Mitigation of chloride and sulfate based corrosion in reinforced concrete via electrokinetic nanoparticle treatment

Concrete is a porous material which is susceptible to the migration of highly deleterious species such as chlorides and sulfates. Various external sources, including sea salt spray, direct seawater wetting, deicing salts and chlorides can contaminate reinforced concrete. Chlorides diffuse into the capillary pores of concrete and come into contact with the reinforcement. When chloride concentration at the reinforcement exceeds a threshold level it breaks down the passive oxide layer, leading to chloride induced corrosion. The application of electrokinetics using positively charged nanoparticles for corrosion protection in reinforced concrete structures is an emerging technology. This technique involves the principle of electrophoretic migration of nanoparticles to hinder chloride diffusion in the concrete. The return of chlorides is inhibited by the electrodeposited assembly of the nanoparticles at the reinforcement interface. This work examined the nanoparticle treatment impact on chloride and sulfate induced corrosion in concrete. Electrokinetic Nanoparticle (EN) treatments were conducted on reinforced cylindrical concrete, rectangular ASTM G109 specimens that simulate a bridge deck and full scale beam specimens. EN treatment to mitigate external sulfate attack in concrete was performed on cylindrical concrete specimens. Corrosion results indicated lower corrosion potentials and rates as compared to the untreated specimens. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a dense microstructure within the EN treated specimens. Chemical analysis (Raman spectroscopy, X ray-diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy FTIR) showed the presence of strength enhancing phases such as calcium aluminate hydrate (C-A-H) and increased amounts of calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) within the EN treated specimens. Strength and porosity results showed an increase in strength and a reduction in porosity among the EN treated specimens. EN treatment acted as a protective barrier that formed primarily at the reinforcement surface where it inhibited the ingress of chlorides. When applied to sulfate attack, EN treatment was found to extract sulfate ions. This treatment also reduced porosity and increased concrete strength. The strength increases were limited by the accumulation of spallation damage that was accrued during the sulfate exposure period of the work. This demonstrated that treatment for sulfate attack was best suited to early stages of degradation or as a preventive measure

An uncommon case of noninvasive ocular surface squamous neoplasia involving the entire cornea

Ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) is relatively rare with an incidence of 0.13–1.9/100,000 population. OSSN includes dysplastic lesions involving the squamous epithelium of the conjunctiva or cornea. Epibulbar squamous cell carcinoma and epithelioma have been noted commonly, but cases in which the tumor is primary on the cornea are sufficiently rare to warrant reporting in each instance. We describe a rare case of noninvasive OSSN involving the entire cornea in a human immunodeficiency virus‑negative patient. The patient was successfully treated with no recurrence, after intact surgical removal, mitomycin C treatment, and cryotherapy.Keywords: Noninvasive ocular surface squamous neoplasia, ocular surface squamous neoplasia involving entire cornea, squamous cell carcinoma corne

A study to assess the clinicopathological spectrum of acute complications of diabetes mellitus type II

Background: The acute metabolic complications of diabetes consist of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), hyperosmolar non-ketotic coma (HNC), lactic acidosis (LA), and hypoglycemia. All of these are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. These can easily be prevented by early recognition and prompt management. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the clinicopathological spectrum of acute complications of diabetes mellitus type II.Methods: This observational, analytical study was conducted on 100 patients aged more than 18 years admitted in the ICU with acute complication of Diabetes mellitus Type II. Medical history was recorded. Physical examination and investigations were done and recorded.Results: The mean age of the study population was 55.26±13.13 years. Hypoglycemia was more common (63%) than DKA (37%). Fever and sweating had the overall highest incidence (and were more in patients with hypoglycemia) while stupor, nausea and abdominal pain had the lowest incidence (and were more in patients with DKA). On examination, only one patient of DKA was drowsy. Mean temperature, pulse and respiratory rate were higher in the patients having DKA while blood pressure was higher in patients having hypoglycemia.Conclusions: It can be effectively concluded from the present study that DKA and hypoglycaemia have a broad spectrum of clinicopathological features. But the incidences vary widely. This may help in early recognition of the impending complication and thereby enabling prompt management of the same, reducing the associated morbidity and mortality. 

Hip fractures associated with concomitant upper limb fractures: a case series

Elderly patients are at risk of fractures of distal radius, proximal humerus, spine and hip even due to trivial low energy falls. Hip injuries are commonly associated with concomitant ipsilateral upper limb injury because of a protective reflex of shielding their body from fall using their shoulder or outstretched hand. Here we presented a case series of 3 elderly patients who came to us with hip fractures and concomitant ipsilateral upper limb fractures. The injuries were adequately managed with splintage and operative procedures. Post-operatively mobilization was challenging. But patients were successfully mobilized with the help of relatives and physiotherapists. Concomitant hip fractures with associated ipsilateral upper limb fractures are quite common in elderly and difficult to treat. Post-operatively mobilization of patient and functional outcome is hampered. Proper counselling by operating surgeon, physiotherapy and postoperative rehabilitation with the help of relatives and assisting devices provides good outcome. In cases of hip trauma in old age, one should always thoroughly examine and screen for upper limb injuries. So that early appropriate treatment and mobilization can be done with good functional outcome

