bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PERANCANGAN SISTEM INFORMASI PENDAFTARAN TANAH SISTEMATIS LENGKAP BERBASIS WEBSITE DI KANTOR PERTANAHAN KOTA MEDAN
Authors: Nugraha Muhammad Ihsan , Baihaqi Muhammad Alwi , Wicaksono Pandu , Lubis Aidil Halim
Published: April 2023

Proses sertifikasi yang panjang memaksa pemerintah untuk fokus meluncurkan program prioritas nasional bernama Pendaftaran Tanah Sistem Lengkap (PTSL). Program ini diprioritaskan agar masyarakat yang belum memiliki sertifikat tanah dapat mendaftarkan tanahnya dengan mudah, aman dan cepat. Sertifikat tanah dianggap penting dikarenakan merupakan salah satu bukti hak atas tanah dan dapat menghindari segala sengketa ataupun perseteruan antar masyarakat. Namun nyatanya program ini dinilai masih belum efektif dan efisien dikarenakan proses pendaftaran serta pendataannya masih bersifat manual. Selain itu informasi terkait program ini juga belum tentu didengar oleh seluruh masyarakat. Maka dari itu dibutuhkan sarana informasi yang memadai yang mampu memberikan informasi sepenuhnya terkait PTSL.  Dengan memanfaatkan kemajuan teknologi, segala permasalahan tersebut dapat diatasi. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk membuat sebuah sistem informasi PTSL berbasis website. Dalam proses perancangannya menggunakan metode perancangan sistem waterfall yang terdiri dari tahapan analisis sistem, perancangan sistem, implementasi sistem, pengujian sistem dan operation and maintenance. Hasil penelitian ini berupa website sistem informasi PTSL yang telah dirancang sedemikian rupa.
PERANCANGAN SISTEM INFORMASI WISATA KULINER MENGGUNAKAN UNIFIED MODELLING LANGUAGE (UML)
Authors: Dewi Suzana , Atmojo Suryo , Widhiyanta Nurwahyudi , Dwi Agustin Achmad Stevany , Shubhan Muhammad
Published: April 2023

Desain Sistem Informasi Wisata Kuliner menggunakan Unified Modelling Language (UML), adalah merupakan suatu bentuk sistem penyusunan informasi wisata kuliner yang diharapkan akan mampu memberikan suatu informasi dan kemudahan bagi para pemain bisnis di bidang kuliner yang hendak mempromosikan serta memperkenalkan usaha kulinernya di media internet dengan pengenaan biaya yang terjangkau dan sangat ekonomis, dengan menggunakan suatu bahasa standar visualisasi, perancangan, dan pendokumentasian sistem, atau dikenal juga sebagai bahasa standar penulisan cetak biru sebuah perangkat lunak (soft ware). Dengan adanya UML ini, maka diharapkan mampu mempermudah pengembangan piranti lunak (RPL) serta memenuhi semua kebutuhan pengguna dengan efektif, lengkap, dan tepat. Sistem informasi wisata kuliner ini akan mencakup secara jelas dan lengkap namun efektif, untuk berbagai info tentang kuliner yang ditawarkan, mulai dari petunjuk cara mengakses lokasi tempat keberadaannya, jam operasional, semua fasilitas yang disediakan, berbagai macam dan ragam layanan yang diberikan, paket – paket promosi yang ditawarkan, termasuk juga keunikan yang ada, dan yang paling utama adalah menu makanan yang ditawarkan secara lengkap dengan harga dan variasinya. Desain Sistem Informasi ini akan menggunakan metode waterfall, sedangkan untuk perancangan sistem seperti dijelaskan di bagian awal, akan menggunakan model rancangan UML. Desain informasi meliputi use case diagram, class diagram dan sequence diagram.
A POP CULTURE IN EDUCATION: AMUSING WAY TO ENHANCE STUDENTS' LISTENING SKILL
Authors: Rizka Dina Isramira , Farizi Rianto  , Indriani
Published: April 2023

Listening is one of the four skills that educators must teach in language learning. Students appeared to struggle with listening, based on observations in the classroom. One of the pedagogical techniques for improving listening skills is pop culture. The goal of this study is to see how utilizing pop culture as a formative assessment for English language training might help students develop their listening skills in an enjoyable way. Because it is connected to students' lives and experiences, pop culture serves as a stimulus for eliciting ideas, knowledge, inspiration, and interest in listening comprehension.
The Effect of Comic Strips towards Students’ Reading Comprehension
Authors: Purnama Tsania Ranti , Subroto Gatot , Murni Dewi
Published: April 2023

This study aimed to know the effect of comic strips towards students’ reading comprehension at tenth grade students of a Senior High School in Tanjungpinang. The research design in this study was quantitative approach namely pre-experimental research. The participants of this study were a class of tenth grade students in the academic year of 2021/2022. The instruments for collecting the data were reading comprehension test given as pre-test and post-test. The test consisted of 20 questions and the format was multiple choice. The questions made by the researcher according to strategies for reading comprehension and validated by the lecturer and teacher at the target school. The test is given to other class which was similar level to the target class in the same school before given to the experimental class as post-test and pre-test to get the reliability of the test. The results of data analysis revealed that the effect of comic strips towards students’ reading comprehension for tenth grade students was very good. It improved significantly the students’ reading comprehension.
Microblog: An Interactive Learning Media for Learning English
Authors: Nurbayti Sri Dwi , Candra Muhammad , Elfiza Rona
Published: April 2023

