scholarly journals Long Term Effects of Reduced Track Tamping Works

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 368
Author(s):  
Stefan Marschnig ◽  
Georg Neuper ◽  
Fabian Hansmann ◽  
Michael Fellinger ◽  
Johannes Neuhold

Tamping needs to guarantee safety in limiting geometric failures in isolated points, reduce dynamic forces by a smooth through-going longitudinal level, and provide a certain riding comfort for passengers. Although different methods are applied to describe geometry deterioration, the amount of tamping needed is seldomly addressed. In this work, we evaluated and compared different tamping regimes and their long-term consequences by extrapolating the longitudinal level of track. Forecasting beyond one tamping action needs a precise positioning of measurement data and a solid methodology. We found that tracks can be operated by repairing isolated defects for more than ten years without running into technical and operational trouble, and even reducing budgets in this period. However, the long-term perspective financially shows the contrary: continuous through-going maintenance keeps track quality at a high level and provides the basis for a long service life.

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (16) ◽  
pp. 8899
Author(s):  
Marina Gabaglio ◽  
Erica Zamberletti ◽  
Cristina Manenti ◽  
Daniela Parolaro ◽  
Tiziana Rubino

Cannabis is the most-used recreational drug worldwide, with a high prevalence of use among adolescents. In animal models, long-term adverse effects were reported following chronic adolescent exposure to the main psychotomimetic component of the plant, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). However, these studies investigated the effects of pure THC, without taking into account other cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. Interestingly, cannabidiol (CBD) content seems to mitigate some of the side effects of THC, at least in adult animals. Thus, in female rats, we evaluated the long-term consequences of a co-administration of THC and CBD at a 3:1 ratio, chosen based on the analysis of recently confiscated illegal cannabis samples in Europe. CBD content is able to mitigate some of the long-term behavioral alterations induced by adolescent THC exposure as well as long-term changes in CB1 receptor and microglia activation in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). We also investigated, for the first time, possible long-term effects of chronic administration of a THC/CBD combination reminiscent of “light cannabis” (CBD:THC in a 33:1 ratio; total THC 0.3%). Repeated administration of this CBD:THC combination has long-term adverse effects on cognition and leads to anhedonia. Concomitantly, it boosts Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase-67 (GAD67) levels in the PFC, suggesting a possible lasting effect on GABAergic neurotransmission.


Endoscopy ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 49 (12) ◽  
pp. 1202-1208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kavel Visrodia ◽  
Abdul Haseeb ◽  
Yuri Hanada ◽  
Kelly Pennington ◽  
Magdalen Clemens ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and study aims The preferred management of bleeding esophageal varices includes endoscopic band ligation. Endoscopic ligation devices (ELDs) are expensive and designed for single use, limiting their uptake in developing countries. We aimed to assess the efficacy of reprocessing ELDs using terminal microbial cultures and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) testing. Materials and methods ELDs were recovered after clinical use and their components (cap, handle, and cord) were subjected to reprocessing. This included manual cleaning, automated high-level disinfection (HLD), and drying with forced air. Using sterile technique, ELD components were sampled for ATP at three stages: before manual cleaning, after manual cleaning, and after HLD. Components were sent to an external laboratory for culturing. Cultures were interpreted as positive upon identification of Gram-negative bacilli. Results A total of 14 clinically used ELDs were studied, and 189 ATP tests and 41 cultures were evaluated. Overall, 95 % (39/41) of components and 86 % (12/14) of ELDs were culture-negative or did not yield Gram-negative bacilli. Two components (5 %; one handle and one cord) harbored Gram-negative bacilli in quantities of 1 CFU per component. There was no apparent correlation between ATP at any juncture of reprocessing and terminal cultures. Conclusions Reprocessing of ELDs is effective, resulting in infrequent and minimal microbial contamination. Microbial culturing can be used to ensure adequacy of ELD reprocessing if pursued. Until reusable ELDs are commercially available, continued efforts to better define the adequacy and long-term effects of reprocessing ELDs are needed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 69-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Cagé ◽  
Valeria Rueda

This article investigates the long-term consequences of the printing press in the nineteenth century sub-Saharan Africa on social capital nowadays. Protestant missionaries were the first to import the printing press and to allow the indigenous population to use it. We build a new geocoded dataset locating Protestant missions in 1903. This dataset includes, for each mission station, the geographic location and its characteristics, as well as the printing-, educational-, and health-related investments undertaken by the mission. We show that, within regions close to missions, proximity to a printing press is associated with higher newspaper readership, trust, education, and political participation. (JEL L82, N37, N77, N97, O17, O43, Z13)


1989 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 561-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. W. Stargardt

The ‘downward sweep’ of Japan after Pearl Harbor has been widely noted for its long-term effects in Southeast Asia. The rule of the established colonial masters was shattered, and those failing to escape disappeared into the camps of the Kempeitai. In Burma and Java, in particular, Japanese rule promoted local organizations, local administratiors, the indigenous language and, in Burma, a ‘national’ government and a ‘national’ army, under Japanese supervision: the one thing Japan did not bring was freedom and independence. Yet the greatly-increased social mobility and political, military and administrative experience had long-term consequences: none of the post-war attempts at colonial restoration proved viable.


