This paper investigates the limits and efficacies of the Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) material for strengthening mid-rise RC buildings against seismic actions. Turkey, the region of the highest seismic risk in Europe, is chosen as the case-study country, the building stock of which consists in its vast majority of mid-rise RC residential and/or commercial buildings. Strengthening with traditional methods is usually applied in most projects, as ordinary construction materials and no specialized workmanship are required. However, in cases of tight time constraints, architectural limitations, durability issues or higher demand for ductile performance, FRP material is often opted for since the most recent Turkish Earthquake Code allows engineers to employ this advanced-technology product to overcome issues of inadequate ductility or shear capacity of existing RC buildings. The paper compares strengthening of a characteristically typical mid-rise Turkish RC building by two methods, i.e., traditional column jacketing and FRP strengthening, evaluating their effectiveness with respect to the requirements of the Turkish Earthquake Code. The effect of FRP confinement is explicitly taken into account in the numerical model, unlike the common procedure followed according to which the demand on un-strengthened members is established and then mere section analyses are employed to meet the additional demands.
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Een belangrijk deel van onze interesse in de wereld om ons heen is gericht op dieren. Niet alleen voor de voedselproductie of het transport, maar ook vanwege onze empathie voor hen en onze fascinatie voor wat ze voor ons in veel andere rollen(kunnen) betekenen. Paarden, honden, katten en andere gezelschapsdieren maar ook veel landbouwhuisdieren worden als metgezel behandeld en met genegenheid verzorgd. Deze belangstelling voor de band tussen mens en dier is sinds eind vorige eeuw enorm toegenomen door onder andere de berichtgeving in de populaire pers over de positieve impact van dieren op het leven van mensen. Hierdoor is de nieuwsgierigheid van professionals en de samenleving gewekt om deze unieke relatie tussen mens en dier tot meerwaarde te brengen. Met de toenemende inzet van dieren in ons leven, rijst vanzelfsprekend de vraag of die mens-dier interactie wederzijds positief uitpakt. In 2019 is de zienswijze Dierbare Hulpverleners: welzijn voor mens en dier? van De Raad voor Dierenaangelegenheden (RDA) (Raad voor Dierenaangelegenheden, 2019) verschenen waarbij de vraag gesteld werd of, en op welke wijze, dieren bij interventies op verantwoorde wijze kunnen worden ingezet. Zowel in de dagelijkse omgang met, als de inzet van dieren, maar zeker ook in de wetenschappelijke literatuur, is veel vaker aandacht voor hoe dieren de kwaliteit van leven van de mens kunnen bevorderen in vergelijking met hoe de mens de kwaliteit van leven van dieren zouden kunnen verbeteren. Alhoewel deze thematiek het meest herkenbaar is bij sectoren waar dieren ingezet worden bij dierondersteunde interventies (zoals therapie) of hulp (blindengeleidehonden), moet het effect van de mens-dier interactie op het dier veel breder gezien worden. Ook bij de inzet van dieren in opsporing, beveiliging, sport, recreatie en vermaak is er sprake van een intensieve interactie tussen mens en dier. In sommige gevallen is de mens in het partnerschap met het dier zelfs geheel of gedeeltelijk afhankelijk van het dier. De mens-dier interactie is ook (indirect) zichtbaar in het management, en dan met name in de houderij en fokkerij van dieren. Daar waar mensen beslissen over huisvesting, voeding en fokdoelen van dieren, kan de kwaliteit van leven van dieren in gevaar komen wanneer onvoldoende rekening wordt gehouden met de behoeften en aanpassingsmogelijkheden van het dier. Gek genoeg is onderzoek naar het effect van de mens-dier interactie pas aan het einde van de vorige eeuw als een onderzoeksgebied opgekomen. Sindsdien is het onderzoek explosief gegroeid met multidisciplinaire onderzoeksgroepen over de hele wereld. Ook in Nederland wordt voornamelijk op universiteiten onderzoek gedaan naar de interactie tussen dieren, mensen en maatschappij. De thematiek wordt vanuit verschillende disciplines benaderd, waaronder ook vanuit het diergedrag en dierenwelzijn. Op het hbo wordt onderzoek gedaan naar diergedrag, dierenwelzijn en diermanagement; het effect van de mens-dier interactie op het dier heeft daar echter nog een ondergeschikte rol. Het lectoraat Human-Animal Interactions draagt bij aan het verder ontrafelen van wat zich af speelt in de mens-dier interactie en vooral ook wat het voor het dier betekent. De focus ligt bij twee diersoorten: paarden en honden. In de publicatie wordt verder ingegaan op hoede mens-dier interactie tot stand komt, hoe dierenwelzijn een rol speelt in de mens-dier interactie en in welke sectoren mensen met paarden en honden samenwerken.
