Throughput optimization in multi-radio multi-channel wireless networks using network coding

One major problem of wireless mesh networks is low throughput and on the other hand, network coding (NC) is a reliable solution to alleviate this problem. In this paper, we evaluate the through­put gain of various intersession wireless NC schemes, includ­ing signal level (analog) NC and packet level NC, which may include non-duplex flows, over the traditional non-NC schemes in multi-radio, multi-channel and multi-hop networks.We also propose a routing approach in order to increase NC opportuni­ties and evaluate its performance in wireless ad-hoc networks in terms of network throughput

Methanol Poisoning as a Trigger for the Presentation of Diabetes Mellitus: A Case Report

Background: The clinical and laboratory manifestations of methanol poisoning and Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) might be very similar.Case Presentation: A 15-year-old male, who lived in Mashhad, Iran, was referred to a medical toxicology center because of the loss of consciousness following the consumption of home-made alcohol. Laboratory tests revealed metabolic acidosis, the high blood levels of methanol, and ketonuria and glucosuria in urine analysis. The treatment of DKA and methanol poisoning was started simultaneously.Conclusion: Methanol poisoning, as physical stress or because of pancreatitis as a complication, could be a trigger for diabetes in susceptible individuals, and physicians should be aware of the similarity of presentation of these situations.

Machine Learning Approaches to predict Intra-Uterine Insemination Success Rate- Application of Artificial Intelligence in Infertility

Introduction: Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) has been widely utilized for infertility management. Despite its low success rate, Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI) is one of the first alternatives and most important approaches regarding many cases of infertility treatment. Given the numerous influencing factors and limitations associated with time and resources, the development of a reliable model to predict the success rate of ART methods can significantly contribute to decision-making processes. Materials and methods: We reviewed the demographic, clinical, and laboratory data regarding 157 IUI treatment cycles among 124 women using their partner’s sperm from May2017 to June2019. Primary outcome measures were clinical pregnancy and live birth. Some prediction models were constructed and compared to the logistic regression analysis. Results: Woman’s mean age was 30.1 ± 5.2 years and the infertility had a female cause in 24.3% of the cases, male cause in 32.6% of cases, and combined causes in 32.6% of the cases. Concerning the first IUI cycle, the clinical pregnancy rate per cycle was 16.9% (N= 21). Data were prepared according to cross-industry standard process for data mining (CRISP-DM) methodology, and the following models were fitted to the data: J48 Decision Tree, Perceptron Multilayer (MLP) Neural Network, Support Vector Machine (SVM) with radial basis function (RBF) kernel, K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) with one neighborhood, and Bayesian Network. J48 Decision Tree, with a sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 98%, had the most optimal performance, and the KNN model was the weakest one. Conclusion: To predict the results of IUI as a simple and less invasive therapy for infertile couples, some models were applied based on artificial intelligence and J48 Decision Tree was recommended

Cardiovascular Conditions in Patients With Aluminum Phosphide Poisoning

Background: Aluminum Phosphide (AlP) is a well-known rodenticide and insecticide, used as a fumigant to control pests and rodents in grain-storage facilities. Its intoxication presents a medical emergency that requires early rigorous management. This study aimed to investigate cardiac function by Electrocardiogram (ECG) changes in patients with AlP intoxication. We also explored the potential relationship between low bicarbonate and cardiac function.Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated 42 patients in the age range of 17-47 years, with a history of orally-administered AlP poisoning, known as “rice tablet”, admitted to the toxicology ward of Imam Reza Hospital from March 2019 to March 2021. The study patients’ demographic data were collected by trained interviewers, using pretested questionnaires. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as blood samples, were measured 12 hours from admission. Echocardiography was performed during the first 12 hours and on the fifth-day post-admission. All statistical analysis was performed using R 3.6.1. The significance level was set at 0.05 for all statistical tests.Results: In total, 48.78% of patients presented normal bicarbonate levels, and 24.39% and 26.83% had moderate and severe acidity, respectively. Moderately and severely decreased Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) was observed among 21 (51.2%) and 10 (24.4%) patients, respectively. Furthermore, mild Right Ventricular (RV) function was observed among 11 (26.8%) patients. A statistically significant association was observed between bicarbonate level and RV function (P<0.001) and LVEF (P<0.001). Besides, 19.5% of the explored patients expired. The proportion of expired patients was significantly higher in patients with mild RV function, compared to the other patients (P<0.001).Conclusion: Acute AlP intoxication is a worldwide serious problem. Severe metabolic acidosis and ECG abnormalities are associated with poor outcomes in this respect. Thus, conducting early ECG and echocardiography could be desirable instruments to predict prognosis. There is no antidote for AlP poisoning; thus, the replacement of a safer agent for in-store grain protection is strongly suggested

