Characterization by solid-state NMR and selective dissolution techniques of anhydrous and hydrated CEM V cement pastes

The long term behaviour of cement based materials is strongly dependent on the paste microstructure and also on the internal chemistry. A CEM V blended cement containing pulverised fly ash (PFA) and blastfurnace slag (BFS) has been studied in order to understand hydration processes which influence the paste microstructure. Solid-state NMR spectroscopy with complementary X-ray diffraction analysis and selective dissolution techniques have been used for the characterization of the various phases (C₃S, C₂S, C₃A and C₄AF) of the clinker and additives and then for estimation of the degree of hydration of these same phases. Their quantification after simulation of experimental ²⁹Si and ²⁷Al MAS NMR spectra has allowed us to follow the hydration of recent (28 days) and old (10 years) samples that constitutes a basis of experimental data for the prediction of hydration model.     

A semi‐discrete shell finite element for textile composite reinforcement forming simulation

A triangular shell element for the simulation of textile composite reinforcements forming is proposed. This element is made up of unit woven cells. The internal virtual works are added on all woven cells of the element. They depend on tensions, in‐plane shear and bending moments that are directly those given by the experimental tests that are specific to textile composite reinforcement. The element has only displacement degrees of freedom; the bending curvatures are obtained from the displacement of the neighbouring elements. A set of example shows the efficiency of the approach and the relative roles of the tensile, in‐plane shear and bending rigidities. Especially their influence on the appearance and the development of wrinkles in draping and forming tests is analysed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Correlation of cerebral blood flow with outcome in head injured patients

In order to determine the relationship of cerebral blood flow (CBF) to the clinical outcome of head injury, serial determinations of CBF were performed by the intravenous Xenon technique in 24 patients. The patients were of mixed injury severity and were classified into four groups depending on the neurological exam at the time of each CBF study. All eight patients who were lethargic on admission demonstrated increases in their minimally depressed CBF as they improved to normal status. Eleven patients in deep stupor or coma ultimately recovered. Ten of these patients initially had moderate to profound decreases in CBF which improved as recovery occurred. The single exception was an adolescent whose initial CBF was high but became normal at recovery. Five comatose patients died. In four of these, already depressed CBF fell even lower, while one adolescent with initially increased CBF developed very low CBF preterminally. The data presented in this report demonstrated a good correlation between CBF and clinical outcome. In every one of the adult survivors, depressed CBF increased as the patient recovered to normal status. All adults who died showed a deterioration of CBF as the neurological status worsened. The only exceptions were two adolescents who initially showed high CBF values. In the adolescent who died, CBF dropped to low levels while in the survivor a normal CBF was achieved. Thus in adults a traumatic brain injury was associated with depressed CBF which increased with recovery or decreased further with deterioration while the reaction to injury was quite different in the younger brain.     

Intraventricular chemotherapy in neonatal meningitis

All of 16 infants with neonatal meningitis treated during a 30-month period were found to have accompanying ventriculitis at the time of the initial ventricular puncture. Fifteen of these infants were caused by gramm-negative organisms. All infants received antibiotics systemically and intraventricularly via an implanted ventriculostomy reservoir or by direct ventricular injection. Antibiotic concentrations within the ventricular fluid were monitored during chemotherapy; the complications encountered during treatment are discussed. Fifteen infants survived the infection; of these, seven infants were normal at follow-up examinations. In our experience intraventricular chemotherapy as an adjunct to systemic administration of antibiotics has greatly reduced the mortality rate in neonatal meningitis.     

Polyurethane foam (Bentley) micropore blood transfusion filter: filtration characteristics

Stored human blood of varying age was passed through polyurethane foam (Bentley) micropore blood transfusion filters. Passage through these filters resulted in decreased screen filtration pressure (SFP) of the blood and increased filter weights. Numerous microaggregates were removed and SFP returned to normal after filtration. Occlusion of the filter occurred after passage of only 2 units of whole blood. On the basis of this research, we conclude that polyurethane foam (Bentley) micropore blood transfusion filters are effective in removal of microaggregates from stored human blood. Because the filtering capacity is not great, it is recommended that when these filters are used during transfusion a new filter be used for each unit of blood administered.     

Relationship between mouth occlusion pressure and electrical activity of the diaphragm: effects of flow-resistive loading

We determined the relationship between mouth occlusion pressure and diaphragmatic electromyography during CO2 rebreathing with and without inspiratory flow resistance. Diaphragmatic electromyography was measured as a moving time average; occlusion pressures were measured 150 msec after onset of an inspiratory effort against a closed airway (P.15). P.15 versus diaphragmatic electromyographic plots during CO2 rebreathing with and without inspiratory flow resistance were linear. In 3 subjects the slope of P.15 versus diaphragmatic electromyography was unchanged with inspiratory flow resistance whereas in 3 others the slope increased, indicating greater inspiratory force for a given degree of diaphragmatic activity. We concluded that under unloaded conditions P.15 is a reliable index of respiratory neural output but may no longer reflect only inspiratory motoneuron drive during mechanical loading.