An Ordinal factor analysis of requirements and challenges of information and communication technology system to train private agricultural insurance brokers in Iran

This study was conducted to identify challenges and requirements of an information and communication technology (ICT) system to train brokers. Using the ordinal factor analysis, the challenges and requirements have been classified into six factors (Human, Organisational, Technical,Social, Financial, and Legal) and four factors (instructional,technical, organisational, and cultural) respectively. Finally a conceptual framework is presented for the challenges and requirements of the ICT training system

Considering simple and multiple relationships of organizational culture and its components with high school teachers’ effectiveness

The present study aimed to investigate simple and multiple relationships of organizational culture and its components (creativity and innovation, competitiveness, attention to group, attention to organizational members, attention to details, attention to result and output, and stability and durability) with teachers’ effectiveness in high schools of the city of Shavor. For this purpose, samples consisting of 184 female and male teachers of these schools were chosen by using stratified random sampling. To collect data, they were given the two realized questionnaires of organizational culture (using Robins and Denison’s pattern) and teachers’ effectiveness. Results of this study indicated that there was generally a relationship between organizational culture and teacher effectiveness. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between components of organizational culture except “attention to details” and “attention to output and results” with teacher effectiveness. In addition, attention to group, creativity and innovation were respectively considered the best predictors of teacher effectiveness

Considering simple and multiple relationships of organizational culture and its components with high school teachers’ effectiveness

The present study aimed to investigate simple and multiple relationships of organizational culture and its components (creativity and innovation, competitiveness, attention to group, attention to organizational members, attention to details, attention to result and output, and stability and durability) with teachers’ effectiveness in high schools of the city of Shavor. For this purpose, samples consisting of 184 female and male teachers of these schools were chosen by using stratified random sampling. To collect data, they were given the two realized questionnaires of organizational culture (using Robins and Denison’s pattern) and teachers’ effectiveness. Results of this study indicated that there was generally a relationship between organizational culture and teacher effectiveness. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between components of organizational culture except “attention to details” and “attention to output and results” with teacher effectiveness. In addition, attention to group, creativity and innovation were respectively considered the best predictors of teacher effectiveness

Considering simple and multiple relationships of organizational culture and its components with high school teachers’ effectiveness

The present study aimed to investigate simple and multiple relationships of organizational culture and its components (creativity and innovation, competitiveness, attention to group, attention to organizational members, attention to details, attention to result and output, and stability and durability) with teachers’ effectiveness in high schools of the city of Shavor. For this purpose, samples consisting of 184 female and male teachers of these schools were chosen by using stratified random sampling. To collect data, they were given the two realized questionnaires of organizational culture (using Robins and Denison’s pattern) and teachers’ effectiveness. Results of this study indicated that there was generally a relationship between organizational culture and teacher effectiveness. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between components of organizational culture except “attention to details” and “attention to output and results” with teacher effectiveness. In addition, attention to group, creativity and innovation were respectively considered the best predictors of teacher effectiveness

Effects of Two Calcium Silicate Cements on Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Secretion from Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells

Introduction: The aims of this in vitro study were to evaluate the effects of two calcium silicate based cements, Calcum-enriched Mixture (CEM) and Biodentine  on proliferation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and the effects of proposed cements on the secretion of Transforming Growth Factor β1 (TGF-β1). Methods and materials: The cell cultures of human Dental Pulp Stem Cells (hDPSCs) at passage 3-5 were treated with various dilutions (1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, and 1/32) of CEM and Biodentine extracts to assess the cell proliferation using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-Y1)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium brovide (MTT) assay after 48 and 72 h. The amount of TGF-β 1 secretion were estimated after 72 h using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the Dunnett’s test at the level of significance set at 0.05. Result: CEM showed the highest rates of cell proliferation compared to Biodentine after 72 h (P<0.05). A greater amount of TGF-β1 was secreted by hDPSCs treated with Biodentine compared to CEM (P<0.05). These differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: In this in vitro study hDPSCs showed more proliferation capacity with CEM rather than Biodentine and TGF-β1 secretion rate in Biodentine was higher.Keyword: Biodentine; Calcium-Enriched Mixture; Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells; Proliferation; Transforming Growth Factor-β1

Numerical Investigation on the Effect of Composite Corrugated Cores in Lightweight Sandwich Panels under Planar Impact Loading

