A Study of the Term “Hurqalya” according to Shaykh Ahmad Ahsai’s Intellectual System

The views of Shaykh Ahmad bin Zaynuddin Ahsai have raised extensive debates regarding some intellectual discussions. One of the keywords of his intellectual system is the term “Hurqalya” which has also been used among the scholars before Shaykh Ahsai like for example, Shaykh Ishraq. While addressing the historical background of the research, the writer indicates Ahsai’s meaning of “Hurqalya” in different instances in his works through a brief study of the term both in lexicological terms as well as in the specific context of Shaykh Ahsai and shows that it indicates the Imaginal world and the world of Ideas. Apart from this, sometimes the word is used in more a more specific meaning to indicate the cosmos of the Imaginal world. Similarly, while studying these two common uses of the term “hurqalya” in different works of Ahsai and explaining its characteristics in more detail, the writer strives to extract its characteristics in order to clarify its relation to the Imaginal world and to show the differences between Shaykh Ahsai’s views in comparison to other scholars, particularly with the philosophers before him

The Best Location for Speed Bump Installation Using Experimental Design Methodology

Speed bumps, as traffic calming devices, have been extensively used to reduce traffic speed on local streets. This study represents a unique application of experimental design methodology where the effects of some controllable factors in determining the best location for installing speed bumps before stop points (e.g. entry gates, road junctions) were investigated. Through Classical Design of Experiments (DOE), the optimum location of the speed bump was obtained based on the graphical plots of the significant effects. The speed at the stop point was treated as the response and minimum speed is desirable. Design-Expert® software was used to evaluate and analyze the results obtained. The suggested mathematical model effectively explains the performance indicators within the ranges of the factors. The car speed is the most significant factor that affects the distance-time in comparison with other factors, which provides secondary contributions

An Improved Artificial Intelligence Based on Gray Wolf Optimization and Cultural Algorithm to Predict Demand for Dairy Products: A Case Study

This paper provides an integrated framework based on statistical tests, time series neural network and improved multi-layer perceptron neural network (MLP) with novel meta-heuristic algorithms in order to obtain best prediction of dairy product demand (DPD) in Iran. At first, a series of economic and social indicators that seemed to be effective in the demand for dairy products is identified. Then, the ineffective indices are eliminated by using Pearson correlation coefficient, and statistically significant variables are determined. Then, MLP is improved with the help of novel meta-heuristic algorithms such as gray wolf optimization and cultural algorithm. The designed hybrid method is used to predict the DPD in Iran by using data from 2013 to 2017. The results show that the MLP offers 71.9% of the coefficient of determination, which is better compared to the other two methods if no improvement is achieved

The effect of Hand Positions on the Vibration Platform on Shoulder Muscle: Strength and Proprioception

Introduction: To compare the short-term effect of one session of Whole Body Vibration (WBV) in two positions of hand on the vibration platform on isokinetic strength of Rotator cuff and shoulder proprioception. Method and Materials: A total of 60 young healthy students participated in the present study completing three positions of control (no vibration), push up with straight elbow, and push up with semi flexed elbow (two vibration positions) running for two minutes with 30-minute rest between the positions. After control position, vibration positions were tested randomly on the Power Plate device (F: 30Hz and low amp). The isokinetic strength of Rotator Cuff and the absolute angular error in joint repositioning test in 3 target angles of 0°, 45°, and 90° were measured using Kin-Com dynamometer before and after each position. Then, the results of the three positions were compared together. Results: Despite decrease in dynamic strength of medial rotators after three positions, this decrease was observed to be significantly less in push up with straight elbow compared with that in control position (P=0.03). Also, there was a significant difference in Concentric MPT of Lateral Rotators between the three positions with control position revealing the greatest decline in lateral rotators strength (P=0.01) and push up with straight elbow was found to be more effective than semi flexed elbow (P=0.03). Moreover, There was a significant improvement in angle repositioning for the three positions; however, it was considerably more only in zero degree in the push up with semi flexed elbow position as compared with that in the control position (P=0.03). No significant changes were found between push up with straight elbow and semi flexed elbow positions, either. Conclusions: The two different hand positions did not alter the effect of vibration on neuromuscular system in young and healthy individuals. Although a single session of WBV had a positive effect on the neuromuscular system of the young healthy participants, the two positioning did not make a significant difference.Key words: Whole body vibration training, shoulder muscle strength, proprioceptio

Comparison of Vertical Ground Reaction Force during Walking in Patients with Sacroiliac Joint Pain and Healthy People

Introduction: Vast majority of the muscular disorders are known to be related to Sacroiliac joint. Due to the main role played by Sacroiliac joint, the current study was conducted to examine the effect of the pain among the people suffering from Sacroiliac joint pain on the vertical ground reaction force parameter. Materials and Methods: This case control study was carried out on 19 participants with Sacroiliac joint pain, VAS 3-5 and average age of 27±5.7, and 19 subjects with normal health conditions and average age of 29±7.6. The relevant data were collected while the participants were asked to walk at their desired speed over the force plate located on their way. Later on, all the parameters of vertical ground reaction force in the stance phase were recorded. At the end, data collected were compared by independent T-test in SPSS. Results: The results of the study revealed that participants distributed in control (healthy individuals) and experimental (individuals with Sacroiliac joint pain) groups were significantly different regarding the parameters of time and speed required to reach the stage of weight transition to the heel. Discussion: Considering the findings, it can be concluded that some compensatory strategies were adopted by the individuals with Sacroiliac joint- related problems in order to decrease the force that body experienced during walking.Key words: Force Plate, Sacroiliac Joint, Vertical Ground Reaction Forc

