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Showing 16 results for Ezzati


Volume 3, Issue 3 (9-2015)
Abstract

Aim: Regular physical activity has several physical, psychological and social benefits. However, it is a global health problem, especially among ICU nurses. Therefore, in order to improve nurses’ physical activity, it is required to determine the effective correlated factors. The aim of this study was to delineate predictive factors on the physical activity of ICU nurses based on a trans-theoretical model (TTM) using path analysis.
Method: Accordingly, in this cross-sectional study, 82 nurses from eight intensive care units of six hospitals in Guilan University of Medical Sciences completed the translated version of Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) and another questionnaire, which included a range of constructs from the TTM. Data were analyzed using bivariate correlation and path analysis.
Findings: It was revealed that self-efficacy (β=0.24) and Pros (β=0.18) had a direct effect on the participants’ physical activities. It is important to state that self-efficacy was effective on the participants, behavioral physical activity both directly and indirectly. Totally, self-efficacy with the path coefficient of 0.62 was considered as the strongest predictive factor of physical activity among the ICU nurses.
Conclusion: To enclose, the determined effective factors in improving the ICU nurses’ physical activity were expected to be of more concern, especially self-efficacy as the strongest one.

Volume 4, Issue 2 (spring 2022 2022)
Abstract

Land use planning, classification of human activity in geographical space, is a thinking that considers all aspects of a country's development, and is a strategic planning and a purely geographical solution for the sustainable development of countries. This issue is more important for Kermanshah province which is neighboring with Iraq, because the existence of a wide range of potential and actual threats in both Iraq and the Kurdistan region have led the implementation of any plan to be corresponded with the analysis of the security situation around the border. Achieving this requires recognizing geostrategic features, analyzing the environment, categorizing the types of threats and identifying their source and origin. This article also serves this purpose, namely presentation of indicators of military centers and bases in Kermanshah province using descriptive-analytic method. The data collection tool is based on documentary and library findings. For this purpose, the required data were collected from documents and written sources and content analysis method is used to analyze the data. The results showed that the arrangement of military centers and bases in Kermanshah province is not very comprehensive and efficient, and it has a traditional approach and has been done regardless of natural and human indicators and threat points, so it has little effect on the effectiveness of projects, decrease in vulnerabilities and increase in defensive capabilities. Also, it is faced with ignoring internal and external threats, unbalanced spatial organization in the manner of establishing and locating military centers, excessive concentration of political, administrative, demographic places and centers, important industries and facilities in the center of Kermanshah province, etc

Volume 5, Issue 1 (3-2017)
Abstract

Finding a minimum allowable radius length of a circle horizontal curve is essential to reduce earthwork cost or damage to the forest ecosystem, as well as make driving more comfortable. The present study is conducted i) to analyze different radius lengths of circle horizontal curves using an integrated approach consists of a Civil3D in concert with the field surveys, and ii) to propose a set of geometric design criteria which are more consistent with the existing condition of forest road network in Hyrcanian forest, north of Iran. Depth of the rutting (i.e., machine footprint) and soil mechanical properties are examined for a total of 36 existing horizontal curves with different radius lengths. Further, technical characteristics (i.e., stopping sight distance, horizontal sight line offset and turning speed) and a few parameters on pavement damage are included and incorporated into the research objective. No-statistical differences between radius lengths of the horizontal curve for classes of 10-15 and 16-20 m may associate with dissimilarity in the soil mechanical properties and in the dimension of the rut depth. These findings confirmed that it is therefore possible to shorten allowable radius length of a circle horizontal curve to at least 12 m under a longitudinal slope of 5% for forest road network in the north of Iran.

Volume 6, Issue 19 (5-2018)
Abstract

This article analyzed the woman´s place in Turkish proverbs by using Fairclough´s critical discourse analysis model. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate woman´s representation in Turkish proverbs. 166 proverbs were gathered through purposeful sampling from two books: Sorudlir (1393) and Ostevar (1392). Findings showed that the number of positive and negative representation of woman was almost equal and in most cases woman´s representation was neutral. There was not any discrimination or gender inequality in these proverbs. Power was divided not only between male and female but also among women according to their roles in the family.


