Average Damage Research Articles

Quantifying the influence of modeling uncertainties on performance evaluation of mega column-core tube-outrigger structure under near-field and far-field ground motions

Different types of ground motions have the potential to aggravate the failure state of mega column-core tube-outrigger structure(MCCTOS) considering uncertainty. It is of great engineering significance to comprehensively analyze the seismic fragility of the structure under different types of ground motions. The purpose of this work is to analyze and predict the impact of modeling uncertainties on the performance evaluation of MCCTOS under different types of ground motions and determine the sensitivity of independent input parameters. On the premise of considering both seismic uncertainty and structural uncertainty, the Latin hypercube sampling and first-order second-moment, which are respectively combined with incremental dynamic analysis, are adopted to perform seismic fragility analyses of MCCTOS. By comparing the fragility curves of MCCTOS under non-pulse near-field ground motions, pulse-type near-field ground motions, and far-field ground motions, the influence of the randomness of earthquakes and structural parameters on the fragility of MCCTOS under different types of ground motions is analyzed. In addition, the seismic damage index is introduced into the fragility assessment of MCCTOS. By combining the seismic damage index with the beta distribution function, the matrix and probability density function of the seismic damage index of MCCTOS are established. Furthermore, the influence of structural parameter uncertainty on the seismic damage index of MCCTOS under different types of ground motions is investigated. The sensitivity analysis of uncertain parameters in the MCCTOS is carried out by using tornado analysis technology and Sobol' method to investigate the influence of the considered parameters on the seismic response of MCCTOS. The results show that pulse-type near-field ground motions are easier to cause structural damage than non-pulse near-field ground motions and far-field ground motions. However, for the MCCTOS under the non-pulse near-field ground motions, the modeling uncertainties have the greatest impact on the seismic capacity and lead to the maximum reduction of the average seismic damage index. The structural responses are found to be most sensitive to the density of concrete, compressive strength of concrete, and structural damping ratio.

PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT OF FAJAR DAILY NEWSPAPER PRODUCTS WITH A SIX SIGMA APPROACH

In Indonesia, many manufacturing industry companies large and small are trying to make products of good quality to the market. This is because only companies that have good product quality can compete and survive. PT. Fajar Makassar Grafika is a subsidiary of Fajar Group that specifically handles newspaper printing production, in carrying out the process of newspaper production there are still many problems with product defects that are not by the standards of the company.The method used in this study is the Six sigma method using DMAIC stages (define, measure, analyze, improve and control). Six Sigma is one of the tools commonly used in product quality control. This method has the concept of setting quality standards until it reaches 3.4 rejects per one million possibilities.Based on the results of analysis with the Six Sigma method it has been known that in the production process there are 5 types of defects, namely blurred mold defects, dirty prints, not registers, folded and torn newspapers with sigma levels obtained at 3.92 with an average damage rate of 7760 for one million productions (DPMO). From the analysis of fishbone diagrams can be known the causal factors of defective products derived from machine, material and human factors. The proposed improvement is done using Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) analysis, so that the company can take precautions and improvements to reduce defective products and improve product quality

Compositional stability in medium and high-entropy alloys of CoCrFeMnNi system under ion irradiation

The equiatomic high-entropy alloy (HEA) CoCrFeMnNi not only has excellent mechanical properties but also good irradiation resistance. However, the mechanical properties of some equiatomic medium-entropy alloys (MEAs) are superior to those of CoCrFeMnNi HEA. In this study, the irradiation resistance and changes in composition due to irradiation in CoCrNi and CoCrFeNi MEAs and CoCrFeMnNi HEA are investigated. Thin film samples of the MEAs and HEA and Ni used for comparison were irradiated with up to 1.7 × 1019 ions/m2 of 2.4 MeV Cu ions at 673 and 873 K. The average damage in the observed area was 1 displacement per atom (dpa). No voids were observed in any of the MEA and HEA samples even after irradiation at 873 K; however, large voids were formed in Ni irradiated at 873 K. This indicates that the irradiation resistance of CoCrNi and CoCrFeNi MEAs and CoCrFeMnNi HEA was better than that of Ni. In addition, the formation of stacking fault tetrahedra (SFTs), a type of vacancy cluster, at 873 K was much more pronounced in CoCrNi and CoCrFeNi MEAs than in CoCrFeMnNi HEA. Therefore, the irradiation resistance of CoCrNi and CoCrFeNi MEAs is lower than that of CoCrFeMnNi HEA. Moreover, significant Cr segregation occurred in the CoCrNi and CoCrFeNi MEA samples irradiated at 873 K. In contrast, no segregation occurred in CoCrFeMnNi HEA. First-principles calculation results show that the formation rate of Cr-dumbbells is higher in CoCrNi and CoCrFeNi MEAs than in CoCrFeMnNi HEA, and that Cr interstitials are more stable in the MEAs. Therefore, Cr segregation is more likely to occur in the MEAs. Element segregation may affect the irradiation resistance of the alloys.

