Improvement Of Discrimination Power And Weight Dispersion In Multi-Criteria Data Envelopment Analysis

Lack of discrimination power and poor weight dispersion remain major issues in Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Since the initial multiple criteria DEA (MCDEA) model developed in the late 1990s, only goal programming approaches; that is, the GPDEA-CCR and GPDEA-BCC were introduced for solving the said problems in a multi-objective framework. Kekurangan keupayaan mendiskriminasi dan kelemahan pengagihan pemberat kekal sebagai isu utama dalam Analisis Penyampulan Data (DEA). Semenjak model DEA berbilang kriteria (MCDEA) pertama yang dibentuk pada akhir tahun 1990an, hanya pendekatan pengaturcaraangol; yakni, GPDEA-CCR dan GPDEA-BCC telah diperkenalkan bagi menyelesaikan masalah berkenaan dalam konteks berbilang kriteria

Model Order Reduction in Porous Media Flow Simulation and Optimization

Subsurface flow modeling and simulation is ubiquitous in many energy related processes, including oil and gas production. These models are usually large scale and simulating them can be very computationally demanding, particularly in work-flows that require hundreds, if not thousands, runs of a model to achieve the optimal production solution. The primary objective of this study is to reduce the complexity of reservoir simulation, and to accelerate production optimization via model order reduction (MOR) by proposing two novel strategies, Proper Orthogonal Decomposition with Discrete Empirical Interpolation Method (POD-DEIM), and Quadratic Bilinear Formulation (QBLF). While the former is a training-based approach whereby one runs several reservoir models for different input strategies before reducing the model, the latter is a training-free approach. Model order reduction by POD has been shown to be a viable way to reduce the computational cost of flow simulation. However, in the case of porous media flow models, this type of MOR scheme does not immediately yield a computationally efficient reduced system. The main difficulty arises in evaluating nonlinear terms on a reduced subspace. One way to overcome this difficulty is to apply DEIM onto the nonlinear functions (fractional flow, for instance) and to select a small set of grid blocks based on a greedy algorithm. The nonlinear terms are evaluated at these few grid blocks and interpolation based on projection is used for the rest of them. Furthermore, to reduce the number of POD-DEIM basis and the error, a new approach is integrated in this study to update the basis online. In the regular POD-DEIM work flow all the snapshots are used to find one single reduced subspace, whereas in the new technique, namely the localized POD-DEIM, the snapshots are clustered into different groups by means of clustering techniques (k-means), and the reduced subspaces are computed for each cluster in the online (pre-processing) phase. In the online phase, at each time step, the reduced states are used in a classifier to find the most representative basis and to update the reduced subspace. In the second approach in order to overcome the issue of nonlinearity, the QBLF of the original nonlinear porous media flow system is introduced, yielding a system that is linear in the input and linear in the state, but not in both input and state jointly. Primarily, a new set of variables is used to change the problem into QBLF. To highlight the superiority of this approach, the new formulation is compared with a Taylor's series expansion of the system. At this initial phase of development, a POD-based model reduction is integrated with the QBLF in this study in order to reduce the computational costs. This new reduced model has the same form as the original high fidelity model and thus preserves the properties such as stability and passivity. This new form also facilitates the investigation of systematic MOR, where no training or snapshot is required. We test these MOR algorithms on the SPE10 and the results suggest twofold runtime speedups for a case study with more than 60,000 grid blocks. In the case of the QBLF, the results suggests moderate speedups, but more investigation is needed to accommodate an efficient implementation. Finally, MOR is integrated in the optimization work flow for accelerating it. The gradient based optimization framework is used due to its efficiency and fast convergence. This work flow is modified to include the reduced order model and consequently to reduce the computational cost. The water flooding optimization is applied to an offshore reservoir benchmark model, UNISIM-I-D, which has around 38,000 active grid blocks and 25 wells. The numerical solutions demonstrate that the POD-based model order reduction can reproduce accurate optimization results while providing reasonable speedups

Preparation of Polyaniline-Clay Nanoadditive and Investigation on Anticorrosion Performance in Epoxy Coating

