Effect of gait retraining on balance, activities of daily living, quality of life and depression in stroke patients

Objectives: Stroke is one of the most common neurological diseases and it is the main cause of physical and mental disability and staying in house. Gait difficulties have high incidence in patients with stroke. So the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of gait retraining on balance, activities of daily living, quality of life and depression in stroke patients Methods: This study was a clinical trial without control group. Sampling was performed by convenience sampling method and 18 patients participated. After recording demographic data, Berg Balance Scale, Barthel Index, SF36 questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory-II used in pre-test and post-test to assess balance, activities of daily living, quality of life and depression, respectively. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and paired T-test. Results: The results showed statistically significant correlation in pre-test and difference between mean score of the all instruments before and after the intervention. Discussion: According to high prevalence of gait difficulties in stroke patients, it seems interventions in this area were necessary. Statistical results showed that the gait retraining intervention may have a positive effect on improving balance, activities of daily living, quality of life and depression of these patients. According to lack of information in this area, further research is needed

Introducing standardized field methods for fracture-focused surface process research

Rock fractures are a key contributor to a broad array of Earth surface processes due to their direct control on rock strength as well as rock porosity and permeability. However, to date, there has been no standardization for the quantification of rock fractures in surface process research. In this work, the case is made for standardization within fracture-focused research, and prior work is reviewed to identify various key datasets and methodologies. Then, a suite of standardized methods is presented as a starting “baseline” for fracture-based research in surface process studies. These methods have been shown in pre-existing work from structural geology, geotechnical engineering, and surface process disciplines to comprise best practices for the characterization of fractures in clasts and outcrops. This practical, accessible, and detailed guide can be readily employed across all fracture-focused weathering and geomorphology applications. The wide adoption of a baseline of data collected using the same methods will enable comparison and compilation of datasets among studies globally and will ultimately lead to a better understanding of the links and feedbacks between rock fracture and landscape evolution.</p

Exercise and Its Relation to Self Efficacy Based on Stages of Change Model in Employees of Yazd in 2008

Abstract: Background & Aims: Despite advantages of exercise most employees in various countries do not exercise adequately. Transtheoretical model has been identified as a comprehensive model for behavior change and self efficacy is regarded as a fundamental structure of this model. Hence, in this study, the situation of exercise in comployees of Yazd according to the Transtheoretical Model and its relation with self efficacy have been evaluated. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 220 employees of Yazd offices were selected by two-stage cluster sampling. In order to gather information a questionnaire with acceptable validity and reliability consisting of demographic data and constructs of model and self efficacy was used. Data analysis was performed with SPSS. Results: In whole, 152 males and 68 females with mean age of 34±8.68 years were participated. From 220 cases, 44 ones were in precontemplation stage, 88 ones in contemplation, 30 ones in preparation stage, 16 ones in action stage and 42 ones were in maintenance stage. There were significant differences between self efficacy and variables of stages of change (P=0.0001), sex (P=0.01), and education (P=0.005) Conclusion: According to this study, self efficacy plays an important role in exercise behavior and any improvement of self efficacy level requires support of the related institutions such as the Physical Education Organization and universities

Study on TVD parameters sensitivity of a crankshaft using multiple scale and state space method considering quadratic and cubic non-linearities

In this paper the effect of quadratic and cubic non-linearities of the system consisting of the crankshaft and torsional vibration damper (TVD) is taken into account. TVD consists of non-linear elastomer material used for controlling the torsional vibration of crankshaft. The method of multiple scales is used to solve the governing equations of the system. Meanwhile, the frequency response of the system for both harmonic and sub-harmonic resonances is extracted. In addition, the effects of detuning parameters and other dimensionless parameters for a case of harmonic resonance are investigated. Moreover, the external forces including both inertia and gas forces are simultaneously applied into the model. Finally, in order to study the effectiveness of the parameters, the dimensionless governing equations of the system are solved, considering the state space method. Then, the effects of the torsional damper as well as all corresponding parameters of the system are discussed

