bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Requirement for Information Governance Policy Framework in Malaysian Public Sector
Authors: Abdul Halim Noursilawati , M.Yusof Zawiyah , Azan M. Zin Nor
Published: April 2019

The Information Governance (IG) Policy Framework sets out the standard to be applied for managing information including the principle, standard, procedure and guideline. This study seeks to identify the significant and appropriate factors underlying the IG policy in common. The identified factors are then verified for their appropriateness to be practiced in the public sector in Malaysia. The literature suggests that control, quality, compliance, transparency, value, accessibility, security, sharing, accountability, and privacy are the core factors essential for the IG policy framework. A survey method, using qualitative approach with interview, observation, and document content analysis are used as the data collection techniques. The sample is determined by purposive sampling and snowball and the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU) was chosen as a case study. Findings show that there is as yet no appropriate IG policy framework which can be referred to by the public sector in executing information governance initiative. The proposed framework is of help especially to MAMPU in getting a guide for the execution the IG initiative in the Malaysian public sector. Â Â Â Â
Sentiment Analysis on Mobile Banking Application Using Naive Bayes Classifer and Association Methods
Authors: Adawiyah Rabiatul , Nugraha Jaka
Published: April 2019

The internet has grown rapidly and become the needs of the community in doing activity in various fields. One of them is the financial sector or bank.Â Â Banks as one of the areas that are close to the community must be able to provide customer satisfaction in providing quality services. The implementation of electronic banking services (e-banking)-quality is one of the keys to the banks to gather customersâ€™ funds. One of the e-banking services is the mobile banking is used exclusively in the cell phones to the efficiency of the customer in doing transaction. Â In order to view the customer response to the performance of the mobile banking facility, reviewÂ  to the client according to the application for six months was investigasted. The Data reviews was taken from the Google Play. The review was analyzed using Sentiment analysis which is the process for classifying opinions into the category of positive or negative signals. This classification is then analyzed by using text mining with the Association of the words. The result are an important and useful information for the company. The method used in this classification is NaÃ¯ve Bayes Classifer (NBC). The level of accuracy using the NBC is 89.41%. The accuracy showed that the classification by the system has been good.Â Â Â
Barriers and Drivers for Applying Fish Traceability System in Emerging Market
Authors: Rombe Elimawaty , Mubaraq Rahmat , Hadi Suryadi , Adriansyah Rizka , Vesakha Gatha
Published: April 2019

Fish traceability system provides more values for entities to improve their business processes. The philosophy of traceability is that the process is shared along the chain and promote visibility of quality. In this paper, the barriers and drivers are identified and the problem of fish traceability is defined. Five entities examples are analyzed using a critical success factors (CSFs) theoretical framework. The paper offers a framework for managers which provides the basis for developing a fish traceability system. The case analysis identifies different approaches to fish traceability, highlights the barriers include laws and regulations, coordination, cost, information and infrastructure. Meanwhile, the drivers of applying fish traceability system include seafood fraud risks, sustainability information, expanding market, consumer behavior, and efficiency of operations management. This paper contributes to provide dimensions which can be considered by fishery industry, programmers and government before they plan to build a traceability system.Â Â
Optimum Tilt Angles for PV Modules in a Semi-Arid Region of the Southern Hemisphere
Authors: E Hertzog Pierre , J Swart Arthur
Published: April 2019

It is essential to repeat a test of a given construct in research in order to underpin knowledge, support validity and enable its application in other contexts. The purpose of this article is to present repetitive test results validating the optimum tilt angle of a stationary PV module that was installed in a semi-arid region of South Africa. An experimental design incorporating a two-year longitudinal study is used. The results for 2016 and 2017 reveal that a PV module with a tilt angle of Latitude plus 10Â° yielded the highest output power for winter months, while a PV module with a tilt angle of Latitude minus 10Â° yielded the highest output power for summer months. However, for both years, a tilt angle set to the Latitude angle of the installation site yielded the highest overall average output power (60.02 Wh per day). It is therefore recommended to install stationary PV modules at a tilt angle equal to the Latitude of the installation site for a semi-arid region in the southern hemisphere.Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Performance Evaluation of Distributed Multi Media Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Karamat Khan Tehmina , Bin Muhammad Yusof Zulkefli , Shah Asadullah
Published: April 2019

The demand for multimedia services i.e. audio, video and data with improve QoS and optimum utilization of resources in WSNâ€™s has posed new challenges. As the intensity of traffic increases; it demands for higher bandwidth and dedicated resources to reduce packet loss and delay. There have been analytical models proposed where priorities were assigned to video and voice packets to reduce packet loss and optimize resource utilization. In this paper distributed scheme is proposed to handle video, voice and data packets by having multiple sink nodes. There are shared sink nodes where video, voice and data packets are serviced and dedicated sink nodes only for video and voice packets. The proposed scheme has shown that the packet loss for data packets is higher than voice and video packets. The simulation results show that the performance of the network is improved when priorities are assigned to video and voice packets by giving dedicated resources.Â Â
Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Solar Still with Integrated Built-in Condenser
Authors: Ibrahim Ghaleb , M. Ahmed Husham
Published: April 2019

