Exploration of effects of CO2 exposure on the NOx-removal performance of TiO2-incorporated Portland cement evaluated via microstructural and morphological investigation

ABSTRACTPortland cement concrete (PCC) structures deteriorate with age and need to be maintained or replaced. Early detection of deterioration in PCC (e.g., alkali-silica reaction, freeze/thaw damage, or chloride presence) can lead to significant reductions in maintenance costs. However, it is often too late to perform low-cost preventative maintenance by the time deterioration becomes evident. By developing techniques that would enable civil engineers to evaluate PCC structures and detect deterioration at early stages (without causing further damage), optimization of life-cycle costs of the constructed facility and minimization of disturbance to the facility users can be achieved.Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods are potentially one of the most useful techniques ever developed for assessing constructed facilities. They are noninvasive and can be performed rapidly. Portland cement concrete can be nondestructively evaluated by electrically characterizing its complex dielectric constant. The real part of the dielectric constant depicts the velocity of electromagnetic waves in PCC. The imaginary part, termed the “loss factor,” describes the conductivity of PCC and the attenuation of electromagnetic waves.Dielectric properties of PCC have been investigated in a laboratory setting using a parallel plate capacitor operating in the frequency range of 0.1 to 40.1MIHz. This capacitor set-up consists of two horizontal-parallel plates with an adjustable separation for insertion of a dielectric specimen (PCC). While useful in research, this approach is not practical for field implementation. A new capacitor probe has been developed which consists of two plates, located within the same horizontal plane, for placement upon the specimen to be tested. Preliminary results show that this technique is feasible and results are promising; further testing and evaluation is currently underway.

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Features hormonal hemostasis in patients with benign hyper-plastic processes of breasts

HEALTH OF WOMAN ◽

10.15574/hw.2016.115.72 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 72-74 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

M. Makarenko ◽

◽

D. Govsieiev ◽

O. Gromova ◽

L. Martynova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Luteal Phase ◽

Reproductive Organs ◽

Breast Diseases ◽

Hormonal Changes ◽

Morphological Investigation ◽

Fibrocystic Disease ◽

X Ray ◽

Pelvic Organs ◽

Hormone Research ◽

Gynecological Diseases

The objective: to study the incidence of gynecological diseases, clinical and hormonal parameters of the menstrual cycle in patients with benign hyper-plastic processes of breasts. Patients and methods. 65 women with various forms of mastitis were investigated. The following investigations were conducted: mammologistic and gynecological investigation, mommologistic X-ray investigation, ultrasound of breasts and of the pelvic organs, endometrial aspiration biopsy that was followed by cytology; when it was necessary the diagnostic laparoscopy, colposcopy, hysteroscope with curettage and morphological investigation of the endometrium, hormone research and rectal temperature measurements were conducted. Results. The frequency of the benign breast diseases was set: fibrocystic disease of breast – 32 women (49.2±6.20%), fibrous of breast – 16 women (24.6±5.34%), nodular of breasts – 8 women (12.3±4.07%), fibroadenoma – 6 women (9.2±3.59%), nodular disease of breasts on the background of fibroid changes – 3 women (4.6±2.60%). All in all, 96.9±2.14% of the patients had any gynecological diseases. Thus, the average age of the ‘debut’ of mastitis was 31.4±1.09 years; the hyper-plastic processes in the uterus was 35.2±1.17 years. Anovulation was detected in 17 (47.2±8.3%) patients, the lack of the luteal phase (NLF) was detected in 11 (30.6±7.6) patients. Conclusions. Identified hormonal changes are typical for patients with the hyper-plastic processes of the reproductive organs with different localization (breasts, uterus, ovaries). Due to the commonality of the hormone changes in most cases mastitis is combined with the various gynecological diseases (96.9±2.14%). Key words: gynecological pathology, hormonal changes, breast, factors of risk.

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Systematics of Hymenophyllum subgenus Mecodium (Hymenophyllaceae) in Taiwan

Systematic Botany ◽

10.1600/036364419x15710776741413 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 44 (4) ◽

pp. 753-767

Author(s):

Tian-Chuan Hsu ◽

Yu-Fang Huang ◽

Yi-Shan Chao

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Relationships ◽

The Philippines ◽

Common Element ◽

Morphological Investigation ◽

Eastern Asia ◽

Type Specimens ◽

The Status ◽

Molecular Phylogenetic ◽

A New Species ◽

Independent Species

Abstract—Hymenophyllum subg. Mecodium, composed of the taxonomically notorious H. polyanthos and approximately 15 other closely related taxa, is a common element of filmy fern communities in the tropical and subtropical moist forests. In Taiwan, although only H. polyanthos and one or two closely related taxa were recognized in recent studies, considerable morphological variation has been observed among populations throughout the island. Thus, we conducted an extensive morphological investigation, as well as a molecular phylogenetic analysis, to clarify the specific diversity and phylogenetic relationships within Hymenophyllum subg. Mecodium in Taiwan. Field and herbaria surveys helped in recognizing five morphs in Taiwan, mainly differentiated by the combination of certain traits, viz., the presence or absence of stipe wings, general frond size and shape, degree of laminar crispation, sori position, and involucre shape. The different morphs had diverse ecological preferences. The phylogenetic tree, inferred from the sequences of the plastid loci rbcL and rps4-trnS, demonstrated that Hymenophyllum subg. Mecodium materials in Taiwan comprise several well-supported lineages, mostly corresponding to the classification based on morphology. Comparing with the protologues and type specimens of 34 related scientific names, the five morphs are herein recognized as five independent species. A new species, Hymenophyllum exquisitum, is described here. Also, the status of H. paniculiflorum is reconfirmed and that of H. fujisanense, H. parallelocarpum, and H. punctisorum reinstated. Only H. exquisitum and H. parallelocarpum are endemic to Taiwan among all the species studied. In addition, the names Hymenophyllum blumeanum, H. integrum, H. microsorum, H. polyanthos, H. tenellum, and H. wrightii are now excluded from the regional flora, and several related taxa from China, Taiwan, and the Philippines are treated as synonyms. This study unravels the deep phylogenetic relationships within Hymenophyllum subg. Mecodium in Taiwan and Eastern Asia.

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