Height of water pool in the roll nip of secondary cooling zone in continuous slab caster: application of open channel hydraulics

In continuous casting of steel, the strand is cooled in the upper part of the secondary cooling zone with water sprayed by nozzles towards the strand surface. The water accumulates in the nip of the lower roll of a roll pair, forming a water pool which then drains off towards the ends of the roll. In the present work, open channel hydraulics was applied for computation of the water pool height in the nip between roll and strand in continuous slab casting. The differential equation describing the change of pool height for the spatially varied flow with increasing discharge was solved with the Runge–Kutta technique using as boundary condition the pool height at the end of the nip. The effects of the Manning friction factor n and the energy coefficient a were determined in sets of computation. It was shown that the hydraulic theory could predict water profiles in the nip of continuous casting rolls to a good approximation

Selective laser melting of CuSn10: simulation of mechanical properties, microstructure, and residual stresses

In this study, the evolution of mechanical properties, microstructure, and residual stresses during selective laser melting of CuSn10 components was studied. To provide a proper material model for the simulations, various CuSn10 parts were manufactured using selective laser melting and examined. The manufactured parts were also used to validate the developed model. Subsequently, a sequentially coupled thermal–mechanical FEM model was developed using the Ansys software package. The developed model was able to deliver the mechanical properties, residual stresses, and microstructure of the additively manufactured components. Due to introducing some simplifications to the model, a calibration factor was applied to adjust the simulation results. However, the developed model was validated and showed a good agreement with the experimental results, such as measured residual stresses using the hole drilling method, as well as mechanical properties of manufactured parts. Moreover, the developed material model was used to simulate the microstructure of manufactured CuSn10. A fine-grain microstructure with an average diameter of 19 ± 11 μm and preferred orientation in the Z-direction, which was the assembly direction, was obtained

Evaluating the Effect of Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Plan on Quality of Life of Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Introduction: Cardiovascular surgeries are among the conventional surgeries aimed at increasing the survival rate and improving the quality of life of patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cardiac rehabilitation on quality of life of patients undergoing Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.Methods: This was a semi-experimental study performed on 160 patients undergoing CABG surgery. The rehabilitation program was carried out for 13 weeks (three sessions per week) in 40 sessions, six weeks after the CABG surgery. The MacNew standard questionnaire and the general health questionnaire (S-f 36) were completed before the beginning of rehabilitation sessions as well as after completion of these sessions by patients.Results: According to the results, the quality of life of patients significantly increased in the physical and emotional areas after the rehabilitation program. The results also indicated that there was a significant difference between various levels of research in the physical functioning variables, dysfunction due to physical health, dysfunction due to emotional health, energy/fatigue of individuals, emotional well-being, social functioning, pain, and general health.Conclusions: The present results indicated the improved quality of life of patients in all the areas after cardiac rehabilitation intervention, compared to before that. Therefore, paying more attention to cardiac rehabilitation is necessary due to its positive effects on increasing the quality of life of patients

Five-years surveillance of invasive aspergillosis in a university hospital

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>As the most common invasive fungal infection, invasive aspergillosis (IA) remains a serious complication in immunocompromised patients, leading to increased mortality. Antifungal therapy is expensive and may result in severe adverse effects.</p> <p>The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of invasive aspergillosis (IA) cases in a tertiary care university hospital using a standardized surveillance method.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>All inpatients at our facility were screened for presence of the following parameters: positive microbiological culture, pathologist's diagnosis and antifungal treatment as reported by the hospital pharmacy. Patients fulfilling one or more of these indicators were further reviewed and, if appropriate, classified according to international consensus criteria (EORTC).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>704 patients were positive for at least one of the indicators mentioned above. Applying the EORTC criteria, 214 IA cases were detected, of which 56 were proven, 25 probable and 133 possible. 44 of the 81 (54%) proven and probable cases were considered health-care associated. 37 of the proven/probable IA cases had received solid organ transplantation, an additional 8 had undergone stem cell transplantation, and 10 patients were suffering from some type of malignancy. All the other patients in this group were also suffering from severe organic diseases, required long treatment and experienced several clinical complications. 7 of the 56 proven cases would have been missed without autopsy. After the antimycotic prophylaxis regimen was altered, we noticed a significant decrease (p = 0.0004) of IA during the investigation period (2003-2007).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Solid organ and stem cell transplantation remain important risk factors for IA, but several other types of immunosuppression should also be kept in mind. Clinical diagnosis of IA may be difficult (in this study 13% of all proven cases were diagnosed by autopsy only). Thus, we confirm the importance of IA surveillance in all high-risk patients.</p

Experimental Investigation on Local and Global Texture Evolution in Drawing Seamless Copper Tubes

