• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제2권4호
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• pp.253-280
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• 2010

A new prediction model is derived for the uplift capacity of suction caissons using a hybrid method coupling genetic programming (GP) and simulated annealing (SA), called GP/SA. The predictor variables included in the analysis are the aspect ratio of caisson, shear strength of clayey soil, load point of application, load inclination angle, soil permeability, and loading rate. The proposed model is developed based on well established and widely dispersed experimental results gathered from the literature. To verify the applicability of the proposed model, it is employed to estimate the uplift capacity of parts of the test results that are not included in the modeling process. Traditional GP and multiple regression analyses are performed to benchmark the derived model. The external validation of the GP/SA and GP models was further verified using several statistical criteria recommended by researchers. Contributions of the parameters affecting the uplift capacity are evaluated through a sensitivity analysis. A subsequent parametric analysis is carried out and the obtained trends are confirmed with some previous studies. Based on the results, the GP/SA-based solution is effectively capable of estimating the horizontal, vertical and inclined uplift capacity of suction caissons. Furthermore, the GP/SA model provides a better prediction performance than the GP, regression and different models found in the literature. The proposed simplified formulation can reliably be employed for the pre-design of suction caissons. It may be also used as a quick check on solutions developed by more time consuming and in-depth deterministic analyses.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.72-77
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• 2016

Background: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors related to needle stick injuries (NSIs) and to assess related safety measures among a sample of Iranian nurses. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a random sample of 168 registered active nurses was selected from different wards of one of the hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS). Data were collected by an anonymous questionnaire and a checklist based observational method among the 168 registered active nurses. Results: The prevalence of NSIs in the total of work experience and the last year was 76% and 54%, respectively. Hollow-bore needles were the most common devices involved in the injuries (85.5%). The majority of NSIs occurred in the morning shift (57.8%) and the most common activity leading to NSIs was recapping needles (41.4%). The rate of underreporting NSIs was 60.2% and the major reasons for not reporting the NSIs were heavy clinical schedule (46.7%) and perception of low risk of infection (37.7%). A statistically significant relationship was found between the occurrence of NSIs and sex, hours worked/week, and frequency of shifts/month. Conclusion: The study showed a high prevalence of NSIs among nurses. Supportive measures such as improving injection practices, modification of working schedule, planning training programs targeted at using personal protective equipment, and providing an adequate number of safety facilities such as puncture resistant disposal containers and engineered safe devices are essential for the effective prevention of NSI incidents among the studied nurses.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.1-14
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• 2019

Control algorithms are the most important aspects in successful control of structures against earthquakes. In recent years, intelligent control methods rather than classical control methods have been more considered by researchers, due to some specific capabilities such as handling nonlinear and complex systems, adaptability, and robustness to errors and uncertainties. However, due to lack of learning ability of fuzzy controller, it is used in combination with a genetic algorithm, which in turn suffers from some problems like premature convergence around an incorrect target. Therefore in this research, the introduction and design of the Fuzzy Cooperative Coevolution (Fuzzy CoCo) controller and Adaptive Neural-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) have been innovatively presented for semi-active seismic control. In this research, in order to improve the seismic behavior of structures, a semi-active control of building using Magneto Rheological (MR) damper is proposed to determine input voltage of Magneto Rheological (MR) dampers using ANFIS and Fuzzy CoCo. Genetic Algorithm (GA) is used to optimize the performance of controllers. In this paper, the design of controllers is based on the reduction of the Park-Ang damage index. In order to assess the effectiveness of the designed control system, its function is numerically studied on a 9-story benchmark building, and is compared to those of a Wavelet Neural Network (WNN), fuzzy logic controller optimized by genetic algorithm (GAFLC), Linear Quadratic Gaussian (LQG) and Clipped Optimal Control (COC) systems in terms of seismic performance. The results showed desirable performance of the ANFIS and Fuzzy CoCo controllers in considerably reducing the structure responses under different earthquakes; for instance ANFIS and Fuzzy CoCo controllers showed respectively 38 and 46% reductions in peak inter-story drift ($J_1$) compared to the LQG controller; 30 and 39% reductions in $J_1$ compared to the COC controller and 3 and 16% reductions in $J_1$ compared to the GAFLC controller. When compared to other controllers, one can conclude that Fuzzy CoCo controller performs better.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.9.1-9.11
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• 2022

Objectives: This study investigated the microhardness, flexural strength, and color stability of bleach-shade resin composites cured with 3 different light-curing units. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro experimental study, 270 samples were fabricated of bleach and A2 shades of 3 commercial resin composites (Point 4, G-aenial Anterior, and Estelite Sigma Quick). Samples (n = 5 for each trial) were cured with Bluephase N, Woodpecker LED.D, and Optilux 501 units and underwent Vickers microhardness and flexural strength tests. The samples were tested after 24 hours of storage in distilled water. Color was assessed using a spectrophotometer immediately after preparation and 24 hours after curing. Data were analyzed using 3-way analysis of variance and the Tukey test (p ≤ 0.001). Results: Samples cured with Optilux exhibited the highest and those cured with LED.D exhibited the lowest microhardness (p = 0.023). The bleach shade of Point 4 composite cured with Optilux displayed the highest flexural strength, while the same composite and shade cured with Sigma Quick exhibited the lowest (p ≤ 0.001). The color change after 24 hours was greatest for the bleach shade of G-aenial cured with Bluephase N and least for the A2 shade of Sigma Quick cured with Optilux (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusions: Light curing with polywave light-emitting diode (LED) yielded results between or statistically similar to those of quartz-tungsten-halogen and monowave LED in the microhardness and flexural strength of both A2 and bleach shades of resin composites. However, the brands of light-curing devices showed significant differences in color stability.

