Effects of curing conditions on crack bridging response of PVA reinforced cementitious matrix

The effect of the different curing conditions on the response of fiber crack bridging of PVAECC is studied. The self compacting PVA-ECC was cast into the moulds to produce four similar rectangular panels. These panels were kept under different curing conditions for 28 days. The tensile specimens were cut from these panels, and after executing a notch they were tested under tensile loading. The stress versus crack opening relationship for the specimens extracted from panels cured at different conditions is obtained, and the derived results are compared. The dispersion of results, the stress at crack initiation, the maximum fibers bridging stress and the corresponding crack opening, the absorbed energy and the fibers bridging stiffness are the investigated parameters. Also macroscopic images of the fibers in fracture surface are used to interpret the obtained data. As a result of this study a significant influence of different curing conditions on the fiber crack bridging response was observed

Serum Folate and Vitamin B12 Levels in Hemodialysis Patients: Is There any Correlation with Plasma Homocysteine Levels?

Introduction: Deficiencies of water soluble vitamins such as folate and vitamin B12 has been reported as etiologic factors of hyperhomocysteinemia. This study was conducted to find whether there is a correlation between serum levels of these vitamins and plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) levels.Material and Methods: 19 hemodialysis subjects were enrolled. The study group comprised 52.6% girls and 47.4% boys aged 80-324 (204.7±78.4) months who were on dialysis from 1.5-153 (42.1±43.3) months ago. All patients were supplemented by folate and 15 cases were received oral vitamin B12.Folate serum levels <1.5 ng/ml were defined as low (deficiency).As for vitamin B12, levels < 120 pg/ml, 120-160 pg/ml were defined as deficient and borderline, respectively. Plasma Hcy levels of 5-15 µmol/L and > 15 µmol/L were defined as normal and hyperhomocysteinemia, respectively. The correlation between the serum levels of vitamins and plasma Hcy levels was checked by the Pearson correlation test and P-values <0.05 and r>0.7 indicated a good (significant) correlation. Results: 13 patients (68.4%) had hyperhomocysteinemia whereas plasma tHcy levels were normal in 6 (31.6%). No patient had folate or vitamin B12 deficiency.There was no correlation between tHcy levels and serum vitamin B12 (P=0.621, r=1) and serum folate levels (P=0.571, r=1).Conclusions: Normal and even high serum levels of folate and vitamin B12 cannot prevent the occurrence of hyperhomocysteinemia in hemodialysis patients. Keywords: Hemodialysis; Folate; Vitamin B12; Homocysteine; Hyperhomocysteinemia.

A new method for university instructor assessment

Preparing enterprise architecture is complicated procedure, which uses framework as structure regularity and style as the behavior director for controlling complexity. As in architecture behavior, precedence over structure, for better diagnosis of a behavior than other behaviors, there is a need to evaluate the architecture performance. Enterprise architecture cannot be organized without the benefit of the logical structure. Framework provides a logical structure for classifying architectural output. Among the common architectural framework, the C4ISR is one of the most appropriate frameworks because of the methodology of its production and the level of aggregation capability and minor revisions. C4ISR framework, in three views and by using some documents called product, describes the architecture. In this paper, for developing the systems, there are always uncertainties in information systems and we may use new version of UML called FUZZY-UML, which includes structure and behavior of the system. The proposed model of this paper also uses Fuzzy Petri nets to analyze the developed system

Value of Admission HbA1c Level in Non-diabetic Patients With Unstable Angina

Introduction: There have been incompatible evidences about the prognostic value of HbA1c on the adverse outcomes in acute coronary syndrome. Also, these data are so limited in nondiabetic patients with unstable angina.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, HbA1c level of 231 nondiabetic patients admitted with unstable angina, was measured using high performance liquid affinity chromatography (HPLC) at admission. Then transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed for evaluation of ejection fraction (EF) using Simpson method.Results: Our data revealed that HbA1c was significantly higher in patients with EF≤ 50% in comparison with EF>50% group (P value=0.01).Conclusions: HbA1c may be a helpful prognostic marker in nondiabetic patients admitted in emergency department with diagnosis of unstable angina

An exploration study on factors influencing green marketing

These days, there have been tremendous efforts on offering products, which are environment friendly. Green marketing plays an important role for attracting new customer and customer retention. This paper presents an empirical investigation based on the implementation of factor analysis to locate important factors influencing green marketing planning and strategies. building market oriented business units. The study designs a questionnaire including 23 questions and the questionnaire was distributed among 200 people who were visiting organic product exhibition. Cronbach alpha was calculated as 0.845, which is well above the minimum acceptable limit and validates the results. The results of factor analysis reveal four major factors including green labeling, compatibility, product value and marketing component and size

Cardiac failure secondary to hypocalcemia

Hypocalcemic cardiomyopathy due to hypoparathyroidism is a very atypical and rare circumstance, which is usually intractable to conventional therapy for cardiac failure, but responds satisfactorily to restoration of normocalcemia.We describe a young woman who developed clinical signs of hypocalcemia due to hypoparathyroidism, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia as consequences of hypocalcemia.This case underscores the importance of biochemical abnormalities like hypocalcemia as a rare cause of secondary cardiomyopathy and emphasizes on the need for effective and immediate treatment of hypocalcemia and its related causes

Rapid Intravenous Rehydration to Correct Dehydration and Resolve Vomiting in Children with Acute Gastroenteritis

SUMMARYObjectivesThe objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of rapid intravenous rehydration to resolve vomiting in children with acute gastroenteritis.MethodsThis randomized control trial was conducted in the pediatric emergency department in a tertiary care center in Tabriz, North-West of Iran. The study participants' were 150 children with acute gastroenteritis and vomiting who were moderately dehydrated, had not responded to oral rehydration therapy and without any electrolyte abnormalities. 20–30 cc/kg of a crystalloid solution was given intravenously over 2 hours and the control group was admitted in the emergency department (ED) for a standard 24 hour hydration. Effectiveness of rapid intravenous rehydration in the resolution of vomiting in children with acute gastroenteritis was evaluated.ResultsIn 63 children of the intervention group (out of 75) vomiting was resolved after rapid IV rehydration and they were discharged. Among them, 12 that did not tolerate oral fluids were admitted. In the control group, 62 patients' vomiting was resolved in the first 4 hours after admission, and there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding resolution of vomiting.ConclusionsRapid intravenous rehydration in children with moderate dehydration and vomiting due to gastroenteritis is effective in reducing admission rates in the ED

The comparison of psychological and social adaptation below elbow amputation men using a mechanical and myoelectric prosthesis by using of TAPES questionnaire

Design and manufacturing of the Myoelecterical prosthesis in compared to Mechanical prosthesis must also effectively, smart, light, strong and permanence. It is time consuming and expensive that ultimately leads to significant increases in the price of Myoelecterical prosthesis. Therefore, considering the high cost of these prostheses, hence, assessment of psychological and social adaptation between two groups must be clear and explicit. In this regards, present study was conducted on this topic. In this descriptive cross-sectional analytical study, two groups compared to each other from quality of life, participants was two groups of 20 below elbow amputation veterans that use from Mechanical or Myoelectrical prosthesis that refer to central technical orthopedic Kosar. For gathering the data we use TPEAS questionnaire. This questionnaire evaluates participants from 3 items: psychosocial adaptation, functional limitation and satisfaction of life. For data analysis use to t independent and ANOVA test. This research showed that there are significant differentiations in psychosocial adaptation between two groups. The findings identified that Myoelecterical group higher psychosocial and social adaptation in compare to Mechanical group. So that the hypothesis of this research in terms of higher psychological and social adaptation in the Myoelecterical group was accepted. Keyvani Hafshejani mA, Javanshir M, Kamali M., Ghasemi MS, Emami M, Esmaeeli SA, Langari A., Sattari Naeini M. The comparison of psychological and social adaptation below elbow amputation men using a mechanical and myoelectric prosthesis by using of TAPES questionnaire. Life Sci J 2012;9(4):5583-5587] (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 82

Safety and Efficacy of Rituximab in Children with Steroid-Dependent or Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome

Backgroundand Aim:Rituximab is a novel therapy that can help patients with steroid-dependent or resistant nephrotic syndrome.The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of rituximab in children with corticosteroid-dependent and resistant nephrotic syndrome and to determine the factors associated with its efficacy. Methods:In this study, 40 children with corticosteroid-dependent or resistant nephrotic syndrome who were treated with rituximab in Dr. Sheikh Hospital,Mashhad,between 2014 and 2018 were enrolled. Patients with a history of hematuria, severe urinary tract infection, or secondary nephrotic syndrome were excluded. Results:The mean age of patients was 11.9 ± 5.04 years, and 55% were female. The most common underlying pathology of nephrotic syndrome was focal segmental glomerulonephritis (FSGS) (42.5%) followed by membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) and minimal change disease (MCD). Most of the participants (62.5%) were steroid-dependent and the rest (27.5%) were steroid resistant. Only 10% of the patients showed complications following rituximab administration and 57.5% went into complete remission. A negative family history and steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome were significantly associated with a better treatment response. Moreover, patients with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome were more likely to have a positive family history, while factors associated with steroid response included underlying pathology, gender, and family history. Conclusion: Rituximab can cause remission in more than half of the patients with steroid-resistant or dependent nephrotic syndrome. Moreover, the only factors that reduce response to rituximab are a history of corticosteroid resistance and a positive family history of nephrotic syndrome

The Comparative Studying of the Relations between Science and Religion in Ian Barbour and Mesbah's Perspective

The relation between science and religion has been one of the most important disturbance of scientists in recent centuries. Expressing thus issue was started in west countries since renaissance seriously and it expanded to all countries even Islamic countries. Mesbah as a philosopher and an Islamic scientist chooses completion idea which is based on his basis; e.g. philosophical foundations with reasonable relativity, paradigm acceptance which means thought basis, experience acceptance which means revelation and inspiration by innocent, monopoly on legitimacy acceptance with salvations pluralism and behavioral pluralism, general rules of conversation acceptance agreement and required backgrounds and transcendent wisdom. Also, Ian Barbour as a philosopher and a western physicist chooses compilation idea which is based on his basis; e.g. science and religion methodology parallelisms, critical realism, paradigm acceptance which means mindset, religious experience, religious pluralism, philosophic hermeneutic and scanning philosophy. Mesbah leads to separate levels of knowledge in case of its value recognizing and to accept that knowledge is multilevel and is necessary to face systematically in phenomena analysis, but Barbour works on relativity