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Purpose. As a scientific field, bioinformatics has drawn remarkable attention from various fields, such as information technology, mathematics, and modern biological sciences, in recent years. The topic models originating from the field of natural language processing have become the focus of attention with the rapid accumulation of biological datasets. Thus, this research is aimed at modeling the topic content of the bioinformatics literature presented by Iranian researchers in the Scopus Citation Database. Methodology. This research was a descriptive-exploratory study, and the studied population included 3899 papers indexed in the Scopus database, which had been indexed in this database until March 9, 2022. The topic modeling was then performed on the abstracts and titles of the papers. A combination of LDA and TF-IDF was utilized for topic modeling. Findings. The data analysis with topic modeling resulted in identifying seven main topics "Molecular Modeling," "Gene Expression," "Biomarker," "Coronavirus," "Immunoinformatics," "Cancer Bioinformatics," and "Systems Biology." Moreover, "Systems Biology" and "Coronavirus" had the largest and smallest clusters, respectively. Conclusion. The present investigation demonstrated an acceptable performance for the LDA algorithm in classifying the topics included in this field. The extracted topic clusters indicated excellent consistency and topic connection with each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The importance of effective public messages has been widely recognized during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In particular, the role of news items and interpersonal conversations for the acceptance of public health measures has been highlighted. The authors propose a conceptual model based on the existing literature on how to measure the degree of persuasion of news narratives in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: The authors adopted a whole population approach, where the unit of analysis was the population of the media news about the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors selected a sample to develop and test their conceptual model. The sample size was n = 248. The questionnaire was distributed online using a non-probability convenience sampling plan. The authors used a pre-post pseudo-experimental design. Respondents answered questions about their attitude toward the COVID-19 pandemic. After watching a narrative news report on the same subject, they then answered questions designed to measure changes in their attitude. A structural equation model, the Sobel test and a paired samples t-test were used to test hypotheses. Findings: The results showed that there is a significant relationship between narrative with transportation and empathy. There was also a positive and significant relationship between transportation and empathy with attitude and interpersonal talk. The relationship between transportation and self-referencing was also supported. Further, transportation and attitude mediated the relationships between narrative and interpersonal talk, self-referencing as well as empathy. A paired samples t-test revealed that attitudes were changed or reinforced before and after watching the narrative news report. Originality/value: This paper contributes to the body of knowledge by identifying the outcomes of narrative persuasion during public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The reduction of the violence and child abuse requires the cooperation of national and international health-related organizations. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of NGOs in health and peace development through administrating supportive programs for child abuse and violence victims. Design/methodology/approach: The present research was a mixed method research, and the type of research was a descriptive-analytic study. To collect data, library and field methods were used. The research sample included 137 staff members of the NGOs supporting children in Tehran. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software. Findings: According to authorities and members of the NGOs supporting children, networking and affective factors played a significant role in the development of health and peace (P<0.01). This was feasible by controlling the factors affecting violence and child abuse. Practical implications: Given the fact that NGOs are contributing to the development and establishment of peace through effective participation and networking, trying to support the victims of child abuse and violence, the need for more attention from governments is recommended in order to support these organizations, especially legislative and financial support is needed to expand the activities of such organizations. Originality/value: This paper is original in its method, topic and findings. The first is mixed method research, which has studied the role of networking of NGOs for peace development through implementing support programs for victims of child abuse and violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subjective well-being (SWB) has been widely found to have a profound impact on the individual, yet the process of its occurrence in public organizations remains unexplored. So the primary purpose of this paper is to explore the determining factors affecting the process of employee's subjective well-being in public organizations using mixed methods research. Qualitative analysis using the grounded theory methodology reveals the effective factors that affect the process of employee's subjective well-being in public organizations. Quantitative hypotheses are then developed based on a qualitative investigation. Survey data were collected from employees of public organizations in one of the provinces of Iran. Analysis of Moment Structure is used for data analysis. The results of the research revealed that both individual and organizational factors (as causal factors) influence the employees' subjective well-being process (life satisfaction and positive affect). This phenomenon leads to the use of strategies which are affected by intervening and contextual factors. The consequences of this process are to change the attitude and behavior of individuals and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization. This paper is among the first known to examine subjective well-being in public organizations using mixed methods research. The mixed methods approach offers a better insight to understanding effective factors affecting subjective well-being compared to the use of either a qualitative or quantitative method alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This paper aims to focus on the role of hospital business models by examining the innovative business model of Moheb Hospitals, which have successfully achieved the goal of reducing costs and delivering high-quality health-care services in Iran by encouraging public–private partnership.Design/methodology/approach This paper is a single case study.Findings The study results illustrate the hospital's current business model and its underlying elements. After presenting the findings, this paper is concluded by presenting the standing issues that should also be addressed and how improvements and adjustments can be made.Originality/value This study offers new insight to identify and analyze the shortcomings of health-care sector in Iran and introduces new methods to efficiently use current competencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the most important factors for strategic purchasing of health services in the health sector by the Iran Health Insurance Company and to provide an applicable model for other similar organizations in developing countries.Design/methodology/approach The present qualitative study was conducted in 2017 to identify the factors affecting the implementation of strategic purchasing of health services in the health sector by the Iran Health Insurance Company and to provide an indigenous and practical model through two phases: semi-structured interview followed by a Delphi process.Findings According to the findings of this study, Ministry of Welfare, Labor and Social Security plays a central role in the strategic purchasing. In addition, this was also approved by the representatives of citizens in communities concerning professional associations, insurance agencies and representative of the Council of Ministers. Model development explored 9 themes and 54 sub-themes.Research limitations/implications Based on the model, most attention has been paid to consumer role and inter-sector leadership of the company with other relevant organizations and systems including other insurance organizations and the welfare ministry. More importantly, the health insurance company should be able to communicate with providers and to choose the best providers, receiving price information through competition in the most appropriate mechanism. Guided by this model, it can strategically buy the best and the most effective services for its insured population.Social implications It might help developing societies to promote their health systems based on targeting the health budgeting and financial constraints so that it is prioritized according to the strategic purchasing criteria and consequently, economic evaluation.Originality/value The linchpins of the present study