bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Analysis of Surface Roughness influenced by Alumina Powder on Different Lapping Plates using the Surface Lapping Process Technique to the C3604 Brass Material
Authors: Sripunchat Teerawut , Yotee Sumpao , Srinoi Pramot , Butdee Suthep , Thermsuk Somkiat
Published: October 2024

This research aims to study the surface roughness influenced by alumina powder on different lapping plates using surface lapping process technique for C3604 brass material. The comparison was made between using a cast iron lapping plate and a brass lapping plate. The design and analysis of a factorial experiment were applied to analyze the impact of three factors: alumina powder size with levels of 0.05, 0.30, 1.00, and 3.00 µm, lapping time with levels of 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 min, and the type of lapping plate (cast iron or brass). The response variables in the factorial experiment included two Ra-values, on the x-axis and on the y-axis. These variables were analyzed to determine their correlation with the surface quality of C3604 material in the lapping process. During sample preparation for the experiment which was conducted to measure surface roughness, 200 g of alumina powder, 150 ml of alumina powder lubricant, and 1 L of water were used. In the final statistical analysis, the brass lapping plate was selected to determine the most suitable values for the response variables. The analysis resulted in 0.1132 µm roughness on the x-axis and 0.1076 µm on the y-axis. It was found that the optimal alumina powder size and lapping time were 0.30 µm and 90 min, respectively. The statistical analysis carried out in this research revealed a high level of desirability, which was found to reach 95.41%. This means that the recommended combination of 0.30 µm alumina powder size and 90 min lapping time resulted in highly satisfactory outcomes based on multiple response criteria. The high desirability value signifies that this combination is considered optimal and provides a superior surface quality for the C3604 brass material in the lapping process.
Impact of Elevated Temperature Exposure on Some Properties of Sustainable Mortar with Plastic Bag Waste
Authors: Hussein Zainab Mohammed Ali , Khalil Wasan Ismail , Ahmed Hisham Kalid
Published: October 2024

The management of solid waste disposal is an important issue worldwide. Currently, eliminating plastic trash is critical. There are numerous recycling facilities around the world, but as plastic is recycled, its strength decreases. Thus, eventually, plastic will become a fill for the soil. Plastic can be used in concrete construction instead of recycling. This study prepared and used Plastic Bag Waste (PBW) as fine aggregate and investigated some of the features of concrete containing diverse contents of PBW as a volumetric replacement part for fine aggregate. The PBW content was 0, 10, 20, and 30%. Concrete properties, such as compressive strength, flexural strength, and direct tensile strength, were investigated at ambient and after exposure to high temperatures of 60, 150, 300, and 400°C. In general, the test results showed that at ambient temperature, the compressive, flexural, and direct tensile strengths decreased as the PBW content increased, and the appropriate percentage of PBW was 10 to 20%. The results also showed that compressive strength increased after exposure to 300°C by 23% on average for specimens with 0, 10, and 20% PBW. It is possible to produce sustainable mortar with acceptable properties before and after exposure to temperatures as high as 300°C, provided the PBW content is at least 10%. This concrete can be used to make various types of boards and paving bricks.
Enhancing the Transliteration of Words written in Javanese Script through Augmented Reality
Authors: Widiarti Anastasia Rita , Adji Fransiska Tjandrasih
Published: October 2024

In the Special Region of Yogyakarta Province and Central Java Province, where most of the population is Javanese, the use of Javanese script in daily life is increasingly replaced by Latin script, endangering the further loss of the Javanese identity. This research describes the development of marker-based Augmented Reality (AR) technology to create a Javanese word-reading application. The markers in printed Javanese characters are taken from a Javanese script manuscript entitled Hamong Tani. The markers can be arranged in various ways by the user to form words, with the maximum number of markers that make up words being 5. Whenever the camera is aimed at a row of markers that make up words, additional information will come out as translation results written in Latin. The results of testing the application called Jawalens, which was developed deploying the Multimedia Development Life Cycle (MDLC) method, on 38 users show that it has high levels of usefulness, satisfaction, and ease of use. It is hoped that Jawalens can help the younger generation re-learn and read Javanese scripts. Apart from that, the development method described in this paper is expected to inspire the younger generation in other regions or countries to develop similar applications, and thus help preserve their ancient scripts.
Deep Learning Model-based Decision Support System for Kidney Cancer on Renal Images
Authors: Tounsi Mohamed , Abdulhussain Donya Y. , Azar Ahmad Taher , Al-Khayyat Ahmed , Ibraheem Ibraheem Kasim
Published: October 2024

