Recircula challenge 2021

FinalistaObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::9 - Indústria, Innovació i InfraestructuraPostprint (published version

A Robust QR based detector for V Blast and its efficient hardware implementation

The use of multiple antennas at both transmitting and receiving sides of a communication channel has increased the spectral efficiency to near the Shannon bound. However algorithmic complexity in the realization of the receiver is a major problem for its hardware implementation. In this paper we investigate a near optimal algorithm for V-BLAST detection in MIMO wireless communication systems based on QR factorization, offering remarkable reduction in the hardware complexity. Specifically, we analyze some hardware implementation aspects of the selected algorithm through MATLAB simulations and demonstrate its robustness. This technique can be used in an efficient fixed point VLSI implementation of the algorith

COMPARATIVE INVESTIGATION OF QUALITY OF LIFE OF ATHLETE AND NON-ATHLETE OLDER ADULTS

The purpose of this study was to comparative investigation of quality of life of athlete and non-athlete older adults. 160 Athletes and non-athletes male (age: 60-69 yr, 80 subjects for each group) were selected randomly from Ardabil city and SF-36 questionnaires completed by them. Health related quality of life was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed that there were significant differences between athlete and non-athlete subjects regarding to dependent variables. Based on the research findings, it can be concluded that the quality of life of elderly people with a history of the exercise training is higher than non-athletes. Also, physical activity improves quality of life of older adults. Thus, its recommend that having the regular exercise and physical activity during youth and especially in old age is very affordable, and elderly care centers can used these training for increase quality of life of elders in society

Sustainability Assessment of Household Waste Based Solar Control Devices for Workshops in Primary Schools

Part of the large amounts of waste generated by human activities could have a second use while solving social problems. In this sense, the authors are carrying out a research project involving the participative development of innovative solar control devices integrated into school architecture using household waste. In general, the objectives of this research project are to: (a) optimize pupils’ learning process by improving lighting and thermal comfort levels and (b) reduce the generation of Spanish household waste by reusing part of it and increase the teaching community’s awareness about this waste. This research article reports on the steps taken to achieve these objectives by characterizing the most sustainable types of the waste-based solar control device. In this sense, this research paper defines and applies a new methodology which combines General Morphology Analysis (GMA), a new tool based on The Integrated Value Model for Sustainable Assessment and Focus groups. First, up to 96 different types of solar control devices composed of household waste have been defined using GMA and, second, these 96 types and conventional roller shutters have been assessed using this new tool. Based on these article results, one of the best alternatives has been prototyped during an initial workshop.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Investigation Effect of Shift Work on Job Burnout and Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale in Military Personnel

Shift work has been recognized as an important tool for organizing of work in developing countries. The disturbed depression, stress accident are the most common health‐related effects of shift work. The military personnel shift worker during work, are exposed to stress and psychological pressure that certainly affect the efficiency of their work. The aim of this study was to Investigation Effect of shift work on job burnout and Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale in military personnel. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 100 military personnel male in Southern Iran. Respondents were divided into two groups based on their working schedule (50 shift work personnel / 50 day work personnel). Data collection tools were a Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), demographic characteristics and Maslach job burnout questionnaire. Convenience sampling was used as sampling method. Finally, Data analysis was performed with SPSS (version 20), descriptive statistics, One Way Anova test, ANCOVA and t-independent test. The results of showed that shift work has an impact on burnout and DASS-21 and mean obtained score for DASS-21 and job burnout in shift workers are more day work individuals. Analysis of variance test showed significant difference between job burnout in day workers and shift workers and job burnout were more in shift workers. Also significant difference between DASS-21 in day workers and shift workers and DASS-21 was more in shift workers. This study showed that shift work has an impact on burnout and scale DASS-21 shall is taken to Intervention actions in shift works

Estimation Strategies for the Condition Monitoring of a Battery Systemin a Hybrid Electric Vehicle

This paper discusses the application of condition monitoring to a battery system used in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). Battery condition management systems (BCMSs) are employed to ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of a battery, ultimately to guarantee the availability of electric power. This is critical for the case of the HEV to ensure greater overall energy efficiency and the availability of reliable electrical supply. This paper considers the use of state and parameter estimation techniques for the condition monitoring of batteries. A comparative study is presented in which the Kalman and the extended Kalman filters (KF/EKF), the particle filter (PF), the quadrature Kalman filter (QKF), and the smooth variable structure filter (SVSF) are used for battery condition monitoring. These comparisons are made based on estimation error, robustness, sensitivity to noise, and computational time.Comment: 18 pages, 16 figures, ISRN Signal Processing, 201

