Fluctuating rainfall as one of the important cause for desertification in Iraq

Desertification is regarded as one of the most problems over the entire world. There are many reasons lead to this problem. Climatic factors such (rainfall, temperature and evaporation) are some of them. Annual rainfall amount is one of the most important parameters that lead to desertification for this reason it chosen to achieve this research. In this paper rainfall data with the help of Geographic Information System (GIS) to produce maps of Iraqi surface climate. In order to achieve this goal, the available data from a number of climate monitoring stations located on the surface of the country has been were adopted. The annual mean of rainfall for the period from 1990 to 2010 has been used. The Iraqi shape file map was used to overlay the results. The output of the research are presented in GIS maps that demonstrating the variation of rainfall over the study period for the monitoring climate stations

Determining the Contribution of Different Structural Layers of Asphalt Pavement System to Rutting Using Transverse Profile Analysis

Abstract Rutting is one of the major distresses which cause hydroplaning and structural failures in a flexible pavement. The extent of damage depends upon the load induced and the strength of each pavement layer. Rutting can occur due to the failure of the subgrade, the base or at the wearing surface/ hot mixasphalt (HMA) layer(s).In order to take remedial measures, it is imperative to be cognizant of the contribution of each layer to ascertain the cause of underlying phenomena of rutting. This research study demonstrates the analysis of the pavement transverse surface profile that could be used to identify the layer responsible for the permanent deformation. Transverse surface profiling techniqueis easier, non-destructive, and economicalas compared to traditional methods of coring and trenching to examine underlying layers. A 300 meter section on National Highway (N-5) was selected exhibiting severe rutting to perform transverse profile analysis. Results of this study suggest that rutting at the selected site is mainly due to the shear failure of HMA layer. These results were also validated by field trenching on the test section. The study concluded that HMA layer should be removed and replaced with appropriately designed high performance mix specifications

Need for recovery amongst emergency physicians in the UK and Ireland: A cross-sectional survey

OBJECTIVES: To determine the need for recovery (NFR) among emergency physicians and to identify demographic and occupational characteristics associated with higher NFR scores. DESIGN: Cross-sectional electronic survey. SETTING: Emergency departments (EDs) (n=112) in the UK and Ireland. PARTICIPANTS: Emergency physicians, defined as any registered physician working principally within the ED, responding between June and July 2019. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: NFR Scale, an 11-item self-administered questionnaire that assesses how work demands affect intershift recovery. RESULTS: The median NFR Score for all 4247 eligible, consented participants with a valid NFR Score was 70.0 (95% CI: 65.5 to 74.5), with an IQR of 45.5-90.0. A linear regression model indicated statistically significant associations between gender, health conditions, type of ED, clinical grade, access to annual and study leave, and time spent working out-of-hours. Groups including male physicians, consultants, general practitioners (GPs) within the ED, those working in paediatric EDs and those with no long-term health condition or disability had a lower NFR Score. After adjusting for these characteristics, the NFR Score increased by 3.7 (95% CI: 0.3 to 7.1) and 6.43 (95% CI: 2.0 to 10.8) for those with difficulty accessing annual and study leave, respectively. Increased percentage of out-of-hours work increased NFR Score almost linearly: 26%-50% out-of-hours work=5.7 (95% CI: 3.1 to 8.4); 51%-75% out-of-hours work=10.3 (95% CI: 7.6 to 13.0); 76%-100% out-of-hours work=14.5 (95% CI: 11.0 to 17.9). CONCLUSION: Higher NFR scores were observed among emergency physicians than reported in any other profession or population to date. While out-of-hours working is unavoidable, the linear relationship observed suggests that any reduction may result in NFR improvement. Evidence-based strategies to improve well-being such as proportional out-of-hours working and improved access to annual and study leave should be carefully considered and implemented where feasible

Co-valorization of sediments incorporating high and low organic matter with alkali-activated GGBS and hydraulic binder for use in road construction

International audienceThis study investigates the valorization of dredged sediments containing high and low organic matter (OM) content with alkali-activated ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) and conventional hydraulic binders (HB). The objective is to develop a sustainable material with the necessary qualities for road construction. Research is conducted on dredged sediments from the French port of Cherbourg (CHER-ALL sediments) and the dam in the Maurienne Valley of France (MOR-ALL sediments), with high and low levels of OM content, respectively. After the determination of physico-chemical and mineralogical characteristics, high organic CHER-ALL sediments were first valorized using conventional HB and then co-valorized using low carbon footprint alkaline activated byproducts (AAB). The alkali activation of the byproduct (GGBS) was performed with a chemical activator named NeoliX. AAB and HB were utilized to treat the dredged sediments to compare their mechanical performances as well as environmental impacts. In terms of mechanical performance, the obtained results revealed that AAB outperformed traditional HB, and concerning the environmental impacts, byproducts have no carbon footprint except for their transportation. As a consequence, AAB has also been utilized to co-valorize the sediments from the Maurienne dam (MOR-ALL sediments) as well. AAB co-valorization of these two sediments (CHER-ALL and MOR-ALL) with varying degrees of OM content facilitates an understanding of the effects of OM concentration on mechanical properties. The high OM content of the CHER-ALL sediment (>17%), regardless of the proposed mixing with traditional HB, proved to impede the valorization, since the 28-day UCS did not exceed 1 MPa. The CBR as well as ultimate tensile strength (UTS) testing confirms the reported trends from the UCS experiments. In addition, the presence of a high OM concentration significantly decreased the mechanical properties of dredging sediments co-valorized with AAB. However, depending on the mass percentage of sediment (wt%) in the mix design, it was achievable to attain the required minimum strength value of 1 MPa with 30% and 70% of CHER-ALL and MOR-ALL sediments, respectively. Even if the OM content of sediments is high, alkaline activation can be employed to co-valorize them, as demonstrated by these encouraging results. The quantity of sediment to be co-valorized is depend upon their OM content

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Not AvailableIn the present work, the salinity tolerance level of Indian major carp, Catla catla, genetically improved Labeo rohita (Jayanti rohu) and Cirrhinus mrigala were ascertained in terms of weight gain and mortality by exposing the fishes gradually to different levels of salinities for 45 days. Overall analysis of the result showed that, the severity of impact of increasing salinity was significantly higher (P<0.05) in Catla compared to other two species (Jayanti rohu and Mrigal). In case of C. catla significant decrease (P<0.05) in weight gain was noted from 1 ppt onwards, whereas in case of L. rohita the decrease in weight gain was found significant (P<0.05) from 3 ppt onwards and in case of C. mrigala the growth retardation was noticed from 4 ppt onwards compared to control. In case of Catla, mortality started at salinity above 5 ppt, and reached to 100% at salinity level of 8 ppt , whereas, Jayanti rohu showed no mortality up to 6 ppt salinity, though the survivability got reduced to 40% in salinity of 8 ppt. Interestingly, in case of Mrigal no mortality were recorded at salinity level up to 8 ppt on 30 days post experiment. The result obtained in the present study had given an account of the level of salinity tolerance in Indian major carps.Not Availabl