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Background and Objective: Schizophrenia is a disorder characterized by a chronic recurrent course. Despite the availability of an ever-expanding range of typical and atypical antipsychotics, a substantial proportion of patients with schizophrenia show a partial or total lack of response to antipsychotic monotherapy. This study was done to evaluate the clinical effects of Ginkgo biloba as an adjunct to the Risperidone and Biperiden in the treatment of chronic schizophrenic patients. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was carried out on 60 chronic schizophrenic patients in Sina hospital Shahrekord, Iran during 2009-10. Schizophrenia was diagnosed by DSM-IV-TR criteria. Subjects were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Two groups were matched according to the age, sex, education, duration of illness. Patients in interventional group received Risperidone up to 6mg/day, Biperiden 4mg/day and Ginkgo biloba 240 mg/day for 12 weeks. The control group received Risperidone up to 6mg/day and Biperiden 4mg/day for 12 weeks. The scales for assessment of positive symptoms (SAPS) and assessment of negative symptoms (SANS) were recorded in prior, 6th and 12th weeks. Data analyzed by using SPSS-15 and student t-test. Results: The mean score of positive symptoms were 55.7±2.1 and 74.4±2.3 in interventional and control groups, respectively (P

This research suggests an efficient method that is better suited for speech processing applications to retrieve the accurate fundamental frequencies from speech in noisy conditions. For this objective, a fundamental frequency extraction algorithm that is tolerant to the non-stationary changes of the amplitude and frequency of the input signal is presented. Moreover, autocorrelation function is used as a pre-processor, which uses the power spectrum of the input signal to reduce the noise characteristics of the speech signals. In order to increase the accuracy of the fundamental frequency extraction, the focus has been on maintaining the speech harmonics in their original state and suppressing the noise elements involved in the noisy speech signal. The two stages that make up the suggested fundamental frequency extraction approach are producing the autocorrelation function of the speech signal as a pre-processor and applying it with the spectral subtraction method. As per the experiment results, the proposed technique appears to be better in noisy situations than other existing state-of-the-art methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Stem cell therapy has emerged as a potential therapeutic avenue for optic neuropathy patients. To assess its safety and efficacy, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, focusing on the latest evidence pertaining to the improvement of visual acuity (VA) through stem cell therapy. Methods We analyzed Each database from its inception until June 2024. PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were systematically searched to identify the included studies. Data were extracted regarding the year of publication, the name of the first author, sample size, VA (Log Mar), and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (RNFL) thickness. PRISMA protocol was used as a guide to perform this meta-analysis. STATA 16 was used for statistical analysis. Results A total of 66 eyes were examined in seven papers. Based on the meta-analysis, the mean VA (Log MAR) of patients with optic neuropathy improved from 0.90 to 0.65 following stem cell therapy intervention (p-value = 0.001). The thickness of the RNFLs did not demonstrate a significant change (p-value was 0.174). Conclusion According to this systematic review and meta-analysis, stem cell therapy may improve the visual acuity of patients with optic neuropathy. Aside from the traditional therapy that can be provided to patients with optic neuropathy, stem cell therapy may also be beneficial.

