MODIS and determination the threshold of cloud seeding in Kermanshah

The present study was carried out within four years period covering from 2000 to 2003 where the amount of rainfall in Western Iran (Kermanshah) was recorded by precipitation stations. PW was calculated using the data obtained through MODIS satellite. Using the curve and upon choosing the fittest index PW as independent variable and the rainfall average precipitation (P) as dependent variable, from among the PW, the suitable cloud seeding threshold was estimated. The thresholds obtained through MODIS for cloud seeding and PW were compared across 17 cases. This method employed showed high correlation. The thresholds obtained were 12 mm. With these factors (PW and P) we can study on threshold of cloud seeding

Реконструкция системы электроснабжения ОАО «Гомсельмаш» в связи с изменением технологического процесса и внедрение энергосберегающих мероприятий

Background: The Health System Responsiveness Questionnaire is an instrument designed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2000 to assess the experience of patients when interacting with the health care system. This investigation aimed to adapt a Mental Health System Responsiveness Questionnaire (MHSRQ) based on the WHO concept and evaluate its validity and reliability to the mental health care system in Iran. Design: In accordance with the WHO health system responsiveness questionnaire and the findings of a qualitative study, a Farsi version of the MHSRQ was tailored to suit the mental health system in Iran. This version was tested in a cross-sectional study at nine public mental health clinics in Tehran. A sample of 500 mental health services patients was recruited and subsequently completed the questionnaire. Item missing rate was used to check the feasibility while the reliability of the scale was determined by assessing the Cronbach's alpha and item total correlations. The factor structure of the questionnaire was investigated by performing confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results: The results showed a satisfactory feasibility since the item missing value was lower than 5.2%. With the exception of access domain, reliability of different domains of the questionnaire was within a desirable range. The factor loading showed an acceptable unidimentionality of the scale despite the fact that three items related to access did not perform well. The CFA also indicated good fit indices for the model (CFI=0.99, GFI=0.97, IFI=0.99, AGFI=0.97). Conclusions: In general, the findings suggest that the Farsi version of the MHSRQ is a feasible, reliable, and valid measure of the mental health system responsiveness in Iran. Changes to the questions related to the access domain should be considered in order to improve the psychometric properties of the measure

Phage Therapy of Mycobacterium Infections : Compassionate Use of Phages in 20 Patients With Drug-Resistant Mycobacterial Disease

Background Nontuberculous Mycobacterium infections, particularly Mycobacterium abscessus, are increasingly common among patients with cystic fibrosis and chronic bronchiectatic lung diseases. Treatment is challenging due to intrinsic antibiotic resistance. Bacteriophage therapy represents a potentially novel approach. Relatively few active lytic phages are available and there is great variation in phage susceptibilities among M. abscessus isolates, requiring personalized phage identification. Methods Mycobacterium isolates from 200 culture-positive patients with symptomatic disease were screened for phage susceptibilities. One or more lytic phages were identified for 55 isolates. Phages were administered intravenously, by aerosolization, or both to 20 patients on a compassionate use basis and patients were monitored for adverse reactions, clinical and microbiologic responses, the emergence of phage resistance, and phage neutralization in serum, sputum, or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Results No adverse reactions attributed to therapy were seen in any patient regardless of the pathogen, phages administered, or the route of delivery. Favorable clinical or microbiological responses were observed in 11 patients. Neutralizing antibodies were identified in serum after initiation of phage delivery intravenously in 8 patients, potentially contributing to lack of treatment response in 4 cases, but were not consistently associated with unfavorable responses in others. Eleven patients were treated with only a single phage, and no phage resistance was observed in any of these. Conclusions Phage treatment of Mycobacterium infections is challenging due to the limited repertoire of therapeutically useful phages, but favorable clinical outcomes in patients lacking any other treatment options support continued development of adjunctive phage therapy for some mycobacterial infections.We describe 20 consecutive cases of bacteriophage treatment of Mycobacterium infections. We observed no adverse reactions, favorable outcomes in at least 50% of patients, no evidence of phage resistance, and neutralizing immune reactions that do not correlate with treatment success.Peer reviewe

