Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 75 in total

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  1. Teng S, Khong KW, Pahlevan Sharif S, Ahmed A
    JMIR Public Health Surveill, 2020 10 01;6(4):e19618.
    PMID: 33001036 DOI: 10.2196/19618
    BACKGROUND: Poor nutrition and food selection lead to health issues such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. This study of YouTube comments aims to uncover patterns of food choices and the factors driving them, in addition to exploring the sentiments of healthy eating in networked communities.

    OBJECTIVE: The objectives of the study are to explore the determinants, motives, and barriers to healthy eating behaviors in online communities and provide insight into YouTube video commenters' perceptions and sentiments of healthy eating through text mining techniques.

    METHODS: This paper applied text mining techniques to identify and categorize meaningful healthy eating determinants. These determinants were then incorporated into hypothetically defined constructs that reflect their thematic and sentimental nature in order to test our proposed model using a variance-based structural equation modeling procedure.

    RESULTS: With a dataset of 4654 comments extracted from YouTube videos in the context of Malaysia, we apply a text mining method to analyze the perceptions and behavior of healthy eating. There were 10 clusters identified with regard to food ingredients, food price, food choice, food portion, well-being, cooking, and culture in the concept of healthy eating. The structural equation modeling results show that clusters are positively associated with healthy eating with all P values less than .001, indicating a statistical significance of the study results. People hold complex and multifaceted beliefs about healthy eating in the context of YouTube videos. Fruits and vegetables are the epitome of healthy foods. Despite having a favorable perception of healthy eating, people may not purchase commonly recognized healthy food if it has a premium price. People associate healthy eating with weight concerns. Food taste, variety, and availability are identified as reasons why Malaysians cannot act on eating healthily.

    CONCLUSIONS: This study offers significant value to the existing literature of health-related studies by investigating the rich and diverse social media data gleaned from YouTube. This research integrated text mining analytics with predictive modeling techniques to identify thematic constructs and analyze the sentiments of healthy eating.

  2. Sharif Nia H, Chan YH, Froelicher ES, Pahlevan Sharif S, Yaghoobzadeh A, Jafari A, et al.
    Health Promot Perspect, 2019;9(2):123-130.
    PMID: 31249799 DOI: 10.15171/hpp.2019.17
    Background: Meteorological parameters and seasonal changes can play an important role in the occurrence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, there is almost no evidence on a national level to suggest the associations between these variables and ACS in Iran. We aim to identify the meteorological parameters and seasonal changes in relationship to ACS. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted between 03/19/2015 to 03/18/2016 and used documents and records of patients with ACS in Mazandaran ProvinceHeart Center, Iran. The following definitive diagnostic criteria for ACS were used: (1) existence of cardiac enzymes (CK or CK-MB) above the normal range; (2) Greater than 1 mm ST-segment elevation or depression; (3) abnormal Q waves; and (4) manifestation of troponin enzyme in the blood. Data were collected daily, such as temperature (Celsius) changes, wind speed and its direction, rainfall, daily evaporation rate; number of sunny days, and relative humidity were provided by the Meteorological Organization of Iran. Results: A sample of 2,054 patients with ACS were recruited. The results indicated the highest ACS events from March to May. Generally, wind speed (18 PM) [IRR = 1.051 (95% CI: 1.019 to1.083), P=0.001], daily evaporation [IRR = 1.039 (95% CI: 1.003 to 1.077), P=0.032], daily maximum (P<0.001) and minimum (P=0.003) relative humidity was positively correlated withACS events. Also, negatively correlated variables were daily relative humidity (18 PM) [IRR =0.985 (95% CI: 0.978 to 0.992), P<0.001], and daily minimum temperature [IRR = 0.942 (95%CI: 0.927 to 0.958), P<0.001]. Conclusion: Climate changes were found to be significantly associated with ACS; especially from cold weather to hot weather in March, April and May. Further research is needed to fully understand the specific conditions and cold exposures.
  3. Mohd Hanid MH, Abd Rahim SZ, Gondro J, Sharif S, Al Bakri Abdullah MM, Zain AM, et al.
    Materials (Basel), 2021 Mar 10;14(6).
    PMID: 33802032 DOI: 10.3390/ma14061326
    It is quite challenging to control both quality and productivity of products produced using injection molding process. Although many previous researchers have used different types of optimisation approaches to obtain the best configuration of parameters setting to control the quality of the molded part, optimisation approaches in maximising the performance of cooling channels to enhance the process productivity by decreasing the mould cycle time remain lacking. In this study, optimisation approaches namely Response Surface Methodology (RSM), Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Glowworm Swarm Optimisation (GSO) were employed on front panel housing moulded using Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). Each optimisation method was analysed for both straight drilled and Milled Groove Square Shape (MGSS) conformal cooling channel moulds. Results from experimental works showed that, the performance of MGSS conformal cooling channels could be enhanced by employing the optimisation approach. Therefore, this research provides useful scientific knowledge and an alternative solution for the plastic injection moulding industry to improve the quality of moulded parts in terms of deformation using the proposed optimisation approaches in the used of conformal cooling channels mould.
  4. Pahlevan Sharif S, Ahadzadeh AS, Perdamen HK
    Appl Nurs Res, 2017 Dec;38:88-94.
    PMID: 29241526 DOI: 10.1016/j.apnr.2017.09.012
    PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between uncertainty in illness and quality of life, and examine the mediating role of coping strategies and mood states in this relationship among breast cancer patients.

