bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on emergency logistics information traceability model and resource optimization allocation strategies based on consortium blockchain
Authors: Wang Chuansheng , Guo Zixian , Shi Fulei , Chen Mingyue , Wang Xinyu , Liu Jia
Published: May 2024

In response to increasingly complex social emergencies, this study realizes the optimization of logistics information flow and resource allocation by constructing the Emergency logistics information Traceability model (ELITM-CBT) based on alliance blockchain technology. Using the decentralized, data immutable and transparent characteristics of alliance blockchain technology, this research breaks through the limitations of traditional emergency logistics models and improves the accuracy and efficiency of information management. Combined with the hybrid genetic simulated Annealing algorithm (HGASA), the improved model shows significant advantages in emergency logistics scenarios, especially in terms of total transportation time, total cost, and fairness of resource allocation. The simulation results verify the high efficiency of the model in terms of timeliness of emergency response and accuracy of resource allocation, and provide innovative theoretical support and practical scheme for the field of emergency logistics. Future research will explore more efficient consensus mechanisms, and combine big data and artificial intelligence technology to further improve the performance and adaptability of emergency logistics systems.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer screening in a large midwestern United States academic medical center
Authors: Johnson Kimberly J. , O’Connell Caitlin P. , Waken R. J. , Barnes Justin M.
Published: May 2024

Background

Access to breast screening mammogram services decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our objectives were to estimate: 1) the COVID-19 affected period, 2) the proportion of pandemic-associated missed or delayed screening encounters, and 3) pandemic-associated patient attrition in screening encounters overall and by sociodemographic subgroup.

Methods

We included screening mammogram encounter EPIC data from 1-1-2019 to 12-31-2022 for females ≥40 years old. We used Bayesian State Space models to describe weekly screening mammogram counts, modeling an interruption that phased in and out between 3-1-2020 and 9-1-2020. We used the posterior predictive distribution to model differences between a predicted, uninterrupted process and the observed screening mammogram counts. We estimated associations between race/ethnicity and age group and return screening mammogram encounters during the pandemic among those with 2019 encounters using logistic regression.

Results

Our analysis modeling weekly screening mammogram counts included 231,385 encounters (n = 127,621 women). Model-estimated screening mammograms dropped by >98% between 03-15-2020 and 05-24-2020 followed by a return to pre-pandemic levels or higher with similar results by race/ethnicity and age group. Among 79,257 women, non-Hispanic (NH) Asians, NH Blacks, and Hispanics had significantly (p < .05) lower odds of screening encounter returns during 2020–2022 vs. NH Whites with odds ratios (ORs) from 0.70 to 0.91. Among 79,983 women, those 60–69 had significantly higher odds of any return screening encounter during 2020–2022 (OR = 1.28), while those ≥80 and 40–49 had significantly lower odds (ORs 0.77, 0.45) than those 50–59 years old. A sensitivity analysis suggested a possible pre-existing pattern.

Conclusions

These data suggest a short-term pandemic effect on screening mammograms of ~2 months with no evidence of disparities. However, we observed racial/ethnic disparities in screening mammogram returns during the pandemic that may be at least partially pre-existing. These results may inform future pandemic planning and continued efforts to eliminate mammogram screening disparities.
Development of big data assisted effective enterprise resource planning framework for smart human resource management
Authors: Zhao Yaxuan
Published: May 2024

The planning of human resources and the management of enterprises consider the organization’s size, the amount of effort put into operations, and the level of productivity. Inefficient allocation of resources in organizations due to skill-task misalignment lowers production and operational efficiency. This study addresses organizations’ poor resource allocation and use, which reduces productivity and the efficiency of operations, and inefficiency may adversely impact company production and finances. This research aims to develop and assess a Placement-Assisted Resource Management Scheme (PRMS) to improve resource allocation and usage and businesses’ operational efficiency and productivity. PRMS uses expertise, business requirements, and processes that are driven by data to match resources with activities that align with their capabilities and require them to perform promptly. The proposed system PRMS outperforms existing approaches on various performance metrics at two distinct levels of operations and operating levels, with a success rate of 0.9328% and 0.9302%, minimal swapping ratios of 12.052% and 11.658%, smaller resource mitigation ratios of 4.098% and 4.815%, mean decision times of 5.414s and 4.976s, and data analysis counts of 6387 and 6335 Success and data analysis increase by 9.98% and 8.2%, respectively, with the proposed strategy. This technique cuts the switching ratio, resource mitigation, and decision time by 6.52%, 13.84%, and 8.49%. The study concluded that PRMS is a solid, productivity-focused corporate improvement method that optimizes the allocation of resources and meets business needs.
Tolerance for corruption and descriptive social norm: An experimental study of embezzlement
Authors: Tian Sen , Zhao Liangfo
Published: May 2024

