Male osteoporosis: diagnosis and fracture risk evaluation

Male osteoporosis is challenging to diagnose and to treat. Underestimation of the risk of male osteoporosis, the combined presence of several interwoven causative factors in many patients, and uncertainty regarding the absorptiometry cutoffs associated with fractures are major obstacles to the diagnosis of male osteoporosis and to the identification of men at risk for fractures. The lifetime risk of osteoporotic fracture is estimated at 15% among men older than 50 years. One-third of proximal femoral fractures occur in men, and the associated mortality rate is 2- to 3-fold that in women. In men, nearly half the cases of osteoporosis are related to disease, medications, or risk factors. Although the criteria for diagnosing male osteoporosis are not agreed on, the definitions developed by the World Health Organization can be used provided the reference population is composed of young males. An absorptiometry T-score < or = -2.5 is useful for diagnosing osteoporosis but fails to adequately predict the fracture risk. The identification of men at high risk for fractures requires a combined evaluation of bone mineral density data, clinical risk factors, and risk factors for falls

A guidebook for consultants, inspectors and contractors

Abstract onlyA special problem paper presented on three problems in pre-construction and construction stages of building technology. These issues include difficulty in processing of building and occupancy permits, complications in inspection works, and misunderstanding due to language differences among engineers and workers. This guidebook is primarily prepared for Consultants, Inspectors and Contractors of building construction projects. This is to provide them with a practical and systematic approach to solve the three problem issues mentioned. Flowcharts, checklists and a mini dictionary provide viable solutions to these problems. Moreover, standard MPW Forms and samples of Inspection Forms are provided at the appendices. It is hoped that this paper will encourage further study and research on the part of architects and engineers who have interest in the field of construction.Includes bibliographical referencesMaster of Engineerin

Seismic screening and structural investigation of heritage buildings for adaptive reuse: a survey study at Iloilo City, Philippines

Building adaptive reuse has been a popular strategy for cultural heritage conservation of structures for it serves two basic objectives of preserving heritage structures and promoting cultural heritage and tourism. Adaptive reuse is the adaptation of an old structure to allow the introduction of a modern function into the old structure. Old buildings are not demolished but recycled into modern uses. This strategy, however, needs a careful and thorough assessment of these existing heritage buildings to assure their resilience and sustainability to future hazards. Heritage buildings for adaptive reuse due to age and structural deterioration are highly vulnerable to hazards like earthquakes. Moreover, these buildings when used for commercial purposes may be subjected to additional loads due to changes in function. Considering the age of the structure, conformity to new design codes, additional loads imposed by unit modification, and the new function brought about by adaptive reuse of these structures, there is a need to assess these buildings to assure their safety and continuous use. Promoting adaptive reuse of heritage buildings and tourism is most appropriate in heritage zones like Calle Real in Iloilo City, the site for the case study. This paper presents a rapid seismic screening of buildings to prioritize a population of heritage buildings in a heritage zone for further detailed inspection. A site survey of the buildings was conducted at the heritage zone of Calle Real, Iloilo City in terms of their current use, and current condition to determine potential structural, maintenance, and functional issues related to resilience and to recommend future improvements in the implementation of adaptive reuse of heritage structures in cities and towns to assure their sustainability

Determination of the compressive strength of concrete from one to twenty-eight days

Abstract onlyThis research paper is presented in order to address the problem of determination of the compressive strength percentage requirement of concrete from the first day it was mixed until the twenty-eighth day. Concrete samples were manufactured and tested for their daily strengths. Three sets of samples, 28 units each set, were considered in this research. After testing each specimen, the average of the three sets were computed. Tables and charts were generated from the results. The average values were adjusted to make a smoother curve, and then the results were compared with existing charts. This study determined the average daily compressive strength of concrete. A table and a chart showing the age versus the average compressive strength percentage were the results of this study. It substantiated the existing charts, which gives only the data on the seventh, fourteenth and twenty-eighth day compressive strengths of concrete. This paper is basically prepared for civil engineers who are in the construction business in order to provide them with readily available data on the daily compressive strength of concrete. It is hoped that this paper will encourage further study on the subject presented, particularly civil engineers, who have interest in the field of construction.Includes bibliographical reference

