فهرست مطالب javad heshmati

Stable access of political-geographical units to water resources plays a decisive role in optimal land management, balanced development, preservation of national integrity, and territorial cohesion. Conversely, tension and conflicts at subnational, national, and supranational scales arise when there is instability in accessing water resources. The significance of this issue doubles when considering Iran's geographical location, inherently characterized by low precipitation, which is also temporally and spatially uneven, leading to water scarcity and deficiency, particularly in the central and eastern regions of Iran. This, coupled with an imbalance in water resources and consumption in the country, has resulted in various problems, compelling the governments to overcome water scarcity, meet growing water demands, achieve economic and social development, and establish regional balance. Consequently, the governments have resorted to measures such as water transfer. However, the water transfer solution not only fails to solve the water problem but also leads to environmental degradation and exacerbates tensions and conflicts. The water crisis has not solely resulted from physical water scarcity but is deeply rooted in inappropriate and weak water policies and power relations. In recent decades, due to natural factors (climate change, precipitation pattern fluctuations, drought, etc.) and human factors (population growth, urbanization, industrial expansion, agricultural development), pressure on water resources in the central and eastern plateau has increased. The natural capacity to meet the needs of its inhabitants is insufficient, prompting efforts to transfer water from the Oman Sea and the Persian Gulf. Considering the diverse economic, environmental, and social impacts of this water transfer project, our attention is drawn to the variables involved in this transfer and the formation of water allocation and distribution by power relations. This research aims to identify and analyze the components involved in this transfer from the perspective of political ecology. Additionally, it emphasizes the need to address water issues in a way that considers the complexities of power and politics in water resource management.

The present research is descriptive-analytical and has both applied and theoretical objectives. The required sources and information for this research have been collected through documentary and library research, utilizing books, scientific articles, and reputable websites (governmental, non-governmental, news agencies, etc.). Furthermore, to understand the structures and interrelationships of political ecology with related topics, data was extracted from the Web of Science scientific database to visualize these connections. Therefore, first, the natural and human characteristics of the studied area are described in the water transfer plan; then, according to the nature of the work, its effective components have been analyzed and deduced based on qualitative analysis. Also, by using GIS software, the required maps were prepared and research forms were drawn using Smart Art.

The perspectives of the political ecology approach to water in Iran are based on power considerations to seek common ground between water, infrastructure, and political governance. It examines who decides on water systems and how historical, cultural, and socio-economic actions lead to unequal water distribution in Iran. The political ecology of water in Iran attests that water is not merely a physical substance but a social and cultural structure shaped by political, economic, and cultural factors. Understanding the complex interaction among these factors and their impact on water resource management informs effective strategies in management that are fair, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of various stakeholders. In recent decades, Iran has accumulated a wealth of experience and knowledge regarding institutional, organizational, and political aspects of water management. This includes developing frameworks for shared water rights, cultural policies based on water-related identities, and popular struggles for water justice. Empowering economically and socially disadvantaged groups in society to achieve environmental justice is a central theme in the political ecology of water in Iran. The emergence of water conflicts relates to one of the key issues in Iranian water political ecology, namely the changes resulting from the availability of water in quantity and quality desired by the beneficiaries (the wealthy and powerful). Therefore, conflicting goals and values of stakeholders involved in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea water transfer project, especially when official political institutions resist change, can be a significant challenge, and social movements arising from water disputes can alter power dynamics.The emergence of the political ecology of water in the central and eastern regions of Iran is a result of various and diverse variables. The most important among them include climate change, improper location of water-intensive industries in dry and water-scarce regions, self-centered focus in the agricultural sector, negligence of legislators and managers in extracting and excessively using surface and groundwater resources, dominance of thinking in creating water structures, the role of parliament representatives in inter-basin and inter-provincial water transfer, improper and detrimental decision-making processes, state ownership of water, inefficiency of the water economic system, privatization of water management and its consequences for justice and access, and misguided development policies in Iran.

