Guidelines for Shear Strengthening of Beams Using Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Plates

The fundamental aim of this work is to give clear guidelines for the process of strengthening reinforced concrete beams using FRP materials. Types and methods of FRP construction are described in general. FRP properties and their effect on strengthening are illustrated. Experimental results obtained from an earlier study are utilized in this research to present a reasonable model for strengthening. The experiments investigated the shear behaviour of reinforced concrete beams strengthened by the attachment of different configurations and quantities of CFRP using epoxy adhesives. Two types of CFRP materials were used. These are pultruded and prepreg materials. A general comparison between results is carried out showing the best configuration for strengthening. In this paper, it is clearly stated that moderate surface treatment for concrete before FRP bonding is sufficient to allow FRP to do its job in a proper way. In general, it is adequate to remove all laitance and loose material by hand or machine abrading, followed by degreasing with a detergent and rinsing clean

The Relationship Between Milk Composition and Swiss Cheese Yields

From Cache Valley Dairy Association in Smithfield, Utah, milk from two to three cheese vats plus the corresponding Swiss cheese trimmings, salted cheese, and whey were sampled each week from October 1981 to October 1982. The weights of the Swiss Cheese were recorded. Milk samples were analyzed for fat and protein; cheese samples were analyzed for fat, protein, and moisture; whey samples were analyzed for fat. By using Gauss-Newton nonlinear Least Squares method of iteration, the data was analyzed. Two formulas for predicting Swiss cheese yield were derived. A good relationship was found to exist between Swiss cheese yield and fat and protein. In this study it was found that the season affected the percentage of fat and protein in the milk and thereby the cheese yield. The highest cheese yields corresponded with the months with highest protein and fat percentage in the milk

Environmental Study Indoor and Outdoor of the Abu Dhabi Compost Plant

The transformation of municipal solid waste into compost is of double interest: on the one hand, it helps to avoid the deficiencies of natural manure, and on the other it eliminates this major polluting agent which is increasing progressively as a consequence of rising populations. Domestic waste produced per person per annum amounts to 730 kg in Abu Dhabi city. Based on a population in 1992 of 574,745, this gives a current daily refuse collection that amounts to 1120 tons. Refuse is reported to contain a high proportion of organic materials and therefore to be suitable for recycling to produce agricultural compost. Abu Dhabi Compost Plant which commenced production in 1977 has four lines of production with daily input capacity of 480 tons of refuse and output capacity of 200 tons of organic compost. The technology of composting applied in the plant is the accelerated fermentation carried out in digester drums. Air pollution represents one of the major drawbacks of composting process. Air pollutants associated with such source include mainly sulfur dioxide, ammonia and methane. Their impacts on health depend on many factors, the most important of which is their intensity as well as the receptor\u27s susceptibility. To our knowledge, no study has been carried out so far on the environmental problems facing the plant. Therefore, the present investigation was directed toward monitoring the atmospheric pollution levels due to compost manufacturing and to evaluating the associated health effects. The most important finding reached through the air quality monitoring is the responsibility of the Abu Dhabi Compost Plant as a source of sulphur dioxide and methane inside and outside it. Therefore, strong actions should be taken by the Authority responsible for this plant to manage the indoor and hence the outdoor air quality. The clinical examination study reveals that 16% of the total number of plant staff employees are suffering from allergy diseases in their eyes, skin and respiratory system due to the nature of their work in the plant. The respiratory function test study shows that (1) 40 employees representing 45% of the total number of employees (89), have an abnormal respiratory function, concerning the respiratory system, (2) 37 persons representing 49% of the total number of the workers (75), have an abnormal respiratory function in the respiratory system. The comparable percentage for the tested administrators group is 21% and (3) The smoking habit is not responsible for the abnormal respiratory function found in both workers and administrators. The present study may draw attention to the domestic waste recycling through composting and also may help in characterizing the atmospheric pollutants which constitute the main potential adverse effects when released into both indoor and outdoor environments as a result of such strategy of waste management

