gholam reza mohammadi

In sustainable agriculture, one of the effective strategies to improve potato yield as the fourth most valuable plant in human nutrition is the use of cover crops in crop rotation. This research was conducted to investigate the effect of three cover crop species (clover, vetch and barley) planted as pure and mixed as green manure on growth and yield of potato in the Agricultural Research Farm of Razi University, Kermanshah in the form of a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that in all stages of measurement including vegetative growth (before flowering), tuber formation, tuber filling and maturity potato showed higher plant height, leaf area, leaf dry weight, stem dry weight, the number of main stems and leaf relative water content under green manure treatments compared to control (without cover crops). Moreover, the use of cover crops led to the highest number of potato tubers produced. Cover crops had also a positive effect on the diameter grading of the tubers at the maturity stage, as the highest large tubers (211 per m-2) were observed in the treatment of 40% clover + 40% vetch + 20% barley. Also, under this treatment, potato tuber yield increased by 8 ton ha-1 compared to the control treatment. In general, the results revealed that the use of cover crops as green manures can be a suitable method to improve growth characteristics and yield of potato especially when a mixture of legume and non-legume species are used.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a leading health issue in dairy calves, significantly impacting animal welfare and farm economics.

This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of BRD in a dairy herd, comparing the diagnostic effectiveness of clinical signs and thoracic ultrasound (TUS) screening.

A cohort of dairy herd calves was assessed using both diagnostic approaches (clinical signs and TUS). Clinical signs were evaluated based on observable indicators such as coughing, nasal discharge and abnormal breathing patterns. Concurrently, TUS was used to detect pulmonary abnormalities indicative of respiratory pathology. The prevalence rates determined by each method were analyzed.

This study underscores the importance of advanced diagnostic tools in the early identification and control of BRD in calves, advocating for a more comprehensive approach to calf health management. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the prevalence of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in a cohort of 230 dairy calves using thoracic ultrasound (TUS) and clinical signs. Our findings indicate a significant discrepancy between the two diagnostic methods, with TUS identifying a prevalence rate of 62%, while clinical signs suggested a rate of 21%. This disparity highlights the potential for underdiagnosis when relying solely on clinical observations.

Our findings reveal that while clinical signs provide a rapid assessment tool for on-farm diagnosis, TUS provides higher accuracy and quality and revealing subclinical cases not readily diagnosed through clinical observation alone. The integration of TUS into routine veterinary examinations could enhance the early detection and management of BRD, potentially reducing the economic burden of the disease and improving the overall health status of dairy herds.

Crops yield can be considered in different situations, which is called different production levels. Potential yield level is that determined by radiation, temperature and cultivar traits without limitations of biotic or abiotic factors; while attainable yield level is that limited by water or nutrient supply, and actual yield level is that determined in the present of the limiting (water or nutrient) and reducing factors (such as weed, harmful insects and plant diseases). The yield gap is the difference between the potential yield level and actual yield level. Identifying the yields at different production levels and quantifying the yield gaps through field experiments may involve many years of data collection on which to make meaningful inferences. Crop simulation models are an alternative tool for analyzing interactions between water and nitrogen availabilities on yield generation. The objectives of the present study was to estimate potential yields and yield gaps for irrigated wheat using the CERES-Wheat model, and other limiting and reducing factors in the main wheat growing regions of Kermanshah province. The study was conducted at 3 locations in Kermanshah province, which is located in west of Iran. Historical weather data for 1999 to 2016 were obtained from the Iran Meteorological Organization for the 3 locations. The weather data included daily solar radiation (MJ m-2 d-1), daily maximum and minimum temperatures (°C), and daily rainfall (mm). The CERES-Wheat model was calibrated for Pishgam cultivar of wheat and validated for a main wheat growing regain to estimate yield gaps in some locations of Kermanshah province in west Iran. In order to calibrate and validation of the model, in another study, leaf area index, phenological growth stages, total dry weight yield and grain yield were used. The validated model was used to simulate long-term yield under three management conditions (potential, water-limited, nitrogen-limited). The experiments were conducted in the Campus of Agriculture and Natural Resources Field at Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran (34◦19´N, 47◦50´E, altitude 1320 m) on soil classified as Inceptisol typic during 2014-2015 and 2015-2016. The treatments were included 4 levels of nitrogen fertilizer application (90, 180, 300 and 360 kg ha-1 urea). The simulation results indicated that averaged simulated potential yield was 8.9 t ha-1, while water and nitrogen limitation yields were 8.0 and 7.1 t ha-1, indicating 10.3% and 20.2% reduction in wheat yield, respectively. The potential yields changed spatially due to changes in temperature and solar radiation. The average actual yield was 5.5 t ha-1 which was 3.4, 2.7 and 1.8 t ha-1 less than potential, water limitation and nitrogen limitation yields, respectively. There was fairly large gap between the actual and the potential yields (about 3.4 t ha-1). When averaged over years, total yield gap obtained for Kermanshah was 2.7 t ha-1, for Kangavar was 3.7 t ha-1, and for Ravansar was 3.8 t ha-1. Across locations, contribution of yield gap from water limitation was 26%, for nitrogen limitation was 51.3% and for other limiting and reducing factors was 22.7%. It can be concluded that the management timing of nitrogen application might reduce yield gap across locations. On the other hand, improved irrigation methods might lead to improved actual yield through preventing of the water and nitrogen leaching which it can reduce the total yield gap. In this study, only the role of water and nitrogen limitation was evaluated. The data collected from questionnaires showed that the yield gap of wheat was affected by the unsuitable of crop management practices, including optimum planting date, and pest and weed management that were not studied in the simulations.

