Physiological Response and Aflatoxin Contamination in Maize (Zea Mays L.) Grown Under Varying Water-Deficit Levels in a Semi-Arid Region

The present study explored the effects of water deficit levels at different growth stages of maize (Zea mays L.) cultivated in semi-arid conditions with regard to physiological responses and aflatoxin contamination. The physiological growth changes of maize hybrids were gauged for parameters viz. relative water content (RWC, %), root-shoot ratio (R/S), and specific leaf area (SLA). At the same time, the study used HELICA total Aflatoxin Assay for estimating aflatoxin contamination in the produced maize kernel. Results revealed the third level of water-deficit, which extended to the dent stage, led to lower RWC%, and higher (R/S), alongside lower (SLA). Although the aflatoxin level was estimated to be 18.5 ppb in the maize kernels (FDA limit = 20 ppb), it was apparent that cultivation in a semi-arid condition runs the risk of aflatoxin contamination, likely due to water shortage and high growing temperatures

Psychometric Properties of Persian Version of the Short-Form Workplace Social Capital Questionnaire for Female Health Workers

Background: The workplace social capital is one of the important features of clinical work environment that improves the productivity and quality of services and safety through trust and social participation. Evaluation of workplace social capital requires a valid and reliable scale. The short-form workplace social capital questionnaire developed by Kouvonen has long been used to evaluate the workplace social capital. Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the questionnaire among a group of female Iranian health care workers. Methods: The Persian version of the short-form questionnaire of workplace social capital was finalized after translation and back-translation. 500 female health care workers completed the questionnaire. Then, the content validity and the construct validity of the questionnaire were assessed. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed by Cronbach's a, theta, and McDonald's Omega. The construct reliability and ICC were also evaluated. Results: Based on the maximum likelihood exploratory factor analysis (n=250) and confirmatory factor analysis (n=250), two factors were identified. The factors could explain 65% of the total variance observed. The model had an acceptable fit: GFI=0.953, CFI=0.973, IFI=0.974, NFI=0.953, PNFI=0.522, RAMSEA=0.090, CMIN/DF=2.751, RMR=0.042. Convergent and divergent validity as well as internal consistency and construct reliability of the questionnaire were confirmed. Conclusion: The Persian version of Kouvonen workplace social capital has acceptable validity and reliability. The questionnaire can thus be used in future studies to assess the workplace social capital in Iranian health care workers.Peer reviewe

Performance of Distance Learning Compared with Face to Face Learning

This study aims to addresses the gap between the philosophy of distance learning and FTF learning among primary schools. Additionally, this research also aims to compare the student learning outcomes using distance and face-to-face (FTF) in statistics courses. To test the validity of the outcomes, we select three schools in Sulaimani city/ Iraq. The population of the research was selected in the seventh and tenth graders, two groups for each grade were determined for the research.  For the FTF teaching method, direct lectures in the computer lab were presented to the students. While, for the distance learning method, the online course was introduced to via Skype. At the end of each teaching course, a text exam was performed for both groups. The results showed that students passing rate in the exam using FTF was 91% and 83% in Sarchya and Kareem Zand basic school respectively compared to only 67% for online classes in both schools in seventh graders. While for tenth grades in Bakrajo Industrial High School the passing rate for FTF was 81% and for virtual class 60%. This result shows that the students who did not visit classroom performed poorer understanding rate compared to those who attended the class in FTF metho

Depth-Varying Friction on a Ramp-Flat Fault Illuminated by ∼3-Year InSAR Observations Following the 2017 Mw 7.3 Sarpol-e Zahab Earthquake

We use interferometric synthetic aperture radar observations to investigate the fault geometry and afterslip evolution within 3 years after a mainshock. The postseismic observations favor a ramp-flat structure in which the flat angle should be lower than 10°. The postseismic deformation is dominated by afterslip, while the viscoelastic response is negligible. A multisegment, stress-driven afterslip model (hereafter called the SA-2 model) with depth-varying frictional properties better explains the spatiotemporal evolution of the postseismic deformation than a two-segment, stress-driven afterslip model (hereafter called the SA-1 model). Although the SA-2 model does not improve the misfit significantly, this multisegment fault with depth-varying friction is more physically plausible given the depth-varying mechanical stratigraphy in the region. Compared to the kinematic afterslip model, the mechanical afterslip models with friction variation tend to underestimate early postseismic deformation to the west, which may indicate more complex fault friction than we expected. Both the kinematic and stress-driven models can resolve downdip afterslip, although it could be affected by data noise and model resolution. The transition depth of the sedimentary cover basement interface inferred by afterslip models is ∼12 km in the seismogenic zone, which coincides with the regional stratigraphic profile. Because the coseismic rupture propagated along a basement-involved fault while the postseismic slip may activate the frontal structures and/or shallower detachments in the sedimentary cover, the 2017 Sarpol-e Zahab earthquake may have acted as a typical event that contributed to both thick- and thin-skinned shortening of the Zagros in both seismic and aseismic ways

A cross-sectional study on serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level and shift work among reproductive age women

Background: Among the inflammatory factors, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is one of the strongest predictors of cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of serum hs-CRP level with shift work among reproductive age women. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2017 to May 2018 in three cities in Mazandaran Province, North of Iran. Through purposive sampling, 350 women (172 shift workers and 178 day workers) were recruited. The guideline recommended by the American Heart Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was used to interpret the result of hs-CRP measurement as the following: less than 1 µg/ml: low CVD risk; 1–3 µg/ml: moderate CVD risk; and more than 3 µg/ml: high CVD risk. The data were analyzed using the independent-sample t and the chi-square tests as well as the logistic regression analysis. Results: 11.1 of participants had a serum hs-CRP level of more than 3 µg/ml. This rate among shift workers was significantly greater than day workers (15.6 vs. 7.0; p=0.012). After adjusting the effects of potential confounders shift work significantly increased the odds of serum hs-CRP level of more than 3 µg/ml by 2.45 times (OR=2.45, 95 CI: 1.01–5.93, p=0.047). Conclusion: Shift work is a significant predictor of high serum hs-CRP level probably due to its association with sleep problems and occupational stress. Improving the knowledge of female shift workers about the importance of quality sleep can reduce their CVD risk and improve their health

Relationship of social capital with overweight and obesity among female health care workers

Background: The epidemic of obesity has turned into a major global health challenge. Environmental and social factors such as social capital, can significantly affect obesity. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of social capital with overweight and obesity among female health-care workers. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 on 680 female health-care workers who were randomly selected from healthcare settings affiliated to Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and the Workplace Social Capital (WSC) questionnaire. The SPSS Version 21 was employed to analyze the data through conducting the independent-sample t and the chi-square tests as well as the linear and the logistic regression analyses at a significance level of less than 0.05. Results: Linear regression analysis revealed that age, marital status, satisfaction with economic status, and structural social capital were significant predictors of body mass index (P<0.05). Moreover, logistic regression analysis indicated that weak social capital increased the odds of overweight/ obesity by 1.3 times (OR=1.345; 95 CI: 0.643–2.812) and weak structural social capital significantly increased the odds of overweight /obesity by almost four times (OR=3.757; 95 CI: 1.628–8.671; P=0.002). Conclusion: Social capital, particularly structural social capital, is a significant predictor of body mass index and a protective factor against obesity among female health-care workers. Further studies are needed to determine the paths through which social capital affects obesity- and overweight-related behaviors.

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication