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The region of Irbid (Jordan) in the southern Levant has been known for its megalithic structures since the end of the 19th century. But despite hundreds of dolmens inventoried, it has never been the subject of an in-depth study. This article contributes to a better understanding of human occupation in the area during the 4th and 3rd millennium b.c.e. , based on unpublished data collected in September 2005 by a co-directed Jordanian and French mission (University of Yarmouk and the French Institute of the Middle East–Institut français du Proche-Orient Damascus). Data acquisition analysis was realized thanks to a Geographic Information System (GIS) allowing the authors to map and study the spatial relationships between the various elements, with an emphasis on the relationship between the funerary and domestic spheres. By placing the dolmen necropoleis and settlement sites (both double-apsed and rectangular houses) of the north Jordanian Plateau within the general context of the southern Levant, the authors question the "classic" model linking nomadism and megalithism, and bring forward a more sedentary perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study is to analyze the data collected on lateral incisional hernias (LIH) in the National Incisional Hernia Registry (EVEREG) and assess current practices and outcomes in LIH repair. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using LIH data recorded over 10 years (2012–2022). Comorbidities, hernia characteristics, short-term complications, and recurrences were studied, along with their association with the type of approach used, either open or laparoscopic, in elective surgery. Results: 1742 LIH cases were studied. According to the EHS classification, these included L1 409 (23.5%), L2 388 (22.3%), L3 565 (32.4%), L4 150 (8.6%) and combined 230 (13.2%). An open approach was performed in 1528 (87.7%) cases and laparoscopic in 214 (12.3%). The median age was 66 ± 12.45 years, with a majority of males, 934 (53.6%). The median body mass index was 29 ± 5.18 kg/m2. The most observed comorbidity was arterial hypertension (957 patients, 55%). A specialist was present in 638 interventions (56%). The 24-month follow-up was 17.9%, and recurrence in those cases was 27.2%, with a higher incidence when there was no specialist present during the intervention, onlay mesh position, and larger defect size. Conclusions: Surgery for LIH is common, although laparoscopic approach remains infrequent. Furthermore, it is associated with a high percentage of recurrences that increases when there is no specialist in abdominal wall surgery present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Duzce University Journal of Science & Technology is the property of Duzce University Journal of Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Mortar bedding is a high cement-based material placed between concrete blocks and can improve the tensile and shear strength of the joints. Two types are recommended, full bedding, which covers the entire liquid area of the block, and face shell bedding, where the mortar is placed only on the longitudinal walls of the block, forming a lateral cord. The union of the lack of technical regulation on the choice of the laying pattern and the execution of a wall by more than one professional, in some cases, results in the appearance of a third pattern, mixed bedding, the rows mix the full bedding and the face shell bedding types. This paper aims to evaluate the influence of the mortar bedding on the mechanical behavior of the structural masonry, where walls of concrete blocks with face shell and full and mixed bedding were made, evaluating their respective failure modes. The inputs of the wall and the structures of each proposed bedding type were individually studied and subjected to the compressive strength test. Some LVDTs have been used to evaluate and compare the displacements between patterns. In addition, the failure modes in each type of mortar bedding were analyzed. The results of the compression tests of the walls showed that the type of laying significantly influences the compressive strength of the masonry, with the face shell and mixed bedding patterns showing a loss of capacity of compressive strength in relation to the full bedding of approximately 18.5% and 21.7%, respectively. In addition, it was noted that in addition to being less resistant, the mixed pattern failed at the end of the elastic zone, demonstrating a brittle behavior. Given the facts, the full and face shell bedding is indicated; the face shell bedding is used with caution, considering its reduced load capacity and failure mode, when dimensioning the masonry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The project of progressive securitisation of the Polish – Russian borderland is implemented with huge support from local communities. Inhabitants of the Polish border area support all possible tools intended for the protection of the Polish – Russian border. The results also show that the war in Ukraine and potential threats of migration from the Kaliningrad Oblast change the social optics with regard to the border with Russia. The present paper seeks to investigate how the local communities of Polish border zone with Russia perceive the activities conducted in order to reinforce the defensive function of the Polish – Russian border. For this purpose, a survey was carried out among inhabitants of the Polish border area with Russia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In modern technologies of pneumatic transport, fluidization, and polymer spraying, gas-dispersed