An Algorithm for Determining Optimum Link Traffic Volume Counts for Estimation of Origin-Destination Matrix

Travel demand information is one of the most important inputs in transportation planning. Today, the access to origin-destination (OD) matrix using traffic volume count information has caught the researchers’ attention because these methods can estimate OD matrices based on the flow volume in the links of network with a high accuracy at a much lower cost over a short time. In such algorithms, the number and location of links are one of the main parameters for traffic volume count; hence a better OD matrix can be achieved by choosing the optimum links. In this paper, an algorithm is presented to determine the number and location of optimum links for traffic volume count. The method specifies the minimum links to cover the maximum elements of OD matrix. This algorithm is especially useful for the estimation of ODM through gradient method, because only the O-D pairs covered by link traffic counts are adjusted and estimated in the gradient method. The algorithm is then scripted via EMME/2 and FoxPro and implemented for a large-scale real network (Mashhad). The results show that about 95% of the ODM can be covered and then adjusted by counting only 8% of the links in the network of Mashhad

Modélisation de la relation entre les composantes de connaissances et les compétences d’élèves pour l’apprentissage de l’expression algébrique dans les écoles secondaires à l’aide de la méthode AHM

The purpose of this study is to apply the Attribute Hierarchy Method (AHM) in the cognitive domains of algebraic expressions to find cognitive inferences about students’ mathematical problem-solving skills. Initially, cognitive content techniques were developed to determine the knowledge and skills needed to solve mathematical assignments. Then, items were written specifically to assess skills in cognitive models. Finally, confirmatory psychometric analyses were used to evaluate students' response information by estimating the proportionality of the data model, attribute probabilities to report the diagnostic score and attribute validity. The first domain is concerned with the cognition and diagnosis of general polynomials and algebraic expressions and encompasses other areas. Therefore, the focus is on the precise definition of the basic concepts of the recognition of polynomials such as the polynomials and the number of very important terms and similar monomials and incorrect learning of algebra. Nevertheless, in the second domain, which focuses on simplification and related concepts, less emphasis has been placed on the seventh to ninth grades. The defect in the expression and practice of this field leads to weakness in solving and analyzing relevant mathematical problems. The third domain is related to the second domain and directly to the first domain. Factorization and distributive properties are often used without considering the rules of simplification by students. The weakness associated with the second domain causes the students not to be able to easily analyze and solve the problem in difficult polynomials in which the rules do not apply easily.L’objectif principal de cette étude est d’appliquer la méthode de hiérarchie d'attributs dans les domaines cognitifs d’expressions algébriques pour trouver d’inférences cognitives concernant les compétences d’élèves en résolution de problèmes mathématiques. Initialement, des techniques de contenu cognitif ont été développées pour déterminer les connaissances et les compétences nécessaires pour résoudre des problèmes de mathématiques. » Ensuite, l’on a écrit d’articles spécifiquement pour évaluer les compétences en modèles cognitifs. Enfin, des analyses psychométriques de confirmation ont été utilisées pour évaluer les informations sur la réponse d’étudiants en estimant la proportionnalité du modèle de données, les probabilités d’attributs pour rendre compte du résultat diagnostique et la validité d’attributs. » Le premier domaine concerne la connaissance et le diagnostic des polynômes généraux et des termes algébriques, et comprend d'autres domaines. Conséquemment, l’accent est mis sur la définition précise de concepts de base de la reconnaissance des polynômes tels que les polynômes et le nombre de termes très importants et de monômes similaires et l’apprentissage incorrect de l’algèbre. Cependant, dans le deuxième domaine, qui met l'accent sur simplification et concepts connexes, moins d'attention a été accordée aux septième à neuvième années. Le défaut dans l'expression et dans la pratique de ce domaine entraîne une faiblesse dans résolution et analyse de problèmes mathématiques pertinents. Le troisième domaine est lié au deuxième domaine et directement au premier domaine. La factorisation et les propriétés distributives sont souvent utilisées sans tenir compte des règles de simplification appliquées par les étudiants. La faiblesse du deuxième domaine empêche les étudiants d'analyser et de résoudre facilement le problème dans des polynômes difficiles dans lesquels les règles ne s'appliquent pas facilement

One-Humped Camels (Camelus dromedaries) Hard Ticks Infestation in Qeshm Island, Iran

