Investigation on cyclic behaviour of FRC beams incorporating copper slag as sustainable waste

Scarcity of the natural sand and large availability of industrial wastes give the way to utilise the industrial by-product in concrete production. This paper showcases the performance of concrete composite containing copper slag and polypropylene fibre under cyclic loading. Fibrillated polypropylene fibre of 0% (P0), 0.2% (P1), 0.4% (P2) 0.6% (P3) volume fractions and 40% copper slag (C40) are used together. The experimental work was conducted on the reinforced concrete beams of size 100mm x 200mm x 900mm. The criteria considered for discussion are yield power, yield deflection, ultimate strength, ultimate deflection, ductility factors and energy dissipation. It is observed that when subjected to monotonic loading and cyclic loading respectively, the overall load carrying power of C40P2 beam is 5 per cent and 2.71 per cent higher than the reference section. The specimen C40P2 has a ductility factor 25.05 per cent higher than the control beam. Energy absorption capacity of C40P2 is 72.79% more than the normal concrete. It is therefore concluded that, under cyclic loading, the output of 40% copper slag with 0.4% of polypropylene fibres find superior than control concrete

Investigation on cyclic behaviour of FRC beams incorporating copper slag as sustainable waste

Scarcity of the natural sand and large availability of industrial wastes give the way to utilise the industrial by-product in concrete production. This paper showcases the performance of concrete composite containing copper slag and polypropylene fibre under cyclic loading. Fibrillated polypropylene fibre of 0% (P0), 0.2% (P1), 0.4% (P2) 0.6% (P3) volume fractions and 40% copper slag (C40) are used together. The experimental work was conducted on the reinforced concrete beams of size 100mm x 200mm x 900mm. The criteria considered for discussion are yield power, yield deflection, ultimate strength, ultimate deflection, ductility factors and energy dissipation. It is observed that when subjected to monotonic loading and cyclic loading respectively, the overall load carrying power of C40P2 beam is 5 per cent and 2.71 per cent higher than the reference section. The specimen C40P2 has a ductility factor 25.05 per cent higher than the control beam. Energy absorption capacity of C40P2 is 72.79% more than the normal concrete. It is therefore concluded that, under cyclic loading, the output of 40% copper slag with 0.4% of polypropylene fibres find superior than control concrete

Chemotaxonomic studies on Tragia involucrata Linn.

In the present work a common plant in and around trichy, botanically equated as Tragia involucrata Linn belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae, has been studied from chemotaxonomic point of view. The study explained the identification and characterization of the compounds isolated from this plant. The chloroform extract of T. involucrata L was subjected to FT-IR and GC-MS to identify the compounds present in it. The compounds identified were Ar- Tumerone; 9, 10 Anthracenedione 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methyl; Friedelane-3-one. The therapeutic potentials of the active principles identified were already assessed. Ar-Tumerone was already reported from Curcuma longa L and the antibacterial and wound healing activity of this compound was well established. Chemistry of T. involucrata L reported in this present work can contribute significantly in providing chemical evidence in support of its inclusion in the family Euphorbiaceae and assigning the position to the genus Tragia.© 2009 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Tragia involucrata, Chemotaxonomic studies, Ar-Tumerone

Comparison of Friedewald’s formula, modified Friedewald’s formula and Anandaraja’s formula with direct homogenous serum LDL cholesterol method in CHD patients

Background: Elevated serum Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration is a well-known atherogenic risk factor with a high predictive value for coronary heart disease. An important aspect of the assessment of coronary heart disease risk for a dyslipidemic subject is the estimation of serum Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C). There are many homogenous assays currently available for the estimation of serum LDL-C. Most clinical laboratories determine LDL-C (mg/dl) by Friedewald’s formula (FF), LD-=(TC)-HDL-C)-(TG/5), Modified Friedewald’s formula (MFF), LDL-C=(TC)-(HDL-C)-(TG/6), Recently Anandaraja and colleagues have derived a new formula for calculating LDL-C, AR-LDL-C=0.9 TC-(0.9 TG/5)-28.Methods: It is cross-sectional study. Lipid profile data was collected from known of CHD patients, who had come for lipid profile investigation to the Central Biochemistry laboratory of ACPM Medical College and hospital. LDL-C estimation was done by direct homogenous assay and also calculated using the Friedewald’s Formula, Modified Friedewald’s Formula and Anandaraja’s Formula for assessing and validity of the LDL cholesterol.Results: From the present study, The LDL-FF, MFW and AR are increased with levels of TGL > 200 mg/dl and decreased level of TC < 200 mg/dl seem to interfere with the estimation of Direct LDL cholesterolConclusions: Authors conclude that, LDL-C by direct method is most reliable and sensitive in CHD patients compare with FF, MFW, and ARF

