The effect of increasing the illumination on operators' visual performance in the control-room of a combined cycle power plant

BACKGROUND: Lighting is one of the environmental factors affecting the performance of the control room operators. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the control room operators’ visual performance in two different illumination conditions at a combined cycle power plant through field-work. METHODS: Sixteen operators in day shift were evaluated with the Freiburg Visual Acuity test (FrACT) software at two lighting systems with different intensities. It includes the first phase with fluorescent illumination system (Power: 40 W, Color Temperature: 4000 Kelvin, Luminous Flux: 2780 Lumen and Model: Pars Shahab) and the second phase with a combined illumination system includes fluorescent and LED (Power: 48 W, Color Temperature: 4000 Kelvin, Luminous Flux: 5400 Lumen and Model: Mazinoor). RESULTS: Based on the results, visual performance index and visual acuity significantly increased after the intervention (p < 0.001). As to contrast, more lighting significantly reduced the percentage of recognized contrast (p < 0.001) and increased the contrast performance index (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that increasing the intensity of light from the values below the allowable limit to the values above the allowable limit would increase the visual indicators in individuals.

Distribution of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting domestic ruminants in mountainous areas of Golestan province, Iran

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the prevalence of ticks on cattle in the mountainous areas of Golestan province and their geographical distribution.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In total, 498 animals from 25 herds were selected to search for ticks in 2009-2010. Tick collection was carried out during four seasons, twice per season over a period of 12 month from March 2009 through February 2010 in two districts, Azadshahr and Ramian. Meteorological data were obtained from Iran Meteorological Organization. The geographical points recorded using a Garmin eTrex®H GPS.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 255 ticks were collected from a total of 219 ruminants including 44 sheep, 63 goats, 99 cows and 13 camels in two districts of the mountainous area of Golestan province, including Azadshahr and Ramian. Five species of ixodid ticks were identified: Rhipicephalus sanguineus (66.5%), Rhipicephalus bursa (4.6%), Hyalomma marginatum (19.9%), Hyalomma anatolicum (6%) and Hyalomma asiaticum (4%). The densities of infestations were calculated for sheep, goats, cows and camels 0.9, 0.79, 0.16 and 0.43 respectively. Seasonal activity of each ixodid tick infesting domestic ruminants was determined. The distribution maps showed ixodid ticks on domestic ruminants, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus were dominant species in the area.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Such research provides necessary information for human and animal health service mangers to have a better understanding of prevention and control of vector borne diseases especially during the outbreaks.</p>

[Indicators of empowerment in women supported by imam Khomeini relief committee of Gorgan in confrontation with violence]

Violence against women is recognized internationally. Domestic Violence is a phenomenon as old as family history. The purpose of this study was to determine empowerment indicators of women covered by Imam Khomeini Relief Committee in Gorgan. The method of study was descriptive-analytical and the data collection tool was a questionnaire. To determine reliability, test-retest method was used, and a correlation coefficient of 0.883 was obtained. To determine validity, Cronbach's alpha was applied and the figure turned out to be 0.81. In total, 91 women participated in the study and completed the questionnaire. They had at least one child and each lived with her husband. The data were then analyzed using SPPS software [version 16] as well as descriptive and inferential [Chi square] statistics. The means and standard deviations of women's Knowledge, Attitude, Self-esteem and Self-efficacy were 6.5 +/- 2.49, 4.16 +/- 2.22, 5.25 +/- 1.92, 5.26 +/- 1.67. The means of all 4 indicators were either average or low for violence against women; moreover, they did not know much about anger management skills. Women should be empowered to prevent violence against them. To this end, they should be informed about how to enhance their Knowledge, Attitude, Self-esteem and Self-efficacy

[Relation between empowerment of diabetes control and adoption of self-management behaviors and its related factors among type 2 diabetic patients]

Diabetes mellitus as a chronic disease is associated with complications and stress. Empowerment as a coping index in health issues can be helpful among diabetic patients. In this study, we aimed to determine empowerment and adoption of self-management behaviors and its related factors among type 2 diabetic patients referring to hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences during 2010. This study was a cross-sectional research conducted during a 9 months period [2010-2011]. A total of 688 samples were selected by random sampling. A questionnaire consisting of three parts including socio-demographic and health related data, diabetes empowerment scale [28 items], and diabetes self- management instrument [35 items] was used. Collected data was analyzed by SPSS software version 18 with using parametric and nonparametric tests. Response rate was 100%. Mean age of participants was 54.41 +/- 8.22 [Mean +/- SD]. Study findings showed that empowerment had significant relation between level of education [p=0.006] and age [p=0.009]. Self- management and some variables such as age [p<0.001], level of education [p<0.001], marital status [p=0.04] and disease duration [p=0.004] had significant relationship. Also, Pearson correlation coefficient showed that empowerment had reverse and linear relation with adoption of self-management behaviors among type 2 diabetic patients. Thus, by increasing empowerment score, adoption of self-management behaviors is increased [r = 0.28, p<0.001]. Regarding to relation between empowerment and adoption of self-management behaviors, focusing on planning empowerment based interventions has been more highlighted. It seems these strategies can be helpful in decreasing complications and mortality.

Imputation in missing not at random SNPs data using EM algorithm

The relation between single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs] and some diseases has been concerned by many researchers. Also the missing SNPs are quite common in genetic association studies. Hence, this article investigates the relation between existing SNPs in DNMT1 of human chromosome 19 with colorectal cancer. This article aims is to presents an imputation method for missing SNPs not at random. In this case-control study, 100 patients suffering from colorectal cancer consulting with the Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Disease of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences were considered as the case group and 100 other patients consulting with the same research institute were considered as the control group and the genetic test was applied in order to identify the genotype of the 6 SNPs of the DNMT1 of chromosom 19 for all the patients under investigation. The obtained data were analyzed using logistic regression, then a fraction of the data was eliminated both at random and not at random and the imputation was done through the EM algorithm and the logistic regression coefficients variation before and after the imputation was compared. The results of this study implied that in both methods, at random and not at random missing SNPs, the estimation of the logistic regression coefficients after the imputation through EM algorithm has a greater correspondence to the results obtained from the complete data in comparison with the method of eliminating the missing values

[ study of the comparison between diabetic patients type2 life style and healthy people]

Diabetes is one of the most important non contagious diseases. Diabetes is a significant and expensive health problem which influences all age groups in almost all countries. Increasing prevalence of this disease is the result of continued changes in lifestyle such as unsuitable nutrition, lack of physical activities and obesity which are often consequences of modern life and industrialization. Chronic nature of the disease and severity of its complications, in addition to the resources needed for its control, Diabetes is an expensive illness for both the patients and health system. This study was designed and conducted for examining the relationship between life style risk factors and the disease. The study was a case-control one conducted on 140 cases of patients suffering from Diabetes type II, as case group, and 140 relatives of other patients who were admitted, as control group. They were of both sexes, with the age between 30 to 64 years and all living in Tonekabon. It was performed in Shahid Rajaei hospital of Tonekabon. The questionnaire used contained informations about demographic, nutrition, physical activities, stress management and smoking habits. The SPSS 11.5 and Excel software have been used for statistical calculations and for analyzing the data T-Chi-Square test was applied. Based on collected data, there were important statistical relationship between physical activity, stress management abilities, smoking and Diabetes type II. [P-value<0.0001].There was no positive relationship between sex, marital status, economical and social condition [P-value>0.05]. High blood pressure, heart diseases, inappropriate stress management and lack of physical activities were issues related to Diabetes type II disease. Results imply that some factors are important regarding diabetes type II. These risk factors are as follows: high blood pressure, heart diseases, lack of physical activities, lack of stress tolerance and control

Evaluation of risk factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders of upper limbs extremity among press workers

Exposure assessment of individual press workers to risk factors associated with work-related upper extremity muscoluskeletal disorders [UEMSDs]. This was a workplace field based, descriptive and analytical study. The study was conducted in presswork shops of an automobile manufacturing industry in Tehran, Iran during 2004-2005. Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire [NMQ] and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment [RULA] ergonomics posture based method were applied among 50 workers who work in bending, impact and hydraulic press shops. Then RULA and NMQ results were analysed and compared against each other through SPSS statistical package. The results of this study showed that among all 50 press workers high and low prevalence of pain existed in low back [60%], shoulder and back [16%-18%], respectively. Whilst in other part of body such as thighs and legs, wrist and neck it varies from 22%-44%. In addition, RULA and NMQ results were comparable for bending press workers only and it revealed that 75% of workers have score three for arm, forearm and wrist and 63% of workers have score two for neck, trunk and foot. Also, significant differences were observed between RULA body part scores [1 or >1] and the reported pain in neck and trunk [1df p=0.011 and p=0.026, respectively]. Press workers are involved in musculoskeletal disorders in performing their job and RULA method can be considered a useful method for evaluation of WRMSDs in presswork shops of automobile manufacturing industry