Premature Stiffening Research Articles

Optimizing a hybrid mortar for an alkali-activated material by papermaking process wastes and blast furnace slag utilizing Taguchi–Grey relational analysis method

Different types of papermaking process wastes (PPWs) are generated in the paper industry. The compositions of the waste materials vary significantly depending on the source of the waste materials. To date, a standard methodology for the comprehensive assessment of the recovery potential of the waste materials generated has not been established. This research adopted the Taguchi–Grey relational analysis method to evaluate and efficiently recycle and reuse these wastes systematically. With regard to the development of the PPW- blast furnace slag (BFS) hybrid system, four types of PPWs, namely lime mud (LM), primary sludge (PS), fly ash (FA), and bottom ash (BA), were systematically utilized. Herein, the setting time, compressive strength, flexural strength, and shrinkage of the mortars that were based on the PPW-BFS hybrid system are analyzed. The results revealed that different factors affected different mortar properties. The setting time was primarily affected by the PS content, the BA content significantly influenced the compressive and flexural strengths, and the BA and LM contents exerted effects on the degree of shrinkage of the materials. The optimal PPW–BFS mortar composition was determined (LM: 5%; PS: 5%; FA: 30%; BA: 10%). It was observed that the optimal mortar composition attained a strength grade of M30, with successful mitigation of premature stiffening and volume shrinkage in the hybrid system.

Nanomechanical and Nonlinear Optical Properties of Glycated Dental Collagen

Nonenzymatic glycation is a multistep, slow reaction between reducing sugars and free amino groups of long-lived proteins, which affects the structural and mechanical properties of collagen-rich tissues via accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Dental collagen is exposed to glycation as part of the natural aging process. However, in case of chronically high blood glucose, the process can be accelerated, resulting in premature stiffening of dentin, leading to tooth fragility. The molecular mechanisms whereby collagen glycation evokes the loss of mechanical stability in teeth are currently unknown. In this study, we used 2-photon and atomic force microscopies to correlate structural and mechanical changes in dental collagen induced by in vitro glycation. Young tooth samples were demineralized and cut longitudinally into 30-µm sections, then artificially glycated in 0.5 M ribose solution for 10 wk. Two-photon microscopy analysis showed that both the autofluorescence and second harmonic–generated (SHG) signal intensities of glycated samples were significantly greater than those of the controls. Regarding the structural alteration of individual collagen fibers, a remarkable increase could be measured in fiber length of ribose-treated sections. Furthermore, nanoindentation of intertubular dentin regions revealed significantly higher stiffness in the ribose-treated samples, which points at a significant accumulation of AGEs. Thus, collagen glycation occurring during sustained exposure to reducing sugars leads to profound structural and mechanical changes in dentin. Besides the numerous oral complications associated with type 2 diabetes, the premature structural and mechanical deterioration of dentin may also play an important role in dental pathology.

β-Belite cements (β-dicalcium silicate) obtained from calcined lime sludge and silica fume

The utilization of lime sludge (LS), a pulp and paper industry residue, and silica fume (SF), a ferrosilicon industry by-product, as raw materials for the preparation of β-dicalcium silicate (β-C2S or β-belite) is investigated. β-phase belite is synthesized in a molar ratio of calcined LS/SF at 2.0 by hydrothermal method followed by calcination at 1000 °C for 2 h, which is lower temperature than conventional production temperature of about 1200 °C, and importantly without any chemical stabilizers. The produced belite cements containing 89.3% of β-belite, the rest being α-belite (5.93%), tobermorite (C–S–H, 1.71%), cristobolite (SiO2, 1.83%) and free lime (CaO, 1.24%). The micro analytical characteristic of the raw materials and formed belite are examined by means of TG-DTA-DTG, XRF, XRD, SEM with EDAX, FT-IR, BET techniques and isothermal conduction calorimetry. The hydration of pastes and compressive strength of mortars of the formed β-belite blended with ordinary Portland cement are studied with a partial replacement of cement by 10%, 20% and 30%. The reaction of β-belite in combination with Portland cement is comparable up to 10% replacement of cement to the pozzolanic reactions of other materials used in similar ways. However, it is observed that the premature stiffening of belite incorporated cement pastes takes place with low heat of hydration because of higher reactivity of belite cement incorporation.

Intrauterine growth restriction is associated with persistent aortic wall thickening and glomerular proteinuria during infancy

Low birth weight, caused either by preterm birth or by intrauterine growth restriction, has recently been associated with increased rates of adult renal and cardiovascular disease. Since aortic intima–media thickening is a noninvasive marker of preclinical vascular disease, we compared abdominal aortic intima–media thickness among intrauterine growth restricted and equivalent gestational age fetuses in utero and at 18 months of age. The relationship between intrauterine growth restriction, fetal aortic thickening, and glomerular function during infancy was measured by enrolling 44 mothers with single-fetus pregnancies at 32 weeks gestation: 23 growth restricted and 21 of appropriate gestational age as controls. Abdominal aortic intima–media thickness was measured by ultrasound at enrollment and again at 18 months of age. Fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction had significantly higher abdominal aortic intima–media thickness compared with age controls when measured both in utero and at 18 months. At 18 months, the median urinary microalbumin and median albumin–creatinine ratio were significantly higher in those infants who experienced intrauterine growth restriction compared to the controls. Our results show that intrauterine growth restriction is associated with persistent aortic wall thickening and significantly higher microalbuminuria during infancy.