Effect of Jordanian Steel Blast Furnace Slag on Asphalt Concrete Hot Mixes

Significant quantities of slag are generated as waste materials or by-product from steel industries. They usually contain considerable quantities of metals. In this study, steel slag obtained from a steel factory in Jordan was used in Asphalt Concrete Hot Mixes (ACHM). Marshall specimens were prepared with 100% lime stone dense graded aggregates at 4.5, 5, 5.5 and 6% bitumen contents by weight of aggregate to serve as control specimens. Another set of Marshall specimens with 100% Steel Slag Aggregates (SSA) and another set with a combination of limestone and (SSA) were prepared using the same grading and bitumen contents. Test results showed a reduction in the Optimum Bitumen Content (OBC) and an increase in density and stability values for specimens prepared with 100% (SSA). A decrease in the flow, Percentage of air voids (Pav), and Voids in Mineral Aggregates (VMA) values - but in compliance with the recommended values by the Asphalt Institute- was observed in specimens prepared with 100% (SSA)

Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes Using Modified Hummers Method for Cathode Electrodes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell

في هذا العمل ،تم تحضير الأنابيب الكاربون النانوية باستخدام طريقة هامرز( (Hummers  مع تغيير طفيف في بعض خطوات العمل، وبالتالي أنشأنا طريقة جديدة بتحضير الأنابيب الكاربون النانوية ، على غرار طريقة هامرز( Hummers) الأصلية التي تم استخدامها لتحضير اوكسيد الجرافين ، بعد ذلك تم تحضير معلق من الأنابيب الكاربون النانوية ونقلها إلى خلية كهروكيميائية بسيطة مكونة من قطبين لترسيب واختزال وطلاء الأنابيب الكاربون النانوية على قطب المهبط (cathode) مصنوع من زجاج الموصل( (ITO بينما كان قطب المصعد (anode) عبارة عن رقيقة البلاتين.تم تشخيص الأنابيب الكاربون النانوية بواسطة تقنية المجهر الإلكتروني الماسح( SEM ), أظهرت هذه الصور تكوين الأنابيب النانوية الكربونية.في الجزء الثاني من البحث ، تم تحضير خلية شمسية صبغية (DSSCs)  باستخدام أنابيب الكربون النانوية كقطب محيط ((counter ، وجسيمات أوكسيد التيتانيوم النانوية كقطب مصعد (anode) وباستخدام صبغة طبيعية (صبغة الرمان). بعد ذلك تم فحص الخلية بواسطة المجهاد الساكن ذو القطبين باستخدام  مصدر ضوء الزينون  حيث تم الحصول المعلومات التالية: جهد الدائرة المفتوحة (Vocp) ، دائرة مقصورة  Isc)), الفولتية العظمى ( ,(Vmax التيار الاعظم (Imax)  ومن هذه المعلومات تم حساب العامل الكامل(full facter)   وكفاءة الخلية.      In this research, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is prepared  through the Hummers method with a slight change in some of the work steps, thus, a new method has been created for preparing carbon nanotubes which is similar to the original Hummers method that is used to prepare graphene oxide. Then, the suspension carbon nanotubes is transferred to a simple electrode position platform consisting of two electrodes and the cell body for the coating and reduction of the carbon nanotubes on ITO glass which represents the cathode electrode while platinum represents the anode electrode. The deposited layer of carbon nanotubes is examined through the scanning electron microscope technique (SEM), and the images throughout the research show the formation of carbon nanotubes. In the second part of the research, a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC)  is prepared to utilize carbon nanotube as the cathode electrode, titanium oxide nanoparticles as the anode electrode by using a natural dye (pomegranate dye). The assembled dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is tested by two electrodes potentiostat using Xenon light source and all parameters are established; Vocp, Imax, Vmax, Isc and calculated full factor and conversion efficiency.                                                                                                                       

Recent Developments in the Field of Explosive Trace Detection

Explosive trace detection (ETD) technologies play a vital role in maintaining national security. ETD remains an active research area with many analytical techniques in operational use. This review details the latest advances in animal olfactory, ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), and Raman and colorimetric detection methods. Developments in optical, biological, electrochemical, mass, and thermal sensors are also covered in addition to the use of nanomaterials technology. Commercially available systems are presented as examples of current detection capabilities and as benchmarks for improvement. Attention is also drawn to recent collaborative projects involving government, academia, and industry to highlight the emergence of multimodal screening approaches and applications. The objective of the review is to provide a comprehensive overview of ETD by highlighting challenges in ETD and providing an understanding of the principles, advantages, and limitations of each technology and relating this to current systems

