Innovative Solutions for Slope Stability Reinforcement and Characterization: Vol. I, TR-489, 2005

Soil slope instability concerning highway infrastructure is an ongoing problem in Iowa, as slope failures endanger public safety and continue to result in costly repair work. Characterization of slope failures is complicated, because the factors affecting slope stability can be difficult to discern and measure, particularly soil shear strength parameters. While in the past extensive research has been conducted on slope stability investigations and analysis, this research consists of field investigations addressing both the characterization and reinforcement of such slope failures. The current research focuses on applying an infrequently-used testing technique comprised of the Borehole Shear Test (BST). This in-situ test rapidly provides effective (i.e., drained) shear strength parameter values of soil. Using the BST device, fifteen Iowa slopes (fourteen failures and one proposed slope) were investigated and documented. Particular attention was paid to highly weathered shale and glacial till soil deposits, which have both been associated with slope failures in the southern Iowa drift region. Conventional laboratory tests including direct shear tests, triaxial compression tests, and ring shear tests were also performed on undisturbed and reconstituted soil samples to supplement BST results. The shear strength measurements were incorporated into complete evaluations of slope stability using both limit equilibrium and probabilistic analyses. The research methods and findings of these investigations are summarized in Volume 1 of this report. Research details of the independent characterization and reinforcement investigations are provided in Volumes 2 and 3, respectively. Combined, the field investigations offer guidance on identifying the factors that affect slope stability at a particular location and also on designing slope reinforcement using pile elements for cases where remedial measures are necessary. The research findings are expected to benefit civil and geotechnical engineers of government transportation agencies, consultants, and contractors dealing with slope stability, slope remediation, and geotechnical testing in Iowa.

Innovative Solutions for Slope Stability Reinforcement and Characterization: Vol. II, TR-489, 2005

Soil slope instability concerning highway infrastructure is an ongoing problem in Iowa, as slope failures endanger public safety and continue to result in costly repair work. While in the past extensive research has been conducted on slope stability investigations and analysis, this current research study consists of field investigations addressing both the characterization and reinforcement of such slope failures. While Volume I summarizes the research methods and findings of this study, Volume II provides procedural details for incorporating an infrequently-used testing technique, borehole shear tests, into practice. Fifteen slopes along Iowa highways were investigated, including thirteen slides (failed slopes), one unfailed slope, and one proposed embankment slope (the Sugar Creek Project). The slopes are mainly comprised of either clay shale or glacial till, and are generally gentle and of small scale, with slope angle ranging from 11 deg to 23 deg and height ranging from 6 to 23 m. Extensive field investigations and laboratory tests were performed for each slope. Field investigations included survey of slope geometry, borehole drilling, soil sampling, in-situ Borehole Shear Testing (BST) and ground water table measurement. Laboratory investigations mainly comprised of ring shear tests, soil basic property tests (grain size analysis and Atterberg limits test), mineralogy analyses, soil classifications, and natural water contents and density measurements on the representative soil samples from each slope. Extensive direct shear tests and a few triaxial compression tests and unconfined compression tests were also performed on undisturbed soil samples for the Sugar Creek Project. Based on the results of field and lab investigations, slope stability analysis was performed on each of the slopes to determine the possible factors resulting in the slope failures or to evaluate the potential slope instabilities using limit equilibrium methods. Deterministic slope analyses were performed for all the slopes. Probabilistic slope analysis and sensitivity study were also performed for the slope of the Sugar Creek Project. Results indicate that while the in-situ test rapidly provides effective shear strength parameters of soils, some training may be required for effective and appropriate use of the BST. Also, it is primarily intended to test cohesive soils and can produce erroneous results in gravelly soils. Additionally, the quality of boreholes affects test results, and disturbance to borehole walls should be minimized before test performance. A final limitation of widespread borehole shear testing may be its limited availability, as only about four to six test devices are currently being used in Iowa. Based on the data gathered in the field testing, reinforcement investigations are continued in Volume III.

