Proposing a gamma radiation based intelligent system for simultaneous analyzing and detecting type and amount of petroleum by-products

Roshani, Mohammadmehdi,Phan, Giang,Faraj, Rezhna Hassan,Phan, Nhut-Huan,Roshani, Gholam Hossein,Nazemi, Behrooz,Corniani, Enrico,Nazemi, Ehsan Korean Nuclear Society 2021 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.53 No.4

It is important for operators of poly-pipelines in petroleum industry to continuously monitor characteristics of transferred fluid such as its type and amount. To achieve this aim, in this study a dual energy gamma attenuation technique in combination with artificial neural network (ANN) is proposed to simultaneously determine type and amount of four different petroleum by-products. The detection system is composed of a dual energy gamma source, including americium-241 and barium-133 radioisotopes, and one 2.54 cm × 2.54 cm sodium iodide detector for recording the transmitted photons. Two signals recorded in transmission detector, namely the counts under photo peak of Americium-241 with energy of 59.5 keV and the counts under photo peak of Barium-133 with energy of 356 keV, were applied to the ANN as the two inputs and volume percentages of petroleum by-products were assigned as the outputs.

Prevalence of Types of Cancers in the Elderly Covered by Insurance of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting Company in 2015 - Comparison with Younger Groups

Roshani, Zahra,Kamrani, Ahmad Ali Akbari,Shati, Mohsen,Sahaf, Robab Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.no.sup3

Presently, the world population of the elderly is growing. By improving health hygiene and welfare indicators, mortality and birth rates decrease and life expectancy increases, making the present century the century of elderly. Aging is one of the main risk factors for development of cancer, which itself is the second cause of death in old people. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of cancer in the elderly covered by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) insurance program and to obtain suitable programs for cancer screening and early detection, increase patient survival, improve elderly care and to reclaim the cost of treatment in comparison to the national and international statistics. This is a cross-sectional study conducted on all elderly patients diagnosed with malignancy based on their pathology reports. In this study, of the total 75,500 patients covered by IRIB insurance, 17.2% belonged to the elderly group, males accounting for 53.3%. The most common cancers in old men were prostatic cancer (61.3%), colon cancer (10.3%) cancer of the hematologic system, bladder cancer (9.6%), lung cancer (9.1%), thyroid cancer (3.9%) and brain tumors (1.3%). In the elderly women, the most common cancers were breast cancer (80.1%), colon cancer (5.1%), thyroid cancers (4.4%), bladder and hematologic system malignancies (3.6), lung cancer (2.9%) and brain tumors (0.7%). In addition, the prevalence of cancer was almost the same as national and international statistics. With the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer no difference was shown in prevalence of cancer between IRIB elderly patients and the other groups of cancer patients in Iran.

Effect of Distance and Height on Roundhouse Kick and Reaction Time and movement in Adolescent Taekwondo Athletes

( Roozbeh Roshani ),( Hossein Abednatanzi ) 국제태권도학회 2017 International Symposium for Taekwondo Studies Vol.2017 No.-

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to investigate both movement and reaction time in the Taekwondo roundhouse kick and explore the effect of execution distance and height on these two variables in Taekwondo. Methods: Twenty-three Taekwondo athletes (female = 11, male = 12, aged: 12 ± 3 years) participated in this study. Nine different positions with changing heights and distances (e.g., short, normal, long, and high) of the impact (kick) location to the intended target with a roundhouse kick were designed and created by the researcher using reaction and movement time. Reaction time was calculated from the moment a light illuminated to when the foot reached the intended target and was recorded with an accuracy of 0.001 seconds. Results: Different distances and heights had a significant effect on the movement and reaction time in female Taekwondo athletes’ roundhouse kicks. The movement and reaction time was greater the long distance/high height test (67 ± 0.585 s) than the short distance/low height test in female athletes (99 ± 0.460 s) (p ≤ 0.01). In addition, the movement and reaction time was greater in women in the long distance/high height (0.585 ± 67 s) than men with normal distance/normal height (0.462 ± 68 s) (p ≤ 0.01), and the movement and reaction time yielded a significant difference in male athletes in the short distance/normal height test (0.454 ± 107 s) (p ≤ 0.06), short distance/low height (0.453 ± 63 s) (p ≤ 0.05), and normal distance/low height (0.446 ± 46 s) (p ≤ 0.03). Conclusions: The target distance and height affected the female Taekwondo athletes’ kicking performance more than men. As distance and height raised, reaction and movement time increased. Therefore, standing at a longer distance and height from the opponent in female can be a disadvantage for female competitors who kick from a longer distance or height in their training.

