Mapping Connections between Neighborhoods in Response to Community-Based Social Needs

Geographic proximity might not be the only factor influencing the connections between neighborhoods within the same city. Most likely, the community's needs and behaviors play a role in facilitating or hindering any connections between these urban areas. Accordingly, relationships between communities may differ or be similar based on their respective characteristics. This paper aims to demonstrate that communities are close based on the needs they share, regardless of their ethnicity or geographic location. In this study, a time series analysis of neighborhoods' needs is explored to gain a deeper understanding of the communities' network. The study takes into account the co-occurrence of complaints/reports from residents regarding the same issue. The dataset was retrieved from the Boston Area Research Initiative (BARI) and the 311 system that describe the features of neighborhoods regarding non-emergency issues. Subsequently, the connection between neighborhoods in the City of Boston was analyzed using a mixture of PCA, K-means, association rule mining, and a network creation tool. Moreover, clustering coefficients and degrees of centrality were used as significant factors in identifying the members of groups and marking crucial nodes in the network. A series of graphs were generated to show how the neighborhoods are linked based on their socioeconomic concerns. The results prove that even geographically disconnected neighborhoods within Boston have similar social needs, despite their distance from one another. Furthermore, it revealed that some neighborhoods can act as linking bridges for other neighborhoods, while others may be isolated within the network graph. This study has increased awareness of urban aspects. The authorities may consider other dimensions than the traditional ones regarding neighborhood development and addressing problems. Finally, it helps to identify common characteristics between neighborhoods, which facilitates the policy making process

Investigating the probable consequences of super absorbent polymer and mycorrhizal fungi to reduce detrimental effects of lead on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

ArticleIn many parts of the world, agricultural use of soils is restricted due to heavy metal contamination. Absorption of heavy metals, such as (Pb), in the tissue of plants increases the plant’s metabolism and causes physiological disorders or even death. In order to study the potential of super absorbent polymers (SAP) and mycorrhiza fungi application to mitigate adverse effects of lead (Pb) on wheat, a greenhouse experiment was conducted. The experiment was setup as a completely randomized design, with two treatments arranged in a factorial scheme with three levels of lead (0, 100 and 200 mg per kg soil) and four levels of SAP and mycorrhiza fungi application (without SAP and mycorrhiza fungi application, SAP application alone, mycorrhiza fungi application alone, SAP and mycorrhiza fungi application combined). The results showed that Pb significantly affected all parameters measured of wheat. The Pb-contamination caused a significantly decreasing in plant height, total dry weight per plant and total chlorophyll contents. And also, the results indicated that the combined use of superabsorbent and mycorrhiza reduced the amount of superoxide dismutase enzyme. As well as, our results show that the application of super absorbent polymer and mycorrhizal fungi seems to be a promising path to reduce detrimental effects of heavy metal pollution of agricultural soils on plant performance.http://dx.doi.org/10.15159/ar.18.00

A NOVEL METHOD FOR SYNTHESIS OF METASTABLE TETRAGONAL ZIRCONIA NANOPOWDERS AT LOW TEMPERATURES

Zirconia (ZrO2) nanopowder was synthesized using sucrose and fructose as a chelating agent from zirconium hydroxide. The synthesized powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), simultaneously thermal analysis (STA), BET surface area, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The above-experimental results showed that the synthesized powders had particle sizes in the range 40-60 nm and mean crystallite sizes of 7-8 nm. Finally, in this research, chelating agents of sucrose and fructose were compared and the obtained results demonstrated that using fructose, nanopowder of zirconia with tetragonal phase was obtained

Identifying and ranking the barriers to the effectiveness of E-learning In-Service Training (case study Kurdistan University of medical sciences)

