Static and Cyclic Triaxial Testing of a Compacted Limestone Rockfill

The results of large scale static and cyclic triaxial tests for the Siah Bishe rockfill are presented. The test specimens are made of a modeled gradation with Dmax of 5 cm, reduced from the real Dmax of 80 cm by scalping method. Static triaxial tests resulted in the rockfill shear strength parameters within the expected range. The cyclic triaxial strength tests showed that the dam body rockfill failure criterion is not affected by earthquake loading. On the other hand, the cyclic triaxial parametric tests results were used to define shear modulus and damping curves of the compacted rockfill, for numerical analyses. These results are different from the shear modulus and damping curves found in the literature for coarse materials

Assessment of the Foundation of a Near Shore Power Plant under Earthquake Loading

The foundation condition of a power plant in the south of Iran adjacent to Persian Gulf shore is discussed, taking into account the earthquake loading. Because of the high importance of the structures, advanced empirical, semi-empirical, and numerical methods have been employed, in order to verify the plant seismic safety. During empirical studies, the liquefaction potential of sandy interbred has been evaluated, using the well-known method of SPT and taking into account the percentage and type of fines. In studies, the undisturbed clayey samples and reconstituted sandy samples extracted from foundation soils have been tested with stress controlled cyclic triaxial device. The studies have been complemented with the numerical analysis of the structure-foundation system using pseudo static, linear spectra, and dynamic analyses. All of the results are in good agreement and confirm the safety of the plant complex

Impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on governance quality

ICT is an important channel for knowledge, political awareness, making consciousness, understanding and guiding citizens, political and social forces and groups. ICT causes developing of transparency, government accountability and reducing corruption. E-Government uses ICT for the development of more efficient and more economical government.  In this context, the main objective of this paper is to examine the impact of ICT on the quality of governance in selected middle-and high-income countries by using the generalized moment’s method. Results show that ICT has a significant positive impact on governance quality in selected countries of the period 1996 – 2010

Impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on governance quality

ICT is an important channel for knowledge, political awareness, making consciousness, understanding and guiding citizens, political and social forces and groups. ICT causes developing of transparency, government accountability and reducing corruption. E-Government uses ICT for the development of more efficient and more economical government.  In this context, the main objective of this paper is to examine the impact of ICT on the quality of governance in selected middle-and high-income countries by using the generalized moment’s method. Results show that ICT has a significant positive impact on governance quality in selected countries of the period 1996 – 2010

Koman Concrete Face Rockfill Dam Updating the Static and Seismic Evaluations

The static and seismic safety evaluation of the 115 m high Koman concrete face rockfill dam, located at the Drin river in Albania has been checked according to the current state-of-practice for the seismic safety evaluation of large embankment dams. For the dynamic analyses with the equivalent linear method a two-dimensional model of the highest dam section was used. The static analysis was carried out by a Mohr-Coulomb elasto-plastic material model of the rockfill. The safety of the dam was checked for the safety evaluation earthquake (SEE) with a peak ground acceleration of the horizontal component of 0.45 g. Spectrum-compatible artificially generated accelerograms were used determined based on a site-specific seismic hazard analysis. The peak absolute horizontal crest acceleration due to the SEE excitation is about 0.78 g for average material properties, and about 1.16 g for the most unfavorable material properties. The maximum crest settlement resulting from the sliding displacements plus an additional settlement due to the vibration-induced densification of the dam body are calculated as 0.98 m, under the most unfavorable conditions

Improved Linear Combination of Two Estimators for a Function of Interested Parameter

In this paper, we consider the problem of improving the efficiency of alinear combination of two estimators, when the population coefficient of variation is known. We generalized the discussion from the case of a parameter to a function of interested parameter. We show that two estimators obtained from improved linear combination of two estimators and linear combination of two improved estimators are equivalent, in terms of efficiency. We also show that, how one can construct an doubly-improved linear combination of two estimators, when the population coefficient of variation is known.En este artículo, se considera el problema de mejorar la eficiencia de una combinación lineal de dos estimadores cuando el coeficiente de variación poblacional es conocido. Se generaliza el caso de un solo parámetro al de una función del parámetro. Se muestra que hay equivalencia, en términos de eficiencia, entre usar combinaciones lineales mejoradas y combinaciones lineales de estimadores mejorados. También se muestra como construir una combinación lineal doblemente mejorada cuando el coeficiente de variación poblacional es conocido

Genotyping of Virulence Factors of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli by PCR

