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ABSTRACT This paper presents a detailed analysis of embodied carbon (EC) in various case studies using life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. Through comprehensive assessments, including modules A, B and C, the study evaluates EC across different stages of building life cycles. This study also considers the EC savings achievable through current end‐of‐life strategies in the UK context. As Module A accounts for the highest EC in the case studies, the majority of reduction strategies should focus on this stage. The most impactful strategy for reducing EC emissions involves incorporating Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) as a replacement for cement. This approach has the potential to achieve a substantial reduction in the EC of concrete within the buildings under investigation, ranging from 60% to 70%. The study reveals that specification strategy can lead to significant Whole Life Embodied Carbon (WLEC) reductions, with the residential building achieving a 30.59% reduction, the college building a 46.86% reduction, and the hotel building a reduction of 23.69%. Effective mitigation strategies, such as utilizing recycled and reclaimed materials, demonstrate promising results, showcasing significant reduction in WLEC emissions in the buildings.

Expediency discernment and acting upon it has been an inherent duty of all governments throughout human history, and the Islamic government, as one rooted in the Sharia of Islam, is no exception to this general principle. In an Islamic government, the discernment of public interests based on religious teachings is considered an obligation of public officials. However, the broad and ambiguous nature of public interests, along with the methods of their discernment within an Islamic government, constitutes the main challenge in fulfilling the mandate to uphold expediency. Accordingly, the primary question of this research focuses on exploring methods for discerning public interests in an Islamic government. This research adopts a descriptive-analytical approach, suggesting that, since Sharia rulings are based on the real benefits and harms, the method for realizing public interests in an Islamic government is the implementation of Sharia rulings. Nevertheless, due to the practical conflicts among the subjects of Sharia rulings, a process can be devised for public officials that relies on rational, religious, and external priorities, resulting in the prioritization of the more important to the less important. Objective criteria for expediency discernment, outlined under the primary principle of prioritizing the more important over the less important, include, for instance, the preservation of Islam and the Islamic system (justice, peace, Muslim dignity, rejecting the dominance of non-Muslims, and the safeguarding of Muslim lives and property, as well as public interests), which encompasses adherence to Sharia rulings as well.

The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the coherence of the decision-making system in the Cabinet of Ministers, centered on the Office of the Cabinet of Ministers. Based on this, the research question is, what will be the role of the government office (including its mission, structure, capabilities and duties) to promote the political coherence of the decision-making system of the Cabinet of Ministers? Considering the exploratory nature of the research question and the need to create a deep understanding of the subject under study, the qualitative research method has been used in this article. The data collection method was a semi-structured interview based on the interview protocol. Also, considering the prescriptive nature of the research from a political perspective, researchers have tried to present proposed policies in the form of a codified policy model at the end of the article. Finally, the "policy model of promoting the coherence of the decision-making system in the Cabinet of Ministers with the focus on the role of the government office" in this research, derived from the application of theoretical literature and research findings in the five components of mission, position, input, process and output, is presented in two passive and active approaches. Based on this model, the following policy implications have been proposed: changing the mission of the government office to an active and agenda-setting unit; Elevating the position of the office from a secretarial unit to a decision-maker and policy-maker, upgrading to a unit that contributes to the balanced development of policy-making and regulatory missions (Principles 138 and 134) of the Constitution in line with the promotion of the president and the executive branch, upgrading the policy content through the development of the office's expertise By taking advantage of the capacity of the expert community, research institutes and think tanks, also in the field of policy implementation, monitoring and monitoring the strategic priorities of the Cabinet of Ministers and the President himself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrophilic, conducting, biocompatible and porous scaffolds were designed using poly(2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate)-co-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-poly(ε-caprolactone) (P(HEMA-b-NIPAAm-b-CL))/polyaniline (PANI) for the osteoblast applications. To this end, the PHEMA and P(HEMA-b-NIPAAm) were synthesized via reversible addition of fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, and in next step, the ε-caprolactone was polymerized from –OH group of PHEMA segments through the ring opening polymerization (ROP). The electroactivity, mechanical properties, and hydrophilicity of designed scaffolds played an important role in the adhesion, differentiation, and proliferation of MG63 cells. By using the PHEMA and PNIPAAm, the hydrophilicity and biocompatibility, and by employing the PCL, the appropriate mechanical properties were acquired. The addition of PANI in the composition induced the conductivity to scaffolds. The morphology, electrical conductivity, biocompatibility, hydrophilicity and mechanical characteristics of the nanofibers were thoroughly investigated. The scaffolds possessed a porous nanostructure (nanofiber diameter ranged in 60–130 nm) with a large surface area, electrical conductivity of 0.03 S cm–1 and contact angle of 49 ± 5 ͦ , which imitated the natural microenvironment of extra cellular matrix (ECM) to regulate the cell attachment, proliferation and differentiation. In vitro cytocompatibility studies were performed over 168 h and indicated that the nanofibers were non-toxic to MG63 cells and potent to the artificial nanostructured osteoblasting.