Whole brain radiotherapy after local treatment of brain metastases in melanoma patients - a randomised phase III trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cerebral metastases are a common cause of death in patients with melanoma. Systemic drug treatment of these metastases is rarely effective, and where possible surgical resection and/or stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) are the preferred treatment options. Treatment with adjuvant whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) following neurosurgery and/or SRS is controversial. Proponents of WBRT report prolongation of intracranial control with reduced neurological events and better palliation. Opponents state melanoma is radioresistant; that WBRT yields no survival benefit and may impair neurocognitive function. These opinions are based largely on studies in other tumour types in which assessment of neurocognitive function has been incomplete.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>This trial is an international, prospective multi-centre, open-label, phase III randomised controlled trial comparing WBRT to observation following local treatment of intracranial melanoma metastases with surgery and/or SRS. Patients aged 18 years or older with 1-3 brain metastases excised and/or stereotactically irradiated and an ECOG status of 0-2 are eligible. Patients with leptomeningeal disease, or who have had previous WBRT or localised treatment for brain metastases are ineligible. WBRT prescription is at least 30 Gy in 10 fractions commenced within 8 weeks of surgery and/or SRS. Randomisation is stratified by the number of cerebral metastases, presence or absence of extracranial disease, treatment centre, sex, radiotherapy dose and patient age. The primary endpoint is the proportion of patients with distant intracranial failure as determined by MRI assessment at 12 months. Secondary end points include: survival, quality of life, performance status and neurocognitive function.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Accrual to previous trials for patients with brain metastases has been difficult, mainly due to referral bias for or against WBRT. This trial should provide the evidence that is currently lacking in treatment decision-making for patients with melanoma brain metastases. The trial is conducted by the Australia and New Zealand Melanoma Trials Group (ANZMTG-study 01-07), and the Trans Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG) but international participation is encouraged. Twelve sites are open to date with 43 patients randomised as of the 31st March 2011. The target accrual is 200 patients.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register (ANZCTR): <a href="http://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12607000512426.aspx">ACTRN12607000512426</a></p

Durability of Mortar Incorporating Ferronickel Slag Aggregate and Supplementary Cementitious Materials Subjected to Wet–Dry Cycles

This paper presents the strength and durability of cement mortars using 0–100% ferronickel slag (FNS) as replacement of natural sand and 30% fly ash or ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) as cement replacement. The maximum mortar compressive strength was achieved with 50% sand replacement by FNS. Durability was evaluated by the changes in compressive strength and mass of mortar specimens after 28 cycles of alternate wetting at 23 °C and drying at 110 °C. Strength loss increased by the increase of FNS content with marginal increases in the mass loss. Though a maximum strength loss of up to 26% was observed, the values were only 3–9% for 25–100% FNS contents in the mixtures containing 30% fly ash. The XRD data showed that the pozzolanic reaction of fly ash helped to reduce the strength loss caused by wet–dry cycles. Overall, the volume of permeable voids (VPV) and performance in wet–dry cycles for 50% FNS and 30% fly ash were better than those for 100% OPC and natural sand

More Than Smell—COVID-19 Is Associated With Severe Impairment of Smell, Taste, and Chemesthesis

