Burst Out of the Dead Land by the Help of Spirituality: A Case Study of Living with Blindness and Cancer

Blindness is one of the most complex problems related to health throughout the world. The condition is worse when such stress is accompanied with cancer. The aim of this case study was to introduce a patient with both these conditions who could come over her problems well. A phenomenological hermeneutic approach influenced by Ricoeur was used to explore the experience of the patient. Data were collected through unstructured and deep interview and by checking patient medical records. The patient is an Iranian 58-year-old teacher residing in Kerman who became blind at age 32 due to bloodshed inside the eye and was affected by breast cancer at age 52. The patient could come over these divine tests through the help of spirituality so that she believed blindness and cancer was the best events in her life. Spirituality is one of the human aspects that give meaning and purposes to life. Health care providers are suggested to implement spiritual strategies such as instructional workshops for increasing spirituality in settings, such as oncologic wards for patients to pass stages of adaptation to such great stresses easily and rapidly

Investigation of Wind Energy Potential Evaluation in Kerman, Iran

Energy consumption trend has been very rapid and alarming in recent years. This trend in developing countries and in particular in Iran is much higher than the global average. An accepted fact is that the world required energy is growing rapidly for societies and we also have cheap fossil energy sources that certainly, in a few decades will be finished but slowly. Human should use of clean and renewable energy for keeping these valuable fossil resources to future generation and prevent than environmental damages that created by these resources and answer to increased demand for energy. In this study we will review of wind energy potential evaluation in Kerman

Effects of Blending Sequence on Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene/Ethylene-octene Copolymer/Clay Nanocomposites

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of three blending sequences on morphology and properties of the ternary nanocomposite of polypropylene (PP)/ethylene-octene copolymer (EOC)/clay with double compatibilizers of maleated PP (PP-g-MA) and maleated EOC (EOC-g-MA) prepared by twin-screw extrusion. The X-ray diffraction results in conjuction with transmission electron microscopy images indicated the mixture of exfoliated and intercalated structures possessed by the nanocomposite prepared by simultaneous addition of the ingredients. The nanocomposite in which clay was first mixed with PP and EOC-g-MA and then with EOC and PP-g-MA showed the same morphology. However, in the nanocomposite when clay was first mixed with PP and PP-g-MA and then mixed with EOC and EOC-g-MA, an intercalated structure was observed. The results of mechanical testing showed that there was no significant difference in the yield strength, tensile modulus and flexural modulus among the three nanocomposites. However, the Charpy impact strength of the nanocomposite prepared by simultaneous addition of ingredients was higher than that of the nanocomposites prepared in two mixing steps because of the presence of more organoclay inside the EOC phase in the former

Investigation of Wind Energy Potential Evaluation in Kerman, Iran

Energy consumption trend has been very rapid and alarming in recent years. This trend in developing countries and in particular in Iran is much higher than the global average. An accepted fact is that the world required energy is growing rapidly for societies and we also have cheap fossil energy sources that certainly, in a few decades will be finished but slowly. Human should use of clean and renewable energy for keeping these valuable fossil resources to future generation and prevent than environmental damages that created by these resources and answer to increased demand for energy. In this study we will review of wind energy potential evaluation in Kerman

Discovery of a New Analgesic Peptide, Leptucin, from the Iranian Scorpion, Hemiscorpius lepturus

Hemiscorpius lepturus scorpion stings do not induce considerable pain based on epidemiological surveys conducted in the southwest part of Iran. Accordingly, this study was aimed to identify the analgesic molecule in H. lepturus venom by analyzing a cDNA library of the scorpion venom gland looking for sequences having homology with known animal venom analgesic peptides. The analgesic molecule is a cysteine rich peptide of 55 amino acids. the synthetic peptide was deprotected and refolded. RP-HPLC, Ellman’s, and DLS assays confirmed the refolding accuracy. Circular dichroism (CD) showed helix and beta sheet contents. This peptide, called leptucin, demonstrated 95% analgesic activity at the dose of 0.48 mg/kg in hot plate assay. Leptucin at the doses of 0.32, 0.48, and 0.64 mg/kg showed 100% activity in thermal tail flick test. No hemolysis or cytotoxicity was observed at 8 and 16 μg. Histopathology evaluations indicated no hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and cardiotoxicity. We thus report that leptucin is the analgesic agent of H. lepturus venom. Regarding the high in vivo efficacy of leptucin and the fact it shows no observable toxicity, it could be suggested as a drug lead in a preclinical study of acute pain as well as the study of its mechanism of action

Effects of blending sequence on morphology and mechanical properties of polypropylene/ethylene-octene copolymer/clay nanocomposites

