Rapid Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of Buildings in the Old Algiers

The selection of an appropriate seismic vulnerability method to evaluate buildings stock in urban area depends essentially on the available information. Information about buildings can be obtained essentially from field visual inspection. In this context, rapid visual procedure to collect buildings data can be used to identify vulnerable buildings based their structural characteristics. In this study, which aims to evaluate the seismic vulnerability of existing buildings in the old part of Algiers (Algeria), including Casbah and Bab El Oued areas, buildings data has been collected using rapid visual exterior examination. Then, with the main purpose to evaluate the physical damage and its relationship with the seismic intensity, empirical method using the vulnerability index, previously developed during the European project Risk-UE, is used. Results and conclusions of this work could be useful to define appropriate measures to upgrade seismic performance of existing buildings

Rapid Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of Buildings in the Old Algiers

The selection of an appropriate seismic vulnerability method to evaluate buildings stock in urban area depends essentially on the available information. Information about buildings can be obtained essentially from field visual inspection. In this context, rapid visual procedure to collect buildings data can be used to identify vulnerable buildings based their structural characteristics. In this study, which aims to evaluate the seismic vulnerability of existing buildings in the old part of Algiers (Algeria), including Casbah and Bab El Oued areas, buildings data has been collected using rapid visual exterior examination. Then, with the main purpose to evaluate the physical damage and its relationship with the seismic intensity, empirical method using the vulnerability index, previously developed during the European project Risk-UE, is used. Results and conclusions of this work could be useful to define appropriate measures to upgrade seismic performance of existing buildings

The Perceived Threat in Adults with Leukemia Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Background: Leukemia and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) create physical, psychological, social, and spiritual distresses in patients. Understanding this threatening situation in adults with leukemia undergoing HSCT will assist health care professionals in providing holistic care to the patients. Objectives: The aim of the present study was exploring the perceived threat in adults with leukemia undergoing HSCT. Patients and Methods: This article is part of a longitudinal qualitative study which used the grounded theory approach and was conducted in 2009-2011. Ten adults with acute leukemia scheduled for HSCT were recruited from the Hematology–Oncology Research Center and Stem Cell Transplantation, Shariati Hospital in Tehran, Iran. A series of pre-transplant and post-transplant in-depth interviews were held in the hospital’s HSCT wards. Totally, 18 interviews were conducted. Three written narratives were also obtained from the participants. The Corbin and Strauss approach was used to analyze the data. Results: Perceived threat was one of the main categories that emerged from the data. This category included four subcategories, "inattention to the signs and symptoms", "doubt and anxiety", "perception of danger and time limitation" and "change of life conditions", which occurred in linear progression over time. Conclusion: Suffering from leukemia and experiencing HSCT are events that are uniquely perceived by patients. This threatening situation can significantly effect perception of patients and cause temporary or permanent alterations in patients' lives. Health care professionals can help these patients by deeper understanding of their experiences and effective interventions

Identification of valuable natural factors by the VPS Method from children’s points of view, in order to provide a framework for organizing the school yard space

Background and Objective: Addressing the issue of identifying elements of the nature are important to children and increase children's creativity. In such a way that these elements can be presented in a general framework so that designers and architects can rely on them, the most important concepts and items needed in the design, to consider these spaces and apply them. Of course, it should be noted that several environmental factors affect creativity. However, in this study, an attempt is made to identify the factors that have the most impact, so that the needs of children can be met in accordance with their activities and a general framework for designing children's spaces can be proposed. The main difference between this research and other researches is in prioritizing the effective factors in nature from the children's point of view and its effect on creativity and then presenting the results in the form of an overall design framework. Various research has been done on this subject, but in a one-dimensional way and in them only one factor is mentioned, such as the effect of creativity on learning, but none of them presents the effect of nature's role in increasing creativity. The purpose of this research is to determine which natural elements are important from children’s points of view and whether the use and presence of elements are possible in educational locations. This research seeks to find approaches to design school yards based on children’s points of view with regard to the role of nature in their education. Methods: The research method used in this qualitative study is content analysis. Based on the nature of the subject, a questionnaire and the image technique were used as the main method of data collection. The structure of the questionnaire is based on the measures and criteria derived from the subject literature and designed based on Likert scale. In the first stage, 120 questionnaires were provided to children of 7-12 age in the case study. Results of the questionnaires were obtained. To ensure that the results of the questionnaires are expanded, the researcher, in the second phase, provided some pictures relevant to questionnaires, so that the children could respond to questions based on their visual preferences. The researcher then obtained results based on visual content analysis. Findings: It was discovered that these two instruments of measurement are in line with each other and are appropriate to the environmental factors affecting children. Finally, a framework for organizing the school yard is presented. Conclusion: By creating an appropriate, responsive and purposeful framework in design, we can address the main goal of the research, which is to identify the effective factors in nature from the children's point of view by increasing their creativity, and finally, an appropriate framework by considering these factors to organize the space of the school yard. The necessity of presenting the framework can be expressed in such a way that the weakening of children's connection with outside the classroom is harmful for the child, on the other hand, an intellectual movement moves towards learning outdoors. The presence of natural elements or the same nature has a positive effect on children's creativity, discovers and flourishes the latent talent in children and creates a suitable environment for a bright future for children.   ===================================================================================== COPYRIGHTS  ©2019 The author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, as long as the original authors and source are cited. No permission is required from the authors or the publishers.  ====================================================================================

