bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative Study of Structural Behaviour of Reinforced Concrete Box Girder with Different Numbers of Cells
Authors: Zuhdiy Zahraa Sermed , Abbas Ali Laftah 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe aim of this research is to study the experimental effect of the number of cells on the structural behaviour of reinforced concrete box girder. Three simply supported box girder specimens with different numbers of cells were cast by using self-compacting concrete and experimentally tested under four-point load, the first reference specimen is with one cell, the second specimen is with two cells and the last specimen is with four cells. The testing results show that the ultimate load in the two-cell and four-cell specimens is higher compared with the one-cell specimen by (20.1% and 23.3%) respectively. Increasing the number of cells decrease the cracks width and increase the number of cracks, all the specimens failed with diagonal shear.
Adoption PPP model as an alternative method of government for funding abandoned construction projects in Iraq
Authors: Khudhaire Huda Yaseen , Naji Hafeth I. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The Iraqi construction sector is facing complex issues and a number of problems. Abandoned construction projects are considered one of the most common and serious problems in the construction industry in Iraq due to a lack of funding, which reflected by exceeding the time limit for completion of the projects. The number and value of the projects involved are usually large. reconstruction, maintenance, and operation of unfinished projects in Iraq require better coordination between these issues, and the country’s other affairs, this goal, cannot be accomplished unless the project is financing in the most successful way. This study aims to use the analytic hierarchy process (AHP)technique to select the appropriate type of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) contracts to finance abandoned projects in Iraq. using a questionnaire survey to select the most significant criteria for choosing an appropriate financing approach for the abandoned project. The reliability of the questionnaire is achieved, by using the Cronbach Alpha calculated by SPSS software (Version 26). The results obtained illustrate the final weight of the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) contract from AHP is 0.261 is the best type of the (PPP) contracts in the alternatives suggested to finance the project.
Diagnosing the Causes of Poor Quality Management in Iraqi Construction Projects Using Technique of Root Cause Analysis
Authors: Jasim Nidal Adnan 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The objective of this research is to classify and diagnose the causes of poor quality management in Iraqi construction projects. This study diagnosed fifty-three causes of poor quality management in Iraqi construction Projects. which they divided into eight main groups (Equipment causes, Labors causes, Systems causes, Materials causes, Design and Execution causes, Subcontractors causes, Site staff causes, Contract causes). Then calculated the relative importance of the causes of poor quality management in Iraqi construction projects. Three techniques were used in this study: Ishikawa diagrams, Pareto diagrams, and 5-why techniques. Pareto analysis showed that thirty-six causes out of fifty-three causes represent the most important causes of poor Quality Management, these causes had been filtered by 5-Why analysis. The most important causes were failure to comply with laws and standards and poor compliance to specification, as identified in contract conditions within design and execution causes group, followed by low skill and experience of Contractor’s staff within Site staff causes group and failure to implement a quality control and assurance system within systems causes group.
Dissolved Oxygen Sag Curve for Diyala River at Baquba City
Authors: Abbas Muhanad Mohammed 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The water pollution is one of the major environmental problems that which suffered in rivers at Diyala governorate when the untreated waste or partially treated is disposed to rivers. In this study the effect of five sources of raw waste water distributed along Diyala River on the dissolved oxygen sag curve behavior was investigated for selected reach of river when passing Baquba city in Iraq. Dissolved oxygen sag curve tested by using Streeter and Phelps model during summer season Jun, 2018. The study results showed that there was an accumulative effect by decreasing in dissolved oxygen due to these five sources. The dissolved oxygen in the river being below 4 mg/L after the fifth source and continues for (99.4 Km) distance, this point located before river mouth with Tigris River by about 3.4 Km. Dissolved oxygen declined to its critical value after 45Km from first source with maximum deficit. According to the model calculation, Diyala River decants in Tigris River with low limit of dissolved oxygen by about 4.1 mg/L if there were no another sources downstream the observed sources and before achieving its self purification required distance. Also, biochemical oxygen demand was greater than 4 mg/L before river meeting the sources and increased gradually to be greater than 10 mg/L after the fifth source and the temperature increased by about 4 °C.
Integrity of Revit with structural analysis softwares
Authors: Hadi A S , Abd A M , Mahmood Mohammed 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
This paper investigates how the utilize of Building Information Modeling (BIM) can be a useful platform for engineers. The interlinking of Revit with structural analysis software like Robot Structural Analysis and Etabs is evaluated. A case study was taken considering a multi-story reinforced concrete building. It was modelled in Revit and analyzed and design in Robot Structural Analysis and Etabs software. The difference in results of design between traditional methods and using BIM methods is discussed. Also, extract documentations from the same model. This study highlighted powerful of BIM technology for structural engineers in terms of analysis, design and documentation process.
A Comprehensive Study of Franki pile with the other pile models Embedded within cohesionless soils
Authors: Mahmood Mahmood R. , Muhsin Makki K. , Abbas Ahmed M. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Frankie pile is classified as a large displacement pile cast in place with a concrete mixture. This paper dealt with the laboratory work to produce a model of the Franki pile similar to the full-scale production process in the field to investigate its behaviour and make a comparison study with the other familiar types of piles models (precast concrete pile, closed-ended steel pipe pile, and bored pile with the same surface and cross-sectional area). The investigation occurred within dry sandy soil with two different relative densities (30 and 60) % will be denoted as (S1) and (S2) respectively. Axial compressive piles load tests were performed for embedded piles models in sandy soils at relative densities of 30% and 60%. Several interpretations have been used to estimate the ultimate capacity of pile models from the results of pile load tests. It was found that the Davisson, De Beer, Fuller and Hoy, and Tangent Methods gives an approximate acceptable result for all typical pile load tests, so average values of theses methods were adopted for comparisons. It was observed that the ultimate bearing load value at a Franki pile was greater than the other types of piles models in both densities. The for precast concrete pile, 2.98 for close ended pipe pile and 5.5 for bored piles for low relative density. While for high relative density the bearing ratio of Franki pile over other pile models were 0.94 for precast concrete pile, 2.26 for pipe pile model and 3.16 for bored pile model. During this study, it was found that a Franki pile was more effective in weak granular soils.
Mosul Dam between the threats of imminent collapse
Authors: Abdul Hameed Maha Rasheed , Abbas Ali Laftah 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
This research deals with the state of Mosul Dam since first filling of the reservoir, studying the salt measurements and quantity of grouting materials consumption against drilling bore holes lengths. Based on those measurements, the conclusion made that, the state of the dam had been passed prior periods more dangerous cases than it is now, specially before fixing 319m level as threshold level in which the Reservoir level not admitted it be higher. The conclusion made that the state of the dam currently is not the worst case as claimed by USA side the research also explained the most important methods of maintenance and controlling which needs to follow according to design and guidance of treatment. The most important conclusion that this research raise is the necessity of construction of the Diaphragm Wall as a permanent solution which can be considered as a unique solution to solve the Mosul Dam problems permanently.
The Effect of inclined intermediate Sheet Pile on Seepage Properties Under Hydraulic Structure Using SEEP/W Program
Authors: Salim Ibtihal H. , Othman Burkan Saeed 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis paper is intended to study the effect of using incline intermediate sheet pile and finding the effect of change for its angle, besides the upstream and downstream piles rest in homogeneous soil layer on the seepage, uplift pressure exit gradient at toe of hydraulic structure using computer program SEEP/W software. From the software test carried out many cases, in beginning, finding the best distance between the three sheet piles then finding the best depth of three sheet piles finally using the angle for incline intermediate sheet pile (θ=30,45,60,90,120,135,150) degree in three cases for first and last sheet piles when the angle of them (θ=30,60,90)degree. Also for each run the quantity of uplift pressure, exit gradient and discharge at toe of hydraulic structure were determined to develop an empirical equations. Depended on the software program tests were carried out with three different value of each following parameter: upstream sheet pile depth, downstream sheet pile depth, intermediate sheet pile depth, upstream sheet pile angle, downstream sheet pile angle and four different value of distance between the sheet piles, then it carried out with seven different value of intermediate sheet pile angle, all of them with using constant upstream head and permeability for soil layer.
Nonlinearity of initiating and extinguishing boundaries of DBDs with airflows
Authors: TANG Miao , TANG Jingfeng , ZHOU Desheng , YU Daren 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Various applications of volume dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) with airflows have attracted significant attention such as in the fields of plasma medicine, surface modification, ozone synthesis, etc. In this work, the nonlinearity characteristics of DBDs in initiating and extinguishing boundaries with airflows are experimentally investigated. It is found that the difference between initiating pulse repetition frequencies (PRFs) and extinguishing PRFs is affected by the addition of airflows. A hysteresis region is produced between these two PRFs. A topological rule of Thom’s classification theorem is proposed to investigate the hysteresis phenomenon of discharges with airflows. It is concluded that the discharge state is dependent on the operation route. The discharge state would transit from initiating to extinguishing, or in the opposite direction, while passing along a specific operation route. Based on the topological method, two nonlinear laws of discharge structure transition under the typical operation routes are predicted and verified in the discharge experiments.
A novel assay for serum creatinine using a creatine kinase cycling reaction
Authors: Ueda Shigeru , Sakasegawa Shin-ichi 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT
For assaying serum creatinine, the enzymatic method is regarded as accurate. However, a reliable measurement of low levels is problematic. We have developed a new method that utilizes an enzymatic cycling reaction involving creatine kinase (CK) in the presence of excess ATP and IDP and implicated the application to a serum creatinine assay by incorporating with creatininase. Here, we evaluated applying the CK cycling method to a serum creatinine assay. In this study, we focused on assessing whether an accurate measurement could be achieved, especially in the reference interval and the lower concentration range. The effective sensitivity of the assay using 30 U/mL CK was approximately 4-fold greater than that of a commercial reagent. Under these conditions, 0.19 mg/dL of creatinine was accurately detected. The correlation coefficient of the comparison study with an existing commercial reagent was 0.995. Moreover, the effect of the increased signal intensity on accuracy and precision was assured.
ASimulatoR: splice-aware RNA-Seq data simulation
Authors: Manz Quirin , Tsoy Olga , Fenn Amit , Baumbach Jan , Völker Uwe , List Markus , Kacprowski Tim 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Summary
A plethora of tools exist for RNA-Seq data analysis with a focus on alternative splicing (AS). However, appropriate data for their comparative evaluation is missing. The R package ASimulatoR simulates gold standard RNA-Seq datasets with fine-grained control over the distribution of AS events, which allow for evaluating alternative splicing tools, e.g. to study the effect of sequencing depth on the performance of AS event detection.

