Showing 19 results for Mousavi
Davarkhah Rabbani, Seyed Gholamabbas Mousavi, Mohammad Bagher Miranzadeh, Abdolrahim Ebrahimi,
Volume 8, Issue 1 (5-2012)
Abstract
Background: Today, treated wastewater recycling and reuse has been considered for agricultural irrigation. This can potentially cause health and environmental hazards. Since accessing the engelberg index for sewage is a necessity, this study was undertaken on integrated stabilization ponds (ISP) of Isfahan east wastewater Treatment plant, Isfahan, Iran.Methods: This cross-section study was conducted during winter and spring of 2011. Samples of raw and effluent wastewater were taken instantly and every two weeks. Nematode eggs, and total and fecal coliform were counted according to standard methods (APHA,2005). Data were analyzed using statistical tests and SPSS software.Findings: Although, no nematode eggs were observed in the discharge of treated wastewater during winter and spring, fecal coliform value and its removal amount during winter was 3.84 × 104 and 5.1 log Unit and during spring was 2.09 × 104 and 4.5 log Unit. The six-month mean of fecal coliform in treated wastewater was 2.9 × 104 in 100 ml. There were no significant differences in removal mean in the two seasons (P = 0.25).Conclusion: The results showed a lack of compliance with the W.H.O standard, and that the fecal coliform number is more than the guideline value for unrestricted Irrigation (< 1000 per 100 ml). Therefore, reuse of this wastewater plant effluent is not suitable for agriculture irrigation without further treatment.
Jahangir Karimiyan, Taghi Agha Hoseini, Shahram Aroofzad, Sayyed Morteza Mousavi Nafchi,
Volume 8, Issue 7 (2-2013)
Abstract
Background: One of the new concepts that have found their true meaning with technological advancement and the industrialization of societies is leisure time and how it is spent. Recreational sports and frequent leisure activities are the most relevant and essential types of spending leisure time. Therefore, this study attempted to examine how faculty members of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, spend their leisure time, with emphasis on physical activities. Methods: This was a descriptive study. The study population included all faculty members of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, which were 670 members. A sample size of 150 was calculated with a preliminary study and using Cochran's formula. The subjects were chosen by the random stratified sampling method according to variables of gender and School. The data gathering tool was the researcher-made Leisure Questionnaire. The reliability of the questionnaire was 0.82, which was obtained using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Findings: Results showed that research activities with the average of 3.37 was the first priority, physical activities with 2.49 the second priority, social and cultural affairs with 2.25 the third priority, and personal and family affairs with a mean of 1.89 was the fourth priority of subjects for their pastime (α ≤ 0.05). Health maintenance, with the average of 3.94, was the most important motivation to engage in leisure time physical activities. Moreover, there was a significant difference between leisure activities based on gender and work experience. Conclusion: The amount of leisure time of faculty members was low (x = 3.44). It seems that society must be informed on the characteristics and methods of community sports and leisure facilities and the necessity to create the appropriate conditions through planning and cultural actions. Moreover, social groups especially the academics should be made aware of the positive effects of healthy leisure and recreational activities.
Rajab Rashidi, Seyed Gholamreza Mousavi, Ali Khavanin,
Volume 8, Issue 7 (2-2013)
Abstract
Background: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are among the main air pollutants which have destructive effects on the environment and human health. Considering the carcinogenic effects of some of these compounds including benzene, how to control and limit them is considered an important issue in environmental research. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of the combined ultraviolet (UV)/O3 method in the removal of benzene from the airflow.Methods: The present experimental study was conducted using laboratory methods. The laboratory equipment consisted of air pumps, injection pumps, mixing chamber, rotameter, ozone generator, and a steel reactor with 45 cm length and a usable volume of 1.35 liters in which a 15-watt UV-C diode with a wave length of 254 nm had been placed. Then, the different concentrations of benzene were continuously exposed to UV-C rays, different ozone doses, and simultaneous UV/O3 with varying reaction times (and considering the speed of the input airflow into the reactor). The concentration levels of benzene before and after the exposures were compared with each other and with the above-mentioned variables. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and by three-way ANOVA.Findings: Concentrations of benzene vapored with different values of 10, 20, 30, 50, and 80 ppm passed through the reactor and was exposed to UV-C rays, different ozone doses, and simultaneous UV/O3 in sequence. The findings demonstrated that UV alone can remove benzene from the airflow up to 2%. Ozone can remove 14% of benzene from the airflow, while the concurrent application of UV/O3 can reduce the benzene in the airflow by 24%. The three way ANOVA test showed that there was a significant relationship between the variables of ozone dose, UV rays, and UV/O3 in the one hand, and benzene removal rate from the airflow, on the other hand (P < 0.002).Conclusion: Given the small effect of UV alone in separating benzene from the airflow, it can be concluded that advanced osidation process (AOP) reactions which produce active radicals can be used in the filtration of benzene. The findings indicated that the removal rate of benzene during the simultaneous use of UV/O3 is much more considerable than during the use of either of them alone. Additionally, the analysis of variance test demonstrated that the simultaneous use of UV/O3 has a positive cumulative effect.
