The disposal of fine-grained mining and industrial waste by formation of hydraulic-fill tailings dams is becoming a design and construction activity of increasing scale. In light of the increasing pressure on the mining industry to sustain stringent safety and environmental standards it is becoming more important to gain technical knowledge of the waste problem. The upper layers of the tailings residue dams are in the unsaturated state with the matric suction component contributing to the overall shear strength. The ability to incorporate the matric suction component in shear strength calculations is important to safe design. This research project investigates the use of the mid-plane suction probe to measure matric suction. The results obtained from the probe is used along with various tests to construct a complete soil-water characteristic curve for Mispah gold tailings as well as to investigate suction induced shear strength of drying tailings with depth. The tests were conducted on gold tailings from Vaal Operation’s Mispah tailings dam. The laboratory tests consisted of a trough test, to determine the soil-water characteristics of the gold tailing and also a drying box test that simulated the drying and desiccation of the gold tailings in the daywall. The project concluded that the mid-plane suction probe could be used with acceptable accuracy to determine soil suctions. The model for the prediction of the soil water characteristic curve, derived by Fredlund and Xing (1992), was used successfully to predict the complete soil water characteristics curve for Mispah gold tailings. The equation derived by Vanapalli et al. (1996) was successfully used to calculate both the normal and suction induced shear strength of gold mine tailings using either the volumetric water content from the extracted samples or from the soil water characteristic curve. / Dissertation (MEng (Geotechnical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Civil Engineering / unrestricted

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is a commercially valued fruit mainly for its attractively red pericarp and exotic taste. However, the market value of the fruit is affected by pericarp browning, desiccation and postharvest decay. Current control measures include sulphur dioxide (SO2) fumigation, low temperature storage and high relative humidity (RH). Sulphur residues on fruit, moisture loss, altered taste and decay caused by Penicillium spp., limit the use of SO2 fumigation. Technology that can provide a potential alternative method to retain the quality of fruit is modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). In this study (Chapter 3), the effect of active and passive modified atmospheres on quality retention of litchi cultivars ‘Mauritius’ and ‘McLean’s Red’ was investigated. Results indicated that ‘McLean’s Red’ is more suitable for MAP technology than ‘Mauritius’. Lidding film–4 holes significantly reduced activity of oxidation enzymes, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD), and retained higher pericarp colour. Lidding film–10 holes retained soluble solids concentration to titratable acidity ratio (SSC/TA) (~65), thereby preventing the loss of taste and litchi fruit flavour. In order to enhance the MAP technology further (Chapter 4), chitosan coating of fruit was also assessed. Chitosan (1.0 g L-1) combined with MAP effectively prevented decay, browning and pericarp colour loss in ‘McLean’s Red’. Chitosan (1.0 g L-1) integrated with MAP reduced PPO and POD activity, retained membrane integrity, anthocyanin content and pericarp colour. ‘McLean’s Red’ was found to be more suitable for the chitosan (1.0 g L-1) and MAP integrated treatment than ‘Mauritius’ in retaining overall quality. In addition, the effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) in combination with MAP was determined for both cultivars (Chapter 5). In this case 1-MCP (300 nL L-1) was most effective in preventing browning and retaining colour in both cultivars after 14 and 21 days of cold storage. The effect of 1-MCP (300 nL L-1) showed more potential on ‘McLean’s Red’ than ‘Mauritius’. At higher concentrations (500 and 1000 nL L-1), 1-MCP showed negative effects on membrane integrity, pericarp browning, PPO and POD activity in both cultivars. The effect of integrated postharvest treatments i.e. modified atmosphere packaging combined with chitosan and integrated MAP and 1-MCP as well as MAP and chitosan coating on foodborne bacterial pathogens (Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Staphylococcus aureus) spike-inoculated on litchi fruit surfaces, and Penicillium spp. decay were also investigated (Chapter 6). Results showed integrated MAP and chitosan (0.1 g L-1 and 1.0 g L-1) treatments significantly reduced high and low inoculums load of E. coli O157:H7 and S. aureus on litchi fruit after 21 days of cold storage. Integrated MAP and 1000 nL L-1 1-MCP resulted in higher disease severity. Integrated MAP and chitosan (0.1 g L-1 and 1.0 g L-1) treatments showed very good decay control. The total microbial population of the litchi fruit surface was also determined. Integrated MAP and 1.0 g L-1 significantly reduced the total microbial flora after 21 days of cold storage. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Microbiology and Plant Pathology / unrestricted