Lightweight sandwich structural components have been widely used in different industries as highly effective energy absorbers. This research aims to provide a comparative study on the role of the composite corrugated sheet as a core in sandwich panels under low velocity impact loading. To reach this goal, the crashworthiness characteristics of three sandwich panels with different corrugated cores, which consist of identical mass and mechanical properties, are evaluated under vertical and transverse loading. The finite element computation is done using LS-DYNA under planar loading conditions. To validate the numerical process, first, the dynamic compression behavior of the square corrugated core sandwich panel made of aluminum alloys in comparison to existing experimental data is analyzed and the appropriate compliance has been observed. Then the effect of composite material and core shape on the crashworthy behavior of sandwich panels is explored. The research results reveal that the material type and geometric configuration of corrugated core have a considerable effect on the mean crushing load and the energy absorption of sandwich panels. It is found that the triangular configuration has a higher capability in load carrying and energy absorption than the square and/or the sinusoidal configuration. The failure modes of the crushed corrugated sandwich panels also significantly influenced by the type of corrugation cores. The present results supply valuable information on low velocity impact response that can be helpful for increasing crashworthy performance and development of such lightweight structures

Numerical Investigation on the Effect of Composite Corrugated Cores in Lightweight Sandwich Panels under Planar Impact Loading

Lightweight sandwich structural components have been widely used in different industries as highly effective energy absorbers. This research aims to provide a comparative study on the role of the composite corrugated sheet as a core in sandwich panels under low velocity impact loading. To reach this goal, the crashworthiness characteristics of three sandwich panels with different corrugated cores, which consist of identical mass and mechanical properties, are evaluated under vertical and transverse loading. The finite element computation is done using LS-DYNA under planar loading conditions. To validate the numerical process, first, the dynamic compression behavior of the square corrugated core sandwich panel made of aluminum alloys in comparison to existing experimental data is analyzed and the appropriate compliance has been observed. Then the effect of composite material and core shape on the crashworthy behavior of sandwich panels is explored. The research results reveal that the material type and geometric configuration of corrugated core have a considerable effect on the mean crushing load and the energy absorption of sandwich panels. It is found that the triangular configuration has a higher capability in load carrying and energy absorption than the square and/or the sinusoidal configuration. The failure modes of the crushed corrugated sandwich panels also significantly influenced by the type of corrugation cores. The present results supply valuable information on low velocity impact response that can be helpful for increasing crashworthy performance and development of such lightweight structures

Investigating the safety atmosphere and its associated factors in a construction firm in 2011

Background and Aims: Safety performance in construction industries is a major concern. Occupational injuries and fatalities in these industries are so frequent indicating high rate of accidents. Improper comprehension and safety culture of workers may lead to unsafe behaviors which ultimately result in accidents. This work was conducted to investigate the safety climate and its associated factors in a construction firm.Materials and Methods: A validated questionnaire was used to determine the safety atmosphere and its relevant factors in two sites of a construction firm. According to MORGAN Table, 347 workers of a construction firm were randomly selected. The relations among safety atmosphere factors, as well as demographic characteristics were determined. Spearman’s rho test was used to analysis the data.Results: A meaningful relationship among the safety atmosphere factors was observed in both building workshops according to the Spearman’s rho test. The results also showed that management commitment factor was most associated with stress factors of production. There were significant relationships between age and some safety atmosphere factors such as safety training, production pressure, encouraging raising safety, and rule breaking (p<0.05). Job category had significant relationships with some factors including productionpressure, encouraging raising safety, and safety committees (p<0.05).Conclusion: Safety atmosphere and its associated factors are effective tools to determine the safety condition in the studied construction firm.Key words: Safety climate, Safety climate factors, Accident, Demographical features

The Involvement of Mir-210 in Unrestricted Somatic Stem Cells Differentiation into Osteoblasts

Introduction: Bone surgery as a current bone treatment method is not always successful to fulfil bone repair in bone degenerative diseases orextensive injuries. Due to the limited capacity of bone remodeling, the demand for alternative approaches remains to be met. Thus, efforts in exvivo generation of bone forming cells, osteoblasts, and their further application in cell therapy as a promising approach are of vital prominencefrom a scientific perspective. Though several studies have focused on microRNA roles in osteoblast differentiation in various cell recourses, yetnone has reported miR-210 enhancing role in human mesynchymal stem cells (MSCs) so far.Materials and Methods: Hence, we wished toexamine the nature of the relationship between osteoblast differentiation and miR-210 in unique human mesynchymal stem cells, unrestrictedsomatic stem cells (USSCs). Osteoblast markers at gene level namely, Runx2, col I in addition to osteocalcin were assessed using qRT-PCR, andAlizarin Red S staining was also carried out to observe histochemical changes 7 days following miR-210 transduction.Results: The conclusion that follows from our findings represents a marked increase in osteoblast differentiation markers. Interestingly, for the first time, human USSCsdifferentiation into osteoblasts was performed in our research.Conclusion: our study may provide helpful insights into surmounting bonerelated issues by combination of both gene and cell therapy