Predictors of malnutrition among Zahedan& rsquo s children age ranging from 2-5 years old in 2007-2008

چکیده: زمینه و هدف: ارزیابی دوره‌ای شاخص‌های تن سنجی یکی از مناسب ترین ابزارهای پایش وضعیت تغذیه کودکان در یک منطقه بوده و منبع اطلاعات خوبی به عنوان مرجع برای نظام مدیریت بخش سلامت کشور و شاخصی از عدالت در جامعه می‌باشد. هدف این مطالعه تعیین میزان شیوع هر کدام از شاخص های سوء تغذیه در کودکان 5-2 سال و پیشگویی کننده های آن می باشد. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه توصیفی- تحلیلی تعداد 1245 کودک 5-2 سال از 5 منطقه شهری شهر زاهدان به صورت چند مرحله ای انتخاب و بررسی شدند. اطلاعات با استفاده از پرونده ها و مصاحبه با مادر کودک جمع آوری شد. در این مطالعه سه شاخص وزن برای قد، قد برای سن و وزن برای سن به ترتیب به عنوان نمایه وضع تغذیه زمان حال یا لاغری، زمان گذشته یا کوتاه قدی و زمان حال و گذشته یا کم وزنی بر اساس 5/2-Z= مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. داده ها با استفاده از آزمون های t مستقل و مجذور کای و رگرسیون خطی مورد تجزیه و تحلیل قرار گرفت. یافته‌ها: میزان شیوع لاغری، کوتاه قدی وکم وزنی به ترتیب 2/4، 6/7 و 4/3 برآورد شد. در تحلیل تک متغیره، لاغری با وزن هنگام تولد و فاصله تولد، کوتاه قدی با وزن هنگام تولد، تحصیلات مادر، شغل پدر، نوع تغذیه زیر یکسال، سابقه عفونت، فاصله تولد و سن مادر و کم وزنی نیز با جنس، وزن هنگام تولد، نوع تغذیه زیر یکسال، سابقه عفونت، فاصله تولد و سن مادر رابطه معنی داری نشان دادند (05/0

A hybrid meta-heuristic algorithm for the vehicle routing problem with stochastic travel times considering the driver's satisfaction

A vehicle routing problem is a significant problem that has attracted great attention from researchers in recent years. The main objectives of the vehicle routing problem are to minimize the traveled distance, total traveling time, number of vehicles and cost function of transportation. Reducing these variables leads to decreasing the total cost and increasing the driver's satisfaction level. On the other hand, this satisfaction, which will decrease by increasing the service time, is considered as an important logistic problem for a company. The stochastic time dominated by a probability variable leads to variation of the service time, while it is ignored in classical routing problems. This paper investigates the problem of the increasing service time by using the stochastic time for each tour such that the total traveling time of the vehicles is limited to a specific limit based on a defined probability. Since exact solutions of the vehicle routing problem that belong to the category of NP-hard problems are not practical in a large scale, a hybrid algorithm based on simulated annealing with genetic operators was proposed to obtain an efficient solution with reasonable computational cost and time. Finally, for some small cases, the related results of the proposed algorithm were compared with results obtained by the Lingo 8 software. The obtained results indicate the efficiency of the proposed hybrid simulated annealing algorithm

marA efflux pump gene expression in Salmonella enteritidis strains treated with Artemisia tournefortiana hydroalcoholic extract and comparison with commercial efflux pump inhibitor, carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP)

Background: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis is a food-borne pathogenic bacterium that has recently become resistant to most quinolone antibiotics. The MarA efflux pump plays a significant role in the development of ciprofloxacin resistance in S. Enteritidis strains. The aim of this study was comparative evaluation of anti-efflux activity of Artemisia tournefortiana extract and commercial efflux inhibitor, carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) on marA efflux pump gene expression in S. Enteritidis clinical strains. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, Artemisia tournefortiana extract was prepared using maceration method. Subsequently, MarA efflux pump was detected in 20 clinical strains of S. Enteritidis via cartwheel and PCR methods. Finally, after treatment of strains with subMIC concentration of extract and 20 µg/L and CCCP, their anti-efflux activity against MarA efflux pump was studied using Real Time PCR. Results: The results of cartwheel and PCR methods indicated that all of ciprofloxacin resistant strains had MarA efflux pump. Subsequently, after treatment of strains with subMIC concentration of extract and CCCP, results show that both component have the ability to inhibit the MarA efflux pump, significantly. Conclusion: Considering the results of MarA efflux inhibition by A. tournefortiana and CCCP, it seems that this plant can be used as a potential source of drug use as a suppository pump inhibitor instead of CCCP.

