bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of size and shape of specimen upon the unconfined compressive strength of cement-stabilized materials
Authors: Symons I. F. 
Published: July 2012

Synopsis An investigation has been carried out into the effect of the shape and size of the specimen upon the unconfined compressive strength of cement-stabilized gravelsand-clay, well graded sand and fine crushed rock. A range of cement contents was used with each material to give a range of strengths up to about 14 N/mm2 after 7 days' curing. To enable valid comparisons of strength to be made, the specimens were compacted to produce similar dry densities. Relationships were obtained between the strength of cylindrical specimens of different height to diameter ratios and between the strengths of cubes and cylindrical specimens. The average ratios of the strength of cylindrical specimens with a height:diameter ratio of 2:1 to the strength of specimens with a height: diameter ratio of 1:1 were 0·89, 0·74 and 0·65 for 150, 100 and 50 mm diameter specimens respectively. The differences in strength between specimens with height:diameter ratios of 1:1 and 2:1 is thought to be associated with the effect of the end restraint imposed on the specimens by the platens of the testing machine in producing different modes of failure with the specimens of different height. The average ratio for the strength of 150 mm cubes to the strength of 300 mm high by 150 mm diameter cylinders made from the materials studied was found to be 1·29, which agrees closely with the value of 4/3 commonly accepted for concrete test specimens.
Optimum reinforcement of concrete slab elements against combinations of moments and membrane forces
Authors: Morley C. T. 
Published: July 2012

Synopsis The paper presents a method for finding the optimum arrangement ofreinforcement in a concrete slab element subjected to general combinations of moments and membrane forces. The method is based on the study of strain distributions which satisfy certain conditions at the positions where reinforcement is to be provided. For some combinations of stress-resultants, explicit equations can be derived for the required areas of steel: in the special cases of membrane forces only, or of moments only, these equations reduce to previously published results. Some numerical examples are given.
Stress-strain characteristics of concrete confined in steel binders
Authors: Sundara Raja Iyengar K. T. , Desayi Prakash , Reddy K. Nagi 
Published: July 2012

Synopsis The ductility of concrete can be increased by confinement in steel binders but, for a proper analysis of the ultimate strength of structures utilizing this gain, an undertsanding of the stress-strain characteristics of confined concrete is necessary. The paper presents the results of axial compression tests on specimens in which the variables were: strength of concrete, size and shape of test specimen and diameter and type of spiral wire. A new factor called the ‘confinement index’ is introduced to define the confinement quantitatively. Ultimate strengths and strains increase with confinement and linearly with the confinement index. Confinement is found to be effective only when the pitch of binders is less than the least lateral dimension of the confined specimen. Of the three types of binder studied—circular spirals, square spirals and stirrups—the first was the most and the last the least effective. The mechanics of the action of steel binders and a similarity between the confining effects of steel binders and of hydrostatic pressure are discussed.
Anchorage zone stresses in post-tensioned uniform members with eccentric and multiple anchorages
Authors: Yettram A. L. , Robbins K. 
Published: July 2012

Synopsis Anchorage zone stresses in post-tensioned members of uniform cross-section are determined by using a finite element procedure for the elastic analysis of three-dimensional solids. Stress distributions are shown for multiple and eccentric anchorages on rectangular and I-section beams. Both bursting and spalling stresses are considered. The results are used to assess the conventional design method of partitioning.
Anchorage zone stresses in axially post-tensioned I-section members with end-blocks
Authors: Yettram A. L. , Robbins K. 
Published: July 2012

Synopsis The stress distributions in the anchorage zone of an I-section member which is axially post-tensioned through an end-block are presented. They have been obtained from finite-element analyses. Three end-block lengths are considered. Comparisons are made betwren the stresses in the members with end-blocks and (a) the section with no end-block (b) the rectangular prismatic beam of which the cross-section is identical with that of the end-block.
A method of detecting and determining lignin compounds in mortars and concretes
Authors: Kroone B. 
Published: July 2012

