Distributed Generation unit and Capacitor Placement for Loss, Voltage profile and ATC Optimization

Distributed Generation (DG) and capacitors placement and also the tap setting of ULTC transformers can be used individually to improve the voltage profile and loss reduction. In this article the Genetic Algorithm (GA) is applied to optimize the multi-objective function for of DG and capacitor placement with tap setting of ULTC. The objective function consists the loss reduction, voltage improvement and increasing the available transfer capability (ATC) of the distribution network. To show the effectiveness of the proposed method, it is applied to IEEE 41 bus radial distribution network. The results show that this method has a better effect on improving the objective functions.DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ijece.v2i6.74

Assessment of Cognitive Functions in Methadone Maintenance Patients

Background: Methadone maintenance has received little scientific attention regarding neurocognitive effects. This study is aimed to assess the neuropsychological performance of methadone maintenance patients (MMP) compared to those healthy controls. Methods: Thirty-five MMP and 35 healthy controls, matched for age, gender, education and employment status, examined on a battery of tests aimed at assessing verbal fluency, executive functions, verbal memory, and working memory, using controlled oral word association test (COWAT), trial making test (TMT) Part A and B, Rey auditory verbal learning test (RAVLT), and backward digit span. Findings: MMP performed significantly poorly than controls in cognitive domains of verbal fluency, executive function, and verbal memory. MMP did not exhibit impairment in working memory, and TMT Part A compared to controls. Conclusion: These results suggest that methadone consumption induces significant cognitive impairment that could compromise drug-treatment outcomes in MMP

The Relationship between Extrinsic and Intrinsic Religious Orientation with Perceived Stress and Cigarette Addiction among University Students

Background: Psychological stress is associated with unhealthy lifestyles, including smoking. Moreover, religiousbeliefs can play a significant role in relieving mental disorders such as anxiety and stress. Due to the frequentexposure of medical students to stressful situations, this study was conducted with the aim to investigate therelationship of internal and external religious orientation with perceived stress and nicotine dependence.Methods: This correlational study was carried out on medical students of Kerman University of MedicalSciences, Kerman, Iran, in 2015. The sample size was determined to be 224 individuals using the Morgantable. The participants were selected using stratified random sampling. The data collection tools consisted ofa demographic information form, the Religious Orientation Scale (ROS) (Allport and Ross), the PerceivedStress Scale (PSS-14), and the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). Data were analyzed usingmultiple regression analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation coefficient, and t-test inSPSS software.Findings: The findings of the study showed that internal religious orientation had a significant negativerelationship with perceived stress and nicotine dependence; however, no significant relationship wasobserved between external religious orientation and these variables.Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that the religious beliefs of individuals havea preventive role in perceived stress and nicotine dependence

The Effect of Short Message Service on Medication Adherence in Patients with Schizophrenia

Introduction: Schizophrenia is a chronic and disabling mental disorder and medication non-adherence remains a significant challenge for the patients and psychiatrists. The present study aimed to assess the impact of short-message service (SMS) on medication adherence in schizophrenic patients as compared with the control group. Methods: A total of 63 patients with schizophrenia were assigned to the intervention group (N= 32) and the control group (N= 31). The patients in the intervention group received a daily SMS that read, ‘‘Please remember to take your medication” at 8:00am and 8:00pm. Medication adherence was assessed by the self-report Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS) at baseline and in the 3rd month, and the 6th month. Results: Patients receiving SMS had a significantly greater improvement in medication adherence compared with the control group in the 3rd month, but there was no significant difference in the 6th month. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that text message reminder for medication intake is an effective and feasible strategy for enhancing medication adherence in patients with schizophrenia

Patterns of Psychotropic Medication Prescriptions by Psychiatrists for Private Clinic Outpatients in Kerman Province, Iran

