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The Shahyad monument, which has served as a symbol of Tehran—and by extension of modern Iran—since its inauguration in 1971, stands at the center of a huge open space that has been successively appropriated by Pahlavis, revolutionaries, and the Islamic Republic and has been persistently mediated and remediated in its relatively short life. This contested urban monument embodies the complex story of a space in which multiple sets of illusions—a Pahlavi fantasy as well as a revolutionary dream—are undone. In this paper, the space's story is traced through varied types of media and archival material, including plans and architectural drawings, official reports and correspondences, and especially through journalistic photographs of the Square in 1979 and its representation in various media afterward. I examine shifts in this specific space at particular and historically grounded conjunctures, honing in not just on the site's meta-narratives and its grand spectacular events, but also on the decentralized and ignored narratives and histories, demonstrating how they have reworked the meaning of this monumental space, turning it into a stage for contrarian politics. Focusing on the monument during the 1978-79 Revolution, I argue that the transformations in the meaning and perception of the site at that particular moment are indeed forces of a fundamental remaking, in that they open up the monumental site to further appropriations, as we are currently witnessing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we draw on cultural cisgenderism to analyse the sporting experiences of trans men in Iran. Utilising semi-structured interviews with twelve trans men in different stages of transition, we consider their experiences of women's sport environments, the extent to which cisnormativity is embedded into the culture, and whether their gender identities are accepted. We found that essentialist understandings of sex and gender are evident in sport environments, with gender presentation policed by others, and expectations this should align with ascribed biological sex. While some interviewees' masculine expressions were valued, others were considered 'too masculine' to be eligible to participate in women's sport spaces; this led to restrictions around appearance and clothing, alongside instances of compulsory hormone testing. Finally, for those who were 'out' about their gender identity, this often led to hostility from others, including coaches, teammates, and spectators. Overall, this paper provides a critical understanding of trans inclusion in sport spaces in Iran. However, the findings may be useful for anyone working to make sport more accessible, regardless of geographical location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The US Maximum Pressure campaign, a conglomeration of diplomatic, economic, and military sticks, was ostensibly designed to force Iran into renegotiating the 2015 nuclear deal; critics say the real aim is regime change. The auxiliary media efforts in support of the policy are part of an ongoing soft war. One dimension of these efforts is the export of a popular American media format, the outrage genre or cable news magazine, to Iran via Voice of America. Last Page (safhe-ye akhar) is an attempt, like much international propaganda, to reinforce rather than change opinions. This paper examines how the program attempts to reinforce anti-regime sentiment not by informing its audience but by providing a space of mediated belonging in which the host 'gets you,' feels the news with you, and feels for you. The paper concludes with a discussion about the potential uses and limitations of outrage media in international propaganda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hazards in underground coal mines create an unsafe working environment for workers and equipment. This paper aims to analyze the safety risk in underground coal mining using an improved Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) method. To achieve this, the causes of the main events that threaten the safety of the working environment were identified and discussed in a case study; Parvadeh Tabas coal mine, Iran. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was applied to calculate the importance degree of each hazard. Then, the FMEA approach under the fuzzy environment was used for the safety risk analysis. Regarding the results of this study, the outburst-related hazards, failure to provide sufficient compressed air, and the electrical locomotive-related hazards have the highest level of safety risk. In this concept, it is possible to identify the leading causes of accidents and propose practical solutions to improve the safety conditions of the mine working places. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the independence of the Central Asian (CA) republics, Iran has tried to develop its relations with these sates, especially with Tajikistan. The development of bilateral relations between Iran and Tajikistan has been very important for both sides. But after nearly 30 years of political relations between Iran and Tajikistan, bilateral relations have not developed much and have faced numerous limitations. By adopting Rosenau's theory, the current study aims at investigating Iran's foreign policy (FP) toward Tajikistan and the factors influencing the bilateral relations between the two countries. The present paper argues that societal, governmental, idiosyncratic, and role variables, respectively, have hindered the development of bilateral relations between Iran and Tajikistan. Finally, systemic variables have had the least influence on Iran's relations with Tajikistan, and the results show that the U.S. and its sanctions have had insignificant effect on Iran–Tajikistan bilateral relations, and in terms of the systemic variables, Iran has faced more opposition from China than any other country in the development of relations with Tajikistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today's world, it is unavoidable for older adults to use technology, which causes some challenges for them. In this qualitative study, we used grounded theory to evaluate information and communication technology (ICT) adoption strategies among Iranian older adults. The participants included 18 older adults, five experts, and five family members of older adults. The data collection method included conducting semi-structured interviews, taking field notes, and observation. The data were analyzed using the Corbin and Strauss approach. Three main themes were extracted as follows: support from others, effort for learning, and smart choice. The subthemes of support from others included creativity in educating older adults; having access to an educational supporter; and receiving informational, emotional, and financial support. The subthemes of effort for learning included utilizing aids, adaptive measures, shortcut techniques, and self-learning. The subthemes of smart choice included physical characteristics, technical features, price sensitivity, and availability of an active sales representative. Accordingly, it is essential to teach older adults to increase their ICT adoption rate and continued use of technology. In this respect, developing a standard ICT manual for older adults can be beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: One approach to measure the demographic impacts of death is to examine the number of lost years of life. The present paper aims to estimate the "Years of Lost Life" (YLL) due to the main causes of death in Yazd province of Iran. Method: The present study is an epidemiological examination for which the statistical population included all the death incidents in Yazd province (excluding stillbirth cases) over two time periods of 2011 and 2016 with a 5-year distance. The required data were obtained based on the Comprehensive System of Mortality Registration maintained by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education; while the standard life expectancy data were based on the World Health Organization standards using standard life table, level 26 of the West model (Coale and Demeny) for Japanese men and women. The standard YLL was calculated according to the WHO standard using a 0.03 relaxation rate for the future time and weighting coefficient for various ages and life years through the formula using the Microsoft Excel software. Results: The findings of the present study suggest that two main causes of YLL in Yazd province during the year of 2011 were cardiovascular difficulties with the rates of 31.6 per 1000 persons for women and 27.1 per 1000 persons for men, and cancers with the rates of 14.9 per 1000 persons for women and 16.2 per 1000 persons for men. While the above numbers in 2016 were, respectively 22.5 per 1000 persons for women and 25.5 per 1000 persons for men due to cardiovascular difficulties; and 18 per 1000 persons for women and 15.5/1000 for men due to various types of cancers. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that cardiovascular diseases and cancers are the main factors leading to Years of Lost Lifetime for the residents of Yazd province in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on a study on improving the health and fitness of office workers in Iran using a comprehensive model. The research design was a randomized controlled trial involving 294 employees. The intervention was a 6-month program to promote physical activity. The primary outcome measure was their scores on the physical activity (PA) index recorded at 3 and 6 months. A statistically significantly increase in PA was found in the intervention group over the control group. In addition, the mean values of related health and physiological indices of the intervention group demonstrated a statistically significant increase compared to the control group. The conclusions of this study support research findings in multiple countries, that the physical activity and health of office workers can be improved in a short period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we reveal the understudied transnational dimensions of politically manipulative activity on social media. Specifically, we identify and investigate a bot-like Twitter network associated with the controversial organization of Iranian political exiles, the Mojaheddin-e Khalgh (MEK). Tracing and contextualizing the Twitter debate around women's rights within the 2016 Iranian Parliamentary election, our analysis contributes to the scholarship on diaspora and digital media by drawing attention to the often-neglected potentials for non-state actors such as diaspora groups to make use of social media to promote political propaganda that advances militarist violence. We demonstrate how the MEK network's "online performance of civic participation" is typical of a bot-net of weak influence inside Iran, but that the aims and extent of its influence can only be fully understood by situating it within a historical and transnational analysis of Iranian diasporic media and politics, one that takes complex US-Iran diplomacy dynamics into consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contemporary interventions in historical Mahalleh and the design of new settlements in Iran rely on Western micro-urbanism patterns such as urban villages and new urbanism. Although the urban lifestyle in Iran affects the Mahalleh identity, this context-oriented pattern is more appropriate than the Western ones with all weaknesses and critiques; namely, social engineering and physical determinism. This paper aims to present a paradigm model for the Iranian micro-urbanism (Mahalleh), applying grounded theory methodology. The literature of micro-urbanism is discussed first, followed by exploring the categories of Mahalleh and integrating them around the core category in a paradigm model. Influenced by specific conditions: "collectivism" and "ecological balance" as causal conditions; "social identity" as an intervening condition; "physical and functional organization" as contextual conditions, "familiarity" emerges as a core category in the proposed model. Furthermore, residents of the Mahalleh have special interactions contributing to the "social capital," "changeability," and "parental effect." Finally, "Mahalleh as the home of the families" is a consequence of the actions and interactions done under such conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new approach for evaluating the impacts of identity and collective memory (CM) on social resilience will be presented. The approach is applied in Bam city, located in Iran, which suffered heavy damage during the 2003 Bam earthquake. Following that disaster, little attention was paid to preserve identity and CM during the reconstruction phase. In order to evaluate the social resilience components, key concepts and core categories on a local level have been identified, using Grounded Theory. The results depicted that identity and collective memories in Bam city, have been diminished gradually, due to neglecting the intangible needs of local residents in the reconstruction. Therefore, this article demonstrates the necessity of attention to the revival of collective memories in the renovation and reconstruction policies. The results of this study can be used by disaster management authorities as well as city managers to improve resilience at the local level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transitional care is a designed plan to ensure the continuity of care received by patients as they transfer between different locations or levels of care. The aim of this paper is to explore nurses' experiences of transitional care in multiple chronic conditions. A qualitative method with a conventional content analysis approach was utilized. The study was conducted at university hospitals in 2 big cities (Isfahan and Tehran) of Iran. This study is performed from November 2018 to December 2019 using deep, semi-structured, and face-to-face interviews which are focused on nurses' experiences of transitional care. Data collection continued until saturation was reached. Finally, 15 nurses take part in this study. Data collection and data analysis were conducted concurrently. Data were analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman's techniques. Two main themes providing a descriptive summary of the major elements of transitional care identified: "threat to patient safety" and "Care breakdown". Findings showed an exclusive image of unsafe transitional care which was done unplanned without appropriate delegating care to family and threat patient safety. There is still a gap in the transition from hospital to home. Nursing managers can address this issue by creating a culture of teamwork, training competent nurses by continuum education, and more supervision of nursing care. Policymakers can ensure continuity of care by developing policies and programs about transitional care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia has been unfolding over a long period, influencing the politics and conflicts in the Middle East. The dynamics, content, and form of the rivalry have changed dramatically following the Iranian Revolution in 1979. Sectarianism is frequently seen as the constitutive element of the conflict between the two countries. This paper brings a new light into the literature on the nature of the evolving Saudi–Iran rivalry. Specifically, it explains Saudi Arabia's ideational balancing and threat perception against Iran by highlighting the ontological security narratives under which the Saudi–Iran rivalry evolves. In doing so, it draws on the fatwas (i.e., religious opinions), issued by Saudi scholars, as an empirical object of investigation, and explores how they constitute and reconstitute Saudi Arabia's ontological security narratives. In this way, this work critically explains the ontological security regime in Saudi Arabia and the nature of the political struggle and antagonism between the two countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to analyze the competitive situation of the cheminformatics industry using Porter's competitive model and to determine the priority and weight of each competitive force in this industry. In addition to qualitative analysis of data