Fatigue life of hot mix asphalt mixtures

Fatigue cracking is one of the major types of distress in asphalt concrete pavements. Under the action of repeated vehicular loading, the asphalt concrete deteriorates and eventually results in fatigue cracking. This study investigated the effect of temperature, aggregate gradation, nominal maximum aggregate size, and asphalt types on fatigue life of hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures. Six mixtures were selected namely asphaltic concrete with nominal maximum aggregate size of 10 mm (AC10), and 14 mm (AC14), polymer modified asphalt concrete 10 mm (PMA10), and 14 mm (PMA14), and stone mastic asphalt 14 mm (SMA14), and 20 mm (SMA20). Specimens were prepared at optimum asphalt content using the Marshall Mix design procedure. Indirect tensile test for resilient modulus was performed according to ASTM D 4123. Fatigue test was also conducted to determine the performance of the mixtures. The specimens were prepared using 80/100 penetration asphalt for AC10 and AC14, and using PG76 asphalt for PMA10, PMA14, SMA14, and SMA20. Fatigue tests with constant stress were performed using Universal Testing Machine at 25° C and 40° C at a load of 1000 N. The results showed that fatigue life of asphalt mixture was lower at 40° C than that at 25° C. It was also observed that the mixtures with smallest nominal maximum aggregate size had higher fatigue life. The PMAs developed greater fatigue performance than SMAs and ACs, due to aggregate gradation and asphalt type

The relationship between service climate and organizational performance in Malaysian higher education institutions

The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between service climate dimensions and organizational performance and to what extent these dimensions influence organizational performance. A total of 103 samples were collected from three public universities in Northern Malaysia. The respondents were employees of the universities and t-test, ANOVA, and multiple regression was used to analyse data. The result of the study reveals significant relationship between the three dimensions of service climate and the organizational performance of universities’ employees. According to the regression results, it was also visible that overall service climate has a significant relationship with organizational performance. Besides, when each dimension tested separately, customer orientation (CO) dimension has found a significant relationship with organizational performance. It is indicating that customer orientation has a strong influence on organizational performance. Other two dimensions work facilitation (WF) and managerial support (MS) found an insignificant relationship with organizational performance because their low beta value indicated so. Also, t-test reveals that there is no mean difference of organizational performance in respect of male and female respondents. The significance of this study is to develop motivated workforce by deploying an inspiring service climate to ensure the superior institutional performanc

The Spiritual and Physical Needs in Leo Tolstoy’s "How Much Land does a Man Need?" and “God Sees the Truth, But Waits”

The similarities and differences between Leo Tolstoy’s “God Sees The Truth; But Waits” and “How much Land Does a Man Need” through the protagonists Spiritual and physical needs

H-infinity Based Full State Feedback Controller Design for Human Swing Leg

In this paper, the robustness properties of H-infinity control to produce a dynamic output feedback controller is applied to a human swing leg system. The double pendulum structure is usually used to model this system. The pendulum links will represent the thigh and shank of a human leg. The upper body will be connected to the thigh and then the shank via hip and knee joints. The muscles of thigh and shank are moved by applied two external (servomotor) torques at the hip and knee joints. The mathematical model of the system is developed. The results show that the proposed controller can robustly stabilize the system and achieve a desirable time response specification. The results are obtained by using Matlab program and the achieved time response specifications are rise time tr=0.18 seconds, settling time ts=0.25 seconds and maximum over shoot Mp=0.03 for hip joint and tr=0.13 seconds, ts=0.21 seconds andMp=0.01 for knee joint

Investigation some properties of recycled lightweight concrete blocks as a fine aggregate in mortar under elevated temperature

