bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incidence of stroke in the diabetic and non-diabetic population in Upper Austria (2008-2012) and
Authors: Schableger Karl , Inreiter Lisa
Published: July 2015

Abstract: Background and Purpose: Although it is generally known that diabetes has a negative effect on the stroke incidence, only a limited number of long-term population-based studies focus on the comparison of incidence rates of stroke in diabetics and non-diabetics. Hence, the aim of this study was to estimate the risk of stroke in the diabetic and the non-diabetic population with the help of incidence rates and effect measures. Methods: For this study, data from the Upper Austrian stroke register and the statutory Upper Austrian health insurance (1.3 million members) was used to analyse all first strokes from 2008-2012. This was done by assessing stroke incidence for the total, the diabetic and the non-diabetic population. The analysis was mainly conducted on an age/sex-specific basis. Moreover, age/sex-standardized incidence rates were calculated as well. In addition, effect measures like the relative risk, the attributable risk among exposed and the population attributable risk were computed. Results: Out of the total cohort of 1,319,761 subjects, 17,663 had a first stroke (mean age (Sd.): 71.6 (±14.3) years; 46.0 per cent male). Among these, 19.5 per cent were classified as diabetics. Concerning the stroke standardized incidence rates of the Upper Austrian population (per 100,000 person years), the following results were obtained for the diabetic and the non-diabetic population respectively: men: 571.9 (95%-confidence interval: 530.1-613.6), 319.3 (95%-confidence interval: 311.3-327.2); women: 600.9 (95%-confidence interval: 559.3-642.5), 343.5 (95%-confidence interval: 335.7-351.3). The age-standardised relative risk was found to be 1.79 (95%-confidence interval: 1.66-1.93) for men and 1.75 (95%-confidence interval: 1.63-1.88) for women. Attributable risks among exposed are as follows: men: 0.44 (95%-confidence interval: 0.40-0.48); women: 0.43 (95%-confidence interval: 0.39-0.47). For the population attributable risks 0.08 (95%-confidence interval: 0.04-0.11) was obtained for men and 0.07 (95%-confidence interval: 0.04-0.09) for women. Conclusion: This investigation showed that the stroke risk in the diabetic population is significantly higher compared to the non-diabetic population.
A cena da leitura nas memórias de infância
Authors: Ávila Myriam
Published: July 2015

 

 

 

 

Em suas memórias de infância, os escritores quase sempre inserem uma ou mais cenas contendo sinais, freqüentemente em forma de um livro específico, que pressagiariam sua futura carreira literária, muitas vezes em contraste com um cenário de grande pobreza material e intelectual, ou de discriminação e desvalorização da criança. Esse recurso chega a constituir quase um topos na escrita memorialística e foi estudado por Sylvia Molloy, no memorialismo latino-americano, sob a denominação de “a cena da leitura”. Textos tão distantes quanto os de Tolstói e Oswald de Andrade podem ser explorados desse ponto de vista, suscitando questões sobre filiação intelectual.

In their memoirs of childhood, writers often insert one or more scenes that bring out pressages, generally under the sign of a specific book, of their future literary career, frequently against a background of great material and intelectual want, in which the child is overlooked and discriminated. This resource can be said to constitute a topos in the genre and has been investigated by Sylvia Molloy concerning Latin American autobiographic writing, under the concept of “the scene of reading”. Authors as far apart as Oswald de Andrade and Tolstoi can be examined from this perspective, giving rise to reflections on intelectual affiliation.
The Effect of a Period of Aquatic Therapy Exercise on the Quality of Life and Depression in Aged Males Suffering from Chronic Physical Pains
Authors: Khanjari Y. , Garooei R.
Published: July 2015

Aging is a stage of life that increases the risk of physical diseases, some of which are chronic and can affect different dimensions of life’s quality and the status of psychological factors in these patients. In addition to medical supports, it is essential to provide sport complexes in accordance with the physical and mental condition of these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a period of aquatic therapy exercise on the quality of life and depression in aged males suffering from chronic physical pains.In a semi-experimental study, 30 aged males who voluntarily referred to Niyayesh health center of Shiraz were selected. They were randomly divided in to two groups; experimental (n=15) and control (n=15). Subjects of aquatic therapy exercise were involved in an 8-week-activity in water; 3 sessions per week each lasting approximately 50 to 70 minutes. At the same time, the control group was only followed-up and was not engaged in any exercise during this period. The variables of the quality of life and depression among the patients were measured by standard questionnaires in the beginning and end of the eight-week-aquatic therapy exercise. Results of this study showed that aquatic therapy exercise can be used as an effective and helpful method to promote public health in aged males suffering from chronic physical pains because it leads to the improvement of multi-dimensional variables of quality of life and depression in the patients.
Philosophic (In)Felicity: Protean Narrativity
Authors: Moslemi Amir Abbas
Published: July 2015

