Assessment of Masks Used by Healthcare Workers: Development and Validation of a Mask Qualitative Assessment Tool (MQAT)

Gharibi, Vahid,Cousins, Rosanna,Mokarami, Hamidreza,Jahangiri, Mehdi,Keshavarz, Mohammad A.,Shirmohammadi-Bahadoran, Mohammad M. Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute 2022 Safety and health at work Vol.13 No.3

Background: Respiratory masks can provide healthcare workers with protection from biological hazards when they have good performance. There is a direct relationship between the visual specifications of a mask and its efficacy; thus, the aim of this study was to develop tools for qualitative assessment of the performance of masks used by healthcare workers. Methods: A mixed-methods design was used to develop a qualitative assessment tool for medical face masks (MFM) and particle filtering half masks (PFHM). The development of domains and items was undertaken using observation and interviews, the opinions of an expert panel, and a review of texts and international standards. The second phase evaluated the psychometric properties of tools. Finally, the validated Mask Qualitative Assessment Tools (MQAT) were used to assess six samples from 10 brands of the two types of masks. Results: MQAT-MFM and MQAT-PHFM shared 42 items across seven domains: "cleanliness," "design," "marking, labeling and packaging," "mask layers," "mask strap," "materials and construction," and "nose clip." MQAT-MFM included one additional item. MQAT-PHFM included another nine items associated with an eighth "Practical Performance" domain, and the valve version had another additional "Exhalation Valve" domain and six items. The evaluation indicated 80% compliance for MFM and 71% compliance for PFHM. "Marking, labeling and packaging" and "Layers" were associated with the least compliance in both types of masks and should be checked carefully for defining mask quality. Conclusion: MQAT can be used for immediate screening and initial assessment of MFM and PHFM through appearance, simple tools, and visual inspection.

Effects of Work-Related Stress on Work Ability Index among Iranian Workers

Gharibi, Vahid,Mokarami, Hamidreza,Taban, Abrahim,Aval, Mohsen Yazdani,Samimi, Kazem,Salesi, Mahmood Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute 2016 Safety and health at work Vol.7 No.1

Background: Work Ability Index (WAI) is a well-known and valid self-report tool that has been widely used in various studies to identify and avoid early retirement and work-related disability. Nevertheless, very few studies have been carried out to evaluate work ability in Iran. We aimed to investigate the WAI and the effect of work-related stress on it among Iranian workers. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive and analytic study was carried out among 449 workers from five working sectors in three big cities of Iran. Work ability and work-related stress were measured using the Persian version of WAI and the Persian version of Health and Safety Executive Stress Indicator Tool. Results: More than a third of the workers surveyed (34.70%) did not have an appropriate level of work ability (WAI < 37). There was a significant correlation between subscales of work-related stress and the mean score of WAI. Furthermore, the variables of body mass index, sleep quality, exercise activity, job tenure, and three subscales of work-related stress including demands, supervisor support, and role were significant predictors of WAI. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the interventional programs must be focused on improving supervisors support, eliminating ambiguity and conflicts in the role of workers in their job and organization, reducing job demands, improving sleep quality, and increasing exercise activity.

Elimination characteristics of sulfonated cobalt phthalocyanine catalyst (Europhtal) from wastewater in natural gas refineries by adsorption using modified natural zeolite

Ali Gharibi,Benyamin Akhlaghi,Mohsen Abbasi 대한환경공학회 2022 Environmental Engineering Research Vol.27 No.2

The present research introduces adsorption of sulfonated cobalt phthalocyanine catalyst (Europhtal) from the real wastewater that is produced in the mercaptan removal unit (Merox) of the third refinery, South Pars Gas Complex (SPGC), Assaluyeh, Iran. Therefore, novel low-cost natural zeolite modified with polyaluminium chloride (PAC) was investigated as an adsorbent for the treatment of Europhtal wastewater. Central composite design (CCD), as a set of response surface methodology (RSM), was applied to acquire optimum operational conditions such as contact time, pH, adsorbent dosage, and Europhtal concentration. Results showed that the removal percentage of Europhtal in the real wastewater was 93.4% at best operating condition consisting of a pH of 6.7, sonication time of 8 min, 0.035 g of adsorbent. The obtained results were evaluated by adsorption isotherms and kinetic parameters. It was found that the equilibrium data matched the Freundlich model acceptably, with the maximum experimental adsorption capacity of this model was 687.51 mg g<SUP>-1</SUP> at 301.15 K. From the kinetic data, it was revealed that the adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Furthermore, the obtained thermodynamic parameters such as ΔH°, ΔS°, and ΔG° imply the endothermic essence of adsorption proceeding spontaneously.

