Evaluation of Professor Jafar Mehrad's Scientific Collaborations in Library and Information Science from 1974 to 2021

Communication is the most fundamental process in research; therefore, scientific communication is the main center of the growth and development of the scientific community. Scientific communication means how scientists in each discipline can disseminate their information and knowledge through formal and informal channels. This is usually done through various media such as books, articles, conference papers, etc. This research has been conducted to investigate the scientific collaborations of Dr. Mehrad, “as an impressive specialist” of knowledge and information science in Iran, using the bibliometric method. The findings showed that about 180 works (including 57 books, 52 Persian articles, 22 English articles, 11 research projects and 38 dissertations) had been published by him. The study of Dr. Mehrad's scientific collaborations showed that 27.8% of the works were published as single authors and 72.2% as the group works. Dr. Dayani is at the top of his scientific colleagues with the publication of 9 works. The journals "Library and Information Science", "Social Sciences and Humanities of Shiraz University", "Information Processing and Management," and" Journal of Academic librarianship and information research" were the four journals in which most of Dr. Mehrad's works were published. The fields of "Library and Information Science", "Databases", "Shiraz University", and "Evaluation" are the core topics in which most of his works have been published.https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.20088302.2022.20.4.5.

Assessing the Physical Activity of Health Volunteers Based on the Pender's Health Promotion Model

Abstract Aims: Physical inactivity has been identified as the 4th leading risk factor for global mortality causing an estimated of 3.2million deaths per year. This study aimed to assess the physical activity of health volunteers with Pender's Health Promotion Model. Instrument & Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was performed on 80 health volunteers in Torbat-e-Jam City, Iran, in 2015. A researcher-made questionnaire with the following sections was used to gather data; perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, interpersonal influences, positive emotion, commitment, modeling and competing preferences. SPSS 16 sofware was used to analyze data by independent T, Pearson's correlation coefficient and linear regression tests. Findings: There was no significant difference between the scores according to educational levels, age groups, BMI score, marital status, habitat and experience as a health volunteer duration. Physical activity had positive correlation with perceived benefits, self-efficacy, commitment, positive emotion and situational influences and a negative correlation with perceived barriers. Situational influences, as the strongest predictor of the physical activity, predicted 35.1 of it and then positive emotions predicted 34.7 and self-efficacy predicted 23.4 of physical activity. Conclusion: The level of physical activity in health volunteers of Torbat-e-Jam City, Iran, is not appropriate and is less than moderate

Impact of Performing Health Promotion Model Intervention on Physical Activity of Health Volunteer of Torbat-e-Jam City, Iran

Abstract Aims: Regular physical activity can reduce the burden of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers, and can prevent early death. This study examined the impact of performing health promotion model intervention on physical activity of the health volunteers. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional research is part of a three-month Intervening study started in 2015 on 80 health volunteers in Torbat-e Jaam City, Iran, which was selected by multistage random sampling method and participants were divided into two interventional and control groups. A Demographic Questionnaire and The Persian version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire were used to collect data. The data was analyzed in SPSS 16 using independent T, Pearson's correlation coefficient and linear regression tests. Findings: Before the intervention the mean of perceived benefit score was 31.3±4.5 that was evaluated as “good” but self-efficacy and behavior scores were 5.8±4.1 and 912.4±750.8 that were assessed as “poor”. Physical activity had positive correlation with perceived benefits, self-efficacy, commitment, positive, emotion and situational influences and a negative correlation with perceived barriers. Overall 66.8 of the physical activity was predicted by Pender’s Health Promotion Model variables. There was a significant difference between the mean scores of physical activity and other structures of HPM in the experimental group after the intervention and its score before intervention. Conclusion: Educational program based on Pender's health promotion model is effective in improving physical activity of health volunteers

How Can We Equip Academic Libraries with IoT Technologies: Practical Guidelines

Background: The advancement of information technologies has many effects on library services and collection management. Most of the librarians and library managers would like to work in libraries with a focus on modern devices and technologies. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine applying new devices of IOT technologies in different parts of libraries and changing library environments and services according to these new technologies. Method: The present research has been using a library study. In fact, equipping libraries with modern technologies would improve library services and increase users’ satisfaction. Findings: Librarians should be aware of important aspects of IoT in library services. The IoT will continue to affect libraries and their services through the building, collection management, instruction, data security, data mining, and information literacy. In this study, authors try to design a practical model for academic libraries based on IoT devices to improve the quality of services, increase user’s satisfaction and reduce costs. Conclusion: It is expected that this new technology, in addition to improving services, can greatly reduce the additional costs of libraries and help the library get closer to green and environment-friendly libraries

