Ethylene and Anti-Ethylene Treatment Effects on Cut "First Red" Rose

Studies were conducted to determine the effects of ethylene and anti-ethylene treatments on postharvest life of cut "First Red" rose flowers. Effects of exogenous ethylene at 1, 10 and 100 ul l-1 for 48 h at 22 C on cut "First Red" rose flowers were investigated. Ethylene at different concentrations reduced postharvest life, with 100 ul l-1 having the greatest effect. Ethylene production measurements suggested that "First Red" rose is climacteric during senescence. Pre-treatment of "First Red" rose flowers with 0.5 mM silver thiosulfate (STS) for 2 h at 22 C increased vase life, but pre-treatment with 1 ul l-1 1- methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) did not. Pre-treatment of "First Red" rose with 0.5 mM STS and, to a lesser extent, 1 ul l-1 1-MCP for 2 h at 22 C, protected flowers from subsequent exposure to 10 ul l-1 ethylene. Maximum vase life in both ethylene-treated and non-ethylene-treated "First Red" rose flowers was obtained with 0.5 mM STS

Saturation in cascaded optical amplifier free-space optical communication systems

The performance of a free-space optical (FSO) communication system in a turbulent atmosphere employing an optical amplifier (OA) cascade to extend reach is investigated. Analysis of both single and cascaded OA FSO communication links is given and the implications of using both adaptive (to channel state) and non-adaptive decision threshold schemes are analysed. The benefits of amplifier saturation, for example in the form of effective scintillation reduction when a non-adaptive decision threshold scheme is utilised at the receiver for different atmospheric turbulence regimes, are presented. Monte Carlo simulation techniques are used to model the probability distributions of the optical signal power, noise and the average bit error rate due to scintillation for the cascade. The performance of an adaptive decision threshold is superior to a non-adaptive decision threshold for both saturated and fixed gain preamplified receivers and the ability of a saturated gain OA to suppress scintillation is only meaningful for system performance when a non-adaptive decision threshold is used at the receiver. An OA cascade can be successfully used to extend reach in FSO communication systems and specific system implementations are presented. The optimal cascade scheme with a non-adaptive receiver would use frequent low gain saturated amplification

Comparison of Crocus sativus L. and imipramine in the treatment of mild to moderate depression: A pilot double-blind randomized trial [ISRCTN45683816]

BACKGROUND: The morbidity and mortality associated with depression are considerable and continue to increase. Depression currently ranks fourth among the major causes of disability worldwide, after lower respiratory infections, prenatal conditions, and HIV/AIDS. Crocus sativus L. is used to treat depression. Many medicinal plants textbooks refer to this indication whereas there is no evidence-based document. Our objective was to compare the efficacy of stigmas of Crocus sativus (saffron) with imipramine in the treatment of mild to moderate depression in a 6-week pilot double-blind randomized trial. METHODS: Thirty adult outpatients who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4(th )edition for major depression based on the structured clinical interview for DSM IV participated in the trial. Patients have a baseline Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score of at least 18. In this double-blind, single-center trial, patients were randomly assigned to receive capsule of saffron 30 mg/day (TDS) (Group 1) and capsule of imipramine 100 mg/day (TDS) (Group 2) for a 6-week study. RESULTS: Saffron at this dose was found to be effective similar to imipramine in the treatment of mild to moderate depression (F = 2.91, d.f. = 1, P = 0.09). In the imipramine group anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth and also sedation were observed more often that was predictable. CONCLUSION: The main overall finding from this study is that saffron may be of therapeutic benefit in the treatment of mild to moderate depression. To the best of our knowledge this is the first clinical trial that supports this indication for saffron. A large-scale trial with placebo control is warranted

Performance evaluation of turbulence-accentuated interchannel crosstalk for hybrid fibre and free-space optical wavelength-division-multiplexing systems using digital pulse-position modulation

A hybrid fibre and free-space optical communication link using digital pulse-position modulation (DPPM) in a wavelength-division-multiplexing system is proposed. Such a system, which could provide a power efficient, robust and flexible solution to high-speed access networks, is a contender for a passive optical network solution and could readily be deployed in areas with restrictions in optical fibre installation, or alternatively as a disaster recovery network. Interchannel crosstalk and atmospheric turbulence are major impairments in such a system and could combine in some cases to degrade the system. Both impairments are investigated here and the results are presented in the form of bit error probability, required optical transmission power and power penalties. Depending on the position of the interferer relative to the desired user, power penalties of about 0.2–3.0 dB for weak turbulence and above 20 dB for strong turbulence regimes are reported for bit error rate of 10−6. DPPM scheme with a coding level of 2 show about 2 dB improvements over on–off-keying scheme

