Optimum Sustainable Mix Proportions of High Strength Concrete by Using Taguchi Method

In this study, mix proportion parameters of high strength concrete (HSC) were analyzed by using the Taguchi’s experiment design methodology for optimal design. For that purpose, mixtures are designed in a L27 orthogonal array with six factors, namely, ‘Silica Fume’, ‘Steel Fiber’, ‘Super-Plasticizer’, ‘Maximum Aggregate Size (AG)’, ‘Water / cementitious material (W/C) ratio’, ‘Fly Ash’. The mixtures were extensively tested to meet technical requirements of HSC. The experimental results were analyzed by using the Taguchi experimental design methodology. The best possible levels for mix proportions were determined for maximization of compressive strength at 7, 28, 56, 90 days, splitting tensile strength at 28 days, flexural strength at 28 days, and the slump. Also the best possible levels for mix proportions were determined for minimization of the production cost. It was found that steel fibers and fly ash are the most dominant factors in the process of optimization. The advantage of using steel fiber and fly ash was the reduced energy and cost associated with the raw materials which meant more sustainable concrete could be attained. It was also found that there is a necessity to apply a multi- response optimization to get the best mix proportions

Ising model with spins S=1/2 and 1 on directed and undirected Erd\"os-R\'enyi random graphs

Using Monte Carlo simulations we study the Ising model with spin S=1/2 and 1 on {\it directed} and {\it undirected} Erd\"os-R\'enyi (ER) random graphs, with $z$ neighbors for each spin. In the case with spin S=1/2, the {\it undirected} and {\it directed} ER graphs present a spontaneous magnetization in the universality class of mean field theory, where in both {\it directed} and {\it undirected} ER graphs the model presents a spontaneous magnetization at $p = z/N$ ($z=2, 3, ...,N$), but no spontaneous magnetization at $p = 1/N$ which is the percolation threshold. For both {\it directed} and {\it undirected} ER graphs with spin S=1 we find a first-order phase transition for z=4 and 9 neighbors.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figure

Evaluation Study of Boundary and Depth of the Soil Structure for Geotechnical Site Investigation using MASW

This study reviews the correlation between the experimental Rayleigh dispersion curve and the Vp & Vs ground model versus depth. Six samples of stations A , B , C , D , E and F were used in the experiment.The geophone spacing used was set 1 m and total length of each line was 23 m. The result shows positive significance (best fit) of R2 that ranges from 0.80 to 0.90. The fk (frequency-wave number method) dispersion curves analysis confirmed that the soil structure investigated is divided into three zones: (1) Unsaturated soil zone (clay soil), in which the layer is dominated by soil with typically alluvial clayey silt and sand. The Vp ranges from 240 m/s to 255 m/s at a depth of 2 to 8 m. (2) The intermediate zone (stiff soil), in which the layer is dominated by sand, silt, clayey sand, sandy clay and clay of low plasticity. This structure is interpreted as partially saturated soil zone, the soil is typically very dense. It contains soft rock typically fill with cobble, sand, slight gravel and highly weathered at depth of 18 to 30 m with Vp of 255 to 300 m/s. (3) Saturated soil zone at a depth of 8 to 18 m with Vp of 300 to 390 m/s. There is a very good agreement between wave-number (k) and phase velocity (Vw) produced. Both the two parameters shows similar pattern in the topsoil and subsurface layer, which constitute boundary field of soil structure. Moreover, relationship between phase velocity versus wave-length shows best fit of model from inversion with measured value (observed) in implementation of the boundary and depth of each layer

Febuxostat ameliorates methotrexate-induced lung damage

Background: The intention of the present study was to assess the structural affection of the lung following methotrexate (MTX) overdose. The proposed underlying mechanisms involved in lung affection were studied. The possible modulation role of febuxostat over such affection was studied. Materials and methods: Twenty-four rats were divided into three groups: control, MTX-treated, febuxostat-treated. The study was continued for 2 weeks. Lung was processed for histological and immunohistochemical (inducible nitric oxide synthase [iNOS] and cyclooxygenase [COX]-2) studies. Inflammatory markers (tumour necrosis factor alpha [TNF-a], interleukin 1 [IL-1]), Western blot evaluation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) and oxidative/antioxidative markers were done. Results: Methotrexate-treated group exhibited inflammatory cellular infiltrations, thickened interalveolar septa, dilated congested blood vessels, extravasated blood, and apoptosis. The collagen fibres content increased 3-fold. MTX induced lung affection through oxidative stress (increase MDA/decrease GSH, SOD) and apoptosis. It induced sterile inflammation through an increase of NF-kB (2-fold), IL-1 (3-fold) and TNF-a (3-fold), COX-2 cells (2.5-fold) and iNOS (6-fold). With the use of febuxostat, the normal lung architecture was observed with a bit thickened interalveolar septum and extravasated blood. The collagen fibres content was minimal. Decrement of oxidative stress and sterile inflammation (COX-2 cells and iNOS were comparable to the control group. NF-kB, IL-1 and TNF-a became higher by 34%, 64% and 100%). Conclusions: The overdose of MTX displays inflammatory lung affection with residual fibrosis. It induces lung affection through oxidative stress, apoptosis and sterile inflammation. With the use of febuxostat, the normal lung architecture was preserved with a little structural affection or fibrotic residue. Febuxostat exerts its lung protection through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant features