Public tolerance for corruption within a society significantly influences the prevalence of corrupt practices, but less is known about how this tolerance evolves with social norms. This paper presents experimental evidences demonstrating that the descriptive social norm indicating widespread corruption can lead to increased tolerance for corruptive acts. We introduce an asymmetric information ultimatum game to simulate the interactions between embezzlers and citizens. Game theoretical analysis reveals that victims anticipating corruption will exhibit greater compliance with embezzlement when the offers are evaluated based on descriptive norms. To test the hypothesis, we employ a framing effect to induce variations in descriptive norms within a behavioral experiment. Although the treatment effect is significant only in the subgroup of student cadres, this subgroup demonstrated increased beliefs about embezzlement, greater tolerance for corruption, and a heightened propensity to embezzle when exposed to framings with hierarchical implications. This paper contributes to the corruption literature by examining the effects of descriptive norms on victims’ responses to embezzlement. It offers a more comprehensive perspective on how social standards shape public opinions and corrupt actions, enhancing our understanding of the self-reinforcing nature of corruption.
Identifying priority double-duty actions to tackle the double burden of malnutrition in infants and young children in Peru: Assessment and prioritisation of government actions by national experts
Authors: Huayta Violeta Magdalena Rojas , Pradeilles Rebecca , Creed-Kanashiro Hilary M. , Rousham Emily , Delgado Doris , Pareja Rossina , Landais Edwige , Verdezoto Nervo , Haycraft Emma , Holdsworth Michelle
Published: May 2024

Multiple forms of malnutrition coexist in infants and young children (IYC) in Peru. The World Health Organization has proposed double-duty actions (DDAs) to simultaneously address undernutrition and overweight/obesity. We assessed current implementation of- and priority for- government-level actions to tackle multiple forms of malnutrition in IYC in Peru. Mapping of current policy activity was undertaken against 47 indicators of good practice for five DDAs (exclusive breastfeeding, complementary feeding, food marketing, maternal nutrition, preschool nutrition; assessed by 27 indicators) and for the enabling policy environment, i.e., ‘infrastructure support’ (health in all policies, platforms for interactions, financing, monitoring, governance, leadership; assessed by 20 indicators). Interviews with 16 national experts explored views on the level of and barriers to implementation of DDAs and infrastructure support, as well as their prioritisation based on likely impact and feasibility. The level of implementation of actions was categorised into two groups (agenda setting/formulation vs. implementation/evaluation). Mean scores were generated for prioritisation of DDAs and infrastructure support. Deductive qualitative analysis was undertaken to identify barriers that influence policy implementation. Only 5/27 DDA indicators were reported as fully implemented by all national experts (international code that regulates the marketing of breastmilk substitutes, iron supplementation for IYC, micronutrient powders in IYC, iron/folic acid supplementation in pregnant women, paid maternity leave). Only 1/20 infrastructure support indicator (access to nutrition information) was rated as fully implemented by all experts. Barriers to implementing DDAs and infrastructure support included: legal feasibility or lack of regulations, inadequate monitoring/evaluation to ensure enforcement, commercial influences on policymakers, insufficient resources, shifting public health priorities with the COVID-19 pandemic and political instability. The experts prioritised 12 indicators across all five DDAs and eight infrastructure support indicators. Experts highlighted the need to improve implementation of all DDAs and identified ways to strengthen the enabling policy environment.
Nitric oxide releasing nanofiber stimulates revascularization in response to ischemia via cGMP-dependent protein kinase
Authors: Lee Kyung Hye , Song Min-Young , Lee Sora , Park JinSun , Kang Jung Hee , Cho Haneul , Kim Ki-Bum , Son Soo Ji , Cheng Xian Wu , Lee Young Ju , Lee Gi-Ja , Shin Jae Ho , Kim Weon
Published: May 2024

Nitric oxide (NO) promotes angiogenesis via various mechanisms; however, the effective transmission of NO in ischemic diseases is unclear. Herein, we tested whether NO-releasing nanofibers modulate therapeutic angiogenesis in an animal hindlimb ischemia model. Male wild-type C57BL/6 mice with surgically-induced hindlimb ischemia were treated with NO-releasing 3-methylaminopropyltrimethoxysilane (MAP3)–derived or control (i.e., non-NO-releasing) nanofibers, by applying them to the wound for 20 min, three times every two days. The amount of NO from the nanofiber into tissues was assessed by NO fluorometric assay. The activity of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) was determined by western blot analysis. Perfusion ratios were measured 2, 4, and 14 days after inducing ischemia using laser doppler imaging. On day 4, Immunohistochemistry (IHC) with F4/80 and gelatin zymography were performed. IHC with CD31 was performed on day 14. To determine the angiogenic potential of NO-releasing nanofibers, aorta-ring explants were treated with MAP3 or control fiber for 20 min, and the sprout lengths were examined after 6 days. As per either LDPI (Laser doppler perfusion image) ratio or CD31 capillary density measurement, angiogenesis in the ischemic hindlimb was improved in the MAP3 nanofiber group; further, the total nitrate/nitrite concentration in the adduct muscle increased. The number of macrophage infiltrations and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity decreased. Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), one of the major substrates for PKG, increased phosphorylation in the MAP3 group. MAP3 nanofiber or NO donor SNAP (s-nitroso-n-acetyl penicillamine)-treated aortic explants showed enhanced sprouting in an ex vivo aortic ring assay, which was partially abrogated by KT5823, a potent inhibitor of PKG. These findings suggest that the novel NO-releasing nanofiber, MAP3 activates PKG and promotes therapeutic angiogenesis in response to hindlimb ischemia.
Cumulative effect of metabolic syndrome on the risk of retinal vein occlusion in young patients: A nationwide population-based study
Authors: Kim Yeji , Kim Chul Gu , Kim Jong Woo , Han Kyungdo , Kim Jae Hui
Published: May 2024

