Investigation of energy usage and emissions on plug-in and hybrid electric vehicle

Jedan od osnovnih zadataka u automobilskoj industriji je razvoj hibridnih električnih vozila (HEVs) kao primarnog kandidata za poboljšanje učinkovitosti goriva i smanjenje ispušnih plinova. Ovo se istraživanje bavi učinkom aktualnog modela pogona i upravljanja na konvencionalna i plug-in hibridna električna vozila (PHEV). Najprije se predlaže postupak razvoja pogonskog ciklusa za stvarne uvjete. Tada se za HEVs i PHEVs istražuju učinci pogonskog modela i načina upravljanja potrošnjom energije kao glavnih čimbenika koji bitno djeluju na potrošnju goriva i ispuštanje plinova koji zagađuju okolinu. U tu je svrhu za sustav upravljanja energijom razvijen upravljač neizrazite logike optimiziran genetskim algoritmom. Tada je rad vozila simuliran u ADVISOR-u. Rezultati simulacije pokazuju učinkovitost pristupa kojim se smanjuje potrošnja goriva i količina ispušnih plinova. Nadalje, ti rezultati pokazuju da PHEVs u usporedbi s HEVs poboljšavaju učinkovitost goriva i smanjuju količinu ispušnih plinova u stvarnom pogonu.One of the major issues in automotive industry is to develop hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) as the prime candidate for improving fuel efficiency and emissions reduction. This study addresses the impact of an actual drive pattern and control strategy on the conventional and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). In the first step the development procedure of driving cycle for real condition is proposed. Then effects of driving pattern and energy management strategy as the main factors, which strongly affect the fuel consumption and emission of pollutants, are investigated for HEVs and PHEVs. For this purpose fuzzy logic controller which is optimized with genetic algorithm is developed for energy management system. Then vehicle performance is simulated in ADVISOR. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach for reducing the fuel consumption and emissions. Furthermore, simulation results indicate that PHEVs in comparison to HEVs improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions in real world driving cycle

An Abaqus plugin for efficient damage initiation hotspot identification in large-scale composite structures with repeated features

© 2021 Elsevier Ltd Identifying the hotspots for damage initiation in large-scale composite structure designs presents a significant challenge due to the high modelling cost. For most industrial applications, the finite element (FE) models are often coarsely meshed with shell elements and used to predict the global stiffness and internal loads. Because of the lack of detailed descriptions for the composite materials and 3D stress states, most of the established failure criteria are not applicable. In this work we present an Abaqus plugin tool which implements a framework to identify the hotspots by using a pre-computed database generated for specific, heavily-repeated feature types based on a given structural model. Developed with an object-oriented implementation in Python, this software is split into two main parts, specifically for feature generation and structural analysis. The pre-computed model presents a full 3D description for the considered feature and works as a submodel to the coarse structure model driven by a one-way transfer of the boundary conditions. The presented framework is an analysis tool for efficient sizing of large-scale composite structures, as it enables 3D damage analysis of the structures in critical zones with significant savings of the modelling and computational cost. The results are compared with conventional FE modelling and satisfactory agreement is observed. In addition, the software also enables the pre-computed database to be stored in an HDF5 data file for further reuse on new structures with the same feature

Evaluation of Patient Satisfaction Referred to Health Center Traditional Medicine in Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in 2016

