Modelling impacts of climate change and anthropogenic activities on inflows and sediment loads of wetlands : case study of the Anzali wetland

Understanding the effects of climate change and anthropogenic activities on the hydrogeomorpholgical parameters in wetlands ecosystems is vital for designing effective environmental protection and control protocols for these natural capitals. This study develops methodological approach to model the streamflow and sediment inputs to wetlands under the combined effects of climate and land use / land cover (LULC) changes using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The precipitation and temperature data from General Circulation Models (GCMs) for different Shared Socio-economic Pathway (SSP) scenarios (i.e., SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5) are downscaled and bias-corrected with Euclidean distance method and quantile delta mapping (QDM) for the case of the Anzali wetland watershed (AWW) in Iran. The Land Change Modeler (LCM) is adopted to project the future LULC at the AWW. The results indicate that the precipitation and air temperature across the AWW will decrease and increase, respectively, under the SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5 scenarios. Streamflow and sediment loads will reduce under the sole influence of SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 climate scenarios. An increase in sediment load and inflow was observed under the combined effects of climate and LULC changes, this is mainly due to the projected increased deforestation and urbanization across the AWW. The findings suggest that the densely vegetated regions, mainly located in the zones with steep slope, significantly prevents large sediment load and high streamflow input to the AWW. Under the combined effects of the climate and LULC changes, by 2100, the projected total sediment input to the wetland will reach 22.66, 20.83, and 19.93 million tons under SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5 scenarios, respectively. The results highlight that without any robust environmental interventions, the large sediment inputs will significantly degrade the Anzali wetland ecosystem and partly-fill the wetland basin, resulting in resigning the wetland from the Montreux record list and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance

Design , Implementation & Evaluation of an Educational Program on Improving the Communication Skills with Patient based on WHO in Interns

Introduction: The effective relationship of physicians with patients has a significant role in effective treatment, reduces stress and establishes satisfaction in the patient. It was shown that many doctors fail to communicate with patients effectively. The aim of present research was designing, implementing, and evaluating the effect of training on improving the communication skills with patients in medical interns of Arak University of Medical Sciences based on the WHO pattern . Methods: This interventional research was done on 74 interns of Arak University of Medical Sciences in 2010. Communication skills of the subjects were directly observed and documented through using a checklist prepared according to basic communication skills developed by WHO. Validity and reliability of the checklist were confirmed. Then through role –playing, the subjects learned how to communicate effectively with patients. After training, their communication skills were checked again.. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t test. Results:. The average score on communication skills before training and after it were 2.53±.47 and 3.25± .34 respectively, which showed a significant difference (P=0.00, t=10.3). The average scores on interpersonal communication skills & skill of obtaining information from & giving information to patients before and after education were 2.62± 0.47; 3.29± 0.37,2.74±0.47 & 3.24±0.3, and 2.42±0.39 & 3.24± 0.3 respectively . The average score on presenting information before and after training were 2.24±0.39 and 3.24 ± 0.3 and on educating patients 2.33 ± 0.52 3.15 ± 0.38, which indicated a significant difference between the scores before and after training(, p = 0/00).There was no significant difference between the scores of males and females(, p = 0/00). Conclusion: Interns’ scores were improved by training, significantly. It is recommended the medical curriculum be revised and some theoretical and practical courses relevant to communication skills accompanied by applying effective methods in teaching communication skills be planned for

Insecticidal activity of the essential oils from yarrow (Achillea wilhelmsii L.) and sweet asafetida (Ferula assa-foetida L.) against Aphis gossypii Glover. (Hemiptera: Aphididae) under controlled laboratory conditions

