bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brief Communication on Parentsâ€™ Perception towards Favourite Play Equipment, Satisfaction Level and Safety of Public Climbing Equipment in Malaysia
Authors: Kah Ling Cheah , Ahmad Azmeer Raja , Shahrizal Dolah Mohd , Hasley Saiful , Bolong Jusang
Published: April 2019

Public playground injuries caused by unsafe climbing equipment is a public health concern. This study aims to measure Malaysian parentsâ€™ perception towards their childrenâ€™s favourite play equipment and satisfaction level on public equipment safety. A self-administered survey was employed among 50 Malaysians citizen, aged between 18 to 45 years. Data was descriptively analysed using SPSS version 21.0. The results showed that climbing equipment was favourite playing equipment among children. Furthermore, our study revealed that (90%) of parents were dissatisfied with public climbing equipment. We found that while (92%) of the parents agreed that safety levels of the climbing equipment should be improved. In addition, the study revealed that more than three quarters of respondents agreed to reduce free fall height, improve product materials, focus on reducing falls, and implement effective safety inspection including regular maintenance to improve the safety level of public climbing equipment. Results from this study could assist in advanced urban recreation safety for controlling injuries and regain parentsâ€™ trust on playground safety.Â Â
Total Quality Management and Organizational Performance: the Role of Performance Measurement System
Authors: Abdul Rasit Zarinah , Huda Abdul Satar Nurul , Ramli Aliza , Hashim Marshita
Published: April 2019

Escalation in globalization, information and advancement in manufacturing technologies have constantly contribute to the increase in demand and in the competitive manufacturing business environment. Align with the challenges facing the companies, there is a need for companies to devise relevant strategies to help them cope with the changes and sustain their competitiveness. Total Quality Management (TQM) is a management philosophy and strategy that can help improve the quality of product and production processes. Prior research highlights the importance of implementing performance measurement system (PMS) in assisting the implementation of TQM practices. Incorporating contingency theory and socio-technical system theory, this study aims to examine the relationship between TQM practices and organisational performance and to determine the influence of PMS use in the relationship. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaire survey on a sample of Malaysian manufacturing companies. Our results support the view that more extensive PMS benefits performance as we find that, firms implementing TQM with more advanced PMS especially those that include financial and nonfinancial measures have higher performance. The results revealed that the relationship is more significant for companies using more advanced PMS compared to companies that used traditional PMS.Â Â
Ensemble Comparative Study for Diagnosis of Breast Cancer Datasets
Authors: Sahu Bibhuprasad , Dash Sujata , Nandan Mohanty Sachi , Kumar Rout Saroj
Published: April 2019

Every disease is curable if a little amount of human effort is applied for early diagnosis. The death rate in world increases day by day as patient fail to detect it before it becomes chronic. Breast cancer is curable if detection is done at early stage before it spread across all part of body. Now-a-days computer aided diagnosis are automated assistance for the doctors to produce accurate prediction about the stage of disease. This study provided CAD system for diagnosis of breast cancer. This method uses Neural Network (NN) as a classifier model and PCA/LDA for dimension reduction method to attain higher classification rate. Multiple layers of neural network are applied to classify the breast cancer data. This system experiment done on Wisconsin breast cancer dataset (WBCD) from UCI repository. The dataset is divided into 2 parts train and test. With the result of accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, precision and recall the performance can be measured. The results obtained are this study is 97% using ANN and PCA-ANN, which is better than other state-of-art methods. As per the result analysis this system outperformed then the existing system.Â Â
A Simple and Efficient Method to Fabricate Graphene 2D Nanomaterial into a thin Film to Serve as a Saturable a bsorber for Fiber Laser Application
Authors: I. Hammadi Yousif , S. Mansour Tahreer
Published: April 2019

A passively pulsed fiber laser using saturable absorbers such as graphene has been increased dramatically in recent years. Up to now, researchers have been proposed many methods to fabricate graphene saturable absorber such as (evanescent coupling structure, electrochemical exfoliation, and mechanical exfoliation) for light pulse generation in a fiber laser. However, each of these methods has got some limitations which reduce the saturable absorber performance and restrict its range of applications. In this paper, we propose a simple but very efficient fabrication way of graphene saturable absorber by converting graphene Nano powder into a thin film using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a host material. The fabricated film can then be easily sandwiched between two fiber pigtails and inserted inside the laser cavity to form the saturable absorber. when compared with other methods, this method is much preferable because it provides saturable absorber with combat structure, maximum interaction area, reasonable insertion loss, polarization insensitive, controllable concentration, and safe to handle. The fabricated graphene saturable absorber in this paper was characterized and found to have a uniform distribution of the graphene nanomaterial in the PVA and have a modulation depth of 6.1% which make it a very promising saturable absorber for ultra-fast fiber laser demonstration.Â Â
Performance Optimization of Wireless Sensor network for Multimedia services
Authors: Karamat Khan Tehmina , Shah Asadullah , Bin Muhammad Yusof Zulkefli
Published: April 2019

