Sustainable utilization of discarded foundry sand and crushed brick masonry aggregate in the production of lightweight concrete

Nowadays, there is a considerable shortage in the availability of river sand and natural stone aggregate for the construction activities all around the globe and the way out is being worked out by the use of discarded foundry sand and crushed brick masonry aggregate for construction purposes. In the present study, river sand was partly replaced by the discarded foundry sand procured from steel moulding industries and the crushed brick masonry aggregate was used as coarse aggregate for the production of lightweight concrete. The experimental program involved casting of six distinct mixes with 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% & 100% replacement of fine aggregate by discarded foundry sand. The mechanical and durability properties of the lightweight concrete were assessed for each of the six diverse blends. Even though the 80% and 100% replacement mixes were found to be less dense than the rest of the mix, the blend of 40% replacement acquired desirable mechanical and durability properties when compared to that of all other mixes. The optimum replacement level of the discarded foundry sand by mass to the river sand was 40%. The lightweight concrete produced by utilizing crushed brick masonry aggregate and discarded foundry sand (40% substitution level) can be employed in all major structural lightweight construction aspects and is ideally suited for sloped roof slabs and making architectural or decorative concrete blocks

Investigation of concrete produced using recycled aluminium dross for hot weather concreting conditions

Aluminium dross is a by-product obtained from the aluminium smelting process. Currently, this dross is processed in rotary kilns to recover the residual aluminium, and the resultant salt cake is sent to landfills. The present study investigates the utilization of recycled aluminium dross in producing concrete, which is suitable for hot weather concreting condition. The primary objectives of the experimental study are to examine the feasibility of using concrete blended with recycled aluminium dross under hot weather concreting situations and then to evaluate the strength and durability aspects of the produced concrete. From the experimental results it is observed that the initial setting time of the recycled aluminium dross concrete extended by about 30 minutes at 20% replacement level. This property of recycled aluminium dross concrete renders it to be suitable for hot weather concreting conditions. Based on the results obtained, the replacement of cement with 20% of Al dross yields superior mechanical and durability characteristics

Development Discourse and Practice: Alternatives and New Directions from Postcolonial Perspectives

Development and aid programs, such as those aimed at promoting economic growth and prosperity in ‘Third World’ nations and transition economies, often arise out of Western and neo-liberal policy ideologies and practices. These programs may, in some cases, provide useful guidelines for restructuring institutional structures and governance mechanisms in nations that have long struggled with poverty, economic instability, health crises, and social and political turmoil. However, a growing number of critical voices are raising concerns over the guiding assumptions and inclusiveness of these policies and programs in their aims to promote economic development and social well-being in non-Western nations. We join these critical perspectives by way of postcolonial frameworks to highlight some of the problematic assumptions and oversights of development programs, while offering new alternatives and directions. By doing so, we contribute to organizational theorizing in a global context, as postcolonial insights provide much needed engagement with international aid policies and programs, as well as development organizations and institutions. To accomplish this, we offer a historical perspective on development, present a critique of the policies and practices guiding many aid programs, and conclude with suggestions emanating from postcoloniality

mda-7/IL-24, novel anticancer cytokine: Focus on bystander antitumor, radiosensitization and antiangiogenic properties and overview of the phase I clinical experience (Review)

