Durability Assessment of Clay-Bearing Soft Rocks By Using New Decay Index

Clay-bearing rocks are known as most important problematic weak rocks. Due to the importance of disintegration of clay-bearing rocks in engineering projects, several simple test methods have been proposed to assess durability of these rocks. In this study, a comprehensive research program was conducted on twenty different clay-bearing rocks to assess their disintegration characteristics under laboratory conditions. In order to carry out the research, at the first step some physical and mechanical properties of the studied rocks were measured. After that, three durability test methods were employed. These tests include the standard slake durability test to obtain index durability (Id2 ), slake durability test with sieving the remained materials in drum to obtain disintegration ratio (DR) and new time series slake durability test to obtain decay index (DI). The results of this research indicated that for most of samples, using the standardized slake durability index test (Id2 ) may not be adequate to understand the disintegration characteristics of clay-bearing rocks and shows overestimated values. The new decay index (DI) has overcome the most limitations of the standard slake durability test and clearly will realize deterioration potential of clay bearing rocks. Finally, based on the results of decay index a new durability classification was proposed

A Hybrid Hardware Verification Technique in FPGA Design

Assertion-based verification (ABV) is best emerging technique for verification of industrial hardware. Property Specification Language (PSL) is one of the most important components of ABV. In this paper we present a method to emulate hardware that is capable of support ABV that in it assertion expressions mapped to HDL. We simulated this method by an applicable example by Modelsim software. Test results indicate that this method performance is good

Rockfall hazard analysis in the Ganjnameh tourist area, west of Iran

Ganjnameh area is considered an important historical-cultural and touristic place in the west of Iran, seriously threatened by rockfall problems. Attractions of this area yearly attract several thousand visitors from all over the world. Several rockfall events have occurred in the area in the past. Rockfalls occurrences will threaten the life safety of visitors during visiting and surveying of the place. The primary purpose of this research was a preliminary analysis of rockfall potential for the cultural heritage site. For this purpose, an investigation based on three phases was done, which are included: site investigation, laboratory testing, and rockfall simulation. Unstable blocks size, the geometry of slopes, weathering conditions, joint study, and sampling were measured and done during the site investigation phase. Physico-mechanical properties of granite were determined in the laboratory. Total kinetic energy, bounce height, and translational velocity of fallen blocks were determined as rockfall simulation outputs. Based on the obtained result, different mechanisms were found on the left side and right side of the study area. The rockfall problems on the right side could be related to jointing and freezing-thawing action, whereas on the left side, steep slope, weathering, and saturating are the main controlling factors. The results indicated that the footpath between Ganjnameh inscriptions and waterfall, which has a dense concentration of visitors, is subjected to severe problems of rockfall occurrences from both sides, especially the left side. Eventually, for the reduction of rockfall potential and its risk, remedial works are suggested

The study of relationship between post dural puncture headache and hemodynamic fluctuation in patients undergoing spinal anesthesia

زمینه و هدف: به اعتقاد بسیاری از محققین علت بروز سردرد بعد از سوراخ شدن سخت شامه، نشت مایع مغزی نخاعی (CSF= Cerebrospinal Fluid) و کاهش فشار داخل مغز (ICP= Intracranial Pressure) است. تغییرات همودینامیک می تواند بر دینامیک CSF و وضعیت ICP تأثیر گذار باشد. مطالعه حاضر با هدف تعیین ارتباط نوسانات فشار خون، نبض، میزان مایع دریافتی و افدرین مصرفی با سردرد بعد از سوراخ شدن سخت شامه طراحی و اجراء شده است. روش بررسی: این مطالعه به صورت توصیفی - تحلیلی بر روی 95 بیمار با شکستگی ساق پا، نامزد بیهوشی نخاعی، با استفاده از سوزن نوعQuincke شماره 23 انجام شد. فشار خون و نبض در دقایق 1، 2، 4، 8 و 16 پس از انجام بیهوشی نخاعی اندازه گیری و ثبت شد. همچنین جمع مایع وریدی و افدرین دریافتی نیز محاسبه و ثبت گردید. سپس بروز، شدت (بر اساس پرسشنامه VAS=Visual Analog Scale) و مدت سردرد (روز) تا 5 روز بعد از انجام بیهوشی مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. در پایان ارتباط میزان بروز و شدت سردرد با نوسانات فشار خون، نبض، میزان مایع وریدی دریافتی و افدرین مصرفی با استفاده از آزمون های t مستقل و پیرسون مورد تجزیه و تحلیل قرار گرفت. یافته ها: از بیماران مورد مطالعه 3/33 دچار سردرد بعد از سوراخ شدن دورا شدند. میانگین شدت و طول مدت سردرد به ترتیب 11/2±83/5 (سانتیمتر) و 40/1±66/3 (روز) بود. بین درصد نوسانات فشارخون سیستول، دیاستول، متوسط شریانی، تعداد نبض، میزان مایع دریافتی و افدرین مصرفی با میزان بروز و شدت سردرد متعاقب بیهوشی نخاعی، رابطه معنی داری بدست نیامد. نتیجه گیری: عدم ارتباط معنی دار بین نوسانات همودینامیکی با میزان بروز و شدت سردرد می تواند نشان دهنده این موضوع باشد که علیرغم تأثیر عوامل همودینامیک بر دینامیک و وضعیت ICP، این عوامل احتمالاَ از قدرت کافی جهت تغییر در میزان نشت CSF از سوراخ دورا برخوردار نبوده و عامل تعیین کننده اصلی همان اندازه و شکل سوراخ ایجاد شده توسط سوزن های نخاعی است

