Bio-based Renewable Additives for Anti-icing Applications (Phase I)

The performance and impacts of several bio-based anti-icers along with a traditional chloride-based anti-icer (salt brine) were evaluated. A statistical design of experiments (uniform design) was employed for developing anti-icing liquids consisting of cost-competitive chemicals such as bio-based compounds (e.g., sugar beet extract and dandelion extract), rock salt, sodium metasilicate, and sodium formate. The following experimentally obtained parameters were examined as a function of the formulation design: ice-melting capacity and ice penetration at 25°F (−3.9°C) and 15°F (−9.4°C), compressive strength of Portland cement mortar samples after 10 freezethaw/deicer cycles, corrosion rate of C1010 carbon steel after 24-hour immersion, and impact on asphalt binder’s stiffness. One viable formula (“best performer”) was tested for freezing point depression phase diagram (ASTM D1177-88) and the friction coefficient of asphalt pavement treated by this anti-icing formulation (vs. 23 wt.% NaCl) at a certain temperature near 25°F or 30°F after being applied at 30 gallons per lane mile (1 hour after simulated trafficking and plowing). Laboratory data shed light on the selection and formulation of innovative bio-based snow and ice control chemicals that can significantly reduce the costs of winter maintenance operations. This exploratory investigation contributes to more systematic study of optimizing “greener” anti-icers using renewable resources

Investigtions the functional indicators change due to implementation information system in Sina hospital

زمینه و هدف: سیستم اطلاعات بیمارستانی تکنولوژی ضروری برای مراقبت‌های بهداشتی محسوب می‌شود و در صورت بکارگیری صحیح می‌تواند منجر به بهبود شاخص‌های عملکردی بیمارستان شود. هدف از مطالعه حاضر تعیین میزان تأثیر سیستم اطلاعات بیمارستانی بر شاخص‌های عملکردی بیمارستان سینا وابسته به دانشگاه علوم پزشکی تهران بوده است. روش بررسی: پژوهش توصیفی-تحلیلی حاضر در سال 1391 در 16 بخش بیمارستان سینا انجام گرفت. ابزار گردآوری داده‌ها فیش ثبت اطلاعات بود. کلیه اطلاعات مربوط به سیستم اطلاعات بیمارستان و همچنین شاخص‌های تخت بیمارستانی از روی اطلاعات بایگانی شده در واحد مدیریت آمار و اطلاعات بدست آمد. تجزیه و تحلیل داده ها با استفاده از آمار توصیفی و آزمون‌ تی زوج دو نمونه ای انجام گرفت. یافته ها: شاخص میانگین تخت روز اشغالی قبل از استقرار سیستم اطلاعات بیمارستانی 3617/04± 81/5567 روز و بعد از استقرار به 2646/63±37/5066 روز کاهش یافت. شاخص ضریب اشغال تخت قبل از استقرار سیستم اطلاعات بیمارستانی 44/11±43/74 درصد و بعد از استقرار به 62/14 ±5/76 افزایش یافت. شاخص میانگین طول اقامت بیمار نیز قبل از استقرار سیستم اطلاعات بیمارستانی 51/6 ± 31/8 روز و بعد از استقرار به 70/3 ± 46/6 روز کاهش پیدا کرد. همچنین شاخص فاصله چرخش تخت قبل از استقرار سیستم اطلاعات بیمارستانی 02/1 ± 12/1 روز و بعد از استقرار سیستم اطلاعات بیمارستانی به 42/1 ± 64/1 روز رسید. بین شاخص فاصله چرخش تخت و سیستم اطلاعات بیمارستانی رابطه معناداری وجود داشت (03/0=P). نتیجه گیری: با توجه به نبود تأثیر بین سیستم اطلاعات بیمارستانی و شاخص‌‌های عملکردی بیمارستان، به نظر می‌رسد استقرار سیستم اطلاعات بیمارستانی در بیمارستان‌ها نمی‌توانسته در بهبود شاخص‌‌های مزبور به نحو بارزی موثر واقع گردد

Generalizations of Kannan and Reich Fixed Point Theorems, Using Sequentially Convergent Mappings and Subadditive Altering Distance Functions

In this paper, first, using interpolative Kannan type contractions, a new fixed point theorem has been proved. Then, by applying sequentially convergent mappings and using subadditive altering distance functions, we generalize contractions in complete metric spaces. Finally, we investigate some fixed point theorems which are generalizations of Kannan and Reich fixed points

Comparative Evaluation of Ultraviolet and Visible Light Transmittance through Prescriptive Ophthalmic Minus Lenses

