The relationship between internal organizational trust and job engagement in higher education

This research is designed to identify the relationship between internal organizational trust and job engagement in Higher Education of Kurdistan and Islamic Azad Higher Education in Sanandaj. We have used Shakli Zalbak's questionnaire (2000) to measure internal organizational trust and Schaufeli and Bakker’s questionnaire (2003) to identify job engagement. The population is Kurdistan Higher Education and Islamic Azad staffs which are 475 people and we have chosen 212 statistical samples by using Cochran formula and random sampling. This research is based on practical purpose and descriptive collection method is correlation. We have used questionnaire to gather information. We have analyzed information by Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. The result of hypotheses shows that there is significant and direct relationship between internal organizational trust and job engagement. The result of regression analysis shows that explicit environment determined 49 percent of job engagement variance. The sense of identity of organization and the sense ofattention from colleagues, managers and organization determine 26 and 18 percent of job engagement variance

Developing Intellectual Capital Model for Energy Industry

Abstract. Intellectual capital is an important topic that has been viewed as one of the most value increase of company resources and key capitals in entrepreneurial development. This study aims to design a model for measuring intellectual capital. The previous models are reviewed and indicators for measuring are extracted. The population is 1104 managers and experts of 13 firms of Iran Transfo Company and 285 samples were selected randomly classified from companies. Data were collected by questionnaire, and we use structural equation modelling for the analysis. Our proposed intellectual capital model includes 5 aspects of human, structural, customer, the relational and systemic capital. All aspects have significant positive relationship with each other. Structural, relational and customer capital had the most intense relationships in the model and systemic and human capital were in fourth and fifth respectively. Keywords:  Customer capital, human capital, intellectual capital, relational capital, structural capita

Comparison of the effect of licorice vaginal cream and estrogen vaginal cream on sexual function of postmenopausal women: An RCT

Background: Menopause is a stage in woman’s life that some women experience in middle age and some at a younger age (premature menopause). Low levels of ovarian hormones, during menopause can lead to various complications. Menopause is one of the factors that can affect a woman’s sexual function. Objective: The present study was conducted to compare the effect of licorice vaginal cream and estrogen vaginal cream on the sexual function of postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, 82 postmenopausal women who were referred to health centers in Ilam, Iran from July to November 2020 were randomly divided into 2 groups (n = 41/each). One group was given estrogen vaginal cream 2%, and the other vaginal licorice cream 2%. Participants used the 2 medications for 14-day periods each. We used the finite randomization method. Data collection questionnaires, including a demographic information questionnaire before treatment and a female sexual function index questionnaire were completed before, one month after the medication, and 2 months after using the medication. Results: The mean score of sexual function in the licorice group was 17.86 ± 4.37 and increased to 20.31 ± 4.63 at the end of the study. The mean score of sexual function in the estrogen group was 17.14 ± 3.99 and increased to 22.97 ± 5.09 at the end of the study (p = 0.015). Conclusion: The effect of estrogen vaginal cream on the sexual function of postmenopausal women was greater than licorice vaginal cream. Key words: Vagina, Post menopause, Glycyrrhiza, Estrogens

Effect of acute Ramadan fasting on muscle function and buffering system of male athletes

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of acute Ramadan fasting (RF) on the muscle function and buffering system. Twelve male athletes with 8 years of professional sports experience (age, 23.2 ± 1.3 years, body mass index: 24.2 ± 2.2 kg/m2) participated in this study. The subjects were tested twice, 3 weeks after the beginning of RF and 2 weeks after the end RF. Muscle function, buffering capacity, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured during and after RF by using the Biodex isokinetic machine, blood gas analyzer, and RPE 6-20 Borg scale, respectively. Venous blood samples for pH and bicarbonate (HCO3-) were measured during and after RF by using the Biodex isokinetic machine, blood gas analyzer, and RPE 6-20 Borg scale, respectively. Venous blood samples for pH and bicarbonate (HCO3-) were taken immediately after 25 repetitions of isokinetic knee flexion and extension. Measures taken during isokinetic knee extension during RF were significantly lower than those after RF in extension peak torque (t = -4.72, p = 0.002), flexion peak torque (t = -3.80, p = 0.007), extension total work (t = -3.05, p = 0.019), extension average power (t = -4.20, p = 0.004), flexion average power (t = -3.37, p = 0.012), blood HCO3- (t = -2.02, p = 0.041), and RPE (Z = -1.69, p = 0.048). No influence of RF was found on the blood pH (t = 0.752, p = 0.476). RF has adverse effects on muscle function and buffering capacity in athletes. It seems that a low-carbohydrate substrate during RF impairs muscle performance and reduces the buffering capacity of the blood, leading to fatigue in athletes

Time spent in sedentary posture is associated with waist circumference and cardiovascular risk

