bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Survival of pathogens in drinking water plumbing systems: impact factors and sanitation options
Authors: Meier Thomas , Bendinger Bernd
Published: March 2016

The objective was to determine impact factors that would allow Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Legionella pneumophila to survive sanitation measures of household drinking water systems. Therefore, different disinfectant concentrations were tested under different operating conditions in close-to-practice experiments. Particular attention was paid to the viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state of the pathogens. Legionella pneumophila was able to survive disinfection with ClO2 in a culturable state in the biofilm at 37 °C while successful sanitation could be achieved at 11 °C, however non-culturable cells were still present. Culturable P. aeruginosa outlasted disinfection in biofilms of pipes at elevated nutrient concentrations and in built-in parts at 37 °C. Overall, the VBNC state was not the predominant factor for its survival. Additional experiments showed that the lack of an autochthonous biofilm may promote the growth of P. aeruginosa. This emphasizes the importance of localization and elimination of contamination sources in a plumbing system before disinfection is performed and the need for compliance with operating conditions and construction requirements defined by generally recognized standards of good practice in Germany.
Mainstream partial nitritation and anammox in a 200,000 m3/day activated sludge process in Singapore: scale-down by using laboratory fed-batch reactor
Authors: Yeshi Cao , Hong Kwok Bee , van Loosdrecht Mark C. M. , Daigger Glen T. , Yi Png Hui , Wah Yuen Long , Chye Chua Seng , Ghani Yahya Abd
Published: March 2016

A laboratory fed-batch reactor has been used to study under controlled conditions the performance of partial nitritation/anammox for the 200,000 m3/day step-feed activated sludge process at the Changi Water Reclamation Plant, Singapore. The similarity of the concentrations of NH4, NO2, NO3, PO4, suspended chemical oxygen demand (sCOD), pH, and alkalinity (ALK) between the on-site process and laboratory reactor illustrates that the laboratory fed-batch reactor can be used to simulate the site performance. The performance of the reactor fed by primary effluent illustrated the existence of anammox and heterotrophic denitrification and apparent excessive biological phosphorus removal as observed from the site. The performance of the reactor fed by final effluent proved the presence of anammox process on site. Both the laboratory reactor and on-site process showed that higher influent 5-day biochemical oxygen demand/total nitrogen (BOD5/TN) (COD/TN) ratio increases the nitrogen removal efficiency of the process.
Optimizing Cu(II) removal from aqueous solution by magnetic nanoparticles immobilized on activated carbon using Taguchi method
Authors: Ebrahimi Zarandi Mohammad Javad , Sohrabi Mahmoud Reza , Khosravi Morteza , Mansouriieh Nafiseh , Davallo Mehran , Khosravan Azita
Published: March 2016

This study synthesized magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4) immobilized on activated carbon (AC) and used them as an effective adsorbent for Cu(II) removal from aqueous solution. The effect of three parameters, including the concentration of Cu(II), dosage of Fe3O4/AC magnetic nanocomposite and pH on the removal of Cu(II) using Fe3O4/AC nanocomposite were studied. In order to examine and describe the optimum condition for each of the mentioned parameters, Taguchi's optimization method was used in a batch system and L9 orthogonal array was used for the experimental design. The removal percentage (R%) of Cu(II) and uptake capacity (q) were transformed into an accurate signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) for a ‘larger-the-better’ response. Taguchi results, which were analyzed based on choosing the best run by examining the S/N, were statistically tested using analysis of variance; the tests showed that all the parameters’ main effects were significant within a 95% confidence level. The best conditions for removal of Cu(II) were determined at pH of 7, nanocomposite dosage of 0.1 gL−1 and initial Cu(II) concentration of 20 mg L−1 at constant temperature of 25 °C. Generally, the results showed that the simple Taguchi's method is suitable to optimize the Cu(II) removal experiments.
Utilization of maize husk (Zea mays L.) as low-cost adsorbent in removal of iron from aqueous solution
Authors: Indah S. , Helard D. , Sasmita A.
Published: March 2016

Adsorption of iron from aqueous solution by using maize husk (Zea mays L.) as a low-cost adsorbent was studied. Batch experiments were carried out at ambient temperature, 0.075–0.250 mm of particle size and 100 rpm of agitation speed to determine the influence of initial pH, adsorbent dose, initial concentration and contact time on the removal of iron. Langmuir and Freundlich models were applied to describe the adsorption isotherm of iron by maize husk. The results showed that optimum condition of iron removal were 4 of pH solution, 20 g/L of adsorbent dose, 10 mg/L of Fe concentration and 15 min of contact time of adsorption with 0.499 mg Fe/g maize husk of adsorption capacity. Experimental data fitted well to Langmuir's adsorption equilibrium isotherm within the concentration range studied. This study demonstrated that maize husk, which is an agricultural waste, has potential for iron removal from groundwater or other polluted waters.
The Development of Rapastinel (Formerly GLYX-13); A Rapid Acting and Long Lasting Antidepressant
Authors: Moskal Joseph R. , Burgdorf Jeffrey S. , Stanton Patric K. , Kroes Roger A. , Disterhoft John F. , Burch Ronald M. , Khan M. Amin
Published: March 2016

Background: Rapastinel (GLYX-13) is a NMDA receptor modulator with
glycine-site partial agonist properties. It is a robust cognitive enhancer and shows rapid
and long-lasting antidepressant properties in both animal models and in humans.

