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Concrete Structures Deteriorated by Delayed Ettringite Formation and Alkali-Silica Reactions (Building Pathology and Rehabilitation #24)
by António C. Azevedo Fernando A.N. Silva João M.P.Q. Delgado Isaque LiraThis book discusses the behaviour of isolated concrete bottle-shaped struts affected by internal expansion reactions (ISR). For that purpose, the numerical modelling of damaged concrete was performed using the Concrete Damaged Plasticity Model (CDPM) implemented in ABAQUS and validated the model through Sankovich's tests. A procedure to automatically obtain the concrete plasticity and damage parameters, essential for CDPM, was developed in Matlab. The inputs were the characteristic compressive strength of the concrete, the equivalent length of the finite element mesh and the ratio between the plastic and inelastic compressive strains. The results showed that the CDPM could represent the load-bearing mechanisms of isolated concrete bottle-shaped struts for a range of several stress levels to which these elements may be subjected in the panels investigated. The numerical simulations for different expansion levels consistently captured the expected damage profile of the panels and the load corresponding to the formation of the first crack, the estimated crack opening, and the ultimate load. For the panels investigated, the reduction observed in the failure load reached values close to 70%, the increase of the tensile plastic deformation was more than 60%, and the maximum crack opening can reach an increase of 113% when compared with those observed experimentally in panels without internal swelling reactions The book also offers a systematic review of the current state of knowledge and it is a valuable resource for scientists, students, practitioners, and lecturers in various scientific and engineering disciplines, namely, civil and materials engineering, as well as and other interested parties.
Salt Damage in Ceramic Brick Masonry (SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology)
by António C. Azevedo Fernando A.N. Silva João M.P.Q. Delgado Ariosvaldo RibeiroThis book discusses the effects of soluble mineral salts on ceramic brick masonry walls in Petrolina, a city in Pernambuco, Brazil, located 780 km from the ocean. To shed light on this phenomenon, the authors mapped the pathologies originating from the effects of soluble mineral salts and installed wells to monitor the underground water supply at five locations in the city where the phenomenon most frequently occurs. Further, they analyzed samples of soil, groundwater, and bricks affected by the phenomenon and measured levels of chloride in the atmosphere at these sites. The results obtained indicate that the pathological manifestations are influenced by the high levels of soluble salts observed in the soil and groundwater samples collected, and are not affected by chloride in the atmosphere.
Diagnostic of Concrete Samples Affected by Internal Swelling Reactions (Building Pathology and Rehabilitation #21)
by António C. Azevedo Fernando A.N. Silva João M.P.Q. Delgado Nicole P.S. Souza Mahfoud Tahlaiti Abdelhafid KhelidjThis book offers a complete diagnosis of concrete samples collected from a pile cap block of residential buildings affected by internal swelling reactions. Covering an extensive laboratory campaign to evaluate the transport properties of concrete samples, as well as their physical and chemical composition using advanced techniques to analyse cores extracted from real buildings that have concrete elements affected by internal swelling reactions (ISR). It features several rehabilitation procedures, pile caps repair and rehabilitation design, executed using strengthening procedures to provide the complete restoration of the structural integrity of the element deteriorated. These rehabilitation procedures proved to be a good solution to retrofit pile cap deteriorated by expansions due to internal swelling reactions of concrete. The book also offers a systematic review of the current state of knowledge and it is a valuable resource for scientists, students, and practitioners in various scientific and engineering disciplines, namely, civil and materials engineering, as well as and other interested parties.
Recent Advances in Constraints: 11th Annual ERCIM International Workshop on Constraint Solving and Constraint Logic Programming, CSCLP 2006 Caparica, Portugal, June 26-28, 2006 Revised Selected and Invited Papers (Lecture Notes in Computer Science #4651)
by Francisco Azevedo Pedro Barahona François Fages Francesca RossiThis book constitutes the thoroughly refereed and extended post-proceedings of the 11th Annual ERCIM International Workshop on Constraint Solving and Constraint Logic Programming, CSCLP 2006, held in Caparica, Portugal in June 2006. The papers are organized in topical sections on global constraints, search and heuristics, language and implementation issues, and modeling.
