An Efficient Taguchi Approach for the Performance Optimization of Health, Safety, Environment and Ergonomics in Generation Companies

Azadeh, Ali,Sheikhalishahi, Mohammad Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute 2015 Safety and health at work Vol.6 No.2

Background: A unique framework for performance optimization of generation companies (GENCOs) based on health, safety, environment, and ergonomics (HSEE) indicators is presented. Methods: To rank this sector of industry, the combination of data envelopment analysis (DEA), principal component analysis (PCA), and Taguchi are used for all branches of GENCOs. These methods are applied in an integrated manner to measure the performance of GENCO. The preferred model between DEA, PCA, and Taguchi is selected based on sensitivity analysis and maximum correlation between rankings. To achieve the stated objectives, noise is introduced into input data. Results: The results show that Taguchi outperforms other methods. Moreover, a comprehensive experiment is carried out to identify the most influential factor for ranking GENCOs. Conclusion: The approach developed in this study could be used for continuous assessment and improvement of GENCO's performance in supplying energy with respect to HSEE factors. The results of such studies would help managers to have better understanding of weak and strong points in terms of HSEE factors.

The opportunities of virtual reality in the rehabilitation of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a literature review

Azadeh Bashiri,Marjan Ghazisaeedi,Leila Shahmoradi 대한소아청소년과학회 2017 Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics (CEP) Vol.60 No.11

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in childhood. This disorder, in addition to its main symptoms, creates significant difficulties in education, social performance, and personal relationships. Given the importance of rehabilitation for these patients to combat the above issues, the use of virtual reality (VR) technology is helpful. The aim of this study was to highlight the opportunities for VR in the rehabilitation of children with ADHD. This narrative review was conducted by searching for articles in scientific databases and e-Journals, using keywords including VR, children, and ADHD. Various studies have shown that VR capabilities in the rehabilitation of children with ADHD include providing flexibility in accordance with the patients’ requirements; removing distractions and creating an effective and safe environment away from real-life dangers; saving time and money; increasing patients’ incentives based on their interests; providing suitable tools to perform different behavioral tests and increase ecological validity; facilitating better understanding of individuals’ cognitive deficits and improving them; helping therapists with accurate diagnosis, assessment, and rehabilitation; and improving working memory, executive function, and cognitive processes such as attention in these children. Rehabilitation of children with ADHD is based on behavior and physical patterns and is thus suitable for VR interventions. This technology, by simulating and providing a virtual environment for diagnosis, training, monitoring, assessment and treatment, is effective in providing optimal rehabilitation of children with ADHD.

The Effects of Various Apodization Functions on the Filtering Characteristics of the Grating-Assisted SOI Strip Waveguides

Azadeh Karimi,Farzin Emami,Najmeh Nozhat 한국광학회 2014 Current Optics and Photonics Vol.18 No.2

In this paper, four apodization functions are proposed for silicon-on-insulator (SOI) strip waveguides with sidewall-corrugated gratings. The effects of apodization functions on the full width at half maximum (FWHM), the side-lobe level, and the reflectivity of the reflection spectrum are studied using the coupled-mode theory (CMT) and the transfer-matrix method (TMM). The results show that applying proposed apodization functions creates very good filtering characteristics. Among investigated apodized waveguides, the apodization functions of Polynomial and z-power have the best performance in reducing side-lobes, where the side-lobe oscillations are entirely removed. Four functions are also used for precise adjustment of the bandwidth. Simulation results show that the minimum and maximum values of the FWHM are 0.74 nm and 8.48 nm respectively. In some investigated functions, changing the apodization parameters decreases the reflectivity which is compensated by increasing the grating length.

