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The study focused on the significance of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) as replacement of brick dust. Compression, tension, rapid chloride permeability test (RCPT) and water absorption test (WA) is analyzed. Study revealed that the produced geopolymer concrete showed better properties over normal concrete. Up to 10% GGBS replacement with calcined clay, exhibits enhanced compressive strength. Chloride ion permeability tests showed that GPC is superior to normal concrete of all ages in its resistance to chloride ion penetration. On increasing brick dust proportion, mass loss minimized due to sulfate attack. Compressive strength has low relationship with water absorption (0.6618). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly transmittable respiratory virus that causes COVID-19 disease. Since its emergence in the early 2000s, SARS has posed significant public health challenges and continues to be a concern. This review provides an overview of current treatment strategies for SARS-CoV and explores the potential utility of herbal molecules in combating this viral infection. The primary treatment approach for SARS-CoV has historically centered on supportive care, which includes oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, and antipyretic medications to manage symptoms. However, with the ongoing advancement of medical research and our evolving understanding of the virus, several antiviral drugs have been developed and repurposed to target SARS-CoV. Recent developments in the field of herbal medicine have drawn attention to the potential efficacy of natural compounds in the management of viral infections, including SARS. Herbal molecules, characterized by their diverse bioactive constituents, exhibit antiviral properties that could be harnessed to mitigate SARS symptoms and inhibit viral replication. Ocimum sanctum, Tinospora cordifolia, Zingiber officinale, Curcuma longa, Panax ginseng, and Aloe vera have been identified for their immunomodulatory effects. This review highlights promising herbal molecules such as quercetin, and curcumin, which have demonstrated antiviral effects in-vitro and in some preclinical studies. While current treatment strategies for SARS primarily rely on supportive care and antiviral medications, the exploration of herbal molecules presents an exciting avenue for potential adjunctive therapies. Further research is required to validate their efficacy, safety profiles, and mechanisms of action. A holistic approach that combines conventional medicine with herbal remedies may offer new insights into the treatment of SARS and other viral respiratory illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In compare to Portland cement, geopolymer have much lower CO2 emissions, which led to growing interest in their use as an environmentally sustainable binder. The investigation of the strength in compression and durability characteristics of geopolymer composite produced at various calcined clay and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) proportions (up to 50:50) with 12M of sodium hydroxide and ratio of sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide as 2. The strength of the produced composites was evaluated after 7, 28, 56 and 90 days of ambient air curing. The durability characteristics were evaluated using Rapid Chloride Permeability Test (RCPT), acid and sulfate attack using 5% MgSO4 and 5% H2SO4 solutions respectively and for the integrity using ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) test. Test results showed that the developed GPC (Geopolymer composite) has several advantages over standard concrete. The strength in compression (MPa) of the SC100 (standard concrete) as compared to Geopolymer Concrete in Compressive strength was increased by replacing GGBS with calcined clay up to 10%. At 56 and 90 days, the compressive strength of 10% calcined clay samples were improved by 20.15% and 21.60% respectively as compared to the SC100. Correlations showed that strength is having a strong relationship with the chloride ion permeability and the pulse velocities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]