Kidney cancer comes in various forms. Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) is the most severe and common kind of kidney cancer. Earlier diagnosis of kidney cancer has enormous advantages in implementing preventive measures to reduce its effects and death rates and overcome the tumor. Manually detecting Whole Slide Images (WSI) of renal tissues is a basic approach to predicting and diagnosing RCC. However, manual analysis of RCC is prone to inter-subject variability and is time-consuming. Compared to time-consuming and tedious classical diagnostic methods, automatic Deep Learning (DL) detection algorithms can improve test accuracy and reduce diagnostic time, radiologist workload, and costs. The study presents a Computational Intelligence with a Deep Learning Decision Support System for Kidney Cancer (CIDL-DSSKC) technique on renal images. The CIDL-DSSKC model analyzes renal images to identify and classify kidney cancer. The proposed method uses Median and Wiener filters for image preprocessing and the Xception model to derive a useful set of feature vectors. In addition, the Flower Pollination Algorithm (FPA) is employed to optimally choose parameters for the Xception method. The
Application of Simulation Modeling and Lean Principles for Reducing Patient Waiting Queues and Cost: The Case Study of a Developing Country
Authors: Ketan Hussein S. , Al‐Zuheri Atiya , Amer Yousef , Jaber Leena
Published: October 2024

Every day, health centers receive a significant number of patients seeking care and hospitalization, leading to long waiting times. Simulation modeling techniques are considered an effective solution to this issue. However, some research efforts had limited success mainly due to the neglect of systematic and straightforward approaches to identify and eliminate time waste in the healthcare system. To address this limitation, this study developed an LSS approach by collecting arriving patients and staff in a health center and using it as a case study. Then, a simulation model of the current system was created using the SIMPROCESS software. Finally, alternative solutions to shorten the queue time were proposed and supported by statistical graphs and tables. This is expected to improve overall health outcomes and enhance the delivery of healthcare services. A scenario is presented to evaluate the impact of the proposed improvements, which includes adding a general practitioner, a pediatrician, a dentist, and another pharmacy counter. This scenario improves system performance by up to 21%, reduces patient waiting times by approximately 50%, and ensures a fair distribution of workload among staff.
A Deep Learning-based Architecture for Diabetes Detection, Prediction, and Classification
Authors: Fakhar Muhammad Hanfia , Baig Muhammad Zeeshan , Ali Arshad , Rana Muhammad Tausif Afzal , Khan Hamayun , Afzal Waseem , Farooq Hafiz Umar , Albouq Sami
Published: October 2024

This study examines the importance of Deep Learning (DL) in the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) in providing impactful results in the diagnosis, classification, prediction, and categorization of stages of diabetes. A DL model was used to classify diabetic retinopathy data, based on a Multi-Layer Feed-Forward Neural Network (MLFNN). The Pima Diabetes Dataset (PDD) was used to train and test the proposed model. To increase accuracy, this study considered different activation functions and strategies to deal with lost information. The proposed Multilayer Feed-Forward Neural Network (MLFNN) model was compared with conventional Machine Learning (ML) approaches, specifically Random Forest (RF) and Naive Bayes (NB), outperforming them with a significant increase in classification accuracy.
Detection of DDoS Attacks using Fine-Tuned Multi-Layer Perceptron Models
Authors: Sanmorino Ahmad , Marnisah Luis , Kesuma Hendra Di
Published: October 2024

This study addresses a major cybersecurity challenge by focusing on the detection of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. These attacks pose a major threat to online services by overwhelming targets with traffic from multiple sources. Traditional detection approaches often fail to adapt to changing attack patterns, necessitating advanced machine-learning techniques. This study proposes a fine-tuned Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) model to improve DDoS detection accuracy while reducing false positives. This study uses fine-tuning techniques, such as hyperparameter optimization and transfer learning, to build a robust and adaptive detection framework. After extensive experiments with multiple data splits and cross-validation, the fine-tuned MLP model exhibited strong performance metrics with an average accuracy of 98.5%, precision of 98.1%, recall of 97.8%, and F1 score of 97.9%. These findings demonstrate the model's ability to successfully distinguish between benign and malicious traffic, enhancing network security and resilience. By overcoming the limitations of existing detection methods, this study adds new insights to the field of cybersecurity, providing a more precise and efficient approach to DDoS detection.
Seismic Response of a Steel Building with Viscoelastic Damper with Different Configurations: A Case Study
Authors: Alhello Zeinab A. , Al-Aboody Ihab Sabri
Published: October 2024

The viscoelastic damper represents a significant technological advancement in the field of energy dissipation, with the objective of mitigating vibrations in engineering structures that may be caused by seismic activity or wind. The damper is composed of steel plates and a viscoelastic material. In this study, the finite element program Extended Three-Dimensional Analysis of Building System (ETABS) was employed to create a three-dimensional numerical model of a steel building equipped with a viscoelastic damper. The study identifies the optimal location for the damper, assesses its performance under different configurations, and illustrates its efficacy. The findings indicated that the installation of the viscoelastic damper in a ten-story building resulted in a reduction in maximum displacement during seismic events. Furthermore, the study compared the performance of various damper types, including diagonal, chevron, and upper toggle friction dampers, at different levels of the building. The findings indicated that when positioned in the mid-story of the model, the upper toggle friction damper resulted in a 37% reduction in maximum displacement, thereby demonstrating its superior effectiveness in enhancing structural resilience.
Design and Performance Analysis of WiFi Microstrip Patch Antenna under Different Bending Conditions using Flexible Substrates
Authors: Prabhu Sadhish S. , Tharini C. , Aslam Mohamed N. M.
Published: October 2024

