Swelling

This paper presents the design, sensing principles and in vitro evaluation of a novel instrumented sock intended for prediction and prevention of acute decompensated heart failure. The sock contains a drift-free ankle size sensor and a leg tissue elasticity sensor. Both sensors are inexpensive and developed using innovative new sensing ideas. Preliminary tests with the sensor prototypes show promising results: The ankle size sensor is capable of measuring 1 mm changes in ankle diameter and the tissue elasticity sensor can detect 0.15 MPa differences in elasticity. A low-profile instrumented sock prototype with these two sensors has been successfully fabricated and will be evaluated in the future in an IRB-approved human study.

Cationic alcogels (alcohol-absorbing gels) based on acrylamide and methacrylamidopropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (MAPTAC) were synthesized using solution poly-merization in the presence of ammonium persulfate as an initiator and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate as a crosslinking agent. The swelling capacities of the gels in alcohols (i.e., methanol and ethanol) were investigated. The swelling capacities of the alcogels increased with increasing MAPTAC content , and the prepared gels had the ability to absorb up to 105.5 g/g methanol and 73.3 g/g ethanol, respectively. An ability to absorb more than 100 g/g of alcohol was only rarely observed. According to the results of rheological studies, the storage moduli of the ethanol-swollen gels were higher than those of the methanol-swollen gels, and enhancing the MAPTAC content caused the storage moduli of the gels to increase. Thermomechanical analysis was carried out to characterize the organogels. The values for the glass transition temperature (T g) implied that the structural rigidity of the acrylamide homopolymer is higher than that of the poly(MAPTAC), which indicates that the presence of the MAPTAC units softens the system. The DMTA results showed that the intensity of the tanδ peak in the matrix region decreased with increasing MAPTAC content. Thus, acrylamide units are better than MAPTAC units at damping dynamic forces, which can be attributed to the greater chain mobility of acrylamide.

The physical and chemical characteristics of four commercial automotive brake shoe lining materials used in heavy vehicles have been investigated and compared. Relevant physical properties viz. density, water absorption and swelling characteristics were determined using standard test methods. X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and optical microscopic techniques were used to identify the constituents. It has been observed that all of the four friction materials contain phenol formaldehyde resin as the matrix. Other major ingredients were also the same in all the samples but their amount and size varied. These include asbestos as fibre reinforcement, barium sulphate as filler and brass particles as friction modifier. It was found that the swell resistance of the locally produced friction material compares favourably with that of the imported materials, but its bulk density was the lowest and its water absorption the highest.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924013604006430

Novel crosslinking method was introduced for
preparation of acrylic thickener microgels based on sodium
acrylate and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid
(AMPS) through inverse emulsion polymerization (IEP).
Usually multifunctional vinyl crosslinkers such as methylene
bisacrylamide are used in preparation of microgels
through IEP. In this paper, a novel crosslinking method was
introduced for microgel preparation through IEP. Diglycidyl
materials were used instead of vinyl crosslinkers for
microgel preparation. The effect of two diglycidyl materials
such as polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (PEGDGE)
and ehylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDGE) was
investigated as crosslinker in microgel synthesis. Acrylic
microgels prepared through IEP can be used as a thickener
for many industrial applications. The effects of parameters
such as comonomer composition, drying temperature and
crosslinker content on the thickening properties of microgels
were investigated. According to the viscosity measurements,
the microgel containing 12.5 % AMPS possessed the
highest viscosity, while the lower viscosities were found to
be observed for the microgels having the lower and higher
percentages of AMPS. Moreover, the microgel containing
AMPS showed the thickening properties over a wide range
of pH and was nearly pH independent. Increasing drying
temperature and amount of crosslinker led to enhance the
crosslink density. The apparent viscosity was reduced and
the storage modulus was increased in higher crosslink density.
These microgels showed superior thickening properties
in comparison to vinyl-crosslinked microgels, i.e., the thickening efficiency of PEGDGE-crosslinked microgels
was significantly higher (about 500 %) than the conventional
MBA-crosslinked microgels.

