Background: Telemonitoring systems in cardiology have shown potential in improving chronic cardiovascular disease (CVD) management. This study aims to evaluate the impact of telemonitoring, mainly through mobile applications, on patient outcomes such as self-care, blood pressure control, quality of life, and hospitalization. Methods: We systematically reviewed studies assessing telemonitoring methods for patients with chronic CVD. The analysis included studies from various geographic regions and healthcare settings, focusing on qualitative outcomes without performing a meta-analysis. Results: Telemonitoring was found to aid in maintaining blood pressure and significantly enhance self-care abilities. Improvements in quality of life were observed in some studies, though results varied. Most studies indicated telemonitoring could effectively manage blood pressure and reduce hypertension-related complications. However, the heterogeneity of interventions and outcomes measured across trials posed challenges for a comprehensive meta-analysis. Conclusions: Integrating telemonitoring systems into routine care can significantly improve disease management and patient outcomes for chronic CVD patients. Future research should standardize telemonitoring interventions and outcome measures, conduct long-term studies, and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of these systems. Greater blindness in future randomized controlled trials and more studies on atrial fibrillation are also necessary. Significant potential exists for telemonitoring to improve patient outcomes and assist in managing chronic illnesses.

A model for enabling the production of lower carbon cement paste is proposed in this research. The model is based on predicting the strength of cement pastes with partial replacement of wheat straw ash (WSA) and silica fume (SF), two major wastes of agricultural and industrial production. The model is set up based on response surface methodology and Box-Behnken design, and included a suite of mechanical tests with distinct replacements following a micro an meso characterization. The model shows capability for predicting strength of any cement paste, including partial substitution of WSA and/or SF at any combination level with excellent accuracy, which is verified with three validation mixtures demonstrating maximum errors of less than 6% at the three ages. The analysis of the response surface evidences that any cement replacement in the range of 0-20% WSA and above 5% SF allows the reduction of the carbon footprint by maximizing the incorporation of both wastes. The proposed model can be used by setting the required strength of cement paste and calculating the maximum possible replacement, which should contribute to making the construction industry more sustainable by utilizing local waste.

This research investigates the fatigue behaviour and fracture mechanics of high-performance concrete (HPC), including various compositions such as HPC with basalt aggregates (HPC-B), HPC with gravel (HPC-G), and high-strength coarse mortar (CM) static and cyclic tensile loading within the special priority program SPP 2020. The study aims to integrate fracture mechanics into structural analysis to enhance design guidelines for slender cross-sections and safety-related high-performance structural components. The experimental investigations reveal HPC-B's re-markable superiority, displaying higher compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, and tensile strength compared to HPC-G and CM. A modified disk-shaped compact tension (MDCT) based on ASTM standards, aided by digital image correlation (DIC) unveils fracture behaviour, empha-sizing fracture energy as a crucial parameter. HPC-B exhibits improved crack resistance and notch sensitivity reduction attributed to crushed basalt aggregates and enhanced interfacial transition zone (ITZ). The research scrutinizes factors like material characterization, aggregate morphology, stress levels, and displacement rate on crack formation. High-cycle fatigue tests show HPC-B's superior performance, and post-fatigue analysis reveals enhanced residual fracture toughness attributed to nano-level structural changes, stress redistribution and aggregate-matrix interac-tion. 3D image analysis via Computed Tomography (CT) scans captures mesostructural crack propagation and provide quantitative insights. This study advances the understanding of HPC fatigue behaviour, emphasizing the interplay of aggregate types, morphologies, and their dy-namic response to cyclic loading, offering valuable insights for optimizing design guidelines and fostering innovation in structural engineering.

Lean body mass (LBM) is correlated with powerlifting performance in athletes competing in different bodyweight classes. However, it remains unknown whether changes in LBM are correlated with performance changes in powerlifters preparing for a competition. Aim of the study was to investigate the changes in LBM and performance in powerlifters preparing for a competition. Eight male powerlifters (age 31.7±9.8years, height 1.77±0.06m, weight 99.2±14.6kg) and three female powerlifters (age 32.7±16.3years, height 1.54±0.06m, weight 66.6±20.9kg), participated in the study. Athletes followed individualized periodized training programs for 12 weeks aiming to maximize their performance for the national championship. Maximum strength (1-RM) in squat, bench press, and deadlift, body composition, grip strength, anaerobic power, quadriceps’ cross sectional area and vastus lateralis muscle architecture were measured before and after the training period. Significant increases were found after the training period in squat (5.8±7.0%, P

Semi-Interlocking Masonry (SIM) represents an innovative building system developed at the Centre for Infrastructure Performance and Reliability at The University of Newcastle, Australia. This system employs a unique approach to interlocking mortar-less engineered masonry panels constructed from SIM units. These units are designed to offer substantial energy dissipation capacity, primarily attributed to the friction occurring on the sliding bed joints between the units within the panel during seismic events. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the viability of incorporating semi-interlocking masonry as infill panels in the construction of multi-storey buildings across diverse geographical locations with varying seismic conditions in Australia. To assess the feasibility of SIM panels in different conditions (according to Australian Standard AS1170) in Australia, a comprehensive analysis using Strand7 is conducted on a three-storey structure incorporating traditional masonry infill panels and SIM panels. The comparison of displacement and base shear capacities is carried out in response to seismic events across various scenarios in different locations within Australia. The insights gained from this comparative analysis contribute valuable information regarding the viability of implementing SIM as a contemporary construction material.

Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) show promising abilities for the delamination of multilayer packaging films that are used in food packaging and in pharmaceutical blister packs. Due to the complexity of their structure, the recycling of these materials is a challenging task, leading to the easiest or cheapest option, landfilling. Towards the development of ‘green’ solvents for the efficient waste management and recycling, the conducted research focuses on the preparation of a range of hydrophobic and hydrophilic DES based on carboxylic acids. Also, their chemical and physical characterization, such as DSC, rheometer and density measurements, was followed for the determination of their properties. The laminate packaging waste products that were tested were Al/PE, PE/Al/PET, Al/PE/paper and PVC/PE/Al. Different batches of solvent systems were tested based on various naturally derived aliphatic and aromatic organic compounds as well as amino acids. The separated films were collected and studied further for the examination of the delamination extend. Results showed full or partial delamination of some materials as well as challenges of solvent systems. Variables such as temperature, agitation rate, mixing time and solvents ratios were monitored and collected during the design of experimental process. The results showed that the used DESs can offer an efficient, low-energy, affordable and green option for the delamination tested packaging materials.

This study profiled morphological and laboratory-derived performance biomechanics by position of American style football players training for the National Football League draft. Fifty-five players were categorized into Big (e.g., lineman; n=17), Big-skill (e.g., tight end; n=11), and Skill (e.g., receiver; n=27) groups. Body fat (BF%), lean body mass (LBM), total body mass, running force and ground contact time (GCT), countermovement jump height (CMJ-JH), CMJ normalized peak power (CMJ-NPP), and reactive strength were measured in a laboratory. Asymmetry was calculated for running force, GCT, and CMJ eccentric and concentric impulse (IMP). MANOVA determined between-group differences, and radar plots for morphological and performance characteristics were created using Z-scores. There was a significant between-group difference, F(26,80)=5.70, p<0.001;Wilk’s Λ=0.123, partial η2=0.649. Fisher’s least squares difference post-hocs showed Skill had greater JH, CMJ-NPP, reactive strength, and running force versus Big but not Big-skill, p<0.05. Big had greater BF%, LBM, total body mass, and GCT than Skill and Big-Skill, p<0.05. Big-skill had greater GCT asymmetry than Skill and Big, p<0.05. Asymmetries in running forces, and CMJ eccentric and concentric IMP were not different, p>0.05. Morphological and performance biomechanics differences are pronounced between Skill and Big. Big-skill possess characteristics from both groups. Laboratory-derived results provide specialized profiles of draft trainees.

This study addresses the enhancement of material efficiency and reduction of brittleness in timber-to-concrete adhesive connections for beam-type timber and timber-concrete composite panels. The research explores the potential benefits of adding longitudinal timber ribs to Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) beam-type panels. Three groups of flexure-tested specimens were analysed: (1) timber panels (1400 mm × 400 mm) with two 100 mm thick CLT panels and two 60 mm thick CLT panels reinforced with 150x80 mm timber ribs; (2) eight specimens (600 mm × 100 mm × 150 mm) with CLT members (600 mm × 100 mm × 100 mm) connected to a 50 mm concrete layer using granite chips and Sikadur-31 (AB) epoxy adhesive; (3) six CLT panels (1400 mm × 400 mm × 50 mm) bonded to a 50 mm concrete layer, with two panels containing polypropylene microfibers and two panels incorporating polyethene dowels for mechanical connection. Specimens were subjected to three-point bending tests and analysed using the transformed section method, γ-method, and finite element method with ANSYS 2023R2 software. Results indicated a 53% increase in load-carrying capacity for ribbed CLT panels with no additional material consumption, a 24.8%-41.1% increase for CLT panels strengthened with a concrete layer, and improved ductility and prevention of disintegration in timber-concrete composites with polypropylene microfibers.

The literature offers limited information on the effect of obesity on the rate of force development, a critical parameter for mobility in older adults. The objectives of this study were; to explore the influence of obesity on RFD in older adults and to examine the association between this neuromuscular parameter and walking speed. 42 older adults were classified into two groups: the control group (CG, n=22; age=81.13±4.02 years; Body mass index (BMI)=25.13±3.35 kg/m²), and the obese group (OG, n=20; age=77.71±2.95 years; BMI=34.46±3.25 kg/m²). Walking speed (m/s) was measured using the 10-meter walking test. Neuromuscular parameters of the plantar flexors were evaluated during a maximal voluntary contraction test using a dynamometer. The RFD was calculated from the linear slop of the force – time curve in two phases: from the onset of the contraction to 50 ms (RFD50-100) and from 100 to 200 ms (RFD100-200). The gait speed was lower in the OG compared to the CG (p

This paper presents a new semi-explicit algorithm for parameters estimation in a time-fractional generalization of dual-phase-lag heat conduction model with the Caputo fractional derivatives. It is shown that this model can be derived from a general linear constitutive relation for the heat transfer by conduction when the heat conduction relaxation kernel contains the Mittag-Leffler function. The model can be used to describe heat conduction phenomena in a material with power-law memory. The proposed algorithm of parameters estimation is based on the time integral characteristics method. The explicit representations of the thermal diffusivity and the fractional analogues of the thermal relaxation time and the thermal retardation are obtained via a Laplace transform of the temperature field and utilized in the algorithm. An implicit relation is derived for the order of fractional differentiation. In the algorithm, this relation is resolved numerically. An example illustrates the proposed technique.

Microscopic vision plays an important role in automated micro-assembly. However, some uncertain factors in the assembly process, such as occlusion and stains can lead to the mistakes of feature extraction. Herein, to solve the problem, the deep learning techniques are introduced into the feature recognition tasks, focusing on the attention mechanism and visualizing CNNs for DL-based microscopic vision. The main contributions are summarized as follows: The CBAM attention mechanism is combined with the YOLOv5 algorithm to improve the accuracy and robustness of feature extraction. The micropart feature occlusion experiment results show that at 70% occlusion degree, YOLOV5-CBAM can reach 97.9% [email protected], which is 4.6% higher than the original one. Visualization analysis of DL-based model is conducted using Grad-CAM to make the decision result more transparent and avoid potential visual detection risks during assembly. The heatmap matching degree between GT area and high-light area is increased by 27.81% on average, which further verify the effectiveness of attention mechanism in micropart feature localization. Additionally, micropart surface stain and droplet quality classification models based on ResNet50 are trained to replace the manual sorting. The visual results are consistent with human eye discernment and judgement, confirming the reliability of parts and droplets sorting.

The optimal combination of five components to develop a concrete for high-temperature applications was studied through a response surface methodology known as mixture design of experiment. The selected components were water, an alkali-activated binder based on ferronickel slag activated with potassium silicate and potassium hydroxide, and three aggregate sizes corresponding to 0-4 mm, 4-8 mm, and 8-16 mm. Selected response parameters were slump and compressive strength before and after heat exposure. Six cubes of side 150 mm were cast for each concrete mix, three for ambient and three for residual (post-heat exposure) compressive strength. All 20 concrete mixes were exposed to a thermal load of 600 °C for two hours. The optimal concrete mix was adapted for large-scale applications, by increasing slump and replacing limestone with olivine aggregates for enhanced residual compressive strength. The adapted mix resulted in concrete with 76 MPa and 32 MPa compressive strength before and after high-temperature exposure. The CO2 emissions were found to be 77 % lower when compared to traditional OPC concrete.

