Assessment The Agricultural Student's Attitudes Towards Organic Farming (Case of Iran)

A surveying research was conducted to study and recognize the knowledge and attitude of students toward organic farming at three universities of Iran in 2010. Our consumption patterns and environmental behaviors are rooted in long lived practices and habits. Social norms and values are among the factors that determine what we buy or what we think about organic products. As they are largely unconscious it is difficult to change them. Students are the agriculturist of tomorrow; therefore policies aimed at developing organic farming should address the needs of this group. To discover agriculturist's knowledge organic farming, a survey among 100 agricultural students was conducted. Questionnaire was used to examine students’ knowledge regarding organic farming. Finding is shown that agriculturist's awareness towards organic farming are low, especially in Pests management and Organic product standards aspect. The result of factor analysis showed that nine factors named as concepts, Nutrient safety and security, Organic farming economic, Organic farming extension, Social issue, fertility, Pests management, Environment safety, Organic product standard explained 73.71% of total variance that the first factor accounts for 11.98% of the variance, the second 10.954%, the third 9.191%, the fourth 8.505%, the fifth 8.426%, the sixth 7.536%, the seventh 7.015%, the eighth 5.746% and the ninth 4.364%. In conclusion, to enhance student knowledge about organic farming, it is important that curriculum develops for familiar student with organic farming practices and concepts such as: ecological equilibrium, agro ecosystem sustainability, new technology and indigenous knowledge, nutrition value, human safety, favorite yield production, soil structure improvement, erosion reduces and etc

Perfectionism and competitive anxiety in athletes

AbstractThe aim of this study was to examine the relationship between perfectionism and competitive anxiety in a sample of athletes. One hundred and seventy three volunteer athletes (115 males, 58 females) were included in this study. All participants were asked to complete the Competitive Perfectionism Scale (CPS) and the Multidimensional Competitive Anxiety Questionnaire (MCAQ). The results revealed that striving for perfection (positive perfectionism) was negatively associated with cognitive and somatic anxiety, and positively associated with self-confidence. The results also revealed that negative reaction to imperfection (negative perfectionism) was positively associated with cognitive and somatic anxiety, and negatively associated with self-confidence

Green Synthesis of Nano Ag/Cu Hybrid Particles for Repelling Water from Cotton Fabric

Nano Cu and Ag have a lot of applications in various industries. From different methods of nano particle synthesis, reduction of metallic salts in presence of ascorbic acid as stabilizer can lead to fabrication of nano particle with specific dimensions. In addition, because of using environmentally friendly and nontoxic substances their green synthesis are very noteworthy. In this study, nano Cu/Ag hybrid simultaneously was synthesized through reduction of Ag and Cu salts in presence of natural reducing agent like maltose. The effect of different concentrations of salts together with reducing agent and stabilizer on dimension of nano particles were also investigated. Theses nano particles were applied on cotton fabric and then water repellency and physical properties of nano treated fabric were analyzed. Statistical data showed a significant difference between samples which were synthesized with different salt, stabilizer and reducing agents. Moreover, some spectroscopy tests like FT-IR, XRD, EDX and SEM were conducted to analyze the results

Exploring the Professional Beliefs of an EFL Teacher: A Narrative Inquiry

The applied science model of teacher education implies that the relationship between theory and practice is unidirectional. In this study, however, the researchers make a case in the opposite direction, i.e., they believe that professional practice can also shed some light on theories of language teaching. Since narrative inquiry is best for capturing the detailed stories or life experiences of a single life, the researchers took it as a legitimate mode of research to uncover and make sense of the professional experience of an experienced and professionally popular language teacher. Analysis revealed six themes, which reflect the participant’s professional beliefs. Among other things, she believes that optimizing teaching practice depends on maximizing learner involvement, focusing on responsive teaching, leaving room for practice, and personalizing practice. The study has clear implications for practitioners and teacher educators

Detection of Carbapenems and Colistin Resistance Genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii: A Single-center Study in Iran

Background: This study aimed to determine carbapenems, colistin resistance genes, and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii isolates.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, specimens of patients with bloodstream, urinary tract, and surgical site nosocomial infections were enrolled. P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii isolates were identified using conventional methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) on isolates was performed using the disk diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for colistin as recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). The combination meropenem disk method was used to detect metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs). The blaNDM, blaVIM, blaIMP, and mcr-1 genes were identified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and Sequencing.Results: Forty strains of P. aeruginosa and forty strains of A. baumannii were isolated from hospitalized patients. The overall prevalence of multidrug-resistance (MDR) was 50% and 95% in P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii isolates, respectively. Almost all the MDR isolates were resistant to cefepime and piperacillin. Colistin had significant inhibitory activity against the isolates. MBL was detected in 25.0% and 15.0% of clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii, respectively. We detected no blaNDM, blaVIM, blaIMP, and mcr-1 genes in our A. baumannii isolates. Moreover, only three P. aeruginosa isolates were positive for blaIMP gene.Conclusion: The alarming proportion of MDR P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii isolates was reported in the current study. Effective infection prevention practices are required and AST should guide patients' treatment

Comparison of shear bond strength of CAD/CAM and conventional heat-polymerized acrylic resin denture bases to auto-polymerized and heat-polymerized acrylic resins after aging

The aim of this study was to investigate the shear bond strength of CAD/CAM and conventional heat polymerized acrylic resin denture bases bonded to self-cured and heat-cured acrylic resins after aging. Material and Methods: A total of 40 cu

Effect of addition of Ondansetron or Magnesium to Lidocaine on duration of analgesia of intravenous regional anesthesia in elective upper extremities surgery: comparative study.

