Supporting Communication Partners in a Leisure Setting to Enhance Social Interaction and Participation for Individuals with Complex Communication Needs

David Joseph Hajjar,John Walter McCarthy,Molly Lanphear Hajjar 한국언어재활사협회 2018 Clinical Archives of Communication Disorders Vol.3 No.3

Communication partners are critical supports for individuals with complex communication needs who participate in leisure activities. Partners (e.g., volunteers, program leaders, support staff) can enhance recreational experiences by facilitating opportunities for communication, interaction, and participation. In this study, a single subject multiple baseline design across two time periods was used to examine the accuracy of volunteers’ in their ability to implement a program designed to promote communication and participation. Four volunteers from therapeutic riding learned to apply a communication program that focused on providing participants with a method to capture and share their riding experience. Results indicated that the volunteers successfully learned the program and that riders increased the amount of communication turns taken with volunteers. Volunteers, participants, and caregivers also shared their overall perspectives after program implementation. Implications and recommendations for future practice are provided for volunteers, participants and caregivers, recreational therapists, and other related professionals.

Evaluation of a microemulsion-based gel formulation for topical drug delivery of diclofenac sodium

Braa Hajjar,Kira‑Isabel Zier,Nayab Khalid,Shirzad Azarmi,Raimar Löbenberg 한국약제학회 2018 Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation Vol.48 No.3

The aim of the current research was to investigate the release of diclofenac sodium, a poorly water-soluble drug from different formulations in vitro. A microemulsion (ME) was prepared using caprylocaproyl polyoxyl-8 glycerides, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, and propylene glycol monolaurate. For enhancing the viscosity, carbopol was used to form an ME-based gel. The prepared formulations were characterized for physical appearance, droplet size, zeta potential, refractive index, percentage transmittance, heating–cooling cycles, phase separation, pH, conductivity, viscosity, drug content, staining solubility test, transmission electron microscopy and in vitro drug release using Franz diffusion cells. The mean droplets size for ME and ME-based gel-systems were 114.4 ± 0.472, and 178 ± 2.46 nm respectively, whereas the zeta potential values were −33.3 ± 0.64 mV for the former and −33.0 ± 0.40 mV for the latter. No significant variations in the pH nor physical appearance alterations were observed while stability tests were performed. Further, TEM images for drug-loaded ME and the gel exhibited nano-droplets that were spherical in shape. The release rate of diclofenac sodium formulated as ME or as ME gel had the highest release values (76.67 ± 8.63%) and (69.28 ± 7.14%) after 6 h respectively. This was statistically significant (p < 0.0001) compared to the control and different marketed formulations or compounded preparations. The ME-based gel had a higher viscosity suitable for topical administration without dripping. The in vitro result suggested that ME systems are powerful topical vehicles for enhanced penetration of diclofenac sodium.

Predicting the Demand of Shear Tab Connections with Composite Beams in Fire

Mohammad A. Hajjar,Elie G. Hantouche 한국강구조학회 2020 International Journal of Steel Structures Vol.20 No.3

Shear tab connections are one of the most commonly used simple beam-end framing connections. Simple connections are designed to resist shear forces at ambient temperature. This study aims at identifying the key parameters that aff ect the behavior of composite beams with shear tab connections under fi re. Large axial forces are generated during a fi re event due to the thermal expansion of the materials. These forces, which are not considered in the design, could lead to connection failure. In this study, fi nite element (FE) models are developed in Abaqus and validated against experimental data available in the literature. The strength degradation of the steel material at elevated temperatures is accounted for using retention factors. Concrete damage plasticity is implemented to model the concrete behavior at high temperatures. FE simulations are then performed to investigate the eff ect of diff erent parameters on the behavior of shear tab connections in composite beams subjected to fi re. The main parameters are: load ratio, concrete slab temperature, shear tab thickness, setback distance, bolt diameter, in addition to the creep in the concrete and the partial composite action. This proposed research provides more guidance on the eff ect of thermally induced forces and deformations of shear tab connections with composite beams. It also provides the basis for developing simple methods of analysis.

Biotype and status of insecticide resistance of whitefly Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Alhassa oasis, Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

M. Jamal HAJJAR,Ibrahim ALMARZOUK,Khalid ALHUDAIB 한국곤충학회 2020 Entomological Research Vol.50 No.2

The tobacco whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, is one of the major insects infesting vegetable plants. This pest is well known in Alhassa oasis, Saudi Arabia; which is historically agricultural land cultivated with date palm trees and different vegetables. Amolecular key based on the sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase gene CO1 was used for the identification of strains of the tobacco whitefly Bemisia tabaci collected from farms located in four areas of the Alhassa oasis; Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western. Only one biotype (B-biotype) of B. tabaci was reported in the oasis. Resistance of B. tabaci was tested against eight insecticides, the results showed moderate to low levels of resistance to the tested insecticides. However, the resistance to neonicotinoid insecticides was low and established at 1.3 fold to both Imidacloprid and Acetamiprid. In addition, medium levels of resistance were detected to the insect growth regulator Pyriproxyfen (30 fold), and the pyrethroid Deltamethrin (30 fold), Bifenthrin (24 fold) and Cypermethrin (13 fold). A medium level of resistance was also detected to the carbamate insecticide Carbosulfan and was 40 fold of the laboratory strains. A low level of resistance to the organophosphorus insecticide was detected to Phenthoate (11 fold). However, these results reflect that the farmers were less dependent on the use of insecticides to control B. tabaci in the oasis and they may be implementing other environmentally sound techniques to keep the pest below the damage threshold.

