J. Renet, Lisa Leprêtre, J. Champagnon, P. Lambret
The estimation of demographic parameters in wild populations is strengthened by individual identification. For amphibians, various techniques are used to either temporarily or permanently mark individuals for identification. Photo-identification of body patterns offers a non-invasive technique. However, the reliability of photo-recognition software is key to the reliable estimation of the true demographic parameters. In the current study, we assessed the effectiveness of fully-automated and semi-automated software: Wild-ID and APHIS. We used the cryptic salamander Hydromantes strinatii as our study species. We used the False Rejection Rate (FRR) of Top 1, Top 5 and Top 10 matches of chest and cloaca pictures. Finally, we assessed the bias induced by our FRR for the estimation of population size through simulation. Wild-ID FRRs ranged from 0.042 to 0.093 while APHIS’ ranged from 0.227 to 0.547. Wild-ID was equally efficient with pictures from the chest and from the cloaca, while APHIS was significantly more efficient with chest pictures than cloaca pictures. Cropping pictures did not significantly improve Wild-ID effectiveness. Our Wild-ID FRRs are among the lowest ever obtained from pictures of an amphibian with a complex chromatophore pattern. Simulation showed that the Top 10 FRR from selected software Wild-ID induced a low bias 2.7% on the estimation of population size. The effectiveness and plasticity of Wild-ID provides opportunities for reliably monitoring amphibian species with complex colour patterns.
{"title":"Monitoring amphibian species with complex chromatophore patterns: a non-invasive approach with an evaluation of software effectiveness and reliability","authors":"J. Renet, Lisa Leprêtre, J. Champagnon, P. Lambret","doi":"10.33256/hj29.1.1322","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33256/hj29.1.1322","url":null,"abstract":"The estimation of demographic parameters in wild populations is strengthened by individual identification. For amphibians, various techniques are used to either temporarily or permanently mark individuals for identification. Photo-identification of body patterns offers a non-invasive technique. However, the reliability of photo-recognition software is key to the reliable estimation of the true demographic parameters. In the current study, we assessed the effectiveness of fully-automated and semi-automated software: Wild-ID and APHIS. We used the cryptic salamander Hydromantes strinatii as our study species. We used the False Rejection Rate (FRR) of Top 1, Top 5 and Top 10 matches of chest and cloaca pictures. Finally, we assessed the bias induced by our FRR for the estimation of population size through simulation. Wild-ID FRRs ranged from 0.042 to 0.093 while APHIS’ ranged from 0.227 to 0.547. Wild-ID was equally efficient with pictures from the chest and from the cloaca, while APHIS was significantly more efficient with chest pictures than cloaca pictures. Cropping pictures did not significantly improve Wild-ID effectiveness. Our Wild-ID FRRs are among the lowest ever obtained from pictures of an amphibian with a complex chromatophore pattern. Simulation showed that the Top 10 FRR from selected software Wild-ID induced a low bias 2.7% on the estimation of population size. The effectiveness and plasticity of Wild-ID provides opportunities for reliably monitoring amphibian species with complex colour patterns.","PeriodicalId":13063,"journal":{"name":"Hygeia J. D.Med.10 (1) August 2018 - January 2019","volume":"5 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87903325","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kraft lignin from bamboo was modified by grafting with acrylic acid to improve its capacity to adsorb aniline, a typical aromatic organic pollutant. Characterization of the copolymer structure and morphology indicated that lignin was successfully grafted by acrylic acid. Batch experiments showed that after graft copolymerization, the modified lignin had an enhanced aniline adsorption capacity (89.89 mg/g) as compared with the original lignin (6.61 mg/g). A kinetics study showed that the adsorption process followed pseudo-second-order kinetics, and the activation energy (Ea) was 10.22 kJ/mol. The equilibrium data were consistent with the Langmuir equation. The maximum monolayer capacity was 108.7 mg/g, which is higher than those of most reported lignin-based adsorbents. Thermodynamic values indicated that adsorption of aniline on the modified lignin is an exothermic process and spontaneous in nature due to the negative value of ΔH and ΔG. Consequently, graft copolymerization of acrylic acid on lignin appears to be a promising modification process to enhance the aniline adsorption capacity from aqueous solution.
