Ground Improvement of Dhu Al-Kifil Minaret Using Micropile and Cement Grouting

The Minaret of Dhu Al-Kifil Nabi (PBUH), located in the city of Kifil with a height of about 25 meters, is one of the historical monuments of Iraq. The 4.5 degree deviation of this Minaret has become a challenge for authorities in recent years. Various reasons, such as the old age of the building and manipulation of the soil of the minaret bed, damage the structure and have caused it to deviate from the vertical direction and form cracks at its height. A temporary metal retaining structure is currently constructed on the site to maintain the building in its current state. Still, in order to remove it and repair the body and foundation of the Minaret, the designs have been carried out by Iranian engineering groups. After that, its strengthening operations have also finished. In this article, after the introduction of the project, the analytical and numerical results of the bed improvement plan using the combination of inclined and vertical micropiles are presented. Finally, the reliability of the plan in controlling the heterogeneous settlement of the Minaret is assessed

Excavation Support and Foundation Ground Improvement Using Jet Grouting Method – A Case Study

One of the soil improvement methods is using soil-cement columns, and one of the most common methods of implementing these columns is the Jet grouting method. In this article, the performance of Jet grouting columns in soil improvement and excavation wall stabilization is investigated in a project located in Chalous, north of Iran, by implementing several experimental soil-cement columns in real scale at depths of 4, 8, and 15 meters and diameter of 80 cm. By comparing the soil settlement before and after the improvement, it was found that the average settlement, which was in the range of 186 mm before the improvement, reached about 68 mm after the improvement using the jet grouting method. It has been observed that the settlement of the foundation has been significantly reduced after improving the ground with soil-cement columns. On the other hand, the results of this study showed that this method has also been very effective in stabilizing the excavation walls. The maximum displacement of the crest of the wall is about 3.4 cm, and the maximum settlement behind the wall is limited to 12 mm

Polyurethane composite adsorbent using solid phase extraction method for preconcentration of metal ion from aqueous solution

Polyurethane composite adsorbent polymeric material was prepared and investigated for selected solid-phase extraction for metal ions, prior to its determination by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The surface characterisation was done using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The separation and preconcentration conditions of the analytes investigated includes influence of pH, sample loading flow rate, elution flow rate, type and concentration of eluents. The optimum pH for the highest efficient recoveries for all metal ions, which ranged from 70 to 85 %, is pH 7. The metal ions were quantitatively eluted with 5 mL of 2 mol/L HNO3. Common coexisting ions did not interfere with the separation. The percentage recovery of the metal ions ranged between 70 and 89 %, while the results for the limit of detection and limit of quantification ranged from 0.249 to 0.256 and 0.831 to 0.855, respectively. The experimental tests showed good preconcentration results of trace levels of metal ions using synthesised polyurethane polymer adsorbent composite

Second-generation colon capsule endoscopy for detection of colorectal polyps: A meta-analysis

Background: Colorectal cancer counts as the third prevalent type of cancer and the fourth cause of death worldwide. The second-generation colon capsule endoscopy (CCE-2) is a new technology for the diagnosis of colon cancer. The aim of this review was to provide information on the diagnostic accuracy (diagnostic effectiveness) of the second-generation colon capsule endoscopy compared to colonoscopy for the diagnosis of colon cancer and disorders. Methods: A systematic review of literature in PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Cochrane Library and Iranian databases, such as MagIran, SID, Irandoc, the grey literature (via Google Scholar) was conducted on February 30, 2018. QUADAS-2 was used to assess the quality of the studies. MetaDiSc 2.0 software was used for the meta-analysis. Results: In this review, 480 records were identified. Eight prospective cohort articles were included among which 7 included in the meta-analysis. For the diagnosis of colorectal polyps with a diameter of 6-10 mm, the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 84 (95 CI, 80 -88) and 88 (95CI, 85 -90). For the diagnosis of 10 mm or bigger colorectal polyps, the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 84 (95 CI, 76-89) and 96 (95 CI, 94 -97). The sensitivity and specificity of the capsule in the detection of any size polyps were 93 (95 CI, 97-84) and 66 (95 CI, 48-81), respectively. Conclusion: There is little evidence to show the accuracy of CCE-2. Nevertheless, this review showed that the second-generation colon capsule endoscopy has good accuracy in the detection of polyps and colorectal cancer among high- and middle-risk patients. © 202

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the safety and effectiveness of tenecteplase versus alteplase in treatment of patients with st-elevation myocardial infarction