Philosophic contingency embedded in James Joyce’s avant-garde novel, ranging from Aristotelian notion of mimesis to the possibility of a Marxian reading, stemming from Hegel’s dialectic, added to the linguistic pragmatics, pave the way to focus on the process of realization and mental performance by a leading contemporary philosopher of analytic philosophy, J.L. Austin, as an epistemological triggering in the course of implication through a narrative, here Proteus, teleologically speaking, resulting a meta-utterance in a broader scale, much far from constative type, a metaphorical narration, elaborating on cultural agency, while paraphrasing the language-based relativity of collective identity and complexity of Austin’s speech act theory, in terms of (in)felicitous conditions, rooted in the success of the communicative intention of the narrator, here Stephen Dedalus, maybe the most wonderful advanced guard of narratology in interior monologue.
Tailoring an MBA Degree with a Difference in a New University Case: Université des Mascareignes, Mauritius
Authors: Betchoo Nirmal Kumar
Published: July 2015

This research paper has been prepared with a view to supporting the need to have a Master in Business Administration (MBA General) programme in a new university namely the Université des Mascareignes, Mauritius. The general perception is that MBAs are common commodity worldwide since they are provided by most tertiary institutions specialised in the business management area. The author, who is also the designer of an MBA programme for his university, undertook research in the related area to see whether there is a demand for such courses and how they could be made useful and relevant to prospective students. The research was conducted through questionnaires that initially targeted existing university students ending their undergraduate course and a few external respondents. Findings revealed that there was a strong demand for an MBA course taking into consideration that such a course should be tailor-made to the local students’ needs with courses focusing on the Mauritian context. There was also the feedback from the Academic Council including that of two experts who found the course structure appropriate for Mauritius.
Food Behaviour Correlated with Societal Influences and Health, Emotional & Intellectual Status in a Romanian Students Population
Authors: Vintila Iuliana , Odagiu Irina
Published: July 2015

Input data from Students Food Behavior, Preference and Lifestyle Questionnaire conducted with 376 students from University “Dunarea de Jos” Galati was analyzed from socio-demographic criteria. The sample socio-demographic characteristics of the student population beside the general food & eating habits by gender were investigated in Part I of the social research study. The pattern of eating behavior and lifestyle, food behavior influences, self-appreciation of the actual impact on the healthy, emotional & intellectual status and intention of food behavior change was investigated in Part II. The correlation coefficients between food behavior & lifestyle, societal influences and intention of food behavior change variables were analyzed statistically beside the food behavior variables inter-correlation. A slightly negative correlation between energy intake and breakfast consummation [r (1,3)=-0.049] respectively habit of regular sport making [r (1,7)=-0.070] was reported. Energy intake was positive associated with increasing of Body Mass Index (BMI) [r (1,2)=0.260] and slightly with regular meals [r (1,4)=0.014]. The overfeeding was associated with the breakfast skipping, super-size and over calories meals and sedentary habits. BMI sample distribution was significantly decrease by sport making habit [r (2,7)=0.109] and regular pondered meals [r (2,4)=-0.055]. The frequent snacking and the repressive effect of non-desirable overweight social model disseminate aggressively by friends and media increase the student’s weight control, especially in girl’s case.
Racial Awareness in Phillis Wheatley’s Selected Poems
Authors: Mani Manimangai
Published: July 2015

Slavery in America began when Africans were brought in as slaves to the North American Colony of Jamestown Virginia around 1619. Slavery in America lasted for almost four hundred years though the trade was legally abolished by Britain in March 1807 (Walvin 163). Although the trade ended, slavery itself continued to survive. Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784) is considered the first prominent Black writer in the United States to publish a book of imaginative writing. She is also the first to start the African-American literary tradition, as well as the African-American women literary tradition. Her work, which was derivative, was published in the collection, Poems on Various Subjects (1773) and in various magazines. Her choice of words was mostly biblical where it helped to camouflage her view on slavery. This paper intends to show that all of Wheatley’s poems actually carried the theme of freedom. She has intelligently used this theme to articulate her desires in a subtle manner. On the surface, the poems are all preaching the greatness of Christianity to the readers and urging them to find solace through religion. She shows her racial awareness and resistance through various themes of the poems that she wrote. This paper highlights Wheatley’s disapproval of slavery through her praise for religion, political commentaries, supporting elegies and death and finally through her escapism into an imaginary world.
Avaliação das características físicas e petrográficas dos granitos vermelho Brasília e vermelho ventura e sua utilização como material de revestimento externo.
Authors: Silva Suely Machado Barbosa da , Pontes Bethania M. S. , Oliveira Felisbela Maria da Costa , Melo Evenildo Bezerra de
Published: July 2015