Methods: Rapastinel was derived from a monoclonal antibody, B6B21, is a tetrapeptide
(threonine-proline-proline-threonine-amide) obtained from amino acid sequence
information obtained from sequencing one of the hypervariable regions of the light
chain of B6B21. The in-vivo and in-vitro pharmacology of rapastinel was examined.

Results: Rapastinel was found to be a robust cognitive enhancer in a variety of
learning and memory paradigms and shows marked antidepressant-like properties in
multiple models including the forced swim (Porsolt), learned helplessness and chronic
unpredictable stress. Rapastinel’s rapid-acting antidepressant properties appear to be mediated by its
ability to activate NMDA receptors leading to enhancement in synaptic plasticity processes associated with
learning and memory. This is further substantiated by the increase in mature dendritic spines found 24 hrs
after rapastinel treatment in both the rat dentate gyrus and layer five of the medial prefrontal cortex. Moreover,
ex vivo LTP studies showed that the effects of rapastinel persisted at least two weeks post-dosing.

Conclusion: These data suggest that rapastinel has significant effects on metaplasticity processes that
may help explain the long lasting antidepressant effects of rapastinel seen in the human clinical trial results.
Therapeutic Modulation of Glutamate Receptors in Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Jaso Brittany A. , Niciu Mark J. , Iadarola Nicolas D. , Lally Niall , Richards Erica M. , Park Minkyung , Ballard Elizabeth D. , Nugent Allison C. , Machado-Vieira Rodrigo , Zarate Carlos A.
Published: March 2016

Current pharmacotherapies for major depressive disorder (MDD) have a
distinct lag of onset that can prolong distress and impairment for patients, and realworld
effectiveness trials further suggest that antidepressant efficacy is limited in
many patients. All currently approved antidepressant medications for MDD act
primarily through monoaminergic mechanisms, e.g., receptor/reuptake agonists or
antagonists with varying affinities for serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine.
Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, and
glutamate and its cognate receptors are implicated in the pathophysiology of MDD,
as well as in the development of novel therapeutics for this disorder. Since the rapid
and robust antidepressant effects of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist
ketamine were first observed in 2000, other NMDA receptor antagonists have been studied in MDD.
These have been associated with relatively modest antidepressant effects compared to ketamine, but some
have shown more favorable characteristics with increased potential in clinical practice (for instance, oral
administration, decreased dissociative and/or psychotomimetic effects, and reduced abuse/diversion
liability). This article reviews the clinical evidence supporting the use of glutamate receptor modulators
with direct affinity for cognate receptors: 1) non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonists (ketamine,
memantine, dextromethorphan, AZD6765); 2) subunit (NR2B)-specific NMDA receptor antagonists (CP-
101,606/traxoprodil, MK-0657); 3) NMDA receptor glycine-site partial agonists (D-cycloserine, GLYX-
13); and 4) metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) modulators (AZD2066, RO4917523/basimglurant).
Several other theoretical glutamate receptor targets with preclinical antidepressant-like efficacy, but that
have yet to be studied clinically, are also briefly discussed; these include α-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-
isoxazoleproprionic acid (AMPA) agonists, mGluR2/3 negative allosteric modulators, and mGluR7 agonists.
A Simple Method to Reduce Interpretation Error of Ages Estimated from Otoliths
Authors: Smith Bradley J. , Dembkowski Daniel J. , James Daniel A. , Wuellner Melissa R.
Published: March 2016

We designed and tested a novel otolith viewing apparatus termed the otolith illumination device (OID) to ascertain if its use would result in a reduction of interpretation error as determined by increased precision of age estimates obtained from otoliths of walleye Sander vitreus and smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu. Clarity of annuli on otolith sections viewed with the OID was generally greater than clarity of annuli on sections viewed with an alternative method. OID-based age estimates were equally as, and in some instance more precise than ages estimated using the alternative method. Additionally, no systematic differences in coefficients of variation across ages were detected between the OID and alternative methods of fish age estimation. Results suggest that the OID may be useful for inexperienced readers and is a viable option for reducing interpretation error, which may improve reader efficiency and accuracy and precision in estimating fish ages.
"Walking Threads, Threading Walk": Embroidering Reflection
Authors: Lembo Valeria
Published: March 2016