The main objective of this study is to assess the effect of utilizing waste material (lightweight concrete blocks) as partial replacing of fine aggregate. To do so, seven mix designs were utilized to prepare 168 mortar specimens (84 cubes and 84 prism) with the replacement ratios of 10% and 20% waste material fine aggregate instead of traditional sand at different temperatures of 24 ᵒC, 200 ᵒC, 400 ᵒC, and 600 ᵒC. The combination of two type waste material together in one mixture (waste lightweight concrete blocks with waste clay bricks or waste lightweight concrete blocks with waste glass) was tested with and without fiber (1% polypropylene fiber by volume). The physico-mechanical properties of mortar specimens involving flow rate, fresh density, weight loss, compressive strength, flexural strength and water absorption were determined. The hardened tests were implemented at age of 28 days. The results demonstrated fresh density experienced a decrease when utilizing recycled materials especially waste lightweight concrete block at 20%. Compressive strength showed improving with replacing normal sand by waste materials and that enhancing was clear at high temperatures. The specimens that utilized waste lightweight concrete block with waste glass aggregate illustrated clearly reduction in water absorption comparing with control mix at different temperatures

Sustainable Mortar Made with Local Clay Bricks and Glass Waste Exposed to Elevated Temperatures

The present study involved assessing the replacement of fine aggregate in the mortar with sustainable local materials like clay bricks and glass included 168 specimens (cubes and prisms). Seven mixtures were cast for this work, one control mix (R1) with 100% natural sand whereas mixes from R2 to R5 have 10% and 20% replacing natural sand with waste clay bricks and waste glass separately and respectively. Mix R6 was included 20% replacing sand with combination waste materials (10% waste clay bricks with 10% waste glass). Mix R7 has involved the same percent of replacing the previous mix R6 but with adding Polypropylene fibers 1% by volume. The samples have put in an electrical oven for one hour at 200, 400, and 600 ᵒC then cooled to room temperature to be tested and compared with samples at normal temperature 24 ᵒC. Different mechanical tests were adopted involved flow tests, density, weight loss, compressive strength, flexural strength, and water absorption. The results at different temperatures were discussed where many findings were specified. The flexural strength at 400 ᵒC was showed improving by 56% for 20% waste clay brick and 69% with 10% waste glass, as well all combination mixes illustrated higher strength than the control. Doi: 10.28991/cej-2021-03091729 Full Text: PD

The Social Media as a Tool of Marketing Communication: A Descriptive Study

تهدف هذه الدراسة الى اكتشاف دور استخدام شبكات التواصل الاجتماعي في تعزيز الاتصالات التسويقية في سلسلة متاجر كارفور في محافظة أربيل – العراق. شهدت السنوات الحالية بروز قنوات تواصل جديدة مثل فيسبوك، يوتيوب، وتويتر. ان بوابات التواصل هذه، تمكن الزبائن من أن يكون لها أدوار مرنة ومتفاعلة كمتحكمين بالسوق، فضلاً عن امكانية الوصول على مدار الساعة. ان وسائل التواصل الجديدة من شأنها ان تولد ضغوط كبيرة على شركات الاعمال فيما يتعلق بتأسيس نماذج الاعمال وتطبيق استراتيجيات الشركة. ان بيئة شبكات التواصل التسويقية تمثل أدوات مؤثرة لشركات الاعمال للوصول والاتصال وبناء علاقات قوية مع زبائنها. تم استخدام حزمة البرنامج الاحصائي SPSS-20  لتحليل البيانات واستخراج الاوساط الحسابية والتكرارات. تم التوصل الى مجموعة من الاستنتاجات، من أهمها ان شبكات التواصل الاجتماعي لها دور مهم في تعزيز الاتصالات التسويقية في سلسلة متاجر كارفور في أربيل.This study aims to discover the implication of social media in the enhancement of marketing communications in Carrefour chain stores in Erbil Province -Iraq. Current years have witnessed the rise of new media channels such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. These platforms allow consumers to take additional active flexible roles as market players and reach almost everyone anywhere and anytime. Also, the new media will put pressure of long established business models and company strategies, but in the same time it will provide plenty opportunities for growth through new adaptive strategies. Social media marketing domain represents a influential instrument for businesses to reach, connect and build strong relationships with their customers. Software package SPSS-20 has been used to analyze the data in order to run statistical tools like average, frequency analysis and chi square. Based on the analysis a conclusion has been drawn that use of social media will enhance marketing communications in Carrefour chain stores in Erbil

Assessment of heavy metals contamination of agricultural soils using pollution indicators in Thi-Qar governorate, Southern Iraq

