Curved Glass – Quality and Application

The desire of modern architecture for free form structures opens a large market forcurved glass. Compared to flat glass, the production of curved glass is much moredifficult because of additional parameters through the bending process. Since thereis no standard available for curved glass in construction so far, at present the rulesfor flat glass are being considered. However, several cases of damage show that theapplication of curved glass needs own regulations to avoid glass breakage on theconstruction site. Therefore, the Munich University of Applied Sciences and theRWTH Aachen University have performed a research program [1] concerning thequality control and criteria of curved glass

The effects of different doses of ROCK inhibitor, antifreeze protein III, and boron added to semen extender on semen freezeability of Ankara bucks

In the presented study, the effects of ROCK inhibitor Y-27632, antifreeze protein III, and boron at two different doses were investigated on the spermatological parameters of Ankara buck semen after freeze–thawing. Ejaculates were collected from bucks using an electroejaculator during the breeding season. The ejaculates that showed appropriate characteristics were pooled and used in the dilution and freezing of semen. The extender groups were formed by adding two different doses of three different additives (ROCK inhibitor Y-27632, 5 and 20 µM; antifreeze protein III, 1 and 4 µg/mL; boron, 0.25 and 1 mM) to the control extender. The semen was diluted with the different extenders at 35–37 °C and loaded into straws. Sperm samples frozen in liquid nitrogen vapors, following equilibration, were stored in liquid nitrogen. It was observed that extender supplementation improved post-thaw motility of Ankara buck semen after freeze–thawing. Differences were significant (p 0.05). It was observed that DNA damage was improved by antifreeze protein III at 1 µg/mL (1.23% ± 0.23%) and by boron at all doses (0.25 mM: 1.83% and 1 mM: 1.18%) compared to the control group (3.37%) (p < 0.01), following the thawing process. In the present study, it was determined that some additives added to the extender provided significant improvements in buck spermatozoa motility and DNA damage after thawing

Basalt reinforced concrete structures for retrofitting concrete surfaces

Reinforced concrete facades exist since decades exposed to natural weather conditions. Thus nowadays lot of them are damaged by carbonation induced corrosion and therefor require repairing and retrofitting. The aim of this research project is to investigate the possibilities of basalt fibre reinforced concrete as repairing material and also basalt rebars as additional strengthening reinforcement. Investigations with basalt fibre reinforced mortar prisms showed best results in 3 point bending tests, tensile strength and also compressive strength using 0.3 Vol.-% basalt fibres in mixture. The mechanical properties of basalt rebars made of basalt fibre reinforced polymer were tested, showing higher values in tensile strength and Young´s Modulus than comparable steel reinforcement samples. The basalt rebar reinforced concrete samples achieved higher ultimate loads in three-point bending test compared to SRC samples. But after failure in the bonding area no residual load capacity remained. Finally basalt reinforcement bars seems to be well suited for use as retrofitting material for facade elements, but numerous properties have to be examined in further investigations

Self-reported medication adherence in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: The role of illness perception and medication beliefs

Objectives: This study aims to investigate medication adherence in Turkish patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and analyze the related factors for non-adherence.Patients and methods: Ninety-nine patients with AS (60 males, 39 females; mean age 41.3 +/- 8.4 years; range, 18 to 66 years) were included in the study. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected. Disease activity (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate), functional status ( Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index), spinal pain and fatigue (Visual Analog Scale), quality of life (Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life), and depression and anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) were evaluated. Adherence to anti-rheumatic drugs was elicited using the Compliance Questionnaire on Rheumatology (CQR). Medication beliefs were assessed using the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ), and illness perception using the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ).Results: Non-adherence was reported in 64 patients (64.6%). No significant relationship between demographic, clinical, or psychological factors and adherence was found, except for disease duration (p=0.031). High B-IPQ treatment follow-up, illness coherence, and BMQ-Specific necessity scores were associated with good adherence (p=0.007, p=0.039, and p=0.002, respectively). BMQ-General overuse and harm scores showed an inverse correlation with the CQR score (p=0.005 r=-0.278; p=0.029 r=-0.219, respectively). Longer disease duration [odds ratio (OR): 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.97-0.99] and higher B-IPQ item-1 score regarding the effect of the illness on the individual's life (OR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.42-0.81) were important predictors of low adherence.Conclusion: Nearly three out of five AS patients were identified as at risk for non-adherence with the CQR. Medication adherence is influenced by the patient's beliefs about medicines and illness perceptions, and these may be key targets for future interventions to improve medication adherence