Using the Genetic Algorithm for Optimization of the Integrated Urban Transportation Systems

Improving the public transportation problems should rely on integrated multidimensional transport policies which can soften the demand of infrastructure investment. However, it would be very difficult to fully consider the multi-dimensional transport polices in planning framework because there would be too many possible policy combinations to be evaluated. So, this study attempts to develop an analytic framework for evaluating urban integrated transport policies comprehensively, including strategies of investment, pricing, management and regulation. To deal with the difficulty of too many policy combinations, genetic algorithms will be used to search for the optimal strategy combination for integrated transport strategy. Finally, the relationship between quantified objectives, policy combinations, and assessment performances would be analyzed using the proposed model

Effects of Y chromosome Microdeletions on Male Fertility

Background: In the process of human reproduction, spermatogenesis is one of the most important stages, which is controled by special genes on Y chromosome. Previous studies show that some infertile men have microdeletions on Y chromosome, which cause the reduction of sperm count. Three prominent spermatogenesis loci have been identified on the Y chromosome and entitled “azoospermia factors” (AZFa, b, and c). Hereby, this review article aimed to investigate the content of the Y chromosome microdeletions and their importance in male fertility. Methods: Data and information were collected on English-language articles from PubMed and MEDLINE databases. For Persian articles, Persian-language databases, including SID Scientific Database, IranMedex Medical Articles Database, IranDoc (Iran Scientific Information and Documents Research Institute), Magiran Publication Information, and MedLib were investigated. More than 50 articles on Y chromosome microdeletions and infertility published during 2000-2020 were studied. Results: Previous studies implicated that Y chromosome microdeletions in AZFa, AZFb, and AZFc regions are accompanied by defect in spermatogenesis, leading to oligo / azoospermia. Patients with AZFa and AZFb microdeletions present secretory azoospermia and do not have sperm in their seminiferous tubules. Complete AZFc deletion involves region b2/b4, which contains a total of 12 genes. Incomplete deletion of AZFc includes b1/b3, b2/b3 and gr/gr. The most common of which are gr/gr. In men with gr/gr deletion, sperm count and motility were lower than control group. Conclusion: Y chromosomal microdeletions emerged as the most frequent structural chromosome anomaly associated with the quantitative reduction of sperm. The development of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) like intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and testicular sperm extraction (TESE) helps to bypass the natural barriers of fertilization

Predictors of perceived unsupportive behaviours by spouses in women with breast cancer

Background: Unsupportive responses from relatives and spouses play a significant role in the psychological adjustment of breast cancer patients and their spouses, about whom little is known about them and their unsupportive responses predictors. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of perceived spouse unsupportive behaviours in women with breast cancer and their spouses. Material and methods: This is a cross-sectional study, in which 220 couples, including women with breast cancer and their spouses, participated in random samples in chemotherapy and cancer hospitals in Iran in 2020. In the present study, data was collected using a demographic checklist and the Unsupportive Partner Behaviour scale. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, ANOVA, independent t-Test, Hochberg post-hoc test and Chi-square test were used for group comparison. Univariate and multivariate linear regression methods were also used to assess the effect size. Results: Predictors of perceived unsupportive behaviours in women were: number of children (p = 0.047), life with relatives (p = 0.051), residence in suburbs (p = 0.006), marital status (p = 0.001), education and occupation of the spouse (p = 0.026), going to the hospital alone (p = 0.001), type of treatment received (p = 0.242), duration of diagnosis (p = 0.018) and type of residence (p = 0.051). Moreover, predictors of perceived unsupportive behaviours in men included: education and occupation of men (p = 0.035) and women (p = 0.050), type of treatment received (p = 0.050), employment of women (p = 0.030) and men (p = 0.009), residence in suburbs (p = 0.014), marital status (p = 0.019) and going to the hospital alone (p = 0.006). Conclusions: The variety of socio-economic, demographic and therapeutic factors were shown to be predictors of perceived unsupportive behaviours by spouses with breast cancer that can be modified by healthcare professionals in order to increase a couple’s mutual support

Adsorption properties of low-cost synthesized nanozeolite L for efficient removal of toxic methylene blue dye from aqueous solution

