THE USE OF POINT CLOUD DATA TO SUPPORT CONCRETE BRIDGE DECK CONDITION ASSESSMENT

Bridge deck condition assessments are typically conducted through visual physical inspections, utilizing traditional contact sensors for Non-Destructive Evaluation techniques such as hammer Sounding and chain dragging which require the expertise of trained inspectors. However, the accuracy of these inspections is limited by the level of deterioration of the bridge deck, as the ability of the inspectors is proportional to the apparent level of damage. This study aims to improve the accuracy of bridge deck inspection processes by utilizing non-destructive evaluation techniques, including the analysis of point cloud data gathered via Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) as a geometry-capturing tool. The overall goal of this research is to evaluate and quantify the effectiveness and efficiency of LiDAR sensors in contributing to the suite of technologies available to perform bridge deck condition assessment. To achieve this, the research proposes to understand the deterioration pattern of New Jersey bridges, evaluate the results gathered from point cloud data collected on a full-scale bridge deck, quantify the information gained from deploying LiDAR on operating bridges in New Jersey, and investigate the costs related to current bridge condition assessment practices and the impact of incorporating the use of LiDAR sensors. Two data processing approaches were chosen to measure gross and fine dimensions of the evaluated bridge decks, resulting in an accuracy of 96% with respect to results gathered from inspection reports

تأثير استخدام أسلوب الاكتشاف الموجه على تعلم جملة حركية على جهاز الحلق لدى طلاب تخصص التربية الرياضية

This study aims to identify the effect of using the guided discovery method on learning a dynamical system on the steady rings of the students of the Department of Physical Education. The sample of the study consisted of (40) male students who registered for gymnastics (2) course in the Department of Physical Education at the Technical University of Palestine for the fall semester of academic year 2017 / 2018, (20) of them who have no previous experience in performing on the steady rings were selected intentionally, then divided into two groups, each of (10) students, one of which was experimental, where the guided discovery method was applied on them, and the other group was traditional, they were taught using traditional method. The researchers then applied the educational program on the study sample for six weeks consecutively, with three classes per week, which all amounted to eighteen classes each of 60 minutes. After finishing the educational program, the researchers did the post-evaluation of the student’s performance on the steady rings to identify the effect of the mentioned educational method on improving the student’s performance, The researchers used arithmetic means, standard deviations, skewness coefficient, T-test for the differences before and after the experiment on each group of the study sample. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences between the before and after measurements in favor of the after ones, The results of the differences in the after measurements between the control group and the experimental group showed that there are statistically significant differences in favor of the experimental group in the level of learning the technical performance on the steady rings during the study. The researchers recommend the use of the guided discovery at learning the technical performance on the steady ring

Carbohydrates and lipids metabolic enzymes inhibitory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic potentials of Anchusa ovata Lehm. from Palestine

Introduction: Throughout history, therapeutically active plant products have received substantial attention due to their valuable role in the discoveries of specific medications. The aim of this study was to assess, for the first time, the antimicrobial, antioxidant, antilipase, anti-α-amylase and cytotoxic properties of four fractions derived from Anchusa ovata Lehm. (AO) leaves. Methods: Antioxidant, antilipase and anti-amylase potentials of (AO) were established using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl- 2-picrylhydrazyl), p-nitrophenyl butyrate and dinitro-salicylic acid procedures, respectively, while antimicrobial activity was conducted using broth microdilution assay against eight Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacterial strains in addition to one fungal strain. Moreover, the MTS [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)- 2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium] cytotoxic assay was utilized against cervical cancer cells (HeLa). Results: The methanol fraction of AO showed potential antioxidant, antilipase, and α-amylase inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 9.55 ± 0.13, 53.7 ± 0.41 and 16.55 ± 1.84 μg/ml, respectively compared with the positive controls Trolox, Orlistat and Acarbose that had IC50 values of 3.23 ± 0.92, 12.3 ± 0.35 and 28.18 ± 1.22 μg/ml, respectively. Moreover, the hexane, acetone, and methanol fractions had wide ranges of antimicrobial potential. In addition, the cytotoxic activity outcomes which showed the best activity was for the aqueous followed by acetone, hexane and methanol fractions with IC50 values of 1.04, 2.72, 3.96 and 17.67 mg/ ml, respectively. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate a wide range of biological characteristics for each AO plant fraction. This profiling information about the methanol fraction provided important data for further research and pharmaceutical applications.The authors would like to acknowledge the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at An-Najah National University for facilitating the accomplishment of the current study

Total phenolic contents, cytotoxic, free radicals, porcine pancreatic α-amylase, and lipase suppressant activities of Artemisia dracunculus plant from Palestine

