Bond between TRM versus FRP composites and concrete at high temperatures

The use of fibre reinforced polymers (FRP) as a means of external reinforcement for strengthening the existing reinforced concrete (RC) structures nowadays is the most common technique. However, the use of epoxy resins limits the effectiveness of FRP technique, and therefore, unless protective (thermal insulation) systems are provided, the bond capacity at the FRP-concrete interface will be extremely low above the glass transition temperature (Tg). To address problems associated with epoxies and to provide cost-effectiveness and durability of the strengthening intervention, a new composite cement- based material, namely textile-reinforced mortar (TRM) has been developed the last decade. This paper for the first time examines the bond performance between the TRM and concrete interfaces at high temperatures and, also compares for the first time the bond of both FRP and TRM systems to concrete at ambient and high temperatures. The key parameters investigated include: (a) the matrix used to impregnate the fibres, namely resin or mortar, resulting in two strengthening systems (TRM or FRP), (b) the level of high temperature to which the specimens are exposed (20, 50, 75, 100, and 150 °C) for FRP-reinforced specimens, and (20, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, and 500 °C) for TRM-strengthened specimens, (c) the number of FRP/TRM layers (3 and 4), and (d) the loading conditions (steady state and transient conditions). A total of 68 specimens (56 specimens tested in steady state condition, and 12 specimens tested in transient condition) were constructed, strengthened and tested under double- lap direct shear. The result showed that overall TRM exhibited excellent performance at high temperature. In steady state tests, TRM specimens maintained an average of 85% of their ambient bond strength up to 400 °C, whereas the corresponding value for FRP specimens was only 17% at 150 °C. In transient test condition, TRM also outperformed over FRP in terms of both the time they maintained the applied load and the temperature reached before failure

Strategic framework for unmanned aerial systems integration in public organisations in the Dominican Republic disaster management context

This is an accepted manuscript of an article published by Elsevier in International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, available online at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102088 The accepted version of the publication may differ from the final published version.In the Caribbean region, there is a significant yearly number of natural events incidents. The impact of those events has affected the well-being, social and economic structures of the countries in this region. The investment in disaster management strategies is a fundamental decision to the region for improving capabilities, understanding the liabilities, dealing with the disaster stages, and integrating systems and tools to obtain greater results in resilience strategies. Therefore, information technology and robotics have played an effective role bringing innovation to the traditional approaches by improving the capabilities of personnel and serves as a catalyst to rapid data collection tools for effective decision-making during disastrous situation, as has been the case of the Dominican Republic. The organic adoption process of Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) has represented a large step forward regarding this matter. Examples of the adoption process occurs based on their flexibility in their regulatory context, funding investments in testing the applications of UAS, such as surveying, delivering medical samples and spray disinfection during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are only some mature applications that address a future-proofing concept as well as the integration into a typical institutional workflow. Therefore, this paper aims to be an introductory guide for decision and policymakers, educators and technicians to reduce the scepticism, lack of knowledge and know-how in the adoption of reliable, practical and effective tools by providing a combination of theories from socio-technical systems (socio-technical change impact model (SCI)) and organizational level (technology-organizational-environmental) frameworks of the UAS adoption process for natural events, tasks and critical roles in disaster management taking into account the Dominican Republic context. Qualitative cases of studies were evaluated from nine (9) professionals related to disaster management in the Dominican Republic, and a semi-structured interview were used to approach the adoption process of Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) in these organisations

Synthesis, characterization and binding with DNA of four planaramineplatinum(II) complexes of the forms: Trans-PtL2Cl2 and [PtL3Cl]Cl, where L = 3-hydroxypyridine, 4-hydroxypyridine and imidazo(1,2-α)pyridine

Four new trans-planaramineplatinum(II) complexes, three of the form: trans-PtCl2L2, code named CH1, CH2 and CH4 where L = 3-hydroxypyridine, 4-hydroxypyridine and imidazo[1,2-α]pyridine, respectively, and one of the form: PtClL3, code named CH3 where L = 3-hydroxypyridine, have been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses and IR, Raman, mass and 1H NMR spectral studies. The interactions of the compounds with salmon sperm and pBR322 plasmid DNAs have been investigated and their activity against human ovarian cancer cell lines: A2780, A2780cisR and A2780ZD0473R have also been determined. The compounds are believed to form mainly monofunctional N7(G) and bifunctional intrastrand N7(G)N7(G) adducts with DNA, causing a local distortion of DNA as a result of which gel mobility of the DNA changes. The compound containing three planaramine ligands per molecule (CH3) is found to be less reactive than the compounds containing two planaramine ligands per molecule (CH1, CH2 and CH4), which in turn are less reactive than compounds containing one of the same planaramine ligands per molecule. The decrease in reactivity is reflected in lower molar conductivity values (indicating lower degree of dissociation), less pronounced changes caused to DNA conformation (indicating decreased level of platinum–DNA binding) and lower activity. The decreased reactivity of the compounds is due to a greater steric crowding produced by the bulky planaramine ligands. Changes in DNA conformation are also found to be a function of the actual nature of the planaramine ligand. The results illustrate structure–activity relationship