This both visual and textual contribution consists of a series of four separate embroideries on textile (Fig. 1, 2, 3, 4), which can be assembled into a unique piece (Fig. 5), and of a text, that engages with a reflection on the overall process of creation with and transformation of a particular daily object: a yarn of golden thread. The contribution has been inspired by the first ‘Walking Threads’ walk and event in Seaton Park, Old Aberdeen, March 2014, from which the ongoing ‘Walking Threads’ project has been initiated. The work is intended as a specific way of ‘thinking through making’ (Ingold 2013) and of further developing the research insights that appeared during and after that walk. In what ways materials, artefacts, skill apprenticeship, gesture, , lines, breathing and the ‘weather-world’ (Ingold 2007a, b, 2015) can relate to each other? It is also a personal attempt to respond to the Ingoldian call towards a ‘Graphic’ Anthropology’, within which ‘to follow the materials, to learn the movements and to draw the lines’ (Ingold 2013) are the main points at the very core of its agenda.
Anthropological Renga
Authors: Gatt Caroline
Published: March 2016

I am investigating performance training as an exploratory mode of inquiry. In conjunction with this I ask how may performative enquiry together with anthropological ways of working lead to sustainable forms of academic knowledge production. The underlying aim of my project is to find ways to decolonise academic scholarship that transcend the apparent complacency that cultural critique has proffered (Escobar and Restrepo 2005). An anthropology otherwise, in resonance with Escobar and Restrepo’s manifesto, in which I am exploring a recrafting of what anthropologists make. This needs to include who they make it for, in other words who anthropologists are accountable to, as well as the expected ‘products’ of their scholarly endeavours. This paper is an afterthought on the Walking Threads and how the event can further our understanding in collaborative work.
Modes of narrativity in the short history of Nikephoros of Constantinople
Authors: Marjanovic Dragoljub
Published: March 2016

Modes of narrativity applied in the Short history by Nikephoros of
Constantinople are investigated on the basis of several key accounts which
form a specific message of the author on the level of his entire work. This
specific manner of literary presentation is particularly manifested in
Nikephoros? original approach in portrayal of the Byzantine emperors and the
patriarchs of Constantinople of the 7th and 8th centuries, thus embedding a
specific idea of both imperial governance personalized in the reign of
emperor Herakleios, and mutual relations between the Empire and the
patriarchs of the Church of Constantinople, as presented in the accounts of
patriarchs Sergios and Pyrrhos.
On the Serbian-Bulgarian border in the 9th and the 10th centuries
Authors: Komatina Predrag
Published: March 2016

The paper analyzes the information concerning the border between the Serbs
and the Bulgarians in the 9th and the 10th centuries found in the work De
administrando imperio by the emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus. It is
made clear that there were no clearly established borderlines between the
political entities in the Early Middle Ages, and that those political
entities during that period functioned not on the basis of territorialy
organized states, but of ethnic communities, whose authority rested upon the
people, not the territory. The functioning of the early medieval Bulgarian
Khanate is one of the best examples for that. Therefore, it is necessary that
the information on the Serbian-Bulgarian border in the Porphyrogenitus? work
be analyzed in a new and different light.
Porphyrogenitus` borders on Ister and Hungarian conquest period finds in Vojvodina
Authors: Radicevic Dejan , Spehar Perica
Published: March 2016

Data from De administrando imperio covers Hungarian conquest, right after
their arrival to the Carpathian plain and to the territories they settled. In
order to describe the area of their inhabitance, author used well known facts
and clear geographical marks. Territory defined in that manner encompassed
modern Vojvodina, so an opinion was brought out in scientific literature that
it was also included in the area of early Hungarian inhabitance. However, it
appeares that in those speculations the archaeological data were not
adequatelly used, so it is important to give more precise insight into the
available archaeological material that can be tied to the earliest presence
of Hungarian population in Vojvodina.
Genre in the function of irony: Literary revenge of Michael Psellos
Authors: Repajic Milena
Published: March 2016

The paper deals with the problem of genres and methodological digressions in
the sixth book of Michael Psellos? Chronographia, in the context of
contemporary genre theories. Conventional opinions about author?s motives for
composing digressions about genre and about the complex argument he leaves
for interpretation of his own text will be questioned. The main thesis is
that the genre-play within history - primarily the use of drama and encomium
- has a role in depicting the ironic portrait of the emperor Constantine IX
Monomachos.
Serbian rulers in the Alexiad - some chronological notes
Authors: Komatina Ivana
Published: March 2016

The author analyzes the information of Anna Comnene about the actions of the
Serbian rulers and the Serbs (Dalmats) with the intention to establish their
precise chronology as much as possible and thus provide a clearer and more
complete picture of the Serbian leaders, but also of narrative techniques and
composition of the work of the learned princess.
A contribution to the biography of Great Voivode Mihailo Angelovic
Authors: Krstic Aleksandar
Published: March 2016

