Qom Province In Iran Research Articles

Long-term investigation of subsidence rate and its environmental effects using the InSAR technique and geospatial analyses

Herein, we examined the subsidence occurring over two main plains for agricultural activities in Qom province in Iran using interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR). ENVISAT-ASAR images from 2003 to 2010 and Sentinel-1A images from 2014 to 2019 were used to produce interferograms and mean velocity maps of subsidence in the line of sight (LOS) direction. Using the analyses in geospatial information science (GIS), the spatial correlations between areas with subsidence and water level drop and agricultural land-uses were explored. The results showed the mean velocity map which revealed 35 and 28 mm/yr of deformation going away in the LOS direction in Jafarabad and Qanvat plains, respectively, between 2003 and 2010 and higher subsidence rates between 2014 and 2019. Moreover, maximum subsidence occurred in the places that had not only a larger water level decline, but also a greater thickness of fine-grained sediments. Finally, the environmental effect of subsidence on the ground, infrastructures and water salinity was examined.

Microfinance and social capital formation- a social network analysis approach

The microcredit program has emerged as an important poverty alleviation strategy over the last three decades, and several studies have examined its economic impacts on the community well-being. However, far too little attention has been paid to the effects of micro credits on community social connection and solidarity. This paper aims to examine the application of Social Network Analysis (SNA) to explore the impact of the rural microcredit fund on community social capitals. In doing so, the data on interactions of four rural development groups' members before and after the microcredit project implementation were collected using participatory workshops in Neyzar village of Qom province in Iran. The data were analyzed by Ucinet software, and the socio-graphs were produced by the NetDraw application. The results show that, more people have been involved in the social interactions after the project implementation and there was statistically significant increase in density and decrease in centralization of cooperation network. Furthermore, there were no important distinctions in centrality of people with various educational levels before and after the project implementation. Overall, it can be concluded that, the microfinance initiative considerably promotes the community social capital and participation in the rural development activities. Moreover, the SNA techniques are applicable as an impact assessment tool to investigate changes in community social capital.

Scenarios to control land subsidence using numerical modeling of groundwater exploitation: Aliabad plain (in Iran) as a case study

The unconfined aquifer beneath the Aliabad plain is one of the few freshwater resources in northwestern Qom province in Iran. Land subsidence in the Aliabad plain is primarily the result of extensive overexploitation of groundwater resources and successive droughts. The harmful effects of overexploitation include significant socioeconomic consequences and severe damage to aquifers. The current study proposes an accurate scenario model that reduces the overall land subsidence by assessing different scenarios for future groundwater exploitation in the plain. The quantitative model consists of 120 time-steps over a period of 10 years (2006–2016). Model validation was achieved by comparing the calculated groundwater level variations with the results of piezometric evaluations in modeling. The results of the validated model were used to predict variations in the aquifer hydraulic head caused by changes in exploitation under different scenarios. Modeling of the Aliabad plain revealed that a 10% decrease in pumping will reduce and stabilize the groundwater decline and a 30% reduction will help recharge the aquifer. The model simulation was able to predict critical land subsidence of 35 cm by 2016. The geometric location of maximum land subsidence was predicted by comparing the geometric distribution of predicted land subsidence patterns with subsidence results from radar interferometry. Prediction of land subsidence by 2026 indicated that management of the exploitation of resources and strict aquifer stabilization programs can reduce the damage to the aquifer.

Detection of Metallo-Beta-Lactamase-Encoding Genes Among Clinical Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Qom Province

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa has emerged as a serious problem in many hospitals and intensive care units. The purpose of this study was to determine the antibiotic susceptibility profile and the distribution of metallo-beta-lactamase genes among P. aeruginosa isolates from Qom province of Iran. Methods: In this study, 200 P. aeruginosa isolates were collected from several clinical samples in hospitals affiliated to Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom province, Iran. The antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was tested by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion test and the distribution of MBL genes among carbapenem-resistant isolates was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Results: Among carbapenem non-susceptible isolates of P. aeruginosa, 38% (76 isolates) were multidrug resistant, 26% (52 isolates) were pan-drug-resistant and 5% (10 isolates) were extensive drug resistant. 52% of the isolates were resistant to carbapenems. Among carbapenem non-susceptible isolates of P. aeruginosa, 40 isolates (38.4%) exhibited MBL production. Of 40 MBL-producing isolates, 38 isolates (36.5%) contained the blaIMP gene and two (1.9%) isolates contained the blaVIM gene. Conclusions: Outbreaks of MBL-producing P. aeruginosa isolates will be a serious problem in hospitals in the future and rapid identification of these isolates is necessary to control further dissemination of MBL resistance genes. This is the first report of the rates of MDR, XDR, PDR, and MBL-producing P. aeruginosa isolated from hospitals affiliated to Qom University of Medical Sciences in Qom province of Iran.

