In this study, we estimate the potential efficiency of waste fishing net (WFN) fibers as concrete reinforcements. Three WFN fiber concentrations  were mixed with concrete. Compressive strength, toughness, splitting tensile strength, and biaxial flexural tests were conducted. Compressive strength decreased but other properties increased as a function of fiber proportions. According to the mechanical strength observations and the ductility number, WFN fibers yielded benefits in crack arresting that improved the postcracking behavior and transformed concrete from a brittle into a quasi-brittle material. It is inferred that WFN fiber is a recycled and eco-friendly material that can be utilized as potential concrete reinforcement. In addition, the environment is worsening owing to an increase in marine litter. According to [The civil construction industry has contributed significantly to development worldwide. However, drawbacks still exist. In particular, the consumption of mineral resources and fossil fuels in conjunction with the huge amounts of waste generated has affected the environment. According to , in 2019rding to ,5,6. If Synthetic polymeric fibers used in cement-based materials can be observed in micro- or macroforms. Our previous studies showed the effectiveness of electrospun nanofibers in increasing the tensile strength and toughness of cement materials ,8,9,10. The observations of previous studies revealed the feasibility of using recycled PE fibers (R-PE) from WFNs as tensile reinforcement for mortar ,32. HoweIn this study, WFN fibers (or R-PE fibers) were used as reinforcement agents for normal concrete. The twisted multifilament R-PE fibers were produced from WFNs collected alongside the seashore of Ulsan, Korea. The production process has already been reported ,32. Figu2 cylindrical molds and D420 × 48 mm2 round panel molds, compacted with a steel rod [A mixture design was proposed to observe the constituents of conventional concrete, which expected a compressive strength at 28 days of 40 MPa refer to . The watteel rod . Notablycf and spf are the compressive and splitting tensile strengths (MPa), respectively; P is the maximum applied load of each test (kN); A is the area of the cross-section of the cylinder (mm2); and L and D represent the cylindrical sample’s length and diameter (mm).In this study, the slump test was conducted in compliance with ASTM C143  for all 2 used in this case shows its effectiveness in reducing the material volume, which makes it easier to conduct the test. According to the simple plate theory, the dimensions of the round panel sample were proven to ensure equibiaxial tensile behavior as reported previously [The equibiaxial flexural stress and the toughness of the WFN fiber-reinforced concretes were estimated according to the novel biaxial flexure test (BFT) method, similar to that used in previously published studies ,40,41. Teviously ,40. In a2) was supported by a steel frame. The diameter of the support ring was 400 mm (Pa = 200 mm), and that of the loading ring was 100 mm (Pb = 50 mm). Notably, for the high consistency of the observations, a rubber pad was placed between the sample surface and the loading ring to maintain the flat condition of the sample surface. In addition, an LVDT was attached to the steel frame to measure the deflection of the central point of the sample ; pR, pa, and pb are the radius of the panel, support ring, and loading ring, respectively.In this study, the BFT was conducted using a 500 kN hydraulic UTM. The round panel sample  were prepared for the tests conducted in this study. All samples were cured in water for 28 days prior to testing. All the tests were conducted in standard laboratory conditions; the speed of loading of all tests was maintained at 1 mm/min.The influences of the WFN fibers on the 28-day compressive behavior are shown in According to the literature, polymeric fibers have been reported to reduce concrete compressive behavior because of the creation of additional defects in the cement matrix generated following a reduction in the matrix compactness. Consequently, the addition of polymeric fibers weakens the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) ,44. FibeAccording to the compressive strength test observations, the compressive strength of WFN fiber-reinforced concrete decreased with an increase in WFN fiber proportions. By contrast, toughness was enhanced. In addition, the role of the fiber in softening the constitutive curve after the peak load was clearly observed with an increase in fiber proportions.P) relevant to the first crack [st crack . The splst crack , which rst crack .The test results also showed that the average splitting tensile strength of WFN fiber-reinforced concrete ranged from 9 to 11% of its compressive strength. This range is similar to that found in other fiber-reinforced concrete research  ,47.The use of WFN fibers was effective in improving the tensile and post-cracking behavior of concrete. In addition, the failure of the fiber-reinforced concrete is observed owing to the pullout phenomena of the fiber from the cement matrix.The pre-peak stage, as illustrated in According to ASTM C1550 , the touThe toughness value at a specified central deflection was used to clarify the performance of the WFN fibers by redistributing the stress after cracking. The above findings demonstrate the effectiveness of WFN fibers in enhancing the biaxial flexural stress and toughness and the post-crack behavior of concrete.It is known that in a parallel system of brittle materials, if failure occurs in one part, it cannot carry the load anymore, and the entire load is transferred to the remaining parts. Conversely, if a part of a parallel system of ideally plastic materials fails, it maintains the load partially, and the other parts continue to carry the remaining load. Thus, determining the transformation of the failure mode from a brittle to quasi-brittle material or ductile is a major issue, which clarifies the improvement of material property. A previous study proposed an index as the ductility number (Equation (5)) to evaluate the failure mode of a material .(5)λ=1−As listed in The observations from this study show the effectiveness of WFN fibers in transforming the failure mode from a brittle to a quasi-brittle concrete, which is an important material property. The performance of concrete is evaluated based on compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and biaxial flexural strength tests. As shown in The addition of WFN fibers reduced the workability of concrete, and the slump of the 1% WFN fiber-reinforced concrete sample was acceptable as compared with those of the 2 and 3% WFN fiber-reinforced concrete samples.Corresponding to an increase in the fiber proportions, the changes in the mechanical properties of the WFN fiber-reinforced concrete are as follows: According to the compression test, the compressive strength decreased slightly while the strain and toughness increased. According to the splitting tensile strength outcomes, an improvement in the tensile property and post-cracking behavior of concrete was observed. From the biaxial flexural test, the biaxial tensile stress and toughness improved significantly. On the basis of the findings from the experimental work, the WFN fibers showed their benefits in crack arresting, and thus improved the post-cracking behavior and transformed concrete from a brittle to a quasi-brittle material.On the basis of the normalized analysis, the optimal proportion of 1% WFN fibers is proposed by considering the changes in the decrease in compressive strength and the increase in splitting tensile strength and toughness among the three surveyed proportions. However, the proportions of 1% and 2% are recommended for practical applications owing to their structural requirements. In addition, further studies on detailed proportions of fiber content from 1 to 2% are necessary to find the best performance of WFN fiber-reinforced concrete material.The fiber utilized in this study was a recycled product from the WFN. Thus, the environmental benefits are very clear. In addition, the fiber production process does not consume any energy and releases toxic waste or exhaust. Collection, classification, washing, and cutting into desired sizes are all requirements of the production process. However, for practical applications, the demands for WFN fiber pretreatment, cutting technology, and optimal mixing design technology are necessary. Hence, these subjects will be studied in detail in the future.In this study, the influences of 1, 2, and 3% proportions of WFN fibers on the strength and toughness of concrete were investigated. The following conclusions can be drawn from the observations of this study:In conclusion, WFN fiber is a potential reinforcement for concrete, and it can be utilized and evaluated in practical applications, especially, constructions in the marine zone, where chloride corrosion is the most concern.


