bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustainable Assignment of Egyptian Ornamental Stones for Interior and Exterior Building Finishes Using the AHP-TOPSIS Technique
Authors: Shohda Ahmed M. A. , Ali Mahrous A. M. , Ren Gaofeng , Kim Jong-Gwan , Abdo Ahmed M. , Abdellah Wael R. , Hassan Abbas M.
Published: February 2022

The ornamental stones industry has grown progressively in Egypt as the demand has increased for Egyptian decorative stones in indoor and outdoor building spaces. Choosing the most suitable ornamental stone for each purpose and taking the right decisions related to aesthetic and practical performance can be a challenge causing a lot of confusion for homeowners and contractors. Thus, there is a need to define what decorative style you are trying to achieve in order to properly choose the most suitable decorative stone. In this research, some Egyptian ornamental stones were evaluated by combining the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS). The optimized AHP–TOPSIS comprehensive decision model was implemented on natural materials relevant to ornaments and the finishing purposes of indoor and outdoor buildings. Ten rock types from four Egyptian sites were studied, examined, and analyzed. According to the quality index scheme, grey granite is an ideal ornamental stone that meets indoor and outdoor purposes. Grey granite and black marble have a performance score (Pi) of 0.78 and 0.71, respectively. Serpentine and pink granite were ranked third with a Pi = 0.68. These results provide stakeholders with strategic indicators to select different natural ornamental stones based on the total points assigned to all rock specifications and costs.
Educational Travel Programs, Sustainability, and the Environment
Authors: Hale Brack W.
Published: February 2022

This Special Issue seeks to contribute to the growing body of literature that considers and examines the multiple ways that educational travel programs (ETPs), such as study abroad, service learning, and educational exchange programs, educate students about environmental and sustainability issues, as well as how the programs themselves interact with these same issues [...]
Impact of China’s National Sword Policy on the U.S. Landfill and Plastics Recycling Industry
Authors: Vedantam Aditya , Suresh Nallan C. , Ajmal Khadija , Shelly Michael
Published: February 2022

This paper analyzes the impacts of China’s Green Fence and National Sword Programs, under which strict contamination limits were imposed on recyclable materials, besides prohibiting imports of low quality recyclables. Specifically, this study investigates the impacts of this policy on landfills, and the risks to the U.S. plastics secondary materials market and material recovery facilities (MRFs). A hierarchical regression analysis reveals the significant impacts of China’s Green Fence and National Sword polices on the amount landfilled plastic. Controlling for oil prices, producer price index (PPI), and amount of plastic scrap exported, our findings show that the Green Fence had no statistically significant impact on the amount of plastic landfilled in the U.S. However, the quantity of plastic landfilled in the U.S. increased by 23.2% following the implementation of National Sword. Furthermore, analysis of the annual reports submitted by registered MRFs in New York (NY) state reveals that the total amount of plastic recovered by them has decreased. We suggest that demand creation and investments that improve the quality of bales are needed to help solve this economic dilemma.
The 2021 National Report on Sports Innovation for Montenegro: Content Analysis
Authors: Katanic Borko , Pekovic Sanja , Matic Radenko M. , Vukovic Jovan , Masanovic Bojan , Popovic Stevo
Published: February 2022

This research aims to content analyze the literature on innovation in the field of sports in Montenegro to provide a better basis for the establishment of a monitoring system. The research was conducted drawing on a pre-established methodology related to the assessment of the level of sports innovation based on 16 defined indicators. Grades were attributed to data found in available scientific articles that were published until 2021, as well as in secondary data sources (Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science), such as governmental and nongovernmental reports and online content on Google (N = 18) from the same period. The findings of content analysis indicate that all indicators averaged 2.25 (fair) on a six-point scale, while only one indicator was rated as excellent, five indicators were rated as good, four indicators were rated as fair, and lastly, five indicators were rated as poor. Based on the obtained results, a low level of innovation in the field of sports in Montenegro was determined, and this also applies to innovation indicators individually. These results can be used as an initial step in planning an appropriate strategy development at the national level, which will lead to the improvement of innovation activities and their implementation in the field of sports in Montenegro.
Resource Recycling Utilization of Distillers Grains for Preparing Cationic Quaternary Ammonium—Ammonium Material and Adsorption of Acid Yellow 11
Authors: Li Chengtao , Kong Deyi , Yao Xiaolong , Ma Xiaotao , Wei Chunhui , Wang Hong
Published: February 2022

