Structural reliability depends on uncertainties in resistance and loads. In many practical cases the resistance dominates and a reduction of uncertainty about resistance is an effective way of increasing safety. It can be accomplished by proof loading. A truncated distribution is considered and reliability indices are calculated for various proof load levels. The structural reliability is sensi...

Dense Silicon nitride was investigated to determine the effect of its microstructural parameters and densification on thermo-mechanical properties and thermal stress resistance to fracture initiation during a hot or cold mechanical and thermal shock testing. The different materials and microstructures were obtained by changing the parameters such as the type of the powder, additive, forming p...

One of the big concerns of big cities is facing with the increase of fossil fuel vehicles in the roads. The cars intensify greenhouse gas emission in civic centers. One approach to reduce the emission is replacing the cars by Plug-In Electric Vehicles (PEVs). In spite of reducing the emission, PEVs have some adverse effect on electric distribution networks. Technical challenges such as load and...

The emergence of ganciclovir (GCV) resistance during the treatment of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is a serious clinical challenge, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. In this case report, we describe the emergence of two consecutive mutations (A594V and L595W) related to GCV resistance in a patient with HCMV retinitis and long-term HIV progression after approximately...

We examined the rate, clinical impact, and risk factors of cytomegalovirus (CMV) drug resistance in 561 patients who underwent 616 hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (HSCTs) over 5 years. Drug resistance was exclusively identified in haploidentical (haplo)-HSCT recipients receiving preemptive therapy, among whom the rate was 14.5%. Resistance appeared after prolonged treatment (median, 70...

Dense Silicon nitride was investigated to determine the effect of its microstructural parameters and densification on thermo-mechanical properties and thermal stress resistance to fracture initiation during a hot or cold mechanical and thermal shock testing. The different materials and microstructures were obtained by changing the parameters such as the type of the powder, additive, forming p...