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There is some, albeit inconsistent, evidence supporting sex differences in preschoolers' motor competence (MC), with these observations not uniform when analyzed by age, and cultural groups. Thus, this study examined sex differences across ages in 3‐ to 5‐year‐old children's MC. A cross‐country pooled sample of 6241 children aged 3–5 years (49.6% girls) was assessed for MC using the Test of Gross Motor Development—2nd/3rd edition, and children were categorized into groups of age in months. Multiple linear regression models and predictive margins were calculated to explore how sex and age in months affect scores of MC (i.e., locomotor and ball skills), with adjustments for country and BMI. The Chow's Test was used to test for the presence of a structural break in the data. Significant differences in favor of girls were seen at 57–59 and 66–68 months of age for locomotor skills; boys performed better in ball skills in all age periods, except for 42–44 and 45–47 months of age. The higher marginal effects were observed for the period between 45–47 and 48–50 months for locomotor skills (F = 30.21; and F = 25.90 for girls and boys, respectively), and ball skills (F = 19.01; and F = 42.11 for girls and boys, respectively). A significantly positive break point was seen at 45–47 months, highlighting the age interval where children's MC drastically improved. The identification of this breakpoint provides an evidence‐based metric for when we might expect MC to rapidly increase, and an indicator of early delay when change does not occur at that age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The household waste (HW) disposal and recycling have become a significant challenge due to increasing quantities of generated household wastes and increased levels of urbanization. Selecting locations/sites for building new HW recycling plant comprises numerous sustainability dimensions, thus, this work aims to develop new decision-making model for evaluating and prioritizing the HW recycling plant locations. This paper is categorized into three phases. First, we propose new improved score function to compare the Fermatean fuzzy numbers. Moreover, an example is presented to validate the effectiveness of proposed score function over the extant ones. Second, we introduce new distance measure to estimate the discrimination degree between Fermatean fuzzy sets (FFSs) and further discuss its advantages over the prior developed Fermatean fuzzy distance measures. Third, we introduce an integrated methodology by combining the method with the removal effects of criteria (MEREC), the stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis (SWARA) and the measurement alternatives and the ranking according to compromise solution (MARCOS) approaches with Fermatean fuzzy (FF) information, and named as the “FF-MEREC-SWARA-MARCOS” framework. In this method, the FF-distance measure is used to find the weights of involved decision-making experts. Moreover, an integrated criteria weighting method is presented with the combination of MEREC and SWARA models under the context of FFSs, while the combined FF-MEREC-SWARA-MARCOS model is applied to evaluate and prioritize the locations for HW recycling plant development, which illustrates its feasibility of the developed framework. Comparative study and sensitivity assessment are conducted to validate the obtained outcomes. This work provides a hybrid decision analysis approach, which marks a significant impact to the HW recycling plant location selection process with uncertain information.

Urban development, especially in metropolises, is effective in threatening natural ecosystems and Protected Areas (PAs). Consequently, the current study seeks to explore the interrelationships between urban development and its environmental impacts on PAs. To achieve this, a set of main indicators has been evaluated to assess the progression of urbanization within the Jajrud protected set. According to the results, the highest weight value among the urban development indicators is related to spatial urbanization. This is attributed to the establishment of industrial sites, excessive mining activities, development of various infrastructures, expansion of transportation networks and roads, as well as the widespread growth of tourism activities. Moreover, the outcomes of secondary indicators suggest that the growth of urban regions and the rise of total fixed-asset assets over the past two decades are fundamental factors contributing to urban development in the Jajrud protected set. Likewise, the path of urbanization has increased from 2000 to 2021, and urbanization indicators of spatial and economic have increased most compared. In conclusion, the analysis of the mutual impact of urban development on PAs indicates that, according to a double exponential curve, a direct and significant relationship between urban development and its impacts on the environment is visible. This implies that regions characterized by lower levels of urbanization could have better opportunity for environmental quality. Hence, managers and planners should give greater consideration to the significance of environmental protection and socio-economic issues in the decision-making process of urban plans, particularly in urban areas with extensive urbanization development such as Tehran.

The seepage of gaseous compounds from underground reservoirs towards the surface causes abnormalities in the population of microbial communities that consume light hydrocarbons on the surface of the reservoir. This microbial population can serve as indicators for determining the location of gas reservoirs prior to drilling operations. In this study, the simulation of methane gas leakage in the sediments of the Persian Gulf was conducted using a laboratory model. The objective of this simulation was to identify the microbial population consuming methane within the sediments of the Persian Gulf, aiding in the exploration of gas reserves. Continuous injection of methane gas into the system was performed for a period of 3 months to enrich the microbial consortia consuming methane. Subsequently, the microbial population was identified using next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis. The results indicated that, based on the 16S rRNA sequencing dataset, aerobic methanotrophs, including genera Methylobacter, Methylomarinum, Methylomicrobium, Methylomonas, and Methylophage, were the dominant microbial group on the surface of the sediments. Additionally, anaerobic methane oxidation archaea in sediments were performed by ANME-2 and ANME-3 clades. The findings demonstrate that these microbial communities are capable of coexistence and thrive in long-term exposure to methane in the sediments of the Persian Gulf. Identifying this microbial pattern, alongside other geophysical and geological data, can increase the success rate of gas reservoir exploration.

Background: Nosocomial infections caused by multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa are a considerable public health threat, requiring innovative therapeutic approaches. Objectives: This study explored preconditioning mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with the antimicrobial peptide Nisin to enhance their antibacterial properties while maintaining regenerative capacity. Methods: Human MSCs were preconditioned with varying concentrations of Nisin (0.1–1000 IU/mL) to determine an optimal dose. MSCs preconditioned with Nisin were characterized using microscopy, flow cytometry, gene expression analysis, and functional assays. The effects of preconditioning on the viability, phenotype, differentiation capacity, antimicrobial peptide expression, and antibacterial activity of MSCs against Pseudomonas aeruginosa were tested in vitro. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by topically applying conditioned media from Nisin-preconditioned versus control MSCs to infected wounds in a rat model, assessing bacterial burden, healing, host response, and survival. Results: An optimal Nisin dose of 500 IU/mL was identified, which increased MSC antibacterial gene expression and secretome activity without compromising viability or stemness. Nisin-preconditioned MSCs showed upregulated expression of LL37 and hepcidin. Conditioned media from Nisin-preconditioned MSCs exhibited about 4-fold more inhibition of P. aeruginosa growth compared to non-preconditioned MSCs. In the wound infection model, the secretome of Nisin-preconditioned MSCs suppressed bacterial load, accelerated wound closure, modulated inflammation, and improved survival compared to standard MSC treatments. Conclusion: This study explores the effect of preconditioning MSCs with the antimicrobial peptide Nisin on enhancing their antibacterial properties while maintaining regenerative capacity. Secreted factors from Nisin-preconditioned MSCs have the potential to attenuate infections and promote healing in vivo. The approach holds translational promise for managing antibiotic-resistant infections and warrants further development. Preconditioned MSCs with Nisin may offer innovative, multifaceted therapies for combating nosocomial pathogens and promoting tissue regeneration.

