Identifying and overcoming barriers in launching sustainable energy projects in the industrial sector using multi-methodology

Mestrado em Engenharia e Gestão IndustrialThe aim of this essay has been to try out Soft Systems Methodology in development of a multidisciplinary framework to launch energy sustainability in Iranian industry sector. A petrochemical industry, one small sized company from the automobile industry and an energy service company are studied due to their diversity in conditions. The petrochemical industry is recognized to possibly have more gains in terms of improving energy consumption. Beyond SSM, the AHP model, MCIR framework, UML, and financial feasibility study methods are used in the development of CSEL framework. The AHP model applied in this study transforms qualitative data into quantitative decision making results. The MCIR framework classifies the barriers which have interrelated nature and identifies the gaps of energy sustainability in industry. NPV and SPB of financial analysis methods are applied in this framework and finally UML diagrams depict the information process in the latter subsystem of this framework.O objectivo desta tese é definir uma metodologia multidisciplinar, usando Soft Systems Methodology, com vista a analisar o sector da Indústria no Irão do ponto de vista de lançamento de novos projectos de sustentabilidade energética. Para a metodologia proposta uma indústria petroquímica, uma pequena empresa do ramo automóvel e uma empresa que faz consultoria em energia são analisadas. A indústria petroquímica surge como a que potencialmente terá maiores ganhos do ponto de vista de poupança energética. Para além de SSM, o modelo AHP, a framework MCIR, diagramas UML e um estudo de viabilidade financeira são usados para o desenvolvimento da metodologia proposta. O modelo AHP usado neste estudo permite trabalhar dados qualitativos de uma forma quantitativa. A framework MCIR classifica as barreiras interrelacionadas e identifica as necessidades de sustentabilidade energética na indústria. Métodos de análise financeira são usados na metodologia proposta e, por último, diagramas UML mostram o processo de informação

Comparative Study of Attorney's Intervention in Pre-Trial Stage and Its Influence on Fair Judgment in Iran and the United States of America

In the legal system of Iran and United States of America Attorney possesses the most important position in the Criminal Procedure. This position in Iran and United States of Americaplays a key role in the pre-trial stage. Legal system in the United States of America is called “common law”, and Criminal Procedure in this system is “adversarial”. The court does not exist in this system. Iran's legal system which is almost similar to the French system, has the court body. Despite this difference, in the two criminal justice systems, there are similarities within the pre-trial arrangements (Yousefi, 2011). Therefore, in this study, the influence ofattorney’s intervention in pre-trial stage, on three elements of the most important principles of a fair trial, including the principle of neutrality, equality of arms, not giving judicative role to a pursued person have been reviewed. Finally, it was found that attorney's intervention in the preliminary investigation can have negative effects on the principles of fair trial

Correlation between endothelial dysfunction in normal coronary patients with slow flow and aortic ectasia: The first report

Background: Slow coronary flow (SCF) is slow dye progression in the coronary arteries during selective angiography, but there is no such study about greater visceral vessels. Studies have suggested that flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is impaired in SCF. Endothelial function can be assessed by FMD in the brachial artery as ischemia-induced vasodilation. Since inflammation is an underlying pathology in the inflammation of visceral vessels and probably SCF, we studied the correlation of aortic ectasia and SCF by means of FMD. Methods: Patients with normal coronary arteries and SCF formed the case group, and patients with normal coronary arteries and normal coronary flow formed the control group. We measured the diameter of the patients’ brachial artery at rest, after inflation of a sphygmomanometer on the forearm [endothelial-dependent vasodilation (EDV)], and after use of sublingual nitrate (endothelial-independent vasodilation) by sonography. We also measured the diameter of the aorta using sonography before administration of sublingual nitrate. Endothelial dysfunction was defined as EDV significantly less than standard EDV. Results: There were insignificant differences between age, gender, and frequency of cardiac risk factors within the case and control groups, but diabetes mellitus was significantly different between the two groups. The diameter of the aorta was insignificantly different between the case and control groups. The response of the brachial artery to the cuff test and sublingual nitrate were insignificantly different between the case and control groups. Endothelial dysfunction based on cuff test and sublingual nitrate administration was significantly more common in men than women, as the p values for cuff and sublingual nitrate were 0.033 and 0.051, respectively. Conclusions: It seems that there is no correlation between SCFP and aortic ectasia

