The Importance of Non-Invasive Mechanical Ventilation: Current Status in Iran

Over the past two decades, the use of non-invasive positivepressure ventilation (NIPPV) has increased in manyICUs around the world (1). According to a study conductedin French, the use of non-invasive ventilation during 1994to 2001 increased from 20 to 90% (2). The result of serialsurvey from more than 40 countries indicated that theoverall use of NIPPV increased from 4.4% in 1998 to 14% in2010 (3, 4).NIPPV is used in wide variety conditions. It is a wellrecognizedapproach in the management of acute respiratoryfailure, acute exacerbations of chronic obstructivepulmonary disease (COPD), hypoxemic respiratory failure,community-acquired pneumonia, cardiogenic pulmonaryedema, and after solid organ transplants (5). It is also consideredas the most effective treatment available for motorneuron disease when respiratory symptoms appear (6).Non-invasive ventilation is a well-known strategy toavoid endotracheal intubation and its complications (7).Endotracheal intubation in critically ill patients is accompaniedbyhighriskandlife threatening complicationssuch as severe hypoxemia and hypotension, even in intensivecare units (8). NIPPV reduces endotracheal intubationrate, mortality, and length of stay in the intensive care unitand it is a life-saving intervention (9-11)

Gamma irradiation effects on physical properties of squash seeds

In order to study the effects of gamma radiation on some physical properties of squash (Cucurbit pepo. L) seed, five irradiation doses (25, 50, 75, 100 and 200 GY) have been used.  Some physical properties, including dimensional properties (length, width, thickness, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, volume, surface area, projected area, flakiness ratio and elongation ratio), mass, 1,000 seeds mass, bulk density, true density and porosity of gamma irradiated squash seeds were measured.  Statistical indices including maximum, minimum, average, variance, skewness and kurtosis, for dimensional properties and mass of the seeds were calculated.  Results revealed a significant raise in hollow seeds number by increasing gamma irradiation dose from 5% for 25 GY to nearly 100% for 100 and 200 GY.  On the other hand, length, width, thickness, mass of single seed, 1,000 seeds mass and porosity showed an increase followed by a decrease with the increasing gamma irradiation dose.  With the increasing gamma irradiation dose, true and bulk densities were found to decrease from 338.41   kg m-3 to 214.01 kg m-3 and 420.16 kg m-3 to 256.12 kg m-3, respectively.  In 100 and 200 GY all seeds were hollow and very small, therefore dimensions and mass of these seeds were not measured. Keywords: gravimetric properties, dimensional properties, squash seeds, irradiation, gamma ra

A robust time-cost-quality-energy-environment trade-off with resource-constrained in project management: A case study for a bridge construction project

Sustainable development requires scheduling and implementation of projects by considering cost, environment, energy, and quality factors. Using a robust approach, this study investigates the time-cost-quality-energy-environment problem in executing projects and practically indicates its implementation capability in the form of a case study of a bridge construction project in Tehran, Iran. This study aims to take into account the sustainability pillars in scheduling projects and uncertainties in modeling them. To model the study problem, robust nonlinear programming (NLP) involving the objectives of cost, quality, energy, and pollution level is applied with resource-constrained. According to the results, as time diminished, the cost, energy, and pollution initially decreased and then increased, with a reduction in quality. To make the model close to the real world by considering uncertainties, the cost and quality tangibly improved, and pollution and energy consumption declined. We applied the augmented ε-constraint method to solve the proposed model. According to the result of the research, with regard to the time-cost, time-quality, time-energy, and time-pollution charts, as uncertainty increases, the cost and quality will improve, and pollution and energy will decrease. The proposed model can be employed for all industrial projects, including roads, construction, and manufacturing

The Effect of Story-based, L1 Translation, and Whatsapp Emoticon Puzzle-Solving Techniques on Iranian Intermediate EFL Learners’ Proverb Learning

This study investigated the effect of story-based technique, L1 translation, and Whatsapp emoticon puzzle solving on EFL learners’ learning proverbs. From among 90 female intermediate level learners at two language institutes in Qom, Iran, 60 homogeneous students were chosen following the administration of a sample of Nelson proficiency test and a pre-test. The 60 participants were then assigned to three experimental groups, equal in number. The experimental group 1 was instructed using story-based technique; the experimental group 2 was taught through L1 translation; and the experimental group 3 was exposed to Whatsapp emoticon puzzle solving. Subsequently, all three groups took part in a proverb post-test similar to the pre-test. The data were analyzed by ANOVA. The results showed that Whatsapp emoticon puzzle solving was significantly the most effective, and that the students’ level of learning proverbs was influenced by story-based technique more than L1 translation technique. The findings of this study can contribute to technology- enhanced language teaching