WSN multimedia services are currently being used by several types of applications. These services experiencesÂ Â  performance related issues in the form of slow data rates, packet loss etc. due to stringent resources. Lots of solutions are contributed to develop a system that optimizes the resources utilization, performance and packet loss. Performance evaluation for enhancing QoS of WSN is also required where packets arrive and depart the service facility (sink) in burst. In this paper, novel analytical approach is developed for packets arrival from sensor node in burst and departure of services after getting the facility, in burst. The evaluation has been performed by shifting coefficient of variance for the time when services are provided in burst and when services are arrived on different scales of utilization of the sink node. At the end of this paper quantitative results are compared after applying priority to data packets to check credibility of proposed solution.
FoRex Trading Using Supervised Machine Learning
Authors: Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy , Dang Xuan Vuong
Published: April 2019

The exchange rate of each money pair can be predicted by using machine learning algorithm during classification process. With the help of supervised machine learning model, the predicted uptrend or downtrend of FoRex rate might help traders to have right decision on FoRex transactions. The installation of machine learning algorithms in the FoRex trading online market can automatically make the transactions of buying/selling. All the transactions in the experiment are performed by using scripts added-on in transaction application. The capital, profits results of use support vector machine (SVM) models are higher than the normal one (without use of SVM).Â
Application of the NaÃ¯ve Bayes Algorithm for Student Graduation Analysis
Authors: Akhmad Fahmi Alfaâ€™izy Erick , Anam Khairil , Naing Naidah , Tritias Utami Rosanita , Anim Jauhariyah Nur , Munib Syafaâ€™at Ahmad , Ana Ferawati Ekaningsih Lely , Roesli Mohammad , Ika Pratiwi Yanna , Ika Pratiwi Yeni
Published: April 2019

Design an analysis system to find out graduation by comparing previous data and existing data to overcome errors in a college system. By taking data records that are already available to be processed using the naÃ¯ve Bayes algorithm. This research was conducted at Universitas Maarif Hasyim Latif. In this case, the object of research is to analyze the data of students with naÃ¯ve Bayes algorithms to find out their graduation. For sampling the data taken is the previous Faculty of Law Student data to be used as training data, to retrieve the entire data using data records that are already available in the Directorate of Information Systems. That the naÃ¯ve Bayes algorithm can be used in the classification of data in the form of a string or textual. This is based on researchers' trials in taking examples of calculations that have been done before. To compare the results of the classification of graduation analysis using the naÃ¯ve Bayes algorithm testing is done with a sample of data in the form of training data compared to data testing. From the calculations that have been made, the accuracy is 77.78%.Â
Effectiveness Model of Village Funds to Measure Village Per-formance Through Economic Empowerment towards Prospeous Communities in East Java Coastal Areas
Authors: Ekasari Ratna , Ratnawati Tri , Sardjono Sigit
Published: April 2019

Rural communities that are part of the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia need attention and the role of the government to improve the lives of its citizens to achieve a just and prosperous society according to the mandate of the Constitution. For this reason, the use of village funds which is a manifestation of government assistance for equitable development must be formulated and managed appropriately, transparently and accountable. This research method with a population of six villages in the coastal areas of East Java carried out by collecting data quantitatively namely the factual management of village funds based on histories from four research objects, which were analyzed based on the formulation of budget effectiveness. While the data obtained qualitatively obtained by questionnaires and interviews with respondents of the object of research, which is then analyzed to obtain the influence of independent variables on the dependent variable using the IBM SPSS Statistics software Ver.20. The results show that: quantitatively village budget management can be said to have effective assessment criteria, which is indicated by the percentage value above the specified effectiveness threshold. Whereas qualitatively it was found that the Village Fund variable did not show a positive and significant effect on the variables of budget effectiveness. Village Program variables do not show a positive and significant impact on the variable effectiveness of the budget. The Program Urgency variable does not show a positive and significant impact on budget effectiveness variables. The Program Implementation variable shows a positive and significant effect on the variable of budget effectiveness. Monitoring and Reporting variables show a positive and significant influence on budget effectiveness variables. Furthermore, the Budget Effectiveness Model is formulated which will be used as a reference in using village funds for the development and welfare of coastal communities in East Java.Â Â
A Research Framework for Supervised Image Classification For Tornado Chaos Phenomena
Authors: Wanayumini W , S Sitompul O , Zarlis M , Suwilo Saib , M H Pardede A
Published: April 2019