Using distillers grains (DG) as raw material after pre-treatment with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and modified with cationic etherification agent 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride (CHPTAC), cationic quaternary ammonium distillers grains adsorption material (CDG) was successfully prepared. The optimal adsorption conditions were an adsorption temperature of 25 °C, adsorption time of 180 min, amount of adsorbent at 8.5 g/L, initial dye concentration of 100 mg/L, and pH of dye solution 7.0. The structure of CDG was characterized by FTIR, EDS, SEM, BET, ultraviolet spectrum analysis, and analysis of the zeta potential, while the adsorption mechanism was studied by adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamics. The results showed that CHPTAC modified the distillers grains successfully and induced the formation of CDG with a large number of pore structures and good adsorption effect. The highest adsorption yield was above 98%, while after eight rounds of adsorption–desorption experiments, the adsorption rate was 81.80%. The adsorption mechanism showed that the adsorption process of acid yellow 11 (AY11) by CDG conforms to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, mainly with chemical and physical adsorption such as pore adsorption and electrostatic adsorption. Thermodynamics conforms to the Freundlich isothermal model, and the adsorption process is a spontaneous, endothermic and entropy-increasing process.
Buoyancy-Marangoni Fingering of a Miscible Spreading Drop
Authors: Hooshanginejad Alireza , Jung Sunghwan
Published: February 2022

We experimentally investigate the interfacial instability that emerges when a water droplet is deposited on a bath of glycerol-water solution. Despite the absence of surface tension to stabilize short-wavelength undulations, we observe finite-size fingers that grow and pinch off from the drop. We show that the fingering patterns formed in the experiments resultes from a balance between the outward buoyancy effect and inward Marangoni flow. This induced Marangoni flow inhibits small perturbations and acts as an effective surface tension on the miscible interface of the spreading drop. To characterize the final size and shape of the drop, we perform systematic experiments by varying the drop volume and the glycerol-water volume fraction. In addition, we have developed scaling arguments for the drop’s final radius using key physical forces, and show that the final wavelength is inversely proportional to the Bond number.
Sovereign Digital Consent through Privacy Impact Quantification and Dynamic Consent
Authors: Appenzeller Arno , Hornung Marina , Kadow Thomas , Krempel Erik , Beyerer Jürgen
Published: February 2022

Digitization is becoming more and more important in the medical sector. Through electronic health records and the growing amount of digital data of patients available, big data research finds an increasing amount of use cases. The rising amount of data and the imposing privacy risks can be overwhelming for patients, so they can have the feeling of being out of control of their data. Several previous studies on digital consent have tried to solve this problem and empower the patient. However, there are no complete solution for the arising questions yet. This paper presents the concept of Sovereign Digital Consent by the combination of a consent privacy impact quantification and a technology for proactive sovereign consent. The privacy impact quantification supports the patient to comprehend the potential risk when sharing the data and considers the personal preferences regarding acceptance for a research project. The proactive dynamic consent implementation provides an implementation for fine granular digital consent, using medical data categorization terminology. This gives patients the ability to control their consent decisions dynamically and is research friendly through the automatic enforcement of the patients’ consent decision. Both technologies are evaluated and implemented in a prototypical application. With the combination of those technologies, a promising step towards patient empowerment through Sovereign Digital Consent can be made.
Excitation Function of Kinetic Freeze-Out Parameters at 6.3, 17.3, 31, 900 and 7000 GeV
Authors: Waqas Muhammad , Haj Ismail Abd Al Karim , Ajaz Muhammad , AbdelKader Atef
Published: February 2022

The transverse momentum spectra of π+ (π−)(π++π−) at 6.3, 17.3, 31, 900 and 7000 GeV are analyzed by the blast-wave model with Tsallis statistics (TBW) in proton-proton collisions. We took the value of flow profile n0 = 1 and 2 in order to see the difference in the results of the extracted parameters in the two cases. Different rapidity slices at 31 GeV are also analyzed, and the values of the related parameters, such as kinetic freeze-out temperature, transverse flow velocity and kinetic freeze-out volume, are obtained. The above parameters rise with the increase of collision energy, while at 31 GeV, they decrease with increasing rapidity, except for the kinetic freeze-out volume, which increases. We also extracted the parameter q, which is an entropy-based parameter, and its rising trend is noticed with increasing collision energy, while at 31 GeV, no specific dependence of q is observed on rapidity. In addition, the multiplicity parameter N0 and mean transverse momentum are extracted, which increase with increasing collision energy and decrease with increasing rapidity. We notice that the kinetic freeze-out temperature and mean transverse momentum are slightly larger with n0 = 2, while the transverse flow velocity is larger in the case of n0 = 1, but the difference is very small and hence insignificant.
Genomic Bootstrap Barcodes and Their Application to Study the Evolution of Sarbecoviruses
Authors: Hassanin Alexandre , Rambaud Opale , Klein Dylan
Published: February 2022

