Developing Self-adaptive Melody Search Algorithm for Optimal Operation of Multi-reservoir Systems

Operation of multi-reservoir systems is known as complicated and often large-scale optimization problems. The problems, because of broad search space, nonlinear relationships, correlation of several variables, as well as problem uncertainty, are difficult requiring powerful algorithms with specific capabilities to be solved. In the present study a Self-adaptive version of Melody Search algorithm is presented and applied to obtain Operating Rule Curves for multi-reservoir systems. The self-adaptive mechanism is implemented to satisfy problems constraints and perform algorithm parameters evolution going through different iterations. The research initially evaluates capability of extended algorithm using eight benchmark problems comparing other well-known metaheuristic algorithms, and verifies its effectiveness. Then, the algorithm is adopted for optimal operation of a four-reservoir system located in Karkheh river basin to properly meet agricultural requirements and to decrease the probability of major failures; and finally, the results are provided

Viable Extreme Preterm Birth and Some Neonatal Outcomes in Double Cerclage versus Traditional Cerclage: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The pregnant women at higher risk of preterm labor, referred to the perinatal clinic of Kosar University Hospital in Urmia district of Iran, were enrolled into a parallel randomized clinical trial. In the investigational arm of the clinical trial, a double cervical cerclage procedure was performed addition to McDonald cerclage. In the control group however, only McDonald cerclage was performed. Extreme preterm labor (GA < 33 weeks) was the primary endpoint of this clinical trial. Age, gestational age at cerclage time, and gravidity were not found to be statistically different between the groups. Means of gestational age were 37.4 and 36.2 weeks, respectively, for the investigational and control groups. The gestational age was 1.2 weeks longer for double cerclage group but the difference was not found to be statistically significant. Preterm birth before 33 weeks of gestation was not experienced by any of the patients who received double cerclage, but five women in control group developed such an extreme preterm labor (P < 0.05). The absolute risk reduction in using double cerclage over traditional method was 18 percent (95% confidence interval, 4%–32%). Double cerclage appeared to have higher efficacy than traditional cerclage in preventing preterm labor <33 weeks of gestation

Characteristics and Skills for Medical Librarians as the Information Experts in Accidents and Disasters

Introduction: The accident and disaster team's access to reliable and up-to-date information can mean faster crisis management, requiring specialist forces in this field. Therefore, this research aims to determine the characteristics and skills medical librarians need to be disaster and disaster information experts. Methods: The current research is descriptive and has been conducted using a narrative review method. In this study, 46 articles were found based on searches conducted in databases and websites of journals, which met the researchers’ criteria for inclusion in the study. In the next step, to achieve the main goal of the research, the content of these articles was examined and analyzed in-depth, and as a result, the characteristics and skills needed by librarians of accidents and disasters were extracted. Results: The results showed that the characteristics and skills needed in the order of abundance in the sources include the provision of information services, the use of information technology tools, collection managers, training in disaster response activities, institutional supporters, internal planners, government partners, mental health support, safe shelter, community resilience, familiarity with crisis management topics, and meeting needs. Conclusion: The results of the source review showed that librarians can play an influential role in the field of accidents and disasters. For this purpose, they must have the required characteristics and skills acquired through workshops or training courses, which add lesson units to educational topics

Birth prevalence of genital anomalies among males conceived by intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles: A cross-sectional study

Background: Several studies have been conducted worldwide to evaluate the prevalence and relative risks of congenital anomalies associated with assisted reproductive technology cycles; however, there is limited data in Iran. Objective: To investigate male genital anomalies among live births from assisted reproductive technology. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on children born after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) at Royan Institute, Tehran, Iran from April 2013-December 2015. The prevalence of male genitalia disorders that included hypospadias, epispadias, cryptorchidism, micropenis, and vanishing testis were reported. The relationship between the cause of infertility and type of embryo transfer (fresh or frozen), gestational age at birth (term or preterm), and birth weight with these male genitalia anomalies were evaluated. Results: In total, 4409 pregnant women were followed after their ICSI cycles to evaluate genitalia anomalies in their children. Out of 5608 live births, 2614 (46.61%) newborns were male, of which 14 cases (0.54%) had genital anomalies. The prevalence of various anomalies were cryptorchidism (0.34%), hypospadias (0.038%), micropenis (0.038%), vanishing testis (0.038%), and epispadias (0.077%). No relationship was found between the cause of infertility, type of embryo transfer (fresh or frozen), gestational age at birth (term or preterm), and male genital malformation (p = 0.33, p = 0.66, and p = 0.62, respectively). Conclusion: The prevalence of each male genital anomaly after the ICSI cycle was rare and less than 0.5%; however, no significant infertility-related factor was observed with these anomalies. Key words: Cryptorchidism, Hypospadias, Microinjections, Prevalence, Reproductive techniques, Urogenital abnormalitie

Effect of Behavioral Intention Model-based Education on Decrease the Rate of Caesarean Delivery among Pregnant Women

Caesarean section is considered as a major surgery which is accompanied by several complications. The present study aimed to determine the effect of behavioral intention model-based educational intervention on reducing the caesarean section among pregnant women. The present interventional study was conducted on 100 primiparous women in the third trimester of pregnancy who were covered by the health and treatment centers of Fasa city, placed in Fars province, Iran. The subjects were selected through simple random sampling and divided into an intervention and a control group. After the pre-test, the intervention group underwent exclusive training based on the behavioral intention model. Then, both groups took part in the post-test and the data were analyzed using paired t-test, independent t-test, and chi-square tests. The results of the study revealed a significant difference between the two groups regarding knowledge, evaluation of the outcomes, attitude, and intention (P&lt;0.001). The results of the chi-square test also showed a significant difference between the two groups regarding their performance (P&lt;0.001). According to the results, the present intervention was effective in increasing the pregnant women’s knowledge, evaluation of outcomes, attitude and strengthening their intention as well as performance. Thus, this model and other systematic trainings are suggested to be used for pregnant women in order to decrease the rate of caesarean section.

Comparing the effects of nigella sativa extract and gentamicin in treatment of urinary tract infection caused by Ecoli

Background and purpose: The antibiotics' side effects and microbial resistance have increased the need for natural antimicrobial agents in treating infections. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial effects of Nigella sativa extract and its possible nephrotoxicity compared with gentamicin. The effect of N. sativa on gentamicin induced renal toxicity and its synergistic effect were evaluated on urinary tract infection caused by Ecoli in rabbits. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 36 male New Zealand rabbits were designated into seven groups: gentamicin-bacteria, N. sativa-bacteria, N. sativa-gentamicin-bacteria, N. sativa-gentamicin, bacteria, gentamicin and control groups. The animals were anesthetized after ten days of treatment, and the kidney specimens were collated for histopathological examination. The nephrotoxic effects of gentamicin and protective effects of N. sativa on kidney were studied. Antibacterial effects of the extracts were evaluated with laboratory tests and the MBC and MIC values were obtained for N. sativa. Results: The level of urea nitrogen and creatinine in urine increased in bacteria group compared to control group (P<0.05). But, they decreased in bacteria- N. sativa group compared with the bacterial group (P<0.05). Histopathological examination of kidney tissue showed that renal lesions in bacterial and, bacteria- gentamicin groups (ATN) were more than N. sativa -bacteria and bacteria-gentamycin- N. sativa (minor necrosis) groups. Conclusion: According to the results, N. sativa in addition to antibacterial effect against E. coli, can prevent the nephrotoxic effects of gentamicin. Therefore, it may be considered as an alternative, or in combination with gentamicin