UHPC is a type of cement-based composite used in new construction and/or rehabilitation of existing buildings to extend service life. It is a novel composite material that can serve as an alternative to concrete construction in hostile climates. Following decades of study and production, a diverse variety of commercial UHPC compositions are now available globally to meet the rising number of applicants and demand for high-quality building materials. Although UHPC offers major benefits over normal concrete, its utilization is restricted due to restrictive design rules and exorbitant costs. As a result, a thorough examination of the durability properties of UHPC is required to give important information for material testing requirements and processes, as well as to broaden its practical uses. This report is aimed at increasing basic understanding of UHPC and supporting more UHPC research and applications.

Surveys on the optimum seismic design of structures reveal that many investigations focus on how to minimize its initial cost while satisfying the performance constraints. Although reducing the initial cost while complying with the requirements of earthquake design codes of practice will significantly guarantee the life safety of occupants against earthquakes, it may still cause considerable economic losses to residents and fatalities. Accordingly, calculating the possible earthquake damages caused during the structure's lifetime may become essential from the optimal Life Cycle Cost (LCC) design point of view. LCC analysis is used to evaluate economic feasibility including construction, operation, occupancy, maintenance and end-of-life costs. For optimization, the population-based, meta-heuristic algorithm based on the Ideal Gas Molecular Movement (IGMM), has established its capability in solving highly nonlinear mono and multi-objective engineering problems. Therefore, this paper investigates the LCC -based mono and multi-objective optimum design of a 3-D four-story concrete building structure combined with the Endurance Time (ET) competence. The results show that, apart from substantially reducing the total number of analyses required, the proposed technique significantly affected dipping minor injury cost, rental, and income costs by 22%, 16%, and 16%, respectively. In total, a 10% reduction in all structural life-cycle costs was achieved, which could well be considered significant.

Although Sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) has good cementitious property, previous researchers have primarily aimed to improve the mechanical performance of conventional concrete or cement-based composites. Research is lacking on ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC), especially regarding tensile self-sensing properties. This paper aimed to comprehensively evaluate the SCBA effect on the UHPC’s mechanical, electrical, and tensile self-sensing properties. The results showed that SCBA below the critical incorporation concentration (CIC) improved the UHPC’s mechanical properties compared to steel fibers alone. Furthermore, adding 3.0wt% SCBA remarkably enhanced the UHPC mechanical properties where the compressive, flexural, and tensile strengths increased by 13.1%, 17.4%, and 20.6%, respectively. The SCBA content of 0.3wt% achieved the maximum UHPC electrical resistivity since values smaller or greater than this content decreased the resistivity. The SCBA-enhanced UHPC showed better tensile stress-sensing performance than UHPC without SCBA due to improved linearity and reversibility, lower hysteresis, higher sensitivity, and superior repeatability. UHPC with 0.3wt% SCBA achieved the best linearity, while UHPC with 0.9wt% SCBA showed the highest sensitivity, lowest hysteresis, and best repeatability. Overall, the content of 0.9wt% SCBA is the best in improving the overall mechanical, electrical, and tensile self-sensing performance.

Among earth’s microbial populations are the genes, functional capacities, generational memory and sentient cognition that enable microorganisms to adapt and thrive in the full range of ecological conditions found on planet earth. In prior sequential publications, we considered fundamental properties (e.g., use of and responses to sound, light, vibrations) and features of microorganisms that cause them to be critical co-partners of human and other holobionts as well as the potential benefits for humanity that can be gained by fully applying quantum-related and novel capacities of microbial life. In this narrative review we: 1) discuss key concepts concerning a microbially-enhanced and sustainable future, and 2) focus on electric- and magnetic- based features of microorganisms that make them pivotal for myriad benefits ranging from beyond pharma-based health and wellness to free- and/or renewable energy and restorative agriculture to improved human networking. While the benefits are many, the risks posed by hazardous electric or magnetic field exposures to both holobionts and microbial communities are significant. This review concludes that microbes and their remarkable capacities offer both humanity and the planet a much brighter future if we reverse the demonization of microbes and wanton microbiome degradation that has predominated much of the past century.

Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) is a highly all-important material renowned for its exceptional physical and chemical properties, and it is extensively utilized in various industries such as con-struction, piping, cable insulation and medical equipment. The cross-linking process of polyethylene involves chemical or physical bonding of polymer chains to enhance its resistance to heat, chemicals and mechanical stress. This study offers a comprehensive overview of recent research and potential advancements in this field, with a particular focus on the development of efficient techniques and environmentally sustainable cross-linking systems. It evaluates the opportunities and challenges faced by cross-linked polyethylene materials across diverse applications, providing valuable insights for future research in this area.

The objective of this work is to study the physical and mechanical behavior of concrete with the addition of 0.5% and 1.0% of coconut fibers subjected to two chemical treatments in order to reduce their degradation and optimize their use in the elaboration of concrete specimens, which must comply with the standards of the American Society for Testing of Materials (ASTM), the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and the Instituto Ecuatoriano de Normalización (INEN). The coconut fibers were obtained from the raw material by hand and cut to a length of 4 cm. Subsequently, the coconut fibers were subjected to two chemical treatments: The first treatment is the immersion of the coconut fibers in 4% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution and the second treatment, the coconut fibers were immersed in gum arabic to consequently coat them with silica fume. A particular dosage was carried out with a proportion of 0.5% and 1.0% volume of coconut fiber for the two chemical treatments, replacing the volume of coarse aggregate. Simple concrete joists were made without fiber and with the post-treatment coconut fibers, which were subjected to flexural tests. The results indicated that the best chemical treatment is sodium hydroxide with a concentration of 4% and 1.0% coconut fiber for strengths of 210 kg/cm² and 240 kg/cm². In general, the joists with coconut fiber treated with sodium hydroxide outperformed the fibers treated with gum arabic and silica fume.

UHPC is a cement-based composite that is used in new construction and/or renovation of existing structures to increase their service life. It is a unique composite material that may be used as an alternative to concrete in harsh conditions. Following decades of research and development, a wide range of commercial UHPC compositions are now accessible across the world to fulfill the growing number of applications and demand for high-quality construction materials. Although UHPC has significant advantages over conventional concrete, its use is limited because of rigid design restrictions and excessive pricing. As a consequence, a detailed analysis of UHPC's durability qualities is necessary to provide critical information for material testing requirements and methods, as well as to widen its practical applications. The goal of this study is to learn more about UHPC and to encourage more research and use of UHPC.

The application of distributed fiber optic strain and temperature measurement can be utilized to address a multitude of measurement tasks across a diverse range of fields, particularly in the context of structural health monitoring in the domains of building construction, civil engineering, and special foundation engineering. However, a comprehensive understanding of the influences on the measurement method and the sensors is essential to prevent misinterpretations or measurement deviations. In this context, this study investigated the effects of moisture exposure, including various salt solutions and a high pH value, on a distributed strain measurement using Rayleigh backscattering. Three fiber optic sensors with different coating materials and one uncoated fiber were exposed to five different solutions for 24 hours. The study revealed significant discrepancies in deformation between the three coating types depending on the surrounding solution. Furthermore, in contrast to the prevailing literature, which predominantly describes swelling effects, a negative deformation was observed in a magnesium chloride solution. The findings of this study indicate that corresponding effects can impact the precision of measurement, potentially leading to misinterpretations. Conversely, these effects could be used to conduct large-scale monitoring of chemical components using distributed fiber optic sensing.

Isothermal interrupted hot compression tests of 5754 aluminum were conducted on Gleeble-3500 thermo-mechanical simulator at temperature 350 °C and 450 °C, strain rate 0.1 s-1 and 1s−1. These tests simulated flat rolling to investigate how softening behaviors respond to controlled parameters, such as deformation temperature, strain rate and delay times. This data allowed the parameters for the hot rolling process to be optimized. The delay times during interrupted compression vary between 5s and 60s. The dynamic softening at each pass and metadynamic recrystallization at the intervals of deformation passes were analyzed in detail. 0.2% offset yield strength is applied to calculate the softening fraction undergoing metadynamic recrystallization. A kinetic model was developed to describe metadynamic recrystallization behaviors of the hot deformed 5754 aluminum alloy. Furthermore, the time constant for 50% recrystallization was expressed as functions related to the temperature and the strain rate. The experimental and calculated results were found to be in close agreement, which verified the developed model.

A comprehensive modeling framework for the thermoforming of polymer matrix woven laminate composite was developed. Two numerical indicators, the slip path length and traction magnitude, have been identified to be positively correlated to matrix smearing and wrinkling defects. The material model has been calibrated with picture-frame experimental results, and the prediction accuracy for intra-ply shear and thickness distribution were examined with measurements on the physically formed parts. Finally, a parametric study was conducted to determine the relationship between various process parameters and the quality of the formed part. For the trapezoidal part, orienting the laminate at 45-degrees to the mold axis reduces the likelihood of matrix smear and wrinkling defects. Although this laminate orientation yielded a greater spatial variation of part thickness, the thickness deviation is lower than that for the 0-degree orientation case. Higher forming rates were found to result in more defects due to increased slip path lengths and traction magnitudes. Optimal forming speeds should balance rapid shaping within the operating temperature window while avoiding tear. It was discovered that shallower molds benefit from faster ramp rates, while deeper molds require slower rates to manage extensive shearing, stretching, and bending. Faster forming rates lead to smaller thickness increases at high intra-ply shear regions, indicating a shift from intra-ply shear to out-of-plane bending due to the visco-plastic effect of the molten laminate, and can negatively impact part quality. Lastly, it was shown that a well-conceived strategy using darts could improve the part quality by reducing the magnitude of the defect indicators.

The bending performance of a basalt-polypropylene fiber-reinforced concrete (HBPFRC) was characterized by testing 24 400×100×100 mm3 prismatic specimens in a four-point bending test JSCE-SF4 configuration. The type and content of both fibers was varied in order to guarantee different target levels of post-cracking flexural performance. The results evidenced that mono-micro basalt fiber reinforced concrete (BFRC) allows the increase of the flexural strength (pre-cracking stage), while macro polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete can effectively improve both bearing capacity and ductility of the composite for a wide crack width range. Compared with the plain concrete specimens, flexural toughness and equivalent flexural strength of macro polypropylene fiber-reinforced concrete (PPFRC) and the hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete (HFRC) increased by 3.7~7.1 times and 10%~42.5%, respectively. From both technical and economic points of view, the optimal mass ratio of basalt fiber to polypropylene fiber resulted to be 1:2, with a total content of 6 kg/m3. This HFRC is seen as a suitable material to be used in sewerage pipes where cracking control (crack formation and crack width control) is of paramount importance to guarantee the durability and functionality of the pipeline as well as the ductility of the system in case of local failures.

3D-printing with foam concrete, which is known for its distinct physical and mechanical properties, has not yet been purposefully investigated. The article at hand presents a methodological approach for the mixture design of 3D-printable foam concretes and a systematic investigation of the potential application of this type of material in digital construction. Three different foam concrete compositions with water-to-binder ratios between 0.33 and 0.36 and having densities of 1100 to 1580 kg/m³ in the fresh state were produced with a pre-foaming technique using a protein-based foaming agent. Based on the fresh-state tests, including 3D-printing as such, an optimum composition was identified and its compressive and flexural strengths were characterised. The printable foam concrete showed compressive strength above 10 MPa and low thermal conductivity, which make it suitable for 3D-printing applications, while fulfilling both load-carrying and insulating functions.

The vast array of interconnected microbes across earth’s ecosystems and within holobionts has been called the “Internet of Microbes.” Research into the fundamental microbial properties has demonstrated that bacteria and archaea are masters of energy and information collection, storage, transformation, and dissemination using both “wired” and wireless (at a distance) capacities. These features suggest that microbes are quantum entangled within and between earth’s holobionts, and that specific tools affecting energy and information functions could provide an effective strategy for managing microbial populations. Microbes use four critically important microbial networking functions (sound, light, electricity, and magnetism). This narrative review focuses on microbial management based on two of the four: sound and light (as well as related vibrations). These are examined as: 1) tools for managing microbial populations, 2) tools to support new technologies, and 3) tools for healing humans and other holobionts. Given microbial sensitivity to sound, light, and vibrations, it is critical that microbial populations and microbe-laden holobionts are protected from potentially damaging exposures. We conclude that sound, light, and vibrations are useful therapeutic tools that can help support useful microbial populations and help to address ongoing challenges of holobiont disease.

The digital model of airborne frequency selective surface radomes (AFSSRs) is the basis of design, simulation analysis, manufacturing, and other related research of AFSSRs. This paper proposes a rapid modeling method of AFSSRs based on dynamic customizable primitives. Firstly, a layered digital model construction scheme of AFSSR is presented based on the typical radome wall structure. Then, according to the characteristics of various surface configurations and complex wireframe information of AFSSRs, the dynamic primitives are raised to express the boundary and contour information of all kinds of radomes. Focusing on the undevelopable characteristics of the aero-dynamic shape surface of the AFSSR, the arrangement solution and mapping method for frequency selective elements on undevelopable surfaces are proposed. Furthermore, the imple-mentation logic of this method on the creation of each layer model and the assembly of the whole machine model is introduced. Finally, according to this method, a rapid modeling system (RMS) is established, and the modeling effect and efficiency of the RMS are demonstrated and compared, which verifies the feasibility and effectiveness of this method.

