East Azerbaijan Research Articles

Correction to: Using hybrid artificial intelligence approach based on a neuro‑fuzzy system and evolutionary algorithms for modeling landslide susceptibility in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran

Landslide susceptibility analysis is beneficial information for a wide range of applications, including land use management plans. The present attempt has shed light on an efficient landslide susceptibility mapping framework that involves an adaptive neural-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), which incorporates three metaheuristic methods including grey wolf optimization (GWO), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and shuffled frog leaping algorithm (SFLA) in the East Azerbaijan of Iran. To achieve this goal, 10 landslide occurrence-related influencing factors were pondered. A sum of 766 locations with landslide potentiality was recognized in the context of the study, and the Pearson correlation technique utilized in order to select the influencing factors in landslide models. The association between landslides and conditioning factors was also evaluated using a probability certainty factor (PCF) model. In the next phase, three data mining techniques were united with the ANFIS model, comprising ANFIS-grey wolf algorithm (ANFIS-GW), ANFIS-particle swarm optimization (ANFIS-PSO), and ANFIS-shuffled frog leaping algorithm (ANFIS-SFLA), were structured by the training dataset. Lastly, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and statistical procedures were utilized with the aim of validating and contrasting the predictive capability of the models. The findings of the study in terms of the Pearson correlation technique method for the importance ranking of conditioning factors in the context area uncovered that slope, aspect, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and elevation have the highest impact on the occurrence of the landslide. All in all, the ANFIS-PSO model had high performance on both the training (RMSE = 0.288, MAE = 0.069, AUC = 0.89) and validation dataset (RMSE = 0.309, MAE = 0.097, AUC = 0.89), after which, the ANFIS-GWO model and the ANFIS-SFLA model demonstrated the second and third rates. Besides, the study revealed that benefiting the optimization algorithm with the proper selection of the techniques could facilitate landslide susceptibility modeling.

Borrelia duttonii-like spirochetes parasitize Meriones persicus in East Azerbaijan Province of Iran

In Iran, Borrelia persica and Borrelia microti/microti-like borreliae have been established as causative agents of tickborne relapsing fever (TBRF). However, the epidemiology of two previously described species, Borrelia balthazardi and Borrelia latyschewii (latychevi), has remained elusive for many years. We investigated Borrelia infection in various rodents and small mammals in the TBRF endemic East Azerbaijan Province, northwestern Iran, where B. perisca and B. balthazardi might coexist. Among trapped animals (n=210), a 16S real-time PCR detected Borrelia DNA in 11 Meriones persicus. Multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) using six different loci, including four coding regions (flaB, glpQ, groEL, p66) and two non-coding (rrs, IGS) followed by phylogeny revealed considerable sequence identity between the borreliae detected, B. microti, and East African Borrelia duttonii, and Borrelia recurrentis. Our results indicate that B. microti and microti-like borreliae, including the specimens previously characterized in the south of Iran and the present study, are different ecotypes of B. duttonii, i.e., exhibiting a single species/entity or descendants of a recent common ancestor. Our findings also suggest that the species we had long coined as B. balthazardi and the microti-like borreliae detected herein might be the same.

Simulation-Optimization of Reservoir Water Quality under Climate Change

Increasing population and water use, rising pollution of water resources, and climate change affect the quantity and quality of water resources. Reservoir operation is an important tool for water supply that can be optimized by simulation-optimization considering the impact of climate change on water quality. This study presents a simulation-optimization approach linking the CE-QUAL-W2 hydrodynamic model with the firefly algorithm k-nearest neighbor (FA-KNN) model to obtain optimal reservoir discharges to achieve water quality objectives under climate change conditions. The developed algorithm overcomes the computational burden of CE-QUAL-W2. The FA-KNN hybrid algorithm is employed to optimize the total dissolved solids (TDS) while achieving computational efficiently beyond what could be achieved with CE-QUAL-W2 simulations alone. This paper’s approach is evaluated with the Aidoghmoush Reservoir (East Azerbaijan, Iran). Overall, 36 simulation-optimization scenarios for dry and wet years under baseline and climate change conditions are evaluated by considering three initial water levels for the reservoir (minimum, average, and normal) and three thresholds for assessing the hybrid algorithm. The TDS released from the reservoir in wet years would be acceptable for agricultural use; in dry years, on average, the TDS would not be acceptable for 24 days per year under climate change. The reservoir in winter undergoes complete mixing; it becomes stratified in spring and summer, and it is close to complete mixing in the autumn. The highest TDS in the reservoir would occur during the summer in dry years under climate change, reaching TDS of approximately 2,645 g/m3.

