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.

Thermo-compression molding of chitosan with a deep eutectic mixture for biofilms development

Supplementary information available at: http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/c5/gc/c5gc02231b/c5gc02231b1.pdf

Comparing different methods to measure biofilm thickness: the techniques are: optical coherence tomography, confocal laser scanning microscopy and low load compression test

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia Biomédica (área de especialização em Engenharia Clínica)

Estudo numérico sobre o reforço de pilares de betão armado com cantoneiras e presilhas metálicas: análise paramétrica e modelo de cálculo

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia Civil

Análise experimental do comportamento ao corte de paredes reforçadas em alvenaria de BTC

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia Civil

On the role of temporal context in human reinforcement learning

Magdeburg, Univ., Fak. für Naturwiss., Diss., 2011

Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the spine at 3-T: feasibility, optimization of b-value and utility to differentiate benign from pathological vertebral compression fractures

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility, determine the optimal b-value, and assess the utility of 3-T diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) of the spine in differentiating benign from pathologic vertebral compression fractures.Methods and Materials: Twenty patients with 38 vertebral compression fractures (24 benign, 14 pathologic) and 20 controls (total: 23 men, 17 women, mean age 56.2years) were included from December 2010 to May 2011 in this IRB-approved prospective study. MR imaging of the spine was performed on a 3-T unit with T1-w, fat-suppressed T2-w, gadolinium-enhanced fat-suppressed T1-w and zoomed-EPI (2D RF excitation pulse combined with reduced field-of-view single-shot echo-planar readout) diffusion-w (b-values: 0, 300, 500 and 700s/mm2) sequences. Two radiologists independently assessed zoomed-EPI image quality in random order using a 4-point scale: 1=excellent to 4=poor. They subsequently measured apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) in normal vertebral bodies and compression fractures, in consensus.Results: Lower b-values correlated with better image quality scores, with significant differences between b=300 (mean±SD=2.6±0.8), b=500 (3.0±0.7) and b=700 (3.6±0.6) (all p<0.001). Mean ADCs of normal vertebral bodies (n=162) were 0.23, 0.17 and 0.11×10-3mm2/s with b=300, 500 and 700s/mm2, respectively. In contrast, mean ADCs were 0.89, 0.70 and 0.59×10-3mm2/s for benign vertebral compression fractures and 0.79, 0.66 and 0.51×10-3mm2/s for pathologic fractures with b=300, 500 and 700s/mm2, respectively. No significant difference was found between ADCs of benign and pathologic fractures.Conclusion: 3-T DWI of the spine is feasible and lower b-values (300s/mm2) are recommended. However, our preliminary results show no advantage of DWI in differentiating benign from pathologic vertebral compression fractures.

Brainstem compression from a trigeminal schwannoma presenting with pathological crying.

Patients with pathological laughter and crying have episodes of uncontrollable laughter, crying or both. Pathological laughter is a well-described entity secondary to various conditions such as multiple sclerosis, pseudo-bulbar palsy, cerebello-pontine angle tumours, clival chordomas and brainstem gliomas. Pathological crying is rare and there have been no previous reports of brainstem compression causing this entity. We report a patient who presented with pathological crying caused by a trigeminal schwannoma with a tumor-associated cyst indenting the pons. This case report confirms the involvement of the cortico-ponto-cerebellar pathways in the pathogenesis of pathological crying.

Photophobia as the presenting visual symptom of chiasmal compression.

Five patients with a chief visual complaint of photophobia were subsequently found to have compressive lesions of the optic chiasm. Visual acuity and visual field deficits were often subtle. Magnetic resonance imaging scanning revealed large suprasellar masses, including three pituitary adenomas, a craniopharyngioma, and a clivus chordoma. Photophobia resolved in all patients following treatment of the tumors. A compressive lesion of the optic chiasm should be considered in patients who experience persistent photophobia unexplained by ocular abnormalities.

Metastatic spinal cord compression: Full Guideline

Metastatic spinal cord compression: Diagnosis and management of patients at risk of or with metastatic spinal cord compressionThis Guideline is published in recognition that patients with metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) sometimes suffer delays and avoidable disability. It considers the available evidence and makes recommendations (to ensure that facilities are available and treatment is co-ordinated) to promote best practice and whenever possible to prevent paralysis from adversely affecting the quality of life for people with metastatic cancer.

Metastatic spinal cord compression: Implementing NICE guidance

Metastatic spinal cord compression: Implementing NICE guidanceThis presentation has been written to help you raise awareness of the NICE clinical guideline on Metastatic spinal cord compression: Diagnosis & management of adults at risk of and with MSCC. This guideline has been written for healthcare professionals and other staff who care for people with metastatic spinal cord compression..

Hybrid coordination of reinforcement learning-based behaviors for AUV control

This paper proposes a hybrid coordination method for behavior-based control architectures. The hybrid method takes advantages of the robustness and modularity in competitive approaches as well as optimized trajectories in cooperative ones. This paper shows the feasibility of applying this hybrid method with a 3D-navigation to an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). The behaviors are learnt online by means of reinforcement learning. A continuous Q-learning implemented with a feed-forward neural network is employed. Realistic simulations were carried out. The results obtained show the good performance of the hybrid method on behavior coordination as well as the convergence of the behaviors