Moisture-induced damage is one of the primary causes of premature distress in asphalt pavements, leading to reduced service life and increased maintenance costs. Although nanomaterials have shown potential in enhancing asphalt performance, the underlying composite interaction mechanisms among nanomaterials, asphalt binder, and aggregate phases under moisture exposure are still not fully understood. In addition, comparative evaluations under consistent experimental conditions remain limited. This study investigates the influence of five nanomaterials: nano-silica (NS), nano-alumina (NA), nano-titanium dioxide (NT), nano-zinc oxide (NZ), and carbon nanotubes (CNT) on the physical and mechanical properties of asphalt binders and mixtures, with particular emphasis on moisture damage resistance. The nanomaterials were incorporated at dosages of 1.5%, 3.0%, 4.5%, and 6.0% by binder weight. Binder performance was evaluated using conventional and performance grading (PG) tests, while mixture performance was assessed through Marshall properties and moisture susceptibility indicators, including the tensile strength ratio (TSR) and the index of retained strength (IRS). Fluorescence microscopy (FM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed to investigate nanomaterial dispersion characteristics, microstructural morphology, and physicochemical interactions within the asphalt composite system. The results indicate that nanomaterial modification reduced penetration and increased softening point and Marshall stability, reflecting enhanced stiffness and thermal resistance, although ductility decreased at higher dosages. Significant improvements in moisture resistance were observed, particularly under conditioned states. The TSR increased from 81.2% for the control mixture to 92.4% for NS and 91.7% for NA, while the IRS improved from 72.7% to 88.5% for NS. Statistical analysis indicated that both nanomaterial type and dosage significantly affected TSR and IRS performance, with dosage exhibiting comparatively greater influence on moisture resistance improvement. FM and SEM analyses revealed comparatively better dispersion and lower agglomeration tendency for NS and NA, which corresponded to their superior moisture resistance performance. FTIR analysis indicated that the modification process was predominantly physical, with no major formation of new chemical functional groups. Among the investigated nano materials, NS at 6% dosage exhibited the most pronounced improvement, followed by NA at similar dosage levels. Overall, the findings suggest that nanomaterial modification can considerably improve the moisture resistance and mechanical performance of asphalt mixtures under laboratory conditions. However, higher nanomaterial dosages may adversely affect binder workability due to increased viscosity, particularly in CNT-modified binders.
Background: Although various imaging modalities are available for evaluating suspicious breast lesions, ultrasound-based Shear-Wave Elastography (SWE) is an advanced, non-invasive technique complementary to grayscale sonography. This technique evaluates the elasticity of a specific tissue by applying sonic pressure to that tissue.
Objective: The aim is to assess the role of SWE in evaluating solid breast masses in correlation to histopathological study results.
Subjects and Methods: This prospective study was done in a tertiary care teaching hospital from September 2019 to August 2020. A study population of 50 women aged 18 years or above with an
... Show More5-((2,4-dibromo-6-((cyclohexyl(methyl)amino)methyl)phenyl)diazenyl)quinolin-8-ol azo ligand (L) has been synthesized through the reaction of diazonium salt for 2,4-dibromo-6-((cyclohexyl(methyl)amino)methyl)aniline with 8-hydroxyquinoline. The azo ligand (L) was characterized utilizing spectroscopic techniques, including FTIR, UV-Vis, 1H and 13C NMR, as well as mass spectrometry and micro-elemental analysis (C.H.N). Metal complexes containing Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) were synthesized and analyzed through mass spectrometry, flame atomic absorption, elemental analysis (C.H.N), infrared and UV-Vis spectroscopy, along with measurements of conductivity and magnetic properties. The experimental findings suggested that all met
... Show MoreFour Co(II), (C1); Ni(II), (C2); Cu(II), (C3) and Zn(II), (C4) chelates have been synthesized with 1-(4-((2-amino- 5‑methoxy)diazenyl)phenyl)ethanone ligand (L). The produced compounds have been identified by using spectral studies, elemental analysis (C.H.N.O), conductivity and magnetic properties. The produced metal chelates were studied using molar ratio as well as sequences contrast types. Rate of concentration (1 ×10 4 - 3 ×10 4 Mol/L) sequence Beer’s law. Compound solutions have been noticed height molar absorptivity. The free of ligand and metal chelates had been applied as disperse dyes on cotton fabrics. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of the produced compounds against various bacteria had been investigated. F
... Show MoreFour Co(II), (C1); Ni(II), (C2); Cu(II), (C3) and Zn(II), (C4) chelates have been synthesized with 1-(4-((2-amino- 5‑methoxy)diazenyl)phenyl)ethanone ligand (L). The produced compounds have been identified by using spectral studies, elemental analysis (C.H.N.O), conductivity and magnetic properties. The produced metal chelates were studied using molar ratio as well as sequences contrast types. Rate of concentration (1 ×10 4 - 3 ×10 4 Mol/L) sequence Beer’s law. Compound solutions have been noticed height molar absorptivity. The free of ligand and metal chelates had been applied as disperse dyes on cotton fabrics. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of the produced compounds against various bacteria had been investigated. F
... Show MoreThe study included the collection of samples of raw cow milk to isolate Leuconostoc bacteria, samples were sub cultured on De-Man Rogosa Sharpe-Vancomycin medium, the pure colonies were selected and subjected to the cultural and microscopically tests, according to that 25 cocci bacterial isolates were obtained, then isolates were subjected to biochemical tests. Result of tests showed that 12 isolates belong to the genus Leuconostoc out of 25 cocci bacterial isolates, Vitek2 system was used as a supplementary step. Results of final identification showed that 3 sub species were obtained included Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. cremoris 9 out of 12 isolates, while it was 2 isolates of Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. mesenteroides and one isol
... Show MoreWater samples were collected from output of water for Al-Wahda plant where located in al-karrada area in Baghdad city to study water contamination with bacteria, fungi and Algae. The study lasted one year started on August, 2016 to July,2017.Results were acquired according to two tests performed, the first is biological test included total coliform,E.coli, pseudomonas aeruginosa, total fungi, Diatom and non Diatom Algae and the second is physiochemical test included temperature, turbidity and residual chlorine. The results of bacteria were within the permitted specification in the Iraqi standards no. 14/2270 for the year 2015 except August was exceeded the permitted standard for total coliform, it was 1.1< cell/100 ml.Total Fungi, Dia
... Show MoreIn this paper, an algorithm for binary codebook design has been used in vector quantization technique, which is used to improve the acceptability of the absolute moment block truncation coding (AMBTC) method. Vector quantization (VQ) method is used to compress the bitmap (the output proposed from the first method (AMBTC)). In this paper, the binary codebook can be engender for many images depending on randomly chosen to the code vectors from a set of binary images vectors, and this codebook is then used to compress all bitmaps of these images. The chosen of the bitmap of image in order to compress it by using this codebook based on the criterion of the average bitmap replacement error (ABPRE). This paper is suitable to reduce bit rates
... Show MoreOrganophosphorus insecticide and growth regulator namely Ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid) are widely used as a ripening process accelerator and a cultivation duration inhibitor. Pomegranate extract (PPE) has recently been taken into consideration due to its pharmacological effects especially those associated with renal diseases. Thus, this study aims to investigate the possible protective effect of PPE against ethephon-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. In this study four groups of adult male rats were divided into control group, PPE 400 mg/kg group, Ethephon 250 mg/kg group, and finally, PPE + Ethephon group (treated with the same dose of PPE group and Ethephon group). In the current study, kidney function parameters (KIM-1, creatin
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