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Influence of Mechanical Screened Recycled Coarse Aggregates on Properties of Self-Compacting Concrete
No full textThe use of recycled coarse aggregates (RA) in concrete is a sustainable alternative to non-renewable natural aggregate (NA) to fabricate concrete products using in concrete structures. However, the adhered mortar on the surface of RA would considerably impact the qualities of concrete products. As a practical treatment procedure, mechanical screening can remove the adhered mortar. This research aims to study the influence of mechanical screening on the fundamental properties of RA and the resulting self-compacting concrete (SCC). The RA were mechanically screened up to four times, and their physical properties including particle size distribution, water absorption, and crushing value were investigated. The properties of RA-SCC including workability, density, compressive and tensile strengths, modulus of elasticity, and microstructure were also examined. The results demonstrated that screening reduced the water absorption of RA from 6.26% to 5.33% and consequently enhanced the workability of RA-SCC. Furthermore, it was shown that increasing the screening up to twice improved the mechanical properties of concrete. In particular, screening increased the compressive strength of concrete by 15–35% compared to the concrete with unscreened RA. Similar improvements were found in tensile strength as well as the elastic modulus results. The microstructure of screened RA-SCC was comparable to that of the control concrete, showing minimal porosity and cracks along the interfacial transition zone. In conclusion, once or twice screening is recommended to the recycling facility plant to remove adequate amount of adhered mortar and fines while preventing damages to the RA. Improving the quality of RA via mechanical screening is one of the promising approaches to increase their potential for use in concrete, thereby reducing extraction of natural resources and promoting a circular economy
Prevalence of Australians exposed to potentially cardiotoxic cancer medicines: a population-based cohort study
No full textBackground: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer are leading causes of death and people with cancer are at higher risk of developing CVD than the general population. Many cancer medicines have cardiotoxic effects but the size of the population exposed to these potentially cardiotoxic medicines is not known. We aimed to determine the prevalence of exposure to potentially cardiotoxic cancer medicines in Australia. Methods: We identified potentially cardiotoxic systemic cancer medicines through searching the literature and registered product information documents. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of Australians dispensed potentially cardiotoxic cancer medicines between 2005 and 2021, calculating age-standardised annual prevalence rates of people alive with exposure to a potentially cardiotoxic medicine during or prior to each year of the study period. Findings: We identified 108,175 people dispensed at least one potentially cardiotoxic cancer medicine; median age, 64 (IQR: 52–74); 57% female. Overall prevalence increased from 49 (95%CI: 48.7–49.3)/10,000 to 232 (95%CI: 231.4–232.6)/10,000 over the study period; 61 (95%CI: 60.5–61.5)/10,000 to 293 (95%CI: 292.1–293.9)/10,000 for females; and 39 (95%CI: 38.6–39.4)/10,000 to 169 (95%CI: 168.3–169.7)/10,000 for males. People alive five years following first exposure increased from 29 (95%CI: 28.8–29.2)/10,000 to 134 (95%CI: 133.6–134.4)/10,000; and from 22 (95%CI: 21.8–22.2)/10,000 to 76 (95%CI: 75.7–76.3)/10,000 for those alive at least 10 years following first exposure. Most people were exposed to only one potentially cardiotoxic medicine, rates of which increased from 39 (95%CI: 38.7–39.3)/10,000 in 2005 to 131 (95%CI: 130.6–131.4)/10,000 in 2021. Interpretation: The number of people exposed to efficacious yet potentially cardiotoxic cancer medicines in Australia is growing. Our findings can support the development of service planning and create awareness about the magnitude of cancer treatment-related cardiotoxicities. Funding: NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Medicines Intelligence, Cancer Institute NSW Early Career Fellowship
Evaluation of CPT-based design method for offshore pile
No full textIn offshore engineering, it’s difficult to obtain undisturbed samples. CPT-based design method of pile has become recommending method. In this paper focusing on offshore pile foundation engineering, the typical CPT-based design methods are introduced. Various design methods are evaluated in respect of friction fatigue, pile loading direction, and the plug ratio of open-ended pile in capacity contribution, and the determination of design parameters. CPT-based design methods in the clay are compared with API method. For the typical stratum in the China East Sea, the monopiles of an offshore wind farm are analysed. The calculated capacities of monopiles with different methods are compared with the measured value, and the reliability of methods are evaluated. At last according to the vertical loading condition of the offshore monopile, reasonable suggestions for the current design methods and parameters determination are given
Evaluation of complex CPTu dissipation tests of B.E.S.T.
