Geographical Distribution of Organic Carbon and its Relation with Soil Physical, Chemical Properties and Climate Condition of Hamedan Province, Iran

Nikoo Tabatabaei,Mohammad Moez Ardalan,Mohammad Mehdi Tehrani 한국토양비료학회 2014 한국토양비료학회 학술발표회 초록집 Vol.2014 No.6

Preparation of alumina nanotubes for incorporation into CO2 permselective Pebax-based nanocomposite membranes

Nikoo Soltani,Omid Bakhtiari 한국화학공학회 2021 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.38 No.7

Nanocomposite membranes were prepared using Pebax 1657, glycerol triacetate (GTA), and alumina nanotubes (ANTs) by solution casting method. Hydrothermally synthesized ANTs were characterized using SEM, FTIR, and XRD, and additional analysis of FESEM and DSC was also performed on the prepared membranes. ANTs loadings and employed solvent type, dimethylformamide (DMF) or ethanol/water mixture, impacts were investigated on CO2 permeability and ideal CO2/CH4 selectivity of the nanocomposite membranes. CO2 permeability of the ANTs - Pebax nanocomposite membranes was improved compared with the neat Pebax membrane. In the 4 wt% ANTs loaded nanocomposite membrane, chain packing and fractional free volume of its polymeric matrix were tuned by GTA addition (10-40 wt%) to improve the penetrants’ permeability through. The Pebax membrane loaded by 4 and 40 wt% of ANTs and GTA revealed 73.75 and -4.97% changes in its CO2 permeability and ideal CO2/CH4 selectivity, respectively. Successful ANTs functionalization by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane agent (FC-ANTs), for their higher compatibility with the polymeric chains, was confirmed using FTIR analysis. 2 wt% FC-ANTs loaded nanocomposite membranes' ideal selectivity prepared by using DMF and ethanol/water mixture solvents improved by 5.71 and 14.7%, respectively, while their CO2 permeability decreased by 11.95 and 11.8%.

Estimation of fundamental period of reinforced concrete shear wall buildings using self organization feature map

Mehdi Nikoo,Marijana Hadzima-Nyarko,Faezehossadat Khademi,Sassan Mohasseb 국제구조공학회 2017 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.63 No.2

The Self-Organization Feature Map as an unsupervised network is very widely used these days in engineering science. The applied network in this paper is the Self Organization Feature Map with constant weights which includes Kohonen Network. In this research, Reinforced Concrete Shear Wall buildings with different stories and heights are analyzed and a database consisting of measured fundamental periods and characteristics of 78 RC SW buildings is created. The input parameters of these buildings include number of stories, height, length, width, whereas the output parameter is the fundamental period. In addition, using Genetic Algorithm, the structure of the Self-Organization Feature Map algorithm is optimized with respect to the numbers of layers, numbers of nodes in hidden layers, type of transfer function and learning. Evaluation of the SOFM model was performed by comparing the obtained values to the measured values and values calculated by expressions given in building codes. Results show that the Self-Organization Feature Map, which is optimized by using Genetic Algorithm, has a higher capacity, flexibility and accuracy in predicting the fundamental period.

Concrete compressive strength prediction using the imperialist competitive algorithm

Łukasz Sadowski,Mehdi Nikoo,Mohammad Nikoo 사단법인 한국계산역학회 2018 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.22 No.4

In the following paper, a socio-political heuristic search approach, named the imperialist competitive algorithm (ICA) has been used to improve the efficiency of the multi-layer perceptron artificial neural network (ANN) for predicting the compressive strength of concrete. 173 concrete samples have been investigated. For this purpose the values of slump flow, the weight of aggregate and cement, the maximum size of aggregate and the water-cement ratio have been used as the inputs. The compressive strength of concrete has been used as the output in the hybrid ICA-ANN model. Results have been compared with the multiple-linear regression model (MLR), the genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO). The results indicate the superiority and high accuracy of the hybrid ICA-ANN model in predicting the compressive strength of concrete when compared to the other methods.

