Greater Strain Research Articles

An Assessment of the Impact of Partial Commercialization on Financial Performance of Public Enterprises (State-Owned Enterprises) in Nigeria

This study investigated the impact of partial commercialization on the financial performance of public enterprises (state- owned enterprises) in Nigeria. This study employed both expo factor research, and descriptive research designs. Population of this study is made up of all NTA stations in Nigeria as at 30th June, 2023. Secondary source of data is collected from the financial statements of the NTA covering a period of 2001 to 2021 financial years. This study used both descriptive and inferential analyses. The study found that partial commercialization has positive significant influence on the pattern of expenditures of NTA, The study equally finds that Share of Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC)-statutory has negative significant while Aid and grant has positive significant impact on interest earned by NTA and Finally, the study discovers that there is no significant relationship between both share of Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC)-statutory allocation, and Aid and grant on non-tax revenue generated by NTA in respect to financial performance, impliedly meaning there is no significant impact between the partial commercialization and non-tax revenue generated by NTA. The study therefore recommended that the government enhance its funding allocation for Aid and Grants by increasing the provision of television and studio equipment, transmitters, outside broadcasting vans, masts, and generators to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the analysis ultimately reveals that the establishment of additional NTA stations at the local level has resulted in the depletion of people and material resources within the organisation. Consequently, this has placed a greater strain on the management of NTA stations and has diminished their financial performance. As a result, the report suggests that in light of the digitization of NTA, the government should consider reducing the number of NTA stations to solely encompass state capitals and Abuja. This strategic move aims to effectively curtail the operational costs associated with managing 116 stations.

Requirements for a chainsaw operator’s exoskeleton

Despite the mechanisation of the forest industry, the profession of a tree feller is still in demand. A tree feller with chainsaw works under great physical strain on all muscle groups. A distinctive feature of the job is the need to constantly change working postures and the need to hold a fairly heavy petrol-powered chainsaw in your outstretched arms. Facilitating the working conditions of the tree feller by reducing his or her physical fatigue is an urgent task. In order to achieve the purpose of this work, it was necessary to investigate the working conditions at a tree feller's workplace, to study the exoskeleton designs used in different branches of industry, and to formulate the requirements for a chainsaw operator’s exoskeleton design. To achieve the goal and solve the designated tasks, the use of patent information search methods, among scientific and technical literature, comparison, functional-structural-technological analysis, allowed one to establish the currently achieved technical level of exoskeletons and trends in their development. Thanks to the use of the brainstorming method in addition to the aforementioned methods, it was possible to achieve the final result of the work, which consists in the formulation of requirements for an exoskeleton for a chainsaw operator.

A reduction-driven directed aggregation strategy for fabricating stretchable conductive core-sheath fibers in wearable electronics

Rapid advancement of wearable electronics is profoundly reshaping our daily lives. At the heart of these innovations, stretchable conductive fibers (SCFs) assume pivotal roles in the high-sensitivity strain sensing and the high-conductivity flexible electrical conduction. Here, the stretchable conductive core-sheath fibers (SCCFs) are developed by a reduction-driven directed aggregation strategy. A conductive sheath layer of the silver nanoparticles aggregation and an elastic core layer of polymer matrix constitute an SCCF with the effective interface bonding. An SCCF with the high initial conductivity of over 1.77 × 105 S m−1 is fabricated with the features of reliability and good washability through the systematic optimization. On one hand, leveraging the microcrack effect, the strain sensing with the high resistance sensitivity under subtle strain is achieved by using a straight SCCF. On the other hand, the SCCF with a three-dimensional helical structure is designed to act as the flexible electrical conduction with the low resistance sensitivity under great strain. Notably, these SCCFs not only exhibit exceptional sensitivity for monitoring human movements, but also demonstrate efficient electrical energy conduction capabilities. This work proposes a prospective strategy to fabricate the versatile SCFs with great reliability, stability, and durability for wearable electronics.

