Durability of Mortar Incorporating Ferronickel Slag Aggregate and Supplementary Cementitious Materials Subjected to Wet–Dry Cycles

This paper presents the strength and durability of cement mortars using 0–100% ferronickel slag (FNS) as replacement of natural sand and 30% fly ash or ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) as cement replacement. The maximum mortar compressive strength was achieved with 50% sand replacement by FNS. Durability was evaluated by the changes in compressive strength and mass of mortar specimens after 28 cycles of alternate wetting at 23 °C and drying at 110 °C. Strength loss increased by the increase of FNS content with marginal increases in the mass loss. Though a maximum strength loss of up to 26% was observed, the values were only 3–9% for 25–100% FNS contents in the mixtures containing 30% fly ash. The XRD data showed that the pozzolanic reaction of fly ash helped to reduce the strength loss caused by wet–dry cycles. Overall, the volume of permeable voids (VPV) and performance in wet–dry cycles for 50% FNS and 30% fly ash were better than those for 100% OPC and natural sand

Effect of type of floor and space at the manger on growth performance and feeding behaviour of beef cattle

There is no regulation in force concerning the welfare of beef cattle in Europe likely because of the large differences existing among the fattening systems adopted by different countries. The fattening system mainly adopted in Italy must be consider intensive due to the high cattle stocking rate and the indoor housing with lack of pasture. In these rearing conditions the main factors affecting beef cattle welfare are the space allowance, the number of animals/pen, the type of floor, and the space at the manger (EU-SCAHAW, 2001)..

Ash split cath(registered trademark) in geriatric dialyzed patients

Vascular access is the essential step in performing hemodialysis in uremic patients. In the absence of a permanent and utilizable native arterio-venous fistula, the use of a tunnelled catheter makes dialysis therapy possible. The Ash Split Cath, a recently introduced chronic hemodialysis catheter, was inserted in five patients (7.1 % of our prevalent dialysis population) because of repeated venous thrombosis in three patients and a poor venous tree in two. The mean age of patients was 78 years (plus or minus) 7. The average blood flow rate was 250 (plus or minus) 50 ml/minute and the mean venous pressure 140mm Hg (plus or minus) 35. Recirculation determined by low flux technique was less than 2 %. KT/V calculated 3 months after the catheter placement was 1.2 (plus or minus) 0.02. During the follow-up we did not document any infection of the exit site or related to the catheter. This device is simple to place, gives adequate dialysis treatment and is useful in geriatric dialyzed patients in whom the arterio-venous fistula can no longer be used

Prerenal insufficiency during antituberculous treatment. Case report and review of the literature

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