Restraint effect of partition wall on the tunnel floor heave in layered rock mass

The presence of horizontal layered rocks in tunnel engineering significantly impacts the stability and strength of the surrounding rock mass,leading to floor heave in the tunnel.This study focused on preparing layered specimens of rock-like material with varying thickness to investigate the failure behaviors of tunnel floors.The results indicate that thin-layered rock mass exhibits weak interlayer bonding,causing rock layers near the surface to buckle and break upwards when subjected to horizontal squeezing.With an increase in the layer thickness,a transition in failure mode occurs from upward buckling to shear failure along the plane,leading to a noticeable reduction in floor heave deformation.The primary cause of significant deformation in floor heave is upward buckling failure.To address this issue,the study proposes the installation of a partition wall in the middle of the floor to mitigate heave deformation of the rock layers.The results demonstrate that the partition wall has a considerable stabilizing effect on the floor,reducing the zone of buckling failure and minimizing floor heave deformation.It is crucial for the partition wall to be sufficiently high to prevent buckling failure and ensure stability.Through simulation calculations on an engineering example,it is confirmed that implementing a partition wall can effectively reduce floor heave and enhance the stability of tunnel floor.

Basic Characteristics of an Appropriate Waste Fillers for Solvent Free and Water-Borne Industrial Polymer Floors and Their Utilization

Recently the manufacture of epoxy coating and flooring materials begun to be under strong pressure to use more environmentally friendly raw materials in its composition.First tendency to reduce of solvents and diluents contained in the materials appeared at the end of 90´s.This situation was supported by the Council of Europe in 2004 to reduce VOC emissions to zero till 2020.Solvent materials were thus largely replaced by solvent free materials from which the volatile substances are not released into the air.But pressure continued to increase,and over the past decade began to take centre stage water-based epoxy.On the Czech market solvent based material is still occasionally used,but predominant are solvent free materials.There are no commonly used materials containing wastes as fillers in new water-borne and solvent-free epoxy materials.Characteristics identification of the waste material as a potential filler is a set of properties that determine the limits of secondary raw materials or waste as a filler.This paper describes the basic characteristics which must be selected to meet the requirements,to affect negatively the workability,sedimentation,properties and behavior of the final floor system.Some materials must comply with special requirements,such as resistance to chemicals,etc.Next part of paper talks about utilization of polymer floors and their mechanical properties.

Further Analysis of Machine Tool Dimensional Accuracy and Thermal Stability under Varying Floor Temperature

Machining is as old as humanity, and changes in temperature in both the machine’s internal and external environments can be of great concern as they affect the machine’s thermal stability and, thus, the machine’s dimensional accuracy. This paper is a continuation of our earlier work, which aimed to analyze the effect of the internal temperature of a machine tool as the machine is put into operation and vary the external temperature, the machine floor temperature. Some experiments are carried out under controlled conditions to study how machine tool components get heated up and how this heating up affects the machine’s accuracy due to thermally induced deviations. Additionally, another angle is added by varying the machine floor temperature. The parameters mentioned above are explored in line with the overall thermal stability of the machine tool and its dimensional accuracy. A Robodrill CNC machine tool is used. The CNC was first soaked with thermal energy by gradually raising the machine floor temperature to a certain level before putting the machine in operation. The machine was monitored, and analytical methods were deplored to evaluate thermal stability. Secondly, the machine was run idle for some time under raised floor temperature before it was put into operation. Data was also collected and analyzed. It is observed that machine thermal stability can be achieved in several ways depending on how the above parameters are joggled. This paper, in conclusion, reinforces the idea of machine tool warm-up process in conjunction with a carefully analyzed and established machine floor temperature variation for the approximation of the machine tool’s thermally stability to map the long-time behavior of the machine tool.

