Speed Roughness Control of an SI Engine Using Fuzzy Self Tuning Method

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Unwanted Pregnancy and Its Risk Factors Among Pregnant Women in Tehran, Iran

Background: Unwanted pregnancies remain a main public health problem worldwide. In Iran, comparative studies on the risk factors of unwanted pregnancies and their effects on maternal health are rare. Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the risk factors of unwanted pregnancies and their impact on maternal behavior during pregnancy. Patients and Methods: This case-control study was carried out on 240 pregnant women who referred to the healthcare centers of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science for receiving routine prenatal care. Of the 240 women, 120 had unwanted pregnancies (case) and 120 had wanted pregnancies (control). Data collection was performed using a researcher-made questionnaire. The data were analyzed using chi-square tests, Fisher’s exact tests, t-tests, Mann Whitney U tests, odds ratios, and logistic regression analysis. Results: Compared to women with wanted pregnancies, those with unwanted pregnancies were more employed (23.3% vs. 12.5%, P = 0.006), had lower education levels (P = 0.016), had lower incomes (P = 0.009), had more children (1.30 ± 1.08 vs. 0.53 ± 0.67, P = 0.001), and had more traditional marriages (15% vs. 3.3%, P = 0.002). Also, women with unwanted pregnancies had significantly lower tendencies to do prenatal care (P = 0.002), had a higher tendency to abortion (P = 0.001), had higher previous abortion attempts (P = 0.001), and had higher levels of unhealthy behaviors (P = 0.017) compared to those with wanted pregnancies. Conclusions: Lower education and socioeconomic status, longer marriage duration, being employed, and unwilling of spouse were among the risk factors of unwanted pregnancies. These women are at high risk for unhealthy behaviors and have a higher tendency to abortion that consequently threatens their health

Comparison of the Effect of Short-Term Consumption of Probiotic (Bacillus Coagulans) and Ordinary Cake on Salivary Streptococcus Mutans

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Consumption of food causes changes in oral flora. Foods that create an appropriate media for Streptococcus mutans and other cariogenic microflora, cause increase the rate of tooth caries. The aim of this study was the assessment of short-term consumption of probiotic cake (contain Bacillus coagulans) on salivary streptococcus mutans count and comparison with ordinary cake. METHODS: A cross over blind study was conducted on 30 healthy adult volunteers in two groups (16 males and 14 females). The first group ate probiotic cake (75 grams daily) for 1 week and after 2 weeks wash out period, they ate ordinary cake. The second group first ate ordinary cake and after 2 weeks wash out period, they ate probiotic cake (75 grams daily). Non-stimulating salivary samples, before (as baseline) and after eating probiotic and ordinary cake, were collected. Then counting of streptococcus mutans was done with colony counter. FINDINGS: Of the 30 patients, 16 (53.33%) were male and 14 (46.67%) were female with an average age of 40.86±17.15 years. Number of Streptococcus mutans in baseline saliva samples was (7.872±1.430)106 CFU/ml and in the saliva samples after consumption of probiotic cake was (4.652±0.841)106 CFU/ml and in saliva samples after consumption of ordinary cake was (21.386±3.895)106 CFU/ml. There was no significantly difference between mutants count before and after eating probiotic cake (p=0.769) but after consumption of ordinary cake than probiotic cake the count of streptococcus increased significantly (21.3±39.9 compared with 4.65±0.84) (p=0.032). CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, the addition of probiotic bacteria to sweet and high-consumption foods can reduce the adverse effects of foods such as cakes on oral health