Synopsis Lignosulphonate and Vinsol-resin type admixtures in concrete are oxidized by precipitated manganese dioxide in caustic soda to produce a high yield of vanillin and other carbonyl products. The products with carbonyl groups react with 2–4 dinitrophenylhydrazine to form brightly coloured osazones and hydrazones, which are quantitatively determined with a spectrophotometer.
The influence of specimen geometry upon weight change and shrinkage of air-dried mortar specimens
Authors: Hobbs D. W. , Mears A. R. 
Published: July 2012

Synopsis Results are given of an investigation into the influence oj specimen size and ‘shape’ upon the weight change and shrinkage of mortar specimens dried at 20°C and 65% R.H. The specimens tested had a water/cement ratio of 0·71 and were moist-cured for 7 days. It is shown that the falling-rate curve may be divided into three periods in which it is suggested that a single mechanism predominates, namely, capillary moisture loss, diffusion moisture loss or carbonation weight gain, and also two intermediate periods in which a combination of two of these three mechanisms gives rise to significant weight changes. The shrinkage measurements are shown to support the division oj the falling-rate curve into a number of periods, and it is shown that the ultimate shrinkage due to moisture loss increases with specimen size. Two methods are suggested for obtaining the ultimate shrinkage of a practical concrete section for which carbonation shrinkage can be assumed to be negligible.
A theoretical investigation of ultimate torque as calculated by truss theory and by the Russian ultimate equilibrium method
Authors: Kuyt B. 
Published: July 2012

Synopsis An analysis is given of the distribution of forces in reinforced concrete elements under pure torsion. It is assumed that the elements are under-reinforced and that failure is initiated by yielding of reinforcement. Two methods of calculation are taken into consideration, the space truss analogy and the ‘ultimate equilibrium method’ as adopted in the Soviet code. It is shown that the latter method will give the same results as the truss theory, provided that proper assumptions are made with respect to the form of the failure surface and the magnitude of the stirrup stresses at the smaller and the larger sides of the beam respectively.
An instability theory of failure for concrete
Authors: Uppal J. Y. , Kemp K. O. 
Published: July 2012

Synopsis A simple mathematical model is proposed in which the failure of concrete under uniaxial compression is attributed to the instability which develops in the macro-elemental structure formed by cracking. The model predicts that there is a critical fracture length which is, with the ultimate stress, dependent upon factors such as size of specimen and longitudinal stress gradient which have previously only been explained by statistical strength theories. The model predictions are compared with the experimental evidence available.
The strain behaviour of concrete in prestressed concrete pressure vessels
Authors: Carmichael G. D. T. , Hornby I. W. 
Published: July 2012

Synopsis At a numher of positions in the top half of the Oldhury ‘A’ prestressed concrete pressure vessel, the total strain has heen calculated from the beginning of prestressing to early 1972 and compared with measurements obtained from vibrating-wire strain gauges. The quantitative significance of the variables which affect the total strain hehaviour of concrete in prestressed concrete pressure vessels is discussed briefly in relation to the calculated and measured strains. The agreement between calculated and measured strains which results from this examination is such that increased confidence can be placed in the results ohtained in calculations of the stresses sustained hy the prestressed concrete pressure vessels operated by the Central Electricity Generating Board.
Short-term stress relaxation of concrete
Authors: Taylor Michael A. , Maurer Gregory K. 
Published: July 2012

Synopsis Concrete cylinders 77 mm in diameter and 270 mm long were subjected to constant strains, and the changes in load (stress relaxation) were monitored for approximately 15 min from the time of loading. The variables examined were: humidity (on dry and saturated specimens); design 28 day strengths (of 13·8, 20·7, 27·6 and 34·5 N/mm2); initial stress levels (20, 40, 60 and 80 % of compressive strength); number of applications (initial and two subsequent loadings); age at loading (40 days and 9 months). Over 100 relaxation tests were performed in which constant strain was maintained by a closed-loop electro-hydraulic testing machine. The principal findings were that short-term stress relaxation may be approximated by a hyperbolic equation, of the type suggested by Ross during studies of creep, and that the behaviour of concrete under constant strain exhibits anomalous features with respect to humidity and water/cement ratio.
Non-elastic deformation of concrete under cyclic compression
Authors: Whaley C. P. , Neville A. M. 
Published: July 2012

