Analyzing consolidation data to predict smear zone characteristics induced by vertical drain installation for soft soil improvement

Parsa-Pajouh, Ali,Fatahi, Behzad,Vincent, Philippe,Khabbaz, Hadi Techno-Press 2014 Geomechanics & engineering Vol.7 No.1

In this paper, the effects of variability of smear zone characteristics induced by installation of prefabricated vertical drains on the preloading design are investigated employing analytical and numerical approaches. Conventional radial consolidation theory has been adopted to conduct analytical parametric studies considering variations of smear zone permeability and extent. FLAC 2D finite difference software has been employed to conduct the numerical simulations. The finite difference analyses have been verified using three case studies including two embankments and a large-scale laboratory consolidometer with a central geosynthetic vertical drain. A comprehensive numerical parametric study is conducted to investigate the influence of smear zone permeability and extent on the model predictions. Furthermore, the construction of the trial embankment is recommended as a reliable solution to estimate accurate smear zone properties and minimise the post construction settlement. A back-calculation procedure is employed to determine the minimum required waiting time after construction of the trial embankment to predict the smear zone characteristics precisely. Results of this study indicate that the accurate smear zone permeability and extent can be back-calculated when 30% degree of consolidation is obtained after construction of the trial embankment.

Challenges in fibromyalgia diagnosis: from meaning of symptoms to fibromyalgia labeling

( Ali Bidari ),( Banafsheh Ghavidel Parsa ),( Babak Ghalehbaghi ) 대한통증학회 2018 The Korean Journal of Pain Vol.31 No.3

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a contested illness with ill-defined boundaries. There is no clearly defined cut-point that separates FM from non-FM. Diagnosis of FM has been faced with several challenges that occur, including patients’ health care-seeking behavior, symptoms recognition, and FM labeling by physicians. This review focuses on important but less visible factors that have a profound influence on under- or over-diagnosis of FM. FM shows different phenotypes and disease expression in patients and even in one patient over time. Psychosocial and cultural factors seem to be a contemporary ferment in FM which play a major role in physician diagnosis even more than having severe symptom levels in FM patients. Although the FM criteria are the only current methods which can be used for classification of FM patients in surveys, research, and clinical settings, there are several key pieces missing in the fibromyalgia diagnostic puzzle, such as invalidation, psychosocial factors, and heterogeneous disease expression. Regarding the complex nature of FM, as well as the arbitrary and illusory constructs of the existing FM criteria, FM diagnosis frequently fails to provide a clinical diagnosis fit to reality. A physicians’ judgment, obtained in real communicative environments with patients, beyond the existing constructional scores, seems the only reliable way for more valid diagnoses. It plays a pivotal role in the meaning and conceptualization of symptoms and psychosocial factors, making diagnoses and labeling of FM. It is better to see FM as a whole, not as a medical specialty or constructional scores. (Korean J Pain 2018; 31: 147-54)

The acute effect of maximal exercise on plasma beta-endorphin levels in fibromyalgia patients

( Ali Bidari ),( Banafsheh Ghavidel-parsa ),( Sahar Rajabi ),( Omid Sanaei ),( Mehrangiz Toutounchi ) 대한통증학회 2016 The Korean Journal of Pain Vol.29 No.4

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effect of strenuous exercise on β-endorphine (β-END) level in fibromyalgia (FM) patients compared to healthy subjects. Methods: We enrolled 30 FM patients and 15 healthy individuals. All study participants underwent a treadmill exercise test using modified Bruce protocol (M.Bruce). The goal of the test was achieving at least 70% of the predicted maximal heart rate (HRMax). The serum levels of β-END were measured before and after the exercise program. Measurements were done while heart rate was at least 70% of its predicted maximum. Results: The mean ± the standard deviation (SD) of exercise duration in the FM and control groups were 24.26 ± 5.29 and 29.06 ± 3.26 minutes, respectively, indicating a shorter time to achieve the goal heart rate in FM patients (P < 0.003). Most FM patients attained 70% HRMax at lower stages (stage 2 and 3) of M.Bruce compared to the control group (70% versus 6.6%, respectively; P < 0.0001). Compared to healthy subjects, FM patients had lower serum β-END levels both in baseline and post-exercise status (Mean ± SD: 122.07 ± 28.56 ug/ml and 246.55 ± 29.57 ug/ml in the control group versus 90.12 ± 20.91 ug/ml and 179.80 ± 28.57 ug/ml in FM patients, respectively; P < 0.001). Conclusions: We found that FM patients had lower levels of β-END in both basal and post-exercise status. Exercise increased serum the β-END level in both groups but the average increase in β -END in FM patients was significantly lower than in the control group. (Korean J Pain 2016; 29: 249-54)

