On the Processing of Highly Nonlinear Solitarywaves and Guided Ultrasonic Waves for Structural Health Monitoring and Nondestructive Evaluation

The in-situ measurement of thermal stress in civil and mechanical structures may prevent structural anomalies such as unexpected buckling. In the first half of the dissertation, we present a study where highly nonlinear solitary waves (HNSWs) were utilized to measure axial stress in slender beams. HNSWs are compact non-dispersive waves that can form and travel in nonlinear systems such as one-dimensional chains of particles. The effect of the axial stress acting in a beam on the propagation of HNSWs was studied. We found that certain features of the solitary waves enable the measurement of the stress. In general, most guided ultrasonic waves (GUWs)-based health monitoring approaches for structural waveguides are based on the comparison of testing data to baseline data. In the second half of the dissertation, we present a study where some baseline-free signal processing algorithms were presented and applied to numerical and experimental data for the structural health monitoring (SHM) of underwater or dry structures. The algorithms are based on one or more of the following: continuous wavelet transform, empirical mode decomposition, Hilbert transform, competitive optimization algorithm, probabilistic methods. Moreover, experimental data were also processed to extract some features from the time, frequency, and joint timefrequency domains. These features were then fed to a supervised learning algorithm based on artificial neural networks to classify the types of defect. The methods were validated using the numerical model of a plate and a pipe, and the experimental study of a plate in water. In experiment, the propagation of ultrasonic waves was induced by means of laser pulses or transducer and detected with an array of immersion transducers. The results demonstrated that the algorithms are effective, robust against noise, and able to localize and classify the damage

Spatial heterogeneity in gender and age of fatal suicide in Iran

Background: The suicide incident has had an increasing trend in Iran over the past years. This study mainly aimed to investigate and visualize the spatial variations of registered suicide cases at the province level. A two-step modeling approach was employed in order to estimate the relative risks (RRs) and model the age of fatal suicide across provinces in Iran. Study design: An applied ecological study. Methods: This study used the suicide death data recorded by the Iranian forensic medicine organization from March 21, 2016, to March 20, 2018. Furthermore, a Bayesian spatial approach - Besag, York, and Mollie (BYM) model- was applied to estimate the RR of suicide across provinces in Iran. Results: This risk was found to be significantly higher than the average in both men and women in the west of Iran. For women, higher population density (mean: 0.003; 95% CrI: 0.001-0.005) and lower urbanization rate of provinces (mean: -0.025; 95% CrI: -0.038, -0.012) were associated with increased RR of suicide. Based on the log-normal model fitted to the data, the overall mean age of the fatal suicide at the national level was 34 years. Conclusions: The magnitude of gender and age differences was quantified, and many spatial variations were identified in suicide mortality across provinces in Iran. Given the heterogeneity in suicide mortality risk among different subgroups of age and gender, our findings point to the urgent need in developing gender- and age-specific suicide prevention strategies. Moreover, efficient allocation of healthcare resources for suicide prevention can be attained by targeting provinces with higher risk

Assessment the association between liver cancer incidence and mortality rate with human development index in the European countries in 2012

Background: Liver Cancer (LC) is one of the most common cancers in the worldwide. This cancer is considered as the fifth most common cancer in male and the ninth most common cancer in female. However, socioeconomic factors and morbidity and mortality of cancer are linked by sophisticated and flexible pathways. We were investigated the association between incidence and mortality of LC with the Human Development Index (HDI) in European countries in 2012. Methods: This study was an ecologic study in European countries for assessment the correlation between Age-Specific Incidence Rate (ASIR) and Age-Specific Mortality Rate (ASMR) of LC with HDI and its details including: Life expectancy at birth, Mean years of schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) per capita. We used of Pearson correlation method for appraisement the association between HDI and its components with ASIR and ASMR. Data of study was analyzed by SPSS15 statistical analysis software; the significance level of the tests was considered P<0.05. Results: Generally in 2012, European countries have recorded 63,462 new cases of LC, crude rate was 8.6 and ASIR was 4.3 per 100,000. On the other hand in Europe countries in 2012, 62,191 cases of deaths were occurred due to LC, crude rate was 8.4 and ASMR was 3.9 per 100,000. Strong positive Correlation was observed between ASIR and ASMR (r = 0.848; P <= 0.001). HDI have weak negative correlation with ASIR of LC (r = -0.194; P = 0.230), and strong negative correlation with ASMR of LC(r= -0.515; P = 0.001). Conclusion: Increase in the human development index was associated with reduce in incidence and mortality of LC

