Shakedown Approaches to Rut Depth Prediction in Low-Volume Roads

Rutting, due to permanent deformations of unbound materials, is one of the principal damage modes of low traffic pavements. Flexible pavement design methods remain empirical; they do not take into account the inelastic behavior of pavement materials and do not predict the rutting under cyclic loading. A finite-element program, based on the concept of the shakedown theory developed by Zarka for metallic structures under cyclic loadings, has been used to estimate the permanent deformations of unbound granular materials subjected to traffic loading. Based on repeated load triaxial tests, a general procedure has been developed for the determination of the material parameters of the constitutive model. Finally, the results of a finite-element modeling of the long-term behavior of a flexible pavement with the simplified method are presented and compared to the results of a full-scale flexible pavement experiment performed by Laboratoire Central des Ponts et Chaussées. Finally, the calculation of the rut depth evolution with time is carried out.     

Structural Alterations of Antigens at the Material Interface: An Early Decision Toolbox Facilitating Safe-by-Design Nanovaccine Development

Nanomaterials have found extensive interest in the development of novel vaccines, as adjuvants and/or carriers in vaccination platforms. Conjugation of protein antigens at the particle surface by non-covalent adsorption is the most widely used approach in licensed particulate vaccines. Hence, it is essential to understand proteins’ structural integrity at the material interface in order to develop safe-by-design nanovaccines. In this study, we utilized two model proteins, the wild-type allergen Bet v 1 and its hypoallergenic fold variant (BM4), to compare SiO₂ nanoparticles with Alhydrogel^® as particulate systems. A set of biophysical and functional assays including circular dichroism spectroscopy and proteolytic degradation was used to examine the antigens’ structural integrity at the material interface. Conjugation of both biomolecules to the particulate systems decreased their proteolytic stability. However, we observed qualitative and quantitative differences in antigen processing concomitant with differences in their fold stability. These changes further led to an alteration in IgE epitope recognition. Here, we propose a toolbox of biophysical and functional in vitro assays for the suitability assessment of nanomaterials in the early stages of vaccine development. These tools will aid in safe-by-design innovations and allow fine-tuning the properties of nanoparticle candidates to shape a specific immune response.     

Optical and magnetic properties of perovskite materials: Ba0.3La0.7Ti0.3Fe0.7O3 and Ba0.1La0.9Ti0.1Fe0.9O3

Structural, optical and magnetic properties are reported for new synthesized perovskite materials. Ba_0.3La_0.7Ti_0.3Fe_0.7O₃ and Ba_0.1La_0.9Ti_0.1Fe_0.9O₃ compositions were prepared via solid state reaction. X-ray analysis confirms that both compositions show feature of perovskite structure. Rietveld refinement method was used to confirm the phase formation and investigate the structure and space group. The study demonstrates the formation of orthorhombic structure with Pnma space group for Ba_0.3La_0.7Ti_0.3Fe_0.7O₃ while the composition Ba_0.1La_0.9Ti_0.1Fe_0.9O₃ structure adopts Pbnm symmetry. UV–vis spectroscopy measurements show very broad and intense UV–visible light absorption, the estimated band gap ranges between 2.07 and 2.15 eV. Magnetic measurements were carried out for the compositions Ba_0.3La_0.7Ti_0.3Fe_0.7O₃ and Ba_0.1La_0.9Ti_0.1Fe_0.9O₃. The hysteresis loops of both samples at 300 and 10 K show a strong ferromagnetic behavior. The temperature dependent magnetization at 0.05 T under field-cooled (FC) and zero field cooled (ZFC) modes shows magnetic frustration or spin glass-like behavior.     

Ce-promoted Co/Al2O3 catalysts for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis

The effect of ceria promotion on the performance of Co/Al₂O₃ catalyst was evaluated in a high pressure fixed bed reactor for Fischer–Tropsch (FT) synthesis at close industrial conditions. Ce–Al₂O₃ supports with a molar ratio of Al/Ce = 8 were prepared by two different methods: one by co-precipitation of cerium and aluminum precursors in water-in-oil microemulsion and the other one by aqueous impregnation of cerium nitrate on commercial alumina. These supports, together with the unmodified alumina carrier, were used to prepare four cobalt-based catalysts. These catalysts were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDX, TEM, N₂ adsorption/desorption, TPR and chemisorption techniques. The results show that the presence of CeO₂ on the surface of the support favors the reducibility of cobalt oxides with a shift down in reduction temperature of about 70 °C. The catalytic evaluation of the catalysts revealed that cerium addition by impregnation increases the activity and selectivity to C₅₊ catalyst in FTS. The catalyst synthetized by microemulsion show lower catalytic performance. Nevertheless, the catalytic property of this material can be improved by increasing the crystalline micro-domains size of CeO₂.     

