The Impact of Human Resources Management on Operation Management and Increasing the Productivity (Case Study: Shahid Hasheminejad Gas Refinery)

The present paper aimed to study the impact of human resources management on operation management and increased productivity of Shahid Hasheminejad Gas Refinery from the perspective of its managers. Statistical population included all senior and middle managers (N=97) of Shahid Hasheminejad Gas Refinery whose age was between 30-60 years old. This study was a descriptive-analytical research and regression and correlation tests were used to test the hypotheses. The required data were collected by an author-made questionnaire with 36 questions. Validity and reliability of this questionnaire were confirmed by content validity and Cronbach’s alpha, respectively. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software. In data analysis, 5 and 1, respectively, represented the highest and the lowest score. Input-process-output was the model used in this study. The conceptual framework was developed as a model to understand the ways to increase the productivity of the studied refinery through the impact of human resources management on operation management. The results indicated that there is a significant relationship between the impact of human resources management on operation management and increased productivity of refinery. Finally, according to the views of the respondents, some recommendations were offered such as reform of the education system, considering the impact of training courses on improving the skills and degree of the personnel of refinery, reform of the salary and bonus system, workplace reform, discovery of talents, reform of recruitment system and organizational structures, entrusting the authority to middle-level managers and supervisors to decide about some issues, and implementation of appropriate incentive programs

Numerical investigation of roof heating impacts on thermal comfort and air quality in urban canyons

Impacts of thermal and buoyancy forces on the thermal comfort and air quality in urban canyons with different H/W ratios and rise/run ratio of rooftops are studied. 18 isothermal and non-isothermal models are studied by CFD modeling validated with experimental data from the literature. Based on the results, thermal buoyancy is observed to be effective in improving human comfort in the urban canyon. The temperature difference between roof surface and air increases the speed of air and contaminant transport in urban canyons. While the increase in height and tilt of structures around urban areas have shown to reduce thermal buoyancy. In broad canyons such as H/W = 0.5, an increase in height and slope of the roof causes the thermal comfort of leeward, windward, and central regions to move away from the neutral comfort conditions. In regular canyons, H/W = 1, the thermal comfort reduces for highly slanted roofs models. Domed roof leads to the lack of thermal comfort in upper levels of passages in leeward, windward, and central regions. In deep canyons, H/W = 2, high level of thermal comfort appears only for flat roofs. With an increase in roof height (rise/run), Predicted Mean Vote PMV index moves away from the comfort range. By increasing H/W ratio, roof height, wind comfort, and air quality inside regular and deep urban canyons, it was observed that the thermal buoyancy force leads to the reduction in thermal comfort

Comparison of Salivary pH, Buffering Capacity and Alkaline Phosphatase in Smokers and Healthy Non-Smokers : Retrospective cohort study

Objectives: Saliva contains alkaline phosphatase (ALP)—a key intracellular enzyme related to destructive processes and cellular damage—and has buffering capacity (BC) against acids due to the presence of bicarbonate and phosphate ions. Smoking may have deleterious effects on the oral environment due to pH changes which can affect ALP activity. This study aimed to evaluate the salivary pH, BC and ALP activity of male smokers and healthy non-smokers. Methods: This retrospective cohort study took place between August 2012 and December 2013. A total of 251 healthy male non-smokers and 259 male smokers from Hamadan, Iran, were selected. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected from each participant and pH and BC were determined using a pH meter. Salivary enzymes were measured by spectrophotometric assay. Results: Mean salivary pH (7.42 ± 0.48 and 7.52 ± 0.43, respectively; P = 0.018) and BC (3.41 ± 0.54 and 4.17 ± 0.71; P = 0.001) was significantly lower in smokers compared to non-smokers. Mean ALP levels were 49.58 ± 23.33 IU/L among smokers and 55.11 ± 27.85 IU/L among non-smokers (P = 0.015). Conclusion: Significantly lower pH, BC and ALP levels were observed among smokers in comparison to a healthy control group. These salivary alterations could potentially be utilised as biochemical markers for the evaluation of oral tissue function and side-effects among smokers. Further longitudinal studies are recommended to evaluate the effects of smoking on salivary components