Reporting Children’s Development below the Test Floor: Looking Back and Forth to Describe Individual Strengths and Needs

The test floor effects seen in standardised tests lead to a standardised score of 1 or less with a flat profile that hides a child’s individual strengths and needs. The Griffiths III community of practitioners requested advice on the reporting of children’s development below the floor of the test, so that individual strengths and needs can be described. This paper reports the third phase of research following an earlier Scoping Review and a wider literature review. To confirm quality control, Phase 3 was conducted in a retrospective manner using the same methodology as the earlier phases but in a reverse direction. Peer reviewer comments and key elements from the Scoping Review and keywords from the publications were tabulated. Data analysis included a change of perspective to that of the child and their individual rights with respect to the literature themes already described in Phase 2. These confirmed that there is little specific guidance in the literature, but that computational advances for homogeneous populations and especially disaggregated data offer some solutions. A greater balance between broad biopsychosocial models and standardised models of assessment should be sought by practitioners together with the use of disaggregated data to highlight issues that pertain to individual subsets of results. This will ensure that the child’s right for their individual strengths and needs to be described together with a plan for management, may be met.

Two Cases of Epidermoid Cyst of the Buccal Floor Simulating: A Tumour of the Submandibular Gland

Dermoid cyst of the oral floor is rare benign tumour, who having three histological aspects: dermoid, teratoid and epidermoid. This one is characterized by the presence of a squamous stratified epithelium with cutaneous remnants. It may occur in any part of the body, however their frequency in the ENT sphere is relatively scarce. Seven per cent (7%) only of epidermoid cysts occur in the cervico-facial area, 1.6% of which locate at the floor level. When they are located submandibular, they can pose diagnostic difficulties and look like a tumour of the submaxillary gland. We report two cases of epidermoid cyst of the floor. Both patients suffered from swelling of the submandibular gland. Magnetic Resonance Imaging was not requested due to lack of resources. However, surgery allowed in both cases the excision of a cyst next to a normal submandibular gland. Patients did well post operatively.

Various Aetiologies of Non-Traumatic Coccydynia Cause Pain in the Posterior Sacrococcygeal Leg of the Pelvic Tripod: A Burden on the Healthcare Sector

Introduction: Coccydynia, television disease, and coccygodynia are the different names given to this disabling disease, which can become chronic. It was described by Simson in 1859. Coccydynia means pain at the end of the vertebral column. Non-traumatic coccydynia is a diagnosis, which is never straightforward like traumatic coccydynia because the onset is unclear, and both the patient and the unaware clinician face many challenges in treating it on time and with accuracy. Coccyx was likened to a cuckoo bird’s beak as a curved bone of fused 3 to 5 vertebrae with remnant disc material in some rare cases, unfused segments, linear scoliosis or subluxations and deformities. Stress X-rays of the coccyx in the antero-posterior and lateral views in standing and sitting reveal the “Dynamic Instability” due to congenital coccygeal morphological, pathological and mechanical variations. Material and Methods: This is a complex study having retrograde data collected from online publications from various databases, like PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library and also antegrade data collected from 100 patients with their consent from patients in Adam and Eve Specialised Medical Centre-based at Abu Dhabi, UAE and data was processed in the research centre of Krushi Orthopaedic Welfare Society based in India between 2014-2024 following all guidelines of Helsinki and approved by the ethics board of Krushi Orthopaedic Welfare Society. Clinical Presentation: The coccyx is painful, with aches, spasms, and an inability to sit. This affects daily activities without any particular date of onset. The onset remains insidious for the non-traumatic variety of coccydynia. Aetiology and Patho Anatomy: Non-traumatic coccydynia can be caused by a myriad of reasons, like congenital morphological variations, acquired dynamic instabilities, and hidden trauma remaining quiescent to re-surface as a strain-induced pain. Radiological Presentations: Unless clarity is focused on these coccygeal views, the errors of the unevacuated rectum, non-dynamic standing views, improper X-ray exposure and refuge by insurance companies to approve the much needed but multiple views in radiological investigation (Stress X-ray), MRI scan, lack of awareness by the clinician, all lead to missed diagnosis with its repercussions as congenital variations in morphology, acquired changes in structure/mobility, pathologies like tumours like congenital teratoma & adult onset chordoma, Tarlov cysts, pilonidal sinus or infections—even tuberculosis, dural syndrome, stiff coccyx due to ankylosing spondylitis and many others like relation to neurosis have all been documented. Treatment options are outside the scope of this research topic, as only the differential diagnosis is being stressed here, so that the clinician and the patient do not overlook the varying aetiology, which is the first step to timely and appropriate treatment. Conclusion: Level 3 evidence is available pointing towards many aetiologies causing non-traumatic coccydynia, and in this study of 100 patients by Krushi O W S, a non-profit organisation, the results were as follows: 1) Coccydynia is more common in Type II coccyx and bony spicules. 2) Coccydynia is more prevalent when the sacrococcygeal joints are not fused. 3) Coccydynia is more prevalent when there is subluxation at the intercoccygeal joints. 4) Coccydynia is more when the sacral angle is lower. 5) Coccydynia is associated with higher sacrococcygeal curved length. 6) Coccydynia is associated with a lower sacrococcygeal curvature index. 7) Gender variations: The coccygeal curvature index was lower in females with coccydynia;the intercoccygeal angle was lower in males. 8) Both obese and thin individuals can get affected due to different weight-bearing mechanics in play.