This research intended to design a Microblog on Instagram as interactive learning media to learn the descriptive text for Grade 7. The media designed to assist students comprehend in English learning, especially descriptive text. This research was conducted at SMP Negeri 16 Tanjungpinang for the academic year 2021/2022 on class VII E, which consisted of 38 students. This research was Research and Development (R&D). The development model was Thiagarajan model which are 4D (Define, Design, Develop, and Disseminate). Moreover, this research was limited to Develop stage. The instrument to collect the data was several questionnaires which consist of validation questionnaire and student practicality questionnaire. The results of data analysis revealed that the score of media validation is 86% with "very good/very valid" and the score of material validation is 90% with "very good/very valid". Thus, the score of the media trial to observe the practicality of the media is 80% with "practical". The Microblog on Instagram as Interactive Learning Media was valid and proper to use for learning and advantageous for students to comprehend English learning materials, especially on descriptive text.
Designing Interactive Workbook via Liveworksheets for Reading Skill at Grade 10
Authors: Utami Cellia Apridita Cahya , Nopita Dewi , Subroto Gatot
Published: April 2023

This research aimed to design interactive workbook via Liveworksheets for reading skill at tenth grade. The subject of this research was a class of 10th grade students in a Senior High School in Tanjungpinang, which consisted of 16 students. This research was research and development with the ADDE model based on Richey and Klein (2014). This research focused on designing interactive workbook for the tenth grade second semester English materials. It consisted of announcement text, recount text, and narrative text. There were four phases in this research which are analysis phase, design phase, development phase, and evaluation phase. The result from the validation stage showed that there was minor revision in the media aspect. After the revision had been approved by the validator, the interactive workbook was decent to be used in the classroom. From the practical result, it can be seen that the interactive workbook got good responses from the students. The interactive workbook also met the students’ characteristics which were classified as generation Z.
EFL Undergraduate Students’ Competence, Relatedness, and Autonomy in Online Learning: A Self-Determination Perspective
Authors: Bayu Dwi , Saputra Eko
Published: April 2023

Due to the pandemic of Covid-19, numerous educational institutions have attempted to shift their pedagogical instruction from face-to-face to online teaching and learning. A plethora of studies have been published on how online learning should be provided. However, there is a paucity of research on the psychological needs that online learning provides for language learners. To bridge that gap, this descriptive study aims to investigate the university students' perspectives on psychological needs, particularly regarding their competence, relatedness, and autonomy concerning self-determination theory. The quantitative research design study attempts to investigate students' autonomy, competence, and relatedness in online tertiary learning. Sixty people were asked to fill out a survey-based questionnaire that included questions about autonomy (5 items), competence (5 items), and relatedness (8 items). The study's findings reveal that online grammar sessions meet undergraduate students' basic physiological learning needs despite the lack of physical human interaction. Among those three aspects, students' sense of relatedness had the highest mean. It meant the undergraduate students had no feeling of isolation while attending online learning. This present study suggests that teachers should consider students' interests to improve autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
Authors: Ahmed Mohamed S. , Neamah Ahmed A. , Abed Ali N.
Published: April 2023

Background: Coronary artery bypass graft is routinely performed on an arrested heart using cardiopulmonary bypass with aortic cross clamping and Cardioplegia. Off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (OPCABG) is being increasingly used in selected cases as an attempt to decrease morbidity and mortality.Objective: The main objective of this study is to clarify those patients who are indicated for OPCABG despite it is surgically demanding technique and to evaluate the mortality and morbidity associated with such procedures.Patients and methods: It is a retrospective study of 28 patients with coronary artery disease, in need for coronary artery bypass graft admitted and surgically treated at the Iraqi Centre for Heart Diseases during 2 years period using OPCABG.Results : most of the patients were male (82%), and most of them (42%) were within age group of 61-70 years, the main indication of off-pump coronary artery bypass graft was left ventricular dysfunction and the least indication was cerebrovascular accident and renal impairment.Conclusion: Off-pump coronary artery bypass graft is useful in context of morbidity and mortality when indicated for patients with special criteria, those patients might get harm if we put them on bypass.
Unintended durotomy during degenerative lumbar spine surgery (Incidence and management).
Authors: AbdulWahid Tarik , AbdulWahid Ali T. , Salah Ammar
Published: April 2023