Determining Some Morphophysiological Traits Affecting the Root-to-Shoot Ratio in Different Cultivars of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

IntroductionBarley is the fourth most common cereal crop in the world after wheat, maize, and rice, which is used for animal and human feed and malt production. This plant stands out among crops due to its unexpectedly wide range of adaptation and distribution compared to other cereals, earning it recognition as a model species.  Determining the variation in the morphological and physiological traits of roots and shoots in the collection of barley genotypes can provide the basis for breeding new cultivars with suitable traits for better adaptation to specific environments. So in this study, some morphophysiological characteristics of roots and shoots of commercial barley cultivars were studied to identify cultivars with a higher root-to-shoot ratio as donor parents for breeding projects.Materials and MethodsIn this study, 21 barley cultivars were grown in a randomized complete block design with six replications in greenhouse conditions. Morphological and physiological traits related to roots and shoots were measured during the tillering and heading stages. Also, some traits affecting photosynthesis and yield during reproductive growth and harvesting stages were measured. Analysis of variance, mean comparison by LSD test at 5% probability level, and multivariate statistical analyses including principal components analysis, cluster analysis by Ward method, correlation analysis, and path analysis were performed by JMP and R statistical software.Results and DiscussionSignificant genetic diversity was observed for most of the traits among cultivars (P < 0.05). At the tillering stage, Behrokh and Mehtab cultivars and in the heading stage, Jolgeh cultivar showed the highest dry weight of root to shoot ratio. Reyhan variety showed the lowest dry weight of root-to-shoot ratio in both stages. The carbohydrate content of the root in the tillering stage and leaf proline, root volume, and the ratio of chlorophyll a to carotenoid in the heading stage had the highest significant correlation coefficients with dry weight of root to shoot ratio (P < 0.05). Path analysis revealed that the root carbohydrate content in the tillering stage and the ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoids and proline in the heading stage are the most effective traits of the dry weight of root-to-shoot ratio. Principal components analysis showed that the first and second principal components explain 33.63% and the first seven principal components explain 72.66% of the total changes. Also, the first principal component showed a positive and significant correlation with root to root-to-shoot ratio in the heading stage, and the second principal component showed a negative and significant correlation with this ratio (P < 0.05). The studied cultivars were classified into four groups based on cluster analysis so that the fourth and second clusters in the tillering stage and the third and second clusters in the heading stage had the highest and the first cluster in both stages had the lowest dry weight of root to shoot ratio.ConclusionBased on the results, Jolgeh and Reyhan cultivars can be used in breeding programs to improve and produce cultivars with higher root-to-shoot ratio, optimal yield, and more adapted to specific environments. These cultivars had the highest and the lowest dry weight of root-to-shoot ratio in both stages, respectively. Also, they were placed in different dimensions of the biplot drawn based on the first two principal components. In addition, these cultivars were observed in different classes based on the cluster analysis.AcknowledgmentThis project related to the Ph.D. thesis was financially supported by the Vice President for Research of the Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, and the seeds of the cultivars used in this study were provided by the Karaj Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, the authors are thankful for this cooperation

The nutritional impact of replacing dietary meat with meat alternatives in the UK: a modelling analysis using nationally representative data

Dietary patterns high in meat compromise both planetary and human health. Meat-alternatives may help facilitate meat reduction, however the nutritional implications of displacing meat with meat-alternatives does not appear to have been evaluated. Here, data from the 9th cycle of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey was used as the basis of models to assess the effect of meat substitution on nutritional intake. We implemented three models; model 1 progressively replaced 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% of the current meat intake with a weighted mean of meat-alternatives available in the UK market. Model 2 compared different ingredient categories of meat-alternative; vegetable, mycoprotein, a combination of bean and pea, tofu, nut and soy. Model 3 compared fortified versus unfortified meat-alternatives. The models elicited significant shifts in nutrients. Overall, there were increases in carbohydrate, fibre, sugars and sodium, whereas reductions were found for protein, total and saturated fat, iron and B12. The greatest effects were seen for; vegetable-based (+24.63g/day carbohydrates), mycoprotein-based (−6.12g/day total fat), nut-based (−19.79g/day protein, +10.23g/day fibre; −4.80g/day saturated fat, +7.44g/day sugars), soy-based (+495.98mg/day sodium), and tofu-based (+7.63mg/day iron, −2.02μg/day B12). Our results suggest meat-alternatives can be a healthful replacement for meat if chosen correctly. Consumers should seek out meat-alternatives which are low in sodium and sugar, high in fibre, protein and with high micronutrient density, to avoid compromising nutritional intake if reducing their meat intake. Manufacturers and policy makers should consider fortification of meat-alternatives with nutrients such as iron and B12 and focus on reducing sodium and sugar content

