Early results of total arterial off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting using bilateral internal mammary arteries

Background: The optimal coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) technique is still evolving. This study aimed to evaluate the early results of the total arterial off-pump technique using bilateral internal mammary arteries. Methods: This study was performed from May 2018 to May 2019 at a cardiac surgery center in India. It included 200 patients with coronary artery disease who had off-pump CABG using bilateral internal mammary arteries. The patients had follow-ups for three months. There were 50 females, and the mean age was 50±10 years. Results: Conversion to on-pump was required in one case (0.5%). The use of complete vein grafts was needed in three cases (1.5%), and vein graft extension was done for two cases (1%). Intra-aortic balloon pump was used in one case (0.5%). Postoperative re-exploration for bleeding was done in two cases (1%), and sternal dehiscence or deep infection occurred in two cases (1%). A pacemaker was used in one case (0.5%), and postoperative need for dialysis occurred in three patients (1.5%). No operative mortality or postoperative stroke was reported. Redo surgery was required in one patient (0.5%). Conclusions: Off-pump total arterial revascularization technique using bilateral internal mammary arteries could have an acceptable early outcome

FROM WASTE TO ENERGY: REUSE OF LANDFILLS TO CREATE ECO-FRIENDLY SPACES

Waste to Energy (W to E) minimize the amount of waste sent to landfill, which also reduces negative impacts on the environment. This problem has been a common occurrence since the beginning of time. Waste to Energy will assist in the creation of a low-carbon society. Currently, the challenge behind reaching Eco-friendly space is a result of the continuity of incineration and landfill uncontrolled Municipal Solid waste on slopes and seashore. This environmental disaster as worldwide landfill is oversaturated and can collapse at any moment and cause dangerous damage to the environment. The average trash production increased phenomenally worldwide, resulting in numerous environmental and health concerns. The landfill\u27s greatest height point reached 30 meters, which is much above the minimum-engineered height. Renewable Energy refers to a variety of treatment technologies that convert waste into sustainable development like electricity, heat, fuel or other usable material, as well as a variety of waste. Renewable Energy is divided into four categories: thermal, mechanical, thermochemical and biochemical. Therefore, this research aims to establish guidelines to Reuse the Landfills and create Eco-Friendly Spaces, explore the potential of landfills in reused as new recreational Eco-friendly spaces and to establish Renewable energy. To achieve this aim, the paper will follow a scientific methodology, starting with a literature review highlighting the definition of Waste to Energy, understanding its causes and types, then focus on different methods applying for this disaster and its relation to the city. As focused case study, this paper summarizes the methodology for applying Renewable Energy and transforming the mountain of garbage into entertainment and amusement park. As a conclusion, this research will analyze the effectiveness of Waste to Energy and how it functions strategically in order to improve the quality of life

EXTENDING THE ROLE OF ARCHITECTURE INTERVENTION ACROSS THE DISASTER LIFE CYCLE

Disasters have been a common occurrence since the beginning of time, yet they are increasing phenomenally worldwide and especially in developing countries. Factors that led to the cause of destructive disasters are often complex and interrelated; researchers detect human influence and rapid development is intensifying the damage and scale of disaster-prone areas through urban sprawl and human interference. Observing the disaster life cycle, it is made up of four stages: preparedness stage, resilience and mitigation stage, response and relief stage, and finally reconstruction and recovery stage. The main focus usually lies in the response and relief stage which comes immediately after the disaster has struck. The aim of this research is to extend the architectural intervention across all stages of the disaster; using a dynamic disaster response system made up of three components, primarily a disaster educational centre that can reliably respond to any disaster occurrence using a network of prebuilt structures spread across the perimeters of disaster-prone areas. The structures help with strategic preparedness, promote resilience, mitigating damage and spread, provide recovery and relief, and aid in eventual reforestations and reconstructions. As well as, designed to host an adaptable module of prefabricated units that can be easily mobilized and transported to plug-in to the host structures; the hosting structures will also provide a mechanical response across all stages of the disaster life cycle with a minimum disruptive footprint. Utilizing primarily the inductive method, this research will analyse the effectiveness of this unconventional architectural design approach in how it functions both reactively and strategically across all stages of any disaster life cycle. The paper also relies on analytical and deductive methods to help portray the effectiveness of the unconventional architectural design approach in how it functions both reactively and strategically across all stages of any disaster life cycle