The application of bituminous mixtures modified with rubber from scrap-tires require attention and care during mixing and compaction. Rubber modifies the properties because it reacts in the internal structure of bitumen at high temperatures changing the performance of the mixture (interaction process of solvents with binder-rubber aggregate). The main change is the increasing of the viscosity and elasticity of the binder due to the larger sizes of the rubber particles by dry process but, this positive effect is counteracted by short mixing times, compared to wet technology, and due to the transport processes, curing time and post-compaction of the mixtures. Therefore, negative effects as swelling of rubber particles, rebounding effect of the specimens and thermal changes by different expansion of the structure inside the mixtures, can change the mechanical properties of the rubberized blends. Based on the dry technology, different asphalt-rubber binders using devulcanized or natural rubber (truck and bus tread rubber), have been used to show how these defects occur and, at the same time, to solve the problems generated in dense-gap graded rubber modified asphalt concrete mixes (RUMAC) to enhance the stability, workability and durability of the compacted samples by Superpave gyratory compactor method. This paper specifies the procedures developed in the Department of Civil Engineering of the University of Palermo during September 2016 to March 2017, for characterizing the post-compaction and mix-stability of the one conventional mixture (hot mix asphalt without rubber) and two gap-graded rubberized asphalt mixtures, adopting the granulometric characteristic grading curve for rail sub-ballast layer, with nominal size of Ø22.4 mm of aggregates according European standard. Thus, the main purpose of this laboratory research is the application of ambient ground rubber from scrap tires processed at conventional temperature (20 ºC) inside hot bituminous mixtures (160-220 ºC) as a substitute for 1.5%, 2% and 3% by weight of the total aggregates (3.2%, 4.2% and, 6.2% respectively by volumetric part of the limestone aggregates of bulk density equal to 2.81 g/cm 3) considered, not as a part of the asphalt binder. The reference bituminous mixture was designed with 4% of binder and ±3% of air voids, manufactured for a conventional bitumen B50/70 at 160 ºC-145 ºC mix-compaction temperatures to guarantee the workability of the mixes. The proportions of rubber proposed are #60-40% for mixtures with 1.5 to 2% of rubber and, #20-80% for mixture with 3% of rubber (as example, a 60% of Ø0.4-2 mm and 40% of Ø2-4 mm). The temperature of the asphalt cement is between 160 and 180 ºC for mixing and 145 and 160 ºC for compaction, according the optimal values for viscosity using Brookfield viscometer and " ring and ball "-penetration tests. These crumb rubber particles act as a rubber-aggregate into the mixture, varying sizes between 0.4 mm and 2 mm). in a first fraction, and 2 and 4 mm as second proportion. Ambient ground rubber with a specific gravity of 1.154 g/cm 3 is used. The rubber is free of loose fabric, wire and other contaminants. It was found optimal results in real beams and cylindrical specimens with each HMA mixture reducing the swelling effect. Different factors as temperature, particle sizes of rubber, number of cycles and pressures of compaction that affect the interaction process are explained.

