Comparison of oral prednisolone pulse therapy with intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy in severe alopecia areata

Objective: To compare the efficacy of oral prednisolone pulse therapy in comparison to the intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy in treatment of severe alopecia areata. Patients and methods: In this interventional study, all patients with alopecia areata having at least 30% involvement of scalp or more than 10 patches of alopecia in scalp and body, registered during 2006-2009 in dermatologic department of 5-Azar hospital, Gorgan, Northeast of Iran were included. Forty patients with severe alopecia areata were enrolled and divided into 2 groups. Group A was treated with 200 mg oral prednisolone in one dose, every week for 3 months and group B were treated with 500 mg intravenous methylprednisolone on 3 continuous days each month for 6 months. Results: Recovery rate after 1, 3, 6 and 12th months after treatment was significantly higher in group B compared to group A. Side effects included: acne (5 in group A and 7 in group B), heartburn (4 in group A and 5 in B), striae (4 in group A and 6 in group B) and were more seen in group B but it was not significant statistically. The recovery and rate was not significantly different between two sexes. Conclusion: In this study, 500 mg intravenous methylprednisolone in 3 continuous days each month for 6 months showed a better recovery rate in severe alopecia areata. Patients must be warned about the side effects and outcomes

Translation and validation of the Persian version of the treatment adherence questionnaire for patients with hypertension

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a global public health crisis. Poorly controlled high blood pressure is one of the major factors contributed to this crisis. As lack of treatment adherence is often considered the main reason for this failure, the Treatment Adherence Questionnaire for Patient with Hypertension (TAQPH) was developed. Since this questionnaire should be reliable and strongly valid to be used in clinics and research, this study was performed to test the reliability and validity of the TAQPH. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted to validate the Persian version of TAQPH after using a modified forward/backward translation procedure. A total of 330 hypertensive patients were participated in this study. Construct and criterion validity, Cronbach¢s alpha, and test-retest reliability were used to validate the Persian scale. RESULTS: Data analysis showed that the scale had excellent stability (intraclass correlation = 0.95) and good acceptability of internal consistency (α = 0.80). The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was meaningful but was not confirmed with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The scale score was correlated with Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) score (Ρ = 0.27). CONCLUSION: In total, most of the psychometric properties of the 25-item P-TAQHP achieved the standard level and were sufficient to recommend for general use

Self-Efficacy After Life Skills Training: A Case-Control Study

Background: Nursing students’ self-efficacy is a predictor for their educational progress. Students, who believe that they can be successful in their studies, are more confident. Therefore, many universities have focused on life skills training programs to improve the mental health of their students. Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate and compare self-efficacy in two groups of nursing students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). One group of students was trained on life skill programs, and the second group was not trained on the issue. Materials and Methods: A case-control study was conducted on two groups of nursing students in TUMS in the late 2012. The case group (n = 112) had passed life skills training course, and the control group (n = 139) was not trained on the issue. Data was collected using a questionnaire containing 12 questions about demographic features, and the Sherer’s general self-efficacy questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using independent sample t-test, Chi-square, odds ratio, and Fisher’s exact test. Results: In the untrained and trained groups, 23% and 8% of the students had very high self-efficacy, respectively. The overall mean scores of self-efficacy were 41.99 ± 9.31 and 38.99 ± 10.48 in the trained and untrained groups, respectively (P = 0.015), and the higher mean score indicates lower level of self-efficacy. A significant difference was also found between the self-efficacy and family income (P = 0.029). Conclusions: The present study showed that life skills training program did not affect self-efficacy of nursing students. Perhaps, the methods used in education were influencing and then, more effective techniques such as role-play and group discussion should be substituted in life skills training

VPP Self-Scheduling Strategy Using Multi-Horizon IGDT, Enhanced Normalized Normal Constraint, and Bi-Directional Decision-Making Approach

This paper presents a new robust self-scheduling strategy for virtual power plants (VPPs) considering the uncer-tainty sources of electricity prices, wind generations, and loads. Multi-horizon information-gap decision theory (MH-IGDT) as a non-deterministic and non-probabilistic uncertainty modeling framework is proposed here to specifically model the uncertainty sources considering their various uncertainty horizons. Since each uncertain parameter tends to optimize its uncertainty horizon competitively for a particular value of the uncertainty budget, the proposed MH-IGDT model is formulated as a multi-objective op-timization problem. To solve this multi-objective problem, en-hanced normalized normal constraint (ENNC) method is pre-sented, which can obtain efficient uniformly-distributed Pareto optimal solutions. The proposed ENNC includes augmented nor-malized normal constraint method and lexicographic optimiza-tion technique to enhance the search performance in the objective space. To address the unsolved issue of being risk-averse or risk-seeker for a VPP in the market, a bi-directional decision-making approach is presented. This decision maker comprises an ex-ante performance evaluation method and a forward-backward dy-namic programming approach to hourly find the best Pareto so-lution within the generated risk-averse and risk-seeker Pareto frontiers. Simulation results of the proposed self-scheduling strat-egy are presented for a VPP including dispatchable/non-dispatch-able units, storages, and loads

