Application of an Improved Genetic Algorithm for Optimal Design of Planar Steel Frames

Genetic Algorithm (GA) is one of the most widely used optimization algorithms. This algorithm consists of five stages, namely population generation, crossover, mutation, evaluation, and selection. This study presents a modified version of GA called Improved Genetic Algorithm (IGA) for the optimization of steel frame designs. In the IGA, the rate of convergence to the optimal solution is increased by splitting the population generation process to two stages. In the first stage, the initial population is generated by random selection of members from among AISC W-shapes. The generated population is then evaluated in another stage, where the member that does not satisfy the design constraints are replaced with stronger members with larger cross sectional area. This process continues until all design constraints are satisfied. Through this process, the initial population will be improved intelligently so that the design constraints fall within the allowed range. For performance evaluation and comparison, the method was used to design and optimize 10-story and 24-story frames based on the LRFD method as per AISC regulations with the finite element method used for frame analysis. Structural analysis, design, and optimization were performed using a program written with MATLAB programming language. The results show that using the proposed method (IGA) for frame optimization reduces the volume of computations and increases the rate of convergence, thus allowing access to frame designs with near-optimal weights in only a few iterations. Using the IGA also limits the search space to the area of acceptable solutions

Serum Anti-Hbs-Ag in Stable Hemodialysis Patients and its Relationship with Various Demographic and Biochemical Data

Introduction: To evaluate the relationship between various biochemical, nutritional and demographic factors with immune response to hepatitis B vaccine in maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients. Material and Methods: A retro-prospective study was carried out on 68 patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis .Patients were vaccinated against hepatitis B virus with an intramuscular hepatitis B vaccination schedule, 40 micrograms at 0, 1, and 6 months. We also selected 32 age matched normal healthy persons who had vaccinated against hepatitis B previously to compare the antibody production with HD patients. Results: The value of serum antibody level against hepatitis B surface antigen ( HBs) in hemodialisis patients and healthy persons were 35±55(median=5.5) and 135±71 (median=175) mIU/ml respectively. There was a significant deference between mean serum antibody level against HBs antigen of hemodialysis patients and normal subjects (p<0.001), there were not any significant differences of antibody production against HBs antigen between males and females or diabetic and non diabetics. There were no correlation between serum antibody level against HBs-Ag and serum albumin and also with body mass index. There were not significant correlation between anti-HBs antibody level and age, amounts of hemodialysis, duration of dialysis, dialysis adequacy, serum ferritin level and serum lipids. There were not also significant correlation between anti-HBs antibody level and serum parathormone, calcium, phosphorus, serum hemoglobin and hematocrit level. Conclusion: In this study, there was not significant correlation between serum antibody level against hepatitis B surface antigen and various nutritional and demographic factors of patients under regular hemodialysis

IoT-Based Smart Management of Healthcare Services in Hospital Buildings during COVID-19 and Future Pandemics

The paper aims to design and develop an innovative solution in the Smart Building context that increases guests' hospitality level during the COVID-19 and future pandemics in locations like hotels, conference locations, campuses, and hospitals. The solution supports features intending to control the number of occupants by online appointments, smart navigation, and queue management in the building through mobile phones and navigation to the desired location by highlighting interests and facilities. Moreover, checking the space occupancy, and automatic adjustment of the environmental features are the abilities that can be added to the proposed design in the future development. The proposed solution can address all mentioned issues regarding the smart building by integrating and utilizing various data sources collected by the internet of things (IoT) sensors. Then, storing and processing collected data in servers and finally sending the desired information to the end-users. Consequently, through the integration of multiple IoT technologies, a unique platform with minimal hardware usage and maximum adaptability for smart management of general and healthcare services in hospital buildings will be created

Antioxidant and kidney protection; differential impacts of single and whole natural antioxidants.

Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education: Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance in production of reactive oxygen and the biological ability to detoxify the reactive intermediates or repair the resulting damage. Herbal medicines commonly fight these complications with their antioxidant properties. However, it should be noted that herbal drugs extracts are abundant sources of polyphenols and these compounds are unstable and might be subjected to polymerization. Thus, it is essential to check that the observed biological properties are not due to polymerization of phenolic compounds

Effects of monosodium glutamate on apoptosis of germ cells in testicular tissue of adult rat: An experimental study

Background: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is used as a flavoring and food seasoning. Some studies have reported the oxidative effects of using this substance on various tissues. Objective: This study has investigated the effects of MSG and the protective effect of vitamin C (vit C) on apoptosis of testicular germ cells and biochemical factors. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 24 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control (received distilled water), vit C group (150 mg/kg), experimental group 1 (MSG 3 gr/kg), experimental group 2 (MSG 3 gr/kg + vit C 150 mg/kg). The rats were gavaged for 30 days, and then were sacrificed, the right testis was isolated for biochemical examinations for the glutathione, malondialdehyde, and left testis used in histological experiments. Tunnel staining was used to determine the number of apoptotic cells. Results: The results showed that apoptotic cells in the MSG group had a significant increase compared to the control group (P = 0.001), but the number of these cells in the MSG co-administered with vit C and vit C groups were significantly lower than the MSG group. Germinal epithelial thickness also decreased in MSG group compared to the control group. Conclusion: MSG can lead to increase apoptotic changes in the germinal epithelial of the testicle, and vit C as an antioxidant can modify the pathological and biochemical changes induced by MSG

Validity of immunohistochemistry method in predicting HER-2 gene status and association of clinicopathological variables with it in invasive breast cancer patients

Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 is an important and prognostic factors and one of the most targeted proteins in breast cancer’s therapy. There is no globally accepted method for determining its status. Here, we aimed to evaluate the immunohistochemistry method validity in predicting HER-2 status by Fluorescence in situ hybridization method and investigate some clinicopathological variables association with HER-2 amplification. A total of 190 HER-2 2+ and 3+ by immunohistochemistry (IHC) invasive breast cancer cases were enrolled in this study. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed for these cases using FDA criteria and the association between clinicopathological variables and HER-2 status evaluated. Study consisted of 190 invasive breast cancer patients (160 HER-2 2+ and 30 HER-2 3+). HER-2 FISH amplification according to FDA criteria was found 27.5% (44/160 patients) in HER-2 2+ patients and 83.3% (25/30 patients) in HER-2 3+ patients. Tumors with HER-2 amplification were more likely to be ER-negative (51.0% vs 31.2%, p = 0.013) and PR-negative (52.9% vs 27.0%, p < 0.001). This study showed that immunohistochemistry is not a good method for evaluating HER-2 status and decision-making about trastuzumab therapy even with 3+ score patients. However, this result may not be too strong for IHC 3+ cases due to the limited number of these patients in this study. Key words: Invasive breast cancer; human epidermal growth factor receptor-2; immunohistochemistry; fluorescent in situ hybridization; prediction

Sevelamer, a phosphate-binding resin with beneficial effect in diabetic kidney disease; a modern paradigm shift

The proportion of individuals diagnosed with diabetes mellitus is increasing throughout the world, which sequentially drives upward the global frequency of diabetic kidney disease (1, 2). Diabetes is a costly and deadly disease. Patients with diabetic kidney disease are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, premature death, and other severe diseases that ensue in increased health-care utilization and frequent hospitalizations (1, 2). In fact, type II diabetes mellitus is an ongoing medical dilemma that clinicians deal with on a daily basis

Oguchi Disease Associated with Keratoconus

This is a Photo Essay and does not have an abstract. Please download the PDF or view the article in HTML

Review of possible mechanisms of analgesic effect of herbs and herbal active ingredient

Pain is a distressing feeling caused by damage to different tissues. Consequently the person reacts, and tries to remove the painful stimulus. On the other hand, prostaglandins contribute to the emergence of pain. These compounds are formed and secreted by cyclogenase 2 or COX-2 enzymes. It is through inhibiting these enzymes that most of the analgesic medications act. Thus, this study aims to investigate and review some of the scientific findings on analgesic effects and possible active ingredients and analgesic mechanisms of these herbs. Result: Nowadays one of the methods to control pain is using non-steroid anti-inflammatory medications. Although the analgesic effects of these medications emerge relatively fast, but their side effects are considered to be a limiting factor in their usage. Therefore researchers are constantly in the search of new medications with less side effects. In recent years the tendency to use herbal medications has significantly increased in the treatment and prediction of these diseases. Since analgesic medications show a wide range of complications therefore using secondary herbal compounds may be an appropriate alternative for chemical medications. In this respect, many analgesic effects of herbal medications have been brought into attention and it is believed that many natural compounds may serve as new medical compounds.Conclusion: Regarding the importance of research about pain and the effort in increasing awareness in this respect and also regarding the problems caused by using opioid medications, it is necessary to find herbal medications