scholarly journals Effectiveness of Nanolime as a Stone Consolidant: A 4-Year Study of Six Common UK Limestones

Materials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 2673 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stelios Tzavellos ◽  
Giovanni L. Pesce ◽  
Yu Wu ◽  
Alison Henry ◽  
Simon Robson ◽  
...  

Protecting stone buildings from weathering and decay is a major challenge in the conservation of built heritage. Most of the stone consolidants currently available are well suited to silicate stones, but are less compatible with limestone. In this paper we present for the first time the results over a 4-year period of various consolidation treatments carried out using nanolime on 6 of the most representative and significant stones used in historic buildings in the United Kingdom. Tests investigated the influence of stone type, environmental conditions and pre-treatments on the effectiveness of the consolidation treatment. A comprehensive and rigorous testing programme was carried out to evaluate the short (12 weeks) and longer-term (4 years) effects. Stone samples were characterised before and after treatment using light and electron microscopy, sorptivity tests and a novel methodology employing drilling resistance to interrogate the near surface effects. Results show that for some of the stones, such as Clunch and Bath Stone, the positive effect of the treatment with nanolime is noticeable after 4 years since application. However, results for other stones such as Portland and magnesian limestone showed that the initial beneficial effect of the treatment is reduced after 4 years. Nanolime treatment of Ham Stone produced an unnoticeable effect on the continuous natural reduction of the drilling resistance of the specimen over time. The results presented are of immense value to conservators as they provide essential guidance on the most appropriate repair approach. Impact to the conservation industry will be to avoid the use of nanolime on stones where there is no perceivable benefit, reducing the risk of adverse effects, including potential damage to buildings. In additional costs will be saved which might otherwise have been spent on ineffective treatments.

Author(s):  
S.K. Aggarwal

The proposed primary mechanism of action of the anticancer drug cisplatin (Cis-DDP) is through its interaction with DNA, mostly through DNA intrastrand cross-links or DNA interstrand cross-links. DNA repair mechanisms can circumvent this arrest thus permitting replication and transcription to proceed. Various membrane transport enzymes have also been demonstrated to be effected by cisplatin. Glycoprotein alkaline phosphatase was looked at in the proximal tubule cells before and after cisplatin both in vivo and in vitro for its inactivation or its removal from the membrane using light and electron microscopy.Outbred male Swiss Webster (Crl: (WI) BR) rats weighing 150-250g were given ip injections of cisplatin (7mg/kg). Animals were killed on day 3 and day 5. Thick slices (20-50.um) of kidney tissue from treated and untreated animals were fixed in 1% buffered glutaraldehyde and 1% formaldehyde (0.05 M cacodylate buffer, pH 7.3) for 30 min at 4°C. Alkaline phosphatase activity and carbohydrates were demonstrated according to methods described earlier.


Author(s):  
JS Deitch ◽  
KL Smith ◽  
JW Swann ◽  
JN Turner

Neurons labeled with horseradish peroxidase and reacted with diaminobenzidine (DAB) can be imaged using a confocal scanning laser microscope (CSLM) in the reflection mode. In contrast to fluorescent markers, the DAB reaction product is thought to be stable and can be observed by both light and electron microscopy. We have investigated the sensitivity of the DAB reaction product to laser irradiation, and present the spectrophotometric properties of DAB before and after exposure in the CSLM.Pyramidal neurons in slices of rat hippocampus were injected with biocytin (a biotin-lysine complex), fixed overnight in 4% paraformaldehyde, and vibratome sectioned at 75 μm. Biocytin was detected with avidin-HRP (1:200) in 0.5% Triton X-100, incubated in DAB (0.5 mg/ml) with or without 0.04% nickel ammonium sulfate (Ni), dehydrated, and imaged in a Bio Rad MRC-500 CSLM with an argon ion laser (488 and 514 nm). Spectrophotometric measurements of the soma were made on a Zeiss microspectrophotometer, as a function of laser exposure (100-1000 scans) and staining protocol.


1990 ◽  
Vol 29 (05) ◽  
pp. 215-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Benning ◽  
K. Nagel ◽  
M. Jugenheimer ◽  
S. Fischer ◽  
S. Worthmann ◽  
...  

A new 99mTc-labelled tracer (99mTc-Sestanriibi) was used for the first time to demonstrate the perfusion of the skeletal muscle. In 16 patients with obstructive atherosclerosis of the lower limbs the change of perfusion of thigh and lower leg was studied with SPECT before and after vascular surgery (n = 11) or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (n = 5). Comparative results of scintigraphic measurements and clinical observations (ancle-arm pressure, treadmill test) in 10 surgical patients (14 operated legs) showed correct positive or negative results in 86% (12/14).


Psychiatry ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 16-25
Author(s):  
N. S. Karpova ◽  
O. S. Brusov ◽  
I. V. Oleichik ◽  
M. I. Faktor ◽  
N. S. Levchenko ◽  
...  