Safety assessment, whole genome sequence, and metabolome analysis of Streptococcus thermophilus CICC 20372 for bone cement fermentation.

Bone is a kind of meat processing by-product with high nutritional value but low in calorie, which is a typical food in China and parts of East Asian countries. Microbial fermentation by lactic acid bacteria showed remarkable advantages to increase the absorption of nutrients from bone cement by human body. Streptococcus thermophilus CICC 20372 is proven to be a good starter for bone cement fermentation. No genes encoding virulence traits or virulence factors were found in the genome of S. thermophilus CICC 20372 by a thorough genomic analysis. Its notable absence of antibiotic resistance further solidifies the safety. Furthermore, the genomic analysis identified four types of gene clusters responsible for the synthesis of antimicrobial metabolites. A comparative metabolomic analysis was performed by cultivating the strain in bone cement at 37°C for 72h, with the culture in de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) medium as control. Metabolome analysis results highlighted the upregulation of pathways involved in 2-oxocarboxylic acid metabolism, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, amino acid synthesis, and nucleotide metabolism during bone cement fermentation. S. thermophilus CICC 20372 produces several metabolites with health-promoting function during bone cement fermentation, including indole-3-lactic acid, which is demonstrated ameliorative effects on intestinal inflammation, tumor growth, and gut dysbiosis. In addition, lots of nucleotide and organic acids were accumulated at higher levels, which enriched the fermented bone cement with a variety of nutrients. Collectively, these features endow S. thermophilus CICC 20372 a great potential strain for bone food processing.

Partial cycling aging of Li-ion batteries in frequency regulation applications

This research analyzes the performance and provides an initial estimation of the health of Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries in frequency regulation applications. Frequency regulation applications appear to produce a great strain on batteries as they are constantly cycled as a fast-ramping resource to regulate the frequency in the grid. The frequency regulation battery profile was extracted from data available only from the Pennsylvania–New Jersey–Maryland Interconnection (PJM). Once the battery profile was established, a Li-ion battery was cycled at 25 °C and 40 °C for a duration of 1500 and 4271 partial cycles. The aim was to analyze and compare the performance at 25 °C and 40 °C, and potentially identify the trends that show battery aging and capacity fade. To that end, different methods including capacity tests, throughput, and equivalent full-cycle analysis were performed. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) tests were done every 100 or 200 partial cycles to analyze the health and aging of the battery. An Equivalent Circuit Model (ECM) was also developed from EIS test results. One of the objectives was to study how the model parameters changed with the number of cycles and start to identify the main degradation mechanisms associated with the battery operation under frequency regulation. The results of cycling testing and a discussion of the analysis are presented here.

A possibility-based multi-criteria decision-making approach for artificial recharge structure selection using pentagonal fuzzy numbers

Groundwater recharge is crucial in developing groundwater sources in an area for regional growth. One of the essential natural water resources is groundwater, which differs geographically in quality and amount. Groundwater resources are under great strain due to growing urbanization and population growth. Numerous studies have identified groundwater recharge regions using a geographic information system and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM). In this study, we have proposed an Multi-Criteria Decision-Making technique for selecting artificial recharge structures in basaltic terrain. The proposed Multi-Criteria Decision-Making technique is built with possibility theory under a pentagonal fuzzy environment. Additionally, we have developed a possibilistic middle of asymmetric linear pentagonal fuzzy (LPF) number. Through the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making technique, we have selected the best artificial recharge structures from the available ones. To show our Multi-Criteria Decision-Making methods feasibility, we have considered one numerical example under a pentagonal fuzzy environment.