Optimisation of active SHM system based on optimal number and placement of piezoelectric transducers

This paper concerns optimal placement and number of discrete piezoelectric macro fibre composite (MFC) sensors to optimise SHM systems. Its novelty lies in a two-stage placement methodology for discrete piezoelectric transducers, with fitness and objective functions to optimise the location and number of discrete piezoelectric sensors in order to reduce the cost and complexity of data processing and increase the effectiveness in damage detection. The maximisation of sensor voltage amplitude at multiple modes of vibration and the average of sensor normal damage index [Formula: see text] measured for several plates artificially cracked at different positions and orientations are proposed as objective functions to optimise the locations and the number of efficient piezoelectric sensors. A non-normalised root-mean-square deviation [Formula: see text] is introduced in this study in place of the conventional normalised [Formula: see text] to assess the degree of damage and sensor effectiveness. Furthermore, normal damage indices [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] normalised to 100% are proposed as the fitness functions. The placement methodology is utilised and verified for stiffened and unstiffened plates; stiffeners are used to break the dynamic symmetry and increase plate complexity. The performance of the placement methodology is tested for a healthy and 12 damaged plates to optimise SHM system based on the maximisation of sensor voltage and average normal damage index [Formula: see text] as objective functions. The results show that the placement methodology is efficient in determining the optimum number and placement of piezoelectric sensors at a low computational effort. The optimum placement of two piezoelectric sensors can efficiently monitor the crack’s initiation at different positions and multiple modes of vibration. The optimal placement and number of sensors have a positive impact on the cost, data acquisition and processing of the active SHM system

Evaluating the Risk and Complexity of Pluvial Flood Damage in the U.S.

Flood hazard in the U.S. is typically separated into two categories: storm surge and inland. Inland flooding is frequently represented as fluvial, stemming from overflow of rivers and streams. However, significant inland flood risk also exists in the form of pluvial flooding, resulting from ponding of water, and often occurring due to insufficient drainage in urban areas. Pluvial flood risk can be complex to model and is often not shown on floodplain maps, leading to significant uninsured risk. While pluvial and fluvial flooding are sometimes lumped together for purposes of modeling, insurance, and risk management, we hypothesize that key differences exist in damage associated with these types of inland flooding. We investigate and quantify these differences through study of three datasets: (i) Tropical cyclone (TC) flood insurance claims; (ii) non-Tropical Cyclone (non-TC) flood insurance claims; and (iii) Hurricane Harvey flood insurance claims in the Houston area. From our data analyses, we find that fluvial claims involve greater damage on average and are more likely to occur within the mapped Special Flood Hazard Area (i.e., 100-year floodplain) than pluvial claims. However, pluvial flooding is more frequent overall being the cause of 74% of TC and 60% of non-TC flood insurance claims in the U.S. TC floods have a higher percentage of pluvial flood insurance claims and higher average pluvial damage than non-TC floods. Analysis of Hurricane Harvey claims shows that zip codes with higher-than-expected losses tend to have high percentages of pluvial claims. Pluvial flooding and its local nuances exhibit the potential to reduce the accuracy of catastrophe models of expected flood damage.

