Islamic Azad University, Isfahan

Boroujeni M.P., Birzhandi M.S., Zareei S.A., Zafarani M.M.

This paper aims to derive conventional wavelet-based damage-sensitive features (WB-DSFs) and refined wavelet-based damage-sensitive features (rWB-DSFs) for concrete moment-resisting frames (MRFs) and detection of the best mother wavelet. For this purpose, wavelet-based and refined wavelet-based damage-sensitive features extracted from the absolute acceleration responses of building models subjected to different ground motion records were evaluated by using the continuous wavelet transform. Three concrete moment-resisting frames with four-, eight- and twelve-story building frames were selected to implement wavelet-based and refined wavelet-based damage-sensitive features. The wavelet coefficients were calculated from the acceleration signals, and different damage-sensitive features were specified by wavelet energies based on the appropriate scales and times. Then, the conventional wavelet-based damage-sensitive features were modified to address the effects of higher mode contributions. The results confirmed the efficiency of wavelet-based and refined wavelet-based damage-sensitive features for damage diagnosis and migration of these damage-sensitive features during damage progress. Furthermore, the findings of this study showed that the mother wavelet family of bior3.3 yields more accurate damage diagnosis states for reinforced concrete moment-resisting frames. The results show that the damage pattern, as well as the damaged floor can be detected using the proposed wavelet-based damage-sensitive features.

Behforouz B., Moghbel Esfahani S., Tavakoli D.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in developing sustainable concrete alternatives that reduce reliance on natural aggregates and promote waste recycling. One promising approach involves the utilization of electric arc furnace slag (EAFS) as a fine aggregate replacement. This study aims to investigate the impact of EAFS on the mechanical properties, specifically compressive strength and electrical resistivity, as well as the durability of concrete. Given the importance of accurately estimating concrete performance in the durability domain, this study explores the application of gene expression programming (GEP) to predict the electrical resistivity of concrete containing EAFS. To achieve these objectives, a series of concrete mixes were prepared with EAFS replacement levels ranging from 0% to 100% at water-to-cement ratios of 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5. Experimental results indicated a decrease in compressive strength with increasing EAFS content, particularly at higher water-to-cement ratios. Conversely, electrical resistivity decreased significantly with higher EAFS replacement levels. To enhance durability, it is recommended to incorporate a pozzolanic material alongside EAFS. The GEP models developed in this study exhibited excellent performance in predicting the electrical resistivity of concrete containing EAFS. The high correlation coefficients obtained demonstrate the model’s accuracy and reliability. An accurate outcome is achieved by the model configured with 45 chromosomes, a head size of 15, and a multiplicative linking function. Given the strong correlation between electrical resistivity and other durability properties, such as permeability and corrosion resistance, the GEP model can be a valuable tool for optimizing concrete mixtures and predicting long-term performance in sustainable construction applications.

Hamid Abed M., Hamid Abed F., Zareei S.A., Abbas I.S., Canakci H., Kurdi N.H.

This work compared the mechanical performance and the durability of clayey soil stabilized using mechanochemically activated geopolymer (MAG) with conventionally activated geopolymer (CAG). The effect of ground-granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) content on the long-term durability of geopolymer-stabilized soil has also been studied. The samples of geopolymer stabilized soils were immersed in 1% magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) solution for 60 and 120 days. The appearance, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), unconfined compressive strength (UCS), and FTIR spectroscopy of those samples were considered to evaluate their sulfate erosion resistance. Before the exposure to the MgSO4 solution, the UCS of MAG samples was higher (12–45%) than that of CAG-stabilized soil. Furthermore, the strength of the geopolymer-stabilized soil improved by 114%, 247%, and 361%, at 50, 75, and 100% GGBS content, respectively. After exposure to the MgSO4 solution, the results showed that the mechanochemically activated geopolymer-stabilized soil has better resistance to sulfate erosion than the conventionally activated geopolymer-stabilized soil. The residual UCS for MAG and CAG samples were 93% and 89% when exposed to 1% magnesium sulfate solution for 60 days, whereas they declined to 70% and 58%, respectively, after 120 days of immersion.

Gorji S.

AIM: The purpose of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of an occupational stress training package with mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on job burnout of Tam Kar employees. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research method was a three-stage, three-group semiexperimental design. To this end, the statistical population including all the employees who worked in the technical departments of Tam Kar Company in Isfahan and in terms of the level of stress in middle and higher levels, using purposive sampling, 60 employees were selected and randomly divided into three groups (20 for each group). Geldard (1989) burnout inventory (GBI) was used for data collection. Experimental group 1 received eight 90-min sessions of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy training, and experimental group 2 received job stress coping training in ten 90-min sessions. Repeated measurement ANOVA was used to analyze the data with the help of a statistical software package in social sciences (SPSS) version 22. RESULTS: The results showed that coping with job stress training and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy were equally effective in reducing the employees’ burnout (P ≤ 0.05) and this effect continued at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Given the high prevalence of burnout and psychopathologic symptoms among industry staff, coping with job stress training and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy training can be suggested to reduce burnout syndrome in the industry.