media are widely used. Of particular interest, from the point of view of dynamic loading of structures, are shock-wave processes in gas-dispersed mixtures in the vicinity of the walls. The use of computer modeling methods makes it possible to reduce time and material costs for improving designs and optimizing technological process parameters. A hybrid large-particle method of second order approximation with a nonlinear correction, Superbee at the Eulerian stage and VanLeer at the Lagrangian stage, was used for the calculations. The algorithm is implemented as multi-threaded solver code, with processing of graphical results in a separate parallel process. A detailed numerical simulation of the characteristic stages of the interaction of a shock wave with a wall shielded by a layer of finely dispersed gas suspension with a cylindrical region of increased particle density was carried out. The beginning of the process (before the interaction of a plane shock wave passing into the layer of gas suspension with inhomogeneity) is one-dimensional in nature. Further development of the physical picture is associated with a significant restructuring of the flow. The shock wave enveloping the cylindrical boundary of the inhomogeneity converges to the plane of symmetry with the formation of a focusing effect. Due to baroclinic instability (mismatch of pressure and density gradients), a vortex zone is formed on the surface of the highdensity boundary. As shown by a detailed analysis of the calculation results, the most significant (more than an order of magnitude relative to the initial state) surges in pressure and density of the gas suspension are caused by the interactions of a focused shock wave that has passed into the inhomogeneity, and then an incident reflected composite shock wave pulse. The results obtained have theoretical and applied significance. New physical effects of shock wave reflection from a wall shielded by a layer of gas suspension with a cylindrical region of increased density of the dispersed fraction have been revealed. The reasons for the sequence of bursts in pressure and density of the mixture, which can lead to ignition and detonation of the combustible dispersed phase, are determined. The developed numerical algorithm and computer modeling technique can form the basis for the analysis of shock wave phenomena in the vicinity of the walls of structures and the justification of rational parameters of technological gas-powder technologies.

The integration of the active heat storage system utilizing multiple heat storage and release media for prefabricated solar greenhouses with flexible material wall (PGFMW) can solve the problem of "good thermal insulation and weak heat storage" in PGFMW. However, it is still unclear on the heat storage and exothermic properties of the multiple media in the combined heat storage system. This study aims to perform on a PGFMW that equipped with a combined "air source ground heat exchange-back wall water circulation (AGHE-WWC)" heat storage system. A systematic investigation was also made on the individual and combined heat storage and release properties. A series of experimental tests were conducted to calculate the energy transfer. The results indicated that the minimum temperature of indoor air at night time was maintained above 10℃, and the maximum difference in temperature between indoors and outdoors was 26.5 °C in winter. The primary heat storage medium was identified as the 0-50 cm soil layer of the cultivation area in the PGFMW. Furthermore, the heat storage capacity of the soil layer reached 706.30 MJ on sunny days, accounting for 63.5% of the total heat storage. The difference in temperature between the inlet and outlet of the underground heat exchange was up to 10.8 °C, which increased by 54.4% in the heat storage capacity of the soil layer. The water circulation was used to store the heat energy of 424.04 MJ on the day, which accounted for up to 45.1% of the total heat storage. Specifically, after cloudy days, the temperature of 8 m3 of water in the storage tank increased from 11 to 35℃ by water circulation over two sunny days. In order to evaluate the rate of heat storage and release for the system in combination and individually, an evaluation index called the heat storage and release efficiency ratio (HRE) was inducted to assess system performance. It was found that the maximum absolute value of the HRE for water circulation system was 1.62, which was 1.8 times than the soil HRE on the same day. It proved that the water circulation system releases heat more rapidly compared to the soil on cloudy days. In terms of the total heat, the soil was remained the primary source of indoor heat release on the consecutive cloudy days. In addition, the "AGHE-WWC" heat storage system was realized to sustain the heat demand for a total of three consecutive cloudy days. Meanwhile, the average heating coefficient of performance (COP) and the uderground heat exchange COP were 9.16 and 6.82, respectively. The combined COP of the "AGHE-WWC" heat storage system was 8.85, while the energy saving rate was as high as 60.26%, compared with the heat pump. The finding can provide a strong reference for heat storage and release in combined heat storage systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Tabayyun is the property of Arab Center for Research & Policy Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper investigates the cold spray additive manufacturing of a thick wall made of pure Al powder with a granulometry of + 45–15 μm with a size d50 = 26.95 µm. A high wall with vertical lateral faces is obtained without