The association between different dimensions of social capital and cognition among older adults in China

Background: Social capital is a multidimensional concept including social trust, social support, social participation, and reciprocity, and each dimension may be associated with the cognition of older adults differently. The existing research on social capital and cognition rarely constructs a comprehensive social capital framework and compares the association between the cognition and multiple dimensions of social capital. Objective: To determine whether four social capital domains have different associations with cognition among older adults in China. Methods: Baseline and four-year follow-up data (N = 6291) from community-dwelling participants aged ≥55 years at baseline from CHARLS were used. Generalized linear regression was conducted to assess the association between four dimensions of social capital at baseline and cognition at four-year follow-up of all samples, controlling for baseline cognitive scores. Results: Both financial support (β = 0.177, p = 0.013) and reciprocity (β = 0.280, p = 0.022) at baseline were associated with better executive function four years later, and social participation (β = 0.123, p = 0.004) at baseline was associated with better episodic memory after four years. Age, gender, education and hukou modified the association between social capital and cognition (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Financial support, reciprocity and social participation was associated with cognition among Chinese older adults to different extent

Gypsum Binder With Increased Water Resistance Derived From Membrane Water Desalination Waste

ABSTRACT A method has been developed for separating a mixture of calcium, magnesium and sodium sulfates obtained through the interaction of sulfuric acid and waste from the water purification process generated by using membrane filters. The primary goal of this method is to extract gypsum and produce gypsum‐based binders. Patterns were identified regarding how various types, ratio and quantities of additives: blast furnace slag, granite screenings, portland cement, electric steel smelting slag affect the water‐gypsum ratio, strength properties, and water resistance of high‐strength gypsum binders. It was found that adding a single‐component additive specifically to enhance water resistance does not significantly impact these properties. Complex additives have been developed based on Portland cement, granulated blast furnace slag, electric furnace slag, expanded clay dust, and granite screenings of various fractions. These additives are designed to maximize the water resistance of high‐strength gypsum binder based on synthetic calcium sulfate dihydrate. As a result, the water resistance coefficient increased from 0.45 to 0.52. Additionally, a technological block diagram of the process has been proposed