Conversion of water into steam is the primary function of a utility boiler. The steam pressure is used to turn a steam turbine thus, generating electricity. Within the boiler drum there exists a steam/water interface. Boiler steam drum water level is one of the important parameters of power plant that must be measured and controlled. For safe and efficient boiler operation, a constant level of water in the boiler drum is required to be maintained. Too low water level may cause damage boiler tube by overheating. On the other hand too high drum water level leads to improper function of separators, difficulty in temperature controlling and damage in superheater tubes. Turbine may also be damaged by moisture or water treatment chemicals carryover. The amount of water entering the boiler drum must be balanced with the amounts of steam leaving to accomplish the constant water level in the drum. Therefore it is extremely important to have the knowledge of the operating principles, installation requirements, strength and weaknesses of drum water level control system. Ignoring these considerations can result in misapplication, frequent maintenance, unsafe operation and poor instrument as well as system performance. In this paper design aspects and installation requirements of boiler drum level control are discussed for safe and economic operation.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to design and evaluate matrix controlled release delivery system of a highly water-soluble analgesic, Tramadol Hydrochloride, using Hydroxy Propyl Methyl Cellulose K 100 M and Xanthan Gum alone and in combination as retarding polymers.
Methods: Tablets were prepared by direct compression and wet granulation using PVP K 30 as granulating agent. HPMC and XG were used alone. Combinations were designed by using 32- full factorial design. Polymer concentrations were taken as variables. Dosage forms were characterized for powder properties like angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density, Carr’s Index, % porosity, Void volume and tablet properties like content uniformity, weight variation, hardness, friability, thickness, % swelling, and in vitro dissolution. The effects by both polymers were analyzed by using factorial contour plots.
Results: The wet granulation and directly compressed tablets showed good flow property and compressibility. There was no variation in content uniformity, thickness and weight. Swelling was ranging from 11 to 30 %. Dissolution profile showed the polymer concentration dependent release up to 12 hrs. Combination of xanthan gum and HPMC was retarded the drug release for more than 12 hours.
Conclusion: For a water soluble drug single polymer like HPMC K 100 M or xanthan gum could not retard the release for longer time. But the combination of these polymers significantly retarded the release rate.

This paper presents the result of an experimental study conducted for evaluating the effect of size of the sand column on swelling of expansive soil. The sand columns of diameters25mm, 37.5mm and 50mm were made in black cotton soil test beds in a cylindrical mould of diameter 100mm. The test beds were prepared at different water contents (14, 18, 22, 26,30,36,40 and 44% by weight of dry soil) keeping the dry density of the soil as constant. The soil with sand column was submerged and the swelling of the composite material was observed. The test results show that the presence of sand column in the expansive black cotton soil reduces the swelling. The reduction in swelling depends on the size of the sand column and the initial moisture content in the soil. A column of diameter 50mm reduces swelling more than the smaller ones. For 14% initial moisture content in the black cotton soil, the stone columns of diameters 25mm, 37.5mm and 50mm have shown reduction in swelling by 11.5%, 23% and 42% respectively in comparison to that exhibited by the raw soil. The soil with high initial moisture content shows less swelling than those with low moisture content. Thus, by manipulating the initial moisture content and the diameter of the sand column, the expansive soil reinforced with sand columns can be made volumetrically stable.

This paper deals with the effect of vacuum-pressure impregnation of Poplar wood (Populus alba) by aqueous solutions of sucrose and sodium chloride on its physical properties. Groups of samples with different concentrations of substances in the aqueous solution were compared within each other and also with a reference (non-impregnated) group. The specimens from all groups were tested for density, moisture absorption and dimensional stability. The obtained data were statistically analysed and compared each other. The most satisfying final properties were achieved in impregnation of sucrose with concentration of 6,25 g/100 ml H2O. The retention was 31 kg m-3 (WPG around 8 %). The values of ASE (anti-swelling efficiency) reached to 36 % and MEE (moisture exclusion efficiency) was reduced by 33 %.

Osmotic phenomena influence the intervertebral disc biomechanics. Their simulation is challenging and can be undertaken at different levels of complexity. Four distinct approaches to simulate the osmotic behaviour of the intervertebral disc (a fixed boundary pore pressure model, a fixed osmotic pressure gradient model in the whole disc or only in the nucleus pulposus, and a swelling model with strain-dependent osmotic pressure) were analysed. Predictions were compared using a 3D poroelastic finite element model of a L4–L5 spinal unit under three different loading conditions: free swelling for 8 h and two daily loading cycles: (i) 200 N compression for 8 h followed by 500 N compression for 16 h; (ii) 500 N for 8 h followed by 1000 N for 16 h. Overall, all swelling models calculated comparable results, with differences decreasing under greater loads. Results predicted with the fixed boundary pore pressure and the fixed osmotic pressure in the whole disc models were nearly identical. The boundary pore pressure model, however, cannot simulate differential osmotic pressures in disc regions. The swelling model offered the best potential to provide more accurate results, conditional upon availability of reliable values for the required coefficients and material properties. Possible fields of application include mechanobiology investigations and crack opening and propagation. However, the other approaches are a good compromise between the ease of implementation and the reliability of results, especially when considering higher loads or when the focus is on global results such as spinal kinematics.

