Analysis of FRP-Wrapped Concrete Piles in Integral Abutment Bridges Subjected to Axial and Cyclic Lateral Loads

ABSTRACT The long-term maintenance problems associated with expansion joints, which are used to accommodate bridge movements in conventional bridges, have been the primary motivation for the use of integral abutment (jointless) bridges. These bridges rely on the interaction between the structure and the surrounding soil to accommodate bridge movements without the use of any expansion joints on the bridge superstructure. As the bridge superstructure expands and contracts due to seasonal thermal and other strains, relatively large forces can develop in the pile near the pile-cap interface. These reversible moment and shear forces can lead to localized damage near the top of the pile. Steel piles are the most commonly used type of piles in integral abutment bridges. However, concrete piles are preferred in some regions of the United State as well as other countries due to economic factors and soil conditions. Concrete piles are susceptible to cracking and spalling at the pile/pile cap interface and that has limited their use in integral abutment bridges. This study was aimed at determining the behavior and performance parameters in integral abutment bridges that are supported by concrete piles and evaluating the effect of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites in mitigating the expected localized damage in these piles. To achieve these objectives, a comprehensive review of literature was first conducted. Two sets of analytical models were prepared using the ABAQUS finite element program to analyze prestressed concrete piles in integral abutment bridges with or without localized FRP reinforcement at the interface between the pile and the pile cap. The effectiveness and accuracy of the finite element models were verified using three sets of available experimental data. Also, a comprehensive parametric study was conducted to understand and compare the influence of various parameters on the behavior of the bridge and the pile. Empirical equations were developed to estimate the pile displacement and the abutment rotation based on the span length, the height of the abutment and the girder displacement. Results indicate that the use of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite wraps can substantially reduce damage at the pile-abutment interface. However, the magnitude of shear and movement forces imposed by the pile on the abutment and bridge superstructure increase as a result of the reduction in damage. Estimates of these forces for various bridge span lengths and soil conditions are provided. A set of design recommendations are provided for the application of concrete piles in integral abutment bridges using CFRP composites in retrofit cases or in new bridges construction

Corporate Sustainable Business Practices and Organizational Attractiveness among professionals in Malaysia

Menjadi satu hakikat yang tidak dapat disangkal bahawa tenaga kerja yang berbakat adalah penting untuk membezakan organisasi dari pesaing-pesaingnya It is an article of faith that talented workforce is essential for differentiating an organization from its rival

IN VITRO-IN VIVO BIO-EQUIVALENCE CORRELATION STUDY OF ATENOLOL, AND ITS BRANDS OF IMMEDIATE RELEASE TABLET UNDER BIO-WAIVER CONDITIONS

Objective: The aim of present study is to examine the in vitro-in vivo correlation (IVIVC) of immediate release product. Atenolol 100mg and its brands of immediate release dosage forms. Atenolol is clearly classified into BCS class III, and could be evaluated under bio waiver conditions. Methods: The in vitro parameters employed were hardness, weight uniformity, friability, disintegration time, absolute drug content, dissolution rate (in 0.1 N Hydrochloric acid, phosphate buffer and acetate buffer at 37ºC), and dissolution efficiencies were also analyzed. The in-vitro dissolution study was performed on the brands, according to FDA, USP  dissolution profile in three different PH (1.2), (4.5), and (6.8) at 37ºC, using the USP apparatus II. A non linear relation was established which is typical for immediate release formulation, of class III. Results: All Atenolol brands released about 90% drug in PH (6.8), where about 87% in PH (4.5), reference drug released about 91% and test drug released about 87% in pH (1.2). Dissolution efficiency of  the entire brands differed by less than 10% from the innovator brand. According to MINITAM 14 statistical program, there was significant relationship between in vitro and in vivo data of reference Atenolol product. Conclusion: By applying level A in vitro-in vivo correlation, study concluded that there is no linear correlation between percent of drug released and percent of drug absorbed, this may be due to uncontrollable permeability rate for class three Atenolol.                    Peer Review History: Received 20 September 2019;   Revised 16 December; Accepted 7 January, Available online 15 January 2020 Academic Editor: Dr. Amany Mohamed Alboghdadly, Princess Nourah bint abdulrahman university, Riyadh, [email protected] UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file:                Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 3.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Dr. Hayriye Eda Şatana Kara, Gazi University, Turkey, [email protected] Dr. Nicola Micale, University of Messina, Italy, [email protected] Similar Articles: FAST DISSOLVING DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS: FORMULATION, PREPARATION TECHNIQUES AND EVALUATION FAST DISSOLVING TABLETS: A PROMISING APPROACH FOR DRUG DELIVERY DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF FAST DISSOLVING THIN FILMS OF ARIPIPRAZOLE TABLET GRANULATION: CURRENT SCENARIO AND RECENT ADVANCE

