A method of detecting honeycombing damage in a reinforced concrete beam using the finite element model updating technique was proposed. A control beam and two finite element model srepresenting different severity of damage were constructed using available software and the defect parameters were updated. Analyses were performed on the finite element models to approximate the modal parameters. A datum and a control finite element model to match the datum test beams with honeycombs were prepared. Results from the finite element model were corrected by updating the Young’s modulus and the damage parameters. There was a loss of stiffness of 3% for one case, and a loss of 7% for another. The more severe the damage, the higher the loss of stiffness. There was no significant loss of stiffness by doubling the volume of the honeycombs.

The objectives of this study were to determine the genetic relatedness, antibiogram and virulence factors of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) isolated from bovine mastitis, associated farm workers, dairy cow farm veterinarians (private veterinarians), veterinary students, and non-veterinary university students. A total of 84 S. aureus isolates (27 from mastitis, 11 from farm workers, 9 from private veterinarians, 22 from veterinary students, and 16 from non-veterinary university students) were used to determine antimicrobial sensitivity patterns using disk diffusion test, virulence factors using PCR technique and phylogenic analysis using pulsed field gel electrophoresis. All S. aureus isolates were resistant to 2 or more commonly used antibiotics. All isolates from mastitis, farm workers, and veterinary students carried the genes encoding coagulase and thermonuclease factors while isolates from non-veterinary university students carried the genes encoding coagulase, clumping, and thermonuclease factors. The mecA gene was detected in 22.2%, 81.8%, 100%, 95.5% and 100% of isolates from mastitis, farm workers, private veterinarians, veterinary students, and non-veterinary university students, respectively. In the phylogenic analysis, 10 (45.5%), 6 (66.7%) and 8 (72.7%) isolates from veterinary students, private veterinarians and farm workers, respectively were more than 80% similar to isolates from mastitis. Results of this study indicate that S. aureus isolates from mastitis milk and those from related dairy cow personnel and veterinarians share similar antimicrobial sensitivity patterns and virulence factors, therefore a common source of bacteria may exist. Furthermore, possible transmission of S. aureus between cows and cow-related personnel and vice versa could also exist.

This study was conducted to determine the serum and milk levels of thiobarbturic acid-reac- tive substances (TBARS), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxi- dase (GSH-Px), vitamin E and selenium, IL-4 and IL-6 in lactating dairy cows affected with bloody milk using commercially available ELISA kits. Milk and whole blood samples were collected from 60 cows affected with bloody milk and 20 apparently healthy cows for control. In the serum, levels of GSH-Px and SOD were significantly (p˂0.05) higher in healthy cows compared to cows affected with bloody milk while the levels of TBARS and NO were significantly (p˂0.05) higher in affected cows. In the milk, levels of SOD, TBARS and NO were significantly (p˂0.05) higher in affected cows. In the serum, levels of vitamin E were significantly (p˂0.05) lower in affected cows compared to healthy cows, while no significant changes were observed in the levels of this vitamin in the milk between healthy and affected cows. In the serum, levels of selenium were significantly (p˂0.05) lower in affected cows while in milk, selenium levels were significantly (p˂0.05) higher in affected cows compared to healthy ones. Levels of IL-4 were significantly (p˂0.05) lower in the serum and milk of affected cows compared to healthy cows while levels of IL-6 were significantly (p˂0.05) higher in both serum and milk of affected cows. Results of this study suggest a possible role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of bloody milk in dairy cows.