Comportement au poinçonnement de dalles bidirectionnelles en béton armé de barres d'armature en polymère renforcés de fibres

Deterioration of reinforced-concrete (RC) structures due to corrosion of steel limits the service-life and increases the rehabilitation costs. Concrete slabs in parking structures deteriorate faster than any other structural elements because of direct exposure to high concentrations of chlorides used for snow and ice removal-during winter seasons. The use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars as an alternative to conventional steel has emerged as a realistic and cost-effective solution to overcome the corrosion problems, particularly for concrete structure exposed to harsh environmental conditions. Design of RC flat slabs is often compromised by their ability to resist shear stresses at the punching-shear surface area. The connections between slabs and supporting columns could be susceptible to high shear stresses and might cause brittle and sudden punching-shear failure. These connections may become the starting points leading to catastrophic punching-shear failure of a flat slab system when the steel reinforcement corrodes. Extensive research work has been conducted on the punching-shear behaviour of steel-reinforced flat slabs. The punching-shear strength of RC flat slabs reinforced with glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars, however, is yet to be fully investigated and understood. This is due to the limited research work on the subject and to the numerous parameters affecting punching-shear behaviour. In addition, the current FRP design codes and guidelines do not provide rational design models addressing the contribution of the FRP as shear reinforcement (stirrups) for FRP-RC flat slabs. Thus, this study aims at investigating the punching-shear behaviour of concrete two-way slabs reinforced in flexure with GFRP bars. The investigation included two-way test specimens without shear reinforcement and others with carbon or glass FRP stirrups to evaluate the performance of specimens without shear reinforcement and the effect of shear reinforcement on the punching-capacity and performance. To achieve this, experimental and analytical studies were conducted. The experimental program included twenty-six interior slab-column connections reinforced with GFRP bars and two specimens reinforced with steel bars for comparisons. The specimens were tested through two phases. Phase I, focused on the two-way slabs without shear reinforcement and the investigated parameters were: (i) flexural reinforcement ratio (ranged from 0.34% to 1.66%) and type (steel and GFRP); (ii) GFRP compression reinforcement; (iii) slab thickness (200 mm and 350 mm); (v) column dimensions (300 × 300 mm and 450 × 450 mm); (iv) concrete strength (normal and high-strength concretes). Phase II, focused on the use of FRP shear reinforcement (stirrups) and its effectiveness and contribution to the punching-shear capacity. The test variables considered in Phase II were: (i) the material of stirrups (carbon and glass FRP); (ii) shear reinforcement ratio; (iii) stirrup spacing; (iv) the effect of flexural reinforcement ratio on the effectiveness of the shear reinforcement. The effect of the different parameters considered in the two phases of the experimental work were presented and discussed in four journal papers. Moreover, the test results and the findings contributed to the first field implementation of GFRP bars in two flat slabs parking garages in Québec's city, which were Québec's city hall (Québec, Canada, 2010) and La Chancelière parking garage (the world's first flat-slab parking garage totally reinforced with GFRP bars) (Québec, Canada, 2011). On the other hand, the analytical study included assessing the accuracy of the current punching-shear design provisions through comparing the test results of the specimens tested herein and 35 specimens from literature. The provisions included CSA 8806-12 (2012), ACI 440 (2006), BS 8110 (1997), and JSCE (1997)

Assessment of the Relation between Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen and Tumor Node Metastasis Staging of Colorectal Cancer

Background: Although awareness via cancer screenings and the knowledge of therapy modalities has increased, the burden of colorectal cancer (CRC) is much more pronounced in developing countries. Objective: This study was aimed to estimate serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in preoperative CRC patients and to determine the associations between serum CEA levels and tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage.Patients and methods: This cross-sectional study included 36 patients with CRC (stages IV) attending at Department of General Surgery, Zagazig University Hospitals. Patients scheduled preoperatively for sigmoidoscopy were prepared by an enema and examined by using standard video endoscopes. The CEA levels were estimated preoperatively for all patients. Results: CEA level among the studied cases ranged from 0 to 23 ng/dl with mean 6.39 ng/dl and median 4.5ng/ml. Also 58.3% had CEA level ≤ 5 ng/ml. There were no statistical significance relations between the CEA and age or sex distribution. But there was a statistical significance increase in frequency of smoking among cases had CEA level >5 ng/ml. There was no statistical significance relation between site and diameter of lesions and CEA level among the studied cases.Conclusions: It could be concluded that there is a meaningful link between TNM stage and CEA level. However, normal levels of CEA will not rule out CRC diagnosis, and these patients should be investigated in detail

The Structure and Psychometric Properties of Wellness for A Sample of Teachers in Egypt

The present study attempts to examine the structure of wellness for a sample of teachers in Egypt and examine psychometric properties of wellness Inventory. The study questions addressed are: is the structure of wellness multidimensional or uni-dimensional?, Is wellness inventory has appropriate psychometric properties?. A total of 417 teachers from Egypt completed the inventory of wellness, including males (N= 260) and females (N= 157).The teachers ranged in age from 29 to 48 with an average age 36.7 and S.D. 1.7 .  The inventory that used in this study is referred to as the multidimensional organizational wellness inventory (MOWI) (Fasone, 2017), Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) is used. The results indicates that The structure of wellness is multidimensional which includes physical, emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual, occupational , and environmental. And the inventory has appropriate psychometric properties. Keywords: Wellness, Reliability, Construct Validity DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/9-16-04 Publication date: August 31st 201

Effect of sildenafil citrate on prediabetic and diabetic albino rats treated with metformin

