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Abstract Background Assessing the quality of health services gives insights to managers about the status of services delivered by them, especially from the client’s perspective. Although various tools have been developed to measure the quality of primary health care (PHC), no specific tool was found in this field in Iran. Therefore, the present study was conducted to develop and validate the quality assessment tool of PHC in Iran. Methods This methodological study was conducted in 2021. In the first step, based on a literature review, an initial questionnaire was designed, and its face validity, content validity, construct validity, and reliability were evaluated. Descriptive tests, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, exploratory factor analysis, Kaiser-Myer-Olkin (KMO), and Cronbach’s alpha were performed by using SPSS 22. Results The initial questionnaire included 33 items, of which three items were removed due to inconsistency with factorization. The final questionnaire consisted of 30 items and nine dimensions: interaction, efficiency, timeliness, accuracy, consultation, tangibility, safety, accessibility, and environment. The KMO and Cronbach’s alpha index values were 0.734 and 0.82, respectively, indicating acceptable reliability and validity. The developed dimensions represented about 73% of the total variance. Conclusion The designed questionnaire has relatively good validity and reliability and can be used to measure the quality of PHC and to identify weaknesses in service delivery. However, researchers should carefully examine it to enhance its applicability as a standard tool for measuring PHC quality.

Abstract Background Cancer results from the accumulation of mutations in critical genes, such as DNA repair genes. But these genes are a double-edged sword, because the basis of current cancer treatment is DNA damage from chemotherapy and radiation, and the repair system can slow the healing process by repairing the induced damage. Therefore, any substance that can reduce the DNA repair capacity of cancer cells can make the cells more sensitive to treatment. Metformin and curcumin, as low-complication compounds, can play this role well. Methods In the present work, changes in the expression of CASP3, BAX, and BCL2L1 apoptotic genes, and nine genes involved in DNA repair pathways (XRCC1, XRCC2, XRCC3, XRCC4, XRCC5, XRCC6, XRCC7, BRCA1 and BRAC2) were measured comparatively by real-time PCR in AGS gastric cancer cell line under single and co-treatments with metformin and curcumin. Results Our findings showed that co-treatment of metformin and curcumin induced decreasing the expression of anti-apoptotic BCL2L1 and increasing expression of proapoptotic CASP3 and BAX. Metformin decreased the expression levels of seven genes, while curcumin did not alter the expression levels. The co-treatment of metformin and curcumin showed that although the XRCC2, XRCC3, XRCC4, XRCC5, XRCC6, XRCC7, BRCA1, and BRCA2 were down-regulated, there was no difference between metformin and co-treatment for mRNA levels. Conclusion Our results suggest that metformin increases the sensitivity of cancer cells to anticancer drugs by suppressing several DNA repair pathways and that curcumin may induce apoptosis.

Abstract Background Quality healthcare services are considered one of the most effective vehicles for healthcare managers to achieve organizational goals. Therefore, this study aimed to combine the findings of comparable studies to identify consistencies and contradictions in the quality of outpatient services in Iran. Methods The current systematic review and meta-analysis study was conducted in 2022 according to PRISMA guideline. All relevant English and Persian studies were searched in databases, including Web of Sciences, PubMed, Scopus, Scientific Information Database, and Magiran. No year restriction was applied. The quality of the studies was assessed by the 22-item Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist. The meta-analysis was conducted by using Open Meta Analyst, and between-study heterogeneity was investigated with I-squared statistic. Results Of the 106 retrieved articles, seven studies with a total sample size of 2600 were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled estimate of mean for overall perception was 3.95 (95% CI: 3.34- 4.55, P< 0.001, I2= 99.97), while the pooled estimate of the mean for the overall expectation was 4.43 (95% CI: 4.11- 4.75, P< 0.001, I2= 99.93). The highest and lowest perception mean scores were related to tangibility (3.52, Gap= -0.86) and responsiveness (3.30, Gap= -1.04) dimensions. Conclusion Responsiveness was identified as the weakest dimension. Therefore, managers are recommended to design suitable workforce-development programs which focus on the provision of timely and prompt services, polite and courteous interactions with patients, and prioritization of patients’ needs. Moreover, training public sector practitioners along with incentives can fill up the existing gaps.