The development of any country depends on the transportation facilities and the construction projects. Roads are one of the strongest measures of economic activity and the development of any nation. India has a road network of more than 33 lakh km which is the second largest road connecting system in the world. About 65% of freight and 80% of passenger traffic are carried by the roads. Due to massive growth of infrastructure projects, conventional construction materials are diminishing day by day or found short in supply at various locations in the country. The “Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna” (PMGSY) is a nationwide plan in Indiato provide good all-weather road connectivity to unconnected villages. This Centrally Sponsored Schemewas introduced in 2000 by the Prime Minister of India Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It is under the authority of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India and began on 25 December 2000. It is fully funded by the Central Government.For executing the transportation facilities, the quality of a pavement depends on the strength of its sub-grade soil. The strength of sub-grade is the major parameter for determining the thickness of pavement. In case of pavement the sub-grade must be uniform in terms of geotechnical properties like shear strength, compressibility etc. Pavement construction may be on natural soil which may be Expansive soil, Black cotton soil, clayey soil, organic soil etc. Natural soils, suffer volume change due to moisture content, which causes heaving, cracking and the break-up of the road pavement. Due to this reason Stabilization of these types of soil is necessary, to suppress swelling and increase the strength of the soil. The growing cost of traditional stabilizing agents and the need for the economical utilization of industrial and agricultural wastes for beneficial engineering purposes has prompted an investigation into the stabilizing potential Sugarcane Bagasse Ash in subgrde soil. These Large Quantities of Waste Materials Sugarcane Bagasse Ash e.g. create negative impact on the environment causing air pollution, water pollution, affecting the local eco- system and hence safe disposal of this waste material is required. Utilizing these waste materials as alternative materials for the construction is no doubt a best solution.The objective of this work is to utilize the effectiveness of Sugarcane Bagasse Ash (SCBA) material to enhance the properties of natural soil used for subgrade material in pavement. The laboratory work involved index properties to classify the soil sample. The preliminary investigation of the soil shows that it belongs to A-6 class of soil in the AASHTO soil classification system. Whereas as per IS classification this class are generally of clay with low compressibility (CL).Atterberg limits, compaction, swelling pressure and CBR tests were used to evaluate properties of stabilized soil. The soil was stabilized with Sugarcane Bagasse Ash in stepped concentration of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% by dry weight of the soil individually. All stabilized soil samples were also cured for 96 hours for CBR test in fully saturated condition. The test results indicate that the addition of SCBA enhances the percentage of grain size distribution, but with addition of SCBA till 20% the LL, PL, PI and swelling pressure decreases, while these parameters further increases in this limit beyond i.e. 20% to 30% of SCBA, Specific Gravity and Maximum Dry Density (MDD) decrease with addition of SCBA, for all percentage values, whereas OMC increases in each material. The CBR value increases with addition of SCBA till 20%, the CBR value increases and it decreases with further addition of SCBA beyond 20% to 30% for both soaked and unsoaked condition.

