Performance of MgO and MgO–SiO2 systems containing seeds under different curing conditions

This study investigated the strength and microstructural development of MgO and MgO-microsilica (MS) systems under sealed and carbonated conditions. The influence of hydromagnesite seeds on the performance of each system was also evaluated. The hydration mechanisms were studied via isothermal calorimetry. A correlation between the strength development and formation of different phases was established. XRD, TG/DTG, FTIR and SEM were used for the identification and quantification of different hydrate and carbonate phases. MgO systems relied on the conversion of brucite into carbonate phases for their strength development, whereas M-S-H was the main source of strength in MgO-MS systems. The effect of seeding was evident in MgO-MS systems, where the extra space provided by the seeds increased the rate and degree of hydration. The formation of M-S-H was responsible for strength development and denser microstructures, which could be further improved via the increased utilization of unreacted MgO and MS

Evidence-based assessment of antiosteoporotic activity of petroleum-ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis Linn. on ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis

The increasing incidence of postmenopausal osteoporosis and its related fractures have become global health issues in the recent days. Postmenopausal osteoporosis is the most frequent metabolic bone disease; it is characterized by a rapid loss of mineralized bone tissue. Hormone replacement therapy has proven efficacious in preventing bone loss but not desirable to many women due to its side-effects. Therefore we are in need to search the natural compounds for a treatment of postmenopausal symptoms in women with no toxic effects. In the present study, we have evaluated the effect of petroleum-ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis Linn. (CQ), a plant used in folk medicine, on an osteoporotic rat model developed by ovariectomy. In this experiment, healthy female Wistar rats were divided into four groups of six animals each. Group 1 was sham operated. All the remaining groups were ovariectomized. Group 2 was fed with an equivolume of saline and served as ovariectomized control (OVX). Groups 3 and 4 were orally treated with raloxifene (5.4 mg/kg) and petroleum-ether extract of CQ (500 mg/kg), respectively, for 3 months. The findings were assessed on the basis of animal weight, morphology of femur, and histochemical localization of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (an osteoblastic marker) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) (an osteoclastic marker) in upper end of femur. The study revealed for the first time that the petroleum-ether extract of CQ reduced bone loss, as evidenced by the weight gain in femur, and also reduced the osteoclastic activity there by facilitating bone formation when compared to the OVX group. The osteoclastic activity was confirmed by TRAP staining, and the bone formation was assessed by ALP staining in the femur sections. The color intensity of TRAP and ALP enzymes from the images were evaluated by image analysis software developed locally. The effect of CQ was found to be effective on both enzymes, and it might be a potential candidate for prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The biological activity of CQ on bone may be attributed to the phytogenic steroids present in it

Tides of Change: Living off and with Heritage on the Coast

International audienc

Role of total reactive oxide ratios on strength development in activated fly ash

The role of individual reactive components and process variables such as molarity and temperature on alkaline activation of different low-calcium fly ash is explored. The oxide ratios in the activated system, based on the total silica (total SiO2) in the system consisting of the reactive silica contributed by fly ash and the reactive alumina in fly ash are shown to provide consistent results for achieving the highest strength. For a given total SiO2 content in the system, an increase in the sodium content above a certain dosage does not influence the ultimate compressive strength. An optimum (total SiO2) to Na2O ratio, equal to 2.66 is established for achieving maximum strength. The role of temperature within the range of 60°C-85°C is not significant when the molarity of NaOH is high. A N-A-S-H type gel with Si/Al ratio ranging between 2.5 to 3.0 and the Al/Na ratio varying between 1.30 to 0.9 is formed on decreasing the (total SiO2)/Na2O ratio from 6.55 to 2.6

Frictions among Fishing Settlements: Two Case Studies from the Coromandel

International audienc