Conducting a Water Safety Plan (WSP) Relied on WHO Recommendations for the Assessment of Qom Desalinated Water Supply System

This work aimed to apply the water safety plan (WSP), a plan suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO), to evaluate desalinated water supply system in Qom province of Iran, assisting a systematic prevention approach based on risk assessment. Major portion of Qom drinking water is supplied by an integrated membrane-based desalination system through a private water network. WSP includes 12 phases comprising chapters like "System Description", "Hazard Identification", and "Risk Assessment". The abovementioned phases were conducted according to filled checklists which finally served as the input data for WSP software, namely WSP QA Tool. The processed information by the software attributed to each step was presented finally as appropriate tables and histograms. Total score obtained for Qom desalinated water supply system via WSP was 302 whereas, the full obtainable score considered in WSP was 440. Accordingly, 68.6% of the total WSP obtainable scores was acquired. The scores achieved in steps "catchment", "treatment", "distribution", and "point of use" were 67%, 67%, 64%, and 65%, respectively. The minimum obtained score was 25% assigned to the step "Improvement Plan". The maximum scores were 100% and 97% attributed to "Identification of Stakeholders" and "Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment", respectively. The score of 68.6% from WSP was achieved by Qom desalinated water supply system. The step "Improvement Plan" should be performed simultaneously with the entire WSP to improve the coordination for better enforcement of the plan. To enhance the current condition, the funding demands assigned to each uncontrolled risk which is attributed to each improvement program must be supplied, ranked, and enforced.

Detection of Mycoplasma capricolum capricolum from goats of Qom province, Iran

Mycoplasma capricolum subsp capricolum (Mcc) is one of the etiological agents of contagious agalactia(C.A) in goats which can cause significant economic losses. The aim of this study was to detect Mcc from goats of Qom province in Iran. A total of 111 samples were collected from suspected goats to C.A and cultured in PPLO broth supplemented for Mcc isolation. The bacteria DNAs were extracted from clinical samples and the PCR assay was performed to detect Mycoplasma genus, cluster Mycoides and Mcc from culture. Out of the 111 samples, 33(29.7%) sample cultures were shown positive and typical Mycoplasma colonies in PPLO agar culture method, 53 (47.7%) samples were scored positive by Mycoplasma genus PCR, 8 (7%) of the samples were scored positive by using myciodes cluster PCR and finally 2(1.8%) of the samples were scored positive by using Mcc PCR method. The result of this study showed that Mcc was detected for the first time from Qom province in Iran. Therefore, Qom could be one of the geographical distribution and efficient factors of Mcc in Iranian goats. The lung samples and lymph nodes also could be significant samples for detection of Mcc.

Retracted: Levee Layouts and Design Optimization in Protection of Flood Areas

This paper addresses a possible decrease in flood damages by using structural methods and determines proper locations (layout) to construct protective levees and height of levees (design of levees) in high-risk areas. Because of discontinuity of the objective function and a large number of decision variables, the optimization uses the genetic algorithm (GA). The simulation of the region is carried out with the Hydrologic Engineering Center’s River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) model. The GA is employed to maximize the benefit of flood control and also to minimize the cost of protective levees’ construction. Thus, the fitness function of the algorithm maximizes the net benefit of the project. After a sensitivity analysis, mutation and crossover probability are assumed to be 0.03 and 0.7, respectively. Thus, 1,000 generations and 98 chromosomes for each run are considered. The optimization model is run 5 times for floods with return periods of 50 and 100 years. Furthermore, the algorithm is used to evaluate flood damages in the Sarm and Khoor Abad River, located in the Qom province of Iran. Project net benefits resulting from the optimization model for rivers using 100-year flood exceed those for a 50-year flood. Results indicate that construction of protective levees reduces the rate of damages up to 99% in comparison with a nonconstruction of levees scenario. By taking into account the construction cost of levees, net benefits decrease by 0.97% and 1.1% for floods with 50-year and 100-year return periods, respectively.

Ranking the Knowledge Management Enablers Based on University Academic Members, Staff and Students Using AHP Method

Knowledge management can play a vital role in increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of organizations. The earnings from utilizing knowledge management has caused that most organizations try to execute this process. In this study, we aim to assess the ranking and weights of knowledge management enablers based on the academic members, staff and student in management schools of Qom province in Iran. The results showed that the organizational culture has the most important position while the organizational structure has the least important position in knowledge management in universities. Using a group AHP weighting method resulted in highest weight for organizational culture and lowest weight for organizational culture in developing knowledge management in educational organizations.

Evaluating the Readiness of Management Schools to Execute Knowledge Management

A new branch of management called knowledge management is created for improved application of knowledge capital in organizations. Applying such process improves knowledge processes and enhances organizational knowledge by linking knowledge management with organizational strategies. Also, it provides proper guidelines to compensate current deficiencies and helps organization to keep its competitive advantage. In present study and after brief study of knowledge management concepts by identifying and considering affecting factors on management success and knowledge management enablers, research hypotheses were revealed to evaluate organizational readiness to execute knowledge management in both individual and organizational sections. The readiness of Management Schools in Qom province of Iran to execute knowledge management was assessed and confirmed by a questionnaire and the relevant scores were computed. Then, the weak points were identified according to the readiness of the statistical population and proper guidelines were provided to remove deficiencies.