Nowadays, in order to improve asphalt pavement performance, durability and reduce environmental pollution caused by asphalt binder, many researchers are studying to modify asphalt concrete (AC) and find alternative paving materials to extend service life of asphalt pavement. One of the successful materials used in a modification of AC are fibers. Different types of fibers have been reinforced in AC mixture and improvements have been observed. This research studies the performance of glass wool fiber reinforced in a dense-graded asphalt mixture. Generally, glass fibers are known to have excellent mechanical properties such as high tensile modulus, 100% elastic recovery and a very high tolerance to heat. The glass wool fibers are commonly used as a thermal insulation material. In this research to evaluate the performance of glass wool fiber in AC, laboratory tests Marshall mix design test, Indirect tensile strength (IDT), Tensile strength ratio (TSR) and Kim test were conducted to determine a proper mix design, tensile properties, moisture susceptibility, rutting and fatigue behaviors. Results show that addition of glass wool fibers does affect the properties of AC mixture. The use of glass wool fibers showed a positive consistence results, in which it improved the moisture susceptibility and rutting resistance of the AC. Also result showed addition of fiber increased tensile strength and toughness which indicates that fibers have a potential to resist distresses that occur on a surface of the road as a result of heavy traffic loading. The overall results showed that addition of glass wool fiber in AC mixture is beneficial in improving properties of AC pavements.

HDPE (high-density polyethene) plastic waste is stronger, harder, and more resistant to high temperatures than other plastics. Using it as an additive in a concrete mixture is one solution to reduce this type of waste. We examined how HDPE-type plastics can be used as an additive material in the manufacture of concrete to improve its hardness, tensile strength and compressive strength. Using 156 samples, we aimed to identify the effect of HDPE plastic fibres on concrete of three qualities; B0, f'c10 MPa (low quality), and f'c25 MPa (medium and high quality). We added four compositions (2.5%, 5%, 10% and 20% by weight of cement) of HDPE plastic fibre to each quality of cement, with HDPE plastic fibre sizes of 1 x 1 cm, 0.5 x 2 cm or 0.25 x 4 cm. We found that the addition of 5% HDPE plastic fibre with a 0.5 x 2 cm cross-sectional shape to the f'c10 MPa concrete gives the best result, with increased tensile and compressive strength of the concrete.

Polyphenols and fermentable fibers have shown favorable effects on gut microbiota composition and metabolic function. However, few studies have investigated whether combining multiple fermentable fibers or polyphenols may have additive beneficial effects on gut microbial states. Here, an in vitro fer-mentation model, seeded with human stool combined from 30 healthy volunteers, was supplemented with blends of polyphenols (PP), dietary fibers (FB) or their combination (PPFB) to determine influence on gut bacteria growth dynamics and select metabolite changes. PP and FB blends independently lead to significant increases in the absolute abundance of select beneficial taxa, namely Ruminococcus bromii, Bifidobacterium spp., Lactobacillus spp. and Dorea spp. Total short chain fatty acid concentrations, relative to non-supplemented control (F), increased significantly with PPFB and FB supplementation, but not PP. Indole and ammonia concentrations decreased with FB and PPFB supplementation, but not PP alone while increased antioxidant capacity was only evident with both PP and PPFB. These findings demonstrated that, while the independent blends displayed selective positive impacts on gut states, combination of both blends provided an additive effect. The work outlines the potential of mixed substrate blends to elicit a broader positive influence on gut microbial composition and function to build resiliency toward dysbiosis.

Acoustic emission monitoring (AEM) has emerged as an effective technique for detecting wire-breaks resulting from, e.g., stress corrosion cracking, and its application on prestressed concrete bridges is increasing. The success of this monitoring measure depends crucially on a carefully designed sensor layout. For this the attenuation of elastic waves within the structure’s material is determined ideally in-situ through object-related measurements with a reproducible signal source, typically a rebound-hammer. This assumes that the attenuation coefficients derived from rebound-hammer tests are comparable to those from wire-breaks, thus allowing their results to be directly applied to wire-break detection without further adjustments. This study challenges this assumption by analysing attenuation behaviour through an extensive dataset. Employing time-domain and frequency analysis, the research generates attenuation profiles from laboratory experiments and in-situ measurements across various girders and bridge structures, extracting the slope and standard deviation of the residuals. While generally validating this approach, the findings highlight differences in attenuation behaviour from among wire-break signals and rebound-hammer impulses, whereby the latter potentially underestimates the relevant attenuation of wire-breaks by approximately 20 %. Consequently, a transfer factor is proposed to adjust object-related measurement results for wire-break scenarios, including a variance of 1.0 dB/m to cover a 95 % confidence interval for sample scattering. Moreover, the anisotropic attenuation behaviour across different structures was studied, showing that transverse attenuation consistently exceeds the longitudinal, significantly influenced by structural features such as voids. In prefabricated concrete bridges with in-situ-cast concrete slabs, transverse signal transmission remains unhindered across multiple elements. Finally, the results provide a valuable reference for the design of sensor layouts in bridge monitoring, particularly benefiting scenarios where direct in-situ experiences are lacking.

The strengthening of existing columns using additional Reinforced Concrete (RC) jackets is one of the most popular techniques for the enhancement of column’s stiffness, load bearing capacity and ductility. Important parameters affecting the effectiveness of this method are the strength of the additional concrete, the concrete shrinkage and the connection between the old and the new con-crete. In this study the application of Ultra High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) jackets for the structural upgrade of RC columns has been examined. Extensive numerical study has been conducted to evaluate the effect of parameters such as the thickness of the jacket, the concrete shrinkage and the addition of steel bars and comparisons have been made with conventional RC jackets. The results of this study indicate that the use of UHPFRC can considerably im-prove the strength and the stiffness of existing RC columns. The combination of UHPFRC and steel bars in the jacket leads to the most effective strengthening technique as a significant enhancement of the stiffness and the ultimate load capacity has been achieved.

The rheological properties of a polyamide (PA) resin with low crystallinity were modified by melt-mixing it with a small amount of an alternative a-olefin–maleic anhydride copolymer as a reactive compound. Because PA has a low melting point, rheological characterization was performed over a wide temperature range. Owing to the reaction between PA and the alternative a-olefin–maleic anhydride copolymer, the blend sample behaved as a long-chain branched polymer in the molten state. The thermo-rheological complexity was obvious owing to large flow activation energy values in the low modulus region. The primary normal stress difference under steady shear was greatly increased in the wide shear rate range, leading to a large swell ratio at capillary extrusion. Furthermore, strain hardening in the transient elongational viscosity, which is responsible for favorable processability, was clear. Because this is a simple modification method, it will be widely employed to modify the rheological properties of various polyamide resins.

The performance of OpenFOAM in strong scaling tests on HPC systems with AMD EPYC processors exhibits a pronounced superlinear speedup. Simple test cases show superlinear speedups of over 300%, which significantly impacts the efficient use of computing resources. With the last generation of HPC architectures, a superlinear speedup of about 10% to 20% was well expected and accepted by CFD users. The measured superlinear speedup is much more pronounced and withstands the communication overhead to even larger scales. A detailed performance analysis of OpenFOAM follows, employing various High-Performance Computing (HPC) architectures, including AMD, ARM and Intel systems. The performance metric FVOPS (Finite VOlumes solved Per Second) is introduced to compare the performance of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) applications when varying the grid size, as occurs in a strong scaling test. The achievable FVOPS depends on various factors, including the simulation type, boundary conditions, and especially the grid size of a use case. Analysing FVOPS on a single node level with varying grid size shows a significant difference in performance and cache utilization, which explains the large superlinear speedups seen in the strong scaling tests. Furthermore, FVOPS can be used as a simple benchmark to determine the optimal number of grid elements per rank to simulate a given use case at peak efficiency on a given platform, resulting in time, energy, and cost savings. The FVOPS metric also facilitates the direct comparison between different HPC architectures. The tests using AMD, ARM, and Intel processors show a peak in performance when employing around 10,000 grid elements per core. The presence of a large L3 cache on AMD processors is particularly advantageous, as indicated by L3 cache miss rates observed on AMD EPYC processors. Our results suggest that future HPC architectures with larger caches and higher memory bandwidth would benefit the CFD community.

Mutual exclusion algorithms are at the heart of concurrent, distributed/parallel, real-time and operating systems. It is well-known that such algorithms are very difficult to analyze and in the literature different conjectures about starvation-freedom and the number of by-passes (also said the overtaking factor), which in turn affects the (hopefully) bounded waiting time that a process competing for entering the critical section has to suffer before accessing the shared resource, have been formulated for specific algorithms. This paper proposes a novel modelling approach based on Timed Automata and the Uppaal toolset, which proves effective for studying all the properties of a mutual exclusion algorithm for N≥2 processes, by exhaustive model checking. Although the approach, as already confirmed by similar experiments reported in the literature, is not scalable due to state explosion problems, and can be practically applied until N≤5, it is of great value for revealing true properties of analyzed algorithms. For dimensions N>5 the statistical model checker of Uppaal can be used which, although based on simulations, can confirm properties by estimations and probabilities. The paper describes the proposed modelling and verification method and applies it to several mutual exclusion algorithms, thus retrieving known properties but also showing new results about properties often studied only by peer-review and intuitive reasoning.

This research seeks to solve the multi-faceted problem of waste disposal by analyzing the application of waste plastic and tyre material within non-structural concrete to ensure more sustainability and less environmental degradation. Study focusses on material properties including specific gravity, water absorption and bulk density and characteristics of the concrete that is produced by the utilization of the above waste aggregates including workability, compressive strength, flexural strength and tensile strength. This paper employs secondary data collection and MATLAB in the analysis of the findings pointing to the fact that the mechanical properties reduce with the level of waste content yet emphasizing the green aspect of such materials. Thus, a complex and diverse effect is demonstrated by the life cycle assessments (LCA) for global warming, ozone depletion, terrestrial ecotoxicity, and acidification. Furthermore, the utilization of waste materials decreases the compressive, flexural, and tensile strength, but it provides distinct ecological benefits which prove the importance of proper mix proportions for concrete performance. The outcomes of this research will be useful for further investigation in the application of the concept as well as to call for the development of new ideas for the improvement of bonding of wastes to aggregates in concrete.

A single paragraph of about 200 words maximum. For research articles, abstracts should give a Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) has gained worldwide popularity because of its notable mechanical response. This research studied the compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, and flexural tensile strength of UHPC. Batches were made with the addition of steel and PVA fibers using a standard procedure defined in the research. The experimental data from the compressive strength test was analyzed in the Statistica 10 software to investigate the fibers' influence on UHPC's mechanical properties. An analysis of the elastic modulus prediction was carried out according to international standards. It was found that the normalized equations for the elastic modulus are not adequate for its estimation. The statistical analysis indicated that the range of fiber quantities analyzed did not significantly affect the compressive strength and the elastic modulus. Regarding the optimized mix, its flexural tensile strength indicates that the fiber content must be higher for UHPC to be suitable for structural use.

This paper seeks to optimize the mechanical and durability properties of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC). To meet this objective, concrete specimens were manufactured by using 1,100 kg/m3 of binder, water/binder ratio 0.20, silica sand and last generation of superplasticizer. Silica fume, metakaolin and two types of nano silica were used for improving the performances of the concrete. Additional mixtures included 13mm long OL steel fibers. Compressive strength, electrical resistivity, mercury intrusion porosimetry tests and differential and thermogravimetric thermal analysis were carried out. The binary combination of nano silica and metakaolin, and the ternary combination of nano silica with metakaolin and silica fume, led to the best performances of the UHPC, both mechanical and durable performances.

This research paper investigates the enhancement of strength and performance of self-compacting concrete (SCC) for integration in Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects using a value engineering approach. The study explores key elements of SCC's strength and performance, including mix design optimization, construction practices, and durability considerations. Strategies to optimize SCC's strength, durability, and workability are discussed, emphasizing the benefits of SCC in improving construction efficiency and quality control within DPW infrastructure. The study also identifies challenges and gaps in SCC utilization, such as standardized performance verification and cost considerations, and proposes future directions for advancing SCC technology in civil infrastructure development.

