Mucosal Bridge Reconstruction: A Novel Approach for the Vocal Fold Mucosal Bridge

Introduction: Mucosal Bridges (MBs) are defined as benign connective tissue abnormalities of unclear etiology that extend over the free surface of the vocal fold, are attached to the front and back of the vocal fold but are not attached to its free surface, and are histologically covered by stratified squamous epithelium. In order to overcome these drawbacks, we aimed to retrospectively evaluate and present the preoperative and postoperative results of patients with MB, who were applied the method we call “Mucosal Bridge Reconstruction” (MBR), which we apply as suturing rather than resection of the MB. Methods: Between January 2016 and February 2020, 5 patients who applied to the voice clinic due to dysphonia and were diagnosed with MB via laryngostroboscopic examination and direct laryngoscopy under general anesthesia were included in the study. Dr Speech software was used for acoustic analysis; mean fundamental frequency (fo), jitter %, shimmer %, and noise to harmonic ratio (NHR) were objectively measured and recorded. Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) was used for positive self-reporting of the severity of vocal symptoms. GRBAS scale (G: Grade, R: Roughness, B: Breathiness, A: Asthenia, and S: Strain) was also used (by the same clinician) for clinic subjective evaluation. Results: Patient age ranged from 33 to 55 years and mean patient age was 42 years. Mean duration of symptoms was 22 months (range 16-30). Mean postoperative follow-up time was 14 months (range 6-24). Unilateral MB was observed in all patients (2 left, 3 right). There was a significant improvement in objective and subjective assessment methods in all our patients after surgery. Conclusions: According to the results of our few patients, MBR offers a physiological and anatomical approach to the treatment of patients with MB. The outcomes of delicate microlaryngeal surgery are promising.

Bridges with multiple structural systems: The example of Trilj Bridge reconstruction in Croatia

Development of multiple structural systems for bridges is useful in the design of new bridges and rehabilitation of existing bridges. This paper briefly presents some existing bridges with multiple structural systems and succinctly discusses design ideas for bridges with such systems. As an example of a bridge with multiple structural systems, the paper presents the reconstruction of a pedestrian suspension bridge in the City of Trilj, Croatia. The new bridge’s load-bearing structure is composed of several structural systems. Namely, the reconstructed bridge is a combination of suspension, cable-stayed and stress-ribbon bridge, which is laterally restrained with horizontal tensioned ropes. Numerical analysis was conducted on the renovated bridge. The results have shown an acceptable levels of stresses and deflections verifying the structural safety of the restored bridge. It is believed that this example of the bridge renovation may be useful in the design of new and strengthening of existing similar bridges.

Application Strategy of Carbon Fiber Composite Materials in Bridge Reconstruction Project

Initially, the materials used in the process of bridge construction were mainly wood, stone, etc., and gradually the concrete, steel and other types of special materials currently in-use were developed. With the current vigorous development of science, technology and social economy in China, the development of bridge projects has also been accelerated to a large extent. In recent years, China has not only studied on how to strengthen the performance of concrete, steel and other materials in bridge projects, but also the performance of the recently developed smart, nano-, fibrous and other types of materials. This paper focuses on the application strategy of carbon fiber composite materials in bridge reconstruction projects to serve as a reference.

ASSESSMENT OF TECHNICAL STATE AND DESIGN OF RECONSTRUCTION OF THE SMALL BRIDGE OF THE SLOVINSKY SYSTEM

In the 1950s and 1960s of the 20th century a lot of one- and two-span bridges with a span of 4-6 m were built on public roads on the territory of the former USSR. The paper describes the features of the design and construction of small four-hinged reinforced concrete bridges on lightweight supports of engineer Slovinsky system. The experience of surveying small bridges shows that in the context of a limited funding, compared to other types of bridges, maintenance and operation of these bridges does not get enough attention. There are relatively low material losses from their destruction and it is possible to restore them fairly easily. Therefore, many of them have a large number of defects and are in a poor physical condition. The purpose of the work is to draw attention of owners to the problems of small bridges using a specific example, as well as to present effective constructive solutions for the reconstruction of a small four-hinge bridge. These design solutions are developed on the basis of the research and development in Lviv National Polytechnic University and include the use of a reinforced concrete cover slab. The slab has been frequently used in other bridge reconstruction projects and proved its technical and economic efficiency in practice. The article gives characteristics of the bridge, the technical state of its structures, the main defects and damages, as well as the characteristics of the stream and its influence on the condition of the bridge. The design solutions for widening and strengthening the small bridge of the Slovinsky system can provide operational performance and consumer properties in accordance with the requirements of the current design standards for new bridges. These standards are able to ensure the service life of the reconstructed bridge.

Performance-based assessment of Nahr Al-Fidar bridge

<p>Nahr Al-Fidar Bridge is in Fidar village, which is located near Byblos City, Lebanon. The bridge reconstruction was carried out swiftly during 2006-2007, due to its importance as a vital commercial artery. Indeed, no traffic disruption is allowed on the bridge, since it leads to great economic losses. At the time being, even though the bridge has only accomplished about 10 years of its service life, it is being overloaded.</p><p>The paper aims to assess the performance of Nahr Al-Fidar bridge. To that purpose, first, the case bridge is introduced, and a visual inspection took place to identify current the state of the bridge. Second, the performance indicators are evaluated for this bridge, by means of the visual assessment, and the key performance indicators are assessed. The aim is to check if the bridge meets the pre-specified performance goals. Finally, a quality control plan is implemented for Nahr Al-Fidar bridge.</p>

Helmolds von Bosaupons longissimus. Archaologische Unterwasserausgrabungen bei den Briickenanlagen neben der slawischen und frühdeutschen Burg Olsborg im Grossen Ploner See (Norddeutschland)

