Performance improvement of asphalt concretes using fiber reinforcement.

This study reports on the laboratory performance, field performance and cost analysis of fiber-reinforced asphalt concrete (FR-AC) pavement using AC60/70 and polymer modified asphalt (PMA) as binders. The performance testing included indirect tensile resilient modulus, indirect tensile strength modulus, indirect tensile fatigue life, dynamic creep and wheel-tracker tests. Field trials of AC60/70 and PMA mixtures, were undertaken with and without fibers and the International Roughness Index, texture depth, and rutting of the mixtures were measured over time. The PMA + Fiber mixture exhibited the best performance among the materials tested. The performance of AC60/70 + Fiber mixture were comparable to PMA mixture. The improvement of both fatigue cracking and rutting were similar for AC60/70 + Fiber mixtures while the improvement of fatigue cracking was higher than rutting for the PMA mixtures. Since the performance of FR-AC was similar for both laboratory and plant mixed specimens, the laboratory mix design results can be used to interpret the field performance. The fiber reinforced AC60/70 mixture was found to be the most economical. The outcome of this research can be used as a guide, for establishing the specification of FR-AC pavement in Thailand and other countries using similar mix design.

Relationship and Characteristics of Falling at Temples among the Elderly Group in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

Background: Falls and their consequences are serious health problems among the elderly. In Thailand, temples are where the elderly often visit to pray and socialize with others. However, studies related to characteristics and severity of falls within temples are limited. Objective: To study characteristics of falls (falls, near falls, and fall-related injuries) and severity of falls among the elderly in temples. Material and Method: A cross-sectional analytic study. Subject is elderly population group (aged 60 and above) in the province of Nakhon Ratchasima (17 districts) who attend temples at least once a week (22 temples). The survey was conducted by questionnaires that required personal information, medical condition, frequency of fall, fall description, fall location, time of fall, and severity after a fall. Results: Total 742 subjects aged adult were screened through questionnaires. A number of 451 persons were reported to have fallen in temples, which was 60.8% of the population, whereas 76.1% of the population was said to have fallen or nearly fell. Most of the subjects have fallen only once in the past year by tripping (55%) and slipping (28.7%). Most of the falls occur outdoors (48.0%) rather than indoors (30.4%) and in the bathroom (21.6%). Some adults do not have any fall-related injuries (33.5%), though most of them experience muscle pain (27.3%). The rate of fractures among the elderly was 7.1%. A total of 117 subjects required hospitalization (25.9%). Upon being discharged from the hospital, 24.8% of the subjects were required to continue recovery at home. Conclusion: The number of near falls and falls among Thai older adults in temples are quite high and very concerning. Such numbers are alarming and indicate that the elderly attending services and activities in temples require appropriate facilities and close attention from accompanying and surrounding persons. This study presented fundamental yet beneficial information which is useful for the architectural, engineering, and public health development for the elderly.

Lipid Accumulation Product and Index of Central Lipid Distributions for Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Perimenopausal/Menopausal Women.

Background: Lipid accumulation product (LAP) is a novel biomarker of central lipid accumulation related to the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Consistent with physiologic observations, an alternative index uses waist circumference (WC) and fasting triglycerides (TG) concentrations to describe lipid over accumulation. Objective: Explore the association of LAP with anthropometric parameters and subclinical atherosclerosis in perimenopausal/menopausal women with no evidence of established CVD. Objective: Explore the association of LAP with anthropometric parameters and subclinical atherosclerosis in perimenopausal/menopausal women with no evidence of established CVD. Material and Method: The study was an observational cross-sectional study and included 130 perimenopausal/menopausal participants. The anthropometric parameters used were height, weight, and WC. Laboratory lipid profile and LAP were calculated. High-resolution B-mode ultrasonography was performed to measure carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and to search for carotid atherosclerosis. Results: One hundred thirty perimenopausal/menopausal women were studied. About 22.3% had an abnormal CIMT. The percentages of normal weight, generalized obesity, and central obesity among study participants were 30.7%, 14.0%, and 55.3%, respectively. LAP was not correlated with CIMT and atherosclerosis. WC and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were correlated with CIMT but were not correlated with atherosclerosis. The other parameters of LAP and body mass index were not predictive of carotid atherosclerosis. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, TG, and highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol were higher with LAP equal or greater than 34.5 than with LAP lower than 34.5. However, CIMT was not statistically different between the two LAP groups (p = 0.99). Conclusion: Central lipid distribution in perimenopausal/menopausal women using anthropometric phenotype WC and WHR was correlated with higher CIMT values. Both LAP index and anthropometric phenotype were not helpful for identifying subclinical atherosclerosis defined by CIMT measurement equal or greater than 0.9 mm.