Policy options for strengthening evidence-informed health policy-making in Iran: overall SASHA project findings

Background The institutionalization of evidence-informed health policy-making (EIHP) is complex and complicated. It is complex because it has many players and is complicated because its institutionalization will require many changes that will be challenging to make. Like many other issues, strengthening EIHP needs a road map, which should consider challenges and address them through effective, harmonized and contextualized strategies. This study aims to develop a road map for enhancing EIHP in Iran based on steps of planning. Methods This study consisted of three phases: (1) identifying barriers to EIHP, (2) recognizing interventions and (3) measuring the use of evidence in Iran's health policy-making. A set of activities was established for conducting these, including foresight, systematic review and policy dialogue, to identify the current and potential barriers for the first phase. For the second phase, an evidence synthesis was performed through a scoping review, by searching the websites of benchmark institutions which had good examples of EIHP practices in order to extract and identify interventions, and through eight policy dialogues and two broad opinion polls to contextualize the list of interventions. Simultaneously, two qualitative-quantitative studies were conducted to design and use a tool for assessing EIHP in the third phase. Results We identified 97 barriers to EIHP and categorized them into three groups, including 35 barriers on the “generation of evidence” (push side), 41 on the “use of evidence” (pull side) and 21 on the “interaction between these two” (exchange side). The list of 41 interventions identified through evidence synthesis and eight policy dialogues was reduced to 32 interventions after two expert opinion polling rounds. These interventions were classified into four main strategies for strengthening (1) the education and training system (6 interventions), (2) the incentives programmes (7 interventions), (3) the structure of policy support organizations (4 interventions) and (4) the enabling processes to support EIHP (15 interventions). Conclusion The policy options developed in the study provide a comprehensive framework to chart a path for strengthening the country’s EIHP considering both global practices and the context of Iran. It is recommended that operational plans be prepared for road map interventions, and the necessary resources provided for their implementation. The implementation of the road map will require attention to the principles of good governance, with a focus on transparency and accountability

A Review on Potentials of Magnetic Shape Memory Alloys for Energy Harvesting

Magnetic shape memory alloys, MSMAs, are modern alloys suitable for harvesting waste energy in low-power electrical equipment. This is due to their unique combination of large displacement, rapid mechanical responses, and great actuation capability. In recent years, significant efforts have been made to develop effective technologies for energy harvesting by MSMAs. However, so far, this topic has not been subject to any review. To address this issue, the current study puts forward an overview on the progress and challenges of MSMAs for the usage in a harvesting energy from vibrational, thermal, and acoustic energy sources. An emphasis is put on explaining the different designs of energy harvesting systems that use MSMAs. The review also presents some background information on the MSMAs and their working principles. It eventually identifies some directions for future studies in this field

Effect of General Hypothermia on the Embolic Model of Stroke in the Male Rat

Introduction: Hypothermia has neuroprotective effects in permanent or transient models of cerebral artery occlusion. In the current study, neuroprotective effect of general hypothermia in the embolic model of stroke, in which no study has been conducted to date. Methods: In this experimental study, twenty-four male Wistar rats (250 to 350 g) were divided into three groups as following: sham, Control and hypothermia. Stroke was induced by clot injection into the right middle cerebral artery (MCA). General hypothermia was induced at 6 h after stroke. Neurological deficits were measured at 24 and 48 h after ischemia. Infarction volume and brain edema were determined at the end of study. Results: General hypothermia significantly decreased infarct volume (P<0.001) and neurological deficits (P<0.001). No significant difference was observed between hypothermia and control group in brain edema. Conclusion: According to the findings of the present study, general hypothermia at six h after ischemia shows neuroprotection in the embolic model of stroke