This study aimed to investigate the impact of the cumulative burden of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on the incidence of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in young adults. We included 1,408,093 subjects aged ≥20 and <40 years without a history of RVO who underwent four consecutive annual health examinations during 2009–2012 from the database of the Korean National Health Insurance Service. The metabolic burden was evaluated based on the cumulative number of MetS diagnoses at each health examination (0–4 times) and the cumulative number of each MetS component diagnosed at each health examination (0–4 times per MetS component). Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the risk of RVO according to metabolic burden. The risk of RVO was positively correlated with the cumulative number of MetS diagnoses over the four health examinations. All five MetS components were independently associated with an increased risk of RVO. Subgroup analysis for the impact of MetS on RVO occurrence revealed that MetS had a greater impact on female subjects (P <0.001). Prompt detection of metabolic derangements and their treatment might be important to decrease the risk of RVO in young adults, especially women.
Structure and flexibility of the DNA polymerase holoenzyme of vaccinia virus
Authors: Burmeister Wim P. , Boutin Laetitia , Balestra Aurelia C. , Gröger Henri , Ballandras-Colas Allison , Hutin Stephanie , Kraft Christian , Grimm Clemens , Böttcher Bettina , Fischer Utz , Tarbouriech Nicolas , Iseni Frédéric
Published: May 2024

The year 2022 was marked by the mpox outbreak caused by the human monkeypox virus (MPXV), which is approximately 98% identical to the vaccinia virus (VACV) at the sequence level with regard to the proteins involved in DNA replication. We present the production in the baculovirus-insect cell system of the VACV DNA polymerase holoenzyme, which consists of the E9 polymerase in combination with its co-factor, the A20-D4 heterodimer. This led to the 3.8 Å cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of the DNA-free form of the holoenzyme. The model of the holoenzyme was constructed from high-resolution structures of the components of the complex and the A20 structure predicted by AlphaFold 2. The structures do not change in the context of the holoenzyme compared to the previously determined crystal and NMR structures, but the E9 thumb domain became disordered. The E9-A20-D4 structure shows the same compact arrangement with D4 folded back on E9 as observed for the recently solved MPXV holoenzyme structures in the presence and the absence of bound DNA. A conserved interface between E9 and D4 is formed by a cluster of hydrophobic residues. Small-angle X-ray scattering data show that other, more open conformations of E9-A20-D4 without the E9-D4 contact exist in solution using the flexibility of two hinge regions in A20. Biolayer interferometry (BLI) showed that the E9-D4 interaction is indeed weak and transient in the absence of DNA although it is very important, as it has not been possible to obtain viable viruses carrying mutations of key residues within the E9-D4 interface.
Pseudotyped virus infection of multiplexed ACE2 libraries reveals SARS-CoV-2 variant shifts in receptor usage
Authors: Shukla Nidhi , Roelle Sarah M. , Snell John C. , DelSignore Olivia , Bruchez Anna M. , Matreyek Kenneth A.
Published: May 2024

Pairwise compatibility between virus and host proteins can dictate the outcome of infection. During transmission, both inter- and intraspecies variabilities in receptor protein sequences can impact cell susceptibility. Many viruses possess mutable viral entry proteins and the patterns of host compatibility can shift as the viral protein sequence changes. This combinatorial sequence space between virus and host is poorly understood, as traditional experimental approaches lack the throughput to simultaneously test all possible combinations of protein sequences. Here, we created a pseudotyped virus infection assay where a multiplexed target-cell library of host receptor variants can be assayed simultaneously using a DNA barcode sequencing readout. We applied this assay to test a panel of 30 ACE2 orthologs or human sequence mutants for infectability by the original SARS-CoV-2 spike protein or the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron BA1 variant spikes. We compared these results to an analysis of the structural shifts that occurred for each variant spike’s interface with human ACE2. Mutated residues were directly involved in the largest shifts, although there were also widespread indirect effects altering interface structure. The N501Y substitution in spike conferred a large structural shift for interaction with ACE2, which was partially recreated by indirect distal substitutions in Delta, which does not harbor N501Y. The structural shifts from N501Y greatly influenced the set of animal orthologs the variant spike was capable of interacting with. Out of the thirteen non-human orthologs, ten exhibited unique patterns of variant-specific compatibility, demonstrating that spike sequence changes during human transmission can toggle ACE2 compatibility and potential susceptibility of other animal species, and cumulatively increase overall compatibilities as new variants emerge. These experiments provide a blueprint for similar large-scale assessments of protein compatibility during entry by diverse viruses. This dataset demonstrates the complex compatibility relationships that occur between variable interacting host and virus proteins.
A UL26-PIAS1 complex antagonizes anti-viral gene expression during Human Cytomegalovirus infection
Authors: Ciesla Jessica , Huang Kai-Lieh , Wagner Eric J. , Munger Joshua
Published: May 2024

