bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of Optimal Maintenance Strategies for Offshore Wind Turbine by Using Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Hameed Zafar , Wang Kesheng
Published: July 2012

Nowadays offshore wind turbines are an emerging area of research in renewable energy fields. They are penetrating in the energy market with a very rapid scale which entails to address their availiblity issues in novel and cost effective way. The maintenance activities for the array of wind turbines in a wind farm are complex in an offshore environment due to access, weather, and logistic issues. A method has been proposed to address the complexity and intricacies in the planning and formulation of maintenance strategies by using neural network. The approach consists of undertaking the clustering analysis of the array of wind turbines and then to segregate the similar wind turbines based on the analysis results by using Self Organizing Map, (SOM) neural network. Then to predict the expected power output of the wind turbines being part of a certain cluster with the help of another Standard Back Propagation (SBP) neural network. Based on the results, a number of implications have been outlined regarding how the results obtained could provide opportunities in optimizing maintenance strategies. Moreover the weather window issues will be addressed coherently to exploit the information of expected power output in advance by using SBP neural network. So based on the proposed method, the link among the condition of the components, clusters of wind turbines, prediction of power output and the access levels based on the weather conditions could be established which will provide the sound basis for developing optimal and cost effective maintenance strategies. It is expected that the implementation of the proposed approach will enhance the reliability and availability of the offshore wind turbines at the wind farm level in a better and viable way.
Comments on “Empirical Prediction of Speech Levels and Reverberation in Classrooms” [Build Acoust, 8(1), 1–14, 2001]
Authors: Shalkouhi P. Jafari , Hodgson Murray
Published: July 2012

The goal of this letter is to comments on the article “Empirical Prediction of Speech Levels and Reverberation in Classrooms” by Hodgson (2001). Hodgson proposed an empirical equation for prediction of classroom early decay time. Hodgson EDT equation with regard to the classroom ceiling height was theoretically discussed and it was concluded that when a classroom ceiling height is decreased or increased, it is not reasonable to judge about the acoustical condition of the new space based on the Hodgson EDT equation if the average absorption coefficient of the additional walls is equal to the average absorption coefficient of the original space.
The Evolution of Acoustic Comfort in Italian Houses
Authors: Nannipieri Elisa , Secchi Simone
Published: July 2012

The research reports the evolution of building technologies and acoustic quality of buildings from 1950 to 2010. Both field measurements and prediction models have been used to determinate the evolution of Italian buildings' acoustic performances. The acoustic performances of Italian buildings realized in the last period (after 1997) were done by authors or obtained by expert members of the Acoustic Italian Association (AIA). Due to limited number of measurements in the earlier years (1950 – 1997) of the considered period, acoustic performances were calculated by using EN 12354 models; these calculations were verified by measured values. There was a significant increase in the acoustic quality of the buildings over the years especially in the last decade due to the publication of regulation and laws with new threshold values.
Analysis of Seismic Behaviour of Welded Steel Connections and Frames with Differently Constructed Connections
Authors: Shi Yongjiu , Wang Meng , Wang Yuanqing
Published: July 2012

Connection construction has an important effect on the ductility and capacity of steel structures subject to seismic excitation. In order to study the seismic behaviour of steel connections and frames with differently constructed members and connection, nonlinear 3-D finite element analyses based on ABAQUS have been conducted. Firstly, the use of multi-scale nonlinear finite element models has been proved appropriate after comparing their predictions with those of tests, including the hysteretic behaviour of nine steel variously constructed members and connections. Secondly, nine steel frame multi-scale models provided with different member and connection designs were established, and dynamic elasto-plastic seismic performance evaluation analyses were carried out. The results show that: all different connection and member designs studied do not have significant effects on the macro seismic behaviour of steel frames, but they does exist an improvement of the fracture tendency at welded toe for failure forms to be affected. Reinforced construction of connections results in no base shear forces increase. Reduced construction details, such as the use of web holes and ‘dog bone’ members, does not seriously weaken the basic behaviors of connections and does provide good energy dissipation characteristics when subject to earthquake excitation.
Dynamic Response of Rigid Blocks to Simultaneous Horizontal and Vertical Ground Shock
Authors: Hao Hong , Zhou Yun
Published: July 2012

Surface and underground explosions generate ground shock that might result in overturning of equipment housed in nearby structures owing to rocking responses. Comprehensive studies of rigid structure responses to seismic ground excitations have been reported. It was found that the rocking and sliding response of a rigid structure is highly nonlinear. The structure stability depends on the structure slenderness, as well as the ground motion amplitude, frequency and duration. Compared to an earthquake ground motion, a ground shock has a very large amplitude, high frequency contents and short duration. Moreover, vertical component of a ground shock is often higher than the gravitational acceleration g. This will cause the unanchored equipment fly into air. Therefore, the responses and stability regions of a rigid structure to blast induced ground shock will be very different from those under seismic ground motions. No study of rocking response and overturning of rigid structure to ground shock of amplitude more than 1.0 g can be found in the literature. As there might be some important equipment in buildings near a mining or a quarry site, or a military command center subjected to ground shock, understanding rigid structure response to ground shock is essential for protection of such equipment. In this study, theoretical derivation and numerical prediction of rocking and flying responses and overturning of rigid structures to simultaneous horizontal and vertical ground shock are carried out. Numerical results of stability regions of rigid structures to ground shock are derived. Particular attentions are paid to the case when the vertical ground shock is more than 1.0 g and the rigid structure flies into the air. Results are compared to those obtained with earthquake ground motions. Discussions of the rigid structure stability to ground shock are made.
Response Modification Factors of Steel Moment Frames Equipped with Completely Closed Ribbed Bracing System (CC-RBS)
Authors: Tabeshpour Mohammad Reza , Golafshani Ali Akbar , Shalmani Armin Masroor
Published: July 2012

