Rational Research Articles

Structural robustness: A revisit

The growing need for assuring efficient and sustainable investments in civil engineering structures has determined a renovated interest in the rational design of such structures from designers, clients and authorities. As a result, risk-informed decision-making methodologies are increasingly being used as a direct decision tool or as an upper-level layer from which performance-based approaches are then calibrated against. One of the most important and challenging aspects of today's structural design is to adequately handle the system-level effects, the known unknowns and the unknown unknowns. These aspects revolve around assessing and evaluating relevant damage scenarios, namely those involving unacceptable/intolerable damage levels. Hence, the importance of risk analysis of disproportionate collapse, and along with it of robustness. However, the way robustness has been used in modern design codes varies substantially, from simple provisions of prescriptive rules to complex risk analysis of the disproportionate collapse. As a result, implementing design for robustness is still very much a grey area and more so when it comes to defining means to quantify robustness. This paper revisits the most common robustness frameworks, highlighting their merits and limitations, and identifies one among them which is very promising as a way forward to solve the still open challenges.

Incorporating ground motion effects into Sasaki and Tamura prediction equations of liquefaction-induced uplift of underground structures

In metropolitan areas, the quantity and density of the underground structure increase rapidly in recent years. Even though most damage incidents of the underground structure were minor, there were still few incidents causing a great loss in lives and economy. Therefore, the safety evaluation of the underground structure becomes an important issue in the disaster prevention plan. Liquefaction induced uplift is one important factor damaging the underground structure. In order to perform a preliminary evaluation on the safety of the underground structure, simplified prediction equations were introduced to provide a first order estimation of the liquefaction induced uplift. From previous studies, the input motion is a major factor affecting the magnitude of the uplift. However, effects of the input motion were not studied and included in these equations in an appropriate and rational manner. In this article, a numerical simulation approach (FLAC program with UBCSAND model) is adopted to study effects of the input motion on the uplift. Numerical results show that the uplift and the Arias Intensity (Ia) are closely related. A simple modification procedure to include the input motion effects in the Sasaki and Tamura prediction equation is proposed in this article for engineering practices.

Uro-oncology in times of COVID-19: The available evidence and recommendations in the Indian scenario.

The Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), one of the most devastating pandemics ever, has left thousands of cancer patients to their fate. The future course of this pandemic is still an enigma, but health care services are expected to resume soon in a phased manner. This might be a long drawn process and we need to have policies in place, to be able to fight both, the SARS-CoV-2 virus and cancer, simultaneously, and emerge triumphant. An extensive literature search for impact of delay in management of various urological malignancies was carried out. Expert opinions were sought wherever there was paucity of evidence, in order to reach a consensus and come up with recommendations for directing uro-oncology services in the times of COVID-19. The panel recommends deferring treatment of patients with renal cell carcinoma by 3 to 6 months, except for those with ongoing hematuria and/or inferior vena cava thrombus, which warrant immediate surgery. Metastatic renal cell cancers should be started on targeted therapy. Low grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancers can be kept on active surveillance while high risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancers and muscle invasive bladder cancers should be treated within 3 months. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy should be avoided. Management of low and intermediate risk prostate cancer can be deferred for 3 to 6months while high risk prostate cancer patients can be initiated on neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy. Patients with testicular tumors should undergo high inguinal orchiectomy and be treated according to stage without delay, with stage I patients being offered surveillance. Penile cancers should undergo penectomy, while clinically negative groins can be kept on surveillance. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy should be avoided and adjuvant therapy should be deferred. We need to tailor our treatment strategies to the prevailing present conditions, so as to fight and defeat both, the SARS-CoV-2 virus and cancer. Protection of health care workers, judicious use of available resources, and a rational and balanced outlook towards different malignancies is the need of the hour.

Post-non-classical rationality in psychology

Post-non-classical rationality in psychology

Anger management in adolescents: A systematic review

Children and adolescents lack adequate skills to recognize and cope with the feelings of anger, which is often displayed in the school setting in the form of disruptive behaviors. Training adolescents with anger management skills reduces the negative outcomes related to anger issues. The objective of review is to provide comprehensive overview of anger management interventions for adolescents. Search was done using electronic databases such as Cochrane Library, OVID Medline, PubMed, CINAHL, EBSCOhost Springer, Wiley Online Library, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, and PsycINFO. Total 212 studies were found on anger management; twelve studies (five meta-analysis, one randomized controlled trial, one mixed methods, and five experimental) fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the study and these studies were included in the systematic review. Majority of the studies used cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) as predominant therapeutic strategy for anger management for adolescents. Only few studies included rational emotive behavior therapy, social skill training, and education on anger. CBT with problem-solving skill training, communication skill training, and self-instruction was found to be effective in reducing anger problems in adolescents.