Water scarcity is one of the most important problems in Middle East and North Africa. Many researchers believe that solar distillation is the best solution to solve water scarcity, especially since these areas are characterized by abundant solar energy most days of the year. One of the main disadvantages of solar distillates is the low rate of production and therefore the research focuses on the factors that many enhance and improve the rates of production of the solar stills.Â In this paper, the performance of a passive built in condenser incorporated into a solar still is studied theoretically and experimentally using. A theoretical frameworkÂ is developed to forecast the productivity performance (accumulated and hourly), the temperatures of the various elements of the stills. The theoretical and experimental results were compared together and discussed thoroughly.Â  Both theoretical and experimental results were in good agreement. The behaviors of both agree well with each other and have similar trends.Â
Building Pocket Code build-variants
Authors: Kumar Luhana Kirshan , . .
Published: April 2019

Pocket Code is an integrated development environment (IDE) targeted at smartphones. With this IDE users can create mobile apps for the block-based visual programming language Catrobat. Pocket Code is released in various flavors with custom features for partners and projects (e.g., Pocket Code, Create@School, Phiro, and Standalone). All flavors extend a single common project codebase according to flavor specific requirements. The Standalone variants (debug and release) convert a Catrobat project into an Android application to install it independently and execute it without the need for an installed Pocket Code on an Android smartphone. Furthermore, it can be published on app stores for reputational and also monetary benefits. The app resource files and the configuration are generated on the fly upon a user request via the Pocket Code sharing platform. In this paper, the approach of building a Pocket Code variant and transform a Pocket Code project into an Android application are described. Especially the Standalone build variants have the potential to bring many interesting apps to the market.Â  Â
Relationship between the voltage applied to MZM arms and the generation of optical frequency comb
Authors: I. Hammadi Yousif , S. Mansour Tahreer
Published: April 2019

In this study, an optical frequency comb source (OFCS) based on a dual-drive Machâ€“Zehnder modulator (MZM) is constructed and theoretically demonstrated. A mathematical model of the constructed OFCS is then built to investigate the effect of the peak-to-peak radio frequency (RF) signals applied to the MZM arms on the generated optical frequency comb (OFC) lines at the MZM output. A dual-drive MZM, a continuous wave laser source, and an RF signal source are included in the OFCS. The chirp parameter can be controlled and 64 comb lines generated at a comb spacing of 25Â GHz by regulating voltages applied to the MZM arms. The developed OFCS is relatively simple but valuable. The generated OFC lines can be used for high data-rate transmission.Â Â
Granting of Organic Fertilizer and NPK Fertilizer to Growth and Results of Sweet Corn (Zea Mays. L)
Authors: Hidayati Sri , Ali Mahrus , Purwanti Sri , Huda Nurul , . Nurlina
Published: April 2019

The aim of research is to test the combination of organic fertilizer and NPK fertilizer, test organic fertilizer, test NPK fertilizer that is suitable for the growth and yield of sweet corn. This research method using Randomized Block Design (RAK) arranged factorial consists of two factors, namely Organic Fertilizer (cage) with 3 levels of treatment (K) and NPK Fertilizer with 3 levels of treatment (M). Each treatment was repeated 3 times and each treatment combination consisted of two sample plants. The results of this study showed that the overall treatment of the combination of organic fertilizer and NPK fertilizer on the growth and yield of sweet corn plants did not show a real effect. Separately the treatment of organic fertilizer gave a very real effect on all observation variables, the average organic fertilizer as much as 17.5 tons / ha or 1.5 kg / tan (K3) gave the highest growth and yield of sweet corn compared to other treatment, Separately the treatment of NPK fertilizer gave a very real influence on all observation variables, the average NPK fertilizer with a composition of 450 kg Urea + 150 kg TSP + 75 kg KCl) / Ha or 9 g + 3 g + 1.5 g / tan (M3) gives the highest growth and yield of sweet corn compared to other treatments. Person.Â
The Implementation of Flipped Classroom using Screencast-O-Matic to Improve Studentsâ€™ Verbal Linguistic Intelligence
Authors: Hasanudin Cahyo , Fitrianingsih Ayu , . .
Published: April 2019

