The effect of actual currency rate on total productivity of factors of production of industrial sector of Iran

The aim of the present research is to study the effect of actual currency rate on total productivity of factors of production in industrial sector of Iran. In other words. the effect of the actual currency rate on total productivity of factors of production in industrial sector of Iran was studied by using econometric method of OLS (ordinary least squares)  during 1974- 2006. On this basis, the effects of the actual rate of foreign currency, the openness rate of economy, foreign investment, private and public investment on total productivity of factors of production in the industrial sector of our country were analyzed and studied. In order to calculate total productivity of factors of production Divisia method has been used. The estimation outcome and model estimation indicate that there is a significant and reverse relationship between actual currency rate and economic openness degree with total productivity of factors of production in long-term. The results of this estimation indicate that, due to the dependency of the industry and economy of Iran to imported intermediate and capital goods having modern technologies, which are in turn the results of the R & D activities of developed countries; therefore, with an increase in actual currency rate the investment rate decreases due to capital goods becoming more expensive that this follows with a decrease in total productivity of factors of production. Also, the relationship between the openness rate of economy and total productivity of factors of production indicate that, due to the existence of some weaknesses and problems in Iran’s structures and especially in social structures, there is an increase in openness rate of economy resulting in a decrease in total productivity of factors of production of the industrial sector

The effect of actual currency rate on total productivity of factors of production of industrial sector of Iran

The aim of the present research is to study the effect of actual currency rate on total productivity of factors of production in industrial sector of Iran. In other words. the effect of the actual currency rate on total productivity of factors of production in industrial sector of Iran was studied by using econometric method of OLS (ordinary least squares)  during 1974- 2006. On this basis, the effects of the actual rate of foreign currency, the openness rate of economy, foreign investment, private and public investment on total productivity of factors of production in the industrial sector of our country were analyzed and studied. In order to calculate total productivity of factors of production Divisia method has been used. The estimation outcome and model estimation indicate that there is a significant and reverse relationship between actual currency rate and economic openness degree with total productivity of factors of production in long-term. The results of this estimation indicate that, due to the dependency of the industry and economy of Iran to imported intermediate and capital goods having modern technologies, which are in turn the results of the R & D activities of developed countries; therefore, with an increase in actual currency rate the investment rate decreases due to capital goods becoming more expensive that this follows with a decrease in total productivity of factors of production. Also, the relationship between the openness rate of economy and total productivity of factors of production indicate that, due to the existence of some weaknesses and problems in Iran’s structures and especially in social structures, there is an increase in openness rate of economy resulting in a decrease in total productivity of factors of production of the industrial sector

Protective effects of accompanying proteins on light- and water-mediated degradation of Curcumin

     Curcumin is a natural polyphenolic compound with anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidation properties. Low water solubility and rapid hydrolytic degradation are two challenges limiting use of curcumin as therapeutic agent. In the current study, the role of the Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA), β-lactoglobulin and casein, as food-grade biopolymers and safe drug delivery systems, on the physical activity of curcumin were surveyed. It appears that BSA and casein as protein vehicles are useful tools to increase stability of curcumin, as a health promoting agent.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of In-Service Training Based on the Kirkpatrick Model: A Case Study of a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Course for Nurses in Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman, Iran

Background: Training of human resources, especially nurses, is a profitable investment for hospitals with major economic return if properly planned and implemented. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course as an in-service training program, based on the Kirkpatrick model. Methods: This interventional study was conducted at Afzalipour Hospital of Kerman, Iran from October 2014 to May 2015. The study sample consisted of 45 nurses, including 20 nurses in the case group and 25 nurses in the control group. The case group participated in a four-hour CPR training workshop. The Kirkpatrick model was used to determine the effectiveness of the CPR course. Data were collected using three questionnaires and hospital records. Results: The participants were satisfied with the training course, and a significant difference was observed in the mean score of three intervals of learning levels evaluation (P < 0.0001). Based on the findings, CPR training affected the learning level of nurses from the case group; however, the average learning score was not significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.26). In addition, the difference in the mean score of behavior level was not significant before and after training (P = 0.91). The results of Chi-square test also showed that CPR training did not affect the forth level (P = 0.54). Finally, the overall effectiveness of the CPR training course was estimated at 32.51%. Conclusions: This study indicated that effectiveness of in-service training is not at a desirable level. Since organizations allocate a lot of their resources to such training courses every year, it is essential to reconsider planning and implementation processes. Keywords Evaluation Education Effectiveness Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Kirkpatrick Mod

Association between Rotavirus Infection and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Case-control Study in Kerman - Iran

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional gastrointestinal disease of unknown etiology. Researchers have recently drawn attention to the possible role of viruses in the development of IBS and provided evidence in this regard. In this study, it was decided to investigate the possible role of rotavirus infection in the onset of IBS.Methods: Stool and serum samples were collected from 40 patients with IBS and 40 healthy individuals. To evaluate the previous exposure to rotavirus we checked the presence and concentration of anti-rotavirus IgG by ELISA. ELISA test was performed on the serum samples. Real-time PCR test was also used to measure the viral load in the stool. Finally, the data were analyzed by SPSS-22 software.Results: No significant relationship was found between anti-rotavirus IgG presence and Level in the serum of case and healthy individuals (p-value > 0.05) . Moreover, there was no significant difference between the viral genome load in the stool samples of the two groups (p-value > 0.05).Conclusion: According to the results, it seems unlikely that a link exists between rotavirus infection and the onset of irritable bowel syndrome, but the possible role of other gastrointestinal viruses, including coronavirus, remains

Frequency of Quinolone Resistance and qnrB and qnrC Genes in Clinical Isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae

Background:   Klebsiella pneumoniae is among the most common and significant agents of community and hospital-acquired infections. Plasmid mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) was increasingly identified in Enterobacteriaceae family worldwide. Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) was first reported in 1998 from a Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate in the USA. Till date, five Qnr proteins have been identified; QnrA, QnrB, QnrC, QnrD and QnrS. Quinolone are broad spectrum antibiotics the resistant to which has increasingly been reported among many bacterial species including Klebsiella. The aim of this study was the antibiotic resistance profile was determined based on resistance and molecular characterization of qnrB and qnrC genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolated. Methods:   In this cross sectional study, 94 samples of K. pneumoniae were collected. Isolates were screened for quinolone antibiotics resistance using disk diffusion method according to clinical and laboratory standards institute (CLSI) guidelines. Isolates with resistance to at least one of the quinolone antibiotics, examined for presence of the qnrB and qnrC genes. Results:  Based on the obtained results by the Agar disk diffusion test, 29.78%, 27.65%, 28.72% and 27.65% of the isolates were resistant to nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and ofloxacin, respectively. Of these 46.66% carried qnrB, 3.33% carried qnrC genes.   Conclusion:   The identification of qnrB gene among quinolone-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates shows that the emergence of PMQR in this region requires serious preventive measures