An equivalent stiffness approach for modelling the behaviour of compression members according to Eurocode 3

The development of design procedures based on inelastic advanced analysis is a key consideration for future steel design codes. In advanced analysis the effect of imperfections has to be modelled in such a way that the incremental analysis fully captures this effect in the process of moment redistribution. In modelling the influence of imperfections on the behaviour of individual members of real structures, different approaches have been used to globally represent this effect in the overall analysis of structural systems. They are referred to as the initial bow imperfection approach or as the equivalent transverse load approach. When using the abovementioned approaches in analysis of multiple member structural systems, the designer is required to arrange the directions of bow imperfections or equivalent transverse loads in such a way that the imperfection arrangement leads to the least constrained solution, i.e. the lowest ultimate load predicted from all possible sets of member initial imperfection arrangements. Since there is still ongoing research on the development of simple application rules ensuring that the designer obtains a unique solution when choosing a certain set of member initial imperfections, there is at the same time interest in the development of alternative approaches to modelling the influence of member imperfections on the behaviour of structural systems. This paper provides the necessary background information as well as describes the formulation and modelling techniques used in the development of a new approach to modelling the influence of imperfections on the stability behaviour of structural components and systems. This new approach, called hereafter an equivalent stiffness approach, has an advantage over the previously described approaches since an imperfect member is treated as a hypothetically straight element, flexural and axial stiffnesses of which at each load level are predicted in a continuous fashion dependent upon the actual force and deformation states. This type of modelling does not require any explicit modelling of equivalent geometric imperfections or equivalent forces and their directions in advanced analysis; therefore also it does not require any buckling mode assessment. Moreover, the effects of strain hardening and section class may conveniently be included in modelling. Finally, European buckling curves are used to estimate the values of parameters of the developed model that can be immediately used in advanced analysis conducted according to Eurocode 3.     

Community response to environmental noise and the impact on cardiovascular risk score

Objective

The objective of our study was to investigate and evaluate the relationship between road traffic noise and cardiovascular risk.

Methods

The study sample (n = 659; 36.9% male, 63.1% female university students, mean age 22.83 ± 1.58 years) included a group exposed to road traffic noise (n = 280, L_eq,24 h = 67 ± 2 dB(A)) and a control group (n = 379, L_eq,24 h = 58.7 ± 6 dB(A)). Subjective response was determined by a validated noise annoyance questionnaire. The ten year risk of developing a coronary heart disease event was quantified as an evaluation of cardiovascular risk (SCORE60, Framingham 10-year risk estimation and projection to the age of 60, relative risk SCORE chart).

Results

Cardiovascular risk scores were significantly higher in the exposed group based on the Framingham scores projected to the age of 60, SCORE60 (AOR = 2.72 (95% CI = 1.21-6.15)) and the relative risk SCORE chart (AOR = 2.81 (1.46-5.41)).

Conclusions

These findings highlight the association between road traffic noise and cardiovascular risk.     

An internet compendium of analytical methods and spectroscopic information for monomers and additives used in food packaging plastics

An internet website (http://cpf.jrc.it/smt/) has been produced as a means of dissemination of methods of analysis and supporting spectroscopic information on monomers and additives used for food contact materials (principally packaging). The site which is aimed primarily at assisting food control laboratories in the European Union contains analytical information on monomers, starting substances and additives used in the manufacture of plastics materials. A searchable index is provided giving PM and CAS numbers for each of 255 substances. For each substance a data sheet gives regulatory information, chemical structures, physico-chemical information and background information on the use of the substance in particular plastics, and the food packaging applications. For monomers and starting substances (155 compounds) the infra-red and mass spectra are provided, and for additives (100 compounds); additionally proton NMR are available for about 50% of the entries. Where analytical methods have been developed for determining these substances as residual amounts in plastics or as trace amounts in food simulants these methods are also on the website. All information is provided in portable document file (PDF) format which means that high quality copies can be readily printed, using freely available Adobe Acrobat Reader software. The website will in future be maintained and up-dated by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) as new substances are authorized for use by the European Commission (DG-ENTR formerly DGIII). Where analytical laboratories (food control or other) require reference substances these can be obtained free-ofcharge from a reference collection housed at the JRC and maintained in conjunction with this website compendium.     

