FATIGUE BEHAVIOR OF HOT MIX ASPHALT MODIFIED WITH NANO AL2O3 – AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Nanotechnology is one of the most important research areas and is presented in the vast fields of knowledge such as road construction industry has been surrounded. This paper has focused on the potential benefits of nano particles for modification of asphalt mixtures. Nano Al2O3 due to its unique properties can improve the dynamic characteristics of hot mix asphalt. Fatigue life of asphaltic samples is determined with indirect tensile fatigue tests by using of UTM. The results show that fatigue life of modified asphalt mixtures in compare with conventional mix is significantly increased. Beside, based on experimental results and numerical analyses, a new model is presented for prediction the fatigue behavior of asphalt mixtures modified with nano Al2O3. This model can completely characterized the fatigue performance of modified asphalt under dynamic loading conditions and different temperatures

Modelling and Experimental Study of Methane Catalytic Cracking as a Hydrogen Production Technology

Production of hydrogen is primarily achieved via catalytic steam reforming, partial oxidation,and auto-thermal reforming of natural gas. Although these processes are mature technologies, they are somewhat complex and CO is formed as a by-product, therefore requiring a separation process if a pure or hydrogen-rich stream is needed. As an alternative method, supported metal catalysts can be used to catalytically decompose hydrocarbons to produce hydrogen. The process is known as catalytic cracking of hydrocarbons. Methane, the hydrocarbon containing the highest percentage of hydrogen, can be used in such a process to produce a hydrogen-rich stream. The decomposition of methane occurs on the surface of the active metal to produce hydrogen and filamentous carbon. As a result, only hydrogen is produced as a gaseous product, which eliminates the need of further separation processes to separate CO2 or CO. Nickel is commonly used in research as a catalyst for methane cracking in the 500-700C temperature range. To conduct methane catalytic cracking in a continuous manner, regeneration of the deactivated catalyst is required and circulation of the catalysts between cracking and regeneration cycles must be achieved. Different reactor designs have been successfully used in cyclic operation, such as a set of parallel fixed-bed reactors alternating between cracking and regeneration, but catalyst agglomeration due to carbon deposition may lead to blockage of the reactor and elevated pressure drop through the fixed bed. Also poor heat transfer in the fixed bed may lead to elevated temperature during the regeneration step when carbon is burned in air, which may cause catalyst sintering. A fluidized bed reactor appears as a viable option for methane catalytic cracking, since it would permit cyclic operation by moving the catalyst between a cracker and a regenerator. In addition, there is the possibility of using fine catalyst particles, which improves catalyst effectiveness. The aims of this project were 1) to develop and characterize a suitable nickel-based catalyst and 2) to develop a model for thermal catalytic decomposition of methane in a fluidized bed

Efficiency of Clinical Laboratories Affiliated Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2015: an Application of Data Envelopment Analysis

Background: Nowadays, healthcare systems are considered as important service sectors, and they are social development and welfare standards; hence the performance of this sector is highly important. Evaluating performance is the first step of various departments to determine the efficiency of the healthcare system. In the meantime, diagnostic laboratories of hospitals play important roles as specialized and technical units with a cost nature. So, far, the effectiveness of diagnostic laboratories has not been assessed in Iran, therefore, in this study, for the first time in Iran, the technical efficiency of laboratories covered by the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS) was assessed in 2015. Methods: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess 10 selected laboratories from diagnostic laboratories in hospitals affiliated with SUMS. In this paper, data envelopment analysis (DEA), one of the most widely utilized methods, was used in determining performance. Results: Among the 10 examined laboratories affiliated by SUMS, 4 (40%) laboratories had increasing yield to the scale, and 6 (60%) laboratories had technical, managerial, and scale efficiency equal to one. Mean±SD of technical efficiency, managerial efficiency, and scale efficiency of examined laboratories were 92.4±16, 95.9±9, and 95.5±10, respectively. Conclusions: Studying the efficiency of the diagnostic laboratories affiliated with SUMS using DEA showed that most laboratories had a high level efficiency

Efficiency of Clinical Laboratories Affiliated Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2015: an Application of Data Envelopment Analysis

Background: Nowadays, healthcare systems are considered as important service sectors, and they are social development and welfare standards; hence the performance of this sector is highly important. Evaluating performance is the first step of various departments to determine the efficiency of the healthcare system. In the meantime, diagnostic laboratories of hospitals play important roles as specialized and technical units with a cost nature. So, far, the effectiveness of diagnostic laboratories has not been assessed in Iran, therefore, in this study, for the first time in Iran, the technical efficiency of laboratories covered by the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS) was assessed in 2015. Methods: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess 10 selected laboratories from diagnostic laboratories in hospitals affiliated with SUMS. In this paper, data envelopment analysis (DEA), one of the most widely utilized methods, was used in determining performance. Results: Among the 10 examined laboratories affiliated by SUMS, 4 (40%) laboratories had increasing yield to the scale, and 6 (60%) laboratories had technical, managerial, and scale efficiency equal to one. Mean±SD of technical efficiency, managerial efficiency, and scale efficiency of examined laboratories were 92.4±16, 95.9±9, and 95.5±10, respectively. Conclusions: Studying the efficiency of the diagnostic laboratories affiliated with SUMS using DEA showed that most laboratories had a high level efficiency