Modeling of mechanical properties of roller compacted concrete containing RHA using ANFIS

Ebrahim Khalilzadeh Vahidi,Maryam Mokhtari Malekabadi,Abbas Rezaei,Mohammad Mahdi Roshani,Gholam Hossein Roshani 사단법인 한국계산역학회 2017 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.19 No.4

In recent years, the use of supplementary cementing materials, especially in addition to concrete, has been the subject of many researches. Rice husk ash (RHA) is one of these materials that in this research, is added to the roller compacted concrete as one of the pozzolanic materials. This paper evaluates how different contents of RHA added to the roller compacted concrete pavement specimens, can influence on the strength and permeability. The results are compared to the control samples and determined optimal level of RHA replacement. As it was expected, RHA as supplementary cementitious materials, improved mechanical properties of roller compacted concrete pavement (RCCP). Also, the application of adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) in predicting the permeability and compressive strength is investigated. The obtained results shows that the predicted value by this model is in good agreement with the experimental, which shows the proposed ANFIS model is a useful, reliable, fast and cheap tool to predict the permeability and compressive strength. A mean relative error percentage (MRE %) less than 1.1% is obtained for the proposed ANFIS model. Also, the test results and performed modeling show that the optimal value for obtaining the maximum compressive strength and minimum permeability is offered by substituting 9% and 18% of the cement by RHA, respectively.

Molecular Basis of Hexanoic Acid Taste in Drosophila melanogaster

이영석,Roshani Nhuchhen Pradhan,Bhanu Shrestha 한국분자세포생물학회 2023 Molecules and cells Vol.46 No.7

Animals generally prefer nutrients and avoid toxic and harmful chemicals. Recent behavioral and physiological studies have identified that sweet-sensing gustatory receptor neurons (GRNs) in Drosophila melanogaster mediate appetitive behaviors toward fatty acids. Sweet-sensing GRN activation requires the function of the ionotropic receptors IR25a, IR56d, and IR76b, as well as the gustatory receptor GR64e. However, we reveal that hexanoic acid (HA) is toxic rather than nutritious to D. melanogaster. HA is one of the major components of the fruit Morinda citrifolia (noni). Thus, we analyzed the gustatory responses to one of major noni fatty acids, HA, via electrophysiology and proboscis extension response (PER) assay. Electrophysiological tests show this is reminiscent of arginine-mediated neuronal responses. Here, we determined that a low concentration of HA induced attraction, which was mediated by sweet-sensing GRNs, and a high concentration of HA induced aversion, which was mediated by bitter-sensing GRNs. We also demonstrated that a low concentration of HA elicits attraction mainly mediated by GR64d and IR56d expressed by sweet-sensing GRNs, but a high concentration of HA activates three gustatory receptors (GR32a, GR33a, and GR66a) expressed by bitter-sensing GRNs. The mechanism of sensing HA is biphasic in a dose dependent manner. Furthermore, HA inhibit sugar-mediated activation like other bitter compounds. Taken together, we discovered a binary HA-sensing mechanism that may be evolutionarily meaningful in the foraging niche of insects.

Possibilities of a Participatory Pedagogy for Enhancing Teaching, Learning and Assessing in a Nepali University Class

( Parbati Dhungana ),( Roshani Rajbanshi ),( Niroj Dahal ),( Bal Chandra Luitel ) 경북대학교 중등교육연구소 2022 Asia Pacific Journal of Educational Research Vol.5 No.1

Teacher-centered pedagogical practices seem insufficient for promoting students’ active learning in semester-based teaching. Therefore, we argue that integrating participatory pedagogy as a strategy to the teacher-centered pedagogical practices contributes to the existing semester-based teaching, learning, and assessing practices. Inspired by living educational theory, we engaged with nine students of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics (STEAM) in the Participatory Action Research (PAR) course/class living our shared value, respect, in the process of facilitating for six months (February-July 2020). Considering each class, a cycle (i.e., of planning, action, observation, and reflection design) and adapting dialogue as a research method, we generated and analyzed information in a participatory way. We discussed how participatory pedagogy created a respectful learning environment and influenced our students, us, and the PAR curriculum. Journal entries, students’ blog writings, students’ assignments, arts and designs, and curriculum hold the evidence of curriculum improvement through pedagogical inventiveness, empowerment, enhancement of criticality, and reconceptualization of the curriculum. Finally, we shared how the participatory pedagogy becomes a context-responsive pedagogy that exhibits hope for a better world in the diverse educational contexts, including (post) COVID-19.

