Featured Application: Reinforced transparent plastic bars applied to concrete can be used to attract the architect's interest as an interior and exterior materials for building design and construction.Abstract: In this study, experiments were conducted to derive a mix design for improving the flexural performance of light transparent concrete, which is attracting much attention and interest as an interior and exterior material for buildings, so that it could be easily applied in the field as a non-structural element by securing a lightweight, workability, and economic efficiency through the improvement of the concrete mix design and the use of economical materials for promoting its practical use. It was found that the mixing of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber was effective in improving the consistency by preventing the aggregate from floating due to the mixing of lightweight aggregate with a low specific gravity. The flexural performance test results showed that the load transfer factor (LTF) from the concrete matrix to the fiber was highest in the test specimens without plastic bars, followed by those with 5 and 10 mm plastic bars, respectively.

This randomized controlled trial study aimed to investigate the effects of a lifestyle intervention on metabolic syndrome (MetS) among middle-aged Koreans. A total of 243 middle-aged Koreans with MetS were randomly assigned to either of 2 types of lifestyle intervention for MetS and followed for 12 months. Health examinations and interventions were implemented at 16 regional branch facilities of a Korean medical institution from 2010, following the NCEP-ATP III criteria and recommendations. Lifestyle intervention (LI) group (n = 137) participated in a 12-week multi-component intervention including individual counseling, group sessions, and self-help materials. Basic usual intervention (BI) group (n = 106) was provided with one-page health information sheet on MetS and MetS management at baseline. Prevalence of MetS and each of MetS components, except for low HDL-cholesterol, in both groups were significantly reduced and maintained after the intervention. Notably, prevalence of hypertension and abdominal obesity continued to improve during the follow-up period. Between-group differences in results were not found. Both interventions were effective when they were accompanied with repeated check-ups and notification of MetS status. It is recommended to design clear guidelines for the notification of MetS after MetS screening and to encourage checking MetS status periodically for effective MetS management (KCT 0000446).Graphical Abstract

This study analyzed the correlation between the load transfer properties and the overall toughness in the flexural behavior of steel fiber-reinforced concrete after concrete matrix cracking. Beam specimens with identical aspect ratios were made with three different types of steel fiber, each of which had different properties, and were used for the flexural test. The load displacement graph from the test was divided into sections by behavioral properties, and the regression model by mix was analyzed to extract the correlation between the load transfer section (concrete-fiber) and the overall toughness. The analysis results showed three types of load displacement curve based on the fiber type and fiber content, and confirmed that the load reduction section towards fiber after concrete cracking and the slope and area of the load reascension section had a huge impact on the overall toughness. The regression model of the whole toughness (T b ) was then acquired by proposing the resulting correlation as the load transfer factor (LTF).

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