{"title":"Graft copolymerization of acrylic acid on kraft lignin to enhance aniline adsorption from aqueous solution","authors":"Xinyi Jiang, Guanhua Wang, Qingjun Liu, C. Si","doi":"10.32964/TJ18.1.75","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32964/TJ18.1.75","url":null,"abstract":"Kraft lignin from bamboo was modified by grafting with acrylic acid to improve its capacity to adsorb aniline, a typical aromatic organic pollutant. Characterization of the copolymer structure and morphology indicated that lignin was successfully grafted by acrylic acid. Batch experiments showed that after graft copolymerization, the modified lignin had an enhanced aniline adsorption capacity (89.89 mg/g) as compared with the original lignin (6.61 mg/g). A kinetics study showed that the adsorption process followed pseudo-second-order kinetics, and the activation energy (Ea) was 10.22 kJ/mol. The equilibrium data were consistent with the Langmuir equation. The maximum monolayer capacity was 108.7 mg/g, which is higher than those of most reported lignin-based adsorbents. Thermodynamic values indicated that adsorption of aniline on the modified lignin is an exothermic process and spontaneous in nature due to the negative value of ΔH and ΔG. Consequently, graft copolymerization of acrylic acid on lignin appears to be a promising modification process to enhance the aniline adsorption capacity from aqueous solution.","PeriodicalId":13063,"journal":{"name":"Hygeia J. D.Med.10 (1) August 2018 - January 2019","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89612102","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. S. H. Yousefkhani, M. Aliabadian, E. Rastegar-Pouyani, J. Darvish
In this study, we present an integrative systematic revision of the spider gecko, Agamura senso lato, in Iran. We sampled 56 geckos of this complex from its distributional range in Iran and western Pakistan and sequenced these for two mitochondrial markers, cytochrome b and 12S ribosomal RNA, and one nuclear marker, melano-cortin 1 receptor. We combined our molecular data with species distribution modelling and morphological examinations to clarify Agamura persica systematics and biogeography. Due to a lack of published data, we used only our data to investigate the spatial and temporal origin of spider geckos within a complete geographic and phylogenetic context. The phylogenetic analyses confirm the monophyly of Agamura. Among spider geckos, Rhinogekko diverged around the early-mid Miocene (17 Mya) from the Lut Block, and then Cyrtopodion diverged from the Agamura clade about 15 Mya in the mid-Miocene as a result of the uplifting of the Zagros Mountains. Subsequent radiation across the Iranian Plateau took place during the mid-Pliocene. Agamura kermanensis exhibits deep divergence from two other species of Agamura (A. persica and A. cruralis), whereas no geographical substructure was observed on the Iranian Plateau for A. persica and A. cruralis. Our findings reveal that diversification is consistent with a biogeographical model explained by different dispersal waves and vicariant events on the Iranian Plateau during the last 18 Mya. The divergence times between clades are compatible with orogenic events in southern Iran that resulted from the collision with Arabia. According to the genetic differentiation of both mtDNA genes (12S and cytochrome b), the systematic status of A. cruralis is confirmed, the new clade was distinguished from the genus Agamura, monophyly of Rhinogekko was confirmed and the allocation of Cyrtopodion gastrophole to the Cyrtopodion clade was confirmed.