Human-centered design (HCD) training offers the potential to improve both team processes and products. However, the use of HCD to improve the quality of team science is a relatively recent application, and its benefits and challenges have not been rigorously evaluated. We conducted a qualitative study with health sciences researchers trained in HCD methods. We aimed to determine how researchers applied HCD methods and perceived the benefits and barriers to using HCD on research teams.We conducted 1-hour, semi-structured interviews with trainees from three training cohorts. Interviews focused on perceptions of the training, subsequent uses of HCD, barriers and facilitators, and perceptions of the utility of HCD to science teams. Data analysis was conducted using Braun and Clarke’s process for thematic analysis.We interviewed nine faculty and nine staff trained in HCD methods and identified four themes encompassing HCD use, benefits, challenges, and tensions between HCD approaches and academic culture.Trainees found HCD relevant to research teams for stakeholder engagement, research design, project planning, meeting facilitation, and team management. They also described benefits of HCD in five distinct areas: creativity, egalitarianism, structure, efficiency, and visibility. Our data suggest that HCD has the potential to help researchers work more inclusively and collaboratively on interdisciplinary teams and generate more innovative and impactful science. The application of HCD methods is not without challenges; however, we believe these challenges can be overcome with institutional investment. With the highest impact science now conducted on large, interdisciplinary, and often geographically distributed research teams –3, univeHuman-centered design (HCD) training offers a promising toolset for researchers for enhancing the creativity and productivity of research teams by improving both team processes  and products . HCD, a pragmatic approach to problem solving that draws from social science methodologies and is widely used in fields such as engineering and computer science, is “a flexible yet disciplined approach to innovation that prioritizes peopleʼs needs and concrete experiences in the design of complex systems” (p.1) . It usesTo evaluate this approach, we conducted a qualitative study with health sciences researchers (faculty and staff) who were trained in HCD methods. Our goals were to determine how these researchers applied HCD to their research, the benefits and drawbacks they perceived of applying HCD methods in their work, and the barriers and facilitators they perceived to using HCD.Between 2018 and 2019, the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) at the University of Pittsburgh offered HCD training to a group of researchers from across the university. The goals of this training were twofold: (1) to help researchers develop techniques for drawing out and integrating the perspectives of all team members, thus improving collaboration and (2) to help researchers more creatively and empathetically engage stakeholders and team members in the design of interventions and processes, thus catalyzing more innovative problem solving. Training was provided by the LUMA Institute, an HCD design firm located in Pittsburgh with a highly regarded training program. LUMA has distilled the hundreds of design techniques contained within the general framework of HCD into 36 high-impact “methods” which can be combined into “recipes” to accomplish specific goals .Three cohorts of trainees participated in the trainings in October 2018, May 2019, and October 2019. Trainees included 54 faculty and staff representing different roles on research teams, including principal investigators, coinvestigators, research coordinators, research facilitators, and community stakeholders. Whole teams were encouraged to participate together, though this was not always possible given scheduling challenges. Participants represented 20 departments and institutes across the Schools of the Health Sciences, with additional attendees from the schools of social work and engineering.looking ; (2) understanding ; and (3) making . The methods, which often relied on flip chart paper and sticky notes of different colors, required participants to draw as well as write, and to be fully engaged with one another in pairs and small groups. The training approach provided participants with opportunities to see accomplished facilitators model each method while practicing it themselves.Training began with two in-person, full-day workshops conducted on the University of Pittsburgh campus. In these workshops, two experienced LUMA instructors led trainees through a set of structured activities, designed to introduce participants to the philosophy behind HCD as well as a range of HCD methods. The methods taught fell into three broad categories: (1) This intensive training was combined with three follow-up sessions spaced over the following 3 months. For each session, groups of trainees  were asked to use one or more HCD methods in the context of their work and report back on their own experiences, receiving feedback from LUMA facilitators and other participants.In addition to the 2-day training and follow-up sessions, participants received a booklet and a set of cards summarizing each of 36 high-impact HCD methods and 1 year of access to LUMA’s website, which offers training videos and tools for creating activities. The cost of the program to participants was covered by the University of Pittsburgh’s CTSI.Of the 54 people who participated in HCD training, we contacted 41 to request interviews, excluding 13 who were either on or closely connected to the study team or who had left the university. Interviewees were informed that their participation was voluntary and confidential and were offered $50 gift cards in compensation for their time.1). Participants gave consent verbally before interviews were conducted. All research protocols were covered under IRB #0608202. It should be noted that, while HCD training was conducted face-to-face before the COVID-19 pandemic, interviews occurred after social distancing guidelines were in place, and were conducted via Zoom.We conducted 1-hour, semi-structured qualitative interviews with all trainees who responded to our request. Interviews were conducted by a qualitative methodologist (MN) and a trained qualitative researcher from the Qualitative Evaluation and Stakeholder Engagement Research Service . Interviews focused on trainee perceptions of the training, subsequent uses of HCD methods, barriers and facilitators to using HCD, and perceptions of the utility of HCD to science teams (see the Trainee Interview guide in Supplementary Table 2) was inductively developed by Drs. Norman and Hamm, who individually coded all the transcripts and adjudicated coding discrepancies to full agreement. Coding was done in NVivo 12 to facilitate data organization and analysis. Coded data were analyzed to identify themes in participant responses. These themes were discussed and refined with other team members who had not conducted or coded the interviews, but had experience with HCD methods. The results of the interview data are described later.After interviews were transcribed verbatim and de-identified, data analysis was conducted by two experienced qualitative researchers (MN and MH), following the six-step process for thematic analysis described by Braun and Clarke . A codebOf the 41 people we contacted, 18 responded to our request for interviews (9 faculty members and 9 staff members) and we interviewed them all. Faculty included both early and mid-career investigators and represented a broad array of fields, including Medicine, Pharmacy, Public Health, Engineering, and Social Work. Staff included individuals working in a wide range of research roles, including administration, study coordination, project management, recruitment, compliance, and community engagement. Staff also represented a broad spectrum of fields. From these interviews, we identified the following themes, which cut across faculty and staff:Taken as a group, participants reported using a wide variety of HCD methods in their work, and doing so in a broad range of contexts, including stakeholder engagement, research design and project planning, and meeting facilitation and team management. There were variations in how intensively individual participants used HCD, however, with some using HCD methods periodically and others regularly. Specific ways participants applied HCD methods are summarized in Table Human centered design tools, particularly for low-income or underserved populations or low-literacy groups that aren’t like academics…are so much more effective for quickly pulling out the main barriers and even facilitators to any type of problem. [Participant_1]Participants used HCD methods with stakeholders from different communities to explore experiences, determine needs, identify barriers and facilitators to care, and design or improve interventions. Participants reported using HCD methods to collect input from a wide range of research participant stakeholders both in the United States and in international research contexts. Applications included seeking input on the refinement of research questions, the creation of interventions, and collection of feedback on the experience of participating in research. Participants saw HCD as ideal for engaging stakeholders, particularly community members who might be less accustomed to or more distrustful of traditional research methodologies. As one participant said:HCD methods were employed at multiple points in the process of planning and executing research projects. Many of the participants used HCD for idea generation, including to identify salient research questions and brainstorm project ideas. One intriguing application was the use of HCD to generate ideas for innovation sections of grants. As a participant noted, investigators often write the innovation section of grants themselves, but an HCD brainstorming exercise with the whole team could uncover far more ways in which a proposal was innovative. Teams also used HCD to brainstorm ideas for the discussion sections of manuscripts.Participants found HCD methods useful for problem definition as well. One participant observed that while researchers often jump straight to fixing problems before they fully understand them, HCD methods can help teams interrogate whether the problem is important to solve in the first place or if the research question is the right one. Participants also used HCD methods to pinpoint potential sticking points in projects. One staff member, for instance, used HCD methods to identify potential risks to a project such as unrealistic recruitment targets, so they could be addressed early.Scientific teams are limited, funding is limited, people do multiple things, and they have to prioritize. If the investigator says it’s all important, it’s all critical, the team can be paralyzed.…Many of the [HCD] activities are prioritizing activities that can help you…decide what you want to do first. [Participant_17]Participants also used HCD methods to organize and streamline information, collect feedback from differently positioned team members, set priorities, and allocate resources. As one individual told us: Participants used HCD activities to facilitate everything from weekly team meetings to departmental retreats to advisory board meetings. One participant commented that having structured HCD exercises for meetings reduced awkwardness and made him feel more confident as a leader. Several participants commented that their team meetings were more fun since they began using HCD methods and that attendance and participation at team meetings had improved.