In this paper completely closed RBS (CC-RBS) is proposed as a function of a new ribbed bracing system (RBS). RBS is an innovative system which has capacity of performing variable stiffness that can be used for controlling structural deformations and frequency shifting to compensate seismic energy. The overstrength, ductility, and response modification factors of steel moment frames equipped with CC-RBS was evaluated by performing pushover analysis of model structures with various stories and compared with those which Iranian seismic code of practice, Standard No. 2800 is supposed for steel moment frame equipped with ordinary brace.

The results were compared with those from nonlinear incremental dynamic analyses (IDA). According to the analysis results, the response modification factors of model structures computed from static pushover analysis (SPO) were generally smaller than the values given by incremental dynamic analysis, but both SPA and IDA lead to response modification factors larger than the value given in Iranian code, standard 2800, for steel moment frame equipped with ordinary brace.
A New Approach for the Free Vibration of Steel Bridge Deck with Stiffeners
Authors: Ma Niujing , Wang Ronghui , Xin Hao
Published: July 2012

Based on energy principle, the free vibration of orthotropic steel bridge deck is investigated. The orthotropic steel bridge deck considered to be a stiffened plate. Both longitudinal stiffeners and transverse diaphragms are considered to be beam elements according to the equivalent principle of mass and rigidity. Besides, the plate is analyzed according to classic thin plate theory. The mode shape functions are expressed by the product of two independent beam functions. During the derivation of frequency equation, the lateral flexural effect of both the plate and stiffeners is considered. Besides, the eccentricity and torsion of stiffeners are taken into consideration, as well as the membrane strain energy of the plate. The results of the present approach are validated by the published example. At last, a stiffened plate with three classical boundary conditions is studied. The results show good agreement with the FE software ANSYS. Besides, it is observed that the eccentricity of stiffeners has a greater influence on lower frequencies than the higher, and the dynamic rigidity of stiffened plate can be increased efficiently by increasing the thickness of longitudinal stiffeners or reducing the distance between neighboring stiffeners. But the latter is more efficient.
Robust Performance of Fuzzy Supervisory Control for Seismically Excited Cable-Stayed Bridge
Authors: Ok Seung-Yong , Park Kwan-Soon , Park Jang Ho
Published: July 2012

This paper investigates the robust performance of fuzzy supervisory control (FSC) technique for seismically excited cable-stayed bridge. The FSC technique utilizes fuzzy logic-based decision-making process to incorporate a set of pre-designed static control gains into a time-varying optimal control gain. To demonstrate the excellent robustness of the FSC technique on response control of earthquake-excited cable-stayed bridge, a conventional linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) controller with single static gain and two fuzzy supervisory controllers are designed for the benchmark cable-stayed bridge, and their robust performances are examined under uncertainty in bridge model and against failures in actuators and sensors. Under the presence of uncertainty in the bridge model, the FSC system successfully reduces the seismic responses of the bridge without significant increase in the total amount of power and stroke required by the control system, while the LQG system exhibits a substantial increase in the seismic responses. Under conditions of sensor or actuator failures, the FSC system guarantees a more enhanced robust performance than the LQG system as well.
Minimum Thickness of Flat Plate Addressing Construction Load and Scheme
Authors: Kang Su-Min , Park Hong-Gun , Kang Sung-Hoon , Choi Kyoung-Kyu
Published: July 2012

During construction of building structures, construction load significantly greater than the self-weight of a slab, is imposed on the early-age concrete slabs. As a result, according to the construction scheme, the construction load may causes excessive long term deflection and flexural cracking in a flat plate. However, the requirement of minimum thickness of the flat plate provided by the current design codes does not address such effect of the construction load on the slab. In the present study, a simplified design method was developed to calculate the deflection of a flat plate affected by the construction load and scheme. In the proposed method, a variety of design parameters affecting the long-term deflection of the plate was considered. Based on the proposed method, a design equation for estimating the minimum thickness of the flat plate was developed to be conveniently used in design work.
Experimental Investigation on the Seismic Performance of Large-Scale Interior Beam-Column Joints with Composite Slab
Authors: Chen Shicai , Yan Weiming , Gao Jie
Published: July 2012