Seyyed Qasem Mousavi, Ahmad Ali Asadinoghabi, Abbas Hooshmand, Abbas Mehran, Seyyed Moayed Alavian, Siamak Mohebbi,
Volume 9, Issue 7 (10-2013)
Abstract
Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is recognized as a major health problem .Chronic diseases such as chronic hepatitis, and its treatment can have negative effect on erectile function. The aim of This study was assessment the correlations of Erectile Dysfunction with Depression in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis Methods: In this descriptive and analytical study, 70 male patients with chronic hepatitis evaluated by IIEF standard questionnaire for assessing Sexual dysfunction. Also the Beck depression scale used for assessing the depression level. data were analyzed by using of spss 16 software. Findings: The mean of patients age was 45.56 year; the mean of chronic hepatitis infection duration was 6.81 year; 46 (65.7%) and 24 (34.3%) patients were HBV and HCV recpectivly. In the most of the patientS (74.3%) ED was observed moderate and severity of depression in the most of the patient (40%) was mild. depression levels could not still significantly predict the ED (P=0.449) and between biological variables and ED didn__AWT_QUOTE__t found significantly correlations . Conclusion: Our results indicate that there is no significantly correlations between ED, depression level and demographic .
Jahangir Karimian, Taghi Aghahosseini, Parivash Shekarchizadeh, Marzieh Sharifiana, Sayed Morteza Mousavi Nafchi,
Volume 9, Issue 11 (1-2014)
Abstract
Background: Several studies have shown that physical activity and exercise in reducing stress, anxiety, depression and bad mood and increase feelings of revitalization of humor or mental health is associated with. Social work Sport and Physical Education in the development and strengthening social infrastructure and basic functioning of the whole structure of society and the relationships between social strata Vahad significant effects on the leaves. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between sport and social capital in leisure time faculty members of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences Methods: descriptive correlation method is used in this study. Two questionnaires are used for data collection. Social capital questionnaire is based on SCOT Model. Also, leisure time questionnaire made by researcher which Face and content validity of it was verified by experts. Reliability coefficients by using Cornbrash__AWT_QUOTE__s alpha coefficients were calculated at 0.92 and 0.82 respectively. Sample populations measured by Khan__AWT_QUOTE__s Formula, they are 150 people that were selected as sample using multiple cluster sampling by taking the sex and college into consideration as variables. Findings: The results showed that the average leisure time physical equivalent of 42/3 and social capital for individuals 3/47, respectively. Regression analysis also showed that the combination of the components of social capital (trust and sharing) the amount and physical recreation are significant. (R = .602 / P = ./000) and multiple correlation coefficient, which combines elements of social capital and physical recreation .602 And the ratio of .362 Is. The index shows that % 36/2 of the variance in scores on physical leisure, social capital can be described by a combination of factors, is the explanation. Conclusion: Exercise and physical activity in leisure time and Individual participation in group activities and they provide conditions for membership till People interact and communicate with other people and a sense of belonging to the group Collective interests and respect. Such activities can increase the level of social capital and its components, such as, social norms and the participation. Keyword: Leisure, sport, social capital, trust and partnerships
Zahra Mousavi Azarang , Soleiman Kheiri , Morteza Sedehi,
Volume 10, Issue 3 (10-2014)
Abstract
Background: To prepare safe and adequate blood supply to meet patients’ needs and ensure a sufficient number of regular blood donors, knowledge about factors encouraging people to donate blood regularly is essential. Considering its importance, we aimed to identifying the effective factors of the return to blood donation in based on zero-inflated count regression models using Bayesian approach.Methods: This is a descriptive-analytical study performed on data of 864 blood donors in blood centers scattered across Shahrekord. The response variable was the number of return to blood donation during up to five years. The analysis was done based on zero-inflated regression models including: zero-inflated Poisson, zero-inflated Negative Binomial and zero-inflated generalized Poisson. Analyses of models were carried out based on Bayesian technique using Marko Chain Monte Carlo methods by WinBUGS. Models comparison were done using deviance information criterion (DIC).Findings: The zero-inflated generalized Poisson regression model had the lowest DIC compare to other models. The body weight had a significant positive effect and the age of volunteers had significant negative effect on the number of return to donation.Conclusion: The body weight and age of volunteers have significant positive and negative relationship to the number of return to donation; so much effort should be done to encourage moderate-weight and higher-age to donate more frequently.Key Words: Blood donation- Zero-Inflated- Count Regression Model- Bayesian Analysis- Markov Chain Monte Carlo
