Interaction of subgrade resistance and dimensions of asphalt pavement surface cracks on propagation of secondary distresses

Reactions created in road construction and secondary distresses made in pavement are dependent on dimensions and geometry of cracks, resistance of subgrade and existing pavement layers. Thus, this essay assessed the effect of changes in crack’s geometry and also the amount of subgrade resistance on settlement in the cracking place. Since pavement layers thickness has a drastic effect on the resistance of the layers, cracks propagation and secondary distresses, in this essay, different types of strong, semi-strong, and weak pavements have been considered according to combination of different thicknesses for the pavement layers which are respectively wearing layer with the thickness of 5, 10, 20 centimeters, base course with thickness of 10, 20, 40 centimeters and sub base with thickness of 15, 30 and 60 centimeter. Also, as pavement can be constructed in grounds with different resistance and so subgrade resistance has an important role in pavement settlement  and distresses, in this essay, subgrade have been studied in three types of dense sand (strong soil), fine sand (semi-strong soil), and soft clay (weak soil) with different geotechnical properties. So, for preventing the mentioned problems, layers’ behavioral properties are considered as Mohr Coulomb-plastic and by three-dimensional modeling with finite element software of ABAQUS, we studied the degree of subgrade and cracked pavement surface settlement with different forms of cracking in different types of pavement and subgrade situations, like different thickness and behavioral properties. Then, to check results and validating software, by field observation, level of settlement in different cracking places was gathered and compared to the numerical results of the software. Results of finite element software show that by 25% increase in crack opening, the level of settlement of the surface layer and  the surface of subgrade would increase by 49% and 38% respectively. Also the level of the surface and subgrade settlement would rise by increase in crack depth; and the measurements for 25% increase in crack depth are 16% for surface and 13% for subgrade. In addition, by increasing in the width of crack in soils with different resistance, width line slope of crack-settlement in weak soil would be about triple compared to strong soil, and by increase in depth of crack in soils with different resistance, depth line slope of crack-settlement in weak soil would be about twice compared to strong soil. By the use of probabilistic analysis, It was determined that in 95% confidence interval, cracking on deformation of surface and subgrade, is significantly under the influence of subgrade type and as the subgrade weakens, the amount of deformation will increase more

Correlation between Sleep Disorders and Function in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study is to explain the correlation between sleep disorders and function in children with spastic cerebral palsy (4-12Y).Materials & MethodsThis cross-sectional study was carried out on 62 children with spastic CP (8.98±1.46Y) who were recruited from rehabilitation clinics of Tehran, Iran 2017. The Activities Scale for Kids, The Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children and the cerebral palsy Quality Of Life questionnaire for Children were utilized in this study. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 16)ResultsThe results showed that children with sleep disorder and arousal disorders have lower family health, lower quality of life and lower level of independence in their activities (0.05).ConclusionThese results emphasize on necessity of more attention about sleep disorders and family health problems in children with cerebral palsy

The Effect of Slope Geometry and Shoulder on Rutting Depth of Flexible Pavement

The slope and width of the road shoulder are important parameters in geometry of the road pavement. Therefore, it is important to comply with the requirements relating to the slope and width of the shoulders. So that by using the minimum width and slope of the shoulders according to regulations not only stresses and strains transferred to the lower layers will decrease, but also reduces damages in asphalt layers, base, and sub-base. Therefore, it is vital to conduct analyses which can bring good amount of accuracy in assessment of the stress and settlement due to shoulder width and slope. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of geometry of the shoulder on the performance and behavior of weak or strong pavement. For this purpose, numerical two-dimensional modeling of the road pavement (asphaltØŒbaseØŒsub-base) on which the axel load is placed was done using finite element method, ABAQUS, and the effect of the shoulder width and slope on the stresses and settlements caused by the strong and weak pavement have been studied. Also for verification of the software, several obtained field values are compared to each other. The results indicate that the increase in the width of the shoulders and the decrease in the slope will cause in decrease of the stress and settlements in different layers of the roadways. Thus, creating less steeper shoulder and wider pavement can reduce damages and will contribute to the increased safety and sustained life of the pavement.  &nbsp

Effects of empowerment program on the burden of care in mothers of children with phenylketonuria