A non-equilibrium thermodynamic model to predict liquefied hydrogen self-pressurization and boil-off

Mohammad Parsa Ghofrani Maab,Ahmad Ali Awais,Kyung Chun Kim 대한기계학회 2022 대한기계학회 춘추학술대회 Vol.2022 No.11

A non-equilibrium thermodynamic model to predict liquefied hydrogen self-pressurization and boil-off

Mohammad Parsa Ghofrani Maab,Ahmad Ali Awais,Kyung Chun Kim 대한기계학회 2022 대한기계학회 춘추학술대회 Vol.2022 No.11

Fibromyalgia diagnostic model derived from combination of American College of Rheumatology 1990 and 2011 criteria

Ghavidel-Parsa, Banafsheh,Bidari, Ali,Hajiabbasi, Asghar,Shenavar, Irandokht,Ghalehbaghi, Babak,Sanaei, Omid The Korean Pain Society 2019 The Korean Journal of Pain Vol.32 No.2

Background: We aimed to explore the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1990 and 2011 fibromyalgia (FM) classification criteria's items and the components of Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) to identify features best discriminating FM features. Finally, we developed a combined FM diagnostic (C-FM) model using the FM's key features. Methods: The means and frequency on tender points (TPs), ACR 2011 components and FIQ items were calculated in the FM and non-FM (osteoarthritis [OA] and non-OA) patients. Then, two-step multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to order these variables according to their maximal statistical contribution in predicting group membership. Partial correlations assessed their unique contribution, and two-group discriminant analysis provided a classification table. Using receiver operator characteristic analyses, we determined the sensitivity and specificity of the final model. Results: A total of 172 patients with FM, 75 with OA and 21 with periarthritis or regional pain syndromes were enrolled. Two steps multiple logistic regression analysis identified 8 key features of FM which accounted for 64.8% of variance associated with FM group membership: lateral epicondyle TP with variance percentages (36.9%), neck pain (14.5%), fatigue (4.7%), insomnia (3%), upper back pain (2.2%), shoulder pain (1.5%), gluteal TP (1.2%), and FIQ fatigue (0.9%). The C-FM model demonstrated a 91.4% correct classification rate, 91.9% for sensitivity and 91.7% for specificity. Conclusions: The C-FM model can accurately detect FM patients among other pain disorders. Re-inclusion of TPs along with saving of FM main symptoms in the C-FM model is a unique feature of this model.

The acute effect of maximal exercise on plasma beta-endorphin levels in fibromyalgia patients

Bidari, Ali,Ghavidel-Parsa, Banafsheh,Rajabi, Sahar,Sanaei, Omid,Toutounchi, Mehrangiz The Korean Pain Society 2016 The Korean Journal of Pain Vol.29 No.4

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effect of strenuous exercise on ${\beta}$-endorphine (${\beta}$-END) level in fibromyalgia (FM) patients compared to healthy subjects. Methods: We enrolled 30 FM patients and 15 healthy individuals. All study participants underwent a treadmill exercise test using modified Bruce protocol (M.Bruce). The goal of the test was achieving at least 70% of the predicted maximal heart rate (HRMax). The serum levels of ${\beta}$-END were measured before and after the exercise program. Measurements were done while heart rate was at least 70% of its predicted maximum. Results: The mean ${\pm}$ the standard deviation (SD) of exercise duration in the FM and control groups were $24.26{\pm}5.29$ and $29.06{\pm}3.26$ minutes, respectively, indicating a shorter time to achieve the goal heart rate in FM patients (P < 0.003). Most FM patients attained 70% HRMax at lower stages (stage 2 and 3) of M.Bruce compared to the control group (70% versus 6.6%, respectively; P < 0.0001). Compared to healthy subjects, FM patients had lower serum ${\beta}$-END levels both in baseline and post-exercise status ($Mean{\pm}SD$: $122.07{\pm}28.56{\mu}g/ml$ and $246.55{\pm}29.57{\mu}g/ml$ in the control group versus $90.12{\pm}20.91{\mu}g/ml$ and $179.80{\pm}28.57{\mu}g/ml$ in FM patients, respectively; P < 0.001). Conclusions: We found that FM patients had lower levels of ${\beta}$-END in both basal and post-exercise status. Exercise increased serum the ${\beta}$-END level in both groups but the average increase in ${\beta}$-END in FM patients was significantly lower than in the control group.