Jahangir Karimian, Sayed Morteza Mousavi-Nafchi, Parivash Shekarchizadeh, Marziyeh Sharifiyana-Najaf Abadi,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (4-2016)
Abstract
Background: Clinical decision making as a major part of the performance of professional nursing is the distinctive factor of professional nurses and non-professional health care personnel. This study aimed to assess the relationship between the exercise and physical activity and the nurses’ collaboration in clinical decision making in Al-Zahra hospital, Isfahan, Iran.Methods: The descriptive-correlation and of survey research was done in 2014. The statistical population included all the nurses worked in Alzahra hospital in Isfahan with the population of 1125 people. The data collection tools included participation in decision activities questionnaire (PDAQ) and the researcher-made questionnaire of physical activities which its content and face validity were confirmed by the eight experts of nursing fields, clinical cares and physical science. In addition, the reliability of the two questionnaires proved through Cronbach`s Coefficient alpha of 0.90 and 0.81, respectively.Findings: There was a significant relationship between exercising and physical activities and taking part in clinical decision making (r = 0.476, P = 0.001). In addition, the results of multiple regression analysis were significant for group sports such as volleyball, basketball, badminton and futsal with the beta correlation of 0.398 (P = 0.034).Conclusion: The results show the great and positive effect of sport on clinical decision making and its components as problem identification to choose the best solution and to analyze the suggested solutions in a way that a nurse could make the right decision and select proper solution.
Mona Rezaei, Abdullah Ghasemi, Ali Kashi, Seyed Mohammad Kazem Vaez Mousavi,
Volume 15, Issue 2 (9-2019)
Abstract
Background: Despite many studies on cognitive and neuromuscular interventions on children born preterm, a few investigations have assessed the effectiveness of play therapy to compensate for the delayed motor development in these children. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of play therapy on motor skills of 2-4-year-old-children born preterm (32 to 37 weeks) in Amol, Iran. Methods: This study was conducted based on a pre-and post-test method with a control group. The experimental group (n=10) participated in 24 1-hour sessions (3 sessions per week). On the other hand, the control group (n=10) received no intervention. Peabody Development Motor Scale (version. 2) was used to evaluate the motor skills of children ( i.e., gross and fine motor skills). Findings: The results of the ANCOVA indicated a significant difference between the experimental and control group regarding all sub-scales of gross motor skills and a sub-scale of fine motor skill (i.e., visual-motor integration) (P< 0.05). Conclusion: According to the results, play therapy can be used as an effective intervention for children born preterm to compensate for their delayed motor development. Moreover, it can be employed in the intervention and rehabilitation programs developed for these children.
Maryam Shoja, Seyed Mohammad Kazem Vaez Mousavi, Abdollah Ghasemi,
Volume 15, Issue 3 (12-2019)
Abstract
Background: Body composition changes affect different physical, motor, and mental aspects of individuals. Self-concept weakness poses a serious problem for both overweight children and children with developmental coordination disorder. In this regard, the present study aimed to assess the effect of play-based exercises on the self-concept of overweight children with developmental coordination disorder. Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted on a total number of 50 children aged 8-10 years which were selected from elementary schools using the targeted sampling method and based on entry criteria. Following the pre-test, the participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 30) and control group (n = 20). In pre-test and post-test, the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC-2) was used to measure the coordination disorder of subjects, and their physical self-concept was assessed using Wilson questionnaire. The experimental group underwent training for 3 months. In post-test, the data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 21) using a one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) at a significant level of 0.05. Findings: As evidenced by the obtained results, a significant difference was detected between the scores of self-concept and subscales, including coordination, desirability, self-esteem, flexibility, and appearance between the two groups. Nonetheless, no significant difference was observed in the components of strength, endurance, physical activity, and health. Conclusion: Childhood is one of the important stages in the formation of self-concept. Based on the results, games can exert beneficial effects on the social and psychological development of overweight children with coordination disorders who are more exposed to emotional problems.