Recombination creates mosaic genomes containing regions with mixed ancestry, and the accumulation of such events over time can complicate greatly many aspects of evolutionary inference. Here, we developed a sliding window bootstrap (SWB) method to generate genomic bootstrap (GB) barcodes to highlight the regions supporting phylogenetic relationships. The method was applied to an alignment of 56 sarbecoviruses, including SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the SARS epidemic and COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. The SWB analyses were also used to construct a consensus tree showing the most reliable relationships and better interpret hidden phylogenetic signals. Our results revealed that most relationships were supported by just a few genomic regions and confirmed that three divergent lineages could be found in bats from Yunnan: SCoVrC, which groups SARS-CoV related coronaviruses from China; SCoV2rC, which includes SARS-CoV-2 related coronaviruses from Southeast Asia and Yunnan; and YunSar, which contains a few highly divergent viruses recently described in Yunnan. The GB barcodes showed evidence for ancient recombination between SCoV2rC and YunSar genomes, as well as more recent recombination events between SCoVrC and SCoV2rC genomes. The recombination and phylogeographic patterns suggest a strong host-dependent selection of the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 appears as a mosaic genome composed of regions sharing recent ancestry with three bat SCoV2rCs from Yunnan (RmYN02, RpYN06, and RaTG13) or related to more ancient ancestors in bats from Yunnan and Southeast Asia. Finally, our results suggest that viral circular RNAs may be key molecules for the mechanism of recombination.
Analytical Framework for Understanding the Differences between Technical Standards Originating from Various Regions to Improve International Hydropower Project Delivery
Authors: You Richun , Tang Wenzhe , Duffield Colin F. , Zhang Lihai , Hui Felix , Kang Yanling
Published: February 2022

The international hydropower construction market is continuously growing during the past decade. The existing literature points out that contractors are facing ongoing difficulties in achieving the objectives of developing international hydropower projects, which largely arise from the misunderstanding and poor use of international technical standards. However, there is a lack of a coherent framework to help systematically analyze the differences between technical standards originating from various regions. This study establishes an analytical framework that incorporates the essential factors of technical standards, namely philosophy of standards, logical structure, completeness of standards, calculation method, equipment and material requirements, test method, construction method, and application conditions of standards, and demonstrates their relationships from a holistic perspective. With support of the data collected from Chinese contractors, the results revealed the application status of various technical standards and their differences. Hierarchical cluster analysis demonstrates that unfamiliarity with the differences between domestic and international technical standards can cause multiple problems in international hydropower project delivery, concerning applying international standards, integrated project management, design, procurement, and construction, which have broad theoretical and practical implications. The outcomes of this study can not only help contractors improve their capabilities of applying international standards for achieving superior international hydropower project performance, but also facilitate mutual recognition of the standards from various regions, thereby maximizing the effectiveness of global resources such as expertise, technologies, methods, and products.
Evaluation of the Potential Release Risk of Internal N and P from Sediments—A Preliminary Study in Two Freshwater Reservoirs in South China
Authors: Cheng Peng , Bao Xu , Jiao Yang , Zhang Xuezhi , Li Qingman , Gu Sen
Published: February 2022

Growing evidence has demonstrated the influence of internal nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) on harmful algae blooms in eutrophic freshwater ecosystems. However, the main controlling factors for internal N and P release risks, and whether these factors vary as environmental conditions change, remains poorly understood. We evaluated potential release risks of N and P from sediments in two freshwater reservoirs in Beihai City, southern China, by evaluating apparent nutrient fluxes during simulated static incubation experiments at two temperatures (15 °C and 25 °C). Sediments were analyzed to determine their basic properties as well as N and P fractions. Results showed that the main controlling factors of the apparent fluxes in dissolved total P, soluble reactive P, total N, and ammonium were related to sediment adsorption properties, redox properties, and microbial-mediated properties (e.g., water-extractable P, total inorganic N, redox-sensitive P, total organic carbon, organic P). The primary controlling factors for apparent N and P fluxes were dependent on the form of N and P and changed with temperature. The results suggest that care should be taken when simply using total N and P contents in sediments to evaluate their internal nutrient release risks.
Research Characteristics on Cyanotoxins in Inland Water: Insights from Bibliometrics
Authors: Wang Jiayang , Zhang Songhe , Mu Xiaoying , Hu Xiuren , Ma Yu
Published: February 2022

Eutrophication is a long-standing ecological and environmental problem, and the severity of harmful algal blooms continues to increase, causing large economic losses globally. One of the most important hazards created by harmful algal blooms is the production of cyanotoxins. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics and development trends of cyanotoxin research through bibliometric analysis. A total of 3265 publications from 1990 to 2020 on cyanotoxins were retrieved from the Science Citation Index (SCI) Expanded database, Web of Science. Over the past 30 years, most research has been concentrated in China (21.4%) and the USA (21.3%). Throughout the study period, microcystin was the focus of the research, accounting for 86% of the total number of publications. A word frequency analysis revealed that as people became more aware of drinking water safety and the construction of large-scale water conservation facilities, “reservoirs” and “rivers” became hot words for researchers, while “lakes” have always been important research objects. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis of studies from the five countries with the largest numbers of publications showed that Chinese researchers typically associate eutrophication with Microcystis, while research subjects in other countries are more extensive and balanced. The development of cyanotoxin research around the world is not even, and we need to push for more research on major lakes that are outside of North America, Europe and China.
Behavior of Porewater Pressures in an Earth Dam by Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Yun Seong-Kyu , Kim Jiseong , Im Eun-Sang , Kang Gichun
Published: February 2022

