Iran-U.S. military-security relations in the 1970s

The subject of this dissertation is "Iran-U.S. Military-Security Relations in the 1970s". The dissertation consists of seven chapters and a conclusion. In the first chapter an attempt is made to layout the main factors which contribute to arms transfers in the international system, from the perspectives of both the donor and recipient states. Moreover, the impact of arms sales on third world societies are described in this same chapter. The second chapter deals with the historical evolution of Iran-U.S. military security ties, inception during the Second World War up to 1969. genesis and since their Discussion in the third chapter focuses on the main factors which determined the shape and pace of Iran-U.S. military-security ties in the 1970s, including that in the area of arms supply relationship. The exposition of capability in the chapter. the 1970s increase in is the main Iran's purpose order-of-combat of the fourth The main purpose of chapter five is the delineation of various debates within and between the various branches of U.S. government for or against Iran's arms purchases. Chapter six discusses Iran's regional security policy in the 1970s. The final chapter deals with the various contacts between members of the U.S. government and Iran's new revolutionary regime, from revolution's success in February 1979 up to the seizure of American embassy in November 1979, with the emphasis being on military-security dealings between the two countries. In the conclusion an attempt is made to draw from the past some broad lessons for Iran's security and, bearing in mind the material in chapter one, to highlight a few insights into arms transfer as a phenomena in the international system

Environmental Impact Assessment of the Industrial Estate Development Plan with the Geographical Information System and Matrix Methods

Background. The purpose of this study is environmental impact assessment of the industrial estate development planning. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2010 in Isfahan province, Iran. GIS and matrix methods were applied. Data analysis was done to identify the current situation of the region, zoning vulnerable areas, and scoping the region. Quantitative evaluation was done by using matrix of Wooten and Rau. Results. The net score for impact of industrial units operation on air quality of the project area was (−3). According to the transition of industrial estate pollutants, residential places located in the radius of 2500 meters of the city were expected to be affected more. The net score for impact of construction of industrial units on plant species of the project area was (−2). Environmental protected areas were not affected by the air and soil pollutants because of their distance from industrial estate. Conclusion. Positive effects of project activities outweigh the drawbacks and the sum scores allocated to the project activities on environmental factor was (+37). Totally it does not have detrimental effects on the environment and residential neighborhood. EIA should be considered as an anticipatory, participatory environmental management tool before determining a plan application

Relationship Between Heavy Metal levels in Seminal Plasma and Sperm Quality in Iranian Men

Introduction: During the last decades, frequent reports on the poor semen quality in humans have raised many researchers' concerns to study the possible impact of lifestyle or environmental factors on semen quality. The debate is continuously growing on the adverse reproductive effects of exposure to heavy and trace metals found in the environment, even at their relatively low levels. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out from July 2018 to February 2019.  A total of 40 men were divided into two groups (idiopathic oligo– and/or asthenozoospermia and normozoospermic men) to determine the correlation between arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) levels in the seminal plasma with sperm quality parameters including concentration, total motility, progressive motility, viability, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), sperm plasma membrane integrity (SPMI), acrosome integrity (AI) and DNA fragmentation in Iranian men with idiopathic oligo– and/or asthenozoospermia and normozoospermic individuals.  Results: A significant positive or suggestive correlation was found between as concentrations in the seminal plasma and sperm concentration, motility, progressive motility, viability, MMP, SPMI, and DNA fragmentation. Moreover, seminal plasma Cd concentrations were also correlated negatively with sperm viability. We also found a positive correlation between the seminal plasma Mn levels and sperm concentration, motility, progressive motility, morphology, viability, acrosome integrity, and DNA fragmentation. Conclusion: We showed that the levels of As, Cd, and Mn levels in the seminal plasma are associated with the sperm functional parameters. Considering the unpleasant effects of the studied metals on semen quality, it is suggested that long-term contact with these metals be avoided, especially by people at their reproductive age

Optical and electrical characteristics of pyrite films prepared by a new spray method using PVDF as a polymeric binder

Pyrite thin films were deposited on glass substrates by a new and simple spray method using polyvinylidene fluoride as polymeric binder. Prepared pyrite films were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and Hall auto-measuring instrument. Hall measurements showed p-type conduction of all the prepared thin films. The film prepared by using binder concentration of 2 wt.% showed the best results. Its band gap was estimated 1.55 eV. Also, electrical characteristics of the deposited film were obtained by I-V characteristic curve

