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Go to Editorial ManagerIn Republic of Iraq, ready-mix concrete production plants have been adversely affected by the lack of modern and advanced technology to assess their performance in line with technological advancements. Current evaluation methods rely on traditional approaches and financial measures, yielding unrealistic performance results. To address this problem, there is a need to utilize modern models and methods for performance evaluation. The study's main objective This was achieved by employing a literature survey methodology and utilizing digital databases such as the Iraqi Scientific Journals website, virtual libraries, and scientific platforms like ScienceDirect, Springer, Google Scholar, and Gate Research between 2015 and 2023. The research study provided a comprehensive overview of performance evaluation, including its definitions, importance, and an introduction to modern models and evaluation methods. The study found that no previous studies have been conducted in Iraq to evaluate ready-mix concrete production plants. However, four studies were found in Egypt, Sudan, and India. The previous similar relevant studies discussed various topics and related studies. Firstly, they discussed the classification, advantages, and disadvantages of concrete mixing plants. Additionally, the previous studies analyzed the factors that most influence the performance of concrete production plants, including laboratory manager efficiency, work team efficiency, communication and relationships within work teams, plant operator, material transportation method, and time and courses. Furthermore, the previous research studies present a comprehensive analysis of all variable data simultaneously using the statistical package for Social Science (SPSS) input stage. The evaluation also extends to the evaluation of laboratories, encompassing plant arrangement, internal quality control systems, and final product quality. The overall evaluation results of previous studies. Indicate that 75% of the concrete production plants failed to meet the required criteria, while only 25% demonstrated satisfactory performance. The study proposed improvements to enhance the performance rate of ready-mix concrete production plants by leveraging the most influential variables, which will be considered in the study.
This study evaluates the performance of bridge projects in Iraq using international performance evaluation standards set by USAID. The assessment focuses on two major bridge projects in Baghdad: the Bridge Project over the Army Canal and the Design and Implementation Project for developing the Shaljia and Tobji Intersection. The evaluation standards include relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact, and sustainability. Data collected from these projects were analyzed to measure performance against these standards. The results revealed significant gaps between both projects' expected and actual performance. The Bridge Project over the Army Canal showed moderate performance in relevance and sustainability but had substantial weaknesses in effectiveness. The Shaljia and Tobji, Intersection Development project, exhibited major weaknesses across all standards. The study concludes a critical need for better planning, improved resource utilization, enhanced stakeholder communication, and more effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to address these performance gaps and achieve desired project outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of adopting comprehensive and adaptable evaluation standards to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of infrastructure projects in Iraq. The research provides valuable insights for stakeholders involved in bridge projects, emphasizing the need for ongoing improvement in project management practices to ensure infrastructure reliability and safety.
The research proposed a developed methodology for evaluation the system performance in uncertainty associated with traditional modelling methodology is focused on either load L or resistance R variability, but not both. A two-dimensional (2D) fuzzy set (traditional model), represent with the one dimension for universe of discourse (in x-direction) and the second dimension of his membership degree (in y-direction), is not full sufficient to handle both, load and resistance variation of system performance. The theoretical principle basis of this research is based on development of the three dimensional (3D) of fuzzy set that includes system performance variability in load and resistance from two dimensional. The proposed methodology (traditional model) extends the acceptance level of partial performance of system concept to a 3D-dimantion representation. This representation allows to capturing the changing of preferences of decision makers in load and resistance. The major objective of the research is to proposed the original methodology for evaluate system performance and management that is capable of; (a) addressing uncertainty caused by load and resistance variability and ambiguity; (b) integrating objective and subjective evaluation; and (c) assisting system performance management decision making based on a more detailed certainty evaluation of load and resistance variability. The study proposed two models for fuzzy reliability performance indexes: first traditional model included (I) 2D fuzzy reliability-vulnerability Rv index, (II) 2D fuzzy robustness Ro index; the second developed model (i) 3D fuzzy reliability-vulnerability Rv index, (ii) 3D fuzzy robustness Ro index; and comparing between them. These indexes have the capability of evaluating the operational performance of complex systems. Proposed methodology is illustrated by using the Al-Wathba Water Supply System (WWSS) as a case study.
In this study, previous researches were reviewed in relation to the seismic evaluation and retrofitting of an existing building. In recent years, a considerable number of researches has been undertaken to determine the performance of buildings during the seismic events. Performance based seismic design is a modern approach to earthquake resistant design of reinforcement concrete buildings. Performance based design of building structures requires rigorous non-linear static analysis. In general, nonlinear static analysis or pushover analysis was conducted as an efficient instrument for performance-based design. Pushover analysis came into practice after 1970 year. During the seismic event, a nonlinear static analysis or pushover analysis is used to analyze building under gravity loads and monotonically increasing lateral forces. These building were evaluated until a target displacement reached. Pushover analysis provides a better understanding of buildings seismic performance, also it traces the progression of damage and failure of structural components of buildings.
ESAR feet are prosthetic feet with carbon fiber parts that store mechanical energy while standing and release it during propulsion. It is believed to reduce the metabolic energy needed for walking, and to promote the economy of walking. However, there is little scientific evidence to support this claim. This study aimed to compare the energy storage properties of two prosthetic feet made of carbon fiber using the P-Walk, G-Walk, and Podium devices developed for gait analysis, which is a systematic examination of human movement, enabling phasing, estimation of musculoskeletal performance, and determination of kinematic and motor parameters. The amount of energy was calculated for each of the feet using the load deflection test, and the results showed that the new artificial foot with an energy of 6.186 joules showed a great improvement in the results of the tests compared to the old artificial foot with an energy of 3.403 joules. The Podium device tests showed a significant improvement in walking patterns and pressure distribution after using a new foot. The pressure distribution became almost equal on both sides, and the angular deviation of COP decreased from -7 to 1.3 degrees. Ground reaction force vector tilt results also improved, with a body angle of 0 degrees and inclination varying slightly depending on the tibiofemoral angle for males. P-Walk results reveal left-sided static test pressure distribution, exposing amputees to osteoarthritis risk and revealing lack of confidence in prosthetic foot. After use the new prosthetic foot, amputees press more on right foot, indicating balance restoration. The G-Walk device shows the effectiveness of both healthy left and prosthetic foot when walking on an amputated right leg when use the new prosthetic foot. The amputated side's performance is similar to a healthy limb, with minimal difference and within normal limits. Walking cadence and speed values are within normal ranges, while stride length and step length are outside normal ranges for both sides. Obliquity results show a small difference in pelvic angles due to weak pelvic muscles, but these are close to standard values for prosthetic foot use. The amputee's opinions about the evaluation of the new prosthetic foot were good when using the T-score by 61.0 with a rate of 86.4%. It was a significant improvement compared to the old foot with an evaluation of 53.6 by 63.9%.
Rutting is the most common distress that most Iraqi asphalt pavements suffer from it. Asphalt binders are modified by using additives and polymers to enhance their physical qualities and fulfill the performance demands. Polyphosphoric acid (PPA) has been used in many countries to enhance the physical and mechanical characteristics of asphalt binders and mixtures that can improve the performance of asphalt pavements. In this paper, evaluation of the Iraqi asphalt binder and mixtures performance by using three percentages of Polyphosphoric acid (PPA) (0.4, 0.8, and 1.2) percent by asphalt binder weight and added to (60-70) penetration grade asphalt binder to show the applicability and suitability of using PPA in asphalt pavement in Iraq. Original asphalt binder and modified are subjected to traditional tests which are penetration, ductility, softening point, and viscosity. Results show better performance and enhancement of the physical properties of the modified binder. Other tests are Marshall Stability and wheel track tests. The results of the addition of PPA to the asphalt mixture show increases in the Marshall Stability and enhance the performance of the asphalt pavement mixtures. The wheel track test is applied to the original and modified mixture at two test temperatures 40 ?C and 50 ?C and the results show a decrease in the rut depth when the percentages of PPA increase. It is concluded that %PPA addition will enhance the performance of the Iraqi asphalt pavement and the mixture will be more rutting resistant, especially in high-temperature weather.
Planning standards in most countries especially in Iraq have become old and inadequate and do not fulfill the growing needs of people in the meanwhile. Also, it does not provide solutions for the society problems since it does not came from deep and modern study of the society needs and problems. In Iraq, there is a clear neglect of the urban spaces in residential buildings. As the challenges of 21st century, climate change, pollution and health crises requires infrastructure which is capable of keeping up with people needs and capable of providing healthy life, wellbeing and economic recovery. The study explores the efficiency of urban spaces in one of the Iraqi new residential complexes which is Alamal residential complex to determine the factors that affect urban spaces in vertical residential buildings in Iraq. The evaluation of the spaces was done by using direct observation method and questionnaire method. Results revealed that the spaces in such residential complex were active and efficient but it needs more spaces to be available since vertical residential buildings have high density of people. Also, there was a good care of urban spaces that fulfill the needs of children to play and also spaces which are friendly to old people. Most participants in the questionnaire have declared that the public urban space (space 3) was the most used, most favored space since it has many activities and facilities which support social activities between people living in the residential complex.
Water seepage can cause serious problems in geotechnical engineering especially for construction under the water level. Baghdad metro tunnel is one of the leading vital projects to solve the major problem of crowding roadways in a highly population increase city like Baghdad. In this study, the seepage rate that will flow toward different selected points along the tunnel section across Tigris River was calculated during the excavation process, with the consideration of three different water levels of River at maximum, moderate, and minimum water depths. A three-dimensional model of the study has been modeled using the finite element software (PLAXIS 3D V20). The water seepage was observed for six different locations on each route of the tunnel. The study showed that the change of water depth in the river has no significant effect on the seepage – time curve shape. However, increasing the water level in River from minimum to maximum leads to increase the seepage rate about 15%.
Hydrogels are among the most versatile material classes used in biomedical applications. The material is of considerable interest in various fields of medicine due to its excellent features, such as high-water content, biocompatibility, and adjustable mechanical properties. The highlighted study thoroughly reviews Schiff-base thiadiazole-modified hydrogels as a novel functional material class, emphasizing their applicability in medical science. The addition of the Schiff-base and free thiazole groups to the hydrogel matrix introduces new antimicrobial activity, drug delivery, and bioadhesive attributes. An elaborate description of the methods employed to copolymerize thermoresponsive hydrogels with carbazole of thiadiazole as a binding group through free radical polymerization and visible light initiation is given under the first step of this general approach. The section on these hydrogels' physical and chemical properties was then added with a bias on morphological characterization, water uptake studies, and mechanical properties of the materials. After that, the discussion on more applications commenced, and among these, the following sections study them in the field of life-saving biomedical devices such as wound healing, tissue engineering, delivery of drugs, and biosensing prepared biosensing. A key emphasis is given to those interaction modes between Schiff-base thiadiazole groups and the biological systems that fulfil the hydrogels' healing mechanisms. These interaction modes, which include [specific modes], play a crucial role in the hydrogels' healing mechanism. The mentioned scholarship, in addition, dwells on the issues and barriers of such materials and gives thorough and valid judgements about the present and future of the matter. This review and the hard evaluation provide a thorough insight into Schiff-base thiadiazole-modified hydrogels' transformative impacts across the entire biomedicine area. A new approach is achieved by this review, in which the audience is made conscious and fully informed by presenting the most recent discoveries concerning the potential of Schiff-base thiadiazole-modified hydrogels to bring about innovative biomedical applications.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) ventilation remains a mainstay treatment for different respiratory disorders. Good pressure stability and pressure reduction during exhalation are of major importance condition to ensure the clinical efficacy and comfort of CPAP therapy. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and today coronavirus (COVID-19) are the main two diseases mitigated by the CPAP. This paper introduced a systematic review of the CPAP design in terms of the hardware design, Simulation-based CPAP system, control algorithm, and the measured performance. The accuracy is used as measurement of performance and calculated from the pressure value. The accuracy was compared to the predefined U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-based threshold value in which it considers this value as a reference. The results related to the modern CPAP devices introduced in this study to explain the accuracy of experimental CPAP. These were compared with a commercial CPAP devices. Also, it was revealed how the results coincide with the error ratio defined by the FDA as an evaluation measurement. The FDA error ratio determines the performance of the optimized CPAP device. This work is the first review that presented the knowledge about engineering design of the CPAP system, so it will be the first in the literature.
