USCID fourth international conference

Presented at the Role of irrigation and drainage in a sustainable future: USCID fourth international conference on irrigation and drainage on October 3-6, 2007 in Sacramento, California.Includes bibliographical references.Application of different irrigation management practices plays a considerable role in water saving to achieve potential yields. On the other hand, network water distribution schedule is a governing factor in this regard. In current study conducted in Mahabad plain in North West of Iran, four different irrigation managements on sugarbeet cultivation including traditional farmer's management, Furrow Deepening, Reduced Discharge per Deepened Furrow, and Alternate Furrow Irrigation have been studied in real farmers' fields measuring 10.2 hectares. Participatory management approach has been used while working in farmers' fields. Soils textures are silty clayey. Results of studies indicate that water used has been reduced considerably while higher root and sugar yields are obtained due to better on-farm water management practices. Water Use Efficiency, in kg of yield per m3 of water used, increased considerably under alternate furrow irrigation management in comparison to what obtained under traditional management. Results show application of alternate furrow irrigation in sugarbeet cultivation not only resulted in lesser water use per hectare, but also it increased both root and sugar yields and, consequently, higher water use efficiency was obtained. Assessments have been made on irrigation schedule imposed by the irrigation network and its effects on actual water requirements. Results show that the delivery schedule practiced in the network in incapable of delivering the actual amount of water requirement for the dominant crop of the scheme. Suggestions are made to the network operator to improve overall network efficiency including revisions on water resources planning and allocation and/or improve network operation system

N-(2-Thienylmethyl­ene)-2-(2-{[2-(2-thienylmethyl­eneamino)phen­yl]sulfan­yl}ethyl­sulfan­yl)aniline

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C24H20N2S4, contains one half-mol­ecule: a crystallographic centre of inversion is located at the mid-point of the two central C atoms. The thio­phene ring is oriented at a dihedral angle of 60.64 (3)° with respect to the benzene ring. In the crystal structure, π–π contacts between thio­phene rings [centroid–centroid distance = 3.581 (1) Å] may stabilize the structure. A weak C—H⋯π inter­action is also present

Comparison of Carbon Dioxide Laser With Surgical Blade for Removal of Epulis Fissuratum. A Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction: Epulis fissuratum is often formed as a result of a poor fitting denture. The conventional treatment for this fibrous hyperplastic tissue is to excise it using a scalpel and to close the wound by a continuous or an interrupted suture. The increased utilization of lasers in dentistry also includes the utilization of carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers in place of surgical scalpels in soft tissue surgeries. The objective of this study is to assess the feasibility of utilizing CO2 laser in place of scalpel in surgical treatment of epulis fissuratum.Methods:In this clinical trial research (IRCT code: IRCT2016071124969N2), 19 patients were selected with nearly symmetrical epulis fissuratums in the anterior part of the jaws. The hyperplastic tissue was evenly divided into two sections in each patient. One section was randomly selected and cut by CO2 laser and the other section by a surgical scalpel. The wound created by the scalpel was closed by appropriate number of interrupted sutures. Surgery duration and bleeding as well as vestibular depth, re-epithelialization and edema in both sections were noted and recorded after 7 and 14 days postoperatively.Results:The time of surgery and the amount of bleeding during surgery in the laser section was less and the vestibular depth was more than surgical scalpel section (P < 0.05). Surgical scalpel wound at day seventh healed significantly better than the section treated by the CO2 laser (P< 0.05). Wound in both sections healed similarly on day 14 and no statistical difference was observed. Edema presence was also equal in both sides after 7th and 14th following the surgery.Conclusion:According to the results it could be concluded that the use of CO2 laser may result in less surgery time, less bleeding during surgery, more vestibular depth, better re-epithelialization of the wound and less need for suturing. CO2 laser may be a clinically preferred method for surgical treatment of epulis fissuratum

Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma-associated Genetic Polymorphisms in Northeast Iran

Purpose: To evaluate the association of five different polymorphisms from a genomewide- associated study with susceptibility to glaucoma in the northeast Iranian population. Methods: Hundred and thirty patients with primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) and 130 healthy controls were genotyped for the polymorphic regions with the aid of tetraamplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction. The association of these variants with the disease susceptibility was measured statistically with the logistic regression method. Results: Hundred and thirty patients with PACG (53 males, 77 females) with a mean age of 64.5 ± 6.2 years and 130 healthy control subjects (51 males, 79 females) with a mean age of 64.0 ± 5.7 years were selected for evaluation. There was a significant association between rs3816415 (P = 0.005), rs736893 (P < 0.001), rs7494379 (P < 0.001), and rs1258267 (P = 0.02) with PACG susceptibility. This association could not be shown for rs3739821. Conclusion: It was revealed that studied variants in GLIS3, EPDR1, FERMT2, and CHAT genes can contribute to the incidence of PACG. Additional studies in other populations are needed to evaluate DPM2-FAM102A

Is a Single dose of Prophylactic Antibiotics Sufficient in Patients with Acute Non-Complicated Appendicitis?

