• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권11호
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• pp.4845-4851
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• 2016

Background and Objectives: As one of the most common treatments for breast cancer, mastectomy has adverse effects on the quality of sexual life and sexual functioning in the impacted women. Various strategies have therefore been proposed to resolve their sexual problems. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of sexual rehabilitation using the PLISSIT model in post-mastectomy breast cancer survivors. Materials and Methods: The present quasi-experimental study was conducted on a population of post-mastectomy breast cancer survivors and their husbands. Sample size was calculated as 50 each for intervention and non-intervention groups. The former received sexual counseling based on the PLISSIT model consisting of four levels of intervention: permission, limited information, specific suggestion and intensive therapy, presented in four 90-minute sessions. Data were collected using the Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F) questionnaire and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Results: No significant differences were observed in the mean quality of sexual life scores between the intervention and control groups (P>0.05) before the intervention; however, a significant difference emerged between the groups after the intervention (P<0.01). Thus the mean score for sexual functioning in the intervention group was $26.3{\pm}3.76$ before and $30.0{\pm}4.38$ after the intervention (P<0.0001). In the control group, however, the difference between the pre- and post-intervention mean scores was not statistically significant (P=0.713). Conclusion: The present study showed that nurses can use the PLISSIT model in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiotherapy to teach coping and problem-solving skills to women with breast cancer and their husbands and to encourage their participation in group programs for expressing their feelings and attitudes about their current sex life and thus help enhance quality of sexual life and sexual functioning in this group.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권13호
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• pp.5471-5476
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• 2015

2-deoxy-D-Glucose (2DG) causes cytotoxicity in cancer cells by disrupting thiol metabolism. It is an effective component in therapeutic strategies. It targets the metabolism of cancer cells with glycolysis inhibitory activity. On the other hand, MLN4924, a newly discovered investigational small molecule inhibitor of NAE (NEDD8 activating enzyme), inactivates SCF E3 ligase and causes accumulation of its substrates which triggers apoptosis. Combination of these components might provide a more efficient approach to treatment. In this research, 2DG and MLN4924 were co-applied to breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and SKBR-3) and cytotoxic and apoptotic activity were evaluated the by Micro culture tetrazolium test (MTT), TUNEL and ELISA methods. Caspase3 and Bcl2 genes expression were evaluated by real time Q-PCR methods. The results showed that MLN4924 and MLN4924/2DG dose-dependently suppressed the proliferation of MCF7 and SKBR-3 cells. Cell survival of breast cancer cells exposed to the combination of 2DG/MLN4924 was decreased significantly compared to controls (p<0.05), while 2DG and MLN4924 alone had less pronounced effects on the cells. The obtained results suggest that 2DG/MLN4924 is much more efficient in breast cancer cell lines with enhanced cytotoxicity via inducing a apoptosis cell signaling gene, caspase-3.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• 제43권3호
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• pp.27.1-27.9
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• 2018

Objectives: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of the thickness and shade of 3 types of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) materials. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 specimens of 2 shades (A1 and A3) and 2 thicknesses (1 and 2 mm) were fabricated using VITA Mark II (VM; VITA Zahnfabrik), IPS e.max CAD (IE; IvoclarVivadent), and VITA Suprinity (VS; VITA Zahnfabrik) (n = 10 per subgroup). The amount of light transmission through the ceramic specimens was measured by a radiometer (Optilux, Kerr). Light-cured resin cement samples (Choice 2, Bisco) were fabricated in a Teflon mold and activated through the various ceramics with different shades and thicknesses using an LED unit (Bluephase, IvoclarVivadent). In the control group, the resin cement sample was directly light-cured without any ceramic. Vickers microhardness indentations were made on the resin surfaces (KoopaPazhoohesh) after 24 hours of dark storage in a $37^{\circ}C$ incubator. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance followed by the Tukey post hoc test (${\alpha}=0.05$). Results: Ceramic thickness and shade had significant effects on light transmission and the microhardness of all specimens (p < 0.05). The mean values of light transmittance and microhardness of the resin cement in the VM group were significantly higher than those observed in the IE and VS groups. The lowest microhardness was observed in the VS group, due to the lowest level of light transmission (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Greater thickness and darker shades of the 3 types of CAD/CAM ceramics significantly decreased the microhardness of the underlying resin cement.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제54권6호
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• pp.1135-1152
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• 2015

Most of current bridge decks are made of reinforced concrete and often deteriorate at a relatively rapid rate in operational environments. The quick deterioration of the deck often impacts other critical components of the bridge. Another disadvantage of the concrete deck is its high weight in long-span bridges. Therefore, it is essential to examine new materials and innovative designs using hybrid system consisting conventional materials such as concrete and steel with FRP plates which is also known as composite deck. Since these decks are relatively new, so it would be useful to evaluate their performances in more details. The present study is dedicated to Hat-Shape composite girder with concrete slab. The structural performance of girder was evaluated with nonlinear finite element method by using ABAQUS and numerical results have been compared with experimental results of other researches. After ensuring the validity of numerical modeling of composite deck, parametric studies have been conducted; such as investigating the effects of constituent properties by changing the compressive strength of concrete slab and Elasticity modulus of GFRP materials. The efficacy of the GFRP box girders has been studied by changing GFRP material to steel and aluminum. In addition, the effect of Cross-Sectional Configuration has been evaluated. It was found that the behavior of this type of composite girders can be studied with numerical methods without carrying out costly experiments. The material properties can be modified to improve ultimate load capacity of the composite girder. strength-to-weight ratio of the girder increased by changing the GFRP material to aluminum and ultimate load capacity enhanced by deformation of composite girder cross-section.

