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The detection of cells with sub-optimal performance and the identification of the root-cause of such performance is a crucial and challenging task in Network Performance Management (NPM). The contemporary NPM approaches, being reactive, silo-based, and highly expert-reliant, are not viable options for such tasks anymore, particularly in the emerging complex heterogeneous mobile networks. The state-of-the-art research in the field of data-driven Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a ray of hope for developing innovative solutions for such NPM tasks. However, the scarcity of holistic and detailed real network data limits the potential of this approach. In this study, we present a comprehensive AI-driven framework for the auto-diagnosis of cells with sub-optimal performance in a real network. We have explored and shared insight about an untapped comprehensive Call Detail Record (CDR) dataset from a real network operator. The outcome is anonymous and annotated data made public to encourage further research in this domain. We employ a $K-means$ clustering method that exploits CDR data and domain experts’ input for the identification of particular types of cell performances. Next, a support vector machine-based classifier is developed for real-time applications which classifies the network nodes based on their performance with an accuracy of 97.69%. Subsequently, we introduce an algorithm that uses the classification results for the root-cause analysis of sub-optimal performance by leveraging network topography and area knowledge. The method succeeds in reaching the outcomes of an expert-led root-cause analysis and beyond. At the same time, the algorithmic approach limits the manual root-cause analysis to 30 possible scenarios per hour as opposed to analysis of 759 cells, thus it reduces the workload of an expert significantly. In the broad picture, the proposed AI framework lays the foundation towards zero-touch mobile network and service management starting with automated NPM and root-cause analysis.

The utilization of construction and demolition waste is useful for sustainable infrastructure development and protecting the environment. In this research, the properties of self-compacting concrete produced by replacing the natural coarse aggregates (NCA) with inferior recycled coarse aggregates (RCA) were investigated. The properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) and self-compacting mortar (SCM) with varying replacements of RCA (0, 25, 50, and 100%) in NCA were determined. The flow, strength, early shrinkage tests, and microstructure using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) were investigated. The fresh property results indicated that the viscosity of freshly mixed SCC increased with higher replacement levels of RCA, thus reducing flow. The compressive strength of RCA SCC was reduced up to 30% for a 100% replacement level, while the flexural strength was reduced by about 15%. The compressive strength and flexural strength of SCMs, however, increased up to 12% and 28% for 100% replacement with RCA. The mechanical strength of SCM increases with RCA because of high fine content which reduces the porosity and makes the system denser. The early age linear shrinkage increases with RCA due to its greater water absorption. The results indicate that recycled coarse aggregate can be effectively used as the replacement of NCA in SCC to produce sustainable and eco-friendly structural concrete.

In this exploratory study, the effects of nano silica (NS) on the properties of self-compacting pastes (SCPs) incorporated with superabsorbent polymer (SAP) have been investigated. NS was added to cement pastes, containing SAP, in varying amounts of 1%, 2% and 3%. SAP were found out to be successful in mitigating shrinkage in all formulations; however they were more effective in mixes without super-plasticizers (SPs). SAP particles reduced the fluidity, increased the air content and also reduced strength slightly due to the formation of macro-pores. NS was beneficial in improving the hydration attributes by increasing the mechanical strength and refining the microstructure. The denser microstructure of the NS modified pastes compensated for the macro pore formation associated with SAP incorporation, leading to strength increase. With NS, there was better bonding of the SAP particles in the matrix. The reduced Ca(OH)2 content in NS modified samples showed increased pozzolanic activity associated with NS in cement pastes.

The present study investigates the influence of limestone powder, fly ash, zeolite powder, and their blends on some fresh and hardened properties of self-compacting (SC) mortars. Blends of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) perform better than a single SCM in cementitious systems. The motivations for the present study include the introduction of novel blends of SCMs like limestone and zeolite powders to provide efficient SC mortars and potential alternatives of fly ash in a period of its short supply. The investigated properties include flow characteristics, shrinkage, pore pressure, hydration kinetics, compressive strength, microstructural characteristics using MIP and SEM, compositional analysis using thermo-gravimetric analysis, hardened density, and relative water absorption. The experimental results indicate that 20% replacement of cement with blend of limestone and zeolite powders led to the most improved response and provided better performance than other studied compositions.

This paper shows the response of self-compacting paste systems (SCPs) containing botanical Acacia Modesta (AM) gum, a natural organic ooze-out of an indigenous tree called Phulai, as an admixture. The gum being different in its nature and origin, exhibited different results from Acacia Nilotica gum powder when used in SCPs. AM gum powder was characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The self-compacting paste systems (SCPs) containing 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75% and 1% AM gum powder were tested for super-plasticizer (SP) demand, flow, viscosity, air content (in fresh state), density, total linear early shrinkage, calorimetry and both short-term (28-day) and long-term (90-day) compressive strengths. SCPs with AM gum powder showed a considerable decrease in total shrinkage, a reduction in density values, an increase in fresh state viscosity. AM gum powder also had a retarding effect on setting times of the respective gum modified SCPs. Moreover, the electrical resistivity of samples containing AM increased tremendously indicating change in the microstructure of the gum modified SCP systems. It became clear that different types of Acacia gums when incorporated in SCPs gave different responses and should be used with complete understanding. Therefore, AM gum in cementitious systems offers many potential areas for application and further future research work. The AM gum powder may be used for reducing shrinkage in SCP systems, establishing internal curing inside the SCCS, for enhancing the viscosity of the cementitious systems and for producing slightly porous energy efficient cementitious systems.

