57 research outputs found
Organizational Adequacy Promotion Model for Digital Maturity of Organizations in Iran
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to improve the organizational adequacy model for the digital maturity of Iranian offices with a data-based approach.
Methodology: This research was conducted with a qualitative-inductive approach and the Strauss-Corbin contextual theory method. The research tool (data collection) was a semi-structured interview, which means that by analyzing qualitative data, it identifies the unknown aspects of the research variables. Using the grounded theory method, the data obtained from interviews with 10 elites and qualified specialists of the Telecommunication Organization were analyzed in three stages of open, axial and selective coding.
Results: 14 general categories were presented in the form of a paradigm model that these factors include causal conditions (law and regulations, organizational culture, organizational structure, need for organizational adequacy, customer relationship management) central phenomenon (promotion of organizational adequacy in the Iranian administrative system), underlying conditions (Organizational development method), intervening conditions (effectiveness of human resources, organizational principles, and criteria, organizational adequacy thinking) and strategies (growth and development of administrative culture, development of basic criteria of organizational adequacy, organizational excellence strategy) and consequences (achievement of organizational goals, achievement of master goals Reference).
Conclusion: Human resources are most valuable factor of production and most important capital and main source of competitive advantage and the creation of basic capabilities and real estate wealth in the areas of talent recognition, monitoring of any organization is considered, so performance capital It is necessary to improve it. Telecommunication organization with knowledge developments can continuously improve organizational adequacy to achieve digital maturity
Energy-Efficient Resource Allocation for Multi-IRS-Aided Indoor 6G Networks
In this paper, we propose a distributed intelligent reflecting surface (IRS)
assisted single-user and multi-user millimeter wave (mmWave) system. Then, we
formulate the resource allocation problem as an optimization to maximize energy
efficiency under individual quality of service (QoS) constraints. We first
propose a centralized algorithm, and further, a low-complexity distributed one
where the access point (AP) and IRSs independently adjust the transmit
beamforming of AP, the phase shifts, and the on-off status of IRSs in an
alternating manner until the convergence is reached. In a multi-user scenario,
in the first stage, the successive convex approximation (SCA) and fractional
programming (FP) approaches are applied to achieve a solution for optimization
subproblems of the phase-shift coefficients and element on-off status of IRSs.
Then, for the beamforming subproblem, a modified nested FP approach is proposed
that finds an optimal solution for the beamforming vectors of AP. Our
performance analysis on a practical scenario shows that the proposed
centralized and distributed approach respectively enhances the energy
efficiency by up to 55%, 42% for single-user, and up to 984% for multi-user
scenarios, in comparison to the case where the on-off status and phase-shift
coefficients of IRS elements are not selected optimally
Detecting of biofilm formation in the clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli: an evaluation of different screening methods
Biofilm producer bacteria cause nosocomial, chronic, and recurrent human infections. It is hard to treat biofilm-embedded bacteria because they are more resistant to antimicrobials than planktonic bacteria. The present study aimed to investigate different methods for detecting biofilms in the clinical isolates of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The study was carried out at the Department of Microbiology, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran, from January 2019 to June 2019. A total of 320 clinical samples were collected from educational and medical centers in Tehran, Iran which from them 100 isolates of E. coli and P. aeruginosa were identified by standard microbiological procedures and subjected to biofilm detection methods. Biofilm detection was tested by Congo red agar (CRA), tube method (TM), microtiter plate assay (MTPA). The MTPA was considered to be superior to CRA and tube TM. From the total of 100 clinical isolates, MTPA detected 38 (38%) isolates as biofilm-positive phenotype, of which 30 as strong, and 8 as moderate biofilm-forming isolates. It can be concluded from the current study that the MTPA is a more quantitative and dependable assay for the detection of biofilm-forming microorganisms as compared to other methods, and it can be recommended as a general screening method for the detection of biofilm-producing bacteria in laboratories
P53 expression in various types of hydropic placentas (through ploidy analysis as a complementary tool in diagnosis of samples)
Background: Placentas characterized by hydropic swelling of chorionic villi occur in a spectrum of pathological conditions including hydropic abortion (HA), partial hydatidiform mole (PHM) and complete hydatidiform mole (CHM). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the expression of p53 tumour suppressor protein could differentiate these various types of hydropic placentas. Methods: p53 immunohistochemical staining was performed in 19 molar (8 PHM and 11 CHM) and 10 non-molar (HA) formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples. Ploidy analysis using flow cytometry was performed as a complementary tool in diagnosis of samples. Results: DNA histograms obtained from all samples had confirmed diploidy in HAs and CHMs and triploidy in PHMs. p53 immunoreactivity was assessed in villous cytotrophoblasts, syncytiotrophoblasts and stromal cells. The p53 positive reaction was predominantly observed in the nuclei of cytotrophoblastic cells and rarely in stromal cells, no reaction was seen in syncytiotrophoblasts. The mean percentage of p53 positive cells were 6.10±3.75 for HA, 25.87±13.4 for PHM and 39.83±18.76 for CHM.  There was a significant difference in P53 immunoreactivity of cytotrophoblastic cells between CHM and HA (P<0.001), and between PHM and HA (P=0.004). There was no significant difference in immunohistochemical reactivity between CHM and PHM (P=0.068). Conclusion: This study confirms that p53 immunostaining may be helpful in distinguishing complete and partial hydatidiform mole from hydropic abortion, but not complete hydatidiform mole from partial hydatidiform mole
