Structural Components Research Articles

MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE IN GERMANY: PRACTICE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR UKRAINE

Establishing a municipal governance system is a long process focused on selecting the best practices that have proven to be effective and efficient. One of the methods is the transit of elements of municipal systems borrowed from other countries. The experience of ensuring democratic participation of the community formed in Germany is of interest. The purpose of the article is to identify the components of the German model of municipal governance that can be used by Ukraine to improve the efficiency of the national system of local self-government and bring it closer to EU standards. The elements of the comparative analysis in the article are the analysis of the institutional model of municipal governance and its state and political basis; determination of the specifics of the distribution of powers between the state and local governments and the nature of community participation in local self-government; characterization of the system of financial guarantees and the budget system; determination of the principles of cooperation and coordination of municipalities. The article uses the methodology of comparative analysis based on the identification and analysis of the legal, structural, organizational, political and economic components of municipal governance in Ukraine and Germany.

Methodological Aspects of Elaborating Marketing Strategy of Innovation Bank Products and Services

Today the key factor of influencing banking sector is the development of information systems and overall strategy of economy digitalization as its consequence. On today’s competitive banking market we can observe the necessity to elaborate and promote approaches to banking product and service marketing that are meant to provide finance stability of banking business and orientation of marketing innovation bank functioning not only to their opportunities but also to market needs. In spite of a big number of publications dealing with this issue, academic research should be developed further. In research by Russian scientists there are actually no developments dealing with the problem of finding structural components for elaborating marketing strategy of banking products and services. Insufficient attention was paid to approaches of defining the essence of banking product and service marketing. The problem of assessing the level of the impact of banking innovation marketing on competitive positions and finance stability of banks has not been settled yet. The article showed components necessary to elaborate strategy of banking product and service marketing, among which the author underlined their characteristics depending on the model of commercialization, sub-system of their implementation process and interconnection between the chosen marketing strategy and classification features of banking innovation. The author designed a structural and logical scheme of elaborating strategy of baking product and servicer marketing and formulated its definition.

Methodological Aspects of Elaborating Marketing Strategy of Innovation Bank Products and Services

Today the key factor of influencing banking sector is the development of information systems and overall strategy of economy digitalization as its consequence. On today’s competitive banking market we can observe the necessity to elaborate and promote approaches to banking product and service marketing that are meant to provide finance stability of banking business and orientation of marketing innovation bank functioning not only to their opportunities but also to market needs. In spite of a big number of publications dealing with this issue, academic research should be developed further. In research by Russian scientists there are actually no developments dealing with the problem of finding structural components for elaborating marketing strategy of banking products and services. Insufficient attention was paid to approaches of defining the essence of banking product and service marketing. The problem of assessing the level of the impact of banking innovation marketing on competitive positions and finance stability of banks has not been settled yet. The article showed components necessary to elaborate strategy of banking product and service marketing, among which the author underlined their characteristics depending on the model of commercialization, sub-system of their implementation process and interconnection between the chosen marketing strategy and classification features of banking innovation. The author designed a structural and logical scheme of elaborating strategy of baking product and servicer marketing and formulated its definition.

Bending behaviour of surface corroded and perforated corroded steel tubes repaired by laser cladding additive manufacturing

In recent years, laser cladding (LC) technology has been increasingly applied and investigated for repairing damaged surface on metal structural components. However, there are limited experimental studies on the bending behaviour of the LC repaired steel components. And an effective repair method for the perforated corroded steel components is still lacking, therefore, this paper introduces a novel LC repair method for such steel tube. Four-point bending tests were conducted on four specimens, including one intact steel tube (IT), one surface corroded steel tube (SCT), one surface corroded steel tube repaired by LC (SRT), and one perforated corroded steel tube repaired by LC (PRT) to verify the effectiveness of the LC repair methods by evaluating their structural performance in terms of bending capacity, rotational stiffness, and ductility. The experimental results showed that the bending strength and rotational stiffness of the SRT and PRT can be fully restored and even slightly higher than those of the IT. The strain analysis indicated that the LC repair method can significantly reduce stress/strain concentration caused by surface corrosion and perforation corrosion. The experiments were replicated numerically by means of finite element (FE) analysis and parametric studies were performed to investigate the effect of different factors on the bending behaviour of the PRT and SRT. Furthermore, design formula for predicting the elastic bending capacity of the LC repaired steel tube was developed.

DEVELOPING SPECIALIZED SOFTWARE FOR PROGRESSIVE COLLAPSE ANALYSIS OF PLANE FRAME STRUCTURES USING THE PLASTIC DAMAGE INDEX

In this study, the authors developed software named Sonar to analyze the progressive collapse of structural elements. This software is capable of assessing the level of damage to each structural component and automatically updating the structural model for subsequent analyses. The software features a user-friendly interface, intuitive graphics, easy input of parameters, and presents computational results in 2D graphics. Through the use of the developed software, damaged structures were analyzed and studied to conclude that considering the progressive collapse of elements based on the plastic damage index serves as a basis for investigating specific design problems to propose more optimal design solutions.

A model for developing the readiness of future teachers to design a psychologically safe environment

During the period of paradigmatic changes in the life of society, there is a growing trend of uncertainty, which determines emotional tension, increased levels of aggression and anxiety. The dynamism and transitivity of social processes determine the choice of strategy for social behavior and human development in situations of unpredictability and complexity. In these conditions, the problem of creating psychologically comfortable conditions for the comprehensive development of an individual, his/her security in the process of interaction between subjects of the educational process, which requires teachers to be prepared to design and create a psychologically safe educational environment, acquires special significance. In this regard, the research problem lies in the scientific substantiation and practical development of a model for developing the readiness of future teachers to design a psychologically safe environment. The goal of the research is to develop a model for developing the readiness of future teachers to design a psychologically safe environment. The methodological basis of the research is represented by a set of methods of analysis, modeling, design, and experiment.The results of the research: various approaches to the content of a future teacher’s readiness to design a psychologically safe educational environment have been analyzed; the structural components of readiness have been identified, the criteria and indicators of its formation have been determined. A model has been designed for developing the readiness of a future teacher to design a psychologically safe educational environment.Key conclusions: the relevance of the problem of developing readiness to design a psychologically safe environment in the process of professional training of future teachers is due to modern social transformations; The model for the formation of readiness is a set of target, content-procedural, technological and evaluative-reflective components, focused on the formation of motivation in teaching activities, improving the design competence of future teachers, and developing personal and professional qualities of future teachers.

End-of-Life (EoL) Management in Multi-Storey Building Structures Using Design for Deconstruction Approach: A Review

In structural design, deconstruction is an age-old concept of reusing existing structural components to create new facilities. It is an alternative to the negative impact of construction and demolition waste around the world, essential for creating a sustainable environment. This study shows the potential of responsibly managing building materials to minimize the consumption of new raw materials by using existing materials from demolished sites and finding ways to reuse them in another construction project. A comprehensive review is presented to indicate the utilization of design for deconstruction in multi-story structures, and the challenges and other factors influencing this approach in minimizing waste are likewise indicated. The result reveals that despite efforts in mitigating demolition waste through deconstruction, there has not been a progressive increase in the level of design for deconstruction implementation because the system is still far from reaching its waste minimization potentials since less than 1% of existing buildings are fully deconstructable in several developing countries. Therefore, new strategies that encourage designers to consider design for deconstruction must be encouraged most importantly in developing countries.

High cycle fatigue life analysis of unidirectional flax/PLA composites through infrared thermography

The durability of structural components under fatigue loading is a huge concern, especially in laminated composites. During the last few years, flax fibers have also gained an outstanding position as a reinforcement of biopolymeric matrices as polylactic acid (PLA). However, there is limited reported information regarding the fatigue behavior of unidirectional flax/PLA composites. Therefore, fatigue properties of unidirectional flax/PLA composites are evaluated in this work; tools such as infrared thermography and dissipated energy were used in order to establish the fatigue limit, and fracture surface was analyzed. Results show consistent and reliable tensile properties (σut = 234.4 MPa, E = 20.56 GPa, and εf = 0.0181). The fatigue stress-cycle curve was established and fitted to the Basquin and Weibull fatigue models and the fatigue limit (σ∞) was obtained as 0.4343 and 0.426 using the thermography and dissipated energy, respectively. Furthermore, the fatigue fracture surface presents a striation on the matrix due to the progressive crack propagation.