are as follow: first, the pragmatic model presented in the paper could help developing health systems to overcome the impediment in the implementation progress of strategic purchasing. Second, the model satisfies the need of enough knowledge to apply strategic purchasing in the health system. Third, the indigents have long been given special protection and consideration in the model that has continued to capture the attention of every policy-maker, in particular, developing countries, the portion of which is significant. Fourth, based on this model, attention has been paid to consumer role and inter-sector leadership of organization with other relevant organizations and systems. Fifth, this model could be correspondent for every insurance company in countries with similar developing conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the perennial imbalance and chronic scarcity between the demand for and supply of available organs, organ allocation is one of the most critical decisions in the management of organ transplantation networks. Organ allocation systems undergo rapid revisions for the sake of improved outcomes in terms of both equity and medical efficiency. This paper presents a Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA)-based model to evaluate the efficiency of possible patient-organ pairs for kidney allocation in order to enhance the fitness of organ allocation under inherent uncertainty in such problem. Eligible patient-kidney pairs are regarded as decision making units (DMUs) in a Credibility-based Fuzzy Common Weights DEA (CFCWDEA) approach and are ranked based on efficiency scores. Using a common set of weights for all DMUs ensures a high degree of fairness in the assessment and ranking of DMUs. The proposed model is also the first allocation method capable of coping with the vague and intervallic medical and nonmedical allocation factors by the aid of fuzzy programming. Verification and validation of the proposed approach are performed in two steps using a real case study from the Iranian kidney allocation system. First, the superiority of the proposed deterministic model in enhancing allocation outcomes is demonstrated and analyzed. Second, the applicability of the proposed fuzzy DEA method is demonstrated using a series of data realizations for different credibility levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Leadership is the ability to influence, guide and encourage employees to achieve organizational goals. Leadership has a significant role in organizations' success or failure. Thus, this paper aims to develop a model to elucidate leadership practices in the Iranian health-care organizations (HCOs). Design/methodology/approach: Qualitative approach was used in this study due to its explorative nature. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 key managers and 30 professionals working at different HCOs. Inductive analysis was carried out using the grounded theory approach to develop an initial leadership model for HCOs. The proposed model subsequently was verified by an experts' panel. Findings: The proposed leadership model emerged from the Iranian HCOs encompasses six main categories: leader, followers, high-ups and peers, context, processes and outcomes. Leader, followers and contexts as main categories did also have further sub-categories. Research limitations/implications: Study findings are cautiously transferrable as it reflects the Iranian context. While the model was verified, it might still benefit from more and diverse views. Practical implications: This model can be used by health-care policymakers and managers for improving managers' leadership competencies and practices and enhancing health outcomes through motivating and mobilizing health-care resources toward achieving organizational goals. Originality/value: This study aims to give an answer for "what is the current status of leadership in Iranian HCOs?" and "how can we reinforce the strengths and address the weaknesses?" [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Using the PRECEDE model, the purpose of this paper is to determine the predictors of mothers' performance in daily consumption of fruit and vegetables (FV) in rural preschoolers. Design/methodology/approach: This study was carried out on 350 mothers of preschool children who had health records in the rural health-care centers of Iran. To collect data, a researcher-made questionnaire based on the PRECEDE model was used. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 19 software. Findings: The results showed that 11.42 percent of the mothers observed the FV intake for their children recommended by WHO. The independent t-test showed a significant difference between the mean scores of predisposing, enabling and reinforcing factors. Originality/value: This study showed that the rate of FV intake by preschool children in rural areas was much lower than the recommended WHO rate. To promote behavior, attention to the predisposing, enabling and reinforcing factors seems to be necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate partner violence occurs in all settings. In this paper the authors describe socio-cultural factors affecting intimate partner violence against pregnant women in suburban Hamadan. The PEN-3 model was utilized by semi-structured interviews with 18 pregnant women. According to women, cultural perceptions (patience in case of facing violence, faith in fate and normalization of violence), enablers (communication skills, economic status, and availability of legal support), and nurturers (family support and social expectation of obedience to men) were found to be important factors that influence violence. A better understanding of the cultural perceptions can help decision-makers in identifying the cultural appropriateness of interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Health Sector Evolution Plan (HSEP) is known as the biggest and most comprehensive reform in Iran's health system. One of the goals of HSEP is to reduce inequity in the healthcare financing. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate HSEP agenda setting from the perspective of equity in healthcare financing (EHCF) using the multiple streams model.Design/methodology/approach This qualitative study was conducted by 26 documents review and analysis, and 30 semi-structured interview with Iranian key informants in the field of HSEP that were selected based on purposeful and snowball sampling method. Data were collected using a researcher-made checklist based on the goals. All audio-taped interviews were transcribed and analyzed thematically. Data management and analysis were performed using the framework analysis in MAXQDA software.Findings The framework analysis identified 12 complementary sub-themes totally. Problem stream included four sub-themes (high share of Out Of Pocket, high index of catastrophic health expenditures, low EHCF index, and inappropriate economic state and sanctions). Focus on EHCF in general policies of the Iran World Health Organization's report in 2000, the Targeted Subsidies Law and emphasis on equalizing healthcare financing in the Fourth and Fifth Development Plan were considered as policy stream sub-themes. Finally, political stream showed four sub-themes including strong support from the Minister of Health for HSEP, mass media, the pressure of WHO and people's request to reduce health costs.Research limitations/implications The limitations of the present study included paying attention to one package (evolution in the treatment sector) of three health packages to assess EHCF, as well as the lack of similar national and international evidence in implementation framework.Practical implications The results of this study can be used to analyze other health sector reforms around the word and can help the formulation and implementation of most practical reforms, especially in field of health system financing.Social implications This study gives a holistic view about health system policy setting that can be used for understanding policy-making streams to population.Originality/value This is the first study that has examined HSEP (the biggest health sector reform in Iran) from the perspective of agenda setting. In addition, using the popular and well-known Kingdon's model to explain HSEP agenda setting is one of the strengths of this study. Furthermore, taking advantage of a wide range of related views by including highly informed people increased the strength of the results of the study. In addition, the short interval between the interview and reviewing the results on reforms reduced the recall bias of the participants in the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose According to the great importance of community health as well as the ever-increasing development of health technologies, the importance of designing an interactive model of factors affecting health technology assessment (HTA) can be highlighted. The purpose of designing and implementing the framework of health information system assessment is to ensure that the required accurate data which are necessary to measure the main health indicators are available. The purpose of this paper is to design an interactive model of factors affecting HTA.Design/methodology/approach This is a cross-sectional, descriptive-analytic study conducted in the Iran Ministry of Health and Medical Education in the second half of 