Control systems for WRASPA.

The paper discusses the need for a wave energy converter (WEC) to sense and respond to its environment in order to survive and to produce its maximum useful output. Such systems are described for Wraspa, a WEC being developed at Lancaster University and first reported at ICCEP in 2007. The main control system that continually monitors and optimises the power-take-off is termed ldquoStepwise Controlrdquo and seeks to continually adjust the damping force applied to the collector to suit the wave force that drives it. The complete instrumentation and control system that will be needed is considered briefly, including the above PTO control system; direction sensing and heading control; tide level compensation; condition monitoring and provisions for access and maintenance

The state of birth weight in the north of Iran

Introduction and object: This study was designed for determining the birth weight and some other factors affecting rural newborn children in the north of Iran (south east of Caspian sea). Material and Method: A sample size of 695 cases was chosen by cluster and random sampling from 20 villages. The birth weight of the newborn and the mother's socioeconomic status were recorded by a questionnaire. The data was analyzed by SPSS windows software. Results: The prevalence of LBW, NBW and HBW was observed to be 11.1%, 84.1% and 4.8%, respectively. The birth weight among children whose mothers had iron supplements was lower than that of children whose mothers did not take iron supplement (3173gr vs 3246gr) and statistical differences between the two groups were not significant. Birth weight have a positive correlation and significant statistical differences with both maternal age (r=0.2 , p=0.01) and maternal BMI(r=0.24 , p=0.01). The birth weight in the 5th birth order was more than that in the 1st birth order and statistical differences were significant (P=0.01). Birth weight had a positive correlation with familial income (P<0.05). Discussion: Our study showed that maternal BMI, birth order and socioeconomic factors were associated with intrauterine weight gain, but iron supplements didn't have a positive outcome

Effect of peppermint oil on serum lipid peroxidation and hepatic enzymes after immobility stress in mice

This study was undertaken to determine the influences of various doses of peppermint oil on the hepatic enzymes, alanine transaminase, apartate tranaminase, alkaline phosphotase and gamma glutamyl transferase and the level of malondialdehyde in the serum of mice with and without immobility stress. The mice exposed to drink water, 0.9, 27 and 60 mg/kg peppermint oil from the days 1 to 5 for a period of 4 h before and after immobility stress. Serum MDA increased in treatment group II, III and IV after immobility stress. There was a significant decrease in ALT in treatment group III and IV after immobility stress. There were also significant decreases in ALP and GGT in treatment group IV after immobility stress. This result may suggest that, MDA level is higher in immobilization stress group than in the un-immobilized animals in serum and this results show that enzyme activities decreased after immobilization stress. © Marjani et al

Level of Knowledge and Understanding of State Senior High School Science Teachers in Constructing “HOT Questions”

This study aims to describe the level of knowledge and understanding of state senior high school science teachers (SMAN) in constructing higher-order thinking items (HOT), and to compar e the level of knowledge and understanding among state senior high school Physics, Chemistry, and Biology teachers in constructing higher-order thinking items (HOT). The type of this research is descriptive quantitative, data collection technique is done by survey method using developed questionnaire instrument. The population in this research are all science teachers (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) of State Senior High School teachers in Aceh Province, with the sample being 90 science teachers of State Senior High School teachers which are chosen randomly. The data obtained were analyzed descriptively. The result of the research shows that: (1) the level of knowledge and understanding of science teachers of State Senior High School teachers in constructing higher-order thinking items (HOT) is in the medium category, (2) the level of knowledge and understanding in constructing higher-order thinking (HOT) items, Biology teachers achieved more high and very high category compared to Physics and Chemistry teachers

Brauer-Thrall for totally reflexive modules

Let R be a commutative noetherian local ring that is not Gorenstein. It is known that the category of totally reflexive modules over R is representation infinite, provided that it contains a non-free module. The main goal of this paper is to understand how complex the category of totally reflexive modules can be in this situation. Local rings (R,m) with m^3=0 are commonly regarded as the structurally simplest rings to admit diverse categorical and homological characteristics. For such rings we obtain conclusive results about the category of totally reflexive modules, modeled on the Brauer-Thrall conjectures. Starting from a non-free cyclic totally reflexive module, we construct a family of indecomposable totally reflexive R-modules that contains, for every n in N, a module that is minimally generated by n elements. Moreover, if the residue field R/m is algebraically closed, then we construct for every n in N an infinite family of indecomposable and pairwise non-isomorphic totally reflexive R-modules, that are all minimally generated by n elements. The modules in both families have periodic minimal free resolutions of period at most 2.Comment: Final version; 34 pp. To appear in J. Algebr

