Reflection cracking in asphalt concrete (AC) overlays is a common form of pavement deterioration that occurs when underlying cracks and joints in the pavement structure propagate through an overlay due to thermal and traffic-induced movement, ultimately degrading the pavement’s lifespan and performance. This study aims to determine how alterations in overlay thickness and temperature conditions, the incorporation of chopped fibers, and the use of geotextiles influence the overlay’s capacity to postpone the occurrence of reflection cracking. To achieve the above objective, a total of 36 prism specimens were prepared and tested using an overlay testing machine (OTM). The variables considered in this study were the thickness of the

This study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant activity of Iraqi sumac seeds (Rhus coriaria. L) (Anacardiaceae). Total phenolic compounds and flavoniods were determined in three different sumac seed extracts (SSE) (aqueous,ethanolic and methanolic extract). For extraction Antioxidant activity of SSE were evaluated by various antioxidant assays, including total antioxidant capacity, reducing power,by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, nitric oxide scavenging, Hydroxyl radical scavenging, and metal ion chelating activities. These various antioxidant activities were compared with ascorbic acid as a standard antioxidant.The results showed that the three(SSE), contained large amounts of phenolic and flavonio

Two unsupervised classifiers for optimum multithreshold are presented; fast Otsu and k-means. The unparametric methods produce an efficient procedure to separate the regions (classes) by select optimum levels, either on the gray levels of image histogram (as Otsu classifier), or on the gray levels of image intensities(as k-mean classifier), which are represent threshold values of the classes. In order to compare between the experimental results of these classifiers, the computation time is recorded and the needed iterations for k-means classifier to converge with optimum classes centers. The variation in the recorded computation time for k-means classifier is discussed.

Numerical simulations are carried out to assess the quality of the circular and square apodize apertures in observing extrasolar planets. The logarithmic scale of the normalized point spread function of these apertures showed sharp decline in the radial frequency components reaching to 10-36 and 10-34 respectively and demonstrating promising results. This decline is associated with an increase in the full width of the point spread function. A trade off must be done between this full width and the radial frequency components to overcome the problem of imaging extrasolar planets.

The process for preparing activated carbon (AC) made from tea residue was described in this paper. Investigated were the physicochemical characteristics and adsorption efficiency of the produced AC. Activation with potassium hydroxide (KOH) and carbonization at 350 °C are the two key steps in the manufacturing of AC. The activated carbon was used to adsorb Tetracycline (TC). Different parameters were studied at room temperature to show their effects on the adsorption efficiency of TC. These parameters are the initial concentration of adsorbate TC, solution acidity pH, time of adsorption, and adsorbent dosage. The prepared active carbon was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microsc

In this study, the nanocrystal-ZnS-loaded graphene was synthesized by a facile coprecipitation route. The effect of graphene on the characterization of Zinc Sulphide (ZnS) was investigated. The X-ray Diffraction (XRD) results reveal that ZnS has cubic system while hexagonal structure which is observed by loading graphene during the preparation of ZnS. Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis proved the presence of all expected elements in the prepared materials. Nanosize of fabricated materials has been measured using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) technique. This study also found that the graphene plays a critical role in lowering the optical energy gap of ZnS nanoparticles from 4 eV to 3.2 eV. The characterization of detec

Sixty four local isolated of Klebsiella spp. have been isolated from environment samples (soil and water). These isolates were identified and diagnosis according to phenotype and biochemical tests. These isolates were subjected to primary and secondary screening, to select the isolate with the highest laccase activity. Fifteen isolates chosen from primary screening for screening their enzyme activity in secondary screening. It has been found the Klebsiella(K7) has the highest productivity of the enzyme (12 Unit/ml).Klebsiella(K7) isolate was diagnosis by Vitak 2 system, it was identified asK. pneumonia. The laccase purified was characterization, the experiments showed that: The molecular weight of laccase was 120KD and the optimum pH for th

Background: Coated archwires have been introduced to improve esthetics during orthodontic treatment. Theaim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the load–deflection characteristics and force levels of six brands of coated nickel titanium orthodontic archwires using palatal and gingival deflection. Materials and methods: Ten round wires (0.016 inch) and ten rectangular wires (0.019x0.025 inch) were obtained from each of six brands (G&H, Opal, Ortho Technology, Dany, Hubit and Astar Companies). The load-deflection properties of these archwires were evaluated by the modified bending test usinga readymade dental arch model in both palatal and gingival directions at 37°C temperature using a universal material testing machi