The corrosion protection of mild steel by a newly developed epoxy-based coating system containing inherently conducting nanopolyaniline-clay as a nanoadditive has been studied. Polyaniline-clay anticorrosion nanoadditive (PCNA) was obtained by the direct mixing method of nanopolyaniline (0.03 wt.%) and organo-modified clay (3 wt.%) at atmospheric pressure, and XRD technique was used to study d-spacing of clay platelets in the prepared nanoadditive. PCNA was dispersed in polyaminoamide hardener matrix and was used for epoxy coating (EPCNA) preparation. The particle size of the polyaniline in hardener was determined using dynamic light scattering technique (DLS). The results revealed that the particles were in the range of 50–58 nm. The degree of exfoliation and distribution and particles size were studied by XRD and TEM in the final dried film. The corrosion protection ability of EPCNA was compared to an epoxy coating containing pure nanopolyaniline (ENPN) using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and salt spray methods. In addition, an investigation on the morphology of metal-coating interface by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique in ENPN and EPCNA samples after salt spray test showed stable oxide layer formation for ENPN and a dense stable oxide layer for EPCNA on metal surface. The results showed that the PCNA nanoadditive enhanced corrosion protection effect in comparison to pure nanopolyaniline (NPN) in the epoxy coating.</span

Association study of ESR1 rs9340799, rs2234693, and MMP2 rs243865 variants in Iranian women with premature ovarian insufficiency: A case-control study

Background: Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a rare disease clinically characterized by ovarian follicles depletion or dysfunction and menopause before the age of 40 yr as the cut-off age for POI. It is a complex disease, and its etiology involves several factors. However, genetic factors have a predominant role in the susceptibility to the disease. Objective: This study aims to investigate the polymorphisms of rs243865 in the matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2) gene and rs2234693 and rs9340799 in the estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) gene with susceptibility to POI in Iranian women under 35 yr. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was performed on 150 women with POI and 150 healthy women who were referred to Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Yazd, Iran between May-October 2020. The genotyping of ESR1 rs9340799, rs2234693, and MMP2 rs243865 polymorphism was done using tetra-amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction. In addition, haplotype analysis and linkage disequilibrium were investigated by SNPanalyzer software. Results: Our study revealed the frequency of rs243865 TT, CC genotypes in the MMP2 gene and rs2234693 CC, TT; and rs9340799 GG, AA in the ESR1 gene were more prevalent in the case group compared to the control group. In addition, ESR1 rs2234693 and rs9340799 genotypes showed significant association with the development of the disease in our population. Among 4 haplotypes for 2 polymorphisms in the ESR1 gene, rs2234693T/rs9340799A haplotype was associated with conferring risk to POI. Conclusion: ESR1 rs2234693 and rs9340799 polymorphism were strongly associated with our population’s POI. Key words: Matrix metalloproteinase-2, Estrogen receptor alpha, Primary ovarian insufficiency, Female infertility

Evaluation of Microbial Resistance Pattern in Children with Urinary Tract Infection in Bushehr between 2017 and 2018

Background and Aim: Urinary tract infection is one of the most common childhood illnesses that can lead to complications such as hypertension and kidney failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate microbial resistance and sensitivity and to determine the relationship between urinary tract abnormalities and prior antibiotic use with microbial resistance. Methods: This is a descriptive-analytic study on 90 patients with a positive urine culture. Urine culture samples were taken using one of the sampling methods (midstream clean catch, catheterization, urine bag, suprapubic aspiration) and ultrasonography was requested for all patients to evaluate urinary system abnormalities. Also, a history of prior antibiotic use was asked and recorded. Results: Of all patients, 55.6% showed E.coli and 44.4% showed other bacteria in urine culture. 97.7% of patients' cultures were sensitive to imipenem, 82.2% to nitrofurantoin, and 77.8% to cefixime. 65% of patients' cultures showed resistance to nalidixic acid, 56.7% to co-trimoxazole, and 38.9% to ceftriaxone. There was a significant relationship between cefixime and amikacin antibiotic resistance with abnormal ultrasound and there was a significant relationship between antibiotic resistance to cefixime, ceftriaxone, co-trimoxazole, and duration of prior antibiotic use (p-value &lt;0.05). Conclusion: The most common pathogen in UTI was E.coli. The highest sensitivity was to imipenem, nitrofurantoin, and cefixime, and the highest resistance was to nalidixic acid, co-trimoxazole, and ceftriaxone. There was a relationship between urinary tract abnormalities and prior antibiotic use with microbial resistance, so it is suggested to use kidney ultrasound in all patients with urinary tract infection

Perceived barriers to the production of scientific articles among faculty members of some of Iranian dental schools