[Using HCD], you can have the lab tech…the grad student, the post doc, the PI and maybe the co-investigator and it’s an opportunity to get them all in the room and…make sure that all the different thoughts and ideas they have [are aired], but everyone’s on the same page, too. [Participant_8]Participants also used HCD methods to enhance communication and improve collaboration on their teams. Several participants regularly solicited input from their team members about team processes, to identify successes, challenges, and opportunities. For example, one participant used the “Rose Thorn, Bud” activity to check in with her team members and saved the sticky notes from these activities to show team members which “buds” (opportunities) had turned into “roses” (successes) by the end of the year. Others used sequences of HCD methods to ensure that the team shared the same vision for projects, using some methods to draw out individual goals and perspectives and others to build consensus around priorities and direction. As one participant described it:3.Participants overwhelmingly saw value in HCD methods for research teams. These benefits clustered in five areas: creativity, egalitarianism, structure, efficiency, and visibility. Representative quotes in each subtheme are provided in Supplementary Table Participants generally believed that the highly participatory, hands-on nature of HCD activities engaged participants more deeply than traditional data collection and meeting facilitation methods and prompted out-of-the-box thinking and greater creativity. Participants credited HCD methods with helping researchers move away from linear thinking, examine their assumptions, bring more diverse voices to bear on problem solving, take more risks, and consider a broader range of ideas.Another significant advantage of HCD methods, remarked on by many participants, was that it “levels the playing field” by giving every person involved in the exercise a voice and putting them on equal footing. Depending on the method, this was generally accomplished by providing time for individual thought before group discussion, asking everyone to write a specified number of ideas on sticky notes, and using structured methods of turn-taking. As one participant noted, “With [HCD], I feel like…everybody gets to move ideas around, everybody gets to write the same number of ideas, you know, everybody has input.” [Participant_01] Participants felt that HCD methods drew out the voices of differently positioned stakeholders and team members, and thus generated more potentially impactful ideas. The focus in HCD on generating ideas without judgment created a sense of safety, particularly for participants with less institutional power , while the use of sticky notes promoted a feeling of anonymity that encouraged input. Several participants said they believed the egalitarian ethic of HCD also enhanced efficiency, since HCD methods both prevented a few individuals from dominating and potentially derailing discussion and encouraged early airing of concerns. One commented that in traditional research environments, staff often deferred to the PI, keeping doubts to themselves, and not raising concerns about project feasibility. They noted that by soliciting more input from staff early, HCD could potentially prevent time-consuming mistakes.Many of the trainees talked about how the structured quality of HCD contributed to its effectiveness. Several participants remarked that giving the methods clear, memorable names  helped to streamline communication on their teams. That methods could be combined into different recipes offered versatility within the structure. Participants appreciated how both the training and the materials provided by LUMA  helped them plan and facilitate HCD activities by providing detailed guidance on each method. One participant said: “They teach you how to do it…which really works for scientists; they want specific instructions” [Participant_17]. Many participants consulted these resources regularly before using HCD activities. The activities, moreover, provide what one trainee referred to as a “liberating structure” [Participant_15]: boundaries within which participants could be more creative.A number of participants remarked on the potential of HCD to help research teams reach higher quality ideas more quickly. Most attributed this efficiency to the structure described above. Because each activity targeted a specific goal  and was time-constrained, the methods discouraged long, rambling discussions, which, as one participant said, “allows you to get to the outcome faster” [Participant_12]. A number of participants believed HCD’s potential to reframe problems and prevent stale thinking also created efficiencies because it improved the quality of ideas a group could generate in the same or less time.To participants, the visual nature of some HCD methods  offered benefits over methods that do not bring the results of a data-gathering process into view. Participants reported that they were more accountable when using HCD methods because their collective thought process and decisions were displayed for all to see. Several also commented that having a physically tangible end product after an HCD activity was helpful for showing community partners the progress they had made during community engaged research. Several participants compared HCD with traditional methods such as focus groups and interviews in this regard. As one said: “When you do an interview with somebody or you do a focus group, it is really difficult for people to understand the ideas they have come up with…So it is so impactful when you just show people that we’ve done some things” [Participant_1]. A physically tangible end product was also viewed as fostering a more reciprocal process of cocreation with stakeholders.While all the participants spoke positively about HCD, their response to the training varied in intensity. Some participants viewed HCD primarily as a complement to the quantitative skills they possessed. However, to a subset of participants, HCD represented a paradigm shift: an approach that felt like a long-awaited and natural fit for their personalities, values, and research goals. As one participant put it: “I realized that this training was kind of what I have been waiting for, for a large part of my career” [Participant_12]. These participants tended to use HCD methods regularly and in multiple contexts.While participants saw value in HCD methods and used them in a wide variety of contexts, they also encountered challenges applying them. Some of these barriers related to physical logistics, knowledge gaps, and issues of facilitation that participants felt could be overcome with additional institutional support. Others were deeper problems related to cultural mismatch and lack of buy-in.A number of HCD methods require supplies such as different colored sticky notes, markers, and large wall-sized sticky sheets of paper, as well as space to use them. Small meeting rooms dominated by a conference table make using these methods physically awkward. Additionally, the cost of the materials adds up and is not always provided for in departmental supplies or budgets, necessitating that the participant pay for them out-of-pocket.Using shared meeting space can also pose a problem. One participant described successfully doing an HCD exercise but then having to rapidly vacate the conference room so that another group could come in and having to very quickly take all of the sticky notes off of the walls, losing some of the organizational structure in the process. These methods, while regarded as efficient for the generation of ideas, also do not easily fit into a standard half-hour or hour-long scheduled meeting time. Participants suggested that their institutions could help with these barriers by providing space and funding for HCD supplies.We had a ton of data at the end, so that was one of the challenges that I faced: “How do you work with and consolidate all of this data?” We learned about the methods and how to implement them but not necessarily how to analyze everything that we collect. (Participant_4)As comprehensive as the LUMA training was, participants noted gaps in their knowledge that made aspects of HCD facilitation challenging. Several expressed uncertainty about which methods to use in which situations, for instance, and said they wished that the training had included more examples from science to help them make these determinations. Others commented that they did not know what to do with the large amount of data HCD methods could produce. As one participant described it:I was trained as a qualitative researcher, and my first thought was this is kind of a poor man’s version of an academic discipline. But I’m much less critical having done it than I was beforehand. So obviously you can develop great qualitative research expertise [that goes beyond HCD] but not every clinical researcher has time to go get an anthropology degree, so I think [HCD] can be really useful. [Participant 17]Several participants with prior qualitative research or design experience wondered if the training provided sufficient understanding of HCD’s conceptual underpinnings. They wanted to make sure that trainees focused on the deeper purpose of HCD rather than the superficial and logistical attributes of specific methods. As one participant stated: “The [methods] are a means to an end. They are not the end” [Participant_14]. However, even participants who expressed these concerns appreciated the training and thought it provided a helpful tool set for colleagues who lacked formal qualitative training. For instance, one participant said: Participants described several challenges related to facilitation of HCD methods, generally agreeing that the LUMA facilitators made it look easier than it was. Among the issues mentioned were that it was challenging to choose and sequence an appropriate set of activities to accomplish specific goals, explain and set up the activity, and facilitate the conversation. Participants suggested that having facilitation help from trained HCD practitioners would be beneficial. Indeed, several of them had received planning and facilitation assistance from an HCD-trained staff member in the CTSI and felt that they could not have done it without his assistance. Many also expressed a desire either for ongoing access to LUMA experts or for a “community of practice” – a collection of other people at the University using HCD methodologies to whom they could turn for advice and discussion.It should be noted that HCD training was conducted face-to-face before the pandemic, yet interviews took place mid-pandemic. Thus, when we spoke to them, interviewees were encountering the challenges of facilitating HCD methods remotely. Interestingly, many of them embraced the challenge and were successfully using remote collaboration tools  and from stakeholders unfamiliar with the approach. For instance, one participant told us:Overcoming lack of buy-in was particularly challenging for junior faculty and staff, who lacked the institutional standing to advocate for these methods.Our findings show that HCD approaches are relevant and applicable to the work of clinical and translational research teams. Trainees used the HCD methods to accomplish a broad range of research-related tasks including identifying salient research problems, finding areas for collaboration, brainstorming project ideas, collecting feedback from differently positioned team members, setting priorities, and writing grants and manuscripts.This study also suggests that the use of HCD methods on clinical and translational research teams has the potential to enhance collaboration and innovation in important ways. Participants in our study perceived HCD methods as beneficial for: (a) drawing out the perspectives of differently positioned team members and breaking down silos and hierarchies that can impede productive interdisciplinary collaboration; (b) generating a broad range of ideas, evaluating these ideas more systematically and effectively, and ultimately producing more informed and impactful research designs and interventions; and (c) engaging stakeholders across a wide range of projects, particularly stakeholders from demographic groups that might otherwise be skeptical about research. Indeed, our data suggest that the visual, tangible nature of HCD and the efficiencies provided by well-defined, time-limited activities serve the purposed of stakeholder engagement particularly well. These findings align with an emerging literature on the benefits of HCD for health research ,36 as weAt the same time, our interviews indicate challenges to using HCD methods. These included logistical issues, such as requirements of space, time, and resources, that could prove to be an impediment to regular or successful implementation of HCD methods. Other challenges involved gaps in knowledge and confidence, specifically regarding sequencing activities and analyzing data. There were, moreover, situational challenges involved with having to move activities online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, because HCD departs from the linear thinking and hierarchical norms typical of academia and science, there were challenges related to cultural mismatch and buy-in. We believe, however, that these