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Chloride-induced corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete structures is a leading cause of deterioration of highway infrastructure in cold regions, where the source of chlorides is usually deicing salts applied to roads and bridges during winter to melt ice. The objective of this work was to evaluate applications of lithium silicate and a combination of lithium silicate and silane for sealing concrete barrier walls exposed to chloride-based deicing salts. The procedures followed in this research involved selection of three field sites for topical applications of lithium silicate and silane, chloride concentration sampling before and after treatment, and chemical analysis of the samples. The field sites were all located along the newly constructed Mountain View Corridor in northern Utah and were evaluated after each of the first two winters. The results of the statistical analyses completed in this research indicate that treatment with silane and lithium silicate and treatment with lithium silicate by itself provide 79.9 and 42.4 percent reductions, on average, in chloride concentration, respectively, compared to the control, which was not treated. In addition, the data indicate that the chloride concentration of the deeper lift was, on average, 64.2 percent less than the chloride concentration of the shallower lift, where the depth ranged from 0 mm to 13 mm (0 in. to 0.5 in.) and from 13 mm to 25 mm (0.5 in. to 1.0 in.) for the shallower and deeper lifts, respectively. Finally, the data indicate that the chloride concentration increased by 258.0 and 330.2 percent, on average, after the first and second winters, respectively, compared to the baseline values measured before the wall sections were exposed to chlorides. Evaluation of the permanency of the treatments will require continued monitoring for several more years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the introduction of electrospun magnetic polymer nanocomposite fibers. It states that the polymers include polystyrene, polyimide, polyvinyl alcohol and polyacrylonitrile. Different characterizations are conducted including thermogravimetric analysis, viscometer, X-ray diffraction, attenuated total reflection Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The magnetic properties are conducted in a physical properties measurement system through Quantum Design.

We endeavor to manipulate the cell cycle and mitotic spindle of cotton. Control over these biological features will enhance our ability to produce high quality cytological preparations of chromosomes and to double the number of chromosomes, i.e., induce polyploidy. The ability to routinely produce large numbers of high quality chromosome preparations from plants enables karyotypic germplasm characterization, integrated and comparative genomics, and germplasm utilization. Induction of polyploidy is often among the most crucial steps in germplasm introgression because many interspecific hybrids are otherwise sterile due to meiotic non-homology between the parental chromosomes. Chromosome doubling is also critical to production of doubled haploids, which are completely homozygous and valued for research and breeding. In progression toward these goals, experimental evaluations were made by hydroponically treating seedlings with a variety of antitubulin compounds - amiprophos-methyl, nitrous oxide, a benzamide designated RH-4032, colchicine, and a novel phenylcyclohexene colchicine mimic; followed by visual analysis of root tip morphology and cytological analysis of nuclei and mitotic appearance. Amiprophos-methyl and the phenylcyclohexene seemed to be most effective. We also observed significant effects from topical application of 0.5-2 mM amiprophos-methyl and 25-100 μM phenylcyclohexene, with phenotypes ranging from sectored and misshapen leaves to meristem necrosis, followed by development of thicker and darker leaves. Cytological data and visual observations suggest these compounds cause somatic doubling of the chromosome number in cotton, and that they will provide one or more favorable alternatives to traditional methods based on colchicine, which is highly toxic, light-labile and mutagenic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]