Assessment of integrity and remaining working life of welded steel structures

Analyzing the period of exploitation of welded steel structures it can be concluded that they are predominantly exposed to the action of variable load. The welded joint as the largest stress concentrator due to the heterogeneity of structural, mechanical and operational properties is a key problem that is further complicated by the possible and realistically probable presence of crack-type faults. The assessment of integrity largely depends on a comprehensive analysis of the welded joint as the most critical place of welded steel structures. Integrity assessment is a necessary obligation for extending the working life, as well as revitalization, as a way to keep the structures in operation, despite the long period of exploitation. This paper presented an analysis of the process of fatigue crack initiation and growth, i.e. an assessment of the of the welded steel structures’ integrity and remaining service life under the influence of variable load.

Spectrum of Non-Traumatic Bleeding Complaints among women with Bleeding Disorders

Objective: To study the spectrum of bleeding complaints among women with bleeding disorders. Methodology: This observational study was done at Dept. of Pathology – Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad from January 2019 to July 2019 upon a sample of 121 women, selected via non-probability, consecutive sampling). Women presenting to study setting with complaints of non-traumatic bleeding were included in the study. After taking written informed consent, the data was obtained from patient interviews and laboratory investigations was. The data obtained was analyzed using SPSS v. 21.0. Results: The mean age of the women was 28.13 years (±5.21 SD). Among the 121 women studied, 73.55% hailed from urban areas, while 26.45% were from rural residential background. The most common presenting complaint was menorrhagia (30.58%), followed by bruising (17.36%) and epistaxis (15.7%). Among the underlying hemostatic pathologies, VWD was the most common (15.7%), followed by other platelet dysfunctions comprising the second most common finding (6.6%). Mean duration of presence of symptoms was 34 months (±17 SD). Conclusion: As per the findings of this study, menorrhagia, occasional bruising and epistaxis are reported to be the most common non-traumatic bleeding complaints among women with bleeding disorders. The presence of these symptoms may serve as potential indicators of the probable presence such as bleeding disorders and help in early referral, timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Keywords: menorrhagia, epistaxis, Hemostatic Dysfunction, Bleeding Disorder, Non traumatic bleeding complaints

First record of tiger beetles (Coleoptera, Cicindelidae) from Rovno amber, with the description of a new genus and species

A new fossil tiger beetle species, Goriresina fungifora gen. n., sp. n. (Coleoptera, Cicindelidae), is described from Eocene Rovno amber. The new genus belongs to the subtribe Iresiina, tribe Cicindelini, due to the glabrous head, the labrum with six submarginal setae (latero-basal setae very long) and two apical teeth with notch between them, the glabrous and globular pronotum, the lack of setae on the metepisternum and metepimeron, as well as on the visible parts of abdominal sternites, the single long seta each on the fore- and mesotrochanter. The new species is characterized by the long and moderately convex labrum, two clypeal setae, the elongate and apicad converging elytra with an angularly, but smoothly rounded apex, the small and sharp sutural spine, the probable presence of an apical portion of the elytral humeral spot, a slightly sinuate, transverse medial fascia with an extended and downward directed apical portion, and a slightly transverse basal portion of the apical spot. This is the first record of a tiger beetle in Rovno amber and only a fourth well-preserved Cicindelidae from fossil resins.

Identification of QTLs for Spot Blotch Resistance in Two Bi-Parental Mapping Populations of Wheat

Spot blotch (SB) disease caused by the hemibiotrophic pathogen Bipolaris sorokiniana inflicting major losses to the wheat grown in warm and highly humid areas of the Indian subcontinent, including Bangladesh, necessitates identification of QTLs stably expressing in Indian subcontinent conditions. Thus, two RIL mapping populations, i.e., WC (WUYA × CIANO T79) and KC (KATH × CIANO T79), were phenotyped at Dinajpur, Bangladesh for three consecutive years (2013–2015) and genotyped on a DArTseq genotyping by sequencing (GBS) platform at CIMMYT, Mexico. In both populations, quantitative inheritance along with transgressive segregation for SB resistance was identified. The identified QTLs were mostly minor and were detected on 10 chromosomes, i.e., 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2D, 4B, 4D, 5A, 5D, and 7B. The phenotypic variation explained by the identified QTLs ranged from 2.3–15.0%, whereby QTLs on 4B (13.7%) and 5D (15.0%) were the largest in effect. The identified QTLs upon stacking showed an additive effect in lowering the SB score in both populations. The probable presence of newly identified Sb4 and durable resistance gene Lr46 in the identified QTL regions indicates the importance of these genes in breeding for SB resistance in Bangladesh and the whole of South Asia.