clogging, using a compensation building strategy and gas pressurization at 30 bars, 400°C. Layer by layer, using a suitable set of deposition parameters, the profile of the deposit grows without a lack of material at the lateral edges and then produces the near-net shape 3D wall. However, a structural characterization shows an issue of pore development and low mechanical properties. A porosity with a typical pore size range of 6–100 µm is observed from the bottom zone to the top zone of the wall, with a random occurrence and with a fraction of pores up to 8%. The distribution of the pore size shows a high fraction of fine pores (6–10 µm) up to ~ 70%. There can be a weak fraction (~ 0.04%) of larger pores (130–200 µm) and such pores appear as a continuous connexion of pores within the deposit due to a bad stacking and a bad bonding of particles during the additive growth. These detrimental defects ease the brittle mechanical behaviour of the wall during a tensile test. An intergranular-like fracture is observed with some trace of dimples but the brittle stress/strain curve until rupture suggests a predominant failure by cleavage due to the porosity. The fracture strain is less than 2%. The ultimate tensile strength and the elastic modulus are limited to about 50 MPa and about 50 GPa, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study is to report the demographics, incidence, and patterns of spinal injuries associated with border crossings resulting from a fall from a significant height. A retrospective cohort study was performed at a Level I trauma center from January 2016 to December 2021 to identify all patients who fell from a significant height while traversing the U.S.-Mexico border and were subsequently admitted. A total of 448 patients were identified. Of the 448 patients, 117 (26.2%) had spine injuries and 39 (33.3%) underwent operative fixation. Females had a significantly higher incidence of spine injuries (60% vs. 40%; p?15 (RR?=?3.2; p?15 sustained falls from a higher distance (median 6.1 vs. 5.5?m) and had a longer length of ICU stay (median 3 vs. 0 days). All patients with operative spine injuries had an ISS >15 relative to 50% of patients with non-operative spine injuries (median ISS 20 vs. 15; p?0.001). Patients with spine trauma requiring surgery had a higher incidence of head (RR?=?3.5; p 0.0353) and chest injuries (RR?=?6.0; p?=?0.0238), but a lower incidence of lower extremity injuries (RR?=?0.5; p?

Crohn's disease (CD) is a subtype of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterized by transmural disease. The concept of transmural healing (TH) has been proposed as an indicator of deep clinical remission of CD and as a predictor of favorable treatment endpoints. Understanding the pathophysiology involved in transmural disease is critical to achieving these endpoints. However, most studies have focused on the intestinal mucosa, overlooking the contribution of the intestinal wall in Crohn's disease. Multi-omics approaches have provided new avenues for exploring the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease and identifying potential biomarkers. We aimed to use transcriptomic and proteomic technologies to compare immune and mesenchymal cell profiles and pathways in the mucosal and submucosa/wall compartments to better understand chronic refractory disease elements to achieve transmural healing. The results revealed similarities and differences in gene and protein expression profiles, metabolic mechanisms, and immune and non-immune pathways between these two compartments. Additionally, the identification of protein isoforms highlights the complex molecular mechanisms underlying this disease, such as decreased RTN4 isoforms (RTN4B2 and RTN4C) in the submucosa/wall, which may be related to the dysregulation of enteric neural processes. These findings have the potential to inform the development of novel therapeutic strategies to achieve TH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Babylon Center for Humanities Studies is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of DEPARCH Journal of Design Planning & Aesthetics Research is the property of DEPARCH Journal of Design Planning & Aesthetics Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: Climate change, environmental concerns, and economic problems pose challenges to the construction sector in Iran, which must provide affordable solutions while addressing environmental issues. Hence, natural earthen building materials are critically needed to reduce energy-intensive and costly construction practices dramatically. The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for comparing life cycle assessments (LCA) and life cycle costs (LCC), for load-bearing walls of an single-family affordable housing unit in a desert part of Iran, Ardakan City. Methods: To do so, both LCA and LCC for the unit were performed, considering a cradle-to-site perspective. For this purpose, 22 load bearing wall systems are assessed, including 18 stabilized and unstabilized earthen construction techniques, such as adobe, rammed earth (RE), and compressed earth block (CEB), in addition to four conventional wall assemblies of fired brick (FB), autoclaved aerated concrete block (AAC), ceramic block (CB), and concrete masonry unit (CMU). As well as assessing the environmental impact and life cycle costs associated with the life cycle of each wall, the optimal assembly of the wall is also examined. Results: Results show that unstabilized earthen walling alternatives have significantly lower environmental impacts than conventional materials. Conclusions: Sensitivity analysis indicates that by