Background: Outsourcing is the strategy of reducing expenses and improving organizational quality whose evaluation in healthcare organizations is of special importance. This study aims to investigate the status of outsourced pharmacies of Alborz University of Medical Sciences based on personnel perspectives and available documentation. Methods: This was a descriptive analytical and cross-sectional study conducted in outsourced pharmacies of 10 teaching hospitals of Alborz University of Medical Sciences. Expenses, revenues and working time were derived from the hospitals’ information centers and the documents. 128 relevant officials were selected by census to investigate the views of managers and authorities of clinical wards on outsourcing. Authors analyzed data using descriptive statistics, t-test and chi-square test through SPSS22 software. All cost was converted to US dollar by using the average exchange rate in 2019 (1USD=110.000IR). Results: The average satisfaction of managers and staff with outsourcing pharmacies were 4.20 (82 %) and 4.45 (80 %) out of 5. The highest level belonged to medicine expiration date with the average of 4.64, and the lowest score was related to medicinal status at the time of delivery with the average of 4. Consumption expenses for a bed in outsourced pharmacies regarding all the hospitals were 123 $, and the profitability of the pharmacy for one bed was134 $ (5.540.900 Riyals). Conclusion: Based on the results, the following components had a relatively proper quality and an acceptable quality in all the respects of the staff’s view regarding the conditions in the pharmacies. They can be inferred as the most salient characteristics of the present study in investigating the quality of outsourcing the pharmacies of the teaching hospitals in Alborz medical sciences. The important components include: The time spent by executive managers of the pharmacy’s affairs, decrease of the manager’s workload, improvement of management, increase in management’s satisfaction in the organization and etc.

Coronavirus 2019 infection (COVID-19) has a broad spectrum of clinical complications, some unrecognized. Herein, a case of a diabetic patient with multiple episodes of hemoptysis 2 months following her recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection is reported. The initial computed tomography (CT scan) revealed the left lower lobe collapsed secondary to bronchial narrowing and obliteration. Bronchoscopy was performed, indicating necrotic endobronchial tissue, which was confirmed histopathologically as invasive mucormycosis. Bronchial necrosis due to mucormycosis is an unusual presentation of COVID-19-associated pulmonary mucormycosis. The accurate diagnosis could be challenging as it can resemble other pathologies such as malignancies. Therefore, it is crucial to identify this fatal complication in patients with prolonged COVID-19 and lung collapse.

BackgroundPayments to physicians by the pharmaceutical industry are common, but recent evidence shows that these payments influence physician prescribing behavior in the form of increased prescription of brand-name drugs, expensive and low-cost drugs, increased prescription of payer company drugs, etc. Considering that these payments increase drug costs for patients and health systems, there is a public interest in controlling them. Therefore, this study aimed to identify and propose policy options for managing physician-pharmaceutical industry interactions in the context of Iran's health system.MethodsIn the first phase, a systematic search was conducted to identify relevant policies and interventions in Web of Science, PubMed, and ProQuest databases from 2000 to 2022. Then, the opinions of the research team and an expert group (physicians, health policy and transparency experts, and industry representatives) were used to categorize the interventions and propose policy options along with their advantages, disadvantages, and implementation considerations.ResultsIn the search, 579 articles were retrieved, and 44 articles were found suitable for the final analysis. Twenty-nine interventions and strategies were identified, and based on these; Five policy options were identified: prohibition, restriction, physician self-regulation, voluntary industry disclosure, and mandatory industry disclosure.ConclusionThe proposed policies in our study include advantages, challenges, and implementation considerations based on up-to-date evidence that can help policymakers use them to manage COI in physician-pharmaceutical industry interactions in Iran's health system. A combination of measures seems to help manage COI: firstly, using self-regulating physicians and industry to institutionalize transparency, and in the next step, implementing mandatory industry disclosure policies and establishing restrictions on some financial interactions.