As rochas ornamentais quando usadas como revestimento externo em edificações sofrem processos de deterioração mais intensos que aquelas colocadas em ambientes internos secos. Por meio de ensaios de caracterização tecnológica, este trabalho visa orientar a aplicação e a previsão do comportamento de dois tipos de granito vermelho, Ventura e Brasília. Estes litotipos apresentam índices físicos e resistência à flexão compatíveis com aqueles indicados pela NBR 15844. A análise mineralógica aponta para rochas com elevado teor de feldspato potássico de coloração rósea (55% para Brasília e 50% para Ventura) responsável pela cor averrmelhada destas rochas, acentuada pela alteração natural dos minerais máficos associados. Entretanto o Vermelho Brasília apresenta menor conteúdo em máficos (12%) do que o Ventura (20%) o que se traduz pela menor resistência à ação intempérica deste último. Processos de alteração mais intensos geram redução da sua resistência mecânica e, portanto, menor durabilidade. O grau de microfissuramento e a constituição mineralógica foram os fatores petrográficos mais importantes na determinação da resistência à alterabilidade. A coloração original do Vermelho Ventura não sofre grande mudança uma vez que os produtos decorrentes dos processos de oxidação e hidroxidação natural dos minerais máficos apresentam coloração vermelha, amarronzada e amarelada, não quebrando a reprodutibilidade do aspecto estético desta rocha. Por fim a baixa alterabilidade dos feldspatos potássicos em relação aos demais minerais aumenta a valorização ornamental deste tipo pétreo, sobretudo pelos profissionais da Arquitetura .
Geologia da área sudoeste da Folha Airi, Bacia do Jatobá, NE do Brasil
Authors: Cabral Flávia Araújo de Arruda , Neumann Virgínio Henrique
Published: July 2015

A região mapeada está inserida na Bacia do Jatobá, localizada na porção centro-sul do estado de Pernambuco, possuindo uma área de 250 km2 com as dimensões de 25 km e 10 km de comprimento e largura, respectivamente. A Bacia de Jatobá representa a extremidade setentrional do Sistema Rifte Recôncavo-Tucano-Jatobá cuja origem está relacionada à extensão crustal que fragmentou o Supercontinente Gondwana, dando origem ao Oceano Atlântico (Eoaptiano). A área está inserida entre o Domínio Pernambuco-Alagoas da Província Borborema, onde ocorre um embasamento Paleoproterozoico, referente às unidades Complexo Belém de São Francisco e Suíte Granítica. O preenchimento da Bacia do Jatobá, na área mapeada neste trabalho, compreende unidades da Fase Rifte da Bacia de idade Mesozoica, são elas: Formação Candeias (folhelhos e argilitos intercalados com níveis carbonáticos), Grupo Ilhas (arenitos médios a grossos, às vezes, com níveis conglomeráticos) e Formação São Sebastião (arenitos finos a grossos). Além dos Depósitos Colúvio-Eluviais de idade Cenozoica. Estão apresentados os resultados obtidos através da revisão bibliográfica, dados de campo e estudos petrográficos. Eventos tectônicos que influenciaram o embasamento adjacente da bacia produziram estruturas de interesse nas formações sedimentares estudadas, tais como: fraturas tardias e bandas de deformação. Fósseis de ostracodes foram encontrados na Formação Candeias. Recursos minerais, na área, são representados por extensos depósitos de areias encontrados em toda a porção da área de estudo.
Abstract Algebra in Statistics
Authors: Pilz Günter F. , Ke Wen-Fong
Published: July 2015

In this note we show how some specific classes of algebraic structures (“planar nearrings”)give rise to efficient Balanced Incomplete Block Designs, which in turn can excellently beused in statistical experiments.
Betti Numbers of Cut Ideals of Trees
Authors: Potka Samu , Sarmiento Camilo
Published: July 2015

Cut ideals, introduced by Sturmfels and Sullivant, are used in phylogenetics and algebraicstatistics. We study the minimal free resolutions of cut ideals of tree graphs. By employingbasic methods from combinatorial topology, we obtain upper bounds for the Betti numbers of thistype of ideals. These take the form of simple formulas on the number of vertices, which arise fromthe enumeration of induced subgraphs of certain incomparability graphs associated to the edgesets of trees.
Tying Up Loose Strands: Defining Equations of the Strand Symmetric Model
Authors: Long Colby , Sullivant Seth
Published: July 2015

The strand symmetric model is a phylogenetic model designed to reflect the symmetry inherent in the double-stranded structure of DNA. We show that the set of known phylogenetic invariants for the general strand symmetric model of the three leaf claw tree entirely defines the ideal. This knowledge allows one to determine the vanishing ideal of the general strand symmetric model of any trivalent tree. Our proof of the main result is computational. We use the fact that the Zariski closure of the strand symmetric model is the secant variety of a toric variety to compute the dimension of the variety. We then show that the known equations generate a prime ideal of the correct dimension using elimination theory.
Bolivia: nuevo sistema electoral presidencial y coordinación política de los partidos
Authors: Torrico Mario
Published: July 2015