The experimental and analytical investigations carried out on large-scale interior precast beam to column joints with composite slab are presented in this paper. Four specimens were tested under reversed cyclic loading that simulated earthquake-type motions. The most relevant feature of the joint is that the beam reinforcement on the bottom was formed and installed with anchor head, rather than bent to form stand 90-degree hooks or closed loops. The performance of the precast concrete connection was compared with that of the monolithic connection, and the failure pattern, hysteretic characteristic, skeleton curve, displacement ductility and energy dissipation, were analyzed. The test results provided some information about the seismic behavior of the large-scale joint. In general, the performance of the joint was satisfactory. No bond problem and obvious pinching effect were observed in the test, and specimen behavior was ductile and joint strength was almost equal to that of monolithic reinforced concrete construction, however, the ductility of the specimens was affected by the ratio of column to beam flexural strength, and the scope of application was recommended.
A Study on the High Seismic Performance of RC Structural Walls under Reversed Cyclic Loading
Authors: Li Yeou-Fong , Huang Chao-Lin , Lin Chih Tsung , Hsu Tseng-Hsing
Published: July 2012

In this paper, a new web reinforcement layout for RC shear walls was presented to improve the seismic performances of RC traditional walls. Two RC ductile frames and two RC framed shear wall specimens were designed and tested under cyclic loading at the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering. The test results showed that the proposed shear walls with extra concentric circles web reinforcement had greater ductility and higher energy dissipation than those of traditional RC shear walls. Moreover, the test results also indicated that the improved RC shear walls can effectively prevent the inclined shear cracks from happening and developing into the wall. This implies that large “X-shaped” bi-diagonal shear cracks can be avoided; instead, a number of minor cracks gradually and uniformly propagate into the wall surface. As a result, more ductile failure mode can be expected when the proposed high seismic performance of RC shear walls appear in the engineering practice.
The Virtual Space of the Dynamic Hypermedia Device, a Habitable Space
Authors: Tosello Maria
Published: July 2012

The hybrid contemporary space, which integrates urban and interactive virtual spaces, implies particular ways of inhabiting that suggests new identities, promoting the constant alternation between its different worlds. This article proposes to analyze and understand the design, construction and appropriation processes in this new social space-time. These processes are not only guaranteed by the accessibility to new media, but they involve the organization of complex strategies which included the development of instruments and landscapes that allow the migrations and interweaving between two realities: the urban and the virtual. This project generated an accumulation of unforgettable experiences that turned into a multiplicity of words and images that expanded through informal media or planned strategies. These activities allow reflecting upon the behaviors, meanings, and diverse thresholds that were constructed by the actors themselves during this process, and suggest new ways of being-in-the-world.
Augmented Spatiality
Authors: Salim Flora D. , Burry Jane R. , Peers Juliette , Underwood Jenny
Published: July 2012

Designers have long been concerned with new and visionary types of public space. With the advent of ubiquitous computing, architects and designers have become increasingly aware of the opportunities and challenges in designing spaces and everyday objects to support socially-oriented human interactions whether through spatial or technological means. This paper presents a novel transdiscplinary method for designing new interactive architectural prototypes that promote connectivity and social interactions in the public space in order to address specific agendas of urban interventions. The proposed method was evaluated in a pilot studio, in which students across various design and technical disciplines were invited to propose utopian socio-technological visions for a particular site and to develop their ideas into working architectural prototypes that could be installed at the chosen site and tested by the public. The open brief generated various responses and outcomes in eight projects, of which two are discussed in this paper.
Thrust and Efficiency Optimization of a Harmonically Deforming Thin Airfoil for MAV Design
Authors: Walker William , Patil Mayuresh , Canfield Robert
Published: July 2012

This article presents analytical and numerical approaches to optimizing thrust and thrust efficiency of a harmonically deforming thin airfoil. An unsteady aerodynamic model for a deforming thin airfoil undergoing harmonic oscillations has been developed previously. Here the thrust and efficiency functions are presented in a quadratic form in terms of the deformation design variables. A zero leading-edge suction constraint is developed which can be used to avoid leading edge separation in thin airfoils. Pareto fronts in terms of thrust magnitude and efficiency are generated showing optimum deformation conditions (magnitude and phase) at various reduced frequencies for various constraints.
Application of Satellite Products to Study Upwelling, Chlorophyll and Mixed Layer Depth of Southeastern Arabian Sea
Authors: Jayaram Chiranjivi , Udaya Bhaskar T V S , Ajith Joseph K , Balchand A N
Published: July 2012

The role of wind stress in modulating upwelling and subsequent changes in mixed layer depth and chlorophyll concentration in southeastern Arabian Sea are studied for the period encompassing 2000–2008. During southwest monsoon season favoring upwelling in this region, it is observed that decrease in wind stress is always followed by an increase in chlorophyll concentration with approximately two weeks delay, accompanied by the shoaling of mixed layer depth, whereas the opposite is observed during high wind stress periods. This is attributed to the mixing and entrainment of nutrients into the euphotic zone which enable increase in surface chlorophyll and thereby boosting the primary productivity of the region. Wavelet analysis is used to deduce the temporal variability of winds, chlorophyll and mixed layer for the region. A time lag of 2 weeks is observed between the decrease in wind stress followed by a high in the surface chlorophyll concentration, often well captured by satellite. Another interesting observation is the bimodal variability of chlorophyll-a concentration during summer monsoon is observed in this region which was hitherto unnoticed. This spatial and temporal relation between wind, chlorophyll and mixed layer depth can provide valuable insight towards future studies on upwelling induced productivity for this region.
A fungal anticodon nuclease ribotoxin exploits a secondary cleavage site to evade tRNA repair
Authors: Meineke Birthe , Kast Alene , Schwer Beate , Meinhardt Friedhelm , Shuman Stewart , Klassen Roland
Published: July 2012