Textile-based antennas are of great importance for wearable devices due to their flexible and compact design, which allows the creation of efficient wearable technologies. However, the use of flexible substrates in wearable antennas presents a number of challenges, including frequency shifts that occur during bending. A comprehensive analysis of the bending characteristics of flexible substrates is absent from the existing literature. The objective of this study is to analyze the performance of a Wi-Fi Microstrip Patch Antenna (MPA) designed to operate at 2.4 GHz using flexible substrates, such as leather, fleece, and felt, with a detailed examination of their bending characteristics. A bending analysis was conducted to measure the impact on performance metrics, such as return loss, bandwidth, gain, and Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) under bending angles from 0° to 17°. The leather substrate exhibited minimal degradation in performance. The antenna demonstrated a return loss below -15 dB, a bandwidth exceeding 4%, a gain exceeding 5 dB, and a VSWR lower than 2.5 across all tested conditions. The leather substrate has emerged as a promising candidate for wearable Wi-Fi applications due to its ability to maintain stable performance metrics under bending conditions.
Performance of Bitumen Emulsion Mixtures utilized as Gravel Road Base incorporating Lateritic Clay Soil and Calcined Sugarcane Bagasse Ash Filler
Authors: Sam David Kakpama , Nyomboi Timothy , Kanali Christopher , M’tulatia Mung’athia
Published: October 2024

This study investigates the usage options of Bitumen Emulsion (BE) mixtures composed entirely of Lateritic Clay Soils (LCS) using Calcined Sugarcane Bagasse Ash (CSCBA) as a filler. The LCS was chemically stabilized with 4% CSCBA to meet the plasticity index requirement of a maximum of 7% for BE stabilized materials as set out in the South African Bitumen Association (Sabita) Technical Guideline: Bitumen Stabilized Materials (TG2) and the Kenya Pavement Design Guideline for Low Volume Roads (TG1). The soil was then bound with a medium setting A4-60 anionic bitumen emulsion consisting of 60% base bitumen and 40% water. Varying proportions of BE (11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, and 15%) were mixed with LCS at a constant pre-mix water content of 12.9% to produce Marshall specimens cured for 72 hours at 40oC. The bulk density, dry density, soaked and unsoaked Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS), and Tensile Strength Ratio (TSR) were determined for the cured specimens. The optimum bitumen emulsion content was 13.82%, which gave the highest dry and wet ITS of 183.9 kPa and 132 kPa, respectively, and a TSR of 71%, meeting all specifications when compared to the TG2 and TG1 specifications. The compound also had reduced air voids, which when combined with a higher TSR, demonstrate resistance to moisture damage.
Simplified Carrier-based PWM for Three-Level Transformer-Less Grid-connected Photovoltaic Inverters
Authors: Ansari Arsalan , Idrees Muhammad Dawood , Jamil Atif , Sami Abdul , Kumar Ramesh
Published: October 2024

This article proposes a simple and efficient carrier-based Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) technique for three-level transformer-less grid-connected Photovoltaic (PV) inverters. The three-level inverter is prone to an inherent issue of unbalanced DC-link voltages, which, when used in conjunction with transformer-less grid-connected PV systems, gives rise to leakage currents. A simplified carrier-based PWM is proposed to carry out the DC-link voltage balancing and suppress the leakage current -Common Mode CM current CM- in transformer-less grid-connected inverters. The implementation of the proposed strategy is straightforward and does not require complex calculations, in contrast to space vector-based PWM techniques or multi-carrier modulation techniques. The operation of the PWM strategy is demonstrated through simulations and validated through experimental results.
Α PRESENT Lightweight Algorithm High-Level SystemC Modeling using AOP Approach
Authors: Mestiri Hassen , Barraj Imen , Saidani Taoufik , Machhout Mohsen
Published: October 2024

The increasing complexity of the PRESENT algorithm necessitates a fast modeling and simulation security environment, which is achieved using the SystemC language at the Electronic System Level (ESL), enhancing the speed of cryptographic models. This allows efficient verification of the security properties and performance of the PRESENT algorithm, ensuring robustness against potential attacks. Additionally, the use of SystemC in ESL facilitates easier integration with other hardware components for a more comprehensive security analysis. However, including SystemC in security simulations necessitates modifying the existing code, hence increasing the complexity of the modeling process. Without requiring any code modifications, Aspect Oriented Programming (AOP) can be used for security simulation and cryptographic modeling. This study presents a novel PRESENT SystemC model that incorporates the AOP approach. The model is evaluated in a functional verification environment. The model is constructed using AspectC++ as an AOP language. The simulation results indicate that the effectiveness of the model and the incorporation of the AOP method have negligible effects on the simulation duration or the size of the executable file. The model architecture is based on interlacing all the components.
Simulation and Optimization of Flow Patterns in an Oscillatory Central Baffled Reactor: Enhancing Mixing and Energy
Authors: Ahmed Safaa M. R. , Ali Mudheher M. , Gheni Saba A.
Published: October 2024

