An All-Optical NOR Gate based on Two-Dimensional Photonic Crystals

A new configuration of an all optical (2 input) NOR gatebased on two-dimensional photonic crystals is proposed.The structure is based on 20*20 rods of silicon in thebackground of air. The square-ring resonator shapedstructure contains three inputs and one output port. Threeinput ports (Ctrl, A and B) are introduced in to thestructure for achieving the appropriate application. Inorder to investigate the functionality of the structure(functioning as a logic NOR gate), photonic band gap(PBG), field distribution and transmitted power spectrumare considered. PBG and field distribution are obtainedconsidering the plane wave expansion and finitedifference-time-domain methods, respectively. All thestates of a NOR gate (truth table or logical values) areconsidered by applying related inputs to the input ports(incident field with the wavelength in the PBG region).The bit rate, normalized intensity and rise time of2.5Tbit/s, 99% and 2ps, are azlso obtained for the gate.The obtained logic NOR gate can be an appropriatecandidate for utilization in optical integrated circuits

Identification of Appropriate Strategies to Improve and Develop Private Agricultural Extension System: A Study in Mazandaran Province, Iran

In many countries, private sector provision of agricultural extension services is recognized as a key factor in the process of agricultural development. Insufficient attention to the private agricultural extension system in Iran, despite its relative success, has made it imperative to explore and identify appropriate strategies to improve and develop its activities. The statistical population of the present study consisted of 40 knowledgeable and experienced experts of agricultural consultation and technical service firms as a sample of private extension systems in Iran. The research used the SWOT and TOWS methods as the basis for the AHP technique known as the hybrid A’WOT method. In the first step of the research, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of these firms were evaluated. The results of the first step were used to extract 11 strategies by the TOWS diagram. In the second step, to identify the most appropriate strategies to improve the performance of private extension firms, 12 experienced experts were sampled from the research population by the snowball technique. The research instrument was two questionnaires whose validity were determined by face and content validation methods and whose reliability were estimated by Cronbach’s alpha and inconsistency ratio strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats were assessed in the first step. Then, TOWS was employed to develop 11 strategies. In the second step of the research, the AHP technique was used to identify the most appropriate strategies. The ranking of the strategies revealed that the strategies “financial support of firms and farmers in order to lay the ground for the privatization of agricultural activities” and “orienting the attitudes of the policymakers and managers of the public sector towards the role of private extension activities” were the most important strategies to improve and develop these firms in Mazandaran province, so they should be considered by the officials

Determinants of COVID-19 preventive health behaviors in Iranian adults based on extended parallel process model

Abstract Performing preventive behaviors by individuals has been recognized as one of the important strategies for the prevention and control of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to assess the determinants of adopting preventive behaviors of COVID-19 in a sample of Iranian adults based on Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) variables. In this cross-sectional study, 300 adults from Tehran, Iran were selected using cluster sampling method from five areas of the city: north, south, west, east, and center. The participants completed a study instrument developed to assess demographic information and EPPM variables. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS software. The mean age of the participants was 40.11 (± 15.158) years. The results showed that 88.3% (n = 265) of the participants were in the process of danger control. Perceived self-efficacy, attitude, response efficiency, behavioral intention, and the number of hours of activity outside home were determinants of performing COVID-19 preventive behaviors among the participants. These predictors might be used to develop theory-based educational efforts based on EPPM variables due to encouraging people to adopt COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Our results suggest that because many participants were engaged in danger control, health professionals should focus on increasing perceived efficacy

Alexithymia and Personality Factors Among Students With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder

Objectives: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders associated with -diverse communicative problems and Asperger&rsquo;s syndrome. The aim of this study was to compare alexithymia and personality factors in students with and without ASD. Methods: In this study 120 male students with and without ASD were included. All the students were from Rasht city, studying in the academic year 2016-2017. The students were asked to take up Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS) and Big Five Questionnaire for Children (BFQ-C). Statistical comparison within the variables were carried out by Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA). The probability value less than 0.05 considered to be significant.&nbsp; Results: The MANOVA of results showed a significantly higher mean scores of alexithymia components and neuroticism in the students with ASD. However, the mean scores of agreeableness, extraversion, openness to experience and conscientiousness were significantly lower in the students with ASD (P<0.001). Discussion: The results garnered from this study implied that alexithymia and personality factors were significantly influenced by ASD. The findings of this research persuaded the pivotal implication of aforesaid facts on education and mental health of the students

Comparison of the Vitamin D Status of Children Younger and Older Than 2 Years in Tehran: Are Supplements Really Necessary?

peer reviewed[en] BACKGROUND: Vitamin D is a vital lipid-soluble vitamin in the body, helping the growth and development of bones. Vitamin D deficiency in children has several adverse effects. The most important preventative factor is determining the deficiency at an early stage and prescribing vitamin D-containing supplements. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the vitamin D status of children younger and older than 2 years and determine the utility of prescribing vitamin D supplements. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three hundred healthy children who attended the pediatric clinic for routine assessments were enrolled in this study. Their parents were asked to complete a questionnaire, which included questions about demographics, nutrition, and supplements. Blood levels of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus were then measured. RESULTS: The final study consisted of 286 children, 140 males and 146 females, with a mean age of 4.46 ± 2.82 yr. Of these, 218 (76.22%) children, with a mean age of 5.09 ± 2.82 yr, had vitamin D deficiency, and 76 children (23.78%), with a mean age of 2.58 ± 1.88 yr, had normal vitamin D levels (P = 0.001). The mean level of vitamin D was 29.71 ± 14.42 ng/mL in 88 (30.8%) patients up to 2 years and 17.11 ± 14.02 ng/mL in 198 (69.2%) patients older than 2 years (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The vitamin D levels of children aged more than 2 years are lower than those of children aged less than 2 years. Thus, prescribing vitamin D-containing supplements in children older than 2 years may be beneficial

The relationship between dietary lipophilic index and load with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms

Abstract Background Dietary fatty acids can affect brain health by modifying neuronal membrane fluidity. Dietary lipophilic index (LI) and load (LL) may be related to cell membrane fluidity. This study aimed to determine the relationship between dietary LI and LL with symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. Methods In this cross-sectional study, taken from the YaHS (Yazd Health Study) population-based cohort, the data of 2,982 individuals was extracted. Several questionnaires- a 178-item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (DASS 21), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)- were used to obtain information on dietary intake, mental status, and physical activity, respectively. LI and LL were calculated using dietary intake and the melting point of each fatty acid. Results The analysis was performed on 2982 individuals. The odds ratio of depression in the second tertile of dietary LI compared to the first tertile was 0.815 (95% CI 0.66–1.00, P = 0.051, Ptrend = 0.017) and after adjusting confounders was 0.793 (95% CI 0.63–0.99, P = 0.043, Ptrend = 0.011). Also, LL was related inversely with anxiety (0.771, 95% CI 0.63–0.93, P = 0.003) that after multiple regression, OR of anxiety was 0.762 (95% CI 0.53–1.07, P = 0.045). The odds of stress in the third tertile of LL was 1.064 but not statistically significant (95% CI 0.88–1.28, P = 0.729). Conclusion This study showed an inverse association between dietary LI and depression symptoms. Anxiety and stress did not show a significant relationship with LI or LL

Additional file 1 of The relationship between dietary lipophilic index and load with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms

Additional file 1: Appendix 1. Melting points of different fatty acids and correlations between individual fatty acids and the LI