Application of Urban Geology in Construction Projects (Case Study: Urban Geology of Sarpol-e Zahab, Kermanshah Province, Iran)

Urban geology is a preliminary study for the construction and development of cities, which has been more prominent in recent decades in some countries despite its long application history. It assesses the impact of geological and natural phenomena on urban space and available structures. The earthquake on Nov. 21, 2017, inflicted a lot of damage to the city of Sarpol-e Zahab, west of Iran, including financial losses and casualties. Reconstruction of this city and planning for its sustainable development entail conducting urban geological studies. In the present study, the effect of natural phenomena on Sarpol-e Zahab County was studied by investigating its geology and geomorphology. The results showed that, in addition to the earthquake that habitually affected the city of Sarpol-e Zahab, the hazards of other phenomena are also significant. Recorded horizontal acceleration in the recent earthquake confirmed the high seismicity of Sarpol-e Zahab has

Paradigmatic Typology of Economic Schools and the Role of Transaction Cost in the Paradigm Shift

The paradigm includes a set of values, beliefs and perceptions of reality with theories based on them, which uses a distinctive methodology to achieve research goals. The dominant paradigms in the humanities are Positivism, Interpretation, Criticism, Complexity and Postmodernism. This research seeks to understand the meta-theoretical and paradigmatic typology of economic schools by using the documentary and content analysis.The results show that Neoclassical is positivist. Austrian tendencies are in the region of complexity, but the use of hermeneutics puts New Austrians closer to the interpretive paradigm, while the older part tends to be a Positivism. The existence of variable structures in the Post-Keynesian and Evolutionary indicates the influence of the Complexity. OIE is dominated by the Criticism because of its emphasis on domination and dialectics.NIE uses the principles of Neoclassical and OIE as opposing currents. The elimination of this inconsistency has been due to the invention of Transaction Costs, which provides the basis for a paradigm shift from Positivism and Criticism to Complexity. The transaction cost is the unit of analysis and the connection of institutions to economic performance, the use of which will lead to objectivity and generalization

The effect of probiotics mixture on learning and spatial memory in kindled rats

Background: Repeated seizure attacks lead to extensive neuronal damage and cognitive impairment such as memory loss and learning. Probiotics are shown to have some protective actions against neurological disorders. The present study aimed to examine the effect of probiotics on learning, memory and the nitric oxide level in kindled rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male rats were randomly divided into five groups: control, kindled with penthylenetetrazole (PTZ), kindled and valproic acid (VPA), kindled after probiotic treatment (probiotic + PTZ), and kindled before probiotic treatment (PTZ + probiotic). The animals were treated by a mixture of probiotics for 4 weeks. Chemical kindling was induced by intraperitoneal injection of PTZ (35 mg/kg) every 48 hours for 24 days. The learning and spatial memory were evaluated by the Morris water maze. The serum nitric oxide level was assessed by the Miranda method. Results: No significant difference was observed between the control and VPA groups in terms of memory, learning and serum levels of nitric oxide. Learning (P<0.001) and spatial memory (P<0.05) phenomena were improved in the probiotic supplemented groups compared to the PTZ group. Also, serum nitric oxide levels were reduced in the probiotic supplemented groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: Probiotic supplementation reduces the level of nitric oxide and improves the learning and memory process

Thrombocytopenia as a Marker of Patient Outcome in Medical Intensive Care Unit

Introduction: Thrombocytopenia is a common hematologic disorder observed in many pathological conditions in critically ill patients. The current study aimed at investigating the prevalence of thrombocytopenia and its relationship with the length of stay and mortality among intensive care unit (ICU) patients.Methods: The current prospective cohort study enrolled 150 patients consecutively admitted to the medical ICU during a nine-month period. Patients’ baseline characteristics and underlying diseases were recorded. Laboratory findings and admission mean platelets and platelet counts on the 3rd day of admission were obtained. Patients were divided into thrombocytopenic (platelet count of less than 150×109/L or decrease of platelet to more than 50%) and non-thrombocytopenic groups according to the 3rd day platelet count.Results: Thrombocytopenia was detected in 53(35%) patients while 13 patients (8.6%) had severe thrombocytopenia (platelets count < 50 × 109/L). ICU stay and mortality were significantly higher in patients with thrombocytopenia compared with non-thrombocytopenic patients (16 ± 2.7 vs 12 ± 2.4 days, P = 0.01) and (45.5% vs 37.3%, P = 00.1) respectively.Conclusions: Platelet might be considered as a prognosis monitor in ICU settings. Severe thrombocytopenia could be mentioned as a poor prognostic factor for increased mortality and prolonged hospitalization period in ICU patients

Propagation And Bulb Formation Of Fritillaria (FritillariaImperialis L.) Via In Vitro Culture. Ijpaes.

ABSTRACT: The Fritillariaimperialis is grown natively in Iran. Between ornamental bulblet plants, this plant has special place, therefore this plant needs more attention, otherwise this plant will be destroyed in future. For this reason in vitro culture of Fritillariaimperialis was studied. Tissue culture techniques have high potential for mass propagation. The multiplication efficacy of the method by bulb is low; the plantlets are easy to get diseases and depended on the crop. Plant tissue culture is a technique that has ability of production of a large number of high quality plants. Factors influencing on the regeneration ability and in vitro plantlet growth were examined. The number of regenerated shoots was the highest on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l TDZ and 30 g/l sucrose; the number of roots was the highest on MS medium supplemented with 0.2 mg/l NAA and 30 g/l sucrose; the in vitro bulb diameter is largest. In vitro plantlets survived in greenhouse at a high rate. A whole process was established for rapid multiplication of Fritillariaimperialis L