Introduction: Several factors influence the quality of life (QoL) of older adults, particularly those on hemodialysis. Fear of falling and its resulting limitations are significant contributors. This study investigated the association between fear of falling and QoL in older hemodialysis patients in Tehran hospitals . Methods: A descriptive-correlational design was used with 197 older hemodialysis patients in Tehran hospitals (2021) recruited through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Falls Efficacy Scale-International , and the Leiden International Psychogeriatric Assessment of Life Functions scale to assess QoL. Spearman's rank correlation was performed using SPSS-21 software. Results: The mean QoL score (54.68 ± 16.09) indicated a moderate level. The mean fear of falling score (35.29 ± 13.54) reflected a high level. A significant negative correlation (R = -0.63, p = 0.001) was found between fear of falling and QoL. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that increased fear of falling is associated with a decrease in QoL among older hemodialysis patients. Further research is warranted to explore interventions aimed at managing fear of falling, preventing falls, and ultimately improving QoL in this population. Corresponding Author: Nahid Rejeh View Orcid in Profile You can search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar Profile

Computational analyses are useful for predicting the interactions of compounds with other polymeric and biological materials. The optimized geometry, potential energy distribution (PED), HOMO–LUMO (highest occupied molecular orbital- lowest unoccupied molecular orbital), (MEP) molecular electrostatic potential, and finally, molecular docking were applied to simulate the biological interaction of cellulose acetate (CA), in this research. The VEDA program was used to calculate the Potential Energy Distribution (PED) of CA, and then, theoretical and experimental results were compared. The root mean square (RMS) value between the theoretical and experimental FT-IR measurements was 0.91. The energy gap between the HOMO and LUMO of the ligand was 6.845 eV. According to the MEP map, negative potential regions were located over the carbonyl and hydroxyl groups, which are probable sites for electrophilic attack. The CA interacts with elastin, gelatin, BSA (bovine serum albumin), and HSA (human serum albumin) in the molecular docking.

Background: Treatment response in High-grade Glioma (HGG) patients changes based on their genetic and biological characteristics. MiRNAs, as important regulators of drug and radiation resistance, and the Apparent Diffusion Coefficients (ADC) value of tumor can be used as a prognostic predictor for glioma.Objective: This study aimed to identify some of the pre-treatment individual patient features for predicting the treatment response in HGG patients.Material and Methods: In this prospective study, 18 HGG patients, who were candidated for chemo-radiation treatment, participated after informed consent of the patients. The investigated features were the expression level of miR-222 and miR-205 in plasma, the ADC value of tumor, Body Mass Index (BMI), and age. Treatment response was assessed, and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression was used to obtain a model to predict the treatment response. Mann-Whitney U test was also applied to select the variables with a significant relationship with patients’ treatment response.Results: The LASSO coefficients for miR-205, miR-222, tumor’s mean ADC value, BMI, and age were 3.611, -1.683, 2.468, -0.184, and -0.024, respectively. Mann-Whitney U test results showed miR-205 and tumor’s mean ADC significantly related to treatment response (P-value˂0.05). Conclusion: The miR-205 expression level of the patient in plasma and tumor’s mean ADC value has the potential for prognostic predictors in HGG.

Introduction: One of the most complex processes in the field of sports expertise is decision-making. In this respect, this study aimed to investigate the effect of decision training on anticipation and creative decision-making in badminton.Methods: The current research is a quasi-experimental type with a pre-test and post-test design. The statistical population of the present study was all female students aged 20 to 30 years, from which 40 female students were selected by the available sampling method and randomly assigned into two decision training and control groups. A creative decision-making questionnaire, video camera, laptop, and projector were the tools used in the research. In the pretest, creative decision-making and anticipation were measured with 20 video clips while watching a badminton overhead shot through a video clip that was interrupted at the moment of racket-ball contact. The training group practiced 400 decision training trials and the control group just recognized the direction of the shots. A post-test was taken after 48 hours.Results: The result revealed that in the post-test, the decision training group had more creativity in decision-making than the control group (F=2.64) and in the training group, the skill of anticipating the direction of the shots was better than the control group (F=4.17).Conclusion: According to the results, the decision training made the players of the training group recognize the direction and landing place of the shot with more creativity and provide several solutions for each shot. It seems that decision training has a significant effect in facilitating and providing different solutions.

Proton therapy is a cancer treatment method that uses high-energy proton beams to target and destroy cancer cells. In recent years, the use of proton therapy in cancer treatment has increased due to its advantages over traditional radiation methods, such as higher accuracy and reduced damage to healthy tissues. For accurate planning and delivery of proton therapy, advanced software tools are needed to model and simulate the interaction between the proton beam and the patient’s body. One of these tools is the Monte Carlo simulation software called Geant4, which provides accurate modeling of physical processes during radiation therapy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of the Geant4 toolbox in proton therapy in the conducted research. This review article searched for published articles between 2002 and 2023 in reputable international databases including Scopus, PubMed, Scholar, Google Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. Geant4 simulations are reliable and accurate and can be used to optimize and evaluate the performance of proton therapy systems. Obtaining some data from experiments carried out in the real world is very effective. This makes it easy to know how close the values obtained from simulations are to the behavior of ions in reality.

Split federated (SplitFed) learning offers promise for collaborative machine learning across decentralized and resource-constrained clients (edge devices, nodes, or organizations) in various applications, including healthcare. However, real-world challenges arise in heterogeneous environments where clients experience communication-related data losses, differ in computational capabilities, and have varying local dataset sizes. In this paper, we introduce adaptive asynchronous split federated learning (AASFL), an innovative training scheme to address such challenges. AASFL blends asynchronous SplitFed learning with client-level adaptability, acknowledging varying client capabilities. In AASFL, each client independently adapts its learning rate and the number of local training epochs based on its local training speed, dataset size, and packet loss probability. To demonstrate the effectiveness of AASFL, we implement and evaluate it on a SplitFed network architecture for medical image segmentation. Moreover, we demonstrate the validity of AASFL by emphasizing the necessity of training each client in the collaborative network and revealing drawbacks of client selection. The results on two public datasets indicate that it greatly enhances global model performance, leading to more accurate segmentation results. We also statistically show that AASFL outperforms the standard SplitFed. Furthermore, we provide a theoretical convergence analysis of AASFL. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first analysis of SplitFed in an adaptive, asynchronous setting. The proposed AASFL training scheme offers a promising avenue for improving medical image segmentation tasks in practical decentralized learning environments.

Time Series Classification (TSC) is an important and challenging task for many visual computing applications. Despite the extensive range of methods developed for TSC, only a few are based on Deep Neural Networks (DNNs). In this paper, we present two novel attention blocks: (Global Temporal Attention and Temporal Pseudo-Gaussian Augmented Self-Attention) that can enhance deep learning-based TSC approaches, even when such approaches are designed and optimized for specific datasets or tasks. We validate the performance of the proposed blocks using multiple state-of-the-art deep learning-based TSC models on the University of East Anglia (UEA) benchmark, including a standardized collection of 30 Multivariate Time Series Classification (MTSC) datasets. We demonstrate that adding the proposed attention blocks increases base models’ average accuracy by up to 3.6%. Additionally, the proposed TPS block uses a new injection module to include the relative positional information in transformers. As a standalone unit with less computational complexity, it enables TPS to perform better than most of the state-of-the-art DNN-based TSC methods. The source codes for our setups and the attention blocks are publicly available (https://github.com/mehryar72/TimeSeriesClassification-TPS).

مقدمه: افراد مبتلا به اختلالات روانپزشکی به عنوان یک گروه اقلیت مورد تبعیض اجتماعی، انگ و طرد شناخته می شوند. منابع متعدد انگ برای بیماران مبتلا به اختلالات روانپزشکی، از جمله روزنامه ها، فیلم ها، تلویزیون، وب سایت ها و کتاب ها، کلیشه های منفی را ترویج می کنند. از آنجایی که تأثیر رسانه ها بر دیدگاه و تفکر مردم نسبت به این بیماران بسیار مهم است، هدف این مطالعه درک تجربیات زیسته بیماران مبتلا به اختلالات روانپزشکی از انگ رسانه ای است. روش‌ کار: این مطالعه پدیدارشناختی هرمنوتیکی بخشی از دوره دکتری است. پایان نامه در رشته پرستاری مطالعه اصلی بر روی 12 بیمار روانپزشکی بستری در بیمارستان ابن سینا مشهد در سال 1396 انجام شد که به روش نمونه گیری هدفمند انتخاب شدند. برای جمع آوری داده ها از مصاحبه های عمیق بدون ساختار استفاده شد. تجزیه و تحلیل داده ها با روش تحلیل پدیدارشناسی تفسیری انجام شد. یافته‌ها: ارائه نادرست رسانه‌ای یکی از موضوعات اصلی مورد بررسی پدیده در پروژه اصلی است که از دو موضوع فرعی اغراق رسانه ای و تشویش اذهان عمومی، تشکیل شده است. چندین معنی مشترک از هر یک از اینها پشتیبانی می کنند. نتیجه گیری: نتایج این مطالعه برای مبارزه با انگ در بیماران مبتلا به اختلالات روانپزشکی در ایران، مناسب است. همچنین، یافته‌های این پژوهش می‌تواند مداخلات و سیاست‌هایی را برای جلوگیری از گسترش انگ از طریق رسانه‌ها در مورد افراد مبتلا به اختلالات روان‌پزشکی شکل دهد.