In the last two decades Modern architecture of the 20th century has become a primary focus for numerous global organizations, researchers, and academics who aim to preserve and sustain it. The leading parties in this endeavor are UNESCO and the International DOCOMOMO. They recognize modern heritage as tangible, authentic, carrying exceptional features and modern characteristics that reflect values, shifts, and norms of its era. Therefore, Docomomo has identified key Modernist Merits as criteria to assess the authenticity of this heritage, while UNESCO has listed many modern buildings and sites on the World Heritage List. In this respect many Iraqi modernist buildings suffer from mishandling and poor interest. Numerous have been distorted, demolished, or are on the verge of disappearing. This reflects a lack of understanding their exceptional modernist values which are worthy of preservation, and thus inefficiency in managing this heritage. Given that Intervention in modernist heritage involves adhering to guidelines set by international organization, the vague connection between criteria of DOCOMOMO and those of UNESCO clouds the process. Therefore, this article focuses on addressing the relationship between the two organizations' sets of criteria and clarifying their connection. The authors also aimed to address the national Iraqi context by assessing selected cases of modernist heritage buildings by one of Iraq’s modernism pioneers, architect Qahtan Al-Madfai, against DOCOMOMO’s criteria for modernist merits, highlighting the originality of Iraqi modernist heritage.Using a descriptive analytical approach, the theoretical sections of the paper begin by exploring the principles and characteristics of modern architecture, followed by identifying the exceptional values of modernist buildings, defined by DOCOMOMO as Modernist Merits and linking them to UNESCO's criteria. The practical part includes an experts’ survey to assess the Modernist Merits of the selected sample of Al- Madfaies’ buildings.The research results showed that Qahtaan Al-Madfai’s architecture was distinguished by a high evaluation of two Merits (exceptional features): the technological feature and the artistic aesthetic feature. While the first was fairly preserved, the second feature was affected in some buildings as a result of the mismanagement of these buildings and the lack of awareness of their values.
The technique of recording muscle signals is crucial in determining how effectively they can be utilized for individual benefit. This study focuses on hand movements recognized by using the Myo armband and Motion Processing Unit (MPU) 6050 sensors. Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), K-nearest neighbors (k-NN), and Support Vector Machine (SVM) were employed for classification. sEMG signals using the Myo armband for 7 hand gestures and 2 elbow movements were recorded from 10 healthy subjects. Results showed that SVM outperforms LDA and k-NN in accuracy in both cases, the sensor is worn once on the arm and again on the forearm. regions. The window size and choice of features significantly influence system accuracy, with SVM achieving an average accuracy of 89.84%. Besides that, the fusion of Myo Armband sensor and gyroscope sensor through OR rule makes significant enhancement in recognition accuracy with which is reached to 97.0135%. In conclusion, the Myo armband, when worn on the forearm, proves practical for hand gesture recognition, with SVM offering superior recognition accuracy. Furthermore, the combination of the Myo Armband sensor and the gyroscope sensor showed higher recognition accuracy.
The study aims to evaluate the current flood carrying capacity and its change after some cross sections developments for the 110 km reach of Tigris River and Kmait flood escape system. This reach extends from Ali Al-Gharbi station to Amarah Barrage station. The model is calibrated by using set of data at the Ali Al-Garbi gaging station, that includes flow varied between 790 to 470 m3/s during April 2019. Manning’s n coefficient value of (0.03) is selected as it has the minimum least-squares root difference of (0.148) between the measured and estimated water levels. The results show that the current capacity of Kmait flood escape and this Tigris River reach are 280 m3/s and 1100 m3/s, respectively. According to the study of strategic for water and land resources in Iraq, 2014, scenarios are conducted for some cross sections development to improve the capacity of the reach to 2750 m3/s. Results of applied development show that Tigris River can safely accommodate a flood wave of 2750 m3/s when modifying the cross-sections in different locations, and raising the banks level in three locations, 0+00, 79+00 and 95+00km. Earthworks volume of development of the reach is 247603200 million m³, with the total cost of 490 billion IQD.
