Numerical solution for a system of fuzzy nonlinear equations

In this paper, we propose numerical solution to solve a system of fuzzy nonlinear equations based on homotopy method. In this method the algorithm is illustrated by solving several numerical examples

Removal of direct blue 129 from aqueous medium using surfactant-modified zeolite: a neural network modeling

Background: Conserving water for human survival and providing future security are important issues that need to be addressed. Methods: In this study, a zeolite modified with hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (HDTMA-Br), a cationic surfactant, and its application in removing direct blue 129 (DB129) was examined. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize both modified and unmodified zeolites. The effects of operational parameters such as the amount of adsorbent, initial dye concentration and pH on the removal efficiency of the dye were examined. Results: The results showed that in the initial dye concentration of 50 mg/L, the optimum amounts of adsorbent and pH were 0.3 g and 7, respectively. Increasing the dye concentration from 20 to 100 mg/L resulted in the reduction of the removal efficiency from 100% to 79% in the contact time of 90 minutes. The results indicated the highest attracting correlation with Langmuir model. The maximum adsorbent capacity obtained from Langmuir model was 25 mg/g. The kinetics of the dye adsorption on the modified zeolite followed pseudo-second-order kinetics model. Calculated thermodynamic parameters showed that Gibbs free energy changes (DGo) at temperatures of 20 and 45°C were -29.41 and -35.20 kJ/mol, respectively. Enthalpy (DHo) and entropy changes were equal to 41.181 kJ/mol and 0.241 J/mol K, respectively. The results showed that the processing was a spontaneous endothermic reaction. The process modeled by artificial neural networks (ANN) showed that the experimental results can be accurately modeled using neural network model. The correlation coefficient found between the experimental and the model results was 0.951. Conclusion: Due to the low cost, high abundance and availability of zeolite, the removal efficiency of this adsorbent can be increased to desirable levels by modifying. Keywords: Zeolite, Adsorption, Kinetics, Thermodynamics, Neural network

COMPARING LITERATURE REVIEW USING PRE-STUDY (QUANTITATIVE) AND POST-STUDY (QUALITATIVE) METHODS IN THE AREA OF INFORMATION GATEKEEPING BASED ON EXPLORATORY BLENDED METHOD

Abstract. Grounded theory method can reveal social (behavioral, cultural and environmental) factors forming the foundation of informal behaviors of the scientists in the process of science production. Literature review is recognized as a part of the grounded theory method. Discussions about how to carry out the stages of a grounded theory study have come about since 1960. During the early years, the experts had reached a consensus over the idea that the literature review should be conducted in the final stages of this methodology so that the least bias and dogmatism could occur in the creation of a theory. But, the current viewpoints are laid on the foundation that the literature review in the seminal stages of grounded theory not only does not reduce degrade the study power but it also can augment creativity, theoretical sensitivity and precision thereof. The present study compares these two perspectives within the area of information gatekeeping. The study population included the medical genetics researchers from Mashhad’s medical sciences university who were assigned to two identical groups and examined by two researchers based on pre-study and post-study. After interviewing with the researchers, two questionnaire groups, including the information gatekeeping variables extracted from the interviews, were distributed amongst the study sample volume. The results indicated a trivial difference between the two variable groups. The notable point in the result was the respondents’ easier understanding of the variables defined assisted by the post-study.Keywords: grounded theory, literature review, information gatekeeping, pre-study in grounded theory, post-study in grounded theor

Influential factors on analytical methods in external audit

In 1394, a research was conducted to detect the influential factors on using analytical methods in external audit. Results of research hypothesis examination revealed that analytical procedures were used effectively during implementation steps of external audit and needed initial information including industry indices, budget, standard costing, firm size, accounting systems, effective internal controls, audit managers work history and his(her) coworkers, educational level of audit manager and his(her) coworkers, industry, familiarity with statistical-analytical procedures and institution size influence on using analytical procedures. However among factors mentioned above only firm size, accounting systems and effective internal controls are crucial factors which influence on using analytical procedures.</jats:p

Awareness of Ergonomics and its Relationship with the Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders: a study on physiotherapists in Shiraz, Iran

Background: Ergonomics is a science dealing with human's physical and mental abilities and limitations, and inattention to this science leads to physical injuries among the staff and consequently affects the efficiency and productivity of the organisations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness of Shiraz physiotherapists about ergonomics and its relation with the prevalence of their musculoskeletal disorders. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in 2015 on all physiotherapists working in Shiraz hospitals. Data were collected through a questionnaire about the awareness of ergonomics and analyzed through SPSS22 software package. Results: Mean age and work experience of the physiotherapists were respectively 34.06±8.5 and 9.38±7.45 years. Mean awareness of subjects about ergonomics principles, work conditions and the rate of occupational injuries and work problems were respectively 3.15 ± 0.5, 2.70 ± 0.52 and 1.80 ± 0.82 from 5. There was a significant relationship between awareness of ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders (P=0.04). Increase in awareness of ergonomics was associated with decrease of the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (P=0.04, CI 95% =0.086-0.995, OR=0.259). Conclusion: The results show that increased awareness of ergonomics leads to musculoskeletal disorders reduction. Therefore, compiled educational programs can have a significant impact on learning about right body postures during work and can consequently reduce musculoskeletal disorders and occupational injuries and problems