在这项研究中，我们提出了一个完整的系统修订的蜘蛛壁虎，Agamura senso lato，在伊朗。我们从其在伊朗和巴基斯坦西部的分布范围内取样了56只这种复合物的壁虎，并对它们进行了两种线粒体标记，细胞色素b和12S核糖体RNA，以及一种核标记，黑素皮质素1受体的测序。我们将分子数据与物种分布模型和形态学检查相结合，阐明了香树的系统学和生物地理学。由于缺乏已发表的数据，我们仅使用我们的数据在完整的地理和系统发育背景下调查蜘蛛壁虎的时空起源。系统发育分析证实了Agamura的单系性。在蜘蛛壁虎中，Rhinogekko大约在中新世早期中期(17m)从Lut块中分化出来，Cyrtopodion大约在中新世中期(15m)由于Zagros山脉的隆升而从Agamura分支中分化出来。随后的辐射穿过伊朗高原发生在上新世中期。阿卡穆拉kermanensis与另外两个阿卡穆拉种(A. persica和A. cruralis)存在较大的差异，而阿卡穆拉和阿卡穆拉在伊朗高原未发现地理亚结构。我们的研究结果表明，多样化与过去18亿年间伊朗高原不同扩散波和替代事件解释的生物地理模型是一致的。演化支之间的分化时间与伊朗南部与阿拉伯半岛碰撞所导致的造山事件相一致。根据mtDNA基因(12S和细胞色素b)的遗传分化，证实了A. cruralis的系统地位，从Agamura属中区分出新的分支，证实了Rhinogekko的单系性，并证实了Cyrtopodion gastrohole归属于Cyrtopodion分支。
{"title":"Taxonomic revision of the spider geckos of the genus gamura senso lato Blanford, 1874 (Sauria: Gekkonidae) in the Iranian Plateau","authors":"S. S. H. Yousefkhani, M. Aliabadian, E. Rastegar-Pouyani, J. Darvish","doi":"10.33256/hj29.1.112","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33256/hj29.1.112","url":null,"abstract":"In this study, we present an integrative systematic revision of the spider gecko, Agamura senso lato, in Iran. We sampled 56 geckos of this complex from its distributional range in Iran and western Pakistan and sequenced these for two mitochondrial markers, cytochrome b and 12S ribosomal RNA, and one nuclear marker, melano-cortin 1 receptor. We combined our molecular data with species distribution modelling and morphological examinations to clarify Agamura persica systematics and biogeography. Due to a lack of published data, we used only our data to investigate the spatial and temporal origin of spider geckos within a complete geographic and phylogenetic context. The phylogenetic analyses confirm the monophyly of Agamura. Among spider geckos, Rhinogekko diverged around the early-mid Miocene (17 Mya) from the Lut Block, and then Cyrtopodion diverged from the Agamura clade about 15 Mya in the mid-Miocene as a result of the uplifting of the Zagros Mountains. Subsequent radiation across the Iranian Plateau took place during the mid-Pliocene. Agamura kermanensis exhibits deep divergence from two other species of Agamura (A. persica and A. cruralis), whereas no geographical substructure was observed on the Iranian Plateau for A. persica and A. cruralis. Our findings reveal that diversification is consistent with a biogeographical model explained by different dispersal waves and vicariant events on the Iranian Plateau during the last 18 Mya. The divergence times between clades are compatible with orogenic events in southern Iran that resulted from the collision with Arabia. According to the genetic differentiation of both mtDNA genes (12S and cytochrome b), the systematic status of A. cruralis is confirmed, the new clade was distinguished from the genus Agamura, monophyly of Rhinogekko was confirmed and the allocation of Cyrtopodion gastrophole to the Cyrtopodion clade was confirmed.","PeriodicalId":13063,"journal":{"name":"Hygeia J. D.Med.10 (1) August 2018 - January 2019","volume":"14 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75970417","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The yellow spotted mountain newt (Neurergus derjugini) is a critically endangered species restricted to fragmented habitats in highland streams of the middle Zagros Mountain in Iran and Iraq. We examined the species phylogeography by investigating sequences of a mitochondrial fragment of the ND2 gene for 77 individuals from 15 locations throughout the species known distribution. We found relatively high haplotype diversity (0.82 ± 0.025) but low nucleotide diversity (0.0038 ± 0.00022) across all populations. Phylogenetic trees supported monophyly, and the segregation of haplotypes was concordant with the haplotype network. We found a significant correlation between geographical and genetic distances among populations (r = 0.54, P ˂ 0.01), suggesting restricted gene flow. Molecular dating suggested that haplogroups diverged during the early or middle Pleistocene. Bayesian skyline plot provided evidence for an expansion of populations during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition period. Taken together, isolation by distance due to low dispersal capability, habitat fragmentation, and historical factors have shaped the current population structure of N. derjugini.
