Properties of compressed lateritic soil stabilized with a burnt clay–lime binder: Effect of mixture components

In this study, a pozzolanic binder containing lime and a common thermally activated kaolinitic clay, at 750 °C, was formulated. The chemical, mineralogical and pozzolanic properties of raw materials were determined. The percentage of lime in the binder varies between 20% and 30%. The binder was used as a stabilizer in compressed lateritic soil in which water–solid (laterite and binder) and laterite–binder ratios vary, respectively, from 0.12 to 0.20 and 4 to 9. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was added as a chemical activator in the mixture. The NaOH–binder ratio varies from 0.02 to 0.04. The average effect of each component of the mixture on compressive strength, water absorption and apparent density of compressed laterite after 7 or 28 days of conservation at 40 ± 1 °C in an atmosphere saturated with water vapour was evaluated in a screening design of the “design in graeco – latin squares” type. It was observed that water–solid and laterite–binder ratios are the factors that influence more the properties of the products. Compressive strength increases up to a water–solid ratio of 0.16 then decreases for higher ratios. Compressive strength decreases with the increase of laterite–binder ratio. Water absorption decreases with the increase of water–solid ratio up to 0.16 then sharply increases for higher ratios. However, water absorption decreases slightly with the increase in the lime content of the binder and sodium hydroxide–binder ratio. The maximum apparent density is observed at water–solid ratio of 0.16. It increases when sodium hydroxide–binder and laterite–binder ratios increase.     

Urea biosensors based on immobilization of urease into two oppositely charged clays (laponite and Zn-Al layered double hydroxides)

Enzyme-based field effect transistors (ENFETs) for urea determination were developed based on the immobilization of urease within two different clay matrixes, one cationic (Laponite) and the other anionic (layered double hydroxide (LDH)), cross-linked with glutaraldehyde. The biosensor based on the enzyme immobilized in Laponite shows a greater sensitivity and smaller dynamic linear range, because the enzymatic reaction is protected from the effect of the buffer capacity of the outer medium. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant, Km(app), is quite similar for both biosensors. Inhibition of the enzyme by sodium tetraborate was investigated. Tetraborate acts as a competitive inhibitor for urease in the two different types of clay, the inhibitor effect being stronger for the LDH/urease biosensor. In particular, the maximum limit of the dynamic linear range extends from 1.4 mM in the absence of the inhibitor to 12 mM in the presence of 0.5 mM tetraborate. The Km(app) values in the presence of 0.5 mM tetraborate for Laponite and LDH biomembranes were 10 and 62 mM, respectively. Comparison of the inhibition constant values, Ki 0.16 and 0.05 mM for Laponite and LDH biosensors, respectively, clearly indicates a stronger enzyme-inhibitor interaction in the LDH/urease biomembrane.     

Molecular analysis of the retinoblastoma (RB1) gene in acute myeloid leukemia patients

Patient 1: A 48-year-old man was admitted to Osaka Red Cross Hospital because of fever and dyspnea. Laboratory examination revealed pancytopenia, liver dysfunction and hematostatic abnormality. Chest radiographs obtained on admission revealed ground-glass opacity in both lung fields, and an analysis of arterial blood showed severe hypoxemia (PaO2:46.8 Torr). Pulse therapy with methylprednisolone was started. Although the hypoxemia subsided and radiographic findings rapidly improved, pancytopenia persisted. Examination of bone marrow aspirate revealed mature histiocytes with marked hemophagocytosis. Amplified Mycobacterium tuberculosis direct tests of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, sputum, urine, and bone marrow were all positive, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis was cultured from sputum and urine. Although the patient was taking antituberculous agents, his pancytopenia persosted. Treatment with etoposide induced remssion. Patient 2: A 19-year-old woman was admitted to Osaka Red Cross Hospital because of prolonged cough and fever. Laboratory examination revealed leukocytosis, liver dysfunction, and hematostatic abnormality. Serologic tests provided conclusive evidence of Mycoplasma infection and a CRP test was strongly positive. Chest radiographs obtained on admission revealed infiltration shadows in the middle and lower lung fields on both sides, with left pleural effusion. An analysis of arterial blood showed hypoxemia (PaO2: 54.2 Torr). Examination of bone marrow and pleural effusion samples revealed mature histiocytes with marked hemophagocytosis. Although treatment with antibiotics and pulse therapy with methylprednisolone was started, the patients respiratory functions deteriorated. Endotracheal intubation was performed. Therapy with etoposide induced remission. Hemophagocytic syndrome associated with Mycoplasma infection and tuberculosis appears to be exceedingly rare. In these 2 cases, it was difficult to achieve remission with therapy for the underlying infections, but etoposide treatment was effective.     

Leadership and communication in nursing management

Considering communication and leadership, authors examine the role of the leader as a focus of reception and transmission of information, based on the classification of Mintzberg related to their informative roles, such as the leader acting as monitor, disseminator and spokesman. Contextualizing this approach in the scenery of nursing management, authors study the dimension of nurses-leaders role as an essential element of communication in the systems of organization of nursing care.