Application of modified primary closure of the pelvic floor in laparoscopic extralevator abdominal perineal excision for low rectal cancer

AIM To introduce a novel,modified primary closure technique of laparoscopic extralevator abdominal perineal excision(LELAPE) for low rectal cancer.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed data from 76 patients with rectal cancer who underwent LELAPE from March 2013 to May 2016.Patients were classified into the modified primary closure group(32 patients) and the biological mesh closure group(44 patients).The total operating time,reconstruction time,postoperative stay duration,total cost,postoperative complications and tumor recur-rence were compared.RESULTS All surgery was successfully performed.The pelvic reconstruction time was 14.6 ± 3.7 min for the modified primary closure group,which was significantly longer than that of the biological mesh closure group(7.2 ± 1.9 min,P < 0.001).The total operating time was not different between the two groups(236 ± 20 min vs 248 ± 43 min,P = 0.143).The postoperative hospital stay duration was 8.1 ± 1.9 d,and the total cost was 9297 ± 1260 USD for the modified primary closure group.Notably,both of these categories were significantly lower in this group than those of the biological mesh closure group(P = 0.001 and P = 0.003,respectively).There were no differences observed between groups when comparing other perioperative data,long-term complications or oncological outcomes.CONCLUSION The modified primary closure method for reconstruction of the pelvic floor in LELAPE for low rectal cancer is technically feasible,safe and cost-effective.

Floor heave in the west wing track haulage roadway of the Tingnan Coal Mine: Mechanism and control

Floor heave of a roadway is a dynamic phenomenon that often happens in the roadways of coal mines. It seriously affects safe production in the coal mine. Floor heave has long been one of the most difficult problems to be resolved during coal mining. An analysis of floor heave in the soft rock surrounding the roadway, and the factors influencing it, allowed the deformation mechanism in the west wing double track haulage roadway of the Tingnan Coal Mine to be deduced. Three types of floor heave are observed there: intumescent floor heave, extrusion and mobility floor heave, and compound floor heave. Control measures are proposed that have been adopted during a recent repair engineering project. Control of the floor heave in the west wing track haulage roadway was demonstrated. The reliability and rationality of a combined support technology including floor anchors, an inverted arch, and anchoring of both sides was verified by mine pressure data and the field observations. Waterproofing measures were also under-taken to assist in the control of floor heave.

Expression and significance of lysyl oxidase-like 1 and fibulin-5 in the cardinal ligament tissue of patients with pelvic floor dysfunction

Pelvic organ prolapse （POP） is a disabling disorder in women characterized by a loss of pelvic floor support, leading to the herniation of the uterus into or through the vagina. POP is a complex problem that likely involves multiple mechanisms with limited therapies available, and is associated with defects in connective tissue including elastic fibers. This study was designed to investigate the expression of fibulin-5 and lysyl oxidase-like 1 （LOXL1） in the cardinal ligament in samples taken from the POP group compared to the non-POP group. Specimens were obtained during abdominal hysterectomy from the cardinal ligament of 53 women with POP and 25 age- and par- ity- matched women with non-POP among post-menopausal women with benign gynecologic pathology. Protein expression was evaluated using the immunohistochemical staining method. For statistical analyses, chi-square test and Spearman＇s correlation were used with the statistical package SPSS13.0 system. Our results showed that both fibulin-5 and LOXL1 expressions were decreased in the cardinal ligament in the POP group compared to the non- POP group （P 〈 0.05）. The expression of fibulin-5 and LOXL1 were correlated closely with the stage of POP, ac- companied by stress urinary incontinence and frequency of vaginal delivery （P 〈 0.05）, but had no relationship with post-menopausal state （P 〉 0.05）. The expression of fibulin-5 was positively associated with LOXL1 in POP （P 〈 0.05）. We conclude that changes in fibulin-5 and LOXL1 expression may play a role in the development of POP.