Unattended classification is a classification which is the process of forming classes conducted by computers. The classes formed in this classification are highly dependent on data acquisition. In the process, this classification classifies pixels based on similarity or spectral similarity. While the supervised classification is a classification carried out by the analyst's direction. The purpose of this study is to build a new model of image-based classification based on chaos phenomena through remote sensing to detect the beginning of the emergence of tornadoes. This research optimizes the search for the best value from a data collection of samples of chaos phenomena in tornadoes through a new model called Citra which is supervised by Chaos Discrete Cosine Transform Spectral Angel Mapper Classification (SiChDCosTSamC). The resulting model can then be used as remote sensing to detect the appearance of the initial tornado. Tests will be carried out using the Protected Image Welding on models based on chaotic / chaotic phenomena. Testing will be carried out on a collection of sample image data sourced from SIO, NOAA, US data. Navy, NGA, GEBCO U.S. PGA / NASA Google IBCAO Geological Geological Survey / Copernicus.
Effect of Addition of Composite Filler Volume on Ganoderma Boninense Mushroom Against Tensile Strength, Modulus of Elasticity, and Filler Distribution
Authors: Rafiq Yanhar Muhammad , Bakhori Nasution Ahmad , Rahmah Sibuea Siti , Haris Nasution Abdul
Published: April 2019

This study aims to determine the effect of increasing filler volume of ganoderma boninense mushroom on tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and distribution of the reinforcing particles. The composite reinforcement particle volume varies from 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%. The mushroom is soaked with NaOH solution for 1 hour to remove dirt and sap that can reduce the bonds between matrix and particles. After that the mushrooms are made into mesh 50-sized particles using a blender with a rotation of 28,000 rpm. From the test results it can be seen that the highest tensile strength of 23.21 MPa is in the composite with a filler volume of 5%. The addition of particle volume to 10% makes the tensile strength slightly decrease to 21.04 MPa. The addition of filler volume to 15% and 20% causes the tensile strength to decrease to 20.55 MPa and 19.68 MPa. From the test results it can be seen that the lowest modulus of elasticity is in the composite with a filler volume of 5%. The addition of particle volume to 10% makes the modulus of elasticity rise to 83.15 MPa. The addition of filler volume to 15% and 20% causes the modulus of elasticity to increase to 126.77 MPa and 159.10 MPa. This shows that the more presence of ganoderma fungi in the composite causes the composite to become more elastic, thereby increasing the modulus of elasticity and decreasing tensile strength. The results of SEM photos showed the spread of mushroom powder at a volume of 5%, 10%, and 15% less evenly distributed, while in the filler 20% saw the spread of powder quite evenly.
Diminished-1 multiplier using modulo adder
Authors: Kumar Patel Beerendra , Kanung Jitendra
Published: April 2019

In this work Modulo multiplier offers higher computational speed than a normal multiplier. It is frequently used in data security and residue number system. The modulo 122n+1"> Â Â has three basic blocks-partial product generation block, inverted end around carry adder tree block and diminished-1 modulo 122n+1"> Â Â adder block. The result and an operand use weighted representation and others uses the diminished-1 for the modulo multiplier. The multipliers receive full inputs and avoid (n+1) bits circuits due to diminished-1 number representation. In this work, proposed modulo 122n+1"> Â multiplier with modified diminished-1 modulo 122n+1"> Â Â adder which is based on ripple carry adder. The proposed design saves significant area and power as compared to the reported one with little increment in delay.Â Â
Performance of rc low encoding techniques for reducing coupling transitions
Authors: V Shavali. , Sreerama Reddy G.M Dr. , Ramana Reddy.P Dr.
Published: April 2019

RC Network has delay propagation by wire and dynamic power dissipation. Basically it can perform two encoding techniques. They are Firstly it will reduce more dynamic power dissipation and delay propagation of wire simultaneously. Its simulation results of coupling activityÂ  and switching activity is more when the input is in Toggle state on 8-bitÂ  and forÂ  32-bit data buses It increases. To reduce dynamic power is bus and total propagation delayÂ  the encoding techniques is Introduced which reduces coupling Coupling transitions, Dynamic power. Secondly it will also reduce more total power consumption when Width of Bus and Length of Bits Increases Its coupling activity is Reduced Gradually when the Data moves for one state to another State and switching activity is ReducedÂ Â
Performance of New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) in Weak Rock Case Study
Authors: Kamal Heba , . .
Published: April 2019

The decline in the over ground utilizable space and increment in development of metro structures, cut and cover structures are winding up fairly difficult to conceptualize and build. In this examination, a nonlinear two dimensional limited component investigation was completed to show the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) burrow developed in frail shake utilizing the business limited component with joint programming PHASE 2.The validity of the numerical modeling procedure performed by the author was checked by making back-analysis for an actual case study of Strengen Tunnel which is one of the biggest expressways in western Austria.  A comprehensive parametric study was performed on a hypothetical circle tunnel. Two dimensional numerical simulations with the finite element with joint software PHASE 2 have been performed to ground behaviour with   the results of the numerical analysis are presented and   discussed for recommendations for future work. In general the tangential stress at side wall and crown  obtained from  finite element with joints are  nearly equal or higher than the closed form solution and equivalent continuum.
Chelating-Agent-Enhanced Copper, Lead and Zinc Extraction From Iraqi Contaminated Sandy Soil.
Authors: Asal Gzar Hatem , Mohsin Ksee Khamaal
Published: April 2019