Intelligent Energy Management with IoT Framework in Smart Cities Using Intelligent Analysis: An Application of Machine Learning Methods for Complex Networks and Systems

Smart buildings are increasingly using Internet of Things (IoT)-based wireless sensing systems to reduce their energy consumption and environmental impact. As a result of their compact size and ability to sense, measure, and compute all electrical properties, Internet of Things devices have become increasingly important in our society. A major contribution of this study is the development of a comprehensive IoT-based framework for smart city energy management, incorporating multiple components of IoT architecture and framework. An IoT framework for intelligent energy management applications that employ intelligent analysis is an essential system component that collects and stores information. Additionally, it serves as a platform for the development of applications by other companies. Furthermore, we have studied intelligent energy management solutions based on intelligent mechanisms. The depletion of energy resources and the increase in energy demand have led to an increase in energy consumption and building maintenance. The data collected is used to monitor, control, and enhance the efficiency of the system

Brain abscess as a manifestation of spinal dermal sinus

Dermal sinuses have been associated with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic to drainage of purulent material from the sinus tract, inclusion tumors, meningitis, and spinal abscess. To date, there has been no documented report of brain abscess as a complication of spinal dermal sinus. Here, we report an 8-month-old girl who was presented initially with a brain abscess at early infancy but lumbar dermal sinus and associated spinal abscess were discovered afterwards. The probable mechanisms of this rare association have been discussed

Aberrant Expression of Three New Members of IL-1 Family (IL-36α, IL-37 and IL-38) in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Background & Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by demyelination and neuronal dysfunction. The study of the expression of cytokine genes seems to be an appropriate option for assessing their potential for the onset and development of the disease. Therefore, in the present study, changes in the expression of three interleukins (IL-36α, IL-37, and IL-38) in MS and their association with clinical factors were investigated. Material & Methods: In this study, blood samples of 45 MS patients and 45 healthy controls were enrolled. Relative expression of genes was evaluated using the real-time PCR. Finally, the pattern of expression was analyzed by using statistical analyses. In the next step, the relationship between clinical characteristics and IL-36α, IL-37, and IL-38 expression was investigated. Results: The results showed that IL-36α and IL-37 increased in MS patient (1.8 and 3.5 fold respectively, P<0.01).  Moreover, a significant reduction in IL-38 was observed in MS samples (0.21 fold, P<0.01). The dysregulation in ILs expression was associated with clinical features. Conclusion: As a result, the two studied IL-1 family members (IL-36α and IL-37) may contribute to the progression of MS, so that increase in their expression is associated with EDSS disability and duration of disease. Another member of IL-1 family, IL-38 has a protective effect on MS diseases, and its downregulation is related to severe disability. Further investigation can help to determine accurate functional role of 3 interleukins in MS development

Prediction of low birth weight using Random Forest: A comparison with Logistic Regression

Low birth weight (neonate weighing less than 2500 g) is associated with several maternal and fetal factors, all interrelated with each other [1]. This study is aimed to survey maternal risk factors associated with low birth weight neonates using data mining (Random Forest) to account for interactions between them. We also intended to compare Random Forest with traditional Logistic regression. The dataset used in the present study consisted of 600 volunteer pregnant women.  This cross-sectional study was carried out in Milad hospital, Tehran, during 2005-2009. Ten potential risk factors that are commonly associated with low birth weight were selected by using Random Forest technique. Several criteria such as the area under ROC curve were considered in comparing Random Forest with Logistic Regression.According to both criteria, four top rank variables identified by Random Forest were pregnancy age, body mass index during the third three months of pregnancy, mother’s age and body mass index during the first three months of pregnancy, respectively. In addition, in terms of different criteria the Random Forest technique outperformed the Logistic regression (area under ROC curve: 93% ; Total Accuracy:95% ; Kappa Coefficient: 66%).The results of the present study showed that using Random Forest improved the prediction of low birth weight compared with Logistic Regression. This is because of the fact that the former accounts for all interactions between covariates. Therefore, this approach is a promising classifier for predicting low birth weight

The Relationship Between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder After Childbirth and Social Support and Marital Satisfaction