Objectives: Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic disease of children that need a lifelong diet for its treatment. Because of the high burden of care, Parents and particularly mothers are prone to mental disorders or psychiatric adverse reactions. This study aimed to investigate the effect of empowerment of mothers on the burden of caring children with phenylketonuria.Materials & Methods: This was a semi-experimental (before-after with control group) study. In this research, 50 mothers of children with phenylketonuria that were referred to endocrine clinic in Qods hospital of Qazvin city, were selected and randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Data collection was made by using demographic characteristics of mothers and children and also the Zarit burden interview questionnaires. Empowerment program was delivered during nine sessions of holistic and family oriented empowerment model in the intervention group.  The control group received routine services. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics through SPSS software version 18.Results: In intervention group, the mean score of overall care burden and its dimensions in the mothers of children with phenylketonuria in post-test was significantly lower than the pre-test  (41.20 ± 5.04 vs. 58.24 ± 3.96; p<0. 001); but  pre-test and post-test scores in the control group had no significant difference (58.4 ± 5.22 vs. 58.96 ± 4; p=0.327). In other words empowerment program was able to reduce the burden of caring in mothers.Conclusion: Empowerment program can reduce the burden of care in mothers of children with phenylketonuria. Thus it seems that empowerment training is necessary to this group of mothers in the form of workshops and educational pamphlets

Temperature measurement and control system for transtibial prostheses: single subject clinical evaluation.

The snug fit of a prosthetic socket over the residual limb can disturb thermal balance and put skin integrity in jeopardy by providing an unpleasant and infectious environment. The prototype of a temperature measurement and control (TM&C) system was previously introduced to resolve thermal problems related to prostheses. This study evaluates its clinical application in a setting with reversal, single subject design. The TM&C system was installed on a fabricated prosthetic socket of a man with unilateral transtibial amputation. Skin temperature of the residual limb without prosthesis at baseline and with prosthesis during rest and walking was evaluated. The thermal sense and thermal comfort of the participant were also evaluated. The results showed different skin temperature around the residual limb with a temperature decrease tendency from proximal to distal. The TM&C system decreased skin temperature rise after prosthesis wearing. The same situation occurred during walking, but the thermal power of the TM&C system was insufficient to overcome heat build-up in some regions of the residual limb. The participant reported no significant change of thermal sense and thermal comfort. Further investigations are warranted to examine thermography pattern of the residual limb, thermal sense, and thermal comfort in people with amputation.N/

Temperature measurement and control system for transtibial prostheses: functional evaluation.

The accumulation of heat inside the prosthetic socket increases skin temperature and fosters perspiration, which consequently leads to high tissue stress, friction blister, discomfort, unpleasant odor, and decreased prosthesis suspension and use. In the present study, the prototype of a temperature measurement and control (TM&C) system was designed, fabricated, and functionally evaluated in a phantom model of the transtibial prosthetic socket. The TM&C system was comprised of 12 thermistors divided equally into two groups that arranged internal and external to a prosthetic silicone liner. Its control system was programmed to select the required heating or cooling function of a thermal pump to provide thermal equilibrium based on the amount of temperature difference from a defined set temperature, or the amount of difference between the mean temperature recorded by inside and outside thermistors. A thin layer of aluminum was used for thermal conduction between the thermal pump and different sites around the silicone liner. The results showed functionality of the TM&C system for thermoregulation inside the prosthetic socket. However, enhancing the structure of this TM&C system, increasing its thermal power, and decreasing its weight and cost are main priorities before further development.The Hong Kong Polytechnic University supported all expenses of functional evaluation. Moreover, The ST&G Corporation, South Korea, has donated silicone liners for functional evaluation. The authors received no more support for conduction of this stud

An epidemiological survey of psychiatric disorders in Iran

BACKGROUND: The nation-wide epidemiological survey of psychiatric disorders in term of lifetime prevalence is not adequately known in Iran. The prevalence of lifetime psychiatric disorders was estimated among the population of aged 18 and over on gender, age group, educational level, occupational status, marital status, and residential area. METHODS: The subjects were 25,180 individuals selected through a clustered random sampling method. The psychiatric disorders were diagnosed on the bases of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV criteria. It is the first study in which the structured psychiatric interview administered to a representative sample of the Iranian population age 18 and over by the 250 trained clinical psychologist interviewers. The data was entered through EPI-Info software twice in an attempt to prevent any errors and SPSS-11 statistical software was also used for analyses. The odds ratios and their confidence intervals estimated by using logistic regression. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The prevalence of psychiatric disorders was 10.81%. It was more common among females than males (14.34% vs. 7.34%, P < 0.001). The prevalence of anxiety and mood disorders were 8.35% and 4.29% respectively. The prevalence of psychotic disorders was 0.89%; neuro-cognitive disorders, 2.78% and dissociative disorders, 0.77%. Among mood disorders, major depressive disorder (2.98%) and among anxiety disorders, phobic disorder (2.05%) had the higher prevalence. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders among divorced and separated 22.31%; residents of urban areas 11.77%; illiterates 13.80%; householders 15.48%; unemployed 12.33% that were more than other groups. CONCLUSION: The mental health pattern in Iran is similar to the western countries, but it seems that the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Iran may be lower than these countries. It is estimated that at least about 7 millions of Iranian population suffer from one or more of the psychiatric disorders. It shows the importance of the role of the psychiatric disorders in providing preventive and management programs in Iran