Golestanizadeh M., Sarvari H., Parishani A., Akindele N., Edwards D.J.

Business intelligence is a new approach to helping project managers and personnel to make correct, informed decisions through preparing a series of analytical reports in a management dashboard by analysing and mining all of the related project data. This study aimed to investigate the effect of business intelligence on the performance of construction projects in Iran through the mediating variable of project quality management. In contrast to prior research that has evaluated the aforementioned variables in isolation, the current study introduced a comprehensive structural model to investigate the interrelationships among business intelligence, quality management, and construction project performance. This study employed a descriptive–correlational methodology utilising structural equation modelling, involving a sample of 102 Iranian construction industry specialists recruited by convenience sampling. Data were gathered using standardised questionnaires and analysed with structural equation modelling (SEM) in Smart-PLS and regression analysis in the SPSS software. The SEM indicated that business intelligence significantly enhances construction project performance (β = 0.534, p < 0.01) and influences project quality management (β = 0.743, p < 0.01) and that project quality management positively affects construction project performance (β = 0.396, p < 0.01). Furthermore, project quality management exerts a slight mediating influence in this relationship, with the indirect effect calculated at 0.295 and the direct effect assessed at 0.534. The regression analysis revealed that the business intelligence variable’s dimensions (technical and managerial, financial and economic, and data and information management) can predict construction project performance, while the technical and managerial and financial and economic dimensions can predict project quality management. Implementing business intelligence technologies in construction project management enhances decision-making for managers and elevates project performance. This study’s findings suggest that managers and specialists should employ data analysis technologies and business intelligence systems to enhance project quality and performance.

Karimi M., Ahmadi Nadoushan M., Chavoshi E.

Rice cultivation is a highly criticized sector of agriculture in Iran. Despite the intensifying drought conditions, Central Iranian farmers continue to prioritize rice cultivation due to its substantial economic benefits, affecting the structure and configuration of irrigated agricultural landscapes. In a river catchment, we mapped rice fields over a 10-year period (2014–2023) using Landsat-8 OLI images, with mapping accuracy metrics showing kappa coefficients above 81.75 and overall accuracy above 92.78. Spatial analysis of the layers revealed the following: (1) an inconsistent pattern of rice cultivation over the study period, with more than 51% of the total agricultural area experiencing rice cultivation only once; (2) a contiguous area of high suitability for opportunistic rice cultivation along the main river of the region based on frequency hotspot analysis; and (3) years with larger rice cultivation resulted in more fragmented rice landscapes due to the incentive to cultivate smaller, scattered plots in newly accessible areas. Our results demonstrate that increased water availability does not necessarily translate to improved landscape structure; as rice cultivation expands, the landscape becomes more fragmented.

Hashemipoor Zavareh M., Bahramipour Isfahani M., Sajjadian I.

Background: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of unified protocols for transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders and modular cognitive-behavioral therapy on positive and negative affect and emotional awareness in children with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental pretest-posttest study, T1D patients enrolled in two experimental groups: unified protocols for transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders and modular cognitive-behavioral therapy interventions in a unified process and one control group. After the completion of the therapeutic sessions, all three groups responded to the research questionnaires in the post-test phase and after a two-month follow-up and were compared. Results: The results of the repeated measures analysis of variance showed that the unified protocols for transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders and modular cognitive-behavioral therapy interventions had a significant effect on increasing positive affect and emotional awareness, as well as reducing negative affect in children with T1D, and the effects of the treatment remained during the follow-up stage (P < 0.001). A comparison between the two treatments also indicated that the modular cognitive-behavioral therapy intervention had a greater effectiveness in reducing the negative affect variable in the post-test phase compared to the unified protocols for transdiagnostic treatment (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences between the two therapeutic methods in other variables (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Based on these findings, both interventions can be used as useful treatments to improve psychological variables in children with T1D. These results underscore its potential as a potent tool for enhancing the emotional well-being of individuals with this condition, thereby contributing to an improved quality of life.

Shirani F., Malekipour M.R., Azary M., Manesh V.S., Gilani A., Mazdak A.

