Experimental Characterization, Modeling, and Numerical Evaluation of a Novel Friction Damper for the Seismic Upgrade of Existing Buildings.

The paper presents the experimental characterization, the formulation of a numerical model, and the evaluation, by means of non-linear analyses, of a new friction damper conceived for the seismic upgrade of existing building frames. The damper dissipates seismic energy through the friction force triggered between a steel shaft and a lead core prestressed within a rigid steel chamber. The friction force is adjusted by controlling the prestress of the core, allowing the achievement of high forces with small dimensions, and reducing the architectural invasiveness of the device.

Response of Connections between Concrete Corbels and Safety Barriers.

Post-installed anchor systems are widely used in several applications both for retrofit and new constructions due to their flexibility and easiness of installation. For these reasons, their use is very common to connect safety barriers to concrete corbels. However, the design requirements for fastening (Eurocode 2-Part 4, ACI 318 or for post-installed rebar (Eurocode 2-Part 1 can be hardly satisfied due to the geometric restrictions of the application.

Evaluation of Engineering Properties of Calcium Sulfoaluminate Cement-based Concretes Reinforced with Different Types of Fibers.

Calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement has recently gained increased attention due to its lower amount of CO emissions, as compared to that of the ordinary Portland cement (OPC). This paper evaluates the impact of different types of fibers on the engineering features of CSA-based concretes at different water-cement ratios of 0.35 and 0.

Distinct cardiac and renal effects of ETA receptor antagonist and ACE inhibitor in experimental type 2 diabetes.

Diabetic nephropathy is associated with cardiovascular morbidity. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors provide imperfect renoprotection in advanced type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular risk remains elevated. Endothelin (ET)-1 has a role in renal and cardiac dysfunction in diabetes.

Successes and disappointments with clinical islet transplantation.

Transplantation of pancreatic islets is considered a therapeutic option for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus who have life-threatening hypoglycaemic episodes. After the procedure, a decrease in the frequency and severity of hypoglycaemic episodes and sustained graft function as indicated by detectable levels of C-peptide can be seen in the majority of patients. However, true insulin independence, if achieved, usually lasts for at most a few years.