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Abstract Tendon injuries present significant medical, social, and economic challenges globally. Despite advancements in tendon injury repair techniques, outcomes remain suboptimal due to inferior tissue quality and functionality. Tissue engineering offers a promising avenue for tendon regeneration, with biocompatible scaffolds playing a crucial role. Ostrich eggshell membrane (ESM), characterized by a strong preferential orientation of calcite crystals, forms a semipermeable polymer network with excellent mechanical properties compared to membranes from other bird species, emerging as a potential natural scaffold candidate. Coupled with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), known for its regenerative properties, ESM holds promise for improving tendon repair. This study aims to evaluate the biocompatibility and efficacy of an ESM-PRP scaffold in treating Achilles tendon ruptures, employing in vitro and in vivo assessments to gauge its potential in tendon regeneration in living organisms. Ostrich ESM was prepared from pathogen-free ostrich eggs, sterilized with UV radiation and prepared in desired dimensions before implantation (1.5 × 1 cm). High-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) was utilized to visualize the sample morphology and fiber bonding. In vitro biocompatibility was assessed using the MTT assay and DAPI staining, while in vivo biocompatibility was evaluated in a rat model. For the in vivo Achilles tendinopathy assay, rats were divided into groups and subjected to AT rupture followed by treatment with ESM, PRP, or a combination. SEM was employed to evaluate tendon morphology, and real-time PCR was conducted to analyze gene expression levels. The in vivo assay indicated that the ESM scaffold was safe for an extended period of 8 weeks, showing no signs of inflammation based on histopathological analysis. In the Achilles tendon rupture model, combining ESM with PRP enhanced tendon healing after 14 weeks post-surgery. This finding was supported by histopathological, morphological, and mechanical evaluations of tendon tissues compared to normal tendons, untreated tendinopathy, and injured tendons treated with the ESM scaffold. Gene expression analysis revealed significantly increased expression of Col1a1, Col3a1, bFGF, Scleraxis (Scx), and tenomodulin in the ESM-PRP groups. The findings of our study demonstrate that the combination of Ostrich ESM with PRP significantly enhances AT repair and is a biocompatible scaffold for the application in living organisms.

Abstract Background A resident or assistant is a qualified physician who usually practices medicine in a hospital or clinic under the direct or indirect supervision of a physician who specializes in that area. In addition to being learners, they are also responsible for patient care. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of training in different subjects on the improvement of residents’ knowledge and their satisfaction with each of the educational methods used in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Methods This quasi-experimental intervention study was conducted in 2023 on 90 residents who had completed their training in the ICU. Every month, a group of three residents visited Rasoul -Akram Hospital for rotation. This one-month rotation was divided into 3 periods of 10 days in three different ICUs. Four educational methods were used over a period of 5 months. An initial test was given to each group at the beginning of the training course. Each month, in addition to the scientific and skills training given in the morning sessions and during the visits, four training sessions were given weekly, and at the end of the rotation each group was tested again. The data were analyzed using SPSS (version 25). Results The mean scores of the residents improved after the training course, which was statistically significant (P

Abstract Purpose The objective of this study was to examine bacterial contamination in therapeutic contact lenses (TCLs) utilized following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and to identify factors correlated to positive culture outcomes. Methods This prospective study comprised 120 eyes from 60 patients who underwent bilateral PRK surgery at Farabi Eye Hospital in 2022. TCLs, applied postoperatively, were collected between the fifth and seventh days, placed in sterile containers with culture media, and analyzed for microbial growth. The documentation included patient demographic information, refractive status, preoperative conditions, culture results, and antibiotic susceptibility data. Results The results indicated microbial growth was detected in seven lenses, which accounts for 5.8% of the total number of lenses (120 TCLs). Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) (4 lenses, 2 methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS)), Escherichia coli (E. coli) (1 lens), diphtheroid (1 lens), and micrococcus species (1 lens) were the isolated organisms. The patients did not experience any instances of microbial keratitis during the study period. Patients with positive cultures demonstrated a significantly higher mean age (35.00 ± 7.09 years, P-value = 0.036). No significant gender disparities were identified (P-value = 0.263). Conclusion The incidence of microbial contamination in postoperative TCLs following PRK was minimal, with no occurrence of microbial keratitis. Older ages correlated with positive culture outcomes, highlighting the necessity for customized postoperative care approaches.

Abstract Background and aim Bone marrow transplantation is an expensive treatment procedure that result in financial burdens. The aim of this study was to assess the financial burdens of this procedure from the caregiver’s viewpoint. Material and method This cross-sectional study included pediatric patients (under 18 years old) who underwent hematopoietic cell transplantation March 21, 2017, and March 21, 2019. A checklist was designed for interview and data collection. A comprehensive review of articles in PubMed, Embase and web of science and scientific texts was conducted. The checklist comprises 25 items, of which 11 pertain to the demographic characteristics of the patient’s guardian, three items are dedicated to the child’s medical condition, and remaining items focus on the financial implications of the transplant, such as its impact on employment and bank savings, selling or exchanging assets to cover costs, receiving charitable support, economizing on essential and non-essential expenses, borrowing money to cover transplant expenses, and downgrading one’s standard of living to afford the transplant. Results A total of 257 caregivers of pediatric patients who were underwent hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) were interviewed. The majority of respondents (92%) were parents of patients. The predominant type of HCT among patients was allogeneic (82.9%). Patients underwent HCT for 17 different diseases, with the most common being thalassemia (18.7%) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (16.7%). About 18% of the respondents stated that they had to take leave from work to pursue transplantation for their patients. Additionally, 19.5% of the participants reported that they had to work part-time due to the demands of the treatment process, while about 18% were completely unemployed in order to follow the treatment process of their patients. 92% of caregivers were forced to spend all of their bank savings to cover HCT expenses. Furthermore, 67% of respondents stated that they were forced to sell their assets to cover HCT expenses, with gold and jewelry being the most commonly sold assets by households (38.5% or 99 people). Conclusion Despite the lower cost of bone marrow transplantation in Iran compared to developed countries, the purchasing power of people and the insurance coverage should be taken into account. This study revealed that the financial burden on Iranian caregivers is substantial and leads to severe economic impacts and deterioration of households’ quality of life. Therefore, policy and insurance reforms are needed to improve the situation of bone marrow transplantations.

Abstract Objective This systematic review and meta-analysis assess the effects of Ramadan fasting in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), on blood sugar factors such as hemoglobin A1C and problems caused by its lack of control such as hypoglycemia and DKA, and metabolic outcomes. Methods Electronic databases including MEDLINE, Embase, and SINOMED were searched up to February 13, 2024, without language, region, or publication time restrictions. The outcomes were Acute complications, changes in Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and weight changes. Meta-analyses used random-effects models to compute weighted Relative risk (RR) and standard mean differences (SMD). And to check the risk of bias of included studies, the Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used. Results Nine studies were included, comprising 458 participants, with studies varying in quality from high to low. Meta-analysis showed no significant reduction in HbA1c levels post-Ramadan (SMD: -0.12; 95% CI: -0.38 to 0.14), indicating minimal impact on long-term glycemic control. The incidence of hypoglycemia was notably high (50.79 events per 100 observations), with hyperglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) also reported but less frequently. The variability in complication rates among studies was significant, reflecting the high heterogeneity across the data. Weight changes during Ramadan were minimal and not statistically significant, suggesting fasting’s negligible effect on body weight among participants. Conclusions Ramadan fasting among adolescents with T1DM does not significantly alter HbA1c levels, suggesting potential feasibility under careful monitoring and management. However, the high incidence of hypoglycemia underscores the need for vigilant glucose monitoring and tailored adjustments to diabetes management plans during fasting periods.

Abstract Background Given the limited evidence on the side effects of AZD1222 booster in individuals previously vaccinated with Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV, we conducted a cohort event monitoring study to capture adverse events in those receiving AZD1222 booster doses (first or second) after Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccination in Iran. Methods This active COVID-19 vaccine safety surveillance study was conducted in vaccination centers across 12 provinces in Iran. The study population included individuals who had received two doses of Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV and either a first or second AZD1222 booster dose. Each participant was followed for 13 weeks after their booster dose. Results A total of 28,742 participants were included, with 13,428 females (46.72%) and 15,314 males (53.28%). The average age was 43.25 ± 14.90 years. Of the total, 82.46% were recruited retrospectively through vaccination registration. Among 16,944 individuals with available polymerase chain reaction test results, 118 tested positive for COVID-19 between 14 and 90 days post-booster. There were 123 hospital admissions, with 18 cases showing a higher likelihood of being associated with adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) or serious adverse events (SAEs). After excluding deaths unrelated to vaccination, four deaths were potentially linked to AEFIs or SAEs. The cumulative incidence rates for hospital admissions and deaths were 106.40 and 13.90 per 100,000 individuals, respectively. Conclusion The study indicates that AZD1222 booster doses are safe for individuals previously vaccinated with Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV, with rare adverse events and an acceptable safety profile. This supports the use of heterologous booster strategies, though ongoing monitoring and improved pharmacovigilance are essential to detect any potential long-term effects.