زمینه و هدف: رضایتمندی از خدمات سلامت یک معیار مهم برای سنجش کیفیت مراقبت‌های بهداشتی شناخته شده است و تاکنون بررسی از نظر میزان رضایتمندی بیماران مراجعه‌کننده به سلامتکده‌های طب سنتی انجام نشده است، لذا در این مطالعه برای نخستین‌بار به سنجش کیفیت خدمات در سلامتکده طب سنتی دانشگاه شهید بهشتی پرداخته شد. مواد و روش‌ها: مطالعه حاضر یک مطالعه توصیفی ـ مقطعی (Cross–Sectional) است که جهت سنجش رضایت بیماران، از 150 بیمار مراجعه‌کننده به سلامتکده طب سنتی دانشگاه شهید بهشتی در سال 1395 انجام شد. نمونه‌ها از طریق نمونه‌گیری در دسترس، پس از اخذ رضایت‌نامه، با پرسشنامه رضایتمندی محقق‌ساخته بررسی شدند، سپس اطلاعات جمع‌آوری‌شده توسط نرم‌افزار SPSS 20 و شاخص‌های آماری توصیفی و استنباطی مورد تجزیه و تحلیل قرار گرفت. ملاحظات اخلاقی: این پژوهش حاصل طرح تحقیقاتی مصوب معاونت پژوهش دانشگاه علوم پزشکی شهید بهشتی با کد IR.SBMU.RETECH.REC.1395.487 می‌باشد و کلیه اطلاعات بیماران به صورت محرمانه حفظ شد. یافته‫ها: میزان رضایتمندی بیماران نسبت به عملکرد کلی سلامتکده خوب (میانگین 4/54) گزارش شد. میانگین امتیاز رضایتمندی در ابعاد مختلف، شامل وضعیت برخورد پزشکان با بیماران 4/73، وضعیت برخورد دستیاران با بیماران 4/69، وضعیت فضا و امکانات بهداشتی 4/66، وضعیت خدمات تشخیصی 4/74، وضعیت خدمات درمانی 4/50، نحوه وقت‌دهی و برخورد پرسنل 4/59، رضایت از داروخانه 4/62 که نشان‌دهنده طیف نسبتاً راضی به سمت کاملاً راضی بوده است. میانگین بیشترین میزان رضایت در بین بخش‌های مختلف تخصصی، از نظر وضعیت برخورد پزشکان با بیماران مربوط به بخش گوارش 4/82 می‌باشد. بیشترین میزان رضایت مراجعه‌کنندگان در بین بخش‌های مختلف تخصصی از نظر وضعیت خدمات تشخیصی (بخش مفاصل، زنان، گوارش و اعصاب و روان) مربوط به بخش اعصاب و روان بود (P=0/039). نتیجه‌گیری: رضایت بیماران از ارائه خدمات سلامتکده مورد مطالعه در سطح مطلوبی قرار داشت، اما در جهت ارائه خدمات با کیفیت بالاتر به بیماران انجام برنامه‌ریزی دقیق‌تر ضروری به نظر می‌رسد.Background and Aim: Satisfaction from health services is an important criterion for measuring the quality of health care and so far, there has been no study on the satisfaction of patients referring to traditional medicine health centers. Therefore, in this study, for the first time, the quality of services in the traditional medicine health center of Shahid Beheshti University was assessed. Materials and Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional study, in order to measure patients satisfaction, out of 150 patients referred to Shahid Beheshti University Traditional Medicine Health Center, it was performed in 2016. Samples were examined through available sampling, after obtaining consent, with the researcher-made satisfaction questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS 20 software and descriptive and inferential statistical indices. Ethical Considerations: This research is the result of a research project approved by the Research Vice Chancellor of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences with the code IR.SBMU.RETECH.REC.1395.487 and all patient information was kept confidential. Findings: Patients' satisfaction with good general health center performance was reported (Mean 4/54). Mean of satisfaction in different dimensions, including The situation of doctors with patients was 4/73, the situation of patients with patients 4/69, the condition of space and health facilities 4/66, the status of diagnostic services, 4/74, the state of health care 4/40, the manner of staffing and staffing 4/59, satisfaction from the pharmacy 4/62 that this range represents a fairly pleasingly satisfactory range. The average of the highest satisfaction among different specialized departments, in terms of the situation of doctors, with patient’s gastrointestinal tract are 4/82. The highest satisfaction rate was observed in the diagnostic services status in the various specialized departments, which is related to the neurology and psychiatry is significant (P=0/039). Conclusion: Patients' satisfaction from the health services provided by the study center was at a desirable level .In order to provide higher quality services, patients need to be more accurately planned.   Please cite this article as: Tansaz M, Adhami S, Choopani R, Mokaberinejad R, Movahhed M, Ghasemi E, Ilkhani R. Evaluation of Patient Satisfaction Referred to Health Center Traditional Medicine in Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in 2016. Med Hist J 2020; 12(43): 61-72

Design of an aircraft generator with radial force control.

