Performance Improvement through a Marshaling Yard Storage Area in a Container Port Using Optimization via Simulation Technique (Case Study at Shahid Rajaee Container Port)

Container ports have been faced under increasing development during last 10 years. In such systems, the container transportation system has the most important effect on the total system. Therefore, there is a continuous need for the optimal use of equipment and facilities in the ports. Regarding the several complicated structure and activities in container ports, this paper evaluates and compares two different storage strategies for storing containers in the yard. To do so and covering all actual stochastic events occur in the system, a simulation model of the real system was developed using loading and unloading norms as important criteria to evaluate the performance of Shahid Rajaee container port. By replicating the simulation model and considering the two strategies, it has been shown that using a marshaling yard policy has a significant effect on the performance level of the port which leads to cost reductions

A Simulation Model for Optimization of the Internal Handling Fleet Size at Shahid Rajaee Container Port Based on Performance Evaluation

The dramatic increasing of sea-freight container transportations and the developing trend for using containers in the multimodal handling systems through the sea, rail, road and land in the present market cause some challenges to the general managers of container terminals such as increasing demand, competitive situation, new investments and expansion of new activities and the need to use new methods to fulfil effective operations both along quayside and within the yard. Among these issues, minimizing the turnaround time of vessels is considered to be the first aim of every container port system. Regarding the complex structure of container ports, this paper presents a simulation model that calculates the number of trucks needed in Shahid Rajaee Container Port for handling containers between the berth and the yard. In this research, some important criteria such as vessel turnaround time, gantry crane utilization and truck utilization have been considered.  By analyzing the results of the model, it will be shown that increasing the number of trucks to 66 units has a significant effect on the performance indices of the port and can increase the capacity of loading and unloading up to 10.8%.</p

A Study of the Effects of Mobile Technology Solutions on Effective Deployment of Mobile Learning in Medical Education Based on the Technology Acceptance Model

Background & Objective: Mobile learning, as a new stage of development in e-learning, provides opportunities for information transfer, and strengthening and improving lifelong learning in students of medical sciences. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of mobile technology solutions on effective deployment of mobile learning in medical education based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Methods: This was an objective-based applied research and, based on the method of data collection, a descriptive survey. The statistical population consisted of all faculty members of the Hamadan University of Medical Sciences in 2014. The sample size (n = 188) was determined using Cochran formula. Data were collected using the Mobile Technology Development Strategies Questionnaires and Davis’ TAM. Data analysis was performed using the correlation coefficient, t-test, confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling, and path analysis and LISREL and SPSS software. Results: Instructional strategies, administrative-structural, managerial, and motivational–recreational, respectively, had the most significant effect (at the level of 0.01) on the teachers’ perception of the usefulness of mobile learning and the simplicity of its use. Based on TAM, these two components had positive effects on attitude toward using and deciding to use mobile technology. Thereby, they have significant positive effects on the application of mobile technology in teaching and learning by teachers (at the level of 0.01). Conclusion: Based on these results, TAM was approved according to the guidelines provided on mobile learning development in the study population, and thus, has deployment potential in the target population. Key Words: Mobile technology, Mobile learning, Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Structural equation, Path analysi

An extended Dai-Liao conjugate gradient method with global convergence for nonconvex functions

Using an extension of some previously proposed modified secant equations in the Dai-Liao approach, a modified nonlinear conjugate gradient method is proposed. As interesting features, the method employs the objective function values in addition to the gradient information and satisfies the sufficient descent property with proper choices for its parameter. Global convergence of the method is established without convexity assumption on the objective function. Results of numerical comparisons are reported. They demonstrate efficiency of the proposed method in the sense of the Dolan-Moré performance profile

Evaluation of the effectiveness of electro-coagulation-flotation process for removal toxicity of olive oil mill wastewater

Background: The olive oil mill wastewater is one of the contaminating food industrial wastewaters. Olive oil extraction process imports wastewater with high phenolic chemicals into the environment. In this study the toxicity of raw olive oil mill wastewater and the effluent of electro-coagulation have been investigated.Material &amp; Methods: Germination test was used for evaluating the toxicity of wastewater and effluent process. Electro-coagulation-flotation examinations performed in a plexiglas electrochemical reactor with 1750 ml practical volume. 4 blades of aluminum and titanium as anode and cathode electrodes with a gap of 2 cm were connected to DC power supply in monopolar parallel mode.Results: Based on the information from this study, the pollution load of phenolic compounds in olive oil mill wastewater is 1000 times more than municipal wastewater. Also, the evaluation toxicity of effluent obtained from the process in natural pH of wastewater (pH=5.2), 117 mA/m2 current density and 30 minutes time process, suggests that the effluent causes plant species growth, even without dilution.Conclusion: The results obtained from this research can warn us to the risks of releasing these wastewaters without treatment and toxic effects on the different species of plants. Results demonstrated although using of electro-coagulation-flotation process removes high percent of pollutants of olive oil mill wastewater, but, it can’t attain the discharge limitations, then it should be more treated with some other methods.Key words: Toxicity, Electro-Coagulation-Flotation, Olive Wastewate

