In this work, we apply the radial basis functions for solving the time fractional diffusion-wave equation defined by Caputo sense for (1<a£2). The problem is discretized in the time direction based on finite difference scheme and is continuously approximated by using the radial basis functions in the space direction which achieves the semi-discrete solution. Numerical results show the accuracy and efficiency of the presented method.

In the present study, magnesium aluminate bio-ceramic (MgAl2O4) with particle size of 27 to 40 nm was produced by combustion synthesis method. Also, PLA/MgAl2O4 polymer matrix composites were made using FDM and slurry welding methods and their properties were studied and compared. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), infrared spectrometer (FT-IR) and inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP) were used to investigate the properties of the produced composites. XRD results showed that in the composite samples synthesized by FDM method, PLA has more crystallinity than the slurry method, which is caused by relatively slow cooling of the polymer melt. To investigate the bioactive properties of this composite, the simulated body solution (SBF) was used and the results of the ICP test showed that the amount of calcium and phosphorus in the fourth week in the PLA/MgAl2O4 printed sample was the highest and equal to 77 mg/L and respectively were 40 mg/L. These results show that the processing of these composites by the 3D printing method brings more degradability than the slurry method and has a higher quality for biological uses.

The current research focuses on the fuzzy Delphi technique (FDM) with the aim of introducing a novel approach to modeling Persian vernacular architecture. The main objective of utilizing the Delphi method is to attain the most reliable consensus among a group of expert opinions. This advantage aids in addressing the primary research question: determining the efficacy of the fuzzy Delphi technique in intelligently modeling Persian vernacular architecture. To identify the main factors of the research model, systematic literature reviews were conducted alongside semi-structured interviews with experts. Subsequently, Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA) was employed to extract various themes, which served as the primary factors of the research model. Finally, by applying the fuzzy Delphi technique, the present study examined the degree of certainty and accuracy of these factors in two stages, ultimately identifying 28 factors relevant to the modeling of Persian vernacular architecture.

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is one of the most common 3D printings technologies. Low cost and the ability to produce models using wide range of thermoplastic polymers, makes this process suitable for rapid prototyping and manufacturing some commercial parts. The manufacturing complicated parts and increasing their qualities are possible, using more than three degrees of freedom printers. In this paper, a 5-DOF 3D printer is introduced. The mechanism of this printer is 4-DOF parallel mechanism with one additional degree of freedom resulting from rotation of printer bed about Z-axis. In order to generate tool path for 5-DOF printer, a CAM software was developed with python. For controlling the printer, control software was designed based on open-source Repetier framework. Since original framework only supports 3-axis printers, source code needed to be changed such as extending source code to support 5-axis and adding mechanism inverse kinematics. By using this 5-Dof mechanism, the prints of complicated parts without using the support are possible.

In recent years, considerable efforts have been deducted to evaluate the quality of various products. In this regard, quality control of products fabricated by the additive manufacturing methods has become a new interest. In the 3D printing industry, Defect detection could have a vital role in the final evaluation of products. In this study, artificial defects are located in PLA samples printed with different infills via the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) method. In order to detection of the mentioned defects in these parts, the Active IR Thermography was employed. Thermal stimulation was selected as excitation method. Two different excitation formation including transmission and reflection mode are used. In order to validate the results, the temperature-pixel diagram for each sample were illustrated. The effect of Gaussian filter on thermal images was also investigated to facilitate the identification of the obtained images. The experimental results indicated the capability of thermally stimulated thermographic inspection in detection of defects in FDM printed parts.

By focusing on the fuzzy Delphi technique (FDM), the current research introduces a novel approach to modeling Persian vernacular architecture. Fuzzy Delphi is a more advanced version of the Delphi Method, which utilizes triangulation statistics to determine the distance between the levels of consensus within the expert panel and deals with the measurement uncertainty of qualitative data. In this sense, the main objective of the Delphi method is to acquire the most reliable consensus of a group of expert opinions; an advantage that helps the current study to answer the main question of the research, that is, determining the efficacy of fuzzy Delphi technique in intelligent modeling of Persian vernacular architecture. Therefore, in order to identify the main factors of the research model, systematic literature reviews as well as semi-structured interviews with experts were conducted. Then, with the usage of Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA), various themes were obtained and employed as the main factors of the research model. Finally, by utilizing the fuzzy Delphi technique, the present study examined the degree of certainty and accuracy of the factors in two stages and identified 28 factors in the modeling of Persian vernacular architecture.

FDM 3D printing is one of the fastest growing and expanding 3D printing technologies. However, the materials used in this type of 3D printing are mostly limited to ABS and PLA, but the need for materials with better mechanical properties has led to the production of new filaments in the field of FDM 3D printers. Since various parameters affect the final quality of parts produced with a 3D printer, studying and investigating the effect of these parameters is of particular importance. Stereo lithography and FDM processes have a more limited scope of application due to their low dimensional accuracy compared to the CNC process. In this study, the effect of effective parameters in the stereo lithography process was investigated, which in order of importance include: layer thickness, gate model, and distance between gates, gate loading depth, and gate overload. In addition, the factors related to the dimensional accuracy of the FDM process considered here include, in order of importance: layer thickness, density percentage, nozzle speed, and nozzle diameter. In addition, four samples were made by the FDM process according to different layer thickness and density percentage of stereo lithography and FDM. The aim is to find the effective factors in the stereo lithography process. The results showed that the manufactured parts have 85% of the strength of the original product; therefore, they can be used as functional parts.

This paper presents the effect of geogrid tensile strength by calculating the pullout resistance and the geogrid-soil interaction mechanism. In order to investigate this interface, a series of pullout tests have been conducted by a large scale reformed direct shear test apparatus in the both cohesive and granular soils. In numerical, the finite difference software FLAC3D has been carried out on experimental tests and the results are compared with findings from laboratory tests and to complete investigation results. The results show tensile strength of geogrids has an important role in the interface behavior. The effect of the soil type also is discussed. The obtained results show that the geogrids with low tensile strength have higher pullout resistance in the low normal stress on the surface, this effect reversed as the normal applied stress is increased. Numerical analysis only estimates the pullout strength with good agreement in the high normal stresses. Furthermore, it is found that the effective particle size of soil is close to the geogrid thickness by comparing two sands with different grain size.

Purpose: The present study aimed to identify the antecedents and consequences of smart governance using the fuzzy Delphi method. Design/Methodology/Approach: The present study is a mixed-method one that was conducted using a deductive-inductive approach. It is also an applied study in terms of its objective and a descriptive survey study in terms of the design and methodology. The research population included all experts in the field of governance. Accordingly, 26 experts were selected based on the principle of theoretical adequacy and using purposive sampling. In the qualitative part of the study, semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data. In addition, in the quantitative part, a pairwise comparison questionnaire was used to collect data. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were confirmed via content validity and test-retest method. In the qualitative part, the data collected from the interviews were analyzed using ATLAS.ti software and the indexing method. Besides, in the quantitative part of the study, the antecedents and consequences of smart governance were ranked using the fuzzy Delphi method. Research Findings: A comparison of the precedents of smart governance showed that smart infrastructure, smart interaction, e-government and e-governance, rule of law, smart people and organization, smart management, information-based smartening, knowledge society, smart security, creating agility, openness, decision-making, public guidance, rationalism, creativity, and re-engineering of processes were ranked as the most important factors, respectively. It was also shown that efficiency and effectiveness, sustainable development, cost reduction, reducing corruption, increasing transparency, inclusive justice and ethics, protection of civil rights, building e-democracy, cooperation and data exchange, comprehensive information systems and information sharing, revision of rules, instant/immediate response to challenges, achieving unity, and improving quality of life were the most important consequences of smart government, respectively. The insights from this study can contribute to establishing smart governance. Limitations & Consequences: This study was conducted with some shortcomings including the difficulty in accessing the experts, and lack of similar studies in the literature, and limited research on the concept of smart governance. Practical Consequences: The findings of this study can contribute to developing a model of smart governance and implementing it in Iran. Innovation or value of the Article: Since the present article deals with the concept of smart governance and identifies and ranks its precedents and consequences, it helps to understand this concept more deeply and provides ideas for its implementation in the country. Paper Type: Research Article