A Systematic Review of the Nutritional Consequences of the Earthquake in East Azerbaijan Earthquake 2012

Introduction: Concerns about nutrition and foods are amongst those problems that the affected communities always were encountered with, because of the natural disasters. This study purpose was to investigate the nutritional problems and sequences after the East Azerbaijan earthquake. Methods: This systematic study searched for the relevant surveys using the main databases including PubMed, Scopus, Google scholar, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, the web of knowledge (for English studies), Google, Yahoo, and also other Persian information and library resources (for Persian studies) with some associated keywords. The collected data were analyzed, summarized, and reported manually by the use of content analysis method. Results: Amongst 975 studies found in the scientific databases, 21 studies were reviewed in order to find some answers for these research complications, and the earthquake problems were categorized into three contexts including food safety, food security, and nutritional consequences. Conclusion: Despite of the fulfilled efforts after the East Azerbaijan earthquake in 2012, diverse nutritional problems and consequences had been formed in the community, especially amongst children and women.

Reallocation of water resources according to social, economic, and environmental parameters

Population growth, urbanization, and industrial development have significantly increased water demands in many countries, raising the concerns about water resources sustainability to meet the needs of humans and the environment. Furthermore, the economy-oriented allocation of water resources has caused many socio-environmental problems. The main goal of this study is to develop a system dynamics modeling framework that integrates economic, social, and environmental dimensions for the decision of water resources allocation. The Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) is used to rank modeling scenarios and identify the best strategy for water allocation. In the application to East Azerbaijan province of Iran, six industry groups (including chemical, food and beverage, non-metal, machinery and equipment, metal, and textile), thirteen water allocation scenarios, and five criteria (including profit index, employment index, return of surface water, groundwater sustainability index, and total allocated water) were considered. The TOPSIS results showed that in the best scenario most water was allocated to the non-metal industry with a relative distance of 0.63 to the ideal solution. On the other hand, the current water allocation scenario ranked seventh, indicating that significant improvements are required to take into account the social, economic, and environmental factors for optimal reallocation of water resources among different industry users.

Epidemiological aspects of colorectal cancer in East Azerbaijan, Northwest Iran: five year survival analysis

BackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of death from cancer in the world. Currently, CRC is the fourth most common cancer in men and the second common cancer in women of all ages in Iran. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiologic profile of CRC along with CRC specific survival analysis. MethodsThis was an analytical cross-sectional study using the East Azerbaijan Population Based Cancer Registry database (EA-PBCR) as a source for data related to patients with a diagnosis of CRC. Colorectal cancer specific 1- to 5-year survival analysis and mortality rates were calculated. Log-rank test and Cox regression analysis was performed to test the equality of survival function and mortality hazard. ResultsA total of 2,366 newly diagnosed CRCs were registered during 3 years, with a male: female ratio of 1.31. Overall survival rate was 49.8%. One- to 5-year survival rates were 96.21%, 56.94%, 48.62%, 47.88% and 46.76% respectively. At multivariate level, after adjusting for all variables, regression analysis showed that the hazard of mortality in stage IV cancers was 46.44 times higher than that in stage I cancers (HR=46.44, 95% CI: 14.86-145.14, p=0.000). However, differences in patients’ age group and sex and the subsite of cancer did not create any statistically significant variation between groups in regards to mortality hazards (p>0.05). ConclusionThis study demonstrated that the stage and grade of CRC were important prognostic factors and that early screening and diagnosis of CRC were essential.