Abstract Background Responsiveness is a critical dimension of public health, focussing on how health systems address the needs, preferences and expectations of the population. It plays a central role in improving and maintaining the population’s health by ensuring timely, equitable and patient-centred healthcare services. Objective In this study, we developed a mixed-methods model to assess healthcare system responsiveness from a public health perspective, integrating the insights of Iranian experts. The model identifies key factors such as intersectoral collaboration, health equity and community partnerships, which are essential for enhancing system responsiveness and ultimately improving health outcomes. Method In this study, conducted in 2024, we developed a mixed-methods model for assessing healthcare system responsiveness from a public health perspective, integrating the insights of Iranian experts. R software version 3.2.4 and the lavaan package were used for statistical analysis, considering the significance level of 0.05. Results On the basis of the literature review, the main components of health systems’ responsiveness in the public health domain were extracted. The qualitative content analysis induced three different themes that affect health, which included payment mechanism (two subcategories of budget and incentive system), social determinants of health (three subcategories of intersectoral collaboration, community partnership and equity in health) and quality (three subcategories of timely provision of healthcare services, need-based service delivery and continuity of care). Finally, using structural equation modelling (SEM), a system of variables with causal relationships was developed. We found a statistically significant direct effect on intersectoral collaboration, health equity, payment mechanisms, timely delivery of services and need-based service provision. The strongest association was found for the payment system (β = 1.023, P ≤ 0.05). Model fit indices showed adequate fit. Conclusions Our developed model underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to healthcare system responsiveness, particularly focussing on public health services as foundational strategies for achieving universal health coverage. The results of our study revealed that a well-structured payment system and incentive mechanisms are critical for motivating healthcare professionals to deliver high-quality, timely and need-based services, ensuring sustainability in care provision. Beyond financial incentives, our model highlights the importance of health equity, intersectoral collaboration and community partnerships, which were identified as key drivers of responsiveness in healthcare systems. The findings indicate that fostering these elements not only strengthens healthcare delivery, but also supports the adaptation of services to meet diverse population needs effectively. In addition, the study emphasizes the innovative role of intersectoral collaboration in enhancing primary healthcare, which requires commitment across healthcare and non-health sectors. Our model introduces the concept of integrating community participation and resource allocation strategies into the healthcare system, thereby enhancing responsiveness. These strategies are anticipated to improve key health outcomes, such as life expectancy and maternal and child health indicators, by establishing robust healthcare networks that are more attuned to the health needs of the population.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to compare the effects of resistance, swimming, and combined training patterns on L5 vertebral mineral density in osteoporotic rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 36 female Wistar rats, each weighing between 170-190 grams, were selected as samples. To verify the induction of osteoporosis, 12 rats were randomly divided into two groups: healthy and alcohol-injected (6 rats). Osteoporosis induction was induced through intraperitoneal injection of a saline solution combined with ethanol over a period of 3 weeks. 24 rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (6 rats): 1. Resistance training, 2. Swimming training, 3. Combined training, and 4. Control. Swimming training (90 minutes per day, 5 days in 12 weeks) and resistance protocol (5 days in 12 weeks, each session 8 sets with 8-12 repetitions of climbing the ladder) and the combined group performed resistance training in 4 sets with 8-12 repetitions of climbing the ladder and swimming training with half the duration of the swimming group. After 12 weeks, samples were collected from the spine and the density of L5 was evaluated using a DEXA machine. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey's test with a significance threshold of less than 0.05 in SPSS-16 (P

Abstract This paper examines policy coherence in Ghana's poultry sector by assessing potential interactions between policy objectives. Using panel simultaneous equation models and the data-driven synthetic control method, we analyze the effects of policy interventions on domestic poultry production during 1999–2019. Our findings underscore the impact of policies enacted during this period on the growth of domestic poultry production. However, growth in production remains notably lower than the escalating imports of frozen poultry meat. Our coherence analysis identifies lowering production costs and enhancing productivity as crucial policy objectives that could positively affect food security and rural development. Nonetheless, we caution against prioritizing one objective over others, as this may adversely affect overall policy coherence and outcomes. Specifically, our study emphasizes the importance of striking a balance between fostering domestic production and ensuring food security.

Abstract Asthma diagnosis poses challenges due to underreporting of symptoms, misdiagnoses, and limitations in existing diagnostic tests. Machine learning (ML) offers a promising avenue for addressing these challenges by leveraging demographic and clinical data. In this study, we aim to compare different ML diagnostic models and obtain the most valuable features for asthma diagnosis using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset. A total of 8,888 participants with available asthma diagnosis data from the 2017–2018 NHANES survey were included. After careful selection of variables related to asthma, various ML algorithms including Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), AdaBoost (ADA), XGBoost (XGB), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Naive Bayes (NB), and Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) were evaluated. SVM and ADA emerged as top performers with the highest area under the curve (AUC) scores of 0.72 and 0.71, respectively. RF exhibited high accuracy but low precision. Feature interpretation using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) values identified significant predictors such as close relative asthma history, dietary fat intake, and chronic bronchitis. Feature reduction experiments showed promising results without significant loss in predictive performance. Our findings demonstrate the potential diagnosis ability of ML algorithms, particularly SVM and ADA, in asthma diagnosis by incorporating diverse clinical and demographic factors. In addition, close relative asthma history, dietary fat intake, and chronic bronchitis could be suggested as the valuable asthma diagnosis features. These outcomes can bring promising results in early diagnosis of asthma.

Background: Differences between age groups is a very important issue that can be the source of various cultural and social phenomena and issues. Aims: The purpose of this research was to investigate the intergenerational social capital and its dimensions among men and women in Tuyserkan city. Methods: The research method was a survey and the data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. The statistical population included men and women over 15 years of age in Tuyserkan city in 2019, of which 392 were selected by cluster sampling. Results: Data analysis was done with ANOVA, Independent T-test, and Path Analysis in SPSS-25 software. The results showed that there is a difference between generations in terms of social capital and the older generation has more social capital; there is a difference between women and men in terms of social capital, and men have more social capital than women. There is a difference between age groups in terms of social capital, and the age group of 66 to 75 years has more social capital. Also, there is a relationship between income and social capital (P < 0.05). Conclusion: In short, it can be said that there is a relationship between intergenerational variables, gender, age groups, income, type of job, marital status, level of education, place of residence, age of marriage, presence in society, and social capital; There is a difference between men and women as well as between different generations in terms of the variables of age of marriage, presence in society, economic capital, individual and social freedoms, social trust, and social mobility.

Fast and accurate transient analysis (TA) requires a meticulously explored nonlinear transient excursion space (NTES). Hence, designing a polyhedral feature selection scheme (FSS) to fix the TA bottleneck raised by feeding non-discriminative transient records into predictive models is a significant task to avoid discordant TA indices results. Hence, we offer a fourfold bi-filter and permuted bi-quad-wrapper (F2FP2QW) FSS to find optimal transient moments (OTMs) from multi-trajectory transient records (MTTRs). The F2FP2QW model exerts varied fourfold repetition of the linked four-stage, including the bi-filter (relevancy rate (RR) and conditional-based RR (CRR) calculations) and bi-wrapper (incremental wrapper subset selection (IWSS) and IWSS with replacement (IWSSr)). The RR and CRR mounted on mutual information (MI) and conditional MI (CMI) in the filter stages. In the case of wrapper methods, hyperplane-based classifiers (HCs), namely support vector machine (SVM) and twin SVM (TWSVM), play the main role in IWSS and IWSSr tree formation. Due to kernel-based learning necessity in NTES, embedding the radial basis function (RBF), dynamic time warping (DTW), and polynomial (POL) kernels into dual HCs is on the agenda. Generally, wrapper stages include ${ }_{TWSVM}^{SVM} \textrm {IWSS}_{RBF/\,POL}^{RBF/\,DTW\,} $ and ${ }_{TWSVM}^{SVM} \textrm {IWSSr}_{RBF/\,POL}^{RBF/\,DTW\,}$ in a 24-way permutation. By applying the multifaced filter-wrapper scenario of F2FP2QW on 28-trajectory transient data, the OTMs are obtained. Finally, the efficacy of OTMs survived by the F2FP2QW model in TA is evaluated via a cross-validation scenario. The results show that F2FP2QW has a prediction accuracy of 98.87 % and a processing time of 102.587 milliseconds for transient stability prediction.