El presente artículo analiza los incentivos de los sistemas electorales presidenciales en Bolivia. El sistema que estuvo vigente hasta 2005 impulsó la formación de coaliciones de gobierno con el fin de otorgar al Ejecutivo mayoría en el Congreso. Dichas coaliciones fueron perdiendo la confianza del electorado, el cual desde inicios de los noventa buscó opciones políticas alternativas a los partidos más importantes, dando origen a una insatisfacción social con la democracia que desembocaría en la renuncia de Sánchez de Lozada y, posteriormente, el triunfo de Evo Morales. El nuevo sistema electoral para elegir presidente, contenido en la Constitución aprobada en 2009, incrementa las probabilidades de que el Ejecutivo electo no cuente con mayoría legislativa, escenario que en el pasado ha provocado crisis política y la anticipación de elecciones. En un contexto actual más favorable caracterizado por una mayor satisfacción con la democracia y con los partidos, el reto de éstos es tomar decisiones incluyentes, algo inédito en la política boliviana.Abstract This article analyzes the incentives generated by presidential electoral systems in Bolivia. The system that was in place until 2005 led to the formation of coalition governments that aimed at giving the Executive the majority in Congress. However, these coalitions gradually lost the electorate confidence, and citizens sought alternative political options to major parties from the early nineties on, giving rise to a social dissatisfaction with democracy. This, in turn, led to the resignation of Sánchez de Lozada and, later, to the triumph of Evo Morales. The new electoral system for electing the president, included in the 2009 Constitution, increases the likelihood that the elected government does not have a majority in Congress. Similar situations in the past led to political crisis and anticipation of elections. In a more favorable context characterized by greater satisfaction with democracy and their parties, the challenge is to take decisions inclusively, something unprecedented in Bolivian politics.
Doreen Massey. Un sentido global del lugar de Abel Albet y Núria Benach
Authors: Sánchez González Diego
Published: July 2015

Acceder al texto completo para consultar el contenido.
Barriers and bridges to the integration of social–ecological resilience and law
Authors: Green Olivia Odom , Garmestani Ahjond S , Allen Craig R , Gunderson Lance H , Ruhl JB , Arnold Craig A , Graham Nicholas AJ , Cosens Barbara , Angeler David G , Chaffin Brian C , Holling CS
Published: July 2015

There is a fundamental difference between the ways in which ecologists and lawyers view uncertainty: in the study of ecology, uncertainty provides a catalyst for exploration, whereas uncertainty is antithetical to the rule of law. This issue is particularly troubling in environmental management, where the tensions between law and ecology become apparent. Rather than acknowledge uncertainties in management actions, legal frameworks often force a false sense of certainty in linking cause and effect. While adaptive management has been developed to deal with uncertainty, laws and legal wrangling can be obstacles to implementation. In this article, we recommend resilience‐based governance – “adaptive governance” – as a means to begin bridging the gap between law and ecology.
Marsh plants mediate the influence of nitrogen fertilization on degradation of oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill
Authors: Langley J. Adam , White Helen K. , Palanivel Reena U. , III Thomas Shannon , Chapman Samantha K.
Published: July 2015

Coastal wetlands are commonly exposed to hydrocarbon pollutants derived from extraction disasters like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Naturally occurring microbes can degrade oil, but the rate of oil degradation depends heavily on the key chemical and biological factors. The goal of this study was to determine the influence of interactions between marsh plants and nitrogen (N) on the degradation of oil from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Oil disappearance was measured with gas chromatography (GC) focusing on the change in C18 n‐alkane‐to‐phytane ratio of oil, and instantaneous oil degradation rates were measured using an instantaneous carbon isotopic partitioning method. N addition often stimulates oil decomposition in soil slurries, but the effect of N in our mesocosms depended on plant species. N addition accelerated oil degradation in Spartina alterniflora mesocosms but slowed oil degradation in Spartina patens mesocosms. Across all plant and N treatments, oil degradation related to plant root growth. In many ecosystems including marshes, N addition has been shown to diminish root growth by reducing the need for nutrient foraging. Where N addition reduces root growth, N may ultimately exacerbate oxygen scarcity in marsh soils possibly negating or reversing the positive, direct effects that N has on oil degradation. Based on these findings, fertilization strategies that maximize marsh plant root growth will be the most effective at increasing the microbial degradation of oil and will have the greatest potential to mitigate the impacts of oil in marsh ecosystems.
Content Curation for Research: A Framework for Building a â€œData Museumâ€
Authors: Cannon San
Published: July 2015

In the current digital age, data are everywhere and are continually being created, collected and otherwise captured by a range of users for a variety of applications. Curating digital content is a growing concern both for business users and academic researchers. Selecting, collecting, preserving and archiving digital assets, especially research data sets, are important steps in the research life cycle and can help expand the boundaries of research by allowing data to be reused. Creating research data sets often starts with selecting input data sources; in this age of new or â€œbigâ€ data, that choice set keeps expanding, thereby making it more difficult and time consuming to discover and understand the vast data landscape when beginning an empirical research project. This paper proposes an approach to make finding and learning about data easier and less time-consuming for researchers. While cognizant of the role of digital curation for research data sets, we focus on the traditional â€œmuseumâ€ definition of curation to outline how data-oriented content curation can support research. The process of selecting, evaluating and presenting information about potential data inputs can help researchers more easily understand how certain data sets are used and better determine which data sources might be fit for their purposes. Although the paper draws on examples from economics citing U.S. data, the techniques could be used across disciplines and countries.
Elevations in Circulating Methylated and Unmethylated Preproinsulin DNA in New-Onset Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Fisher Marisa M. , Watkins Renecia A. , Blum Janice , Evans-Molina Carmella , Chalasani Naga , DiMeglio Linda A. , Mather Kieren J. , Tersey Sarah A. , Mirmira Raghavendra G.
Published: July 2015