Efficient Pb (II) removal from wastewater by TEG coated Fe3O4 ferrofluid

Tri-ethylene glycol (TEG) coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles ferrofluid were used for Pb (II) removal from simulated wastewater. The samples were synthesized using a modified co-precipitation method. The prepared samples were characterized by different techniques including X-ray diffraction, Rietveld method, FTIR, FESEM, TEM, VSM, TGA, BET and atomic adsorption experiments. The crystallinity of nanoparticles with a cubic spinel ferrite structure and absence of impurity phases were verified using X-ray diffraction and Rietveld method. The presence of TEG was approved by FTIR and thermogravimetric analysis. The VSM results showed that the bonding between the TEG molecules and ferrite nanoparticles, reduces the surface spin disorder, influences the morphology and magnetization, and consequently increases the Pb (II) removal efficiency to a high value of 97%. The obtained high value of adsorption capacity of q=363.4 mg.g-1 with R= 91 % and q=129.4 mg.g-1 with R=97 %shows effective role of TEG coating on Pb (II) adsorption. The interesting results of this study imply that the TEG coated ferrofluid sample is suitable candidate for practical applications

Examining the Effects of Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment Training on Self-Compassion and Grit among Elite Female Athletes

Background: Mindfulness-based interventions are well-established in the field of psychotherapy, and such interventions have also gained increased attention in the field of sport psychology, either to cope with psychological pressure or to improve an athlete’s performance. The goal of the present study was to examine whether a Mindfulness–Acceptance–Commitment (MAC) program could increase self-compassion and grit among elite female athletes compared to an active control condition. To this end, we performed a randomized trial among female adult athletes. Methods: Forty female adult athletes (M(age) = 22.22, SD = 2.40) were randomly assigned either to the Mindfulness–Acceptance–Commitment group (n = 20; 7 group sessions, 60 min each) or the active control group (n = 20; 7 group sessions, 60 min each). At baseline, seven weeks later at the end of the study and again four weeks later at follow-up, participants completed a series of self-rating questionnaires on mindfulness, self-compassion and grit. Results: Dimensions of mindfulness, self-compassion and grit improved over time, but more so in the Mindfulness–Acceptance–Commitment condition compared to the active control condition. Improvements remained stable from the study end to follow-up. Conclusions: While the active control condition improved dimensions of mindfulness, self-compassion and grit among female adult athletes, improvements were much stronger in the Mindfulness–Acceptance–Commitment condition. Importantly, improvements in the Mindfulness–Acceptance–Commitment condition remained stable over a time lapse of four weeks at follow-up after study completion, suggesting that the Mindfulness–Acceptance–Commitment intervention appeared to improve cognitive–emotional learning processes

Investigating Removal Efficiency of Tetracycline Antibiotic from Aqueous Solutions Using Nanoclay Adsorbent and Study of Effective Parameters, Kinetic Models, and Adsorption Isotherms

Pharmaceutical contaminants are one of the most important environmental problems that must be cleared of aqueous environments before they enter the environment. Adsorption method is operationally easy and cost-effective if the adsorbent is not expensive. The purpose of this study is optimization the process of removal of tetracycline from aqueous solutions by nanoclay adsorbent and investigation the kinetics and adsorption isotherms. In this study, after preparing the nanoclay, optimization of parameters was done with Design Expert software. The parameters effect of pH, initial concentration and amount of adsorbent were investigated and SEM, XRD and FTIR analyzes were done to identify nanoclay properties. The optimal values ​​of parameters were pH equal to 9.5, adsorbent amount equal to 1.2 g and initial concentration equal to 21.15 mg /l at 25 °C, time of 30 min and stirring speed of 1000 rpm. The study of kinetic models and equilibrium isotherms showed that the adsorption follows the Pseudo-second Order (R2=0.999(   and   the Langmuir model, respectively. Under optimal condition, nanoclay as a low cost and environmentally friendly adsorbent has a good ability to adsorb tetracycline from aqueous solutions

Extremity war injuries: A retrospective study of the Iran-Iraq war

Background: Warfare is an immense destruction of human life and infrastructure. Wide-scale trauma is a gigantic problem, and the latest war trends are toward targeting more civilians. Injuries in war are multifactorial depending mostly on arms engaged. The objective of this study was to examine the characteristics of extremity injuries in the Iran-Iraq war. The important principle is recognizing injury types, mechanism of trauma, and factors influencing complications in extremity injuries of war. Methods: In this retrospective study, we reviewed documents of 8437 patients who were transported and treated in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, during 8-year Iran-Iraq war from 1980 to 1988. 7352 patients with physical injuries were selected as a sample. Data collection form included type, mechanism, and location of the injury, associated lesions, and the treatment given. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics (frequency and mean) using SPSS software. Results: Medical archive review identified 8437 patients, 7352 sustaining physical trauma and 4926 among them had 6601 extremity injuries. Mean age of the patients sustaining extremity injury was 23 years. 74 (4885) of the injuries were caused by shrapnel fragments, 12 (792) were caused by bullets and rest 14 were due to various other causes. There were 53.9 (3561/6601) fractures among the total injuries, most commonly involving femur (19.9). Fracture fixation with 66.3 (1394/2103) was the most common type of orthopedic treatment provided. In addition, 20.6 (1359/6601) injuries were related to arterial lesions and 32 (2112/6601) were accompanied with nerve damage. Conclusion: Extremity injury is a major trauma in war zones and leads to high rate of morbidity; however, if appropriate care and timely assistance are provided, it has low risk of death. Understanding type, frequency, and mechanism of injury and factors influencing trauma is of extreme importance in appropriate management and avoiding unnecessary amputations