This research aims to 1) implement flipped classroom model using screencast-o-matic, 2) investigate the improvement of verbal linguistic intelligence through the implementation of flipped classroom model using screencast-o-matic for the students of IKIP PGRI Bojonegoro in academic year 2017-2018. This research is classroom action research (CAR) conducted at IKIP PGRI Bojonegoro, the subjects of the research are the first year students in second semester of academic year 2017-2018. The indicators of the research are measured using N-Gain test with the normalized Gain index interpretation category. Data sources in this research are 1) learning activities 2) informants, 3) documentary data. Data collection technique used documentation methods,observations, and verbal linguistic test of Thomas Armstrong by using Likert scale. The results of this research show that 1) the implementation of flipped classroom uses six stages, 2) the improvement of studentsâ€™ verbal linguistic intelligence can be seen from the actions in every cycle. In the preliminary research, the researcher had measured the studentsâ€™ learning styles, from 30 students who were the subject of research. There were 6 students who had visual learning style, 7 students had auditory learning style, and 17 students had kinesthetic learning style. In cycle I, FLIP model is implemented and studentsâ€™ verbal linguistic intelligence is 61,43. In cycle II, studentsâ€™ verbal linguistic intelligence is 81, 03. The conclusion of this research are 1) the the implementation of flipped classroom model using Screencast-O-Matic uses FLIP model, 2) the improvement of studentsâ€™ verbal linguistic intelligence in IKIP PGRI Bojonegoro can be classified into average category.Â Â
Self-Esteem Impact on Organizational Affective and Normative Commitment
Authors: Sarawati Johar Siti , Md. Yusoff Rosman , Ismail Fadillah
Published: April 2019

Employees’ commitment cannot be denied contributing to organizational impactiveness. However, commitment can be affected if no emphasis is placed on psychological factors such as self-esteem. This study aims to investigate how self-esteem factor can influence the commitment by testing the impact of self-esteem on employee commitment to the organization. 196 of civil servants serving the Local Authority (PBT) in the southern zone of Peninsular Malaysia were chosen as respondents. Measuring tools used in this study were Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and Employee Commitment Survey Revised Version (ECS-R). The data was then analyzed using a simple regression analysis in SPSS. The results of the analysis showed that the self-esteem had a significant impact on affective and normative commitment. From the findings, it also shows that there is an influence relevant self-esteem on the two commitments to the organization namely affective and normative commitment. Hence, organizations need to realize that self-esteem is one of the basic toward formation of attitudes, behavior, personality and psychological reactions in the organization. In conclusion, efforts to help reinforce positive self-esteem among employees need to be addressed in the organization..
ECC Based Data Retrieval Using LoRaWAN Technology
Authors: Raad Nibras , Mohammed Hasan Taha , Chalak Shakir Ahmed
Published: April 2019

LoRaWAN is a low-bandwidth network technology (LPWAN) that enables low-cost and low-power communications for Internet-connected devices even in dense urban areas. This paper aimed to add an additional encryption layer plus with an electronic signature to transferred data through the Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC). Although this technology has important benefits such as a provides the security in data transmission where it uses the AES 128 in the process of encryption and decoding, but many studies have reported a safety vulnerability that can be exploited by brute force attack in the LoRaWAN technology termed ’Bit-flipping attack’. Accordingly, an additional layer of protection has been added to the proposed system
Testing and Implementation of Different Wireless Sensor Net-work Algorithms in Agriculture Area
Authors: S. Awati Jayashree , M. R. Patil Dr. , S.. A. Patil Dr.
Published: April 2019

The paper demonstrates the Testing and Implementation of Different Wireless Sensor Network Algorithms in Agriculture Area. From this algorithm, it will be finalized that which algorithm is more suitable in agriculture area. Agriculture areas are large areas geographically, so to monitor agriculture parameters the wireless sensor networks are more suitable. Graham, Jevis, LPCN l algorithms explained and one personal algorithm implemented. All the results of algorithms are explained in the paper. The results are obtained using wireless network simulator.Â
A Unit Plane Edge on-off Slope Algorithm Based Fast LTVR Res-toration Analysis
Authors: Praveen Kumar K. , Venkata Narasimhulu C. , Satya Prasad K.
Published: April 2019

This research paper presents a Fast LTVR (Localized Total Variation Regularized) method for restoring the degraded images by white noise, while preserving the image edge details in a constructed unit plane edge model through a Unit Plane Edge ON-OFF Slope algorithm. The noisy image contains two details; one with high noise and the other with edge fined details. The edge fine details are restored using ON-OFF Slope algorithm. The denoised image and the edge fine details are used to reconstruct the final restored image. A Unit Plane Edge restoration method is proposed in this research work to estimate the edge-mapping with the fine details. Simulation results of proposed work shows an effective image restoration algorithm comparatively with different filter based restoration methods. Â Â Â
Effect of Angle Shear Connectors on the Behavior of Composite Concrete Steel Flexural Members Under Negative Moment
Authors: M. Al-Khekany Alaa , S. Al-Yassri Labeeb , A. Al-Ramahee Munaf , Abdul-Abbas Saeed
Published: April 2019

This research presents an experimental program to study the effect of using angle shear connectors instead of the headed stud on the flexural behavior of composite beams under negative bending moment (NBM). Both the angle and headed stud shear connectors used in this study have the same cross-sectional area. Five composite beams were casted and tested using three-point load configuration to ensure the NBM effect. Different parameters were included in this study such as the type of shear connector, bond interaction (partial and complete bond interaction) and arrangement of angle shear connectors. Two proposals method were suggested for angle setting in this study to investigate the structural behavior of the composite section. It has been found that, in the case of single angle shear connectors, the ultimate strength decreased by 4.12% compared with samples with the headed stud shear connectors. The direction of the angle setting has been shown to affect the flexural behavior of the composite section.
Experimental Study for Ability to Use Plaster of Pairs Instead of Normal Concrete
Authors: Tariq Hashim Hashim , Mohammed Mosleh Salman Dr.
Published: April 2019

