Assessment Criteria of Effective teaching of Expert Teachers based on occupational health students’ viewpoints in Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Notating the criteria of an expert teacher based on the  students’ viewpoints and using them in teaching process has a prominent role in enhancing the education quality. This study aims at identifying those characteristics in occupational health students' opinions. In this cross-sectional study in 2012, using random sampling method, 200 of occupational health students in Tehran University of Medical Sciences were selected. Requirement data collection was using a questionnaire with α= 0.85. The questions were designed in two domains, demographic and expert teacher criteria. Finally, data analysis was carried out through SPSS software version 16. Results showed that before, after and current education of four domains ability, features such as analysis method and text selection (81.4%), accurate and comprehensive examination in final (80.2%), dominance over the scientific subjects (91%) and in general, abilities, educational discipline and manual (86.4%) were respectively recognized as important factors for experted teacher. Moreover, no significant relationship was found among gender and field of study and the above mentioned four domains (p> 0/05). In this study, teaching ability was the most important factor in students’ viewpont; hence, it is recommended that the mentioned points should be taken inro more consideration in this domain for enhanced teachers’ operation

Vitex agnus-castus fruit extract restrains acquisition and expression of morphine-induced tolerance in mice

Tolerance to the analgesic effect of opioids is the major concern of long-term administration of these compounds. In this study, the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Vitex agnus-castus (VAC) on the acquisition and expression of morphine-induced tolerance were evaluated in mice by tail-flick test. To evaluate the VAC effects on the development or expression of morphine tolerance, animals received VAC (i.p.), 30 min before morphine (50 mg/kg; s.c.) during induction period once daily for 3 days; or 30 min before challenge dose of morphine (5 mg/kg) before (day 1) and after morphine-induced tolerance (day 4), respectively. The analgesic effect of VAC was evaluated every 30 min till 2 h. VAC at the doses of 120 and 180 mg/kg could suppress the development of tolerance. In addition, VAC at the dose of 180 mg/kg attenuated the expression of morphine-induced tolerance. While, the VAC alone had no analgesic effect, its combination with morphine at the dose of 180 mg/kg, could significantly enhance the antinociceptive effect of morphine. VAC can attenuate the expression of morphine's tolerance. Based on the enhancement of the analgesic effect of morphine's challenge dose by VAC, it seems that the expression is more attenuated by additive effect of VAC than reversal of tolerance. The ability of VAC to ameliorate the acquisition and expression of morphine-induced tolerance in mice may be worthwhile for traditional chronic pains treatment in combination with opioids without concern of tolerance and dependence. © 2016, SILAE (Italo-Latin American Society of Ethnomedicine). All rights reserved

Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale for People with Mental Retardation, Emotional Disorders, and Behavioral Problems

Objectives: The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale-II is useful in assessing an individual’s daily functioning. They can be used as an evaluation and diagnostic tool for individuals who are mentally retarded or individuals with other handicaps. Methods: To determine the efficacy of VABS in clinical settings, 3 cases with mental retardation and behavioral or emotional problems were evaluated according to instruction scale in clinical settings. The subjects were referred to take rehabilitative and psycho educational aids. Results: The analyses of the obtained scores exhibit a powerful dimension of the VABS to discriminate weakness and strength adaptive behavior's components. Discussion: The VABS can be used to develop individual educational, rehabilitative, and treatment programs and can monitor progress during such a program. Finally, the VABS can be used in research in which the development and functioning of handicapped and non-handicapped individuals are investigated

Factors Affecting Expansion of E-Commerce in Iran

The purpose of this article is to evaluate factors affecting expansion of e-commerce in Iran in a provincial level using panel-data regression model for period 2013 to 2016 in 30 Iranian provinces. The results show that about 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in Iran has been created by e-commerce. The most important factors affecting expansion of e-commerce include: number of e-commerce businesses, penetration rate of landline phone, penetration rate of mobile phone and internet bandwidth. The estimated coefficient for variables of the number of e-commerce businesses, penetration rate of landline phone, penetration rate of mobile phone and internet penetration rate are 0.045, 0.022, 0.009 and 0.006 respectively and they are statistically significant. The results show the greatest influence on e-commerce is made by "internet penetration rate" that can be used as the driving engine of e-commerce. This means that with increasing internet penetration rate in Iranian provinces, the gap in e-commerce between provinces can be decreased. The second influential variable on expansion of e-commerce is "number of e-commerce businesses". In addition, penetration rates of mobile and landline phone are other variables influencing expansion of e-commerce in Iran

Effect of Nanoclay and Microwave Thermal Treatment on Mechanical Properties of MDF Dust-PP Nanocomposite

The effect of microwave thermal treatment on mechanical properties of composites made from MDF dust-polypropylene was investigated. In this regard, nanoclay (Cloisite 15A) was added in three different (2, 4 and 6 %wt) levels into the composites. Furthermore, polypropylene (PP) was used as a matrix material and maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP) was used as coupling agent at 4%wt. The medium density fibreboard (MDF) dust was used as lignocellulosic material in the present study. Test samples were made, using extrusion process (twin screw), as granules. Then, samples with dimensions 30×20×1 cm were prepared with 1 g/cm3 nominal density for the polymer composites using hot pressing method. The bending strength and impact strength were measured according to the technical specifications CEN/TS15534:2007 and D-4495 regulation of ASTM standard, respectively. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques were employed to evaluate the extent of intercalation and exfoliation of silicate layers in the nanocomposites. Finally, the mechanical tests of flexural strength, flexural modulus and impact strength were performed on the samples. The results showed that the highest flexural strength, flexural modulus and impact strength were obtained at level 2 wt% nanoclay particles. The mechanical strength of the samples that were treated by microwave radiation was the highest. Also, X-ray diffraction studies showed increases in the interlayer spacing of silicate layers and intercalation of polymer chains between the clay layers. Scanning electron microscopy results showed that in the nanocomposites treated by microwave radiation, MDF dust was desirably compounded with thermoplastic materials