Forest Landscapes and Global Change: Challenges for Research and Management
by João C. Azevedo Ajith H. Perera M. Alice PintoClimate change, urban sprawl, abandonment of agriculture, intensification of forestry and agriculture, changes in energy generation and use, expansion of infrastructure networks, habitat destruction and degradation, and other drivers of change occur at increasing rates. They affect patterns and processes in forest landscapes, and modify ecosystem services derived from those ecosystems. Consequently, rapidly changing landscapes present many new challenges to scientists and managers. While it is not uncommon to encounter the terms “global change” and “landscape” together in the ecological literature, a global analyses of drivers of change in forest landscapes, and their ecological consequences have not been addressed adequately. That is the goal of this volume: an exploration of the state of knowledge of global changes in forested landscapes with emphasis on causes and effects, and challenges faced by researchers and land managers. Initial chapters identify and describe major agents of landscape change: climate, fire, and human activities. The next series of chapters address implications of changes on ecosystem services, biodiversity conservation and carbon flux. A chapter that describes methodologies of detecting and monitoring landscape changes is presented followed by chapter that highlights the many challenges forest landscape managers face amidst of global change. Finally, we present a summary and a synthesis of the main points presented in the book. Each chapter will contain the individual research experiences of chapter authors, augmented by review and synthesis of global scientific literature on relevant topics, as well as critical input from multiple peer reviewers.
The 1755 Lisbon Earthquake: Revisited (Geotechnical, Geological and Earthquake Engineering #7)
by João Azevedo A. Ribeiro Luiz Mendes-Victor Carlos Sousa OliveiraThe 1755 earthquake and tsunami were influential not only in Portugal but in all European and North African countries where the devastating effects were felt. The entire world was deeply impressed and the discussion of its causes generated a large amount of scientific and metaphysical speculation. It inspired philosophers, poets and writers. The socio-economic consequences of the event were great and affected the future organization and development of Portugal. The possibility of a similar occurence urges society and the scientific community to reflect on its lessons. AudienceThis work is of interest to experts in seismology, earthquake engineering, civil protection, urban planning and it is a reference book for doctoral students.
Docking Screens for Drug Discovery (Methods in Molecular Biology #2053)
by Walter Filgueira De Azevedo Jr.This book focuses on recent developments in docking simulations for target proteins with chapters on specific techniques or applications for docking simulations, including the major docking programs. Additionally, the volume explores the scoring functions developed for the analysis of docking results and to predict ligand-binding affinity as well as the importance of docking simulations for the initial stages of drug discovery. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, this collection presents the kind of detail and key implementation advice to ensure successful results. Authoritative and practical, Docking Screens for Drug Discovery aims to serve those interested in molecular docking simulation and also in the application of these methodologies for drug discovery.
Geostatistical Methods for Reservoir Geophysics (Advances in Oil and Gas Exploration & Production)
by Leonardo Azevedo Amílcar SoaresThis book presents a geostatistical framework for data integration into subsurface Earth modeling. It offers extensive geostatistical background information, including detailed descriptions of the main geostatistical tools traditionally used in Earth related sciences to infer the spatial distribution of a given property of interest. This framework is then directly linked with applications in the oil and gas industry and how it can be used as the basis to simultaneously integrate geophysical data (e.g. seismic reflection data) and well-log data into reservoir modeling and characterization. All of the cutting-edge methodologies presented here are first approached from a theoretical point of view and then supplemented by sample applications from real case studies involving different geological scenarios and different challenges. The book offers a valuable resource for students who are interested in learning more about the fascinating world of geostatistics and reservoir modeling and characterization. It offers them a deeper understanding of the main geostatistical concepts and how geostatistics can be used to achieve better data integration and reservoir modeling.
The Roots of Violence: A History of War in Chad
by M. J. AzevedoExamining conflict and warfare in Chad from both historic and contemporary perspectives, Mario Azevedo explores not only how violence has permeated and become almost an intrinsic part of the fabric of the central-eastern Sudanic societies, but how foreign interference from centuries ago to the present-day have exacerbated rather than suppressed the violence. Although the main objective of the volume is to understand present Chad, it provides comprehensive and analytical discussion of Chad's violent past. This strategy goes beyond putting the blame on the unwise and ethnic policies at Francois Tombalbaye or Felix Malloum; instead, Roots of Violence clarifies the role of violence in both pre- and post-colonial Chad and, thus, demythologizes many of the assumptions held by scholars and non-scholars alike.
