Quantum Coherence and Interference in Metallic Photonic Crystals and Hybrid Systems

In the first part of the thesis, we study the absorption coefficient of quantum dots doped in metallic photonic crystals under different circumferences. We study numerically the temporal evolution of the absorption coefficient profile where a probe field is applied to monitor the absorption process in two cases, when quantum dots are embedded lightly and densely. We also studied the effect of a changing plasma frequency on the absorption profile of quantum dots two possible field configurations. We show that the changes in plasma energy can take the system from the absorption region to the transparent and gain region. As the next part, we developed an analytical theory for the photonic band structure and density of states of two-dimensional rectangular metallic photonic crystals. We found that the location of the photonic band gap can be controlled by modifying the plasma energy of either metal. We showed that by changing the plasma energy one can control the spontaneous emission in the metallic photonic crystal. Finally, I studied hybrid systems (quantum dot - metallic nanoparticle). The main advantage of hybrid systems when compared with other nano-optical systems is the possibility for direct energy and quantum information transfer between nanoparticles. In this project, we investigate the control of thermal energy loss in metallic nanoparticles, an effect which could destroy the quality of transformed information if not properly controlled

Using Alternative Names and Pictures to Facilitate Learning Afferent and Efferent Nervous System Connections

Background: According to most students, neuroanatomy is difficult to learn. Although different approaches have been suggested for learning neuroanatomical correlations, it seems that none have been effective in aiding learning of afferent and efferent connections. The aim of this study was to develop an innovative method that will facilitate learning of afferent and efferent nervous system connections. Methods: A total of 140 medical students at the Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences participated in the current study, of which 69 subjects were trained using traditional methods (control group). An innovative method was employed for the remaining 71 subjects (intervention group). In the intervention group, a name and figure were first allocated to each of the nervous system structures in a way that would remind students of the origin of the structure. The students created 3-part names for the allocated structures that were, if possible, humorous. The first part was the alternative name for the structure, and the second and third parts were the alternative names for afferent and efferent structures. The students learned the afferent and efferent connections through the phrases. Each group passed a 12-item pretest and posttest. Results of the tests were analyzed with SPSS using the paired t-test; P ≤ 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: There was no significant difference in the pretest scores between the study groups (control: 1.64 ± 0.86; intervention: 1.60 ± 0.89; P = 0.40). The posttest score of the intervention group (8.15 ± 1.16) was significantly higher than that of the control (3.75 ± 0.077; P < 0.001). Conclusions: An innovative method can facilitate student learning of afferent and efferent nervous system connections. Keywords: Learning, Afferent, Efferent, Neuroanatom

High folate production by naturally occurring Lactobacillus sp. with probiotics potential isolated from dairy products in Ilam and Lorestan provinces of Iran

Rapidly proliferating cells require large amounts of folate to support efficient DNA replication, repair and methylation indicating the importance of folate in human metabolism. Milk products are good sources of such vitamins which are produced by probiotics. In order to find suitable strains capable of high folate production, isolation and identification of Lactobacilli in traditional fermented milk from two different provinces located in the west of Iran were carried out. Lactobacillus  bacteria were isolated according to the ISO 7889 standard procedure. The isolated bacteria were characterized phenotypically and were screened for their ability to produce folate during fermentation of skim milk. Folate production by the selected strains was between 2.8 to 66.6 μg/l. Two strains with the highest folate production were then selected. The 16SrRNA genes from these two strains were amplified and sequenced and a phylogenetic tree constructed. The sequencing results in combination with phenotypic and biochemical properties showed that both strains were similar to Lactobacillus crustorum. Therefore, two new strains with an ability of high folate production were isolated and identified. These could be used as probiotics in the dairy industry. Hence, exploiting natural food-grade microorganisms for the production of nutritive dairy products is possible.Keywords: Folate, Lactobacillus, probiotic, traditional dairy products, IranAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(33), pp. 5383-5391, 16 August, 201

Adiponectin may be used as a marker in prediction of diabetic retinopathy patients

Objective To investigate the validity of serum adiponectin to differentiate diabetic retinopathy and to evaluate the relation between the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) and adiponectin in this disease. Methods A total of 120 persons were included in the study, 80 diabetic patients, which divided into two groups, 40 patients were with diabetic retinopathy and 40 patients without diabetic retinopathy and 40 healthy control subjects. Results There was no significant difference in the age, BMI and gender between the studied groups. Serum levels of TNFα pg/ml was significantly higher in diabetic patients with retinopathy compared to without retinopathy and both groups were significantly highercompared to control, adiponectin ng/ml was significantly lower in diabetic patients with retinopathy compared to without retinopathy and both groups were significantly lower compared to control. In the control group, adiponectin inversely and significantly correlated with age, waist circumference, triglyceride, cholesterol and LDL. Both adiponectin and TNFα have excellent ability to discriminate between diabetic patients from normal to control. But only adiponectin found to have the ability to discriminate diabetic retinopathy from diabetic without retinopathy. Conclusion We found decrease serum level of adiponectin in diabetic retinopathy patients and increase level of TNFα in this patients in compared with diabetic only and control subjects