Background & Objective: If primary angioplasty is not available, thrombolytic therapy is an appropriate option for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the early hours after the beginning of the signs. This study aimed to assess the safety and effectiveness of tenecteplase (TNKase) vs. alteplase in the treatment of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Materials & Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched for the safety and clinical effectiveness of TNKase vs. alteplase, and a manual search was performed among the American, European, and Iranian cardiovascular journals. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that included comparisons of TNKase with alteplase alone or with other drugs in STEMI patients published in English, Persian, and Korean languages were included. Two authors independently assessed the eligibility and quality of RCTs. Finally, the data were analyzed in Review Manager version 5.3. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between TNKase and alteplase in the risk of 30-day mortality (RR=1.01; 95 CI: 0.89-1.13; P=0.82). The risk of reinfarction, cardiogenic shock, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), stroke, and minor bleeding was similar in AMI patients treated with both drugs. TNKase was associated with a statistically significant reduction of total bleeding (P=0.0003) and major bleeding (P=0.0003). Conclusion: In comparison with alteplase, TNKase is recommended due to its easier use and higher safety in reducing the risk of bleeding. © 2020, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services. All rights reserved

Out-of-Pocket Costs and Importance of Nonmedical and Indirect Costs of Inpatients

Objectives: Out-of-pocket (OOP) costs are a major part of the expenditures for healthcare services. In most cases, patient financial protection plans cover only direct medical costs and not other expenses by patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 800 patients referring medical centers of Kerman to analyse all aspects of OOP, especially after the Health Transformation Plan in Iran. Using the probability proportional to the size of the medical center, samples from each ward in each medical center were determined in accordance with the previous year's patient number. Randomly selected medical records of the last 2 weeks of patients discharged were collected, information was extracted, and telephone interviews were conducted. Results: The mean total OOP costs of a one-time hospitalization in all medical centers in Kerman was equal to 7 561 977 Iranian rials. Assuming a 5 threshold, 37 of patients in public centers were faced with catastrophic health expenditures for a one-time hospitalization. Based on the results of the regression model, reduction of length of stay, elimination of the need for the presence of next of kin, and provision of healthcare services out of hospitals can greatly reduce OOP expenditures. Conclusion: Although direct medical costs are of special importance, and it is very necessary to protect patients against such costs, patients usually incur a variety of costs when receiving inpatient services. Inattention to direct nonmedical costs and indirect costs due to patients� and their next of kin's absenteeism may cause households to face catastrophic expenditures. © 2020 ISPOR�The professional society for health economics and outcomes researc

Excavation Support and Foundation Ground Improvement Using Jet Grouting Method – A Case Study

One of the soil improvement methods is using soil-cement columns, and one of the most common methods of implementing these columns is the Jet grouting method. In this article, the performance of Jet grouting columns in soil improvement and excavation wall stabilization is investigated in a project located in Chalous, north of Iran, by implementing several experimental soil-cement columns in real scale at depths of 4, 8, and 15 meters and diameter of 80 cm. By comparing the soil settlement before and after the improvement, it was found that the average settlement, which was in the range of 186 mm before the improvement, reached about 68 mm after the improvement using the jet grouting method. It has been observed that the settlement of the foundation has been significantly reduced after improving the ground with soil-cement columns. On the other hand, the results of this study showed that this method has also been very effective in stabilizing the excavation walls. The maximum displacement of the crest of the wall is about 3.4 cm, and the maximum settlement behind the wall is limited to 12 mm

Ground Improvement of Dhu Al-Kifil Minaret Using Micropile and Cement Grouting

The Minaret of Dhu Al-Kifil Nabi (PBUH), located in the city of Kifil with a height of about 25 meters, is one of the historical monuments of Iraq. The 4.5 degree deviation of this Minaret has become a challenge for authorities in recent years. Various reasons, such as the old age of the building and manipulation of the soil of the minaret bed, damage the structure and have caused it to deviate from the vertical direction and form cracks at its height. A temporary metal retaining structure is currently constructed on the site to maintain the building in its current state. Still, in order to remove it and repair the body and foundation of the Minaret, the designs have been carried out by Iranian engineering groups. After that, its strengthening operations have also finished. In this article, after the introduction of the project, the analytical and numerical results of the bed improvement plan using the combination of inclined and vertical micropiles are presented. Finally, the reliability of the plan in controlling the heterogeneous settlement of the Minaret is assessed