Permeable pavement systems with low carbon and recycled materials for Caribbean Small Island Developing States

This PhD research project targets the utilisation of permeable pavement systems (PPS) as a long-term, sustainable urban drainage option for flood risk mitigation and improvement in stormwater runoff quality in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) across the Caribbean. Additionally, the research assesses the performance of PPS comprising of recycled and/or waste materials in the sub-base layer. These innovative pavements are being considered to reduce the overall carbon footprint on the construction phase of pavements and to reduce the volume of natural material used in the construction industry. The recycled materials considered are Crushed Concrete Aggregates (CCA), Carbon-Negative Aggregates (CNA) and expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads. The research methods explored combine experimental and modelling through a quantitative research design approach

Novel permeable pavement systems utilising carbon-negative aggregate

The use of commercially produced Carbon-Negative aggregates from Carbon8 (a British company which applies patented Accelerated Carbonation Technology (ACT) to solidify waste residues producing useful eco-friendly aggregates) is being investigated in the Caribbean islands of Trinidad, Tobago and St. Lucia. Typical construction of the subbase layer of pavements in the Caribbean include layers of virgin aggregate material (gravel, pea gravel) on which the base course layer is located. These materials are usually unbound granular (crushed stone, crushed slag, crushed concrete, slate) or cement-bound. Permeable Pavement Systems (PPS) have emerged over the years using various quality of subbase materials including large pieces of rocks and concrete. For the first time in the Caribbean, the design, construction and implementation of such pavement systems is being carried out. The novel pavement systems consist of permeable or pervious concrete paving blocks and the Carbon-Negative aggregates in the sub-base as an innovative and effective method of providing structural pavements, whilst allowing urban stormwater runoff to infiltrate naturally into the pavements (mimicking the hydrologic cycle) into the base/sub-base reservoir for urban runoff attenuation and an overall reduction in stormwater discharge. These pavement systems are being considered to reduce the overall carbon footprint on the construction and implementation phase of pavements, in addition to reducing surface water flooding in several towns and cities across these Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The project includes ongoing experimental assessment of the Permeable Pavement Systems (PPS) using Carbon-Negative aggregates versus conventional pervious pavements from a water quality, structural integrity and hydraulic perspective. Stormwater is being collected from various towns and cities across the islands and applied uniformly over the pilot scaled permeable pavements using a rainfall simulator. The permeable pavements stormwater treatment efficacies are being evaluated for the removal and retention of nutrients (total nitrogen and total phosphorus), heavy metals (zinc, lead, copper, cadmium), suspended solids and turbidity. The hydraulic performance, flow through and clogging patterns of these pavements are also being measured over a simulated 10-year period of sediment loading. Load bearing and deflection test are being carried out on the various pavement designs to assess its structural integrity and load bearing capacity. Static and dynamic loads applied representing the maximum contact pressure varying from 0.03 to 1.7 MPa over the cross-sectional area of 0.2 m2 (permeable pavement surface area). These contract pressures represent various loads from heavy vehicles, cars, pallets and handling equipment of industrial areas (ports)

Assessment of the physical characteristics and stormwater effluent quality of permeable pavement systems containing recycled materials

