Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Blast Furnace Slag Binders Activated with Alkali Acetates.

Hybrid organic-inorganic binders based on blast furnace slag were produced using sodium (NaAc) or potassium (KAc) acetate as the sole activator, and their properties were compared with those of sodium- or potassium hydroxide-activated slag pastes. The acetate-activated binders showed significantly lower cumulative heat release and extended setting time (∼230 h) than the hydroxide-activated binders. The main reaction products forming in all binders were calcium aluminosilicate hydrate-type gels and a hydrotalcite-like phase, independently of the activator type used.

Phase Evolution of Hybrid Alkali Sulfate-Activated Ground-Granulated Blast Furnace Slag Cements.

In this study, a hybrid alkali-activated ground-granulated cement consisting of 70% blast furnace slag (GGBFS) and 30% Portland cement (PC) activated with sodium sulfate was studied. Results were compared with those of a blended system without an activator. The addition of the activator significantly increased the kinetics and degree of reaction of these cements, particularly at early curing ages (2 days), without leading to significant changes in the phase assemblage.

Anti-Androgenic Activity of Nardostachys jatamansi DC and Tribulus terrestris L. and Their Beneficial Effects on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-Induced Rat Models.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a major hyperandrogenic disorder. Many drugs prescribed specifically to treat PCOS have side effects; however, previous studies suggest that natural therapeutics including botanicals may be less invasive and equally effective for the management of PCOS.

Methods: In the present study, plants were screened for antiandrogenic activity using the RIKILT yeast Androgen bioAssay (RAA).