179 research outputs found

    Appendectomized Patient and Infections after Surgery

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    Appendicitis is one of the common surgeries all over the world, and its diagnosis is difficult and based on clinicalexaminations or its symptoms. Moreover, after the surgery is accomplished, it is probable that the patient is faced withcertain problems and complications. In this regard, the present study was carried out in order to review the infectionscaused after appendicitis surgery. The databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct and relevant articleswere collected, in which keywords like appendicitis surgery, perforation, laparoscopy, and infection had been used. A totalnumber of 6,000 articles were retrieved, out of which, 74 relevant articles were examined. The results of the presentstudy indicated that perforated appendix can be the biggest cause of infection and abscess after intra-abdominal surgery.An increase in the level of C-reactive protein and leukocytes is accompanied with the risk of postoperative complicationsincluding infection and abscess. Numerous studies have reported that formation of infection and abscess after laparoscopicappendectomy is a little more than open appendectomy. It is not necessary to consume antibiotics after a non-perforatedappendectomy. It is sufficient to consume antibiotics for 3 to 5 days after a perforated appendectomy to prevent infectionand abscess. With the above results now it is evident that the appendicitis and its complications are still a common problemamong people all over the world. There is still much to discuss among the surgeons with regards to appendicitis and itscomplications

    GA-PSO-Optimized Neural-Based Control Scheme for Adaptive Congestion Control to Improve Performance in Multimedia Applications

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    Active queue control aims to improve the overall communication network throughput while providing lower delay and small packet loss rate. The basic idea is to actively trigger packet dropping (or marking provided by explicit congestion notification (ECN)) before buffer overflow. In this paper, two artificial neural networks (ANN)-based control schemes are proposed for adaptive queue control in TCP communication networks. The structure of these controllers is optimized using genetic algorithm (GA) and the output weights of ANNs are optimized using particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. The controllers are radial bias function (RBF)-based, but to improve the robustness of RBF controller, an error-integral term is added to RBF equation in the second scheme. Experimental results show that GA- PSO-optimized improved RBF (I-RBF) model controls network congestion effectively in terms of link utilization with a low packet loss rate and outperform Drop Tail, proportional-integral (PI), random exponential marking (REM), and adaptive random early detection (ARED) controllers.Comment: arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1711.0635

    A study on effect of outsourcing on cost reduction: A case study of tile industry

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    During the past few decades, many organizations have attempted to reduce their costs through outsourcing of non-value added activities. This paper presents an empirical investigation to find important factors on reducing production expenses through outsourcing activities. The proposed study of this paper designs a questionnaire in Likert scale consists of 19 questions and distributes it among some experts. Using structural equation modeling, the study investigates different variables and the results indicate that outsourcing could reduce the production cost through time, inventory and human resources. The implementation of Freedman for ranking these factors indicate that time played the most influential factor followed by inventory and human resources. The results of structural equation modeling indicate that there are some positive and meaningful relationship between human capital and cost (β=0.78, t-value = 9.38), a positive and meaningful relationship between inventory and cost (β=0.81, t-value=10.54) and a positive and meaningful relationship between time and cost (β=0.89, t-value = 11.26)

    Efficient filtration system for paraffin-catalyst slurry separation

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    The filtration efficiency for separating liquid paraffin (or water) from a slurry consisting of 25 weight% spherical alumina in a Slurry Bubble Column Reactor (SBCR) comprised of a cylindrical tube of 10 cm diameter and 150 cm length was studied. Various differential pressures (ΔP) were applied to two separate tubular sintered metal stainless steel filter elements with nominal pore size of 4 and 16μm. The experimental results disclosed that the rate of filtrations increased on applying higher differential pressure to the filter element. Albeit this phenomenon is limited to moderate ΔPs and for ΔP more than 1 bar is neither harmful nor helpful. The highest filtration rates at ΔPs higher than 1 bar were 170 and 248 ml/minute for 4 and 16μm respectively. Using water as the liquid in slurry the rate of filtration enhanced to 4 folds, and this issue reveals impact of viscosity on filtration efficiency clearly. In all situations, the total amount of particles present in the filtrate part never exceeded a few parts per million (ppm). The statistical analysis of the SEM image of the filtrate indicated that by applying higher pressure difference to the filter element the frequency percent of larger particle size increases. The operation of filter cake removing was performed with back flashing of 300 ml of clean liquid with pressures of 3-5 bar of N2 gas

    THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MANAGERS' LEADERSHIP STYLES IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION OFFICES UNIVERSITIES AND SPORT VOLUNTEERS' SATISFACTION