302 Incremental Variables in Predicting Beef Cattle Dry Matter Intake

Abstract The great strain of increasing climate variability on animal agriculture necessitates improvement of current production processes, the development of methods to measure individual feed and water intakes, and the improvement of feed and water use efficiency in cattle. The use of machine learning (ML) approaches in predicting beef cattle dry matter intake (DMI) have provided groundwork for improvement of beef cattle production using big data and ML. However, despite wide variation between daily feed intakes, typical variables in animal intake-based ML approaches are not incremental, not allowing for daily prediction of intake. Our work introduces first-differenced intake, climate, and animal performance variables into a ML algorithm to predict beef cattle DMI and increase the immediacy of prediction applications. A total of 745 animals were evaluated in eight test groups from 11/25/2019 to 9/2/2021 in a dry lot equipped with In-Pen Weighing Positions and Feed and Water-Intake Nodes. Relationships among average daily gain (ADG), DMI, residual feed intake (RFI), water intake (WI), residual water intake (RWI), animal performance variables, and environmental variables at the individual animal level were investigated on a first test group of 125 Angus bulls and 53 crossbred steers. Out-Of-Bag root mean square error (OOB RMSE), an internal measure of Random Forest (RF) prediction accuracy, was used as a measure of error between model-predicted and observed DMI. Input variables were first-differenced by differencing a variable’s value between sequential test days for the entire test period. Two models were run using the RF package in R (ntree = 500, mtry = 11), with the first model (M1) using a standard test-train data split and the second model (M2) using all first-differenced and non-incremental observations to train the model. The model incorporating the test-train split performed marginally better than M2 (OOB RMSE = 1.39 and 1.44, respectively), indicating that first-differenced input variables can be used to predict daily individual DMI by within 1.39 kg by using M1. Using percent-increase in MSE (%IncMSE), first-differenced variables were found to be of less overall predictive value than non-incremental variables, with incremental daily gain and first-differenced water intake being ~55 and 45% less predictive than ADG and overall water intake in both M1 and M2. Though first-differenced variables were less predictive than non-incremental variables, inclusion of first-differenced variables allowed for prediction of individual DMI by within 1.39 kg. Our work demonstrates critical preliminary steps in the development of a deployable algorithm for the efficient prediction of DMI and the improvement of beef cattle intake efficiencies for the continued sustainability of animal agriculture.

Analyzing the impact of veneer layup direction and heat treatment on plywood strain distribution during bending load by digital image correlation (DIC) technique

In this study, radiata pine veneers and phenol-formaldehyde resin were used to prepare specimens of 5-ply plywood with different layup directions and heat treatments of veneers. The physical and flexural properties of the plywood specimens were assessed, and digital image correlation (DIC) analysis was employed to determine the strain distribution of the plywood under bending loads. The results of the static mechanical strength and DIC tests showed that the plywood with a small-angle veneer layup ([0]5 and [0,22.5,0,22.5,0]) exhibited a better longitudinal modulus of rupture (MOR//), while [0,45,0,45,0] plywood showed the least bending strength and most strain. Moreover, the results revealed that for plywood composed of veneers that were fully heat treated at 200 °C (5T200), the moisture content was efficiently decreased, and the modulus of elasticity parallel to grain (MOE//) was the highest. The DIC images indicated that the largest strain along the x-direction (εxx) was concentrated on the tensile side of untreated plywood (5N) and on the opposite side of plywood composed of heat-treated veneers, except for the plywood composed of veneers treated at 220 °C (5T220). Of these, 5T200 plywood showed the least strain. In addition, the plywood with 200 °C heat-treated veneers instead of face and core layers (NTNTN200) or crossband layers of untreated veneers (TNTNT200) had larger strain values than 5N and 5T200 plywood specimens, with NTNTN200 plywood having the greatest strain. According to the above results, appropriate layering and heat treatment of veneers can effectively improve the dimensional stability and flexural properties of plywood.