Synopsis It is shown that, in comparison with a static stress, cyclic loading accelerates the non-elastic deformation of concrete. The resulting creep can be expressed as the sum of a mean-stress component and of a component which is dependent both upon the range of stress and upon the value of the mean stress.
The Mohr envelope of failure for concrete: a study of its tension-compression part
Authors: Theocaris P. S. , Prassianakis J. N. 
Published: July 2012

Synopsis The purpose of this paper is to study the behaviour of concrete in multiaxial loading in order to construct the failure envelope of the material by tracing the individual Mohr circles for each type of loading. The study was concerned mainly with triaxial loading in longitudinal tension and lateral hydrostatic compression of cylindrical specimens made of a normal type of concrete. Interesting and novel conclusions are revealed for the behaviour of this composite material subject to this type of loading.
Lateral strains in hardened cement paste under short- and long-term loading
Authors: Parrott L. J. 
Published: July 2012

Synopsis The influence of porosity, stress, moisture content, age of loading and period under load upon lateral strains inhardened cement paste under short- and long-term loading is examined. A simple predictive function for Poisson's ratio is given. Creep Poisson's ratio of hardened cement paste was 0·13 for all tests. The relationship between the lateral strain behaviour of hardened cement paste and of concrete is discussed. The creep Poisson's ratio results provided evidence on the nature of the deformation processes in hardened cement paste.
Flexural behaviour of highly converted prestressed high alumina cement concrete beams
Authors: Cusens A. R. , Jackson N. 
Published: July 2012

Synopsis The paper reports the results offlexural tests on highly converted prestressed high alumina cement concrete T beamsfrom schools in Dundee. Owing to the low strength of the concrete, all beams failed in compression. Values of elastic modulus, creep and loss of prestress are estimated from test data and compared with the provisions of CP 110. Recommendations are made regarding appropriate values of elastic modulus and creep.
Neighborhood Disparities in Access to Healthy Foods and Their Effects on Environmental Justice
Authors: Hilmers Angela , Hilmers David C. , Dave Jayna 
Published: July 2012

Environmental justice is concerned with an equitable distribution of environmental burdens. These burdens comprise immediate health hazards as well as subtle inequities, such as limited access to healthy foods. We reviewed the literature on neighborhood disparities in access to fast-food outlets and convenience stores. Low-income neighborhoods offered greater access to food sources that promote unhealthy eating. The distribution of fast-food outlets and convenience stores differed by the racial/ethnic characteristics of the neighborhood. Further research is needed to address the limitations of current studies, identify effective policy actions to achieve environmental justice, and evaluate intervention strategies to promote lifelong healthy eating habits, optimum health, and vibrant communities.
Female Board Presence and the Likelihood of Financial Restatement
Authors: Abbott Lawrence J. , Parker Susan , Presley Theresa J. 
Published: July 2012

