The Impact of Built Environment on Walkability, Case Study: North-West of Shiraz

ABSTRACT: Physical activity is connected with adults’ health in many ways, and walking is the most popular form of physical activity among adults all over the world. The authors have previously studied this issue in an under-construction environment in a new town in a developing country. The present study investigates the impact of built environmental features and qualities on walkability in developed areas in relatively well-to do neighborhoods in a city (Shiraz). The 34 effective variables of the built environment on walkability are extracted from the literature. Built environmental features and residents’ transport and recreation walking were gathered through perceived manner. Factor analysis was, then, run for the measured built environment features, from which 8 factors were extracted. They were interpreted in terms of related variables. This study reveals that the only qualities that have significant effect on recreation walkability are comfort and attraction, safety, aesthetics whereas transport walking is only influenced by steepness of sidewalks. Contrary to the existing literature, Accessibility, public transportation, pollution, and sidewalk quality have no significant effect on walkability. These results demonstrate that lifestyle factors such as personal free time, pedestrian-related habits, car-dependence habits, sexualized habitus, inabilities, etc. are very crucial in determining the effective built environment features and qualities on walking behaviors

Measuring Iran’s success in achieving Millennium Development Goal 4: a systematic analysis of under-5 mortality at national and subnational levels from 1990 to 2015

Background Child mortality as one of the key Millennium Development Goals (MDG 4—to reduce child mortality by two-thirds from 1990 to 2015), is included in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3, target 2—to reduce child mortality to fewer than 25 deaths per 1000 livebirths for all countries by 2030), and is a key indicator of the health system in every country. In this study, we aimed to estimate the level and trend of child mortality from 1990 to 2015 in Iran, to assess the progress of the country and its provinces toward these goals. Methods We used three different data sources: three censuses, a Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), and 5-year data from the death registration system. We used the summary birth history data from four data sources (the three censuses and DHS) and used maternal age cohort and maternal age period methods to estimate the trends in child mortality rates, combining the estimates of these two indirect methods using Loess regression. We also used the complete birth history method to estimate child mortality rate directly from DHS data. Finally, to synthesise different trends into a single trend and calculate uncertainty intervals (UI), we used Gaussian process regression. Findings Under-5 mortality rates (deaths per 1000 livebirths) at the national level in Iran in 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2015 were 63·6 (95% UI 63·1–64·0), 38·8 (38·5–39·2), 24·9 (24·3–25·4), and 19·4 (18·6–20·2), respectively. Between 1990 and 2015, the median annual reduction and total overall reduction in these rates were 4·9% and 70%, respectively. At the provincial level, the difference between the highest and lowest child mortality rates in 1990, 2000, and 2015 were 65·6, 40·4, and 38·1 per 1000 livebirths, respectively. Based on the MDG 4 goal, five provinces had not decreased child mortality by two-thirds by 2015. Furthermore, six provinces had not reached SDG 3 (target 2). Interpretation Iran and most of its provinces achieved MDG 4 and SDG 3 (target 2) goals by 2015. However, at the subnational level in some provinces, there is substantial inequity. Local policy makers should use effective strategies to accelerate the reduction of child mortality for these provinces by 2030. Possible recommendations for such strategies include enhancing the level of education and health literacy among women, tackling sex discrimination, and improving incomes for families

Detection of sub-5nm naturally charged carbonaceous materials from a sooting laminar premixed flame by a water condensation Particle Counter (WCPC) enhanced by a Di-Ethylene Glycol (DEG) saturator inlet

International audienceCombustion is one of the major contributors to air pollution and Condensation Particle Counters (CPCs) provide effective monitoring of atmospheric aerosols since they can detect both charged and neutral materials in low number concentrations. The detection efficiency of any CPC for materials smaller than 5 nm requires ad-hoc calibrations because it is affected by the analyte’s size, shape, charge state, composition, and wettability by the condensing fluid. This study characterizes a Water-based CPC (WCPC) prototype for the detection of the naturally charged carbonaceous products of an incipiently sooting laminar premixed flame. The WCPC can activate condensation growth and (50% efficient) detection of hydrophobic flame-formed carbonaceous materials naturally charged in positive and negative polarities with mobility diameters as small as 4.3 nm and 4.8 nm, respectively. The addition of a simple Di-Ethylene Glycol (DEG) saturator inlet enhances the 50% detection cutoff to mobility diameters as small as 1.8 nm or 1.6 nm for materials charged in positive or negative polarity, respectively. The coupling of the DEG saturator inlet to the WCPC creates a new DEG-WCPC instrument able to detect efficiently both hydrophobic and hydrophilic sub-5nm aerosols with a marginal increase in manufacturing cost (<10%), dimensions, and weight (<0.25 kg)

