Effect of different silica fume on concrete properties: Comparative testing and analysis

Concrete, as the world’s most widely used construction material, contributes significantly to climate change due to emissions generated during cement production. The industry has set ambitious goals to achieve carbon-neutral concrete production by 2050. Microsilica is a by-product of the silicon and ferrosilicon alloy industries and processes, and the unique properties of the material may have an influence on the concrete. The objective of this study is to explore the impact of incorporating 10 different types of microsilica on the properties and characteristics of concrete. Process development and a preliminary study have been conducted as preparative work before investigating the effect of microsilica on concrete properties. The influence of microsilica on fresh mortar properties, strength development and durability has been investigated by execution of flow tests, temperature logging, total heat value calculation, standard mechanical strength tests, pozzolanic activity index, chloride ion migration tests, and microscopic imaging. As a result of the testing and comparative analysis, several observations about how microsilica influences concrete properties have been obtained. A common denominator in the observations for all tests was that the densification of the microsilica allegedly does not influence the properties of concrete. The BET specific surface area of the microsilica influence both the flowability of the mortar as well as the pozzolanic activity index of the samples after 28 days of curing. Low BET SA (m2/g) gave high flowability and an increase in PAI was observed for mortars containing microsilica with high BET SA (m2/g). The pozzolanic activity index of the mortars also showed an increase as the content of silicon dioxide in the microsilica increased. When assessing how the mortars were influenced by the pH of the microsilica samples, complete setting time was investigated and it was concluded that there was no correlation between pH of microsilica and the complete setting time. However, there was a minor correlation between the complete setting time of the mortars and the alkali content of the microsilica samples, where low alkali content gave an early complete set. No correlation was observed when investigating the influence of moisture in the microsilica samples on the flowability of the mortars

Distribution of Non-uniform Demagnetization Fields in Paramagnetic Bulk Solids

A general calculation for the distribution of non-uniform demagnetization fields in paramagnetic bulk solids is described and the fields for various sample geometries are calculated. Cones, ellipsoids, paraboloids and hyperboloids with similar sample aspect ratios are considered. Significant differences in their demagnetization fields are observed. The calculation shows that the demagnetization field magnitudes decrease along the axis of symmetry (along $z$) where an externally applied magnetic field is aligned, and increase in the vicinity of the lateral surfaces with the largest field values found in the cone and the narrowest field distributions found in the hyperboloid. Application is made to the theoretical modeling of the $^{1}$H-NMR spectra of a single crystal of field-induced superconductor $\lambda$-(BETS)$_{2}$FeCl$_{4}$ with a rectangular sample geometry, providing a good fit to the measured NMR spectra. This calculation is also applicable to diamagnetic or ferromagnetic materials in general.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures, submitted to Physical Review B (Corresponding author: [email protected]

Relative Mitochondrial Volume in Liver Cells of A/Jax Mice Under Influence of Carbon Tetrachloride

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative volume of mitochondria in situ in hepatic cells adjacent to the interlobular veins in the livers of normal A-Jax mice and of A-Jax mice fed carbon tetrachloride dosages for varying periods of time. The liver tissues were fixed in Regaud\u27s fluid, sectioned at 3 microns, and stained with iron haematoxylin. A procedure developed by Meglitsch et al. was utilized in determining the relative mitochondrial volume of the hepatic cells. The following were determined in the study: (1) normal mice older than six weeks possessed a greater relative mitochondrial volume in both the peripheral and basal regions of the median layer liver lobe than six-week normal mice, and (2) the relative mitochondrial volume of hepatic cells of A/Jax mice fed carbon tetrachloride was significantly less than normal mice of similar age

Sorafenib-induced apoptosis in colonic neuroendocrine carcinoma cells

　Background: Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) is a rare disease, and therapy for this malignant tumor is controversial. Conventionally, platinum doublet chemotherapy has been used for advanced gastroentero-pancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine carcinoma (GEP- NEC), but the efficacy of molecular-targeted drugs for GEP-NEC is unknown. In this study, we investigated the antitumor effect of molecular-targeted drugs on colorectal neuroendocrine carcinoma cells.　Materials and methods: A colonic neuroendocrine carcinoma cell line COLO320 was treated with molecular-targeted drugs, and cell growth suppression and apoptosis induction were evaluated.　Results: The cytostatic effects of molecular-targeted drugs against COLO320 were higher in the order of sorafenib, sunitinib, rapamycin, and imatinib. Flow cytometry analysis showed that sorafenib induced G1 cell cycle arrest and a high rate of apoptosis. Sunitinib showed condensation and fragmentation of nuclear chromatin, but also necrosis with cell swelling. In contrast, sorafenib strongly induced apoptosis via condensation and fragmentation of nuclear chromatin. Sorafenib-induced apoptosis was due to caspase-3 activation, and this apoptosis was inhibited with a caspase inhibitor.　Conclusion: Sorafenib induces apoptosis in COLO320 cells and is a potential therapeutic agent for colonic neuroendocrine carcinomas

