Ultimate strength of I-girders under eccentric patch loading: Derivation of a new strength reduction coefficient

In structural applications I-girders are subjected to eccentric patch loading since even a small eccentricity of applied loads relative to the web plane is unavoidable in practice. Experimental research shows that the behaviour of eccentrically loaded girders differs from that of concentrically loaded girders. A reduction in ultimate strength due to eccentricity is evident, and some expressions for the reduction have been proposed. We show that these expressions overestimate the reduction in capacity for large eccentricities. In this paper, results of 102 tests on I-girders subjected to eccentric patch loading are presented and the variables involved in the phenomenon are evaluated based on a parametric study of experimental data and the results of several finite element models. The parametric study confirms that the parameters previously identified for evaluating the effect of small eccentricities are sufficient for addressing cases with larger eccentricities. New mathematical expressions are proposed herein to represent the reduction in strength across the full range of eccentricities considered.     

The application of size exclusion chromatography equipped with RI and LALLS detectors to study network formation

The accuracy of the SEC/LALLS/RI method for measuring molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of the polymerizing system, consisting of a triisocyanate and a diol was examined. It has been found that both M_n and M_w were higher than theoretical up to about 60% conversion. Above this conversion M_w was considerably lower and molecular weight distribution narrower than predicted by gelation theory. Dedicated to Prof. Dragutin Fleš on the occasion of his 70th birthday     

Organisation and reforms of the electricity sector in Slovenia

As a new member state of the EU, Slovenia has been required to adopt EU legislation in full. The Slovenian electricity market has been partially opened since 2001. From 1 July 2007, when households became eligible customers, the electricity market opened fully. The electricity reforms carried out so far comprise of market liberalization, unbundling of activities, allowing regulated TPA, formation of an organized power market, adoption of incentive-based price cap regulation and the establishment of an independent regulatory body. The challenge that remains to be addressed is how to enhance competition in an electricity market that has a net importer position with limited cross-border capacity. Envisaged investments in generating and cross-border capacities will partially close the gap between domestic generation and consumption. Furthermore, since Slovenia has one of the largest levels of state ownership in the electricity sector among EU member states, privatization of electricity companies is envisaged in the near future.     

A new experiments-based methodology to define the stability threshold for any vehicle exposed to flooding

A vehicle exposed to flooding, after losing stability, becomes buoyant and may be washed away with potential injuries and fatalities. Such vehicles cause additional disruption to traffic that is already affected by flooding, which may lead to substantial indirect economic impact, especially in urban areas. Therefore, the analysis of the stability of vehicles exposed to flooding is important in order to make decisions to reduce damages and hazards. In this research, based on an experimental campaign that included a range of twelve car models, a new methodology to obtain the stability threshold for any real vehicle exposed to flooding is developed. A stability coefficient (SC_mod) is derived with which the vehicles can be sorted by stability against water flows and their stability functions may be determined. The experiments were conducted with three different model scales (1:14, 1:18 and 1:24) and involved analysis of both friction and buoyancy effects, which made this the most comprehensive research study to date. This methodology enables the definition of a stable area in the flow depth-velocity domain for any real vehicle. A tool is provided that decision-makers in the field of urban flood risk management can employ and after defining a design vehicle they can obtain its corresponding stability threshold.     

The interaction between calpastatin and RYR1 genes for some pork quality traits

This study was performed in order to investigate a relationship between polymorphism's of calapastatin gene (CAST) identified with HinfI, MspI and RsaI restriction endonucleases in pigs and meat quality characteristics and also interactions between CAST and RYR1 genes. Investigations were carried out on group of 89 fatteners being crosses of (Polish Large White×Polish Landrace)×(Hampshire×Pietrain). Some meat quality characteristics, glycolytic potential of LL muscle, yield of curing meat in cooking, the yield of loin in curing and smoking processes were determined. Statistically significant influence of RYR1 genotype (CC and CT) on investigated traits wasn't affirmed. A significant effect of CAST genotype on the value of several meat quality traits was noticed. Interactions between RYR1 and CAST genes were statistically significant for pH(45) value (CAST/RsaI×RYR1) and for drip loss (CAST/HinfI×RYR1). Obtained results showed that glycogen level in LL muscle in 45 min post mortem depends on CAST/MspI and CAST/RsaI genotypes while glycolytic potential depends on CAST/RsaI genotype. Genotyp AA at CAST/RsaI locus and AA genotype at CAST/HinfI locus stopped disclose of effect of RYR1 gene mutation for pH(45) in LD muscle and for drip loss respectively. Animals heterozygous in RYR1 locus (CT) being BB homozygotes at CAST/RsaI locus produced meat with highest pH(45) value (6,4) and dark meat colour. For technological properties of meat most interesting are double heterozygotes at the loci RYR1 and CAST/HinfI with significantly lowest (P?0.01) drip loss (4,04%).     