Development of a checklist to validate the framework of a narrative medicine program based on Gagne’s instructional design model in Iran through consensus of a multidisciplinary expert panel

Saeideh Daryazadeh,Nikoo Yamani,Payman Adibi 한국보건의료인국가시험원 2019 보건의료교육평가 Vol.16 No.-

Purpose: Narrative medicine is a patient-centered approach focusing on the development of narrative skills and self-awareness that incorporates “attending, representing, and affiliating” in clinical encounters. Acquiring narrative competency promotes clinical performance, and narratives can be used for teaching professionalism, empathy, multicultural education, and professional development. This study was conducted to develop a checklist to validate the framework of a narrative medicine program through consensus of a panel. Methods: This expert panel study was conducted from 2018 to 2019 at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. It included 2 phases: developing a framework in 2 steps and forming an expert panel to validate the framework in 3 rounds. We adapted a 3-stage narrative medicine model with 9 training activities from Gagne’s theory, developed a framework, and then produced a checklist to validate the framework in a multidisciplinary expert panel that consisted of 7 experts. The RAND/UCLA appropriateness method was used to assess the experts’ agreement. The first-round opinions were received by email. Consensus was achieved in the second and third rounds through face-to-face meetings to facilitate interactions and discussion among the experts. Results: Sixteen valid indicators were approved and 100% agreement was obtained among experts (with median values in the range of 7–9 out of a maximum of 9, with no disagreement), and the framework was validated by the expert panel. Conclusion: The 16 checklist indicators can be used to evaluate narrative medicine programs as a simple and practical guide to improve teaching effectiveness and promote life-long learning

Designing Large-Scale Disaster Response Routes Network in Mitigating Earthquake Risk Using a Multi-Objective Stochastic Approach

Afshin Shariat Mohaymany,Nariman Nikoo 대한토목학회 2020 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.24 No.10

The disaster response routes play a crucial role in transporting injured people and goods during the 72 golden hours after disaster. These routes connect the major disaster relief centers. Prior identification of the disaster response routes for a city enables the response teams to reach the disaster locations quickly and conduct relief and rescue operations without being obstructed by the outbound flow of evacuees from the city. These routes should not generally be used by the public unlike the evacuation routes. In this paper, a multi-objective stochastic disaster response routes design problem is presented. In this study, with the goal of reducing vulnerability, the disaster response routes network can be protected against disaster scenarios to maintain its connectivity using more independent routes. An exact approach including a bounded objective function method for considering the multi-objective functions, including the network factors (OD connectivity, vulnerability, and management) and an exact method (branch-and-cut) for solving the proposed model are suggested. The results for Sioux-Falls and Tehran networks show the effectiveness of the model.

Impact of a narrative medicine program on reflective capacity and empathy of medical students in Iran

Saeideh Daryazadeh,Payman Adibi,Nikoo Yamani,Roya Mollabashi 한국보건의료인국가시험원 2020 보건의료교육평가 Vol.17 No.-

Purpose: Narrative medicine consists of the expression of medical experiences and the reflection on narratives to foster empathic communication with patients. Reflecting on narratives increases self-awareness and recognition of the feelings of the narrator or the story’smain character, which in turn affects the audience. This study was conducted to examine the impact of a narrative medicine program onthe reflective capacity and empathy of medical students. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was performed during the 2018–2019 academic year at Isfahan University of Medical Sciencesin Iran involving 135 medical interns in 2 groups (control [n=66] and experimental [n=69]). Interns in the experimental group tookpart in seven 2-hour reflective practice sessions, while those in the control group underwent no educational intervention. Pre-test andpost-test assessments were conducted for both groups using 2 valid and reliable tools for the assessment of reflective capacity and empathy. Mean reflection and empathy scores were compared within groups (between pre- and post-test values) and between groups (usingthe paired-t test and the t-test; P≤0.05). Results: The mean reflection and empathy scores of the experimental group significantly increased from pre-test to post-test, but thoseof the control group did not. Moreover, the mean post-test scores were significantly different between the 2 groups (P<0.001). Conclusion: Narrative medicine is an effective teaching method that can improve reflective capacity and empathy, thereby ultimatelypromoting professionalism as a core competency in medicine. Consideration of learning conditions and interdisciplinary teaching arenecessary for implementing a narrative medicine program.