2017. A sample of 60 experts and professionals working in the field of health technologies are selected using purposive and snowball sampling methods. Two researcher-made questionnaires are used to collect the required data. The collected data are analyzed using decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) and MATLAB R2013a.Findings The results showed that “Legal dimension,” “safety,” “Effectiveness” and “Social dimension” were the affecting factors and net causes, and “Current application,” “Knowledge of technology,” “Ethical dimension,” “Costs” and “Organizational dimension” were the affected factors and net effects in the interactive model. Furthermore, “Legal dimension” with the coordinates C: [1.88, 1.27] and “Ethical dimension” with the coordinates C: [1.75, −75] were known as the most affecting and most affected factors in the interactive model, respectively.Originality/value The DEMATEL model is an appropriate tool for managers and policy makers to structure and prioritize factors influencing the HTA. Policy makers and decision makers can use this model for identifying relationships among factors and prioritize them. Because health policy makers and managers have a major role in formulating the regulations and guidelines related to the HTA, they should pay more attention to the legal considerations in their decisions and use the management tools to move the available resources toward implementing and enforcing rules and guidelines related to the HTA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a study that aimed to develop and validate a theory-based instrument for the assessment of readiness to change for interprofessional collaboration in healthcare (IPC-TTM). The instrument was developed in the Persian language and tested in the Iranian context. Healthcare professionals from medical and nursing professions participated in the assessment of validity and reliability of the instrument. We conducted this psychometric study in two phases: First, the questionnaire was developed based on the transtheoretical model (TTM) through literature review and expert panel. Then, in the validation phase, we held three modified Delphi rounds to assess the content and face validity of the questionnaire. We used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to evaluate the fit of the questionnaire as applied to modified TTM. Reliability of the final instrument was tested by assessing the test-retest reliability of instrument items with Kappa coefficient. We also calculated the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach’s alpha to assess the test-retest reliability and internal consistency of the instrument sub-scales. The initial item pool consisted of 30 items and three sub-scales (Attitude, Intention, and Action). The content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed with 17 items. Based on the CFA results two additional items were deleted to increase the fit of the model. The final instrument was confirmed with 15 items and three sub-scales. Reliability assessment on the 15-item instrument showed an acceptable test-retest reliability of the instrument items. ICC values for the Attitude, Intention, and Action sub-scales of the instrument were calculated as 0.82, 0.73, and 0.71, respectively. Moreover, Cronbach’s alpha for the Attitude, Intention, and Action sub-scales were 0.85, 0.73, and 0.77, respectively. This study offers a new theory-based instrument to measure readiness to change for interprofessional collaboration in healthcare in the Iranian context. The questionnaire can be used for ‘needs assessment’ in developing tailored educational interventions and self-assessments in interprofessional education studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between attachment styles and Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD) through the internalized symptoms and stress coping strategies in badly-cared and orphan adolescent girls living in Tehran in 2022. Method: This was a correlational study of a Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) type. The statistical population included all adolescent girls aged between 12 and 18 under the direct or indirect supervision of Tehran's welfare center, of whom 200 were selected by the convenience sampling method. The participants answered the questionnaires of Collins and Reed's attachment styles, Billings and Moss's coping strategies, Achenbach and Rascorella's adolescent self-report, and Morris et al.'s SAD. Results: The findings of SEM demonstrated that the hypothesized model of this study has a good fit in the studied sample. The findings reveal that the secure attachment style is related to separation anxiety both directly (T=-4.18 and b=-.22) and indirectly through problem-oriented coping style (P<.01 and Z=-10.83) and emotion-oriented coping style (P<.01 and Z=-7.23). Avoidant attachment style is directly (T=4.98 and b=.25) and indirectly related to separation anxiety through problem-oriented coping style (P<.01 and Z=4.33) and emotion-oriented coping style (P<.01 and Z=8.79) and internalized symptoms (P<.01 and Z=2.61). Finally, ambivalent attachment style had no significant correlation (P>.05) with separation anxiety. Conclusion: These results emphasize the importance of attachment patterns formed under the influence of adverse conditions of the vulnerable group, and the lifelong effects of these patterns in the mental health of them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The population of older adults continues to grow in Iran, with pharmaceutical costs as a leading driver of household health-related costs. The present study was conducted to estimate the out-of-pocket pharmaceutical expenditure and its socioeconomic predictors among households with the elderly in Iran. Method: This study is a secondary analysis using 2019 national household expenditure and income survey data in Iran. The sample size was 9381 households with at least one member older than 65. The double-hurdle model in STATA 16 was used to examine the association between independent variables and households' out-of-pocket pharmaceutical expenditures. Results: The mean out-of-pocket pharmaceutical expenditures for each household with elderly member was $8065 per year. There was a positive association between the (female) gender of the household head, urban residence, employment status, insurance expenditure and a higher level of education of the head of the household with the out-of-pocket pharmaceutical expenditures (P < 0.05). The income of elderly households did not affect these expenditures (P > 0.05). Conclusions: This study showed that the socioeconomic characteristics of elderly families not only influenced their decision to enter the medicine market, but also the rate of medicine purchase. It is helpful to manage and control the pharmaceutical costs among the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Given the impact of high intake of sugar-sweetened beverages on type 2 diabetes, intervention to reduce their consumption can be a top priority for any health system. Thus, the purpose of the present study is to simulate the impact of policy options related to reduce consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) on the prevalence and mortality of type 2 diabetes in Iranian men and women. Methods: A discrete event simulation (DES) model was used to predict the effect of several policy options on the prevalence and death from type 2 diabetes in Azar Cohort Databases. Population age- and sex-specific prevalence and incidence rate of diagnosed diabetes were derived from the national health data. The Preventable Risk Integrated Model (PRIME) model was used for coding the input parameters of simulation using R and Python software. Results: The prevalence and mortality rate of type 2 diabetes under the scenario of reduced consumption of SSBs indicated that the highest and the lowest prevalence and mortality rates of type 2 diabetes for men and women were related to no policy condition and replacing SSBs with healthy drinks, like water, respectively. Also, the maximum "number of deaths postponed/ prevented" from type 2 diabetes was related to replacing SSBs with water (n=2015), and an integration of reformulation and applying 10% tax on SSBs (n=1872), respectively. Conclusion: Simulating the effect of different policy options on reducing the consumption of SSBs showed "replacing of SSBs with water" as the most effective policy option in Iranian setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objective of this study is to develop a model for managing primary health care (PHC) services for the elderly in Iran. Methods: This study consists of four main steps. Firstly, comparative research was conducted by reviewing literature and analyzing content from the top 10 countries ranked in the Global Age Watch Insights 2018. Secondly, a questionnaire was developed using items extracted from experts' opinions, which were evaluated for content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI). Thirdly, a crosssectional survey was conducted with 248 participants from April 8th to July 14th, 2021, and the reliability of the data was analyzed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Lastly, Bartlett's and KMO tests, the Varimax method, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were applied to select and arrange the items and main themes of the model. The analyses were performed using SPSS version 21 and AMOS 24 software. Results: The comparative research and literature review yielded a total of 70 items for the model. Through content analysis, CVI, and CVR, the number of items was reduced to 52. After conducting reliability analysis using Cronbach's alpha (0.934) and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, the final model consisted of 48 items and five main themes: planning, organization, control, financing, and coordination. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the designed model has good construct validity. Therefore, managers, policymakers, and health planners can utilize this model for the planning, development, and improvement of PHC services for the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, emphasizing the importance of timely diagnosis for effective treatment. Machine learning models have shown promise in assisting with GC diagnosis. Objectives: This study aimed at comparing the performance of various feature selection methods in identifying influential factors related to GC based on lifestyle using machine learning models. The ultimate goal was to enhance early detection and treatment of the disease. Methods: The data of patients from Shahid Ayatollah Modarres Hospital and Shohadaye Tajrish Hospital between 2013 and 2021 were utilized. Three feature selection methods (filter, wrapper, and filter-wrapper) were employed. The k-fold method validated each model. Four classifiers k Nearest Neighbor (kNN), Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), and Gradient-Boosted Decision Trees (GBDT) compared their outputs based on feature selection methods. Results: The filter-wrapper method outperformed others, achieving an area under the ROC curve and Fl score of 95.8% and 94.7%, respectively. GBDT also performed well. The wrapper and RF classifiers achieved an area under the ROC curve and Fl scores of 95.7% and 93.6%, respectively, after the filter-wrapper method. Without feature selection methods, the RF classifier had an area under the ROC curve and F1 scores of 95.6% and 91.7%, respectively, surpassing other classifiers. Conclusions: This study suggests that appropriate feature selection methods for identifying influential factors related to GC based on lifestyle can facilitate early diagnosis and treatment. The filter-wrapper method demonstrated the best performance in this regard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marital Paradigm Theory explicitly attributes differences in marital beliefs to relationship-oriented life experiences and socialization through cultural norms. However, some existing research has shown the potential for individual characteristics, such as personality traits and attachment styles, to associate with certain elements of relationships and marriage. The current study explored potential links among personality traits, attachments styles, and a multi-faceted system of marital beliefs (marital paradigm). A survey of 584 young adults in Iran yielded many associations among personality traits (as measured with the HEXACO model), adult attachment styles, and various marital paradigm dimensions. Results suggested that Openness to experience, Honesty-humility, and Emotionality were especially relevant to marital beliefs. Results are interpreted in light of the Iranian cultural context, adding to a sparse literature on personality and marital beliefs and a growing literature of marital beliefs from non-Western societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: In light of the importance of mental health in today life, attending to mental health of theyouth to pave the way for a better future is of paramount importance. Various factors can influence mental health, one of which is the quality of attachment to and trust in God. The aim of this paper was to examine the capability of this quality so as to predict the mental health of Tehran University students. Methods: This research was of correlation type which utilized analysis of regression and the multiple correlation factor to analyze data. The participants were 300 students studying at University of Tehran (207 males and 93 females) who were stratified into theology 34, biology 38, art 21, literature 54, economics 21, technical 68, English Language 38, and Psychology 26. Data collection was done on the basis of the revised list of mental symptoms, Kirkpatrictest of attachment to God method and Rahyaft questionnaire in life events. Results: in this study, it was demonstrated that 29% of the variance of students' mental health was represented by factors of attachment to God, and the value of F (found in the analysis of regression) showed that only the aspects of attributive and action were meaningful at the significance level of below 0.5% among other variances and the other predictors of students' metal health all were meaningful at the significance level of below 0.01%. Conclusion: The findings of the study demonstrate the relation between spirituality and mental health in such a way that mental health can be helped by strengthening and reinforcing the students' sources of spirituality including trust in God. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We tested an assessment model, by which teacher self-efficacy, perceived school climate, and psychological wellbeing at work, might predict teaching enjoyment. We invited a convenience sample of 355 teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL) to respond to four online questionnaires. We used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to check the scales' construct validity and structural equation modeling (SEM) to test associations among the variables. Our results showed that teacher self-efficacy, perceived school-climate, and psychological wellbeing were direct predictors of foreign language teaching-enjoyment (FLTE). Teacher self-efficacy affected FLTE indirectly, as induced by psychological well-being. School climate also indirectly influenced FLTE, as mediated by teacher self-efficacy and psychological wellbeing, with school climate a direct predictor of teacher self-efficacy and psychological wellbeing. Teacher self-efficacy directly affected psychological wellbeing. We discuss implications of these findings for teacher-education programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine a hypothesized model which considers the role of neuro-psychological components (brain-behavioral systems) and emotional insecurity and emotional flexibility in Internet addiction. Method: The design of the present study was descriptive-correlational and structural equation modelling. The statistical population of the study included Iranian adolescents who lived in Shiraz in 2021. Among them, 587 adolescents (318 girls and 269 boys) were selected by cluster sampling method. Subjects filled Jackson's five-factor scale, Young's Internet addiction, emotional flexibility, and emotional insecurity questionnaires. After data collection, the relationship between variables was examined using SPSS and Lisrel software. Results: The findings suggest that the Behavioral Approach System (BAS) neither directly nor indirectly had a significant correlation (P> 0.05) with Internet addiction; the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) is only directly related to addiction to the Internet (P <0.01 and β = -0.18), and finally the Fight-Flight-Freeze System (FFFS) is directly (P <0.01 and β= 0.29); and indirectly (P <0.05 and β= 0.09) correlated with the mediating role of emotional insecurity and emotional flexibility, linked to Internet addiction. Conclusion: Among Gray's brain-behavioral subsystem theory, the FFFS is the strongest predictor of Internet addiction (both directly and indirectly, by influencing emotional flexibility and emotional insecurity), which may indicate that avoidance behavior plays a crucial role in Internet addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a common mental health threat among youth and adolescents with various etiology factors. Extensive treatments have been proposed for this disorder, but there is a need for a therapeutic package with good efficiency and effectiveness. This study aimed to develop and validate a process-based therapeutic package for patients with NSSI disorder. Method: This was an applied study in terms of objective and qualitative in terms of data collection. The statistical population of the study consisted of psychology experts in Tehran, Iran in 2022. Twentythree effective university professors who worked in this domain were selected via purposive selection sampling. The design and validation of the program were performed in four stages and 14 steps: reviewing the theoretical background and existing packages, developing the content of the package, validating it, and explaining the validation. Results: Grounded theory as a qualitative method was used to conceptualize the content. Investigator triangulation facilitated the data validation. Percent agreement of inner raters and content validity index (CVI) were used for assessment reliability and validity. The reliability of the program based on the percent agreement of inner rater was 0.98; CVR and CVI of all the sessions were 0.93 and 0.99, respectively. Conclusion: This study proposed process-based therapy package for non-suicidal self-injury disorder that is a reliable and valid comprehensive psychological therapy. This package is