Volume 12, Issue 2 (Spring 2024)
Abstract

Aims: Procuring enough raw materials is a crucial decision faced by industries’ logistics managers to sustain production lines and improve the competitiveness of an industry within the global market. The current study, therefore, developed a linear-based inventory model with transportation planning to analyze the current procurement network, which is outsourced from different pathways, and propose possible logistic scenarios to improve inbound logistics decisions involving inventory levels and the effort of transporting the logs to the manufacturing destination. In addition, the flow of multiple various raw materials from terminals, private farms and illegal sources was considered. 
Materials & Methods: Since 2017 a large number of forest companies in northern Iran have been in crisis due to insufficient wood supply to retain their production line demands as a result of the logging ban policy over commercial forests. Therefore, they have to purchase logs or trees from far-distant terminals, between 100 and 150 km, and low-quality timbers, either from private farms or illegal sources. This situation has negatively hampered planning of transportation activities and unit delivery costs of raw materials. The model was applied to a realistic region-wide forest covering 23,000 km² with 172 forest companies that stretch across 20 cities in northern Iran. We assessed sensitivity of the model inputs, such as changing inbound logistics through reducing, increasing or removing illegally sourced timbers from the current supply-chain network. 
 

Volume 13, Issue 2 (summer 2013 2013)
Abstract

One of the most important institutions and the special gift of divine religions including Islam is charity institution. Charity may overcome many social problems like poverty and disarray of the income and expenditure. This research is intended to investigate the factors influencing charity and the charity function behavior according to the teachings of Islam and to estimate empirically charity function in Iran. Regarding theoretical and empirical studies on religious expenditure and Islamic taxes; and considering Islamic rules and statistical limitations, the selected explanatory variables are income, wealth, age of householder and religious capital. The charity function is estimated using a panel data consisting of provincial data during the years 2000-2007. The estimation of an exponential charity function shows that charity is an increasing function of provincial per capita income, wealth and religious capital. Using direct data on charity and entering religious capital and wealth as effective factors on charity are of innovations of the paper which differentiates current research from the other studies.

Volume 16, Issue 2 (summer 2016 2016)
Abstract

This paper investigates the short-term and long-term effects of oil revenues on economic corruption in Iran using Autoregressive Distributed Lags (ARDL) model during 1979-2011. Findings indicate that increase (decrease) in oil revenues by one percent increases (decreases) per capita economic corruption by 0.29 percent in the long run. In addition, increases in government regulations indicator and government size by one percent reduce the per capita economic corruption by 1.95 and 1.63 percent, respectively. Moreover, one percent increase in trade openness results in increase in economic corruption per capita by 1.26 percent.  

Volume 16, Issue 95 (January 2019)
Abstract

This research was carried out to study the antifungal effect of aqueous extract and powder of Pistacia atlantica at 0, 0.5, 1, 2.5 and 5% on the growth of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) of the baneh extract and powder was certified against Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus in concentrations of 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, 0.1 and 0.05 g /ml were determined by Serial Dilution technique. After preparing lactic cheese samples, a 10 mm piece was placed inside the plate and 3 μl Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger was added to its center. Plates were incubated at 26 ° C for 3 weeks and the zone diameter of mold growth was measured. The results showed that by increasing the storage period, the growth zone diameter of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger in all of treatments increased. The treatments had a greater effect on the control of Aspergillus flavus mold growth than that of Aspergillus niger in lactic cheese. In mold and yeast counting, the highest count was observed for control treatment and the lowest increase was related to treatment containing 5% extract of Pistacia atlantica. The experimental treatments also significantly affected the sensory properties of the cheese samples. The highest taste scores were for samples containing 0.5 and 1% Pistacia atlantica extract. The samples containing more levels of extract (2.5 and 5 %) were less scored in terms of flavor and taste than those containing powder of Pistacia atlantica. From the findings of this study, it can be concluded that extracts and powder of Pistacia atlantica have an appropriate antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus, Therefore, they can be used in medical pharmacology, food industries and health affairs as drugs and anti-fungal elements.