Viral disruption of innate immune signaling is a critical determinant of productive infection. The Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) UL26 protein prevents anti-viral gene expression during infection, yet the mechanisms involved are unclear. We used TurboID-driven proximity proteomics to identify putative UL26 interacting proteins during infection to address this issue. We find that UL26 forms a complex with several immuno-regulatory proteins, including several STAT family members and various PIAS proteins, a family of E3 SUMO ligases. Our results indicate that UL26 prevents STAT phosphorylation during infection and antagonizes transcriptional activation induced by either interferon α (IFNA) or tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα). Additionally, we find that the inactivation of PIAS1 sensitizes cells to inflammatory stimulation, resulting in an anti-viral transcriptional environment similar to ΔUL26 infection. Further, PIAS1 is important for HCMV cell-to-cell spread, which depends on the presence of UL26, suggesting that the UL26-PIAS1 interaction is vital for modulating intrinsic anti-viral defense.
Infectious hepatitis E virus is associated with the mature sperm head
Authors: Yadav Kush K. , Boley Patricia A. , Laocharoensuk Thamonpan , Khatiwada Saroj , Lee Carolyn M. , Bhandari Menuka , Moore Lindsey , Hanson Juliette , Kenney Scott P.
Published: May 2024

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the leading cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. HEV associated pregnancy mortality has been reported as up to 30% in humans. Recent findings suggest HEV may elicit effects directly in the reproductive system with HEV protein found in the testis, viral RNA in semen, and viral replication occurring in placental cell types. Using a natural host model for HEV infection, pigs, we demonstrate infectious HEV within the mature spermatozoa and altered sperm viability from HEV infected pigs. HEV isolated from sperm remained infectious suggesting a potential transmission route via sexual partners. Our findings suggest that HEV should be explored as a possible sexually transmittable disease. Our findings propose that infection routes outside of oral and intravenous infection need to be considered for their potential to contribute to higher mortality in HEV infections when pregnancy is involved and in HEV disease in general.
Voices unheard: Inclusive journalism in Indonesian election reporting
Authors: Furqan Rahmatul , Iqbal Sultan Moehammad
Published: May 2024

The media holds a pivotal role in shaping the public agenda, particularly in the context of elections. In this process, media coverage is expected to embody inclusivity by encompassing the multifaceted nature of our society, incorporating diverse sources, and narrating a story that reflects a myriad of perspectives, including those of marginalized groups. This research, grounded in the principles of inclusive journalism, investigates how Indonesian media sheds light on people with disabilities (PwD) within the framework of election reporting. Utilizing a descriptive qualitative approach, this study examines articles published on two prominent online platforms – Kompas.com and Detik.com – focusing on their coverage of issues pertaining to PwD within the electoral context. The research highlights generally positive media coverage but notes a limited representation of PwD. Government sources dominate, indicating a need for more inclusive journalism. While legal and human rights perspectives prevail in framing, there is a call for more direct voices from PwD. Overall, the study underscores the importance of inclusive reporting, recognizing PwD as active participants in both politics and society for a more equitable democracy in Indonesia.
Material ambiguities of losing a parent: Time, clothing and grief during terminal illness
Authors: Mundigo-Moore Isabel
Published: May 2024

In the spring of 2023, my father, Arturo, died of brain cancer at the age of 55, after a decade of illness. As he was dying, I began to process my anticipatory grief by writing about my emotional attachments to his clothing. Drawing on material culture, affect and design theory, this article looks at my family’s personal experience of my father’s illness and death to investigate the emotional possibilities and limits of garments belonging to palliative care patients and their loved ones. By looking closely at the material resonances of my father’s clothing while he died, this article explores how clothes reflect the confusing nature of time, grief and love when losing a parent to long-term illness. In theorizing the experience of losing a parent through a material culture lens, this article explores the liminality of anticipating a significant familial loss and the affective qualities of the garments that endure through it.
‘The means of life’: Civilizational witnessing in Write to Life’s Souvenirs
Authors: Stewart Sarah
Published: May 2024