Abstract Introduction and aims Many studies have investigated the relationship between social support and the prevention of elder abuse; however, their results are somehow inconsistent in terms of the association. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the published studies on the relationship between social support and the prevention of elder maltreatment. Materials and methods An electronic search was conducted until January 2023, using such databases as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The present research included cross-sectional, longitudinal, and case-control studies. Study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were conducted by two researchers independently. The Newcastle-Ottawa checklist was utilized to evaluate the quality of studies. The random effects model was employed to perform a meta-analysis. Results In total, 32 studies were included in this systematic review, out of which 26 articles were eligible for meta-analysis. The results showed that 68.75% of the studies were of high quality, and there is a significant relationship between social support and elder maltreatment. Accordingly, the lack of social support increased overall maltreatment (odds ratio: 1.24, 95% confidence interval: 1.16–1.33; I2 = 92.3%, p = 0.000)). Moreover, lack of social support had an increasing effect on the level of psychological abuse (1.55, 1.18–2.04; 88.7%, p = 0.000), physical abuse (1.31, 0.42–4.11; 76.3%, p = 0.005), and neglect (2.02, 0.86–4.72; 87.9%, p = 0.000), which shows heterogeneities among the results of the included studies. On the contrary, the lack of social support showed a decreasing effect on financial abuse (0.92, 0.70–1.21; 62.1%, p = 0.022). Conclusion This systematic review provides evidence that social support in the form of structural or functional support may plays an important role in improving the quality of life of the elderly.

مقدمه: شیوع جهانی انگ مرتبط با اختلالات روان پزشکی غیرقابل انکار است. افراد مبتلا به اختلالات روان پزشکی همچنان از تعصب، تبعیض و انگ زیادی از سوی جریان اصلی جامعه رنج می برند. از این رو، این ناتوانی انسانی یک اورژانس جهانی است و نیاز به اقدامات فوری و طولانی مدت دارد. بنابراین، این مطالعه با هدف بررسی پدیده انگ بر اساس تجربیات بیماران مبتلا به اختلالات روان پزشکی انجام شد.روش‌ کار: این پژوهش یک مطالعه کیفی پدیدارشناسی هرمنوتیک در بیمارستان روان‌پزشکی ابن سینا مشهد است. در مرحله کیفی، 12 نفر از مراجعان مبتلا به اختلالات روان پزشکی به روش نمونه‌گیری هدفمند انتخاب شدند. داده ها با روش های تفسیری دیکلمن، آلن و تانر (1989) تجزیه و تحلیل شدند.یافته ها: در این پژوهش یک الگوی سازنده با عنوان «از آسمان تا زمین» و 6 مضمون و 23 زیرمضمون از پدیده مورد بررسی کشف شد. موضوعات شامل خانواده؛ لانه رنج، جامعه، پایان تاریکی، بیمارستان روانی؛ مکان ناامن، رسانه بی بیان، شخصیت شکسته و گرداب ننگ بودند.نتیجه گیری: یافته‌ها نشان داد که مراجعین مبتلا به اختلالات روان پزشکی از منابع متعددی که بر حوزه‌های مختلف زندگی آنها سایه انداخته و منجر به پیامدهای نامطلوب شده است، انگ دریافت می‌کنند.

Background: The development of motor competence (MC) during childhood is crucial for future physical activity and health outcomes, and it is affected by both biological and psychosocial factors. Most MC research has focused on children’s age, with fewer studies examining separate associations between MC and biological maturation. Methods: This cross-sectional study used network analysis to assess the nonlinear associations between biological maturation (the child’s percentage of predicted mature stature to indicate somatic maturation), chronological age, sex, BMI, and MC (Test of Gross Motor Development, third edition) in 218 children (100 boys, 118 girls) aged 7–9 years. Results: Biological maturation was not significantly associated with MC in boys and weakly associated with MC in girls for the dribble, under-hand throw, and gallop. Age was positively associated with MC in girls and boys. Centrality measures indicated that the gallop and slide in girls and the dribble, catch, and run in boys were the most important network variables. Positive associations were observed between maturation and BMI for girls (r = 0.579) and, to a lesser degree, for boys (r = 0.267). Conclusions: The findings suggest that age, rather than biological maturation, is positively associated with MC in 7- to 9-year-olds. Centrality measures showed that some skills may influence other skills.

Planning and scheduling operating rooms and required equipment is very important for hospital managers from the perspective of cost, social, and health principles. Because operating rooms are one of the sources of income for hospitals that can provide the services needed by emergency patients who arrive randomly and elective patients whose surgery is preplanned. Since some tools used in operating rooms need to be sterilized each time, and in the real world, due to various reasons such as the physical condition of each patient, the duration of surgeries is uncertain, in this research, as well as considering the uncertainty of surgery times for emergency and elective patients, a robust scenario-based integrated mathematical model with two objective functions is presented. In this model, in addition to minimizing the cost of operating rooms, sterile section, and penalties for delay in surgery, the competition time of the last operation is minimized. Solving several problems and different sensitivity analyses confirmed the validation of the presented model from the viewpoint of the hospital managers. Introduction The healthcare system is one of the most important topics that has attracted the attention of researchers and hospital managers. Two significant elements of healthcare systems are patients and hospitals, and their planning and scheduling are necessary for providing better services. Hospital managers aim to minimize costs or maximize profits while considering service times. Operating rooms are often the most critical sections of the hospital. Since life and death issues are at stake in the operating rooms, even the slightest delay or lack of resources can endanger human lives. Therefore, careful planning and scheduling of operating rooms and their resources is especially important. Additionally, to prevent potential hospital infections, the sterilization of reusable medical instruments is essential for every operation. Furthermore, patients can be broadly categorized into two groups: emergency patients who arrive randomly, and elective patients whose surgeries are preplanned. Planning and scheduling operating rooms, along with the required equipment, is of utmost importance for hospital managers, taking into account cost, social factors, and health considerations. Some items used in operating rooms need to be sterilized after each use, which incurs both time and cost. Methodology Due to high fluctuations of the duration of surgery, the different condition of each patient, and in order to get as close as possible to the real conditions, the duration of each surgery is considered uncertain. In this research, in addition to considering selected patients, considering the uncertainty of the duration of surgery, emergency patients have also been investigated, and dealing with uncertainties, the robust optimization approach is used. This approach is stable against changes, and minimizes the fluctuation of changes and maintains optimal and feasible. Therefore, in this research, as well as considering the uncertainty of surgery times for emergency and elective patients, a robust scenario-based integrated mathematical model with two objective functions is presented. In this model, in addition to minimizing the cost of operating rooms, sterile section, and penalties for delay in surgery, the competition time of the last operation is minimized. There are costs for performing elective and emergency operations, and in order to give priority to emergency patients, the cost of performing the operation of these patients is lower than the cost of performing elective operations surgeries of emergency patients, such as those injured in accidents, must be performed as soon as possible and these patients should be paid less. Also, for emergency patients, a maximum waiting time is considered, which they should not wait more than it. Obviously, surgeries that cannot be scheduled during the working hours of the operating room are postponed. Every patient needs a number of reusable medical tools that require sterilization. The sterile duration of reusable tools and the capacity of each sterile machine are known. There are various techniques for solving multi-objective problems, one of which is the epsilon constraint method. In this method, one of the objective functions is considered as the main objective function and other objective functions are applied as constraints to the problem. Various developments for the epsilon constraint method have been presented to make it more efficient, among which we can mention the Augmented Epsilon Constrain (AEC) method. Moreover, in order to solve the bi-objective integrated mathematical model, Mulvey's robust method is implemented on the model, and its validation is carried out in the GAMS software with the AEC method. Results and Conclusion Different sensitivities all confirm the validity and accuracy of the model from the point of view of hospital managers. According to the obtained results, the changes of the three parameters of surgery delay cost, duration of surgery and sterile duration times have more effects on the both objective functions of the mathematical model than other parameters of the problem. Furthermore, the obtained results show that the first objective function, which includes the total cost, will have the highest value when the delay cost parameters and the duration of the surgical operations increase. For the second objective function, which shows the complete time of the last operation, the most challenging situation occurs when the parameters of the duration of surgical operations and the sterile duration increase. Therefore, the most ideal situation from the point of view of the hospital manager is to reduce all three parameters, which will reduce, the total cost and the completion time of the last operation; Moreover, the results show, the separate costs of planning and scheduling of the operating room and the sterile department are more than when the planning and scheduling of the operating rooms and the sterile department were examined in an integrated manner. The results of this research can be used for the integrated planning and scheduling of the operating rooms and sterilization department in all hospitals as a suitable management tool.