European patents for biotechnological inventions – past, present and future

It is now well accepted that although biotech inventions may relate to living materials it is possible to secure patent protection for all but a limited number in certain defined categories. The author traces the development of biotech patents from the early days, when decisions of the Courts and the EPO set the necessary precedents, to the adoption of the European Directive in July 1998. He then goes on to explain in more detail the key features of the Directive and refers to a number of precedent decisions which, in combination with the Directive, show how certain problem areas have been tackled. Although emphasis is placed on the key areas of plant and animal patents, the patenting of gene sequences and issues of morality the author stresses that the established principles of novelty, inventive step and industrial application are, more often than not, adequate to decide the patentability of the vast majority of biotech inventions.     

欧饰艺术构件在水电建筑物中的应用

主要论述欧饰艺术构件的类型、构造、建筑材料、特点及其在水利工程中的应用。     

Perceptions of and satisfaction with retirement: A comparison of six European Union countries.

The main aim of this study was to assess perceptions of and satisfaction with retirement among 1,686 recently retired people from 6 European Union countries. The authors compared their responses to a set of questions taken from the Retirement Satisfaction Inventory (F. J. Floyd et al., 1992). The first significant result was that Belgian, British, Finnish, French, and Spanish retirees all expressed very similar assessments of life satisfaction, whereas Portuguese retirees expressed a lower level of satisfaction. The 2nd result was that the major determinants of overall satisfaction in the 6 countries were (a) health and resources and (b) anticipated satisfaction. Finally, the data revealed that cultural background only accounted for a limited amount of variance in overall satisfaction with retirement. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

OSI standards: application to data communication and telematic services and Italian strategy for their introduction

The demand for data communication services as well as the development of new telematic services in the TLC environment will find their benefit from the application of the OSI standards.

These standards have reached a sound degree of definition in the last years due both to continuous improvements in the standardization activity and to increasing realizations from various manufacturers.

There is no doubt that the effective application of the OSI standards represents the challenge of the next years, which will conditionate the whole development of distributed data processing and telematic applications.

The paper presents the strategy followed in Italy for the adoption of the OSI standards, which is based on a step by step approach, where each standard is introduced on the basis of its complete definition. Initial consideration is given to the application of the MHS Standards (X400).

After a general discussion on the OSI Standards application, the paper further details on the provision of the OSI Network Service (OSI-NS) by different public data networks and on the use of such service for interworking among networks of different type. Furtheron, cases of interworking scenarios with networks not providing the OSI-NS are also examined.

Finally the paper details on the activity being pursued in Europe for the harmonization of the OSI standards and their certification.     

We talk, therefore we think? A cultural analysis of the effect of talking on thinking.

The Western assumption that talking is connected to thinking is not shared in the East. The research examines how the actual psychology of individuals reflects these different cultural assumptions. In Study 1, Asian Americans and European Americans thought aloud while solving reasoning problems. Talking impaired Asian Americans' performance but not that of European Americans. Study 2 showed that participants' beliefs about talking and thinking are correlated with how talking affects performance, and suggested that cultural difference in modes of thinking can explain the difference in the effect of talking. Study 3 showed that talking impaired Asian Americans' performance because they tend to use internal speech less than European Americans. Results illuminate the importance of cultural understanding of psychology for a multicultural society. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

欧盟技术壁垒对我国出口的影响及对策

随着贸易自由化的发展，传统关税作用的降低，技术壁垒越来越成为欧盟非关税壁垒中的主要措施。而近年来，中国出口产品在欧盟频频碰壁，已成为技术壁垒的重灾区。本文介绍了欧盟技术壁垒体系的具体形式，分析了欧盟技术壁垒对我国出口的影响，从政府和企业两个层次上，讨论了跨越技术壁垒，促进对欧出口贸易的对策。     

Phenolic composition of European cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus L.) berries and astringency removal of its commercial juice

Phenolic composition of the European cranberrybush (ECB) (Viburnum opulus L.) juice was determined using high‐performance liquid chromatography. The juice contained 2037 mg kg^?1 chlorogenic acid, which was 54% of total phenolics, and several other phenolics such as (+)‐catechin, (?)‐epicatechin, cyanidin‐3‐glucoside, cyanidin‐3‐rutinoside and six different glucosides of quercetin. Because of its strong astringent taste, the juices were treated with various doses of two different types of activated carbons (Granucol Bi and Granucol Ge) in order to remove phenolic compounds. Results revealed that both types of activated carbons were equally effective on astringency removal (P < 0.01). A 20–30% reduction in total phenolics was achieved by application of 2.0–3.0 g L^?1 activated carbon which also removed unpleasant taste and odour.