Effect of silica fume and fly ash on heat of hydration of Portland cement

Results of calorimeter tests on Portland cement-silica fume-fly ash mixtures are presented. Data indicate that silica fume accelerates cement hydration at high water/cementitious ratios and retards hydration at low water/cementitious ratios. On the other hand, fly ash retards cement hydration more significantly at high water/cementitious ratios. When silica fume and fly ash are added together with cement, the reactivity of the silica fume is hampered and the hydration of the cementitious system is significantly retarded.     

Effects of large mammalian herbivores and ant symbionts on condensed tannins of Acacia drepanolobium in Kenya

Condensed tannins have been considered to be important inducible defenses against mammalian herbivory. We tested for differences in condensed tannin defenses in Acacia drepanolobium in Kenya over two years among different large mammalian herbivore treatments [total exclusion, antelope only, and megaherbivore (elephants and giraffes) + antelope] and with four different ant symbiont species on the trees. We predicted that (1) condensed tannin concentrations would be lowest in the mammal treatment with the lowest level of herbivory (total exclusion), (2) trees occupied by mutualist ants that protect the trees most aggressively would have lower levels of tannins, and (3) if chemical defense production is costly, there would be a trade-off between tannin concentrations, growth, and mechanical defenses. Mean tannin concentrations increased from total exclusion treatments to wildlife-only treatments to megaherbivore + antelope treatments. In 1997, condensed tannin concentrations were significantly lower in trees occupied by the ant Crematogaster nigriceps, the only ant species that actively removed axillary buds. Contrary to our prediction, trees occupied by ant species that protect the trees more aggressively against mammalian herbivores did not have lower overall levels of condensed tannins. There was no consistent evidence of a trade-off between tannin concentrations and growth rate, but there was a positive correlation between mean thorn length and mean tannin concentrations across species of ant inhabitants and across herbivore treatments in 1997. Contrary to our expectation, trees had higher tannin concentrations in the upper parts of the canopy where there is little herbivory by mammals.     

Synthesis method comparison of compositionally complex rare earth-based Ruddlesden–Popper n = 1 T′-type cuprates

The multicomponent approach has been successfully expanded to the Ruddlesden–Popper structure with the synthesis of two different high-entropy cuprate compositions: (La_0.2Nd_0.2Gd_0.2Tb_0.2Dy_0.2)₂CuO₄ and (La_0.2Pr_0.2Nd_0.2Sm_0.2Eu_0.2)₂CuO₄. The effect of synthesis method is explored using both solid-state reaction and polymeric steric entrapment (PSE) methods. It is found that PSE leads to more randomly distributed cation species, providing an advantageous method of synthesis for the growing field of high entropy oxides. In situ high-temperature x-ray diffraction tracks the amorphous to crystalline phase transformation in (La_0.2Nd_0.2Gd_0.2Tb_0.2Dy_0.2)₂CuO₄ powder, synthesized using the PSE method. Using the High-Temperature XRD data, a method for gaining information on the kinetic behavior is also applied. Magnetometry of both compositions indicates ferrimagnetic behavior at low temperatures.     

Numerical simulation on magnetic flux leakage evaluation at high speed

High-speed non-destructive inspection (NDI) systems using magnetic flux leakage method (MFL) is in great demand in online metal inspection and defect characterisation, especially in pipeline and rail track inspection. For MFL systems at high speed measurement, in addition to magnetic flux, eddy currents exist in metal specimen because of the relative movement between the probe and specimen. These currents alter the profile of electromagnetic field, which increases difficulty in signal interpretation and defect characterization. In this paper, eddy currents generated by high speed movement and their characterisation in high-speed MFL inspection systems were investigated by using numerical simulations. Besides, the MFL signals from high speed MFL measurement against defect depth were examined.     

Adaptive water management in Israel: structure and policy options

Difficulties in integrating technical, economic and institutional factors present a major gap in analytical capacity to guide water policy. This article presents an integrated framework to support water policy and guide water management choices, with application to Israel. That framework rests on the theory of economic policy originally developed by Tinbergen. It sees national water challenges as consisting of external factors, constraints, policy instruments and targets. The need for a modern implementation of the theory of economic policy is motivated by emerging environmental requirements, scarce water, growing demands for domestic use, and ongoing needs to implement existing and potential peace agreements.     

Optics clustered to output unique solutions: a multi-laser facility for combined single molecule and ensemble microscopy

Optics clustered to output unique solutions (OCTOPUS) is a microscopy platform that combines single molecule and ensemble imaging methodologies. A novel aspect of OCTOPUS is its laser excitation system, which consists of a central core of interlocked continuous wave and pulsed laser sources, launched into optical fibres and linked via laser combiners. Fibres are plugged into wall-mounted patch panels that reach microscopy end-stations in adjacent rooms. This allows multiple tailor-made combinations of laser colours and time characteristics to be shared by different end-stations minimising the need for laser duplications. This setup brings significant benefits in terms of cost effectiveness, ease of operation, and user safety. The modular nature of OCTOPUS also facilitates the addition of new techniques as required, allowing the use of existing lasers in new microscopes while retaining the ability to run the established parts of the facility. To date, techniques interlinked are multi-photon/multicolour confocal fluorescence lifetime imaging for several modalities of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and time-resolved anisotropy, total internal reflection fluorescence, single molecule imaging of single pair FRET, single molecule fluorescence polarisation, particle tracking, and optical tweezers. Here, we use a well-studied system, the epidermal growth factor receptor network, to illustrate how OCTOPUS can aid in the investigation of complex biological phenomena.     

The Battle Over E-commerce Sales Taxes Heats Up

The inability of states to collect sales taxes from online vendors is a salient issue during the current economic decline. Further, brick and mortar retailers, who must charge customers sales tax, have pushed for legislation requiring online vendors to also do so. States have enacted legislation requiring online vendors, such as Amazon.com LLC, to collect and pay these taxes. In this article the authors describe the issue and make recommendations for resolution.     

Benefits and Risks of Social Business: Are Companies Considering E-Discovery?

Using social media in business, referred to as social business, is exploding. In reviewing past research according to brand-driving efforts for products, customers, employees, and business partners, we find a focus on benefits, with little attention to risks. Seemingly disregarded in the IS literature is the risk of electronic discovery resulting from legal actions. We categorize and exemplify risks, while analyzing the legal risk. We conclude by providing recommendations for practice and directions for future research.