Analyses of cement mortars containing reclaimed asphalt pavement by using DTA/TG and FTIR

Reciklirani asfaltni kolnik (RAP) koristi se u istraživanju kao reciklirani materijal za proizvodnju cementnog kompozita. Za proizvodnju uzoraka u cement je dodano 5 %, 10 % i 15 % RAP-a. TG/DTA analiza, izvedena nakon određivanja savojne čvrstoće, pokazala je da se minimalan gubitak mase uzorka javio u uzorcima s 5 % RAP-a pri kontroliranim uvjetima. Najveći gubitak mase iznosio je 11,8 %, a druga najviša vrijednost iznosila je 8,2 % za uzorke koji imaju 15 % aditiva C i koji su se njegovali pomoću otopine MgSO4.The reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is used in the study as a recycled material for the production of cement composite. 5 %, 10 % and 15 % of RAP was added to the cement to produce samples. TG/DTA analyses, performed after flexural analyses, revealed that the minimum mass loss occurred in the samples with 5 % RAP additive at stable conditions. The highest mass loss was 11.8 %, and the second highest value amounted to 8.2 % for samples with 15 % of C additive cured in MgSO4 environment

Effect of curing methods and scrap tyre addition on properties of mortars

U radu se eksperimentalno istražuju poroznost te mehanička i toplinska svojstva morta s dodatkom otpadne gume u različitim uvjetima njege. Mješavinama morta dodana je otpadna guma u udjelu od 0 %, 1 %, 5 %, 10 % i 18 % mase cementa, nakon čega su provedena tri postupka njege u razdoblju od 14 tjedana. Najniže vrijednosti toplinske provodljivosti od 1,09 tj. 1,14 W/mK dobivene su kod udjela otpadne gume od 18 % na uzorcima koji su njegovani vodom te vlaženjem i sušenjem. Najviša vrijednost tlačne čvrstoće od 61,5 MPa dobivena je na uzorku bez dodatka otpadne gume koji je njegovan vlaženjem i sušenjem, dok je čvrstoća na savijanje uzoraka bez gume i s 1 % otpadne gume iznosila 9,1 odnosno 8,2 MPa.Mechanical, thermal conductivity, and porosity properties of scrap tyre incorporated mortars are examined experimentally in this study for various curing conditions. Cement mortars were prepared by adding 0%, 1%, 5%, 10% and 18% of scrap tyre by cement weight, and the mortars were subjected to three curing procedures for 14 weeks. The lowest thermal conductivity values were obtained on samples containing 18% of scrap tyre by water curing and wetting-drying curing as 1.09 and 1.14 W/mK, respectively. The maximum compressive strength of 61.5 MPa was obtained on a pure sample cured by wetting and drying, while the flexural strength of pure and a 1% additive incorporated samples, which were also cured by wetting-drying, amounted to 9.1 and 8.2 MPa, respectively

Effect of various curing methods and addition of silica aerogel on mortar properties

U ovome se radu eksperimentalno istražuju poroznost te mehanička i toplinska svojstva morta s dodatkom aerogela u raznim uvjetima njege (njega vlaženjem i sušenjem, magnezijevim sulfatom [MgSO4] i njega vodom). Maksimalna tlačna čvrstoća morta sa sadržajem aerogela od 0,5 % iznosila je 60,8 MPa nakon njege vlaženjem i sušenjem te 44,3 MPa nakon njege magnezijevim sulfatom. Osim toga, u usporedbi s ostalim metodama njege, udio formiranih gel pora u mortovima njegovanima magnezijevim sulfatom raste s količinom dodanoga aerogela.Mechanical and thermal properties and porosity of aerogel-incorporated mortars exposed to various curing conditions (curing by wetting-drying, curing by magnesium sulphate (MgSO4), and water curing) are experimentally investigated in this study. Maximum compressive strengths at 0.5 % aerogel content under the effects of wetting-drying and MgSO4 curing conditions amounted to 60.8 MPa and 44.3 MPa, respectively. In addition, compared to the other curing methods, the gel pores formation in mortars exposed to MgSO4 effects increased with an increase in aerogel content

Multilevel Botulinum Toxin Type A as a Treatment for Spasticity in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Retrospective Study

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of physical disability in children. Spasticity is a disabling clinical symptom that is prevalent among patients suffering from cerebral palsy. The treatment of spasticity with botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) is a well-established option in the interdisciplinary management of spasticity, providing focal reductions in muscle tone in cerebral palsy patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the effect of multilevel BTX-A injections in the lower extremities, focusing mainly on gross motor function and functional status in cerebral palsy patients. METHODS: Data from 71 cerebral palsy patients (64% male, 36% female, mean age 6.7 ±3.2 years) were analyzed retrospectively. We used the Ashworth and Tardieu scales to evaluate the degree of spasticity. Motor function was measured by the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88), and functional status was classified by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS I-V). Multilevel BTX-A injections were applied after sedation and with electrostimulation guidance. The evaluations were repeated every three months, and the patients were followed for six months. RESULTS: We found that the Ashworth and Tardieu scores decreased significantly at the three-month evaluation (p<0.05) but not at the six-month evaluation (p>0.05). Although the improvement in spasticity was not maintained at the six-month evaluation, GMFM-88 scores increased significantly at the three- and six-month assessments. GMFSC levels showed no change in the three- and six-month assessments. CONCLUSION: We believe that a single multilevel BTX-A injection reduces spasticity and improves motor function in children with cerebral palsy

