The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of assertiveness training on decreasing social anxiety of health volunteers in Yazd Health Center. Research method was quasi-experimental with pre-test, post-test design by placebo and control groups, in order to measure the dependent variable used with Social Phobia Inventory (SPI). The population of this study was volunteers of Yazd city, 90 subjects were selected by simple random sampling, and then randomly assigned to three groups (experimental, control and placebo) and pre-test was conducted on them. Then, experimental group received assertiveness training in 8 sessions of at most 60 minutes. Placebo group was trained in prevention of different diseases in 8 sessions of at most 60 minutes. After the training period, all three groups were tested (post-test). In order to analyze the data, the analysis of repeated measurements was used. Results indicated that social anxiety scores in the intervention and control groups decreased more than in the placebo group. Result of present study indicates the importance of assertiveness skill training on the social anxiety. Results of this research are convergent with other research.

In this study we estimate agricultural water footprint and its components from consumption perspective in arid and semi-arid region like Iran. This study is based on blue water consumption in irrigated land. Iran has imported net virtual water about 11.64 billion cubic meters (bcm) as international crop trade in [2005][2006]. Therefore, Iran has depended on virtual water imports. By conserving about 60% irrigation efficiency, the total water requirement to produce imported crops in Iran is nearly 20.78 billion cubic meters. It is nearly 9 percent of renewable water resources and 12.65% agricultural appropriated water which has added to internal water resources. Agricultural virtual water budget is about 112.78 Gm 3 /yr. Agricultural water footprint is 110.2 Gm 3 /yr. About 12.83% of agricultural water footprint of Iran is related to external water resources on the country boundaries. It means external water footprint. Water dependency, water self-sufficiency and water scarcity indexes in agricultural sector of Iran, are estimated 10.1%, 89.9% and 70.8%, respectively.

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Van der Hoove syndrome is an inherited genetically determined generalized connective tissue disorder characterized by the formation of „pathologically immature type I collagen“. The literature describes the results of cochlear implantation in patients with van der Howe syndrome, after which there are often complications both intraoperative and postoperative. This article describes two clinical cases of van der Howe syndrome with severe hearing loss and deafness. In cases described: preoperative diagnosis and features of the surgical stage of cochlear implantation and postoperative results. Diagnostic features – thinning of bone tissue according to CT of temporal bones, expansion of cochlear duct, deafness according to tonal threshold audiometry. Cochlear implantation performed with the use of the endotracheal anesthesia under the control of the microscope, straight electrode grids were used, testing was normal. A distinctive feature of this syndrome is the softness of the cochlea’s bone tissue, the danger is that when the electrode array is inserted, it may fall outside the cochlea. Also, during the first connection or later, there may be pathological stimulation of the facial nerve.

Starch is one of the important plant storage carbohydrates that has many applications as a raw material in different industries especially the food industry. In this study physicochemical properties of starches extracted from quinoa TTKK and wheat, Pishgam were investigated. Percentage of amylose, X-ray diffraction, swelling power, solubility, water, and oil absorptions, and thermal, pasting, and textural properties were measured. SEM images illustrated that wheat starch granules size were about 8-10 μm and quinoa starch granules size were about 2-5 μm. Results showed that the percentage of quinoa starch amylose (9.19 ± 0.83) was lower than wheat starch (19.57 ± 0.66) but crystallinity percentage was higher in quinoa starch(p<0.05). As well as water absorption. Regarding thermal properties, all the parameters were higher than wheat starch. Measurement of starch pasting properties demonstrated that quinoa starch had higher pasting temperature and lower peak, final, break down, and set back viscosity(p<0.05). Studies on textural properties showed that hardness, gumminess, and springiness were significantly lower in quinoa starch compared to wheat starch. Therefore, unique starch properties of quinoa make it possible to use it in various bakery products which a lot of mechanical forces are applied to produce. as well as frozen products .