RESUMEN
La Artritis Reumatoide (AR) y el Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico (LES), son Enfermedades Reumáticas Sistémicas (ERS), caracterizadas por trastornos inflamatorios auto-inmunitarios. Los pacientes con ERS tienen una expectativa de vida reducida, 50% de la mortalidad atribuido a las enfermedades aterotrombóticas motivado a un desequilibrio entre factores inflamatorios y hemostáticos.  El objetivo del estudio fue asociar la generación de trombina con biomarcadores de inflamación y factores de riesgo cardiovascular en pacientes con LES y AR que acudieron al Servicio de Reumatología del Hospital Central de Maracay, entre julio-noviembre de 2016. Investigación descriptiva de tipo transversal. La muestra estuvo conformada por 20 pacientes con LES, 20 con AR y 20 individuos aparentemente sanos. Se determinaron los índices antropométricos, perfil lipídico, biomarcadores de inflamación (fibrinógeno (Fg), proteína C reactiva (PCR), IL-6, IL-8, VSG, leucocitos) y generación de trombina (GT). La concentración de GT no presentó diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos de estudio.  Los promedios obtenidos de los biomarcadores de inflamación, colesterol total, LDL-c, VLD-c, triglicéridos entre los grupos con AR y LES fueron estadísticamente iguales entre sí y mayores al control; y para HDL-c el grupo control presentó la mayor media, seguido de AR y LES.  Se encontró en pacientes con AR una correlación negativa estadísticamente significativa entre GT y la HDL-c, y en LES una asociación directamente proporcional y estadísticamente significativa entre la generación de trombina con IL-6 y VSG. Los pacientes con AR y LES presentaban un estado inflamatorio crónico, dislipidemia, y sin incremento en la concentración plasmática de generación de trombina.
Palabras clave: enfermedad reumática, inflamación, riesgo cardiovascular, trombina. 
ABSTRACT
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) are systemic rheumatic diseases (SRS) characterized by autoimmune inflammatory disorders. Patients with SRS have a reduced life expectancy, 50% of the mortality attributed to atherothrombotic diseases motivated by an imbalance between inflammatory and hemostatic factors. The aim of this study was to associate the generation of thrombin with inflammation biomarkers and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with SLE and RA who attended the Rheumatology Service of the Central Hospital of Maracay, July-November 2016.Descriptive research of cross-sectional type. The sample consisted of 20 patients with SLE, 20 with RA and 20 apparently healthy individuals. Were determined the anthropometric indexes, lipid profile, inflammation biomarkers (fibrinogen (Fg), C-reactive protein (PCR), IL-6, IL-8, VSG, leukocytes) and thrombin generation (TG). The concentration of TG did not show statistically significant differences between the study groups. The averages obtained from the biomarkers of inflammation, total cholesterol, LDL-c, VLD-c, triglycerides between the groups with RA and SLE were statistically equal to each other and greater than the control; and for HDL-c the control group presented the highest mean, followed by RA and LES. In patients with RA was found a statistically significant negative correlation between GT and HDL-c, and in SLE a directly proportional and statistically significant association between the generation of thrombin with IL-6 and ESR. Patients with RA and SLE presented a chronic inflammatory state, dyslipidemia and without increase in the plasma concentration of thrombin generation.
Key words:  rheumatic disease, inflammation, cardiovascular risk, thrombin.

Water is the necessity for the human, animal and agriculture life. Water is given to crop by irrigation for the growth of the crop. Different lands have different strategy of water, some type of crops need more water for its growth and some crops need lesser water. Some types of soil have different problems like black cotton soil which swells and shrinks quickly. Bhal area is that type of area where the traditional system to apply water for irrigation to crop were not successful. And finally through carrying out different types of survey works, it is concluded that underground pipe line system is the best for irrigation. This system is more suitable than other system. This paper examines the factors underlying irrigation development in Bhal area, reviews the water supply situation, and describes trends in water demand and irrigated agriculture. The overall water management in the region is assessed and recent trends in investments in the water sector, with a focus on large-scale irrigation systems. It concludes that in this context of accelerating demand and declining irrigation investments, new water development is not the primary solution to water resource challenges in the region. Much greater attention is needed on water policy and management reform to improve the efficiency and equity of irrigation and water supply systems. In order to pay for future investments, irrigated agriculture needs to produce high-value crops for both local consumption and exports into competitive world markets. Policies to officially transfer management responsibilities from agencies to farmers - and to privatize urban water supply and sanitation - are increasingly important. The complex tradeoffs across sectors and across water uses can best be managed through integrated water management at the river basin level—but developing appropriate institutions for intersectoral water allocation remains an important challenge under the fragmented management structure in most of Bhal area. Thus, the challenges for water policymakers in the region are great, but a strategy that focuses on river basin management, irrigation management transfer and privatization, and market-based water allocation can effectively address these challenges. Overall, the paper concludes that Bhal area should focus on (1) Creating Additional Surface Storage, (2) Preserving surface water, (3) Controlling Groundwater and controlling salinity, (4) Encouraging general efficiency of irrigation water use, (5) Enhancing yields through improved farming practices.