Medical education in times of war: a mixed-methods needs analysis at Ukrainian medical schools

BackgroundAs Ukraine struggles with the education of healthcare professionals due to the war, we aimed to identify the specific effects of the war on medical education, the resulting needs, and the expected consequences for schools, faculty, staff, students, and the healthcare system.MethodsIn October and November 2022, we performed a survey of students, faculty, and staff of medical schools in Ukraine and conducted semi-structured interviews with faculty leaders (i.e., rectors, vice-rectors). We conducted a descriptive analysis of the survey’s closed-ended questions. The survey and the interviews included open-ended questions about war-related restrictions to teaching and learning, resulting needs, and expected consequences, for which we applied a thematic analysis.ResultsWe received 239 survey responses (N = 49 faculty and staff, N = 190 students) and conducted nine interviews with faculty leaders across Ukraine. Most survey participants indicated that they had experienced restrictions or changes to their work or study due to the war (86% of faculty and staff, 69% of students). From the thematic analysis of the survey and interviews, we identified eight themes: disruption of teaching, increased workload, mental stress, financial restrictions, non-war related needs, international cooperation, quality of education, and prospects of future professionals. The quality of healthcare education in Ukraine was threatened, and schools, faculty, staff, and students were under great strain. While already established international cooperation has been supportive, some needs have still not been addressed.ConclusionsWe hope that our findings will help researchers and educators from abroad contribute to meeting Ukraine’s needs in medical education.

The Magnitude of Fatigue Recorded in Individual Body Parts of Chainsaw Operators after Work

The work of chainsaw operators in the forest environment is a hazardous activity associated with great physical effort, inappropriate posture and significant strain on individual body parts. The aim of this study was to gather and evaluate data on the fatigue of individual body parts of professional chainsaw operators felling trees in the forest. The research focused on twelve body parts (eight in the upper half and four in the lower half of the body), each divided into the right and left parts. Based on the questionnaire method, 170 professional chainsaw operators working in the Czech Republic participated in this research. The questions in the questionnaire were divided into two sections, and the answers were used to draw diagrams that were consecutively analysed and quantitatively characterised based on descriptive statistics. The research results indicated that the most stressed part of the operator’s body at the end of a shift was the lumbar region. The second most stressed body parts were the wrist and hands. In contrast, the neck was the least stressed part of the operator’s body.

Strain and Burden among Caregivers of Stroke Survivors in Punjab: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Caregivers may feel stressed and burdened while caring for a stroke survivor. However, very few studies have assessed the burden among caregivers of Indian stroke patients. Objectives: The present study was done to assess the magnitude and predictors of strain and burden among caregivers of stroke survivors discharged from a tertiary care hospital in Punjab, India. Method: This cross-sectional study included consecutive newly diagnosed stroke patients from January 2021 till April 2022 at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Amritsar, India. The level of strain and burden among the caregivers was assessed using the Caregiver’s strain index (CSI) and Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale (ZCBS) respectively. A minimum sample size of 110 stroke patients was calculated. Odds ratios were calculated for identifying predictors of strain and burden among caregivers using multivariate regression analysis. Results: Mean CSI for all caregivers was 6.67 ± 1.81. Using a cut-off of ≥ 7, authors found 40.2% of the caregivers to have great strain. Modified rankin scale (mRS) at the time of interview (AOR = 2.77, p value = 0.0063), presence of comorbidities in the patient (AOR = 3.07, p value = 0.023 and caregiver being female (AOR = 2.96, p value = 0.036) to be significantly associated with higher odds of having great strain. Using ZCBS, 18.1% had minimal burden, 53.5% had mild to moderate burden, 24.4% had moderate to severe burden and 3.9% had severe burden. mRS at the time of interview (AOR = 5.38, p value = 0.0048), presence of comorbidities in the patient (AOR = 7.63, p value = 0.0031), caregiver being female (AOR = 9.67, p value = 0.0072) and not being at all confident to care (AOR = 4.94, p value = 0.013) to be significantly associated with higher odds of having great burden, while rural residence (AOR = 0.55, p value = 0.0011) was associated with lower odds of high burden. Conclusion: High strain was observed among 40.1% of the care givers of Indian stroke survivors and 24.4% had moderate to severe burden. Thus, the strain and burden among caregivers of Indian stroke patients is very high.