Volume 16, Issue 95 (January 2019)
Abstract

Plant essential oils and extracts are the compounds that can inhibit bacterial growth at low concentrations. Also, these materials are mostly strong antioxidants and the presence of these two properties together increases the shelf-life of fish. This study was done to investigate effect of various concentrations of caraway and thyme essences on chemical and microbial quality of common carp fillet. Different concentrations of essential oils (0, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/l) were added to fish samples and some chemical and oxidation factors, microbial quality and sensory properties of the samples were determined. The results showed the lowest levels of total volatile basic nitrogen was related to 2000 mg/l thyme essential oil (24.6 mg/100 g fillet) and the highest amount of total volatile basic nitrogen were observed in control treatment (75.11 mg/ 100g fillet) at refrigerator temperature. TBA levels in all treatments increased with increasing storage time and at the end of the storage period, except in 500 and 1000 mg/l thyme essences treatments, there was significant difference among all experimental samples (p<0.05). The results showed that various concentrations of essences reduced the total count and Psychrotrophic bacteria compared to the control. At the end of the storage time, treatment of 2000 mg/l caraway essence, 1000 mg/l caraway essence and 2000 mg/l thyme essence had the lower Psychrotrophic bacteria than the other samples. Treatments with 1000 and 2000 mg/l caraway essences in freezing conditions received the most colors score. The highest score of texture was related to 2000 mg/l thyme essential oil at refrigerator temperature. Samples containing 1000 mg/l caraway essence in freezing temperatures had the highest odor score. In general, 1000 and 2000 mg/l concentrations of thyme essence due to acceptance of the organoleptic characteristics from the consumer view as well as reduce microbial growth and chemical factors are recommended.

Volume 17, Issue 103 (September 2020)
Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of microencapsulation of probiotic bacteria with sodium alginate/resistant starch and sodium alginate/chitosan by extrusion method on qualitative and rheological properties and viability of bifidobactrium animalis subs lactis in Aloe vera doogh. 10% of aloe vera gel with different concentrations of whey (5, 10 and 15%) and inulin (0.5, 1 and 1.5%) added to probiotic doogh and their effect on the protection of Probiotic bacteria and qualitative properties were evaluated. The results showed that increasing the level of inulin had no significant effect on pH. Increasing the percentage of whey up to 5% had no significant effect on the pH, but increasing more than 5% significantly decreased the pH of the doogh samples during storage period. In terms of sensory properties samples containing 1% inulin and microencapsulated bacteria with sodium alginate/chitosan had highest scores in flavour while lowest score was observed in control treatment (without inulin and whey) and free bacteria. Doogh samples containing 1.5% inulin had the lowest serum separation and the control sample (without inulin and whey) showed the highest serum separation at the end of storage period. In general, samples containing microcapsules had a lower serum separation than samples containing free bacteria. The highest viscosity and consistency coefficients were observed in the doogh samples containing 1.5% inulin. The microencapsulation process increased the apparent viscosity, consistency index and loss modulus and decreased the flow behavior index of the doogh samples. Microencapsulation of probiotic bacteria by sodium alginate / resistant starch and chitosan and use of whey and inulin in doogh samples increased their viability during storage period.

Volume 18, Issue 5 (9-2018)
Abstract

Abstract In addition to the operational and environmental loads, an offshore pipeline may be subjected to accidental transverse loads by falling heavy objects or trawl gears. As a result, the load bearing capacity of the pipeline may be significantly impared by the dents, gouges or other types of damages caused by the impact. Such damage to an offshore structure may have serious environmental and economic consequences. In this study, results of experimental investigations on the residual strength of plain and gouged dented steel pressurized pipes under monotonic axial compression are presented. Some series small-scale specimens were fabricated from API-5L-X80 steel pipes with (D/t) ratio of 22 for the purpose of experimental tests. The specimens were dented by a spherical indenter with (d/D) ratio of 0.45 and gouges were applied along the pipe axis on the outer surface of the middle portion, whose cross section was rectangular. Defected and intact specimens were then collapsed by monotonic axial compression loading whilst subjected to constant internal pressure. In this research, effects of some key non-dimensional parameters such as dent depth, presence of the internal pressure and geometrical parameters of gouges have been studied.

