2D/3D SOIL CONSUMPTION TRACKING IN A MARBLE QUARRY DISTRICT

Abstract. Complex extractive districts, such as the marble quarries in the Apuan Alps (northern Italy), require soil consumption monitoring over the years that could be achieved through high-resolution remotely sensed data. To derive 2D and 3D indicators with appropriate resolution for annual monitoring of high-resolution changes in soil consumption, aerial images, LiDAR acquisitions, satellite data, and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) acquisitions were used. In particular, open-access Sentinel-2 multispectral satellite imagery with a spatial resolution of 10 m was used to assess cover changes (2D), and then refined by manual interpretation for 5 years (2016-2021). 3D changes were detected by comparing free aerial LiDAR data from 2009 and 2017, integrated with two stereo models obtained from Pléiades high-resolution satellite images from 2020 and 2022. 3D changes observed over the years by algebraic elevation comparison, performed in QGIS 3.x environment, highlight quarries characterized by intense mining activities (extracted marble blocks, characterized by positive elevation differences) and quarry area management (debris disposal and service infrastructure construction, characterized by negative elevation differences). The combined use of 2D and 3D change indicators can be challenging in order to correctly represent soil consumption over the years. A dual 2D/3D webgis client have been developed for proper representation of 2D/3D spatial indicators of ongoing extraction activities in the Carrara marble basin: high-resolution images have been served as tiled data, while 2D/3D spatial indicators are served as static and/or tiled vector data. Open-Source libraries have used in data processing, serving and representation inside a map interface

Urinary iodine level assessment during third trimester in a sample of Egyptian pregnant women and its relation to thyroid function

Background: Inadequate intakes of iodine during pregnancy may cause thyroid dysfunctions that adversely affect pregnancy outcomes. Aim of the work was to evaluate the urinary iodine level as a marker of iodine status in a sample of Egyptian pregnant women during 3rd trimester and assess its relation to thyroid functions.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 pregnant females at their 3rd trimester aged (18-35) years. They were divided according to their urinary iodine concentration into 3 groups; Group (I): Pregnant females with deficient iodine (<150 μg/l), Group (II): Pregnant females with adequate iodine (150-249) μg/l, Group (III): pregnant females including who have above requirements (250-499 μg/l), and excessive (≥500 μg/l). TSH, free t4, free t3, Anti-Thyroglobulin (TgAb) and anti-thyroid perioxidase (TPOAb), medium urinary Iodine concentration (UIC) by ELISA and neck U/S were performed to all participants.Results: 18% of the pregnant women in our study had iodine deficiency during 3rd trimester (UIC<150 ug/l) whereas 55% of pregnant women had excess iodine level, and adequate iodine level was observed in 27%.  Serum TSH was significantly higher in group I with deficient iodine level (p value<0.01). All pregnant women included at group I were suffering from subclinical hypothyroidism. Serum TSH and thyroid volume were inversely correlated with urinary iodine among pregnant females at 3rd trimester (p value<0.01).Conclusions: Serum TSH and thyroid volume were inversely correlated with urinary iodine level among pregnant females at 3rd trimester

A comprehensive review of disputes prevention and resolution in construction projects

The construction industry is complex, fragmented, dynamic and involves many parties in an adversarial relationship. This makes disputes almost inevitable in any construction project. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the adopted methodologies in resolving disputes that arise in the construction projects. The paper evaluates and classifies the different methods of disputes resolution. A comparison was conducted between the advantages and disadvantages of each method. The paper distinguishes between the traditional method of disputes resolution; litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods such as arbitration, mediation, med/arb, mini-trial and dispute review board. In conclusion there is no best way to solve all kind of disputes in construction projects, however, a general step by step process of how disputes should be addressed is finally presented

Influence of blended powders on properties of ultra-high strength fibre reinforced self compacting concrete subjected to elevated temperatures

Ultra-High Strength Fibre Reinforced Self Compacting Concrete (UHSFRSCC) is in great demand for use in construction projects around the globe. Unless fillers are utilized in this concrete, its production will come at an excessive environmental cost due to the high Carbon footprint of Portland cement. A gap in the published literature was identified, where quaternary mixes, containing Portland cement with three fillers, incorporating fibres, and achieving ultra high strength, were not cited. In this study ternary and quaternary mixes were designed and produced, satisfying the European Guidelines for SCC, with compressive strengths exceeding 115 MPa. Some mixes had compressive strengths between 125 – 150 MPa, which were not previously reported in the literature. The mixes contained Silica Fume (SF), Metakaolin (MK), Limestone powder (LS) as partial Portland cement replacement and quartz powder (QP) as partial sand replacement. Basalt Fibres were added to reinforce the matrix. Compressive & tensile strength of the mixes along with UPV, sorptivity, absorption and SEM Micro-structure features were studied at ambient temperature and after the samples were exposed to either 200 or 300 oC; since the behavior of HSC at elevated temperature is always a cause for concern. The active and inert fillers exhibited a synergic behavior at all temperature conditions. The mix containing: 15% SF, 5% MK, 20% LS and 34% QP achieved the best performance. Compressive and splitting tensile strength improve by 10% and 17% while sorptivity and absorption decline by 40% and 29% respectively at ambient temperature. Residual compressive strength improved by 10% and 19% while, residual splitting tensile strength significantly increases by 21% and 28% after exposure to elevated temperatures 200°C and 300°C respectively. Meanwhile, residual sorptivity decreases by 39% and 38% after exposure to these elevated temperatures. Microstructure properties supported and agreed with the mechanical and permeation characteristics results. The results will contribute to the development of UHSFRSCC in hot weather countries

