A 6 month physical activity intervention in university staff : effectiveness and health outcomes : the ASUKI Step Study

Physical inactivity is regarded a major public health concern and regular physical activity (PA) has been considered as an important lifestyle modification to improve health and prevent chronic disease. Setting the goal at walking 10,000 steps/day as a moderate-intensity form of aerobic PA has been advised to have beneficial health effects in the research and practice areas. The health benefits of walking 10,000 steps per day in regards to cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), blood pressure (BP), and body composition (BC) still requires further research, since current knowledge is mostly based on data from a limited number of studies. The pedometer is a simple and low maintenance device to create awareness of steps taken and have often been used in challenges and in low cost PA monitoring programs in different settings. The current thesis aimed to identify demographic determinants for maintenance of walking behavior over the six month intervention among employees from Arizona State University (ASU) and Karolinska Institutet (KI) participating in ASUKI Step study. The study also aimed to examine the results of a 6-month pedometer-determined PA intervention in regards to health in a subgroup of the targeted population, and more precisely to identify health outcomes (BC, CRF, and BP) from a six month pedometer intervention in regards to the number of steps walked. The voluntary participants were asked to maintain a level of 10,000 steps per day. The study used a single group quasi-experimental design. The study included 2,118 employees from ASU and KI. A sub-sample including 357 ASUKI Step participants (ASU = 143, and KI = 214) from the two universities was randomly selected to complete physical fitness testing to determine their BC, resting BP, and CRF and to wear an accelerometer for one week at 0, 3, and 6 months. The pedometer was used as intervention tool as well as to monitor steps taken. Anthropometric measures included height, weight, waist circumference (WC), percent body fat, and sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD). CRF was measured by a submaximal Åstrand-Rhyming cycle ergometer test. Systolic and diastolic BP were taken using an Omron automated BP cuff. The main findings: There was a significant linear and curvilinear change in steps per day over time, with reported number of steps per day decreasing from the first month of intervention to the last month when all participants were included in the model, and when dropouts were excluded from the analysis, there was no significant decrease in steps from month 1 to month 6. KI participants had a higher initial step count and a slower rate of decline over time. Overall, 52.9% (n = 1105) of the participants accumulated 10,000 steps on at least 100 days of the study. More participants from the KI (59.1%) than ASU (39.8%) met this goal. Older age, being married, working in a non-managerial position, having normal weight, and being categorized with a high activity level (using IPAQ) at baseline were all factors positively associated with meeting the step goal of 10,000 steps per day to a higher level during the days of the intervention. The mean number of steps in month one exceeded the goal of 10,000 steps per day with KI test group participants recording more steps per day than ASU test group participants. Using a conditional model, there was a significant reduction in BMI over time for older participants for the KI test group and there was a significant reduction in WC for middle aged and older participants. There was also a significant reduction in WC over time in the subgroup of females. For ASU test group participants, there was a significant reduction in WC, and minimal changes were found in other anthropometric variables in conditional model over time. There were significant linear and quadratic trends in systolic and diastolic BP over time. There was a significant difference between ASU and KI participants’ estimated VO2 max. The change over time varied by site, where VO2 max decreased for ASU but stayed essentially the same for KI participants. The number of steps taken was significantly related to changes in estimated VO2 max over time. The data reported in this thesis will contribute to better understanding of the association of pedometer-based PA intervention with BC, BP, and CRF, a prerequisite for more efficient health promotion program. Future public health guidelines should consider the evidence- based importance of cues and support as well as of the goal of walking 10,000 steps per day in high risk segments of the population

