• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.135-147
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• 2023

Sand columns in clayey soil are considered one of the most economical and environmentally-friendly soil-improving techniques. It improves the shear strength parameters, reduces the settlement, and increases the bearing capacity of clayey soils. The aim of this paper is to study the effect of grain shape in sand columns on their performance in improving the mechanical properties of clayey soils. An intensive series of consolidated-drained triaxial tests were performed on clay specimens only and clay specimens with sand columns. The parameters examined during the experimental work were grain shape in sand columns (angular, rounded, sub-rounded) and effective confining pressure (50 kPa, 100 kPa, 200 kPa). The results indicated that there is a significant improvement in the deviatoric stress and stiffness values of specimens with sand columns. Improving deviatoric stress values in the use of angular sand grains was found to be higher than those in the use of sub-rounded and rounded sand grains. A 187%, 159%, and 153% increment in deviatoric stress values were observed for the sand columns with angular, sub-rounded, and rounded grain shapes, respectively. The specimens were observed to be more contractive as the sand column was installed, and as the angularity of grains in the sand column was increased. Sand column installation improves significantly the angle of internal friction, and the effective angle of internal friction increases as the angularity of the sand grains increases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.385-390
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• 2014

Background: Lung cancer is the most frequent malignancy of men worldwide. In Ninawa in Iraq, lung cancer ranks first among cancers diagnosed in men. Since no prior studies have been conducted on incidence trends in our population the present investigation of rates during 2000-2010 was therefore performed. Materials and Methods: Registy data for lung cancer cases were collected from the Directorate of Health in Ninawa-Mosul Continuing Medical Education Center. We restricted our analyses to men categorized according to the age groups of 0- 39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+ years. The significance of incidence rate trends during 2000-2010 was tested using Poisson regression. Age-standardized rates (ASR), and age-specific rates per 100,000 population were calculated. Results: A total of 1,206 incident lung cancer were registered among males, accounting for 15.5% of all male cancers registered during 2000-2010. It ranked first throughout the period. Median age at diagnosis was 69 (mean $66.8{\pm}11.0$) years. The incidence rate of all male lung cancers in Ninawa (all ages) decreased from 26.4 per 100,000 in 2000 to 12.7 in 2010 (APC=-6.55%, p<.0001). The incidences in age groups 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+ decreased in earlier years and recently appeared (2007-2010) stable. The incidence in age group (0-39) remained stable between 2000-2010. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)was the most common type of lung cancer, while adenocarcinoma was relatively rare. Conclusions: With the data from Directorate of Health in Ninawa during the period 2000-2010, lung cancer is the most common cancer but generally declining. Among all age groups, the recent incidence of lung cancer remained stable. The SCC predominance suggests change in tobacco habits as an important factor in the trends observed.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.39-46
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• 2015

PURPOSE. The mechanical and interfacial characterization of laser welded Co-Cr alloy with two different joint designs. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Dumbbell cast specimens (n=30) were divided into 3 groups (R, I, K, n=10). Group R consisted of intact specimens, group I of specimens sectioned with a straight cut, and group K of specimens with a $45^{\circ}$ bevel made at the one welding edge. The microstructure and the elemental distributions of alloy and welding regions were examined by an SEM/EDX analysis and then specimens were loaded in tension up to fracture. The tensile strength (TS) and elongation (${\varepsilon}$) were determined and statistically compared among groups employing 1-way ANOVA, SNK multiple comparison test (${\alpha}$=.05) and Weibull analysis where Weibull modulus m and characteristic strength ${\sigma}_0$ were identified. Fractured surfaces were imaged by a SEM. RESULTS. SEM/EDX analysis showed that cast alloy consists of two phases with differences in mean atomic number contrast, while no mean atomic number was identified for welded regions. EDX analysis revealed an increased Cr and Mo content at the alloy-joint interface. All mechanical properties of group I (TS, ${\varepsilon}$, m and ${\sigma}_0$) were found inferior to R while group K showed intermediated values without significant differences to R and I, apart from elongation with group R. The fractured surfaces of all groups showed extensive dendritic pattern although with a finer structure in the case of welded groups. CONCLUSION. The K shape joint configuration should be preferred over the I, as it demonstrates improved mechanical strength and survival probability.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.467-485
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• 2020

