Transfer zone of prestressed CFRP reinforcement applied according to NSM technique for strengthening of RC structures

This study presents an experimental program to assess the tensile strain distribution along prestressed carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) reinforcement flexurally applied on the tensile surface of RC beams according to near surface mounted (NSM) technique. Moreover, the current study aims to propose an analytical formulation, with a design framework, for the prediction of distribution of CFRP tensile strain and bond shear stress and, additionally, the prestress transfer length. After demonstration the good predictive performance of the proposed analytical approach, parametric studies were carried out to analytically evaluate the influence of the main material properties, and CFRP and groove cross section on the distribution of the CFRP tensile strain and bond shear stress, and on the prestress transfer length. The proposed analytical approach can also predict the evolution of the prestress transfer length during the curing time of the adhesive by considering the variation of its elasticity modulus during this period.

Durability indicators comparison for SCC and CC in tropical coastal environments

Self-compacting concrete (SCC) demands more studies of durability at higher temperatures when subjected to more aggressive environments in comparison to the conventional vibrated concrete (CC). This work aims at presenting results of durability indicators of SCC and CC, having the same water/binder relations and constituents. The applied methodologies were electrical resistivity, diffusion of chloride ions and accelerated carbonation experiments, among others, such as microstructure study, scanning electron microscope and microtomography experiments. The tests were performed in a research laboratory and at a construction site of the Pernambuco Arena. The obtained results shows that the SCC presents an average electrical resistivity 11.4% higher than CC; the average chloride ions diffusion was 63.3% of the CC; the average accelerated carbonation penetration was 45.8% of the CC; and the average open porosity was 55.6% of the CC. As the results demonstrated, the SCC can be more durable than CC, which contributes to elucidate the aspects related to its durability and consequent prolonged life cycle.

Assessment of distinctive road runoff quality in coastal areas, based on a monitoring case study

High levels of marine salt deposition present in coastal areas have a relevant effect on road runoff characteristics. This study assesses this effect with the purpose of identifying the relationships between monitored water quality parameters and intrinsic site variables. To achieve this objective, an extensive monitoring program was conducted on a Portuguese coastal highway. The study included 30 rainfall events, in different weather, traffic, and salt deposition conditions. The evaluations of various water quality parameters were carried out in over 200 samples. In addition, the meteorological, hydrological, and traffic parameters were continuously measured. The salt deposition rates were determined by means of a wet candle device, which is an innovative feature of the monitoring program. The relation between road runoff pollutants and independent variables associated with weather, traffic, and salt deposition conditions was assessed. Significant correlations among pollutants were observed. A high salinity concentration and its influence on the road runoff were confirmed. Furthermore, the concentrations of the most relevant pollutants seemed to be very dependent on some meteorological variables, particularly the duration of the antecedent dry period prior to each rainfall event and the average wind speed.

Mineralizações associadas a shear zone networking na vertente oriental da Serra de Arga (Minho, Portugal)

Dissertação de mestrado em Ordenamento e Valorização de Recursos Geológicos

Ireland’s understudied flatfish: reproduction, age and growth of the dab Limanda limanda (L.) in Irish coastal waters

In Ireland, although flatfish form a valuable fishery, little is known about the smallest, the dab Limanda limanda. In this study, a variety of parameters of reproductive development, including ovarian phase description, gonadosomatic index (GSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI), relative condition (Kn) and oocyte size were analysed to provide information on the dab’s reproductive cycle and spawning periods. Sampling were collected monthly over an 18-month period using bottom trawls of the Irish coastline. A six phase macroscopic guide was developed for both sexes of dab, and verified using histology. In comparisons of macroscopic and microscopic phases, there was high agreement in the proposed female guide (86%), with males demonstratively lower (62%). No significant bias was observed between the the two reproductive methods. When the male macroscopic guide was examined, misclassification was high in phase 5 and phase 5 (41%), with 96% of misclassification occurring in adjacent phases. The sampled population was primarily composed of females, with ratios of females to males 1:0.6, although the predominance of females was less noticeable during the reproductive season. Oocyte growth in dab follows asynchronous development, and spawn over a protracted period indicating a batch spawning strategy. Spawning occurred mainly in early spring, with total regeneration of gonads by May. The length at which 50% of the population was reproductively mature was identified as 14cm and 17cm, for male and female dab, respectively. Precision and bias in age determinations using whole otoliths to age dab was investigated using six age readers from various institutions. Low levels of precision were obtained (CV: 10-23%) inferring the need for an alternative methodology. Precision and bias was influence by the level of experience of the reader, with ageing error attributed to interpretative differences and difficulty in edge determination. Sectioned otolith age determinations were subsequently compared to whole otolith age determinations using two age readers experienced in dab ageing. Although increased precision was observed in whole otoliths from previous estimates (CV=0%, 0% APE), sectioned otoliths were used for growth models. This was based on multinominal logistic regression on age length keys developed using both ageing methods. Biological data (length and age) for both sexes was applied to four growth models, where the Akaike criterion and Multi model Inference indicated the logistic model as having the best fit to the collected data. In general, female dab attained a longer length then males, with growth rates significantly different between the two sexes. Length weight relationships between the two sexes were also significantly different.

