This study aims to investigate the behavior and strength of self-compacted ferrocement slabs under punching shear load. Experimental results of thirteen square ferrocement slabs of 500×500 mm simply supported on all edges are presented.  The main parameters investigated include the volume fraction of reinforcement, slab thickness and size of load-bearing plate. The load deflection and cracking characteristics of the tested slabs are studied and compared.  The test results showed that the volume fraction of wire mesh has significant effect on both ultimate load and displacement. The increase of slab thickness leads to decrease in deflection values and increase in stiffness of slabs. Both ductility and stiffness increase as the

Background: Treatment of malocclusions using removable orthodontic appliances may prepare new stagnant areas susceptible for colonization and retention of Candida species, therefore; the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of upper removable orthodontic appliances on the mucosal Candidal count in group of apparently healthy orthodontic patients. Materials and Methods: Patients enrolled in this study were children aged 8-12 years having upper removable orthodontic appliances. Candidal counts at six mucosal sites were estimated using Imprint Culture method before, 14 and 28 days during orthodontic therapy. Results: Whole mouth and individual mucosal sites for Candidal counts increase significantly during treatment with upper remov

Recently, research has focused on non-thermal plasma (NTP) technologies as a way to remove volatile organic compounds from the air stream, due to its distinctive qualities, which include a quick reaction at room temperature. In this work, the properties of the plasma generated by the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) system and by a glass insulator were studied. Plasma was generated at different voltages (3, 4, 6, 7, 8 kV ) with a fixed distance between the electrodes of 5 mm, and a constant argon gas flow rate of (2.5) I/min. DBD plasma emission spectra were recorded for each voltage. The Boltzmann plot method was used to calculate the electron temperature in the plasma ( ), and the Stark expansion method was used to calculate the elec

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder in which immunological and structural cells play a role. The limits of conventional medicines necessitate the development of innovative therapeutic techniques for asthma. In the present study, we investigated the possible protective effect of cinnamic acid (CA) on ovalbumin-induced asthma in a mouse model. Sixty albino male mice BALB/c type weighing (20-30) grams were chosen at random and divided into five groups each one contains 12 animal: Group I: PBS/liquid paraffin control. Group II: asthma model group. Group III: cinnamic acid control group; mice received cinnamic acid (50 mg/kg) in liquid paraffin orally by gavage. Group IV: asthma model / group of (25 mg / kg) cinnamic acid; mice received

To achieve sustainability, use waste materials to make concrete to use alternative components and reduce the production of Portland cement. Lime cement was used instead of Portland cement, and 15% of the cement's weight was replaced with silica fume. Also used were eco-friendly fibers (copper fiber) made from recycled electrical. This work examines the impact of utilizing sustainable copper fiber with different aspect ratios (l/d) on some mechanical properties of high-strength green concrete. A high-strength cement mixture with a compressive strength of 65 MPa in line with ACI 211.4R was required to complete the assignment. Copper fibers of 1% by volume of concrete were employed in mixes with four different aspect ratios

Naturally available products have been used widely for centuries in handling human disease. The present study aimed to determine the effect of aluminum potassium sulfate addition into the soft liner on tensile strength and peel bond strength. The effect of aluminum potassium sulfate evaluated by two methods, first one include incorporation of KAL (SO4)2 into soft liner monomer in concentration (2%,3% by wt.) while the second method include immersion of soft liner specimens in solution of KAL(SO4)2 in concentration(5%,10% percent) during time periods (0,10 minutes). In conclusions, the results of current study encourage use KAL (SO4)2 within soft liner material

Cisplatin (CP), a platinum compound, is one of the most active cytotoxic drugs used for cancer treatment. Nephrotoxicity is severe dose limiting side effect of this drug. Abnormal production of reactive oxygen species (ROSs) leading to oxidative stress has been implicated in kidney toxicity by Cisplatin. Here the study was aimed to evaluate nephroprotective effect of ethanolic extract of Terminalia arjuna bark (EETAB) at the doses (200 & 400 mg/kg, body weight) against Cisplatin (7.5 mg/kg, i.p) induced nephrotoxicity in rats. The evaluation was done by measuring % change in body weight, renal function tests such as Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Serum Creatinine (Cr), Serum Total Protein (TP) and also Kidney SOD (Super