challenges can be overcome. Logistical challenges can be met through the allocation of resources and space for HCD activities. Additional HCD training can mitigate knowledge gaps, provide needed practice opportunities, and help researchers adapt HCD methods for online implementation. The institution of communities of practice among HCD trainees and facilitators at or across institutions would provide avenues for researchers interested in HCD to get advice and support. Finally, strong institutional leadership in promoting and modeling HCD methods would help to generate buy-in.and cultivate a core of trained HCD facilitators who can work with researchers to select, plan, if necessary, cofacilitate or facilitate HCD activities.Our study further suggests that providing HCD training directly to researchers is a model worthy of consideration. While other institutions have taken the approach of having HCD experts work with research teams ,47, we bTaken together, we believe institutions interested in bringing HCD into team science training should be heartened by the findings from this research, which suggests that HCD training is both viewed as useful and relevant to research teams and helpful for improving collaboration and innovation. However, interested institutions would also do well to recognize that the effective integration of HCD requires not only initial training for researchers but also ongoing support and an institutional commitment to making HCD part of the culture.There were a number of limitations to this study. Since interviewees participated in LUMA training in three cohorts over 2 years, the training was fresher in the minds of some interviewees than others. Our sample was limited by the available pool of LUMA trainees and further constrained by those who agreed to be interviewed. Additionally, interviews were conducted in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have decreased the number of participants willing to be interviewed. It may also have influenced their perspectives. Interview data reflect the subjective experience and recollections of individuals. Thus, it serves as a proxy for actual behavior, not an objective measure of that behavior. Finally, while a qualitative study exploring trainee perspectives on and uses of HCD is an appropriate first step, other methodologies  would be required to evaluate whether HCD training resulted in measurable changes in the quality of team collaboration and innovation. These would be fruitful opportunities for future research.In light of this study, we plan to expand access to HCD training for researchers, develop a core of trained HCD facilitators who can cofacilitate activities and provide in-house training, identify HCD methods with particular salience to clinical and translational researchers, develop training examples and models customized to our own professional contexts, and foster communities of practice to provide peer–peer support among researchers employing HCD methods.HCD is gaining adherents in biomedical and translational research ,21,32,33


Immunoglobin 4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an auto-immune, multisystem inflammatory disorder characterised by storiform fibrosis,lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and obliterative phlebitis on histology. Its pathophysiology is not well understood, but is thought to occurdue to complex interactions between T helper 2 cells, their cytokines, chemokines, and B lymphocytes that become dysregulated and producedysfunctional immunoglobulins. Here, we present a case report of a 54-year-old man who was initially suspected of having lung cancer onimaging, but was ultimately diagnosed with IgG4-RD on histological analysis of a pneumonectomy specimen. Treatment with glucocorticoidscan establish disease remission, with a small proportion of patients relapsing, if the diagnosis is made before significant fibrosis occurs. A 54-year-old man with a background of well-controlled type 2diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and benign prostatichypertrophy was referred to Tygerberg Hospital with a non-productivecough, pleural effusion and abnormal chest X-ray. He was a smokerwith a 25-pack a year smoking history and a presumptive diagnosisof stage IV lung carcinoma was considered based on computedtomography (CT) findings 1) of 3.02 L (91%predicted), a forced vital capacity (FVC) of 4.48 L (110% predicted)and FEV1/FVC of 67%. His diffusing capacity for carbon monoxidewas 4.28 L (98.8% of predicted) and total lung capacity (TLC) was5.76 L (88% predicted), with a residual volume:TLC ratio of 0.41.He did not report any other systemic complaints and his problemsappeared to be isolated to the lungs. Notably, he had no palpablelymphadenopathy and had no pancreatic, renal or thyroid dysfunctionnor chest pains or visual complaints.He reported moderate dyspnoea  and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) demonstrateda forced expiratory volume in 1 second was finally made on histology. Sections of the mass lesion showedextensive storiform fibrosis with obliterative phlebitis and an abundantlymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. Immunohistochemical staining for IgG4demonstrated >50 IgG4-positive cells per high-power field, meetingthe criteria for histology that was highly suggestive of IgG4-RDThe patient was admitted with right-sided hemiparesis andipsilateral cranial nerve IX, XI, XII palsies 6 months later. CTand magnetic resonance imaging of the brain did not show anyunderlying parenchymal abnormality or meningitic inflammation,but cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed elevated levels ofimmunoglobulins (IgGs). Regrettably, subset analysis was notdone on this sample. His symptoms resolved with corticosteroids(prednisone at 1 mg/kg) and azathioprine was subsequently initiatedas a steroid-sparing agent.[1]The IgG4 subclass accounts for <5% of total IgG in healthy personsand is the least abundant of all IgG subclasses. It shares >95%homology with other IgG subclasses, but amino acid differences withinthe second constant domain result in weak or negligible binding toboth complement 1q and Fcγ receptors. IgG4 was previously thoughtnot to play a significant role in immuneactivation; however, advances over the lastdecade have improved our understandingof the pathophysiology of IgG4-RD, whichresults from a complex interplay betweenTh2 cells and B lymphocytes, resulting inthe production of dysfunctional plasma cellsand other immunogenetic dysregulationresponsible for many clinical manifestationsof IgG4-RD.[1] It usually occurs inthe 5th and 6th decade of life, with a maleto female ratio of 3:1, which is different tomost known auto-immune illnesses.[1] Themost common manifestations of IgG4-RDare type 1 auto-immune pancreatitis andsialoadenitis, but retroperitoneal fibrosiswith hydronephrosis and renal failure,aortitis with aortic dissection[2] and CNSsequelae secondary to pachymeningitis mayoccur,[3] demanding urgent diagnosis andintervention.IgG4-RD remains a relatively uncommondisease and the first cases of the disease werepublished in 2003.[4] Pulmonary findings of IgG4-RD include intra-thoraciclymphadenopathy, pleural and bronchialwall thickening, pleural effusion , intra-parenchymal nodules andmass lesions (pseudo-tumours), ground-glassopacification, and in some cases consolidationand fibrosis [4] PFTfindings are heterogenous among patients,with some patients (36%) demonstratingno abnormality while 30% had restrictivefindings and 34% had obstructive findings.[5]Intra-thoracic and pulmonary involvementin IgG4-RD is relatively rare, occurringin 15 - 20% of cases and may includemediastinal structures.A definitive diagnosis of IgG4-RD requirestissue biopsy and histology usually displaysthree key features: lymphoplasmacyticinfiltration; obliterative phlebitis andstoriform fibrosis – the latter being the mostimportant. Mild to moderate eosinophiliamay also occur.4] Isolated elevation of serum IgG4levels during primary sclerosing cholangitis,inflammatory bowel disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is of uncertain significance, butthese disorders do not appear to be part ofthe spectrum of IgG4-RD. A third of patientswith IgG4-RD have normal serum IgG4levels.[1]Elevated serum levels of IgG4 >1.35 g/Land abundance of IgG4-positive plasma cellsin the tissue supports the diagnosis; however,this may also be seen in other diseases such aslymphomas and medium-vessel vasculitides,namely granulomatosis with polyangitis(GPA).Differential diagnosis of the pulmonarymanifestations of IgG4-RD includes multicentric Castleman’s disease (MCD), lungcarcinoma, other granulomatous diseases and ANCA-related mediumvessel vasculitides . Distinguishing thesedisease entities both clinically and radiologically can be difficult; however, certain features can assist. MCD demonstrates no active fibrosis, with lower levels of eosinophilicinfiltrates in the lung tissue, while IgG4-RDdoes not usually have positive serology forANCA antibodies. Sarcoidosis and tuberculosis frequently demonstrate increased serumangiotensin-converting enzyme levels andthe presence of granulomas on histologicalexamination of samples, which are not present in IgG4-RD.[4] Many patients with IgG4-RDhave allergic features such as atopy, eczema,asthma and modest peripheral bloodeosinophilia, found in up to 40% of patientswith IgG4-RD. Thus, atopy does not excludethe diagnosis of IgG4-RD.Although IgG4-RD may be a risk factorfor lung cancer, it is possible for both tobe present concomitantly. The presenceof malignant cells will exclude IgG4-RD ifnone of the other histological features arepresent.[1] A study of 37 patients withpulmonary disease reported five distinctentities of disease based on radiologicalfindings: bronchovascular; solid nodular;round ground-glass opacity (GGO); alveolarinterstitial and alveolar consolidative types.Bronchovascular-type is characterised bya thickening of bronchovascular bundleand interlobular septa, solid nodular-typeis characterised by a lung nodule or mass,round GGO type has multiple round-shaped GGO lesions, alveolar interstitial-type is characterisedby reticulation, diffuse GGO and honeycombing, and alveolarconsolidative-type is distinguished by airspace filling opacitiesobscuring vasculature in a segmental or lobar distribution. Thepatients (mean age of 56 years) were followed up for 38 months andoutcomes were heterogenous for the different entities, with alveolarconsolidative-type and alveolar interstitial-type showing the highestand lowest response rates, respectively.The clinical course of IgG4-RD isfrequently indolent and symptoms arerelated to the underlying organ involvement.Often, the diagnosis is made incidentallyon imaging and serum levels of C-reactiveprotein and erythrocytes sedimentation testare seldom elevated. Spontaneous resolutionof disease had been reported in a minorityof cases.[1] Steroid-sparing regimenss consisting of azathioprine (initiating at 50 mgdaily) and in cases of relapse, a combination of azathioprine/glucocorticoids and rituximab have been used.[5]There is no standardised treatment regimen for IgG4-RD, butmost regimens consist of glucocorticoids, usually prednisone(0.6 - 1 mg/kg), which is tapered according to response.[6] IgG4-related lung disease usuallyhas a favourable prognosis and severe long-term complications areless frequent.[5]Complications of IgG4-RD depend on the degree, location andprogression of fibrosis. The most serious complications are relatedto the specific organ involved, e.g. aortitis with aortic dissection,pachymeningitis with residual neurological deficit and retroperitonealfibrosis with hydronephrosis.IgG4-RD is a relatively well-described disease entity in developedcountries, but there is little information on this rare disease emanatingfrom the African continent. With many other possible diseasemimickers, IgG4-RD is an important consideration in patients wherethe usual diagnosis remains inconclusive.This present case highlights an unusual entity of IgG4-RD of the lungand difficulties associated with making a diagnosis. Although initiallydiagnosed as lung cancer, but later identified as a benign diseaseprocess, it took several years and disease progression to facilitatehistological diagnosis of IgG4-RD. Furthermore, raised IgG4 levelsin the blood or tissue are not sufficient to make a diagnosis, as theymay be raised in other conditions. The potential for multisysteminvolvement is emphasised by the subsequent development ofneurological involvement in our patient.