This research aims to investigate extraction of copper, lead, and zinc from Iraqi sandy contaminated soil. Two systems were tested single and ternary component systems. Chelating agent ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (Na2EDTA) was utilized as extractant. Amount of 500 mg of metal per kg soil was prepared to form artificially contaminated soil. Extraction of metals was achieved using column extraction mode. Experimental tests were conducted at different conditions of  Na2EDTA concentration,flow rate, and contact time. The results illustrated that the maximum removal percentages for single component system were 92% ,76% and 68% at equilibrium time 6, 8,  and 8 hours for Pb , Cu and Zn,  respectively. While for ternary system were 82%, 72% and 65%, respectively, at equilibrium time 6 hours for Cu and 8 hours for Pb and Zn. In addition to the best equilibrium time, the other optimum conditions for both systems were 0.1 mol/L extractant concentration, pH 4 and flow rate 20 ml/hr. The sequence of heavy metals removal was Pb > Cu >Zn. The experimental data were tested by applying it in four kinetic models; first order, two constant, parabolic diffusion, and Elovich model. Elovich and parabolic diffusion were the most fitted models to the experimental data.
New Technique to Enhance the Shear Performance of RC Deep Beams Using Mild Steel Plates
Authors: M. Mhalhal Jasim , S. Al-Gasham Thaar , A. Jabir Hussain
Published: April 2019

This study suggested a new technique to improve a behavior of RC deep beams using mild steel plates as a vertical web reinforcement rather than the conventional rebars. Nine simply supported RC deep beams were tested under the effect of four-point load with a ratio of shear span to an effective depth (a/d) ranged from 0.75 to 1.75 at intervals of 0.5. The test specimens were divided into three groups, each one included three beams. The first group included specimens with conventional vertical web reinforcement. The second and third groups included specimens with mild steel plates as the vertical web reinforcement. The mild steel plates in the second and third groups were configured as strips and sheets, respectively. All the specimens had a length of 1200 mm, a clear span of 900 mm, and a rectangular cross-section of 150 mm wide and of 300 mm depth. The test results confirmed that both of mild steel plate configurations contributed effectively in improving the ultimate load capacity of tested beams, compared with those of conventional shear re-bars, by about (15.4% to 28.26%) and the ductility factor by about (6.06% to 30.56%). Furthermore, specimens with mild steel plates had a low sectional height under tension by about (10.11% to 32.08%).
Salinity Management in the Shatt Al-Arab River
Authors: Amtair Rahi Khayyun
Published: April 2019

Shatt al-Arab River is originated at the confluence of Tigris and Euphrates in al-Qurna town in southern Iraq. Two other tributaries; the Karun and the Karkheh rivers; join the river downstream from the eastern bank. The length of Shatt al-Arab is about 192 km from its origin to its mouth in the Gulf. The width of the Shatt varies between 250 m at Qurna and 750 m at its mouth at Rass al-Bisha. The salinity of Shat al-Arab has increased steadily for the last four decades. High salinity of the shatt waters hindered their use and made them unfit for most domestic, agricultural and industrial uses. Salinity as high as 18500 ppm was recorded in the City of Basra on the year 2009.  The prime cause of the salinity problem is the reduction of fresh water inflow from all the contributing rivers; the high salinity of the inflow from the Euphrates; the marshes; and Garmat Ali River. The research paper recommends an environmental (a minimum instream) flow of 145 cms and several engineering works on the lower parts of the Euphrates and the Tigris rivers to assure the delivery of the proposed flow.
Assessment of the Environmental Impact of Gharraf River in the Shat Shatra Area of Shatra District
Authors: Khairy Alrawi Areaj , Oudah Alomari Abbas
Published: April 2019

Iraqi water resources are exposed to pollution due to the dumping of solid and liquid waste into the river without treatment. This is the objective of research to assess the environmental, social and economic impacts of the river. To achieve this goal, the method of direct assessment was adopted. In this way, the environmental impacts are determined, their nature and their interpretation in a quantitative or qualitative manner. Three study stations were selected for the period (four month September to December 2012). The models were withdrawn from the stations twice a month and their results were compared with Iraqi water standards and determinants. Most of the findings of the research are to comply with Iraqi water determinants and to have many environmental, economic and social impacts determined by the EIA method. The most important recommendations are the fencing of river banks in urban rivers and preventing the dumping of solid and liquid waste into the river without treatment.
Halabjah-Iraq Earthquake, Comparisons and General Review
Authors: Y. Al-Ghalibi Furat , Kh. Al-Hadithy Laith
Published: April 2019