Reported rates of soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation in wetlands are markedly higher over recent versus longer timescales, caused by SOC losses through decomposition, paleoenvironmental changes, and recent increases in sedimentation or biomass production. Explaining changes in SOC sequestration rates and determining the time horizon over which high rates are sustained are both critical for accurately measuring the potential for wetland conservation as a natural climate solution. Here, we present analyses on a 4-m core from a riverine-influenced marsh in Big Creek watershed, southern Ontario, to track changes in SOC accumulation regimes. Since wetland initiation ∼5700 years ago, mean long-term (pre-industrial) rates of SOC accumulation were 24 g C m−2 year−1, and recent rates up to four times higher. We demonstrate that elevated recent rates of SOC accumulation are largely explained by more labile carbon in surficial soils, and are sustained for less than a century before transitioning to slower burial rates of predominantly recalcitrant organic matter. However, there are exceptions to this trend, such as when labile SOC was buried intermittently during Holocene Lake Erie highstands. Our research underscores the importance of organic matter type and hydroclimatic context in predicting long-term potential for marsh soils to stabilize atmospheric carbon.

An H-matrix accelerated direct solver employing the high-order Chebyshev-based Boundary Integral Equation (CBIE) method has been formulated, tested, and profiled for performance on high contrast dielectric materials and electrically large perfect electric conductor objects. The matrix fill performance of the CBIE proves to be fast for small to moderately sized problems compared to its counterparts, e.g., the locally corrected Nyström (LCN) method, due to the way it handles the singularities by means of a global change of variable method. However, in the case of electrically large scattering problems, the matrix fill and factorization still dominate the solution time when using a direct solution approach. To address this issue, an H-Matrix framework is employed, effectively resolving the challenge and establishing the CBIE as a competitive high-order method for solving scattering problems with poorly conditioned matrix equations. The efficacy of this approach is demonstrated through extensive numerical results, showcasing its robustness to problems that are electrically large, near physical resonances, or that have large dielectric permittivities. The capability of the proposed solver for handling arbitrary geometries is also demonstrated by considering various scattering examples from complex CAD models.

Abstract Science is integral to society because it can inform individual, government, corporate, and civil society decision-making on issues such as public health, new technologies or climate change. Yet, public distrust and populist sentiment challenge the relationship between science and society. To help researchers analyse the science-society nexus across different geographical and cultural contexts, we undertook a cross-sectional population survey resulting in a dataset of 71,922 participants in 68 countries. The data were collected between November 2022 and August 2023 as part of the global Many Labs study “Trust in Science and Science-Related Populism” (TISP). The questionnaire contained comprehensive measures for individuals’ trust in scientists, science-related populist attitudes, perceptions of the role of science in society, science media use and communication behaviour, attitudes to climate change and support for environmental policies, personality traits, political and religious views and demographic characteristics. Here, we describe the dataset, survey materials and psychometric properties of key variables. We encourage researchers to use this unique dataset for global comparative analyses on public perceptions of science and its role in society and policy-making.

Abstract The dietary inflammatory index (DII) is a common grading system for diet inflammatory potential. Recent investigations link DII to hematopoietic malignancies. However, the relationship between DII and Multiple myeloma (MM) is unknown. DII and MM were examined in a present case–control study of Iranian adults. This case–controlstudy was conducted on adults aged 20 to 75 years, selecting 149 cases with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma and 359 healthy individuals. Dietary assessment was conducted using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) including 154 items, and energy-adjusted DII scores were calculated to determine the level of inflammatory properties in each individual’s diet using 29 dietary parameters. Conditional logistic regression models were used to investigate the relationship between DII and MM. The case group participating in the study was on average 54 years old and mostly male (52.3%). After adjusting for age, sex, and energy intake, we found that individuals with the highest DII scores were significantly less likely to have MM compared to those with the lowest scores (OR: 0.02; 95% CI 0.01, 0.08). Additional adjustment with other confounders confirmed this association (OR: 0.03; 95% CI 0.01, 0.13). This association did not change significantly with further adjustment for BMI (OR: 0.04; 95% CI 0.01, 0.14). In conclusion, our research showed that a pro-inflammatory diet was associated with a significantly higher risk of MM. If our findings are confirmed in other large studies, these data will provide personalized approaches for MM patients, particularly for physicians and registered cancer dietitians.

Abstract Objective To understand the impact of both frailty and chronologic age on outcomes of weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation (MV). Methods The study population consisted of patients enrolled in the ‘WorldwidE. AssessmeNt of Separation of pAtients From ventilatory assistancE (WEAN SAFE) study. We defined 4 non-overlapping groups, namely: ‘frail’ (clinical frailty scale [CFS] score > 4; age 4; age ≥ 80 years), and a ‘not frail or elderly’ population. The primary outcome was the impact of frailty and older age on delayed weaning and failed weaning from invasive MV. Secondary outcomes included the impact of frailty and age on ICU and hospital survival. Results In the study population, 760 (17%) were frail, while 360 (8%) were elderly, 197 (4%) were frail and elderly, while 3,176 (70%) were not frail or elderly. The frail and elderly cohorts were more likely to be female, had hypoxemic/hypercapnic respiratory failure or sepsis, and had more comorbidities. The proportion of delayed weaning and of failed weaning from invasive MV was significantly higher in the frail (28 and 23%), the elderly (25 and 19%), and the frail and elderly groups (22% and 25%), compared to the not frail or elderly population (12% and 13%, P

Abstract Background Undernutrition among children is a public health concern in most low and middle-income countries (LMICs) and is associated with poor child growth and development. Knowledge about child feeding practices is needed for nutritional policies and programs. Hence, this study assessed the status of minimum acceptable diet (MAD) and its associated factors among children aged 6–23 months in Afghanistan. Methods This cross-sectional study was based on a secondary dataset of the 2022–2023 Afghanistan Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS 2022–23). Complete data from 7,876 children aged 6–23 months were analysed. The outcome variable was MAD and was defined according to the WHO and UNICEF recommendations and indicators for young child feeding practices. Bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with MAD. Results About 7.3% of children aged 6–23 months were fed with the recommended MAD. The likelihood of receiving MAD was higher in children aged 13–18 months [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.01 (95%CI: 1.63–2.48)] and 19–23 months [2.11 (95%CI: 1.68–2.66)], in children belonging to households with higher wealth status [1.39 (95%CI: 1.04–1.87), 2.06 (95%CI: 1.51–2.82), and 3.07 (95%CI: 2.14–4.40) for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th quintile of wealth status, respectively], and in children living in rural areas [1.56 (95%CI: 1.21–2.01)]. On the other hand, the maternal age group 30–39 years [0.79 (95%CI: 0.64–0.96)] and non-institutional delivery [0.67 (95%CI: 0.54–0.83)] were associated with reduced odds of MAD. Conclusion Our study revealed that a small percentage (7.3%) of children received MAD in Afghanistan. This emphasizes the need for policies and interventions aimed at the improvement of child feeding practices to ultimately lead to better child nutrition and health in Afghanistan.

Abstract Purpose Zirconia dental implants show excellent biocompatibility and tissue integration, low affinity for plaque, and favorable biomechanical properties. However, these objective measures do not adequately replicate the patient’s perception. This systematic review evaluated the evidence on patient-reported outcome (PROs) in zirconia dental implant treatment. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines, utilizing six electronic databases, and supplemented by a manual search of relevant journals and websites to ensure a thorough and comprehensive screening process. The identified studies were subjected to preidentified inclusion criteria. Only controlled clinical trials published in English were considered without limitations on the year of publication. Data on the study characteristics (follow-up, survival rate (%), implant system, number of implants, and type of treatment), PROMs, level of evidence, and Methodological Index for Nonrandomized Studies (MINORS) Bias Score were extracted. Results The initial database and hand search yielded 596 articles; 189 were included in the title and abstract screening after excluding the duplicates. Eighteen articles were selected based on the inclusion criteria, among which six were excluded because they did not match the research question. Thus, the final selection comprised 12 articles. Most PROMs (aesthetics, speaking, comfort, chewing ability, and general satisfaction) at prosthetic delivery revealed significantly improved average scores than those at pretreatment. Conclusions Despite the respective limitations of the articles included in this systematic review, patients revealed high satisfaction levels with regard to zirconia dental implants. A high level of heterogeneity was observed among the instruments used for measuring the patient-reported outcomes in patients with zirconia implants, thus highlighting the need to develop specific PROMs in the future.