Background and Objectives: Organizations have used a variety of educational methods to achieve their goals in terms of in-service training of their employees: such as presentations and lectures, group discussions, field visits, or field trips and case studies and so on. Virtual training or e-learning is one of the newest and most innovative training methods that organizations use to train their employees. Due to the special importance of in-service training of employees on one side and the advancements in technology on the other side, the need to use these technologies in the field of organizational training is called for more than ever. But, besides all these factors, organizations should not use unscrupulous and ineffective uses of technology without adequate analysis. but It is also logical to have a deep and accurate understanding of e-learning, in other words evaluate and analyze the barriers ahead. In this regard, the present research aims to study the Virtual In-Service Training of employees and identify barriers to its effectiveness (case study, Kurdistan University of medical sciences). The research is a descriptive survey and in terms of purpose, it's an applied research Materials and Methods: statistical society consisting of managers, academic professors and specialists in the field of the study. 29 people were selected through deliberate and snowball sampling among the statistical society. In order to answer the research questions, Initially, using library study and interview method, data collection was done which resulted in identifying 32 factors. In the qualitative section, the data obtained from the interview were analyzed using content analysis; In this way, the number of words, and terms used in the sentences and the amount of their repetition were counted and checked so that the patterns in the statements were discovered and the obstacles were extracted in the form of short phrases. The Delphi method was then used to confirm the consensus of experts on identified barriers. During the three stages of the Delphi method finally classified 25 factors (barriers) in the form of six main barriers. After concluding the final consensus with the Kendall coefficient of 78%, the factors were ranked using Friedman test. each of the sub-factors was also ranked. Findings: all in all, 32 factors were identified and ranked as barriers to e-learning and In-Service Training: factors related to the learner were ranked first, infrastructure factors, general factors, educational content, factors related to the teacher and organizational factors were ranked afterwards. Each of the main barriers had other sub-factors which were also evaluated and ranked with the Friedman test. For example, in the section on barriers related to learners: learner resistance to change was ranked first, limited knowledge and skills of learners on information technology was ranked second, lack of trust in cyberspace learning was ranked third and learners limitations in accessing Information technology instruments was ranked forth Conclusion:  Considering the identified obstacles and also determining the importance of each of them, Measures (such as cost allocation & so on) taken to ensure the effectiveness of in-service virtual training are suggested to focus primarily on learners and then on other factors based on the degree of  its importance.   ===================================================================================== COPYRIGHTS  ©2020 The author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, as long as the original authors and source are cited. No permission is required from the authors or the publishers.  ====================================================================================

Sensitive high-resolution melting analysis for screening of kras and braf mutations in Iranian human metastatic colorectal cancers

Background: Investigations of methods for detection of mutations have uncovered major weaknesses of direct sequencing and pyrosequencing, with their high costs and low sensitivity in screening for both known and unknown mutations. High resolution melting (HRM) analysis is an alternative tool for the rapid detection of mutations. Here we describe the accuracy of HRM in screening for KRAS and BRAF mutations in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRCs) samples. Materials and Methods: A total of 1000 mCRC patients in Mehr Hospital, Tehran, Iran, from Feb 2008 to May 2012 were examined for KRAS mutations and 242 of them were selected for further assessment of BRAF mutations by HRM analysis. In order to calculate the sensitivity and specificity, HRM results were checked by pyrosequencing as the golden standard and Dxs Therascreen as a further method. Results: In the total of 1,000 participants, there were 664 (66.4) with wild type and 336 (33.6) with mutant codons 12 and/or 13 of the KRAS gene. Among 242 samples randomly checked for the BRAF gene, all were wild type by HRM. Pyrosequencing and Dxs Therascreen results were in line with those of the HRM. In this regard, the sensitivity and specificity of HRM were evaluated as 100. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the HRM, in comparison with DNA sequencing, is a more appropriate method for precise scanning of KRAS and BRAF mutations. It is also possible to state that HRM may be an attractive technique for the detection of known or unknown somatic mutations in other genes

Investigation of Natural Effective Gamma Dose Rates case study: Ardabil Province in Iran

Gamma rays pose enough energy to form charged particles and adversely affect human health. Since, the external exposure of human beings to natural environmental gamma radiation normally exceeds that from all man-made sources combined, natural background gamma dose rates and corresponding annual effective doses were determined for selected cities of Ardabil province from 2009 to 2010. Outdoor gamma dose rates were measured using an Ion Chamber Survey Meter in 105 locations in selected districts. Average absorbed dose for Ardabil, Sar-Ein, Germy, Neer, Shourabil Recreational Lake, and Kosar were determined as 265, 219, 344, 233, 352, and 358 nSvh-1, respectively. Although dose rates recorded for Germi and Kosar are comparable with some areas with high natural radiation background, however, the dose rates in other districts are well below the levels reported for such locations. Average annual effective dose due to indoor and outdoor gamma radiation for Ardabil province was estimated to be 1.73 (1.35-2.39) mSv, which is on average 2 times higher than the world population weighted average