In this study, nanozeolite L was applied for the removal of toxic methylene blue dye (MB) to evaluate its feasibility as an effective adsorbent. Synthesized nanozeolite L was characterized by X­ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), and energy-dispersive X­ray analysis (EDX) methods to determine its basic physicochemical properties. Batch adsorption studies were performed as a function of pH, adsorbent dose, contact time, initial MB concentration, and temperature. The adsorption behavior of MB was fitted better by the Langmuir isotherm than by the Freundlich isotherm, and the maximum adsorption capacity of nanozeolite L was obtained 80.64 mg g-1. The negative values of Gibbs free energy change (ΔG°) and the positive value of the standard enthalpy change (ΔH°) affirmed that the adsorption process is spontaneous and endothermic. Based on these findings, nanozeolite L, with high surface area, great adsorption capacity, and low synthetic cost, can be an effective and economical adsorbent for MB removal

Electrocardiogram interpretation competency among emergency nurses and emergency medical service (EMS) personnel: A cross‐sectional and comparative descriptive study

AimsThe aim of this research study was to compare electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation competency among emergency nurses and EMS personnel.DesignA cross-sectional comparative descriptive study design was used.MethodsThis study recruited 170 participants (105 emergency nurses and 65 EMS personnel) in northwest of Iran. Data were collected during 2018 using ECG, an interpretation competency questionnaire and analysed using SPSS V.24 through independent t test, linear regression, Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficient. A statistical significance of p < .05 was assumed.ResultsThe study results showed a mean score of 6.65 ± 2.16 out of 10 for emergency nurses' and 4.87 ± 1.81 for EMS personnel ECG interpretation competency (p < .05).ConclusionsHospital emergency nurses were more qualified to interpret the ECG than the pre-hospital emergency medical personnel (p = .792 and β (SE)) = 0.22 (0.84). Active involvement in ECG interpretation and standard continued education are needed to develop and improve the emergency nurses and EMS personnel ECG interpretation competency

Psychometric development and practical use of questionnaires designed to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice of women regarding the use of sanitizer at home to control coronavirus disease

Background: This study aimed to develop and practically use a questionnaire to evaluate knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of women regarding the use of sanitizers at home against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: An online cross-sectional study was conducted among Iranian women (aged ≥18 years). The KAP items were selected based on the experts’ opinions, and the scale underwent a series of validation processes, including the face, content, and construct validity, and internal consistency for reliability. Results: The internal consistency coefficient exceeded 0.7 for KAP subunits. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) suggested a three-factor construct for each subunit, and the results of the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indicated acceptable fit indices for the proposed models. Overall, 330 women (mean age: 36.78 ± 10.12 years, married: 74.2%, and bachelor’s degree: 46.7%) completed the questionnaire. The level of adequate knowledge on sanitizer use, positive attitude, and good practice achieved were 87.0%, 58.5%, and 66.1%, respectively. Among demographic variables, education level and occupation showed a significant relationship (P < 0.05) against KAP and attitude, individually. Conclusion: Despite the high percentage of knowledge, the participants did not get a high attitude and practice score. Keywords: KAP, COVID-19, Perceptions, Disinfection, Validity, Ira

Perceived spouse unsupportive behaviors in women with breast cancer and their spouses

Introduction. Unsupportive responses from relatives, particularly spouses, play a significant role in the psychological adjustment of breast cancer patients and their spouses. Failure to meet the physical and psychological needs of breast cancer patients and their spouses can lead to anxiety, depression, and numerous marital problems. The aim of this study was designed to describe perceived spouse unsupportive behaviors in women with breast cancer and their spouses. Material and methods. This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 220 women with breast cancer along with their husbands participated in this study through random sampling. In the present study, data collection was performed using a demographic information checklist and a questionnaire. Results. The mean perceived women’s unsupportive behavior (20.73 ± 8.44) was higher than that of men’s (18.80 ± 5.83), which was statistically significant (P = 0.003). The mean score of perceived women’s unsupportive behavior in the categories of marital status, companion, place of residence, men’s and women’s occupation, and the type of residential house, and the mean score of perceived men’s unsupportive behavior in the category of current treatment were different. Conclusions. Women perceive their spouses’ behaviors as less supportive than their spouses’ perceptions of women’s behavior, which highlights the need for husbands to be more attentive to the impact of their behavior on their wives. Furthermore, talking with each other about problems is the most imperative factor in perceiving support by couples; accordingly, it can be concluded that couples who are reluctant to talk to each other concerning the problem perceive less mutual support