IN VITRO-IN VIVO BIO-EQUIVALENCE CORRELATION STUDY OF METRONIDAZOLE, AND ITS BRANDS OF IMMEDIATE RELEASE TABLET UNDER BIO-WAIVER CONDITIONS

Objective: The aim of present study is to examine the in-vitro in-vivo correlation (IVIVC) of immediate release product. Metronidazole 500mg and its brands of immediate release dosage forms. Metronidazole is clearly classified into BCS class I, and could be evaluated under bio waiver conditions. Methods: The in vitro parameters employed were hardness, weight uniformity, friability, disintegration time, absolute drug content, dissolution rate (in 0.1 N Hydrochloric acid, phosphate buffer and acetate buffer at 37ºC), and dissolution efficiencies were also analyzed. The in-vitro dissolution study was performed on the brands, according to FDA,USP dissolution profile in three different PH (1.2), (4.5), and (6.8) at37ºC, using the USP apparatus II, then f1, f2 were determined for the time intervals of 10, 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes, and dissolution efficiencies were calculated. MINITAB 14 statistical program used for in vitro in vivo correlation, level A was done for reference product. Results: A non linear relation was established which is typical for immediate release formulation, of class 1. There was significant relationship between in vitro and in vivo data of reference metronidazole product, Correlation and distribution of data with correlation coefficient (r=0.724, 0.837, 0.707), nonlinear relationship with p-value (>0.05) =(0.167, 0.098, 0.182), there is no out lines, no lake of fits at P-Values=0.0040, 006, 0.026.Conclusion: Study concluded that there is no linear correlation between percent of drug released and percent of drug absorbed ,this may be due to uncontrollable gastric emptying rate for class one Metronidazole.                          Peer Review History: Received 2 January 2020;   Revised 1 February; Accepted 3 March, Available online 15 March 2020 Academic Editor: Ahmad Najib, Universitas Muslim Indonesia,  Indonesia, [email protected] Received file:                Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 4.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Dr. Hayriye Eda Şatana Kara, Gazi University, Turkey, [email protected] Dr. Mohamed Ismail Nounou, Appalachian College of Pharmacy, Oakwood, Virginia, USA, [email protected] Similar Articles: IN VITRO-IN VIVO BIO-EQUIVALENCE CORRELATION STUDY OF ATENOLOL, AND ITS BRANDS OF IMMEDIATE RELEASE TABLET UNDER BIO-WAIVER CONDITION

Impact of Washing Hands on Accuracy Result of Capillary Blood Glucose Measurements among Diabetic Patients

Background: The technique of monitoring patient’s blood glucose using a glucose meter is most useful as an adjunct therapy with pharmacological treatments against diabetes mellitus. The value and effectiveness of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is affected by the patient’s SMBG knowledge and skill. This paper aimed to quantify the impact of washing hands on accuracy result of capillary blood glucose measurements among diabetic patients. Patients and method: Quasi-experimental  research design was conducted to meet the study's objective. In the internal medicine department at Assiut university hospital, Egypt. Sixty adult patients were eligible according to the inclusion criteria were enrolled. An interview questionnaire involved patients' demographic characteristics, clinical data, and knowledge regarding self-monitoring of blood glucose. Results: the mean blood glucose readings before washing hands were74.37± 86.594 mg / dl, 225.66± 85.973 mg / dl respectively after washing hands,  and after peeling an orange followed by no washing hands were 349.03±90.084 mg / dl. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that there was a statistically significant  difference between washing hands and accuracy results of capillary blood glucose measurements. Recommendations: All patients should be advised to wash their hands with water and soap before performing the test. Keywords: Washing Hands; Accuracy Result; Capillary Blood Glucose Measurements; and Diabetic Patient