This research investigated the possibility of using plaster of Paris instead of cement in some internal structural parts and non-exposed to moisture by casting (nine) samples divided in three group. First group was normal concrete, second was plaster of pairs concrete group and finally plaster of Paris with aggregate concrete. All of them have the same dimension (1000Ã—150Ã—200) mm and the same reinforcement ratio. Group one was cured with water while the rest were isolated in a place far away from the moisture. All sample designed to be failed in flexural. The process of testing was divided in two methods; for properties of material used as explain above and for samples tested under two-point load at several curing time (7,28 and 90) days.Â  Each period consists of three samples one from each group. The result showed that the third group (plaster of Paris with aggregate concrete) approximately closer to normal concrete in applying a load by the ratio of (98%) in 7 days, (87%) in 28 days and (94%) in 90 days. While the second group (plaster of pairs concrete) was acceptable when compared with normal concrete because of missing aggregate.Â Â
Removal Methods Assessment Through Reduction Algae Count in Uncovered Water Tank
Authors: Jassim Al- Mansori Nesrin , Al deen ali klakeel Saif
Published: April 2019

The research includes study the effect of three factors (voltage, rotational speed, acidity) with time to remove or reduce the percentage of algae in uncovered water tank; these factors studied combined with each other or individually. the removal percentage of algae increased by increasing the electrical voltage, Best result of removal was obtained when using two factors, change in the voltage (4, 8,12 and 16) vole /cm and speed of rotation (50, 100, 150 and 200) rpm . The rate of removal of algae was 100% at voltage 16 volts with a rotation speed (200) rpm and 40 min.Â Â  The values extracted for algae removal showed that the best result was (100%) at (voltage 16 vole/cm and acidity with pH 4) with time 30 min. It can be conclude, the best method to remove or reduction of algae in uncovered tanks was physical one as a compared with the other methods like chemical or biological methods. Therefore, it needs additional requirements unlike physical strategies decrease, the cost and time required to evacuate green growth.Â
Behaviour of Gypsum Plasterboards Under Mechanical Loads and Thermal Effects
Authors: Al-Sibahy Adnan , Tarish Ahmed
Published: April 2019

This paper presents an experimental study conducted to investigate the behaviour of gypsum plasterboard assemblies subjected to mechanical loads and thermal effects. These assemblies were boxes in shape and connected to reinforced concrete slabs. Each side of gypsum plasterboard was fastened using either two or three bolts. The loads were applied at the assembly centre and the maximum flexural load at failure was recorded. Besides, the elapsed time to failure was monitored.The results obtained showed that the material property of the plasterboard and the method of fastening are governed the global behaviour of the tested samples. The average flexural braking loads at failure were 538 N and 564 N for the assemblies fastened with two and three bolts, respectively. The correspondingÂ  failure times under conditions of fire exposure and mechanical loading were 2.1 minutes and 1.7 minutes, respectively. Suitable emended were made for the expressions suggested by the related codes of practice in order to suit the experimental resultsÂ Â
Developing Lightweight Clay Brick Units Using Waste Materials
Authors: Sabah Abed Musaab , Fahad Resan Sa'ad , Kamil Zemam Sajid
Published: April 2019

The study aims to develop specific lightweight brick units using locally available clay of traditional burned brick units publically used in the south of Iraq using solid wastes. Throughout the study, chemically inaction and difficult to recycling wastes was considered, they were classified into Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) and hardwood solid waste which is used to upgrade lightweight characteristic and maintenance required bricks' characteristics and to be introduced as a smart technical way to recycling solid waste. Solid waste is introduced as additive materials and firing fuel enhanced coefficient in the concept of its energy recovery useful in the production process.Â  An experimental program was considered including five main series of samples, tested and analyzed in the scope of clay bricks units and in the scope of lightweight constructional related to aerated wall construction units. The verified compressive strengths and other properties of tested specimens were found to confirm bricks class C except for specimens of hardwood of 10% although it assigns less dry density (1.18 g/cm3). In general, as light weight bricks, the characteristics of developed units was found to be within the permitted limits of ASTM C 1389.Â
Traffic Characteristics for A Freeway Normal Section at Baghdad City
Authors: T. S. Al-Obaedi Jalal , Al-temimy Muhanad , Ali Amal
Published: April 2019

