Equivalent Modulus of Asphalt Concrete Layers

A flexible pavement structure usually comprises more than one asphalt layer, with varying thicknesses and properties, in order to carry the traffic smoothly and safely. It is easy to characterize each asphalt layer with different tests to give a full description of that layer; however, the performance of the whole; asphalt structure needs to be properly understood. Typically, pavement analysis is carried out using multi-layer linear elastic assumptions, via equations and computer programs such as KENPAVE, BISAR, etc. These types of analysis give the response parameters including stress, strain, and deflection at any point under the wheel load. This paper aims to estimate the equivalent Resilient Modulus (MR) of the asphalt concrete layers within a pavement structure by using their individual MR values. To achieve this aim, eight samples were cored from Iraqi Expressway no. 1; they had three layers of asphalt and were tested to obtain the MR of each core by using the uniaxial repeated loading test at 25 and 40 °C. The samples were then cut to separate each layer individually and tested for MR at the same testing temperatures; thus, a total of 60 resilient modulus tests were conducted. A new approach was introduced to estimate the equivalent MR as a function of the MR value for each layer. The results matched the values obtained by KENPAVE analysis

Does pin tract infection after external fixator limits its advantage as a cost-effective solution for open fractures in low-middle income countries, a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of pin tract infection in external fixator tibia and its effects on the definite fracture fixation and bone healing. METHODS: The prospective study was conducted at Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan, from August 2017 to July 2018, and comprised patients regardless of age and gender with open fracture tibia Gustillo-Anderson type II and type IIIA. Pin tract infection was assessed following the application of locally made external fixation of tibia open fractures. Follow-up was done fortnightly till soft tissue healing, removal of external fixator and definite fracture healing. Pin tract infection was classifiedand treated according to the Checketts-Otterburn classification system. SPSS 20 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 117 patients, 95(81%) were males and 22(19%) were females with an overall mean age of 24.7±9.35 years. Pin tract infection was documented in 28(23.9%) patients. Minor and major pin tract infections were reported in 27(96.4%) and 1(3.5%) patient respectively. Soft tissues healed in 27(96.4%) cases. CONCLUSION: External fixator for initial stabilisation of open tibial fractures in all patients is recommende

Discovering and counting the mechanisms of establishing a succession planning system in governmental organizations