Correction: Chemical Senses, Volume 46, 2021, bjab050, https://doi.org/10.1093/chemse/bjab050 Published: 08 December 2021Recent anecdotal and scientific reports have provided evidence of a link between COVID-19 and chemosensory impairments, such as anosmia. However, these reports have downplayed or failed to distinguish potential effects on taste, ignored chemesthesis, and generally lacked quantitative measurements. Here, we report the development, implementation, and initial results of a multilingual, international questionnaire to assess self-reported quantity and quality of perception in 3 distinct chemosensory modalities (smell, taste, and chemesthesis) before and during COVID-19. In the first 11 days after questionnaire launch, 4039 participants (2913 women, 1118 men, and 8 others, aged 19-79) reported a COVID-19 diagnosis either via laboratory tests or clinical assessment. Importantly, smell, taste, and chemesthetic function were each significantly reduced compared to their status before the disease. Difference scores (maximum possible change +/- 100) revealed a mean reduction of smell (-79.7 +/- 28.7, mean +/- standard deviation), taste (-69.0 +/- 32.6), and chemesthetic (-37.3 +/- 36.2) function during COVID-19. Qualitative changes in olfactory ability (parosmia and phantosmia) were relatively rare and correlated with smell loss. Importantly, perceived nasal obstruction did not account for smell loss. Furthermore, chemosensory impairments were similar between participants in the laboratory test and clinical assessment groups. These results show that COVID-19-associated chemosensory impairment is not limited to smell but also affects taste and chemesthesis.The multimodal impact of COVID-19 and the lack of perceived nasal obstruction suggest that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus strain 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may disrupt sensory-neural mechanisms.Peer reviewe

More than smell - COVID-19 is associated with severe impairment of smell, taste, and chemesthesis

Recent anecdotal and scientific reports have provided evidence of a link between COVID-19 and chemosensory impairments, such as anosmia. However, these reports have downplayed or failed to distinguish potential effects on taste, ignored chemesthesis, and generally lacked quantitative measurements. Here, we report the development, implementation, and initial results of a multilingual, international questionnaire to assess self-reported quantity and quality of perception in 3 distinct chemosensory modalities (smell, taste, and chemesthesis) before and during COVID-19. In the first 11 days after questionnaire launch, 4039 participants (2913 women, 1118 men, and 8 others, aged 19-79) reported a COVID-19 diagnosis either via laboratory tests or clinical assessment. Importantly, smell, taste, and chemesthetic function were each significantly reduced compared to their status before the disease. Difference scores (maximum possible change ±100) revealed a mean reduction of smell (-79.7 ± 28.7, mean ± standard deviation), taste (-69.0 ± 32.6), and chemesthetic (-37.3 ± 36.2) function during COVID-19. Qualitative changes in olfactory ability (parosmia and phantosmia) were relatively rare and correlated with smell loss. Importantly, perceived nasal obstruction did not account for smell loss. Furthermore, chemosensory impairments were similar between participants in the laboratory test and clinical assessment groups. These results show that COVID-19-associated chemosensory impairment is not limited to smell but also affects taste and chemesthesis. The multimodal impact of COVID-19 and the lack of perceived nasal obstruction suggest that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus strain 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may disrupt sensory-neural mechanisms. © 2020 The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved

More Than Smell - COVID-19 Is Associated With Severe Impairment of Smell,Taste, and Chemesthesis

Recent anecdotal and scientific reports have provided evidence of a link between COVID-19 and chemosensory impairments, such as anosmia. However, these reports have downplayed or failed to distinguish potential effects on taste, ignored chemesthesis, and generally lacked quantitative measurements. Here, we report the development, implementation, and initial results of a multilingual, international questionnaire to assess self-reported quantity and quality of perception in 3 distinct chemosensory modalities (smell, taste, and chemesthesis) before and during COVID-19. In the first 11 days after questionnaire launch, 4039 participants (2913 women, 1118 men, and 8 others, aged 19-79) reported a COVID-19 diagnosis either via laboratory tests or clinical assessment. Importantly, smell, taste, and chemesthetic function were each significantly reduced compared to their status before the disease. Difference scores (maximum possible change +/- 100) revealed a mean reduction of smell (-79.7 +/- 28.7, mean +/- standard deviation), taste (-69.0 +/- 32.6), and chemesthetic (-37.3 +/- 36.2) function during COVID-19. Qualitative changes in olfactory ability (parosmia and phantosmia) were relatively rare and correlated with smell loss. Importantly, perceived nasal obstruction did not account for smell loss. Furthermore, chemosensory impairments were similar between participants in the laboratory test and clinical assessment groups. These results show that COVID-19-associated chemosensory impairment is not limited to smell but also affects taste and chemesthesis.The multimodal impact of COVID-19 and the lack of perceived nasal obstruction suggest that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus strain 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may disrupt sensory-neural mechanisms