No full textThe u2 complex pore water pressure dissipation tests made in NC-LOC sandy soils at the Bolivian test site were evaluated with the variants of a mathematically precise, automatic method in the function of the testing time. The identified c became near constant and its error became small after a so called minimum testing time tmin < t50 depending on the variant. The traditional t50 method failed in some cases since the tests were with types I, II, III, V and t50 varied from 4s to a value being larger than 15 min (not measured)
Detection of germline variants with pathogenic potential in 48 patients with familial colorectal cancer by using whole exome sequencing
No full textBackground: Hereditary genetic mutations causing predisposition to colorectal cancer are accountable for approximately 30% of all colorectal cancer cases. However, only a small fraction of these are high penetrant mutations occurring in DNA mismatch repair genes, causing one of several types of familial colorectal cancer (CRC) syndromes. Most of the mutations are low-penetrant variants, contributing to an increased risk of familial colorectal cancer, and they are often found in additional genes and pathways not previously associated with CRC. The aim of this study was to identify such variants, both high-penetrant and low-penetrant ones. Methods: We performed whole exome sequencing on constitutional DNA extracted from blood of 48 patients suspected of familial colorectal cancer and used multiple in silico prediction tools and available literature-based evidence to detect and investigate genetic variants. Results: We identified several causative and some potentially causative germline variants in genes known for their association with colorectal cancer. In addition, we identified several variants in genes not typically included in relevant gene panels for colorectal cancer, including CFTR, PABPC1 and TYRO3, which may be associated with an increased risk for cancer. Conclusions: Identification of variants in additional genes that potentially can be associated with familial colorectal cancer indicates a larger genetic spectrum of this disease, not limited only to mismatch repair genes. Usage of multiple in silico tools based on different methods and combined through a consensus approach increases the sensitivity of predictions and narrows down a large list of variants to the ones that are most likely to be significant
The impact of an e-newsletter or animated video to disseminate outdoor free-play information in relation to COVID-19 guidelines in New South Wales early childhood education and care services: a randomised controlled trial
No full textBackground: State-based Guidelines were issued for Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services (caring for children 0-6 years) recommending greater time outdoors and inclusion of indoor-outdoor programs to facilitate social distancing to reduce spread of COVID-19. The aim of this 3-arm randomised controlled trial (RCT) was to examine the impact of different dissemination strategies on increasing ECEC service intentions to adopt recommendations from the Guidelines. Methods: This was a post-intervention only RCT. A sample of eligible ECEC services in New South Wales (n = 1026) were randomly allocated to one of three groups; (i) e-newsletter resource; (ii) animated video resource; or (iii) control (standard email). The intervention was designed to address key determinants of guideline adoption including awareness and knowledge. Following delivery of the intervention in September 2021, services were invited to participate in an online or telephone survey from October-December 2021. The primary trial outcome was the proportion of services intending to adopt the Guidelines, defined as intention to; (i) offer an indoor-outdoor program for the full day; or (ii) offer more outdoor play time. Secondary outcomes included awareness, reach, knowledge and implementation of the Guidelines. Barriers to Guideline implementation, cost of the dissemination strategies and analytic data to measure fidelity of intervention delivery were also captured. Results: Of the 154 services that provided post-intervention data, 58 received the e-newsletter (37.7%), 50 received the animated video (32.5%), and 46 received the control (29.9%). Services who received the animated video had nearly five times the odds (OR: 4.91 [1.03, 23.34] p = 0.046) than those in the control group, to report having intentions to adopt the Guidelines. There were no statistically significant differences in awareness or knowledge of the Guidelines between either intervention or control services. Development costs were greatest for the animated video. The extent to which the dissemination strategy was viewed in full, were similar for both the e-newsletter and animated video. Conclusion: This study found potential for the inclusion of interactive strategies to disseminate policy and guideline information within the ECEC setting, in the context of the need for rapid communication. Further research should explore the added benefits of embedding such strategies within a multi-strategy intervention. Trial Registration: Retrospectively registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) on the 23/02/2023 (ACTRN 12,623,000,198,628)
Widespread exposure of marine parks, whales, and whale sharks to shipping
No full textContext: Shipping impacts are a major environmental concern that can affect the behaviour and health of marine mammals and fishes. The potential impacts of shipping within marine parks is rarely considered during the planning process.Aims: We assessed the areal disturbance footprint of shipping around Australia, its overlap with marine parks, and known locations of megafauna, so as to identify areas of concern that warrant further investigation.Methods: Automatic Identification System (AIS) shipping data from 2018 to 2021 were interpreted through a kernel-density distribution and compared with satellite data from ∼200 individuals of megafauna amalgamated from 2003 to 2018, and the locations of marine parks.Key results: Over 18% of marine parks had shipping exposure in excess of 365 vessels per year. Around all of Australia, 39% of satellite-tag reports from whale shark and 36.7% of pygmy blue and humpback whale satellite-tag reports were in moderate shipping-exposure areas (>90 ships per year). Shipping exposure significantly increased from 2018 despite the pandemic, including within marine parks.Conclusions: These results highlight the wide-scale footprint of commercial shipping on marine ecosystems that may be increasing in intensity over time.Implications: Consideration should be made for assessing and potentially limiting shipping impacts along migration routes and within marine parks
The impact of organisational factors on treatment outcomes for those seeking alcohol or other drug treatment: A systematic review
No full textIntroduction: Organisational factors have been found to be associated with health outcomes in a number of health-care settings. Despite likely being an important influence on the quality of care provided within alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment centres, the impact of organisational factors on AOD treatment outcomes have not been extensively explored. This systematic literature review examines the characteristics, methodological quality and findings of published studies exploring the association between organisational factors and client AOD treatment outcomes. Methods: Medline, Embase, PsycINFO and the Cochrane database were searched from 2010 to March 2022 for relevant papers. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria underwent quality assessment using the Joanna Brigg's Institute critical appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies, followed by data extraction of key variables pertaining to the aims. A narrative summary was used to synthesise the data. Results: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Organisational factors examined included cultural competency, organisational readiness for change, directorial leadership, continuity of care practices, service access, service to needs ratios, dual diagnosis training, therapeutic optimism and the funding model/health-care system that treatment was delivered in. Outcome measures included duration, completion or continuation of treatment; AOD use; and patient perceptions of treatment outcomes. Seven out of nine papers found a significant interaction between at least one organisational variable and AOD treatment outcomes. Discussion and Conclusions: Organisational factors are likely to impact treatment outcomes for patients seeking treatment for AOD. Further examination of the organisational factors that influence AOD outcomes is needed to inform systemic improvements to AOD treatment
Co- and Nd-Codoping-Induced High Magnetization in Layered MoS2 Crystals
No full textMagnetic 2D-layered materials are promising for the applications of spintronic devices and compact magnetic devices. There are only a few reported intrinsic 2D-based magnetic materials. Therefore, introducing magnetic element into 2D-layered materials is an effective strategy to synthesize 2D-layered magnetic materials. Recently, ferromagnetism has been realized by doping single transition-metal or rare-earth element, whereas, there is no report by codoping of both transition-metal and rare-earth elements. Herein, Co and Nd are codoped into MoS2-layered crystals by ion implantation. An extremely high magnetization of 6916.3 emu cm−3 at 10 K and 80.3 emu cm−3 at 300 K is achieved. The high magnetization is attributed to the contribution from both transition-metal and rare-earth elements as well as defects, such as vacancy of cation ions, anions, or interstitials. Hence, herein, a useful strategy may be opened to develop high-performance magnetic materials based on 2D-layered materials
Dengue in Dhaka, Bangladesh: hospital-based cross-sectional KAP assessment at Dhaka North and Dhaka South City Corporation area
No full textDengue, the most important mosquito-borne viral disease of humans is a recurring global health problem. In Bangladesh, dengue outbreaks are on the increase despite the efforts of government and it is not clear what the understanding of the general Dhaka population towards dengue fever is. Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) studies are essential guides in public health interventions. Hence, using KAP, this study aims to assess patientperspectives with regards to factors associated with dengue, as well as investigate the associated factors between the two corporations in Dhaka. A Hospital-based cross-sectional study of 242 fever patients from two city-corporations in Dhaka (Dhaka North City Corporations, DNCC (n = 91, 37.6%) and Dhaka South City Corporation, DSCC (n = 151, 62.4%) was conducted using pre-tested KAP items. Wilcoxon's Rank Sum was used to determine the KAP by DNCC, DSCC and both corporations and multivariate Poisson regression analyses. The two corporations were analysed separately due to the differences in income distribution, concentration of slums, hospitals and clinics. The study found that more than half of the study population were knowledgeable about dengue (mean percentage scores was 52%), possess an appropriate and acceptable attitude towards the disease (69.2%), and about two thirds of the respondents (71.4%) engaged in practices towards its prevention. After adjusting for the potential cofounders, the factors associated with KAP about dengue fever varied between DNCC and DSCC; with duration of residency and use of mosquito nets were associated with knowledge in the north while income class and age were associated with knowledge and attitude in the south. In the pooled analysis (combining both corporations), knowledge of dengue was associated with good practice towards dengue fever among the respondents. The duration of residence in Dhaka (10+ years), not using mosquito nets and length of time spent in the hospital (7+ days) due to dengue, and decreased knowledge (Adjusted coefficient (β) = -0.01, 95%CI: -0.02, -0.01) were associated with attitude towards dengue in DNCC. On the other hand, middle-high income class, age (40+ years) and increased knowledge were associated with practice towards dengue in DSCC (β = 0.02, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.03). Efforts to increase knowledge about dengue fever through education by the administrations of both corporations would benefit from targeting these highrisk groups for a more sustainable outcome