Auto adjust masses of automotive structures with desired centre of gravity

In this study a subroutine was developed and added in the pre-processing module of the frame work of commercial package of ANSYS to distribute the extra masses according to specific assigned centre of gravity (COG). The work further calculate the first bending and torsional natural frequencies of the simplified body in white (BIW) model of automotive in order to maximize these frequencies with final mass constraint. It is found that adding the extra masses symmetrically about longitudinal axis helps to improve the first bending and torsion natural frequencies. However, removing the mass along this axis leads to have higher values in the case of first bending and natural frequencies

Progress report towards preventing cow rabies in Mallard, Iran: policies and monitoring measures

Rabies is one of the most common viral and fetal diseases between humans and animals known as a zoonotic disease. Approximately 99% human rabies deaths occur in developing countries. Health care and follow up programs conducted for all the rabies cases are one of the important priorities for health care system in Iran to prevent the rabies incidence. The purpose of this study is to describe the cow rabies status and the health care programs conducted to the successful elimination of this deadly disease in one of the largest cowsheds in Mallard city in Iran during 2014. After founding the rabies incidence in one of the largest cowsheds in Mallard city in Iran, the crisis committee was held immediately and control measures including isolation, complete quarantine, vaccination of residents, and other sanitation measures were achieved in cooperation with the responsible organizations. During this incidence, 23 calves, cows and heifers were died. By conducting an integrated program and method, the numerous stakeholders contributed to the successful elimination of this fatal disease. In order to control the rabies, it is essential to educate the public on the prevention of the disease, especially in areas where the disease is more prevalence. Therefore, cooperation between the institutions involved in the disease control and planning for emergency disease eradication are essential to prevent the rabies infection among pets, especially livestoc

Comparative analysis of local residents’ perceptions of the impacts of tourism on rural areas: A case study of the villages in the basin of the Kolan river in Malayer County

Until now, a large number of studies on tourism in rural regions have concentrated on the recognition of its positive and negative impacts on economic, social, cultural, and environmental dimensions. However, considering the different views held by local people of the impact of tourism, few studies have been carried out to compare the perceptions of stakeholders, especially from the perspective of rural residents. This research aims to do a comparative analysis of the perceptions of local residents about the impacts of tourism on the villages of Kolan river basin in Malayer County. The research method is a mixed procedure. In the qualitative phase, during six sessions, group brainstorming was done by 60 persons participating as local volunteers. They tried to identify the positive and negative impacts of tourism. The findings in this phase were used to design a questionnaire as a measurement tool in the quantitative phase. As many as 350 questionnaires were given to 10% of the population over 15 years of age. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, cluster analysis, discriminant analysis, chi-square, and ANOVA. According to the exploratory factor analysis, the positive impacts were classified into economic, environmental, and social factors. Similarly, the negative impacts were classified into three factors in terms of environmental, social and security, and cultural impacts. The results of the cluster analysis showed three different perspectives. In most cases, there were significant differences between the perceptions of the local residents in terms of positive and negative impacts of tourism. The findings are consistent with the principles of social exchange theory

Axial crush of the tubular structure with various cee-shaped cross-sections

Tubular structure with various Cee-shaped cross sections is numerically investigated in order to find the centre of gravity (COG) under axial crush by using program code of ANSYS/LS-DYNA. A subroutine is developed using this code to obtain the COG of deformed shape, during and after crush deformation. The effect of wall thickness of the structure on displacement of COG is also studied. Subsequently, the effect of opening angle of Cee become more prominent as the wall thickness of the structure decreases and as the thickness increases, displacement of the COG in crush direction almost stabilizes for all opening angle of Cee in the range of (10° − 90°). Furthermore, Variation of Iyy of structure with thicker wall for different cases of applied weight is approximately identical. The value of mass moment of inertia with respect to X and Z axes through the model COG (Izx) in comparison with Iyy can be neglected in the case of axial crush along Y direction

Professors’ Valuation Criteria from the Perspective of Students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Using Shannon’s Entropy Technique in 2016