Synthesis, characterization, crystal structure and HSA binding of two new N,O,O-donor Schiff-base ligands derived from dihydroxybenzaldehyde and tert-butylamine

Two new o-hydroxy Schiff-bases compounds, L 1 and L 2 , were derived from the 1:1 M condensation of 2,3-dihydroxybenzaldehyde and 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde with tertbutylamine and were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopies. The crystal structure of L 2 was also determined by single crystal X-ray analysis. The crystal structure of L 2 showed that the compound exists as a zwitterionic form in the solid state, with the H atom of the phenol group being transferred to the imine N atom. It adopts an E configuration about the central C N double bond. Furthermore, binding of these Schiff base ligands to Human Serum Albumin (HSA) was investigated by fluorescence quenching, absorption spectroscopy, molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation methods. The fluorescence emission of HSA was quenched by ligands. Also, suitable models were used to analyze the UV-vis absorption spectroscopy data for titration of HSA solution by various amounts of Schiff bases. The spectroscopic studies revealed that these Schiff bases formed 1:1 complex with HSA. Energy transfer mechanism of quenching was discussed and the values of 3.35 and 1.57 nm as the mean distances between the bound ligands and the HSA were calculated for L 1 and L 2 , respectively. Molecular docking results indicated that the main active binding site for these Schiff bases ligands is in subdomain IB. Moreover, MD simulation results suggested that this Schiff base complex can interact with HSA, with a slight modification of its tertiary structure

The Epidemiology of Burn Injuries in North East of Iran (2010-2015)

Introduction: Burns have impacts include medical, psychological, economic and social that involve patients and health care system. Epidemiologic factors of burns vary in different societies. While the effects of some burn variables on mortality rate, in similar circumstances, are expected to be universal. The present study was carried out to analyze the epidemiology, mortality, and current etiological factors of burn injuries. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during a period of 6 years (from 2010 to 2015). Data were obtained by analysis of the medical records of patients hospitalized in the Imam Reza Burn Center in Mashhad, Iran. The data were recorded by the nurses and staffs in the burn ward. Results: In our study, 1334 in-hospital burn patients were recorded. The mean age was 27 ± 5.67 years. The most common Mechanism of burn was flame. The multivariable logistic regression modeling revealed, the most important risk factor of patient mortality were length of stay (LOS) (OR=1.009(95% CI: 1.001-1.018), age OR=0.9(95% CI: 0.96-0.97), sex OR=0.4(95% CI: 0.3-0.5), percentage of burn regarding body surface (BBS) OR=0.9(95% CI: 0.93-0.94),degree of burns OR=0.9(95% CI: 0.89-0.98). Conclusion: The results of our study revealed a high incidence of burns among >20 years old. Implement prevention programs should be designed for focusing chiefly on the domestic environment and the kinds of risks to which children are exposed in their everyday routine and parents, should also be educated about how to supply entertainment that would keep children away from risks

Serological study of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. Chronic infections have been mentioned as one of the different etiologic factors related to PCOS. Due to the high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection especially in developing countries, its probable role in the pathogenesis of PCOS and the limited information available in this area, serologic study of H.Pylori infection in patients with PCOS, was performed. Methods: This research was performed as a case control study from Dec 2010 until May 2012 in 82 patients (and their spouses) with polycystic ovary syndrome (case group) and 82 non PCOS patients (control group) with an age range of 20-40 referred to Vali-e-Asr Hospital infertility clinic. Both groups and their husbands filled a questionnaire and were examined by testing their serum H.Pylori IgG and IgA antibody levels. Statistical testing and analysis was performed by t-student and λ2 tests. Results: Mean age of the women and men and also other demographic characteristics except their profession showed no significant difference (P>0.05) in the two groups (PCOS and non PCOS). H.Pylori antibody IgG serum level was positive in 78% and 76.5% and H.Pylori antibody IgA level in 30.5% and 37% of PCOS versus non PCOS patients respectively which showed no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). There was also no significant difference between the H.Pylori antibodies levels in the spouses in the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: This study showed no significant difference in serologic examination re-sults in PCOS versus non PCOS patients. The finding of high prevalence of H.Pylori IgG and IgA positive levels in both PCOS and non PCOS patients can be probably re-lated to the high prevalence of H.Pylori infection or exposure in Iranian population and therefore suggest an issue for further investigation