The possibility for obtaining sorbents from the mycelial wastes of antibiotic production

A technological process for production of a sorbent based on the mycelial waste of penicillin manufacture was developed. The process and its parameters are described. The exploitation conditions determine whether a strong sorbent with low sorption properties or a sorbent with higher sorption properties and lower granule strength is prepared.     

Effect of esculentoside H on release of tumor necrosis factor from mouse peritoneal macrophages

Effect of esculentoside H (EH) on release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) from murine peritoneal macrophage (Mphi) in vitro was studied. The results showed that EH (12.5-200 micrograms.ml-1) induced the thioglycolate-broth elicited peritoneal Mphi to release TNF into supernatants in a dose-dependent manner, and higher levels of TNF activity were detected in the supernatants from EH-stimulated calcimycin-primed M? culture. EH-induced TNF release had a different type of kinetics compared with that of lipopolysaccharides (LPS). LPS-induced release of TNF increased rapidly until 6 h after LPS stimulation, then declined gradually, while EH-induced TNF release increased gradually after EH stimulation and reached its peak at approximately 24 h later. These results suggested that the anti-tumor mechanisms of Phytolaccaceae may be related to the capacity of EH for TNF release.     

Chronic ethanol consumption: from neuroadaptation to neurodegeneration

In this review first we evaluate evidence on the role of the neurobiological alterations induced by chronic ethanol consumption in the development of ethanol tolerance, dependence and withdrawal. Secondly, we describe the neuropathological consequences of chronic ethanol on cognitive functions and on brain structures. Chronic alcohol consumption can induce alterations in the function and morphology of most if not all brain systems and structures. While tolerance mechanisms are unlikely to contribute to the neuroadaptive changes associated with ethanol dependence, it is otherwise clear that repeated high, intoxicating doses of ethanol trigger those neuroadaptive processes that lead to dependence and contribute to the manifestation of the abstinence syndrome upon withdrawal. An unbalance between inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmission is the most prominent neuroadaptive process induced by chronic ethanol consumption. Due to the diffuse glutamatergic innervation to all brain structures, the neuroadaptive alterations in excitatory neurotransmission can affect the function of most if not all of neurotransmitter systems. The expression of the withdrawal syndrome is the major causal factor for the onset and development of the neuropathological alterations. This suggests a link between the neuroadaptive mechanisms underlying the development of ethanol dependence and those underlying the functional and structural alterations induced by chronic ethanol. In animals and humans, specific alterations occur in the function and morphology of the diencephalon, medial temporal lobe structures, basal forebrain, frontal cortex and cerebellum, while other subcortical structures, such as the caudate nucleus, seem to be relatively spared. The neuropathological alterations in the function of mesencephalic and cortical structures are correlated with impairments in cognitive processes. In the brain of alcoholics, the prefrontal cortex and its subterritories seem particularly vulnerable to chronic ethanol, whether Korsakoff's syndrome is present or not. Due to the role of these cortical structures in cognitive functions and in the control of motivated behavior, functional alterations in this brain area may play an important role in the onset and development of alcoholism.     

Calcium hydrosilicate as a base for producing thermal insulation products

We have conducted research on the process for producing thermal insulation materials using calcium silicates with the addition of glass fibres. These materials have excellent refractoriness, heat resistance, mechanical strength and dimensional stability and are suitable for refractory coatings, as heat insulators, and as a lagging product.

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Resume Nous avons mené une recherche sur le processus de fabrication de matériaux d’isolation avec des silicates de calcium renforcés de fibres de verre. Ces isolants présentent d’excelllentes résistances à la chaleur et au feu, aussi bien que de bonnes résistance mécanique et stabilité dimensionelle, et se prêtent donc à la confection de revêtements réfractaires, d’isolants thermiques et de calorifuges.