• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.479-490
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• 2021

Present research is mainly focused on, microstructural and durability analysis of Graphene Oxide (GO) in Wollastonite (WO) induced cement mortar with silica fume. The study was conducted by evaluating the mechanical properties (compressive and flexural strength), durability properties (water absorption, sorptivity and sulphate resistance) and microstructural analysis by SEM. Cement mortar mix prepared by replacing 10% ordinary portland cement with SF was considered as the control mix. Wollastonite replacement level varied from 0 to 20% by weight of cement. The optimum replacement of wollastonite was found to be 15% and this was followed by four sets of mortar specimens with varying substitution levels of cementitious material with GO at dosage rates of 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3% and 0.4% by weight. The results indicated that the addition of up to 15%WO and 0.3% GO improves the hydration process and increase the compressive strength and flexural strength of the mortar due to the pore volume reduction, thereby strengthening the mortar mix. The resistance to water penetration and sulphate attack of mortar mixes were generally improved with the dosage of GO in presence of 15% Wollastonite and 10% silica fume content in the mortar mix. Furthermore, FE-SEM test results showed that the WO influences the lattice framework of the cement hydration products increasing the bonding between silica fume particles and cement. The optimum mix containing 0.3% GO with 15% WO replacement exhibited extensive C-S-H formation along with a uniform densified structure indicating that calcium meta-silicate has filled the pores.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.433-450
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• 2022

The conventional disposal methods of waste tires are harmful to the environment. Moreover, the recycling/reuse of waste tires in domestic and industrial applications is limited due to parent product's quality control and environmental concerns. Additionally, the recycling industry often prefers powdered rubber particles (<0.60 mm). However, the processing of waste tires yields both powdered and coarser (>0.60 mm) size fractions. Reprocessing of coarser rubber requires higher energy increasing the product cost. Therefore, the waste tire rubber (WTR) less favored by the recycling industry is encouraged for use in construction products as one of the environment-friendly disposal methods. In this study, WTR fiber >0.60 mm size fraction is collected from the industry and sorted into 0.60-1.18, 1.18-2.36-, and 2.36-4.75-mm sizes. The effects of different fiber size fractions are studied by incorporating it as fine aggregates at 10%, 20%, and 30% in the self-compacting rubberized concrete (SCRC). The experimental investigations are carried out by performing fresh and hardened state tests. As the fresh state tests, the slump-flow, T500, V-funnel, and L-box are performed. As the hardened state tests, the scanning electron microscope, compressive strength, flexural strength and split tensile strength tests are conducted. Also, the water absorption, porosity, and ultrasonic pulse velocity tests are performed to measure durability. Furthermore, SCRC's energy absorption capacity is evaluated using the falling weight impact test. The statistical significance of content and size fraction of WTR fiber on SCRC is evaluated using the analysis of variance (ANOVA). As the general conclusion, implementation of various size fraction WTR fiber as fine aggregate showed potential for producing concrete for construction applications. Thus, use of WTR fiber in concrete is suggested for safe, and feasible waste tire disposal.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.419-430
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• 2023

In this study, the effect of two types of aggregates (fly ash aggregate and shale aggregate) on the density, strength, and durability of preplaced lightweight aggregate concrete (PLWAC) was studied. The results showed that the 7 - 28 days strength of concrete prepared with fly ash aggregates (high water absorption rate) significantly increased, which could attribute to the long-term water release of fly ash aggregates by the refined pore structure. In contrast, the strength increase of concrete prepared with shale aggregates (low water absorption rate) is not apparent. Although PLWAC prepared with fly ash aggregates has a lower density and higher strength (56.8 MPa @ 1600 kg/m³), the chloride diffusion coefficient is relatively high, which could attribute to the diffusion paths established by connected porous aggregates and the negative over-curing effect. Compared to the control group, the partial replacement of fly ash aggregates (30%) with asphalt emulsion (20% solid content) coated aggregates can reduce the chloride diffusion coefficient of concrete by 53.6% while increasing the peak load obtained in a three-point bending test by 107.3%, fracture energy by 30.3% and characteristic length by 103.5%. The improvement in concrete performance could be attributed to the reduction in the water absorption rate of aggregates and increased energy absorption by polymer during crack propagation.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.23-39
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• 2023