utilizing local materials to the maximum extent possible, impacts can be further minimized. Considering the results, transportation may even account for a greater proportion of EI than wall components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Iranian garden is a product of Iranian culture and has artificial and natural elements. At the same time that it has fixed and clear principles, it has a lot of variety. Following this diversity, different designs for Iranian garden elements are observed. This research has been focused on the architectural elements of Iranian gardens. Then what are the reasons for the architectural elements’ diversity? This is the question that this research is looking for. Finding the answer to this question can help designers with the idea of an Iranian garden. For example, what is the basis for designing a Kushk (kiosk or pavilion), and what is the basis for the variations in their designs? There can be various reasons for these architectural elements’ designs, and these reasons originate from their philosophy and theoretical foundations. So far, many studies have been done on different architectural elements of the Iranian garden, and they have been looked at from different angles. But what are the roles of these elements in the overall plan of the Iranian gardens? Are these elements based on functional, climatic, or shape reasons or other reasons? And which reason is stronger? For this purpose, ten gardens in different climates and of different ages were selected to examine their architectural elements. Qualitative evaluation and analytical-descriptive methods have been used in examining the various reasons for the formation of each of the architectural elements in the selected gardens. The abundance of roles in the examination of each element determines the dominant role each of them plays in the garden. In the end, the conclusions show that “wall” has a mainly functional-climatic role, “entrance” has a mainly symbolic role, and “kiosk” has a mainly spatial role. In this way, the architectural elements are not very prominent, and they draw most of the audience’s attention to the garden and nature.

The outcome of the 1640 Portuguese rebellion against Spanish rule instantly turned Buenos Aires into a new key port in Spanish America, given its location on the frontier with now-Portuguese Brazil. Consequently, the Spanish imperial bureaucracy focused on its fortification in the second half of the century. That case was part of a larger process during that century of fortifying Spanish American cities with walls and more complex elements. The present article will focus on the role of the local authorities and their response to the crown’s plan, illuminating the difficulties and mistakes in that ultimately unsuccessful effort, such as hiring a lack of skilled workers, especially engineers, and the misconceiving of the territory and its resources. For that purpose, the research will be based on unpublished documents from the Archivo Histórico Nacional and Archivo General de Indias, as well as various plans for the projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Tesla Revista Científica is the property of Puerto Madero Editorial Academica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Novasinergia is the property of Revista Novasinergia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This anthropological-historical paper explores the oft-neglected inner connotations of morality and history as embedded in China's historic landscape. Situated in the heritage city of Kaifeng, it reveals how local gardens not only are architectural imitations of this ancient capital, but also are connected to the nation's past and mediate moral lessons. A deeper textual dimension is further exposed, with an examination of a dynastic record, as well as the rich historiographical corpus lying behind it, to which garden designers refer. The arguments appearing in such a textual and intellectual dimension are then explicated with regard to the city's old walls. The walls, which are supposed to be formidable defensive facilities, now are viewed as the symbols of learning, virtue and civilisation in contrast to sheer militarism. A further discussion about pertinent ideas in Chinese thought finally discloses the richness of this historical-moral aspect of the city's landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We are going through a time when environmental, economic and social concerns, intensely amplified by climate change, by the depletion of resources, are growing. In this context, setting targets such as reducing energy consumption in the buildings sector, energy efficiency, and the use of renewable energies are becoming a priority, both at national and international level. Improving the energy efficiency of the existing building stock is important, not only for achieving national medium-term energy efficiency targets, but also for meeting the long-term objectives of the strategy on climate change and the transition to a competitive low-carbon economy by 2050 (https://energy.