Elements of the industrial operation model in the Iranian construction industry

Abstract. The construction industry is notorious for its conservatism and low levels of productivity. During the previous decade, this industry lagged behind other efficient and profitable industries, such as the automobile industry, and was slow to adopt its best practices. The rate of development in this industry is not very encouraging. This research aims to adopt best practices and efficient systems from other industries into the construction industry. This research aims to create a model for a case study of Iranian construction companies to achieve the objective of a productive construction industry. In this study, several important Iranian construction companies that mostly operate as contractors were chosen for the case study. The author prepared the semi-structured interview to collect empirical data. The interview topic and questions were derived from a survey of the relevant research literature to determine the main elements of the industrial operation model (IOM). Following the interview, the data was evaluated to illustrate the existing status of Iranian construction companies, and then a model was developed for IOM. The data indicate that Iranian construction companies are well behind other industries, such as automotive, in terms of industrial operation model and productivity. The research reveals the limited product lifecycle engagement, simple portfolio management, limited data strategy, lack of advanced visualization, and marketing and sales processes. This study employs empirical data to establish a methodology for Iranian construction companies to maximize their IOM benefits. In the created model, construction companies are present throughout the product lifecycle, from the feasibility study through the sale, marketing, and operation stage. According to this model, organizations could profit from improved alliance contracts, more income from more work, effective data strategy and knowledge management, and enhanced production processes. To accomplish this, they must reorganize their business operations and place greater emphasis on portfolio management, data strategy, and marketing and sales processes, resulting in enhanced productization

ACCEPTANCE OF CLOUD COMPUTING IN AN AIRLINE COMPANY BASED ON ROGER’S DIFFUSION OF INNOVATION THEORY

As using cloud computing develops, one of the problems that managers face at the organization level is that the personnel cannot work with these systems, users do not accept these new systems and the problem of accepting these technologies, effective factors in accepting them and the existing barriers in accepting them by users are very important. In many organizations wherein cloud computing has been launched, a time period is required to accept this new system by their personnel. If this time period is less and the personnel can work with these systems earlier, the productivity increases in the organization. The present paper aims the analysis of effective factors on acceptance of cloud computing by personnel working in Birjand International Airport in South Khorasan County (Iran) based on Roger’s diffusion of innovation theory. Examination of effective factors on acceptance of cloud computing in an organization can pave the way for improving its implementation and performance. This research has been done by descriptive survey method and its community includes personnel working in different official and informatics departments of Birjand International Airport. The data gathering instrument was questionnaire and for determining questionnaire validity opinions of masters and for determining consistency Cronbach's alpha has been used. For data analysis descriptive and inferential statistics have been used. The results of present paper indicated that there is meaningful and positive relationship between acceptance features of cloud computing and perception elements of testability, comparative advantage, visibility, complexity, and compatibility of cloud computing with its acceptance rate and there is meaningful and negative relationship between features of perception of not needing cloud computing and its acceptance rate. But there was no meaningful relationship between perception of cloud computing test opportunity and its acceptance rate. As one of the modern ways of providing electronic service has been cloud computing in recent years and it has many benefits for air transportation systems, this paper presents a model for analysis of effective factors in acceptance of cloud computing among personnel of an airline company (airport) and it can be used for examining cloud acceptance in other air companies

Mate choice from Avicenna’s perspective

The aim of the present research was examining mate choice from Avicenna’s perspective. Being done through application of qualitative approach and a descriptive-analytic method as well, this study attempted to analyze and examine Avicenna’s perspective on effects of mate choice and on criteria for selecting an appropriate spouse and its necessities as well as the hurts discussed in this regard. The research results showed that Avicenna has encouraged all people in marriage, since it brings to them economic and social outcomes, peace and sexual satisfaction as well. Avicenna stated some criteria for appropriate mate choice, and in addition to its necessities, he advised us to follow such principles as the obvious marriage occurrence, its stability, wife’s not being common and a suitable age range for marriage. Moreover, he has examined issues and hurts related to mate choice referring to such cases as nature incongruity, marital infidelity, the state of not having any babies and ethical conflict which may happen in mate choice and marriage, suggesting some solutions to such problems. Keywords: Muslim Scholar, Avicenna, Mate Choic

An experimental study of novel nanofluids based on deep eutectic solvents (DESs) by Choline chloride and ethylene glycol

Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISUGIn this work, the preparation and characterization of some new nanofluids based on deep eutectic solvents (DESs) consisting of a hydrogen bond acceptor, ethylene glycol (EG), and a hydrogen bond donor, choline chloride (ChCl), as well as water, are presented. The nanofluids were designed by the dispersion of spherical MgO nanoparticles in four different DESs, ChCl:EG (molar ratio of 1:2), 1ChCl:5EG, 1ChCl:2EG:2Water, and 1ChCl:5EG:2Water. The stability of nanofluids was carried out by measuring size distribution for five days, which discovered the best results obtained with nanofluids of dispersed MgO in DES 1ChCl:5EG. Thermophysical properties (thermal conductivity and density) were measured and the influence of nanoparticles’ mass fraction, temperature, and water content all were examined. The acquired outcomes revealed that the trend of density was reducing by increment in temperature since for pure base fluids and DES-based nanofluids 1.3% decrement were recorded, averagely (the decline in density was sharper in the case of DES 1ChCl:5EG and its based nanofluids). The thermal conductivity was almost constant during the range of 283.15–333.15 K. It confirmed that the thermal conductivities of prepared nanofluids based on DESs with water were higher in comparison to the ones based on DESs without water and nanoparticles concentration could promote thermal conductivity. The greatest enhancement was gained at 10 wt% of MgO suspended in DES 1ChCl:2EG. The isobaric thermal expansivity was also determined at different temperatures. Eventually, the general conclusions were drawn and concerning the results, the MgO/DES 1ChCl:2EG 10 wt% nanofluids was introduced as the most efficient.Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. PID2020-112846RB-C21Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. PDC2021-121225-C21Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. ENE2017-86425-C2-1-

