Aftermath Epidemics: Percolation on the Sites Visited by Generalized Random Walks

We study percolation on the sites of a finite lattice visited by a generalized random walk of finite length with periodic boundary conditions. More precisely, consider Levy flights and walks with finite jumps of length $>1$ (like knight's move random walks (RW) in 2 dimensions and generalized knight's move RW in 3d). In these walks, the visited sites do not form (as in ordinary RW) a single connected cluster, and thus percolation on them is non-trivial. The model essentially mimics the spreading of an epidemic in a population weakened by the passage of some devastating agent -- like diseases in the wake of a passing army or of a hurricane. Using the density of visited sites (or the number of steps in the walk) as a control parameter, we find a true continuous percolation transition in all cases except for the 2-d knight's move RW and Levy flights with Levy parameter $\sigma \geq 2$. For 3-d generalized knight's move RW, the model is in the universality class of Pacman percolation, and all critical exponents seem to be simple rationals, in particular $\beta=1$. For 2-d Levy flights with $0 <\sigma < 2$, scale invariance is broken even at the critical point, which leads at least to very large corrections in finite size scaling, and even very large simulations were unable to determine unambiguously the critical exponents.Comment: 11 pages, 14 figure

The relationship between genetic variants associated with primary ovarian insufficiency and lipid profile in women recruited from MASHAD cohort study

Background and aim: Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) is defined by the occurrence of menopause before the age of 40 years. It is often associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between POI-associated genotypes cardiometabolic disorder risk factors. Methods: One hundred seventeen women with POI and one hundred eighty-three healthy women without POI were recruited in this study. DNA was extracted and analyzed using ASO-PCR or Tetra ARMS-PCR. Lipid profiles were also assessed. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that individuals with GG vs. TT genotype of the rs1046089 SNP were more likely to have a higher serum LDL (p = 0.03) compared to the control group. There was also a significant association between low serum HDL and rs2303369 and rs4806660 SNP genotypes in the POI group. In the POI group, the percentage of those with high total cholesterol was lower in those with a CC genotype compared to those with a TT genotype (p = 0.03). Conclusion: Some SNPs reported to be associated with POI appear to be independently associated with dyslipidemia. These results may be helpful to identify subjects with POI who may be susceptible to CVD

Seed Growth and Heavy Metals Uptake of Puccinellia distans (Jacq.) Parl

The use of plants to remediate contaminated soil has been the most rapidly developing component in environmental cleansing. Although total concentration of heavy metals in soil is used for regulatory review, it also is beneficial to assess the potential for ecosystem impact through a series of bioassays. One commonly used bioassay is seed germination. In current research study effect of contaminated soil with heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Fe) on germination and growth of Puccinellia distans were evaluated. Shoot and root concentrations of metals were also measured. Data obtained from the experiment indicated that the plant perform dose-dependent responses to the contaminated soils. Reduction in germination, root and shoot height and biomass were significantly (P&lt;0.05) different when compared to the control. Analysis of tissue concentrations in the plant showed that heavy metals were mainly accumulated in the roots and also plant tissues demonstrated different affinity to take up heavy metals. In all the plant organs, the concentrations of heavy metals increased as the metals contents in the soil increased. [Ebrahimi. Seed Growth and Heavy Metals Uptake of Puccinellia distans (Jacq.) Parl

Assessing the clinical and biochemical efficacy of alpha-lipoic acid in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial

Given the importance of inflammatory and metabolic markers in the pathophysiology of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), this study was designed to evaluate the effects of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation on inflammatory and serum levels of fetuin-A, sirtuin1 (SIRT-1), cytokeratin 18 (CK-18), and hepatic steatosis in patients with NAFLD. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial, 50 patients with NAFLD were randomized to receive daily supplementation with either two capsules of ALA (each capsule containing 600 mg ALA plus 400 mg/day of vitamin E) or two placebo capsules (two placebo capsules plus 400 mg/day of vitamin E) for 12 weeks. Significant reductions in homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) score and serum levels of insulin and fetuin-A were observed in the ALA group compared to the placebo group (all P < 0.05). ALA supplementation was significantly more effective than placebo in reducing hepatic steatosis by at least one grade

Effect of early clinical exposure and near peer assisted learning combination program on attitudes of medical students towards basic sciences courses

Background: This study aimed to assess the impact of early clinical exposure and near-peer assisted learning combination on recognition of clinical aspects of basic sciences for preclinical medical students. Method: In this translational (efficiency type) study, 59 Iranian medical students were selected to participate in clinical courses. An intern was in charge of mentoring to elaborate clinical aspects of basic sciences. During the clinical course, students faced several cases related to presented materials in order to perceive the role of previously learned topics in basic sciences courses. Finally, the students filled a validated and reliable questionnaire, which was designed to assess the level of satisfaction and effect of the program on students' attitude toward clinical usage of basic science courses.  Results: Participants in their feedback gave an overall rating of the satisfaction of program as high to very high. A majority (89%, n=42) of students stated that participating in this workshop results in increased motivation for studying and 97% (n=46) declared that these types of programs must be considered in the medical education curriculum.  Conclusion: This study showed that a near-peer mentor can effectively accomplish the objectives of this project because of precedent dealing with similar issues. Designing a teaching strategy to fill the gap between the parts of the curriculum was the most prominent achievement of this study