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Purpose: To examine the effects of different small-sided games (SSGs) on physical and technical aspects of performance in wheelchair basketball (WB) players. Design: Observational cohort study. Methods: Fifteen highly trained WB players participated in a single 5v5 (24-s shot clock) match and three 3v3 SSGs (18-s shot clock) on a (1) full court, (2) half-court, and (3) modified-length court. During all formats, players’ activity profiles were monitored using an indoor tracking system and inertial measurement units. Physiological responses were monitored via heart rate and rating of perceived exertion. Technical performance, that is, ball handling, was monitored using video analysis. Repeated-measures analysis of variance and effect sizes (ESs) were calculated to determine the statistical significance and magnitude of any differences between game formats. Results: Players covered less distance and reached lower peak speeds during half-court (P ≤ .0005; ES ≥ very large) compared with all other formats. Greater distances were covered, and more time was spent performing moderate- and high-speed activity (P ≤ .008; ES ≥ moderate) during full court compared with all other formats. Game format had little bearing on physiological responses, and the only differences in technical performance observed were in relation to 5v5. Players spent more time in possession, took more shots, and performed more rebounds in all 3v3 formats compared with 5v5 (P ≤ .028; ES ≥ moderate). Conclusions: Court dimensions affect the activity profiles of WB players during 3v3 SSGs yet had little bearing on technical performance when time pressures (shot clocks) were constant. These findings have important implications for coaches to understand which SSG format may be most suitable for physically and technically preparing WB players. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2017-0500 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rienkvdslikke/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniqueberger/
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De uitgaven van Amnesty Vlaanderen worden door vrijwilligers geschreven. Dit boekje zorgt ervoor dat typische Amnesty-items consequent door iedereen op dezelfde geschreven worden.
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''This research aims to address a post-earthquake urgent strengthening measure to enhance the residual seismic capacity of earthquake-damaged reinforced concrete wall structures with coupling beams. The study consists of a series of tests on half-scale prototype coupling beams with various detailing options, including confined with reduced confinement, partially confined, and unconfined bundles, under cyclic loading conditions. The methodology employed involved subjecting the specimens to displacement-controlled reversal tests, and carefully monitoring their response using strain gauges and potentiometers. The main results obtained reveal that GFRP wrapping significantly enhances the seismic performance of earthquake-damaged coupling beams, even in cases where specimens experienced strength loss and main reinforcement rupture. The strengthened beams exhibit commendable ductility, maintaining high levels of deformation capacity, and satisfying the requirements of relevant seismic design codes. The significance of the study lies in providing valuable insights into the behavior and performance of damaged coupling beams and assessing the effectiveness of GFRP wrapping as a rapid and practical post-earthquake strengthening technique. The findings can be particularly useful for developing urgent post-earthquake strengthening strategies for high-rise buildings with structural walls. The method may be particularly useful for mitigating potential further damage in aftershocks and eventual collapse. In conclusion, this study represents a significant advancement in understanding the post-earthquake behaviors of coupling beams and provides valuable guidance for practitioners in making informed decisions regarding post-earthquake strengthening projects. The findings contribute to the overall safety and resilience of structures in earthquake-prone regions.''
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Abstract: Background For patients, seclusion during psychiatric treatment is often a traumatic experience. To prevent such experiences, adjustments in the design of seclusion rooms have been recommended. Methods As there have been no empirical studies on the matter, we used a quasi-experimental design to compare the experiences in seclusion of two groups of patients: 26 who had been secluded in a room designed according to the principles of healing environment, a so called ‘Enriched Environment Seclusion room’ (EES), and 27 who had been secluded in a regular seclusion (RS) room. The enrichment included audio-visual facilities, a fixed toilet, a couch and a self-service system to adjust light, colour, blinds and temperature according to the patient’s preferences. Insight into their experiences was obtained using the Patient View-of-Seclusion Questionnaire, which comprises nine statements on seclusion, supplemented with open-ended questions. Results The responses regarding seclusion experiences between the two groups did not differ significantly (U = 280.00, p = .21, r = -.17). Although those who had been secluded in the specially designed room had greatly appreciated the opportunities for distraction, and those who had been secluded in a regular seclusion room expressed the need for more distracting activities during seclusion, both groups described seclusion as a dreadful experience. If seclusion cannot be avoided, patients recommend facilities for distraction (such as those provided in an enriched environment seclusion room) to be available. Conclusion Whatever the physical environment and facilities of a seclusion room, we may thus conclude that seclusion is a burdensome experience.
