Strain

Abstract A multidisciplinary approach is being used to identify and validate virulence factors and determinants of bacteria of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc). Bcc is a group of problematic opportunistic pathogenic bacteria, particularly among cystic fibrosis patients, ...

A new identification methodology for dynamic axle loads using the superposition principle and influence surface concept was proposed in the companion paper, in which the effects of various factors such as bridge inertia force, measurement station, vehicle speed, traveling route, number of vehicles, road surface condition, and noise level were investigated through numerical simulations. In this study the proposed methodology is applied to identify the axle loads of a test truck traveling across an existing bridge. The axle load time-histories are obtained and compared to the static axle loads of the test truck. The results show that the identified dynamic axle loads are fluctuating around their static counterparts. The dynamic impact factor and load amplification factor for the axle loads under different vehicle speeds and road surface conditions are also studied. Being able to identify the real dynamic axle loads, the methodology can be applied to improve the current bridge-weigh-in...

The paper explores fungal infection and aflatoxin B1 contamination of six medicinal plant samples viz. Adhatoda vasica Nees, Asparagus racemosus Linn., Evolvulus alsinoides Linn., Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn., Plumbago zeylanica Linn. and Terminalia chebula Retz. A total of 858 fungal isolates were detected from the raw materials. Maximum number of fungal isolates was detected from A. racemosus (228). The genus Aspergillus was found to be the most dominant genus causing infection to most of the raw materials. Among the 32 isolates of A. flavus tested, 13 isolates were found to be toxigenic elaborating aflatoxin B1. The highest elaboration of aflatoxin B1 was 394.95 ppb by the isolates of A. flavus from G. glabra. The essential oil of Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl showed efficacy in arresting aflatoxin B1 by the toxigenic strain. The growth of a toxigenic strain of A. flavus decreased progressively with increasing concentration of essential oil from leaves of C. camphora. The oil completely inhibited aflatoxin B1 production even at 750 ppm. Hence, the oil of C. camphora is recommended as herbal fungitoxicant against the fungal contamination of the raw materials.

ZnO nanowires (NWs) with a ZnS coating are synthesized in order to modify the surface without changing the diameter of the NWs. They have the wurtzite ZnO at the core and a cubic ZnS at the outer layer. The NWs show a sharp ultraviolet and a broad visible emission of the photoluminescence spectra. Surface modification has led to a change in the position of the maxima of the visible emission in ZnO-ZnS NWs. The photocarrier relaxation under steady UV illumination occurs in ZnO NW arrays but is absent in ZnO-ZnS NW arrays. The dark current value for both type of NWs are similar, whereas the photocurrent value is much higher in the surface-modified NWs. Higher photocurrent value indicates a transport of the photogenerated carriers from the ZnS layer to ZnO during UV illumination. The carrier transport mechanism is proposed through a model.

Fold geometry versus axis orientation can be used to constrain the kinematics of transpressional plate boundaries. This approach is typically based on bedding orientation data collected in the field, however, in some regions outcrop quality is insufficient to provide enough measurements. We extract orientation data from a georeferenced geologic map and a digital elevation model and to constrain the kinematics of a poorly exposed, active transpressional boundary: the Central Range Fault zone in Trinidad. Strike-and-dip orientations are calculated based on contact positions extracted from the digital geologic and topographic datasets. The uncertainties in the both horizontal position and elevation of the contact are propagated into the final kinematic analysis. Analysis of folds adjacent to the Central Range Fault suggests the angle of oblique convergence in transpression (α) varies from 20° to 85°. The majority of folds, however, are consistent with a large component of contraction (...

Abstract:  The purpose of this paper is to provide a comparison between embedding tests covered by the EN383 and ASTM D5764 standards, highlighting some difficulties regarding the application of the referred standards. These embedding tests are essential to evaluate the embedding strength of wood, which is required for the assessment of joints strength. The proposed comparison is based either on experimental data and numerical simulations through the finite element (FE) method. Tests were performed on maritime pine wood (Pinus pinaster Ait. species) according to the longitudinal and radial directions, allowing the comparison of the embedding strength and elastic foundation modulus. Three dimensional FE models of the tests were built using contact elements technology and assuming the steel dowel and wood as linear elastic isotropic and orthotropic materials, respectively. The contact modelling is a challenging topic for which this paper also proposes some guidance. The test configuration proposed in the EN383 standard for assessment of the embedment strength in compression is more susceptible to the dowel bending than the half-hole test configuration proposed in the ASTM D5764 standard. The numerical simulation of the EN383 embedding test raises some additional difficulties regarding the dowel boundary conditions.

Original scientific paper This article describes the possibilities in using recycled, ground expanded polystyrene (EPS) as aggregate for lightweight concretes as thermal insulation or as a structural concrete. The article presents a rich experience and provides explanation on the benefits of using ground EPS aggregate compared to virgin EPS beads in making lightweight concrete. A reinforced lightweight concrete structure made by SU-styrol – technology is also presented. Although the compressive strength of this lightweight aggregate concrete is six times less than that of ordinary concrete, the deformation (deflection) and the loadbearing capacity of the reinforced slab and that of the Su-styrene reinforced concrete and of the ordinary reinforced concrete slab are the same, which is very interesting. The authors have provided a physical interpretation of this behaviour, with the conclusion that the reinforced SU-styrol lightweight concrete is compatible with steel, unlike ordinary c...

Existing research on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth homelessness identifies family rejection as a main pathway into homelessness for the youth. This finding, however, can depict people of color or poor people as more prejudiced than White, middle-class families. In this 18-month ethnographic study, the author complicates this rejection paradigm through documenting the narratives of 40 LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness. The author examines how poverty and family instability shaped the conditions that the youth perceived as their being rejected because of their gender and sexuality. This rejection generated strained familial ties within families wherein the ties were already fragile. Likewise, the author shows how being gender expansive marked many youth's experiences of familial abuse and strain. This study proposes the concept of conditional families to capture the social processes of how poverty and family instability shape experiences of gender, sexuality, and rejection for some LGBTQ youth.

The car wheel is the most important thing for load carrying element material even vehicle static and running conditions. Also wheel is affected by steering control and suspension. So we should consider all load acting on the vehicle drives. In our project, design and comparative analysis of old & new model car Wheel Rims. Here our new model rim is BMW Rim, other one old model rim is normal rim like ix35 Hyundai car rim) for more effective analysis. This project is tested to the wheel according to the specification given by the industrial standards, threes kind of test is performed. Later this solid works model is imported to Ansys for analysis work. in the material using aluminium alloy and stainless steel their relative performances have been observed respectively. In addition to this rim is subjected to vibration analysis (modal analysis), a part of dynamic analysis is carried out its performance is observed