Abstract Antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapy has transformed treatment for several solid tumors, including small cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, significant challenges remain, including systemic toxicity, acquired resistance, and the lack of reliable biomarkers for patient selection. To enhance the effectiveness of ADC therapies in SCLC, we focused on target selection in this study by investigating the expression of ADC targets - SEZ6, DLL3, CD276, and TACSTD2 - in cell lines and patient samples. SEZ6 expression was significantly elevated in various SCLC transcriptional subtypes, particularly ASCL1, and exhibited gender-specific differences, being lower in women. DLL3 was primarily observed in the ASCL1 subtype, while CD276 showed high expression in non-neuroendocrine subtypes. TACSTD2 levels were generally low and attenuated in lymph nodes and brain metastases compared to primary tumors. Our findings underscore the importance of understanding target expression patterns to optimize ADC therapy and advance precision medicine in SCLC treatment.

Abstract Children are highly sensitive to toxins which can damage their organs and lead to death. Investigating the main causes of intoxication could reduce mortality and morbidity in children. In this cross-sectional study, the documents of all poisoned patients (214 cases) admitted to the emergency department of Taleghani children`s Hospital between April 2020 and 2023 were investigated. Approximately 51% of them were females. There were 87 cases (45.3%) of illicit drug poisoning, which included methadone 43.8%, opium 41.4%, amphetamine 8.2%, cannabis 3.3%, buprenorphine 2.2%, and tramadol 1.1%. Children who were poisoned by illicit drugs presented with impaired level of consciousness (92.5%), unstable vital signs and abnormal laboratory results. The level of serum glucose was higher in methadone toxicity. Three and two cases, due to methadone and opium poisoning died. Children with illicit drugs poisoning in terms of vital signs and laboratory data were worse compared to other poisonings and mortality is high in this group. In this study, the blood sugar in methadone poisoning cases was statistically significantly different from other drugs, and it is suggested that in cases of children suspected of poisoning with illicit drugs and high blood sugar, methadone poisoning should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Abstract Background Adolescents face numerous challenges that influence their sexual behaviors. Among these, bullying victimization is a critical yet understudied factor that may impact engagement in unprotected sex. This study investigated the correlates of condom use among school-going Thai adolescents, with a main focus on bullying victimization. Methods This study is a secondary analysis of the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) conducted in 2021 among a nationally representative sample of students in grades 7–12 in Thailand. The analysis included all the sexually active students with condom use in the last sex as the main outcome variable. Bivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine the odds of using condom across various explanatory variables. Additional adjusted logistic regression models were constructed to examine the association between bullying experiences and condom use while controlling for the potential confounding effect of other explanatory variables. Results Among sexually active participants, 416 (69%) reported using condoms in their last sex and more than half of them reported bullying experiences. Besides bullying, this study identifies several factors such as older age (

Abstract Objective Postoperative tracheostomy is a significant complication following medulloblastoma (MB) resection. This study aimed to develop a predictive model for postoperative tracheostomy requirement in children undergoing MB surgical resection. This model was derived as a side product of a larger research project analyzing surgical outcomes in pediatric MB patients. Results Forty-five patients (26%) required tracheostomy postoperatively. Using multivariable logistic regression, five models were developed, and the final model was selected based on performance and simplicity. The simplified version included two predictors: preoperative brainstem invasion and postoperative brainstem contusion, each contributing equally to the score. The model demonstrated an AUC of 0.845. Predicted risks of requiring a tracheostomy were 5.8%, 57.7%, and 75% for scores of 0, 1, and 2, respectively. This tool provides clinicians with a quantitative approach to assess tracheostomy risk, improving decision-making and patient management.

Abstract This study investigates factors influencing physical activity based on the Transtheoretical model (TTM) among adolescents. This study was conducted on 745 individuals between the ages of 12 and 16 years and was analyzed using a generalized linear model (GLM) approach with appropriate link functions using both classical and Bayesian frameworks. The results show that in model 1, the probit link function is a more appropriate approach to determine the risk factors for physical activity. In model 2, the logit link function is a more appropriate approach to determine the risk factors for physical activity. In addition, this study highlights a positive association between theatrical relief (OR = 1.08; 95% CI 1.02,1.14) and self-efficacy (OR = 1.06; 95% CI 1.02,1.09) for physical activity, and a negative association between self-relief (OR = 0.82; 95% CI 0.74,0.90), counter-conditioning (OR = 0.85; 95% CI 0.79,0.92), stimulus control (OR = 0.87; 95% CI 0.81,0.93) and helping relationships (OR = 0.94; 95% CI 0.88,0.99) with physical activity among female students. Self-efficacy is crucial for predicting activity levels, suggesting beneficial interventions that combine physical activity with self-efficacy enhancement. Positive thinking and a structured behavior change process are essential for physical activity engagement.

Abstract The vestibular system is vital for maintaining stable vision during daily activities. When peripheral vestibular input is lost, patients initially experience impaired gaze stability due to reduced effectiveness of the vestibular-ocular-reflex pathway. To aid rehabilitation, patients are often prescribed gaze-stabilization exercises during which they make self-initiated active head movements. Analyzing statistical pattern of sequences of stereotyped behaviors to characterize degrees of randomness or repeatability has proven to be a powerful approach for diagnosing disease states, yet this approach has not been applied to patients with vestibular loss. Accordingly, here we investigated whether the patterning of head movements is altered in vestibular-loss patients by using trial-based analysis and sample-entropy measurement. The subjects completed gaze-stability exercises in both the yaw and pitch directions. In trial-based analysis, we calculated the trial-to-trial variability of head movement duration and peak velocity for each individual head movement. Our results showed that healthy individuals exhibited a temporally repetitive (correlated) structure in peak velocity, especially for head movements in the pitch direction, which was absent in most patients. In the sample entropy analysis, which measures the irregularity or randomness of a time series, our results revealed that head-movement generation was more regular in vestibular-loss patients compared to healthy controls. Together, these analyses suggest that vestibular-loss patients display less flexibility in the patterning of their head motions. Our results provide the first experimental evidence that temporal head stability is a valuable metric for distinguishing individuals with impaired vestibular function from healthy ones.

Abstract Early depressive symptoms within the first days after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are mainly manifested with performance parameters (lack of energy, concentration difficulties, reduction in physical functioning). Homoarginine (hArg), a non-proteinogenic amino acid, might increase the availability of nitric oxide (NO). NO controls vasodilatation, blood flow, mitochondrial respiration and improves performance. Therefore, low plasma hArg levels after an AMI might impact performance-related early depressive symptoms. This longitudinal study aims to determine the course of plasma hArg concentrations immediately, on the fourth day and 6 months after AMI and investigates the associations between hArg and early depressive symptoms. A decrease in hArg levels, as observed in AMI patients on the fourth day after AMI, was independent of gender, age, body-mass-index and AMI type. After six months, hArg concentrations no longer differed significantly from baseline values. Females had lower hArg concentrations shortly after and also four days after the AMI compared to males. Within the first days after AMI HAMD-17 and BDI-II total depression scores and performance-related early depressive symptoms such as lack of energy, concentration difficulties and reduction in physical functioning correlated with low hArg concentrations.

Abstract This investigation addresses the reinforcement of rammed earth (RE) structures by integrating carpet polyacrylic yarn waste (CPYW) generated from the carpet production process and employing Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag (GGBS) as a stabilizer, in conjunction with alkali activators potassium hydroxide (KOH), to enhance their mechanical properties. The study included conducting Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) tests and Brazilian Tensile Strength (BTS) tests on plain samples, GGBS-stabilized (SS) samples, CPYW-reinforced (CFS) samples, and samples reinforced with a combination of GGBS and CPYW (SCFS). The results showed that the mechanical and resistance properties of the CFS and SCFS samples were improved; these findings were confirmed by the presence of more cohesive GGBS gel and fibers as seen in FE-SEM and microscopic images. Therefore, the use of GGBS and CPYW, both separately and in combination, is suggested as a viable approach to enhance mechanical performance and reduce the brittle failure propensity of RE structures. This study achieved significant improvements in the mechanical behavior of RE structures by integrating CPYW and alkali-activated GGBS. Results showed a 370% improvement in UCS and a 638% increase in BTS than the plain sample. These enhancements demonstrate the potential for using industrial waste in eco-friendly, high-performance construction materials.