The Effectiveness of Psychological Interventions in the Well-Being of Adolescents Surviving Natural Disasters in East Azerbaijan Province

INTRODUCTION: Given that Iran is among the top five earthquake-prone countries in the world and no region of the country is safe from unforeseen crises, raising awareness regarding the victims' mental health issues is one of the top priorities limiting the extent of problems and subsequent consequences. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of psychological interventions in the well-being of adolescents surviving natural disasters as opposed to regular individuals. METHODS: The study population in the present cross-sectional comparative study consists of high school students (13–18 years old) from the earthquake-stricken village of Sarand in East Azerbaijan Province, and normal students from Zarnaq in the same province. They were assessed through the total population sampling method. The data collection tool utilized was a questionnaire (Ryff) to assess anxiety and depression. Data is analyzed and screened by measures of central tendency (mean and standard deviation) for the first section of variables. In the second section, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to test the research questions. FINDINGS: The earthquake group achieved the lowest and highest mean scores in the aspects of environmental mastery (9.46), personal growth (10.93), and purpose in life (10.90), respectively. In the Non-Affected group, the lowest mean score is associated with paranoia (2.25) and the highest mean score is linked to anxiety (3.86). The post-test revealed the lowest mean score in the control group was related to autonomy (11.09), and the highest mean score pertained to personal growth (14.38). The scores are normally distributed in all dimensions. Eventually, the obtained data indicated that the psychological interventions performed for the benefit of the disaster-stricken group were significantly more than the group that was not subjected to psychological interventions. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of sex. CONCLUSION: Providing post-crisis social psychosocial support programs for adolescents consolidates cognitive and behavioral rehabilitation, diminishes stress and vulnerability, enriches relationships with peers, decreases psychosomatic disorders caused by the crisis, and modifies social performance. Moreover, spending time with their peers, family members, and relatives ameliorates various disorders and issues.

Energy Literacy and Energy-related Financial Literacy in Iran: Case of Northwestern Academic Community

Empowering citizens is the most effective way in order to make effective decisions to speed up energy conservation in residential sector. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of economic and financial literacy on energy literacy and energy awareness in the north west of Iran. The study population consisted of employees and professors of universities in the three provinces of East Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan and Ardabil that were completed and analyzed 500 questionnaires after sampling. According to the results of Logit model, economic and financial literacy had a significant and positive effect on energy literacy index (selection of heating systems A and B) and energy awareness (energy bills or costs awareness) and the result was confirmed in all the estimation models for three carriers. As the area of the house’s infrastructure area increases, energy literacy increases. Education and age have a negative and positive effect on energy awareness, respectively. The results suggest that investing in promoting energy-related economic and financial literacy for citizens to stimulate energy savings.

Identifying and Evaluating the Indicators and Dimensions of Psychological Empowerment of the Faculty Members of the Azad University of East Azerbaijan Province

Identifying and Evaluating the Indicators and Dimensions of Psychological Empowerment of the Faculty Members of the Azad University of East Azerbaijan Province

Developing and Evaluating the Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of Post-traumatic Growth Inventory in Patients With Cancer

Background: Traumatic events could be accompanied by positive personal and psychological changes. However, no scale is available to measure these aspects in patients with cancer. Accordingly, this study aimed at designing and evaluating the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (P-TGI) in patients with cancer. Methods: According to the quantitative findings of our previous study, 9 items were added to the 21 items of P-TGI. After calculating the Content Validity Index (CVI) and Content Validity Ratio (CVR) coefficients, P-PTGI was finalized with 24 items. A total of 272 eligible patients with cancer who were referred to Shahid Ghazi Hospital in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran for follow-up treatment completed the P-PTGI. The instrument was assessed to determine its construct validity using various indices of Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and standardized lambda (λ) coefficient, followed by further assessment of the discriminant and convergent validities using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). LISREL and SPSS were used for data analysis. Results: According to the results of goodness-of-fit indicators, the 5-dimensional, 24-item P-PTGI model was acceptable. Considering that the values of average variance extracted (AVE=0.53-0.75) were greater than the square of correlation coefficients between the 5 dimensions of P-PTGI, discriminant validity was approved. The convergent validity of the tool was confirmed according to the high lambda standard coefficients (0.50-0.93) between items and their related factors. Additionally, alpha coefficients for 5 dimensions of P-PTGI ranged from 0.84 to 0.93 which confirmed the consistency of the tool. Conclusion: This study revealed that P-PTGI, with 24 items and 5 dimensions, is a valid and reliable tool for assessing PTG in Iranian patients with cancer.