Status,challenges,and future prospects of stem cell therapy in pelvic floor disorders

Pelvic floor disorders(PFDs)represent a group of common and frequentlyoccurring diseases that seriously affect the life quality of women,generally including stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.Surgery has been used as a treatment for PFD,but almost 30%of patients require subsequent surgery due to a high incidence of postoperative complications and high recurrence rates.Therefore,investigations of new therapeutic strategies are urgently needed.Stem cells possess strong multi-differentiation,self-renewal,immunomodulation,and angiogenesis abilities and they are able to differentiate into various cell types of pelvic floor tissues and thus provide a potential therapeutic approach for PFD.Recently,various studies using different autologous stem cells have achieved promising results by improving the pelvic ligament and muscle regeneration and conferring the tissue elasticity and strength to the damaged tissue in PFD,as well as reduced inflammatory reactions,collagen deposition,and foreign body reaction.However,with relatively high rates of complications such as bladder stone formation and wound infections,further studies are necessary to investigate the role of stem cells as maintainers of tissue homeostasis and modulators in early interventions including therapies using new stem cell sources,exosomes,and tissueengineering combined with stem cell-based implants,among others.This review describes the types of stem cells and the possible interaction mechanisms in PFD treatment,with the hope of providing more promising stem cell treatment strategies for PFD in the future.

Feasibility Analysis on the Integrated Application of Solar Energy, Biogas, Coal-fired Boiler and Radiant Floor Heating for Rural Residence

The feasibility of adopting a balanced energy mix mode (domestic solar energy, biogas, coal-fired boiler and radiant floor heating) was proposed. Taking a typical rural residence in Zhengzhou City for example, the study through theoretical analysis and calculation showed that such a balanced energy mix is an economic way and efficient in saving energy and reducing air pollution, and elaborated the theoretical feasibility of popularizing such a heat supply mode in rural areas.

Biomechanical Mapping of the Female Pelvic Floor: Prolapse versus Normal Conditions

Background: Quantitative biomechanical characterization of pelvic supportive structures and functions in vivo is thought to provide insight into pathophysiology of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). An innovative approach—vaginal tactile imaging—allows biomechanical mapping of the female pelvic floor to quantify tissue elasticity, pelvic support, and pelvic muscle functions. The Vaginal Tactile Imager (VTI) records high definition pressure patterns from vaginal walls under an applied tissue deformation and during pelvic floor muscle contractions. Objective: To explore an extended set of 52 biomechanical parameters for differentiation and characterization of POP relative to normal pelvic floor conditions. Methods: 96 subjects with normal and POP conditions were included in the data analysis from multi-site observational, case-controlled studies;42 subjects had normal pelvic floor conditions and 54 subjects had POP. The VTI, model 2S, was used with an analytical software package to calculate automatically 52 biomechanical parameters for 8 VTI test procedures (probe insertion, elevation, rotation, Valsalva maneuver, voluntary muscle contractions in 2 planes, relaxation, and reflex contraction). The groups were equalized for subject age and parity. Results: The ranges, mean values, and standard deviations for all 52 VTI parameters were established. 33 of 52 parameters were identified as statistically sensitive (p 0.05;t-test) to the POP development. Among these 33 parameters, 11 parameters show changes (decrease) in tissue elasticity, 8 parameters show deteriorations in pelvic support and 14 parameters show weakness in muscle functions for POP versus normal conditions. Conclusions: The biomechanical mapping of the female pelvic floor with the VTI provides a unique set of parameters characterizing POP versus normal conditions. These objectively measurable biomechanical transformations of pelvic tissues, support structures, and functions under POP may be used in future research and practical applications.