P-083 The incidence of sperm DNA damage in men with chronic reproductive health issues

Abstract Study question What is the incidence of sperm DNA damage in men attending tertiary (urological) healthcare with long histories of infertility? Summary answer The majority of these men (95%), all with normal semen analyses had high levels of sperm DNA damage. What is known already Conventional semen analysis assesses sperm concentration, motility, and morphology but with a high degree of biological variability. Around 25% of men are given a diagnosis of unexplained infertility by normal semen analysis. The World Health Organisation (WHO) stated in 2021 that ‘clinically there is a growing awareness that chromosomal anomalies and gene mutations underlie a diverse spectrum of male infertility,’ so now recommends that sperm DNA is determined as an extended analysis. Sperm DNA damage occurs more often in infertile men and DNA damage is associated with recurrent pregnancy loss and decreased live birth rates following fertility treatment. Study design, size, duration A retrospective study of men attending a tertiary centre with productive failure had been offered a standard semen analysis and sperm DNA fragmentation using SpermComet technology. Participants/materials, setting, methods Results from 148 men tested between April 2017 and September 2021 were recruited from a tertiary urological database in the UK. Alongside a semen analysis, they also had a sperm DNA fragmentation test. Sperm DNA quality for the participants was assessed and reported as average, low and high DNA damage as a percentage compared with clinical thresholds used by Examen from their sperm data bank of 74 fertile sperm donors with recently achieved clinical pregnancies. Main results and the role of chance The average comet score was 37.8% +/-0.5, low comet score was 35.3% +/- 1.5 and high comet score was 20.2% +/-1.2. These values were all significantly outside ( p < 0.001, Mann Whitney test)) fertile parameters. 95% of these men presenting for infertility investigations had a significantly raised DNA damage across their semen sample with low proportions of healthy sperm and high levels of sperm with genomic damage. Limitations, reasons for caution Retrospective design, small sample size, lack of randomisation and low power analysis. Wider implications of the findings Sperm DNA damage was found in most of these men who, over years of investigation hadn't been offered tests other than semen analysis or therapy to improve their sperm quality. Thus, this tool could be a useful adjunct to semen analysis to guide the men to reproductive health. Trial registration number not applicable

P-033 A third of men with normospermia attending for initial fertility assessment could have DNA damage

Abstract Study question What is the incidence of sperm DNA damage in men with normal semen analyses attending for initial fertility investigation? Summary answer Half of men (54%) attending for infertilty investigation had a normal semen analysis of which a third (32%) of these had abnormal sperm DNA. What is known already Conventional semen analysis assesses sperm concentration, motility, and morphology but with a high degree of biological variability. Around 25% of men are given a diagnosis of unexplained infertility by normal semen analysis. The World Health Organisation (WHO) stated in 2021 that ‘clinically there is a growing awareness that chromosomal anomalies and gene mutations underlie a diverse spectrum of male infertility,’ so now recommends that sperm DNA is determined as an extended analysis. Sperm DNA damage occurs more often in infertile men and DNA damage is associated with recurrent pregnancy loss and decreased live birth rates following fertility treatment. Study design, size, duration A prospective cohort study of men attending a secondary fertility clinic were offered a standard semen analysis plus sperm DNA fragmentation using SpermComet technology. UK IRAS ethical approval was obtained. Men attending were given a patient information leaflet at their first appointment. The study duration was 6 months. In total, 142 men were recruited out of a possible maximum of 409 attendees. Participants/materials, setting, methods Participants included men who had been referred as a couple to a secondary level infertility clinic for an initial assessment. Information leaflets were either posted to them prior to their first appointment or given to them at the initial nurse-led consultation. Those who subsequently contacted our research team re-attended for a sperm analysis and an aliquot was cryopreserved and sent in weekly batches to Examen (Northern Ireland) for SpermComet DNA fragmentation assessment. Main results and the role of chance Between May and November 2021, there were 409 attendees of whom 142 consented to the study. Sperm DNA quality for the participants was assessed and reported as average, low and high DNA damage as a percentage compared with clinical thresholds used by Examen from their sperm bank of 63 fertile sperm donors who had recently achieved clinical pregnancies. Of the 142 recruited, 77 men (54%) attending for initial investigations had normospermia assessed against the WHO criteria, so were initially classified as unexplained. Of these, 25 (32%) had abnormal sperm DNA values. The average comet score was 39.7% +/-1.3, low comet score was 37.8% +/- 4.4 and high comet score was 17.0% +/-2.0. These values were all significantly outside ( p < 0.001) of the fertile parameters from 63 fertile donors used by Examen (fertile range: average <26%%, low >74% and high <4%). Our results suggest that up to a third of men reported to have normospermia will have DNA damaged sperm. This is important to consider before labelling a couple as 'unexplained'. Knowing the male's sperm DNA fragmentation assessment would allow for further discussion and exploration of lifestyle and dietary advice. Limitations, reasons for caution During the study period, not all attendees agreed to participate as it required an additional hospital visit. In this single site study, men have not yet been followed up for future fertility outcome such as natural conception and need or success of assisted conception. Wider implications of the findings Sperm DNA damage was found in a third of men who would previously have been classified as fertile and offered no further investigations or treatment to improve their sperm quality. Thus, this tool could be a useful adjunct to semen analysis to guide these couples’ future treatment pathways. Trial registration number not applicable