ABSTRACT Background: During tooth preparation, the clinician may face a hard remineralized enamel surrounding the cavity with unknown effects on the enamel bond strength. This study aims to assess the effect of remineralizing pretreatments with casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) or CPP-amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate (CPP-ACFP) on the bond strength of composite resin and sound or demineralized enamel. Materials and Methods: This study employed an in vitro experimental factorial design. A total of 144 enamel surfaces were prepared and randomly divided into 12 groups (G1-G12). The surfaces of G7-12 were demineralized to create a lesion (L), while G1-6 were assigned to the sound (S) enamel group. The three pretreatment protocols were CPP-ACFP, CPP-ACP, or no pretreatment for a 10-day pH-cycling period. A composite rod was bonded to the surfaces using a self-etch or total-etch bonding system. Shear force was applied, and the bond strengths of the specimens were measured. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test, followed by pairwise comparisons using Dunn’s test. The significance level for all tests was set at 0.05. Results: The sound (S) groups (33.81 ± 8.48) showed a significantly higher bond strength than the lesion (L) groups (25.77 ± 6.69). Among the pretreatments, CPP-ACFP-pretreated groups had the highest bond strength (33.86 ± 8.87). Pairwise comparisons showed significant differences between CPP-ACFP-treated demineralized enamel and control demineralized enamel in both bonding systems (P = 0.019 and P = 0.025 for Clearfil SE and Optibond FL, respectively). Conclusion: Pretreatment of demineralized enamel with CPP-ACFP before using total-etch and self-etch systems results in a bond strength comparable to that of sound enamel, making it clinically acceptable.

Sehen M.I., Delshad M., Shalash N.A., Fani B.

AbstractThis paper presents a novel two‐switch high step‐down converter based on the conventional Ćuk converter. The proposed converter features lower gain and higher efficiency due to reduced switching and conduction losses. Notably, it enables zero current switching turn‐on for switches without requiring additional components, enhancing its efficiency. The low voltage stress on the switches significantly impacts efficiency. Additionally, its simple topology reduces the component count, further improving efficiency. Zero current switching turn‐off condition for the diode effectively addresses reverse recovery problem. To validate its performance, a prototype operating at 200 W output power, 300 V input voltage, 24 V output voltage, and 40 kHz switching frequency is implanted.

Xu J., Zhang X., Ata J.M.

Gheni Hussien I., Saeed Rasheed Z., Asaadsamani P., Sarvari H.

Building information modelling (BIM) is an emerging technology in the building sector. As with any emerging technology, the identification of critical success factors (CSFs) for BIM is essential. On the other hand, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) consistently play a vital role in the construction industry. Therefore, it is essential to determine the critical success elements for the effective implementation of BIM in these companies. Hence, this study aims to determine the CSFs for implementing BIM in SMEs in the developing country of Iran. To accomplish this, three rounds of the Delphi technique were carried out with the participation of fifteen BIM professionals from SMEs based in Iran. According to the Delphi survey findings, a total of 27 CSFs were identified for the effective utilisation of BIM in SMEs. Subsequently, to assess the CSFs, a questionnaire utilising a five-point Likert scale measurement was designed. Then, it was distributed among specialists in construction SMEs in Iran. The questionnaire included twenty-seven factors categorised into four primary groups: technical, managerial, financial, and legal. A total of 56 questionnaires were gathered and examined. The findings indicate that the CSFs highlighted for implementing BIM in SMEs are above the average level. Furthermore, the CSFs with a high impact on successful BIM implementation in construction SMEs in Iran were determined. Four high-impact CSFs are (1) the employer’s demand; (2) understanding the advantages and practicality of implementing BIM; (3) awareness of and ensuring a return on investment; and (4) efficient and suitable legislation. The findings of this study can serve as a valuable resource for stakeholders, providing them with a useful tool to enhance decision-making about the implementation of BIM in SMEs, especially in developing countries.

Hosseini M., Keyhan S.O.

This study aims to compare the complications and satisfaction associated with favorable allografts, Fresh Frozen Rib Graft (FFRG) and Irradiated Homologous Costal Cartilage (IHCC), in revision rhinoplasty. The PRISMA guidelines were adhered to in the conduct of this systematic review. No limitations were applied to the types of studies included. Studies in English were selected without any time limitations. Five databases, PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, Google Scholar, and also, the reference lists of included studies were searched. The ROBINS-I was employed for risk of bias assessment. Patients who underwent revision rhinoplasty utilizing allografts (FFRG and IHCC) were considered. The initial search yielded a total of 503 studies. After duplicate removal and paper screening, 7 studies were included. A total of 406 patients for FFRG and 66 patients for IHCC who underwent revision rhinoplasty with the use of FFRG and IHCC were incorporated. Various complications were assessed, including warping, infective/noninfective resorption, infection, extrusion/displacement, and other less common occurrences. The overall complication rates were 9.25% and 15.7% for FFRG and IHCC, respectively. The main complication associated with the two was infection. Notably, both FFRG and IHCC demonstrated significant improvements in patient satisfaction following revision surgery across all subjected studies. Based on this review, FFRGs present a lower rate of complications in comparison with IHCCs. However, the biocompatibility makes the autologous rib cartilage the gold standard graft, but in case of donor site limitations to harvesting, FFRG and IHCC would be a safe and reliable alternative.

Shalalvand M., Mahaseni Aghdam H., Asghari A., Nehzat S., Shahsavari F., Ardalani R.

Abstract This study evaluated the efficacy of tubular constructs containing stem cells and Type I collagen, both independently and in conjunction with low-level laser therapy (LLLT), in repairing the sciatic nerve in a rat model. In this animal study, the right sciatic nerve of 30 male Wistar rats, each weighing 250–300 g, was surgically excised to a length of 8 mm. The rats were then randomly allocated to three groups (n = 10 per group). In Group 1, the excised nerve segment was utilized as an autograft and sutured at the defect site. In Group 2, a tubular construct containing stem cells and Type I collagen was used to bridge the proximal and distal ends of the nerve. Group 3 received the same intervention as group 2, supplemented with 5 weeks of LLLT. After 5 and 12 weeks, rats underwent histological, behavioral, and electrophysiological assessments. Data were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), Bonferroni post-hoc test, and Kruskal–Wallis test. At both 5 and 12 weeks, axonal count and nerve repair scores showed no significant differences among the three groups (P > 0.05). Notably, the Sciatic Functional Index (SFI) was the most favorable (lowest) in the autograft group, whereas the stem cell-only group exhibited the least favorable (highest) SFI at 5 weeks (P < 0.001). Additionally, distal latency was highest in the stem cell group and lowest in the stem cell combined with LLLT group at 5 weeks (P < 0.001). A significant difference was observed between the autograft and stem cell plus LLLT groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the application of stem cell-laden tubular constructs in conjunction with LLLT demonstrated efficacy for sciatic nerve repair in rats.

Farhood S.M., Khorsand R., Hussein N.J., Ramezanpour M.

Cloud computing offers solutions for various scientific and business applications. Large-scale scientific applications, which are organized as scientific workflows, are carried out using cloud computing. However, the higher failure rates in cloud computing can be attributed to the numerous servers and components dealing with intense workloads. This study presents a fault-tolerant scheduling approach using proactive and clustering methods for scientific workflows in cloud computing. Initially, the task clustering issue is addressed by consolidating multiple short-duration tasks into a single job to improve the runtime performance of workflow executions. Subsequently, an automated workflow scheduling strategy is outlined with four key stages: monitoring, analysis, planning, and execution. During monitoring, clustered jobs and the capacities of available cloud resources are observed. In the analysis phase, the accuracy of failure prediction is enhanced by employing the Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH) neural network prior to any faults or failures. The planning stage introduces a novel hybrid multi-objective algorithm, MOPSO-aSA, based on MOPSO and adaptive simulated annealing (SA), to streamline workflow scheduling in error-prone execution environments. Moreover, the reliability of application execution is maintained through re-clustering and migration techniques following any faults or failures. Finally, based on the experimental findings, it is evident that the proposed strategy surpasses other methods in terms of makespan, total cost, energy consumption, and failure rate.

Nedaeinia R., Ranjbar M., Goli M., Etebari M., Safabakhsh S., Bayram H., Ferns G.A., Tehrani H.M., Salehi R.

Background: The evolution of novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-related Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strains with greater degrees of infectivity, resistance to vaccine-induced acquired immunity, and more severe morbidity have contributed to the recent spread of COVID-19. In light of this, novel therapeutic alternatives with improved effectiveness and fewer side effects have become a necessity. Despite many new or repurposed antiviral agents recommended for Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) therapy, this objective remains unfulfilled. Under these circumstances, the scientific community holds the significant responsibility to develop classes of novel therapeutic modalities to combat SARS-CoV-2 with the least harmful side effects. Objective: Antisense Oligonucleotides (ASOs) are short single-stranded oligonucleotides that allow the specific targeting of RNA, leading to its degradation. They may also prevent cellular factors or machinery from binding to the target RNA. It is possible to improve the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ASOs by chemical modification or bioconjugation, which may provide conditions for customization of a particular clinical target. This study aimed to outline the potential use of ASOs in the treatment of COVID-19 disease, along with the use of antisense stabilization and transfer methods, as well as future challenges and limitations. Methods: We have reviewed the structure and properties of ASOs containing nucleobase, sugar, or backbone modifications, and provided an overview of the therapeutic potential, delivery challenges, and strategies of ASOs in the treatment of COVID-19. Results: The first-line therapy for COVID-19-infected individuals, as well as the development of oligonucleotide- based drugs, warrants further investigation. Chemical changes in the oligonucleotide structure can affect the biological processes. These chemical alterations may lead to enhanced potency, while changing the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Conclusion: ASOs can be designed to target both coding and non-coding regions of the viral genome to disrupt or completely degrade the genomic RNA and thereby eliminate SARS-CoV-2. They may be very effective in areas, where vaccine distribution is challenging, and they may be helpful for future coronavirus pandemics.