Developing an Evaluation Model for E-Learning in Higher-Education: A Case Study of Payame Noor University

The purpose of the present research is to develop an evaluation model for e-learning in higher-education in Payame Noor University, for studying this research we use the review of literature and research about Electronic learning through questionnaires and survey of scientific members and statistic analysis of SPSS. Result of this research led to an offering pattern in evaluation of E- learning area with 9 factors and 33 criteria. This pattern also will be use for designing, performance and evaluation of the E- learning in Payame Noor University and other higher education institutes all over the world. Keywords: E-learning, evaluation, modeling, distance higher-education, Payame Noor Universit

Serving the barriers of Convergence between Iran and Turkey and their effect on politic security of country

Turkey because of geo politic situation, population texture and historical position is one of the most important neighbors of Iran. That what happens there is too important in area. Regarding to the role of two countries and rate of their effects, these two countries are complement in the Middle East that want to develop their power. Their close relationship can make a politics’ security and economic in the Middle East. After that justice party reached to power the relations of Iran and Turkey changed too. But it’s seems what happened in the Middle East to their relationship: The main problem is including: Relationship to Israel Regime and establish defense missile of NATO in Turkey and also Syria’s evolutions. The 3rd one is the most effect one relation between two countries it’s a barrier for Convergence. That even can make a negative effect on politic security of country. Key words: Iran, Turkey, Foreign politic, politic security, Convergenc

Maternal Influenza Infection Causes Marked Behavioral and Pharmacological Changes in the Offspring

Maternal viral infection is known to increase the risk for schizophrenia and autism in the offspring. Using this observation in an animal model, we find that respiratory infection of pregnant mice (both BALB/c and C57BL/6 strains) with the human influenza virus yields offspring that display highly abnormal behavioral responses as adults. As in schizophrenia and autism, these offspring display deficits in prepulse inhibition (PPI) in the acoustic startle response. Compared with control mice, the infected mice also display striking responses to the acute administration of antipsychotic (clozapine and chlorpromazine) and psychomimetic (ketamine) drugs. Moreover, these mice are deficient in exploratory behavior in both open-field and novel-object tests, and they are deficient in social interaction. At least some of these behavioral changes likely are attributable to the maternal immune response itself. That is, maternal injection of the synthetic double-stranded RNA polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid causes a PPI deficit in the offspring in the absence of virus. Therefore, maternal viral infection has a profound effect on the behavior of adult offspring, probably via an effect of the maternal immune response on the fetus

EFFECT OF PURSLANE (PORTULACA OLERACEA) ON RENAL ISCHEMIA/REPERFUSION INJURY IN RAT

Objective: Use of herbal medicines has increased in recent years and many researches show their values in the treatment and prevention of diseases. In several studies, antioxidant properties of purslane (PO) were demonstrated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of ethanolic extract of PO (EEPO) on the renal function and antioxidant status after induction of ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury in the rat kidney.Methods: 30 male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups (n=6): sham operated+ vehicle (sham), sham operated+ EEPO 300mg/kg (control), I/R, I/R+ EEPO 150 and 300 mg/kg. Unilateral nephrectomy was performed in all animals, 20 days before the experiment. PO extract or vehicle was administered for 5 days, So that the last dose was administered a half hour before induction of the left kidney I/R (45 min ischemia /24 h reperfusion). At the end of reperfusion period, blood and renal tissue samples were obtained for the serum urea and creatinine (Scr) measurements as well as the tissue antioxidant assays.Results: Induction of I/R and pretreatment with PO extract, increased the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD). There were no significant changes in the levels of MDA, GSH and FRAP among different groups. On the other hand the Scr and serum urea of the I/R and treated groups were elevated compared to the sham group.Conclusion: Purslane did not strongly affect the renal antioxidant status and could not prevent the renal injury following I/R. Probable reason might be the stimulation of immune system by the PO extract

Perceived Challenges Faced by Nurses in Home Health Care Setting: A Qualitative Study

Background: Home care has gradually become a nursing model for nursing care. The nurses’ experiences of challenges they have in home care have remained unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the hidden aspects of challenges related to home care in Iran. Methods: This study was conducted to explore the challenges of home nursing care using a qualitative content analysis method. Purposeful and snowball sampling methods were used for sampling. The study was conducted from September 2016 to September 2017 in the provinces of Khorasan and Tehran in Iran. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on 33 nurses who were providing home care. After data saturation, the data were analyzed. Results: The data analysis led to the development of five main categories of “difficult instances “, “economic problems”, “professional barriers”, “social difficulties”, and “bureaucratic tension”. Conclusion: The results of this study showed how nurses faced with a variety of challenges in home care and how they were different from hospitals. Facilitating the nursing processes, supporting home care, and recruiting nurses that had the potential to cope with the existing stressful factors and economic incentives can increase the quality of home care