Background and Objectives: One of the ways to assess professors is through evaluation by students. This is one of the most challenging methods, with many people for and against it. The present study aimed to weigh existing evaluation criteria in the form of students’ evaluation of professors at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Methods: The present descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with 240 students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2016 - 17. Data were collected using a six-criterion questionnaire. Questionnaires were distributed among students by the researcher through the schools’ education units and then collected. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS. Weighing criteria were done by Shannon’s entropy method in Excel. Results: Of the six evaluation criteria, “Attracting students’ attention” weighed the most (0.2087 out of 1), followed by “Use of interactive and new teaching methods” (0.2049), “Ability to make the subject understood and motivate” (0.1728), “Punctuality” (0.1727), “Proper communication” (0.1546), and “Proper planning” (0.0863). Conclusions: Attention to basic criteria in students’ evaluation of professors is highly important, and this kind of evaluation is only useful when evaluation questionnaires are reviewed by students and include important points and become a part of an extensive and systematic evaluation program for the progress of faculty members. Keywords: Evaluation Criteria, Professor, Student, Weighing, Shannon’s Entrop

Effect of a garlic and citrus extract supplement on performance, rumen fermentation, methane production, and rumen microbiome of dairy cows

The aim of this trial was to determine the effect of a garlic and citrus extract supplement (GCE) on the performance, rumen fermentation, methane emissions, and rumen microbiome of dairy cows. Fourteen multiparous Nordic Red cows in mid-lactation from the research herd of Luke (Jokioinen, Finland) were allocated to 7 blocks in a complete randomized block design based on body weight, days in milk, dry matter intake (DMI), and milk yield. Animals within each block were randomly allocated to a diet with or without GCE. The experimental period for each block of cows (one for each of the control and GCE groups) consisted of 14 d of adaptation followed by 4 d of methane measurements inside the open circuit respiration chambers, with the first day being considered as acclimatization. Data were analyzed using the GLM procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc.). Methane production (g/d) and methane intensity (g/kg of energy-corrected milk) were lower by 10.3 and 11.7%, respectively, and methane yield (g/kg of DMI) tended to be lower by 9.7% in cows fed GCE compared with the control. Dry matter intake, milk production, and milk composition were similar between treatments. Rumen pH and total volatile fatty acid concentrations in rumen fluid were similar, whereas GCE tended to increase molar propionate concentration and decrease the molar ratio of acetate to propionate. Supplementation with GCE resulted in greater abundance of Succinivibrionaceae, which was associated with reduced methane. The relative abundance of the strict anaerobic Methanobrevibacter genus was reduced by GCE. The change in microbial community and rumen propionate proportion may explain the decrease in enteric methane emissions. In conclusion, feeding GCE to dairy cows for 18 d modified rumen fermentation and microbiota, leading to reduced methane production and intensity without compromising DMI or milk production in dairy cows. This could be an effective strategy for enteric methane mitigation of dairy cows

Modeling of unconfined compressive strength and Young's modulus of lime and cement stabilized clayey subgrade soil using Evolutionary Polynomial Regression (EPR)

In this study, the evolutionary polynomial regression (EPR) method has been employed to develop simple models with reasonable accuracy to predict the compressive strength and Young's modulus of the lime/cement stabilized clayey subgrade soil. For this purpose, the different specimens with the various cement and lime contents, at three moisture contents (dry side, wet side, and optimum moisture content) were fabricated and were cured for 7, 14, 21, 28 and, 60 days to conduct the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test. According to the test results, a dataset consisting of 75 records for each additive was prepared. Results of this study show that the R2 value of the developed model for predicting UCS of cement-stabilized clay soil is equal to 0.96 and 0.95 for training and testing sets, respectively. These two values for lime-stabilized soil are 0.91 and 0.87, respectively. Moreover, the R2 for predicting Young's modulus of cement-stabilized clay soil is equal to 0.90 and 0.89 for training and testing set, respectively. These two values for predicting Young's modulus of lime-stabilized soil are 0.88 and 0.94, respectively. The sensitivity analysis showed that for the Portland cement stabilized clayey subgrade, the percentage of the Portland cement and moisture content are the most significant parameters for predicting the UCS and Young's modulus, respectively. In contrast, for the lime-stabilized clayey subgrade soil, the most important parameters are the moisture content and the UCS, respectively

