Opioid use among women on a stable methadone dose

Copyright © 2017, Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Background: Opioid use on a stable methadone dose is a health concern in Iran, the most populous Persian Gulf country. However, the underlying reasons associated with opioid use have not been studied. Objectives: The study aimed to explore the reasons associated with opioid use among a group of Persian methadone-maintained women. The other aim was to explore effective interventions to stop this problem. Methods: The current qualitative study was conducted between June 2008 and December 2009. The study sites included ten large methadone treatment clinics in Tehran. The study employed semi-structured interviews with 50 women. Six roundtable meetings were conducted with nine key informants. NVivo 10 was used to thematically analyze the data. Results: Women were on a stable methadone dose of 45 - 115 mg for at least six months. Opioid availability, an opioid-dependent lifestyle, peer pressure and self-treatment were the reasons of opioid use. The provision of cognitive-behavioral therapy, life skills, observational learning, and mental health services were the suggested interventions to stop opioid use. Conclusions: Opioid use on a stable methadone dose had been facilitated by some factors which should be considered in methadone treatment. The suggested interventions should be considered in increasing methadone treatment outcomes

Design, development and evaluation of an electrical heater for protecting tree from winter injury

When woody plants are subjected to a sudden large drop in temperature, injury or even death of plants can occur. An electrical heater unit designed for cold protection tree in winter. It made up from three layers. Material of middle layers was from glass wool and two outer layers were from waterproof rubber covering. Thermal wires were placed inside the layers. Electrical heater of tree could be used for trees with trunk diameter between 15 cm to 45 cm. The electrical heater around the trunk was wrapped, and then in a cooler chamber was placed. Tests carried out in five different temperatures (-8, -12, -15, -18 and -20 °C) with five replications on the same trunk. Essential power and voltage for this electrical heater was 54.6 W and 24 V. Tests results indicated that the tree heater kept trunk in temperature 20, 19, 18, 15 and 14°C while cooler chamber temperature was -8, -12, -15, -18 and -20°C, respectively

Impacts of climate change on soybean production under different treatments of field experiments considering the uncertainty of general circulation models

Earth is faced with dramatic changes in the weather systems, which leads to climate change. Climate change affects water resources and crop production. In this study, five and seven general circulation models (GCMs) were respectively collected via the IPCC Fourth and Fifth Assessment Reports. Emission scenarios including B1, A1B, and A2 for AR4 and RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 for AR5 were applied to predict future climate change. The weighting method of mean observed temperature-precipitation (MOTP) was utilized to compute uncertainty related to different climate models. The scenario files made by ΔT and ΔP were applied to the downscaled model of LARS-WG to generate weighted multi-model ensemble means of temperature and precipitation for the period 2020–2039 centered on 2030s. These ensemble means were incorporated into the calibrated AquaCrop model to predict final yield and biomass. In this study, soybean data were applied for four different varieties under three irrigation treatments in field experiments carried out at Karaj Seed and Plant Improvement Institute in two successive years. However, the results of statistical analysis between the model output and observed data for all varieties and irrigation treatments in the calibration year (2010) and validation year (2011) were the same at the 95% confidence level. It is suggested that AquaCrop is a valid model to predict yield and biomass for the study area in the future. Furthermore, comparing future climatic variables to the historical period during the soybean growing season showed enhancement of these variables by the 2030s. The amplitude change of temperature was larger in AR5, whereas the amplitude change of precipitation and CO2 were larger in AR4. The soybean yield and biomass increased for all treatments in the 2030 s with positive correlation with the climatic variables. The maximum temperature represented the most significant correlation with yield and biomass for almost all treatments. Finally, soybeans might achieve an optimal threshold temperature in the future, leading to yield increases in the 2030s

STUDY ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SUNFLOWER SEEDS

ABSTRACT Some physical and mechanical properties of sunflower seeds were studied. The measured parameters were linear dimensions, thousand grain mass, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, surface and projected area, volume, shape parameters (such as flakiness ratio and elongation ratio), true and bulk densities, porosity, angle of repose and static coefficient of friction of the Shamshiri variety in the moisture range from 6.3 to 20% (w.b.) using standard methods. Average rupture force, deformation and absorbed energy at rupture point of the sunflower seeds under compression as well as the extent of physical damage to seeds due to impact were also determined over a range of moisture contents between 1.8% and 20.3% (w.b). The results showed a variation of 14.32 to 31.00 mm for length, 4.73 to 9.82 mm for width and 2.36 to 6.67 mm for thickness of sunflower seeds. The values of the thousand grain mass, seed volume, true density, bulk density and porosity of sunflower seeds were between149. 81-167.77g, 99.05-628.9 mm3, 444.39-521.78 kg/m3, 269.06-275.57 kg/m3 and 39.09-47.18% respectively. The rupture force, deformation, and absorbed energy increased with increase in moisture content from 1.8 to 14.5%, while decreased with further increasing of moisture content from 14.5 to 20.3%. The mean value of percentage of physically damaged seeds increased from 2.75 to 10.81% with increasing the impact velocity from 40.8 to 62.3 m/s. In both impact orientations, the total damaged seeds increased with increase in impact velocity for all moisture contents of seeds