Fiber-reinforced mycelium (FRM) composites offer an innovative and sustainable approach to construction materials for architectural structures. Mycelium, the root structure of fungi, can be combined with various natural fibers (NF) to create a strong and lightweight material with environmental benefits. Incorporating NF like hemp, jute, or bamboo into the mycelium matrix enhances mechanical properties. This combination results in a composite that boasts enhanced strength, flexibility, and durability. Natural FRM composites offer sustainability through the utilization of agricultural waste, reducing the carbon footprint compared to conventional construction materials. Additionally, the lightweight yet strong nature of the resulting material makes it versatile for various construction applications, while its inherent insulation properties contribute to improved energy efficiency in buildings. Developing and adopting natural FRM composites showcase a promising step towards sustainable and eco-friendly construction materials. Ongoing research and collaboration between scientists, engineers, and the construction industry will likely lead to further improvements and expanded applications. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the current research and applications of natural FRM composite for innovative and sustainable construction materials. Additionally, the paper reviews the mechanical properties and potential impacts of these natural FRM composites in the context of sustainable architectural construction practices. Recently, the relevance of mycelium-based materials has extended beyond their original fields of microbiology and mycology to architecture.

This paper aims to determine the effect of local corrosion at three different corrosion areas, the 1. entire area, 2. constant moment area, and 3. constant shear area, on the flexural performance of RC beams. To analyze this, an experimental study was carried out to prepare two series of RC beams (200×300×2800mm) created with three different degree of corrosion inducing local rebar corrosion. Furthermore, two-series of experimental tests were conducted under different loading types by monotonic and cyclic loading. It was observed that strength capacity reduction grows in the order of the corroded RC specimens induced: the 1. entire area > 2. constant moment area > 3. constant shear area, as the average corrosion rate increases. Our test results further show that the yield and ultimate strength was kept nearly equivalent to the uncorroded RC specimen by the average corrosion rate of 10% and 15%, respectively. Over these corrosion rates, the yield strength and ultimate strength dropped significantly. Compared to test results under a monotonic loading condition, the structural capacity under a cyclic loading condition decreased with a more pronounced tendency for each corrosion case as the corrosion rate increased. A longitudinal crack was developed throughout and adjacent to the corrosion areas, as the corrosion rate increased. Thus, we can infer that strength reduction may be strongly influenced by this longitudinal crack.

Non-compliant (NC) structures are often encountered in building construction in developing countries. This is a condition whereby erected buildings do not follow regulatory standards, especially in the provision of reinforcements. Therefore, under an earthquake load, the structures do not have sufficient resistance against such load. The structural elements of the building, which often have NC conditions, are the beam-column joints because they do not contain adequate shear reinforcements due to installation difficulty. This study aims to determine the structural performance of the reinforced concrete (RC) frame, which has a reinforcement deficiency in the beam-column joints. Numerical simulation was conducted on the Kakaletsis structure model by modifying the reinforcement details at the joints to represent the NC conditions. The non-linear modeling and analysis of the structural model were carried out using ATENA software. The analysis showed that the reduction in shear reinforcements in the NC model joint caused a decrease in load-carrying capacity by about 26.04%. A shift was also observed in the collapse pattern, i.e., from the beam to the end of the column, causing global failure and reducing the undamaged but increasing more severely damaged condition. This showed that the NC structure, due to the non-conformance of reinforcement, significantly reduced the structure's performance.

Structures inevitably suffer damages after an earthquake, with their severity ranging from minimal damages to non-structural elements to partial or even total collapse, possibly with loss of human lives. Thus, it is essential for engineers to understand the crucial factors that drive a structure towards suffering higher degrees of damage, so that preventative measures can be taken. In the present study, we focus on three well-known damage thresholds, namely Collapse Limit State, Ultimate Limit State and Serviceability Limit State and analyze which of the features obtained via Rapid Visual Screening, determine whether or not a given structure will cross that threshold. To this end, we use Machine Learning to perform binary classification for each damage threshold, as well as Explainability via SHAP values (acronym for SHapley Additive exPlanations) to quantify the effect of each parameter. The quantitative results obtained demonstrate the potential applicability of ML methods to re-calibrate the computation of structural vulnerability indices using data from recent earthquakes.

Objectives: To compare the effects of high-velocity resistance training to slow-velocity re-sistance training on neuromuscular and functional parameters and to analyze the relationship between changes in walking speed and improvements in neuromuscular parameters following intervetions. Methods: 40 participants were randomly assigned to either a high-speed resistance training group (GHS, n = 18; age = 80.41 ± 10.12 years; BMI = 23.81 ± 3.45 kg/m²) or a low-speed resistance training group (GLS, n = 22; age = 82.89 ± 5.32 years; BMI = 23.81 ± 3.45 kg/m²). Before and after the interventions, gait speed (m/s) was assessed using a 10-minute walking test, and relative maximal force (Relative F max, N/kg) was evaluated during maximal voluntary isometric con-traction of the plantar flexors. From the force-time curve, early (0 – 50 ms) and late (100 – 200 ms) rates of force development (RFD) were extracted from the linear slopes (Δ force / Δ time). Results: Gait speed significantly improved in both groups (p < 0.05). However, the improvement was more pronounced in the GHS compared to the GLS (p < 0.05). Relative Fmax showed a more significant increase in the GLS than in the GHS (p < 0.05). Moreover, a significant 10% increase in early RFD in the GLS and a 20.1% increase in the GHS were observed (p < 0.05). The improvement in early RFD was greater in the GHS (p < 0.05). Additionally, late RFD improved significantly only in the GHS (+20.4%, p < 0.05). Conclusion: High-velocity resistance training appears particularly effective in improving the ability to rapidly generate force, which is essential for many daily activities re-quiring explosive movements and quick responses.

As a representative of Exponential Organizations, MI went from obscurity to the Fortune 500 in just ten years. Mi's success is inextricably linked to its outstanding business model. This paper summarizes the elements of MI's business model from four perspectives: value proposition, value creation, value delivery, and value capture, as well as its measures for developing into an exponential organization. Expecting to provide theoretical references for the transformation and upgrading of manufacturing organizations.

In recent years, extensive research has focused on investigating rubberized concrete as a structural material due to its enhanced properties, including increased ductility, improved energy dissipation, and higher damping ratios. Additionally, rubberized concrete contributes to sustainable development by recycling non-biodegradable waste and reducing the use of natural aggregates in concrete mixtures. However, its performance in retrofitting existing structures remains unclear and requires thorough investigation before it can be widely implemented in construction activities. The main objective of this research is to evaluate the seismic performance of reinforced concrete buildings strengthened with rubberized concrete jackets under severe earthquake excitations. To achieve this, laboratory tests were conducted to assess the properties of high-performance, self-compacting rubberized concrete mixes with various rubber content levels. Additionally, finite element models of reinforced concrete retrofitted with these mixes were analyzed using nonlinear response history analysis to compare their performance against control models. The results of this experimental work indicate a significant reduction in the mechanical properties of rubberized concrete. However, there is a considerable improvement in the damping ratio, which enhances the energy dissipation capacity of the structures. This improvement contributes to an increase in damping energy and a reduction in hysteretic energy, suggesting that rubberized concrete jackets can enhance the seismic resilience of reinforced concrete buildings.

Accurate measurement of pedaling kinetics and kinematics is vital for optimizing rehabilitation, exercise training, and understanding musculoskeletal biomechanics. Pedal reaction force, the main external force in cycling, is essential for musculoskeletal modeling and closely correlates with lower limb muscle activity and joint reaction forces. However, sensor instrumentation like 3-axis pedal force sensors is costly and requires extensive post-processing. Recent advancements in machine learning (ML), particularly neural network (NN) models, provide promising solutions for kinetic analyses. In this study, an NN model was developed to predict radial and mediolateral forces, providing a low-cost solution to study pedaling biomechanics with stationary cycling ergometers. Fifteen healthy individuals performed a 2-minute pedaling task at two different self-selected (58±5 rpm) and higher (72±7 rpm) cadences. Pedal forces were recorded using a 3-axis force system. The dataset included pedal force, crank angle, cadence, power, and participants' weight and height. The NN model achieved an inter-subject normalized root mean square error (nRMSE) of 0.15±0.02 and 0.26±0.05 for radial and mediolateral forces at high cadence, respectively, and 0.20±0.04 and 0.22±0.04 at self-selected cadence. The NN model's low computational time suits real-time pedal force predictions, matching the accuracy of previous ML algorithms for estimating ground reaction forces in gait.

Geopolymers, made from aluminosilicate raw materials, offer significant environmental advantages over conventional concrete (CC) mixes. This study explores the compressive strength, setting time, and durability of geopolymer concrete (GPC) cylinders, some of which include an additional ordinary portland cement (OPC) mix. Consistent material composition and testing methods are emphasized to achieve reliable results. MATLAB was utilized to develop and assess a neural network model predicting the compressive strength of GPC based on key variables. The model was validated using 16 experimental samples and 1047 samples from various studies. The performance plot displayed the Mean Squared Error (MSE) over iterations, identifying the best training performance at epoch 658 with an MSE of 5.3408. The Error Histogram highlighted distribution errors between predicted and actual compressive strength values, with the highest range from -1.015 to 0.3587, meaning that the predicted values were mostly within a small margin of error from the actual values. This narrow error range indicates that the ANN model has high accuracy in its predictions, as most errors are small and clustered around zero, demonstrating reliable performance in estimating compressive strength. Regression analysis showed varying correlation coefficients (training set R=0.98373, test set R=0.88164, and whole set R=0.96982), indicating adequate predictive accuracy. The results demonstrate that properly trained neural networks can effectively predict the compressive strength of GPC, highlighting its potential as a sustainable construction material.

In order to study the way how to improve the spatial action of precast monolithic composite floor slabs, and would replace the cast-in-place surface layer for reduce the weight of structure, using pseudo-dynamic tests on 1/4 scale models of two-span and three-story frame structure. The lateral load tests compared the stresses and displacements with cast-in-place floor frame-shear wall structure (SJ1) and precast monolithic floor frame-shear wall structure with X horizontal braces at the bottom of the floor (SJ2). The results show the X horizontal braces can improve the spatial action. Structural integrity (SJ2) as well as the effective transmission of the horizontal force can be ensured by additional X bracing at the bottom of the rigidity of the floor without cast-in-place concrete topping. The results show that X horizontal braces more effectively transfer horizontal, which provides a beneficial reference for similar research.

The incorporation of polycarboxylate ether superplasticizer (PCE) type polymer and silica fume (SF) in high-performance concretes (HPC) leads to the achievement of remarkable rheological and mechanical improvements. In the fresh state, PCEs are adsorbed on cement particles and dispersants, in turn promoting the workability of the concrete. Silica fume enables a very well compacted concrete to be obtained, which is characterized by high mechanical parameters in its hardened state. Some PCEs are incompatible with silica fume, which can result in the loss of slump and in poor rheological behavior. The main objective of the research is the study of the influence of three types of PCEs, which all have a different molecular architecture, on the rheological and mechanical behavior of high-performance concretes containing 10% of SF as a partial replacement of cement. The results show that the carboxylic density of PCE has an influence on its compatibility with SF.

The article presents an original method to assess the sustainability of concrete. The method uses three parameters, namely: performance, lifetime and environmental impact, to calculate a sustainability index. The originality and the simplicity of the proposed method presented in the article consists in the fact that by applying the relation to determine the sustainability index, the first two factors service life and performance are constant. This approach is possible in the context of the new proposals to specify the durability of structural concrete in EN 1992 and EN 206. That allows classification of concrete according to its performance, through Environmental action Resistance Classes (ERC). For this purpose, specific experimental methods were used in order to determine the performance of concrete exposed to carbonation. The concretes were prepared with two cement types with additions (CEM II / A-S and CEM II / A-M (S-LL)). Based on the carbonation resistance classes (the first constant - the performance) and exposure classes, the thickness of the concrete cover layer was determined to ensure a certain service lifetime (second constant - the service lifetime). Finally, the global warming potential was calculated for each composition, consequently allowing the users of the method, to select the compositions with the lowest impact on the environment.

This article presents a method to assess the sustainability of concrete based on three elements: service life, performance and environmental impact. The method proposes - to achieve similar performance and service life times, regardless of the component materials used, so that the sustainability assessment ultimately depends on the environmental impact criterion. To this end, specific experimental methods are used to determine the performance of concrete in terms of compressive strength and carbonation resistance for concrete cast with two blended cement types. The procedure needed to classify the concrete through carbonation resistance is detailed, in relationship with the performance obtained for compressive strength. The obtained results highlight the concrete formulations to be used to ensure similar performances regardless of the cement type used. In conclusion, the simplicity in the application of the method, which is closely related to the performance approach on concrete durability in the revision proposals of the European standards, is highlighted. The method is also a useful tool to encourage the widespread use in concrete formulation of blended cements with low environmental impact, without reducing the performance or service life time of the constructions.

This paper describes the packaging models that are fundamental for the design of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), and their evolution. They are divided into two large groups: continuous and discrete models. The latter are those that provide the best answer in obtaining an adequate simulation of the packing of the particles up to nanometric size. This includes the interaction among the particles by means of loosening and wall coefficients, allowing a simulation of the virtual and real compactness of such particles. In addition, a relationship between virtual and real compactness is obtained, through the compaction index, which may simulate the energy of compaction that the particles undergo in their placement in the mold. The use of last-generation additives allows such models to be implemented with water-cement (w/c) ratios close to 0.18. However, the premise of maximum packing as a basic pillar for the production of UHPC should not be the only one. The cement hydration process affected by nanoadditions and the ensuing effectiveness in the properties in both fresh and hardened state according to the respective percentages in the mixture should also be studied. An adequate ratio and proportion of these additions may lead to an obtaining of better results even with lower levels of compactness.

