Load-deflection Analysis of CFRP Strengthened RC Slab Using Focused Feed-forward Time Delay Neural Network

In this paper, the load-deflection analysis of the Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) strengthened Reinforced Concrete (RC) slab using Focused Feed-forward Time Delay Neural Network (FFTDNN) is investigated. Six reinforced concrete slabs having dimension 1800×400×120 mm with similar steel bar of 2T10 and strengthened using different length and width of CFRP were tested and compared with similar samples without CFRP. The experimental load-deflection results were uploaded, normalized, and converted to a time sequence parameter in MATLAB software. Loading, time, and the effect of the different CFRP strip lengths on the slab moment of inertia were as neurons in input layer and mid-span deflection was as neuron in output layer. The network was generated using feed-forward network and a tapped delay line at the input layer to memorize the input data while training process. From 122 load-deflection data, 111 data utilized for network generation and 11 data for the network testing. The results of model on the testing stage showed that the generated FFTDNN predicted the load-deflection analysis of the slabs in acceptable technique with a correlation of determination of 0.98. The ratio between predicted deflection by FFTDNN and experimental output was in the range of 0.92 to 1.23

Maximizing irrigation water use and crop productivity under mulching with geotextile for lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa L. var. capitata)

One of the fields that will be negatively impacted by climate change is agriculture, particularly in developing countries. Most crops are affected when grown under limited water supplies as it produces low productivity, especially during the late growing stage. For this reason, it is important to improve irrigation efficiency and crop yield. Two successive seasons were conducted during 2021 and 2022 to test the action of mulching types on iceberg lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa L. var. capitata) with irrigation stress. In the sandy loam soil conditions of the El Sharkia Governorate in Belbeis, Egypt, iceberg lettuce plants were grown with different types of mulching (no mulching, white geotextile sheet, and black plastic sheet) under varying levels of water (100, 80, and 60% of ETc, or evapotranspiration). Results showed that mulching the soil surface with plastic and geotextile produced the highest data of soil moisture content inside the root zoon. In conclusion, compared to the control (no mulching), all mulching types treatments result in a significant increase in yield parameters. In this study, however, mulching with white geotextile sheets and requiring 100% ETc irrigation proved to be the statistically most effective treatment, while 80% ETc combined with white geotextile sheet get values were statistically equal to the results with the control (100% ETc without mulching). It is possible to achieve results similar yield to the control or better, while saving an amount of irrigation water of up to 20% by using ETo 80 % combined with mulching with white geotextile sheet without any negative effect on the plant. However, it can be recommended to use geotextile compared to black plastic, as plastic requires more time to degrade, which will be harmful to the environment

Cut-off solar charge controller as an alternative towards system efficiency optimization

Based on the concept of optimizing the efficiency of the automated solar system in residential buildings application, this paper proposed a High efficiency solar Cut-Off charge controller as an alternative to the main solar charge controller in most conventional buildings solar system, the idea is to design an electronic circuit with low losses as a compared with the conventional charge controller to be a part of the integrated and automated building solar system, the design has an algorithm based on some environment parameters like sun Irradiance and weather temperature, this algorithm seems to be inversely calculated because its start from the value of full charge battery voltage. A Simulink Matlab simulator is attempted in the simulation phase of this research. The main difference between the method used in the proposed Cut-Off controller and other technique used in the past is that PV array output power is used directly through a bypass MOSFET to charge the battery bank when the voltage of the battery bank at lower level that its maximum while switching on another path when the batteries reaches its full charge value through another MOSFET to transfer this surplus power to what is called as an Auxiliary load ,fans or auxiliary battery used for system ventilation or solar tracking to reduce the ambient temperature for the system components, so adding more improvements on system performance, this would reduce the complexity of the system on one hand and produce a competitive efficiency, low cost and can be easily modified on the other hand

Improving the Muskingum flood routing method using a hybrid of particle swarm optimization and bat algorithm

Flood prediction and control are among the major tools for decision makers and water resources planners to avoid flood disasters. The Muskingum model is one of the most widely used methods for flood routing prediction. The Muskingum model contains four parameters that must be determined for accurate flood routing. In this context, an optimization process that self-searches for the optimal values of these four parameters might improve the traditional Muskingum model. In this study, a hybrid of the bat algorithm (BA) and the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, i.e., the hybrid bat-swarm algorithm (HBSA), was developed for the optimal determination of these four parameters. Data for the three different case studies from the USA and the UK were utilized to examine the suitability of the proposed HBSA for flood routing. Comparative analyses based on the sum of squared deviations (SSD), sum of absolute deviations (SAD), error of peak discharge, and error of time to peak showed that the proposed HBSA based on the Muskingum model achieved excellent flood routing accuracy compared to that of other methods while requiring less computational time