Elevated ratios of circulating unmethylated to methylated preproinsulin (INS) DNA have been suggested to reflect β-cell death in type 1 diabetes (T1D). We tested the hypothesis that absolute levels (rather than ratios) of unmethylated and methylated INS DNA differ between subjects with new-onset T1D and control subjects and assessed longitudinal changes in these parameters. We used droplet digital PCR to measure levels of unmethylated and methylated INS DNA in serum from subjects at T1D onset and at 8 weeks and 1 year post-onset. Compared with control subjects, levels of both unmethylated and methylated INS DNA were elevated at T1D onset. At 8 weeks post-onset, methylated INS DNA remained elevated, but unmethylated INS DNA fell. At 1 year postonset, both unmethylated and methylated INS DNA returned to control levels. Subjects with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and autoimmune hepatitis exhibited lower levels of unmethylated and methylated INS compared with subjects with T1D at onset and no differences compared with control subjects. Our study shows that elevations in both unmethylated and methylated INS DNA occurs in new-onset T1D and that levels of these DNA species change during T1D evolution. Our work emphasizes the need to consider absolute levels of differentially methylated DNA species as potential biomarkers of disease.
Calretinin-Immunoreactive Hypoinnervation in down Syndrome (DS): Report of an Infant with Very Short-Segment Hirschsprung Disease and Comparison to Biopsy Findings in 20 Normal Infants and 11 Infants with DS and Chronic Constipation
Authors: Warren Mikako , Kaul Ajay , Bove Kevin E.
Published: July 2015

In Down syndrome (DS) constipation is common, and the incidence of Hirschsprung disease (HD) is 1–2%. Rectal suction biopsies (RSBs) in DS may show discordant features; calretinin immunoreactivity (CRir) often helps resolve discrepancies. We report a case of unequivocal very short-segment HD (vsHD) in an infant with DS who had aganglionosis with abnormal acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity in 3 RSBs. The CRir patterns were scanty positive rather than the expected absent CRir innervation in the lamina propria (LP). The resection specimen was grossly typical for short-segment HD, with a 5.5-cm, narrow but normally ganglionated segment proximal to the verified very short distal anganglionic zone. Unequivocal calretinin hypoinnervation was limited to the distal 2 cm, substantiating the warning of Kapur that small numbers of CRir nerves in the LP do not exclude a diagnosis of vsHD. We evaluated RSBs from 11 DS and 20 randomly selected normal infants <6 months of age with chronic constipation. The normal infants had abundant mucosal calretinin innervation and AChE histochemistry. We observed variable CRir hypoinnervation in RSBs in DS infants (including 6/7 with “normal” original diagnosis and 1/4 with HD). Our findings caution against overdependence on “normal” calretinin immunohistochemistry and suggest that AChE may be more reliable than CRir in the context of DS. An unknown number of patients with DS may have enteric nervous system disorders functionally similar to HD, which are possibly related to abnormal or imbalanced autonomic innervation, of which distal calretinin hypoinnervation is one manifestation, despite the presence of ganglia.
The earliest ostracods from the Ordovician of the Prague Basin, Czech Republic
Authors: Lajblová Karolína , Kraft Petr
Published: July 2015

The earliest ostracods from the Bohemian Massif (Central European Variscides) have been recorded from the Middle Ordovician of the Prague Basin (Barrandian area), in the upper Klabava Formation, and became an abundant component of fossil assemblages in the overlying Šarka Formation. Both early ostracod associations consist of eight species in total, representing mainly eridostracans, palaeocopids, and binodicopids. The revision, description, or redescription of all species and their distribution in the basin is provided. Their diversification patterns and palaeogeographical relationships to ostracod assemblages from other regions are discussed.
Alteration of mélange-hosted chromitites from Korydallos, Pindos ophiolite complex, Greece: evidence for modification by a residual high-T post-magmatic fluid
Authors: Kapsiotis Argyrios N.
Published: July 2015

The peridotites from the area of Korydallos, in the Pindos ophiolitic massif, crop out as deformed slices of a rather dismembered sub-oceanic, lithospheric mantle section and are tectonically enclosed within the Avdella melange. The most sizeable block is a chromitite-bearing serpentinite showing a mesh texture. Accessory, subhedral to euhedral Cr-spinels in the serpentinite display Cr# [Cr/(Cr + Al)] values that range from 0.36 to 0.42 and Mg# [Mg/(Mg+ Fe2+ )] values that vary between 0.57 and 0.62, whereas the TiO2 content may be up to 0.47 wt.%. The serpentinite fragment is characterized by low abundances of magmaphile elements (Al2 O3 : 0.66 wt.%, CaO: 0.12 wt.%, Na2 O: 0.08 wt.%, TiO2 : 0.007 wt.%, Sc: 4 ppm) and enrichment in compatible elements (Cr: 2780 ppm and Ni: 2110 ppm). Overall data are in accordance with derivation of the serpentinite exotic block from a dunite that was formed in the mantle region underneath a back-arc basin before tectonic incorporation in the Korydallos melange.