Background: Unintended durotomy is an infrequent but well-recognized Complication during degenerative lumbar spine surgery. The current literatures report a wide variation in incidence of durotomy during degenerative lumbar spine surgery.Objective: To assess the incidence, treatment, clinical consequence, complications of unintended durotomy during degenerative lumbar spine surgery, and the results of 2-24 months clinical follow-up.Patients and Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 264 patients who underwent degenerative lumbar spine surgery performed in Al-Sheikh Zayed Hospital and private nursing home hospital- medical city in Baghdad from January 2011 to June 2012. Patients managed by spine fixation were excluded from this study.Results: The incidence of unintended durotomy during spine surgery was 8.33% (22 of 264 cases). The incidence varies according to the type of surgery being performed (6.66% in primary discectomy, 12.5% in decompressive laminectomy and 21.73% in revision surgery). Unintended durotomy was more common in revision surgery compared with primary surgery (21.73% vs 7.05%; p < .001), and it was significantly more common among elderly patients (17.39% in patients > 60 years old; p = .006). Most of the durotomies were managed by primary repair. A mean follow-up of 6 months showed good long-term clinical results.Conclusions: All unintended durotomies must be repaired primarily. Durotomies that were immediately recognized and treated did not lead to any significant sequelae at a mean follow-up of 6 months.
Childhood Lymphoblastic Lymphoma: Hospital Based Study.
Authors: Fadhil Samaher A. , Al-Darraji Amir F. , Al-saeed Raghad M. , Al-Hadad Salma
Published: April 2023

Background: Lymphoblastic lymphomas (LBL) are neoplasms of precursor T cells and B cells, or lymphoblasts. The term lymphoblastic lymphoma has been used to describe predominantly lymph node– based disease; however, clinical distinction between LBL and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has been arbitrary and has varied among different studies and institutionsObjectives: To determine the frequency of LBL among all Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) patients in children and to study the clinical and pathological features of LBL and assess the treatment outcome.Methods: A retrospective study included 28 children with newly diagnosed LBL (based on morphology) below the age of 14 years over 8 years period from January 1st, 2000 to December 31st, 2007 All the patients except one were treated by modified Medical Research Council UK National Randomized Trial For Children and young Adult with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (MRC UKALL) regimen, one patient was misdiagnosed as B-cell NHL and treated with United Kingdom Children’s Cancer Study Group (UKCCSG) Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma protocol.Results: LBL forms 28/376 (7.1%) among NHL diagnosed in Children Welfare Teaching Hospital (CWTH) in the same period. The median age was 8.95 years (range 2 to 13.25 years) with male to female ratio of 3.7:1. Lymphadenopathy was present in 22 (78 .6%) of patients. The median duration of onset of symptoms was 7.25 months (range 1 week to 18 months). In response to treatment, 20 (71.4%) patients achieved complete remission (CR), 1 (3.6%) died during induction and 7 (25%) patients were non-responder (4 died and 3 abandoned). Of the 20 patients who achieved complete remission (CR); thirteen (46.4%) remained in  continuous complete remission with a median follow up of 32.3 months, 3 (10.7%) patients died while inCR in an average of 16.6 weeks, 2 (7.1%) patients abandoned treatment and 2 (7.1%) patients relapsed.Conclusion: The study showed a low frequency of LBL in comparison with other studies which might be due to inadequate diagnostic facilities which differentiate LBL from other types of NHL, low survival rate might be due to advanced stages at presentation in addition to abandonment of treatment in some patients
Role of Visual Evoked Potentials in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Thame Ammar A. , Mohammed Najeeb H. , Ibrahim Akram M.
Published: April 2023

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) affecting young adults and is considered as the leading cause of non traumatic neurological disability of young adults affecting nearly 2 million people worldwide. The pathogenesis of MS is at best incompletely understood. There are several proposed mechanisms that may be important in the production of MS plaques: autoimmunity, environment and heredity. Deviation of immune responses in a genetically susceptible patient plays a central role in its pathogenesis. Electrophysiological, spinal tap and Radiological tools are important laboratory investigations and have added so much to the clinical diagnosis and for the classification of MS. It was found that visual function and conduction has been changed in patients with multiple sclerosis.Objectives: The aims of the study is to estimate and evaluate the visual evoked potential (VEP) parameters in patients with MS and its relation to their disability degree (using the expanded disability status scale score "EDSS") and visual presentation of them in comparison with healthy individuals.Patients and Methods: 112 patients with multiple sclerosis and 50 subjects without any neurological or psychiatric diseases as control group were recruited in this study. The cases were collected from Baghdad teaching hospital, MS center, Baghdad, Iraq at the period from May 2012 to April 2013, and studied at the unit of electrophysiology in Al-Shaheed Ghazi Al-Hareri Hospital in the Medical city. All patients and control groups were tested for VEP.Results: The present study showed a significant increase in the P100 latency and inter-ocular (IO) latency difference and non statistical significant decrease in the IO amplitude difference in patients group than the control group. Also among patients group there was positive linear correlation between the severity of the disease measured by EDSS score and P100 latency while negative linear correlation with the amplitude. Conclusion: There was a higher percent of patients with defective VEP parameters and so their visual pathway even if it was asymptomatic, in addition to their relation with patients` disability than the control group, making it easy to quantify and predict MS disability objectively. Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, Expanded Disability Status Scale, VEP.
Laparoscopic splenectomy using bipolar vessel sealing system
Authors: Jassim Aws Kh. , Turkey Fareed A. , Ibraheem Ahmed A.
Published: April 2023

