Predicting the fire-induced structural performance of steel tube columns filled with SFRC-enhanced concrete: using artificial neural networks approach

Predicting the axial Shortening strength of concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns is an important problem that this study attempts to solve for civil engineering projects. We suggest using a deep learning-based artificial neural network (ANN) model to address this issue, taking into account the intricate relationship between steel tube and core concrete. The model, called ANN-SFRC (Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete), surpasses an R2 threshold of 0.90 and achieves impressive R2 values across different types of CFST columns. Compared to traditional linear regression methods, the ANN-SFRC model significantly improves accuracy, with an observed inaccuracy of less than 3% compared to actual values. With its reliable approach to forecasting the behavior of CFST columns under axial compression, this high-performance instrument enhances safety and accuracy during the design and planning stages of civil engineering

Chronic airflow obstruction in Tanzania - a cross-sectional study

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a global problem and available data from sub-Saharan Africa is very limited.; A cross-sectional facility-based pilot study among patients and visitors to an urban and a rural primary healthcare facility was conducted in coastal Tanzania. The primary outcome was the prevalence of chronic airflow obstruction.; The final analysis included 598 participants with valid post-bronchodilator spirometry. Applying ATS/ERS spirometric criteria, chronic airflow obstruction was found in n = 24 (4%, CI95 2.7-5.9) participants and in n = 30 (5%, CI95 3.5-7.1) applying GOLD spirometric criteria. To analyse risk factors for chronic airflow obstruction including those not meeting ATS/ERS or GOLD criteria, FEF25-75 and FEV1% predicted was analysed in participants without evidence of pulmonary restriction among those exposed or not exposed to risk factors (n = 552). FEV1% predicted, but in particular FEF25-75 decreased with increasing symptom severity of shortness of breath as well as limitations in daily activities of participants. Cooking in general and cooking with biomass fuels vs. gas or electricity was associated with significantly lower FEF25-75, but not with lower FEV1% predicted. Participants having refrained from taking a job because of shortness of breath exhibited lower FEF25-75 (p < 0.01). A history of prior active TB was the most relevant risk factor associated with a decrease in FEF25-75 as well as FEV1% predicted.; This study demonstrated a relevant prevalence of chronic airflow obstruction in primary healthcare attendants and healthy visitors of a Tanzanian hospital. Using the baseline data provided, larger and population-based studies are needed to validate these findings. TB may have more impact on development of chronic airway obstruction than smoking in Africa. Due to the influence of age on the GOLD definition of chronic airflow obstruction, studies should report results using both ATS/ERS and GOLD definitions and include age-stratified analysis. Analysis of FEV1 and in particular FEF25-75 may yield additional information on risk factors and earlier stages of chronic airflow obstruction

Mantenimiento preventivo y correctivo general de un Aveo Emotion DOHC 1.6

The preparation of this document is to demonstrate the importance and benefits of performing preventive maintenance on the vehicle mileage according to their work, trying to reduce or avoid possible the application of corrective maintenance because this has considerable disadvantages in terms of price and time. It may be noted that to carry out the development and implementation of the project described was proceeded to the respective overall assessment of the vehicle in the mechanical and electrical as well as the indications and procedures for the respective unarmed, erection, assembly, disassembly and adjustment described by the shop manual for different jobs in vehicle systems. Also is trying to raise awareness to the owner of the vehicle in selecting appropriate fluids and lubricants specified by the dealer's manual as well as the importance of automotive maintenance in order to preserve and extend the lifespan of it, but mostly consider the importance of having a vehicle in good condition for his personal safety of your passengers and other people in the environment surrounding it

La práctica del ajedrez en personas de la tercera edad del centro de jubilación activa del IESS, efectos y estudio; Cuenca 2015