One such raw material category is agricultural waste. This study involved research on the effects of corn cob ash and sunflower stalk ash, respectively, on compressive strength measured after 28 days and 3 months, the flexural and splitting tensile strengths, the resistance to repeated freeze–thaw cycles, and on the resistance to chemical attack of hydrochloric acid of the concrete. A 2.5% and 5% replacement of the cement volume with corn cob ash (CCA) of A and B quality was applied, and with sunflower stalk ash (SSA) at A and B quality, respectively. The obtained results revealed that CCA and SSA decreased the compressive and tensile strength, but led to higher resistance of the concrete on repeated freeze–thaw cycles and to hydrochloric acid. The mixes with 2.5% SSA at A quality obtained the best results regarding splitting the tensile strength and resistance to repeated freeze–thaw cycles, the mixes with 2.5% SSA at B quality led to the highest resistance to hydrochloric acid, and those with 2.5% CCA at A quality led to the best values of compressive strength and flexural tensile strength.The increased CO These SCMs can contribute to reduce the environmental impact and costs related to the cement and concrete industry, since they need less process heating and emit smaller CO2 levels [6 ha [6 ha [The world’s cement production has been estimated to around 4.1 billion metric tons [missions . A solut2 levels . The SCM2 levels ,7,8, sug2 levels , corn co2 levels ,11,12, w2 levels ,14, and 2 levels ,16. Maizls [6 ha , and 26.ha [6 ha , respect2 + Al2O3 + Fe2O3) to meet the requirements of this material. The compressive strength of concrete increases with curing time and decreases as the percentage combination of CCA and SDA increases up to 10% of ordinary Portland cement in concrete to obtain the greatest strength gain. Although the strength of CCA-SDA concrete is lower than that used as reference, it can still be used for general concrete projects where strength is not important, such as floors, mortars, and mass concrete [Corn cob ash is a SCM studied quite intensively lately, as it has proven pozzolanic properties in various studies that have been conducted on the use of corn cobs as a cement partial replacement in concrete, but the results have been mixed. Adesanya, 1996 , and Binconcrete . Accordiconcrete , when 10concrete , it can concrete , studiedconcrete .Sunflower stalk ash (SSA) is a SCM much less studied than CCA, to our knowledge. Aksoğan et al. (2016)  studied The aim of this study was to study the effects of corn cob ash and sunflower stalk ash obtained by two methods on the mechanical and some durability properties of the normal concrete. The study novelty consists of the comparative analysis of these two types of vegetal ashes, since to our knowledge very few studies were carried out on concrete with sunflower stalks, and we did not find any with which to compare directly their performances. For obtaining the CCA and SSA, the same methods were applied in order to have a clear view of the differences given by the two plants. The research implied the development of eight mixes with 2.5 vol.% and 5 vol.% cement replacement with CCA at A and B quality, and with SSA at A and B quality. The objective was to obtain a type of concrete with comparable performance to ordinary concrete, but adapted to the new requirements of cost, energy efficiency, and sustainability. The tests performed included compressive strength at 28 days and 3 months, flexural tensile strength, splitting tensile strength, and the resistance to the action of repeated freeze–thaw cycles and to the action of hydrochloric acid.A reference composition of micro concrete, RC, with cement, sand and river gravel aggregates up to 8 mm in diameter, with a water/cement ratio of 0.5;-With corn cob ash of A quality, as 2.5% and 5% replacement of cement volume ,-With corn cob ash of B quality, as 2.5% and 5% replacement of cement volume ,-With sunflower stalk ash of A quality, as 2.5% and 5% replacement of cement volume ,-With sunflower stalks ash of B quality, as 2.5% and 5% replacement of cement volume .Eight concrete compositions with vegetal ash developed on the basis of RC:The vegetal materials used in this research were: ash from corn cobs of quality A and quality B, and ash from sunflower stalks of quality A and quality B. The developed and analyzed compositions were as follows:The reference composition, RC, of 30/37 strength class, was realized for river gravel (sort 4–8 mm), sand (sort 0–4mm), cement Portland CEM II/A-LL42.5R type (notations according to EN 197-1:2011) .Sunflower stalks (SS) were broken manually into pieces of around 0.5 m in length, and corn cobs (CC) were mechanically shredded with a mill for grinding animal feed in granules smaller than 6 mm in diameter. SS and CC were free burned in a brick kiln, after they were left to dry in outside natural conditions of the environment. The burning temperature was not controlled; it was measured, and it achieved around 700 °C in the case of SS case and 570 °C in the case of CC.The raw ash obtained after free burning was sifted for 5 min through sieves of 20 mm, 10 mm, 2 mm, and 300 µm, using an automatic sieving equipment (Endocotts Powermatic Test Sieve Shaker). The 300 µm sieve was chosen as Bahuradeen et al., 2015 [The sieved ash was then ground for 120 min in a ball dust crusher to obtain even smaller dimensions of the ash particles. The ground ash  was noteThe vegetal material that did not passed through the 300 µm sieve was subjected to supplementary thermal treatment at around 550 °C for 120 min. After this treatment, the vegetal material was sieved again through 20 mm, 10 mm, 2 mm, and 300 µm sieves for 5 min, with the same sieving equipment, and then ground for 120 min in the ball dust crusher. This ground ash  was noteThe ashes’ bulk density and specific gravity are presented in CCA and SSA were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy  coupled with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometer detector  from composition and aspect point of view.2.In this study, concrete with 2.5 vol.% and 5.0 vol.% corn cob ash and sunflower stalk ash, of two qualities each, as a cement substitute were developed. The 9 mixes were prepared according to NE 012/1-2007 . A porta3 volume) were mechanically cut and used for analyses.The chemical elements and aspect of the developed concretes were analyzed through Scanning Electron Microscopy  coupled with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometer detector . A low vacuum mode was necessary to analyze the samples due to the fact that all samples gassed quite hard. Cubes samples  images of A- and B-quality ashes of corn cobs and sunflower stalks are presented in 2 area, highlighting the main components of the A- and B-quality ashes of corn cobs and sunflower stalks and their distribution on the conglomerate. Beside the general oxide mass, a few small compounds based on Si or Cl can be observed.In In The silicon content can be observed to be increased in almost all concretes with vegetal ashes than in the RC; only in SSA2B is it very insignificantly decreased. The carbon level is significantly decreased (up to 50%) in all mixes with vegetal ashes, except for SSA1A and SSA2B, which have very close values to RCs. The Calcium content is quite similar in CCA1A and CCA1B to that in RCs, being around 2–3% higher in CCA2A, CCA2B, and SSA1A, being almost 3% smaller in SSA2A, and it lacks in SSA1B. Aluminum levels are very close to that of RC in almost all mixes with vegetal ashes, except SSA2A and SSA1B, where they are almost four times higher. Regarding the Iron, there are no significant differences between the mixes. SSA2A contains a very small rate of Sodium, and in CCA2A, CCA2B, SSA2A, SSA1B, and SSA2B there exists small amounts of Potassium that are directly related to the strength performances of the concrete, even if its rate is very small .In The compressive strength determined at 28 days is presented in In conclusion, regarding the compressive strength measured at 28 days, for the 2.5% replacement rate of cement, the best result was given by the A quality of CCA, and for the 5% replacement rate, by the A quality of SSA.Regarding the compressive strength evolution from 28 days to 3 months, according to If the value obtained at 28 days and evolution in time are considered together, the best result was obtained by SSA1A, which had a decrease in compressive strength of 14.70% than RC and a strength gain in time very close to that of RC’s, being only 0.9% smaller.The vegetal ash used in the concrete composition led to a decrease in the flexural tensile strength . CCA1A aIn conclusion, the A-quality ash from corn cobs led to the best values among the studied mixes with vegetal ash, regarding the flexural tensile strength.The corn cob and sunflower stalk ash had significant negative effects on the splitting tensile strength of the RC . The besAfter 50 freeze–thaw cycles, RC registered a 34.80% decrease in compressive strength . A 2.5% All compositions with vegetal ash registered an improved resistance to chemical attack of 18% HCl solution, with more than 29.50% . The besIn CCA group, A quality ash led to better results than the B one, and an increased replacement rate of this ash type led also to improved resistance. In SSA group, B quality ash registered better values for resistance to the action of 18% HCl solution than the A one, but the improvement decreased as the replacement rate increased .In conclusion, 2.5% of A quality of CCA and B quality of SSA led to the best values of resistance to 18% HCl solution .The best results for compressive strength between all mixes with vegetal ash were obtained by CCA1A, SSA1A, and CCA1B, with very close values between them. Therefore, the 2.5% of CCA, no matter its quality, and 2.5% of SSA of A quality led to similar compressive strength values. Between these three variants of mixes with vegetal ashes, only SSA1A obtained a very good gain in compressive strength during a period of 3 months, very close to that of RC.Regarding flexural tensile strength, CCA1A and SSA2B registered the best results, with a more insignificant decrease than RC of only about 1%.CCA and SSA, no matter of the quality used, determined decreases in splitting tensile strength of RC, between 31% and 54%. The smallest decreases were registered by SSA1A and CCA2A, with 31% and 39%, respectively, smaller than the reference.All vegetal ashes used in this study led to very significant improvement of resistance to freeze–thaw and to the chemical attack of HCl. Regarding resistance to repeated freeze–thaw cycles, the biggest improvements were obtained by SSA1A, followed very closely by SSA2B and CCA2B, with 23–23% smaller losses in compressive strength than RC. Regarding resistance to chemical attack of 18% HCl solution, all studied mixes with vegetal ash obtained improvements of this parameter, between 30% and 47% more than the reference.CCA1A led to the smallest decreases in compressive strength at 28 days and flexural tensile strength, and it registered one of the biggest values regarding resistance to HCl action.SSA1A was the optimum mix regarding compressive strength at 28 days and 3 months, splitting tensile strength and freeze–thaw resistance, and it obtained a very significant improvement of resistance to HCl, at 44%.SSA1B obtained the biggest improvement of the resistance from the HCl action point of view, and one of the best results from the freeze–thaw resistance point of view.CCA2B and SSA2B obtained very significant increases as resistance to freeze–thaw cycles and to HCl action.SSA2B registered the biggest compressive strength gain in time, bigger than RC, and one of the smallest decreases in flexural tensile strength.This study aimed to analyze the effects of two different qualities of ashes obtained by corn cobs and sunflower stalks free burning, on some properties of a micro concrete, by applying 2.5 vol.% and 5 vol.% replacement of the cement. The analyzed properties were compressive strength, flexural tensile strength, splitting tensile strength, freeze–thaw resistance, and resistance to chemical attack of hydrochloric acid solution:Most concrete and reinforced concrete applications are based on the idea of improving the strength properties. However, the role of using corn cob and sunflower stalk ash as partial substitutes for cement is not to improve the mechanical strength, but to improve other properties of concrete, such as resistance to repeated freeze–thaw cycles or resistance to various chemical agents, properties that make them more economical in terms of production costs and more environmentally friendly by reducing the amount of energy incorporated in their production. If engineers stop thinking about strength, it will not be difficult to find many other areas of application for these new materials, as well as improving them at the same time.Regarding applications for concrete with the studied vegetal ashes, the chloride content of CCA and SSA limits their use to unreinforced concrete applications or to applications with non-corrosive reinforcement or non-structural ones.As future directions to be researched, the effects of bigger rates of CCA and SSA as cement replacement or as additive material on the freeze–thaw resistance can be studied; in general, in this study, bigger improvements were observed as the vegetal ash content increased.


