Abstract: Environmentally friendly concrete compositions and methods thereof are disclosed. For example, a method for producing an environmentally friendly concrete installation can include mixing cement, one or more locally sourced pozzolans, and one or more locally sourced aggregates to produce a dry concrete mixture. At least one fine aggregate or coarse aggregate of the dry concrete mixture is a locally sourced aggregate of the one-or-more locally sourced aggregates for a reduced carbon footprint. The method can include hydrating the dry concrete mixture with water to make a pourable concrete mixture. The method can include pouring the pourable concrete mixture into a formwork to produce a poured concrete form. The method can include allowing the poured concrete form to cure to produce the concrete installation. The reduced carbon footprint of the concrete installation is relative to that of a similar concrete installation produced without the one-or-more locally sourced pozzolans or aggregates.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an environmentally safe etching composition and method for a concrete or mortar surface. The composition includes, in some embodiments, an aqueous solution of urea, acetic acid, a buffering agent, an anticorrosive agent, and a surfactant with no more than about 30% (w/v) urea and at least about 10% (v/v) acetic acid. The method includes, in some embodiments, obtaining the etching composition; applying the etching composition to the concrete or mortar surface at a prescribed ratio of the etching composition to the concrete or mortar surface; allowing the etching composition to stand on the concrete or mortar surface for a prescribed amount of time; and washing the concrete or mortar surface with water to produce an etched surface of the concrete or mortar.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an environmentally safe etching composition and method for a concrete or mortar surface. The composition includes, in some embodiments, an aqueous solution of urea, acetic acid, an anticorrosive agent, and a surfactant with no more than about 30% (w/v) urea and at least about 10% (v/v) acetic acid. The method includes, in some embodiments, obtaining the etching composition; applying the etching composition to the concrete or mortar surface at a prescribed ratio of the etching composition to the concrete or mortar surface; allowing the etching composition to stand on the concrete or mortar surface for a prescribed amount of time; and washing the concrete or mortar surface with water to produce an etched surface of the concrete or mortar.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel uses of the polypeptide elafin, and/or homologues, derivatives or fragments thereof having inhibitory activity against leukocyte elastase for the prevention and treatment of medical conditions like SIRS.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel uses of the polypeptide elafin, and/or homologies, derivatives or fragments thereof having inhibitory activity against leukocyte elastase for the prevention and treatment of medical conditions like SIRS.

Abstract: A water-fillable flood control device is provided that consists of a waterproof bag with a friction causing outer surface and having a mouth that can be closed with a waterproof seal after filling the bag with water. The bag can be filled by one person at a flood site using a filling/form sleeve and locally-available water. It is not necessary to fill the bag with sand, or add chemicals. The friction causing surface may be achieved by any means or method so long as the purpose is to hold the device in place for facilitating the stacking of a plurality of devices on top of each other to form a stable water control structure without the need for external supports.

Abstract: An improved surface seeded exposed particulate concrete and method of making the improved surface seeded exposed particulate concrete is disclosed. Small particulate is sprayed over the upper surface of the concrete. The particulate may be sprayed using a material sprayer. The particulate may be uniformly sprayed to distances exceeding twenty feet. The particulate is mixed into a cement paste derived from the concrete mixture using floats. A surface retarder is then applied to cover the concrete surface. Subsequently, any surface film is washed from the surface of the concrete and the concrete is cured. The result is a surface seeded particulate with an exposed surface that is flat and is suitable for high traffic areas. The resultant surface may resemble stone, granite or marble.

Abstract: Disclosed are a concrete dowel placement devices and a method of utilizing the same. A metallic stud is driven, screwed, or otherwise attached to a form. The stud may be a unitary structure, or may be a hollow tube with conventional fastening means such as nails and screws extending through and holding the hollow tube to the form. A cover having an interior compartment substantially equal in diameter to the stud is slidably placed thereon, and a first enclosed area is developed with a plurality of forms. Concrete is poured into the first enclosed area, and upon curing, the form and the stud are removed, leaving the cover embedded in the concrete. A metallic dowel is inserted into the cover, and a second enclosed area is developed with like configured forms. The metallic dowel extends into the second enclosed area.

Abstract: A method of transferring a design to an uncured concrete surface of a poured concrete mixture is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) placing a releasable template onto the surface to define exposed and covered regions; (b) manipulating the exposed regions corresponding to the design; (c) removing the template to reveal the covered regions; and (d) finishing the surface. The template may be variously configured and may incorporate positive and negative portions, which may be alternatively utilized to transfer the design to respective positive and negative regions of the surface. The template may preferably be fabricated from visquene, craft paper, or other suitable material. In addition, implementations of the present invention may be utilized with surface seeded exposed aggregate, troweling, or other surface finishing processes.

Abstract: A non-slick surface-seeded exposed aggregate concrete product and method of making the same enhances the coefficient of friction of an exposed surface thereof to reduce undesirable slipping and sliding. Implementations of the present invention are characterized by the use of fine sand and aggregate broadcast over the exposed surface, which surface has been prepared to receive the same. After curing, the exposed surface is then ground and acid-etched to define fissures, cracks, and/or sharp edges of the aggregate. Subsequently finishing steps are performed to produce the non-slick concrete product which may be used for high traffic pedestrian areas where foot gripping and traction are important, such as on stairs, ramps, walkways, courtyards, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed are a concrete dowel placement devices and a method of utilizing the same. A metallic stud is driven, screwed, or otherwise attached to a form. The stud may be a unitary structure, or may be a hollow tube with conventional fastening means such as nails and screws extending through and holding the hollow tube to the form. A cover having an interior compartment substantially equal in diameter to the stud is slidably placed thereon, and a first enclosed area is developed with a plurality of forms. Concrete is poured into the first enclosed area, and upon curing, the form and the stud are removed, leaving the cover embedded in the concrete. A metallic dowel is inserted into the cover, and a second enclosed area is developed with like configured forms. The metallic dowel extends into the second enclosed area.