Numerical and experimental study on powder deposition mechanism of plasma sprayed YSZ-NiCoCrAlY coating

The YSZ-NiCoCrAlY thermal barrier coating system is a typical coating system for high-temperature protection of hot-end components. Analyzing its powder deposition behavior during plasma spraying and the evolution of the substrate surface can provide guidance for the industrial preparation of high-quality coating systems with excellent service performance. In this study, a metal-ceramic bilayer powder deposition model was established to explore the powder deposition behavior and substrate surface evolution. The results show that NiCoCrAlY particles form pie-shaped structures with a moderate degree of softening (i.e., moderate strain), while YSZ particles form crater-shaped structures with a higher degree of softening (i.e., greater strain). The overall temperature of the coating is primarily determined by YSZ particles, while the equivalent stress is mainly influenced by NiCoCrAlY particles. The differences in particle temperature, equivalent stress, and softening degree are related to their respective physical properties, such as thermal conductivity and thermal softening coefficient, among others. During the coating deposition process, multiple circular high-temperature regions and circular stress regions are generated on the substrate surface, primarily due to the impact of NiCoCrAlY bond-layer particles. The metal bond-layer serves to protect the substrate and reduce the impact of the subsequently deposited ceramic top-layer on the substrate. The comparison between the surface morphology and the porosity in the coating cross-section of the experimentally prepared coating validates the reasonableness and feasibility of the simulation work.

Effect of heterogeneous microstructure on martensitic transformation behavior and mechanical properties of a cold rolling medium Mn steel

A heterostructured medium Mn steel with duplex phases (ferrite and austenite) and multiple degrees of grain sizes is fabricated by a cold rolling process combined with repeated annealing. The obtained sample exhibits excellent mechanical properties with the ultimate tensile strength above 1110 MPa and the total elongation of 34.4%, the mechanical properties being higher than those of the sample produced by conventional cold rolling. The microstructural evolution and the strain partitioning behavior of the material during deformation are investigated. It is indicated that the great strain hardening ability rely on the combination of the transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) effect and the hetero-deformation induced (HDI) hardening. The sample with heterostructure induces more sufficient martensitic transformation. Meanwhile, the generation of large grains intensifies the mechanical incompatibility and makes it possible to accommodate larger amount of geometrically necessary dislocations (GNDs), thus inducing more effective HDI strengthening and HDI hardening, so that the comprehensive mechanical properties have been improved.

Empirical Quantification of Optic Nerve Strain Due to Horizontal Duction.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure in vivo local strains in the optic nerve (ON) associated with horizontal duction in humans. Axial and coronal MRI were collected in target-controlled gazes in 24 eyes of 12 normal adults (six males and six females, 59 ± 16 years) during large (~28°) and moderate (~24°) ductions. The ON, globe, and extraocular muscles were manually identified, and the pixels were converted to point-sets that were registered across different imaging planes and eye positions. Shape of the ON was parameterized based on point-sets. Displacements and strains were computed by comparing deformed with initial ON configurations. Displacements were the largest in the most anterior region. However, strains from adduction were uniform along the length of the ON, while those during abduction increased with distance from the globe and were maximal near the orbital apex. For large gaze angles, ON strain during abduction was primarily due to bending near the orbital apex that is less transmitted to the eye, but during adduction the ON undergoes uniform stretching that transmits much greater loading to the posterior eye, implied by greater strain on the ON.

Is the association between financial scarcity and health behaviours moderated by cultural capital? The GLOBE study.