Technical Innovation of Electrostimulation Biofeedback Combined with Vaginal Dumbbell in the Treatment of Postpartum Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Objective: To investigate the application value of electrostimulation biofeedback therapy in combination with vaginal dumbbell therapy to postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 200 cases of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction patients discharged from the hospital from January 2016 to March 2019 as study subjects who were excluded other underlying diseases and were randomly divided into two groups of 100 cases per group, using electrostimulation biofeedback therapy combined vaginal dumbbell therapy as a treatment group. The treatment of electrostimulation biofeedback therapy in combination with kegel was treated as a control group. Then the curative effects of the two groups were compared and statistically analyzed. Results: There was no significant difference in EMG value of postpartum pelvic floor treatment, type I muscle strength, type II muscle strength, muscle type I fatigue, type II fatigue and POP-Q detection results between the two groups before treatment, p > 0.05. There were significant differences in type I muscle strength, type II muscle strength and muscle type I fatigue between the pelvic floor muscles and the muscles at the end of the treatment day, the sixth month and one year after treatment, p ?There was no statistically significant difference at?the end of muscle type II fatigue?treatment day, p > 0.05;while after the treatment of six months and one year, the difference was statistically significant, p 0.05. In addition, the treatment group and the control group were compared before and after treatment, the difference of myoelectric potential value, pelvic floor muscle type I muscle strength, type II muscle strength, muscle type I fatigue degree, type II fatigue degree and POP-Q test result were significant, and the changes in the indicators before and after treatment in the treatment group were significantly higher than the control group. Comparison of urinary incontinence between the two groups before and after treatment, the difference between pre-treatment and the end of treatment day was not statistically significant, p > 0.05;there was significant difference between half a year and one year after treatment (p 0.05, respectively). Comparing?the satisfaction with sexual life after the time of treatment day, half a year and one year after the end of treatment, the difference was statistically significant (p ?Conclusion: Electrical stimulation biofeedback therapy combined with vaginal dumbbell therapy has a good effect in the treatment of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, and it is worthy of popularization and application.

Clinical efficacy of integral theory–guided laparoscopic integral pelvic floor/ligament repair in the treatment of internal rectal prolapse in females

BACKGROUND Internal rectal prolapse(IRP)is one of the most common causes of obstructive constipation.The incidence of IRP in women is approximately three times that in men.IRP is mainly treated by surgery,which can be divided into two categories:Abdominal procedures and perineal procedures.This study offers a better procedure for the treatment of IRP.AIM To compare the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic integral pelvic floor/ligament repair(IPFLR)combined with a procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids(PPH)and the laparoscopic IPFLR alone in the treatment of IRP in women.METHODS This study collected the clinical data of 130 female patients with IRP who underwent surgery from January 2012 to October 2014.The patients were divided into groups A and B.Group A had 63 patients who underwent laparoscopic IPFLR alone,and group B had 67 patients who underwent the laparoscopic IPFLR combined with PPH.The degree of internal rectal prolapse(DIRP),Wexner constipation scale(WCS)score,Wexner incontinence scale(WIS)score,and Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index(GIQLI)score were compared between groups and within groups before surgery and 6 mo and 2 years after surgery.RESULTS All laparoscopic surgeries were successful.The general information,number of bowel movements before surgery,DIRP,GIQLI score,WIS score,and WCS score before surgery were not significantly different between the two groups(all P>0.05).The WCS score,WIS score,GIQLI score,and DIRP in each group 6 mo,and 2 years after surgery were significantly better than before surgery(P<0.001).In group A,the DIRP and WCS score gradually improved from 6 mo to 2 years after surgery(P<0.001),and the GIQLI score progressively improved from 6 mo to 2 years after surgery(P<0.05).In group B,the DIRP,WCS score and WIS score significantly improved from 6 mo to 2 years after surgery(P<0.05),and the GIQLI score 2 years after surgery was significantly higher than that 6 mo after surgery(P<0.05).The WCS score,WIS score,GIQLI score,and DIRP of group B were significantly better than those of group A 6 mo and 2 years after surgery(all P<0.001,Bonferroni)except DIRP at 2 years after surgery.There was a significant difference in the recurrence rate of IRP between the two groups 6 mo after surgery(P=0.011).There was no significant difference in postoperative grade I-III complications between the two groups(P=0.822).CONCLUSION Integral theory–guided laparoscopic IPFLR combined with PPH has a higher cure rate and a better clinical efficacy than laparoscopic IPFLR alone.