Efeito do cultivo sob contrato na renda e no risco dos produtores de pistache e açafrão no Irã

Contract farming is among the institutional arrangements essential for agricultural products. In most cases, these contracts lead to increased incomes and welfare of farmers. However, this type of business has not been taken seriously in Iran. This study aimed to analyze the effect of contract farming on the income and risk of the farmer’s income. To this end, pistachio and saffron farmers in the Yazd Province, in central Iran, were considered in the harvest year of 2017-2018. We divided the farmers into three homogeneous groups, each with different input consumption levels and production per hectare. We calibrated the cost functions of representative farmers in each group. These functions were employed to develop an ideal formal contract model and relational contract model. According to the results, formal contracts and relational contracts increased income and relational contracts reduced the risk to farmers when they were compatible with the incentive constraints of the farmer. Policymakers should provide favorable conditions for the development of contract farming. For instance, they can present contract farming to farmers and encourage agricultural enterprises to participate in contracts by facilitating access to credit and other investment incentives.A agricultura por contrato está entre os arranjos institucionais mais essenciais para os produtos agrícolas. Esses contratos, na maioria dos casos, levam ao aumento da renda e do bem-estar dos agricultores. No entanto, esse tipo de negócio não foi levado a sério no Irã. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar o efeito da agricultura contratual sobre a renda e o risco da renda do agricultor. Para esse fim, os produtores de pistache e açafrão na província de Yazd, no centro do Irã, foram considerados na safra 2017-2018. Os agricultores foram divididos em três grupos homogêneos, cada um com diferentes níveis de consumo de insumos e produtividade por hectare. Em seguida, as funções de custo dos agricultores representativos foram calibradas em cada grupo. Essas funções foram empregadas para desenvolver um modelo de contrato formal ideal e contrato relacional. De acordo com os resultados, contratos formais e contratos relacionais aumentaram a renda e os contratos relacionais reduziram o risco dos agricultores quando eles eram compatíveis com as restrições de incentivo do produtor e principal. Recomenda-se aos formuladores de políticas que forneçam condições favoráveis ao desenvolvimento da agricultura contratada. Por exemplo, eles podem familiarizar os agricultores com a agricultura contratual e incentivar as empresas agrícolas a participar de contratos, facilitando o acesso ao crédito e outros incentivos ao investimento

Sexual and reproductive health aspects in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: An integrative review

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women worldwide, affecting their sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Objective: This integrative review aimed to identify SRH aspects in women with PCOS by consolidating the findings from previous studies. Materials and Methods: The present integrative review was conducted through an electronic systematic review search of 1052 manuscripts published from April 2000 to March 2020 using PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Embase, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, Science Direct, Ovid, and the Cochrane Library. After at least 2 researchers evaluated the articles based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 27 papers were accepted. The data were analyzed by thematic analysis. Results: 9 main themes of SRH were obtained: 1) the impact of PCOS-related complications on reproductive health; 2) the lifelong effect of PCOS on reproductive patterns; 3) PCOS and adverse reproductive and pregnancy outcomes; 4) women’s need for understanding complications; 5) the financial burden of the disease; 6) women’s life experiences and quality of life; 7) sexual disorders; 8) psychological concerns and issues; and 9) femininity feelings and roles. Conclusion: We were able to identify and categorize various aspects of SRH needs for women with PCOS. These categories can facilitate a more comprehensive assessment of SRH, including previously neglected areas. We suggest that these aspects should be considered in the health plans of women with PCOS. Key words: Polycystic ovary syndrome, Reproductive health, Sexual health, Wome

Identification and Analysis of Drivers Effective on Sustainable Rural Development with an Emphasis on the Application of Future Research (Case study: villages of Marivan county)

