bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Sustainable Characteristic of Reinforcement Concrete Slabs Internally Cured with Waste Ceramics
Authors: Abdulrasool Abdulrasool T , Rasheed Laith Sh 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The concrete durability is a fundamental factor in the investigation of concrete elements which require to long service lives, especially the elements which used in infrastructure systems such as bridges and roads, that have a high construction cost. Internal curing has been becoming extensively used for reducing the external factors of aggressive effect and for improving the behavior of the structural element and increased durability of the structural element. The present research work studies the efficiency of internal curing agent that provided by using a local ceramic waste as a fine aggregate on the high-performance concrete (HPC). Two different high-performance concrete slabs without and with the ceramic fine aggregates with two different replacement percentages (10 and 20) % from the volume at three ages (60, 120, and 180) days have been examined to show the structural properties development. The results of tests have shown high effectiveness of the local fine ceramic waste aggregates as internal curing purposes. It has been shown that the incorporation of 10% of the local fine ceramic waste leads to a noticeable significant increase in the ultimate load by 1.26% while the incorporation of 20% increase in the ultimate load by 6.31% at later age compared with reference mix.
Ultrasonic-Electrocoagulation method for nitrate removal from water
Authors: Al-Marri Saeed , AlQuzweeni Saif Salah , Hashim Khalid S. , AlKhaddar Rafid , Kot Patryk , AlKizwini Rasha Salah , Zubaidi Salah L. , Al-Khafaji Zainab S. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Water contamination with nitrates is a serious problem due to the detrimental effects of nitrates on both human life and the global ecosystem; therefore, it is essential to remove nitrates using efficient methods. Accordingly, various methods have been used to treat nitrate-containing solutions, but recent studies focused on electrocoagulation (ELE) as it produces high quality water at low cost and it is environmentally friendly. However, passive layers are growing on the aluminum anodes after short time of treatment, which substantially affects the efficiency of ELE. In this investigation therefore, ultrasonic filed was used to remove these passive layers, and consequently improves the efficiency of ELE. This new method, ultrasonic-assisted ELE (U-ELE), was used to remove nitrates from water under various operational conditions. In particular, the impacts of water initial pH (WIP) (4.0-8.0), applied current densities (ACD) (6.0-9.0 mA/cm2), flow rates (FR) (60-100 ml/min), and initial nitrate concentrations (INC) (100-200 mg/L), which were optimized using the Central Composite Design (CCD). The ultrasonic irradiation time (UT) has been kept at 10 minutes for all experiments. The best possible removal of nitrate using only ELE method was about 77% at WIP of 6, UT of 10 minutes, FR of 40 ml/min, INC of 150 mg/l and ACD of 7.5mA/cm2. However, it was found that exerting ultrasonic for 10 minutes, U-ELE method, has increased nitrates removal to 87.80% under the same conditions of ELE treatment.
Winter temperature measurements in a composite girder segment
Authors: Mussa Faten , Abid Sallal R. , Tayşi Nildem 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
This article presents experimental results from a concrete-steel composite girder. The girder is composed of an I-shape steel beam that is topped by a reinforced concrete slab. The girder was constructed in an open environment so that it is freely subjected to the variation of the atmospheric thermal loads. These loads include the solar radiation, temperature of the surrounding air and speed of the wind. Therefore, a weather station that includes sensors to measure the three aforementioned thermal loads was installed beside the girder. The girder was instrumented with thermocouples that were either embedded in the concrete slab or attached to the steel beam. The thermocouples were distributed across the slab thickness, along its width and along the vertical centerline of the composite girder. The aim of this research is to provide experimental measurements that facilitate better understanding of temperature gradient distributions in composite bridge girders in winter. The test records were continued for approximately two months during the cold season. The test results showed that the negative vertical temperature gradient was higher than the corresponding positive one due to the low intensity of solar radiation. Similarly, the lateral positive temperature gradient along the width of the concrete slab was higher than the vertical positive temperature gradient due to the low altitude of solar radiations.