Background: Facial plastic surgeries are usually associated with various post-surgical undesirable symptoms, particularly pain, Swelling, and ecchymosis. Depending on the nature of the procedures, these symptoms could last for days, sometimes over a week or more. Considering the optimal efficacy of Bromelain, this study is used to justify the benefits of pre-operative use of Bromelain found in pineapple using fresh pineapple juice to reduce such complications. Materials and Methods: A randomized clinical study was performed among 100 patients undergoing various facial surgical operations; the patients were randomly divided into two groups; fifty patients received the pre-operative fresh pineapple juice (350ml glass) twice every day, a week before and continued for seven days after surgery. The pain level was determined using a visual analog scale, Swelling, and ecchymosis judged by visual inspection. Average scores for all symptoms were added to obtain the clinical sum score for each visit. Results: Pre-operative use of fresh pineapple juice was significantly reduced post-surgical pain, swelling, and ecchymosis with statistically significant results (p<0.005) in each pineapple groups. Conclusion: Bromelain found in pineapple fruit can be used as a successful therapy before various facial surgical procedures to minimize and provide faster recovery from undesirable post-operative symptoms.

In this work, highly absorbent cross linked co-polymer gels of cis-9-octadecen-1-ol with acrylic/methacrylic acid and 1-hexene in different molar ratios were synthesized by thermal polymerization techniques and studied. The polymers were characterized by Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis and Scanning Electron Microscopy techniques. Their non-ionic nature was verified with the help of transport number measurement by Wagner polarization technique. The polymers were found to have very high swelling capacities in organic solvents like chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, ethanol, diethylether, thiophene, pyridine, benzene, etc. These gels show maximum swelling for chloroform which reaches up to 750%. The swelling capacities for different oils like kerosene, gasoline, engine oil, silicon oil, etc., are also favorable. The swelling kinetics confirmed that the swelling followed second order kinetics. The chloroform retention time was also checked which established that the gels can be recycled and reused again and again. An experiment showing removal of kerosene from kerosene/water mixture is also performed. This confirms that these gels can be used in removing organic contaminants and oil from water and can help in water purification and environmental cleanup purposes.

Conversion of water into steam is the primary funct
ion of a utility boiler. The steam pressure is used
to turn
a steam turbine thus, generating electricity. Withi
n the boiler drum there exists a steam/water interf
ace.
Boiler steam drum water level is one of the importa
nt parameters of power plant that must be measured
and controlled. For safe and efficient boiler opera
tion, a constant level of water in the boiler drum
is
required to be maintained. Too low water level may
cause damage boiler tube by overheating. On the oth
er
hand too high drum water level leads to improper fu
nction of separators, difficulty in temperature
controlling and damage in superheater tubes. Turbin
e may also be damaged by moisture or water
treatment chemicals carryover. The amount of water
entering the boiler drum must be balanced with the
amounts of steam leaving to accomplish the constant
water level in the drum. Therefore it is extremely
important to have the knowledge of the operating pr
inciples, installation requirements, strength and
weaknesses of drum water level control system. Igno
ring these considerations can result in misapplicat
ion,
frequent maintenance, unsafe operation and poor ins
trument as well as system performance. In this pape
r
design aspects and installation requirements of boi
ler drum level control are discussed for safe and
economic operation.