Innovative Solutions for Slope Stability Reinforcement and Characterization: Vol. III, TR-489, 2005

Soil slope instability concerning highway infrastructure is an ongoing problem in Iowa, as slope failures endanger public safety and continue to result in costly repair work. Volume I of this current study summarizes research methods and findings, while Volume II provides procedural details for incorporating into practice an infrequently-used testing technique–borehole shear tests. Volume III of this study of field investigation of fifteen slopes in Iowa demonstrates through further experimental testing how lateral forces develop along stabilizing piles to resist slope movements. Results establish the feasibility of an alternative stabilization approach utilizing small-diameter pile elements. Also, a step-by-step procedure that can be used by both state and county transportation agencies to design slope reinforcement using slender piles is documented. Initial evidence of the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of stabilizing nuisance slope failures with grouted micropiles is presented. Employment of the remediation alternative is deemed more appropriate for stabilizing shallow slope failures. Overall, work accomplished in this research study included completing a comprehensive literature review on the state of the knowledge of slope stability and slope stabilization, the preparation and performance of fourteen full-scale pile load tests, the analysis of load test results, and the documentation of a design methodology for implementing the technology into current practices of slope stabilization. Recommendations for further research include monitoring pilot studies of slope reinforcement with grouted micropiles, supplementary experimental studies, and advanced numerical studies.

Changes in insulin secretion and glucose metabolism induced by dexamethasone in lean and obese females

Résumé But: Chez les individus sveltes et en bonne santé, les modifications de la sensibilité à l'insuline secondaires à l'administration de dexaméthasone pendant deux jours sont compensées par une modification de la sécrétion d'insuline, permettant le maintien de l'homéostasie glucidique. Cette étude évalue les modifications du métabolisme glucidique et de la sécrétion d'insuline induites par une administration limitée de dexaméthasone chez les femmes obèses. Méthode de recherche: Onze femmes obèses ayant une tolérance au glucose normale ont été étudiées à deux reprises, 1° sans dexaméthasone et 2° après deux jours d'administration de dexaméthasone à faible dose. Un clamp hyperglycémique comportant deux plateaux (taux plasmatique de glucose à 7.5, respectivement 10 mM) avec du glucose marqué (6.6 ²H2 glc) a été utilisé pour déterminer la sécrétion d'insuline et le métabolisme du glucose du corps entier. Les résultats ont été comparés à ceux d'un groupe de huit femmes sveltes. Résultats : Sans dexaméthasone, les femmes obèses avaient un taux d'insuline plasmatique supérieur à jeun, durant le premier pic de sécrétion d'insuline, et aux deux plateaux hyperglycémiques. Elles avaient toutefois un métabolisme glucidique normal comparé à celui des femmes sveltes, ce qui indique une compensation adéquate. Après administration de la dexaméthasone, les femmes obèses avaient une augmentation du taux d'insuline plasmatique de 66 à 92%, mais une baisse de stockage du glucose de 15.4%. Ceci contrastait avec l'augmentation du taux d'insuline plasmatique de 91 à 113% chez les femmes sveltes et l'absence de changement de stockage du glucose du corps entier. Discussion : L'administration de dexaméthasone conduit à une baisse significative du stockage du glucose du corps entier pour une glycémie fixée chez les femmes obèses mais non chez les femmes sveltes. Ceci indique que les femmes obèses sont incapables d'accroître adéquatement leur sécrétion d'insuline. Abstract: Objective: In healthy lean individuals, changes in insulin sensitivity occurring as a consequence of a 2-day dexamethasone administration are compensated for by changes in insulin secretion, allowing glucose homeostasis to be maintained. This study evaluated the changes in glucose metabolism and insulin secretion induced by short-term dexamethasone administration in obese women. Research Methods and Procedures: Eleven obese women with normal glucose tolerance were studied on two occasions, without and after 2 days of low-dose dexamethasone administration. A two-step hyperglycemic clamp (7.5 and 10 mr1/1 glucose) with 6,6 2H2 glucose was used to assess insulin secretion and whole body glucose metabolism. Results were compared with those obtained in a group of eight lean women. Results: Without dexamethasone, obese women had higher plasma insulin concentrations in the fasting state, during the first phase of insulin secretion, and at the two hyperglycemic plateaus. However, they had normal whole body glucose metabolism compared with lean women, indicating adequate compensation. After dexamethasone, obese women had a 66% to 92% increase in plasma insulin concentrations but a 15.4% decrease in whole body glucose disposal. This contrasted with lean women, who had a 91% to 113% increase in plasma insulin concentrations, with no change in whole body glucose disposal. Discussion: Dexamethasone administration led to a significant reduction in whole body glucose disposal at fixed glycemia in obese but not lean women. This indicates that obese women are unable to increase their insulin secretion appropriately.