Background: Newly developed vessels sealing device built upon bipolar diathermy technology had a greatimpact on facilitating advances laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic splenectomy is well established procedurebut in this study the procedure is totally based on bipolar vessel sealing system in devascularization of thespleen.Objective: To evaluate the safety of laparoscopic splenectomy with vessels sealing device and itsoutcome.Patient and method: Prospective study conducted in Baghdad Teaching Hospital and Dijlah private hospitalfrom October 2009 to October 2013. Thirty patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura(ITP) wereincluded and had laparoscopic splenectomy . The adapted procedure was stapleless laproscopic splenectomy,without clips using vessels sealing device only.Result: A total of 30 patients were recruited. The mean of their ages was 25.2 years. Eleven of them weremales and 19 were females. The mean operative time was 84.3 min. The mean estimated blood loss was 105ml. Twenty seven spleens were extracted through small Pfannenstiel incision and 3 spleens were retrievedby retrieval bag. No conversion had occurred; the mean hospital stay was 2.3 days. Neither bleeding norany other serious complication related to this technique were observed, only one patient complicated bycollection which was treated by aspiration under ultrasound guide. No mortalities were recorded.Conclusion: Laparoscopic splenectomy of normal size and mildly enlarged spleen with use of vessels sealing device without staple or clips is safe and effective.
Gentamycin injection in disc space during lumbar discectomy (aiming to prevent post - operative discitis)
Authors: AbdulWahid Ali T.
Published: April 2023

Background: Postoperative discitis is uncommon 4%, but it is the most disabling postoperative complication after lumbar discectomy.Objective: To assess the effectiveness of intradiscal Gentamycin in prevention of lumbar discitis post operatively.Patients and Methods: This is a prospective study involving 320 patients, who had lumbar discectomy. 140 patients (first group) from Jan. 2012 to Jan. 2013 were not had intradiscal gentamycin injection, while 180 patients (2nd group) From Jan 2013 to Jan 2014 (2nd group) had intradiscal injection of 80mg Gentamycin at the end of surgery and before closing up. Follow up was done 10 days to 6weeks after surgery by W.B.C count, ESR, C-reactive protein and clinical assessment.Results: There were eight cases (6%) of postoperative discitis in the first group, while in the second group there was only one patient (0.5%) with postoperative discitis who had intradiscal injection of Gentamycin (0.5%).Conclusions: Intradiscal Gentamycin injection during lumbar discectomy is effective in preventing of postoperative discitis.
Degradation of the first frequency of an RC frame with damage levels
Authors: Nguyen Quy , Livaoğlu Ramazan
Published: April 2023

Damage in RC structures causes the degradation of stiffness and frequency parameters. In this study, the relationship between the two coefficients and damage severities is numerically investigated considering a three-dimensional (3D) reinforced concrete (RC) frame in which the concrete damage plasticity model (CDPM) and the elastoplastic model are selected to define concrete and reinforcement materials, respectively. Crack propagation of the frame is obtained utilizing a nonlinear static pushover analysis (NSPA). After the pushing procedure, according to the base shear force versus top displacement curve, the bending stiffness of the RC structure is determined rapidly. Thereafter, the degradation of the first frequency is obtained based directly on the nonlinear curve of stiffness. As a result, it is observed that the degradation of the first frequency of the RC frame is proportional to the severity of damage but not linearly. More significant damage, a more profound decrease in the modal characteristic. Particularly, the fundamental frequency of the RC frame reduces gradually until the base shear force reaches 70% of the ultimate value at which the parameter is about 60% of the counterpart at the intact stage. After that, the reduction gets more significant when the bending capacity approaches the ultimate value.
Effect of date palm and polypropylene fibers on the characteristics of self-compacting concretes: comparative study
Authors: Derdour Dounia , Behim Mourad , Benzerara Mohammed
Published: April 2023

This article presents the results of a comparative experimental study on the influence of date palm fibers to replace polypropylene fibers used as reinforcement in self-compacting concrete (SCC). Indeed, the use of polypropylene fibers makes it possible to reduce the plastic shrinkage of concrete. Date palm fibers have mechanical characteristics (tensile strength and elasticity modulus) largely sufficient to replace polypropylene fibers. The use of natural fibers has several advantages, they are natural, renewable, have no affect the environment and require little energy for their transformation, unlike synthetic fibers. In this comparative study, polypropylene fiber is used as control material and date palm fiber as study material. The results obtained show that the two types of fibers decrease the fluidity and the compressive strength but increase the flexural strength and decrease the shrinkage. Date palm fibers delay the appearance of cracks more than polypropylene fibers. Date palm fibers guarantee the best results of SCCs in fresh and hardened state
A review of the application of the simulated annealing algorithm in structural health monitoring (1995-2021)
Authors: Ghannadi Parsa , Kourehli Seyed Sina , Mirjalili Seyedali
Published: April 2023