The effect of different types of mulch and different cultivation methods on the quantitative and qualitative traits of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in Ahvaz climate

To investigate the effect of mulch and different cultivation methods on the quantitative and qualitative yield of oil sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in Ahvaz climate, a factorial experiment in randomized complete blocks with three replications in the 2017-2018 crop year was in the research farm of Agricultural Sciences and Natural ResourcesUniversity of Khuzestan. The first factor includes different types of mulch in five levels (non-application, wheat straw, white plastic, live mulch (mung bean cultivation), and black plastic) and the second factor includes three-level cultivation method (on a flat surface, ridge cultivation, and inside the furrow cultivation). The results showed that in the flat surface and on the ridge, black plastic produced the highest amount of chlorophyll a, b, and In the inside the furrow, the highest chlorophyll a was obtained in the application of living mulch. The highest grain yield and oil yield were obtained from the interaction of wheat straw mulch × in the furrow and wheat straw mulch on the ridge. In addition, the highest harvest index was obtained in the treatment of white plastic mulch on a flat surface with an average of 51.85%. In general, it can be said that the treatment of wheat straw and straw × in the inside the furrow and wheat straw × on the ridge were superior in terms of quantitative and qualitative performance

Corneal collagen cross-linking effects on pseudophakic bullous keratopathy

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of riboflavin administration and ultraviolet A(UVA)cross-linking on advanced symptomatic bullous keratopathy. <p>METHODS: Fifteen patients with symptomatic pseudophakic bullous keratopathy(PBK)were included. Slit-lamp examination, visual acuity, foreign body sensation(FBS)questionnaire, corneal clarity grading, ocular pain intensity scale and corneal thickness measures with Pentacam and ultrasound pachymetry(UP), were performed before corneal cross-linking and 1 and 6mo thereafter. After using sodium chloride solution, for one week, the central 8mm(diameter)of the corneal epithelium was removed, and cross-linking, with riboflavin instillation every 3min for 30min, and UVA irradiation for 30min was performed. <p>RESULTS: Five males and 10 females with mean age of 66±13y were included. Mean follow up time was 6.2mo. Corneal transparency in all eyes was statistically significantly better 1 month after treatment than preoperatively(<i>P</i><0.05). At 6mo, however, corneal transparency was better in 8 eyes, the same in 5 eyes, and worse in 2 eyes compared with preoperative levels(<i>P</i>= 0.218). Foreign body sensation subsided in 70% of patients. The average CCT decreased within 1mo after the procedure(<i>P</i><0.05). At 6mo, all but 3 eyes had progressive swelling, and the CCT increased; however, the CCT was still statistically significantly thinner than preoperatively(<i>P</i>=0.006). The improvement in mean CDVA from preoperatively to 1mo postoperatively was statistically significant(<i>P</i>=0.010). At 6mo, no significant differences were observed(<i>P</i>=0.130). The pain scores at 1mo were statistically significantly better than preoperatively(<i>P</i>=0.007). At 6mo, however the mean pain score was higher than at 1mo and not statistically significantly different from the preoperative score(<i>P</i>=0.070). <p>CONCLUSION: Corneal CXL significantly improved corneal transparency, corneal thickness, and ocular pain 1 month postoperatively. However, it did not seem to have a long-lasting effect in decreasing pain and maintaining corneal transparency in patients with PBK. This procedure extends the time interval for corneal transplantation and increases visualization at DSAEK procedure

Extraction and measurement of the Quercetin flavonoid of Prosopis farcta in Khouzestan climatic condition

Background and aims: Medicinal plants are a valuable resource for flavonoids extraction. Prosopis fracta is one of the plants with medicinal properties. Prosopis fracta was found in abundance in southern regions in Iran. Coersetin is medicinal substance found in the fruit of this plant. Quercetin is used in treatment of cancer and viral infections. This study was conducted to determine the Quercetin flavonoid in Prosopis fracta samples in different regions of Khuzestan. Methods: The Prosopis fracta fruit collected from different regions of Khuzestan (Susangerd, Ahvaz, Abadan, Mollasani, Behbahan and Ramhormoz). The beads were isolated from the fruit. Shell and the flesh were dried in an Oven. The dried materials were mixed and flavonoids extracted with a suitable solvent. The extract was injected into the High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) system. Then, the compound, Quercetin quantity and standard peak in each sample have been determined. Results: Based on the results, the Susangerd samples (0.0033 mg/ml) and Abadan (0.0008 mg/ml) have maximum and minimum levels of Quercetin flavonoid, respectively. Conclusions: Quercetin flavonoid extracted from Prosopis farcta fruits of Susangerd is richer than other regions of Khuzestan province. Therefore, it is recommended to use the Prosopis fracta fruit grown in Susangerd for extraction of the Quercetin flavonoid