Search

This paper investigated the blast performance of a three-storey composite steel building subjected to external explosion by a package bomb. Analysis was based on load combinations and damage criteria in accordance with three general design approaches relevant for civil design applications in predicting blast loads and structural system responses. The main objective is to provide a rapid blast evaluation and simplify the model when blast wave first impacts the structure. For first dynamic stage, direct simulation method was chosen for modelling blast loads on members exposed to explosion using the Friedlander blast load equation, and an empirical A.T.-BLAST method estimated its parameters to deduce the simplified blast-wave overpressure profile. For second static stage, the original Alternate Load Path method was used to check the probable stability of columns’ damage due to heat after blast on adjacent elements using the standard temperature-time curve due to local fire. Results showed that structural elements were deformed away from their elastic limit and yield points, resulting in plastic behavior with considerable post-yielding deformations so ductility ratio, plastic hinge rotation, internal forces limits, Demand-Capacity-Ratio (DCR shear/moment) and material damage model are the judged adequacy in blast design and structural members’ evaluation considering blast load as the initial cause of failure. After explosion, re-loading process resulted in structure’ stability (non-collapse) due to ductility and introduced vierendeel effect to be reused again. Some guidelines have un-provided data on damage evaluation limit criteria while others overestimate the realistic damage conditions.

Abstract Background The prevalence of burnout and anxiety is constantly increasing among health profession students worldwide. This study evaluates the prevalence of burnout and its relationship to anxiety and empathy during the COVID-19 pandemic among health profession students in the main governmental institution in Doha, Qatar using validated instruments. Methods A cross-sectional survey of health profession students using validated instruments was employed. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Students Survey (MBI-GS(S)) to measure burnout; The Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) to measure anxiety; and Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) to measure empathy were utilized. Descriptive statistics and multivariable linear regression were used. Results Of the 1268 eligible students, 272 (21.5%) completed the online survey. Burnout was found to be prevalent amongst the students. The mean scores for the MBI-GS(S) subscales of emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and professional efficacy were 4.07, 2.63, and 3.97, respectively. Anxiety was found to be a strong predictor for burnout and burnout was positively associated with empathy. Conclusions Findings from this study demonstrated relationships between health profession students’ burnout, anxiety, and empathy. These findings might have an impact on the development of curriculum interventions to enhance student well-being. More burnout awareness and management programs that cater to the specific needs of health profession students are needed. Furthermore, findings of this study may have implications for future educational interventions during times of crisis or how this can be used to improve student experiences in normal times.

Trends from around the world suggest that the omicron BA.2 subvariant is increasing in proportion to the original BA.1 subvariant. Here we report two cases of co-infection with omicron BA.1 and omicron BA.2 in co-exposed individuals. In both individuals, genome sequencing and/or S-gene specific PCR identified omicron BA.1 at early time-points, which was replaced by omicron BA.2 at later time-points of the infection. The timeline of our data supports the proposition that BA.2 outcompetes BA.1 in a real-life scenario, and in time becomes the dominant variant in the upper respiratory tract of the host.

This is a case of an eleven-year-old female Sudanese child, a known Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA) patient, who presented with fever, as well as left thigh and leg swelling that was associated with pain and warmness, which was diagnosed as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) of her left lower limb. She had a previous history of admissions to the emergency room, during which she once received blood. The patient was managed by carrying out a basic routine initial laboratory investigation. A Doppler ultrasound scan showed features consistent with DVT. Based on the clinical findings and investigation results, management began by providing the patient with intravenous fluid, analgesia, packed Red Blood Cells (RBCs), intravenous antibiotics, and low-molecular-weight heparin. Further consultations showed that there was no need for vascular surgery or surgical intervention. This case highlights the need for more studies on DVT and Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) complications in children with SCA, so as to develop strategies for diagnosis and management in order to reduce the risk of life-threatening complications of VTE in patients with Sickle Cell Disease SCD.

Building information modelling (BIM) has been considered an effective and efficient tool among stakeholders of the construction sector as it delivers prominent results. Hence, this work aimed to determine the intangible benefits of BIM in construction projects. Various statistical analyses were performed to identify the most critical intangible benefits of BIM required for justification. To rank the intangible benefits of BIM, the relative importance index was adopted. Then, the rotated component matrix was conducted to correlate each intangible benefit to its estimated components. In the last phase of the research, interviews were conducted to validate and confirm the critical intangible benefits. Five critical intangible benefits were identified: better understanding of design, better information received and given, improved communication through visualization, reduce design error and improved accuracy of drawings. By knowing these five critical benefits, clients should prioritise these benefits in their justification of BIM implementation.

Developing automated code compliance checking systems is becoming increasingly complex—to the extent of challenging the implementation of these systems. This paper addresses the need to develop an automated system that prioritises user accessibility. Accordingly, the study aims to develop a system through a semi-automated rule translation process and the utilisation of BIM models in native file format. A total of 256 fire safety clauses in Malaysian regulations were translated through logic-based approaches (classification technique, decomposition through semantic mark-up method, and interview method), which further assisted in identifying the necessary BIM properties. A visual programming language was then utilised to demonstrate the proof-of-concept prototype. The classification technique and semantic mark-up method were established and structured in this study by developing a framework and flowchart to provide specific guidelines for formalizing the clauses. The semi-automated translation process encouraged the participation of relevant regulatory experts and provided more user accessibility compared to existing studies. This study also offered more practicality for designers to employ the system by utilizing native BIM model data representation. High mean scores ranging from 4.09 to 4.96 were obtained for the validation process, which affirmed the feasibility of the BIM-based Automated System for Malaysian Code Compliance Checking (BIMSMACC) to assist designers.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is an emerging technological process which highly promotes a better collaborative working environment in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. It is essential that the Higher Education (HE) sector innovates its education system to integrate between different disciplines in the AEC industry to encourage the adoption of BIM. In conjunction with this, BIM Intensive Training was conducted for a selected number of final year undergraduate students at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. They were assigned a real time construction project, utilizing BIM software applications for model authoring, model review, 4D modelling and project coordination. It was observed that the participants were able to overcome various challenges through information sharing and team collaboration. A BIM coordination workflow was produced during the training to assist them in organizing their work. Although their existing knowledge of BIM and their skills using the software applications were quite limited, they were capable in learning expeditiously as the assignment provided them with real-world problems. A year after the training, more than half of the participants agreed that the training had helped them to secure their employment and excel in their current involvements in BIM-based projects. However, due to the current scenario many firms are yet to embrace BIM, there are participants who could not utilize the training. Hence, the establishment of a dynamic and continuous collaboration between professionals and HE sector is the way forward in transforming the traditional structure of AEC industry into a more collaborative and technological approach.