TRC truss – Proof of concept by experimental investigation

The study develops textile-reinforced concrete (TRC) trusses, reinforced with 3D textiles. It is argued that, by taking advantage of textiles’ ability to conform to complex shapes and their corrosion resistance, TRC truss structures enable a substantial reduction in material and weight through efficient load transfer mechanisms. An experimental investigation explores the design methodology and manufacturing possibilities, as well as the macro-structural response and the cracking and failure mechanisms under flexural loading. Additionally, the study investigates the effects of various reinforcement layouts associated with different anchoring feasibilities and reinforcement ratios on the structural performance.It was found that TRC trusses maintain their structural performance compared to full cross-sectional rectangular TRC beams while achieving significant material savings and weight reduction (about 50 %). It was also found that effective anchoring is a dominant parameter governing structural response. Results from this study highlight the high potential of TRC trusses as a sustainable alternative for structural components.

Hollow Nanoreactors Unlock New Possibilities for Persulfate-Based Advanced Oxidation Processes.

As a novel type of catalytic material, hollow nanoreactors are expected to bring new development opportunities in the field of persulfate-based advanced oxidation processes due to their peculiar void-confinement, spatial compartmentation, and size-sieving effects. For such materials, however, further clarification on basic concepts and construction strategies, as well as a discussion of the inherent correlation between structure and catalytic activity are still required. In this context, this review aims to provide a state-of-the-art overview of hollow nanoreactors for activating persulfate. Initially, hollow nanoreactors are classified according to the constituent components of the shell structure and their dimensionality. Subsequently, the different construction strategies of hollow nanoreactors are described in detail, while common synthesis methods for these construction strategies are outlined. Furthermore, the most representative advantages of hollow nanoreactors are summarized, and their intrinsic connections to the nanoreactor structure are elucidated. Finally, the challenges and future prospects of hollow nanoreactors are presented.

A Study Of Isolation And Characterisation Of Cellulolytic Bacteria For Bioethanol Production And Waste Degradation.

Cellulose is a key structural component in the cell wall of plants and a complex polysaccharide. This review delves into the diverse array of microbial Marvels that possess the enzymatic system to digest cellulose.

Bond Shear Tests to Evaluate Different CFRP Shear Strengthening Strategies for I-Shaped Concrete Cross-Sections.

I-shaped concrete girders are widely used in precast bridge and roof construction, making them a common structural component in existing infrastructure. Despite well-established strengthening techniques using various innovative materials, such as externally bonded carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) reinforcement, the shear strengthening of an I-shaped concrete girder is not straightforward. Several research studies have shown that externally bonded CFRP reinforcement might exhibit early debonding at the concave corners of the I-shape, resulting in a marginal increase in shear capacity. This research study aims to assess the performance of two different CFRP shear strengthening strategies for I-shaped concrete cross-sections. In the first strategy, CFRP was bonded along the I-shape of the cross-section with the provision of additional anchorage. In the second strategy, the I-shape was transformed into a rectangular shape by using in-fill blocks over which the CFRP was bonded in a U-configuration. In addition to the strengthening strategies, the investigated parameters included two different materials for the in-fill blocks (conventional and aerated concrete) and two different anchoring schemes (bolted steel plate anchor and CFRP spike anchor). To avoid testing on large-scale girders, a new test methodology has been implemented on concrete I-sections. The test results demonstrate the feasibility of comparing different shear strengthening configurations dedicated to I-sections. Among other findings, the results showed that the local transformation of the I-shape to an equivalent rectangular shape could be a viable solution, resulting in shear strength enhancement of 12% to 53% without and with the anchorages, respectively.

Bond Shear Tests to Evaluate Different CFRP Shear Strengthening Strategies for I-Shaped Concrete Cross-Sections

I-shaped concrete girders are widely used in precast bridge and roof construction, making them a common structural component in existing infrastructure. Despite well-established strengthening techniques using various innovative materials, such as externally bonded carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) reinforcement, the shear strengthening of an I-shaped concrete girder is not straightforward. Several research studies have shown that externally bonded CFRP reinforcement might exhibit early debonding at the concave corners of the I-shape, resulting in a marginal increase in shear capacity. This research study aims to assess the performance of two different CFRP shear strengthening strategies for I-shaped concrete cross-sections. In the first strategy, CFRP was bonded along the I-shape of the cross-section with the provision of additional anchorage. In the second strategy, the I-shape was transformed into a rectangular shape by using in-fill blocks over which the CFRP was bonded in a U-configuration. In addition to the strengthening strategies, the investigated parameters included two different materials for the in-fill blocks (conventional and aerated concrete) and two different anchoring schemes (bolted steel plate anchor and CFRP spike anchor). To avoid testing on large-scale girders, a new test methodology has been implemented on concrete I-sections. The test results demonstrate the feasibility of comparing different shear strengthening configurations dedicated to I-sections. Among other findings, the results showed that the local transformation of the I-shape to an equivalent rectangular shape could be a viable solution, resulting in shear strength enhancement of 12% to 53% without and with the anchorages, respectively.

