Experimental Study on Carbonation Resistance and Water Absorbing Property of Concrete Crack with repair

Existing RC Buildings have some cracks and the repairing service might last the buildings for long life. The durability of the RC component is evaluated by several ways as like as carbonation resistance test, permeability test, water penetration test, and so on. Therefore, it need to be measured how much advantage the concrete crack with repair have for the durability. The aim of this paper is to study on advantage of repairing a crack of concrete to the carbonation resistance and the waterabsorbing property by the experimental way. The specimens were prepared in the following point. The finishing (direct finishing and mortal tile finishing), crack width (0, 0.05, 0.5, and 2mm), and choice repairing or not. All concrete specimens were formed 10 x 10 x 20cm and those W/C were 0.55. Then, the specimens were tested by the accelerated carbonation. After 4, 8 and 26weeks accelerated carbonation, the carbonation depth and the carbonation shape of the concretes were measured by 1% phenolphthalein reaction. Also, the amount of absorbed water from the bottom were measured at 1, 3, 6, 24, 48, 72 and 168h. From the results, the carbonation went rapidly located in 2cm around the crack in the case of the no-repair specimens, regardless of any finishing. But in the case of the specimens repaired, it went evenly from the exposure side. And water absorbing test results show a trend that water amount of the concrete with a crack more increase than one of the no-crack concrete

Development of Art Fashion by Integrating Art and Digital Textile Printing

[NICOGRAPH International 2022] 4-5 June 2022, virtual conference.Recently digital art using digital technology has emerged and has been well recognized. On the other hand, digital textile printing technology has recently emerged in the fashion world, making it relatively easy to produce small-lot, high-mix garments. Combining this digital art with digital textile printing creates new possibilities for art to enter our everyday life as clothing. In this paper, we will describe the contents of our attempt to create fashion from digital art under the concept of "wearing art" through joint research between companies and universities

Prospective randomized study for optimal insulin therapy in type 2 diabetic patients with secondary failure

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The large clinical trials proved that Basal-Bolus (BB) insulin therapy was effective in the prevention of diabetic complications and their progression. However, BB therapy needs multiple insulin injections per a day. In this regard, a biphasic insulin analogue needs only twice-daily injections, and is able to correct postprandial hyperglycemia. Therefore it may achieve the blood glucose control as same as that of BB therapy and prevent the diabetic complications including macroangiopathy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In PROBE (Prospective, Randomized, Open, Blinded-Endpoint) design, forty-two type 2 diabetic patients (male: 73.8%, median(inter quartile range) age: 64.5(56.8~71.0)years) with secondary failure of sulfonylurea (SU) were randomly assigned to BB therapy with a thrice-daily insulin aspart and once-daily basal insulin (BB group) or to conventional therapy with a twice-daily biphasic insulin analogue (30 Mix group), and were followed up for 6 months to compare changes in HbA1c, daily glycemic profile, intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotid artery, adiponectin levels, amounts of insulin used, and QOL between the two groups.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After 6 months, HbA1c was significantly reduced in both groups compared to baseline (30 Mix; 9.3(8.1~11.3) → 7.4(6.9~8.7)%, p < 0.01, vs BB;8.9(7.7~10.0) → 6.9(6.2~7.3)%, p < 0.01), with no significant difference between the groups in percentage change in HbA1c (30 Mix; -14.7(-32.5~-7.5)% vs BB -17.8(-30.1~-11.1)%, p = 0.32). There was a significant decrease in daily glycemic profile at all points except dinner time in both groups compared to baseline. There was a significant increase in the amount of insulin used in the 30 Mix group after treatment compared to baseline (30 Mix;0.30(0.17~0.44) → 0.39(0.31~0.42) IU/kg, p = 0.01). There was no significant difference in IMT, BMI, QOL or adiponectin levels in either group compared to baseline.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Both BB and 30 mix group produced comparable reductions in HbA1c in type 2 diabetic patients with secondary failure. There was no significant change in IMT as an indicator of early atherosclerotic changes between the two groups. The basal-bolus insulin therapy may not be necessarily needed if the type 2 diabetic patients have become secondary failure.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Current Controlled Trials number, NCT00348231</p