This research analyses the flow patterns in an Oscillatory Central Baffled Reactor (OCBR) using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations under various oscillation conditions. Frequency (f) and amplitude (x0) are examined as critical parameters for enhancing fluid mixing and energy efficiency in high viscosity fluids, such as biofuels. The findings highlight the significant impact of the Strouhal number (St) on the flow behavior, showing improved fluid mixing with an increase in the oscillatory Reynolds number (Re0) from 125.6 (f = 2 Hz, x0 = 2 mm) to 392.7 (f = 2.5 Hz, x0 = 5 mm), corresponding to a decrease in the St from 0.2 to 0.08. The simulations indicated the appearance of stable vortices and a better distribution of the Weibel dead zones at an oscillation cycle (t/T) of 0.5. During the course of the study, the pressure distribution within the OCBR and its dependence on oscillation amplitude were shown, which significantly impacted the pressure drop from 8.8 to 123 Pa as Re0 was raised. In order to alleviate the endpoints for high resistance of sharp edged baffles, two modified baffle designs (semi-central and smooth-edge central baffles) were used. The findings showed that the performance of the semi-central baffle design in terms of dead zone reduction and shear stress was superior to those of the other designs for both upward and downward flows, indicating its suitability for enhancing the performance of the OCBR. This research offers important developments in the efficient mixing processes needed in industrial applications and indicates some areas for effective testing and validation of the models developed.
Seismic Performance of Cellular Lightweight Concrete Block Panels as Infilled Wall in RC Frames Due to Cyclic Lateral Loading
Authors: Londong Salu Yusran , Parung Herman , Tjaronge Muhammad Wihardi , Irmawaty Rita
Published: October 2024

Indonesia experiences frequent earthquakes due to its proximity to seismic faults. Many one- or two-story residential buildings with reinforced concrete frames filled with masonry are severely damaged during moderate to high-magnitude earthquakes. One solution to reduce seismic loads on the structures is the use of Cellular Lightweight Concrete (CLC). The behavior of CLC block panels as an infill wall against lateral cyclic loading is the subject of this experimental investigation. The specimens consist of two Reinforced Concrete (RC) frame models: a CLC block panel used as an infill wall for the RC frame (DB-2) and a reinforced concrete frame (DB-1). This research uses displacement control methods and lateral cyclic loading to evaluate the behavior of wall structures according to the ASTM E2126-02a. The results showed that the strength value of the DB-2 specimen was 29.61% higher than that of the DB-1 specimen. Neither loading nor unloading of the DB-2 specimen caused a decrease in relative stiffness, unlike the DB-1 specimen. This indicates that the DB-2 specimen does not experience a squeezing effect and instead becomes more stable and has improved energy dissipation without losing strength. The results show that bricks, concrete blocks, and other fillers can be replaced with precast CLC panels for reinforced concrete frame walls.
A Review on the Mechanical Performance of High-Volume Fly Ash Light-Weight Concrete
Authors: Abdulhussein Faisal K. , Beddu Salmia , Bin Mohhamed Daud , Al-Hubboubi Suhair , Abbas Hasan
Published: October 2024

One of the most crucial ecological challenges is the removal of the ever increasing enormous quantities of Fly Ash (FA) generated from various industries and its reduction in landfill spaces. Light-Weight Aggregate Concrete (LWAC) is utilized in the construction industry as it can decrease the unit weight leading to lower dead load, thermos-insulation, and resistance against earthquakes. A number of researchers have implemented experimental programs on the use of large amounts of FA as a substitute for cement in various lightweight concrete mixtures. This study aims to present the recent efforts of adding attapulgite in LWAC and highlight its effects and the influence of its mixture with High Volume FA Light-Weight Concrete (HVFALC) in terms of compressibility resistance, tensile strength, and rupture resistance.
Assessment of Moisture Susceptibility of Hot Asphalt Mixtures Sustainable by RCA and Waste Polypropylene
Authors: Abdulghafour Maha Mohammed , Ismael Mohammed Q.
Published: October 2024

Sustainability plays an integral role in ensuring the continued existence of life on Earth and the protection of the natural environment. The recycling process is one of the most significant methods through which this strategy can be implemented. The potential environmental benefits of recycled concrete aggregates and polymer waste have attracted considerable interest within the asphalt industry. The present study focuses on the recycling of two materials to create asphalt mixtures. The first of these is polypropylene, which is mixed with asphalt cement at weight rates of 2%, 4%, and 6%. The second is treated and untreated Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA), which is substituted with coarse aggregate at weight rates of 20%, 40%, and 60%. The experimental work comprised the identification of the optimum asphalt content through the utilization of the Marshall design approach, the assessment of Marshall and volumetric characteristics, and the evaluation of moisture susceptibility through the measurement of Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS) and compressive strength. The findings indicated that all mixtures containing recycled polypropylene polymers and treated/untreated RCA exhibited a higher Tensile Strength Ratio (TSR) of approximately 6.1-14.7% and compressive strength of approximately 3.1-17.6% compared to control asphalt mixtures. This suggests that the mixture's resilience against moisture damage has been enhanced.
Wireless Controlled Robotic Hand using an LED-LDR Sensor
Authors: Alsaraira Amer , Younes Khaleel , Alabed Samer , Saraereh Omar
Published: October 2024

