Sustainable design of self-consolidating green concrete with partial replacements for cement through neural-network and fuzzy technique

In order to achieve a sustainable mix design, this paper evaluates self-consolidating green concrete (SCGC) properties by experimental tests and then examines the design parameters with an artificial intelligence technique. In this regard, cement was partially replaced in different contents with granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) powder, volcanic powder, fly ash, and micro-silica. Moreover, fresh and hardened properties tests were performed on the specimens. Finally, an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) was developed to identify the influencing parameters on the compressive strength of the specimens. For this purpose, seven ANFIS models evaluated the input parameters separately, and in terms of optimization, twenty-one models were assigned to different combinations of inputs. Experimental results were reported and discussed completely, where furnace slag represented the most effect on the hardened properties in binary mixes, and volcanic powder played an effective role in slump retention among other cement replacements. However, the combination of micro-silica and volcanic powder as a ternary mix design successfully achieved the most improvement compared to other mix designs. Furthermore, ANFIS results showed that binder content has the highest governing parameters in terms of the strength of SCGC. Finally, when compared with other additive powders, the combination of micro-silica with volcanic powder provided the most strength, which has also been verified and reported by the test results

Fresh, mechanical, and durability properties of self-compacting mortar incorporating alumina nanoparticles and rice husk ash

This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation on self-compacting (SC) mortars incorporating 0, 1, 3, and 5% alumina nanoparticles (NA) as well as 0% and 30% rice husk ash (RHA) used as Portland cement replacement. To evaluate the workability, mechanical, and durability performance of SC mortars incorporating NA and RHA, the fresh properties (slump flow diameter and V-funnel flow time), hardened properties (compressive strength, flexural strength, and ultrasonic pulse velocity), and durability properties (water absorption, rapid chloride permeability, and electrical resistivity) were determined. The results indicated that the addition of NA and RHA has negligible effect on the workability and water absorption rate of the SC mortars. However, significant compressive and flexural strength development was observed in the SC mortars treated with NA or the combination of NA and RHA. The introduction of RHA and NA also reduced the rapid chloride permeability and enhanced the electrical resistivity of the SC mortars significantly. It is concluded that the coexistence of 30% RHA and 3% NA as cement replacement in SC mortars can provide the best mechanical and durability performance

Comparison of the Effects of Intralipid 10% and 20% on Peripheral Catheter Ablation in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Background: Energy deficit is a common and serious problem in pediatric intensive care units. Parenteral nutrition, either alone or in combination with enteral nutrition, can improve nutrient delivery in critically ill patients by preventing or correcting the energy deficit and improving the outcomes. Intralipid 10% and 20% are lipid emulsions, widely used in parenteral nutrition. Despite several clinical advantages, intravenous Intralipid therapy has been associated with several complications.In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of Intralipid 10% and 20% on peripheral intravenous catheter ablation in children receiving Intralipid in a pediatric intensive care unit. Methods: In this observational study, 96 patients were recruited through simple non-random sampling over six months. In total, 48 patients received intravenous Intralipid 10%, while 48 patients were administered Intralipid 20% as part of their parenteral nutrition plan. Through separate peripheral intravenous catheters, 0.5-3 g/kg/day of Intralipid was administered at an infusion rate of 0.5 g/kg/h. Length of hospital stay and intravenous catheter ablation were compared between the two groups. Results: Age of the patients ranged between two days and eight years. Esophageal atresia was the most common condition among patients receiving intravenous Intralipid infusion (8.3%). The mean duration of catheter survival was significantly shorter in patients receiving Intralipid 20% (28.77 vs. 68.23 h,

Hirschsprung's Disease: a Clinical and Pathologic Study in Iranian Constipated Children

Objective: Hirschsprung's disease (HD) is a complex disorder resulting from absence of ganglion cells in the bowel wall leading to functional obstruction and bowel dilatation proximal to the affected segment. The aim of our study was to evaluate rectal biopsies from constipated children in different age groups to see in which age it is more likely to encounter HD to avoid unnecessary rectal biopsy. Methods: Records of all children with chronic constipation undergoing a rectal biopsy to exclude HD were obtained from the files of Children's Medical Center in Tehran, Iran. A detailed retrospective demographic review, including age of beginning of signs and symptoms was made of all cases. Findings: Totally, 172 biopsies were taken from 168 children in a five year period, of which 127 cases (75%) had HD. The mean age of constipated patients at biopsy was 39 months and the mean age of patients with proven HD was 18 months. Males were affected more than females. Congenital anomalies associated with HD were found in 9.6%. In 85 (91%) cases constipation had begun in neonatal period. Conclusion: Our data supports previous studies that if constipation begins after the neonatal period, the child is unlikely to have HD. In neonates delay in meconium passage is the most important clinical sign of HD

Effect of SnO2, ZrO2, and CaCO3 nanoparticles on water transport and durability properties of self-compacting mortar containing fly ash: experimental observations and ANFIS predictions

