The current study aimed to understand the condition of each stage of building construction, whether for existing or under-construction buildings, from design to execution, which is of paramount importance. Given the numerous damages that buildings and structures suffer as a result of errors and negligence, studying and documenting these structures in the form of practical guidelines, while considering their structural elements, facilitates their restoration. Studies of structures subjected to destructive events have shown that design and execution problems during construction often lead to damage ranging from minor to serious, even irreparable, damage. Concrete structures are no exception, as their numerous intricate and sensitive details make them highly susceptible to such defects. An experienced construction engineer identifies the most significant structural defects and then finds effective, traditional repair methods. Therefore, after identifying weaknesses in concrete buildings, this study aimed to explore the project engineer's role, from a construction management perspective, in providing practical, traditional solutions to strengthen these buildings. Based on the findings, the defects were grouped into separate sets, and statistical analysis determined the significance of each defect in contributing to the deterioration of concrete structures. Subsequently, a workflow algorithm was presented to improve and repair the damaged structure, and finally, the most important solutions for addressing these structures were presented.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of rehabilitation therapy is often based on patient outcomes and functional improvement over time. However, traditional approaches are subjective and heavily influenced by expert perspectives and perceptions, which can lead to inconsistencies in research. This study developed a motion measurement system that improves body positioning by using computer vision techniques to quantitatively assess elbow flexibility and range of motion during rehabilitation. The system uses a novel posture estimation model that analyses video input to identify key body points and match body position, providing smooth, real-time feedback. In addition, the system is designed to be easy to use and simple, so it can be implemented in both clinical settings and home-based rehabilitation programs. Data validation is carried out using a reference dataset that has previously been analyzed, with an absolute mean error of approximately 5.00 degrees and a correlation coefficient of approximately 0.95. The results show that this system can be used to maintain one's own behavior. This technology supports the rehabilitation process by providing clear data, helping medical professionals and health care providers better assess patient progress and make more appropriate decisions. In addition, this technology can improve tele-rehabilitation services, especially for patients who cannot access medical facilities. With that in mind, limitations such as model issues and video quality variations can affect the accuracy of body-position determination.
Octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) starch has the potential to be used as an egg yolk replacer (emulsifier) in low-fat spread formulations, a relatively unexplored application compared to its conventional use in mayonnaise and salad dressings. This study elucidates the novel functionality of OSA starch in low-fat spread systems, offering a potential alternative to conventional emulsifiers associated with allergenic concerns. OSA starch was partially substituted into low-fat spread formulations, and its effects on the physicochemical and functional properties of the spreads were investigated. Reducing egg yolk content from 4% to 1% significantly lowered the pH and increased the water content in spreads formulated with both OSA and native potato starch. The fat content of the spreads also decreased significantly with the incorporation of OSA starch. The yellowness of the starch-formulated spreads increased significantly with egg yolk concentrations. The microstructure of spreads formulated with OSA starch differed from that of spreads made with native potato starch; OSA starch granules exhibited enhanced interfacial activity, forming a more compact and continuous network along the water–oil interface. All spread samples exhibited solid-like, elastic gel characteristics and demonstrated non-Newtonian, shear-thinning, pseudoplastic behavior. Replacing egg yolk with 3% OSA starch did not significantly alter the stability, texture, or rheological properties of the spreads. The OSA spread containing 1% egg yolk (O1) had the softest texture, was the least adhesive, and required the lowest force to spread. Overall, these findings establish OSA starch as a promising emulsifier for low-fat spreads, extending its application beyond traditional emulsified systems.
Transportation Demand Omotenashi (TDO) is a transportation demand management approach that emphasizes the values of hospitality, familiarity, and warmth in urban mobility planning. This study aims to identify development priorities for the Tunjungan Corridor in Surabaya by applying the Omotenashi concept as a strategic effort to enhance both the area's identity and mobility quality. The study addresses the growing congestion and dominance of private vehicles, highlighting the need for transportation approaches that incorporate not only technical aspects but also socio-cultural values. The research employs Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA) with the spider web technique to assess and visualize eight sub-aspects across the three main components of TDO. Data collection was conducted through primary and secondary surveys, field observations, and structured questionnaires. The results indicate that the hospitality aspect is generally in the moderate-to-good range, particularly regarding pedestrian infrastructure and user satisfaction with public transportation services. However, the sub-aspect related to road service levels remains low due to high congestion during peak hours. The warmth aspect also performed well, supported by the presence of integrated physical, social, and historical attractions. In contrast, the familiarity aspect continues to pose challenges, particularly in on-street parking management. Priority development should focus on reducing traffic saturation by optimizing Park and Ride facilities and transitioning on-street parking to off-street. The findings highlight the importance of integrating social and cultural values in transport planning to create efficient, inclusive, and character-rich urban mobility systems.
In the field of orthopedics, the tightness of screws in bone fixation is generally unknown. Improper fixation may affect fracture healing. The purpose of this study was to determine the torsional and shear strengths during bone fixation and to analyze bone damage induced by torsional and shear loads. The method used in this study was experimental, consisting of torsion and shear tests. Two bone plates were joined using cortical screws of titanium alloy with a diameter of 4.5 mm. The torsion test of the bone joint was conducted using a torque wrench, while the shear test was performed by applying tensile force until bone damage occurred. The results showed that the torque generated in cortical screw fixation was 4.16 Nm, with no damage observed in the internal thread of the hole and a sufficiently tight contact between the screw head and the bone surface. In the shear test, the applied load was 1.96 MPa, under which no bone damage was observed, and the minimum shear displacement was 2 mm. Further testing indicated that at a maximum torque of 5.04 Nm and a maximum shear load of 2.45 MPa, bone damage occurred in the form of cracks, oval deformation of the screw hole, and fractures on the upper bone surface. Therefore, it can be concluded that the maximum allowable shear load in bone fixation is 1.96 MPa to avoid damage.
