Investigating the Earth Fill Embankment of the Lotsane Dam for Internal Defects Using Time-lapse Resistivity Imaging and Frequency Domain Electromagnetics

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-339
Author(s):  
Bokani Nthaba ◽  
Elisha M. Shemang ◽  
Eliot A. Atekwana ◽  
Ame T. Selepeng
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Domain ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Internal Erosion ◽  
Conductive Layer ◽  
Dam Foundation ◽  
Resistivity Imaging ◽  
Resistivity Variation ◽  
Earth Fill

We investigated the internal structure of the Lotsane Dam for zones that may be prone to seepage and internal erosion using the electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) and the frequency domain electromagnetic (FDEM) methods. Time-lapse ERI measurements were also made for a period of 8 months in order to monitor the temporal evolution of defective zones. Results from both the FDEM and ERI measurements show two main layers. The first is an upper conductive layer varying in thickness from 10 to 25 m which is related to the clay core embankment. Situated beneath this upper conductive layer is a highly resistive crystalline basement on which the dam was founded. Furthermore, the ERI and FDEM measurements revealed the presence of fractures and possible zones of weakness within the dam foundation. Time-lapse ERI measurements revealed resistivity increases in the observed possible defective zones, including proximal to the spillway and at the embankment-foundation interface. The long-term resistivity variation may be indicating change in material properties in those portions of the dam, and may evolve to destabilize the structural integrity of the dam and or develop into preferential seepage pathways with time. The identified anomalous zones are good indicators that the embankment integrity is at risk and we suggest continuous geophysical monitoring of Lotsane Dam structure in order to ensure dam safety and integrity on the long term.

Individual differences in white and grey matter structure associated with verbal habits of thought

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin C. Hayes ◽  
Katherine L Alfred ◽  
Rachel Pizzie ◽  
Joshua S. Cetron ◽  
David J. M. Kraemer
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Grey Matter ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Self Report ◽  
White Matter Tracts

Modality specific encoding habits account for a significant portion of individual differences reflected in functional activation during cognitive processing. Yet, little is known about how these habits of thought influence long-term structural changes in the brain. Traditionally, habits of thought have been assessed using self-report questionnaires such as the visualizer-verbalizer questionnaire. Here, rather than relying on subjective reports, we measured habits of thought using a novel behavioral task assessing attentional biases toward picture and word stimuli. Hypothesizing that verbal habits of thought are reflected in the structural integrity of white matter tracts and cortical regions of interest, we used diffusion tensor imaging and volumetric analyses to assess this prediction. Using a whole-brain approach, we show that word bias is associated with increased volume in several bilateral language regions, in both white and grey matter parcels. Additionally, connectivity within white matter tracts within an a priori speech production network increased as a function of word bias. These results demonstrate long-term structural and morphological differences associated with verbal habits of thought.

scholarly journals Fertility and Pregnancy in End Stage Kidney Failure Patients and after Renal Transplantation: An Update

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-108
Author(s):  
Maurizio Salvadori ◽  
Aris Tsalouchos
Keyword(s):  
Renal Transplantation ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Sexual Life ◽  
End Stage Kidney Disease ◽  
Correct Evaluation ◽  
Functional Aspects ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
End Stage

Sexual life and fertility are compromised in end stage kidney disease both in men and in women. Successful renal transplantation may rapidly recover fertility in the vast majority of patients. Pregnancy modifies anatomical and functional aspects in the kidney and represents a risk of sensitization that may cause acute rejection. Independently from the risks for the graft, pregnancy in kidney transplant may cause preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm delivery, and low birth weight. The nephrologist has a fundamental role in correct counseling, in a correct evaluation of the mother conditions, and in establishing a correct time lapse between transplantation and conception. Additionally, careful attention must be given to the antirejection therapy, avoiding drugs that could be dangerous to the newborn. Due to the possibility of medical complications during pregnancy, a correct follow-up should be exerted. Even if pregnancy in transplant is considered a high risk one, several data and studies document that in the majority of patients, the long-term follow-up and outcomes for the graft may be similar to that of non-pregnant women.

scholarly journals Development of single-cell-level microfluidic technology for long-term growth visualization of living cultures of Mycobacterium smegmatis

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Han Wang ◽  
Gloria M. Conover ◽  
Song-I Han ◽  
James C. Sacchettini ◽  
Arum Han
Keyword(s):  
Drug Treatment ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Mycobacterium Smegmatis ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Bacterial Pathogen ◽  
Growth Dynamics ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Cell Phenotype