El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo diseñar y aplicar un programa de aprendizaje y práctica del ajedrez paralos jubilados que participan en el Centro de atención al adulto mayor del Instituto Ecuatoriano de Seguridad Social “IESS” de la ciudad de Cuenca; con la realización de un taller de ajedrez en dichas instalaciones durante el periodo febrero a mayo de 2015. El propósito era mejorar la calidad de vida de los participantes, aprovechando los beneficios de la práctica del ajedrez, sobre todo en las capacidades intelectuales del ser humano; también para promoverla como una de las actividades recreativas para los adultos mayores. Se realizó utilizando el método empírico deductivo;el cual permitió construir el conocimiento empírico a través de la evaluación inicial, utilizando un procedimiento experimental de Pre-test – Post-test (test MoCA y test sobre conocimiento de ajedrez) en la muestra conformada de 8 personas de una población de 2.500 personas aproximadamente. Los resultados a través del test MoCA demostraron cómo algunas de las capacidades cognitivas relacionadas con jugar ajedrez tuvieron un aumento, por ejemplo: identificar en 7%, recordar en 30%, repetir en 12% y; dentro de la atención, la capacidad de concentración y la de cálculo. Las conclusiones señalaron que, debido a la sistematización, planificación y el uso de la metodología correcta, permitió a los participantes aprender a jugar ajedrez, así mismo, entretenerse y/o divertirse, beneficiándose de su práctica para mejorar su calidad de vida.The main objective of the following thesis was to design and run a program focused on learning and practicing Chess for older residents, who belong to the elderly attention center of the Ecuadorian Social Security Institute (IESS) of Cuenca, through a workshop held from February to May 2015. The main purpose was to better the quality of life of the participants, taking advantage of the many benefits of playing Chess, especially for human intellectual capacity. We also meant to promote the game as recreational activity for the elderly. This was achieved using the empiric deductive method, which allowed us to build empiric knowledge through the initial evaluation, applying an experimental Pre-test – Post-test procedure (MoCA test and a test on Chess knowledge) to an 8 person sample of a population of approximately 2,500 people. The results obtained through the MoCa test showed the augmentation of cognitive capacities related to playing chess, for example: identification 7%, memory 30%, repetition 12% and also within concentration, attention and calculation. The conclusions showed that, as a result of systemization, pacification and the use of the right methodology; the participants were able to learn to play Chess and, in addition, have fun, benefiting of its practice to better their quality of life.Licenciado en Ciencias de la Educación. Especialización en Cultura FísicaCuenc

Finite Element Analysis Method Design and Simulation of Fins for Cooling a Monocrystalline Photovoltaic Panel

This research focuses on the development and simulation analysis of heat-dissipating fins made of copper, integrated into photovoltaic panels, with the aim of mitigating temperature increases during operation. This initiative arises from evidence that solar panels experience a reduction in energy efficiency when operating at temperatures higher than standard test conditions. The photovoltaic panel was simulated both without fins and with fins under standard test conditions and extreme conditions. The simulation consists of the following steps: design, meshing, selection of physical models and materials, assignment of boundary conditions, validation of the simulation, and interpretation of the results. During validation, results obtained via simulation were compared experimentally, yielding a mean absolute percentage error of 0.28%. It was concluded that the fins with the greatest heat dissipation relative to their area are those of 40 mm height; with this height, the temperature of the photovoltaic panel is reduced by 2.64 K, which represents an efficiency increase of 1.32%. Furthermore, it was concluded from the analyzed data that the efficiency of the fins increases at high temperatures

Forecasting the rheological state properties of self-compacting concrete mixes using the response surface methodology technique for sustainable structural concreting.

It is structurally pertinent to understudy the important roles the self-compacting concrete (SCC) yield stress and plastic viscosity play in maintaining the rheological state of the concrete to flow. It is also important to understand that different concrete mixes with varying proportions of fine to coarse aggregate ratio and their nominal sizes produce different and corresponding flow- and fill-abilities, which are functions of the yield stress/plastic viscosity state conditions of the studied concrete. These factors have necessitated the development of regression models, which propose optimal rheological state behavior of SCC to ensure a more sustainable concreting. In this research paper on forecasting the rheological state properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) mixes by using the response surface methodology (RSM) technique, the influence of nominal sizes of the coarse aggregate has been studied in the concrete mixes, which produced experimental mix entries. A total of eighty-four (84) concrete mixes were collected, sorted and split into training and validation sets to model the plastic viscosity and the yield stress of the SCC. In the field applications, the influence of the sampling sizes on the rheological properties of the concrete cannot be overstretched due to the importance of flow consistency in SCC in order to achieve effective workability. The RSM is a symbolic regression analysis which has proven to exercise the capacity to propose highly performable engineering relationships. At the end of the model exercise, it was found that the RSM proposed a closed-form parametric relationship between the outputs (plastic viscosity and yield stress) and the studied independent variables (the concrete components). This expression can be applied in the design and production of SCC with performance accuracies of above 95% and 90%, respectively. Also, the RSM produced graphical prediction of the plastic viscosity and yield stress at the optimized state conditions with respect to the measured variables, which could be useful in monitoring the performance of the concrete in practice and its overtime assessment. Generally, the production of SCC for field applications are justified by the components in this study and experimental entries beyond which the parametric relations and their accuracies are to be reverified