The Study of the Main Characteristics of Digital Libraries in Iran Part 1: The Situation in 2009

The present research endeavors to discover similarities and differences among digital libraries in Iran and to clarify the extent of their consistency in terms of main library requisites. Using a qualitative -quantitative method, i.e. a survey research method using content analysis, it identifies Iranian Digital Libraries (IDLs) and explores their characteristics. Reviewing the literature, we identified the main requisites for libraries including search and browsing facilities, search mode, collection development policies, content, document types, feedback, access models and services and then composed them into a checklist. Searching Google, we verified the top 500 of the records returned to identify IDLs and study them regarding the criteria. The results showed that the IDLs vary strongly in their main traits and library requirements, signifying a general variation in their developers' interpretations of digital library concept. The strong points of the IDLs are their variety in contents, materials and subjects covered as well as in devising browsing facilities, multilingual collections and feedback mechanisms. However, they showed to be deficient in providing a variety of services, search and management mechanisms. The significance of the research relies on the importance of commonly agreed perceptions of digital libraries on their future success. It affects the nature of the relationships between information users, providers and intermediaries as well as their designing, implementation and resource, access and legalmanagement and the services types and extents

A shape tailored gold-conductive polymer nanocomposite as a transparent electrode with extraordinary insensitivity to volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

In this study, the transparent conducting polymer of poly (3,4-ethylenendioxythiophene): poly(styrene sulphonate) (PEDOT:PSS) was nanohybridized via inclusion of gold nanofillers including nanospheres (NSs) and nanorods (NRs). Such nanocomposite thin films offer not only more optimum conductivity than the pristine polymer but also excellent resistivity against volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Interestingly, such amazing properties are achieved in the diluted regimes of the nanofillers and depend on the characteristics of the interfacial region of the polymer and nanofillers, i.e. the aspect ratio of the latter component. Accordingly, a shape dependent response is made that is more desirable in case of using the Au nanorods with a much larger aspect ratio than their nanosphere counterparts. This transparent nanocomposite thin film with an optimized conductivity and very low sensitivity to organic gases is undoubtedly a promising candidate material for the touch screen panel production industry. Considering PEDOT as a known material for integrated electrodes in energy saving applications, we believe that our strategy might be an important progress in the field.Peer reviewe

Doctor can I buy a new kidney? I've heard it isn't forbidden: what is the role of the nephrologist when dealing with a patient who wants to buy a kidney?

Organ trafficking is officially banned in several countries and by the main Nephrology Societies. However, this practice is widespread and is allowed or tolerated in many countries, hence, in the absence of a universal law, the caregiver may be asked for advice, placing him/her in a difficult balance between legal aspects, moral principles and ethical judgments. In spite of the Istanbul declaration, which is a widely shared position statement against organ trafficking, the controversy on mercenary organ donation is still open and some experts argue against taking a negative stance. In the absence of clear evidence showing the clinical disadvantages of mercenary transplantation compared to chronic dialysis, self-determination of the patient (and, with several caveats, of the donor) may conflict with other ethical principles, first of all non-maleficence. The present paper was drawn up with the participation of the students, as part of the ethics course at our medical school. It discusses the situation in which the physician acts as a counselor for the patient in the way of a sort of “reverse” informed consent, in which the patient asks advice regarding a complex personal decision, and includes a peculiar application of the four principles (beneficence, non-maleficence, justice and autonomy) to the donor and recipient parties

Comparison of Life Expectancy Levels of Men and Women in Yazd Province in 1996 and 2003.

Introduction: Life expectancy at birth is an indicator of the mean age that a new born will live and this indicator is one of the criteria for evaluation of the heath, economic and social conditions. Methods: In this descriptive study, the life expectancy table of men and women in Yazd state is calculated on the basis of probability of death in different age groups during the years 1996 and 2003. Results: In 1996, the life expectancy at birth of women and men were 74.5 and 71.9 years, respectively, while these figures in2003 were 79.5 and 71.9 years, respectively. In 1996, the most and the least life expectancies were in Taft and Mehriz, while in 2003, the most and the least life expectancies were in Mehriz and Yazd city. Conclusion: The results show that the life expectancies of both man and women has increased in Yazd and this increase was more marked in women than men

Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Anthropometric Parameters in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome

Introduction: Obesity has become epidemic worldwide and is now a great public and clinical health challenge. Metabolic syndrome is one of the disorders associated with obesity. Accumulating evidence shows inverse correlation of serum 25(OH)D3 with obesity and anthropometric parameters. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on anthropometric parameters in patients with metabolic syndrome. Methods:We utilized randomized controlled double – blind intervention, administering 300,000 IU vitamin D in divided doses of 6 50,000 IU pearls per day to the treatment group and 6 pearls of placebo to control group in the first week of intervention. Participants were 88 men and women aged 30 to 65 which had metabolic syndrome according to NCEP-ATP III definition and had referred to diabetes clinic of Emam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran. 25(OH)D3 levels and anthropometric parameters including weight, BMI, waist circumference and waist to hip ratio were measured at the beginning and 3 months later. Results: There was a significant increase in serum 25(OH)D3 levels from 20 ng/ml to 33 ng/ml at the end of the study in vitamin D supplemented group (P-value < 0.001). There was a significant decrease in waist circumference in the vitamin D supplemented group at the end of the study (P-value = 0.005). There was no significant difference in weight, BMI and waist to hip ratio in the groups at the end of the study. Conclusion: Improving vitamin D status decreases waist circumference but does not affect other anthropometric parameters in patients with metabolic syndrome

Isolation and characterization of metarhizium isolates from the soil of Afghanistan and their mycoinsecticide effects against subterranean termite (anacanthotermes vagans)

The entomopathogenic fungi are widely used as a biocontrol agent against many insect pests. In the present study, strains of Metarhizium were isolated and identified from Badakhshan province of Afghanistan. The taxonomic identity of the isolates was confirmed by molecular data, using (ITS) rDNA gene sequence, and morphology: Metarhizium robertsii and Metarhizium anisopliae. The virulence and the mass conidial production of these strains were compared with two Iranian isolates of Beauveria (B. bassiana and B. varroae) using four different raw substrates (broken rice, broken wheat, green gram, and saw dust) by solid-state fermentation. The M. robertsii strain had the highest total conidial yields obtained after 18 days on broken rice and the least conidial growth was observed on saw dust. For B. bassiana, the highest conidial yields were obtained after 18 days on green gram, and also like to M. robertsii, the least conidial growth was observed on saw dust. The conidia suspension was applied against subterranean termite, Anacanthotermes vagans, at four different concentrations (1×105, 1×106, 1×107, 1×108 conidia/ml-1). The highest mortality rate was obtained from 1×108 conidia/ml-1 for both M. robertsii and B. bassiana. In general, the indigenous isolate of M. robertsii was more virulent than B. bassiana while B. varroae had not effect on termites