Prediction of Gut Wall Integrity Loss in Viral Gastroenteritis by Non-Invasive Marker

BACKGROUND: Intestinal fatty acid binding proteins (I-FABPs) are mainly expressed in the intestinal villi, which are the initial site of destruction in viral gastroenteritis.AIM: This study was designed to assess serum I-FABPs as a predictor of gut wall integrity loss in viral gastroenteritis.PATIENTS AND METHODS: This case-control cross-sectional study was conducted on 93 cases of acute viral gastroenteritis. Twenty-eight healthy children matching in age were recruited as control group. Serum I-FABPs were measured using ELISA technique. Viral detection and typing were done by PCR for adenovirus, and by Reverse transcriptase PCR for rotavirus, astrovirus and norovirus.RESULTS: Serum I-FABPs level was significantly higher in the cases compared to the controls and was also higher in the 46 rotavirus gastroenteritis cases compared to other viral gastroenteritis cases. Serum I- FABPs level was significantly higher in severely dehydrated cases as compared to mildly dehydrated ones (P=0.037).CONCLUSION: Serum I-FABPs could be used as an early and sensitive predictor marker of gut wall integrity loss in children with viral gastroenteritis and its level can indicate case severity

Measurement of nicotine withdrawal symptoms: linguistic validation of the Wisconsin Smoking Withdrawal Scale (WSWS) in Malay

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purpose of the linguistic validation of the Wisconsin Smoking Withdrawal Scale (WSWS) was to produce a translated version in Malay language which was "conceptually equivalent" to the original U.S. English version for use in clinical practice and research.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A seven-member translation committee conducted the translation process using the following methodology: production of two independent forward translations; comparison and reconciliation of the translations; backward translation of the first reconciled version; comparison of the original WSWS and the backward version leading to the production of the second reconciled version; pilot testing and review of the translation, and finalization.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Linguistic and conceptual issues arose during the process of translating the instrument, particularly pertaining to the title, instructions, and some of the items of the scale. In addition, the researchers had to find culturally acceptable equivalents for some terms and idiomatic phrases. Notable among these include expressions such as "irritability", "feeling upbeat", and "nibbling on snacks", which had to be replaced by culturally acceptable expressions. During cognitive debriefing and clinician's review processes, the Malay translated version of WSWS was found to be easily comprehensible, clear, and appropriate for the smoking withdrawal symptoms intended to be measured.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We applied a rigorous translation method to ensure conceptual equivalence and acceptability of WSWS in Malay prior to its utilization in research and clinical practice. However, to complete the cultural adaptation process, future psychometric validation is planned to be conducted among Malay speakers.</p

Development of clinical pathway for mild cognitive impairment and dementia to quantify cost of age-related cognitive disorders in Malaysia

As the Malaysian population ages, the burden of age-related cognitive disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease will increase concomitantly. This is one of the sub-study under a research project titled by quantify the cost of age-related cognitive impairment in Malaysia, which was undertaken to develop a clinical pathway for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Dementia. The clinical pathway (CP) will be used to support the costing studies of MCI and Dementia. An expert group discussion (EGD) was conducted among selected experts from six (6) government hospitals from different states of Malaysia, Ministry of Health, and United Nations University, International Institute for Global Health, UKM and UPM. The expert group includes psychiatrist specialists and public health medicine specialists. A total of 15 participants took part in the EGD. The group was presented with the different approach in managing MCI and Dementia. Finally, the group came to the consensus agreement on the most appropriate and efficient ways of managing the two conditions. In the EGD, an operational definition for MCI and Dementia was agreed upon and a pathway was developed for the usual practice in the Malaysian health system. A typical case used, as a reference is a 60-year-old patient referred to a memory clinic with complaint of “forgetfulness”. After three outpatient visits in the clinic, the diagnosis of MCI and Dementia could be clinically established. The clinical pathways covered all active clinical and non-clinical management of the patient over a period of one year. The experts identified the additional resources required to manage these patients for the whole spectrum of lifetime based on the expected life expectancy. The Clinical pathway (CP) for MCI and Dementia was successfully developed in EGD with strong support from practitioners in the health system. The findings will help the researchers to identify all-important clinical activities and interventions that will be included in the costing study