Challenges in the Application of Stochastic Modal Identification Methods to a Cable-Stayed Bridge

This paper presents an analysis of the data collected in the ambient vibration test of the International Guadiana cable-stayed Bridge, which links Portugal and Spain, based on different output-only identification techniques: peak-picking, frequency domain decomposition, covariance-driven stochastic subspace identification, and data-driven stochastic subspace identification. The purpose of the analysis is to compare the performance of the four techniques and evaluate their efficiency in dealing with specific challenges involved in the modal identification of the tested cable-stayed bridge, namely the existence of closely spaced modes, the perturbation produced by the local vibration of stay-cables, and the variation of modal damping coefficients with wind velocity. The identified natural frequencies and mode shapes are compared with the corresponding modal parameters provided by a previously developed numerical model. Additionally, the variability of some modal damping coefficients is related with the variation of the wind characteristics and associated with a component of aerodynamic damping.     

Pretreatment of Highly Polluted Pharmaceutical Waste Broth by Wet Air Oxidation

The preoxidation of a highly polluted waste pharmaceutical fermentation broth using wet air oxidation (WAO) has been studied as a possible method for the effective removal of organics. The applied (pre)treatment method should enhance the biotreatability of the pharmaceutical fermentation broth in terms of reduced initial toxicity and higher biodegradability. Preliminary experiments in the pilot biological treatment plant were successful only at low organic loads, whereas the system collapses at higher ones. The characterization of the fermentation broth was started by common physicochemical analysis, whereas several bioassays were used to determine its impact on biological treatment plants and the environment. Toxicity prior to and after WAO was determined using the acute Vibrio fischeri test, measurement of inhibition of O2 consumption, and the Daphnia magna acute test. Ready biodegradability of the treated and untreated broth has also been assessed. WAO experiments were accomplished in the 2?L batch reactor at different temperatures (240/280°C) and operating pressures. WAO experiments confirmed reduction of the toxicity toward microorganisms, whereas oxidized wastewater was more toxic to daphnids. Biodegradability of the oxidized broth has also been enhanced. Further work has been focused on designing appropriate combination of WAO and biological processes.     

On the determination of boundaries to manipulator workspaces

The accumulation of two independent, broadly applicable formulations for determining the boundary to manipulator workspaces, presented elsewhere, are compared in this paper. Insights gained from one method are used to explain behavior exhibited in the other. Results are also compared and validated. A numerical formulation based on continuation methods is used to map curves that are on the boundary of a manipulator workspace. Analytical criteria based on row rank deficiency criteria of the manipulator's analytical Jacobian are used to map a family of one-dimensional solution curves on the boundary. The other formulation, based on a similar rank-deficiency criteria, yields analytic boundaries parametrized in terms of surface patches on the boundary. Results concerning the applicability of the numerical method to open- and closed-loop systems are compared with those limited to the open-loop for the analytical method. Conclusions regarding the behavior of the manipulator on geometric entities characterized by singular curves, higher-order bifurcation points, and surfaces inside the workspace are drawn. Applicability of both methods and their limitations are also addressed.     

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia and posthepatitis-C liver cirrhosis

Here we are presenting the case of a 70-years-old woman who has hepatic cirrhosis anti-HCV and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, without relevant epidemiologic ascendants or previous transfusions and HBV, HIV negatives. On admission to our hospital she showed signs of autoimmune hemolytic anaemia (AHA) which was confirmed by positive direct Coombs test and an improvement in blood test after corticoid treatment. Having discarded other possible causes such as drugs infectious diseases or essential mixed cryoglobulinemia (CME), we put forward the possible association between AHA and infection by HCV, where AHA was an extrahepatic immunological manifestation of HCV. This fact has never been brought to light in previous medical literature.     

Maternal nutrition and socio-economic status as determinants of birthweight in chronically malnourished African women