PROPOSING GUIDELINES TO UPGRADE THE OPEN PUBLIC SPACES IN THE INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS

Informal Settlements have expanded rapidly in the last fifty years and have kept rising. With rapid population expansion has come an increase in haphazard urbanisation and informal settlements, frequently referred as slums. Defined as a settlement that was formed in an unplanned and uncontrolled way, which means they are mostly unrecognized. Unfortunately, focusing on the problem of current challenges in informal settlements, on the socio-cultural and environmental levels, which are facing a massive shift in the quality of life in these sites, this is reflected in urban fragmentations, social and infrastructures are lacking, service systems that have become progressively inefficient over time, a shortage of open public spaces, and inequality. Which all influence the urban environment. This paper, therefore, aims to provide guidelines to upgrade the open public spaces in the informal settlements to evolve these sites. To achieve this aim, the paper will follow a scientific methodology, starting by presenting a literature review highlighting the definition of an informal settlement, recognizing its causes, types, and its relation to the city. As a focused case study, the research will tackle Taamir district in Saida applying the field method, which are primarily inhabited by refugees, abandoned peoples, and fragmented families, as a scoped case study. This methodology investigated the challenges of its residents and proceeded with recommendations to improve their quality of life. These guidelines may be used to all those communities while considering the conditions of each region. As a conclusion, improving the quality of life in informal settlements includes ensuring that resident’s academic, economic, environmental, and socio-cultural issues are addressed

ROLE OF 3D PRINTED GREEN WALLS IN HEALING ARCHITECTURE

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has become a fundamental issue in modern global technology, touching practically every element of modern human life.Three-dimensional (3D) printing (also known as additive manufacturing) is an advanced manufacturing technology that can autonomously manufacture complicated shape geometries from a 3D computer-aided design model without the use of equipment or fixtures.However, there is a friction between traditional designs and the rise of 3D printed technology when it comes to architectural healing approaches, and this adaptability is hurting human healing tactics that are dependent on the relationship between space and environment.Due to its capacity to create products in a wide range of materials rapidly and at a lower cost, additive manufacturing is having a significant impact on production in a variety of areas. Even though it encompasses a wide range of techniques and applications, additive manufacturing (AM) may be described as a system for converting solid model data from a computer-based model into a physical prototype by the incremental addition of material via layer superposition. Therefore, this research aims to examine the 3d printed green walls as new proposed design elements that can upgrade the natural healing architecture. To achieve this goal, the study begins with a literature review that includes scientific methodology based on principles that assist architects dealing with advanced tools in transforming their intentions from digital to analogue means as part of a controlled system intended to innovate design and construction principles of the use of 3D printed green walls. It will also assist in the quest for a concept design that confronts the regeneration of a new spatial delineation ideology

APPLYING METAMORPHOSIS PHILOSOPHY TO REVIVE THE ABANDONED BUILDINGS

The metamorphosis philosophy is related to architecture, for instance this translation is showcased in the transformation of spaces in buildings that is either done by the destruction or modification of the architectural product. Unfortunately, many buildings, structures and spaces are left abandoned because of changing situations, war, or natural causes. These abandoned buildings can increase the crime rate and leave lands covered in leftover spaces which can have drastic consequences on the environment. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to propose a set of design approaches that can apply the philosophy of metamorphosis in the revival of abandoned buildings with the goal of discovering adaptive solutions for abandoned buildings through their transformation. Hence, to accomplish this aim, this paper will cover accordingly a literature review, desk research case studies and previous readings about the relation of metamorphosis to abandoned buildings. Through the analysis, the research will detect ways of applying space transformation to abandoned buildings and will test the role of metamorphosis in reviving a place. That being the case, the paper will highlight on the reuse of abandoned buildings in Mar Mikhael, Lebanon as a case study

