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Introduction: Developments of any society are driven by a trained staffs and identify the factors affecting academic performance improvement is a step towards success in the community. Students are also required dynamism and promote community and assessment of their general health status, is an essential element in the community health program. This study was designed aimed to determine the evaluation of nursing students’ qeneral health and its relationship with their grade point Average. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 1391 with collaboration of Original Research Article Ayazi et al.; BJMMR, 16(4): 1-14, 2016; Article no.BJMMR.26214 2 127 nursing students in Shahrekord University of medical sciences, after earned a grade point average, completed personal information, and the standard general health questionnaire (GHQ- 28). Data were analyzed with used descriptive and inferential statistical tests in SPSS software (version 19) at P≤ 0.05 significant levels. Results: Results showed that the general health of 28.6% of students were normal, 51.4% relative health and 20% unhealthy. In this regard, the general health of male students was better than female. The highest prevalence of disturbances was depression and then sleeps disorders, anxiety, physical and psychological, and social dysfunction. Factors such as marital status and employment status were significantly related to students' general health status. In this study there was a significant negative correlation between general health and the average score of students (P= 0.001). Senior students (forth-year), has the highest grade point Average and third-year students, with the best general health status. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that, students with high academic performance in comparison to other students had better genaral health. Therefore, it should be more concerned to plan the high quality education for promoting life skills and designing communication programs for increase the support activities of families and authorities for psychological assessment and promote their general health.

Disease-related fear is one of the important diagnoses of healthcare providers in caring for people with epilepsy whose conceptual dimensions should be discovered and investigated. To this end, it is necessary to provide healthcare providers with appropriate tools to assess fears related to the disease in accordance with the sociocultural milieu of each community.The purpose of this study was to design and psychometrically evaluate the disease-related fear scale (D-RFS) in adults with epilepsy.This study was of a sequential exploratory mixed methods design conducted in Iran in 2019. In the item generation phase, inductive (face-to-face, semi-structured interviews with 14 adult patients with epilepsy) and deductive (literature review) were used. In the item reduction, integration of qualitative and literature reviews and scale evaluation were performed. For the scale evaluation, face validity, content validity, construct validity [exploratory factor analysis (EFA) (n = 367) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) (n = 250)], and convergent and divergent validity and reliability (internal consistency and stability) were investigated.After the qualitative phase and literature review, 40 items were codified. After investigation of the qualitative and quantitative face validity, 7 items were deleted. Two items were deleted due to content validity ratio (CVR) of less than 0.56 and one item due to content validity index (CVI) of less than 0.78. Finally, a 30-item scale was obtained, and its construct validity was assessed. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) index was 0.85, and Bartlett's test of sphericity was 7237.504, P 0. 001. The results of CFA showed that the bivariate model of the D-RFS (fear of seizure consequences and fear of the disease's long-term consequences) had the most appropriate fitness to the data. Convergent and divergent validity results showed that the values of composite reliability (CR) and average variance extracted (AVE) for the two factors were greater than 0.7 and 0.5, respectively, and the AVE for each factor was greater than CR. Internal consistency of the first and second factors were obtained 0.891 and 0.910, respectively. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the total scale was obtained 0.921. The results of test-retest reliability showed that there was a significant agreement between the scores of the test and retest (P .001).The D-RFS has an acceptable factorial structure, and its internal consistency was confirmed by different approaches. This scale is a valid and reliable tool for assessing disease-related fear in patients with epilepsy. The simplicity of the items and the appropriate time to complete the scale can be considered as its strengths.

This study was aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects of reduced glutathione antioxidant in soybean lecithin-based cryopreservation medium on fertility and quality parameters of ram semen. In experiment 1, semen samples were collected from five rams and diluted in the freezing extender contained various concentrations of glutathione as follows: extender without glutathione (G0), extender containing 0.5 mM (G0.5), 1 mM (G1), 2 mM (G2), 4 mM (G4) and 8 mM (G8) glutathione. Motility, membrane functionality, morphology, mitochondrial activity, acrosome integrity, viability, apoptosis status, lipid peroxidation, DNA fragmentation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration were assessed after thawing. In experiment 2, pregnancy, parturition, lambing and twining rates were evaluated after artificial insemination with frozen-thawed semen. In results, G4 showed higher (P ≤ 0.05) total and progressive motility, membrane functionality, acrosome integrity, and lower (P ≤ 0.05) lipid peroxidation and ROS concentration compared to the other groups. Mitochondrial activity and viability were higher (P ≤ 0.05) and late apoptotic-like changes were lower (P ≤ 0.05) in G2 and G4 compared to the other groups. DNA fragmentation and late apoptotic-like changes were higher (P ≤ 0.05) in G8 compared to the other groups. No significant difference was observed among groups in cases of morphology and reproductive performance. In conclusion, supplementation of cryopreservation medium with 4 mM reduced glutathione improves the quality parameters of ram spermatozoa but it was not reflected to the reproductive performance.

