Search

Hypertension (HTN) management continues to be a concern due to challenges with behavioral risk factors. Patient education to modify unhealthy behaviors appears to be effective in managing HTN. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to determine whether individualized face-to-face education and counseling have a beneficial effect on systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) in hypertensive patients. Studies were extracted from PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases. Nine studies, comprising 2627 participants, were included. Random effects models were used to pool estimates of mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in SBP and DBP between the intervention and usual care groups. SBP and DBP were significantly reduced at the 6-month (MD = -4.38 mmHg, 95% CI: -6.95 to -1.81; MD = -2.09 mmHg, 95% CI: -3.69 to -0.50, respectively) and 12-month time points (MD = -2.48 mmHg, 95% CI: -3.96 to -1.01; MD = -1.71 mmHg, 95% CI: -2.88 to -0.55, respectively) with intervention. At the 24-month time point, there was a significant change in SBP (MD = -2.13 mmHg, 95% CI: -3.94 to -0.32) with intervention compared with the usual care group. This study showed that individualized face-to-face education and counseling add significant benefits to usual care for lowering blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

During last few decades, the researchers have developed new structural systems which have no or minor damage after being hit by severe events like earthquake. Development of self-centering wall having alternative energy dissipation mechanisms was one of these achievements. A wide variety of rocking wall systems, such as jointed walls, hybrid walls, precast walls with end columns (PreWEC), and PreWEC core wall systems, are proposed and studied. This paper describes an analytical investigation of the lateral load behavior of two new types of hybrid rocking wall systems. Core rocking wall is achieved by merging four single hybrid rocking walls and coupled rocking wall is accomplished by coupling two rocking walls using embedded reinforced concrete beams. The concept of coupling hybrid rocking walls using embedded reinforced coupling beam is emerged from previous coupled conventional shear walls studies. As single rocking wall system, in coupled and core rocking wall, post-tensioning tendons are used as a mean to provide self-centering force, and mild steel bars are used to dissipate energy. The nonlinear behavior of the wall is due to the gap opening at the base joint. Three-dimensional finite element model of each system was developed. The stress distribution, crack propagation, and critical sections of these systems are investigated. The effect of spalling concrete cover in the toe region due to rocking action is explained. In addition, the reduction in stiffness and lateral load resisting capacity of the systems due to cracks is monitored. Finally, the lateral load behavior of single rocking walls is compared to that of core and coupled rocking wall systems.

AbstractThis study investigates the dynamic response of masonry bridges under blast-induced shock waves, focusing on the structural integrity and safety of these critical infrastructure components under extreme conditions. The research employs theoretical approaches to analyze the effects of blast-induced shock waves on masonry bridge structures. A comprehensive numerical simulation framework is developed using finite element analysis (FEA) to model the dynamic interactions between blast waves and the masonry materials. Key parameters, including the blast load intensity, duration, and distance from the blast source, are varied to assess their impact on bridge performance. The results reveal significant insights into the deformation patterns, stress distribution, and potential failure modes of masonry bridges under blast loading scenarios. The findings underscore the importance of incorporating blast resistance measures in the design and retrofitting of masonry bridges to enhance their resilience against explosive events. This study contributes to the advancement of safety standards and design guidelines for masonry bridge structures in the context of blast loading, providing valuable information for engineers, policymakers, and infrastructure managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]