One of the important problems of concrete placing is the concrete compaction, which can affect the strength, durability and apparent quality of the hardened concrete. Therefore, vibrating operations might be accompanied by much noise and the need for training the involved workers, while inappropriate functioning can result in many problems. One of the most important methods to solve these problems is to utilize self-compacting cementitious composites instead of the normal concrete. Due to their benefits of these new materials, such as high tensile, compressive, and flexural strength, have drawn the researchers' attention to this type of cementitious composite more than ever. In this experimental investigation, six mixing designs were selected as a base to acquire the best mechanical properties. Moreover, forty-eight rectangular composite panels with dimensions of 300 mm × 400 mm and two thickness values of 30 mm and 50 mm were cast and tested to compare the flexural and impact energy absorption. Steel fibers with volume fractions of 0%, 0.5% and 1% and with lengths of 25 mm and 50 mm were imposed in order to prepare the required cement composites. In this research, the composite panels with two thicknesses of 30 mm and 50 mm, classified into 12 different groups, were cast and tested under three-point flexural bending and repeated drop weight impact test, respectively. Also, the examination and comparison of flexural energy absorption with impact energy absorption were one of the other aims of this research. The obtained results showed that the addition of fibers of longer length improved the mechanical properties of specimens. On the other hand, the findings of the flexural and impact test on the self-compacting composite panels indicated a stronger influence of the long-length fibers.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.35-57
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• 2023

Majority of the plastic produced each year is being disposed in land after single-use, which becomes waste and takes up a lot of storage space. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find alternative solutions instead of disposal. Recycling and reusing the PET plastic waste as aggregate replacement and fiber in concrete production can be one of the eco- friendly methods as there is a great demand for concrete around the world, especially in developing countries by raising human awareness of the environment, the economy, and Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is a key development in concrete technology that offers a number of attractive features over traditional concrete applications. Recently, in order to improve its durability and prevent such plastics from directly contacting the environment, various kinds of plastics have been added. This review article summarizes the latest evident on the performance of SCC containing recycled PET as eco-friendly aggregates and fiber. Moreover, it highlights the influence of substitution content, shape, length, and size on the fresh and properties of SCC incorporating PET plastic. Based on the findings of the articles that were reviewed for this study, it is observed that SCC made of PET plastic (PETSCC) can be employed in construction era owing to its acceptable mechanical and fresh properties. On the other hand, it is concluded that owing to the lightweight nature of plastic aggregate, Reusing PET waste in the construction application is an effective approach to reduces the earthquake risk of a building.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.169-176
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• 2023

The aim of the study was to establish the influence of particle size, chemical and phase composition of fine microspherical high-calcium fly ash (HCFA), as well as superplasticizer content on the strength of cementless composite materials based on 100% HCFA and mixtures of HCFA with Portland cement (PC). For the initial HCFA fractions, the particle size distribution, chemical and quantitative phase composition were determined. The compressive strength of cured composite materials obtained at W/B 0.4 and 0.25 was determined at a curing time of 3-300 days. For cementless materials, it was found that a change in the particle size d90 from 30 ㎛ (fraction 3) to 10 ㎛ (fraction 4) leads to an increase in compressive strength by more than 2 times. Compressive strength increases by at least another 2.2 times with the addition of Melflux 5581F superplasticizer (0.12%) and at W/B 0.25. The HCFA-PC blends were investigated in the range of 60-90% HCFA and the maximum compressive strength was found at 80% HCFA. On the basis of 80% HCFA-20% PC blend, the samples of ultra-high strength (108 and 150 MPa at 28 and 100 days of hardening) were obtained with the addition of 0.3% Melflux 5581F and 5% silica fume. The quantitative phase composition was determined for composite materials with a curing age of 28 days. It has been established that in a sample with ultra-high strength, a more complete transformation of the initial phases of both HCFA and PC occurs as compared to their transformation separately.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.155-163
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• 2017

Mori Folium, the leaf of Morus alba, is a traditional medicinal herb that shows various pharmacological activities such as antiinflammatory, antidiabetic, antimelanogenesis, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiallergic, and immunomodulatory activities. However, the mechanisms of their inhibitory effects on adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis remain poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the inhibition of adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis by ethanol extracts of Mori Folium (EEMF) in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Treatment with EEMF suppressed the terminal differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner, as confirmed by a decrease in the lipid droplet number and lipid content through Oil Red O staining. EEMF significantly reduced the accumulation of cellular triglyceride, which is associated with a significant inhibition of pro-adipogenic transcription factors, including sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$), and CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins ${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$) and ${\beta}$ ($C/EBP{\beta}$). In addition, EEMF potentially downregulated the expression of adipocyte-specific genes, including adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (aP2) and leptin. Furthermore, EEMF treatment effectively increased the phosphorylation of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC); however, treatment with a potent inhibitor of AMPK, compound C, significantly restored the EEMF-induced inhibition of pro-adipogenic transcription factors and adipocyte-specific genes. These results together indicate that EEMF has preeminent effects on the inhibition of adipogenesis through the AMPK signaling pathway, and further studies will be needed to identify the active compounds in Mori Folium.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.91-96
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• 2004

