Conformally Covariant Vector-Spinor Field in de Sitter Space

In this paper, we study the conformally invariant field equations for vector-spinor field in de Sitter space-time. The solutions are also obtained in terms of the de Sitter-Dirac plane waves. The related two-point functions are calculated in both de Sitter ambient space formalism and intrinsic de Sitter coordinate. In order to study the conformal invariance, Dirac s six-cone formalism is utilized in which the field equations are expressed in a manifestly conformal way in 4 + 2 dimensional conformal space and then followed by the projection to de Sitter space.Comment: 22 pages- paper improved- appendix added- correct the mistakes in writing-references adde

Designing a Model for the Internationalization of SME’s in Nano-Based Knowledge Companies

Objective: Provided that, internationalization and expansion of activities to global markets is one of the most important breakthroughs for small and medium-sized businesses, this research aimed to propose an internationalization model for Iranian small and medium-sized enterprises in nanotechnology industries. Methods: The present research is applied in terms of purpose and uses qualitative approach through structured grounded theory. The process of studying the phenomenon was discovered based on the analysis of in-depth interviews conducted with 11 directors of active nanotechnology business with a history of international presence. Results: The pattern obtained from this study indicated that the main issue that triggers business to enter the international markets is sustainable competitive advantage. The effective factors in this process include organizational and individual components, environmental factors including environmental characteristics, and firm characteristics; intermediary factors including management and organizational conditions; powerful entry; market planning, and analysis. Process strategy and internationalization implications including employee empowerment development of technology, brand extension, and growth of capital. Conclusion: The process of internationalization of SMEs requires global sustainable competitive advantage, and at the same time, the existent propulsion in business essence and entrepreneur nature. Depending on the market situation, domestic competition, firm size, and the existing empirical records of the company will intensify

A Novel Supplier-Managed Inventory Order Assignment Platform Enabled by Blockchain Technology

Supplier Managed Inventory (SMI) can be considered an enabler for supply chain coordination in which the supplier takes over the customer's inventory to optimize the supply chain. However, the successful implementation of SMI is centered on the high level of trust, accurate data transfer, and efficient interaction between parties. This requires the sharing of information through supply chain stakeholders which face resistance and challenges due to the fear that this information will be revealed to its competitors and transparency of data. This paper has investigated the application of Blockchain technology and its potential for successful SMI implementation. The paper has proposed a Blockchain framework for the coordination of suppliers and customers. The framework includes a mathematical model for multiple supplier-customer order fulfillment which is embedded in the blockchain framework. The paper has demonstrated case studies to evaluate the performance of the proposed model with literature discussing the details of its blockchain framework

Prophylactic Administration of Aminophylline to Prevent Renal Dysfunction in Asphyxiated Neonates

Background: Neonatal asphyxia is one of the most common neonatal problems. And kidney injuries are one of the most important complications of asphyxia in infants. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of administering aminophylline on improving the renal function of asphyxiated preterm infants.Methods: In this single-blind randomized clinical trial, forty term neonates with perinatal asphyxia were randomized to intervention (n=21) and control (n=19) groups, respectively, receiving a intravenously single dose of aminophylline (5 mg/kg) or an equal volume of placebo (5% dextrose in water) during the first 3 hours of life. Daily urine output, 24-hour fluid intake, weight and serum creatinine were recorded during the first 5 days of life.Result: The incidence of severe kidney dysfunction was not significantly different between the two groups. (2 infants in the group of intervention with aminophylline and 3 in the control placebo group; p=0.23). Plasma creatinine (Pcr) levels were increased in both groups on the second day and reached the maximum in the third day. Then it gradually decreased during the fourth and fifth days of life. There was no significant difference in Pcr & GFR between the groups in these five days (p>0.05). However, urinary output/input ratio was higher in the aminophylline group in the first three days of life.Conclusion: Prophylactic administration of aminophylline in asphyxiated neonates could not change the process of renal failure in the patients but could increase urinary output in the first days of life

Drought Responses in Six Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) Cultivars

[EN] Drought is one of the major causes of reduction of crop yields worldwide, a problem that will increase in the next decades due to climate change. We describe here an initial attempt to define biochemical markers associated to water stress in several hazelnut cultivars, by measuring the levels of common osmolytes and the generation of secondary oxidative stress, in plants subjected to water stress, and after recovery from the stress treatment. Proline (Pro) appears to be a reliable marker in this species, as its accumulation in leaves correlates well with the degree of stress affecting the plants. Differences between cultivars in relative Pro accumulation and oxidative stress suggested that some cultivars are more tolerant than others and could be selected for cultivation in drought-affected areas.Shahi-Gharahlar, A.; Fatahi, MR.; Zamani, Z.; Al Hassan, M.; Boscaiu Neagu, MT.; Vicente Meana, Ó. (2016). Drought Responses in Six Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) Cultivars. BULLETIN OF UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES AND VETERINARY MEDICINE. 73(2):259-261. doi:10.15835/buasvmcn-hort:12288S25926173

Spatial and temporal monitoring of wildfires in Golestan province using remote sensing data