Understanding the morphodynamics of river junctions is an important part of fluvial geomorphological studies that were provided suitable conditions to measure erosion and sediment changes at the junction of Dinver and Gamasiab rivers by the occurrence of floods in April 2019.  Due to the complexity, 3D numerical simulation is not cost-effective, and one-dimensional models, also, have some errors. For this reason, the use of two-dimensional models can be useful. Therefore, the SRH-2D model was used to investigate the effect of the flood on the morphology of the confluence of the Dinver River to Gamasiab. To study the morphological changes in the study area, elevation position and topography was mapped in two stages before and after the flood and also a granulometric experiment was performed. Due to the fact that the SRH_2D model does not have the ability to network, the required mesh was prepared using SMS software and the output file of the model was saved in TECPLOT format. The results showed that in a flood with a 35-year return period of the Dinver River to Gamasiab junction, with a meander- meander junction at a 40-degree angle, bed erosion in the downstream part of the junction begins to occur early in the onset of flooding and gradually expands to the upstream. However, sedimentation occurs shortly after the peak of the flood in the stagnation zone and then growing the spurs as the flood decreases, and developing the outer arch of the Gamasiab River as at the flood goes to end

The validity and reliability of autism behavior checklist in Iran

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric features of the Persian version of the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC). Method: The International Quality of Life Assessment (IQOLA) approach was used to translate the English ABC into Persian. A total sample of 184 parents of children including 114 children with autism disorder (mean age =7.21, SD =1.65) and 70 typically developing children (mean age = 6.82, SD =1.75) completed the ABC. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, concurrent and discriminant validity, and cut-off score were assessed. Results: The results of this study revealed that the Persian version of the ABC has an acceptable degree of internal consistency (.73). Test-retest comparisons using interclass correlation confirmed the instrument's time stability (.83). The instrument's concurrent validity with Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS) was verified; the correlation between total scores was .94. In the discriminant validity, the autism group had significantly higher scores compared to the normal group. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that individuals with total scores below 25 are less likely to be in the autism group. Conclusion: The Persian version of the ABC can be used as an initial screening tool in clinical contexts

Is the Staple Food Consumed Changes in Diabetics can Affect the Quality of Life? A Parallel Randomized Controlled Trial.

Backgrounds: Diabetes is one of the chronic diseases that need continual medical care and self-care education, as well as nutritional therapy as an integral part of dietary management. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of bulk bread formulated with portulaca oleracea on quality of life (QOL) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: This parallel randomized controlled trial was conducted on 104 patients with type 2 diabetes. Participants received bulk bread containing 10% portulaca powder for 8 weeks (intervention group); the control group used their normal daily bread.  The quality of life score was estimated in both groups by the use of the Short-form 36-Item (SF-36) questionnaire before the intervention, and 8 weeks after dietary intervention, the quality of life score between both groups was compared. The significant level was set at 0.05. Results: The difference in the mean score of quality of life of the studied units in different dimensions of physical function, role limitation due to physical problems, role limitation due to emotional problems, physical pain, social function, energy and vitality, mental health, general health, and overall quality of life showed that  there was a significant difference in the mean in all dimensions and quality of life, except mental health, was observed in the case group after the intervention. The mean difference in quality of life in different dimensions before and after the intervention in the intervention group is significant. Conclusions: According to the results, it was revealed that consumption bulk bread formulated with portulaca oleracea can promote the quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes. So, it can be concluded that portulaca oleracea as a functional plant can be found in bread as a new treatment and prevention method in patients with diabetes. Keywords: Bread, Portulaca oleracea, Quality of life, Type 2 diabetes.&nbsp

The Effect of Aqueous Extract of Cinnamon on the Metabolome of Plasmodium falciparum

Malaria is responsible for estimated 584,000 deaths in 2013. Researchers are working on new drugs and medicinal herbs due to drug resistance that is a major problem facing them; the search is on for new medicinal herbs. Cinnamon is the bark of a tree with reported antiparasitic effects. Metabonomics is the simultaneous study of all the metabolites in biological fluids, cells, and tissues detected by high throughput technology. It was decided to determine the mechanism of the effect of aqueous extract of cinnamon on the metabolome of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro using 1HNMR spectroscopy. Prepared aqueous extract of cinnamon was added to a culture of Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 and its 50% inhibitory concentration determined, and, after collection, their metabolites were extracted and 1HNMR spectroscopy by NOESY method was done. The spectra were analyzed by chemometric methods. The differentiating metabolites were identified using Human Metabolome Database and the metabolic cycles identified by Metaboanalyst. 50% inhibitory concentration of cinnamon on Plasmodium falciparum was 1.25 mg/mL with p<0.001. The metabolites were identified as succinic acid, glutathione, L-aspartic acid, beta-alanine, and 2-methylbutyryl glycine. The main metabolic cycles detected were alanine and aspartame and glutamate pathway and pantothenate and coenzyme A biosynthesis and lysine biosynthesis and glutathione metabolism, which are all important as drug targets