Investigating the Habitat Patches of the Baluchistan Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus gedrosianus), Using Landscape Metrics (Case Study: Bahr Asman and Zaryab Areas, Kerman Province)

Habitat analysis using landscape metrics can be efficient in better management of habitat. As a critically endangered subspecies, the Baluchistan black bear is scattered in the Bahr Asman and Zaryab areas in Kerman province. The purpose of this study was to model the distribution of the sub-species and evaluate the quality of its habitat patches, using landscape metrics. Distribution modeling was conducted using an ensemble approach, resulting from the combination of presence-only and presence/pseudo-absence data in ModEco software. True Skill Statistic (TSS) threshold was applied to the ensemble model and the habitat patches were analyzed, using landscape metrics. The results showed that the distribution rage is beyond the border of the studied protected areas and the variables related to humidity had the greatest effect on the presence of the species. Based on the metrics analysis, habitat patches in the Zaryab wildlife refugee have higher connectivity and less margin than Bahr Asman protected area. In Bahr Asman protected area, the number of habitat patches is greater than the Zaryab wildlife refugee and the lack of continuity among the patches has led to the edge formation. The results of this study can be used for the habitat management of this critically endangered subspecie

Identifying the Components of Effective Learning Environments Based on Health Students\' Perception

Aims: Effective learning environment can lead to establish and strengthen the appropriate conditions of learning in higher education. This study aimed to identify and define the factors associated with effective learning environment in the field of health education. Participants & Methods: This qualitative study with content analysis approach was conducted in 2013. Participants were 9 graduate and 7 undergraduate students of health majors that were selected using purposive sampling method. Data were recorded by interview and were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Findings: Analysis of the data revealed 4 themes and 13 classes active and interactive teaching (participating viewpoints of students in educational planning, engaging students in class discussions, providing practical examples to understand the content, relaxing about expressed thoughts, the possibility of constructive criticism master plan of activities and according to the conditions and individual differences between students), Joyful atmosphere (academic motivation, the joy of learning and attendance, a sense of acceptance and respect from teachers and classroom dynamics and vitality and fatigue), relation of courses with professional needs (knowledge of the needs of the job in training course content and related training to the needs of job opportunities) and professors&rsquo; scientific and power and expert (expertise and scientific capabilities in the field of teaching). Conclusion: 4 major themes and their characteristics can help to organize the learning environment in medical education

Solidification/stabilization of lead-contaminated soil using alkali-activated volcanic ash.

This is the final version. Available from Springer Nature via the DOI in this record. Data availability: Data is available from the corresponding author with a formal request.The bioaccumulation of lead in soil poses a significant human health risk. The solidification/stabilization (S/S) technique, employing binders like Portland cement or lime, is a common method for remediating lead-contaminated soil. However, cement production has adverse environmental impacts, prompting the exploration of eco-friendly alternatives like alkali-activated materials (AAMs). This study assesses AAM efficacy in the S/S of lead-contaminated soil. The effects of several factors, including varying amounts of volcanic ash (VA), lead concentration, curing temperatures, and curing times are investigated. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS), toxicity characteristic leaching procedure test (TCLP), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and field emission scanning electron microscope-energy-dispersive spectroscopy-mapping analyses (FESEM/EDS/mapping) analyses are used to study the specimens. The findings indicated a substantial increase in the UCS of lead-contaminated soil treated with 15% VA (under oven curing (OC) conditions), and 10% VA (under ambient curing (AC) conditions) exhibited remarkable increases of up to 600% and 458%, respectively. Moreover, the leaching of Pb2+ ions from samples contaminated with 10,000 mg/kg (under OC conditions) and 2500 mg/kg (under AC conditions) experienced significant reductions of 87% (from 135.14 to 13.36 ppm) and 91% (from 26.32 to 2.21 ppm), respectively. The S/S process in these samples operated through three primary mechanisms of chemical bonding, physical encapsulation, and the formation of insoluble silicate. The formation of N-A-S-H and hydroxy sodalite structures played a vital role in facilitating these mechanisms. Therefore, alkali-activated VA demonstrated excellent performance in the remediation of lead-contaminated soil.European Commissio