Environmental and canopy conditions regulate the forest floor evapotranspiration of larch plantations

Background:Integrated forest-water management focusing on forest-water coordination is an important way to alleviate water use conflicts among forests and other sectors in vast dryland regions.Forest floor evapotranspiration(FE),which is an important component of forest evapotranspiration,accounts for a large proportion of the water consumed in arid forests.Elucidating how environmental and canopy conditions impact FE has important significance for guiding integrated forest-water management in a changing environment.Methods:The microlysimeter(ML)-measured evapotranspiration(FE_(ML)),reference evapotranspiration(ET_(o)),volumetric soil moisture(VSM),and canopy leaf area index(LAI)were monitored in a Larix principis-rupprechtii plantation located in the semi-humid Liupan Mountains of Northwest China in 2019(June–September)and 2021(May–September).The response functions of the FE coefficient(the ratio of daily FEML to ET_(o))to the individual factors of VSM and LAI were determined using upper boundary lines of scatter diagrams of measured data.The framework of the daily FE(FE_(ML))model was established by multiplying the response functions to individual factors and then calibrated and validated using measured data to assess the FE response to environmental and canopy conditions.Results:(1)The FE coefficient increased first rapidly and then slowly with rising VSM but decreased slowly with rising LAI.(2)The simple daily FE(FE_(ML))model developed by coupling the impacts of ET_(o),LAI,and VSM in this study performed well for predicting FE.(3)The impacts of ET_(o),LAI,and VSM were quantified using the FE(FE_(ML))model,e.g.,at a given VSM,the impact of ETo on FE increased obviously with decreasing LAI;at a given ET_(o),the impact of LAI on FE increased with rising VSM.(4)In the two study years,when directly using the microlysimeter measurement,the real FE on the forest floor was overestimated when the VSM in microlysimeters was above 0.215 but underestimated below 0.215 due to the difference in VSM from the forest floor.Thus,the VSM on the forest floor should be input into the FE model for estimating the real FE on the forest floor.Conclusions:The daily FE of larch plantation is controlled by three main factors of environmental(ET_(o) and VSM)and canopy conditions(LAI).The variation in daily FE on the forest floor can be well estimated using the simple FE model coupling the effects of the three main factors and by inputting the VSM on the forest floor into the model to avoid the errors when directly using the microlysimeter measurement with different VSMs from the forest floor.The developed FE model and suggested prediction approach are helpful to estimate the FE response to changing conditions,and to guide forest management practices when saving water by thinning is required.

A nurse-led long-term pelvic floor muscle training program in the management of female patients with overactive bladder e A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background:Previous research has suggested that pelvic floor muscle training(PFMT)offers a therapeutic benefit in patients with overactive bladder.Methods:Weconducted a single-blind,randomized trial of pelvic floor muscle training(PFMT)as compared with usual care.The intervention group(n=54)received a 6-month a nurse-led long-term pelvic floor muscle training program(three sessions a day,15e20 times per session)and the control group(n?53)received usual care.All patients received 3-month solifenacin succinate tablets(5 mg e once daily).The treatment outcomes were measured by the Modified Oxford Scale(MOS),Overactive Bladder SymptomScore(OABSS)and the King's Health Questionnaire(KHQ)at baseline,3 months and 6 months respectively.Results:Of the 91 randomly assigned patients,46 patients in the PFMT group and 45 patients in the control group completed the trial.The trial revealed statistically significant differences between groups in pelvic muscle strength at 3 months following the intervention(p<0.05),but no significant difference was found between two groups in OABSS scores(p>0.05).In regards to quality of life,the experimental group showed significant improvements compared to the control group on 6 of 10 domains(p<0.05).At 6 months,there were significant improvements in OABSS scores and quality of life in the experimental group compared to the control group(p<0.05).No adverse events were observed.Conclusion:A nurse-led long-term(6 months)pelvic floor muscle training program may alleviate OAB symptoms effectively and improve the quality of life more than a short term(3 months)pelvic floor muscle training program combined with solifenacin succinate tablets.

