• Computers and Concrete
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.323-336
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• 2016

Although the self-compacting concrete (SCC) offers several practical and economic benefits and quality improvement in concrete constructions, in comparison with conventionally vibrated concretes confronts with autogenously chemical and drying shrinkage which causes the formation of different cracks and creates different problems in concrete structures. Using different fibers in the mix design and implementation of fibrous concrete, the problem can be solved by connecting cracks and micro cracks together and postponing the propagation of them. In this study an experimental investigation using response surface methodology (RSM) based on full factorial design has been undertaken in order to model and evaluate the polypropylene fiber effect on the fibrous self-compacting concrete and curing time, fiber percentage and fiber amount have been considered as input variables. Compressive strength has been measured and calculated as the output response to achieve a mathematical relationship between input variables. To evaluate the proposed model analysis of variance at a confidence level of 95% has been applied and finally optimum compressive strength predicted. After analyzing the data, it was found that the presented mathematical model is in very good agreement with experimental results. The overall results of the experiments confirm the validity of the proposed model and this model can be used to predict the compressive strength of fibrous self-compacting concrete.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.2521-2523
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• 2013

Background: Papillary thyroid cancer or papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common thyroid cancer. The fact that it occasionally occurs in women aged 30-40 years old suggests that genetic alterations are involved its genesis. Recently, activator mutations in BRAF gene have been relatively frequently discovered. Materials and Methods: In this study, we tested 63 DNA samples from PTC patients to identify the V600E mutation frequency in the Ahvaz population. DNA was isolated from formalin fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) PTC tumor tissues. Genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP and confirmed by direct DNA sequencing of a subset of PCR products. PCR-RFLP data were reported as genotype frequencies and percentages. Results: Forty nine out of 63 patients (77.8%) had a mutated heterozygote form while 14 (22.2%) showed normal genotype but none demonstrated a mutant homozygote genotype. The frequency of V600E mutation was significantly high in PTC patients. Conclusions: These findings support involvement of V600E mutations in PTC occurrence in Iran. Assessment of correlations between BRAF V600E mutations and papillary thyroid cancer progression needs to be performed.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.281-298
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• 2013

Composite special moment frame is one of the systems that are utilized in areas with low to high seismicity to deal with earthquake forces. Composite moment frames are composed of reinforced concrete columns (RC) and steel beams (S); therefore, the connection region is a combination of steel and concrete materials. In current study, a three dimensional finite element model of composite connections is developed. These connections are used in special composite moment frame, between reinforced concrete columns and steel beams (RCS). Finite element model is discussed as a most reliable and low cost method versus experimental procedures. Based on a tested connection model by Cheng and Chen (2005), the finite element model has been developed under cyclic loading and is verified with experimental results. A good agreement between finite element model and experimental results was observed. The connection configuration contains Face Bearing Plates (FBPs), Steel Band Plates (SBPs) enveloping around the RC column just above and below the steel beam. Longitudinal column bars pass through the connection with square ties around them. The finite element model represented a stable response up to the first cycles equal to 4.0% drift, with moderately pinched hysteresis loops and then showed a significant buckling in upper flange of beam, as the in test model.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.99-114
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• 2017

In cognitive science, it is illustrated how the collective opinions of a group of individuals answers to questions involving quantity estimation. One example of this approach is introduced in this article as Star Graph (SG) algorithm. This graph describes the details of communication among individuals to share their information and make a new decision. A new labyrinthine network of neighbors is defined in the decision-making process of the algorithm. In order to prevent getting trapped in local optima, the neighboring networks are regenerated in each iteration of the algorithm. In this algorithm, the normal distribution is utilized for a group of agents with the best results (guidance group) to replace the existing infeasible solutions. Here, some new functions are introduced to provide a high convergence for the method. These functions not only increase the local and global search capabilities but also require less computational effort. Various benchmark functions and engineering problems are examined and the results are compared with those of some other algorithms to show the capability and performance of the presented method.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.65 no.6
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• pp.707-719
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• 2018

In this article, a new method is introduced to improve the local search capability of meta-heuristic algorithms using the projection of the path on the border of constraints. In a mathematical point of view, the Gradient Projection Method is applied through a new approach, while the imposed limitations are removed. Accordingly, the gradient vector is replaced with a new meta-heuristic based vector. Besides, the active constraint identification algorithm, and the projection method are changed into less complex approaches. As a result, if a constraint is violated by an agent, a new path will be suggested to correct the direction of the agent's movement. The presented procedure includes three main steps: (1) the identification of the active constraint, (2) the neighboring point determination, and (3) the new direction and step length. Moreover, this method can be applied to some meta-heuristic algorithms. It increases the chance of convergence in the final phase of the search process, especially when the number of the violations of the constraints increases. The method is applied jointly with the authors' newly developed meta-heuristic algorithm, entitled Star Graph. The capability of the resulted hybrid method is examined using the optimal design of truss and frame structures. Eventually, the comparison of the results with other meta-heuristics of the literature shows that the hybrid method is successful in the global as well as local search.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.14-17
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• 1995