Computational Approach for Rational Design of Fusion Uricase with PAS Sequences.

Tumor lysis syndrome is a life-threatening condition for humans due to the lack of urate oxidase. In this study, several variants of PASylated uricase from the Aspergillus flavus species were analyzed computationally to find the appropriate fusions to solve short half-life and stability concern. The Ab initio method was performed using Rosetta software to structurally characterize the PAS sequences. The 3D structures of fusions were predicted for fused C- or N-terminally PAS sequences in different length to the uricase. The refinement and energy minimization steps revealed that physicochemical and conformational properties of fusions improved while the structures possessed prolonged PAS sequences. Molecular docking results showed that the highest binding affinity to uric acid belonged to uricase-PAS1-100 by the formation of six hydrogen and four non-hydrogen bonds. Altogether, the results indicated that the PASylation process would be promising upon the production of urate oxidase with improved solubility and stability.

Tracking the History of Protected Areas in Chile: Territorialization Strategies and Shifting State Rationalities

Tracking the History of Protected Areas in Chile: Territorialization Strategies and Shifting State Rationalities

Sesgo Cognitivo de Optimismo y Percepción de Bienestar en una Muestra de Universitarios Ecuatorianos

El propósito de esta investigación fue determinar la relación del sesgo cognitivo de optimismo en el bienestar subjetivo y psicológico en una muestra de universitarios del Ecuador. Para ello, se implementó un estudio descriptivo, correlacional y de corte transversal, a través de la aplicación de cuestionarios de satisfacción con la vida, afectos positivos y negativos, bienestar psicológico, orientación de vida y visión del futuro, en una muestra de 400 participantes (67% mujeres y 33% hombres), con edad media de 21,3 años, estudiantes de una universidad pública (66.5%) y una cofinanciada (37.5%) de la ciudad de Ambato, Ecuador. Según los resultados, el optimismo disposicional se correlaciona con la satisfacción con la vida (r=.378), los afectos positivos (r=.357) y los negativos (r=-.413), y el bienestar psicológico (r=.616), mientras que los sesgos de optimismo ilusorio (r=.221) e ilusión de invulnerabilidad (r=-.235) lo hacen únicamente con el bienestar psicológico. Como conclusión se adelanta que existe evidencia de racionalidad limitada a través de los sesgos que estimulan el bienestar.

Influence of vacancy defects on vibration analysis of graphene sheets applying isogeometric method: Molecular and continuum approaches

The main objective of this research paper is to consider vibration analysis of vacancy defected graphene sheet as a nonisotropic structure via molecular dynamic and continuum approaches. The influence of structural defects on the vibration of graphene sheets is considered by applying the mechanical properties of defected graphene sheets. Molecular dynamic simulations have been performed to estimate the mechanical properties of graphene as a nonisotropic structure with single- and double- vacancy defects using open source well-known software i.e., large-scale atomic/molecular massively parallel simulator (LAMMPS). The interactions between the carbon atoms are modelled using Adaptive Intermolecular Reactive Empirical Bond Order (AIREBO) potential. An isogeometric analysis (IGA) based upon non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) is employed for approximation of single-layered graphene sheets deflection field and the governing equations are derived using nonlocal elasticity theory. The dependence of small-scale effects, chirality and different defect types on vibrational characteristic of graphene sheets is investigated in this comprehensive research work. In addition, numerical results are validated and compared with those achieved using other analysis, where an excellent agreement is found. The interesting results indicate that increasing the number of missing atoms can lead to decrease the natural frequencies of graphene sheets. It is seen that the degree of the detrimental effects differ with defect type. The Young\'s and shear modulus of the graphene with SV defects are much smaller than graphene with DV defects. It is also observed that Single Vacancy (SV) clusters cause more reduction in the natural frequencies of SLGS than Double Vacancy (DV) clusters. The effectiveness and the accuracy of the present IGA approach have been demonstrated and it is shown that the IGA is efficient, robust and accurate in terms of nanoplate problems.