2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 20131096 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikko Lehto Hürlimann ◽  
Antoine Stier ◽  
Olivier Scholly ◽  
François Criscuolo ◽  
Pierre Bize

Iteroparous organisms maximize their overall fitness by optimizing their reproductive effort over multiple reproductive events. Hence, changes in reproductive effort are expected to have both short- and long-term consequences on parents and their offspring. In laboratory rodents, manipulation of reproductive efforts during lactation has however revealed few short-term reproductive adjustments, suggesting that female laboratory rodents express maximal rather than optimal levels of reproductive investment as observed in semelparous organisms. Using a litter size manipulation (LSM) experiment in a small wild-derived rodent (the common vole; Microtus arvalis ), we show that females altered their reproductive efforts in response to LSM, with females having higher metabolic rates and showing alternative body mass dynamics when rearing an enlarged rather than reduced litter. Those differences in female reproductive effort were nonetheless insufficient to fully match their pups’ energy demand, pups being lighter at weaning in enlarged litters. Interestingly, female reproductive effort changes had long-term consequences, with females that had previously reared an enlarged litter being lighter at the birth of their subsequent litter and producing lower quality pups. We discuss the significance of using wild-derived animals in studies of reproductive effort optimization.


Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 4123-4123
Author(s):  
Sanghee Hong ◽  
Jing Zhao ◽  
Ji-Hyun Lee ◽  
Nosha Farhadfar ◽  
Jean C. Yi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: AlloHCT survivors generally report higher rates of cancer- and treatment-related distress compared to the general population, although data on cancer and treatment Distress (CTXD) and Confidence in Survivorship Information (CSI) in older alloHCT recipients are limited. We have reported that older HCT survivors have generally low levels of distress and intermediate-high level of CSI (Al-Mansour et al, abstract submitted to ASH 2021 meeting). In this study, we describe specific distress and CSI concerns reported by older alloHCT survivors and their association with other patient-reported outcomes and transplant-related factors. Methods: This cross-sectional retrospective secondary analysis used baseline data from two randomized controlled trials of survivorship interventions in alloHCT recipients enrolled in 18 US transplant centers (combined dataset from survivorship care plan trial [NCT00799461] and internet based self-management intervention trial [NCT01602211]). A total of 181 enrolled patients transplanted from 2003-2014 were ≥60 years of age at alloHCT and were alive and disease-free at ≥1-year post-transplant. All donor and graft types were included in this analysis. Distress was measured by CTXD scale, in which higher values indicate higher levels of distress. Survivorship confidence was based on the CSI questionnaire, in which higher values indicate greater confidence. Health-related quality of life (HQOL) was assessed with the SF-12, with high scores indicating better physical function (PCS) and mental function (MCS). Clinical and sociodemographic variables were summarized in descriptive statistics. Non-parametric test (Wilcoxon rank sum test / Kruskal-Wallis test) was conducted for comparing two or three groups for CTXD/CSI. Spearman correlation and univariate linear regression model were used to evaluate associations between CTXD/CSI and PCS/MCS. Bonferroni correlation was used to adjust for multiple pairwise comparisons within age group at transplant. Results: The median age of this older sample at alloHCT was 64 (range 60-81), with the largest proportions non-Hispanic (96%), White (97%), and males (57%). The majority received peripheral blood grafts (88%) from an unrelated donor (65%) for their first (96%) transplant. At the time of the survey, survivors were at a median of 3 years (range 1-9) from alloHCT. Mean CTXD overall score was 0.85 (standard deviation [SD] 0.44). Among CTXD items, highest distress was reported for "low energy" (mean 1.42, SD 0.97) followed by "feeling tired and worn out" (mean 1.32, SD 0.93) and "not being able to do what I used to do" (mean 1.28, SD 0.98), while the lowest distress was reported for "communication with medical people"(mean 0.32, SD 0.66) and "getting information when I need it" (mean 0.39, SD 0.70; Figure 1). Similarly, mean CSI overall score was 1.39 (SD 0.44) in this Among CSI items, information on "disease treated" (mean 1.79, SD 0.41) scored the highest in confidence level followed by "treatment received for transplant" (mean 1.75, SD 0.46); meanwhile, information on "community resources for long-term effects of disease" (mean 1.14, SD 0.72) followed by "strategies for treating long-term physical effects of your treatment" (mean 1.15, SD 0.71) scored the lowest in confidence level (Figure 2). There were negative correlations between CTXD and PCS/MCS (P<0.001) and positive correlation between CSI and PCS/MCS (P<0.001). Different age groups at transplant (<65, 65-<70, vs. ≥70), history of chronic graft-versus-host disease, and enrollment time from transplant (≤2 vs. >2 years) showed no apparent effect on CTXD or CSI overall scores. Conclusion: Older alloHCT survivors report low level of cancer- and treatment-related distress and a relatively high level of CSI. Physical and mental function were associated with lower distress and increased CSI. Survivorship intervention needs in older alloHCT recipients include management of fatigue, education on long-term effects, and improving knowledge of and access to resources for long-term recovery and reintegration to society. The CTXD and CSI scales provide opportunities to evaluate and tailor interventions to the needs of older survivors with the potential to improve alloHCT survivorship care for older adults. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Hong: Adaptive Biotechnology: Other: Current employment of my spouse. Farhadfar: Incyte: Consultancy. Shaw: Orca bio: Consultancy; mallinkrodt: Other: payments. Devine: Sanofi: Consultancy, Research Funding; Johnsonand Johnson: Consultancy, Research Funding; Orca Bio: Consultancy, Research Funding; Be the Match: Current Employment; Vor Bio: Research Funding; Tmunity: Current Employment, Research Funding; Magenta Therapeutics: Current Employment, Research Funding; Kiadis: Consultancy, Research Funding. Wingard: Merck: Consultancy; AlloVir: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Shire: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Cidara Therapeutics: Consultancy. Majhail: Anthem, Inc: Consultancy; Incyte Corporation: Consultancy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 31-51
Author(s):  
Carolyn Marlowe ◽  
Huat Bin (Andy) Ang ◽  
Akhtar Akhtaruzzaman

