Vehicle–bridge collisions (VBCs) can compromise the safety of road users and cause major economic losses. This paper proposes and applies a methodology to investigate such events in Quebec. Relevant ...data have been collected from various sources and merged to provide a comprehensive database of VBCs that occurred in Quebec between 2000 and 2016. The developed database was used to carry out statistical analyses highlighting the main factors characterizing VBCs, such as vehicle’s body type, bridge dimensions, prescribed speed limit, road configuration, road surface condition and lighting. The compiled database was georeferenced in an upgradable map that can be used efficiently to visualize the distribution and evolution of VBCs over a given region of Quebec. A VBC regression model was also developed based on k-fold cross-validation. The proposed model can be updated regularly as new VBCs are reported and then used to identify bridges most likely to be affected by VBCs or prioritize actions to reduce the potential consequences.
The techniques researched, developed and applied towards the measurement of radioisotope concentrations at ultra-low levels in the real-time solar neutrino experiment BOREXINO at Gran Sasso are ...presented and illustrated with specific results of widespread interest. We report the use of low-level germanium gamma spectrometry, low-level miniaturized gas proportional counters and low background scintillation detectors developed in solar neutrino research. Each now sets records in its field. We additionally describe our techniques of radiochemical ultra-pure, few atom manipulations and extractions. Forefront measurements also result from the powerful combination of neutron activation and low-level counting. Finally, with our techniques and commercially available mass spectrometry and atomic absorption spectroscopy, new low-level detection limits for isotopes of interest are obtained.
Modular constructions are off-site prefabricated structures with transportable units assembled on-site. These units are linked together using mechanical connectors called “inter-modular connections”. ...Modular building structures are attractive from a constructional efficiency point of view if they include specific characteristics such as ease of on-site assembly and speed of construction. Accordingly, a vertically unconstrained inter-modular connection can considerably decrease the construction effort and promote the feasibility of the modular system if tension forces do not develop in columns when the structure is submitted to lateral loads. This study presents an efficient vertically unconstrained inter-modular connection, including a bolted tie plate and male–female components to ensure the connectivity of the diaphragms and columns. Two series of experimental tests are performed to examine the proposed inter-modular connection’s shear and axial force responses. The calibrated finite element models developed in ABAQUS software are used to study the in-plane shear behavior of a perforated plate acting as horizontal component of the inter-modular connection. The results show that the proposed connection has adequate ductile ultimate strength controlled by the yielding of the net section of the tie plate. However, removing the up-lift constraining mechanisms may lead to serviceability issues due to a potential slip occurrence between modular components constructed with tolerances. The experimental and numerical results/frameworks presented herein provide detailed behavioral information, including slip, yielding, and failure modes of the connection’s components. The captured behavior can be used to develop a simplified model of the proposed connection that can be used in detailed structural analyses.
•Novel uplift unconstrained inter-modular connection is proposed.•Uplift-unconstrained inter-modular connection can increase the construction speed.•The components of the connection are investigated experimentally and numerically.•Multi degree of freedom behavioral laws are proposed to model the connection.•Equations are proposed to calculate the in-plane shear capacity of the tie plate.
We report the direct measurement of the {sup 7}Be solar neutrino signal rate performed with the Borexino detector at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso. The interaction rate of the 0.862 MeV ...{sup 7}Be neutrinos is 49{+-}3{sub stat}{+-}4{sub syst} counts/(day{center_dot}100 ton). The hypothesis of no oscillation for {sup 7}Be solar neutrinos is inconsistent with our measurement at the 4{sigma} C.L. Our result is the first direct measurement of the survival probability for solar {nu}{sub e} in the transition region between matter-enhanced and vacuum-driven oscillations. The measurement improves the experimental determination of the flux of {sup 7}Be, pp, and CNO solar {nu}{sub e}, and the limit on the effective neutrino magnetic moment using solar neutrinos.
We present the design and implementation of a prototype complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) conductometric integrated circuit (IC) for colony growth monitoring and specific sensing of ...Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. The detection of E. coli is done by employing T4 bacteriophages as receptor organisms. The conductometric system operates by measuring the resistance of the test sample between the electrodes of a two-electrode electrochemical system (reference electrode and working electrode). The CMOS IC is fabricated in a TSMC 0.35-μm process and uses a current-to-frequency (I to F) conversion circuit to convert the test sample resistance into a digital output modulated in frequency. Pulsewidth control (one-shot circuit) is implemented on-chip to control the pulsewidth of the output digital signal. The novelty in the current work lies in the ability of the CMOS sensor system to monitor very low initial concentrations of bacteria (4×10 2 to 4×10 4 colony forming unit (CFU)/mL). The CMOS system is also used to record the interaction between E. coli and its specific receptor T4 bacteriophage. The prototype CMOS IC consumes an average power of 1.85 mW with a 3.3-V dc power supply.
Our Health Paradigm in Peril Lamarche, Paul A.
Public health reports (1974),
09/1995, Volume:
110, Issue:
5
Journal Article, Conference Proceeding
Peer reviewed
HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS are rapidly shifting attention from providing health care to producing health, profoundly altering how and which services are provided. To free up individual and collective ...resources for investment in activities with a greater impact on health, less care will be given. This paper posits that the current model--increased health resources make for better health care make for better health status--is too simplistic a system. Structural problems inherent in this model are being observed as the boundaries of the paradigm are pushed. Resources are limited, and health outcomes are no longer being improved despite the application of large percentages of Gross National Product. A new health paradigm is emerging, one with increased focus on health prerequisites such as housing, minimum decent income, food, education, and good social and physical environment.
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