Incorporation of Aluminum into C–S–H Structures: From Synthesis to Nanostructural Characterization

C–A–S–H (C=CaO, A=Al₂O₃, S=SiO₂, H=H₂O in cement nomenclature) phases have been synthesized from CaO, SiO₂, and AlNaO₂. The initial CaO/SiO₂ (C/S_initial) ratios varied from 0.8 to 1.5 and the initial Al₂O₃/SiO₂ (A/S_initial) ratio was set to 0.1. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction and chemical analyses of their equilibrium solutions. This paper describes experiments using a low-voltage scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM-in-SEM) imaging system that allows transmission observations in an environmental scanning electron microscope. Observations of the nanostructure were also performed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Two types of morphologies were clearly observed: fine fibrillar aggregates and small plates, the latter being particularly sensitive to beam damage. Despite their different appearance, both of these phases were amorphous, and the small plates were richer in aluminum. The fraction of the small plate phase increased with the C/S_initial ratio. TEM interpretations showed that C–A–S–H phases were not stable under the electron beam and high-magnification observations could significantly modify their structure. Images and chemical analyses acquired with STEM-in-SEM appeared as valuable sources of information because they offered a large observation field comparable to a transmission electron microscope and better magnification resolution than a classical scanning electron microscope.     

The intelligent knee sleeve: A wearable biofeedback device

A unique textile-based device, the intelligent knee sleeve (IKS), uses conducting polymer technology to provide feedback on knee flexion angle for injury prevention programs. After identifying the most appropriate base fabric for the sensor, 12 athletes (age = 26.1 ± 3.2 years) performed four landing movements while wearing the sleeve, which was set to provide audible feedback at 25° and 45° knee flexion. Sensor and audible output (1000 Hz), knee kinematics (200 Hz) and ground reaction forces (1000 Hz) were recorded during the landing movements using an OPTOTRAK^® motion analysis system. Paired t-tests and intraclass correlation coefficients were used to determine validity and reliability of the feedback. The results revealed that the audible feedback tone was able to significantly differentiate between different goniometer-programmed knee angles (25° and 45°). Knee angles computed using the kinematic data from each trial for each movement were also highly reliable (intraclass correlation coefficients, R₁ = 0.903–0.988). It was concluded that although the IKS provides valid and reliable feedback on knee flexion angle, consistent feedback is dependent upon use of a sensor unaffected by environmental conditions. Such wearable biofeedback systems have application in a broad spectrum of activities, including performance enhancement, injury prevention and rehabilitation.     

A nonparametric approach for histogram segmentation.

In this work, we propose a method to segment a 1-D histogram without a priori assumptions about the underlying density function. Our approach considers a rigorous definition of an admissible segmentation, avoiding over and under segmentation problems. A fast algorithm leading to such a segmentation is proposed. The approach is tested both with synthetic and real data. An application to the segmentation of written documents is also presented. We shall see that this application requires the detection of very small histogram modes, which can be accurately detected with the proposed method.     

Moving from lean manufacturing to lean construction: Toward a common sociotechnological framework

Since the early 1990s, the construction industry has taken some interest in the application of lean production to its own case. A new body of research led by the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC) has been exploring new techniques for the industry. In this article the techniques developed for lean construction are compared with those of lean manufacturing. Differences between the manufacturing and the construction cases showed why lean production does not fully suit the construction industry. Although some elements are in an embryonic state, lean construction has built a set of techniques that are transferable to any constructor. Lean manufacturing and lean construction share many common elements despite their different techniques. The need for a joint combination of technical and human elements shows that both approaches conform to a common sociotechnological design. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Hum Factors Man 15: 233–245, 2005.     

Good transboundary water governance in the 2015 Sustainable Development Goals: a legal perspective

The goal of this article is to discuss whether the Sustainable Development Goals address the cooperation necessary to facilitate a system of transboundary water governance. For the purpose of this analysis, a Good Transboundary Water Governance Matrix has been developed. We find that transboundary water governance requires a holistic interpretation and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals understood as a whole. In particular, good governance and, ultimately, sustainable development require stakeholders to focus not only on water (Goal 6) but also on Goal 16, which focuses on international cooperation.     

The acute effects of the thermogenic supplement Meltdown on energy expenditure,fat oxidation,and hemodynamic responses in young,healthy males

