Thermal and chemically modified plant fibres as reinforcement in cementitious matrices

The effect of hornification and hydrophobic silica (Si) coatings on the performances of plant fibre cement composites were assessed. Three macro fibres and a micro fibre, all from plant sources were used as reinforcement. Flexural results indicated that Si coated fibres increased the modulus of rupture (MOR), limit of proportionality (LOP) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) of cement composites but reduced specific energy (SE) while hornification decreased the above properties. Likewise, decreased water absorption, increased bulk density, pore volume and diameter were observed in Si coated fibre composites. Overall Si coatings on control and hornified fibres showed better pre peak behaviour in composites compared to purely hornified fibres which had a slightly better post peak performanc

Texas STATEMAP Program Summary, FY19 (2019–2020)

Five geologic maps have been completed at a 1:24,000 scale in four project areas with support from STATEMAP and the Bureau of Economic Geology's State of Texas Advanced Resource Recovery program (STARR). Three of these maps were on the Texas Coastal Plain, including one (the Lake Stephenson quadrangle) on the upper Texas Coastal Plain in the Galveston Bay area and two (the Bloomington and Olivia quadrangles) on the middle Texas Coastal Plain in the Matagorda Bay area. These maps continue efforts to: 1. Better understand the evolution of the coastal plain in response to sea-level changes associated with numerous Quaternary glacial and interglacial cycles. 2. Develop more effective methods to map low-relief coastal deposits using high-resolution topographic maps produced from airborne lidar data and near-surface geophysical methods. High-resolution topography and geophysical methods both aid in the identification of stratal units and their distribution in areas where exposures are poor or nonexistent. Mineral-resource mapping produced one map (the Katemcy quadrangle) to extend recent mapping of an industrial sand resource area in central Texas. This map facilitates the development of mineral resources of the state, emphasizing those that will help meet the demand for industrial sand for hydraulic fracturing and construction. The detailed map can be used to evaluate and explore the mineral-resource potential of the area. Mapping in the central Texas urban growth corridor northeast of Austin produced one map (the Taylor quadrangle) that extends previous mapping in this critical urban growth and transportation corridor. This map addresses the ongoing need for planning and managing groundwater, surface water, land use, and construction projects where rapid population growth and suburban development have caused an increased demand for water and earth resources.Bureau of Economic Geolog

Schizophrenia- Like Attentional Deficits Following Blockade Of Prefrontal Cortex Gaba(a) Receptors

Attentional deficits are a core symptom of schizophrenia. Post-mortem analyses of the brains of schizophrenics reveal consistent abnormalities in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) interneurons indicative of reduced cortical GABA transmission, raising the possibility that this pathology contributes to attentional deficits. We examined whether blockade of prefrontal cortex (PFC) GABA(A) receptors with bicuculline (BMI) impairs attention in rats using the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5CSRTT). For comparison, we also examined whether administration of the GABA(A) receptor agonist muscimol (MUS) would improve attention. In parallel, we examined the effects of both manipulations on activity in an open field and on motivation using the intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) test. BMI increased PFC neuronal activity, as reflected by increased Fos immunolabeling, and impaired attention, as reflected by decreased accuracy and increased omissions. Although increased omissions also may reflect reductions in locomotor activity or motivation, the overall pattern of effects does not support either of these interpretations: BMI did not affect locomotor activity, and it enhanced motivation in the ICSS test. MUS did not affect attention, although it increased impulsive behavior at a dose that suppressed PFC neuronal activity, as reflected by decreased Fos immunolabeling. These impulsivity effects are not due to altered locomotor activity (which was decreased) or motivation (which was not affected). Our data support the hypothesis that cortical GABA neurons have an important role in regulating attention and may have direct implications for the treatment of schizophrenia. Neuropsychopharmacology (2011) 36, 1703-1713; doi:10.1038/npp.2011.51; published online 13 April 201

High-spin and low-spin iron(II) complexes with facially-coordinated borohydride ligands

Rare examples of monometallic high-spin and low-spin L_3Fe(H_3BH) complexes have been characterized, where the two L_3 ligands are [Tp^(Ph2)] and [PhBP3] ([Tp^(Ph2)] = [HB(3,5-Ph_2pz)_3]− and [PhBP_3] = [PhB(CH_2PPh_2)_3]−). The structures are reported wherein the borohydride ligand is facially coordinated to the iron center in each complex. Density functional methods have been employed to explain the bonding in these unusual iron(II) centers. Despite the differences in spin states, short Fe–B distances are observed in both complexes and there is significant theoretical evidence to support a substantial bonding interaction between the iron and boron nuclei. In light of this interaction, we suggest that these complexes can be described as (L_3)Fe(η^4-H_3BH) complexes

Expression of LMP1 in epithelial cells leads to the activation of a select subset of NF-kappa B/Rel family proteins.

This study demonstrates that the Epstein-Barr virus protein LMP1 activates a specific subset of NF-kappa B/Rel proteins in the C33 epithelial cell line. Western immunoblot analysis used to analyze the intracellular distribution and abundance of the proteins present in these complexes demonstrated that levels of the p50 and p52 proteins were significantly elevated in the nuclei of LMP1-expressing cells. The data also suggest that LMP1 facilitates the translocation of p50 to the nucleus and may affect the processing of the p100 and p105 precursor proteins or the stability of p52 and p50

Deep sequencing reveals persistence of cell-associated mumps vaccine virus in chronic encephalitis.

Routine childhood vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella has virtually abolished virus-related morbidity and mortality. Notwithstanding this, we describe here devastating neurological complications associated with the detection of live-attenuated mumps virus Jeryl Lynn (MuV(JL5)) in the brain of a child who had undergone successful allogeneic transplantation for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). This is the first confirmed report of MuV(JL5) associated with chronic encephalitis and highlights the need to exclude immunodeficient individuals from immunisation with live-attenuated vaccines. The diagnosis was only possible by deep sequencing of the brain biopsy. Sequence comparison of the vaccine batch to the MuV(JL5) isolated from brain identified biased hypermutation, particularly in the matrix gene, similar to those found in measles from cases of SSPE. The findings provide unique insights into the pathogenesis of paramyxovirus brain infections

Role of kappa-opioid receptors in the effects of salvinorin A and ketamine on attention behavior in rats

Background: Disruptions in perception and cognition are characteristic of psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia. Studies of pharmacological agents that alter perception and cognition in humans might provide a better understanding of the brain substrates of these complex processes. One way to study these states in rodents is with tests that require attention and visual perception for correct performance. Methods: We examined the effects of two drugs that cause disruptions in perception and cognition in humans—the kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) agonist salvinorin A (salvA; 0.125–4.0 mg/kg) and the non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine (0.63–20 mg/kg)—on behavior in rats using the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5CSRTT), a food-motivated test that quantifies attention. We also compared the binding profiles of salvA and ketamine at KORs and NMDA receptors. Results: SalvA and ketamine produced the same pattern of disruptive effects in the 5CSRTT, characterized by increases in signs often associated with reduced motivation (omission errors) and deficits in processing (elevated latencies to respond correctly). Sessions in which rats were fed before testing suggest that reduced motivation produces a subtly different pattern of behavior. Pretreatment with the KOR antagonist JDTic (10 mg/kg) blocked all salvA effects and some ketamine effects. Binding and function studies revealed that ketamine is a full agonist at KORs, although not as potent or selective as salvA. Conclusions: SalvA and ketamine have previously under-appreciated similarities in their behavioral effects and pharmacological profiles. By implication, KORs might be involved in some of the cognitive abnormalities observed in psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia