RCAAP Repository

ABSTRACT The performance standard NBR 15575-1: 2013 [1] states that to achieve the higher level of performance for durability, buried concrete structures must achieve a minimum service life (VUP) of 75 years. However, the NBR 6118:2014 [2] does not specify the minimum project properties for the structure fulfill this VUP. The objective of this study is to provide recommendations for structural designers to meet higher performance requirements of NBR 15575:2013 [1] in durability. It was conducted a research of national and international standards and reference publications about the durability and VUP 75 years for structural elements buried. The paper was divided into three parts: (1°) the analysis of the Brazilian and international legal system, as well as reference publications in the area; (2°) discussion of service life prediction models; and (3°) specifications to meet the superior level of durability of structural elements buried.

ABSTRACT Optical systems are recognized to be an important tool for structural health monitoring, especially for real time safety assessment, due to simplified system configuration and low cost when compared to regular systems, namely electrical systems. This work aims to present a case study on structural health monitoring focused on reliability assessment and applying data collected by a simplified optical sensing system. This way, an elevated reinforced concrete water reservoir was instrumented with a bi-axial optical accelerometer and monitored since January 2014. Taking into account acceleration data, the natural frequencies and relative displacements were estimated. The reliability analysis was performed based on generalized extreme values distribution (GEV) and the results were employed to build a forecast of the reliability of the water elevated reservoir for the next 100 years. The results showed that the optical system combined with GEV analysis, implemented in this experimental work, can provide adequate data for structural reliability assessment.

ABSTRACT This paper studies the modeling of symmetric and asymmetric flat slabs, presenting alternatives to the problem of singularity encountered when the slab is modeled considering columns as local support. A model that includes the integrated slab x column analysis was proposed, distributing the column reactions under the slab. The procedure used transforms the bending moment and column axial force in a distributed load, which will be applied to the slab in the opposite direction of gravitational loads. Thus, the bending moment diagram gets smooth in the punching region with a considerable reduction of values, being very little sensible to the variation of used mesh. About the column, it was not seen any significant difference in the axial force, although the same haven't occurred with the bending moments results. The final part of the work uses geoprocessing programs for a three-dimensional view of bending moments, allowing a new comprehension the behavior of these internal forces in the entire slab.

ABSTRACT Currently, there is an awareness that is critical to assess the durability characteristics of concrete with as much attention as the mechanical properties. The durability of concrete structures can often be affected by chemical attacks, jeopardizing its performance and security. When concrete is subjected to high temperature at early ages, many physical and chemical changes in hardened concrete may occur. It iswidely accepted that concrete subjected to these conditions of temperature and exposed to moisture is prone to cracking due to Delayed Ettringite Formation (DEF). This work aims at providing a DEF risk analysis on foundation pile caps at the Metropolitan Region of Recife - PE. Temperature rise measurement was performed in situ at 5 different caps through datalogger and thermocouples equipments. Furthermore, the Duggan test was performed in order to assess the level of expansion of 3 cements studied: X (CP II E 40), Y (CP II F 32) and Z (CP V ARI RS). Simultaneously, the chemical compositions of these cements and their respective clinkers were quantified by analysis of X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The cement X (CP II E 40) showed the chemical characteristics favoring with more intensity DEF and, as a result, higher level of expansion in the test Duggan. It is noteworthy that incorporation of metakaolin (8% and 16%) and silica fume (5% and 10%) showed mitigating potential of expansions. It is important to point out that all factors related to thermal properties and chemical composition of the concrete used in the region converge to a condition of ideal susceptibility for triggering DEF. Therefore, it is essential at least minimum and basic requirements in the design specification in order to avoid high temperatures in the massive concrete elements, preventing them from delayed ettringite formation.