This paper presents a first-time review of the open literature focused on the significance of big data generated within nano-sensors and nano-communication networks intended for the future healthcare and biomedical applications. It is aimed toward the development of modern smart healthcare systems enabled with P4, i.e., predictive, preventive, personalized, and participatory capabilities to perform diagnostics, monitoring, and treatment. The analytical capabilities that can be produced from the substantial amount of data gathered in such networks will aid in exploiting the practical intelligence and learning capabilities that could be further integrated with conventional medical and health data leading to more efficient decision making. We have also proposed a big data analytics framework for gathering intelligence, form the healthcare big data, required by futuristic smart healthcare to address relevant problems and exploit possible opportunities in the future applications. Finally, the open challenges, the future directions for researchers in the evolving healthcare domain, are presented.

Effective Microorganism technology (EMT) is of Japanese origin and has found useful applications in agriculture and water treatment works. This study reports the response of self-compacting paste systems with the addition of a mixture containing three micro-organisms namely lactic acid bacteria, photosynthetic bacteria and yeast all present in a suitable liquid medium. Two types of Effective Microorganisms (EMs) consortia, EM-Light (EML) having light brown color and low microbial cell concentration and EM-Dark (EMD) having dark brown color with high microbial cell concentration in a suitable liquid were used to study a total of seven self-compacting paste (SCP) formulations. These seven formulations include a control formulation and six EM modified SCP formulations containing 5, 10 and 15% (by wright content of cement) of both EM liquid consortia. The results showed that both EM consortia modified the plastic viscosity, delayed setting times and hydration kinetics, modified volume stability, reduced water absorption of SCP systems in hardened state and enhanced the compressive strength of SCP systems. Especially strength of SCPs with EMD seem to depend on fresh density of the paste to a large extent while with EML it shows different response. An increase of 26% in strength was observed compared to the control formulation with 15% EMD amendment at similar water-cement ratio along with a reduction in water absorption of hardened SCPs which may be attributed to the refinement in microstructure obtained by the production of calcium carbonate predominantly as a result of the reaction between microorganisms and calcium hydroxide. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and XRD results also suggest improvements in strengths of SCPs due to calcite (calcium carbonate).

This research characterizes the gum obtained as a natural organic ooze-out from Acacia Nilotica trees, indigenously known as “Keekar”, through Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) experimental techniques. It reports the response of self-consolidating paste systems (SCPs) containing Acacia Nilotica Gum (AG) in powdered form in ratios of 0.33%, 0.66% and 1% by weight of cement. The results are of interest to construction and civil engineering professionals and showed that AG enhanced the viscosity of SCPs which in turn improves their stability. Also, AG addition increased the water demand, setting times and early age expansion of SCPs while the heat of hydration, density and compressive strength got reduced. Reduction in density is attributed to incorporation of air voids and this may be exploited in energy efficient infills of buildings and possible improved freeze-thaw resistance. Most of the lost compressive strength due to AG incorporation was regained with the addition of Secondary Raw Materials (SRMs) including fly ash (FA) and limestone powder (LSP).

This paper assesses the mechanical and structural behavior of self-consolidating lightweight concrete (SCLWC) incorporating bloated shale aggregate (BSA). BSA was manufactured by expanding shale pellets of varying sizes by heating them up to a temperature of 1200 &deg, C using natural gas as fuel in the rotary kiln. Fly ash (FA) and limestone powder (LSP) were used as supplementary cementing materials (10% replacement of cement, each for LSP and FA) for improved properties of the resulting concrete. The main parameters studied in this experimental study were compressive strength, elastic modulus, and microstructure. The fresh-state properties (Slump flow, V-funnel, J-Ring, and L-box) showed adequate rheological behavior of SCLWC in comparison with self-consolidating normal weight concrete (SCNWC). There was meager (2&ndash, 4%) compressive strength reduction of SCLWC. Lightweight aggregate tended to shift concrete behavior from ductile to brittle, causing reduced strain capacity and flexural toughness. FA and LSP addition significantly improved the strength and microstructure at all ages. The study is encouraging for the structural use of lightweight concrete, which could reduce the overall construction cost.

Because concrete and mortars both contain aggregate phase, it may be expected that the trend of results obtained from mortar formulations should be similar to those of concrete or vice versa. Many researchers have used either limestone powder (LSP) or fly-ash (FA) in self-compacting concrete systems. However the present study shows that using either of these secondary raw materials (SRMs) in self-compacting mortar systems does not produce an optimized response. However mixing LSP and FA in suitable proportions and then using this blended SRM enhances the response of self-compacting mortar systems as both FA and LSP seem to complement the properties of each other especially the negative ones. The formulations contain two base SRMs (limestone powder and fly-ash) and in others these two basic SRMs have been replaced at 20% of their mass by some other SRMs or their combinations. Parameters like flow, strength, microstructure, relative water absorption and early volume stability of self-compacting mortar systems have been studied. The results indicate that self-compacting mortars using blended secondary raw material of limestone powder and fly-ash had an improved overall response than those using either of them.