Fatigue crack is one of the most common defects in railway system. Fatigue crack growth may lead to wheel and rail failure and damage to other components. In this paper, by applying the including service conditions of the railway system, first, a 3D nonlinear stress analysis model has been applied to estimate stress fields of the rail under the influence of periodic overloads. For this purpose, an UIC60 rail with accurate geometry using finite element method (FEM) is studied. Next, the results of this model are used for fatigue crack growth and also to estimate the fatigue life in rails using boundary element method (BEM). In this regard, first, the types of cracks and the corresponding factors which cause them were analyzed. In addition to performing stress analysis for different positions of the wheel, different values of the stress intensity factors (SIFs) were also obtained. Using these stress intensity factors, two characteristics of fatigue crack propagation namely, crack growth and direction of its development, were obtained. In this study, Paris Equation is used as a criterion of fatigue crack growth rate and the maximum tangential stress was considered as the crack growth direction. The numerical analysis results showed that the effect of periodic overloads on the fatigue life in rails was significant and could not be ignored.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the crack growth and fatigue life estimation of the optimized rivet joints in aluminum 2024 sheets numerically and experimentally. For this point, the optimal model is obtained using the Taguchi and finite element method (FEM), with respect to the cost functions and the defined levels for the parameters. The relevant geometrical parameters such as rivets length, holes diameter, and dimensional tolerances as well as pattern of where the rivets are and the material of the rivet joints are optimally determined and subsequently the fatigue life of the aluminum joint is obtained by experimental tests. The Taguchi method with its own algorithm reduced the number of experiments to 32 design points. These experiments are simulated by the FEM with a three-dimensional (3D) elastoplastic model. After the determination of optimal joint, a 3D boundary element model (BEM) of fatigue crack growth is performed on the optimal model and its fatigue life is evaluated. Then, to validate the numerical results of the fatigue life of this optimized joint, the samples are fabricated and subjected to constant-range alternative loading by a servo-hydraulic machine. The results showed that the mode of failure in the samples is the fracture at the front plate, where the punch was applied to the rivets shank and occurred in the first row. Also, the results of experimental tests for fatigue crack growth are compared with the numerical method that results in acceptable achievements.

The main factor in determining path and rate in fatigue crack growth (FCG) problems is the stress field around the crack tip that is defined as stress intensity factor (SIF). Cutouts cause a stress concentration that depends on their size and geometry. This stress concentration can affect the stress field near the crack tip vicinity and deviates the FCG path. In this paper in order to study the effect of cutout parameters on FCG, first, a taguchi statistical analysis is used. Then, controlling and changing the FCG path and rate in specimens with different cutouts are studied. The results show that the size and position of cutouts are the most effective parameters on the crack growth path. According to the cutout’s features, an increase or decrease in fatigue life can be expected. An effective range for the distance between a cutout and a crack tip was determined. To verify the results of the extended finite element method (XFEM), the mode I SIF was obtained experimentally and compared with XFEM results. It was concluded that numerical results are in such a good agreement with experimental results.

Emotional intelligence is a psychological component that may affect happiness level in patients with epilepsy. Given the high prevalence of depression in patients with epilepsy, as well as the limitations of studies in this regard in Iran, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an emotional intelligence component program on happiness in patients with epilepsy. Methods This randomized clinical trial study conducted on 70 patients with epilepsy who were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups of 35 patients. Emotional Intelligence Training Based on Bar-On Combined Model was provided in eight 90-minute sessions for eight weeks. Data were collected using a two-part questionnaire: demographic data and the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ). Results The mean age of the subjects was 33.3 ± 10.4 years in the intervention group and 34.4 ± 9.3 years in the control group. The independent t-test results showed no significant difference between the two groups before the intervention (p = 0.195). The Mann–Whitney test results showed a significant difference between the two groups after emotional intelligence training (p Conclusion Overall, the findings of this study showed that emotional intelligence training led to improvement of happiness in patients with epilepsy. According to the results of the study, it is suggested that training based on emotional intelligence components be used as an approach to improve happiness level in patients with epilepsy.

Objectives Family caregivers face numerous challenges in taking care of their family members with epilepsy. The empowerment of this group of people, who can be described as forgotten patients, should always be considered through supportive interventions; therefore, this study investigated the effect of a family-centered intervention program on stress, anxiety, and depression among family caregivers of patients with epilepsy. Methods In 2017, a trial was conducted in Iran among subjects selected by the convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to two groups: intervention and control. After five sessions per week over a four-week period, the intervention- and control-group data were collected using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) in three stages: before, immediately after, and two months after the intervention. Data were analyzed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software using descriptive and analytical statistics, an independent t-test, and repeated measures Analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results In this study, the family caregivers included 61.3% women and 38.7% men, with a mean age of 37.5 years. The findings showed no significant differences in the mean scores of stress (p = 0.93), anxiety (p = 0.91), and depression (p = 0.56) before the interventional program between the intervention and control groups, but these differences were statistically significant in the mean score of stress (p = 0.003) in the immediately after the interventional program, whereas the mean scores of depression were not decreased significantly (p = 0.3). Two months after the interventional program the mean scores of stress (p = 0.001) and anxiety (p = 0.001) were significantly decreased in the intervention group, but the mean score of depression was not decreased significantly (p = 0.09). Conclusion The results suggested that a family-centered intervention program reduced the stress, anxiety, and depression of caregivers because of feasibility, simplicity, and utility of intervention. This program was focused on psychological issues of caregivers, and an emphasis on their empowerment helped them in managing their problems in the caregiving situation and achieved greater psychological potency in the caring process.