The main purpose of this review is to present various factors that influence the character of the forming intermediates. They are divided into two parts: those inextricably related to the structures of molecules containing Met and those related to external factors. The former include (i) the protection of terminal amine and carboxyl groups, (ii) the location of Met in the peptide molecule, (iii) the character of neighboring amino acid other than Met, (iv) the character of the peptide chain (open vs cyclic), (v) the number of Met residues in peptide and protein, and (vi) the optical isomerism of Met residues. External factors include the type of the oxidant, pH, and concentration of Met-containing compounds in the reaction environment. Particular attention is given to the neighboring group participation, which is an essential parameter controlling one-electron oxidation of Met. Mechanistic aspects of oxidation processes by various one-electron oxidants in various structural and pH environments are summarized and discussed. The importance of these studies for understanding oxidation of Met in real biological systems is also addressed.Oxidation of methionine (Met) is an important reaction that plays a key role in protein modifications during oxidative stress and aging. The first steps of Met oxidation involve the creation of very reactive and short-lived transients. Application of complementary time-resolved radiation and photochemical techniques (pulse radiolysis and laser flash photolysis together with time-resolved CIDNP and ESR techniques) allowed comparing in detail the one-electron oxidation mechanisms initiated either by  It. It2●− rt)+ + X− .2●−-induced oxidation of Met is presented in ●+ can be stabilized not only in a form of the dimeric (MetS∴SMet)+ radical cations but also in a form of MetS∴Cl three-electron bonded species with the chloride anions Cl− providing a free electron pair. The validity of the mechanism  correlates well with the standard reduction potential of the Br2●−/2Br− redox couple which is equal to E0 = +1.63 V vs. NHE   and CT-N [CB•−…>N•+] but only CT-N complex could undergo decarboxylation leading to the formation of α-amino-alkyl radical (αN). The latter could reduce the ground state CB yielding ketyl radical (CBH•) and methional  charge separation (ksep) yielding CB•− and >S•+ radical ions, (2) proton transfer within the CT complex (kH) yielding a ketyl radical CBH• and an α-alkyl radical (αS), (3) back electron transfer (kbt) leading to regeneration of the reactants in their ground states, and (4) proton transfer from the protonated amino group (-NH3+) to the CB•− radical anion within the CT complex (kNH) leading to the ketyl radical CBH• and sulfur-centered radical cation >S•+ with an -NH2 group (unprotonated) yielding a five-membered cyclic two-center three electron-bonded (S∴N)+ radical cation that can easy decarboxylate to form α-aminoalkyl radicals (αN). These short-lived intermediates can undergo further reactions. The >S•+ radical cations can be (i) stabilized by formation of three electron bonds with N, or S atoms (intramolecular (S∴N)+ and/or intermolecular (S∴S)+ in the reaction of >S•+ with >S reactant-methionine), (ii) deprotonated to form α-alkyl radicals (αS), and (iii) decarboxylated to form α-aminoalkyl radicals (αN) via pseudo-Kolbe mechanism ..kNH reacThe primary intermediates presented in ●) or ketyl radical anions (CB●−) depending on pH and its efficiency can be described as Φ”CBH• or Φ”CB•−. The quantum yields measured for aqueous solutions at pH~7 and pH~11 for primary and secondary intermediates are presented in Using a relative actinometry method with a CB solution as an external actinometer , the initial quantum yields for formation of the intermediates were determined . The re•−) and the sulfur-centered radical cation >S•+ with quantum yield ΦCB•− = 0.27, (ii) >S•+ radical cations can react (reversible reaction) with the excess of methionine in its ground state leading to the intermolecular (S∴S)+ dimeric sulfur radical cations with Φ(S∴S)+ = 0.23, approximately equal to the value of the quantum yield of charge separation (ΦCB•−), (iii) kNH proton transfer within the CT complex led to ketyl radicals CBH• and CO2 as final products with quantum yields ≤ 0.11 (ΦCBH•), (iv) decarboxylation reaction >S•+ radicals via pseudo-Kolbe reaction  with AQS and CB as sensitizers. Moreover, the spectral window available in the nanosecond laser flash photolysis did not allow detection of aminyl radical (CH3-S-CH2-CH2-CH-(COO-)-N•H) observed in the EPR experiments. Furthermore, as was presented by Bonifačić et al.  in two primary reactions: (i) charge separation to a Pyr• radical and an >S•+ radical cation and (ii) back electron transfer to regenerate reactants in their ground states. The reactions of the resulting sulfur-centered radical cation >S•+ are similar to those seen in CB-sensitization  and formation of intermolecular (S∴S)+ dimeric sulfur radical cations in reaction to methionine in its ground state. The time-resolved and steady-state studies led to a detailed quantitative description of the primary and secondary reactions for methionine and other sulfur-containing amino acids  complex . For the radiation pathway, a main channel leading to (>S•+) is the HO− release from the MetS∴OH adduct. These pathways exemplify neighboring group participation in the reactions of two intermediates, the sulfur radical cations (>S●+) and MetS∴OH during Met oxidation (see ●+. Such stabilization leads to five-membered intramolecularly S∴N-bonded species and/or six-membered intramolecularly S∴O-bonded species [As presented in tion see  37]. As. As•+).  species ,17,18,19 species ,72,73,74● or CB-induced oxidation of methionine derivatives  decay, (ii) the decarboxylation reaction can be neglected and (iii) the intermolecular dimeric sulfur radical cation (S∴S)+ is the main intermediate. For methionine derivatives with blocked amino and carboxylic groups , the proton transfer within the CT complex (kH) yielding ketyl radical CBH∙ and α-alkyl radical (αS) was found to be the dominate primary reaction over the charge separation reaction (ksep) that yielded only a small amount of CB∙− and (S∴S)+ dimer. The presence of these intermediates was confirmed by the analysis of stable products formed during the steady-state photolysis. The main stable products were found to be the combination products of ketyl radicals with α-alkyl radical (αS-CBH stable products) .,94.0(MetAP(1–40) ,96,97.).Contrary to cyclic dipeptides see  extendedSection 4●OH radicals with four stereoisomers was investigated by pulse radiolysis with time-resolved UV-vis spectrophotometry in Ar or N2O saturated aqueous solutions at pH 1 and pH 5.2, respectively : (i) charge separation (ksep) yielding CB∙− and >S∙+ radical ions, (ii) proton transfer within the CT complex (kH) yielding a ketyl radical CBH∙ and an α-alkyl radical (αS), and (iii) back electron transfer (kbt) (3+) to the CB∙− radical anion within the CT complex  . In the NH reaction was responsible for the large values of the quantum yields of CBH• and the (S∴N)+ intermediate. At high pH, the charge separation reaction (ksep) was the main primary reaction of the CT complex [CB•−…>S•+] and large values of ΦCB•− and Φ(S∴N)+ were observed. Secondary reactions of the (S∴N)+ radical cation in alkaline solutions for Met-Gly peptide (pH 9–11) studied by laser flash photolysis were described in detail in reference  could occur: In the case of methionine as the internal amino acid residue (Gly-Met-Gly), the results from the CB-sensitized photooxidation were discussed based on the general mechanism presented in sep) yielding CB∙− and >S∙+ radical ions, (ii) proton transfer within the CT complex (kH) yielding a ketyl radical CBH∙ and an α-alkyl radical (αS), (iii) back electron transfer (kbt), and (iv) proton transfer from the protonated amino group(-NH3+) of Gly to the CB∙− radical anion within the CT complex (kNH). At low pH the kNH and kH reactions were the main reaction channels (ΦCBH∙ = 0.24) in comparison with the less efficient reaction of charge separation (ΦCB•− = 0.05) (NH reaction does not lead to the (S∴N)+ transient as for an N-terminal methionine residue in peptides.  was the main reaction channel yielding CB∙− and >S∙+ radical ions (ΦCB•− = 0.21). (S∴N)+ cyclic radical cations involving a nitrogen atom from a peptide bond was not observed.(i) charge separation (k = 0.05) . It is n•+ was formed. For Met-Gly, the >S•+ radical cation was converted (after deprotonation) to the (S∴N)+ radical cation with five-membered cyclic structure. In basic solutions the main transients for Met-Gly were (S∴N)+ radical cations and aminyl type radicals; however, for Gly-Met, the >S•+ radical cations and aminyl type radicals were the main transients. The mechanism of CB-sensitized oxidation of Met-Gly and Gly-Met peptides was also studied by the time-resolved CIDNP technique by Morozova et al.  at varioThe mechanism proposed on the basis of the CIDNP experiments correlates with that obtained on the basis of laser flash photolysis experiments with an exception of aminyl radicals. + radical cations at low pH via the kNH reaction  yielding CB∙− and >S∙+ radical ions was shown to be the main primary process involved in the decay of the [CB∙−…>S∙+] complex and the quantum yield of CB∙− was equal to the sum of quantum yields of the sulfur radical cations (S∴N)+ and (S∴S)+. At low pH, in addition to the charge separation reaction (ksep) reaction the proton transfer rection from the protonated amino group(-NH3+) to the CB∙− radical anion within the CT complex (kNH reaction–see + and (S∴N)+ radical cations were found for mixed L,D or D,L stereoisomers of Met-Met and L,L or D-D stereoisomers. However, for mixed stereoisomers the quantum yields of (S∴N)+ radical cations went down at the expense of higher values for (S∴S)+ radical cations in both acidic and basic solutions. In addition, for mixed stereoisomers the quantum yields of (S∴S)+ radical cations were more than twice higher of those for L,L and D,D stereoisomers. These observations were rationalized by the higher propensity of ((S∴S)+ formation for mixed stereoisomers. At high pH, the charge separation reaction (n-L-Met peptides with Met residues located on N- and C- termini were shown to be excellent models of oligopeptides for studying the intramolecular interaction between two sulfur atoms in oligopeptides since this series of Met-(Pro)n-Met peptides provides the investigator with the possibility for controlling the S…S distance  were formed. The >S∙+ radical cations (regardless of location on N or C termini) can be stabilized by formation of the intramolecular dimeric sulfur radical cations (S∴S)+, and (S∴O)+ or (S∴N)+ intermediates or decay by deprotonation leading to α-alkyl radicals (αS). The nanosecond laser flash photolysis experiments and the resolution of transient absorption spectra allowed the investigators to monitor kinetics and quantum yields of the intermediates at various time delays after the excitation laser pulse . Th. Th●OH r●+ in oligopeptides and proteins containing