The economic importance of tick infestation on camels are important as they are important meat and milk producer animals in the less vegetation area of Iran and their health and production are greatly affected by the high tick infestation. In this investigation, tick infestations on camels (Camelus dromedarius) were determined in Qeshm Island, Iran. A total number of 912 adult ticks (472 males and 440 females) were collected and identified. Hyalomma dromedarii was the predominant tick specie and accounted for 61.9% of the adult ticks. Other hard ticks were H. anatolicum excavatum (22 %), H. asiaticum asiaticum (14.2 %), H. marginatum (1.9 %), H. impeltatum (0.4 %) and Ripicephalus bursa (0.4 %). In conclusion, The provision of tick control programs in the Qeshm Island would seem a prerequisite for improving camel meat and milk production

Long-term pH Alterations in the Periradicular Area Following the Application of Calcium Hydroxide and MTA

Statement of the Problem: A rise in pH and the presence of calcium ions play an important role in prevention or management of external root resorption. Purpose: This study assessed the long-term pH alterations in the periradicular area following the application of calcium hydroxide (CH) and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) intracanal medicaments. Materials and Method: This in vitro, experimental study evaluated 45 single-canal extracted human teeth. After decoronation and root canal instrumentation, defects (3×3×1mm) were created in the middle third of the roots. Following smear layer removal, the root surface (except for the defect) was sealed with nail varnish. Five teeth served as negative controls and were filled with distilled water. The remaining 40 teeth were randomly divided into two groups (n=20) for application of MTA and CH as intr-acanal medicaments. Periapical radiographs were obtained to ensure optimal quality of obturation. After coronal sealing with glass ionomer, the teeth were incubated at 37°C, and their pH was measured at 1 and 2 weeks, and 1 and 3 months, using a pH-meter. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s test and Bonferroni adjustment. Results: The mean pH was significantly higher in CH group at 1 and 2 weeks (p< 0.01) but no difference was noted at 1 and 3 months (p= 0.52). The mean pH in both groups was significantly higher at 2 weeks compared with other time points (p< 0.05). Conclusion: CH may be preferred for use in the first weeks following the initiation of root resorption to provide a high pH. MTA can be later applied to maintain the high pH for a longer period of time without the need for medicament exchange

Glomerular filtration rate determination by creatinine and cystatin-C in patients with acute pyelonephritis

Background: Measurement of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and monitoring of it in any patient on nephrotoxic drugs is very important. Recently, cystatin C (cys-C) has been introduced as a better marker for determining and monitoring renal function than creatinine especially in a mild decrease of GFR. This study was done to assess the change of GFR measurement based on serum Cys-C and creatinine and their comparison in children with acute pyelonephritis on amikacin. Methods: All children with acute pyelonephritis who were admitted in Nephrology ward were enrolled in this study. Serum creatinine, serum cys-C and the GFR calculation based on them were measured in patients on the day of admission (day zero) and then on days 3 and 7 after the start of treatment with amikacin and p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Among the 70 children, 61 patients were females and the others were males. Mean age was 42.66±41.53 months. Estimated GFR based on creatinine on day 0 (before amikacin administration), 3 and 7 were 72.41±20.89 ml/min/1.73 m2, 78.42±21.15 ml/min/1.73 m2 and 80.5±22.43 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively. Moreover, GFR based on cys-C during these days were 116.23±58.9 ml/min/1.73 m2, 116.49±53.31 ml/min/1.73 m2 and 108.37±51.02 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively (p<0.05). Conclusions: According to this study, decrease of GFR calculation based on Cys-C was seen and estimated GFR was not changed according to creatinine. So, we recommend the use of cys-C for the monitoring of renal function in any patient treated with nephrotoxic drugs such as amikacin

Cervical Infection with Herpes simplex

Tragically, genital tract infections are still a major public health problem in many regions. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of cervical infection with Herpes simplex virus (HSV), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) among married women referring to Iranian Hospital, Dubai, UAE. In a retrospective cross-sectional survey, 201 female patients aged 16–80 years who referred to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Iranian Hospital, Dubai, UAE, in 2010 were enrolled. The patients were categorized into three age groups: 15–30 (group I), 31–40 (group II), and ≥41 years old (group III). A cervical swab sample was collected from each woman and the prevalence of cervical infection with HSV, CT, and NG was determined by PCR method. HSV, CT, and NG were detected in 6.5%, 10.4%, and 5.5% of swab samples, respectively. Regarding age, a significant difference was noticed for prevalence of NG and HSV between groups I and III. Because of public health importance of sexual transmitted diseases (STDs), their long-lasting impact on quality of life, and their economic burden, preventing measures and education of women seem necessary