Diabetes Miletus (DM) is a global epidemic disease. It is estimated that there are already 415 million adults aged 20–79 years diabetics worldwide. Sildenafil citrate is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, which increases cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and metformin (MET) is a biguanide used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes which increases peripheral insulin sensitivity. Aim: This study aims to assess the effect of sildenafil citrate and metformin on lipid profile and glycemic control in diabetic and prediabetic albino rats. Materials and methods: Adult male albino rats are used and divided into nine groups each group consists of 10 rats, diabetes is induced by feeding a high-fat diet (HFD) for an initial period of 2 weeks followed by a single intraperitoneal injection of (35 mg/kg) Streptozotocin. Prediabetes is induced by feeding (HFD) and glucose in water for a period of 2 weeks. Sildenafil was given in a dose of (5 &10 mg/kg/day orally for 4 weeks), metformin was given in a dose of (50 &100 mg/kg/day orally for 4 weeks) using oral gavages to normal healthy rats, diabetic and prediabetic rats. Blood samples were collected after 4 weeks of treatment in all experimental groups. Results: Combined administration of sildenafil and metformin on diabetic rats improving hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and hyperlipidemia induced by streptozotocin than the administration of metformin or sildenafil alone. Conclusion: Sildenafil has beneficial effects against some diabetic complications. The present study showed that sildenafil with metformin has beneficial effects against diabetic complications

Effect of sildenafil citrate on prediabetic and diabetic albino rats treated with metformin

Diabetes Miletus (DM) is a global epidemic disease. It is estimated that there are already 415 million adults aged 20–79 years diabetics worldwide. Sildenafil citrate is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, which increases cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and metformin (MET) is a biguanide used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes which increases peripheral insulin sensitivity. Aim: This study aims to assess the effect of sildenafil citrate and metformin on lipid profile and glycemic control in diabetic and prediabetic albino rats. Materials and methods: Adult male albino rats are used and divided into nine groups each group consists of 10 rats, diabetes is induced by feeding a high-fat diet (HFD) for an initial period of 2 weeks followed by a single intraperitoneal injection of (35 mg/kg) Streptozotocin. Prediabetes is induced by feeding (HFD) and glucose in water for a period of 2 weeks. Sildenafil was given in a dose of (5 &10 mg/kg/day orally for 4 weeks), metformin was given in a dose of (50 &100 mg/kg/day orally for 4 weeks) using oral gavages to normal healthy rats, diabetic and prediabetic rats. Blood samples were collected after 4 weeks of treatment in all experimental groups. Results: Combined administration of sildenafil and metformin on diabetic rats improving hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and hyperlipidemia induced by streptozotocin than the administration of metformin or sildenafil alone. Conclusion: Sildenafil has beneficial effects against some diabetic complications. The present study showed that sildenafil with metformin has beneficial effects against diabetic complications

Modified technique for sacrospinous-sacrotuberous ligament complex colpopexy in apical prolapse: preliminary results of a pilot randomized study

Background: Apical prolapse is frequently encountered following vaginal hysterectomy either or as a primary finding in patients with pelvic organ prolapse. This pilot comparative study introduces a modified sacrospinous sacrotuberous ligament fixation with biologic mesh augmentation which necessitates no special kits to be performed.Methods: This study was conducted at Department of Obstetrics and gynecology, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, and Department of Women Health of Bethanien Hospital, Iserlöhn, Germany from March 2018 to May 2020. 40 women with either utero-vaginal or vaginal vault prolapse were randomized to either; group (A): 20 women scheduled for modified sacrospinous-sacrotuberous fixation procedure, or group (B): 20 women scheduled for conventional sacrospinous-sacrotuberous fixation procedure.Results: Improvement of the Pelvic organ prolapse quantification system (POP-Q) stage from the base line pre-operative stage was 1 stage higher in the modified SS/ST-F group compared to the conventional SSF group (3 stage improvement from baseline in SS/ST-F group versus 2 stage improvement only in conventional SSF group).Conclusions: This pilot study provides a modified sacrospinous sacrotuberous ligament colpopexy technique which is easier to be performed and mastered, does not need the use of special devices, provides better improvement of grade of prolapse and less complications compared to the conventional technique.

Development of Climate Data Inputs Towards the Implementation of Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design in the UAE

The current state of practice in the UAE is to use AASHTO 1993 for pavement designs, yet this method is empirical and has several limitations. The local traffic characteristics, climate conditions, and materials properties must be incorporated in more explicit and mechanistic ways. This study is part of ongoing local research efforts to move towards the implementation of the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide, known as MEPDG, which depends on fundamental material properties, integrated climate conditions, and real traffic characteristics. The main objective of this study is to develop the historical climate data files and climate inputs for 20 different automatic and airports stations covering the entire UAE. These weather stations were divided into four geographical regions: desert area, urban area, coastal area, and mountainous area. In addition, the study investigates the impact of local climate conditions on the simulated asphalt pavement performance using the AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design. This study showed that, however, UAE is a small country yet there are some differences between the climate records of the different weather stations, which is expected to affect pavement design and performance depending on the project site location. For example, the warmest weather station has 36% higher temperature than the coldest weather station at Jabal Jais. This in turn displayed up to 40% and 23% differences in the asphalt concrete (AC) rutting and total rutting, respectively between these extreme weather stations. These findings and many other emphasize the crucial need to consider the climate data inputs at the project level bases, where a single climate data file cannot represent the entire UAE.the Emirates National Centre of Metrology and the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure - project No. 130169

Multicenter Study of Brucellosis in Egypt

Brucellosis causes appreciable economic losses in livestock. Examination of milk and tissues from animals in Egypt for Brucella spp. showed increased prevalence rates of serologically reactive animals. All isolates were B. melitensis biovar 3. One Brucella sp. was isolated from milk of serologically nonreactive buffaloes