Ground improvement, is the modification of existing site foundation soils to provide better performance under design and/or operational loading conditions. Ground improvement techniques are used increasingly for new projects to allow utilization of sites with poor subsurface conditions. The most commonly used techniques suitable for cohesive soils and cohesionless soils have been briefly discussed in this paper. Recent advances made at MANIT, Bhopal to tackle with the problems of construction in black cotton soil have been discussed elaborately. Use of granular pile in such soils has shown that the soil strength on wetting could be improved significantly. The granular pile is found to improve the load carrying capacity of a footing to varying degree depending on the initial consistency of the soil, inclusion of fibres and encasement of the pile material by geogrid. Further, it is found that the swelling of the soil decreases by the use of granular pile in soft black cotton soil. The...

In this study, the results of geotechnical (physical) properties were used for assessing the swelling potentials of the studied area (Thi-Qar University) in addition to the mineralogical composition for these soils. Mineralogically, Montmorillonite was identified as being the main clay mineral, followed by Illite and Kaolinite in addition to the presence of non-clay minerals Calcite, Quartz, Feldspar and Dolomite. Geotechnical studies show that Liquid limits and plasticity indexs range from 38%-61% and from 13%-30% respectively. According to USCS, these soils are mainly high liquid limit sandy silty clay (CH), low liquid limit sandy silty clay and low liquid limit sandy clayey silt (CL and ML) respectively. Activity values revealed that the soils are mainly non active (80%)-normally active (20%) and the consistency of the soil is (plastic-semisolid).The assessment of soil expansivity based on index properties and activity show a large percentage of the expansive soil. Also, there is concordance between the results of the soil expansivity which obtained from the soil swelling assessment based on the analyses of its index properties and the results of mineralogical tests for these soils.

Chronic mid-foot pain have several etiological factors and related treatment protocols. Most of the times, the treatment is limited to supportive and symptomatic therapy. Physical therapy measures are ancillary modalities along with activity modifications. A very localized chronic pain refractory to conservative treatment options warrants imaging studies to delineate underlying pathology. On rare instances very interesting underlying lesions are encountered. We present a case report of recalcitrant pain over medial aspect of foot diagnosed radiologically and managed accordingly.

In this study, beech wood was treated in hot oil and in hot air to determine the differences in the effects of the two processes on the physical properties of the wood. Heat treatment was conducted at temperatures of 160, 190, and 220 °C for 2 h at atmospheric pressure. After the heat treatment, various properties of the wood, including mass increase in hot oil treatment (wt% gain), mass loss in hot air treatment (wt% loss), oven-dried density, swelling, equilibrium moisture content, fiber saturation point, and moisture content were   determined. Regression analyses were conducted to assess the differences in mass change and volumetric swelling, and the findings were analyzed statistically. The results showed that heat treatment in hot oil influenced the physical properties of beech wood more than treatment in hot air. However, the extensive uptake of oil by the wood samples, resulting in mass increases, was a negative issue associated with the hot oil treatment.

Swelling characteristics of compacted bentonite is the most important factor for nuclear waste disposal facilities. Salinity effect on swelling behaviour of compacted bentonite was investigated experimentally. A series of one dimensional swelling deformation tests have been performed. The tests were conducted for various initial dry densities from 1.33 g/cm 3 to 1.90 g/cm 3 for compacted bentonite saturated with NaCl of various concentrations in solution from 0 to 4.0 M. It was found that initial dry density and concentration of NaCl strongly influence the swelling rate of bentonite. The swelling rate of bentonite decreases with increasing the concentration of NaCl. Swelling rate depends on the concentration of NaCl more than on initial dry density and loading effect. Bentonite may change from highly swelled material to coagulate in saline water. Liquid limit of bentonite is also remarkably decreased with the change of liquid from distilled water to saline one, while the plastic limit is slightly increased.

http://www.dbc.wroc.pl/Content/13794/epe2_2011.pdf#page=65

Expansive soils like clays undergo swelling that can both be detrimental and acceptable in different applications. In the Northern part of India, especially Delhi region, natural soils containing clays & clayey sands support most of the buildings. Mechanically stabilized clays mixed with sand are used for local earthwork construction such as roads and landfills. Exact understanding of the swelling behaviour of such soils is a pre-requisite before the start of any construction projects. In this paper the swelling behaviour of clayey soil reinforced with geocell & Jute fibres has been presented. The laboratory investigations include one dimensional swelling tests using California Bearing Ratio (CBR) mould to study the swelling properties for different mix proportions. The maximum decrease in swelling potential of Geocell reinforced specimens was observed at fibre content of 0.80 percent and 40mm fibre length, beyond which increase in the swelling potential and swelling pressure has be...

