Simplified empirical approach for estimating the remaining strength factor used in pavement rehabilitation applications

This paper presents a simplified empirical model for predicting the asphaltic remaining strength factor to be used in estimating the resurfacing thickness for both thin and thick asphaltic surfaces. The proposed model for predicting the asphaltic remaining strength factor in the case of thin asphaltic surface is mainly a function of key performance indicators and calibration constant (K). In the case of thick asphaltic surface, an average remaining strength factor is proposed which is a function of the existing asphaltic surface thickness, cold milling thickness, and the remaining strength factor associated with thin asphaltic surface. The proposed remaining strength factor is to be used in estimating the resurfacing thickness component due to the strength loss endured by the asphaltic surface. Two case studies are presented to predict the remaining strength factor. The first one applies the remaining strength factor model to estimate the resurfacing thicknesses for two sample projects considering variable rehabilitation scheduling time, while the second one calibrates the remaining strength factor model for a local roadway sample using minimization of sum of squared errors. The sample results indicate that the remaining strength factor values (0.45-0.94) are lower for thin asphaltic surface compared to the corresponding values (0.72-0.97) for thick surface considering 6-12 years rehabilitation scheduling time, and they are lower for inferior pavement performance compared to a superior one. The sample results also indicate that the optimal (K) values for thin asphaltic surface (0.71-1.24) are considerably lower than the corresponding optimal (K) values for thick surface (2.08-3.83)

The range and nature of reproductive health research in the occupied Palestinian territory : a scoping review

Article published in : Reproductive Health, April 2019, vol. 16, article no. 41Background: In order to set research priorities for reproductive health in the occupied Palestinian territory, it is vital to know what current research has been done in the field of reproductive health. The purpose of this scoping review is to examine the range and nature of reproductive health research in the occupied Palestinian territory and to identify research gaps in the existing literature. Methods: We searched four databases: EMBASE, PubMed, CINAHL, and Popline. We included studies that: (i) are published (with an abstract); (ii) relevant to reproductive health; (iii) Palestinians living in Palestine; (iv) participants over the age of 15 years; and (v) restricted to human research. Three independent reviewers screened title and abstracts, and extracted data from included articles. We conducted quantitative and qualitative analyses. Results: Of 1025 titles and abstracts screened, 145 articles were included. 52 (36%) articles were conducted in community setting and 34 (24%) were conducted in hospitals. There were 5 (3%) experimental studies. 15 articles had more than one main theme; 160 subthemes overall were identified. The most frequently studied theme was labor and delivery (n = 19; 12%). One article discussed adolescent reproductive health and menopause while no articles discussed men’s reproductive health. Conclusions: 91% of the research conducted is observational. The focus of reproductive health research was to understand the topic, community and providers’ perceptions and knowledge. Articles related to the quality of services were limited. It is also important to research the reproductive health of women outside of reproductive age, men, and adolescents

Courting economic and social rights in Palestine : justiciability, enforceability and the role of the Supreme Constitutional Court

An article in : Journal Sharia and Law, College of Law, U.A.E. University, no.77, January 2019In this paper, I will discuss whether Economic and Social Rights (ESRs) constitute fundamental rights in Palestine, as a result of their entrenchment in the constitutional text, the Basic Law of the Palestinian Authority; and if yes, which ones. In fact, while in International Human Rights Law (IHRL), ESRs are presented as a monolithic category of rights, they are not treated as such in national constitutions. Some rights are simply missing from the text; others are present but enjoy different status within the constitution – often depending on the way they are written in the constitutional text, and on the way they are applied by state institutions, in particular the courts. I will also discuss whether those fundamental ESRs, in particular those that appear to be legally binding as a result of their entrenchment in the constitutional text, are – and ought to be – justiciable. I will finally discuss the theoretical and practical objections to the role of a specialized Court in enforcing entrenched ESRs, through constitutional adjudication

Public-private partnership in solid waste management sector in the West Bank of Palestine.