L'efficacité c'est bien, l'impact c'est top [Efficacy is good, impact is great].

This article summarizes the different stages of research for the development of medical interventions and their specific characteristics in terms of design, population, resources, importance of results and scientific interest. The emphasis is focused on the two final stages of development, the effectiveness and the impact. An example from our own experience is given to illustrate the reduction of the effect of an intervention against malaria in young children at different stages of the development of the intervention, and the parallel decrease of the recognition by the scientific community of the importance of these results.

Reflections on Partial Least Squares Path Modeling

The purpose of the present article is to take stock of a recent exchange in Organizational Research Methods between critics (Rönkkö & Evermann, 2013) and proponents (Henseler et al., 2014) of partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM). The two target articles were centered around six principal issues, namely whether PLS-PM: (1) can be truly characterized as a technique for structural equation modeling (SEM); (2) is able to correct for measurement error; (3) can be used to validate measurement models; (4) accommodates small sample sizes; (5) is able to provide null hypothesis tests for path coefficients; and (6) can be employed in an exploratory, model-building fashion. We summarize and elaborate further on the key arguments underlying the exchange, drawing from the broader methodological and statistical literature in order to offer additional thoughts concerning the utility of PLS-PM and ways in which the technique might be improved. We conclude with recommendations as to whether and how PLS-PM serves as a viable contender to SEM approaches for estimating and evaluating theoretical models.

Effect of orlistat in obese patients with binge eating disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Binge eating disorder represents a significant public health problem, with up to 50% of weight loss program participants displaying this disorder. In previous studies with orlistat, patients with binge eating disorder were excluded. The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy of orlistat in obese patients with binge eating disorder. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Eighty-nine patients with clinically diagnosed binge eating disorder and a BMI > or = 30 kg/m2 were randomized in double-blind fashion to 24 weeks of treatment with 120 mg of orlistat or placebo three times daily, in combination with a mildly reduced-calorie diet. RESULTS: After 24 weeks, the mean weight loss from baseline for orlistat-treated patients was significantly greater than for patients receiving placebo (-7.4% vs. -2.3%; p = 0.0001) (intent-to-treat analysis). The overall Eating Disorder Inventory 2 score at week 24 was significantly lower in patients treated with orlistat than in those in the placebo group (p = 0.011). DISCUSSION: Orlistat may be considered as part of the management for patients with obesity and binge eating disorder.

A Note on Interviewer Performance Measures in centralised CATI Surveys

Interviewer performance with respect to convincing sample members to participate in surveys is an important dimension of survey quality. However, unlike in CAPI surveys where each sample case 'belongs' to one interviewer, there are hardly any good measures of interview performance for centralised CATI surveys, where even single contacts are assigned to interviewers at random. If more than one interviewer works one sample case, it is not clear how to attribute success or failure to the interviewers involved. In this article, we propose two correlated methods to measure interviewer contact performance in centralised CATI surveys. Their modelling must take complex multilevel clustering effects, which need not be hierarchical, into account. Results are consistent with findings from CAPI data modelling, and we find that when comparing effects with a direct ('naive') measure of interviewer contact results, interviewer random effects are largely underestimated using the naive measure.

