Statistical Evaluation of the Material-Source Effects on the DSR Rheological Properties of Plant-Mix Extracted Asphalt-Binders

The work presented in this paper was carried out to statistically evaluate and quantify the material-source effect on the asphalt-binder’s rheological properties using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s Honestly Significant Difference (Tukey´s HSD) test. The study focused on the Asphalt-Binders’ high-temperature rheological properties, namely, the G*, δ, G*/Sin(δ) and G*/(1 − (1/Tan(δ)Sin(δ))) parameters, measured using the Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) device. The DSR data analyzed in the study were extracted from the Texas flexible pavements and overlays database, namely, the Texas Data Storage System (DSS), covering two Asphalt-Binders (ABs), performance grade (PG) 64-22 and PG 76-22 plant-mix extracted ABs that were treated as rolling thin film oven (RTFO) residue, and sourced from 14 different suppliers. The study findings substantiate that material-source has an effect on the high-temperature rheological properties of ABs. Additionally, it was also concluded that in as much as performance superiority and costs are crucial issues in deciding the AB source/provider, consistency and quality aspects cannot be disregarded. Therefore, material-source effects should be inclusively evaluated from both performance (rheological properties) and quality (consistence) standpoints as well as cost considerations when choosing a supplier. In general, the study contributes to the state-of-the-art enrichment on aspects of material-source effects on RTFO residue ABs’ high-temperature rheological properties, consistency, variability, and data quality.     

Synthesis and Characterization of a Nearly Single Bulk Ti2AlN MAX Phase Obtained from Ti/AlN Powder Mixture through Spark Plasma Sintering

MAX phases are an advanced class of ceramics based on ternary carbides or nitrides that combine some of the ceramic and metallic properties, which make them potential candidate materials for many engineering applications under severe conditions. The present work reports the successful synthesis of nearly single bulk Ti₂AlN MAX phase (>98% purity) through solid-state reaction and from a Ti and AlN powder mixture in a molar ratio of 2:1 as starting materials. The mixture of Ti and AlN powders was subjected to reactive spark plasma sintering (SPS) under 30 MPa at 1200 °C and 1300 °C for 10 min in a vacuum atmosphere. It was found that the massive formation of Al₂O₃ particles at the grain boundaries during sintering inhibits the development of the Ti₂AlN MAX phase in the outer zone of the samples. The effect of sintering temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Ti₂AlN MAX phase was investigated and discussed.     

Azadirachta indica Leaf Extract as Green Corrosion Inhibitor for Reinforced Concrete Structures: Corrosion Effectiveness against Commercial Corrosion Inhibitors and Concrete Integrity

The construction industry has extensively demanded novel green inhibition strategies for the conservation and protection of carbon steel-reinforced concrete structures. For the first time, the effect of Azadirachta indica leaf extract (Neem) as a potential corrosion inhibitor of carbon steel in reinforced concrete under corrosion in saline simulated media was evaluated. To assess the corrosion inhibition behavior of the Neem natural organic extract, three inorganic commercial inhibitors were tested to compare following the criteria established by Stratful for half-cell potential under a simulated chloride environment. Moreover, the effect of concrete integrity by the Neem treatment was recorded after different temperature conditions, slump, weight alteration, air content, compressive strength, and chloride-ions penetration. The results suggested that the Neem treatments did not alter the concrete integrity and the physicochemical parameters. We reached a promoted long-term corrosion protection of 95% after 182 days of evaluation. Thus far, our current results open up a new promising “green” road to the conservation of carbon steel in reinforced concrete for the construction industry.     

Viruses in Extreme Environments,Current Overview,and Biotechnological Potential

Virus research has advanced significantly since the discovery of the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), the characterization of its infection mechanisms and the factors that determine their pathogenicity. However, most viral research has focused on pathogenic viruses to humans, animals and plants, which represent only a small fraction in the virosphere. As a result, the role of most viral genes, and the mechanisms of coevolution between mutualistic viruses, their host and their environment, beyond pathogenicity, remain poorly understood. This review focuses on general aspects of viruses that interact with extremophile organisms, characteristics and examples of mechanisms of adaptation. Finally, this review provides an overview on how knowledge of extremophile viruses sheds light on the application of new tools of relevant use in modern molecular biology, discussing their value in a biotechnological context.     

Dietary Flavonoids Added to Pharmacological Antihypertensive Therapy are Effective in Improving Blood Pressure

Epidemiological studies have suggested that the daily intake of flavonoids is associated with a decreased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Our purpose was to evaluate the effect of the addition of dietary flavonoids (DF) to antihypertensive treatment (AHT), based on telmisartan (Tms) or captopril (Cpr), on blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio, leptin, lipid profile and inflammation in hypertensive young patients. An open‐label, randomized, controlled trial was performed among 79 patients aged 20–55 years with grade I or grade II systemic arterial hypertension. The subjects were assigned to one of four groups for AHT plus DF during 6 months: Cpr (n = 14), Cpr + DF (n = 19), Tms (n = 25) and Tms + DF (n = 21). DF consisted of dark chocolate, dehydrated red apple and green tea in an infusion to obtain a daily dose of 425.8 ± 13.9 mg epicatechin equivalents. The BP and anthropometric parameters were measured every 2 weeks. Lipid profile, leptin and hsCRP were determined by standard methods. The combination AHT‐DF produced an additional and significant reduction in (i) SBP/DBP of ?5/?4 mmHg, being ?7/?5 for Cpr + DF and ?4/?3 for Tms + DF; (ii) triglyceride levels (?30.6%) versus AHT alone (?9.6%); and (iii) leptin: Cpr + DF versus Tms + DF (p < 0.005). Finally, C‐reactive protein plasma levels were reduced significantly in all groups independently of the applied treatment. We conclude that the addition of flavonoids to pharmacological antihypertensive therapy shows additional benefits on BP, lipid profile, leptin, obesity and inflammation.