Comparison of the Diagnostic Accuracy of Serological and Histology Tests for Helicobacter Pylori in Patients with Dyspepsia and Metabolic Syndrome

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a major cause of chronic gastritis, especially in metabolic syndrome patients. The use of a accessible and easy diagnostic method, can speed up the treatment of this infection This study compared two methods of histology and serology for diagnosis of H. pylori in metabolic syndrome patients.Methods: This study was done on 175 metabolic syndrome patients with dyspepsia referred to Shahroud Imam Hossain hospital in 2014. From each patient, standard biopsy and serology tests were taken with endoscopy. This data will be analyzed with sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value.Results: Of the 175 patients studied, 90 (51.4%) were male and 85 (48.6%) were female. The mean patient age was 46.9±18.6 years. From 175 patients, 114(65.1%)  and 149 (85.3%) patients tested positive by serology and histology, respectively. For the serological test, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 66.4%, 42.3%, 86.8%, and 18.1%. It was also found that with IgG values higher than 1.3, there was a sensitivity of 90.7%, and specificity of 72.8%, which was considered a positive test. The cut-off point performance test means that  maximum at this point with 78.3% the area under the curve (AUC),  there is the highest sensitivity and specificity.Conclusions: Due to the relative sensitivity and specificity of serological tests in comparison with other diagnostic methods as well as the simplicity, speed, and low cost, it is recommended that this test be used for screening metabolic syndrome patients

Mutation analysis of KRAS and BRAF genes in metastatic colorectal cancer: A first large scale study from Iran

Background: The investigation of mutation patterns in oncogenes potentially can make available a reliable mechanism for management and treatment decisions for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). This study concerns the rate of KRAS and BRAF genes mutations in Iranian metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients, as well as associations of genotypes with clinicopathological features. Materials and Methods: A total of 1,000 mCRC specimens collected from 2008 to 2012 that referred to the Mehr Hospital and Partolab center, Tehran, Iran enrolled in this cross sectional study. Using HRM, Dxs Therascreen and Pyrosequencing methods, we analyzed the mutational status of KRAS and BRAF genes in these. Results: KRAS mutations were present in 33.6 cases (n=336). Of KRAS mutation positive cases, 85.1 were in codon 12 and 14.9 were in codon 13. The most frequent mutation at KRAS codon 12 was Gly12Asp; BRAF mutations were not found in any mCRC patients (n=242). In addition, we observed a strong correlation of KRAS mutations with some clinicopathological characteristics. Conclusions: KRAS mutations are frequent in mCRCs while presence of BRAF mutations in these patients is rare. Moreover, associations of KRAS genotypes with non-mucinous adenocarcinoma and depth of invasion (pT3) were remarkable

Comparison of the Diagnostic Accuracy of Serological and Histology Tests for Helicobacter Pylori in Patients with Dyspepsia and Metabolic Syndrome

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a major cause of chronic gastritis, especially in metabolic syndrome patients. The use of a accessible and easy diagnostic method, can speed up the treatment of this infection This study compared two methods of histology and serology for diagnosis of H. pylori in metabolic syndrome patients.Methods: This study was done on 175 metabolic syndrome patients with dyspepsia referred to Shahroud Imam Hossain hospital in 2014. From each patient, standard biopsy and serology tests were taken with endoscopy. This data will be analyzed with sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value.Results: Of the 175 patients studied, 90 (51.4%) were male and 85 (48.6%) were female. The mean patient age was 46.9±18.6 years. From 175 patients, 114(65.1%)  and 149 (85.3%) patients tested positive by serology and histology, respectively. For the serological test, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 66.4%, 42.3%, 86.8%, and 18.1%. It was also found that with IgG values higher than 1.3, there was a sensitivity of 90.7%, and specificity of 72.8%, which was considered a positive test. The cut-off point performance test means that  maximum at this point with 78.3% the area under the curve (AUC),  there is the highest sensitivity and specificity.Conclusions: Due to the relative sensitivity and specificity of serological tests in comparison with other diagnostic methods as well as the simplicity, speed, and low cost, it is recommended that this test be used for screening metabolic syndrome patients