AbstractThe present study seeks to investigate what are the necessary stages for establishing a succession management system in governmental organizations. The methodology of the present study is qualitative. The research data have been collected using free and semi-structured interviews with 19 senior managers and professors in the field of human resources. Data analysis has been performed thematically based on 3-step coding using Nvivo software.The validity of the research was confirmed based on the opinions of professors and experts in the field of human resources and the reliability of the "angulation" technique based on continuous review. The study results indicate that establishment of succession management system consists of seven main themes that occur gradually and in a process. These themes include: organizational culture-building, providing the ground for implementation of succession planning system, implementation of a committed system, determining the policies, evaluating the candidates in order to establish a meritocracy system, analysis of the educational gaps and development of staff based on the mission, and finally evaluation of the succession management system.IntroductionIn the strategy of the new millennium organizations there is a great emphasis on intangible assets. More careful studies in this area suggest that to achieve success, one must not only place people in the appropriate positions, but also identify top employees in each position (Brandi &Kall, 2005).According to researchers in the field of organizations, especially large organizations, exploiting their potential capabilities is profitable for employees and the organization. Numerous factors can determine the success or failure of organizations. One of the main factors for success of today’s organizations can be considered human resources. Therefore, research and activity in this field will cause prosperity and self-flourishing of the organization by paying attention to intangible assets. Given the above, the present study aims to design a model of succession management system.Case studyIn this study, the governmental organizations in question have been large organizations in Tehran province in which the need to establish succession planning for development and excellence of the country seems essential.Theoretical frameworkIn today’s, the supply of young human resources has gradually decreased and on the other hand, the workforce has become older, and when faced with a new change, many organizations have various ambiguities about the ability to replace their employees. With a more comprehensive perspective, succession planning represents a deliberate and systematic effort to ensure continued leadership in key positions, maintain and develop intellectual capital and knowledge in all employees for the future, encourage personal advancement, ensure stability or the “bench power” of the key personnel, provide a holistic approach to the organization’s continued effective performance, and to organize coordinated programs to develop, replace, and influence key individuals to ensure a deep talent pipeline (Schoonover, 2011).To manage their current and future talents, today’s organizations must take effective measures at all levels;MethodologyThe present study is developmental in terms of the result, applied in terms of purpose, and qualitative in terms of data type and method. The methodology of the present study is qualitative. The research data has been collected by free and semi-structured interviews with 19 senior managers and expert professors in the field of human resources. Data analysis has been performed thematically based on 3-step coding using Nvivo software. Clarke-Braun thematic analysis method based on 3-step coding (free coding, selective coding, and axial coding) has been used for analysis.Discussion and ResultsIn the present study, the analysis of the texts has been done inductively and an attempt has been made to, passing through purely objective and experimental codes and issues provide abstract issues that can explain the whole succession management system. The theoretical literature has been used as a guide to the ultimate abstract categorization. Based on the analysis of the interviews, seven main themes have been counted. These themes are in fact the body of the succession management system in the present study.In this regard, first the basic condition which is the cultural context must be estimated because the importance of culture-building is known to everyone. Providing the context is itself a continuous and comprehensive process that can be the background for turning the succession planning system into a major goal. After preparing the executive conditions, it is necessary to determine the organizational policies so that the whole implementation process, which is a dynamic process, moves within a certain framework and can be responsive and helpful in different conditions. After determining the general policy of the organization, the candidates must be evaluated in order to establish a meritocracy system in the organization. The next step after evaluating the candidates is analysis of the gap and determination of educational needs, educational planning, development of career path and development through different methods based on that along with paying attention to staff motivation so that after development they move toward predetermined goals and be accountable to predetermined goals individually, collectively and systematically. The last step in implementation of any system is to evaluate that system in terms of efficiency and effectiveness. In fact, evaluation determines how successful the organization has been in the field of implementation. In this regard, by determining the evaluation criteria first and determining the evaluation methods and finally establishment of the PDCA cycle, the conditions must be provided to evaluate and eliminate deviations in order to achieve predetermined goals and more success.ConclusionIn the current era, the importance of implementing the succession planning system is known to every manager and organization. In this study, the results showed that establishing a succession management system in organizations consists of seven main themes that occur in a process and gradually. It should be noted that each of the mentioned themes are the background of the previous theme in order to establish a system efficiently

Linear viscous approach to predict rut depth in asphalt mixtures

Rutting in asphalt mixtures is a very common type of distress. It occurs due to the heavy load applied and slow movement of traffic. Rutting needs to be predicted to avoid major deformation to the pavement. A simple linear viscous method is used in this paper to predict the rutting in asphalt mixtures by using a multi-layer linear computer programme (BISAR). The material properties were derived from the Repeated Load Axial Test (RLAT) and represented by a strain-dependent axial viscosity. The axial viscosity was used in an incremental multi-layer linear viscous analysis to calculate the deformation rate during each increment, and therefore the overall development of rutting. The method has been applied for six mixtures and at different temperatures. Finally, field data has also been used to check the applicability of the approach in real pavement design

SmartSIM - a virtual reality simulator for laparoscopy training using a generic physics engine

International audienceVirtual reality (VR) training simulators have started playing a vital role in enhancing surgical skills, such as hand–eye coordination in laparoscopy, and practicing surgical scenarios that cannot be easily created using physical models. We describe a new VR simulator for basic training in lapa-roscopy, i.e. SmartSIM, which has been developed using a generic open‐source physics engine called the simulation open framework architecture (SOFA). This paper describes the systems perspective of SmartSIM including design details of both hardware and software components, while highlighting the critical design decisions. Some of the distinguishing features of SmartSIM include: (i) an easy‐to‐fabricate custom‐built hardware interface; (ii) use of a generic physics engine to facilitate wider accessibility of our work and flexibility in terms of using various graph-ical modelling algorithms and their implementations; and (iii) an intelligent and smart evaluation mechanism that facilitates unsupervised and independent learning

