153 research outputs found
Forecasting the Properties of Concrete Employing Experimental Data Using Machine Learning Algorithms
This study has been undertaken to investigate the compressive strength, Flexural strength and split tensile strength of concrete of grade M30 and M40 in present investigation by laboratory and predicting the strength through Machine learning technique. Flexural strength and split tensile strength which establishes the concrete class, is one of the most crucial characteristics of concrete. The primary characteristic of concrete's durability and safety is its predictable compressive strength, Flexural strength and split tensile strength which is necessary for the use of concrete structures. To explore the time-dependent behavior of concrete strength, considering factors such as curing duration and age. Main aim is to compare the performance of different regression methods, such as linear regression, ridge regression, lasso regression, or machine learning approaches like Random Forest and evaluate their suitability for concrete strength prediction and to find the accuracy of algorithms and regression. 
Mechanical Properties of Concrete Manufactured Using Amorphous Silica and Waste Ceramics: An Experimental Investigation
Researchers are continuously studying the properties and functionality of cement and other aggregates, which are made from a combination of modern materials and different waste. In the current study, a series of experiments were conducted to compare the use of three different types of mixes. In the first mix, amorphous silica was used in place of cement; in the second, Waste Ceramics was used in place of sand; and in the third mix, both materials were combined to create concrete of M20 grade. These materials were used in place of cement and sand in varying amounts, such as 0%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 30%. The properties analyzed were workability by Slump cone and the compressive strengths after 3, 21, and 28 days. The main conclusions is the addition of amorphous silica affects consistency and setting time, as well as increasing compressive strength up to a certain limit. However, it has been observed that workability of concrete increases with the combined use of Amorphous Silica and Waste Ceramic Tiles. Compressive strength: It has been observed Maximum C3 compressive strength is found at 20% replacement of cement with Amorphous Silica after 3, 21 and 28 days of curing. Maximum compressive strength is found at 20% replacement of sand with Waste Ceramics after 3, 21 and 28 days of curing. Maximum XV compressive strength is found at 20% replacement of both cement and sand after 3, 21 and 28 days of curing. Compressive strength of concrete mix was increased slowly when both the chief ingredients were replaced by Amorphous Silica and Waste Ceramic Tiles. Split tensile strength at 3 days, 21 days and 28 days increased up to 20% and then decreases. Flexural strength at 3 days, 21 days and 28 days increased up to 20% and then decreases. 
Caspase-8 and c-FLIPL associate in lipid rafts with NF-kappaB adaptors during T cell activation.
Humans and mice lacking functional caspase-8 in T cells manifest a profound immunodeficiency syndrome due to defective T cell antigen receptor (TCR)-induced NF-kappaB signaling and proliferation. It is unknown how caspase-8 is activated following T cell stimulation, and what is the caspase-8 substrate(s) that is necessary to initiate T cell cycling. We observe that following TCR ligation, a small portion of total cellular caspase-8 and c-FLIP(L) rapidly migrate to lipid rafts where they associate in an active caspase complex. Activation of caspase-8 in lipid rafts is followed by rapid cleavage of c-FLIP(L) at a known caspase-8 cleavage site. The active caspase.c-FLIP complex forms in the absence of Fas (CD95/APO1) and associates with the NF-kappaB signaling molecules RIP1, TRAF2, and TRAF6, as well as upstream NF-kappaB regulators PKC theta, CARMA1, Bcl-10, and MALT1, which connect to the TCR. The lack of caspase-8 results in the absence of MALT1 and Bcl-10 in the active caspase complex. Consistent with this observation, inhibition of caspase activity attenuates NF-kappaB activation. The current findings define a link among TCR, caspases, and the NF-kappaB pathway that occurs in a sequestered lipid raft environment in T cells
Dispersion of Ordered Stripe Phases in the Cuprates
A phase separation model is presented for the stripe phase of the cuprates,
which allows the doping dependence of the photoemission spectra to be
calculated. The idealized limit of a well-ordered array of magnetic and charged
stripes is analyzed, including effects of long-range Coulomb repulsion.
