Effects of Brace Configuration and Structure Height on Seismic Performance of BRBFs Based on the Collapse Fragility Analysis

The brace configuration and structure height are two factors that have a significant effect on the seismic behavior of braced frame buildings. In the present study, the buckling-restrained braced (BRB) frames were considered to estimate the effect of these two parameters using probabilistic seismic assessment methods. The uncertainty in the different parameters involved in the seismic design of the structural system was also considered. Four, six, and ten-story buildings with the Chevron and inverted Chevron bracing configurations were designed, and their responses due to various ground motions were estimated using incremental nonlinear dynamic analyses. Fragility curves, mean annual frequency of exceeding immediate occupancy (IO), and collapse prevention (CP) states were generated using probabilistic seismic analysis, fragility curves concept, and drift hazard curves. The results demonstrate that the inverted Chevron type BRBFs has better structural performance than Chevron bracing types. Furthermore, an increase of the height of structures, despite lower drift’s hazards, increases the fragility probability

Influence of Olive Cultivar on Oil Attributes in the Arid Region of Qom, Iran

Olive cultivation has economic and health implications. The quality of harvested oil is affected by the type of cultivar and the climate in which the trees are cultivated. This study was carried out to determine quality indices (peroxide value, K232, and K270), fatty acid composition, and pigment profiles in some cultivars grown in an arid region in central Iran. These are cultivated in completely different climatic conditions than the major olive growing areas of Iran. The results have illustrated that there are significant differences between the cultivars in oil quality, pigments content, and fatty acid composition. Oil quality of all studied cultivars falls within the established ranges for extra virgin olive oil. Oleic acid levels of the ‘Beledy’ and ‘Leccino’ cultivars are below the International Olive Council (IOC) established limit. Oils of the ‘Mari’, ‘Koroneiki’, and ‘Mission’ cultivars had the highest monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) content. However, polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content for Mission oil was considerably higher than ‘Koroneiki’ and ‘Mari’ oils. The ratio of MUFA/PUFA for ‘Mari’ and ‘Koroneiki’ was higher among all the cultivars studied. Furthermore, these two cultivars presented higher oleic/linoleic acid ratio and lower Cox values. Based on our findings, ‘Mari’ and ‘Koroneiki’ are among the best performing cultivars for producing olive oil in intensely hot and arid regions

A Predictive Model for the Strength of a Novel Geopolymer Construction Material Produced by Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Waste

Carbon dioxide emission and consumption of large amounts of natural resources are the environmental hazards observed in the production process of various commonly used construction materials, like Portland cement and clay bricks. Also, debris from the demolition of old buildings and disposing of the waste of construction material factories also cause environmental pollution. Producing environmentally friendly geopolymer materials with recycling construction wastes containing aluminosilicate resources and alkaline activators could be an effective method for reduction of environmental hazards. This paper is an innovative feasibility study of geopolymer material production using the waste autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) powder. Here, a mix of AAC powder together with activator solution containing sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate at different concentrations was used to prepare the geopolymer mortar samples. The specimens were oven-cured at different temperatures. The effects of sodium hydroxide concentration and curing temperature on the compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths, as well as water absorption of the samples, were investigated. The main contribution of this study is the feasibility of the successful fabrication of geopolymer material based on AAC waste powder with desirable mechanical properties. Namely, the compressive strength of the base AAC blocks used here was 3 MPa and the maximum strength of the produced geopolymer material using the AAC powder was about 21 MPa. The test results were used to develop a model to predict the compressive strength of the proposed geopolymer AAC material to the effective parameters by Gene Expression Programming. The model predictions were confirmed using an extra series of test results implemented by the authors

Review The approach of Customary Rules of International Environmental Law in Climate Change

Today, custom is of great importance in the world community and means a general procedure that has been accepted as a legal rule, and such a custom creates a mandatory legal rule that is implemented in relations between governments and has two material and spiritual elements. Unfortunately, despite the fact that many treaties, declarations and international documents have been issued in relation to the environment, we still see that the environmental situation of the planet is becoming more and more unfavorable, so the international community has principles abo0ut International environmental law has been drafted. With global warming and climate change, governments have come together to find a solution. Now we want to examine what the relationship is between customary international law and international environmental law, and to what extent the rules of customary international law can be effective in preventing environmental degradation and favoring climate change. International custom, if accompanied by the necessary publicity and acceptance, can have an aspect of law for the international community. Thus, the normalization of climate commitments is useful where governments' practices are not accountable and do not provide appropriate rules, and can be cited as a stimulus for governments to legislate

Effects of alkalinity, extremely low carbon dioxide concentration and irradiance on spectral properties, phycobilisome, photosynthesis, photosystems and functional groups of the native cyanobacterium Calothrix sp. ISC 65