    METHODS: A convenience sample of 135 Malaysian women with breast cancer completed questionnaires measuring uncertainty in illness, mood states (i.e. anxiety and depression), quality of life, and copying styles.

    RESULTS: The results showed an inverse correlation between uncertainty and quality of life after controlling for the effects of age, cancer stage and time since diagnosis. Moreover, the negative association between illness uncertainty and quality of life was mediated by coping strategies and mood states.

    CONCLUSION: The findings revealed that breast cancer patients experiencing a high level of uncertainty more likely use avoidant and less likely use active emotional coping strategies which in turn amplifies anxiety and depression and undermines their quality of life. While some interventions to reduce the adverse consequences of uncertainty are recommended, the findings indicated the need for targeted psychological interventions seeking to gradually shift cancer patients' coping strategies from avoidant to active emotional coping.

  5. Alazawy A, Arshad SS, Bejo MH, Omar AR, Tengku Ibrahim TA, Sharif S, et al.
    J Electron Microsc (Tokyo), 2011;60(4):275-82.
    PMID: 21593079 DOI: 10.1093/jmicro/dfr031
    Feline coronavirus (FCoV) consists of two biotypes based on their growth in cell culture and their antigenicity. Infections with FCoV are highly prevalent in the cat population worldwide. In this study, Felis catus whole fetus (Fcwf-4)cell culture was infected with FCoV UPM11C/08. Virus multiplication in cell culture was monitored and examined under the transmission electron microscope. The virus particles revealed the characteristic morphology of feline FCoV represented by envelope viruses surrounded by peplomers. Virus attachment and entry into the cell occurred 15 h post-infection (pi), and the myriad of virus particles were observed both extracellularly and intracellularly after 48 h pi. Thereafter, intracellular virus particles were observed to be present in vacuoles or present freely in the cytoplasm.
  6. Bakrin IH, Hussain FA, Tuan Sharif SE
    Malays J Pathol, 2016 Aug;38(2):117-22.
    PMID: 27568668 MyJurnal
    Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a malignant soft tissue tumour of uncertain histogenesis which is defined by the translocation t(X;18) that produces the fusion oncogenes SYT-SSX. The emergence of transducer-like enhancer of split 1 (TLE1) as a new immunohistochemical (IHC) marker for SS has offered an alternative to pathologists in differentiating SS from other histological mimics, especially in the setting of limited molecular facilities. We investigated the utility of IHC TLE1 expression against histomorphological features and other IHC markers in SS and non-SS tumours. Twenty-six cases of histologically diagnosed SS and 7 non-SS (for which SS was in the differential diagnosis) were subjected to TLE1 IHC staining, which was graded from 0 to 3+. Of the 26 SS cases, 12 each were biphasic and monophasic types and 2 were poorly-differentiated. TLE1 was expressed in 22/26 (84.6%) SS cases, of which 11/12 (91.7%) were biphasic, 10/12 (83.3%) monophasic and 1/2 (50%) poorly-differentiated tumours. Two of 7 (28.6%) non-SS cases were positive for TLE1. Immunopositivity of SS and non-SS cases for EMA were 20/26 (76.9%) and 2/7 (28.6%) respectively and for CK7 were 7/26 (26.9%) and 0/7 (0%) respectively. All cases were negative for CD34. Consistent histomorphological features for SS included mild nuclear pleomorphism, alternating tumour cellularity, fascicular growth pattern and thick ropy stromal collagen. In conclusion, TLE1 is not a stand-alone diagnostic IHC marker for SS. However, in the absence of molecular studies, it can contribute added diagnostic value in combination with morphological evaluation and other IHC markers such as EMA and CD34.
  7. Swarna Nantha Y, Kalasivan A, Ponnusamy Pillai M, Suppiah P, Md Sharif S, Krishnan SG, et al.
    Public Health Nutr, 2020 Feb;23(3):402-409.
    PMID: 31538554 DOI: 10.1017/S1368980019002684
    OBJECTIVE: The development of a second version of the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) coincides with the latest updates in the diagnosis of addiction as documented in the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The objective of the present study was to translate the YFAS 2.0 into the Malay language and test its psychometric properties in a primary-care population.

