Developing high performance concrete for precast/prestressed concrete industry

High performance concrete (HPC) is a new class of concrete that has superior characteristics compared to conventional concrete. Despite of its superior characteristics, HPC is not widely used in local and international markets due to its high constituent materials cost. This paper presents the research done to develop economic HPC mixes using local materials and conventional mixing and curing techniques. HPC characteristics were attained using supplementary cementitious materials as silica fume and class C fly in partial replacement of Portland cement. Superplasticizers were used to maintain a high flowing ability using a low water-to-powder ratio. Concrete mixes were produced using a high energy mixer to maintain sufficient mix consistency. As a result, concrete mixes with 24 -h compressive strength of 70 MPa and 28-day strength of 105 MPa were produced. Concrete samples tested for expansion using accelerated mortar bar test (AMBT) showed that developed concrete is not susceptible to alkali-silica reaction. Improved characteristics can be used in improving the performance of concrete construction projects, reduce required maintenance, and increase construction projects life-span

The Effect of Human Resource Management Practices on Employee Retention in Private Universities in Lebanon

Objective: Employee retention is a real challenge and a crucial component that affects the organization's success and sustainability. The major purpose of this study is to examine the human resource management strategies that influence employee retention in private institutions in Lebanon.   Methodology: The research employed a quantitative approach using a survey to collect data from a sample of 487 employees, and data was analyzed using the SPSS software.   Findings: According to the research, employee empowerment, appraisals, wages and incentives, and training and development, all have a major influence on retaining employees at higher education institutions in Lebanon.   Implications: The significance of such practices in establishing a healthy work environment, enhancing job satisfaction, and lowering turnover rates is emphasized in the study. Furthermore, the strong correlation among the variables highlights the value of prioritizing human resources practices for higher employee retention in the competitive educational environment in Lebanon.   Orginality/Value: Thus, private universities in Lebanon can enhance employee retention by conducting strengthened training and development, enhancing performance appraisals, offering competitive compensation and benefits, and empowering their employees

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P < 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely

Developing high performance concrete for precast/prestressed concrete industry

High performance concrete (HPC) is a new class of concrete that has superior characteristics compared to conventional concrete. Despite of its superior characteristics, HPC is not widely used in local and international markets due to its high constituent materials cost.This paper presents the research done to develop economic HPC mixes using local materials and conventional mixing and curing techniques. HPC characteristics were attained using supplementary cementitious materials as silica fume and class C fly in partial replacement of Portland cement. Superplasticizers were used to maintain a high flowing ability using a low water-to-powder ratio. Concrete mixes were produced using a high energy mixer to maintain sufficient mix consistency. As a result, concrete mixes with 24-¯-h compressive strength of 70-¯MPa and 28-day strength of 105-¯MPa were produced. Concrete samples tested for expansion using accelerated mortar bar test (AMBT) showed that developed concrete is not susceptible to alkali-silica reaction. Improved characteristics can be used in improving the performance of concrete construction projects, reduce required maintenance, and increase construction projects life-span

Developing high performance concrete for precast/prestressed concrete industry

High performance concrete (HPC) is a new class of concrete that has superior characteristics compared to conventional concrete. Despite of its superior characteristics , HPC is not widely used in local and international markets due to its high constituent materials cost. This paper presents the research done to develop economic HPC mixes using local materials and conventional mixing and curing techniques. HPC characteristics were attained using supplementary cementitious materials as silica fume and class C fly in partial replacement of Portland cement. Superplasticizers were used to maintain a high flowing ability using a low water-to-powder ratio. Concrete mixes were produced using a high energy mixer to maintain sufficient mix consistency. As a result , concrete mixes with 24€¯-h compressive strength of 70€¯MPa and 28-day strength of 105€¯MPa were produced. Concrete samples tested for expansion using accelerated mortar bar test (AMBT) showed that developed concrete is not susceptible to alkali-silica reaction. Improved characteristics can be used in improving the performance of concrete construction projects , reduce required maintenance , and increase construction projects life-span

Strategic Placement of Accelerometers for Structural Health Monitoring of a Complex Unreinforced Stone Masonry Hindu Mandir

The BAPS Hindu Mandir, recently constructed in Abu Dhabi, UAE, is a complex unreinforced stone masonry structure built from thousands of sculpted sandstone and marble pieces employing ancient Indian techniques called Shilp Shastra. The entire structure is substantially large with a footprint size of 5,100 m2 and unique so that it is not covered by modern seismic design standards. Its performance was verified by conducting dynamic field tests presented herein. The most vulnerable substructure was identified based on both engineering judgement and modal analysis of the entire structure employing a detailed 3D finite element model, which was validated via the field experiments. A “local” model was developed for the identified vulnerable substructure which significantly reduced model complexity and allowed to overcome computational limitations. Based on the response of the local model, the relative importance of the sensor locations was determined via a Displacement Index method in addition to a reduction of the total variance of spectral accelerations using conditional probability theory. Through this approach, a methodology for selecting the optimal sensor placement with application on the complex unreinforced stone masonry Hindu Mandir is proposed

Arabele 2009 : enseñanza y aprendizaje de la lengua árabe

Resumen basado en el de la publicación. Textos en español, inglés y arábeSe recogen algunas de las contribuciones más representativas de Arabele 2009, primer Congresos internacional celebrado en España en el siglo XXI sobre la enseñanza de la lengua árabe como lengua extranjera. Se analiza la situación de la lengua árabe en España y su comparación con otros países, se reflexiona sobre las nuevas metodologías en el campo de la didáctica y se comparte todo aquello que pueda mejorar su enseñanza.MurciaBiblioteca de Educación del Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte; Calle San Agustín, 5 - 3 planta; 28014 Madrid; Tel. +34917748000; [email protected]