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To investigate the effect of feeding heat-treated colostrum at different duration on the health and performance, 48 Holstein calves were enrolled randomly into four treatment groups before first feeding and consumed untreated colostrum (H0, n = 12), heat-treated colostrum at 60ºC for 30 min. (H30, n = 12), heat-treated colostrum at 60ºC for 60 min. (H60, n = 12) and heat-treated colostrum at 60ºC for 90 min. (H90, n = 12). Blood samples were collected for analyses of IgG and protein profile at 0, 6, and 24h of age. The colostrum sample from treated and untreated batches and feces sample from each calf also were taken. The results showed heat-treatment of colostrum at 60ºC for 60 (p = 0.03) and 90 min. (p = 0.01) reduced total bacterial count, while colostral IgG concentration maintained up to 60 min. Serum total protein (p = 0.02), IgG concentrations (p = 0.03), and apparent efficiency of IgG absorption (p = 0.02) were significantly greater at 6 and 24h in calves that were fed heat-treated colostrum (H90) compared to calves fed unheated colostrum (H0). General health status of calves that were received heat-treated colostrum was better and the prevalence of diarrhea-induced pathogens was lower than calves were fed unheated colostrum. In conclusion, the consumption of heat-treated colostrum had a positive effect on health, growth characteristics, and performance of calves during the suckling period.

Shape memory alloy (SMA) is a novel functional material, which has found increasing applications in different engineering aspects. This research presents a finite element analysis of the potential benefits of SMA dowel bars on the jointed concrete pavements (JCP). With a 3-dimonsional (3D) Finite element modelling (FEM) and application of the damaged plasticity model, the tensile damage around the three types of SMA dowels are calculated, and the results are compared to conventional steel dowel bars in the JCP. It was found that SMA dowels considerably reduce the damages around the dowels through the concrete slabs. The load transfer efficiency (LTE) of the pavement equipped with these smart dowels are also have been discussed. To gain further understanding of the pavement behavior, a dynamic load was repeated a thousand times on the model. The damage and the LTE under repetitive loads have been investigated, and it is concluded that SMA dowels can maintain their load efficiency even under highly repeated loads, while causing less tensile damages to the pavement.

Strength is the primary concern for Portland cement pervious concrete (PCPC) designs. Since PCPC has a high void ratio (often without fine aggregate due to the permeability requirement), compressive and tensile strengths tend to be lower than those of conventional concrete pavements. In this experimental study, PCPC mixes made with steel fibers and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) fibers and various amounts of sand were evaluated. Mechanical properties, porosity, and permeability of the PCPC were tested. The results pointed out adding fibers to the mixes increased the concrete strength as well as void content. It is noteworthy to mention that PPS fibers performed better than steel fibers. Addition of a small amount of fine sand (approximate 7 % by weight of total aggregate) to the mixes with PPS fibers significantly improved the concrete strength.

Preserving pavement from deterioration and rectifying defects caused by damage are crucial objectives of pavement maintenance. Slurry seal has gained significant attention and widespread use as an effective and efficient method for preventive pavement maintenance. The application of slurry seal delays pavement failure, seals surfaces, fills inactive road cracks, enhances skid resistance, and repairs pavement surfaces with a thickness of less than 2.5 cm. Mixing and construction at 25 °C saves energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Raveling, exposure, and sanding are common distresses in this type of asphalt. In recent years, researchers have endeavored to surpass the specifications of regulations by enhancing the quality of certain materials, such as fillers, due to their filling properties and their impact on the adhesion performance between asphalt and aggregate. In this study, basalt filler was substituted for mineral filler in slurry seal protective asphalt at percentages of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. Modified mixtures with basalt filler were evaluated and statistically assessed for performance and function according to ISSA A105 guidelines using XRF and FESEM microstructure tests, wet adhesion, abrasion, asphalt stripping, and load-induced deformation. The results demonstrated that basalt filler, due to its superior physical and appearance characteristics compared to mineral filler, enhances asphalt adhesion to aggregates, abrasion resistance, rutting resistance, and asphalt stripping resistance. In this regard, the highest adhesion value was related to samples containing 75% and 100% basalt waste powder and 8% residual bitumen, with values of 26.5 and 27 kg/cm, respectively. Additionally, these samples showed a 36% and 36.7% improvement in vertical (rutting) and lateral displacement compared to the control sample. Samples containing 100% basalt filler in 8% residual bitumen had the least deformation. The weight loss due to abrasion in mixtures containing 75% and 100% basalt filler compared to the control sample decreased by 19% and 26.6%, respectively. A comprehensive statistical analysis identified the variables that had the greatest impact on the performance and durability of the slurry seal mixture. It was found that 100% replacement of basalt waste filler, instead of mineral filler, had a positive effect on the slurry seal mixture.

Owing to heavy traffic loads, rigid pavements encounter various types of failures at transverse joints during their lifetime. Three-dimensional finite-element method (3D-FEM) was used to assess the structural response of jointed concrete pavement under moving tandem axle loads. In this study, 3D FEM was verified using an existing numerical model and field measurement of the concrete slab traversed by a moving truck. This paper also investigated the effects of multiple parameters: material properties, slab geometry, load magnitude and frictional status of the slab and base layer on load transfer efficiency (LTE) of the transverse joints. Further study has been done to investigate the slab performance without the dowel bars which occurs when parts of the pavement needed to be repaired using precast slabs. The aggregate interlock between the new slab and the existing slab is simulated by frictional interface. In 3D FEM model, the load transfer efficiency has been improved by increasing the elasticity modules of the concrete slab and the base layer or increasing the slab thickness. This can decrease the joints' deflections, reduces the damages on pavement joints. Removing dowel bars adversely affected the load transfer.