articlePalestine, being a developing country, faces lots of obstacles and deficiencies in the existing solid waste management (SWM) field. In wake of these circumstances, it seems hard for the public sector to run sustainable SWM systems. The overall objective of the research presented in this paper was to study the current status of the SWM field in the West Bank of Palestine under the perspective of potential private sector involvement. For this purpose, twelve Joint Service Councils (JSCs) for solid waste management were investigated. Out of them, only two are currently having a Public– Private Partnership (PPP) contract for the management and operation of the transfer station and the sanitary landfill. On the other hand, two JSCs are currently making arrangements and implementing studies for future PPPs on waste-to-energy, biowaste management and recycling projects. Jenin and Tubas Joint Service Council (JSC) had 3-month-duration PPP contract for the implementation of a recycling project, which is a worst case scenario as it failed to meet its objectives. The parameters that could encourage JSCs or ease the implementation of PPP in localSWMfield are analysed. Overall conclusion is that sustainability can be accelerated once the government—represented by the Ministry of Local Government (MoLG)—is involved; providing legal support to local authorities and incentives to potential contractors in order to encourage them to join PPPs. Parameters that are believed to facilitate PPPs include the following: development or updating existing laws and regulations, facilitation of licensing procedures, and activation of the Investment Promotion Law. Feasibility and market analysis study implementation will indicate the appropriate actions required locally to achieve environmental and financial sustainability in all contracted PPPs

Assessment of Wastewater Treatment Technologies and Promotion of Smart Irrigation Systems in the MENA Region Using an Eco-friendly Gum

BZU, Morocco, Tunisia and IHE Delft joint research projectWastewater treatment facilities in Morocco and Palestine serve solely residential communities, and lack design considerations for the treatment of industrial wastewater discharges. This urges the local municipalities to connect the industrial discharges to public sewerage networks with ultimate treatment in central wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). These current practices lead to negative impacts on WWTPs efficacy with associated environmental, economic and socio-political impacts. Considering water-energy-food nexus, climate change, water scarcity and limited access to available water resources in the MENA region, use of reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation forms a core element within an integrated water resources management. How achieve sustainable WWTPs with safe reclaimed water suitable for agricultural application is the main goal of this research project. A cutting-edge irrigation system using a Superabsorbent Polymer Technology [SPT], an eco-gum manufactured at bench scale, will be used for the removal of selective heavy metals and organic pollutants of industrial origin. We argue that SPT can help local municipalities find environmentally sound solutions to reduce organic and inorganic residues from reclaimed water. Policy makers can integrate research results within the national guidelines aiming at fostering the adoption of integrated (waste)water management for smart agricultural irrigation, environmental and public health improvement within the MENA region.DUPC2 Program, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affair

Pre-treatment of mixed agro-food industrial wastewaters using advanced chemical oxidation process

Nablus municipality faces techno-economic and environmental challenges in finding environmentally sound and economically feasible alternatives for agro-food industrial wastewater treatment. The dairy and slaughterhouse lack pre-treatment systems, hence discharging industrial wastewater into Wadi Zaimer and Wadi Sajour without prior treatment. Non-compliance of agro-food industries with Cabinet Resolution (CR 16/2013) poses environmental and health risks, associated with increased annual operational expenditures for the industries and municipality. This research study aims at finding a technically reliable treatment option for the reduction of organic and solids loads from mixed agro-food industrial wastewaters (dairy and slaughterhouse) of Nablus city. For this purpose, bench scale Jar tests using an advanced oxidation process (AOP) were performed as a pretreatment stage. The classical Fenton’s process was applied for mixed agro-food wastewater samples with initial COD values ranged between 15400 and 18200 mg/l. Initial tests revealed unsatisfactory results when Fenton reaction applied directly without prior treatment of mixed industrial wastewater. Hence, Fenton experiments preceded integration of partial treatment trials. Partial treatments of mixed samples included: sample "A" coagulant (FeCl3.6H2O) added, sample "B" settling (2h) allowed and the sample "C" lime Ca(OH)2 flocculated. Obtained results showed that optimization of Fenton`s process was reached by partial treatment of mixed industrial wastewater. Compared with other partial treatments, sample (C), Fenton`s process lime preceded, was the most effective in the removal of organic (89% COD; 80% TKN) and inorganic loads (91% TSS; 62% TS) under H2O2/COD (w/w ratio 2:1), H2O2/Fe+2 (w/w ratio 10:1) and acidic conditions (pH =3). Finally, our results comply with CR 16/2013; this encourages agro-food industries install onsite Fenton-based peroxidation systems to get connection permits to the public sewage networks.NRO Ramallah, PADUCO2 Progra