A Prospective Pilot Study Investigating Performance of 18F-Fluciclovine PET Imaging for Detection of Prostate Cancer 2 Years Following Primary Partial Gland Cryoablation

Azadeh Nazemi,William C. Huang,James Wysock,Samir S. Taneja,Kent Friedman,Rozalba Gogaj,Herbert Lepor 대한핵의학회 2022 핵의학 분자영상 Vol.56 No.4

Purpose The goal of partial gland ablation (PGA) is to eradicate focal lesions of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) with minimal adverse impact on functional outcomes. The primary objective of this study is to characterize the performance of 18F-Fluciclovine PET imaging for detection of prostate cancer following PGA. Materials and Methods Subjects 2 years following primary partial gland cryoablation (PPGCA) were invited to participate in an IRB-approved study providing they met the following inclusion criteria: a single reported mpMRI region of interest (ROI) concordant with biopsy Gleason Grade Group (GGG) < 4, no gross extra-prostatic extension on mpMRI, and no GGG > 1 or GGG 1 with a core length > 6 mm on contralateral systematic biopsy. 18F-Fluciclovine PET MRI imaging of the prostate was performed followed by in and out-of-field biopsies. Results Twenty-seven men who met eligibility criteria participated in the prospective study. In-field and out-of-field csPCa recurrence rate was 7.4% and 22.2%, respectively. The sensitivity and positive predictive value of mpMRI and PET imaging did not reach performance to reliably inform who should undergo prostate biopsy. Conclusion At 2 years following PPGCA, the rate of in-field csPCa was exceedingly low indicating a limited role for imaging to inform in-field biopsy decisions. The csPCa detection rate of out-of-field recurrence was 22% which provides an opportunity for imaging to inform out-of-field biopsy decisions. Based on our findings, 18F-Fluciclovine PET MRI cannot be used to inform who should undergo out-of-field prostate biopsy at 2 years following PPGCA.

Protective Effects of Berberis vulgaris on Diazinon-Induced Brain Damage in Young Male Mice

Azadeh Sonei,Simin Fazelipour,Leila Kanaani,Mahsa Hadipour Jahromy 한국식품영양과학회 2020 Preventive Nutrition and Food Science Vol.25 No.1

Diazinon is an imminent and hazardous chemical organophosphate multiplex that is generally used as a pesticide but is toxic for many species particularly vertebrates. Berberry (Berberis vulgaris L., family Berberidaceae) is a plant that flourishes in Europe and Asia that has been largely investigated for its therapeutic effects. In the present study, we evaluated the protective effects of B. vulgaris on diazinon-induced brain damage in young male mice. Twenty-one young male albino mice weighing 18±2 g were divided in three equal groups of seven mice, and treated orally with either olive oil (control), diazinon 50 mg/kg+B. vulgaris extract 200 mg/kg, or diazinon 50 mg/kg. After three weeks, cerebrum and cerebellum samples were collected for antioxidant assays. The results indicated that diazinon increased oxidative stress in the brain of mice. The glutathione content and proceedings of antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase, were significantly reduced in both the cerebellum and cerebrum of diazinon-treated mice, compared with the control group. In addition, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was inhibited by exposure to this pesticide. Administration of 200 mg/kg B. vulgaris extract with diazinon significantly decreased oxidative stress indices in all experiments. The results indicated that B. vulgaris extract has protective effects against lipid peroxidation of the cerebellum and cerebrum, and in regenerating AChE activity in the brain induced by diazinon.

Induction of Megakaryocytic Differentiation in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Cell K562 by 3-Hydrogenkwadaphnin

( Azadeh Meshkini ),( Razieh Yazdanparast ) 생화학분자생물학회 2007 BMB Reports Vol.40 No.6

Effect of PEG Molecular Weight and Volume Ratio of Chitosan/PEG and Silk Fibroin on Physicomechanical Properties of Chitosan/PEG-SF Scaffold as a Bio-mimetic Substrate in Skin-tissue Engineering Applications

Azadeh Izadyari Aghmiuni,Saeed Heidari Keshel,Mostafa Rezaei-Tavirani,Farshid Sefat,Arash Khojasteh,Masoud Soleimani,Farzad Pakdel 한국섬유공학회 2022 Fibers and polymers Vol.23 No.12

