Shotcrete for underground support: a state-of-the-art report with focus on steel-fibre reinforcement

This paper reviews current trends in shortcreting, primarily based on the Status Report of a Working Group of the International Tunneling Association and the most recent U.S. Engineering Foundation conference on the theme (held in Uppsala, Sweden, in 1990). Of special interest is the increasing use of fibre reinforcement, which implies increased safety and substantial cost savings. The need for scientific collaboration and exchange of ideas between concrete and rock mechanics specialists is emphasized as a tool for a better understanding of the support behaviour of shotcrete linings.     

Cellular UDP-glucose deficiency caused by a single point mutation in the UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase gene

We previously isolated a mutant cell that is the only mammalian cell reported to have a persistently low level of UDP-glucose. In this work we obtained a spontaneous revertant whose UDP-glucose level lies between those found in the wild type and the mutant cell. The activity of UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (UDPG:PP), the enzyme that catalyzes the formation of UDP-glucose, was in the mutant 4% and in the revertant 56% of the activity found in the wild type cell. Sequence analysis of UDPG: PP cDNAs from the mutant cell showed one missense mutation, which changes amino acid residue 115 from glycine to aspartic acid. The substituted glycine is located within the largest stretch of strictly conserved residues among eukaryotic UDPG:PPs. The analysis of the cDNAs from the revertant cell indicated the presence of an equimolar mixture of the wild type and the mutated mRNAs, suggesting that the mutation has reverted in only one of the alleles. In summary, we demonstrate that the G115D substitution in the Chinese hamster UDPG:PP dramatically impairs its enzymatic activity, thereby causing cellular UDP-glucose deficiency.     

Crystallization and melting behaviour of poly(butylene terephthalate) in poly(butylene terephthalate)/polyarylate blends

Summary The crystallization and melting behaviour of poly(butylene terephthalate) has been studied in the pure state and in its blends with a polyarylate of bisphenol A and isophthalic/terephthalic acids. Differential scanning calorimetry has been used as experimental technique and the effects of different thermal treatments have been analyzed. Results show the hindrance for the crystallization of poly(butylene terephthalate) imposed by the presence of polyarylate, as well as the existence of multiple melting after isothermal crystallization. Explanations are given for the observed behaviours.     

The influence of preparation conditions on the electrochemical behaviour of CuO in a Li/CuO cell

A dozen CuO samples prepared under various conditions and from different starting materials were evaluated as cathode materials for a primary Li/CuO cell. The “thin electrode” method was used for rapid evaluation of the samples. Both coulombic efficiency and discharge voltage depend considerably on the method of synthesis. No correlation was found between the specific surface area and the resistivity of the samples on the one hand and the cathode performance on the other. Best results were obtained from CuO prepared by the oxidation of Cu₂O under controlled temperature and time of oxidation.     

The use of natural essential oils as antimicrobial solutions in paper packaging. Part II

We have assessed the antimicrobial, vapor-phase activity of the following natural essential oils (EOs) when used in paraffin-based “active coatings” for paper packaging materials intended to come into contact with foods: clove (Sygzium aromaticum), cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), and oregano (Origanum vulgare) EOs, and cinnamaldehyde-enriched cinnamon EO. To our knowledge, this is the first time that such an approach has been presented for consideration by the scientific community.