Early detection of corrosion activity in reinforced concrete slab by AE technique

Chloride induced corrosion of steel reinforcement in concrete is the main cause of damage to concrete structures in marine, or structures exposed to de-icing salt environments. The need for early detection of corrosion in reinforced concrete structures is widely acknowledged in corrosion health monitoring for strategic civil engineering projects. This paper summarizes results from a laboratory experiment, using Acoustic Emission (AE) technique, regarding early detection of corrosion in reinforced concrete slabs that are exposed to chloride. The Results showed that while AE was able to determine the initiation of corrosion in reinforced concrete slab, Half-cell potential (HCP) was not able to detect it at the early stage of corrosion

Mechanisms of Corrosion-Induced Cracks in Concrete

Corrosion-induced cracks was simulated in expansion tests.   Kinematical mechanisms of micro-cracks were identified by theSiGMA analysis of acoustic emission (AE).   By applying the boundary element method (BEM), extension of the corrosion-induced crack in an arbitrary direction was analyzed.   It is demonstrated that extension of the corrosion-induced crack is governed by the mode-I failure, although all kinds of micro-cracks are observed  in results of AE analysis

Surface plasmon enhanced UV emission in AlGaN/GaN quantum well

The surface plasmon (SP) energy for resonant enhancement of light has shown to be modified by the epitaxial substrate and the overlying metalthin film. The modification of SP energy in AlGaN/GaN epitaxial layers is studied using spectroscopic ellipsometry for enhanced UV-light emission. Silver induced SP can be extended to the UV wavelength range by increasing the aluminum concentration in AlxGa1−xN epilayer. A threefold increase in the UV-light emission is observed from AlGaN/GaN quantum well due to silver induced SP. Photoluminescence lifetime measurements confirm the resonant plasmon induced increase in Purcell factor as observed from the PL intensity measurements

Near-field optical spectroscopy and microscopy of self-assembled GaN∕AlN nanostructures

The spatial distribution and emission properties of small clusters of GaNquantum dots in an AlN matrix are studied using high-resolution electron and optical microscopy. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy reveals near vertical correlation among the GaNdots due to a sufficiently thin AlN spacer layer thickness, which allows strain induced stacking. Scanning electron and atomic force microscopy show lateral coupling due to a surface roughness of ∼50–60nm. Near-field photoluminescence in the illumination mode (both spatially and spectrally resolved) at 10K revealed emission from individual dots, which exhibits size distribution of GaNdots from localized sites in the stacked nanostructure. Strong spatial localization of the excitons is observed in GaNquantum dots formed at the tip of self-assembled hexagonal pyramid shapes with six [101¯1¯] facets

Neutron emissions in brittle rocks during compression tests: Monotonic vs cyclic loading

Neutron emission measurements, by means of 3He devices and neutron bubble detectors, were performed during two different kinds of compression tests on brittle rocks: (i) under displacement control, and (ii) under cyclic loading. The material used for the tests was Green Luserna Granite, with different specimen sizes and shapes, and consequently with different brittleness numbers. Since the analyzed material contains iron, our conjecture is that piezonuclear reactions involving fission of iron into aluminum, or into magnesium and silicon, should have occurred during compression damage and failure. Some studies have been already conducted on the different forms of energy emitted during the failure of brittle materials. They are based on the signals captured by acoustic emission measurement systems, or on the detection of electromagnetic charge. On the other hand, piezonuclear neutron emissions from very brittle rock specimens in compression have been discovered only very recently. In this paper, the authors analyse this phenomenon from an experimental point of vie

Recommendation of RILEM TC 212-ACD: acousticemission and related NDE techniques for crack detectionand damage evaluation in concrete. Measurement method for acoustic emission signals in concrete

The text presented hereafter is a draft for general consideration

The role of metabolic remodeling in macrophage polarization and its effect on skeletal muscle regeneration

Macrophages are crucial for tissue homeostasis. Based on their activation, they might display classical/M1 or alternative/M2 phenotypes. M1 macrophages produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and nitric oxide (NO). M2 macrophages upregulate arginase-1 and reduce NO and ROS levels; they also release anti-inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, and polyamines, thus promoting angiogenesis and tissue healing. Moreover, M1 and M2 display key metabolic differences; M1 polarization is characterized by an enhancement in glycolysis and in the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) along with a decreased oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos), whereas M2 are characterized by an efficient OxPhos and reduced PPP. Recent Advances: The glutamine-related metabolism has been discovered as crucial for M2 polarization. Vice versa, flux discontinuities in the Krebs cycle are considered additional M1 features; they lead to increased levels of immunoresponsive gene 1 and itaconic acid, to isocitrate dehydrogenase 1-downregulation and to succinate, citrate, and isocitrate over-expression

Recommendation of RILEM TC 212-ACD: acousticemission and related NDE techniques for crack detectionand damage evaluation in concrete.Test method for damage qualification of reinforced concrete beams by acousticemission

The text presented hereafter is a draft for general consideration

Pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and chemotherapy in HER2-positive gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer: end-of-study analysis of the JACOB phase III randomized clinical trial

Cáncer gástrico; Metastásico; PertuzumabCàncer gàstric; Metastàtic; PertuzumabGastric cancers; Metastatic; PertuzumabBackground Dual-targeted anti-HER2 therapy significantly improves outcomes in HER2-positive breast cancer and could be beneficial in other HER2-positive cancers. JACOB’s end-of study analyses aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of pertuzumab plus trastuzumab and chemotherapy for previously untreated HER2-positive metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer. Methods Eligible patients were randomized 1:1 to pertuzumab/placebo plus trastuzumab and chemotherapy every 3 weeks. Primary endpoint: overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), duration of response (DoR), and safety. Results The intention-to-treat population comprised 388 patients in the pertuzumab arm and 392 in the placebo arm. The safety population comprised 385 and 388 patients, respectively. Median follow-up was ≥ 44.4 months. Median OS was increased by 3.9 months (hazard ratio 0.85 [95% confidence intervals, 0.72–0.99]) and median PFS by 1.3 months (hazard ratio 0.73 [95% confidence intervals, 0.62–0.85]) in the pertuzumab vs. the placebo arm. ORR was numerically higher (57.0% vs. 48.6%) and median DoR 1.8 months longer with pertuzumab treatment. There was a trend for more favorable hazard ratios in certain subgroups related to HER2 amplification/overexpression. Safety was comparable between arms, except for serious and grade 3–5 adverse events, and any-grade diarrhea, which were more frequent with pertuzumab. Conclusions JACOB did not meet its primary endpoint. Nonetheless, the study continues to demonstrate some, albeit limited, evidence of treatment activity and an acceptable safety profile for pertuzumab plus trastuzumab and chemotherapy in previously untreated HER2-positive metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer after long-term follow-up.This study was sponsored by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. The sponsor, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, contributed to the design of this study. Data collected by the investigators were analyzed by statisticians at F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Authors employed by the study sponsor contributed to the conduct of the study, collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data, and preparation, review, and approval of the manuscript, as well as the decision to submit the manuscript for publication