Experimental study of reinforced concrete beams with elliptical opening under flexural loading
Authors: Majeed Qutaiba G. , Ahmed Q W , Mohammed A H , Sammen Saad Sh. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe existing of openings in the structural elements of concrete may be useful in some cases and necessary at other cases. Experimental study on Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams was address in this research to examine the conduct of the opening in RC beams. The target of this study is to evaluate the impact of web elliptical openings in reinforced concrete beams experimentally. Under two-point top loading, four reinforced beams were tested, three of them with openings and one without opening. Test variable included the number of elliptical openings. Test results indicated that incase of the number of opening increased the ultimate load decreased. The ultimate load of CBEH1, CBEH2 and CBEH3 beams are decreased by 12%, 24% and 28% respectively compared with the ultimate load of CB beam.
Kinetics and Isotherms of a Green Method for the Sorption of Metal Ions from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Gzar H A , Kseer K M , Nasir M J 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Owing to their toxicity, the existence of heavy metals in the environment has become a major global concern. In this study, the ability of albizia-lebbeck tree leaves (ALTL) as green and low cost adsorbent to remove Pb2+, Zn2+ and Cd2+ from Synthetic wastewater by adsorption was investigated. The initial metals’ concentrations of 10-80 mg/l, adsorbent dosage of 0.3-1.0 gm, pH of 3-8, contact time of 30-240 min, and shaking speed of 200 rpm, have been studied by batch adsorption technique. Four ranges of adsorbent particle size were tested: 75-150; 150-300; 300-600; 600-1000 μm. Five different temperatures (20, 30, 40, 50 and 60°C) were selected to demonstrate the influence of temperature on metals’ adsorption onto ALTL. Langmuir and Freundlich models were used to analyze the experimental data. Equilibrium data fitted well with the Freundlich isotherm model with maximum adsorption capacity of 9.124 mg/g at 20°C for metals’ concentration of 40 mg/L. Pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order equations were utilized for analysis of the kinetic data. The second-order model was fitting very well with the experimental data. Thermodynamic parameters like entropy, enthalpy and Gibbs free energy changes were estimated to determine the spontaneity of the sorption process. The results revealed that the ALTL adsorbent performed good removal of metals.
Increasing the Setting Time of Local Gypsum (Joss) by the Use of TGP additive
Authors: AL-Ridha Ahmed S. D. , Abbood Ali A. , Elaiwi Essam H. , Hussein Hussein H. , Dheyab Layth Sahib 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
This research presents a study of using an additive for the objective of increasing the setting time of a material used in several aspects in the constructional field, this material is “Local-Gypsum” which is locally called “Joss”, and the additive used in this study is “Trees Glue Powder” denoted by “TGP”. Nine mixtures of Local-gypsum (joss) had been experimented in the current study to find their setting time, these mixes were divided into three groups according to their water-joss ratios (W/J) (0.3, 0.4 and 0.5), and each group was sub-divided into three sub-groups according to their TGP contents (0.0%, 0.3% and 0.6%). It was found that, when TGP is added with the two contents (0.3% and 0.6%), the setting time of local gypsum (joss) is increased, and the percentage of this increase at (TGP content = 0.6%) is doubly multiplied as compared to the percentage at (TGP content = 0.3%). Moreover, when TGP content is increased from (0.0% to 0.6%), the percentage of increase in the setting times of joss is reduced with the increase of (W/J) ratio from (0.3 to 0.5). It was also found that, when (W/J) ratio is increased, the setting time of joss is increased, and this behavior is applicable for all TGP contents (0.0%, 0.3% and 0.6%). While, when (W/J) is increased from (0.3 to 0.5), the percentage of increase in the setting times of joss is reduced with the increase in TGP contents from (0.0% to 0.6%).