INVESTIGATING COMMERCIAL URBAN CORRIDORS - A PILOT STUDY IN BEIRUT LEBANON

Urban environments are multifaceted, varied, dynamic, complex, and evolving as are the underlying features for human health and wellbeing (Bai, Nath, Capon, Hasan & Jaron, 2020). Healthy and resilient cities can be entry points and platforms for change, adaptation and innovation to achieve optimal health for urban communities and the environment (Regional Framework for Urban Health in the Western Pacific 2016–2020: Healthy and Resilient Cities, 2016). Planners considered urban corridors, which are connection and access between urban districts, as major elements in shaping the city image and forming its identity and investigating them are vital for enhancing healthy and resilient cities. Narrowing the scope on commercial urban corridors, which are a concentration of retail stores that serve a common trade area and lie along a single street (Catherine Dyste, 2012). These corridors can be seen as a dynamic space, but at the same time, they are created to create a range of experiences (Shaban et al., 2018). Improving commercial urban corridors requires several indicators for reviving the companionable and sociable life of a street. Problems occur when space use is not driven. The society therefore uses the urban commercial corridor according to their own interests. This condition may generate conflict between users of the \u27Link\u27 and users of the \u27Space’, may make the corridor an uncomfortable location, and may decreases its livability. Rapid urbanization and unplanned rapid changes of commercial activities in corridors that have an impact on the surrounding streets and users’ activities imposes burdens on surrounding land use and mobility. However, this problem has contributed to various issues such as traffic congestion, pollution, decrease in green areas and degradation of the urban quality of living. That’s why investigating these corridors is imperative to know its utilization and functioning to identify the existing problems and chaos in the corridor since they are facing significant challenges, which is the lack of reliable knowledge on their characteristics and development; important for local authorities to provide wealth of knowledge and data collection. The paper aims to investigate commercial urban corridors to identify and analyze livability aspects and indicators for reviving its companionable and sociable life that can be implemented in a way of a considerable checklist which acts as a systematic structure for communicating the data required, diagnosing issues, and defining the strengths and limitations of the efficiency of a commercial urban corridor to promote a healthy and resilient urban context. To achieve the aim, the research investigates a commercial urban corridor focusing on one of the urban corridors in Beirut, Lebanon. By using Geoportal Interactive Tool, conducted by UN-Habitat and UNICEF to create cartography of the existing conditions of the pilot study, and then analyzes the aspects and indicators of livability based on cartography, walk through analysis and face-to-face interviews with inhabitants in area. After analyzing the commercial urban corridor and identifying the effective indicators, the research resulted in proposing some guidelines for enhancing livability in commercial urban corridors, which were mainly related to the physical aspect since it defines the most inadequate quality and performance

Receiver Diversity Combining Using Evolutionary Algorithms in Rayleigh Fading Channel

In diversity combining at the receiver, the output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is often maximized by using the maximal ratio combining (MRC) provided that the channel is perfectly estimated at the receiver. However, channel estimation is rarely perfect in practice, which results in deteriorating the system performance. In this paper, an imperialistic competitive algorithm (ICA) is proposed and compared with two other evolutionary based algorithms, namely, particle swarm optimization (PSO) and genetic algorithm (GA), for diversity combining of signals travelling across the imperfect channels. The proposed algorithm adjusts the combiner weights of the received signal components in such a way that maximizes the SNR and minimizes the bit error rate (BER). The results indicate that the proposed method eliminates the need of channel estimation and can outperform the conventional diversity combining methods

Utilizing 3D Printed Lung Phantoms for Patient-Specific History Storage, Follow-Up, and Lesion Visualization in CT Scanning

This research proposes an innovative solution using 3D printing technology to create lung tissue phantoms for improved COVID-19 visualization and diagnosis. A dataset of 100 CT scans, including 60 COVID-19 positive cases, was utilized for lung tissue segmentation via 3D Slicer software.https://egrove.olemiss.edu/pharm_annual_posters_2024/1000/thumbnail.jp