The time fractional Black–Scholes equation (TFBSE) is designed to evaluate price fluctuations within a correlated fractal transmission system. This model prices American or European put and call options on non-dividend-paying stocks. Reliable and efficient numerical techniques are essential for solving fractional differential models due to the global characteristics of fractional calculus. This paper focuses on the numerical solution for the TFBSE for American and European option pricing models by means of the local meshless radial basis function (RBF) interpolation. This problem is temporally approximated using a finite difference scheme with 2−β order accuracy for 0

Creativity is an essential prerequisite for teaching, developing, and promoting a foreign language. Pupils show enthusiasm for learning a foreign language in a creative environment. The central goal of this research was, therefore, to inspect the variety between experienced and novice English-as-a-foreign (EFL) instructors regarding the interplay between their creativity and students' academic success. A closed-ended questionnaire was applied to inspect EFL experienced and novice teachers' promotion of creativity. Furthermore, the cumulative grade point average (CGPA) was applied as a substitute for measuring academic accomplishment. The questionnaire was distributed among 100 experienced teachers and 100 novice teachers in some branches of Gooyesh, Jahad Daneshgahi, and Sadr language institutes in Esfahan, Iran. In addition, their students' scores were gathered at the end of intended educational courses to calculate the classes' mean scores. Therefore, the data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially using frequency, percentage, Fisher's Z transformation formula, and mean. Besides, the Pearson correlation was utilized to gauge the connections between experienced and novice teachers' promotion of creativity and their students' academic achievements. The results confirmed the beneficial relationship between the creativity of experienced and novice instructors and students' academic performance. However, there was no significant disparity in the creativity levels of experienced and novice teachers

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is one of the most important microorganisms causing burn wound infection. Due to the rapid increase in resistance to the currently used antimicrobial agents, finding new antibiotics is one of the research priorities. This study was designed to investigate antibacterial and wound healing effects of Zataria multiflora essential oil (ZMEO) on burn wounds infected with P. aeruginosa in Sprague-Dawley rats. Experimental burn wounds were created on the back of the animals and infected with P. aeruginosa. The animals were randomly divided into 4 groups of 7 to 10 as follow: negative control (no treatment), carrier gel group treated with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) gel, ZMEO group that received CMC gel loaded with ZMEO, and positive control group that received silver sulfadiazine (SSD). All medications were applied topically once daily for 28 days. On the days 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th after the start of treatments, the surfaces of the wounds were measured and some samples were collected for histopathological evaluations. The tensile strengths of ratsʼ skins were also measured on the 28th day. The results showed that on the 7th day, while a significant healing of the wounds was observed in the ZMEO group, the other groups did not show remarkable wound healing (P

Steel Shear Walls (SSWs) exhibit suitable stiffness among various lateral force-resisting systems, and their application has been extended to tall buildings. In this research, the optimization of a High Performance-Based Seismic Design (HPBSD) of SSWs was introduced using a new optimization method. A hybrid algorithm was developed based on the Harmony Search (HS) algorithm, Multi-Design Variable Configuration (Multi-DVC) cascade optimization, and Upper-Bound Strategy (UBS). This new approach, termed MDVC-UHS, utilized cascade structural sizing optimization to manage numerous variables through a series of DVCs. The UBS was employed to reduce computational time, while the HS was used for global optimization. The MDVC-UHS algorithm was applied to optimize the dimensions of the steel shear wall in accordance with high performance-based seismic design principles. The research indicated that as the length of the SSW increased relative to its height, the more it was in the shear mode and the more usage it could have.

The Joftrud prospect area is located in the central Lut Block and 60 Km of Birjand city. The area comprises outcrops of pyroclastic (andesitic tuff), volcanic (hornblende andesite, pyroxene andesite, basaltic andesite), intrusive (diorite porphyry, monzodiorite, gabbro) rocks. Mineralization as vein-type with mostly northeast-southwest trend has formed in andesitic units. Main alterations are consist of silicified, argillic, carbonate and propylitic. Primary minerals include chalcopyrite, pyrite, and secondary minerals are consist of chrysocolla, chalcocite, covellite, azurite, malachite, goethite, and hematite. Maximum of geochemical anomalies in veins are for copper 6000 ppm, lead 2934 ppm, zinc 6904 ppm, and Au 144 ppb. Quartz-sulfide veins are formed of fluids with temperature of 265 to 408ºC and salinity of 11.1 to 19 NaCl wt.‌% equivalent. Decreasing temperature and fluid mixing by high-salinity fluid can cause metal deposition. According to the available evidence of structural control of mineralization, alterations and their narrow expansions, mineralogy, texture, fluid inclusion data and depth of formation, prospect area is similar to intermediate sulfidation deposit. Introduction The Joftrud prospect area is located at 60 Km Birjand city, and belongs to the central Lut Block, Eastern Iran. Extensive magmatic activity in the Lut Block, is accompanied with numerous mineralization events such as porphyry copper, IOCG, vein and skarn (Karimpour et al., 2012). The central Lut Block is significant part of this Block due to widespread Tertiary volcano–plutonic rocks (Lotfi, 1982; Salim, 2012; Javidi Moghaddam et al., 2019; Javidi Moghaddam et al., 2021) and many cases of Cu (e.g., Mire-e-Khash, Shikasteh Sabz, Rashidi, Ghar-eKaftar, Shurk, and Howz-e-Dagh), Pb-Zn (e.g., Chah Noghreh, Hows-e-Raise and Sechangi veins), Pb-Zn-Cu-Sb veins (e.g., Ghale-Chah, Shurab, Chupan and Kuh Shuru) in the neighboring areas (Malekzadeh Shafaroudi and Karimpour, 2013; Malekzadeh Shafaroudi and Karimpour, 2015; Javidi Moghaddam et al., 2013; Javidi Moghaddam et al., 2014; Javidi Moghaddam et al., 2018; Mehrabi et al., 2019). Recently, Karjo (2021) has studied geochemistry of ore-veins in the area. For the first time, detailed studies of base metal mineralization and genesis of veins have been conducted. The purpose of this research is the geology, examine the geochemical and fluid inclusion data, and finally discus mineralization model of occurrence of ore veins in the Joftrud prospect area. Materials and methods In the field work, a total of 80 samples were taken mainly from igneous units and ores. 40 thin sections and polished slabs were examined by an optical microscope. The geological map of the prospect area (scale of 1:5000) was produced in Arc GIS software. Geochemical analysis were done at Zarazma laboratory of Iran (ICP-OES technique) on 15 samples selected from veins by the Kavoshgaran of Eastern Birjand Company (Karjo, 2021). Also, 9 samples were selected for Au analysis with Fire assay in the same laboratory. Microthermometric tests and salinity determination of fluid inclusions were performed on 3 wafers of quartz minerals using a heating-freezing system, model THM 600 at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. The precision of this device during the heating and refrigeration stages is C ± 1◦C and the thermal range is − 190 to 600 ◦C. Result The rock units of the prospect area are divided into three categories: pyroclastic (andesitic tuff), volcanic (hornblende andesite, pyroxene andesite, basaltic andesite), intrusive (diorite porphyry, monzodiorite, and gabbro) rocks. The ore-veins are mostly formed in andesite rocks, in fault zones with trending NE–SW and subordinate NW-SE. The veins are associated with wall rock alterations of silicified, argillic, carbonate and propylitic. Petrography studies represent that the ore-veins include pyrite, chalcopyrite as hypogene minerals and malachite, azurite, chrysocolla, chalcocite, covellite, goethite, and hematite as secondary minerals. Quartz is significant gangue mineral accompanied with the ore-veins. Based on geochemical data of the ore-veins, maximum anomalies are for copper (6000 ppm), lead (2934 ppm), and zinc (6904 ppm). Based on the criteria of Roedder (1984), three types of primary fluid inclusions (two-phase liquid-rich (L+V), single-phase aqueous (L) and single-phase vapor (V) inclusions) were distinguished in the ore-veins, without evidence of daughter minerals. In the ore-veins, quartz-hosted LV inclusions have homogenization temperatures (Th) between 270˚–408˚C for stage-1 and 265 °–385˚C for stage-2. These LV inclusions show salinities between 11.1–13.4 wt.% NaCl equivalent in quartz of stage1 and 15.9–19 wt.% NaCl equivalent in quartz of satage-2. Discussion The fluid inclusion data illustrate that the ore-forming fluids had a magmatic signature and were diluted by meteoric water. Quartz of ore-veins dominated by non-boiling textures such as massive and comb textures of quartz (without coexisting liquid-rich and vapor-rich inclusions). So, boiling is not the depositional mechanism in the ore-veins. Decreasing temperature and fluid mixing by high-salinity fluid can cause metal deposition. In the pressure–temperature diagram (Fournier, 1999), the trapping pressures for the ore-forming fluids of the veins were determined to be within the range of 10–30 MPa which can be equivalent to a depth of approximately 1.2 km assuming lithostatic pressure. So, the ore-veins formed in shallow environment (e.g., Hedenquist and Henley, 1985). Based on the evidence of geology, alteration, mineralization, texture, and fluid evolution processes probably the Joftrud district is interpreted as an intermediate sulfidation deposit. Numerous ore-veins are present in the central Lut Block (e.g., Mir-e-Khash, Rashidi, Shikasteh Sabz, Howz-e-Dagh, Chah Khareh, Chah Noghreh, Hows-e-Raise, Sechangi, Shurab, Chupan and Kuh Shuru) (e.g., Malekzadeh Shafaroudi and Karimpour, 2013; Malekzadeh Shafaroudi and Karimpour, 2015; Javidi Moghaddam et al., 2018; Mehrabi et al., 2019). These veins mostly have NW-SE and subordinate NE–SW trends and are hosted by andesitic to dacitic composition (andesitic tuff breccia, andesite and dacite). These ore-veins entail copper, lead, zinc and antimony without significant gold anomaly. The similarities in structural control of mineralization, ore mineralogy, geochemistry and fluid inclusion data suggest that ore-veins can be related to part of a large-scale magmatic-hydrothermal system with economic potential. Acknowledgements The Research Foundation of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, supported this study (Project No. 59744.3).