suggested to be used by expert in this domain to enhance the effectiveness of it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to develop an explanatory model of assertiveness based on parenting styles mediated by anxiety and self-esteem. Methods: This study is descriptive-correlational modeling with partial least squares. The statistical population included singleton children of the sixth grade of the elementary school in the 3rd District of Tehran in the academic year 2017-18. The sampling method was multistage sampling; eight schools (four all-boys and four all-girls) were randomly selected from all primary schools in the 3rd District of Tehran, then, a sixth-grade class was randomly selected in each school. The singleton students of those classes participated in the present study as the study sample. The sample size was 118 students (81 girls and 37 boys). The instruments of this research included the Persian forms of adaptive and aggressive assertiveness scales (AAA-S), the Baumrind parenting scale, Beck anxiety inventory (BAI), and Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSES). To analyze the data, the SPSS software, version 26. Results: The results indicated that authoritative and permissive parenting styles had a significant effect on assertiveness among the parenting styles. The total effects indicated that authoritative and permissive parenting styles explained 0.22 and 0.20 of the variances of assertiveness. The results also showed that the authoritarian parenting style had no significant effect on assertiveness. Discussion: The suggested model was acceptably fit, according to the results of the study. Permissive and authoritative parenting styles had impact on assertiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintaining a high level of adherence to antiretroviral therapy is a challenge among HIV/AIDS patients. The study aimed to explore the process of adherence to treatment with a grounded theory approach to help physicians and planners develop strategies to increase adherence to treatment. We conducted in‐depth interviews and a focus‐group discussion. The data were collected from 2016 to 2018. The participants were 39 HIV/AIDS patients treated with antiretroviral, their relatives (three people) and two treatment staff. The study was conducted at the Behavioural Counselling Center of Imam Khomeini Hospital, located in Tehran, the capital of Iran. The data were analysed at the stages of "analysis for concepts," "analysis for context," "bringing process into the analysis" and "integrating." We obtained a conceptual model to explain the relationship between the categories. "Motivation" was identified as the core variable and the "Becoming resilient" explained the adherence process. Several factors including the interfering factors, contextual factors and resilience factors were identified. The interfering and contextual factors, in the absence of the resilience factors, lead to decreased motivation and increased poor adherence to treatment. The role of motivation in long‐term adherence should be emphasised. We think strategies such as helping individuals with HIV/AIDS to form support networks, empowering and encouraging them to seek spiritual help will motivate them to maintain a long‐term use of antiretroviral medications and, hence, become more resilient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this experimental study, 200 cancer patients (100 subject in experimental group and 100 subjects in control group) referred to Amir Oncology Hospital in Shiraz were investigated. Educational intervention for experimental group consisted of 12 educational sessions for 50 to 55 minutes. A questionnaire including demographic information, PRECEDE constructs (knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, enabling factors, and social support), was used to measure health promotion behaviors, patients' hope, and mental health before and 6 months after intervention. Six months after intervention, experimental group showed significant increase in knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, enabling factors, social supports, health promotion behaviors, patients' hope, and mental health compared to the control group. This study showed the effectiveness of intervention based on PRECEDE constructs in mentioned factors 6 months after intervention. Hence, this model can act as a framework for designing and implementing educational intervention for health promotion behaviors of cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The new conceptualization for compassion towards others includes kindness, common humanity and mindfulness. Self-compassion could be related to compassion through different psychological processes. The current study aimed to explore the mediating effect of cognitive emotion regulation strategies in the relationship between self-compassion and compassion for others. Method: The research method was correlational and the statistical population consisted of all online responders in Iran above the age of 18, in the year 2021. An online sample of 412 individuals (M=37.89, SD=9.06, 18-64; 57.5% females) were selected using convenience sampling, and completed the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), developed by Neff in 2003, the Compassion Scale (CS), developed by Pommier in 2011 and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERS), developed by Garnefski et al. in 2001. In order to analyze data, descriptive statistics, correlation matrix and structural equation modeling were used with SPSS 21 and AMOS 22. Results: The results indicated that self-compassion and compassion were positively correlated. Furthermore, structural equation modeling revealed that self-compassion was only indirectly related to compassion for others through the mediating role of adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies (p<0.05). However, maladaptive emotion regulation strategies did not play a mediating role in this relationship (p>0.05). Conclusion: The findings indicate that adaptive emotion regulation strategies appear to have a central role in explaining the relationship between self-compassion and compassion towards others. Selfcompassion can be targeted when designing intervention programs to cultivate compassion and promote adaptive emotion regulation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the causal effects of automatic negative thought on craving mediating by cognitive emotional regulation. Method: This study had a descriptive and correlational design. The study population consisted of methadone maintained clients of the Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies, Tehran City (n=78) and Mehr-Aein clinic in Rey city (n=42) who referred to treatment centers during February to April 2019. Data were collected through convenient sampling using craving questionnaires including Francken's Obsessive-compulsive Drug Use Scale and Visual Analog Scale. Other study questionnaires were Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire and Automatic Negative Thought Scale. For data analysis, we used multivariate linear regression using the structural equation modeling and path analysis using STATA software. Results: Findings revealed that there are significant correlations between automatic negative thoughts, cognitive emotional regulation and craving (P<0.001). Also, the results of hierarchical regression analysis indicate that cognitive emotional regulation can mediate the relationship between automatic negative thoughts and craving (P< 0.001). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that clients who have higher levels of automatic negative thoughts and higher negative strategies of cognitive emotional regulation, experience a higher level of craving. Thus, identifying the level of negative thoughts and cognitive emotion regulation strategies of methadone-treated clients can predict the severity of craving and their leave or retention of the treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fertility influence of spousal intimate relationships is unknown. Drawing on the Giddens's theory of transformation of intimacy, this study proposed a hypothesis that couples supporting egalitarian intimate relationships, with a greater risk profile attached to the relationship, and having less attachments to the external normative pressures shaping marital relations, are more likely to have low-fertility intentions and preferences. Using data from a self-administered pilot survey (n = 375 prospective grooms and brides) designed by the authors, and employing multivariate regression models, we found that the lower attachment to external social forces in mate selection was associated with the lower ideal number of children, and those with a greater spousal relational egalitarianism and a higher risk profile attached to their relationships preferred lower number of children and were less likely to intend to have children after marriage. The study sheds new light on the determinants of low fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Medical tourism is developing more rapidly, particularly in developing countries, as a tool to enhance economic growth and achieve a competitive position. The present study aims to investigate and identify contributory factors to the competitiveness of Iran’s medical tourism using importance-performance analysis. Methods: This is an applied study with a descriptive