Prehospital Emergency Medical Services Challenges in Disaster; a Qualitative Study

Introduction: Prehospital Emergency Medical Care (EMC) is a critical service in disaster management. The aim of this study was to explore the challenges of prehospital Emergency Medical Services (EMS) during disaster response in Iran.Methods: A qualitative study was conducted from April 2015 to March 2017. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 23 experienced individuals in the field of disaster that were selected using purposeful sampling. Data were analyzed using content analysis approach.Results: Fifteen sub-themes and the following six themes emerged in the analysis: challenges related to people, challenges related to infrastructure, challenges related to information management systems, challenges related to staff, challenges related to managerial issues and challenges related to medical care.Conclusions: Iran’s prehospital EMS has been chaotic in past disasters. Improvement of this process needs infrastructure reform, planning, staff training and public education.

Comparative Study of Attorney's Intervention in Pre-Trial Stage and Its Influence on Fair Judgment in Iran and the United States of America

In the legal system of Iran and United States of America Attorney possesses the most important position in the Criminal Procedure. This position in Iran and United States of Americaplays a key role in the pre-trial stage. Legal system in the United States of America is called “common law”, and Criminal Procedure in this system is “adversarial”. The court does not exist in this system. Iran's legal system which is almost similar to the French system, has the court body. Despite this difference, in the two criminal justice systems, there are similarities within the pre-trial arrangements (Yousefi, 2011). Therefore, in this study, the influence ofattorney’s intervention in pre-trial stage, on three elements of the most important principles of a fair trial, including the principle of neutrality, equality of arms, not giving judicative role to a pursued person have been reviewed. Finally, it was found that attorney's intervention in the preliminary investigation can have negative effects on the principles of fair trial

Pt-M (M = Au and Tl) Dative Bonds Using Bis(cyclometalated)platinum(II) Complexes

Symmetrical and unsymmetrical biscyclometalated platinum­(II) complexes [Pt­(ptpy)₂], <b>1</b>, and [Pt­(ptpy)­(bppy)], <b>2</b>, in which ptpy = deprotonated 2-(<i>p</i>-tolyl)­pyridine and bppy = deprotonated 2-(3-bromophenyl)­pyridine, have been prepared from the reaction between tris­(pentafluorophenyl)­borane, B­(C₆F₅)₃ and 1 equiv of monocyclometalated complexes [PtMe­(ptpy)­(ptpyH)], <b>B</b>, and [PtMe­(ptpy)­(bppyH)], <b>C</b>, respectively. The solid-state structures of <b>1</b> and <b>2</b> have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The reaction of <b>1</b> with 1 equiv of TlPF₆ or [Au­(PPh₃)]­OTF resulted in the production of heteronuclear complexes [Pt­(ptpy)₂Tl]­PF₆, <b>3</b> and {Pt­(ptpy)₂[Au­(PPh₃)]}­OTF, <b>4</b>, respectively. X-ray diffraction data showed that in solid state, complex <b>4</b> exists as a mixture of supported and unsupported Pt^II–Au^I-bonded structures, whereas complex <b>3</b> consists of an infinite helical chain structure built up by unsupported Pt–Tl dative bonds. Absorption, emission, and NMR spectroscopy data showed that both Pt–Tl and Pt–Au bonds in <b>3</b> and <b>4</b> have dynamic behavior. The low-temperature ¹H, ³¹P­{¹H}, and exchange spectroscopy NMR of <b>4</b> revealed two dynamic behaviors involving the rupture of the Au–C_<i>ipso</i> bond as well as the dissociation–association of the [Au­(PPh₃)]⁺ and Pt­(ptpy)₂ fragments. All complexes displayed bright emission in the solid state, and their absorption and emission properties have been investigated both experimentally and by time-dependent density functional theory calculations