Effects of spark dielectric barrier discharge plasma on water sterilization and seed germination

Dhakal Oat Bahadur,Dahal Roshani,Acharya Tirtha Raj,Lamichhane Prajwal,Gautam Sandhya,Lama Bhupendra,khanal Raju,Kaushik Nagendra Kumar,최은하,Chalise Roshan 한국물리학회 2023 Current Applied Physics Vol.54 No.-

This study investigated the effects of spark dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) plasma on water sterilization and seed germination using an in-situ treatment method. The plasma diagnostics used I–V characteristics and optical emission spectroscopy. The electron, rotational, and vibrational temperature, as well as electron density were measured. The findings revealed that SDBD plasma treatment caused significant changes in the physicochemical properties of the liquids. In addition, the concentrations of H2O2, NO2− and NO3− were increased after 8 min of plasma treatment to 30, 40, and 100 mgL−1, respectively. The effectiveness of the SDBD plasma treatment was evaluated based on bacterial inactivation and seed germination. After 8 min of plasma treatment, an almost complete removal of E. coli and S. aureus was achieved. Furthermore, the germination of coriander seeds was enhanced when they were treated with SDBD plasma for 5 min. SDBD plasma shows promise for water sterilization, seed germination, and sustainability.

A Critical Study of the Impact of High-Stakes Testing Practice on the Teaching-Learning Process

Azizullah Mirzaei,Nahid Roshani 한국영어평가학회 2011 영어평가 Vol.6 No.1

This impact study aimed to explore one facet of the consequential validity of the nationwide high-stakes testing practice for matriculation purposes in Iran (named ‘Konkoor’) in terms of (i) the impact of the test on the mismatch between students’ preferred L2 learning styles and their EFL teachers’ employed teaching styles, and (ii) the impact of both the test and the resultant teaching-learning ‘style war’ (Oxford, et al. 1991) on students’ ‘learning to learn’ ability. The participants were 32 EFL teachers and a random sample of 70 high school students in Tehran. A triangular approach utilizing two L2 teaching-learning style instruments, an impact survey instrument, and semi-structured interviews was adopted to collect the data. The results of the quantitative and interpretive analyses of the data indicated that there was a hazardous teaching-learning style mismatch in the L2 classroom. That is, the students mostly preferred to learn English through participating interactively in hands-on, collaborative activities and using audio-visual materials that directly bear a resemblance to the real-life language use. In contrast, the EFL teachers employed individual-activity-oriented teaching styles, made students study textbooks alone, and made no use of audio-visual aids. Moreover, almost all participants agreed that the nationwide test has adversely impacted every aspect of the teaching-learning process, especially the style mismatch in the L2 classroom, and deteriorates students’ motivation and ability for effective lifelong learning. It is then suggested that L2 practitioners rethink educational assessment in the form of ‘assessment for learning’ as an integral part of the teaching-learning process.

Evaluation of the Relationship Between Family History of Breast Cancer and Risk Perception and Impacts on Repetition of Mammography

Khoshravesh, Sahar,Taymoori, Parvaneh,Roshani, Daem Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.no.sup3

Since the mean age of breast cancer in women living in developing countries, compared with those in developed countries, is lower by about 10 years, repetition of mammography can play an important role in reducing morbidity and mortality. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between family history of breast cancer and risk perception and its impact on repetition of mammography. In this cross-sectional study, 1,507 women aged 50 years and older, referred to the mammography center of Regions 1 and 6 in Tehran, Iran, were enrolled. Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS and LISREL. According to our findings, knowledge about the time interval of mammography was found to have the highest correlation with repetition of mammography (r=0.4). Among the demographic variables, marital status (${\beta}$= -0.1) and family history of breast cancer (${\beta}$=0.1) had the most direct and significant impact on repetition of mammography (P <0.05). Among the other variables studied, knowledge (${\beta}$=-0.5) had the highest direct and significant impact on repetition of mammography (P <0.05). Family history of breast cancer was one of the predictors of repetition of mammography, but the results did not prove any relationship with risk perception. Further studies are needed to assess the effect of risk perception and knowledge about time interval on the initiation and continuation of mammography.

Facilitator Psychological Constructs for Mammography Screening among Iranian Women

Taymoori, Parvaneh,Moshki, Mahdi,Roshani, Daem Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.17

Background: While many researchers often use a theoretical framework for mammogram repeat interventions, it seems they do not apply an identified mediation analysis method. The aim of this study was to determine the mediators of mammogram replication behavior in two tailored interventions for non-adherent Iranian women. Materials and Methods: A sample population of 184 women over 50 years old in Sanandaj, Iran, was selected for an experiment. Participants were randomly allocated into one of the three conditions: 1) an intervention based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) 2) an intervention based on an integration of the HBM and selected constructs from the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and 3) a control group. Constructs were measured before the intervention, and after a 6-month follow-up. Results: Perceived self-efficacy, behavioral control, and subjective norms were recognized as mediators in the HBM and selected constructs from the TPB intervention. Perceived susceptibility, severity, barriers, self-efficacy and behavioral control met the criteria for mediation in the HBM intervention. Conclusions: This study was successful in establishing mediation in a sample of women. Our findings enrich the literature on mammography repeat, indicating key intervention factors, and relegating redundant ones in the Iranian populations. The use of strategies to increase mammography repeat, such HBM and TPB constructs is suggested to be important for maintaining a screening behavior, once the behavior has been adopted.