Rule Rationality: Evidence from the Lab

Rule Rationality: Evidence from the Lab

Logarithmic Rationality

Logarithmic Rationality

Accurate use of antibiotics for preterm infants with early-onset sepsis should be taken seriously

At present, non-standard use of antibiotics remains a common phenomenon in the treatment of preterm infants with early-onset sepsis (EOS) in China. The expert panel of neonatologists in Hunan Province formulated a consensus on the diagnosis and use of antibiotics for EOS in preterm infant [Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2020, 22(1): 1-6], which has a positive effect on the rational use of antibiotics. Based on this consensus, this article points out that in order to use antibiotics accurately, it is necessary to accurately identify EOS in preterm infants, accurately understand their clinical manifestations and medical history, and accurately evaluate the laboratory test results. Also, this article offers suggestions for the use of antibiotics in preterm infants with EOS.

Calculation model for the shear strength of unsaturated soil under nonlinear strength theory

The shear strength of unsaturated soils, a research hotspot in geotechnical engineering, has great guiding significance for geotechnical engineering design. Although kinds of calculation models for the shear strength of unsaturated soil have been put forward by predecessors, there is still need for new models to extensively consider the nonlinear variation of shear strength, particularly for the nonlinear effect of the net normal stress on the shear strength of unsaturated soil. Here, the shear strength of unsaturated soils is explored to study the nonlinear effects of net normal stress with the introduction of a general nonlinear Mohr-Coulomb (M-C) strength criterion, and the relationship between the matric suction (or suction stress) and degree of saturation (DOS) constructed by the soil-water characteristics curve (SWCC) of van Genuchten is also applied for unsaturated soil. Then, two calculation models (i.e., an envelope shell model and an effective stress model) are established for the shear strength of unsaturated soils under the nonlinear strength theory. In these two models, the curve of the shear strength of unsaturated soils versus the net normal stress exhibits a tendency to gently. Moreover, the proposed formulas have flexibility and convenience with five parameters (for the effective stress model) or six parameters (for the envelope shell model), which are from the M-C strength parameters of the saturated soil and fitting parameters of SWCC of van Genuchten. Thereafter, by comparison with the classical theory of the shear strength of unsaturated soils from some actual cases, the rationality and accuracy of the present models were verified.

서형수-조선후기 지배엘리트의 보수적 합리성과 그 명암

서형수-조선후기 지배엘리트의 보수적 합리성과 그 명암

A System of Adaptive Management of a Pharmacy's list of essential medicines

In order to improve the quality of public medicine supply and the tool for optimizing the socio-economic component of pharmaceutical activity of a pharmacy, it is necessary to search for modern management technologies that allow for preventiveness and adaptability. This paper presents a conceptual model of adaptive management of a pharmacy's list of essential medicines, which is the basis for decision-making on the optimization of assortment policy concerning the assortment minimum. A balanced assortment matrix of the list of essential medicines has been formed as a result of the model construction, which is a determining factor of its rationality.

Progress on the optimal age for Nuss procedure in children with pectus excavatum

Pectus excavatum is the most common congenital deformity of the chest wall in children.Currently, surgery remains to be the most effective treatment available for this disease.The Nuss procedure has become the most widely used technique in clinical work since 1998.However, the optimal operation time remains controversial, no consensus exists among surgeons.Mostly, surgeons from western countries believe it′s best to repair the deformity around the time of puberty, while Chinese surgeons prefer to perform the surgery earlier, mainly at three to six years old, or around school age.Hence, this review was carried out to summarize the surgical results and postoperative complications of Nuss procedure among different age groups, purposed to offer a reference for the rational decision of pediatric surgeons. Key words: Pectus excavatum; Children; Nuss procedure; Age

The Decision Characteristics of the Overconfident Retailer and the Adjustment Methods of the Rational Supplier in a Supply Chain

The Decision Characteristics of the Overconfident Retailer and the Adjustment Methods of the Rational Supplier in a Supply Chain

Analysis on risk factors for multidrug-resistant bacterial infections in patients in neurosurgical intensive care unit