State-of-the-art InAs/GaAs quantum dot material for optical telecommunication

This thesis reports on the characterization of the state-of-the-art In(Ga)As/GaAs quantum dot (QD) material grown by molecular beam epitaxy for optical telecommunication applications. A wide variety of characterization methods are employed to investigate the material properties and characteristics of a number of QD-based devices enabling future device optimization. The motivation that prompted this study was predicated mainly upon two technological advantages. First, that the QDs gain spectra exhibits a symmetric gain shape and thus the change of refractive index with respect to gain is negligible at the lasing wavelength. This is therefore expected to result in a zero or a very small linewidth enhancement factor (LEF), which is desirable for instance, for high-speed modulation purposes where frequency chirp under modulation, which is directly proportional to the LEF, may be substantially reduced. Second, the fact that not only QDs exhibit a damped frequency response attributed to the carrier relaxation dynamics but also as the resilience of a laser to optical feedback is inversely proportional to the fourth power of the LEF, QD lasers are expected to demonstrate a relatively higher feedback insensitivity. This bodes well for operating these devices isolator free, which would be greatly cost-effective. The absorption and gain spectra of the QD active material are investigated in chapters 2 and 3, respectively. The LEF of QD lasers at a range of temperatures is studied in chapter 3, which confirms the expectation for the first time for In(Ga)As/GaAs QD lasers from -10 oC to 85 oC. Subsequently, the findings of chapters 2 and 3 are employed in chapter 4 with an electro absorption modulator device in mind which would be able to operate with chirp control. In chapter 5, the modulation response of QD lasers is investigated through examining the relative intensity noise (RIN) spectra in the electrical domain. The resilience of the devices to optical feedback is subsequently studied through the RIN characteristics at a range of temperatures. Chapter 6 provides a summary of the thesis findings and possible future works that may be carried out as continuation to this project, which fell outside of the remit of this work

Analysis of the Challenges and Technical Solutions for Revitalization of Traditional Buildings in Hot and Humid Climate (Case Study: Anthropology Museum of Local Residents in Kish Island)

In every nation ancient buildings are rich sources for inspiration from local traditional architecture. Manu of such buildings still have potentials for conservation and renovation. This article reviews the issue of revitalization of old traditional buildings in south part of Iran with hot and humid climate. The key technical challenges of revitalization and renovation of such buildings were explored via literature review. Then, the technical solution for such challenges were identified via cases study analysis. In order to reach comprehensive and practical solutions, tree key field of built environment studies which are architecture, structure and infrastructure design were explored together. The case study for this research was the project of revitalization of a traditional building into “Anthropology Museum of Local Residents” in Kish Island. The analysis and case study showed that most of the technical challenges for revitalization of such buildings are resolvable via simple solutions. Based on this, economic and socio-cultural supports of local authorities and planning departments are necessary in order to make such revitalization projects more feasible

Comparison of Efficacy and Side Effects of Azithromycin and Co-Amoxiclav in the Treatment of Acute Sinusitis in Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Regarding high prevalence of common cold and sinusitis in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province and the lack of studies on patients referring hospitals in this province, this study was conducted to determine and compare the efficacy and side effects of azithromycin and co-amoxiclav. Methods: This study was a double-blinded randomized clinical trial. The study population of this clinical trial was consisted of 90 patients with acute sinusitis aged 12-65 years. At least two major criteria or one major criterion and two minor criteria with duration of at least 7 days and at most 28 days, were some of the sinusitis diagnostic criteria for inclusion of the patients into the study. The patients were examined for symptoms prior to and twice after the treatment. The treatment was administration with 500 mg azithromycin tablet per day for three days in group 1 (G1) and 625 mg co-amoxiclav tablet every 8 h for 10 days in group 2 (G2). The data were analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance, independent t-test, and chi-square in Stata software and P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Mean±Standard deviation age of all patients was 32.14±9.91 years. Out of 90 participants in the study, 50 (55.56%) were male and the rest were female. The patients’ symptoms were quantitatively similar in the two groups (22.3±2 and 22.2±1.9 in G1 and G2, respectively) prior to the intervention. The score at second examination decreased to 3.7±2.1 in G1 and to 9.4±2.7 in G2, significantly different from that prior to intervention and between the two groups (P<0.001). Although the score decreased in the two groups at third examination, it was not significant in the two groups (P=0.652). The cure rate in azithromycin group was derived 87.5% and 88%, and in co-amoxiclav group 32.4% and 83.3% at the days 5 and 10 of treatment, respectively. The most prevalent side effects in the two groups were diarrhea and nausea. The prevalence of diarrhea was obtained 21% and 33% in G1 and G2, respectively. Conclusion: No significant difference in side effects was seen between the two groups. Although the cure was faster in the patients treated with azithromycin than those treated with co-amoxiclav, co-amoxiclav is still considered as adequately working against acute sinusitis bacterial pathogens. In view of this efficacy, co-amoxiclav seems to lead to no drug resistance and could be used to treat the patients