Objectives To evaluate barriers for production of scientific dental articles by Iranian dental faculty members.Methods An anonymous self-administered questionnaire distributed among faculty members of all dental schools in Iran during June-December 2010. The respondents rated their level of agreement with eleven sentences regarding what they perceive as barriers on scientific dental article production based on a 5-point Likert scale. The data were analyzed using Chi-square test.Results Totally, 330 faculty members completed the questionnaires; &gt;50% were men, and &gt;40 year-olds. About three-fourth of the respondents were assistant professor. More than 80% of the respondents reported to have at least one published Persian article and &gt;50% at least one published English article; older faculty members more than younger, and associate professors more than other academic ranks (p&lt;0.01). “No access to an English editing center”, “insufficient skill for scientific writing in English”, “inappropriate condition for writing in dental school”, and “time limit due to high load of clinical work in dental school” were top four rated perceived barriers.Conclusion The concerns of faculty members for the production of scientific dental documents must be considered. Provision of proper time and condition for writing in the dental school, enhancement of their capacity for scientific writing and establishment of an English editing center in each university may facilitate scientific article production

Evaluation of early atherosclerotic findings in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

<p/> <p>Background</p> <p>Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy in women of childbearing age, and it seems better to consider it as an ovarian manifestation of metabolic syndrome. The aim of the current study was to evaluate early atherosclerotic findings in patients with PCOS.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We enrolled 46 women with PCOS and 45 normal control subjects who were referred to our hospital's endocrinology outpatient clinic. Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) were performed in both cases and matched controls.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Patients with PCOS showed an increased mean CIMT (0.63 ± 0.16 mm) when compared with the control subjects (0.33 ± 0.06 mm). This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.001). The mean FMD in young patients with PCOS was 10.07 ± 1.2%, while it was 6.5 ± 2.06% in normal subjects. This difference was also statistically significant (p = 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our findings suggest that PCOS is related with early atherosclerotic findings.</p

Oxygen-barrier films based on low-density polyethylene/ ethylene vinyl alcohol/ polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride compatibilizer

In this research, high oxygen-barrier films were organized based on low-density polyethylene (LDPE)/ ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH)/ polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride (LDPE-g-MA) compatibilizer. The effects of 10–30 wt. % EVOH and 0–10 wt. % LDPE-g-MA loadings on the properties of final films were evaluated. The morphology of specimens was observed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Oxygen transfer rate (OTR) results revealed that the addition of EVOH up to 30 wt. % to neat LDPE could significantly decrease oxygen permeability. The LDPE-g-MA which increased the permeability needed to be fine-tuned its amount based on the EVOH loading in different samples. The experimental results revealed that the addition of 30 wt. % EVOH to the LDPE matrix without adding LDPE-g-MA gave the best oxygen barrier properties. Elastic modulus and tensile strength increased with incorporation of EVOH and LDPE-g-MA into the polyethylene matrix. On the other hand, elongation-at-break decreased with the addition of EVOH and increased with the introduction of compatibilizer to the samples. Incorporation of EVOH and LDPE-g-MA into the LDPE matrix and increasing their amounts led to higher storage modulus and zero shear rate viscosity, but lowered the frequency value at the intersection point of storage modulus (G') and loss modulus (G''). The only exception was that in the samples without compatibilizer, the increase in the EVOH content resulted in a lower zero shear rate viscosity and a higher frequency value at the intersection point of G' and G''

Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Dexmedetomidine-Lidocaine and Propofol-Fentanyl-Midazolam Combinations during Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography

Background and Aims: Propofol is commonly used for providing sedation in endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP). It’s simple to use and effective but presents cardiovascular and respiratory adverse effects. Recently, dexmedetomidine has been tried but very little evidence exists to support its use. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of combination of dexmedetomidine and lidocaine (DL) with the standard propofol-fentanyl (PF) regimen.Methods: After approval of the hospital ethics committee, 63 patients (18-60 years of age) were randomly divided into 2 groups. Thirty-one patients received a PF combination (group PF), and 32 patients received DL combination (group DL). The level of sedation was adjusted to achieve a Ramasy Sedation Scale (RSS) score of 3 (moderate sedation) in both groups of patients. Arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) during ERCP and recovery was continuously assessed.Results: The oxygen saturation (SpO2) showed high statistical significant differences between both groups throughout the procedure with stability in DL group (P&lt;0.01). There was no statistical difference in HR and MAP between the two groups (P&gt;0.05). Post-procedural recovery time was significantly shorter in PF group (15.97±3.27 min) compared with (19.38±5.64 min) DL group (p&lt;0.01). PONV was 3.2% in PF group, while it was absent in DL group. No drug adverse effect or cardiovascular complications were observed in both groups.Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine and lidocaine combination as total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) during ERCP not only did not reported any oxygen desaturation (SpO2&lt;90%) but also showed better stability of oxygen saturation (SpO2) and less PONV when compared with propofol and fentanyl combination