This paper presents a novel method to quantitatively characterize the thermal performance of composite materials containing phase change materials (PCM) based on a figure of merit we termed the energy indicator. The method features (i) commonly used specimen geometry, (ii) straightforward experimental implementation, and (iii) sensitivity to relevant design parameters including PCM volume fract...

Freeze-thaw cycles are one of the greatest threats to concrete durability. Lately, protection against this threat excites scientists’ attention. Air-entraining admixtures have been widely used to produce freeze-thaw resistant at concretes. The use of airentraining agents (AEAs) enhances not only freeze-thaw endurance but also the properties of fresh concrete such as segregation, bleeding and fl...

As regards if curing stops for some time and then resumes again, then strength gain will also stop and reactive, in this study with choose suitable curing conditions after improper first curing (recurring) for normal and silica-fume concrete, Effect of this curing conditions on strength and permeability was investigated. The results from tests such as compressive strength, capillary water absor...

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV), one of the major pathogens of Procambarus clarkii, has caused severe disruption to the aquaculture industry of P. clarkii in China. To reveal the gene regulatory mechanisms underlying WSSV infection, a comparative transcriptome analysis was performed among WSSV-infected susceptible individuals (GS), viral resistant individuals (GR), and a non-infected control g...

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In early 1980s, researchers discovered self-setting calcium orthophosphate cements, which are a bioactive and biodegradable grafting material in the form of a powder and a liquid. Both phases form after mixing a viscous paste that after being implanted, sets and hardens within the body as either a non-stoichiometric calcium deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA) or brushite, sometimes blended with unr...

Polymer concrete (PC) is a composite material prepared by resin and aggregates. Advantages of polymer concretes include rapid curing at ambient temperatures, high flexural and compressive strengths, excellent chemical resistance and low permeability. In this research, a comparative study was performed on degradation of polyester resin concrete in different chemical solutions. Polymer concrete s...

The development and the main features of a knowledge-based expert system for modelling the requirements of durable concrete in sulfate exposure, called the Sulfate-Resistant Concrete Advisor (SRCA), are described. The system was developed to help improve the quality of concrete exposed to sulfate environment by minimizing mistakes and deficiencies in selecting concrete constituents. Using Kappa...