Background: Acute appendicitis is one of the most common acute surgery events. Its main treatment is surgery. However medical management before and after the surgery has an important impact on the treatment. Objective: The aim of study was evaluating the outcomes of single dose and quadruple doses of prophylactic antibiotic therapy in patients with acute non-complicated appendicitis. Methods: This randomized double blind clinical trial was carried out on 294 patients in single dose (136 patients) and the quadruple doses (158 patients) groups. In single dose group, a dose of 1g Cefazolin + 500mg Metronidazole was prescribed intravenously about half an hour before surgery. The quadruple doses group received three more doses after surgery.  Two groups were followed for fever, erythema, seroma, wound infection, intra-abdominal abscess formation and readmissions within one month after discharge. Results: The mean age of patients was 31±5.14 years. 203(69%) of patients were men while 91(31%) were women. There were no significant statistical differences between groups in age, sex and body mass index (BMI) variables. No significant statistical differences were observed during surgery and hospitalization period between two groups. In the single dose group, wound infection was 8(5.9%), while it was 6(3.8%) in the quadruple doses group; hence, there were no significant statistical differences in this regard. There was no abdominal abscess in groups. There were significant statistical differences regarding erythema, seroma and antibiotics consumption costs between groups. Conclusion: A single dose of prophylactic antibiotics is sufficient in patients with acute suppurative non-complicated appendicitis

The association of heart rate recovery immediately after exercise with coronary artery calcium: the coronary artery risk development in young adults study

We tested whether slower heart rate recovery (HRR) following graded exercise treadmill testing (GXT) was associated with the presence of coronary artery calcium (CAC). Participants (n = 2,648) ages 18–30 years at baseline examination underwent GXT, followed by CAC screening 15 years later. Slow HRR was not associated with higher odds of testing positive (yes/no) for CAC at year 15 (OR = 0.99, p = 0.91 per standard deviation change in HRR). Slow HRR in young adulthood is not associated with the presence of CAC at middle age

E-learning applications and their significance among students of the Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Education for Pure Sciences – Ibn Al-Haytham

The objective of the current research is to identify: 1) Preparing a scale level for e-learning applications, 2) What is the relationship between the applications of e-learning and the students of the Department of Chemistry at the Faculty of Education for Pure Sciences/ Ibn Al-Haytham – University of Baghdad. To achieve the research objectives, the researcher used the descriptive approach because of its suitability to the nature of the study objectives. The researcher built a scale for e-learning applications that consists of (40) items on the five-point Likrat scale (I agree, strongly agree, neutral, disagree, strongly disagree). He also adopted the scale of scientific values, and it consists of (40) items on a five-point scale as well. The sample consisted of (200) male and female students from the Department of Chemistry at the Faculty of Education for Pure Sciences/ Ibn Al-Haytham - Phase Four – Morning Study. The psychometric properties of the instruments were verified from face  and structure validity and Reliability in a manner of internal consistency, and the researcher used the following statistical means: (T-test of one sample, T-test of two independent samples, Chi-squared test, Pearson correlation coefficient, equation of Cronbach’s alpha)

Comparison of the Effects of Atorvastatin, Hyaluronic Acid and Oxidized Cellulose (Interceed) on Reducing Intestinal Adhesions Postoperative after Open Abdominal Surgery in Animal Models: effects of atorvastatin, hyaluronic acid and oxidized cellulose on intestinal adhesions

Abdominal adhesions are considered as an important problem in abdominal surgery. In this study we compared the effectiveness of atorvastatin, hyaluronic acid and interceed (oxidized cellulose) in prevention of postoperative intestinal adhesions. A total of 40 Wistar-albino rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: Group 1 (Sham); Group 2 (Control or Adhesion induction); Group 3 (Adhesion induction + hyaluronic acid); Group 4 (Adhesion induction + oxidized cellulose); and Group 5 (Adhesion induction + atorvastatin). A same experimental method of cecal abrasion and ligature was used to produce adhesions in all rats. Fourteen days after adhesions formation, animals were killed and adhesions were scored according to macromorphological characteristics and adhesion-carrying tissues under standard histologic examination. Inflammation,vascularization and fibrosis in granulation sites were graded in all samples. Adhesion scores in all experimental groups were slightly lower than control group. Group 3 had the lowest mean adhesions score (1.18 ± 1.24) based on surgeon observation. The mean of adhesion score in Group 3 (1.18 ± 1.24) was significantly lower than that in Group 4 (3.43 ± 0.53) (p=0.004). Group 5 showed the lowest mean adhesions score on pathological examination (5.62 ± 3.73). The mean of adhesion total score in Group 3 was slightly lower than that in other groups; however, this difference was not significant. Hyaluronic acid, oxidized cellulose, and atorvastatin are effective in treatment and prevention of intestinal adhesions during open abdominal surgery. Although hyaluronic acid was slightly more effective, further studies are needed to evaluate the effect of combination therapy with these agents

Dialectics of Democracy and Development and its Relation to Political Action of Ethnicities in Iran

