Machine learning-based prediction of construction and demolition waste generation in developing countries: a case study.

Data is needed for making informed decisions regarding managing waste in the time of construction and demolition phases of buildings. However, data availability is very limited in most developing countries in the area of waste generation. The objective of this study is to employ an artificial intelligence (AI)-based approach to develop a reliable model for forecasting monthly construction and demolition waste (C&DW) generation in the case study of Tehran, Iran. We have trained different prediction models using various AI algorithms, including multilayer perceptron neural network, radial basis function neural network, support vector machines, and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). According to the findings, all employed AI algorithms demonstrated high prediction performance for C&DW forecasting models. The ANFIS model, with R2 = 0.96 and RMSE = 0.04209, was identified as the model that better represented the observed values of C&DW generation. The better efficiency of the ANFIS model could be due to its effective enhancement of neural networks to model subjective variables based on fuzzy logic capabilities. The developed prediction model can be employed as an efficient tool for policy and decision-making for C&DW management by predicting waste quantities in the future.

A comparative LCA of external wall assemblies in context of Iranian market: considering embodied and operational energy through BIM application.

Building envelopes have a critical role in the sustainability of the construction sector. The goals of the current research are assessing the environmental impacts of typical exterior wall assemblies and presenting the best Iranian market option through taking account of both embodied and operational energy. Autodesk Green Building Studio (GBS) is used to determine the operating loads of each wall. Simapro, a life cycle assessment software, is applied for managing data on environmental impacts. The derived results demonstrate that human health is the most severe damage category for all the analyzed walls. Also, the end-of-life stage's environmental impact is insignificant compared to the production and use stages. Reducing carbon emissions has the highest priority, such that replacing 1 m2 of masonry brick wall (the worst option) with prefabricated extruded polystyrene (XPS) drywall (the best option) can result in saving 1257.85 kgCO2eq. The operational phase of the studied walls has a wide range of environmental impacts. Prefabricated Knauf drywall as well as prefabricated XPS drywall consumes less energy for the operating phase mainly due to providing sufficient quantity of isolations that leads to the better total environmental performance. In conclusion, it should be noted that the thermal performance of building materials should be given more attention.

Introducing a flexible drug delivery system based on poly(glycerol sebacate)-urethane and its nanocomposite: potential application in the prevention and treatment of oral diseases.

In this study, a novel biopolymer based on poly(glycerol sebacic)-urethane (PGS-U) and its nanocomposites containing Cloisite@30B were synthesized by facile approach in which the crosslinking was created by aliphatic hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) at room temperature and 80 °C. Moreover, metronidazole and tetracycline drugs were selected as target drugs and loaded into PGSU based nanocomposites. A uniform and continuous microstructure with smooth surface is observed in the case of pristine PGS-U sample. The continuity of microstructure is observed in the case of all bionanocomposites. XRD result confirmed an intercalated morphology for PGSU containing 5 wt% of clay nanoparticles with a d-spacing 3.4 nm. The increment of nanoclay content up to 5%, the ultimate tensile stress and elastic modulus were obtained nearly 0.32 and 0.83 MPa, which the latter was more than eight-fold than that of pristine PGS-U. A sustained release for both dugs was observed by 200 h. The slowest and controlled drug release rate was determined in the case of PGSU containing 5 wt% clay and cured at 80 °C. A non-Fickian diffusion can be concluded in the case of tetracycline release via PGS-U/nanoclay bionanocomposites, while a Fickian process was detected in the case of metronidazole release by PGS-U/nanoclay bionanocomposites. As a result, the designed scaffold showed high flexibility, which makes it an appropriate option for utilization in the treatment of periodontal disease.

Discharge of lithium-ion batteries in salt solutions for safer storage, transport, and resource recovery.

The use of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has grown in recent years, making them a promising source of secondary raw materials due to their rich composition of valuable materials, such as Cobalt and Nickel. Recycling LIBs can help reduce fossil energy consumption, CO2 emissions, environmental pollution, and consumption of valuable materials with limited supplies. On the other hand, the hazards associated with spent LIBs recycling are mainly due to fires and explosions caused by unwanted short-circuiting. The high voltage and reactive components of end-of-life LIBs pose safety hazards during mechanical processing and crushing stages, as well as during storage and transportation. Electrochemical discharge using salt solutions is a simple, quick, and inexpensive way to eliminate such hazards. In this paper, three different salts (NaCl, Na2S, and MgSO4) from 12% to 20% concentration are investigated as possible candidates. The effectiveness of discharge was shown to be a function of molarity rather than ionic strength of the solution. Experiments also showed that the use of ultrasonic waves can dramatically improve the discharge process and reduce the required time more than 10-fold. This means that the drainage time was reduced from nearly 1 day to under 100 minutes. Finally, a practical setup in which the tips of the batteries are directly immersed inside the salt solution is proposed. This creative configuration can fully discharge the batteries in less than 5 minutes. Due to the fast discharge rates in this configuration, sedimentation and corrosion are also almost entirely avoided.

