Experimental study of Steel-Concrete Composite Beams comprised of Fly ash based Geopolymer concrete

[EN] To combat the present situation of greenhouse gases emission from cement production, a promising solution is to utilise supplementary cementitious by-product materials such as fly ash to produce green concrete known as Geopolymer concrete (GPC). However, despite fly ash based concrete is a promising substitute for ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete, it is not yet being utilised to its full potential for structural applications. And so, to utilise green concrete to its full potential, this paper aim is to conduct an experimental study that will integrate fly ash based concrete within steel-concrete composite beams. The research will include casting of composite beams with GPC mix, and an OPC concrete as a reference mix designed according to British Standards. To determine the ultimate moment capacity, a total of Four (4) composite beams comprised of coventional and Bondek steel profile concrete slab are designed and tested according to Australian Standards. From the test results, it was found that composite beam with conventionalconcrete slab outperformed the beams with Bondek profile sheeting. Also, regarding of ultimate bending moment capacity, the composite beam with geopolymer concrete experienced almost identical to OPC composite beam.Singh, B.; Tan, E.; Pan, Z.; Mirza, O.; Boncato, J. (2018). Experimental study of Steel-Concrete Composite Beams comprised of Fly ash based Geopolymer concrete. En Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Advances in Steel-Concrete Composite Structures. ASCCS 2018. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 123-128. https://doi.org/10.4995/ASCCS2018.2018.6988OCS12312

Exploring the Obstacles Faced by Teachers and Their Coping Strategies in Mother Tongue-Based Education

This study aimed to explore the obstacles faced by teachers in Mother Tongue-Based Education (MTB) and their coping strategies. Specifically, it focused on investigating the challenges encountered by teachers in MTB. The study examined the extent of challenges in terms of the availability of instructional materials (IMs), strategies used, and training attended by teachers. Additionally, the level of coping strategies employed by teachers in terms of lesson delivery and IM availability was assessed. The relationship between teachers' challenges and coping strategies in MTB was further explored, and the findings were utilized to develop interventions. Using a descriptive-correlational research design, the study revealed that teachers faced obstacles primarily due to the lack of digital resources and inadequate training, which consequently affected the availability of essential teaching strategies. However, despite these challenges, teachers demonstrated effective coping strategies. They employed various approaches to teach their lessons and achieve their desired objectives, while also utilizing diverse resources to foster a collaborative and interactive learning environment. Moreover, the study found no significant relationship between the extent of teachers' challenges and their level of coping strategies in MTB. Based on the findings, it is recommended that schools provide teachers with targeted training and professional development opportunities specifically related to MTB. By addressing the identified challenges, teachers can enhance their coping strategies and improve the overall effectiveness of MTB education. &nbsp

Experimental study of steel-concrete composite beams comprised of fly ash based geopolymer concrete

To combat the present situation of greenhouse gases emission from cement production, a promising solution is to utilise supplementary cementitious by-product materials such as fly ash to produce green concrete known as Geopolymer concrete (GPC). However, despite fly ash based concrete is a promising substitute for ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete, it is not yet being utilised to its full potential for structural applications. And so, to utilise green concrete to its full potential, this paper aim is to conduct an experimental study that will integrate fly ash based concrete within steel-concrete composite beams. The research will include casting of composite beams with GPC mix, and an OPC concrete as a reference mix designed according to British Standards. To determine the ultimate moment capacity, a total of Four (4) composite beams comprised of coventional and Bondek steel profile concrete slab are designed and tested according to Australian Standards. From the test results, it was found that composite beam with conventionalconcrete slab outperformed the beams with Bondek profile sheeting. Also, regarding of ultimate bending moment capacity, the composite beam with geopolymer concrete experienced almost identical to OPC composite beam

Efeito da poda da última penca do cacho da bananeira Prata Anã (AAB) irrigada na produção de frutos no Norte de Minas Gerais Influence of last hand prune on the irrigated banana bunch crop in the north of Minas Gerais State

Este trabalho foi conduzido na Fazenda Experimental de Mocambinho pertencente à EPAMIG/CTNM, localizada no Perímetro Irrigado do Jaíba MG, com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da retirada da última penca do cacho de banana 'Prata Anã', na precocidade de colheita e características dos frutos. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, com 2 tratamentos, 23 repetições e 3 plantas por parcela. Os tratamentos foram representados por retirada e manutenção da última penca. Não houve efeito dos tratamentos para precocidade, nos dois primeiros ciclos de produção. Para os parâmetros de produção, não houve diferença estatística nos dois primeiros ciclos para massa do cacho; massa média de frutos; massa média de pencas; comprimento, diâmetro, massa e espessura de casca do fruto central da segunda penca; massa da primeira penca; massa da segunda penca; massa da penúltima penca e massa do engaço. No segundo ciclo, houve efeito negativo da retirada da última penca para massa total de frutos, e no primeiro ciclo, apesar de não ter sido significativo, observou-se a mesma tendência. No terceiro ciclo a retirada da última penca promoveu aumento de massa média de frutos, massa média de pencas e diâmetro do fruto central da segunda penca, não alterando o massa total de frutos.<br>This work was carried out in the EPAMIG/CTNM's Experimental Farm, wich is located in the irrigated area of Jaiba county in the north of Minas Gerais state. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of hand prune on the harvest time and on the crop characteristics. A completely randomized design was used with 23 replications and three plants per plot. The treatments were pruning and nonpruning of last hand of each bunch. There was no effect of treatments on the harvest time for two first crops, and on fruits characteristics. In the second crop cycle, total fruit weight decreased with last hand prunning. In the third crop the last hand prune treatment increased the mean weight of fuits and of the hands, and the diameter of the central finger of the second hand, but there was no effect in the total fruit weigh

A Coffee Berry Borer (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) Bibliography

Native to Africa, the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), has gradually invaded most coffee-growing areas worldwide. Adult females colonize the coffee berry and oviposit within galleries in the coffee seeds. Larvae and adults consume the seeds, resulting in drastic reductions in yields and quality, negatively affecting the income of approximately 20 million coffee-growing families (~100 million people) in ~80 countries, with losses surpassing more than $500 million annually (Vega et al. 2015). It has become evident that the coffee berry borer scientific community could greatly benefit from having access to a bibliography of the literature related to the insect. Such an information source would allow scientists to find out what research areas have been explored throughout the many coffee berry borer-infested countries after more than 100 years of research on the topic. It could also help to direct lead future research efforts into novel areas, and away from topics and ideas that have been thoroughly investigated in the past