This study deals with the utilization of the pore pressure meter for evaluating the stability of a dam through the correlation between the porewater pressure installed in the fill dam and the water level of the dam. To this end, principal components analysis was performed on a total of 18 porewater pressure meters, and the main components were classified into three groups: internal (Group A), external (Group B), and upper (Group C), on the basis of the seepage line formed within the dam body. The coefficient of correlation between the porewater pressure and water level was found to be 0.86 to 1.00, indicating a strong positive linear relationship. This means that the maintenance of the dam is possible through the pore pressure meter present in Group A. Furthermore, the regression analysis for porewater pressures and water levels resulted in a linear regression model with the coefficient of determination (R2) of Group A being between 0.74 and 0.99. In particular, R2 between the power water pressure installed at the base of the dam and the water level was more than 0.99. Therefore, it was shown that the prediction of the porewater pressure is possible by using the relationships with the water level, making it possible to determine the safety of the dam by comparing it with the currently measured values.
The Marine Influence Index (MII): A Tool to Assess Estuarine Intertidal Mudflat Environments for the Purpose of Foraminiferal Biomonitoring
Authors: Jorissen Frans J. , Fouet Marie P. A. , Singer David , Howa Hélène
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we propose a marine influence index (MII), which is thought to give an integrated quantitative description of the complex of the environmental parameters controlling the foraminiferal fauna in estuarine intertidal mudflats. The MII contains three components, as follows: (1) the relative distance along the salinity gradient, (2) the emergence time relative to a reference tidal cycle, and (3) the relative importance of river outflow in the 30 days before sampling the foraminiferal fauna. Although these three parameters all have a strong relation with salinity, they also implicitly include other environmental parameters, such as the introduction of marine and continental organic matter and biota, hydrodynamic energy, or temperature. In order to show the functioning of this new index, MII is calculated for 28 stations in the Auray and Vie estuaries, for two different periods. The next step will be to compare the MII with faunal data sets. Ideally, this comparison should allow us to find strong correlations between some characteristics of the foraminiferal assemblages and the MII. If such strong correlations were indeed found, any major deviation of this relationship could then be interpreted as being due to strong anthropogenic disturbance.
Türkiye’deki Eczacılık Fakültelerinde Toksikoloji Eğitiminin Analizi
Authors: GÖNEY Gülşen
Published: February 2022

Son yıllarda Türkiye’de eczacılık fakültelerinin sayısında artış dikkati çekmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Türkiye de Eczacılık fakültelerinde toksikoloji eğitim programları eğitsel verileri ve bu programlarda görev yapan öğretim elemanların sayısal verilerini ortaya çıkararak analiz etmektir. Çalışmanın materyalini Yükseköğretim Kurulu lisans program atlası ve eczacılık fakülteleri bulunan üniversitelerden alınan bilgi formları oluşturmaktadır. Elde edilen son veriler Türkiye’ de 27’si devlet ve 13’ü vakıf üniversitelerinde lisans eğitimi veren 40 eczacılık fakültesi bulunmakta olduğunu göstermektedir. Son yirmi yılda Türkiye’de açılan eczacılık fakültelerinde %200 artış görülmüştür. Çalışma sonuçlarına göre eczacılık fakültelerindeki lisans eğitim programları birbiri ile benzerlik göstermekte olduğu, fakültelerin %5’inde yeterli öğretim üyesi olmaması nedeniyle programlarda öğrenci bulunmadığı tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca, toksikoloji ders ve uygulama eğitiminin Türkiye’deki eczacılık fakültelerinde müfredatta farklı yerleşim gösterdiği sonuçlarına ulaşılmıştır. Sunulan çalışmada Türkiye’de lisans düzeyinde eczacılık fakülteleri toksikoloji anabilim dalının akademik ve eğitsel durumu analiz edilmiştir. Çalışma sonuçlarının yeni açılan eczacılık fakültelerinde toksikoloji eğitiminin müfredat planlamasında akademisyenlere rehber olabileceği düşünülmektedir.
Оn vaccination of people over 60 against the novel coronavirus infection COVID-19 (experience of the «SOGAZ-Med» company)
Authors:   SOGAZ-Med Insurance Company JSC, Chumenko Nikolay Leonidovich
Published: February 2022

People aged 60 and over are included in the priority group for vaccination against the novel coronavirus infection COVID-19 by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. Insurance company "SOGAZ-Med" will tell about the vaccination of people in this category.
Specific features of nursing staff of oncological profile
Authors:   SBHI «Volgograd Regional Oncological Dispensary No. 3», Guzhvina Oksana Vladimirovna
Published: February 2022