PaOrf2 and γ-toxin subunits of Pichia acaciae toxin (PaT) and Kluyveromyces lactis zymocin are tRNA anticodon nucleases. These secreted ribotoxins are assimilated by Saccharomyces cerevisiae, wherein they arrest growth by depleting specific tRNAs. Toxicity can be recapitulated by induced intracellular expression of PaOrf2 or γ-toxin in S. cerevisiae. Mutational analysis of γ-toxin has identified amino acids required for ribotoxicity in vivo and RNA transesterification in vitro. Here, we report that PaOrf2 residues Glu9 and His287 (putative counterparts of γ-toxin Glu9 and His209) are essential for toxicity. Our results suggest a similar basis for RNA transesterification by PaOrf2 and γ-toxin, despite their dissimilar primary structures and distinctive tRNA target specificities. PaOrf2 makes two sequential incisions in tRNA, the first of which occurs 3′ from the mcm5s2U wobble nucleoside and depends on mcm5. A second incision two nucleotides upstream results in the net excision of a di-nucleotide. Expression of phage and plant tRNA repair systems can relieve PaOrf2 toxicity when tRNA cleavage is restricted to the secondary site in elp3 cells that lack the mcm5 wobble U modification. Whereas the endogenous yeast tRNA ligase Trl1 can heal tRNA halves produced by PaOrf2 cleavage in elp3 cells, its RNA sealing activity is inadequate to complete the repair. Compatible sealing activity can be provided in trans by plant tRNA ligase. The damage-rescuing ability of tRNA repair systems is lost when PaOrf2 can break tRNA at both sites. These results highlight the logic of a two-incision mechanism of tRNA anticodon damage that evades productive repair by tRNA ligases.
Association of Argonaute proteins and microRNAs can occur after cell lysis
Authors: Riley Kasandra J. , Yario Therese A. , Steitz Joan A.
Published: July 2012

MicroRNA (miRNA) target identification is a challenging but important endeavor. Global analyses of the direct mRNA targets of miRNAs have relied heavily upon immunopurification techniques, wherein a core protein component of the miRNA–protein complex, Argonaute (Ago), is immunoprecipitated to isolate associated RNAs. This approach involves the assumption that the selected RNAs were bound to the Ago protein in vivo and that the methodology did not significantly perturb endogenous interactions or produce novel interaction artifacts. To test whether RNAs that coimmunoprecipitate with human Ago were bound in vivo or could associate post-cell lysis, we used an experimental approach that distinguishes between these two origins of interaction. We show that a transfected miRNA mimic, but not a plasmid-expressed miRNA, can interact with human Ago proteins post-lysis. Our results have important implications for the design of miRNP immunoprecipitation experiments.
Nothing Is Not Enough: Fix the Absurd Post-Booker Federal Sentencing System
Authors: III Frank O. Bowman,
Published: July 2012

This article contends that the advisory guidelines system created by the Supreme Court's 200 decision in United States v. Booker should be replaced. It advances three arguments:

First, the post-Booker advisory system is conceptually indefensible. It retains virtually every feature excoriated by critics of the original sentencing guidelines. Its extreme 'advisoriness,' while partially ameliorating some problems with the original guidelines, reintroduces the very concerns about unreviewable judicial arbitrariness that spawned the structured sentencing movement in the first place. More importantly, the post-Booker system does not solve the biggest problem with the pre-Booker system — that its architecture and institutional arrangements predisposed the Commission's rule-making process to become a one-way upward ratchet which raised sentences often and lowered them virtually never. Its sole relative advantage — that of conferring additional (and effectively unreviewable) discretion on sentencing judges — is insufficient to justify its retention as a permanent system.

Second, there exist a number of constitutionally permissible alternatives to the court-created Booker system, one of which — that originally proposed by the Constitution Project and more recently endorsed by Judge William Sessions, former Chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission — is markedly superior to the present system.

Third, the difficult problem is not designing a sentencing mechanism better than either the pre- or post-Booker guidelines, but ensuring that such a system, once in place, does not replicate pre-Booker experience and become a one-way upward ratchet prescribing ever higher sentences. The article offers suggestions about how this difficulty might be solved, while conceding both the difficulty of this problem and the justice of the concern that, however imperfect the advisory system, it may be the best that can be achieved given the present constellation of institutional and political forces.
FDA Approval Summary: Sunitinib for the Treatment of Progressive Well-Differentiated Locally Advanced or Metastatic Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
Authors: Blumenthal Gideon M. , Cortazar Patricia , Zhang Jenny J. , Tang Shenghui , Sridhara Rajeshwari , Murgo Anthony , Justice Robert , Pazdur Richard
Published: July 2012

On May 20, 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved sunitinib malate capsules (Sutent®; Pfizer, Inc., New York) for the treatment of progressive, well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) in patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic disease. In a phase III randomized trial, 171 patients received either sunitinib (37.5 mg) or placebo once daily. The progression-free survival (PFS) interval was the primary efficacy endpoint. Secondary endpoints included the overall survival (OS) time, objective response rate (ORR), patient-reported outcomes, and safety.