Raphignathoid mites (Acariformes: Raphignathoidea) in parts of the Azerbaijan provinces of Iran

While performing a faunistic study on the superfamily Raphignathoidea of northwestern Iran, north parts of east Azerbaijan and southwest parts of west Azerbaijan provinces during 2016-2018, a total number of 40 species in 13 genera belonging to the superfamily were collected and identified. Among them, four species: Stigmaeus luxtoni Wood, 1981; Ledermuelleriopsis sezeki Doğan, 2004; Eustigmaeus gulingensis Hu and Chen, 1996 and Molothrognathus kamili Doğan, 2003 have been recorded for the first time from Iran.

Study of the Effect of Health System Reform Plan Administration on the Satisfaction Level among Medical Doctors and Nurses in Tabriz State Hospitals, East Azerbaijan, Iran

Having three orientations, the Health System Reform Plan (HSRP) has been administered to financially support and protect people, provide fair health services and promote the quality of health services. To be unsatisfied about health and medical services brings undesirable outcomes. The present investigation aimed to study the effect of Health System Reform Plan (HSRP) on the satisfaction level among medical doctors and nurses of Tabriz state hospitals, East Azerbaijan province, Iran in a period from 21th February; 2015 to 22th June; 2015. Statistical population included those patients who referred to Tabriz state hospitals. We used stratified sampling method. To collect data we used questionnaire being presented to the samples after assessing its validity and reliability. We also utilized descriptive and inferential statistics in a way that we used descriptive method to classify, summarize and interpret of obtained data. Then after demonstrating the abnormality of data by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test we used linear and multiple regressions to test research hypothesis and effect from the perspective of inferential method. Obtained results confirmed the research hypothesis and explained that the administration of HSRP affected medical doctors’ level of satisfaction. Also, according to the results of multiple regression tests, doctors and nurses’ satisfaction level was placed at the top of most affected issues from HSRP.

تعیین جنسیت گوزن قرمز (زیرگونه مرال) با استفاده از تکنیک Duplex PCR به عنوان، روشی مناسب برای تخمین اندازه مؤثر جمعیت، جهت طراحی برنامه های حفاظت ژنتیکی آن در زیستگاه های کشور

Unfortunately, due to the small population size and isolation of red deer (Cervus elaphus) in protected area-Arasbaran-Aynalu, there are inbreeding and the highly rate of bottleneck. Sex controlling for sex maintain effective population size as appropriate, may reduce inbreeding. For this purpose the objective of this study was access and optimization techniques for Sex determination in Red deer(Ceruvus elaphus); suitable method for estimating the effective population size for genetic conservation programs in Arasbaran and the country habitats. For this purpose, bleeding in deer, taken from jugular vein and tail vein after anesthesia, blood samples in tubes containing EDTA vaccum with ice -40c to the gen bank of Department of East Azerbaijan was transferred. Duplex PCR using primers based on the chromosome (Y) in accordance with the sex-determining gene DEAD-box Y-linked protein (DBY) simultaneously used with BMC1009 locus were amplified as an internal control per each reaction. The results are reliable, there are two bands 280-310 (polymorphic band) and 180 base pairs (bp) in male deer and 280-310 (polymorphic band) base pairs (bp) in female deer showed. To confirm this, residual PCR products was applied for sequencing. Genotyping results showed that 8 females and 15 males were identified as indicators of effective population size 4, respectively.