Detection of Coxeilla brunetii in bulk tank milk samples from dairy bovine farms using nested-PCR in Qom, Iran, 2011

BACKGROUND: Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii, a species of bacteria that is distributed worldwide. In cattle, Coxiella burnetii infections are generally asymptomatic but can also be associated with reproductive disorders. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to achieve molecular detection of Coxiella burnetii in dairy bovine milk farms using Nested PCR in Qom province, Iran. METHODS: From January to February 2011 (winter) and July to September 2011(summer) a total of 100 bovine bulk milk samples were equally collected from five areas of Qom. The nested PCR assay used to screen for C. burnetii was designed from the nucleotide sequence of the com1 gene encodin a 27-kD outer membrane protein (OMP). RESULTS: In this study, 14% (14 of 100) of bulk milk were positive. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the hypothesis of high prevalence and endemic pattern of Q fever in Qom province of Iran.

Isolation and identification of Mycoplasma agalactiae by culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from sheep of Qom province, Iran

Contagious agalactia (C.A) is an infectious syndrome of sheep that is characterized by mastitis and subsequent failure of milk production, arthritis, abortion and keratoconjunctivitis. Mycoplasma agalactiae (M. agalactiae) is the main cause of the disease in sheep. The aim of this study was isolation and identification of M. agalactiae with culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay from sheep of Qom province in Iran. A total of 102 samples were collected from milk secretion, eye, ear and joint exudates of sheep. All samples were cultured in PPLO broth supplemented for M. agalaciae isolation. The bacteria DNAs were extracted by phenol/chloroform method and the PCR assay was applied for detecting of Mycoplasma genus in 163bp fragment of 16S rRNA gene and M. agalactiae in 375bp fragment of lipoprotein gene from culture as same as in clinical samples. Out of the 102 samples, 19(18.63%) cultures were shown positive and typical Mycoplasma colonies in PPLO agar culture diagnostic method and 59(57.8%) were scored positive by Mycoplasma genus PCR, 19(18.62%) of the samples were scored positive by using M. agalactiae PCR as diagnostic method. Out of the 102 samples, 19 samples were shown both positive in the culture and PCR, 42 samples were shown both negative in the culture and PCR. 40 samples were negative in the culture and positive in PCR whereas only one sample was positive in culture and negative in PCR. The results showed that the more isolations of M. agalactiae were taken from milk and less in joint samples. M. agalactiae was one of the main factors of contagious agalactia that was detected for the first time from sheep in Qom province.

Maternal risk factors associated with preterm delivery in Qom province of Iran in 2008

Immaturity is the most important factor of infant mortality. Knowing what group of pregnant women are more at risk of preterm delivery provides opportunities for more accurate care during pregnancy and rapid diagnosis of complications with trying tofix and make them to prevent preterm delivery. The objective of this study is to compare the maternal risk factors in premature infants. In this study, 400 patients were studied (200 preterm labor and 200 term delivery). The required information was gathered by interviewing patients and review records and finally the results were drawn using statistical methods. Between history of preterm delivery, diabetes, infectious diseases, dental disease, anemia and urinary tract infection and preterm delivery, a significant relationship was found. Between age, occupation, body mass index, housing status, mother's underlying disease, preoclampsia and the time in medicine and preterm delivery, there was no significant relationship. Key words: Preterm labor, risk factors, premature infants, mature infant, pregnancy care.

The relation of water contamination and Colibacillosis occurrence in poultry farms in Qom province of Iran

Summary Seventy poultry farms' drinking water was tested for Escherichia coli contamination in Qom province in Iran. The cases of colibacillosis from positive farms were also collected and tested. The isolates were examined for serotype, detection of virulence genes by multiplex PCR and antibiotic resistance. Thirty poultry farm water samples were E. coli positive (18.57%), although 13 E. coli isolates were recovered from carcasses of related farms. The isolates belonged to O2 serogroup and one O157, with approximately 29% of the strains being non-typeable. Two isolates from water and carcasses were serotyped O2 and one sample serotyped O157, which needs to be further studied. The PCR method was on the basis of showing virulence genes of espB, stx1, stx2 and eae. One sample from water and one from a carcass were shared espB, stx2 and eae genes. Stx1 and stx2 genes were common in a sample from both water and carcass, although five samples from both water and carcass shared a stx1 gene as well. All isolates showed maximum sensitivity and resistance to lincospectine and tetracycline, respectively.

Comparison Between Official Figures and Exact Incidence Rate of Human Brucellosis in Qom Province of Iran

Comparison Between Official Figures and Exact Incidence Rate of Human Brucellosis in Qom Province of Iran