In the present work, three novel brazing powders were produced, in addition to a commercial composition, by the mechanical alloying (MA) method. Cobalt and chromium's effects on the properties of brazing powder and related joints were investigated. The results showed that; with the addition of cobalt, the powder morphology went to a rounded and near-spherical shape after 15 milling hours, and the solidus significantly raised. Also, chromium shifted the melting range to higher temperatures. The powder with 6% cobalt and 14% chromium had more than 100°C higher solidus and a melting range of 20°C than the commercial BNi-2, ideal for working temperature of more than 1000°C. The shear strength results revealed that the addition of chromium and cobalt significantly promotes joint strength owing to the activation of the solid solution strengthening mechanism. Therefore, the novel synthesized brazing powders can be an excellent candidate for high temperature and corrosive operating environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate subconjunctival administration of a single-stranded, adeno-associated virus, serotype 2, engineered to express stanniocalcin-1 with a FLAG tag (ssAAV2-STC-1-FLAG) as a novel sustained (IOP) lowering agent with a reduced ocular surface side effect profile. Design: In vivo preclinical investigation in mice. Subjects: C57BL/6J, DBA/2J, prostaglandin F (FP) receptor knockout mice. Methods: Normotensive C57BL/6J mice were treated with a subconjunctival injection of ssAAV2-STC-1-FLAG (2 μL; 6 × 109 viral genomes [VGs]) in 1 eye and the same volume and concentration of ssAAV2-green fluorescent protein (GFP) or the same volume of phosphate-buffered saline in the fellow eye. Ocular hypertensive DBA/2J mice were subconjunctivally injected with 6 × 109 VGs of ssAAV2-STC-1-FLAG or ssAAV2-GFP. Steroid-mediated ocular hypertension was induced in C57BL/6J mice with weekly injections of dexamethasone into the conjunctival fornix, and mice were then injected subconjunctivally with 6 × 109 VGs of ssAAV2-STC-1-FLAG or ssAAV2-GFP. Prostaglandin F receptor knockout mice were injected subconjunctivally with 6 × 109 VGs of ssAAV2-STC-1-FLAG or phosphate-buffered saline. An identical vector was constructed without the FLAG tag (ssAAV2-STC-1) and evaluated in normotensive C57BL/6J mice. Intraocular pressure was assessed using the Tonolab tonometer for all experiments. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), a marker of ocular surface inflammation, was compared between subconjunctivally delivered ssAAV2-STC-1-FLAG and other treatments including daily topical latanoprost. Main Outcome Measures: Intraocular pressure assessment. Results: Subconjunctival delivery of ssAAV2-STC-1-FLAG significantly reduced IOP for 10 weeks post injection in normotensive mice. Maximal IOP reduction was seen at week 3 postinjection (17.4%; 17.1 ± 0.8 vs. 14.1 ± 0.8 mmHg, P

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of random biopsy and endo-cervical curettage (ECC), alone and together, in the diagnosis of high-grade cervical lesions in women with normal colposcopy. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 356 women who underwent colposcopy examination in the gynecology-oncology clinic of Roointan-Arash Women’s Hospital, affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All eligible women underwent colposcopy. In colposcopy examination, up to four biopsy samples were randomly taken for each quartile of the cervix and ECC was performed. Finally, the rate of intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and the relation between random biopsy and ECC and CIN diagnosis was determined. Results: In total, 27 (7.6%) low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) and 19 (5.3%) high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) were detected in cases that underwent random biopsy. There was a significant association between the abnormal random biopsy results and having multiple sexual partners (p=0.001), cigarette (p=0.041), and hookah (p=0.033) smoking. Furthermore, 31 (8.7%) LSIL and 42 (11.8%) HSIL were reported in women who underwent ECC. There was a significant relation between the abnormal results of ECC and hookah consumption (p=0.008) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection (p=0.011). The concordance (p=0.001) between random biopsy and ECC result was 71.2% and only in 28.8% of the cases one of the methods was normal and the other was abnormal. Conclusion: The present study showed that the simultaneous use of ECC and random biopsy in women with normal colposcopy increases the detection rate of precancerous lesions by up to 28.8%.

Abstract Biodegradable polymer nanocomposites (BPNCs) are advanced materials that have gained significant attention over the past 20 years due to their advantages over conventional polymers. BPNCs are eco-friendly, cost-effective, contamination-resistant, and tailorable for specific applications. Nevertheless, their usage is limited due to their unsatisfactory physical and mechanical properties. To improve these properties, nanofillers are incorporated into natural polymer matrices, to enhance mechanical durability, biodegradability, electrical conductivity, dielectric, and thermal properties. Despite the significant advances in the development of BPNCs over the last decades, our understanding of their dielectric, thermal, and electrical conductivity is still far from complete. This review paper aims to provide comprehensive insights into the fundamental principles behind these properties, the main synthesis, and characterization methods, and their functionality and performance. Moreover, the role of nanofillers in strength, permeability, thermal stability, biodegradability, heat transport, and electrical conductivity is discussed. Additionally, the paper explores the applications, challenges, and opportunities of BPNCs for electronic devices, thermal management, and food packaging. Finally, this paper highlights the benefits of BPNCs as biodegradable and biodecomposable functional materials to replace traditional plastics. Finally, the contemporary industrial advances based on an overview of the main stakeholders and recently commercialized products are addressed.