On the product of quasi-partial metric spaces

Razieh Gharibi,Sedigheh Jahedi 강원경기수학회 2019 한국수학논문집 Vol.27 No.3

This paper is mainly concerned with the existence and uniqueness of fixed points of $f: X^{k} \longrightarrow X$, $k\in \Bbb{N}$, where $X$ is a quasi- partial metric space and mapping $f$ satisfies appropriate conditions. Results are also supported with relevant examples.

Effects of Work-Related Stress on Work Ability Index among Iranian Workers

Vahid Gharibi,Hamidreza Mokarami,Abrahim Taban,Mohsen Yazdani Aval,Kazem Samimi,Mahmood Salesi 한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원 2016 Safety and health at work Vol.7 No.1

Background: Work Ability Index (WAI) is a well-known and valid self-report tool that has been widely used in various studies to identify and avoid early retirement and work-related disability. Nevertheless, very few studies have been carried out to evaluate work ability in Iran. We aimed to investigate the WAI and the effect of work-related stress on it among Iranian workers. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive and analytic study was carried out among 449 workers from five working sectors in three big cities of Iran. Work ability and work-related stress were measured using the Persian version of WAI and the Persian version of Health and Safety Executive Stress Indicator Tool. Results: More than a third of the workers surveyed (34.70%) did not have an appropriate level of work ability (WAI < 37). There was a significant correlation between subscales of work-related stress and the mean score of WAI. Furthermore, the variables of body mass index, sleep quality, exercise activity, job tenure, and three subscales of work-related stress including demands, supervisor support, and role were significant predictors of WAI. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the interventional programs must be focused on improving supervisors support, eliminating ambiguity and conflicts in the role of workers in their job and organization, reducing job demands, improving sleep quality, and increasing exercise activity.

Evaluation of Complications after Surgical Treatment of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Mohammad Ali Hosseinian,Ali Gharibi Loron,Yalda Soleimanifard 대한흉부외과학회 2017 Journal of Chest Surgery (J Chest Surg) Vol.50 No.1

Background: Surgical treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is necessary when non-surgical treatments fail. Complications of surgical procedures vary from short-term post-surgical pain to permanent disability. The outcome of TOS surgery is affected by the visibility during the operation. In this study, we have compared the complications arising during the supraclavicular and the transaxillary approaches to determine the appropriate approach for TOS surgery. Methods: In this study, 448 patients with symptoms of TOS were assessed. The male-to-female ratio was approximately 1:4, and the mean age was 34.5 years. Overall, 102 operations were performed, including unilateral, bilateral, and reoperations, and the patients were retrospectively evaluated. Of the 102 patients, 63 underwent the supraclavicular approach, 32 underwent the transaxillary approach, and 7 underwent the transaxillary approach followed by the supraclavicular approach. Complications were evaluated over 24 months. Results: The prevalence of pneumothorax, hemothorax, and vessel injuries in the transaxillary and the supraclavicular approaches was equal. We found more permanent and transient brachial plexus injuries in the case of the transaxillary approach than in the case of the supraclavicular approach, but the difference was not statistically significant. Persistent pain and symptoms were significantly more common in patients who underwent the transaxillary approach (p<0.05). Conclusion: The supraclavicular approach seems to be the more effective technique of the two because it offers the surgeon better access to the brachial plexus and a direct view. This approach for a TOS operation offers a better surgical outcome and lower reoperation rates than the transaxillary method. Our results showed the supraclavicular approach to be the preferred method for TOS operations.

Developing National Functional Accreditation Model for Primary Healthcares with Emphasis on Family Practice in Iran

Tabrizi Jafar Sadegh,Gharibi Farid 대한가정의학회 2021 Korean Journal of Family Medicine Vol.42 No.3

Background: Accreditation is an approach toward quality improvement which has been increasingly implemented in healthcare. This study aimed at developing a national functional accreditation model for primary healthcare with emphasis on family practice in Iran. Methods: This mixed-method study utilizes a set of research methods purposefully. Initially, the reference models were used for benchmarking accreditation standards through a systematic review. Then, the primary accreditation standards were developed and then they were assessed and approved by the experts of the field via Delphi technique. In the following and after developing essential parts of the standards, the necessary changes in developed model were done according to the pilot test results. Results: The results of systematic review suggested the superiority of accreditation models of the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom globally; and the models of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Egypt in Eastern-Mediterranean region. Then, the primary standards including 39 functional standards with 231 measures were developed according to the benchmarked models, and were approved by the experts in Delphi-based study. In pilot test step, the compliance rate of developed standards by primary healthcare centers was calculated 61.61% and 26.37% for self-evaluation and external evaluation phases, respectively. Conclusion: Regarding the comprehensiveness of developed accreditation model due to its focus on all functional dimensions and the consensus over the developed standards by the experts, it can be an underlying ground for the establishment and evaluation of functional improvement programs in Iranian primary healthcare system.

Binding Set Analysis for Interaction of Human Serum Albumin with Cethyl Trimethylammonium Bromide

Abdol-Khalegh Bordbar*,Nasrin Sohrabi,Hossain Gharibi 대한화학회 2004 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.25 No.6

Binding Set Analysis for Interaction of Human Serum Albumin with Cethyl Trimethylammonium Bromide

Bordbar, Abdol-Khalegh,Sohrabi, Nasrin,Gharibi, Hossain Korean Chemical Society 2004 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.25 No.6

The binding of cethyl trimethylammonium bromide, (CTAB) with human serum albumin (HSA) has been investigated at 5 mM phosphate buffer pH 7.0, 27 $^{\circ}C$ and various ionic strength using ion selective membrane electrodes. This method is faster and much more accurate than equilibrium dialysis technique, so provides sufficient and accurate data for binding data analysis. A novel and simple method was introduced for resolution and characterization of binding sets on basis of binding capacity concept. The values of Hill binding parameters were estimated for each set and used for calculation of intrinsic binding affinity. The results interpreted on basis of nature of forces which interfered in the interaction and represent the existence of three and two binding sets for binding of CTAB at $10^{-4}$ and $10^{-3}$ M of NaBr, respectively.

The Accumulation of Al, As, Li, Mg, Mn, S, Si, Ti, and V in the Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis from the Moroccan Mediterranean Coastal Areas: Trends Pertaining to Seasons and Levels

Ghizlane Azizi,Mostafa Layachi,Mustapha Akodad,Mourad Baghour,Mohammad Ghalit,Elkhadir Gharibi,Hamza Ngadi,Abdelmajid Moumen 한국해양과학기술원 2020 Ocean science journal Vol.55 No.3

The accumulation levels of elements (Al, As, Li, Mg, Mn, S, Si, Ti, and V) in the soft tissue of mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), collected monthly in 2016, from Junuary to December, from sampling sites of the mussel farming facilities installed in the coastal areas of Al Hoceima, were investigated. The studied element levels were determined by using Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES 720-ES). Descending order of the average element concentrations in soft tissue ofM. galloprovincialiswas S > Mg > Si> Al > Mn > Ti > As >V > Li. Element contents (Al, As, Mg, S and V) in tissue of mussels were significantly different (P < 0.05) between seasons, being highest in winter and lowest in summer. Strong correlations were observed between studied elements and chlorophylla, indicating the importance of food for metal bioaccumulation in mussels in this period of the season. The observed strong correlations for metal levels in tissues of mussels can be explained by their common sources, which are associated with anthropogenic effects. The detected seasonal variations of investigated element concentrations in soft tissues ofM. galloprovincialiscould be attributed to physicochemical parameters such as temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, nutrients and food availability, as well as the biological status of the mussel. This study may provide basic information for detecting the current pollution status of investigated elements in Al Hoceima coasts from the Moroccan Mediterranean Sea usingM. galloprovincialisas biological indicators.