Abstract: Indian standard Code-IS:456-2000 and Eurocode EC:02-2004 for the design of the concrete structure is limited to the concrete with compressive strength of 55 MPa and 90 MPa respectively. For defining the stress block parameters and for the design of concrete structures using Very high strength concrete (100 MPa to 150MPa); a well-defined stress-strain behavior becomes necessary, particularly the experimental values for the strain at peak stress and ultimate strain capacity. The presents study attempts to cater to these needs by experimentally evaluating the unconfined stress-strain behavior of nine cylindrical specimens with a compressive strength between 100 MPa to 150 MPa, in a servo-controlled (Strain-controlled) compression testing machine. The strain values recorded at peak stress for 100 MPa and 150 MPa concrete are approximately 3000 microstrains and 3500 microstrains respectively. Compared to normal and high-strength concrete, the rising limb of the curves for VHSC (Very high strength concrete) is much steeper and approaches a straight path, also the strain at peak stress and ultimate strain coincide, depicting a negligible post-peak strain hardening region. LVDT and compressometer gave different strains for the same load and specimen. This signifies the role of the gauge length ratio used in these strain measuring devices.

Resumen: Las Normas India IS:456-2000 y Europea EC:02-2004 para el diseño de estructuras de hormigón se limitan al hormigón con resistencia a la compresión de 55 MPa y 90 MPa respectivamente. Para definir los parámetros del bloque de tensión y para el diseño de estructuras de hormigón utilizando hormigón de muy alta resistencia (100 MPa a 150MPa) es necesario contar con un comportamiento tensión-deformación bien definido y, especialmente, con los valores experimentales para la deformación en la tensión máxima y la capacidad de deformación última. El presente estudio intenta satisfacer estas necesidades mediante la evaluación experimental del comportamiento a la tensión-deformación de nueve probetas cilíndricas de hormigón no confinado sometidas a una compresión entre 100 MPa y 150 MPa, en una máquina de ensayos a la compresión servo-controlada (controlada por tensión). Los valores de deformación registrados para el esfuerzo máximo del hormigón de 100 MPa y 150 MPa fueron de alrededor de 3.000 y 3.500 micro deformaciones respectivamente. En comparación con el hormigón normal y de alta resistencia, el tramo ascendente de las curvas para el hormigón de muy alta resistencia es mucho más pronunciado y se aproxima a una trayectoria recta, además coinciden la deformación en el esfuerzo máximo y la deformación última, representando un área insignificante de endurecimiento por deformación posterior al pico. El Transformador Diferencial de Variación Lineal (LVDT) y el compresómetro mostraron diferentes deformaciones para la misma probeta y carga. Esto demuestra el rol de la relación de la longitud de calibre utilizada en estos dispositivos de medición de tensión.

Abstract Alkaline pectinase is the utmost significant industrial enzyme of the bioscouring process. By considering bio scouring of cotton, 30 microbial isolates from fruit and vegetable waste rich dump soil of Solang Valley and Vasishta (Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India) were isolated and screened for the alkaline pectinase production in the current research work. Only four isolates P3, P16, P21, and P27 were capable to produce extracellular alkaline pectinase at pH 9. Further by applying submerged fermentation, the alkaline pectinase production was quantitatively screened. The most efficient isolate was P3 identified as Bacillus tropicus, based on morphological, biochemical, and molecular characterization. Molecular characteristics confirmed by 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The nucleotide sequence of the isolate was novel with a 97% similarity index and submitted to the GenBank with accession number MK332379. The Bacillus strain selected was active at broad pH range from 8-10.5 and a temperature range from 25-50 oC. Optimum pH and temperature observed were 9 and 37 oC respectively and can be suitably used for the bio scouring process for the pretreatment of the fabrics.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) has become the standard of care and popular among most of the transplant centres across the globe. Objective of this video is to report different vascular injuries, their management during LDNs and propose risk reduction strategies. Patient and methods: This was a retrospective analysis of all the LDNs performed between January 2011 and March 2016. All donor nephrectomies were performed laparoscopically by transperitoneal route, under ideal operative conditions by expert laparoscopic surgeons and by novice surgeons. Results: 858 LDNs (left, n = 797; right, n = 61) were performed during the study period with 5 cases of vascular injuries. Mean (SD) donor age was 45.5 (± 10.76) years and the operative time was 165 (± 44.4) min. Of these five cases, two had renal vein injury, while the three others had renal artery, inferior vena cava and aortic injury (one each). Four injuries occurred during left LDN and only one during a right LDN. Vascular injuries were managed using the Rescue stitch or metallic clips as indicated. Risk reduction strategy was developed to avoid vascular injuries during LDN, which include - meticulous attention to port placement, addition of fourth port, complete dissection of upper pole and pedicle before clipping, and judicious use of ultrasonic diathermy. Conclusions: Careful evaluation of computed tomography angiography just before surgery will act like a global positioning system (GPS) for the operating surgeon. Rescue stitch is a saviour. Not to panic and being well versed with the risk reduction strategies of laparoscopy and rescue measures is of paramount importance.

Abstract The problems concerns to the propagation of surface wave propagation through various anisotropic mediums with initial stress and irregular boundaries are of great interest to seismologists, due to their applications towards the stability of the medium. The present paper deals with the propagation of Rayleigh-type wave in a corrugated fibre-reinforced layer lying over an initially stressed orthotropic half-space under gravity. The upper free surface is assumed to be corrugated; while the interface of the layer and half-space is corrugated as well as loosely bonded. The frequency equation is deduced in closed form. Numerical computation has been carried out which aids to plot the dimensionless phase velocity against dimensionless wave number for sake of graphical demonstration. Numerical results analyze the influence of corrugation, loose bonding, initial stress and gravity on the phase velocity of Rayleigh-type wave. Moreover, the presence and absence of corrugation, loose bonding and initial stress is also discussed in comparative manner.