Stress-Strain Constitutive Material Models for Hybrid Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete

Recent advancements in fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) technology has led to the development of fibrous concrete composites, comprised of fibers with different material and/or geometry, commonly known as hybrid FRC. In one type of hybrid FRC composites, advantageous behaviors of fibers of the same material but with different geometries are gathered in a single FRC mix. The aim of this paper is to develop and validate stress-strain relationships for hybrid steel FRC composites. Six different steel FRC mixes are produced and characterization tests are conducted. Cube, cylindrical and beam specimens are produced for each characterization test corresponding to each of the Steel FRC (SFRC) composites. In this regard, an experimental program is performed to determine the basic engineering properties of SFRC composites using standard compressive, splitting tensile and three-point bending tests. The prescribed procedure of the RILEM guideline, originally developed for non-hybrid FRC, is followed using the obtained experimental results to develop stress-strain behavior models for the SFRC mixes. To validate results for the hybrid SFRC composites, numerical simulations of the 3-point bending tests were performed and compared to that of corresponding experimental results. The results indicated that the proposed stress-strain relationships yield acceptable results for characterizing the behavior of hybrid SFRC composites

Comparison between the Holmium Laser (Made in Iran) and Pneumatic Lithotripsy in Patients Suffering from Upper Ureteral Stone between 1-2cm

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to compare holmium laser (LL) with pneumatic lithoclast (PL) in patients with upper ureteral stones and their ability to destruct the stones and making the patient stone free. We also compare the duration of these procedures and their complications, such as urosepsis, perforation, and pushing the stone backward.METHODS: This has been a clinical randomized trail study in 26 patients with upper ureteral stone more than 1 cm. Patients were divided into 2 randomized groups, each treated with one of the following approaches: pneumatic lithoclast(14 patients), or holmium laser(12 patients). The goal of lithotripsy was to break the stone into particles less than 3 mm. IVP (Intravenous Pyelogram) was performed 4 weeks after.RESULTS: The immediate stone free rate was 100% in LL group and 42.9% in PL group (P=0.001). Stone pushing back was 0% in LL group and 57.1% in PL group. Complications such as a perforation, or urosepsis, or bleeding were not seen in any of these groups. Fever more than 38º C was observed in 1.8% in LL, and 3.8% in PL group (p=0.56). After 4 weeks no complication was seen in IVP.CONCLUSION: According to our experience, for upper ureteral stones larger than 1 cm, lithotripsy with holmium laser is preferred approach with high success rate and low complication.

Predicting Project Success in Residential Building Projects (RBPs) using Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs)

Due to the urban population’s growth and increasing demand for the renewal of old houses, the successful completion of Residential Building Projects (RBPs) has great socioeconomic importance. This study aims to propose a framework to predict the success of RBPs in the construction phase. Therefore, a 3-step method was applied: (1) Identifying and ranking Critical Success Factors (CSFs) involving in RBPs using the Delphi method, (2) Identifying and selecting success criteria and defining the Project Success Index (PSI), and (3) Developing an ANN model to predict the success of RBPs according to the status of CSFs during the construction phase. The model was trained and tested using the data extracted from 121 RBPs in Tehran. The main findings of this study were a prioritized list of most influential success criteria and an efficient ANN model as a Decision Support System (DSS) in RBPs to monitor the projects in advance and take necessary corrective actions. Compared with previous studies on the success assessment of projects, this study is more focused on providing an applicable method for predicting the success of RBPs. Doi: 10.28991/cej-2020-03091612 Full Text: PD

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice about Emergency Contraception among Health Staff in Bushehr State, South of Iran