The aim of the study is to assess changes in the load on a nurse, changes in the volume of work and her working conditions. Results. The daily volume of work of nurses and the level of job satisfaction were determined. The results obtained can become the basis for continuing research in the field of the quality of working life of nursing personnel in a medical organization. Conclusion. The current state of nursing in the oncological service requires detailed analysis and changes that have a positive effect on the quality of working life of nursing staff.
Efficiency of using modern technologies in treatment of postoperative wounds of patients with diabetes
Authors:   Surgical Department No. 1 of the Clinic for Surgery, FSBEI of HE «Samara State Medical University» of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russia, Valova Natalya Vasilievna
Published: February 2022

The aim of the study is to study and evaluate the effectiveness of modern technologies used in the treatment of postoperative wounds in patients with diabetes mellitus. Results. In the process of research work, the concept of «surgical infection» was studied, the risks of possible complications in patients with diabetes mellitus in the postoperative period were considered, innovative dressings and equipment used in the treatment of postoperative wounds in patients with diabetes mellitus were studied, recommendations were made on the use of modern technologies in the treatment of postoperative wounds. Conclusion. This work has shown the high efficiency of the use of modern dressing material in the treatment of postoperative wounds in patients with diabetes mellitus, which is confirmed by a decrease in postoperative complications in this category of patients to minimal numbers.
Organization of work with geriatric patients in the department of the doctor of general practice
Authors:   Institute of Nursing Education of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education «Samara State Medical University» of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russia, Shitova Anastasia Aleksandrovna , Muntyan Irina Aleksandrovna ,   Department of Nursing of FSBEI of HE «Samara State Medical University» of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation
Published: February 2022

The aim of the study is to improve the organization of work of nurses with elderly and old patients in the departments of general practitioners. Results. The system of organizing work with geriatric patients has been studied, a medical and social portrait of elderly and old patients has been compiled, the opinion of patients about the role of a nurse in providing medical care has been studied, problems in organizing work with geriatric patients have been identified. Conclusion. The problem of population aging is relevant for many developed countries of the world and for Russia. In the third millennium, the demographic structure of world society will steadily change towards an increase in the number of elderly people, therefore, modern medicine faces the global problem of providing assistance to a person who is at a stage of life close to the maximum biological age.
An Improved Iris Localization Method
Authors: Pan Meisen , Xiong Qi
Published: February 2022

Iris research has become an inevitable trend in the application of identity recognition due to its uniqueness, stability, non-aggression and other advantages. In this paper, an improved iris localization method is presented. When the iris inner boundary is located, a method for extracting the iris inner boundary based on morphology operations with multi-structural elements is proposed. Firstly, the iris image is pre-processed, and then the circular connected region in the pre-processed image is determined, the parameters of the circular connected region is extracted, finally the center and the radius of the circular connected region is obtained, .i.e., the iris inner boundary is excavated. When the iris outer boundary is located, a method for locating iris outer boundary based on annular region and improved Hough transform is proposed. The iris image is first filtered, and then the filtered image is reduced and an annular region is intercepted, finally Hough transform is used to search the circle within the annular region, i.e., the center and the radius of the iris outer boundary is obtained. The experimental results show that the location accuracy rate of this proposed method is at least 95% and the average running time is increased by 46.2% even higher. Therefore, this proposed method has the advantages of high speed, high accuracy, strong robustness and practicability.
Reinforcement Energy Efficient ant Colony Optimization of Mobile Ad Hoc Multipath Routing Performance Enhancement
Authors: Singaravelan Murugan , Mariappan Bhuvaneswari
Published: February 2022

The Mobile Ad hoc Network (MANET) is a collection of mobile nodes that operates without infrastructure and is self-administrative. It often changes the topology called dynamic network. The nodes are in the dynamic network spending more energy on path finding that resultant the node quickly draining and being inactive in the network. To overcome this issue, propose an Improve Energy Capability Backup Route ant colony optimization (IEC-BR) algorithm for reducing energy usage, enhancing network lifetime, improving packet delivery, and decreasing end-to-end delay. The algorithm uses a backup route for minimizing the route researching and node energy preservation. Stability factors and Quality of Services (QoS) parameters help to enhance the network lifetime and QoS. The stability factor uses the node residual energy and the link lifetime. Hop count and bandwidth are used for the QoS parameters. The simulation result has proved the proposed IEC-BR technique improves packet delivery, node lifetime by 31% and reduces the network delay compared to the traditional Ad hoc On-demand Distance Vector (AODV) and Multi Objective Ad hoc On-demand Distance Vector (MOAODV) routing protocols.
Performance Analysis of Efficient Spectrum Utilization in Cognitive Radio Networks by Dynamic Spectrum Access and Artificial Neuron Network Algorithms
Authors: Chinnathampy Suresh , Thangavelu Aruna , Muthukumaran Narayanaperumal
Published: February 2022

