Effect of Fly Ash on Mechanical Properties of Polymer Resin Grout.

High-strength grout is specified to increase the bond between grout and bar in grouted connections and to ensure that the forces in the bars can be transferred to the surrounding material accordingly. Although polymer grout is fast setting and rapid in strength development, the use of polymer mortar in grouted connections is still limited because of the lack of information and familiarity practitioners have regarding the product. The goal of this work is to investigate the mechanical characteristics and performance of polyester grout containing fly ash that can be used as an infill material for grouted connections.

Ultrafast Transfer and Transient Entrapment of Photoexcited Mg Electron in Mg@C_{60}.

Electron relaxation is studied in endofullerene Mg@C_{60} after an initial localized photoexcitation in Mg by nonadiabatic molecular dynamics simulations. Two approaches to the electronic structure of the excited electronic states are used: (i) an independent particle approximation based on a density-functional theory description of molecular orbitals and (ii) a configuration-interaction description of the many-body effects. Both methods exhibit similar relaxation times, leading to an ultrafast decay and charge transfer from Mg to C_{60} within tens of femtoseconds.

Improved theoretical calculations for electron-impact ionization of DNA analogue molecules.

Ionizing interactions between charged particles and molecules of biological relevance have attracted considerable interest in the last decade due to its importance in medical radiation therapy. We have previously calculated triply differential cross sections for five biomolecules in collaboration with experimental groups. We used the molecular 3-body distorted wave approximation for these calculations.

Triple differential cross sections for electron-impact ionization of methane at intermediate energy.

We report an experimental and theoretical investigation of electron-impact single ionization of the highest occupied molecular orbital 1t and the next highest occupied molecular orbital 2a states of CH at an incident electron energy of 250 eV. Triple differential cross sections measured in two different laboratories were compared with results calculated within the molecular 3-body distorted wave and generalized Sturmian function theoretical models. For ionization of the 1t state, the binary peak was observed to have a single maximum near the momentum transfer direction that evolved into a double peak for increasing projectile scattering angles, as has been seen for ionization of atomic p-states.

The preservation of archaeological brain remains in a human skeleton.

The identification of biomass within the cranial cavity of a waterlogged human skeleton inside a fish-tailed wooden coffin from a nineteenth century burial has been confirmed as brain tissue. A comparison is made between the Raman spectra obtained in the current study with those from an Iron Age brain found in an isolated cranium dating from about 500 years BCE, the only other Raman spectroscopy study made of human brain recovered from waterlogged, archaeological excavations. The spectra give some surprisingly detailed information about the state of preservation of brain tissue in both burials, especially when it is realized that, unlike preserved bog bodies, no other soft tissue has survived.

Effects of telmisartan and pioglitazone on high fructose induced metabolic syndrome in rats.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of hypertension, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, and hyperuricemia. This study was designed to assess the effect of telmisartan and pioglitazone on high fructose induced MS. Thirty-five male albino rats were classified into 5 groups: A, normal diet; B, high-fructose diet (HFD) subdivided into B1 (HFD only), B2 (telmisartan, 5 mg/kg), B3 (pioglitazone, 10 mg/kg), and B4 (telmisartan + pioglitazone).

The detection of flunitrazepam in beverages using portable Raman spectroscopy.

Portable Raman spectroscopy has been used for the detection of the date-rape drug flunitrazepam in spiked beverages that may be involved in cases of drug-facilitated sexual assault. Solutions of flunitrazepam with different concentrations were prepared in water and for each beverage type. Although some bands attributable to the beverage matrix are present, they did not interfere with the identification of the drug.

Analytical Raman spectroscopy in a forensic art context: the non-destructive discrimination of genuine and fake lapis lazuli.

The differentiation between genuine and fake lapis lazuli specimens using Raman spectroscopy is assessed using laboratory and portable instrumentation operating at two longer wavelengths of excitation in the near-infrared, namely 1064 and 785 nm. In spite of the differences between the spectra excited here in the near infrared and those reported in the literature using visible excitation, it is clear that Raman spectroscopy at longer wavelengths can provide a means of differentiating between the fakes studied here and genuine lapis lazuli. The Raman spectra obtained from portable instrumentation can also achieve this result, which will be relevant for the verification of specimens which cannot be removed from collections and for the identification of genuine lapis lazuli inlays in, for example, complex jewellery and furniture.

Evaluation of portable Raman spectrometer with 1064 nm excitation for geological and forensic applications.

The development of miniaturized Raman instrumentation is in demand for applications relevant to forensic, pharmaceutical and art analyses, as well as geosciences, and planetary exploration. In this study we report on evaluation of a portable dispersive Raman spectrometer equipped with 1064 nm laser excitation. Selected samples from geological, geobiological and forensic areas of interest have been studied from which the advantages, disadvantages and the analytical potential of the instrument are assessed based on a comparison with bench instrumentation and other portable Raman spectrometers using 785 nm excitation.

Raman spectroscopy of archaeological and ancient resins: problems with database construction for applications in conservation and historical provenancing.

The adoption of Raman spectroscopy as a screening technique for the presence of organic resins on diverse substrates is now being advocated for the first pass non-destructive examination of potential sites for limited sampling using other analytical techniques. The characterisation of ancient resins in art work and specimens recovered from archaeological excavations is critically dependent upon the analytical capability of Raman spectroscopy using different wavelengths of excitation from the visible to the near infrared and the interpretation of the data illustrates the advantages and limitations of the technique. Resin specimens from art works and artefacts span a period of about 7000 years of recorded history and the influence of factors such as the environmental degradation, burial deposition, reaction with associated substrates and mineral pigments on the observed Raman spectra have been assessed.

