Static Behavior of Reinforced UHPFRC Beams with Minimal Cover Thickness

In this research contribution, the static behavior and failure mechanisms are developed for a three-dimensional (3D) printed dogbone, auxetic structure and sandwich composite using acoustic emissions (AEs). The skins, core and whole sandwich are manufactured using the same bio-based material which is polylactic acid reinforced with micro-flax fibers. Tensile tests are conducted on the skins and the core while bending tests are conducted on the sandwich composite. Those tests are carried out on four different auxetic densities in order to investigate their effect on the mechanical and damage properties of the materials. To monitor the invisible damage and damage propagation, a highly sensitive AE testing method is used. It is found that the sandwich with high core density displays advanced mechanical properties in terms of bending stiffness, shear stiffness, facing bending stress and core shear stress. In addition, the AE data points during testing present an amplitude range of 40–85[Formula: see text]dB that characterizes visible and invisible damage up to failure.

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Regional Analyses of Rainfall-Induced Landslide Initiation in Upper Gudbrandsdalen (South-Eastern Norway) Using TRIGRS Model

Geosciences ◽

10.3390/geosciences11010035 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 35

Author(s):

Luca Schilirò ◽

José Cepeda ◽

Graziella Devoli ◽

Luca Piciullo

Keyword(s):

Numerical Simulations ◽

Regional Scale ◽

Shallow Landslides ◽

South Eastern ◽

Physically Based ◽

Triggering Conditions ◽

Cover Thickness ◽

Regional Analyses ◽

Factor Maps ◽

Eastern Norway

In Norway, shallow landslides are generally triggered by intense rainfall and/or snowmelt events. However, the interaction of hydrometeorological processes (e.g., precipitation and snowmelt) acting at different time scales, and the local variations of the terrain conditions (e.g., thickness of the surficial cover) are complex and often unknown. With the aim of better defining the triggering conditions of shallow landslides at a regional scale we used the physically based model TRIGRS (Transient Rainfall Infiltration and Grid-based Regional Slope stability) in an area located in upper Gudbrandsdalen valley in South-Eastern Norway. We performed numerical simulations to reconstruct two scenarios that triggered many landslides in the study area on 10 June 2011 and 22 May 2013. A large part of the work was dedicated to the parameterization of the numerical model. The initial soil-hydraulic conditions and the spatial variation of the surficial cover thickness have been evaluated applying different methods. To fully evaluate the accuracy of the model, ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) curves have been obtained comparing the safety factor maps with the source areas in the two periods of analysis. The results of the numerical simulations show the high susceptibility of the study area to the occurrence of shallow landslides and emphasize the importance of a proper model calibration for improving the reliability.

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Evolution of the Mesenteric Mass in Small Intestinal Neuroendocrine Tumours

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13030443 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 443

Author(s):

Anela Blažević ◽

Tessa Brabander ◽

Wouter T. Zandee ◽

Johannes Hofland ◽

Gaston J. H. Franssen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neuroendocrine Tumours ◽

Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy ◽

Size Reduction ◽

Static Behavior ◽

Recist 1.1 ◽

Mesenteric Mass ◽

Small Intestinal ◽

Objective Size ◽

Over Time

Background: A metastatic mesenteric mass is a hallmark of small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours (SI-NETs). However, little is known on its development over time. Therefore, we conducted a study to assess the evolution of a SI-NET-associated mesenteric mass over time. Methods: Retrospectively, 530 patients with proven SI-NET were included. The presence and growth of a mesenteric mass was assessed using RECIST 1.1 criteria on every consecutive CT-scan until the end of follow-up or resection. Results: At baseline, a mesenteric mass was present in 64% of the patients, of whom 13.5% showed growth of the mesenteric mass with a median time to growth of 40 months. Male gender was the only independent predictor of growth (OR 2.67). Of the patients without a mesenteric mass at the first evaluation, 2.6% developed a pathological mesenteric mass. Treatment with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT; N = 132) resulted in an objective size reduction of the mesenteric mass in 3.8%. Conclusion: The metastatic mesenteric mass in SI-NETs has a static behavior over time. Therefore, site-specific growth behavior should be taken into account when selecting target lesions and assessing disease progression and therapeutic response. PRRT appears not to be effective for size reduction of the mesenteric mass.

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Differences in Tibia Shape in Organically Reared Chicken Lines Measured by Means of Geometric Morphometrics

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11010101 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 101

Author(s):

Domitilla Pulcini ◽

David Meo Zilio ◽

Francesco Cenci ◽

Cesare Castellini ◽

Monica Guarino Amato

Keyword(s):

Geometric Morphometrics ◽

Body Weight Gain ◽

Growth Speed ◽

Walking Ability ◽

Static Behavior ◽

Walking Behavior ◽

Organic Farm ◽

Genetic Types ◽

External Reference ◽

Slow Growing

In the present study, the conformation of the tibia of seven genetic lines of broilers was analyzed by Geometric Morphometrics and correlated to carcass weight and walking ability. The used chicken genetic lines were classified as fast, medium, or slow growing and ranked for their walking ability. Six chicken types were reared in an organic farm and slaughtered at 81 days of age while one slow-growing and highly walking line (Naked Neck) was reared in a commercial farm and used as external reference for moving activity and growth speed. A mixed landmarks and semi-landmarks model was applied to the study of tibia shape. Results of this study showed that: (i) body weight gain was positively correlated to the curvature of the antero-posterior axis of the tibia; (ii) the shape of the tibia and the active walking behavior were significantly correlated; (iii) walking and not-walking genetic lines could be discriminated in relation to the overall shape of the tibia; (iv) a prevalence of static behavior was correlated to a more pronounced curvature of the antero-posterior axis of the tibia. Results of this study revealed that the walking genetic types have a more functional and natural tibia conformation. This easy morphologic method for evaluating tibia shape could help to characterize the adaptability of genotypes to organic and outdoor rearing.

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