L'objectif de cette recherche est d’analyser l’apparition et la propagation des fissures de dessiccation et de mieux comprendre la relation entre les comportements macroscopique et microscopique de cinq argiles, une kaolinite, une montmorillonite et trois mélanges de kaolinite et montmorillonite. A l'échelle macroscopique, la méthode est basée sur (1) la mesure de la teneur en eau, de l’indice des vides et du degré de saturation en fonction de la succion au cours du séchage, qui permet de préciser la relation entre le retrait et la désaturation et met en évidence les phases caractéristiques du comportement; (2) des mesures de teneur en eau et des déformations globales dans les tests de dessiccation libre afin d'étudier leur homogénéité ; (3) la détermination des déformations et des déplacements locaux pendant le séchage avec les logiciels VIC-2D et VIC-3D ; (4) une étude classique des paramètres des fissures ; (5) des essais de traction pour déterminer les propriétés des argiles impliquées dans la formation de fissures . A l'échelle microscopique, l'étude est basée sur une analyse approfondie de la microstructure en utilisant en particulier le microscope électronique à balayage, couplé à une méthode adaptée pour l'identification des orientations préférentielles des particules. Cette étude microscopique est complétée par l'analyse de porosimétrie au mercure, une méthode qui permet de quantifier l'espace poral et de caractériser l’indice des vides local. Outre les recherches sur les sols argileux, les effets de la décompression et de la succion sur la formation des fissures dans une roche argileuse ont été analysés également. La relation entre les changements macroscopiques, les changements dans la microstructure et de la porosité a été étudiées. Lors des essais de dessiccation libre, les déformations et les déplacements sont obtenus avec Vic-2D. Les zones de l’échantillon où les fissures apparaissent sont identifiées ainsi que l’évolution des déformations et des déplacements avant l’apparition des fissures. A la fin du séchage, les fissures forment une sorte de réseau, où des bifurcation peuvent être observées dans certains cas. Deux modes de fissuration sont détectés pendant les essais : le mode de traction et le mode de déchirement. Lorsqu’une fissure est causée par des tractions, la direction de propagation suit la direction perpendiculaire à l’extension maximale. S’il y a des distorsions à proximité de la fissure, alors sa direction change. Au début du séchage, les déplacements et les déformations sur le bord sont plus importants que dans les autres parties du modèle. Au voisinage des fissures, les déplacements et les déformations deviennent plus grands que dans les autres parties. Dans la plus grande partie du modèle, les déformations principales sont essentiellement longitudinales et transversales. Pour un matériau donné, la résistance à la traction augmente lorsque la teneur en eau diminue. Le tracé des résultats en fonction de l’indice de liquidité permet de mettre en évidence l’effet de la minéralogie sur la résistance à la traction. Au même indice de liquidité, la contrainte maximale de traction diminue lorsque le pourcentage de monmorillonite augmente. L’effet de la succion sur la résistance à la traction semble qualitativement similaire à ce qui est observé dans le cas de la résistance à la compression simple : on observe que la résistance à la traction est une fonction linéaire du logarithme de la succion. L’analyse au MEB de quatre suspensions soumises à plusieurs succions met en évidence l’isotropie globale de la microstructure, avec une orientation aléatoire des particules, tandis qu’une analyse plus fine révèle que la microstructure peut présenter localement une certaine anisotropie. / The objective of this research is to analyze the appearance and propagation of cracks related to desiccation and to provide a better understanding of the relation between the macroscopic and microscopic behavior of five clays, a kaolinite, a montmorillonite and three mixtures of kaolinite and montmorillonite. At the macroscopic scale, the method is based on (1) measurements of water content, void ratio and degree of saturation versus suction during drying, which allows to specify the relationship between shrinkage and desaturation and highlights the characteristic phases of behavior; (2) measurements of