Structural analysis and the effect of the chromium on LTA (Na) zeolite synthesized from kaolin

The release of heavy metals ions into water resources is an environmental issue due to their high toxicity, long-lasting stability, and bioaccumulation in the food chain. Currently, the discharge of Mayan leather manufacturing plants’ wastewater into the Aji Chai River in East Azerbaijan (Iran) has increased the concentration of heavy elements such as chromium, copper, and zinc, so that the upper free aquifer of the Mayan Plain has become salty due to the feeding from this River. To overcome such a problem, we synthesized a highly functional Linde Type A (LTA) Na-zeolite from Kaolin as the raw material. In this regard, the impact of parameters such as synthetic temperature, adsorption temperature, and pH on the Cr adsorption capacity of zeolite on wastewater solutions obtained from this area was investigated. The structural analysis through XRD, SEM, BET, and FTIR, coupled with the Rietveld refinement method demonstrated that upon adsorption of Cr ions into the LTA zeolite structure, the lattice parameter decreases. Additionally, the results of this study suggest that the synthesized LTA zeolite has a very high adsorption rate in both acidic and alkaline environments in a way that a 100% removal rate was recorded at pH = 3. The as-synthesized zeolite has efficiently removed chromium from industrial waste waters flowing into this area.

Socio-demographic status and 12 years trend of completed suicide in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran, during the period 2007\u20132018

BackgroundThe incidence rate of suicide has been increased in Iran over the past decades especially in East Azerbaijan Province which there are limited studies on suicide. We aimed to investigate the 12-year trend of suicide and demographic characteristics in East Azerbaijan Province during the period 2007–2018. We obtained the data on the suicide mortality and socio-demographic status from the Death Registry Information System (DRIS) and compared with legal medicine suicide statistics during the study period.ResultsA total of 2422 and 1783 suicide cases were reported by legal medicine and DRIS (average incidence rate 5.94 vs 4.4 per 100,000) in the 12-year period from 2007 to 2018, respectively. The suicide rate in males was more than two times that of females. The mean and median age of suicide was 34.07 and 31 years, respectively. The most common suicide method was hanging (51.9%). The incidence rate of suicide cases was decreasing between 2007 and 2014, however from 2015 to 2018 has been increased.ConclusionsThe incidence rate of suicide in this province has been increasing with a smooth slope. Community-based programs and measures should be taken to stop the growth rate of suicide.

Prevalence of HBV and HCV infection in beta-thalassemia major patients of Tabriz city, Iran

People with beta-thalassemia major are more likely to acquire blood-borne viral infections due to the need for frequent blood transfusions. Of these viruses, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are of particular importance. In this study, the prevalence of HBV, HCV and their risk factors in beta-thalassemia major patients in East Azerbaijan province was investigated. The study was descriptive cross-sectional, and 116 beta-thalassemia major patients who received blood in Shahid Ghazi hospital and Children’s hospital in Tabriz city were studied. Data were collected by a questionnaire, and blood samples of patients in terms of serum markers HCV-Ab, HBsAg and HBs-Ab were analyzed by ELISA, and positive HCV-Ab results were confirmed by Real Time-PCR. Then using SPSS software version 22 and with the help of t-tests including Anova T-test, Man-Whitney U test, Independent sample t-test, chi-square and Fisher exact test, Statistical studies were performed. Of the 116 patients studied, no HBsAg positive cases were found. Four patients (3.4%) were positive for HCV-Ab, of which two patients (1.7%) became HCV-RNA positive after Real Time-PCR. There was a significant relationship between HCV-Ab positive and HCV-RNA positive (P = 0.000), blood transfusion intervals (P = 0.043), number of injected blood units (P = 0.001) and duration of blood transfusion (P = 0.006). The prevalence of HCV was lower in patients who started receiving blood after a blood donor screening program. HCV is less prevalent in thalassemia patients in East Azerbaijan province than in some studies in the country and various global statistics. After 1996, the prevalence of HCV in the thalassemia patient population has decreased significantly, and it seems that HCV infections since 1996 have been associated with various factors such as people’s jobs, position, behaviour in society, etc.

New Data on Latrodectus tredecimguttatus Rossi, 1790, the Medically Important Spider Species (Araneae: Theridiidae) from Iran.

