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Abstract Background Breast cancer (BrCa) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. There are several factors for getting BrCa, including some changeable factors related to lifestyle like unhealthy dietary patterns, so modifying them can prevent one third of the complications and deaths caused by BrCa. Therefore, we decided to investigate the relationship between Healthy Beverage Index (HBI) and the risk of BrCa. Methods In this hospital-based case–control study, 253 patients with BrCa and 267 non-BrCa controls were enrolled. Food consumption was recorded to calculate the HBI score using a semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Additionally, by using binary logistic regression analysis with adjustment for confounders, the relationship between HBI and the risk of BrCa were assessed. HBI was established by Duffey et al. and is used to evaluate the overall quality of beverage intake and identify changes in consumption. Results Mean ± SD of age and BMI of the study participants were 47.92 ± 10.33 years and 29.43 ± 5.51 kg/m2, respectively. Patients with BrCa considerably outperformed controls in terms of waist circumference (WC), age at first pregnancy, history of abortion, and number of children(Pvalue

Artificial intelligence is one of the most basic and serious topics of research and investigation in the world today. Artificial intelligence is progressing and developing in a lightning-fast and amazing manner in the current era. Very soon, we will see huge changes and developments in this type of new technology. This new technique and technology has been widely used internationally in various professions and industries. The profession of law, law, and distributive justice is not exempt from this issue; now this question is raised, which of the tools will be more useful and appropriate to achieve distributive justice; Human intelligence or artificial intelligence? Is it possible to bring society closer to real justice and fairness with this new technology in this modern era? What is certain is that artificial intelligence with the behavior of human intelligence strengthens capabilities and increases efficiency. Therefore, the findings using descriptive, analytical, and argumentative methods show that artificial intelligence in terms of speed, accuracy, and decision-making power in analysis and problem analysis is more effective and efficient compared to human intelligence. Thus, the use of this new technology helps a lot in the fair distribution of incomes, opportunities, and important economic issues in society. Although the negative effects caused by the expansion of this new technology cause economic, educational, moral, and other discriminations and inequalities; however, it is possible to reduce the negative effects of these inequalities caused by the development of this new technology by exercising caution, carefully managing and monitoring data, creating programs and supporting laws, and using artificial intelligence technology based on the principles of distributive justice.

Background: Brucellosis is a common disease between humans and animals that still exists in most parts of Iran. This study investigated the epidemiology of brucellosis in Mazandaran province, Iran, during a nine-year period from the beginning of 2009 until the end of 2017. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted based on the guidelines of Iran’s Ministry of Health and Medical Education on the data of 3732 brucellosis patients. The data were retrieved from the private and public laboratories gathered in a Ministry’s database. We used the generalized estimating equation (GEE) for the Poisson regression model (Poisson GEE) to examine the disease incidence based on the studied variables. Results: The age-standardized incidence rate has been 13.2 per 100,000 people (15.6 in men and 21.3 in rural areas). The highest rate (17.2) was in 2012 and the lowest (10.6) was in 2014. The cities of Galugah (35.0) and Qaemshahr and Fereydunkenar (3.0) had the highest and lowest incidence rates. The patients’ professions had been 30% housewives, 14.9% ranchers, and 14.4% livestock-related professions. The highest standard incidence was in people older than 55 years old. The results of the Poisson GEE regression model showed that the disease incidence has been higher in men compared to women and in rural compared to urban areas (risk ratio = 1.5, 3.4, P = 0.001). Conclusion: Mazandaran faces the risk of increased brucellosis incidence rate. Taking preventive measures, including educating people, are recommended for the near future.