    DESIGN: Patients were assessed for food addiction utilizing the Malay YFAS 2.0. The participants were also assessed for eating disorder using the validated Malay Binge Eating Scale. The psychometric properties of the YFAS 2.0 were determined by analysing factor structure, overall item statistics, internal consistency and construct validity.

    SETTING: Between 2017 and 2018, participants were chosen from a regional primary-care clinic in the district of Seremban, Malaysia.

    PARTICIPANTS: Patients (n 382) from a regional primary-care clinic.

    RESULTS: The prevalence of food addiction was 5·0%. A two-factor structure of the YFAS was confirmed as the most optimal solution for the scale via confirmatory factor analysis. In both its diagnostic and symptom count version, the YFAS 2.0 had good internal consistency (Kuder-Richardson α > 0·80 and McDonald's ω > 0·9).

    CONCLUSIONS: We validated a psychometrically sound Malay version of the YFAS 2.0 in a primary-care population. Both diagnostic and symptom count versions of the scale had robust psychometric properties. The questionnaire can be used to develop health promotion strategies to detect food addiction tendencies in a general population.

  8. Nikbakht Nasrabadi A, Pahlevan Sharif S, Allen KA, Naghavi N, Sharif Nia H, Salisu WJ, et al.
    Eur J Cancer Prev, 2022 Mar 01;31(2):198-203.
    PMID: 33899748 DOI: 10.1097/CEJ.0000000000000683
    While much research has focused on the direct impact of socioeconomic status on cancer patients, what is not clear is the impact of socioeconomic status on social support and the burden of care for caregivers. In this study, a cross-sectional method, using a convenience sampling approach, was adopted to collect the data of 191 caregivers of cancer patients who were referred to the oncology clinic and cancer institute of hospitals affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The participants completed a questionnaire on basic demographics, the short version of the Burden Scale for Family Caregivers, and Zimet Multidimensional Perceived Social Support. A maximum likelihood exploratory factor analysis with oblique rotation to assess the factor structure of the constructs and the measurement model was conducted. The two-factor model consisting of 22 items explained 65.116% of the variance. There was a significant negative relationship between social support and burden (b = -0.771, P < 0.001) and also between economic status and burden (b = -0.308, P < 0.01). Moreover, there was a significant positive association between the interaction of social support and economic status and burden (b = 0.138, P < 0.05). More specifically, the negative relationship between social support and burden was statistically stronger for participants with weak economic status (b = -0.663, P < 0.001) than those with good economic status (b = -0.356, P < 0.01). Social support and an individual's economic status are essential determinants of caregiver burden. Further studies are recommended to better inform the precise support needed by caregivers to enhance their quality of life, and ultimately, that of the patients under their care.
  9. Sharif Nia H, Pahlevan Sharif S, She L, Sivarajan Froelicher E, Kaveh O, Rahmatpour P
    Perspect Psychiatr Care, 2022 Oct;58(4):1223-1231.
    PMID: 34339520 DOI: 10.1111/ppc.12919
    PURPOSE: This study tested a hypothetical model to evaluate the relationship between job satisfaction, abusive supervision, and psychological ownership with the quality of nursing care.

    DESIGN AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a sample of 300 nurses from two public hospitals in Iran was selected. Exploratory factor analysis was used to assess the measurement model and the proposed structural model.

    FINDINGS: There was a significant negative relationship between abusive supervision with nurses' job satisfaction and quality of nursing care. A positive relationship between psychological ownership with nurses' job satisfaction and quality of nursing care was observed.

    PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Given the importance of nurses' job satisfaction, nursing managers can enhance the quality of nursing care by providing a favorable work environment for nurses.