The Perceived Threat in Adults with Leukemia Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Background: Leukemia and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) create physical, psychological, social, and spiritual distresses in patients. Understanding this threatening situation in adults with leukemia undergoing HSCT will assist health care professionals in providing holistic care to the patients. Objectives: The aim of the present study was exploring the perceived threat in adults with leukemia undergoing HSCT. Patients and Methods: This article is part of a longitudinal qualitative study which used the grounded theory approach and was conducted in 2009-2011. Ten adults with acute leukemia scheduled for HSCT were recruited from the Hematology–Oncology Research Center and Stem Cell Transplantation, Shariati Hospital in Tehran, Iran. A series of pre-transplant and post-transplant in-depth interviews were held in the hospital’s HSCT wards. Totally, 18 interviews were conducted. Three written narratives were also obtained from the participants. The Corbin and Strauss approach was used to analyze the data. Results: Perceived threat was one of the main categories that emerged from the data. This category included four subcategories, "inattention to the signs and symptoms", "doubt and anxiety", "perception of danger and time limitation" and "change of life conditions", which occurred in linear progression over time. Conclusion: Suffering from leukemia and experiencing HSCT are events that are uniquely perceived by patients. This threatening situation can significantly effect perception of patients and cause temporary or permanent alterations in patients' lives. Health care professionals can help these patients by deeper understanding of their experiences and effective interventions

Producción de biodiésel mejorada por esterificación y transesterificación asistida por ultrasonidos de aceite de oliva no comestible

In the first phase of this study, inedible olive oil with different initial free fatty acid concentrations (2.5, 5.0, and 10.0%) was processed through acid-catalyzed esterification. Various heating methods were used for this purpose. The ultrasound-assisted esterification and traditional magnetic stirrer-assisted esterification methods were similar to each other in terms of their effects on free fatty acid reduction. However, the ultrasound reaction time was significantly shorter than that of the traditional magnetic stirrer. In the second phase of this study, biodiesel production was carried out through the ultrasound-assisted transesterification of inedible olive oil. Independent variables were, namely, ultrasound power level (30, 90, and 150 W), methanol/oil mole ratio (3, 9, and 15), catalyst concentration (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5%), ultrasound time (15, 30, and 45 min), and reaction temperature (45, 55, and 65 °C), which affected the yield indices and physicochemical constants of the produced biodiesel. The purest biodiesel (98.95%) and the highest amount of yield (92.69%) were observed when using an ultrasound power level of 90 W, a methanol/oil mole ratio of 9, a catalyst concentration of 1.0%, an ultrasound time of 30 min, and a reaction temperature of 55 °C. Optimizing the reaction conditions of the ultrasound operation can effectively increase the biodiesel yield (92.69%), while reducing the energy consumption (4.775 kWh/kg) and shortening the reaction time (30 min), compared to the traditional magnetic stirrer (77.28%, 2.17 kWh/kg, and 120 min, respectively). Therefore, ultrasound-assisted transesterification can serve as an effective alternative because of its fast and economic operation for making biodiesel out of inedible olive oil.En la primera fase de este estudio, el aceite de oliva no comestible tenía diferentes concentraciones iniciales de ácidos grasos libres (2,5, 5,0 y 10,0%) y se procesó mediante esterificación catalizada por ácido. Se utilizaron varios métodos de calentamiento para este propósito. La esterificación asistida por ultrasonido y los métodos tradicionales de esterificación asistida por agitador magnético fueron similares entre sí en términos de sus efectos sobre la reducción de ácidos grasos libres. Sin embargo, el tiempo de reacción usando ultrasonidos fue significativamente más corto que el de agitador magnético tradicional. En la segunda fase de este estudio, la producción de biodiesel, a partir de aceite de oliva no comestible, se llevó a cabo mediante transesterificación asistida por ultrasonidos. Las variables independientes fueron, nivel de potencia de ultrasonido (30, 90 y 150 W), relación molar metanol/aceite (3, 9 y 15), concentración de catalizador (0,5, 1,0 y 1,5%), tiempo de ultrasonido (15, 30 y 45 min) y temperatura de reacción (45, 55 y 65 °C) que afectaron al rendimiento y a las constantes fisicoquímicas del biodiesel producido. El biodiésel más puro (98,95%) y el mayor rendimiento (92,69%) se observaron cuando se utilizó un nivel de potencia de ultrasonido de 90 W, una relación molar de metanol / aceite de 9, una concentración de catalizador del 1,0%, un tiempo de ultrasonido de 30 min, y una temperatura de reacción de 55 °C. La optimización de las condiciones de reacción de la operación de ultrasonido puede aumentar efectivamente el rendimiento de biodiésel (92,69%), al tiempo que reduce la cantidad de consumo de energía (4,775 kWh/kg) y acorta el tiempo de reacción (30 min), en comparación con el agitador magnético tradicional (77,28 %, 2,17 kWh/kg y 120 min, respectivamente). Por lo tanto, la transesterificación asistida por ultrasonido puede servir como una alternativa eficaz debido a su operación rápida y económica en la producción de biodiesel a partir de aceite de oliva no comestible

Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of Self-Management Scale for a Sample of Iranian Patients With Epilepsy

Background: Despite the importance of self-management in epileptics, no instrument has been developed or validated in Iran. Since self-management is a multi-dimensional construct, having a valid and reliable instrument for measuring this compound construct is crucial. Objectives: This study aims to validate the Persian version of the self-management scale and provide a valid and reliable tool to measure self-management of patients with epilepsy. Patients and Methods: This is a methodological psychometric study. Construct , face and content validity was calculated on 200 samples after translation. Tool reliability was examined by using two methods: internal consistency and test-retest. Finally, the modified model was presented using exploratory factor analysis for the Iranian version of the tool. Results: The validity of all items was above 0.63 and their content validity indexes (0.81-1) were appropriate. Construct validity, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis confirmed all the dimensions except for some safety and pharmacotherapy items. The overall tool reliability with internal consistency had alpha of 0.77. Conclusions: Persian version of the self-management scale for patients with epilepsy is valid and reliable to measure the dimensions of self-management in Iranian patients and it can be used to measure epileptics’ self-management. Further research on the safety of this tool is recommended

The effect of marine fish cage culture on benthic communities using BOPA index in Ghazale Creek

The present work has been carried out to investigate the probable effects of fish cage culture on benthic communities as a pollution and stress indicator and to evaluate the biotic health condition using BOPA index, in Ghazale Creek (Khowre-Mussa - Persian Gulf). Monthly sampling from 4 stations was carried out from June 2007 to March 2008 (during nine months). Stations were selected from under the cage to 400 m distant (as control site) in Ghazale Creek. Three samples were taken at each station for macrobenthos and one for sediment grain size and total organic matter (TOM), using a 0.0125 m2 van veen grab. Also physical-chemical parameters sampling from three stations was done (during nine months). Stations were under cage station, 50 m and 400 m far from cages in Ghazale Creek.The percentage of total organic matter (TOM) in sediment ranged from 6.11 to 23.26 and the range of silty-clay percentage was from 4.76 to 97.47. The dominant macrobenthos groups were Polychaets (60.62%), Mulluska (19.67%), Crustacea (16.49%). Macrobenthic abundance, biomass and diversity index values in the under cage station were less than that in the control station. Comparing the results of BOPA with the guidelines shows that all stations had bad environmental conditions. The under cage station was more polluted than the control station. The range of physical-chemical parameters in water were: DO ­(6.5-11.43) ppm,­ BOD ­(1.5-10.9) ppm, Salinity (43-45.6) ppt, NO2- (0.006-0.29) ppb, NO3- (3.98-32.2) ppm, Turbidity (14-70)­ NTU temperature (11.8-32.5) ° C

Energy, economic, and environmental analysis of converging air-based photovoltaic-thermal (air/PV-T) systems: A yearly benchmarking

Two converging channel configurations of photovoltaic-thermal (PV-T) systems, i.e., inlet and outlet at different sides (Case 1) and the inlet at the middle and outlets at the sides (Case 2), are investigated numerically. The results reveal that Case 1 features a nearly uniform and lower temperature distribution (up to 7 °C) for practical air flows, and the appropriate convergence ratio is 2:1 (inlet to outlet channel height) for which the PV surface temperature is lower by 8 °C than that of a similar conventional collector. Meanwhile, energy analyses based on the so called ‘rate of extra energy gain per PV surface area..

Simulation of dynamic recrystallization using irregular cellular automata

Computer simulation is a powerful tool to predict microstructure and its evolution during dynamic recrystallization. Cellular Automata (CA), as one of the most efficient methods proposed to simulate recrystallization and grain growth. In this work, recrystallization and grain growth phenomena were modelled by using a two dimensional irregular CA method. Initial grain size, nuclei density and orientation of each grain were variables which have been used as entering data to the CA model. Final grain size, orientation of each grain, dislocation density and stress-strain curve were the results which have been resulted to validate the current model. Considering the model assumptions, it is shown that the CA can successfully simulate dynamic recrystallization