Study Skills in Bachelor Students in the School of Public Health, Yazd, 2006

Background & Objective : One of the most important factors which prevent students from achieving their attempts’ desirable result is lack of study skills. Study skills are effective on decreasing tiredness and anxiety, saving time and increasing students’ motivation, leading to better learning and educational improvement. This study was conducted to evaluate the students’ study skills and to determine educational priorities in order to hold improving study skills classes. Methods : In this descriptive study, all bachelor students in Yazd school of public health (240 students) participated. Data was collected using a valid and reliable questionnaire. 192 questionnaires were completed and returned. Results : According to our findings, the mean (±SD) score of all 30 study skills was 20.1(±4.2). The highest mean score (±SD) which was 5.1(±1.2) belonged to taking class notes while the lowest mean score which was 2.6(±1.3) belonged to time management. Most of the students’ study skills were of moderate level (54.7 %) and 30.7% were weak whereas only 30.7% were considered good. The mean daily studying duration was 2.5 hours. There was no significant statistical relationship between study skills and age, sex, field of study, semester, doing morning or evening courses, daily studying duration, and Grade Point Average of the previous term. Conclusion : As only 30.7% of all students were considered good regarding study skills, it is suggested to hold organized and continuous educational courses to improve study skills. Defined factors in this study are time management, taking exam, concentration, reading and taking notes, in order of priority. Keywords: Study skill, Student, School of public health

Efecto sinérgico del enjuague bucal persica y del extracto etanólico iraní de propolis contra la formación de biofilm de patógenos orales (estudio in vitro)

This study was granted by Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and approved by Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Author Thank all staff of Biomedicine (Medical Biology) Research Institute.Aims: Several pathogens are responsible for oral diseases and dental plaque and their main mechanism is biofilm production. Natural products are point of interest for controlling these infections. persica mouthrinse, propolis and honey are some of these products with considerable antibacterial effects. In this study, we aimed to investigate synergy effect of these products on their antibiofilm and antibacterial effect. Material and Methods: Minimal Inhibitory effect and Minimial Biofilm inhibitory concentration of persica mouthrinse, propolis, honey solely and in combination was calculated against Streptococcus mutans ATCC35668, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 33591, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 , Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. Results: Combination of persica and propolis had a better profile in biofilm's inhibition than honey. None of herbal combinations had synergistic effect against studied bacteria; MIC of the persica mouth had the best effect against Streptococcus mutans, which causes caries. Conclusions: There was no synergistic effect of persica and propolis and the best antimicrobial effect was observed on subminimum inhibitory concentration of persica mouthwash. Findings of the present study suggest use of other combination than honey, propolis and persica for improving antimicrobial activity of these components.Objetivos: Varios patógenos son responsables de enfermedades orales y la placa dental y su mecanismo principal es la producción de biofilm. Los productos naturales son puntos de interés para controlar estas infecciones. persica mouthrinse, propolis y miel son algunos de estos productos con considerables efectos antibacterianos. En este estudio, se buscó investigar el efecto sinérgico de estos productos sobre su antibiótico y efecto antibacteriano. Material y Métodos: Se calculó el efecto inhibidor mínimo y la concentración inhibitoria mínima de biofilm de enjuague bucal de persica, propóleos, miel únicamente y en combinación, contra Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, S. epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. Resultados: La combinación de persica y propóleo tuvo un mejor perfil en la inhibición de la biopelícula que la miel. Ninguna de las combinaciones de hierbas tuvo efecto sinérgico contra las bacterias estudiadas; La Se calculó el efecto inhibidor mínimo de la boca de la persica tuvo el mejor efecto contra Streptococcus mutans, que causa la caries. Conclusiones: No hubo efectos sinérgicos de la persica y el propóleo y se observó el mejor efecto antimicrobiano en la concentración mínima inhibitoria de enjuague bucal de persica. Los hallazgos del presente estudio sugieren el uso de otra combinación que la miel, el propóleo y la persica para mejorar la actividad antimicrobiana de estos componentes

Explaining the Chinese Pattern of Redefining International Order: Combination of Internal Capabilities and External Soft Balance

One of the distinguishing features of the current international situation is the growth of China as a great power. The growing power of China for protecting of security interests is directly tied to the US international position; As a result, China's strategic engagement with the US is one of the issues that is essential to understand the future state of international order. This article examines China's pattern of behavior toward the US under the unipolar order system. Hence, the question that the authors have tried to answer with a descriptive-analytical approach is that what pattern governs China's foreign policy to advance its interests, and strategic interactions with the US in the current international order? Findings show that due to the necessity of entangling polarity, economic factor and threat perception, China has adopted a dual pattern of behavior, like the domestic capabilities and external soft balance, in order to advance its strategic interests and interactions with the US. The first concept refers to the continuation of economic efforts along with increasing military capabilities to increase China's relative power. In the second concept, China's internationally balanced behavior toward the United States is considered. This is mostly done through multilateral institutions and economic diplomacy

Predicting dietary behavior of type 2 diabetics: Application of the theory of planned behavior and perceived risk of diabetes complications construct

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is considered a major health problem due to its complications. However, it could be prevented or delayed by modifications in the patients’ behavior and diets. The objective of this study was to explore the utility of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and complications of diabetes perceived risk to find modifiable diabetes-related beliefs in order to make behavioral changes feasible. METHODS: The present descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in diabetes clinics in Semirom, Iran, based on TPB and complications of diabetes perceived risk using a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 154 patients with diabetes without complications of diabetes participated in the study. Measured variables were patients’ attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, complications of diabetes perceived risk, intention to maintain a healthful diet and nutritional style. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze data. RESULTS: The results revealed that the TPB and perceived risk of diabetes complications fitted the data acceptably well among patients with type 2 diabetes and within dietary behavior. Perceived behavioral control, subjective norm, perceived risk of diabetes complications, and intention to maintain a healthy diet were related to healthy diet behavior. No relation was found between attitude and intention to follow a healthy diet. CONCLUSION: The TPB and perceived risk of diabetes complications is a useful theory in determining intentions of patients with diabetes and their adherence to a healthy diet

The Impact of a Cognitive System of Political Elites on Israeli Foreign Policy: The Case of Benyamin Netanyahu

Benyamin Netanyahu has been the main figure in the Israeli political scene for the past decade. Since he has played a major role in shaping the Israeli foreign policy in the international arena, this study seeks to examine his leadership style and personality traits as an influential and at the same time a neglected factor in the foreign policy behavior of the state of Israel. Hence, the main hypothesis is the fact that Israel’s foreign policy behavior has been more influenced by Netanyahu’s cognitive system and leadership style. The conceptual/methodological framework used in this paper is Leadership Traits Analysis (LTA) proposed by Margaret G. Hermann with a focus on the Conceptual Complexity variable in this regard. The results of this study, which itself are the quantitative content analysis of Netanyahu’s verbal material from 2009 to 2019; suggest that BIBI’s low conceptual complexity and his black and white thinking to foreign policy with high belief in ability to control events, a high desire for power, and a strong distrust to others have shaped Netanyahu’s aggressive and hawkish approach to Israeli foreign policy, which can be seen in exaggerating the Iranian threat and opposing to the idea of a Palestinian independent state

Predicting dietary behavior of type 2 diabetics: Application of the theory of planned behavior and perceived risk of diabetes complications construct

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is considered a major health problem due to its complications. However, it could be prevented or delayed by modifications in the patients’ behavior and diets. The objective of this study was to explore the utility of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and complications of diabetes perceived risk to find modifiable diabetes-related beliefs in order to make behavioral changes feasible. METHODS: The present descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in diabetes clinics in Semirom, Iran, based on TPB and complications of diabetes perceived risk using a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 154 patients with diabetes without complications of diabetes participated in the study. Measured variables were patients’ attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, complications of diabetes perceived risk, intention to maintain a healthful diet and nutritional style. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze data. RESULTS: The results revealed that the TPB and perceived risk of diabetes complications fitted the data acceptably well among patients with type 2 diabetes and within dietary behavior. Perceived behavioral control, subjective norm, perceived risk of diabetes complications, and intention to maintain a healthy diet were related to healthy diet behavior. No relation was found between attitude and intention to follow a healthy diet. CONCLUSION: The TPB and perceived risk of diabetes complications is a useful theory in determining intentions of patients with diabetes and their adherence to a healthy diet

Spatio-temporal mapping of breast and prostate cancers in South Iran from 2014 to 2017

Background The most common gender-specific malignancies are cancers of the breast and the prostate. In developing countries, cancer screening of all at risk is impractical because of healthcare resource limitations. Thus, determining high-risk areas might be an important first screening step. This study explores incidence patterns of potential high-risk clusters of breast and prostate cancers in southern Iran. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in the province of Kerman, South Iran. Patient data were aggregated at the county and district levels calculating the incidence rate per 100,000 people both for cancers of the breast and the prostate. We used the natural-break classification with five classes to produce descriptive maps. A spatial clustering analysis (Anselin Local Moran’s I) was used to identify potential clusters and outliers in the pattern of these cancers from 2014 to 2017. Results There were 1350 breast cancer patients (including, 42 male cases) and 478 prostate cancer patients in the province of Kerman, Iran during the study period. After 45 years of age, the number of men with diagnosed prostate cancer increased similarly to that of breast cancer for women after 25 years of age. The age-standardised incidence rate of breast cancer for women showed an increase from 29.93 to 32.27 cases per 100,000 people and that of prostate cancer from 13.93 to 15.47 cases per 100,000 during 2014–2017. Cluster analysis at the county level identified high-high clusters of breast cancer in the north-western part of the province for all years studied, but the analysis at the district level showed high-high clusters for only two of the years. With regard to prostate cancer, cluster analysis at the county and district levels identified high-high clusters in this area of the province for two of the study years. Conclusions North-western Kerman had a significantly higher incidence rate of both breast and prostate cancer than the average, which should help in designing tailored screening and surveillance systems. Furthermore, this study generates new hypotheses regarding the potential relationship between increased incidence of cancers in certain geographical areas and environmental risk factors.This study received funding from Kerman University of Medical Sciences (number = 97000230). The funder provided the cost of geocoding and cleaning the data

