Comparison of Separation Methods for Baseflow from Direct Runoff in Doroud Basin, Lorestan, Iran

As groundwaters make an important part of the permanent rivers flow, their role in maintaining the life of rivers and creating ecological balance in watershed can be determined by knowing the base flow contribution. Moreover, identification of runoff production processes is crucial for assessing the effects of climate change and landuse on the hydrologic response of the watershed. In the current study, the base water separation in Doroud watershed located in Lorestan province with 6 study areas was performed during a period from 1982 to 2011 using PART, one parameter recursive digital filter (Lyne -Hollick) and two parameters recursive digital filter (Eckhart) with filters value of 0.925, 0.95, 0.975, and 0.99. Then the results obtained by these methods were compared with those of BFI method. The comparisonshowed that Lyne -Hollick method with filter value of 0.975 was the best method to separate base water from direct runoff in Doroud watershed. In Bayatan watershed, Silakhor sub-watershed, Ab Sardeh sub-watershed, Sarab Sefid sub-watershed, and Gale Rood sub-watershed, the Eckhart's method with filter value of 0.975, Lyne -Hollick method with filter value of 0.975, PART and Lyne -Hollick method with filter value of 0.975, Lyne -Hollick method with filter value of 0.95, and Lyne -Hollick method with filter value of 0.925 were the suitable methods for hydrograph decomposition, respectively. Considering the results obtained by this study and having statistics of this watershed flow rate ona daily basis, the abovementioned methods can be used in future years for hydrograph decomposition

The Correlation between Cerebral Oximetry and Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) Values during the Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

Background: Multimodal cerebral monitoring can reduce the incidence of neurological complications as well as the hospital costs associated with caring for cardiac surgery patients. Given the prevalence of cardiac surgeries, the need for cardiopulmonary bypass devices and the few studies in this area, further studies are needed. In this study, we aimed to investigate the correlation between cerebral oximetry and mean arterial pressure during pediatric cardiac surgery.Method: The present study is a descriptive correlational one. To obtain the results, the cerebral oximetry monitoring and blood pressure were established and baseline values were recorded. Patients were then anesthetized under the same monitoring and anesthesia method, and the cerebral oximetry and blood pressure were recorded in a checklist prepared by the researcher before, during and after the cardiopulmonary pump. Data was analyzed by SPSS software (version 25).Results: 58 children undergoing cardiac surgery were included in the study, 51.7% of whom were male. At the study time, the mean age of the patients was 1.92±2.05 years; and their mean weight was 9.86 ± 4.86 kg. A significant relationship was found between the mean arterial pressures (MAP) and the right and left cerebral oximetry.Conclusion: According to the findings, there is a significant relationship between MAP and cerebral oximetry in pediatric cardiac surgery. This study shows that by increasing MAP during cardiopulmonary pump, the brain perfusion and oxygenation of the brain can be increased. Peripheral oximetry also plays an important role in reducing hospital costs related to the care of cardiac surgery patients

Water Quality Assessment of Beheshtabad River at the intersection of Shalamzar Spring with Koohrang River

Rivers are important as one of the main sources of water supply for uses including agriculture, industry, and human consumption. This study evaluated the water quality of the Beheshtabad River (Shalamzar Spring - Jointing to Koohrang River) located in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, using the National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index (NSFWQI). Using standard methods, this study determined nine water quality parameters: nitrate (NO3), temperature (T), phosphate (PO4), turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), electrical conductivity (EC), total solids (TS) and pH, at five selected stations along the river for three months, July to September 2015. Results showed that water quality fluctuated between medium and good quality during the investigation. In addition, according to the mean values of WQI, water quality was classified as medium quality for the three months. Water pollution increased from upstream to downstream in the end of summer because of agricultural fertilizers and wastewater discharge from upstream fish farms and recreation service centers

Learning Management Systems in Universities of Medical Sciences of Iran and Several Developed Countries

Background & Objective: The core of each WBT system is an online software called learning management system (LMS). The existence of such a system in each university is the minimum requirement for the application and development of WBT methods. The present study aimed to investigate the frequency of LMS usage in Iranian medical universities in comparison with the universities of developed countries. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional analysis was performed in 2014. The study population consisted of Iranian medical universities and the universities of 4 developed English-speaking countries, including USA, Canada, Australia, and UK. From among the Iranian universities, a total of 52 universities were selected using the census method. Moreover, 58 universities were randomly selected from among 450 well-known universities of developed countries. The data from LMS of Iranian medical universities were collected through visiting university websites, telephone calls, and in some cases, face-to-face interviews. The data were analyzed by descriptive methods. Results: Of the 52 Iranian universities of medical sciences, 33 universities (63.5%) did not have any LMSs for delivery courses in academic degree programs. Of the 19 universities (36.5%) with LMSs, Moodle, ATutor, Docebo, and native-designed LMSs were found in 11, 4, 1, and 3 universities, respectively. In addition, 16 Iranian universities used open source LMSs and 3 used commercial LMSs. All 58 (100%) universities of developed countries used LMSs for delivery courses in their academic degree programs. Blackboard, Moodle, Canvas, Desire2learn, and Sakai were used in 30, 13, 8, 1, and 1 foreign universities, respectively. Moreover, 2 universities were in transition stage and 3 universities used the Mooc system. Conclusion: Iran universities showed a considerable difference from universities in developed countries in terms of frequency of LMS usage. Educational and IT administrators in Iran should fill this gap, especially at high ranking universities. Key Words: Learning management system (LMS), Universities of medical sciences, E-learning, Ira