The purpose of this article is to study the epistemology of religious experience from the point of view of Rudolf Otto. Otto emphasizes the supernatural nature of this experience with a phenomenological approach and the separation of the noumenon from the phenomenon and the invention of a word called the numinous. Otto states by expressing the elements present in the experience of the numinous that these elements are necessarily aware of their belonging, even though this belonging is ambiguous and does not enter the structure of understanding. Following Kant, by dividing the real world into perceptible and incomprehensible parts, he considers the numinous as non-perceptible, meaning that the truth of the numinous is inaccessible. Otto saw the truth of religion as the kind of experience that can evoke and transfigure. The unity of religions will mean that religious experience throughout history has a single truth that has manifested itself in various forms. Otto considers revelation in the Abrahamic religions as the manifestation and presence of God in the prophets. He believes that following the lifestyle (act, speech, and lectures) of the prophets, which is the product of this experience, causes us to perceive the presence of God through intuition and feeling.

Background and Aim: Caring for children with cancer can impose a heavy care burden on their parents. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of educational support program on the care burden of the parents of children with cancer admitted to the oncology department of Besat Hospital in Sanandaj in 2021. Materials and Methods:This semi-experimental study was conducted in the oncology department of Besat Hospital in Sanandaj in 2021. 31 participants were randomly selected. Data were collected using Zarit care burden questionnaire before, immediately after and one month after the intervention. After the educational needs assessment, based on the educational needs of the caregivers, training courses were held for the parents. Then, in a period of one month, parents' communication with the researcher, parents' education and meeting their needs were supported. Using SPSS­ version 24 software, data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: A decrease of 12.29 ± 9.33 units in the total care burden score before the intervention compared to that immediately after the intervention and a decrease of 6.54 ± 5.012 units in the total care burden score immediately after the intervention compared to that one month after were observed which were significant. Therefore, the burden of care decreased significantly after the intervention (P=0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that use of educational support program could reduce the care burden of caregivers.