The goal of this study is to develop a wireless-controlled robotic hand that is capable of replicating the movements of a human hand. A central objective of the design process is the development of a sensing technique that can accurately capture and translate human hand movements into electrical signals in a sustainable manner. This sensing technology relies on the detection of flexion and extension in the human hand, achieved through the modulation of light transmitted from a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) and received by a Light-Dependent Resistor (LDR). Five sensors, each corresponding to a finger, are integrated into a glove worn by the user, thereby enabling an intuitive control of the robotic hand. The sensors generate discrete electrical signals with each finger movement, which are then wirelessly transmitted via nRF24l01 modules to the microcontroller of the robotic hand. Subsequently, the microcontroller generates the requisite electrical signals to actuate the servo motors, thereby orchestrating the movement of the robotic fingers to mimic human hand gestures. The robotic hand, comprising 46 individual components fabricated using biodegradable polylactic acid material via 3D printing, successfully achieves its objective of replicating human hand movements. However, a minor delay in milliseconds is observed between human hand movements and the corresponding robotic hand movements. Despite this delay, the developed system shows promise for applications in hazardous environments, such as dangerous chemistry experiments, and enhances safety in the medical laboratory. It may also play a crucial role in remote surgery procedures.
Predicting Air Pollution Levels in Pune, India using Generative Adversarial Networks
Authors: Khedekar Sneha , Thakare Sunil
Published: October 2024

Fuel combustion, industrial and factory exhausts, and mining activities contribute to air pollution. Predicting and evaluating the quality of air is a field of study that is growing in importance. This research builds a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) air quality prediction model. A pre-trained accurate model was applied to predict pollutant levels in air at a given location based on historical data. The prediction GAN model utilized pollutants datasets of Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Carbon monoxide (CO), and Ozone (O3) between 2016 and 2021 in Pune, India. The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) statistical measure was used to assess the model's performance accuracy. The close alignment between real and predicted values underscores the high precision of the GAN model in forecasting air pollutant levels.
Effects of Multiple Annotation Schemes on Arabic Named Entity Recognition
Authors: Belhajem Ikram
Published: October 2024

Named Entity Recognition (NER) is considered an important subtask in information extraction that aims to identify Named Entities (NM) within a given text and classify them into predefined categories (e.g., person, location, organization, and miscellaneous). The use of an appropriate annotation scheme is crucial to label multi-word NEs and enhance recognition performance. This study investigates the effects of using different annotation schemes on NER systems for the Arabic language. The impact of seven annotation schemes, namely IO, IOB, IOE, IOBE, IOBS, IOES, and IOBES, on Arabic NER is examined by applying conditional random fields, multinomial Naive Bayes, and support vector machine classifiers. The experimental results reveal the importance of selecting an optimal annotation scheme and show that annotating NEs based on the simple IO scheme yields a higher performance in terms of precision, recall, and F-measure compared to the other schemes.
Improving Automated Detection of Cataract Disease through Transfer Learning using ResNet50
Authors: Mahmood Salwa Shakir , Chaabouni Sihem , Fakhfakh Ahmed
Published: October 2024

Manual diagnosis of eye diseases through ocular fundus scans is a challenging and complicated task because it is time-consuming and prone to errors. Deep learning techniques are used to detect various ocular diseases from fundus images. Such techniques can accurately classify ocular scans, enabling automated and precise detection of ocular diseases. This study uses the ResNet50 transfer learning model, data augmentation, fine-tuning, binary classification, and rigorous evaluation to achieve state-of-the-art results in the detection of cataract eye disease. This study was primarily implemented on a heavily skewed ODIR-5K dataset comprising 5000 fundus images. These ocular images are distributed unevenly among eight disease classes, including cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and others. In response to this imbalance and disparity, the proposed approach involved converting the multiclass problem into binary classification tasks, maintaining an equitable distribution of samples within each class. A balanced dataset was used to train a binary classifier using the ResNet50 CNN model. The system achieved an overall test accuracy of 96.63%, outperforming previous methods in differentiating between normal and cataract cases. In general, achieving dataset balance and employing the ResNet50 model enhances the accuracy of automated diagnosis of ocular diseases based on fundus images.
The Impact of Recycled Material Reinforcement on the Performance of Mortars
Authors: Alhabib Wahaj , Alhawal Jood , AlRashidi Batlah , AlAbdulqader Shaikha , AlSayegh Zinab , Mustafaraj Enea
Published: October 2024