Study the Effect of Epoxy Additives on Some Physical Properties of Asphalt Cement

Abstract:In the series of study on the asphalt cement to improve properties of asphalt cement several polymers materials are used for this purpose. In this study Epoxy used at different percentage by weight (1, 2, 4 and 6) %. Epoxy was added in three cases, pure Epoxy and the other two cases were mixing of Catalyst-Epoxy by weight in the two ratio (1:3) and (1:4).The effect of additives on the asphalt cement properties are evaluated by penetration test (ASTM D-5)(10), softening point test (ASTM D-2398)(10), and Kinematics viscosity test (ASTM D-2170)(10). Temperature susceptibility of asphalt cement was evaluated by using Penetration viscosity number ( PVN ). The study shows that Epoxy, 1:3 Epoxy and 1:4 Epoxy additives have more effect on the physical properties of asphalt cement and make asphalt softer than original asphalt cement, the additives reduced the temperature susceptibility, but Epoxy have more reduction in the susceptibility of asphalt cement compared with 1:3 Epoxy and 1:4

Microstructure, magnetic and mechanical properties of Ni-Zn ferrites prepared by Powder Injection Moulding

Nowadays, the electronic industry demands small and complex parts as a consequence of the miniaturization of electronic devices. Powder injection moulding (PIM) is an emerging technique for the manufacturing of magnetic ceramics. In this paper, we analyze the sintering process, between 900 °C and 1300 °C, of Ni–Zn ferrites prepared by PIM. In particular, the densification behaviour, microstructure and mechanical properties of samples with toroidal and bar geometry were analyzed at different temperatures. Additionally, the magnetic behaviour (complex permeability and magnetic losses factor) of these compacts was compared with that of samples prepared by conventional powder compaction. Finally, the mechanical behaviour (elastic modulus, flexure strength and fracture toughness) was analyzed as a function of the powder loading of feedstock. The final microstructure of prepared samples was correlated with the macroscopic behaviour. A good agreement was established between the densities and population of defects found in the materials depending on the sintering conditions. In general, the final mechanical and magnetic properties of PIM samples were enhanced relative those obtained by uniaxial compaction

Measurement of the polarisation of W bosons produced with large transverse momentum in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV with the ATLAS experiment

This paper describes an analysis of the angular distribution of W->enu and W->munu decays, using data from pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector at the LHC in 2010, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 35 pb^-1. Using the decay lepton transverse momentum and the missing transverse energy, the W decay angular distribution projected onto the transverse plane is obtained and analysed in terms of helicity fractions f0, fL and fR over two ranges of W transverse momentum (ptw): 35 < ptw < 50 GeV and ptw > 50 GeV. Good agreement is found with theoretical predictions. For ptw > 50 GeV, the values of f0 and fL-fR, averaged over charge and lepton flavour, are measured to be : f0 = 0.127 +/- 0.030 +/- 0.108 and fL-fR = 0.252 +/- 0.017 +/- 0.030, where the first uncertainties are statistical, and the second include all systematic effects.Comment: 19 pages plus author list (34 pages total), 9 figures, 11 tables, revised author list, matches European Journal of Physics C versio

Observation of a new chi_b state in radiative transitions to Upsilon(1S) and Upsilon(2S) at ATLAS

The chi_b(nP) quarkonium states are produced in proton-proton collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV and recorded by the ATLAS detector. Using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.4 fb^-1, these states are reconstructed through their radiative decays to Upsilon(1S,2S) with Upsilon->mu+mu-. In addition to the mass peaks corresponding to the decay modes chi_b(1P,2P)->Upsilon(1S)gamma, a new structure centered at a mass of 10.530+/-0.005 (stat.)+/-0.009 (syst.) GeV is also observed, in both the Upsilon(1S)gamma and Upsilon(2S)gamma decay modes. This is interpreted as the chi_b(3P) system.Comment: 5 pages plus author list (18 pages total), 2 figures, 1 table, corrected author list, matches final version in Physical Review Letter