Evaluating maternal and child health indicators for the Sustainable Development Goals in 2018: what is Iran’s position?

Elham Khatooni,Isa Akbarzadeh,Elham Abdalmaleki,Zhaleh Abdi,Elham Ahmadnezhad 한국역학회 2019 Epidemiology and Health Vol.41 No.-

OBJECTIVES: Since many Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were not achieved, countries including Iran-despite achieving some of the MDGs-need regular planning to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. This article examines maternal and child health indicators in the early years of the SDGs in Iran relative to several other countries. METHODS: This study was carried out through a secondary analysis of maternal and child health indicators in Iran. The results were compared with data from other countries divided into three groups: countries with upper-middle income levels, countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region, and the countries covered by the Outlook Document 1,404 (a regional classification). Then, the relationship between these indicators and the Human Development Index was investigated. RESULTS: Iran has attained better results than other countries with respect to maternal mortality, family planning, skilled birth attendance, under-5 deaths, incidence of hepatitis B, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccination coverage, and antenatal care. In contrast, Iran performed worse than other countries with respect to under-5 wasting, under-5 stunting, and care-seeking behavior for children. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, among the 11 indicators surveyed, Iran has attained better-than-average results and seems to be improving. We recommend that Iran continue interventions in the field of maternal and child health.

On triply coupled vibration of eccentrically loaded thin-walled beam using dynamic stiffness matrix method

Elham Ghandi,Babak Shiri 국제구조공학회 2017 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.62 No.6

The effect of central axial load on natural frequencies of various thin-walled beams, are investigated by some researchers using different methods such as finite element, transfer matrix and dynamic stiffness matrix methods. However, there are situations that the load will be off centre. This type of loading is called eccentric load. The effect of the eccentricity of axial load on the natural frequencies of asymmetric thin-walled beams is a subject that has not been investigated so far. In this paper, the mentioned effect is studied using exact dynamic stiffness matrix method. Flexure and torsion of the aforesaid thin-walled beam is based on the Bernoulli-Euler and Vlasov theories, respectively. Therefore, the intended thin-walled beam has flexural rigidity, saint-venant torsional rigidity and warping rigidity. In this paper, the Hamilton’s principle is used for deriving governing partial differential equations of motion and force boundary conditions. Throughout the process, the uniform distribution of mass in the member is accounted for exactly and thus necessitates the solution of a transcendental eigenvalue problem. This is accomplished using the Wittrick-Williams algorithm. Finally, in order to verify the accuracy of the presented theory, the numerical solutions are given and compared with the results that are available in the literature and finite element solutions using ABAQUS software.

Effects of Caffeine on Auditory- and Vestibular-Evoked Potentials in Healthy Individuals: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study

Elham Tavanai,Saeid Farahani,Mansoureh Adel Ghahraman,Saleheh Soleimanian,Shohreh Jalaie 대한청각학회 2020 Journal of Audiology & Otology Vol.24 No.1

Background and Objectives:The blockage of adenosine receptors by caffeine changes the levels of neurotransmitters. These receptors are present in all parts of the body, including the auditory and vestibular systems. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of caffeine on evoked potentials using auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) and cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs) in a double-blind placebo-controlled study. Subjects and Methods: Forty individuals (20 females and 20 males; aged 18-25 years) were randomly assigned to two groups: the test group (consuming 3 mg/kg pure caffeine powder with little sugar and dry milk in 100 mL of water), and the placebo group (consuming only sugar and dry milk in 100 mL water as placebo). The cVEMPs and ABRs were recorded before and after caffeine or placebo intake. Results: A significant difference was observed in the absolute latencies of I and III (p<0.010), and V (p<0.001) and in the inter-peak latencies of III–V and I–V (p<0.001) of ABRs wave. In contrast, no significant difference was found in cVEMP parameters (P13 and N23 latency, threshold, P13-N23 amplitude, and amplitude ratio). The mean amplitudes of P13-N23 showed an increase after caffeine ingestion. However, this was not significant compared with the placebo group (p>0.050). Conclusions: It seems that the extent of caffeine’s effects varies for differently evoked potentials. Latency reduction in ABRs indicates that caffeine improves transmission in the central brain auditory pathways. However, different effects of caffeine on auditory- and vestibular-evoked potentials could be attributed to the differences in sensitivities of the ABR and cVEMP tests.