Traffic characteristics at highway sections are usually varying based on many factors including type of highways, geometric design and driversâ€™ behavior at a given area (country).Â  This paper focuses on finding the characteristics for traffic on selected normal freeway section at Baghdad city.Â  Video recordings and speed gun are used to collect data from a basic freeway section within Mohammed Al-Qassim freeway that represents the busiest freeway at the city.Â  The estimated characteristics include the distribution of traffic among the available lanes, desired speed of traffic, lane-changing frequency, and headway distribution.Â  For traffic distribution, it is found that traffic concentrates more in off side lane compared with other lanes for moderate to high flow rates.Â  Regression models have been developed based on the available lane distribution data.Â  The lane found to be increased with the increasing of traffic flow and the desired speeds found to be normally distributed.Â  Examining the headway data shows that the shifted negative exponential distribution can be used to represent the headway distribution for low to intermediate traffic flow only.Â  The findings of this work provides a good database for traffic characteristics for Iraqi highways as little effort has been given in previous research work.Â Â
A Proposed Approach for Evaluating Soils Optimum Moisture Content Arithmetically and Use Statistical Functions for Checking Method
Authors: Sadiq yasun Azhar , N. Al Abbasi Jamal
Published: April 2019

The processing of optimum moistureÂ  content for specific soils as indicated by ASTM D698 specifications detail relies upon developing the fitting third or second degree bend connection between dampness content versus soil dry unit weight on a fitting bend, the registered optimum moistureÂ  substance may contrast for a similar soil as for fitting bend figure and its position. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the optimum moisture content value based on computing average moisture content adapted from standard or modified Proctor compaction test trials and compared it with respect to the computing optimum moisture content using standard method. The research deals with a (52) compaction tests results with a wide range of optimum moisture content and dry unit weight to explore the relationships between them. The study also explores the maximum dry density values which versus standard optimum moisture content and average adopted moisture content. Statistical part depends on evaluating many statistical function values for standard and research method starts by evaluating significance of normality using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The average differences between standard optimum moisture content and an average value (this study depends) for moisture content was about (-0.20) and an average of differences for dry unit weight values was (0.261).Â Â
The Possibility of Using Navigation GPS Devices in the Survey Engineering
Authors: Abbas Neam Al dami Haidar , Riyadh Abdulridha Isaraa
Published: April 2019

As a result of the tremendous development in the field of computer technologies, communications and information revolution, new applications which has seen a tremendous development in terms of devices and technologies used in various applications such as a device Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM), Total Station, GPS (Surveyor and Navigational)â€¦ etc. In this study, five-ground control points (BM) were made to provide traverse, and these points observed by using three different navigation GPS devices, and observed by using TOTALSTATION device, and using spatial and statistical analysis functions in GIS.Â  The study showed that the error in these devices is a random error varies from one device to another. In addition, it showed that the error varies from time to time. Cannot be determined the spread of readings to the observed point (by navigation GPS) in a particular direction or specific frame, as well as the central distance of the readings are changing from one device to another and from point to point.The study recommends that should not be used navigation GPS devices in the survey work.Â  In addition, re-survey all areas are observed or defined its borders by using this device (navigation GPS) by serving GPS devices with the required accuracy.Â Â
Optimum Design of Phosphorus and Nitrogen Removal from Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant
Authors: Hadi Ghawi Ali
Published: April 2019

In this study, a sewage treatment plant was designed for the city of Al-Nasiriyah in Dhi Qar governorate in southern Iraq serving 316083 inhabitants. The resulting treated water is suitable for agricultural irrigation and can be discharged to the Euphrates River when needed by adding nitrogen and phosphorus removal units to the wastewater treatment plant. The obtained plant design has been verified and optimized by implementing the proposed plant layout in the GPS-X 5.0 modeling and simulation software (Hydromantis). Where the results of the design showed that the total phosphorus flow is higher than the desired limit of 2 mg / L, due to the excessive release during anaerobic digestion. Control of phosphorus concentration can be controlled by adding chemicals (iron or aluminum salts) in different parts of the wastewater treatment plant. In this case, two different control strategies can be implemented: adding aluminum doses in both water and sludge lines (at Chem1 and Chem2 points) or adding aluminum doses in the water line only (at point Chem2). The second strategy showed that it is the most efficient in controlling the concentration of phosphorus and nitrogen produced, which meets the limits of the Iraqi standard of water used in irrigation.Â Â
Mapping and Examining the Subcontracting Process Adopted by Iraqi Quasi-Governmental Construction Companies
Authors: S. A. Al-Obaidi Taha , Higham Anthony
Published: April 2019

In todayâ€™s dynamic business environment, a process view has become a mandatory requirement for any organization striving to excel and stay ahead of the competition. By focusing on improving operational processes, organizations can enhance their overall performance and establish a robust competitive advantage through cost and time reduction alongside increasing the quality of products. With a view of improving the performance of Iraqi Quasi-Governmental Construction Companies (IQGCCs) through instituting the process view. This research, particularly, was designed to map examine the subcontracting process currently in use by IQGCCs. To achieve this aim, three of IQGCCs were selected as case studies to collect the required data. Semi-structured interviews with experts from different management levels of these companies supported by document review and focus groups were the key techniques employed to gather and validate the field data. Four factors, namely: government restrictions, authority distributions, management system and communication system, were identified as the key underpinning causes of the current challenges and barriers to efficiency in the subcontracting process. Accordingly, more studies to improve the efficiency of the current subcontracting process are extremely required.Â
Carbon Fiber Strengthening of Geopolymer Concrete Wall Panels with Iron Fillings
Authors: Wissam K. Al-Saraj Dr. , Layth Abdulbari Al-Jaberi Dr. , J. AL-Serai Sahar , . .
Published: April 2019