The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis that shows the influence of fiber on ultimate compressive strength and tensile strength of ultra-high performance concrete. The internet scholarly search engines and ScienceDirect article references were used to illustrate the papers concerning the experimental investigations of mechanical properties of ultra-high strength concrete with and without fiber with clearly, completely and comparative raw data. The normal concrete test results were dismissed from this search. Seven trials were identified based on the adopted inclusion and exclusion criteria above. The meta-analysis based on standardized mean difference was carried out on the basis of a fixed-effects model for the major outcomes of the ultimate compressive and tensile properties of ultra-high performance concrete. A total of 888 test specimens were enrolled in these seven trials. The combined analysis yielded a sign of a significant improvement in ultimate compressive strength and tensile strength of ultra-high strength concrete with fiber addition of 2% by concrete volume. The summary effect size of ultimate compressive strength was 2.34 while a more improvement in term of tensile strength with effect size of 2.64. By addition fiber of 2% provides a significant benefit in mechanical properties of ultra-high performance concrete.

In this work the effect of recycled concrete aggregate modified with mineral admixtures and Nano-silica on the mechanical properties and performance of the concrete was investigated after curing in tap water for 28 and 90 days. The compressive, ƒc, indirect tensile, ƒt, and flexural, ƒb, strengths for cured concrete specimens were measured and concrete strength ratios were analyzed. The water and rapid chloride permeability were measured. SEM analysis of microstructure was, also, investigated. The coarse aggregates used were dolomite (control) and recycled concrete aggregate with the incorporation of different mineral admixtures including ground granulated blast slag and granite as well as Nano-silica. It was found that, the slump values of the dolomite concrete decreases compared with recycle aggregate concrete. The results indicate that, the concrete mix containing recycle aggregate have the highest compressive strength, tensile strength and flexural strength compered to concrete mix containing dolomite aggregate. As far as the compressive strength is concerned, the addition 1 % NS and 15 % of slag improved the physico-mechanical properties of the recycled aggregate concretes compared to the other mixes after curing in tap water.

With the development of engineering technology, engineering has higher requirements for the accuracy and the scale of simulation calculation. The computational efficiency of traditional se-rial program can not meet the requirements of engineering。Therefore, reducing the calcula-tion time of temperature control simulation program has important engineering significance for real-time simulation of temperature field and stress field, and then adopting more reasona-ble temperature control and crack prevention measures. GPU parallel computing is introduced into the temperature control simulation program of massive concrete to solve this problem and the optimization is carried out. Considering factors such as GPU clock rate, number of cores, parallel overhead and Parallel Region, The improved GPU parallel algorithm analysis indicator formula is proposed. It makes up for the shortcomings of traditional formula that focus only on time. According to this formula, when there are enough threads, the parallel effect is limited by the size of the parallel domain, and when the parallel domain is large enough, the efficiency is limited by the parallel overhead and the clock rate. This paper studies the optimal Kernel execu-tion configuration. Shared Memory is utilized to improve memory access efficiency by 155%. After solving the problem of bank conflicts, an accelerate rate of 437.5x was realized in the sub-routine of the matrix transpose of the solver. The asynchronous parallel of data access and logi-cal operation is realized on GPU by using CUDA Stream , which can overlap part of the data access time. On the basis of GPU parallelism, asynchronous parallelism can double the compu-ting efficiency. Compared with the serial program, the accelerate rate of inner product matrix multiplication of the GPU asynchronous parallel program is 61.42x. This study further proposed a theoretical formula of data access overlap rate to guide the selection of the number of CUDA streams to achieve the optimal computing conditions. The GPU parallel program compiled and optimized by CUDA Fortran platform can effectively improve the computational efficiency of the simulation program for concrete temperature control, and better serve for engineering computing.

Research into lightweight structural concrete using volcanic tuff is of great importance to the construction industry. These materials have excellent thermal insulation properties, which helps improve the energy efficiency of buildings. A three-factor experimental design was used to build the statistical model. The test methods used were methods for determining the crushability of volcanic tuff, determining the average density, compressive strength and thermal conductivity of lightweight structural concrete. The influence of basalt fiber on the properties of lightweight structural concrete has been determined. The optimal compositions of lightweight structural concrete using tuff have been selected. The compressive strength of lightweight structural concrete reached 32.0 MPa. The average density range is 1754.6-2114.0 kg/m³. Good thermal conductivity values ​​were obtained in the range of 0.653-0.818 W/m·K. The article obtained the optimal compositions of lightweight structural concrete using volcanic tuff as a filler.

The accumulation of steel slag and other industrial solid wastes has caused serious environmental pollution and resource waste. The resource utilization of steel slag is imminent. In this paper, alkali activated materials ultra-high performance concrete (AAM-UHPC) was prepared by replacing GGBFS powder with different proportions of steel slag powder, and its workability, mechanical properties, curing condition, microstructure, and pore structure were investigated. The results illustrate that the incorporation of steel slag powder can significantly delay the setting time and improve the flowability of AAM-UHPC, making it possible for engineering applications. The mechanical properties of AAM-UHPC showed a tendency to increase and then decrease with the increase of steel slag dosing, and reached the best performance at 30% dosage of steel slag. The maximum compressive strength and flexural strength are 157.1 MPa and 16.32 MPa, respectively. High temperature steam or hot water curing at early age was beneficial to the strength development of AAM-UHPC, but continuous high temperature hot and humid curing would lead to strength inversion. When the dosage of steel slag is 30%, the average pore diameter of the matrix is only 8.43nm, and the appropriate steel slag dosage can reduce the heat of hydration and refine the pore size distribution, making the matrix more dense.

This paper uses probability method to evaluate the fire safety performance of prestressed steel-concrete beam bridges based on simulation experimental research. Firstly, fire simulation experimental sample analysis was conducted on actual small box girder bridges to obtain the structural response of prestressed steel-concrete structures under fire, which is in line with engineering practice. Next, construct a reliability analysis model for the fire resistance performance of prestressed steel-concrete beam bridges; Combining reliability theory with finite element method, establish a reliability analysis method for the fire resistance performance of prestressed steel-concrete beam bridges. Subsequently, a safety factor evaluation model for the fire resistance performance of prestressed steel-concrete beam bridges was proposed, and a safety factor evaluation method for the fire resistance performance of prestressed steel-concrete beam bridges based on reliability back analysis was established. Finally, based on the analysis of the structural response after a fire in a specific case of a simply supported to continuous prestressed steel-concrete continuous beam bridge project, a structural resistance sample of the prestressed steel-concrete beam bridge is generated through uniform design method, and statistical analysis is conducted. Subsequently, probability methods are used to evaluate the safety of the prestressed steel-concrete beam bridge after a fire. Through analysis, it can be concluded that the time of fire has a significant impact on the structural performance of prestressed steel-concrete beam bridges, and the randomness of parameters has a significant impact on the safety reserve of prestressed steel-concrete beam bridges after fire. It is necessary to pay attention to it in specific engineering practice and strengthen the monitoring and statistics of structural random characteristics.

This paper presents the systematic development and performance characterization of a non-proprietary 3D-printable ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) for digital construction. Several fresh and hardened properties of the developed 3D-printable UHPFRC matrix (without fiber) and composite (with 2% volume fraction of steel fibers) were evaluated and compared to that of conventionally mold-cast UHPFRC. Additionally, the effects of testing direction on the compressive and flexural strengths of the printed UHPFRC were investigated. The fresh properties of the UHPFRC developed in this study satisfied the criteria for extrudability, buildability, and shape-retention-ability, which are relevant for ensuring printability. The printed UHPFRC exhibited superior flexural performance to the mold-cast UHPFRC due to alignment of the short fibers in the printing direction. The high compressive and flexural strengths, along with the deflection-hardening behavior, of the developed UHPFRC can enable the production of thin 3D-printed components with significant reduction or complete elimination of conventional steel bars.

Recently, research on ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) with the characteristics of ultra-high strength, high toughness, and high durability has been actively conducted from materials to actual structural applications. However, research on experimental methods that reflect the unique characteristics of UHPC, which are different from those of normal concrete, is insufficient. To solve the difficulties in applying the compressive creep test method for normal concrete to UHPC and to verify the validity of the recently proposed ASTM C 1856 standard test method, this study performed compressive creep tests on UHPC with variables of specimen size, sustained load intensity, fiber length, and strain measuring method. Two types of cylindrical specimens of ϕ100 × 200 mm and ϕ75 × 150 mm were used for a specimen size variable. The sustained load intensities of 10% to 40% based on the specified compressive strength of 150 MPa were applied. Two types of steel fiber lengths of 13 mm and 19.5 mm in the UHPC mix were used as a variable, and three strain measuring methods of the embedded strain gauge method, the attached strain gauge method, and the strain meter with stud measured the change in length of the UHPC specimens. The experimental results showed that the strain meter method using the standard rod had limitations due to the error in the verification process using the standard rod and the observation error of the measurer, and the sustained load intensity is preferable to 15% to 40% of the actual compressive strength. It was found that it is possible to perform a compressive creep test for UHPC using a specimen with a size of ϕ75 mm or more, and the fiber length did not affect the creep behavior of UHPC up to 19.5 mm. As a result of comparing the UHPC creep test results with the creep prediction model, the B3 model was found to most accurately predict the UHPC creep behavior. The creep coefficient pattern of the B3 model was very similar to the measured results, and well reflected the effects of the mixing ratio and compressive strength of UHPC.

In this paper, polyurethane concrete (PUC) is used as wire embedding material to form a new polyurethane concrete- prestressed steel wire (PUC-PSW) reinforcement method. The lightweight and high-strength PUC materials not only bond and anchor the prestressed steel wire (PSW), but also passively participate in the structural force. The problems caused by using mortar or composite mortar as the embedding material are avoided. Twelve reinforced concrete T-beams were tested for PUC-PSW flexural reinforcement. It consists of 1 unreinforced beam, 4 PSW reinforced beams, and 7 PUC-PSW reinforced beams. The wire embedding material, wire anchorage form, PUC material depth, amount of wire, and loading type were used as variables. The test results show that PUC-PSW reinforcement can obviously enhance the flexural load and ultimate load of the reinforced beams compared with PSW reinforcement. The ability of PUC-PSW reinforcement to limit crack development is better than that of PSW reinforcement beam, especially after the main beam steel yield. The strength, stiffness and crack limiting ability of the reinforced beam increase with the PUC thickness of the reinforced layer.

It is meaningful to monitor and identify the concrete cracks as they will seriously reduce the fatigue life of pavement. In this paper a new method based on distributed long-gauge optic fiber sensing is proposed to implement the crack identification. Firstly, the damage indicator, namely strain curve envelope area ratio (SCEAR), is proposed and calculated with the measured strain in time series when the plane goes across the pavement where the sensors are installed. Then the indicators with different sensors are normalization by the value of the indicator from one referenced sensor where damage normally will not happen. If the crack happens within the sensing gauge of the sensor, the value of damage indicator SCEAR from the sensor will increase. Therefore, the crack will be identified with the change of the damage indicator. The effect of the proposed method is first verified by some simulations of prefabricated pavement as the cracks can be accurately identified by the proposed method. Moreover, the influence from the aircraft, such as taxiing position, aircraft load and aircraft type, is not obvious enough to mislead the identification results. Lastly the static loading tests were implemented with one small-scale model of prefabricated concrete pavement in the lab. From the experimental results the prefabricated cracks inside the pavement slab can be identified accurately with the proposes method as the parameter SCEAR is increased by about 100% at the crack position, while it is only changed by about 3% at the undamaged position.

A new algorithm is developed in this study to automatically detect reinforced concrete structures' rebar locations and diameters using the ground penetrating radar technique. The method approximates the hyperbolic signatures using two-way travel time and bi-quadratic equations. The study includes formulating electromagnetic wave speed in reinforced concrete (RC) structures. The algorithm was used in a computer code to provide an automated analysis of ground-penetrating radar data collected from a pre-planned survey grid. Two RC slabs were fabricated and tested to validate the proposed method. The proposed method is efficient in signal processing and accurately and reliably determining the rebar information.