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of three blending sequences on morphology and properties of the ternary nanocomposite of polypropylene (PP)/ethylene-octene copolymer (EOC)/clay with double compatibilizers of maleated PP (PP-g-MA) and maleated EOC (EOC-g-MA) prepared by twin-screw extrusion. The X-ray diffraction results in conjuction with transmission electron microscopy images indicated the mixture of exfoliated and intercalated structures possessed by the nanocomposite prepared by simultaneous addition of the ingredients. The nanocomposite in which clay was first mixed with PP and EOC-g-MA and then with EOC and PP-g-MA showed the same morphology. However, in the nanocomposite when clay was first mixed with PP and PP-g-MA and then mixed with EOC and EOC-g-MA, an intercalated structure was observed. The results of mechanical testing showed that there was no significant difference in the yield strength, tensile modulus and flexural modulus among the three nanocomposites. However, the Charpy impact strength of the nanocomposite prepared by simultaneous addition of ingredients was higher than that of the nanocomposites prepared in two mixing steps because of the presence of more organoclay inside the EOC phase in the former

Discovery of a New Analgesic Peptide, Leptucin, from the Iranian Scorpion, Hemiscorpius lepturus

International audienceHemiscorpius lepturus scorpion stings do not induce considerable pain based on epidemiological surveys conducted in the southwest part of Iran. Accordingly, this study was aimed to identify the analgesic molecule in H. lepturus venom by analyzing a cDNA library of the scorpion venom gland looking for sequences having homology with known animal venom analgesic peptides. The analgesic molecule is a cysteine rich peptide of 55 amino acids. the synthetic peptide was deprotected and refolded. RP-HPLC, Ellman’s, and DLS assays confirmed the refolding accuracy. Circular dichroism (CD) showed helix and beta sheet contents. This peptide, called leptucin, demonstrated 95% analgesic activity at the dose of 0.48 mg/kg in hot plate assay. Leptucin at the doses of 0.32, 0.48, and 0.64 mg/kg showed 100% activity in thermal tail flick test. No hemolysis or cytotoxicity was observed at 8 and 16 μg. Histopathology evaluations indicated no hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and cardiotoxicity. We thus report that leptucin is the analgesic agent of H. lepturus venom. Regarding the high in vivo efficacy of leptucin and the fact it shows no observable toxicity, it could be suggested as a drug lead in a preclinical study of acute pain as well as the study of its mechanism of action

Compatibilization of Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotube/EPDM: Studies on the Properties of Nanocomposite

In order to achieve dramatic improvements in the performance of rubber materials, attempts were made to develop carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced rubber composites. The maleic anhydride (MAH) modification of EPDM is an interesting way of compatibilizing the EPDM rubber with CNT. Novel ternary nanocomposites were prepared based on EPDM/EPDM grafted maleic anhydride (EPDM-g-MAH) blend composition with various concentrations (0-7 phr) of multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) on a two-roll mill. The effect of EPDM-g-MAH as a compatibilizer and MWCNT concentration were investigated on cure characteristics, mechanical, morphological and rheological properties of nanocomposites. The microstructure of nanocomposites has been characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). At the same time the rheological behavior has been evaluated by a rubber processing analyzer (RPA). It was found that the cure time (t90) and scorch time (t5) decreased while maximum torque (MH) and minimum torque (ML) of the compatibilized composites were increased with increasing MWCNT loading which was consistent with the swelling data. It is observed that by increasing MWCNT loading the swelling index in solvent was decreased. This can be related to good interactions between carbon nanotube and EPDM matrix in presence of EPDM-g-MAH compatibilizer. The fracture surface study indicated that compatibilizer facilitated a homogenous dispersion of MWCNTs inside the matrix. On the other hand, carbon nanotubes in matrix caused roughness of the fractured surface compared with uncompatibilized samples. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength and elongation-at-break of compatibilized EPDM/MWCNT were higher than those of uncompatibilized nanocomposites. In addition, due to increasing MWCNT content the rheological properties such as storage modulus (G') increased with respect to angular frequency while the complex viscosity decreased

Achieving Human Resource Management Sustainability in Universities

The sustainability of human resource management (HRM) is the basis for an organization’s future growth and success. This study aims to investigate achieving HRM sustainability in universities. We use a quantitative research method design to investigate the factors that affect HRM sustainability at universities. The study was conducted during the spring and summer of 2020 at Iranian state universities. As the study’s statistical population included 2543 employees, a sample size of 334 employees was calculated using the Cochran formula. A questionnaire with 32 statements based on a 5-point Likert scale was used to collect the data, which were analyzed using PLS3 software. The findings show that human resource practices, social factors, psychological factors, employer branding, and economic factors have positive and significant effects on HRM sustainability at universities. Findings indicate that it is essential to consider the implementation of adequate HRM practices and related socio-economic and psychological supports for HRM sustainability in universities that can lead to the competitiveness of the higher education institutions such as universities