BackgroundThis study aimed at evaluating and comparing the effect of ondansetron and magnesium added to lidocaine on intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) in the surgery of upper extremity.Settings and design The current randomized, clinical trial was conducted on 45 patients considered as candidates for upper extremities surgery in Qazvin, Iran. The patients were randomly assigned into three groups. Group C only received 3 mg/kg lidocaine, group O lidocaine + 4 mg/kg ondansetron, and group M lidocaine + 7.5 mL magnesium sulfate 20%. Then, the sensory and motor blocks, tourniquet pain, the amount of administered extra fentanyl, pain intensity, and other parameters involved in analgesia were analyzed in the groups using the statistical tests.ResultsThe time for onset of sensory and motor blocks in group M was significantly shorter than the groups C and O (P <0.05). In terms of the recovery time of sensory block, the time of group O was significantly longer than those of groups M and C (P <0.05). The amount of administered extra fentanyl and tourniquet pain after block in groups O and M were significantly lower than those of group C (P< 0.05). No significant difference was observed in postoperative pain and other features among the groups (P >0.05).ConclusionMagnesium had more rapid effectiveness and ondansetron had prolonged postoperative analgesia. Although the induced analgesia relatively improved the intensity of pain, it failed to maintain its supremacy in postoperative pain. To obtain more conclusive results, further studies are required.BackgroundThis study aimed at evaluating and comparing the effect of ondansetron and magnesium added to lidocaine on intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) in the surgery of upper extremity.Settings and design The current randomized, clinical trial was conducted on 45 patients considered as candidates for upper extremities surgery in Qazvin, Iran. The patients were randomly assigned into three groups. Group C only received 3 mg/kg lidocaine, group O lidocaine + 4 mg/kg ondansetron, and group M lidocaine + 7.5 mL magnesium sulfate 20%. Then, the sensory and motor blocks, tourniquet pain, the amount of administered extra fentanyl, pain intensity, and other parameters involved in analgesia were analyzed in the groups using the statistical tests.ResultsThe time for onset of sensory and motor blocks in group M was significantly shorter than the groups C and O (P <0.05). In terms of the recovery time of sensory block, the time of group O was significantly longer than those of groups M and C (P <0.05). The amount of administered extra fentanyl and tourniquet pain after block in groups O and M were significantly lower than those of group C (P< 0.05). No significant difference was observed in postoperative pain and other features among the groups (P >0.05).ConclusionMagnesium had more rapid effectiveness and ondansetron had prolonged postoperative analgesia. Although the induced analgesia relatively improved the intensity of pain, it failed to maintain its supremacy in postoperative pain. To obtain more conclusive results, further studies are required

The Structural Model of Social Well-being in workplace based on Bright-side Personality, Dark Triad and Collectivism Culture,Considering the Mediating Role of Social Influence

Introduction: Social well-being is one of three employee well-being dimensions and the missed piece of subjective well-being literature. The purpose of current research was modeling the social well-being in workplace, based on person-situation model and social exchange theory. This mediated-moderated structural model is developed considering the interactive role of bright and dark triad and collectivism organizational culture, besides mediation role of social influence tactics.Method: Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used for analyzing this second-order hierarchical latent variable model. Participants were 292 employees of Iran National oil Company in the summer of 1398.Results: Fitness indices indicates the good fitness of social-wellbeing model (SRMR<0.08, NFI>0.9). Results showed that bright side of personality and collectivism organizational culture affect social well-being directly. In addition, findings showed that dark triad influences on social well-being is fully mediated by social influence tactics; so that Machiavellianism and narcissism increase the social well-being levels by influencing soft influence tactics utilization; Whereas psychopathy leads to applying hard influence tactics and cause social well-being reduction. Moderating effect of collectivism organizational culture on bright side of personality and social well-being was confirmed as well.Conclusion: Overall findings indicate that personality factors are important determinants of social well-being, but understanding the social well-being construct in workplace requires including the whole image of bright and dark side of personality, as well as organization cultural factors