This study aims to assess the levels of contamination of agricultural soils with heavy elements (cobalt, copper, iron, nickel, cadmium, and lead) in three regions in Thi-Qar Governorate, Southern Iraq. These three regions are Al-Gharraf, Al-Islah, and Al-Batha. The study was done by using the pollution indicators, which are geographical pollution index (Igeo), contamination degree (Cd), contamination factor (Cf), pollution load index (PLI), potential ecological risk factor (Er), and finally, risk index (RI). From each region, four soil samples were collected from holes 25 cm deep, separated by a distance of 500 meters. After the digestion process of the samples, the concentrations of the studied elements were measured by flam atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS). The results showed that the average heavy metal concentrations for all samples were (365.810, 96.424, 41.36, 11.919, 5.194 and 0.352 mg/kg). They were in the following order Fe > Ni > Cu >Co > Pb > Cd, respectively. The concentrations of heavy metals in the study areas were all within the limits allowed by the World Health Organization (WHO) except for 8.3% of the studied areas that were beyond the permissible limits for cadmium only. The reason for the increase in cadmium concentrations in some areas could be due to sewage, industrial emissions and agricultural practices. According to the Igeo values, the levels of minerals studied for the three regions followed the following order Cd > Cu > Co > Pb > N i> Fe

Assessment health care services among health care workers in holy Karbala governorate

Background:  Objective: Objectives of the study were to 1) Figuring out the degree of utilization, for the beneficiary health users, together with overall and detailed provider's satisfaction, with primary health care, services provided. 2) Suggesting a renovate plan, for Iraqi health system reform. Subjects and Methods: A cross sectional survey was conduct in Health Directorate of Holy Karbala Governorate, Iraq,. A total 572 of health providers a self-administered questionnaire on factors associated with, job satisfaction, Were included in this study. The data collection carried out for a period of five months from January, 2, 2017 to the end of May 2017. Data collected by direct interview, with health providers using a questionnaire form that designed based on the study objectives, it administered to the participants and the, results consolidated and, tested for any statistical significance. Results: Total sample in this study were 572, health providers (65.4%, male and 34.6% female), the mean age of the study population was 36.8 ± 9.8 years, The study population was the age range, at the time of study were, between (21–60) years, (male: female ratio was 1.3:1) and the highest percentage (35.7%) were in the age group (< 30) years. The most of the respondents were lived, in urban areas as represent, (58.7%). Regarding the distribution of health providers, as educational level about half of studied, sample (49.7 %) from College and more, while regarding health title more than half of studied sample (57.9%) were Paramedical staff. Regarding afternoon, work (56.0%) of health providers, have an afternoon work, (67.0%) agree with health insurance, and having a family doctor, for each area responsible for, family members' health, while (43.0 %) agree with prevent, mix of private and governmental work.   Conclusion: The overall scores were acceptable regarding, assessment of health provider’s among, health care services in primary health care, centers, and conduct of health assurance program, in the health system of Iraq.  A better educational program, on health, assurance, program should, conducted to improve awareness, , attitude, and practice toward health, assurance, program using, mass, media and health, education in all Ministries and community.  Statistical analysis: Data input to computer file for, storage and Analysis, Statistical package for the, social sciences (SPSS) version 18 used for, data description and analysis, Descriptive statistic included the use of frequencies and percentages. The Chi-Square statistical test used, to test for associations between variables with the results, considered as statistically significant when the P value was equal or less than 0.05. Keywords: health care services, primary health care centers, health providers, health assurance program. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-10-13 Publication date:May 31st 201

State Feedback Sliding Mode Controller Design for Human Swing Leg System

In this paper, the robustness properties of sliding mode control (SMC) which is designed to produce a dynamic output feedback controller to achieve robustness for trajectory tracking of the nonlinear human swing leg system is presented. The human swing leg represents the support of human leg or the humanoid robot leg which is usually modeled as a double pendulum. The thigh and shank of a human leg will respect the pendulum links, hip and knee will connect the upper body to thigh and then shank respectively. The total moments required to move the muscles of thigh and shank are denoted by two external (servomotors) torques applied at the hip and knee joints. The mathematical model of the system is developed. The results show that the proposed controller can robustly stabilize the system and achieve a desirable time response specification