Two compositionally different chromitite pods are recognized in the studied serpentinite fragment, a Cr-rich chromitite and a high-Al chromitite, which have been ascribed to crystallization from a single, progressively differentiating MORB/IAT melt. Although both pods are fully serpentinized only the Al-rich one shows signs of limited Cr-spinel replacement by an opaque spinel phase and clinochlore across grain boundaries and fractures. Modification of the ore-making Cr-spinel is uneven among the Al-rich chromitite specimens. Textural features such as olivine replacement by clinochlore and clinochlore disruption by serpentine indicate that Cr-spinel alteration is not apparently related to serpentinization. From the unaltered Cr-spinel cores to their reworked boundaries the Al2 O3 and MgO abundances decrease, being mainly compensated by FeOt and Cr2 O3 increases. Such compositional variations are suggestive of restricted ferrian chromite (and minor magnetite) substitution for Cr-spinel during a short-lived but relatively intense, low amphibolite facies metamorphic episode (temperature: 400-700 °C). The presence of tremolite and clinochlore in the interstitial groundmass of the high-Al chromitite and their absence from the Cr-rich chromitite matrix imply that after chromitite formation a small volume of a high temperature, post-magmatic fluid reacted with Cr-spinel, triggering its alteration.
Improvement of safety on bridges - measured-impact-loads
Authors: Bergerhausen Ulrich
Published: July 2015

Bridges are constructed in a way that they ensure safe traffic and that they resist all actions durably.
In order to ensure the traffic safety bridges are fitted with safety barriers. The safety barriers usually
installed on German bridges are designed to protect lorries up to a weight of 13 t from breaking
through the barrier and crashing down the bridge. But in case of accidents with heavier vehicles
conventional safety barriers reach the limit of their capabilities. Therefore a research project was
initiated in order to obtain safety barriers which are able to protect even heavy lorries from breaking
through and crashing down, without simultaneously concerning about unacceptable bridge
damages. Within the research project real crash tests of vehicles towards safety barriers were
executed - for the first time inclusive measuring all important forces acting on bridges.
Inspection Monitoring and Management of Federal Road Bridges
Authors: Krieger Jürgen , Holst Ralph
Published: July 2015

A preservation of the Federal trunk roads is a task to the long-term for safeguarding of the mobility for economy and society. For the maintenance of bridges and other engineering structures this means the guarantee of quality, durability, availability as well as the presently available high standard of traffic safety. This is particularly valid against the background of the forecast traffic increases, the increase of heavy and special transports subject to authorisation as well as possible rises of the permitted total weight and/or the introduction of innovative vehicle concepts. For these scenarios the age distribution of the bridge stock as well as the partly not satisfactory condition state of the structures also are of a special significance particularly. For reaching of these aims instruments and methods which enable all persons concerned are being developed to plan steer and check the complex maintenance processes. The conception of the modules of the Bridge Management System (BMS) was carried out under leadership of the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) in the interaction with the Federal Ministry of Transport Building and Urban Affairs (BMVBS) and the local road authorities. The paper describes the modules of the BMS as well as the necessary data of the bridge stock, whereas the assessment of the condition of the structures is of a special significance.
Quantitative risk analysis for road tunnels
Authors: Krieger Jürgen , Heimbecher Frank , Zulauf Christoph
Published: July 2015

The field of safety in road tunnels has always been an important issue for operators, owners and the responsible authorities. After the tunnel fires in 1999 the subject gained however in importance. In order to fulfil the requirements of the Directive 2004/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on minimum safety requirements for tunnels in the trans-European road network Member States are to develop a methodology for a risk assessment in addition to the existing standards. The methodology will allow calculating the risks for a specific tunnel in a unified way, considering the main influence parameters and the effect of additional or alternative safety measures by using a comparative approach. The development and implementation of risk based approaches according to the requirements of the Directive 2004/54/EC in the national guidelines is intended to be finalised until April 2009.
Risk management system for pylon Construction of a Long Span Cable-Stayed Bridge
Authors: Chen Airong , Ruan Xin , Ouyang Xiao-yong , Zhang Jianjun
Published: July 2015