It is generally believed that amino acids occurring naturally in mammals are of the L-configuration. D-amino acid(DM) are common in nature as constituents of bacterial cell walls and several antibiotics. Recent reports have demonstrated the presence of small amounts of free DM in milk. The presence of free DM may affect the food quality by decreasing the nutritional value. Our objective was to examine whether the free DM carne from psychrotrophic bacteria. Free DM was produced by treating raw milk with Pseudomonas spp. The samples were extracted with sulphosalicylic acid and derivatized with AccQ-$Tag^{TM}$ reagent when the analysis was carried out by reverse-phase HPLC. We tested correlations of the content of free DM with bacterial growth. Significant amounts of free D-a1anine and D-proline have been found in the raw milk inoculated with Pseudomonas spp. The increase of D-alanine and D-proline appeared to be mainly related to the presence of Pseudomonas fluorescens. These results suggest that free DM may be considered as an indicator of psychrotrophic bacterial milk contamination.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.301-310
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• 2020

The following paper concentrates on the objective of studying the influences of extent of duration and temperature on the Pozzolanic properties as well as reactivity of locally existing natural clay of Nai Gaj, district Dadu, Sindh Pakistan. The activation of the clay only occurs through heating when temperature in a furnace chamber reaches 600, 700 and 800oC for 1, 2 and 3 hours and at 900 and 1000℃ for 1 and 2 hours. Furthermore, the strength activity index (SAI) of advanced pozzolanic material happens to be identified through 20% cement replacement for different samples of calcined clay as per ASTM C-618. The compressive strength test of samples had been operated for 7 and 28-days curing afterwards. The maximum compressive strength had been seen in mix E in which cement was replaced with clay calcined at 700℃ for 1 hour that is 27.05 MPa that is 24.31% more than that of control mix. The results gathered from the SAI verdicts the optimal activation temperature is 700℃ within a one-hour time period. The SAI at a temperature of 700℃ with a one-hour duration at 28 days is 124.31% which happens to satisfy the requirements of the new Pozzolanic material, in order to be applied in mortar/concrete (i.e., 75%). The Energy- dispersive spectrometry (EDS) along with the X-ray diffraction (XRD) have been carried out in means of verifying whether there is silica content or amorphous silica present in metakaolin that has been developed. The findings gathered from the SAI were validated, as the analysis of XRD verified that there is in fact Pozzolanic activity of developed metakaolin. Additionally, based on observation, the activated metakaolin holds a significant influence on the increase in mortar's compressive strength.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.449-454
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• 2009

5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a heterotrimeric complex consisting of a catalytic ($\alpha$) and two regulatory ($\beta$ and $\gamma$) subunits. Two isoforms are known for catalytic subunit (${\alpha}1$, ${\alpha}2$) and are encoded by different genes. To assess the metabolic effects of $AMPK{\alpha}1$, we examined the effects of overexpression of adenoviral-mediated $AMPK{\alpha}1$ in hyperlipidemic type 2 diabetic rats. The Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rat is an established animal model of type 2 diabetes that exhibits chronic and slowly progressive hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. Thirty five-week-old overt type 2 diabetic rats (n=10) were administered intravenously with Ad.$AMPK{\alpha}1$. AMPK activity was measured by phosphorylation of acetyl CoA carboxlyase (ACC). To investigate the changes of gene expression related glucose and lipid metabolism, quantitative real-time PCR was performed with liver tissues. Overexpression of $AMPK{\alpha}1$ showed that blood glucose concentration was decreased but that glucose tolerance was not completely recovered on 7th day after treatment. Plasma triglyceride concentration was decreased slightly, and hepatic triglyceride content was markedly reduced by decreasing expression of hepatic lipogenic genes. Overexpression of $AMPK{\alpha}1$ markedly improved hepatic steatosis and it may have effective role for improving hepatic lipid metabolism in hyperlipidemic state.