The collapsed seismic force level depends on region nature where the construction isÂ to beÂ built because of an earthquake released an energy which generated by a sudden randomly movement of earth segments (plate tectonics). Structure geographic location plays a major role in seismic analysis and design of structures because of the global seismicity influenced by the earthquakeÂ hypocenterÂ and plate tectonics nature. An earthquake will occur if earth tectonic plate shaft and the mass of earth materials moved with plates stress interface and energy released because of ground vibration which its amplitudeÂ reducedÂ with rupture distance. Also the earth vibration generates a large random inertia force thatÂ shouldÂ carried by the structural components safety. In the present study, a comparisons of Halabjah-Iraq Earthquake with many world earthquake is investigated, generally Halabjah earthquake classified as medium risk earthquakeÂ Â
Effect of Loading Speed on Direct and Indirect Tensile Strength of Rock and Concrete
Authors: Riyadh Mohammed Ali Hayder Mohammed , Fahimifar Ahmad , Al Khafaji Hazim
Published: April 2019

The trial work and numerical demonstrating were considered to examine the impacts of strain rate in the rigidity of rocks and cement in the research facility. Three trial of the exploratory work were considered, guide pressure test to get immediate elastic outcomes, Brazilian split test, and three-point flexural stacking test, to get roundabout ductile outcomes. While the numerical displaying utilizing limited component programming ABAQUS, to examined numerically the examples of 48 research facility tests. Immediate and roundabout rigidity tests, arranged two kinds of totals (0-6) mm and (0-12) mm for solid examples and shake tests (sedimentary and changeable) utilizing distinctive strain rates (10-2, 10-4, 10-5)s-1. The test and numerical outcomes demonstrated that strain rate articulated impacts on the elasticity of shake and cement and impacts are reliant upon the kind of shake and cement consolidated materials, and the broke surfaces of the considerable number of examples in all tests turned out to be more straightened with the expanding strain rate. The numerical and test results demonstrate a decent assention. The surmised (11%-18%) contrast between the tests results acquired through trial and numerical demonstrating might be ascribed to the disentanglement utilized in the numerical displaying.Â Â
Effect of Using River Sand on The Strength of Normal and High Strength Concrete
Authors: Al-Thairy Haitham
Published: April 2019

The shortage and high cost of quarries sand in some regions around the world has motivated engineers and researchers to investigate the possibility and feasibility of using other materials to be used as a fine aggregate in concrete mixtures. The main objective of this research is to experimentally investigate the effect of using river sand as a partial replacement of the ordinary quarries sand on the mechanical properties of normal and high strength concrete. Nine concrete mixtures were prepared and tested in terms of fresh and hardened properties using different replacement ratios of the required proportion of the normal sand. Four replacement ratios were used for normal strength concrete (NSC) which are: 0%, 25%, 50% and 75%, whereas, five replacement ratios were used for high strength concrete (HSC) namely: 0%, 35%, 60% and 90%. For each strength grade, the test parameters of the prepared mixtures included compressive and tensile strength. The experimental test results have revealed that it is possible to obtain a normal and high strength concrete with acceptable compressive and flexural strengths values by using river sand with replacement ratios up to 25% and 35% for NSC and HSC, respectively. When the replacement ratios were increased to more than the aforementioned ratios, the strength of the concrete decreased accordingly.Â Â
Experimental Study and ANFIS Modeling for Scour Behind Al-Shamiya Barrage
Authors: Razzak Al-Husseini Thulfikar , Janna Hussein , M. Hamza Walaa
Published: April 2019

Generally, the scour behind hydraulic structures considered as an important matter the may be lead to failure. So, in this paper an experimental study and ANFIS modeling for a selected case study which is Al-Shamiya Barrage in Iraq. The M-9 device and GIS technique were used for collecting the data from field. The collection of data started from 1/12/2016 until to 1/3/2017 with monthly observation. A grid of (10 Ã— 10) m for the 40 m length behind the floor of barrage was used to collect the experimental data. Furthermore, samples of sand from bed in that region were collected in order to implement the sieve analysis to specify the d50 and then to specify the Manning coefficient. Some equations used to calculate depth of scour behind the barrage. Then the data obtained was divided randomly into two parts: 80 % for training and 20 % for testing the model to implement the model by using ANFIS technique. The ANFIS model gave RMSE equal to 3.3965 Ã— 10-6 m for training and 0.273 m for testing the model, respectively. This study concluded that the scour behind Al-Shamiya Barrage was clear experimentally using M-9 device and can be modeled using ANFIS model.Â Â Â Â Â Â
Utilization of Pervious Concrete in CO2 Capturing to Control Environmental Impact of Portland Cement
Authors: J. Alsaad Aymen , S.al-Attar Tareq , S. Alshathr Basil
Published: April 2019

