A Micromechanical-Based Semi-Empirical Model for Predicting the Compressive Strength Degradation of Concrete under External Sulfate Attack.

As one of the most harmful ions in the environment, sulfate could cause the deformation and material deterioration of concrete structures. Models that accurately describe the whole chemo-transport-mechanical process of an external sulfate attack (ESA) require substantial computational work and contain complex parameters. This paper proposes a semi-empirical model based on micromechanical theory for predicting the compressive strength degradation of concrete under an ESA with basic properties of the undamaged material and limited computational effort.

Factors Related to Smoking and Perceptions of a Behavioral Counseling and Messenger Service-Delivered Smoking Cessation Intervention for People With HIV in China: Qualitative Study.

Background: China, where half of the adult male population smoke tobacco, has one of the highest global burdens of smoking. Smoking rates are even higher among people with HIV. People with HIV can be affected by smoking in multiple ways, including more severe HIV-related symptoms and worse antiretroviral therapy treatment outcomes.