In Vitro Evaluation of Different Solvents for Retrieval of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and Calcium-Enriched Mixture

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different solvents; carbonic acid (H2CO3), hydrochloric acid (HCl), chlorhexidine (CHX) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) on the surface hardness of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement. Methods and Materials: Plexiglass molds were prepared and filled with Angelus MTA or CEM cement and then exposed to 2% carbonic acid, 37% hydrochloric acid, 2% chlorhexidine, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite and normal saline at intervals of 1 and 21 days, respectively (n=4). Surface microhardness of all specimens was analyzed by a universal testing machine and an electron microscope for some selected samples. Data were analyzed using the three-way ANOVA. Subgroup analysis was performed by Student’s t-test, One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s tests. The level of significance was set at 0.05. Results: On the first day, all solvents and on 21st day HCl, and H2CO3 were more effective in reducing the microhardness of MTA compared to CEM cement (P<0.05). Conclusion: The two experimental cements were differently affected by the solvents at specific time intervals. The solvents were more effective on MTA.Keywords: Calcium-Enriched Mixture; Microhardness; Mineral Trioxide Aggregate; Retrieva

Design and Analytical Evaluation of a Swirler-Injector System

n/

A comprehensive model of demand prediction based on hybrid artificial intelligence and metaheuristic algorithms: A case study in dairy industry

This paper presents a multi-stage model for accurate prediction of demand for dairy products (DDP) by the use of artificial intelligence tools including Multi- Layer Perceptron (MLP), Adaptive-Neural-based Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), and Support Vector Regression (SVR). The innovation of this work is the improvement of artificial intelligence tools with various meta-heuristic algorithms including Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Genetic Algorithm (GA), Invasive Weed Optimization (IWO), and Cultural Algorithm (CA). First, the best combination of factors with can affect the DDP is determined by solving a feature selection optimization problem. Then, the artificial intelligent tools are improved with the goal of making a prediction with minimal error. The results indicate that demographic behavior and inflation rate have the greatest impact on dairy consumption in Iran. Moreover, PSO still exhibits a better performance in feature selection in compare of newcomer meta-heuristic algorithms such as IWO and CA. However, IWO shows the best performance in improving the prediction tools by achieving an error of 0.008 and a coefficient of determination of 95%. The final analysis demonstrates the validity and reliability of the results of the proposed model, as it supports the simultaneous analysis and comparison of the outputs of different tools and methods

Measurement of superficial and deep abdominal muscle thickness: an ultrasonography study

BACKGROUND: Real-time ultrasound imaging is a valid method in the field of rehabilitation. The ultrasound imaging allows direct visualization for real-time study of the muscles as they contract over the time. Measuring of the size of each abdominal muscle in relation to the others provides useful information about the differences in structure, as well as data on trunk muscle activation patterns. The purpose of this study was to assess the size and symmetry of the abdominal muscles at rest in healthy adults and to provide a reference range of absolute abdominal muscle size in a relatively large population. METHOD: A total 156 healthy subjects with the age range of 18–44 years were randomly recruited. The thickness of internal oblique, external oblique, transverse abdominis, and rectus abdominis muscles was measured at rest on both right and left sides using ultrasound. Independent t test was used to compare the mean thickness of each abdominal muscle between males and females. Differences on side-to-side thicknesses were assessed using paired t test. The association between abdominal muscle thicknesses with gender and anthropometric variables was examined using the Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: A normal pattern of increasing order of mean abdominal muscle thickness was found in both genders at both right and left sides: transverse abdominis < external oblique < internal oblique < rectus abdominis. There was a significant difference on the size of transverse abdominis, internal oblique, and external oblique muscles between right and left sides in both genders. Males had significantly thicker abdominal muscles than females. Age was significantly correlated with the thickness of internal oblique, external oblique, and rectus abdominis muscles. Body mass index was also positively correlated with muscle thickness of rectus abdominis and external oblique. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide a normal reference range for the abdominal muscles in healthy subjects and may be used as an index to find out abnormalities and also to evaluate the effectiveness of different interventions

Cupping: a reasonable choice for attenuating morphine withdrawal symptoms in Wistar rats

Background: Nowadays, the sedative drugs are the main treatments to attenuate the opioid withdrawal symptoms. However, physical therapies are found a safe alternative treatment without any serious adverse effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of cupping treatment on the morphine withdrawal symptoms in rats.Methods: Eighty rats were divided into two main groups; treated with morphine or saline, and each group was also divided to cupping and sham cupping subgroups (with single or daily treatment). Injection of morphine and saline were done in the morphine and saline groups twice a day for nine days. On the ninth day, the naloxone was administered and the withdrawal symptoms including jumping, rearing, body grooming, abdominal writing, and wet-dog shaking were recorded for 60 minutes. Cupping or sham cupping was applied on the GV14 once before or daily after withdrawal induction in each group.Results: The results revealed that a single cupping before the withdrawal induction significantly attenuated the withdrawal symptoms in the morphine group (p<0.01).But, the daily cupping failed to decrease the withdrawal symptoms in this group. The results also indicated that the daily cupping in the saline group increased the naloxone-induced withdrawal symptoms significantly (p<0.01).Conclusions: Single session cupping before the withdrawal induction could decreased the withdrawal symptoms. This finding might be related to the modulation of GABAergic system