A Comparative Analysis of the Main Elements of Sentences Semantically and Syntactically in Persian and Arabic

The present study compares the elements and main elements of the sentence (subject, predicate, and linking verbs) in Persian and Arabic languages to prove the hypothesis of many rhetorical similarities in the science of semantics of these two languages. Using a descriptive-analytical method, the researcher directly goes to the contents and expresses them, then concludes by analyzing these direct data. The main goal of the research is to answer the question of what is the main structure of the sentences and the position of the subject, and the predicate from the point of view of the semantics of Persian and Arabic languages. Further, it proved the hypothesis of the plurality of rhetorical commonalities. In general, what can be stated as the final and summary result of all the discussions in this paper is the correctness of the hypothesis of a large number of rhetorical correspondences in the discussed subject in Persian and Arabic languages; however, sometimes, differences are observed in the topics or existing materials. Also, in this research, the writer discusses issues such as article and indefinite article, addition, and omission, position and different forms of subject and predicate in Persian and Arabic languages, along with their commonalities and differences

Development of a composite prototype with GFRP profiles and sandwich panels used as a floor module of an emergency house

A series of experimental tests carried out on a composite prototype to be used as a floor module of an emergency house is presented in this paper. The prototype comprises a frame structure formed by GFRP pultruded profiles, and two sandwich panels constituted by GFRP skins and a polyurethane foam core that configures the floor slab. The present work is part of the project “ClickHouse – Development of a prefabricated emergency house prototype made of composites materials” and investigates the feasibility of the assemblage process of the prototype and performance to support load conditions typical of residential houses. Furthermore, sandwich panels are also independently tested, analysing their flexural response, failure mechanisms and creep behaviour. Obtained results confirm the good performance of the prototype to be used as floor module of an emergency housing, with a good mechanical behaviour and the capacity of being transported to the disaster areas in the form of various low weight segments, and rapidly installed. Additionally, finite element simulations were carried out to assess the stress distributions in the prototype components and to evaluate the global behaviour and load transfer mechanism of the connections.Quadro de Referência Estratégica Nacional (QREN)FEDER funds through the Operational Program for Competitiveness Factors – COMPETE and the Portuguese National Agency of Innovation (ADI) - project no. 3896

Bond durability of basalt-fiber-reinforced-polymer (BFRP) bars embedded in concrete in aggressive environments

Recently, basalt-fiber-reinforced-polymer (BFRP) bars have emerged as a promising alternative to glass-fiber-reinforced-polymer (GFRP) bars. So far, however, BFRP bars have not been incorporated into design standards and specifications. This is due to limited studies and lack of knowledge on the performance of the bars in concrete, in particular, their bond durability when exposed to aggressive environments. This paper presents some results of an extensive research program investigating the bond durability behaviors of BFRP bars in concrete structures and the long-term bond-strength-retention predications of the BFRP bars on the basis of short-term tests results. This research included testing deformed BFRP bars measuring 12 mm in diameter. Pullout specimens were tested with direct tensile loading after being exposed to an alkaline solution (pH 12.9) for 1.5, 3, and 6 months at temperatures of 40 °C, 50 °C, and 60 °C. This paper investigated the effects of alkaline environment, exposure periods, and elevated temperatures on bond strength as well as the degradation mechanism and mode of failure of the BFRP-reinforced specimens. In addition, optical microscopy and scanning electronic microscopy were used to investigate the degradation of BFRP bars tested. The test results indicate an initial increase in the bond strength of the conditioned specimens as the temperature increased compared to their unconditioned specimens. After 1.5 months of exposure, the specimens conditioned at 50 °C and 60 °C, respectively, had bond-strength increases of 25% and 26%, while the specimens conditioned at 40 °C exhibited no noticeable changes (a minor decrease of 4.3%). Nevertheless, the bond strength of the conditioned specimens deteriorated during immersion. The highest bond-strength reductions occurred in the conditioned specimens after 6 months of exposure at 40 °C (a 16% loss), followed by specimens conditioned at 50 °C (7% loss) and 60 °C (5% loss) compared to their counterparts at 1.5 months. Lastly, the long-term bond-strength-retention predications of the BFRP bars after 50 years of service life in dry, moist, and moisture-saturated environments with mean annual temperatures between 5 °C and 35 °C ranged from 71% to 92%

Bond strength durability of BFRP bars in concrete subjected to elevated temperature and alkaline environment

The use of basalt fiber–reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars as a reinforcing material for concrete structures has gained increasing interest worldwide. Limited studies have been reported on the performance of BFRP bars in concrete when exposed to harsh environments. This paper presents the test results of an experimental study aimed at investigating the bond strength durability of BFRP bars embedded in concrete when exposed to accelerated environmental effects. The experimental program included testing and investigating BFRP deformed bars with 12-mm diameter. Pullout specimens were tested under direct tensile load after being exposed to an alkaline solution (pH=12.9) for up to 6 months at elevated temperatures of 40 o C. Effects of alkali environment and exposure periods on the bond strength, degradation mechanism, and mode of failure of reinforced specimens with BFRP were investigated. The test results revealed that the average bond strength of conditioned specimens after 1.5, 3, and 6 months of exposure at 40o C were 14.8, 13.3, and 12.5 MPa, while the bond strength of unconditioned specimens was 15.5 MPa. Accelerated alkaline environments had a harmful effect on bond strength of conditioned specimens over time. After 6 months of exposure, the bond strength retention was 81% compared to that of the unconditioned specimens