Safety and efficacy of Favipiravir in moderate to severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia

Background: We examined the safety and efficacy of a treatment protocol containing Favipiravir for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. Methods: We did a multicenter randomized open-labeled clinical trial on moderate to severe cases infections of SARS-CoV-2. Patients with typical ground glass appearance on chest computerized tomography scan (CT scan) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) of less than 93 were enrolled. They were randomly allocated into Favipiravir (1.6 gr loading, 1.8 gr daily) and Lopinavir/Ritonavir (800/200 mg daily) treatment regimens in addition to standard care. In-hospital mortality, ICU admission, intubation, time to clinical recovery, changes in daily SpO2 after 5 min discontinuation of supplemental oxygen, and length of hospital stay were quantified and compared in the two groups. Results: 380 patients were randomly allocated into Favipiravir (1 9 3) and Lopinavir/Ritonavir (1 8 7) groups in 13 centers. The number of deaths, intubations, and ICU admissions were not significantly different (26, 27, 31 and 21, 17, 25 respectively). Mean hospital stay was also not different (7.9 days SD = 6 in the Favipiravir and 8.1 SD = 6.5 days in Lopinavir/Ritonavir groups) (p = 0.61). Time to clinical recovery in the Favipiravir group was similar to Lopinavir/Ritonavir group (HR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.75 � 1.17) and likewise the changes in the daily SpO2 after discontinuation of supplemental oxygen (p = 0.46) Conclusion: Adding Favipiravir to the treatment protocol did not reduce the number of ICU admissions or intubations or In-hospital mortality compared to Lopinavir/Ritonavir regimen. It also did not shorten time to clinical recovery and length of hospital stay. © 2021 Elsevier B.V

The Evolution of the Meaning of Science and Its Effect on Eliminating Religious Education from the Iranian Public Education System

This study aims at investigating the evolution of the meaning of science and its effect on eliminating religious education from the Iranian public education system. The method of the study is descriptive-analytical through documentary-library technique. The results show that, during centuries, Muslims have always used the concept of ‘science’ in the meaning of ‘fāʼizʼ (literally, ‘successful’) and, according to them, the path of seeking knowledge is the very path of human success and salvation. However, since the 19th century, the epistemological foundation of science has changed and sensory science has taken over the responsibility of knowing the surrounding world. The new meaning of science has introduced new capacities for human’s domination over the natural and social world, and has established new structures such as the Iranian public education system. This public education system institutionalizes, by producing and promoting the meaning of ‘dominantʼ science, in students' minds and souls, the belief that, in learning science, they should aim at memorizing and acquiring information to overcome the natural and social world for more material profit. Therefore, intentionally or unintentionally, a new kind of education has been put on the agenda of the Iranian public education system, which is in complete opposition to ‘religious education’, and has finally led to its elimination

Near-surface-mounted retrofitting of damaged/undamaged adobe walls using steel bars : analytical evaluation of experimental results

This study examines the results of an extensive experimental program pertaining to seismic strengthening of adobe walls using near-surface-mounted (NSM) steel bars. The experiments were conducted on seven adobe wall panels (1020Ã800Ã200mm) subjected to the combined action of vertical pre-compression stresses (0.1 and 0.3 MPa) and incremental lateral loading reversals. The parameters investigated included NSM reinforcement ratio, level of vertical stress, and pre-existing damage. The load–displacement curves obtained from pushover tests were employed in the seismic evaluations using a capacity spectrum approach called the N2 method. Based on the experimental and analytical findings, the adopted retrofitting technique was found capable of effectively enhancing the in-plane seismic performance of both the undamaged and damaged adobe walls in terms of lateral strength, displacement capacity, energy dissipation, and the tolerated peak ground acceleration. It was found that the retrofitting intervention has a more beneficial contribution to the displacement capacity, rather than lateral resistance, of adobe walls under high axial pre-compression loads. Finally, analytical models originally developed for masonry walls were modified for estimating the in-plane lateral resistance of reinforced/unreinforced adobe walls