Based on early results favoring sunitinib, the independent data monitoring committee recommended trial termination prior to the prespecified interim analysis. This premature analysis may have led to an overestimate of the treatment effect. In the FDA analysis of investigator-assessed PFS times, the median values for the sunitinib and placebo arms were 10.2 months and 5.4 months, respectively. The ORRs were 9.3% and 0% in the sunitinib and placebo arms, respectively. The OS data were not mature at the time of approval and were confounded by 69% crossover.

Common adverse reactions in patients receiving sunitinib included diarrhea, nausea, asthenia, fatigue, neutropenia, hypertension, and palmar–plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome. Two patients on sunitinib died as a result of cardiac failure.

The Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee voted eight to two that, despite residual uncertainty about the magnitude of the PFS effect because of early trial termination, sunitinib demonstrated a favorable benefit–risk profile in pNET patients. The FDA concurred with the committee's assessment and granted sunitinib regular approval for this rare malignancy with few available therapies.
The Perret Tower of Grenoble, France
Authors: Avenier Cédric , Coste Anne
Published: July 2012

This paper assesses the significance of the Tour Perret, which was built for the 1925 international exhibition on ‘houille blanche’ (‘white coal’ or hydroelectric power) and tourism held in Grenoble. This tower could also have been the symbol of Grenoble's know-how in reinforced concrete. In spite of the region's long history in the cement industry, particularly since Vicat was set up, it was a Paris-based company that won the bid in 1924. The firm was run by the Perret brothers, two pioneers in this field, who were commissioned to design the tower in a few weeks and to build it in 7 months. This project was quite a challenge from the construction point of view and it is often compared with the Eiffel Tower built in 1889 for the centenary of the French Revolution. Tour Perret was built to demonstrate the extraordinary possibilities of reinforced concrete, just as the Eiffel Tower had done for iron in its day.
Introducing concrete: German concrete firms at exhibitions before 1914
Authors: Stegmann Knut
Published: July 2012

Concrete made with Portland cement was one of several new materials developed in the nineteenth century. As with most other new materials, the built environment professions in Germany first took little notice of concrete or even refused to use it. A few decades later (reinforced) concrete became one of the most important construction materials. This success can be mainly ascribed to the clever public relations strategies of the concrete industry. This paper demonstrates the important role of both international exhibitions and national (building trades) exhibitions in establishing concrete in the construction industry before 1914. First, the exhibitions helped to introduce concrete as a material for the building trade. This had already been achieved by early presentations of precast concrete elements. Then, concrete companies presented spectacular arch bridges with small cross-sections at exhibitions to convince architects and engineers to use concrete for load-bearing structures, especially in the field of civil engineering. Finally, the companies highlighted the aesthetic qualities of concrete construction by erecting several exemplary exhibition pavilions. By this means they wanted to establish concrete in the field of prestigious building construction. The impact of the exhibition presentations was multiplied by countless articles about the exhibits in contemporary trade journals.
Brussels Cinquantenaire Park halls: a structural revolution or evolution?
Authors: Collette Quentin , Wouters Ine , Lauriks Leen , Verswijver Koen
Published: July 2012

To celebrate 50 years of independence, King Leopold II of Belgium conceived a jubilee park in 1880, which was later used for national and international exhibitions. The large-span exhibition hall that was built in 1888 on the site is still in use at present – after having experienced several architectural and functional mutations over time – and reflects a successful design. The structure consists of a series of three-bay wrought-iron portal frames and is part of the evolution of an emblematic type of building in world fairs, which is the galerie des machines typology (machinery hall). This paper reveals how and to what extent the Brussels exhibition hall came into structural development towards a three-hinged arch by situating it within the built machinery halls (Paris 1867, Paris 1878, Paris 1889, Chicago 1893) and other famous arched structures. By relating breakthroughs in engineering (enlarging the span length, dealing with the arch thrust, support condition, etc.), the relevance and the innovative character of the Brussels Cinquantenaire halls is discussed.
Late-nineteenth century exhibitions as a showcase for demountable army field huts
Authors: Guillerme André
Published: July 2012