SYNOPSIS:
This paper investigates the impact of one form of board diversity on the incidence of financial restatement. More specifically, we hypothesize that there is a negative relation between female board presence (defined as whether or not a board has at least one female director) and the likelihood of a financial restatement. Our hypothesis is consistent with a female board presence contributing to the board's ability to maintain an attitude of mental independence, diminishing the extent of groupthink and enhancing the ability of the board to monitor financial reporting. Utilizing the U.S. General Accounting Office (U.S. GAO 2002) report on restatements, we construct a matched-pair sample of 278 annual (187 quarterly) restatement and 278 annual (187 quarterly) control firms. After controlling for other restatement-related factors, we find a significant association between the presence of at least one woman on the board and a lower likelihood of restatement. Our results continue to hold in annual restatements from the post-Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) time period.
An Examination of the Cost of Capital Implications of FIN 46
Authors: Callahan Carolyn M. , Smith Rodney E. , Spencer Angela Wheeler 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACT
This study examines whether the adoption in 2003 of FASB Interpretation No. 46/R (FIN 46), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities—An Interpretation of ARB No. 51, changed the cost of capital for affected firms. Using comparative analysis on a broad sample of 11,719 firm-quarter observations for 1,389 firms during the period 1998 through 2005, we find evidence that FIN 46 significantly increased the cost of equity capital for firms with affected variable interest entities (VIEs), an increase of approximately 50 basis points relative to firms reporting no material effect from the standard. Further, firms consolidating these formerly off-balance sheet structures experienced the largest increase. Taken together, these results suggest that FIN 46 reduced the opportunity for firms to use off-balance sheet structures to artificially reduce their cost of capital, a matter of regulatory concern.
Data Availability: All data are available from public sources.
Enteropathogens identified in cats entering a Florida animal shelter with normal feces or diarrhea
Authors: Sabshin Stephanie J. , Levy Julie K. , Tupler Tiffany , Tucker Sylvia J. , Greiner Ellis C. , Leutenegger Christian M. 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Objective—To determine the frequency of enteropathogens in cats entering an animal shelter with normal feces or diarrhea.
Design—Cross-sectional study.
Animals—100 cats evaluated at an open-admission municipal animal shelter in Florida.
Procedures—Fecal samples collected within 24 hours after admission from 50 cats with normal feces and 50 cats with diarrhea were tested by fecal flotation, antigen testing, PCR assay, and electron microscopy for selected enteropathogens.
Results—12 enteropathogens were identified. Cats with diarrhea were no more likely to be infected with ≥ 1 (84%) enteropathogens than were cats with normal feces (84%). Only feline coronavirus was significantly more prevalent in cats with diarrhea (58%) than in cats with normal feces (36%). Other enteropathogens identified in cats with and without diarrhea included Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin A (42% and 50%, respectively), Cryptosporidium spp (10% and 20%, respectively), Giardia spp (20% and 8%, respectively), Cystoisospora spp (14% and 10%, respectively), hookworms (10% and 18%, respectively), ascarids (6% and 16%, respectively), Salmonella spp (6% and 4%, respectively), astrovirus (8% and 2%, respectively), feline panleukopenia virus (4% and 4%, respectively), calicivirus (0% and 2%, respectively), and Spirometra spp (0% and 2%, respectively).
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—In the present study, cats entered the shelter with a variety of enteropathogens, many of which are pathogenic or zoonotic. Most infections were not associated with diarrhea or any specific risk factors such as signalment, source, or body condition, making it difficult to predict which cats were most likely to be infected. It is not possible to test all shelter cats for all possible infections, so practical guidelines should be developed to treat routinely for the most common and important enteropathogens.
Frequency of vomiting during the postoperative period in hydromorphone-treated dogs undergoing orthopedic surgery
Authors: Stern Leah C. , Palmisano Matthew P. 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Objective—To determine the frequency of postoperative vomiting in dogs undergoing routine orthopedic surgery that were treated with hydromorphone and whether that frequency would vary on the basis of administration route.
Design—Noncontrolled clinical trial.
Animals—58 client-owned dogs with cranial cruciate ligament deficiency.
Procedures—Before surgery, all dogs received hydromorphone (0.1 mg/kg [0.045 mg/lb], IM or IV) and 41 dogs also received acepromazine. Anesthesia was induced with diazepam and propofol and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. Dogs subsequently underwent surgical stabilization of the stifle joint. After surgery, dogs were randomly assigned to receive hydromorphone (0.1 mg/kg) via one of the following routes: IM, IV quickly (for 1 to 2 seconds), or IV slowly (for approx 1 minute). Dogs were monitored for vomiting.