The Optimization of Bank Branches Efficiency by Means of Response Surface Method and Data Envelopment Analysis: A Case of Iran

Elham Shadkam,Mehdi Bijari 한국유통과학회 2015 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.2 No.2

In this paper the DRC model is presented for solving multi objective problem. The proposed model is a combination of data envelopment analysis, Cuckoo algorithm and the response surface method. Due to reasons like costs, time and irreversible damages, it is not possible to analyze each and every one of the proposed models in practice, so the simulation is used. Since the number of experiments for simulation process is high then the optimization has gone to practice and directs the simulation process. The response surface method is used as one of the approaches of simulation optimization. Furthermore, data envelopment analysis is used to consider several response surfaces as efficiency response surface. Then this efficiency response surface is solved by Cuckoo algorithms. The main advantage of DRC model is to make one efficiency response surface function instate of multi surface function for every output and also using the advantages of Cuckoo algorithms. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, the branches of Refah bank in Mashhad is analyzed and the results are presented.

The Criteria for Developing Cultural Tourism : Features of Architectural Infrastructures

Elham ANDAROODI 세계문화관광학회 2011 Conference Proceedings Vol.12 No.-

In this paper we address the results of a research about the criteria for developing architectural infrastructures in heritage sites. We have extracted several features from principles of the ICOMOS Charters as a framework for evaluating built infrastructures. Our major focus was new buildings adjacent to heritage sites such as museums; furniture and fixtures such as information boards; architectural elements like temporary floors; utilities or service places such as parking. We have evaluated several world and national heritage sites such as Persepolis; Bisotun; Meidan e Emam Isfahan etc. based on the extracted features as part of educational program for students of architecture and conservation.

Relationship between meiotic spindles visualization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes in human oocytes

Elham Asa,Reza Tabatabaee,Ahmad Farrokhi,Reza Nejatbakhsh 대한해부학회 2017 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.50 No.1

In assisted reproductive techniques, the operator attempts to select morphologically best embryos to predict embryo viability. Development of polarized light microscope, which evaluates the oocytes’ spindles according to birefringence of living cells, had been helpful in oocyte selection. The aim of this study is evaluating the relationship between meiotic spindles visualization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes in human oocytes. In this study, 264 oocytes from 24 patients with an average age of 30.5±7.5 years with infertility duration of 1 to 10 years were collected. The oocytes were randomly allocated to the control injection group (n=126) and the oocyte imaging group (spindle-aligned group) (n=138). In the spindle-aligned group, the meiotic spindle was identified by means of polarized light microscope to align the spindle at 6 or 12 o’clock. Then the spindle-aligned group was divided into three sub-groups based on spindle morphology: fine, average, and (poor). After ICSI, embryos were checked every 24 hours and scored; 72 hours later, high-grade embryos were transferred intravaginally to uterus. This study showed that the fertilization rate in the spindle-aligned group was higher than the control group (P<0.05). After cleavage, a positive correlation was observed between spindle morphology and embryo morphology. Among the sub-groups of spindle-aligned group, the embryos’ morphology of the fine group was better than the other subgroups and embryos of the poor group had lower quality and more fragmentation. The results revealed that the selection of oocytes based on meiotic spindle imaging can significantly improve the rate of fertilization and embryo cleavage and certainly increase the rate of implantation.