Mass flow inequality in the initial stage of tube processing can lead to eccentricity and micro- and nano-structural changes that affect residual stress and texture development. In this study, the macro- and micro-texture development of copper tubes drawn with a tilted die was investigated using three methods: synchrotron, neutron diffraction, and electron backscatter diffraction, in the positions of maximum and minimum wall thickness of the tubes. Understanding how a tilted die can affect the texture development in copper tubes is the main aim of this study. The micro-texture results of EBSD examinations showed the same behavior at the maximum and minimum sides of the as-received tube, as observed using the synchrotron diffraction method as well as macro-texture measurements. The cube texture component was found to be the predominant orientation in the as-received tube. However, it almost disappeared after drawing with &minus;5&deg; tilting. By contrast, the Cu texture component increased significantly. Before drawing, the cube component varied strongly across the wall thickness. After drawing, however, there was no noticeable texture gradient across the wall thickness. The analyses showed that tilting is not creating an inhomogeneous texture development over the circumference

Redefinint el paisatge urbà pel que fa a la Filosofia de la Ciència i el Realisme Científic

El concepto de paisaje urbano se enfrenta a muchas complejidades y ambigüedades. Estas ambigüedades conducen a malentendidos entre las fuentes académicas y la sociedad profesional. Los términos "entorno" y "paisaje" también han cambiado desde su origen. El término de “imagen” y concepto de legibilidad lo hace más complejo. Hay algunas disciplinas que se refieren al concepto de paisaje urbano. Cada una de estas disciplinas se conoce a sí misma como responsable del paisaje urbano. Este artículo intenta revisar la literatura diversa de estos dos conceptos contando las complejidades de estos términos y luego presenta una nueva definición para ellos. Este artículo intenta revisar varias nociones sobre paisaje urbano e imagen a través del análisis de contenido y estudios bibliotecarios. El paisaje urbano de cada ciudad es el surgimiento de la realidad de esa ciudad. No se puede reducir a una cuestión objetiva, ni tampoco se le da forma subjetiva a la objetiva. El paisaje urbano ha sido juzgado por las filosofías de la ciencia dominantes en un tiempo específico. Esta investigación intenta ir más allá de las distintas definiciones de paisaje urbano que se han presentado en diferentes épocas. Además, proporciona un nuevo marco a través del “realismo científico”. Desde el punto de vista del realismo científico, la definición anterior reduce la antología del paisaje urbano a su epistemología. Acorde a este enfoque, se deben considerar mecanismos al presentar un nuevo marco. Este nuevo marco teórico podría sugerirse a razón del realismo crítico, la lectura de Lefebvre sobre el materializmo fenomenológico y utilizando su teoría de la producción del espacio y las fuerzas influyentes en la dimensión semiótica del paisaje urbano.El concepte de paisatge urbà s'enfronta a moltes complexitats i ambigüitats. Aquestes ambigüitats condueixen a malentesos entre les fonts acadèmiques i la societat professional. Els termes "entorn" i "paisatge" també han canviat des del seu origen. El terme de "imatge" i concepte de llegibilitat el fa més complex. Hi ha algunes disciplines que es refereixen a el concepte de paisatge urbà. Cadascuna d'aquestes disciplines es coneix a si mateixa com a responsable del paisatge urbà. Aquest article intenta revisar la literatura diversa d'aquests dos conceptes comptant les complexitats d'aquests termes i després presenta una nova definició per a ells. Aquest article intenta revisar diverses nocions sobre paisatge urbà i imatge a través de l'anàlisi de contingut i estudis bibliotecaris. El paisatge urbà de cada ciutat és el sorgiment de la realitat d'aquesta ciutat. No es pot reduir a una qüestió objectiva, ni tampoc se li dóna forma subjectiva a l'objectiva. El paisatge urbà ha estat jutjat per les filosofies de la ciència dominants en un temps específic. Aquesta investigació intenta anar més enllà de les diferents definicions de paisatge urbà que s'han presentat en diferents èpoques. Després d'això, proporciona un nou marc a través del "realisme científic". Des del punt de vista del realisme científic, la definició anterior redueix l'antologia del paisatge urbà a la seva epistemologia. D'acord amb aquest enfocament, s'han de considerar mecanismes al presentar un nou marc. D'acord amb el realisme crític i pel que fa a la lectura de Lefebvre del materialisme fenomenològic i utilitzant la seva teoria de la producció de l'espai i les forces influents en la dimensió semiòtica de l'paisatge urbà, podria suggerir-se un nou marc teòric.The concept of urban landscape faces many complexities and ambiguities. These ambiguities lead to misunderstandings between academic sources and professional society. The “scape” and “landscape” terms also have changed from their origin.  The term “image” and the concept of legibility makes it more complex. There are some disciplines referring to the concept of the urban landscape. Each of these disciplines knows itself as responsible for the urban landscape. This article tries to review the various literature of these two concepts counting the complexities of these terms and then presents a new definition for them. This article tries to review various notions about urban landscape and image through content analysis and library studies. The urban landscape of each city is the emergence of the reality of that city. It could not be reduced to an objective issue, neither is it subjective being shaped separately from an objective one. The urban landscape has been judged by dominant philosophies of science at a specific time. This research tries to go behind the various definition of an urban landscape which has been presented in a different time. After that, it provides a new framework through “scientific realism”. From the scientific realism point of view, the previous definition reduces the anthology of the urban landscape to its epistemology. According to this approach, mechanisms should be considered in presenting a new framework. According to critical realism and regarding Lefebvre’s reading of phenomenological materialism and by using Lefebvre’s production space theory and influential forces in the semiotic dimension of the urban landscape, a new theoretical framework could be suggested.Peer Reviewe

