Rainfall-induced differential settlements of foundations on heterogeneous unsaturated soils

This study stochastically investigates the rainfall-induced differential settlement of a centrally loaded, rigid strip foundation on an unsaturated soil with spatially varying values of either preconsolidation stress or porosity. The differential settlement (between the two foundation ends) is calculated at various times during rainfall by way of a coupled, hydro-mechanical, finite-element analysis. The Barcelona basic model describes the mechanical behaviour of the soil, and the van Genuchten relationships describe water retention and permeability. The variability of soil properties is modelled by means of random fields with spatial correlation in the framework of a Monte Carlo simulation. The study demonstrates that the occurrence of rainfall-induced differential settlements can be consistently analysed using concepts of unsaturated soil mechanics and random field theory. Results show that differential settlements can be vastly underpredicted (or even completely missed) if random heterogeneity and partial saturation are not simultaneously considered. The variation of differential settlements and their statistics during the rainfall depend on the magnitude of the applied load and the statistics of soil variability. Moreover, the transient phase of infiltration and a spatial correlation length equal to the width of the foundation pose the highest risk of differential settlement

Why rights are not enjoyed: the case of foreign domestic helpers

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Non-syndromic Sensorineural Prelingual Deafness: The Importance of Genetic Counseling in Demystifying Parents’ Beliefs About the Cause of Their Children’s Deafness

Recent advances in molecular genetics have allowed the determination of the genetic cause of some childhood non-syndromic deafness. In Portugal only a small proportion of families are referred to a clinical genetics service in order to clarify the etiology of the deafness and to provide genetic counseling. Consequently, there are no published studies of the prior beliefs of parents about the causes of hereditary deafness of their children and their genetic knowledge after receipt of genetic counseling. In order to evaluate the impact of genetic counseling, 44 parents of 24 children with the diagnosis of non-syndromic sensorineural prelingual deafness due to mutations in the GJB2 (connexin 26), completed surveys before and after genetic counseling. Before counseling 13.6 % of the parents knew the cause of deafness; at a post-counseling setting this percentage was significantly higher, with 84.1 % of the parents accurately identifying the etiology. No significant differences were found between the answers of mothers and fathers either before or after genetic counseling. Parents' level of education was a significant factor in pre-test knowledge. After genetic counseling 95.5 % of the parents stated that the consultation had met their expectations, 70.5 % remembered correctly the inheritance pattern, and 93.2 % correctly recalled the chance of risk of deafness. These results underline the importance of genetic counseling in demystifying parents' beliefs about the etiology of their children's deafness

Extrinsic post burn peri-anal contracture leading to sub acute intestinal obstruction: A case report

Peri-anal contracture lead to intestinal obstruction whenever there is involvement of anal orifice. In this case anus and peri-anal skin up to two cm was normal; however both gluteal folds were fused because of post burn scar leaving a very small opening which lead to faecal impaction and sub acute intestinal obstruction

CONTRAINTERPRETAR O SOCIALISMO E RESSIGNIFICAR A MODERNIDADE: CONTRIBUIÇÕES DE LEONARDO PADURA

No texto a seguir, parto da observação do cenário brasileiro contemporâneo para evidenciar o enfastiado conhecimento político e social que tem a população, o qual proporciona mal-entendidos em relação à esquerda e ao socialismo. Mostra-se urgente, então, uma contrainterpretação do socialismo e, consequentemente, um novo entendimento da modernidade. Um dos caminhos para isso são as manifestações artísticas, incluindo a literatura. Por isso, num segundo momento do texto, analiso de que maneira o autor cubano Leonardo Padura, mais especificamente em El hombre que amaba a los perros, contribui com a contrainterpretação do socialismo e com a ressignificação da modernidade

DESIGNING AND EVALUATION OF DICLOFENAC SODIUM SUSTAINED RELEASE MATRIX TABLETS USING HIBISCUS ROSA-SINENSIS LEAVES MUCILAGE

ABSTRACT The main objective of the present investigation was to design matrix tablets of Diclofenac sodium using Hibiscus rosa-sinensis leaves mucilage and to study its release retardant activity in prepared sustained release formulations. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis leaves were evaluated for physicochemical properties. Different matrix tablets of Diclofenac sodium Hibiscus rosa-sinensis leaves mucilage were formulated. The matrix tablets found to have better uniformity of weight, hardness, friability and drug content with low deviated values. The swelling behavior, release rate characteristics and the in-vitro dissolution study proved that the dried Hibiscus rosa-sinensis leaves mucilage can be used as a matrix forming material for preparing sustained release matrix tablets. The kinetics of drug release from selected DHR-5 formulation followed zero order. It was concluded that Hibiscus rosa-sinensis leaves mucilage can be used as an effective matrix forming polymer, to sustain the release of Diclofenac sodium from the formulation