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2014-11/2014%5farticle4%5fro%5fromania%5f0.pdf). Currently, the building is considered as a structure in a continuous evolution, which in time through maintenance, rehabilitation and modernization works will meet the requirements expressed by the user. The case study presented in the paper presents an analysis from the point of view of improving the energy efficiency, reducing the energy requirement in a building using passive energy-saving measures, that is, the additional thermal insulation of an element of the building envelope. The materials selected for this research are: expanded polystyrene, basaltic mineral wool and cellulose fibres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Dicle University Journal of Engineering / Dicle Üniversitesi Mühendislik Dergisi is the property of Dicle Universitesi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aerogel is widely recognized as a superinsulating material with great potential for enhancing the thermal insulation performance of building walls. It can be applied in various forms such as aerogel plasters (AP), aerogel fibrous composites (AFC), and aerogel concrete (AC) in practical engineering applications. This study aims to investigate the most efficient application form for maximizing building insulation performance while minimizing the amount of aerogel used. To predict the thermal insulation performance of aerogel-insulated walls, a resistance–capacitance network model integrating the aerogels' effective thermal conductivity model was developed and was validated by comparing it with Fluent simulation software results in terms of surface temperature. Using the validated models, the thermophysical parameters, transient thermal properties, and transmission load were predicted and compared among AP, AFC, and AC walls. The results indicate that using AFC can result in approximately 50% cost savings to achieve the same thermal resistance. After adding a 20 mm thickness of aerogel to the reference wall without aerogel, the AFC wall exhibited the highest improvement in thermal insulation performance, reaching 46.0–53.5%, followed by the AP wall, and then the AC wall, aligning with considerations of microstructural perspectives, thermal resistance distributions, and thermal non-uniformity factors. Therefore, giving priority to AFC use could reduce the required amount of silica aerogel and enhance economic efficiency. These results provide valuable insights for theoretical models and the application of aerogel-insulated walls in building engineering insulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A growing number of nations and regions have printed concrete structures thanks to the application of 3D printing technology in the field of civil engineering. However, the houses built with printed concrete are mostly printed concrete wall structures with composite load-bearing walls and cast-in-place frames. This structure solely takes into account the performance of the structure under vertical loads, which does not address its ability to withstand horizontal loads. In this paper, wall specimens were designed and tested under horizontal reciprocal loads in order to investigate the structural performance of this cast-in-place border-frame printed concrete wall structure under horizontal loads. Four factors are examined in order to determine how well the cast-in-place frame printed concrete wall structure performs when subjected to horizontal loads: column longitudinal reinforcement strain, hysteresis curve, skeleton curve, and energy dissipation capacity. According to the test results, the addition of the wall increased the bearing capacity and accumulated energy dissipation of the specimen, but the increase in stiffness also caused the structural ductility to decrease. As a result, cracks were more likely to generate at the wall–column joints, so the stiffness matching between the printed concrete wall and the cast-in-place side frame needed to be further coordinated to obtain a higher ductility. It turns out that the wall sections have little impact on the seismic performance of the members.

One of the (apparently) most well-known elements of architecture and urban planning is the wall, and much has been written about its features and characteristics. A physical-functional element that also has meanings and myths in its core, and in this respect, it can be seen from the examples of landscape; considered as an objective-mental phenomenon. The wall, especially in the architecture of Iranian buildings and gardens, is an integral part of the concept of these spaces and perhaps it is very difficult to imagine an Iranian garden or house without a wall. Adjusting the air and creating a microclimate, protection against adverse and harsh weather outside, wild animals and thieves, sacred protection against the entry of the devil, and other important features are the characteristics of this fundamental element of Iranian architecture. Sometimes these walls are made as clay for village garden alleys, and sometimes they form the high and stable walls of the Karimkhani Citadel, sometimes it is a simple wall without decoration, and sometimes it is decorated with all kinds of flower arrangements, brickwork, tiling, and other Iranian decorative arts (although In general, the wall in Iranian culture is simple and unpretentious, and if there is a decoration, it is mostly for the entry of the complex or building), sometimes they are rigid and impenetrable, and sometimes they expose the transparent with the function of Safavid-era Tajir gardens walls to the visitors. One of these characteristics, which is perhaps less discussed, is the potential of expressing the views of citizens. The wall is a “popular media” with a large audience on the scale of a city’s landscape, which is usually not paid attention to, or they express a specific point of view in society in a structured and structured way, and in this sense, they violate freedom of expression. Now the question that arises is why the wall in most cases (except for special times such as street protests), works incompletely if it can help the society in the direction of becoming more democratic.