Effect of Water Deficit Stress on Seedling Biomass and Physio-Chemical Characteristics in Different Species of Wheat Possessing the D Genome

Wild relatives of wheat serve as an extraordinary source of variability for breeding programs due to their capabilities to respond to various environmental stresses. Here, we investigated some species possessing a D genome (T. aestivum, Ae. tauschii, Ae. crassa and Ae. cylindrica) in terms of relative water content (RWC), stomatal conductance (Gs), relative chlorophyll content, initial fluorescence (Fo), maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm), maximum primary yield of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fo), as well as shoot fresh and dry biomasses under control and water deficit conditions. Our results revealed that water deficit negatively affected all traits; shoot fresh weight, Gs and RWC showed the highest reduction compared to the control condition. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified two PCs that accounted for 53.36% of the total variation in the water deficit conditions. Correlation analysis and PCA-based biplots showed that stress tolerance index (STI) is significantly associated with Fv/Fm and Fv/Fo under water stress conditions, suggesting that these are the best parameters to evaluate when screening for tolerant samples at the seedling stage. We identified 19 accessions from Ae. crassa and one from Ae. tauschii as the most tolerant samples. In conclusion, Ae. crassa might provide an ideal genetic resource for drought-tolerant wheat breeds

Effect of Water Deficit Stress on Seedling Biomass and Physio-Chemical Characteristics in Different Species of Wheat Possessing the D Genome

Wild relatives of wheat serve as an extraordinary source of variability for breeding programs due to their capabilities to respond to various environmental stresses. Here, we investigated some species possessing a D genome (T. aestivum, Ae. tauschii, Ae. crassa and Ae. cylindrica) in terms of relative water content (RWC), stomatal conductance (Gs), relative chlorophyll content, initial fluorescence (Fo), maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm), maximum primary yield of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fo), as well as shoot fresh and dry biomasses under control and water deficit conditions. Our results revealed that water deficit negatively affected all traits; shoot fresh weight, Gs and RWC showed the highest reduction compared to the control condition. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified two PCs that accounted for 53.36% of the total variation in the water deficit conditions. Correlation analysis and PCA-based biplots showed that stress tolerance index (STI) is significantly associated with Fv/Fm and Fv/Fo under water stress conditions, suggesting that these are the best parameters to evaluate when screening for tolerant samples at the seedling stage. We identified 19 accessions from Ae. crassa and one from Ae. tauschii as the most tolerant samples. In conclusion, Ae. crassa might provide an ideal genetic resource for drought-tolerant wheat breeds

Public awareness, education and participation in solid waste management in Tehran

Background and objectives: Public participation in is vital in optimal management of municipal solid waste. Thepublic awareness, education and empowerment are the pre-requisites for the use of this potential. In this study, public awareness, education and participation in solid waste management were studied among a community samplein Tehran-2012. Materials and methods: The overall situation of solid waste management in Tehran was firstly assessed. Study participants were, thereafter, sampled from households from the 22 urban districts in the city of Tehran. A questionnaire was prepared and applied to 500 householders to estimate the public awareness, education and participation in solid waste management.Results: The results of this study showed that only about one-third of people had appropriate awareness in the field of solid waste management. The overall status of public education in solid waste management was also insufficient, so that 86% of people were trained at level of poor or very poor. Public participation in solid waste management was variable in different fields. Public participation in simple activities such as avoiding waste spillage and splurge in public places and scheduled transfer of collected waste to public containers was relatively good; and in waste reduction and separation of recyclable components was moderate. Furthermore, separation of hazardous waste and household composting were not done due to lack of required facilities and training.Conclusion: The present study revealed that public education and required facilities should be supplied and expanded in order to increase public participation in solid waste management. Repetition and continuity of education programs, face to face training, and greater use of television and Internet media are emphasized.Keywords: Public education, Public participation, Municipal solid waste, Tehran Cit