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    The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between managers' leadership styles in physical education offices universities and sport volunteers' satisfaction. Statistical populations of this study included the whole volunteer students in sport associations of countries decimal zones universities. The sample of the study consisted of 231 volunteers who were selected by Morgan Table (n=231), which the results of 208 questionnaires were statistically analyzed. After verifying the validity of questionnaires by the experts, their reliability were calculated as (α=0.91 and α=0.88 respectively for leadership style and Satisfaction questionnaires by Cronbach's alpha coefficient in a pilot study). Data were analyzed with parametric tests at P<0.05. Results showed a positive significant relationship between transformational leadership style with volunteers' satisfaction (r=0.341, sig=0.001). There was no significant relationship between transactional leadership style and volunteers' satisfaction (P>0.05). Also, There was negative significant relationship between laissez-faire leadership style and volunteers' satisfaction (r= -0.355, sig=0.001). Furthermore, there was a significant difference between preferences of managers' leadership styles. Thus, transformational style (3.723+0.683) was in first and the transactional (3.476+0.572) and laissez-faire (2.827+0.833) styles were in next preferences. Also, from volunteer students' perspective, Satisfaction of acquiring experience, career and social were the most important dimensions, and material Satisfaction was the least important factor. According to research results, It seems that managers of Physical Education offices universities can increase the amount of volunteers' Satisfaction and provide background of their more and most effective attendance in sport association with transformational and inspiration leadership styles, appropriate incentive policies and converting sport association environment to a place in which easier accessibility to individuals' volunteer incentives becomes possible

    A Sociological Analysis of the Quality of Life of Afghan Immigrants Living in Isfahan

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    Introduction Despite the attention given to the quality of life and well-being of the general population, relatively little focus has been placed on the quality of life of refugees and immigrants. This lack of attention stems from the fact that enhancing one's quality of life is one of the main motivations for migration. Immigrants often encounter new and discriminatory social and economic circumstances, including marginalization, minority status, socio-economic disadvantages, loss of social support, psychological distress, and difficulties in assimilating to the host culture. These factors have a profound impact on the well-being and quality of life of immigrants. In general, the quality of life experienced by immigrants is influenced by a combination of factors, some of which are specific to the individual immigrants themselves, such as their education, job skills, and mental and physical health, and others that are related to the host society, such as its cultural and economic conditions and policies towards immigrants. The interaction between these individual and societal aspects significantly shapes the quality of life of immigrants. Despite numerous studies conducted on the migration of Afghans to Iran, which have encompassed various aspects, such as identity, security, demographics, employment, mental health, women's status, quality of urban life, residential patterns, economic impacts, societal integration barriers, social distance, and social networks, there remains a dearth of research on the quality of life experienced by Afghan immigrants in Iran. The findings from several conducted research studies are still inconsistent. Despite the fact that Afghan immigrants have been living in Isfahan for a long time and that this province has got the third rank in terms of accepting Afghan immigrants, there has been no independent research conducted to assess their quality of life. This is significant considering the various consequences it can have on both the immigrants and the host society. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the quality of life of Afghan immigrants in Isfahan, including its various dimensions. Additionally, the study aimed to identify and analyze the social factors that can have an impact on life quality, while trying to understand their influencing mechanisms.     Materials & Methods The current research utilized descriptive-analytical and field survey approaches. The statistical population for this study consisted of Afghan immigrants aged 18 years and above, who were residing in Isfahan City. According to the population census of 2015 conducted by the Iran Statistics Center, there were a total of 1,831,224 Afghan nationals in Isfahan Province and 88,866 in Isfahan City (Statistics Center of Iran, 2015). Due to the logistical challenges and inability to reach all individuals across various cities, the research was confined to Isfahan City, particularly Zainabiyah Region, where the largest concentration of Afghan immigrants was found. The sample size was determined to be 330 individuals by using SPSS Sample Power software. After a thorough review and elimination of incomplete questionnaires, the total number of 321 completed questionnaires was selected for analysis. For measurement of a variable, the World Health Organization's short scale consisting of 26 items was utilized. This scale encompassed 4 dimensions: physical health (7 items), mental health (5 items), social relations (6 items), and environmental health (8 items). The general questions were made regarding health status and quality of life. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for this variable was determined to be 0.84. To assess religiosity, 17 items were employed and categorized into 4 dimensions: belief (4 items), rituals (6 items), emotion (4 items), and consequences (3 items). Cronbach's alpha coefficient for this variable was estimated to be 0.86. The research items adopted by William et al. (1997) were employed to quantify the perception of discrimination. This 8-item scale has been extensively utilized in various countries to assess the perception of discrimination of immigrant groups. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for this variable was approximated at 0.85. To measure this variable, the "short scale of social integration" (Holland and Grühn, 2018) was utilized. This variable comprised 12 items, which were categorized into 4 dimensions: social support, social satisfaction, social participation, and instrumental support. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for this variable was estimated at 0.72.   Discussion of Results & Conclusion According to the current research findings, it could be concluded that the majority of immigrants in Isfahan City had an average to high rate of quality of life, including psychological, social, environmental, and overall quality of life aspects with an average score of 3.35. More than 60% of the immigrants expressed satisfaction with their quality of life. The immigrants' satisfaction could be attributed to their modest expectations and the presence of cultural, religious, and linguistic similarities with Iranians. This had resulted in their satisfaction with living conditions in Iran, leading to a lack of desire to return to their home country. Furthermore, the respondents' overall assessment of quality of life supported the aforementioned assertion. The findings of the present study aligned with those of other studies mentioned in the relevant literature, e.g., those of van der Boor et al. (2020) and Correa-Velez (2020), regarding social integration. Social integration generally leads to increased participation, solidarity, and creation of social capital, which positively impact immigrants’ quality of life and well-being. Engaging in social activities and taking social responsibility are crucial for achieving psychological and social balances. Trust and mutual respect play essential roles in building relationships. Various factors, including work environment, contribute to establishing these relationships. Work environment is particularly important for the immigrant community. Work relationships facilitate the integration process of immigrants into the host society as they shape immigrants’ "self and identity" within the community and provide opportunities for their social interactions. Additionally, due to religious similarities and homogeneity between Afghan immigrants and the people in our country, religion may influence social integration. Religiosity was found to have a direct impact on the immigrants’ quality of life and an indirect effect through enhancing their social integration with the host society. Given that the majority of Afghan immigrants residing in Iran were Shiites, their religious similarity could facilitate their assimilation into the host society. This finding is in line with that of the research conducted by Sigert (2020). Additionally, Powell et al. (2000) indicated that engaging in religious organizations can enhance self-confidence and alleviate feelings of isolation and despair. Religiosity promotes the accumulation of social capital through participation in various religious rituals and possessing higher social capital is associated with an improved quality of life. Perception of discrimination hinders social integration and detrimentally impacts the quality of life. Immigrants' perception of discrimination directly decreases their quality of life and impedes social integration. Social integration, in turn, reduces social division between immigrants and the receiving society. Discrimination against refugees comprises two dimensions: institutional discrimination enforced by the government and host society and non-institutional or social discrimination enforced by the broader society. In general, discriminatory actions and behaviors by governments or individuals, as well as the mental experience and perception of discrimination among immigrants, have a detrimental impact on their quality of life. The findings of this study revealed that the perception of discrimination indirectly diminished the quality of life for immigrants by hindering their social integration into the host society. Other studies have also demonstrated a significant negative correlation between the perception of discrimination and the related concepts of quality of life, such as well-being and contentment (e.g., Zhang et al., 2009; Kuppens & van den Broek, 2022; Bender et al., 2022). However, contrary to the theoretical model adopted by some previous research (e.g., Bender et al., 2022), no significant relationship between religiosity and perception of discrimination was discovered in the current study. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the Afghan immigrant population in Iran, further investigations should be conducted from various perspectives. Specifically, it is recommended to carry out intergenerational studies to assess the quality of life and determine the levels of satisfaction among the first, second, and third generations of Afghan immigrants in Iran. Additionally, qualitative studies focusing on the quality of life experienced by Afghan immigrants will be beneficial