International fairs made up of pavilions and monuments that were designed and built quickly, as well as taken down in just a few weeks, were showcases for a variety of demountable, transportable, ephemeral and mobile constructions. They also exposed rivalries between states, industries and enterprises to the judgement of enlightened public opinion. Within the framework of these peaceful tensions, the ministries of war were among the first to take advantage of the buildings on show, related to various aspects of military life including housing troops, tending the injured and sick and providing relatively luxurious accommodation for senior military and administrative staff. They demonstrated the preparations by different states for mobile warfare and colonial conquest. Competitions were launched at international trade fairs in Anvers, Brussels and Berlin, which put on public display dozens of designs for demountable structures, many of which came later to serve as symbols of national pride, for example Döcker in Germany, Nissen in Great Britain, Dandy in Belgium and Espitallier in France. These structures can be divided into two categories: load-bearing framed structures that required skill to assemble and load-bearing panels that were easily put together and stabilised by the roof. During the exhibitions, many demonstrations of erecting and disassembling the temporary buildings were given and prizes were awarded to the best exhibitors, rewarding the rapidity, intelligence and endurance of the constructions as well as clear explanations of their practicalities to the visiting public. As with the temporary structures erected to house the international exhibitions themselves, the designers and entrepreneurs behind their smaller brothers exploited the unique opportunity to have a public platform to display their contributions to national governments' activities of war and colonialism.
Centrifuge modelling of spudcan–pile interaction in soft clay
Authors: XIE Y. , LEUNG C.F. , CHOW Y.K.
Published: July 2012

The installation and extraction of jack-up spudcans may induce significant stresses in the adjacent piles supporting the permanent jacket platforms at an offshore site. In the present study, centrifuge model tests were conducted to investigate the effects of spudcan movements on the lateral and axial behaviour of adjacent fixed-head piles embedded in soft clay. Parameters such as jack-up operation period, clearance between the spudcan and pile, and the embedment length of the pile are examined. The test results show that the most critical period for platform piles is at the end of spudcan installation, and the lateral pile behaviour is more severely affected than the axial pile behaviour. During spudcan installation, the induced bending moment on a pile located one-quarter spudcan diameter away from the spudcan edge is about 2·4 times that of a pile located one spudcan diameter away. For a deeply buried spudcan with penetration of over three-quarters spudcan diameter, the induced bending moment on longer piles is much smaller than that on shorter piles. The experimental findings provide further insights into the underlying mechanisms governing spudcan–pile interaction in soft clay under various configurations and conditions.
Modelling the axial soil resistance on deep-water pipelines
Authors: RANDOLPH M.F. , WHITE D.J. , YAN Y.
Published: July 2012

Axial pipe–soil resistance is an important aspect of deep-water pipeline design, since it influences the longitudinal and lateral buckling responses under thermally induced expansion and contraction of the pipeline. Experimental evidence has shown that the axial resistance, expressed as a proportion of the submerged pipeline weight, can vary by an order of magnitude, depending on the rate of axial movement and cumulative time. This paper provides a theoretical framework for assessing the magnitude of axial friction. The framework is developed within a critical-state context using effective stresses, applicable to any degree of drainage in the soil, quantifying the magnitude and duration of excess pore pressures generated near the pipe/soil interface. Two other aspects of behaviour are added to match the observed velocity dependence of axial resistance: (a) a damage term, leading to contractive volumetric strain at the interface; and (b) strain-rate dependence of the mobilised soil strength. Analytical expressions are derived that capture the above features of the response. The resulting variations of normalised frictional resistance with time and velocity are then shown to match experimental data from interface shear-box tests, representing a planar idealisation of the same behaviour, and from model pipe tests.
Strain-rate effects in deep marine clays from the Gulf of Guinea
Authors: TORISU S.S. , PEREIRA J.-M. , GENNARO V.DE , DELAGE P. , PUECH A.
Published: July 2012

Current developments in deepwater offshore oil production in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) make it necessary to characterise the mechanical behaviour of the GoG deepwater sediments better. This paper examines some aspects of the strain-rate-dependent behaviour of intact and reconstituted GoG clay specimens. Results from isotropic compression and undrained shearing laboratory tests with changing rates of stress and strain are presented. They show that the soil generally follows an isotach behaviour, with clear strain-rate dependence of the stress–strain behaviour and pore pressure response in the undrained shear tests. The effects of structure and its degradation on the time-dependent response of the sediments seem to confirm general trends observed in other structured clays.
Briefing: Dowel fasteners: a simple design method
Authors: Nicol-Smith Colin
Published: July 2012

The solution to the problem of designing dowel fasteners, such as nails, bolts or lag screws, in wooden shear connections depends upon relating the embedment length of the dowel to the compression stress on the wood and the bending strength of the dowel. This paper presents a simple means of doing this. Two equations are presented; these contain only yield stress of the dowel, compression stress on the wood and diameter of the dowel, together with coefficients depending upon joint configuration. The characteristics used are taken from the North American literature.
Using Contemporary Technologies in the Rejuvenation of Brown Fields - "The Seplat's Experience"
Authors: Augustine Ekeigwe , Olalekan Badmus , Abdulhakeem Ibrahim , Olubusola Ogunbanwo , Onichabor Fidel
Published: July 2012

In the last few decades, the production of hydrocarbons from new sources such as green fields, deep and ultra-deep offshore fields and unconventional sources such as shale and Coal Bed Methane (CBM) has been on the increase. However, about 67 – 72% of total global hydrocarbon production are still derived from "brown fields", which have primary recovery factors in the range of ca. 30 – 35%. Thus, there still exists a significant potential to further maximise recovery from these fields.

