Photoacoustic Imaging using Combination of Eigenspace-Based Minimum Variance and Delay-Multiply-and-Sum Beamformers: Simulation Study

Delay and Sum (DAS), as the most common beamforming algorithm in Photoacoustic Imaging (PAI), having a simple implementation, results in a low-quality image. Delay Multiply and Sum (DMAS) was introduced to improve the quality of the reconstructed images using DAS. However, the resolution improvement is now well enough compared to high resolution adaptive reconstruction methods such as Eigenspace- Based Minimum Variance (EIBMV). We proposed to integrate the EIBMV inside the DMAS formula by replacing the existing DAS algebra inside the expansion of DMAS, called EIBMV-DMAS. It is shown that EIBMV-DMAS outperforms DMAS in the terms of levels of sidelobes and width of mainlobe significantly. For instance, at the depth of 35 mm, EIBMV-DMAS outperforms DMAS and EIBMV in the term of sidelobes for about 108 dB, 98 dB and 44 dB compared to DAS, DMAS, and EIBMV, respectively. The quantitative comparison has been conducted using Full-Width-Half-Maximum (FWHM) and Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), and it was shown that EIBMV-DMAS reduces the FWHM about 1.65 mm and improves the SNR about 15 dB, compared to DMAS.Comment: Submitted in 24th Iranian Conference on Biomedical Engineering (ICBME 2017

Effects of iranian healthcare transformation plan on discharge against medical advice

Background: The Health care transformation plan (HCTP) is expected to improve the regulations and quality of the provided services in hospitals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Effects of Iranian healthcare transformation plan on discharge against medical advice (DAMA) of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Method: This descriptive-retrospective study was performed 2630 patients discharged during the two half-yearly time intervals before (2013-2014) and after (2015-2016), respectively. Data collection was by standard form of DAMA issued by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. Data analyses were performed by descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. SPSS-16 software was used in this study and P values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: The level DAMA before and after introduction of the Healthcare Reform was 4.5 and 4.11 percent, respectively, which did not differ significantly (p = 0.889). In addition, there was no significant difference in the discharge level by age groups, hospital departments (p = 1), gender (p = 0.57), or holydays (p = 0.73). Conclusion: Our study did not find any evidence for the impact of the HCTP on frequency of the DAMA and the factors associated to it. However, the overall results implied necessity of a more comprehensive and integrated planning regarding supply of the required facilities, equipment, and human resources, as well as enlargement of physical space of treatment centers within the framework of this large-scale, nationwide program. © 2020, Hampstead Psychological Associates. All rights reserved

Structure of Resilience in Older Adults with Chronic Conditions

Introduction: Promoting resilience in older adults with chronic conditions is one of the goals of professional nursing. However, few studies have been conducted in world on this issue. In our country, Iran, no study, either qualitative or quantitative, has been done in this area .The aim of this study was to explore the structure of resilience in older adults with chronic conditions. Method: In this study with descriptive phenomenological approach, participants were selected using purposive sampling method. Overall, 24 interview sessions were held with 22 participants. The minimum duration of an interview was 25 and the maximum was 75 minutes. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the Colaizzi`s proposed stages. Results: Four themes were emerged that could illustrate the perspective of older adults with chronic conditions from the external structure of resilience in particular socio-cultural context of Iranian society. The themes were supportive resources, welfare status, cut-of benefit, and attitude to the elderly patient. Conclusion: Results of this study revealed important concepts in the structure of resilience in older adult patients with chronic diseases. Our fidings can help health care providers to understand the effective resources on the resilience and comprehensive care planning to grow and increase the resilience among older adults. Keywords: Resilience, Older adults, Phenomenolog

Translation and psychometrics of instrument of professional attitude for student nurses (IPASN) scale

Background: Achieving professional identity is one of the research priorities, and considering the importance of professional attitude among student nurses, it is necessary to identify a scale that is able to measure their achievement in professional attitude. Objectives: The present study was conducted with the aim of translation and psychometrics of instrument of professional attitude for student nurses (IPASN) scale. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the translation and psychometrics of �instrument of professional attitude for student nurses scale� was performed based on the model of Wild et al. The third to eighth semester nursing students of Ilam University of Medical Sciences comprised the research population who were 300 students. After translation and retranslation, the editorial comments of the scale designer were applied. Then, content validity, face validity, confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability of the Persian version were calculated. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20 and EQS6.1. Results: The confirmatory factor analysis of the 28-item scale with its 8 sub-scales was confirmed by deleting the statement 7 and moving the items 10, 15, and 18. The reliability of the internal consistency was calculated to be α = 0.89 for the total scale, and (0.89), (0.45), (0.67), (0.69), (0.69), (0.73), (0.70), and (0.93) for the sub-scales, respectively. Pearson�s correlation coefficient was r = 0.79 for test-retest reliability (P < 0.005). Conclusions: This study shows that the modified Persian version of the instrument of professional attitude for student nurses scale with 27 statements is valid and reliable, and can be used to assess the nursing students towards their professional life. © 2020, Author(s)

Measurement and Predictors of Resilience Among Community-Dwelling Elderly in Kashan, Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: As the ability to cope with challenging conditions, resilience results in personal growth and development after experiencing tragic conditions. There are limited studies regarding resilience and its associated factors in elderly patients in Iran. Given that the cultural, social, religious characteristics might affect the level of resilience, we conducted the present study among an elderly population in Kashan. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the resilience and its associated factors among elderly in Kashan City, Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 500 individuals who were selected through a two-stage randomized cluster sampling methods among elderly residents of 8 urban health care facilities in Kashan, Iran. Data collection was performed using a five-part instrument including a demographics questionnaire and abbreviated mental test scale, the Connor-Davidson resilience scale, Rosenberg self-esteem scale, and general health questionnaire28. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, t-test, analysis of variance and multivariate regression analysis. Results: A significant direct association was found between resilience and the self-esteem scores (r = 0.461, P < 0.001). Conversely, an indirect correlation was found between resilience and mental health scores (r = - 0.510, P < 0.001). Regression analysis showed that self-esteem and mental health could explain 32% of the variance of resilience in older adults. Significant relationships were found between resilience and variables such as age, sex, marital status, income, job, education, and life arrangement (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Several factors including personal characteristics, self-esteem and mental health of the elderly can affect their resilience. Choosing some strategies to modify and improve some of the influencing variables may be effective in increasing the resilience in older adults

Investigating the Development and Psychometric Testing of the Information and Communication Technology Use Scale in Iranian Patients With Chronic Conditions

Background: The high prevalence and associated costs of chronic diseases have challenged global community health. The use of information and communication technology offers patients and healthcare providers the ability to respond to healthcare needs. This study develops an information and communication technology use scale for patients with chronic diseases and evaluates its psychometric properties. Methods: This exploratory sequential mixed-method study was conducted in Kashan City, Iran from September 2020 to July 2021. In the qualitative phase, 18 patients with chronic conditions were recruited via the purposeful sampling method. The initial pool of 33 items was extracted in this phase. Psychometric evaluation of the scale was examined through face, content, and construct validity. The internal consistency of the scale was assessed with the Cronbach α and its stability was examined by the test re-test. To evaluate the scale’s construct validity, a cross-sectional study was performed with 300 patients referring to hospital wards and private centers that provide services to patients with chronic diseases. A sequential sampling method was used to select the subjects. The exploratory factor analysis was performed using principal component analysis and the varimax rotation method in the SPSS software, version 16. Results: The initial version of the scale consisted of 33 items. A total of 6 items were removed in the face and content validity evaluation phase. Factor analysis with the removal of 4 items resulted in the extraction of 4 factors that explained 67.45% of the variance in the total scale score. The Cronbach α coefficient and intra-class correlation coefficient were estimated at 0.93 and 0.88, respectively. Conclusion: The scale developed in this study is a valid and reliable tool for measuring formation and communication technology use (including its dimensions) in patients with chronic diseases

The Study of Experiences of Chemical Victims of Iraq–Iran Conflict in Terms of Nature and Structure of Suffering Sources

