An Integrated Framework for Image Acquisition, Processing, and Analysis Procedures for Automated Damage Evaluation of Concrete Surfaces.

Concrete surface cracks serve as early indicators of potential structural threats. Visual inspection, a commonly used and versatile concrete condition assessment technique, is employed to assess concrete degradation by observing signs of damage on the surface level. However, the method tends to be qualitative and needs to be more comprehensive in providing accurate information regarding the extent of damage and its evolution, notwithstanding its time-consuming and environment-sensitive nature.

Assessing and Forecasting ISR-Affected Critical Infrastructure: State-of-the-Art and Challenges.

Internal swelling reactions (ISRs) are among the most critical deterioration mechanisms affecting infrastructure's durability worldwide. While preventative measures for new structures have been extensively explored, effective protocols for diagnosing and prognosing ISR-affected structures, especially at their early stages, are still required. Therefore, through a comprehensive bibliometric analysis, this study focuses on exploring the evolution and current methods for assessing and forecasting ISR damage in concrete structures.

Damage Generated and Propagated by the AAR Reactive Aggregate from Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

It remains unclear in the literature what the cause of the so-called alkali-carbonate reaction (ACR) damage to concrete is. However, expansion and cracks as distress features are often attributed to the alkali-silica reaction (ASR). Therefore, this work aims to assess the damage to concrete generated and propagated by the so-called ACR-susceptible reactive aggregate through mechanical testing (i.

Alkali-Silica Reactions: Literature Review on the Influence of Moisture and Temperature and the Knowledge Gap.

The alkali-silica reaction is a universally known destructive mechanism in concrete that can lead to the premature loss of serviceability in affected structures. Quite an enormous number of research studies have been carried out focusing on the mechanisms involved as well as the mitigation and prevention of the reaction. A few in-depth discussions on the role of moisture and temperature exist in the literature.

The Impact of Distinct Superplasticizers on the Degradation of Concrete Affected by Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR).

The effect of two superplasticizers (SPs) with various equivalent (eq.) alkali contents (i.e.

Cold-adapted strains as plant growth-promoting bacteria on soybean seeds and biocontrol agents against Macrophomina phaseolina.

Aim: The aim was to characterize cold-adapted bacteria by testing their PGP features and antagonistic activity against Macrophomina phaseolina, both in vitro and coating soybean seeds (Glycine max [L.] Merr.).

Influence of the Mix Proportion and Aggregate Features on the Performance of Eco-Efficient Fine Recycled Concrete Aggregate Mixtures.

Most of the previous research on recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) has focused on coarse RCA (CRCA), while much less has been accomplished on the use of fine RCA particles (FRCA). Furthermore, most RCA research disregards its unique microstructure, and thus the inferior performance of concrete incorporating RCA is often reported in the fresh and hardened states. To improve the overall behaviour of RCA concrete advanced mix design techniques such as equivalent volume (EV) or particle packing models (PPMs) may be used.

Freezing and Thawing Resistance of Fine Recycled Concrete Aggregate (FRCA) Mixtures Designed with Distinct Techniques.

The pressure to use sustainable materials and adopt practices reducing the carbon footprint of the construction industry has risen. Such materials include recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) made from waste concrete. However, concrete made with RCA often presents poor fresh and hardened properties along with a decrease in its durability performance, especially when using its fine fraction (i.

Burkholderia gladioli MB39 an Antarctic Strain as a Biocontrol Agent.

Bioprospecting sub-explored environments such as Antarctic locations leads to finding out diverse activities, reducing harmful chemical usage that affects both human health and the environment. In this study, ~ 7000 cold-adapted bacterial strains were isolated from samples around Melchior Antarctic Base at 5 °C and more than 13,000 at 15 °C. Out of them, 900 different colony morphotypes were evaluated for antimicrobial production, and 13 isolates demonstrated antibacterial and antifungal activities.

Effectiveness of the Zea mays-Streptomyces association for the phytoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons impacted soils.

Restoring polluted sites by petroleum hydrocarbons is a challenge because of their complexity and persistence in the environment. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the performance of plant-actinobacteria system for the remediation of crude petroleum and pure-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contaminated soils. The endophytic strain Streptomyces sp.

Pseudomonas yamanorum sp. nov., a psychrotolerant bacterium isolated from a subantarctic environment.

A psychrotolerant strain, 8H1(T), was isolated from soil samples collected in Isla de los Estados, Ushuaia, Argentina. Cells were Gram-negative, aerobic, straight rods, occurring singly or in pairs, non-spore-forming and motile by means of two polar flagella. The isolate was able to grow in the range 4-35 °C, with optimum growth at 28 °C.

Isolation of Sphaerotilus-Leptothrix strains from iron bacteria communities in Tierra del Fuego wetlands.

Sheath-forming iron- and manganese-depositing bacteria belonging to the Sphaerotilus-Leptothrix group (SLG) are widespread in natural and artificial water systems. Known requirements for their growth include the presence of organic substrates and molecular oxygen. High concentrations of reduced iron or manganese, although not necessary for most species, make their growth a noticeable phenomenon.

Gluconic acid produced by Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus Pal5 possesses antimicrobial properties.

Gluconic acid is produced in large quantities by the endophytic and diazotrophic bacterium Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus Pal5. This organic acid derives from direct oxidation of glucose by a pyrroloquinoline-quinone-linked glucose dehydrogenase in this plant growth-promoting bacterium. In the present article, evidence is presented showing that gluconic acid is also responsible for the antimicrobial activity of G.

Andrimid production at low temperature by a psychrotolerant Serratia proteamaculans strain.

Andrimid, a known non-ribosomal pseudo-peptide antibiotic, was isolated from a psychrotolerant Serratia proteamaculans strain. The antibiotic peptide was produced at low temperature (8 °C) in a 7.5 l BIOFLO 101 bioreactor under batch culture mode.

Lactic acid bacteria isolated from apples are able to catabolise arginine.

We investigated the potentiality of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from two apples variety to utilize arginine at different initial pH values. Apples surface contained average levels of bacteria ranging from log 2.49 ± 0.

Cold-adapted microorganisms as a source of new antimicrobials.

Thirty out of 8,000 different colony morphotypes isolated from soil samples of Isla de los Estados were selected based on their ability to produce antimicrobials. The significant influence of culture media and incubation temperature on antimicrobial production was proved, being LB medium and 8 degrees C the conditions of choice. Most of the psychrotolerant isolates were phylogenetically related to Serratia proteamaculans (96.