Effect of Soil and Structure Nonlinear Interaction on the Efficiency of Tuned Mass Damper

In this paper, three 10, 15, and 20-story two-dimensional concrete structures have been used with a moment frame bearing system as models under analysis. First, using various time history analyses by the OpenSees software, the optimal parameters of the tuned mass damper (TMD), including frequency and mass, were obtained. Structures controlled with and without TMD were modelled on three soft, moderate, and hard soil types classified according to Code 2800. The models were analyzed in terms of time history by 7 ground motions. In order to take into account the nonlinear interaction of soil and structure, the model of the beam on nonlinear Winkler foundation has been used. The results show that nonlinear interaction in most cases reduces the efficiency of TMD. Moreover, as the soil becomes softer, the efficiency reduction of the mass damper increases

The Effect of Employing Electronic Portfolio on Iranian EFL Learners’ Writing Skill

A superior method of language teaching is what all researchers and language teachers look for. In order to facilitate the process of language learning, technological tools can be helpful. The present study aimed to investigate the effect to employing electronic portfolio on Iranian EFL learners’ writing skill in a language institute in Isfahan, Iran in summer 2014. To find the homogeneity of subjects, the Oxford Quick Placement Test was administered and the subjects were divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received the treatment which was employing the electronic portfolio, while the control group had the conventional context of language classes. At the end of the study, the obtained scores on the pretests and post-tests were analyzed. Independent t-tests were run to compare the collected scores in the two groups. The results of the study showed significant difference between the experimental group and the control group. The findings of the study can bear implications for EFL student, teachers, policy makers, university and institute organizations, and syllabus designers

A Detailed Cutaneous Manifestations Evaluation in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background and Aim: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age. The hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis dysregulates in PCOS, ultimately leading to hyperandrogenisms. Consequently, it is associated with hirsutism, dyslipidemia, obesity, infertility, menstrual disturbance, and insulin resistance. To our knowledge, there is no detailed investigation of these manifestations. That is why, this study aimed to evaluate manifestations of hyperandrogenism, hirsutism in particular. Methods: This study was performed on 39 women with an initial diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome. Rotterdam criteria including Oligo- or anovulation, hyperandrogenism clinical and/or biochemical signs, and ultrasound appearance of polycystic ovaries used as diagnostic criteria. Hirsutism scoring was carried out according to Freeman-Gallwey’s definition of hirsutism. The patients were analyzed for other skin problems including male pattern baldness, acanthosis nigricans, and acne as well as demographic features. Results: Hirsutism was observed in the majority of our patients (91%) ranging from mild to severe. Concerning the distribution of hirsutism on various parts of the body, severe hirsutism was observed more on the groin, abdominal area, and chin respectively. Male pattern baldness, acanthosis nigricans, and acne, and dysregulated menstruation were reported in these patients. Conclusion: This investigation found that skin manifestations, especially hirsutism, are highly frequent in patients with PCOS. *Corresponding Author: Hashem Nayeri; Email: [email protected]; [email protected] Please cite this article as: Masaeli A, Nayeri H, Mirzaei M. A Detailed Cutaneous Manifestations Evaluation in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Arch Med Lab Sci. 2021;7:1-6 (e10). https://doi.org/10.22037/amls.v7.3082

Biomaterials Evaluation: Conceptual Refinements and Practical Reforms

Regarding the widespread and ever-increasing applications of biomaterials in different medical fields, their accurate assessment is of great importance. Hence the safety and efficacy of biomaterials is confirmed only through the evaluation process, the way it is done has direct effects on public health. Although every biomaterial undergoes rigorous premarket evaluation, the regulatory agencies receive a considerable number of complications and adverse event reports annually. The main factors that challenge the process of biomaterials evaluation are dissimilar regulations, asynchrony of biomaterials evaluation and biomaterials development, inherent biases of postmarketing data, and cost and timing issues. Several pieces of evidence indicate that current medical device regulations need to be improved so that they can be used more effectively in the evaluation of biomaterials. This article provides suggested conceptual refinements and practical reforms to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing regulations. The main focus of the article is on strategies for evaluating biomaterials in US, and then in EU

Shipment Scheduling In Hub Location Problems

In this thesis, we incorporate shipment scheduling decisions into hub location problems. Our aim is to determine optimal locations of hubs, hub network structure, and the number of vehicles to operate on the hub network as well as the time period of dispatching each vehicle from a hub. We develop mathematical models for di erent versions of this problem. We initially propose a mixed-integer shipment scheduling hub network design model where the costs of holding freight are negligible. We then expand the model to keep track of the holding decisions where the holding costs are not negligible. We further analyze the shipment scheduling model with holding costs when di erent types of vehicles are available to operate on the inter-hub links. We investigate the impact of shipment scheduling decisions and holding costs on hub network con gurations, routing decisions, and total cost of the network. We solve the models on instances from a new USAF dataset with real data