The theoretical perspectives in verbal & non-verbal communication

"Communication" can be understood as a complex process during which the various components involved. Meanwhile, the study of the mechanisms of action, particularly in the human-social dimension, type of expression and influence of its ruling sign, especially -in the context of situation and context of communication -is of great importance. In this paper, I try to "communicate" the two types of verbal and non-verbal be studied with a theoretical approach. The findings indicate that the process of communication -verbal and non-verbal -component has its own context and circumstances and these two types of communication, is so important. Verbal communication and Non-verbal communication are primarily established tools to communicate and transfer the message and this is the greatest common aspect of the two communication. The non-verbal and verbal communication are related to social and culture and they are different from culture to culture. About verbal communication is clear that this kind of communication is possible with the use of language and through of language, meaning, context and purpose of the speaker are transmitting and in this type of communication, language is a key element; but, non-verbal communication rather to the excitement and sense organs, and way of seeing and the five movements is concerned and is not dependent on the official language and concepts and ideas without language channel, described and interpreted

A physicochemical model of X-ray induced photodynamic therapy (X-PDT) with an emphasis on tissue oxygen concentration and oxygenation

Abstract X-PDT is one of the novel cancer treatment approaches that uses high penetration X-ray radiation to activate photosensitizers (PSs) placed in deep seated tumors. After PS activation, some reactive oxygen species (ROS) like singlet oxygen (1O2) are produced that are very toxic for adjacent cells. Efficiency of X-PDT depends on 1O2 quantum yield as well as X-ray mortality rate. Despite many studies have been modeled X-PDT, little is known about the investigation of tissue oxygen content in treatment outcome. In the present study, we predicted X-PDT efficiency through a feedback of physiological parameters of tumor microenvironment includes tissue oxygen and oxygenation properties. The introduced physicochemical model of X-PDT estimates 1O2 production in a vascularized and non-vascularized tumor under different tissue oxygen levels to predict cell death probability in tumor and adjacent normal tissue. The results emphasized the importance of molecular oxygen and the presence of a vascular network in predicting X-PDT efficiency

The Effectiveness of the Training of Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Skills on the Reduction of Addicts’ Positive Attitudes to Narcotics

Aim: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the training of problem-solving and decision-making skills on the reduction of addicts’ positive attitudes to narcotics. Method: The design of this study was experimental design namely: pre and post test with control group. The population included all addicts referring to Sanandaj self-report centers (500 addicts). By random sampling, 60 addicts were selected and completed the attitude questionnaire to narcotics use. Each of experimental groups was under problem-solving and decision-making skills training for ten 90 minute sessions. No training given to control group. Results: After training, two experimental groups significantly had lower levels of positive attitude to narcotics use. No difference was observed between two experimental groups. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that the training of problem-solving and decision-making skills can reduce the addicts’ positive attitudes to narcotics

The Effectiveness of Life Skills Training on Reduction of the Risk and Enhancement of the Protective Factors against Drug Abuse for Delinquency Children in Reformatory Place

Objective: the aim of this study was investigation the effectiveness of life skills training on reducing the risk factor and enhancement of protective factors in city of Hamadan reformatory place for delinquency children. Method: in this semi-experimental research among 400 persons of Hamadan reformatory place for delinquency children, 36 individual (experimental group 17 persons, control group 16 persons) were selected via random sampling method. The experimental group received 8 training sessions. The main instrument of this research was, drug consuming risk and protective factors questionnaire. Findings: the results indicated that the scores of attitude toward drug, depression and sensation seeking of experimental group are lower than control group and in assertiveness and self-control factors were higher. Conclusion: the life skills training reduced risk factors and enhanced protective factors regarding to drug consuming in delinquent adolescence

Corporate Bankruptcy Panel: Chapter 15 Choice of Law: A Formula for Conveyance Actions in a Shrinking World

Corporate Bankruptcy Panel - Chapter 15 Choice of Law: A Formula for Conveyance Actions in a Shrinking World Andrea S. Hartley, AkermanAmeneh Bordi, Kirkland & EllisScott Cousins, Bayard, P.A.Natalie Levine, Partner, Cassels Brock & Blackwel

Corporate Bankruptcy Panel: Chapter 15 Choice of Law: A Formula for Conveyance Actions in a Shrinking World

Corporate Bankruptcy Panel - Chapter 15 Choice of Law: A Formula for Conveyance Actions in a Shrinking World Andrea S. Hartley, AkermanAmeneh Bordi, Kirkland & EllisScott Cousins, Bayard, P.A.Natalie Levine, Partner, Cassels Brock & Blackwel