Efficient spectrum utilization is a prominent issue in cognitive radio networks. Owing to this, power allocation policies are proposed which underlay cognitive radio networks together among all prime nodes, secondary nodes, eavesdropper and secondary sender powered by renewable energy that is harvested from primary sender to acquire improved energy efficiency to enhance transmission rate, throughput, and Spectrum Utilization (SU). As a result, there is a need for combination of Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) algorithm, Artificial Neuron Network (ANN) algorithm which will make an allotment of obtainable network assets for various elements challenging for their resources. The prime objective of this paper is to intend a route control based multi-path Quality Of Service (QoS) and to find substitute paths between Secondary User (SU) source and SU destination fulfilling QoS metrics, specifically providing maximal throughput and minimal delay. In order that primary substitute channels along the paths are used completely to reduce data packets loss by using Network Simulator 2 (NS2) software tool.
ANALYSIS OF THE SPECIMEN'S DIMENSIONS VARIATION INFLUENCE IN SELF -COMPACTING CONCRETE BULK ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY
Authors: Martins Maria Auxiliadora de Barros , Pinto Fernando Batista , Barros Regina Mambeli , Melo Mirian de Lourdes Noronha Motta q
Published: February 2022

The electrical resistivity is an important concrete property because it is directly related to the chloride ions penetration that cause the depassivation of the reinforcement, being a corrosion-causing agent. In Brazil, the bulk electrical resistivity test is described by ABNT NBR 9204/2012 (ABNT, 2012) which defines the specimen dimensions as Ø 150 x 150mm and the use of liquid mercury electrodes. Several studies of electrical resistivity are found using varying dimensions of specimens. This article aimed to analyze whether the variation in the specimen dimensions has a significant influence on the bulk electrical resistivity results of the same self-compacting concrete mixture. Three specimens were used for each geometry, Ø 50x100mm, Ø 100x100mm, Ø 100x200mm and Ø 150x150mm. Electrical resistivity was assessed at 28 and 90 days and statistical analysis was performed using the ANOVA program.
A “new” design requirement: the mitigation of the progressive collapse of buildings under exceptional loading
Authors: Jaspart Jean-Pierre , Demonceau Jean-François
Published: February 2022

Recent events such as natural catastrophes or terrorism attacks have highlighted the necessity to ensure the structural integrity of buildings under an exceptional event. According to the Eurocodes and some different other national design codes, the structural integrity of civil engineering structures should be ensured through appropriate measures but, in most cases, no precise practical guidelines on how to achieve this goal are provided.At Liège University, the robustness of building frames is investigated with the final objective to propose design requirements to mitigate the risk of progressive collapse considering the conventional scenario “loss of a column” further to an unspecified event. In particular, a complete analytical procedure has been developed for the verification of the robustness of steel or composite plane frames. For sake of simplicity, these first works have been based on the assumption that the dynamic effects linked to the column loss were limited and could therefore be neglected. More recently, complementary works have been carried out with the objective to address the dynamic effects. Besides that, the extension of the static procedure to actual 3D frames is under investigation in Liège. The present paper gives a global overview of the ongoing researches in the field of robustness at Liège University; in particular, the global strategy to derive design requirements is detailed.
Physicomechanical properties of nano-silica effect on geopolymer composites
Authors: Khater Hisham Mustafa Mohamed
Published: February 2022

Addition of Nano-SiO2 (NS) to geopolymer composites has been studied through measurement of compressive strengths, Fourier Transformer Infra-Red (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Alumino–silicate materials are coarse aggregate included waste concrete and demolished walls with its cementing binder, cement kiln dust (CKD) used and can possess a pronouncing activation for the geopolymer reaction resulting from the high alkali contents within. Materials prepared at water/binder ratios in a range of 0.30: 0.40 under curing of 40 oC and 100% R.H, while the used activator is sodium hydroxide in the ratio of 2 wt. %. First, CKD is added in the ratio from 10 up to 50 wt., %, and the demolished walls was varied depending on the used CKD content, while using constant ratio of waste concrete (40 wt., %). Second step, depending on the optimum CKD ratio resulted from the first one (40 wt. %), so the control geopolymer mix composed of CKD, demolished walls and waste concrete in the ratio (40:20:40, wt %). NS partially replaced waste concrete by 1 up to 8%. Results indicated that, compressive strengths of geopolymer mixes incorporating NS were obviously higher than those control one, especially at early ages and specially with 3%NS.
Behaviour of reinforced columns with E_Glass fiber and carbon fiber
Authors: Bouchelaghem Hafida , Bezazi Abderrezak , Boumaaza Messaouada , Benzannache Naziha , Scarpa Fabrizio
Published: February 2022