PROPOSING A MODEL FOR AN IDEAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WEALTHY CITIZENS AND STATE-OWNED BANKS USING GROUNDED THEORY

Abstract. Early investigations on the banking industry indicate that a considerable part of bank’s resources is provided through a limited number of valuable customers. However, many domestic banks in general and state-owned banks in particular, do not provide a clear definition on valuable customers, leading to the lack of an understanding of the subjective expectations of the customers regarding the nature of an effective relationship. This study aims to explain the size and components of the ideal relationship between the customers and banks according to the customers’ comments. Codes extracted from interviews with fourteen privileged customers of banks are analyzed using the grounded theory as a qualitative research approach. Accordingly, dimensions of the paradigmatic model and elements of a good relationship with the privileged customers are explained. After the analysis of the proposed model, some suggestions are presented for future bank managers and researchers in this field.Key words: privileged customers, customer relationship management, Grounded Theory, State-owned Ban

Honey versus diphenhydramine for post-tonsillectomy pain relief in pediatric cases: a randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION Tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgeries done worldwide and often the first one a child sustains. Pain relief after tonsillectomy is helpful for oral feeding after surgery. Acetaminophen and diphenhydramine have been conventionally used for reducing pain. This study was conducted to compare the effect of honey and diphehydramine on pain relief after tonsillectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS For this randomized clinical trial study, 120 patients of 5 to 12 years undergoing tonsillectomy were recruited. The patients were divided into four groups randomly. After tonsillectomy and beginning of eating, Group A took 5cc honey alone every hour, Group B was given 5 cc 50% honey (mixed with water) every hour, group C was treated with 1mg/kg diphenhydramine every 6 hours and group D was observed without any intervention. In all patients, severity of the pain was evaluated by ocher questionnaire at recovery, and 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours after surgery. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and the repeated measures ANOVA (SPSS version 17). RESULTS The repeated ANOVA showed a significant decreasing trend of pain scores during the study for both pain scales (p 0.05). No statistically significant difference in pain was detected among the groups. CONCLUSION Although honey can help the pain decrease, more research is supported for confirmation of this effect

Anti-Hemorrhagic Effect of Horsetail, Ortie, Alfalfa, Chêne, and Aleppo oakin an Experimental Model of Rats - a Potential Theoretic Approach for Traumatic Bleeding

Background: Prompt bleeding control in civil accidents, incidents, and combat casualties is critically essential. Preparing efficient, portable, and low-cost local anti-hemorrhagic products with minimum side effects is one of the main challenges of using them in hemorrhage control. Anti-hemorrhagic effect of some medicinal plants, including Horsetail (H), Ortie (O), Alfalfa (A1), Chêne (C), and Aleppo oak (A2), were evaluated in the femoral arterial bleeding rat model. Materials and Methods: After plant extraction by the maceration method, forty male rats received general anesthesia, and the left femoral artery was surgically transected. Bleeding was treated with direct gauze pressure, in both the control (without treatment) and test groups added with the mixture of five herbal extracts at 200 g/l concentration (M-200), the mixture of five herbal extracts at 400 g/l concentration (M-400), and individual extracts at 400 g/l concentration). Bleeding stoppage time (BST), blood loss volume (BLV) was defined and some blood coagulation tests were assessed. Results: There was no statistically significant difference of BLV between mix-200 and control groups, though it was significantly lower for mix-400 than that the control and mix-200 groups (P&lt;0.05). The bleedig was statistically lower for group C compared to groups H, O, A1, and A2 (P&lt;0.05). However, the difference between groups A2, O, H, and A1 was not significant (P&gt;0.05). The results of BST showed no statistically significant difference between the mix-200 and control groups, while it was significantly shorter for the mix-400 group than the control and mix-200 groups (P&lt;0.05). BST was shorter in group C than groups H, O, A1, and A2 (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: According to the results, Chêne extract, as well as a mixture of five mentioned herbal extracts at 400g/l concentration, were influential in bleeding control. Our results showed that the anti-hemorrhagic effect of the mentioned plant extracts was superior to the mixed form