Reliability analysis of bistable composite laminates

Bistable composite laminates are smart composites that have been employed for engineering structures due to their superlative offering of features like ability to change shape and low densities. Because of the embedded geometrical nonlinearity factor, a small variation of input parameters leads to significant changes in the response of the bistable composite laminates. In other words, Uncertainty Quantification (UQ) makes a change in the bistability characteristics. As a result, bistability behavior is extremely reliant on geometrical dimensions and elastic material properties as design parameters. Reliability analysis deals with the quantitative assessment of the occurrence probability due to UQ. In this regard, the reliability and sensitivity analysis of bistable composite plate are investigated through the Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) and multiple types of uncertain parameters, geometry and material properties, are assumed as random variables. The results indicate bistable composite plates have a high probability to be bistability behavior with the assumed statistical properties. Moreover, the sensitivity reliability analysis illustrates that the thickness and coefficient of thermal expansion have more effect on the bistability behavior in comparison to other input parameters. The results are confirmed by comparing them with those determined by the Finite Element Method (FEM)

Comparison of knowledge, attitude and practice of Urban and rural households toward iron deficiency anemia in three provinces of Iran

Background: Lack of nutritional knowledge is one of the most important reasons of nutritional problems and consequently improper practice, which can lead to several complications. This study has been designed in order to compare knowledge, attitude and practices of the urban and rural households regarding iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in Boushehr, Golestan and Sistan & Balouchestan provinces in 2004. Methods: The sampling method at household's level in each province was the single-stage cluster sampling with equal size clusters. The necessary data were gathered with a structured questionnaire and via the interviews between the questioners and the eligible people in each household. Comparison of frequency of variables between urban and rural areas were tested by chi square test. Results: A total of 2306 households were selected as overall sample size. In urban areas, people recognized iron food sources better than rural areas. Knowledge level of respondents about vulnerable group for IDA and the favorite attitude of households toward IDA were better in urban areas of Sistan & Blouchestan and Golestan provinces. In Sistan & Balouchestan and Golestan, rural households who drank tea immediately before or after meal was more than urban ones. The majority of pregnant and lactating mothers (except for rural areas of Bushehr) did not take iron supplement regularly. Less than 60 percent of children used iron drop regularly. Conclusion: Knowledge, attitude, and practice levels of households toward IDA were not acceptable. One of the best ways of improving nutritional practice is nutritional education with focus on applying available food resources

Optic nerve sonography in the diagnostic evaluation of pseudopapilledema and raised intracranial pressure: A cross-sectional study

Introduction. Differentiating pseudopapilledema from papilledema which is optic disk edema and a result of increased ICP (intracranial pressure) is important and can be done with noninvasive methods like orbital ultrasound examination. Method. This was a cross-sectional study in which patients with optic nerve head swelling were referred for LP exam after optic nerve head swelling diagnosis confirmation and having normal brain imaging (CT scan). Before LP (lumbar puncture) exam the patients were referred for optic nerve ultrasound test of both eyes. Results. Considering 5.7 mm as the upper limit for normal ONSD (optic nerve sheath diameter), sensitivity and negative predictive value of optic sonography in diagnosis of pseudopapilledema are 100 for both eyes. Calculated accuracy validity of ONSD measurement in detecting pseudopapilledema is 90 for the right eye and 87 for the left eye. Conclusion. Our study demonstrated a close correlation between optic nerve sheath dilation on ocular ultrasound and evidence of elevated ICP with optic disk swelling. With the aid of noninvasive diagnostic tests we can avoid unnecessary concerns along with expensive and invasive neurological investigations while targeting the correct diagnosis in bilateral optic disk swelling. Our study showed optic nerve sonography as a reliable diagnostic method for further usage. © 2015 Masoud Mehrpour et al

The effect of aromatherapy with bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) extract on anxiety and fatigue in type 2 diabetic patients

Objective: Studies have shown some complementary therapies to be effective in the management of diabetes and its comorbidities. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of an aromatherapy extract on anxiety and fatigue in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: 60 type 2 diabetic patients were randomly assigned in two groups: patients in the intervention group received bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) extract inhalation aromatherapy for three consecutive nights before sleeping, whereas patients in the control group received usual care. Patients� level of anxiety and fatigue was recorded before and after intervention using Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Results: The mean score of anxiety in patients in the intervention group before and after intervention were 63.13 ± 40.42 and 52.9 ± 3.57, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean score of anxiety in patients in control group before and after intervention were 56.73 ± 39.52 and 56.6 ± 3.93, respectively (P = 0.468). The mean score of fatigue in patients in intervention group before and after intervention were 65.7 ± 39.63 and 63 ± 3.93, respectively. The mean score of fatigue in patients in control group before and after intervention were 56.5 ± 43.15 and 56.26 ± 4.28, respectively (P = 0.436). Conclusion: The use of bitter orange extract inhalation aromatherapy is a potentially effective intervention to relive type 2 diabetics� anxiety and fatigue. Further study in this regards are recommended. © 2019 Elsevier Lt