Experiencing financial scarcity taxes cognitive bandwidth. This leaves less capacity to withhold temptations and makes relying on easiest default options more likely. Whether this default option is (un)healthy may depend on the amount of cultural capital acquired during life course. This study examined whether the association between financial scarcity and health behaviours is moderated by cultural capital. Self-reported data were used from Dutch adults of the 2014-survey of the GLOBE study (N = 2466). Using linear regression analysis, financial strain (no, some, great) and cultural capital (institutionalized, objectivized, incorporated) were related to body mass index (BMI), alcohol intake, sports participation, cycling and walking, fruit intake and vegetable consumption. The interaction between financial strain and cultural capital was used to assess moderation. Experiencing some financial strain was associated with a higher BMI (0.7 kg/m2) and less sport participation (-31.8 min/week). Great financial strain was associated with less sport participation (-41.4 min/week). Being in the lowest tertile of cultural capital was associated with a higher BMI (1.3 kg/m2), drinking less alcohol (-10.0 units/week), less sport participation (-31.5 min/week) and consuming less fruit (-2.9 pieces/week). Cultural capital had no significant moderating effect on the relationship between financial strain and these health behaviours. Financial strain and cultural capital seem associated with different health behaviours. Cultural capital had no moderating effect on the relationship between financial strain and different health behaviours. While financial strain and cultural capital could both be entry points for interventions to improve health behaviour, underlying mechanisms require further attention.

A Qualitative Study Exploring Parents’ Experiences of Caring for an Adolescent Child with Conduct Problems during the Covid-19 Lockdowns

Young people with conduct problems (CPs) have been detrimentally impacted by Covid-19 restrictions, with increased behaviour problems and internalising symptoms. Parents experienced increased strain, managing their child’s behaviours through lockdowns, while support services have been reduced. The present qualitative study aims to explore the deeper parental experience of caring for an adolescent child with CPs during the Covid-19 period. Participants were purposively recruited through a social media support forum. Semi-structured online interviews were conducted with 14 parents of children with CPs (13 mothers and one father) between June-December 2021. Interviews were analysed through reflexive thematic analysis. Analysis revealed four main themes; Experiencing Positive Changes in Children, Navigating Practicalities of Home Confinement, Parents at “Breaking Point”, and Methods of Survival. Parents observed increased behavioural problems in their children, and expressed great strain and fatigue in relation to their child’s expression. Overall, parents felt isolated, confused, and burnt out, feeling they have no support to turn to. These issues appear to expand beyond the pandemic, highlighting an imperative need to provide more social, practical, and psychoeducational support for these parents whose voices are currently going unheard. These should be more robust and tailored to this unique population, with suggested services including peer social networks or parental hubs, more proficient and targeted psychoeducation, crisis interventions, and a greater capacity for parental respite.

Comparison of Dynamic Recrystallization in Blooms between Conventional Rolling and Hot‐Core Heavy Reduction Rolling Process

Hot‐core Heavy Reduction Rolling (HHR2) is a new technology that improves the core quality of blooms by using a heavy reduction roller at the solidification end. Dynamic recrystallization (DRX) is expected to optimize the microstructure in this process. But the difference of DRX characteristic between HHR2 and conventional hot rolling (CHR) is an unclear problem. Herein, the differences of DRX behavior between two rolling processes are studied. If two rolling processes are carried out under the same deformation temperature and strain rate, the work hardening in CHR samples is greater than that in HHR2. Moreover, DRX occurrence in HHR2 lags behind the CHR process due to lower growth rate of dislocation density achieved in HHR2. By using DRX models, the DRX area and DRX volume fractions in bloom are calculated. The great temperature gradient and low strain rate decrease the DRX critical strain in the HHR2 process. The DRX region is mainly around the core of the HHR2 bloom, where the DRX volume fraction achieves 41.8%. The maximum value of DRX volume fraction in CHR bloom only achieves 20.1% because the great strain rate and uniform temperature lead to a low level of deformation permeability.

Accuracy of a faecal immunochemical test in patients under colonoscopy surveillance of colorectal adenoma and cancer.