Background and Purpose: Firefighting is a high-risk profession that requires high physical fitness, and it is important to have regular exercise to maintain optimal physical fitness and health. However, there is a little research on the best types and methods of training to improve the performance of firefighters and reduce the volume of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) used in duty. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the effect of 8 weeks of high-intensity interval and functional training on cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max) and the used volume of SCBA in firefighters.Materials and Methods: Thirty-nine firefighters working in the fire department of Tehran participated in the study and were randomly allocated in the three groups of control, HIIT and HIFT. Subjects in HIIT group performed 8 weeks of Tabata exercises with body weight, which were 4 exercises in the first two weeks and were increased to 6 and 8 exercises in the 6th and 8th weeks, respectively. In each session, they had 10 min general warm up, thereafter they performed 8 sets of each exercise, where sets included 20 s activity followed by 10 s rest and 2 min rest was allowed between exercises. Subjects in HIFT group had similar program to the HIIT group, with the exception that the exercises they performed were those exercises in the standard simulated test for firefighters which were performed based on the Tabata methods (20 s activity followed by 10 s rest). Two days before training and 48 hours after the last training session the VO2max test (Bruce’s protocol) and simulated firefighting test were carried out.Results: The statistical analysis of the data showed that HIFT and HIIT caused a significant increase in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and performance, and a significant decrease in the volume of SCBA used in firefighters (p

Abstract The intersection of nanotechnology and pharmacology has revolutionized the delivery and efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents, notably docetaxel, a key drug in cancer treatment. Traditionally limited by poor solubility and significant side effects, docetaxel’s therapeutic potential has been significantly enhanced through its incorporation into nanoplatforms, such as nanofibers and nanoparticles. This advancement offers targeted delivery, controlled release, and improved bioavailability, dramatically reducing systemic toxicity and enhancing patient outcomes. Nanofibers provide a versatile scaffold for the controlled release of docetaxel, utilizing techniques like electrospinning to tailor drug release profiles. Nanoparticles, on the other hand, enable precise drug delivery to tumor cells, minimizing damage to healthy tissues through sophisticated encapsulation methods such as nanoprecipitation and emulsion. These nanotechnologies not only improve the pharmacokinetic properties of docetaxel but also open new avenues in regenerative medicine by facilitating targeted therapy and cellular regeneration. This narrative review highlights the transformative impact of docetaxel-loaded nanoplatforms in oncology and beyond, showcasing the potential of nanotechnology to overcome the limitations of traditional chemotherapy and pave the way for future innovations in drug delivery and regenerative therapies. Through these advancements, nanotechnology promises a new era of precision medicine, enhancing the efficacy of cancer treatments while minimizing adverse effects. Graphical Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop and measure the usability of the software prototype of formative assessment in the LMS. This study was applied in terms of research objective and mixed method (qualitative-quantitative) in terms of data collection in which an exploratory sequential mixed methods design was used. In addition, in order to collect data in the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews and focus group sessions were held, while in the quantitative part, a researcher-made questionnaire was employed. The content analysis coding method was used to analyze the data obtained from interviews. The findings of the qualitative phase of the research revealed that there are a total of 12 main needs and solutions to improve the LMS in the field of formative assessment. Moreover, based on these needs and solutions, five main processes of Dynamic Dashboard, Mirror, Treasure, Real Me, and Step-by-Step to the Goal were designed for the prototype of formative assessment software. Furthermore, one-sample t-test was used to analyze the data collected in the quantitative phase of the research. Findings showed that the developed software enjoys the necessary usability.

Increasing children's access to media has attached greater significance to media literacy education, the content and methods of which have changed with media development. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the Community of Inquiry (CoI) method on media literacy competencies in elementary students. To this end, 95 female sixth-grade elementary students were selected from Moalem Elementary School, Hamedan, Iran, in the academic year 2019-2020 as the sample using multistage random cluster sampling. This study was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design. The participants were randomly assigned to three groups, i.e. CoI, Direct Teaching (DT), and Control (CON). For data collection, three tests including functional evaluation, self-evaluation, and parent evaluation were used, whose reliability and validity had been verified using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, content validity ratio (CVR), and content validity index (CVI), was employed to collect data and evaluate media competency dimensions. The results from the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the post hoc Scheffé's test demonstrated the significantly higher media literacy level of students in the CoI group compared with the DT and CON groups at a 95% confidence interval. A significant difference was also observed in the subscales of Critical Consumption, Functional Prosumption, and Critical Prosumption. Based on these findings, the CoI is suggested to be applied in the design, development, and implementation of media literacy programs to allow students to use media properly, critique their content, and actively participate in online content creation.