Purpose Patient education is a dynamic and continuous process that should be implemented during the entire time of hospital stay and even afterward. Studies have shown the typically poor quality of patient education in Iran and its failure to convey the required knowledge and skills to patients. The purpose of this study was to survey the experience of nursing students in regard to the challenges of patient education in hospitals. Methods This qualitative study was conducted using the conventional qualitative content analysis approach on a sample of 21 undergraduate nursing students (4th semester and beyond), which was drawn from the Qom Nursing and Midwifery School through purposive sampling with maximum variation. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted over a period of 45 to 75 minutes, and were analyzed using the conventional qualitative content analysis. Results Results were derived from the experiences of 21 nursing students (nine males, 12 females) about the research subject. The primary themes identified in the study were the student-related, patient-related, instructor-related, education environment-related, and curriculum-related barriers to patient educations. Conclusion Participants believed that patient education in Iranian hospitals is faced with many challenges. Nursing instructors and curriculum planners should ensure more emphasis on patient education at the initial semesters of nursing education curriculum and make sure that it is included in the evaluation of students. Hospital officials should provide a dedicated education environment with suitable facilities, tools, and atmosphere for patient education. Also, special education programs need to be developed for less educated patients.

Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) often needs attention combined with receiving the holistic care. Attention to spiritual care dimension is one of the most important aspects of care for these patients. This study aims at exploring and explaining dimensions of spiritual care for MS patients in care system of Iran. This study is conducted to explore the concept of spiritual care in care system of Iran during 2015-2016. Purposive sampling is done on 25 participants through unstructured interviews and observation of obtained data through conventional content analysis approach. Four themes of participants' experiences in spiritual care include restoration of identity essence and nature; disease as a factor for nearness to God; giving meaning to life; and disease as a facilitator for self-purification. Clear understanding of spiritual care dimensions and promoting knowledge in MS nurses as the caregivers play important roles in achieving the goals of health among patients in different cultures and religions. Given the results of this study, the themes such as the restoration of identity essence and nature, the disease as a factor for nearness to God, giving meaning to life and the disease as a facilitator for self-purification play important roles in explaining the concept of spiritual care in patients with MS. Therefore, the MS nurses and other health professionals need to effectively and successfully integrate the concept of spiritual care with their professional performance by deep understanding of this concept and try to provide holistic care to respond to MS patients' intertwined needs.

Background: Continuity in multiple sclerosis (MS) care has been cited as a critical feature of this care and necessary to improve medical outcomes. Purpose: This exploratory and descriptive research attempts to identify continuity of care from the experience and perspective of patientswithMS at two teaching hospitals and theMSSociety in Ahvaz, Iran. Methods: In this study, 23 patients with MS were selected through purposeful sampling. Data were collected through indepth and unstructured interviews and were analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis approach. Results: Four main themes emerged from the analysis: humanoriented attention, the necessity of purposeful planning, importance of responsibility, and caring with empathetic sensing. Conclusions/Implications for Practice: Because of the importance of professional caring practice to continuity of care for patients with MS, we suggest that healthcare providers should include these aspects in care planning.

Accurate prediction of fatigue crack growth on railway wheels and the influence of residual stresses by finite element method (FEM) modeling can affect the maintenance planning. Therefore, investigation of rolling contact fatigue and its effect on rolling members life seem necessary. The objective of this paper is to provide a prediction of rolling contact fatigue crack growth in the rail wheel under the influence of stress field from mechanical loads and heat treatment process of a railway wheel. A 3D nonlinear stress analysis model has been applied to estimate stress fields of the railway mono-block wheel in heat treatment process. Finite element analysis model is presented applying the elastic–plastic finite element analysis for the rail wheel under variable thermal loads. The stress history is then used to calculate stress intensity factors (SIFs) and fatigue life of railway wheel. The effect of several parameters, vertical loads, initial crack length and friction coefficient between the wheel and rail, on the fatigue life in railway wheels is investigated using the suggested 3-D finite element model. Three-dimensional finite element analysis results obtained show good agreement with those achieved in field measurements.

This article has no abstract.

