Stiffness prediction for bolted moment-connections between cold-formed steel members

The authors have recently described a cold-formed steel portal framing system in which simple bolted moment-connections, formed through brackets, were used for the eaves and apex joints. Such connections, however, cannot be considered as rigid because of localised in-plane elongation of the bolt-holes caused by bearing against the bolt-shanks. To therefore predict the initial stiffness of such connections, it is necessary to know the initial bolt-hole elongation stiffness k(b). In this paper, a finite element-solid idealisation of a bolted lap joint in shear will be described that can be used to determine k(b); the results obtained are validated against experimental data. A beam idealisation of a cold-formed steel bolted moment-connection is then described, in which spring elements are used to idealise the rotational flexibility of the bolt-groups resulting from bolt-hole elongation: Using the value of k(b) in the beam idealisation, the deflections predicted are shown to be similar to those measured experimentally in laboratory tests conducted on the apex joint of a cold-formed steel portal frame. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An updated moraine map of Far NE Russia

Barr and Clark published a series of maps depicting the distribution of end moraines across Far NE Russia. These
moraines outlined the former distribution and dimensions of glaciers, and were identified through the analysis of
Landsat ETM+ satellite images (15- and 30-m resolution). Now, a number of freely available digital elevation
model (DEM) datasets are available, which cover the entire 4 million km2 of Far NE Russia. These include
the 30-m resolution ASTER GDEM and the 90-m resolution Viewfinder Panorama DEM. Here we use these
datasets, in conjunction with Landsat ETM+ images, to complete the process of systematically and
comprehensively mapping end moraines. With the aid of the DEMs described above, here we present a total
dataset of 8414 moraines, which almost quadruples the inventory of Barr and Clark. This increase in the
number of moraines is considered to reflect the utility of the DEMs for mapping glacial landforms. In terms of
moraine distribution, the Barr and Clark map and the one presented here are comparable, with moraines found
to cluster in highland regions and upon adjacent lowlands, attesting to the former occupation of the region by
mountain-centred ice masses. This record is considered to reflect palaeoclimatic and topographic controls upon
the extent and dynamics of palaeoglaciers, as well as spatial variability in moraine preservation.

Comorbidities and current smoking status amongst patients starting renal replacement therapy in England, Wales and Northern Ireland from 2003 to 2008: national and centre-specific analyses

Introduction: The prevalence of comorbidities in incident renal replacement therapy (RRT) patients changes with age and varies between ethnic groups. This study describes these associations and the independent effect of comorbidities on outcomes. Methods: Adult patients starting RRT between 2003 and 2008 in centres reporting to the UK Renal Registry (UKRR) with data on comorbidity (n ¼ 14,909) were included. The UKRR studied the association of comorbidity with patient demographics, treatment modality, haemoglobin, renal function at start of RRT and subsequent listing for kidney transplantation. The relationship between comorbidities and mortality at 90 days and one year after 90 days from start of RRT was explored using Cox regression. Results: Completeness of comorbidity data was 40.0% compared with 54.3% in 2003. Of patients with data, 53.8% had one or more comorbidities. Diabetes mellitus and ischaemic heart disease were the most common conditions seen in 30.1% and 22.7% of patients respectively. Current smoking was recorded for 14.5% of incident RRT patients in the 6-year period. Comorbidities became more common with increasing age in all ethnic groups although the difference between the 65–74 and 75+ age groups was not significant. Within each age group, South Asians and Blacks had lower rates of comorbidity, despite higher rates of diabetes mellitus. In multivariate survival analysis, malignancy and ischaemic/neuropathic ulcers were the strongest independent predictors of poor survival at 1 year after 90 days from the start of RRT. Conclusion: Differences in prevalence of comorbid illnesses in incident RRT patients may reflect variation in access to health care or competing risk prior to commencing treatment. At the same time, smoking rates remained high in this ‘at risk’ population. Further work on this and ways to improve comorbidity reporting should be priorities for 2010–11.

'How Soon is Too Soon?:Healing Through Remembering Bulletin (Issue 3), Spring 2007, p. 3

A comment on the process of Commemoration in Northern Ireland