nature conducted using field studies and surveys. A conceptual model was adopted and contributory factors were extracted from previous studies. A questionnaire was designed based on extracted factors and opinions of experts who are specialists in the field of medical tourism. The statistical population consisted of tourism experts, health experts, physicians, and medical staff working in hospitals with international units. Data analysis was performed using SPSS. Results: The results showed that “medical services” were more important than the two components “special factors of tourism” and “characteristics of medical tourism destinations”. It was also revealed that the current situation of “medical tourism destination characteristics” is unfavorable compared to the other two components. Conclusion: This study provided an insight into the importance and quality of performance of the factors affecting the competitiveness of medical tourism, which can be beneficial for managers and planners in Iran and other medical tourism destinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite advances in drug treatment and surgical interventions for the care of myocardial infarction, it has a high morbidity and mortality rate in Iran. In order to stop or reverse this trend, educational interventions based on various models are necessary. To determine the effect of an educational intervention based on Pender's health promotion model on lifestyle, related factors, and clinical outcomes of patients with myocardial infarction, a clinical trial study was conducted. Patients were randomly allocated to two groups of educational intervention based on Pender's model (n = 50) and the control group (n = 50). Educational sessions included eight 45-minute sessions held twice per week. Data gathering instruments were completed by the groups before and three months after intervention. The total mean of lifestyle, cardiac knowledge, perceived benefits of behavior, cholesterol, and triglycerides rates were significantly improved in the intervention group. Evaluation of the findings confirmed the effect of this educational model on healthy behaviors of patients with Myocardial Infarction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is an important health problem worldwide with critical outcomes. The nucleoside analog lamivudine (LMV) is a potent inhibitor of HBV polymer­ase and impedes HBV replication in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Treatment with LMV for long periods causes the appearance and reproduction of drug-resistant strains, rising to more than 40% after 2 years and to over 50% and 70% after 3 and 4 years, respectively.Objectives: Artificial neural networks (ANNs) were used to make predictions with regard to re­sistance phenotypes using biochemical and biophysical features of the YMDD sequence.Patients and Methods: The study population comprised patients who were intended for surgery in various hospitals in Tehran-Iran. An ACRS-PCR method was performed to distinguish muta­tions in the YMDD motif of HBV polymerase. In the training and testing stages, these parameters were used to identify the most promising optimal network. The ideal values of RMSE and MAE are zero, and a value near zero indicates better performance. The selection was performed using statistical accuracy measures, such as root mean square error (RMSE), coefficient of determina­tion (R2), and mean absolute error (MAE). The main purpose of this paper was to develop a new method based on ANNs to simulate HBV drug resistance using the physiochemical properties of the YMDD motif and compare its results with multiple regression models. Results: The results of the MLP in the training stage were 0.8834, 0.07, and 0.09 and 0.8465, 0.160.04 in the testing stage; for the total data, the values were 0.8549, 0.115, and 0.065, respec­tively. The MLP model predicts lamivudine resistance in HBV better than the MLR model. Conclusions: The ANN model can be used as an alternative method of predicting the outcome of HBV therapy. In a case study, the proposed model showed vigorous clusterization of predicted and observed drug responses. The current study was designed to develop an algorithm for pre­dicting drug resistance using chemiophysical data with artificially created neural networks. To this end, an intelligent and multidisciplinary program should be developed on the basis of the information to be gained on the essentials of different applications by similar investigations. This program will help design expert neural network architectures for each application auto­matically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Developing a chronic disease, like heart failure in older adults disrupts the foundations of the family and imposes a heavy burden on family members. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the Family-Centered Empowerment Model (FCEM) on the care burden of family caregivers of older adults with heart failure. Methods: It was a quasi-experimental study with a controlled before and after design, which was conducted on 80 primary caregivers of older adults with heart failure referring to health centers affiliated with Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran. The subjects were nonrandomly assigned to either the control (n=40) or intervention (n=40) groups. The program was implemented based on the concepts of the model (perceived threat, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and evaluation) in eight 2-hour sessions, twice a week for four consecutive weeks. Both groups answered the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) in the beginning, in the end, and one month after the study. The data were analyzed by Chi-square, t-test, and the repeated measures ANOVA using SPSS v. 16 software. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the pretest mean score of care burden (P>0.05). However, the groups' mean score of care burden was significantly different immediately after the intervention (P<0.05) and one month after the study (P<0.05). The repeated measures ANOVA illustrated a significant difference between the mean scores of care burden in the three measurement time points (P<0.0001). Conclusion: Implementation of the FCEM model reduces the burden of care in caregivers of older adults with heart failure. It is suggested that this model be used in training programs for older adults with heart failure and their caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Three categories of interventions are considered for reducing the prevalence of mental disorders in Iran: mental health promotion, increasing mental health and social service utilization and controlling mental health risk factors. In this regard, we designed a community action program in a national plan to provide comprehensive social and mental health services (SERAJ) that were implemented as a pilot in three districts of Iran: Bardasir, Oslo, and Quchan. In this study, we have reviewed the results of this pilot project. Method: This study was conducted based on the collaborative evaluation model; first, the program was described and the evaluation indicators of each component of the program were determined. Stakeholders were determined; also, data were collected through literature review, semi-structured interview, and focused group discussion and were analyzed by thematic analysis methods. Results: The community action program consists of four components: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the departments of the districts, People's Participation House (PPH), Self-reliance Unit (SRU), and actions taken for stigma reduction. A total of 48% of the actions set out in the three MoU of three districts have been executed. The PPH was formed in all three districts. A total of 816 social referrals were admitted to SRU for which a self-reliance process has been initiated. Moreover, 47% of referrals have received services and at least 10 messages for stigma reduction and promoting mental disorders have been sent from different sources at the district level. Conclusion: Strengthening vertical cooperation between the national and provincial levels is essential for the full implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and self-reliance processes. Referring individuals for receiving social support with collaboration between the primary and secondary programs reported to be successful, but feedback to the primary and secondary levels which provides basic and specialized services, is not transparent. Therefore, we suggest an electronic system as an option to solve this problem. The careful selection of representatives of the people's network and empowerment of PPH and directors of the district on community action skills are essential. The experiences of the governors and chairs of health networks of the three districts should be presented at a national conference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the effects of an educational‐ counselling programme based on the precede–proceed model during pregnancy on preventing post‐partum depression. Design: A randomized clinical trial (RCT) study. Method: 130 pregnant women were selected and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Data collection was carried out using questionnaires of predisposing, reinforcing and enabling factors, GHQ and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The Education programme was designed