This study investigates the use of recycled fibers as reinforcement in structural mortar to enhance its mechanical and physical properties. Polypropylene from onion bags, cotton from jeans, mesh fibers from date palms, and steel wool from dish sponges of various concentrations were tested as recycled materials. Experimental tests were performed on 63 mortar prisms, each measuring 40 mm × 40 mm × 160 mm. Fiber concentrations varied for each material type. Reinforced fiber mortar improvement was compared to control specimens in terms of flexural and compressive strength and failure mode. The determined optimal percentages were 0.2% polypropylene, 1.6% jeans, 2% date palm mesh, and 1% steel wool fibers. SEM analysis was also performed to explore the microstructure and bonding ability of the fibers within the mortar matrix.
Brick Kiln Emission Variability and Impact in Environment and Health
Authors: Zangana Sarah Duraid Ahmed , Yusof Noor Faizah Fitri Md.
Published: October 2024

Brick manufacturing is a major global industry employing millions of workers, yet it remains heavily reliant on outdated, polluting technologies. This study aims to categorize the brick kilns according to the way each of them functions. Also, it focuses on the fuel used and its properties. Another goal of the current research is to bring out the effects brick industry has on the environment and the people who work and live near the brick kilns. Conclusively, the current study underscores the urgent necessity for improvement and for the adoption of the strategies outlined to guide the brick manufacturing field toward a more sustainable future.
A Study on the Retrofitting of the Shear Capacity on Cold Joint Longitudinal RC Beams
Authors: Sila Ardi Azis , Irmawaty Rita , Djamaluddin Rudi , Tjaronge Wihardi
Published: October 2024

Strengthening of Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams using GFRP to increase flexural capacity often fails due to premature debonding and delamination of old concrete joints and grouting. The current research introduces a method of repairing and strengthening RC beams using grouting mortar, dyna-bold anchors, and Glass composite FRP (GFRP) sheets. Dyna-bold anchors are used as shear connectors between the old concrete and the grouting. In this research, 10 RC beams measuring 150 mm × 200 mm × 3300 mm, consisting of 2 control specimens (BK), 4 GFRP strengthening beams, and 4 GFRP strengthening beams with dyna-bolt anchors, were tested. The results show that the use of dyna-bold anchors in the joints between old concrete and grouting can increase the bending and shear capacity of the beam by 44.70%, indicating that the addition of dyna-bold anchors is able to prevent premature cracking along the joints and increase the stiffness and flexural capacity of the RC beams. These findings have significant practical implications for the repairing and strengthening of RC beams in real-world applications.
Big Data Analytics for E-Commerce
Authors: Dr. Shweta  , Ms. Hemlata
Published: October 2024

Big data refers to a substantial amount of data, both organised and unorganised, that is extremely large and poses challenges when it comes to processing using conventional database and software methods. In the majority of enterprise scenarios, the data is either excessively large, rapidly changing, or surpasses the current processing capabilities. In recent times, the practice of shopping and buying goods from sellers has undergone a complete transformation due to the advancement of online shopping services. The concept is commonly referred to as E-Commerce, where this platform enables users to register their identity and initiate product purchases according to their requirements. This system entices numerous corporate and commercial entities to alter their business strategy and commence selling their products through online channels. This paper presents a concise overview of the analysis of big data in the field of E-commerce. The analysis of big data analytics in e-commerce is examined, focussing on the improvement of dataset performance and the study of scalability issues. Furthermore, this text explores the utilisation of big data analytics in the field of e-commerce, as well as the diverse technologies that enable the analysis of consumer data. Additionally, it examines the difficulties encountered by these e-commerce merchants when implementing big data analytics
Efficacy and Safety of Calcipotriol / Betamethasone Dipropionate Topical Gel Used to Psoriasis Treatment
Authors: Komal Machhindranath Halwar  , Khushbu Sanjay Pawar  , Harshada Gajanan Kamalkar  , Monika Dnyaneshwar Dange  , Prof. Manisha Ramesh Virkar  , Dr. Kavita Kulkarni
Published: October 2024

Psoriasis is the one of the most common skin disease. According to the reasearch Psoriasis disease is widely show in human at recent now, this is a long term disease it is triggered by the genetic issue, bad habit such as smoking, drinking, drug addiction etc. and some long term medication, insect bite etc. it can be affecting adult, child or old age people also. Now days latest research we have lot of option in drug or dosage form. In the topical dosage form GEL dosage form is the best option because of their application or improves patient compliance. It is big option for those drugs who had a problem with solubility with the
dosage form. In the gel any drug can be easily incorporated. GEL can be easily applied or removed form skin by the single wash, their no extra afford need to rubbed on skin as compare other dosage form only just make single thin layer of skin. It also the problem with children dosing. Drug can be shows better effect on penetration on skin, and also increase bioavailability of drug. There is no adverse effect or using humectant cool the skin and relief form pain and itchy dry skin. While topical medications remain the cornerstone of the psoriasis treatment paradigm, they also come with the risk of multiple side effects. An alternative topical treatment option, calcipotriene or calcipotriol, is a vitamin D derivative that is thought to work by inhibiting keratinocyte proliferation and enhancing keratinocyte differentiation. Multiple studies have demonstrated its efficacy and safety in improving psoriasis when used in combination with topical corticosteroids. Given the effectiveness and side effect profile seen with this combination of topical steroid and calcipotriene, the US Food and Drug Administration approved a calcipotriene/ betamethasone dipropionate product for use in psoriasis patients over the age of 12 in 2006. Our paper seeks to review clinical trial evidence of this combination medication and its use in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. While assessment of available evidence indicates that the topical medication is both safe and effective for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris, addressing limitations of what is known, such as tolerability, adherence, and patient preference, of this combination drug in future high-impact studies is needed.
Combination topical corticosteroids and vitamin D analog treatments for nail psoriasis are widely used in cream and ointment vehicles, but patients may prefer a foam vehicle due to ease of application and favorable cosmetic appearance. Calcipotriene 0.005%/betamethasone dipropionate 0.064% (Cal/BD) aerosol foam is an FDA approved therapy for plaque psoriasis, but may also be an effective treatment for nail psoriasis in a novel aerosol foam.
Evidence Synthesis and Clinical Recommendations for Supporting School Students With Sensory Processing Challenges: A Rapid Review
Authors: Unwin Katy , Wales Kylie , Johnson Tennille , Leonard Carl , Dixon Gaenor , English Libby , Lane Alison
Published: October 2024

Importance: Children with sensory processing challenges often need supports to access, participate in, and achieve at school. However, research on best practice is varied, presenting difficulty for practitioners to assess the appropriateness of each support.

Objective: To provide evidence-informed recommendations regarding best practices in school-based supports for students with sensory processing challenges via a Rapid Evidence Assessment of current literature.

Data Sources: Searches were run in CINAHL Complete, Education Research Complete, ERIC, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Scopus (for articles published 2010 to 2023). Informed by a 2010 review, articles citing publications identified in the prior review were also included.

Study Selection and Data Collection: A reviewer screened the title and abstract of each article for inclusion, and another screened the full texts, with 10% of each reviewer’s articles assessed by the other. Interrater reliability was excellent.

Findings: The review included 61 articles, with only 15% constituting good evidence (38% provided adequate evidence, 31% provided poor evidence, and 16% were reviews). No support could be wholly recommended without caveats, but there was some evidence that sound amplification systems, alternate seating, and multisensory environments may be beneficial in certain conditions or with certain populations. The use of weighted vests is not recommended.

Conclusions and Relevance: Most research had small sample sizes and inconsistent protocols, highlighting the importance of ongoing research. Evidence-informed practitioners should review research findings carefully and integrate evidence from comprehensive clinical assessment and understanding of the child, school, and family contexts when assessing the appropriateness of a support for each student.

Plain-Language Summary: Children with sensory processing challenges often need supports to access, participate in, and achieve at school. Occupational therapists provide school-based supports for children with sensory processing challenges with the goal of enabling access, participation, and achievement. It is difficult, however, for practitioners to assess the appropriateness of each support because research on best practice varies. This review of the current literature provides practitioners with evidence on supports for school children with sensory processing challenges to inform decision-making and the selection of appropriate supports for their clients. When assessing the appropriateness of a support for a student, practitioners should carefully review current research findings and integrate evidence from comprehensive clinical assessments along with an understanding of the student, school, and family contexts.
Establishing and Sustaining a Community of Practice
Authors: Brinton Donna M. , Chilmonik Kimberly , Echelberger Andrea , Koi Bot , Monh Sarina
Published: October 2024

Communities of practice have taken a firm foothold in the second language teaching profession due to their promise of enabling participants to self determine their professional development needs and, through peer mentoring, achieve their goals. This article provides a rationale as to why the model is particularly well suited to teacher professional development along with guidelines for establishing and sustaining the community. This process is illustrated via several examples: (1) a large-scale, multinational community of practice established in the Lower Mekong region of Southeast Asia and funded by the U.S. Department of State's Office of English Language Programs and (2) two teacher-created local outgrowths of this community established in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
In-Class Expectations Versus Realities: Chinese International ELLs’ Experiences in a Public University ESL Classroom
Authors: Milojičić Višnja
Published: October 2024

The following is a qualitative study on Chinese international English language learners’ (ELLs’) experiences in an English as a second language (ESL) classroom. Set at Sunset University (pseudonym used), a public university in Northern California, the study uses ethnographic field methods to gauge information about an ESL teacher’s and Chinese international ELLs’ views about effective teaching in the public university ESL classroom. The author draws upon previous studies (McCargar, 1993; Peacock, 2001; Reid, 1987; Sawyer, 1995; Schulz, 1996) to explore whether there may be a mismatch between Chinese international ELLs’ and the ESL teachers’ expectations about effective teaching, and she further explores whether the existence of such a mismatch might be correlated with Chinese international ELLs’ disengagement in this setting. The author discovers the presence of mismatch in 3 areas: (a) structure, (b) scaffolding, and (c) group work, all 3 of which have implications for Chinese international ELLs’ (dis)engagement in the public university ESL context.
The Write Aid for ELLs: The Strategies Bilingual Student Teachers Use to Help Their ELL Students Write Effectively
Authors: Sunseri Anita B. , Sunseri Mary Anne
Published: October 2024