In recent years, many innovative optimization algorithms have been developed. These algorithms have been employed to solve structural damage detection problems as an inverse solution. However, traditional optimization methods such as particle swarm optimization, simulated annealing (SA), and genetic algorithm are constantly employed to detect damages in the structures. This paper reviews the application of  SA in different disciplines of structural health monitoring, such as damage detection, finite element model updating, optimal sensor placement, and system identification. The methodologies, objectives, and results of publications conducted between 1995 and 2021 are analyzed. This paper also provides an in-depth discussion of different open questions and research directions in this area.
Mechanical and Fractured surface characterization of epoxy/red mud/fly ash/ aluminium powder filled hybrid composites for automotive applications
Authors: Anil K. C. , Hemavathi A.B. , Adeebpasha A.
Published: April 2023

In recent decades, one can observe a great increase in the replacement of traditional materials with polymer composites in high-strength and lightweight applications. High fuel consumption by automobile and aerospace vehicles built from legacy alloys has been a great challenge to material engineers. This has called for researches into lighter material development of the same or even superior mechanical properties to the existing materials in this area of applications. In the present study, epoxy based simple and hybrid composites were prepared with the incorporation of industrial waste as fillers at different weight percentages. Effect of filler type, combination and its concentration on mechanical properties such as tensile, impact and flexural strength were investigated. SEM analysis was carried out for fractured surfaces of composites, wherein minor voids, crack initiations and filler pullouts were seen indicating the necessity of coupling agent addition for still better performance. Among hybrid composites, epoxy/fly ash/red mud/aluminium powder (91/6/1.5/1.5 wt%) has showed the highest ultimate tensile modulus, flexural strength and hardness value compared to other composites under study.
Efficiency of shape memory alloy seismic restrainers for several conditions of bridge joints
Authors: El-Feky Mohamed Hamdy , Eraky Atef , M. Sharabash Alaa
Published: April 2023

Movement joints are needed in bridges to accommodate longitudinal expansion and contraction. Enough joint width needs to be available to accommodate not only longitudinal expansion but also expected movements of joints during earthquakes. This may result in excessive joint openings. Devices that can dissipate energy have been suggested to reduce joint displacements. Shape memory alloy (SMA) is one of these energy dissipation devices, which is well known for its ability to return to its natural shape after being deformed. Several cases of bridges and different conditions of seismic events are modeled and tested using developed software programs in MATLAB to show the efficiency of using SMA inside bridge joint openings. These models include the case of two adjacent frames with SMA inside them (2–frames), the case of multi–frames with constant hysteretic SMAs between every two of them (N–frames), the case of multi–frames with constant hysteretic SMAs taking the delay of seismic forces between frames into consideration (delay), and the case of variable masses of bridge frames. Also, parametric studies are performed to show the impacts of all parameters of bridge frames and SMA retrofit devices on seismically joint openings. The results show that the superelastic SMA device plays a huge role in controlling bridge opening and enables limiting the joint width of all models during earthquakes with different values reaching 60% in some cases depending on bridge frame properties, ground motion characteristics, and the hysteretic properties of SMA devices.
Experimental and numerical investigations of the flexural behaviour ‎of Green - Ultra High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete ‎beams under repeated loads
Authors: Ayman Abdo Ayman Abdo , Ramadan Asker Ramadan Asker , sobhy Dina Atif , Sayed Ahmed Sayed Ahmed
Published: April 2023

There are various benefits to ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete ‎‎(UHPFRC). However, using a lot of cement in this type of concrete has a severe disadvantage since it causes pollution and several environmental concerns. Therefore, another type of concrete that achieves the same superior properties as UHPFRC while using less cement in the mixture should be considered. This research examined replacing cement with fly ash to produce environmentally friendly concrete called Green-UHPFRC. The impact of utilizing G-UHPFRC on the flexural behaviour of thirteen beams was investigated experimentally and numerically under repeated loads. The major parameters of the study were fly ash replacement ratios of 15%, 30%, and 45% and adding steel fiber to mixes with ratios of 1, 2, 3, and 4%. The tested beams were compared to the control beam in their backbone and hysteresis curves, failure load, crack propagation and failure modes, energy dissipation, stiffness degradation, and ductility index. From the results obtained, environmentally friendly concrete (G-UHPFRC) can be produced by replacing cement with fly ash up to 45% and adding 2% steel fiber without affecting the bending performance of beams made of G-UHPFRC compared to those made of UHPFRC.
Fracture behaviour of concrete with different replacement rates of iron tailings sand based on double-K criterion
Authors: Zhang Yao , Ma Wei-Hua , Kang Hong-Zhen , Li Qiang
Published: April 2023