Background: Childbirth is among the most significant and pleasant events in a woman’s life. This event can be a traumatic event and a threat to the mother’s mental health. This study recognizes the relationship between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after childbirth and social support and marital satisfaction.Methods: This Cross-sectional analytical study was performed on a sample of 400 mothers who had delivered at Shohadaye-15-Khordad Hospital in Varamin (in two groups with &amp; without PTSD). The research instruments include the Demographic, Midwifery, Neonatal Factors checklist, Enrich Marital Satisfaction, Weinfeld and Tigman Social Support, and the PTSD Symptoms Scale. We used SPSS to analyze the descriptive and Pearson correlation and logistic regression data. A P&lt;0.05 was considered significant.Results: The prevalence of PTDS in this study was equal to 16.8%. There was no significant correlation between the mean of the total score of PTSD in all dimensions with social support (P&gt;0.05). Marital satisfaction significantly affected the probability of PTSD after childbirth (P=0.001). There was a significant correlation between PTSD total score and dimension of avoidance symptoms and infant gender (P=0.038). There was also a significant correlation between gestational age and avoidance symptoms (P=0.001) and type of nutrition feeding and motivational symptoms (P=0.041) of PTSD dimensions.Conclusion: According to the relationship between marital satisfaction and PTSD, it is recommended to design suitable interventions to improve the marital status and promptly diagnose the susceptible mothers to prevent the spread of this complication

Effect of training after discharge on re-admission and re-hospitalization of patients with heart failure (randomized single-blind clinical trial)

    Discharge is the process of transferring a patient from hospital which involves a transfer of responsibility from inpatient service providers or hospitalist to the patient and primary care physicians. Inappropriate follow up after discharge will increase the risk of re-admission and re-hospitalization which leads to the poor performance of the health system. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of physician's caring after discharge on re-admission and referral to doctors.This study was conducted as a clinical trial on patients with early intervention for educational instruction. The clinical trial was conducted at a later stage on 120 patients with heart failure who were hospitalized in Taleghani Hospital, Tehran. For a period of five months after discharge, using block randomization, the subjects were divided into two groups, including intervention and control groups. At the time of discharge, the patients in the intervention group received instructions and were trained by physicians, while no intervention was applied for the subjects in the control group. In addition to demographic questions, the patients were asked about two main outcomes, i.e. "re-admission" and "referral to doctors".  To collect the required data, the subjects in both groups were contacted via telephone calls (nine times) every week in the first month after discharge and two times per week in the following two months. Generalized linear mixed effects model method was used for evaluating the effect of physicians caring after discharge on re-admission and re-hospitalization.The results of this study showed that with the passage of time (weekly) after discharge, there was a significant increase in the rate of re-admission in the control group, while there was no significant increase in re-hospitalization. There was no statistical evidence showing a significant difference between the rates of re-admission along with the time in the treatment intervals. In other words, the patients in the control group experienced a significant increase in the odds ratio of re-admission over the time. 

Effect of Licorice and Green Tea Gargle on Post-Extubation Sore Throat, Cough and Hoarseness in Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Endotracheal extubation is associated with high complications such as sore throat, cough, and hoarseness.Aim: This study was performed aimed to compare the effect of green tea and licorice gargle on sore throat, cough, and hoarseness after endotracheal extubation.Method: This randomized controlled clinical trial was performed in the operating rooms and surgical wards of two hospitals in Tehran during 2020-2021. A total of 102 candidates for elective surgery were allocated to licorice, green tea, and control groups by simple random allocation. The scores of sore throat, cough, and hoarseness were assessed one hour after endotracheal extubation. After the gag reflex returned, 30 cc of the prepared solutions was given to the patients to gargle for 30 seconds. The intervention was repeated two hours later. The scores were assessed in the three groups immediately after the first stage of the intervention (post test1), and two hours after the second stage of the intervention (Post-test 2). Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 16) and One-way Analysis of Variance-ANOVA, Repeated Measure ANOVA and post hoc test. P 0.05).Implications for Practice: Gargle of licorice solutions or green tea is recommended as a non-pharmacological and low-cost intervention to reduce post-extubation complications