The effect of aromatherapy with bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) extract on anxiety and fatigue in type 2 diabetic patients

Objective: Studies have shown some complementary therapies to be effective in the management of diabetes and its comorbidities. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of an aromatherapy extract on anxiety and fatigue in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: 60 type 2 diabetic patients were randomly assigned in two groups: patients in the intervention group received bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) extract inhalation aromatherapy for three consecutive nights before sleeping, whereas patients in the control group received usual care. Patients� level of anxiety and fatigue was recorded before and after intervention using Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Results: The mean score of anxiety in patients in the intervention group before and after intervention were 63.13 ± 40.42 and 52.9 ± 3.57, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean score of anxiety in patients in control group before and after intervention were 56.73 ± 39.52 and 56.6 ± 3.93, respectively (P = 0.468). The mean score of fatigue in patients in intervention group before and after intervention were 65.7 ± 39.63 and 63 ± 3.93, respectively. The mean score of fatigue in patients in control group before and after intervention were 56.5 ± 43.15 and 56.26 ± 4.28, respectively (P = 0.436). Conclusion: The use of bitter orange extract inhalation aromatherapy is a potentially effective intervention to relive type 2 diabetics� anxiety and fatigue. Further study in this regards are recommended. © 2019 Elsevier Lt

Incremental Fermi Large Area Telescope fourth source catalog

Artículo escrito por un elevado número de autores, solo se referencian el que aparece en primer lugar, el nombre del grupo de colaboración, si le hubiere, y los autores pertenecientes a la UAMWe present an incremental version (4FGL-DR3, for Data Release 3) of the fourth Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) catalog of 3-ray sources. Based on the first 12 years of science data in the energy range from 50 MeV to 1 TeV, it contains 6658 sources. The analysis improves on that used for the 4FGL catalog over eight years of data: more sources are fit with curved spectra, we introduce a more robust spectral parameterization for pulsars, and we extend the spectral points to 1 TeV. The spectral parameters, spectral energy distributions, and associations are updated for all sources. Light curves are rebuilt for all sources with 1 yr intervals (not 2 month intervals). Among the 5064 original 4FGL sources, 16 were deleted, 112 are formally below the detection threshold over 12 yr (but are kept in the list), while 74 are newly associated, 10 have an improved association, and seven associations were withdrawn. Pulsars are split explicitly between young and millisecond pulsars. Pulsars and binaries newly detected in LAT sources, as well as more than 100 newly classified blazars, are reported. We add three extended sources and 1607 new point sources, mostly just above the detection threshold, among which eight are considered identified, and 699 have a plausible counterpart at other wavelengths. We discuss the degree-scale residuals to the global sky model and clusters of soft unassociated point sources close to the Galactic plane, which are possibly related to limitations of the interstellar emission model and missing extended source

Efficacy of flour fortification with folic acid in women of childbearing age in Iran

Background: Flour fortification with folic acid is one of the main strategies for improving folate status in women of childbearing age. No interventional trial on the efficacy of folic acid fortification has been conducted so far in Iran. Objectives: To study the effects of flour fortification with folic acid on any reduction in neural tube defects (NTDs) and folate status of women of childbearing age. Methods: In a longitudinal hospital-based study, 13,361 postpartum women were studied after admission for childbirth before and after fortification. In addition, two cross-sectional surveys were conducted before (2006) and after flour fortification (2008). The cluster sampling method was used and 580 women, 15-49 years old, were studied as a representative sample of Golestan province in the north of Iran. Fasting blood samples were collected to measure serum vitamin B 12, folate and plasma homocysteine. Sociodemographic data, health characteristics and dietary intake were determined. Results: The mean daily intakes of folate from natural food before and after flour fortification were 198.3 and 200.8 μg/day, respectively. The total folate intake increased significantly from 198.3 to 413.7 μg/day after fortification (p < 0.001). Folate intake increased by an average of 226 μg/day from fortified bread. The mean serum folate level increased from 13.6 to 18.1 nmol/l; folate deficiency decreased from 14.3 to 2.3% (p < 0.001). The incidence rate of NTDs declined by 31% (p < 0.01) in the post-fortification period (2.19 per 1,000 births; December 2007 to December 2008) compared to the pre-fortification period (3.16 per 1,000 births; September 2006 to July 2007). Conclusions: Implementation of mandatory flour fortification with folic acid can lead to a significant increase in serum folate and a significant decrease in NTDs. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel

Association of mitochondrial polymorphism m.709G>A with Behcet's disease

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