Mechanical characterization of Xenopus laevis oocytes using atomic force microscopy

Mechanical properties are essential for the biological activities of cells, and they have been shown to be affected by diseases. Therefore, accurate mechanical characterization is important for studying the cell lifecycle, cell-cell interactions, and disease diagnosis. While the cytoskeleton and actin cortex are typically the primary structural stiffness contributors in most live cells, oocytes possess an additional extracellular layer known as the vitelline membrane (VM), or envelope, which can significantly impact their overall mechanical properties. In this study, we utilized nanoindentation via an atomic force microscope to measure the Young's modulus of Xenopus laevis oocytes at different force setpoints and explored the influence of the VM by conducting measurements on oocytes with the membrane removed. The findings revealed that the removal of VM led to a significant decrease in the apparent Young's modulus of the oocytes, highlighting the pivotal role of the VM as the main structural component responsible for the oocyte's shape and stiffness. Furthermore, the mechanical behavior of VM was investigated through finite element (FE) simulations of the nanoindentation process. FE simulations with the VM Young's modulus in the range 20–60 MPa resulted in force-displacement curves that closely resemble experimental in terms of shape and maximum force for a given indentation depth.

Buckybowl Molecular Tweezers for Recognition of Fullerenes.

Buckybowl tweezers are a relatively young research area closely associated with the development of non-planar polycyclic aromatic systems and supramolecular chemistry. Since the appearance of the first prototypes in the early 2000s, the tweezers have undergone evolutionary changes. Nowadays they are able to effectively interact with fullerenes and the results opened up prospects for development in the field of sensing, nonlinear optics, and molecular switchers. In the present study, examples of corannulene-based and other buckybowl tweezers for the recognition of C60 and C70 fullerenes were summarized and analyzed. The main structural components of the tweezers were also reviewed in detail and their role in the formation of complexes with fullerenes was evaluated. The revealed structural patterns should trigger the development of novel recognition systems and materials with a wide range of applications.

Опросник академической компетентности студентов

<p>The results of the development and standardization of an academic competence questionnaire are presented. The method is based on the understanding of academic competence as a complex of independently developed personal qualities, abilities and skills that ensure the success of educational activities in conditions of its variability during higher education. The theoretical model includes 6 structural and content components (academic motivation, self-organization of educational activities, emotional self-regulation, skills and abilities to work with information, proficiency in oral and written language, communication skills), presented at 3 levels of generality and freedom of transformation (reproductive, reflective, functional). Based on the results of Study 1 (N=199), the preliminary version of the questionnaire was reduced from 144 to 69 items. Comparing the results of successful and unsuccessful students confirmed predictive validity. External criterion validity using the contrast group method is based on comparison of groups of undergraduate and graduate students, correlations with self-organization and academic motivation questionnaires (AMS). Study 2 (N=355) demonstrated a relatively acceptable fit of the data to the theoretical model based on confirmatory factor analysis, consistency with educational experience questionnaire scales. The internal consistency of the scales was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha indicators based on data from studies 1 and 2. Descriptive statistics for Study 2 are provided. Standardization is proposed based on percentile values, because the distributions of values for most scales differ significantly from normal.</p>

From fabrication to mechanical properties: exploring high-entropy oxide thin films and coatings for high-temperature applications

High-entropy oxides (HEOs) containing five or more cations have garnered significant attention recently due to their vastly tunable compositional space, along with their remarkable physical and mechanical properties, exceptional thermal stability, and phase reversibility at elevated temperatures. These characteristics position HEOs as promising candidates for structural components and coatings in high-temperature applications. While much of the ongoing research on HEOs centers around understanding processing-structure relationships, there remains a dearth of knowledge concerning their mechanical properties, crucial for their prospective high-temperature applications. Whether in bulk form or as coatings, the efficacy of HEOs hinges on robust mechanical properties across a spectrum of temperatures, to ensure structural integrity, fracture resistance, and resilience to thermal stress. This review offers a succinct synthesis of recent advancements in HEO research, spanning from processing techniques to mechanical behaviors under extreme conditions. Emphasis is placed on three key aspects: (1) Investigating the influence of processing parameters on HEO crystal structures. (2) Analyzing the interplay between crystal structure and mechanical properties, elucidating deformation mechanisms. (3) Examining the mechanical behavior of HEOs under extreme temperatures and pressures. Through this review, we aim to illuminate the effective control of HEOs’ unique structures and mechanical properties, paving the way for their future applications in extreme environments.