and performed in each group in a given weekday through four 60‐minute sessions. The whole intervention lasted for one month in all groups. The participants in the control group were given routine pregnancy care. Data were gathered before and after the intervention in both groups. Results: Independent t test showed a significant difference between the two groups in terms of the mean score of predisposing, reinforcing, enabling factors and post‐partum depression (p <.05). Regression tests indicated predisposing, reinforcing, enabling factors and general health as the most important factors associated with post‐partum depression (p <.05). The results supported the effectiveness of the educational intervention on reducing post‐partum depression and showed that implementing these training during pregnancy leads to a reduced level of post‐partum depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The social identity model of collective action (SIMCA) and the encapsulation model of the social identity of collective action (EMSICA) are well‐known models that have been applied to protest action. The current study tests the predictive value of the core constructs in the models (social identification, perceived injustice and group efficacy) in a peaceful pro‐environmental program. Specifically, we sought to answer whether the two models provide equally good accounts of (self‐reported) past participation and of intended participation. To do so, we conducted a survey of 382 participants of a sustained environmental collective action program (Nature Cleaners) in Iran. Our findings underlined the important role of social identification in predicting environmental action. The results also showed that SIMCA was more relevant for intentions to participate, whereas paths specified by EMSICA better predicted past participation. The results provide a demonstration of the applicability of collective action models to the domain of pro‐environmental action in the Iranian cultural context where collective action is rarely studied. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of studying collective action in a wider range of situations and contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background : The most common drug, illegally used in Iran is opium. The treatment of people with substance use disorder is one of the most important strategies in reducing its burden. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different increasing and decreasing opium treatment coverage on the patterns of abstinence, transition to heroin dependence and mortality, over 30 years. Methods: This study was a dynamic compartmental modeling conducted in three stages: 1) presenting a conceptual model of opium dependence treatment in Iran, 2) estimating model's parameters value, and 3) modeling of opium dependence treatment and examining the outcomes for different treatment coverage scenarios. The input parameters of the model were extracted from the literature, and secondary data analysis, which were finalized in expert panels. Results: The number of opium dependence will increase from 1180550 to 1522063 [28.93% (95% CI: 28.6 to 29.2)] over 30 years. With a 25% decrease in coverage compared to the status quo, the number of deaths will increase by 459 cases [3.28% (95% CI: 0.91 to 5.7)] in the first year, and this trend will continue to be 2989 cases [15.63% (95% CI: 13.4 to 17.9)] in the 30th year. A 25% increase in treatment coverage causes a cumulative decrease of heroin dependence by 14451 cases [10.1% (95% CI: 9.5 to 10.8)] in the first decade. Conclusion: The modeling showed that the treatment coverage level reduction has a greater impact than the coverage level increase in the country and any amount of reduction in the coverage level, even to a small extent, may have a large negative impact in the long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Infertility can have adverse effects on sexuality of women. This study aims to examine the effect of sexual counseling based on the BETTER Model on the sexual function of Iranian women with infertility. Method: Eighty women with infertility were randomly assigned to either intervention or control groups. Female Sexual Function Index and Enrich Marital Satisfaction Scale were completed by participants at baseline and two months after. Results: All domains of FSFI (except for pain) were significantly increased (p < 0.001) after the intervention. Conclusions: Results showed that two sessions of sexual counseling can be used to improve the sexual health of infertile women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A coherent sexuality education program for adolescents is part of their sexual and reproductive rights and can help them have a healthier future. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the perspectives and intervention preferences of Iranian stakeholders regarding comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in male adolescents based on the IMB model (information, motivation, behavioral skills). Methods: This study was a qualitative study that was analyzed through a directed content analysis approach. Individual interviews and focused group discussions (FGDs) were used for data collection. The data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with stakeholders in two schools and the Education Department in Sari and the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education in Tehran from March 2019 to August 2019. Data saturation was achieved after 28 interviews and 1 FGDs with 9 participants. Finally, two sets of data were coded and analyzed using directed content analysis. Results: In this study, five themes emerged as (1) role of institutions; (2) role of organizations; (3) need for stakeholder's partnership; (4) need for adolescent sexuality socialization management; and (5) need for enhancing the teachers' professional competence, which seemed to influence the implementation of CSE in male adolescents. Participants also expressed a number of intervention preferences for CSE. The most important of these was the change in macro policies, helping to create a culture against all forms of violence and breaking the taboo of sexuality education for children and adolescents. Conclusions: The results of this study revealed the need for a CSE program for adolescents' sexuality socialization. The finding showed that teachers required training to enhance their professional competence about sexuality issues. Therefore, it is necessary to design and implement culture-appropriate skill based programs to enhance the teachers' professional competence regarding the adolescents' sexual health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Psychological characteristics could significantly impact applications for cosmetic surgery as well as precognition and satisfaction with surgery. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between perfectionism, early maladaptive schemas, attachment styles, and body image concern by the mediating role of self-esteem in cosmetic surgery applicants. Methods: This was a predictive correlational study. The statistical population of the study included all female applicants for cosmetic surgery referring to cosmetic surgery centers in Tehran City, Iran, in 2020. A sample size of 400 women was selected based on Klein's model (2016). The required data were collected by Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) (1989), Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS), Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ-S3), Adult Attachment Scale (AAS), and Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI), and analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and structural equations in SPSS and AMOS. Results: The obtained results signified a significant relationship between perfectionism, early maladaptive schemas, attachment styles, self-esteem, and body image concerns (P<0.01). Furthermore, the modified model presented a good fit (The Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) =0.061, GFI=0.989, IFI=0.987, P<0.05); the indirect paths of perfectionism, early maladaptive schema, and attachment styles through self-esteem were also significant. Conclusion: The evaluated model indicated a good fit; thus, it can play an essential role in recognizing the factors affecting the body image concerns of female cosmetic surgery applicants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calculations of Coulomb stress changes have shown that moderate to large earthquakes may increase stress at the location of future earthquakes. Coulomb stress transfers have thus been widely accepted to explain earthquake sequences, especially for sequences occurring within parallel or collinear fault systems. Relating, under this framework, successive earthquakes occurring within more complex fault systems (i.e. conjugate fault system) is more challenging. In this study, we assess which ingredients of the Coulomb stress change theory are decisive for explaining the succession of three large (M w 7+) earthquakes that occurred on a conjugate fault system in the NE Lut, East Iran, during a 30-yr period. These earthquakes belong to a larger seismic sequence made up of 11 earthquakes (M w 5.9+) from 1936 to 1997. To reach our goal, we calculate, at each earthquake date, the stress changes generated by the static deformation of the preceding earthquakes, the following post-seismic