Discourses underpinning UK policies such as Fundamental British Values and the Hostile Environment draw justification from framing asylum seekers as threats to western civilizational values and the British way of life. In this article, I examine Write to Life’s play Souvenirs as a remarkable example of ethically informed theatre with a conceptually refined understanding of the practicalities of civilization. Using Elaine Scarry’s theorization of the sheltering room as vital facilitator of civilization, the article explores how this testimonial play intervenes in mainstream discourses that work to hamper the two-way exchange that Kelly Oliver identifies as the foundational witnessing structure of subjectivity. I argue that this framework for interpretation highlights Souvenirs’s framing concepts of the garden and the souvenir scar as illustrating collective possibilities for co-creating civilization based on negotiation rather than enforced legibility.
CONCEPTS FOR TIMBER-SPECIFIC MEP INSTALLATIONS AND SEALINGS IN BATHROOMS OF MULTI-STORY RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
Authors: Fortmüller Petra , Monsberger Michael , Silly Gregor , Matzler Dominik , Thiel Alexandra , Schickhofer Gerhard
Published: May 2024

The European market for cross-laminated timber (CLT) is rapidly growing in the field of multi-story residential buildings. However, water leaks repeatedly lead to severe moisture damage in timber buildings. Undetected moisture damage may result in biological degradation of the CLT structure, is difficult to repair, and incurs high costs. Currently, there is a lack of awareness of the fact that timber buildings require different mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) installation methods than buildings made with mineral construction materials. In addition, too little attention is given to protecting the wooden structure by applying appropriate sealing measures that actually work in practice. Lack of planning and uncoordinated construction work exacerbate this problem. Presenting 2D drawings and 3D BIM models, the paper illustrates concepts that can be used to optimally design and safely integrate MEP installations in bathrooms in multi-story residential timber buildings. A special focus is placed on a holistic view of the topics structure, pipe installation, sealing, and fire protection. The concepts presented are based on an analysis and classification of over 1100 bathroom layouts. Therefore, they are applicable to a wide range of bathrooms in practice. The presented results were developed in the research project CLT_Plumbing_Design. They contribute to the development of standardized, timber-specific solutions for pipe installation and sealing in bathrooms, and can help reduce moisture damage in timber construction. In addition, these concepts form a basis for a new automated planning process in the area of bathroom planning, for which a brief outlook is given.
DIGITAL TWIN COLLABORATION: A COMMON TECHNICAL STRUCTURE FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE AND THE BUILDING INDUSTRY
Authors: Braun Luisa , Mock Jennifer , Jung Louisa , Böttcher Peter , Scholzen Frank
Published: May 2024

During the planning stage of production sites for the automotive industry, the building industry and the automotive industry clash. Nevertheless, the planning in both industries is generally done separately and there is not enough communication which leads to problems later on in the process. In the automotive industry, the digital twin is already used as a common tool for the planning and simulation of production lines. In the building industry however, the digitalization is not as well-advanced. Since the workflows, the degree of digitalization and the used software tools differ so much, the combination of the different processes and data of the automotive industry and the building industry is still very difficult nowadays. In order to solve that problem, the aim is to develop a common structure that allows both industries to collaborate and share their data, starting early on in the planning process. The current workflows of both industries were analyzed by conducting interviews with experts in their field. Evaluation of the answers and further discussion in the interdisciplinary team of the research project “CoLab4DigiTwin” showed that the workflows of both industries actually have the similar approach of starting the planning process by thinking in three-dimensional spaces that get more detailed information over time. Based on this finding, a hierarchical technical structure was developed, combining the spaces of the building industry and the automotive industry. This structure acts as a clear common base that facilitates an organized data exchange and improves the interdisciplinary collaboration.
IDENTIFYING CHALLENGES AFFECTING SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Authors: Gümüsburun Ayalp Gülden , Metinal Yusuf Berkay
Published: May 2024

The challenges posed by rapid population growth and urbanization, coupled with advancements in technology and industry, have led to increased energy consumption, posing potential threats to the future well-being of all living organisms. In the contemporary discourse on sustainability, the efficient utilization of limited resources, including energy, water, and materials, has become pivotal in the construction sector. Developed nations have responded to these concerns by incorporating various regulations into their legal frameworks to promote sustainable construction projects. Consequently, adopting innovative practices in construction processes is essential for designing and implementing sustainable projects. Meeting these demands necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the challenges inherent in the sustainable construction process. Therefore, this study identifies and ranks the obstacles encountered in the Turkish construction industry concerning sustainable construction. Employing a “Systematic Literature Review,” 49 challenges were identified. A survey was organized using these challenges and conducted among architects, civil engineers, and construction contractors, and 209 participants fully completed the questionnaire. Quantitative methods were used to analyze the collected survey data. The study's results reveal that all identified criteria significantly and moderately influence the sustainable construction process within the Turkish construction industry. Furthermore, the research underscores that the most critical impediments are linked to the transition process toward adopting sustainable building practices.
INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS FOR REMOVAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL CONTAMINANTS FROM WATER SOURCES
Authors: Meghea Irina , Lesnic Mihai , Manea-Saghin Ana-Maria
Published: May 2024