Gastric cancer has a weak prognosis and its usual treatments depend on surgery and chemotherapy. These treatments suffer from some drawbacks such as high rates of local recurrence and metastasis, low survival rates, and significantly decreased life quality. Therefore, new therapeutic methods for improved gastric cancer care with minimal side effects seem necessary. Currently, combinatorial treatments for cancer are preferred and recently, metformin (Met) and curcumin (Cur) have been interesting options for this type of therapy. The aim of the present study was to investigate anticancer effects of metformin and curcumin in both single and combinatorial treatment forms on AGS gastric cancer cell line. In comparison to single treatments with each substance, the results of co-treatments with metformin and curcumin indicated synergistic inhibitory effects on cell viability, wound healing, cell migration and invasion, and primary tumor formation. To determine the selective effect of combination of “Met + Cur” on cancerous cells, very low doses of 8 anticancer drugs (cisplatin, carboplatin, oxaliplatin, epirubicin, doxorubicin, docetaxel, paclitaxel, and methotrexate) used in MTT assay were comparatively tested on AGS cancer cells and normal HDF cells for 48 and 72 hours. The results indicated that the combination of “Met + Cur” significantly increased cytotoxic effects of all anticancer drugs of AGS cells. It is while in normal HDF cells, combination of “Met + Cur” along with anticancer drugs had no effect. This can be inferred as selectively additive effect.

Background: Insurances are the most important financial sources of hospitals but sometimes insurance companies deduct amounts as deductions from the sum of requested amounts after investigating financial documents sent to hospitals monthly. The current study aims at determining the level and reasons for insurance bill deductions in AL Zahra Hospital in Isfahan. Methods: This applied study is descriptive-cross sectional in method and has been conducted retrospectively. The statistical population of this study contained file information of hospitalized patients who have been referred to Isfahan AL Zahra Hospital in 2016. The sample size determined by Cochran Formula and 400 files has been investigated. Random sampling employed. The information has been extracted from patients through a checklist whose reliability and validity has been confirmed by insurance experts and management specialists. Qualitative methods of interview used to identify the most important reasons for increasing the deduction sums and statistical indices and descriptive scales (frequency, percent etc) have been analyzed. Results: The most and the least percent of insurance deductions are related to Armed Forces Insurance (36.8 %) and Social Security Insurance Organization (3.64 %) respectively. Also, the most deductions of hospitalized files were related to visiting deductions of hospitalized patients’ doctor and drug and consumables deduction, other services, surgeon and anesthetist commission, experiments and pathology, radiology and sonography are in next rates and the least deductions is related to doctors 2k visit cost, hoteling, and surgery room. Conclusion: According to high percent of insurance deductions and investigation of its reasons, it has been revealed that hospitalized files related to visit by resident year 1 and 2 and absence of resident physician in center and the academic status of hospital that managers have to clarify this issue and use residents year 3 and 4, attending and resident physicians to reduce difference between hospitals and insurance companies and consider documentation as one of main elements of their agenda. So training all individuals who are influential on patients’ bills such as doctors and nurses is essential.

Abstract Background Measuring patients’ perception from health service quality as an important element in the assessment of service quality has attracted much attention in recent years. Therefore, this study was conducted to find out how the patients evaluated service quality of clinics at teaching hospitals affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iran. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in Tehran in 2017 and 400 patients were randomly selected from four hospitals. Data were collected using a questionnaire, the validity and reliability of which were confirmed in previous study. In order to analyze the data, T-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient were calculated using SPSS 23. Results The results indicated that among eight dimensions of health service quality, the patients were more satisfied with physician consultation, services costs and admission process. The highest and lowest mean scores were related to physician consultation (Mean = 4.17), and waiting time (Mean = 2.64), in that order. The total mean score of service quality was 3.73 (± 0.51) out of 5. Outpatient services were assessed as good, moderate and weak by 57.5, 40 and 2.5% of the patients, respectively. There was a significant relationship between the positive perception of service quality and reason for admission, source of recommendation, gender, education level, health status, and waiting time in the clinics (p

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has rapidly spread across the world and caused a pandemic, and still continues to evolve. In Iran, the first cases of COVID-19 were officially announced between February 19 and 23, 2020 and it soon became clear that Iran is one of the countries that is worst-hit by COVID-19 outbreak (1, 2). It is now evident that most cases of COVID-19 disease develop mild respiratory and constitutional symptoms (3), while some cases are asymptomatic (3, 4). Involvement of other organs, including liver and kidneys has been reported in patients with COVID-19 (5). Many questions remain unanswered about associations and presentations of COVID-19. Â

Introduction: The present study aims to evaluate the Three-Dimensional Diffusion-Weighted reversed fast imaging with steady state free precession (3D DW-PSIF) sequence with respect to imaging of the peripheral nerves; the tibial, medial, and lateral plantar nerves in the lower extremity, ulnar and median nerve in the upper extremity, sciatic nerve, brachial plexus, and lumbosacral plexus, and also to compare its usefulness with the current two-dimensional sequences on a 1.5 T MR scanner. Methods: A total of 25 healthy subjects underwent MR imaging of peripheral nerves, 5 subjects in each area. In each imaging sequence, including T2W SPAIR and 3D DW-PSIF, images were evaluated for ability to identify the nerves in the related area using a 3-score scale (0-2). Then, by summing up the conspicuity scores, a total certainty score was recorded for each sequence. Results: With combining the results of all studies, the conspicuity mean (SD) score was 1.57(0.67) on the 3D DW-PSIF images, and 0.74(0.76) on the T2-weighted images (P

Abstract Background The inappropriate use of drugs due to irrational prescriptions is a common problem in Iran, but there is little evidence of prescription patterns in rural family physicians. This study aimed to explore the prescribing pattern and rational drug use indicators for family physicians using Index of Rational Drug Prescribing (IRDP) in Kermanshah Province, Iran. Methods In this retrospective study, 352,399 prescriptions from 184 family physicians in 103 primary health care (PHC) centers were examined. As stated, an analysis was done for rational use indicators suggested by World Health Organization (WHO): e.g., the percentage of prescriptions containing antibiotics, injections, and those prescribed by a generic name and from a national essential medicine list, plus the average number of drugs per prescription; these factors were all taken into account. Rational drug use was studied with the IRDP. Results The average number of drugs per prescription was 3.14 (± 1.2) and the average cost per prescription was 116,740 IRR (USD 3.6). Around 19% of prescriptions had more than four drugs, while the percentage of prescriptions involving antibiotics and injections was 52.1% and 24.4%, respectively. There was 95.1% drugs prescribed by their generic name and 95.9% were retrieved from the essential drugs list. The value of the IRDP was 3.70 out of 5. Conclusion The findings of this study showed that some degree of irrational drug prescribing exists among family physicians, especially in terms of injections, antibiotics, and polypharmacy. It is recommended that there be continuing education programs for physicians regarding rational prescribing for different kinds of medical indications. Clinical practice guidelines should also assist with the rational use of medicine.

Background and purpose: Reducing maternal mortality by 75% between 1990 and 2015 was the fifth goal of the Millennium Development Goals Declaration in 2000 (MDG 5) and all countries were committed to achieve this goal. This study aimed to assess Iran’s success in achieving this target. Materials and methods: Data was obtained from national data sources and international reports or estimations including World Report from United Nations on maternal mortality trends, the World Bank database, World Health Organization and UNICEF reports, Maternal Mortality Surveillance System, Demographic and Health Surveys 2000 and 2010, and yearbooks of National Organization for Civil Registration and Statistical Center of Iran. Data was analyzed using Excel software to produce descriptive statistics. Results: Findings showed that Islamic Republic of Iran with an average annual reduction of 6.4% between 1990 and 2015 and a total reduction of 80% in maternal mortality during the past 25 years is one of the nine countries that have fully achieved the fifth Millennium Development Goal. Conclusion: Coordinated efforts of Iran for reducing maternal mortality during the last 25 years could be an inspiration for other countries to reduce preventable maternal mortality.