  10. Intang I, Mohd Sharif S
    MyJurnal
    This article is aimed to research and to know the impact of personality, skill, core competent level professional training and transformation strategy as professional practice by the administrator towards teachers’ commitment in secondary school in Sabah. The country needs education system transformation and the school admins are seen to be the vital element in developing a High Performance School in facing the challenge of the 21st century. The research framework is based on the Northhouse Main Leadership Model Trait (2003, 2007), School Leadership Competency IAB (2009), Katz Three Model Skills (1974), Effective Leadership Framework by Strike, Sims, Mann and Whilhite (2016) and Teachers Commitment (Danneta, 2002). Qualitative research design is used with stratified random sampling with 1440 samples from 30 urban secondary schools and 30 rural secondary schools. The instrument used in this research is a set of questionnaire that was set by the researcher based on the observation and literature review. The finding of the research is hoped to give the best innovation strategy to prepare and to produce a highly qualified principal or headmaster to lead the school organization and to ensure the success of the National Education Development Plan (PPPM 2013-2025).
    Keywords: leadership, teachers' comitment, national education development plan
  11. Sharif Nia H, Pahlevan Sharif S, Goudarzian AH, Allen KA, Jamali S, Heydari Gorji MA
    J Relig Health, 2017 Dec;56(6):2109-2117.
    PMID: 28229351 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-017-0376-2
    In recent years, researchers have identified that coping strategies are an important contributor to an individual's life satisfaction and ability to manage stress. The positive relationship between religious copings, specifically, with physical and mental health has also been identified in some studies. Spirituality and religion have been discussed rigorously in research, but very few studies exist on religious coping. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between religious coping methods (i.e., positive and negative religious coping) and self-care behaviors in Iranian medical students. This study used a cross-sectional design of 335 randomly selected students from Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. A data collection tool comprised of the standard questionnaire of religious coping methods and questionnaire of self-care behaviors assessment was utilized. Data were analyzed using a two-sample t test assuming equal variances. Adjusted linear regression was used to evaluate the independent association of religious copings with self-care. Adjusted linear regression model indicated an independent significant association between positive (b = 4.616, 95% CI 4.234-4.999) and negative (b = -3.726, 95% CI -4.311 to -3.141) religious coping with self-care behaviors. Findings showed a linear relationship between religious coping and self-care behaviors. Further research with larger sample sizes in diverse populations is recommended.
  12. Pahlevan Sharif S, Sharif Nia H, Lehto RH, Moradbeigi M, Naghavi N, Goudarzian AH, et al.
    J Relig Health, 2021 Apr;60(2):999-1014.
    PMID: 31646425 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-019-00931-6
    The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship among spiritual intelligence, spiritual well-being and death anxiety among Iranian veterans. In this predictive correlational study, 211 veterans completed King and DeCicco's Spiritual Intelligence Scale, Paloutzian and Ellison's Spiritual Well-being Scale and Templer's Death Anxiety Scale-Extended. After confirming the reliability of the constructs using intra-class correlation coefficient, partial least squares structural equation modeling method was utilized to assess the impact of spiritual well-being and spiritual intelligence on death anxiety. This study found a significant positive relationship between spiritual intelligence and death anxiety after controlling for the effects of age, education level and disability. However, there was a significant negative relationship between spiritual well-being and death anxiety among Iranian veterans. Negative relationships were found between spiritual well-being and death anxiety among Iranian veterans. However, spiritual intelligence had a positive impact on death anxiety.
  13. Sharif Nia H, Rezapour M, Allen KA, Pahlevan Sharif S, Jafari A, Torkmandi H, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2019 09 01;20(9):2803-2809.
    PMID: 31554380 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.9.2803
    Objectives: The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was specifically created to assess
    depression in cancer patients. However, to date, the CES-D has not been validated in Farsi. Therefore, this study aimed to
    assess the psychometric properties of the CES-D in Iranian cancer patients. Methods: During a three-month period
    (October to December, 2015), a total of 380 cancer patients completed a Farsi version of the CES-D. The construct
    validity of the scale was evaluated by exploratory factor analysis. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha
    and McDonald Omega. All of the statistical procedure were run by SPSS 22 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results:
    The construct validity of the CES-D determined three factors (somatic affect, negative affect, and positive affect),
    which explained 65.60% of the total variance. The internal consistency was greater than 0.70. Conclusion: Findings
    revealed that the Farsi version of the CES-D has acceptable validity and reliability, which can be used to measure