The Two-Dimensional Scale of Social-Nonsocial Cognitive Abilities: Redesigning and Modeling Based on Multidimensional Item Response Theory, Structural Equations and Simulated Data

The aim of this study was to investigate the structure of cognitive abilities of students based on the Nejati Cognitive Ability Questionnaire (2013) and offer a model for its structure. The sample size consisted of 1105 students (527 girls, 578 boys) of the 9th grade of Ahwaz, selected by proportional stratified random sampling method. Data analysis was performed using multidimensional item response theory (MIRT), structural equation modeling and simulated data. The results of exploratory dimensionality analysis showed that the initial structure of the cognitive ability questionnaire for students was not confirmed. The redesigned 21-item questionnaire was named as the two-dimensional scale of social-nonsocial cognitive abilities and the validity and reliability of the dimensions and the obtained factors were confirmed. The new scale showed that although the structure of cognitive abilities is hierarchical, it is not a unidimensional structure and contains at least two dimensions of non-social cognition and social cognition. Also, our findings showed that Spearman's theory of general intelligence or factor g cannot accurately represent the structure of cognitive abilities and social cognition needs to be considered as a dimension of cognitive abilities. Furthermore, our results also support the findings of some studies that non-social cognition and social cognition constitute two different dimensions of cognitive abilities

The Effect of Chemical and Non-Chemical Nutrition Systems on Some Growth Traits, Yield and Yield Components of Hashemi Variety Rice (Oryza sativa L.) - A Case Study in Lahijan City, Gilan Province

Introduction[1] Rice is a staple and valuable grain that is the main source of food for over 50 percent of the world's population after wheat (Lopez et al., 2019; Jabran and Chauhan, 2015). Rice production should increase by over 50 percent by 2050, which can be realized by improving its cultivars and applying sound agronomic management practices (Esfahani et al., 2005; Asadi et al., 2016). Nitrogen (N) is a key macroelement that is decisive for plants, but it is deficient in most farms. N fertilizer is applied chemically, organically, and biologically (Moslehi et al., 2015).  Materials and Methods This research was conducted as a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at two sites at the experimental farm of Islami Azad University of Lahijan (the village of Tustan) and Kateshal farm in 2018-2019. The study site (Lat. 36°55' N., Long. 45°20' E. (first location) and Lat. 37°21' N., Long. 50°18' E. (second location)) has a temperate and humid climate with a 10-year mean annual precipitation of 1150 mm (Guilan Meteorological Quarterly, 2020). Table 1 presents the meteorological data of the region during the experiment. Before the experiment, the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil at the study site were measured in the laboratory of the Water and Soil Department of Rice Research Center. The experimental factors included organic, chemical fertilizer, and control as the three levels of the first factor and urban waste compost, biochar, and Azolla, and control as the four levels of the second factor. Statistical analysis of data, data conversion, and drawing of graphs and charts were done using SAS 9.2 and Excel 2010 software. The averages obtained were statistically compared with each other using Tukey's test and at the probability level of 5%. Results and Discussion The simple effects of the chemical, organic, and organic nutritional systems were found to be significant (P < 0.01) on grain yield. Based on the comparison of data means for both research farms, the highest grain yield of, on average, 3699 kg/ha was obtained from the treatment of chemical fertilizer and biochar, and the lowest one of 2209 kg.ha-1 (40% lower than its maximum counterpart) from the control (unfertilized) treatment. Among the subplots, the biochar treatment was the most effective, and the control (unfertilized) was the least effective in this trait. The treatments that were fertilized with chemical N fertilizer produced more panicles per plant than the treatments that weren’t. Among the sub-plots, the highest number of panicles per plant was related to the biochar treatments under no-fertilization, ecological, and chemical conditions, and the lowest number to the control (unfertilized treatment). The plants treated chemically and ecologically in the presence of biochar were the tallest, growing to a height of 127 and 124 cm, respectively, whereas the lowest plant height was 108 cm, related to the control (unfertilized plants).   Conclusion The use of organic fertilizers alone or in combination with chemical fertilizers, in addition to improving the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of rice, has a positive effect on the sustainability of production and preservation of the environment. The results of this research showed that the application of nitrogen fertilizer and biochar, in addition to optimizing the application of fertilizer, increased the yield of rice. It was also found that the consumption of biochar caused an increase in traits related to grain yield. The role of biochar was evident in the significant change of the studied traits of Hashemi rice in the main treatments (control, ecological, and chemical). Therefore, it is recommended to use biochar along with chemical fertilizer in order to maintain yield, prevent biological pollution and increase soil and rice fertility. Acknowledgments The assistance of the esteemed personnel of the Islamic Azad University, Lahijan branch, who helped us in the implementation of this research, is gratefully acknowledged