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a thermogenic supplement, Meltdown, on energy expenditure, fat oxidation, and hemodynamics before and after maximal treadmill exercise. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over design, 12 male participants underwent two testing sessions after consuming either the Meltdown or placebo supplement. While in a fasted state, participants rested for one hour, orally ingested either Meltdown or placebo and rested for another hour, performed a maximal treadmill exercise test, and then rested for another hour. Throughout the testing protocol, resting energy expenditure (REE) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were assessed. In addition, heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were assessed before and after exercise. Meltdown increased REE significantly more than placebo at 45 min (1.44 ± 0.25 vs. 1.28 ± 0.23 kcal/min; p = 0.003), 60 min (1.49 ± 0.28 vs. 1.30 ± 0.22 kcal/min; p = 0.025), and 120 min (1.51 ± 0.26 vs. 1.33 ± 0.27 kcals/min; p = 0.014) post-ingestion. Meltdown significantly decreased RER at 30 min (0.84 ± 0.03 vs. 0.91 ± 0.04; p = 0.022) and 45 min post-ingestion (0.82 ± 0.04 vs. 0.89 ± 0.05; p = 0.042), and immediately post-exercise (0.83 ± 0.05 vs. 0.90 ± 0.07; p = 0.009). Furthermore, over the course of the evaluation period, area under the curve assessment demonstrated that REE was significantly increased with Meltdown compared to placebo (992.5 ± 133.1 vs. 895.1 ± 296.1 kcals; p = 0.043), while RER was significantly less than placebo (5.55 ± 0.61 vs. 5.89 ± 0.44; p = 0.002) following ingestion. HR and BP were not significantly affected prior to exercise with either supplement (p > 0.05) and the exercise-induced increases for HR and BP decreased into recovery and were not different between supplements (p > 0.05). These data suggest that Meltdown enhances REE and fat oxidation more than placebo for several hours after ingestion in fully rested and post-exercise states without any adverse hemodynamic responses associated with maximal exercise.     

Rising African cassava production,diseases due to high cyanide intake and control measures

Cassava is the staple food of tropical Africa and its production, averaged over 24 countries, has increased more than threefold from 1980 to 2005, and the population has more than doubled over that time compared with a 1.5 times increase worldwide. Agriculturally, cassava performs very well but the roots and leaves contain cyanogenic glucosides that are dangerous to human health. These cyanogens sometimes produce acute intoxication leading to death, they exacerbate goitre and cretinism in iodine‐deficient regions, cause konzo and are implicated in the occurrence of tropical ataxic neuropathy and stunting of children. Konzo is an irreversible paralysis of the legs with many thousands of cases, mainly amongst children, in Mozambique, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Central African Republic and probably other tropical African countries. Attempts to alleviate cassava cyanide toxicity have included the development of an information network and distribution in developing countries of picrate kits, which measure total cyanide in cassava and urinary thiocyanate. A simple wetting method that reduces total cyanide in cassava flour three‐ to sixfold has been successfully field tested and is being introduced in Mozambique. Transgenic technology shows promise in increasing the rate of loss of cyanide from roots during processing. World health and agricultural bodies should pay more attention to emerging health problems associated with toxicity of cyanogens in cassava. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Two–year follow–up of cognitive–behavioral therapy and supportive counseling in the treatment of persistent symptoms in chronic schizophrenia.

The article reports the 2–year follow–up of patients suffering persistent symptoms of schizophrenia who entered a single blind randomized controlled trial. Patients were randomly allocated to cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) plus routine care (RC), supportive counseling (SC) plus RC, or RC alone. Treatment took place over 3 months, and follow-up was made 12 and 24 months after treatment finished. Sixty-one patients were available to the 2-year follow-up and assessed for positive and negative symptoms and clinical improvement; all of the 87 patients who entered the trial were assessed for relapse over the follow-up period. On all measures, patients who received RC alone did significantly worse at 2 years. There were no significant differences at 2 years between the CBT and SC groups. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Formation of silicone elastomer networks films with gradients in modulus

We describe the formation of soft material substrates with position-dependent modulus. Two strategies have been employed in the preparation of such materials. In the first method, we create modulus gradient structures by inter-diffusing two (or more) formulations of silicone elastomers (SE), comprising mixtures of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) and poly(vinylmethylsiloxane) (PVMS) with varying molecular weight and content of PDMS, and cross-link them thermally in order to form SE networks. With this method, the resultant substrates exhibit shallow modulus gradients that extend over a few centimeters in length. The second technique is based on employing ultraviolet (UV)-based cross-linking of mercapto-terminated PVMS chains across transparency lithographic masks. We demonstrate that the shape and “sharpness” of the modulus on the substrate depends solely on the position-dependent transparency of the mask to the UV light. As a part of the study we provide detailed material characterization of networks formed by the PDMS-PVMS and PVMS-SH chains.     

Dismantling cognitive–behavioral treatment for panic disorder: Questioning the utility of breathing retraining.

Cognitive–behavioral treatment (CBT) protocols for panic disorder (PD) consist of a set of interventions that often includes some form of breathing retraining (BR). A controlled outcome study was designed to assess the necessity of BR in the context of a multicomponent CBT protocol. To accomplish this, patients with PD (N?=?77) were randomly assigned to receive CBT with or without BR or to a delayed-treatment control. The main study hypothesis was that patients receiving BR would display a less complete recovery relative to the other active-treatment condition given that BR appears to be a more attractive (but less adaptive) option for some patients. Some data suggested that the addition of BR yielded a poorer outcome. However, findings were generally more consistent with treatment equivalence, questioning whether BR produces any incremental benefits in the context of other CBT interventions for PD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)