Experimental and analytical studies on the vibration serviceability of long-span prestressed concrete floor

An extensive experimental and theoretical research study was undertaken to study the vibration serviceability of a long-span prestressed concrete floor system to be used in the lounge of a major airport.Specifically,jumping impact tests were carried out to obtain the floor’s modal parameters,followed by an analysis of the distribution of peak accelerations.Running tests were also performed to capture the acceleration responses.The prestressed concrete floor was found to have a low fundamental natural frequency（≈8.86 Hz）corresponding to the average modal damping ratio of≈2.17%.A coefficients plate with simply-supported edges.The calculated analytical results（natural frequencies and root-mean-square acceleration）agree well with the experimental ones.The analytical approach is thus validated.

Lowering the Error Floor of ADMM Penalized Decoder for LDPC Codes

Decoding by alternating direction method of multipliers(ADMM) is a promising linear programming decoder for low-density parity-check(LDPC) codes. In this paper, we propose a two-step scheme to lower the error floor of LDPC codes with ADMM penalized decoder.For the undetected errors that cannot be avoided at the decoder side, we modify the code structure slightly to eliminate low-weight code words. For the detected errors induced by small error-prone structures, we propose a post-processing method for the ADMM penalized decoder. Simulation results show that the error floor can be reduced significantly over three illustrated LDPC codes by the proposed two-step scheme.

The Effect of Aging on Pelvic Floor Pressure Measurements in Nulliparous Women

Aims: To investigate the correlation between age and 3-dimensional pelvic floor manometry parameters, sexual function, and urinary status in old post-menopausal versus young nulliparous women. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Two groups of young (18 - 40 years) and old (52 - 85 years) nulliparous volunteers completed Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20), Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ-7), and Female Sexual Function Inventory (FSFI-19) and underwent a 3-dimensional pelvic floor manometry. Results: The study included 9 young participants with a mean age of 28.6, and 10 old participants with a mean age of 61.8. All the older participants were postmenopausal and all the young participants were premenopausal. Mean PFDI-20 score was significantly higher in the older group: 52 ± 12 versus 4 ± 4, p= 0.001. Urinary Distress Inventory score (UDI-6, part of PFDI questionnaire) was higher amongst the older group: 28 ± 26 versus 3 ± 8, p= 0.006. All young participants scored zero in their PFIQ-7 while the older participants averaged 31 out of maximal score of 300. While sexual activity was higher in the younger group (89% versus 60%), sexual function assessed through the FSFI-19, was not significantly different between the two groups. Valsalva pressures obtained from manometry measurements were significantly higher in the older group (mean 230 mm Hg versus 161, p= 0.015). Conclusions: Post-menopausal women have higher pelvic floor and urinary symptoms associated with increased Valsalva pressures as measured by vaginal manometry.

Test and Analysis of the Sound Insulation Performance of Four Types of Timber Structure Floors under Jumping Excitation

To improve the impact sound insulation performance of building floors and meet the objective requirements for living comfort of residents,in this article,three kinds of elastic cushion materials,Portuguese cork board,BGL insulation sound insulation foam board,and EPP polypropylene plastic foam board,are applied to the sound insulation of a light frame wood floor structure of the same bedroom and compared to the ordinary floor.This study uses the transfer function method and transient excitation method to measure the sound insulation,damping ratio,and elastic modulus of materials,as well as the sound insulation of the floor under the jumping excitation method of daily behavior.Through comparative analysis,the results and factors of improving the sound insulation performance of the floor are obtained,according to which three types of elastic cushion materials and the floor covering composed of them have higher vibration and noise reduction performance.Among them,the overall sound insulation performance of BGL board floor is the highest,followed by EPP board and cork board floor,and ordinary OSB floor is the lowest.Under the jumping excitation method,three floating floors can improve the impact sound insulation performance of the middle and low-frequency bands.