Unique Approach to Manage Patient Medical Records using Firebase

The world is in need for a system where every individual?s medical records ought to be handy or accessible. Although our generation is at the forefront of technological advancements more than ever, we still rely on paper based documents for accessing our medical records. While this is time-consuming, it is also an inefficient way of saving our records for use in the near future where we rely more and more on data stored electronically, helping us access it from any part of the world. Our aim is to build an application system which stores all details like allergies, medical history, surgery history, prescription drugs. We basically, keep a track of the person?s profile concerning his/her body?s biological trend. The app will be able to authenticate the user by using biometric sensors (if available on the phone) along with the national id number (Aadhar card number). Consider a senario where a patient is admitted to a nearby hospital, with the help of proposed system all his/her records could be seen without requiring them to speak for themselves. This could be of great help in case of blood transfusions or any other protocols followed in an emergency

Recurrent Spinal Giant Cell Tumors: A Study of Risk Factors and Recurrence Patterns

Study DesignRetrospective study.PurposeTo highlight risk factors, recurrence patterns and multimodal treatment in management of recurrent giant cell tumors (GCTs).Overview of LiteratureGCTs of the spine are rare and challenging entities. Recurrences are very common and warrant complex management to prevent multiple recurrences. Gross total resection is preferred over subtotal procedures to prevent recurrences. However, resection is associated with morbidity and mortality. Proper understanding of risk factors and a high index of suspicion helps to spot recurrences early and aids in subsequent management.MethodsTen patients (six females, four males) with recurrent GCTs underwent 17 interventions. There were six lesions in the thoracic spine, two in the cervical spine and two in the lumbar spine. Recurrences were managed with preoperative digital subtraction embolization, intralesional curettage and postoperative radiotherapy.ResultsThe average age at intervention was 31.3 years. The average duration of recurrence in patients following index surgery in a tertiary care hospital and surgery elsewhere was 7.3 years and was 40 months, respectively. The minimum recurrence-free interval after the last recurrent surgery was 10 years.ConclusionsOur study reports the largest recurrence-free interval for GCTs. Recurrent GCTs are challenging entities. Understanding of risk factors and meticulous planning is required to prevent recurrences. Intralesional surgery could be a safer and effective modality in managing recurrences

Field Testing of High Current Electrokinetic Nanoparticle Treatment for Corrosion Mitigation in Reinforced Concrete

This work examines field performance of nanoscale pozzolan treatments delivered el ctrokinetically to suppress chloride induced corrosion of concrete reinforcement. The particles are 20 nm silica spheres coated with 2 nm alumina particles that carry a net positive charge. Earlier work demonstrated that the alumina particles were stripped from the silica carriers and formed a dense phase with an interparticle spacing that is small enough to inhibit the transport of solvated chlorides. A D.C. field was used to inject the particles into the pores of concrete specimens, directly toward the mild steel bars that were embedded within each 3 inch diameter by 6 inch length concrete specimen. The voltage was held constant at 25 v per inch of concrete cover for a period of 7 days. These voltages permitted current densities as high as 3 A/sq m. During the final 3 days, a 1 molar solution of calcium nitrate tetrahydrate was used to provide a source of calcium to facilitate stronger and more densified phase formation within the pores. In a departure from prior work the particle treatments were started concurrent with chloride extraction in order to determine if particle delivery would inhibit chloride transport. Following treatment the specimens were immersed in seawater for 4 weeks. After this posttreatment exposure, the specimens were tested for tensile strength and the steel reinforcement was examined for evidence of corrosion. Scanning electron microscopy was conducted to assess impact on microstructure

The psychological toll of slum living in Mumbai, India: A mixed methods study

In India, “non-notified” slums are not officially recognized by city governments; they suffer from insecure tenure and poorer access to basic services than “notified” (government-recognized) slums. We conducted a study in a non-notified slum of about 12,000 people in Mumbai to determine the prevalence of individuals at high risk for having a common mental disorder (i.e., depression and anxiety), to ascertain the impact of mental health on the burden of functional impairment, and to assess the influence of the slum environment on mental health. We gathered qualitative data (six focus group discussions and 40 individual interviews in July-November 2011), with purposively sampled participants, and quantitative data (521 structured surveys in February 2012), with respondents selected using community-level random sampling. For the surveys, we administered the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ) to screen for common mental disorders (CMDs), the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHO DAS) to screen for functional impairment, and a slum adversity questionnaire, which we used to create a composite Slum Adversity Index (SAI) score. Twenty-three percent of individuals have a GHQ score ≥5, suggesting they are at high risk for having a CMD. Psychological distress is a major contributor to the slum’s overall burden of functional impairment. In a multivariable logistic regression model, household income, poverty-related factors, and the SAI score all have strong independent associations with CMD risk. The qualitative findings suggest that non-notified status plays a central role in creating psychological distress—by creating and exacerbating deprivations that serve as sources of stress, by placing slum residents in an inherently antagonistic relationship with the government through the criminalization of basic needs, and by shaping a community identity built on a feeling of social exclusion from the rest of the city

Quasars That Have Transitioned from Radio-quiet to Radio-loud on Decadal Timescales Revealed by VLASS and FIRST

We have performed a search over 3440 deg² of Epoch 1 (2017–2019) of the Very Large Array Sky Survey to identify unobscured quasars in the optical (0.2 2500%) but roughly steady fluxes over a few months at 3 GHz are inconsistent with extrinsic variability due to propagation effects, thus favoring an intrinsic origin. We conclude that our sources are powerful quasars hosting compact/young jets. This challenges the generally accepted idea that "radio-loudness" is a property of the quasar/AGN population that remains fixed on human timescales. Our study suggests that frequent episodes of short-lived AGN jets that do not necessarily grow to large scales may be common at high redshift. We speculate that intermittent but powerful jets on subgalactic scales could interact with the interstellar medium, possibly driving feedback capable of influencing galaxy evolution