{"title":"Population genetic structure of the endangered yellow spotted mountain newt (Neurergus derjugini: Amphibia, Caudata) inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences","authors":"T. Salehi, Vahid Akmali, M. Sharifi","doi":"10.33256/HJ29.1.3747","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33256/HJ29.1.3747","url":null,"abstract":"The yellow spotted mountain newt (Neurergus derjugini) is a critically endangered species restricted to fragmented habitats in highland streams of the middle Zagros Mountain in Iran and Iraq. We examined the species phylogeography by investigating sequences of a mitochondrial fragment of the ND2 gene for 77 individuals from 15 locations throughout the species known distribution. We found relatively high haplotype diversity (0.82 ± 0.025) but low nucleotide diversity (0.0038 ± 0.00022) across all populations. Phylogenetic trees supported monophyly, and the segregation of haplotypes was concordant with the haplotype network. We found a significant correlation between geographical and genetic distances among populations (r = 0.54, P ˂ 0.01), suggesting restricted gene flow. Molecular dating suggested that haplogroups diverged during the early or middle Pleistocene. Bayesian skyline plot provided evidence for an expansion of populations during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition period. Taken together, isolation by distance due to low dispersal capability, habitat fragmentation, and historical factors have shaped the current population structure of N. derjugini.","PeriodicalId":13063,"journal":{"name":"Hygeia J. D.Med.10 (1) August 2018 - January 2019","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73018506","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Cabrera, S. Carreira, Diego O Pietro, P. C. Rivera
Formerly Cnemidophorus was thought to be the most speciose genus of Teiidae. This genus comprised four morphological groups that were later defined as four different genera, Ameivula, Aurivela, Cnemidophorus and Contomastix. The last appears as paraphyletic in a recent phylogenetic reconstruction based on morphology, but monophyletic in a reconstruction using molecular characters. Six species are allocated to Contomastix. One of them, C. lacertoides, having an extensive and disjunct geographic distribution in Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. Preliminary analyses revealed morphological differences among its populations, suggesting that it is actually a complex of species. Here, we describe a new species corresponding to the Argentinian populations hitherto regarded as C. lacertoides, by integrating morphological and molecular evidence. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the presence of notched proximal margin of the tongue is a character that defines the genus Contomastix.
{"title":"A new species of Contomastix (Squamata, Teiidae) supported by total evidence, with remarks on diagnostic characters defining the genus","authors":"M. Cabrera, S. Carreira, Diego O Pietro, P. C. Rivera","doi":"10.33256/hj29.1.2336","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33256/hj29.1.2336","url":null,"abstract":"Formerly Cnemidophorus was thought to be the most speciose genus of Teiidae. This genus comprised four morphological groups that were later defined as four different genera, Ameivula, Aurivela, Cnemidophorus and Contomastix. The last appears as paraphyletic in a recent phylogenetic reconstruction based on morphology, but monophyletic in a reconstruction using molecular characters. Six species are allocated to Contomastix. One of them, C. lacertoides, having an extensive and disjunct geographic distribution in Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. Preliminary analyses revealed morphological differences among its populations, suggesting that it is actually a complex of species. Here, we describe a new species corresponding to the Argentinian populations hitherto regarded as C. lacertoides, by integrating morphological and molecular evidence. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the presence of notched proximal margin of the tongue is a character that defines the genus Contomastix.","PeriodicalId":13063,"journal":{"name":"Hygeia J. D.Med.10 (1) August 2018 - January 2019","volume":"95 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83693510","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-01-01DOI: 10.22581/muet1982.1901.16
M. Ahmed, S. S. Zaidi
The intent of study is to establish a criterion for the experimental setup of rasterstereography, one that is more efficient, simple, accurate and precise to examine and analyse the curvature of the object or the subject. Firstly, the setup is needed to be calibrated and for this purpose we considered a reference plane, eleven cylinders of different diameter ranging from 30-119mm were used for calibration of curvature maps of cylinders and cylindrical objects through the regression line. Further this model was tested on subjects and for that we reckoned cylindrical body parts of boys and a total of 30 college students were involved as subjects in this process. The body parts to be measured had curvature like cylinders of different diameters ranging from 42-120mm. The distortion of raster grid was observed, quantified and recorded with the help of different tools and results were established. The regression line was obtained between the measured (x) and computed (y). The standard error of the cylindrical object was 0..04 and that of cylindrical body parts of subjects was 0.0407. This technique was validated through the coefficient of correlation for objects and subjects which was found to be 0.99982 and 0.999141 respectively. Accuracy and Precision were also calculated for this model, which were 99.60% accurate and 99.49% precise. Curvature maps were found more than 99%. This technique is inexpensive, reliable, reproducible and may be installed easily in hospitals to examine appraise body shape, composition and deformities of young men.