Emergency Contraception (EC) is used within a few days of unprotected sex to prevent an unintended pregnancy. About one quarter of pregnancies in south of Iran are unintended. EC is important option that women can use after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure for preventing of unplanned pregnancies and adverse maternal and perinatal health outcomes. Health staff have influence on women’s contraceptive behavior and their knowledge and attitudes about EC can affect women’s contraceptive behaviors. Data are lacking about the knowledge, attitude and practice of hormonal EC method among health staff in Bushehr state, south of Iran. A cross-sectional study using self administered questionnaire was conducted. A sample of 170 health staff were surveyed. The mean age of respondents was 30.6±5.1. Overall 6.5% of participants had poor knowledge, 25.2% moderate knowledge, 68.3% good knowledge about EC. Half of participants had positive and half had negative attitude towards the EC method. Midwives and family health workers were more knowledgeable (p<0.05) and more frequently counseled women about EC than general practitioners (GPs) (p<0.001). The most cited reason for EC prescriptions were rupture condom and none use of contraception. Our findings showed despite of majority of health staff had good knowledge about EC, their knowledge about the indications for prescription of EC and its side effects was inadequate. The educational efforts for health staff should be focused more on the specific aspects of EC method. GPs also should be more involved in family planning program

Petrologia e petrogênese do maciço intrusivo de SiahKuh no sul de KhoshYeilagh

SiahKuh is located in the NorthEastern part of Shahrood city and in the Eastern Alborz zone. The study of the area using geochemical models where 60 samples of intrusive rocks were used, allowed to determine that the petrological composition of the region consists of Gabbro, Monzodiorite, Syenite, Monzonite and Diorite. Plagioclase, Pyroxene and Olivine constitute the main minerals of Gabbro`s and Diorite`s. Granular, Intergranular and Optic texture are also observed. In the Syenite and Monzonite, Plagioclase, alkali feldspar and sometimes quartz, granular and variolite texture can be seen. Based on geochemical studies, the magma produced from the rocks to the intermediate calk alkaline with high potassium and the negative anomalies of Nb, Rb, P and the enrichment of the rocks of the region from rare earth elements (LRRE) and the high ratio of LREE/HREE represents spread of the crust and an indication of the presence of the Garnet phase in the mantle source. The initial basalt magma was created from a mantle with a composition of Lerzolite-Garnet with a melting point of 12-15%. Structure evidence suggests the formation of these rocks in the intercontinental rift. The formation of these rocks can be attributed to the effects of intercontinental tensile phases associated with deep fault during alpine orogenic phases in the time eocene.SiahKuh se encuentra en la parte noreste de la ciudad de Shahrood y en la zona oriental de Alborz. El estudio del área utilizando modelos geoquímicos donde se utilizaron 60 muestras de rocas intrusivas, permitió determinar que la composición petrológica de la región consiste en Gabbro, Monzodiorita, Sienita, Monzonita y Diorita. Plagioclasa. Piroxeno y olivino constituyen los principales minerales de Gabbro y Diorita. También se observan texturas granulares, intergranulares y ópticas. En la sienita y monzonita, se puede observar plagioclasa, feldespato alcalino y algunas veces cuarzo, granular y variolita. Con base en estudios geoquímicos, el magma produjo desde las rocas hasta la calca alcalina intermedia con potasio alto y las anomalías negativas de Nb, Rb, P y el enriquecimiento de las rocas de la región a partir de elementos de tierras raras (LRRE) y la alta proporción de LREE / HREE representa la propagación de la corteza y una indicación de la presencia de la fase Granate en la fuente del manto. El magma de basalto inicial se creó a partir de un manto con una composición de Lerzolite-Granate con un punto de fusión del 12-15%. La evidencia estructural sugiere la formación de estas rocas en la grieta intercontinental. La formación de estas rocas se puede atribuir a los efectos de las fases de&nbsp;tracción intercontinentales asociadas con fallas profundas durante las fases orogénicas alpinas en el tiempo del eoceno.SiahKuh está localizado na parte nordeste da cidade de Shahrood e na zona leste de Alborz. A área de estudo utilizando modelos geoquímico onde foram utilizadas 60 amostras rochas intrusivas, revelou que a região composição petrological consiste gabro, Monzodiorita, sienite, diorite .. Monzonite e plagioclase. Piroxena e olivina são os principais minerais de Gabro e Diorito. Texturas granulares, intergranulares e ópticas também são observadas. No sienito e monzonito, plagioclásio, feldspato alcalino e, às vezes, quartzo, granular e variolite podem ser observados. Com base em geoquímico, magma produzido a partir de rochas para alcalina calca alta potássio intermediário e anomalias negativas de Nb, Rb, P e enriquecimento das rochas na região a partir de elementos de terras raras (LRRE) e a alta proporção de LREE / HREE representa a propagação da crosta e uma indicação da presença da fase de granada na fonte do manto. Magma de basalto inicial foi criado a partir de um manto com uma composição de Lerzolite-Garnet com um ponto de fusão de 12-15%. Evidências estruturais sugerem a formação dessas rochas na fenda intercontinental. A formação dessas rochas pode ser atribuída aos efeitos das fases de tração intercontinental associadas a falhas profundas durante as fases orogênicas alpinas no período do Eoceno