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period. Methods: 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution. Findings: Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations. Interpretation: Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010-19 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. Methods The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk-outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. Findings Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4.45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4.01-4.94) deaths and 105 million (95.0-116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44.4% (41.3-48.4) of all cancer deaths and 42.0% (39.1-45.6) of all DALYs. There were 2.88 million (2.60-3.18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50.6% [47.8-54.1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1.58 million (1.36-1.84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36.3% [32.5-41.3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20.4% (12.6-28.4) and DALYs by 16.8% (8.8-25.0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34.7% [27.9-42.8] and 33.3% [25.8-42.0]). Interpretation The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden. Copyright (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.Peer reviewe

An Experimental Study on Simultaneous Use of Metal Fins and Mirror to Improve the Performance of Photovoltaic Panels

The world is inconceivable without an everlasting demand for energy. Nowadays, various kinds of renewable energies, such as solar energy, are developing rapidly, since they have the least negative environmental impacts. Irradiation intensity is one the most important parameters in photovoltaic (PV) technology, and so integration of mirrors with a PV module can improve its performance. Mounting mirrors increases the radiation intensity but, at the same time, raises the surface temperature, which in turn reduces the electrical efficiency. The novelty of this study is keeping the cell temperature low despite receiving more radiation by installing 10 aluminum fins on the back of the panel. All tests were experimentally performed in the hot climate of Dezful, Iran. As a result, the best tilt angle of the mirror was found at 30°, where the output power was enhanced by 3.3% and electrical efficiency was reduced by 0.5% compared with the conventional case. When aluminum fins were added as heat sinks, both output power and electrical efficiency were enhanced by 11.4% and 13.1%, respectively. Moreover, comprehensive discussions on both energy and exergy are provided. The entropy generation was also calculated and accordingly, the case of PV 30 + fin generates 1.6% less entropy than the base one

The Effect of One Period Factitious and True Neurofeedback Training on the Balance Performance of Active Males

Objective: The main objective of the study was to investigate the effect of factitious and true neurofeedback training on the balance performance of active males. Methods: Twenty physical education male students were selected through purposive sampling and were randomly divided into real neurofeedback and sham neurofeedback groups (with mean age 21.38&plusmn;1.32 years and mean weight of 71.01&plusmn;3.58 and mean height 173.88&plusmn;4.69cm). The participants attended neurofeedback training session 3 times a week for a period of one month. Prior to and after training, pre-test and post-test of static balance, semi balance and dynamic balance were administered using Bass Stick, Modified Romberg and Y test. Repeated measures ANOVA was run at a significance level of p<0.05 to analyze the data. Results: Results showed that real neurofeedback training would have significant impact on static balance, semi balance and dynamic balance participants (Except for dorsolateral). The means of static balance and semi balance 4.19 and 3.72 seconds and dynamic balance on anterior direction 13.89 cm and on medial posterior 6.59 cm were increased, respectively. Conclusion: Due to its positive impact on the balance of active males, neurofeedback training can be used as a complementary training program to increase their efficiency of such students in competitions

Levels of particulate matters in air of the Gonabad city, Iran

The pollution of air and its effect on the ecosystem and particularly on human wellbeing is an issue of important public and governmental concern. To understand the levels of particulate matters and compositional data for total particulate matters fractions, samples were collected from October to February 2018. The samples were collected using gravitational dust sampling method. Weekly and monthly variations of particulate matters in studied stations were in range of 0.0262–0.0802 and 0.0243–0.2109 mg/cm2.day. The XRD analysis showed that most of particles were inorganic in nature, representing that these particles originates mainly from deserts. However, local and regional and international sources of these particles should be determined. Thus, comprehensive control efforts will be required in addition to local initiatives to improve the air quality in cities like Gonabad. Protocol name: Levels of particulate matters in air of the Gonabad city, Keywords: Air pollution, Particulate matters, Gonaba

investigation of static Balance control in 4-6 years old children with using the Pediatric Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction for Balance (P-CTSIB)

Objectives: Undiagnosed balance disorders during childhood can negatively affect children functional abilities such as reading and school performance. The Pediatric Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction for Balance (P-CTSIB) reflects how children combine and use different sensory information to react to different conditions in the static balance. This study aimed to examine balance control in normal 4-6 years old children in Tehran, Iran using P-CTSIB. Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical study conducted on 121, 4-6 years old preschools children in Tehran. The P-CTSIB includes 12 conditions that are a combination of visual conditions (eyes open, eyes closed wearing visual-conflict dome), support surface (stand on firm surface or foam), and feet positions (feet-together and heel-toe). Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and repeated measures and post-hoc tests were used for age and gender comparisons. Results: Average standing time, anterior-posterior sway, and lateral sway in the P-CTSIB conditions were evaluated in different age groups. Different age groups had significantly different scores on the three items of the test (P0.05). Discussion: Given that all children had a better performance on the feet together position in P-CTSIB, this position can be used to assess balance performance in all 4-6 years old children