Evaluation of strength parameters of plain and reinforced concrete with the addition of polypropylene fibers

This research investigates the influence of incorporating small-diameter polypropylene fibers on the mechanical properties of concrete. The studied concrete properties include compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength (both plain and reinforced), shear strength, and the mitigation of shrinkage cracks. A total of 92 specimens were meticulously fabricated in the laboratory, comprising cylinders (12 inches in length and 6 inches in diameter), beams (20 x 4 x 4 inches), larger beams (60 x 9 x 9 inches), and slab panels (48 x 48 x 4 inches). During the specimen casting process, a consistent mix with a ratio of 1:2:4 and a water-cement ratio of 0.60 was consistently applied. The polypropylene fiber content varied at 0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6% for each property examination. Results indicate a positive impact on all concrete properties studied upon the addition of polypropylene fibers. However, the optimal percentage of polypropylene fibers exhibited variability for each variable and property under investigation. This research contributes insights into the nuanced effects of polypropylene fibers on concrete properties, providing a basis for further exploration and practical application in optimizing concrete performance and durability

Deploying and Evaluating OF@TEIN Access Center and Its Feasibility for Access Federation

For the emerging software-defined infrastructure, to be orchestrated from so-called logically centralized DevOps Tower, the shared accessibility of distributed playground resources and the timely interaction among operators and developers are highly required. In this paper, by taking OF@TEIN SDN-Cloud playground as a target environment, we discuss an access center effort to address the above requirements. In providing the developer presence via the proposed access center, the inherent heterogeneity of internationally dispersed OF@TEIN resources is setting a unique challenge to cope with the broad spectrum of link bandwidths and round-trip delays. The access capability of deployed access center is experimentally verified against a wide range of access network conditions, which would be extended for futuristic access federation with appropriate identity management and resources abstraction for multiple developers and operators

Maskne: A Potential Misnomer?

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the global adoption of mask wearing to contain he rampant spread of the virus. Certain occupational groups, particularly health care providers, must wear masks for prolonged periods. Alongside this pandemic emerged the use of the all-encompassing term “Maskne”, used to describe mask-related dermatologic pathologies. Although there is an increase in acne and acneiform lesions associated with prolonged facial mask use, “Maskne” may be a misnomer, causing non-dermatologic providers to misdiagnose patients with acne when they, in fact, have perioral dermatitis

Transplant center assessment of the inequity in the kidney transplant process and outcomes for the Indigenous American patients.

BACKGROUND:The goal is to determine the delays and reduced rates of kidney transplant (KTx) for the Indigenous Americans and variables predictive of these outcomes at a large single transplant center. METHODS:300 Indigenous Americans and 300 non-Hispanic white American patients presenting for KTx evaluation from 2012-2016 were studied. RESULTS:Compared to whites, the Indigenous Americans had the following: more diabetes, dialysis, physical limitation and worse socioeconomic characteristics(p<0.01); median difference of 20 day delay from referral to KTx evaluation, 17 day delay from approval to UNOS listing and 126.5 longer delay on the waitlist compared to whites(p<0.001). Of the Indigenous Americans listed, more died, were removed, or were still waiting than transplanted compared to whites (p<0.001). Variables predictive of delay from referral to transplant evaluation included: Indigenous race, distance from transplant center, coronary artery disease, and time on dialysis (p<0.05). Cumulative incidence of waitlisting and KTx was lower for Indigenous Americans (p<0.0001). Independent predictors of decreased likelihood of waitlisting included age, peripheral vascular disease, no caregiver, physical limitation, and illegal drug use history (p<0.05). Variables predictive of lower likelihood of KTx included Indigenous race, percentage of time inactive on the waitlist, no caregiver, and O blood type. CONCLUSIONS:Among patients referred and evaluated for KTx, the Indigenous American race was independently associated with significant delays in the KTx process after accounting for co-morbid and socioeconomic factors. Cardiovascular morbidity and physical limitation were identified as important determinants of delay and decreased likelihood of waitlisting. Further quantitative and qualitative work is needed to identify and intervene on modifiable barriers to improve access to KTx for the Indigenous Americans

Pathogenesis of Huntington’s Disease: An Emphasis on Molecular Pathways and Prevention by Natural Remedies

Background: Huntington’s disease is an inherited autosomal dominant trait neuro-degenerative disorder caused by changes (mutations) of a gene called huntingtin (htt) that is located on the short arm (p) of chromosome 4, CAG expansion mutation. It is characterized by unusual movements, cognitive and psychiatric disorders. Objective: This review was undertaken to apprehend biological pathways of Huntington’s disease (HD) pathogenesis and its management by nature-derived products. Natural products can be lucrative for the management of HD as it shows protection against HD in pre-clinical trials. Advanced research is still required to assess the therapeutic effectiveness of the known organic products and their isolated compounds in HD experimental models. Summary: Degeneration of neurons in Huntington’s disease is distinguished by progressive loss of motor coordination and muscle function. This is due to the expansion of CAG trinucleotide in the first exon of the htt gene responsible for neuronal death and neuronal network degeneration in the brain. It is believed that the factors such as molecular genetics, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroglia dysfunction, protein aggregation, and altered UPS leads to HD. The defensive effect of the natural product provides therapeutic efficacy against HD. Recent reports on natural drugs have enlightened the protective role against HD via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and neurofunctional regulation