The birthweight is the most important determinant of mortality and morbidity in the neonatal period and may have an influence on health in adult life. The high rate of low birthweight in developing countries is therefore a major health problem. Maternal malnutrition is usually assumed to be a causal factor but other environmental factors are also involved. In this study we analysed maternal nutritional and socio-economic factors as determinants of birthweight in term infants from a rural African society characterised by a high rate of chronic malnutrition. Relations of maternal weight, gestational weight gain, parity, socio-economic status and infant sex with birthweight were analysed in 1,477 women and child pairs. The selected women were followed from early pregnancy and had an uncomplicated delivery at term of a living singleton child. The gestational weight gain was 5.6 (SD 6.0) kg and the mean birthweight 2.933 kg (SD 408). Maternal weight, representing the maternal long-term nutritional situation, was the most important independent determinant of birthweight, accounting for 13.0% of the variance in birthweight. The weight gain, representing the short-term nutritional situation, explained only 5.6% of the variance. Birthweight increased by 20 g (CI 18-23) for each kg maternal weight and by 15 g (CI 12-18) for each kg gestational weight gained. The socio-economic difference in birth-weight was 153 g (CI 109-196) 88 of which (CI 48-128) remained unexplained after adjustment for differences in maternal weight, parity and gender. Improved long-term nutritional situation and living conditions seems to be the most important prerequisites to counteract low birthweight in developing countries.     

Prenatal diagnosis of a highly undifferentiated brain tumour--a case report and review of the literature

Intracranial tumours, often presenting with progressive hydrocephalus, are rare congenital diseases accounting for 0.5-1.5 per cent of all cases of brain tumours diagnosed during childhood. The differential diagnosis includes vascular malformations, infarctions, and haemorrhages. Sonographic signs suggestive of glioblastoma, teratoma, and astrocytoma do not establish the histological diagnosis, however. We report a case of an undifferentiated fetal glioma detected at 29 weeks' gestation. The diagnosis of an undifferentiated brain tumour was suspected by sonography because of the lack of normal brain structures in conjunction with a diffuse echogenic central lesion and an external hydrocephalus. Because of the very poor prognosis, we induced labour by intravaginal and intravenous administration of prostaglandin E2 and achieved the vaginal delivery of a stillborn child whose head circumference corresponded to 38 weeks of pregnancy. Histological and immunochemical features of this undifferentiated congenital glioma (glioblastoma) are presented.     

Rectus abdominis muscle flap (RAMF) technique for the management of bladder exstrophies: late clinical outcome and urodynamic findings

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of the rectus abdominis muscle flap (RAMF) technique for the closure and augmentation of small, non-compliant bladder exstrophies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The RAMF technique was used in two girls and two boys (mean age at operation, 31.7 months, range 3-72) with bladder exstrophy. The clinical outcome and urodynamics were assessed during a follow-up of 29 months to 6 years (mean 49.2 months) and included imaging, cystoscopy, biochemical and microbiological studies. RESULTS: There were no urinary tract infections, metabolic problems or electrolyte disturbances and kidney function remained normal in all patients. Radiography confirmed intact function and anatomy of the urinary tract and cystoscopy showed complete coverage of the inner peritoneal layer of RAMF with uroepithelium. No stone formation or mucus production were detected. Currently, three patients void using clean intermittent catheterization through the native urethra and the fourth through an appendiceal Mitrofanoff valve. However, the bladder volume was insufficient at the late follow-up and three patients required bladder augmentation. CONCLUSIONS: The RAMF technique is a good alternative for closing bladder exstrophies and achieves an increase in bladder capacity; however, although there is a mild improvement in bladder capacity and compliance. RAMF should not be used as a bladder augmentation procedure. The technique is indicated in the closure of large bladder defects, bladder exstrophies with small, inelastic, non-compliant bladder remnants and failed primary closures.     

Insertion/deletion polymorphism in the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene associated with macroangiopathy and blood pressure in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

In the search for new risk factors for diabetic macroangiopathy the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene was studied in 237 consecutive patients (125 men and 112 women) with non-insulin-dependent diabetes. The female population showed an excess of ischemic electrocardiographic changes or definite myocardial infarctions in the patients homozygous for the deletion [D/D; odds ratio (OR) 2.8; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4-5.3] and in the insertion/deletion heterozygotes (I/D; OR 1.8; CI 1.1-3.1) compared with the patients homozygous for the insertion (I/I). In the total series coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and claudication were more often observed in the patients with I/D (OR 1.5; CI 1.0-2.2) or the D/D genotype patients (OR 1.7; CI 1.1-2.6) than in those with the genotype I/I. The systolic blood pressure was lower in patients with genotype I/I (138 +/- 19 mmHg) than in those with the genotype I/D (149 +/- 22 mmHg) or D/D (150 +/- 21 mmHg; P < 0.02). The prevalence of hypertension and the median urinary albumin excretion rate also tended to be lowest in the I/I genotype patients. Multiple logistic analysis revealed that in women the angiotensin-converting enzyme D/D genotype is independently associated with coronary heart disease. Our findings suggest that variation at the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene locus is one of the factors involved in the predisposition of diabetic patients to the development of arterial disease and hypertension.