With the increasing electrical energy demands in aviation propulsion systems, the increase in the onboard generators’ power density is inevitable. During the flight, forces coming from the gearbox or gyroscopic forces generated by flight manoeuvres like take-off and landing can act on the generators’ bearings, which can lead to wear and fatigue in the bearings. Utilizing the radial force control concept in the electrical machine can relieve loads from the bearings that not only minimize the bearing losses but also increase bearing life. The objective of the MAGLEV project (Measurement and Analysis of Generator bearing Loads and Efficiency with Validation) is to study, demonstrate, and test a new class of high-speed generators with radial force control. In this paper, design steps of this type of generator and its test rig are presented and the measurement methodology used for radial force control is explained. The concept is developed in an electrical machine and is validated on a test rig by measuring required parameters like shaft displacement, vibrations and bearing temperature. Additionally, the friction moment of each generator’s bearings is measured and validated in a separate test rig under comparable conditions to the bearing loads in the generator. Therefore, a novel approach to determine precisely the bearing friction in a radial load unit, rotatably supported by an additional needle bearing is used, which shows a good agreement with the calculated friction. Furthermore, new calculation methods for the operating behavior of cylindrical roller bearings with clearance are presented, which are utilized in the generator test rig

Major and minor criteria for gastric dystemperaments in Persian Medicine: Sari gastric dystemperament criteria-I (SGDC-I)

<div class="msocomtxt" id="com1" language="JavaScript" onmouseout="msoCommentHide('com1')" onmouseover="msoCommentShow('anchor1','com1')">Background: Gastric disorders are one of the most common human ailments, which impose a huge economic burden on countries. In Persian Medicine (PM), it is possible to predict the susceptibility to gastric diseases with diagnosis of gastric Mizajes (temperaments) and dystemperaments. The semiology of gastric dystemperaments has been investigated in PM textbooks, although the value of each sign and symptom is not mentioned. Consequently, this research is designed to determine the major and minor criteria for classifying gastric dystemperaments on the basis of valid manuscripts and with the help of PM specialists in the present era. Methods: This was a consensus-based study consisting of four phases. In the first phase, reference PM textbooks were studied. Symptoms and signs of gastric dystemperaments were collected and listed in four groups. In the second phase, semi-structured interviews with a sample of PM experts were carried out. Phase three included a focused group discussion with experts. Eventually, findings were integrated from the three study phases in a two-day meeting in Sari City. Results: Selected criteria included eight major and eight minor criteria for hot-cold dystemperament, as well as six major and eight minor criteria for wet-dry gastric dystemperament. Conclusion: Modern lifestyles and the interfering factors are responsible for some changes in diagnostic signs and symptoms according to PM. This was the first step to coordinate PM diagnostic criteria for gastric dystemperaments. Further studies are recommended to reach a unique protocol in the field of PM diagnostics. The next step includes design and validation of national diagnostic tools. &#160

ORIENTAL JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY Physio-Chemical Investigation and Natural Bond Orbital Analysis of the Most Actives Ingredient of Fennel Plant

ABSTRACT In this study, physio-chemical properties of effective compounds of fennel plant were investigated through using computational chemistry. To do this, trans-anethole, estragole, 3'-hydroxyanethole and 4-methoxycinnamyl alcohol compounds that the most active ingredient combinations make up the fennel plant have been carried out at three different levels of HF, BLYP and B3LYP theories using 6-31G*, 6-311G*, 6-311G**, 6-311+G and 6-311++G basis sets. Additionally, ab initio calculation in the gas phase have been studied and physio-chemical parameters including Gibbs free energy, thermal energy, enthalpy, entropy, and thermal capacity in constant volume (C V ) of these compounds have been computed as well as Gibbs free energy in polar solvents such as ethanol and methanol and water. Based on these obtained data the structural stabilities of these flavorful compounds have been discussed. However, in these herbal effective compounds presented here the natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis has been performed which seemed quite informative to show some important atomic and structural features. The result lead to the issue that all those compounds in polar solvents, particularly alcoholic solvents solved and the compounds can be used sufficiently to extract the active ingredients of herb fennel