ABSTRACT Although the ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) method has been extensively used to estimate concrete compressive strength, the relationship between UPV and concrete strength is mixture dependent. As a result, the applicability of this method to estimate strength is well known to be limited. Aggregate type, cement type, mixture proportions, and water-cement ratio influence such a relationship. Nevertheless, UPV and strength are both governed by cement hydration, and thus, a relationship between UPV in the cement paste phase and concrete compressive strength would be expected to exist. By not taking into account the type and volume content of aggregates, this relationship could be the same for concrete mixtures with same type of cement and water-cement ratio, regardless the aggregate type used. This study investigates the existence of such a relationship. Concrete mixtures with water-cement ratios of 0.48, 0.55 and 0.64, with different paste volumes were prepared in the laboratory. For each mixture, compressive strength and ultrasonic pulse velocity were evaluated at various ages. The UPV of each concrete phase: paste, fine aggregate, and coarse aggregate, was obtained through paste and mortar specimens. This study indicated that it is possible to establish a unique relationship between the UPV in cement paste phase and the concrete compressive strength. This unique relationship could be applied to several concrete mixtures, greatly expanding the use of the UPV method to estimate compressive strength.

ABSTRACT This paper describes a numerical simulation with 3D finite elements of a tunnel. The viscoplastic law of Perzyna represents the rockmass behavior. The concrete, shotcrete or precast, is modeled as a viscoelastic material through the Maxwell and Kelvin chain models. Finite element simulations are performed by incorporating subroutines for viscoelastic concrete models in the ANSYS code. The method to simulate tunnel excavations is by activating and deactivating elements in sequential steps. In the first part of the paper two validations are performed. The analytical solution and the deformation achieved on the stabilization in the ANSYS code are compared with an unlined tunnel. A lined tunnel, with an elastic and viscoplastic rockmass combined with an elastic lining, is compared with the results of the GEOMEC91 code. In the second part, it is compared the same tunnel with two different concrete lining for two chain models. Finally, it is modeled the Kielder experimental tunnel, which in situ measured data is available.

ABSTRACT This research aims to analyze the compressive stress transfer between precast concrete elements using cement mortar pads modified with polypropylene fibers, styrene-butadiene latex and heat-expanded vermiculite. The stress transfer analyses are performed interleaving a cementbearing pad between two concrete blocks, subjecting the entire specimen to different compressive load tests. The parameters analyzed in the tests are: surface roughness (using bosses on the bonded phase of different thicknesses), compressive strength with monotonic and cyclic loadings. The main results obtained in this study are: a) the presence of pad increased the strength in 24% for thicknesses of imperfections of 0.5 mm and approximately 12% for smooth faces blocks; b) gain of effectiveness of the bearing pad when the concrete strength was reduced; c) for cyclic loading, the bearing pad increased in 48% the connections strength.

Malaria regions of the Amazon basin have been characterized by difficult access and non-compliance of the patients to treatment. In an attempt to assess the schizonticide efficacy of chloroquine in a single dose of 600 mg, the authors realized a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 132 outpatients with vivax malaria. Patients were distributed into two groups: group CPLA, given chloroquine 600 mg (single dose) on the first day of treatment, and two doses of placebo on second and third days. Group CHLO, given chloroquine 600 mg on first day and 450 mg on second and third day. Geometric means of the parasite density during the follow-up was similar in both groups. No differences were observed in the parasitological cure between the two groups (p = 0.442). There was clinical and parasitological efficacy in treatment of patients given a single-dose of chloroquine. This suggests that its restricted use could be indicated in remote areas of Brazilian Amazon Region, nevertheless the inadequate response of three patients indicates the need for further studies.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients most commonly presents as chorioretinitis and gastro-intestinal infection. Neurological involvement due to CMV may cause several clinical presentations: polyradiculitis, myelitis, encephalitis, ventriculo-encephalitis, and mononeuritis multiplex. Rarely, cerebral mass lesion is described. We report a 39 year-old woman with AIDS and previous cerebral toxoplasmosis. She presented with fever, seizures, and vulval ulcers. Her chest X-ray showed multiple lung nodules, and a large frontal lobe lesion was seen in a brain computed tomography scan. She underwent a brain biopsy through a frontal craniotomy, but her condition deteriorated and she died in the first postoperative day. Histopathological studies and immunohistochemistry disclosed CMV disease, and there was no evidence of cerebral toxoplasmosis, bacterial, mycobacterial or fungal infection. CMV disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cerebral mass lesion in AIDS patients. High suspicion index, timely diagnostic procedures (surgical or minimally invasive), and proper utilization of prophylactic and therapeutic medication could improve outcome of these patients.