As efficient instruments, there have been increasing studies on contract optimization in the supply chain field over the recent two decades. The lack of review papers is one of the gaps in contract optimization studies. Hence, the extant study aimed to provide researchers with an attitude to direct future studies on this topic. Therefore, the collected studies on contract optimization were reviewed and analyzed primarily. Then papers were classified based on the selected categories and themes. Finally, evaluation and results were presented based on the classified topics. They conducted studies, then achievements and limitations of the literature and future research opportunities were introduced to pave the way for researchers’ further studies.

Background and Aims Creative solutions are essential to success in sports, the development of talent, and the selection system, and it is important to be flourished in the early years. On the other hand, the play environment is one of the most effective environments in supporting the motor creativity of preschool children. This study aimed to investigate the effect of creative and traditional games on motor coordination and creativity in action and movement in girls aged 6 to 7 years.Methods The present quasi-experimental study is an applied study that was conducted with a pretest-posttest design. A total of 107 girls aged 6-7 years were selected by the available sampling method based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and divided into two creative and traditional games. Demographic questionnaire, thinking creatively in action and movement (TCAM) test, motor coordination test (The Körperkoordinations test für kinder [KTK]), and motor games were used. The practice protocol included creative movement games such as crab-style walking relief competition, bubble game, hungry wolf, play with small colored balls, balloon games, and traditional games. For the pretest and posttest, the TCAM and KTK tests were performed. Data were analyzed using combined factor analysis of variance with repeated measures and Bonferroni post hoc test using SPSS software, version 22.Results The results showed that the main effect of the evaluation steps was significant (P=0.001) for the motor coordination variable and was better in both groups posttest in the motor coordination test. The main effect of the group is significant (P=0.001), and the creative exercise group had better motor coordination in the posttest. The interaction effect of the group in the evaluation stages is significant (P=0.001). The average total score of creativity and components of fluidity, initiation, and imagination in the posttest was higher in the pretest, and the creative game group obtained higher scores in these components. Performing creative games had a more significant effect on children’s creativity, movement, and physical coordination than traditional games.Conclusion The children’s physical coordination and motor creativity increase with the practice of creative games. Children’s motor creativity skills, especially mental skills, and their originality and imagination are supported through play. It is better to use creative practice and games to develop children’s mental and motor skills during school physical education hours.

Hypothesis: Due to the alternating hydroxyl and secondary amine groups, the polymer poly(1-(2-((3-amino-2-hydroxypropyl)amino)ethyl)-1'-ethyl-[4,4'-bipyridine]-1,1'-diium) (poly(AHAEBD)), is highly prone to complex formation. In this case, iron (III) was selected for complexation with poly(AHAEBD) due to its effective role in metabolic activities in the body then, anticancer effects of the synthesized compounds were evaluated on human breast cancer cells (MCF-7). Methods: 1,1'-Bis(2-aminoethyl)-[4,4'-bipyridine]-1,1'-diium (BABD) was prepared from the reaction of 4,4'-bipyridine and 2-aminoethyl. The polymer, (poly(AHAEBD)), was synthesized from the reaction of BABD and epichlorohydrin, and then complexed with iron (III) to prepare ([Fe(poly(AHAEBD)2].Na3). The structure of the synthesized compounds was confirmed using Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The effects of [Fe(poly(AHAEBD)2].Na3, poly(AHAEBD), and cisplatin as a reference were evaluated on MCF-7 cell line using the MTT assay. Findings: The IC50 values for the polymer complex [Fe(poly(AHAEBD)2].Na3 (0.53 µg/mL), cisplatin (2.68 µg/mL), and poly(AHAEBD) (1.14 µg/mL) were obtained, indicating the superior performance of this polymer complex in inhibiting cancer cell growth compared to cisplatin as well as displaying the effect of complex formation with iron in increase the cytotoxicity compared to poly(AHAEBD). The impact of the synthesized polymer on the MCF-7 cancer cell line, on one hand, as well as the effect of increased iron levels in stopping the growth of cancer cells, and on the other hand, it has resulted in the effective performance of this complex polymer in stopping the growth of cancer cells in in vitro tests. Based on the results obtained, this polymer complex can be considered as a potential candidate for further investigation as an anticancer drug.

Spatial-temporal changes in land use and land cover (LULC) patterns have led to the fragmentation of forest ecosystems and the reduction of more than one-third of mangrove forests worldwide. Environmental protection challenges and biodiversity threats in mangrove forests have attracted national and international concerns in the last three decades. Accordingly, the present study demonstrates spatial-temporal changes in mangrove forests of Hara Biosphere Reserve using Landsat images from 1989 to 2021. Moreover, habitat integrity in this area was investigated based on ecological landscape metrics. The results of LULC changes revealed that the forest area in Hara Biosphere Reserve is decreasing, while other land use (LU) such as tidal area and bare land are increasing. Likewise, in this area, the tidal area had the top increasing trend in 2021 compared to 1989, and water body revealed the top decreasing trend during the studied years. According to the results of landscape metrics change, fragmentation and patches dispersion have increased at the level of mangrove forest and water body classes, and these results at the level of tidal area and bare land classes have decreased from 1989 to 2021. The obtained results indicate that habitat integrity has decreased at the level of mangrove forest and water body classes due to the increase of LULC spatial-temporal changes and human activities development. Therefore, planners and decision-makers should strive to reduce the human causes that have led to rapid LULC changes‏.‏

The quantitative assessment of water security including its distribution helps plan and manage adequate amounts of quality water to sustain livelihoods. This research introduces a hydrological modeling framework designed to evaluate the spatial and temporal fluctuations of blue water and green water, aiming to quantify the water security status of Lake Urmia in Iran. This lake, recognized as the second largest hypersaline lake globally, has experienced a significant decline in its water storage in recent years. This model, based on water consumption and population size was used to investigate water security and footprint while quantifying the spatial and temporal changes in the availability of blue water and green water. As the results demonstrate, the monthly and annual coefficient of variation for blue water (41.1 % and 27.6%, respectively) was greater than for green water (32.3% and 21.7%, respectively), hence green water flow showed more homogeneous than blue water flow distribution among different sub-basins. At the same time, the coefficient of variation for the spatial distribution differs between various components of the water footprint. Agricultural use requires the most water in this basin, with a blue water scarcity of 0.27. The blue water vulnerability value for total water consumption indicates a lower risk of a water crisis under low-flow conditions. In addition, the freshwater provision indicator in each sub-basin varies between the middle (0.64) and lower (0.80) parts. Thus, in these parts, water can be consumed with less negative impact on the environment. In conclusion, the environmental situation of Lake Urmia and its water security has clearly decreased over the last decade which requires urgent management action (e.g., changing irrigation pattern) to mitigate an environmental crisis. This research offers precise and quantifiable references related to water resources and water security, and can enhance targeted water footprint management within the study area. Our hydrological modeling framework provides the basis to inform water management in various similar watersheds across the globe.