Introduction: Human resources are the most strategic resource and the most significant input for health systems. Their behavior and motivation can strongly affect the overall performance of the health systems. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that affect motivation in frontline employees at teaching hospitals affiliated with Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (SBMU) in Tehran, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015. The participants (nurses, physiotherapists, radiology and laboratory technicians, operating room and pharmacy staff) were 300 employees selected by the stratified random sampling method from two general and teaching hospitals. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire that consisted of 42 questions in the 7 domains of motivational factors. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and independent samples t-test by SPSS software, version 23. Results: The findings indicated that working relationships (mean of 3.95) were the main determinant of job motivation of frontline employees. Job content (3.76) career development (3.75), social respect (3.75), and autonomy (3.30) were the next four affective factors. Recognition and remuneration had the least influence on the job motivation of frontline employees. The results of the Friedman test indicated that the difference between the mean scores of different dimensions was significant (χ 2 (6) = 607.00, p < 0.001). Conclusion: A hospital that seeks to engender increased motivation of its frontline employees should have in place a human resources strategy that includes facilitating communication between personnel and management, supporting employees in the community, and promoting social respect for health professions, providing educational opportunities and career development, development of appropriate promotional policies, employee participation in goal setting, facilitating a good working environment and job security, job enrichment, and delegation.

OBJECTIVES This study investigated the knowledge of Iranian women about HIV/AIDS and whether they had accepting attitudes towards people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and sought to identify factors correlated with their knowledge and attitudes. METHODS The data analyzed in the present study were taken from Iran’s Multiple Indicator Demographic and Health Survey, a national survey conducted in 2015. In total, 42,630 women aged 15-49 years were identified through multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling and interviewed. Associations of the socio-demographic characteristics of participants with their knowledge and attitudes were examined using multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS The majority (79.0%) of Iranian women had heard about HIV/AIDS, but only 19.1% had a comprehensive knowledge. In addition, only 15.4% of women had accepting attitudes toward people with HIV. Being older, married, more highly educated, and wealthier were factors associated with having more comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS, and living in urban areas was associated with having more positive attitudes toward people with HIV. CONCLUSIONS The relatively poor knowledge of Iranian women and the low prevalence of accepting attitudes toward people living with HIV highlight the need to develop policies and interventions to overcome this issue, which would be a basis for further prevention of HIV/AIDS in Iran.

The main purpose of this descriptive- correlational research was to identify the factors influencing on Managerial ability of administrators and board of directors of agricultural production cooperatives. The statistical population consisted of all administrators and board of directors of agricultural production cooperatives in Harsin Township (N=444). Samples were selected using stratified sampling technique (n= 206). Based on findings, the managerial ability of respondents was at moderate level. The locus of control of the majority was internal. It means that they attribute their successes and failures to themselves. Based on exploratory factor analysis the main managerial styles of participants were regulated, inefficient and participatory. The most important factors affecting on managerial ability were locus of control, educational level, goal of cooperation and sustainability and participatory management style.

INTRODUCTION: The educational service is expensive and having the right financial information is one of the most important tools for managing financial resources. Therefore, due to the importance of this issue, this study aimed to determine the cost of educational services for medical sciences students at Alborz University of Medical Sciences. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted between March 20, 2018, and March 20, 2019, at Alborz University of Medical Sciences. The current and capital cost data were extracted from the university's financial database, and the cost price of services provided was calculated using the activity-based cost model. RESULTS: The mean annual cost of services per student was $4778, and the mean cost of education per hour was $113. The total cost price of services provided per student at the school was 65% for wages and salary, 26% for depreciation of building and equipment, and 9% for consumable goods and services. Furthermore, the share of different cost centers to the total cost price of services provided per student was 82% for educational services, 11.9% for student welfare services, and 6.1% for research services. CONCLUSION: Costs of personnel, especially pays to faculty members and the costs of capital expenditures, are the most important costs in higher education institutions. It seems reducing of pay to faculty members through novelty approach of education and evaluation, reducing capital expenditures through use effective of buildings and equipment that can be placed higher education institutions in the path to productivity.