Artemisia dracunculus: L. (A. dracunculus) is a popular vegetable and spice cultivated across many Middle Eastern countries. The herb’s aqueous extract has significant folkloric medicinal importance for treating various disorders. Hence, the present investigation aimed to investigate A. dracunculus hydrophilic extract phytochemical constituents and pleiotropic biological potentials, as no previous studies have investigated the antilipase and anti-α-amylase effects of the A. dracunculus plant. Total phenol content and phytochemical screening assays were performed utilizing standard analytical methods. While the α-amylase inhibition, free radical-scavenging, antilipase, and cytotoxic activities were determined using dinitrosalicylic acid (DNSA), DPPH, p-nitrophenyl butyrate (PNPB), and MTS assays, respectively. The standard phytochemical analysis of A. dracunculus aqueous extract shows that this extract contains only a phenolic group. The total phenol content was 0.146 ± 0.012 mg GAE/g of the plant dry extract. The A. dracunculus aqueous extract exhibited potent DPPH free radical inhibitory (IC50 dose of 10.71 ± 0.01 μg/mL) and anti-lipase activities (IC50 dose of 60.25 ± 0.33 μg/mL) compared with Trolox (IC50 = 5.7 ± 0.92 μg/mL) and Orlistat (IC50 = 12.3 ± 0.35 μg/mL), respectively. However, it showed a weak anti-α-amylase effect (IC50 value > 1,000 μg/mL) compared with Acarbose (IC50 = 28.18 ± 1.27 μg/mL). A. dracunculus has a cytotoxic effect against the HeLa cancer cell line compared with the chemotherapeutic agent Doxorubicin. The extract has the same percent of inhibition as Doxorubicin (99.9%) at 10 mg/mL. Overall, these results pointed out for the first time the importance of considering A. dracunculus effects as a favorite candidate for preventing and treating metabolic disorders. Also, our results confirm the findings of previous reports on the role of A. dracunculus in the management of cancer and disorders resulting from the accumulation of harmful free radicals. On the contrary, the current study concluded that the antidiabetic role of A. dracunculus could be minimal. Further in-depth investigations are urgently warranted to explore the importance of A. dracunculus in pharmaceutical production

Holistic Assessment of Community Palliative Care Needs Among Palestinian Cancer Patients

Background: Palliative care focuses on improving the quality of life of terminally ill patients and their families. Objectives: This cross-sectional study aims to assess the level of community palliative care among terminally ill Palestinian cancer patients and the needs of their families in the West-Bank and Gaza strip. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among cancer patients. Patients were recruited through five hospitals that provide cancer care in the West Bank and Gaza Strip (Al-Hussein Hospital, Beit Jala; Augusta Victoria Hospital, Jerusalem; Istishari Arab Hospital, Ramallah; European Hospital and Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rantisi Hospital; Gaza). Data were collected using an interview-based questionnaire. The questionnaire focused on assessment of physical, psychosocial, emotional, and spiritual components of palliative care. In addition, the questionnaire assessed caregiver’s needs. Results: A total of 238 patients were interviewed. The mean age of the participants was 53.8±15 years. The most common types of cancer among patients were breast cancer (51 [21.4%]) and colorectal cancer (33 [13.9%]). Fifty percent of the patients had their children as their primary caregivers. Overall, the majority of the patients had good psychosocial, spiritual, and emotional scores. On the other hand, >80% had moderate to poor physical functioning scores. Psychosocial and emotional scores decreased significantly as the disease progressed. More than 33% of the patients reported that their caregivers were in need of financial, legal, and work-related support. In addition, other commonly reported unmet needs included support in understanding what to expect in the future and dealing with the feelings and worries of the patient. Conclusions: Cancer patients suffer mostly from their physical symptoms in addition to financial problems. On the other hand, assessment of the emotional, spiritual and psychological functioning of Palestinian patients indicates that the strength of religious beliefs and the support of the family and the friends in the Palestinian community had a great impact on the patients and help reduced the gap in palliative care services

Exposure assessment of radon in the drinking water supplies: a descriptive study in Palestine

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Radon gas is considered as a main risk factor for lung cancer and found naturally in rock, soil, and water. The objective of this study was to determine the radon level in the drinking water sources in Nablus city in order to set up a sound policy on water management in Palestine.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This was a descriptive study carried out in two phases with a random sampling technique in the second phase. Primarily, samples were taken from 4 wells and 5 springs that supplied Nablus city residents. For each source, 3 samples were taken and each was analyzed in 4 cycles by RAD 7 device manufactured by Durridge Company. Secondly, from the seven regions of the Nablus city, three samples were taken from the residential tap water of each region. Regarding the old city, ten samples were taken. Finally, the mean radon concentration value for each source was calculated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean (range) concentration of radon in the main sources were 6.9 (1.5-23.4) Becquerel/liter (Bq/L). Separately, springs and wells' means were 4.6 Bq/L and 9.5 Bq/L; respectively. For the residential tap water in the 7 regions, the results of the mean (range) concentration values were found to be 1.0 (0.9-1.3) Bq/L. For the old city, the mean (range) concentration values were 2.3 (0.9-3.9) Bq/L.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Except for Al-Badan well, radon concentrations in the wells and springs were below the United State Environmental Protection Agency maximum contaminated level (U.S EPA MCL). The level was much lower for tap water. Although the concentration of radon in the tap water of old city were below the MCL, it was higher than other regions in the city. Preventive measures and population awareness on radon's exposure are recommended.</p

Nidification du Martinet pâle Apus pallidus en Aquitaine et statut de l’espèce en France

Status of Pallid Swift in southern France. Several Pallid Swift colonies have been discovered in the French Mediterranean region since 1990 and recently on the Atlantic’s south-west coast of this country. Furthermore, the new French Breeding Bird Atlas updates the species breeding distribution and provides recent knowledge about its status in the last two decades. Pallid Swift seems to have extended its distribution range in each survey since the first atlas was published in 1970. This article describes and relates these developments at the national level and in the wider context of changes in breeding areas related to climate change

L'utilisation du système d'information hospitalier dans la gestion des hôpitaux

PARIS7-Bibliothèque centrale (751132105) / SudocPARIS-BIUP (751062107) / SudocSudocFranceF

Nidification du Martinet pâle Apus pallidus en Aquitaine et statut de l’espèce en France

Status of Pallid Swift in southern France. Several Pallid Swift colonies have been discovered in the French Mediterranean region since 1990 and recently on the Atlantic’s south-west coast of this country. Furthermore, the new French Breeding Bird Atlas updates the species breeding distribution and provides recent knowledge about its status in the last two decades. Pallid Swift seems to have extended its distribution range in each survey since the first atlas was published in 1970. This article describes and relates these developments at the national level and in the wider context of changes in breeding areas related to climate change