With the increasing span of cable-stayed bridges, the height of pylons are also reaching their new records. Constructions of pylons become challenges during the whole construction process of long span cable-stayed bridges. In this paper, a systematic risk management method for pylon construction is proposed, which is applied to Sutong Bridge. Sutong Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge over Yangzi River in China, with a main span of 1088m, and its pylons are 306m high. Two cranes are used for each pylon during the construction process. Construction schedule, worker safety and construction cost increasing are set as targets which are considered in the risk management system. There are three main components in the proposed methods, which are general risk events assessment, remarkable risk events analysis and risk management handbook compile. The paper gives a detail introduction of the whole assessment process and main conclusion that obtained by its application in Sutong Bridge. With the successful finish of pylon construction in 2006, it is proved that the method is effective for the similar bridges and structures.
Quality Control on an Australia's Largest Road Construction Project
Authors: Taplin Geoff , Balfe Peter
Published: July 2015

The EastLink Project is the largest road project under construction in Australia, and is being
delivered under a public-private partnership. Quality control is being achieved by a combination of
quality assurance in accordance with ISO 9000 standards, and independent external verification and
checking. This paper discusses the arrangements required to achieve effective quality control and
explains the roles that have been established for the various parties involved with the project to
deliver a quality outcome for the private sector investors and for the community. Examples are
provided to demonstrate the need for planning to ensure construction quality.
Antwerp - Oosterweelverbinding The "Lange Wapper" Bridge
Authors: Cremer Jean-Marie , De Ville Vincent , Del Forno Jean-Yves
Published: July 2015

The viaduct “Lange Wapper” located in Antwerp (Belgium) is a cable stayed bridge which spans a very dense harbour site. This curved cable stayed bridge comprises a main span of 603 m and two balancing spans of 300 m. The curved alignment of the work, with a mean radius of 1000 m, is such that the two 150 m high concrete pylons consist each of a single mast each, implanted inside the curve. These pylons are also inclined by 9° on the vertical to minimize the vertical axis bending moments in the deck. The steel deck with orthotropic and composite slabs, is a box-girder, with two levels including each 4 traffic lanes. The web of the box consists of a double V-mesh. This work probably represents the largest curved cable-stayed span studied in the world today and its realisation is suspended to politics decision.
Architectural engineering applied to the design of urban bridges
Authors: Sacristán Miguel , Capellán Guillermo , Merino Emilio , Martínez Javier
Published: July 2015

This paper analyses how urban bridges respond to a different set of rules from road bridges when choosing its bridge type, and developing its design. While road bridges adopt one or other bridge type only based on technical restraints, cost, function and structural efficiency, with limited resulting span scopes suitable for each bridge typology. Urban bridges and footbridges can adopt these designs out of its strict span scope, as no structural predetermination exists, responding to different new factors as: aesthetics, architectural scale, landscape integration, users’ perception, urban planning flexibility, landmark or symbol creation.

Examples of urban bridges design are used, including recent arch and cable stayed bridges by Arenas & Asociados. Conclusions attempt to create some simple rules for urban bridge design, as result of local conditions and architectural restraints.
Maximizing Waters of the Niagara River for Power Generation: Challenges Constructing the Niagara Tunnel Intake Approach
Authors: Li Edward , Everdell Rick
Published: July 2015

The Niagara River, forming part of the boundary between Canada and the United States, carries water averaging 6,000 m3 per second and drops about 100 m along its route from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. Over half of the drop occurs at the world famous Niagara Falls. Since the late 19th century, power plants have been developed on both sides of the river to tap into this valuable natural resource. Due to progressive retirement of the century old inefficient hydro stations adjacent to the Falls, and Ontario Government initiatives to close remaining coal-fired generating stations, Ontario Power Generation Inc. decided in 2004 to proceed with the construction of the CAD$1.6 billion Niagara Tunnel Project to boost average annual generation at the existing Sir Adam Beck hydroelectric stations by 1.6 billion kilowatt-hours. One major challenge is the design and construction of the intake approach located in the 2 km wide upper Niagara River to direct water into the 12.7 m diameter tunnel, as outlined in this paper.
Design and Construction of Arch Bridge with Variable Steel-Concrete Composite Section Based on Vertical Erection-Rotation Method
Authors: Xu Yong , Zhou Zhixiang
Published: July 2015

This paper describes an innovative use of a variable steel-concrete composite section for the main arch ribs to take combined advantages of steel and concrete strength. And vertical erection method that can significantly simplify and accelerate arch bridge construction with better structure integrity and higher stability during construction is proposed. Since steel construction is relatively simple because of ist advantages of high strength to weight ratio, offsite prefabrication and quick on-the- spot assembly, the use of steel box as the stiffening core of arch rib section becomes an ideal choice for the initial arch framing using the developed erection method. The prefabricated steel box can be erected vertically on temporarily restrained horizontal hinge device at the spring line with minimal hoisting equipments. The completed two half-leaf can then rotate down on ist own weight to meet at the mid-span for closure in a few hours. The completed steel arch frame can serve as formwork and supporting system to provide a sufficient and safe platform for the placement of concrete that forms a variable composite rib section, and for erection of spandrel columns and deck system. This construction technique and structure optimization can significantly simplify and speed up arch bridge construction with added work zone safety and better constructability, thus provides a viable solution for arch bridge construction having difficult site condition. Pilot projects including a 75- meter highway bridge are presented to demonstrate the basic concept, design features, construction procedures and erection control.
PREON – The Flexible Standard in Hall construction
Authors: Josat Ole
Published: July 2015

