Quality Characteristics of Sustainable High-Performance Concrete Formulated from Binary, Ternary, and Quaternary Supplementary Cementitious Materials Under Various Curing Conditions.

The formulation of binary, ternary, and quaternary supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) on an optimized silica fume amount using fly ash, ultrafine (MQ), and limestone powders (LS) is the most sustainable approach to recycling these types of solid wastes for durable concrete. The optimum replacement level of 10% silica fume was blended with different replacement levels of 5, 8, 10, and 15% MQ to formulate different ternary mixes to evaluate the filling effect of MQ. Different ternary mixes containing 10% silica fume and 5, 10, and 15% LS were also produced to examine the effectiveness of both ternary mixtures with either MQ or LS.

Eco-Innovative UHPC-Enhancing Sustainability, Workability, and Ductility with Recycled Glass Cullet Powder and Plastic Bottle Hybrid Fibers.

Utilizing waste materials in producing ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) represents a highly effective approach to creating environmentally sustainable concrete using renewable resources. This study focused on incorporating ground glass cullet (GP) at various replacement levels in UHPC production. Additionally, plastic bottle fibers (PBFs) were derived from discarded plastic bottles and employed in the mix.

Robust Machine Learning Framework for Modeling the Compressive Strength of SFRC: Database Compilation, Predictive Analysis, and Empirical Verification.

In recent years, the field of construction engineering has experienced a significant paradigm shift, embracing the integration of machine learning (ML) methodologies, with a particular emphasis on forecasting the characteristics of steel-fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC). Despite the theoretical sophistication of existing models, persistent challenges remain-their opacity, lack of transparency, and real-world relevance for practitioners. To address this gap and advance our current understanding, this study employs the extra gradient (XG) boosting algorithm, crafting a comprehensive approach.

Flowability and Strength Characteristics of Binary Cementitious Systems Containing Silica Fume, Fly Ash, Metakaolin, and Glass Cullet Powder.

The present study examines the effects of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) on the flowability and strength development of binary mixes. This study was primarily motivated by the need to bridge the knowledge gap regarding paste and mortar mixes containing binary cement from a variety of performance perspectives. This study examined the flowability and strength development of binary mixes in their pastes and mortars when they contain various doses of silica fume (SF), fly ash (FA), metakaolin (MK), and glass cullet powder (GP) compared with the control mix.

Multi-Criteria Optimization of Cost-Effective and Environmentally Friendly Reactive Powder Concrete Incorporating Waste Glass and Micro Calcium Carbonate.

In pursuit of developing an eco-friendly and cost-effective reactive powder concrete (RPC), we utilized a multi-objective optimization technique. This approach pivoted on the incorporation of byproducts, with a spotlight on ground glass powder (GP) as a pivotal supplementary cementitious material (SCM). Our goal was twofold: engineering cost-efficient concrete while maintaining environmental integrity.

Evaluation of the Performance of Low-Cement Strain-Hardening Cementitious Composites Containing Desert Sand and Ground Scoria Rocks.

Fine aggregates are the main ingredients that control the success of the preparation and performance of strain-hardening cementitious composites (SHCCs). Worldwide deserts can be used as eternal sources of fine aggregates for the preparation of SHCCs. Arabian Peninsula desert sand spreads over the largest desert area in the world, covering an area of 2,300,000 km among the Arabian Gulf countries.

Behavioral Evaluation of Strengthened Reinforced Concrete Beams with Ultra-Ductile Fiber-Reinforced Cementitious Composite Layers.

In the literature, there is little information available regarding the behavior of composite beams made up of reinforced concrete (RC) and ultra-ductile fiber-reinforced concrete (UDFRC). In this study, UDFRC was examined for its effectiveness in enhancing the strength of RC beams. With a tensile strength of 4.

Mapping of familial hypercholesterolemia and dyslipidemias basic management infrastructure in Pakistan: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal inherited disorder characterised by elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and premature cardiovascular events. Despite being declared as a public health priority, FH remains highly underdiagnosed, generally due to the lack of awareness and shortcomings in the available infrastructure, particularly in lower income countries.

Methods: To map the existing infrastructure for the management of FH, a survey was conducted among 128 physicians (cardiologists, paediatricians, endocrinologists, and internal medicine specialists) from different regions of Pakistan.

Therapeutic potential of (Linn.) on high-fat diet-induced testicular and sperm damage in rats.

Objective: Linn., a leguminous plant, is identified as a herbal medicine for improving fertility-related disorders in the alternative and complementary systems of medicine. The study was focused on evaluating the therapeutic potential of on testis and sperm parameters in a high-fat-induced hypercholesterolemia model.

Indirect calculation of LDL using thirteen equations in Pakistani population.

Background: Owing to the atherogenic properties, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is the primary target for treatment and diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), hence accurate measurement of LDL-C is critical. Despite the availability of direct measurement assays for LDL-C, it is routinely calculated by Friedewald equation in clinical settings in Pakistan mostly due to financial constraints. However, the validity of this equation is impacted by several factors, therefore several other equations have been developed for the calculation of LDL-C.

Patency and Complications of Arterio-venous Fistula Created in Pre- and Post-dialysis Settings.

Objectives: To determine the difference in patency and complication rates of arterio-venous fistula (AVF) constructed in pre-dialysis versus post-dialysis settings.

Study Design: Descriptive study.