In the past decade, due to a combination of natural and human factors, pressure on water resources in the central and eastern plateau of Iran has increased, and the natural capacity to meet the needs of its inhabitants is insufficient. This has led to the initiation of water transfer from the Oman Sea and the Persian Gulf. Considering the diverse economic, environmental, and social impacts that this water transfer project may have, our attention is drawn to the formation of water allocation and distribution by power relations and the influential variables in this transfer. The key components and factors contributing to the emergence of the political ecology of water transfer from the Oman Sea and the Persian Gulf to central and eastern regions of Iran include:Climate change; 2.Improper location of water-intensive industries in dry and water-scarce regions; 3.Self-centered focus in the agricultural sector;4.Negligence of legislators and managers in extracting and excessively using surface and groundwater resources;5.Dominance of thinking in creating water structures;6.Role of parliament representatives in inter-basin and inter-provincial water transfer;7.Improper and detrimental decision-making processes;8-State ownership of water and inefficiency of the water economic system;9. Privatization of water management and its consequences for justice and access;10. Misguided development policies in Iran.Hydrologically, the ecosystem of each basin emerges and evolves with the optimal and efficient use of the available water in that basin. Water use in each basin should be regulated according to the amount of water available in that basin. Water transfer,therefore, should be considered a temporary program resulting from a supply-centric approach without regard for sustainable development and ecosystem preservation. Consequently, power relations have led to conflicts and tensions related to the water resources of this region, creating intense competition in the distribution and use of these resources.

COVID-19 pandemic has evidently influenced people's lifestyle, particularly their health. In this study, the authors examined the association between dietary intake and lifestyle changes, and COVID-19 infection in adults living in Bojnurd, Iran.

In this cross-sectional study conducted on 4425 adults from Bojnurd city, Iran, regarding changes in food consumption, physical activity, sleep duration, and the history of COVID-19 infection; data were collected online using a researcher-designed questionnaire. The associations between lifestyle changes and COVID-19 infection were assessed by multivariate- adjusted logistic regression models.

There were significant associations between lower odds of COVID-19, increased legumes consumption (OR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.96), and increased physical activity (OR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.57, 0.95) during the pandemic; this was while increased intakes of refined grain (OR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.63), butter oil (OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.73), processed meat (OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.82), fast foods (OR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.13, 2.40), honey (OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.64), and coffee (OR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.24, 2.09) were associated with higher odds of infection. Moreover, higher sleep duration (OR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.52), increased intake of multivitamins/minerals (OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.35, 2.05), vitamin D (OR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.47), and vitamin C (OR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.26, 1.84) were significantly associated with higher odds of infection, compared to the cases with no change.

Increased intake of refined grain and high-fat foods may be associated with lower odds of infection. However, the cross-sectional design of the present study precludes causal inferences.

The change of conditions and the emergence of new and influential elements in the field of international politics indicate the importance of the category of culture in promoting national interests and goals and improving relations between countries.Today, culture is referred to as soft power, which brings the influence and influence of governments.Cultural interactions, by creating platforms based on identity and common cultural values, have the ability to influence the process of convergence in the regional and international arenas.Central and South Asia (which has Tajikistan and Afghanistan in its heart) has long been a part of Iran's civilizational and cultural territory, so that it has been far beyond Iran's current political geography.This research is based on descriptive-analytical nature and method, and the required information has been collected in a library manner and based on referring to reliable sources of books, articles and documentary reports.The results of the research show many cultural and identity commonalities, such as Persian language, music, ancient and common customs, between Iran and the above-mentioned countries, which can provide the necessary foundations for Iran in the field of regional interactions and the construction of a new region in this geographical area.

There is increasing evidence that surgical approaches to weight loss (bariatric surgery) are the most effective and steady treatment for morbidly obese patients. This study assessed the nutritional status of obese participants candidates for laparoscopic gastric plication (LGP) before and after the surgery.

Our study was conducted on 38 participants aged 18 to 65, with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 41.45 ± 5.68 kg/m2, scheduled for LGP. BMI and Dietary intakes were assessed at baseline and 6 months after surgery. The mean daily energy intake and microand macronutrients were calculated and compared with the dietary reference intake each time.

The mean excess weight loss was 44.45 ± 9.78%. The mean daily energy intake decreased to one-third of the baseline 6 months after surgery. All patients had a low intake of protein, vitamins A, D, and folic acid before and after LGP. After surgery, over 60% of patients had inadequate vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6, calcium, and iron levels.

6 months after LGP, our results demonstrated dietary deficiencies, including inadequate protein and certain micronutrients. Some of these nutritional deficiencies existed before surgery and persisted or worsened after surgery. In order to ensure optimal health before and after surgery, patient care should place a strong emphasis on nutritional counseling and supplementation.

There are randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the zinc supplementation effect on circulating levels of brain‑derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). However, the findings of these studies are inconsistent. The purpose of this systematic review and meta‑analysis was to determine the zinc supplementation effect on BDNF and zinc levels in published RCTs.

We searched PubMed/ Medline, Cochrane, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, EMBASE, “Clinicaltrials.gov”, “Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials”, “IRCT” and also key journals up to 2019. RCTs with two intervention (zinc) and control (placebo) groups that evaluated zinc supplementation efficacy on BDNF levels were included. Study heterogeneity was assessed, and then, meta‑analysis was performed using the fixed‑effects model.