Bone structures facilitate the regeneration and repair of bone tissue in regions where it has been damaged or destroyed, either temporarily or permanently. Therefore, the bone’s fatigue strength and durability are crucial to its efficacy and longevity. Several variables, such as the construct’s material qualities, design, and production procedure, loading and unloading cycles, and physiological conditions influence the endurance life of bone constructs. Metals, ceramics, and polymers are all routinely utilized to create bone substitutes, and each of these materials has unique features that might affect the fatigue strength and endurance life of the final product. The mechanical performance and capacity to promote bone tissue regeneration may be affected by the scaffold’s design, porosity, and pore size. Researchers employ mechanical testing under cyclic loading circumstances as one example of an experimental approach used to assess bone construction endurance. These analyses can give us important information about the stress-strain behavior, resistance to multiple loading cycles, and fatigue strength of the new structure. Predicting the endurance life of the developed construct may also be possible with the use of simulations and numerical analyses. Hence, in order to create reliable and efficient constructs for bone tissue engineering, it is crucial to understand their fatigue strength and durability. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effective parameters for fatigue strength of bone structures and to gather the models and evaluations utilized in endurance life assessments.

The enhancement of hemocompatibility through the use of nanoplatforms loaded with heparin represents a highly desirable characteristic in the context of emerging tissue engineering applications. The significance of employing heparin in biological processes is unquestionable, owing to its ability to interact with a diverse range of proteins. It plays a crucial role in numerous biological processes by engaging in interactions with diverse proteins and hydrogels. This review provides a summary of recent endeavors focused on augmenting the hemocompatibility of tissue engineering methods through the utilization of nanoplatforms loaded with heparin. This study also provides a comprehensive review of the various applications of heparin-loaded nanofibers and nanoparticles, as well as the techniques employed for encapsulating heparin within these nanoplatforms. The biological and physical effects resulting from the encapsulation of heparin in nanoplatforms are examined. The potential applications of heparin-based materials in tissue engineering are also discussed, along with future perspectives in this field.

Introduction and purpose: Diabetes is one of the most common non-communicable diseases, with the highest prevalence among metabolic diseases in the world. Depression, stress, and anxiety are observed in diabetic patients. Patients' Self-care status is the most important factor in controlling diabetes. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the relationship of stress, anxiety, and depression with self-care in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: This study was conducted based on a cross-sectional design. The statistical population consisted of 266 people with type 2 diabetes who were referred to the diabetes clinic of Bu-Ali Hospital in Zahedan between December and March 2022. Data collection was performed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 Items (DASS-21) and diabetes self-care behavior questionnaire. The content validity ratio and content validity index of the questionnaire was 0.84, and Cronbach's alpha was 0.9. Data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 22) using Pearson's correlation test and logistic regression. Results: The results demonstrated that the average age of the participants was 53.8 years. Moreover, 69.9% of participants were female, 98.9% were married, and 67.3% had a high school education. The average scores of stress, anxiety, depression, and self-care behavior were 18.8, 17.4, 18.7, and 25.9, respectively. Based on the results of demographic variables, 11% of the participants exhibited self-care behavior, and education level was significant (P