This research aims to identify and prioritise the professional needs of novice teachers using the Delphi technique. This qualitative, emergent design employs semi-structured interviews to collect data and the Atride-Sterling style for thematic analysis. Twelve novice teachers with different educational qualifications were purposively selected, and the data were analysed using MAXQDA, which revealed five inclusive themes, 23 organising themes and 79 basic themes. The results indicated that the professional needs of novice teachers, based on their priority, include economic, social, administrative, emotional, and educational needs, which are interconnected. The results also indicate that the needs of novice teachers are in line with Maslow's hierarchy of needs. By capturing holistic data on needs rather than just professional needs, our study's approach has uncovered something obvious but missing from the extant literature on the needs of novice teachers: only when their basic needs are met can they focus on their role as teachers. In the West, where salaries may be lower than similar professions, teachers still make enough to meet their basic needs. In Iran, this is not always the case. This study suggests new priorities in novice teacher support that are essential before professional educational support can be effective.

Background & Objective: Diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis requires high utilization of resources and costs and assessing the utilization of health care resources is always important for budgeting and long-term planning in a highly dynamic health care system. This study aimed to investigate the resources and service utilization pattern of patients with smear positive tuberculosis in the Azadshahr district, Golestan province. Methods: In this retrospective and cross-sectional study, all new patients with smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis who were registered and successfully completed their treatment at the health network of Azadshahr County, from April 2013 to October 2015, were entered to the study (45 patients). Data were collected from the patients’ records at the health care facilities, telephone interviews with patients and registry book of patients in the tuberculosis unite of health network. Results: The average duration of treatment and DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, Short-Course) implementation was 195 and 158 days per patient, respectively. The average drug consumption was 741 pills and the average number of X-ray and laboratory tests (smear test) was 1.7 and 4.4 per patient, respectively. Each patient had been visited on average 8.8 times by physician and 27% of patients were hospitalized, their average length of stay was 1.8 days. Conclusion: Our findings showed that the utilization pattern of resources and services in patients with tuberculosis was approximately consistent with protocols developed by World Health Organization (WHO) and Ministry of Health of Iran often.

In this paper, we present a graphene-based metamaterial ultrawideband absorber operating in the terahertz regime. The absorber is composed of two patterned and continuous graphene layers, a bottom gold layer, and a SiO2 substrate that separates the continuous graphene layer from the gold layer. The absorption spectrum is enhanced by integrating a graphene resonator with water, which has frequency-dependent permittivity. The water is encapsulated in polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in the form of a circular ring sandwiched between the two graphene layers. Simulation results show that the absorber attains a 90 % absorption bandwidth of about 14.55 THz. The proposed absorber is polarization-insensitive under normal incidence. For TE polarization, the absorption level remains stable for incident angles θ from 0° to 55° across the entire frequency band (14.55 THz), except for the 5–8 THz range. For TM polarization, the absorption level remains stable for θ ranging from 0° to 60° over the entire bandwidth. Additionally, the absorption level is consistent for both TM and TE polarizations across the entire bandwidth for incident angles φ from 0° to 90°.

In this paper, a third-order band-pass frequency selective surface (FSS) filter is proposed for terahertz applications. The presented FSS filter is designed based on miniaturized unit cells and a fractional bandwidth of 72% around 0.775 THz is achieved. In addition, a high transmission magnitude is obtained with an acceptable flatness in comparison to previous reports. In order to verify the numerical results, an equivalent circuit model of the proposed spatial filter is introduced considering both normal and oblique incident angles. The sensitivity of the filter with respect to the incident wave angle is investigated in the range of 0–60° whereas the obtained performance is acceptable for various incident angles in the mentioned range. Moreover, the effects of altering different geometrical parameters are studied and justified based on the extracted equivalent circuit model. Keywords: Equivalent circuit model, Frequency selective surface, Metamaterial, Miniaturized elements, Terahertz filter

Gas injection process is a very important technology in enhanced oil recovery. Minimum miscible pressure is one of the key parameters in gas injection processes. Various experimental methods such as slim tube are used to measure MMP. These methods are costly and time consuming. Recently computational methods are used in order to achieve a cost-effective and reliable technique to evaluate MMP. In this work, a new methodology has been proposed for determination of MMP using the minimum tie line length method. A real mixing cell model was developed to estimate the MMP, MME and key tie lines. This method is simple, robust, and faster than conventional one-dimensional simulation of slim tube. The new mixing cells method can accurately determine the whole key tie lines to a shift, regardless of the number of injection gas and reservoir fluid components. Unlike other methods of mixing cells, this method automatically corrects dispersion by additional contacts to achieve the low variation domain of tie line slope. Also, the determination and implementation of the minimum miscibility enrichment are investigated. Keywords: Minimum miscible pressure, Minimum miscibility enrichment, Multiple mixing cells method, Enhanced oil recovery, Minimum tie line length method