Beneficial effects of Hyaluronic acid (HA) has not been yet assessed for cryopreservation of rooster sperm. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of HA (0, 1, 2, 4 and 8mM) in Beltsville extender on the cryopreservation of rooster sperm. Semen samples were collected from six Ross broiler breeders (24-week) using abdominal massage, then divided into five equal aliquots and cryopreserved in Beltsville extender that contained different concentrations of HA. Motion characteristics, morphology, membrane functionality, viability, acrosome integrity, lipid peroxidation and fertility potential of sperm were assessed after thawing. HA at concentration of 2mM (HA2) resulted in the highest (P

One of the most important issues in railway wheels is residual stresses. It is desirable to produce less residual stresses when possible and to decrease the remaining residual stresses in the wheels. The objective of this paper is to provide an estimation of the residual stresses in the rail wheel caused by the stress field from heat treatment process of a railway wheel. A three-dimensional nonlinear stress analysis model has been applied to estimate stress fields of the railway mono-block wheel in heat treatment process. After forging or casting, railway wheels are heat-treated to induce the desirable circumferential compressive residual stress in the upper rim. Finite element analysis model is presented applying the elastic–plastic finite element analysis for the rail wheel under variable thermal loads. Calculative analysis applying a finite element method (FEM) has been used to predict residual stresses. The quenching and annealing segments of the wheel manufacturing process are simulated using a decoupled heat transfer and stress analysis. Three-dimensional finite element analysis results obtained show good agreement with those achieved in field measurements.

Objective (s): To evaluate the impact of training programs based on BASNEF model on blood pressure. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study that carried out on primary hypertension. The sampling method was multi-stage sampling. In the first stage 20 public health centers were randomly selected and randomly divided in two control and interventional groups. Then in each group based on age and sex 96 patient (n=96) were randomly selected. Data collection tool was a questionnaire. The intervention group received an educational program based on BASNEF model. Data were collected at baseline and 2 months after educational intervention. Results: There was a significant difference between two groups regarding means of scores of self-care behaviors, subjective norms, and enabling factors after intervention. Also in interventional group mean score of systolic pressure was reduced from 138.9 to 125.4 and diastolic pressure was reduced from 85.15 to 80.57. Conclusion: The findings showed that training based on BAZNEF model was useful in promotion of preventive behaviors and decreased systolic and diastolic pressure in hypertension.

In this paper, the fatigue behavior of the metallic welded U-shape specimens subjected to cyclic loading have been investigated via experimental and numerical analysis. To do so, two sets of the spot welded specimens with different sizes were prepared and fatigue tests were conducted under the various cyclic loads. The crack propagation is numerically examined by using the stress intensity factor values achieved from FE analyses. The modified Paris and Forman-Newman-De Koning models were used to estimate the fatigue crack growth rate. The results indicate that the fatigue life of specimens decreases with any increase in load level.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of CoQ10 in soybean lecithin (SL) or egg yolk (EY) extenders on ram semen cryopreservation. Semen samples were collected from five rams, twice a week, then diluted in the extenders (SL and EY) containing different concentrations of CoQ10 as follows: extender containing SL: 0 µM (control, SL/Q0), 1 µM (SL/Q1), 2 µM (SL/Q2), 5 µM (SL/Q5) and 10 µM (SL/Q10) CoQ10; extender containing EY: 0 µM (control, EY/Q0), 1 µM (EY/Q1), 2 µM (EY/Q2), 5 µM (EY/Q5) and 10 µM (EY/Q10) CoQ10. Sperm motion characteristics, membrane integrity, abnormal morphology, viability, apoptotic-like changes, mitochondria active potential, acrosome integrity and lipid peroxidation were evaluated after freeze-thaw process. The SL/Q1, SL/Q2, EY/Q1 and EY/Q2 resulted in greater ( P ≤ 0.05) sperm total motility, progressive motility, membrane integrity and mitochondria active potential compared to the other groups. Acrosome integrity in the SL/Q0, SL/Q1, SL/Q2, EY/Q0, EY/Q1 and EY/Q2 groups was greater ( P ≤ 0.05) than in the SL/Q5, SL/Q10, EY/Q5 and EY/Q10 groups. The SL/Q2 and EY/Q2 treatment groups had greater ( P ≤ 0.05) sperm viability rates and less apoptotic-like changes and lipid peroxidation. The CoQ10 compound could be explored as a novel potential antioxidant for cryopreservation of ram semen because with used of this compound in the present study there was an improved post-thawed sperm quality.

Objective: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neurological disease that affects all financial, social and emotional aspects of individuals, families, and society in general. The pain caused by this disease can have devastating effects on patients and their careers, and thus the quality of their lives. This study aimed at verifying the level of pain in multiple sclerosis [MS] patients before and after the application of a progressive muscle relaxation technique [PMRT].Methods: In a randomized clinical trial study, 70 MS patients were randomly allocated into two groups of 35 patients each. The experimental group received PMRT training for 3 months in 90 sessions, whereas the control group did not. Current pain was evaluated using self-reported questionnaires before and after the intervention. After 3 months, a questionnaire was completed by subjects in both the experimental and control groups. The data were then analyzed through inferential statistical tests.Results: The independent t test indicated th...