The paper is devoted to solving the shockwave reflection problem from a wall shielded by a gas suspension layer. The dynamics of the gas suspension are described in a two-speed two-temperature formulation. In contrast to the known approximate models of dusty gas based on the application of classical self-similar solutions by correcting gas dynamic parameters and physical constants, an asymptotically exact solution is obtained. The analytical solution to the problem is constructed in the form of a composition of elementary decays discontinuities. The nonequilibrium solution converges to the exact one with a decrease in the characteristic times of dynamic and thermal relaxation of the carrier gas and suspended particles of arbitrary concentration. Calculations based on the nonequilibrium model are performed by the hybrid large-particle method of the second-order approximation in space and time. Both for the exact and calculate profiles of the relative values of the pressure and density of the mixture, the normalized velocity of the dispersed phase obtained from the nonequilibrium model are given. The influence of the intensity of the incident shock wave, as well as the concentration of particles in the gas suspension layer on the parameters of the impact of the shock wave pulse on the wall, is studied. The presence of a shielding layer leads to an increase in the reflection pressure from the wall compared to the reflection of the shock wave in a pure gas. The analysis of the influence of the relaxation properties of the gas suspension layer with a change in particle sizes from 1 to 8 μm is carried out. For sufficiently small particles of 1 micron and the accepted scales of the problem, the nonequilibrium solution reproduces the shock-wave structure well and corresponds to the asymptotics. With the increase in the size of dispersed inclusions, the spatial relaxation zones, smoothing the profiles of the parameters, increase. The error in calculating the velocity and other parameters for a nonequilibrium gas suspension with particles of 1 μm compared to the exact solution is in the range from 10–7 to 10–5. The results obtained are of practical importance in substantiating the influence of inert particle impurities on the dynamic loading of structures. The analytical solution to the problem may be in demand when testing various numerical schemes.

Ultrasonic technology is widely applied in the engineering ceramic polishing processes without the limitation of material properties and ideally integrated into computer numerical control system. Ultrasonic-induced cavitation and mechanical vibration effect could accelerate the motion of solid abrasives. The individual behaviors of microjet/shockwave of ultrasonic cavitation in gases and liquids, and micro-abrasives with simple harmonic vibrations in solids and liquids has been extensively studied. To conduct a systematic and integrated study of abrasives behavior in the polishing contact region involving abrasive, surround-workpiece wall, ultrasonic physical vibration, and ultrasonic cavitation impact, a novel model integrating the free abrasive motion velocity and fixed abrasive indentation depth under multi-scale contact was proposed according to Hertzian contact theory, Greenwood-Williamson model, indentation deformation theory, the basic equations of cavitation bubble dynamics, cavitation impact control equations, and Newton's law of motion equation. The effects of ultrasonic amplitude, ultrasonic frequency, preloading force and particle size on the proposed model were investigated by theoretical analysis and numerical simulations. Ultrasonic physical vibration mainly influences the dynamic gap and further influence the number of different abrasives. Furthermore, the indentation depth of fixed abrasive depends mainly on the abrasive geometry. As the contact gap and abrasive size decrease, the indentation depth gradually decreases. Under the synergistic effect of cavitation-induced shock wave and microjet, the velocity of free abrasive in this paper is generally 0–150 m/s, and the kinetic energy of free abrasive increases roughly linearly with increasing frequency and approximately as a quadratic function with increasing particle size. Increasing the preloading force leads to a reduction in the abrasive kinetic energy. Besides, the kinetic energy induced by the shock wave has a cliff-like increment at an amplitude of 0.7–0.8 μm. It is revealed that the abrasive kinetic energy is suppressed by the cavitation bubble expansion and collapse at smaller ultrasonic pressure amplitude and surround-wall distance. This research provides a theoretical reference for the modeling of potential defects and material removal on the workpiece surface caused by abrasive motion during polishing, and reduces the trial cost for parameter optimization in actual polishing processing.