PREON is a girder truss system primary used for heavy steel constructions. PREON insists of 2 different girder truss constructions. On the left and right hand side traditional lattice girders are used. The middle section insists of a Vierendeel truss. PREON combines the desire of the architect to design a light and filigree structure and the wish of the steel construction company to produce a fast and simple and cost effective construction.
Confidence Intervals on Modal Parameters in Stochastic Subspace Identification
Authors: Döhler Michael , Lam Binh Xuan , Mevel Laurent
Published: July 2015

In Operational Modal Analysis, the modal parameters (natural frequencies, damping ratios and mode shapes) obtained from Stochastic Subspace Identification (SSI) of a structure, are afflicted with statistical uncertainty. For evaluating the quality of the obtained results it is essential to know the appropriate confidence intervals of these figures. In this paper we present algorithms that automatically compute the confidence intervals of modal parameters obtained from covariance-driven SSI of a structure based on vibration measurements. With these new algorithms we compute the confidence intervals of the modal parameters of some relevant industrial example.
New Low-Rigidity Design for Widening of Elevated Bridges
Authors: Takamura Yoshiyuki , Sakiya Kiyoshi , Adachi Yukio
Published: July 2015

A two-lane junction bridge connecting the Loop to a radial route on the Hanshin Expressway in Osaka was widened to a three-lane configuration by constructing an additional steel box girder bridge as a relief of chronic traffic congestion suffered at the site. This project was successfully completed, and remarkable mitigation of traffic congestion was achieved. The additional bridge support piers were built at the midspans of the original bridge, and the two bridges were not rigidly connected. Although a large longitudinal joint was installed to accommodate a differential deflection of 50 mm between the two bridges, it was found to be damaged by the heavy traffic of vehicles. An investigation was made to study a possibility of removing the joint and connecting the two bridges, and cross beams were adopted as the connecting members to achieve the desired connection.
Environment Effects of Urban Construction and the Prevention Measures
Authors: Xiao Guang-Hong , Zhang Qiu-Ling , Huang Chao
Published: July 2015

This paper has studied the forms of environmental pollution caused by construction in urban area and the environmental protection measures. The method of environmental impact assessment index system is discussed.
Subcontract and distribution of process responsibilities
Authors: Argiolas Carlo , Melis Filippo , Quaquero Emanuela
Published: July 2015

The introduction, in Italy, of new regulations concerning the carrying out of works in the public works field, has given the building contractors the possibility to use of several subcontractors‘ help. In such a situation, the safety planning during the carrying out of works is a complex activity that requires redefinition and control activities that have to be constantly revised. With this object in view the new safety regulations delegate many responsibilities and fulfilments to the top management of the direct building contractors. The public administration is in charge of controlling and checking these documents. In the present survey, the suggested model shows a way to deal with the contents, and a way to play an active role in the safety management.
3 in 1 reconstruction of monument Margaret Danube-bridge in Budapest, Hungary
Authors: Németh Tamás , Nagy Zsolt , Horváth Adrián
Published: July 2015

Located in the centre of the world heritage site of Budapest, monument Margaret Danube-bridge was built in 1876 and now reached the age of 137 years. The bridge with 6 spans is a series of hinged single supported steel arches with six main girders and a total length of 642 m. The paper describes the implementation of major aspects raised before the reconstruction, i.e. the structural condition, the traffic development and the monument reconstruction (3 in 1) during the design and presentation of the structural consequences of the final design with interesting details.
Structural Monitoring Solutions: Concepts and Best Practices
Authors: Vanderzee Peter , Condell Seth
Published: July 2015

Structural monitoring systems have long been deemed impractical and too expensive by many bridge owners due to traditional, data-intensive, academic-driven applications. The authors contend that through use of best practices developed over the past decade; this technology has become more effective and practical for commercial uses, while providing owners a return on investment.
Influence of concrete strength fractile estimation on the safety level of existing structures assessed using the Adjusted Partial Factor Method
Authors: Caspeele Robby , Taerwe Luc
Published: July 2015

In case of existing concrete structures, the estimation of the characteristic strength values from limited data is a difficult, but important task. There are currently different assessment methods available, among which the classical coverage method, a Bayesian procedure with vague prior distributions (as mentioned in EN 1990) and the method described in EN 13791. With respect to the assessment of existing structures, the authors have developed and investigated an Adjusted Partial Factor Method, which is compatible with current Eurocodes, but additionally enables to incorporate alternative target reliability levels and reference periods and also additional information based on

e.g. on-site inspection data and data from testing. In this contribution the influence of the different fractile estimation methods on the safety level of concrete structures is investigated, considering the Adjusted Partial Factor Method. The performance of the different estimation methods are evaluated and compared using Monte Carlo simulations and FORM analyses.