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF HEAVY CONCRETE BEHAVIOR UNDER FREE-AIR BLAST AND SURFACE

ABSTRACT In designing defensive structures, often dynamic loadings such as blast and impact is taken into account. With the progress of technologies of ballistic shield, preparing materials with the ability to withstand dynamic loads is considered by many scholars. For this ability, the concrete has a vast usage as an effective material. The present research, toward this end, will exhibit experimental and analytical processes of heavy concrete (high density) blast resistance and improving its behavior against the explosion, compared to conventional concretes. The research is conducted through 3 stages: 1-Final mixing plans are, presented and after sampling, testing physical and mechanical properties, according to BS and ASTM standards, of cubic specimens with a size of 15 cm by15 cm and cylindrical specimens with a size of 15 cm by 30 cm is done and results are given 2-in order to study the explosive resistance, specimens sizing 50×50×10cm were prepared and after preparing the conditions of field test using TNT explosive, placing the explosive at 0, 10 and 20 cm distances, an explosion was performed on the pieces. 3-conclusion: after experimental studies, it was found that special heavy concrete for this research has better performance compared with conventional concrete

Improvement of neuroglial differentiation from human dental pulp stem cells using CSF

Background and purpose: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has a broad set of molecules which is essential for neurogenesis. Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) are putatively neural crest cell-derived that can differentiate into neurons and glial cells under appropriate neurotrophic factors. The aim of this study was to induce differentiation of hDPSCs into neuroglial phenotypes using Retinoic acid (RA) and CSF. Materials and methods: The hDPSCs were isolated by mechanical enzymatic digestion from an impacted third molar and cultured. 2 � 105cells were treated by 10-7µM Retinoic acid (RA group) for 8 days, CSF (CSF group) for 8 days and pre-induced with RA for 4 days followed by inducing with CSF for 4 days (RC group). Nestin, βIII-tubulin and GFAP immunostaining were used for evaluating the differentiated cells. Axonal outgrowth was detected using Bielschowsky's silver impregnation method and Nissl bodies were stained in differentiated cells by Cresyl violet. Data analysis was performed in SPSS V.16 applying One-way ANOVA and Chi-square test. Results: The morphology of differentiated cells in treated groups significantly changed after 3-5 days. The immunocytochemistry results showed that nestin, the neuroprogenitor marker, was observed in all groups. Whereas, a high percentage of nestin positive cells and �III-tubulin, as mature neural markers, were seen at the pre-induction and induction stage, respectively. Nissl bodies were detected as dark-blue particles in the cytoplasm of treated cells. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the RA as pre-inducer and CSF as inducer could be used for in vitro differentiation of neuroglial cells from hDPSCs. © 2016, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

The effect of the Iranian health transformation plan on hospitalization rate: Insights from an interrupted time series analysis

Background: Healthcare policy- and decision-makers make efforts to build and maintain high-performing and effective health systems, implementing effectiveness programs and health reforms. In May 2014, the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education has launched a series of ambitious reforms, known as the Health Transformation Plan (HTP). This study aimed to determine the effect of the HTP on hospitalization rate in Iranian public hospitals affiliated to the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. Methods: This study was designed as a quasi-experimental, counterfactual study utilizing the interrupted time series analysis (ITSA), comparing the trend of hospitalization rate before and after the HTP implementation in 16 hospitals in the Lorestan province. Data was collected from March 2012 to February 2019. Results: In the first month of the HTP implementation, an increase of 2.627 95% CI: 1.62-3.63 was noted (P < 0.001). Hospitalization rate increased by 0.68 95% CI: 0.32-0.85 after the HTP implementation compared to the first month after the launch of the HTP (P < 0.001). After the HTP implementation, monthly hospitalization rate per 1000 persons significantly increased by 0.049 95% CI: 0.023-0.076 (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The HTP implementation has resulted in an increased hospitalization rate. Health planners should continue to further improve this service. ITSA can play a role in evaluating the impact of a given health policy. © 2020 The Author(s)

The effect of the health transformation plan on cesarean section in Iran: A systematic review of the literature

