Silver/polyvinyl alcohol (Ag/PVA) nanocomposite films were synthesized via solution casting with varying concentrations of Ag nanoparticles (1–5 wt%). A comprehensive investigation was conducted to understand the influence of Ag content on the structural, optical, mechanical, thermal, electrical, and antibacterial properties of the composites. UV-Vis spectroscopy revealed a red shift in absorption peaks and a reduction in the optical band gap, which decreased from 3.78 eV for pure PVA to 3.37 eV for the 5 wt% Ag composite. FTIR and SEM analyses confirmed successful nanoparticle incorporation and morphological changes. The nanocomposites exhibited enhanced tensile strength, elongation at break, Young’s modulus, and hardness due t

In this paper, a single link flexible joint robot is used to evaluate a tracking trajectory control and vibration reduction by a super-twisting integral sliding mode (ST-ISMC). Normally, the system with joint flexibility has inevitably some uncertainties and external disturbances. In conventional sliding mode control, the robustness property is not guaranteed during the reaching phase. This disadvantage is addressed by applying ISMC that eliminates a reaching phase to ensure the robustness from the beginning of a process. To design this controller, the linear quadratic regulator (LQR) controller is first designed as the nominal control to decide a desired performance for both tracking and vibration responses. Subsequently, discontinuous con

A localized stenosis or aneurysm is a discontinuity that presents the pulse wave produced by the contracting heart with a reflection site. However, neither wave speed ( c) in these discontinuities nor the size of reflection in relation to the size of the discontinuity has been adequately studied before. Therefore, the aim of this work is to study the propagation of waves traversing flexible tubes in the presence of aneurysm and stenosis in vitro. We manufactured different sized four stenosis and four aneurysm silicone sections, connected one at a time to a flexible ‘mother’ tube, at the inlet of which a single semi-sinusoidal wave was generated. Pressure and velocity were measured simultaneously 25 cm downstream the inlet of th

In the 1970s, the world knew the long-tailed nesokia Nesokia bunnii (Khajuria, 1981) (Rodentia, Muridae) from the Mesopotamian marshes of Garden of Eden in Southern Iraq. This distinct rodent was known from only five voucher specimens collected at the confluence of Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in southern Iraq while its occurrence in Southwestern Iran had
never been reported. In the 1990s, a large extent of its natural habitat was catastrophically desiccated and the animal was last seen in the 1970s. Since then, the status of this elusive rodent was shrouded in mystery. In 2007, an extraordinary photograph of a carcass of this species came to the light from Hawizeh Marsh which was interpreted as concrete evidence of the species’ pers

Designing high-performance solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) remains a key challenge, primarily due to their inherently low ionic conductivity, which hampers the advancement of all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries (ASSLiBs). In this work, we address this limitation by developing a green, crosslinked polymer blend comprising carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) - extracted and functionalized from palm frond fibers - and poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA). Citric acid (CA) was utilized as a crosslinking agent, while lithium perchlorate (LiClO4) was incorporated as a dopant to enhance ionic conductivity. The SPE membranes were fabricated via solution casting, with the optimized formulation - designated CP-15X-Li25 - containing 15 wt.-% CA and 25 wt.-% LiClO

The present study aimed to investigate the anatomy, histology, and immunohistochemistry of parathyroid gland in two Iraqi mammals (Weasel, Herpestes javanicus and Long-ear hedgehog, Hemiechinus auritus) as a comparative study. A total of (20) animal for each species were used in the present study. Animals collected were immediately anesthesia and dissected to get the parathyroid gland. Methods of Humason and Bancroft and Stevens were employed for histological techniques. Different stains were used (Hematoxylin- Eosin stain-(H & E), Periodic Acid Schiff stain-(PAS), Azan stain, and Methyl Blue stain-(MB)) for staining the histological sections. Anti-calcitonin, code140778 marker used for immune-histochemical study. Results of the present stu

Abstract

  Nowadays, the world adopts a philosophy that relates to environmental conservation. This philosophy can be achieved through providing environmentally friendly products while satisfying customers' needs as well. To attain that, a new systems and programs need to be applied in a scientific manner, and total quality environmental management (TQEM) is among these concepts. The research aimed to analyze the Relationship between (TQEM) Practices and its effect on Flexible Manufacturing in Badush factory. The research sample includes managers and head of divisions at top, middle and front line management levels which were (27) working in Badush factory. To achieve the objectives of the study, the descriptive anal

Six proposed simply supported high strength-steel fiber reinforced concrete (HS-SFRC) beams reinforced with FRP (fiber reinforced polymer) rebars were numerically tested by finite element method using ABAQUS software to investigate their behavior under the flexural failure. The beams were divided into two groups depending on their cross sectional shape. Group A consisted of four trapezoidal beams with dimensions of (height 200 mm, top width 250 mm, and bottom width 125 mm), while group B consisted of two rectangular beams with dimensions of (125 ×200) mm. All specimens have same total length of 1500 mm, and they were also considered to be made of same high strength concrete designed material with 1% volume fraction of steel fiber.

This study aims to investigate the behavior and strength of self-compacted ferrocement slabs under punching shear load. Experimental results of thirteen square ferrocement slabs of 500×500 mm simply supported on all edges are presented.  The main parameters investigated include the volume fraction of reinforcement, slab thickness and size of load-bearing plate. The load deflection and cracking characteristics of the tested slabs are studied and compared.  The test results showed that the volume fraction of wire mesh has significant effect on both ultimate load and displacement. The increase of slab thickness leads to decrease in deflection values and increase in stiffness of slabs. Both ductility and stiffness increase as the