Expression of Pro-Apoptotic Bax and Anti-Apoptotic Bcl-2 Proteins in Hydatidiform Moles and Placentas With Hydropic Changes
Morphologic examination still forms the main diagnostic tool in the differential diagnosis of molar placentas. However the criteria are subjective and show considerable inter-observer variability among pathologists. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of Bcl-2 and Bax immunostaining in the differential diagnosis of molar placentas. Bax and Bcl-2 immunohistochemical staining were performed in 19 molars (8 partial and 11 complete hydatidiform mole) and 10 non-molar (hydropic abortion) formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples. Ploidy analysis using flow cytometry had confirmed diploidy in hydropic abortions and complete hydatidiform moles and triploidy in partial hydatidiform moles. Bcl-2 expression was observed only in syncytiotrophoblasts, No immunoreactivity was detected in Cytotrophoblasts, and stromal cells, the total score averages of Bcl-2 immunoexpression in partial hydatidiform moles and hydropic abortions were significantly higher than in complete hydatidiform moles, whereas no significant difference was observed between partial hydatidiform moles and hydropic abortions. Bax immunoreactivity was observed in cytotrophoblasts, stromal cells and occasionally in syncytiotrophoblasts. No statistically significant difference in Bax immunoexpression total score was observed among various groups. Based on the results of this study, Bcl-2 immunostaining offers a potential adjunctive diagnostic tool to distinguish complete hydatidiform mole from partial hydatidiform mole and hydropic abortion, but not partial hydatidiform mole from hydropic abortion, Bax immunostaining cannot be helpful in this regard
Effects of Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) on Sperm Quality, Testicular Structure, Testosterone Level and Oxidative Stress in Busulfan-Induced Infertile Mice
Background: Ceratonia silique has antioxidant activities that may inactivate toxic factors and influence sperm quality. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no available data on the effects of carob on male fertility. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of carob on sperm quality, testicular structure, and level of testosterone hormone in busulfan-induced infertile mice. Methods: Sixty-four adult male mice were randomly divided into 8 groups (control, sham, busulfan and carobs 1 to 5). The busulfan group was injected a single dose of 10 mg/kg busulfan intraperitoneally. Carobs 1 to 5 groups received intraperitoneal doses of 800, 400, 200, 100 and 50 mg/kg of carob extract plus a single dose of 10 mg/kg busulfan for 35 days. The sperm analysis, morphometric study, testosterone levels and oxidative stress determination were done on the 35th day of the experiment. Results: The lowest percentage of sperm parameters was related to the busulfan group and the highest was related to the carobs 1 and 2 groups. The seminal vesicles index of the carob 1 group showed a significant increase as compared to the busulfan group (p < 0.001). A significant increase was observed in the mean value of germinal epithelium thickness, as well as thiol and catalase levels in carobs 1 and 2 groups as compared to the busulfan group (p < 0.001). There was a significant increase in the mean level of testosterone in the carob groups as compared to the busulfan group (p < 0.001). Also, there was a significant decrease in the mean value of malondialdehyde level in the carobs 1 and 2 groups p < 0.001) and a significant increase in the mean value of superoxide dismutase enzyme in the carob groups as compared to the busulfan group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Administration of 800 mg/kg of carob extract for 35 days improved sperm quality, biochemical parameters, thickness of germinal epithelium and testosterone levels in infertile mice induced by busulfan
Heavy metal Concentration in Belanger's Croaker Fish, Johnius belangerii from Petrochemical Waste Receiving Estuary in the Persian Gulf, Iran
Abstract. Musa Estuary is receives various type of discharges such as petrochemical, industrial and urban waste, it also is a habitat for Johnius belangerii. This study was carried out to determine heavy metal concentrations in J. belangerii. Fish samples were taken from 5 creeks and acid digested for their heavy metal contents. Results showed that the highest level of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni and Pb was 7.21, 1.08, 1.12, 2.72 and 4.57 in liver, 1.88, 1.04, 2.09, 9.43 and 6.83 in gill and 0.14, ND, 5.61, 2.43 and 3.78 in muscle respectively. The level of heavy metals in muscle was lower than WHO standard, however the level of metals in fish were decreased by the increase of distance from PETZON. It is suggested that biomonitoring of contaminants in this estuary could serve as a good estimate of environmental health
Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: an analysis of 2315 eyes over a six-year period
Background: Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is a form of retinal detachment caused by passage of fluid from the vitreous cavity into the space between the neurosensory retina and the retinal pigment epithelium via a retinal break or full-thickness defect. At our tertiary referral center, we evaluated the clinical and epidemiological features of RRD, and we herein report the frequency of related risk factors.