The paper discusses data provided by a charter of the Hungarian estates,
issued on March 13, 1450, which resulted from a litigation instituted by
John Hunyadi against L?szl? Pataki, the familiaris of Serbian despot Djuradj
Brankovic. According to the presented accusations, Despot Djuradj captured
Hunyadi after the defeat on the Kosovo field in 1448, acting upon the
persuasion of his wife, sons, ?Michaelis vayvode Chelnek dicti de Uhad? and
four of his Hungarian familiares. Based on this document and other known
data on Mihailo Angelovic, the author concludes that the aforementioned
voivode Michael is no other than this Serbian nobleman of Byzantine origin.
A noble title ?de Uhad? shows that Mihailo Angelovic had possessions in
Hungary in 1450. This possession is most likely identical with the
settlement Ohbd (Ohbt) near Ghilad in the Romanian Banat.
Drevnerusskij pamflet na Mihaila VIII Paleologa v svete germenevticeskogo analiza
Authors: Demincev Mihail
Published: March 2016

In the article the perception of the image of Michael VIII Palaeologus by
literate citizens of Tsardom of Russia is considered. The study is based on
analysis of writings that date back to XVII century. The study focuses on
identifying the symbols and latent ideas, that point to a semantic
connection of the studied writings with The Old Testament, Apocalypse and
some antique texts. In the end of the article the authjr makes a conclusion,
that the perception of the image of Michael VIII Palaeologus in Tsardom of
Russia was negative.
Scoundrels or Stars? Theory and Evidence on the Quality of Workers in Online Labor Markets
Authors: Farrell Anne M. , Grenier Jonathan H. , Leiby Justin
Published: March 2016

Online labor markets allow rapid recruitment of large numbers of workers for very low pay. Although online workers are often used as research participants, there is little evidence that they are motivated to make costly choices to forgo wealth or leisure that are often central to addressing accounting research questions. Thus, we investigate the validity of using online workers as a proxy for non-experts when accounting research designs use more demanding tasks than these workers typically complete. Three experiments examine the costly choices of online workers relative to student research participants. We find that online workers are at least as willing as students to make costly choices, even at significantly lower wages. We also find that online workers are sensitive to performance-based wages, which are just as effective in inducing high effort as high fixed wages. We discuss implications of our results for conducting accounting research with online workers.

Data Availability: Contact the authors.
The Outcome Effect and Professional Skepticism
Authors: Brazel Joseph F. , Jackson Scott B. , Schaefer Tammie J. , Stewart Bryan W.
Published: March 2016

Despite the importance placed on professional skepticism by the accounting profession and regulators, the failure of auditors to exercise an appropriate level of skepticism continues to be a global issue. We experimentally test a potential barrier to skepticism. We find that outcome knowledge biases supervisors' evaluations of skeptical behavior. Holding a staff member's skeptical judgments and acts constant, superiors on the engagement team evaluate the staff's skeptical behavior based on whether the staff's investigation of an issue ultimately identifies a misstatement. Our evidence suggests that evaluators penalize auditors who employ an appropriate level of skepticism, but do not identify a misstatement. Although consultation with their superiors while exercising skepticism improved staff auditors' performance evaluations, consultation did not effectively mitigate the outcome effect on their evaluations. Last, we observe that auditors in the field anticipate that their superiors will be influenced by outcome knowledge when they evaluate their skeptical behavior. Collectively, our results depict an evaluation system that may inadvertently discourage skepticism among auditors in the field.

Data Availability: Contact the authors.
Velopharyngeal changes after maxillary distraction in cleft patients using a rigid external distraction device: A retrospective study
Authors: Taha Mahasen , Elsheikh Yasser M.
Published: March 2016

Objective: To evaluate early and late velopharyngeal changes in cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients after use of the Rigid External Distractor (RED) device and to correlate these changes to the amount of maxillary advancement.

Materials and Methods: Thirty Class III CLP patients were included in the study. Maxillary advancement was performed using the RED device in combination with titanium miniplates and screws for anchorage. Lateral cephalograms, nasometer, and nasopharyngoscope records were taken before distraction, immediately after distraction, and 1 year after distraction. A paired t-test was used to detect differences at P < .05.

Results: SNA angle and A point and ANS to Y axis were significantly increased after maxillary distraction (P  =  .0001). Statistically significant increases in nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal depths, velar angle, and need ratio were also found (P  =  .0001). Nasalance scores showed a significant increase (P  =  .008 for nasal text and .044 for oral text). A significant positive correlation was observed between the amount of maxillary advancement and the increase in nasopharyngeal depth and hypernasality (P  =  .012 and .026, respectively).