Endoglucanase gene of Pseudomonas sp. LBC505 was previously cloned in pUC19 to yield plasmid pLCl. The Pseudomonas sp. LBC505 endoglucanase gene was subcloned in a temperature-regulated Es-cherichia coli expression vector, pAS1, containing the leftward promoter $P_L$ of bacteriophage lambda. The level of gene expression was controlled by the thermal inactivation of the heat-sensitive lambda cI857 repressor. Best yield of endoglucanase was obtained by lowering the incubation temperature to $37^{\circ}C$ after induction at $42^{\circ}C$ for 1h. Under these conditions enzyme production continued for about 5h at a gradually decreasing rate. Ecoli harboring recombinant plasmid pASC10 expressed 4.3 times as much CMCase activity as E.coli containing pLCl. To enhance the expression level of endogl, ucanase gene, we have also changed the presumptive Shine-Dalgamo sequence (AGAGGT) of the gene to consensus sequence (AGGAGGT) by site-directed mutagenesis. The genes mutated were subcloned in pASl resulting in the formation of recombinant plasmid pASS50. E.coli harboring the plasmid pASS50 expressed 6.2-fold higher levels of CMCase activity than that of E.coli harboring pLC1.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.1393-1402
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• 2013

Hand gesture is one of the most popular communication methods in everyday life. In human-computer interaction applications, hand gesture recognition provides a natural way of communication between humans and computers. There are mainly two methods of hand gesture recognition: glove-based method and vision-based method. In this paper, we propose a vision-based hand gesture recognition method using Kinect. By using the depth information is efficient and robust to achieve the hand detection process. The finger labeling makes the system achieve pose classification according to the finger name and the relationship between each fingers. It also make the classification more effective and accutate. Two kinds of gesture sets can be recognized by our system. According to the experiment, the average accuracy of American Sign Language(ASL) number gesture set is 94.33%, and that of general gestures set is 95.01%. Since our system runs in real-time and has a high recognition rate, we can embed it into various applications.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.495-498
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• 2013

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is over-expressed in several human cancers. This would suggest that inhibition of EGFR is a reasonable approach for cancer treatment. In this study we investigated EGFR blocking and its effects on the mediated signaling such as MAPK and STATb in HT29 cells. For this aim we used FITC-labeled EGFR antisense oligonucleotides encapsulated with PAMAM nanoparticles to inhibit EGFR expression. Cellular uptake of antisense was investigated by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry analysis. The effect of EGFR antisense on the expression of EGFR in HT29 cells was examined by real time PCR and Western blots, which showed that antisense encapsulated with PAMAM decreased the level of EGFR mRNA and protein. In addition, real time PCR results confirmed that EGFR inhibition had an effective role in the reduction of EGFR dependent downstream genes. In conclusion, EGFR antisense encapsulated with PAMAM nanoparticles down regulated EGFR and EGFR-mediated genes.

• Carbon letters
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• v.25
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• pp.60-67
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• 2018

In the present work, capability of thymolphthalein-grafted graphene oxide, which was successfully synthesized in this study, in stabilization of polypropylene against thermal oxidation were investigated and compared with that of SONGNOX 1010, a commercially used phenolic antioxidant for the polymer. The modified graphene oxide were incorporated into polypropylene via melt mixing. State of distribution of the nanoplatelets in the polymer matrix was examined using scanning electron microscopy and was shown to be homogeneous. Measurements of oxidation onset temperature and oxidative induction time revealed that thymolphthalein-grafted graphene oxide modifies thermo-oxidative stability of the polymer in the melt state remarkably. However, the efficiency of the nanoplatelets in stabilization of polypropylene against thermal oxidation in melt state was shown to be inferior to that of SONGNOX 1010. Furthermore, oven ageing experiments followed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that the modified graphene oxide improves thermo-oxidative stability of the polymer strongly in the solid state, so that its stabilization efficiency is comparable to that of SONGNOX 1010.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.149-163
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• 2015

The aim of the present study was to assess the variation in species composition and diversity of woody species at different altitudes (900 to 2600 m asl) in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS) and its adjoining areas in Garhwal Himalaya, India. A total of 94 woody plant species (including 44 tree and 50 shrub species) belonging to 72 genera and 44 families were reported. Density varied from $235{\pm}9$ to $505{\pm}21trees\;ha^{-1}$ and $4,730{\pm}474$ to $9,530{\pm}700shrubs\;ha^{-1}$. Total basal cover varied from $10.49{\pm}0.66$ to $42.92{\pm}2.57m^2ha^{-1}$ (trees) and $0.36{\pm}0.024$ to $0.62{\pm}0.047m^2ha^{-1}$ (shrubs). Shannon-Wiener Index fluctuated between 2.30 to 3.53 (trees) and 2.74 to 3.78 (shrubs). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that altitude and aspect had significant effect on the distribution of woody species. Taxonomically, Rosaceae with 15 species emerged as the dominant family. Low value of maturity index and contiguous distribution of species denoted the early successional status of the studied forests. The conservation assessment based on altitudinal regimes and the information on species structure and function can provide baseline information for monitoring and sustaining the biodiversity.