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Aspects related to robustness of steel frameworks with semi-rigid steel and steel-concrete composite joints are dealt with. Experimental investigations were carried out for sub-frames fabricated in technical scale. Pushdown tests for steel subframes simulated the joint ability to transfer the bending moment and axial force under a column loss scenario. Tests on composite sub-frames were arranged in two stages. The first one was related to a service stage when the slab was under a gravity load and the column to be removed supported. The gravity load was sustained in the second stage when a column loss scenario was simulated. Experiments have shown that composite flush end-plate joints may not be robust enough since their low strength under sagging bending, despite of good ductility, does not allow for the redistribution of internal forces in order to achieve the equilibrium in the residual state after static column removal. Contrary, symmetrical steel and composite joints with extended end-plates on both sides of beam flanges seem to be more robust, despite of their lesser ductility. Robust bending behaviour is possible because extended end-plate joints exhibit a better balance between the strength and rotation capacity that allows to achieve the equilibrium state in case of a static column loss event.

Abstract –Wings are the main lift generating sources for any aerospace vehicle. The performance of an airborne vehicle largely depends on its wing design. That is why it is important to understand and be able to calculate wing characteristics in every design process. The analysis of the 3 dimensional transonic flow over ONERA M6 wing at two Mach numbers and angles of attack from 0 to 6 degrees and operating Reynolds number of 11x106 is presented. Computational Fluid Dynamics CFD as a widely used analysis and design tool still need to be validated by comparison with experiment. Ansys/Fluent is used to solve the governing equations with k-SST turbulence model. The validation is done through comparing pressure coefficient distributions over wing surfaces at seven span locations, with experimental measurement . Wing geometry is successfully modeled inside Ansys geometry modeler and unstructured mesh is generated with Ansys mesh modler. Results show good agreement with experimental data at Mach number of 0.84 and 3 degrees angle of attack. On the other hand, as Mach number and angle of attack are increased, numerical results show poor accuracy in capturing shock wave position. 

Cleavage fracture of the medium carbon V-microalloyed steel with structure consisting of acicular ferrite, pearlite and grain

boundary ferrite has been investigated by means of four-point bending of the notched samples at -196°C. It was found that

cleavage fracture initiation has not been related to the coarse second phase particles cracking. Calculated values of the effective

surface energy of 49 J/m2 and critical cleavage fracture stress normalized by yield stress of 1.84 are in agreement with the results

for the steels with ferrite-pearlite and bainite structures.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the quality management dimensions, based on Deming Management Model, in Oil industry in Libya. Questionnaire, semi structured interview and open interview were used to collect data from random sample of 42 qualityrelated managers from the Libyan Oil industry. Forty-five questionnaires were provided by hand to quality-related managers from the Libyan Oil companies. A total of 42 were returned sufficiently completed, that gave us a response rate of approximately 93.33%. The regression analysis indicated that these organizations implement total quality management practices. The findings suggest that an integrated approach is required to implement the total quality management practices in order to realize strategic quality objectives. This research is subject to the normal limitations of survey research. The data is based on individual opinion of quality related managers, which may bring in some bias. Further research needs to be done to advance our knowledge and to further support the findings. For instance, a larger sample size and more items per Deming principle may be used in future studies to duplicate these results and to increase the internal consistency of the scales. Deming Management Model is applied to one industry in this study. Therefore, to establish the generalization of the Model within the context of Libya, it needs to be tested in other industries setting, both in public and private sectors. The study extends the applicability of the Deming Management Model to a new industry and country. Collectively, the results of the research provide more understanding of issues relating to quality management in developing countries and a framework for enhancing organizational effectiveness. Therefore, the research can make a useful contribution.

This paper investigates the impact of the factors of the optimum currency area and some financial variables on exchange rate volatility by means of a newly developed bounds testing approach to cointegration. Using annual data for a sample of developed and developing countries, our results show that these factors explain the variability of exchange rate in only two developing countries. 

Alzheimer's disease is an age-associated, irreversible, progressive neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by severe memory loss, unusual behavior, personality changes and a decline in memory function. It is the most common form of dementia and affects an estimated 10 million people worldwide. Alzheimer’s disease demolishes the vital brain cells, causing trouble with memory, thinking and behavior, brutal enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies and social life. Recognized factors in Alzheimer's disease include acetylcholine deficiency, free radicals and inflammation of the brain tissue. There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, but drugs designed to slow down the disease progression are available. Some herbs may help to improve brain function, but scientific evidence to prove that they can treat Alzheimer's disease. Medicinal plants have been the single most productive source of leads for the development of drugs, and over a hundred new products are already in clinical development. Indeed, several scientific studies have described the use of various medicinal plants and their constituents for treatment of Alzheimer's disease. This review gathers research on various medicinal plants that have shown promise in reversing the Alzheimer's disease pathology. The report summarizes information concerning applications of these various plants in order to provide sufficient baseline information that could be used in drug discovery campaigns and development process, thereby providing new functional leads for Alzheimer's disease.