The waste derived from pharmaceutical products represent a huge worldwide problem. The aim of this paper is to describe, analyze and compare some depollution procedures for such kind of contaminants and to highlight their advantages and disadvantages from various points of view in order to propose concrete cleaning solutions. Classical methods used for contaminant removal from wastewaters in wastewater treatment plants (WTP) and from drinkable water in treatment plants (TP) do not satisfactorily reduce the content of pharmaceutical pollutants (PhP). After an extended analysis of many factors which can be involved in the treatment efficiency, this paper proposes some rehabilitation solutions for existent TP and WTP by adding to the conventional technologies, some operations of advanced treatment. These advanced operations are filtration through semipermeable membranes, i.e., microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), nanofiltration (NF), reverse osmosis (RO), advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), i.e., ozonation, H2O2, adsorption on activated carbon (AC). Statistical procedures are applied to compare these removal methods for such type of pollutants and to prove their efficacy. In this context, it is demonstrated that multivariate statistical techniques, combined with water quality indices represent a viable combination to perform accurate monitoring and spatiotemporal analysis of water quality assessment. This work presents concrete solutions for TP rehabilitation in order to comply with regulations in force related to PhP.
EVALUATION OF EARLY-AGE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF GEOPOLYMER CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS
Authors: Abuowda Elen , El-Hassan Hilal , El-Maaddawy Tamer
Published: May 2024

This paper presents the results of the experimental study on the early-age (1-day) compressive strength of geopolymer concrete masonry units (GCMU). The binder was a combination of ground granulated blast furnace slag (or simply slag) and fly ash with ratios of 3:1 and 1:1. It was activated using an alkaline solution consisting of sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide at a mass ratio of 1.5. Additional water was added to selected mixes to enhance the castability and compactability. The effect of the mix design parameters on the early-age compressive strength of GCMU was investigated. Results showed that an increase in the binder-to-aggregate ratio increased the compressive strength by up to 57%. Similarly, increasing the alkaline solution-to-binder and slag-to-fly ash ratios led to 4 and 3.5 times higher compressive strengths, respectively. Meanwhile, additional water had a negative impact on the compressive strength of GCMU, decreasing it by up to 74%. Still, it was possible to obtain a 1-day compressive strength of 36 MPa for a GCMU having a binder-to-aggregate ratio of 1:5, slag-to-fly ash ratio of 3:1, and solution-to-binder ratio of 0.4. Such results provide evidence of the ability to utilize geopolymer concrete in the field of masonry construction.
IMPLEMENTING VIRTUAL REALITY TO FOSTER CONSTRUCTION DEFECTS CHECKING AND REPORTING
Authors: Wong Peter SP , Nicholls Will
Published: May 2024

The scarce human workforce during the economic downturn and the COVID lockdown measures exposed the need for more reliance on in-person construction site visits. During the pandemic, the research team conducted a systematic review to investigate how virtual reality (VR) techniques can be applied to foster more effective construction defect checking and reporting. The findings indicate that VR technologies can be applied in marker-based inspection, which is crucial for developing the automatic defect recording and tracking system. Built on these findings, this paper reports a case study conducted in Melbourne, Australia, demonstrating how VR techniques can be applied to develop practical solutions for enhancing defect checking and reporting in an actual construction project. The solutions focused on reducing the time-consuming and inefficient manual tracking process. This study shows a step forward in assisting human judgment by resolving the in-person marker-based inspections and manual defect tracking encountered in traditional defect checking and reporting practices.
EXAMINING THE APPLICABILITY OF ALKALI ACTIVATED BINDERS (AABS) AS A LANDFILL LINER AND COVER
Authors: Almour Anwar Saeed , G. Arab Mohamed , Abdallah Mohamed , Alotaibi Emran
Published: May 2024

Landfill liner is a containment system used between landfill waste and the ground soil to prevent the migration of leachate into the soil and groundwater. Clay is typically used as a liner in the landfill barrier system due to efficiency and low permeability. Over the last decade, different types of binders such as cement, fly ash, and slag have been used with clay to improve the mechanical characteristics and reduce hydraulic conductivity of natural clay liners. This study introduced a new sustainable technique where treated dune sand mixed with alkali activated binder (AAB) made with fly ash (FA), ground-granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS), and alkali activated solutions are used as a landfill liner system, due to the unavailability of natural clay in most countries. Therefore, lab-scale compacted specimens with different mixing ratios of AABs treated desert sand were prepared and cured for 7 days to conduct a series of compressive strength. The results showed that the 20% binder mixed with 30% FA, 70% slag, and alkali solution of 0.5 have a high compressive strength with 12 MPa compared with other mixing ratios. However, a 10% binder with same precursors ratio of FA and slag has shown a less strength regardless of alkali solution with around 3 MPa. Finally, all mixing ratios have shown that the strength met the requirements of landfill liner system which were greater than 200 kPa.
AN EXPLORATION OF PASIFIKA MULTIGENERATIONAL SOCIAL HOUSING
Authors: Fistonich Ian , Kiroff Lydia
Published: May 2024