The Roots of Violence: A History of War in Chad
by M. J. AzevedoExamining conflict and warfare in Chad from both historic and contemporary perspectives, Mario Azevedo explores not only how violence has permeated and become almost an intrinsic part of the fabric of the central-eastern Sudanic societies, but how foreign interference from centuries ago to the present-day have exacerbated rather than suppressed the violence. Although the main objective of the volume is to understand present Chad, it provides comprehensive and analytical discussion of Chad's violent past. This strategy goes beyond putting the blame on the unwise and ethnic policies at Francois Tombalbaye or Felix Malloum; instead, Roots of Violence clarifies the role of violence in both pre- and post-colonial Chad and, thus, demythologizes many of the assumptions held by scholars and non-scholars alike.
Chad: A Nation In Search Of Its Future
by Mario AzevedoChad, the fifth largest country in Africa, has experienced great difficulties politically, economically, and socially. During the 1980s and early 1990s, Chad briefly held international attention because of its warring with Libya. This situation underlines Chad's potential for drawing its neighbors-Libya, Sudan, Cameroon, and Nigeria in particular-a
Chad: A Nation In Search Of Its Future
by Mario AzevedoChad, the fifth largest country in Africa, has experienced great difficulties politically, economically, and socially. During the 1980s and early 1990s, Chad briefly held international attention because of its warring with Libya. This situation underlines Chad's potential for drawing its neighbors-Libya, Sudan, Cameroon, and Nigeria in particular-a
Historical Perspectives on the State of Health and Health Systems in Africa, Volume I: The Pre-Colonial and Colonial Eras
by Mario J. AzevedoThis book examines the historical and current state of health and the health of the African people, including the Arab North, impacted by such factors as geography and natural elements, cultural and colonial traditions, and competing biomedical and traditional systems. It also looks at technological advances, poverty and health disparities, utilization of resources, and international presence, as reflected by the work of the World Health Organization, and structural adjustments imposed by the IMF and the World Bank.
Historical Perspectives on the State of Health and Health Systems in Africa, Volume I: The Pre-Colonial and Colonial Eras
by Mario J. AzevedoThis book examines the historical and current state of health and the health of the African people, including the Arab North, impacted by such factors as geography and natural elements, cultural and colonial traditions, and competing biomedical and traditional systems. It also looks at technological advances, poverty and health disparities, utilization of resources, and international presence, as reflected by the work of the World Health Organization, and structural adjustments imposed by the IMF and the World Bank.
Historical Perspectives on the State of Health and Health Systems in Africa, Volume II: The Modern Era
by Mario J. AzevedoThis book focuses on Africa’s challenges, achievements, and failures over the past several centuries using an interdisciplinary approach that combines theory and fact and evidence-based practices and interventions in public health, and argues that most of the health problems in Africa are not a result of scarce or lack of resources, but of the misconceived and misplaced priorities that have left the continent behind every other on the globe in terms of health, education, and equitable distribution of opportunities and access to (quality) health as agreed by the United Nations member states at Alma-Ata in 1978.
Historical Perspectives on the State of Health and Health Systems in Africa, Volume II: The Modern Era
by Mario J. AzevedoThis book focuses on Africa’s challenges, achievements, and failures over the past several centuries using an interdisciplinary approach that combines theory and fact and evidence-based practices and interventions in public health, and argues that most of the health problems in Africa are not a result of scarce or lack of resources, but of the misconceived and misplaced priorities that have left the continent behind every other on the globe in terms of health, education, and equitable distribution of opportunities and access to (quality) health as agreed by the United Nations member states at Alma-Ata in 1978.
Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization: Methods and Concepts (Methods in Molecular Biology #2246)
by Nuno F. Azevedo Carina AlmeidaThis volume provides a comprehensive review of concepts and protocols related to fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) applied to microbial cells. Chapters will serve guide for the design of new probes and the development of novel FISH-based protocols. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) for Microbial Cells: Methods and Concepts aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.
