On Statistical Modelling and Hypothesis Testing by Information Theoretic Methods

The main objective of this thesis is to study various information theoretic methods and criteria in the context of statistical model selection. The focus in this research is on Rissanen’s Minimum Description Length (MDL) principle and its variants, with a special emphasis on the Normalized Maximum Likelihood (NML).We extend the Rissanen methodology for coping with infinite parametric complexity and discuss two particular cases. This is applied for deriving four NMLcriteria and investigate their performance. Furthermore, we find the connection between Stochastic Complexity (SC), defined as minus logarithm of NML, and other model selection criteria.We also study the use of information theoretic criteria (ITC) for selecting the order of autoregressive (AR) models in the presence of nonstationarity. In particular, we give a modified version of Sequentially NML (SNML) when the model parameters are estimated by forgetting factor LS algorithm.Another contribution of the thesis is in connection with the new approach for composite hypothesis testing using Optimally Distinguishable Distributions (ODD). The ODD-detector for subspace signals in Gaussian noise is introduced and its performance is evaluated.Additionally, we exploit the Kolmogorov Structure Function (KSF) to derive a new criterion for cepstral nulling, which has been recently applied to the problem of periodogram smoothing.Finally, the problem of fairness in multiaccess communication systems is investigated and a new method is proposed. The new approach is based on partitioning the network into subnetworks and employing two different multiple-access schemes within and across subnetworks. It is also introduced an algorithm for selecting optimally the subnetworks such that to achieve the max-min fairness

An analysis of underlying factors for implementing privatization in Iranian sport

The purpose of this research was to analyze the underlying factors of privatization implementation in Iran's sport, which was developed by developmental approach. Statistical population of this research was consisted of all managers and experts involved in sports privatization in the country. Regarding that this is a qualitative research, a total of 20 people were selected using the snowball purposeful sampling technique as a statistical sample. The data collection tool was interview. Interviews continued until the theoretical saturation stage was fulfilled. The data obtained from interviews were analyzed in three stages of open, axial and selective coding. The results of the research identified 41 concepts and 5 categories including factors related to financial market, management factors, media factors, cultural factors and legal factors that provide the platform for implementation of privatization in the sport of the country. According to the results of this research, privatization in Iran's sport has been affected by various conditions, it is suggested that sport authorities are encouraged to provide a condition in which people can be trained in order to gain specialty to enter in various areas such as advertising private sector and proper culture creation in press and TV and paying attention to philosophy of sport and culture creation among the people

Chemical composition and bioactivities of the volatile oil of the seeds of Eryngium bungei Boiss.

The volatile oil of the seeds of Eryngium bungei Boiss. (family Apiaceae), was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by the GC-MS and the GC-FID. The analyses revealed at least 69 compounds representing 94 % of the total oil. The results showed that the oil was dominated by chrysanthenyl acetate (20.0 %), spathulenol (17.2 %), endo-isofenchol (10.8 %) and α-pinene (5.1 %). The free-radical-scavenging activity of the oil was evaluated by DPPH assay and RC50 value was calculated as 7.5 µg/mL. The antifungal and phytotoxic activities of the oil were tested against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and some common weeds. The MIC value for anti sclerotinia activity of the seed oil was evaluated as 12.5 µg/mL. The IC50 values were determined as 1.32-2.1 µg/mL for inhibitory effects of the oil on seed germination of different weeds. This is the first report on chemical composition and bioactivities of the volatile oils of the seeds of Eryngium bungei

Analgesic efficacy of bupivacaine alone versus bupivacaine plus dexmedetomidine in penile block for hypospadias surgery