Seyedeh Fatemeh Mousavi-Shirazi, Parisa Taheri-Tanjani, Yadollah Abolfathi-Momtaz, Ali Ramezankhani,
Volume 16, Issue 1 (4-2020)
Abstract
Background: Studies show older people require increasing health care services. One of the most important factors that significantly affect the quality of elderly care is the willingness to work with old people. The current study is conducted aiming to examine the effect of education based on the theory of planned behavior on willingness to work with older adults in public health students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran in 2018.
Methods: This study was an educational intervention in which the subjects included 36 students selected through the census method. The data gathering tool was the Willingness to Work with Elderly People Scale (WEPS), which was completed by the students two times (before and two weeks after education). After pre-test, two educational sessions were held for the students. The data collected were analyzed using independent t-test, paired t-test, and regression in SPSS software.
Findings: 36 students with a mean age of 21.94 ± 3.43 years participated in the study. The mean scores of attitude
(P < 0.001), subjective norms (P < 0.001), perceived behavior control (P < 0.005), and intention (P < 0.001) in the intervention group had significant differences after the educational intervention.
Conclusion: The results showed that education based on the theory of planned behavior was able to promote willingness to work with older adults among students. Therefore, it suggested to develop educational interventions to enhance attitudes towards caring for the elderly and promote intentions to work with them. So it is recommended this intervention be applied to students and staff of medical universities after further studies.
Zahra Sedighi, Elaheh Arab-Ameri, Keyvan Molanorouzi, Abdollah Ghasemi, Seyed Kazem Mousavi-Sadati,
Volume 17, Issue 2 (7-2021)
Abstract
Background: This study aimed at examining the effect of manipulating the length of quiet eye training on learning an inhibitory skill in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD).
Methods: A quasi-experimental method with a pre-test and a post-test design was utilized during a 14-day follow-up period. The statistical population of the study was the 6-year-old girls with DCD in the kindergarten of Isfahan University, Isfahan, Iran. Using tests for assessing children's motor skills - Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition (MABC-2) - 45 children with DCD were selected. Based on the pre-test scores (performance), participants were divided into three groups of 15: basic quiet eye training, short-term quiet eye training, and long-term quiet eye training. In the pre-test, participants received 10 attempts at bean bags. The acquisition phase was performed in 18 sessions, with 10 attempts per session. At the end of the last training session, in the post-test and in two weeks of non-training in the follow-up phase, the participants received 10 attempts at bean bags. At each stage, visual information was recorded by an eye tracking device and the accuracy of the throw was recorded by the researcher. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Findings: All three exercises of basic quiet eye, short-term quiet eye, and long-term quiet eye had a significant effect on receiving skills and duration of quiet eye period (P < 0.05). Moreover, long-term quiet eye exercises had a higher effect size compared to short-term and basic quiet eye exercises.
Conclusion: In general, the results of the study emphasized the importance of a longer quiet eye period in learning inhibitory skills, which confirms the pre-programming hypothesis.
Mrs Mina Azarnik, Mr Amin Rafiepoor, Mr Mohammad Hatami, Mrs Mahsa Sadat Mousavi,
Volume 17, Issue 3 (10-2021)
Abstract
Background: Conflicting couples due to lack of marital communication skills experience many problems in the level of sexual function and quality of marital life. However, there is still no consensus on the etiology and, consequently, effective treatment and education strategies among specialists. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of communication and marital skills training on marital conflicts and the sexual performance of female students
Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population of this study consisted of all female students with marital problems of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran, in 2020. The research sample consisted of 45 female students who were selected by voluntary sampling method and randomly assigned to three groups (two experimental and one control groups). The data were collected using Sanai et al.’s Marital Conflict Questionnaire (MCQ) and Rosen et al.’s Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Findings: Communication and marital skills training was effective in increasing sexual function and reducing marital conflicts in the experimental group compared to the control group, and a significant difference was found between the two educational strategies in the post-test and follow-up stages (P < 0.01). Communication skills training was more effective in marital conflict and marital skills training was more effective in improving women's sexual function.
Conclusion: Communication and marital (sexual) skills training leads to increased sexual function and reduced marital conflict in women, and family therapists can use this educational method to improve the marital relationship of Iranian couples.
Phd Zahra Sedighi, Dr Elahe Arab-Ameri, Dr Keyvan Molanorouzi, Dr Abdollah Ghasemi, Dr Seyed Kazem Mousavi-Sadati,
Volume 17, Issue 4 (1-2022)
Abstract
Background: The purpose of current study was examining the effect of quiet eye training on performance and kinematics of throwing skill in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) at 6 years of age.
Methods: In this semi-experimental study with pretest-posttest design and a 14-day follow-up period, 30 girls of 6 years old with DCD were assigned into two groups of quiet eye training and control. In pre-test phase, participants performed 10 trials of bean bag throwing. Acquisition phase was done in 18 sessions and in each session, 10 trials were done. After finishing the last training session, in post-test phase, and in 2 weeks detraining in retention phase, participants performed 10 trials of bean bag throwing. In each phase, vision information with eye tracker system, kinematic data with high-speed camera, and accuracy were recorded by researcher. Data were analyzed with repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Findings: Quiet eye training had a significant effect on accuracy of throwing, quiet eye period, and throwing kinematics (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The results of the current study emphasize the importance of quiet eye training in improving throwing skill and kinematics of children with DCD, and instructors are advised to use this type of exercise to improve these skills.
Ms Nasrin Mousavikia, Dr Farzaneh Mohammadi, Dr Hasti Hasheminejad,
Volume 18, Issue 2 (7-2022)
Abstract
Background: Estrogens are one of the micropollutants in the wastewater which have detrimental effects on water living organisms. There are many reports documenting the adverse effects of estrogen hormones, such as feminization of fish, in the environment. One of the major sources of these compounds is municipal wastewater effluents. The biological processes at municipal wastewater treatment plants cannot completely remove these compounds. Therefore, a method for the treatment of hormones is needed. The ultrasonic method is an effective process for elimination of micropollutants. This study aimed to model and optimize the removal of two hormones [estrone (E1) and 17 beta-estradiol (E2)] from the wastewater by ultrasound method using artificial neural network (ANN) with genetic algorithm (GA) approach.
Methods: A literature review was performed from years 2000 to 2021 and the results of related studies were applied for modeling. A two-layer Feed-Forward Back-Propagation Neural Network (FFBPNN) model was designed. Various training algorithms were evaluated and the Levenberg Marquardt (LM) algorithm was selected as the best one.
Findings: Existence of 12 neurons in the hidden layer led to the highest correlation coefficient (r) and the lowest mean squared error (MSE (and mean absolute error (MAE). The results of the GA determined the optimum performance conditions. Therefore, increasing in pH and power density increased the efficiency of removing hormones from the wastewater.
Conclusion: Finally, a sensitivity analysis was performed using ANN-GA and Spearman correlation, and the results were completely compatible.
Mrs Mina Azarnik, Mr Amin Rafiepoor, Mr Mohammad Hatami, Mrs Mahsa Sadat Mousavi,
Volume 18, Issue 2 (7-2022)
Abstract
Background: Communication is a special skill to acquire high human values. Lack of this skill creates a serious crisis in the family foundation and doubles the necessity of special behavioral-psychological interventions. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of communication skills training on marital satisfaction of female students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up period with a control group. The statistical population included all female students of School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, from which 30 people were selected by convenience sampling method and were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group underwent communication skills training for ten sessions twice a week and the control group did not receive any intervention. The data were obtained using the Enrich Marital Satisfaction Scale (EMS) (1989). Finally, repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and SPSS software were used to analyze the data.
Findings: In the experimental group, the mean and standard deviation (SD) of marital satisfaction increased from 126.20 ± 8.76 before the intervention to 155.60 ± 9.47 after the intervention and to 162.60 ± 9.26 in the follow-up stage. Moreover, in the control group, the mean and SD of female marital satisfaction decreased from 126.26 ± 10.64 before the intervention to 124.46 ± 10.89 after the intervention and to 121.40 ± 8.74 during the follow-up period (P < 0.01). The difference in the experimental group in all three stages was statistically significant, except for the post-test and follow-up stages, which was not statistically significant (P > 0.01)
Conclusion: Communication skills training with respect to relative values in the face of couples' absolute perceptions reduces the amount of impulsive behaviors and increases the couple's intellectual problem-solving skills, and with this process, the couple's marital satisfaction increases and this effect will remain over time. As a result, this training strategy is recommended for all family specialists and counselors.