(Z)-N-[5-Bromo-2-(4-methyl­anilino)-3H-indol-3-yl­idene]-4-methyl­aniline oxide

The crystal structure of the title compound, C22H18BrN3O, is stabilized by π–π contacts [centroid–centroid distance = 3.476 (2) Å] between five-membered rings as well as inter­molecular C—H⋯O and C—H⋯N hydrogen bonds. An intra­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bond occurs. The benzene rings make a dihedral angle of 59.89 (8)°. The dihedral angles between the fused ring systemand the two benzene rings are 3.46 (7) and 61.97 (7)°

(2Z)-N-(4-Meth­oxy­phen­yl)-2-(4-meth­oxy­phenyl­imino)-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3-amine

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C22H19N3O3, inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into a zigzag chain parallel to the face diagonal of the ac plane. The meth­oxy phenyl rings make a dihdral angle of 32.38 (7)° and form dihedral angles of 0.66 (8) and 24.17 (7)° with the fused benzooxazine ring system

Predictors of Testis Cancer Mortality in Iran

Introduction: Testis cancer is a rare cancer that afflicts young men. although the incidence of testis cancer is increasing, the mortality rate is decreasing. This study examines the mortality of testicular cancer and its relationship with the human development index and its components in Iran during 2005-2015. Materials and Methods: Data of patients with testis cancer were collected from the Office of National Cancer Registry in the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOH&amp;ME) during 2005-2015. An additional telephone survey was conducted by trained interviewers to collect data, including survival status, demographic characteristics, age of cancer diagnosis and other clinical profiles. Kaplan-Meier survival rates were calculated according to demographic characteristics, economic status, and residential area and socioeconomic status (SES). All the analyses were done using STATA software, version 14 (StataCorp. 2015). Results: From 2005 to 2015, 5886 testicular cancer cases were diagnosed among men in all age groups. Most patients (73.9%) were 15–49 years of age at the time of diagnosis, 26.1% were 50 years of age or older. Seminoma was diagnosed among 46.78% of the patients and non-seminoma among 42.28%. Factors which had impact on survival rate were age (P=0.001), tumor histology (P=0.02, hazard ratio=1.23[0.98-1.38]) and TNM stage (P=0.001, hazard ratio=1.2[0.92-1.28]). Patients who got married at the time of diagnosis more likely presented at earlier stages and had better overall testis cancer-specific survival than patients who were single, separated, widowed, or divorced (P=0.002, hazard ratio 1.27[1.09-1.49]). Testis cancer mortality rate was significantly higher in patients who did not graduate from high school and significantly higher in patients who were tenants (P=0.057, hazard ratio =1.132[0.996-1.28]). Conclusion: Testis cancer mortality is decreasing in Iran. Age, TNM stage and histology, and marital and economic status were factors influencing mortality rate

Investigation of Industrial Rated Clusters in Iran and Other Selected Countries

All countries hope to achieve increasingly developments which grow fast. Nowadays many developed countries are using strategy of industrial clusters development because they influence the competitiveness of industrial clusters in the country as well as beyond national borders and show new ways of thinking about the place of dealing and earning. Industrial clusters influence competition through increasing of productivity based on settlement of companies and providing quick guidelines for development and innovation and encouraging of new business. Industrial cluster is one of new combined methods of various theories such as theory of economic geography, regional economics, national innovation system, transmitting knowledge theories, social capital theories and social networks .Recently this method in Iran attracted many attentions based on industries compatible with mentioned method which attempts to provide a better and competitive market place for the country, region and the world. This paper defines the expression clusters, its types, objectives and benefits and then provides two hypotheses .First hypothesis is that Government has a fundamental role in growth and development of the rated clusters and the other hypothesis is that the more old and strong relations between companies exists the better and stronger industrial clusters they will have .And then this paper investigates the situation of rated clusters in Iran and finally discusses policies of selected countries for development and growth of industrial clusters to be used if it is according to the situation of Iran. Key words: Industrial rated clusters; Small and Medium Industries (SME