An Auto-Calibrating Semi-Adiabatic Calorimetric Methodology for Strength Prediction and Quality Control of Ordinary and Ultra-High-Performance Concretes

A timely knowledge of concrete and ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) strength is possible through the so-called strength-equivalent time (Et) curves. A timely knowledge of concrete strength is useful, for instance, to precisely determine when the shores of a hardening structural element can be safely removed. At the present time, the preparation of the strength-Et curves requires time-consuming and labor-intensive testing prior to the beginning of construction operations. This paper proposes an innovative method to derive the strength-Et and total heat-Et curves for both normal strength and UHPC. Results confirmed that the proposed method is fast, inexpensive, self-calibrating, accurate and can detect any variation of the concrete mix proportions or components quality. In addition, the quality of predictions of strength–maturity curves can be constantly improved as the specimens’ population increases. Finally, results obtained with the proposed method were compared with those obtained using standard methods, showing a good agreement.

Theoretical Analysis and General Characteristics for Nonlinear Vibration Energy Harvesters

In this paper, we present a systematic theoretical and numerical study of the output performance of nonlinear energy harvesters. The general analytical expression of output power for systems with different combinations of nonlinear stiffness and nonlinear damping, as well as symmetrical and asymmetrical systems, have been derived based on harmonic balance method, observing compliance with numerical results. We theoretically prove that there is a limit power for all nonlinear systems which is determined exclusively by the vibrator mass, excitation acceleration, and mechanical damping. The results also indicate that for symmetrical stiffness systems, the asymmetrical damping components have no effect on the output performance. Additionally, we derived semi-analytical solutions of the matching loads and numerically investigated the influence of nonlinear coefficients on the output power with matched load. When the load matches device parameters and is much larger than the internal resistance, the equivalent time-average damping is equal to the mechanical damping. Although the matching load and output power vary with the nonlinear coefficients, the normalized power and matching resistance ratio follow a power function, named matching power line, which is independent of the structural parameters. With the improvement of the equivalent time-average short-circuit damping in the vibration range, the normalized power moves to the right end of the matching power line, and the output power approach to the limit power. These conclusions provide general characteristics of nonlinear energy harvesters, which can be used to guide the design and optimization of energy harvesters.

Changing from telephone to videoconference for pre-treatment pharmacist consults in cancer services: Impacts to funding and time efficiency

Introduction: This study examined the reimbursement opportunity and the time efficiency of a standard care model of unscheduled telephone consults compared to scheduled videoconference consults for obtaining pre-treatment medication histories for patients with cancer. Methods: Data related to (a) the available and the claimed activity-based funding for both models and (b) the number of contacts and the duration of each contact to complete the patient’s medication history via either unscheduled telephone or scheduled videoconference consults were collected and compared. Results: Data was collected for 86 telephone and 56 videoconference consults. The actual activity-based funding claimed for telephone consults was $0, even though $86 of activity-based funding was available for each consult. This represented a $0 reimbursement for the staff time spent conducting the telephone consults, and a missed opportunity to claim $86 per consult. Activity-based funding was claimed for all but one videoconference consult with an average of $205 received per consult, when $221 per consult was available. Videoconference consults were an average of 2.3 min shorter than telephone consults. Discussion: When compared to unscheduled telephone consults, the scheduled videoconference consults represented increased reimbursement and equivalent time efficiency for the cancer pharmacist completing pre-treatment medication histories.

The effect of sports massage with meditation on myalgia disorders

Myalgia is pain that occurs in the muscles that can interfere with daily activities. Sports massage and meditation is an alternative to reduce the feeling. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of sports massage on overcoming myalgia disorders. This study uses a quantitative quasi-experimental method with this type of design using the equivalent time series sample design. The population in this study was a total of 36 masseurs who worked in sports injury therapy massage centers on the 4th floor of UNY Plaza. The sample was determined using purposive sampling technique and obtained a number of 15 samples. This type of research is a quasi-experimental, using a pretest-posttest design. Research subjects were given 3 (three) repetitions of treatment, namely the first week, the second week and the third week. The data analysis technique in this study used a t-test (paired t-test), in test I, test II and test III, the overall significance was obtained with a value of 0.000 (sig. < 0.05). The conclusion in this research is sports massage with meditation can reduce myalgia disorders.Pengaruh sports massage dengan meditasi terhadap gangguan myalgiaAbstrakMyalgia merupakan nyeri yang terjadi pada otot yang dapat menganggu aktivitas sehari-hari. Sports massage dan meditasi merupakan salah satu alternatif untuk mengurangi rasa nyeri. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui pengaruh sports massage dengan meditasi terhadap gangguan myalgia. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode quasi eksperimen kuantitatif dengan jenis rancangan menggunakan the equivalent time series sample design. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah masseur sejumlah total 36 yang bekerja di tempat masase terapi cedera olahraga di Plaza UNY lantai 4. Penentuan sampel menggunakan teknik purposive sampling dan diperoleh sejumlah 15 sampel. Subjek penelitian diberikan 3 (tiga) kali pengulangan perlakuan yaitu minggu ke- I, minggu ke-II dan minggu ke-III. Teknik analisis data dalam penelitian ini menggunakan uji-t (paired t-test). pada uji I diperoleh nilai 0,000 (sig. < 0,05), uji II diperoleh nilai 0,000 (sig. < 0,05) dan uji III diperoleh nilai 0,000 (sig. < 0,05). Kesimpulan dalam penelitan ini adalah sports massage dengan meditasi dapat mengurangi gangguan myalgia