Comparison of muscular tissue composition of rainbow trout in brackish and different salinity waters

In this research, controlled changes of rainbow trout muscular composition cultured in brackish water (14.1ppt) and freshwater (4.3ppt) was compared. Some 180 juvenile rainbow trout with a weight of 47.2±0.1g each were released in 6 polyethylene tanks with a capacity of 1.5m³. During the experiment, water temperature was kept constant. Feeding fish was conducted using common Faradaneh food and considering water temperature and fish biomass. After 126 days, fishes attained around 320±20g of weight, were sampled and taken to laboratory and the amount of protein, fat, ash, minerals and moisture in their muscle tissue were measured. Results showed amount of fat and dry matter in brackish water cultured fishes is less than those cultured in freshwater. The average percentage of protein and minerals in brackish freshwater cultured fishes were significantly different and the average percentage of moisture in brackish water cultured fish was higher than those of the freshwater fish

A study on growth parameters, blood factors and proximate composition of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) cultured in underground brackish and freshwater

In this research, growth rate, blood parameters and proximate composition of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) cultured in brackish and freshwater were evaluated. Two treatments (brackish and freshwater) in 3 replications were investigated. Six 1.5 m³ fiberglass tanks were used for this experiment, containing 180 rainbow trout specimens with average weight of 47.2±0.1g. Feeding rate in treatments was about 3% of body weight based on water temperature and fish biomass. Total length and weight of fish were measured in 15 days intervals. After 135 days of culture period, some fish samples were transferred to the Lab. Blood were directly collected from the heart. Muscle composition was analyzed for proximate composition. The results showed that the body weight of samples in brackish water was increased significantly after 45 days of culture period. Blood factors including WBC, RBC, Hb, Hct, MCV, MCH, MCHC, lymphocyte, thrombocyte and concentration of K+ ions in fish cultured in brackish water showed a significant increase (P<0.05). Muscle composition analysis showed a significant increasing (p<0.05) in fat and dry matter in freshwater treatment, while moisture was significantly higher in brackish water (P<0.01)

A social work study on different factors influencing youth on hope for the future

In this paper, we present an empirical study to study the effects of religious duties, communicating with parents; leisure, media planning, city planning, socio-economic and education on different factors influencing the future of youth. The proposed study of this paper designs a questionnaire and distributes it among 400 people aged 18 to 29 and the results are investigated using Pearson correlation ratios. The results of our investigation indicate that there are some positive and meaningful relationship between religious duties and their hope for future (r=44%), a positive and meaningful relationship between leisure and hope for future (31%). In addition, there is a relatively positive and somewhat meaningful relationship between city planning and hope for future (15%) and finally, a small but positive relationship between media planning and hope for the future (6%). However, there is no evidence belief that there is any meaningful relationship between education and hope for the future

Failure reliability and damage detection of ferrocement composite slabs

This paper introduces suitable features and methods to define hazard rate function by acoustic emission parameters to develop robust damage statement index and reliability analysis. AE signal energy was first examined to find out relation between damage progress and AE signal energy so that a damage index based on AE signal energy was proposed to quantify progressive damage imposed to composite slabs. Moreover by using AE signal strength, historic index was utilized to develop a modified hazard rate function through integration bathtub curve and Weibull function

A social work study on relationship between transactional and laissez-fair leadership style and personality traits: A case study of educational system

Leadership style plays an essential role on personality trait in educational systems. In this paper, we present a study among 180 school principals in city of Khomeinishahr, located in province of Esfahan, Iran. The study selects a sample of 123 principals and examines ten hypotheses including the effects of personality trait neuroticism, extroversion, resilience, participative, conscientiousness on leadership style. The study examined the effects of two groups of leadership, namely transactional leadership and Laissez-fair leadership styles on five personality traits. The results have shown that there were some meaningful relationship between transactional leadership and personality trait extraversion, resilience, participative and consciousness but there was not meaningful relationship between transactional leadership and personality trait neuroticism. In addition, while there were meaningful and positive relationship between Laissez-fair leadership style and personality trait extraversion as well as being resilience, our survey did not find any meaningful relationship between Laissez-fair leadership style and personality trait neuroticism, extraversion and being consciousness