collected from library surveys and the Delphi method, multicriteria decision-making techniques (MCDM) were used to determine the rank and weight of forces (criteria). A preference judgment questionnaire was used to collect data. This researcher-made questionnaire was sent to cheminformatics specialists in Iran. Using the process of hierarchical analysis (AHP), Porter's competitive forces in this industry were investigated. The criteria, subcriteria, alternatives, and relation between them were drawn using the analytical decision tree model. Then, the priority and weight of each force were calculated. Then, the effect of each force on each other was investigated. The results showed that the decision-making priorities of cheminformatics industry managers in the competitive market concerning the management of competitive forces of the Porter model are as follows: (1) competitive rivalry condition between current competitors, (2) the threat of the entry of alternative products (the threat of substitutes), (3) the threat of new entrants (potential competitors), (4) the bargaining power of customers, and (5) the bargaining power of suppliers. We concluded that due to the prevailing economic conditions, companies active in the field of cheminformatics in the present study, to ensure profitability, should prioritize the competitive situation between competitors and consider this priority in strategic planning. Finally, we recommend that the present study be repeated in other countries and companies active in this industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the most common and prevalent debilitating chronic diseases across the world with various adverse effects such as pain and movement limitations which impact the health status and quality of life of the patients in the long run. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of self-care education on pain, quality of life, and consequences of disease in patients with KOA in Southern Iran. Methods: This is a randomized controlled clinical trial using a pretest–posttest design. Eighty patients with KOA were enrolled in this study and randomly allocated to a control and an intervention group. The data collection instruments included VAS: Visual Analog Scale, the SF-36 quality of life scale, and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. The collected data were analyzed through SPSS v. 22, using descriptive tests, paired t -tests, independent t -tests, Chi-square, and ANOVA. A P level of <.05 was considered as the significant level. Results: Before the self-care educational intervention, no statistically significant difference was found between the control and intervention groups in pain intensity, quality of life, and consequences of osteoarthritis. After the self-care educational intervention, the findings revealed a significant difference between the intervention group's mean ± standard deviation for pain intensity (41.25 ± 21.74), quality of life (49.87 ± 14.74), and consequences of KOA (39.06 ± 12.15), respectively (P <.05). However, in the control group, there was no significant difference. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the positive effect of self-care education on patients with osteoarthritis was shown as to their pain intensity, quality of their lives, and reduction of the disease consequences. Thus, healthcare managers are recommended to apply this type of intervention for patients with osteoarthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children's early language development is under the influence of several positive and negative factors including television as an input source and family's socio-economic status. Considering that, this study investigated the effects of these variables on children's vocabulary development using a quasi-experimental design. To this end, 60 Iranian children, 30 from high and 30 from low socio-economic status, were selected using stratified random sampling. They were divided into four groups based on their background TV exposure and socio-economic status. TOLD-3 was given to the groups as a vocabulary development test before and after a 6-week observation. Results indicated that the high socio-economic-low background group scored higher than the other groups in the vocabulary development posttest while the low socio-economic-low background group scored lower that the other groups. Furthermore, while high background TV had a negative influence on the children's vocabulary development in families with a high socio-economic status, it had a positive influence on the children in families with a low socio-economic status. These results have some implications for families, first and second language studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Death anxiety in cancer patients can cause and exacerbate mental disorders and affect the healing process and survival. In this study, percentage score of death anxiety among Iranian cancer patients was reported. The databases of Scopus, PubMed, ISI, MagIran, and Scientific Information Database were searched and 396 articles were retrieved. Twenty-three eligible studies were included in the analysis considering the inclusion criteria. Heterogeneity among selected studies was assessed through the Cochrane Q test and I2 test. The percentage of death anxiety scores in Iranian patients with cancer was 59.91% (95% confidence interval: 51.57–62.24). The results of subgroup analysis showed that the percentage of death anxiety scores in patients with breast cancer was 67.55% (95% CI: 56.50–78.60) and in patients with other malignancies was 53.78% (95% CI: 50.20–57.36). Death anxiety is high among Iranian patients with cancer and counseling sessions to control and manage this challenge seems necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions induced environmental hazards is one of the most important goals of future research the energy economy and the environment. This challenge is becoming more important in developing countries, including Iran, with high energy intensity and is one of the leading countries in GHG emissions. This study aims to visualize emissions from electricity generation in Khuzestan province, southern Iran. Khuzestan is the largest producer of electricity and the country's energy capital. Khuzestan's electricity supply and demand system was simulated and examined under green scenarios till 2050 by assessing the existing situation and choosing a suitable low-carbon energy system for the future. One of the results of this research is to reduce emissions in terms of energy management strategies in the short term and the ineffectiveness of development strategies regardless of consumption management strategies. Electricity supply optimization scenarios are attractive in the long term, which indicates the costly implementation of development strategies. Combining solutions to balance the energy economy and environment is more effective. The OKEP scenario as a combination of consumption management and development strategies showed that it would maintain its positive impact in the short and long term and successfully reduce emissions. In this scenario, the net present value (NPV) attractiveness is over $ 6706 million and saves the emission of 179 MtCO2e. Compared to the business as usual (BAU) scenario, more than 90 Bm3NGe savings and a 3.62% increase in renewables share are other benefits of this scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated quarantines in many urban settings, and rules have been enforced to ensure that citizens are complying with health-related mandates. However, anecdotal and empirical evidence confirm the prevalence of policy transgressions. Non-compliance with COVID-19 mandates can have severe consequences for individual health, societal fear, and the global economy. Thus, it is important to better understand the etiology of such misbehavior in the hopes of ensuring policy adherence. Using Agnew's social concern theory as a conceptual framework, this study investigates quarantine-related misbehavior in the urban context of Rasht, Iran. Survey data of 393 university students indicate that social concern theory can explain quarantine-related misbehavior. Specific findings, implications, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Teaching inhaler techniques to nursing students is crucial. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of simulation-based education on patient training correct inhaler technique in nursing students. Methods: This is a single-blind, randomized controlled trial in which nursing students are randomly allocated into two groups of control (n = 41) and intervention (n = 40). The students' mean score of correct inhaler technique was measured before and one week after intervention, using checklists of inhaler techniques. Results: The mean score of control group was significantly lower than the intervention group (p <.001). The results also revealed that there was no significant difference in students' level of confidence regarding the ability to educate patients on inhaler techniques before the intervention, while all students were shown to have higher levels of confidence in this term after the intervention. Conclusions: Simulation is an effective way to train nursing students in the correct inhaler techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ten handbooks of journalism most-used in Dutch and Iranian (applied) universities were content-analyzed and compared for their instructions on (crime) newswriting and assumptions behind the given instructions. While Dutch handbooks consider 'informing' the optimal function of journalism and news, Iranian handbooks put emphasis on 'increasing awareness'. Consequently, Dutch handbooks consider news as event and value information on facts, while Iranian handbooks aim for reporting the truth and consider news as on-going process. Specifically, as Iranian journalism handbooks value flexibility and creativity, they view storytelling style in news reports as the preferred journalistic genre and approach crime news as a special genre which should fulfill an educative function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: Occupational therapists use different models and measurements for assessing children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). One of those measurements is the Child Occupational Self-Assessment. In this study, concurrent validity of the Child Occupational Self-Assessment with Pediatric Quality of Life was tested in children with ADHD. Methods: A correlational study was conducted. The Child Occupational Self-Assessment and Pediatric Quality of Life were filled by 128 children with ADHD aged between 8 and 11 years. Findings: The results indicated that in competency subscale the highest correlation coefficient was for the total score of Pediatric Quality of Life (r = 0.56, p < 0.01) and the lowest was for social performance (r = −0.44, p < 0.01). The highest and lowest correlation coefficient in value subscale were for the total score (r = −0.46, p < 0.01) and emotional performance of Pediatric Quality of Life (r = −0.34, p < 0.01), respectively. Conclusions: The Child Occupational Self-Assessment has an acceptable concurrent validity with Pediatric Quality of Life. It can be a suitable measurement for assessing of children with ADHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Professional misconduct undermines safe and quality care; however, little is known about its nature and influential factors. Aim: This study aimed to explain the factors influencing professional misconduct in nurses. Research Design: This qualitative study was conducted using the conventional content analysis method. Participants and Research Context: Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 19 nurses working in the hospital selected through a purposeful method and analyzed by Graneheim and Lundman approach. Ethical Considerations: The ethics committee of Tehran University of Medical Sciences approved this study with the ethics code IR.TUMS.FNM.REC.1400.187. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Participants were assured of confidentiality. Findings: Factors influencing professional misconduct by nurses were categorized into three main categories: human factors (nurses' professional characteristics, personal characteristics of nurses and patient/companion, patient's clinical condition), procedural factors (procedural conditions, possibility of proving misconduct), and organizational factors (recruitment process, conditions of resources, managing misconduct, bureaucracy, and ward characteristics). Conclusion: This study assists in explaining the factors influencing professional misconduct by nurses. Therefore this study's results can help managers and planners develop interventions to prevent and correct factors that contribute to misconduct and strengthen factors that prevent misconduct in order to ensure quality and safe patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intensive and critical care nurses need to demonstrate ethical sensitivity especially in recognizing and dealing with ethical dilemmas particularly as they often care for patients living with life-threatening conditions. Theories suggest that there is a convergence between nurses' empathy and ethical sensitivity. Evidence in the literature indicates that nurses' emotional, demographic, and work characteristics are associated with their level of empathy and ethical sensitivity. Aim: To investigate the relationship between nurses' empathy and ethical sensitivity, considering their emotional states (depression, anxiety, and stress), demographic and work characteristics, and test an empirical model describing potential predictors of empathy (as a mediator) and ethical sensitivity using path analysis. Research design: Using a cross-sectional design, the philosophical theory of care ethics and empathy was extended and adopted as a conceptual framework for this study and tested by path analysis. Participants and research context: Data were collected from 347 intensive care nurses recruited by ten educational-medical hospitals in Iran using a questionnaire between February and March 2021. Ethical considerations: The study was reviewed by the Ethical Advisory Board in Iran and conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki. Findings: Study participants demonstrated a mild level of stress, anxiety, and depression, alongside a relatively high level of empathy and ethical sensitivity. Nurses with good socioeconomic status had higher empathetic behavior with patients than those with weak status. Nurses aged over 40 who had received ethics training and had higher work experience were associated with higher ethical sensitivity compared to nurses under 20 years of age. Empathy directly affected ethical sensitivity; however, anxiety had an indirect effect on ethical sensitivity through empathy. Among demographic factors, age had a positive direct effect on ethical sensitivity. Conclusions: Less anxiety and a high level of empathy contribute to higher levels of ethical sensitivity among intensive and critical care nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Iran, blood products were being delivered to healthcare centers without charge. For optimum usage and reducing wastage, the tariff was set on October 23, 2015. Thus, hospitals must pay for blood products to blood transfusion services and then the expenses are paid to healthcare centers by the insurance. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the effects of the tariff policy on utilization pattern of blood products in healthcare centers of Fars province, Iran. Design: This is a retrospective study which analyzes the recorded data. Methods: Throughout this retrospective study, the number of units requested, delivered, returned, and return/delivery ratio of RBC, FFP, cryoprecipitate, and platelet were examined before and after the tariff in different cities of Fars province of Iran. Results: After the tariff, return/delivery ratios of FFP, cryoprecipitate, and platelet increased in comparison with before tariff but were not statistically significant which means the return of unused units was increased after imposing tariff. Conclusion: The results of this investigation showed that tariff may lead to more return of FFP, cryoprecipitate, and platelet units to the transfusion services of Fars province. More research must be performed to further approve it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adherence to the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D), which includes the use of prescribed drugs, following a healthy diet, and adopting a physically active lifestyle, is important to control the disease and improve the patients' quality of life. The present study aimed to explain the determinants of adherence to treatment in patients with T2D based on Pender's Health Promotion Model (HPM). The present research used a qualitative content analysis and was based on Pender's HPM. The data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 20 T2D patients using a purposive sampling in Bandar Abbas, southern Iran. Maximum variation was considered in terms of gender, age, history of diabetes, type of drug used, education, and occupation. The data collection continued until data saturation. At the same time, the collected data were analyzed using the directed content analysis. MAXQDA 10 was used to manage codes and facilitate data analysis. The data analysis led to the extraction of 10 categories and 19 subcategories as the determinants of adherence to the treatment of T2D patients. The participants shared their experiences about personal characteristics and their ecological environment, specific cognition and emotions, and the behavioral results and experience as the determinants of adherence to T2D treatment. The categories extracted from this study in the form of HPM constructs provided a framework to explain treatment adherence. This information can help policy makers and planners in designing future programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the authors have sought to develop and present an optimal model of Iran's countermeasures against the threats of the economic plans of the major powers in Central Asia. This qualitative research uses mixed-methods (i.e., thematic matrix and thematic network) to collect and analyze data. Since the thematic matrix was used as a data analysis method, an indirect observation study (analysis of textual material) was performed, data were collected through a purposeful sampling of existing textual materials, and finally, a comparison and an analysis were made to specify commonalities and differences. In addition, since the thematic network, research data were collected using a semi-structured interview with 10 experts, who were selected using theoretical sampling; the collected data were analyzed using the thematic network analysis method. Eventually, a conceptual network model was constructed and interpreted. Findings of qualitative research while identifying opportunities and threats revealed that the optimal model of Iran's countermeasures against the economic plans of the major powers in Central Asia with three global themes, including the adoption of economic diplomacy by Iran, the adoption of soft diplomacy by Iran, and efforts to exit sanctions and remove sanction barriers, had reached theoretical saturation. The most appropriate strategy for Iran to confront the threats of the economic plans of the major powers in Central Asia is to adopt convergent diplomacy in the form of various kinds of diplomacy and the removal of the sanction barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The food security status of pregnant women not only affects their current health status and that of their newborn, but also plays an important role in the health status of children and adults in the future. Food security is a complicated and multidimensional concept. In pregnant women, it is the result of several complex individuals, family, social, cultural, economic, and political factors such as lack of health services, gender inequality, and lack of resources. Public instruments that mainly measure food insecurity at the household level have been used to investigate the food security status of pregnant women. Therefore, we aimed to define the concept of food security based on the experience of both pregnant women and experts, and then develop and validate the assessment tool for assessing food security in pregnant women. In this article, only the protocol of this study is discussed. This research is a mixed-method study with a sequential-exploratory approach, which will be conducted in two phases. In the qualitative phase, the concepts and dimensions of food security will be explained based on the experiences of pregnant women by using inductive content analysis. Data integrity will be guaranteed with five criteria of validity, verifiability, reliability, transferability, and authenticity. In the second phase, the primary tool will be developed based on Waltz and Basel's approach, and then it will be validated. The design of a specific tool for pregnant women, taking into account the cultural, economic, and social conditions of Iran, can be a practical solution to scientifically assess the food security status of pregnant women, so that the country's policymakers and planners can take accurate and long-term steps towards improving the food security of Iran pregnant women, their health and that of the future generations by implementing basic policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nurses who are at the forefront of the fight against Covid-19 have faced problems such as anxiety and stress due to the high contagiousness of this disease and the challenges of providing services to infected patients. Death anxiety and the resulting fear following the Covid-19 pandemic can affect caring behaviors and the quality of nursing care services. Objective: The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the association between caring behaviors and death anxiety among Iranian nurses working in COVID-19 wards. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 in Tehran. The participants consisted of 233 nurses who were purposively selected from university hospitals in Iran. Data collection tools included Demographic Information Form, Death Anxiety Scale, and Caring Dimension Inventory (CDI-25). Data analysis was done using SPSS (version 16). Results: Most of the participants were female (79.4%), had less than 5 years of work experience (50.6%), and had bachelor's degree (88.8%). Based on the results, the level of death anxiety among nurses was moderate (7.05 ± 3.85) and their caring behavior was at optimal level (103.03 ± 13.15). Among the subscales of caring behavior, physical-technical behaviors with mean of 46.43 ± 6.20 got the highest score, and unnecessary behaviors with mean of 4.39 ± 0.73 got the lowest score compared to other subscales. Based on data analysis findings, caring behavior and its dimensions had no significant correlation with nurses' death anxiety (p = 0.111). Conclusions: Our results showed that despite having a moderate level of anxiety, nurses try to provide good care behaviors to patients with covid-19. However, reducing nurses' anxiety can improve caring behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused new conditions, problems, and different research platforms for qualitative research. The aim of the present study was to analyse the challenges and opportunities facing qualitative researchers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran. This qualitative research was conducted with a conventional content analysis approach with twenty-four Iranian health sciences researchers. The participants were selected by snowball and purposive sampling. Data collection was carried out using semi-structured face-to-face and online interviews until reaching saturation. Data analysis was also carried out using the Graneheim & Lundman approach in MAXQDA-2018 software, and to improve the trustworthiness of the results, Guba and Lincoln's criteria were used. Data analysis led to the identification of two main categories, 13 subcategories, and 69 primary codes: The challenges were in areas such as data collection methods, access to participants and how to conduct interviews. Opportunities also included formation of new topics for qualitative research, highlighting the importance of qualitative research, strengthening the technological knowledge of researchers, research cost-effectiveness, and presenting further information on sensitive topics. It is also possible to strengthen qualitative research by supporting qualitative researchers at universities and research centres, facilitating the administrative processes, providing communication infrastructure such as suitable Internet in universities, ensuring more diversity in data collection methods, developing an appropriate protocol during the COVID-19 pandemic, and dedicating some university rooms to qualitative researchers to conduct interviews. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eggs are a symbol of life, reproduction and restoration of nature for many nationalities. The oldest egg decoration ceremonies are known to have taken place among Zoroastrians, whose historical heartland lies in Azerbaijan, India and Iran. The ancient tradition of decorating eggs connects the culture of historical Persia to contemporary Europe. In many Eastern European countries, including Poland, Hungary, Romania and Ukraine, these practices persist up to the present where painted eggs serve as national symbols. While the patterns on the eggs and the style of painting may differ (Iran's Nowruz holiday eggs are different from European Easter Eggs), there are similarities in the decorative techniques used by the Slavic peoples of Ukraine, Poland and Romania who have preserved the tradition of treating the egg as a sacred source and repository of nascent life which has a protective power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bullying and cyberbullying are prevalent among school-age children. A considerable number of adolescents experience different forms of bullying due to various reasons, such as their race and ethnicity. Previous research has examined the effect of ethnicity and race on school bullying and victimization, mostly in Western cultures. Iran is a country with diverse ethnic backgrounds, and no research has investigated this issue in Iranian schools. This study aimed to examine the interplay of online and offline victimization and online and offline ethnic discrimination among adolescents in Iran. It also aimed to investigate gender differences in the experience of victimization and ethnic discrimination among Iranian adolescents. The participants were a sample of 156 Iranian adolescents (116 females and 40 males) who completed an online survey, including demographic questions and self-report measures of victimization and racial–ethnic discrimination. The results showed that non-Fars minority adolescents reported a greater experience of online victimization, online and offline ethnic discrimination than the majority of Fars ethnicity adolescents. Additionally, the minority group reported a higher victimization experience than the Fars majority in online settings, but not offline. Female participants reported a higher experience of online victimization and online ethnic discrimination than male adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Widespread environmental changes as well as economic events and factors have contributed significantly to migrations from and relocations of human settlements during the past years. Being in direct contact with natural environments, rural settlements have been on the forefront of dealing with these changes. The impacts are more tangible in developing countries, including Iran, which face numerous socioeconomic and management challenges. Despite this, a number of the residents of rural settlements refuse to migrate and decide to stay in their current place of living despite economic and environmental hardships. In this respect, the present research aims to investigate the reasons of this decision among the "trapped" populations by studying two villages of Famenin County in Iran, namely Amirabad and Jahanabad, using the qualitative methodology in the form of field interviews with the residents. The results indicate that while "employment," "accommodation," and "poverty" are the three main drivers, which contribute to the villagers' decision for not migrating in general, social capital and psychological attachment are considered impactful drivers for not migrating among older villagers or those with a longer history of rural residence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We tested an assessment model, by which teacher self-efficacy, perceived school climate, and psychological wellbeing at work, might predict teaching enjoyment. We invited a convenience sample of 355 teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL) to respond to four online questionnaires. We used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to check the scales' construct validity and structural equation modeling (SEM) to test associations among the variables. Our results showed that teacher self-efficacy, perceived school-climate, and psychological wellbeing were direct predictors of foreign language teaching-enjoyment (FLTE). Teacher self-efficacy affected FLTE indirectly, as induced by psychological well-being. School climate also indirectly influenced FLTE, as mediated by teacher self-efficacy and psychological wellbeing, with school climate a direct predictor of teacher self-efficacy and psychological wellbeing. Teacher self-efficacy directly affected psychological wellbeing. We discuss implications of these findings for teacher-education programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Maternal health literacy (MHL) and health information-seeking behavior (HISB) could impact maternal health and pregnancy outcomes. Purpose and Research Design: This cross-sectional study investigated MHL, HISBs, and pregnancy outcomes in Iranian pregnant women. This study was also aimed to determine the predictors of MHL and pregnancy outcomes. Study smple and Data Collection : In this study, 337 randomly selected postpartum women completed three questionnaires, including a demographics form, an obstetrics history checklist, and the Maternal Health Literacy and Pregnancy Outcome Questionnaire (MHLAPQ). Results: The mean MHL and pregnancy outcome scores were 60.80 ± 9.91 and 49.88 ± 5.69, respectively. Of the participants, 56% adopted both formal and informal HISB. Education and internet HISB was associated with the odds of being in the group with higher MHL. Participants with high MHL had more than twice higher odds for better pregnancy outcomes (OR = 2.25, p < 0.004). Conclusions: Continued efforts are required to make health information sources more accessible to pregnant women to improve their health literacy and pregnancy outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the need for observing health protocols, the experience of the loss and the grieving process has changed in nature during this disease. Therefore, this study aims to gain a deep understanding of the experience of mourning during COVID-19 pandemic by exploring the experiences of survivors of the death of their loved. During COVID-19 pandemic, the inability to hold the usual ceremonies for mourning and receive the social support needed in this period, the relatives of the deceased encounter various conditions that disrupt the grieving process and may lead to the spread of unresolved grief in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While emerging literature explores how organizations engage with the past, investigations of how complex relationships to the past influence mobilizing multiple forms of historical representation in practice remain scarce. The current study examines different relationships to the past to shed light on how their complex and at times contradictory connotations relates to the use of multimodal historical cues in organizational practices, based on a qualitative study of art galleries in downtown Tehran, Iran. We describe how fondness for, aversion to and conflicted relationships with the past coexist, and how and why actors use diverse historical cues to express these diverse relationships in practice. We add to current understandings of organizational uses of the past by offering insights into how