In engineering projects (dams, tunnels, slope stability) the strength characteristics of the rocks affect the construction operations. It is sometimes difficult, time-consuming, and expensive to evaluate the engineering properties of solid rocks by performing direct tests. For this reason, various laboratory studies have been carried out by many researchers to predict important engineering properties such as uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and elastic modulus (E) of rocks in a practical way. One of the engineering properties used to estimate UCS-E practically is the hardness of rocks. Hardness tests are easy to apply and non-destructive, and in many of these tests very small specimens are needed. The main objective of this study is to analyze the relations between the UCS-E of the rocks and the various hardness methods (Schmidt hammer hardness, SHH; Shore Scleroscope hardness, SSH; Vickers hardness, HV; Brinell hardness, HB; and Indentation hardness index, IHI). For this purpose, the most appropriate and meaningful relations between hardness tests and UCS-E were determined by simple regression (SR) techniques. Relationships between main engineering properties (UCS, E) and physicomechanical properties were analyzed by multiple regression (MR) techniques using SPSS software. The statistical analyses made revealed the existence of strong correlations between UCS-E and hardness properties of rocks.

Evaluation of the changes in gait spatiotemporal parameters and functional mobility with using assistive devices (ADs) would provide useful information and mutual assistance when prescribing such ambulatory devices. This study aimed to investigate the spatiotemporal gait and functional mobility parameters in healthy adults when walking using different ADs.

A group of healthy subjects participated in the study. The instrumented modified Timed Up and Go test (iTUG) was used to investigate the impact of different types of ADs on spatiotemporal and functional mobility parameters.

Subjects showed a significant difference in the gait task performance (

= .001) in stride velocity, stride length, and cadence when walking with and without ADs. A significant difference was also found in the performance of the turn-to-sit task (

= .001) in both velocity and duration when walking with and without ADs. The time to complete sit-to-stand was significantly slower when using a walker (98.3 ± 22.3°/sec,

= .004) and a cane (78.2 ± 21.9°/sec,

= .004) compared to walking without an AD (78.2 ± 21.8°/sec). No significant difference was found between walking with a cane group versus walking with a four-wheeled walker group (

= .94).

ADs altered gait and functional mobility parameters differently in healthy subjects. Using a four-wheeled walker showed a tendency to increase stride velocity, cadence, stride length, and slow sit-to-stand velocity compared to using a cane. The findings highlight using more caution clinically when prescribing ADs and providing gait training.

ADs altered gait and functional mobility parameters differently in healthy subjects. Using a four-wheeled walker showed a tendency to increase stride velocity, cadence, stride length, and slow sit-to-stand velocity compared to using a cane. read more The findings highlight using more caution clinically when prescribing ADs and providing gait training.Oil spillage contamination has been one of the most common and challenging problems in marine ecosystems over the years due to frequent petroleum exploitation, washing, and transportation activities. The use of nature-derived surfactants has become an attractive approach to restore the sites affected by oil spillage. Several studies have demonstrated that nutrient addition is an efficient strategy to enhance oil biodegradation since microorganisms can use petroleum hydrocarbons as their carbon and energy source, thus favoring and increasing the hydrocarbons degradation rate. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a commercial bio-catalytic agent used in the biological remediation of crude oil-contaminated sites through the qualitative analysis of its properties. The tests applied to this bio-catalyst showed excellent results. For instance, the emulsification (E24) and critical micellar concentration (CMC) assays displayed average values of 74.47% and 40 mg L-1, respectively. A significant reduction of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), turbidity, and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon Content (TPHC) were observed in all the samples with bio-catalytic agent solution and aeration system. The best water quality was achieved by the sample with the highest concentration (10000 ppm) of bio-catalytic agent solution. It displayed a Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon removal efficiency (RTPH) of 81.537% after 30 days of the remediation time.Silver nanoparticles have high potential for application in food industry, as they have the ability to inhibit a wide range of bacteria of pathogenic and spoilage origin. They can be obtained from different methods classified in physical and chemical and which are aggressive with the environment since they produce toxic waste. Nowadays, environmentally friendly methods such as green synthesis can be used, through the use of agri-food waste. The use of these wastes is a more sustainable method, because it reduces the environmental pollution, at the same time that silver nanoparticles are obtained. The aim of the present study is the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) aqueous extract from waste and its antibacterial activity on Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (Gram negative). The analyses by TEM showed that the as-synthesized silver nanoparticles were uniform and spherical particles with an average diameter of 8.67 ± 4.7 nm and confirmed by SEM. The electron diffraction and TEM analyses showed the characteristic crystallinity of silver nanoparticles. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed that various functional groups were responsible for reducing and stabilizing during the biosynthesis process. Nanoparticles inhibited the growth of both types of bacteria from the lowest concentration evaluated (0.9 μg/mL). We conclude that silver nanoparticles synthesized in the present study have potential application as antibacterial agents in food and medicine industry.