Wall is a vertical plate member resisting vertical (in-plane) or lateral loads. Load-Bearing walls were referred to RC wall panels which were commonly used as load-bearing structural members, braced and laterally supported by the rest of the structure, local materials such as Metakaolin and alkaline solutions are used to cast (600x400) mm reinforced concrete wall panels with 40 mm thickness. To find the ultimate bearing capacity and lateral deflection of wall panels. Seven specimens are dividedÂ  in two groups to study the variation effect of iron filling (0, 0.5, 0.75 andÂ  1.0)%Â Â  and carbon fiber (225, 125 and 90 )mm spacing center to center of strips.Â  The result shows that the maximum increasing are 17% and 14% for ultimate bearing capacity and cracking load of wall panels respectively, when iron filling is 1%. Also, the using of carbon fiber with 90 mm spacing center to center of strips leds to increasing in ultimate bearing capacity and cracking load by 31% and 7% respectively. Lateral deflection of wall panels was measured and compared with the reference wall to investigate the strengthening effect.Â
Improving the Shear Strength of Lightweight RC Thick Hollow Core Slab Made of Recycled Materials
Authors: Nassif Sabr Yousif , Husain Khalaf Jarallah Dr. , Hassan Issa Abdul Kareem Dr.
Published: April 2019

This research paper focused on the experimental study about shear behavior of reinforced concrete thick hollow core slab. The reduction hollow length technique was used to resist the shear failure that occurred in the thick hollow core slab. The three hollows were used in tested slabs. The effect of reduction in the length of hollow in the shear region as well as the sides hollow was considered in the shear behavior of the tested hollow core slab. The recyclable material was used to a get of lightweight concrete, where the crushed clay brick was used as a coarse aggregate instead of the gravel. The test was done by applying two line load. The specimens were tested up to failure. The experimental results showed an increase in the shear strength up to 109.52% and an increase in the deflection up to 24% compared with the hollow core slab specimen that all hollow core is accessible. From the experimental result of this investigation can avoid the shear failure subsequently the load devolves from the shear region to the flexural region with change the mode of failure from shear failure to flexural-shear failure.Â Â Â
Utilization Iron Filings and Microwave Heating in Roughening the Surface of Smoothed Coarse Aggregates
Authors: Mohammed Ridha Mahmmod Wajde Laith , S. Alyhya Zainab S. , R. Abdul Rasoul M. , T. Abdulrasool Abdulrasool , . .
Published: April 2019

Properties of coarse aggregate such as texture have a significant influence on the performance of fresh and hardened concrete. A smooth surface can enhance workability, yet a rougher one offers a stronger bond between aggregate and paste, resulting in higher strength. This research aims to roughen the texture of white smoothed aggregate by using cement-iron filings mortar with the aid of microwave maturation to accelerate the adhesion process of mortar-aggregate surface. The mortar was prepared by mixing an equal weight of cement and iron filings, of a particular size, with sand. Four different periods (2, 4, 6 and 8 mints.)Â  of microwave treatment in addition to water curing were considered plus one reference mortar which cured in only air for 24 hrs. The treated aggregate was then used for casting concrete specimens with a w/c ratio of 0.5 in which their properties being determined by means of density, compressive and tensile strengths observations. The main findings revealed that the concrete specimens contained microwave treated aggregate attained higher compressive strength compared with those treated in the air. Data also showed that concrete specimens with microwave treated aggregate possess better tensile properties as a consequence of the improvement in the transition zone.Â Â Â
Design and Manufacturing Loading Rig Machine for Testing Screw Pile Models
Authors: R. Mahmood Mahmood , H. Humaish Asad , K. Khalaf Mustafa
Published: April 2019

The main objective of this paper is to design, manufacturing and testing of new loading rig machine to install and testing (i.e. compression and tension load capacity) of screw pile models in both cohesive and cohesionless soil layers. The mainframeÂ  was fabricated from thick steel sections, 8mm steel plates that welded together to construct a heavy and strong frame, that able to resist the expected loads during installation (linear and rotational movement at the same time) and testing of the screw pile models (model of loading test). Two independent gearbox motors (actuators) are used to supply the rotational and vertical movement.Â  To provide precise control of velocity, the master gearbox motor, that can convert the rotary motion to a linear motion for vertical displacementÂ  along two screw bars via two ball screw systems,Â  and four stainless guided rods to prevent rotation or inclination the bearing plate (rig) which manufactured from high stiffness stainless-steel was used. The second gearbox motor (â€˜slaveâ€™) mounted on the bottom loading plate that rotates the multi-plate screw pile. It was observed that the measured compression and tension load capacity of screw pile models illustrated the actual behavior of such kind of piles and this machine can be used in both conventional piles (i.e. pipe piles) and screw pile model.Â Â
Numerical Evaluation of Seismic Response of Asymmetrical Reinforced Concrete Frame Buildings
Authors: J. Hamood Mohammed , A. Ghalib Layla , G. Abdalwahab Ameer
Published: April 2019