Preventing the years of life lost in newborns and children is one of the serious public health problems in underdeveloped countries.

This review aimed to highlight the significant determinants related to under-five child mortality in Iran (both in-hospital and out-of-hospital) through a systematic review of the literature.

EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, Magiran and Web of Science databases, as well as the Google Scholar search engine, were used for the systematic search of the literature for Iranian studies. Special syntax was used to search the relevant studies for the review. Original research articles in English and Persian until December 31, 2023, were included in the analysis and synthesis of the results. A total of 15 studies were incorporated into this review. Eligible articles were thoroughly appraised and pertinent information was extracted and integrated into the systematic review. 

The highest frequency of mortality occurred in boys. The three most significant causes of death among Iranian children aged 1-59 months, respectively, are congenital disorders (28%), respiratory distress syndrome (18%) and non-traffic and traffic accidents (17%).

The most common causes of mortality among Iranian children aged 1-59 include congenital abnormalities, unintentional injuries, mortality due to external factors, and respiratory infections. However, without accurate recording of causes of death using international classification of diseases 10th Revision (ICD-10), as well as conducting autopsy or registering precise age periods for children under five years old, it is not possible to adequately analyze extensive patterns of mortality in the country. Consequently, related public health planning is diminished, which negatively impacts efforts to effectively reduce mortality.

With the development and exploitation of new water resources, especially in the agricultural sector in arid ‎and semi-arid regions such as Iran, the use of wastewater can be considered as water resources. By using these ‎resources, not only part of the agricultural water shortage is compensated, but also the effects of improper discharge of ‎effluents and its damages to agricultural resources and the environment are prevented. Wheat is one of the most ‎important crops that is very important in terms of level and nutritional value, so over the past few decades, many ‎measures have been taken to increase its yield. Among these measures, we can mention the use of organic fertilizers such ‎as sewage sludge, which in addition to increasing yield, it is important to study the environmental and health issues ‎related to the use of these fertilizers, as well as the absorption of heavy elements.‎ In order to evaluate the effect of Ravansar industrial town effluent on yield and accumulation of ‎heavy metals in wheat grain (Pishgam cultivar), in the 2016-17 crop year on a farm in Kermanshah province, Ravansar ‎city, a research project as split plot was performed in three replications. Experimental factors included 1. Irrigation water ‎as the main factor (at three levels: a) Irrigation with industrial town effluent b) Irrigation with the channel of Ravansar c) ‎Irrigation with well water) 2. Irrigation times as a secondary factor (including 1- One irrigation time, 2- two irrigation ‎times, and 3- three irrigation times). ‎ The results of the present study showed that the application of industrial town effluent and water of Qarsoo ‎Ravansar canal had significant values of micronutrients for wheat growth. The application of the mentioned effluent ‎showed that the effluent increased the concentration of iron (43 mg kg-1), zinc (41.77 mg kg-1) and copper (7.53 mg kg-1) ‎in the wheat seed. Comparison of heavy metal concentrations in plant samples showed that the concentrations of lead ‎‎(1.01 mg kg-1) and cadmium (1.21 mg kg-1) evaluated in the present study are high in effluent-treated samples. In well ‎water treatments, the concentration of heavy metals was less than the allowable limit, but in canal and effluent water ‎treatments, the concentration was very high and beyond the allowable limit of heavy metals. But it is not in the toxic ‎concentration range of these elements. ‎ Effluent increased the concentration of iron, zinc, and copper in plant seeds compared to control. All of ‎these elements are the nutrients required for the filling of grains such as wheat. The results showed that the application of ‎wastewater had a positive role in the filling of wheat grains, and by releasing nutrients during the growth period of ‎Pishgam variety wheat, it increased grain yield. Overall, although the concentration of heavy elements evaluated in the ‎present study is high in the sample treated with wastewater, it was lower than the toxicity level defined in wheat grain. ‎