Availability and implementation
ASimulatoR is freely available at https://github.com/biomedbigdata/ASimulatoR as an R package under GPL-3 license.
Whole-Brain Functional Dynamics Track Depressive Symptom Severity
Authors: Goodman Zachary T , Bainter Sierra A , Kornfeld Salome , Chang Catie , Nomi Jason S , Uddin Lucina Q 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Depressive symptoms are reported by 20% of the population and are related to altered functional integrity of large-scale brain networks. The link between moment-to-moment brain function and depressive symptomatology, and the implications of these relationships for clinical and community populations alike, remain understudied. The present study examined relationships between functional brain dynamics and subclinical-to-mild depressive symptomatology in a large community sample of adults with and without psychiatric diagnoses. This study used data made available through the Enhanced Nathan Kline Institute-Rockland Sample; 445 participants between 18 and 65 years of age completed a 10-min resting-state functional MRI scan. Coactivation pattern analysis was used to examine the dimensional relationship between depressive symptoms and whole-brain states. Elevated levels of depressive symptoms were associated with increased frequency and dwell time of the default mode network, a brain network associated with self-referential thought, evaluative judgment, and social cognition. Furthermore, increased depressive symptom severity was associated with less frequent occurrences of a hybrid brain network implicated in cognitive control and goal-directed behavior, which may impair the inhibition of negative thinking patterns in depressed individuals. These findings demonstrate how temporally dynamic techniques offer novel insights into time-varying neural processes underlying subclinical and clinically meaningful depressive symptomatology.
Green HPLC–DAD and HPTLC Methods for Quantitative Determination of Binary Mixture of Pregabalin and Amitriptyline Used for Neuropathic Pain Management
Authors: Naguib Ibrahim A , Ali Nesma A , Elroby Fadwa A , Elghobashy Mohamed R 
Published: February 2021