    depression in Iranian cancer patients.
  14. Sharif Nia H, Pahlevan Sharif S, Boyle C, Yaghoobzadeh A, Tahmasbi B, Rassool GH, et al.
    J Relig Health, 2018 Apr;57(2):596-608.
    PMID: 28748326 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-017-0458-1
    This study aimed to determine the factor structure of the spiritual well-being among a sample of the Iranian veterans. In this methodological research, 211 male veterans of Iran-Iraq warfare completed the Paloutzian and Ellison spiritual well-being scale. Maximum likelihood (ML) with oblique rotation was used to assess domain structure of the spiritual well-being. The construct validity of the scale was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), convergent validity, and discriminant validity. Reliability was evaluated with Cronbach's alpha, Theta (θ), and McDonald Omega (Ω) coefficients, intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), and construct reliability (CR). Results of ML and CFA suggested three factors which were labeled "relationship with God," "belief in fate and destiny," and "life optimism." The ICC, coefficients of the internal consistency, and CR were >.7 for the factors of the scale. Convergent validity and discriminant validity did not fulfill the requirements. The Persian version of spiritual well-being scale demonstrated suitable validity and reliability among the veterans of Iran-Iraq warfare.
  15. Nazemi N, Rajabi N, Aslani Z, Kharaziha M, Kasiri-Asgarani M, Bakhsheshi-Rad HR, et al.
    J Biomater Appl, 2023 Jan;37(6):979-991.
    PMID: 36454961 DOI: 10.1177/08853282221140672
    Porous structure, biocompatibility and biodegradability, large surface area, and drug-loading ability are some remarkable properties of zeolite structure, making it a great possible option for bone tissue engineering. Herein, we evaluated the potential application of the ZSM-5 scaffold encapsulated GEN with high porosity structure and significant antibacterial properties. The space holder process has been employed as a new fabrication method with interconnected pores and suitable mechanical properties. In this study, for the first time, ZSM-5 scaffolds with GEN drug-loading were fabricated with the space holder method. The results showed excellent open porosity in the range of 70-78% for different GEN concentrations and appropriate mechanical properties. Apatite formation on the scaffold surface was determined with Simulation body fluid (SBF), and a new bone-like apatite layer shaping on all samples confirmed the in vitro bioactivity of ZSM-5-GEN scaffolds. Also, antibacterial properties were investigated against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The incorporation of various amounts of GEN increased the inhibition zone from 24 to 28 (for E. coli) and 26 to 37 (for S. aureus). In the culture with MG63 cells, great cell viability and high cell proliferation after 7 days of culture were determined.
  16. Sharif Nia H, Marôco J, She L, Khoshnavay Fomani F, Rahmatpour P, Stepanovic Ilic I, et al.
    PLoS One, 2023;18(10):e0285315.
    PMID: 37792853 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285315
    The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented changes to educational institutions, forcing their closure and a subsequent shift to online education to cater to student learning requirements. However, successful online learning depends on several factors and may also vary between countries. As such, this cross-sectional study sought to investigate how engagement of university students, a major driver of online learning, was influenced by course content, online interaction, student acceptance, and satisfaction with online learning, as well as self-efficacy across nine countries (China, India, Iran, Italy, Malaysia, Portugal, Serbia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a questionnaire-based approach, data collected from 6,489 university students showed that student engagement was strongly linked to perception of the quality of the course content and online interactions (p < .001). The current study also indicated that online interactions are a major determinant of academic efficacy but only if mediated by engagement within the online learning context. A negative correlation between student engagement and satisfaction with online learning was found, demonstrating the importance of students being engaged behaviorally, emotionally, and cognitively to feel satisfied with learning. Academic efficacy and student satisfaction were explained by course content, online interaction, and online learning acceptance, being mediated by student engagement. Student satisfaction and, to a lesser degree academic efficacy, were also associated with online learning acceptance. Overall, the structural equation model was a good fit for the data collected from all nine countries (CFI = .947, TLI = .943; RMSEA = .068; SRMR = .048), despite differences in the percentage variations explained by each factor (no invariance), likely due to differences in levels of technology use, learning management systems, and the preparedness of teachers to migrate to full online instruction. Despite limitations, the results of this study highlight the most important factors affecting online learning, providing insight into potential approaches for improving student experiences in online learning environments.
  17. Pahlevan Sharif S, Lehto RH, Amiri M, Ahadzadeh AS, Sharif Nia H, Haghdoost AA, et al.
    Palliat Support Care, 2021 02;19(1):55-61.
    PMID: 32580795 DOI: 10.1017/S1478951520000383
    OBJECTIVE: This study investigated relationships among spirituality, hope, and overall quality of life in Muslim women with breast cancer in Malaysia.