Determinants of Economic Growth in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: An Application of Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model

This paper provides an empirical analysis of the relationship between economic growth and its determinants with special focus on gross fixed capital formation, export, import, and financial development for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Therefore, the study utilized an annual data from 1980 till 2014, and employed both the autoregressive distributed lag model (ARDL) and the error correction method (ECM) to investigate the long-run and the short-run parameters between the variables. The findings suggest a positive relationship between fixed capital formation, export, in one hand and economic growth in the other hand, both in the short-run and the long-run. In contrast, the financial development variable found to have a negative effect on economic growth in the short-run, however, it turned out to be positive in the long-run. Finally, the import variable showed a negative contribution to growth in the long-run as well as in the short-run. The results are consistent with the theoretical and empirical predictions

A Review of Herbal Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a complex autoimmune disorder which characterized by demyelination and axonal loss in the central nervous system (CNS). Several evidences indicate that some new drugs and stem cell therapy have opened a new horizon for multiple sclerosis treatment, but current therapies are partially effective or not safe in the long term. Recently, herbal therapies represent a promising therapeutic approach for multiple sclerosis disease. Here, we consider the potential benefits of some herbal compounds on different aspects of multiple sclerosis disease. The medicinal plants and their derivatives; Ginkgo biloba, Zingiber officinale, Curcuma longa, Hypericum perforatum, Valeriana officinalis, Vaccinium macrocarpon, Nigella sativa,Piper methysticum, Crocus sativus, Panax ginseng, Boswellia papyrifera, Vitis vinifera, Gastrodia elata, Camellia sinensis, Oenothera biennis, MS14 and Cannabis sativa have been informed to have several therapeutic effects in MS patients

Development of quantitative competitive PCR for determination of copy number and expression level of the synthetic glyphosate oxidoreductase gene in transgenic canola plants

Background: For successful in vitro plant regeneration, plant cell lines with multiple transgene integration and low transgene expression levels need to be ruled out. Although real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) is a rapid way to accomplish this, it is also expensive and typically limits the size of the target sequence. Quantitative competitive PCR (QC-PCR) is proven to be a safe and accurate method for determination of both copy number and quantification of transcript levels of synthetic transgenes in transformed plants.Results: The glyphosate oxidoreductase gene was chemically synthesized and used to transform Brassica napus L. via Agrobactrium -mediated transformation. A construct containing the mutated form of a synthetic glyphosate oxidoreductase (gox) gene (internal standard) was prepared. Gene copy number was estimated in nine independent transgenic lines using QC-PCR as well as the standard method of Southern blot analysis. By quantitative competitive reverse transcriptase PCR (QC-RT-PCR), transcript levels were also determined in these lines. High (&gt; 3), medium to high (2.2-3), medium to low (1-2.2), and low (&lt; 1) levels of transcript were detected. Conclusions: No direct relationship was found between copy number and transgene expression levels. QC-PCR method could be implemented to screen putative transgenic plants and quickly select single T-DNA inserts. QC-PCR methods and the prepared competitor construct may be useful for future quantification of commercial transgenic food and feed

Heterologous expression of a truncated form of human recombinant vascular endothelial growth factor-A and its biological activity in wound healing

Objective(s): Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most effective proteins in angiogenesis, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiation and wound healing. These abilities are therapeutic potential of VEGF in diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy and other tissue damage circumstances. In this study, recombinant VEGF was produced in Escherichia coli (E. coli) system and then biological activity of this protein was evaluated in animal wound healing. Materials and Methods: E. coli BL21 (DE3) competent cells were transformed with pET32a-VEGF clone and induced by isopropyl-β-D-thio-galactoside (IPTG). The recombinant protein was purified byaffinity chromatography. Recombinant VEGF-A-based ointment (VEGF/Vaseline 0.8 mg/100 w/w) was used for external wound (25×15mm thickness) healing in animal model. In vivo activity of ointment was evaluated by clinical evidences and cytological microscopic assessment. Results: The recombinant protein with molecular weight of 45 kilodaltons (kDa) and concentration of 0.8 mg/ml was produced.Immunoblotting data showed that the antigenic region of VEGF can be expressed in E. coli and the recombinant protein has similar epitopes with close antigenic properties to the natural form. Macroscopic findings and microscopic data showed that the recombinant VEGF-A ointment was effective on excisional wound healing. Conclusion: Recombinant VEGF-A produced by pET32a in E. coli, possesses acceptable structure and has wound healing capability