Wildfires are one of the most significant factors of ecosystem change. Knowing the wildfire regime (frequency, intensity, and distribution pattern) is essential in wildfire management. This research aims to analyze the spatiotemporal pattern of wildfires in Golestan in 2001-2021 using MODIS data, burned area product (MCD64A1). For this purpose, the annual and monthly frequency, as well as the trend of wildfires based on types of forest, pasture, and crop cover, were statistically analyzed. The local Moran pattern analysis method and kernel density function were used to analyze the spatial dynamics of wildfire. The results showed that 18,462 wildfires occurred in Golestan, the highest of which was in 2010, with 2,517 wildfires (13.8%). The lowest number of wildfires, with only 57 events (0.5%), was in 2001. Based on the local Moran model results and the kernel density function, the wildfires' extent and intensity were greater in the plains and foothills to the south and southeast of Golestan. The lowest extent and intensity of the wildfire corresponded to the eastern parts of the province. The frequency of wildfires was higher in the hot period of the year (spring and summer). However, the period of occurrence of wildfire and the peak of wildfire changes in different uses. The wildfire zones in June were wider and more intense than in other months. The frequency and spatial extent of wildfires in agricultural lands from May to July, pasture lands in July, August, and September, and forest lands in November and December were more than in other months. Weather conditions play a significant role in the occurrence of wildfire in the forest lands of Golestan. The results of this research help understand wildfire risk areas and provide a scientific basis for predicting and controlling wildfires and reducing carbon emissions related to them

Global prevalence of myasthenia gravis and the effectiveness of common drugs in its treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular autoimmune disorder characterized by weakness and disability in the voluntary muscles. There have been several preliminary studies on the epidemiology of myasthenia gravis in different parts of the world and the effectiveness of common drugs in its treatment, but there has been no comprehensive study of the efficacy of common drugs in the treatment of myasthenia gravis. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the epidemiology of myasthenia gravis globally and the effectiveness of common drugs in its treatment using systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: Research studies were extracted from IranDoc, MagIran, IranMedex, SID, ScienceDirect, Web of Sciences (WoS), ProQuest, Medline (PubMed), Scopus and Google Scholar based on Cochran's seven-step guidelines using existing keywords extracted in MeSH browser. The I2 test was used to calculate the heterogeneity of studies, and Begg and Mazumdar rank correlation tests were used to assess publication bias. Data were analyzed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (Version 2). Results: In the search for descriptive studies based on the research question, 7374 articles were found. After deleting articles unrelated to the research question, finally, 63 articles with a sample size of 1,206,961,907 people were included in the meta-analysis. The prevalence of MG worldwide was estimated to be 12.4 people (95% CI 10.6-14.5) per 100,000 population. For analytical studies on the effectiveness of common myasthenia gravis drugs, 4672 articles were found initially, and after removing articles unrelated to the research question, finally, 20 articles with a sample size of 643 people in the drug group and 619 people in the placebo group were included in the study. As a result of the combination of studies, the difference between the mean QMGS score index after taking Mycophenolate and Immunoglobulin or plasma exchange drugs in the group of patients showed a significant decrease of 1.4 ± 0.77 and 0.62 ± 0.28, respectively (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The results of systematic review of drug evaluation in patients with myasthenia gravis showed that Mycophenolate and Immunoglobulin or plasma exchange drugs have positive effects in the treatment of MG. It also represents the positive effect of immunoglobulin or plasma exchange on reducing SFEMG index and QMGS index and the positive effect of Mycophenolate in reducing MG-ADL index, SFEMG and Anti-AChR antibodies index. In addition, based on a meta-analysis of the random-effect model, the overall prevalence of MG in the world is 12.4 people per 100,000 population, which indicates the urgent need for attention to this disease for prevention and treatment

Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Medical Education Fellowship Program for the Faculty Members of Kerman University of Medical Sciences Based on the Kirkpatrick Model

Background: Attempts to increase the development of faculty members can improve their ability to assume different roles. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to design, implementation, and evaluation a medical education fellowship program for the faculty members of Kerman University of Medical Sciences and to propose practical recommendations for the future design of development programs. Methods: In this semi-experimental study, a total of 53 faculty members of Kerman University of Medical Sciences participated in a one-year development program, which was designed by the Education Development Center and included the main disciplines of medical education. The program was evaluated in several steps, using the Kirkpatrick model. Results: In the first level of Kirkpatrick model, the majority of the participants were satisfied with the general quality of the fellowship program. Based on the findings, the program led to an increase in the knowledge of faculty members and promoted a more positive attitude towards education and these programs. The findings related to the second level of Kirkpatrick model showed a significant difference between the pretest and posttest results (P < 0.05). In addition, analysis of the effects of the program on the participants’ behaviors and practical learning indicated positive changes. Conclusions: The medical education fellowship program led to positive changes in the participants’ attitudes towards education and faculty development programs and increased their knowledge about educational principles and strategies and achieving of training skills. It can be concluded that the medical education fellowship program could achieve many of its preset goals. Keywords Faculty Development Programs Medical Education Faculty Member

Morbidity and mortality from road injuries: results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

BackgroundThe global burden of road injuries is known to follow complex geographical, temporal and demographic patterns. While health loss from road injuries is a major topic of global importance, there has been no recent comprehensive assessment that includes estimates for every age group, sex and country over recent years.MethodsWe used results from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017 study to report incidence, prevalence, years lived with disability, deaths, years of life lost and disability-adjusted life years for all locations in the GBD 2017 hierarchy from 1990 to 2017 for road injuries. Second, we measured mortality-to-incidence ratios by location. Third, we assessed the distribution of the natures of injury (eg, traumatic brain injury) that result from each road injury.ResultsGlobally, 1 243 068 (95% uncertainty interval 1 191 889 to 1 276 940) people died from road injuries in 2017 out of 54 192 330 (47 381 583 to 61 645 891) new cases of road injuries. Age-standardised incidence rates of road injuries increased between 1990 and 2017, while mortality rates decreased. Regionally, age-standardised mortality rates decreased in all but two regions, South Asia and Southern Latin America, where rates did not change significantly. Nine of 21 GBD regions experienced significant increases in age-standardised incidence rates, while 10 experienced significant decreases and two experienced no significant change.ConclusionsWhile road injury mortality has improved in recent decades, there are worsening rates of incidence and significant geographical heterogeneity. These findings indicate that more research is needed to better understand how road injuries can be prevented