and why organizations actively evoke and manage positive, negative, and conflicted relationships to the past, and how these relationships draw upon diverse discursive and non-discursive supports to organizational practices aiming at different yet complementary goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the visual representation of menopause in Iranian health promotion resources. The author uses Kress and Van Leeuwen's approach to visual analysis (Kress G and Van Leeuwen T (2002) Colour as a semiotic mode: Notes for a grammar of colour. Visual Communication 2(3): 343–368 and Kress G and Van Leeuwen T (2006) Reading Images: The Grammar of Visual Design, 2nd edn. London: Routledge.) to study publications about the menopause by the Iranian Government and two major medical universities. Two research questions guide the investigation: How do Iranian health promotion resources visually represent the menopause? How do these representations reflect and reproduce cultural values and religious beliefs? Findings reveal that: the publications address both men and women, but exclude widows, single and divorced women; the publications encourage women to stay healthy and lead a fulfilling post-menopausal life; and that they have a distinctly Iranian approach to the use of visual communication, characterized by abstract modality, visual symbolism and the emotive expressivity of a vivid use of colour. However, the publications have not been updated since 2008 and are currently not distributed so that their generally positive message cannot, at present, challenge some traditional masculine beliefs which restrict women to the roles of wife and mother. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the situation of cancer patients as vulnerable patients and the threat of COVID-19 in the society, integration of home-based palliative care services into the healthcare system is essential. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the current barriers of integration of palliative care services from hospital to home for cancer patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic and to provide suggestions to resolve them. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 stakeholders in the healthcare system, including health policy makers, healthcare providers, clinical home healthcare experts, home healthcare researchers, university faculty members, clergy, family caregivers, and cancer patients. Data were analyzed using directed content analysis method based on the World Health Organization Public Health Strategy for Palliative Care. Challenges were extracted in 4 main categories, containing education barriers (3 subcategories), implementation barriers (9 subcategories), policy barriers (5 subcategories), and drug availability barriers (2 subcategories). Based on the results, removing the barriers and establishing a strong infrastructure for home-based palliative care services is recommended in the healthcare system by concentrating on 4 essential factors, that is, utilizing a coordinating nurse during the process of patient's hospital discharge, establishment of connecting outpatient palliative care clinics to home healthcare centers, access to palliative care tele-medicine and development of a comprehensive and flexible home-based palliative cancer care model in our context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the manifold lineages of crisis and revolt currently afflicting the Islamic Republic of Iran, most recently bursting forth in the 2022/2023 national uprisings where women-led mass protests and forceful rejection of mandatory veiling laws captured global attention. This interdisciplinary piece of research, bringing together several different theoretical approaches and historical literatures, interrogates and reflects upon what I call following Stuart Hall a 'conjunctural crisis' along the four major axes of (1) gender oppression and social reproduction; (2) the ethnocentric, dominative, and centralising nation-state and the still unresolved 'ethno-national question'; (3) 'religious democracy' and the impasse of the Reform movement; and (4) authoritarian neoliberalism and the Islamic Republic's political economy of predation. The article aims to show not only how these distinct crises have longer and more complicated lineages than might initially appear to be the case but also demonstrate how they have mutually constituted and shaped one another over the course of several decades, constituting part of a larger political and social system. Moreover, it aspires to provide a systematic and historically contextualised account of ongoing emancipatory struggles for democratic rights and liberation in today's Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this article is to assess the effect of domestic violence on abortion and investigate the mediating role of unwanted pregnancy. A secondary analysis was conducted on the National Family Survey data. This survey was a cross-sectional study conducted across Iran in 2018. The association between domestic violence and abortion was analyzed using the Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) with WarpPLS version 8.0. From among 1,544 married women (mean age 42.8 years) who participated in this survey, 27% (418 women) reported experiencing at-least one-lifetime of abortion. Overall, two in three women (67.3%) experienced at least one form of domestic violence. Almost half of the women with experience of abortion (49.3%) reported at least one unwanted pregnancy in their life course. The bivariate analysis showed a significant positive relationship between domestic violence and abortion, and there was a positive direct effect of domestic violence on unwanted pregnancy. Moreover, age had a negative direct and indirect effect on unwanted pregnancy and abortion. Although, the direct effect of domestic violence on abortion was not significant in the Structure Equation Model, a positive indirect effect of domestic violence on abortion through unwanted pregnancy was confirmed. The effect of unwanted pregnancy on abortion was particularly strong (β =.395, p <.01). These results have some implications for prevention of abortion through interventions against unwanted and unplanned pregnancy and domestic violence. This study makes a unique theoretical contribution to the literature through assessing the mediating role of unwanted pregnancy between domestic violence and abortion by using the SEM model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both Oman and Iran possess a harsh environment where people's survival and development entail a deep knowledge about their surroundings. A considerable part of this knowledge has crystallized around the falaj, a hydraulic technique that transfers water from a groundwater source or seasonal runoffs to cultivated lands, in Omani and Iranian oases, that has historically served as the only water source in an otherwise barren arid land. This article argues that the spatial extent of the falaj confronts local communities with a variety of questions to be solved. This article also tries to answer how the falaj system contributed to the development of modern sciences in a broader context. The article concludes that a transition from Indigenous knowledge to modern sciences has changed the position of local communities from coexistence to over-exploitation in terms of their water resources, and this transition can explain their current water problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Healthy aging is one of the essential aspects of a health promotion program in the elderly. Aim: Exploring ethical challenges in healthy elderly care from the perspective of nurses, older adults, and families in the Iranian context. Research Design: This qualitative study was conducted using a content analysis approach in 4 health centers in northeastern Iran from 2017 to 2019. Semi-structured interviews, observation, review of elderly files, and focus groups were used to collect data. Ethical considerations: The ethics committee of the university approved this study in Iran. This study adhered to the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. Ethical