Chitosan dendron‑cultivated magnetic graphene oxide as novel glycodendrimer for adsorptive removal of sunset yellow from aqueous solutions

Seyed Ali Razavikia,Mehdi Faramarzi,Seyed Aboutaleb Mousavi Parsa,Hajir Karimi 한국탄소학회 2023 Carbon Letters Vol.33 No.6

This paper evaluates the adsorptive removal of sunset yellow (SY) from aqueous solutions using a new magnetic glycodendrimer (MGD). To synthesize the MGD, chitosan dendrons were cultivated on amine-functionalized magnetic graphene oxide. A number of analytical methods were employed to physicochemically characterize the synthesized MGD. Batch adsorption conditions were optimized using the Box–Behnken design. An optimized initial SY content of 633 mg/L, an optimized contact time of 33.37 min, and an optimized pH of 3.72 maximized the MGD adsorption capacity to 485 mg/g. The Langmuir isotherm was employed to describe adsorption equilibrium, while adsorption kinetics was studied via the Lagergren kinetics model. The SY adsorption onto the MGD was thermodynamically found to be spontaneous (ΔG° < 0) and exothermic (ΔH° = – 19.120 kJ/mol), leading to a decreased disorder (ΔS° = – 54.420 kJ/mol) in the solid–liquid interface. The MGD showed reusability and unique magnetic characteristics. It was concluded that the MGD could be a potential alternative for the adsorptive and magnetic removal of SY from an aqueous solution.

SINC AND RADIAL BASIS FUNCTIONS FOR SOLUTION OF RAYLEIGH-STOKES PROBLEM WITH FRACTIONAL DERIVATIVES

JALIL RASHIDINIA,ALI PARSA,RAHELEH SALEHI 장전수학회 2018 Proceedings of the Jangjeon mathematical society Vol.21 No.1

In this study we approximate the solution of two dimensional Rayleigh-Stokes problem for a heated generalized second grade fluid with fractional derivatives. This approximation is based on radial basis functions (RBFs) and the Sinc quadrature rule to approximate the integral part of fractional derivative. The error analysis of the scheme have been studied and discussed. The illustration example veries the effectiveness of our method and shows that one can obtain accurate results with a small number of basis functions.

Fibromyalgia diagnostic model derived from combination of American College of Rheumatology 1990 and 2011 criteria

Banafsheh Ghavidel-Parsa,Ali Bidari,Asghar Hajiabbasi,Irandokht Shenavar,Babak Ghalehbaghi,Omid Sanaei 대한통증학회 2019 The Korean Journal of Pain Vol.32 No.2

Background: We aimed to explore the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1990 and 2011 fibromyalgia (FM) classification criteria’s items and the components of Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) to identify features best discriminating FM features. Finally, we developed a combined FM diagnostic (C-FM) model using the FM’s key features.Methods: The means and frequency on tender points (TPs), ACR 2011 components and FIQ items were calculated in the FM and non-FM (osteoarthritis [OA] and non-OA) patients. Then, two-step multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to order these variables according to their maximal statistical contribution in predicting group membership. Partial correlations assessed their unique contribution, and two-group dis-criminant analysis provided a classification table. Using receiver operator characteristic analyses, we determined the sensitivity and specificity of the final model.Results: A total of 172 patients with FM, 75 with OA and 21 with periarthritis or regional pain syndromes were enrolled. Two steps multiple logistic regression analysis identified 8 key features of FM which accounted for 64.8% of variance associated with FM group membership: lateral epicondyle TP with variance percentages (36.9%), neck pain (14.5%), fatigue (4.7%), insomnia (3%), upper back pain (2.2%), shoulder pain (1.5%), gluteal TP (1.2%), and FIQ fatigue (0.9%). The C-FM model demonstrated a 91.4% correct classification rate, 91.9% for sensitivity and 91.7% for specificity. Conclusions: The C-FM model can accurately detect FM patients among other pain disorders. Re-inclusion of TPs along with saving of FM main symptoms in the C-FM model is a unique feature of this model.