Criteria and Practices of Various States for the Design of Jointless and Integral Abutment Bridges

The design of integral abutment bridges is not explicitly addressed in the U.S. bridge design specifications. Despite the lack of a specific national design standard for such bridges, their usage has grown steadily since several states began experimenting with this type of structure in the 1980s. The primary objective of the work reported here was to understand and compare the current (2017) design criteria and parameters that are being utilized by various states for the design of jointless and integral abutment bridges. In this paper, the required information was sought by obtaining all publicly-available “bridge design manuals” that are commonly (but not universally) published by state departments of transportation. Furthermore, when such information was not available online, direct contacts were made to obtain the necessary information. Data on each state’s integral abutment preferences, pile types, pile orientation and embedment, skew angle, maximum permissible length, etc. are provided and compared

IMPROVED HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY/MASS SPECTROSCOPY (HPLC/MS) METHOD FOR DETECTION OF ANTHRAQUINONES AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL DETERMINATION IN ALOE SINKATANA

Objectives:  Medicinal plants, either as an extract, pure compound or as a derivative, offer limitless opportunities for the discovery of new drugs. Sudan is a very rich source of medicinal plants which are used in the treatment of a wide range of diseases. Aloe sinkatana, has great potential to be developed as drug by pharmaceutical industries. The present study is undertaken to investigate the antioxidant potential of Aloe sinkatana by DPPH radical scavenging activity. In addition, the study also performed to explore the possibility of using HPLC-MS technique for the determination and analysis of Aloe sinkatana. Methods:  The extracts of Aloe sinkatana were analyzed for antioxidant activity by using DPPH free radical scavenging activity. The results indicated that the extracts showed a high effective free radical scavenging in the DPPH assay, also these extracts exhibited a noticeable antioxidant effect at low concentrations. Results:  During in vitro evaluation the antioxidant potential of methanolic extract was the highest, followed by aqueous extract  in DPPH radical scavenging activity. So the methanolic extract of the plant, exhibited a great antioxidant effect at 50 μg/ml which may be attributed to high phenolic content. Therefore, methanolic extract to be a more active radical scavenger than aqueous extract. The HPLC-MS analysis had shown the methanolic extract of Aloe sinkatana to be rich in the major anthraquinones and their glucosides, which revealed 9 compounds, and also UV spectroscopy detected the presence of two flavonoids. Conclusion:  The results indicated that the extracts of Aloe sinkatana  is a potential source of natural antioxidants or nutraceuticals with potential application to reduce oxidative stress with consequent health benefits. Due to stronger antioxidant potential and phytochemical composition, Aloe sinkatana could be proved as a valuable prospect in pharmaceutical formulations by taking part in the antioxidant defense system against generation of free radicals.                              Peer Review History: Received 26 March 2020; Revised 15 April; Accepted 4 May, Available online 15 May 2020 Academic Editor: Dr. Ali Abdullah Al-yahawi, Al-Razi university, Department of Pharmacy, Yemen, [email protected] UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file:                Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 4.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Prof Cyprian Ogbonna ONYEJI, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, [email protected] Dr. Gehan Fawzy Abdel Raoof Kandeel, Pharmacognosy Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, 12622,  Giza, Egypt, [email protected]  Dr. Nyunaï Nyemb, Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation of Cameroon, [email protected]  Similar Articles: ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC AND ANTI-OXIDANT POTENTIAL OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF VITEX THYRSIFLORA LEAVES ON DIABETIC RAT

Quality of life of Sudanese Patients with Benigan Prostatic Hyperplasia. The Oblivious Problem