The article conducts a study on the iron tailings sand concrete's fracture behaviour based on the double-K criterion. Five sets of standard three-point bending beam specimens of concrete with 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% iron tailings sand replacement river sand respectively were fracture tested, and the P-CMOD and P- ε curves of each set of specimens were measured to determine the pertinent fracture parameters. The specimens were also microscopically tested using scanning electron microscopy and mercury intrusion porosimetry. The results demonstrate that the fracture processes and damage patterns of iron tailings sand concrete and river sand concrete are comparable; the addition of iron tailings sand improves initial cracking load and initial cracking toughness more significantly than unstable cracking load and unstable cracking toughness; the ductility of iron tailings sand concrete is marginally inferior; and the results of microscopic tests demonstrate that the addition of iron tailings sand can improve the morphology and pore structure of the interface transition zone. Therefore, from the assessment of fracture mechanics, iron tailings sand can totally replace river sand in equivalent quantities for concrete preparation, which will provide great potential for the secondary use of iron tailings sand.
Fracture analysis of defect Chlorinated Poly Vinyl Chloride pipes based on burst pressure and prediction their fraction of life
Authors: Gugouch Fatima , Wahid Achraf , Bassir Youssef , Elghorba Mohamed
Published: April 2023

Most Chlorinated Poly Vinyl Chloride (CPVC) resins contain 63-69 % chlorine, in particular those used for the extrusion of plumbing tubes, due to this chlorination of basic PVC, CPVC offers a mixture of corrosion resistance and low installation costs for its main applications requiring service in non-ambient conditions. CPVC replaces copper owing to its economic gain and by virtue of its pressure resistance characteristics. In this article, we have been interested in fracture analysis and damage modeling of CPVC tubes by subject CPVC samples to burst pressure tests. We performed a set of burst tests on virgin and artificially damaged CPVC pipe at different notch lengths, then submitted the specimens to burst pressure tests, in addition to recording the pressure and time during these tests for use in conducting the study. The results of the burst tests were exploited to estimate the damage and reliability of the material, these two parameters allow us to follow the degradation of the pipes used; subsequently, we determined a new relationship between these two parameters through the fraction life. This makes it possible to predict the moment of damage acceleration and to intervene at the right time for engaging predictive maintenance.
Mechanical and Fracture Characterization of Epoxy/PLA/Graphene/SiO2 Composites
Authors: Dileep K. , Srinath A. , Banapurmath N.R. , Umarfarooq M.A. , Sajjan A.M.
Published: April 2023

This work investigated the effects of graphene and SiO2 addition on the mechanical and fracture properties of epoxy (80%) - Polylactic acid (PLA) (20 %) composites. Epoxy-PLA composites were loaded with graphene and SiO2 (0.1-0.5 wt. % with equal weightage of each filler), and were manufactured by bath sonication followed by manual casting.  The tensile, flexural strength and fracture toughness of nanocomposites increased with an increase in filler concentration till it reached 0.3 wt. %. The addition of filler content higher than 0.3 wt. % drastically reduced the mechanical and fracture properties. The fractured surfaces from the tensile tests were examined using Scanning electron microscopy imaging to understand the effects of filler addition. The numerical analysis was also performed to simulate the impact of filler concentration on the tensile strength of nanocomposites using representative volume element (RVE) in ANSYS workbench.
An assessment of HDPE fillers and Fiber Wrapping on the strength of Reinforced Concrete
Authors: Gudadappanavar Basavaraj , Kulkarni Dilip , Gouda Shivakumar
Published: April 2023

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) is the most promising technique in the present era to bring sustainability, reliability, and pseudo ductility to concrete structures due to its superior properties. Thermoplastic and thermoset polymers are the most thrown-out synthetic waste that contributes to environmental pollution for a long time. Knowing this issue an attempt was made to use High-Density Polyethylene Fiber (HDPE) fillers of size 40x2 mm has been used in concrete. This investigation aims to estimate the integrity effect of HDPE fillers incorporation and wrapping of concrete with Basalt fiber mats (BFM) and Geo-textile fiber mats (GFM) on split tensile strength, shear strength, and impact resistance as per standards. Results indicate that the addition of an optimum quantity of HDPE has a significant effect on improving the tensile, shear, and impact strengths. Adding HDPE fillers in the range of 0.5 - 1.5% in concrete samples wrapped with Basalt and Geo-textile fiber mats showed an increased tensile strength of up to 14.06% and 7.40% respectively with that conventional concrete. Further, wrapping of concrete using Basalt fiber and geotextile fiber mats showed a 4.16% and 20% increase in shear strength for 0.5% HDPE-incorporated concrete samples. Higher impact resistance was also observed for HDPE-added and fiber-wrapped concrete samples.
Optimization of S-N curve fitting based on neighborhood rough set reduction with improved firefly algorithm
Authors: Li Yangjinyu , Zou Li , Zhu Zhengjie
Published: April 2023

S-N curve fatigue samples of titanium alloy welded joints have such a comparatively significant scatter, that results in the issue that the fatigue life prediction accuracy is not optimal. In this work, the titanium alloy welded joints' fatigue data is used as analysis data, and the neighborhood rough set reduction with improved firefly algorithm efficient method of fitting stress-life curves is set forth. The welded joint's fatigue decision system is built with fatigue data. The continuous iteration of the firefly algorithm is used as the search strategy, the neighborhood rough set is adopted to decrease attributes, and the major deciding elements of welded joints' fatigue life is identified. The fatigue characteristic domains are divided based on the neighborhood rough set reduction with improved firefly algorithm's key factor set, and the S-N curves can then be fitted to each domain individually. According to the goodness-of-fit analysis, the proposed approach can improve fatigue life accuracy and reduce sample scattering from fatigue.
Free vibration analysis of the structural integrity on the porous functionally graded plates using a novel Quasi-3D hyperbolic high order shear deformation theory
Authors: Hadj Meliani Mohammed , Kenanda Mohammed Amine , Hammadi Fodil , Belabed Zakaria
Published: April 2023