multiple and adjacent Met residues  radicals decayed via two-different pH-dependent reaction pathways: (i) at low pH by conversion into additional Met(S∴S)+ radical cations via the Met(S∴NH)+ intermediate with the rate constant kMet(S∴N) + H+ = (2.0 ± 0.1) × 109 M−1s−1, and (ii) at pH close to neutral by a series of consecutive reactions involving, protonation, hydrolysis, and electron transfer followed by decarboxylation of the N-centered radical on Met  with pH is clearly corroborated by the respective G(Met(S∴S)+ values recorded at various pH values before and after decay of Met(S∴N) (+ in c-(L-Met-L-Met) is characterized by λmax = 520 nm which is red shifted in comparison to λmax = 480 nm of the absorption band of intermolecular dimeric radical cations (MetS∴SMet)+ in Met  complex) was followed by the proton transfer reaction that led to a biradical intermediate with the quantum yield Φketyl = 0.6. These biradicals recombined to form a cyclic stable product via C-C coupling reaction. For the c-(L-BP-D-Met) dyad, with its two reactive moieties on the opposite side of diketopiperazine ring, the quenching process and formation of biradical were shown to be less effective (Φketyl < 0.18). It was shown that differences in the reaction rates for both isomeric BP-Met dyads were attributed to the differences between the distribution of the carbonyl/sulfur atom distances in the two stereoisomers.The combined results from time-resolved and steady-state experiments showed that for c-(L-BP-L-Met), the quenching occurred via electron transfer from the sulfur atom to the benzophenone triplet  + formation was relatively large (Φ(S∴S)+ = 0.14  + formation was shown to be similar to that presented in The mechanism of the CB-sensitized photooxidation of c-(L-Met-L-Met) with Met residues in the cis position was studied using nanosecond flash photolysis techniques . The pho0.14 see  showing ∙+ were detected. In the case of c-(L-Met-L-Met the intramolecular cyclic (S∴S)+ transients with three-electron bond between two sulfur atoms were detected.The CB-sensitized photooxidation of cyclic dipeptides containing methionine residues was also studied using time-resolved CIDNP . For c-+ which results from the interaction of the monomeric sulfur radical cation (MetS●+) with the O-atom of the carbonyl function of Phe31 (which is less than 4 Å away from S-atom) and Met(S∴S)+ which results from the interaction of MetS●+ with the S-atom of Cys49, respectively. With time evolution, no oxidized products derived from Met were detected but there was a further increase of the absorption band assigned to TyrO● radicals. An intramolecular electron transfer from the Tyr residue to Met-derived radicals seems to be responsible for the latter observation [+ radical cation).Thioredoxin Ch1 (Trx) from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii contains two Met residues: Metervation  (see Sch4) (a regulatory “Ca-sensor protein”) contains nine Met residues: Met36, Met51, Met71, Met72, Met76, Met109, Met124, Met144, and Met145 which are located in a variety of local environments. Therefore, the stabilization of the monomeric sulfur radical cation (MetS●+) can be realized in various ways depending upon local structures. The one-electron oxidation of CaM-Ca4 using pulse radiolytically generated ●OH radicals led to a transient absorption with λmax = 390 nm which shows a close similarity to that characteristic for S∴N-bonded radical cations observed in cyclic Met-Met dipeptides [71/Met72 and Met144/Met145 can be rationalized by local steric constraints which prevent close contact of their side chains [max = 410 nm which is characteristic for TyrO● radicals. This observation was rationalized in terms of intramolecular electron transfer from Tyr to Met(S∴N)+ radical cations   was recently studied using nanosecond flash photolysis and various methods for analyzing the stable photoproducts  . The res141) and tyrosine (Tyr142) residues were suggested as being the most prone to oxidation. It was shown that the CB triplets were mainly quenched by methionine and partially by tyrosine residues via the electron transfer mechanism leading to the formation of sulfur-centered monomeric radical cations >S∙+ (stabilized by (S∴N)+ formation), tyrosyl radicals TyrO∙ and ketyl radicals CBH∙. As was already shown for the model peptide  [∙ radicals. The presence of the transient species observed in the time-resolved experiments were additionally confirmed by the detection of such stable products as methionine sulfoxide, the Met-CBH adduct  and dityrosine cross links  , the intinks see . The res●OH-adducts to methionine (MetS∴OH), monomeric sulfur radical cations (MetS●+), intramolecularly (S∴N)-bonded radicals (Met(S∴N)) or radical cations (Met(S∴N)+), α-alkylthio)alkyl radicals , α-aminoalkyl radicals (αN) intermolecularly S∴S-bonded dimeric radical cations ((MetS∴SMet)+), intramolecularly S∴S-bonded radical cations (Met(S∴S)+), and intramolecularly S∴O-bonded radical cations (Met(S∴O)+), which are precursors for the subsequent final products responsible for protein damage, requires a knowledge of their spectral parameters as well as the mechanisms of their formation and decay along with appropriate kinetic parameters. Neighboring group participation seems to be an essential parameter which controls one-electron oxidation of methionine by various one-electron oxidants in various structural and pH environments. Provided that photo- and radiation-induced reaction pathways lead to the formation of a common intermediate, namely the monomeric sulfur-centered radical cation (MetS•+), its secondary reactions in peptides and proteins will be the same. This review was also aimed at demonstrating the complementarity of photo- and radiation-chemical studies using the example of methionine oxidation processes.A wealth of knowledge has been accumulated over the years concerning the mechanistic understanding of one-electron oxidation of methionine in various structural environments using two-complementary radiation and photochemical time-resolved techniques such as pulse radiolysis and laser flash photolysis coupled with UV-vis spectrophotometry, conductometry, ESR spectroscopy and CIDNP. Creation of a variety of very reactive transients such as Future studies on photo- and radiation-induced oxidation of Met containing compounds aimed at analysis of stable products formed during the steady state photo- and γ-irradiations (similar to those reported in the references ,22,59,76


Additionally, concrete prepared easily and with high strength is a widely applied building material. Therefore, replacing part or all of the cement for preparing concrete with RM and YPS will greatly reduce this kind of solid waste and, thus, decrease environmental pressures. This study investigated the best ratio for the replacement of concrete with RM and YPS, testing the mechanical properties as well as the morphology, material composition, and microporous structure of the interface transition zone (ITZ). The results showed for the concrete prepared with ordinary Portland cement replaced by 10.00 wt.% RM and 18 wt.% YPS, compared to ordinary Portland cement concrete, the compressive strength of concrete with basalt aggregate and dolomite aggregate increased by 25.04% and 27.27%, respectively, when the concrete was cured with steam for 28 days. Furthermore, it had a smaller average pore diameter and crystal size in the ITZ. The aggregate and matrix were more closely intertwined. This was because RM had a low cementitious activity and mainly had a filling effect when added to concrete, while the highly active silica in YPS could react with the Ca(OH) However, aluminum products are the most commonly used living materials in various countries, resulting in the generation of a large amount of RM [Bayer red mud (RM) is a byproduct generated when producing alumina  content, large ettringite (Aft) crystal content, and CH-oriented growth [ITZ is the connecting region between the aggregate and matrix in concrete, the porosity of which is much higher than that of other parts. Importantly, it is the weakest link of concrete due to its high water-binding ratio, as well as its large Ca(OH)d growth . The mecd growth  found thd growth . Additiod growth  found thThere is plenty of research on RM or YPS applied in concrete and cementitious materials, as shown, yet there is scant research on the influence of both RM and YPS on the mechanical properties and ITZ structure of concrete. The purpose of this study was to use RM and YPS as mineral admixtures when preparing concrete. We also sought to investigate the optimum substitution ratio of cement to consume massive solid wastes and analyze the effects of two kinds of admixtures on the mechanical properties, morphology, material composition, and pore structure of the ITZ in concrete.2, CaO, Fe2O3, and Al2O3 in RM, and the results were as follows: 17.33 wt.%, 16.32 wt.%, 21.93 wt.%, and 21.09 wt.%, respectively. The total contents accounted for 76.67 wt.%.The main raw materials used in this study were RM, YPS, cement, and the aggregate. The RM was taken from an alumina refinery in Guizhou, China, which mainly contained cancrinite, katoite, Calcite, clinochlore, kaolinite, hematite, cristobalite, and muscovite, as determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) . Table 12 and CaO, which account for 37.22 wt.% and 44.77 wt.%, respectively. Al2O3, MgO, and K2O also were contained in small amounts. XRD showed that YPS has a complex crystal phase and a significantly wider peak in the range of 25–35°, indicating a higher content of amorphous components in YPS and a lower diffraction peak of crystalline minerals, which shows that YPS has a higher potential for cementitious activity.The YPS used in this study was obtained from a phosphorus plant in Guizhou, China. The main chemical components of YPS are SiO3S), dicalcium silicate (C2S), tricalcium aluminate (C3A), and tetracalcium aluminoferrite (C4AF). Additionally, the accumulative particle size distribution curves of the RM, YPS, and cement, as determined using a LS13320 laser particle size analyzer , are shown in The cement used in this paper was ordinary Portland cement, which was purchased from the Guizhou Huishui Southwest Cement limited company in Huishui County, Guizhou Province, China. The main minerals in the cement were tricalcium silicate  was used as a cementitious material to prepare concrete .The concrete specimens were prepared according to the Chinese national standard GBT-17671-1999 (ISO method). The processes for preparing the concrete specimen were as follows: 225 g of water and 450 g of cementitious material first were put into a blender . The blender contained mortar and was installed on the machine and raised to a fixed height. Then, the machine was started, and the contents were stirred for 30 s at a low speed. During the next 30 s, aggregates with a certain size were uniformly added to the container. The machine stopped at 90 s after stirring for 60 s at a high speed. Meanwhile, we scraped the mortar stuck to the propeller wall 15 s after stopping. We