Background: currently, it has been proven that the pathogenesis of endogenous mental disorders is associated with the process of neuroinflammation in the brain of patients. It is also known that chronic neuroinflammation, accompanied by a violation the permeability of the blood-brain barrier. It is accompanied by the activation of platelets that generate procoagulant microparticles, which leads to a disturbance of the hemostasis system, causing an increase in blood clotting in patients. Objective: to investigate the dynamics of procoagulant activity of blood in patients with endogenous mental disorders before and after psychopharmacotherapy.Patients and methods: the study included 185 patients aged 16 to 64 years with the following mental disorders: schizophrenia with attack-like/attack-progressive/continuous type of course (F20.00–2), affective disease (F31.1–5; F32.0–3; F33.0–3), schizotypal disorder with affective fluctuations (F21.3–4). The thrombodynamic test (TD) was performed on T-2 Trombodynamis device according to the manufacturer’s instructions (Hemacore LLC, Moscow, Russia). All patients received standard pharmacotherapy according to their condition.Results: a significant decrease of procoagulant activity of spontaneous clots in the patients’ blood after psychopharmacological treatment is observed. Our data on the positive dynamics of changes in the values of TD test’s indicators in most of the examined patients suggest that a decrease in the coagulation activity of the patients’ blood as a result of treatment may be associated with the anti- inflammatory effect of antipsychotics and antidepressants.Conclusion: for the first time, it was shown that there is a positive dynamic in changing the values of the main parameters of the TD test in most patients with endogenous mental diseases. The results of TD tests can be the basis for monitoring the response to therapy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-109
Author(s):  
Lynda M. Warren

In January 2021 the UK government granted an application for authorisation to use thiamethoxam, a neonicotinoid pesticide, to protect commercial sugar beet crops from attack by viruses transmitted by aphids. This was the first time such an authorisation had been granted in the United Kingdom (UK) and there were concerns that it signalled a weakening of environmental standards now that the UK was no longer part of the European Union. In fact, similar authorisations had been granted by several European Member States in the last 2 years, despite the ban on the use of neonicotinoids introduced in 2018. Nevertheless, the reasons for granting the authorisation do suggest that the balance between adopting a precautionary approach to environmental protection and taking emergency action to protect economic interests may have shifted. It was acknowledged that the proposed mitigation to safeguard bees and other wildlife was not entirely satisfactory. In the end, due to unforeseen weather conditions it meant that the pesticide is not necessary, which in itself demonstrates that short-term emergency measures are unsuitable for dealing with the problem. If the sugar beet industry is to continue to prosper in the UK, it will need to be managed in a way that provides resistance to virus infection without the use of controversial chemicals.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilia Majsiak ◽  
Magdalena Choina ◽  
Dominik Golicki ◽  
Alastair M. Gray ◽  
Bożena Cukrowska

Abstract Background Coeliac disease (CD) is characterised by diverse clinical symptoms, which may cause diagnostic problems and reduce the patients’ quality of life. A study conducted in the United Kingdom (UK) revealed that the mean time between the onset of coeliac symptoms and being diagnosed was above 13 years. This study aimed to analyse the diagnostic process of CD in Poland and evaluate the quality of life of patients before and after CD diagnosis. In addition, results were compared to the results of the original study conducted in the UK. Methods The study included 2500 members of the Polish Coeliac Society. The patients were asked to complete a questionnaire containing questions on socio-demographic factors, clinical aspects and quality of life, using the EQ-5D questionnaire. Questionnaires received from 796 respondents were included in the final analysis. Results The most common symptoms reported by respondents were bloating (75%), abdominal pain (72%), chronic fatigue (63%) and anaemia (58%). Anaemia was the most persistent symptom, with mean duration prior to CD diagnosis of 9.2 years, whereas diarrhoea was observed for the shortest period (4.7 years). The mean duration of any symptom before CD diagnosis was 7.3 years, compared to 13.2 years in the UK. CD diagnosis and the introduction of a gluten-free diet substantially improved the quality of life in each of the five EQ-5D-5L health dimensions: pain and discomfort, anxiety and depression, usual activities, self-care and mobility (p < 0.001), the EQ-Index by 0.149 (SD 0.23) and the EQ-VAS by 30.4 (SD 28.3) points. Conclusions Duration of symptoms prior to the diagnosis of CD in Poland, although shorter than in the UK, was long with an average of 7.3 years from first CD symptoms. Faster CD diagnosis after the onset of symptoms in Polish respondents may be related to a higher percentage of children in the Polish sample. Introduction of a gluten-free diet improves coeliac patients’ quality of life. These results suggest that doctors should be made more aware of CD and its symptoms across all age groups.