Subtraction hybridization applied to a ‘differentiation therapy’ model of cancer employing human melanoma cells resulted in the cloning of melanoma differentiation associated gene-7/interleukin-24 (mda-7/IL-24). Initial studies confirm an inverse correlation between mda-7 expression and melanoma development and progression. Forced expression of mda-7 by means of a plasmid or via a replication incompetent adenovirus (Ad.mda-7) promotes growth suppression and induces apoptosis in a broad array of human cancers. In contrast, mda-7 does not induce growth suppressive or toxic effects in normal cells. Based on structure (containing an IL-10 signature motif), secretion by cells (including subsets of T-cells) and location on chromosome 1q (in an area containing IL-10- family genes), mda-7 has now been renamed mda-7/IL-24. Studies by several laboratories have uncovered many of mda-7/ IL-24\u27s unique properties, including cancer-specific apoptosisinduction, cell cycle regulation, an ability to inhibit angiogenesis, potent ‘bystander antitumor activity’ and a capacity to enhance the sensitivity of tumor cells to radiation, chemo- therapy and monoclonal antibody therapy. Moreover, based on its profound cancer tropism, substantiated by in vivo human xenograft studies in nude mice, mda-7/IL-24 (administered as Ad.mda-7) was evaluated in a phase I clinical trial in patients with melanomas and solid cancers. These studies document that mda-7/IL-24 is well tolerated and demonstrates evidence of significant clinical activity. In these contexts, mda-7/IL-24 represents a unique cytokine gene with potential for therapy of human cancers. The present review focuses on three unique properties of mda-7/IL-24, namely its potent ‘bystander antitumor activity’, ability to sensitize tumor cells to radiation, and its antiangiogenesis properties. Additionally, an overview of the phase I clinical trial is provided. These studies affirm that mda-7/IL-24 has promise for the management of diverse cancers

Review of Research on Public Libraries: A Scopus Based Bibliometric Analysis

Public libraries are considered as peoples universities and can play a vital role in overall development of community they serve with the help of the resources and services. We have collected to data from the Scopus database for the period of 1971-2019. We have identified the trends in public libraries research, prominent authors who are involved in the research on public libraries issues and Y applied to evaluate the author’s contribution. Core journals and productive countries also determined and taken up the author supplied keyword analysis over decades. This work would be useful to the researchers who are working on the public libraries

Review of Research on Public Libraries: A Scopus Based Bibliometric Analysis

Public libraries are considered as peoples universities and can play a vital role in overall development of community they serve with the help of the resources and services. We have collected to data from the Scopus database for the period of 1971-2019. We have identified the trends in public libraries research, prominent authors who are involved in the research on public libraries issues and Y applied to evaluate the author’s contribution. Core journals and productive countries also determined and taken up the author supplied keyword analysis over decades. This work would be useful to the researchers who are working on the public libraries

The Occurrence of potential and novel isolates of Oceanobacillus sp. JAS12 and Salinicoccus sp. JS20 recovered from West Coast of Arabian Sea, India

Many halophiles were considered to be extremophiles due to their inborn industrial potentials and tolerance to hostile environmental conditions. The isolated halophilic bacteria described in the present study are not only grown at environmentally adverse conditions, also they can be able to produce bioactive molecules. Among the isolated strains, Oceanobacillus iheyensis strain JAS12 and Salinicoccus roseus strain JS20 are known for the unique biotechnological applications. The isolate Oceanobacillus sp. grows well at 35-55 degrees C (optimum 45 degrees C) and pH 6 to 12 (maximum growth at pH 8), interestingly the strain could hydrolyze casein, starch and gelatin. The G+C content was 40.2 mol % and the major fatty acids are iso-15:0: 30.52%, primary-C15: 0 (29.29 %), iso-14:0 (16.15%) anteiso-C17: 0 (4.03%). Another isolate was Salinicoccus sp. JS20 The DNA G+C content was 50.4 mol % and the major fatty acids are anteiso-C15: 0 (26.23%), iso15:0, (17.62%)Y, 16:0 (11.5%), anteiso-C17: 0 (7.7 %), iso- C16: 0 (10.20 %), iso-17:0: (5.43%) and iso-C14: 0 (3.97 %). These isolates are also producers of many extracellular enzymes such as protease, amylase, inulinases, gelatinase and beta-fructofurinosidase above the optimal conditions. Oceanobacillus sp. JAS12 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity is 99% similar to the reported genera. Salinicoccus sp. JS20 indicated 96% 16S rRNA sequence similarity with near species Salinicoccus genus, thus, they were found to be novel concerning to their genetic makeup and biochemical features.Peer reviewe