Hard-grade asphalt binders, such as AC 20–30, offer excellent resistance to permanent deformation but are inherently brittle, making them highly susceptible to fatigue and low-temperature cracking. While polymer modification addresses these issues, virgin polymers remain expensive. Despite the growing interest in recycled plastics, the rheological impact of complex waste streams, specifically polyvinyl chloride (PVC) derived from flex banners containing plasticizers, on excessively stiff binders within the complete Superpave Performance Grading (PG) framework remains critically underexplored. This study introduces a novel valorization approach by utilizing solvent-extracted flex banner waste (WPVC) as a dual-action modifier. It leverages the stiffening effect of the PVC network alongside the softening effect of leached plasticizers to redistribute the viscoelastic properties of hard-grade bitumen. The primary objective is to upgrade AC 20–30 into a balanced, climate-resilient binder. WPVC was incorporated at 10%, 20%, and 30% by weight. A comprehensive evaluation was performed using microstructural and chemical analyses, including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), and optical microscopy, along with advanced rheological testing such as frequency sweep (master curve), multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR), linear amplitude sweep (LAS), and the Glover–Rowe (G–R) index. Results demonstrated that WPVC integration significantly improved microstructural homogeneity without accelerating oxidative aging. The 20% WPVC dosage emerged as the optimum configuration, effectively reducing rotational viscosity and excessive high-temperature stiffness while maintaining exceptional rutting resistance suitable for extreme traffic (PG82-E). Crucially, the intermediate-temperature performance was remarkably enhanced; the WPVC20 blend exhibited a 918% increase in fatigue life (at 2.5% strain) in the LAS test compared to the base binder. Furthermore, the G-R index confirmed a substantial reduction in cracking susceptibility. Ultimately, this research provides a sustainable, data-driven pathway for transforming hazardous flex banner waste into a high-value modifier for durable flexible pavements.
Mixed ligands reaction of [2-[(3-hydroxyphenyl)diazinyl]-1,2-benzothiazol-3(2H)-one-1,1-dioxide] (H2L, primary ligand) and bipyridyl (secondary ligand) with salts of Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(III), Co(II) and Ni(II) was performed. A series of air-stable complexes with distinctive octahedral moieties was created by equal molar ratio (1:1:1). The formation of these compounds was verified using detecting analysis techniques incorporating mass spectra, which validated the achieved geometries. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis demonstrated how the ligands (H2L and bipyridyl) are chelated as tridentate (ONO) and bidentate (NN) groups, respectively and the coordination with the metal ions. Thermal decomposition studies using pyrolysis (
... Show MoreThe emergence of COVID-19 has resulted in an unprecedented escalation in different aspects of human activities, including medical education. Students and educators across academic institutions have confronted various challenges in following the guidelines of protection against the disease on one hand and accomplishing learning curricula on the other hand. In this short view, we presented our experience in implementing e-learning to the undergraduate nursing students during the present COVID-19 pandemic emphasizing the learning content, barriers, and feedback of students and educators. We hope that this view will trigger the preparedness of nursing faculties in Iraq to deal with this new modality of learning and improve it should t
... Show MoreMethotrexate (MTX) is one of the most effective medications to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Aserum of 60 Iraqi male patients suffering from RA as (G1) was newly diagnosis and the same patient in G1 after taking MTX as G2 and 40 Iraqi male healthy control as G3. Nesfatin-1 (Nf-1) is belong to the adipokine family withpleiotropic effect. Nf-1 has been found in different tissues, including stomach, pancreas, bone cells, cartilage and heart. Retinol binding protein (RBP4) was known as transpoter of retinol from its storage sites in the liver to the extrahepatic tissues. Moreover, RBP4 acts as adipokine and contributes in the pathophsyology of prototypic inflammatory disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The results showed a significant increas
... Show MoreThe present work includes the preparation and characterization of{Co(II) , Ni(II), Pd(II), Fe(III) , Ru(III),Rh(III), Os(III) , Ir(III) , Pt(IV) and VO(IV)}complexes of a new ligand 4-[(1-phenyl-2,3-dimethyl-3-pyrozoline-5-one)azo]-N,N-dimethylanline (PAD). The product (PAD) was isolated,studies and characterized by phsical measurements,i.e., (FT-IR), (UV) Spectroscopy and elemental analysis(C.H.N). The prepared complexes were identified and their structural geometric were suggested in solid state by using flame atomic absorption, elemental analysis(C.H.N), (FT-IR) and (UV-Vis) Spectroscopy, as well as magnetic susceptibility and conductivity measurements . The study of the nature of the complexes formed in( ethanolic solution) following t
... Show MoreA simple, sensitive and rapid method was used for the estimate of: Propranolol with Bi (III) to prove the efficiency, reliability and repeatability of the long distance chasing photometer (NAG-ADF-300-2) using continuous flow injection analysis. The method is based on a reaction between propranolol and Bi (III) in an aqueous medium to obtain a yellow precipitate. Optimum parameters were studied to increase the sensitivity for the developed method. A linear range for calibration graph was 0.1-25 mmol/L for cell A and 1-40 mmol/L for cell B, and LOD 51.8698 ng/200 µL and 363.0886 ng /200 µL , respectively to cell A and cell B with correlation coefficient (r) 0.9975 for cell A, 0.9966 for cell B, RSD% was lower than 1%, (n = 8) for the
... Show MoreThere is a growing interest in studying the effects of arthritis on a person's work productivity using a growing variety of outcome indicators.
To develop a valid and reliable shortened version of the Workplace Activity Limitation Scale 12 (WALS‐12) for assessing work productivity limitations in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.
A cross‐sectional study involving 277 RA patients was conducted. An exploratory factor analysis on WALS‐12 was used for item reduction on the first sample. Then confirmatory factor ana
In sports where technical performance is crucial, quantitative analysis methods have evolved to track skill performance using modern training methods and technology. This helps trainers evaluate training methods and detect performance issues. Coaches and athletes know that preliminary movements improve attack accuracy, but the association between motions (strikes, presses, crushes) and target regions (torso, armed arm, head) has not been thoroughly investigated. Lack of studies on Paralympic fencing's targeted contact regions and ambiguity around the most common preliminary actions highlight the research problem. The study examined epee fencers' successful movement sequences in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games' final bouts and touch success
... Show MoreObjective(s): To assess mothers’ knowledge about their children with sickle cell anemia and non-Pharmacological approaches to pain management and found some relationship between mothers knowledge and their demographic data of age, level of education, and occupation.
Methodology: A descriptive design used in the present study established was for a period from September 19th, 2020 to March 30th, 2021. The study was conducted on a non-probability (purposive) sample of (30) mother their children with sickle cell anemia was chosen. The data were analyzed through the application of descriptive and inferential statistical approaches which are applied by using SPSS version 22.0.
Results: The findings of the study indicated that moderate
New, simple and sensitive batch and reverse FIA spectrophotometric methods for the determination of doxycycline hyclate in pure form and in pharmaceutical preparations were proposed. These methods based on oxidative coupling reaction between doxycycline hyclate and 3-methylbenzothiazolinone-2-hydrazone hydrochloride (MBTH) in the presence ammonium ceric sulfate in acidic medium, to form green water-soluble dye that is stable and has a maximum absorbance at 626 nm. A calibration graph shows that a Beer's law is obeyed over the concentration range of 1-80 and 0.5-110 ?g.mL-1 of DCH for the batch and rFIA respectively with detection limit of 0.325 ?g.mL-1 of DCH for r-FIA methods. All different chemicals and physical experimental paramete
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