Exploring Critical Success Factors in Urban Housing Projects Using Fuzzy Analytic Network Process

Population growth and increasing trend towards urbanization have caused housing demand to exceed its supply, particularly in urban areas in developing countries. Furthermore, housing industry motivates many subsidiary industries and plays a leading socio-economic role in such countries. Therefore, successful completion of housing projects is of great significance quantitatively and qualitatively.This study aims to propose a framework to evaluate the critical success factors (CSFs) in housing projects considering the interrelationship among factors and criteria. The factors were initially identified through literature review and then refined and categorized using a two-round Delphi method and finally prioritized using fuzzy analytic network process (FANP). To demonstrate the implementation of the proposed model, a case study was carried out on an urban residential building project in Tehran. The framework proposed in this study can be applied as a decision support system for decision makers, project managers and practitioners involved in the housing sector

An exploratory study of the perceptions of auditors on the impact on Blockchain technology in the United Arab Emirates

The purpose of this paper is to explore the prospects of blockchain technology (BCT) on audit practice. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with practitioners from the Big Four and non-Big Four firms; their responses were analysed thematically. The findings are significant regarding the three main themes identified: namely, audit practice, procedures and the challenges associated with the adoption of BCT. The adoption of BCT has the potential to impact audit procedures to a certain extent. The interviewees believed that BCT would transfer Audit 3.0 to Audit 4.0. For instance, external confirmations could be enhanced by the move towards a more automated verification process. In addition, the audit budget time could be decreased with the help of this technology in the long run. The need for physical observation could be diminished because of this technology, as it could track observations on a real-time basis. This technology could also facilitate analytical procedures, as it has the potential to incorporate other analytical tools simultaneously. Furthermore, it could reduce the costs associated with fraud detection to a great extent, as it provides a tamper-proof, immutable audit trail

Epidemiology of Guillain-BarréSyndrome in Iranian Children Aged 0-15 Years (2008-2013)

Abstract Objective: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an acute inflammatory polyneuropathy characterized by a rapid progressive symmetric weakness. This is the most common cause of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) in most parts of the world. This study was carried out to investigate the epidemiological features of GBS in Iranian children. Materials &amp; Methods: Data were extracted using the AFP surveillance system: a National screening program to detect all cases of AFP aged 0-15 years, around the country. National Population Statistics data and AFP demographic data during 2008-2013 intervals was obtained from the relevant authorities in ministry of health. GBS cases were then extracted from this data base. Chi-square and Fisher's exact test were used for statistical analysis. Results: 1884 cases of GBS were identified in years of study and average annual incidence rate was 1.72 per 100,000 populations. The highest incidence rate was in the range of 0-5 years. There was no statistically significant relation between the incidence of GBS and the season in the whole country. Conclusion: High costs of GBS treatment, morbidity and occasional mortality and the number of new cases which is estimated to be about 300 people per year, need particular attention of health system

A study on effect of outsourcing on cost reduction: A case study of tile industry

During the past few decades, many organizations have attempted to reduce their costs through outsourcing of non-value added activities. This paper presents an empirical investigation to find important factors on reducing production expenses through outsourcing activities. The proposed study of this paper designs a questionnaire in Likert scale consists of 19 questions and distributes it among some experts. Using structural equation modeling, the study investigates different variables and the results indicate that outsourcing could reduce the production cost through time, inventory and human resources. The implementation of Freedman for ranking these factors indicate that time played the most influential factor followed by inventory and human resources. The results of structural equation modeling indicate that there are some positive and meaningful relationship between human capital and cost (β=0.78, t-value = 9.38), a positive and meaningful relationship between inventory and cost (β=0.81, t-value=10.54) and a positive and meaningful relationship between time and cost (β=0.89, t-value = 11.26)