On-levothyroxine measurement of thyroglobulin is not a reliable test for the follow-up of patients at high risk for remnant/recurrent differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Wstęp: Obecnie najszerzej akceptowanym narzędziem używanym w badaniach kontrolnych u chorych ze zróżnicowanym rakiem tarczycy jest pomiar osoczowego stężenia tyreoglobuliny (Tg). Nierzadko zdarza się, iż pomiary stężenia Tg odbywają się, gdy chory jednocześnie przyjmuje preparaty hormonów tarczycowych. Celem niniejszego badania była ocena przydatności pomiaru osoczowego stężenia Tg w trakcie stosowania hormonów tarczycy w wykrywaniu choroby resztkowej/nawrotowej lub obecności przerzutów u chorych z wysokim ryzykiem wznowy zróżnicowanego raka tarczycy. Materiały i metody: Retrospektywnej analizie poddano dokumentację medyczną 26 pacjentów obciążonych dużym ryzykiem wystąpienia zróżnicowanego raka tarczycy. Porównano wartości pomiarów osoczowego stężenia Tg odpowiednio w trakcie stosowania hormonów tarczycy oraz po ich odstawieniu. U wszystkich badanych wykluczono obecność przeciwciał przeciwko Tg. Przyjmując pomiary stężenia Tg w okresie odstawienia hormonów tarczycy jako "złoty standard", przeanalizowano (ustalając czułość, specyficzność oraz dodatnią i ujemną wartoœæ predylekcyjną) wyniki oznaczeń stężenia Tg podczas przyjmowania hormonów tarczycy pod kątem diagnostyki resztkowej/nawrotowej choroby. Wyniki: Średnie osoczowe stężenie Tg w warunkach stosowania terapii supresyjnej za pomocą podawanych egzogennych hormonów tarczycy wynosiło 16,5 ng/ml, natomiast po zaprzestaniu stosowania tyroksyny - 95,0 ng/ml (wartość p = 0,001). U 6 chorych (23%) przyjmujących hormony tarczycy stężenie Tg nie potwierdzało wznowy procesu nowotworowego. Przy założeniu, że pomiary stężenia Tg w okresie odstawienia hormonalnych preparatów tarczycy stanowią "złoty standard", czułość, specyficzność dodatnia i ujemna wartość predylekcyjna wynosiły odpowiednio: 72,7%, 100%, 100% i 40%. Wnioski: Monitorowanie stężenia Tg w trakcie terapii tyroksyną nie jest wiarygodną metodą w wykrywaniu wznowy choroby u chorych na zróżnicowanego raka tarczycy.Introduction: At present the most widely accepted tool for follow-up management of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients is serum thyroglobulin (Tg) measurement. It is not uncommon for the serum Tg level to be measured while the patient is taking thyroid hormones (on-treatment Tg measurement). The purpose of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of on-treatment measurement of serum Tg in detecting remnant/recurrent or metastatic disease in high-risk DTC patients. Material and methods: We retrospectively analysed the medical records of 26 high-risk DTC patients and compared the on-treatment and off-treatment Tg levels of these patients. All patients were anti-Tg negative. Using off-treatment measurement of Tg as the gold standard, the results of on-treatment measurement of Tg in the diagnosis of remnant/recurrent disease were analysed for sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV) and positive predictive value (PPV). Results: The median serum Tg level under thyroid hormone suppressive therapy (on-treatment Tg) was 16.5 ng/ml and after withdrawal of thyroid hormone suppressive therapy (off-treatment Tg) was 95.0 ng/ml (P value = 0.001). In 6 patients (23%) the on-treatment Tg level missed the recurrence of the disease. Regarding the off-treatment Tg as the gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of the on-treatment Tg measurement were 72.7%, 100%, 100%, and 40% respectively. Conclusion: Normal serum Tg level without TSH-stimulation (on-treatment) is not diagnostically reliable in the follow-up of DTC patients with a high probability of residual/recurrent or metastatic disease

SANKHAHOLI (( Evolvulus alsinoides Linn.)): A REVIEW

ABSTRACT: The Sankhaholi (Evolvulus alsinoides Linn.) of family  Convolvulaceae which is commonly known as sankhpushpi, in traditional system of medicine including Unani Medicine. It is a perennial herb with a small woody branched root stock which contains alkaloids: shankhapushpine and evolvine. Fresh plant of sankhholi contains volatile oil. It also contains a yellow neutral fat, an organic acid and saline substances. Therapeutic uses of Sankhaholi Evolvulus alsinoides Linn, mentioned in the Unani Medicine are Alexiteric (Mufarreh), Cardiac  tonic  (Muqawwi-e Qalb), Brain tonic  (Muqawwi-e Dimag), Digestive (Hazim)  Musaffi-e- Khoon (Blood purifier),General tonic (Muqawwi-e-am), Diuretic (Mudirr-e-Baul), Anti Inflammatory (Muhallil-e-waram), Hypoglycemic (Dafa-e-Ziabitus), Antihypertensive (Dafye Imtella). It is also used in headache, asthma, hyperlipidemia etc. The present article reviews the pharmacological actions and therapeutic uses of Sankhaholi ( Evolvulus alsinoides Linn.) present in Unani literature supported with the available clinical and animal studies.Keywords: Sankhaholi Evolvulus alsinoides Linn. Sankhpushpi, Unani Medicin