water contents and global deformations in free desiccation tests in order to study their homogeneity; (3) the determination of the local deformations and displacements during drying using the softwares VIC-2D and VIC-3D; (4) a classical study of the parameters of cracks; (5) traction tests in order to identify the tensile properties of the clays involved in the formation of cracks. At the microscopic scale, the study is based on a thorough microstructure analysis using in particular scanning electron microscope, coupled to an adapted method for the identification of preferential orientations of particles. This microscopic study is complemented by mercury intrusion porosimetry analysis, a method which allows to quantify the poral space and to characterize the local void ratio. In addition to the research on clay soils, the effects of decompression and suction on the formation of cracks in a clay rock were analyzed too. The relationship between macroscopic changes and the changes in the microstructure and porosity was investigated. During free desiccation tests, two-dimensional strains and displacements maps are obtained with Vic-2D. The zones of the sample where cracks appear are identified as well as the evolution of strains and displacements before the appearance of cracks. At the end of desiccation, the cracks form a kind of network. Bifurcation of cracks can be observed in some cases. Two modes of cracks are detected during the tests: traction mode and tearing mode. When a crack is caused by traction, the propagation direction follows the direction perpendicular to maximum extension. If there are shear strains in the vicinity of the crack, then its direction changes. In the early time of desiccation, the displacements and strains on the boundaries are larger than those in the other parts of the model. In the vicinity of cracks, displacements and strains are relatively larger than those in the other parts. In most parts of the model, the principal strains are mainly longitudinal and transversal. For a given material, tensile strength increases when water content decreases. Plotting the results versus the liquidity index allows highlighting the effect of mineralogy on tensile strength. At the same liquidity index, the maximum tensile stress decreases when the montmorillonite content increases. The effect of suction on tensile strength seems qualitatively similar to what is observed in the case of unconfined compression strength with tensile strength being a linear function of the logarithm of suction. Analysis with SEM of four slurries submitted to several suctions highlights the global isotropy of the microfabric, with a random orientation of the particles, while a finer analysis reveals that the fabric may present locally some anisotropy.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-26T18:56:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Sergio Riccardo Sirotti.pdf: 2358635 bytes, checksum: 4cb8090b98a38996274bd21ad82a5533 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-09-11 / However, if high rainfall rates, oscillations in the relative air humidity and temperature variations occur during the maturation period, there will be high liabilities in the seed s physiological and pathological quality. An experiment was conducted on the Vovó Palmira Farm, Jardim Olinda PR Brazil and in the Laboratory of Seed Analysis of the Universidade do Oeste Paulista (UNOESTE) so that the ideal moment for the application of desiccating herbicides could be chosen and the viability of harvest anticipation and its effects on yield and physiological quality of soybean seeds could be evaluated. Cultivar BMX Potência RR was planted in the usual manner, with an approximate population of 266,667 plants.ha-1. The experimental design used was a randomized complete block design with five replications in a factorial 2 x 5 + 1, two herbicides applied at 5 different times, totaling 11 treatments with 5 replicates and one witness, a total of 55 plots. The portion adopted as experimental unit consisted of five rows with 5.5 meters long. The results showed that application of Gramoxone data presented more homogeneous, while the Reglone applied to 03 and 06 days have the best results, with the application of herbicides closest to the crop caused a decrease in weight and an increase in the content moisture in the grain, causing reduction in grain quality and requiring greater drying time.Therefore, herbicide application, brought serious problems in the quality of seeds, with abnormal seedlings and dead.The herbicides were effective in the reduction of plant dry matter, thus improving the collection process. / Com o objetivo de estudar o momento ideal para a aplicação de herbicidas dessecantes, a viabilidade da antecipação da colheita e seus efeitos sobre o rendimento e a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de soja, foi instalado um experimento no Sítio vovó Palmira, no município de Jardim Olinda PR, e no Laboratório de Análise de Sementes do Departamento de Produção Vegetal da Universidade do Oeste Paulista (UNOESTE). Para tanto, utilizou-se o Cultivar BMX Potência RR, a qual foi semeada na safra normal, com uma população de aproximadamente 266.667 plantas.ha-1. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos inteiramente casualizados com cinco repetições em esquema fatorial 2 x 5 + 1, sendo dois herbicidas aplicados em 5 épocas diferentes, totalizando 11 tratamentos com 5 repetições e 1 testemunha, num total de 55 parcelas. A parcela adotada como unidade experimental, constitui-se de cinco linhas com 5,5 metros de comprimento.Os resultados mostraram que a aplicação do Gramoxone apresentou dados mais homogêneos, enquanto que, o Reglone aplicado aos 03 e 06 dias tem os melhores resultados, sendo que a aplicação dos herbicidas mais próximo da colheita, promoveu um decréscimo no peso e um acréscimo no teor de umidade no grão, provocando redução na qualidade do grão e exigindo maior tempo de secagem. Portanto, a aplicação dos herbicidas, trouxe sérios problemas na qualidade da sementes, com plântulas anormais e mortas. A aplicação dos herbicidas mostraram-se eficientes na diminuição de matéria seca das plantas, assim melhorando o processo de colheita.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-18T17:51:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Sergio Riccardo Sirotti.pdf: 2358635 bytes, checksum: 4cb8090b98a38996274bd21ad82a5533 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-09-11 / However, if high rainfall rates, oscillations in the relative air humidity and temperature variations occur during the maturation period, there will be high liabilities in the seed s physiological and pathological quality. An experiment was conducted on the Vovó Palmira Farm, Jardim Olinda PR Brazil and in the Laboratory of Seed Analysis of the Universidade do Oeste Paulista (UNOESTE) so that the ideal moment for the application of desiccating herbicides could be chosen and the viability of harvest anticipation and its effects on yield and physiological quality of soybean seeds could be evaluated. Cultivar BMX Potência RR was planted in the usual manner, with an approximate population of 266,667 plants.ha-1. The experimental design used was a randomized complete block design with five replications in a factorial 2 x 5 + 1, two herbicides applied at 5 different times, totaling 11 treatments with 5 replicates and one witness, a total of 55 plots. The portion adopted as experimental unit consisted of five rows with 5.5 meters long. The results showed that application of Gramoxone data presented more homogeneous, while the Reglone applied to 03 and 06 days have the best results, with the application of herbicides closest to the crop caused a decrease in weight and an increase in the content moisture in the grain, causing reduction in grain quality and requiring greater drying time.Therefore, herbicide application, brought serious problems in the quality of seeds, with abnormal seedlings and dead.The herbicides were effective in the reduction of plant dry matter, thus improving the collection process. / Com o objetivo de estudar o momento ideal para a aplicação de herbicidas dessecantes, a viabilidade da antecipação da colheita e seus efeitos sobre o rendimento e a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de soja, foi instalado um experimento no Sítio vovó Palmira, no município de Jardim Olinda PR, e no Laboratório de Análise de Sementes do Departamento de Produção Vegetal da Universidade do Oeste Paulista (UNOESTE). Para tanto, utilizou-se o Cultivar BMX Potência RR, a qual foi semeada na safra normal, com uma população de aproximadamente 266.667 plantas.ha-1. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos inteiramente casualizados com cinco repetições em esquema fatorial 2 x 5 + 1, sendo dois herbicidas aplicados em 5 épocas diferentes, totalizando 11 tratamentos com 5 repetições e 1 testemunha, num total de 55 parcelas. A parcela adotada como unidade experimental, constitui-se de cinco linhas com 5,5 metros de comprimento.Os resultados mostraram que a aplicação do Gramoxone apresentou dados mais homogêneos, enquanto que, o Reglone aplicado aos 03 e 06 dias tem os melhores resultados, sendo que a aplicação dos herbicidas mais próximo da colheita, promoveu um decréscimo no peso e um acréscimo no teor de umidade no grão, provocando redução na qualidade do grão e exigindo maior tempo de secagem. Portanto, a aplicação dos herbicidas, trouxe sérios problemas na qualidade da sementes, com plântulas anormais e mortas. A aplicação dos herbicidas mostraram-se eficientes na diminuição de matéria seca das plantas, assim melhorando o processo de colheita.

