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This study presents a theoretical classification of factors that affect the quality of service to students who are enrolled in college online degree programs. The classification is based on Parasuraman’s (1985) five dimensions of quality service. Three faculty members with a total of more than one hundred years of experience in different academic positions such as dean, department chair, and teaching and research position suggest factors that are included in each of the dimensions. The dimensions and their factors offer a theoretical framework for providing quality service to online college degree programs. In addition, this study makes suggestions concerning how the services can be provided in the current financial limitations many colleges and universities are experiencing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flood hazard characteristics play a key role in flood-induced mortality. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the associations between these factors and flood fatalities. This case-control study was performed in the flood-prone regions of Iran with recorded flood-induced mortality rates during 2005–2018. In total, 369 subjects completed the survey (123 cases and 246 controls); they were selected from 12 provinces and 30 cities. In this study, descriptive and analytical analyses were carried out to measure flood hazard characteristics. Afterward, the correlation of flood hazard characteristics with flood-induced mortality was measured. According to the descriptive analysis, most deaths occurred in summer, during hours of darkness, in areas with one- and five-year flood return periods, and in floods with short rainfall durations. In addition, the spatial analysis demonstrated that most deaths occurred in flash floods, floods accompanied by bad weather, and floods with floating debris. The results of Chi-square and Fisher's exact test also indicated significant correlations between darkness, flood return periods, flood behavior, floods with floating debris, bad weather, other hazards, and flood discharge with flood-induced mortality. According to the regression analysis, the variables of flood discharge over 500 m3/s, flash floods, nighttime floods, and floods with floating debris increased the risk of flood-induced mortality 3.64, 1.62, 3.34, and 1.06 times, respectively. Although changing flood hazard characteristics seems to be impossible, damages caused by floods can be decreased and the lives of people can be protected through appropriate preventive and managerial solutions, planning, training, promotion of preparedness, and timely warnings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bold lines that have separated the application of specific production planning and control techniques to specific production systems are being blurred by continuous advances in production technologies and innovative operational procedures. Oral communication among dispatchers and production units has given way to electronic communication between production planners and these units by continuous progress in information technologies. Current production literature alludes to the idea that, collectively, these advances have paved the way for application of Just-In-Time ( JIT) production concepts, which were originally developed for mass production systems, in intermittent production systems. But this literature does not actually consider the possibility. This article presents a modification to JIT procedures to make them more suitable for jumbled-flow shops. This article suggests providing real-time information about net-requirements for each product to each work center operator for setting production priorities at each work center. Simulation experiments conducted for this study show that using Net-Requirements in JIT ( NERJIT) reduces customer wait time by 45-60% while reducing inventory slightly. The analysis of work centers' input and output stock-point inventories shows that using the information about net-requirements results in production of items that are in current demand. NERJIT results in smaller input stock-point inventory and availability of products with higher priority in the output stock-points of work centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the theoretical framework which provides students who are enrolled in a college degree programs with quality service. It mentions that factors that defined each dimensions of quality service were formulated based through the expertise and experience of three faculty members with at least 30 years of experience. It says that several factors were suggested to offer high-quality degree program which include instructor compassion learning aids, and course schedule.

Background: vulnerable events could damage structural, non structural and functional components of hospitals that might lead to community crisis, accordingly. Risk assessment is the first step to develop of a hospital disaster plan. In this study, a primary phase of developing a local tool for Iran's hospital disaster risk assessment entitled "Hospital Safety Index (HSI)" was conducted by World Health Organization originally. Materials and Methods: First, the original index was translated into Farsi in five forms and 145 items. Then a group of four experts from the fields of medicine and engineering assessed the items oneby- one for their relevance and applicability. Revised edition tested three times at Shariati hospital in Tehran. An expert panel also evaluated the feature and content validity of the index. They also weighted the items as well. Results: Test-retest of the index by two independent research groups found 93% of agreement. Furthermore, 244 points were revised or added to the original edition. The most important changes included: Combining instruction parts with related items for increasing educational properties, completing the list of hazards, developing a plan to analysis, and to present a quantitative and graphic of the model and finally to prepare an educational package as well . Conclusion: Persian version of HSI, in response to needs of Iranian's health system, represents a rapid no-expensive tool for screening disaster risks at hospitals; based on an international template that was tested in several countries. Based on this study, the Farsi index would be evaluated in more hospitals around the country. The assessment results will provide Iranian's health system with evidence-based information for more effective allocated resources and interventions evaluating . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• It is not clear how greatest good for the greatest people can be achieved in disaster triage. • Medical need was agreed to be the most important factor for patient prioritization in disaster triage. • Patient survivability and medical treatment effectiveness agreed to be another two main factors for decision-making in disaster triage. • Contribution to affected community and family also are important measures for making an ethical decision in disaster triage. • Arrival time to a health care center or random selection should have no effect in decision making for patient prioritization in disaster triage. An ethical plan is required to make decisions regarding setting the priority for assisting injured patients through triage. The aim of this study was to explore the measures used to sort patients for ethical decision-making in disaster triage. The participants were 54 clinicians and non-clinicians among the Iranian experts. Q-statements were selected from a literature review and face-to-face interviews. Data were analyzed by principal components factor analysis (PCA), Varimax, and hand-rotation techniques. Distinct perspectives included: Saving patients with greater medical needs, survivability of patients and the community, providing effective treatment based on available capacity, maximizing health gain, supporting the human generation and productive and independent lives. Approximately 61% of the variance in decision is explained by these factors. A combination of saving more people and more positive outcomes has been accepted to make an ethical decision in triage. Public engagement needs to reach a more acceptable view of patients' prioritizing factors in a scarce-resource situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Sand and Dust storms (SDS) are meteorological hazards that are increasing due to climate change. Mitigation and adaptation are two main strategies that help to deal with this global concern. In the recent decades, Iran has been prone to SDS. Therefore, this study was conducted in 2018 in order to explore the SDS adaptation experiences and strategies in the Iranian community.Using content analysis approach and purposive sampling, three groups (including 14 experts, 8 authorities, and 23 individuals) were selected. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was performed using Graneheim and Lundman’s method. Finally, Gaba and Lincoln’s scientific criteria were used for data validity.Two major categories emerged from the analysis. The first category was related to the adaptation experiences and included two subcategories: “citizens’ experiences” and “experts’/ authorities’ experiences”. The second was related to SDS adaptation strategies and included five subcategories: “educational development”, “public participation”, “inter-sectorial coordination”, “institutional development”, and “environment preservation”.Identifying the experiences and strategies that are implemented by a community to adapt to SDS is the core stone for developing a comprehensive local and national adaptation plan. This study suggests strategies and action plans for SDS adaptation that can be used in policy making.Methods: Sand and Dust storms (SDS) are meteorological hazards that are increasing due to climate change. Mitigation and adaptation are two main strategies that help to deal with this global concern. In the recent decades, Iran has been prone to SDS. Therefore, this study was conducted in 2018 in order to explore the SDS adaptation experiences and strategies in the Iranian community.Using content analysis approach and purposive sampling, three groups (including 14 experts, 8 authorities, and 23 individuals) were selected. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was performed using Graneheim and Lundman’s method. Finally, Gaba and Lincoln’s scientific criteria were used for data validity.Two major categories emerged from the analysis. The first category was related to the adaptation experiences and included two subcategories: “citizens’ experiences” and “experts’/ authorities’ experiences”. The second was related to SDS adaptation strategies and included five subcategories: “educational development”, “public participation”, “inter-sectorial coordination”, “institutional development”, and “environment preservation”.Identifying the experiences and strategies that are implemented by a community to adapt to SDS is the core stone for developing a comprehensive local and national adaptation plan. This study suggests strategies and action plans for SDS adaptation that can be used in policy making.Results: Sand and Dust storms (SDS) are meteorological hazards that are increasing due to climate change. Mitigation and adaptation are two main strategies that help to deal with this global concern. In the recent decades, Iran has been prone to SDS. Therefore, this study was conducted in 2018 in order to explore the SDS adaptation experiences and strategies in the Iranian community.Using content analysis approach and purposive sampling, three groups (including 14 experts, 8 authorities, and 23 individuals) were selected. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was performed using Graneheim and Lundman’s method. Finally, Gaba and Lincoln’s scientific criteria were used for data validity.Two major categories emerged from the analysis. The first category was related to the adaptation experiences and included two subcategories: “citizens’ experiences” and “experts’/ authorities’ experiences”. The second was related to SDS adaptation strategies and included five subcategories: “educational development”, “public participation”, “inter-sectorial coordination”, “institutional development”, and “environment preservation”.Identifying the experiences and strategies that are implemented by a community to adapt to SDS is the core stone for developing a comprehensive local and national adaptation plan. This study suggests strategies and action plans for SDS adaptation that can be used in policy making.Conclusions: Sand and Dust storms (SDS) are meteorological hazards that are increasing due to climate change. Mitigation and adaptation are two main strategies that help to deal with this global concern. In the recent decades, Iran has been prone to SDS. Therefore, this study was conducted in 2018 in order to explore the SDS adaptation experiences and strategies in the Iranian community.Using content analysis approach and purposive sampling, three groups (including 14 experts, 8 authorities, and 23 individuals) were selected. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was performed using Graneheim and Lundman’s method. Finally, Gaba and Lincoln’s scientific criteria were used for data validity.Two major categories emerged from the analysis. The first category was related to the adaptation experiences and included two subcategories: “citizens’ experiences” and “experts’/ authorities’ experiences”. The second was related to SDS adaptation strategies and included five subcategories: “educational development”, “public participation”, “inter-sectorial coordination”, “institutional development”, and “environment preservation”.Identifying the experiences and strategies that are implemented by a community to adapt to SDS is the core stone for developing a comprehensive local and national adaptation plan. This study suggests strategies and action plans for SDS adaptation that can be used in policy making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]