Measuring Iran's success in achieving Millennium Development Goal 4: a systematic analysis of under-5 mortality at national and subnational levels from 1990 to 2015

Summary: Background: Child mortality as one of the key Millennium Development Goals (MDG 4—to reduce child mortality by two-thirds from 1990 to 2015), is included in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3, target 2—to reduce child mortality to fewer than 25 deaths per 1000 livebirths for all countries by 2030), and is a key indicator of the health system in every country. In this study, we aimed to estimate the level and trend of child mortality from 1990 to 2015 in Iran, to assess the progress of the country and its provinces toward these goals. Methods: We used three different data sources: three censuses, a Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), and 5-year data from the death registration system. We used the summary birth history data from four data sources (the three censuses and DHS) and used maternal age cohort and maternal age period methods to estimate the trends in child mortality rates, combining the estimates of these two indirect methods using Loess regression. We also used the complete birth history method to estimate child mortality rate directly from DHS data. Finally, to synthesise different trends into a single trend and calculate uncertainty intervals (UI), we used Gaussian process regression. Findings: Under-5 mortality rates (deaths per 1000 livebirths) at the national level in Iran in 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2015 were 63·6 (95% UI 63·1–64·0), 38·8 (38·5–39·2), 24·9 (24·3–25·4), and 19·4 (18·6–20·2), respectively. Between 1990 and 2015, the median annual reduction and total overall reduction in these rates were 4·9% and 70%, respectively. At the provincial level, the difference between the highest and lowest child mortality rates in 1990, 2000, and 2015 were 65·6, 40·4, and 38·1 per 1000 livebirths, respectively. Based on the MDG 4 goal, five provinces had not decreased child mortality by two-thirds by 2015. Furthermore, six provinces had not reached SDG 3 (target 2). Interpretation: Iran and most of its provinces achieved MDG 4 and SDG 3 (target 2) goals by 2015. However, at the subnational level in some provinces, there is substantial inequity. Local policy makers should use effective strategies to accelerate the reduction of child mortality for these provinces by 2030. Possible recommendations for such strategies include enhancing the level of education and health literacy among women, tackling sex discrimination, and improving incomes for families. Funding: Iran Ministry of Health and Education

Synthesis, characterization, crystal structure and HSA binding of two new N,O,O-donor Schiff-base ligands derived from dihydroxybenzaldehyde and tert-butylamine

International audienceTwo new o-hydroxy Schiff-bases compounds, L 1 and L 2 , were derived from the 1:1 M condensation of 2,3-dihydroxybenzaldehyde and 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde with tertbutylamine and were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopies. The crystal structure of L 2 was also determined by single crystal X-ray analysis. The crystal structure of L 2 showed that the compound exists as a zwitterionic form in the solid state, with the H atom of the phenol group being transferred to the imine N atom. It adopts an E configuration about the central C N double bond. Furthermore, binding of these Schiff base ligands to Human Serum Albumin (HSA) was investigated by fluorescence quenching, absorption spectroscopy, molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation methods. The fluorescence emission of HSA was quenched by ligands. Also, suitable models were used to analyze the UV-vis absorption spectroscopy data for titration of HSA solution by various amounts of Schiff bases. The spectroscopic studies revealed that these Schiff bases formed 1:1 complex with HSA. Energy transfer mechanism of quenching was discussed and the values of 3.35 and 1.57 nm as the mean distances between the bound ligands and the HSA were calculated for L 1 and L 2 , respectively. Molecular docking results indicated that the main active binding site for these Schiff bases ligands is in subdomain IB. Moreover, MD simulation results suggested that this Schiff base complex can interact with HSA, with a slight modification of its tertiary structure