Dual nanocomposites based on metal sulfide nanomaterials with a narrow band gap are favorable candidates for future optoelectronic applications and ionizing ray sensors. In this study, novel silver-doped zinc sulfide/ cadmium sulfide (ZnS/CdS: Ag) nanocomposites were synthesized using the cost-effective solvothermal approach. For the first time, the radiation sensitivity of the newly developed nanocomposite was assessed using a 241Am alpha source and ion beam-induced luminescence (IBIL) measurements. The ZnS/CdS: Ag nanocomposite demonstrated significant light emission in the blue-green spectrum when measured at room temperature. When exposed to alpha irradiation, the ZnS/CdS: Ag nanocomposite film displayed exceptional sensitivity compared to pure ZnS or CdS films. The FESEM images revealed a uniform distribution of semi-spherical and rod-shaped nanoparticles, with an average particle size measuring 180 nm. The results from XRD and EDX demonstrated distinct peaks corresponding to ZnS, CdS, and associated elements within the nanocomposite. The existence of several groups within the nanocomposite was confirmed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Evaluations revealed that the optical quality of the ZnS/CdS: Ag nanocomposite showed enhancement in comparison to pure ZnS and CdS. The results suggest that the ZnS/CdS: Ag nanocomposite film holds great promise for applications in optoelectronic devices and detection technologies.

Halliday’s cohesive theory is one of the most important theories in functional linguistics, extensively used for the analysis of diverse literary texts. Based on this theory, logical, semantic, grammatical as well as formal relationships create cohesion in a text; hence, textual cohesion is classified into grammatical, lexical and connective subcategories. Grammatical cohesion includes reference, substitution and ellipsis while two subcategories of reiteration and collocation shapes lexical cohesion. Sa'di's verbal art is so enriched that meaning is not sacrificed for the sake of form, nor is form sacrificed for the sake of meaning. The poet's dexterity in the Persian literature's lexical and grammatical subtleties, and appropriate and skillful use of literary devices has made his poetry distinctive. In this descriptive-analytical research, adopting Halliday's theory of cohesion, one verse anecdote from the Būstān (The Fox and the Dervish) is selected to analyze the use of cohesive devices across three linguistic layers. Although cohesion in Sa'di's ghazals has been widely acknowledged, the reasons behind the cohesive strength of the verse anecdotes in the Būstān have not been thoroughly examined from a systemic functional perspective. Hence, the main research question was how lexical, grammatical and connective devices were employed in Sa'di's poetry, and which device was emphasized the most. The results corroborated the extensive and diverse use of cohesive devices in the verse anecdotes, in which the use of lexical cohesive devices is most outstanding. Among the grammatical devices, the poet puts more emphasis upon reference and ellipsis respectively. Furthermore, the poet's dexterous use of lexical cohesive devices, particularly repetition and its various forms on one hand, and collocation on the other hand, enhanced the beauty of the poet's expression, aiding its impact and facilitating better meaning transfer, so that form serves the purpose of meaning. Among cohesive connective, additive and causative were the most prominent linguistic elements. This conclusion is in accordance with the characteristics of Sa'di's poetry as simplicity, lexical beauty, and fluency are outstanding features of this version of Iraqi style. Therefore, from a practical perspective, Halliday's theory is considered an appropriate framework for identifying cohesive devices in the prestigious poetic and prose texts of Persian literature, such as the Būstān. Based on the way cohesive devices are employed by various poets and literary figures, one may be able to understand, from the perspective of meaning, the organization of their thoughts and the originality of their ideas, and from the perspective of form, the unique verbal and rhetorical styles of each poet.

Iran, situated in Southwest Asia, showcases a diverse landscape, including three phytogeographical regions and two global biodiversity hotspots. This diversity is attributed to its intricate geology, mountainous terrain, wide altitudinal range, and heterogeneous climate, fostering a rich flora characterized by a significant proportion of endemism. We present an updated version of the Vegetation Database of Iran (IranVeg) (GIVD ID AS-IR-001), comprising 13,411 plots spanning six major habitat types. These encompass deciduous forests (18.0%), woodlands and shrublands (5.6%), steppes and other grasslands (52.0%), saline depressions (9.3%), wetlands (12.2%), and anthropogenic habitats (2.9%), derived from 100 published and unpublished resources, comprising 3,919 plant species, belonging to 961 genera and 147 families. The vegetation data of Iran have been assigned to 31 valid and invalid phytosociological classes. The oldest plots were recorded in 1936 in the Alborz Mountains in northern Iran, while more than 60% of all plots were collected after 2010. Plot sizes vary from less than 1 m2 to 10,000 m2 with the highest species richness of 101 species recorded in a 25 m2 montane grassland plot. IranVeg stands as the first national vegetation database in Iran, promising valuable insights into biodiversity patterns and facilitating the assessment of future environmental and anthropogenic changes. It remains open to further development through a collaborative network of vegetation scientists. This comprehensive database holds significant potential for advancing vegetation classification and survey efforts in Iran and beyond. Taxonomic reference: World Flora Online (WFO 2024).

Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents a substantial global health burden, necessitating advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. This study aimed to investigate the potential of CeO2/GO nanoparticles (NPs) in managing CRC and to compare their efficacy with Ag-doped CeO2 (CeO2:Ag) NPs. The synthesis of cerium oxide (CeO2) and graphene oxide (GO) was meticulously performed, followed by a comprehensive evaluation of NPs' toxicity and their impact on apoptosis-related genes in CRC cells. Characterization techniques, including XRD, EDX, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, and DLS, validated the successful synthesis and unique properties of CeO2:Ag/GO NPs. XRD confirmed the CeO2 and GO structures, while EDX analysis confirmed high purity in the synthesized NPs and uniform element distribution in CeO2/GO NPs. SEM and TEM micrographs illustrated CeO2 NPs attached to graphene sheets, showcasing reduced size post-attachment. FT-IR revealed characteristic peaks for CeO2 and GO, confirming their composite structure. DLS showed an average NP size of 20 nm in solution. Notably, MTT assays demonstrated that CeO2:Ag/GO NPs exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity against CRC cells (C-26 cell line) compared to CeO2:Ag NPs, with higher doses showing heightened efficacy. CeO2:Ag/GO NPs induced stronger growth inhibition and apoptosis in CRC cells, which was linked to their improved cellular uptake and ability to target multiple cancer-related pathways. In contrast, GO NPs alone lacked cytotoxic effects. Gene expression analysis via qPCR revealed CeO2:Ag/GO NPs significantly downregulated Zeb-1, VEGF, Cyclin-D1, and Twist compared to controls, altering cancer-related pathways more effectively than CeO2:Ag NPs. Additionally, CeO2:Ag/GO NPs significantly upregulated BAX and Caspase-1 while downregulating Bcl-2, implicating a more potent apoptotic response. This study highlights the advantage of CeO2:Ag/GO NPs over CeO2:Ag NPs in impeding CRC cell growth and inducing apoptosis, offering a promising foundation for innovative therapeutic strategies.

