The durability of asphalt concrete is highly dependent on the geometry and mineralogy of coarse aggregates, yet their combined influence on mechanical and moisture resistance properties is still not fully understood. This study evaluates the effects of coarse aggregate geometry, specifically flat and elongated particle ratios and angularity, as well as mineral composition (quartz versus calcite), on asphalt mixture durability. The durability of mixtures was evaluated through Marshall properties as well as moisture susceptibility indicators, including the tensile strength ratio (TSR) and index of retained strength (IRS). Statistical analyses (ANOVA and t-tests) were also conducted to confirm the significance of the observed effects. Results showed that mixtures containing higher proportions of flat and elongated particles exhibited greater void content, reduced stability, and weaker moisture resistance, with the 1:5 flat-to-elongated ratio showing the most adverse impact (TSR 73.9%, IRS 69.2%). Conversely, increasing coarse aggregate angularity (CAA) enhanced mixture performance, with TSR values rising from 63.5% at 0% angularity to 81.2% at 100% angularity, accompanied by corresponding improvements in IRS. Mineral composition analysis further demonstrated that calcite-based aggregates achieved stronger bonding with asphalt binder and superior resistance to stripping compared to quartz-based ones. These findings confirm that aggregate geometry and mineralogy exert a decisive influence on asphalt mixture durability. They also highlight the need to revise current specifications that permit the use of uncrushed coarse aggregate in asphalt base courses, particularly when such layers may serve as surface courses in suburban or low-volume roads, where long-term resistance to moisture damage is critical.
Influence of metal nanoparticles synthesized by microorganisms upon soil-borne microscopic fungus Aspergillus terreus K-8 was studied. It was established that the metal nanoparticles synthesized by microorganisms affect the enzymatic activity of the studied culture. Silver nanoparticles lead to a decrease in cellulase activity and completely suppress the amylase activity of the fungus, while copper nanoparticles completely inhibit the activity of both the cellulase complex and amylase. The obtained results imply that the large-scale use of silver and copper nanoparticles may disrupt biological processes in the soil and cause change in the physiological and biochemical state of soil-borne microorganisms as well.
The food web is a crucial conceptual tool for understanding the dynamics of energy transfer in an ecosystem, as well as the feeding relationships among species within a community. It also reveals species interactions and community structure. As a result, an ecological food web system with two predators competing for prey while experiencing fear was developed and studied. The properties of the solution of the system were determined, and all potential equilibrium points were identified. The dynamic behavior in their immediate surroundings was examined both locally and globally. The system’s persistence demands were calculated, and all conceivable forms of local bifurcations were investigated. With the aid of MATLAB, a numerical simu
... Show MoreAeromonas hydrophila have been isolated as a cause of a cute gastroenteritis in 23 (5.6%) of 410 patients. Other bacterial enteropathogens have been isolated from 387 patients with diarrhea, were 19 different strains. A. hydrophila occurred more commonly in children with acute diarrhea, the results showed that 18(78.26%) isolates of A. hydrophila found in children under 10 years old ,distributed to 10(43.47%) in male and 8(34.78%) in female ,and in adults with diarrhea 5 (21.73%). In the other hand, we noticed frequency of isolation was higher in male 14(60.86%) when compared with 9(39.14%) in female. Six strains of A. hydrophila have been observed to have bacteriocin activity against 12 of 23 different A. hydrophila ,as well as Staphy
... Show MoreA polycrystalline CdTefilms have been prepared by thermal evaporation technique on glass substrate at room temperature. The films thickness was about700±50 nm. Some of these films were annealed at 573 K for different duration times (60, 120 and 180 minutes), and other CdTe films followed by a layer of CdCl2 which has been deposited on them, and then the prepared CdTe films with CdCl2 layer have been annealed for the same conditions. The structures of CdTe films without and with CdCl2 layer have been investigated by X-ray diffraction. The as prepared and annealed films without and with CdCl2 layer were polycrystalline structure with preferred orientation at (111) plane. The better structural pr
... Show MoreThe main target of the current study is to investigate the microbial content and mineral contaminants of the imported meat available in the city of Baghdad and to ensure that it is free from harmful bacteria, safe and it compliances with the Iraqi standard specifications. Some trace mineral elements such as (Iron, Copper, Lead, and Cadmium) were also estimated, where 10 brands of these meats were collected. Bacteriological tests were carried out which included (total bacterial count,
The filler in the asphalt mixture is essential since it plays a significant role in toughening and stiffening the asphalt. Changes in filler type can lead the asphalt mixtures to perform satisfactorily during their design life or degrade rapidly when traffic and environmental effects are considered. This study aims to assess the impact of filler types such as limestone dust (LS) and hydrated lime (HL) on Marshall characteristics and moisture damage in asphalt mixtures. Three different percentages of HL were employed in this study to partially replace the LS mineral filler: 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5% by aggregate weight. Furthermore, a control mixture was created with 7% LS by overall aggregate weight for the wearing course layer. The Marsha
... Show MoreThis work aimed to use effective, low-cost, available, and natural adsorbents like eggshells for removal of hazardous organic dye result from widely number of industries and study the influence of different eggshell particle size (75, 150) Mm. The adsorbent was characterized by SEM, EDX, BET and FTIR . The initial pH of dye solutions varying from 4 to 10 , the initial concentrations of methyl violet (MV) 2B range (20-80) mg/L, dosage range (0.5-10) g, contact time (30-180) min, and particles size of the adsorbent (75, 150) Mm were selected to be studied. Two adsorption isotherms models have been used to fit the experimental data. Langmuir and Freunlich models were found to more represent the experiments with high
... Show MoreA new tool geometry was used to achieve friction stir spot welding (FSSW) in which the shoulder was designed separately from the rotating pin, and in order to examine weldment strength through the modified tool, a lap joints of AA2024 aluminum alloy plate 1 mm thick were welded successfully by using 6 mm pin diameter and varying process parameters (rotational speeds, tool nose geometry, and depth of tool penetration in the lower welded plate). Experimental tests indicate that the maximum average tensile shear load was 3100 N at the best selected condition. Microstructure examination and micro hardness test along the spot zones were investigated as well as measuring pin penetration load. Visual inspection of the welded spot surface shows a g
... Show MoreDue to economic reasons or need for environmental conservatism or also preserve the natural resources; there has been an increasing shift towards the use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) materials in the pavement construction industry. Therefore, use the Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) has been enormously increased in pavement construction and has been become common practice in many countries. Nevertheless, this is a relatively new concept in Iraq, and has to be remarked that is not used RAP in the production of HMA and this valuable material is mostly degraded. For this purpose, the reclaimed materials were collected from deteriorated pavement segments. The components of asphalt mixtures consist of: two asphalt penetration grades (40-5
... Show MoreProcessed and red The Western diet, a modern dietary pattern, typically consists of meat, sugar-filled beverages, candies, chocolates, fried foods, prefabricated meals, refined cereals, conventionally produced animal products, high-fat dairy products, and high-fructose items. The goal of this review is to outline how the Western pattern diet affects gut microbiota and mitochondrial fitness, as well as metabolism, inflammation, and antioxidant status. Cancer, mental health, and cardiovascular health; We offer a thorough analysis of how the westernized diet and related nutrients affect immune cell responses as well as the hygienic costs of the Western diet. A consensus critical evaluation utilizing primary sources, including scientifi
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