Moisture effect on compressive behavior of concrete under dynamic loading

The effect of moisture content upon compressive mechanical behavior of concrete under impact loading was studied. The axial rapid compressive loading tests of over 50 specimens with five different saturations were executed. The technique "split Hopkinson pressure bar"(SHPB) was used. The impact velocity was 10 m/s with corresponding strain rate of 50 s-1. The compressive behavior of materials was measured in terms of stress-strain curves, dynamic compressive strength, dynamic increase factor(DIF) and critical strain at a maximum stress. The data obtained from test indicate that both ascending and descending portions of stress-stain curves are affected by moisture content. However, the effect is noted to be more significant in ascending portion of the stress-strain curves. Dynamic compressive strength is higher at lower moisture content and weaker at higher moisture content.Furthermore, under nearly saturated condition, an increase in compressive strength can be found. The effect of moisture content on the average DIF of concrete is not significant. The critical compressive strain of concrete does not change with moisture content.

Moisture vapor transmission rates of various transparent dressings at different temperatures and humidities

Background Transparent dressings are commonly used to cover central venous catheter sites. However, it has been suggested that they might not allow adequate moisture vapor transmission, resulting in local moistness that promotes bacterial growth. We compared the moisture vapor transmission rates （MVTRs） of different, currently used transparent and traditional gauze dressings. We aimed to determine the MVTRs at different temperatures and humidities. Methods The dressings were used to seal 50-ml plastic centrifuge tubes containing 20 ml deionized water： Tubes in group 1 were covered with 12 layers of ordinary gauze, group 2 with IV3000, group 3 with OPSITE FLEXlGRID, group 4 with 3M HP Tegaderm, and group 5 with 3M Tegaderm. The tubes were placed upright in an artificial climate cabinet, so that the dressings were not touching the water, in order to simulate the conditions of medical dressings in contact with the skin. The average MVTRs were determined under different conditions. MVTRs were also determined with tubes from groups 2-5 laid on their sides, allowing the dressings to touch the water, so simulating contact of the dressings with sweating skin, or wounded skin with exudates. We also calculated the dressings＇ self-reactive abilities by comparing their MVTRs in contact with the water surface with those when not in contact with the water surface. Results Group 1 demonstrated the highest MVTR, followed by groups 2, 4, 3 and 5 under conditions simulating contact of the dressings with normal skin at the following temperatures and humidities： 20℃/30%, 20℃/60%, 20℃/90%, 37℃/30%, 37℃/60% and 37℃/90%. When the relative humidity （RH） increased, the MVTRs decreased. The MVTRs differed significantly among different dressings and RHs： At high temperature （37℃） and high humidity （90%）, the MVTR of the transparent dressings in group 2 was higher than that of group 1 （P 〈0.01）. The reactive MVTR was highest in group 2 （10.2-16.3 times 〉MVTR） while that of group 4 was second highest （2.6-9.6 times 〉MVTR）. Conclusions RH and temperature had significant effects on the MVTRs of different dressings. The IV3000 transparent dressing used in group 2 was as effective as ordinary gauze. These results suggest that increased infection rates due to low MVTRs might not be a problem. The clinical implications of these observations for catheter-related infections need to be further investigated in multicenter studies.

Variable hydrological effects of herbs and shrubs in the arid northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,China

This study aims to assess the hydrological effects of four herbs and four shrubs planted in a selfestablished test area in Xining Basin of northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. The RainfallIntercepting Capability(RIC) of the herbs and shrubs was evaluated in rainfall interception experiment at the end of the third, fourth and fifth month of the growth period in 2007. The leaf transpiration rate and the effects of roots on promoting soil moisture evaporation in these plants were also assessed in transpiration experiment and root-soil composite system evaporation experiment in the five month's growth period. It is found that the RIC of the fourstudied herbs follows the order of E. repens, E. dahuricus, A. trachycaulum and L. secalinus; the RIC of the four shrubs follows the order of A. canescens, Z. xanthoxylon, C. korshinskii and N. tangutorum. The RIC of all the herbs is related linearly to their mean height and canopy area(R^2 ≥ 0.9160). The RIC of all the shrubs bears a logarithmic relationship with their mean height(R^2 ≥ 0.9164), but a linear one with their canopy area(R^2 ≥ 0.9356). Moreover, different species show different transpiration rates. Of the four herbs, E. repens has the highest transpiration rate of 1.07 mg/(m^2·s), and of the four shrubs, A. canescens has the highest transpiration rate(0.74 mg/(m^2·s)). The roots of all the herbs and shrubs can promote soil moisture evaporation. Of the four herbs, the evaporation rate of E. repens root-soil composite system is the highest(2.14%), and of the four shrubs,the root-soil composite system of A. canescens has the highest evaporation rate(1.41%). The evaporation rate of the root-soil composite system of E. dahuricus and Z. xanthoxylon bears a second-power linear relationship with evaporation time(R^2 ≥ 0.9924). The moisture content of all the eight root-soil composite systems decreases exponentially with evaporation time(R^2 ≥ 0.8434). The evaporation rate and moisture content of all the plants' root-soil composite systems increases logarithmically(R^2 ≥ 0.9606) and linearly(R^2 ≥ 0.9777) with root volume density. The findings of this study indicate that among the four herbs and four shrubs, E. repens and A. canescens possess the most effective hydrological effects in reducing the soil erosion and shallow landslide in this region.

Drying Technology and Formation Process of Naomai Xingshen Capsules

[Objectives]To optimize the drying technology and formation process of Naomai Xingshen Capsules.[Methods]The yield of paste powder and moisture content as evaluation indicators were taken as indicators,the relative density of feed liquid,inlet air temperature and dosage of excipients were selected as investigation factors,the orthogonal experiment method was used to optimize the spray drying process.The moisture absorption rate and angle of repose were taken as evaluation indicators,the types of forming excipient were screened,and the critical relative humidity was determined.[Results]The optimum spray drying process was that the relative density of liquid medicine was 1.05(60℃),the air inlet temperature was 200℃,and the dosage of excipients was 2%.The effect of using dextrin as a forming excipient was better,and the relative humidity of the production environment should be controlled below 65%.[Conclusions]The optimized process is stable,feasible,scientific and reasonable,and can be used for large-scale industrial production.

Manufacturing process of water-soluble salt-based ceramic cores based on vat photopolymerization

Water-soluble salt-based ceramic cores can be recycled and have excellent high-temperature chemical stability.In this work,vat photopolymerization was successfully applied to water-soluble salt-based ceramic cores for the first time.The powder raw materials of the printing suspension were sodium chloride and alumina.High-precision green bodies were manufactured by optimizing suspensions and parameters.In addition,the postprocessing method was optimized according to the microstructure and mechanical properties.The sintered part had a high bending strength and smooth surface.Finally,the dissolution rate and moisture resistance were compared under different dissolution and storage conditions.Compared to traditional manufacturing methods,vat photopolymerization enables the production of complex structures without molds and reduces production costs.This technology is suitable for the rapid iteration of complex structural parts and can be applied to precision parts in aerospace,military,and other technical fields with high cost-effectiveness and sustainability.