Asymmetrical multi-storey buildings are almost unavoidable in modern structures due to various types of useful and architectural requirements. Latest earthquakes showed that irregular distribution of mass, stiffness and strength cause serious damage in building structural systems. This paper investigates the numerical simulation of buildings with plan irregularity and presents a case study to demonstrate the numerical evaluation of the seismic response of a three real plan-asymmetric reinforced concrete building tested at full scale at the European Laboratory for Structural Assessment of the Joint Research Center, Ispra / Italy within the SPEAR project. The structural evaluation performed through a validated Finite Elements Package, modeled by the general purpose ABAQUS, which is able to run accurate analysis, in particular nonlinear static and dynamic analysis considering both geometric nonlinearity and material inelasticity.Adequacy of the numerical modeling is verified by comparing numerical and experimental results through evaluation of the seismic capacity and dynamic characteristics of the building. The provisions of the adopted seismic code for designing such buildings are also checked over and done with the nonlinear static and dynamic analysis by verifying the proficiency of an analytical model for simulating the nonlinear response of structures considered to conduct an investigation into experiments.Â Â Â
The Environmental Criteria as a Strategy to Adapt Climate Changes in Iraq
Authors: Abed Hassan Susan
Published: April 2019

The Climate change appears obviously in the world, especially in hot climate regions like Iraq, because of their proximity to the equator and the geographical desert nature, which requires strategies to adapt climate change in effective ways. One of the most prominent of these strategies is the implemented of environmental criteria for buildings, to minimize the climate change effect. This research problem is that no obvious perception for the obstacles and the assistant methods for adopted environmental criteria as a strategy to adapt climate changes in Iraq". To solve this problem a questionnaire were designed about the main research indicators and delivered to the building industry practitioners. Statistical analysis were used to calculate the results, using IBM SPSS V23 software, the results find that the obstacles of application environmental criteria are economic, social, technical, and legislation. And the assistant method includes developing technical aspects, enabling human resources, cooperation with responsible authorities and decision-makers, and community awareness. The results indicated many recommendations for the local government, community organizations and the workers to implement environmental criteria as a strategy to adapted climate change in Iraq.Â Â
Behavior of The RC Slab-Beam System Using Self Compacting Concrete
Authors: A. Alwash Nameer , H. Naser Al-Mamoori Fatimah
Published: April 2019

The present study includes an experimental investigation of the behavior of square reinforced concrete slabs. These slabs are with and without edge beams under uniformly distributed load with corner supports using two types of self compacting concrete (SCC), the first type of SCC incorporated limestone filler and the other was without filler, the results obtained are compared with those obtained from conventional concrete (CC).The experimental program consists of testing nine square slab samples. Three of these slab samples are flat in shape with panel dimensions of 1050Ã—1050Ã—50 mm depth. The others three slab samples are of the same outer dimensions with surrounding edge beams of depth to slab thickness equal 100/50 and 100 mm width. The last three slab samples are similar to the former slab-beam systems but with increasing the depth of edge beams by 50%.In general, for a specified flat plate panel, the ultimate load carrying capacity can be increased, if the panel is restricted by four surrounding beams. The slab-beam samples with surrounding beams of depth to slab thickness equal to 3 showed greater ultimate load capacity by about 79.37%, 52% and 97.82% when compared with the corresponding flat slabs samples produced using CC, SCC with and without filler, respectively.Â Â
Evaluation of Pile Technique to Improve Weak Subgrade Soil Under Traffic Loading
Authors: H. Muttashar Yasir , M. AL-Badran Yasir , G. Ahmed Alkawaaz Namir
Published: April 2019

The quick imperative for transportation development has driven thruway specialists to find safe approaches to construct the foundation of roadway on delicate subgrade layers. Nonetheless, Delicate immersed fine-grained subgrade soils are remarkable by extraordinary volume change and little shear quality. Numerous issues identified with building roadway dikes over delicate subgrade layer i.e.; dikes flimsiness, high settlements and tedious required for union of the establishment soil. The impact of utilizing Heaped dike to upgrade the execution of asphalt frameworks including increment the roadway benefit life. The investigational work included paired models: crude materials model and heaps show were considered. A research center model tests are completed to created the black-top asphalt layers and configuration cycling load framework likewise to the standard single pivot wheel stack, that were organized amid a plan and amassing of metal Box show. Three-dimensional (3-D) limited component models has been altered in this work for adaptable asphalt setup utilizing ABAQUS programming ver.6.14.4 to break down and reenact the reaction of the asphalt layers of all models with the cycles connected load and soil relocation. The aftereffects of this work demonstrate that the lasting dislodging at the surface of black-top solid (air conditioning) layer utilizing the heap strategy display as contrasted and the crude material model shows diminishes by (14.62%). The consequences of ABAQUS program have a decent concurrence with the trial results.Â
Mapping Climate Changes in Iraq By Using Geographical Information System (GIS)
Authors: Sahib Jawad Zainab , Asaad Tayeb Fatima , Kareem Jebur Asaad Tayeb
Published: April 2019