Background The relationship between metabolic risk and time spent sitting, standing and stepping has not been well established. The present study aimed to determine associations of objectively measured time spent siting, standing and stepping, with coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. Methods A cross-sectional study of healthy non-smoking Glasgow postal workers, n=111 (55 office-workers, 5 women, and 56 walking/delivery-workers, 10 women), who wore activPAL physical activity monitors for seven days. Cardiovascular risks were assessed by metabolic syndrome categorisation and 10-y PROCAM risk. Results Mean(SD) age was 40(8) years, BMI 26.9(3.9)kg/m-2 and waist circumference 95.4(11.9)cm. Mean(SD) HDL-cholesterol 1.33(0.31), LDL-cholesterol 3.11(0.87), triglycerides 1.23(0.64)mmol/l and 10-y PROCAM risk 1.8(1.7)%. Participants spent mean(SD) 9.1(1.8)h/d sedentary, 7.6(1.2)h/d sleeping, 3.9(1.1)h/d standing and 3.3(0.9)h/d stepping, accumulating 14,708(4,984)steps/d in 61(25) sit-to-stand transitions per day. In univariate regressions - adjusting for age, sex, family history of CHD, shift worked, job type and socio-economic status - waist circumference (p=0.005), fasting triglycerides (p=0.002), HDL-cholesterol (p=0.001) and PROCAM-risk (p=0.047) were detrimentally associated with sedentary time. These associations remained significant after further adjustment for sleep, standing and stepping in stepwise regression models. However, after further adjustment for waist circumference, the associations were not significant. Compared to those without the metabolic syndrome, participants with the metabolic syndrome were significantly less active – fewer steps, shorter stepping duration and longer time sitting. Those with no metabolic syndrome features walked >15,000 steps/day, or spent >7h/day upright. Conclusion Longer time spent in sedentary posture is significantly associated with higher CHD risk and larger waist circumference

Effects Of Stimulator Substances On Aerobic Methyl tert-Butyl Ether Biodegradation By Microbial Consortium

In this study dissolved humic substances and yeast extract were tested in different concentrations for enhancing methyl tert-butyl ether mineralization by isolated microorganisms from a variety of sources. All experiments were conducted at a constant temperature of 25ºC. Vials of 50 mL and 125 mL volume sealed with Teflon-lined Mini-Nert caps was used for microcosm experiments. In all experiments 1% sodium azide were used as control. Samples of bacterial cultures that metabolize methyl tert-butyl ether have been analysed by direct GC analysis using flame ionization detector. Cultures able to metabolize have been found in activated sludge and soils. These microorganisms were gram-positive bacterium. An aerobic microbial consortium was enriched in laboratory for four months. Methyl tert-butyl ether has been shown to biodegrade under aerobic and co-metabolic conditions. A microbial consortium isolated from activated sludges was identified as Cocobacillus. The concentration of the initial attached biomass was about 0.11 g/L of dry weight. The maximum mineralization rate and beneficial effects of stimulator substances on aerobic biodegradation of methyl tert-butyl ether occurred with the culture by combined concentrations of 500 mg/L of yeast extract and 20 mg/L of peat humic growth support of microbial consortium within 216 h and in presence of high oxygen levels and well mixing conditions. It was shown that adding, peat humic and yeast extract together, had better stimulatory effect on methyl tert-butyl ether biodegradation. Results clearly showed a stimulatory effect on methyl tert-butyl ether consumption higher than 20%. Consortium was capable of degrading concentrations of ≤1000 mg/L, whereas concentrations of >1000 mg/L, were not degraded

The Effect of One Season of Preparation and Competition on Some Factors of Fibrinolysis, D-dimer, and CRP in Professional Athletes

Background and Objectives: The fibrinolytic system is an important physiological mechanism, the function of which is decomposition of fibrin strands in blood vessels. In the present study, the effect of one season of preparation and competition, was investigated on fibrinolysis, D-dimer, and CRP indices in professional soccer players.   Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 10 soccer players of Sanat Naft Abadan (age, 22.5±2.7 years; weight, 71±4kg; height, 178.5±4.5cm; BMI, 22.2±0.4kg/m2), participated in this study. The subjects performed one season of soccer preparation and competition, which lasted about 10 months. Blood samples (for measuring t-PA, PAI-1, D-dimer, and CRP), were taken in four stages: before the preparation season, after the preparation season, half-season, and at the end of competition season. Data were analyzed using repeated ANOVA and Bonferroni tests.   Results: The training period caused a significant change in t-PA (p=0.003) and PAI-1 (p=0.005) resting levels, but caused no change in D-dimer and CRP resting levels. The paired analysis of the data showed a significant difference between the resting levels of t-PA (p=0.002) and PAI-1 (p=0.004) before the preparation period and after the competition season.   Conclusion: According to the findings of this research, training causes an increase in the fibrinolysis system potential, hence, this may cause a decrease in the formation of thrombosis in professional soccer players.     &nbsp

The effect of education on industrial development : Evidence from Iranian small industries

The literature show evidence that small manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) are understood as main source of technology development and employment creation. At the same time they are vulnerable to a number of restrictions such as access to finances, skilled labor and public support, while are exposed to high competition and suffer from low survival rate. This research aims to shed lights on the role that education play in the process of industrial and economic development of Iranian provinces. This research is conducted in a number of ways. First, a comprehensive literature review is conducted to gain experience from the national and international literature to identify the state-of-art research and important theories, methods and empirical results to shape the structure of this research and identify key data requirements. Second, the status of industrial infrastructure and distribution of firms by important characteristic of education is investigated. Comparison is made at the aggregate national level. Third, based on the literature findings and analysis of the industry structure, assemble a data set at the province level that is representative with good coverage of the industry sector. Also a composite Development Infrastructure Index for provinces with available ranks in mentioned component is calculated. Based on the findings, appropriate policy recommendations to improve the conditions of SMEs infrastructure and performance will purposed