. This much broader project was to be delivered within 5 years, including essential works across West Gate Bridge.

Consequently the strengthening project had to be compressed into a much shorter time frame than had been achieved anywhere else, with analysis, design and construction completed within three and a half years - while the Bridge continued to carry up to 160,000 vehicles each day.

This paper discusses the complex history of the West Gate Bridge, the objectives of the strengthening project and how they fitted into the overall context of the M1 Upgrade project, the formation of the West Bridge Strengthening Alliance to design and carry out the strengthening works, and what the outcome has been for the State of Victoria and the future of the Bridge.
Estimation of Seismic Behaviour of Corroded Steel Bridge Plates
Authors: Appuhamy Ruwan , Ohga Mitao , Chun Pang-Jo , Furukawa Seiji , Dissanayake Ranjith
Published: February 2013

The maintenance and safety of existing bridges is an important concern of all highway and railroads. Corrosion is one of the most important causes of deterioration of steel girder bridges which affects their long term mechanical performance, usability and durability. Furthermore, some recent earthquakes demonstrated the potential seismic vulnerability of some types of steel bridges, and hence, it would be very important to understand the behavior of existing steel bridges which are corroding for decades in future severe seismic events. Therefore, the prediction of residual ultimate strength capacities of steel bridge members with different corrosion conditions is investigated under different earthquake loadings and a methodology to assess the seismic demand of existing steel bridge members with different corrosion conditions is discussed.
Scaled Model Design and Verification of Shaking Table Test of Taizhou Changjiang Highway Bridge
Authors: Peng Tianbo , Han Lei , Zhao Yi , Yan Jukao
Published: February 2013

Taizhou Changjiang Highway Bridge, which belongs to three-pylon two-span suspension bridge, realizes the purpose of crossing the broad and open water area with super long span bridge, attracting the attention in the field of the bridge around the world. However, the investigation on the seismic performance of this kind of bridge is insufficient. Shaking table test of Taizhou Changjiang Highway Bridge will be carried out to study in-depth the influences of some important factors on the seismic performance of this bridge, including restraining system and non-uniform excitation.

During the process of designing the shaking table test model of Taizhou Changjiang Highway Bridge, it would be difficult to manufacture the test specimens of the girder and pylons if the similarity ratio is strictly followed. To overcome this problem, in this paper, the simplified scaled model is adopted to consider the similarity ratio of flexural stiffness but ignore the similarity ratio of the torsion and axial stiffness. Based on an FEM model, comparison of the internal forces and displacements reveals that the differences between the simplified scaled model and the prototype are acceptable. So, the simplified scaled model can be used to perform the shaking table test.
The Measurement and Control of Cable Tensile Forces in Cable-Stayed Bridge using Laser Vibrometer
Authors: Kim Dongwoan , Jun Jintaek , Kim Cheolhwan , Ahn Donggeun , Kim Byungsu
Published: February 2013

Currently, indirect measurement using dynamic data from cable is widely used measuring the natural frequency of cable from the accelerometer attached to the surface and convert the data into tensile force. However, it sometimes requires many hazardous works such as attaching the device on the surface of cable, writing it with data logger, etc, which could hinder the safety of workers in the middle of cable.

New measurement system(laser vibrometer tension measuring system, LVTMS) using wireless laser-vibrometer is developed to eliminate the unsafe works and adjust the cable tension force as well. Through the LVTMS, field engineers are able to figure out the cable tension force in no time while standing on the field. In addition, the result by the previous method is to be compared. As a result, the LVTMS is proved to be accurate and reliable
Extending the life of old infrastructure systems: the problem of overweight traffic management
Authors: Zandonini Riccardo , Zonta Daniele , Debiasi Emiliano
Published: February 2013

