A Periodic Solution of the Generalized Forced Liénard Equation

We consider the generalized forced Liénard equation as follows: (ϕp(x′))′+(f(x)+k(x)x′)x′+g(x)=p(t)+s. By applying Schauder's fixed point theorem, the existence of at least one periodic solution of this equation is proved

Achieving consensus Deal with Methodological Issues in the Delphi technique

Delphi is a powerful technique used to seek answers to appropriate questions. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the Delphi technique as a research method. This paper discusses the scientific merit of the Delphi technique by investigating on 41 studies of Journal of Agricultural Education from 1981 to 2013, and 2 studies of Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology. The results showed that there is no general agreement on using indexes in different rounds of Delphi technique; however, according to the frequencies of using indexes in different studies, the following suggestions are presented. The favourable number of panel of experts is between 10 to 20. Purposive sampling method is used for selecting the panel members. Usually a three rounds of Delphi method is used. One question is designed in round one. Mean and standard deviation indexes are used for passing from round two to round three and agreement level of 70 present is used for achieving expert's consensus in round three

Besieged : Malta 1565

The sixteenth century Mediterranean has often been described as ‘a battleground’ between the two great empires of Catholic Spain in the West and the Muslim Ottomans in the East. It was a century during which the two great empires gave evidence of their formidable might. Before the rise of the Habsburg kings, Charles V and Philip II, the Catholic Kings of Spain, Ferdinand and Isabella, who were responsible for the unification of Spain, played as vital a part in creating the Spanish Empire as did the Ottoman sultans before the fall of Constantinople in 1453.peer-reviewe

Prevalence of Apical Periodontitis in Different Communities: A Meta-Analysis

Introduction: The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis on the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) in different communities to obtain accurate data on its prevalence. Methods and Materials: The prevalence of AP in different communities based on the number of individuals, teeth and root-filled teeth was searched using electronic databases of ISI Web of Knowledge, PubMed, Scopus and also ProQuest and Springer. The Metaprop meta-analysis was done using the software R version 3.3.0 with Meta package. The Logit transformation method and random-effects model were used to calculate the pooled prevalence. Heterogeneity was tested by the Q-test (P<0.1 represented statistical significance), I2 statistics (25%, 50% and 75% represented low, medium and high heterogeneity, respectively) and 2τ (2τ was calculated by DerSimonian-Laird estimator method). Results: A total of 77 studies were identified to qualify for inclusion into this meta-analysis. The prevalence of AP based on the number of individuals, teeth and root-filled teeth with the pooled prevalence was 0.519, 0.0498 and 0.3828, respectively. Conclusions: The results of the present study can be helpful for policy makers to monitor the dental public health demographically and compare it to other communities; they may be able find the strengths and drawbacks of their oral and dental health program.Keywords: Meta-Analysis; Periapical Periodontitis; Root Canal Therap

Prediction of Post Traumatic Growth based on Secular Attachment and its Components in Married Patients with Blood Cancer

For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Background and Objective: Several empirical studies reported links between religion, spirituality, and post-traumatic growth. Post-traumatic growth has been reported after traumatic events such as medical conditions (such cancer or HIV). The purpose of the present study was to predict posttraumatic growth based on material attachment and its components in married patients with blood cancer.Methods: The statistical population included all the patients who referred to both inpatients and outpatients’ centers in Namazi hospital and Motahhari clinic in Shiraz, Iran, in 2018. 124 patients were selected from the sample population using convenient sampling method. The measures used included Posttraumatic Growth Inventory and Material Attachment Inventory. Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis were used for analyzing the data. In this study, all the ethical considerations have been observed and no conflict of interest was reported by the authors.Results: The findings showed that material attachment could predict posttraumatic growth negatively (P<0.05). In addition, among the material attachment questionnaire components, "attachment to the present condition" could more strongly predict posttraumatic growth.Conclusion: It is concluded that the strategies that distance the patients with blood cancer from all material attachments and attachment to the present condition can facilitate posttraumatic growth.For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Please cite this article as: Mousavi SZ, Goodarzi MA, Taghavi SMR.Prediction of Post Traumatic Growth based on Secular Attachment and its Components in Married Patients with Blood Cancer. Journal of Pizhūhish dar dīn va salāmat. 2020;6(2):37-48.https://doi.org/10.22037/jrrh.v6i2.2255

Elucidation of Apigenin Derivatives from Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Stachys byzantina with Potent Antioxidant and Anti-Staphylococcus aureus Properties