The present paper aimed to study the effect of using attentional instruction and increasing the rhythm on the relative phase stability of coordinated out-phase bimanual coordination movements. Using a plotter device, the participants (N=16) performed out-phase bimanual coordination pattern (45, 90, and 135 degree) while focusing on signs of the device (external attention) or their forearm (internal attention) or without attentional instruction with increasing frequency. KP was provided to participants after each attempt. Dependent variables were analyzed by 3 (attention) × 3 (relative phase) × 4 (frequency) analysis of variance with repeated measures on second and third variables. The results revealed that external attention lead to increased stability of relative phase in all three phase patterns. Additionally, increased frequency of motions caused decreased stability of relative in all three patterns. Findings of this study corroborated the constrained action hypothesis and showed that, unlike in-phase and anti-phase attractor patterns and because of the difficulty out-phase patterns, external attention instruction can act contrary to linear changes of control parameter and increase their stability of relative phases.

The aim of this study is to investigate errorful and errorless training methods on detecting error in tracking task. 24 students of Allameh Tabataba'i University (Age = 23± 2.8 yrs.) were randomly selected to perform a computerized tracking test. The participants underwent a pre-test after being given verbal instructions and were divided into two groups of errorful and errorless training according to the test results. The errorless training group, during task performance, saw the target path and the path they were tracking as a diagram and detected errors according to the difference between the two paths. But the errorful training group attained the task goal by trial-and-error. Each group underwent 30 tests in 3 seperate sessions with a recovery period of 24 h in-between. The results showed the significant effect of errorful and errorless training on the progress of detecting errors in acquisition and retention stages of tracking task. Furthermore, a significant difference has been identified between the effects of errorful and errorless training methods on the acquisition and retention of tracking task. This difference was in favor of the errorless training group and this group's progress in detecting errors was more than the errorful training group. The results showed that in addition to the influence of errorful and errorless training methods on detecting error in tracking task, there is a difference between the effect of these methods in detecting error and the errorless training method has a more positive effect on participants' error detecting ability in the tracking task.

The research aimed to examine the role of lyrics in music on perceived exertion of male and female students during physical activity (running on treadmill). For this purpose, 23 (11 males, 12 females) were selected randomly among volunteered students. The participants underwent physical activity under condition of lyrics music in the first session, same no-lyrics music in the second session and no music in the third session. The test duration was 5 minutes for all participants and their running intensity was in correspondence with 80% of their maximum heart rate. The recovery period between each session was 48 hrs. After each session, the participants specified their rated perceived exertion (RPE) by completing the Borg scale questionnaire. The results of ANOVA revealed that lyrics music had a significant effect on the participants' perceived exertion, but no-lyrics music had no effect on their perceived exertion. With regard to reduction of the perceived exertion rate during the use of lyrics music, it can be concluded that the presence of lyrics in music reduces the participants' perceived exertion and causes the activity time to seem shorter. It can be deduced that the presence of lyrics in music has a significant effect on the improvement of psychological conditions of athletes and their perceived exertion.

The present paper aimed to study the effect of pairwise video check feedback (including the observation of external pattern of skill performance and performing the skill simultaneously) on the learning on acquisition and learning of eye-hand coordination skill. Computer skill of eye-hand coordination skill was the tool used in this study. 24 subjects were randomly selected and equally divided into two groups of experimental and control. Each of the groups performed 3 exercise sessions of 5 attempts with a 24-hour interval between sessions. In each exercise attempt, the experimental group conducted a combination of pairwise video feedback and practical performance of the skill and the control group only performed the practical exercises. Acquisition tests were done at the end of training sessions and retention tests were performed after intervals of 24 hours, 48 hours, and one week after the last session of acquisition. Performing the task in lesser time was the criteria for assessment of individuals. The results showed a significant improvement in the performance of task from the pretest to the final stage of acquisition. Also, over time (24 hours, 48 hours, and after the last training session) in retention test, a stability in performance was seen. Finally, it was found that pairwise video feedback method positively affect the acquisition of skill and retention stability of individuals in eye-hand coordination skill.