In this paper, low circumferential reciprocating load foot-scale tests were performed on two truncated PHC B 600 130 tubular piles with bearing nodes to characterize the damage process and morphology of the specimens and to investigate the load-carrying performance of the members. The test results reveal that under the action of tensile-bending-shear loading, the bearing concrete in the node area buckles and is damaged, the anchored reinforcement in the node area yields, the constraint is weakened, an articulation point is formed, and the node rotational capacity increases. When the embedment depth increases from 200 mm to 300 mm, the ultimate bearing capacities of the positive and negative nodes increase by 57.60% and 54.60%, respectively. A numerical simulation is used to verify the test results. Considering the three types of piles with truncated nodes, the numerical simulation is used to analyze the node-bearing capacity at different embedment depths. Finally, two preferred node types are proposed as follows: pipe pile core-filled longitudinal reinforcement anchored into the bearing node and pipe pile body longitudinal reinforcement anchored into the bearing node + pipe pile core-filled longitudinal reinforcement anchored into the bearing node, with preferred embedment depths of 350 mm and 200 mm, respectively.

As argued by ‘Declaration of Concrete Environment (2010)’ of Korea and ‘Declaration of Asian Concrete Environment (2011)’ of six Asian countries, concrete as a single material has lately shown extremely large impact on environmental issues such as climate change. Assessment of environmental impact from concrete material and production has considerable importance. Concrete is a major material used in the construction industry that emits a large amount of substances with environmental impacts during its life cycle. Accordingly, technologies for the reduction in and assessment of the environmental impact of concrete from the perspective of Life Cycle Assessment must be developed. At present, the studies in relation to greenhouse gas emission from concrete are being carried out globally as a countermeasure against climate change. In this study, a sustainable concrete mix design algorithm was designed using correlation analyses, and its carbon emission and cost reduction performances were assessed. Using correlation analyses, the concrete strength, w/b and s/a ratios, and CO₂ emissions were identified as major variables of concrete mix design that influenced other variables. Also, this study aims to evaluate the CO₂ emission reduction performance of the algorithm-deduced sustainable concrete mix design, and therefore, the CO₂ emissions of the sustainable concrete mix design are compared with those of the actual concrete mix design applied to the construction of the office building A in South Korea.

Silica fly ash, Certyd aggregate, and an alkaline solution were used to produce lightweight geo-polymer concretes. The compressive strength, water absorption, bulk density and SEM photos showing the structure of the obtained composite were carried out. Tests conducted on the specifi-cation of lightweight geopolymer concretes have revealed significant chemical interactions between the ash aggregate and the geopolymer mortar, particularly when the coarse aggregate surface has been pre-treated with an alkaline solution. Statistical analysis of the experimental data, which in-vestigated the influence of three key variables on compressive strength, water absorption, and bulk density of Lightweight Geopolymer Concrete (LBG), identified the following factors as having the most substantial impact: the quantity of alkali used, the curing temperature, and the concentration of alkali in the mixture. The optimal test series exhibited a commendable compressive strength of 20.14 megapascals (MPa), accompanied by a water absorption rate of 14.72% and a bulk density of 1486.6 kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³). These findings underscore the importance of alkali con-tent, curing temperature, and alkali concentration in tailoring the properties of lightweight geo-polymer concrete to meet specific performance requirements.

Glass and ceramics have a fundamental and crucial role in our lives due to their properties and aesthetic decoration. However, they create serious environmental problems, mainly due to their high occupation of landfills and harmful emissions. Both wastes could be utilized to reduce the natural resources' adverse environmental effects and exhaustion. With increasing environmental concerns to reduce solid waste as much as possible, the concrete industry has adopted several methods to achieve this goal. Hence this study examines the performance of self-compacted concrete (SCC) utilizing various percentages of recycled waste materials such as those deposited from glass and ceramic industries. The idea of utilizing recycled waste materials in concrete manufacturing has gained massive attention due to their impressive results in rheological and mechanical state. Recycled glass (RG) and ceramic waste powder (CWP) were utilized to replace fine aggregate and cement, respectively. Five mixes were designed, including the control mix, and the other four mixes with different dosages of RG and CWP as fine aggregate and cement replacement ranging between 5 to 25%. Mixes were tested for both rheological and mechanical properties to evaluate their compilment with SCC requirements as per codes and guidelines. The results revealed that 20%CWP or less as cement replacement and 10% or less of RG as fine aggregate replacement would provide suitable rheological properties along with mechanical ones. Utilizing recycled glass and ceramic waste powder provides strength like the mix designed with natural resources, which helps us structure economically and environmentally friendly.

With challenged early detection came the collapse of a school roof, initiating a storm of public mistrust and hundreds of schools under investigation in the United Kingdom. The culprit is a poorly understood material heavily used in the 1950s to mid-1990s, reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). As a lightweight material with excellent insulation, RAAC was mainly used in roof and floor panels in many parts of the world. However, RAAC has a comparatively weak compressive strength, poor reinforcement anchorage, and high permeability and susceptibility to creep. The uniqueness of RAAC properties is exacerbated by poor manufacturing, negligent construction and maintenance as well as structural deviations from original design intent. Current guidance lacks in specifying RAAC management strategies beyond recommendations for periodic surveying. This paper delivers a state-of-the-art review of the material properties and structural performance of RAAC to recommend improved measures characterised by non-destructive testing methods and digital asset management. The reviewed literature targets understanding the influence of variable environmental exposure conditions, reinforcement condition, operational loading variations, structural deficiencies, and ageing, to predict their effect on the mechanism of RAAC failure. The established risk factors of RAAC are examined to inform of feasible response strategies against specific issues encountered in affected RAAC structures such as inadequate bearings, compromised transverse reinforcement, and environmental conditions.

Self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is highly workable concrete that flows under minimal vibrations into congested reinforcement and sophisticated formworks. The properties of SCC are achieved by incorporating chemical admixtures. In this study, we analyzed if SCC could be designed with a cheap, easily accessible plant extract as a bio-admixture known as aloe vera mucilage (AVM). The main aim is to determine the effect of AVM on SCC prepared from ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and blended cement LC3, consisting of clinker (50%), calcined waste clay (30%), limestone (15%), and gypsum (5%). The AVM is applied in different dosages of up to 10%. The findings showed that the LC3 had a lower rate of consistency, lower slump values, and higher initial and final setting times compared to OPC. The V-funnel and L-box values were reduced with increased plasticizer dosing. Additionally, the OPC samples with both plasticizers achieved higher compressive strength than LC3 in the 7, 14, and 28 curing ages. However, the 2.5 % dosage of AVM showed some increase in compressive strength in both OPC and LC3 samples. Overall, AVM is comparable to the commercial plasticizer used as both influence the reduction of yield stress with an increase in slump flow.

Manufactured sand and natural sand have great differences in terms of physical properties, chemical composition, and so on. In the mix ratio design of manufactured sand concrete, the traditional common concrete ratio cannot be used. The water-cement ratio playing a crucial role in the mix ratio design. The optimum water-cement ratio can not only improve concrete performance, it can also reduce cement consumption and costs. The present study examines the working performance indicators and mechanical performance indicators of manufactured sand concrete using Fujian granite with three strength grades (C35, C40 and C50) at different water-cement ratios. The impact of water-cement ratio on the operational and mechanical performance of manufactured sand concrete with different strength grades is analyzed and summarized. Revised sentence: The findings suggest that the workability of Fujian granite concrete is directly influenced by the water-cement ratio. Additionally, the water-cement ratio indirectly affects the mechanical properties of manufactured sand concrete. Finally, when changing the water-cement ratio, cube compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and bending strength exhibit similar trends. The optimal water-cement ratio for C35 concrete is determined to be 0.39, considering the workability and mechanical properties of Fujian granite manufactured sand concrete. Similarly, the optimal water-cement ratio for C40 concrete is 0.34, while for C50 concrete it is 0.32.

In the era of massive construction, damaged and aging infrastructure are becoming more common. Defects, such as cracking, spalling, etc., are main types of structural damage that widely occur. Hence, ensuring the safe operation existing infrastructure through health monitoring has emerged as an important challenge facing structural engineers. In recent years, intelligent approaches, such as data driven machine and deep learning crack detection, gradually dominate over traditional methods. Among them, the semantic segmentation using deep learning models is a process of characterization of accurate location and portrait of cracks using pixel level classification. Most available studies rely on single model knowledge to perform this task. However, it is well-known that the single model might suffer from low variance and low ability to generalize in case of data alteration. By leveraging the ensemble deep learning philosophy, a novel corporative semantic segmentation of concrete cracks method called Co-CrackSegment is proposed. Firstly, five models, namely the U-net, SegNet, DeepCrack19, DeepLabV3-ResNet50, and DeepLabV3-ResNet101 are trained to serve as core models for the ensemble model Co-CrackSegment. To build the ensemble model Co-CrackSegment, a new iterative approach based on the best evaluation metrics, namely the dice score, IoU, pixel accuracy, precision, and recall metrics is developed. Results show that the Co-CrackSegment exhibits a prominent performance compared to core models and weighted average ensemble by means of the considered best statistical metrics.

Concrete is more stable than filler as a false roof in a downward approach type infill quarry, but the mechanical model of a concrete false roof is not clear. As a result, there has been limited application. Therefore, it is necessary to establish the mechanical model of a concrete artificial false roof to enhance the stability of the downward approach infill quarry. This paper combines theoretical analysis, model derivation, finite element analysis and field application methods. Firstly, the basic assumptions of thin plate theory and elasticity mechanics are used as the premise to establish the differential equations of the deflection curve of the concrete thin plate false roof. Then, the three types of bending moment generation of the concrete thin plate false roof are explored. Secondly, the relationship between the location of dangerous surface and dangerous point in hard-supported weak-slab structure and soft-supported weak-slab structure is analyzed, and the type of uniform load and calculation model of concrete thin-slab false roof are improved. Finally, according to the established mechanical model of thin slab false roof, finite element analysis and field application were carried out. The results show that there are three types of deflection curve differential equations in the concrete thin slab false roof perpendicular to the strike, and three extreme points exist in the middle section of the thin slab and on both sides of the surrounding rock. The hazardous surface of the hard-supported weak-slab structure is present at the intersection of the encircling rock and the thin-slab fake ceiling, with the perilous point situated on the top of this surface. The hazardous surface of the soft-supported weak-slab structure can be found in the centre section of the thin-slab fake ceiling, with the perilous point being located at the bottom of this surface. Moreover, the damage mode for both structures is that of maximum tensile stress damage. Upon conducting a finite element analysis, the results indicate that the concrete's maximum tensile stress is significantly high.

The effects of rare earth Ce on the microstructure and properties of cast pure copper were investigated through thermodynamic calculations, XRD analysis, mechanical testing, metallographic microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The experimental results demonstrate that the reaction between rare earth Ce and oxygen as well as sulfur in copper exhibits a significantly negative Gibbs free energy value, indicating a strong thermodynamic driving force for deoxidation and desulfurization reactions. Ce is capable of removing trace amounts of O and S from copper. Moreover, the maximum solid solubility of Ce in Cu falls within the range of 0.009% to 0.01%. Furthermore, Ce can refine columnar grains while enlarging equiaxed grains in as-cast copper.Upon addition of rare earth Ce, the tensile strength increased by 8.45%, elongation increased by 12.1%, and microhardness rose from 73.5HV to 81.2HV-an increase of 10.5%. Overall, rare earth Ce has been found to enhance both the microstructure and mechanical properties of cast pure copper.

Cement production contributes to about 7% of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. Despite our best efforts, we cannot find a competitive substitute that is both reliable and environmentally friendly. The simplest way to solve the problem is to rationalize the resources and try to minimize its use by substitute them with other materials. A concrete that contains a substantial amount of fly ash is already available, but its use is limited by the current shortage in the market and reduced initial resistance. In this context, ternary mixtures have been used to conduct an experiment. A significant volume of cement has been replaced with fly ash and metakaolin, which serves as a correction factor for the performance. In this work the main advantages and disadvantages of the simultaneous use of these two additions, which may reveal to be very interesting with high volumes of substitution will be presented. The performance of this ternary mixture is very promising. Provide a wide range of possibilities for replacing cement, maintaining or even improving its mechanical and durability properties. A solution for an ecological concrete with enhanced performance for general use in construction as an alternative to conventional concrete.

(1) Background: The aim of the research was to present and emphasize the importance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing Achilles tendon (AT) ruptures by presenting case reports. (2) Materials and Methods: The sample of respondents included 7 patients (4 males and 3 females, 2 athletes and 5 non-athletes), aged 25 to 58 years, with AT injuries, who were examined and treated at the Institute for Treatment and Rehabilitation "Niška Banja", Niš, Serbia. Ankle examinations with MRI were conducted using the Esaote O-scan 0.3 T machine. The examinations were performed without the application of a paramagnetic contrast agent and without the use of anesthesia. Results: The MRI method's sensitivity and overall diagnostic accuracy were excellent, with 100% true positives. In our study, the method accurately detected the presence, location, and severity of AT injuries in all cases. MRI is an important and reliable method for detecting AT injuries, classifying them, monitoring the course of recovery, and assessing the effects of therapy. Conclusions: An unrecognized or delayed diagnosis of an AT injury can lead to chronic changes. Timely diagnosis (clinical examination, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging) and appropriate treatment (conservative or operative) enable patients to return to normal activities, including sports. Unfortunately, the use of MRI is limited by restricted access and the cost of the examination.