Results—A median of 4 doses of hydromorphone/dog was administered after surgery. One dog was observed to regurgitate once prior to postoperative IM administration of hydromorphone; no dogs vomited at any point during the study period, regardless of the method of hydromorphone administration.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The method of hydromorphone administration had no apparent effect on the likelihood of dogs vomiting. Because no dogs vomited, a particular administration method cannot be recommended. However, findings suggested that hydromorphone can be administered to dogs following orthopedic surgery without a clinically important risk of vomiting or regurgitation.
A Critical Role for Rictor in T Lymphopoiesis
Authors: Tang Fei , Wu Qi , Ikenoue Tsuneo , Guan Kun-Liang , Liu Yang , Zheng Pan 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Apart from a critical role for Notch and pre-TCR, the signaling pathway required for T lymphopoiesis is largely unknown. Given the potential link between Notch and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling in cancer cells, we used mice with conditional deletion of either Raptor or Rictor genes to determine potential contribution of the mTOR complex I and II in T lymphopoiesis. Our data demonstrated that targeted mutation of Rictor in the thymocytes drastically reduced the thymic cellularity, primarily by reducing proliferation of the immature thymocytes. Rictor deficiency caused a partial block of thymocyte development at the double-negative 3 stage. The effect of Rictor deficiency is selective for the T cell lineage, as the development of B cells, erythrocytes, and myeloid cells is largely unaffected. Analysis of bone marrow chimera generated from a mixture of wild-type and Rictor-deficient hematopoietic stem cells demonstrated that the function of Rictor is cell intrinsic. These data revealed a critical function of mTOR complex 2 in T lymphopoiesis.
Molecular Species Identification of Candida from Blood Samples of Intensive Care Unit Patients by Polymerase Chain Reaction – Restricted Fragment Length Polymorphism
Authors: Vijayakumar Ramraj , Giri Sidhartha , Kindo Anupma Jyoti 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACT
Introduction: Candida spp is an emerging cause of blood stream infections worldwide. Delay in speciation of Candida isolates by conventional methods and resistance to antifungal drugs (especially fluconazole, amphotericin B, etc.) in various Candida species are some of the factors responsible for the increase in morbidity and mortality due to candidemia. So, the rapid detection and identification of Candida isolates from blood is very important for the proper management of patients having candidemia.
Materials and Methods: In this study, we have used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) - restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) as a method for the speciation of Candida isolates from blood samples of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. PCR was used to amplify the ITS-1 and ITS-2 regions of Candida spp using universal primers ITS-1 and ITS-4. The amplified product was digested using Msp I restriction enzyme by RFLP.
Results and Discussion: The method PCR-RFLP helped in identifying five medically important Candida spp (C. tropicalis, C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei and C. glabrata) from blood. This method is rapid, reliable, easy and cost-effective and can be used in routine laboratory diagnostics for the rapid identification of Candida isolates from blood.
Conclusion: PCR-RFLP is an easy, rapid and highly valuable tool which can be used in routine diagnostic laboratories to speciate Candida isolates obtained from blood. This rapid method of speciation will help clinicians to decide on empirical therapy in candidemia cases before antifungal susceptibility results are available.
Prevalence and Characterization of Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli Isolated from Adults and Children in Mangalore, India
Authors: Shetty Veena A , Kumar Sanath H , Shetty Avinash K , Karunasagar Iddya , Karunasagar Indrani 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACT
Background: Diarrheal diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in resource-limited countries. Among the bacterial pathogens, diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) are most frequently implicated in cases of epidemic and endemic diarrhea worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of DEC in stool specimens from patients with acute diarrhea using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Materials and Methods: Escherichia coli stool samples were collected from 115 hospitalized children and adults with acute diarrhea in Mangalore, a coastal city, in southern India. PCR amplification of eae, bfp, stx, ehx genes were used for detection of enteropathogenic (EPEC) and shigatoxigenic E. coli (STEC), lt and st genes were used for enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) and astA gene for enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC).
Results: During the 24 month study period, of the 115 stool samples, DEC type was detected in 20 (17.4%) using the PCR method. The most prevalent DEC was atypical EPEC accounting for 12 (10.4%) cases followed by 4 cases of EAEC (3.4%) and 4 of STEC (3.4%). No ETEC strains were isolated from any of the examined stool samples.
Conclusion: This study suggests that the atypical EPEC are the newly emerging group among DEC stains in Southern India. Further studies are needed to evaluate the epidemiology and virulence properties of atypical EPEC strains.