A Postmortem Analysis of Polyethylene Damage and Periprosthetic Tissue in Rotating Platform and Fixed Bearing Tibial Inserts.

Mobile bearing designs are intended to reduce wear, but mixed results were reported from retrieval analyses. Postmortem evaluation (PM) provides the opportunity to assess polyethylene damage in successful implants. We compared damage patterns, MRI presentation, and histology between mobile-bearing and fixed tibial inserts retrieved postmortem and compared these results to our prior findings from implants retrieved at revision. Eleven postmortem knees with rotating platform (RP) implants and 13 with fixed bearing (FB) implants were examined. All were MRI scanned, and tissue samples were collected from standardized regions for histology. Polyethylene inserts were subjectively scored to assess articular, backside, and PS post surfaces for damage modes and severity. Average duration of implantation was 9.3 years (1.7-19.6 years). Surface burnishing was the most common polyethylene damage mode. Average damage scores were higher for RP (53.4) compared to FB inserts (34.4) due to greater backside damage (13.4 for RP vs 1.4 for FB). A minimal difference in damage was observed on the articular surfaces (37.4 RP vs 30.0 FB). Mild innate macrophage reactions were seen in 8 (72.7%) RP and 5 (45.5%) FB specimens. Polyethylene particles were identified in 7 (63.6%) RP and 3 (27.7%) FB specimens. Postmortem inserts showed low damage levels and mild tissue reactions compared to those reported for implants removed at revision arthroplasty. Nonetheless, trends in comparing RP and FB inserts were consistent with those seen in retrieval analyses, demonstrating the usefulness of retrieval studies in capturing performance differences among TKA designs.

Role of conventional drilling and abrasive water jet induced damage on the mechanical response of flax/epoxy laminates with holes

Many engineering applications using composite materials require an assembly of components which can be accomplished using adhesives, welding, or fasteners. The last requires the machining of holes, which are usually done via conventional drilling or abrasive water jet process. The choice of the machining process is important because it has a direct impact on the surface quality of the machined holes, and, consequently, on the performance of the composite structure. Although most studies on the effect of machining methods were focused on conventional composites, little is known about the effect of conventional drilling (CD) and Abrasive water jet (AWJ) machining methods on the mechanical behaviour of flax composites with holes. This study is the first to experimentally investigate the influence of the machining process in pure flax/epoxy composites with three different layups, namely, unidirectional (F[0]), cross-ply (F[0/90]) and angle-ply (F[±45]). A delamination factor was employed to evaluate the degree of delamination damage around the surface of the hole. The lowest delamination factor at the exit of the hole was observed for F[0]-AWJ with a value of 0.777 and the highest was observed for the F[±45]-AWJ with a value of 1.484. Damage analyses of the layups under a quasi-static loading condition showed that the average final stiffness damage for F[0]-CD was 13% greater than that of F[0]-AWJ, and for F[0/90]-AWJ and F[±45]-AWJ were respectively 25% and 27% greater than their counterpart samples machined by CD method. The damage results correlate well with the delamination factor.

