A Task-based Design Methodology for Robotic Exoskeletons

This study is aimed at developing a task-based methodology for the design of robotic exoskeletons. This is in contrast to prevailing research efforts, which attempt to mimic the human limb, where each human joint is given an exoskeleton counter-joint. Rather, we present an alternative systematic design approach for the design of exoskeletons that can follow the complex three-dimensional motions of the human body independent of anatomical measures and landmarks. With this approach, it is not necessary to know the geometry of the targeted limb but rather to have a description of its motion at the point of attachment.Peer ReviewedObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::3 - Salut i BenestarPostprint (published version

Role of Organizational Climate in Job Involvement: A Way to Develop the Organizational Commitment of Nursing Staff

Employees are the most valuable assets of an organization; therefore, it is very important to understand their behavior. In this regard, the present study was carried out in order to examine the effect of organizational climate on job involvement among nurses working in the teaching hospitals of Qazvin Province, Iran. The present descriptive analytical study was done in 2017. To randomly select a specific proportion of nurses from each of Qazvin teaching hospitals, stratified sampling was used. In total, 340 nurses were selected. Data were collected using 3 questionnaires: Halpin and Kraft Organizational Climate Questionnaire, Job Involvement Questionnaire (Kanungo), and Allen and Myer Organizational Commitment Questionnaire. For data analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used applying AMOS-24 software. The results of path analysis showed the effect of organizational climate on the nurses' job involvement. Moreover, organizational climate influenced organizational commitment through the mediation of job involvement. According to values obtained for degree of freedom based on chi-square, goodness-of-fit index, root mean square error of approximation, and comparative fit index were in the defined range; therefore, the validity of the conceptual model was approved. Based on the results of the present study, managers of health organizations can achieve their goals by understanding the organizational climate of the hospitals and its effect on the employees' job involvement and discovering strategies needed for organizational commitment improvement

The Measurement of Height Via 3D Scans of the Seventh Cervical Vertebra in Iranian Adults

Background: The cervical vertebrae are more durable than other skeletal components, and maybe the only remains of a deceased, and their role in determining the height of the deceased has been underestimated. The present study investigated the role of linear differential dimensions of the seventh cervical vertebrae in determining the height of the Iranian adult population using CT scans.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, height were evaluated by 10 indices of the seventh cervical vertebra. The indices were obtained through a CT scan of 66 adult patients, ≥18 years of age, who referred to Rasoul Akram and Firoozgar hospitals for spine CT scan. The sampling method was random, and the study was performed during the first six months of 2018. Results: Four indices of the Length of the Inferior Facets) LIF, (Length of the Inferior Surface of the Vertebral Body) LIVB, (Width of the Inf surface of the Vertebral Body) WIVB, (Length of Spinous Process ) LSP. were statistically significant differences.Conclusion: The results of this study show the accuracy of linear dimensions of the seventh cervical vertebrae for determining height from skeletal remains in the Iranian adult population

Manganese-Induced Nephrotoxicity Is Mediated through Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Impairment

Manganese (Mn) is an essential element that is incorporated in various metabolic pathways and enzyme structures. On the other hand, a range of adverse effects has been described in association with Mn overexposure. Mn is a well-known neurotoxic agent in mammals. Renal injury is another adverse effect associated with Mn intoxication. No precise mechanism for Mn nephrotoxicity has been identified so far. The current study was designed to evaluate the potential mechanisms of Mn-induced renal injury. Rats were treated with Mn (20 and 40 mg/mL, respectively, in drinking water) for 30 consecutive days. Markers of oxidative stress, as well as several mitochondrial indices, were assessed in the kidney tissue. Renal injury was evident in Mn-treated animals, as judged by a significant increase in serum BUN and creatinine. Moreover, urinalysis revealed a significant increase in urine glucose, phosphate, and protein in Mn-treated rats. Kidney histopathological alterations, including tubular atrophy, interstitial inflammation, and necrosis, were also detected in Mn-treated animals. Biomarkers of oxidative stress, including an increment in reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation, and oxidized glutathione (GSSG), were detected in Mn-treated groups. On the other hand, kidney glutathione (GSH) stores and total antioxidant capacity were depleted in Mn groups. Mn exposure was associated with significant mitochondrial depolarization, decreased mitochondrial dehydrogenases activity, mitochondrial permeabilization, and depletion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content. These data highlight oxidative stress and mitochondrial impairment as potential mechanisms involved in Mn-induced renal injury