Background: Although the IPSS and QOL index are universally used, they can only quantify the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and evaluate treatment efficacy, but cannot fully reflect the overall quality of life. Moreover, because QOL scale depends on the culture background, it is necessary to develop a Sudanese version of the scale. Objective: To evaluate the impact of BPH on the quality of life by assessing the physical, mental and stress states among patients of BPH. Methodology: This study was conducted on 424 patients with BPH in Gezira Hospital for Renal Disease and Surgery (GHRDS), Sudan. The study was cross-sectional, prospective small-scale hospital based study using simple random sampling technique. The subjects were limited to the Sudanese patients, who could hear and answer the questions of the questionnaire independently and that was done for accuracy and privacy. Taking the patient's educational level into account, all items were expressed in spoken language. The data collection tool was a questionnaire which was modified to twelve items from the BPH Quality of Life Index. Results: The majority 386 patients, 91% were physically fit. The pattern of urination was bothering to their daily life of around 320 patients/75.5%, 225 patients/53.1% of patients were worried about the outcome of the disease, 259 patients/61.1% were not concerned of having prostate cancer and 332 patients/78.2% were satisfied with their sleep. The sexual life had been affected in 201 patients/47.4%. The physical state was assessed by the ability of the patient to pray Friday Jomaa at the mosque which was 85.8% and also by attending important Sudanese obliging social activities like condolence which was (91.9%) of the patients. Conclusion: The impact of BPH on quality of life was obviously significant in the three domains; physical, mental and stress state among patients of BPH in GHRD&S.There should be a validated scale for the BPH Quality of Life Index addressing the traditional strata for Sudanese patients.           &nbsp

Synthesis, characterization, and enhanced electrochemical behavior of polypyrrole doped ZrO2–ZnO electrode materials for supercapacitor applications

The polypyrrole@ZrO2–ZnO (PPy@ZrO2–ZnO) electrodes were synthesized using an in situ chemical oxidative method. The samples were characterized by XRD, FTIR, XPS, UV-vis, TGA, and BET. In addition, the electrochemical characteristics of the electrodes are tested by cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge and discharge (G.C.D.), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (E.I.S.). The values of the specific capacitances and the energy densities of PPy@ZrO2–ZnO (1.0) and PPy@ZrO2–ZnO (0.5) at a current density of 0.5 A g−1 are recorded as (395.3 F g−1 and 508.5 Wh·kg−1) and (195.3 F g−1 and 351.5 Wh·kg−1), respectively. Furthermore, the electrode stability for the formed samples was also determined, which exhibited specific capacitance retention at 90.2% for PPy@ZrO2–ZnO (1.0) and 82.4% for PPy@ZrO2–ZnO (0.5) after cycling up to 4,000 cycles. This work provides an efficient approach to the potential of the synthesized samples for application as electrodes in a supercapacitor

Postmortem Tissue Distribution of Citalopram in a Case of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Citalopram abuse may impair judgment and increase the risk of suicidal thoughts. This case report aims to study the postmortem tissue distribution of citalopram in a case of carbon monoxide poisoning. Initial analysis was done by both immunoassay and non-targeted GC-MS screening methods. Carbon monoxide was identified and quantified by measuring the carboxyhemoglobin levels in spleen secretion (black bile) and spleen blood using a UV-visible spectrophotometer, while citalopram was identified and quantified by using an LC-MS-MS system. Initial analysis showed that citalopram was present in all samples determined by immunoassay. The results of carboxyhemoglobin analysis were 85% in the spleen secretion and spleen blood, which are generally fatal levels. The results of LC-MS-MS showed that citalopram concentrations were 0.58 mg/L, 0.37 mg/L, 0.29 mg/L, 0.13 mg/L, 0.10 mg/L, and 0.01 mg/L, in the spleen blood, brain, spleen, kidney, liver and stomach, respectively. The highest concentrations of citalopram, 0.58 mg/L and 0.37 mg/L, were detected in spleen blood and brain tissue, respectively, which could be used as an alternative specimen to blood