Conclusions: Nasopharyngeal function was deteriorated after maxillary advancement in CLP patients. There was a significant positive correlation between the amount of maxillary advancement and the increase in nasopharyngeal depth and hypernasality.
Stiff Sunflower Population Dynamics on Summer-grazed Sandhills Rangeland
Authors: Reece Patrick E. , Schacht Walter H. , Koehler Ann E. ,   Society for Range Management
Published: March 2016

Thousands of forb species are distributed among the diverse rangelands of North America. However, little is known about livestock grazing effects on the demographics and potential demise of palatable forbs in grassland ecosystems. A study was designed to quantify the cumulative effects of summer grazing on the demographics of stiff sunflower (Helianthus rigidus [Cass.] Desf. spp. subrhomboides [Rydb.] Heiser), a highly palatable, late-seral, perennial forb. Pastures were grazed for 5-7 days in mid-June or mid-July during 1995-1997 at 16, 32, or 48 animal unit days (AUD) per hectare. All grazing treatments reduced the plant height of stiff sunflower. However, population densities were maintained throughout the study at light stocking rates (16 AUD ha-1). In contrast, a single year of heavy stocking (48 AUD ha-1) in June reduced spring stiff sunflower densities 55%. Densities declined about 30% after 1 year at moderate stocking rates (32 AUD ha-1) in either month or heavy stocking in July. After 3 years of short-duration grazing in June, moderate and heavy stocking rates eliminated some colonies and reduced mean pasture densities by about 90% compared with 40% and 70% reductions in moderately and heavily stocked July-grazed pastures, respectively. Reductions in spring densities corresponded to increases in premature senescence the previous year when more than 30% of the plants turned brown before mid-August. Critical levels of premature senescence were likely to occur when more than 60% of stiff sunflower plants within colonies were grazed. Light stocking rates are rare on privately owned Nebraska Sandhills rangeland (4.7 million ha); therefore, vigorous populations of stiff sunflower are most likely to occur in pastures used predominantly during the dormant season.
Experiences of Physical Therapists Working in the Acute Hospital Setting: Systematic Review
Authors: Lau Bonnie , Skinner Elizabeth H. , Lo Kristin , Bearman Margaret
Published: March 2016

Background

Physical therapists working in acute care hospitals require unique skills to adapt to the challenging environment and short patient length of stay. Previous literature has reported burnout of clinicians and difficulty with staff retention; however, no systematic reviews have investigated qualitative literature in the area.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the experiences of physical therapists working in acute hospitals.

Data Sources

Six databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus, EMBASE, AMED, PsycINFO, and Sociological Abstracts) were searched up to and including September 30, 2015, using relevant terms.

Study Selection

Studies in English were selected if they included physical therapists working in an acute hospital setting, used qualitative methods, and contained themes or descriptive data relating to physical therapists' experiences.

Data Extraction and Data Synthesis

Data extraction included the study authors and year, settings, participant characteristics, aims, and methods. Key themes, explanatory models/theories, and implications for policy and practice were extracted, and quality assessment was conducted. Thematic analysis was used to conduct qualitative synthesis.

Results

Eight articles were included. Overall, study quality was high. Four main themes were identified describing factors that influence physical therapists' experience and clinical decision making: environmental/contextual factors, communication/relationships, the physical therapist as a person, and professional identity/role.

Limitations

Qualitative synthesis may be difficult to replicate. The majority of articles were from North America and Australia, limiting transferability of the findings.

Conclusions

The identified factors, which interact to influence the experiences of acute care physical therapists, should be considered by therapists and their managers to optimize the physical therapy role in acute care. Potential strategies include promotion of interprofessional and collegial relationships, clear delineation of the physical therapy role, multidisciplinary team member education, additional support staff, and innovative models of care to address funding and staff shortages.
A Sustainable Structural Design method to analyse structural and environmental performances of a building
Authors: Tsimplokoukou Kassiani , Lamperti Tornaghi Marco , Negro Paolo
Published: March 2016

Current environmental assessment methods evaluate buildings for their life-cycle at a later design stage, providing an indication of their environmental performance. At that stage the environmental information cannot be effectively used in the general design process, whereas the sole aspect of the environmental performance cannot provide comparable building solutions. TheSustainable Structural Design(SSD) method, here introduced, considers environmental and structural parameters with a life-cycle approach. The integration of environmental data in the structural performance is the focus of this method, structural performances are considered as a probabilistic variable, through the introduction of a simplified Performance-Based Assessment method. The SSD method is implemented in a case study of a commercial building both for cast-in-situ and precast structure solutions.
The DIOGEN and CIOGEN works, a specific approach in environmental assessment of civil engineering structures
Authors: Tardivel Yannick , Feraille Adélaïde , Montens Serge , Tessier Christian
Published: March 2016

DIOGEN1 is an open access database from AFGC2, providing impacts of production materials used in France for civil engineering works. DIOGEN is designed to provide reliable and representative environmental data, established according to standard EN 15804. Based on values provided by the industry or scientific studies, the working group determines a scoring reflecting the level of reliability and representativeness of the data, according to the Ecoinvent methodology.