Innovation Managers' Competencies: Identification and Prioritization Using a Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) Fuzzy Technique

In leading organization, considering to strategic intellectual assets capabilities of managers and their management talent are more important. An excellence of organization depends on the development of attitudes and capabilities of managers. On the other hand, managers’ abilities and the creating power of effective organizational strategies are the most important factors to promote motivation, commitment and loyalty of employee. In recent decades, industrial organizations are facing the pressure of innovation, thus an effective innovation management seems necessary that this will be achieved by specific job roles and competencies and special management skills. In order to ensure the ability of managers in areas of innovation, these competencies should be evaluated and also, it is needed to take necessary actions for developing and expanding them. This study aims to identify and prioritize the most influential and eligibility criteria for innovation managers. In present study, we identified and recognize criteria merit for  innovative managers, and we used F.DEMATEL method to determine the relationship and how it influence on measures and its severity of influence, also F.ANP is used to prioritize criteria. The result of this research includes a model that consists of three major criteria and 15 sub-criteria. In research model, future studies, management of change and evolution, innovation and entrepreneurship are achieved the first to third priorities

Towards a Conceptual Model of Customer Satisfaction for Manufacturing Organizations and Presenting a Three-Phases Approach

The purpose of this research is to deepening the conventional superficial view to the customer satisfaction, providing three-phase approach to measure customer satisfaction within the process of customer satisfaction management, and then designing a conceptual model for the manufacturing organizations. The study is of kind of mixed method research. The proposed model in this study is designed after reviewing the literature and analysis of more than 35 models and frameworks and interviews with experts and professors; then to validate and modify the model, the two-round Delphi technique and quantitative methods including scrolling is utilized. The results of this research include developing a conceptual model with 5 dimensions and 25 components for assessing customer satisfaction in manufacturing organizations. Also, the study showed that the current practices of survey (questionnaire) do not have enough efficiency to measure customer satisfaction. The proposed three-phase approach of the present research is consisted of three phase: the initial phase (questionnaire), the middle phase (expert panels), and the final phase (field visits) which complement each other and they are provided within the customer satisfaction management process. The main pillars of customer satisfaction in the final model developed in this study are consisted of 5 dimensions of quality and innovation, service and support, cost and utility, customer loyalty and corporate image. This model is applicable for manufacturing organizations (product-oriented), which are mainly placed in the group of large organizations. The research new approach towards measuring and managing customer satisfaction leads to the idea of recreating the intellectual system and the dominant notion in the field of customer satisfaction in manufacturing organizations. The proposed approach can improve the assessing style and method of customer satisfaction management from traditional paradigm of reactive and unilateral relationship (passive single-way) to the richer paradigm of bilateral and active relationship (proactive two-ways). In fact, this study is conducted to shift and change the focus from the customer satisfaction numeric index to the customer active participation in improving the quality of products

Wound Healing Activity of a New Formulation from Platelet Lysate

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an attractive preparation in regenerative medicine due to its potential role on the healing process in different experimental models. This study was designed to investigate the wound healing activity of a new formulation of PRP. Different gel-based formulations of PRP were prepared. Open excision wounds were made on the back of male Sprague-Dawley rats, and PRP gel was administered topically once daily until the wounds healed completely (12 days). The results revealed that the tested PRP formulation significantly accelerated the wound healing process by increasing the wound contracting, tissue granulization, vascularization, and collagen regeneration. Interestingly, we found that there were no significant differences between PRP formulation and its gel base in all above mentioned parameters. Although this investigation showed that PRP formulation had significant wound healing effects, but the PRP gel base also had significant wound healing properties. This might indicate the wound healing properties of the PRP gel ingredients in the current investigation.</p