Managing large infrastructure systems is a multi-disciplinary activity requiring expertise from many areas, including fields of research beyond the typical scope of the structural engineer. The process of risk analysis and decision-making itself involves knowledge of the cognitive mechanisms and the psychology of economic decisions. Mere structural reliability is just one of many aspects affecting decisions, while economic, social, ethical and legal issues must also be considered in a risk model answering to the owner's perspective. This contribution focuses on the legal issues entailed by the authorization - to be issued by transportation agencies - of overweight traffic on road bridges. In fact, correct decision-making should consider the legal liability involved in possible catastrophic events. Currently, transportation agencies do not know how to behave in the case of transit applications on their bridges. This is because most bridges operating in Western Countries were built according to old codes that foresaw design loads inconsistent with today’s traffic demand. In this paper we illustrate how this problem is addressed by the Department of Transportation of the Italian Autonomous Province of Trento, a medium-sized agency managing approximately one thousand bridges across its territory. In their basic approach, APT does not authorize the transit of overweight loads unless it is demonstrated that the effect is less than that of the nominal design load. When this condition is not satisfied, a formal evaluation is carried out in an attempt to assess a higher load carrying capacity for the bridge. If, after the reassessment, the capacity is insufficient, the bridge is classified as sub-standard and a formal evaluation of the operational risk is performed in order to define a priority ranking for future reinforcement or replacement. We illustrate the system operation with a number of practical examples.
Infrastructure Management in Portugal: A Survey
Authors: Gonçalves Bruno , Matos José , Lourenço Paulo
Published: February 2013

This study has the objective of gathering information over infrastructures’ management systems used by the main infrastructure operators in Portugal. The typological diversity of infrastructures encompassed in this study is wide, from highway, airports, railways, subways, dams, and seaports operators. The most relevant topics were approached in face-to-face interviews with the people in charge of the infrastructures management. The topics approached ranged from organization, protection and accessibility of information in the management system, to inspection, maintenance and intervention systems, leading to decision making methodologies with the identification of prioritization systems, as well as environmental considerations, cost analysis and life cycle assessment. In parallel to face-to-face interviews it was carried out an online survey specially developed for inspectors, in which the objective was to gather information about their needs regarding the infrastructure management system when preforming the inspection tasks. In this article are presented the results of the study, as well as further considerations of new development topics over infrastructures’ management systems.
Anchor plates with headed studs as fastening solutions between steel and concrete
Authors: Kuhlmann Ulrike , Ožbolt Ana
Published: February 2013

In mixed building structures of steel elements with concrete structures the design of steel-to- concrete joints is a challenge to solve. Such joints can easily be realized by using anchor plates with welded headed studs or other fasteners in reinforced concrete structures. But the absence of a consistent design procedure, covering the steel behaviour as well as the concrete, is a gap that has to be filled. A suitable procedure to evaluate the behaviour of steel-to-concrete joints is presented by the component method, which already forms the basis for the design of steel joints within EN1993- 1-8. Due to the modular assembly of the joint components, it is possible to consider concrete components also in order to extend the design of steel-to-concrete joints. However the current approach is mainly focused on the steel components.

Based on an earlier work which had developed a first two-dimensional mechanical model combining the component method and the design methods for fastenings of semi-rigid steel-to- concrete joints, within the European project “InFaSo” experimental and numerical investigations on anchor plates in reinforced concrete walls have been carried out, mainly in cracked concrete, to simulate a realistic situation. As an outcome a component model has been developed which predicts the resistance, stiffness and deformation of the joint in shear (and tension) in a satisfying way. This improved component model combines the design method of EN 1993-1-8 and the plastic design approach for fastenings in concrete.
Approach for sustainable, small formatted Metal-Concrete-Composite-Slabs
Authors: Pirringer Stephan , Kollegger Johann
Published: February 2013

A new approach for composite slabs, using perforated metal sheets as reinforcement, is currently under development at Vienna University of Technology. Compared to common composite slabs with profiled metal sheets, this new design allows a reduction of the slab thickness and biaxially stressed slabs. Thereby the transmission of the shear load in the joint between the steel sheet and the concrete is established by the concrete that fills the punched holes of the perforated metal sheet during the concreting process.

This new approach of sustainable composite slabs can be used for small formatted, constructive elements, as for example covers for cable channels, deck slabs for pedestrian bridges and prefabricated parts for short spans.
Effect of Tower Stiffness on Four-span Suspension Bridges
Authors: Choi Dong-Ho , Gwon Sun Gil , Na Ho-Sung
Published: February 2013

In this paper, an analytic method for a four-span suspension bridge is presented using the deflection theory. The girders of each span are considered as simply-supported equivalent beams with axial tensions, and an iterative method such as the Newton-Raphson method is performed due to nonlinearity of the differential equations for each girder. And then, the results such as the deflections and bending moments of the girder under various load cases are compared with the finite element analysis for verification. Finally, parametric analysis for the stiffness variation of the center tower is performed.