A growing number of nations and regions have printed concrete structures thanks to the application of 3D printing technology in the field of civil engineering. However, the houses built with printed concrete are mostly printed concrete wall structures with composite load-bearing walls and cast-in-place frames. This structure solely takes into account the performance of the structure under vertical loads, which does not address its ability to withstand horizontal loads. In this paper, wall specimens were designed and tested under horizontal reciprocal loads in order to investigate the structural performance of this cast-in-place border-frame printed concrete wall structure under horizontal loads. Four factors are examined in order to determine how well the cast-in-place frame printed concrete wall structure performs when subjected to horizontal loads: column longitudinal reinforcement strain, hysteresis curve, skeleton curve, and energy dissipation capacity. According to the test results, the addition of the wall increased the bearing capacity and accumulated energy dissipation of the specimen, but the increase in stiffness also caused the structural ductility to decrease. As a result, cracks were more likely to generate at the wall–column joints, so the stiffness matching between the printed concrete wall and the cast-in-place side frame needed to be further coordinated to obtain a higher ductility. It turns out that the wall sections have little impact on the seismic performance of the members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a new method to accurately evaluate the overall building envelope thermal performance considering the window–wall correlation, providing a new tool for building thermal design. Firstly, a non-stationary room heat transfer model is established based on the Resistance-Capacity Network method. The influence of solar heat gain through the windows on the heat transfer process of the walls in the actual environment is considered, and the room's integrated thermal resistance and integrated heat capacity indexes describing the overall room thermal resilience performance are proposed. Then, a field research test is conducted around Lhasa to obtain the local dwelling information, climate conditions, and indoor thermal environment. Numerical simulations using EnergyPlus are made to verify the effectiveness of the indexes in describing the overall building (maximum difference within 3.67% MBE and 2.92% CVRMSE) based on the field test results. Finally, the proposed envelope thermal performance index is used to analyze the local residential buildings around Lhasa. The results show that the lack of consideration of window–wall correlation has led to the failure of a local newly built building's actual envelope performance to meet the design requirements. These findings could help to develop the thermal design method of the building envelope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaginal wall thickness could be used as a biomarker of vaginal health. We propose a standardized method using three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasound for measuring vaginal wall thickness. Fill the vagina with gel. Insert the endovaginal transducer into the vagina up to the middle third. In the sagittal plane, visualizing the cervix and vaginal fornices, capture a 3D volume of the upper third of the vagina. Using tomographic ultrasound imaging function in the sagittal plane and the posterior vaginal fornix as the reference obtain at least three axial planes of the vagina, separated by 1 cm. Measure the vaginal wall thickness at a distance of 2 cm from the posterior vaginal fornix at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. The reproducibility of measurements was high. Measurements of vaginal wall thickness can be reliably performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Lublin Studies in Modern Languages & Literature / Lubelskie Materialy Neofilologiczne is the property of Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Department of German & Applied Linguistics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Al-Adab / Al-ādāb is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Until a few years ago, we did not even know the exact location of what was, during the last centuries of the Middle Ages, the Jewish quarter, with different hypotheses depending on the sources. However, thanks to the excavations carried out since 2003 on the castle hill and in the synagogue, we now have more information about this minority settlement. That is why in this article we analyse this material record, which is so important for the reconstruction of this specific population.

Heat transfer and fluid flow in cavities is often a result of convection. The study of convection in enclosures, such as rectangular cavities, under different parameters, holds significance in understanding the thermal-hydraulic characteristics, like temperature and air velocity distribution, in systems where heat transfer and fluid flow are involved. This research focuses on the numerical investigation of temperature and air velocity distribution in a rectangular cavity. COMSOL Multiphysics software was utilized to create a model of the cavity, subjecting it to regulated temperatures of 323.0 K, 333.0 K, and 343.0 K at operating times of 0, 300, 900, and 1,500 seconds. The cavity's bottom wall was heated by a heater, and the inner sides of the right and left walls were insulated using fiberglass. The findings from the research indicate that at an operating time of 900 seconds, the maximum air velocities recorded were 0.06, 0.06, 0.03, and 0.10 m/s at the left wall, right wall, bottom, and top of the cavity respectively. Beyond 900 seconds of operation, the air velocities remained constant. Furthermore, at 900 seconds of operation, the maximum isotherms at the regulated temperatures of 323.0 K, 333.0 K, and 343.0 K were approximately equal to their respective temperatures, but they precisely equaled the regulated temperatures at an operating time of 1,500 seconds. The results of this research can be applied to various areas that involve heat and fluid flow, including heat exchangers, building design for energy efficiency, solar