The essential oils of two medicinal plants from yarrow (Achillea wilhelmsii L.) and sweet asafetida (Ferula assa-foetida L.) were studied for fumigant toxicity, contact toxicity and repellent activity against two-day old nymphs of Aphis gossypii Glover. The mortality increased with increase of concentration and exposure time from 12 to 24 h in fumigant toxicity and from 24 to 48 h in contact toxicity. After 12 h, the LC50 values in fumigant toxicity of A. wilhelmsii and F. assa-foetida essential oils were estimated to be 23.4 and 16.8 mu l l(- 1) air respectively, and the toxicity was increased after 24 h to LC50 of 16.16 and 15.10 mu l l(- 1) air. LC50 values in contact toxicity of yarrow and sweet asafetida essential oils were estimated 6620and 2040 mu l l(- 1) after 24 h and 2478 and 882 mu l l(- 1) after 48 h, respectively. Furthermore, repellent activity was observed for all essential oils at the highest concentration (10 mu l ml(- 1)). The structure of the essential oil was analysed by (GC/MS). The highest components were (E)-1-propenyl sec-butyl disulfide (43.16%) and (Z)-1-propenyl sec-butyl disulfide (27.45) in sweet asafetida; camphore (29.03%) and 1,8-Cineole (12.86%) in Yarrow, which are compounds that possess insecticidal activity against various insect species. Results from this research could be a basic and essential step for application of present plant materials as a potential substitution of chemical insecticides for control of A. gossypii

Development of a Multimedia Training Program with Neuropsychological Approach and Evaluation of its Effectiveness in Social Skills of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Introduction: Neurodevelopmental disorders are group of neuropsychiatric disorders that occur in childhood and cause disruption in the growth and development of the brain or central nervous system in children. According to research results, children with neurodevelopmental disorders are weak in physical, cognitive, emotional, and social skills. This study aimed to develop a multimedia educational program with a neuropsychological approach and evaluate its effectiveness in the social skills of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Material & Methods: In this study, initially, a multimedia educational program with neuropsychological approach was designed, and the content validity of the tool was confirmed by experts. The statistical population of this study included male students aged 7-11 years old with neurodevelopmental disorder in Tehran, Iran. Using the purposefully convenience sampling method, and after administering Stanford-Binet Test of Intelligence (Fifth Edition), 100 children with neurodevelopmental disorder and natural IQ level and above were selected and randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. The experimental group was subjected to 90-min 24 multimedia educational sessions with neuropsychological approach. On the other hand, the control group received no intervention. They were then followed-up after one month and a half. The required data were collected using Social Skills Rating System (Gresham and Elliot, 1999) as pre-test, post-test, and the follow-up. Findings: The results of repeated measurement MANCOVA showed the effectiveness of the multimedia educational program with neuropsychological approach in the improvement of social skills of children with neurodevelopmental disorder (P˂0.01; Effect Size 0.35). Furthermore, it was shown that the effect of this program with neuropsychological approach on the social skills of children with neurodevelopmental disorder was constant even after one month and a half. Discussion & Conclusion: A multimedia educational program with neuropsychological approach can be used to increase and strengthen the social skills of children with neurodevelopmental disorders

Assessment of academic libraries in Mazandran, Goleston and Babol Medical Universities

(Received 3 August, 2009; Accepted 13 Jan, 2010)AbstractBackground and purpose: Libraries have a specific place in universities and have also an important role in students' education and research. The aim of this study was to evaluate the situation of academic libraries in Mazandaran, Babol and Golestan Universities of Medical Sciences.Materials and methods: This study is a descriptive survey in 25 academic libraries in Mazandaran, Golestan and Babol medical Universities. The tool of the survey was a standard questionnaire (ACRL), and the libraries were assessed using of checklist and interview.Results: Thirteen librarians (53%) hold a BSc degree, one (4%) with an MSc degree and two (8%) had an AA degree. Regarding to prediction and design of the libraries structure, only 40% (10 libraries) had prior programs. Related to budget, 40% relied on resources from the deputy for research, 12% on faculty current budget and 8% on hospital current budget, (40%) of others libraries did not have a planned budget). 12 libraries (45%) were open 6 days a week, 10 libraries (40%) 5 days a week and 3 libraries (12%) provided services every day. 39665 references were held at central library of Babol Medical Sciences University and less than 1016 at 5 Azar Hospital in Golestan Medical Sciences University. Fifteen libraries (60%) had access to Medline and Elsevier databases and 10 Libraries (40%) did not have any access.Conclusion: University libraries must be standardized to meet the need of the students and staff.Key words: School libraries, therapeutic and teaching hospitals, standards, ACRL, IranJ Mazand Univ Med Sci 2009; 20(74): 85-89 (Persian