In this research, Calothrix sp. ISC 65 was characterized physiologically by the combination of extremely low irradiance (2 μE·m⁻²·s⁻¹), different alkalinity (pH 7, 9, 11), and extremely limited carbon dioxide concentration (no aeration, no carbon dioxide enrichment). In this research, Calothrix sp. ISC 65 was characterized physiologically by the combination of extremely low irradiance (2 μE·m⁻²·s⁻¹), different alkalinity (pH 7, 9, 11), and extremely limited carbon dioxide concentration (no aeration, no carbon dioxide enrichment).Исследован физиологический ответ штамма Calothrix sp. ISC 65 на культивирование в условиях сверхнизкой освещенности (2 μE·м⁻²·с⁻¹) при различных значениях рН (7, 9, 11) и низкой концентрации углекислого газа (без аэрации и обогащения углекислым газом)

THE EVALUATING OF NEEDS IN ORGANIZATIONS

Abstract As one of the most important and valuable capital for any organization , is functional and efficient human sources of that organization and on the other hand ,the key factor for organization's impact is their human sources, so development and expansion of human source is one of the necessities and vital factors for organization life. In addition to this fact, the most important way for developing of human sources is the training of employees. This training is planned as an active system and all of the training's principles are considered. one of the vital principles for each training system, is the evaluating the needs regarding to training. Infect, evaluating the needs is one of the important factors for training planning process. the researcher's method is descriptive, because the research describe the present situation and tries to recognize the important factors that are regarded to training subjects

Removal of metronidazole antibiotic by modified red mud from aqueous solutions: process modeling, kinetic, and isotherm studies

Abstract Metronidazole is a type of antibiotic that is commonly used to treat bacterial infections in both humans and animals. The objective of this study was to eliminate MDZ from aqueous solutions using MRM. To gain a better understanding of the adsorption mechanism, we utilized kinetic and isotherm models to investigate the factors that affect the removal of MDZ. The Box–Behnken model was utilized to design experimental factors, which included the initial concentration of MDZ (ranging from 5 to 80 mg/L), MRM dose (ranging from 0.1 to 0.7 g/L), reaction time (ranging from 10 to 60 min), and pH (ranging from 4 to 10). Analysis of the adsorbent using FESEM, FTIR, EDX, DLS, and zeta potential provided valuable insights into its morphology, surface properties, functional groups, size, and electrical charge. Acid modification of red mud increased the porosity and number of pores on the adsorbent surface, thereby enhancing its ability to adsorb the MDZ antibiotic. The FTIR spectrum displays various bands corresponding to different functional groups, such as O–H, Si(Al)–O, Fe–O, and carbonate groups. EDX analysis revealed that the composition of MRM includes carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen elements. The DLS and zeta potential data demonstrate the impact of particle size and electric charge of the adsorbent on the removal of MDZ. The maximum removal of MDZ, which was 69.87%, was achieved at an MDZ concentration of 42.5 mg/L, a pH of 7, a contact time of 35 min, and an adsorbent dose of 0.4 g/L. The removal of MDZ follows both the pseudo-second-order model and the Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 6.04 mg/g. The findings of this study indicate that MRM successfully removes MDZ from aqueous solutions

Beneficial Effects of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy on Resilience and Psychological Distress in Patients Recovered From COVID-19

Background: The medium and long-term problems of COVID-19 survivors after hospital discharge are currently unknown, but new evidence is emerging. This study was conducted with the aim of the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on resilience and psychological distress of recovered patients from COVID-19 in Tehran City, Iran, in 2021. Methods: The study was a quasi-experimental type of pre-test-post-test design with a control group with a 2-month follow-up. The statistical population included all patients 25-55 years in Tehran City in 2021 with 4 to 8 weeks of discharge. The sample included 30 people who recovered from COVID-19 who had symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress (based on [depression, anxiety and stress scale] DASS-21 scores) and was selected by purposive sampling and based on the inclusion criteria, and then matching assigned to an experimental (MBCT) and a control group (n=15each). The experimental group received 8 sessions of 60 minutes of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (individual and online) but the control group received no intervention. The research tools were the DASS-21 and Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC). Data were analyzed using a mixed analysis test and Ben Foroni post hoc test using SPSS version 23 software. Results: The results showed that MBCT in the post-test positively affected the resilience (F=30.31, P=0.001) and negatively affected the psychological distress (F=120.70, P=0.001) of those who Recovered from COVID-19. This therapeutic effect continued until the follow-up phase. According to the results, MBCT is effective in increasing resilience and reducing psychological distress and a significant difference is observed between the experimental and control groups (P=0.01). Conclusion: Based on the findings, MBCT is effective in increasing resilience and reducing psychological distress after illness and the use of this model can be useful in the psychological rehabilitation of those who have recovered from COVID-19