Assessment the relationship between Testis Cancer incidence and mortality rate with human development index in the European countries in 2012

Testis Cancer (TC) is the most common cancer in 15-39 year-old men and with the white Caucasian race. This cancer consists of 0.7 percent of men's cancer all over the world. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the Age-Standardised Incidence Rates (ASIR) and Age-Standardised Mortality Rates (ASMR) of TC with Human Development Index (HDI) and its components at the European countries in 2012. This study was an ecologic study in European countries for assessment the correlation between ASIR and ASMR with HDI and its details including: Life expectancy at birth, Mean years of schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) per capita. We use correlation bivariate method for assessment the correlation between SIR and SMR with HDI and its components. Data of study was analyzed by SPSS15statistical analysis software; the significance level of the tests was considered P<0.05. The results of the data investigation showed that the maximum ASIR of TC was observed respectively in the countries of Norway, Switzerland, and Denmark. Moreover findings showed the highest ASMR was in the countries of Hungary, Bulgaria and FYR Macedonia. The ASIR was positively correlated with HDI equal to 0.623( p <= 0.001), with Life expectancy at birth equal to 0.602( p <= 0.001), with the average years of schooling equal to 0.339( p= 0.032) and with country's Gross National Income ( GNI) per capita equal to 0.466( p= 0.002). The ASMR was negatively correlated with HDI equal to 0.537( p <= 0.001), life expectancy at birth equal t

Aetiology of livestock fetal mortality in Mazandaran province, Iran

In the farming industry, the productivity of livestock herds depends on the fertility efficiency of animals. The accurate diagnosis of a broad range of aetiological agents causing fetal death is often difficult. Our aim was to assess the prevalence rates of Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Brucella spp. infections in ruminant abortion using bacteriological culture and molecular techniques in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. Samples were collected from 70 aborted sheep, goat, and cattle fetuses between September 2014 and December 2015. Necropsy was performed on all the received samples, and brain tissue and abomasal content were obtained from the aborted fetuses. Protozoan infections were detected by specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bacterial agents using bacteriological examinations and PCR assay. Infectious pathogens were detected in 22 out of 70 (31.4%) examined fetuses. Moreover, T. gondii, N. caninum, and B. melitensis were verified in 13 (18.6%), four (5.7%), and two (2.85%) samples, respectively. Our results showed that infection with the mentioned pathogenic agents may lead to fetal mortality, which can be a major cause of economic loss. The listed pathogens could be considered important etiological agents of fetal loss in Mazandaran Province, for which appropriate control measures such as vaccination and biosecurity can be implemented to prevent infection and reduce reproductive loss in livestock farms

The unfinished agenda of communicable diseases among children and adolescents before the COVID-19 pandemic, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