Hard Constrained LPV Virtual Control with Application to Flutter Suppression of a Smart Airfoil

Ali M. H. Al-Hajjar,Sean Shan-Min Swei,Guoming George Zhu 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2020 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.18 No.5

Hard constrained control problems are popular in practical applications due to physical and power limitations. For instance, the displacement of a linear actuator is finite. A lot of studies have been conducted in this area to deal with certain hard constrained control problems and some are computationally expensive. This paper introduces a novel LPV (linear parameter-varying) virtual control scheme to deal with a class of hard constrained control problems with an application to flutter suppression of a smart airfoil, leading to a state-feedback LPV gain scheduling controller with the guaranteed H∞ performance. The basic idea of LPV virtual control is to add virtual components (such as variable stiffness springs and dampers) near to the hard constraints to prevent actuators from reaching their limits. The LPV virtual controller will be designed based on the model with virtual components and in the implementation stage, these virtual dynamics becomes part of the gain-scheduling controller. The concept is validated by a smart airfoil example. In the smart airfoil example, the virtual varying springs and dampers are placed at both ends of groove to constrain the mass movement. Comparisons studies with conventional LPV hard constrained control, nonlinear control, and regular LPV control without considering hard constraints are conducted to assess the performance of the proposed method and showed advantage over the existing methods. For instance, the control mass L2 norm is reduced by 77.5% over the nonlinear control and 35% over the conventional LPV Control.

Energy-based sidesway collapse fragilities for ductile structural frames under earthquake loadings

Deniz, Derya,Song, Junho,Hajjar, Jerome F. Elsevier 2018 ENGINEERING STRUCTURES Vol.174 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>In assessing the likelihood of structural collapse under strong earthquake motions, uncertainties in structural properties and ground motions can be incorporated by use of a probabilistic analysis framework in conjunction with analysis methods such as incremental dynamic analysis (IDA). Maximum inter-story drift ratio (<I>IDR</I>) is typically selected as the key descriptor to characterize the global behavior of structural system in such a probabilistic assessment. The structural collapse capacity is often defined in terms of a threshold value of <I>IDR</I> or a reduced slope of the IDA curve between a selected seismic intensity measure and the corresponding <I>IDR</I>. However, collapse assessment approaches based on <I>IDR</I> may not accurately represent the overall structural collapse behavior due to redistribution and variation of local damage within the structure. Moreover, results of collapse predictions are found to be sensitive to variability in such drift measures, and assumed threshold values used in the collapse criterion. Recently, an energy-based seismic collapse criterion has been developed to describe collapse in terms of dynamic instability of the whole structural system caused by gravity loads. Using the energy-based collapse criterion, this paper proposes a more effective sidesway collapse risk assessment approach of ductile planar frames subjected to horizontal seismic loadings based on a new key descriptor of structural performance. The key descriptor, designated as the equivalent-velocity ratio, is related to the ratio of the energy dissipated through structural degradation to the seismic input energy. Using the equivalent-velocity ratio, a probabilistic collapse assessment method is developed for systematic treatment of uncertainties in the ground motions.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> A new descriptor’s been proposed for seismic performance of ductile moment frames. </LI> <LI> New seismic demand models and collapse fragility relations are obtained for frames. </LI> <LI> The new collapse fragility relations are compared with the traditional approaches. </LI> <LI> The developed techniques help achieve reliable prediction of structural collapse. </LI> </UL> </P>

Material characterization using finite element deletion strategies for collapse modeling of steel structures