Genetic Algorithm (GA) is a meta-heuristic algorithm which is capable of providing robust solutions for optimal design of structural components, particularly those one needs considering many design requirements. Hence, it has been successfully used by engineers in the typology optimization of structural members. As a novel approach, this study employs GA in order for conducting a case study with high constraints on the optimum mechanical properties of reinforced concrete (RC) beams under different load combinations. Accordingly, unified optimum sections through a computer program are adopted to solve the continuous beams problem. Genetic Algorithms proved in finding the optimum resolution smoothly and flawlessly particularly in case of handling many complicated constraints like a continuous beam subjected to different loads as moments shear - torsion regarding the curbs of design codes.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제83권4호
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• pp.551-561
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• 2022

In this paper, the effect of fire conditions according to ISO 834 standard on the behavior of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) reinforced steel beams coated with gypsum-based mortar has been investigated numerically. To study the efficiency of these beams, 3D coupled temperature-displacement finite element analyzes have been conducted. Mechanical and thermal characteristics of three different parts of composite beams, i.e., steel, CFRP plate, and fireproof coating, were considered as a function of temperature. The interaction between steel and CFRP plate has been simulated employing the adhesion model. The effect of temperature, CFRP plate reinforcement, and the fireproof coating thickness on the deformation of the beams have been analyzed. The results showed that within the first 120 min of fire exposure, increasing the thickness of the fireproof coating from 1 mm to 10 mm reduced the maximum temperature of the outer surface of the steel beam from 380℃ to 270℃. This increase in the thickness of the fireproof layer decreased the rate of growth in the temperature of the steel beam by approximately 30%. Besides excellent thermal resistance and gypsum-based mortar, the studied fireproof coating method could provide better fire resistance for steel structures and thus can be applied to building materials.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• 제61권2호
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• pp.226-233
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• 2023

To create an environmentally sustainable fuel with a low sulfur concentration, requires alternative sulfur removal methods. During the course of this study, a high surface gamma alumina-supported ZnO nanocatalyst with a ZnO/-Al₂O₃ ratio of 12% was developed and tested for its ability to improve the activity of the oxidative desulfurization (ODS) process for the desulfurization of kerosene fuel. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) were used to characterize the produced nanocatalyst. In a digital batch baffled reactor (20~80 min), the effectiveness of the synthesized nanocatalyst was tested at different initial concentrations of dibenzothiophene (DBT) of 300~600 ppm, oxidation temperatures (25~70 ℃), and oxidation periods (0.5, 1, and 2 hours). The baffles included in the digital baffled batch reactor resist the swirling of the reaction mixture, thus facilitating mixing. The ODS procedure yielded the maximum DBT conversion (95.5%) at 70 ℃ with an 80-minute reaction time and an initial DBT level of 600 ppm. The most precise values of kinetic variables were subsequently determined using a mathematical modelling procedure for the ODS procedure. The average absolute error of the simulation findings was less than 5%, demonstrating a good degree of agreement with the experimental results acquired from all runs. The optimization of the operating conditions revealed that 99.1% of the DBT can be removed in 140 minutes.

• Advances in materials Research
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.263-271
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• 2023

In this study, AA1060/Alumina composites were fabricated by combined stir casting and accumulative press bonding (APB). The APB process was repeated up to six press bonding steps at 300Ċ. As the novelty, potential dynamic polarization in 3.5Wt% NaCl solution was used to study the corrosion properties of these composites. The corrosion behavior of these samples was compared and studied with that of the annealed aluminum alloy 1060 and versus the number of APB steps. So, as a result of enhancing influence on the number of APB process, this experimental investigation showed a significant enhancement in the main electrochemical parameters and the inert character of the Alumina particles. Together with Reducing the active zones of the material surfaces could delay the corrosion process. Also, at higher number of steps, the corrosion resistance of composites improved. The sample produced after six number of steps had a low corrosion density in comparison with high corrosion density of annealed specimens. Also, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), was used to study the corrosion surface of samples.