{"title":"Calibration and Validation of an Experimental Setup for the Measurement of the Cylindrical Body Shapes and Curvatures of the Objects and Subjects through the Techniques of Rasterstereography","authors":"M. Ahmed, S. S. Zaidi","doi":"10.22581/muet1982.1901.16","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22581/muet1982.1901.16","url":null,"abstract":"The intent of study is to establish a criterion for the experimental setup of rasterstereography, one that is more efficient, simple, accurate and precise to examine and analyse the curvature of the object or the subject. Firstly, the setup is needed to be calibrated and for this purpose we considered a reference plane, eleven cylinders of different diameter ranging from 30-119mm were used for calibration of curvature maps of cylinders and cylindrical objects through the regression line. Further this model was tested on subjects and for that we reckoned cylindrical body parts of boys and a total of 30 college students were involved as subjects in this process. The body parts to be measured had curvature like cylinders of different diameters ranging from 42-120mm. The distortion of raster grid was observed, quantified and recorded with the help of different tools and results were established. The regression line was obtained between the measured (x) and computed (y). The standard error of the cylindrical object was 0..04 and that of cylindrical body parts of subjects was 0.0407. This technique was validated through the coefficient of correlation for objects and subjects which was found to be 0.99982 and 0.999141 respectively. Accuracy and Precision were also calculated for this model, which were 99.60% accurate and 99.49% precise. Curvature maps were found more than 99%. This technique is inexpensive, reliable, reproducible and may be installed easily in hospitals to examine appraise body shape, composition and deformities of young men.","PeriodicalId":13063,"journal":{"name":"Hygeia J. D.Med.10 (1) August 2018 - January 2019","volume":"35 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85230222","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
E. Gardner, Angela Julian, Christopler S Monk, John M. R. Baker
Concern has been growing about the status of UK adder populations, with expert opinion reporting widespread declines. Assessing the true scale of these declines, however, has been hampered by a lack of quantitative data. Make the Adder Count began in 2005 as a national surveillance programme collecting standardised counts of adders lying-out after emerging from hibernation. 260 sites have contributed data, confirming a significant decline, on average, across sites with small populations, while the few with large populations (<10 % of sites) are weakly increasing. If these trends continue, within 15‒20 years, adders will be restricted to a few large population sites, significantly increasing the extinction risk for this priority species in the UK. Public pressure/disturbance was reported as the most frequent negative factor affecting sites, followed by habitat management and habitat fragmentation. Negative impacts from habitat management were reported almost as frequently as positive impacts, suggesting many management plans do not adequately consider the requirements of adders. The dataset also demonstrated earlier emergence among males, in warmer springs and at more northerly sites.