    METHOD: A cross-sectional descriptive design with a convenience sample of 145 Malay patients was used. The mediating role of hope in the relationship between spirituality and quality of life as well as the moderating effect of education level on the spirituality hope link were examined.

    RESULTS: Participants with higher self-reported spirituality reported more hope (b = 6.345, p < 0.001) and higher levels of quality of life (b = 1.065, p < 0.001). Higher educational attainment weakened relationships between spirituality and hope (b = -1.460, p < 0.001).

    SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: The role of advanced education in contributing to lessened hope in relation to spirituality emphasizes the importance of skilled and personalized spiritual counseling in the respective socio-cultural religious context.

  18. Sharif Nia H, Gorgulu O, Naghavi N, Robles-Bello MA, Sánchez-Teruel D, Khoshnavay Fomani F, et al.
    Front Psychiatry, 2021;12:754831.
    PMID: 34777060 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.754831
    This study investigates the relationship between spiritual well-being, social support, and financial distress with depressive symptoms due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A path analysis was used to analyze data collected from 1,156 Iranian participants via an online survey. The results showed that spiritual well-being and social support were negatively related to depressive symptoms and financial distress. The impact of COVID-19 events showed negative associations with depressive symptoms. In addition, the link between spiritual well-being and financial distress with depressive symptoms was partially mediated by the impact of events.
  19. Syed Abdul Mutalib SN, Juahir H, Azid A, Mohd Sharif S, Latif MT, Aris AZ, et al.
    Environ Sci Process Impacts, 2013 Sep;15(9):1717-28.
    PMID: 23831918 DOI: 10.1039/c3em00161j
    The objective of this study is to identify spatial and temporal patterns in the air quality at three selected Malaysian air monitoring stations based on an eleven-year database (January 2000-December 2010). Four statistical methods, Discriminant Analysis (DA), Hierarchical Agglomerative Cluster Analysis (HACA), Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), were selected to analyze the datasets of five air quality parameters, namely: SO2, NO2, O3, CO and particulate matter with a diameter size of below 10 μm (PM10). The three selected air monitoring stations share the characteristic of being located in highly urbanized areas and are surrounded by a number of industries. The DA results show that spatial characterizations allow successful discrimination between the three stations, while HACA shows the temporal pattern from the monthly and yearly factor analysis which correlates with severe haze episodes that have happened in this country at certain periods of time. The PCA results show that the major source of air pollution is mostly due to the combustion of fossil fuel in motor vehicles and industrial activities. The spatial pattern recognition (S-ANN) results show a better prediction performance in discriminating between the regions, with an excellent percentage of correct classification compared to DA. This study presents the necessity and usefulness of environmetric techniques for the interpretation of large datasets aiming to obtain better information about air quality patterns based on spatial and temporal characterizations at the selected air monitoring stations.
  20. Yaghoobzadeh A, Sharif Nia H, Pahlevan Sharif S, Hosseinigolafshani SZ, Mohammadi F, Oveisi S, et al.
    Int J Aging Hum Dev, 2018 Jul;87(1):77-89.
    PMID: 28859489 DOI: 10.1177/0091415017727211
    Self-perception is found to be a central predictive factor in experiencing successful aging. The aim of this study was to explore the role of sex, socioeconomic status, and emotional support in elders' aging perception. A cross-sectional design was used with 300 older aged participants recruited from 23 clinics and health centers in Qazvin, Iran. Data were collected included questions to elicit demographic information and Barker's aging perception questionnaire. Exploratory multiple linear regression showed that the level of emotional support (β: -12.10; 95% CI: [-20.72, -3.48]), socioeconomic status (β: 2.84; 95% CI: [0.25, 5.43]), and women (β: -4.34; 95% CI: [-6.91, -1.77]) were associated with aging perception among elders. Educational level and marital status did not significantly contribute to the variance of AP. Findings revealed that aging perception was related to individual differences as well as social and emotional factors. Researchers, health-care professionals, and elders may benefit from thinking about old age as an inevitable life stage.
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