Cryptosporidium is one of the major causes of diarrhea in animals and humans worldwide. The purpose of this research was to estimate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection and investigate the predisposing factors of infection in lambs in the suburbs of Mashhad, eastern Iran.  In this research, a total of 400 fecal specimens of lambs aged 5-90 days were taken by rectal examination and mixed with the same volume of 2.5% potassium dichromate until further examinations. In the lab, thin fecal smears were prepared from the specimens and stained using the modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique. The stained smears were examined under 40X and 100X magnification. In addition, anamnestic, epidemiological, management, and hygiene measures data, including age, sex, breed, rectal temperature, fecal consistency, herd number, keeping with other animals, type of pen, type of bedding, colostrum consumption, source of drinking water were recorded in questionnaires and analyzed. In the current research, the intensity of infection was determined. In microscopy, 11% of the examined smears scored positive. The lowest intensity of infection was recorded in 38.63%, the average intensity of infection was found in 47.7%, and the highest intensity of infection was found in 13.63% of samples. Cryptosporidium infection was significantly influenced by some analyzed factors, including younger age, absence of colostrum intake, mud wall of the pens, and non-tap water consumption. The present study showed that the infection of lambs with Cryptosporidium is significant in the suburbs of Mashhad, although in most cases, the intensity of contamination was moderate.

Good governance represents a novel approach to governing a country, involving the collaborative participation of the government, private sector, and the populace in the administration of the nation. This model is deemed a fitting strategy for achieving sustainable development. The objective of this article is to scrutinize the economic landscape of Southwest Asia from 2006 to 2022. Employing a descriptive-analytical method with a critical geopolitical approach, the research aims to address the question: How have Southwest Asian countries fared in terms of economic indicators during the study period, considering the presumed impact of good governance on economic growth? The research findings indicate that countries embracing the principles of good governance in political management exhibit positive performance in economic indicators.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different tillage systems including conservation and conventional on yield-related traits and seed quality of some autumn-seeded chickpea cultivars. The experiment was carried out as split plot based on a completely randomized block design during the 1399-1400 growing season. Tillage systems including conventional, reduced and no tillage were arranged as main factor and chickpea cultivars (Adel, Arman, Hashem, Mansour, Azad, Azkan, Aksu and Goksu) were arranged as sub factor. Among the traits under study only 100-seed weight was significantly affected by tillage systems and the interaction between tillage and cultivar. The highest 100-seed weight (42 g) was obtained for Aksu under no till system whereas, the lowest value was recorded for Arman and Hashem under all three tillage systems. However, the effect of cultivar on 100-seed weight, the number of pods per plant, harvest index, reproductive effort index and seed protein percent was significant. The highest harvest index (47%) and protein percent (19%) were observed in Adel and Mansour, respectively. Overall, the findings of this research showed that chickpea yield and related traits (excluding 100-seed weight) as well as grain quality were not significantly affected by tillage systems. There was no significant difference in grain yield between the studied cultivars, although the difference between them was significant in terms of some yield-related traits and grain protein percent.

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is the causative agent of Johne's disease in wild and domestic ruminants. Clinically, infected cattle show emaciation symptoms, diarrhea, and death. Asymptomatic subclinical cases can intermittently shed MAP through feces and milk and infect other cattle animals, thus increasing the risk of infection. The purpose of the present study was to detect the prevalence of this disease in dairy cattle. For this purpose, 348 samples were randomly collected from 15 cattle farms. All fecal samples were subjected to ZN staining and PCR of nucleotide sequences related to specific MAP gene fragments (IS900, F57) and were cultured in Harold's egg yolk culture medium after being disinfected with solution (0.0% HPC75). PCR testing of 116 fecal samples (33.3%, CI:95% 28.3-38.2), ZN staining of 23 samples (6.6%, CI: 95% 4-9.2), and fecal sample culture of only 15 samples (4.3%, CI:95% 2.3-6.3,) were infected with MAP. Comparison of test results showed poor agreement (kappa statistic: 0.19) between ZN staining and PCR results and poor agreement (kappa statistic: 0.13) between PCR test and fecal culture. This study highlights the advantages of PCR for detecting MAP in subclinically infected cattle compared to ZN staining and fecal culture. Therefore, it can be used for early detection and control of MAP in cattle and at-risk populations.