Background & Aims With the emergence of COVID-19, health literacy became more important for its prevention. Health literacy is important for attaining positive health outcomes in women. This study aims to investigate the relationship between health literacy and knowledge, attitude and practice regarding preventive behaviors against COVID-19 in women referring to comprehensive health service centers in Zahedan, Iran. Materials & Methods This descriptive-correlational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted on 144 women aged 18-60 years referred to comprehensive health centers in Zahedan, Iran, from September to December 2022. The sampling was done using a multi-stage stratified sampling method based on the entry criteria. To collect data, a sociodemographic form, the knowledge, attitude, practice questionnaire for preventive behaviors against COVID-19, and Savci et al.’s health literacy scale for protection against COVID-19 were used. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation test, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA and regression analysis in SPSS software, version 23. Results The mean age of women was 31.74±10.02 years. Most of them had middle school education (64.4%) and were married (90.3%), with a monthly income level of 6-10 million Iranian Tomans (29.9%). Most of them were willing to receive COVID-19 vaccine (81.9%). Only 28.7% had a history of hospitalization due to COVID-19 infection. Their mean scores of knowledge, attitude, and practice were 14.9±2.93, 42.9±6.69, and 32±6.1, respectively. Their mean health literacy score was 39.5±11.08. Educational level, monthly income level, and history of receiving COVID-19 vaccine explained 48% of the variance in health literacy in the first-order regression model, and 61% of the variance in the second-order regression model. Conclusion The increase in health literacy, can improve knowledge, attitude and practice of women regarding preventive behaviors against COVID-19. In addition, their health literacy for preventive behaviors against COVID-19 is related to their age and education level. It is recommended to use educational programs to increase health literacy for emerging diseases in women from southern Iran. The results of this study can help policy makers in Iran developing health promotion interventions.

This study investigates and fully identifies the challenges of the Iranian e-learning system. The approach was qualitative and the method was research synthesis. The statistical population consisted of studies from 2006 to 2019 in the field of challenges of the e-learning system of Iran collected with specific keywords from the country's databases. A total of 48 studies were identified as relevant. They were screened in stages and evaluated based on their title, abstract, and content. The final 19 articles selected underwent content analysis, revealing that Iran's e-learning system faces problems in eight dimensions: legal, human, educational, technological, sociocultural, support, economic, and managerial-organizational. The results of the analysis could serve as a model for countries with similar technology infrastructure and cultural features wishing to improve their e-learning systems.

Background and Aim: Gap Prepulse Inhibition (GPI) is a type of Prepulse Inhibition (PPI) in which a gap is used as a prepulse. This study was conducted to investigate the silence gap effect on Auditory Middle Latency Response (AMLR) inhibition in normal subjects. Methods: In this study, 25 participants with normal hearing and no history of tinnitus were included. AMLR was recorded in response to stimuli with gap and without gap in two background noises of 2 and 8 kHz at two electrode locations Fz and Cz and then, gap prepulse inhibition for Na-Pa, Pa-Nb, Nb-Pb and Pb-Nc amplitude with Use of responses to stimuli with and without gap was calculated. Results: The results showed that the mean amplitudes of all four AMLR indices decreased in response to the stimuli with gap and this decrease was more and statistically significant in 8 kHz background noise (p≤0.001). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it seems that in future studies, PPI of Na-Pa and Pb-Nc amplitudes can be used as main indicators and PPI of Pa-Nb and Nb-Pb amplitudes as alternative indicators in the PPI paradigm in tinnitus diagnosis.

The quasi-judicial body responsible for the enforcement of official documents is one of the most important auxiliary bodies within the registration system. This body possesses multiple legal competencies to handle specialized litigations, alongside other authorities within its legal system. The significance of these competencies lies in their nature as actions that guarantee fundamental rights of individuals within the judicial procedure of this body. The establishment of fair trial within this body is one of the key criteria to assess these competencies. This research adopts a descriptive-analytical approach with a comparative perspective. The article aims to examine the quasi-judicial procedure in the enforcement of official documents, considering its competencies, in the context of fair trial to answer the question: What is the approach of this body towards fair trial in its own judicial procedure? The findings of this research demonstrate that the quasi-judicial body possesses broad competencies under the regulations governing the enforcement of official documents, and some aspects of fair trial, such as the principle of legality, time limits, appealability, and religious exceptions, have been recognized; however, important criteria such as consistency, independence in decision-making, the right to legal representation, and the right to access case files have not been adequately addressed. Therefore, it can be argued that the quasi-judicial body in the enforcement of official documents applies an incomplete form of fair trial in its judicial procedure, which, in addition to ambiguities and inconsistencies within this body, leads to the violation of individuals' rights.