AbstractFirst analytical methods were herein developed for determination of pregabalin (PGB) and amitriptyline (AMT) as an active binary mixture used for management of neuropathic pain whether in pure forms or in human biological fluids (plasma/urine). First method is green high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC–DAD) after derivatization of PGB with ninhydrin (NIN) on a reversed-phase C18 column using a mobile phase consisting of ethanol:water (97:3%, v/v) pumped isocratically at 0.8 mL/min; AMT were scanned at 215 nm, whereas PGB–NIN was scanned at 580 nm. Second method is High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), where PGB and AMT were separated on silica gel HPTLC F254 plates, using ethanol:ethyl acetate:acetone:ammonia solution (8:2:1:0.05, by volume) as a developing system. AMT peaks were scanned at 220 nm, whereas PGB peaks were visualized by spraying 3% (w/v) ethanolic NIN solution and scanning at 550 nm. Linear calibration curves were obtained for human plasma and urine spiked with PGB and AMT over the ranges of 5–100 μg/mL and 0.2–2.5 μg/band for PGB, and 1–100 μg/mL and 0.1–2.0 μg/band for AMT for HPLC–DAD and HPTLC methods, respectively. The suggested methods were validated according to Food and Drug Administration guidelines for bioanalytical methods validation and they can be applied for routine therapeutic drug monitoring for the concerned drugs.
How to Test Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Vaccines Ethically Even After One Is Available
Authors: Eyal Nir , Lipsitch Marc 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Although vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 have now been found safe and efficacious, there remains an urgent global health need to test both these vaccines and additional vaccines against the same virus. Under variable conditions, either standard or unusual designs would for both familiar and often-missed reasons make continued testing possible and ethical.
Modelling to Quantify the Likelihood that Local Elimination of Transmission has Occurred Using Routine Gambiense Human African Trypanosomiasis Surveillance Data
Authors: Davis Christopher N , Castaño María Soledad , Aliee Maryam , Patel Swati , Miaka Erick Mwamba , Keeling Matt J , Spencer Simon E F , Chitnis Nakul , Rock Kat S 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background
The gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (gHAT) elimination programme in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) routinely collects case data through passive surveillance and active screening, with several regions reporting no cases for several years, despite being endemic in the early 2000s.

Methods
We use mathematical models fitted to longitudinal data to estimate the probability that selected administrative regions have already achieved elimination of transmission (EOT) of gHAT. We examine the impact of active screening coverage on the certainty of model estimates for transmission and therefore the role of screening in the measurement of EOT.

Results
In 3 example health zones of Sud-Ubangi province, we find there is a moderate (&gt;40%) probability that EOT has been achieved by 2018, based on 2000–2016 data. Budjala and Mbaya reported zero cases during 2017–18, and this further increases our respective estimates to 99.9% and 99.6% (model S) and to 87.3% and 92.1% (model W). Bominenge had recent case reporting, however, that if zero cases were found in 2021, it would substantially raise our certainty that EOT has been met there (99.0% for model S and 88.5% for model W); this could be higher with 50% coverage screening that year (99.1% for model S and 94.0% for model W).

Conclusions
We demonstrate how routine surveillance data coupled with mechanistic modeling can estimate the likelihood that EOT has already been achieved. Such quantitative assessment will become increasingly important for measuring local achievement of EOT as 2030 approaches.
Survey Design to Monitor Drug Efficacy for the Control of Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis and Schistosomiasis
Authors: Coffeng Luc E , Levecke Bruno , Hattendorf Jan , Walker Martin , Denwood Matthew J 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background
Control of soil-transmitted helminthiasis and schistosomiasis relies heavily on regular preventive chemotherapy. Monitoring drug efficacy is crucial to provide early warning of treatment failures. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a survey design in which only egg-positive individuals are retested after treatment. Although this practice makes more efficient use of resources, it may lead to biased drug efficacy estimates.

Methods
We performed a simulation study to assess the potential for bias when evaluating drug efficacy using the World Health Organization–recommended survey design, and to identify alternative designs for evaluating drug efficacy that are less affected by bias. These designs were also based on selection of egg-positive individuals, but involve retesting them a second time at baseline and up to 2 times at follow-up. The utility of the different designs was compared fairly by constraining them to the same budget.

Results
The standard procedure of selecting egg-positive individuals can introduce a substantial positive bias in drug efficacy due to regression toward the mean, particularly when infection levels or drug efficacy are low. This bias was completely eliminated by using a second baseline sample, conditionally on the first sample being excluded from analysis. Precision of estimates can be improved by increasing the number of thick smears and/or samples per person at follow-up, despite fewer individuals being tested within the same budget.

Conclusions
We present optimized survey designs to monitor drug efficacy in field settings, which are highly relevant for sustained control of soil-transmitted helminths and schistosomiasis, as well as onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis.
Evaluating the Diagnostic Test Accuracy of Molecular Xenomonitoring Methods for Characterizing Community Burden of Lymphatic Filariasis
Authors: Pryce Joseph , Reimer Lisa J 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background
Molecular xenomonitoring (MX), the detection of pathogen DNA in mosquitoes, is a recommended approach to support lymphatic filariasis (LF) elimination efforts. Potential roles of MX include detecting presence of LF in communities and quantifying progress towards elimination of the disease. However, the relationship between MX results and human prevalence is poorly understood.

Methods
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis from all previously conducted studies that reported the prevalence of filarial DNA in wild-caught mosquitoes (MX rate) and the corresponding prevalence of microfilaria (mf) in humans. We calculated a pooled estimate of MX sensitivity for detecting positive communities at a range of mf prevalence values and mosquito sample sizes. We conducted a linear regression to evaluate the relationship between mf prevalence and MX rate.

Results
We identified 24 studies comprising 144 study communities. MX had an overall sensitivity of 98.3% (95% confidence interval, 41.5–99.9%) and identified 28 positive communities that were negative in the mf survey. Low sensitivity in some studies was attributed to small mosquito sample sizes (&lt;1000) and very low mf prevalence (&lt;0.25%). Human mf prevalence and mass drug administration status accounted for approximately half of the variation in MX rate (R2 = 0.49, P &lt; .001). Data from longitudinal studies showed that, within a given study area, there is a strong linear relationship between MX rate and mf prevalence (R2 = 0.78, P &lt; .001).

Conclusions
MX shows clear potential as tool for detecting communities where LF is present and as a predictor of human mf prevalence.