Numerische Modellierung von Holz und Verbindungselementen in Holz-Beton-Verbundkonstruktionen

Numerical modelling of timber and connection elements used in timber-concrete composite structures. Complex load carrying structures that can not be reproduced as framework ore simple surface models can be calculated using the Finite Element Method. Therefore it seems desirable to simulate the structural behaviour of members or components considering several influence parameters with the help of FE-models too. However, to model the failure mechanism it is necessary to take into account the material behaviour in the critical and post critical range. An adequate numerical model for timber that considers the specific anisotropic and load dependent strength and degradation behaviour is introduced. In combination with an capable model for concrete it is possible to examine timber concrete composite structures. The effectiveness of such models is verified by simulations of shear tests with several fastener elements.     

Comparison of Different Genotoxic Tests for Biological Monitoring of Coke Oven Workers. Preliminary Results

Chemical by-products of coke production are classified by IARC as carcinogenic in humans. Polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are the main compounds involved in carcinogenic and mutagenic activities of coke oven smokes, but many other compounds are present in emissions and could be involved in these activities. PAH analysis of the atmosphere indicated external contamination, but is not sufficient to evaluate the risk for exposed workers. The aim of this study was to evaluate relationship between atmospheric analysis of PAH and genotoxic markers in coke oven workers'white cells compared to controls. One hundred fifty-five exposed workers'samples were analyzed. They were selected in 5 coke production sites using a complete questionnaire allowing one to exclude all confounding factors. Two equal groups of smokers and nonsmokers were analysed. Analysis of chromosomal aberrations (CA), sister chromatid exchange (SCE), micronucleus (MN) and DNA-adduct formation using ³²P-postlabelling were performed on leucocytes. Each worker was equiped with an individual pump during the shift, for analysis of 16 PAH.

All markers were strongly modified by smoking habits. In smokers, CA, SCE and MN were not influenced by exposure to PAH. The number of DNA-adducts was increased with PAH concentration. In non smokers, we have observed an increaseof breaks / cells and of the percentage of cells with aberrations. Number of MN and SCE were unchanged. The number and the amount of DNA-adducts were strongly increased in exposed workers. DNA-adducts appear to be the best marker for genotoxic risk assessment.     

Fiber-Optic Photoacoustic Generator Realized by Inkjet-Printing of CNT-PDMS Composites on Fiber End Faces

In recent years, photoacoustic generators based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) are manufactured in a variety of ways, which influences the properties of the generators with respect to frequency bandwidth, sound wave pressure, robustness, and reproducibility. Due to the high optical absorption of MWCNTs and the high thermal expansion coefficient of PDMS, this combination is ideally suited for use as a photoacoustic generator. This study presents a novel method to produce photoacoustic generators based on long-term stable MWCNT and PDMS inks with a high reproducibility by means of inkjet-printing. The MWCNT-PDMS layers (thicknesses of 2–4 µm), printed directly onto the distal end face of a multimode glass fiber, show a good homogeneity and low optical transmission (19–21%). After the preparation of the fiber pieces, the inkjet printer performs all steps automatically in a time period of 30–60 s per layer. The generated ultrasonic pressure (0.39–0.54 MPa) and frequency bandwidth (1.5–12.7 MHz) can be measured at a distance of ≈4 mm with a laser fluency of 12.7 mJ cm⁻². These highly reproducible printed photoacoustic generators can be well used for nondestructive material testing and medical applications.     

Acoustic emission analysis for the quantification of autonomous crack healing in concrete

As half of the annual construction budget is spent on remediation of existing structures, self-healing of concrete, which is very sensitive to cracking, would be highly desirable. In this research, encapsulated healing agents were embedded in the concrete matrix in order to obtain self-healing properties. Upon cracking, the capsules break and the healing agent is released, resulting in crack repair. The efficiency of this crack healing technique was evaluated by means of mechanical tests and by using acoustic emission analysis. It was shown that due to autonomous crack repair, more than 80% of the original strength and stiffness can be regained. Events with an energy higher than the energy related to concrete cracking indicated breakage of the capsules. Upon reloading of beams with untreated cracks, the released energy was lower compared to beams with healed cracks. From this study it was shown that AE is a suitable technique to evaluate self-healing of cracks in concrete.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of solid dental restoration materials using 3D UTE sequences: visualization and relaxometry of various compounds

Object

Due to an increasing scientific interest in MR-imaging of carious lesions and teeth, an accurate signal characterization of dental restoration materials is necessary for optimization of MR sequence protocols and evaluation of material degradation. Therefore, signal yield and relaxation behavior of common dental restoration materials in comparison to those of dentine of extracted human teeth were assessed in vitro by ultrashort echo time (UTE) sequences.

Materials and methods

Eighteen material samples and dentine of two freshly extracted human teeth were investigated on a 3T whole-body clinical MR-scanner. Transverse (T2*) and longitudinal relaxation times (T1) were quantified using a recently published modified Ernst equation that takes relevant in-pulse relaxation effects into account.

Results

All investigated samples could be successfully visualized but maximum signal yield was highly variable between samples. T1-values of the investigated dental restoration materials ranged between 28 and 365 ms, whereas T2*-values ranged between 96 and 917 μs. In contrast, T1-values of dentine (T1 = 545 ms ± 299 ms) were higher, while T2*-values (T2* = 478 μs ± 271 μs) showed similar values.

Conclusions

Dental restoration materials and dentine of extracted human teeth can be visualized by UTE sequences and show a broad range of signal yield and relaxation times.     

Circulating Inflammatory Biomarkers in Early Prediction of Stroke-Associated Infections

(1) Background: Patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) are at high risk for stroke-associated infections (SAIs). We hypothesised that increased concentrations of systemic inflammation markers predict SAIs and unfavourable outcomes; (2) Methods: In 223 patients with AIS, blood samples were taken at ≤24 h, 3 d and 7d after a stroke, to determine IL-6, IL-10, CRP and LBP. The outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale at 90 d. Patients were thoroughly examined regarding the development of SAIs; (3) Results: 47 patients developed SAIs, including 15 lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs). IL-6 and LBP at 24 h differed, between patients with and without SAIs (IL-6: p < 0.001; LBP: p = 0.042). However, these associations could not be confirmed after adjustment for age, white blood cell count, reduced consciousness and NIHSS. When considering the subgroup of LRTIs, in patients who presented early (≤12 h after stroke, n = 139), IL-6 was independently associated with LRTIs (OR: 1.073, 95% CI: 1.002–1.148). The ROC-analysis for prediction of LRTIs showed an AUC of 0.918 for the combination of IL-6 and clinical factors; (4) Conclusions: Blood biomarkers were not predictive for total SAIs. At early stages, IL-6 was independently associated with outcome-relevant LRTIs. Further studies need to clarify the use of biochemical markers to identify patients prone to SAIs.