Evaluating Kyphosis and Lordosis in Students by Using a Flexible Ruler and Their Relationship with Severity and Frequency of Thoracic and Lumbar Pain

Sedigheh-Sadat Mirbagheri,Amir Rahmani-Rasa,Farzad Farmani,Payam Amini,Mohammad-Reza Nikoo 대한척추외과학회 2015 Asian Spine Journal Vol.9 No.3

Study Design: A cross-sectional, descriptive study. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between kyphosis and lordosis measured by using a flexible ruler and musculoskeletal pain in students of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. Overview of Literature: The spine supports the body during different activities by maintaining appropriate body alignment and posture. Normal alignment of the spine depends on its structural, muscular, bony, and articular performance. Methods: Two hundred forty-one students participated in this study. A single examiner evaluated the angles of lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis by using a flexible ruler. To determine the severity and frequency of pain in low-back and inter-scapular regions, a tailor-made questionnaire with visual analog scale was used. Finally, using the Kendall correlation coefficient, the data were statistically analyzed. Results: The mean value of lumbar lordosis was 34.46°±12.61° in female students and 22.46°±9.9° in male students. The mean value of lumbar lordosis significantly differed between female and male students (p <0.001). However, there was no difference in the level of the thoracic curve (p =0.288). Relationship between kyphosis measured by using a flexible ruler and inter-scapular pain in male and female students was not significant (p =0.946). However, the relationship between lumbar lordosis and low back pain was statistically significant (p =0.006). Also, no significant relationship was observed between abnormal kyphosis and frequency of inter-scapular pain, and between lumbar lordosis and low back pain. Conclusions: Lumbar lordosis contributes to low back pain. The causes of musculoskeletal pain could be muscle imbalance and muscle and ligament strain.

Cell Death Mechanisms in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Induced by Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Matrix Protein

Yousef Douzandegan,Abdolvahab Moradi,Zahra Gray,Hadi Razavi Nikoo,Alijan Tabarraei,Alireza Tahamtan 질병관리본부 2019 Osong Public Health and Research Persptectives Vol.10 No.4

Objectives: Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is under development as an oncolytic virus due to its preferential replication in cancer cells and oncolytic activity, however the viral components responsible have not yet been determined. In this study the effects of VSV wild-type (wt) and M51R-mutant matrix proteins (M51R-mMP) on apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, and autophagy pathways, in an esophagus cancer cell line (KYSE-30) were investigated. Methods: The KYSE-30 cells were transfected with pcDNA3.1 plasmids encoding wt or M51R-mMP, and apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, and autophagy were evaluated 48 and 72 hours after transfection. Results: KYSE-30 cells transfected with VSV wt and M51R-mMPs significantly reduced cell viability to < 50% at 72 hours post-transfection. M51R-MP significantly increased the concentration of caspase-8 and caspase-9 at 48 and 72 hours post-transfection, respectively (p < 0.05). In contrast, no significant changes were detected following transfection with the VSV wt plasmid. Moreover, VSV wt and M51RmMP transfected cells did not change the expression of caspase-3. VSV wt and M51R-mMPs did not change caspase-1 expression (a marker of pyroptosis) at 48 and 72 hours post-transfection. However, M51R-mMP and VSV wt transfected cells significantly increased RIP-1 (a marker of necroptosis) expression at 72 hours post-infection (p < 0.05). Beclin-1, a biomarker of autophagy, was also induced by transfection with VSV wt or M51R-mMPs at 48 hours post-transfection. Conclusion: The results in this study indicated that VSV exerts oncolytic activity in KYSE-30 tumor cells through different cell death pathways, suggesting that M51R-mMP may potentially be used to enhance oncolysis.

Immobilized Laminin-derived Peptide Can Enhance Expression of Stemness Markers in Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Nafiseh Tavakolpoor Saleh,Alireza Naderi Sohi,Elaheh Esmaeili,Somayeh Karami,Fatemeh Soleimanifar,Nikoo Nasoohi 한국생물공학회 2019 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.24 No.6

Due to number of reasons such as ease of isolation and their broad differentiation capability, adult human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely considered as of the most promising cells for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Nevertheless quick decrease in expression of transcription factors associated with stemness and self-renewal during ex vivo expansion of MSCs is an impediment against their therapeutic applications. Since the influence of extra cellular matrix (ECM) proteins on the fate of stem cells is well documented, the culture of MSCs on ECM-derived synthetic biomolecules is worth investigating. In the present study, a lamininderived peptide, YIGSR was covalently immobilized on the chitosan film surface using carbodiimide chemistry and confirmed by fluorometry. The results obtained from surface characterization by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and contact angle measurement, showed no significant difference in topological features and hydrophilicity after peptide immobilization. Employment of these surfaces for culture of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells demonstrated that the immobilized YIGSR peptide has a favorable effect on adhesion and maintaining viability of the MSCs as well as on the expression of stemness markers (Nanog, Oct-4, and Sox-2) in these cells.