Effect of Curing Profile on Kaolin-based Geopolymers

AbstractDepending on the processing conditions, geopolymers can exhibit a wide variety of properties and characteristics. Curing profile serves as a crucial parameter in synthesis of geopolymers. In this paper, the influence of curing temperature and curing time on the properties of kaolin-based geopolymer was studied. The samples were separated into several curing conditions; including curing at ambient temperature, 40°C, 60°C, 80°C and 100°C for 1 day, and up to 3 days. The compressive strength and SEM analysis of geopolymer products were evaluated. Results showed that curing condition has a significant effect on the mechanical properties of kaolin-based geopolymer. Generally, curing at ambient temperature was not feasible, while increase in temperature favored the strength development. In addition, prolonged curing time improved the geopolymerization process, and led to higher strength gain. However, curing at high temperature for a long period of time caused failure of the sample at a later age

Comparison of diametric and volumetric changes in Stanford type B aortic dissection patients in assessing aortic remodeling post-stent graft treatment

Background: The study aims to analyze the correlation between the maximal diameter (both axial and orthogonal) and volume changes in the true (TL) and false lumens (FL) after stent-grafting for Stanford type B aortic dissection. Method: Computed tomography angiography was performed on 13 type B aortic dissection patients before and after procedure, and at 6 and 12 months follow-up. The lumens were divided into three regions: the stented area (Region 1), distal to the stent graft to the celiac artery (Region 2), and between the celiac artery and the iliac bifurcation (Region 3). Changes in aortic morphology were quantified by the increase or decrease of diametric and volumetric percentages from baseline measurements. Results: At Region 1, the TL diameter and volume increased (pre-treatment: volume =51.4±41.9 mL, maximal axial diameter =22.4±6.8 mm, maximal orthogonal diameter =21.6±7.2 mm; follow-up: volume =130.7±69.2 mL, maximal axial diameter =40.1±8.1 mm, maximal orthogonal diameter =31.9+2.6 mm, P<0.05 for all comparisons), while FL decreased (pre-treatment: volume =129.6±150.5 mL; maximal axial diameter =43.0±15.8 mm; maximal orthogonal diameter =28.3±12.6 mm; follow-up: volume =66.6±95.0 mL, maximal axial diameter =24.5±19.9 mm, maximal orthogonal diameter =16.9±13.7, P<0.05 for all comparisons). Due to the uniformity in size throughout the vessel, high concordance was observed between diametric and volumetric measurements in the stented region with 93% and 92% between maximal axial diameter and volume for the true/false lumens, and 90% and 92% between maximal orthogonal diameter and volume for the true/false lumens. Large discrepancies were observed between the different measurement methods at regions distal to the stent graft, with up to 46% differences between maximal orthogonal diameter and volume. Conclusions: Volume measurement was shown to be a much more sensitive indicator in identifying lumen expansion/shrinkage at the distal stented region

Factors Associated with Revision Surgery after Internal Fixation of Hip Fractures

Background: Femoral neck fractures are associated with high rates of revision surgery after management with internal fixation. Using data from the Fixation using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip fractures (FAITH) trial evaluating methods of internal fixation in patients with femoral neck fractures, we investigated associations between baseline and surgical factors and the need for revision surgery to promote healing, relieve pain, treat infection or improve function over 24 months postsurgery. Additionally, we investigated factors associated with (1) hardware removal and (2) implant exchange from cancellous screws (CS) or sliding hip screw (SHS) to total hip arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, or another internal fixation device. Methods: We identified 15 potential factors a priori that may be associated with revision surgery, 7 with hardware removal, and 14 with implant exchange. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses in our investigation. Results: Factors associated with increased risk of revision surgery included: female sex, [hazard ratio (HR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.50; P = 0.001], higher body mass index (fo

Whole-genome sequencing reveals host factors underlying critical COVID-19

Critical COVID-19 is caused by immune-mediated inflammatory lung injury. Host genetic variation influences the development of illness requiring critical care1 or hospitalization2,3,4 after infection with SARS-CoV-2. The GenOMICC (Genetics of Mortality in Critical Care) study enables the comparison of genomes from individuals who are critically ill with those of population controls to find underlying disease mechanisms. Here we use whole-genome sequencing in 7,491 critically ill individuals compared with 48,400 controls to discover and replicate 23 independent variants that significantly predispose to critical COVID-19. We identify 16 new independent associations, including variants within genes that are involved in interferon signalling (IL10RB and PLSCR1), leucocyte differentiation (BCL11A) and blood-type antigen secretor status (FUT2). Using transcriptome-wide association and colocalization to infer the effect of gene expression on disease severity, we find evidence that implicates multiple genes—including reduced expression of a membrane flippase (ATP11A), and increased expression of a mucin (MUC1)—in critical disease. Mendelian randomization provides evidence in support of causal roles for myeloid cell adhesion molecules (SELE, ICAM5 and CD209) and the coagulation factor F8, all of which are potentially druggable targets. Our results are broadly consistent with a multi-component model of COVID-19 pathophysiology, in which at least two distinct mechanisms can predispose to life-threatening disease: failure to control viral replication; or an enhanced tendency towards pulmonary inflammation and intravascular coagulation. We show that comparison between cases of critical illness and population controls is highly efficient for the detection of therapeutically relevant mechanisms of disease

Assessment and correction of imaging artifacts in skin imaging using fibre-based optical coherence tomography

This study reports two types of imaging artifacts in 3D optical coherence tomography images of human skin intensity deficits and geometrical distortion, and describes their reduction through the application of refractive index matching media

Reduction of image artifacts in three-dimensional optical coherence tomography of skin in vivo

This paper presents results of in vivo studies on the effect of refractive index-matching media on image artifacts in optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of human skin. These artifacts present as streaks of artificially low backscatter and displacement or distortion of features. They are primarily caused by refraction and scattering of the OCT light beam at the skin surface. The impact of the application of glycerol and ultrasound gel is assessed on both novel skin-mimicking phantoms and in vivo human skin, including assessment of the epidermal thickening caused by the media. Based on our findings, recommendations are given for optimal OCT imaging of skin in vivo

Long-term effects of depo-provera on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism

Contraception31151-64CCPT