University of Minho

About: University of Minho is a education organization based out in Braga, Portugal. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Context (language use) & Population. The organization has 10585 authors who have published 34736 publications receiving 732436 citations. The organization is also known as: Universidade do Minho & UMinho.

Experimental Behavior of FRP Strengthened Masonry Arches

Abstract: This paper deals with the experimental behavior of solid clay brick masonry arches strengthened with glass fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Twelve half-scaled segmental masonry arches subjected to a load applied at the quarter span were tested under displacement control up to failure. The arches were built using handmade low strength bricks and a commercial lime-based mortar, trying to mimic ancient structures. Besides reference unreinforced arches, five different strengthening arrangements, including the use of spike anchors, were studied. The experimental results provide significant information for validation of advanced numerical models and analytical tools and for code drafting. The experimental results also show that (1) only continuous strengthening strategies are able to prevent typical local failure mechanisms of unreinforced arches; (2) strengthening at the intrados is the most effective option to increase strength; and (3) strengthening applied at the extrados provides the higher deformation...

An Updated Conceptual Model on the Pathogenesis of Bacterial Vaginosis.

Abstract: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of vaginal discharge. It is associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery, pelvic inflammatory disease, and an increased risk of acquisition of sexually transmitted infections including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The epidemiology of BV supports sexual transmission. However, its etiology remains unknown. At the center of the debate is whether BV is caused by a primary pathogen or a polymicrobial consortium of microorganisms that are sexually transmitted. We previously published a conceptual model hypothesizing that BV is initiated by sexual transmission of Gardnerella vaginalis. Critics of this model have iterated that G. vaginalis is found in virginal women and in sexually active women with a normal vaginal microbiota. In addition, colonization does not always lead to BV. However, recent advances in BV pathogenesis research have determined the existence of 13 different species within the genus Gardnerella. It may be that healthy women are colonized by nonpathogenic Gardnerella species, whereas virulent strains are involved in BV development. Based on our results from a recent prospective study, in addition to an extensive literature review, we present an updated conceptual model for the pathogenesis of BV that centers on the roles of virulent strains of G. vaginalis, as well as Prevotella bivia and Atopobium vaginae.