Surveillance of colorectal neoplasia place great strain on colonoscopy resources, and faecal immunochemical tests (FIT) are under-investigated for this purpose. The aim of this study was to report the outcome of FIT among patients scheduled for post-polypectomy and post-resection colorectal cancer (CRC) surveillance. Patients scheduled for colonoscopy surveillance at five endoscopy units in mid-Sweden in 2016-2020 were eligible. They provided a faecal sample from 2 separate days, which were analysed by iFOBT QuikRead go® (Aidian Oy). Both the colonoscopies, and the FIT analyses were conducted by staff blinded to the other. Out of 216 included patients, 157 (73%) underwent both a complete colonoscopy and had at least one FIT analysed prior to the examination. The indication for surveillance was previous adenoma in 69 (44%) and post-resection CRC in 88 (56%) patients. Two (1%) in the CRC surveillance group were diagnosed with a metachronous CRC, whereas 49 (56%) patients in the CRC surveillance, and 17 (25%) in the adenoma group had no pathology identified at colonscopy (P < 0.001). The proportion of patients diagnosed with adenomas requiring surveillance according to European Society of Gastrointestinal Society (ESGE) guidelines 2020 was 6 (7%) in the post-CRC resection versus 7 (10%) in the adenoma surveillance group (P = 0.4). Based on one FIT and at cut-off 10 µg Hb/g, sensitivity for CRC was 100%, specificity 83% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 77-89), Positive Predictive Value (PPV) 7% (-2 to 16) and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) 100%. All patients with an adenoma requiring surveillance had a FIT below this cut-off. Adding a second FIT decreased the specificity. Larger studies to evaluate the accuracy and consequences of using FIT for surveillance of colorectal neoplasia are needed. FIT may be more interesting for post-resection CRC surveillance than follow-up of adenoma.

Effect of salt vertical distribution on sulfate-affected soils deformation

Sulfate heave caused by salt swelling behavior poses a threat to engineering safety. The salt vertical distribution has a significant impact on the salt swelling behavior of sulfate-affected soils. A series of laboratory tests were conducted to explore the law of salt swelling and deformation of sulfate-affected soils under different salt vertical distributions. The results indicated that the salt swelling deformation mainly occurred in the initial rising and falling temperature stage. Residual accumulation formed as the salt swelling deformation increased over cyclic times. Salt swelling deformation increased with the increase in water content and salt-water ratio. The salt swelling deformation of sulfate-affected soils with a decreasing salt vertical distribution was larger than the other two forms. The maximum salt swelling also decreased as the water content and salt-water ratio reduced. In the 15 % water content samples with the vertical distribution of salt decreasing with depth, the maximum decrements were 34.78 %, 70.43 %, and 85.10 % as the salt-water ratio reduced, respectively. The sulfate-affected soils with the gradually decreasing salt distribution formed a great radial expansible strain. However, the soil with uniform salt distribution had a larger contractive strain. While the contractible strain increased with the reduction in water content, the expansible strain dropped. This work reveals the law of salt swelling deformation under the effect of salt vertical distribution, providing an important reference for subgrade engineering in sulfate-affected soils.

Frustration v Imprévision, Why Frustration is so 'Frustrating': The Lack of Flexibility in the English Doctrine's Legal Consequence.

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic restrictions have placed many contractual parties under great strain to honour their agreements as contracts have become commercially impracticable and excessively onerous. This article explores the legal position in England, France and the Middle East under the doctrine of impossibility, impracticability and unforeseen circumstances. Strongly rooted in contractual autonomy and commercial certainty, this article argues that frustration in English common law is not sufficiently broad because the consequence (automatic discharge) is too rigid and does not allow a renegotiation of obligations. French civil law is more accommodating but only formally adopted imprévision in civil law in 2016, meaning it lacks traction. However, Middle Eastern civil law countries accept the doctrine as an integral part of their law and theory of justice, allowing obligations to be rebalanced in a more flexible manner. The English legal system should consider the advantages of a similar reform.