فوائد ORCID ونقل البيانات بين نظم المعلومات البحثية

نبين في هذا العرض فوائد استخدام معرف ORCID سواء للباحثين أوللمؤسسات وكيفية استخدام هذا المعرف في نقل البيانات من نظام لآخ

Evaluation of biosolids stabilization degree on four different wastewater treatment plants destined for agricultural utilization in Palestine

conference proceedingCommunities are facing challenges in treatment and safe disposal of the increase in waste sludge production, which is currently disposed of at municipal landfills. This study to identify and analyse two sewage sludge types from four WWTPs of different process and assesses the suitability of biosolids (stabilized sludge) for agricultural use in Palestine. The stability degree of biosolids was determined using physical, biochemical, microbial and agronomic determinants considering nutrients, pathogens and the potential impacts on soil environment. The results indicate that biosolids from aerobic and anaerobic sludge treatment in all four WWTPs complied with sludge reuse guidelines based on faecal coliforms (FC), volatile suspended solids (VSS %), the nitrogen and phosphorus content (TN and TP), the N/P and pH and EC values. The results provide technical assistance for policy makers and farmers in considering stabilized biosolids for land application

Clusterization in low and intermediate density nuclear matter in the modified nuclear statistical equilibrium model

The formation of light and intermediate clusters in low and intermediate density nuclear matter is investigated within the modified nuclear statistical equilibrium model. We include clusters up to mass number A=61 and densities up to 0.1 nucleons fm−3. The original nuclear statistical equilibrium model is modified by using density-dependent cluster binding energies. Whereas the light clusters are dominant at very low densities, it is found that the intermediate clusters become dominant at higher densities. As the temperature increases the dominance of the lighter clusters grows at the expense of the heavier clusters. We also evaluate the equation of state of nuclear matter within this model and determine that the critical temperature is 12.5 MeV, well below the values predicted by other equations of state. Finally we calculate the fragment multiplicity distribution within this model and find that its derivative with respect to temperature dM/dT has a maximum at a temperature (the liquid–gas transition temperature) close to that expected by other calculations

Restoration of Wadi Zaimer using a Pilot Instream Phytoremediation System for the Reduction of Industrial Pollution Loads from Nablus West, Palestine

conference proceedingsThis study aims at the design and evaluation of phytoremediation, a nature-based solution, using constructed wetlands to revitalize Wadi Zaimer from industrial pollution loads discharged from Nablus West. The urban sewage works for Nablus West is not capable of treating heavy industrial pollution loads, and the industrial firms of various types lack onsite treatment systems to get permits for legal connection to public sewerage network. Recent studies revealed that the annual discharges of industrial wastewater into Wadi Zomer pose sever public health and quality degradation in groundwater resources. Lack of science-based data pertinent to the role of bioremediation using local vegetation on the removal of organic and inorganic pollutants in Wadi Zomer warrants deep insight understanding. A pilot phytoremediation system using constructed wetlands cultivated by local vegetation (Typhae and Cattail), a 400 m long instream low impact development strip, along the course of Wadi Zomer will be established and monitored. Analysis of physical, chemical and biological parameters including organic, inorganic (heavy metals) pollutants and biological (microbial counts and enzymatic activities) provides evidence on self-purification capacity and efficacy of phytoremediation processes. What role bioremediation my play in the uptake of selective heavy metals is part of the research questions this study raise. The results provide decision makers in the field of water and environment road map regarding integration of natural based treatment technologies for the pollution reduction and environmental protection. Low-impact developments along Wadi Zomer ensure pollution loads reduction, where compliance with national and regional water quality limits help Palestinian government avoid annual Israel environmental levy and promote recreation activities along Wadi Zaimer courseNRO Ramallah, PADUCO progra