Externally bonded reinforcement using Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) is a good response to the concern represented by the need for rehabilitation of concrete structures. These techniques are more and more attractive because of their fast and low labour costs, very good strength to weight ratio, good fatigue properties, and non-corrosive characteristics of FRP. The present work is an experimental study investigating the mechanical behaviour under a uni-axial loading of short concrete columns reinforced by composite materials. These are constituted of glass fibers GFRP (bidirectional fabric of two surface densities 500 and 300 g/m2), carbon CFRP (unidirectional sheet of density per unit area of 230 g/m2) and polyester and epoxy resin respectively. The investigation aims at demonstrating the effectiveness of FRP reinforcement through highlighting the effect of thickness (FRP number of folds), the nature of the reinforcement (glass, carbon or Hybrid), and the orientation of the fibers. The axial lengths shortening along with the radial expansion are measured using the strain gauges glued to the outer surfaces of the composite jacket via a Wheatstone bridge. These measurements are saved to a PC through an acquisition card. The results obtained clearly show that the columns reinforced with CFRP folds allow an important increase in the compressive rupture stress in comparison with those reinforced with GFRP folds. The gains in compressive strength, in axial and in radial strains of the confined concrete with the different FRPs used are identified and quantified. It has further been demonstrated that the tested columns mechanisms depend strongly on the type of fiber reinforcements.
Influence of silica fume on the dynamic properties of concrete
Authors: Benmammar Mohammed , Boukli Hacene Sidi Mohammed El Amine
Published: February 2022

Ultrasonic pulse velocity and resonance frequency methods are non-destructive tests that allow the evaluation and control of building materials. They have been used to determine the dynamic properties of concrete, which are used in the design and control of structures and which are the key elements of the dynamics of materials. In this study, we chose a non-destructive approach to quantify -in laboratory- the influence of adding silica fume on ordinary concrete’s dynamic characteristics. However, several concrete mixtures have been prepared with limestone aggregates. The experimental plan used, allowed us to determine the dynamic elasticity modulus and the dynamic rigidity modulus of different formulated concretes.
Fractal dimension of roughness: Influence of grain size and granular class
Authors: Bouzeboudja Houria , Melbouci Bachir , Bouzeboudja Aldjia
Published: February 2022

The soil structure can be described as an assembly of elements of various sizes separated by a complex system of cracks and fractures, since the grains of the soil are differentiated by their shape, size and orientation. They are thus differently associated and related, their masses can form complex and irregular configurations which are in general extremely difficult to characterize in exact geometric terms. To understand the mechanical behavior of granular materials, it is then necessary to characterize the grains using the fractal dimension which is a characteristic that indicates the degree of irregularity and fragmentation of the latter.

This experimental work consists in studying the influence of the parameters variation: granular class, grain size and normal stress applied during Casagrande's direct shear tests on the roughness fractal dimension calculated with the method of Box counting. The analysis of the results obtained at the end of a granulometric variation which caused a variation of the fractal dimension of grain roughness. This variation made it possible to analyze the level of fragmentation suffered by the sandstone grains during the various shear tests. This fragmentation produces fines that are the source of variations in the mechanical properties of the sandstone material.
A study on Strengthening of Building foundation for Storey Extension
Authors: Zumrawi Magdi M. E. , Aldawi Hiba K. E.
Published: February 2022

Storey extensions are an increasingly popular way to crowded cities. Lack experience and knowledge concerning strengthening of structures are major challenges for engineers. This paper presents strengthening practice adopted for foundations of existing building when storey extension is needed. Literature concerning strengthening techniques commonly adopted and some historical cases were reviewed. A complex hall building in university of Khartoum which was rehabilitated in 2009 by strengthening the structural members of the existing building to accommodate additional floors was undertaken as a case study. The records and reports of the original design and last rehabilitation of the building were reviewed. Field inspection of the building condition before rehabilitation was carried out. The study results showed that the appropriate design, the strengthening materials used and the procedure followed are the key factors for economical and successful strengthening.
Mechanical Properties of Concrete with partial replacement of Coarse aggregates by Coconut Shells and reinforced with Coconut Fibre
Authors: Bharat Mandal , Sushant Tiwari , Subid Ghimire , Aasish Tiwari
Published: February 2022

This paper centers around the study of physical and mechanical properties of concrete reinforced with coconut fibre and the coarse aggregates of which are partially replaced with coconut shells. American Concrete Institute (ACI) method has been used to design M20 concrete wherein coconut shells (CS) replaced the coarse aggregates (CA) by 6%, 8%, 10%, 12% and 14% by volume. Under each replacement of CA by CS, coconut fibres were added by 3%, 4% and 5% of cement content. Compressive strength of concrete was found to comply with characteristic strength for certain mixes which avers that the replacements were justifiable for concrete production and thus, the optimum mix for the concrete prepared thereby, would have to be considered accentuating the tensile strength which was actually the one with 10% replacement of CA by CS in terms of volume and 3% addition of coconut fibre. The research vividly evinces a decrease in overall density of the concrete thus prepared. The authors suggest the use of coconut shell and fibre in the production of concrete not only because they impart themselves as viable materials, but their use would also assist to abate the amount of environmental waste.
Development of High Thermal Stability Geopolymer Composites Enhanced by Nano Metakaolin
Authors: El Nagar A. M , Khater H. M.
Published: February 2022