Epidemiological patterns of Tuberculosis disease in the Babol, Iran

Introduction: Almost one-third of the world’s population is at risk of exposure to tuberculosis (TB) infection. The aim of this study is to describe some patterns of TB in the Babol, Iran, to analyze the current situation and to improve the care of these patients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. The data were obtained from medical records pertained to patients with TB of Health Network of Babol County. The variables of interest were demographic characteristics and some clinical patterns. To describe data, indices such as mean ± SD and frequency (percent) was used. Furthermore, analysis of the data was performed by inferential statistical techniques of chi-square, independent samples t-test, and one-way analysis of variance test. Results: Two hundred patients with TB were enrolled. The average age of cases were 47.51 years [standard deviation (SD) = 21.36] and 58.5% of them were males. Age groups of 18-40 and over 60 years old comprised the majority of patients with TB 39.0 and 31.5%, respectively. The median interval time between beginning symptoms and confirmed diagnosis of TB was 56.5 days with interquartile range (IQR) of 56 days. The greatest of the time interval of beginning symptoms and diagnosis belonged to the age group of below 7 years old. The greatest time interval from confirmed diagnosis to treatment pertained to the age groups of 18-40 and 7-18, respectively. In terms of pulmonary TB, 120 (80.0%) were smear positive and 30 (20.0) smear negative. In terms of medicines given to the patients with TB, 181 (90.5%) were completed the treatment and improved, 6 (3.0%) absence of treatment, and 13 (6.5%) died as a result of TB and other causes.Conclusion: This study showed that adults and elderly comprise the highest proportion of TB. The primary prevention and control programs for education and timely referral to the Health Network may be effective in diminishing the morbidity due to TB

Epidemiological patterns of animal bites in the Babol County, North of Iran

Objective: To describe the current situation of animal bites in the Babol County, North of Iran. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study based on recently collected data of 3798 victims bitten (656 females and 3142 males) from 2010 to 2014 in the Health Center of Babol, Iran. The interest variables in the study included demographic variables, characteristics of animal, some of the time patterns, and some clinical patterns provided to victims. Results: The average age of victims was (33.68 ± 17.23) years. The age group with the max proportion (for males, 32.1%; for females, 26.2%) of bites occurred in 18–30 years old group for males and 30–45 years for females. The ratio of male victims to female ones was 4.78. In terms of place of incident, 2502 (65.9%) cases of animal bites occurred in rural areas. Dogs and cats were the most dominant biters with 3340 (87.9%) and 395 (10.4%) bites, respectively. For the kinds of biters, 3643 (95.9%) were pets, 133 (3.5%) were strays and 22 (0.6%) were wild animals. Most of the lesions were on shoulder as well as upper organs (46.9%) and lower organs (41.0%), respectively. Conclusions: Since the average age of the subjects with injuries on the head and upper organs was lower than that of victims with other organs injured and since that pet dogs were the major biter, structured monitoring programs that focus on specified target groups in collaboration with other organizations are essential to control the animal bites

Use of oral cleaning devices and their perceived benefits among Malaysians in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru: An exploratory structured approach

Background and Objectives: Various devices have been used to maintain oral hygiene. These include toothbrush and toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, miswak, and toothpick. This study attempts to investigate the use of various oral cleaning devices and their perceived benefits among Malaysians. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study conducted in two different cities of Malaysia. A convenience sampling approach was adopted. A total of 787 participants agreed to participate in the current research. A validated questionnaire translated into national language was used for data collection. Statistical Analysis Used: Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20. Results: About 302 respondents were in the age range of 18 – 25 years old (38.4%). There were marginally more females (55.7%) than males (44.3%). Although 99.9% of the participants used a toothbrush, a significant majority (n = 590, 75%) used more than a single device to maintain their oral hygiene. Only 311 respondents knew that toothpicks were inappropriate to use to remove food between teeth and gums, while a majority (n = 592, 75.2%) did not realize that some mouthwashes can stain the teeth. Less than half (42.1%) knew that improper use of miswak might harm the teeth. Conclusions: Although their oral hygiene behaviors are relatively at a higher level, their perceived oral health benefits did not compare well

Coping Strategies for Sexual Problems and Sexual Dysfunction Amongst Malay Women With Breast Cancer. A Qualitative Study

Introduction: Women’ sexuality becomes complex after breast cancer diagnosis and sexual health is highly neglected in the management of the illness. Aims: To explore the coping and strategies to overcome sexuality problems and sexual dysfunction among women with breast cancer. Material and Methods: Using the in-depth and photo-elicitation interview methods, this qualitative study following phenomenological analysis was conducted on fourteen married female respondents with breast cancer and had the positive result for female sexual dysfunction (FSD) screened by Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-6 items) from Kelantan, Malaysia. The interviews data were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and managed in analytic computer software NVivo11 Pro. The transcriptions were analyzed using thematic analysis by referring to the meaning-making theory. Main Outcome Measures: We identified overlapping themes of coping and strategies among women with breast cancer to overcome sexual problems and sexual dysfunction which correspond with meaning-making theory. Results: Three themes have emerged. Women with breast cancer that developed sexuality problem and sexual dysfunction strived to accept the illness using religious belief and conform by altering sexual practices. These individuals positively look for a solution by seeking formal healthcare advice, modify their physical appearance, active discussion with the husband and support from other survivors. A few of them passively struggle with the subject by averting the intimacy and receptive toward polygamy. Conclusion: This study highlighted the various mechanisms that emphasized the pivotal role of religious belief and relationship context as key factors in the coping strategies among women with breast cancer in Malaysia. The finding may not be generalized to other countries.Che Ya SN, Muhamad R, Zain NM, et al. Coping Strategies for Sexual Problems and Sexual Dysfunction Amongst Malay Women With Breast Cancer. A Qualitative Study. Sex Med 2021;9:100336