Allied medical sciences students\u27 experiences with technology: are they digitally literate?

Objective: The ability to use digital resources is important for medical students. In order to use digital resources, they need the capabilities of digital technology utilizing, which is referred to as digital literacy. However, how much effectively students can use these facilities is a subject that needs to be addressed. So, the present study intended to investigate the digital literacy level of students of the Allied medical sciences of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was performed at the Faculty of Allied medical sciences of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in academic year of 2016-2017 using a researcher-made questionnaire containing 23 closed questions in four sections. A total of 115 students in three educational grades: bachelor, master and the PhD grade were included in this study. Z-test was used to evaluate the relationship between internet skills and students\u27 academic achievements if any exist. Results: Almost half of the students (51.3%) have not completed any computer courses regarding basic ICT skills. The findings showed that 41.2% of PhD students are aware of digital literacy concept; meanwhile, only 11% of bachelor students and 20.6% of master ones knew the actual meaning of this concept. The use of public search engines was a favorite alternative for finding specialized terminologies at all grades. Furthermore, there was a significant difference between the level of familiarity with the Internet and the students\u27 grade (p≤0.05). Conclusion: Digital literacy training courses can enhance digital literacy skills significantly. Most students agreed with the inclusion of digital literacy courses in their curriculum. Therefore, they should be supported by educators and librarians in order to effectively use the Internet and information technology as well as to overcome the problems of finding and using information to gain academic achievement

A Robust Two-Stage Stochastic Location-Routing-Inventory Model for Perishable Items

The aim of this study is to develop a robust two-stage stochastic location-routing-inventory model for perishable items. The proposed model is implemented in a two-stage structure. The first-stage decisions determine the establishment of distribution centres and the second-stage decisions identify the other variables of the problem. In order to reduce the effect of different scenarios on the outputs of the problem, the two-stage model is developed to a robust model. Two variability criteria called \u27Partial Lower Deviation from Mean\u27 (PLDM) and \u27Partial Lower Deviation from Target\u27 (PLDT) are considered for the problem. This robust model can manage the variability of different scenarios considering the variability needed for the problem. The summary of the results of the models indicate that the supply cost, the setup cost, the vehicle supply cost, and the production cost comprise 55%, 28%, 3%, and 14% of the total costs of the supply chain, respectively. Similarly, the ratio of net profit margin to the total revenue of the supply chain derived from the division of the objective function by the revenue function is 15%. Among free, fresher first, older first, and mixed policies, the free policy provides the decision maker with more profit than the other three policies since it imposes less constraints on the model

Impact of automatic identification system (AIS) on safety of marine navigation

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Effect of Using Different Levels Manure on Quality and Quantity of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) under Salt Stress Condition

To study the effects of using different levels manure under salt stress conditions on the quantity and quality of rosemary a field experiment is conducted in split plot experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications at Zahedan during fall season of 2013-2014. The experimental treatments consisted of salinity with two levels (irrigating the field with drinking water of Zahedan [EC = 1.1 ds/m (S1)] and irrigating the field with salty water of Zahedan [EC = 4.4 ds/m (S2)] considered as the main factor and using manure with four levels (M1- without manure, M2- 15 t.ha-1, M3 - 30 t.ha-1 and M4 - 45 t.ha-1) as sub factor. Traits evaluated were plant height, leaf dry weight, leaf to stem ratio, shoot dry weight, percentage and yield of essence. Experimental results showed the salt stress did not affect significantly plant height, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, biomass and essence of rosemary as comparied with drinking water (non-salinity), but a decreasing effect of saline water was observed. Using 45 t.ha-1 of manure, in comparison with other manure treatments, did have beneficial effect on most of the traits under study. However, no significant difference was observed between this treatment and with that of 30 t/ha. The simple correlation showed there is a positive and significant relationship between plant biomass and all other traits. The results also showed that there was positive and significant relationship between essence percentage and essence yield

E-mail communication applications in patient physician communication: a systematized review

Introduction: Email is a beneficial way in order to increase interaction between patients and physicians. Since using this technology, patients and different physicians are able to increase patients’ health level and the amount of physicians’ duties. This study was done to identify the applications of email in communications between patients and physicians. Materials and Methods: The current study is a systematized review conducted in 2019. The literature search done by the relevant keywords to the subject in databases: Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct and Cochran. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria 34 articles were included. Based on the study’s aim, results were summarized and reported by Content Analysis Technique. Results: The results showed that 15 articles (44%) using email technology to investigate laboratory’s resources. Utilizing email in 9 articles (26%) showed that it caused an improvement in healthcare quality. Conclusion: Results showed that use of email’s capabilities has a key role in improving healthcare quality as well as time saving. So, we suggest that the authorities deploy certain and codified mechanism in order to utilizing email communication between patients and physicians

Hypomethylation of the miRNA-34a gene promoter is associated with Severe Preeclampsia

Purpose: PE is a pregnancy-specific complication, which genetic and epigenetic factors play key roles in its pathogenesis. DNA methylation is a main epigenetic alteration with important roles in gene regulation. Micro RNAs (miRNAs) as another member of epigenetic machinery regulate the gene expression and involve in different biological pathways including apoptosis and placental development. Therefore, the present study performed to assess the association between miRNA-34a promoter methylation and PE susceptibility. Methods: The placenta of 104 PE pregnant women and 119 normotensive pregnant women were collected after delivery. The methylation status of the miRNA-34a promoter was assessed using Methylation Specific PCR (MSP). Results: The frequency of the hemi-methylated (MU) miR-34a promoter was significantly lower in PE women compared to the controls (17.3 vs. 29.4%) (OR, 0.45 [95% CI, 0.2–0.9], P = 0.016). The overall methylation rate was 23.1% in PE women and 41.2% in the control group and was significantly lower in PE women (OR, 0.4 [95% CI, 0.2–0.8], P = 0.004). The frequency of hemi-methylated (MU) and overall methylated (MU+MM) promoter of miR-34a gene was significantly lower in severe PE but not in mild PE women compared to the controls [(OR, 0.3 [95% CI, 0.1–0.8], P = 0.02) and (OR, 0.3 [95% CI, 0.1–0.7], P = 0.009), respectively]. There was an association between hemi-methylated (MU) and overall methylated (MU+MM) promoter and late onset PE [(OR, 0.4 [95% CI, 0.2–0.9], P = 0.03) and (OR, 0.4 [95% CI, 0.2–0.8], P = 0.01), respectively]. Conclusions: An association was found between hypo-methylation of the miR-34a promoter and PE and PE severity