Evaluation of NDT methods for detection of prestressing steel damage at post-tensioned concrete structures

For an assessment of the risk potential of existing structures, where in the case of prestressing steel damage the load-bearing capacity could be significantly affected, non-destructive testing techniques which enable reliable evaluation of the condition of the prestressing steels are of utmost importance. During the demolition of a post-tensioned concrete bridge in Berlin where damage of prestressing wires due to hydrogen-induced stress corrosion cracking were found in former investigations, parts of the girders of the bridge superstructure could be taken out. After non-destructive investigations by means of two testing techniques based on magnetic leakage flux measurement and one technique based on electromagnetic resonance measurement, subsequent removal of the concrete cover up to the ducts, opening the ducts and evaluation of the prestressing steels allowed a verification of the results obtained by the NDT methods. From the results it can be concluded that areas with fractures of several wires can be detected by the two techniques based on magnetic leakage flux measurement.     

Factor structure of the SOCRATES in a clinical sample of adolescents.

This study investigated the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES: W. R. Miller & J. S. Tonigan, 1996) in adolescents presenting for treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD). The participants were 80 males and 43 females (mean age=16.8 years) who presented for AUD treatment (95.1% outpatient, 4.9% inpatient). Participants completed assessments at baseline and 1 year and provided information on alcohol use and related variables monthly between these 2 assessments. Principal-components and confirmatory factor analyses of the baseline SOCRATES identified 2 factors, Taking Steps and Recognition, which showed good internal consistency and concurrent and predictive evidence of validity. The results were interpreted as supporting the use of the SOCRATES with clinical samples of adolescents. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Tunneling through Thin Oxides—New Insights from Microscopic Calculations

In this paper, we summarize our recent efforts to analyze transmission probabilities of extremely thin SiO₂ gate oxides using microscopic models of Si[100]-SiO₂-Si[100] heterojunctions. We predict energy-dependent tunneling masses and their influence on transmission coefficients, discuss tunneling probabilities and analyze effects arising from the violation of parallel momentum conservation. As an application of the present method, gate currents in short bulk MOSFETs are calculated, including elastic defect-assisted contributions.     

Effect of bipolar turn-on on the static current-voltagecharacteristics of scaled vertical power DMOSFET's

The parasitic bipolar transistor inherent in the power vertical Double Diffused MOSFET (DMOSFET) structure can have a significant impact on its performance and reliability. Selectively formed TiSi₂ films on source contacts were used to reduce the contact resistance to n ⁺ source diffusion. These devices exhibit “kinks” in the output I-V characteristics. High contact resistance of TiSi₂ to moderately doped p-body diffusion causes high output conductance. Detailed two-dimensional numerical simulations are used to investigate the effect of the parasitic bipolar transistor on the static characteristics of scaled silicided DMOSFET's. The high contact resistance of TiSi₂-p-body interface leads to a floating potential and causes significant reduction in the MOS gate threshold voltage and results in a premature bipolar turn-on. It is shown that the parasitic bipolar turn-on places an important constraint on the scalability of the device into the submicron regime. A novel self-aligned DMOSFET structure with a shallow diffused p⁺ region is shown to eliminate this effect. Numerical simulations are shown to be in excellent agreement with the measured data at various temperatures     

Effect of glutamine on protein synthesis in isolated intestinal epithelial cells

The purpose of this study was to determine the etiologic factors of denture stomatitis. Fifteen subjects with clinical evidence of localized simple denture stomatitis, fifteen subjects without clinical signs of denture stomatitis, and forty-five subjects with clinical evidence of generalized simple denture stomatitis were investigated clinically and mycologically. Subjects were evaluated according to age, sex, duration of denture usage, smoking habits, frequency of denture brushing, overnight denture wearing, pH level of saliva and degree of candidal colonization and candidal formation. Salivary samples and swabs were taken from the palate and the mucosal surfaces of the dentures investigated mycologically in order to identify the yeast colonies. Smears were taken from the palate and investigated in order to identify candidal formation. No statistically significant relationship was found between denture stomatitis and age, sex, duration of denture usage, frequency of denture brushing, overnight denture wearing or pH level of saliva. There was however, a statistically significant relationship between denture stomatitis and denture hygiene, smoking habits, candidal colonization and candidal formation.     

Preoperative pulmonary evaluation of the thoracic surgical patient

A test designed to separate those undergoing thoracic surgery without complications and those with complications must be both highly specific and sensitive. Clearly, the difference between patients at opposite ends of the population curves is easy to identify. Spirometry can be helpful for screening, although it is not a very discriminating test. If patients fall in the overlap region between the populations, however, it is impossible to discern the risks with any certainty using low-yield tests. A test with higher sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values is necessary to ascertain such marginal differences. With this kind of analysis at hand, preoperative testing can be divided into three predictive value groups. Calculating the predictive value of each preoperative test can provide a comparative measure of usefulness of discriminative power (Table 1). In this way, spirometry, blood gas analysis, and stair climbing tolerance are shown to be poor predictors of outcome. An intermediate predictive value can be achieved using diffusion capacity, exercise-induced decreases in O2 saturation, and exercise PVR. High predictive value can be accomplished with combination indexes (PPP, possibly PRQ), measurement of VO2 at 40 watts of exercise, or VO2max. Logic dictates a step-wise preoperative evaluation using prediction value analysis (Fig.4). A flow decision chart for the preoperative evaluation of patients for pulmonary resection begins with exercise oximetry, spirometry, and blood gas analysis as general screening tests to separate those patients at minimal or no risks for complications from those patients that require further evaluation. Functional indexes (PPP, PRQ) or exercise testing can aid further in the selection of those patients in whom a nonsurgical option should be considered. Flow decision chart for the preoperative evaluation of patients for pulmonary resection should continue to evolve as new information about outcome studies is gathered. Examination of outcome data will provide us with reduction of the size of the nonoperable population, so that we can deny only those patients who truly pose a prohibitive risk.