Evaluating the ecological security of ecotourism (EES) in protected areas is critical because these areas play a vital role in protecting biodiversity and natural resources. This study evaluated the EES status of Central Alborz Protected Area (Northern Iran), based on a Driver, Pressure, State, Impact, and Response (DPSIR) model. We developed a comprehensive list of 59 indicators for the DPSIR model and employed an Analytical Network Process (ANP) model to determine indicator weights harnessing the opinion of experts on which indicators are most influential. This approach facilitated the identification of regions with the highest EES vulnerability, notably in the northern and western sectors of our study area along the boundary between Tehran and Mazandaran provinces. Here, the mechanisms that drive EES change the most include ecotourism activities, livestock overgrazing, and uncontrolled physical and economic activities, along with extensive road and highway development, and land use and land cover changes. Indicators that are most effective for determining the EES status, include physical and economic activities. We conclude by discussing indicators to respond to the increasing threat to EES in Protected Areas such as the involvement of government in strategic integrated management. Our study serves as a methodological blueprint on how to evaluate the EES of Protected Areas.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate a supply chain problem of operating room consumable items that are not reused after consumption. In this supply chain, maximizing the satisfaction of the surgeons and minimizing the total costs are considered. Also, due to the importance of choosing suppliers from the surgeons' point of view, it is possible to prioritize suppliers based on criteria such as quality and cost. Furthermore, to get closer to real-world situations, uncertain demands of patients due to their physical conditions and various diseases, the capacities of the pharmacy, operating rooms, and the sterile core used for sterilizing the non-sterile items have been considered. The scope of this research includes different operating rooms, and the initially required number of consumable items according to the opinion of the surgeon. If an emergency occurs during the operation (such as sudden bleeding, item failure, or operating room personnel error) and the patient needs more items, the nurse goes to the hospital pharmacy to get the necessary items and brings them to the operating room, during the operation. Design/methodology/approach: In this research, due to the uncertain demand for consumable items in the operating room, three pessimistic, probable, and optimistic scenarios have been used; and due to the discreteness and uncertainty of the data distribution, Mulvey's robust method has been applied. The problem has been solved in two phases. In the first phase, the additive ratio assessment (ARAS) multi-criteria decision-making method has been used to prioritize suppliers, and in the second phase, according to the size of the problem, the epsilon-constraint method, for the small-sized problem, and Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithms (NSGA-II) and Multi-Objective Harmony Search (MOHS) for large-sized problems have been used to minimize the total costs of the supply chain, and maximize surgeons’ satisfaction. In addition, to set the parameters of both meta-heuristic algorithms, the Taguchi method, which is one of the most well-known parameter-setting methods, has been used. Findings: To compare exact and metaheuristic algorithms, 10 examples were designed randomly. The comparisons showed that the results of the epsilon-constraint method were better than the meta-heuristic algorithms but it could only solve small-sized problems, and it required more time as a sensitive influencing factor in operating room planning. Also, to analyze the NSGA-II and MOHS algorithms, the obtained results were examined from the perspective of solution time, Number of Pareto Solutions (NPS), Mean Ideal Distance (MID), Diversification Metric (DM), and Spacing Measure (SM) indicators. They were also compared with each other using statistical hypothesis tests. The results showed that such algorithms had a significant difference from the point of view of the NPS and DM indicators at the significance level of 0.05, but they did not differ much in terms of the other two indicators. However, in terms of solution time, the MOHS was more suitable than the NSGA-II algorithm. Research limitations/implications: One of the limitations of this research is the collection of real-world data, especially in estimating the demand for each item according to different conditions. Practical implications: Comparing the NSGA-II and MOHS algorithms using different indicators, especially solution time which is significant for operating room planning, MOHS algorithms were better than the NSGA-II. Social implications: Using the proposed algorithms, hospital managers can reduce total costs, guarantee the quality of consumable operating room items, and increase the satisfaction of the surgeon, who is in charge of providing better services to the patients. Originality/value: In this paper, two meta-heuristic algorithms were proposed for non-deterministic supply chain planning for consumable operating room items, considering surgeon satisfaction and cost, and their efficiencies were compared with each other. The two-mentioned algorithms have not been used in previous studies. Both academic researchers and hospital managers can benefit from applying the findings of this study.

Background and Aims Memory consolidation is a set of processes that converts memory from an unstable state to a stable one. Various factors affect the consolidation of memory, including sleep and the type of exercise have an effect on consolidation. Given that little research on consolidation has used a motor task for the age group of children, the aim of thise study was to investigate the effect of sleep, type of exercise (Physical and Combine it whit observation of action) and posterior interference on consolidation processing based on stability and promotion of motor memory.Methods This research was a semi-experimental study with an pretest- posttest design. The statistical population included girls aged 10 to 12 years who had registered in volleyball in clubs in east Tehran in 2018. The sample included 62 novice girls in volleyball who were selected by available sampling method according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The experiments were divided into combined observation and physical exercise groups. The tools used in this study were, Landgrafe and Abetz child health questionnaire (1996), owens children's sleep habits questionnaire (2000), Aahperd Volleyball Serving Test (1969). Data were analyzed using combined factor analysis of variance with repeated measures and Benfferroni post hoc test.Results The results of the analysis of variance-covariance with repeated measures showed that a night's sleep has a positive effect on stabilizing processing based on stability and promoting motor memory in children (F=15.40, P=0.001), but the type of exercise (F=0.18, P=0.67), (Physically or observational) and type of posterior interference (performing or observing the action) (F=0.48, P=0.489) have no significant effect on consolidation processing. Comparison of averages showed that physical practice is more stable and promotion motor memory than observation.Conclusion Coaches and educators are recommended in addition to physical exercise, children can use observational exercise to process memory consolidation

