Exploring the possibilities of steel-fiber reinforced self-compacting concrete for the flexural strengthening of masonry structural elements

The potentialities of a thin layer of steel fibre reinforced self-compacting concrete (SFRSCC) for the flexural strengthening of handmade brick structural elements are investigated. For this purpose an experimental program was carried out covering the relevant phenomena that can influence the effectiveness of this technique. The SFRSCC has a post-cracking residual tensile strength capable of improving the flexural stiffness, flexural resistance and ductility of prototypes representatives of ancient handmade brick based structures that fail in bending. To appraise the flexural strengthening effectiveness of this technique, straight beams composed of handmade bricks, low strength mortar (LSM) and SFRSCC were tested. The obtained results have shown that this technique can increase significantly the flexural stiffness and resistance, and the ductility performance of 2 this type of structures. The strengthening effectiveness depends on the post-cracking residual strength of the SFRSCC, its layer thickness and on the possibility of replacing part of the LSM by SFRSCC. Based on the experimental results for the characterization of the intervening materials, and adopting a cross section layer model capable of predicting the moment-curvature relationship for the distinct types of cross sections of this structural system, the maximum load registered in the tested prototypes was predicted with good accuracy.The study reported in herein is part of the research program “PrePam– Pre-fabricated thin panels using advanced materials for structural rehabilitation”, PTDC/ECM/114511/2009, supported by FCT. The authors would like to acknowledge the support provided by the Civitest Company, where the major part of the tests was carried out

Flexural strengthening of masonry members using advanced cementitious materials

Two different cement based fiber reinforced composites for the flexural strengthening of masonry beams under monotonic loading are studied. Steel Fiber Reinforced Self- Compacting Concrete (SFRSCC) with tensile strain-softening behavior, and PVA fiber reinforced cement based mortar (SHCC) with tensile Strain-Hardening were the developed composites. Both composites were applied on the tensile surface of masonry beams and the effectiveness of this technique for the flexural strengthening of these quasi-brittle structural elements was assessed by performing four point beam bending tests. Both materials contributed effectively to increase the load carrying capacity and ultimate deflection ductility of the tested masonry beams, but, higher average values were obtained for these two indicators of the strengthening effectiveness when using a layer thickness of SHCC that is 2/3 of the thickness of SFRSCC. Furthermore, much more homogenous results, in terms of forcedeflection relationship, were obtained with masonry beams strengthened with SHCC than with SFRSCC

CLOCK Genes and Circadian Rhythmicity in Alzheimer Disease

Disturbed circadian rhythms with sleep problems and disrupted diurnal activity are often seen in patients suffering from Alzheimer disease (AD). Both endogenous CLOCK genes and external Zeitgeber are responsible for the maintenance of circadian rhythmicity in humans. Therefore, modifications of the internal CLOCK system and its interactions with exogenous factors might constitute the neurobiological basis for clinically observed disruptions in rhythmicity, which often have grave consequences for the quality of life of patients and their caregivers. Presently, more and more data are emerging demonstrating how alterations of the CLOCK gene system might contribute to the pathophysiology of AD and other forms of dementia. At the same time, the impact of neuropsychiatric medication on CLOCK gene expression is under investigation

Graphene doping to enhance flux pinning and supercurrent carrying ability in magnesium diboride superconductor

It has been shown that graphene doping is sufficient to lead to an improvement in the critical current density - field performance (Jc(B)), with little change in the transition temperature in MgB2. At 3.7 at% graphene doping of MgB2 an optimal enhancement in Jc(B) was reached by a factor of 30 at 5 K and 10 T, compared to the un-doped sample. The results suggested that effective carbon substitutions by grapheme, 2D nature of grapheme and the strain effect induced by difference thermal coefficient between single grapheme sheet and MgB2 superconductor may play an important role in flux pinning enhancement

Experimental research of high field pinning centers in 2% C doped MgB2 wires at 20K and 25K

High field pinning centers in MgB doped with 2 at. % carbon under a low and a high hot isostatic pressures have been investigated by transport measurements. The field dependence of the transport critical current density was analyzed within the different pinning mechanisms: surface pinning, point pinning, and pinning due to spatial variation in the Ginzburg-Landau parameter (Δκ pinning). Research indicates that a pressure of 1 GPa allows similar pinning centers to Δκ pinning centers to be obtained. This pinning is very important, because it makes it possible to increase the critical current density in high magnetic fields at 20 K and 25 K. Our results indicate that the δT and δl pinning mechanisms, which are due to a spatial variation in the critical temperature (T) and the mean free path, l, respectively, create dislocations. The high density of dislocations with inhomogeneous distribution in the structure of the superconducting material creates the δl pinning mechanism. The low density of dislocations with inhomogeneous distribution creates the δT pinning mechanism. Research indicates that the hot isostatic pressure process makes it possible to obtain a high dislocation density with a homogeneous distribution. This allows us to obtain the δT pinning mechanism in MgB wires. In addition, a high pressure increases the crossover field from the single vortex to the small vortex bundle regime (B) and improves the δT pinning mechanism. Our research has proved that a high pressure significantly increases the crossover field from the small bundle to the thermal regime (B), with only a modest decrease in T of 1.5 K, decreases the thermal fluctuations, increases the irreversibility magnetic field (B) and the upper critical field (B) in the temperature range from 4.2 K to 25 K, and reduces B and B above 25 K

The design, construction, and commissioning of the KATRIN experiment

The KArlsruhe TRItium Neutrino (KATRIN) experiment, which aims to make a direct and model-independent determination of the absolute neutrino mass scale, is a complex experiment with many components. More than 15 years ago, we published a technical design report (TDR) [1] to describe the hardware design and requirements to achieve our sensitivity goal of 0.2 eV at 90% C.L. on the neutrino mass. Since then there has been considerable progress, culminating in the publication of first neutrino mass results with the entire beamline operating [2]. In this paper, we document the current state of all completed beamline components (as of the first neutrino mass measurement campaign), demonstrate our ability to reliably and stably control them over long times, and present details on their respective commissioning campaigns

High-quality MgB2 nanocrystals synthesized by using modified amorphous nano-boron powders: Study of defect structures and superconductivity properties

Nano sized magnesium diboride (MgB2) samples were synthesized using various high-quality nano-B precursor powders. The microscopic defect structures of MgB2 samples were systematically investigated using X-ray powder diffraction, Raman, resistivity measurements and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. A significant deviation in the critical temperature Tc was observed due to defects and crystal distortion. The symmetry effect of the latter is also reflected on the vibrational modes in the Raman spectra. Scanning electron microscopy analysis demonstrate uniform and ultrafine morphology for the modified MgB2. Defect center in particular Mg vacancies influence the connectivity and the conductivity properties which are crucial for the superconductivity applications