Abstract Background Secondhand smoke (SHS) can cause various health problems among different age groups worldwide. Socioeconomic factors may influence the distribution of SHS exposure among population subgroups. We aimed to estimate socioeconomic inequality in SHS exposure and identify its contributing factors among a sample of Iranian adults. Methods This cross-sectional investigation utilized baseline data from the Ravansar Non-Communicable Disease cohort study. The study population comprised 7991 middle-aged adults aged between 35 and 65 years. To determine socioeconomic status (SES) principal component analysis (PCA) was used. The Wagstaff normalized concentration index (Cn) was utilized to measure the extent of socioeconomic inequality in SHS. Furthermore, decomposition analysis was performed to identify the factors contributing to the observed inequality in SHS exposure. Results The prevalence of SHS exposure among men, women, and the total population was 38.23%, 47.29%, and 43.89%, respectively. The concentration index (Cn) value for SHS exposure was − 0.121 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.146, -0.096) in the study participants. Among men and women, the values were − 0.080 (95% CI: -0.122, -0.037) and − 0.095 (95% CI: -0.112, -0.063), respectively, indicating a higher concentration of SHS among individuals with low SES. Female sex (35.17%), socioeconomic status (31.83%), being married (-26.36%), and rural residency (22.44%) were identified as the primary factors contributing to the observed inequality in SHS exposure. Conclusion The research findings revealed a pro-rich inequality in SHS, with a significant concentration among low-SES individuals. In terms of the main contributors to socioeconomic inequality in SHS exposure, policy interventions need to pay attention to females, individuals with low SES, and married individuals to address inequality in SHS exposure.

Abstract Introduction Gadolinium-based T1-weighted MRI sequence is the gold standard for the detection of active multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions. The performance of machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) models in the classification of active and non-active MS lesions from the T2-weighted MRI images has been investigated in this study. Methods 107 Features of 75 active and 100 non-active MS lesions were extracted by using SegmentEditor and Radiomics modules of 3D slicer software. Sixteen ML and one sequential DL models were created using the 5-fold cross-validation method and each model with its special optimized parameters trained using the training-validation datasets. Models’ performances in test data set were evaluated by metric parameters of accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity, AUC, and F1 score. Results The sequential DL model achieved the highest AUC of 95.60% on the test dataset, demonstrating its superior ability to distinguish between active and non-active plaques. Among traditional ML models, the Hybrid Gradient Boosting Classifier (HGBC) demonstrated a commendable test AUC of 86.75%, while the Gradient Boosting Classifier (GBC) excelled in cross-validation with an AUC of 87.92%. Conclusion The performance of sixteen ML and one sequential DL models in the classification of active and non-active MS lesions was evaluated. The results of the study highlight the effectiveness of sequential DL approach and ensemble methods in achieving robust predictive performance, underscoring their potential applications in classifying MS plaques.

Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. MS causes many changes in the lives of its patients, forcing them to renegotiate their lives. Part of these changes are related to patients’ self- and others- mental representations. Despite the importance of mental representations in changes caused by or adaptation to MS, limited research has been conducted to examine the mental representations of people with MS. Methods This study examines the mental representations that Healthy Controls (HC) and people with MS (PWMS) have of themselves and others, including childhood and current self-images, as well as those of their mothers, love partners, and close friends. In both groups (HC (n = 82) and PWMS (n = 82)), participants completed demographic variables as well as a modified version of the comfortable interpersonal distance (CID) task in both passive (when protagonists approached them) and active modes (when participants approach protagonists). Participants estimated the point at which they felt discomforted. Results The PWMS group preferred a significantly larger interpersonal distance than the HC group for both current self-image and love partner. There is no difference between the two groups in preferring interpersonal distance from their childhood self-image, mother, and friends. Conclusions Based on the research results, it seems that PWMS experience a kind of alienation at the level of self-mental representations. This research can be helpful in modifying MS interventions and increasing the engagement of support systems.

This study examines how tourists perceive food quality in Berlin using AI-driven sentiment analysis tools. The goal is to understand the factors shaping tourists’ perceptions and provide insights to improve the hospitality industry and customer satisfaction. By analyzing reviews from online platforms, this research identifies key themes and trends in tourists’ feedback. The use of AI, specifically for sentiment analysis, supports efficient and detailed evaluation of customer opinions. This study employed lexicon-based sentiment analysis to evaluate tourists’ feedback on online platforms and compared the sentiment scores of textual feedback with their direct rating scores. The results show that integrating sentiment scores derived from AI tools with tourists’ rating scores provides deeper insights into service quality within the tourism sector.

Avian orthopedic issues, particularly fractures, pose significant challenges due to birds' unique skeletal anatomy. Their bones, including the humerus (upper wing bone), are often pneumatic (air-filled) and fragile, making fracture management complex. Traditional methods, such as intermedullary pins and plates offer some solutions but have limitations. This study investigated the efficacy of two pin materials for stabilizing humerus fractures in pigeons: Steinman pins (commonly used in veterinary orthopedics) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) pins. We created controlled fractures in the humerus of thirty young adult pigeons. These fractures were then stabilized with either Steinman pins or PMMA pins. Radiographic examinations and histological analysis were performed 2, 4, and 6 weeks post-surgery to assess bone healing progress in both groups. The findings revealed comparable healing outcomes between the two pin types, suggesting that PMMA pins could be a viable alternative for stabilizing fractures in birds, offering the additional benefit of sparing them a second surgery for pin removal.

Abstract Using postnatal care (PNC) within the first week following childbirth is crucial, as both the mother and her baby are particularly vulnerable to infections and mortality during this period. In this study, we examined the factors associated with early postnatal care (EPNC) use in Afghanistan. We used data from the multiple indicator cluster survey (MICS) 2022–2023. The study population was ever-married women who delivered a live child during their recent pregnancy within the 2 years preceding MICS 2022–23. The outcome was EPNC and defined as the first check of the mother within the first week of delivery. A binary logistic regression was used, and odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI were obtained. Out of 12,578 women, 16.0% received EPNC. EPNC was lower in women who delivered at home [AOR 0.35 (95% CI 0.28–0.44)] compared with women who delivered at public clinics. EPNC was higher in women with ≥ 4 antenatal care (ANC) visits [1.29 (1.02–162)], in women in the highest quintile of wealth status [1.70 (1.25–2.32)], and in women with access to radio [1.76 (1.45–2.15)]. EPNC use among Afghan women remains low (16.0%). Key factors associated with ENPC utilization include place of delivery, ANC utilization, wealth status, and radio access.

Abstract Nowadays, new product development processes are encountering fast design and development cycles. This issue has become one the main competition factors among industries. Accordingly, companies make drastic efforts to enhance the quality and speed in the realm of designing and manufacturing by taking novel approaches. Using the potential of new technologies, they design and develop products worldwide, and integrate stakeholders in the collaborative process to achieve this goal. This study has aimed at laying a foundation to fulfill the requirements for globalized collaborative product development processes. This creates an opportunity for both an integrated and collaborative environment. As first objective, the paper has proposed STEP Standard-based model in the form of a cloud service model to create an integrated data structure for product design data while giving flexibility for service-oriented access to integrated model. For second objective, using the Ontology interoperability model, the collaborative design among the stakeholders has been enabled through smart interference control. This control interprets the data semantic to an ontology structure and detects the potential conflicts. The model supports two levels of parts in singular and collective form and based on the assembly scheme for collaborative design and development. Different facets of the proposed model are addressed to fulfill the necessity of real-time distributed collaboration in designing and assembling via a case study.

AbstractOne of the factors that can contribute to the favorable flow of transactions in the financial markets is the creation of a framework through which all existing parties, including publishers, brokers, and natural or legal persons active in the stock market, can easily and with maximum security make a deal This is the reason why institutions operate in all securities markets to maintain the trading framework and control the way it is carried out. In Iran, the Securities and Exchange Organization supervises stock transactions through its subsidiaries (including the Tehran Stock Exchange and the Iran Foreign Exchange Company) as the custodian of transactions in the capital market. This research aims to evaluate and identify the regulatory mechanisms of the stock market using a combined approach based on the ISM technique and MICMAC analysis. The analysis of the research findings showed that the fluctuation range limit variables were determined as the most effective and the first influencing variables. Then, volume-based variables, clarification announcements regarding rumors, clarification announcements regarding stock price fluctuation, holding a news conference, and trading symbol stops are in the following categories of influential variables. Therefore, according to the results of the present research, it is suggested that the stock exchange organization as a supervisory body reconsider how much the range of fluctuations should be limited or whether this monitoring mechanism exists or not so that other monitoring mechanisms that are affected The fluctuation range mechanism is supposed to have optimal, positive and fruitful effects on investors' decision-making, and investors will see less damage regarding the selection and purchase of company shares.