Bonding and fracture properties of SPI-CNTs/epoxy adhesive on SPI-CNTs deposited CFRP composites

Adhesive bonding is frequently used to connect CFRP structures due to its lightweight, easy implementation and high production efficiency. However, the bonding performance of adhesive is far from satisfactory as dimension and complexity of CFRP structures increase. In this paper, a new bonding strategy for CFRP structures via introducing soy protein isolate modified carbon nanotubes (SPI-CNTs) both in the epoxy resin adhesive and on the bonding parts' surface is proposed. Results showed that SPI can effectively improve CNTs' dispersion on the two areas, notably enhancing the bonding performance of the adhesive. When 0.3 wt% SPI-CNTs was added in the adhesive, its adhesive shear strength increased to 12.76 MPa, which was 72 % higher than the unmodified CNTs/epoxy adhesive. Based on this concentration, the SPI-CNTs was deposited uniformly on the surface of the CFRP adherends via bath sonication and resulted in a maximum shear strength of 15.59 MPa, which was 22.2 % greater than the untreated ones. Based on the above condition, the Mode I fracture toughness G1c and the Mixed-Mode I/II fracture toughness Gc could reach a maximum of 0.31 and 0.44 N/mm respectively, which were 117 % and 97 % higher than the pure epoxy adhesive. The present work shows a new pathway for the effective bonding of CFRP structural components used in the aerospace industry.

The Impact of Blockchain Technology Activation by Audit Clients on Internal Control Structure Effectiveness: An Experimental Study

The research aimed to study and test the impact of blockchain activation by audit clients on the effectiveness of the internal control structure. To achieve the research objective, an experimental approach was used to test the research hypotheses on a sample of auditors belonging to accounting and auditing firms in Egypt. According to auditing standards, specifically the second fieldwork standard, the auditor is responsible for performing tests of compliance and adherence related to internal controls for the purpose of assessing the level of control risk, and thus the risk of material misstatement, leading to the planning of detection risk. The theoretical part of the research concluded that blockchain technology is one of the most impactful technological applications in the current work environment. Additionally, there is a near consensus in previous related studies that activating this technology has an impact on the five main components of the internal control structure . In its practical part, the research concluded that the five research hypotheses related to the components of the internal control structure were accepted, confirming auditors' awareness of the potential benefits of blockchain activation by audit clients to enhance the effectiveness of the internal control structure. KEYWORDS blockchain technology, control activities, digital transformation, Egyptian market, financial transactions, internal audit

Low-cost method to reduce interlayer voids in material extrusion: in situ layer-by-layer solvent treatment

AbstractMaterial extrusion (MEX) is worldwide known as one of the most flexible additive manufacturing (AM) technologies for the fabrication of complex polymeric structures. However, the extremely high geometrical freedom has a price to pay: the presence of interlayer voids between consecutive extruded layers is the main backwards of MEX technology. Interlayer voids make 3D printed parts weaker (poor mechanical properties) compared to polymeric components fabricated by means of counterpart processes (i.e., injection molding). The present research work introduces a novel approach for the reduction of voids based on the layer-by-layer application of solvent vapor during the fabrication process, to smooth every single deposited layer. In this way, the new extruded layer has a greater area to bond with the previously extruded layer, resulting in an overall reduction of the porosity. The proposed approach is cost-effective, and it is based on the stop and go method enabled by MEX technologies: the fabrication process is paused after every layer, and when the solvent treatment is performed, the 3D printing process is resumed. The effectiveness of the layer-by-layer solvent vapor approach was evaluated, thereby resulting in a great reduction of the void density and average void area of 96%, and 79% respectively, and an increase of the wetting factor of 34%. Such findings pave the way for the exploitation of the proposed approach for the fabrication of complex structures with a reduced number of voids to be employed as structural components.