The main issue of the present research is to explain the causes of the emergence of ethnic political actions in different status of governance in Iran with an emphasis on the dialectic of democracy and development, while the required mood of interaction between the state and ethnicities has been identified. The research method is a qualitative comparative-historical that is used in the theoretical framework of Charles Tilly's social movements to explain two democracy and developmental components. As a result of the research, the era before the Islamic Revolution was non-democratic state with low development capacity because of Assimilation and the early years of the revolution is democratic capacity with a low capacity because of tolerant approach. In the final stages of the war, Sazandegi, the ninth and tenth governments and the Etedal, the capacity of the government has risen, because of the necessity of the development of infrastructure, and the improvement of the economic and social situation but the level of democracy has diminished because of security and countering Separatism. Finally, the era of Eslahat is seen as an optimal state of a democratic state with a high development potential

Verification SEBAL and Hargreaves –Samani Models to Estimate Evapotranspiration by Lysimeter Data

Introduction: Evapotranspiration (ET) is an important component of the hydrological cycle, energy equations at the surface and water balance. ET estimation is needed in various fields of science, such as hydrology, agriculture, forestry and pasture, and water resources management. Conventional methods used to estimate evapotranspiration from point measurements. Remote sensing models have the capability to estimate ET using surface albedo, surface temperature and vegetation indices in larger scales. Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL) estimate ET at the moment of satellite path as a residual of energy balance equation for each pixel. In this study Hargreaves-Samani (HS) and SEBAL models ET compared to an alfalfa lysimeter data’s, located in Shahrekord plain within the Karun basin. Satellite imageries were based on Landsat 7 ETM+ sensor data’s in seven satellite passes for path 164 and row 38 in the World Reference System, similar to lysimeter sampling data period, from April to October 2011. SEBAL uses the energy balance equation to estimate evapotranspiration. Equation No. 1 shows the energy balance equation for an evaporative surface: λET=Rn–G–H [1] In this equation Rn, H, G and λET represent the net radiation flux input to the surface (W/m2), Sensible heat flux (W/m2), soil heat flux (W/m2), and latent heat of vaporization (W/m2), respectively. In this equation the vertical flux considered and the horizontal fluxes of energy are neglected. The above equation must be used for large surfaces and uniformly full cover plant area. SEBAL is provided for estimating ET, using the minimum data measured by ground equipment. This model is applied and tested in more than 30 countries with an accuracy of about 85% at field scale, and 95 percent in the daily and seasonal scales. In Borkhar watershed (East of Isfahan, IRAN) ASTER and MODIS satellite imageries were used for SEBAL to compare Penman-Monteith model. Results showed that estimated ET of SEBAL were about 20% less than sugar beet ET and about 15% more for maize ET by Penman-Monteith. He concluded the differences may be due to the limited number of satellite imageries which extrapolated ET through the entire growth period and the data obtained from the weather station far from 24 km in the studied area. In another study at Zayanderud Basin, the different irrigation networks were examined using Landsat 7 imageries to increase the spatial resolution of NOAA satellite to determine the energy balance components and actual evapotranspiration. In this study, data from a lysimeter to a depth of 2.5 m and a diameter of 3 meters planted with alfalfa in the Chahar-Takhteh agricultural research station (Agricultural and natural resources research center of Shahrekord, IRAN) was used. The lysimeter (LYS_REF) located in the in the middle of 25 × 40 m (1000 square meter) alfalfa cultivated farm, surrounded by other planted area. The lysimeter used to measure the reference evapotranspiration (ETr) and around alfalfa was used as cold pixels. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted to evaluate SEBAL and Hargreaves-Samani estimated ET models against evapotranspiration measured by lysimeter within the Shahrekord plain. Meteorological data required for a period of 185 days (according to the lysimeter data period) includes minimum and maximum relative humidity (RHmax and RHmin), maximum and minimum air temperature (Tmax and Tmin), wind speed at two meters (U2), precipitation, evaporation rate, sunshine hours, air pressure and dew point temperature obtained from a weather station nearby lysimeter. In order to assess reference evapotranspiration (ETr) models, statistical indices such as the coefficient of determination (R2), mean absolute error (MAE), mean bias error (MBE), root mean square error (RMSE) and index of agreement (d) were used. Results and Discussion: The results showed that RMSE, MAE and MBE for SEBAL model over the lysimeter data were 1.782, 1.275 and -0.272 mm/day and 0.700 for the d index, respectively. Similar indices for the Hargreaves-Samani model were 1.003, 0.580 and 0.290 mm/day and 0.917 for the d index. For HS model results show that RMSE, MAE and MBE values were 0.813, 0.477 and 0.206 mm/day, and 0.930 for the index of d, during the entire growing period (185 days). Conclusion: However, results showed that the efficiency and reliability of the SEBAL model by processing satellite visible, near infrared and thermal infrared bands. The need for irrigation water requirements and ET estimation are noteworthy, during the growth of various plants, which vary and thus the complete time series of satellite imageries is required to estimate the total and annual evapotranspiration