Objective: Cesarean section (CS) is one of the most common surgical procedures in the world. In developed and developing countries, CS has grown significantly over the past decades. The Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education has developed a health transformation plan (HTP) in order to reduce CS rate and promote vaginal delivery. This study was conducted with the aim of reviewing the results of published studies on the impact of the HTP on CS in Iran. Results: We searched Embase, PubMed/MEDLINE, ISI/Web of Sciences, Scopus, as well as Iranian databases (MagIran, SID and Barakatkns), from May 2014 to October 2018. To assess the quality of studies, the checklist "A Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool: for Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions" was utilized. Twelve studies were selected. Seven studies reported statistically significant results, showing a positive impact of the implementation of the HTP on CS reduction. Despite the decreased CS rate in Iran after about 4 years of the implementation of this policy, the goal of a yearly reduction by 10 has not been achieved yet. Increasing access to maternity services and community-based education through mass media could help changing the attitudes of Iranian mothers towards CS. © 2019 The Author(s)

Iran's Health System Transformation Plan: A SWOT analysis

Background: Societies are characterized by evolving health needs, which become more challenging throughout time, to which health system should respond. As such, a constant monitoring and a periodic review and reformation of healthcare systems are of fundamental importance to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare services delivery, equity, and sustainable funding. The establishment of President Rouhani's government in Iran, on May 5, 2014, the settlement of the new Ministry of Health and Medical Education administration (MoHME) and the need for change in the provision of healthcare services has led to the "Health System Transformation Plan" (HSTP). The aim of the current investigation was to critically evaluate the health transformation plan in Iran. Methods: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis enables to identify and assess the strengths and weaknesses within an organization or program, as well as the threats and opportunities outside the given organization or program. To identify SWOT of the HSTP in Iran, all articles concerning this program published in scholarly databases as well as in the gray literature were systematically searched. Subsequently, all factors identified at the first round were thematically classified into four categories and for reaching consensus on this classification, the list of points and factors was sent to 40 experts - policy- and decisionmakers, professors and academicians, health department workers, health activists, journalists. Results: Thirty-four subjects expressed comments on classification. Incorporating their suggestions, the SWOT analysis of Iran's HSTP was revised, finalized and then performed. Conclusion: HSTP in Iran, like many of the initiatives that have been recently introduced and not fully implemented, have various challenges, difficulties and pitfalls that health policymakers need to pay attention to. Interacting with criticisms, taking into account public opinion and strengthening the plan can make the project more effective, and it can be anticipated that in the future, better conditions in the health sector will be achieved. © Iran University of Medical Sciences

Microstructure and texture analysis of 304 austenitic stainless steel using Bragg edge transmission imaging

Bragg edge imaging using pulsed neutrons is a non-destructive technique for studying microstructure and texture of materials. It provides two-dimensional visualization of crystallographic information using a pixelated gas electron multiplier detector and a time-of-flight method. In this work, the properties of type 304 austenitic stainless steel samples were studied via Bragg edge imaging. The samples included hot-rolled, cold-rolled and heat-treated specimens, which were characterized to investigate texture, phase fraction and grain growth. The results showed that the crystallite size increased with increasing annealing temperature. The cold-rolled and annealed samples exhibited strong textures, while the hot-rolled sample showed no preferred orientation. The phase volume fraction of induced martensite in the cold-rolled sample was also obtained. Two-dimensional maps of microstructures and textures were obtained without destructive processes. The results were validated by electron backscatter diffraction and found to be consistent. This work provides valuable information for non-destructive characterization of bulk materials by performing Bragg edge imaging using the Hokkaido University compact accelerator neutron source

Identifying the favored mutation in a positive selective sweep.

Most approaches that capture signatures of selective sweeps in population genomics data do not identify the specific mutation favored by selection. We present iSAFE (for "integrated selection of allele favored by evolution"), a method that enables researchers to accurately pinpoint the favored mutation in a large region (∼5 Mbp) by using a statistic derived solely from population genetics signals. iSAFE does not require knowledge of demography, the phenotype under selection, or functional annotations of mutations