Objective To analyze the risk factors of multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRO) infection in patients in Neurosurgical intensive care unit (NSICU), and to provide reference for clinical prevention and treatment. Methods 1 251 patients with NSICU in our hospital from January 2012 to March 2018 were selected as the study subjects. The bacterial specimens were extracted. 380 patients with MDRO infection were the observation group, and 871 patients with non-MDRO infection in NSICU were the control group. The patients' medical records and clinical information were retrospectively analyzed, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of MDRO infection in NSICU patients. Results There was no significant difference in the gender, age and body mass index (BMI) between the observation group and the control group (P>0.05). There was statistical significance in the proportion of hospitalization time, operation, use of urethra tube, mechanical ventilation, serious basic diseases and rational use of antibiotics between the observation group and the control group (P<0.05). According to the analysis on proportion of colony samples, the highest proportion in the observation group was sputum samples, accounted for 45.00%, followed by urine samples (21.58%), and the lowest proportion was other types of samples, accounted for 1.84%. The results of MDRO test showed that the highest proportion of pathogens was methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), accounted for 33.69%, followed by pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), carbapenem-resistant acinetobacter baumannii (CR-AB), and the lowest proportion was stenotrophomonas maltophilia (SM), accounted for 1.58%. Logistic regression analysis showed that surgery, catheterization, mechanical ventilation, serious basic diseases and abuse of antibiotics were risk factors for MDRO infection in NSICU patients (P<0.05). Conclusions Invasive manipulation and antimicrobial abuse are the main risk factors for MDRO infection in NSICU patients, among which respiratory tract infection is the most serious and MRSA strain infection is the most common. The management of drugs and therapeutic devices should be scientific, rational and standardized in order to reduce the infection rate of MDRO. Key words: Intensive care units; Neurosurgery; Drug resistance, multiple, bacterial; Factor analysis, statistical

Sustentabilidade: Uma Visão a partir da Economia dos Custos de Transação e da Teoria dos Custos de Mensuração

O objetivo deste ensaio foi compreender como a sustentabilidade pode ser analisada a partir do que é estudado pela economia dos custos de transação e pela teoria dos custos de mensuração. Para tanto, foi feita uma pesquisa bibliográfica, exploratória e descritiva. Os resultados demonstraram que a sustentabilidade e sua própria teoria são continuamente abstratas para entendimento das instituições, sendo o mesmo para quando aplicada a teoria dos custos de transação. Os direitos de propriedade são relacionados a componentes naturais e a sua estrutura de governança voltada a relações ambientais. O desenvolvimento das novas economias e a teoria dos custos de mensuração buscam dar valor mensurado aos atributos das transações relacionadas à sustentabilidade. Tal análise poderia eliminar a racionalidade limitada dos agentes, consequentemente possíveis comportamentos oportunistas e desenvolver meios palpáveis de proteção do meio ambiente.

Aquicultura como ferramenta de interação entre Universidade e Sociedade

A aquicultura define-se pelo cultivo de organismos que possuem ao menos uma fase da vida na água, dispõe de diversas modalidades dependendo do tipo de organismo e a água que são cultivados. Embora, na última década, tenha ocorrido no Brasil um grande incentivo voltado a conservação do meio ambiente com importantes avanços tecnológicos na produção de alimentos de origem animal, ainda sim a aquicultura é uma atividade que pode gerar impactos significativos sobre o meio ambiente. Assim, o projeto de interação entre universidade e sociedade vem sendo desenvolvido por 20 acadêmicos do curso de Engenharia de Aquicultura da Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados-UFGD na cidade de Dourados no Mato Grosso do Sul. Antes de dar início a ações, os acadêmicos passaram por um treinamento afim de elaboração das atividades, do cronograma e das técnicas de como interagir com o público. Deu-se início ao projeto na Escola Municipal Professor Manoel Santiago de Oliveira, com atividades lúdicas envolvendo oficina de reciclagem, conscientização do uso racional da água e Dia Mundial do Meio Ambiente. Em seguida foi aplicado um questionário e distribuídos panfletos orientativos sobre o consumo de peixes, no período da Semana Santa durante a 14º Festa do Peixe no Parque Rego D’água na cidade de Dourados-MS. Os resultados foram avaliados conforme a participação dos envolvidos. Conclui-se que as atividades lúdicas despertaram o interesse sobre o consumo de peixes. Bem como as atividades realizadas despertaram uma diminuição do consumo e assim a emissão de resíduos sólidos ao meio ambiente.