The cement industry is a main producer of greenhouse gases that is responsible for 5â€“7% of CO2Â emissions. Therefore, it is important to find a method to reduce the concentration of this gas in the environment especially in places such as tunnels. This work aims to use pervious concrete to capture CO2 from the environment and transform it to calcium carbonate inside its matrix. The pervious concrete exposed at 7, 14, and 28 days age to 25 and 50% concentration of CO2 for a period of 2 and 4 hours to study the extent of carbonation inside this concrete. In addition to that, the effects of carbonation on compressive strength, weight change, CO2-uptake and change in permeability were studied. The results showed that higher concentration of CO2 and longer exposure periods caused deeper penetration of carbonation. The maximum recorded CO2 uptake by pervious concrete occurs when it was exposed to higher CO2 % and longer duration of exposure at the age of 7 days.Â  Â
Performance Evaluation of Conventional and High Modulus Asphalt Concrete with Novolac Polymer Modifier Using Aashtoware Software
Authors: H. Al-Humeidawi Basim , F. Jasim Abbas , A. Kadhim Huda
Published: April 2019

In order to changes the original asphalt characteristics, there are many additives have been used to produce or modify the High Modulus Asphalt Binder (HMAB). Even though the hard grade asphalt binder has some disadvantages, such as the aging process due to high mixing and compacting temperature, which can negatively affect the pavement performance, some other advantages include increasing stiffness modulus of asphalt binder and high resistance to permanent deformation. Also, using the hard grade asphalt binder will save construction costs by reducing the asphalt pavement thickness due to its high stiffness modulus. In Iraq, the Novolac modifier and its Cross-linking Agent (Hexamine) was used for the first time as a modifier for asphalt which can significantly improve the rheological properties of asphalt and its role in HMA. This study focuses on estimating the thickness reduction of flexible pavement due to using High Modulus Asphalt Concrete (HMAC). The reduction in permanent deformation and thickness of pavement were estimated for suggested pavement structure sections implemented HMAC mixture compared with the pavement section implemented conventional mixtures using AASHTOWare software version 2.3. The analytical results indicate that adding 4% of Novolac modifier and 15 % of Hexamine (form weigth of Novolac) is reduced the permanent deformation and bottom up cracking by 30% and 46 % compared to conventional mix, respectively. However, it can be concluded that adding Novolac polymer modifier enhanced the pavement performance.Â Â
Experimental Investigation on Self-Compacting Concrete with Waste Carbon Black
Authors: Shober Saheb Alyhya Wajde , Alaa Abed Alameer Shober Saheb Alyhya , Mohammed Ridha Mahmmod Laith , . .
Published: April 2019

One of the vital aspects in designing self-compacting concrete (SCC) is the amount and type of filler with respect to cement and water. These have a great impact not only on fresh SCC properties (segregation, filling, fluidity, etc.) but also on its hardened properties. In this experimental study, an attempt was conducted to diminish the pores occurrence in SCC by using carbon black as a filler, which is a waste from the rubber industry. The experimental work investigates the SCC properties when crusher dust filler from the aggregate plant was partially replaced by waste carbon black. SCC mixes of two carbon black replacement ratios (2.5% and 5%) were studied to reveal its effect on the fresh and hardened properties, through various tests. The fresh properties were investigated by means of slump flow (t500), J-ring and L-box. The compressive and splitting tensile strengths tests were implemented along with the mix density evaluation to characterize the hardened properties of SCC with black carbon. It has been found that the carbon black has a useful role for the fresh properties of SCC. Indeed, the carbon black provides superior performance for the compressive strength development than crusher dust. In contrast, it slightly worsened SCC splitting tensile strength.Â  Â
Design, Manufacturing and Testing of Small Shaking Table
Authors: H. Humaish Asad , S. Shamkhi Mohammed , K. Al-Hachami Thualfiqar
Published: April 2019

The seismic performance and the dynamic response of concrete gravity dams can be verified by several techniques. Both geotechnical centrifuge apparatus (under N-g values) and shaking table (under 1-g) are the commonly used techniques in the world. This paper deals with designing, manufacturing, and testing of small shaking table to investigate different geotechnical and engineering problems. The main body of the designed shaking table consists of steel frame (local iron) manufactured as a hollow box with steel plate, 6mm in thickness and one-direction movable platform (as a basket carrying the container of the model).Â  Inside this main box, all the mechanical parts that work as one system to generate the motion of the seismic wave with an acceleration that needed to the test.Â  The facilities of this shaking table, the movable base has a dimension of 0.8m x1.2m and the platform mass approximately 2 kN, the maximum allowable model weight of 10kN, the range of frequency from 0 to 20 Hz, the maximum acceleration amplitude of 1.2g and maximum displacement of 14mm. It can simulate only the single frequency motion (i.e. sinusoidal wave). The measured accelerations at different soil model level for the tested shaker under 0.6g sinusoidal waveform gave a reasonable prediction for the dynamic response and the amplification characteristics.Â Â
Effect of the Rib Depth to the Overall Beam Depth Ratio in the Lightweight One-Way Ribbed Slabs
Authors: A. Abdulkareem Taif , A. Alfeehan Ashraf
Published: April 2019