This research explores Pasifika multigenerational social housing, defined as the cohabitation of three or more generations. With nearly a quarter of the Pasifika population residing in such extended family situations, the study aims to scrutinize whether the current social housing infrastructure adequately meets their needs. The research, which employed a case study approach, focused on a Pasifika Community Housing provider working predominantly with Pasifika as a cohort and operating large numbers of social housing properties across Auckland. Document analysis and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders were the main data collection methods. The results suggest a significant misalignment between existing multigenerational housing structures and the actual needs of the Pasifika community. The interview data indicates that the current housing framework falls short of meeting the unique requirements of Pasifika households, hence necessitating a redesign of multigenerational housing to align with the diverse lifestyles and preferences of its occupants. The study highlights the inadequacy of a ‘one size fits all’ approach, emphasizing the need for tailor-made designs reflective of the communities residing in multigenerational housing. In conclusion, policymakers should consider a more inclusive and culturally sensitive approach to the design and implementation of Pasifika multigenerational housing solutions in New Zealand.
RECYCLING METHODS FOR STEEL FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE
Authors: Kaeseberg Stefan , Schmidt Elisabeth , Holschemacher Klaus
Published: May 2024

The favorable impact of steel fibers in concrete is well known. Steel fibers can affect various fresh and hardened properties of concrete, for instance the appearance and propagation of cracks in the concrete matrix. Thus far, extensive research has been conducted to describe and to analyze those phenomena. Furthermore, Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) is state of the art and is used extensively in industrial floors, walls, and ceiling constructions. But, beside the beneficial impact, the recycling of SFRC and, in particular, the separation of crushed concrete and steel fibers should be focused too. Only a few research programs are described in literature and comprehensive suggestions or guidelines are missing completely. So, a first test program was carried out to evaluate the usual procedure to break the concrete with a jaw crusher and to separate the contained steel via magnet. In tests, the amount and the type of the fibers used were varied as well as the concrete strength. The tests suggest that a certain amount of fibers can be separated, but the majority of fibers is still bound to the crushed concrete. Via sieving, it is possible to further separate concrete still containing fibers from aggregates without fibers. Conglomerates of broken concrete and fibers may be crushed again afterwards, but, allegedly, the success of the described procedure strongly depends on the fiber amount and the concrete properties. Furthermore, the available test data is too small to sufficiently describe the entire recycling path, making further research inevitable.
LOAD-BEARING BEHAVIOR OF SHORT-FIBER-REINFORCED TEXTILE CONCRETE FOR A WRAPPING PROCESS
Authors: Kufner Fabian , Rucker-Gramm Petra , Horstmann Michael
Published: May 2024

In the research project WiFaPu (Wrapping Process for highly fiber-reinforced concrete using the example of a pump sump), a new manufacturing process for components made of Short-Fiber-Reinforced Textile Concrete is being developed. Wrapping concrete continuously around a formwork places high-level requirements on concrete and reinforcement properties. This paper presents the investigations on the load-bearing behavior of wrappable Short-Fiber-Reinforced Textile Concrete with uncoated textile reinforcement made of AR-glass in tensile tests. The placing of the concrete into the wrapped layers by casting, laminating or spraying as well as the short fiber content and warp/weft direction of the uncoated fabric have major influence on the load-bearing behavior of the tested specimens. Members produced in a spraying or laminating process showed low ultimate fabric stresses and unsatisfactory crack pattern in warp direction of the fabric due to the lacing of rovings leading to lower matrix penetration. Casting of specimens lead to significantly higher textile fracture stresses if textile fabrics are slightly tightened while installing in the formwork. Also vibrating the fine-grained concrete leads to better roving penetration compared to the spraying process. The addition of short fibers partially compensates negative effects of the textile weave in the warp direction.
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF FIBER-REINFORCED CONCRETE: BENEFITS AND LIMITATIONS
Authors: Salim Abdelaziz Mahmoud , Salim Abdalla Mahmoud
Published: May 2024

Fibers are widely used in the concrete industry to enhance the mechanical properties of concrete, especially tensile strength and post-cracking behavior. This study evaluates the mechanical performance of steel, glass, polypropylene fibers, and hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete through a detailed literature review. It was found that fiber addition significantly enhances the tensile strength, flexural strength, and ductility of concrete, with variations attributed to the type and volume of fibers used. The impact on compressive strength was minimal. Fibers with high elastic modulus notably improved concrete strength, whereas fibers with lower modulus enhanced concrete’s ductility and toughness. Each fiber type presents unique benefits and limitations concerning mechanical properties, environmental resistance, and cost. Hybrid fiber reinforcement emerged as particularly effective, offering substantial improvements over single-fiber systems, and mitigating some of their inherent limitations. This research aims to provide comprehensive insights into the effects of fiber reinforcement on concrete's mechanical properties, highlighting the distinct benefits and drawbacks of different fiber types.
A LITERATURE REVIEW ON RISK FACTORS ON INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Authors: Akyol Muhammet , Polat Gul , Gurgun Aslı Pelin
Published: May 2024