An optimization‐based decision‐support tool for post‐disaster debris operations

Debris generated by disasters can hinder relief efforts and result in devastating economic, environmental, and health problems. In this study, we present a decision‐support tool employing analytical models to assist disaster and waste management officials with decisions regarding collection, transportation, reduction, recycling, and disposal of debris. The tool enables optimizing and balancing the financial and environmental costs, duration of the collection and disposal operations, landfill usage, and the amount of recycled materials. In addition to post‐disaster operational decisions, the tool can also support the challenging task of developing strategic plans for disaster preparedness. We illustrate the applicability and effectiveness of the tool with a disaster scenario based on Hurricane Andrew

The effects of docosahexaenoic acid on glial derived neurotrophic factor and neurturin in bilateral rat model of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder marked by cell death in the Substantia nigra (SN). Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is the major polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in the phospholipid fraction of the brain and is required for normal cellular function. Glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and neurturin (NTN) are very potent trophic factors for PD. The aim of the study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of GDNF and NTN by investigating their immunostaining levels after administration of DHA in a model of PD. For this reason we hypothesized that DHA administration of PD might alter GDNF, NTN expression in SN. MPTP neurotoxin that induces dopaminergic neurodegeneration was used to create the experimental Parkinsonism model. Rats were divided into; control, DHA-treated (DHA), MPTP-induced (MPTP), MPTP-induced+DHA-treated (MPTP+DHA) groups. Dopaminergic neuron numbers were clearly decreased in MPTP, but showed an increase in MPTP+DHA group. As a result of this, DHA administration protected dopaminergic neurons as shown by tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry. In the MPTP+DHA group, GDNF, NTN immunoreactions in dopaminergic neurons were higher than that of the MPTP group. In conclusion, the characterization of GDNF and NTN will certainly help elucidate the mechanism of DHA action, and lead to better strategies for the use of DHA to treat neurodegenerative diseases

Investigation of variants of critically important antioxidant enzyme genes in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Aim: To investigate the possible effects of polymorphisms in genes encoding some important antioxidant enzymes such as super oxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), endothelial NOS (eNOS) and catalase (CAT) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Methods: Peripheral blood of 100 patients with PCOS and 100 healthy control group were collected, Polymorphisms in related genes was investigated by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. In addition, the related biochemical values of the patients were also investigated.Result: In our study there is no significant results for SOD2 gene but the results obtained between GPX1, eNOS and CAT genes were significant. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, triglyceride, waist circumference and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) were found to be significant with the disease, whereas follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was found to be effective in preventing the disease.Conclusions: These findings suggest that polymorphisms in genes encoding GPX1, eNOS and CAT enzymes may be associated with PCOS. Additionally, it is thought that the genes of FBS, triglyceride, insulin, DHEAS and waist circumference are important in the pathogenesis of the disease in the presence of homozygous mutation

Case Report Transitional Cell Carcinoma in Orthotopic Ileal Neobladder

Urothelial carcinoma developing in orthotopic ileal neobladder is an extremely rare entity. Fewer than 10 cases have been reported in the literature describing urothelial carcinoma recurrence in orthotopic ileal neobladder. We report a case of transitional cell carcinoma recurrence in orthotopic ileal neobladder after 11 years of surgery

The interrelations of radiologic findings and mechanical ventilation in community acquired pneumonia patients admitted to the intensive care unit: a multicentre retrospective study

BACKGROUND: We evaluated patients admitted to the intensive care units with the diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) regarding initial radiographic findings. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study was held. Chest x ray (CXR) and computerized tomography (CT) findings and also their associations with the need of ventilator support were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 388 patients were enrolled. Consolidation was the main finding on CXR (89%) and CT (80%) examinations. Of all, 45% had multi-lobar involvement. Bilateral involvement was found in 40% and 44% on CXR and CT respectively. Abscesses and cavitations were rarely found. The highest correlation between CT and CXR findings was observed for interstitial involvement. More than 80% of patients needed ventilator support. Noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) requirement was seen to be more common in those with multi-lobar involvement on CXR as 2.4-fold and consolidation on CT as 47-fold compared with those who do not have these findings. Invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) need increased 8-fold in patients with multi-lobar involvement on CT. CONCLUSION: CXR and CT findings correlate up to a limit in terms of interstitial involvement but not in high percentages in other findings. CAP patients who are admitted to the ICU are severe cases frequently requiring ventilator support. Initial CT and CXR findings may indicate the need for ventilator support, but the assumed ongoing real practice is important and the value of radiologic evaluation beyond clinical findings to predict the mechanical ventilation need is subject for further evaluation with large patient series

A Prospective Study of Etiology of Childhood Acute Bacterial Meningitis, Turkey

Vaccines to prevent bacterial meningitis in this region must provide reliable protection against serogroup W-135