Regional Frequency Analysis of Low Flow in Parts of the Northern Karun River Basin in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province

Hydrological droughts reduce groundwater and surface water, lakes and rivers. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the minimum regional flow frequency in parts of the northern Karun basin in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. For this purpose, 11 hydrometric stations were used. For the minimum flow estimation, 15 different physiographic, climatic and hydrological features of the basin were used in. At first, hydrometric stations were divided into two homogeneous groups using cluster analysis method. Then, using principal component analysis (PCA), the most important features were selected for each region among the 15 physiographic, climatic and hydrological characteristics. Finally, the models for estimating the minimum flow of each region were developed using stepwise regression method in return periods of 2, 10, 25 and 50 years. The results showed that the characteristics of the basin area with a weight of 0.347, elongation coefficient with a weight of 0.389, a length of the basin with a weight of 0.326 and a coefficient of roundness with a weight of 0.326 were the most important features in the estimation of minimum flow. In general, all regression-logarithmic models in the two regions for all rounds of returns with a coefficient of greater than 0.96 were considered to have a good performance for minimum flow estimation

Prevalence of Zoonotic Intestinal Helminths of Canids in Moghan Plain, Northwestern Iran

Background: The present study was aimed to elucidate the status of intestinal hel­minth infec­tions in canids of Moghan Plain, northwestern Iran.Methods: Eighty-five intestine samples from dead or shot wild canids, 59 fecal samples from sheepdogs and 5 from red foxes were collected from 2006 to 2008 and examined in Parasitology department of Pasteur Institute of Iran.Results: Generally, adult worms, larvae, and eggs of 13 species of various parasitic hel­minths were recovered. Necropsy examinations showed that 96.47% animals harbored at least one helminth species. The prevalence of different species in necropsy were Mesoces­toides sp. 84.7%, Rictolaria spp. 55.3%, Macranthorhynchus hirudinaceus 45.9%, Toxocara canis 43.5%, Toxas­caris spp. 35.3%, Joyeuxiella sp. 34.1%; hook­worms; 22.4%, Taenia spp. 11.8%, Alaria spp. 2.4% and Dipylidium caninum 1.2%. Be­sides, eggs belonging to 10 species of parasitic helminths were identified in 46 fecal sam­ples and generally, 30.9% of samples harbored eggs of at least one helminth species.Conclusion: The high prevalence of various helminth infections among canids in Mog­han plain and contamination of environment by helminths eggs may increase the risk of infection for native peo­ple

Risperidone-Induced Erythema Multiforme Minor: A Case Report

Erythema Multiforme (EM) is a hypersensitivity reaction that can be triggered by an infection or particular medications. Erythema multiforme minor (EM minor) represents localized skin lesions with minimal or no mucosal involvement. Only a few case of EM associated with risperidone are found in the scientific literature. In this case report, the administration of the risperidone resulted in the rapid appearance of skin lesions. Erythematous lesions were recovered upon discontinuation of the drug and no new skin lesion was observed. A 52-year-old male patient was admitted to the psychiatry hospital because of developing schizophrenic symptoms. At the time of admission, risperidone was added to her previous drug regimen. Two weeks later, the patient returned with a complaint of progressively increasing rashes over his body. The patient was diagnosed with EM minor. The prescribed risperidone was discontinued due to its side-effect profile and the patient’s drug regimen was changed entirely to the olanzapine, haloperidol, and topical clobetasol. At one month follow up visit, his skin lesions were satisfactorily controlled

Effect of Integrated Teaching on Students' Learning

Background: Currently medical education in Iran consists of basic sciences, physiopathology and clinical stages. Medical students learn them separately and often are confused that how basic sciences materials would be helpful for the patient’s diagnosis and treatment. Integration of various related subjects during medical education is one the proposed strategy to overcome this problem. Objectives: The present study was conducted to assess the effect of an integrated teaching approach on medical students’ attitudes and knowledge about infection diseases. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in the infectious disease ward of Valiae-asr Hospital affiliated to Birjand University of Medical of Sciences, Birjand, Iran. A total of 60 medical students (stagers) were randomly selected and assigned to the control and intervention groups. The two groups were matched based on their grade point average (GPA), age, and gender. An integrated teaching approach was adopted in the intervention group by four epidemiology, microbiology, infectious diseases, and pharmacology professors. The students’ knowledge was assessed by a written exam, and their attitude was evaluated using a questionnaire. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 16 and using paired and independent samples t-test. Results: The analyses showed that 52% of the participants were male. The mean scores in the cognitive and emotional domains were not correlated with students’ gender, and they were not significantly different before (p= 0.12) and after (p= 0.25) the intervention. The students’ final learning scores were significantly higher in the intervention group than that of the control group (16.16±1.17 vs 14.12±1.73; p=0.001). Conclusion: The integration of basic and clinical subjects helps students to better understand the physiopathology of diseases and enhances their satisfaction. Keywords: Infectious Diseases, Integrated Teaching, Learning, Medical Student