Introduction: Hypospadias is a common pediatric surgical procedure. Early postoperative pain management is essential to inhibit pain impulses and endocrine responses; leading to decreased mortality and morbidity and lower rate of agitation and faster return to normal functional status. This study evaluates the analgesic efficacy of bupivacaine alone versus bupivacaine plus dexmedetomidine in penile block for hypospadias surgery.Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 64 children undergoing hypospadias surgery in a referral center in Tehran, Iran during 2018 were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either bupivacaine 0.25% alone 0.2 ml/kg or bupivacaine 0.25% 0.2 ml/kg plus dexmedetomidine 0.3 μg/kg. After performing penile block, reversion of anesthesia was carried out and patients were extubated after regaining complete consciousness. Patients were monitored for 24 hours for pain according to FLACC scale and also the analgesia and block duration was determined.Results: Mean analgesia duration was 2.63±0.9 and 2.03±0.5 hours in the combination group and alone group respectively which was significant (P=0.003). The mean duration of block was significantly longer in the combination group (P=0.001).Conclusions: According to the results it may be concluded that addition of dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine in hypospadias surgeries would result in longer analgesia and block duration; without addition of adverse effects

Anesthesia Depth Measurement with Bispectral Index Monitoring during Minor Surgery among Children With and Without Cerebral Palsy

Introduction: Unfortunately, few studies have been performed on the pharmacodynamic effects of anesthesia in children suffering cerebral palsy(CP).Patients were candidates for surgeryfor various reasons. Due to the lower need for anesthesiain these children, side effects of various anesthetic agents, adverse drug reactions, delayed awareness and higher costs can be prevented in these children. The present study aims to evaluate and compare the depth of anesthesia in minor surgeries using Bispectral Index (BSI) in children sufferingCP. Materials and Methods: This cohort study was performed on 64 children aged two to ten years in two groups with and without cerebral palsy inMofid Hospital, Tehran, Iran in 2020. BIS index, mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were measured before and after anesthesia induction, every ten minutes during operation, after extubation and when being able to respond to verbal stimulation. Results: This studyexamined 64 patients equally divided into two study groups “with and without cerebral palsy”. The mean BIS level in children suffering CP was lower than children without cerebral palsy. The dosage of isoflurane gas used for anesthesia in CPpatientswas meaningfully lower than itsdosage in children without cerebral palsy. Conclusion: Monitoring of anesthesia in this study, showed that use of BIS could reduce the use of anesthetic agents and related side effects to provide the appropriate depth of anesthesia

Comparing midazolam-bupivacaine and neostigmine-bupivacaine for caudal anesthesia in children undergoing herniorrhaphy

Introduction: Neostigmine and midazolam are each added to bupivacaine for the purpose of caudal anesthesia. In this study, we compared neostigmine and midazolam, each coadministered with bupivacaine, in terms of analgesia and side effects during pediatric inguinal hernia operations.Material and Methods: We included 60 children 1–6 years-old, candidates for elective unilateral herniorrhaphy. After general anesthesia induction with inhaled sevoflurane, a caudal block was performed. Patients were randomly allocated to one of two trial groups: midazolam group received bupivacaine 25% 1 ml/kg with midazolam 50µg/kg, and neostigmine group received bupivacaine 25% 1 ml/kg with neostigmine 2 µg/kg through the caudal route. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and oxygen saturation were recorded before induction and every five minutes after caudal anesthesia up to 30 minutes. Pain and sedation scores were recorded at two, four, six, 12, and 24 hours after the operation, along with rescue analgesia dosage, vomiting, and respiratory depression.Results: Mean duration of analgesia in the midazolam group was similar to the neostigmine group (18.8±9 vs. 20.4±7.5; P= 0.44).The analgesic dosage required was not significantly lower in the neostigmine group compared to the midazolam group (58.3±121.7 VS .70.8±125.8; P=0.63).The number of patients who needed analgesic agents was similar in both groups (P= 0.76). Nausea (P= <0.05) and vomiting (P=0.01) rates were higher in the neostigmine group.Conclusion: Midazolam (50 µg/kg) compared to neostigmine (2 µg/kg) provided higher sedation along with lower incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Iran supports a great share of biodiversity and floristic endemism for Fritillaria spp. (Liliaceae): A review.

Iran supports a great share of exotic and/or endemic plant genera and species. The genus Fritillaria (Liliaceae) is a precious part of this botanical richness with 19 species, of which 10 are endemic to the country. However, signs are mounting that the country is truly at a crossroads when it comes to preservation of this national wealth. In this regard, an effective conservation strategy should thoroughly consider the classification of Fritillaria, as conservation practices are compromised by knowledge gaps in systematics and taxonomy. As published studies on Fritillaria in Iran have been sporadic and limited in scope, the aim of this review is to provide information necessary to help bridge these information gaps. Our objective is to facilitate increased understanding of the geographic, taxonomic, cytogenetic and phylogenetic status of Iranian Fritillaria, which is vital to meeting the goal of sustainable conservation of the genus in Iran and neighboring areas

A Post-Marketing Surveillance Study to Evaluate the Safety Profile of AlvotereⓇ (Docetaxel) in Iranian Patients Diagnosed with Different Types of Cancers Receiving Chemotherapy

Background Docetaxel is a clinically well established antimitotic chemotherapy medication. Labeled docetaxel indications are breast cancer, gastric cancer, head and neck cancer, non–small cell lung cancer, and prostate cancer. Objective This is a Phase IV study to evaluate the safety profile of docetaxel (Alvotere; NanoAlvand, Iran) in Iranian patients diagnosed with different types of cancers receiving chemotherapy regimens with docetaxel. Methods Patients who received Alvotere as a part of their chemotherapy regimen were enrolled in this Phase IV, observational, multicenter, open-label study. Alvotere was administrated as a single agent or in combination with other chemotherapy agents. Safety parameters in each cycle were assessed, and the related data were recorded in booklets. Findings A total of 411 patients with different types of cancers were enrolled from 25 centers in Iran. The most common malignancies among participants were breast cancer (49.88%), followed by gastric cancer (22.63%). Participants’ mean age was 53.33 years, and the mean total dose used in each cycle was 132 mg. According to the results, 341 patients experienced at least 1 adverse event, that the most common was alopecia (41.12%). In total, 92 (22.38%) patients had at least 1 adverse event of grade 3 or 4, and 25 (6.08%) patients showed 54 serious adverse events, which the causality assessment for all was possibly related to Alvotere. There was a significant difference between men and women in the incidence of skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders (55.63% in women vs 41.73% in men; P = 0.009). Also, the incidence of gastrointestinal disorders, nervous system disorders, skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders, hepatic enzymes increase, and fluid retention was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in patients receiving anthracyclines in their chemotherapy regimens. Conclusions The findings of this open-label, observational, multicenter, postmarketing surveillance showed that Alvotere appears to have an acceptable safety profile in Iranian cancer patients receiving chemotherapeutic regimens. (Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2022; 82:XXX–XXX) © 2022 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc

Provision of Healthcare Services for Children in Iran: Common Ethical Principles and Obstacles to Successful Implementation

Ethics is an essential element in the provision of healthcare services. Fundamental ethical values determine the manner in which the professional behavior is implemented in the healthcare area. These ethical principles find meaning in time and place and in the social context of ethical values and among children as vulnerable groups. So, this study examined the ethical principles of providing health care services for children and barriers to their application in Iran from key informants’ perspective. Therefore, qualitative content analysis method was used by means of semi-structured questionnaire to theoretical saturation scale with the participation of 20 key informants. Each interview underwent the process of implementation, evaluation, coding, and analysis, and then its findings were presented in two dimensions: desirable principles and barriers for its application, including 15 classes. Desirable principles include autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, confidentiality, accent, consent, and participation. Obstacles to their compliance also included weakness of the policy landscape, weakness of the judicial system, cultural conservatism, socio-economic inequality, services commodification with unequal distribution, resource mismanagement (limitation), weakness of the professional education system, and the emergence of complex situations. From the key informants’ point of view, codes of ethics do not differ significantly from international principles, but their application is faced with difficulties, and they are likely to be improved through evidence-based policies according to the results of scientific studies