AbstractAnalysis of growth and death kinetics at single-cell resolution is a key step in understanding the complexity of the nonreplicating growth phenotype of the bacterial pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Here, we developed a single-cell-resolution microfluidic mycobacterial culture device that allows time-lapse microscopy-based long-term phenotypic visualization of the live replication dynamics of mycobacteria. This technology was successfully applied to monitor the real-time growth dynamics of the fast-growing model strain Mycobacterium smegmatis (M. smegmatis) while subjected to drug treatment regimens during continuous culture for 48 h inside the microfluidic device. A clear morphological change leading to significant swelling at the poles of the bacterial membrane was observed during drug treatment. In addition, a small subpopulation of cells surviving treatment by frontline antibiotics was observed to recover and achieve robust replicative growth once regular culture media was provided, suggesting the possibility of identifying and isolating nonreplicative mycobacteria. This device is a simple, easy-to-use, and low-cost solution for studying the single-cell phenotype and growth dynamics of mycobacteria, especially during drug treatment.

Integrity Assessment of a Free-Fall Lifeboat Launched From a FPSO

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guomin Ji ◽  
Nabila Berchiche ◽  
Sébastien Fouques ◽  
Thomas Sauder ◽  
Svein-Arne Reinholdtsen
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Pressure Distribution ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Dynamic Effect ◽  
Sensitivity Study ◽  
Computational Time ◽  
Load Factor ◽  
Time Varying ◽  
Integrity Assessment

The paper addresses the structural integrity assessment of lifeboat launched from floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels. The study is based on long-term drop lifeboat simulations accounting for more than 50 years of hindcast data of metocean conditions and corresponding FPSO motions. Selection of the load cases and strength analyses with high computational time is a challenge. The load cases analyzed are those corresponding to the 99th percentile of long term distribution of indicators for large slamming loads (CARXZ) or large submergence (Imaxsub). For six selected cases, the time-varying pressure distribution on the lifeboat hull during and after water impact is calculated by CFD simulations using StarCCM+. The finite element model (FEM) of the composite structure of the lifeboat is modelled by ABAQUS. Quasi-static finite element (FE) analyses are performed for the selected load cases. The structural integrity is assessed by the maximum stress and Tsai-Wu failure measure. In the present study, the load and resistance factors are combined and applied to the response. A sensitivity study is performed to investigate the non-linear load/response effects when the load factor is applied to the load. In addition, dynamic analysis is performed with the time-varying pressure distribution for selected case and the dynamic effect is investigated.

scholarly journals Environmental degradation of composites for marine structures: new materials and new applications

2016 ◽  
Vol 374 (2071) ◽  
pp. 20150272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Davies
Keyword(s):  
Composite Materials ◽  
Test Data ◽  
Environmental Degradation ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Mechanical Test ◽  
Traditional Approach ◽  
Essential Element ◽  
Structural Testing ◽  
Marine Structures

This paper describes the influence of seawater ageing on composites used in a range of marine structures, from boats to tidal turbines. Accounting for environmental degradation is an essential element in the multi-scale modelling of composite materials but it requires reliable test data input. The traditional approach to account for ageing effects, based on testing samples after immersion for different periods, is evolving towards coupled studies involving strong interactions between water diffusion and mechanical loading. These can provide a more realistic estimation of long-term behaviour but still require some form of acceleration if useful data, for 20 year lifetimes or more, are to be obtained in a reasonable time. In order to validate extrapolations from short to long times, it is essential to understand the degradation mechanisms, so both physico-chemical and mechanical test data are required. Examples of results from some current studies on more environmentally friendly materials including bio-sourced composites will be described first. Then a case study for renewable marine energy applications will be discussed. In both cases, studies were performed first on coupons at the material level, then during structural testing and analysis of large components, in order to evaluate their long-term behaviour. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Multiscale modelling of the structural integrity of composite materials’.

scholarly journals Long-Term Behavior of Coarse-Grained Rockfill Material and Their Constitutive Modeling

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erich Bauer
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Geological Condition ◽  
Dam Foundation ◽  
Solid Hardness ◽  
Rockfill Materials ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
Creep And Stress Relaxation ◽  
Long Term Behavior

For the long-term behavior and safety assessment of rockfill dams, not only the shape of the dam body, the loading history, the geological condition of the dam foundation and abutments, the assessment of possible seismic hazards and seepage events caused by defects of the sealing are important, but also the time dependent mechanical behavior of the dam materials used can be of significant influence. In this paper a novel hypoplastic constitutive model for moisture sensitive, coarse-grained rockfill materials is presented. In the constitutive equations, the so-called solid hardness is a key parameter to reflect the influence of the state of weathering on the mechanical response. With respect to the evolution equation for the solid hardness, creep and stress relaxation can be modeled for dry and wet states of the material in a unified manner. The performance of the model is demonstrated by comparing the numerical simulation with experimental data.

scholarly journals Long-term time-lapse microgravity and geotechnical monitoring of relict salt mines, Marston, Cheshire, U. K.