Improper recreational activity development can have destructive ecological and economic impacts. Identification and proportionality measurement for the principled and practical implementation of these activities is a suitable solution to reduce their negative impacts on tourism destinations and natural ecosystems. Accordingly, in the present study, the recreational activities demanded by tourists in the Hara protected area were identified, and then these activities were investigated according to a list of locational indicators. Spatial distribution of recreational activities in the Hara area demonstrated that due to the land and coastal-marine nature of the requested activities, as well as the topographical and climatic conditions of the area, most of these activities can be implemented in the coastal areas and waters. According to the results, 12 recreational activities from 43 identified activities were selected by tourists, and among these activities, "Visit the forest with a balloon" received the highest score, while the lowest score is assigned to "sunbathing on the coast". In addition, among the 14 spatial indicators, "precipitation intensity" and "suitable time for tourism" have been investigated and analyzed in most recreational activities, while other indicators such as "maximum height above sea level" affect a limited number of activities. On the other hand, the most important indicator in the implementation of these activities is the climate suitable for tourism and favorable weather conditions in this area. In general, the identification and investigation of recreational activities and spatial indicators in tourism destinations, especially in protected areas that have legal prohibitions and biological restrictions for human activities development, is essential and can help in the planning and proper management of these areas.IntroductionToday, tourism activities can play an important role along with economic, social, cultural, and ‎political development to sustain human life. Recreational activities can be an important ‎economic activity, but in case of unsuitable development, it also has destructive ecological and ‎economic impacts. Correct planning for basic and practical implementation of these activities ‎can be effective in reducing their negative impacts. In this regard, one of the most important ‎topics discussed in the management and planning of tourism in natural areas is how to select ‎recreational activities that can be developed and demanded by tourists in these areas. To ‎achieve sustainable development, proportionality measurement and assessment of the ‎environment and recreational activities are necessary and essential before any planning.‎Materials and Methods ‎To identify recreational activities that can be developed in the Hara protected area based on ‎experts' viewpoints and available documents, a list of recreational activities was prepared. Then ‎‎43 recreational activities were identified and presented to tourists in the form of a visual ‎questionnaire to determine their selected activities and prioritize them in the numerical range of ‎‎1 to 10. According to Cochran's relationship, the sample size for tourists was determined to be ‎‎96. In this regard, by randomly distributing 100 questionnaires among tourists, their demand ‎related to the recreational activities available in this area was identified and surveyed. In the ‎next step, the requested activities were screened and selected. The basic selection of activities in ‎this study is based on more than 10% of the total priorities, which among leisure activities with ‎an average of more than 100 and based on the frequency of the first 3 selections (priorities 1 to ‎‎3) have the highest demand among tourists. It should be mentioned that the final score of the ‎activities is also standardized and reviewed according to the highest sum of the priority ‎coefficients. After examining the results of questioning by tourists and summarizing the types ‎of recreational activities in demand in the area, to examine recreational activities, a series of ‎location indicators were presented according to the nature of land and coastal-sea activities. ‎Accordingly, according to the relevant study documents, 14 indicators include; slope, maximum ‎height above sea level, coast type, wind intensity, precipitation intensity, water flow speed, ‎maximum wave height, minimum water depth, maximum water depth, suitable time ‎‎(comfortable climate), viewing angle, viewing direction, maximum viewing distance, and ‎landscape composition was used for spatial proportionality of leisure activities.‎Discussion and Results ‎As the results revealed, 12 recreational activities from 43 identified activities were selected by ‎tourists, and among these activities, "visit the forest with a balloon" received the highest score, ‎while the lowest score is assigned to "sunbathing on the coast". In addition, among the 14 spatial ‎indicators, "precipitation intensity" and "suitable time for tourism" have been investigated and ‎analyzed in most recreational activities, while other indicators such as "maximum height above ‎sea level" affect a limited number of activities. On the other hand, the most important indicator ‎in the implementation of these activities is the climate suitable for tourism and favorable ‎weather conditions in this area. Considering the land and coastal-sea nature of the selected ‎activities, as well as the topographical and climatic conditions of the area, the spatial distribution ‎of most recreational activities is usable in the coastal profile and in the coastal areas and waters.‎Conclusions ‎The results indicated that sustainable tourism development depends on the necessity of studying ‎the ability of recreational activities in demand in the tourist destination. Each recreational ‎activity is affected by a range of spatial indicators and also affects the environment. In general, ‎the identification and investigation of recreational activities and spatial indicators in tourism ‎destinations, especially in protected areas that have legal prohibitions and biological restrictions ‎for human activities development, is essential and can help in the planning and proper ‎management of these areas.‎

Abstract Drawing on a growing body of research on the interface between corpus linguistics and second/foreign language testing and assessment, we adopted Peykare, a large-scale, annotated, Persian written language resource to evaluate the content (i.e., coverage and typicality) and construct validity of a Persian language proficiency test developed for certification of proficiency in Persian as a foreign language (PFL) of non-native speakers. Designed at the Research Center for Intelligent Signal Processing (RCISP), Peykare contains 35,058 text files over five linguistic varieties and 24 different registers of contemporary Persian. This study addresses how corpora, as rich database resources, can practically be applied to test validation purposes and insightfully inform the test life cycle. The results of content validity phase revealed evidence supporting content representativeness, relevance, and typicality of the test. The linkage between the corpus-extracted criterial features or parameters and those covered by the test was not, however, strongly evidenced by items measuring ezafeh constructions, homographs/homophones, PRO (proposition), and POST (postposition). The analysis of content typicality indicated chunks that did not closely conform to the corpus typical output. The construct validity phase, assessing the test hypothesized factor structure (i.e., hierarchical, unitary, correlated, and uncorrelated models) in two randomly split samples of PFL learners from Asian and European countries (N=121), showed that the correlated model fit the data best in both samples. The results supported the presence of distinctive factors of receptive skills, providing empirical evidence for score interpretations of the corpus-based test.

Recent developments in deep learning have contributed to numerous success stories in healthcare. The performance of a deep learning model generally improves with the size of the training data. However, there are privacy, ownership, and regulatory issues that prevent combining medical data into traditional centralized storage. Decentralized learning approaches enable collaborative model training by distributing the learning process among several nodes or devices. Conceptually, decentralized learning builds on earlier work in distributed optimization, but the focus of this paper is on recent and emerging techniques such as Federated Learning (FL), Split Learning (SL), and hybrid Split-Federated Learning (SFL). With common, universal deep learning models and centralized aggregator servers, FL overcomes the difficulties of centralized training. Additionally, patient data remains at the local party, upholding the security and anonymity of the data. SL enables machine learning without directly accessing data on clients or end devices. It further enhances privacy in a decentralized setting and mitigates clients’ storage issues. In this survey, we first provide a contemporary survey of FL, SL, and SFL approaches. Second, we discuss their state-of-the-art applications in healthcare, particularly in medical image analysis. Third, we review these emerging decentralized learning approaches under challenging conditions such as statistical and system heterogeneity, privacy preservation, communication efficiency, fairness, etc. Then, we address existing approaches to tackle these challenges. We detail unique complications related to healthcare applications including data, privacy and security, and communication challenges. Finally, we outline potential areas for further research on emerging decentralized learning techniques in healthcare, including developing personalized models, reducing bias, incorporating hybrid non-IID features, hyperparameter tuning, developing sufficient incentive mechanisms, and incorporating domain expertise knowledge.

Background: Program accreditation is one of the approaches to improve the quality of educational programs and is increasingly used in medical science education. Considering the lack of a program accreditation model at the undergraduate level of medical sciences in Iran.Objectives: The present study was conducted to develop accreditation standards for educational programs at the undergraduate level.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020-2021 using a mixed qualitative-quantitative method in two phases. In the first and qualitative phase, the qualitative opinions of nine experts in the basic fields and standards (assessed by the research team in the previous descriptive-comparative study) were obtained by holding a focus group (semi-structured interview). In the second and quantitative phase, the obtained accreditation domains and standards were prepared as an online questionnaire and sent to 16 Iranian experts to confirm the final standards. After analyzing the data, the accreditation standards for undergraduate educational programs were proposed.Results: According to our results, 12 domains and 69 criteria were proposed as accreditation standards for educational programs. The results of the analysis of content validity ratio and content validity index showed that the values of all 12 domains and 69 criteria were higher than 0.49 and 0.7, respectively. As a result, all domains and criteria were approved. Moreover, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) in all 12 domains was higher than 0.96, indicating an excellent ICC in the proposed domains.Conclusion: Providing the framework of local program accreditation standards and criteria helps improve and promote the quality of medical science educational programs and leads to the higher trust of domestic and foreign stakeholders in these programs.

Background: The most common aging change is increased arteriosclerosis, which can prone the elderly to heart attacks. Physiological and psychological changes deteriorate the health-related quality of life (QoL) of the survivors of heart attacks. However, gender differences may affect the health-related QoL of the survivors. The present study aimed to compare the health-related QoL of elderly men and women after a heart attack in selected educational-therapeutic centers of Iran University of Medical Sciences in 2020. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with descriptive comparative design conducted on 196 elderly patients (98 men and 98 women in each group) who were referred to the heart clinics of selected educational-therapeutic centers of Iran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran in 2020. The subjects were selected through continuous sampling. Data were collected by abbreviated mental test (AMT) and MacNew Heart Disease health-related QoL (HRQoL) questionnaire and analyzed by Chi-square test, independent t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression using SPSS software, version 26. The significance level was set at P≤0.05. Results: The Mean±SD age of elderly women and men was 72.59±7.87 and 69.6±8.24 years, respectively. The Mean±SD health-related QoL of the elderly women was 3.89±0.58 and that of elderly men was 4.16±0.82. The results of the independent t-test showed that the scores of health-related QoL and its dimensions were significantly higher in men than in women (P