The Correlation Between Prolonged Corrected QT Interval with the Frequency of Respiratory Arrest, Endotracheal Intubation, and Mortality in Acute Methadone Overdose

Corrected QT interval (QTc) prolongation is long considered as a predisposing factor for the occurrence of torsade de pointes (TdP) and sudden cardiac arrest in methadone maintenance treatment. We aimed to elucidate the correlation between QTc prolongation and in-hospital death, respiratory arrest, and endotracheal intubation in acute methadone-intoxicated patients presenting to the emergency department and to assess the value of QTc in predicting these outcomes. A prospective cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of patients with acute methadone overdose was done. Participants were 152 patients aged 15–65 with negative urinary dipstick test for cyclic antidepressants, no history of other QTc-prolonging conditions and co-ingestions, no severe comorbidities affecting the outcomes, and positive urinary dipstick results for methadone. QTc intervals were measured and calculated in triage-time electrocardiogram (ECG). Death was correlated with QTc (P = 0.014) and length of ICU admission (P < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, death was independently associated only with length of ICU admission [odds ratio (OR) 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI) 1.36 (1.14–1.61)]. Intubation and respiratory arrest were independently associated with QTc interval [OR (95 % CI) 1.03 (1.02–1.04) and 1.02 (1.01–1.03), respectively]. The receiver operating characteristics curves drawn to show the ability of QTc to predict death, intubation, and respiratory arrest showed thresholds of 470, 447.5, and 450 ms with sensitivity (95 % CI) and specificity (95 % CI) of 87.5 (47.3–99.7), 86.8 (74.7–94.5), and 77.3 (62.2–88.5), respectively. Our study showed that QTc is a potential predictor for adverse outcomes related to acute methadone intoxication. The correlations shown in this study between triage-time QTc and in-hospital respiratory arrest or intubation in methadone overdose may be of clinical value, whether these outcomes are hypothesized to be a reflection of background TdP or intoxication severity. © 2014, Springer Science+Business Media New York

Electrocardiographic changes in patients with tramadol-induced idiosyncratic seizures

Objectives To assess ECG changes in patients with tramadol-induced seizure(s) and compare these changes in lower and higher than 500 mg tramadol doses as a main goal. Material and methods In an analytical-cross sectional manner over 1 year, 170 patients with idiosyncratic seizure(s) after using tramadol, were studied. Full data were recorded for each patient. ECGs were taken from all the patients on admission and 1 h later and were assessed for findings. Results 70 of 170 patients (41.2) had used lower than 500 mg doses of tramadol while 90 patients (52.9) were included in the high dose group. Rate of female patients in the high dose group was significantly higher. The average age of patients in the high dose group was significantly lower (22.04 vs 25.76). The high dose group had significantly higher heart rates. There was no history of cardiovascular diseases; two patients had previous history of seizure. No significant difference was shown between low dose and high dose groups from the point of ECG changes. Discussion and conclusion Using doses higher than 500 mg is more frequently seen in women, young people and those who have not experienced previous use of tramadol. Terminal S wave, sinus tachycardia, and terminal R wave in the lead aVR are among the most common ECG changes in tramadol users. © 2016 The Emergency Medicine Association of Turke

Wavelets and graph C∗C^*-algebras

Here we give an overview on the connection between wavelet theory and representation theory for graph $C^{\ast}$-algebras, including the higher-rank graph $C^*$-algebras of A. Kumjian and D. Pask. Many authors have studied different aspects of this connection over the last 20 years, and we begin this paper with a survey of the known results. We then discuss several new ways to generalize these results and obtain wavelets associated to representations of higher-rank graphs. In \cite{FGKP}, we introduced the "cubical wavelets" associated to a higher-rank graph. Here, we generalize this construction to build wavelets of arbitrary shapes. We also present a different but related construction of wavelets associated to a higher-rank graph, which we anticipate will have applications to traffic analysis on networks. Finally, we generalize the spectral graph wavelets of \cite{hammond} to higher-rank graphs, giving a third family of wavelets associated to higher-rank graphs