Fiber-reinforcement and its effects on the mechanical properties of high-workability concretes manufactured with slag as aggregate and binder

The feasibility of manufacturing fiber-reinforced concretes of high workability through additions of high volumes of electric arc furnace steel slag is evaluated in this paper, using sustainable binders with ground granulated blast furnace slag and ladle furnace slag as a supplementary cementitious material. An extensive experimental plan is developed to test four (self-compacting and pumpable) concrete mixtures, some reinforced with 0.5% vol. of (metallic or synthetic) fibers, in both the fresh and the hardened state. Very specific mechanical aspects are examined, such as the evaluation of both longitudinal and transversal stress-strain compressive behavior, and the assessment of direct tensile strength through the “dog-bone” test. The results of testing this sustainable concrete design yielded suitable mechanical strengths, and good toughness, ductility and impact strength, among other properties. Good adhesion between the fibers and the cementitious matrix was also evident from the fiber pull-out test results. Finally, the overall results confirmed that the use of electric arc furnace steel slag can make a real contribution to construction-sector sustainability and that the mechanical behavior of these novel concretes meets the basic design requirements for use in real structures.Spanish Ministries MCI, AEI, EU and ERDF [RTI2018-097079-B-C31; 10.13039/501100011033; FPU17/03374]; the Junta de Castilla y León (Regional Government) and ERDF [UIC-231, BU119P17]; the Basque Government research group [IT1314-19]; Youth Employment Initiative (JCyL) and ESF [UBU05B_1274]; the University of Burgos [Y135.GI] and the University of the Basque Country [PPGA20/26]. Likewise, our thanks to CHRYSO and HORMOR for supplying the materials used in this research

Identifying Classification and Prioritization the Factors Affecting the University Academic Authority

To help improve the quality of the state higher education system, the current study aimed at identifying and ranking the factors which affect the academic authority of universities.(A Case Study on Imam Reza International University, Peace Upon Him) This study is an applied one with respect to its aim and is a library and Delphi one concerning its quality. Applying the library method, this research identified a series of factors which affect the academic authority of universities, and then it investigated and finalized them through reaching a consensus among a group of experts. The members of this group of 15 were selected by means of snowball sampling and the priorities of the above mentioned factors were determined through analytic hierarchy process. The factors affecting the university academic authority were identified in the form of 902 primary subject matters, and after being screened and classified at various levels, they were defined in the form of 45 sub factors and each was ranked according to its level of importance. Based on the viewpoints expressed by the experts group and according to importance, the factor of educating and empowering a human capital that has self-confidence and entrepreneurial skills was ranked first in the series of factors which affect the university academic authority. The existence of a national and transnational synergistic academic network was ranked second and the factor of creating an appropriate pyramid of faculty members by employing qualified and specialized forces had the third priority

Designing an International Model of Higher Education among the National North-Eastern Universities of Iran

Introduction: The decision regarding internationalization in Iran higher education seems indispensable. This necessity is in line with the implementation of the objectives of Iran’s 20-year vision plan that is, turning country into the supreme scientific power of the region. Therefore, the purpose of this study is developing an international model of higher education among the national North-Eastern Universities of Iran in 2018”. Methods: This study was a qualitative and quantitative study with an exploratory design which was conducted in 2018. As to the qualitative part, the sample included 18 members of the scientific experts at national universities who were selected by a purposeful method regarding the saturation rule. At the quantitative section, it included 302 experts who were selected using the random stratified sampling. The data collection instrument was semi-structured interview. As to the quantitive part, it was researcher-made questionnaire about the internationalization of higher education. To identify the components at the qualitative part, the content analysis method was used. Also, at the quantitative section, model analysis was done using the structural equations modeling. Results: The results of the exploratory analysis show that from among the 126 of the indicators, 8 main dimensions are identifiable. To be more specific, the opinions of the reliable professors of this field were asked; the identified dimensions were as follow: political strategies, academic strategies, communicative strategies, the establishment of the special organization, the political structure and relationships, inter-university approaches, service-orienteers, and the flexible leadership. Later on, the model designation was done using Structural Equation Modeling. The t value for the internationalization of higher education dimensions in this research was estimated to be between 16. 33 to 24. 40 which was bigger than the given t value (1.96). The political strategies (F1) had the highest t value, but the political structure and the relationships (F5) had the lowest t value. Conclusion: Regarding the findings, it could be concluded that, all the aforementioned dimensions have desirable and direct impact on the internationalization of higher education

ارائه مدل آموزش فرهنگ سازمانی در آموزش و پرورش خراسان رضوی با استفاده از مدل نظریه ای داده بنیاد