2012 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Metin Guldas ◽  
Canan Hecer

Effects of seven different solutions prepared from various additives (carrageenan, konjac flour, phosphate, yeast extract, xanthan gum and maltodextrin) were used to test for the first time in the marination of experimental seafood. The additives were added into the marination solutions and the samples were analyzed before and after marination. Statistically, the experimental solutions did not cause significant changes in pH, acidity and salt content of the samples (P < 0.05). The highest weight gains were obtained from the solution which contained 0.1% of konjac flour (E425 I) as 4.01, 5.21, 4.61 and 4.88 % in the mussels, big squids, diced squids and small squids, respectively. However, this solution was not preferred by the panellists because of its sticky texture. Inversely to red meat products, the solution containing phosphate caused weight loss during marination. The results indicate that the solution containing 0.2% carrageenan LM (low methoxyl) was the best solution in the marination process. Dipping into this solution caused weight gains of 4.69, 2.98, 4.04 and 2.78% in the big squids, the mussels, the small squids and the diced squids, respectively (P < 0.01). The organoleptic properties (mouth feel, flavour and softness) of mussels and squids were also improved by carrageenan LM addition.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 183 (2) ◽  
pp. 120
Author(s):  
PRZEMYSŁAW DĄBEK ◽  
KOEN SABBE ◽  
ANDRZEJ WITKOWSKI ◽  
COLIN ARCHIBALD ◽  
KRZYSZOF J. KURZYDŁOWSKI ◽  
...  

We present a new marine benthic diatom genus Cymatosirella gen. nov. The genus belongs to the family Cymatosiraceae and has been assigned to the subfamily Extubocelluloideae on the basis of ultrastructural cell wall features. It has isovalvate cells with undulate valves and is characterized by the absence of tubular processes and the occurrence of hollow spines which are observed for the first time in the Cymatosiraceae. The new genus contains four species, two of which are transferred from the genus Cymatosira, viz. Cymatosirella capensis comb. nov. and Cymatosirella minutissima comb. nov., and two which are new to science, viz. Cymatosirella benguelensis sp. nov. and Cymatosirella taylorii sp. nov. Cymatosirella capensis is chosen as the generitype. The new genus includes a group of very small taxa inhabiting the intertidal zone of the Atlantic Ocean with three species in South Africa and one in Europe. C. capensis was originally described by Giffen from Langebaan Lagoon (a shallow marine inlet in the southern part of Saldanha Bay, Western Cape Province), on the basis of light microscopy only, and has to date only been illustrated by line drawings. C. minutissima, so far only known from the Westerschelde estuary (The Netherlands), has previously been documented in more detail using both light and electron microscopy. Here, we present the results of detailed light and electron microscopical investigations of C. capensis, both from its original type material and from recently collected samples from the type locality and neighboring littoral areas in the Western Cape Province, and of the new species C. benguelensis and C. taylorii, also from Western Cape localities. All species are compared with similar small taxa belonging to the Cymatosiraceae, subfamily Extubocelluloideae.


1993 ◽  
Vol 318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Navid S. Fatemi ◽  
Victor G. Weizer

ABSTRACTNear-theoretical-minimum values of specific contact resistivity, ρc (in the mid-to-low E-8 Ω-cm2 range) have been achieved for Ni-based contacts to moderately doped (2E18 cm−3) n-type InP. In each case these values are an order of magnitude lower than those previously achieved. These ultra-low resistivities are shown to result when the metallurgical interaction rate between the contact metal and the semiconductor is sufficiently reduced. Several methods of reducing the metal-InP reaction rate and thus achieving lowered resistivity values are demonstrated. We show, for instance, that the introduction of a thin (100Å) Au layer at the metal-InP interface retards metal-semiconductor intermixing during sintering and results in a ten-fold reduction in pc. Another method consists of ensuring the perfection of the near-surface InP lattice prior to and during contact deposition process. Use of this technique has enabled us to fabricate, for the first time, Ni-only contacts with pc values in the low E-8 Ω-cm2 range. We present an explanation for these observations that is based upon the magnitude of the In-to-P atomic ratio at the metal-InP interface.


2001 ◽  
Vol 15 (17n19) ◽  
pp. 683-687
Author(s):  
A. SILVA-CASTILLO ◽  
F. PEREZ-RODRIGUEZ

We have applied the 45° reflectometry for the first time to study exciton-polaritons in quantum wells. The 45° reflectometry is a new polarization-modulation technique, which is based on the measurement of the difference [Formula: see text] between the p-polarization reflectivity (Rp) and the squared s-polarization reflectivity [Formula: see text] at an angle of incidence of 45°. We show that [Formula: see text] spectra may provide qualitatively new information on the exciton-polariton modes in a quantum well. These optical spectra turn out to be very sensitive to the zeros of the dielectric function along the quantum-well growth direction and, therefore, allow to identify the resonances associated with the Z exciton-polariton mode. We demonstrate that 45° reflectometry could be a powerful tool for studying Z exciton-polariton modes in near-surface quantum wells, which are difficult to observe in simple spectra of reflectivity Rp


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