Rooster sperm is sensitive to cooling, which restricts procedures to store sperms for extended periods of time for artificial insemination of commercial flocks. This study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of adding L-carnitine (LC) to chilled-storage of rooster sperm and its effects on sperm quality parameters and its fertility potential during storage at 5 °C. Pooled semen from roosters were divided into six equal aliquots and diluted with media supplemented with different concentrations of LC (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mM LC). Diluted semen samples were cooled to 5 °C and stored over 48 h. Motility, viability, membrane functionality, lipid peroxidation and mitochondria activity of the sperm were assessed at 0, 24 and 48 h of storage. Moreover, fertility potential of chilled stored sperm was considered at 24 h of storage. While sperm quality was not affected by LC at the beginning of storage (0 h), supplementation of extender with 1 and 2 mM of LC significantly improved the percentage of sperm motility, viability, membrane integrity and mitochondria activity at 24 h and 48 h compared to other groups. Lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced in sperm samples diluted with 1 and 2 mM LC at 24 h (2.15 ± 0.52 nmol/ml and 2.21 ± 0.52 nmol/ml) and 48 h (3.42 ± 0.49 nmol/ml and 3.38 ± 0.49 nmol/ml) compared to other groups. Furthermore, fertility rates during artificial insemination using sperms cooled for 24 h in the presence of 1 and 2 mM LC were significantly higher (78%) than in the control group (64%). These findings suggest that optimum doses of LC could protect rooster sperm against cool storage-induced functional and structural damages.

Background and Aim: The postpartum period is a critical then effects on the structure of the family. Most women in the postpartum period may place at risk of undesirable experiences such as changes in sleep patterns. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the efficacy of the relaxation program on sleep quality of mothers with premature infants. Materials and Methods: This study is a clinical trial that 60 mothers with premature infants. The mothers in the intervention group were trained for muscle progressive relaxation by Jacobson method within 24–72 h after delivery. Research tool was the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, which was completed by the mother at the beginning of the study, end of the first and the second 4-week. Data were analyzed using parametric statistics tests by SPSS software version 16. Results: No significant difference was observed between two groups in terms of underlying characteristics (P < 0.05). The independent t-test at the beginning of the study showed that the comparison of the mean scores of mothers’ sleep quality has no significant difference between two groups (P = 0.43). But, 1-month after the intervention (P = 0.024) and 2 months after the intervention (P > 0.001), mean sleep quality score in the intervention group was significantly less than the control group. Conclusion: Relaxation training can improve mothers’ sleep quality at postpartum period.

Coping skills enable caregivers to establish and maintain supportive relationships with the haemodialysis patients they care for. These skills are very important in terms of social support, promotion of mental health and social and family relations. The aim of this study is to investigate the coping skills of Iranian family caregivers as they take care of patients undergoing haemodialysis.Twenty participants were selected for the study through purposive sampling. The data gathering techniques used for the research were in-depth and unstructured interviews. The researchers used an inductive thematic analysis approach to analyse the data generated from the interviews.Four main themes emerged from the data: help-seeking skills, self-nurturing skills, time management skills and stress management skills.The focus of attention was on the stress management coping skills of the caregivers of haemodialysis patients together with their ability to cope with complex problems. Healthcare providers, by taking into account these skills and strategies of empowerment, can help other caregivers of haemodialysis patients cope with their heavy care conditions and better define their purposes in caretaking.

Background: Since ancient times, people have believed that certain foods or plants can affect learning and memory potency in humans. The consumption of food and beverages rich in flavonoid compounds has been proposed as a way to restrict the neurodegeneration associated with many neurological complications and to reverse or prevent deterioration in cognitive performance. Objectives: In the present study, we have attempted to show the effect of red lentil extract (RLE), an edible legume with a high quantity of flavonoid, on retrieval and retention of memory in young and aged animals with the use of a passive avoidance apparatus. Materials and Methods: For the experiments, after coding, the animals (128 total) were weighted and classified into different groups as follows: Group 1 as a control received only electric shock, while group 2 as a blank received electric shock plus normal saline (1 mL/100 g). The test groups (groups 3 and 4) received electric shock plus 400 and 800 mg/kg ip. RLE, respectively. The delay in leaving the platform of avoidance apparatus was measured for both retrieval and retention tests of memory in all groups, whereas experiments were conducted on two age levels - young and aged mice. In the test of retention after getting electric shock, RLE immediately, whereas in the test of retrieval 23.5 hours after the shock was administered. Results: Our findings demonstrated where applying both400mg/kg and 800 mg/kg of RLE significantly increased (the latency time increased about 2- and 3-fold respectively in comparison with the control group) retention and retrieval (at least 7-fold compared to the control group) of the memory of young (P < 0.05) and aged (P < 0.01) mice. Conclusions: It can be concluded that the devisable memory-enhancing effects of red lentil (lens culinaris) are due to the antioxidant activity of its flavonoid, tannins, and terpenoids. © 2016, School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences.