Brown fields are basically characterised by declining oil production, high water cut, sand production, flow assurance challenges (wax, asphaltenes, scales etc.), well integrity issues and obsolete equipment. Thus, to reverse the declining production trend commonly experienced in brown fields, a holistic approach underpinned by a structured work flow in conjunction with the identification, selection and application of appropriate, available, modern and proven technology is central to the rejuvenation initiative. The rejuvenation of such fields is driven by the identification of underperforming wells, reservoirs and surface facilities, defining a clear work scope for the identified opportunities and the selection and application of modern and proven technologies that are cost effective.

This paper highlights the strategic approach adopted by an independent Operator in the Niger Delta basin in achieving over 100% increase in hydrocarbon production from four brown fields in less than two years of operatorship without drilling any new well.

However, going forward, the Operator intends to adopt novel technologies after stringent selection process and successful field trials. In addition, in-fill opportunities will be identified and executed for brown fields and FDP produced and implemented for the green fields.
Vaspin Is an Adipokine Ameliorating ER Stress in Obesity as a Ligand for Cell-Surface GRP78/MTJ-1 Complex
Authors: Nakatsuka Atsuko , Wada Jun , Iseda Izumi , Teshigawara Sanae , Higashio Kanji , Murakami Kazutoshi , Kanzaki Motoko , Inoue Kentaro , Terami Takahiro , Katayama Akihiro , Hida Kazuyuki , Eguchi Jun , Horiguchi Chikage Sato , Ogawa Daisuke , Matsuki Yasushi , Hiramatsu Ryuji , Yagita Hideo , Kakuta Shigeru , Iwakura Yoichiro , Makino Hirofumi
Published: July 2012

It is unknown whether adipokines derived from adipose tissues modulate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induced in obesity. Here, we show that visceral adipose tissue–derived serine protease inhibitor (vaspin) binds to cell-surface 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), which is recruited from ER to plasma membrane under ER stress. Vaspin transgenic mice were protected from diet-induced obesity, glucose intolerance, and hepatic steatosis, while vaspin-deficient mice developed glucose intolerance associated with upregulation of ER stress markers. With tandem affinity tag purification using HepG2 cells, we identified GRP78 as an interacting molecule. The complex formation of vaspin, GRP78, and murine tumor cell DnaJ-like protein 1 (MTJ-1) (DnaJ homolog, subfamily C, member 1) on plasma membrane was confirmed by cell-surface labeling with biotin and immunoprecipitation in liver tissues and H-4-II-E-C3 cells. The addition of recombinant human vaspin in the cultured H-4-II-E-C3 cells also increased the phosphorylation of Akt and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in a dose-dependent manner, and anti-GRP78 antibodies completely abrogated the vaspin-induced upregulation of pAkt and pAMPK. Vaspin is a novel ligand for cell-surface GRP78/MTJ-1 complex, and its subsequent signals exert beneficial effects on ER stress–induced metabolic dysfunctions.
Sociodemographic Disparities in the Composition of Metabolic Syndrome Components Among Adults in South Korea
Authors: Lim Hyunjung , Nguyen Tuan , Choue Ryowon , Wang Youfa
Published: July 2012

OBJECTIVE

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is becoming a serious public health concern in many countries, including South Korea, which has faced remarkable changes in lifestyles and disease patterns in recent decades. We examined sex and socioeconomic status (SES) disparities in MetS and its components among South Koreans using recent, nationally representative data.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Data from the 2007−2008 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys for 7,289 adults 19−65 years of age were used to examine the patterns of MetS components (defined using International Diabetes Federation criteria), and regression models were used to study the association of MetS with SES, indicated by education and family income levels.

RESULTS

MetS prevalence increased with age, from 4.6% at age 19−29 years to 25.0% at age 50−65 years. More men had MetS than women (15.8 vs. 11.6%); men had worse levels of all MetS components. In women, the low-income and low-education group was more likely to have MetS (odds ratio 2.75 [95% CI 1.75–4.31]); the high-income and high-education group was 52% less likely to have MetS (0.48 [0.25–0.89]) compared with the middle-income and middle-education group. The most common combination of MetS components was central obesity + low HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) + hypertriglyceridemia, which occurred in 15.5% of all MetS patients and in 3.4% of all South Korean adults (4.1% in men and 2.9% in women).