restarted the machine and stopped it after stirring for 60 s at a high speed. Next, we put the 40 mm × 40 mm × 160 mm mold on a shaking table. The mold was used to prepare the concrete with a fixed shape. We filled the mold half-full evenly via a prepared mortar. We vibrated it for 60 s ± 5 s. Then, we filled the mold and vibrated it again for 60 s ± 5 s. We removed the mold from the shaking table and scraped spilled mortar from the edge and surface of the mold until it was flattened. Finally, we took out the concrete from the mold and put it into the curing box to be cured at room temperature for 24 h. Special attention was paid to keeping the curing box at a temperature of 20 ± 1 °C and a relative humidity of at least 90%.f (MPa) of the specimen using Equation (2).f is the load applied to the middle of the specimen when it is broken (N), L is the distance of the cylindrical frames (±5 mm), and b is the side length of the square section of the specimen.The flexural strength and compressive strength, which reflect the mechanical performance of the specimens, were measured via microcomputer-controlled compression and a bending tester . We put the specimen on the machine’s support frame and kept its long axis perpendicular to the support frame. Then, we applied pressure at a constant rate of 50 N/s to the side relative to the support surface until it broke. We then calculated the bending strength R2, 40 mm × 40 mm = 160 mm2).We aligned the center of the broken part obtained from the flexural strength test with the center of the support platform, where the end of the specimen was about 10 mm beyond the edge of the support platform. We applied pressure at a constant rate of 0.5 KN/s until it was destroyed. We calculated the compressive strength Rc (MPa) of the specimen using Equation (3).The distribution of the pore size and pore volume of the ITZ in concrete were studied via the mercury intrusion porosimetry method (MIP) using a high-performance automatic mercury porosimeter . The pore size range was measured to be between 5 nm and 340,000 nm. The specimens damaged after the test described in 2.3.2 were further broken into sizes of 5–9 mm. To prevent further hydration in the concrete, the specimens were soaked in anhydrous ethanol for 24 h and then dried in the oven to a constant weight . Particles containing both matrices and aggregates were selected for testing. The mercury was pressed into the hole of specimens and the relationship between the pressure (p) of mercury injected into hole and the hole radius R (nm) is as follows.The ITZ morphology and structure in the concrete were studied using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) . According to the test requirements, the plastic cylinders with inner diameters of 10 mm and length of 30 mm were self-made. Its bottom was sealed with a plastic sheet. The composite cementitious material (or pure cement) and water were well mixed at 2:1 to produce paste. The obtained paste was added up to the one-third line of the cylinder; then, the aggregate of a 3–5 mm particle size was introduced. Finally, the remaining space was filled with the paste. The mold was put into the curing box  for 24 h. The specimen was then removed from the mold and put it into the curing box with the same environment for 28 days. The specimen was removed and detached from the part containing the aggregate and cementitious material. The broken specimens were soaked in anhydrous ethanol for 24 h to stop hydration. They were then moved to the drying oven for incubation at 60 °C for about 4 h to dry to a constant weight. The fracture surface of the specimen was gilded to prevent an electric charge for the test results. We observed the morphology and structure of the ITZ between aggregate and cementitious material via SEM.Dolomite and basalt aggregates were finely ground to −0.075 mm grains. The aggregate powder was mixed with composite cementitious material powder or pure cement powder at a 1:1 ratio. It mixed with water at 1:2, stirred well, and then put into a curing box for 28 days. The specimen was moved to the oven to dry to a constant weight. The specimen was ground again to −0.075 mm, and the mineral composition of the ITZ was tested via XRD .Mechanical properties are the most important and basic performance parameters for engineering quality when applying concrete. The mineral composition of RM is complex. Although the content of aluminosilicate minerals is high, the properties of silicon-oxygen bonds and aluminum-oxygen bonds are stable and difficult to release. Therefore, the low activity of RM means that it cannot completely replace cement. The effects of replacing cement with RM with additive amounts of 0 wt.%, 3 wt.%, 10 wt.%, and 40 wt.% on the mechanical properties of concrete were studied. The proportions of the admixture are shown in We found a strong correlation between RM and the mechanical properties of concrete. The trends of change in the flexural strength and compressive strength are similar after curing for 7 days and curing for 28 days. Generally, the mechanical properties of the concrete decreased when the RM increased. RM not only had no effect but also improved the compressive strength of concrete when the addition was less than 3 wt.%. However, the correlation between RM when more than 3 wt.% was added and the mechanical properties of the concrete was significantly negative. Many scholars have confirmed this finding ,37. ThisThe comprehensive utilization of YPS involves many fields, but the total utilization rate is not high and much of the abundant YPS is difficult to use. YPS as a concrete admixture has some adverse effects including extending the setting time and reducing the early strength, which restricts the application of YPS in concrete. Therefore, the gelling property of YPS must be fully activated when increasing the YPS content in concrete. Previous studies have shown that YPS can refine the later pore structure of hardened paste, reduce the chloride ion diffusion coefficient, and improve the compressive strength and concrete durability . Additio2 and a small amount of active Al2O3 in the YPS generated calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) gel and calcium aluminate hydrate (CAH) gel. Additionally, the non-active particles in YPS and RM filled the matrix and ITZ, improving the internal structure and mechanical properties of the concrete. The basicity of the paste weakened with a large amount of YPS; meanwhile, the cementitious activity of active silicon and aluminum in the YPS did not lead to low mechanical properties for the concrete.A good gelling property cannot be obtained when using YPS alone as a cementitious material. The compressive strength related to the internal structure of hardened cement paste directly reflected the quality of concrete. This is a significant parameter for the mechanical properties of concrete. Shown in The aggregate is a skeleton support in concrete and reduces the effect of the dry shrinkage and moisture expansion of cementitious materials in the process of setting and hardening. Aggregates are divided into silicate aggregate and carbonate aggregate for mineral composition in industrial applications. The ITZs formed by different aggregates and cementitious materials have different microstructures, which are reflected in the mechanical properties of the concrete. During this study, basalt was used as the silicate aggregate and dolomite was used as the carbonate aggregate. We then studied the adaptability of different aggregates in composite cementitious materials (RM–YPS–cement). The strength test results of concrete prepared with the RM–YPS–cement  as the cementitious material with dolomite and basalt as the aggregate, respectively, were shown in Abundant micropores with different sizes exist in concrete, which have different effects on concrete properties . The po2 reacted with CH in ITZ to form CSH and filled interfacial micropores, which promoted cement hydration. Moreover, the RM with low cementitious materials and a small particle size could absorb excess water to prevent the formation of abundant harmful pores after water evaporation. They also could divide large pores into many small pores and decrease the average pore diameter while increasing the total pore area. Therefore, a certain proportion of RM and YPS can decrease the average pore size and promote the production of 10–50 nm micropores in concrete. A large number of harmful pores were transformed into harmless pores and less harmful pores, resulting in the mechanical properties of concrete being greatly improved.Compared to the concrete prepared with pure cement and the basalt aggregate, the intermediate pore diameter of the concrete prepared with RM–YPS–cement and the basalt aggregate decreased by 32.28%. The average pore diameter decreased by 23.37%. However, the total pore area increased by 41.78%. Shown in 2 in the YPS participated in the reaction, leading to the optimization of the interfacial structure.The ITZ is the transition zone between the aggregate and the matrix, the thickness of which is 40–100 μm from the aggregate interface. The ITZ is the weakest link of the concrete . AdditioXRD was used to test the material composition resulting from the reaction of dolomite and basalt aggregates with RM–YPS–cement and cement, respectively (the solid–liquid ratio was 1:1). We studied the effect of RM and YPS on the material composition of the ITZ in concrete. Shown in We found a slight decrease in the concrete compressive strength when adding 10.00 wt.% of RM; when we added more than 10.00 wt.%, it decreased greatly. The mechanical properties of concrete for which cement was replaced with 10 wt.% RM and 9.00 wt.% YPS were better than when it was replaced with only 10 wt.% RM and 18.00 wt.% YPS. Regarding the basalt and dolomite aggregates, the concrete compressive strength of the RM–YPS–cement increased by 25.04% and 27.27%, respectively, at the curing age of 28 days.The crystal size of the ITZ in the concrete prepared with RM–YPS–cement was smaller, and the crystals adhered closely to the aggregate surface, which was beneficial for an effective occlusion between the cementitious materials and aggregates. Nonreactive YPS and RM particles could fill micropores in the ITZ region. Meanwhile, the small particle size of RM and YPS resulted in large pores being divided into many small pores, which decreased the average pore diameter. Adding RM–YPS–cement increased the pore diameter in the ITZ; the pores were mostly 10–50 nm, and more compact ITZ structures and narrower microcracks were formed.Although the cementitious material added 10.00 wt.% RM and 18.00 wt.% YPS, it did not form new mineral phases in the ITZ. Instead, it led to a decrease in CH in the reaction product, mainly because a large amount of amorphous silica in the YPS reacted with CH to form CSH gel. This resulted in the ITZ porous area filling and a reduction in pore size, which can improve the mechanical properties of concrete. Additionally, CH in the matrix also reacted with amorphous silica in YPS, promoting cement hydration.