Effect of Loading Rate and Confining Pressure on Strength and Energy Characteristics of Mudstone under Pre-Cracking Damage

In order to explore the deformation and failure law of deep surrounding rock roadway disturbed by strong dynamic pressure, the triaxial mechanical properties of mudstone samples under pre-cracking damage conditions were tested to study the deformation and failure characteristics and energy evolution mechanism in the damage process, under different loading rates and confining pressures. In the mechanical experiment, the specimen is pre-cracked to simulate the damage and failure of surrounding rock during roadway excavation, and the damage degree model of rock specimen is established. The results show that the loading rate and confining pressure have significant effects on the peak strength and energy characteristics of mudstone at the average damage degree of 0.12, and the peak strength increases with the increase in confining pressure and loading rate. Under the same confining pressure, the energy increases first, and then decreases with the increase in loading rate, and the loading rate at the turning point is called the critical loading rate. Under the same confining pressure, the closed stress of mudstone gradually increases with the increase in loading rate, and the closed stress and loading rate show a good linear relationship. Through the fitting relationship, it is found that the fitting correlation coefficient between the closed stress of mudstone and the loading rate is as high as 0.99. The elastic strain energy ratio presents a composite function of exponential function with natural constant e, which is a nonlinear process.

Shoot Borers Beetle Pest of Coconut (Oryctes rhinoceros L.) Investment at Agave spp

Background: Agave is known as one of the natural fiber-producing plants that have many benefits. Agave plants can grow well on dry land, however, many organisms can damage agave crops in the field. One of the agave plant is Shoot Borers Beetle Pest of Coconut (Oryctes rhinoceros L). The purpose of this research is to get information about variation damage of agave germ plasma to Shoot Borers Beetle Pest of Coconut (Oryctes rhinoceros L). Methods: The research was conducted at the Agave balittas collection in the Experimental Garden Balittas Karangploso. Observation of shoot borers beetle pest of coconut (Oryctes rhinoceros L.) was carried out on 6 plants. Observations were made by calculating the number of holes that were found on the leaves. Results: The results showed that the investment of Shoot Borers Beetle Pest of Coconut (Oryctes rhinoceros L) causing damage to agave germplasm varies. The average percentage of damage to Agave angustifolia and Agave cantala in 2017 due to the investment in Shoot Borers Beetle Pest of Coconut (Oryctes rhinoceros L) is range from 66.7 to 100%. The average damage caused by Shoot Borers Beetle Pest of Coconut (Oryctes rhinoceros L) investment in Agave sisalana ranges from 0 to 16.7%. Conclusions: The investment of shoot borers beetle pest of coconut in agave plants has a big impact on decreasing crop production and fiber quality.

PENILAIAN KERUSAKAN POHON AKIBAT AKTIVITAS WISATA DI BUMI PERKEMAHAN KUBU PERAHU TAMAN NASIONAL BUKIT BARISAN SELATAN (TNBBS)

Kubu Perahu Camp Ground is the tourist destinations in the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (TNBBS), located in Pekon Kubu Perahu, Balik Bukit District, West Lampung Regency. This area is an intensive utilization zone as a tourist location. The number of tourist activities in Kubu Perahu area, can cause various impacts, one of the impacts that can be observed is damage to trees. The purpose of this study is to determine the status of damage to trees in Kubu Perahu Camp Ground. The study was conducted using the Forest Health Monitoring (FHM) method. The results showed there were three tree damage locations with the most damage locations, namely 29 trunk locations (code 3); type of damage to trees with the type of damage that is open wounds caused by stabbing and cutting sharp objects; with an average tree damage level of 20%. Based on the data analysis, it is known range value 2.9-4.4 belongs to Good category, there are 13 species of trees, range value 4.5-6.0 belonging to Medium category, there are no trees in this category, and range value 6.1-7.7 are classified as Bad category, there are 5 species of trees. The status of damage to trees in Kubu Perahu Camp Ground is in the category of 290 Good trees (97%), 0 medium trees (0%), and 8 trees bad (3%).