Based on the database DIOGEN and developed in web format, the tool CIOGEN3, in its current version, offers an assessment of the stages of production and construction of road bridges according to EN 15804. To preserve the representativeness and reliability of the calculations, several representative worksites were used to measure inventory flows and then calculate standard values of processes for different types of structures. A second version is being developed to perform an LCA assessment on the full life cycle of different bridges structures.
Sustainable Bridge Design Using Precast Concrete Joints with Monolithic Behaviour
Authors: Saad Fathy
Published: March 2016

This paper introduces solutions for the application of precast concrete in bridge engineering, in which the precast elements, e.g. precast slabs, beams, and columns are connected together monolithic behaviour to achieve integrity in transferring the forces and bending moments at joints. In details, it presents the outcome of the research results for the connections between precast columns and slabs, precast beam column connection, and precast column-foundations pocket connections. In all cases, experimental/analytical investigations are carried out and the results are presented here. The results of this research introduce rational design models using strut and tie method for such complicated load path at this joint. Practical examples this application are presented.
Sustainable Bridge Design in Germany
Authors: Retzepis Ioannis
Published: March 2016

In the past decades much progress has been made in Germany in the field of sustainable bridge design due to limited natural und financial resources. In 2011 a new regulation for the recalculation of highway bridges, the so called “Nachrechnungsrichtlinie”, was enforced, which accurately defines the steps to be achieved and includes sustainable aspects. The basis of the new regulation is a three block strategy. It starts with calculations of the structure taking into account the results of the former bridge investigations and all available data, continues with a feasibility study and ends with a cost-efficiency study. This procedure leads to sustainable bridge design in Germany.
Verification of Infinite Life Fatigue Performance of a Cost-Effective Steel Orthotropic Deck Design by Full Scale Laboratory Testing
Authors: Mukherjee Soham , Roy Sougata
Published: March 2016

Recently the infinite life fatigue performance of a steel orthotropic deck employing fillet-welded fitted floor beams was evaluated at the ATLSS Engineering Research Centre of Lehigh University by testing a full-scale prototype of a part bridge deck under simulated AASHTO fatigue loading. The test setup was developed based on multi-level 3D finite element analyses (FEA) to reproduce the boundary conditions and the critical stresses in the part deck specimen consistent with the full bridge deck. The fatigue test was run-out after 8 million cycles without any detectable fatigue cracking demonstrating infinite life under site-specific loading. The study provided the foundation for a standardized cost-effective orthotropic deck design that can provide 100 years’ service life.
Increased Service Life of Fatigue Effected Structures through High Frequency Mechanical Impact Treatments
Authors: Breunig Stephanie , Kuhlmann Ulrike
Published: March 2016

The effectiveness of increasing fatigue strength by high frequency mechanical impact (HFMI) treatments has been verified on several welded construction details. Within the main research projects on the different HFMI techniques on welded construction details, suggestions on how to consider the fatigue improvement have been conducted. Since those research projects had their focus on different construction details and techniques of HFMI, no uniform design rules for the improvement of fatigue strength in design by the use of the most common techniques could be developed. So by now, there is no valid German or European guideline, giving general rules on the fatigue design of HFMI treated welded connections. Therefore, the aim of the German research project “Development of a DASt-guideline for HFMI treatments”, is to develop a draft for a design guideline for the so far investigated appropriate welded connections, clearly giving application limits and considering several influencing effects onto the fatigue strength.
Structure Birth Certificate for Service Life Design and Through-Life Management
Authors: Bartholomew Michael
Published: March 2016

Management of structural assets such as bridges and buildings involves a structured process for the through-life management of the various phases in the life of that asset - Design, Construction, Conservation, Intervention, and De-commissioning. A key component to the proposed through-life management concept is that of a Birth Certificate. The Birth Certificate Document contains engineering documentation on the design, construction, and in-service phases in a structure’s life, with the primary goal of predicting its service life and/or its residual working life. The concept of a Birth Certificate is identified in the fib Model Code 2010, and is being increasingly adopted by owners as a state-of-the-art means of managing their assets. This paper will outline the key components of a Birth Certificate and show how the recorded information may be used to help develop future decisions on the viability of the structure to remain in service.
Designing Bridges for a Long Service Life
Authors: Gabler Markus
Published: March 2016

Major bridges are lifelines of our modern economies. As engineers, we are obliged to design robust and long-lasting structures, which are prepared for future developments. This contribution summarizes the state of the art of sustainable bridge design, with a focus on major cable-stayed bridges. Sustainable bridge design can be broken down into three principles:

Use of durable materials,

Design with replaceable components, and

Planning for inspection and monitoring.

Besides giving a critically review of existing solutions, a list of innovative developments will be highlighted and their future implementation discussed.
Research of Performance and Durability of long span prestress concrete box Girder Bridge of gravel concrete
Authors: Weng Fang-Wen , Qing Mingqiang , Huang Can
Published: March 2016

The Zemun-Borca Bridge Project as the basis, based on the nearest drawn, resource conservation and environmental protection principles, and effective use of the bridge located at the gravel resources. This paper carry out a comparative study with crushed stone concrete in the material properties of pebbles from the mix, durability, creep characteristics.