In this study, a novel quasi-three dimensional hyperbolic high-order shear deformation theory (quasi-3D HHSDT) is developed for free vibration analysis of porous functionally graded plates (FGPs). There are six unknowns in the current displacement field, and no shear correction factor is required. The mechanical properties are varied continuously through the thickness of porous FG plates using a modified power law function while considering the effect of porosities on the plate’s structural integrity. Two distinct porosity distribution models are considered, including even and uneven porosity distributions. The Navier technique is employed to obtain the closed-form solutions of motion's equations. An exhaustive parametric study is presented to show the influence of the different parameters on the fundamental frequencies.
Effects of Eight Weeks of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Exercises on the Balance of Older Men
Authors:   Department of Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Exercise Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran., Safari Hamed , Zolaktaf Vahid ,   Department of Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Exercise Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.
Published: April 2023

Background and Aims Ageing is associated with physical changes where balance impairment is one of important consequences. In this study, we aim to investigate the effect of an 8-week dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS) program on the balance of older men. Methods Thirty-six older men (age: 66.5±1.02 years, height: 171.8±1.17 cm, and weight: 75.4±2.16 kg) were purposefully selected based on the inclusion criteria. They were then paired based on the functional reach test score and randomly assigned to exercise (n=18) and control (n=18) groups. The pre-test and post-test assessments included the functional reach test and the Y balance test. The exercise group performed the DNS exercises for eight weeks (three sessions of one hour per week), while the control group performed their routine daily activities. The collected data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA in SPSS software. Results There was a significant interaction effect of time and group on the scores of both functional reach test and Y balance test (F(1,23)=12.17, P=0.002, η2>0.35). From the pre-test to the post-test phase, there was a significant improvement in the exercise group, while no significant improvement was reported in the control group. Conclusion The DNS program can affect the balance of older men. It is recommended to use these exercises to improve their balance.
Assessment and Comparison the Effect of Exercise in Different Depth of Water On Postural Stability and Balance Recovery Strategies of Older People: A Clinical Trial
Authors:   Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran, Beyranvand Ramin , Sahebozamani Mansour ,   Department of Sport Injury and Corrective Exercises, faculty of Sport Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran, Daneshjoo Abdolhamid ,   Department of Sport Injury and Corrective Exercises, faculty of Sport Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran, Seyedjafari Ehsan ,   Department of Sport Injury and Corrective Exercises, faculty of Sport Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran
Published: April 2023

Background and Aims Water exercise is one of the most important interventions to reduce the risk of falls in the elderly. However, the effect of exercise in different depths of water has been less studied. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate and compare the effect of 8 weeks aquatic exercise in shallow and deep parts of the pool on postural stability and balance recovery strategies of the elderly. Methods In this quasi-experimental study, a total of 45 elderly males (60-70 years old) were randomly selected and classified into a control and 2 intervention groups of shallow and deep-water exercises. The intervention groups participated in a water exercise program for 8 weeks, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Postural stability and balance recovery strategies of all groups before and after the intervention were evaluated using Biodex balance system and Motion Analysis system, respectively. Finally, the Mixed ANOVA test was used for data analysis(P≤0.05). Results The results showed a significant increase in postural stability after conducting both types of water exercise programs(P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between balance recovery strategies of all groups(P>0.05). The results also showed that there was no significant difference between the scores of two intervention groups(P>0.05). Conclusion In brief, it seems that both types of shallow and deep-water exercises can significantly improve the postural stability of the elderly. While these exercises cannot significantly change their balance recovery strategies. However, due to the more effective role of shallow water exercises in transferring balance strategies from the hip to ankle joint, it is recommended to pay more attention to the role of these exercises in improving the balance of older people.
The Immediate Effect of Swedish Relaxation Massage and Meditation After Mental Fatigue on Dynamic and Semi-dynamic Balance and Lower Extremity Function in Collegiate Female Athletes
Authors:   Department of Corrective Exercises and Sport Injuries, Physical Education Faculty, Razi Univesity, Kermanshah, Iran., Gholami Faezeh , Haidary Manouchehr ,   Department of Corrective Exercises and Sport Injuries, Physical Education Faculty, Razi Univesity, Kermanshah, Iran., Gandomi Farzaneh ,   Department of Corrective Exercises and Sport Injuries, Physical Education Faculty, Razi Univesity, Kermanshah, Iran.
Published: April 2023