The main objective of this study was to model the left ventricle (LV) based on 2D echocardiography imaging technique to assess the cardiac mechanics for group of patients affected by heart failure. A prospective study has been made at Ibn Al-Bitar center for cardiac surgery, for 13 patients with heart failure (HF), 9 patients were males (69%) and 4 females (31%). The mean age was 54±7 years. Those patients were supposed to undergo a CRT-D (Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Defibrillator) implant as they didn’t respond to drug therapy. Before CRT-D implantation, 2D echocardiography was performed for all the patients, to model the left ventricle and to measure indices that were used to evaluate cardiac mechanics which are LV pressure, wall stresses, global longitudinal strain, and cardiac output. After 3-months of follow-up, 2D echocardiography was re-assessed and the left ventricular mechanics has been re-measured. Post CRT-D implantation, significant improvement in the cardiac mechanics was observed in 54% of the patients which were called responders (patients that respond to CRT-D device) and the other patients were called non-responders. It has been seen that, the circumferential wall stresses were decreased in responder’s group while increased or remain unchanged in non-responders. Global longitudinal strain for the responder’s group were increased while remain unchanged in the non-responders. So, patients were divided into responders and non-responders, based on improvement of the cardiac mechanics after 3-moths of follow up. It has been concluded that the modelling of the left ventricle based on images obtained from 2D echocardiography imaging techniques, was an important computational tool that was used to enhance understanding and support the evaluation, surgical guidance and treatment management of basic biophysics underlying cardiac mechanics.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly advancing as a valuable tool in oncology for enhancing detection and management of cancer. The integration of AI with PET/CT imaging presents significant scenarios for improving efficiency and accuracy of cancer diagnosis. This study examines the current applications of AI with PET/CT imaging, highlighting its role in diagnosing, differentiating, delineating, staging, assessing therapy response, determining prognosis, and enhancing image quality. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in six data-bases to get the most recent works, use Springer, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, IEEE, and Google Scholar in the last five years (2019-2024), identifying 80 studies that met the criteria for inclusion that focused on AI-driven models applied to PET/CT data in various cancers, with lung cancer being the most studied. Other cancers examined include head and neck, breast, lymph nodes, whole body, and others. All studies involved human subjects. The findings indicate that AI holds promise in improving cancer detection, identifying benign from malignant tumors, aiding in segmentation, response evaluation, staging, and determining the prognosis. However, the application of AI-powered models and PET/CT-derived radiomics in clinical practice is limited because of issues of data normalization, reproducibility, and the requirement of large multi-center data sets for improving model generalizability. All these limitations have to be solved to guarantee the dependable and ethical use of AI in day-to-day clinical activities.
Researches are now being conducted on redesign as well as micro ergonomic interventions. Most micro-surgical tool designs concentrate on the manipulation of targeted tissue instead of the surgeon's hand, and this presents a new research opportunity for better fitting the equipment to the surgeon's hand. So the objective is to examine the advancements made in the last few years and provide a framework for ergonomic intervention framework regarding manufacturing systems. With the use of words like ergonomic design, intervention, and evaluation," the titles and abstracts of ergonomics publications were filtered to find relevant research. The paper describes the way that the concept of micro-ergonomics can enhance the design of the micro-instruments. Finally, an application of a new surgical instrument is stated as a pen needle holder designed by SOLIDWORK 22 which creating a wide range of possible uses for futuristic technology. In future, neurosurgical equipment design will incorporate concepts from surgical tool design together with penization, microergonomics, and electronics.