Studies have shown that, compared to the same mix, working performance of gravel concrete is better than rubble concrete, but the intensity is lower than rubble concrete, natural gravel can be formulated to meet the engineering application of concrete mix. In the same compression under the conditions of strength, creep coefficient is slightly larger than rubble concrete with 5d, 7d, 14d and 28d loading age. With the extension of age, the difference between the two is narrowing.
Wood lightweight concrete - Development resource-efficient construction materials
Authors: Fadai Alireza , Winter Wolfgang
Published: March 2016

The European countries have to face increased changes in the demands on buildings. A set of new requirements concerning environmental aspects and sustainability is obliged to be translated into the built reality. Within several research projects and with the aim to optimize structural performance, energy efficiency and ecological characteristics of structural building components the ITI at the VUT developed several wood-based composite systems, which combine timber products with other conventional building materials and components. As a representative example for these developments, the application of wood lightweight concrete composites illustrates the extent of interrelationships in the development of complex system solutions when focusing on the increase of resource efficiency. Experimental research, design and assessment of structural wood-based wood lightweight concrete composites are illustrated in this paper.
Application of Prestressed Concrete Composite Box-girder Bridges with Corrugated Steel Webs in Bridge Engineering in China
Authors: Li Ming , Song Jianyong , Li Wanheng , Zhang Jinquan
Published: March 2016

This paper presents the efforts made to promote the application of one of the environment- friendly bridge structures, namely prestressed concrete composite box-girder bridges with corrugated steel webs in China to reduce the concrete consumption and carbon dioxide emission. The development characteristics and problems on which further studies would be needed with respect to this type of bridge structure in China are discussed.

Prestressed concrete composite box-girder bridges with corrugated steel webs were introduced in China in the early 21st century. Now the number of this type of bridges under construction and completed has been more than forty, and China has become the second country where this type of bridges is most widely applied in bridge engineering in the world.
Hybrid Timber Construction – combining material properties for energy efficiency and sustainability
Authors: Hein Carsten , Lawrence Andrew , Campbell Adrian , Snelson Timothy , Heesbeen Charlotte
Published: March 2016

In the past Arup has been involved in various timber projects around the world developing its timber competence on real projects and through research activities. We believe timber is an outstanding structural material with a very small carbon footprint and that its strength/weight ratio is better than other conventional materials making it ideal for pre-fabrication. Considering not only structural performance but also acoustics, building physics, fire, façade engineering and sustainability we found that combining wood with other materials can have many advantages, expanding the potential for wood in construction. This paper looks at the forms of timber construction available and the advantages that hybrid construction can offer as part of the overall family of timber construction forms.
Carbon Emission Assessment for Super Tall Buildings with Viscoelastic Coupling Dampers
Authors: Zhao Xin , Qin Lang
Published: March 2016

Due to its huge material and energy consumption, super tall buildings exert great impact on the environment. Embodied carbon is an important tool to measure the environmental impacts of super tall buildings. The embodied carbon of super tall buildings could be optimized by integrating the energy dissipation devices in the structural system. Viscoelastic coupling dampers (VCDs) is a kind of efficient energy dissipation devices. By replacing coupling beams in structural configurations, VCDs can effectively increase the level of inherent damping of structure, and thus reduce the internal forces of structural members subject to lateral loads. Optimization for the sectional dimension of structural components is made possible, accompanied by reduction in embodied carbon. A super tall building located in high seismicity area is presented as an example to illustrate embodied carbon based integrated structural design method. The results for a real super tall building project show that the proposed method is reasonable and can effectively reduce embodied carbon and total cost of super tall buildings.
Structural Optimization for a Sustainable Architecture
Authors: Beghini Alessandro , Mathias Neville , Sarkisian Mark
Published: March 2016

Several practical tools for the characterization of the optimal layout of material in a structure have been developed in recent years based on both numerical and analytical approaches. Such tools enable engineers and architects to identify forms and geometries that, by being optimal, are also more sustainable. The focus of this paper is to describe some of these methodologies and illustrate with examples their application to a variety of structures.
Indicators for Serviceability for Low-Carbon Building Slab Types
Authors: Molina-Moreno Francisca , Yepes-Piqueras Víctor
Published: March 2016

Multistorey and high-rise buildings imply a considerable amount of carbon intensive material in their structure and slab floors. The latter are the scope of this paper. Not only structural efficiency and construction cost need consideration, but also energy efficiency, emissions, resource extraction and building flexibility along time. Besides functionality, slab floor components may respond to resource depletion and GHG minimization whilst ensuring cost-effectiveness. As there is not a unique solution for an optimal type of slabs thus we provide a suite of criteria and subcriteria. Accordingly, a multicriteria decision matrix is needed to select the best choice. A group of experts will rank and validate the proposed structure to know how much relevant each one it is for the decision maker.
Developing a Basis for Design – Embodied Carbon in Structures
Authors: Sarkisian Mark , Shook David , Desai Devki , Wang Nicole
Published: March 2016

A basis for design must be established to account for the embodied carbon in a structure. Minimum acceptable goals must be created to encourage a responsible approach to structural design—one that accounts for carbon emissions from groundbreaking through the building’s service life. This should be considered in parallel with carbon emissions resulting from operation of the building and embodied carbon of non-structural components.