One of the aims of this study was to give a voice to the victims of workplace bullying (WPB). Narratives or stories told by the victims allow researchers to better understand, challenge, and update outdated thinking of WPB. This paper identifies gaps in the literature regarding the long-term consequences of WPB on workers’ health and wellbeing, and how this impacts their professional and personal lives. The findings of this paper are based on a qualitative study that documented individual experiences of six WPB victims. Analysis of the findings shows how deeply rooted the issue of WPB is, opens conversations, highlights possible causes, and redefines solutions. Reflecting on Aotearoa New Zealand’s laissez-faire attitude towards WPB as well as realising the need for anti-bullying strategies, clearer guidelines, and the promotion of interventions to support employees, this study raises the awareness of the long-term consequences of WPB and its impact on victims and society.


Author(s):  
Staņislavs Keišs ◽  
Alla Seregina

The article investigates the structure and dynamics of public debt of Latvia for the period from 2006–2016 year. The relevance of the study long-term effects of public debt on the economy of Latvia is predetermined by a significant increase in its volume of low GDP growth rates in recent years. This article discusses conceptual approaches and criteria for evaluation of the public debt. An analysis of the main reasons for the growth of public debt of Latvia after joining the EU, considers its specific characteristics and consequences as compared with the more developed EU countries on the basis of these annual reports of Latvia Treasury over the past ten years. Analysis of the structure of the debt of Latvia on maturity shows that an effective public debt management necessarily involves consideration of the long-term effects of the growth of public debt to the public. High level of the external indebtedness in the structure of Latvian public debt is a factor of the growth of “debt overhang” even following Maastricht criterions of public debt. As a result of the research is justification of differentiated approach necessity to the evaluation of public debt with considering of intertemporal effects.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 3671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chia-Lin Chang ◽  
Michael McAleer ◽  
Vicente Ramos

The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the COVID-19 disease is highly infectious and contagious. The long-term consequences for individuals are as yet unknown, while the long-term effects on the international community will be dramatic. COVID-19 has changed the world forever in every imaginable respect and has impacted heavily on the international travel, tourism demand, and hospitality industry, which is one of the world’s largest employers and is highly sensitive to significant shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic. It is essential to investigate how the industry will recover after COVID-19 and how the industry can be made sustainable in a dramatically changed world. This paper presents a charter for tourism, travel, and hospitality after COVID-19 as a contribution to the industry.


2012 ◽  
Vol 279 (1741) ◽  
pp. 3298-3303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Traveset ◽  
Juan P. González-Varo ◽  
Alfredo Valido

The loss or decline of vertebrate frugivores can limit the regeneration of plants that depend on them. However, empirical evidence is showing that this is still very scarce, as functionally equivalent species may contribute to maintain the mutualistic interaction. Here, we investigated the long-term consequences of the extinction of frugivorous lizards on the population persistence of a Mediterranean relict shrub Cneorum tricoccon (Cneoraceae). We examined the demographic parameters among 26 insular and mainland populations, which encompass the entire plant distributional range, comparing populations with lizards with those in which these are extinct, but in which alien mammals currently act as seed dispersers. Plant recruitment was found to be higher on island populations with lizards than on those with mammals, and the long-term effects of the native disperser's loss were found in all vital phases of plant regeneration. The study thus gives evidence of the cascading effects of human-induced changes in ecosystems, showing how the disruption of native ecological processes can lead to species regression and, in the long term, even to local extinctions.


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