Morpho-physiology, yield and quality assessment on five local landrace Chilli Germplasms

An experiment was arranged to evaluate the morpho-physiological characters, yield and quality of local landrace chilli germplasms, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, from October 2013 to July 2014. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications. Among germplasms, maximum plant height (59.5 cm) and leaves (84.1) from ‘Kajoli’. Number of branches (33.1) was from ‘Akashi’ minimum (18.6) from ‘Dongfou’, chlorophyll content (56.9%) was obtained from ‘Kajoli’, whereas minimum (48.9%) was obtained from ‘Dongfou’. Leaf area highest (125.8 cm2) from ‘Dongfou’, whereas lowest (62.38 cm2) from ‘Deshi kacha Morich’; was recorded as at 85 DAT. Highest flowers plant-1 (68.7), number of fruits plant-1 (268.3) were found in ‘Kajoli’, whilst lowest (24.6) and (61.42) were for ‘Dongfou’. Maximum vitamin-C was found in green and dry chilli fruits (76.44 mg/100g and 42.55 mg/100g), of the germplasm ‘Akashi’ and minimum vitamin-C was recorded in green and dry fruits from ‘Deshi kacha morich’. The germplasm ‘Akashi’ gave the highest fresh fruits yield (18.1 t ha-1), followed by Deshi kacha morich (16.9 t ha-1) and Bogra morich produced the lowest fresh yield (13.3 t ha-1). In view of overall performances, So, Akashi with was best for higher fruit, yield and quality chilli production

Morpho-physiology, yield and quality assessment on five local landrace Chilli Germplasms

An experiment was arranged to evaluate the morpho-physiological characters, yield and quality of local landrace chilli germplasms, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, from October 2013 to July 2014. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications. Among germplasms, maximum plant height (59.5 cm) and leaves (84.1) from ‘Kajoli’. Number of branches (33.1) was from ‘Akashi’ minimum (18.6) from ‘Dongfou’, chlorophyll content (56.9%) was obtained from ‘Kajoli’, whereas minimum (48.9%) was obtained from ‘Dongfou’. Leaf area highest (125.8 cm2) from ‘Dongfou’, whereas lowest (62.38 cm2) from ‘Deshi kacha Morich’; was recorded as at 85 DAT. Highest flowers plant-1 (68.7), number of fruits plant-1 (268.3) were found in ‘Kajoli’, whilst lowest (24.6) and (61.42) were for ‘Dongfou’. Maximum vitamin-C was found in green and dry chilli fruits (76.44 mg/100g and 42.55 mg/100g), of the germplasm ‘Akashi’ and minimum vitamin-C was recorded in green and dry fruits from ‘Deshi kacha morich’. The germplasm ‘Akashi’ gave the highest fresh fruits yield (18.1 t ha-1), followed by Deshi kacha morich (16.9 t ha-1) and Bogra morich produced the lowest fresh yield (13.3 t ha-1). In view of overall performances, So, Akashi with was best for higher fruit, yield and quality chilli production

An Enhanced Bat Algorithm for Parallel Localization Based on a Mobile Beacon Sensor in Wireless Sensor Networks

International audienceWireless sensor networks (WSNs) have done extensive work over the past decade, focusing primarily on node position in large WSNs when using Internet of Things. When a few anchor nodes are established, the location of sensor nodes must be found and defined in a large network. The goal is to solve this problem by means of an energy-minimal and high-precision protocol. We suggest an improved parallel position scheme based on Bat algorithms, in this article. The main idea is to use a mobile node in the middle of certain network nodes. Wherein, the center node moves along a spiral path to locate its neighboring nodes in parallel. Simulation results of some case studies show remarkable localization quality with regard to accuracy and energy consumption