Four studies were included in the present secondary analysis. Compared with placebo, zinc supplementation significantly enhanced circulating levels of BDNF [(SMD): 0.31, 95% confidence interval (CI): (0.22, 0.61)] and zinc [(SMD): 0.88, 95% CI: (0.54, 1.22)] with no considerable heterogeneity among the studies [(Q = 3.46; P = 0.32; I2% = 13.4); (Q = 2.01; P = 0, 37; I2% = 0.5), respectively].

Our results propose that zinc supplementation can increase the circulating levels of BDNF and zinc. This study was registered at PROSPERO as CRD42020149513.

Evidence indicates that combined approaches based on exercise and nutrition benefit neural development. We aimed to determine the effect of saffron and endurance training on hippocampus neurogenic factors, neurotrophin-3 gene expression in soleus muscle, and short-term memory in Wistar rats.

The study analyzed four groups of ten rats each: control, exercise, saffron, and saffron plus exercise. The rats in the exercise groups were trained on a rodent motor-driven treadmill. All rats were gavage daily with either saffron extract (40 mg/kg) or water. After eight weeks of intervention all rats were evaluated using the novel object recognition (NOR) test. Blood and tissue samples were collected to measure proteins and neurotrophin-3 gene expression.

Rats that received saffron treatment combined with exercise had significantly greater brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and serotonin in hippocampus compared to the control and saffron-only-treated rats (p< 0.05). Neurotrophin-3 mRNA in soleus muscle was higher in the saffron plus exercise group than rats in the other three groups (p< 0.05). Hippocampus 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid and short-term memory were significantly greater in all the intervention groups than in the control group (p< 0.05).

Saffron, combined with endurance exercise, synergistically increased hippocampus BDNF, serotonin, and muscular neurotrophin-3 mRNA in Wistar rats.

Seafood is the main source of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFAs) with beneficial health effects; however, findings on the association between the consumption of different types of seafood and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are conflicting. Our objective was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the relationship between different types of fish/seafood and the risk of T2DM in adult populations. A systematic search of PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science (ISI) databases was performed for cohort studies, published in English, before 1 September 2017. Multivariate adjusted relative risk (RR) estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each category of seafood were pooled to examine the association. Comparing the highest vs. lowest fatty fish intake categories indicated that there was a significant inverse association between the consumption of fatty fish and onset of T2DM (RR:0.89; 95 % CI: 0.82, 0.98; I2: 0%, P=0.54). However, after performing sensitivity analysis, we found that eliminating one study resulted in a non-significant association (RR: 0.93; 95 % CI:0.80, 1.09). There were no significant associations between lean fish (RR: 1.03; 95% CI: 0.87,1.22, I2: 51.0%, P=0.08), seafood other than fish (RR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.83, 1.10, I2: 71.2%,P=0.002), fish products (RR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.82, 1.13, I2:0%, P=0.62), and fried fish (RR: 1.02;95% CI: 0.83, 1.26, I2:71.2%, P=0.06) and T2DM risk. The risk of T2DM was not associated with the intake of lean fish, seafood other than fish, and fish products. However, due to the low robustness of findings regarding protective roles of oily fish, more longitudinal studies are needed to clarify this association.

Phenomenology is one of the dominant philosophical schools that gradually entered the western philosophy in the late 19th century, and then attention has been paid to different scientific domains particularly in humanities, geography and human geography. Phenomenology is the study or recognition of phenomena and the phenomena consists of everything that appears to the mind. In other words, phenomenology is direct perception and intuition, without the intermediary of objects and phenomena. The purpose of the mediator in knowing everything is the conventional philosophical and scientific hypotheses, theories, categories and templates, and particular pre-assumptions of the reader. Knowing anything without using conventional formats will be possible only through direct intuition of nature. So this approach seeks direct intuition of objects and phenomena, and in this regard refuses the hypotheses, categories and pre-assumptions, therefore, phenomenology is considered a realistic but experimental approach toward realities. Thus, seemingly this traditional philosophy of science must be classified under the realistic viewpoint. Nevertheless, due to some typical esoterism, and particularly suspending the realities of external world, and even eliminating it as a mind-independent character and full emphasis on phenomenological character of realities, meaning subjective character of objects and phenomena, and eventually due to the phenomenological tradition relying on the intuitive experience approach, against some realistic attributes, this traditional philosophy of science must be classified under the realistic viewpoint. Nevertheless, regardless of positive aspect of this approach, meaning immediate experience of objects and phenomena, the approach mentioned above has some basic and epistemological insufficiency which will encounter serious hardships utilizing it as a scientific approach in the geography domain, and thus, it lacks the efficiency and required capabilities to be utilized in the study fields related to social science, and particularly geography, as a “scientific” approach and methodology. The main objective of this paper, which has been written with a realistic approach and critical rationalism attitude, is to analyze this issue from the viewpoint of logical and epistemological analyses.

The present study due to the nature of philosophy and own logical, is among the fundamental and theoretical research. This study is based on descriptive and analytical method (logical) and its analysis is done based on logical reasoning and arguments. Therefore, discussions and matters from this series of documentaries and library are considered.

Across the last few decades, the Philosophy of phenomenology has been one of the main and dominant schools in the field of western thought, which gradually from the second half of the 20th century, has contributed to the formation of intellectual foundations of western scholars and has influenced many fields particularly humanities domain especially geography. In human geography, across the last decades, we see an evolving tendency among geographers in the field of urban studies, urban design and planning, rural planning, social geography, economic geography, political geography, cultural geography, and some other subcategories are directed towards a kind of human geography that have been influenced by philosophy and methodology of phenomenology, or its derivatives, such as existentialism and interpretive and hermeneutic methods. The question is to see what methodology and principles the inspired geography is based on and what is its ultimate goal? Phenomenological geography refers to geographic studies in which geographic phenomena and subjects are studied by researchers without any intermediaries, regardless of formal and abstract templates, and without reliance on pre-assumptions, theories and customary prejudice in scientific studies and merely as a phenomenology. Thus, in this regard, phenomenological geography has the following characters:1. Immediate experience of objects and phenomena 2. Review of place identity individually and uniquely (monography) 3. Intuitive and interpretive method in recognizing and understanding the phenomena 4. Recognition of phenomena in the form of common sense 5. Utilizing descriptions instead of explanation in identifying the phenomena 6. Refusing pre-assumptions and categories and theories in identifying the phenomena.Meanwhile, the presence and close participation of the researcher in the study of subjects and environmental phenomena and the description and explanation of phenomena and their real descriptions are considered as a positive character of this approach, however refusing the hypotheses and pre-assumptions (which are actually impossible) and the focus on awareness and subjective cognitions and suspension of external world (Epoché) in the process of recognizing phenomena actually turns it into an idealistic approach, and unique cognitions of phenomena also lead to the lack of validation independent of the researcher, and ultimately confronts this approach with relativism, and thus making phenomenology inefficient as a scientific method in geographic studies.

a general sense, since philosophy and phenomenological methodology in different sciences, particularly in the field of humanities and social sciences, especially geography, merely refer to the participation of the researcher in the study of subjects and environmental phenomena and consider remote description and explanation of the phenomena inefficient and emphasizes on their real and deep description through direct and immediate intuition, and particularly suggests direct descriptions and real experiences in the field of researches related to practical plans for geographic places, it is worthwhile and important, and this aspect of phenomenology approach is considered a positive and strong point. Nevertheless, regardless of this positive aspect, the approach mentioned above has some basic and epistemological insufficiency, such as: refusing hypotheses and pre-assumptions, idealistic attitude and subjectivism, nomothetic approach in reviewing the phenomena which leads to the lack of true and false criteria or a lack of validation independent of the researcher’s mind; and in other words, leads to the lack of objectivity and, eventually; historicity and relativism. These issues encounter serious hardships utilizing it as a scientific approach in the geography domain, and thus, it lacks the efficiency and required capabilities to be utilized in the study fields related to social science, and particularly geography, as a “scientific” approach and methodology.

  Cashews, as the main source of monounsaturated (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated (PUFAs) fatty acids, are associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. Despite evidence for beneficial effects of nuts on lipid profile and glycemic control, to the authors’ best knowledge, little is known about cashews. An eight-week, randomized, isocaloric, controlled-feeding study was conducted on 50 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) randomly assigned to either the control or intervention group (10% of total calorie from cashews). Weight, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), serum insulin concentration and sensitivity, lipid profile ratio, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) were measured at baseline and after eight weeks of intervention adjusted for age, gender, baseline values of FPG, insulin, HOMA-IR (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance), fiber, and both baseline and post-intervention vitamin C levels as covariates. Weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC) were not significantly different in the groups after eight weeks of intervention, as well as between the two groups, compared with the baseline measures. At the end of the study, serum insulin and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol-to-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C/HDL-C) ratio significantly decreased in the cashews group compared with those of the controls (P = 0.01 and P = 0.04, respectively). Although, HOMA-IR decreased significantly in the cashews group (P = 0.03), changes were not significant compared with the baseline measures (P = 0.056). Despite more increase in PON-1 activity in the cashews group, the changes were not statistically significant. Daily consumption of cashews reduced serum insulin and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio in patients with T2DM. However, further studies with larger sample sizes and more duration are needed to confirm the current study results

Abstract Food and nutrition section is one of the most important parts of hospital for improving the patient's health and satisfaction. Having no relevant standards causes nosocomial infections and develop health risks. With implementation of HACCP standards, many shortcomings will decrease in the nutrition section of hospital. The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional mentioned system standards at studied hospitals. This cross - sectional study was conducted at Kermanshah University of Medical Science's teaching hospitals in 2013. Tool that used was HACCP questionnaire; for Data collecting from hospital's nutrition section, observation, interviews and questionnaire filling were used. The mean score and percentage for five areas of HACCP standards in seven studied hospitals were 3/58 and 70/23%, which were desirable. There were no significant statistical relationships between the mean scores of hospitals. Although the situation was assessed desirable, the potential infections will be prevented and patients and staff's satisfaction will be obtained.by standards observance and improving the quality of food in cooking and distribution.

The aim of present study was to determine effects of L-Arginine supplementation on antioxidant status and body composition in obese patients with prediabetes. A double-blind randomized control trial was performed on 46 (24 men, 22 women) obese patients with prediabetes. They were divided randomly into two groups. Patients in intervention (n = 23) and control group (n=23) received 3 gr/day L-arginine and placebo, respectively for 8 weeks. Anthropometric indices, dietary intake and biochemical measurements ((serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)) were performed at the baseline and after 8-week intervention. The mean age and BMI of participants were 44.29±8.65 years old and 28.14±1.35 kg/m2, respectively. At the end of study, in both intervention and control group, percentage of carbohydrate decreased and %fat intake increased compared to the baseline (P<0.05). After adjusting for dietary intake, no significant difference was observed in Fat Mass (FM) and Fat Free Mass (FFM) between two groups (P>0.05). Among measured biochemical factors, only serum TAC level showed significant differences at the end of study in the intervention group compared to the control group (pv<0.01). 3gr/day L-Arginine supplementation increased TAC level in obese patients with prediabetes.

Considering that pre-diabetes is one of enhancing disorders of developing diabetes، this study was performed with the aim of determination the effect of L-Arginine supplementation on antioxidant enzyme activity،total antioxidant capacity and body composition in patients with pre-diabetes. A double-blinded randomized clinical trial was performed on 46 patients with pre-diabetes. Patients in intervention (n =23) and placebo group received 3g/day L-arginine and placebo (3 capsules contain 1gr L-arginine)، respectively for 8weeks. Anthropometric، body composition and dietary intake assessments were done at the baseline and the end of study. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC)، Glutathione Peroxidase enzyme and Superoxide Dismutase activity were measured. SPSS software version 17. 0 was used for data analysis. Paired t-test، Independent t-test and ACOVA were performed for quantitative variables. p<0. 05 considered significant. 38 patients (19 subjects in each group) completed the study. After adjusting confounder factors، no significant differences in body composition،anthropometric indices and dietary intake were observed at the end of study (p<0. 05 in all factors)، but a significant differences in TAC level was observed in the intevention group at the end of study (p<0. 001). 3gr/day L- arginine supplemenation for 8 weeks lead to increasing in serum TAC level without changes in body composition in patients with pre-diabetes

Geomorphologic factors are directly affected by the economic conditions of the areas and these factors can have a limiting and negative or positive effects. The effect of geomorphologic factors in the border regions is more important than the inner regions. Considering the importance of the issue, in this research, the impact of geomorphologic factors on the development or non-development of economic activities in Sardasht city has been evaluated. The research data include library information, digital information layers and the results of the questionnaire. In this research, firstly, the geomorphological situation of the area and its bottlenecks have been investigated. Then the situation of distribution of rural areas in slopes and heights has been investigated. Moreover, in order to investigate the role of geomorphologic factors in the development or non-development of economic activities of the city, 200 questionnaires have been used which are distributed in a chain method. Therefore, well-known people, including students and economic activists, have been used. The results indicate that about 70 percent of rural settlements are located in slopes with more than 20 percent and about 55 percent of rural settlements in elevations above 1400 meters. Therefore, the city faces many restrictions for the development of agricultural activities, infrastructure development, development of transport activities, as well as industrial development. Besides, the results of the questionnaires indicate that the geomorphologic situation dominating the region is considered as an effective factor in the lack of economic development, the growth of false occupations and smuggling of goods.