CUTTING TOOLS OFFSET IN LATHE MACHINES USING A MODERN HEURISTIC TECHNIQUE

ABSTRACT In this paper, an optimal control strategy (i.e., offset settings system) based on the new Multi-objective Particle Swarm Optimization with Differential Evolution (MOPSO-DE) technique is developed and presented. The MOPSO-DE algorithm is used for calculating the optimal positions (i.e., offset settings) for the cutting tools in lathe machines. This optimal control strategy yields interesting results without a need to go through the complex mathematical modeling of the lathe system. The proposed technique is validated considering a real-world industrial system. This strategy is designed to take an action every 20 pieces, and it takes only 2.5 sec to run the code and optimally calculate the new settings. The control strategy is implemented using two high precision linear stepper motors. By implementing the new optimal control strategy, the estimated number of the defective pieces per day can be reduced by 85%

Antibiotic resistance, virulence and genetic diversity of Klebsiella pneumoniae in community- and hospital-acquired urinary tract infections in Iran

Klebsiella pneumoniae is among the most important causes of urinary tract infection (UTI). The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and correlation of antibiotic resistance with virulence characteristics and genetic diversity in K. pneumoniae isolated from UTIs in Iran. Phenotypic tests and antibiotic susceptibility were carried out on the isolates. Detection of the virulence and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) genes was performed by polymerase chain reaction. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used for exploring the genomic relatedness. Hemolysin, biofilm, and hypermucoviscosity formation were observed in 87.1%, 86.4%, and 12.1% of isolates, respectively. The antibiotic resistance rate of K. pneumoniae isolates ranged from 12.1% for meropenem to 100% for amoxicillin. The prevalence of virulence genes ranged from 1.4% for cnf-1 to 100% for mrkD, fimH, kpn, and entB genes. In this study, 91.7%, 33.3%, and 4.2% of phenotypically ESBL-producers were positive for blaCTX-M, blaTEM, and blaSHV genes, respectively. An association was observed between the presence of traT, fyuA, or cnf-1 genes with antibiotic resistance. Two clone types were obtained by PFGE that indicate different K. pneumoniae clones in community- and hospital-acquired UTIs. The findings of this study are valuable in development of treatment strategies against UTIs in Iran

The Relationship between the Intensity of Activity and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Young Girls

Background & Aims:  Today, regular physical activity and sports are widely supported by the medical and sports community. Since the intensity of activity is an important factor in the secretion of cardiovascular risk factors, the present study examined the relationship between the intensity of activity and cardiovascular risk factors in young girls. Materials & Methods: A total of 45 female students with average values of age (20.7 ± 1.3 years), weight (58.4 ± 1.3 kg), height (164.1 ± 0.9 cm), and body mass index (23.1 ± 0.5 kg/m2) participated voluntarily in the project. Participants were divided into three groups of high-intensity (70-90% of one-repetition maximum or 1RM) and low-intensity (40-60% of 1RM) resistance training, with a control group without exercise. The two experimental groups were subjected to resistance training for 6 weeks. To measure the desired indices, blood samples were taken before and 24 h after the end of the research protocol. Results: Results of one-way analysis of variance indicated a significant difference in hs-CRP and non-significant differences in lactate, glucose, fibrinogen, growth hormone to insulin-like growth factor ratio, and levels of LDL, HDL, and TC between the three groups. According to a post hoc test, the hs-CRP level in the high-intensity resistance training group showed a significant decrease compared to that of the control group. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated no significant differences between high- and low-intensity resistance training in terms of affecting the levels of cardiovascular risk factors in young girls

Exploring Managers’ Experiences of Hospital Disaster Preparedness: A Qualitative Study

Background: Preparedness is one of the important and effective pre-crisis management stages and involves all actions and programs that enable the organization to respond quickly and effectively in critical situations. To this end, this study aimed to explore the experiences of crisis managers and experts in hospital disaster preparedness. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using conventional content analysis in 2019. The research population included hospital managers and crisis specialists in Ardabil Province. The participants were 14 managers and crisis specialists who were selected using purposive sampling. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Griesheim and Landman’s qualitative content analysis approach. Results: The analysis of the data revealed four main categories including management and planning, infrastructural development, human resources, and intersectoral coordination. Conclusion: The findings of the present study highlighted the significance of preparedness for emergencies, management and planning, having codified instructions, and implementation and evaluation to increase the preparedness of hospitals to deal with emergencies