An outlook on the evolutionary history of Carabid beetles (Coleoptera, adephaga)

The paper is an attempt to take stock of recent research on the evolutionary history of the megadiverse beetle family Carabidae. First, the evolution of the carabid body is presented in its fundamental characteristics, in relation to the thoracic structure and locomotory and morphofunctional constraints, taking into account also what we know about fossil findings. Changes are described in the ten fundamental life forms that are recognizable in the larval body, from primitive surface runner to the arboreal tree/bark dweller and the parasitoid life style. The influence of biotic factors, first of all the food preferences, are examined for the best-known subfamilies/tribes, and a synthetic frame is presented of relationships between prey and age of the lineages in the three types of feeding modes: fluid, fragment and mixed feeders. On the whole, Harpalinae lineages seem more adapted to preys that appeared in recent times after the angiosperm flourishing, though exceptions have found. The availability of the biomasses of social insect nests, ants and termites, was of fundamental importance for several carabid stems. The influence of predators surely contributed to the refinement of chemical defenses, and some avoidance behaviours as gregariousness and müllerian mimcry. Ordering the relevant fossil findings by age and taxon the absence of modern carabid fossils in the first part of mesozoic appears clearly, only in the Cretaceous some extinct forms belonging to the actual suprageneric taxa have been found. Thus, Cenozoic era should be retained the age of modern forms, even if extinct taxa are recorded at least until the late miocene. Concerning the old question of ancestral habitat of adephaga, if terrestrial or aquatic, the intermediate hypothesis of Erwin seems still valid, that is a waterside life on shores rich of animal biomass, from which both directions into inland waters and subaerial ecosystems may have started. Finally, the taxonomic position of Rhysodidae has examined in the light of recent studies. morphology of adult and larval beetles is poorly in accordance with a place in Scaritinae (Clivinini), the preimaginal features remember that of archostemata also in the probable presence of a fused labrum, molecular evidence is mainly indicating a position within Carabidae but still not conclusive. a place as separate family within basal Geadephaga should be maintained.

Can Craniometry Play a Role in Cluster Headache Diagnosis? A Pilot Exploratory TC-3D Based Study

Background Since the pioneering reports of the so-called leonine face in cluster headache (CH) patients, cranial and facial features of these patients have been poorly investigated with conflicting results. We aimed to investigate whether abnormalities in craniometric measurements could characterize male CH patients and represent reliable and reproducible diagnostic biomarkers able to identify CH patients. Methods Brain CT images were recorded between 2018 and 2020 in 24 male patients with CH and in 24 matched healthy controls (HC). Then, craniometric measurements were obtained, and logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curves analyses were used to identify the craniometric abnormalities able to distinguish CH patients from HC. Results Logistic regression analyses showed that frontal bone height and facial width were able to discriminate, one independently from the other, CH patients from HC with an overall accuracy of 77%. The optimal cutoff score in detecting the probable presence of CH was 11.50 cm for frontal bone height and 13.30 cm for facial width. Discussion In the present study we found, for the first time by means of brain 3D computed tomography approach, abnormal craniometric measurements in CH patients when compared with HC. The absence of differences in smoke and alcohol intake suggests that the observed craniometric abnormalities may represent a specific feature of CH patients. Conclusion The craniometric evaluation by means of brain 3D computed tomography could represent a widespread, noninvasive, and accurate tool to support CH diagnosis to avoid frequent misdiagnosis or delay in the diagnostic process.