Background: Escherichia coli is the most causative agent of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Apart from all human infectious diseases, UTI have a high prevalence and in most cases, Escherichia coli is a dominance bacterium which can cause pyelonephritis and cystitis. The aim of the study was to determine the occurrence of some virulence genes expressing fimbriae, production of hemolysin and aerobactin among a hundred Escherichia coli isolates obtained from in-and outpatients of Karaj Shahid Rajaii hospital, showing clinical and laboratory signs of UTI.Materials and Methods: In this investigation we isolated Escherichia coli strains from urine samples of patients with UTI during the period of July to December 2012 and studied them for the presence of the virulence genes by PCR.Results and Conclusion: The most abundant virulence factor in this study was fimH. The prevalence of the virulence factors for fimbriae type 1 (fimH gene), pyelonephritis associated pili (pap gene), S-family adhesions (sfa gene), hemolysin (hly gene) and aerobactin (aer gene), was 73%, 46%, 32%, 47%, 57%, respectively

Estimation of conservation value of myrtle (Myrtus communis) using a contingent valuation method: a case study in a Dooreh forest area, Lorestan Province, Iran

Background: Around 2000 plant species occur naturally in Lorestan Province of which 250 species are medicinal and myrtle is one of them. Myrtle is a shrub whose leaves and fruits have medicinal value and thus, if managed and harvested properly, could produce sustained economic benefits. In recent years, however, over half of the myrtle site areas was destroyed, due to inappropriate management and excessive harvesting practices. Thus, coming up with a practical harvesting approach along with identifying those factors damaging the sites, seems to be very crucial. Methods: In our investigation, we calculated the conservation value per hectare of myrtle in the Dooreh forest area in Lorestan Province. Using the Contingent Valuation (CV) and Double Bounded Dichotomous Choice (DBDC) methods, we determined the willingness to pay (WTP) for myrtle conservation. The WTP was estimated with a logit model for which indices were obtained based on a maximum precision criterion. Results: The results showed that 86.67 per cent of people were willing to pay for the conservation of these myrtle sites. Average monthly WTP per family was calculated as $0.79. The annual conservation value in terms of WTP for the preservation of the myrtle sites in Dooreh was estimated as$102,525. Among the variables of the model presented, education had a positive impact, while the amount proposed for payment and family size had a negative impact on the WTP. Conclusions: Our estimate of the value of myrtle conservation should provide justification for policy makers and decision making bodies of natural resources to implement policies in order to conserve the natural sites of this species more effectively. Keywords: Conservation value, Myrtle, Contingent valuation method, Double Bounded Dichotomous method, Logit mode

Structure of structures in Naser Khosrow’s poem (focusing on dominant)

Abstract Structure of structures in Naser Khosrow poem based on rationality dominant. All large and small poem structures are systematically about structure of structures or enhance it through interaction with each other, and functioning proof of claim of the poet around the certainty instead of speculation and suspicious. Thought structure of the Naser kosrow’s poem (in politics and religious, etc.) based on contrast with Abbasid and Seljuk government. He was not only considering “wisdom” as judgment criterion to argue and dominant on oppositions, but also raising and proving his Ismaili beliefs based on rational approach. “Adherence to religion (especially Ismaili sect) revolving around individual to escape from the world” is the contents of the Naser kosrow poem and its related pictorial clusters composed of focal pictures of his poem. His artistic poetics based on imitation of the world and its rules in poem is stable and rational. Ultra- high frequency in” wisdom” meaning, balanced usage of imagery and debates are the components of the rationality dominant in structure of structures in Iran and they are causing the superiority of virtual pole to the metaphorical pole of the clear, single meaning, and explicit language of his poem. In this qualitative and part quantitative study, this study is exploratory in terms of purpose and conducted through investigating the views of structuralist and formalist approaches

Ectoparasites of Rodents Captured in Hamedan, Western Iran

Background: Rodents with a population greater than the entire population of other mammals on earth are the source of economic losses and health conflicts. One of the major health problems with the rodents is their role as reservoir hosts of zoonotic diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the infestation of commensal rodents with ectoparasites in Hamedan City, Western Iran. Methods: The samples were collected by live traps during years 2012–2013. After transferring the samples to the Entomological Laboratory of Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, their ectoparasites were collected and identified. Results: A total of 171 slides were prepared from 105 captured commensal rodents: Mus musculus, Rattus rattus and R. norvegicus comprising three orders namely Mesostigmata: Hypoaspis (Laelaspis) astronomica, Dermanyssius sp, Pachylaelapidae (male). Metastigmata: Rhipicephalus sp and Anoplura: Polyplax spinulosa were recovered in Hamedan City. Seventy (66.6%) rodents were found infested with at least one species of ectoparasites. Conclusion: The results of our study indicate that ectoparasites infestation in commensal rodents of Hamedan city is high and more attention by local health authorities is needed to prevent zoonotic diseases