An advanced methodology and tool termed the Environmental Analysis Tool™ has been published that evaluates embodied carbon of structural systems in buildings through construction and expected service life. An evaluation of embodied carbon of structural systems in over 200 built structures has revealed trends and correlations among common design parameters such as building height, occupancy type, seismic and wind conditions. Results such as these can be utilized by designers to set design goals, and to form a basis for incentive programs and codification.

Based on the investigation of the above mentioned data set and carbon accounting efforts of built structures, a proposal for embodied carbon limits of new and existing structural systems is proposed.
Energy-Efficient Building Envelopes: use of Phase Change Materials in Cement-Based Composites
Authors: Lamperti Tornaghi Marco , Caverzan Alessio
Published: March 2016

An exploratory research project, granted by European Commission - Joint Research Centre, called Eco-Energy Efficient Envelopes for innovative Buildings (E4iBuildings), has been recently started. The research project investigates and develops innovative products based on cement composites for building envelopes, studies the feasibility and the impact of different solutions based on Phase Change Materials (PCMs), through the assessment of mechanical and thermal properties. The paper presents the aims of the experimental activities ongoing at Joint Research Centre, and in particular the matters related to: performance analysis on three PCM families, methods for macro- encapsulation and thermo-physical characterisation of the innovative building material.
Truss Structure Capacity Monitoring Considering Accelerated Steel Corrosion under Climate Change
Authors: Feng Yansheng , Sun Zhi
Published: March 2016

Taking steel corrosion model d = AtB as the baseline material deterioration model, this paper investigates the influence of the variation of steel deterioration parameters on structure modal parameters and load carrying capacity. The sensitivity based inverse mapping problem is used to monitor the variations of steel deterioration parameters under varied climate conditions. Structure plastic limit analysis based on generalized mechanism generation method is adopted for the deteriorated structure capacity prediction. Numerical studies on a truss bridge are conducted. The results tell that the foregone normal climate change will not induce important bridge capacity degradation in its service life. The variation of modal frequencies can present the degradation of structural load carrying capacity considering the uniform steel corrosion of the whole structure.
Wind Resistant Performance and Countermeasures for Cable-stayed Bridges with Open-section Girder
Authors: Yang Yongxin , Zhou Rui , Ge Yaojun
Published: March 2016

Even though open-section girders have been widely used in long-span cable-stayed bridges, their bluff shape and lower torsion stiffness generally lead to poor aerodynamic performance compared with more streamlined box girders. Based on a cable-stayed bridge with a main span of 400m, the flutter and vortex-induced vibration (VIV) performance of the open-section girder were investigated and evaluated, and different kinds of aerodynamic control measures were proposed to suppress VIV of the blunt open-section girder. The emphasis was put on the effectiveness of each measure on VIV mitigation, including wind fairings, apron boards, horizontal guide plates, vertical stabilizers, and airflow-depressing boards. Moreover, the influence of each VIV suppression-oriented aerodynamic measure on flutter performance of the open-section girder was also checked, and the optimal control scheme to improve the aerodynamic performance of open-section girder was finally achieved.
Climate change effects on design thermal actions for concrete structures
Authors: Larsson Oskar
Published: March 2016

The temperature distribution in a concrete structure varies due to complex interactions with the surrounding climate. Solar radiation, air temperature, wind speed and long-wave radiation all affect the temperature in the material, and may cause movements in the longitudinal and transversal directions. If these movements are restrained, stresses and strains can be induced which may contribute to cracking and other structural problems. A change in the climate may thus have a large impact on the thermal actions and in turn the behaviour of a structure. The representative values in our building codes and regulations are based on calculations using climate data, where the results are analysed using statistical concepts. The climate data used for calculating the design values for thermal actions were obtained during the last half of the 20th century. Due to the projected future climate change, the design values for thermal actions may become outdated in a few years. In this study, the current design loads for thermal actions from different building codes such as Eurocode and AASTHO have been compared with how the design loads may be affected by future climate change. The study shows that the design values for uniform bridge temperature have to be adapted to incorporate effects of climate change. One way is to couple the design value to the service life and an estimation of the temperature change for a certain location, based on climate models. The linear and non-linear estimations may be less affected by climate change due to a smaller effect on the governing climate parameters such as solar radiation and temperature range. The projection is very uncertain however, further studies with more detailed climate models are needed for any conclusions to be drawn regarding these parameters.