Methamphetamine dependence, psychologicalwell-being, criminality and high risk sexual behaviors in female-only methadone services in tehran and karaj, iran

©2018, Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Background: Methamphetamine (MA) abuse is a health concern among drug abuse patients in Iran. Objectives: This study aimed at determining the prevalence of MA dependence among a group of female methadone users and investigating the current psychological well-being, high risk sexual and criminality behaviors, and the status of receiving MA treatment. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey conducted in Iran. The study was conducted at 5 central female-only methadone services in Tehran and Karaj, during years 2011 to 2013. A questionnaire was devised to collect baseline data. The general health questionnaire-28 and the Opiate Treatment Index were used to assess psychological well-being, and criminality and high-risk sexual behaviors. Results: Overall, 245 females were registered at these sites. Of them, 201 females (82%) were dependent on MA while on treatment. Duration of MAdependence was 6 years. However, only 14.3% of the participants reported lifetimeMAtreatment. Noparticipant was on MA treatment. Participants reported high rates of MA-related depression (76.4%), anxiety (68.4%), social dysfunction (41.2%), and somatic symptoms (38.2%), respectively. Untreated MA dependence in methadone treatment was associated with engagement in high-risk sexual behaviors (43.8%) and criminality (28.7%). Only 10% of the participants reported receiving a lifetime matrix model. All of them reported that the Matrix model was long and it was not easily available in methadone services. Conclusions: The study showed that the high prevalence for MA dependence and its adverse health impacts while receiving MA treatment remained the same. Effective psychosocial treatments should be delivered forMAdependenceamong female methadone users

Gender differences among patients with Hepatitis C virus undergoing rehabilitation through methadone maintenance treatment

Objectives: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a health problem among patients undergoing rehabilitation through methadone maintenance treatment in Iran, the most populous Persian Gulf country. The study aimed to examine gender differences among a group of methadone maintenance treatment patients with HCV problem. Methods: Overall 150 patients (n=75 men, n=75 women) were enrolled from nine methadone clinics in Tehran. The study was conducted between July 2013 and June 2014. Participants of the two genders were compared in baseline characteristics, perceived stress, social support, coping strategies and mental health. Results: Men were more likely to report being currently on parole than women (χ(1)=9.23). Age of first illicit drug use was significantly higher among men than women (t(121)=2.43). Men were more likely to report drug injection in the last 12 months compared with women (χ(1)=4.62). Men were more likely to report criminal charges (t(121)=2.21) and being in correctional facilities (χ(1)=5.32) compared with women. Women reported higher levels of emotion-focused coping than men. Despite women reporting more social support [4.20(0.79)], they also reported higher levels of emotion-focused coping [2.66(0.55)] than men. Women were more likely to have a current mental health disorder (χ(1)=8.15) than men. Discussion: The study results demonstrated some gender differences in baseline characteristics and psychological problems. Such differences may have important impacts on methadone treatment outcomes. Further studies are suggested

Application of weight functions in nonlinear analysis of structural dynamics problems

This paper presents a weighted residual method with several weight functions for solving differential equation of motion in nonlinear structural dynamics problems. Order of variation of acceleration is assumed to be quadratic in each time step in which polynomial of displacement would contain five unknown coefficients. Five equations are required for determination of these coefficients in each time step. These equations are obtained from initial conditions, satisfying equation of motions at both ends, and weighted residual integration. In this study, four procedures are considered for weight function to be used in the weighted residual integration as; unit weight function, Petrov–Galerkin's weight function, least square weight function, and collocation weight function. Due to higher order of acceleration in the proposed method, the results indicate better and more accurate responses. Among the tested functions, the unit weighted function method demonstrated to be non-dissipative and its numerical dispersion showed to be clearly less than the common Newmark's linear acceleration method. Also critical time step duration in stability investigation for weighted function procedure showed to be larger than the critical time step duration obtained by other methods used in the nonlinear structural dynamics problems.M. Ghassemieh, A. A. Gholampour, and S. R. Massa