A Comparative Study between the Effect of Steel Fiber on Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) in Light and Normal Weight Self-Compacting Concretes
Authors: AL-Ridha Ahmed S. D. , Abbood Ali A. , Al-Chalabi Saeb F. , Aziz Abaa M. , Dheyab Layth Sahib 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
This research presents a comparative study to highlight the differences between the effect of using various contents of steel fibers on the ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) in two types of self-compacting concretes (SCC) which are identical in their constituent materials, the only difference between them is the coarse aggregate type (normal in one and light in the other) with various specimen lengths (200mm cylinders and 100mm cubes). In this work, six types of mixes were casted, the first three (Mix1, Mix2 and Mix3) are of normal-weight SCC having steel fiber content (Vf) : 0.0%, 0.4% and 0.8% respectively, and the other three (Mix4, Mix5 and Mix6) are of light-weight SCC with the same aforementioned steel fiber contents respectively. It turns out that, the ultrasonic pulse velocity is smaller in light-weight SCC than in normal-weight SCC, and the percentage of this reduction is higher in cylindrical samples than in cubic samples, and this percentage of reduction is reduced with the increasing in steel fiber contents. It also turns out that, the ultrasonic pulse velocity is increased with the increase in steel fiber contents, and this percentage of increase is higher in light-weight SCC than in normal-weight SCC, and it is also larger in cylindrical samples than in cubic samples. Moreover, when the specimen length has been focused on, it was found that, the ultrasonic pulse velocity is larger in (100mm) cubic specimens than in (100×200mm) cylindrical ones, and the percentage of this rise is also larger in light-weight SCC than in normal-weight SCC, and it is reduced with increasing steel fibers contents.
Modeling of Conceptual Worker Engagement Framework for Construction Projects in Thailand
Authors: Ngowtanasuwan Grit 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Competition in the Thai construction industry in terms of costs, quality of work and construction time, which has resulted in the continuously increasing demand for construction workers, both skilled and unskilled workers, to be an important resource that contractors must maintain. In order to survive in the construction business, the contractor must understand the factors related to increasing the engagement of the construction workers and using the appropriate strategy to reduce turnover of the construction workers. The objective of this research is to study the factors related to the engagement of Thai construction workers that affect the satisfaction of construction workers and reduce the turnover. A conceptual worker engagement framework was modelled using employee engagement and worker satisfaction concepts. Research methods involved studying, collating and listing the theoretical factors and variables sourced from the available literature. Seven experts in related fields were employed to confirm the factors and framework following the Delphi technique. Results indicated that the factor of worker satisfaction had a positive direct effect on worker engagement that was comprised of two sub-factors as (1) organizational engagement, and (2) personal engagement, while worker satisfaction and worker engagement had negative effects on worker turnover in construction projects. Details of all the factors were summarized in the conclusion of this article.
Coping With COVID-19
Authors: Lieberman Joshua A , Nester Theresa , Emrich Brooke , Staley Elizabeth M , Bourassa Lori A , Tsang Hamilton C 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objectives
The first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case in the United States was reported in Washington State. The pandemic caused drastic disruptions to medical institutions, including medical education. The Department of Laboratory Medicine at the University of Washington responded by rapidly implementing substantial changes to medical student clerkships.

Methods
In real time, we converted one ongoing case- and didactic-based course, LabM 685, to remote learning.

Results
Fifteen of 17 scheduled sessions proceeded as planned, including two sessions for student presentations. Two didactics were canceled as the functions of the teleconferencing platform were not sufficient to proceed. One grand rounds speaker canceled due to COVID-19 precautions. Elements of an immersive clinical laboratory clerkship, LabM 680, were repurposed to accommodate 40 medical students per class via remote learning, highlighting clinical laboratory activities that continue throughout the outbreak. A new remote clerkship, MedSci 585C, was developed incorporating distance learning and guided small-group sessions. This coincided with parallel efforts to make resident and fellow service work, conferences, and didactics available remotely to comply with social distancing.

Conclusions
The changes in medical education described reflect the dynamic interplay of current events affecting the world of clinical pathology. Throughout this, technology—while with some limitations—has provided the platform for innovative learning.
Genomic and plumage variation across the controversial Baltimore and Bullock’s oriole hybrid zone
Authors: Walsh Jennifer , Billerman Shawn M , Rohwer Vanya G , Butcher Bronwyn G , Lovette Irby J 
Published: August 2020

AbstractHybrid zones are powerful natural settings for investigating how birds diversify into distinct species. Here we present the first genomic-scale exploration of the Baltimore (Icterus galbula) and Bullock’s (I. bullockii) oriole hybrid zone, which is notable for its long history of study and for its prominence in debates about avian species concepts and species limits. We used a reduced-representation sequencing approach to generate a panel of 3,067 genetic markers for 297 orioles sampled along the Platte River, a natural west-to-east transect across the hybrid zone. We then explored patterns of hybridization and introgression by comparing variation in genomic and plumage traits. We found that hybridization remains prevalent in this area, with nearly all orioles within the hybrid zone showing some degree of genomic mixing, and 41% assigned as recent-generation (F1/F2) hybrids. The center and width of the genomic and plumage gradients are concordant and coincident, supporting our finding that classically scored plumage traits are an accurate predictor of pure vs. hybrid genotypes. We find additional support for previous suggestions that the center of this hybrid zone has moved westward since it was first intensively sampled in the 1950s, but that this westward movement had slowed or ceased by the 1970s. Considered in concert, these results support previous inferences that some form of ongoing selection is counteracting the potential homogenization of these orioles via hybridization, thereby supporting their continued taxonomic separation as distinct species.
Electronically Available Patient Claims Data Improve Models for Comparing Antibiotic Use Across Hospitals: Results From 576 US Facilities
Authors: Goodman Katherine E , Pineles Lisa , Magder Laurence S , Anderson Deverick J , Ashley Elizabeth Dodds , Polk Ronald E , Quan Hude , Trick William E , Woeltje Keith F , Leekha Surbhi , Cosgrove Sara E , Harris Anthony D 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Background
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses standardized antimicrobial administration ratios (SAARs)—that is, observed-to-predicted ratios—to compare antibiotic use across facilities. CDC models adjust for facility characteristics when predicting antibiotic use but do not include patient diagnoses and comorbidities that may also affect utilization. This study aimed to identify comorbidities causally related to appropriate antibiotic use and to compare models that include these comorbidities and other patient-level claims variables to a facility model for risk-adjusting inpatient antibiotic utilization.

Methods
The study included adults discharged from Premier Database hospitals in 2016–2017. For each admission, we extracted facility, claims, and antibiotic data. We evaluated 7 models to predict an admission’s antibiotic days of therapy (DOTs): a CDC facility model, models that added patient clinical constructs in varying layers of complexity, and an external validation of a published patient-variable model. We calculated hospital-specific SAARs to quantify effects on hospital rankings. Separately, we used Delphi Consensus methodology to identify Elixhauser comorbidities associated with appropriate antibiotic use.

Results
The study included 11 701 326 admissions across 576 hospitals. Compared to a CDC-facility model, a model that added Delphi-selected comorbidities and a bacterial infection indicator was more accurate for all antibiotic outcomes. For total antibiotic use, it was 24% more accurate (respective mean absolute errors: 3.11 vs 2.35 DOTs), resulting in 31–33% more hospitals moving into bottom or top usage quartiles postadjustment.

