T he Relationship of Satisfaction and Usage of Virtual Learning Facilities with Learning Style in Medical, Health and Operating Room Students

Background: Nowadays, several studies have been performed on the factors affecting the effectiveness of virtual education. One of the characteristics of learners is their different learning styles. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between learning style and the level of satisfaction and usage of e-learning facilities in medical students. Methods: This cross-sectional and retrospective (ex post facto) study was performed among medical, public health and operating room students of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences in 2017. We redesigned their courses to be delivered in the blended method, so that teachers used a Learning Management System (LMS) in addition to traditional teaching. Information about learning styles was collected using Kolb’s questionnaire, satisfaction level evaluated with a researcher made questionnaire and use of e-learning was examined by checking system loggings. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s post hoc, Welch’s ANOVA and X2 tests in SPSS software. Results: Students’ satisfaction with e-content in diverging learning style was higher (P = 0.032), but there was no significant relationship between learning style and demographic characteristics and total average mark. Also, there was no significant difference in the amount of using e-learning facilities between different learning style groups (P = 0.256). Conclusion: It seems that using virtual learning facilities and considering the type of learning style in students can increase their satisfaction. Keywords: Personal Satisfaction, e-Learning, Learning, Students, Educatio

A thermodynamic study on catalytic decomposition of hydrazine in a space thruster

Most satellites stationed in space use catalytic propulsion systems for attitude control and orbit adjustment. Hydrazine is consumed extensively as liquid monopropellant, in the thrusters. Catalytic reactor is the most important section in the catalytic thruster. Ammonia and nitrogen gases are produced as a result of complete catalytic decomposition of hydrazine in the reactor, causing an increase in temperature and a rise in specific impulse. Ammonia is subsequently decomposed, leading to nitrogen and hydrogen gases. Decomposition of ammonia leads to a decrease in temperature, molecular weight and specific impulse. The latter phenomenon is unavoidable. The effect of ammonia decomposition on the reactor temperature, molecular weight of gaseous products and conclusively on specific impulse was studied in this article. At adiabatic state, thermodynamic analysis revealed that the maximum and minimum temperatures were 1655 K and 773 K, respectively. The highest molecular weight was obtained at ammonia conversion of zero and the lowest when ammonia conversion was 100%. The maximum specific impulse (305.4 S) was obtained at ammonia conversion of zero and completely conversion of ammonia, the minimum specific impulse (about 213.7 s) was obtained. For specific impulse, the result of thermodynamic calculation in this work was validated by the empirical results

Complications of Enterocutaneous Fistulas and Their Management

Complications related to enterocutaneous fistulas are common and include sepsis, malnutrition, and fluid or electrolyte abnormalities. Intestinal failure is one of the most feared complications of enterocutaneous fistula management and results in significant patient morbidity and mortality. The authors review emerging trends in the medical and surgical management of patients with intestinal failure

Education of How-to-Use Peak Flow Meter and Following up via SMS on Asthma Self-Management

Background & Aim: Asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide. About 6.5 million people suffer from asthma in Iran. The Effective strategy to control asthma is related to education. The self-management has a major role in the standard education program. This study aimed to assess the effect of education on using peak flow meter and follow up via SMS on asthma self management.Methods & Materials: This study was a quasi-experimental controlled clinical trial. The samples included 98 patients, suffering from asthma referred to the pulmonary clinic in Imam Khomeini and Shariati hospitals. Patients were selected using convenient sampling method and were randomly assigned into the experiment (n=47) and control (n=51) groups through blocking method. Two educational sessions were held in the experiment group about how-to-use peak flow meter. Accordingly, the patients in the experiment group sent their peak flow rates via SMS to the researcher within 12 weeks. The researchers provided feedback to the patients about their asthma control via phone, weekly. Patients in the control group did not receive any education. Data were collected using the Asthma Control Test before and three months after the intervention. Data were analyzed using the statistical tests of Chi-square, Mann-Whitney, Independent t-test and Kolmogorov-Smirnov.Results: There was a significant statistical difference between the two groups of experiment and control in terms of asthma control (P=0.002).Conclusion: The education using peak flow meter and following up via SMS promotes asthma self-management. With regard to the significant role of nurses in patient education, educating patients with asthma by nurses is recommended at the Iranian Society of Asthma and Allergies clinics and medical centers

Taguchi optimization approach for Pb(II) and Hg(II) removal from aqueous solutions using modified mesoporous carbon

Using the Taguchi method, this study presents a systematic optimization approach for removal of lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) by a nanostructure, zinc oxide-modified mesoporous carbon CMK-3 denoted as Zn-OCMK-3. CMK-3 was synthesized by using SBA-15 and then oxidized by nitric acid. The zinc oxide was loaded to the modified CMK-3 by the equilibrium adsorption of Zn(II) ions from aqueous solution followed by calcination to convert zinc nitrate to zinc oxide. The CMK-3 had porous structure and high specific surface area which can accommodate zinc oxide in a spreading manner, the zinc oxide connects to the carbon surface via oxygen atoms. The controllable factors such as agitation time, initial concentration, temperature, dose and pH of solution have been optimized. Under optimum conditions, the pollutant removal efficiency (PRE) was 97.25% for Pb(II) and 99% for Hg(II). The percentage contribution of each controllable factor was also determined. The initial concentration of pollutant is the most influential factor, and its value of percentage contribution is up to 31% and 43% for Pb and Hg, respectively. Our results show that the Zn-OCMK-3 is an effective nanoadsorbent for lead and mercury pollution remediation. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms were used to model the equilibrium adsorption data for Pb(II) and Hg(II)

microRNA-96 targets the INS/AKT/GLUT4 signaling axis: Association with and effect on diabetic retinopathy

Background: miR-96-5p is a highly expressed microRNA in the retina of subjects with diabetes. The INS/AKT/GLUT4 signaling axis is the main cell signaling pathway of glucose uptake in cells. Here, we investigated the role of miR-96-5p in this signaling pathway. Methods: Expression levels of miR-96-5p and its target genes were measured under high glucose conditions, in the retina of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, in the retina of AAV-2-eGFP-miR-96 or GFP intravitreal injected mice and in the retina of human donors with diabetic retinopathy (DR). MTT, wound healing, tube formation, Western blot, TUNEL, angiogenesis assays and hematoxylin-eosin staining of the retinal sections were performed. Results: miR-96-5p expression was increased under high glucose conditions in mouse retinal pigment epithelial (mRPE) cells, in the retina of mice receiving AAV-2 carrying miR-96 and STZ-treated mice. Expression of the miR-96-5p target genes related to the INS/AKT/GLUT4 signaling pathway was reduced following miR-96-5p overexpression. mmu-miR-96-5p expression decreased cell proliferation and thicknesses of retinal layers. Cell migration, tube formation, vascular length, angiogenesis, and TUNEL-positive cells were increased. Conclusions: In in vitro and in vivo studies and in human retinal tissues, miR-96-5p regulated the expression of the PIK3R1, PRKCE, AKT1, AKT2, and AKT3 genes in the INS/AKT axis and some genes involved in GLUT4 trafficking, such as Pak1, Snap23, RAB2a, and Ehd1. Because disruption of the INS/AKT/GLUT4 signaling axis causes advanced glycation end product accumulation and inflammatory responses, the inhibition of miR-96-5p expression could ameliorate DR