Applications of Computational Mechanics in Geotechnical Engineering
by R. F. AzevedoThe development of constitutive relations for geotechnical materials, with the help of numerical models, have increased notably the ability to predict and to interpret the mechanical behaviour of geotechnical works. This work covers rock excavations, soil excavations, earth fills and dams.
Applications of Computational Mechanics in Geotechnical Engineering
by R. F. Azevedo E. A. Vargas Et Et AlThe development of constitutive relations for geotechnical materials, with the help of numerical models, have increased notably the ability to predict and to interpret mechanical behaviour of geotechnical works. These proceedings cover the applications of computational mechanics in this area.
Computers as Metacognitive Tools for Enhancing Learning: A Special Issue of Educational Psychologist
by Roger AzevedoFirst published in 2005. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.
Eco-Innovation and the Development of Business Models: Lessons from Experience and New Frontiers in Theory and Practice (Greening of Industry Networks Studies #2)
by Susana Garrido Azevedo Marcus Brandenburg Helena Carvalho Virgílio Cruz-MachadoEnvironmental challenges such as pollution, climate change, water and natural resources depletion and dwindling bio-diversity are true threats to the survival of our civilization, forcing us to learn how to act now. Fortunately this is exactly what this book does: presenting real life cases, along with theory, methodologies and tools demonstrating how eco-innovation can support sustainable economic growth and save our planet for future generations.Following an introduction describing developments and directions of eco-innovation, Section One discusses Models and Frameworks Supporting Eco-Innovation, with chapters on search strategy for radical eco-innovation; and systematic eco-innovation with TRIZ Methodology. Section Two offers surveys and case studies showing eco-innovation in practice, including a sketch of the eco-innovative landscape in the Brazilian Cellulose, Paper and Paper Products Industry; efforts to eco-innovate among large Swedish companies; progress towards joint product-service business models and more. The third section surveys future directions and emerging trends, among them a new methodology for eco-friendly construction; the development of lightweight small inter-island ferries in Scandinavia and BioTRIZ: a win-win methodology for eco-innovation.The book explores eco-innovation as a framework for supporting the development of new business models which consider the entire business ecosystem, on the way to a sustainable world. Moreover, it explores the eco-innovation process in cross-national and cross-sector perspective.
Content-based Retrieval of Medical Images: Landmarking, Indexing, and Relevance Feedback (Synthesis Lectures on Biomedical Engineering)
by Paulo Mazzoncini Azevedo-Marques Rangaraj RangayyanContent-based image retrieval (CBIR) is the process of retrieval of images from a database that are similar to a query image, using measures derived from the images themselves, rather than relying on accompanying text or annotation. To achieve CBIR, the contents of the images need to be characterized by quantitative features; the features of the query image are compared with the features of each image in the database and images having high similarity with respect to the query image are retrieved and displayed. CBIR of medical images is a useful tool and could provide radiologists with assistance in the form of a display of relevant past cases. One of the challenging aspects of CBIR is to extract features from the images to represent their visual, diagnostic, or application-specific information content. In this book, methods are presented for preprocessing, segmentation, landmarking, feature extraction, and indexing of mammograms for CBIR. The preprocessing steps include anisotropic diffusion and the Wiener filter to remove noise and perform image enhancement. Techniques are described for segmentation of the breast and fibroglandular disk, including maximum entropy, a moment-preserving method, and Otsu's method. Image processing techniques are described for automatic detection of the nipple and the edge of the pectoral muscle via analysis in the Radon domain. By using the nipple and the pectoral muscle as landmarks, mammograms are divided into their internal, external, upper, and lower parts for further analysis. Methods are presented for feature extraction using texture analysis, shape analysis, granulometric analysis, moments, and statistical measures. The CBIR system presented provides options for retrieval using the Kohonen self-organizing map and the k-nearest-neighbor method. Methods are described for inclusion of expert knowledge to reduce the semantic gap in CBIR, including the query point movement method for relevance feedback (RFb). Analysis of performance is described in terms of precision, recall, and relevance-weighted precision of retrieval. Results of application to a clinical database of mammograms are presented, including the input of expert radiologists into the CBIR and RFb processes. Models are presented for integration of CBIR and computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) with a picture archival and communication system (PACS) for efficient workflow in a hospital. Table of Contents: Introduction to Content-based Image Retrieval / Mammography and CAD of Breast Cancer / Segmentation and Landmarking of Mammograms / Feature Extraction and Indexing of Mammograms / Content-based Retrieval of Mammograms / Integration of CBIR and CAD into Radiological Workflow