Pathogenicity and oxidative stress in Nile tilapia caused by Aphanomyces laevis and Phoma herbarum isolated from farmed fish.

Identified (n = 17) and unidentified (n = 1) fish-pathogenic fungal species from 10 genera of Oomycetes and soil fungi were isolated from 40 infected freshwater fish samples of the species Oreochromis niloticus niloticus (Nile tilapia) and Clarias gariepinus (African catfish). Samples were collected from various fish farms in the Nile Delta, Egypt. Nile tilapia were tested in aquaria for their susceptibility to the commonest Oomycetes species, Aphanomyces laevis and Achlya klebsiana, and also against the 2 most prevalent pathogenic soil fungi, Paecilomyces lilacinus and Phoma herbarum.

Rapid in situ detection of street samples of drugs of abuse on textile substrates using microRaman spectroscopy.

Trace amounts of street samples of cocaine hydrochloride and N-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxy-amphetamine (MDMA) on natural and synthetic textiles were successfully detected in situ using confocal Raman microscopy. The presence of some excipient bands in the spectra of the drugs did not prevent the unambiguous identification of the drugs. Raman spectra of the drugs were readily obtained without significant interference from the fibre substrates.

Potential of Epicoccum purpurascens Strain 5615 AUMC as a Biocontrol Agent of Pythium irregulare Root Rot in Three Leguminous Plants.

Epicoccum purpurascens stain 5615 AUMC was investigated for its biocontrol activity against root rot disease caused by Pythium irregulare. E. purpurascens greenhouse pathogenicity tests using three leguminous plants indicated that the fungus was nonpathogenic under the test conditions.

In-situ detection of single particles of explosive on clothing with confocal Raman microscopy.

Confocal Raman microscopy is shown to detect picogram quantities of explosives in-situ on undyed natural and synthetic fibres, and coloured textile specimens leaving potentially evidential materials unaltered. Raman spectra were obtained from pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), trinitrotoluene (TNT), and ammonium nitrate particles trapped between the fibres of the specimens. Despite the presence of spectral bands arising from the natural and synthetic polymers and dyed textiles, the explosive substances could be identified by their characteristic Raman bands.

In-situ detection of drugs-of-abuse on clothing using confocal Raman microscopy.

This study describes the application of confocal Raman microscopy to the detection and identification of drugs-of-abuse in situ on undyed natural synthetic fibres, and coloured textile specimens. Raman spectra were obtained from drug particles trapped between the fibres of the specimens. Pure samples of cocaine hydrochloride and N-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxy-amphetamine HCl (MDMA-HCl) were used in this study.

Comparative study of the effect of stress by the heavy metals Cd+2, Pb+2, and Zn+2 on morphological characteristics of Saprolegnia delica Coker and Dictyuchus carpophorus Zopf.

The effects of essential (Zn+2) and non-essential (Cd+2 and Pb+2) heavy metals on morphogenesis of two represantatives of informal group zoosporic fungi namely; Saprolegnia delica Coker and Dictyuchus carpophorus Zopf. were studied. These two species varied in their tolerance of each amended heavy metal.

Raman spectroscopic investigation of cocaine hydrochloride on human nail in a forensic context.

This study describes the application of Raman spectroscopy to the detection of drugs of abuse and noncontrolled substances used in the adulteration of drugs of abuse on human nail. Contamination of the nail may result from handling or abusing these substances. Raman spectra of pure cocaine hydrochloride, a seized street sample of cocaine hydrochloride (77%), and paracetamol could be acquired from drug crystals on the surface of the nail.

Removal Efficiency of the Heavy Metals Zn(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) by Saprolegnia delica and Trichoderma viride at Different pH Values and Temperature Degrees.

The removal efficiency of the heavy metals Zn, Pb and Cd by the zoosporic fungal species Saprolegnia delica and the terrestrial fungus Trichoderma viride, isolated from polluted water drainages in the Delta of Nile in Egypt, as affected by various ranges of pH values and different temperature degrees,was extensively investigated. The maximum removal efficiency of S. delica for Zn(II) and Cd(II) was obtained at pH 8 and for Pb(II) was at pH 6 whilst the removal efficiency of T.

Morphological and biochemical alterations of oomycete fish pathogen Saprolegnia parasitica as affected by salinity, ascorbic acid and their synergistic action.

Vegetative growth of Saprolegnia parasitica decreased by increasing the concentration of NaCl and ascorbic acid. Under these conditions, the morphological features of the vegetative hyphae were distinguishable from those used as controls. NaCl and ascorbic acid in combination improved the tolerance of S.

Effects of Some Amino Acids on Ammonia Secretion and Extracellular Protease Activity by Three Oomycetes in Synthetic Medium with or without Glucose.

The effects of different concentrations of three amino acids as carbon and or nitrogen sources on mycelial dry weights, changes in pH values of synthetic medium, ammonia secretion and extracellular protease activity by three zoosporic fungi, pathogens of fish and shellfish, were studied. As compared with the control, the addition of isoleucine and aspartic acid as nitrogen sources were generally stimulative for mycelial dry weight production whereas phenylalanine was inhibitory irrespective to the tested fungal species. When amino acids served as carbon and nitrogen sources, the mycelial dry weights of the three fungi were increased (mostly non-significantly) relative to untreated control but weights were decreased as the concentrations of the three amino acids raised.

Distribution of zoosporic fungi in the mud of major Egyptian lakes.

Twenty-six identified and three unidentified species belonging to eight genera of zoosporic fungi were recovered from seventy-six mud samples of Egyptian lakes using sesame seeds as baits. Nineteen samples were collected along the borders of four major lakes. Pythium, Phytophthora and Allomyces, yielded the highest spectra of zoosporic species, while Aqualinderella, Blastocladia and Dictyuchus, had one species.