Conclusions
Adding electronically available patient claims data to facility models consistently improved antibiotic utilization predictions and yielded substantial movement in hospitals’ utilization rankings.
Optimal Testing Choice and Diagnostic Strategies for Latent Tuberculosis Infection Among US-Born People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Authors: Pettit April C , Stout Jason E , Belknap Robert , Benson Constance A , Séraphin Marie Nancy , Lauzardo Michael , Horne David J , Garfein Richard S , Maruri Fernanda , Ho Christine S ,   Tuberculosis Epidemiologic Studies Consortium (TBESC), Flood Jennifer , Pascopella Lisa , Higashi Julie , Moore Marisa , Garfein Richard , Benson Constance , Belknap Robert , Reves Randall , Stout Jason , Ahmed Amina , Sterling Timothy , Pettit April , Stout Jason , Blumberg Henry M , Lauzardo Michael , Seraphin Marie Nancy , Brostrom Richard , Khurana Renuka , Cronin Wendy , Dorman Susan , Narita Masahiro , Horne David , Miller Thaddeus 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Background
Increased risk of progression from latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) to tuberculosis (TB) disease among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; PLWH) prioritizes them for LTBI testing and treatment. Studies comparing the performance of interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) and the tuberculin skin test (TST) among PLWH are lacking.

Methods
We used Bayesian latent class analysis to estimate the prevalence of LTBI and diagnostic characteristics of the TST, QuantiFERON Gold In-Tube (QFT), and T.SPOT-TB (TSPOT) among a prospective, multicenter cohort of US-born PLWH ≥5 years old with valid results for all 3 LTBI tests using standard US cutoffs (≥5 mm TST, ≥0.35 IU/mL QFT, ≥8 spots TSPOT). We also explored the performance of varying LTBI test cutoffs.

Results
Among 1510 PLWH (median CD4+ count 532 cells/mm3), estimated LTBI prevalence was 4.7%. TSPOT was significantly more specific (99.7%) and had a significantly higher positive predictive value (90.0%, PPV) than QFT (96.5% specificity, 50.7% PPV) and TST (96.8% specificity, 45.4% PPV). QFT was significantly more sensitive (72.2%) than TST (54.2%) and TSPOT (51.9%); negative predictive value of all tests was high (TST 97.7%, QFT 98.6%, TSPOT 97.6%). Even at the highest cutoffs evaluated (15 mm TST, ≥1.00 IU/mL QFT, ≥8 spots TSPOT), TST and QFT specificity was significantly lower than TSPOT.

Conclusions
LTBI prevalence among this cohort of US-born PLWH was low compared to non-US born persons. TSPOT’s higher PPV may make it preferable for testing US-born PLWH at low risk for TB exposure and with high CD4+ counts.
Vegetation management on private forestland can increase avian species richness and abundance
Authors: Wood Jesse M , Tegeler Amy K , Ross Beth E 
Published: August 2020

AbstractConservation efforts on private lands are important for biodiversity conservation. On private lands in South Carolina, in the southeastern United States, forestry management practices (prescribed burning, thinning, herbicide application) are used to improve upland pine habitat for wildlife and timber harvest and are incentivized through U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Bill cost-share programs. Because many forest-dependent avian species have habitat requirements created primarily through forest management, data are needed on the effectiveness of these management activities. We studied privately owned loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) stands in the South Carolina Piedmont region. Our objective was to understand how management practices influence avian species richness and abundance at local (forest stand) and landscape levels in relatively small stands (average ~28 ha). We surveyed 49 forest stands during 2 bird breeding seasons with traditional point counts and vegetation surveys. We evaluated the effects of management on pine stand characteristics, avian species richness, and abundance of state-designated bird species of concern. Repeated burning and thinning shifted stand conditions to open pine woodlands with reduced basal area and herbaceous understories. Stands with lower basal area supported greater avian species richness. Some species increased in abundance in response to active management (e.g., Brown-headed Nuthatch [Sitta pusilla] and Indigo Bunting [Passerina cyanea]), but relationships varied. Some species responded positively to increases in forest quantity at a landscape scale (1–5 km; e.g., Northern Bobwhite [Colinus virginianus]). We found species-rich avian communities and species of conservation concern on working timber lands, indicating that incentivized forest management on private lands can provide valuable habitat for wildlife.