The acquisition of fertilization ability by oocytes is one of the prerequisites for successful in vitro embryo production. In the present study, we examined the influence of conspecific ampulla oviductal epithelial cells incubated with cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) throughout the IVM phase on the developmental competence and maturation-promoting factor (MPF) activity of sheep oocytes. There were six experimental groups in this study, namely four groups with and two groups without oviductal epithelial cells added to IVM media: adult COCs matured in vitro with the ampulla oviductal epithelial cells obtained from adult (AAE; G1) or prepubertal donors (prepubertal sheep ampulla oviductal epithelial cells [PAE]; G4), COCs obtained from prepubertal animals cocultured with AAE (G2) or PAE (G3), and adult (C1) and prepubertal sheep COCs (C2) matured without oviductal epithelial cells. Coincubation of oocytes retrieved from both adult and sexually immature donors with AAE (G1 and G2) resulted in significantly improved rates of metaphase-II (M-II) attainment (G1: 85.1 ± 2.0 and G2: 40.2 ± 1.3) and blastocyst formation (G1: 42.2 ± 1.1 and G2: 21.2 ± 1.0) as well as blastocyst development (total cell count; G1: 130.3 ± 7.8, G2: 70.2 ± 3.5) compared with their respective controls (C1: 94.3 ± 4.1 and C2: 49.7 ± 2.0). Prior to IVM, the activity of MPF was greater (P

Semen cryopreservation can provide genetic resources for a large number of females from a small number of superior males. Optimization of cryopreservation media to achieve the highest quality of post-thaw semen is crucial. Soybean lecithin has evaluated as a plant-based cryoprotectant for substitution of egg yolk in ram semen extender. Flow cytometric and fertility assessments were applied following cryopreservation procedure in two experimental groups (SL group: extender containing 1% w/v soybean lecithin and EY group: extender containing 20% v/v egg yolk). The higher percentage of live sperm and the lower percentage of dead sperm were obtained in SL (47.66 ± 1.38, 52.33 ± 1.69, respectively) extender compared to EY (41.16 ± 1.38, 58.83 ± 1.69). For motion characteristics, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity and mitochondria activity, no significant difference was observed between SL and EY extenders. In artificial insemination experiment, there was no significant difference in pregnancy rate, lambing rate and twining rate between SL and EY extenders. It can be concluded that SL extender can be an efficient alternative extender to preserve ram sperm during cryopreservation procedure without adverse effects.

Modal analysis is a progressive science in the experimental evaluation of dynamic properties of the structures. Mechanical devices such as accelerometers are one of the sources of lack of quality in measuring modal testing parameters. In this article, elimination of the accelerometer’s mass effect of the frequency response of the structure is studied. So, a strategy is used for eliminating the mass effect using sensitivity analysis. In this method, the amount of mass change and the place to measure the structure’s response with least error in frequency correction is chosen. Experimental modal testing is carried out on a steel plate, and the effect of accelerometer’s mass is omitted using this strategy. Finally, a good agreement is achieved between numerical and experimental results.

Ram semen cryopreservation is not efficient for artificial insemination in commercial herds. Beneficial effects of dietary fish oil have been evaluated for cryopreservation of ram semen in soybean lecithin (SL) and egg yolk (EY)-based extenders. A factorial study (two diets × two extenders) was used to analyze the effects of two diets supplemented with fish oil (n-3 fatty acid) or palm oil (saturated fatty acids; [SFAs]) to freeze ram semen in two extenders containing SL or EY. Motility characteristics, membrane integrity, abnormal morphology, mitochondria activity, acrosome integrity, apoptotic status, and fertilizing ability were assessed after freeze-thawing. Although diet had significant (P ≤ 0.05) effects on the quality parameters of frozen-thawed sperm, effects of extenders on these traits were not significant (P > 0.05). The higher significant (P ≤ 0.05) percentage of total motility and progressive motility were observed in n-3/SL (44.83 ± 1.56 and 28.33 ± 1.4) and n-3/EY (43.33 ± 1.56 and 28.50 ± 1.4) than SFA/SL (32.16 ± 1.56 and 14.00 ± 1.4) and SFA/EY (31.66 ± 1.56 and 12.66 ± 1.4) groups. Moreover, n-3/SL and n-3/EY produced the higher significant (P ≤ 0.05) percentage of membrane integrity of sperm (39.83 ± 1.4 and 37.33 ± 1.4) than SFA/SL and SFA/EY (29.83 ± 1.4 and 28.5 ± 1.4). For viability results, the higher significant percentage of live sperm was observed in n-3/SL and n-3/EY (43.16 ± 1.38 and 45.66 ± 1.38) than SFA/SL and SFA/EY (28.66 ± 1.38 and 27.5 ± 1.38). For fertility trials, n-3-based diets (n-3/SL and n-3/EY) improved significantly (P ≤ 0.05) pregnancy rate (44% and 46%), parturition rate (42% and 42%), and lambing rate (46% and 44%) compared with the SFA-based diets (SFA/SL and SFA/EY). No interaction effects have been found between diets and extenders (P > 0.05). It seems that dietary fish oil can improve the semen performance after freezing-thawing process and artificial insemination aside from type of extenders.