Tissue engineering provides new approaches to improve skin lesions. However, cell differentiation onto theengineered substrate with the skin-like pattern is the main challenge. Here we have tried to fabricate such the substrate viastudying the change in polymers ratios and molecular weight, and grafting scaffold with silk fibroin (SF) biomaterial. To thisend, chitosan and PEG were mixed at the volume ratios of 25:75, 50:50, and 65:35, and samples were lyophilized by thefreeze-drying method. Based on the result, the ratio of 65:35 indicated better physicomechanical properties than two otherscaffolds. Afterward, Chi/PEG scaffolds were prepared via mixing chitosan/PEG with (65:35) and PEG molecular weights of2000, 4000, 6000, 10000 Da. It was found that the increase of PEG molecular weight (>4000) was led to the reduction intensile strength and elongation of the scaffold network. Hence, PEG4000 was selected as the optimum molecular weight todesign SF-grafted Chi/PEG scaffold. Therefore, Chi/PEG4000-SF scaffold was designed to evaluate the volume ratio of SF(1 %, 3 %, 5 %) and compare data with the decellularized dermis. The results showed Chi/PEG4000-SF(3%) scaffold not onlywas led to the same elongation as Chi/PEG-SF(5%) scaffold but also created the dermis-like modulus. Moreover, Chi/PEGSF(3%) provided higher expression level of keratinocytes (bio-mimetic pattern) than decellularized dermis due to betterphysicomechanical properties. Hence, it seems that engineered scaffolds can be a more suitable option than native tissue (dueto removal of limitations such as donor sites and immunogenicity, and their mechanical properties). This study can providenovel insight into the better design of skin-engineered scaffolds.

The Impact of Redundancy and Teamwork on Resilience Engineering Factors by Fuzzy Mathematical Programming and Analysis of Variance in a Large Petrochemical Plant

Azadeh, Ali,Salehi, Vahid,Mirzayi, Mahsa Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute 2016 Safety and health at work Vol.7 No.4

Background: Resilience engineering (RE) is a new paradigm that can control incidents and reduce their consequences. Integrated RE includes four new factors-self-organization, teamwork, redundancy, and fault-tolerance-in addition to conventional RE factors. This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of these four factors on RE and determine the most efficient factor in an uncertain environment. Methods: The required data were collected through a questionnaire in a petrochemical plant in June 2013. The questionnaire was completed by 115 respondents including 37 managers and 78 operators. Fuzzy data envelopment analysis was used in different ${\alpha}$-cuts in order to calculate the impact of each factor. Analysis of variance was employed to compare the efficiency score means of the four abovementioned factors. Results: The results showed that as ${\alpha}$ approached 0 and the system became fuzzier (${\alpha}=0.3$ and ${\alpha}=0.1$), teamwork played a significant role and had the highest impact on the resilient system. In contrast, as ${\alpha}$ approached 1 and the fuzzy system went toward a certain mode (${\alpha}=0.9$ and ${\alpha}=1$), redundancy had a vital role in the selected resilient system. Therefore, redundancy and teamwork were the most efficient factors. Conclusion: The approach developed in this study could be used for identifying the most important factors in such environments. The results of this study may help managers to have better understanding of weak and strong points in such industries.

Extraction Methods Affect Allelopathic Activity of Peppermint and Thyme on Weed Seed Germination

Azadeh Mosavi,Tayebeh Nazdar,Majid Azizi 한국원예학회 2006 한국원예학회 기타간행물 Vol.- No.-

Four years Incidence Rate of Colorectal Cancer in Iran: A Survey of National Cancer Registry Data - Implications for Screening

Azadeh, Safaee,Reza, Fatemi Seyed,Sara, Ashtari,Mohsen, Vahedi,Bijan, Moghimi-Dehkordi,Zali, Zali Reza Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.6

Introduction: Design and implementation of screening programs in each country must be based on epidemiological data. Despite the relatively high incidence of CRC, there is no nationwide comprehensive program for screening in Iran. This study was designed to investigate national CRC data and help to determine guidelines for screening. Methods: Incidence data used in this study were obtained from Iranian annual of National Cancer Registration report. Age standardized rates (ASR)were calculated using world standard population and were categorized by age, sex, anatomic subsite and morphology of tumor. Data were analyzed using SPSS.V.13 and Open Source Epidemiologic Statistics for Public Health software (OpenEpi v.2.3.1). Results: A quarter of cases were less than 50 years of age. The majority of tumors were detected in the colon. The overall ASR in the four years period was 38.0 per 100000 and was higher for men compared women (P<0.05). Incidence rate of colorectal cancer increased with age. Conclusion: Results of present study indicated that incidence of colorectal cancer is relatively high in Iran. Incidence of CRC in people under 50 years and in rectum were reported higher than other countries that related etiologic factors should be investigate in further studies. According to the increasing of ASR after age 50 years, it seems that onset of screening at age 50 would be appropriate.