To investigate the effect of feeding heat-treated colostrum at different duration on the health and performance, 48 Holstein calves were enrolled randomly into four treatment groups before first feeding and consumed untreated colostrum (H0, n = 12), heat-treated colostrum at 60[degrees]C for 30 min. (H30, n = 12), heat-treated colostrum at 60[degrees]C for 60 min. (H60, n = 12) and heat-treated colostrum at 60[degrees]C for 90 min. (H90, n = 12). Blood samples were collected for analyses of IgG and protein profile at 0, 6, and 24h of age. The colostrum sample from treated and untreated batches and feces sample from each calf also were taken. The results showed heat-treatment of colostrum at 60[degrees]C for 60 (p = 0.03) and 90 min. (p = 0.01) reduced total bacterial count, while colostral IgG concentration maintained up to 60 min. Serum total protein (p = 0.02), IgG concentrations (p = 0.03), and apparent efficiency of IgG absorption (p = 0.02) were significantly greater at 6 and 24h in calves that were fed heat-treated colostrum (H90) compared to calves fed unheated colostrum (H0). General health status of calves that were received heat-treated colostrum was better and the prevalence of diarrhea-induced pathogens was lower than calves were fed unheated colostrum. In conclusion, the consumption of heat-treated colostrum had a positive effect on health, growth characteristics, and performance of calves during the suckling period. Keywords: IgG; growth; health; Holstein calf; heat-treating; suckling period.

To investigate the effect of feeding heat-treated colostrum at different duration on the health and performance, 48 Holstein calves were enrolled randomly into four treatment groups before first feeding and consumed untreated colostrum (H0, n = 12), heat-treated colostrum at 60ºC for 30 min. (H30, n = 12), heat-treated colostrum at 60ºC for 60 min. (H60, n = 12) and heat-treated colostrum at 60ºC for 90 min. (H90, n = 12). Blood samples were collected for analyses of IgG and protein profile at 0, 6, and 24h of age. The colostrum sample from treated and untreated batches and feces sample from each calf also were taken. The results showed heat-treatment of colostrum at 60ºC for 60 (p = 0.03) and 90 min. (p = 0.01) reduced total bacterial count, while colostral IgG concentration maintained up to 60 min. Serum total protein (p = 0.02), IgG concentrations (p = 0.03), and apparent efficiency of IgG absorption (p = 0.02) were significantly greater at 6 and 24h in calves that were fed heat-treated colostrum (H90) compared to calves fed unheated colostrum (H0). General health status of calves that were received heat-treated colostrum was better and the prevalence of diarrhea-induced pathogens was lower than calves were fed unheated colostrum. In conclusion, the consumption of heat-treated colostrum had a positive effect on health, growth characteristics, and performance of calves during the suckling period.

Covid-19 Pandemic leads to medical services for the society all over the world. The Covid-19 pandemic influence the waste management and specially medical waste management. In this study, the effect of the Covid-19 outbreak on medical waste was evaluated via assessing the solid waste generation, composition, and management status in five hospitals in Iran. The results indicated that the epidemic Covid-19 leads to increased waste generation on average 102.2 % in both private and public hospitals. In addition, the ratio of infectious waste in the studied hospitals increased by an average of 9 % in medical waste composition and 121 % compared with before COVID-19 pandemic. Changes in plans and management measurement such as increasing the frequency of waste collection per week leads to lower the risk of infection transmission from medical waste in the studied hospitals. The results obtained from the present research clearly show the changes in medical waste generation and waste composition within pandemic Covid-19. In addition, established new ward, Covid-19 ward with high-infected waste led to new challenges which should be managed properly by change in routine activities.

Background Intracardiac leiomyomatosis is a rare leiomyoma that originates from the uterus. It can be easily misdiagnosed because of its nonspecific manifestations. In this case, we aim to emphasize the complete resection of the ICL with a single-stage laparotomy. Case presentation Here, we report a case of a 36-year-old female who presented with dyspnea and a mobile tumor in the right atrium that was detected in transthoracic echocardiography prior to cosmetic surgery. The results of computed tomography (CT) scan, Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), and magnetic resonance venography (MRV) revealed a mass in the IVC extending into the right atrium and pelvic veins. One-stage surgery, along with transesophageal echocardiography monitoring, was performed for the patient, and the tumor was resected entirely without the need for open-heart surgery. Conclusion This case report suggests that, in selected cases, one-stage surgery through laparotomy for resecting intravenous leiomyomatosis may be a safer and more efficient approach in comparison with the traditional two-stage operation, due to fewer complications. Based on our case, anticoagulant therapy may also be essential to reduce the risk of embolism during this single-stage laparotomy. Further studies are needed to validate the efficacy and safety of this approach.

Background Alkaptonuria is a rare congenital metabolic disorder characterized by homogentisic acid accumulation in body cartilage and connective tissues due to a deficient homogentisic acid dioxygenase enzyme. This disorder manifests in various clinical symptoms, including spondyloarthropathy, ocular and dermal pigmentation, genitourinary tract obstruction by ochronosis stones, and cardiovascular system involvement. Cardiac ochronosis is a rare manifestation of alkaptonuria that may present as aortic stenosis, sometimes accompanied by other cardiovascular complications. Case presentation We report an unexpected case of ochronosis diagnosed during cardiac surgery. Due to the fragile, thin, and atheromatous nature of the ascending aorta in patients with ochronosis, we opted for a sutureless aortic valve replacement procedure. This approach appears to be more suitable for patients with ochronosis. Conclusions Although cardiac ochronosis is rare, surgeons should remain vigilant and consider the possibility of this condition when examining patients with aortic valve stenosis, paying close attention to the clinical manifestations of alkaptonuria.