CONCLUSIONS

Those who were older and male as well as low-SES female had higher rates of MetS and its components in South Korea. The SES-MetS association was not found in men. Central obesity + low HDL-C + hypertriglyceridemia was the most common MetS pattern regardless of the SES.
Pharmacodynamic Effect of Cilostazol Plus Standard Clopidogrel Versus Double-Dose Clopidogrel in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Jeong Young-Hoon , Tantry Udaya S. , Park Yongwhi , Kwon Tae Jung , Park Jeong Rang , Hwang Seok-Jae , Bliden Kevin P. , Koh Eun-Ha , Kwak Choong Hwan , Hwang Jin-Yong , Kim Sunjoo , Gurbel Paul A.
Published: July 2012

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of adding cilostazol (100 mg b.i.d.) to standard-dose clopidogrel (75 mg/d) (TRIPLE) compared with double-dose clopidogrel (150 mg/d) (DOUBLE) and the influence of the cytochrome P450 (CYP2C19*2/*3, CYP3A5*3)and ATP-binding cassette subfamily B1(ABCB1 C3435T) genetic polymorphisms in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

T2DM patients were treated with TRIPLE (n = 41) or DOUBLE (n = 39) after percutaneous coronary intervention. Conventional aggregometry and VerifyNow were performed at baseline and at 30 days. The primary end point was absolute change in 20-μM ADP-induced maximal platelet aggregation (ΔMPA20) between baseline and switching values.

RESULTS

TRIPLE versus DOUBLE showed greater ΔMPA20 (22.9 ± 11.6 vs.12.7 ± 15.5%; difference, 10.2% [95% CI 4.2–16.3]; P < 0.001). Carriage of one (β coefficient, −5.4%; P = 0.162) and two CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele(s) (−8.3%; P = 0.007) were associated with lower ΔMPA20 in DOUBLE–treated patients, but not in TRIPLE-treated patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Among T2DM patients, adding cilostazol achieves greater platelet inhibition compared with clopidogrel (150 mg/d), which is not influenced by genetic polymorphisms.
Health Utility Scores for People With Type 2 Diabetes in U.S. Managed Care Health Plans
Authors: Zhang Ping , Brown Morton B. , Bilik Dori , Ackermann Ronald T. , Li Rui , Herman William H.
Published: July 2012

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the health utility scores associated with type 2 diabetes, its treatments, complications, and comorbidities.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We analyzed health-related quality-of-life data, collected at baseline during Translating Research Into Action for Diabetes, a multicenter, prospective, observational study of diabetes care in managed care, for 7,327 individuals with type 2 diabetes. We measured quality-of-life using the EuroQol (EQ)-5D, a standardized instrument for which 1.00 indicates perfect health. We used multivariable regression to estimate the independent impact of demographic characteristics, diabetes treatments, complications, and comorbidities on health-related quality-of-life.

RESULTS

The mean EQ-5D–derived health utility score for those individuals with diabetes was 0.80. The modeled utility score for a nonobese, non–insulin-treated, non-Asian, non-Hispanic man with type 2 diabetes, with an annual household income of more than $40,000, and with no diabetes complications, risk factors for cardiovascular disease, or comorbidities, was 0.92. Being a woman, being obese, smoking, and having a lower household income were associated with lower utility scores. Arranging complications from least to most severe according to the reduction in health utility scores resulted in the following order: peripheral vascular disease, other heart diseases, transient ischemic attack, cerebral vascular accident, nonpainful diabetic neuropathy, congestive heart failure, dialysis, hemiplegia, painful neuropathy, and amputation.

CONCLUSIONS

Major diabetes complications and comorbidities are associated with decreased health-related quality-of-life. Utility estimates from our study can be used to assess the impact of diabetes on quality-of-life and conduct cost-utility analyses.
Periodontal Infection, Systemic Inflammation, and Insulin Resistance
Authors: Demmer Ryan T. , Squillaro Anthony , Papapanou Panos N. , Rosenbaum Michael , Friedewald William T. , Jacobs David R. , Desvarieux Moïse
Published: July 2012

OBJECTIVE

Adverse microbial exposures might contribute to diabetogenesis. We hypothesized that clinical periodontal disease (a manifestation of microbial exposures in dysbiotic biofilms) would be related to insulin resistance among diabetes-free participants. The roles of inflammatory mediation and effect modification were also studied.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2004 enrolled 3,616 participants (51% women) who received a periodontal examination and fasting blood draw. Participants were mean age (± SD) 43 ± 17 years and 28% Hispanic, 52% Caucasian, 17% African American, and 3% other. Log-transformed values of the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) or HOMA-IR ≥3.30 (75th percentile) were regressed across full-mouth periodontal probing depth (PD) levels using linear and logistic models. White blood cell (WBC) count and C-reactive protein (CRP) were considered as either mediators or effect modifiers in separate analyses. Risk ratios (RRs) stem from marginal predictions derived from the logistic model. Results were adjusted for multiple periodontal disease and insulin resistance risk factors.

RESULTS

In linear regression, geometric mean HOMA-IR levels increased by 1.04 for every 1-mm PD increase (P = 0.007). WBC mediated 6% of the association (P < 0.05). Among participants with WBC ≤6.4 × 109, PD was unrelated to HOMA-IR ≥3.30. Fourth-quartile PD was associated with HOMA-IR ≥3.30 among participants with WBC >7.9 × 109; RR 2.60 (1.36–4.97) (P for interaction = 0.05). Findings were similar among participants with CRP >3.0 mg/L (P for interaction = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Periodontal infection was associated with insulin resistance in a nationally representative U.S. sample of diabetes-free adults. These data support the role of inflammation as both mediator and effect modifier of the association.