Genetic association of glutathione peroxidase-1 with coronary artery calcification in type 2 diabetes: a case control study with multi-slice computed tomography

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although oxidative stress by accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in diabetes has become evident, it remains unclear what genes, involved in redox balance, would determine susceptibility for development of atherosclerosis in diabetes. This study evaluated the effect of genetic polymorphism of enzymes producing or responsible for reducing ROS on coronary artery calcification in type 2 diabetes (T2D).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An index for coronary-arteriosclerosis, coronary artery calcium score (CACS) was evaluated in 91 T2D patients using a multi-slice computed tomography. Patients were genotyped for ROS-scavenging enzymes, <it>Glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx-1)</it>, <it>Catalase, Mn-SOD</it>, <it>Cu/Zn-SOD</it>, as well as SNPs of <it>NADPH oxidase </it>as ROS-promoting elements, genes related to onset of T2D (<it>CAPN10, ADRB3, PPAR gamma, FATP4</it>). Age, blood pressure, BMI, HbA_1c, lipid and duration of diabetes were evaluated for a multivariate regression analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>CACS with Pro/Leu genotype of the <it>GPx-1 </it>gene was significantly higher than in those with Pro/Pro (744 ± 1,291 vs. 245 ± 399, respectively, <it>p </it>= 0.006). In addition, genotype frequency of Pro/Leu in those with CACS ≥ 1000 was significantly higher than in those with CACS < 1000 (45.5% vs. 18.8%; <it>OR </it>= 3.61, <it>CI </it>= 0.97–13.42; <it>p </it>= 0.045) when tested for deviation from Hardy-Weinberg's equilibrium. Multivariate regression analyses revealed that CACS significantly correlated with <it>GPx-1 </it>genotypes and age.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The presence of Pro197Leu substitution of the <it>GPx-1 </it>gene may play a crucial role in determining genetic susceptibility to coronary-arteriosclerosis in T2D. The mechanism may be associated with a decreased ability to scavenge ROS with the variant <it>GPx-1</it>.</p

Difference between two Japanese health promotion programes on measures of health and wellness

We implemented and compared two 10-month health education programs in Minowa town and Matsumoto city, Nagano prefecture, Japan. The Matsumoto city cohort underwent a program of monthly classroom activities (CA group), whereas the Minowa town cohort were not only subjected to classroom activities but also performed 90-min strength and weight training once a week and were termed the classroom/training (CT) group. We measured anthropometric, blood pressure, physical fitness, blood chemistry, and brain function variables. All participants were provided pedometers and were encouraged to walk. Monthly seminars included education regarding yoga, exercise, blood pressure, nutrition, and other health-related topics. In total, 92 healthy participants were included in the CA group [age, 66.5 ± 5.4 years (mean ± standard error of mean); 30 males and 62 females] and 46 healthy participants were included in the CT group (mean age 62.7 ± 4.7 years; 22 males and 24 females). We observed significant differences between the average number of steps walked in the CA (7241.7 ± 113.6) and CT (8686.7 ± 167.2) groups. Both the groups both showed significant improvements in anthropometric, blood pressure, physical fitness, blood chemistry, and brain function tests; however, the CT group showed markedly greater improvement after the health education program than before participation. In conclusion, the CT program had added benefits over the CA program because of the higher average amount of walking (approximately 1,400 steps) and the inclusion of a weekly weight-training activity.ArticleINNOVATIVE JOURNAL OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCE.5(4):170-181(2015)journal articl