Analisis Solutif Penyelesaian Pembiayaan Bermasalah Di Bank Syariah: Kajian Pada Produk Murabahah Di Bank Muamalat Indonesia Banda Aceh

This article aims to study the triggering factors of financing problems in BMI Banda Aceh and the policies taken to resolve the issues. In particular, the article also examines the effectiveness of applying these policies in reducing financing problems in BMI Banda Aceh. This research is expected to be a framework or model for other Islamic banks that have similar problems. The data was collected using an in-depth interview and documentation study. In analyzing data, this article utilized descriptive analysis method with qualitative approach. The findings show that finacing problems at BMI were triggered by 1) customers, 2) internal bank, and 3) fictitious factors. BMI applied a comprehensive policy to solve the problems starting from prevention to the culmination. The resolving techniques consist of ‘on the spot\u27, summons, billing, restructuring, collateral selling and written off, and penalty charging. In addition, BMI has also applied internal policy to the case that was not regulated by the financial authority such as the establishment of Remedial Team that was specifically formed to handle financing problems.Artikel ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji faktor-faktor penyebab terjadinya pembiayaan bermasalah di Bank Muamalat Indonesia (BMI) Banda Aceh dan kebijakan yang diambil untuk menyelesaikan persoalan tersebut. Secara khusus, artikel ini juga mengkaji keefektifan kebijakan tersebut dalam mereduksi pembiayaan bermasalah di BMI Banda Aceh. Penelitian ini diharapkan dapat menjadi framework atau model bagi bank syariah lain yang memiliki permasalahan yang sama. Data untuk penelitian ini dikumpulkan melalui wawancara mendalam dan studi dokumentasi yang kemudian dianalisis secara kualitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa faktor penyebab pembiayaan murabahah bermasalah berasal dari 1) nasabah, 2) internal bank dan 3) faktor fiktif. Kebijakan yang diterapkan sangat komprehensif mulai dari pencegahan sampai dengan penyelesaian. Teknis penyelesaian dilakukan dengan metode on the spot, somasi, penagihan, restrukturisasi, penjualan jaminan, dan melakukan write off serta adanya penetapan terhadap denda. Selain itu, BMI juga mempunyai pola-pola kebijakan internal yang secara langsung tidak diatur secara detail oleh otoritas keuangan seperti pembentukan tim remedial yang khusus menangani pembiayaan bermasalah

The effect of 6 weeks decreased activity in the form of spinal cord ligation on CDK5 expression in sciatic nerve of Wistar male rats with neuropathic pain