The Trapped sunâ€™s thermal radiation in the earthâ€™s atmosphere is known as the greenhouse effect.Â  This process is considered very important since it keeps the earth warm and hence possible to live in. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) are considered very important contributors to the greenhouse effect. During the last two decades, the level of greenhouse gases has increased, which plays a major role in global warming and climate change. The Middle East is considered among the most affected areas by climate change. In the current study, Geographical Information System (GIS) has been used to create some temperature maps that could show the air temperature distribution and difference between two different periods of time (past and recent) in different stations that cover the Iraqi governorates. A spatial interpolation method has been used. This method considers known values of temperature at a given location (stations in the current study) to estimate a continuous surface map during a specific period of time. The results of this study showed no significant increase in the average air temperature values, however the area of high air temperature values is growing during the cold and hot months of the year.Â Â
Land Surface Temperature Retrieval from LANDSAT-8 Ther-mal Infrared Sensor Data and Validation with Infrared Ther-mometer Camera
Authors: Mejbel Salih Muhammad , Zakariya Jasim Oday , I. Hassoon Khalid , Jameel Abdalkadhum Aysar
Published: April 2019

This paper illustrates a proposed method for the retrieval of land surface temperature (LST) from the two thermal bands of the LAND-SAT-8 data. LANDSAT-8, the latest satellite from Landsat series, launched on 11 February 2013, using LANDSAT-8 Operational Line Imager and Thermal Infrared Sensor (OLI & TIRS) satellite data. LANDSAT-8 medium spatial resolution multispectral imagery presents particular interest in extracting land cover, because of the fine spectral resolution, the radiometric quantization of 12 bits. In this search a trial has been made to estimate LST over Al-Hashimiya district, south of Babylon province, middle of Iraq. Two dates images acquired on 2nd &18th of March 2018 to retrieve LST and compare them with ground truth data from infrared thermometer camera (all the meas-urements contacted with target by using type-k thermocouple) at the same time of images capture. The results showed that the rivers had a higher LST which is different to the other land cover types, of less than 3.47 C ◦, and the LST different for vegetation and residential area were less than 0.4 C ◦ with correlation coefficient of the two bands 10 and 11 Rbnad10= 0.70, Rband11 = 0.89 respectively, for the im-aged acquired on the 2nd of march 2018 and Rband10= 0.70 and Rband11 = 0.72 on the 18th of march 2018. These results confirm that the proposed approach is effective for the retrieval of LST from the LANDSAT-8 Thermal bands, and the IR thermometer camera data which is an effective way to validate and improve the performance of LST retrieval. Generally the results show that the closer measure-ment taken from the scene center time, a better quality to classify the land cover. The purpose of this study is to assess the use of LAND-SAT-8 data to specify temperature differences in land cover and compare the relationship between land surface temperature and land cover types.
Studying the Phenol Degradation in Synthetic Wastewater by Catalytic Wet Air Oxidation Process in Batch Reactor
Authors: Yaseen AL Kindi Ghayda , Hammoodi AL Ani Faris
Published: April 2019

The current paper studies the viability of using a Batch reactor, by five types of Al-Fe pillared clay that prepared from five regions in Iraq for phenol degradation in synthetic wastewater. The operation condition study through variables in (pH, pressure, temperature, pillared load, phenol load). The findings have illustrated that phenol degradation could be increase via incrementing temperature, pressure, pillared load and degrease in phenol load. Phenol good degradation proportion which was 97 %, has been achieved at optimum proportion (pH= 3.9, temperature = 150 °C, pressure = 3.5 MPa, in addition to phenol concentration = 500 mg/l). The two models power-law and Langmuir−Hinshelwood have been used   to study the catalytic kinetics of the phenol degradation. From results shown the activation energy for every response equivalent to (37114.014 j/mol) for Anbar (37795, 48783.9, 36628, 40785 j/mol) for Erbil, Mosul, Baghdad and Basra respectively. It was proved that the reaction in this study is under kinetics control.
Voltage Compensation Using Dvr with Modified Switching Band Control
Authors: Rao Sura.Srinivasa , Babu Choppavarapu.Sai
Published: April 2019

This paper presents mitigation of voltage related Power Quality (PQ) issues by using Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR). Three phase four wire DVR with modified switching band controller is proposed. A modified filter circuit band controller is proposed for reducing the switching losses, constant switching frequency maintenance and corresponding simulation studies are carried out. Variable hysteresis band (modified band) controller generates accurate injected voltages by using system parameters and low error value between reference injected voltages, actual injected voltages can be achieved, which helps in smoothening and minimizing ripples in PCC (Point of common coupling) voltages. The obtained simulation results are presented.