Exploration of the UAE Native Plants For sustainable Landscaping in Arid Region

In order to maintain sustainability for landscapes in the arid region, the use of native plants is of considerable importance, in the light of the fact that the exotic plants currently used do not resource efficient. The native plants adapted to the harsh environment of the desert ecosystem could play a critical role in this direction where the natural resources could be sustainably used. Research on evaluation and analyzes of native plant species of the UAE for potential application in landscapes have been considered. The present investigation reports the results of the exploration of native plants suited for sustainable landscape for resource efficiency. It also encompasses the study about the response of native grass species identified in the survey and the shrubs to varying levels of irrigation. Further, the germination responses of selected plant species, tissue culture propagation of endangered tree species and their long-term conservation strategies were also part of the study. During plant exploration, 61 plants were identified with potential for landscaping out of which, based on further evaluations with specific landscape qualities, 30 plant species of different forms were recommended for future landscape use. A native grass Digitaria spp. was identified, which was found to have the potential to be used as ground covers in arid landscapes, compared with four nonnative grass species. The analysis and confirmation of stabilized responses for drought tolerance were done based on morphological responses, elemental status and antioxidant enzyme mechanisms operating under wider frequency of irrigation. In 9 selected shrubs and one grass species, irrigation experiment was conducted with a constant irrigation volume under four different frequencies. The responses to induced drought were assessed based on the morphological parameters, macro and micronutrient status that can influence the growth and development. The seeds of fourteen plant species were subjected to germination responses after exogenous application of gibberellic acid at 400 mg/l and 200 mg/l to accelerate germination, where many of the desert species are recalcitrant. The mean germination time (MGT) was shorter, where higher germination is noticed. In vitro propagation protocols were standardized in 3 endangered tree species viz., Moringa peregrina, Haloxylon persicum and Acridocarpus orientalis by direct organogenesis as part of in vitro conservation and faster multiplication. Long-term storage employing cryopreservation by vitrification and desiccation method was accomplished in the above three species. Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that the use of native plants of the UAE for landscape applications could create resource efficient, sustainable landscaping

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma in the maxillary sinus: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the maxillary sinus is a very rare malignancy and it can be difficult to make a pre-operative diagnosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 72-year-old Caucasian woman presented to our facility with an isolated right-side epistaxis that had been present for three months, with the results of a computed tomography scan showing a soft tissue mass in the right maxillary sinus with an impacted tooth. The results of a transnasal endoscopic biopsy were compatible with a lymphoepithelial carcinoma, following which our patient underwent a radical excision of the mass. The final histology results revealed lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the maxillary sinus with negative assays for Epstein-Barr virus. Our patient was given post-operative external radiotherapy and has remained disease-free at three-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This report details the diagnosis and management of a case of lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the maxillary sinus, which is a very rare malignant tumor with very little mention in the literature. Only a strong suspicion with systematic use of various patho-immunological tests helps to arrive at a definitive diagnosis by excluding other better-known tumors

Planning of Sustainable Industrial Zones and Means of Achieving them in Iraq

The development of industrial activity in cities and regions is one of the most distinctive features of postmodern urban planning. The industry in all its branches is considered one of the most important economic activities in cities, which is the main engine of economic life and the driving force of development at all levels. This development has been accompanied by the negative effects of this economic activity on ecosystems and on human life in its various aspects, namely, environmental pollution in various ways, depletion of renewable and depleted natural resources, and the serious consequences of climate change, environmental degradation and Collapse. Hence the need to find solutions that allow the continuation of industries because of the importance of human life and to overcome the problems resulting from them and reduce them as much as possible The emergence of the concept of sustainability as a solution to this problem. This paper discusses the theme of sustainable industry, sustainable industrial zone planning, global experiences and identification of deliberatestrategies for sustainability, As well as trends in Iraq towards the establishment of green industrial cities, And their analysis and knowledge of their shortcomings in comparison to international experiences. And recommend some policies to achieve sustainability

Noninvasive Metrics for Identification of Brain Injury Deficits in Piglets

Balance and bispectral index metrics were evaluated in piglets following focal and diffuse brain injury. A significant decrease in bispectral index existed at 24 hours after diffuse brain injury, but not after focal injury. Postural sway increased at 1–6 hours after both focal and diffuse injuries