Equiatomic nickel-titanium (NiTi) is investigated to determine the consequences of point defects on the Martensitic phase transformation. Using molecular dynamics simulations, NiTi with 0.1 %, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 3% of Schottky-type defects (vacancies) have been modeled with the temperature of structural transformation elucidated. Increasing the concentration of point defects leads to the transformation occurring at lower temperatures than the perfect structure while the final monoclinic unit cell angle (γ) substantially decreases. Modeling anti-site defects at the 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1% concentration level indicates the cubic to monoclinic structural transformation temperature decreases even faster with a more dramatic change in c compared to the vacancy structure. The change in the Martensitic transformation stems from pinning due to the structural defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: What justifies the investigation of the effect of information literacy and information technologies on the sharing of knowledge by different sections of society is the widespread use of public and scientific media among different sections of society, different understanding of information literacy and the importance of sharing knowledge in different strata of society. Information literacy and information and communication technologies are the determining factors in today’s constantly changing conditions. This study has investigated the role of information literacy and information technologies in knowledge sharing among public library staff. Method: The current research is an applied research that collects information in a descriptive manner. The statistical population of the research includes 149 librarians of the public libraries of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari provinces in the year 1400 SH. 108 people were randomly selected as the research sample using Cochran’s formula. Hosseini and Ghasemi (2019) questionnaire was used to collect data. The independent variable in this research is information literacy, which includes the components of identifying information needs, finding and evaluating the quality of information, storing and retrieving information, effective and ethical use of information, and creating and communicating knowledge. The dependent variable of the research is knowledge sharing and the mediating variable is information technology. The validity of the questionnaire was calculated using Cronbach’s alpha and composite reliability. The value of Cronbach’s alpha and composite reliability was greater than 0/7. In this research, partial least squares (PLS) method was used to investigate the relationship between variables. Using this method, the relationship between the variables and also the strength of the relationship between them were obtained. Findings: The examination of the research hypotheses revealed that the standard factorial value of the effect of identifying the need for information, finding and assessing the quality of information, storing and retrieving information, effective and ethical use of information, and creating and communicating knowledge on knowledge sharing, was respectively 0/378, 0/517, 0/566, 0/566, and 0/493. Therefore, in all cases, the mentioned indicators have a positive and significant effect on the knowledge sharing of public library employees. Moreover, the standard factor loading value of the effect of identifying the need for information, finding and evaluating the quality of information, storing and retrieving information, effective and ethical use of information, and creating and communicating knowledge through information technology on knowledge sharing was calculated to be respectively 0/679, 0/93, and 0/639, 0/842, and 0/832. According to the calculated factor load, all the mentioned indicators have a positive and significant effect on knowledge sharing through information technology. Accordingly, the mediating role of information technology in influencing information literacy on knowledge sharing was confirmed. In general, according to the value of the standard factor of information literacy on knowledge sharing value of 0/870 and the value of t statistic (t = 46/144>1/96), one can conclude that the index of information literacy through information technologies has a positive and significant effect on the process of knowledge sharing among public library staff. Originality/value: This research has investigated for the first time the effect of information literacy and information technology on knowledge sharing in the public libraries of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari provinces. In this regard, the present research is considered innovative. Research findings indicate that information literacy affects knowledge sharing either directly or through communication information technologies. Thus, the impact of all dimensions of information literacy on knowledge sharing has significantly increased under the influence of information technologies.

Women's health in any society is one of the pillars of that country's health. Women's physical, mental and social and health is the basis of society's health. the present study is to investigate the relationship between social capital and mothers’ self-perception health with children under 2 years old. The statistical population of the present study is 397 mothers. using the multi-stage cluster sampling method, information is obtained. Information required using Goldberg 28 General Health Questionnaire To measure social capital, questions were collected from the Onyx and Bolen Social Capital Scale. The data analysis has been done by SPSS software in both descriptive, inferential statistics. The results obtained from the analysis of descriptive statistics of social capital, measured in terms of social trust, social participation and social support, have shown that in assessing mothers of social trust, 82% have a high social trust level environment. In the dimension of social participation, 51% of mothers have assessed a moderate relation in social relations, but 88% have reported poor social participation. In the assessment of the social support of mothers, 68 percent of mothers have modest social support. The results of the analysis of general health components show that 84.4% of mothers have a moderate and acceptable general health. The results of the analysis of inferential statistics show the variables show that there is a significant relationship between the number of live births, high school education and diploma, study status, social class, Fars ethnicity, family income, social support, social participation and social relation with general health. ‌‌General Health, Mothers, Social Capital, Self-Assessment of Health, Shiraz City.‌‌IntroductionThe health of mothers and women in any society It is considered as one of the pillars of health of that country. Women's physical, mental, social and spiritual health is the basis of society's health. A significant part of human health is the quality of relationships with others, formal and informal groups and institutions, which is referred to as social capital. Social capital is influential as an important and common proposition that can improve health productivity. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the relationship between social capital and mothers’ self-perception health with children under 2 years old. MethodologyThe statistical population of the present study is mothers with children under two years old in Shiraz. To determine the sample size, the Cochran formula has been used. The data has been obtained using the multi-stage cluster sampling method referring to health centers in Shiraz. The sample size includes 397 mothers. This research has been carried out by survey method. Goldberg 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) was used to collect the required information in this study. The Onyx and Bolen social capital scales have been used to measure social capital. The data analysis has been done by SPSS software in both descriptive and inferential statistics. FindingsFor dimensions of general health, in the aspect of physical health status, 59% of mothers have moderate physical health, in the symptoms of anxiety and sleep disorders 61% have moderate symptoms, and in the dimensions of the social function of assessment 69% have moderate symptoms, and in the symptoms of depression of mothers 71% have the symptoms of poor depression. The results obtained from the analysis of descriptive statistics of social capital, measured in terms of social trust, social participation and social support, have shown that in assessing mothers of social trust, 82% have a high social trust level environment. In the dimension of social participation, 51% of mothers have assessed a moderate relation in social relations, but 88% have reported poor social participation. In the assessment of the social support of mothers, 68 percent of mothers have modest social support. The results of multivariate regression show that there is a significant relationship between the number of live births, high school education and diploma, study status, social class, Fars ethnicity, family income, social support, social participation and social relation with general health. ResultFindings from the research results Confirms the relationship between social relationships and maternal health. The role of social relationships can be seen in mothers' physical health, anxiety and disorders, social functioning and depression. According to Bourdieu, social capital is the product of a kind of individual or collective investment, conscious or unconscious which seeks to establish or reproduce social relations, which can be used directly in the short or long term. The relationship between social participation and maternal health has been confirmed in all aspects of public health. These results are consistent with Bourdieu's view that social capital is the product of potential and actual benefits that result from the ownership of a lasting network of institutionalized relationships between individuals. Putnam sees social capital as the connection between individuals and networks of civic engagement which causes a positive correlation between health variables and a sense of happiness in life. The relationship between social support and maternal health has been confirmed. According to Lane, the functions of instrumental and emotional support are considered as functions of social support.‌