Spiders are one of the most important orders of Arachnida comprising more than 48,000 species in the world. Except for families Uloboridae and Holarchaeidae, all others are classified as the venomous spider. However, only about 200 species are medically relevant and cause public health problems or even death. In Iran, there are 51 families and 763 species of spiders, of which the families, Theridiidae and Sicariidae are dangerous for the human being, and the first one is more prevalent. The Latrodectus is considered one of the most poisonous spiders in the world and Iran. This genus has five species in Iran, among which Latrodectus tredecimguttatus (black widow spider or “Dolmak”) is considered one of the most poisonous spiders in Iran. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate this species in the Northwest of Iran (West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan, and Ardabil provinces, Iran). Spatial distribution maps were prepared using GIS 9.4. In the current study, five adult female spiders were collected from Germi and Ardabil cities (Ardabil Province), Ahar County (East Azerbaijan province), and Urmia city (West Azerbaijan province) of Iran. These species were first observed in Ardabil province, Iran. Therefore, the presence of Latrodectus species under the rocks in wheat farms in this corner of Iran may be a threat to farms and visitors. People in these areas should wear gloves and avoid any activity that disturbs the spiders and make them aggressive.

Using hybrid artificial intelligence approach based on a neuro-fuzzy system and evolutionary algorithms for modeling landslide susceptibility in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran

Using hybrid artificial intelligence approach based on a neuro-fuzzy system and evolutionary algorithms for modeling landslide susceptibility in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran

The prerequisites and consequences of customers’ online experience regarding the moderating role of brand congruity: evidence from an Iranian bank

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the prerequisites of customer online experience and its outcomes in banks. Brand congruity is an important mediating variable in these connections.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative approach is used to test the model based on the literature review. The subjects are online customers of an Iranian bank, Bank Mellat, in East Azerbaijan Province, which is famous for its e-banking. Data analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results suggested that the prerequisites of customer experience affected customer experience, which was, in turn, divided into two components (affective experience and functional experience). Besides, brand congruity played a moderating role in the relationship between prerequisites and consequences.Research limitations/implicationsIn the model, brand congruity was the only moderating variable and other moderating variables were excluded. Further, test results were related to a specific brand.Practical implicationsThis paper explores how the behaviors of customers could be improved in the online context by concentrating on determinants of customer online experience. The paper offers implications for the improvement of customer online experience in service marketing, especially in banking.Originality/valueThis is the first study in Iran to use brand congruity as a way of surveying the perquisites and outcomes of online experience in banking. The findings expand the importance of brand congruity in online experience to the entire banking sector.

Hidden patterns among the fatally injured pedestrians in an Iranian population: application of categorical principal component analysis (CATPCA)

BackgroundIdentifying hidden patterns and relationships among the features of the Fatal Pedestrian Road Traffic Injuries (FPRTI) can be effective in reducing pedestrian fatalities. This study is thus aimed to detect the patterns among the fatally injured pedestrians due to FPRTI in East Azerbaijan province, Iran.MethodsThis descriptive-analytic research was carried out based on the data of all 1782 FPRTI that occurred in East Azerbaijan, Iran from 2010 to 2019 collected by the forensic organization. Categorical Principal Component Analysis (CATPCA) was performed to recognize hidden patterns in the data by extracting principal components from the set of 13 features of FPRTI. The importance of each component was assessed by using the variance accounted for (VAF) index.ResultsThe optimum number of components to fit the CATPCA model was six which explained 71.09% of the total variation. The first and most important component with VAF = 22.04% contained the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the killed pedestrians. The second-ranked component with VAF = 12.96% was related to the injury type. The third component with VAF = 10.56% was the severity of the injury. The fourth component with VAF = 9.07% was somehow related to the knowledge and observance of the traffic rules. The fifth component with VAF = 8.63% was about the quality of medical relief and finally, the sixth component with VAF = 7.82% dealt with environmental conditions.ConclusionCATPCA revealed hidden patterns among the fatally injured pedestrians in the form of six components. The revealed patterns showed that some interactions between correlated features led to a higher mortality rate.