Internationalization is one of the most critical decisions for construction companies. Although expanding into new markets promises several benefits such as new job opportunities, increases in market share and profit margins, etc., it is exposed to risks and difficulties, which in turn result in poor project performance in terms of delays and cost overruns. Therefore, construction companies should thoroughly recognize the potential risk factors and develop proper risk management strategies against these risk factors. This study reviews the recent studies on risk factors on international construction projects, which might cause delays and cost overruns, in order to help construction companies that mostly undertake international construction projects in recognizing risk factors and developing their risk response strategies against them. For this purpose, semi-systematic literature review was conducted, 32 journal articles from 14 academic journals reviewed in depth, and 23 different risk factors were identified. “Host government related risk”, “Resource price fluctuations”, “Unavailability of resources in the host market”, and “Contractor’s lack of managerial skills” were found to be “highly cited risk factors”. On the other hand, “Adverse public attitude”, “Project specification and standard problems”, “Technology and proprietary information sharing problems”, and “Virtual Risk” were found to be “lowly cited risk factors”.
PERFORMANCE COMPARISON OF DERIVATIVE-FREE OPTIMIZATION METHODS
Authors: Miah Mohammad Shamim , Lienhart Werner
Published: May 2024

Structural optimization for parameters and non-parameters-based modelling are adopted in almost all area of science and engineering due to their inherent advantages in contrary to manual tuning. Typically, in the easiest case regression analysis is used to develop a data-based model for the future applications and forecasting. However, the aforementioned modelling approach may be suitable for well-defined data (i.e., elastic model) but might be difficult for complex data type where linear type model may show very poor performances. As a result, the adaptation of nonlinear type or complex models (e.g. a combination of linear and nonlinear parts) are unavoidable. For instance, modeling of a hysteresis type behavior would not be possible via any linear type models while a Bouc-Wen type nonlinear model would be a better choice. Hence, to avoid early mentioned issues and to achieve better performances, the derivative-free or search-algorithm optimization might be suitable alternatives. Herein, due to the underlying advantages, the derivative-free search algorithms have been adopted to optimize model performances and interpret both linear and nonlinear type data. To be precise, two different derivative-free algorithms namely, (i) Nelder-Mead Simplex Method, and (ii) Genetic Algorithm have been studied. The outcome of this study shows that in both former mentioned cases search-based algorithms have better performance in terms of capturing the behavior of the true data via optimization. The real-life applications of optimization algorithms are numerous as these tools are used in many branches of science and engineering.
A SIMPLE APPROACH FOR PREDICTING CURVATURE IN CONCRETE MEMBERS REINFORCED WITH STEEL FIBERS AND BARS
Authors: Kaklauskas Gintaris , Sokolov Aleksandr
Published: May 2024

The paper proposes a simple deflection model for concrete bending members reinforced with steel fibers and bars (further denoted as R/SFRC members). Most of the current design approaches for such elements require the knowledge of the residual strength of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) in tension with the latter characteristic being obtained from standard bending tests. The involvement of extra tests hampers a wider application of R/SFRC structures in practice. The proposed model does not require the characteristic of the residual strength. It was derived using an inverse approach earlier proposed by the authors. The resultant tensile force of SFRC acting in the tension zone of a R/SFRC beam was derived from the experimental moment-curvature diagram. A load level was identified at which the resultant tensile force reached zero, implying that the section stiffness equals to the stiffness of the fully cracked RC section. The proposed model in a simple way expresses curvature via the curvatures at a cracking load and the load corresponding to the stiffness of the fully cracked RC section. The predictions by the proposed model were checked against independent test data.
COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF LEED CERTIFIED HOSPITALS WITH “YES-TR” IN THE SCOPE OF "GREEN CERTIFICATION"
Authors: Büyükçınar Recep Ahmed , Kömürlü Rüveyda
Published: May 2024

Sustainability is a major concern for everyone. Diminishing resources and increasing pollution raise questions about, sustainability. This creates a pressure in the world to become more environmentally friendly. A green hospital is an organization that improves people's health and meets its share of the burden of disease by continuously reducing environmental impacts on sustainability. This sector is expected to grow several times over the next decade. Energy savings and water savings are tangible benefits of green hospitals. Increased daylight, faster patient recovery, natural connections, improved hygiene and health are just a few intangible benefits of green hospitals. Criteria have been set worldwide with certificates to qualify hospitals as green. In this context, in Turkey, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change started the YeS-TR: In this study, a comparison of green certification standards in the world and YeS-TR: Green Certificate application was compared with the green certification standards in the World.