Post-operative Analgesia in Opioid Dependent Patients: Comparison of ‎Intravenous Morphine and Sublingual Buprenorphine

Background: Acute and chronic pain is prevalent in patients with opioid dependence. Lack of knowledge concerning the complex relationship between pain, opioid use, and withdrawal syndrome can account for the barriers encountered for pain management. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of sublingual (SL) buprenorphine for post-operative analgesia, compared with intravenous (IV) morphine. Methods: A total of 68 patients, aged 20-60 years were randomly selected from whom had been underwent laparotomy due to acute abdomen in a University Teaching Hospital in Arak, Iran, and were also opioid (opium or heroin) abuser according to their history. After end of the surgery and patients’ arousal, the patients were evaluated for abdominal pain and withdrawal syndrome by visual analog scale (VAS) and clinical opioid withdrawal score (COWS), respectively 1, 6, and 24 h after the surgery. They received either morphine 5 mg IV or buprenorphine 2 mg SL, 1 h after end of the surgery, and then every 6 h for 24 h. Findings: VAS was 4.47 ± 0.73 and 2.67 ± 0.53 at h 6 and 24 in buprenorphine group, respectively. The corresponding score was 5.88 ± 0.69 and 4.59 ± 0.74 in morphine group. At the same time, patients in buprenorphine experienced less severe withdrawal syndrome. Conclusion: The present study confirmed the efficacy of SL buprenorphine as a non-invasive, but effective method for management of post-operative pain in opioid dependent patients. Result of this study showed that physicians can rely on SL buprenorphine for post-operative analgesia

Monitoring of fisheries resources in artificial reefs in east of Kish Island waters

Artificial reefs are manmade materials deployed under water in order to improve environment and increase the exploitation of fishing area. Usage of artificial technic has developed due to increase of world population and need to supply of protein, aim to restoring of natural specially rehabilitation of demersal fishes. It has effected to increase the production in order sustainable exploitation. Coasts and Islands have destruction due to over harvesting from ecosystems and other activities by humans and natural, these caused many aquatic as demersal fishes has endangered in Persian Gulf and Oman Sea. The artificial reef is one way or method that can improve the environment and restore the aquatic. Iranian fisheries has established an artificial reefs area in west of Kish Island. This area has studied during one year, Data of assembled fishes and physical sampling were collected in seasonal during spring, summer, autumn and wintered. There were tow treatment for sampling as artificial reefs site and a control site. Collected data has analyzed and evaluated by SPSS and Exel. The results showed that there was significant difference between the sites and assembled fishes in artificial reefs were more than control site. Consequently the artificial reefs can be a tool and technic to improve the marine environment and increase the production of fishes, especially the demersal fishes

Sustainable supply chain management towards disruption and organizational ambidexterity:A data driven analysis

Balancing sustainability and disruption of supply chains requires organizational ambidexterity. Sustainable supply chains prioritize efficiency and economies of scale and may not have sufficient redundancy to withstand disruptive events. There is a developing body of literature that attempts to reconcile these two aspects. This study gives a data-driven literature review of sustainable supply chain management trends toward ambidexterity and disruption. The critical review reveals temporal trends and geographic distribution of literature. A hybrid of data-driven analysis approach based on content and bibliometric analyses, fuzzy Delphi method, entropy weight method, and fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory is used on 273 keywords and 22 indicators obtained based on the experts’ evaluation. The most important indicators are identified as supply chain agility, supply chain coordination, supply chain finance, supply chain flexibility, supply chain resilience, and sustainability. The regions show different tendencies compared with others. Asia and Oceania, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Africa are the regions needs improvement, while Europe and North America show distinct apprehensions on supply chain network design. The main contribution of this review is the identification of the knowledge frontier, which then leads to a discussion of prospects for future studies and practical industry implementation

Asymmetric Conflicts as Defensive Puzzle for the Future of the International System: Understanding Context and Dimensions

Asymmetric conflicts can be described as changes in the passage of time which are way different with traditional wars. this paper reviews the nature and extent of asymmetric conflicts such as political violence. The key question is:to what extent political violence can be seen in the context of asymmetric conflicts, and what mechanisms are needed to address these conflicts? Far from a reductionist attitude,a set of solutions proposed in order to reduce these conflict