Abstract Background Newcastle disease (ND) is an economically significant poultry disease worldwide. During field surveillance for ND in 2010 in Iran, a backyard chicken flock showed clinical signs of ND with 100% mortality. Objectives We aimed to characterise genetically, biologically and epidemiologically an exotic virulent ND virus (NDV) detected in Iran. Methods After observing high mortality, dead birds were sampled and then disposed of by burial, and the chicken house was disinfected. Tissue samples were molecularly tested for NDV. The genetic homogeneity of the isolate RT30/2010 was tested by plaque assay, and then a large virus plaque was used for the second step of plaque purification. Fusion and matrix complete genes were sequenced and used for genotyping and epidemiological tracing. We tested biological pathotypes using mean death time (MDT) and intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI) assays. Results The isolate formed heterogeneous plaques in chicken embryo fibroblast cells. The second step of plaque purification produced homogeneous and large plaques. Phylogenetic analysis using both genes classified the virus into sub‐genotype XIII.2.1. Nucleic acid and amino acid identities of RT30/2010 fusion gene with the closest available isolate SPVC/Karachi/NDV/43 are 97.95% and 98.73%, respectively. Isolate has 112RRRKRF117 motif at the fusion cleavage site, and pathogenicity tests showed MDT of 56.4 h and ICPI of 1.85. Conclusions This study presents the first detection and characterisation of a velogenic NDV of sub‐genotype XIII.2.1 from Iran. Our follow‐up surveillance for ND shows that timely virus detection and carcass management have led to the cessation of virus transmission in Iran.

Background: Glioma is one of the most drug and radiation-resistant tumors. Gliomas suffer from inter- and intratumor heterogeneity which makes the outcome of similar treatment protocols vary from patient to patient. This article is aimed to overview the potential imaging markers for individual diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response prediction in malignant glioma. Furthermore, the correlation between imaging findings and biological and clinical information of glioma patients is reviewed. Materials and Methods: The search strategy in this study is to select related studies from scientific websites such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science published until 2022. It comprised a combination of keywords such as Biomarkers, Diagnosis, Prognosis, Imaging techniques, and malignant glioma, according to Medical Subject Headings. Results: Some imaging parameters that are effective in glioma management include: ADC, FA, Ktrans, regional cerebral blood volume (rCBV), cerebral blood flow (CBF), ve, Cho/NAA and lactate/lipid ratios, intratumoral uptake of 18F-FET (for diagnostic application), RD, ADC, ve, vp, Ktrans, CBFT1, rCBV, tumor blood flow, Cho/NAA, lactate/lipid, MI/Cho, uptakes of 18F-FET, 11C-MET, and 18F-FLT (for prognostic and predictive application). Cerebral blood volume and Ktrans are related to molecular markers such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Preoperative ADCmin value of GBM tumors is associated with O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status. 2-hydroxyglutarate metabolite and dynamic 18F-FDOPA positron emission tomography uptake are related to isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations. Conclusion: Parameters including ADC, RD, FA, rCBV, Ktrans, vp, and uptake of 18F-FET are useful for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response prediction in glioma. A significant correlation between molecular markers such as VEGF, MGMT, and IDH mutations with some diffusion and perfusion imaging parameters has been identified.

Background and Aims Postural control of the kinetic variable of motion plays an essential role in maintaining stability in daily activities. Dual tasks for studying balance or postural control are accompanied by cognitive tasks. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of listening task complexity and offline learning on postural control.Methods Twenty-eight employees with an age range of 30-40 years from Alzahra University of Tehran (PBUH) were selected by available sampling and based on inclusion criteria and divided into three groups with different training distributions of 2 minutes, 15 minutes, and 24 hours with three levels of difficulty (easy, medium, and difficult). Each group performed three blocks of six attempts with each attempt time of 35 seconds, the interval between attempts of 20 seconds, and the time interval between blocks depending on the division of the group: 2 minutes, 15 minutes, and 24 hours with three difficulty levels. Findings were analyzed using a combined factor analysis of variance with repeated measures of three groups (mass, 15 minutes, and 24 hours) and three task levels (easy, moderate, and difficult) and the Bonferroni post hoc test.Results Findings showed that the main effect of homework difficulty level and practice distribution was significant (P=0.001) and in the retention stage, there was a significant difference between the mean frequency power in the anterior-posterior direction in the low difficulty listening group and the high difficulty listening group. In the listening task, the interactive effect of task difficulty level in the distribution of practice was not significant. In the memorization stage, regarding the COP components (average frequency power in the anterior-posterior direction), the training group (24 hours), and in the listening task with an easy complexity level, the best condition was posture control, and in the training group (2 minutes) and in the listening task with difficult complexity level, the weakest condition was control posture. In the listening task with a high level of difficulty, the 24 hour training group had better average COP components than the mass training group and the 15 minute training group.Conclusion It seems that distance training over mass training along with the parameters of strengthening motor memory increases cognitive effort and motivation. According to Hacken, Kelso, and Bondes hypothesis (progress-regression), educators should include homework in teaching instruction and from simple to difficult in the curriculum.

Biodiversity faces various challenges which make its management difficult. This research aimed to investigate the challenges of biodiversity management in the Sorkhabad Protected Area of the Zanjan Province. The research was conducted using a qualitative approach through the grounded theory methodology. A sample of participants consisting of 15 experts from the Environmental Protection Administration and the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Administration in the Zanjan Province were selected through a theoretical and snowball sampling and the data were collected by semi-structured interviews. Using the Nvivo10 software, the data on biodiversity management challenges were analyzed through open coding, axial coding, and selective coding, which led to exploring 92 concepts, 38 initial categories, 22 principal categories, and 9 core categories. Then, the relationship among the core categories was identified. It was identified that biodiversity loss is interconnected with other natural hazards and environmental crises. Moreover, the threat and loss of biodiversity and other natural resources are directly and indirectly influenced by various factors consisting of weak national strategies and policies on biodiversity management; the weakness of allocating human, financial and physical resources of organizations responsible for biodiversity protection; poor knowledge, attitude and value system of rural communities about biodiversity management; unsustainable agriculture and natural resources use by rural communities; unsustainable use and intervention of people outside rural communities; unsustainable actions of external organizations; and lack of integrated and participatory management in biodiversity management.

Abstract Propolis, a resinous substance produced by honeybees from various plant sources, has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine for several purposes all over the world. The precise composition of propolis varies according to plant source, seasons harvesting, geography, type of bee flora, climate changes, and honeybee species at the site of collection. This apiary product has broad clinical applications such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, analgesic, antidepressant, and anxiolytic as well asimmunomodulatory effects. It is also well known from traditional uses in treating purulent disorders, improving the wound healing, and alleviating many of the related discomforts. Even if its use was already widespread since ancient times, after the First and Second World War, it has grown even more as well as the studies to identify its chemical and pharmacological features, allowing to discriminate the qualities of propolis in terms of the chemical profile and relative biological activity based on the geographic place of origin. Recently, several in vitro and in vivo studies have been carried out and new insights into the pharmaceutical prospects of this bee product in the management of different disorders, have been highlighted. Specifically, the available literature confirms the efficacy of propolis and its bioactive compounds in the reduction of cancer progression, inhibition of bacterial and viral infections as well as mitigation of parasitic-related symptoms, paving the way to the use of propolis as an alternative approach to improve the human health. However, a more conscious use of propolis in terms of standardized extracts as well as new clinical studies are needed to substantiate these health claims.

In recent decades, digital technologies have seriously changed socioeconomic systems on a global scale. Unfortunately, consequential issues have remained mostly uninvestigated. The literature lacks research into the risks that may arise in the procedure of developing digital capabilities that have considerable impacts on firms’ innovative growth. In addition, inadequate research has been conducted on challenges that may arise when a business is being developed in the context of the digital economy. Moreover, the advent of new risks specific to the digital economy has not been addressed in the overall system of modern economic relations. As a result, the current study aims to investigate the major areas of relevance to transforming companies into the digital economy, considering the impacts of new risks encountered during such transitions. Along this line, this paper develops a decision support model for evaluating risks in the digital economy transformation of the manufacturing industry. This approach is applied to compute the weights and the study ranks the most important risks for digital economy transformation in the manufacturing industry. In addition, the proposed method model is implemented to find industries’ priorities of different risks for the digital economy transformation of the manufacturing industry. Finally, a case study is carried out to assess the most important risk for the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry. The results show that lack of top management involvement (f7), with a weight of 0.0563, an unstable market environment in terms of the uncertainty industry, and market volatility, with a weight of 0.0542, are the most considerable risks for the digital economy transformation (DET) of the manufacturing industry. Additionally, comparison and sensitivity analyses are made to illustrate the advantage of the presented approach.