Investigating possible effects of aryl hydrocarbon receptor G1661A polymorphism on asthma severity in adults

311-319Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor with an important role in lung health. The association of AhR polymorphisms with asthma severity has not been yet investigated. We analyzed the association of G1661A, the most prevalent polymorphism of AhR, with the asthma stages in a population-based study including 555 asthmatics (Intermittent: 93, Mild: 240, Moderate: 158, and Severe: 64). The SNP was genotyped using allele-specific PCR. Obtained data were analyzed using the Generalized-Ordered Logit Estimates. Genotypes GA (OR: 0.53, CI: 0.32-0.90, P=0.019) and AA (OR: 0.22, CI: 0.06-0.76, P=0.017) were associated with decreased risk of Severe, Moderate, Mild vs. Intermittent stage; and Severe, Moderate, vs. Mild, Intermittent stages respectively. However, Genotype GA (OR: 1.90, CI: 1.05-3.44, P=0.033), dominant model GA+AA (OR: 2.04, CI: 1.17-3.57, P=0.012), and allele A (OR: 1.68, CI: 1.06-2.66, P=0.027) were associated with increased risk of Severe stage vs. Moderate, Mild, Intermittent stages. Also, male sex and higher age were associated with an increased odds ratio for severe asthma. Furthermore, significant associations with asthma stages were found for the interactions of the SNP and sex, smoking, and alcohol consumption. In conclusion, we revealed that the mutant allele of AhR-G1661A may interact with independent variables and act as a protective factor against lower stages of asthma but it may increase the risk of severe asthma

Mapping subnational HIV mortality in six Latin American countries with incomplete vital registration systems

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a public health priority in Latin America. While the burden of HIV is historically concentrated in urban areas and high-risk groups, subnational estimates that cover multiple countries and years are missing. This paucity is partially due to incomplete vital registration (VR) systems and statistical challenges related to estimating mortality rates in areas with low numbers of HIV deaths. In this analysis, we address this gap and provide novel estimates of the HIV mortality rate and the number of HIV deaths by age group, sex, and municipality in Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico. Methods: We performed an ecological study using VR data ranging from 2000 to 2017, dependent on individual country data availability. We modeled HIV mortality using a Bayesian spatially explicit mixed-effects regression model that incorporates prior information on VR completeness. We calibrated our results to the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Results: All countries displayed over a 40-fold difference in HIV mortality between municipalities with the highest and lowest age-standardized HIV mortality rate in the last year of study for men, and over a 20-fold difference for women. Despite decreases in national HIV mortality in all countries—apart from Ecuador—across the period of study, we found broad variation in relative changes in HIV mortality at the municipality level and increasing relative inequality over time in all countries. In all six countries included in this analysis, 50% or more HIV deaths were concentrated in fewer than 10% of municipalities in the latest year of study. In addition, national age patterns reflected shifts in mortality to older age groups—the median age group among decedents ranged from 30 to 45 years of age at the municipality level in Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico in 2017. Conclusions: Our subnational estimates of HIV mortality revealed significant spatial variation and diverging local trends in HIV mortality over time and by age. This analysis provides a framework for incorporating data and uncertainty from incomplete VR systems and can help guide more geographically precise public health intervention to support HIV-related care and reduce HIV-related deaths

Mapping local patterns of childhood overweight and wasting in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2017

A double burden of malnutrition occurs when individuals, household members or communities experience both undernutrition and overweight. Here, we show geospatial estimates of overweight and wasting prevalence among children under 5 years of age in 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 2000 to 2017 and aggregate these to policy-relevant administrative units. Wasting decreased overall across LMICs between 2000 and 2017, from 8.4% (62.3 (55.1–70.8) million) to 6.4% (58.3 (47.6–70.7) million), but is predicted to remain above the World Health Organization’s Global Nutrition Target of <5% in over half of LMICs by 2025. Prevalence of overweight increased from 5.2% (30 (22.8–38.5) million) in 2000 to 6.0% (55.5 (44.8–67.9) million) children aged under 5 years in 2017. Areas most affected by double burden of malnutrition were located in Indonesia, Thailand, southeastern China, Botswana, Cameroon and central Nigeria. Our estimates provide a new perspective to researchers, policy makers and public health agencies in their efforts to address this global childhood syndemic