An Integrated Framework to Assess Greenwashing

In this paper we examine definitions of ‘greenwashing’ and its different forms, developing a tool for assessing diverse ‘green’ claims made by various actors. Research shows that significant deception and misleading claims exist both in the regulated commercial sphere, as well as in the unregulated non-commercial sphere (e.g., governments, NGO partnerships, international pledges, etc.). Recently, serious concerns have been raised over rampant greenwashing, in particular with regard to rapidly emerging net zero commitments. The proposed framework we developed is the first actionable tool for analysing the quality and truthfulness of such claims. The framework has widespread and unique potential for highlighting efforts that seek to delay or distract real solutions that are urgently needed today to tackle multiple climate and environmental crises. In addition, we note how the framework may also assist in the development of practices and communication strategies that ultimately avoid greenwashing

An Integrated Framework to Assess Greenwashing

Funding: This research was funded by the Department of Political Science at University of Vienna, Austria and the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society, USA, in association with Climate Social Science Network.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) levels after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72178/1/j.1751-553X.2007.01016.x.pd

Short-term effects of Vertical sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass on glucose homeostasis

The objective of this study was to compare the biochemical changes related to glucose tolerance and lipid metabolism in non-diabetic patients shortly after vertical sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Non-diabetic women and men with morbid obesity were studied the day before and six days after SG (N = 15) or RYGB (N = 16). Patients completed an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT; 75 g glucose) at both visits. SG and RYGB similarly improved fasting glucose homeostasis six days after surgery, with reduced glucose and insulin concentrations. The OGTT revealed differences between the two surgery groups that were not evident from the fasting serum concentrations. Postprandial (120 min) glucose and insulin concentrations were lower after RYGB but not after SG, whereas concentrations of glucagon-like peptide-1, peptide YY, glucagon and non-esterified fatty acids were elevated after both SG and RYGB. Fasting triacylglycerol concentration did not change after surgery, but concentrations of high density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein cholesterols were reduced in both surgery groups, with no differences between the groups. To conclude, RYGB induced a more pronounced improvement in postprandial glucose homeostasis relative to SG, possibly due to improved insulin sensitivity rather than augmented insulin concentration.publishedVersio

DNA methylation changes in response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy are associated with breast cancer survival

Background: Locally advanced breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease with respect to response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and survival. It is currently not possible to accurately predict who will benefit from the specific types of NACT. DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism known to play an important role in regulating gene expression and may serve as a biomarker for treatment response and survival. We investigated the potential role of DNA methylation as a prognostic marker for long-term survival (> 5 years) after NACT in breast cancer. Methods: DNA methylation profiles of pre-treatment (n = 55) and post-treatment (n = 75) biopsies from 83 women with locally advanced breast cancer were investigated using the Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. The patients received neoadjuvant treatment with epirubicin and/or paclitaxel. Linear mixed models were used to associate DNA methylation to treatment response and survival based on clinical response to NACT (partial response or stable disease) and 5-year survival, respectively. LASSO regression was performed to identify a risk score based on the statistically significant methylation sites and Kaplan–Meier curve analysis was used to estimate survival probabilities using ten years of survival follow-up data. The risk score developed in our discovery cohort was validated in an independent validation cohort consisting of paired pre-treatment and post-treatment biopsies from 85 women with locally advanced breast cancer. Patients included in the validation cohort were treated with either doxorubicin or 5-FU and mitomycin NACT. Results: DNA methylation patterns changed from before to after NACT in 5-year survivors, while no significant changes were observed in non-survivors or related to treatment response. DNA methylation changes included an overall loss of methylation at CpG islands and gain of methylation in non-CpG islands, and these changes affected genes linked to transcription factor activity, cell adhesion and immune functions. A risk score was developed based on four methylation sites which successfully predicted long-term survival in our cohort (p = 0.0034) and in an independent validation cohort (p = 0.049). Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that DNA methylation patterns in breast tumors change in response to NACT. These changes in DNA methylation show potential as prognostic biomarkers for breast cancer survival.publishedVersio

Seven-year trajectories of body weight, quality of life and comorbidities following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy

Background/objectives There is limited long-term data comparing the outcomes of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) for severe obesity, both with respect to body weight, quality of life (QOL) and comorbidities. We aimed to determine 7-year trajectories of body mass index (BMI), QOL, obesity-related comorbidities, biomarkers of glucose and lipid metabolism, and early major complications after SG and RYGB. Subjects/methods Patients scheduled for bariatric surgery at two Norwegian hospitals, preferentially performing either SG or RYGB, were included consecutively from September 2011 to February 2015. Data was collected prospectively before and up to 7 years after surgery. Obesity-specific, generic and overall QOL were measured by the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite, Short-Form 36 and Cantril’s ladder, respectively. Comorbidities were assessed by clinical examination, registration of medication and analysis of glucose and lipid biomarkers. Outcomes were examined with linear mixed effect models and relative risk estimates. Results Of 580 included patients, 543 (75% women, mean age 42.3 years, mean baseline BMI 43.0 kg/m2) were operated (376 SG and 167 RYGB). With 84.2% of participants evaluable after 5–7 years, model-based percent total weight-loss (%TWL) at 7 years was 23.4 after SG versus 27.3 after RYGB (difference 3.9%, p = 0.001). All levels of QOL improved similarly after the two surgical procedures but remained below reference data from the general population at all timepoints. Remission rates for type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep-apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as well as the rate of de novo GERD significantly favored RYGB. SG had fewer major early complications, but more minor and major late complications combined over follow-up. Conclusion In routine health care, both SG and RYGB are safe procedures with significant long-term weight-loss, improvement of QOL and amelioration of comorbidities. Long-term weight-loss and remission rates of main obesity-related comorbidities were higher after RYGB.publishedVersio