Production of Beta-D-Galactosidase from Kluyveromyces fragilis Grown in Cheese Whey

Two strains of Kluyveromyces fragilis (145 and 276) and one of Kluyveromyces lactis were tested for their abilities to produce beta-D-galactosidase in cheese whey. Kluyveromyces fragilis 145 was selected for its higher beta-D-galactosidase activity per cell at the end of the exponential growth phase.Addition of ammonium sulfate (.3%) and yeast extract (.1%) to the deproteinized cheese whey increased cell mass and enzyme yield.Addition of 3% lactose did not affect beta-D-galactosidase activity per cell, which responded positively to a reduction in aeration from 1 to .25 air volume/medium volume/min.The harvested yeast cells were ethanol- and acetone-permeabilized to enhance lactose hydrolysis by beta-D-galactosidase.     

Intestinal Radiation Protection and Mitigation by Second-Generation Probiotic Lactobacillus-reuteri Engineered to Deliver Interleukin-22

(1) Background: The systemic administration of therapeutic agents to the intestine including cytokines, such as Interleukin-22 (IL-22), is compromised by damage to the microvasculature 24 hrs after total body irradiation (TBI). At that time, there is significant death of intestinal microvascular endothelial cells and destruction of the lamina propria, which limits drug delivery through the circulation, thus reducing the capacity of therapeutics to stabilize the numbers of Lgr5+ intestinal crypt stem cells and their progeny, and improve survival. By its direct action on intestinal stem cells and their villus regeneration capacity, IL-22 is both an ionizing irradiation protector and mitigator. (2) Methods: To improve delivery of IL-22 to the irradiated intestine, we gavaged Lactobacillus-reuteri as a platform for the second-generation probiotic Lactobacillus-reuteri-Interleukin-22 (LR-IL-22). (3) Results: There was effective radiation mitigation by gavage of LR-IL-22 at 24 h after intestinal irradiation. Multiple biomarkers of radiation damage to the intestine, immune system and bone marrow were improved by LR-IL-22 compared to the gavage of control LR or intraperitoneal injection of IL-22 protein. (4) Conclusions: Oral administration of LR-IL-22 is an effective protector and mitigator of intestinal irradiation damage.     

Dental erosion potential of beverages and bottled drinking water in Bangladesh

Dental erosion is a growing health problem linked to the exceptional increase in the consumption of soft drinks, fruit juices, and sport drinks in many countries including Bangladesh. Dental erosion is the chemical dissolution of the dental hard tissues by acids without the involvement of microorganisms. Hydrogen ions (H⁺) from acidic solutions can replace the calcium ions (Ca²⁺) of the enamel, consequently breaking the crystal structure of the enamel and initiating dental erosion. Erosive tooth wear can lead to severe impairment of esthetics along with loss of hardness and functionality. Sources of the erosive acidic challenges can be intrinsic (i.e., gastroesophaegal reflux disease) and/or extrinsic (i.e., exposure from acidic foods and beverages). Continuous intake of drinks or food with pH lower than the critical erosive pH of enamel (5.2–5.5) and root dentin (~6.7) are considered to be responsible for dental erosion. Drinks with low pH and high titratable acidity (TA) have more potential to dissolved enamel and root dentin; on the other hand, drinks with low degree of saturation can stimulate leaching of minerals. In Bangladesh, there is limited scientific information available to assess the potential of dental erosion of the commercially available beverages and drinking water. This research aims to characterize the dental erosion potential of soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit juices, and bottled drinking water available in Bangladesh by determining their pH, TA, calcium (Ca²⁺), and phosphate (PO₄^3?). The degrees of saturation of the selected samples were calculated from the experimental results of pH, calcium, and phosphate levels. Soft drinks were found to have high erosion potential followed by energy drinks, fruit juices, and bottled drinking water. Most of the beverages locally available were found highly acidic. Phosphate levels were high in black cola drinks. Total TA was highest for the energy drinks, and moderate for soft drinks and fruit juices. Fruit juices contained high level of calcium compared with other beverages. The degree of saturation was moderate for fruit juices, and very low for few of the soft drinks and most of the bottled drinking waters. This study will be useful as a reference line for the health professionals and regulatory authorities for quality control of the beverages and bottled drinking water available in the local market.