Roles of Bassoon in assembling the presynaptic active zone for neurotransmitter release

Magdeburg, Univ., Fak. für Naturwiss., Diss., 2010

Mechanisms of assembly and activity dependent remodelling of the presynaptic cytomatrix at the active zone

Magdeburg, Univ., Fak. für Naturwiss., Diss., 2010

Influence of water quality and kind of metal in the secondary cooling zone of casting process

Magdeburg, Univ., Fak. für Verfahrens- und Systemtechnik, Diss., 2012

Contribution [I]-III to the coastal and plain flora of Yucatan, by Charles Frederick Millspaugh.

v.1:no.4(1898)

Plantae Yucatanae. (Regionis Antillanae) Plants of the insular, coastal and plain regions of the peninsula of Yucatan, Mexico. [By Charles Frederick Millspaugh.].

v.3:no.1(1903)

Contribution [I]-III to the coastal and plain flora of Yucatan, by Charles Frederick Millspaugh.

v.1:no.1(1895)

Flora of the Aguan valley and the coastal regions near La Ceiba, Honduras, by T. G. Yuncker.

v.9:no.4(1940)

Planktonic ciliates Choreotrichida and Strombidiida from the inner zone of Bahía Blanca Estuary, Argentina

Seven species of aloricate planktonic ciliates were identified using protargol staining. Choreotrichida: Strombidinopsidae, Strombidinopsis elongata Song & Bradbury, 1998; Strobiliidae, Strobilidium epacrum Lynn & Montagnes, 1988 and Strombidiida: Strombidiidae, Strombidium capitatum (Leegaard, 1915) Kahl, 1932; S. emergens (Leegaard, 1915) Kahl, 1932; S. acutum Leegaard, 1915; S. dalum Lynn, Montagnes & Small, 1988 and Cyrtostrombidium longisomum Lynn & Gilron, 1993; they were collected from the inner zone of the Bahía Blanca estuary in the southern region of the Buenos Aires province, Argentina. These species represent new records to South America (Argentina).

Abundance and species composition of planktonic Ciliophora from the wastewater discharge zone in the Bahía Blanca Estuary, Argentina

The specific composition and abundance variation of the ciliate community from a wastewater discharge zone in the Bahía Blanca estuary, Argentina, were studied all throughout a year, from June 1995 to May 1996. The polluted area exhibited high values of particulate organic matter and nutrients, particularly phosphates. Aloricate ciliates were represented by 15 species belonging to the genera Strombidium Claparède & Lachmann, 1859; Strombidinopsis Kent, 1881; Cyrtostrombidium Lynn & Gilron, 1993; Strobilidium Schewiakoff, 1983; Lohmmanniella Leegaard, 1915 and Tontonia Fauré-Fremiet, 1914. Tintinnids were represented by nine species belonging to the genera Tintinnidium Kent, 1881, Tintinnopsis Stein, 1867 and Codonellopsis Jörgensen, 1924. The total abundance of aloricate ciliates reached a peak of 1,800 ind. 1-1 and the total abundance of tintinnids reached a peak of 9,400 ind. 1-1. Tintinnidium balechi Barría de Cao, 1981 was the most abundant ciliate in the community. Considerations on the presence and abundance of ciliates are made in relation to physicochemical and biochemical parameters.

Snakes of the Peruvian coastal region, by Karl P. Schmidt and Warren F. Walker.

v.24:no.27(1943)