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Structural Measures (structural + measure)
Selected AbstractsIs structure or function a better measure of the effects of water abstraction on ecosystem integrity?FRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 10 2009RUSSELL G. DEATH Summary 1. Assessments of flow abstractions in streams often focus on changes to biological communities and in-stream physical characteristics, with little consideration for changes in ecosystem functioning. It is unclear whether functional indicators of ecosystem health may be useful for assessing the impacts of reduced discharge on small streams. 2. We used weirs and diversions to reduce stream discharge by over 89% in three small New Zealand streams (11,84 L s,1), ranging in water quality from pristine to moderately impaired. 3. We used both structural (benthic invertebrates) and functional (drifting invertebrates, leaf breakdown, coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) retention and primary productivity) measures of ecosystem integrity to compare responses to water abstraction in before-after, control-impact designed experiments during summer 2005. 4. At the pristine site, the density of invertebrates, taxon richness, Macroinvertebrate Community Index (MCI), Quantitative MCI, percentage of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera individuals and percentage of filter-feeders decreased in response to reduced flows. Only taxon richness decreased at the mildly impaired stream, and reduced discharge had no effect on the invertebrate community at the stream with the lowest water quality. 5. We found that reduced discharge had little influence on the breakdown rate of willow leaves in mesh bags over 1 month. Primary productivity was also relatively insensitive to water abstraction. However, CPOM retention increased with decreased flows. Drift propensity of invertebrates increased at two sites but only within the first few days after flow reduction. 6. Structural measures of ecosystem integrity suggested that the impacts of water abstraction differed among streams of varying water quality, probably because of differences in the sensitivity of invertebrate assemblages in the three streams. In contrast, the three functional measures tested were generally less sensitive to water abstraction impacts, although understanding how stream ecosystems respond to water abstraction clearly requires that both are considered. [source] The transfer matrix method applied to steel sheet pile wallsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS, Issue 6 2003D. A. Kort Abstract This paper proposes two subgrade reaction models for the analysis of steel sheet pile walls based on the transfer matrix method. In the first model a plastic hinge is generated when the maximum moment in the retaining structure is exceeded. The second model deals with a beam with an asymmetrical cross-section that can bend in two directions. In the first part of this paper the transfer matrix method is explained on the basis of a simple example. Further the development of two computer models is described: Plaswall and Skewwall. The second part of this paper deals with an application of both models. In the application of Plaswall the effect of four current earth pressure theories to the subgrade reaction method is compared to a finite element calculation. It is shown that the earth pressure theory is of major importance on the calculation result of a sheet pile wall both with and without a plastic hinge. In the application of Skewwall the effectiveness of structural measures to reduce oblique bending is investigated. The results are compared to a 3D finite element calculation. It is shown that with simple structural measures the loss of structural resistance due to oblique bending can be reduced. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The systematic approach to flooding problems,IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE, Issue S1 2006J. (Hans) van Duivendijk maîtrise des crues; mesures non-structurelles; gestion des inondations Abstract Since 1987 one of the working groups of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) has, inter alia, been preparing two manuals concerning approaches to flooding problems. The Manual on Non-Structural Approaches to Flood Management was issued in 1999 while the Manual on the Planning of Structural Approaches to Flood Management has been issued recently (2005). In this paper a broad outline of both manuals is presented. The first manual describes in detail the various planning and response measures in flood management, which are known as non-structural measures. The latter are measures which alter the exposure of life and property to flooding but do not change the flood(ing) phenomenon as such. The said planning and response measures comprise such actions as floodplain land use management, flood forecasting and warning, flood fighting, flood proofing, etc. It is explained that such measures are sometimes the only ones feasible in the prevailing circumstances and that, moreover, non-structural measures should always be added to the so-called structural measures if the latter are considered feasible (i.e. feasible from a technical, economic, socio-economic and ecological point of view). In the second manual a methodology is presented for the planning of structural measures. This type of measure alters the physical characteristics of the floods and in this connection one must think of the operation of flood storage reservoirs, upstream catchment management, modification to river channels, construction of levees, special flood diversion channels (bypasses) and operation of hydraulics works. The idea behind this methodology is that it is difficult for planners and decision makers to select the appropriate flood protection system for a given situation including a range of possible floods if the problem is not approached in a systematic manner. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Depuis 1987 un des groupes de travail de la CIID prépare, entre autres, deux manuels sur la manière d'approcher les problèmes d'inondation. Le ,Manuel d'approche non-structurelle de la gestion des crues' a été publié en 1999, tandis que le ,Manuel de la planification de l'approche structurelle de la gestion des crues' a été publié plus récemment (2005). Le présent article présente une vue d'ensemble de ces deux manuels. Le premier manuel donne une description détaillée des différentes mesures de préparation et de réponse à la gestion des crues, connues comme étant non-structurelles. Ces mesures changent l'exposition de la vie et des propriétés aux inondations mais ne modifient pas le phénomène proprement dit des crues et des inondations. Elles comprennent des actions telles que la gestion de l'espace dans les plaines d'inondations, les prévisions et alertes, la lutte contre les crues, la protection contre les inondations, etc. On y explique que ces mesures sont parfois les seules faisables dans les circonstances données et que, en outre, des mesures non-structurelles devraient toujours être ajoutées aux mesures dites structurelles si ces dernières sont considérées comme faisables (c'est-à-dire faisables d'un point de vue technique, économique, socio-économique et écologique). Dans le second manuel une méthodologie est présentée pour la planification des mesures structurelles. Ce type de mesures modifie les caractéristiques physiques des crues, comme par exemple réservoirs d'écrétage de crue, gestion des hauts bassins, modification des lits des fleuves, construction de digues, canaux spéciaux de déviation des crues (courts circuits) et fonctionnement d'ouvrages hydrauliques. L'idée qui est derrière cette méthodologie est qu'il est difficile aux planificateurs et aux décideurs de choisir le système de protection contre les crues correspondant exactement à une situation comprenant une large gamme d'inondations possibles si le problème n'est pas approché de manière systématique. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] In Vivo Determination of Bone Structure in Postmenopausal Women: A Comparison of HR-pQCT and High-Field MR Imaging,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2008Galateia J Kazakia PhD Abstract Bone structural measures obtained by two noninvasive imaging tools,3T MRI and HR-pQCT,were compared. Significant but moderate correlations and 2- to 4-fold discrepancies in parameter values were detected, suggesting that differences in acquisition and analysis must be considered when interpreting data from these imaging modalities. Introduction: High-field MRI and high resolution (HR)-pQCT are currently being used in longitudinal bone structure studies. Substantial differences in acquisition and analysis between these modalities may influence the quantitative data produced and could potentially influence clinical decisions based on their results. Our goal was to compare trabecular and cortical bone structural measures obtained in vivo by 3T MRI and HR-pQCT. Materials and Methods: Postmenopausal osteopenic women (n = 52) were recruited for this study. HR-pQCT imaging of the radius and tibia was performed using the XtremeCT scanner, with a voxel size of 82 × 82 × 82 ,m3. MR imaging was performed on a 3T Signa scanner using SSFP imaging sequences, with a pixel size of 156 × 156 ,m2 and slice thickness of 500 ,m. Structure parameters were calculated using standard HR-pQCT and MRI analysis techniques. Relationships between measures derived from HR-pQCT, MRI, and DXA were studied. Results: Significant correlations between HR-pQCT and MRI parameters were found (p < 0.0001) and were strongest for Tb.N (r2 = 0.52), Ct.Th (r2 = 0.59), and site-specific Tb.Sp (r2 = 0.54,0.60). MRI and HR-pQCT provided statistically different values of structure parameters (p < 0.0001), with BV/TV and Tb.Th exhibiting the largest discrepancies (MR/HR-pQCT = 3,4). Although differences in the Tb.N values were statistically significant, the mean differences were on the order of our reproducibility measurements. Systematic differences between MRI and HR-pQCT analysis procedures leading to discrepancies in cortical thickness values were observed, with MRI values consistently higher. Minimal correlations were found between MRI or HR-pQCT parameters and DXA BMD or T-score, except between HR-pQCT measures at the radius and the ultradistal radius T-scores, where moderate correlations were found (r2 = 0.19,0.58). Conclusions: This study provides unique insight into two emerging noninvasive tools for bone structure evaluation. Our findings highlight the significant influence of analysis technique on results of in vivo assessment and underscore the importance of accounting for these differences when interpreting results from these modalities. [source] Alternative approaches to flood mitigation: a case study of BangladeshNATURAL RESOURCES FORUM, Issue 4 2001Frederico Neto Abstract Floods were by far the most damaging type of natural disasters during the 1990s, in terms of both human impacts and socio-economic losses. Vulnerability to flooding disasters around the world is almost always differentiated by the socio-economic conditions of different income groups in the disaster area. In general, the poorer the income group (or the country) the more vulnerable it is likely to be to the adverse impacts of floods. The article argues that Bangladesh is the world's most flood-prone developing country in terms of the relative socio-economic impacts of floods. While conventional flood control strategies tend to be based on structural engineering approaches,such as the construction of large-scale embankments, diversion canals and dams,this article argues that more emphasis should be given to alternative, non-structural measures. The main lesson from recent flooding disasters in Bangladesh is that, in the absence of expensive structural measures, many non-structural ones can go a long way towards reducing vulnerability to and mitigating the impacts of floods. [source] Neuroplasticity predicts outcome of optic neuritis independent of tissue damageANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 1 2010Thomas M. Jenkins MRCP Objectives To determine whether lateral occipital complex (LOC) activation with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) predicts visual outcome after clinically isolated optic neuritis (ON). To investigate the reasons behind good recovery following ON, despite residual optic nerve demyelination and neuroaxonal damage. Methods Patients with acute ON and healthy volunteers were studied longitudinally over 12 months. Structural MRI, visual evoked potentials (VEPs), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were used to quantify acute inflammation, demyelination, conduction block, and later to estimate remyelination and neuroaxonal loss over the entire visual pathway. The role of neuroplasticity was investigated using fMRI. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to study associations between vision, structure, and function. Results Greater baseline fMRI responses in the LOCs were associated with better visual outcome at 12 months. This was evident on stimulation of either eye (p = 0.007 affected; p = 0.020 fellow eye), and was independent of measures of demyelination and neuroaxonal loss. A negative fMRI response in the LOCs at baseline was associated with a relatively worse visual outcome. No acute electrophysiological or structural measures, in the anterior or posterior visual pathways, were associated with visual outcome. Interpretation Early neuroplasticity in higher visual areas appears to be an important determinant of recovery from ON, independent of tissue damage in the anterior or posterior visual pathway, including neuroaxonal loss (as measured by MRI, VEP, and OCT) and demyelination (as measured by VEP). ANN NEUROL 2010;67:99,113 [source] Das Magnitude 8.8 Maule (Chile)-Erdbeben vom 27.BAUTECHNIK, Issue 10 2010Februar 2010, Ingenieuranalyse der Tsunamischäden, Teil Das Maule (Chile)-Erdbeben vom 27. Februar 2010 gehört zu den stärksten, weltweit jemals registrierten Erdbeben. Das seismische Ereignis löste einen Tsunami aus, der durch mehrere Wellenfronten verheerende Schäden an der Küste Chiles verursachte. Ereignisspezifische Besonderheiten aus der überlagerung der Effekte aus Erdbeben und darauffolgenden Flutwellen (Tsunami) waren Motivation, im Rahmen einer Erkundungsmission der Ingenieurgruppe der Deutschen Task Force im betroffenen Gebiet die Bauwerksschäden aufzunehmen und ihre regionale Verteilung zu dokumentieren. Der Beitrag vermittelt einen Eindruck von den durch den Tsunami bedingten Schäden; es wird der Versuch unternommen, das Verhalten der typischen Bauweisen unter den zeitlich sequentiell auftretenden extremen Einwirkungen aufzuzeigen. Die Auswertungen schließen an die Ingenieuranalyse der Erdbebenschäden an, so dass auf die im vorangegangenen 1. Teil des Beitrags vom August 2010 [1] gegebene allgemeine übersicht zum Gebäudebestand in Chile und zur Typisierung der Bauweisen verwiesen werden kann. Die Schäden aus dem Tsunami konzentrieren sich auf die eher ländlichen und ohnehin weniger tauglichen traditionellen Bauweisen in den Küstenregionen. An den wesentlichen Wirkungsmechanismen eines Tsunami werden die Verletzbarkeit der Bauweisen und die Effizienz einfacher baulicher Schutzmaßnahmen herausgearbeitet. Wie gezeigt werden kann, tragen Schäden aus Treibgut erheblich zum Schadensbild bei. The Magnitude 8.8 Maule (Chile) earthquake of February 27, 2010 , Engineering analysis of tsunami damages. The Maule (Chile) February 27, 2010 earthquake is regarded as one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded world-wide. The seismic event triggered a tsunami which caused by several wave fronts serious damage alongside the coastal border. Event-specific characteristics from the overlay of the effects from earthquakes and following flood wave (Tsunami) were motivation to examine building damage and to document their regional distribution, in the context of a reconnaissance mission of the engineering group of the German Task Force for earthquakes. The paper provides an impression from the tsunami induced damage to the different building types under the impact of time-varying sequence of extreme natural events. First results of the studies in [1] are related to the engineering analysis of earthquake damage. Therefore it can be referred to the overview of the building stock and the predominant structural systems in Chile given there. Damage caused by the tsunami is concentrated on rural and often less resistant traditional buildings in coastal areas. The main loading and impact components induced by the tsunami are used to explain the vulnerability of building types and the efficiency of simple structural measures. As the damage cases demonstrate, debris in its general sense has contributed to the observed effects. [source] Racial variation in the pattern and quality of care for prostate cancer in the USA: mind the gapBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2010Daniel A. Barocas This is a comment moderated paper. Please go to http://www.bjuicommentary.com for further details. OBJECTIVE To review the literature on racial variation in the pattern of care (PoC) and quality of care (QoC) for prostate cancer, as there are known racial disparities in the incidence and outcomes of prostate cancer. While there are some biological explanations for these differences, they do not completely explain the variation. Differences in the appropriateness and QoC delivered to men of different racial groups may contribute to disparities in outcome. METHODS We searched the USA National Library of Medicine PubMed system for articles pertaining to quality indicators in prostate cancer and racial disparities in QoC for prostate cancer. RESULTS While standards for appropriate treatment are not clearly defined, racial variation in the PoC has been reported in several studies, suggesting that African-American men may receive less aggressive treatment. There are validated QoC indicators in prostate cancer, and researchers have begun to evaluate racial variation in adherence to these quality indicators. Further quality comparisons, particularly in structural measures, may need to be performed to fully evaluate differences in QoC. CONCLUSIONS There is mounting evidence for racial variation in the PoC and QoC for prostate cancer, which may contribute to observed differences in outcome. While some of the sources of racial variation in quality and outcome have been identified through the development of evidence-based guidelines and validated quality indicators, opportunities exist to identify, study and attempt to resolve other components of the quality gap. [source] | |||||||||||||