To study the strengthening effect on recycled concrete columns by carbon fiber composite materials (CFRP) under different levels of seismic damage, four column specimens were designed for pseudo-static tests. The four specimens were respectively non-destructive without strengthening (prototype), non-destructive strengthening, medium seismic damage strengthening and severe seismic damage strengthening, according to the replacement rate of recycled aggregates and the level of seismic damage. The characteristics of the deformation damage and seismic performance indicators of each specimen were compared and analyzed. A decrease was observed in the initial stiffness of the seismically damaged recycled concrete column specimens strengthened with CFRP, while the ductility, peak bearing capacity and energy dissipation capacity of the specimens were improved. On the other hand, with the reduction of seismic damage and the increase of recycled aggregate replacement rate, the ductility and energy dissipation capacity of the reinforced seismic damaged recycled concrete column specimens were enhanced to different levels. In particular, the cumulative energy consumption of the strengthened specimens under medium seismic damage increased most significantly by 32.5%. In general, the hysteretic curves of the strengthened specimens were full, and the average ductility coefficients were 4.1–6.8. CFRP strengthening was more effective in restoring and enhancing the performance of the recycled concrete column specimens with medium and lower seismic damage levels (displacement ratio ≤ 3%).

The purpose of this study is to analyse the feasibility of using waste from granite gang saws (GCW-GS) to manufacture ultra-high performance, steel-fibre reinforced concrete (UHPFRC). These machines cut granite blocks by abrasion using a steel blade and slurry containing fine steel grit. The waste generated by gang saws (GCW-GS) contains up to 15% Fe2O3 and up to 5% CaO. This is the main difference from the waste produced by diamond saws (GCW-D). Consequently, the second objective of this study is to compare the results of the waste obtained with gang saws with that from diamond saws, in order to determine the influence of iron and calcium oxides. The waste from cutting granite with gang saws was used in different percentages to replace micronized quartz powder of natural origin in the manufacture of UHPRFC. All the test specimens were analysed to determine their compressive strength, elasticity modulus, flexural strength and indirect tensile strength. The final conclusion is that wastes from both gang saws and diamond saws can be used to manufacture UHPFRC with an improvement in the mechanical properties up to a 35% replacement. The results for GCW-GS are better, mainly due to the pozzolanic effect of the iron dioxide. For higher percentage replacements the mechanical properties are close to the control concrete with small decreases.

Interfaces between layers in 3D-printed elements produced by extrusion-based material deposition were investigated on both macro- and micro-scales. On the macro-scale, compression and bend tests were performed on two 3D-printable cement-based compositions (3PCs), namely C1 and C2. The influences of binder composition and time interval between layers on layer-interface strength were critically analyzed. In the context of additive manufacturing, the optimized composition C2, containing pozzolanic additives, exhibited mechanical performance superior to that of the mixture with Portland cement as the sole binder. In particular, Mixture C2 showed a less pronounced decrease in interface tensile strength. Even for time intervals between depositions of two layers as long as 1 day the loss in corresponding flexural strength was below 25%, as compared with C2 specimens tested in the perpendicular direction. In contrast, the decrease in flexural strength measured for C1 specimens amounted to over 90% for the same set of parameters. Higher porosity at the interfaces of the printed concrete layers was identified as the cause for the lower interface strengths of C1. Microscopic observations supported the findings of the macroscopic investigations. While a pronounced recovery (“self-healing”) of the porous, discontinuous interlayers was observed with increasing age for Mixture C2, in case of C1 the filling products grown in the porous interlayer were found to be non-strengthening.

The assessment of existing bridges constitutes a serious challenge for the researchers since their safety evaluation is a complex task due to several sources of uncertainty affecting the parameters identified in the knowledge process. In particular, a high level of uncertainties may arise in the case of prestressing systems requiring special investigation strategies and experimental technologies. The paper aims to investigate how the knowledge uncertainties influence the safety assessment of existing post-tensioned bridges. The semi-probabilistic approach is used, and uncertainties related to the knowledge process are described considering the number of tests, the confidence level assumed for the estimation of the problem parameters, and the measurement errors of in-situ tests. Results concerning a typical post-tensioned bridge are reported and the variability of the outcomes is discussed and compared with a reference case of “perfect knowledge”. The main results of the study confirm the general robustness of the semi-probabilistic Eurocodes safety format and provide an overview of dispersion due to different choices about the number of tests and confidence level. The measurement errors may lead to significant under-estimation of the computed structural capacity with respect to the reference one.

Based on the dynamic strength variation mechanism of concrete under complex loading conditions, two approaches were devised: numerical testing and CT scanning, guided by the principle of minimizing energy dissipation. A methodology for calculating concrete's failure area and measuring its strength was developed. The analysis delves into the mechanisms behind failure patterns and variations in concrete specimen strength, focusing on crack initiation, development, and the resultant failure surface formed by crack propagation, along with the stress distribution in concrete specimens subjected to diverse loading conditions. Through evaluating the strength and computed failure area of concrete specimens, it is evident that the loading method influences both the strength and failure area of concrete specimens. In general, a larger failure area correlates with a higher measured strength.

Prestressed concrete sleepers (or railroad ties) are principally designed in order to carry wheel loads from the rails to the ground of railway tracks. Their design takes into account static and dynamic loading conditions. In spite of the most common use of the prestressed concrete crossties in railway tracks, there have always been many demands from rail engineers to improve serviceability and functionality of concrete crossties. For example, signaling, fiber optic, equipment cables are often damaged either by ballast corners or by tamping machine. There has been a need to re-design concrete crosstie to cater cables internally so that they would not experience detrimental or harsh environments. Also, many concrete crossties need a retrofit for automatic train control device and similar signaling equipment. In contrast, the effects of holes and web openings on structural capacity of concrete crossties have not been thoroughly investigated. This paper accordingly highlights the effect of holes and web openings on the toughness and ductility of concrete crossties. The outcome of this research enables better decision making process for retrofiting prestressed concrete crossties with holes and web opening in practice.

On the analyzed section of 2.4 km of the national road No. 50 of the Młodzieszyn bypass, it was carried out by a consortium of OAT and SAT companies in the period April-September 2019, under constant traffic in the field of repairing the concrete pavement by replacing slabs, levelling them and sealing expansion joints, roughening and roadside reinforcements.

Infrastructure development is rapidly increasing, driving up demand for concrete, a key construction material. Cement and aggregate are essential constituents, with global cement production reaching 4.1 billion metric tons in 2011 and CO2 emissions hitting 1.7 billion metric tons by 2024, a significant contributor to carbon emissions. To address this, alternative constituents like Rice Husk Ash (RHA) and Animal Bone Powder (ABP) are proposed. With rice husk comprising 20% of rice weight and a substantial cattle population in Bangladesh, RHA and ABP offer promising alternatives. This study examines the benefits and limitations of incorporating RHA and ABP into cement, focusing on concrete strength and permeability. By replacing varying percentages of cement with RHA and ABP simultaneously, experiments evaluate their impact on concrete properties after 28 days of curing. The research aims to identify the optimal combination for sustainable concrete production, reducing environmental impact by curbing waste generation and pollution. Results show that compressive strength increases and permeability decreases with up to 5% replacement of RHA and ABP, highlighting their potential for enhancing concrete performance while mitigating environmental concerns.

This study utilises NaOH to treat composite cementitious materials containing aeolian sand and zeolite powders, which were used to replace 50% of the cement in aeolian-sand concrete (ASC). The mechanical properties of treated ASC considerably improved, especially when the NaOH dosage was 4% by mass. After curing this sample (denoted as AAZC-4) for 28 d, its compressive strength improved by 17.2% and its split tensile was increased by 16.3%. Potassium feldspar and montmorillonite in zeolite powder and SiO2 in the sand were decomposed by OH− and combined with other elements to generate various silicate gels and A-type potassium zeolite crystals inside the concrete. Microscopic examination showed that the gels and crystals intertwined to fill the pores, decreasing (increasing) the percentage of large (small) pores, thus optimising the pore structure. This substantially improved the mechanical properties of ASC. Freeze–thaw salt-intrusion tests showed that the extent of mass loss, degree of damage and loss of compressive strength of AAZC-4 were similar to those of ordinary concrete but were reduced by 36.8%, 19% and 52.1%, respectively, compared with those of ASC. Therefore, AAZC-4 has sustainable working performance in the chloride ion permeable environment in cold and arid areas.

Climate change is one of the most concerning global issues and has the potential to influence every aspect of human life. Like different components of society, it can impose significant adverse impacts on pavement infrastructure. Although several research efforts have focused on studying the effects of climate change on natural and built systems, its impact on pavement performance has not been studied extensively. Due to the weather effect the lifetime of pavement is getting lower on the other hand maintenance cost is getting higher and higher. The data has been collected from LTTP website and as a site The State of Texas has been considered. The primary objective of this project is to quantify the effect of temperature as well as precipitation changes on pavement response and performance prediction using the ARIMA model and develop a logistic regression model to analyze the forecast data.

Variable flow emitters are a new type of emitter for underground drip irrigation that are used in locations where soil moisture is difficult to transport to the surface, which leads to crop emer-gence difficulties. The flow channel structure parameters of emitters affect the hydraulic per-formance of the emitter and its anticlogging ability. In this study, the variable flow emitter at the conventional low–flow water supply stage is taken as the research object. A combination of CFD numerical simulation of a two–phase flow of water and sand and clear water testing of test samples is applied to study the influence laws of 10 groups of variable flow emitter structural combinations on the effluent flow rate (q), flow index (x), particle passage rate and flow field inside the flow channel. The results show that the Realizable k–ε turbulence model can be used to simulate the flow field inside the variable flow emitter flow channel. The nRMSE between the measured and simulated values of q is 11.23%, and the relative error between the measured and simulated values of x is 4.66%, which gives a high simulation accuracy. The polar analysis shows that the tooth angle A has the smallest effect on the effluent flow rate q0.1 under 0.1 MPa, x, and particle passage rate of the variable flow emitter. The depth of the flow channel D, the spacing of the teeth B, and the height of the teeth E have a different order of precedence in the influence of the three indices, which are D > B > E > A, B > E > D > A, and E > B > D > A, respectively. The value of particle passage rate is positively correlated with the mean flow velocity (v) and the mean turbulent kinetic energy (k) in the flow channel, and particle passage rate tends to increase and then decrease with the increase of x. The retention time (t) of the particles in the flow channel is closely related to the magnitude of v and k. Three multivariate linear regression equations (R2 = 0.883 ~ 0.995) were constructed for q0.1, x, and particle passage rate versus the flow channel structural parameters. Using the scipy.optimize.minimize function in Python, we de-termined the three optimal combinations of flow channel structural parameters corresponding to better hydraulic performance: q0.1 is 1.5 or 2 L/h (objective function y = min x), better clogging resistance (y = max particle passage rate), and both (y = min (0.5 x - 0.5 particle passage rate)). The research results can provide a ref-erence for the optimal design of variable flow emitters.

The one-dimensional MoS₂/carbon nanofibers (1D MoS₂/CNFs) are synthesized by electrospinning using exfoliated MoS₂ nanosheets and polyacrylonitrile as raw materials. The exfoliated MoS₂ nanosheets with size of about 150 nm are encapsulated in carbon nanofibers, and the free-standing MoS₂/CNFs can be easily cut into flexible tablet and directly used as binder-free anode for lithium storage. The resultant 1D MoS₂/CNFs exhibit a very high reversible capacity of 700 mAh g^-1 at 100 mA g^-1 after 50 cycles, high rate capacity (450 mAh g^-1 at 1000 mA g^-1 after 200 cycles) and good cycle stability.

Glass cleaning is one of the major cleaning tasks in malls, offices, and modern households where the human workforce is still used for cleaning. Manual cleaning on façade glasses is a less safe, tedious, ineffective, and complex process. With the advancement of robot technology, it is possible to use robots for glass cleaning to facilitate mankind and improve cleaning efficiency. This work presents the development of a vacuum-type glass cleaning robot for façade cleaning and its performance analysis. The developed square-shaped robot is controlled by an Arduino Mega microcontroller, equipped with vacuuming and cleaning technology. An adhesion mechanism on the wheels makes the robot move forward and backward on the glass. The robot runs on a 24-volt DC with a power rating of 75 watts. There are ultrasonic sensors to detect obstacles and help the robot navigate. The robot uses a random-walk mechanism and works continuously for 90 minutes effectively. The performance of the robot has been analyzed in terms of coverage area, repeatability, and dust collection efficiency.

