Historical Arch Bridges-Deterioration and Restoration Techniques

Historic buildings are the most valuable evidence of cultural heritage. They play an essential role in establishing a tangible link between the past and the present by understanding, interpreting, and tracing the epoch of civilization. Unfortunately, the high costs of restoration, vandalism, and arson take their toll. However, new technologies are having a positive impact on the restoration process and are becoming a suitable alternative to labor-intensive, expensive, and unsafe traditional inspections. Therefore, the role of non-destructive testing (NDT) as a new method is becoming more evident. Faro laser scanning, impact echo, impulse sound testing, and geoelectric tomography as non-destructive methods are leading to the inspection of historic structures to preserve their character. These new methods are representative of the development of non-contact techniques for the examination and documentation of structures. Non-destructive testing examines the internal and external structure of complex building components as well as defective areas, quantifies cracks, and detects near-surface moisture. The objective of this work is to identify new adventurous and traditional methods for the reconstruction of the Turkish arch bridges Dara-1 and Halilviran to determine the appropriate rehabilitation methods and their deterioration of construction materials, damage, and failure patterns. Bridge dimensions were measured using a Faro laser scanner, which allows inspectors to capture and evaluate data from bridges and structural components without permanently altering them. The laser captures bridge dimensions by scanning cross-sections of the structure in the horizontal and vertical planes. The data is exported in the form of point clouds that represent all visible aspects and actual dimensions of the bridge in 2D and 3D models. In comparison between traditional and laser scanning methods, the main advantages of the applied method are the time savings on-site and the creation of a three-dimensional model of the structure, which can be used to collect precise and accurate surface data of objects in a non-destructive manner. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2023-09-07-010 Full Text: PD

Energy and performance-aware application mapping for inhomogeneous 3D networks-on-chip

Three dimensional Networks-on-Chip (3D NoCs) have evolved as an ideal solution to the communication demands and complexity of future high density many core architectures. However, the design practicality of 3D NoCs faces several challenges such as thermal issues, high power consumption and area overhead of 3D routers as well as high complexity and cost of vertical link implementation. To mitigate the performance and manufacturing cost of 3D NoCs, inhomogeneous architectures have emerged to combine 2D and 3D routers in 3D NoCs producing lower area and energy consumption while maintaining the performance of homogeneous 3D NoCs. Due to the limited number of vertical links, application mapping on inhomogeneous 3D NoCs can be complex. However, application mapping has a great impact on the performance and energy consumption of NoCs. This paper presents an energy and performance aware application mapping algorithm for inhomogeneous 3D NoCs. The algorithm has been evaluated with various realistic traffic patterns and compared with existing mapping algorithms. Experimental results show NoCs mapped with the proposed algorithm have lower energy consumption and significant reduction in packet delays compared to the existing algorithms and comparable average packet latency with Branch-and-Bound

Selection of Efficient Inhibitors for Caspas-9 according to Structure-Based Pharmacophore Screening Strategy and Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Caspases are enzymes which are the main pathways for apoptosis. Any irregulation in their functions causes increase or decrease in cell death, which result in autoimmune disease or cancer, respectively. In this study, structure-based pharmacophore drug discovery method as a virtual screening was used to discover selective inhibitors for caspase-9. This enzyme is an initiator caspase that is the main pathway in Alzheimer’s disease. A pharmacophore model was developed by investigating essential interactions among the reported potent inhibitors employing a docking analysis methodology. Applying pharmacophore virtual screening, nine compounds from both National Cancer Institute (NCI), and ZINC databases were filtered as potent inhibitors of caspase-9. The efficiency of the discovered compounds was further investigated by docking studies.HIGHLIGHTS•Caspase-9 is an important enzyme for apoptosis and its activity is pivotal in cell death.•A computational design of small molecular inhibitors for caspase-9 performed by structure-based pharmacophore model.•9 compounds from both National Cancer Institute (NCI) and ZINC databases were discovered as potent inhibitors