Abstract: A mosaic concrete product, methods of creating the same, and methods of fabricating a module for use in creating the mosaic are provided. The methods of installing the mosaic upon an uncured concrete surface utilize the module. The module may be fabricated by mapping out tile in a design corresponding to the mosaic; adhering the tile to a template utilizing an adhesive, the tile being positioned thereon corresponding to the design; and allowing the adhesive to set. The module may define upper and lower surfaces, the upper surface including the tile adhered thereto. The methods of installing the mosaic comprises: positioning the module upon the uncured concrete surface; embedding the tile into the concrete surface; massaging the tile into the concrete surface to interpose a quantity of cement/fines paste between the adjacent tiles; and finishing the concrete surface.

Abstract: An improved surface seeded exposed particulate concrete and method of making the improved surface seeded exposed particulate concrete is disclosed. Small particulate is sprayed over the upper surface of the concrete. The particulate may be sprayed using a material sprayer. The particulate may be uniformly sprayed to distances exceeding twenty feet. The particulate is mixed into a cement paste derived from the concrete mixture using floats. A surface retarder is then applied to cover the concrete surface. Subsequently, any surface film is washed from the surface of the concrete and the concrete is cured. The result is a surface seeded particulate with an exposed surface that is flat and is suitable for high traffic areas. The resultant surface may resemble stone, granite or marble.

Abstract: A method of transferring a design to an uncured concrete surface of a poured concrete mixture is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) placing a releasable template onto the surface to define exposed and covered regions; (b) manipulating the exposed regions corresponding to the design; (c) removing the template to reveal the covered regions; and (d) finishing the surface. The template may be variously configured and may incorporate positive and negative portions, which may be alternatively utilized to transfer the design to respective positive and negative regions of the surface. The template may preferably be fabricated from visquene, craft paper, or other suitable material. In addition, implementations of the present invention may be utilized with surface seeded exposed aggregate, troweling, or other surface finishing processes.

Abstract: A method and a surface seeded exposed aggregate concrete product are provided that precisely simulate the appearance and qualities of various types of natural quarried stone, such as granite, marble, rhinestone, bluestone, and brownstone, to name a few. Implementations of the present invention are characterized by the use of fine sand and aggregate broadcast over the exposed surface of poured concrete, which surface has been prepared to receive the same. Subsequently, a surface retarder and finishing steps are performed to produce the concrete product which assimilates the characteristics and colors of natural quarried stone, such as speckles, inclusions, flecks, graining, fractures, joints, knots, crystallization patterns, streaks, weathering, etc.

Abstract: A method of surface seeded fine aggregate to produce simulated quarried stone. The method comprises preparing a subgrade, pouring a concrete mixture over the subgrate, and broadcasting one of fine sand and aggregate over 5% to 60% of an exposed surface of the concrete mixture. Alternatively, both the fine sand and the aggregate can be broadcast over 5% to 60% of the exposed surface of the concrete mixture to obtain a desired aesthetic effect as provided by the quarried stone.

Abstract: A disc dowel system is interposed between adjacent first and second concrete pours defining a pour joint therebetween. The disc dowel system comprises a pocket former having a rib insert disposable therewithin for engaging the sides of a dowel plate. The pocket former has a vertical base flange with a pair of fastener-receiving bosses for securing the pocket former to a concrete form. The pocket former has a horizontally extending interior compartment with an open straight side that is aligned with the pour joint and is positioned within the first pour. The dowel plate has an orthogonal shape with an embedded portion and a slidable portion. The embedded portion is rigidly encapsulated within the second pour. The slidable portion is slidably disposed within the pocket former such that the dowel plate permits relative horizontal movement of the first and second pours while restricting relative vertical movement thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disc dowel system interposed between adjacent first and second concrete pours defining a pour joint therebetween. The disc dowel system comprises a positioner bracket, a pocket former and a dowel plate. The positioner bracket has a vertically disposed base flange and a horizontally disposed plate portion extending therefrom. The base flange is rigidly attachable to a concrete form. The pocket former has a horizontally extending interior compartment with an open, generally straight side and an arch-shaped compartment perimeter extending therefrom. The straight side is aligned with the pour joint. The pocket former is positioned within the first pour by the positioner bracket. The dowel plate has a generally rounded shape with an embed portion and a slidable portion.

Abstract: A disc dowel system is interposed between adjacent first and second concrete pours defining a pour joint therebetween. The disc dowel system comprises a positioner bracket, a pocket former and an orthogonally shaped dowel plate. The positioner bracket has a horizontal plate portion and a vertical base flange that is rigidly attachable to a concrete form. The pocket former has a horizontally extending interior compartment with an open straight side that is aligned with the pour joint. The pocket former is positioned within the first pour by the positioner bracket. The dowel plate has an orthogonal shape with an embedded portion and a slidable portion. The embedded portion is rigidly encapsulated within the second pour. The slidable portion is slidably disposed within the pocket former such that the dowel plate permits relative horizontal movement of the first and second pours while restricting relative vertical movement thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disc dowel system interposed between adjacent first and second concrete pours defining a pour joint therebetween. The disc dowel system comprises a positioner bracket, a pocket former and an orthogonally shaped dowel plate. The positioner bracket has a vertically disposed base flange and a horizontally disposed plate portion extending therefrom. The base flange is rigidly attachable to a concrete form. The pocket former has a horizontally extending interior compartment with an open, generally straight side and a compartment perimeter. The straight side is aligned with the pour joint. The pocket former is positioned within the first pour by the positioner bracket. The dowel plate has an orthogonal shape with an embedded portion and a slidable portion.