Place And Duration Of Study: The Department of Vascular Surgery, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad from January 2014 to August 2020.

Investigation of the Impact of Graphene Nanoplatelets (GnP) on the Bond Stress of High-Performance Concrete Using Pullout Testing.

Efficient load transmission between concrete and steel reinforcement by bonding action is a key factor in the process of the design procedure of bar-reinforced concrete structures. To enhance the bond strength of steel/concrete composites, the impact of graphene nanoplatelets (GnP) on the bond stress and bond stress-slip response of deformed reinforcement bars, embedded in high-performance concrete (HPC), was investigated using bar pullout tests. In the current study, 36 samples were produced and examined.

Strength and Acid Resistance of Ceramic-Based Self-Compacting Alkali-Activated Concrete: Optimizing and Predicting Assessment.

The development of self-compacting alkali-activated concrete (SCAAC) has become a hot topic in the scientific community; however, most of the existing literature focuses on the utilization of fly ash (FA), ground blast furnace slag (GBFS), silica fume (SF), and rice husk ash (RHA) as the binder. In this study, both the experimental and theoretical assessments using response surface methodology (RSM) were taken into account to optimize and predict the optimal content of ceramic waste powder (CWP) in GBFS-based self-compacting alkali-activated concrete, thus promoting the utilization of ceramic waste in construction engineering. Based on the suggested design array from the RSM model, experimental tests were first carried out to determine the optimum CWP content to achieve reasonable compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths in the SCAAC when exposed to ambient conditions, as well as to minimize its strength loss, weight loss, and UPVL upon exposure to acid attack.

Case report: A rare cause of chest pain: Kommerell's diverticulum.

Introduction And Importance: Kommerell diverticulum is a very rare congenital defect of the aortic arch associated with the aberrant subclavian artery. It can present with signs of dysphagia, chest pain, or distal embolization in the upper limb.

Case Presentation: We present a case of Kommerell diverticulum with associated large subclavian artery aneurysm in a male patient with chest pain of unknown origin and hypertension.

Optimization of the Fine to Coarse Aggregate Ratio for the Workability and Mechanical Properties of High Strength Steel Fiber Reinforced Concretes.

High-strength concrete is used to provide quality control for concrete structures, yet it has the drawback of brittleness. The inclusion of fibers improves the ductility of concrete but negatively affects the fresh properties of fiber-reinforced concrete. The effects of different fine to coarse aggregate ratios on the fresh and hardened properties of steel fiber reinforced concrete were investigated in this study.

Simplex-Lattice Hydration Prediction and Microstructure Verification of Cementitious Systems.

In this investigation, the age-dependent hydration development of blended pastes containing Portland cement (PC), pulverized fuel ash (PFA) and silica fume (SF) was assessed by quantifying the amount of CH and non-evaporable water using thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). Microstructure was investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM). It was observed that the amount of liberated CH increases up to three-days in PC-PFA binary blended pastes, after which it progressively decreases and this reduction was proportional to the PFA dosage.

Experimentation and Predictive Models for Properties of Concrete Added with Active and Inactive SiO₂ Fillers.

Cement is one of the main constituents of concrete material and it is one of the main sources of carbon dioxide emissions in the environment. Fillers within a range of 5⁻7% from different sources can be used as a replacement of cement without compromising the properties of concrete or even tailoring for required property. This paper investigates the influence of inactive silica filler and silica fume on the mechanical- and durability-related properties of concrete with different strengths.

Diagnostic, Surgical, and Postoperative Challenges of Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Neck: Clinical Experience and Literature Review.

Background: Neuroendocrine tumors of the neck are rare swellings, which constitute about 0.03% of all tumors. Most are sporadically arising paragangliomas.

Liraglutide in diabetes mellitus: More facts and findings.

Liraglutide exert favorable effects on most of the diabetes associated cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and this study was designed to further explore the benefits of liraglutide by observing its effect on plasma sialic acid (PSA) in diabetic rats. A total of 30 streptozotocin induced (50 mg/Kg; i.p.

Revascularization Of Late-Presenting Acute Limb Ischaemia And Limb Salvage.

Background: Late-presenting acute limb ischaemia represents a challenging vascular emergency. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome in patients following revascularization and management of existing or impending reperfusion injury of ischaemic limbs over a 12-year period (2002-2014).

Methods: Routine procedural codes were used to label consecutive patients admitted 72 hours following onset of symptoms for surgical revascularization of an acutely ischaemic limb.

Cellular and genomic toxicity produced by UV light in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

UVB and UVC toxicity was detected in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell lines AA8, UV5 and XEM2 (a V79-derived cell line expressing rat P450 1A1). Unlike FICZ-HPLC assay that showed induction of CYP1A1 enzyme activity after 20 minutes and 2 hour UVC exposure, the EROD assay showed no difference in cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) activity after exposure to different doses of UVB and UVC light. Different cytotoxic and mutagenic effect of photo lesions induced by UVC and UVB light was investigated with the DRAG and HPRT assays, comparing the wild type cell line AA8 and the Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER) deficient cell line UV5.

In vitro biological activity of decoction of Joshanda.

Joshanda is a polyherbal product, commonly practicing in inflammation of upper respiratory tract as tea. The present study was conducted to find out its antimicrobial, phytotoxic, leishmanicidal and cytotoxic activities. The decoction of the product showed profound activity against Gram positive tested pathogens especially S.