Purpose: Many antimicrobial medications are available to combat infections. However, the indiscriminate use of antibiotics has produced antibiotic resistance in the case of many bacterial pathogens. This study focuses on the development of nanoparticles (NPs) that enhance the in vitro antibiotic activity of vancomycin against multi-drug resistant (MDR) organisms. Methods: Spherical shaped thioglycolic acid-stabilized silver nanoparticles (TGA-AgNPs) were prepared by using a simple chemical reduction method. Then, vancomycin was conjugated to the terminal carboxyl of TGA in the presence of N-Hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) and N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N’-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC). Afterwards, the antibacterial activity of these nanoconjugates was examined by using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay against MDR bacteria. Results: The rate of vancomycin bound to the AgNPs was 19.6%. The MIC values of vancomycin (Van)-capped AgNPs against tested pathogens were in the range of (3.2, 1.6, 0.8, 0.4, 0.2, 0.1, 0.05, and 0.025 µl/ml). The MIC was 0.1 µg/ml for VRE, MIC≤0.02 µg/ml for MRSE, and 0.05 µg/ml for S. aureus. The MIC corresponded to the MBC for all bacterial species. Conclusion: This study indicated that some antimicrobial agents like vancomycin can be conjugated with AgNPs. This can lead to increased antimicrobial activity against MDR microorganisms.

Public freedoms are, through a set of obligatory legal regulations, sought to guarantee the inherent body of human privileges which are considered as natural characteristics of mankind, and dealt with in some international legal documents and municipal law. In municipal law, while expressing the sanctions of rights and social freedoms, some restrictions are imposed on them. Referring to the international documents concerned to public rights and freedoms shows that there are two kinds of limits: respecting others freedom and public interests. There are some differences between Islamic and secular governments in this field which studied in the present article. Accordingly, at first, we review the concept of human rights and public freedoms, and then go on to prove the principle of the existence of restrictions on public freedoms in various governments. Subsequently, the freedoms of others and the public interests as tow main restrictions on the rights and public freedoms will be studied comparatively. It seems that there are no differences in the norms of the restriction of public freedoms between Islamic government and liberal governments, but the difference is in the definition of “freedom” and “public interests”, that is not a subject of legal science, and the legal systems based on the ruling values of governments, use those conceptions and definitions in order to create a legal obligation.

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation carried out to evaluate the effect of fly ash (FA) on fine sand compaction and its suitability as a material for embankments. The literature review demonstrates the lack of research on stabilization of sandy material using FA. The study is concerned with the role of FA content in stabilized soil physical characteristics. The main aim of this paper is to determine the optimum quantity of FA content for stabilization of this type of soil. This is achieved through particle size distribution and compaction (standard proctor) tests. The sand was stabilized with three proportions of FA (5%, 10% and 15%) and constant cement content of 3% was used as an activator. For better comparison, the sand was also stabilized by 3% cement only so that the effect of FA could be observed more clearly. The results were in line with the literature for other types of soil, i.e. as the % of FA increases, reduction in maximum dry density and higher optimum moisture content were observed.