The Effect of Aminolevulinic Acid on Physiological and Biochemical Characters of Red-fleshed Apple (Malus sp. Genotype R1R1) under Salinity Stress

The present study was conducted to evaluate the ameliorating effect of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) on physiological and biochemical changes of induced NaCl-salinity stress on in vitro shoot and callus cultured of red-fleshed apple. Shoot and callus segments of the red-flesh apple of Local Iranian genotype were cultured on MS medium containing different levels of NaCl (0, 30, 60 and 90 mM) and ALA (0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 µM). Physiological and biochemical variations of treated explants with or without NaCl and ALA treatments were recorded. In both explants, salinity reduced chlorophyll and carotenoids contents, but the activities of antioxidant enzymes and accumulation of total phenol and anthocyanin increased with increasing salinity level (90mM). Exogenous ALA in 5 and particularly in 10 µM was effective in enhancing chlorophyll and carotenoids contents, increasing the activities of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and accumulating of total phenol and anthocyanin. These results indicate that ALA has a powerful salinity-ameliorating potential on in vitro cultured shoot and callus of Iranian red-fleshed apple

Nanocarriers call the last shot in the treatment of brain cancers

Our brain is protected by physio-biological barriers. The blood–brain barrier (BBB) main mechanism of protection relates to the abundance of tight junctions (TJs) and efflux pumps. Although BBB is crucial for healthy brain protection against toxins, it also leads to failure in a devastating disease like brain cancer. Recently, nanocarriers have been shown to pass through the BBB and improve patients’ survival rates, thus becoming promising treatment strategies. Among nanocarriers, inorganic nanocarriers, solid lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, polymers, micelles, and dendrimers have reached clinical trials after delivering promising results in preclinical investigations. The size of these nanocarriers is between 10 and 1000 nm and is modified by surface attachment of proteins, peptides, antibodies, or surfactants. Multiple research groups have reported transcellular entrance as the main mechanism allowing for these nanocarriers to cross BBB. Transport proteins and transcellular lipophilic pathways exist in BBB for small and lipophilic molecules. Nanocarriers cannot enter via the paracellular route, which is limited to water-soluble agents due to the TJs and their small pore size. There are currently several nanocarriers in clinical trials for the treatment of brain cancer. This article reviews challenges as well as fitting attributes of nanocarriers for brain tumor treatment in preclinical and clinical studies

Effects of temperature on population growth parameters of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) reared on Planococcus citri (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae)

The effect of temperature on the development, survival, fecundity and population growth parameters of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Col.: Coccinellidae) reared on Planococcus citri Risso (Hom.: Pseudococcidae) was determined at five constant temperatures (18, 22, 26, 30 and 32±1°C) in the laboratory conditions. Results showed a temperature - dependent development of the coccinellid. The mean total of immature period was estimated 76.6±0.9, 33.9±0.1, 25.8±0.1, 22.6±0.1 and 26.2±1.4 days at 18, 22, 26, 30 and 32°C, respectively. The highest and lowest values of R0, rm and λ were obtained 369.9±50.2 and 2.5±0.8 (female/female/generation), 0.07±0.01 and 0.02±0.01 (female/female/day) and 1.08±0.01 and 1.02±0.01 (day-1) at 26 and 32°C, respectively. The lowest values of generation time (T) and doubling time (Dt) were calculated 42.2±0.9 and 8.9±0.5 days at 32 and 26°C, respectively. The lower and higher developmental threshold of total of immature period were obtained 11.5 and 25.5°C, respectively. The thermal requirement for completion of total of immature period of this predator were estimated 400 DD. These results showed that 26°C and/or adjacent temperature is most suitable for mass rearing of this predator

A study on organogenesis in Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.

Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) is one of the most important horticultural crops, belonging to the family Solanaceae. Owing to the significance of tomato as a model plant in genetic studies, little is known about the floral development in this plant. The organogenesis of tomato flowers was studied using epi-illumination light microscopy. The flowers were pentamerous with the acropetal and asynchronous inception of floral whorls. The initiation of sepals, petals and stamens followed helically, unidirectionally and bidirectionally, respectively. The high occurrence of floral abnormalities was remarkable. The initiation of a higher number of organ primordia was observed for sepals, petals, stamens and carpels. The increase in the number of organs resulted from the duplication of organ primordia, especially for the stamen whorl. Based on previous studies, low temperature was probably responsible for the abnormal development of tomato flowers