The Effects of Waste Ceramic Powders and Waste Glass Powders on the Rheological and Mechanical Properties of Self-Compacting Concrete

Two key axes dominated this experimental research. The first was developing self-compacting concrete from ceramic waste powder (CWP) and glass waste powder (GWP), which met and followed the recommended European specification and guidelines for self-compacting concrete (EFNARC) standards. The second axis indicated the self-compacting concrete's rheological and mechanical performance. Sixteen different mixtures were produced using supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) to replace cement partially. The replacement levels of SCMs were 5%, 10%, and 15% (by weight of cement), divided into three series: Series A (containing ceramic waste powder), Series B (containing glass waste powder), and Series C (containing combinations of ceramic waste powder and glass waste powder). The SCC rheological properties for all mixtures with different levels of SCMs replacement in the mixture gradually decreased as the substitution ratios increased. The reduction in flowability for substitution, ranging from 5% to 35%, was approximately 0% to 12%, respectively. However, the reduction was insignificant; the fresh properties remained within the limits specified by EFNARC. Regarding the mechanical properties, at an early age, the strength of mixtures decreased with increasing alternative ratios. However, after 90 days, the strength increased by about 11% and 9% of the compressive and flexural strengths, respectively, over the control mix, indicating that SCMs improve the concrete strength over time and are suitable to contribute to an eco-friendly concrete industry without compromising strength

Surdité professionnelle dans une industrie automobile de la région du centre Tunisien reconnaissance et indemnisation

Objectif : La surdité professionnelle pose encore des problèmes de reconnaissance et d’indemnisation en Tunisie. L’objectif de notre étude est d’analyser les conditions de reconnaissance et d’indemnisation de la surdité professionnelle auprès des travailleurs d’une industrie automobile.Matériel et méthodes : Nous avons mené une étude descriptive rétrospective qui a porté sur les salariés de la Société Tunisienne d’Industrie Automobile (STIA) victimes de surdité professionnelle reconnue par la Commission Médicale du centre sur une période de cinq ans (2003 à 2007).Résultats : Un total de 81 dossiers de surdité professionnelle reconnue a été colligé durant la période d’étude. Notre population était constituée par une main d’oeuvre masculine qualifiée (50,6%) et non qualifiée (38,3%) ayant une ancienneté moyenne dans le poste bruyant de 28,7 ± 6,8 ans. Le niveau moyen d’exposition professionnelle au bruit était de 90,7 ± 3,9dB(A). Il était plus élevé dans les ateliers de presse [92,4dB(A)], de tôlerie [91,6 dB(A)] et de peinture [90 dB(A)]. La perte auditive moyenne (PAM) sur la meilleure oreille était de 65,7 ± 17,4dB. Les potentiels évoqués auditifs ont été pratiqués chez 66 patients (81,5%) et ont confirmé le diagnostic de surdité de perception dans 64 cas et d’une surdité mixte dans les 2 autres cas. L’audiométrie tonale avec prothèse auditive a été pratiquée dans 71,6% des cas et a relevé une amélioration estimée nette chez 81% des patients. Le taux moyen de l’incapacitépermanente partielle était de 21,5 ± 6,8% avec des extrêmes allant de 8 et 51%. La majorité des salariés (92,6%) avaient un taux d’IPP entre 15 et 35%. La PAM > 60 dB a été statistiquement corrélée avec la catégorie professionnelle (p=0,017) et l’ancienneté au travail (p=0,039).Conclusion : La réparation de la surdité professionnelle présente encore des limites et des imperfections liées aux critères de reconnaissances qui doivent être révisées.Mots-clés : Surdité professionnelle, Bruit, Industrie automobile, Réparation

Critical Success Factors for Implementing Blockchain-Based Circular Supply Chain

The growing importance of the circular economy has emphasised optimal utilisation of resources within the constraints of economic development and protection of the environment. Digital technologies associated with Industry 4.0, such as blockchain, facilitate the implementation of circular economy principles throughout the supply chain. However, because blockchain implementation in the supply chain is still in the early stages, real-world examples of the blockchain-based circular supply chains (CSCs) are limited. The principal purpose of the paper is to examine the critical success factors (CSFs) for implementing blockchain-based CSCs. Following that, ten CSFs are identified through a short systematic literature review, and then, the integrated Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping and Fuzzy Best Worst Method (FCM-FBWM) is implemented to examine CSFs for the blockchain-based CSC. The study’s main findings demonstrate that network collaboration is the best CSF, while the shared circular economy toolbox is counted worst of all. This research enriches the literature by identifying the CSFs for implementing blockchain-enabled CSCs to address the lack of a suitable decision-making framework that assists managers in comprehending how blockchain can be adopted in the circular economy context. Implications for theory and practice are also discussed, offering new insights into the measures necessary to ensure successful blockchain implementations in CSCs