Anhydrobiotic organisms have the remarkable ability to lose extensive amounts of body water and survive in an ametabolic, suspended animation state. Distributed to various taxa of life, these organisms have evolved strategies to efficiently protect their cell membranes and proteins against extreme water loss. At the molecular level, a variety of mutually non-exclusive mechanisms have been proposed to account particularly for preserving the integrity of the cell membranes in the desiccated state. Recently, it has been shown that the dauer larva of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is anhydrobiotic and accumulates high amounts of trehalose during preparation for harsh desiccation (preconditioning), thereby allowing for a reversible desiccation / rehydration cycle. Here, we have used this genetic model to study the biophysical manifestations of anhydrobiosis and show that, in addition to trehalose accumulation, the dauer larvae exhibit a systemic chemical response upon preconditioning by dramatically reducing their phosphatidylcholine (PC) content. The C. elegans strain daf-2 was chosen for these studies, because it forms a constitutive dauer state under appropriate growth conditions. Using complementary approaches such as chemical analysis, time-resolved FTIR-spectroscopy, Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers, and fluorescence spectroscopy, it is shown that this chemical adaptation of the phospholipid (PL) composition has key consequences for their interaction with trehalose. Infrared-spectroscopic experiments were designed and automated to particularly address structural changes during fast hydration transients. Importantly, the coupling of headgroup hydration to acyl chain order at low humidity was found to be altered on the environmentally relevant time scale of seconds. PLs from preconditioned larvae with reduced PC content exhibit a higher trehalose affinity, a stronger hydration-induced gain in acyl chain free volume, and a wider spread of structural relaxation rates during lyotropic transitions and sub- headgroup H-bond interactions as compared to PLs from non-preconditioned larvae. The effects are related to the intrinsically different hydration properties of PC and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) headgroups, and lead to a larger hydration-dependent rearrangement of trehalose-mediated H-bond network in PLs from preconditioned larvae. This results in a lipid compressibility modulus of ∼0.5 mN/m and 1.2 mN/m for PLs derived from preconditioned and non-preconditioned larvae, respectively. The ensemble of these changes evidences a genetically controlled chemical tuning of the native lipid composition of a true anhydrobiote to functionally interact with a ubiquitous protective disaccharide. The biological relevance of this adaptation is the preservation of plasma membrane integrity by relieving mechanical strain from desiccated trehalose- containing cells during fast rehydration. Finally, the thermo-tropic lipid phase behavior was studied by temperature-dependent ATR-FTIR and fluorescence spectroscopy of LAURDAN-labeled PLs. The results show that the adaptation to drought, which is accomplished to a significant part by the reduction of the PC content, relies on reducing thermo-tropic and enhancing lyotropic phase transitions. The data are interpreted on a molecular level emphasizing the influence of trehalose on the lipid phase transition under biologically relevant conditions by a detailed analysis of the lipid C=O H-bond environment. The salient feature of the deduced model is a dynamic interaction of trehalose at the PL headgroup region. It is proposed here that the location of trehalose is changed from a more peripheral to a more sub-headgroup-associated position. This appears to be particularly pronounced in PLs from preconditioned worms. The sugar slides deeper into the inter-headgroup space during hydration and thereby supports a quick lateral expansion such that membranes can more readily adapt to the volume changes in the swelling biological material at reduced humidity. The data show that the nature of the headgroup is crucial for its interaction with trehalose and there is no general mechanism by which the sugar affects lipidic phase transitions. The intercalation into a phosphatidylethanolamine-rich membrane appears to be unique. In this case, neither the phase transition temperature nor its width is affected by the protective sugar, whereas strong effects on these parameters were observed with other model lipids. With respect to membrane preservation, desiccation tolerance may be largely dependent on reducing phosphatidylcholine and increasing the phsophatidylethanolamine content in order to optimize trehalose headgroup interactions. As a consequence, fast mechanical adaptation of cell membranes to hydration-induced strain can be realized.