Background: Adolescence is a transition period from childhood to early adulthood. Because of the immense pressure imposed on adolescents due to the complications and ambiguities of this transition, their level of excitement increases and sometimes it appears in the form of sensitivity and intense excitement. Objectives: This study aimed at determining the effectiveness of assertiveness training on the levels of stress, anxiety, and depression of high school students. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on high school students of Isfahan in academic year 2012 - 13. A total of 126 second grade high school students were collected according to simple random sampling method and divided into two groups: experimental with 63 participants and control with the same number. Data gathering instruments included a demographic questionnaire, Gambill-Richey assertiveness scale, and depression anxiety stress scales (DASS-21). Assertiveness training was carried out on the experimental group in 8 sessions; after 8 weeks, posttest was carried out on both groups. Statistical tests such as independent t test, repeated measures ANOVA, Chi-square test, and the Mann-Whitney test were used to interpret and analyze the data. Results: The Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests did not show significant statistical differences between the two groups in terms of demographic variables (P ≥ 0.05). Repeated measures ANOVA showed no significant difference between the mean scores for assertiveness before (100.23 ± 7.37), immediately after (101.57 ± 16.06), and 2 months after (100.77 ± 12.50) the intervention in the control group. However, the same test found a significant difference between the mean score for assertiveness in the experimental group before (101.6 ± 9.1), immediately after (96.47 ± 10.84), and 2 months after (95.41 ± 8.37) implementing the training program (P = 0.002). The independent t test showed no significant difference in the mean score for anxiety and stress between two groups before the assertiveness training program; however, 2 months after the intervention, the mean score for anxiety in the experimental group was found significantly lower than the control group. As for the mean score for depression, the independent t test showed no significant difference between two groups before training; however, despite the decrease in the mean scores for depression in the experimental group following the intervention, the difference was not significant (P = 0.09). Conclusions: The results of the current study show that conducting assertive training in high school students decreases their anxiety, stress, and depression. Given that high school years are among the most sensitive stages of one’s life plus the fact that conducting such training programs besides their safe and low cost nature are effective and practical, it is highly recommended that such programs be carried out among high school adolescents.

This paper redefines the protest space as a performed liminal space that is topologically constituted. The production of protest space is examined through the narrations of people and participants during the post-election protests in Iran in 2009. It is well established that social exchanges are manifested in very diverse platforms, from new media to urban public spaces; this paper particularly argues that there is a topological relationship between all manifestations of protest. In other words, the protest space is articulated as a topological space, in which the protest can unfold in its physical, social, mental, and temporal capacities. The discussions deal with the complexity of spatial manifestations of protest. On one hand, the protest is discussed within the theoretical framework of ritual, showing that the protest is a temporal/liminal space. This framework helps not only to integrate spatial and temporal dimensions of protest, but also to avoid problematic conventional understanding of cr...

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake in the author name. The co-author name should be Reza Masoudi instead of Reza Masoodi.

To evaluate the influence of zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) supplementation on growth performance, carcass traits, chemical characteristics of the longissimus muscle (LM), and plasma metabolites, 16 Mahabadi castrated goats (29.93 ± 1.84 kg) were individually fed a finishing diet without or with ZH supplementation dosed at 0.20 mg/kg BW daily. Zilpaterol was fed for 30 days with 3 days of withdrawal before harvest. Compared with the controls, ZH supplementation decreased dry matter intake and increased total weight gain, average daily gain, and gain for feed. Hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, and LM area were increased, but back fat thickness and kidney-pelvic fat were reduced in the group that received ZH. Supplemental ZH did not affect the full viscera mass or stomach complex, but it increased empty body weight (EBW) and reduced (as g/kg final EBW) the heart/lungs and kidney weights. Zilpaterol supplementation increased LM protein and moisture and decreased LM fat. The goats fed with ZH had lower serum concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol than the controls. It can be concluded that daily ZH supplementation at 0.20 mg/kg BW increases growth performance, feed efficiency, and dressing percentage in castrated goats as a result of greater muscle accretion and causes reduction of fat and visceral organ mass

Background Chronic renal failure is one of the major causes of mortality and disability worldwide. Although dialysis treatment is considered as a life-saving treatment for these patients, their caregivers face various problems making the atmosphere of caring uncertain. Aims This study is aimed to explore and describe the experiences and perspectives of family caregivers of the patients undergoing haemodialysis. Methods In this study, 20 haemodialysis family caregivers were selected by purposeful sampling. Data gathering techniques in this research were in-depth and unstructured interview and field observation. The researchers used an inductive thematic analysis approach to analysing the interviews' data. Findings Three main themes emerged from the data indicating the patients' care are conducted in a state of uncertainty including constant struggle to learn, effort and adherence to the divine thread, and in disease's captivity. Conclusions Caring in an uncertain atmosphere leads to decreased efficiency and quality of family caregivers' care. To promote and improve the efficiency of care, healthcare planners should pay attention to the challenges and perspectives of caregivers of the patients undergoing haemodialysis.