This paper evaluates the physical characteristics of two recycled materials and the pollutant removal efficiencies of four 0.2 m2 tanked permeable pavement rigs in the laboratory, that contained either natural aggregates or these recycled materials in the sub-base. The selected recycled materials were Crushed Concrete Aggregates (CCA) and Cement-bounded Expanded Polystyrene beads (C-EPS) whilst the natural aggregates were basalt and quartzite. Natural stormwater runoff was used as influent. Effluent was collected for analysis after 7–10 mins of discharge. Influent and effluent were analysed for pH, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Electroconductivity (EC), turbidity, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Nitrate-Nitrogen (NO3-N), reactive phosphorous (PO43-) and sulphates (SO42-). Both CCA and C-EPS had suitable physical properties for use as sub-base materials in PPS. However, C-EPS is recommended for use in pavements with light to no traffic because of its relatively low compressive strength. In terms of pollutant removal efficiencies, significant differences (p 0.05) were found with respect to TSS, turbidity, COD and NO3-N. Effluent from rigs containing CCA and C-EPS saw significant increases in pH, EC and TDS measurements whilst improvements in DO, TSS, turbidity, COD, PO43- and SO42- were observed. All mean values except pH were, however, within the Maximum Permissible Levels (MPLs) of water pollutants discharged into the environment according to the Trinidad and Tobago Environmental Management Authority (EMA) or the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). In this regard, the CCA and C-EPS performed satisfactorily as sub-base materials in the permeable pavement rigs. It is noted, however, that further analysis is recommended through leaching tests on the recycled materials

Effect of carbon-negative aggregates on the strength properties of concrete for permeable pavements

Permeable pavements are engineered to temporarily store water to reduce flooding during rainfall events. Permeable pavements are distinguished primarily based on their surface materials which can vary from concrete, asphalt, clay brick, concrete pavers or plastic grids. This paper examined the effect of lightweight carbon-negative aggregates (CNA) on the behaviour of concrete intended for use as solid concrete block pavers in permeable pavements. Performance indicators targeted compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, density and water absorption. CNA were produced and sourced from manufacturing firm Carbon8 Systems in Kent U.K which applies patented accelerated carbonation technology to solidify incinerated ash into useful eco-friendly aggregates. The methodology involved substituting natural aggregates (NA) by mass, with CNA at percentages varying from 0 to 100. A scanning electron microscope was used to examine the aggregate–mortar interface. Both the compressive and tensile strengths decreased exponentially with the addition of CNA. Average 28-day compressive and splitting tensile strengths ranged from 69 MPa (10,000 PSI) to 18 MPa (2600 PSI) and 3.84 MPa (560 PSI) to 1.23 MPa (178 PSI) respectively. Density values decreased linearly with the addtion of CNA with average values ranging from 2200–2600 kg/m3. ⁠Conversely, water absorption increased with increases in CNA with average values ranging from 1.66% to 9.17%. Depending on the loading requirements, CNA can replace NA in solid permeable pavement blocks by up to 100%

P-selectin Glycoprotein Ligand Regulates the Interaction of Multiple Myeloma Cells with the Bone Marrow Microenvironment

Interactions between multiple myeloma (MM) cells and the BM microenvironment play a critical role in the pathogenesis of MM and in the development of drug resistance by MM cells. Selectins are involved in extravasation and homing of leukocytes to target organs. In the present study, we focused on adhesion dynamics that involve P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) on MM cells and its interaction with selectins in the BM microenvironment. We show that PSGL-1 is highly expressed on MM cells and regulates the adhesion and homing of MM cells to cells in the BM microenvironment in vitro and in vivo. This interaction involves both endothelial cells and BM stromal cells. Using loss-of-function studies and the small-molecule pan-selectin inhibitor GMI-1070, we show that PSGL-1 regulates the activation of integrins and downstream signaling. We also document that this interaction regulates MM-cell proliferation in coculture with BM microenvironmental cells and the development of drug resistance. Furthermore, inhibiting this interaction with GMI-1070 enhances the sensitization of MM cells to bortezomib in vitro and in vivo. These data highlight the critical contribution of PSGL-1 to the regulation of growth, dissemination, and drug resistance in MM in the context of the BM microenvironmen

Passphrase and Keystroke Dynamics Authentication: Usable Security

It was found that employees spend a total of 2.25 days within 60 days on password-related activities. The time consumed by this is unproductive and has a negative impact on usability. The problem is caused by current text-based user authentication policies in use. This study aims to address this research problem by assessing the effectiveness of a proposed two-tier user authentication solution involving passphrases and keystroke dynamics