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of professional ethics on job performance by the mediation of the ethical climate in university libraries in Ahvaz.Method: The present study was applied research in terms of purpose and a quantitative study in terms of method, which has been done by the descriptive-correlation method. The statistical population of the study was librarians of university libraries in Ahvaz, 87 of whom participated in the research by census method. In this study, questionnaires on ethical climate, job performance, and professional ethics have been used. Analyses of instrument reliability using Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the ethical atmosphere questionnaire (0.86); the job performance questionnaire (0.80), and the professional ethics questionnaire (0.95) were calculated. To analyze the data, tests such as frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and structural equation modeling (SEM) using the partial least squares method have been used.Results: The results showed that professional ethics has a significant effect on the job performance of librarians of university libraries in Ahvaz and the ethical atmosphere of libraries. On the other hand, the moral atmosphere has a significant effect on the professional performance of librarians in university libraries in Ahvaz. The results also indicated that professional ethics through the ethical atmosphere has a significant indirect effect on the job performance of librarians in academic libraries. According to the results, all four research hypotheses have been confirmed.Conclusions: The existence of ethical frameworks and guidelines in academic libraries can provide the basis for the emergence and consolidation of the ethical atmosphere in these libraries. A librarian can only perform well if he or she can demonstrate his or her moral and behavioral abilities in a favorable ethical environment and thus, can reach a wide range of clients tailored to their needs and characteristics.