Issues and concerns arising from research collaboration among Civil Engineering students of De La Salle University and Central Philippine University in the Philippines

This paper is an assessment of the outcome of research collaboration between 4th year De La Salle University (DLSU) Civil Engineering students major in Transportation Engineering and 4th year Civil Engineering students of Central Philippine University (CPU), Iloilo City. Specifically, it aims to identify issues and concerns in terms of time, communication, computation knowledge and tools, and logistics/resources during the research collaboration process, gather feedback from those involved and recommend improvements. Three undergraduate thesis groups from DLSU-Manila composed of eleven (11) students and four (4) groups from CPU-Iloilo City composed of twelve (12) students were asked to rate the research collaboration between the institutions as the students worked together under the guidance of their thesis advisers from both universities. Out of the original four (4) groups composed of twelve (12) students from CPU-Iloilo City, only two (2) groups involving six (6) students were able to conduct studies on transportation engineering. The data gathered by two other groups were utilized in the completed research of both institutions. The collaboration has helped the student groups from both institutions to finish their civil engineering projects on time. It has provided opportunities to help a local community as well as disseminate information to other communities through the presentation of the research papers in national and international conferences. Overall, the research collaboration was considered successful

Proposed parking facilities for the local heritage site of Iloilo City

Conference paperIloilo City is one of the Philippines’ premiere cities. The city has 8,407 business establishments of which 1,182 were recently established. Every year, there is an estimated 11% of increase in the number of business establishments in the city. More business means more investors and consumers. The business transactions demand ample space for amenities such as parking facilities. The Downtown Central Business District (CBD) of Iloilo City is the proof of the economic activities of the city for the past decades. It is the main destination of people coming from Metro Iloilo-Guimaras region. Recently, it was declared as the Iloilo’s Heritage Site inclusive of 26 buildings at least 75 years old. This heritage area is surrounded by a plaza, a university, a public market, private high schools, banks, restaurants, and retail businesses. This research is mainly focused on the design for a comprehensive parking facility for on-street and off-street parking for the local heritage zone of Iloilo City. A License Plate Survey was conducted in 23 areas to determine the parking characteristics of car owners, number of vehicles parked, turnover rate, and parking duration. An inventory of the road network and identification of open spaces for possible off-street parking were performed.The results of License Plate Survey showed that the average parking duration and turnover rate are 2.29 hr/veh and 0.296veh/space-hr respectively. Block 2-Guanco St has the longest parking duration of 5.42hr/veh and Block 5-Ortiz St and Block 5-Rizal St has the highest turnover rate of 0.393veh/space-hr. Seven (6) possible sites for off-street parking have been identified. Certain areas have been proposed as no parking zone

Evaluación de la homogeneidad de la muestra y estudio intralaboratorio de la precisión intermedia en la determinación de aatoxinas en maní de exportación

En el presente trabajo se ha aplicado el diseño experimental factorial piramidal para evaluar la homogeneidad en el contenido de aatoxinas en muestras de maní de exportación, utilizando como técnica de medición analítica la cromatografía líquida de alto desempeño con detector de uorescencia (HPLC-FLD).   Este diseño permitió evaluar la precisión del método de ensayo y se comparó con valores de referencia del Codex Alimentario.   En primer lugar, la muestra del lote se dividió en 3 submuestras, las cuales fueron tratadas independientemente, tomando en cuenta el instrumento de medición, el analista, y diferentes porciones de ensayo.  Al aplicar el análisis de varianza de 4 factores, se demostró que el contenido de aatoxinas en el lote de maní en estudio está distribuido en forma heterogénea. A cada submuestra, se aplicó un diseño ANOVA 3F y se evaluó la precisión del método mediante el cálculo de las desviaciones estándares relativas de repetibilidad (RSDr) y de reproducibilidad intralaboratorio (RSDLab), encontrándose que, a pesar de algunas diferencias en el análisis de varianza, los valores de RSD son menores que los establecidos en el Codex. Esto signica que el método de ensayo utilizado cumple con la conformidad de los parámetros de precisión establecidos en normas internacionales

Heritage community resilience: The experience of stakeholders in Calle Real, Iloilo City, Philippines