A case study of landslides and coping strategies in two villages of central-eastern Nepal

Landslides are an increasing problem in Nepal's Middle Hills due to both natural and human phenomena: mainly increasingly intense monsoon rains and a boom in rural road construction. This problem has largely been neglected due to underreporting of losses and the dispersed nature of landslides. Understanding how populations cope with landslides is a first step toward developing more effective landslide risk management programs. The present research focuses on two villages in Central-Eastern Nepal, both affected by active landslides but with different coping strategies. Research methods are interdisciplinary, based on a geological assessment of landslide risk and a socio-economic study of the villages using household questionnaires, focus group discussions and transect walks. Community risk maps are compared with geological landslide risk maps to better understand and communicate community risk perceptions, priorities and coping strategies. A modified typology of coping strategies is presented, based on previous work by Burton, Kates, and White (1993) that is useful for decision-makers for designing more effective programs for landslide mitigation. Main findings underscore that coping strategies, mainly seeking external assistance and outmigration, are closely linked to access to resources, ethnicity/social status and levels of community organization. Conclusions include the importance of investing in organizational skills, while building on local knowledge about landslide mitigation for reducing landslide risk. There is great potential to increase coping strategies by incorporating skills training on landslide mitigation in existing agricultural outreach and community forest user group training.

Customer References as Marketing Practice in Company Web sites - Content and Discourse Analysis

Työn tarkoituksena oli tutkia sisältö- ja diskurssianalyysin avulla kuinka yritykset viestivät asiakasreferenssejä verkkosivuillaan. Työssä keskityttiin tutkimaan yritysten referenssikuvausten teemoja ja diskursseja, sekä sitä kuinka referenssisuhde rakentuu diskursiivisesti referenssikuvauksissa. Tutkimukseen valittiin kolme suomalaista ICT-alan yritystä: Nokia, TietoEnator ja F-Secure. Aineisto koostuu 140:stä yritysten WWW-sivuilta kerätystä referenssikuvauksesta. Sisältöanalyysin tuloksena havaittiin, että referenssikuvaukset keskittyvät kuvaamaan yksittäisiä tuote- tai projektitoimituksia referenssiasiakkaille kyseisten asiakassuhteiden valossa. Analyysin tuloksena tunnistettiin kolme diskurssia: hyötydiskurssi, sitoutumisen diskurssi sekä teknologisen eksperttiyden diskurssi. Diskurssit paljastavat referenssikuvausten retoriset keinot ja konstruoivat referenssisuhteen ja toimittajan subjektiposition eri näkökulmista. Pääpaino referenssikuvauksissa on toimittajan ratkaisun tuomissa hyödyissä. Diskurssit tuottavat referenssisuhteesta kuvan hyötyjä tuovana ja läheisenä asiakassuhteena, joka tarjoaa väylän ulkopuolisiin kyvykkyyksiin ja teknologioihin. Toimittaja esitetään referenssikuvauksissa diskurssista riippuen hyötyjen tuojana, luotettavana partnerina sekä kokeneena eksperttinä. Referenssiasiakas sen sijaan esitetään vain yhdestä näkökulmasta stereotyyppisesti tärkeänä ja tyytyväisenä asiakkaana.