The Stachys genus is a medicinal plant, with 34 different species, from Lamiaceae family that grows in Irano-Anatolian plateau. There are 12 species of Stachys native to Iran. Some species of Stachys have been used in traditional medicine of Iran, Turkey, Italy, Greece, China, and Japan for the treatment of various diseases like inflammation, common cold, and etc. Some researchers have noted many biological effects, such as cytotoxic, antioxidant, immunomodulator, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects for the members of this genus. There are a few evidences on phytochemical constituents of S. byzanthinaThe aim of this study was phytochemical investigation of various extracts of this plant to obtain the most efficient fractions and compound(s) to study the antimicrobial effects of this plant. Separation and isolation of compounds was performed by various methods of chromatography. The structure of each compound was identified by spectroscopic methods.Antimicrobial studies were performed on different fractions of S. byzantina by microdilution method and to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), agar well diffusion was done.Ethyl acetate fraction has the highest total phenol contents (1082.05 mg GAE/g fraction) and antioxidant capacity (IC50= 1.23 mg/ml). Also, ethyl acetate fraction, the most potential fraction of S. byzanthina, was demonstrated the largest inhibition zone (17.5 ± 0.7 mm) with 5 mg/ml in MIC against Staphylococcus auresus.Apigenin and its derivatives were isolated from this fraction and according to literature; they can be responsible for antibacterial activity of this fraction of S. byzanthina

Tehran in transition : architecture and urbanism (1850-1940)

Cette recherche se focalise sur les évolutions architecturales et urbaines de Téhéran à la veille de la période contemporaine. À partir de la seconde moitié du XIXe siècle, sous le règne des Qâdjârs, la société iranienne s’est trouvée sous l’influence de l’Occident et dans une période de transition d'environ cent ans, s'est écartée de ses traditions. Les Iraniens ont décidé de profiter des expériences européennes. Cet occidentalisme s’est combiné avec le modernisme dans les années suivantes. À la fin de la période de transition, Téhéran s'est enrichie d'une variété de styles et de méthodes architecturales iraniennes et occidentales et sa structure urbaine a considérablement changé. Ce manque identitaire de la société iranienne, pas encore tout à fait prête à accepter le modernisme et perdue entre tradition et modernité, a créé une sorte d’architecture historique iranienne.Dans le cadre de cette thèse, nous proposons une manière spécifique de distinguer les différents types d’architecture, ainsi qu’une analyse des cartes de Téhéran, en espérant clarifier la qualité de ses évolutions urbaines. Cela nous amène, à la fin de cette étude, à la réflexion que les trois groupes d'architecture traditionnelle, moderne et historique de cette période, en se rassemblant dans la partie ancienne de la ville, ont créé un paradoxe visuel, et que la nouvelle structure de la ville, tout en se débarrassant de certains problèmes physiques, a menacé l'identité sociale des quartiers.This research focuses on the architectural and urban evolutions of Tehran before the contemporary era. From the second half of the 19th century, under the reign of the Qâdjârs, the Iranian society was under the influence of the West, and in a transition period of about a hundred years, it strayed from its traditions. Iranians have voluntarily decided to take advantage of European experiences. This westernization in the following years was combined with modernism. In this regard, at the end of the transitional period, Tehran was enriched with a variety of Iranian and Western architectural styles and methods, and its urban structure changed considerably; for the Iranian society not yet quite ready to accept modernism and confused between traditional and modern worlds, a lack of identity has created a kind of historical Iranian architecture.As part of this thesis, we propose a specific way to distinguish the different kinds of architecture and an analysis of the maps of Tehran, hoping to clarify the quality of its urban evolutions. We find that in this period, the three groups of traditional, modern, and historical architecture, by coming together in the old part of the city, created a visual paradox. Although they remove some physical problems in the city, they threatened the social identity of neighborhoods

Understanding the Barriers to Guideline Use for Depression & Anxiety in Patients with Parkinson's Disease and Dementia.

Background: Depression or anxiety are under-diagnosed and under-treated in those with dementia or Parkinson’s disease (PD). Objectives: The objectives of this thesis were to first understand what high quality guideline recommendations exist for depression or anxiety in dementia or PD. Secondly to explore the barriers and facilitators to implementing these guidelines. Methods: A systematic review of guidelines was completed, following the PRISMA statement and using the AGREE II tool to assess quality. In focus groups with stakeholders, we assessed the barriers and facilitators to guideline use and implementation. Results: Guideline quality scores were lowest for stakeholder involvement, applicability, and editorial independence. Major barriers to use included a lack of evidence, lack of applicability to the practice population, impractical or out of date recommendations. Conclusions: There are guideline recommendations for depression or anxiety in dementia and PD. However, practitioners have difficulty with implementation due to a lack of evidence and applicability