The ability of several cell wall fractions of Micropolyspora faeni, a thermophilic actinomycete associated with farmer's lung disease, to activate complement is reported. Cell walls, obtained by mechanical disruption, were purified by enzyme treatment and chemical extractions. Fractions containing the most purified cell walls were most active in consuming complement, as measured by reduction of...

Very high strain hardening coefficients (=G/23) are observed for aluminum-alloyed face-centered cubic Hadfield steel single crystals under tensile loading. Alloying with aluminum suppressed deformation twinning in two of the three crystallographic orientations studied, and transmission electron microscopy results revealed the existence of dense dislocation walls (sheets) along crystallographic ...

Active earth pressure on retaining structures supporting a narrow column of soil cannot be properly analysed using Coulomb's theory. Finite-element limit analysis (FELA) shows that the forms multiple failure surfaces if is sufficiently narrow. This paper proposes framework for active estimation soils by combining an arched differential element method and sliding wedge method. The analytical con...

We describe the case of a 77-year-old female who underwent dual-chamber permanent pacemaker implantation using two active screw-in leads for complete atrioventricular block. The two active screw-in leads perforated the atrial and ventricular walls causing cardiac tamponade and a left hemothorax associated with ventricular perforation. An emergency sternotomy was performed to facilitate drainage...

In recent years, research into the efficacy of indoor air biofiltration mechanisms, notably living green walls, has become more prevalent. Whilst green walls are often utilised within the built environment for their biophilic effects, there is little evidence demonstrating the efficacy of active green wall biofiltration for the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at concentrations foun...

The primary aim of our case-control study was to observe delayed contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA) in comparison with magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Twenty-seven patients including 15 with active TA and 12 with stable TA who underwent both aortic MRA and DCE-MRI were included. A total of 27 sex- and age-matched healthy volunte...

In many countries of moderate to high seismicity, reinforced concrete (RC) core walls are used as lateral bracing systems in midto high-rise buildings where they typically accommodate lift shafts or stair cases. Unlike planar walls which provide horizontal strength and stiffness mainly in the in-plane direction of the wall, core walls provide bidirectional strength and stiffness. This feature c...

Well-designed ventilated air-spaces behind external claddings in the building envelope can potentially reduce thermal energy flow entire wall structure. In this study, impact of dynamic thermo-hydraulic behavior naturally cavity on performance lightweight and heavyweight assemblies with traditional passive active (i.e., BIPV) facades is investigated. A numerical transient 2-D model validated ag...