Effect of Entonox gas on severity of labor pain in primiparous mothers: A randomized controlled trial

Introduction: Labor pain is an inevitable and common phenomenon whose intensity is ranked highest among pain scores in humans. Reducing labor pain can encourage the women to accept vaginal delivery. The aim of the present study is to determine the effect of Cr\ Entonox gas on severity of labor pain. Materials and methods: The present study is a clinical trial conducted after receiving the ethical code from Ilam University of Medical Science (REC.1394.24.IR.IUMS). 78 primiparous women were included in the study by random allocation method. Test group (N=38) received Entonox gas during labor while the control group (N=40) had no intervention. The research tool was demographic questionnaire and visual analog scale. After data collection, the data were analyzed by analytical and descriptive statistics using SPSS Version 16 software. Result: The results showed that Entonox gas reduced the pain of the patients in the experimental group and before the intervention in the test group, the mean (SD) pain was 7.26 (0.55), which after intervention reached 2.44 (0.64). Which was statistically significant (p <0.001). Conclusion: Entonox gas caused a reduction in the pain of mothers during labor. Thus this intervention can be applied as an intervention capable of reducing the pain in mothers

Acute Progressive retro-peritoneal hematoma in COVID19 patients with sub cutaneous ecchymosis

Introduction: and importance: COVID19 is a multifunction disease where hematological disorders are reported. Coagulopathy is seen in these patients, indicated by thromboembolic events. Case presentation: We present case of 11 COVID19 who were presented with localized skin ecchymosis lesions in different areas of the body and retroperitoneal hematoma in the posterior wall of the abdomen and chest. Clinical discussion: Increased INR and bleeding and ecchymosis in Corona patients require discontinuation of anticoagulants and, FFP, essential and tri amino injections are needed. Conclusions: Diagnosis and management of hematoma is important to avoid fatality

The prevalence of delirium in patients in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Aim: The first systematic review and meta analysis investigating the prevalence of delirium in Iran and the importance of delirium in the health status of patients. Method: This study is a review article to determine the overall prevalence of delirium in patients admitted to the hospitals in Iran, with search time frame to 12 October 2000-12 October 2018. The study examined the prevalence of delirium in general wards and ICUs of Iran according to published article in domestic and foreign journals. The methodological quality of the papers was based on a tool used in previous studies. Data was analyzed using comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA) software. Findings: The findings showed the prevalence of delirium in hospitalized patients in Iran is 21.8 (CI: 17.5-27.5). The prevalence of delirium in hospitalized patients in Iran based on the hospitalization in ICU is 24.7 (CI: 18.1-32.7) and in the general ward is 17.5 (CI: 13.6-22.3). Conclusion: Due to the relatively high prevalence of delirium in patients admitted to hospitals in Iran, prevention is necessary to reduce the incidence of delirium

The effect of educational intervention on the knowledge and attitude of intensive care nurses in the prevention of pressure ulcers

BACKGROUND: Pressure ulcers can cause disability, which can lead to a default in patients' safety and results in frequent complications for patients. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the effect of educational intervention on nurses' knowledge and attitude in preventing pressure ulcers. METHODS: In this study, 67 nurses of ICU wards at Ilam University of Medical Sciences were randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. Data collection tools included the demographic characteristics questionnaire, the Pieper Pressure Ulcer Knowledge test (PUKT) and the Attitude toward Pressure Ulcer tool (APuP). In the experimental group, the nurses were allocated into groups of four-five persons and for each group four face-to-face training sessions and two virtual training sessions by means of educational videos on bed sores were performed. Gathered data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16, and descriptive and analytical tests were performed. RESULTS: PUKT questionnaire score in the experimental group improved from 15.68 (3.42) to 29.75 (12.33) (P = 0.000), while in the control group it was 16.40 (3.13) and 17.54 (6.62) before intervention, which was not significant (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the APUP questionnaire score in the experimental group improved from 27.12 (2.13) to 39.37 (3.21) (P = 0.000), while in the control group it was 27.65 (1.71) and 28.37 (5.00) before intervention, which was not significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Since educational intervention improved the knowledge and attitude of nurses in preventing pressure ulcers, it is required to conduct appropriate educational interventions to improve their knowledge and attitude