• Advances in nano research
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.277-294
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• 2020

In current paper, nonlocal (NLT), nonlocal strain gradient (NSGT) and Gurtin-Murdoch surface/interface (GMSIT) theories with classical theory (CT) are utilized to investigate vibration and stability analysis of Double Walled Piezoelectric Nanosensor (DWPENS) based on cylindrical nanoshell. DWPENS simultaneously subjected to direct electrostatic voltage DC and harmonic excitations, structural damping, two piezoelectric layers and also nonlinear van der Waals force. For this purpose, Hamilton's principle, Galerkin technique, complex averaging and with arc-length continuation methods are used to analyze nonlinear behavior of DWPENS. For this work, three nonclassical theories compared with classical theory CT to investigate Dimensionless Natural Frequency (DNF), pull-in voltage, nonlinear frequency response and stability analysis of the DWPENS considering the nonlocal, material length scale, surface/interface (S/I) effects, electrostatic and harmonic excitation.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.400-404
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• 2015

Various kinds of winding arrangements can be used to enable fault current limiters (FCL) to tolerate higher forces without resulting in a substantial increase in construction and fabrication costs. In this paper, a distributed winding arrangement is investigated in terms of its effects on the short-circuit forces in a three-phase FCL. The force magnitudes of the AC supplied windings are calculated by employing a finite element-based model in the time stepping procedure. The leakage flux and radial and axial force magnitudes obtained from the simulation are compared to those obtained from a conventional winding arrangement. The comparison shows that the distributed winding arrangement significantly reduces the radial and, especially, the axial force magnitudes.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.171-175
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• 2011

Gorlin-Goltz syndrome is an infrequent multi-systemic disease which is characterized by multiple keratocysts in the jaws, calcification of falx cerebri, and basal cell carcinomas. We report a case of Gorlin-Goltz syndrome in a 23-year-old man with emphasis on image findings of keratocyctic odontogenic tumors (KCOTs) on panoramic radiograph, computed tomography, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and Ultrasonography (US). In this case, pericoronal lesions were mostly orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst (OOC) concerning the MR and US study, which tended to recur less. The aim of this report was to clarify the characteristic imaging features of the syndrome-related keratocysts that can be used to differentiate KCOT from OOC. Also, our findings suggested that the recurrence rate of KCOTs might be predicted based on their association to teeth.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.257-282
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• 2015

In this study, the authors present a coupled fluid-structures-seabed interaction analysis of a monopile type of wind turbine foundations in liquefiable soils. A two dimensional analysis is performed with a nonlinear stiffness degradation model incorporated in the finite difference program Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua (FLAC), which captured the fundamental mechanisms of the monopiles in saturated granular soil. The effects of inertia and the kinematic flow of soil are investigated separately, to highlight the importance of considering the combined effect of these phenomena on the seismic design of offshore monopiles. Different seismic loads, such as those experienced in the Kobe, Santa Cruz, Loma Prieta, Kocaeli, and Morgan Hill earthquakes, are analyzed. The pore water pressure development, relative displacements, soil skeleton deformation and monopile bending moment are obtained for different predominant frequencies and peak accelerations. The findings are verified with results in the liter.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제13권6호
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• pp.749-764
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• 2014

Structural safety has always been a key preoccupation for engineers responsible for the design of civil engineering projects. One of the mechanisms of structural failure, which has gathered increasing attention over the past few decades, is referred to as 'progressive collapse' which happens when one or several structural members suddenly fail, whatever the cause (accident, attack, seismic loading(.Any weakness in design or construction of structural elements can induce the progressive collapse in structures, during seismic loading. Masonry infill panels have significant influence on structure response against the lateral load. Therefore in this paper, seismic performance and shear strength of R.C frames with brick infill panel under various lateral loading patterns are investigated. This evaluation is performed by nonlinear static analysis. The results provided important information for additional design guidance on seismic safety of RC frames with brick infill panel under progressive collapse.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.1705-1714
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• 2018

This paper develops a novel controller called iterative learning sliding mode (ILSM) to control linear and nonlinear fractional-order systems. This control applies a combination structures of continuous and discontinuous controller, conducts the system output to the desired output and achieve better control performance. This controller is designed in the way to be robust against the external disturbance. It also estimates unknown parameters of fractional-order systems. The proposed controller unlike the conventional iterative learning control for fractional systems does not need to apply direct control input to output of the system. It is shown that the controller perform well in partial and complete observable conditions. Simulation results demonstrate very good performance of the iterative learning sliding mode controller for achieving the desired control objective by increasing the number of iterations in the control loop.