A study of the analytical sources of the Constitution of the Islamic republic of Iran such as the proceedings of final investigation parliament , the Council for Revision of the Constitution and the interpretive as well as precedential doctrines of the Guardian Council indicate that the theory of independence of powers in Article 57 of the Constitution is merely presented in order to give a professional distribution of governmental duties among different institutions. Thus it does not have anything to do with the foundations and goals of the theory of separation of powers concerning the necessity of separation of powers towards their controlling and preventing corruption. However, this article -as a structural principle- has had a significant position in the constitutional law of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Leaders of the IRI and the Guardian Council have also emphasized safeguarding the independence of the three powers. Analyzing the sources of IRI Constitution, considering the special focus of the jurisprudent guardian as the delegating institution, regulating and supervising the governmental powers, and observing the customary conduct on the Guardian Council for over 30 years as the official and primary institution of interpretation of the constitution, we can say that the principle of independence of powers is the most important principle in analyzing and explaining the relations between the three powers and should be given due consideration. Thus the extent of authority of each of the three powers is considered a limiting factor for other powers and even specifies or limits the absolute or general authority of other powers.

In recent years there has been an increasing interest in the incorporation of distributed energy resource (DER) systems such as combined heat and power (CHP) and combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) in commercial building applications as they have shown considerable environmental and financial benefits when compared to conventional energy generation. This paper aims to investigate the potential energy, carbon emissions, and financial impact of the size of co/tri-generation systems on a real case scenario of an existing UK hotel. The analysis is carried out using Thermal Analysis Simulation software (TAS) and a payback methodology is adopted to carry out the financial analysis. The results show that the average percentage decrease in carbon emissions with CHP is 32% and with CCHP it is 36%. Whilst both CHP and CCHP systems increase energy consumption in the building, the costs are reduced, and a CHP system contributes to a higher percentage of cost savings and shorter payback periods. The incorporation of a CCHP system leads to lower energy consumption for a similar-sized CHP system. Further simulations under future climate projections revealed that a CCHP system outperforms a CHP system.

If the main objective of the rules of civil liability is compensation of material and spiritual damages, the state and the civil servants would not be an exception to the rule. It is possible that granting immunity to the state gives rise to imposition of certain material or spiritual losses to natural as well as legal persons. Is compensation of the losses imposed in these cases or drawing their consent as far as possible obligatory on the state? In case this compensation is necessary, is it the obligation of the political system and the public treasury, or it is the obligation of the state or the civil servant? The present article first defines the concepts related to the topic, and then discusses the foundations of civil liability and those of the liability or immunity of the state and the civil servants according to the Iranian law and the Shiite jurisprudence.

Abstract: Background: Infections with gastric Helicobacter spp. are associated with gastritis, peptic ulceration, and malignancies. Helicobacter pylori is the most prevalent Helicobacter species colonizing the human stomach. Other gastric non‐H. pylori helicobacters (NHPHs) have been described in 0.2%‐6% of human patients with gastric disorders. Nevertheless, due to difficulties in the diagnosis of NHPH infections and lack of routine screening, this is most likely an underestimation of their true prevalence. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have been performed in the presence of Helicobacter spp. in children suffering from gastric disorders in Southern Turkey. Materials and methods: In total, 110 children with gastric complaints were examined at the Cukurova University Balcali hospital, Turkey. Gastroscopy was performed to evaluate the presence of gastric mucosal lesions. Biopsies of the pyloric gland zone were taken for histopathological analysis, rapid urease testing, and presence of Helicobacter spp. DNA by PCR. Results: Based on the PCR results, the prevalence of Helicobacter spp. was 32.7% (36/110). H. pylori was found in 30.9% (34/110), H. suis in 1.8% (2/110), and H. heilmannii/H. ailurogastricus in 0.9% (1/110) of the human patients. A mixed infection with H. pylori and H. suis was present in one patient. The presence of mucosal abnormalities, such as nodular inflammation, ulceration, and hyperemia, as well as gastritis, was significantly higher in Helicobacter spp. positive patients. Conclusion: Helicobacter pylori, H. suis, and H. heilmannii/H. ailurogastricus were present in children with gastric complaints. Infection with these pathogens may be involved in the development of gastritis and ulceration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of sustainable drainage systems (Suds) forms an important part of the requirement to conserve natural resources in an age of ever-increasing consumption. This paper explores the options available in the design of drainage systems, by virtue of a project to design two systems for a greenfield site with office and car parking. One design is a conventional piped setup and the other is a 'sustainable' drainage system. The design approach is not biased towards the conventional or sustainable system, but aims to seek out best practice in terms of economics and simplicity of design for each type. This computer-based software simulation study of the two drainage systems includes an introduction to Suds, with a description of the principles and techniques involved. There is further information on who is driving the requirements for implementation and the methods used to do so. This background will then inform the comparative study of drainage system designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]