    Stochastic linear programming for optimal planning of battery storage systems under unbalanced-uncertain conditions

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    Battery energy storage system (BESS) has already been studied to deal with uncertain parameters of the electrical systems such as loads and renewable energies. However, the BESS have not been properly studied under unbalanced operation of power grids. This paper aims to study the modelling and operation of BESS under unbalanced-uncertain conditions in the power grids. The proposed model manages the BESS to optimize energy cost, deal with load uncertainties, and settle the unbalanced loading at the same time. The three-phase unbalanced-uncertain loads are modelled and the BESSs are utilized to produce separate charging/discharging pattern on each phase to remove the unbalanced condition. The IEEE 69-bus grid is considered as case study. The load uncertainty is developed by Gaussian probability function and the stochastic programming is adopted to tackle the uncertainties. The model is formulated as mixed-integer linear programming and solved by GAMS/ CPLEX. The results demonstrate that the model is able to deal with the unbalanced-uncertain conditions at the same time. The model also minimizes the operation cost and satisfies all security constraints of power grid. 2020, Springer. All rights reserved.Scopus2-s2.0-8508493639

    Wind-hydrogen storage in distribution network expansion planning considering investment deferral and uncertainty

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    With respect to the recent developments of hydrogen storage system (HSS), it is relevant to model these storage units in the network expansion planning. Also, most of the available expansion planning tools consider constant locations and sizing for renewable resources and only study the impacts of renewables on the model. It seems that considering variable location and capacity for renewable energies and finding their optimal levels may result in more flexible model. With regard to these issues, this paper presents distribution network expansion planning incorporating wind power and hydrogen storage. The optimal site and size of wind and hydrogen systems are denoted. The stochastic optimization programming is addressed to minimize the plan budgets. The purpose is to defer the investment and operating budgets. The uncertainty modeling is developed to handle the load-wind errors. The achievements demonstrate that the model finds optimal location, sizing, operation pattern, and setting for wind turbines and HSSs while the planning cost is deferred and minimized. 2020 Elsevier LtdScopus2-s2.0-8508270440
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