Remarkably, down to the limit of two-cell wide stripes, the dispersion can be
interpreted as essentially a superposition of the two end-phase dispersions,
with superposed minigaps associated with the lattice periodicity. The largest
minigap falls near the Fermi level; it can be enhanced by proximity to a (bulk)
Van Hove singularity. The calculated spectra are dominated by two features --
this charge stripe minigap plus the magnetic stripe Hubbard gap. There is a
strong correlation between these two features and the experimental
photoemission results of a two-peak dispersion in LaSrCuO, and
the peak-dip-hump spectra in BiSrCaCuO. The
differences are suggestive of the role of increasing stripe fluctuations. The
1/8 anomaly is associated with a quantum critical point, here expressed as a
percolation-like crossover. A model is proposed for the limiting minority
magnetic phase as an isolated two-leg ladder.Comment: 24 pages, 26 PS figure
Anemia prevalence in women of reproductive age in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2018
Anemia is a globally widespread condition in women and is associated with reduced economic productivity and increased mortality worldwide. Here we map annual 2000–2018 geospatial estimates of anemia prevalence in women of reproductive age (15–49 years) across 82 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), stratify anemia by severity and aggregate results to policy-relevant administrative and national levels. Additionally, we provide subnational disparity analyses to provide a comprehensive overview of anemia prevalence inequalities within these countries and predict progress toward the World Health Organization’s Global Nutrition Target (WHO GNT) to reduce anemia by half by 2030. Our results demonstrate widespread moderate improvements in overall anemia prevalence but identify only three LMICs with a high probability of achieving the WHO GNT by 2030 at a national scale, and no LMIC is expected to achieve the target in all their subnational administrative units. Our maps show where large within-country disparities occur, as well as areas likely to fall short of the WHO GNT, offering precision public health tools so that adequate resource allocation and subsequent interventions can be targeted to the most vulnerable populations.Peer reviewe
SARS-CoV-2-specific nasal IgA wanes 9 months after hospitalisation with COVID-19 and is not induced by subsequent vaccination
BACKGROUND: Most studies of immunity to SARS-CoV-2 focus on circulating antibody, giving limited insights into mucosal defences that prevent viral replication and onward transmission. We studied nasal and plasma antibody responses one year after hospitalisation for COVID-19, including a period when SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was introduced. METHODS: In this follow up study, plasma and nasosorption samples were prospectively collected from 446 adults hospitalised for COVID-19 between February 2020 and March 2021 via the ISARIC4C and PHOSP-COVID consortia. IgA and IgG responses to NP and S of ancestral SARS-CoV-2, Delta and Omicron (BA.1) variants were measured by electrochemiluminescence and compared with plasma neutralisation data. FINDINGS: Strong and consistent nasal anti-NP and anti-S IgA responses were demonstrated, which remained elevated for nine months (p < 0.0001). Nasal and plasma anti-S IgG remained elevated for at least 12 months (p < 0.0001) with plasma neutralising titres that were raised against all variants compared to controls (p < 0.0001). Of 323 with complete data, 307 were vaccinated between 6 and 12 months; coinciding with rises in nasal and plasma IgA and IgG anti-S titres for all SARS-CoV-2 variants, although the change in nasal IgA was minimal (1.46-fold change after 10 months, p = 0.011) and the median remained below the positive threshold determined by pre-pandemic controls. Samples 12 months after admission showed no association between nasal IgA and plasma IgG anti-S responses (R = 0.05, p = 0.18), indicating that nasal IgA responses are distinct from those in plasma and minimally boosted by vaccination. INTERPRETATION: The decline in nasal IgA responses 9 months after infection and minimal impact of subsequent vaccination may explain the lack of long-lasting nasal defence against reinfection and the limited effects of vaccination on transmission. These findings highlight the need to develop vaccines that enhance nasal immunity. FUNDING: This study has been supported by ISARIC4C and PHOSP-COVID consortia. ISARIC4C is supported by grants from the National Institute for Health and Care Research and the Medical Research Council. Liverpool Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre provided infrastructure support for this research. The PHOSP-COVD study is jointly funded by UK Research and Innovation and National Institute of Health and Care Research. The funders were not involved in the study design, interpretation of data or the writing of this manuscript
- …