The article is aimed at presentation of results of archaeological underwater excavations of remains of the early Medieval bridge on the stronghold island Oslborg. There are vestiges of the Slavic and early German stronghold on the Grosser Plòner Lake island near Plon in north Germany. This stronghold has been repeatedly mentioned by Adam of Bremen and Helmold of Bosau - the 11th and 12th century annalists. Underwater excavations, undertaken in two study zones of 75 square meters in total, resulted in discovery of the bridge remains which revealed themselves in the form of 228 posts being elements of its bearing construction placed on the lake bottom. Dendrochronological analysis of 79 posts indicates that the bridge was constructed in 975 AD and it was rebuilt many times afterwards. Trees for subsequent reconstructions were cut down in the years 994, 995, 1005, 1008, 1011, 1012, 1013, 1025 and for the last time in 1096 AD. The excavations revealed also an assemblage of Slavic and early German pottery as well as 56 artefacts including 14 spearheads and 6 axes. These military accessories can possibly be linked with the 1075, 1128 or 1139 war, mentioned by Helmold of Bosau.Bleile R. 1999 Vorbericht zu unterwasserarchàologischen Untersuchungen an einer Slawischen Briickenanlage im PlauerSee bei Quetzin, Landkreis Parchim (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern), „Nachrichtenblatt Arbeitskreis Unterwasserarchaologie” Bd. 5, S. 32-35.Bleile R. 2003 Briicken unter Wasser. Neue Ergebnisse zu slawischen Briicken und Bohlenwegen in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, „Mitteilungen der Deutschen Gesellschaft fur Archàologie des Mittelalters und der Neuzeit” 14, S. 80-84.Freytag H.J. 1985 Die Lage der slawischen und friihen deutschen Burg Plon, „Zeitschrift der Gesellschaft für Schleswig-holsteinische Geschichte” Bd. 10, S. 27-52.Hucke K. 1952 Wo lag die wendische Burg Plune?, „Die Heimat” Bd. 59, S. 136—139.Kempke T. 1992 Slawen in Ostholstein. Ausgrabungen in Bosau am Ploner See, (in:) Der Vergangenheit auf der Spur. Archàologische Siedlungsforschung in Schleswig-Holstein, Hrsg. M. Miiller-Wille und D. Hoffmann, S. 141-162.Kempke T. 1998 Archàologische Beitràge zur Grenze zwischen Sachsen und Slawen im 8.-9. Jahrhundert, (in:) Studien zur Archàologie des Ostsseeraumes. Von der Eisenzeit zum Mittelalter (Festschrift Michael Miiller-Wille), Hrsg. A. Wesse, Neumiinster, S. 373-382.Mittelstàdt U. 1976 Die Entwicklung der Stadi Plon bis zum Ausgang des Mittelalters, „Jahrbuch tur Heimatkunde im Kreis Plòn-Holstein” Jg. 7, S. 5-34.Kiefmann H.M. 1978 Historisch-geographische Untersuchungen zur alteren Kulturlandschafts-entwicklung, (in:) Bosau. Untersuchung einer Siedlungskammer in Ostholstein unter Leitung von Hermann Hinz, „Offa-Biicher” Bd. 38.Kola A., Wilke G. 2000 Briicken vor 1000 Jahren. Unterwasserarchaologie bei der polnischen Herrscherpfalz Ostrów Lednicki, Toruń.Krambeck H.J. 1979 A numercial-topographical model of Lake Grofier Plòner See and its application to the calculation of Seiches, „Archiv Hydrobiological” Bd. 87-3, S. 262-273.Wilke G. 1985 Most wczesnośredniowieczny z Bobęcina kolo Miastka. Wstępne wyniki archeologicznych badań podwodnych i analiz dendrochronologicznych jego reliktów [Sum.: The early mediewal ages bridge of Bobącin near Miastko. Preliminary results of archaeological underwater investigations and dendrochronological analyses of its remains], „Acta Universitatis Nicolai Copernici”, Archeologia 11, Archeologia Podwodna 2, S. 3-26.Wilke G. 1995 Lokalizacja stanowisk archeologicznych pod lustrem wody na przykładzie Jeziora Płońskiego Wielkiego (Grosser Ploner See) w północno-zachodnich Niemczech [Sum.: Location of archaeological sites under water - level on the example of Płońskie Wielkie Lake (Grosser Ploner See) in North Germany], (in:) Archeologia podwodna jezior Niżu Polskiego, Hrsg. A. Kola, Toruń, S. 71-90.Wilke G. 1998 Archàologie unter Wasser. Untersuchungen der slawischen Briicken in Lednica-See bei der Insel Ostrów Lednicki (Polen), (in:) Studien zur Archàologie des Ostseeraumes. Von der Eisenzeit zum Mittelalter (Festschrift Michael Müller-Wille), Hrsg. A. Wesse, Neumünster, S. 195-203.Wilke G. 2000a Analiza chronologiczno-przestrzenna struktur palowych i próba rekonstrukcji mostu [Sum.: Chronological - spatial analysis of pile structures and an attempt of bridge reconstruction], (in:) Wczesnośredniowieczne mosty przy Ostrowie Lednickim, t. 1 : Mosty traktu gnieźnieńskiego, Hrsg. Z. Kurnatowska, Lednica-Toruń, S. 57-71.Wilke G. 2000b Briicken und Brückenbau im óstlichen Mitteleuropa um 1000, (in:) Europas Mitte um 1000. Beitrage zur Geschichte, Kunst und Archàologie, Hrsg. A. Wieczorek, H.M. Hinz, Handbuch zur Ausstellung, Stuttgart, S. 142-145.