This paper investigates the influence of the addition of nanoparticles, namely SnO2, ZrO2 and CaCO3, at different doses on the durability and the microstructure of self-compacting mortar (SCM). Rheological characteristics were observed through mini slump flow diameter and mini V-funnel flow time. Transport properties were studied by the water absorption and capillary absorption tests. Mechanical properties were determined by the compression tests. Durability properties were examined by the electrical resistivity and rapid chloride permeability tests. Microstructure of SCMs was investigated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mixtures containing nanoparticles exhibit improved transport properties, with increased compressive strengths and resistance to water and chloride ion penetration. These improvements are attributed to the compact microstructures, as the micro pore system was refined in the presence of nanoparticles. Based on fresh and hardened mortar properties, it is found that 5 wt% SnO2, 4 wt% ZrO2, and 3 wt% CaCO3 would serve as suitable replacement levels in optimizing the overall performance. An adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) was employed to predict the SCM properties. The numerical results show that the metamodels provide accurate estimates of experimental results

Properties of Lime-Cement Concrete Containing Various Amounts of Waste Tire Powder under Different Ground Moisture Conditions

Lime-cement concrete (LCC) is a non-structural concrete in which lime and cement are used as the main binders. However, although LCC has many applications in reducing the settlement of foundations and providing a support layer for shallow foundations, little research has been conducted to evaluate its behaviour in various moisture conditions. Previous researchers have studied the feasibility of using waste tires in conventional concrete to alleviate their negative environmental impacts. However, in field projects, rubber has not been widely used because its application leads to the strength reduction of concrete. In the case of LCC, attaining high strengths is not required and thus application of waste tire particles sounds reasonable. This research evaluated the impact of various rubber powder contents on the fresh, geotechnical and durability properties of LCC at different saturation degrees induced by the capillary action and groundwater level increment, which has not been studied before. The results of more than 320 tests showed that the application of tire powder increases workability and decreases the water absorption of LCC. Moreover, all 60-day cured specimens exposed to 100% saturation degree experienced a strength reduction of less than 10% by using rubber powder contents varying from 0 to 20%. Moreover, increasing the saturation degree from 0 to 100% decreased the average compressive strength by 13.5 and 22% for 60-day cured samples of two different mix designs. The results of this research confirm that LCC containing up to 10% rubber powder could be promisingly used underneath or close to the groundwater table without its strength and geotechnical properties being jeopardized due to rubber employment and/or exposure to ground moisture

Caustic Agent Ingestion by a 1.5-Year-Old Boy

We present a case of caustic ingestion by a 1.5-year-old boy. The caustic agent was drain opener which is a strong alkaline substance. Children in Iran and many other countries are still exposed to not “child proof” (child resistant packaging) toxic substance containers. Ingestion of caustic agents may lead to necrosis, perforation, and strictures. Substances that are ingested more frequently are liquid alkali material which causes severe, deep liquefaction necrosis. Common signs and symptoms of caustic agents are vomiting, drooling, refusal to drink, oral burns, stridor, hematemesis, dyspnea, dysphagia and abdominal pain. Even if no oropharyngeal lesion is seen, a significant esophageal injury which can lead to perforation and stricture cannot be ruled out. If abdominal pain or rigidity, substernal, chest or back pain exists, visceral perforation should be considered. The first thing to be checked is airway assessment. A lot of patients should be admitted to intensive care unit, and endoscopic evaluation, surgical intervention, long-term hospitalization, and worsening quality of life or among the complications. Preventive measures especially at the country level and approving proper legislation for obligating the related industries to produce child proof containers for house hold toxic products are the urgent measures to be followed by all of us

A 15-Month-Old Boy With Respiratory Distress and Parapharyngeal Abscess: A Case Report

Parapharyngeal abscess is a life-threatening disease. Upper respiratory tract infection is the main cause in children. We present a 15-month-old boy admitted to the emergency ward with the chief complaint of difficulty in breathing caused by parapharyngealabscess. His condition deteriorated gradually, and he transferred to the operation theater quickly for abscess drainage and because of the difficulty in orotracheal intubation; a tracheostomy was performed. His respiratory condition deteriorated 2 days after PICU admission, and the medical team noticed an unexplainable respiratory distress. A chest x ray obtained and showed a right side pneumothorax and subcutaneous emphysema around theneck area. The case presented here, had not been diagnosed at the first examination; however, there were enough clinical clues (such as respiratory distress, drooling, torticollis, bulging of theneck, previous viral respiratory infection, possible pharyngeal trauma). The story of this case reminds us the importance of the precise physical exam and history taking which could be life-saving

Intravenous Injection of Human Umbilical Cord Matrix Stem Cell (Wharton Jelly Stem Cell) Provides Functional Recovery in a Rat Model of Traumatic Brain Injury

Objective: This study was designed to examine the effects of human umbilical cord matrixstem cell (hUCMSC) administration in rats for 6 weeks after traumatic brain injury (TBI).Materials and Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (n = 30) were injured with controlled corticalimpact device and divided into three groups. The treatment group (n = 10) was injectedwith 2 × 106 hUCMSC intravenously, the vehicle group (n=10) received phosphate bufferedsaline (PBS) whereas the control group (n = 10) receive nothing. All injections wereperformed one day after injury into the tail veins of the rats. All cells were labelled withBrdu before injection. Evaluation of the neurological function of the rats was performedbefore and after injury using Neurological Severity Scores (NSS). The rats were sacrificed6 weeks after TBI and brain sections were stained using Brdu immunohistochemistry.Results: Statistically significant improvement in functional outcome was observed in thetreatment group compared with the control group (p < 0.01). This benefit was visible 1 weekafter TBI and persisted for six weeks (end of trial). Histological analysis showed that hUCMSCwere present in the lesion boundary zone at 6 weeks in all cell injected animals.Conclusion: Rats injected with hUCMSC after TBI survive for at least six weeks and showfunctional improvemnt