Laatudokumentoinnin kehittäminen selluteollisuuden koneiden ja painelaitteiden valmistuksessa

Diplomityön tavoitteena oli tuoda esiin ratkaisu dokumenttien hallintaan liittyviinongelmiin valmistavassa tuotannossa. Dokumentaation hallinnan perusongelmia valmistuksessa, johon liittyy lakien ja direktiivien asettamia asetuksia sekä vaatimuksia, on mm. paperisten ja sähköisten dokumenttien käytettävyys. Paperiversioiden allekirjoittaminen ja aitouden varmistaminen on helppoa, mutta sähköisen dokumentin allekirjoittaminen ja todentaminen on vielä kehityksen alla. Pitkäaikaisarkistointi sähköisen dokumentin osalta on myös vaativaa, koska pisimmät säilytysajat voivat olla 30 vuotta ja tietotekniikan kehitys tekee huimia harppauksia tässä ajassa. Tutkimusmenetelminä käytettiin kvalitatiivista ja kirjallisuustutkimusta selvittämään dokumentoinnin nykytilaa Savonlinna Works Oy:ssä ja muualla sekä kirjallisuudessa esitettyjä menetelmiä dokumentoinnin kehittämiseen. Työn tuloksena on esitetty dokumenttien hallinnan periaatteet yleisesti ja tuotteiden dokumentointiin liittyvät muutokset, jotka pohjautuvat tutkimustuloksiin. Lisäksi on esitelty kolme järjestelmävaihtoehtoa dokumenttien hallintaan, joiden ominaisuuksia on vertailu keskenään ja pohdittu käytettävyyttä Savonlinna Works Oy:n organisaatiossa.

Kiinteistön investointi- ja elinkaarikustannusten hallinnan työkalut

Tämän työntavoitteena oli tutkia kiinteistöjen investointi- ja elinkaarikustannusten hallinnan tilannetta. Tavoitteeseen pääsemiseksi pyrin selvittämään, missä määrin rakennusala käyttää erilaisia ohjelmistoja, mitä nämä ohjelmistot ovat ja minkälaiset ovat mahdollisuudet kehittää tähän tarkoitukseen sopiva ohjelmistotyökalu. Teoriaosa koostuu kiinteistöliiketoimintaan liittyvistä peruskäsitteistäsekä laskentamenetelmistä. Empiirisessä osassa esitellään tutkimusmenetelmät jaanalysoidaan tulokset. Tutkimus toteutettiin käyttämällä kirjallista kyselyä sekä asiantuntijahaastatteluita. Kirjallinen kysely toimi runkona haastatteluille. Kyselyllä kartoitettiin olemassa olevien ohjelmistotyökalujen lukumäärä. Haastattelujen avulla pyrittiin saamaan selville, mitkä ohjelmistojen osiot ja ominaisuudet olisivat käyttäjän kannalta olennaisia. Tutkimuksen tärkeimpänä tuloksena voidaan pitää sitä, että olemassa olevien työkalujen lisäksi ei näyttänyt olevan juurikaan tarvetta kehittää uusia työkaluja kiinteistökustannusten hallintaan. Ohjelmistotyökaluja löydettiin kolmetoista, joista kaksitoista soveltui elinkaarikustannusten laskentaan. Sellaisia ohjelmatyökaluja, jotka olisivat vastanneet asiantuntijahaastateltavien tarpeita, ei löytynyt. Tutkimustulokset osoittavat kuitenkin selvästi, että kehitysmahdollisuudet ovat olemassa ja ongelmaon helposti ratkaistavissa yhdistelemällä eri ohjelmistojen ominaisuuksia.

Expression and secretion of the atrial natriuretic peptide in human adipose tissue and preadipocytes.

OBJECTIVE: Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a secretory hormone displaying diuretic, natriuretic, and vasorelaxant activities. Recently, its lipolytic activity has been reported. Since the expression of ANP in adipose tissue has not been documented, we used real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to investigate the expression of ANP in human adipose tissue and preadipocytes. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: RNA was extracted from the human adipose tissue of severely obese premenopausal women as well as from human preadipocytes. For human preadipocytes, two cell systems were investigated: the human preadipose immortalized (Chub-S7) cells, a well-characterized human preadipose cell line, and primary preadipocytes derived from the stromal vascular fraction of the human adipose tissue. We measured the mRNA of ANP, of corin (a transmembrane serine protease involved in the conversion of pro-ANP to ANP) and of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2; a control gene known to be ubiquitously expressed). The expression of ANP was also investigated using immunofluorescence and radioimmunoassay in Chub-S7 cells and human primary preadipocytes in culture. RESULTS: Our results indicate that ANP and corin are expressed at the mRNA level in human adipose tissue and preadipocytes. Immunofluorescence experiments demonstrated that pro-ANP was expressed in Chub-S7 cells. In addition, ANP secretion could be measured in Chub-S7 cells and human primary preadipocytes in culture. Rosiglitazone, a selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor type gamma (PPAR-gamma) agonist promoting adipocyte differentiation, was found to modulate both ANP expression and secretion in preadipocytes. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest the existence of an autocrine/paracrine system for ANP in the human adipose tissue whose implications in lipolysis and cardiovascular function need to be further explored.