Volume 19, Issue 2 (summer 2019)
Abstract

Economic security is one of the most important aspects of national security. It is a basic pillar of the economies for achieving economic development and improving social welfare, too. The demographic changes may widely affect the development and trend of target variables of the economy. The identification of the effects of demographic changes on economic security can help policy-making and planning of economic development. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of age structure of the population on economic security in Iran during the period 1981-2016. In this regard, the economic security index (ESI) is firstly estimated using fuzzy logic. The findings indicate the instability of this index. Then, the impact of demographic model of Iran along with other variables affecting Iran's economic security is evaluated using generalized method of moments (GMM). The results show that age structure of the population has a negative and significant effect on Iran's economic security. Population growth, capital stock, financial development, trade openness, and saving rates have positive and significant impacts on the ESI. However, the inflation rate has no significant effect on the ESI. Iran’s population is rapidly aging, and if the current trend continues, the limited economic resources should be assigned to meet the needs of the elderly instead of investing in productive sectors. Therefore, there is a need for planning to tackle this problem.
 

Volume 21, Issue 1 (spring 2021 2021)
Abstract

In the macroeconomics and international economics literature, the rate of change in domestic prices as a result of exchange rate changes is known as the degree of exchange rate pass-through. This is important because the shocks to the economy are transmitted from the exchange rate channel to the relative prices of the economy. In addition, the degree of exchange rate pass-through is affected by microeconomic and macroeconomic variables, so that the degree of exchange rate pass-through will change along with their changes. Therefore, in the present study, the impact of exchange rate on domestic prices is estimated by using the Time-varying Parameter Factor Augmented Structural VAR with Stochastic Volatility (TVP-SFAVAR-SV) and applying seasonal data from 1990 to 2018. First, the latent variable of the amount of speculative activities in the Iranian economy is modeled and estimated. The results show that the highest speculation belongs to the periods 1994 -1996, 1998-1999 and 2011- 2012. Also, the shock to the speculative activities variable in the period under study has led to an increase in inflation. The estimated exchange rate pass-through coefficient has not been constant. Historical variance decomposition analysis of exchange rate pass-through in the presence of the effective factors also shows that the almost all exchange rate fluctuations can be explained by inflation and exchange rate fluctuations, and production gaps.



Volume 22, Issue 1 (Spring 2022 2022)
Abstract

The quality of manpower is one of the factors affecting the environmental degradation. According to studies, air pollution is affected by its past values, so a dynamic model should be used to study it. Accordingly, using the GMM method, the present study evaluates the impact of human capital on air pollution in Iran during 1981-2019. Human capital is a latent variable in economics and is often replaced by alternative proxies. In this paper, like most previous studies, the research model was firstly estimated using the average proxy of years of schooling (as an indicator of human capital), which resulted in statistical insignificance and theoretical inconsistency in the estimated coefficients. Based on theoretical foundations, it is argued that the human capital index in addition to the education component is influenced by other aspects such as skills and health. Therefore, using fuzzy logic, an indicator for human capital in the Iranian economy has been constructed, so that it includes three main aspects (education, skills and health) of human capital. The results of estimation of the air pollution model using the human capital index showed that improving the level of human capital had a negative effect on air pollution. Therefore, by increasing human capital and improving the quality of manpower, we can expect to reduce air pollution and environmental degradation. In addition, urbanization, industrialization, trade freedom, economic growth and pollution in the previous period had positive and significant effects on air pollution.

