Cloud point extraction, preconcentration and spectrophotometric determination of nickel in water samples using dimethylglyoxime

A new and simple method for the preconcentration and spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of nickel was developed by cloud point extraction (CPE). In the proposed work, dimethylglyoxime (DMG) was used as the chelating agent and Triton X-114 was selected as a non-ionic surfactant for CPE. The parameters affecting the cloud point extraction including the pH of sample solution, concentration of the chelating agent and surfactant, equilibration temperature and time were optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the calibration graph was linear in the range of 10-150 ng mL-1 with a detection limit of 4 ng mL-1. The relative standard deviation for 9 replicates of 100 ng mL-1 Ni(II) was 1.04%. The interference effect of some anions and cations was studied. The method was applied to the determination of Ni(II) in water samples with satisfactory results

An Evidence-Based Framework for Evidence-Based Management in Healthcare Organizations: A Delphi Study

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based management (EBMgt) is a growing literature concept in management sciences which claims that management decision-making must be based on the best available evidence. The aim of this paper is to present and provide an evidence-based framework for EBMgt to improve decision-making in healthcare organizations.METHODS: A two-round Delphi survey was used to collect the factors affecting EBMgt. Purposive and snowball sampling methods were used in both rounds. In round 1, we conducted a systematic review and a series of semi-structured interviews (n=45). In round 2, a specific questionnaire with four main parts was designed. The experts (n=21) were asked to rate on a 9-point Likert scale the importance of each factor. The data was collected through Google Forms (n=11) and paper forms (n=10).RESULTS: Participants were mostly men (73%). Overall, 126 factors were selected in round 1. Factors were classified into 4 categories: facilitators, barriers, the sources of evidence and EBMgt process that consisted of 48, 46, 22 and 10 factors, respectively. In round 2, based on median scores, many factors (n=114) were found to be very important. Only, 12 factors have a median score of less than 3 and were excluded from the study. Finally, 114 factors were confirmed.CONCLUSIONS: Confirmed factors played significant roles in affecting the practice of EBMgt among healthcare managers. We tried to facilitate interaction between these factors in the framework. Depending on the type of problem, using six steps of EBMgt process, managers will select the best evidence among six sources of evidence.KEYWORDS: Evidence-based management, evidence-based framework, healthcare organization

The Effect of E-Learning on Lifestyle in Adolescents with Thalassemia Major

AbstractIntroduction: One of the ways to improve the quality of life of patients with thalassemia major is to empower patients through education to deal with the effects and complications of illness and control disease and life further. This study aimed to determine the impact of E-learning intervention on self-care behaviors in patients with thalassemia major.Methods: The present study is a quasi-experimental study of clinical trial type. The effect of e-learning on the lifestyle of eligible adolescents with thalassemia major of both sexes referred to Razi, and Bu Ali Sina Hospitals was investigated. Samples were divided into two groups control (N=25) and intervention (N=25). The control group received routine training from the relevant centers or health care staff, and the intervention group received e-learning and regular exercise. Data were collected through valid and reliable questionnaires, including two main parts. The first part contains demographic information. The second part of the questionnaire was a standard health-promoting behaviors questionnaire that assesses the lifestyle of adolescents in three dimensions nutrition, physical activity, and stress management. Finally, data were analyzed using SPSS version 22, and P-value less than 0/05 was considered significant.Results: Obtained results demonstrated a significant difference in the quality of nutrition in adolescents with thalassemia before e-learning intervention between intervention and control groups (P< 0.05). Moreover, after the intervention, there was a significant difference in the stress management of the intervention and control groups, and the scores of the intervention group increased significantly (P< 0.05). The findings also indicated that physical health was also considerably increased in adolescents with thalassemia after intervention by e-learning compared to the control group (P< 0.05).Conclusions: It can be concluded that e-learning has a significant effect on patients' quality of life with thalassemia in three dimensions: nutrition, physical and mental health. The results of this study can serve as a guideline for designing appropriate educational programs for thalassemia patients. &nbsp