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the pattern and utilisation of psychotropic drug prescriptions by psychiatrists in Kerman Province, Iran. Methods: The prescriptions of 27 psychiatrists were randomly selected from two Iranian public insurance organisations and were analysed for the mean number of drugs/prescriptions, drug category and the most frequently prescribed drug in each category as well as overall. Results: A total of 6,414 prescriptions were analysed. The mean number of drugs per prescription was 2.9. Antidepressants (61.0%) were the most frequently prescribed category of psychotropic medications, followed by antipsychotics (29.5%), sedative/hypnotics or anti-anxiety drugs (27.5%) and mood stabilisers (18.5%). The combination of antidepressants with antipsychotics was the most commonly prescribed combination (18.8%). Fluoxetine (16.5%) and trifluoperazine (13.5%) were among the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and antipsychotics, respectively. Clonazepam (10.5%) was the most commonly prescribed benzodiazepine agent, followed by alprazolam (8.5%). In terms of total drug utilisation, sertraline (12.4%) was the most commonly used psychotropic medication followed by fluoxetine (9.7%), trifluoperazine (6.6%), propranolol (4.5%) and clonazepam (3.7%). Conclusion: A high proportion of psychotropic prescriptions in Kerman Province were for antidepressants, followed by antipsychotics and the benzodiazepines. Further research is needed to determine the underlying correlation between prescription practice and the diagnosis and patient characteristics, as well as to investigate the use of different psychotropic medications

Trends in the prevalence and incidence of anxiety and depressive symptoms in Iran: findings from KERCADRS.

Anxiety and depression (A&D) are common mental disorders with high economical and health burdens. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and the incidence rate of A&D symptoms and their relationship with sociodemographic and other risk factors and comorbidities in adults living in southeastern Iran. A population-based cohort study with random cluster household survey sampling method. Second round of Kerman Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factors Study (KERCADRS) (2014-2018) performed in Southeastern, Iran. We recruited 9997 participants (15-80 years) in the second round of the study, from whom 2820 persons were the people who also participated in the first round of KERCADRS in 2009-2012. The age-standardised A&D prevalence was measured among all participants, and the 5-year A&D incidence rate was measured in those who were free from A&D in the first round in 2009-2012 and were at risk of A&D in the follow-up. The relationship between A&D and demographic characteristics, smoking, opium use, obesity and physical activity was assessed by logistic regression models. Overall, the prevalence of anxiety (48.1% to 16.4%, p<0.001) and depression (5.9% to 1.3%, p<0.001) decreased between the two rounds. The highest prevalence of anxiety was among widowed (31.4%), unemployed (21.3%), obese (19.4%), and opium users (17.4%). Young adults, women, those divorced or widowed, and those with obesity and low physical activity had a higher chance of developing anxiety. The 5-year incidence rate (person/1000 person-years) was 15.0 for anxiety and 3.9 for depression. Despite the overall decrease in the prevalence of A&D symptoms in last 5 years in the area, young adults, women, unemployed, opium users, people with low physical activity and those with obesity had a higher chance of developing anxiety and are in need of more targeted interventions

Prevalence, Incidence and Health Impacts of Sleep Disorders on Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factors: Results of a Community-Based Cohort Study (KERCADRS)

Objective: Sleep disorders are associated with many health problems including anxiety, depression and coronary artery disease (CAD). This study investigated the prevalence, predictors and health impacts of insomnia and hypersomnia in southeastern Iran as well as the five-year incidence rate (IR) of these sleep disorders. Method : The present study was a cross-sectional, single-stage, cluster sampling study examining nine CAD risk factors (KERCADR study phase two), including sleep disorders, carried out in Kerman on 9997 participants, 15 to 80 years old. Medical examination along with demographic, sleep status, Physical activity level (GPAQ), anxiety and depression status (Beck Inventories) were assessed and fasting blood sample was taken for blood glucose and lipids analysis. STATA v15 software was used for data analysis using survey data analysis package and a univariable survey logistic regression model. Results: From 9997 participants, 59.4% were female. 45.3% of the participants were suffering from insomnia and hypersomnia, which was 15% more than the phase 1 prevalence (P < 0.001). Participants with insomnia had higher chance of being anxious, but participants with hypersomnia had higher chance of being depressed, be a cigarette smoker, opium user, and sedentary (P < 0.001). In regards to marital status, prevalence of hypersomnia was as follows in ascending order of prevalence: singles > married > widowed > divorced. While the IR of insomnia was higher in females, males had higher IR of hypersomnia. In addition, the IR of both sleep disorders was higher in participants with Low Physical Activity (LPA). Conclusion: The results showed high current prevalence and increasing trends of sleep disorders in the past five years. If left unaddressed, burden of CVDs in the community will demonstrate a significant increase in the future as a result of sleep disorders and other associated risk factors