This paper deals with study of thermal stability of geopolymer composites enhanced by nano metakaolin materials (NMK) and exposed to high firing temperature up to 1000 °C. The main geopolymer made up of water cooled slag having various kaolin ratios.  The activators used are Na2SiO3 and NaOH in the ratio of 3:3. The thermo-physical, micro-structural and mechanical properties of the geopolymers before and after the exposure to elevated temperatures of 300, 500, 600 800 and 1000 °C have been investigated. The fire shrinkage of the geopolymer specimens increased by increasing temperature up to 1000 oC. Also, the fire shrinkage increased slowly up to 500 °C. The mechanical strength of geopolymer specimens increased with temperature up to 500 oC. The good thermo-physical and mechanical properties for these geopolymer composites increase the possibility of vast application of these eco-friendly materials in construction sectors.
Predicting Shear Strength of RC Columns Using Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Said A , Gordon N
Published: February 2022

A primary objective in the seismic design of structures is to ensure that the capacity of individual members of a structure exceeds the associated demands. For reinforced concrete (RC) columns, several parameters involving steel and concrete material properties control behavior and strength. Furthermore, it is unrealistic to simply consider the shear strength calculation as the sum of concrete and steel contributions while accounting for axial force when, in fact, all those parameters are interacting. Consequently, it is challenging to reasonably estimate the shear capacity of a column while accounting for all the factors. This study investigates the viability of using artificial neural networks (ANN) to estimate the shear capacity of RC columns. Results from ANN are compared with both experimental values and calculated values, using semi-empirical and empirical formulas from the literature. Results show that ANNs are significantly accurate in predicting shear strength when trained with accurate experimental results, and meet or exceed the performance of existing empirical formulas. Accordingly, ANNs could be used in the future for analytical predictions of shear strength of RC members.
Valorization of calcined kaolinitic clay used in high performance mortar
Authors: Mansour Sabria Malika , Ghernouti Youcef , Chaid Rabah
Published: February 2022

In this work, an experimental investigation was carried out to evaluate the potential of an industrial pozzolan, the metakaolin, on the behavior of mortar. The aim is to use metakaolin as a 10% partial replacement of cement. Its effect on the physico-mechanical properties of the mortar has been analyzed. The results show that the incorporation of metakaolin decreases the density of the dried mortar and increases that of the wet mortar but these remain lower than those of the control mortar. Moreover, thermal analysis ATD / ATG shows that in the heat flow curve appears two endothermic peaks which correspond to the loss of mass of the cement pastes. Heat flux of these pastes increases when metakaolin is used into the cement. In addition, metakaolin increases the compressive and flexural strengths of wet and dry mortars by approaching without exceeding those of the control mortar. The use of metakaolin as a cement substitution has shown its potential to be a pozzolanic material that can offer economic, environmental and technical benefits.
Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Sisal Fiber on the Partially Replaced Cement with Groundnut Shell Ash in Concrete
Authors: Sani John , Afolayan Jacob Oyeniyi , Wilson U N , Eze OC , Nyeri J
Published: February 2022

An investigation on the effect of sisal fiber on the partially replaced cement with Groundnut Shell Ash in Concrete was carried out. Sisal fiber of 3.5cm length which forms 1% of the mix by weight with groundnut shell ash as a partial replacement for cement was used in preparing the concrete specimen. Compressive strength test was carried out using 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% of Groundnut shell ash as replacement of cement at different curing ages of 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. It was observed that at 7 and 14days of curing, it is needless introducing the GSA since the maximum compressive strength obtained were at 0% GSA. At 21 and 28days of curing, a considerable increase in compressive strength was observed for 5% and 10% of GSA. However, 5% of GSA can be regarded as the optimum content since it gives the maximum compressive strength value of 30.1N/mm2 at 28days of curing. This is followed by 10% replacement of GSA yielding 28.10N/mm2 and then 0% GSA replacement yielding 25.01N/mm2.
A case study of foundation failure of a residential building: From diagnosis to reparation
Authors: Merah A.
Published: February 2022

The pathology that appears in reinforced concrete structures, old and new, is inevitable and involves all stakeholders at all levels of responsibility, from the technician to the decision maker at the highest level. It also concerns engineers from design offices and experts from offices responsible for diagnosing existing structures, as well as engineers from repair companies. Like all countries in the world, the study of the pathology and safety of civil engineering buildings is one of the big problems encountered in the field of construction in Algeria. The foundations are among of the structural elements of the buildings most affected by this damage, these constitute the link between the structure and the soil, they allow the transmission of loads from the structure to the soil. If these structural elements are damaged, they affect the general stability of the building. Depending on the severity of the damage, it can cause the building collapse. The main objective of this paper is to study a pathological case of foundation failure of a residential building: from diagnosis to reparation. This repair was carried out according to an intervention plan comprising stages spread over time, this allowed the strengthening of the infrastructure and gave the building an acceptable level of security.