A novel demountable shear connector for precast steel‐concrete composite bridges is presented. The connector uses high‐strength steel bolts, which are fastened to the top flange of the steel beam with the aid of a special locking nut configuration that prevents slip of bolts within their holes. Moreover, the connector promotes accelerated construction and overcomes typical construction tolerances issues of precast structures. Most importantly, the connector allows bridge disassembly, and therefore, can address different bridge deterioration scenarios with minimum disturbance to traffic flow, i.e. (i) precast deck panels can be rapidly uplifted and replaced; (ii) connectors can be rapidly removed and replaced; and (iii) steel beams can be replaced, while precast decks and shear connectors can be reused. A series of push‐out tests are conducted to assess the behavior of the connector and quantify the effect of important parameters. The experimental results show shear resistance, stiffness, and slip capacity significantly higher than those of welded shear studs along with superior stiffness and strength against slab uplift. Identical tests reveal negligible scatter in the shear load – slip displacement behavior. A design equation is proposed to predict the shear resistance with absolute error less than 8%.
This study is considered the first effort of its kind in Iraq and in the Middle East towards studying the Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris that was carried on in Hor Al-Dalmaj, southern Iraq. The findings of this effort illustrate its importance as it paves the way for further study and observation for the bird and this important wetland itself. This study tackles the all possible aspects of the ecological and biological statuses of Marbled Teal (Threatened –Vulnerable bird species – IUCN Redlist) by means of field surveys and systematic monitoring that were conducted along the four seasons over the years 2013-2014 in one of the ecologically important and prominent and poorly-known wetlands in the
... Show MoreThe ligand 2-Hydroxy-N-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-acetamide(L) has been prepared from reaction of 2-(aminomethyl)pyridin with chloroacetic acid (1:1).It has been characterized by elemental analysis (C,H,N) ,'H, 13 C-NMR, IR and electronic spectra. The complexes of divalent (Co,Ni,Cu,Zn,Cd and Hg) ions and trivalent(Cr) ion have been synthesized and characterized by IR, electronic spectra, molar conductivity, atomic absorption and molar ratio (Ni 2+) complex. The analytical studies for the complexes show; octahedral for (Cr 3+),square planar for (Cu 2+) and (Co,Ni Zn, Cd and Hg) tetrahedral geometries. The study of biological activity of the ligand (L) and its complexes (Co,Ni,Cu,Cd,Hg) in two deferent concentration (1and5) mg/ml showed various acti
... Show MoreMany athletes believe that it enhances the level of performance during training and competition, in addition to compensating for fluids during exercise when the levels of temperature and humidity in the atmosphere rise during the athlete's intensive training, as it increases the requirements for fluid compensation to avoid the risk of potential thermal disorders. If training continues for more than an hour causing fatigue, athletes are advised to drink carbohydrate drinks that quickly convert to glucose in the blood, while sodium should be included in the fluids consumed during exercise or matches that last more than (1-2 hours). The effect of drinking a drink containing 12% carbohydrates and electrolytes before each half of a simul
... Show MoreFour localities were selected in Euphrates River and Ramadi sewage treatment plant to collect water samples monthly during the period between October 2001 to July 2002 . Total cell count of phytoplankton and its physico- chemical concentrations were determined . The study aimed to demonstrate the effect of Ramadi sewage treatment plant on Euhprates River . It is concluded that the sewage had an dilution effect for the total hardness , total alkalinity , electrical conductivity and salinity of Euphrates River , but it is also caused in the presence of a contaminated area . This was cleared from the depletion of dissolved oxygen and high values of biological oxygen demand with lower valuse of pH in this area . The water of Euphrates
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The aim of this research is to determine how well the Cubing Technique affects the Iraqi EFL students' composition writing, vocabulary, and meta-cognitive awareness of writing strategies. The sample of (64) secondary-school female students in the fifth grade is drawn from two classrooms and split into two equal groups: the experimental group and the control group, each of which consists of (32) students. A quasi-experimental design is applied. The performance test and Meta-cognitive Writing Strategies questionnaire are given as a pre-test for equalizing the two groups after ensuring their validity and reliability. Then, they are administrated as a posttest in both groups. According to the results, the si
... Show MoreBackground: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a collection of chronic, recurrent inflammatory illnesses of the gastrointestinal system, including Crohn's disease (CD). Infliximab is one of the biological medications used to treat CD. Therapeutic drug monitoring has evolved as a treatment in IBD, aiming to optimize benefit while meeting more demanding, objective end criteria. Objective: To determine the achievement of target trough level (TL), develop anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) to infliximab, assess response to therapy, and study TL relations with different variables. Methods: The present study was cross-sectional and conducted from May 2022 to November 2022. It included 40 CD patients allotted into 2 groups: group 1 patients ach
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