Computed tomography scans image processing for nasal symptoms severity prediction

This paper aims to use a new technique of computed tomography (CT) scan image processing to correlate the image analysis with sinonasal symptoms. A retrospective cross-sectional study is conducted by analyzing the digital records of 50 patients who attended the ear, nose and throat (ENT) clinics at King Abdullah University Hospital, Jordan. The coronal plane CT scans are analyzed using our developed software. The purposes of this software are to calculate the surface area of the nasal passage at three different levels visible on coronal plane CT scans: i) the head of the inferior turbinate, ii) the head of the middle turbinate, and iii) the tail of the inferior turbinate. We employ image processing techniques to correlate the narrowing of nasal surface area with sinonasal symptoms. As a consequence, obstruction in the first level is correlated significantly with the symptoms of nasal obstruction while the narrowing in the second level is related to frontal headache. No other significant correlations are found with nasal symptoms at the third level. In our study, we find that image processing techniques can be very useful to predict the severity of common nasal symptoms and they can be used to suggest treatment and to follow up on the case progression

Comparative Efficacy of Different Strategies for Management of Spotted Bollworms, Earias spp. on Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L). Moench

Abstract. -Integrated control measures were tested for efficacy against Earias spp. on okra in Pakistan with the over-riding goal of finding the most cost-effective control. Five control methods: (i) biological control with Trichogramma chilonis Ishii., (ii) cultural control of alternate host plants by hand weeding and hoeing, (iii) botanical control by spraying the plants with 5% neem seed kernel extract, (iv) mechanical control by hand-clipping injured plant parts and (v) chemical control with by spraying the plants with a commercial insecticide (Tracer®, Dow AgroSciences). These treatments were tested alone and as seven combinations of two methods and three combinations of three methods. All treatments were applied each week for six weeks and compared by measuring damaged fruits and shoots, yield and cost-benefit ratio in a controlled, replicated field experiment on Diksha cultivar of okra. Fruit and shoot damage was significantly lowest at 7% and 14%, respectively, in the plots treated with only chemical control and fruit yield was highest, at 63 kg/plot, in plots treated with the combination of mechanical and chemical control. Plots treated with only mechanical control had the highest cost: benefit ratio at 1:2.61, followed by plots treated with mechanical control and chemical control, at 1:2.39 and plots treated with chemcial plus botanical plus mechanical control at 1:2.38

An innovative fractal monopole MIMO antenna for modern 5G applications

Proposed in this paper is the design of an innovative and compact antenna array which based on four radiating elements for multi-input multi-output (MIMO) antenna applications used in 5G communication systems. The radiating elements are fractal curves excited using an open-circuited feedline through a coplanar waveguide (CPW). The feedline is electromagnetically coupled to the inside edge of the radiating element. The array's impedance bandwidth is enhanced by inserting a ground structure composed of low-high-low impedance between the radiating elements. The low-impedance section of the ground is a staircase structure that is inclined at an angle to follow the input feedline. This inter-radiating element essentially suppresses near-field radiation between adjacent radiators. A band reject filter based on a composite right/left hand (CRLH) structure is mounted at the back side of the antenna array to reduce mutual coupling between the antenna elements by choking surface wave propagations that can otherwise degrade the radiation performance of the array antenna. The CRLH structure is based on the Hilbert fractal geometry, and it was designed to act like a stop band filter over the desired frequency bands. The proposed antenna array was fabricated and tested. It covers the frequency bands in the range from 2 to 3 GHz, 3.4-3.9 GHz, and 4.4-5.2 GHz. The array has a maximum gain of 6. 2dBi at 3.8 GHz and coupling isolation better than 20 dB. The envelope correlation coefficient of the antenna array is within the acceptable limit. There is good agreement between the simulated and measured results.Dr. Mohammad Alibakhshikenari acknowledges support from the CONEX-Plus programme funded by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 801538. Funding for APC: Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (Read & Publish Agreement CRUE-CSIC 2022)