Background and purpose: Time series models based on machine learning, including artificial neural network, perform better than classical methods. This study was performed to compare the use of a multi-layered perceptron neural network with weighted regression in determining the geographical pattern of brucellosis in Mazandaran province, Iran (2009-2018) on 3,732 patients. Materials and methods: The study type is ecological and existing data, which is registered. Multilayer perceptron neural network was used to model and predict disease occurrence, and the results were compared with weighted regression. The root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) were used to compare the models. All analyses were performed using SPSS software (version 26) and Microsoft Excel 2016. Results: The age-standardized rate of disease incidence was 13.2 per 100,000. The highest incidence rate (17.2) was in 2012 and the lowest (10.6) in 2014. Galugah city (35.0) and Qaemshahr and Fereydunkenar cities (3.0) had the highest and lowest incidence rates. The independent variables studied included male gender, rural residence, age over 55 years, contact with dairy products, being a homemaker, rancher and associated with livestock jobs, contact with livestock, and livestock vaccination on the standard incidence of brucellosis in both artificial neural network and weighted regression (other than variable over 55 years) models were effective. Conclusion: The predictive power of the model in the multi-layered perceptron neural network was higher than the weighted regression.

Background & Aims During the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination is necessary for pregnant or lactating women which can prevent them from infection to severe case of disease. The present study aims to determine the factors related to the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant or lactating women in Zahedan, Iran using the health belief model (HBM). Materials & Methods This is a cross-sectional study. Participants were 260 pregnant or lactating women referred to comprehensive health service centers in Zahedan city in 2022. Sampling method was done as a convenience sampling method. Data collection was done using a demographic form and a HBM-based questionnaire. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed based on Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.7. Moreover, the content validity index value was 0.81 and the content validity ratio was 0.77. The data were analyzed using non-parametric Wilcoxon test, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman correlation test, and regression analysis in SPSS software, version 22. Results The results of the regression analysis showed that the demographic variables explained 12.6% of the variance in vaccine acceptance behavior, where only the effect of age and educational level was significant, (P

The present study seeks to critically review the state of the blended learning researches in the Iranian context. For this critique, 47 papers about blended learning were found in a number of indexing databases and their contents were analyzed. The contents mainly revolved around use of relevant terminology, features of blended learning, methodology, levels of blended learning, variables of the study, and the analyzed educational programs. Some major criticisms that can be leveled at these studies include limited range of terminology, inappropriate use of key concepts, overemphasis on quantitative methods, overuse of pseudo-empirical method, lack of case studies, mistaking blended learning for application of computers in education, excessive concentration on the level of educational programs, superficial treatment of the distinction between learning and retaining, lack of attention to some of the variables of blended learning, and use of blended learning for primary and secondary education.

Introduction: Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy in Iran. Self-care is one of the most effective non pharmacological interventions for controlling the effects of the disease and the side-effects of drugs. An educational intervention based on Pender’s health promotion model, which predicts health behaviours and self-care, can be implemented. Aim: To investigate the effect of an educational intervention based on Pender’s health promotion model on improving selfcare behaviours among patients with colorectal cancer. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted at Omid and Imam Reza Hospitals in Mashhad, Iran from June to August 2021. A total of 160 participants were divided into two groups: the experimental group (n=80) and the control group (n=80). The experimental group received four self-care education sessions (two sessions by a nurse and two sessions by peers), while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using a questionnaire before, immediately after, and three months after the educational intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using independent samples t-test and Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance (RMANOVA). Results: The study included 103 male patients (64.4%) and 57 female patients (35.6%). At one month and three months after the intervention, the scores for awareness, attitude, behaviour, and the constructs of Pender’s health promotion model (self-efficacy, perceived social support, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, perceived emotions) significantly increased in the intervention group compared to the control group (p-value

Given emerging food supply challenges for the world population, Genetic Modified Organisms (GMOs) are referred to as a solution to the upcoming food security crisis. Besides technological advancement, other significant components such as public Awareness play an important role in national and international scientific regulations. Towards this, this study evaluated Tehranian consumers' Awareness (a sample including 946 respondents) about GMOs' risks and benefits, trust in governmental regulation, and the ways to obtain information about GMOs. Specific questionnaires were designed and distributed among participants in four districts in Tehran, and the collected data were used to conduct descriptive and inferential statistics by applying the ANOVA test.The Findings showed that 39 % with a p-value