Excess dietary tryptophan mitigates aflatoxicosis in growing quails

A biological assay was carried out to evaluate the impact of dietary tryptophan (TRP) in aflatoxin B -contaminated diets (AFB -D) on performance, blood parameters, immunity, meat quality and microbial populations of intestine in Japanese quails. Six experimental diets were formulated to include two levels of dietary TRP; 2.9 (moderate high: MH-TRP) and 4.9\ua0g/kg (excess: Ex-TRP); and three levels of AFB (0.0, 2.5, and 5.0\ua0mg/kg). Each experimental diet was fed to the one of the six groups of birds from 7 to 35\ua0days of age in a completely randomized design with 2\ua0×\ua03 factorial arrangement. Decrease in feed intake, body weight gain and gain:feed in birds fed 5.0\ua0mg/kg AFB -D was restored to the control level by 4.9\ua0g TRP/kg of the diet. The hepatic enzymes in blood were elevated in quails fed on AFB -D but attenuated by 4.9\ua0g TRP/kg of the diet (Ex-TRP; p\ua0≤\ua0.01). High serum uric acid in birds challenged with AFB significantly decreased by Ex-TRP (p\ua0≤\ua0.01). The skin thickness to 2,4-dinitro-1-chlorobenzene challenge suppressed by AFB but increased by Ex-TRP diet (p\ua0≤\ua0.02). The AFB increased the malondialdehyde in meat, whereas TRP efficiently diminished malondialdehyde production (p\ua0≤\ua0.01). The greatest drip loss and pH in meat were observed in the birds fed 5.0\ua0mg/kg AFB -D but Ex-TRP augmented the adverse effects of AFB (p\ua0≤\ua0.01). The Ex-TRP reduced the total microbial and Escherichia coli counts (p\ua0≤\ua0.01). The adverse effect of AFB on ileal Lactic acid bacteria was completely prevented by Ex-TRP (p\ua0≤\ua0.03). This study showed that tryptophan supplementation could be considered as a powerful nutritional tool to ameliorate the adverse effects of AFB in growing quails

Measuring self-rated social health of Iranians: a population based survey in three cities

Abstract:Background and objectives: Social health as third dimension of health, along with physical and mental health, has drawn more attention in recent years among policy makers and health system managers. No other study, to our knowledge, has documented measuring individual-level social health in Iran. In response to this need, our study tends to assess Iranians self-rated social health through conducting a survey in 3 cities of Iran. Methods: We conducted a survey using cross sectional method in three cities of Iran included people more than 18 years old. We use a random sample size of 800 people. The scale provides a total score of social health and three sub-scores. Total score was calculated by summing all 33 items, so the range was between 33 to 165, considering that higher score indicating better social health. Psychometric parameters of scale were acceptable. To interpret scores, respondents were categorized into five ordered groups as quintiles for amount of social health. To compare social health scores in different demographic groups multiple linear regression was employed to interpret association between demographic variables and social health score. Results: From a pool of 800 persons, 794 (99%) agreed to participate and filled out the questionnaire completely.  The mean of self-rated social health score was 105.0 (95% confidence interval, 103.8 to 106.2). 50% of participants had medium level of social health. social health score was higher for those who live in Urmia as a small city in comparison with big cities- Tehran and Isfahan (P V< 0.001) and was lower for unemployed people (PV= 0.029). There was no association between social health score and other factors such as sex, age and educational level (PV>0.05) Conclusion:This study may be considered as the first step in evidence-based policy-making in the field of social health in Iran. Certainly, it is necessary to conduct more studies to measure social health and its determinants in a nation-wide approach

Abdominal pain with oral pigmentations as a clue for Peutz-Jeghers syndrome

A 33-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with colicky abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, constipation, obstipation, and rectorragia. She had a history of similar abdominal pain from a few months ago. She had no history of any specific disease and taking any medication. She had no history of surgery and specific family diseases. Her vital signs on admission were heart rate 90/minute, respiratory rate 18/minute, blood pressure 110/70 mmHg, and temperature of 37.1°C. There were several brown spots on her lips and inside her mouth. On abdominal examination, she had a generalized tenderness, especially in the LLQ. In the digital rectal examination, the rectum was empty. Lab tests showed the following results: leukocyte count 4000/mm3 with 80.9% neutrophils, hemoglobin 12.1 g/dl, platelet 320000/µl, and creatinine 0.6 mg/dl, BUN 14 mg/dl, glucose 152 mg/dl, sodium 137 mEq/L, potassium 4.5 mEq/L. Chest and abdominal radiographs were performed on the patient (Figure 1). No subdiaphragmatic free air was seen in the chest x-ray. The abdominal x-ray showed no air-fluid levels as well as any gas in the rectum. On abdominal and pelvic ultrasound, a moderate amount of free fluid was seen in the abdomen along with jejunoileal intussusception in the LLQ with an intestinal loops thickness increase