Modeling competencies and capabilities in knowledge intensive business environment

Tämän diplomityön päämääränä oli tutkia Perloksen teknologiaosaamisia. Perloksen tavoitteena on tulevaisuudessa yhdistää ja soveltaa uusia teknologioita ja älykkäitä materiaaleja muovimekaniikkaan.Ideana oli mallintaa Perloksen osaamisia ja osaamisgapeja ottaen huomioon heidän tulevaisuuden visionsa. Projektituotteena osaamisten mallintamisessa oli Perlos Healthcaren asiakkaan analysoiva mittauslaite. Tutkimuksen arvo on huomattava sillä tunnistamalla osaamisensa ja kyvykkyytensä yritys pystyy luomaan paremman tarjooman vastatessaan koko ajan kasvaviin asiakasvaatimuksiin. Tutkimus on osa TEKESin rahoittamaa LIIMA -projektia. Työn ensimmäisessä osassa esitellään osaamiseen ja partneroitumiseen liittyviä teorioita. Osaamisten mallintaminen tehtiin Excel -pohjaisella työkalulla. Se sisältää projektituotteeseen liittyen osaamisriippuvuuksien mallintamisen ja gap -analyysin. Yhtenä tutkimusmetodina käytettiin haastattelututkimusta. Työ ja sen tulokset antavat operatiivista hyötyä teknologioiden ja markkinoiden välisessä kentässä.

Esituotannon aikainen konseptien verifiointi muovituotteen valmistusessa

 Diplomityön tavoitteena on tutkia ja kehittää muovituotteen valmistuskonseptien verifiointimenetelmiä ja luoda malli, jolla saadaan esituotantovaiheestalähtien parannettu tuotantoprosessi massatuotannon aloittamiseen (ramp up). Työn tavoitteena on myös toimia viestintäkeinona lisäämässä organisaation tietoisuutta esituotantovaiheen tärkeydestä. Työ pohjautuu tekijän aikaisempaan tutkimukseen "esituotantoprosessista oppimisen vaikutukset massatuotannon aloitukseen", joka on tehty erikoistyönä v.2006. Tutkimus menetelminä on käytetty pääasiassa prosessien kuvaamista, benchmarkingia, asiantuntijoiden haastatteluja sekä analysoitu toteutuneita projekteja. Lopputuloksena on saatu toimintamalli, joka vastaa hyvin pitkälle prosessien kuvausten aikana syntynyttä mallia. Keskeisenä ajatuksena on valmistuskonseptin verifioinnin kytkeminen tuotteen mekaniikkasuunnittelun kypsyyteen. Koko projektia koskevien tavoitteiden määrittäminen johdetaan ramp up tavoitteista. Verifioitavaksi valitaan kriittisin tuote ja prosessi. Tähän on teoreettisena viitekehyksenä käytetty Quality Function Deployment (QFD) menetelmää. Jatkotoimenpiteiksi esitetään ramp up tavoitteiden ja mittareiden kehittämistä, joilla pystytään seuraamaan ja ohjaamaan projektia jo heti alusta alkaen. Lisätutkimusta tarvitaan myös esituotannon aikaisten prosessiparametrien suunnitteluun ja optimointiin.