Sustained drug delivery system for insulin using supramolecular hydrogels composed of tri-block copolymers

Elham Khodaverdi,Melika Javan,Sayyed A. Sajadi Tabassi,Bahman Khameneh,Hossein Kamali,Farzin Hadizadeh 한국약제학회 2017 Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation Vol.47 No.3

Formulating a polypeptide gastrointestinal drug delivery system have been persistent challenges. To overcome these challenges, in situ-forming gels are more attractive because of their biodegradability and easy preparation and administration. In this study, biodegradable triblock copolymer polycaprolactone–polyethylene glycol–polycaprolactone [PCL–PEG–PCL (PCEC)] was synthesized under microwave irradiation and their gelation with different concentrations of a-cyclodextrin (CD) was investigated. PCEC was characterized by 1HNMR and gel permeation chromatography. The hydrogel and copolymer were also evaluated using differential scanning colorimetery, X-ray diffraction study and scanning electron microscopy. Also rheological properties were investigated. Four different concentrations of hydrogels consisting of the copolymer [5 and 7.5% (w/w)] and a-CD [10 and 14% (w/ w)] were studied to evaluate insulin cumulative release profiles during 37 days. Finally, CD spectrum and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDSPAGE) tests were performed to approve the stability of released insulin. It was demonstrated that the synthesis of PCEC via microwave irradiation was fast and efficient. Copolymer and a-CD concentrations are important in forming supramolecular hydrogels. Rheographs indicated the injectability and thixotropic behavior. In vitro release studies affirmed the sustained release profile of insulin. Both polymer degradation and drug diffusion are involved in it. Results of stability tests confirmed the stability of insulin following release.

Legal Approach to Energy Security of Iran: With Special References to Crude Oil and Gas

Elham Aminzadeh,Nasser Khodaparast 이준국제법연구원 2019 Journal of East Asia and International Law Vol.12 No.1

A Fuzzy Based Early Warning System to Predict Banking Distress on Selected Asia-Pacific Countries

Elham Farajnejad,Wee-Yeap Lau 한국유통과학회 2017 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.4 No.1

This study develops an early warning system (EWS) to prevent the banking crisis. The proposed system incorporates both the perspective of crises and fundamental characteristics of the banking system in each economy. A fuzzy logic method with data from 1990-2009 is employed to construct the EWS of banking crisis based on 21 pre-determined variables from the aspect of total economy, financial and banking sectors. Our results show: Firstly, South Korea recorded higher probability to have a banking crisis in 1997 as there was large foreign debt in dollars. Secondly, China, Australia and New Zealand banking systems appear to be vulnerable to the crisis in 2007. The surge of China export, FDIs and booming stock market were signs of a heated economy. Australia with high commodity prices was also vulnerable to crisis. Thirdly, Australia, China, Japan and New Zealand banking systems appear to be exposed to the higher chance of a crisis in 2010. Japan with deflation coupled with expensive yen did not augur well for its export. Overall, the findings show that in Asian Financial Crisis 1997/98 and Global Financial Crisis 2008/09, many economies are exposed to a higher probability of having the crisis and this shows an urgent need of having surveillance in these economies.

Investigation of Dose Distribution in Mixed Neutron-Gamma Field of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy using N-Isopropylacrylamide Gel

Elham Bavarnegin,Hossein Khalafi,Alireza Sadremomtaz,Yaser Kasesaz,Azim Khajeali 한국원자력학회 2017 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.49 No.1

Gel dosimeters have unique advantages in comparison with other dosimeters. Until now, these gels have been used in different radiotherapy techniques as a reliable dosimetric tool. Because dose distribution measurement is an important factor for appropriate treatment planning in different radiotherapy techniques, in this study, we evaluated the ability of the N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) polymer gel to record the dose distribution resulting from the mixed neutron-gamma field of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). In this regard, a head phantom containing NIPAM gel was irradiated using the Tehran Research Reactor BNCT beam line, and then by a magnetic resonance scanner. Eventually, the R2 maps were obtained in different slices of the phantom by analyzing T2-weighted images. The results show that NIPAM gel has a suitable potential for recording threedimensional dose distribution in mixed neutron-gamma field dosimetry.