Background and Aims Nowadays, Participating in sports activities along with mental fatigue causes musculoskeletal injuries and one of the most important factors in reducing the rate of these injuries is having proper recovery. Swedish relaxation massage and meditation are some of the interventions that can possibly affect people’s mental fatigue. Therefore, the purpose of this study was immediate effect of Swedish relaxation massage and meditation after mental fatigue on dynamic and semi-dynamic balance and Lower extremity function in collegiate female athletes. Methods the current study is a pre-experimental design with pre- and post-test and intervention practices in an experimental group. 16 female athletes aged 20 to 24 years at Razi University were purposefully selected as samples that they were subjected to protocols of mental fatigue (45 minutes of cognitive activity [stroop test]), Swedish relaxation massage (30 minutes) and meditation (30 minutes) with an interval of 48 hours. We were evaluated Dynamic balance with a Y-balance device, semi-dynamic balance with a Lafayette Stability Platform, Lower extremity function with left test. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software, version 22 through paired t-test. Results There was a significant difference between the semi-dynamic, dynamic balance and lower extremity function means in pre-test to post-test, as the means decreased after fatigue (P<0.05). Also, there was a significant difference between post-tests means of semi-dynamic, dynamic balance and lower extremity function between Swedish relaxation massage and meditation (P<0.05). Conclusion In order to prevent injury to athletes, Swedish relaxation massage and meditation can be used as interventions to reduce mental fatigue and improve balance and Lower extremity function.
Effect of a Corrective Exercise Program Based on the National Academy of Sports Medicine’s Protocol on Forward Head Angle and Cervical Joint Position Sense in Females With Forward Head Posture
Authors:   Department of Sports Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Shafagh Institute of Higher Education, Tonekabon, Mazadaran, Iran., Abdolahzadeh Mahsa , Daneshmandi Hassan ,   Department of Sports Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
Published: April 2023

Background and Aims Nowadays, the musculoskeletal disorders and postural problems due to inappropriate postural habits and uninterrupted repetitive movements are important issues in sports medicine. Recently, the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)’s corrective exercise protocol has received attention from scholars. This study aims to evaluate the effect of a corrective exercise program based on NASM’s protocol on the forward head angle and cervical joint position sense. Methods This is a quasi-experimental study. Participants were 30 female college students, aged 18-25 years with a forward head angle > 46 degrees, who were randomly divided into two groups of control (N=15, age=20±2 years, height=1.59±3.03 m, weight=58.13±5.08 kg, BMI=22.71±1.41 kg/m2) and exercise (N=15, age= 20.53±1.55 years, height=1.60±0.02 m, weight=60.53±4.10 kg, BMI=23.61±1.20 kg/m2). The exercise group performed corrective exercises for eight weeks, three sessions per week, each for 30-70 minutes, while the control group did not receive any intervention. The lateral photography method was used for measuring forward head posture. The cervical joint position sense was assessed using the target angle repositioning error test before and after corrective exercises. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and analysis of covariance. The significance level was set at 0.001. Results Eight weeks of corrective exercises reduced the forward head angle and target angle repositioning error in the exercise group compared to the control group (P≤0.001). Conclusion Corrective exercises based on NASM’s protocol seem to reduce the forward head angle and improve the cervical joint position sense. Therefore, correctional treatment specialists and therapists are recommended to use the program to improve the forward head posture and cervical proprioception in women with this postural deformity.
Comparing the Effects of Three Methods of Foot Massage on Movement Performance, Risk of Falling, and Quality of Life (QoL) In Men With Blindness
Authors:   Department of Health and Sport Medicine, Faculty of Sport Science and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran., Mohammadkhani Kamal , Moghadas Tabrizi Yousef ,   Department of Health and Sport Medicine, Faculty of Sport Science and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran., Karimizadeh Ardakani Mohammad ,   Department of Health and Sport Medicine, Faculty of Sport Science and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Published: April 2023

Background and Aims Weakness in receptors involved in proprioception can limit the range of motion of the ankle and knee, as one of the most important causes of lower limb movement disorder and the risk of falling. People with sensory disorders such as visual impairment, have limitations in performing daily activities, and their physical activity, muscle strength, cardiovascular endurance, balance, and athletic performance decrease. This study aims to compare the effects of three foot massage techniques on movement performance, risk of falling, and quality of life of visually impaired men, and assess the persistence of their effects. Methods This is a quasi-experimental study with a pretest/posttest/follow-up design. Thirty men with blindness were randomly divided into three intervention groups including foot massage with a ball (n=10), foot massage with a brush (n=10), and foot massage with hands(n=10). They received foot massage for 21 days, massage day for 10 minutes (5 minutes for each foot). The Tinetti test was used to assess movement performance. The timed up & go test was used to measure the risk of falling, and the 36-item short form survey (SF-36) was used for evaluating the quality of life in the pretest, posttest, and follow-up (Short-term persistence) phases. One-way analysis of variance was used for between-group comparisons and repeated measures analysis of variance was used for within-group comparisons. Results There was no significant difference among groups in the quality of life and the risk of falling. There was a significant difference among them only in movement performance, where the group received foot massage with hands had higher performance. The results of repeated measures analysis of variance for the factor of time showed that the three methods improved movement performance, quality of life and reduced the risk of falling. All three methods had a significant effect on the study variables (P<0.05). Conclusion Three methods of foot massage have a significant effect on movement performance, risk of falling, and quality of life of men with blindness, by strengthening their proprioception receptors.