Challenges Faced by Nursing Students to Work with Nursing Personnel: A Qualitative Study.

PURPOSE: Nursing is a practice-based discipline. Clinical education is one of the most important parts of nursing education; nurses play an important role in the learning of nursing students. This study was carried out to unveil the challenges of nursing students' learning through working with nurses. METHODS: A qualitative design was used to conduct the study in city of Khalkhal, Ardabil province, Iran. In order to collect data through purposive sampling, twenty students were interviewed using in-depth semi-structured individual techniques. Data analysis was done using MAXODA 12. RESULTS: Challenges of nursing students' learning were generally categorized into three main themes including inappropriate social norms, inadequate organizational atmosphere, and inadequate resources. CONCLUSION: It seems that inappropriate organizational culture in the clinical setting and wrong distribution of resources will lead to disruption of student-nurse relationships and ultimately disruption of clinical education.

Inoculation and co-inoculation of alfalfa seedlings with root growth promoting microorganisms (Piriformospora indica, Glomus intraradices and Sinorhizobium meliloti) affect molecular structures, nutrient profiles and availability of hay for ruminants.

Inoculation of alfalfa seedlings with root growth promoting microorganisms under semi-arid climate condition may improve biomass production and nutritive value. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of inoculation of alfalfa seedlings with Piriformospora indica (Pi) and co-inoculating Pi with Glomus intraradices (Gi + Pi) or Sinorhizobium meliloti (Sm + Pi) on hay yield, chemical composition, molecular structures by Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, in situ ruminal degradability and in vitro gas production. Seedlings were grown in experimental pots in a greenhouse until first cut and then transferred outside and cut a further 4 times. Biomass yield was similar across the treatments. Acid detergent fiber (ADF) concentration was higher in Pi than in control hay, and ADF decreased further with co-inoculation (P < 0.05). The ether extract (EE) concentration was lower for Pi and Gi + Pi compared with control hay, and control, Pi and Gi + Pi hays had lower EE concentration compared with Sm + Pi (P < 0.05). The FTIR spectroscopic vibration peak height ratio related to proteins (amide 1 + amide 2): total carbohydrate ratio was lower for the inoculation treatments compared with control hay (P < 0.05). In situ ruminal degradability of dry matter and organic matter were higher for hay of inoculated and co-inoculated seedlings than for control hay (P < 0.05). In conclusion, hay of alfalfa seedlings inoculated and co-inoculated with root growth promoting microorganisms had improved nutritional value compared with hay from non-treated alfalfa seedlings, and co-inoculation was the most effective, however, changes were relatively minor.

Molecular Survey of Toxoplasma gondii in Sheep, Cattle and Meat Products in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari Province, Southwest of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide spread disease. The present study examined the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among animals of edible meat (cattle and sheep) in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari Province (Southwest of Iran) in 2012. Furthermore, we attempted for the first time to identify this parasite from the meat products in the province. METHODS: The tongue, brain, femur muscle and liver of 50 sheep and 70 cattle as well as 50 samples of meat products were selected and collected to perform molecular survey using Nested-PCR method. RESULTS: Of the studied sheep, 38% were infected. The infection rate in the age groups under 1 year, 1-2 years, and more than 2 years was 25%, 35.29% and 52.94%, respectively. The infection rate in femur muscle, brain, liver and tongue was 28%, 32%, 30% and 16%, respectively. Of the studied cattle, 8.57% were infected. The infection rate in the age groups 1-2 years, 2-4 years, and more than 4 years was 3.7%, 9.09% and 14.28%, respectively. Sheep was infected 6 times more than cattle (OR = 6.53 CI = 2.374-18.005).The infection rate among samples of meat products was 12% (6 samples out of 50 samples). CONCLUSION: Due to the high rate of this parasitic infection among the slaughtered animals as well as meat products in this region, the use of infected material can be one of the main risk factors of transmission of the parasite to humans.