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This article is about the effect of local tailored interventions to counter (violent) extremism, and therefore contributes to the academic and policy debates. It focusses on local, professional perspectives on person-specific interventions utilising a Dutch case study as the basis. The interventions are part of the wider-ranging counter terrorism policy that entails (local) measures that are deployed in relation to designated high-risk individuals and groups. By reviewing policy documents and conducting semi-structured interviews, the exploratory study concludes that the key factors for a hand-tailored intervention are a solid network, expert knowledge to assess potential signs of extremist ideology, an awareness of not having too many concurrent measures, good inter-institutional cooperation and information-sharing. The professionals involved felt that person-specific interventions have contributed to reducing the threat of religious extremism in the Netherlands. Nonetheless, municipal officials and security agents emphasised the importance of setting realistic goals and a focus on preventive rather than repressive measures. Furthermore, despite the central role that municipal actors play, they run up against problems such as cooperation within the security and care sector. National entities appear to emphasize information-gathering and monitoring more than community-focused cooperation. Thereby questioning whether, on the national level, local professionals are perceived as playing a key role in dealing with extremism.
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A Manifesto The group of some 17 participants interrupted the UDHR text in real time, infusing it with inclusive terminology, queering its binary language and expanding its gaze to other lifebeings, making it a manifesto for a new world. The newly formulated Universal Declaration of Human and More-Than-Human Rights and Responsibility for a New World would be the manifesto for an alliance of those who insisted on an end to capitalist practices and their destructive effects on the planet.
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In recent years video game consoles, such as the Nintendo Wii™ and the Microsoft Kinect™, have been introduced into residential facilities. This paper presents a review of current studies documenting the benefits and detriments the Wii could have on adults aged 60 years and over in residential facilities, concentrating on the common uses of the Wii in care facilities: maintaining physical fitness, promoting mental well-being, encouraging social interaction and both physical and mental rehabilitation. Furthermore, this paper discusses the potential use of the Microsoft Kinect in care for older persons. The Wii can have a positive impact on the physical and mental health of older adults living in care facilities, but additional work should still be conducted, including assessing the use of games outside of Wii Sports and Wii Fit and possible non-gaming application of the Wii in care for older adults. Results for the Wii display potential for use of the Kinect in care facilities but further exploration is required to assess the potential physical impact and interaction viability.
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Objective: The aim of this study was to obtain insight in specific elements influencing the use, non-use, satisfaction, and dissatisfaction of ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) and the presence of underexposed problems with respect to AFOs. Methods: A questionnaire was composed to obtain information from AFO users to investigate the variables associated with satisfaction and the relation between these variables. A specific feature of this study was the systematic analysis of the remarks made by the respondents about their AFO. Quantitative data analyses were used for analysing the satisfaction and qualitative analyses were used analysing the remarks of the respondents. A total of 211 users completed the questionnaire. Results: Our survey showed that 1 out of 15 AFOs were not used at all. About three quarters of the AFO users were satisfied and about one quarter was dissatisfied. Females and users living alone reported relatively high levels of dissatisfaction, especially in the field of dimensions, comfort, weight, safety and effectiveness. Dissatisfaction with respect to off-the-shelf AFOs for the item durability was higher than that for custom-made AFOs. In the delivery and maintenance process the items ‘maintenance’, ‘professionalism’ and ‘delivery follow-up’ were judged to be unsatisfactory. A large number of comments were made by the respondents to improve the device or process, mainly by the satisfied AFO users. These comments show that even satisfied users experience many problems and that a lot of problems of AFO users are ‘underexposed’. Conclusion: To improve user satisfaction, the user practice has to be identified as an important sub-process of the whole orthopaedic chain especially in the diagnosis and prescription, delivery tuning and maintenance, and evaluation phase.
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