• Advances in nano research
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• 제16권5호
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• pp.473-487
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• 2024

The current study employs the nonlocal Timoshenko beam (NTB) theory and von-Kármán's geometric nonlinearity to develop a non-classic beam model for evaluating the nonlinear free vibration of bi-directional functionally-graded (BFG) nanobeams. In order to avoid the stretching-bending coupling in the equations of motion, the problem is formulated based on the physical middle surface. The governing equations of motion and the relevant boundary conditions have been determined using Hamilton's principle, followed by discretization using the differential quadrature method (DQM). To determine the frequencies of nonlinear vibrations in the BFG nanobeams, a direct iterative algorithm is used for solving the discretized underlying equations. The model verification is conducted by making a comparison between the obtained results and benchmark results reported in prior studies. In the present work, the effects of amplitude ratio, nanobeam length, material distribution, nonlocality, and boundary conditions are examined on the nonlinear frequency of BFG nanobeams through a parametric study. As a main result, it is observed that the nonlinear vibration frequencies are greater than the linear vibration frequencies for the same amplitude of the nonlinear oscillator. The study finds that the difference between the dimensionless linear frequency and the nonlinear frequency is smaller for CC nanobeams compared to SS nanobeams, particularly within the α range of 0 to 1.5, where the impact of geometric nonlinearity on CC nanobeams can be disregarded. Furthermore, the nonlinear frequency ratio exhibits an increasing trend as the parameter µ is incremented, with a diminishing dependency on nanobeam length (L). Additionally, it is established that as the nanobeam length increases, a critical point is reached at which a sharp rise in the nonlinear frequency ratio occurs, particularly within the nanobeam length range of 10 nm to 30 nm. These findings collectively contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the nonlinear vibration behavior of BFG nanobeams in relation to various parameters.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권sup3호
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• pp.131-134
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• 2016

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy and also the second leading cause of cancer death among women and also in women that have a high mortality. Previous studies showed that magnesium (Mg) has cytotoxic effects on malignant cell lines. However, the anti-cancer effects of Mg on MCF-7 breast cancer cells are uncertain. This study was aimed at the comparison of the cytotoxic effect of Mg salt (MgCl2) and cisplatin on MCF-7 cells and fibroblasts (as normal cells). After treatment with various concentrations of MgCl2, and cisplatin as a positive control for 24 and 48 hours (h), cytotoxicity activity was measured by MTT assay. In addition, apoptosis was determined by annexin V/propidium iide assay. Both cisplatin and the MgCl2 exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxic effects in the MCF-7 cell line, although the LD50 of the Mg was significantly higher when compared to cispaltin ($40{\mu}g/ml$ vs. $20{\mu}g/ml$). Regarding annexin V/propidium results, treatment of MCF-7 cells with LD50 concentrations of cisplatin and Mg showed 59% and 44% apoptosis at 24h, respectively. Finally, the results indicated that Mg has cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 cells, but less than cisplatin as a conventional chemotherapeutic agent. However, regarding the side effects of chemotherapy drugs, it seems that Mg can be considered as a supplement for the treatment of breast cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권8호
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• pp.3141-3145
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• 2015

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is one the common lethal cancers in Iran. Detection of GC in the early stages would assesses to improve the survival of patients. In this study, we attempt to evaluate the accuracy of EUS in detection depth of invasion of GC among Iranian Patients. Materials and Methods: This study is a retrospective study of patients with pathologically confirmed GC. They underwent EUS before initiating the treatment. The accuracy of EUS and agreement between the two methods was evaluated by comparing pre treatment EUS finding with post operative histopathological results. Results: The overall accuracy of EUS for T and N staging was 67.9% and 75.47, respectively. Underestimation and overestimation was seen in 22 (14.2%) and 40 (25.6%) respectively. The EUS was more accurate in large tumors and the tumors located in the middle and lower parts of the stomach. The EUS was more sensitive in T3 staging. The values of weighted Kappa from the T and N staging were 0.53 and 0.66, respectively. Conclusions: EUS is a useful modality for evaluating the depth of invasion of GC. The accuracy of EUS was higher if the tumor was located in the lower parts of the stomach and the size of the tumor was more than 3 cm. Therefore, judgments made upon other criteria evaluated in this study need to be reconsidered.