Geophysics ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 77 (6) ◽  
pp. B287-B294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie K. Pringle ◽  
Peter Styles ◽  
Claire P. Howell ◽  
Michael W. Branston ◽  
Rebecca Furner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Lapse ◽  
Ground Subsidence ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Geotechnical Monitoring ◽  
Salt Mines ◽  
History Of ◽  
Mine Workings ◽  
The Village ◽  
The Town

The area around the town of Northwich in Cheshire, U. K., has a long history of catastrophic ground subsidence caused by a combination of natural dissolution and collapsing abandoned mine workings within the underlying Triassic halite bedrock geology. In the village of Marston, the Trent and Mersey Canal crosses several abandoned salt mine workings and previously subsiding areas, the canal being breached by a catastrophic subsidence event in 1953. This canal section is the focus of a long-term monitoring study by conventional geotechnical topographic and microgravity surveys. Results of 20 years of topographic time-lapse surveys indicate specific areas of local subsidence that could not be predicted by available site and mine abandonment plan and shaft data. Subsidence has subsequently necessitated four phases of temporary canal bank remediation. Ten years of microgravity time-lapse data have recorded major deepening negative anomalies in specific sections that correlate with topographic data. Gravity 2D modeling using available site data found upwardly propagating voids, and associated collapse material produced a good match with observed microgravity data. Intrusive investigations have confirmed a void at the major anomaly. The advantages of undertaking such long-term studies for near-surface geophysicists, geotechnical engineers, and researchers working in other application areas are discussed.

Desmosomes: interconnected calcium-dependent structures of remarkable stability with significant integral membrane protein turnover

2002 ◽  
Vol 115 (8) ◽  
pp. 1717-1732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reinhard Windoffer ◽  
Monika Borchert-Stuhlträger ◽  
Rudolf E. Leube
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Fluorescence Microscopy ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Fluorescence Recovery ◽  
Adhesion Sites ◽  
Time Space ◽  
Molecular Stability ◽  
Filament Bundles ◽  
Cytokeratin Filaments

Desmosomes are prominent cell adhesion structures that are major stabilizing elements, together with the attached cytoskeletal intermediate filament network, of the cytokeratin type in epithelial tissues. To examine desmosome dynamics in tightly coupled cells and in situations of decreased adhesion, fluorescent desmosomal cadherin desmocollin 2a (Dsc2a) chimeras were stably expressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma-derived PLC cells (clone PDc-13) and in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells (clone MDc-2) for the continuous monitoring of desmosomes in living cells. The hybrid polypeptides integrated specifically and without disturbance into normal-appearing desmosomes that occurred in association with typical cytokeratin filament bundles. Tracking of labeled adhesion sites throughout the cell cycle by time-lapse fluorescence microscopy revealed that they were immobile and that they maintained their structural integrity for long periods of time. Time-space diagrams further showed that desmosomal positioning was tightly controlled, even during pronounced cell shape changes, although the desmosomal arrays extended and contracted, suggesting that they were interconnected by a flexible system with intrinsic elasticity. Double-fluorescence microscopy detecting Dsc2a chimeras together with fluorescent cytokeratin 18 chimeras revealed the association and synchronous movement of labeled desmosomes and fluorescent cytokeratin filaments. Only a minor destabilization of desmosomes was observed during mitosis, demonstrated by increased diffuse plasma membrane fluorescence and the fusion of desmosomes into larger structures. Desmosomes did not disappear completely at any time in any cell, and residual cytokeratin filaments remained in association with adhesion sites throughout cell division. On the other hand, a rapid loss of desmosomes was observed upon calcium depletion, with irreversible uptake of some desmosomal particles. Simultaneously, diffusely distributed desmosomal cadherins were detected in the plasma membrane that retained the competence to nucleate the reformation of desmosomes after the cells were returned to a standard calcium-containing medium. To examine the molecular stability of desmosomes, exchange rates of fluorescent chimeras were determined by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, thereby identifying considerable Dsc2a turnover with different rates of fluorescence recovery for PDc-13 cells (36±17% recovery after 30 minutes) and MDc-2 cells (60±20% recovery after 30 minutes). Taken together, our observations suggest that desmosomes are pliable structures capable of fine adjustment to functional demands despite their overall structural stability and relative immobility.

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