Many students, especially English language learners (ELLs), struggle when they write. This study examined the various writing strategies 3 Spanish-speaking bilingual student teachers used to help their elementary school ELL students write. This was a case study that looked at how these student teachers used their primary language, among other writing methods, to help their ELLs access writing strategies so these students could write effective English compositions. The authors used the interviews of student teachers, their lesson plans, and reflective journals to identify the instructional methods these student teachers used with their students. These methods included strategies such as helping their ELL students write their ideas in Spanish and English and using Spanish and English cognates to build students’ word banks. The knowledge from this study is important because it showed how ELLs may benefit when their teachers use the students’ primary language to help them write English compositions.
Using Student Satisfaction Surveys for Program Improvement
Authors: Ferris Dana R.
Published: October 2024

Research on teaching and learning in TESOL has incorporated student opinions and student voices in a variety of ways. However, it is relatively rare to see studies that query students after they have exited a language program and can reflect more objectively on their experiences. The survey described in this article was sent to university second language (L2) students who had completed a required English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program for 1st-year multilingual students 1 to 3 years earlier. Students were asked to evaluate their experiences with the EAP program in general, to comment on specific elements of the program that they had enjoyed or that they felt needed improvement, and to assess whether, in their opinion, the EAP classes had helped them succeed in subsequent writing classes (or classes that involved substantial writing). In this article, I describe the program, curricular features that were being evaluated, the survey responses (N = 355), and changes to the EAP program that are already under way as a result of the findings. I also discuss how the evaluation process we undertook can be valuable to other language and writing programs wishing to assess their own effectiveness.
High Variability Phonetic Training as a Bridge From Research to Practice
Authors: Barriuso Taylor Anne , Hayes-Harb Rachel
Published: October 2024

This review of high variability phonetic training (HVPT) research begins by situating HVPT in its historical context and as a methodology for studying second language (L2) pronunciation. Next we identify and discuss issues in HVPT that are of particular relevance to real-world L2 learning and teaching settings, including the generalizability of learning to new situations, in addition to variations in how HVPT is implemented that may promote optimal learning. Primarily, we focus on the relatively limited research that has explored the use of HVPT as a pedagogical tool. We conclude with recommendations for the future regarding the applicability of HVPT to L2 learning and teaching in the real world.
Reconciling Theory and Practice
Authors: Brinton Donna M.
Published: October 2024

The nature of second language pronunciation research often precludes its application to the classroom. And even when research findings do have direct applicability to classroom practice, open channels of communication between researchers and practitioners are often lacking. We have subtitled this issue of The CATESOL Journal “Pronunciation: Research Into Practice, and Practice Into Research”—indicating our belief that research and practice comprise a 2-way street, with research results definitely informing practice but with practice helping to confirm these results and providing an additional, real-world test of their validity. The contributing authors of this theme issue (both researchers and practitioners), through their research and insights into best classroom practices, provide teachers of pronunciation much to ponder. This article seeks to draw from the authors’ insights a set of core principles, firmly anchored in research results, on which to base pronunciation teaching decisions.
Building Self-Efficacy, Strategy Use, and Motivation to Support Extensive Reading in Multilingual University Students
Authors: Lipp Ellen
Published: October 2024

This pilot study examined multilingual university students’ willingness to engage in voluntary extensive reading (ER) of books after they received training. The research questions were whether training appeared to promote self-efficacy, motivation for the task, use of metacognitive strategies, and independent reading. University freshmen in an ESL reading and writing course participated in the project. The ER training included: (a) framing the ER task through stories of struggle and emotional appeal, and (b) introducing independent reading strategies. Surveys were used to collect data. Findings showed that students had beliefs of self-efficacy related to English book reading after the training, and they made considerable progress in their voluntary reading by the end of the course. The strategies that students found most helpful were selecting books for themselves, keeping records of their progress, and staying focused. Participants anticipated that ER would help them with academic literacy.
Placement, Progress, and Promotion: ESL Assessment in California’s Adult Schools
Authors: Gonzalves Lisa
Published: October 2024

In California adult schools, standardized language assessments are typically administered to adult English as a second language (ESL) students upon enrollment; students then take these same state-approved tests throughout the academic year to demonstrate progress. As these tests assess only listening and reading skills, schools may use their own internally developed assessments to more accurately place students and subsequently to determine level promotion. Engaged in participatory action research, the researcher interviewed adult school staff to document their varying assessment policies and procedures of adult ESL learners, highlighting the agency-created assessments that provide critical information of students’ language proficiencies and achievements. This study underscores the discrepancies between the state’s policies and actual pedagogical needs, and it proposes ways to reconstruct how ESL assessment is conducted, such as making available a wider, more comprehensive base of assessments for schools to use, and proposing an updated, common set of standards for use statewide.