The ribbed slabs provide a lighter and stiffer slab than an equivalent traditional slab with minimizing the total volume of the materials. Four one-way lightweight concrete panels, including one flat and three ribbed panels were cast and tested under two-point load as simply supported up to the failure. The main investigated variable is a ratio of the rib depth (d) to the overall beam depth (h). All the panels have the same concrete volume and the same steel reinforcement ratio. Also, the width of the rib is equal to the slab thickness as a constraint condition in all the panels. Data were recorded at the loading stages to determine the load capacity and the deflection. A nonlinear finite element analysis carried out by using ANSYS-15 software program to analyze the panels and to verify the results. Increase the (d/h) ratio improved the structural behavior by increase the carrying load capacity and reduces the deflection to a certain limit. Compatibility results have been obtained between the numerical and experimental work.Â Â Â
Shear Strengthening of Composite Steel-Concrete Girders with Web Openings Using CFRP Sheets
Authors: Shawky AbdulSahib Wael , J. Hamood Mohammed , Mohammed Majeed Ahmed
Published: April 2019

This study presents an experimental investigation of subjecting one-point load at mid-span of five composite steel-concrete girders that are loaded predominantly in shear. Three of girders are reference girders with no web openings, square web openings, and circular web openings, respectively. The both other girders are strengthened girders. The compressive strength of concrete, slab reinforcement and all dimensions of girders are kept. The CFRP laminates were adhesively attached to the webs of strengthened girders in various patterns and were done to estimate the effect of strengthening scheme by CFRP composite on increasing of the ultimate load capacity of the web openings girders. The research purposes to examine the behavior and effect of increasing in the ultimate shear capacity of strengthened girders that have constant dimensions and locations of web openings which is about 40 % of web depth. The results show the increase in ultimate load capacity of strengthened girders containing square and circular web openings with about 23.75% and 25.9%, respectively compared to that of reference girders. Furthermore, the ultimate shear strength was predicted by von Mises stresses were used for girders without and with square and circular web openings.Â Â
The Effect of Magnitude and Direction of Heat Flow on the Thermal Conductivity for Insulation Materials (Glass Wool) by Using Probe Method
Authors: Humaish Hussein , . .
Published: April 2019

The thermal energy of building is determined by the thermal properties of the materials and how to install these materials in the elements of buildings according to the direction of heat transfer. The effectiveness of thermal insulation (glass wool) is dependent on its thermal conductivity which is varies in different directions of fibers of glass wool. Glass wool is formed of fibers and binders tangled together during the industrial process to provide some elasticity. The experimental values of thermal conductivity of the insulation materials are changed according to magnitude of the heat power and direction of fiber arrangement. The thermal conductivity for insulation materials has been measured by using probe method,Â  Huekseflux Â® TP02 used to measure the thermal conductivity by emit the flow perpendicular and parallel to the fibers of glass wool. Two samples of yellow glass wool (density 68 kg/m3) with dimensions (10 Ã—10 Ã—30) cm have been used. Hot Disk bulk isotropic module has been used to evaluate thermal conductivity. TPS source (Hot Disk probe reference: 4922) characterized by a diameter of 14.61 mm has been selected. COMSOLÂ® multiphysics axisymmetric 2D model has been used to follow the axial and the radial directions of the heat transfer.Â
Evaluation of Low Temperature Cracking of Asphalt Mixture Modified with PPA Using Acoustic Emission Technique
Authors: Kodadadi Mojtaba , Khodaii Ali
Published: April 2019

In this study, the behavior of asphalt mixture was studied using non-destructive Acoustic Emission (AE) technique at low temperatures. For this purpose, two types of bitumen 60/70 and 85/100 with two types of limestone and Silica aggregate were used to construct asphalt mixtures. Polyphosphoric acid (PPA) was used to modify the bitumen in the dosage of 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% of bitumen weight. Semicircular bending test (SCB) under a steady increasing strain at a rate of 3mm/min was conducted at 0, -10-, and -20 Â°C. Two AE channels were used to record the Sinusoid output around the crack of SCB sample during crack growth. Analysis of the results obtained from this study using SPSS software indicates that there is a significant relationship between the failure energy of SCB samples and the number of impacts received from AEs. Furthermore, AE energy has a good agreement with the sample failure energy. According to the failure criterion, asphalt mixtures containing 85/100 bitumen modified by 1.0% of PPA and limestone aggregate exhibit more crack resistance among other compositions.Â Â
Finite Element Modeling for Self-Compacting Reinforced Concrete Deep Beams Containing Web Openings
Authors: Sader Mohammed Ahlam , Nasser Hussain Laith
Published: April 2019

