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An experimental study has been carried out on axially loaded short and slender high strength concrete columns confined with glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) sheets. A total of 10 specimens were loaded to failure in axial. The column specimens are square in shape with 150 mm length,150 mm width and 1000 mm height. Concrete compressive strength was 58 MPa. All columns were reinforced with steel and wrapped with different layers of GFRP. Results of testing was increasing the compressive strength of concrete column with GFRP wrapping, the columns wrapping with glass FRP is most effective in control column. Four layers of FRP wrapping of column was gave the highest result of compressive strength test. A modified analytical model was presented to predict the strength of FRP-confined square column.

Biotechnology is one of the new and strategic technologies which have been regarded as a suitable and powerful tool for access to sustainable development. For this reason, some countries have made long-term investments and planning for utilization of its potential. In Iran, many efforts have been made to progress biotechnology and pharmaceutical biotechnological projects have been transferred to the country. But requirement of a suitable technology transfer to the country is transfer of this technology based on a compiled and conscious plan. In this article, three objectives have been considered: The first objective is views of the experts about essential questions including barriers to technology transfer in pharmaceutical biotechnology, methods of technology transfer and the used models for transfer. The second objective is study of technology transfer process in projects transferred to the country. In this regard, different phases of technology transfer were specified and the specialists were asked to answer this question to specify weak and strong points in technology transfer. The third objective is study of factors effective on technology transfer in pharmaceutical biotechnology. In this regard, important elements in technology transfer process which can cause to progress this industry in the country were specified by coordination with specialists and experts and such indices were studied with use of DEMATEL technique to specify what elements are effective on technology transfer process and which elements are affected in technology transfer process which can play important role in decision of the authorities.

Single crystals of L-arginine monohydrate of reasonable size and excellent quality were grown by the solution growth method. The powder XRD of the samples suggested no significant change in the unit cell dimensions and the presence of any extra phase. The structural analysis can be useful in the clarification of the role of hydrogen bonds in crystals exhibiting non-linear optical properties. The dielectric studies shows the the governance of various polarization mechanisms. The mechanical response of the crystal has been studied using Vickers microhardness technique.

One of the important models in tunnel design and underground structures are determining the stresses and stress concentrations around them. The method of analysis is usually based the theory of elasticity. Therefore; it has the advantages of accuracy and uniqueness respect to the numerical models. The stress conditions in subsurface or underground domains are usually in the form of both normal and shear stresses. Those are because of the geological features such as bedding, jointing, folding and nonuniformity of petrology. Therefore; the directions of principal stresses are not parallel to the original Cartesian coordinates and they make specific angles to the x and y-axis. The analysis is two-dimensional for circular tunnel and it is applied for plane stress and plane strain conditions. The analysis can be applied for the case of supporting pressure pi. The radial and tangential deformations could also be determined at the roof and walls of tunnel.

English is a vehicle for international communication. In order to meet the demands of modern society, English teachers need to pay more attention to the development of learners’ competence and focus on a more effective and successful method. This paper aims at stressing current perspectives on pronunciation learning and teaching. It summarizes the background of pronunciation teaching, emphasizes the need for incorporating pronunciation into foreign language classes owing to regarding pronunciation as a key to gaining full communicative competence, The present study investigated the possible relationship between IPA, stress and pronunciation skill of Iranian EFL learners. Seventy Iranian intermediate EFL students were selected as the main sample based on their performance on Oxford placement test. All participants were given a test of IPA and word stress. There was also a pronunciation test which was performed orally to evaluate their total pronunciation proficiency. Two EFL teachers participated in the scoring procedure. Pearson correlation test was run to the results of different sections of the pronunciation test using SPSS 22 to answer the research questions and to investigate the possible relationship between IPA, stress, and pronunciation skill of Iranian EFL learners. The relationships between Iranian intermediate EFL learners’ total pronunciation skill and two components of pronunciation skill of including IPA competence and knowledge of word stress, were examined through running Pearson correlation test. The results indicated that there was a significant correlation between IPA competence and total pronunciation test scores of Iranian EFL students. It was found that there was also significant relationship between students’ English pronunciation test scores and their performance in word stress.

The elastic properties of mantle minerals are important for the interpretation of the structure and composition of the lower mantle and also in seismic studies. The elastic properties of minerals depend on its composition, crystal structure, temperature and the level of defect. In the present work we have calculated the elastic parameters such as bulk modulus, shear modulus, seismic velocities, and Debye temperatures of some garnets such as Pyrope garnet (Mg3Al2Si3O12) and Grossular garnet (Ca3Al2Si3O12) at different temperature ranges by using Hill's averaging method and other methods of thermodynamics.

This study examined and compared six basic time series forecasting models (Exponential model, Double Exponential model, Holt-Winter models, Time Series linear regression model, the ad-hoc Bootstrapping model and the Self Adjusting model) with application to twenty-four Months Nigeria’s CPI inflation sample data, from January 2009 to December 2010 inflation data. With the aids of five different standard forecasting accuracy measures (MSE, MAE, RMSE, SSE, and MAPE), results from the out-of-sample forecasts shows that the double exponential model with a smoothening constant of 0.68 is the best forecasting model for the Nigeria inflation rate data among the other ad-hoc model considered.

The army worm Spodoptera litura is one of the most damaging pests of cotton, tobacco and castor in India. Synthetic pyrethroids and organophosphate pesticides are used for controlling this pest. Due to continuous use of these chemicals there are reports of insecticide resistance among S. litura. In the present study we analyzed the mechanisms involved in the development of pyrethroid resistance and organophosphate resistance in S. litura using biochemical marker enzymes. The result shows an increased carboxylesterase activity, GST and AChE activity in organophosphate and pyrethroid treatments in field population as compared to laboratory populations. The data presented in this work shows the occurrence of pyrethroid and organophosphate resistance in S.litura may confer through estrases and glutathione complexes.

The molecular vibrations of P-fluorobenzoyl chloride (PFBC) were investigated in polycrystalline sample, at room temperature, by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and FT-Raman spectroscopies. In parallel, ab initio and various density functional (DFT) methods were used to determine the geometrical, energetic and vibrational characteristics of PFBC. On the basis of B3LYP/6-31G* and B3LYP/6-311+G** methods and basis set combinations, a normal mode analysis was performed to assign the various fundamental frequencies according to the total energy distribution (TED). Simulation of Infrared and Raman spectra, utilizing the results of these calculations led to excellent overall agreement with observed spectral patterns. The scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) approach applying selective scaling of the DFT force fields was shown to be superior to the scaling method in its ability to ensure correct band assignments and successful simulation of IR and Raman spectra including band polarizations and intensity patterns.

This study examined the relationship between public health expenditure and economic growth in Nigeria. Using time series data for the period 1977 to 2010, this study employed both multiple regression analysis and the granger causality text estimation techniques to examine the relationship. Result from the multiple regression show that both Capital and Recurrent expenditure on health has positive effect on economic growth in Nigeria. The causality test shows that there is a bi-directional causality between recurrent expenditure on health and economic growth, while a unidirectional causality exist between capital expenditure on health and economic growth as causality runs from economic growth to capital expenditure on health in Nigeria. Based on the above findings, the study recommends increased current and capital health expenditure to improve healthiness of the inhabitants and invariably economic activities in Nigeria.