Swelling of high-density polyethylene (PE) in organic solvents, orthodichlorobenzene and orthoxylene, was investigated. The swelling kinetics of the PE specimen was described by the first-order equation. For the first time, the PE specimen swelling rate constant was shown to decrease with increasing thickness of the specimens. The equilibrium swelling of the PE specimen was evaluated. It was found that equilibrium swelling is independent of the thickness of specimens. It was shown that storage of polyethylene specimens in organic solvents changes its mechanical properties (tensile strength, Young's modulus, and elongation-at-break) due to polymer plasticization. We have shown that the increase in flexibility and elongation-at-break after relatively short-term immersion of PE samples in these organic solvents is significant. However, the tensile strength of swollen specimens remains high enough. The interaction between polymer chains and solvent molecules was not detected. The results obtained are important for the design and operation of PE coatings and PE products, such as pipes, tanks, and other accessories exposed to oil products.

Dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB)-modified and unmodified calcium bentonite were both used for the competitive adsorption of aromatics (xylene, ethylbenzene and toluene) and petroleum products (gasoline, dual purpose kerosene and diesel) from their aqueous solution. Infrared spectroscopy (IR) and expansion tests (adsorption capacity and Foster swelling) measurement were performed in order to evaluate the performance of the adsorbents. The Foster swelling index and adsorption capacity of the DTAB modified calcium bentonite in the organic solvents follow the trend: xylene > ethylbenzene > toluene > gasoline > dual purpose kerosene (DPK) > diesel > water. However, the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent in diesel outweighed the adsorption capacity in DPK at high concentration of DTAB indicating that diesel has higher affinity for high DTAB concentration than DPK. The percentage removal of the solvent is directly proportional to the concentration of DTAB used in modifying the bentonite as well as the contact time between the adsorbent and the solvent, hence modified calcium bentonite adsorbed a higher percentage of organic solvents than the unmodified calcium bentonite. The adsorption characteristics of both adsorbents improved remarkably after proper agitation of the organic solvents, the unmodified calcium bentonite however adsorbed more water than the modified bentonite. Data obtained from adsorption isotherm models confirms that Freundlich adsorption isotherm model was favored more than Langmuir adsorption isotherm model with the correlation factor (R 2) of the former tending more towards unity. The adsorption of ethylbenzene using DTAB modified and unmodified calcium bentonites follow a pseudo second order kinetics mechanism, suggesting that the rate determining step of adsorption involves both the adsorbent and the organic solvent. Capsule Summary: DTAB modified calcium bentonite has a higher adsorption capacity than the unmodified calcium bentonite as such can be deployed in the adsorption of aromatics (xylene, ethylbenzene and toluene) and petroleum products (gasoline, dual purpose kerosene and diesel) from waste water and effluents thereby protecting the environment and humans from their hazardous effects. Cite This Article As: T. N. Chikwe, R. E. Ekpo and I. Okoye. Competitive adsorption of organic solvents using modified and unmodified calcium bentonite clay mineral.

A number of diseases can lead to fluid accumulation and swelling in the lower leg. Early detection of leg swelling can be used to effectively predict potential health risks and allows for early intervention from medical providers. Hence this note develops a novel leg size sensor based on the use of magnetic field measurement. An electromagnet is combined with two magnetic field transducers to provide a drift-free leg size estimation technique immune to environmental disturbances. The sensor can measure changes as small as 1mm in diameter reliably during in vitro tests. Its performance is compared with that of other size measurement techniques.