Evaluation on maturity and stability of organic fertilisers in semi-arid Ethiopian Rift Valley

Case studies that have comprehensively examined local organic fertilisers (OFs) for their maturity and stability are rare in sub-Saharan Africa. Farmers in the semi-arid Ethiopian Rift Valley use indigenous compost (kosi) and household wastes for OFs. With the entry of fast compost that was introduced by the administration, maturity and stability of these OFs were assessed. Their maturity was assessed by: monitoring pile temperature and volume, pH, organic matter and total nitrogen contents, and carbon to nitrogen ratio; determination of NO3– to NH4+ ratio; and respirometric measurement of CO2 evolution. Their stability was assessed by weed seed germination tests and phytotoxicity bioassays. Weed seeds that were originally contained in the feedstock of the kosi and fast compost samples became inactive during the composting process. The CO2 evolution tests and phytotoxicity bioassays indicated a probable presence of some phytotoxic compounds in the kosi. Mature kosi and immature kosi in a kosi pile should be mixed before the field application. Some samples (15%) of the household wastes contained weed seeds. The combination of several assessment methods used in this study and determination methods for nitrogen components using RQ-flex is considered to be effective for on-site quality assessment of OFs in sub-Saharan Africa.

A Protocorinthian aryballos with a myth scene from Tegea

During the preparation of the new exhibition in the Museum of Tegea it was discovered that one composed fragment from a Protocorinthian aryballos with a complicated, figured representation, found during the excavations of the Norwegian Institute at Athens in the Sanctuary of Athena Alea in the 1990s, joined with another fragment found by the French excavation at the same site in the early 20th century. After the join, the interpretation of the scene must be completely changed. The aryballos has two narrative scenes in a decorative frieze: a fight between two unidentified men over a large vessel, and an unidentified myth involving the killing of a horse-like monster by two heroes, with the probable presence of Athena. Possibly this is an otherwise unknown episode from the cycle of the Argonauts, involving the Dioskouroi, perhaps also Jason and Medea. The aryballos was produced by an artist closely related to and slightly earlier than the so-called Huntsmen Painter; he was active in early Middle Protocorinthian II, and demonstrates a skill astonishing for this period in creating a many-figured and sophisticated, narrative composition.

Organization of monitoring of carcinogens in the atmospheric air of the city and assessment of the health risk

The aim of the study was to assess the carcinogenic risk to the health of the population of an industrialized city, caused by the probable presence of carcinogens in the ambient air. The results of laboratory control of the content of carcinogens in the atmospheric air of the city of Voronezh for 2017–2020 were used as the initial data. The carcinogenic risk was assessed in accordance with the provisions of Guideline R. 2.1.10.1920–04 «Guidelines for assessing the risk to public health when exposed to chemicals that pollute the environment.» Taking into account the regional peculiarities of the composition of pollutant emissions into the atmospheric air, 1,3-butadiene (source — production of synthetic rubber) should be classified as priority carcinogens requiring systematic monitoring and measures to reduce the volume of emissions and, accordingly, concentrations in the surface layer of atmospheric air and chromium 6+ compounds (the main source is an aircraft plant). These substances, depending on the territory (transport or industrial), contribute 69.9–75.7 % and 21.7–26.9 %, respectively, to the total values of the individual carcinogenic risk (from 4.27 × 10 –3 to 4.90 × 10 –3 for the adult population, from 3.38 × 10 –4 to 3.82 × 10 –4 for children 6 years old). For the rest of the laboratory controlled carcinogens (formaldehyde, lead, soot, styrene), the risks do not exceed the maximum permissible value. It was found that the territorial coverage of the urban area of Voronezh by monitoring the content of carcinogens in the atmospheric air (5 stationary and 5 route observation posts) and the number of laboratory-determined carcinogens (6 out of 18 taken into account in the projects of maximum permissible emissions of enterprises) is insufficient to obtain reliable information on the value carcinogenic risk to public health. To reduce the associated uncertainties in assessing the carcinogenic risk, further studies of the content of 8 carcinogens (1,3-butadiene, formaldehyde, lead, carbon black, chromium 6+, benzene, benz/a/pyrene, styrene) are planned at 13 additional control points of the urban area.

An ice-binding protein from an Arctic population of American dunegrass, Leymus mollis

Several cold-hardy grasses have been shown to have ice-binding proteins (IBPs) that protect against freeze-thaw injury. Here, we looked for IBP activity in an Alaskan coastal grass, Leymus mollis (Pooidae), that had not previously been examined. Rhizome tissue had strong ice-structuring and ice recrystallization inhibiting (IRI) activities, indicating the probable presence of IBPs. The gene sequence of an IBP was obtained. The sequence encoded a 118-amino acid IRI domain composed of eight repeats and that was 80% identical to the IRI domain of the IBP of perennial ryegrass Lolium perenne. The predicted 3D structure of the IRI domain had eight beta-roll coils like those in L. perenne IBP