75 research outputs found
Identifying and overcoming barriers in launching sustainable energy projects in the industrial sector using multi-methodology
Mestrado em Engenharia e GestĂŁo 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 Ă© definir uma metodologia multidisciplinar, usando Soft
Systems Methodology, com vista a analisar o sector da IndĂşstria no IrĂŁo do
ponto de vista de lançamento de novos projectos de sustentabilidade
energĂ©tica. Para a metodologia proposta uma indĂşstria petroquĂmica, uma
pequena empresa do ramo automĂłvel e uma empresa que faz consultoria em
energia sĂŁo analisadas. A indĂşstria petroquĂmica 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 sĂŁo 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 Ăşltimo, 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 platinumÂ(II) complexes
[PtÂ(ptpy)<sub>2</sub>], <b>1</b>, and [PtÂ(ptpy)Â(bppy)], <b>2</b>, in which ptpy = deprotonated 2-(<i>p</i>-tolyl)Âpyridine
and bppy = deprotonated 2-(3-bromophenyl)Âpyridine, have been prepared
from the reaction between trisÂ(pentafluorophenyl)Âborane, BÂ(C<sub>6</sub>F<sub>5</sub>)<sub>3</sub> and 1 equiv of monocyclometalated complexes
[PtMeÂ(ptpy)Â(ptpyH)], <b>B</b>, and [PtMeÂ(ptpy)Â(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 TlPF<sub>6</sub> or
[AuÂ(PPh<sub>3</sub>)]ÂOTF resulted in the production of heteronuclear
complexes [PtÂ(ptpy)<sub>2</sub>Tl]ÂPF<sub>6</sub>, <b>3</b> and
{PtÂ(ptpy)<sub>2</sub>[AuÂ(PPh<sub>3</sub>)]}ÂOTF, <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<sup>II</sup>–Au<sup>I</sup>-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 <sup>1</sup>H, <sup>31</sup>PÂ{<sup>1</sup>H}, and exchange spectroscopy
NMR of <b>4</b> revealed two dynamic behaviors involving the
rupture of the Au–C<sub><i>ipso</i></sub> bond as
well as the dissociation–association of the [AuÂ(PPh<sub>3</sub>)]<sup>+</sup> and PtÂ(ptpy)<sub>2</sub> 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 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 < 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
Decellularized Lung Extracellular Matrix Scaffold Promotes Human Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation towards Alveolar Progenitors
Objective: Efficient production of functional and mature alveolar epithelial is a major challenge for developing any cellreplacement therapy for lung degenerative diseases. The extracellular matrix (ECM) pro-vides a dynamic environmentand mediates cellular responses during development and maintenance of tissue functions. The decellularized ECM(dECM) which retains its native-like structure and bio-chemical composition can provide the induction of embryonicstem cell (ESC) differentiation toward the tissue-specific lineages during in vitro culture. Therefore, the aim of this studywas to evaluate the effect of sheep lung dECM-derived scaffold on differentiation and further maturation of ESC-derivedlung progenitor cells.Materials and Methods: This study was an experimental study. In the first step, a sheep lung was decellularizedto achieve dECM scaffolds and hydrogels. Afterwards, the obtained dECM scaffold was evaluated for collagen andglycosaminoglycan contents, DNA quantification, and its ultrastructure. Next, the three experimental groups: i. Sheeplung dECM-derived scaffold, ii. Sheep lung dECM-derived hydrogel, and iii. Fibronectin-coated plates were comparedin their abilities to induce further differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs)-derived definitive endoderm(DE) into lung progenitor cells. The comparison was evaluated by immuno-staining and real-time polymerase chainreaction (PCR) assessments.Results: We found that the dECM-derived scaffold preserved its composition and native porous structures whilelacking nuclei and intact cells. All experimental groups displayed lung progenitor cell differen-tiation as revealed by theRNA and protein expression of NKX2.1, P63 and CK5. DE cells differenti-ated on dECM-derived scaffold and dECMderivedhydrogel showed significant upregulation of SOX9 gene expression, a marker of the distal airway epithelium.DE cells differentiated on the dECM-derived scaffold compared to the two other groups, showed enhanced expressionof SFTPC (type 2 alveolar epithelial [AT2] cell marker), FOXJ1 (ciliated cell marker), and MUC5A (secretory cell marker)genes.Conclusion: Overall, our results suggest that dECM-derived scaffold improves the differentiation of DE cells towardslung alveolar progenitor cells in comparison with dECM-derived hydrogel and fibronectin-coated plates
The Effects of Oral Consumption of Selenium Nanoparticles on Chemotactic and Respiratory Burst Activities of Neutrophils in Comparison with Sodium Selenite in Sheep
The present study was designed to compare the effects of nano-selenium and of sodium selenite on the chemotactic and respiratory burst activities of neutrophils in sheep. Fifteen sheep were randomly divided into three groups. Groups 1 and 2 received selenium nanoparticles (1 mg/kg) or sodium selenite (1 mg/kg) orally, respectively, for ten consecutive days, and the third group was considered as the control. To determine the chemotactic and respiratory burst activities of the neutrophils, the leading front assay and the NBT test were used on heparinized blood samples that were collected at different intervals (days 0, 10th, 20th, and 30th). The results obtained showed that the chemotactic activities in groups 1 and 2 increased significantly on the 10th, 20th, and 30th day, compared to day 0, and on the 20th day in comparison with the 10th day, while in group 2, there was a significant decrease on the 30th day compared to the 20th day. The chemotactic activities in group 1 were significantly higher than in group 2 on the 10th day and in the control group on the 10th, 20th, and 30th day, but the chemotactic activities in group 2 were significantly higher than those in the control group only on the 20th day. On the 30th day into the experiment, the respiratory bursts in groups 1 and 2 were significantly stronger in comparison with those at day 0. Overall, nano-selenium increased the chemotactic and respiratory burst activities more significantly than sodium selenite, which is suggestive of a stronger stimulatory effect of the Se nanoparticles on intracellular activities
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