Development and validation of ‘caring ability of family caregivers of patients with cancer scale (CAFCPCS)’

Aim: Family caregivers have limited abilities that make them vulnerable to the care needs of patients. Therefore, it seems necessary to evaluate their caring ability. The aim of this study was to design an instrument for assessing the caring ability of family caregivers of cancer patients. Methods: This was a sequential exploratory mixed-method study, carried out in two qualitative and quantitative phases. The concept of caring ability and its dimensions were explained using conventional content analysis in the qualitative phase. The research participants included 41 family caregivers of cancer patients and professional caregivers who were selected using purposeful sampling method until reaching data saturation. The scale items were designed using the results of the qualitative phase of the study, as well as the review of relevant literature. In the quantitative phase, the scale was validated using content and face validity, construct validity, as well as internal consistency and stability. Results: The primary item pool was prepared in 108 items. Content validity was determined using CVR with a cut-off point (0.62), CVI with a cut-off point (0.8) and kappa coefficient (κ) (>0.75). The validity of 72 items was confirmed. Then, the overlapping items were merged and eventually the 45-item scale entered the face validity stage and five items with an impact factor < 1.5 were omitted. Results of KMO = 0.904 and Bartlett = 6184.012 (p < 0.001) justified the need for factor analysis. Scree plot indicates five factors with eigenvalues above 1 and 67.7% of the total variance, including ‘Effective role play, Fatigue and Surrender, Trust, Uncertainty, and Caring ignorance’. Reliability of the 31-item instrument indicated a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.93 and ICC of 0.94. Conclusions: Caring abilities scale (CAI) of family caregivers of patients with cancer is a valid and reliable instrument that can assess caregivers' caring ability

The expression of miRNA-152-3p and miRNA-185 in tumor tissues versus margin tissues of patients with chemo-treated breast cancer

Abstract Objective Breast cancer (BC) is the most significant and lethal type of cancer in women. Although there are many newly develop chemotherapy drugs for patients with BC treating at various stages, drug resistance is the most important obstacle in their effectiveness for BC treatment. On the other hand, microRNAs are considered key regulators of genes involved in carcinogenesis and chemoresistance in cancers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of miR-152-3p and miR-185 in intrinsic chemoresistance and proliferation of BC. In addition, the potential role of these miRNAs during chemoresistance was evaluated through possible signaling pathways. Results Here, miR-152-3p was significantly downregulated in tumor tissues compared to the corresponding margin tissues in patients with BC (p-value ≥ 0.04407 and fold change = − 2.0552). In contrast, no statistically significant difference was observed in the miR-185 expression between the two groups. Furthermore, no significant correlation was found between the expression of these two miRNAs and subfactors, including cancer family history, abortion, and age. Downregulation of miR-152-3p could be considered a promising regulator of BC chemoresistance

The Friction of Radially Loaded Hybrid Spindle Bearings under High Speeds

Friction losses are an important parameter for evaluating the operational behaviour of high-speed rolling bearings. Specifically, in machine tool applications, the bearings are subjected to high radial loads and high speeds, which lead to increased forces in the rolling contact and, as a result, increased bearing friction. In this high-speed application, hybrid spindle bearings, typically made of ceramic balls and steel raceways, show better frictional behaviour compared to full steel-made bearings. Therefore, precise knowledge of the friction characteristics of high-speed hybrid bearings can improve friction models and generalise them to spindle bearings with different types, geometries, and operating conditions. In this article, a new straightforward and cost-efficient method for measuring the frictional torque in spindle bearings is presented. A rigidly arranged 7008 hybrid spindle bearing pair was tested up to rotational speeds of 24,000 rpm and high radial loads of 3 kN. The effects of oil–air and grease lubrication are discussed in characteristic diagrams of the tested bearings. Then, based on the test results, a friction calculation model is presented and validated for the outer race control and minimised power dissipation regarding the influence of radial forces