Accident Prevention Black-Box and Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication Using Li-Fi and Wi-Fi Technologies

The focus of the paper is Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) communication system that uses a wireless communication technology using a LED transmitter and therefore the vehicle will transmit the information continuously to the opposite vehicle ahead it using Head light. The data is stored within the Secure Digital Card in comma separated value for future reference just in case of emergency at the equivalent time the data’s are stored in the Cloud Server for Government Reference to locate the accident prone zones. The Light fidelity (Li-Fi) is that the newest technology within the field of wireless communication. As the number of users are increasing, the speed of knowledge transmission within the wireless network gets automatically decreased.

Beyond Fitness Decoupling: Tradeoff-breaking during Evolutionary Transitions in Individuality

Evolutionary transitions in individuality (ETIs) involve the formation of Darwinian collectives from Darwinian particles. The transition from cells to multicellular life is a prime example. During anETI, collectives become units of selection in their own right. However, the underlying processes are poorly understood. One observation used to identify the completion of an ETI is an increase in collective-level performance accompanied by a decrease in particle-level performance, for example, measured by growth rate. This seemingly counterintuitive dynamic has been referred to as “fitness decoupling” and has been used to interpret both models and experimental data. Using a mathematical approach we show this concept to be problematic in that the fitness of particles and collectives can never decouple: calculations of particle and collective fitness performed over appropriate and equivalent time intervals are necessarily the same. By way of solution, we draw attention to the value of mechanistic approaches that emphasise traits as opposed to fitness and tradeoffs among traits. This trait-based approach is sufficient to capture dynamics that underpin evolutionary transitions. In addition, drawing upon both experimental and theoretical studies, we show that while early stages of transitions might often involve tradeoffs among particle traits, later—and critical—stages are likely to involve rupture of such tradeoffs. Tradeoff-breaking thus stands as a useful marker for ETIs.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on microbial keratitis presentation patterns

Background Microbial keratitis (MK) is the most common non-surgical ophthalmic emergency, and can rapidly progress, causing irreversible sight-loss. This study explored whether the COVID-19 (C19) national lockdown impacted upon the clinical presentation and outcomes of MK at a UK tertiary-care centre. Methods Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for all patients with presumed MK requiring corneal scrapes, presenting between 23rd March and 30th June in 2020 (Y2020), and the equivalent time windows in 2017, 2018 and 2019 (pre-C19). Results In total, 181 and 49 patients presented during the pre-C19 and Y2020 periods, respectively. In Y2020, concurrent ocular trauma (16.3% vs. 5.5%, p = 0.030) and immunosuppression use (12.2% vs 1.7%, p = 0.004) were more prevalent. Despite proportionately fewer ward admissions during the pandemic (8.2% vs 32.6%, p<0.001), no differences were observed in baseline demographics; presenting visual acuity (VA; median 0.6 vs 0.6 LogMAR, p = 0.785); ulcer area (4.0 vs 3.0mm2, p = 0.520); or final VA (0.30 vs 0.30 LogMAR, p = 0.990). Whilst the overall rates of culture positivity were similar in Y2020 and pre-C19 (49.0% vs. 54.7%, p = 0.520), there were differences in the cultures isolated, with a lower rate of poly-microbial cultures in Y2020 (8.3% vs. 31.3%, p = 0.022). Conclusions Patient characteristics, MK severity and final visual outcomes did not appear to be affected in the first UK lockdown, despite fewer patients being admitted for care. Concurrent trauma and systemic immunosuppression use were greater than in previous years. The difference in spectra of isolated organisms may relate to behavioural changes, such as increased hand hygiene.

Acute appendicitis severity during the early COVID-19 pandemic period

BackgroundThe early COVID-19 pandemic period significantly strained the US healthcare system. During this period, consultations and admissions for acute medical conditions decreased, which was associated with an increase in disease-specific morbidity and mortality. Therefore, we sought to determine what, if any, effect the early COVID-19 pandemic period had on the presentation, management, and histopathologic severity of acute appendicitis.MethodsWe performed a retrospective, observational study to compare the frequencies with which patients presented with acute appendicitis, the proportion of whom were managed surgically, and the distribution of histopathologic disease severity among all resected appendix specimens during the early COVID-19 pandemic period (March 6–June 30, 2020) to equivalent time periods for the 3 preceding/pre-pandemic years (2017–2019).ResultsCompared with equivalent pre-pandemic time periods, during the COVID-19 pandemic period there was no significant difference in the number of patients who presented for acute appendicitis, there was a decreased rate of surgical management (81% vs 94%; p=0.014), and there was an overall increase in the incidence of perforated appendicitis (31% vs 16%; p=0.004), including by histopathologic diagnosis (25% vs 11%; p=0.01).DiscussionDespite potential patient hesitancy to present for care, the early COVID-19 pandemic period was associated with no significant change in the number of patients presenting with acute appendicitis; however, there was a significant increase in the incidence of perforated appendicitis. This study highlights the need to encourage patients to avoid late presentation for acute surgical conditions and for the robust planning for the medical management of otherwise surgical abnormalities during episodes of restricted or limited resources.Level of evidenceLevel III.