No presente trabalho, o desempenho da técnica de Imunoseparação Magnética, acoplada à Imunofluorescência (IMS-IFA), foi comparado com aqueles das técnicas parasitológicas de FAUST et al. e de Lutz na detecção de cistos de Giardia lamblia em fezes humanas. Foram processadas 127 amostras de fezes pelas três técnicas paralelamente e a detecção de cistos foi de 27,5% para IMS-IFA e de 15,7% para as técnicas de FAUST et al. e de Lutz concomitantemente. A análise dos resultados mostrou maior sensibilidade da IMS-IFA na detecção de cistos de G. lamblia quando comparada aos métodos de FAUST et al. e Lutz. A utilização desta metodologia como procedimento de rotina proporciona o processamento de várias amostras simultaneamente, além de aumentar a recuperação de cistos de G. lamblia e reduzir o tempo de estocagem das amostras.

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In order to evaluate the potential allergenicity of Blomia tropicalis (Bt) antigen, IgE production of both specific and non-specific for Bt antigen was monitored in BALB/c mice after exposure to the antigen by nasal route. It was evidenced that B. tropicalis contains a functional allergen in its components. The allergenic components, however, when administered intranasally without any adjuvant, did not function to induce IgE response within a short period. On the other hand, intranasal inoculation of Bt antigens augmented serum IgE responses in mice pretreated by a subcutaneous priming injection of the same antigens. Inoculation of Bt antigen without subcutaneous priming injections induced IgE antibody production only when the antigen was continuously administered for a long period of over 24 weeks. Even when the priming injection was absent, the Bt antigen inoculated with cholera toxin (CT) as a mucosal adjuvant also significantly augmented the Bt antigen-specific IgE responses depending on the dose of CT co-administered. The present study also demonstrated that Bt antigen/CT-inoculated mice showed increased non-specific serum IgE level and peripheral blood eosinophil rates without noticeable elevations of the total leukocyte counts. The immunoblot analysis demonstrated 5 main antigenic components reactive to IgE antibodies induced. These components at about 44-64 kDa position were considered to be an important candidate antigen for diagnosis of the mite-related allergy.

It has been well demonstrated the relationship between the infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPVs) genotypes and cervical cancer. In Northeastern Argentina a high incidence of this pathology has been described and therefore a high prevalence of HPV infection is expected. In order to identify HPV genotypes associated with malignant and pre-malignant cervical lesions present in the area, 53 ecto-endo cervical cell specimens obtained from women with cytohistological alterations were studied by a PCR-RFLP technique. Out of 53 patients, 34 (64.2%) were positive for HPV infection, being HPV-16 (32.3%) the most frequently found genotype, followed by HPV-58 (14.7%), -6, -18 and -45 (5.9%), -33, -52, -53, -54, -56, -66, -MM4 and -LVX100 (2.9%). Also 5 cases of infection caused by multiple genotypes were found, which corresponded to 14.7% of the positive cases. Results indicate that besides HPV-16 and -18, the most prevalent high-risk HPV genotypes worldwide, others like -45 and -58 as well as co-infection cases are frequent between women of Northeastern Argentina, and a particular attention should be paid to this circumstance because it could be an epidemiological feature of regional importance and a useful information for a future vaccination program.