Key Clinical Message Lethal multiple pterygium syndrome is a very rare genetic disorder. The manifestations of this condition include growth deficiency of the fetus, craniofacial anomalies, joint contracture, and skin webbing (pterygia). This disorder is fatal before birth or shortly after birth. We reported a case of lethal multiple pterygium syndrome with multiple anomalies including pterygia involving the axilla, bilateral antecubital fossa, and groin. Arthrogryposis involving multiple lower and upper extremities joints. Cleft palate, microstomia and limitation of mouth opening, webbed neck, asymmetric small and narrow chest, ambiguous genitalia, depressed and wide nasal bridge, antemongoloid slant, low‐set, malformed, and posteriorly rotated ears, pterygia, syndactyly and camptodactyly of hands and rocket bottom feet. LMPS is a congenital genetic disease with multiple anomalies that is fatal in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy or shortly after birth. With genetic testing and counseling, it can be prevented from recurring in subsequent pregnancies.

Background and Objectives: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the main causes of high mortality and morbidity in hospitals. This study was aimed to examine virulence factors, molecular typing, and the antibiotic resistance pattern of MRSA isolates in hemodialysis patients and healthy communities. Materials and Methods: Total of 231 and 400 nasal samples were obtained from hemodialysis patients and healthy communities, respectively. Virulence factors profile was examined in two groups by PCR reaction. Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus (ERIC-PCR) was used as a molecular typing approach. Results: Overall, 35.49% (82/231) of hemodialysis patients were positive for S. aureus, and 47.56% (39/82) of isolates were positive for mecA. In a healthy community, 15% (60/400) of samples were positive for S. aureus, and 36.66% (22/60) were positive for mecA. The frequency of MDR was significantly higher in patients group (p-value < 0.00001). The frequency of pvl (p.value = 0.003932, P

Abstract Recently, nanocomposites produced from clays and metals coated with chitosan have shown wound healing activity. This study aimed to synthesize the zinc oxide/malachite nanocomposite (ZnO/Mlt-NC) and its coating form with chitosan (ZnO/Mlt/Chsn-NC). Physicochemical characterization of the produced nanocomposites was investigated. Biomedical effects of nanocomposites, such as in vivo and in vitro antibacterial activity, antioxidant properties, cytotoxicity, and modulation in the gene expressions of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and histopathological parameters, were also investigated. Expression intensities of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were also investigated by immunofluorescence staining. To investigate biomedical effects under in vivo conditions, infected wounds were induced and inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853). The results indicated spherical ZnO nanoparticles on the surface of malachite and strong antibacterial activity and antioxidant properties. The ointments produced from the nanocomposites also exhibited wound healing activity. The administration of the ointments prepared from ZnO/Mlt, and ZnO/Mlt/Chsn NCs decreased the expressions of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, while it increased the expressions of IL-10, TGF-β and bFGF. In sum, the nanocomposites produced from ZnO, malachite, and chitosan had better biological activity than ZnO/Malachite nanocomposites. We suggest applying ZnO/Mlt/Chsn nanocomposites in the structure of ointments to treat infected wounds after future clinical studies.

Abstract This paper aims to investigate the preparation and characterisation of the alginate nanoparticles (NPs) as antigen delivery system loaded by diphtheria toxoid (DT). For this purpose, both the loading capacity (LC) and Loading efficiency (LE) of the alginate NPs burdened by DT are evaluated. Moreover, the effects of different concentrations of sodium alginate and calcium chloride on the NPs physicochemical characteristics are surveyed in addition to other physical conditions such as homogenization time and rate. To do so, the NPs are characterised using particle size and distribution, zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro release study and FT‐IR spectroscopy. Subsequently, the effects of homogenization time and rate on the NPs are assessed. At the meantime, the NPs LC and efficiency in several DT concentrations are estimated. The average size of the NPs was 400.7 and 276.6 nm for unloaded and DT loaded, respectively. According to the obtained results, the zeta potential of the blank and DT loaded NPs are estimated as −23.7 mV and −21.2 mV, respectively. Whereas, the LC and LE were >80% and >90%, in that order. Furthermore, 95% of the releasing DT loaded NPs occurs at 140 h in the sustained mode without any bursting release. It can be concluded that the features of NPs such as morphology and particle size are strongly depended on the calcium chloride, sodium alginate concentrations and physicochemical conditions in the NPs formation process. In addition, appropriate concentrations of the sodium alginate and calcium ions would lead to obtaining the desirable NPs formation associated with the advantageous LE, LC (over 80%) and sustained in vitro release profile. Ultimately, the proposed NPs can be employed in vaccine formulation for the targeted delivery, controlled and slow antigen release associated with the improved antigen stability.

Abstract Introduction Childbirth is a unique experience that affects women’s life. Midwives can play an effective role in creating positive birth experiences for women using non-pharmacological and supportive methods. Accordingly, this study aims to determine the effect of delivery balls and warm showers on childbirth experiences of primiparous women. Methods This clinical trial was conducted on primiparous pregnant women who referred to the Motazedi Hospital in Kermanshah, Iran. Sampling was done from eligible individuals by a continuous method, and pregnant women were assigned to the three groups of delivery balls plus warm showers or A (n = 35), delivery balls or B (n = 35), and control or C (n = 35). The use of the ball at the dilation of 4 cm was similar in the two groups of A and B, but the first group used a warm shower at the dilatation of 7 cm as well. The control group also received routine delivery care. Besides, demographic information forms consisting of the pregnancy history and some information about the mother and her infant were completed. Additionally, childbirth experience questionnaires (CEQ) were completed by the women two hours after childbirth. The analysis of intervention effects was performed as per-protocol analysis. Results There was a statistically significant difference in the mean score of the childbirth experience between the two groups of A and C (p = 0.001) after the intervention as well as between the groups of B and C (p = 0.001). Conclusion The use of delivery balls and warm showers was effective in creating a positive childbirth experience. To create a positive childbirth experience in mothers, the use of both interventions (delivery balls and warm showers) is recommended. Trial registration TCTR 20200408002 . Prospectively registered on March 21, 2020.

Introduction: In radiation treatment of stage one seminoma (SOS) induced secondary cancer in organs at risk (OARs), is late toxicity of major concern. This study aimed to compare the secondary cancer risk in radiotherapy of SOS in two-dimensional conventional (2D) radiation therapy and three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT).Material and Methods: CT scan images of 10 patients with SOS were used to design 2D conventional and 3D conformal treatment plans using 25 Gy in 20 sessions. The life attributable risk (LAR) of the liver, stomach, and colon were calculated using the organ equivalent dose (OED) model for organs in the radiation field and the Biologic Effects of Ionizing Radiation VII (BEIR VII) model for organs out of the field.Results: LAR of OARs in radiation fields such as the liver and stomach were obtained 40% higher in the 2D treatment than in the 3D treatment, while as for the colon, it was 17% lower in the 2D treatment than in the 3D treatment. The LAR values of kidneys located outside the radiation field in the 2D treatment were calculated at 0.04%.Conclusion: Increasing the prescribed dose (25 vs. 20) as well as the number of treatment sessions (20 vs. 10) resulted in increase in the LAR of the liver, stomach, and colon. Therefore, estimating the cancer risk of critical organs exposed to radiation through examining the effects of dose fractionation and prescribed doses can be used in optimizing of the treatment plan for seminoma, selecting a better treatment method by oncologists, and patient follow-up.