Introduction: Suffering is a subjective phenomenon that affects all dimensions of an experiencing person, family members and health team. Relieving suffering of each individual is a principal goal of health team. It seems that chronic process of disease and numerous physical problems, along with psychological, social and economical problems in the chemical victims, each can by itself involves a source of suffering in this group of patients. The aim of this study was to clarify chemical victims' experiences of the Iran-Iraq war in terms of nature and structure of suffering sources. Methods: This is a qualitative study with phenomenological method. Twelve military chemical victims were selected based on purposive sampling with the maximum variety. The study data were gathered through in-depth and non-structured interviews and, thus were analyzed by “Parse” method. Results: The findings of this study are summarized in these core concepts: “Suffering as a value resource” , “Physical problems as a source of suffering”, “society as a source of suffering”, “The economic problems as a source of suffering”, “Disturbance in family comfort as a source of suffering”. Conclusions: Participants' experiences reflect that victims need to be understood by health team, officials and members of the society. Moreover, some steps can be taken to reduce the suffering including increasing social respect, supporting family clubs. Also providing other social supports such as educational programs to improve their caring of themselves and offering appropriate facilities proportionate with needs of victims can be mentioned

Development and psychometric properties of the online health information-seeking skill scale

Aims: Given the dearth of research about middle-aged people's ability to seek online health information in developing countries, this study was conducted to develop the Online Health Information-Seeking Skill Scale (OHI-SSS) and evaluate its psychometric properties. Materials and Methods: This is a methodological study in which a scale was developed within three factors and was validated by face validity, content validity, and structural validity methods. Four hundred and twenty middle-aged individuals completed the questionnaires. Internal consistency and test–retest were used to evaluate the reliability of the scale. Finding: The initial scale, consisting of 38 items on a 5-point Likert scale, was reduced to a 26-item scale following face and content validity measurement. The exploratory factor analysis extracted three subscales in OHIO-SSS that includes “information reception,” “provide and exchange information, and “identification and trust.” Internal consistency of the scale was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.93). Cronbach's alpha coefficient for subscales was 0.87, 0.795, and 0.74, respectively. Reliability analysis with test–retest revealed an acceptable estimate for the total score (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.92). Conclusion: The 20-item OHI-SSS has acceptable validity and reliability. Therefore, it can be employed as an appropriate instrument for the evaluation of middle-aged people's skills in seeking online health information

Examining the physical structure of hospitals of Kashan university of Medical Sciences based on elderly-friendly criteria and the elderly's satisfaction

Background: Older adults are one of the large groups that use hospitals and have a longer hospitalization period than other age groups. The study aimed to examining the physical structure of hospitals affiliated to Kashan university of Medical Sciences based on elderly-friendly hospitals and the elderly's satisfaction. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on hospitals affiliated to Kashan University of Medical Sciences (Shaheed Beheshti, Matini, and Naqvi) and 700 older adults who were referred to these hospitals, 1401. Data were collected using a checklist and a researcher-made questionnaire in two stages. The census sampling was for hospitals and Sequential for older adults. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) in statistical Software SPSS version16. Results: The mean score of the hospital structure was in a relatively good range (42.3±1.52) with a score range of 0 to 72 and the mean score satisfaction of the elderly was 24.6±3.8 with a range of 0 to 45. There was a statistically significant difference in the satisfaction of the elderly with the physical structure of hospitals based on the type of hospital and its services (P<0.001). Conclusion: The physical structure of hospitals affiliated to Kashan university of Medical Sciences was in a relatively good range, and the satisfaction of the elderly was average, also. Therefore, they should be modified based on the criteria of the elderly-friendly hospital to increase the satisfaction of older adults, especially the eldest, and to prevent their possible injuries

Older adults' barriers to use technology in daily life: A qualitative study

Background: Aging is associated with declines in individuals' physical and mental abilities. Technological assistance can improve older adults' independence, functional performance, and health. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore experiences regarding barriers to use technology in daily life among older adults. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted on twenty older adults referred to Urban Comprehensive Health Service Centers, Kashan. The main interview questions were "What does the word technology bring to your mind? Which electrical household appliances do you use during your daily life? and What are the barriers you experience during the use of technology?" Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using conventional content analysis. Results: Three main themes emerged: aging-related barriers (physical and mental limitations), individual barriers (educational limitations, limited access to technology, and unfavorable attitudes toward technology), and barriers related to the appliances. Conclusion: Older adults experience multiple barriers to use technology in their daily life. Educational interventions may enhance older adults' utilization of technology in daily life of this population