Integrated Management of Asian Soybean Rust

Asian soybean rust is caused by the biotrophic basidiomycete fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi. The disease is considered as highly aggressive The disease is present in all countries that cultivate this legume. The disease is considered the one with the greatest destructive potential, causing damage ranging from 10 to 90%. In Brazil, the average damage attributed to asian soybean rust was 70% reported in the 2001/2002. P. pachyrhizi infect 41 species in 17 genera of the Fabaceae family. Experimentally it can infects 60 plant species belonging to 26 genera. Symptoms(lesions)  in general are found on lower leaves, when the plants are in the phenological stage close to or after flowering. The uredia formed on the lesions progressively acquire a light brown to dark brown color which open into a tiny pore, expelling the hyaline colored urediniospores, which turn beige and accumulate around the pores or are removed by the wind. The final stage of the soybean rust epidemic is general yellowing of the foliage, with intense defoliation, reaching the complete fall of the leaves. The fungus causes TAN-type lesion, characterizing resistance and an RB-type lesion, highly susceptible to asian soybean rust. The stages of rust that occur in the field are uredia and telia. The pycnia, aecia and basidium stages have not yet been identified. The disease is favored by light and frequent rains, long dew periods and temperatures between 15 and 28 °C. Temperature higher than 30 °C limits P. pachyrhizi infection in soybean. Wind is the mais source of dissemination of the uredioniospores from the uredia. The greater of the frequency of hours in which the leaves remain wet, the greater the severity of the disease in the field. The latent period of the fungus varies from 7 to 14 days. Integrated control measures must be applied to control the disease. The following management strategies recommended are: use cultivars with horizontal resistance is the most important measure; use of early cycle cultivars;  sowing at the beginning of the recommended season; elimination of voluntary soy plants in cotton, beans and corn plantations; absence of soybean cultivation in the off-season, through the sanitary vacuum (60 to 90 days); monitore of the crop from the end of vegetative stage (V9); monitore the temperature and rainfall to initiate the application; use of fungicides in compliance with anti-resistance strategies when symptoms appear according to the  economic damage threshold. Multisite fungicides must be used in mixture with mobile penetrating fungicides with efficiency greater than 70%, to avoid selection of mutants in the population of the fungus in the field.

A Field Study on the Lithological Influence on the Interaction Between Weathering and Abrasion Processes in Bedrock Rivers

AbstractLithology is an important control on the efficiency of bedrock incision and thus the pace of landscape evolution. Rock strength is commonly considered the limiting lithologic factor that resists erosion. Yet, rock strength is a dynamic property that oscillates during advection of rock to the channel surface as damaging processes weaken rock and erosion exposes fresh rock. We approach the problem by investigating damage on bedrock surfaces that vary by the frequency they are eroded in channels of different lithologies. Our data set includes measurements of channel slope and width to characterize channel morphology, and Schmidt hammer rebound, P wave velocity, slake durability, and porosity to characterize the mechanical properties of channel surfaces. The average damage accumulation rate of lithologies ranges over 41% of the mean. We find a range of damage patterns among the different lithologies. Local surface damage increases with erosion frequency in channels comprised of coarse‐grained bedrock but decreases with erosion frequency in channels comprised of fine‐grained bedrock. We interpret these patterns to develop from lithological influences on weathering, abrasion, and the threshold of damage to erosion. The cross‐channel damage patterns between channel floors and margins are well correlated with stream power demonstrating links between microstructural rock properties, reach‐scale morphology, and landscape‐scale processes. We conclude that the morphodynamics of bedrock channels are sensitive to the lithological influences on the direction and magnitude of feedback in the coevolution of bedform morphology and the mechanical properties of the surface.