Conference paperCultural heritage is a significant part of the UN Agenda 2030 in making cities safe and resilient. Yet, the role of cultural heritage on resilience has not been sufficiently investigated. The study contributes to the discussion of the role of knowledge and practices in the prevention and recovery from risks within the frameworks of heritage preservation and community-based disaster management approach. The research aims to describe the knowledge about the heritage structures as well as the heritage-related practices of stakeholders employed in Calle Real, Philippines, an urban heritage zone in Iloilo City, Philippines. Through a social survey with 200 stakeholders, key results showed that respondents are aware that the unique character of Calle Real is worth preserving. Moreover, the multiplicity of uses of the buildings makes these prone to rapid wear and tear. Also, a majority of the respondents are aware of the buildings' susceptibility to fire, seismic hazards, and strong winds. There is a gap, however, between the respondents' awareness of the risks of the buildings and their heritage preservation practices. Few respondents reported being affiliated with heritage advocacy groups or to take part in actual conservation activities. There are possible ways to address the disparities in knowledge and practices with the goal of enhancing heritage resilience to natural & man-made hazards

Seismic screening and structural investigation of heritage buildings for adaptive reuse: A survey study at Iloilo City, Philippines

Conference paperBuilding adaptive reuse has been a popular strategy for cultural heritage conservation of structures for it serves two basic objectives of preserving heritage structures and promoting cultural heritage and tourism. Adaptive reuse is the adaptation of an old structure to allow the introduction of a modern function into the old structure. Old buildings are not demolished but recycled into modern uses. This strategy, however, needs a careful and thorough assessment of these existing heritage buildings to assure their resilience and sustainability to future hazards. Heritage buildings for adaptive reuse due to age and structural deterioration are highly vulnerable to hazards like earthquakes. Moreover, these buildings when used for commercial purposes may be subjected to additional loads due to changes in function. Considering the age of the structure, conformity to new design codes, additional loads imposed by unit modification, and the new function brought about by adaptive reuse of these structures, there is a need to assess these buildings to assure their safety and continuous use. Promoting adaptive reuse of heritage buildings and tourism is most appropriate in heritage zones like Calle Real in Iloilo City, the site for the case study. This paper presents a rapid seismic screening of buildings to prioritize a population of heritage buildings in a heritage zone for further detailed inspection. A site survey of the buildings was conducted at the heritage zone of Calle Real, Iloilo City in terms of their current use, and current condition to determine potential structural, maintenance, and functional issues related to resilience and to recommend future improvements in the implementation of adaptive reuse of heritage structures in cities and towns to assure their sustainability

Individual and combined effects of chemical and mechanical power on postoperative pulmonary complications: a secondary analysis of the REPEAT study

Introduction: Intra-operative supplemental oxygen and mechanical ventilation expose the lungs to potentially injurious energy. This can be quantified as 'chemical power' and 'mechanical power', respectively. In this study, we sought to determine if intra-operative chemical and mechanical power, individually and/or in combination, are associated with postoperative pulmonary complications. Methods: Using an individual patient data analysis of three randomised clinical trials of intra-operative ventilation, we summarised intra-operative chemical and mechanical power using time-weighted averages. We evaluated the association between intra-operative chemical and mechanical power and a collapsed composite of postoperative pulmonary complications using multivariable logistic regression to estimate the odds ratios related to the effect of 1 J.min-1 increase in chemical or mechanical power with adjustment for demographic and intra-operative characteristics. We also included an interaction term to assess for potential synergistic effects of chemical and mechanical power on postoperative pulmonary complications. Results: Of 3837 patients recruited to three individual trials, 2492 with full datasets were included in the analysis. Intra-operative time-weighted average (SD) chemical power was 10.2 (3.9) J.min-1 and mechanical power was 10.5 (4.4) J.min-1. An increase of 1 J.min-1 in chemical power was associated with 8% higher odds of postoperative pulmonary complications (OR 1.08, 95%CI 1.05-1.10, p < 0.001), while the same increase in mechanical power raised odds by 5% (OR 1.05, 95%CI 1.02-1.08, p = 0.003). We did not find evidence of a significant interaction between chemical and mechanical power (p = 0.40), suggestive of an additive rather than synergistic effect on postoperative pulmonary complications. Discussion: Both chemical and mechanical power are independently associated with postoperative pulmonary complications. Further work is required to determine causality