Bioavailability of prenyl quercetin

Prenyl flavonoids are widely distributed in plant foods and have attracted appreciable attention in relation to their potential benefits for human health. Prenylation may enhance the biological functions of flavonoids by introducing hydrophobic properties in their basic structures. Previously, we found that 8-prenyl naringenin exerted a greater preventive effect on muscle atrophy than nonprenylated naringenin in a mouse model. Here, we aimed to estimate the effect of prenylation on the bioavailability of dietary quercetin (Q). The cellular uptake of 8-prenyl quercetin (PQ) and Q in Caco-2 cells and C2C12 myotube cells was examined. Prenylation significantly enhanced the cellular uptake by increasing the lipophilicity in both cell types. In Caco-2 cells, efflux of PQ to the basolateral side was <15% of that of Q, suggesting that prenylation attenuates transport from the intestine to the circulation. After intragastric administration of PQ or Q to mice or rats, the area under the concentration-time curve for PQ in plasma and lymph was 52.5% and 37.5% lower than that of Q, respectively. PQ and its O-methylated form (MePQ) accumulated at much higher amounts than Q and O-methylated Q in the liver (Q: 3400%; MePQ: 7570%) and kidney (Q: 385%; MePQ: 736%) of mice after 18 d of feeding. These data suggest that prenylation enhances the accumulation of Q in tissues during long-term feeding, even though prenylation per se lowers its intestinal absorption from the diet

Effect of a two-year health program on brain function, physical fitness and blood chemistry

Background: Protocols for carrying out health programs for aged adults have not been clearly presented. Thus, the aim of this study is to examine the effects from the first year to the second year of the Matsumoto health promotion program and to make use of the results in future health promotion for elderly people.Method: The city of Matsumoto offered local residents a two-year health program which includethe use of a pedometer, anthropometry, blood pressure, go/no-go brain function, a physical fitness test and a blood chemistry test. Eighty-six elderly people age 65.9 ± 5.9 years participated in the program. All the participants were given pedometers and a target of 7,000 to 8,000 steps per day was set based on the weight-bearing index. During the first year, the participants did their walking exercise and attended a series of monthly seminars. Then the second year, the participants continued their walking exercise, attended series of monthly seminars and began a 2 hour weight training once a week.Result: The result from the pedometer in the first year showed that the average daily walking step was 6552.9 ± 474.2. The second year, the average daily walking steps was 7170.4 ± 547.9. The results from first year to second year showed significant improvement; the number of incorrect response in the go/no-go tasks (before: 5.3 times ± 0.4, after: 2.9 times ± 0.2, pConclusion: These results from the two-year program suggests that the increase in walking and the 2 hour weight training may reflect the influence of wearing a pedometer, and improved anthropometry, blood pressure, brain function, physical fitness and blood chemistry. However, the girth of the abdomen, handgrip strength and blood chemistry did not show significant improvement. Thus we must think about enlightenment program that wouldinclude muscular strength training and nutrition.ArticleJournal of Community Medicine & Health Education.5(3):349(2015)journal articl

マキハタヤマ ジョウエツ チホウ ニ オケル ショクセイ フクゲン コウ ゴ ノ ショクセイ ドウタイ

1980年から植生復元工が行われてきた巻機山の山頂付近(標高1,700～1,967m)に調査区を設け,植生復元工後の植生動態について調査した。その結果,施工時の播種工(法)や株移植に用いた植物材料に関わりなく,植生復元工後の植生は,1.御機山からニセ巻機周辺(標高1,800～1,900m)に多くみられたショウジョウスゲ-ヌマガヤ群落,2.池[トウ]等の湿地付近に多くみられたミヤマイヌノハナヒゲ-ヌマガヤ群落,3.標高1,900m以上の山頂付近に多くみられたヌマガヤ-ヒロハノコメススキ群落の3タイプに分けることができた。またショウジョウスゲ-ヌマガヤ群落ではショウジョウスゲが年数を経過した区で増加する等,自然植生の構成種が植生復元工の成否の指標となるべく知見を得た。We investigated the changes in vegetation at the top of Mt. Makihata, bordering Niigata and Gunma Prefectures (altitude : 1,800-1,967m), where revegetation has been in progress since 1980. Vegetation profiles after revegetation were found to be divided into three types : 1. Carex blepharicarpa-Moliniposis japonica community located at 1,800-1,900m, 2. Rhynchospora yasudana-Moliniposis japonica community located around ponds and marshy places, and 3. Moliniposis japonica-Deschampsia caespitosa var. festucaefolia community located on the peak of the mountain (1,900m). Classification results were not related to revegetation methods or the plants which had been used for revegetation. Particularly in the Carex blepharicarpa-Moliniposis japonica community, many Carex blepharicarpa, Narthecium asiaticum, and Schizocodon soldanelloides form. alpinus were observed after a certain period. These plants are used as indicators in order to assess the situation of revegetation