in this paper, a sensitivity analysis of artificial neural networks (nns) is presented and employed for estimating the patch load resistance of plate girders subjected to patch loading. to evaluate the accuracy of the proposed nn model, the results are compared with the previously proposed empirical models, so that we can estimate the resistance of plate girders subjected to patch loading. the ...

an energy based damage index based on a new nonlinear finite element (fe) approach applicable to rc structures subjected to cyclic, earthquake or monotonic loading is proposed. the proposed method is based on the evaluation of nonlinear local degradation of materials and taking into account of the pseudo-plastic hinge produced in the critical sections of the structure. a computer program is dev...

the residual stresses in composite laminates depend on several factors including the conditions of fabricating process, property of materials, direction and lay-ups of the layers. however the thermo-elastic behavior of composite is one of the most important parameters affecting the magnitude of residual stresses. the elastic properties and residual stresses do not remain constant under cyclic t...

the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of mg deficiency and effect of aminophylline infusion on urine magnesium concentration after magnesium loading test (mlt). to determine serum mg, venous blood specimens were obtained just before the first mlt. two mlts were performed. the first one was done before starting aminophylline infusion and the 2nd one was done during aminophyllin...

UNLABELLED The aim of this study was to determine whether the amount of growth response to mechanical compression and the underlying mechanism differed with night-time or day-time loading, relative to full time loading. Mechanical compression (nominally 0.1 MPa stress) was applied across tibial and tail vertebral growth plates of growing Sprague-Dawley rats. Four groups of animals were tested: ...

In current design practice, spatiotemporally varying wind loads on buildings are modeled as equivalent static wind loads. This loading description serves as pivotal information for estimating response under the combined action of wind and other loads. This paper presents a framework for evaluating the equivalent static wind load for any given peak response of buildings with uncoupled responses ...

Previous findings indicated that in-situ chondrocytes die readily following impact loading, but remain essentially unaffected when loaded at the same magnitude but with a slow (non-impact) loading rate. The current study was aimed at identifying the causes for cell death in impact loading by quantifying chondrocyte mechanics when cartilage was compressed nominally by 5% at different loading rat...

Mechanical loading increases the strength of healing tendons, but also induces small localized bleedings. Therefore, it is unclear if increased strength after loading is a response to mechanotransduction or microtrauma. We have previously found only five genes to be up-regulated 15 min after a single loading episode, of them four were transcription factors. These genes are followed by hundreds ...

Loading on the limbs has a powerful influence on locomotion. In the present study, we examined whether robotic-enhanced loading during treadmill training improved locomotor recovery in rats that were spinally transected as neonates. A robotic device applied a force on the ankle of the hindlimb while the rats performed bipedal stepping on a treadmill. The robotic force enhanced loading during th...

BACKGROUND We sought to develop a consensus statement for the use of off-loading in the management of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). METHODS A literature search of PubMed for evidence regarding off-loading of DFUs was initially conducted, followed by a meeting of authors on March 15, 2013, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to draft consensus statements and recommendations using the GRADE (Grading ...