{"title":"Make the Adder Count: population trends from a citizen science survey of UK adders","authors":"E. Gardner, Angela Julian, Christopler S Monk, John M. R. Baker","doi":"10.33256/HJ29.1.5770","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33256/HJ29.1.5770","url":null,"abstract":"Concern has been growing about the status of UK adder populations, with expert opinion reporting widespread declines. Assessing the true scale of these declines, however, has been hampered by a lack of quantitative data. Make the Adder Count began in 2005 as a national surveillance programme collecting standardised counts of adders lying-out after emerging from hibernation. 260 sites have contributed data, confirming a significant decline, on average, across sites with small populations, while the few with large populations (<10 % of sites) are weakly increasing. If these trends continue, within 15‒20 years, adders will be restricted to a few large population sites, significantly increasing the extinction risk for this priority species in the UK. Public pressure/disturbance was reported as the most frequent negative factor affecting sites, followed by habitat management and habitat fragmentation. Negative impacts from habitat management were reported almost as frequently as positive impacts, suggesting many management plans do not adequately consider the requirements of adders. The dataset also demonstrated earlier emergence among males, in warmer springs and at more northerly sites.","PeriodicalId":13063,"journal":{"name":"Hygeia J. D.Med.10 (1) August 2018 - January 2019","volume":"52 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88949833","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-01-01DOI: 10.22581/muet1982.1901.06
A. H. Khan, A. Imran, M. Hussain
Achieving and maintaining quality values are indispensable for attaining organizational and customer satisfaction. This research investigates different aspects of operationalize quality culture and factors affecting the quality of building construction in under developed countries like Pakistan. A qualitative and quantitative survey was circulated among different stakeholders including Clients, Consultants and Contractors to assess the level of the contractor’s performance, the project monitoring and controlling techniques, proper health and safety requirements, client satisfaction and workers experience in construction industry projects. The practice of professional quality management in building projects is increasing, however, many flaws and negligence are still found in local practices. This analysis also indicates that political and socio-economic factors play a significant role in maintaining the quality level in local industry. Therefore, the allocation of sufficient resources, proper training of workers, and recruitment of quality control staff and the use of advanced technologies are recommended for proper implementation of QMS (Quality Management System).
{"title":"Evaluation of Quality during Construction Projects: A Case Study of Pakistan","authors":"A. H. Khan, A. Imran, M. Hussain","doi":"10.22581/muet1982.1901.06","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22581/muet1982.1901.06","url":null,"abstract":"Achieving and maintaining quality values are indispensable for attaining organizational and customer satisfaction. This research investigates different aspects of operationalize quality culture and factors affecting the quality of building construction in under developed countries like Pakistan. A qualitative and quantitative survey was circulated among different stakeholders including Clients, Consultants and Contractors to assess the level of the contractor’s performance, the project monitoring and controlling techniques, proper health and safety requirements, client satisfaction and workers experience in construction industry projects. The practice of professional quality management in building projects is increasing, however, many flaws and negligence are still found in local practices. This analysis also indicates that political and socio-economic factors play a significant role in maintaining the quality level in local industry. Therefore, the allocation of sufficient resources, proper training of workers, and recruitment of quality control staff and the use of advanced technologies are recommended for proper implementation of QMS (Quality Management System).","PeriodicalId":13063,"journal":{"name":"Hygeia J. D.Med.10 (1) August 2018 - January 2019","volume":"52 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89186758","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-01-01DOI: 10.22581/muet1982.1901.19
B. Hasan, Kamran Raza
Slotted circular printed layered patch antenna is designed, simulated and fabricated for 5G (Fifth Generation) wireless communication applications. The antenna consists of slots in the main radiating circular patch element for miniaturizing the size of the radiating element and providing dual band radiation characteristics. The feed line is separated on bottom substrate layer with EBG (Electromagnetic Band-Gap) embedded for enhancing the gain characteristics of the antenna. Superstrate layer is also used for improving the gain of the antenna where the distance from the radiating antenna element is optimized for maximizing the impedance bandwidth and radiation characteristics. The feed realization and impedance matching of the radiating slotted circular patch antenna is done by inducing slot at the middle ground plane of the slot embedded circular patch antenna system. The proposed configuration provides power radiation gain values of more than 5 dB for the Ka band of communications, whereas the impedance bandwidth of the antenna is verified for the dual resonances at 27.5 and 28.5 GHz. Dual band radiation characteristics are attained by embedding and optimizing the slot length and width in the circular patch radiator element that is placed on the upper face of the substrate RT Rogers Duroid 5880 layer. The length of the microstrip feed line embedded in the lower layer of the substrate is optimized for providing required bandwidth characteristics for the dual frequency point radiations. The antenna configuration is designed, modeled and simulated in CST (Central Standard Time) Microwave studio. The antenna is fabricated and measured vs simulated frequency response, gain patterns and current density plots are presented for the verification of antenna operation in the desired frequency bands.