In this research, the effect of the addition of multimodal yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and SiC reinforcements on the mechanical properties of Cr2O3 plasma-sprayed coatings was studied. For this purpose, the starting powders were ball milled for 5 h and then mixed and agglomerated, prior to spraying. Cr2O3, Cr2O3-20YSZ (CZ), and Cr2O3-20YSZ-10SiC (CZS) coatings were then deposited onto 304L steel substrates using the atmospheric plasma spray process. Microstructural evaluations of the initial/milled powders and the plasma-sprayed coatings were conducted through x-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) equipped with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and porosity measurements. The microscopic images indicated that the multimodal milled powders resulted in nanostructured coatings. Mechanical tests including adhesive strength, fracture toughness, and micro-hardness were used to understand the dependence of the properties of coatings and their microstructure. Adding tough YSZ particles to the C coating considerably increased the toughness through the phase transformation-toughening mechanism of tetragonal zirconia while decreasing micro-hardness of the coating; therefore, intrinsically hard SiC particles were added to the CZ coating to deal with the reduced hardness. Moreover, when compared to pure C coating, CZ, and CZS Composite coatings showed comparable bonding strengths and higher porosities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study is to assess the multiple relationships between the dimensions of social status of librarians and the structural, cognitive, communicative dimensions of social capital in public libraries in Khuzestan. Method: This is a quantitative applied study in terms of purpose that was conducted using the descriptive-correlational method. The statistical population of study includes all librarians of public libraries in Khuzestan province (numbered 390), from whom 194 people were selected as the research sample using Cochran formula. To collect data, the social status questionnaire (Najafpour Moghadam and Mohammadi, 1400 SH) and Nahapit and Goshal (1998) social capital questionnaire were used. Descriptive and inferential tests were used to analyze the data using SPSS software version 26. Findings: The findings showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between the five dimensions of social status and the three dimensions of social capital. Furthermore, there is a significant difference between librarians’ views on social status and its dimensions in the interaction between academic degree and work experience. Examination of the sub-components also showed that there is a significant difference in the structural dimension and librarians with different degrees have different views on the structural dimension. Originality/value: This study is innovative in that it has studied the social status and social capital of librarians from the perspective of Khuzestan indigenous culture and has examined the demographic variables in the relationship between social status and social capital of librarians.

Introduction[1] The provision of nutrients during the late gestation not only affects maternal status and reproductive performance, but also affects prenatal and postnatal litter growth and offspring’s health. Although trace elements are needed by the body in small amounts, they are essential nutrients for several metabolic functions such as growth, development, reproduction, and immunity. Copper (Cu) is often one of the most limiting trace elements for the fetus and neonate for normal development and copper play a major etiologic role in decrease of fetal growth and development. Deficiency of copper impairs fetal growth and causes serious consequences and can cause death. When intakes of Cu are deficient, maternal transfer of Cu to the fetus is insufficient for normal development, and abnormalities to the central nervous system, skeleton, and metabolism result. In ruminants, newborn animals are dependent on their dams for transferring nutrients via the placenta and mammary glands. To our knowledge, little information is available on the effects of maternal supplementation of copper via intra-ruminal administration of slow-release bolus at the late gestation on the copper status of ewes and their lambs. Because the slow-release ruminal bolus cannot be used in the newborn lambs until weaning, this study aimed to determine the effects of maternal supplementation of copper via intra-ruminal administration of slow-release boluses at the late gestation (8 weeks prepartum) on performance and some blood metabolites of ewes and their lambs until weaning.Materials and Methods To evaluate the performance and changes in some blood parameters of lambs born from ewes receiving slow-release boluses of copper, 80 Lori-Bakhtiari ewes (The fourth pregnancy with a body condition score 3 to 3.5) were divided into two groups of 40 heads each in a completely randomized design. Treatments were 1) control ewes and 2) ewes received slow-release boluses of copper, 60 days prepartum. After parturition, birth weight, sex, and the birth status of lambs (singlet or twin) were recorded. Lambs were weighed at birth and weaning at age 90 days. On the first day, days 10 and 60 postpartum, blood samples were taken from the ewes, while the blood samples of their lambs were taken at age 10 and 60 days. Serum samples were used to determine copper and ceruloplasmin concentrations in the ewes and their lambs, while iron, zinc, hematocrit, red blood and white cells, and hemoglobin were only determined in the born lambs.Results and Discussion The serum concentration of copper in the ewes were within the normal physiological range of 0.55 to 0.95 mg/l. Serum copper and ceruloplasmin concentrations of ewes at the first day of experiment were lower compared to days 10 and 60 postpartum (P0.05). Lambs born from ewes receiving slow-release bolus of copper had higher weaning weight, average daily weight gain, copper and ceruloplasmin concentrations, hematocrit percentage, red and white blood cell counts, and hemoglobin concentration compared to those born from control ewes (P