The Prevalence of Abnormal Pap Smears in females Referred to Health Centers Affiliated to Medical Sciences During the Years 2012 to 2016

Background and Objectives: Cervical cancer is one of the most important female reproductive system diseases. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of abnormal Pap smears of pregnant females in public health centers and hospitals of Hamadan. Materials and Methods: In a retrospective study, 36046 Pap smears of females was extracted from the records referred to government health centers affiliated to Hamadan University of Medical Sciences and Fatemiyeh Hospital Hamadan, between 2012 and 2016. After checking the results of Pap smear, abnormal information (605 cases) were collected and investigated. Data were then analyzed using the SPSS21-software and descriptive statistics and one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results: The majority of females with abnormal Pap smear results (%30.4) were aged 45 to 36 years, and %48.6 of females with abnormal Pap smear had parity (1-3). From a total of 36046 cases, 605 cases of abnormal Pap smear were observed. The highest and lowest frequencies of abnormal Pap smear were related to ASCUS and LSIL, at a prevalence of %78 and %1, respectively. There was a positive relationship between abnormal Pap smear results and age (P = 0.037). Conclusions: The prevalence of abnormal Pap smear in Hamadan was %1.67. Malignant cervical cancer and invasive cancer risk increased with age, hence, screening and Pap smear, especially from age 35 and above, is recommended

Evaluating Effects of Heat Stress on Cognitive Function among Workers in a Hot Industry

Background:Heat stress, as one of the most common occupational health problems, can impair operators' cognitive processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of thermal stress on cognitive function among workers in a hot industry. Methods: In this cross-sectional study conducted in Malibel Saipa Company in 2013, workers were assigned into two groups: one group were exposed to heat stress (n=35), working in casting unit and the other group working in machin-ing unit (n=35) with a normal air conditioning. Wet Bulb Globe Temperature was measured at three heights of ankle, abdomen, and head. In order to evalu-ate the effects of heat stress on attention and reaction time, Stroop tests 1, 2, and 3 were conducted before starting the work and during the work. Results: A significant positive correlation was observed between WBGT and test duration (P=0.01) and reaction time of Stroop test 3 (P=0.047), and be-tween number of errors in Stroop tests 1, 2, and 3, during the work (P= 0.001). Moreover, Stroop test 3 showed a significant higher score for both test dura-tion and reaction time of workers in case group. Conclusion: Results of the present study, conducted in a real work environment, confirmed the impairment of cognitive functions, including selective attention and reaction time, under heat stress conditions

Teaching-learning in clinical education based on epistemological orientations: A multi-method study.

IntroductionTeaching-learning is the heart of medical education in the clinical setting. The objective of this research was to develop a conceptual model of effective clinical teaching in undergraduate medical education and conceptualize its operational framework based on the best fit approach.Materials and methodsThis research consisted of three sub-studies conducted using a multi-method approach. The first sub-study was conducted using a qualitative meta-synthesis approach. The second sub-study used Clarke's situational analysis approach as a postmodern version of grounded theory. Finally, the third sub-study was designed in two stages. First, it was conducted using the expert panel, in the second step, framework of synthesis based on best fit, and the framework of Ottenhoff- de Jonge et al., which formed the basis of this study.ResultsIn the first sub-study, qualitative evidence on the factors of effective teaching-learning in clinical education was synthesized into five dimensions. Based on the second sub-study, the clinical teaching-learning situation in undergraduate medical education in Iran was represented in three maps, including situational, social worlds/arenas, and positional. Finally, in the third sub-study, based on model modification and development in the expert panel, the effective teaching-learning dimensions were developed into behavioral, social, pedagogical, technology, contextual, educational leadership, and financial dimensions. In the second step, based on the framework of Ottenhoff- de Jonge et al., a three-dimensional matrix was developed concerning epistemological orientations about teaching and learning.DiscussionMoving from a single teaching-centered and learning-centered orientation to a teaching-learning-centered orientation is required for effective teaching-learning in clinical medical education