Background and Objectives: The mission of the education system is to transform students into citizens of the information society, according to technological developments that can use the facilities and platforms created in education to guide and direct daily activities and solve different problems appropriately. The Iranian educational system has emphasized the use of new technologies, the National Information and Communication Network in education, by preparing the "Fundamental Transformation Document of Education". Along with the expansion of ICT integration in schools, the matter of evaluating ICT integration in primary schools is important to ensure and improve the quality of teaching and learning, to determine the contexts and requirements of integration in the curriculum for implementation and enforcement. Evaluation criteria help all experts, managers and teachers to always be aware of the results of their work and know how much educational goals and goals of the organization have been achieved. This awareness leads to the integration of ICT in the curriculum in the desired way. The purpose of this study was to determine the holistic framework for evaluation of ICT integration in elementary school curriculum.Methods This research was conducted by a combined exploratory method in two stages. The qualitative research method was phenomenological. In the first stage, in order to determine the evaluation criteria, the semi-structured interview was conducted using purposive sampling, and in the next stage, a questionnaire was used to confirm the evaluation criteria by available sampling method. The participants in qualitative phase were selected based on criteria-based sampling method and the rule of theoretical saturation and hence included teachers and principals of smart schools. The statistical sample in the quantitative part included experts in the field of e-learning. Participants in the qualitative section included six principals and nine teachers and in the quantitative section, the participants included ten e-learning experts. In order to analyze the collected data in the qualitative part, the collage method (open, axial and selective coding) and in the quantitative part, CVR was used.Findings: The findings of the research in the qualitative part indicated that the evaluation framework of ICT integration included 14 criteria in different sections such as: supportive (3 criteria), electronic content (2 criteria), teacher's teaching activities (2 criteria), materials and learning resources (2 criteria), learning activities (2 criteria) and student group activities (2 criteria). In the quantitative part, the CVR percentage of all six evaluation components was higher than the table number (0.62). Electronic content components and support with the highest percentage and qualification of students were confirmed with the lowest percentage of agreement among the evaluation criteria.Conclusion: In order to increase the quality of integration in evaluation, special attention should be paid to the interaction and transaction of all evaluation components. The emphasis on separate evaluation of the dimensions of integration is the incomplete implementation of integrated evaluation in the curriculum. It is suggested that evaluators have a comprehensive and holistic view of all evaluation criteria in the field of Organizational and Educational Areas in evaluating the integration of ICT in the curriculum.

Background & Aims Providing adequate prenatal care for women can help maintain or improve the health of the mother and fetus. This study aims to identify the incentives and barriers to receiving prenatal care in Zahedan, southeast Iran. Materials & Methods This is a qualitative study using a conventional content analysis approach. Participants were 26 people, including 8 healthcare workers and 18 pregnant women referred to the healthcare centers in 2022 in Zahedan. They were selected by a purposive sampling method and underwent semi-structured in-depth interviews, which continued until the data saturation. Content analysis was carried out along with assessing the validity and reliability of data using Graneheim and Lundman’s four criteria (credibility, dependability, transferability, and confirmability). Results After analysis, 504 codes were obtained, which were reduced to 215 codes, from which 19 sub-categories, 6 sub-themes, and 2 themes of prenatal care barriers and incentives. Conclusion Policymakers and authorities in Zahedan should pay attention to the incentives and barriers to receiving prenatal care identified in this study for developing plans to improve the health of pregnant women in this area.

In the present era, blended learning (BL) is one of the most frequently used concepts related to integrating Information and Communications Technology (ICT) with the curriculum. Numerous research is conducted annually in the field of blended learning in different regions of the world. The purpose of the present research is to determine the status of blended learning researches in Iran. For this, 60 articles were selected, using systematic review and observing inclusion and exclusion criteria, and analysed based on six themes including terminology, methodology, topic, blending level, context and technology. The results revealed that the researches on blended learning in Iran are similar to international studies in some themes such as terminology, context and blending level and different in other themes including topic, methodology and terminology. Based on the findings, suggestions are made for international and Iranian blended learning researchers.