The Impact of Implementation of Knowledge Management on Supply Chain Agility

Rapid changes in today's world, organizations are faced with different challenges, But in this way, organizations are able to help management tools and new technologies create opportunities to their advantage. Knowledge management is one of these instruments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of implementation of knowledge management on supply chain agility is the Iran Khodro Company. Therefore, after reviewing the research literature dimensions of knowledge management and supply chain agility is determined. In this study, a choice is based on the model of knowledge management processes such as knowledge acquisition, knowledge generation, storing knowledge, application of knowledge and knowledge transfer. Also in the field of supply chain agility dimension of flexibility in supply, flexibility in manufacturing and flexibility in distribution and delivery is used. After identifying the desired dimensions in the research and determine hypotheses using structural equation modeling with the help of advanced software and SMART-PLS assumptions were tested and the results are analyzed

Changes of soil surface roughness under simulated rainfall evaluated by photogrammetry

Changes of soil surface roughness under simulated rainfall evaluated by photogrammetry. EGU, European Geosciences Union, General Assembly 200

Prevalence of nonmedical use of prescription-type opioids, methylphenidate, and sedative-hypnotics among university students in the south of Iran: a regression analysis

Background and aim: Nonmedical use of prescription drugs needs particular attention. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of prescription-type opioids, methylphenidate and sedative-hypnotics use, and related factors in university students. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 524 students of Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences were selected by multi-stage sampling in 2016. A self-report questionnaire had been used examining substance use, religious beliefs and parental support. The questions about substance use were prepared based on the World Health Organization Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (WHO ASSIST). Religious beliefs were measured by Kendler’s general religiosity questionnaire. Parental support was measured by the Persian version of Aneshensel and Sucoff’s scale. All of the analysis was performed using Chi-square test, Fisher exact test, independent-samples t-test and binary logistic regression in SPSS 16 software. The level of significance was 0.05. Results: The last year prevalence of prescription-type opioids, methylphenidate and sedative-hypnotics use was 16.1%, 3.3%, and 10.3%, respectively. The final model of logistic regression indicated hookah use (OR=2.5), methylphenidate use (OR=4.5), sedative-hypnotics use (OR=2.7), and were associated with students’ prescription-type opioids use. The protective factor was familial support (OR=0.97) for prescription-type opioids use. Moreover, sedative-hypnotics use (OR=5.7) and illicit drug use (OR=27.6) were associated with methylphenidate use among students. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the prevalence of nonmedical use of prescription drugs is considerably high among students and is in need of interventions to reduce the prevalence of these drugs in universities

Zoonotic diseases of fish and their prevention and control

Fish and aquatic-derived zoonotic diseases have caused considerable problems in the aquaculture industry and fishery worldwide. In particular, zoonotic diseases can pose widespread threats to humans. With the world’s growing population and potential global trade of aquaculture and fish, the risk of environmental contamination and development of fish and aquatic-derived zoonoses in humans are increasing. The important causes of zoonoses include bacteria, parasites, viruses, and fungi. The zoonotic bacterial agents are divided into two main groups: Gram-positive (Mycobacteriaceae, Streptococcaceae, Erysipelothricaceae families) and Gram-negative (Aeromonadaceae, Vibrionaceae, Pseudomondaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, and Hafniaceae families). The premier parasitic agents include cestodes (tapeworm; e.g. Diphyllobothrium spp.), trematodes (fluke; e.g. Opisthorchis spp.), and nematodes (round worm; e.g. Anisakis spp.). In addition, protozoan organisms such as Cryptosporidium spp. are also considered fish-derived zoonotic pathogens. Two groups of fish-associated fungi causing basidiobolomycosis and sporotrichosis also pose a zoonotic risk for humans. The majority of the fish-derived zoonotic diseases are transmitted to humans mainly via the consumption of improperly cooked or raw fish or fish products. Therefore, the incidence of zoonotic diseases can be reduced by properly processing fish and fish products, e.g. by thermal (heat/freezing) treatment. The prevalence of zoonotic agents in fishes varies seasonally and should be regularly monitored to evaluate the prevalence of pathogens in both wild and cultured fish populations. This review focuses on the fish zoonotic agents/diseases and their control and prevention