Volume 24, Issue 2 (summer 2024)
Abstract

Introduction
The occurrence of various shocks affects economic variables and change their course over time. Knowing the effecst of such shocks on economic variables is necessary for proper policy making in the economy. Therefore, many researches are conducted in this field in the world. Policy-making without recognizing these effects can result into tremendous challenges. One of the most effective shocks in the Iranian economy is the sanctions, especially the nuclear ones, which have had extensive effects on the behavior of brokers and consequently on the country's economic variables.
Economic sanctions cause a change in the exchange rate by creating a chaotic atmosphere and confusion in the economy, followed by a change in the supply and demand of housing. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of economic sanctions on the supply and demand of housing through the exchange rate channel. For this purpose, provincial seasonal data for the period of 2011-2021 have been used and Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR) model has been used to analyze the data.
Methodology
Different methods can be used to estimate the model of the equations of this study, such as single equation methods or methods of solving simultaneous equations, whose estimates are different. The most common methods of solving simultaneous equations are the two-stage and three-stage least squares regression methods, as well as Seemingly Unrelated Regression, which is used when there is a relationship between the error part of the equations or there is a simultaneous correlation. The method discussed in this research is Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR) model or Seemingly Unrelated Regression Equations (SURE), which was proposed in 1962 in econometrics.
Findings
The findings show that provincial gross domestic product, housing prices, and inflation have a positive effect on demand. The variables of stock market index, exchange rate and sanctions have had a negative effect on housing demand. On the supply side, housing price variables, the number of building permits issued, and inflation have a positive effect on the housing supply, while the exchange rate, sanctions, and the price of construction materials have a negative effect on the housing supply. Imports and embargoes have increased the exchange rate and exports have decreased the exchange rate. On this basis, the embargo has both a direct effect and an indirect effect through the exchange rate on the reduction of housing supply and demand.
Discussion and Conclusion
The estimation results for the first equation show that the variables are significant. It can also be said that provincial GDP, housing prices and general price level index have a positive effect on housing demand and with the increase of these variables, housing demand increases. According to the findings of the research and the analysis of the available data, the inverse relationship between the stock market index, the sanctions index and the exchange rate with housing demand is confirmed. So, with the growth of the stock market index, sanctions index and exchange rate, the demand for housing decreases.
In the preliminary results, the estimate for the second equation of the average effect of labor wages as a part of the production cost was not significant. But in estimates, the effect of the price of construction materials is significant. This variable was removed from the model. It can be said that one of the reasons for the non-significance of the wage variable is its low relative growth compared to the growth of housing prices and the growth of construction materials. On the other hand, the share of wages in housing construction costs is much lower than the costs of materials and other costs. This causes the wage rate in Iran to be less effective in housing supply. It can also be said that an increase in the provincial GDP, housing prices and the number of building permits issued increases housing supply.
The results of the third equation show that exports, imports, sanctions index, liquidity volume and provincial GDP explain 99% of exchange rate changes. It is worth mentioning that any increase in exports and sanctions index increases the exchange rate, but with the increase in imports, the exchange rate decreases, which shows the negative relationship between the exchange rate and imports. Since the exchange rate increases under the influence of the sanctions and the exchange rate has a negative effect on the housing demand, it can be said that sanctions have a direct effect on the economic activities of supply and demand due to the disruption of security, certainty and economic stability. Housing has an effect on the supply and demand of housing due to the change in the exchange rate


Volume 27, Issue 4 (Winter 2023)
Abstract

Thinkers have suggested the enhancement of public transportation as an effective solution to mitigate transportation-related issues. The tram system is widely regarded as a favorable choice for urban transportation because of its minimal space requirements, low noise generation, and great adaptability. In the context of future urban development in Tabriz, the tram system emerges as a viable solution for improving intra-city transportation. The primary objective of the ongoing study is to evaluate the metrics related to urban tourism and architectural layout in the development of urban tram systems. The research methodology employed aligns with the quantitative nature of the research purpose. Through the conducted research, key indicators concerning the layout of urban tram lines and stations were identified. Subsequently, a comparative analysis of the gathered data was carried out utilizing Friedman and Kendall tests in the SPSS software, based on responses obtained from experts in academic and traffic management fields. The results obtained highlight that the element of accessibility, receiving the highest rating, emerges as the most crucial aspect, while fairness and inclusivity, scoring lowest, are identified as the least significant factors in formulating the design indicators for urban tram routes and stations. The indicators of connection and continuity, ease of access, fairness and inclusiveness, efficiency and responsiveness, and sustainable transportation are among the design indicators of tram routes and stations, which are important in all urban contexts. Considering the characteristics of the historical context, the indicators of identity and sustainable tourism are also important in the design of tram routes and stations, along with the mentioned indicators. For this purpose, solutions were proposed in order to realize the presented indicators.


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