The Effect of Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression on Reducing Pain and Disability in Patients With Lumbar Disc Herniation

Introduction: As low back pain incidence is increasing, noninvasive modalities are gaining attention for their ability to achieve the best possible outcome with the least complications. Percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD) is currently popular for this purpose. This study aims to evaluate the effect of PLDD on disability and pain reduction in patients with lumbar disc herniation.Methods: Thirty patients were enrolled in this study. Spinal nerve blocks were conducted by laser discectomy single stage injection of a needle into the disc space. The nucleus pulposus of herniated discs were irradiated with laser in order to vaporize a small part of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral discs and reduce the voluminosity of diseased discs. Patients were treated with 1000 J of 980 nm diode laser with 5 W energy. In order to measure the severity of pain, visual analog scale (VAS) and also ODI (Oswestry Disability Index) were used. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 12.Results: Thirty patients participated in this trial including 11 men and 19 women with a mean age (SD) of 40.8 (10.8) years. The mean patients VAS score and ODI level before and after discectomy showed statistically significant differences. The mean VAS and ODI scores showed no statistical difference between males and females (P &lt; 0.05) and percutaneous laser discectomy decreased the VAS and ODI at both groups of patients similarly.Conclusion: We found the use of PLDD reduces pain and disability in patients as a noninvasive procedure

Normal Computed Tomography and Radiographic Study of the Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinuses in Shal Sheep (Ovis arries)

Understanding anatomical structures from the past to the present has been one of the guidelines for advancing medical and veterinary science worldwide. The lack of comprehensive information on the anatomy of the paranasal sinuses and the Shal sheep nasal cavity (Ovis aries) encouraged us to write this article. Computed tomography (CT) scan is a method that shows different parts of the body without superimposition of adjacent structures. Radiographic imaging also gives very high-resolution images of bones to examine bone structures. Paranasal sinuses of Shal sheep were composed of frontal, maxillary, lacrimal, and palatine sinuses, and the nasal sinuses were composed of dorsal, and middle nasal sinuses, which were identified and labeled in keeping with cheek teeth as landmarks. The width of the frontal bone and length of the nasal cavity at the level of the 6th cheek tooth were 7 ± 0.3 and 13 ± 0.8 cm, respectively. The volumes of both the right and left sinuses were measured automatically, and the accurate location of sinuses, canals, nasal folds, conchae, and meatuses, and connections between different parts of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses were described. The volume of the frontal, maxillary, and palatine sinuses were 279.3 ± 16.4, 80.6 ± 2.6, and 13.5 ± 0.2 cm3, respectively. Frontal, maxillary, and lacrimal sinuses were observed like other ruminants. But the palatine sinus in this breed was not present in the Egyptian sheep, Saanen, and Markhz goats. Also, unlike Sanan and Markhz goats and like Egyptian sheep, ventral nasal sinus was not observed in this breed