Several studies involving excised animal larynges have been performed to simulate the structural and physiological properties of the human larynx. The most common way to preserve the laryngeal tissue being studied is by immersing it in a 0.9% isotonic saline solution and then flash freezing it. Isotonic saline is used empirically to replenish the potential ion loss that occurs postmortem. Each larynx is flash frozen so it can be used at a more convenient time while still maintaining the integrity of the tissue. However, the preservation methods found in previous studies tend to vary and no consensus had been reached about which method of preservation is ideal. This study sought to investigate the effects of solution and storage on phonation threshold pressure (PTP). Phonation threshold pressure is commonly used to investigate mucosal wave of the vocal folds, prephonatory glottal width, and vocal fold cover. This study involved a prospective, mixed experimental design with three groups, including a control group and two experimental groups. Each group consisted of 10 bench-mounted porcine larynges. The control group was immersed in 0.9% isotonic saline, flash frozen with liquid nitrogen within 24 hours postmortem, and thawed overnight before the experiment. The second group was immersed in 0.9% isotonic saline and the third group was submersed in Ringer's solution. Each of these groups was kept in their solution in a refrigerator for approximately 15 hours and was used for the experiment within 24 hours postmortem. Each larynx was mounted on a bench on a tabletop with three micropositioners to adduct and elongate the vocal folds. A pseudolung connected to the trachea directed humidified air to the vocal folds subglottally until phonation was achieved. The larynges in all three groups underwent these phonatory trials with 5-minute desiccation trials between each until phonation could no longer be achieved. Phonation threshold pressure was then observed and compared within groups and between groups. The signals were obtained using MATLAB. The results indicated that PTP was lowest for the frozen versus fresh groups. PTP values increased slightly for the frozen group, but the frozen group demonstrated less variability across specimens as compared to the fresh groups. Collectively, these results indicate that there are substantial differences between fresh and frozen specimens. These differences should be considered when designing tissue studies for purposes of generalization to human phonation.

Cemented paste backfill (CPB) is a highly advantageous method of backfill that has been increasing in use in recent decades as it provides many environmental, economic, and practical benefits. When combined with cement and water, it recycles a portion of the dewatered tailings produced from mines as backfill for underground stopes. CPB is transported from the plant on the surface through pipes to the stopes, sometimes over several kilometers, and then placed in underground mining cavities (stopes) to support the ground or rock mass. Therefore, it must meet certain rheological, setting time, and strength gain performance requirements. Additionally, as many mines around the world are located in areas of freshwater scarcity, and societies are holding corporations to ever higher standards for humanitarian and environmental responsibility, many mines are seeking to utilize locally available, saline groundwater or seawater as mixing water in backfill. The impacts of this decision on the rheological, setting, and strength properties of CPB must be better understood to allow for the confident selection of this convenient solution, as the risks associated with improper design include huge costs due to pipeline clogging and death or injury due to backfill failure and ground subsidence. NaCl is a contributor to natural groundwater and seawater salinity and may be present in concentrations of up to 300 g/L. An additional cost-saving measure favoured by mines is to replace some of the costly Portland cement with much cheaper supplemental cementitious materials such as blast furnace slag. Therefore, this thesis examines the impacts of NaCl concentration and binder composition on the yield stress, viscosity, initial and final setting time, and strength development of CPB. A robust experimental program has been undertaken in which CPB was subjected to the above-mentioned tests in addition to pH and MIP testing, SEM, TG/DTG, XRD, and zeta potential analyses, and electrical conductivity, suction, and water content monitoring. CPB samples were made with synthetic silica tailings, Portland cement, and water with NaCl concentrations of 0 g/L, 10 g/L, 35 g/L, 100 g/L, and 300 g/L and CPB made with 35 g/L and slag replacement percentages of 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75%. Additional samples tested were made with natural gold tailings, Portland cement, and NaCl concentrations of 0 g/L and 35 g/L for verification. Rheological