Over the last several years, additive manufacturing (AM), sometimes known as "3D printing", has seen remarkable expansion due to mechatronics and materials science advancements. Fused filament deposition (FDM) production is the predominant technology in additive manufacturing (AM) because of its cost-effectiveness in operational and material expenses. Nevertheless, the materials often used for this technique are pristine thermoplastics. Unsuccessful printing and throwaway prototypes generate a significant quantity of trash. Utilizing green and sustainable products is crucial to minimize the environmental effects. Recycled, bio-based, and mixed recycled materials provide a promising solution for 3D printing. The absence of comprehension about the interlayer adhesion process and material degradation in FDM printing has presented a significant obstacle for these environmentally friendly materials. This study comprehensively examines many materials used for FDM three-dimensional printing filaments, including recycled, bio-based, and mixed materials. The merits and drawbacks of thermoplastics and their composites were deliberated over. This evaluation is a comprehensive guide for engineers and researchers in selecting appropriate materials for three-dimensional printing. Three-dimensional printed objects have worse mechanical characteristics in comparison to injection molded materials.
Three-dimensional reconstruction of real objects comprises capturing the appearance and the shape for these objects and determining the three-dimensional coordinates for their profiles. This reconstruction process can be accomplished either by using active or passive techniques. In this paper, a new fusion method is proposed for 3D reconstruction. This method exploits the advantages of both stereo-based passive and laser-based active techniques and overcomes their limitations to improve the performance of 3D reconstruction. With this method, a hybrid laser-based structured light scanning system is designed and implemented. This system captures the required information using passive and active techniques and uses the proposed fusion method for 3D reconstruction. The performance of the proposed method and its scanning system were experimentally evaluated. The evaluation results show high reconstruction performance for the proposed fusion method over the traditional 3D reconstruction techniques. The results also show the effectiveness of the hybrid laser scanning system and its ability to scan and reconstruct the shape and the appearance for real objects using the proposed fusion method.
The aim of the research was for evaluation the morphological and chemical alterations that result from the Nd:YAG laser treatment of dental enamels using optical microscopy (OM) with Energy dispersion X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), respectively. Two human enamel samples were obtained, the samples were exposed to the Nd: YAG laser irradiation. The micrographs obtained by optical microscopy demonstrated morphological changes. The concentrations of carbon (C), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and oxygen (O) in crater sites and its environs were measured using EDX, as well as trace amounts of manganese, magnesium, and silicon. However, due to their low concentration, these trace elements were neglected. We obtained the maximum depth profile of carters on tooth enamel surface at 1200 µm with laser pulse of 532 nm with 500 mJ energy/pulse, while the minimum depth profile of carters at 200 µm with laser pulse of 1064 nm with 100 mJ energy/pulse. Dental tissue can be safely treated with a Nd: YAG laser with 200 mJ, 9 ns, and 1064 nm since this laser irradiation range did not induce any noticeable morphological changes. As a result, the Nd: YAG laser offers as an ideal option for clinical treatment.
Many difficulties were recorded during laser-assisted tattoo removal. But most of them remain unknown. The recent literatures on laser tattoo removal focuses more on removal methods and systems than on side effects, such as temperature increase over tissue and ideal treatment parameters. This study aims to assess the surface temperature in compliance with eyebrow tattoo removal. The study was carried out for 55 patients aged between 22 and 43 years. The treatment was performed using a Nd:YAG laser (1064nm, Phi laser system) with an energy of 1000 mJ, a frequency of 3Hz, and a spot size of 8mm. The surface temperature of the skin during tattoo removal process was measured with a FLIR thermal camera. The results were analyzed by testing the normal state of distribution. The Shapiro-Wilk and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests were used. All patients finished the full treatment of three laser sessions to achieve the goal of total removal. After temperature comparison, the results showed a significant influence of skin nature and patients' age on temperature distribution on skin, as for older patients, the energy absorption increased. Additionally, patients with darker skin tones exhibited greater absorption. The benefit of deepening understanding appeared in the Temperature distribution in the tissues of the affected area and the surrounding area during laser irradiation, as it provides a guiding and reference function for the effect of photothermal therapy.
Moisture-induced damage in asphalt pavements, is defined by adhesive failure at the binder-aggregate interface and decreased mechanical integrity, severely reduce pavement durability. The research examines the mechanical properties and moisture sensitivity of hot mix asphalt (HMA) enhanced with styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) polymer and including reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). Laboratory assessments, including indirect tensile strength (ITS) and tensile strength ratio (TSR) tests, were performed on conventional HMA, SBS-modified HMA (4% SBS), and SBS-modified HMA contained 20% RAP. The results indicated that SBS modification significantly improved mechanical and moisture resistance properties, where unconditioned ITS specimens increased by 37.1% and TSR value enhanced by 13.5%. The incorporation of RAP decreased ITS value by about 21 % relative to pure SBS-modified HMA; nevertheless, the SBS+RAP combination still show higher ITS and TSR values than conventional HMA.