این پژوهش با هدف ارائه مدل فرهنگ‌سازمانی در آموزش‌وپرورش خراسان رضوی با استفاده از روش نظامدارنظریه  داده بنیاد یا گراندد تئوری انجام‌شده است.. برای به دست آوردن داده‌های موردنیاز در این پژوهش با 15 نفر از خبرگان حوزه  سیاستگذاری آموزش و پرورش مصاحبه ی بدون ساختار به عمل امد و داده ها از مصاحبه ها استخراج شد. برای تجریه وتحلیل داده‌هااز روش نظام دار استراوس و کوربین با کدگذاری باز، کدگذاری محوری و کدگذاری انتخابی انجام‌شده است. بعد از تحلیل داده‌ها مدل پارادایم یا الگوی مطلوب فرهنگ‌ سازمانی یادگیرنده مشارکتی استخراج شده است. بر اساس نتایج بدست آمده این الگو دارای شرایط علی (کیفیت، آینده نگری، نیاز جامعه)، شرایط زمینه‌ای (نیروی انسانی، فناوری، دانش محوری، دانش آموز ماهر، برنامه ریزی و ارزش و اخلاق)، شرایط مداخله (تجهیزات، فضای فیزیکی، عوامل اقتصادی، تمرکز زدایی، جذب نیرو)، راهبردها (مشارکت محوری، مهارت محوری، روش‌های آموزشی، عملکردگرایی) و پیامدها (کسب مهارتهای گروهی، کسب مهارتهای فردی و تامین نیازهای جامعه) می‌باشد

طراحی مدل مدیریت دانش در دانشگاه فنی و حرفه ای با راهبرد آموزش تربیت کارآفرین

The ever-increasing development of industry, information and technology in the world is moving forward at a fast pace. Countries seeking self-sufficiency and universal independence must prepare their country for sustainable entrepreneurship, production and employment, and human resources in the industry, in order to cope with the gap between existing skills and new skills. Under these conditions, we recognize the importance of the mission of universities that are active in the training of skilled entrepreneurs. Knowledge management in organizations, especially educational organizations, is an effective solution to this problem. This research, based on the Foundation's data strategy, studies the knowledge management strategy at the technical and vocational college. The research data were collected through 14 managers and technical experts, and semi-structured interviews. Validity and validity of the research data were confirmed by the opinions of the experts of the research based on the data of the Foundation as well as by the interviewees. Therefore, the results of this research were derived from the following conditions. Strategies include: 1. Entrepreneur training 2. Improvement of human resources 3. Qualification of university education as well as causal conditions including: 1. Human resource potential 2. University mission (entrepreneurship), as well as categories or pivot phenomena including: leadership of the organization, as well as The field includes: 1. Intellectual capital 2. Knowledge 3. Management strategy, as well as intervening conditions include: 1. Organizational structure 2. Teamwork 3. Organizational culture 4. Knowledge sharing and, in the end, the consequences: Knowledge management strategy at the university; The top managers of the university are guided by the mission and purpose of the organization (the training of skilled technicians and entrepreneurs)

Sex difference in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity: Influence of L-arginine in rat model

Background: L-arginine is an important precursor for the formation of nitric oxide (NO). According to previous studies, NO function is related to gender. Likewise, chronic renal diseases have lower prevalence in female. Gentamicin (GM) is an aminoglycoside antibiotic. According to some studies, males are more sensitive to GM renal nephrotoxicity. This study attempts to find protective effects of L-arginine on GM nephrotoxicity in male and female rats. Methods: Male and female rats were divided into eight groups: Rats were randomly assigned to 8 groups each including both male and female rats. The first and second groups received vehicle (saline), the third and fourth groups received gentamicin (80 mg/kg), the fifth and sixth groups received L-arginine (150 mg/kg), and finally, seventh and eighth groups received gentamicin+ L- arginine. Next, 9 days after administering drugs, blood samples were collected from the heart. After making sacrifices, the level of blood urea, creatinine (Cr), nitrite, and malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured in serums. Likewise, nitrite and MDA were measured in the homogenized kidney tissue. Results: GM significantly increased serum level of urea and Cr in male and female rats (P < 0.05). However, co-administration of GM + L-arginine significantly did not decrease urea and Cr level in male rats, whereas, in female rats, they significantly reduced (P < 0.05). In response to GM, renal MDA level increased in male and female rats (P < 0.05), and in the presence of GM + L-arginine, the level of MDA significantly decreased in both genders (P < 0.05). Conclusions: L-arginine demonstrated some protective effects in female rats but did not protect against GM nephrotoxicity in male rats for unknown reasons, probably related to the effects of sex hormones which needs further studies to be confirmed