zoha riahi

Technological advancements have transformed the payments industry. In the competition between banknotes and alternative instruments such as debit cards and mobile payments, the question of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) has emerged in recent years and sparked much debate. This research examines the factors influencing public adoption of CBDC in two parts. From a macroeconomic perspective, demand for money encompasses the demand for the various functions of money—such as a means of payment and as a type of asset. Drawing on conventional theories of money demand, we analyze this demand over the long term. Since CBDC is essentially fiat money with characteristics similar to physical currency, but does not compete with cash due to the latter’s unique features (e.g., anonymity), it serves as a better substitute for demand deposits. With this view of CBDC, the findings related to demand deposits can be attributed to CBDC demand. In this study, using data on the number of point-of-sale (POS) terminals, debit cards, and ATMs, a logistic model is estimated to calculate a digital development index for Iran’s economy. One key result is the positive and significant effect of this digital development index on demand for demand deposits (as a proxy for CBDC demand), and its negative and significant effect on demand for banknotes. In the second part, CBDC is examined as a payment instrument. Here, the factors influencing CBDC adoption are categorized into four groups: technological, demographic, financial-economic, and operational.

Technological advancement in recent years has compelled central banks to look for new ways to effectively provide payment systems that are fast and more convenient compared to traditional paper-based payment systems. It has led to the birth of the concept of digital currencies issued solely by central banks called Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). As this concept is relatively new, there is ongoing research being conducted by several central banks worldwide, and while the research work done thus far has answered many questions, there remains a number of unsettled issues and questions. This paper aims to delve into the literature on this concept and focus on several key questions like the reasons for issuing digital currency, payment systems efficiency, and the advantages and disadvantages of digital currencies issued by central banks. Answering these questions could substantially help figure out the usefulness of creating a new payment method alongside the current payment system. However, extensive future research is required for a comprehensive understanding the effectiveness and usefulness of digital currencies.

Fragmented QRS (fQRS) on electrocardiography is a marker of myocardial fibrosis and scar formation. We aimed to investigate whether the fQRS complex in children with and without obesity correlates with Body Mass Index (BMI). In this cross-sectional study, 104 children (5 to 17 years) referred to the pediatric clinic were studied. We divided participants into normal and obese groups. Standard 12-lead ECGs, anthropometric data, and blood pressure were recorded. All ECGs were analyzed blindly by two independent clinicians. Surveyed parameters of the ECG included heart rate, QRS duration, QT interval, presence of Q waves, and fQRS. Among 104 participants, 52 patients had normal BMI and 52 cases were obese. Systolic blood pressure (p=0.001), pulse pressure (p=0.007), mean blood pressure (p=0.006), and heart rate (p=0.009) were meaningfully different between the two groups. We found fQRS in four children with obesity. The frequency of fQRS was significantly different between children with obesity and children in the control group (p=0.041). We have found that each unit change of weight and BMI at 1.07 and 1.45, respectively, could be useful in prediction of the occurrence of fQRS complex in children. This study suggested a significant association between the fQRS in children’s ECG and their weight and BMI. It would appear that each unit increasing weight and BMI predicts an increasing the occurrence of fQRS. The ECG may consider using fQRS as a cardiac risk marker in children with obesity.

The incidence of colorectal cancer is increasing in the northeast of Iran. Colorectal polyps are among the proposed risk factors noted, especially in the elder population. This study was designed to study the diagnosed cases of intestinal polyps detected from 2011 to 2016 in the northeast of Iran.

The population consisted of symptomatic candidates referred to the colonoscopy center in Gorgan city. Based on the available colonoscopy and pathology reports, 1706 cases were enrolled after the exclusion of cases without sufficient data.

Among 1709 (55.5% males and 44.5% females) cases, 1405 cases with 1912 polyps were detected. Among them, 345 (25%) aged less than 50 years. Tubular adenoma (N = 826, 43.2%) and hyperplastic polyps (N = 519, 27.1%) were the top two histological findings. Out of 1405 patients with polyps, 660 (39.6%) polyps were detected in proximal colon (15.6% in proximal and 24% in both proximal and distal). Malignancies were detected in 13.2% (0.8% malignant polyps and 12.4% malignant masses).

A considerable number of colorectal adenomas in proximal colon and in patients younger than 50 years old, suggesting to schedule colorectal cancer screening from at least 10 years younger and continuing colonoscopy up to the proximal area.