چکیده مقدمه: درد نوروپاتیک به صورت درد ناشی از آسیب یا بیماری سیستم عصبی حسی- پیکری تعریف می&zwnj;شود. نورون&zwnj;ها به کاهش و افزایش فعالیت به لحاظ بیوشمیایی سازگار می&zwnj;شوند که چنین تغییرات بیوشمیایی می&zwnj;تواند در حفظ و بقای نورون&zwnj;ها اثر گذار باشد، با توجه به نقش تنظیمی CDK5 در عملکرد و ساختار اعصاب هدف از انجام پژوهش حاضر بررسی تاثیر شش هفته فعالیت کاهش یافته به شکل درد نوروپاتیک بر بیان CDK5 در عصب سیاتیک رت های نر دارای درد نوروپاتیک بود. مواد و روش&zwnj;ها: 10سر موش صحرایی نر نژاد ویستار با میانگین وزن 20&plusmn;250 گرم به 2 گروه کنترل سالم(5n=) و گروه فعالیت کاهش یافته (SNL) (5n=) تقسیم شدند. طی شش هفته آینده آزمون&zwnj;های رفتاری درد نوروپاتیک در گروه&zwnj;های پژوهشی به طور مستمر انجام شد. در پایان 6 هفته تغییرات بیان ژن CDK5 در عصب سیاتیک با تکنیک Real time اندازه&zwnj;گیری و با روش 2-&Delta;&Delta;CT محاسبه شد. نتایج: پس از 6 هفته وزن عضله نعلی در گروه لیگاتوربندی شده به طور معناداری نسبت به گروه کنترل کاهش داشت(05/0 &le; P). در آزمون&zwnj;های رفتاری درد نوروپاتیک آلودنیای مکانیکی و هایپرآلژزنیای حرارتی نشان داده شد در گروه لیگاتور بندی آستانه تحریک درد نسبت به گروه کنترل به طور معناداری کمتر بود(05/0 &le; P). میزان بیان ژن CDK5 در عصب سیاتیک در گروه لیگاتور بندی شده به طور معناداری (پاتولوژیک) نسبت به گروه کنترل افزایش نشان داد(05/0 &le; P). بحث و نتیجه&zwnj;گیری: به نظر می&zwnj;رسد در پی یک دوره فعالیت کاهش یافته با مدل SNL ، افزایش پاتولوژیک بیان ژن CDK5 منجر به اثرات مخرب بر سیستم عصب و عضله، و ظهور نشانه&zwnj;های پاتولوژیکی نظیر، آتروفی عضلانی، عصبی، تسریع روند آپوپتوز و تخریب عصبی می&zwnj;گردد

Strongyloides stercoralis: The Most Prevalent Parasitic Cause of Eosinophilia in Gilan Province, Northern Iran

Background: Eosinophilia occurs in a wide variety of situations such as parasitic infections, aller­gic disorders, and malignancies. Most cases of eosinophilia of parasitic origin, especially those with a tissue migration life cycles consists of human infections by helminth parasites. The aim of present study was to determine the parasitic causes of eosinophilia in patients in a major endemic area of human fascioliasis in Gilan Province, northern part of Iran.Methods: One hundred and fifty patients presenting with an elevated eosinophilia attending infec­tious disease clinics with or without clinical symptoms, were examined. After clinical his­tory evaluation and physical examination, coprological examinations were performed using the formalin-ether and the Kato-Katz techniques for detection of Fasciola sp. and intestinal parasites.Results: Forty two percent of patients were infected with S. stercoralis, nine (6%) were found to be infected with Fasciola sp. while only a single patient (0.7%) were infected by Ttrichostrongy­lus sp.Conclusion: Local clinicians in Gilan may consider eosinophilia as a suggestive indication for diagnosis of human fascioliasis, especially when microscopic stool and/or serological tests are negative. Based on the results, local physicians should consider S. stercoralis as the potential causes of eosinophilia in patients with elevated eosinophilia

Validating and assessing the reaction of medical students toward team-based learning

The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of tools �Team-Based Learning Student Assessment Tool�, Classroom Engagement Survey (CES) and to assess the reaction of learners toward TBL sessions at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. This descriptive study was done in 2013. The first step was to assess the reliability and validity of the tools. TBL-SAI questionnaire include 39 items, and CES consists 8 items. The validity was assessed through Delphi rounds by experts and reliability, through internal consistency and Test-Retest approach. Then, the reaction of medical students (N=78) was assessed concerning the aspects of team-based learning sessions through TBL-SAI and CES. The data were analyzed through descriptive tests. Our results have study confirmed the TBL-SAI and CEA validity. The tools �reliability was approved through: TBL-SAI Cronbach's alpha=0.79, CES Cronbach�s alpha=0.71 and TBLSAI ICC=0.82, CES ICC=0.75. The result of the second phase showed the TBLSAI scores of participation were appropriate concerning TBL session (159.60�12.89) According to confirmed validity of tools, these can be used in researches related to team-based learning in Iran. It could facilitate assessing the learners� reaction of team-based learning studies at Iranian medical science universities. In the present study, the reaction of students who participate in TBL sessions had been positive and their participation, satisfaction, and accountability had been improved. � 2016 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved