Mechanical and thermal properties of Kenaf reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)-natural rubber (NR) composites

In this paper, natural rubber (NR) was mixed with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and kenaf as fillerreinforcement for the polymer composite. Mixing the material using the internal mixer and hot press machine was able toblend the material homogeneously. Investigation of the new polymer composite characterisation was carried out by thermalgravimetric analysis (TGA), along with tensile, flexural and impact tests. The TGA for the polymer composite achieved322⁰C before degradation and increase in tensile and impact strength with the increase of TPU in the polymer compositematrices were observed. The result indicated an improvement in tensile, flexural and impact strength for the kenaf filledTPU-NR composites. The mixing of kenaf fibre and TPU-NR polymer showed degradation that was gradually diminishingturned into ashes. TGA result showed all compositions of kenaf filled TPU-NR composites samples shared the same peaktemperature, being degraded at 600⁰C

The novel in Saudi Arabia: emergence and development 1930-1989 ; an historical and critical study

This study aims to establish the identity of the Saudi novel, which has been hitherto neglected by scholars whether Saudi or non-Saudi; to consider the emergence and development of tho Saudi novel during the past sIxty years (1930-90) and the reasons for these; to investigate the peculiarities of the Saudi novel as well as the influence on it of the International novel, and the novel in other Arabic-speaking countries; to examine the factors that have led to the growth of the novel as a literary form in Saudi Arabia since the fifties; and appraise the 'artistic" development that has taken place In the novel itself, and in individual novelists since that time

Impact of land use/land cover dynamics on himalayan wetland ecosystem

Wetland ecosystems integrate many upstream processes and the differential contributions of spatially distributed controlling factors, especially land use / land cover. In view of the significant importance of wetlands in the ecosystem and regional economy, an attempt has been made to analyze the impact of land use / land cover dynamics on spatial status of Hokar Sar wetland, a Ramsar Site located in Kashmir Himalayas. The impact assessment has been carried out by analyzing the multi-temporal (1986, 1995, 2005) changes in the upstream land use / land cover characteristics of wetland watershed, by using remote sensing data of SPOT HRV-I, Landsat-ETM and IRS-LISS-III, respectively. The multi-temporal land use / land cover statistics revealed that significant changes have taken place from 1986 to 2005 in the watershed. And in response to these upstream watershed changes, the Hokar Sar wetland has exhibited changes in spatial extension, structure and hydrological characteristics. As a consequence of continuous inflow of sediment load and nutrients from the upper catchment due to changing land use, the wetland has fragmented into various spatial zones with varying physicochemical characteristics. Average water depth of the wetland has reduced significantly, wetland has attained eutrophication condition and the overall ecosystem of the wetland has been found to be degraded

COMPARATIVE STUDY ON RING, ROTOR AND AIR-JET SPUN YARN

Although ring spinning is the universal spinning system but main limitation of this system is its limited spindle speed which causes lower production rate. Now-a-days spinners are trying to finding out various alternative spinning systems among which only rotor and air-jet has established market value. So it is very important for spinners to find out a suitable one according to end use and others economic aspects. Ring, Rotor and Air-jet spinning systems provide yarn with different structures and properties. Each system has its advantages and limitations in terms of technical feasibility and economic viability. We have produced 20's Ne, 100% cotton yarn from the above systems and their properties are tested by UT5 and lea strength tester. The main object of the project is to study the yarn properties (Um%, CVm%, Imperfection, Hairiness etc) of ring, rotor and air-jet spun yarn and compare among them. We observed how yarn properties are changed with the change of process. We analyzed the various yarn properties by the graphical representation

COMPARATIVE STUDY ON RING, ROTOR AND AIR-JET SPUN YARN

Although ring spinning is the universal spinning system but main limitation of this system is its limited spindle speed which causes lower production rate. Now-a-days spinners are trying to finding out various alternative spinning systems among which only rotor and air-jet has established market value. So it is very important for spinners to find out a suitable one according to end use and others economic aspects. Ring, Rotor and Air-jet spinning systems provide yarn with different structures and properties. Each system has its advantages and limitations in terms of technical feasibility and economic viability. We have produced 20's Ne, 100% cotton yarn from the above systems and their properties are tested by UT5 and lea strength tester. The main object of the project is to study the yarn properties (Um%, CVm%, Imperfection, Hairiness etc) of ring, rotor and air-jet spun yarn and compare among them. We observed how yarn properties are changed with the change of process. We analyzed the various yarn properties by the graphical representation

A Literature Review on Cloud Computing Adoption Issues in Enterprises

Part 3: Creating Value through ApplicationsInternational audienceCloud computing has received increasing interest from enterprises since its inception. With its innovative information technology (IT) services delivery model, cloud computing could add technical and strategic business value to enterprises. However, cloud computing poses highly concerning internal (e.g., Top management and experience) and external issues (e.g., regulations and standards). This paper presents a systematic literature review to explore the current key issues related to cloud computing adoption. This is achieved by reviewing 51 articles published about cloud computing adoption. Using the grounded theory approach, articles are classified into eight main categories: internal, external, evaluation, proof of concept, adoption decision, implementation and integration, IT governance, and confirmation. Then, the eight categories are divided into two abstract categories: cloud computing adoption factors and processes, where the former affects the latter. The results of this review indicate that enterprises face serious issues before they decide to adopt cloud computing. Based on the findings, the paper provides a future information systems (IS) research agenda to explore the previously under-investigated areas regarding cloud computing adoption factors and processes. This paper calls for further theoretical, methodological, and empirical contributions to the research area of cloud computing adoption by enterprises

Arteriopathy diagnosis in childhood arterial ischemic stroke: results of the vascular effects of infection in pediatric stroke study.

Background and purposeAlthough arteriopathies are the most common cause of childhood arterial ischemic stroke, and the strongest predictor of recurrent stroke, they are difficult to diagnose. We studied the role of clinical data and follow-up imaging in diagnosing cerebral and cervical arteriopathy in children with arterial ischemic stroke.MethodsVascular effects of infection in pediatric stroke, an international prospective study, enrolled 355 cases of arterial ischemic stroke (age, 29 days to 18 years) at 39 centers. A neuroradiologist and stroke neurologist independently reviewed vascular imaging of the brain (mandatory for inclusion) and neck to establish a diagnosis of arteriopathy (definite, possible, or absent) in 3 steps: (1) baseline imaging alone; (2) plus clinical data; (3) plus follow-up imaging. A 4-person committee, including a second neuroradiologist and stroke neurologist, adjudicated disagreements. Using the final diagnosis as the gold standard, we calculated the sensitivity and specificity of each step.ResultsCases were aged median 7.6 years (interquartile range, 2.8-14 years); 56% boys. The majority (52%) was previously healthy; 41% had follow-up vascular imaging. Only 56 (16%) required adjudication. The gold standard diagnosis was definite arteriopathy in 127 (36%), possible in 34 (9.6%), and absent in 194 (55%). Sensitivity was 79% at step 1, 90% at step 2, and 94% at step 3; specificity was high throughout (99%, 100%, and 100%), as was agreement between reviewers (κ=0.77, 0.81, and 0.78).ConclusionsClinical data and follow-up imaging help, yet uncertainty in the diagnosis of childhood arteriopathy remains. This presents a challenge to better understanding the mechanisms underlying these arteriopathies and designing strategies for prevention of childhood arterial ischemic stroke

Deletion variants of middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus from humans, Jordan, 2015

We characterized Middle East respiratory syndrome coronaviruses from a hospital outbreak in Jordan in 2015. The viruses from Jordan were highly similar to isolates from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, except for deletions in open reading frames 4a and 3. Transmissibility and pathogenicity of this strain remains to be determined

Anemia prevalence in women of reproductive age in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2018

Anemia is a globally widespread condition in women and is associated with reduced economic productivity and increased mortality worldwide. Here we map annual 2000–2018 geospatial estimates of anemia prevalence in women of reproductive age (15–49 years) across 82 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), stratify anemia by severity and aggregate results to policy-relevant administrative and national levels. Additionally, we provide subnational disparity analyses to provide a comprehensive overview of anemia prevalence inequalities within these countries and predict progress toward the World Health Organization’s Global Nutrition Target (WHO GNT) to reduce anemia by half by 2030. Our results demonstrate widespread moderate improvements in overall anemia prevalence but identify only three LMICs with a high probability of achieving the WHO GNT by 2030 at a national scale, and no LMIC is expected to achieve the target in all their subnational administrative units. Our maps show where large within-country disparities occur, as well as areas likely to fall short of the WHO GNT, offering precision public health tools so that adequate resource allocation and subsequent interventions can be targeted to the most vulnerable populations.Peer reviewe