Premature Stiffening of Cement Paste Caused by Secondary Gypsum and Syngenite Formation (False Set)

The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of specific hydration reaction on the stiffening process of cement paste. The cement compositions are manipulated to cause specific hydration reactions (secondary gypsum and syngenite formation) responsible for false set, and the relationship between specific hydration reactions and the flow and stiffening behavior of cement paste were investigated using modified ASTM C 403 penetration resistance measurement and oscillatory shear rheology. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) was used for the phase identification associated with premature stiffening of cement paste. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used for verification of syngenite formation. From the results, both secondary gypsum and syngenite formation caused faster stiffening and set. The amount of syngenite produced during 1 hour hydration was approximately 1 % of total mass of the cement paste, but cement paste with syngenite formation showed significantly accelerated stiffening behavior compared to normal cement paste.

Premature Stiffening of Cement Paste Associated with AFm Formation

The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of AFm formation on the stiffening process of cement paste. High and low alkali sulfate clinkers were used for the experiments. The flow and stiffening behavior of cement paste was investigated using modified ASTM C403 penetration resistance test and oscillatory shear rheology. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) was used for phase identification associated with stiffening of the paste. It was found from the results that low alkali clinker mixture produced very strong premature stiffening whereas high alkali clinker mixture did not cause premature stiffening. This is because of the large amount of alkali sulfate present in the clinker. Addition of calcium and sodium chloride to the high alkali clinker mixture caused faster stiffening and set.

MEASURING METHOD OF PREMATURE STIFFENING ZONE FORMED AT THE TOP SURFACE AFTER HIGH-STRENGTH MORTAR PLACING

This paper discusses a measuring method of the premature stiffening zone formed at the top surface after placing of high-strength mortar with a water-binder ratio below 0.2. In this experiment, first a measuring method of the premature stiffening zone was devised by using penetration resistance measurements. The penetration resistance distribution, resistivity distribution and moisture content measurements of mortar specimens simulated high-strength concrete with a design strength of approximately 150N/mm2 were then conducted to assess the appropriateness of the measuring method of the premature stiffening zone.The results reveal that the measuring method was applicable to determining the occurrence and approximate depth of premature stiffening zone for high-strength mortar.

Insulin-induced decrease in large artery stiffness is impaired in uncomplicated type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Normal insulin action in vivo involves a decrease in stiffness of large arteries (a decrease in aortic pressure augmentation). We determined whether the ability of insulin to decrease arterial stiffness is altered in uncomplicated type 1 diabetes. Nine type 1 diabetic men (age 28+/-2 years, body mass index 24+/-1 kg/m(2)) and 9 matched normal men were studied under normoglycemic hyperinsulinemic (sequential 2-hour insulin infusions of 1 [step 1] and 2 [step 2] mU x kg(-1) x min(-1)) conditions. Central aortic pressure waveforms were synthesized from those recorded in periphery with applanation tonometry on the radial artery and a validated reverse transfer function to construct the central aortic pressure wave every 30 minutes. This allowed the determination of aortic augmentation (the pressure difference between the first and the second systolic peaks) and the augmentation index (augmentation divided by pulse pressure), as the measure of stiffness of large arteries. Whole-body glucose uptake was 44% (step 1) and 37% (step 2) lower (P<0.001) in the diabetic patients than in the normal subjects. At baseline, before the insulin infusion, augmentation averaged 0+/-1 and 2+/-1 mm Hg (NS) and the augmentation index was -1.5+/-4.5% and 4.0+/-3.7% (NS) in the normal and diabetic subjects, respectively. After 1 hour of hyperinsulinemia, the augmentation index had decreased significantly (P<0.01) to -9.5+/-4.8% in the normal subjects but remained at 4.4+/-4.2% in the diabetic patients. A significant decrease was not observed in the diabetic patients until 150 minutes (-1.2+/-4.1%, P<0.05 versus baseline). Whole-body glucose uptake was significantly inversely correlated with the change in the augmentation index during step 1 (r=-0.61, P<0.01). Insulin resistance in type 1 diabetes involves a defect in the ability of insulin to decrease central aortic pressure. This defect could predispose these patients to premature stiffening of large arteries.

Rapid Determination of the Predominant Form of Calcium Sulfate Found in Portland Cement and Its Effect on Premature Stiffening

Abstract The object of this research program was to enable us to predict very rapidly the performance of portland cement in the field in relationship to abnormal setting characteristics. A cement water leach is prepared, and the filtrates are analyzed for calcium and sulfate. A sodium (DI) ethylenediaminetetraacetate acid (EDTA) titration is used for the calcium and a turbidimetric method is used for the sulfate. Based on the results obtained with this chemical procedure, quality control methods that fairly accurately predict whether a cement contains an excessive amount of either anhydrite or plaster of paris have been prepared.