Five new eriophyoid mite species associated with plum orchards, Prunus domestica L. and five new records of the superfamily Eriophyoidea (Acari: Trombidiformes) from Hamedan Province, Iran

Eriophyoid mites from plum trees (Prunus domestica L.) in Hamadan Province, northwestern Iran, were collected during a survey in 2018–2020. Altogether 12 species, belonging to eight genera and two families, are reported herein. Five species are new to science and five species are new records for Hamadan province of Iran. The collected mites according to their families, genera and species are as follows: family Diptilomiopidae: Quadracus reticulatus sp. nov., Rhinophytoptus nemalobos Lotfollahi & de Lillo, 2014, Diptacus hamedanicus Jafari & Khanjani, 2020, Diptacus gigantorhynchus (Nalepa, 1892); family Eriophyidae: Acalitus iranicus sp. nov. causes small irregular galls around of buds, Aculus flechtmanni sp. nov., Aculus fockeui (Nalepa & Trouessart, 1891), Eriophyes prunorum sp. nov. causes blisters on leaf surface, Eriophyes savagei Keifer, 1939 causes leaf nail galls, Phyllocoptes hamedi sp. nov., Phyllocoptes abaenus Keifer, 1940, and Tetra pruni Jafari, Khanjani & Ueckermann, 2020.

Analysis of the Deformation Behavior and Sinkhole Risk in Kerdabad, Iran Using the PS-InSAR Method

The unexpected collapse of land surface due to subsidence is one of the most significant geohazards that threatens human life and infrastructure. Kabudrahang and Famenin are two Iranian plains experiencing several sinkholes due to the characteristics of the underground soil layers and extreme groundwater depletion. In this study, space-based Synthetic Aperture Radar images are used to investigate the ground displacement behavior to examine the feasibility of Sentinel-1 data in detecting precursory deformation proceeding before the sinkhole formation. The selected sinkhole occurred in August 2018 in the vicinity of Kerdabad village in Hamedan province with a 40 m diameter and depth of ~40 m. Time series of the European constellation Sentinel-1 data, spanning from January 2015 to August 2018, is analyzed, and the results revealed a 3 cm annual subsidence (–3cm/year) along with the line-of-sight direction. Time-series analysis demonstrated that the driving mechanism of the sinkhole formation had a gradual process. Displacement of persistent scatterers (PSs) near the cave area had an acceleration by approaching the sinkhole formation date. In contrast, other areas that are far from the cave area show linear subsidence behavior over time. Additionally, the one-kilometer deformation profile over the cave area indicates a high subsidence rate precisely at the location where the sinkhole was formed later on 20 August 2018.

The role of moral intelligence in promoting organizational agility during crisis situations with regard to the mediating role of service quality provision

Moral intelligence introduces a new authority tool to the organizations’ managers so that it can be used in the organizations to improve organizational agility and promote the quality of services in crisis situations. This study was applied in terms of its objectives, and a descriptive survey in terms of data collection method. The statistical population of the study consisted of the employees of the Red Crescent Organization in Hamadan province (N=200). According to Morgan’s Table, the sample size was estimated to be 132. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire. Content validity and confirmatory factor analysis were used to assess the validity, Cronbach's alpha coefficient was calculated to estimate the reliability, and structural equation modeling was run in Smart PLS software to analyze the collected data. The results indicated that moral intelligence had a positive and significant effect on the improvement of organizational agility in the Red Crescent Organization of Hamedan province. Additionally, moral intelligence had a positive and significant impact on the service quality provision in the Red Crescent Organization of Hamedan province. Service quality provision also had a positive and significant effect on the promotion of organizational agility in Red Crescent Organization of Hamedan province.

Two new species of the genus Raphignathus (Acari: Raphignathidae) from Hamedan, Iran, with a key to the known species

Two new species of the genus Raphignathus, R. seraji sp. nov. and R. rakhshandehi sp. nov., are described and illustrated based on females collected from soil under Astragalus sp. bushes, along Gamasiab river, Nahavand, Hamedan province, Iran. An updated key to all known species of Raphignathus is given.

Prevalence of Toxocara Species Eggs in the Soil of Public Parks in Hamedan City, Western Iran

Background: Toxocariasis is one of the most commonly reported zoonotic helminth infections in the world which is caused by the parasitic roundworms of dogs or cats. This survey aimed to provide data on the contamination of the soil of public parks by Toxocara spp. eggs in Hamedan city, capital of Hamedan Province in the west of Iran. Methods: During April and May 2019, a total of 120 soil samples were collected from 20 public parks (4 to 10 soil samples from each park) from all geographical areas of the city. For detection of eggs, soil samples were dried overnight at room temperature and passed through a 150 μm mesh sieve. After performing Sheather’s flotation technique using 2 g of powdery soil, light microscopic examinations were carried out. Results: Microscopic evaluation of specimens revealed that 14 samples out of 120 (11.67%) collected from 10 public parks out of 20 in Hamedan (50.0%) were contaminated with Toxocara spp. eggs. Various developmental stages of Toxocara spp. eggs including (1) non-developed, (2) 2-cell to tadpole stage, and (3) larvated eggs were observed. Furthermore, in two public parks, Trichuris spp. eggs were found in the soils. Conclusions: This study provides the first information about the contamination of public areas in Hamedan 0rovince and suggests that public awareness about this fact is needed. Education of citizens especially parents with children, who have commonly mouthing behavior, is recommended. Further molecular-based studies for the identification of parasite species in the province are suggested. All of the published literature about contamination of the soils of public areas in Iran with Toxocara eggs until July 2020 were also reviewed.

The Effect of observing Ergonomic Principles and Musculoskeletal Pain on the Quality of Life Dimensions of Computer Users in Hamedan City

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the most common injuries among computer users, which probably affect the quality of life (QOL) and efficiency. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 150 Nordic questionnaires were distributed among computer users in Hamedan province and a total of 110 questionnaires were collected. Later, 60 participants (female: n=20 and male: n=40) were evaluated based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Musculoskeletal disorders and workplace ergonomic principles were considered as independent variables and quality of life dimensions were investigated as the dependent variables. Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) was applied to evaluate workplace ergonomic, Nordic questionnaire was administered to evaluated musculoskeletal disorders, and SF-36 was used to assess QOL. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22. Independent t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient were also run to analyze the data. Results: According to the findings, 3% of users were in the safe zone, 16% in the alert zone, and 78% in the danger zone. The findings also showed that the most common pain segments were neck pain (85%) and back pain (75%) in women, but neck pain (52%) and back pain (55%) in men. Additionally, the results showed that ergonomics of the workplace has a negative and significant relationship with the physical dimension of QOL (R=-0/26, P=0/042). Musculoskeletal disorders have a negative and significant relationship with the general health dimension (R=-0/29, P=0/022) and with the pain dimension of the QOL (R=0/29, P=0/022). Moreover, a negative and significant relationship was observed between QOL and BMI (R=-0/49, P=0/001). Conclusion: Based on the results, workplace ergonomics has an effect on the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders and ultimately the QOL of computer users in non-office environments and computer services.

Caligonella Astragalusi N. Sp. (Acari: Trombidiformes: Caligonellidae) From Western Iran

A new species of the genus Caligonella Berlese (Acari: Trombidiformes: Caligonellidae), C. astagalusi n. sp., is described and illustrated based on the female. The specimens of the new species were collected from soil and litter under Astragalus sp. bushes (Fabaceae) in Nahavad, Hamedan province, western Iran. A key to all known species of the genus Caligonella is provided.