Thermal insulation and mechanical characteristics of cement mortar reinforced with mineral wool and rice straw fibers

Building insulation is an essential requirement for buildings located in areas of varying temperature conditions. However, the conventional building insulation techniques accrue high cost and consume resources. This work aimed to evaluate the use of mineral wool and rice straw to improve Portland cement mortar’s thermal insulating properties. Samples of 40x40x160 mm mortar were produced with cement and sand, but varying mineral wool and rice straw constituents from 0 to 50% in weight. Water absorption, flexural and compressive strengths, thermal conductivity were performed in samples with and without mineral wool and rice straw addition.The microstructure of mortars was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was observed that reinforcing mortars with mineral wool and rice straw fibers yielded a significant drop in the mortar’s thermal conductivity, improving their insulative abilities. Although the addition of fibers, in turn, deferred the mechanical performance in some mixes, however, it was not too significant or below workable standards. The performed tests prove the feasibility of adopting the selected fibers for insulating Portland cement mortars

Utilisation of an operative difficulty grading scale for laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background A reliable system for grading operative difficulty of laparoscopic cholecystectomy would standardise description of findings and reporting of outcomes. The aim of this study was to validate a difficulty grading system (Nassar scale), testing its applicability and consistency in two large prospective datasets. Methods Patient and disease-related variables and 30-day outcomes were identified in two prospective cholecystectomy databases: the multi-centre prospective cohort of 8820 patients from the recent CholeS Study and the single-surgeon series containing 4089 patients. Operative data and patient outcomes were correlated with Nassar operative difficultly scale, using Kendall’s tau for dichotomous variables, or Jonckheere–Terpstra tests for continuous variables. A ROC curve analysis was performed, to quantify the predictive accuracy of the scale for each outcome, with continuous outcomes dichotomised, prior to analysis. Results A higher operative difficulty grade was consistently associated with worse outcomes for the patients in both the reference and CholeS cohorts. The median length of stay increased from 0 to 4 days, and the 30-day complication rate from 7.6 to 24.4% as the difficulty grade increased from 1 to 4/5 (both p < 0.001). In the CholeS cohort, a higher difficulty grade was found to be most strongly associated with conversion to open and 30-day mortality (AUROC = 0.903, 0.822, respectively). On multivariable analysis, the Nassar operative difficultly scale was found to be a significant independent predictor of operative duration, conversion to open surgery, 30-day complications and 30-day reintervention (all p < 0.001). Conclusion We have shown that an operative difficulty scale can standardise the description of operative findings by multiple grades of surgeons to facilitate audit, training assessment and research. It provides a tool for reporting operative findings, disease severity and technical difficulty and can be utilised in future research to reliably compare outcomes according to case mix and intra-operative difficulty

Locating the Binding Sites of Pb(II) Ion with Human and Bovine Serum Albumins

Lead is a potent environmental toxin that has accumulated above its natural level as a result of human activity. Pb cation shows major affinity towards protein complexation and it has been used as modulator of protein-membrane interactions. We located the binding sites of Pb(II) with human serum (HSA) and bovine serum albumins (BSA) at physiological conditions, using constant protein concentration and various Pb contents. FTIR, UV-visible, CD, fluorescence and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) methods were used to analyse Pb binding sites, the binding constant and the effect of metal ion complexation on HSA and BSA stability and conformations. Structural analysis showed that Pb binds strongly to HSA and BSA via hydrophilic contacts with overall binding constants of KPb-HSA = 8.2 (±0.8)×104 M−1 and KPb-BSA = 7.5 (±0.7)×104 M−1. The number of bound Pb cation per protein is 0.7 per HSA and BSA complexes. XPS located the binding sites of Pb cation with protein N and O atoms. Pb complexation alters protein conformation by a major reduction of α-helix from 57% (free HSA) to 48% (metal-complex) and 63% (free BSA) to 52% (metal-complex) inducing a partial protein destabilization

Effect of Village-wide Use of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets on Visceral Leishmaniasis Vectors in India and Nepal: A Cluster Randomized Trial

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a vector-borne disease causing at least 60,000 deaths each year amongst an estimated half million cases, and until recently there have been no significant initiatives to reduce this burden. However, in 2005, the governments of India, Bangladesh and Nepal signed a memorandum of understanding at the World Health Assembly in Geneva for the elimination of the disease by 2015. In the absence of an effective vaccine, the program will rely on the active detection and prompt treatment of cases throughout the endemic region, combined with a recurrent indoor residual spraying (IRS) of all villages at risk. Vector control programs based on IRS are notorious for failing to maintain comprehensive spray coverage over time owing to logistical problems and lack of compliance by householders. Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LNs) have been postulated as an alternative or complement to IRS. Here we describe how comprehensive coverage of LN in trial communities reduced the indoor density of sand flies by 25% compared to communities without LNs. This provides an indication that LNs could be usefully deployed as a component of the VL control program in the Indian subcontinent