Analysis of the Risk Management Strategy for Future Flood-Related Property Damage Due to Climate Change

In this study, we analyzed countermeasure strategies such as the pump system capacity, detention basin storage capacity, drainage system supply capacity, and river restoration ratio to cope with the flood damage increase due to climate change. To establish countermeasure strategies against future property damage from flooding, we collected 19 GCM outputs, extreme hydrological characteristic data, basin characteristic data, and several observation data including four countermeasures for 113 mid-size basins. The relationships between the property damage by flooding other variables were analyzed using a constrained multiple linear regression model. The future property damage was estimated to be the largest in the Namhangang river basin and the Yangyang Namdaecheon basin and was larger in the RCP 8.5 scenario than in the RCP 4.5 scenario. To prepare for this, when the four countermeasures were improved within the available room, the magnitude of the property damage was reduced to below the average or current property damage. However, there were limitations in the cost and manpower of improving all the countermeasures. For this purpose, it is necessary to establish an optimal plan by using multi-criteria decision-making methods.

Trichoderma Asperellum strains as potential biological control agents against Fusarium verticillioides and Ustilago maydis in maize

ABSTRACT Globally, corn is the most economically important crop, surpassing crops such as wheat, rice and barley. However, the presence of pathogenic fungi associated with corn, have favoured the appearance of diseases that cause economic loss. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to assess the efficacy of treatments in vitro and in vivo with Trichoderma asperellum in controlling the disease severity and the yield reduction in corn plants caused by Fusarium verticillioides and Ustilago maydis. In vitro confrontation experiments demonstrated the high antagonistic capacity of the T. asperellum strains, which is able to reduce the radial growth of the pathogen’s colonies from 88.71% up to 100%. In the field experiments treatments 6 and 7, where T. asperellum was confronted with F. verticillioides and U. maydis, showed a significant reduction in the average damage of the disease by 8.3 ± 6.7 and 9.5 ± 3.0, and an increase in their grain yield by 4.43 ± 0.33 and 4.11 ± 0.15 t/ha, respectively. Similarly, the percentage of good ears of 66.75 ± 5.4 and 70.37 ± 5.4, obtained in treatments 6 and 7, was higher than those values obtained in treatments 2 and 3 without Trichoderma confrontation. These results indicate that the selected Trichoderma strains isolated from Zea mays could effectively control these phytopathogenic fungi in field.

Evaluation of a crescent saw guide for tibial plateau-leveling osteotomy: An ex vivo study.

To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel crescent-shaped tibial plateau-leveling osteotomy (TPLO) saw guide (crescent guide) to assist with saw control in novice participants. Ex vivo study. Synthetic bones (n=54) and medium sized dog pelvic limbs (n=36). The 6 participants (interns and residents) without any prior experience performing a TPLO each performed 9 osteotomies on synthetic tibia models, and 6 osteotomies in cadaveric limbs of medium-sized dogs. Osteotomies made with the crescent guide were compared with those made with a standard jig and a radial saw guide with a jig. Osteotomy angulation, distance of eccentricity (DOE), and medial tibial cortical damage (synthetic bone models only) were measured from calibrated photographs. Participants rated their experiences with each technique. There was no difference in the DOE, coronal or axial osteotomy angulation between the 3 alignment devices for synthetic bone models or cadavers. Average medial cortical damage with the crescent guide (3.8 ± 7.3 mm2 ) was lower than with the radial guide (35.7 ± 27 mm2 ) and standard jig (51.2 ± 63.2 mm2 ) guides (P=<.01). Five of 6 participants preferred the crescent guide over the standard jig and radial guide. There was no difference in accuracy of osteotomy positioning but using the crescent guide resulted in lower cortical damage and more favorable participant perceptions. The crescent guide may improve control of the radial saw during TPLO in novice surgeons but does not appear to aid accurate osteotomy positioning.