Nowadays, ailments which are known as specific diseases make the society we live in suffer, and scientific researches pay much attention to the effect of sport and physical activity on these diseases and introduce sports as treatment for them. The purpose of this study was to check the effect of an aerobic training course on social-physical anxiety in women with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The study population consisted of all inactive women reported by MS community of Tehran in 2012. Of them, 24 ones have been chosen at random (age 32±11 years old) and selected in two groups of control and experimental at random. The social-physical anxiety scale (SPAS) was used to measure the social-physical anxiety in these patients. The findings indicated a noticeable decrease in the amount of social-physical anxiety in women with MS after 8 weeks of aerobic training (P

Motor skills are always considered as one of the effective factors on human activities. The purpose of this research is to study the role of birth order and birth weight in the static and dynamic balance of boys aged 9-11 years old. 94 male students have been evaluated in this research. The personal information questionnaire and medical records were used to acquire data pertaining to birth order and birth weight. Also, parts of Lincoln-Oseretsky test pertaining to balance were used to evaluate static and dynamic balance. The results indicated that second children and children with normal weight had higher average scores rather than first children, only children, and children with low and high weight in most items of static and dynamic balance (p < 0.01). The superiority of second children over other children is probably because of the existence of older siblings which younger ones follow as models in families.

The present paper aims to study the effect of skill complexity during different delays on bidirectional transfer on bidirectional transfer of tracking task in different stages (pretest, acquisition phase, immediate transfer, one-day delayed transfer, two-day delayed transfer, and seven-day delayed transfer). Three variables including handedness, time lagges, and skill complexity were studied. This study was a semi-empirical and applied research and a pretest-posttest plan with two experimental groups was used. Statistical sample included 28 volunteer girl students, with a mean age of 16±0.93 years old, who were all right-handed and had no experience of performing the tracking task. After initial familiarization with designed software, the subjects were randomly divided into two groups of right practice and left practice. The results revealed significant effects of time lags and skill complexity on bidirectional transfer (p≤0.05), as at all stages of research more bidirectional transfer was observed in easy task compared with the hard one. The highest bilateral transfer in easy and hard tasks was found in the second and the seventh day, respectively. Possible reasons for these results include the differences in task processing in terms of skill complexity and the impact of special features of continuous task on retention. Transfer from non-dominant hand to dominant one occurred more frequently than the reverse mode in both groups, which is probably due to higher speed of transfer of data from the right hemisphere to the left hemisphere in the right-handed.

Biorhythm is one of the latest topics in the field of identifying mind’s ergonomics. Of all the performances with which biorhythm deals is the physical performance. The purpose of present research is to study the effect of physical cycle of biorhythm on the designated factors of physical fitness among teenage volleyball players in the city of Qom. In the present field research, 30 people were selected out of volleyball players aged 12 to 15 at random in the city of Qom. Biorhythm cycles were obtained with the biorhythm software. Vertical jump and medicine ball throwing were used as tests associating with muscular power; pull-up and sit-up were used as tests associating with muscular endurance in two states of charged (the second position) and discharged (the first position) of biorhythm physical cycle. The statistical correlated t test with the significance level of p≤0.05 was used to analyze data. The findings indicated that the tests pertaining to power including Vertical jump and medicine ball throwing were well-correlated with the physical cycle of biorhythm (p=0.042; p=0.019). However, the muscular endurance tests (revised sit-up and pull-up) did not show any significant difference between the two states and were not correlated with the physical cycle of biorhythm (p=0.75; p=0.73). The predictions by physical cycle of biorhythm on the muscular power of athletes are correct, but it was not possible with the muscular endurance of athletes. Of course, more researches should be conducted to increase the certainty of correctness predicted by the physical cycle of biorhythm. The prediction of this theory can be used to increase the performances of athletes in sports competitions if the biorhythm cycles prove right.