Methods: In this retrospective study, we reviewed the records of patients with a final diagnosis of RRD at an academic ophthalmological referral center in Isfahan, Iran, over a six-year period. We retrieved and reviewed data from the medical records of all eligible participants, including sex, age, laterality, lens status, macular status, type of RRD, location and number of breaks, type of surgery, rate of re-operation during the first year after initial surgery, and documented clinical risk factors for RRD. Clinical risk factors were categorized as the presence of myopic refractive error, ocular trauma, history of cataract surgery, history of other ocular surgeries, history of uveitis, or undetermined.
Results: We included 2315 eyes of 2229 patients with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 51.1 (16.9) years and a male-to-female ratio of 1.8:1. The most common quadrants containing retinal breaks were the superotemporal quadrant (34.1%), inferotemporal quadrant (23.4%), and superonasal quadrant (10.7%). Macula-involved RRD was seen in 90% of eyes (n=2083 eyes). The most frequently identified risk factors were cataract surgery (32.9%) and myopia (22.3%) in adults, and myopia (35.0%) and ocular trauma (27.4%) in the pediatric group. Most eyes underwent pars plana vitrectomy (51.3%), whereas pneumatic retinopexy (0.7%) was the least commonly selected.
Conclusions: Our results indicate that cataract surgery and myopia are the most common risk factors for RRD in adults. Myopia and ocular trauma are the most common risk factors in pediatric patients. As observed in many studies, the characteristics of the study population, including middle age, male sex, myopia, and ocular trauma, may be associated with RRD at different rates. Further population-based longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes are required to verify these preliminary observations
Assessment of sperm morphology, chromatin integrity, and catsper genes expression in hypothyroid mice
There is an evident relationship between the fertilizing capacity of sperm and the normal morphology, quality chromatin, and motility of sperm. It is well known that thyroid hormones are the important regulators of testicular function. A correlation was found between the hypothyroidism and sperm damages. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of hypothyroidism on sperm morphology, chromatin quality, and motility. For this purpose, 20 male mice were divided into the control and the hypothyroid groups that received 0.05% 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) for 35 days. Sperm morphology with Papanicolaou staining and sperm chromatin quality with both Aniline Blue (AB) and Toluidine blue (TB) staining were assessed. Besides, immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR were performed to evaluate the changes of cation sperm channel (CatSper) genes. A significant increase in the sperm chromatin condensation was found in the hypothyroid mice compared to the control mice (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a significant decrease was observed in the morphology of normal sperm in hypothyroid mice compared to the controls (p < 0.05). The results showed that Hypothyroidism could downregulate the expression of CatSper genes. Immunohistochemical data confirmed the real time-PCR results. Furthermore, the results showed that hypothyroidism could adversely affect sperm morphology, sperm chromatin condensation, and CatSper gene expression in mice and these abnormalities may be related to the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a hypothyroid state
Geospatial modeling to identify the effects of anthropogenic processes on landscape pattern change and biodiversity
This research used geospatial data to quantify biodiversity changes and landscape pattern change to track anthropogenic impacts of such changes at the Mouteh Wildlife Refuge (MWR), Isfahan, Iran. Satellite image duration of four decades, LandSat1-5, and IRS-P6 data were used to develop land cover classification maps for 1971, 1987, 1998, and 2011. The number and size of land cover patches, the degree of naturalness, and the diversity indices were calculated and compared for a 40-year period. The results showed an increasing concern with regard to unplanned human activities. Some improvements of the natural landscape also occurred in the core protected zone of the study area. The number and size of land cover patches, the degree of naturalness, and the diversity indices were calculated. Overall changes in natural land use between 1971 and 1998 at MWR showed that the number of patches for natural land use has increased, but it also showed a decrease in 2011. Similar changes were observed for seminatural land use. Within the artificial classes, the number and area of patches were higher and the largest patch occurred in 2011. The maximum variation of diversity is related to the year 2011. The results showed an increasing concern with regard to unplanned human activities. Some improvements of the natural landscape also occurred in the core protected zone of the study area. Remote sensing and geographic information system offers an important means of detecting and analyzing temporal changes occurring in our landscape
- …