deformation due to the viscoelastic relaxation of the lithosphere, and the interseismic deformation since 1936. We first show that accurately modelling the source and receiver fault geometry is crucial to precisely estimating Coulomb stress changes. Then we show that 7 out of 10 earthquakes of the NE Lut sequence, considering the uncertainties, are favoured by the previous earthquakes. Furthermore, the last two M 7+ earthquakes of the sequence (1979 and 1997) have mainly been favoured by the moderate M w ∼ 6 earthquakes. Finally, we investigate the link between the Coulomb stress changes due to previous earthquakes and the rupture extension of the next earthquake and show that a correlation does exist for some earthquakes but is not systematic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Implicit Leadership Theories (ILTs) are individuals' perceptions of the traits and behaviors characterizing leaders. Four studies investigated the reliabilities and different types of validities for a scale developed to measure Iranian Implicit leadership Theories (IILTs). Study 1 used a qualitative method to extract the implicit theories of ideal leadership after interviewing 27 experts. The IILTs are represented by a first-order eight-factor model (Inspiring, Supportive, Accountable, Emotionally Mature, Decisive, Self-protective, Deceptive and Narrow-minded), and a secondorder two-factor model (Prototypes and Anti-prototypes). In Study 2, exploratory factor analysis was used to identify the factor structure and further refine and examine the internal consistencies of the discovered factors. The analysis proved the factor structure of IILTs. Study 3 tested the convergent and discriminant validities of the developed scale for IILTs, and the results supported the validity of the developed scale. Study 4 investigated incremental and criterion validities via using two variables of LMX and job satisfaction. These studies provide convergent evidence that IILTs is a valid scale to be used in research. Ultimately, future research venues and practical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Community medicine and public health are the core subjects in medical education. One of the main competencies of general physicians in the national curriculum is having knowledge and skills in health promotion and disease prevention in the health system. Any curriculum revision in community medicine departments needs to incorporate the evidence and use pioneer countries' experiences in this issue. This study aims to compare community medicine and public health courses in medical schools between Iran and selected universities in North America. Methods: The elements of a community medicine curriculum for medical students were compared in a descriptive-comparative study using the Bereday model. These elements included objectives and competencies, educational strategies, teaching and learning methods, assessment, and educational fields in a community medicine curriculum in Iran and in selected universities in North America. A literature search was conducted in CINAHL, SCOPUS, MEDLINE, Web of Science, EBSCO, and on university websites. Results: Essential aspects of community-based strategies among community medicine and public health curriculum of general medicine in universities in Canada and the United States included a longitudinal approach, training in urban and rural primary care centers, teaching by family physicians and health center staff, a spiral curriculum, focus on social determinants of health, taking of social and cultural histories and social prescriptions, learning teamwork, and using LIC (Longitudinal Integrated Curriculum). Conclusion: The objective of community medicine and public health curriculum in selected North American universities was to prepare general practitioners who work in Level 2 and 3 hospitals and to improve their skills to provide high-quality services to the community. Some of the successful points in the selected universities that could be replicated in Iranian faculties of medicine included using integration strategy, a spiral curriculum, and an LIC approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flood is the most common natural hazard in Iran, which annually affects the environment and human lives. On March 25, 2019 in Shiraz-Iran, following a heavy rainfall, the occurrence of a flash flood caused an extensive number of deaths, injuries, and vehicle demolitions in a short time. Evidence suggests that man-made causes of the incident, including unsustainable urban development and lack of early warning services, have played a more influential role compared with its natural causes. This study has attempted to substantiate that understanding disaster risks, as the first priority of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) 2015-2030, directly impacts the decisions and actions of policymakers, local authorities, and the public. To provide more safety, mitigation, and disaster risk reduction, attention should primarily be paid on making a cultural paradigm shift through providing sufficient training in developing appropriate disaster risk perception in the community at large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Empathy and emotional expression, as important psychological elements, significantly impact couples' marital satisfaction. Premarital counseling models are designed to increase positive couples' communication behaviors and emotional style. Accordingly, this study compared the effects of marriage preparation based on Satir's communication model and narrative therapy on empathy and emotional expression in single young adults. Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pre-test, post-test and a control group design. The research population included all girls and boys on the age of marriage who were referred to Vesta Counseling Clinic in Kashan City, Iran, from March 20th, to September 22nd, 2019. The study participants were 45 individuals who were selected by convenience sampling method. Then, they were randomly assigned to three groups (narrative therapy intervention, Satir intervention, and controls) of 15 clients. The research participants in the two intervention groups attended 11 sessions of narrative therapy and Satir communication therapy; however, the controls received no intervention. The data collection instruments were the Emotion Expression Scale (EES), and the Questionnaire Measure of Emotional Empathy (QMEE). The research hypotheses were tested using the Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) by SPSS. Results: The present study results suggested that narrative therapy (F=53.97, P=0.0001) was more effective than Satir's communication model (F=33.82, P=0.0001) in terms of emotional expression. Both intervention groups obtained higher mean scores on emotional expression, compared to the controls (F=29.005, P=0.0001). Besides, the narrative therapy group gained a higher Post-test mean score for empathy (F=101.12, P=0.0001), compared to the Satir group (F=84.93, P=0.0001). Besides, both interventions were more effective in the test groups, compared to the controls (F=68.27, P=0.0001). Conclusion: Narrative therapy was more effective for improving emotional expression and empathy, compared to Satir's communication model. Family and marriage counselors are recommended to apply these premarital models for young single adults in counseling centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual dysfunction is one of the most common complaints of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The study aimed to determine the effect of counseling based on the extended PLISSIT model (Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestion, and Intensive Therapy) on sexual dysfunction and the quality of sexual life of married women with MS. This randomized clinical trial was performed on 70 married women with MS aged between 18 and 45 years referring to the MS Association of Tabriz, Iran. The data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19 (MSISQ-19), Sexual Quality of Life for a Female, Fatigue Severity Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory-Short Form Items (BDI-13). A neurologist rated the disability level using the Expanded Disability Status Scale. Using randomization, the participants with a score of 4 or 5 in each item of MSISQ-19 were assigned to counseling and the control group, with block sizes of four and six and allocation ratio of 1:1. The intervention group attended a counseling session or more if needed, based on the EX-PLISSIT model. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (Version 25). Independent t test and ANCOVA were used to analyze the data. After intervention, there was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of primary and tertiary sexual dysfunctions [AMD, − 7.84; 95% CI − 14.82 to − 0.86; P = 0.02]. Despite an increased mean score of quality of sexual life in the intervention group after counseling, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups [AMD, 9.29; 95% CI − 1.46 to 20.04; P = 0.08]. Although counseling based on EX-PLISSIT had a positive effect on decreasing sexual dysfunction, it could not improve the quality of sexual life of women suffering from MS. Applying sexual counseling approaches with a focus on couple counseling is suggested for improving the quality of sexual life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]