Farinaz Sanaei, Seyed Abdollah Amin Mousavi, Abbas Toloie Eshlaghy, Ali Rajabzadeh-Ghatari,
Volume 19, Issue 2 (7-2023)
Abstract
Background: Melanoma is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and the second cause of cancer-related death among people. This disease is the rarest and most malignant type of skin cancer. In advanced conditions, it has the ability to spread to internal organs and can lead to death. In Iran, for several years, significant data about melanoma have been collected either manually or electronically, due to its prevalence and the high costs it leaves on the country's healthcare system, but despite these valuable data, the health system is still unaware of the high potential of data mining in predicting the survival of patients with melanoma. Therefore, the aim of this study was to design an intelligent system to predict the survival of these patients.
Methods: This study was practical in terms of nature and descriptive-analytical and retrospective in terms of method. The research population consisted of patients with melanoma cancer from the database of the National Cancer Research Center affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University, located in Tajrish Martyrs Hospital, Tehran, Iran (between 2007 and 2012), who were followed up for 5 years (n = 4118). SPSS and Weka software were used to design the support system for melanoma cancer survival prediction. The final model for predicting melanoma cancer survival was selected based on the evaluation indices of data mining algorithms.
Findings: Neural network algorithms, simple Bayes, Bayesian network (BN) and combination of decision tree with simple Bayes, logistic regression, J48, and ID3 were selected as the used models of the country's database. Based on the findings, the neural network performed better with a value of 0.97 in terms of accuracy and 91.03 in terms of features.
Conclusion: The performance of the neural network in all evaluation indices was statistically higher than other selected algorithms. Therefore, this algorithm was chosen as a support system for predicting melanoma cancer survival.
Sara Karimi-Zeverdegani, Seyed Mahdi Mousavi, Mojtaba Nakhaeipour, Hossein Ebrahimi,
Volume 19, Issue 3 (10-2023)
Abstract
Nowadays, the application of kinetic models based on physiology in modelling and predicting the level of toxicity of chemical substances is developing rapidly. The data extracted from these models are being used in environmental risk assessment. They are also widely being used in various industries and research sectors such as drug development, product safety evaluation, and clinical or pharmaceutical procedures. These models are also considered a suitable alternative to animal models. With the progress of computer science, many software programs have been designed to model and better understand these models. Each of these software programs has a range of specific user features and provides various modelling capabilities based on the user's needs. In this study, several software programs that perform modelling based on physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models are introduced, and the advantages and disadvantages of each are stated.
Sina Malek Raisi, Seyed Mahdi Mousavi, Habibollah Dehghan,
Volume 20, Issue 1 (4-2024)
Abstract
Background: Heat exposure, as a work-related risk factor, can have a significant effect on human health. This study aimed to design and manufacture evaporative cooling pants and evaluate their effectiveness in reducing heat strain under controlled laboratory conditions.
Methods: The study consisted of three stages: developing evaporative cooling pants, assessing their cooling power in a laboratory and evaluating their effectiveness. 12 men wore regular pants and then switched to evaporative cooling pants while their heart rate, skin and ear temperature, and PSI were measured every 5 minutes. Data was analyzed using SPSS software.
Findings: The study revealed that the specially designed evaporative shorts lowered the temperature of the thigh skin by 3 °C (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant relationship between the two groups in terms of physiological parameters such as heart rate, ear temperature, and Physiological Strain Index (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: The use of designed evaporative cooling pants can have a positive impact on reducing skin temperature. However, it is recommended to test in actual work environments.
Sara Karimi-Zeverdegani, Hossein Ebrahimi, Seyed Mahdi Mousavi, Mojtaba Nakhaeipour,
Volume 21, Issue 1 (4-2025)
Abstract
Sample preparation is a crucial step in the separation and determination of desired components from complex matrices. It significantly influences the reliability and accuracy of the analysis as well as the quality of the data. This process is often the most labor-intensive and error-prone aspect of analytical methodology, which can impact the quantification of target analytes. Recent trends in sample preparation include miniaturization, automation, high-throughput performance, online coupling with analytical instruments, and low-cost operation using little or no solvent consumption. Over the past decade, microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) has emerged as a simple, rapid, and online sample preparation technique. The automation offered by MEPS is a notable advantage, along with the significantly smaller volumes of samples, solvents, and dead volumes within the system. Additional benefits include the speed and simplicity of the sample preparation process. This review provides an overview of the MEPS technique, covering its fields of application in toxicology, common formats, and sorbents, as well as its major advantages, limitations, and future trends.