systems, nuclear reactor operations, microelectronic component cooling, energy storage, heating devices, and refrigeration systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of TÜBA-AR: Turkish Academy of Sciences, Journal of Archaeology is the property of Turkish Academy of Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of The Planner & Development is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper aims to test the method of using microwave technology for drying aerated concrete masonry. Furthermore, the propagation of microwave technology through irradiated elements and the effectiveness of eliminating the moisture of the given blocks were examined. There are various discussions about the potential use of this technology in civil engineering. However, they are often based on inaccurate, superficial knowledge. The cause is usually based on a lack of access to accurate professional knowledge. Although the potential use of microwave technology (MWT) has been known for many decades, its use in civil engineering tends to be of marginal interest. The research and tests are mostly carried out by private facilities, which protect the obtained knowledge as their "know how". For this reason, VUT Brno teamed up with an implementation company and conducted several dozen experiments with repeated measurements of the effect of MWT on various building materials. Moreover, a number of different tests with drying of building materials, as well as the elimination of biotic pests in buildings have been carried out. However, the vast majority were experiments carried out in laboratory conditions, i.e., under precisely given boundary conditions, which were often very far from the conditions in real construction practice. Therefore, the goal of this experiment was to verify the use of microwave technology during the drying and heating of building materials. The experiments on the heating and drying of aerated concrete parts were divided into several phases, in which the dependence of the depth of heating on the time intervals of irradiation was verified. It was clearly concluded that the drying of this material by microwaves is very effective and efficient, particularly from time and financial viewpoints. Therefore, this technology can be successfully used in construction practice, which has started to be often used with reconstructions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kafr 'Aqab is an annexed neighborhood at the northern end of East Jerusalem, squeezed between Ramallah and the Wall. Many observers and journalists wrongly assume it is simply a congested suburb of Ramallah, usually regarded by passersby as a concrete jungle. The reality of Kafr 'Aqab is far more interesting and diverse. Upwards of 125,000 Palestinians of varying statuses and situations, call the neighborhood home. This essay explores some of the challenges faced by Kafr 'Aqab residents, through a story of a newlywed couple's search for an apartment to buy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, new steel material classes were added to the OpenSees 3.0.0 library to model their behavior within cold-formed profiles under high temperatures. The new material classes that were added are capable of modeling G-450 and G-550 grade galvanized steels under mechanical and thermal loads. Gypsum panel, a nonstructural material within walls, significantly contributed to the lateral resistance of cold-formed structures. For the first time, the relevant material class was added to OpenSees. First, heat transfer analysis was performed to determine the temperature distribution within different parts of the frame structure. Second, the structure was analyzed under gravity loads, followed by thermal loads. Results from the first step were applied to the structure, and a transient thermomechanical analysis was performed. The output of this analysis included the deformation and force of the members of the structure. The behavior of each new material class was compared with the experimental results to determine the accuracy of the developed OpenSees scripts. Moreover, the results related to modeling with this material class were compared with those of the material classes available in OpenSees. The results exhibited high accuracy with the new material class, and the difference in the results obtained with the current material classes in OpenSees was significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Connection details are critical for both seismic performance and constructability of underground precast concrete (PC) shear wall systems. Current traditional wall-to-wall shear connection details present considerable constructability issues. To address this issue, application of cast-in-place (CIP) connecting beams (i.e., cap and waling beams) at the top and midheight of a precast shear wall system was studied. Under the capacity design concept specified in current standards, three test specimens were designed and tested under the reversed cyclic loadings. Of the three, two employed CIP connecting beams. The third, which served as the reference specimen, adopted the traditional ductile connection detail of embedded wire loops. In addition, numerical simulations and corresponding reverse analyses were conducted to identify the effect of wall-to-wall shear connection details on seismic performance of the precast shear wall systems. Although excellent seismic performance can be achieved by using traditional shear connection, satisfactory seismic performance may also be achieved with proper integration of only CIP beams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the following article, we address the subject related to the poliorcetica of some of the main castles of the Region of Murcia, although the medieval period presents a wide arc; in this article we focus mainly on addressing the poliorcetica referring to the period between the last years of the Arab presence, until the end of the medieval period, with all the Christian kingdoms already fully established in the Peninsula. On this occasion, we will deal with general aspects of medieval poliorcetica before moving on to a detailed analysis of some of the most outstanding fortificaciones in the Region of Murcia.