In this paper, the efficiency of six different types of corrosion inhibitors used in Basrah drinking water tanks was assessed using a potentiostatic test method. The mechanism of adsorption of silicate and phosphate inhibitors in AISI 316 stainless steel surfaces and the effects of different water components in inhibitors are discussed in detail. The values of corrosion rate obtained from the Potentiostatic test showed that the protection against corrosion in the presence of inhibitors is better compared to the case of absence of inhibitors. The results of the six types of corrosion inhibitors tested showed that the inhibitory efficacy is higher below the temperatures 45oC, but when raise the temperature above 45oC the inhibitory efficiency becomes to decrease. Also, the test results indicated that the corrosion inhibitor involves silicate products provided more inhibited efficiency compared to the phosphate inhibitor alone or used the combined silicate/phosphate corrosion inhibitor. The inspection of the surface of the tested samples using optical methods shows that the pitting corrosion is demonstrated on the specimen surfaces after testing with or without inhibitors.
A tack coat is a minimal coating of asphalt cement, cut-back asphalt, or asphalt emulsion to an existing pavement surface between layers to guarantee proper bonding between the two layers and longitudinal and transverse joints. Numerous researchers have assessed interlayer adhesion employing failure-mode behavior tests, such as pull-off, direct shear, and torsion testing. This study aims to quantify the best tensile resistance obtained using three types of cutback asphalt (RC70, RC800 modified with polymer 4.5% & MC70). All are applied on concrete surfaces at a rate of 0.5 L/m². The Proceq DYNA Z16 pull–off tester is used to measure the tensile strength at a rate of 0.25 kN/s. It is found that the average tensile strength of the tack coat materials is (0.319, 0.138, 0.028) MPa, respectively. It is concluded that RC70 has the maximum tensile strength. Also, the different types of solvent affect adhesion strengths; RC70 was Prepared using gasoline, while MC70 used petroleum. Gasoline has greater volatility and thus increased adhesion. Failure strength modes of interior bonding varied between cohesive failure adhesive and adhesive failure.
Today, our cities are facing a host of challenges to accomplish the quality of life or their inhabitants. On the one hand, city planners and architects seek to preserve heritage, habits, and city peculiarities. On the other hand, it is necessary that the city is kept abreast of the rapid changes in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and smart city concept. In Baghdad, it could be observed that there are several activities based on community initiatives, awareness campaigns, and initiatives which are self-funding from youth or funding from NGOs, and INGOs. How can we invest in such initiatives to achieve a smart city, emphasizing that the city is for the people, not a city of things? As we know that smart cities have six factors: smart (economy, governance, environment, people, mobility, and living)._x000D_ This paper assumes that smart communities are the seventh factor of smart cities factors which could play an essential role to apply the smartness in Baghdad. In this case, it will help to achieve making decisions and a feedback evaluation system will be subject to transparency, openness, vitality, and sustainability because it will stem from the community and ensure the sustainability in a smart city.
The assessment of prosthetic aortic valves through echocardiography, a pivotal noninvasive tool, encounters challenges, with discordant findings compared to invasive measurements, particularly in transvalvular gradients. To address these complexities, this comprehensive review article explores diverse methodologies and modalities for assessing prosthetic aortic valve performance. As these life-saving devices advance in complexity, the demand for precise and innovative assessment techniques intensifies. This journey through established and emerging modalities aims to inform clinical practice, foster experimental innovation, and enhance patient care in the realm of aortic valve prosthetic assessment. Ultimately, a profound understanding of the hemodynamic milieu engendered by aortic prosthetic valves serves as the cornerstone for optimizing valve design and clinical utility. The primary objective of this comprehensive review is to elucidate, with utmost precision, the multifaceted methodologies employed in the investigation and evaluation of mechanical prosthetic aortic valve.