Saykin, Vitaliy V.,Nguyen, Tam H.,Hajjar, Jerome F.,Deniz, Derya,Song, Junho Elsevier 2017 ENGINEERING STRUCTURES Vol.147 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The prediction of collapse of structures has gained growing attention recently, as it is important to be able to predict and model structural collapse due to extreme loads. A lack of accurate, pragmatic, and validated structural collapse models currently limits the capabilities for predicting collapse due to possible extreme loads. This research compares three finite element deletion strategies that account implicitly for fracture under monotonic loading to be used as predictive tools for collapse modeling of steel structures. The first strategy employs a Void Growth Model (VGM) to simulate the initiation of softening and the Hillerborg model for modeling of material softening, followed by an element deletion strategy that is developed in this framework. The second strategy adds a Bao-Wierzbicki model to the VGM strategy (VGM-BW) in order to account more directly for fracture initiation in lower and negative triaxiality regions. The third strategy is a constant critical strain (CS) approach that does not include softening but instead deletes an element when it achieves a peak equivalent plastic strain. The parameters of the VGM strategy were calibrated to a comprehensive set of experimental test results of circumferentially notched tensile (CNT) coupon specimens, the Bao-Wierzbicki parameters in VGM-BW strategy were determined analytically through tensile coupon (TC) specimens, and the CS approach used a constant value for equivalent plastic strain at softening initiation. These strategies were then validated through comparison with experimental test results of specimens commonly used for material characterization of steel. The results establish the accuracy and effectiveness of the VGM strategy for high-fidelity parametric simulation capabilities for collapse of steel structures and provide recommendations for where additional experimental research is needed to validate regions of low and negative triaxiality.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> 3 finite element deletion fracture strategies compared for collapse modeling of steel structures. </LI> <LI> Strategies calibrated analytically and by particle swarm optimization to a set of test results. </LI> <LI> Strategies validated by comparison with experimental test results from variety of specimens. </LI> </UL> </P>

Application of palladium supported on functionalized MWNTs for oxidative desulfurization of naphtha

Neda Mohammadi Meman,Bahman ZareNezhad,Alimorad Rashidi,Zeinab Hajjar,Elaheh Esmaeili 한국공업화학회 2015 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.22 No.-

In this research, Pd supported multi wall carbon nanotube(MWNT) nano catalyst prepared in previouswork used for investigation the efficiency of an oxidative desulfurization (ODS) process in sulfurreduction from naphtha. Palladium (Pd) supported on functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes(FMWNTs) have been found to be effective in catalyzing oxidation of the sulfur impurities in naphtha tocorresponding sulfones. a catalyst of 0.1%wt Pd on FMWNT as a support synthesized by impregnationmethod and was characterized by TEM, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), TPR and BET analysis. oxidativedesulfurization reaction was done at 25 8C in atmospheric pressure under reaction condition of VH2O2 =2 mL and Fuel/solvent molar ratio = 2.We also applied our catalyst in oxidative desulfurization reactionof naphtha (with sulfur contents 870 ppm), and more than 90% of sulfur was removed from naphthaunder mild reaction conditions.

Mimicry of Minute Pulmonary Meningothelial-like Nodules to Metastatic Deposits in a Patient with Infiltrating Lobular Carcinoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Hala Kfoury,Maria A. Arafah,Maha M. Arafah,Sami Alnassar,Waseem Hajjar 대한병리학회 2012 Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine Vol.46 No.1

Minute pulmonary meningothelial-like nodules (MPMNs) are incidentally found lesions in lung resection specimens and autopsies. MPMNs have been associated with neoplastic and non-neoplastic pulmonary conditions and occasionally with extrapulmonary diseases. We report a case of a female patient presenting with invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast and MPMNs, masquerading as metastatic deposits. We describe the morphological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features of MPMNs and emphasize the importance of their recognition for proper staging and treatment of patients. To our knowledge, this is the first case in the English literature describing this coexistence.

Crosstalk between EGFR and p53 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Cioca, Andreea,Cimpean, Anca,Ceausu, Raluca,Fit, Ana-Maria,Zaharie, Teodor,Al-Hajjar, Nadim,Puia, Vlad,Raica, Marius Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.19

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent cancers worldwide, with a high mortality. Most patients present with late stage disease, when the treatment options are limited to systemic chemotherapy. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the significance of p53 and EGFR expression in HCC, and to determine whether these two markers correlate with conventional parameters of prognosis. Materials and Methods: Our study included a total of 45 patients, diagnosed histopathologically with HCC. Clinicopathological data including sex, age, tumor necrosis, tumor size, histologic grading, tumor stage, the presence of cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis, were recorded from the Institute database. Three independent microscopic fields were selected for each sample and all the tumor cells within each microscopic field were counted, and then the positive percent of p53 cells were calculated. Three staining patterns were recognized: diffuse, heterogenous and focal. The intensity of EGFR staining was scored on a scale of 0-3+: 0 no staining; 1+ when a weak membrane staining was observed; 2+ when membrane staining is more intense than in 1+, but less than 3+, and 3+ when intense dark brown staining delineated the membrane. To determine the relationship between EGFR expression and p53, we performed double staining in the same HCC specimens. Results: By immunohistochemical staining, p53 protein was detected in tumor cell nuclei in 20 HCCs (44%). We found a significant correlation between the intensity of p53 expression and the histological grade (p=0.008). EGFR expression was detected in 17 (38%) cases, linked to histological grade (p=0.039). Moreover, the intensity of p53 expression was significantly correlated with EGFR intensity (p=0.014). Conclusions: Our results suggest that overexpression of p53 and EGFR plays an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis and contributes to more advanced disease. These markers are not only valuable predictors of prognosis in HCC, but they are also rational targets for new anti-tumor strategies.