Can atopic eczema and psoriasis coexist? A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Importance: Previous studies report both co-existence and mutual exclusivity of atopic eczema (AE) and psoriasis, but these have not been appraised systematically. Knowledge of such disease association throws light on disease mechanisms and may influence therapeutic choices. Objective: To summarise evidence for AE and psoriasis occurring in the same person at the same point in time. Planned primary outcome was the incidence, prevalence or risk of psoriasis or eczema. Methods: Ovid MEDLINE and Ovid Embase were searched from inception to 1st February 2020. The search strategy was built around the key terms ‘atopic eczema’, ‘psoriasis’ and ‘co-existence’. Observational studies (cohort, case-control, cross-sectional and case-series) with a minimum of 10 consecutive patients. There were no restrictions on participants, geography or language. Studies were selected, data extracted and critically appraised independently by two reviewers. Data were extracted on the method of diagnosis: health professional (dermatologist, criteria, other), self-reported, not specified. Study quality was assessed using the validated Joanna Brigg’s Institute critical appraisal tool. A random-effects model was used to combine studies. Results: This review included 31 studies and 20 523 individuals with psoriasis and 1, 405 911 with AE. Eight studies reported the prevalence of AE in those with psoriasis and values ranged from 0.17% to 20%: the pooled prevalence was 2% (95%CI 1, 3). Seven studies reported the prevalence of psoriasis in those with AE and values ranged from 0.3% to 12.6%; the pooled prevalence was 2% (95%CI 1, 3). Ten studies were assessed as low risk of bias. Geographical area, method of diagnosis, setting and whether the assessment of diagnosis was blinded partly contributed to the heterogeneity. Conclusions This review provides some evidence for the co-existence of AE and psoriasis. Clinicians should be aware of co-existence at diagnosis, when selecting therapies and when reviewing poor response to treatment

Study of the B +→ J / ψ Λ ¯ p decay in proton-proton collisions at √s = 8 TeV

A study of the B +→ J / ψ Λ ¯ p decay using proton-proton collision data collected at s = 8 TeV by the CMS experiment at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.6 fb−1, is presented. The ratio of branching fractions B(B+→J/ψΛ¯p)/B(B+→J/ψK∗(892)+) is measured to be (1.054 ± 0.057(stat) ± 0.035(syst) ± 0.011(B))%, where the last uncertainty reflects the uncertainties in the world-average branching fractions of Λ ¯ and K*(892) + decays to reconstructed final states. The invariant mass distributions of the J / ψ Λ ¯ , J/ψp, and Λ ¯ p systems produced in the B +→ J / ψ Λ¯ p decay are investigated and found to be inconsistent with the pure phase space hypothesis. The analysis is extended by using a model-independent angular amplitude analysis, which shows that the observed invariant mass distributions are consistent with the contributions from excited kaons decaying to the Λ ¯ p system. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Search for new neutral Higgs bosons through the H → ZA→ ℓ+ℓ−b b ¯ process in pp collisions at √s = 13 TeV

This paper reports on a search for an extension to the scalar sector of the standard model, where a new CP-even (odd) boson decays to a Z boson and a lighter CP-odd (even) boson, and the latter further decays to a b quark pair. The Z boson is reconstructed via its decays to electron or muon pairs. The analysed data were recorded in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy s = 13 TeV, collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC during 2016, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb−1. Data and predictions from the standard model are in agreement within the uncertainties. Upper limits at 95% confidence level are set on the production cross section times branching fraction, with masses of the new bosons up to 1000 GeV. The results are interpreted in the context of the two-Higgs-doublet model. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Measurement of the top quark Yukawa coupling from t t kinematic distributions in the lepton+jets final state in proton-proton collisions at s =13 TeV MEASUREMENT of the TOP QUARK YUKAWA COUPLING from ... SIRUNYAN et al.

Results are presented for an extraction of the top quark Yukawa coupling from top quark-antiquark (tt) kinematic distributions in the lepton plus jets final state in proton-proton collisions, based on data collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC at s=13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.8 fb-1. Corrections from weak boson exchange, including Higgs bosons, between the top quarks can produce large distortions of differential distributions near the energy threshold of tt production. Therefore, precise measurements of these distributions are sensitive to the Yukawa coupling. Top quark events are reconstructed with at least three jets in the final state, and a novel technique is introduced to reconstruct the tt system for events with one missing jet. This technique enhances the experimental sensitivity in the low invariant mass region, Mtt. The data yields in Mtt, the rapidity difference |yt-yt|, and the number of reconstructed jets are compared with distributions representing different Yukawa couplings. These comparisons are used to measure the ratio of the top quark Yukawa coupling to its standard model predicted value to be 1.07-0.43+0.34 with an upper limit of 1.67 at the 95% confidence level