Complications and Mortality of Single Versus Dual Chamber Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators

Background: The implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are increasingly being used as a treatment modality for life threatening tachyarrhythmia. The purpose of this study was to compare the frequency of complications and mortality between single-chamber and dual-chamber ICD implantation in Shahid Rajaie cardiovascular center. Methods and results: Between January 2000 and December 2004, 234 patients received ICD by a percutaneous transvenous approach and were followed for 33 ± 23 months. The cumulative incidence of complications was 9.4% over the follow-up period. There was no significant difference in overall complication rate between single chamber (VR) and dual chamber (DR) ICD groups in the follow-up period (P= 0.11). The risk of complications did not have any statistically significant difference in secondary versus primary prevention groups (P=0.06). The complications were not associated with the severity of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (P=0.16).The frequency of lead-related complications was higher in dual chamber ICDs in comparison with single chamber ICDs (P=0.02). There was no significant difference in mortality between different sex groups (P=0.37), different indications for ICD implantation (P=0.43) or between VR and DR ICD groups (P= 0.55). Predictors of mortality were NYHA class III or more (P<0.001), age >65 years (P=0.011) and LVEF<30% (P<0.001). The mortality in patients with CAD and DCM were significantly higher than those with other structural heart diseases (P=0.001). Conclusions: Close monitoring of patients during the first 2 month after ICD implantation is recommended because the majority of complications occur early after the procedure

Jejunal Dieulafoy’s Lesion as a Rare Cause of Massive Gastrointestinal Bleeding; a Case Report and Literature Review

Jejunal Dieulafoy's lesion is difficult to diagnose due to its rarity, intermittent hemorrhage, and lesion site, which is largely inaccessible to conventional endoscopes. A 39-year-old man, who had no underlying disease, presented to the emergency department (ED) with weakness, dizziness, and dry cough with a history of several rectal bleeding episodes in the last few years. Endoscopy was normal, and the colon was full of clots on colonoscopy, and no gross pathology was found. On computed tomography (CT) angiography, a hyperdensity was seen in the middle of the jejunum, possibly suggesting contrast extravasation. Due to decreased hemoglobin of the patient, and hemodynamic instability, the patient became a candidate for surgery. A palpable lesion in the Jejunum was touched that opened longitudinally, which revealed active arterial bleeding from the nipple-like lesion. This segment was resected, and an anastomosis was performed. Histopathological examination of the small intestine confirmed a Dieulafoy’s lesion. It seems that, when upper endoscopy and colonoscopy fail to identify the cause of gastrointestinal bleeding, a Dieulafoy’s lesion should be included in the differential diagnoses

Immobilization of Laccase in Alginate-Gelatin Mixed Gel and Decolorization of Synthetic Dyes

Alginate-gelatin mixed gel was applied to immobilized laccase for decolorization of some synthetic dyes including crystal violet. The immobilization procedure was accomplished by adding alginate to a gelatin solution containing the enzyme and the subsequent dropwise addition of the mixture into a stirred CaCl2 solution. The obtained data showed that both immobilized and free enzymes acted optimally at 50°C for removal of crystal violet, but the entrapped enzyme showed higher thermal stability compared to the free enzyme. The immobilized enzyme represented optimum decolorization at pH 8. Reusability of the entrapped laccase was also studied and the results showed that ca. 85% activity was retained after five successive cycles. The best removal condition was applied for decolorization of seven other synthetic dyes. Results showed that the maximum and minimum dye removal was related to amido black 10B and eosin, respectively