Recent Advancements in Gene Expression and Enabling Technologies in Crop Plants
by Kasi Azhakanandam Aron Silverstone Henry Daniell Michael R. DaveyIn this book, authors who are experts in their fields describe current advances on commercial crops and key enabling technologies that will underpin future advances in biotechnology. They discuss state of the art discoveries as well as future challenges. Tremendous progress has been made in introducing novel genes and traits into plant genomes since the first creation of transgenic plants thirty years ago, and the first commercialization of genetically modified maize in 1996. Consequently, cultivation of biotech crops with useful traits has increased more than 100-fold from 1.7 million hectares in 1996 to over 175 million hectares globally in 2013. This achievement has been made possible by continued advances in understanding the basic molecular biology of regulatory sequences to modulate gene expression, enhancement of protein synthesis and new technologies for transformation of crop plants.This book has three sections that encompass knowledge on genetically modified (GM) food crops that are currently used by consumers, those that are anticipated to reach the market place in the near future and enabling technologies that will facilitate the development of next generation GM crops. Section I focuses only on genetically modified maize and soybean (3 chapters each), while Section II discusses the GM food crops rice, wheat, sorghum, vegetables and sugar cane. Section III covers exciting recent developments in several novel enabling technologies, including gene targeting, minichromosomes, and in planta transient expression systems.
Exponential: How Accelerating Technology Is Leaving Us Behind and What to Do About It
by Azeem Azhar'Essential' Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn'Powerful' Hannah Fry, author of Hello World'Brilliant' Robert Peston, ITV Political Editor and author of WTFWe are entering the Exponential Age. Between faster computers, better software and bigger data, ours is the first era in human history in which technology is constantly accelerating.Azeem Azhar - writer, technologist, and creator of the acclaimed Exponential View newsletter - understands this shift better than anyone. Technology, he argues, is developing at an increasing, exponential rate. But human society - from our businesses to our political institutions - can only ever adapt at a slower, incremental pace. The result is an 'exponential gap', between the power of new technology and our ability to keep up.In Exponential, Azhar shows how this exponential gap can explain our society's most pressing problems - from established businesses' difficulty keeping up with digital platforms, to the sclerotic response of liberal democracies to fast-moving social problems. And he draws on cutting-edge social science to explain how to stop the exponential gap eroding our economies, our politics and our lives.
Basics of Biomedical Ultrasound for Engineers (Wiley - IEEE)
by Haim AzhariA practical learning tool for building a solid understanding of biomedical ultrasound Basics of Biomedical Ultrasound for Engineers is a structured textbook that leads the novice through the field in a clear, step-by-step manner. Based on twenty years of teaching experience, it begins with the most basic definitions of waves, proceeds to ultrasound in fluids and solids, explains the principles of wave attenuation and reflection, then introduces to the reader the principles of focusing devices, ultrasonic transducers, and acoustic fields, and then delves into integrative applications of ultrasound in conventional and advanced medical imaging techniques (including Doppler imaging) and therapeutic ultrasound. Demonstrative medical applications are interleaved within the text and exemplary questions with solutions are provided on every chapter. Readers will come away with the basic toolkit of knowledge they need to successfully use ultrasound in biomedicine and conduct research. Encompasses a wide range of topics within biomedical ultrasound, from attenuation and eflection of waves to the intricacies of focusing devices, transducers, acoustic fields, modern medical imaging techniques, and therapeutics Explains the most common applications of biomedical ultrasound from an engineering point of view Provides need-to-know information in the form of physical and mathematical principles directed at concrete applications Fills in holes in knowledge caused by ever-increasing new applications of ultrasonic imaging and therapy Basics of Biomedical Ultrasound for Engineers is designed for undergraduate and graduate engineering students; academic/research engineers unfamiliar with ultrasound; and physicians and researchers in biomedical disciplines who need an introduction to the field. This book is meant to be “my first book on biomedical ultrasound” for anyone who is interested in the field.