The construction time of concrete structures in hydraulic tunnels is long, the construction environment is complex, and there are many influencing factors. The requirements for construction quality are high, not only to meet the strength requirements, but also to meet the design requirements of erosion resistance, crack resistance, and seepage resistance according to its specific operating environment. Therefore, evaluating the construction quality of concrete structures in hydraulic tunnels is of great significance. Considering the randomness and fuzziness of factors affecting the construction quality of concrete structures in hydraulic tunnels, this paper proposes a comprehensive evaluation model based on Combined Weighting (CWM) and Uncertainty Measurement Theory (UM). The IAHP method and CRITIC method are used to determine the subjective and objective weights of evaluation indicators, combined weighting is based on the principle of minimum entropy, and the UM method is used to evaluate the construction quality level. Finally, taking a hydraulic tunnel as an example, its construction quality grade is calculated to be III according to the evaluation model proposed in this paper, which matches with the engineering reality, and a comparative study is made with the mixture element topology theory at the same time. It is verified that the evaluation model can scientifically and reasonably evaluate the construction quality level of concrete structures in hydraulic tunnels.

Concrete contributes 8% of all global carbon emissions making the need to find substitute critical for environmental sustainability. Research has indicated the potential for recycled plastics to be used as concrete substitutes. This study extends existing research by investigating the use of polycarbonate (PC) in plastic sand bricks as a mechanical equivalent to concrete. PC has high compressive strength, durability, impact strength, thermal resistivity, clarity, fatigue resistance, and UV resistance. This work provides a method and mold to produce a matrix of sand-plastic sample compositions with dimensions adhering to ASTM D695 standard for compressive properties of rigid-plastic. Compositions of 0% (control), 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% sand by weight were tested. Samples were tested for compressive strength until yield and stress-strain behaviors plotted. The results for 100% PC demonstrated an average and maximum compressive strength of 71 MPa and 72 MPa, respectively. The 50% PC and 50% sand composition yielded an average and maximum compressive strength of 71 MPa and 73 MPa respectively with an increase in compressive stiffness, and transition to shear failure resembling cement. With a composite density of 1.86 g/cm3 against concrete’s average 2.4 g/cm3, and a compressive strength exceeding commercial concrete demands of 23.3 MPa to 30.2 MPa, this lightweight alternative meets the strength demands of concrete, reduces the need for new construction materials, and provides an additional recycling opportunity for nonbiodegradable waste plastic.

The reliability of concrete cable-stayed bridge structure is time variant. This is due to strength deterioration and time-variant mechanical and environmental loadings. Demands for keeping concrete cable-stayed bridge structure in functional and reliable states require maintenance interventions. Limited financial resources require optimal maintenance strategies. These strategies have to consider the effects of uncertainties not only on the structural reliability deterioration but also on the maintenance interventions. By analyzing variation of concrete cable-stayed concrete cable-stayed bridge liabilities and benefit expectation through different maintenance programs, on the condition of satisfying the concrete cable-stayed bridge performance, with the maximum expected benefit as the target to discuss repair and reinforcement strategies for the concrete cable-stayed bridges in service. The method takes into account the present performance and future expected benefit, optimizing the performance of the concrete cable-stayed bridge and the expected benefit through determination policies of concrete cable-stayed concrete cable-stayed bridge maintenance program. The proposed method also includes an advanced cost model which takes into account the interaction between costs of maintenance interventions and their effect on reliability. Examples are presented demonstrating the application of the proposed method to a stock of existing deteriorating concrete cable-stayed bridges under various maintenance scenarios.

Aerated concrete, which is manufactured from binding material, sand, foaming agent and water, is currently being utilized in the construction industry because of its lightweight and durability. The binding material, cement, along with other materials used in the concrete produces huge carbon footprints during its fabrication. The utilization of natural aggregates name as coarse aggregates depletes the natural resources of the country. Therefore, huge amounts of agricultural wastes have led scholars to investigate the effectiveness of replacing conventional materials used in concrete with agricultural wastes. In the current study, rice husk ash (RHA) was used as supplementary cementing material, thereby reducing the amount of cement used in aerated concrete (AC) mixture will reduce carbon footprints. The experimental and numerical analysis were conducted to investigate structural behavior of reinforced RAC- B beams subjected to flexural load. Parametric study on structural performance of RAC- B beam under flexure were conducted using finite element analysis (FEA). From the experiment and FEA. Results from the parametric study showed that RAC-10%RHA-B with higher depth structurally performed better compared to RAC-B under flexure with greater load carrying capacity, lesser maximum deflection, and less cracks developing in the tension area.

Currently, the use of recycled waste plastic in road construction is not just considered ecofriendly but also considered advantageous for improving road performance over time. This research explores using recycled plastic bags, made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), in asphalt mixtures to improve road performance and manage waste. The study aims to assess the effects of incorporating different amounts of shredded waste plastic into asphalt mixes and determine the optimal percentage. The aggregate used was obtained from Sargodha quarry Pakistan and asphalt used was 60/70 grade obtained from national refinery limited Pakistan. Using the Marshall mix design, the optimum bitumen content (OBC) was found to be 4.5% of the asphalt mix weight. Thirty samples were tested with waste plastic proportions of 6%, 8%, 10%, 12%, and 14% of OBC weight, along with a standard mix. Tests on stability, bulk density, flow, and air voids showed that a 10% plastic content significantly enhances asphalt performance, increasing stability by around 25%. The study recommends using 10% plastic by OBC weight in asphalt mixes for better performance and suggests further research on optimal incorporation techniques of waste materials in asphalt mixtures.

Traditional concrete pavements have poor water permeability, while the strength of pervious concrete pavements is low. To solve these problems, this study designed Innovative recycled aggregate pervious concrete (I-RAPC) with controllable water permeability and high strength by using response surface methodology, and investigated the effects of different pore parameters (number, diameter, material, distribution form, etc.) on the performance of I-RAPC. And the strength discount factor method was proposed to construct the theoretical calculation model of compressive strength and pipe pore parameters, and the calculation model of water permeability coefficient was established at the same time. The results show that the fewer the number of holes and the smaller the pipe diameter of I-RAPC, the higher its compressive strength and the smaller the water permeability coefficient. The theoretical model of compressive strength can accurately evaluate the discounting effect of the pore parameters on the compressive strength of I-RAPC, and the maximum relative error is only 7.52%, and the maximum relative error of the calculation model of water permeability coefficient is only 4.42%. I-RAPC has the advantages of high strength and permeability with controllable performance, which overcomes the problems of random distribution of pore space, uncertainty of water permeability, and strength of ordinary pervious concrete.

Sulfate attack is one of the main factors affecting the durability of concrete structures. In recent years, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have attracted the attention of scholars for their excellent mechanical properties and durability performance. In this paper, the influence of sulfate attack and dry-wet cycles on the performance of multi-walled carbon nanotube-lithium slag concrete (MWCNTs-LSC) with varied MWCNTs content (0wt%, 0.05wt%, 0.10wt% and 0.15wt%) and varied water-cement ratios (0.35, 0.40 and 0.45) were investigated. Besides, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) tests were conducted to analyze the microstructure and pore structure of the concrete. The results show that concrete incorporated with MWCNTs could effectively mitigate sulfate attack The resistance to sulfate attack of concrete is negatively related to the water-cement ratio when the dry-wet cycle is fixed. The MWCNTs-LSC showed the best compressive strength at the water-cement ratio of 0.35 and 0.10 wt% MWCNTs. The SEM test results showed that the MWCNTs both filled the pores and cracks within the specimen and formed bridges between the cracks, enhancing the resistance to sulfate attack. The CT test results also showed that the addition of MWCNTs could reduce the porosity of concrete, refine the pore size and inhibit the generation and development of cracks, thus optimizing the internal structure of concrete and improving its resistance to sulfate attack.

The behavior of concrete beams reinforced with steel and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) rebars, without shear reinforcement is investigated in the current study. This study includes testing experimentally of twenty-four steel and GFRP Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams cast with different percentage of fibers. The beams were split into two types, steel and GFRP RC beams. Beams of different fiber ratios (0, 0.5, 1.5 and 2.5%) were developed and tested, in two groups, each consists of twelve specimens, steel and GFRP reinforced RC beams. Both steel and GFRP RC beams were cast as singly reinforced with 10 mm diameter longitudinal bars at the bottom. In order to ensure that the beam to fail under shear, the top reinforcement and stirrups are removed. The concrete cover was kept as 30 mm. Three concrete grades (M30, M60 and M80) were examined for different dosage of fibers for both steel and GFRP RC beams. The size of the beam samples was kept as 150 ×200×1500 mm. The key parameters were the form of reinforcement material (steel and GFRP), compressive strength of concrete and fiber percentage. Failure mode, ultimate load carrying capacity, mid-span deflection, strain in concrete and reinforcement (steel and GFRP) of the beams have been reported. It is found that the effect of using fibers and higher grade of concrete is more pronounced in improving stiffness of GFRP RC beams compared to steel RC beams. Hence it can be concluded that GFRP rebars can be used as an efficient type of reinforcement in RC beams.

Athlete’s heart is characterised by structural, functional, and electrical remodelling. During an exercise session, the heart increases the use of oxygen, which is associated with decreased vascular resistance in the lungs’ circulation. Left ventricular hypertrophy is an echocardiographic modification especially met in endurance athlete’s heart. Moreover, left atrial dilatation represents another important characteristic of endurance athletes. Electrical modulation in the athletic heart induces neurological modifications leading to sinus arrhythmia, bradycardia, early repolarisation, and first-grade atrioventricular (AV) blocks. Athletes' nutritional status involves the assimilation of macronutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Depending on the duration of physical exercise, ATP can be obtained in aerobic or anaerobic conditions. This systematic review aims to find correlations between different evaluative methods of cardiac adaptation and present the metabolism in performance athletes.

Fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) has become an alternative for structural applications due its outstanding mechanical properties. The appearance of new types of fibres and the fibre cocktails that can be configured mixing them has created FRC that clearly exceed the minimum mechanical properties required in the standards. Consequently, in order to take full advantage of the contribution of the fibres in construction projects, it is of great interest to have constitutive models that simulate the behaviour of the materials. This study aimed to simulate the fracture behaviour of five types of FRC, three with steel hooked fibres, one with a combination of two types of steel fibres and one with a combination of polyolefin fibres and two types of steel fibres, by means of an inverse analysis based on the cohesive crack approach. The results of the numerical simulations defined the softening functions of each FRC formulation and have pointed out the synergies that are created through use of fibre cocktails. The information obtained might suppose a remarkable advance for designers using high-performance FRC in structural elements.

Timber-concrete composite (TCC) systems join the positive aspects of engineered wood products (good seismic behaviour, low thermal conductivity, environmental sustainability, good behaviour under fire if appropriately designed) with those of concrete (high thermal inertia, durability, excellent fire resistance). TCC facades are typically composed by an internal insulated timber-frame wall and an external concrete slab, separated by a ventilated air cavity. However, there is very limited knowledge concerning the performance of TCC facades, especially for what concerns their thermal behaviour. The present paper deals with the development and optimisation of a 2D CFD model for the analysis of TCC ventilated façades thermal behaviour. The model is calibrated and validated against the experimental data collected during the annual monitoring of a real TCC ventilated envelope in the north of Italy. Also, a new solver algorithm is developed to significantly speed up the simulation. The final model can be used for the time-efficient analysis and optimisation of the thermal performance of TCC ventilated facades, as well as other ventilated facades with external massive cladding, avoiding the expensive and time-consuming construction of mock-ups, or the use of comparably slow (conventional) CFD solvers that are less suitable for optimization studies.

A binary biomass-based solid electrolyte film (LSE) was successfully synthesized through the incorporation of lignin nanoparticles (LNP) with sodium alginate (SA). The impact of the mass ratio of SA to LNP on the microstructure, porosity, electrolyte absorption capacity, ionic conductivity, and electrochemical properties of the LSE was thoroughly investigated. The results indicated that as the proportion of SA increased from 5% to 15% LNP, the pore structure of the LSE became increasingly uniform and abundant. Consequently, enhancements were observed in porosity, liquid absorption capacity, ionic conductivity, and overall electrochemical performance. Notably, at a SA amount of 15% LNP, the ionic conductivity of resultant LSE-15 was recorded at 14.10 mS cm1, with porosity and liquid absorption rates reaching 308% and 58.4%, respectively. LSE-15 was employed as a solid electrolyte, while LNP-based carbon aerogel (LCA) served as the two electrodes in the construction of a symmetric all-solid-state supercapacitor (SSC). The SSC device demonstrated exceptional electrochemical storage capacity, achieving a specific capacitance of 197 F g1 at 0.5 A g1, along with maximum energy and power density of 27.33 W h kg1 and 4998 W kg1, respectively. Furthermore, the SSC device exhibited highly stable electrochemical performance under extreme conditions, including compression, bending, and both series and parallel connections. Therefore, the development and application of the binary biomass-based solid electrolyte film in supercapacitors represent a promising strategy for harnessing high-value biomass resources in the field of energy storage.