12,712 research outputs found
Lattice discrete particle modeling of fiber reinforced concrete: Experiments and simulations
No full textNaturally accounting for material heterogeneity, the Lattice Discrete Particle Model (LDPM) is a meso-scale model developed recently to simulate the meso-structure of quasi-brittle materials by a three-dimensional (3D) assemblage of polyhedral particles. A meso-scale constitutive law governs the interaction between adjacent particles and simulates various features of the meso-scale response, including cohesive fracturing, strain softening in tension, strain hardening in compression and material compaction due to pore collapse. LDPM has been extensively calibrated/validated, showing superior capabilities in predicting qualitative and quantitative behavior of concrete. As a natural extension for this discrete model to include the effect of dispersed fibers as discrete entities within the meso-structure, LDPM-F incorporates this effect by modeling individual fibers, randomly placed within the volume according to a given fiber volume fraction. In this investigation, the theoretical basis for LDPM-F is reviewed, and to calibrate/validate the numerical model, an extensive experimental study has been conducted to investigate the mechanical properties of various prismatic specimens containing different types (steel and synthetic) and dosages of fibers. Excellent predictive capability of LDPM-F is demonstrated through a rigorous calibration/validation procedure
Laryngeal tubercolosis: a case report with focus on voice assessment and review of the literature
No full textLaryngeal tuberculosis (LTB) is a rare manifestation of tuberculosis (TB), accounting for 1% of all TB cases. Despite its rarity it is the most frequent laryngeal granulomatous dis- ease. We performed a systematic literature review of the last 20 years on LTB and also present a case from our hospital with special focus on voice assessment. The literature review includes a total of 308 cases, involving studies from seven countries. In all, 64.3% of patients were males. At the time of diagnosis, the mean age range was 44.6-56.5 years. Odynophagia, hoarseness and dysphonia were the most frequent presenting symptoms. In 64 cases, the initial suspicion was laryngeal cancer. Most cases involved the true vocal folds. In about a third of cases a primary LTB with normal chest radiographic was found. Although it can be treated successfully, LTB may cause significant changes in voice quality. Nowadays, LTB is rarely diagnosed and may be confused with laryngeal cancer, it should also be included in the differential diagnosis with all other chronic benign inflammatory and non-inflammatory diseases of the larynx
MABS validation through repeated execution and data mining analysis
No full textAgent Based Modelling is the most interesting and advanced approach for simulating a complex system: in a social context, the single parts and the whole are often very hard to describe in detail. Besides, there are agent based formalisms which allow to study the emergency of social behaviour with the creation and study of models, known as artificial societies. Thanks to the ever increasing computational power, it's been possible to use such models to create software, based on intelligent agents, which aggregate behaviour is complex and difficult to predict, and can be used in open and distributed systems. Data mining is born in the last decades in order to help users in finding useful knowledge from the otherwise overwhelming amount of data available nowadays from the web and the data collected every day by companies. Data Mining techniques can therefore be the keystone to reveal non-trivial knowledge expressed by the initial assumption used to build the micro-level of the model and the structure of the society of agents that emerged from the simulation
Facades of the Libreria di San Marco in Venice, The: An Interpretation of the Design Process
No full text"A new work in which I propose an interpretation of the design process Sansovino used to create the magnificent facades of the Libreria di San Marco in Venice, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture." Sent to Marquand librarian by author Dec. 202
Serum amyloid A protein is elevated in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis
No full textIn multiple sclerosis (MS), the signs of inflammation that can be detected in the central nervous system are not mirrored by unequivocal markers of activation of the immune system in the periphery. We performed a serial monitoring of serum amyloid A protein (SAA), a major acute phase reactant, in peripheral blood of patients with relapsing-remitting MS over a 3-month period. Patients were monitored in parallel with gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (Gd-MRI) of the brain. The results show that signs of ongoing peripheral inflammation, reflected by elevations of SAA levels, can be detected in MS patients
Art without an Author: Vasari’s Lives and Michelangelo’s Death
No full textMonografia sulla rappresentazione di Michelangelo nelle due edizioni delle Vite, sulla storia del libro e la questione della sua paternitàBook dedicated to the representation of Michelangelo in Vasari's Lives of the Artists, to the history of the book, and to the problem of its authorshi
Cadmium bioaccumulation in Mediterranean spider crab (Maya squinado): Human consumption and health implications for exposure in Italian population
No full textHow to prevent crimes using earthquakes
No full textIn this chapter the author describes how techniques coming from earthquakes prediction has been used to produce successful mathematical models useful in preventing crimes
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