BACKGROUND: Communicable disease control has long been a focus of global health policy. There have been substantial reductions in the burden and mortality of communicable diseases among children younger than 5 years, but we know less about this burden in older children and adolescents, and it is unclear whether current programmes and policies remain aligned with targets for intervention. This knowledge is especially important for policy and programmes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to use the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2019 to systematically characterise the burden of communicable diseases across childhood and adolescence. METHODS: In this systematic analysis of the GBD study from 1990 to 2019, all communicable diseases and their manifestations as modelled within GBD 2019 were included, categorised as 16 subgroups of common diseases or presentations. Data were reported for absolute count, prevalence, and incidence across measures of cause-specific mortality (deaths and years of life lost), disability (years lived with disability [YLDs]), and disease burden (disability-adjusted life-years [DALYs]) for children and adolescents aged 0-24 years. Data were reported across the Socio-demographic Index (SDI) and across time (1990-2019), and for 204 countries and territories. For HIV, we reported the mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) as a measure of health system performance. FINDINGS: In 2019, there were 3·0 million deaths and 30·0 million years of healthy life lost to disability (as measured by YLDs), corresponding to 288·4 million DALYs from communicable diseases among children and adolescents globally (57·3% of total communicable disease burden across all ages). Over time, there has been a shift in communicable disease burden from young children to older children and adolescents (largely driven by the considerable reductions in children younger than 5 years and slower progress elsewhere), although children younger than 5 years still accounted for most of the communicable disease burden in 2019. Disease burden and mortality were predominantly in low-SDI settings, with high and high-middle SDI settings also having an appreciable burden of communicable disease morbidity (4·0 million YLDs in 2019 alone). Three cause groups (enteric infections, lower-respiratory-tract infections, and malaria) accounted for 59·8% of the global communicable disease burden in children and adolescents, with tuberculosis and HIV both emerging as important causes during adolescence. HIV was the only cause for which disease burden increased over time, particularly in children and adolescents older than 5 years, and especially in females. Excess MIRs for HIV were observed for males aged 15-19 years in low-SDI settings. INTERPRETATION: Our analysis supports continued policy focus on enteric infections and lower-respiratory-tract infections, with orientation to children younger than 5 years in settings of low socioeconomic development. However, efforts should also be targeted to other conditions, particularly HIV, given its increased burden in older children and adolescents. Older children and adolescents also experience a large burden of communicable disease, further highlighting the need for efforts to extend beyond the first 5 years of life. Our analysis also identified substantial morbidity caused by communicable diseases affecting child and adolescent health across the world. FUNDING: The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence for Driving Investment in Global Adolescent Health and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010-19 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. Methods The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk-outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. Findings Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4.45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4.01-4.94) deaths and 105 million (95.0-116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44.4% (41.3-48.4) of all cancer deaths and 42.0% (39.1-45.6) of all DALYs. There were 2.88 million (2.60-3.18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50.6% [47.8-54.1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1.58 million (1.36-1.84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36.3% [32.5-41.3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20.4% (12.6-28.4) and DALYs by 16.8% (8.8-25.0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34.7% [27.9-42.8] and 33.3% [25.8-42.0]). Interpretation The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden. Copyright (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.Peer reviewe

The Role of Religion in Cultural Policy Process

The place of religion and how it affects the cultural policy-makingprocess is one of the topics in the field of cultural policy. Varioustheories have been proposed in this regard at a minimum to amaximum range of views. Cultural policy in an Islamic society,however, follows a specific pattern. What distinguishes this patternfrom similar ones is the prominent role of religion in forming theculture of a society; this role is beyond only setting forbidden linesand codes in formulating cultural policy.This article introduces three elements of cultural policy based on adescriptive analytical method and by referring to Quranic verses andtraditions especially the life of Prophet Mohammad. These include:solving cultural complications of the society, preventing the rise ofthese complications and developing society toward perfection. Thisarticle emphasizes the smartness of the Islamic system and focuses onthe elimination of these complicated issues rather than solving them.The first step in cultural policy-making, therefore, is to identifyprogressing factors in a religious society (regardless of whether or notthere is any problem in society) and to implement them. Preventingthe causes of the problems (which is embodied in religious teachings)is the next step and effort to fix the problem directly is the last step

Development and validation of Islamic quality of life questionnaire

The quality of life is mainly measured by multiple conceptual frameworks which neglect the cultural-religious context of the societies. Hence, there is not a unique instrument to assess life quality. The present study strives to develop and validate a quality of life questionnaire in light of Javadi Amoli’s view. In this study, the researcher-made questionnaire has been answered by 400 bachelor students. Javadi Amoli’s books have been consulted for developing the questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaire has been confirmed by content validity, face validity and, construct validity (using factor analysis and measuring correlation of identified components with total questionnaire). After ensuring content validity and consulting Bartlett's test and Kaiser-Mayer-Olkin index, factor analysis has been performed using principal component analysis and varimax rotation. The results oriented toward four dimensions as God, others, self, and nature which explained 36.5% of the variance. The reliability of the questionnaire has been measured using split-half method and Cronbach's alpha, and reported as 0.63 and 0.89, respectively. The reliability of the extracted dimensions has been 0.87, 0.88, 0.80, and 0.81, respectively. Accordingly, findings of the present research acknowledges the questionnaire to be purposeful and efficient