CORROSION OF COATED AND UNCOATED STEEL REINFORCEMENT IN CONCRETE

Corrosion of reinforcing steel is the one of the main causes of deterioration in reinforced concrete structure. During the initial stage of corrosion, the steel volume increases. This creates tensile stresses in the concrete, which can eventually lead to cracking, delamination, and spalling. This potential risk of corrosion in a structure is quite unpredictable. Therefore, this paper examines the influence of accelerated corrosion on the bond between concrete and the coated and uncoated steel bars. The bar coating consisted of epoxy rich in zinc. Six concrete mixes were prepared. Three mixes had cement contents of 300, 400 and 500 Kg/m3 and a water cement ratio of 0.4. In the rest of the mixes, cement was replaced with 10% silica fume and the water to binder ratio was 0.5. The reinforcing bars were placed inside concrete cylinders. After curing for 3 days, the specimens were immersed in a 5% NaCl solution for 7 days while a DC current of 5V flowed through them using a portable power supply. Different tests were conducted such as the accelerated corrosion test (ACT), the pull-out tests, compressive strength, and weight loss. The results show that coating the steel bars while lowering the water cement ratio with the addition of silica fume, reduces the effects of corrosion in reinforced concrete specimen

PARTIAL SYSTEMS\u27 ANALYSIS OF TRAFFIC NOISE REDUCTION IN TARIK AL JADIDAH, BEIRUT

Traffic noise is considered one of the main pollutants in an urban space and has multiple side effects regarding the physical and mental health of the human being. Tarik Al Jadidah, one of the most densely populated neighborhoods in Beirut City- Lebanon, is selected as urban area for a project-based initiative and the focal point of different studies in BAU Urban Lab. The area suffers from various urban problems, but prominently traffic noise that highly damages the urban residents\u27 quality of life due to its high levels of traffic noise that surpasses the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. BAU Urban Lab, an interdisciplinary platform for innovation and knowledge exchange that integrates education with research has led a workshop entitled “System Modelling for Urban Health and Well-Being” held at BAU, Faculty of Architecture - Design and Built Environment. The paper proposes that Vester Sensitivity Model can be considered as a supportive decision-making tool responsible for finding the most effective variables related to Traffic Noise Reduction. The main aim of this paper is to identify the key variables affecting traffic noise reduction system through detecting the variables’ reciprocal impacts using Vester Sensitivity Model. It also depicted that the most influencing variables are those related to social, institutional, infrastructure, and resource flows of the city rather than its fixed physical infrastructure

Entretien avec May Joumblat, Beyrouth, janvier 1988

Joumblat May, Collin Françoise. Entretien avec May Joumblat, Beyrouth, janvier 1988. In: Les Cahiers du GRIF, n°43-44, 1990. Liban. pp. 63-74

Mycobacterium Chelonae Infection of the Buttocks Secondary to Lipofilling: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Mycobacterium chelonae is a nontuberculous mycobacterium, classified as a Runyon type IV mycobacterium. In relation to humans, it is most commonly associated with tissue trauma or pulmonary infections. The majority of medical reports describe finding M. chelonae in the surgical setting, attributing infection to inadequate sterilization of surgical equipment. Symptoms are often nonspecific and include pain, erythema, and draining subcutaneous nodules and skin lesions. Therefore, the diagnosis of M. chelonae is often difficult to establish without prior suspicion of the disease, but can be confirmed with culture. We will describe the case of a 40-year-old female who contracted M. chelonae infection of the buttocks after abdominal liposuction and gluteal fat injection. We will describe her symptomatology, diagnosis, and successful treatment with surgical excision and antibiotics. Level of Evidence V This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266

Guidelines for the Standardization of Genital Photography

Plastic surgery relies on photography for both clinical practice and research. The Photographic Standards in Plastic Surgery laid the foundation for standardized photography in plastic surgery. Despite these advancements, the current literature lacks guidelines for genital photography, thus resulting in a discordance of documentation. The authors propose photographic standards for the male and female genitalia to establish homogeneity in which information can be accurately exchanged. All medical photographs include a sky-blue background, proper lighting, removal of distractors, consistent camera framing, and standard camera angles. We propose the following guidelines to standardize genital photography. In the anterior upright position, feet are shoulder-width apart, and arms are placed posteriorly. The frame is bounded superiorly by the xiphoid-umbilicus midpoint and inferiorly by the patella. For circumferential documentation, frontal 180 degree capture via 45 degree intervals is often sufficient. Images in standard lithotomy position should be captured at both parallel and 45 degrees above the horizontal. Images of the phallus should include both the flaccid and erect states. Despite the increasing incidence of genital procedures, there lacks a standardized methodology in which to document the genitalia, resulting in a substantial heterogeneity in the current literature. Our standardized techniques for genital photography set forth to establish a uniform language that promotes more effective communication with both the patient as well as with colleagues. The proposed photography guidelines provide optimal visualization and standard documentation of the genitalia, allowing for accurate education, meaningful collaborations, and advancement in genital surgery

Gender Reassignment: Feminization and Masculinization of the Neck

Facial stigmata associated with one's assigned gender can be very distressing for the gender dysphoric patient. The lower face and neck contain several structures that play a significant role in their ability to "pass" as their desired gender. Clinical recognition and modification of these structures will allow the patient to have facial and neck features that are consistent with their desired gender. This article reviews the techniques of mandibular angle contouring, genioplasty, chondrolaryngoplasty, facelift, and neck lift as they pertain to the feminization and masculinization of the face and neck of the patient with gender dysphoria

State-of-the-Art Review on Permanent Deformation Characterization of Asphalt Concrete Pavements

Rutting is one of the significant distresses in flexible pavements. Examining the methods to decrease permanent deformation is of considerable importance to provide long service life and safe highways. The main objective of this paper is to undertake a state-of-the-art review to combine the existing work on the permanent deformation of asphalt concrete pavements. For this purpose, the review synthesizes the evolution of the permanent deformation models, the tests methods used to evaluate and quantify the rutting potential of asphalt mixtures with a particular focus provided on the stress sweep rutting test which is gaining popularity as it tackles the shortcomings of its predecessor for the exact characterization and prediction of permanent deformation. Additionally, some advanced computational intelligence methodologies such as finite element model and soft computing are reviewed. Furthermore, the most common permanent deformation solutions are reviewed. It was found that efforts are put towards improving either the rheological properties of base asphalt by using modifiers or asphalt mixture by using selected aggregates to enhance the aggregate interlock and by implementing semi-flexible asphalt pavements which is expected to be a promising method against permanent deformation. This state-of-the-art work is expected to supply a comprehensive perception of the available models, rutting test, and solutions, and to suggest future studying areas related to the rutting of asphalt pavements