A nonlinear limited component display is utilized to approve the consequences of limited component investigation with that of test work got from written works with the end goal to foresee execution of self-compacted strengthened solid; profound pillars incorporate roundabout web openings. Six indistinguishable profound bars were considered for this reason; one of them was strong that considered as a control bar. ANSYS PC program was utilized to accomplish the investigation of these bars. Examination between the test and limited component strategy results shows a satisfactory understanding with the goal that the proposed model can be embraced in future for further investigations. The diagnostic tests which were improved the situation different cases considered showed that the heap redirection conduct and a definitive burdens are in great concurrence with the distributed libratory results. The outcomes demonstrate that most extreme contrast between the anticipated numerical extreme burdens to the trial extreme load for all cases was under (14%); while the greatest rate distinction for redirection esteems was about 11%. Likewise, the extent of the openings and its area influence the heap conveying limit of the shafts.Â Â
Improving the Properties of Clay Brick Using Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)
Authors: S. Abo Dhaheer M. , H.K Ammash , M.T Albdiry
Published: April 2019

In this study, an experimental research was dedicated to investigate the properties of clay brick treated by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Two methods of treatment were conducted. The first contained treating clay brick by submerging the specimens in 1%, 2% and 3% of PVA solution, whereas the second involved coating the brick specimens with 6% PVA (i.e. a high viscous solution). The treated specimens were allowed to dry under ambient temperature in the laboratory before being tested. Standard tests employed for brick specimens were applied. Regarding the specimens treated using the submerging method, results showed that there was a significant contribution of PVA to the compressive strength, total water absorption and efflorescence tests, in which the specimens reached the best performance when PVA was increased to 3%. However, the brick specimens coated by PVA showed a slight increase in the compressive strength, but a noticeable decrease in the water absorption and efflorescence.Â Â
Flexural Behavior of Steel Beam Strengthening by Prestressing Strands
Authors: Mohammed M. Rasheed Dr. , Ali F. Atshan Mr. , Kamal Sh. Mahmoud Mr.
Published: April 2019

Seven simply supported steel beams were tested to explain the effect of strengthening by external prestressing strands. All of the beams have the same steel section, clear span length and the strengthening samples which implemented by two external prestressing strands. The tested beams are divided into two categories according to existing of external prestressing strands, the first category consists of one steel beam as a reference, while, the second group deals with steel beams strengthening by external prestressing strands and consists of six steel beams divided according to the eccentricity location of prestressing strand with jacking stress (815 MPa). From experimental results, it was found that the moment curvature curves behavior for the tested beams are stiffer and with less ductility than the reference beams and the ultimate moment capacity is increased with increasing the eccentricity location. While, the maximum radius of curvature at bottom flange decreases with increasing the eccentricity location as compare with the reference beam.Â Â Â
Integrating Business Improvement and Innovation Models: A Step Change Approach for Organisational Performance Improvement
Authors: Al-Tameemi Khaldoon , Alshawi Mustafa , Ahmed Vian
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this paper is to propose an alternative approach to guide public sector organisations, in the developing world, to quickly create an effective work environment to attract Multinational Corporation (MNCs) to foster Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows to deliver their large and strategic investment Projects. The paper provides extensive literature review to discuss the need for public sector performance improvement, in the developing world, and its impact on attracting MNCs and fostering Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as well as understanding the existing performance methodologies that can help such organisations improvement their performance. The paper, then proposes an alternative to the existing performance improvement methodologies that is capable of introducing a step change to the performance of public sector organisations in a relatively shorter period of time to enable developing world countries to attract MNCs to deliver their strategic projects. A multiple case study research strategy was selected to validate the proposed approach. The findings have confirmed the effectiveness and appropriateness of the proposed approach for overcoming existing weaknesses in the performance of public sector organisations in a relatively shorter period of time. The proposed approach addresses the weakness of the existing performance improvement methodologies to overcome the time factor required for public sector originations to introduce significant performance improvement to attract FDI projects. It can serve as an alternative management structure that is specifically developed to emulate world-class performance in a short period of time without the need to get into the complications of using existing performance improvement methodologies for such organisations, which is rather complicated, lengthy and highly risky.
Evaluation of the Reality of the Management and Treatment of Solid Waste in Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital
Authors: Yaseen AL Kindi Ghayda , . .
Published: April 2019

The aim of this study is to evaluate the reality of the management and treatment of solid waste in Al-Yarmouk teaching hospital, it’s observed that total generation rate of solid waste per day was 116.133 kg/day. while the rate of medical waste generation was 55.075 kg/day. More than 50% of this waste was generated in the surgery rooms and patients' rooms. As well as, it was found that the generation rate of waste for each bed per day was (0.87) kg, while it was (0.28 kg/bed.day) of medical solid waste. In addition, the medical wastes characteristics are studied by taking samples during 3 months of 2017, and analyzing them to determine their moisture content and density. The moisture content are observed between (1.7-30%, 40-56%) for medical and general waste respectively. While the density are (270.4 and 239), kg/m3 for medical and general waste respectively. In addition, the number of surgical operations and the number of patients per day are shown to be most important factors affecting the generation rate of medical waste in the hospital. The treatment of medical wastes for Al-Yarmouk Hospital adopts a system of steam sterilization in a special system.