testing was conducted at 0 minutes, 15 minutes, 1 hour, and 2 hours after mixing, and UCS testing was conducted after 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 28 days, and 60 days of curing. Additional tests or analyses were performed on selected mixes and curing times for optimum insight and monitoring was conducted from 0 to 28 days after curing. It was found that low concentrations of NaCl (10 g/L and 35 g/L) generally had favourable impacts on the UCS and setting times of CPB, while higher concentrations had negative impacts. The impacts of slag replacement on UCS development of saline CPB were also generally favourable. However, the impacts of slag replacement on initial setting time were generally negative, and favourable at higher replacements (50% or more) for final setting time. Low NaCl concentration led to slightly negative impacts on yield stress, especially at longer curing times (1-2 hours), but high concentrations greatly reduced the yield stress. NaCl concentration had minor impacts to viscosity, with any concentration leading to a slightly higher initial viscosity but slightly lower viscosity at longer curing times. Slag replacement content had negligible effects on yield stress, but led to favourable decreases in viscosity over longer curing times. The combination of positive and negative impacts indicates that care must be taken to knowledgeably prioritize or balance critical properties in mix design, though there is indication of opportunities for overall improvement. Supplemental testing provided useful information to explain the mechanics behind the results which will allow designers to carefully select the required components for the desired properties.

Hydration of the vocal folds is important for the production of normal voice. Dehydration makes voice production more difficult and increases vocal effort. Laryngeal desiccation has been shown to increase phonation threshold pressure (PTP) and self-perceived phonatory effort (PPE) in females. Nebulized saline may reverse or offset this effect. However, few data exist regarding the effects of laryngeal desiccation and nebulized treatments in males. Further, the dose-response relationship between laryngeal desiccation and nebulized hydration treatments is unknown. This study examined the effects of two doses of nebulized isotonic saline following a laryngeal desiccation challenge in healthy male speakers. In a double-blinded, within-subjects design, 10 male college students (age range 18-26 years) attended two data collection sessions involving a 30-minute desiccation challenge followed by 3 mL or 9 mL of nebulized isotonic saline. PTP for the 10th and 80th fundamental frequency (F0) percentiles and PPE were collected before and after the desiccation challenge and at 5, 35, and 65 minutes after the nebulized treatment. PPE increased significantly following the laryngeal desiccation challenge (p < .01). Following nebulization, PPE decreased toward baseline for both doses of isotonic saline (p < .01), but failed to reverse the desiccation effect completely. No statistically significant changes in PTP occurred following the laryngeal desiccation challenge or subsequent treatments. Compared with previous research involving females, these results suggest males may respond differently to laryngeal desiccation and nebulized hydration treatments.

Vocal fold hydration is important for healthy function of the vocal mechanism. Vocal fold surface fluid protects the mucosa and facilitates efficient vocal fold oscillation. Dry air exposure, mouth breathing, insufficient intake of liquids, and behavioral factors may contribute to laryngeal dehydration. Singers are believed to be particularly at risk for voice problems related to dehydration due to environmental and voice use factors. Laryngeal desiccation and nebulized hydration treatments have been shown to influence phonation threshold pressure (PTP) and self-perceived phonatory effort (PPE) in females. However, little research exists exploring the effects of hydration in males. Additionally, few studies have examined the dose-response relationship of hydration treatments. This investigation examined the effects of a laryngeal desiccation challenge and two different doses of nebulized isotonic saline on voice production in trained male singers. In a double-blind, within-subjects repeated measures crossover investigation, 10 male singers (ages 18 to 24) received a 30 minute laryngeal desiccation challenge followed by either 3 mL or 9 mL of nebulized isotonic saline on two consecutive weeks. PTP, PPE, and self-perceived mouth and throat dryness were sampled during the following observations: predesiccation, post-desiccation, and at 5, 35, and 65 minutes post-nebulization. No differences in PTP were observed after desiccation or nebulized treatment. PPE, however, rose significantly after desiccation and returned near baseline after treatment. No significant differences between dosages were observed.