Amostras de soro e/ou líquido céfalo-raquidiano (LCR) foram obtidas de 190 pacientes com quadro de doença neurológica crônica e progressiva, com vistas à detecção de anticorpos para os vírus linfotrópicos humanos de células T dos tipos I (HTLV-I) e II (HTLV-II), durante um período de seis anos (1996 a 2001) em Belém, Pará, Brasil. O grupo compreendia ambos os sexos (homens, 52%), com idades variando de 2 a 79 anos (média, 35,9 anos). Tomando-se os resultados como um todo, 15 (7,9%) indivíduos, incluindo 12 (80%) mulheres adultas, apresentaram anticorpos para HTLV-I/II a partir da triagem pelo procedimento imunoenzimático (ELISA). Soros de 14 desses pacientes também foram testados utilizando-se procedimento de Western blot (WB), alcançando-se freqüências de anticorpos para HTLV-I, HTLV-II e dupla reação (HTLV-I e HTLV-II) em 10 (71,4%), 3 (21,4%) e 1 (7,2%) indivíduos, respectivamente. As freqüências anuais de positividade para HTLV-I/II variaram de 2,6% (2001) a 21,7% (2000), em escala crescente no período de 1998 a 2000. Em conjunto, dificuldade na deambulação (n = 5 pacientes), espasticidade (n = 4) e hipotonia crural compreenderam 80% das manifestações clínicas registradas entre os 15 pacientes cujas amostras de soro continham anticorpos para HTLV-I/II, com base em ELISA. Tais resultados oferecem indicadores quanto a uma possível associação do HTLV-I e do HTLV-II à gênese das mielopatias crônicas em Belém, norte do Brasil.

O objetivo principal foi comparar a letalidade hospitalar da leptospirose entre pacientes pediátricos (< 19 anos) e adultos (>; 19 anos), levando em consideração gênero, função renal, duração dos sintomas e icterícia. Prontuários de 1016 pacientes foram revistos. Análise comparativa foi restrita a 840 pacientes (100 pediátricos, 740 adultos) com informações sobre as variáveis incluídas na análise. Entre estes pacientes 81,4% eram do sexo masculino e 91,5% apresentavam icterícia à admissão. A letalidade da leptospirose foi 14,4%. A razão entre número de pacientes que morreram e número de pacientes que sobreviveram, ajustada para gênero, icterícia, duração de sintomas, uréia sérica e creatinina sérica foi quase quatro vezes maior no grupo adulto do que no pediátrico (odds ratio (OR) = 3,94; intervalo de confiança de 95% = 1,19-13,03, p = 0,029). Em adultos, idade mais avançada foi também significantemente e independentemente associada com maior risco de morte (p < 0,01). Pacientes mais velhos foram também mais freqüentemente dialisados. Em conclusão, os dados mostram que a letalidade da leptospirose é mais alta em adultos do que em crianças e adolescentes, mesmo após o ajuste para os efeitos de potenciais fatores de risco de morte. Entre adultos, idade avançada mostrou-se também associada fortemente e independentemente com risco mais alto de morte.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an important type of cancer etiologically related to some viruses, chemical carcinogens and other host or environmental factors associated to chronic liver injury in humans. The tumor suppressor gene p53 is mutated in highly variable levels (0-52%) of HCC in different countries. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to compare the frequency of aberrant immunohistochemical expression of p53 in HCC occurring in cirrhotic or in non-cirrhotic patients as well as in liver cell dysplasia and in adenomatous hyperplasia. We studied 84 patients with HCC or cirrhosis. RESULTS: We detected p53 altered immuno-expression in 58.3% of patients in Grade III-IV contrasting to 22.2% of patients in Grade I-II (p = 0.02). Nontumorous areas either in the vicinity of HCC or in the 30 purely cirrhotic cases showed no nuclear p53 altered expression, even in foci of dysplasia or adenomatous hyperplasia. No significant difference was found among cases related to HBV, HCV or alcohol. CONCLUSION: The high frequency of p53 immunoexpression in this population is closer to those reported in China and Africa, demanding further studies to explain the differences with European and North American reports.