Development and Evaluation of Self-propelled Cabbage/Cauliflower Harvester

In the present study, self-propelled cabbage/cauliflower harvester was designed, developed and evaluated. The machine consisted of different components like engine, frame, shearing (cutting) unit and power transmission unit. The power transmission unit consisted of main clutch, shearing blade operating clutch, belt drive unit, chain and sprocket drive, universal joint and cutter blade assembly. The main working principle of harvester is based on shearing of crop stem against high-speed rotating blade. The power from the engine is transmitted by belt-pulley drive unit to transmission shaft on which chain and sprocket is mounted on one side and then power is transmitted to shearing blade coupling with the help of a stationary pulley and fixed socket. Average mean head diameter of the selected cabbage and cauliflower was 89.5 ± 15.24 mm and 107.5 ± 15.24 mm, respectively. Average mean stem (plant) diameter of the selected cabbage and cauliflower was 18 ± 4.85 mm and 21.5 ± 3.08 mm, respectively. The shearing force increased with increase in diameter of stem. The optimum performance of the machine was achieved when it was operated at 1.5 km/h forward speed and the shearing blade moving at speed of 147 rpm. The mean field capacity for developed prototype was observed as 0.063 ha/h and 0.053 in case of cabbage and cauliflower, respectively with field efficiency of 91.97 and 90.48 %. The average head damage was negligible (0.15 %) for both the crops. The average untrimmed percentage with developed harvester was 3.2 and 3.0% in case of cabbage and cauliflower crop, respectively. The developed machine helps to increase the field capacity in cabbage/cauliflower harvesting due to 7-times more capacity and 50% cheaper compared to traditional method of cabbage/cauliflower harvesting. At the operating condition of forward speed (1.5 km/h) and shearing blade speed (147 rpm), the machine could harvest 0.5 ha of cabbage and 0.42 ha of cauliflower farm per day of 8-h. This same task would have required between 15 labour per day if entirely done manually.

Contribution to the mechanistic-empirical roughness prediction in asphalt pavements

The guarantee of traffic conditions with safety and comfort is one of the primary aims during a road structure design. Thus,this study aims to contribute to the roughness prediction, represented by the International Roughness Index (IRI), bydeveloping models that describe the functional performance of Brazilian pavements. With monitoring actions carried out insites located in Santa Maria/RS and Rio de Janeiro/RJ, the paper sought to evaluate the IRI's evolution. The mechanisticmethodology was inserted to the study's scope by predicting the IRI evolution using the average fatigue damage, which wascalculated with FlexPAVETM software. The procedure enabled the development of a mechanistic-empirical model, basedon the initial IRI obtained after the end of the construction process and the computationally asphalt layers calculateddamage. The developed model was also validated with other sites within the Brazilian territory, which results in significantpractical applicability.

Trauma outcomes in nonfatal road traffic accidents: a Portuguese medico-legal approach

The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of nonfatal road traffic accidents by the victims’ age group and sex. We used the Portuguese medico-legal rules for personal injury assessment, in the scope of the Civil Law in that country, which includes a three-dimensional methodology. This was a retrospective study including 667 victims of road traffic accidents aged 3–94 years old. Their final medico-legal reports all used the Portuguese methodology for personal injury assessment. Outcomes were analysed by the victims’ age group (children, working-age adults, and older people) and sex. Road traffic accidents were generally serious (ISS mean 9.5), with higher severity in children and older people. The most frequent body sequelae were musculoskeletal (64.8%), which were associated with functional and situational outcomes. Temporary damage resulted in an average length of impairment of daily life of 199.6 days, 171.7 days to return to work, and an average degree of quantum doloris (non-economic damage related to physical and psychological harm) of 3.7/7. The average permanent damage was 7.3/100 points for Permanent Functional Deficit, 0.43/3 for Permanent Professional Repercussion, 2/7 for Permanent Aesthetic Damage, 3.9/7 for Permanent Repercussion on Sexual Activity and 3.2/7 for Permanent Repercussion on Sport and Leisure Activities. Overall, 19% of people became permanently dependent (10.6% needed third-party assistance). The medico-legal methodology used, considering victims’ real-life situation, allows a comprehensive assessment. There were several significant differences among the three age groups but none between sexes. These differences and the impact of the more severe cases justify further detailed medico-legal studies in these specific situations on children, older people, and severely injured victims. Key points: This was a retrospective study of accident mechanisms and injury outcomes in Portugal, and considered the outcomes in the victims’ real-life situation. Lesions from road traffic accidents were generally serious, with higher severity among children and older people. The most frequent sequels were musculoskeletal, and associated with functional and situational outcomes. Both temporary and permanent outcomes had repercussions for the victims. There were significant differences between children, working-age adults and older people, but none between sexes.