Adaptation Strategies of Wheat to Climate Change (Case Study: Ahvaz Region)

Introduction In recent years human activities induced increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). Increases in [CO2] caused global warming and Climate change. Climate change is anticipated to cause negative and adverse impacts on agricultural systems throughout the world. Higher temperatures are expected to lead to a host of problems. On the other hand, increasing of [CO2] anticipated causing positive impacts on crop yield. Considering the socio-economic importance of agriculture for food security, it is essential to undertake assessments of how future climate change could affect crop yields, so as to provide necessary information to implement appropriate adaptation strategies. In this perspective, the aim of this study was to assess potential climate change impacts and on production for one of the most important varieties of wheat (chamran) in Khouzestan plain and provide directions for possible adaptation strategies. Materials and Methods: For this study, The Ahvaz region located in the Khuzestan province of Iran was selected. Ahvaz has a desert climate with long, very hot summers and mild, short winters. At first, thirteen GCM models and two greenhouse gases emission (GHG) scenarios (A2 and B1) was selected for determination of climate change scenarios. ∆P and ∆T parameters at monthly scale were calculated for each GCM model under each GHG emissions scenario by following equation: Where ∆P, ∆T are long term (thirty years) precipitation and temperature differences between baseline and future period, respectively. average future GCM temperature (2015-2044) for each month, , average baseline period GCM temperature (1971-2000) for each month, , average future GCM precipitation for each month, , average baseline period GCM temperature (1971-2000) for each month and i is index of month. Using calculated ∆Ps for each month via AOGCM models and Beta distribution, Cumulative probability distribution function (CDF) determined for generated ∆Ps. ∆P was derived for risk level 0.10 from CDF. Using the measured precipitation for the 30 years baseline period (1971-2000) and LARS-WG model, daily precipitation time series under risk level 0.10 were generated for future periods (2015-2045 and 2070-2100). Mentioned process in above was performed for temperature. Afterwards, wheat growth was simulated during future and baseline periods using DSSAT, CERES-Wheat model. DSSAT, CERES4.5 is a model based on the crop growth module in which crop growth and development are controlled by phenological development processes. The DSSAT model contains the soil water, soil dynamic, soil temperature, soil nitrogen and carbon, individual plant growth module and crop management module (including planting, harvesting, irrigation, fertilizer and residue modules). This model is not only used to simulate the crop yield, but also to explore the effects of climate change on agricultural productivity and irrigated water. For model validation, field data from different years of observations were used in this study. Experimental data for the simulation were collected at the experimental farm of the Khuzestan Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center (KANRC), located at Ahwaz in south western Iran. Results and Discussion: Results showed that wheat growth season was shortened under climate change, especially during 2070-2100 periods. Daily evapotranspiration increased and cumulative evapotranspiration decreased due to increasing daily temperatures and shortening of growth season, respectively. Comparing the wheat yield under climate change with base period based on the considered risk value (0.10) showed that wheat yield in 2015-2045 and 2070-2100 was decreased about 4 and 15 percent, respectively. Four adaptation strategies were assessed (shifting in the planting date, changing the amount of nitrogenous fertilizer, irrigation regime and breeding strategies) in response to climate change. Results indicated that Nov, 21 and Dec, 11 are the best planting dates for 2015-2045 and 2070-2100, respectively. The late season varieties with heat-tolerant characteristic had higher yield in comparison with short and normal season varieties. It indicated that breeding strategy was an appropriate adaptation under climate change. It was also found that the amount of nitrogen application will be reduced by 20 percent in future periods. The increase and decease of one irrigation application (40mm) to irrigation regime of base period resulted in maximum yield for 2015-2045 and 2070-2100, respectively. But, reduction of two irrigation application (80mm) resulted in maximum water productivity (WPI). Conclusions In the present study, four adaptation strategies of wheat (shifting in the planting date, changing the amount of nitrogenous fertilizer, irrigation regime and breeding strategies) under climate change in Ahvaz region were investigated. Result showed that Nov, 21 and Dec, 11 were the best planting dates for 2015-2045 and 2070-2100, respectively. The late season varieties with heat-tolerant characteristic had higher yield in comparison with short and normal season varieties. It indicated that breeding strategy was an appropriate adaptation strategy under climate change. It was also found that the amount of nitrogen application will be reduced by 20 percent in future periods. The increase and decease of one irrigation application (40mm) to irrigation regime of base period resulted in maximum yield for 2015-2045 and 2070-2100, respectively