principles autonomy, confidentiality, and anonymity were considered for the participants. Participants were informed about the purpose of the study and submitted written informed consent regarding their participation. Findings: The central theme was: An unfair approach to caring for healthy older adults. The three categories were as follows: Forgotten human care, disrespect, and lack of a meaningful and trustworthy relationship. The 14 subcategories highlighted the ethical challenges of healthy aging care in health centers. Discussion: The findings showed that due to nurses' unfamiliarity with the concept of healthy aging, older adults are discriminated against in care centers. Creating a standard care program for healthy older adults ensures that ethical principles are followed for these clients. Conclusion: Various individual and organizational factors lead to an unfair approach to caring for healthy elderly in health centers. The following factors can help improve the care of healthy aging and reduce ethical challenges in this area: Introducing nurses to the concept of healthy old age and its dimensions, creating a community-based approach in health centers, prioritizing health issues over health issues, Involvement of families and older adults in needs assessment-goal setting-implementation and evaluation of health services, and design of home visit programs to provide services to healthy elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Standard empirical studies are needed despite three decades of research on child sexual abuse prevention programs (CSAPPs). This study aimed to investigate the effects of CSAPP on the child's sexual safety. A multicenter, random cluster, quasi-experimental controlled survey was conducted in a 1:1 ratio in Tehran, Iran, from May to December 2019 in seventy 5- to 6-years-old children from 10 kindergartens. In groups of 7 to 8, the intervention group participated in four sessions of 45 minutes of face-to-face sexual self-care training, 3 to 4 days apart. The control groups received one session on accident safety. Knowledge, self-protective skills, fear, and self-disclosure were assessed respectively by the "Personal Safety Questionnaire (PSQ)," "What If Situation Test (WIST)," "Fear Assessment Thermometer Scale (FATS)," and researcher-made questions before and 8 weeks after the intervention. At the baseline, children obtained 70% of knowledge and 45% of protective skills scores. After the intervention, knowledge, protective skills, and detection of "appropriate requests" were significantly promoted (p <.001). Detecting "inappropriate requests" did not differ; however, all quadruple skills (Say, Do, Tell, and Report) improved significantly. "Girl sex" and "parents' education" were related factors promoting children's protective skills. Sexual abuse self-disclosure was 4.2% (n = 3), and one child reported child sexual abuse (CSA) only after the intervention. Despite the lack of formal education, children's basic knowledge reflects the importance of parents in preventing CSA. However, the CSAPP significantly improved children's skills and revealed one CSA case. CSAPP should not focus solely on risky scenarios because if children cannot distinguish between safe and unsafe situations, they will experience unnecessary anxiety. Even after recognizing the dangerous conditions, CSA prevention will practically fail without appropriate reactions such as escaping and reporting. CSAPP should emphasize individual rights such as body ownership and assertiveness skills and explain the "danger of known people" with detailed scenarios, especially in collectivistic and traditional societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate the role of attachment styles and gender among different online addictions (social media addiction, online gaming addiction, and internet addiction) among adolescents and young adults via an online survey. The participants comprised 943 Iranian students (440 females) selected by multi-stage cluster sampling. The survey included the nine-item form of the Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire (Laconi et al., 2019), nine-item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (Pontes & Griffiths, 2015), Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (Andreassen et al., 2016), and Parent and Peer Attachment Styles Questionnaire (Gullone & Robinson, 2005). The results showed that online addictions were negatively correlated with secure attachment style, while insecure styles were positively correlated with all three types of online addiction. The results also showed that young adults were more involved in online activities, online addictive behaviors increased with age, and online gaming addiction was more prevalent among males than females. These findings indicate that individuals with a secure attachment style are less susceptible to online addictions and individuals with an insecure attachment style report more online addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic enters year three, with no end in sight. Among hoteliers, small family run businesses have been among the hardest hit. We interview owners of small Iranian Eco-tourism lodges (Ecolodges). Using MAXQDA 2020 software, thematic analysis revealed 10 main themes, condensed into five discussion topics. Stakeholder theory shapes our discussion of findings, revealing roles of internal and external stakeholders. Findings also include the reactive and innovative strategies ecolodges use to stay open and generate cash flow, the importance of stakeholder communications and accessing up-to-date government rules, the value of constant learning, and H.R. practices that assure stakeholders' well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common metabolic dysfunction in pregnancy and as overweight and obesity are of the major risk factors. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Information-Motivation and Behavioral skills (IMB) model-based counseling on preventing GDM in overweight and obese pregnant women. Methods: This randomized controlled trial study was conducted on 137 pregnant women in two groups; education and counseling IMB model-based for four sessions (n = 70), and antenatal usual care (AUC) (n = 67). This study was conducted on overweight and obese pregnant women, at the 12 to 16 weeks' gestation and recruited from the Prenatal Clinic of Rohani Hospital in north of Iran. Blood glucose was measured before and 8 weeks after the intervention. Descriptive and inferential statistics including mean, frequency, t-test, chi-square and ANCOVA were used. Results: The prevalence of GDM was lower in the intervention group than the control group (10% and 29.9%, respectively, RR = 0.33, CI 95% (0.15– 0.74) p =.004) as well as mean fasting blood glucose (Cohen's d = 0.28, p =.07), and glucose tolerance test at the first and second hour (d = 0.41 and Cohen's d = 0.73, respectively, p <.01). Conclusions: A lifestyle intervention in early pregnancy by IMB counseling in overweight and obese pregnant women can be effective in decrease GDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to conduct a risk assessment and management of psychological, structural, social and economic determinants (PSSED) in a suicide attempt. The sample consisted of 353 individuals who had a recorded history of suicidal attempt; and 20 professional individuals by purposive sampling method within a descriptive cross-sectional design. Worksheets for RAM and AHP were used for data collection in this study. The rate of suicide attempt was 7.21 per 100,000 population in this study. Analysis showed that depression and mental disorders; personality disorders; family problems; socio-cultural and economic problems; lack of awareness; and low level of education have a high level of risk for suicide attempts. Psychiatric and psychological services; awareness and knowledge of life skills; medical services to dysfunctional families; development of community-based planning for PSSED of suicide; and employment and entrepreneurship services may lower suicide attempt risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]