{"title":"Dual Band Slotted Printed Circular Patch Antenna With Superstrate and EBG Structure for 5G Applications","authors":"B. Hasan, Kamran Raza","doi":"10.22581/muet1982.1901.19","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22581/muet1982.1901.19","url":null,"abstract":"Slotted circular printed layered patch antenna is designed, simulated and fabricated for 5G (Fifth Generation) wireless communication applications. The antenna consists of slots in the main radiating circular patch element for miniaturizing the size of the radiating element and providing dual band radiation characteristics. The feed line is separated on bottom substrate layer with EBG (Electromagnetic Band-Gap) embedded for enhancing the gain characteristics of the antenna. Superstrate layer is also used for improving the gain of the antenna where the distance from the radiating antenna element is optimized for maximizing the impedance bandwidth and radiation characteristics. The feed realization and impedance matching of the radiating slotted circular patch antenna is done by inducing slot at the middle ground plane of the slot embedded circular patch antenna system. The proposed configuration provides power radiation gain values of more than 5 dB for the Ka band of communications, whereas the impedance bandwidth of the antenna is verified for the dual resonances at 27.5 and 28.5 GHz. Dual band radiation characteristics are attained by embedding and optimizing the slot length and width in the circular patch radiator element that is placed on the upper face of the substrate RT Rogers Duroid 5880 layer. The length of the microstrip feed line embedded in the lower layer of the substrate is optimized for providing required bandwidth characteristics for the dual frequency point radiations. The antenna configuration is designed, modeled and simulated in CST (Central Standard Time) Microwave studio. The antenna is fabricated and measured vs simulated frequency response, gain patterns and current density plots are presented for the verification of antenna operation in the desired frequency bands.","PeriodicalId":13063,"journal":{"name":"Hygeia J. D.Med.10 (1) August 2018 - January 2019","volume":"33 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73902629","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-01-01DOI: 10.22581/muet1982.1901.07
S. Mehmood, F. Butt
This study investigated the effects of steel fibers on the fresh and hardened properties, and heat of hydration of concrete containing FA (Fly Ash). A total of 192 samples were cast comprising cubes, cylinders, and prisms, for six concrete mixes with varying contents of steel fibers by volume and a fixed content of FA i.e. 15% by weight of cement. The semi adiabatic setup was used to monitor temperature rise due to the heat of hydration in the concrete mixes for fourteen days. The use of FA increased workability, and decreased early compressive strength, tensile strength and heat of hydration of concrete. However, an increase in the compressive strength of FA concrete was observed by the addition of steel fibers up to 0.9% whereas a consistent increase in the splitting tensile strength and modulus of rupture was observed with the addition of the steel fibers from 0.4-1.8%. Further the test results showed that increasing steel fibers content decrease the evolution of heat due to hydration. It was concluded that the FA concrete with steel fibers can be used in precast industry and mass construction projects due to the improved mechanical properties and lower heat of hydration.
{"title":"Effect of Steel Fibers on Heat of Hydration and Mechanical Properties of Concrete Containing Fly Ash","authors":"S. Mehmood, F. Butt","doi":"10.22581/muet1982.1901.07","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22581/muet1982.1901.07","url":null,"abstract":"This study investigated the effects of steel fibers on the fresh and hardened properties, and heat of hydration of concrete containing FA (Fly Ash). A total of 192 samples were cast comprising cubes, cylinders, and prisms, for six concrete mixes with varying contents of steel fibers by volume and a fixed content of FA i.e. 15% by weight of cement. The semi adiabatic setup was used to monitor temperature rise due to the heat of hydration in the concrete mixes for fourteen days. The use of FA increased workability, and decreased early compressive strength, tensile strength and heat of hydration of concrete. However, an increase in the compressive strength of FA concrete was observed by the addition of steel fibers up to 0.9% whereas a consistent increase in the splitting tensile strength and modulus of rupture was observed with the addition of the steel fibers from 0.4-1.8%. Further the test results showed that increasing steel fibers content decrease the evolution of heat due to hydration. It was concluded that the FA concrete with steel fibers can be used in precast industry and mass construction projects due to the improved mechanical properties and lower heat of hydration.","PeriodicalId":13063,"journal":{"name":"Hygeia J. D.Med.10 (1) August 2018 - January 2019","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84685976","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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