Efficiency and Capacity of Iran’s Cropland Products Exports: An Application of Stochastic Frontier Gravity Model

Iran’s agricultural exports have grown significantly in recent years. Cropland products (HS07) have become the second most important group in Iran’s agricultural exports over the last years. However, few studies have investigated the export potentials of cropland products. Therefore, this study aims to determine the main factors of Iran’s cropland products exports and calculate the export efficiency and potential in the trading partners. For this aim, the stochastic frontier gravity model is estimated based on balanced panel data covering 21 importing countries over the period of 2001 to 2021. The results indicated that economic and physical size of importing countries have positive and significant effect on the exports of Iran’s cropland products. In addition, common border between Iran and trading partners and economic sanctions have also positive and significant effect on the cropland products exports, while geographical distance between Iran and importing countries has negatively effects on the exports. The results of export efficiency showed that Iran does not have 100 percent efficiency in any destination market over the period of 2015 to 2021. Iran has an export efficiency of more than 50 percent only in Afghanistan, United Arab Emirates, Canada and Iraq. According to the results, Iran has the highest potential for exports of cropland products in Iraq. Hence, considering the high potentials in neighboring countries and significantly positive effect of common border partners, it is suggested that trading countries with common border like Iraq should be a top priority for the exports of cropland products

Migration health crisis associated with climate change: A systematic review

The empirical assessment of the health outcomes associated with migration caused by climate change is still unclear. However, health outcomes in the early stages are expected to be similar to the health outcomes associated with refugees. The objective of the present study was a systematic review of the health effects of migration caused by climate change. METHODOLOGY: A systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Online databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) were used to identify papers published that evaluated the health effects of migration caused by climate change. The search, article selection, and data extraction were carried out by two researchers independently. All English-language articles on the health effects of migration caused by climate change were included in this study. RESULTS: An analysis of the complex ways in which climate change influences populations can be facilitated using a three-class classification: compulsory displacement, resettlement planning, and migration. Subsequent to climate changes, other changes, and environmental deficiencies, compulsory displacement may occur in case of inadequacy of compatibility responses. A part of migration-related health outcomes caused by climate change is from displacement from rural to urban areas, especially in developing countries. There is significant documentation on health and livelihood inequalities between migrant groups and host populations in developed countries. CONCLUSION: If climate change continues in its current direction, it is likely that the number of refugees and crises will increase in the coming decades. Although the domain and the extent of health hazards caused by the displacement of the population associated with climate change cannot be clearly predicted, by reducing global greenhouse gas emissions, along with social and environmental adaptation strategies, migration caused by climate change, health risks and its relevant crises can be greatly reduced. © 2020 Journal of Education and Health Promotion | Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow

Synthesis and entomotoxicity assay of zinc and silica nanoparticles against Sitophilus granarius (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The granary weevil, Sitophilus granarius (L.), is one of the most important internal feeders of stored grain. Nanotechnology has become one of the most promising new approaches for pest control in recent years. In our screening program, laboratory trials were conducted to determine the effectiveness of silica nanoparticles (SNPs) and zinc nanoparticles (ZNPs) against the larval stage and adults of S. granarius on stored wheat. Nanoparticles of silica and zinc were synthesized through a solvothermal method. They were then used to prepare insecticidal solutions of different concentrations and tested on S. granarius. Silica nanoparticles (SNPs) were found to be highly effective against S. granarius causing 100% mortality after 2 weeks. ZNPs were moderately effective against this pest

Hospital preparedness challenges in biological disasters: A qualitative study

Objective: Identification of hospital preparedness challenges against biological events such as COVID-19 is essential to improve dynamics, quality and business continuity confidence in the health system. Accordingly, the purpose of the present study is to evaluate the challenges of hospital preparedness in biological events. Methods: This study employed a qualitative method using content analysis in which 20 healthcare managers and experts who are experienced in biological events were selected through purposeful sampling. The data collection was done through semi-structured interviews, which continued until data saturation. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis as well as the Landman and Graneheim Approach. Results: Six main concepts (training and practice, resource management, safety and health, patient management, risk communication, and laboratory and surveillance) and 14 sub-concepts were extracted on hospital preparedness challenges in biological events through analyzing interviews. Conclusions: The present study indicated that the health system of the country faces many challenges in response to biological events and threats. Moreover, study participants indicated that Iranian hospitals were not prepared for biological events. It is recommended to design preparedness plans of hospitals based on preparedness standards for biological events. In addition, comprehensive measures are required to enhance their capacity to respond to biological emergencies. © 2020 Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc

Shift working disorders among nurses of Tehran hospital and its related factors in 2016

INTRODUCTION: Many adverse effects occur among the nurses due to shift work Hence, the present study aimed to determine the prevalence of shift work-related disorders and its related factor among the nurses at Tehran University Subsidiary Hospital, Iran, and to find solutions for managing the relevant health problems. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, the Survey of Shift workers (SOS) questionnaire and the Personal Information Form were used to collect data related to demographics and working conditions of 1259 randomly selected nurses working at Tehran University Subsidiary Hospital as statistical population. RESULTS: According to the results, psychological disorders (95), digestive problems (85) and social problems (80) were the most frequent problems among the subjects. Additionally, the satisfaction rate was higher among the volunteer nurses compared to nurses who were forced to do shift work (P�<�0.05). CONCLUSION: The nurses volunteered for shift work had higher satisfaction rate compared to nurses forced to shift work system; moreover, they had more job satisfaction and less shift work-related complaints. Therefore, it is important to select the nurses who are volunteer for shift work system. In addition, the shift work schedule in hospitals should be set based on workload and requirements because the shift schedule can adversely influence the social and family issues of the nurses, as well as their sleep quality and body biological process. © 2020-IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved

The importance of T cell-derived cytokines in post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis

Infection with the same species of Leishmania (L) donovani causes different manifestations including visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), indicating that the host-related immunological parameters perform a decisive role in the pathogenesis of diseases. As PKDL is a reservoir of the parasite, a better understanding of the host immune responses is necessary to restrict the L. donovani transmission. The proper local production of Th1 cell-related cytokines (including IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-12), Th17 cell-derived cytokines (such as IL-17A, IL-17F and IL-22), and CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-derived IFN-γ are protective against PKDL. However, dominant production of regulatory CD4+ T cell-derived cytokines (such as IL-10 and TGF-β), Th2 cell-derived cytokines (such as IL-4/IL-13), M2 macrophage-derived cytokines (such as IL-4 and IL-10), keratinocyte-derived IL-10, regulatory CD8+ T cell-derived IL-10, and dendritic cell-derived IL-10, IL-27 and IL-21 can contribute to the parasite persistence and PKDL development. Understanding of the T cell-related cytokine network within PKDL lesions gives rise to novel insights concerning the role of each cytokine in the protection or susceptibility to disease. Manipulation of the cytokine network can be considered as an interesting immunotherapeutic strategy for the treatment of L. donovani-mediated PKDL. © 2020 Elsevier Lt