Use of Machine Learning Methods to Obtain a Reliable Predictive Model for Resilient Modulus of Subgrade Soil

This project explores the development and optimization of predictive models for the resilient modulus (MR) of subgrade soil using advanced machine learning techniques. Comprehensive data from INDOT spanning several years was analyzed to enhance the accuracy of MR predictions. The study not only refined the modeling approach through statistical methods and validation but also identified crucial soil properties that significantly impact MR values. Recommendations for future data collection were made to further improve the models. The developed models and these recommendations will be used to guide INDOT in making informed decisions for pavement design and maintenance, which will ultimately lead to more efficient and cost-effective engineering practices

Developing a Mathematical Model for Scheduling and Determining Success Probability of Research Projects Considering Complex-Fuzzy Networks

In project management context, time management is one of the most important factors affecting project success. This paper proposes a new method to solve research project scheduling problems (RPSP) containing Fuzzy Graphical Evaluation and Review Technique (FGERT) networks. Through the deliverables of this method, a proper estimation of project completion time (PCT) and success probability can be achieved. So algorithms were developed to cover all features of the problem based on three main parameters “duration, occurrence probability, and success probability.” These developed algorithms were known as PR-FGERT (Parallel and Reversible-Fuzzy GERT networks). The main provided framework includes simplifying the network of project and taking regular steps to determine PCT and success probability. Simplifications include (1) equivalent making of parallel and series branches in fuzzy network considering the concepts of probabilistic nodes, (2) equivalent making of delay or reversible-to-itself branches and impact of changing the parameters of time and probability based on removing related branches, (3) equivalent making of simple and complex loops, and (4) an algorithm that was provided to resolve no-loop fuzzy network, after equivalent making. Finally, the performance of models was compared with existing methods. The results showed proper and real performance of models in comparison with existing methods

Antimicrobial Effects of SeptiTurbo, Deconex (Solarsept) and 0.525% Sodium Hypochlorite Spray on Alginate Impression Materials

Objectives: Dental impressions are among the potentially infectious items in dentistry. Dental impressions are invariably contaminated with saliva or blood. Such fluids may contain viral or bacterial pathogens including Bacteroides, Fusobacterium, Porphyromonas and Prevotella. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of three different types of disinfectants on alginate impression materials after one, three and five minutes.Methods: In this in vitro experimental study, 126 circular samples of alginate impression materials were contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and were then disinfected with 0.525% sodium hypochlorite, Deconex (Solarsept) and SeptiTurbo spray. Afterwards, the samples were wrapped in moist paper towels and kept in plastic bags for one, three and five minutes. Number of bacterial colonies was counted 24 hours after incubation. Negative and positive controls were included.Results: After five minutes, 0.525% sodium hypochlorite showed the highest disinfection activity against S. aurous as it eradicated over 99.98% of the bacteria. Although the disinfecting agents showed non-significant results in eradicating S. aureus, SeptiTurbo was more effective in elimination of S. aurous . The disinfection activity of different agents increased with time.Conclusion: This study revealed that alginate can be effectively disinfected with SeptiTurbo and sodium hypochlorite by the spraying technique. This study highlighted the efficacy of SeptiTurbo for eradication of S. aurous

Sensor Fault Detection and Compensation with Performance Prescription for Robotic Manipulators

This paper focuses on sensor fault detection and compensation for robotic manipulators. The proposed method features a new adaptive observer and a new terminal sliding mode control law established on a second-order integral sliding surface. The method enables sensor fault detection without the need to impose known bounds on fault value and/or its derivative. It also enables fast and fixed-time fault-tolerant control whose performance can be prescribed beforehand by defining funnel bounds on the tracking error. The ultimate boundedness of the estimation errors for the proposed observer and the fixed-time stability of the control system are shown using Lyapunov stability analysis. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified using numerical simulations on two different robotic manipulators, and the results are compared with existing methods. Our results demonstrate performance gains obtained by the proposed method compared to the existing results

The application of ontologies in digital library: a meta-synthesis approach

Objective: , the present study examines the current status of the use of ontologies in the digital library area through the analysis of studies in this field. Methodology: The present research is a qualitative study using the meta-synthesis method. In order to collect data in this study, the library method, and to analyze data the seventh-step process of Sandelowski & Barroso for meta-synthesis was used. The research population of the study includes related studies (articles and dissertations) in the area of ontology applications in digital libraries retrieved from scientific databases. CASP evaluation checklist was used to ensure the quality of the studies. Finally, out of 267 retrieved studies, 43 titles were selected and analyzed. Findings: Analysis of studies in the area of ontology application in the digital library led to the identification of 4 categories, 8 components, and 48 dimensions in this field. The main categories include the application of ontology in digital library services, the application of ontology in digital library structures, the basis of ontology application in digital libraries, and the application of ontologies in covering the subject domain of digital libraries. Originality: In this study, which seems to have never been done before, a comprehensive analysis of the field of ontology application in digital libraries, the current situation and its dimensions were presented. Also, by clarifying the topics that have been less addressed, new research subjects were provided for researchers in this field