Objective:Corporate governance plays an important role in strengthening good governance in banks and realizing a resilient economy.The current research seeks to identify and prioritize factors affecting corporate governance in the banking system with the resistance economy approach.Method:The current research is a mixed study. The theoretical population of the research was experts in corporate governance and resistance economy in the banking system.Sampling was done by judgment and based on the expertise of experts.Interview and questionnaire are the most important data collection tools.In this research, qualitative and quantitative techniques were used together.Findings:At first, 34 factors affecting corporate governance in the form of seven main factors were extracted through theme analysis.The main research factors were: technological and innovative factors, legal and regulatory factors, transparency and reporting factors, structural factors, managerial factors, sustainability factors and educational-consulting factors.In the next step, sub-factors were screened by distribution of expert questionnaires and fuzzy Delphi method.11 factors had a defuzzified number higher than 0.7.The screened factors were evaluated by the Cocoso method.The priority factors were:the extent use of advisors and experts in resistance economy and corporate governance issues, the extent of banks' attention to indicators of resistance economy in sustainability reports, the extent of banks' transparency in the selection, hiring and promotion of managers, the use from data-driven technologies for transparency of contracts and the extent to which banks move towards sustainability.Results:Functional suggestions were developed based on the most important factors. Some of the most important suggestions were: the bank's use of the expert opinions of strong consultants in resistance economy and corporate governance, creating indicators in resistance economy and corporate governance and paying attention to these indicators in bank reports, using fourth generation industry technologies for the integrity of the bank and Strengthening data-driven decisions and banks' attention to sustainability indicators and sustainable financing.

Objective(s): Informatics in nursing and midwifery is developing and evolving worldwide. The present study aimed to systematically review the existing literature to identify the components of informatics competencies in the provision of electronic health services in nursing and midwifery. Methods: Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases were searched using the keywords telemedicine, e-health informatics, competence, and their equivalents, without time limits. The quality of the articles was checked independently by two researchers using ten criteria selected from the Strobe checklist. Analysis was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Results: In all 668 articles retrieved. After removing duplicates, 187 articles remained, and after reviewing the full text of the articles, 13 studies were included in the final review and analysis. Articles were on providing nursing services and no studies were found for midwifery care. In total, "e-health literacy", "nurses' attitude towards the provision of e-health services" and "individual-social-occupational factors related to informatics competence" were among the components found in studies related to nursing. Conclusion: The review indicated the need for basic knowledge, work on nurses' attitudes and research in nurses' informatics competence. Informatics competence and its related components in midwives and midwifery students were lacking in the literature, so it is recommended to investigate this among midwifery groups.

Abstract Background Futile care is a set of actions without creating a reasonable chance of benefiting critically ill patients. In the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need to discuss futile care perception. This may cause unbearable pressure for nurses in terms of resilience and turnover intention.This study was designed to determine the ICU nurses’ perception of futile care in COVID-19 patients and its relationship with resilience and turnover intention. Methods This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 251 nurses working in COVID-19 ICUs, in 2021 who were recruited with the quota sampling method. The data collection tools included questionnaires for demographic information, futile care, resilience assessment, and turnover intention. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS v26 software. Results A high mean level (64.78 ± 9.98) of futile care perception was found in the studied nurses, and their mean levels of turnover intention (36.4 ± 5.1) and resilience (65.5 ± 14.1) were evaluated at a moderate level. A significant and inverse relationship was observed between futile care perception and resilience (P = 0.047, rs = -0.077). There was a significant and positive relationship between futile care perception and turnover intention (P = 0.026, rs = 0.151). The resilience and turnover intention variables were correlated inversely and significantly (rs = -0.158, P = 0.014). Conclusion The adoption of appropriate strategies by managers can direct the nursing care path from futile to useful care. Given the significant relationship between resilience and turnover intention, it is recommended to teach strategies in the teaching program of nurses to enhance their resilience.

Abstract The Urmia Lake Basin has been severely affected by the unbalanced exploitation of water resources. To better manage the use of integrated water resources, the coupled SWAT-MODFLOW-NWT was adopted for the Mahabad Plain in the Urmia Lake Basin, N.W. Iran. The results indicated that a multifunctional calibration of SWAT and MODFLOW-NWT hydrological models in a large-scale irrigated area was necessary, using parameters such as evapotranspiration and crop yield in addition to the usual surface runoff and water table measures. The coupled model was then used to evaluate several water allocation scenarios, such as alternate proportions of irrigation water allocation from conjunctive water resources. The ultimate objective of adopting these scenarios was to increase the residual share of the water supply in order to compensate for the deprived share of Urmia Lake. The results of this study demonstrated that that the coupled SWAT-MODFLOW-NWT model was able to satisfactorily simulate the surface and groundwater balance components at different spatial and temporal dimensions. The results indicate that the Mahabad aquifer is capable of supplying irrigation water needs in the central and northern regions, with some limitations around running rivers. Furthermore, groundwater sustainability indicators showed that even with an additional 30% of the water supply from groundwater, the long-term sustainability of groundwater resources was preserved Ultimately, the findings indicated that a reduction in water allocation from surface waters can lead to an increase in water release to the lake of 16 million cubic meters (21%) to 18 million cubic meters (25%) in different years. The outcomes of this study can serve as a guiding principle for the optimal and sustainable allocation of surface and groundwater resources in highly competitive and fragile basins such as Lake Urmia.

Abstract The reliability of power electronic converters is one of the essential issues in designing of electric vehicles. This paper estimates the lifetime of the boost converter switch by Semikron and Coffin‐Manson models for two common failure mechanisms of Bond wire and Base plate solder, respectively. Four mission profiles based on the Artemis standard are applied to hybrid electrical vehicle model to determine unidirectional output power. Kharitonov's theory is used to design a robust controller to handle the uncertainty raised by different power cycles of the electric vehicle and the parameters of the converter during simulation. Stability of converter is achieved during simulation by identifying simple proportional integral controller coefficients with Kharitonov's theorem. A prototype 230 W boost converter is designed and utilized to validate average model and switch loss calculation relationships. The lifetime results indicate that the number of cycles, and the average and the maximum junction temperature have a more impact than the duration of the drive cycle on the lifetime of the converter. A mixed mission profile is considered to investigate the effect of sudden change in driving modes and speed on total consumed life and lifetime to enhance the study's applicability. Lifetime of switch is decreased significantly in mixed mode in comparison with other mission profiles in the same driving time. Furthermore, the motorway mission profile has 53%, 39.6%, and 160% less total consumed life in comparison with the urban, rural and mixed mission profiles, respectively. In addition, the effect of ambient temperature changes on IGBT lifetime has been investigated for four mission profiles. While motorway had the least total consumed life in 25°C, the urban had better performance in comparison with other mission profiles from 25 to 55°C.

Introduction: Professional burnout is a state of mental exhaustion and it is a passive reaction caused by chronic occupational stress that is not properly managed. Physician burnout is more prevalent than in the general population, particularly among residents. The aim of this study is to investigate burnout among the residents of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences in Yazd. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 214 residents of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, in 2022-2023 based on the Maslach Burnout Questionnaire. Residents were categorized into no, moderate and severe burnout groups using rates of 33% and 66%. Residents’ career choices, including their decision to enter the medical field and choose a specialty, as well as their priorities were also surveyed. Results: A total of 151 residents participated in this study (70.5%) with the mean age of 31.91±5.02 years. The mean burnout score was 51.25±26.97. Professional burnout did not differ significantly by gender, marital status, having children, type of specialty (surgical or non-surgical), or residency level. Burnout was highest in pediatrics, orthopedics and cardiology, and lowest in emergency medicine, infectious diseases and ophthalmology. This difference was significant between the disciplines (P-value=0.003). The most important unmet needs cited by residents were a suitable fellowship (77.5%) and fewer working hours (76.8%). 63 residents regretted their choice of medicine (41.7%) and 38 (25.2%) regretted their choice of specialty. There was no significant association between age and professional burnout (P-value=0.057). Conclusion: More than half of the residents suffer from moderate professional burnout. It is recommended to improve the conditions for residents, to conduct more studies with details and to evaluate this topic regularly.