Background and Objective: Depression is one of the most common and specific problems during pregnancy and after it. Maternal postpartum depression compromises mother's health and affects social relationship, and has negative effect on infant development. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of postpartum depression and its related factors in Isfahanian mothers. Materials and Methods: This is a cross - sectional study. The study populations were 133 women who at the last 8-4 weeks of labor referred to Isfahan health centers. Demographic information and obstetric and Beck Depression Inventory were applied. Three categories emerged according to the degree of scale: Mild, moderate, and severe depression. Statistical analysis was used with the Pearson correlation and linear regression in SPSS version 18. Results: A total of 73 mothers had mild depression (10-19) and 56 had moderate depressions (20-29). Among the factors related to depression such as maternal education, financial status, unwanted pregnancy, premenstrual syndrome, and maternal occupational history, there was a significant correlation with postpartum depression (P > 0.05). Variables in the regression analysis include maternal education, financial status, unwanted pregnancy, history of premenstrual syndrome, maternal occupation, type of delivery, history of miscarriage, and having a satisfaction with baby gender. And, a total of 27.7% variance explains the postpartum depression. Among these factors, the predictive variables of maternal education, type of delivery, financial condition, unwanted pregnancy, premenstrual syndrome, and maternal occupational history were significant in the meantime; the prediction of unplanned pregnancy was more than other variables (ß = 0.24). Conclusions: With attention to factors associated with postpartum depression, the healthcare planner will help to better manage the problem. The results of this study will help to better understand the factors influencing mothers in the labor process, and mothers in the labor process, experiences minimum mental health disorders.

The aim of this paper is to control the position of two balls in interconnected vertical tubes using two dc fans, ultrasonic sensors and computerized controller. A comparison of different kinds of controllers is performed to find the best adjustment. Indeed, by controlling the speed of a fan that pumps the air toward a ball, the air pressure under the ball will be adjusted such that it suspends the ball in the desired position and hold it in that height. Firstly, required hardware that includes mechanical and electrical parts, is designed and implemented, then an appropriate controller is designed in MATLAB and connected to sensors and actuators via interfaces. The used controllers, are PID and sliding mode controller where sliding mode controller led to better results.

Background and Objective : Adult age is a sensitive period of human life and paying attention to the issues and needs of this stage is a social necessity. Regarding the specific needs of this period, considering the empowerment, dignity, and self-efficacy in the elders is very important too, which is frequently neglected. This study aims to determine the effect of family-based interventions on the elders' empowerment with emphasis on self-efficacy, self-esteem, perceive threat, and quality of life of the elders in Isfahan. Materials and Methods : In this semi-experimental study, 64 elderly people with the ability to perform routine and daily tasks without dependence on others and without systemic and restrictive diseases were chosen by available sampling method and were divided into two intervention and control groups. In intervention group, the model of family-based empowerment was trained and conducted in ten 45-minute sessions. The level of perceived threat, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and life quality in both groups were evaluated before and after intervention through a questionnaire. Chi Square, paired and independent t-test were used for statistical analysis. Results : Statistical test of paired t-test indicated that family-based empowerment model significantly increased the quality of life in intervention group compared with the control group (P < 0.01). Statistical test of independent t-test showed a significant difference in intervention and control groups after conducting the program in the score of the self-esteem (P < 0.001). Regarding self-efficiency, independent t-test did not show any significant difference between the two groups before intervention. Despite the increase of self-efficacy score after intervention, this difference was not significant (P = 0.076). Conclusion : Regarding the findings of this research, we can conclude that it is possible to increase the level of self-efficacy, self-esteem, perceived threat, and finally quality of life of the elders and facilitate the way for healthy aging and being healthy in this period using family-based empowerment model regularly and consistently.

This article investigates the spatial organization of the Shi’i-Muslim procession and its changes under the Iranian modernization in the city of Dezfoul. The study is the result of interdisciplinary research integrating spatial analyses and qualitative fieldwork to explore the procession as a social and spatial phenomenon. The analyses show the ritual has not been unilaterally affected by transformations of urban shape and also by social transformations. This article argues that the ritual organization will be stable as long as social organization is not fundamentally changed, even when the city shape/morphology undergoes major change. The analyses show that the processions were locally organized in each part of the city because of the traditional Heidari-Nemati division. The processions were reorganized in the 1950s to ritualize social integration in Dezfoul, while at the same time the idea of traditional social division was kept alive through the reorganized processions. The new procession routes through the transformed city also preserve the idea of the traditional city structure. The article concludes by proposing that the processions, as a lived environment, constitute a space in which past and present coexist in a discursive relationship.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of estradiol (E2) and oxytocin (OT) treatments on the cervix dilation of three breeds of Iranian ewes. Cervix dilation was measured by penetration of scaled bovine catheter into the cervix of the ewes. In experiment 1, 60 Zell ewes were equally assigned to three groups in the breeding season. At first, the ewes received 100 μg intravenous (i.v) E2. 12h later, the ewes received 150, 100, and 50 IU OT. In experiment 2, 27 Zandi ewes were equally assigned to three groups in late breeding season and after jugular E2 injection, received 100, 80, and 60 IU OT. In Experiment three, 15 Lori-bakhtiari ewes were equally assigned to three groups during anestrous season and received 100, 80, and 60 IU OT after jugular E2 reception. Cervix dilation were examined before and 10 to 15 min after E2 and OT injection. This study indicates that just E2 had no effect on cervix dilation but injection of E2 and more than 80 IU OT can completely dilate the cervix of Iranian ewes (P < 0.05). Reproductive seasons (anestrous, late breeding season and breeding season) have no significant effect on induced cervix dilation by E2 and OT. In conclusion, this is good procedure for improve cervix relaxation and perform transcervical artificial insemination and transcervical embryo transfer in ewes. Key words: Ewes, Estradiol, Oxytocin, Cervical dilation.