Background: Wearing spectacles is the most common approach in correcting the refractive errors worldwide. Due to harmful effects of overexposure to solar ultraviolet radiations, the usage of multi-layer coatings in ophthalmic lenses has recently been increased. These lenses can reduce the reflections and hence increase the transmission of visible light; they can also decrease the transmission of ultraviolet rays. This study aims to compare the transmission of ultraviolet (A and B) and visible rays through coated and uncoated prescriptive ophthalmic plastic lenses.Materials and Methods: In this study, 39 minus non-photochromic multi-coated white plastic single-vision lenses; 9 similar lenses but without any coatings were assessed by spectral transmittancemeter for evaluation of the transmission of visible and ultraviolet rays.Results: The transmission of visible light was 97.9%±1.07% for coated lenses and 93.5%±0.54% for lenses without coating. Ultraviolet-A transmission was 12.15%±8.02% for coated lenses compared to 66.27%±23.92% in lenses without coating. The transmission of ultraviolet-B rays was 1.21%±0.4% and 23.0%±15.97% for lenses with and without coatings, respectively.Conclusion: The transmission of visible light was significantly higher in multi-coated lenses compared to uncoated samples; whereas the transmissions of ultraviolet rays in multi-coated lenses were significantly lower than uncoated ones. Therefore, it is recommended that, except for particular cases, prescribed lenses be equipped with this multi-layer coating

Effect of metabolic syndrome and its components on survival in colorectal cancer: a prospective study.

INTRODUCTION Metabolic syndrome (MetS) may affect prognosis of the patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC). OBJECTIVES This study was aimed to design a model and to examine the prognostic effect of MetS on survival time in the patients with CRC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Data were collected from 1127 cases of CRC from Cancer Registry Center of the Research Institute of Gastroenterology and Liver Disease, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. In this cohort study, patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of MetS. We tested the prognostic value of MetS in the patients by Cox proportional hazard modeling. RESULTS Mean ± standard deviation of the patients' age at diagnosis in MetS group and non-MetS group was 56 ± 13 years old and 53 ± 15 years old respectively. Tumor stage as an independent variable affected CRC survival. The mean survival time of the MetS and non-MetS groups was 23 and 27 months respectively. Independent variables like tumor stage (hazard ratio [HR], 1.76; 95% CI, 0.29-0.90) and educational level (HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.23-0.97) had significant effect on CRC survival and MetS (HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.52-1.5), tumor size (HR, 1.390; 95% CI, 1.237-1.560), family history, age, gender, and smoking had non-significant effect on CRC survival. CONCLUSION MetS could be a prognostic factor for survival in the patients with CRC. The results suggested that effect of MetS was not significant

Bio-Based Renewable Additives for Anti-Icing Applications (Phase II)

The performance and impacts of several agro-based anti-icers along with a traditional chloride-based anti-icer (salt brine) were evaluated. A statistical design of experiments (central composite design) was employed for developing anti-icing liquids consisting of cost-competitive chemicals such as agro-based compounds (e.g., Concord grape extract and glycerin), sodium chloride, sodium metasilicate, and sodium formate. The following experimentally obtained parameters were examined as a function of the formulation design: ice-melting capacity at 25°F (−3.9°C), splitting strength of Portland cement mortar samples after 10 freeze-thaw/deicer cycles, corrosion rate of C1010 carbon steel after 24-hour immersion, and impact on asphalt binder stiffness and m-value. One viable formula (“best performer”) was tested for thermal properties by measuring its differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermograms, the friction coefficient of asphalt pavement treated by this anti-icing formulation (vs. 23 wt.% NaCl and beet juice blend) at 25°F after being applied at 30 gallons per lane mile (1 hour after simulated trafficking and plowing), and other properties (pH, oxygen demand in COD). Laboratory data shed light on the selection and formulation of innovative agro-based snow- and ice-control chemicals that can significantly reduce the costs of winter maintenance operations

Comparison of Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Patients with MS and Normal Population

Purpose: To compare peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) between patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy controls using optical coherence tomography (OCT).  Patients and Methods: In this prospective case control study, peripapillary RNFLT of 120 eyes from 60 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS)  was compared to 120 eyes from 60 age and sex matched healthy controls using OCT.  The RNFLT in 4 peripapillary quadrants and the mean RNFLT of all four quadrants were compared between the case and control groups. The relation between MS variables such as age of onset, type and duration of disease, history of optic neuritis (ON) and other non-ocular episodes with RNFLT was evaluated in the case group. Results: The mean RNFLT of all four quarters was significantly lower in patients with MS compared to the controls (P < 0.001). Also RNFLT was significantly lower in each of 4 quadrants (superior, temporal, inferior; P < 0.001, nasal P = 0.003). There was no significant relation between RNFLT, the age of onset of MS disease, and history of non-ocular episodes. RNFLT had a significant relation with duration of the disease (P < 0.001), the type of MS (P < 0.001), history of ON (P = 0.002), and the number of ON episodes (P = 0.021). Conclusion: We found that RNFLT decreases in MS patients and its reduction is related to the duration and type of disease as well as history and number of ON episodes. Therefore measuring RNFLT may help in estimating the progress of MS and can potentially be included as a part of patients’ follow up protocol.Keywords: Multiple sclerosis;  Tomography; Optical Coherence;;Optic Neuritis; Retinal; Nerve Fibers