Economic development requires fundamental changes in political, economic, social and cultural structures. The purpose of this research is to explain and analyze the economic performance of South West Asian countries during the study period.

This article is done in a descriptive-analytical way and seeks to answer the question, "How have the countries of Southwest Asia performed economically during the study period?" With the assumption that good governance is a good model for improving economic performance.

It showed that during the study period, the countries of Southwest Asia were divided into four groups of countries with economic performance: a- very good b- good c- average d- poor. Most of the countries in this region are Challenges such as lack of political stability, insecurity, US military invasion, civil wars, emergence of Salafist and Takfiri groups, Jihadi terrorism, oil economy, unemployment, inflation, foreign interventions, migration of human capital could not have a proper economic performance.

The countries that improved, modernized and reformed the governance method achieved good performance in economic indicators, and the countries that stood up to the demands of the nations with monopolization in politics and economy faced many challenges that prevented them from their economic development.

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two philosophy programs for children and group play therapy with cognitive-behavioral method on psychological flexibility in children with separation anxiety disorder. Research method; The quasi-experimental was pretest, posttest and follow-up with the control group..The statistical population was children aged 6 to 12 years referred to Shamim Counseling Center in Kermanshah in 2019-2020. The sample group consisted of 30 children with separation anxiety. The sample was selected by purposive sampling and random sampling First, separation anxiety questionnaire and Wisconsin card test was performed for all 3 groups (pre-test). Then, The participants of the first group received a philosophy program for children. And the second group received group play therapy while the control group did not receive educational intervention. Then, all 3 groups were re-evaluated with the mentioned questionnaires (post-test). The follow-up stage was held 2 months later. Data analysis was performed using multivariate analysis of covariance. Both philosophy program for children and group cognitive-behavioral play therapy have a significant effect on increasing psychological flexibility (p <0.05, F=1/031). Of course, in this study, the effectiveness of philosophy education program for children was more than play therapy.

Inclusion of cover crops in crop rotations has several benefits such as supplying nitrogen for the next crop. To investigate the effect of cover crops and different levels of nitrogen fertilizer on tuber yield, yield components, and different nitrogen efficiency indices of potato, a filed experiment was conducted as split plots arrangements in randomized complete block design with three replications in 2018-19 and 2019-20 growing seasons at the agricultural research farm of Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran. The main plots was assigned to cover crop at four levels including; rye, vetch, mixed (vetch + rye) and control (no cover crop) and the sub-plots was nitrogen fertilizer application at four levels including; 0 (control), 33, 66, and 100 percent of the recommended fertilizer level based on the soil test. The results showed that treatments had significant effects on tuber yield and yield components, plant height, the number of main stem per plant, nitrogen use indices and tuber nitrate content. Vetch and mixed treatments along with application of 66 percent of nitrogen fertilizer led to the 13 and 8 percent increases in potato yield when compared with application of 100 percent of nitrogen fertilizer without cover crop, respectively. Maximum tuber yield obtained in vetch with application of 66 percent of nitrogen fertilizer (35.42 ton.ha-1) and the least tuber nitrate (31.92 mg.kg-1) wasmeasured in control (without nitrogen fertilizer). Application of nitrogen fertilizer had a significant negative effect on nitrogen use efficiency as the highest nitrogen use efficiency (94.78 kg.kg-1) was obtained by inclusion of vetch as cover crop and without application of nitrogen fertilizer. In conclusion, our findings showed the positive effect of cover crops along with application of optimum level of nitrogen fertilizer on tuber yield potato, plant height and number of main stem per plant. This can be considered as a crop management package that leads to the reduction of application of chemical fertilizers, prevents its adverse effects on environment and more economic benefits for farmers.

Children with separation anxiety disorder have many problems in their mental health and social life.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Training based philosophy for children on psychological flexibility and social performance in children with separation anxiety disorder aged 6 to 12 years with separation anxiety disorder. Research method in this study; The quasi-experimental was pretest and posttest with the control group. The statistical population was all children referred to Shamim Counseling Center in Kermanshah in 2019-2020. The sample group consisted of 20 children with separation anxiety disorder. The sample was selected by purposive sampling and random sampling. The sample group consisted of 20 children with separation anxiety disorder. The sample was selected by purposive sampling and random sampling. First, separation anxiety questionnaires (Han et al., 2003), Matson's social skills (Matson et al., 1983) and the Wisconsin card classification test (Grant and Berg, 1948) were administered to both groups (pretest). The participants in the intervention group then received Training based philosophy for children in 10 sessions of 60 minutes once a week; While the control group did not receive any educational intervention. Then both groups were re-evaluated with the mentioned questionnaires (post-test). The follow-up stage was held 2 months after the post-test. Covariance analysis was used to analyze the data by observing the defaults. The results showed that psychological flexibility and social functioning increased significantly (P <0.05) and the level of anxiety in these children decreased significantly.

In order to investigate the effect of different phosphorus and radiation treatments on Azolla growth and water use efficiency (WUE), an experiment was carried out at the Agricultural Research Greenhouse of Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran. The experiment was a factorial with three factors based on a completely randomized design with three replications. The first factor was cultivation dates (4 May and 4 June), the second was radiation levels (0, 50 and 100% of full sunlight) and the third was phosphorus treatments including control (without fertilizer), chemical fertilizer and chicken manure. Results indicated that the highest dry matter produced and water use efficiency occurred at the 100% level of full sunlight. At the higher radiation levels (50 and 100% of full sunlight) chicken manure performed better as compared with the other phosphorus treatments. Moreover, at the 100% of full sunlight, there was no significant difference between the two cultivation dates in terms of WUE.

To decrease diabetes prevalence, society will have to make efficient policies.

This study was done to raise public awareness by estimating the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Semnan province from 2015 to 2020 and predicting its incidence until 2025.

A Box-Jenkins time series analysis was used in this longitudinal study. The number of referrals with diabetes was estimated month by month from 2015 to 2020. The autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model parameters were determined using the Time Autocorrelation Function and Partial Autocorrelation Function graphs after using appropriate data transformation methods to create a stationary time series. Dickey-Fuller test was used to perform an accurate examination of the static assumption. ARIMA (3,1,4) was selected as the best fit for the data after analyzing the Akaike statistics of the proposed models. Finally, until 2025, the ARIMA (3,1,4) model projected the number of diabetic patients in Semnan province.

The total incidence of T2DM ranged by year was 75203 in 2015 and 165143 in 2020. The time series has an increasing trend, but there is no seasonal variation or periodic pattern. The data about the T2DM incidence indicated an upward trend. Furthermore, the number of T2DM patients is expected to reach 14546.35 (95% CI: 13667.88 - 15374.72) in 2021 and will reach 16956.45 (95% CI: 13499.26 - 19819.49) by the end of 2025.

This study reported an increasing trend in T2DM incidence, which necessitates a national commitment to proactive remedies, including public policies and economic incentives for localities to begin diabetes preventive initiatives.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of philosophy education for children and group play therapy with cognitive-behavioral method on social performance of children with separation anxiety disorder. Research method in this study; The quasi-experimental was pretest and posttest with the control group. The statistical population was all children referred to Shamim Counseling Center in Kermanshah. The sample group consisted of 30 children with separation anxiety disorder. The sample was selected by purposive sampling and alternative by random sampling. First, social skills questionnair (Matson et al., 1983). Implemented for all three groups (pre-test). Then, the participants of one of the intervention groups received the philosophy training program for group child play therapy in 10 sessions of 60 minutes once a week, and the other intervention group received group play therapy with cognitive-behavioral method in 10 sessions of 60 minutes. ; While the control group did not receive any educational intervention. Then all three groups were re-evaluated with the mentioned questionnair (post-test). The follow-up stage was held 2 months after the post-test. The results showed that both methods in the intervention groups had a significant effect on increasing social performance. Of course, the effectiveness of the philosophy education program for children has been more than group play therapy in a cognitive-behavioral way.

During the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, anxiety has always been with patients.

It is necessary to obtain a valid instrument for the evaluation and screening of patients with anxiety. The current study attempted to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity and provide the clinical cut-off scores for the Death Anxiety Scale (DAS) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item (GAD-7) Scale in hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in Iran.

This diagnostic accuracy study was carried out for 4 months on 150 hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19 to evaluate generalized anxiety disorder and death anxiety. Cronbach’s alpha was used to evaluate reliability. For the determination of the presence of anxiety disorders, the Structured Clinical Interview with hospitalized subjects was conducted by a psychiatrist based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition diagnostic criteria.

The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the GAD-7 Scale and DAS questionnaires were observed to be 0.88 and 0.74, respectively, confirming their reliability. Based on cut-off scores with the best balance, the sensitivity and specificity of the GAD-7 Scale questionnaire were 61.9% and 86.9%, respectively. Moreover, the sensitivity and specificity values related to the DAS questionnaire were 47.8% and 73.8%, respectively. The values for the area under the curve were 0.75 and 0.63 for the GAD-7 Scale and DAS, respectively. With this scoring method, those who scored higher than 8 and 7 in the GAD-7 Scale and DAS questionnaires were considered patients, respectively. Moreover, in these two tests, higher levels of generalized anxiety and death anxiety were reported in female patients.

The GAD-7 Scale and DAS both showed adequate psychometric properties and diagnostic accuracy; therefore, they are applicable for anxiety screening in patients with COVID-19. It will likely take a few years to bring the virus under control worldwide. Iran’s Ministry of Health should implement exact psychological interventions during hospitalization and after discharge to prevent the adverse mental health consequences of COVID-19.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of fenugreek planting as a living mutch on the phenology, grain quality and yield of sunflower cultivars and to determine the most appropriate time for planting of sunflower. 

This experiment was done in 2016-17 growth season at Razi University. The experiment was conducted as split plot based on randomized complete block design. First factor was the sowing fenugreek at four levels (control (without living mulch), 15 days before sowing of sunflower, simultaneous sowing with sunflower, 15 days after sowing of sunflower) and the second factor was three sunflower cultivars (Progress, Farrokh, Lakomka). 

Planting of fenugreek as living mulch pre-sunflower led to a decrease in the quantitative and qualitative yield of sunflower. In 15 days before sunflower condition, grain, oil and protein yields of sunflower,were 38.5%, 37.9% and 43.6% lower than control treatment, respectively. In addition, the phenological stages of sunflower growth was delayed in pre-sunflower sowing conditions. So that the occurrence of staring, flowering, head formation and physiological maturity were 69.8, 21.8, 24.5 and 82.6 days, respectively (4.4, 1.1, 1 and 3 day) more than control conditions. However, planting of living mulch simultaneous and 15 days after sunflower had a positive effect on the quantitative and qualitative yield of sunflower grains. Grain, oil and protein yields of sunflower were 39.4%, 36.4% and 43.3% higher than control, respectively. These values were 25.5%, 26.7% and 23.5% after sunflower planting, respectively. Flowering and head formation stages in simultaneous planting conditions were 20.8 and 47.1 °C (0.7 and 1.4 days, respectively) and in post-sunflower sowing conditions were 42.3 and 122.6, respectively. Day growth rates were lower (1.8 and 4.6 days) than control conditions. Among sunflower cultivars, the occurrence of different phenological stages was higher for Progress cultivar than for Farrokh and Lakomka cultivars. Farrokh had the highest oil content (36%). The highest grain yield (3426 kg.ha-1), oil yield (1203 kg.ha-1) and protein yield (536 kg.ha-1) were allocated to Lacomka cultivar. 

It seems that competition between fenugreek plants and young sunflower plants seems to lead to poor vegetative growth and delay the time of phenological growth stages of sunflower by early sowing of mulch. These results confirm the importance of selecting the appropriate cultivar and minimizing competition by choosing the optimal planting time of living mulch, which gives the pottage-assisted effect a competitive advantage.

Calf pneumonia is one of the most common diseases in dairy and beef herds.

To compare steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as adjunctive therapy in dairy calf pneumonia.

Forty calves less than six months of age diagnosed with calf pneumonia in dairy farms of Mashhad suburb were enrolled in this study based on the University of Wisconsin Calf Respiratory Scoring Chart. In this system, calves are scored based on factors such as nasal discharge, rectal temperature, cough, eye and ear staining. Calves should not have a history of any other disease. Moreover, factors such as age, sex, and severity of the disease were considered similar in distributing calves among different groups. These calves were divided into four treatment groups; all were treated with antibiotic florfenicol. The first group received dexamethasone, while dexaphenyl, phenylbutazone, distilled water were used in other groups. After 5 days, calves were examined and scored again and blood samples were taken. Complete blood count (CBC), fibrinogen, total protein, hapto-globulin and albumin measurements on blood samples before and after treatment were done. Repeated measurement ANOVA and Paired t-test were used for statistical analysis with the significance level of 0.05.

The results showed that the degree of health, heart and respiratory rate, fibrinogen and total protein, Lymphocyte, N/L, TP-Fib/Fib ratio, MCV and MCHC significantly changed during the two sampling periods (p < /em>˂0.05), but there was no significant difference between the treatment groups (p < /em>˃0.05). Only the PCV factor and TP-Fib/Fib ratio was significant between groups (p < /em>˂0.05).

Results indicate that in the treatment regimen of dairy calf pneumonia, the use of an anti-inflammatory drug, along with antibiotics and antibiotic treatment alone are not significantly different.

This study was done to investigate the response of vegetative traits of sunflower cultivars in the presence of fenugreek as living mulch at Razi University in 2017. The experiment was conducted as split-plot based on randomized complete block. First factor was the sowing fenugreek at four levels (control (without living mulch), 15 days before sowing of sunflower, simultaneous sowing with sunflower, 15 days after sowing of sunflower) and the second factor was three sunflower cultivars (Progress, Farrokh, Lakomka). Results showed that with planting of fenugreek before sunflower, height, stem weight, number of leaves, leaf weight, leaf area index, content of chlorophyll a, b and total of chlorophylls were decreased by 26.4%, 62.1%, 24.8%, 68.5%, 63%, 7.4%, 3.7% and 6.8% compared to control, respectively. The lowest relative water content was also obtained by planting fenugreek before sunflower (65.2% and 52.7% at the 1/3 of primary growth season and flowering stages). The effect of presence mulch under the simultaneous and 15 days after sunflower conditions had no significant effect on growth characteristics of sunflower compared to control condition. Among thecultivars, the highest of grain yield was assigned to Lacomka (3426 kg/ha). However, Progress had the highest height (212 cm), stem weight (523 g/plant), leaf number (25.5 per plant), leaf weight (157.4 g/plant), leaf area index (6.2) and relative water content (77.8% and 70.5% at the 1/3 of of primary growth season and flowering stages). The highest of leaf area ratio (0.013 m2/g) and carotenoid content (2.5 mg) belonged to Farrokh.

Providing the health of calves play a major role in their growth and the profitability of the flock. The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between the occurrence of different diseases in newborn calves with weight gain and increasing their height and also the relationship between neonatal diseases and mortality rates with some factors due to the calf and its environment. This study was performed on 1595 male and female calves in 8 dairy farms of the Mashhad suburb. After taking some information about the general characteristics of farms, items consist of the rate of involvement with various diseases, mortality rate and the time of its occurrence during the 80-day study period were recorded. The biometric parameters consist of weight and height at birth, 40 and 80 days after birth were also measured. The relationship between diseases with growth indicators (weight and height) were evaluated by generalized linear model test and between independent variables including gender, the season of birth, type of parturition (eutocia or dystocia), type of birth (one or twin), parity of cow and birth weight of the calves with involvement in diarrhea, pulmonary infection and other diseases and the chance of death was analyzed by the logistic regression test. Diarrhea, arthritis, bloat, Navel and eye infections caused a significant decrease in weight gaining of calves, whereas only diarrhea had a significant effect on height. The mortality rate was 3.89 percent, which occurred from 1 to 78 days old. The most important causes of calf mortality at lower ages were physical injuries, genetic defects, meningitis, diarrhea and septicemia, and at upper ages were pulmonary involvement, diarrhea and arthritis. The chance of involvement with diarrhea and pulmonary infection in twins was significantly greater than singles, the odds of this infection in calves born with dystocia, in the warm season and high birth weight were greater than the corresponding groups. The mortality in twins, male calves and those born in the warm season were higher than the corresponding groups.

Coronavirus pandemic puts children in a more critical mental status compared to adults. Some symptoms of children’s mental disorders include extreme dependence, anxiety, fear, anger, and impatience. The present study aimed to review the studies, which have investigated the effects of coronavirus and its consequences on mental health, particularly the children, and provide some effective strategies to support them.

In this overview, two researchers carried out the present study after comprehensive research according to the latest articles in PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Google Scholar until March 27 2020.

Ten studies examined were conducted on the children mental health status (the symptoms of depression (22.6%), anxiety (18.9%), and the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms (PTSS) (30%)) as well as irritability, anger, emotional discharge and other symptoms, such as sleep disorders, nightmares, nocturnal enuresis, eating disorders, the sense of loneliness, the fear of illness and loss of parents or caregivers, understanding the physical signs of the disease in children under quarantine, news of outbreaks and school closures. This review reports that the symptoms of fear and anxiety in children of12-17 years old are higher compared to adults.

To reduce the negative psychological effects on the children arisen from coronavirus crisis, despite the recommendations of World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), some strategies are significantly important including physiological counseling for parents and children, access to the mental health services, and paying more attention to the children exposed to risk.

Soil stabilization is a useful method for improving materials in pavement construction layers. On the other side, the increasing volume of municipal waste and residues materials especially debris of building destruction and urban exhausted tissues have caused many problems in mega cities such as environmental issues due to incorrect disposal of waste material.  Construction wastes in large urban cities show that brick and concrete are two main constituent materials. In this research, effects of clay brick aggregates on bearing capacity of clayey soils for application in pavement layers was studied. For this purpose, clay brick aggregates in 5, 10, 15 and 30 percentage mixed with clay. Also, for evaluating geotechnical behavior of mixture materials some tests were performed such as uniaxial strength, California bearing ratio (CBR), direct shear (in dry and saturate conditions) and falling head permeability. In saturate position, swelling potential of specimens was measured. Results of this study showed which add clay brick aggregates in clayey soil limited change in structure and texture of mixed specimens creates. So that, structure of aggregates mixture is inclined from fine to granular condition. Whereby, with adding 30% clay brick aggregates in clay, bearing capacity and permeability increased and swelling decreased. Also, with considering results possibility to use mixed materials in subgrade and subbase pavement layers have been prepared.

Application the living mulch as a non-chemical method to weeds control helps to improve sustainable agricultural systems management. Thus, the effect of sowing fenugreek as living mulch on different dates in weed control and sunflower yield was investigated at Razi University during the 2016-2017 growing season. Experiment was performed as factorial on randomized complete block design with three replications. First factor was the sowing fenugreek at four levels as control (without living mulch), 15 days before sowing of sunflower, simultaneous sowing with sunflower, 15 days after sowing of sunflower and the second factor was three sunflower cultivars (Progress, Farrokh, Lakomka). The results showed that mulch sowing reduced biomass and density of weeds at the beginning and end of the growing season. The Progress cultivar in weed control was superior to other cultivars. Competitive index for Progress, Farrokh and Lakomka cultivars was 1.67, 0.5 and 0.89, respectively. The weeds in non-control treatment (without weeding) reduced grain yield by 75.8%. In non-control condition, the presence of mulch could not improve yield. But in control condition, sowing of fenugreek simultaneous and after sunflower improved yields by 1083 and 703 kg.ha-1, respectively. In control and non-control conditions sowing of fenugreek before sunflower led to significant decrease of yield. In control condition, the Lakomka yield (3426 kg.ha-1) was higher than Progress and Farrokh yields. However, in non-control condition the difference of cultivars was not significant. It seems that in non-control condition, weeds competition with sunflower prevents from the positive effect of mulch and cultivars superiority in yield production.

Simulation is one of the strategies which are suggested and used to reduce stress and anxiety in clinical student education. This study aimed to determine the effect of simulation‑based training method on psychological health promotion in operating room students in their educational internships.

This study was a clinical trial. Research population was operating room students at Semnan University of Medical Sciences. A demographic questionnaire and the Spielberger’s Situational Anxiety Inventory were used as data collection tools. Students were divided into two intervention and control groups randomly. Situational anxiety was measured before the intervention and on the 1st and the last days of the internship. The data from the two groups were compared by using the Mann–Whitney and Friedman statistics at the significant level of 0.05.

There was a significant difference between students’ situational anxiety scores in the experimental and control groups on the 1st day of internship after education by simulation (P = 0.481). There was a significant difference between the students’ anxiety scores in the two groups on the last day of the internship (P = 0.008).

Simulation of the operating room environment before the internship cannot reduce the operating room students’ situational anxiety on the 1st day of internship, but it can reduce their situational anxiety during the internship and significantly reduce it at the end of internship compared to those who are not in the simulated environment.