Background and Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the Hand static Rest Splint on reducing the pain and other compliance of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Materials and Methods: In the present clinical trial, 12 patients, aged 35-50 (average: 39 years) with RA, referring to the Occupational Therapy Unit of Taleghani hospital and meeting America College of Rheumatology diagnostic criteria, were included. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was administered and swelling, tenderness and morning stiffness were assessed. Moreover, assessments of active range of motion using goniometry and grip strength with Jamar dynamometer in both hands were performed. Statistical analysis of data was performed using t-test and Mann-Whitney Test for two independent samples and willcoxon tests and paired t-test for paired samples run in SPSS, version 18. The level of significance was set at p˂ 0. 05. Results: The findings showed that the static Rest Splint led to improvement in the wrist range of motion (flexion p=0/005, extension p=0/03) when the two groups were compared, but it did not have a significant effect on Morning Stiffness (p=1), pain (p=0/1), Swelling (p=0/06), and Tenderness (p=0/2). However, when compared between after and before intervention in hand with splint, pain (p=0/02) and wrist range of motion (p=0/004) improved. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the current study, and since using splints only improve range of motion in the wrist compared between two groups and pain relief before and after the intervention, it seems that using hand static Rest Splint to reduce other symptoms need further investigation and also given that the use of this position without stress on the tendon can be effective in reducing the causes deformity, further studies are needed to more delineate these points.

Progressive collapse studies generally assess the performance of the structure under gravity and blast loads, while earthquakes may also lead to the progressive collapse of a damaged structure. In this study, the progressive collapse response of concentrically braced dual systems with steel moment-resisting frames was assessed under seismic loads through pushover analysis using triangular and uniform lateral load patterns. Two different bracing types (X and inverted V braces) were considered, and their performances were compared under different lateral load patterns using the nonlinear static alternate path method recommended in the Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) guideline. Eventually, the seismic progressive collapse resistance of models was compared to their progressive collapse response under gravity loads. These studies showed that models under the seismic progressive collapse loads satisfied UFC acceptance criteria and limited rehabilitation objective. The structures had better performance under seismic progressive collapse than models under gravity loads because of more resistance, ductility, suitable load redistribution, and more structural elements that participated in load redistribution. Furthermore, despite studies on progressive collapse under gravity loads, the dual system with X braces showed better progressive collapse performance (more resistance, residual reserve strength ratio and ductility) under seismic loads than the model with inverted V braces.

1. Introduction; Soil slope stability depends on different parameters such as layers geometry, types of layers, layers condition (saturated, wet or dry), underground water level, static and seismic loads and also many other parameters. There are many solutions to stabilize the soil slopes; e.g. nailing method, using drainage, changing the slope’s geometry, and using a retaining wall.

Discrete Element Method can be used for numerical analysis of different geotechnical problems such as retaining wall earth pressure distribution. This paper is an effort to use the method in determining active and passive earth pressure distribution behind a retaining wall. Soil mass in the present method is treated as comprising of blocks, which are connected by elasto-plastic Winkler springs. The solution of this method satisfies all equilibrium and compatibility conditions. The method has the simplicity of the classic limit analysis and offers more ability in solving problems in complex geometry and loading conditions such as seismic impacts, pore water pressure, non-homogeneity of the soil reinforced backfill soils, etc. In this paper, the formulation of the method is briefly reviewed. Examples are shown to demonstrate the applicability of the method for analysis of earth pressure behind a retaining wall including dynamic lateral pressure of non-homogeneous soil. The results are compared with previous classic methods. Applicability of DEM for analysis of reinforced soil structure and advantages of this method over conventional methods are also discussed.

Graphics statics is a geometric method for analyzing and calculating the internal forces of structural members under external loads. In this method, two diagrams of structural form and internal forces in the members are determined and drawn graphically. The process of parameterization of this method in both form production and internal force calculations can lead to various designs with the least amount of time. In such circumstances, Architects and Civil engineers can make the best choice based on the criteria and objectives of the structure, form and geometric topology. In this paper, the parametric graphics statics analysis of various truss designs, derived from the popular species Warren, Pratt, Howe, and Fink, or any related free-form, is performed in the Python programming language in the grasshopper Plugin. The results of the analysis performed with the results in the available sources show that the proposed parametric graphics statics method has a high performance in calculating the internal forces of members of conventional trusses or free-form with any desired load.

This article is concerned with the static analysis of structural cables used in railway overheads. Structural analysiscomputer program named ANSYS is used for analysis. Two effects are considered in the analysis. First one is thebending behavior effect of cables. BEAM188 in addition to LINK10 and LINK180 is used to see the difference in caseof additional bending effect. Besides, LINK10 and LINK180 is also compared. Second one is the effect of pantograph. Pantograph is modelled as a contact element instead of a force. Accordingly, some sample cable systems similar torailway overhead are analyzed.

The Levy-type analytical solution is employed for the problem of bending of cross-ply and antisymmetric angle-ply piezoelectric hybrid laminated plates with at least two simply supported opposite edges. The governing equations of equilibrium are derived in the framework of the first-order shear deformation plate theory. The equations are classified according to the crystallography type of piezoelectric layers and a comprehensive discussion on limitations of the method for the analysis of this kind of structures is performs. Finally, the governing equations of equilibrium are solved analytically with the aid of the state-space approach. We concluded that during the analysis of piezoelectric hybrid laminated plates with Levy-type method, simultaneous applying of all electrical forces and moments is not possible (depending on type of lay-up, crystallography of piezoelectric layers, and expansion of electrical potential, some of electrical forces and moments may not be considered). In order to study the accuracy and several numerical examples are examined. The numerical results are compared with those obtained by the Navier method and those presented in the other published articles. It is found that the present results have very good agreements with those obtained by other methods.

static and pseudo-static analysis based on the Discrete Element Method (DEM) is presented for active and passive earth pressure distribution behind a retaining wall. Soil mass in the present model is treated as comprising blocks which are connected by elasto-plastic Winkler springs. The solution of this method satisfies all equilibrium and compatibility conditions. Examples are shown to demonstrate the applicability of the method for analyses of earth pressure behind a gravity wall, including pseudo-static pressure of earth and lateral pressure of non homogeneous soil. The applicability of DEM for analyses of reinforced soil structures and the advantages of this method over the conventional limit equilibrium method are also discussed.

Discrete Element Method (DEM) can be used for numerical analysis of different geotechnical problems such as slope stability bearing capacity of shallow foundation and relative displacement of rock masses. In this research an effort is made to use the method for determining bearing capacity of foundation. To do this a computer program called BCAP (Bearing Capacity analysis Program) is developed In this model the foundation can rest on a horizontal or inclined slope surface. The bearing capacity of strip shallow foundation is analyzed by "DEM" in both static and pseudo-static conditions. The soil mass is modeled as several discrete blocks connected with Winkler springs. Similar to the conventional bearing capacity theories tire failure of footing occurs by a wedge of soil below the footing pushing its way downward into the soil. The geometry of the failure surface is not f red and can be altered due to the all factors affect the problem. The geometry of the failure surface under the foundation is determined by four independent angles. By the trial and error the optimum. Shape of failure surface beneath the foundation can be found this optimum failure surface is corresponds to the minimum-collapsing load. Dynamic seismic forces are replaced by horizontal acceleration factors in a semi-static manner affecting on foundation. The paper includes several examples to explain the capability of the method. Also the results are compared with the other methods currently used for ultimate bearing capacity of shallow foundations. Several graphs are presented expressing the bearing capacity's coefficients for foundation on horizontal and inclined surfaces in the conditions of static and pseudo-static forces for various internal friction of underneath soil.