Fast-AT: Fast Automatic Thumbnail Generation using Deep Neural Networks

Fast-AT is an automatic thumbnail generation system based on deep neural networks. It is a fully-convolutional deep neural network, which learns specific filters for thumbnails of different sizes and aspect ratios. During inference, the appropriate filter is selected depending on the dimensions of the target thumbnail. Unlike most previous work, Fast-AT does not utilize saliency but addresses the problem directly. In addition, it eliminates the need to conduct region search on the saliency map. The model generalizes to thumbnails of different sizes including those with extreme aspect ratios and can generate thumbnails in real time. A data set of more than 70,000 thumbnail annotations was collected to train Fast-AT. We show competitive results in comparison to existing techniques

A solution to the subdiffusion-efficiency paradox: Inactive states enhance reaction efficiency at subdiffusion conditions in living cells

Macromolecular crowding in living biological cells effects subdiffusion of larger biomolecules such as proteins and enzymes. Mimicking this subdiffusion in terms of random walks on a critical percolation cluster, we here present a case study of EcoRV restriction enzymes involved in vital cellular defence. We show that due to its so far elusive propensity to an inactive state the enzyme avoids non-specific binding and remains well-distributed in the bulk cytoplasm of the cell. Despite the reduced volume exploration capability of subdiffusion processes, this mechanism guarantees a high efficiency of the enzyme. By variation of the non-specific binding constant and the bond occupation probability on the percolation network, we demonstrate that reduced non-specific binding are beneficial for efficient subdiffusive enzyme activity even in relatively small bacteria cells. Our results corroborate a more local picture of cellular regulation.Comment: 6 plus epsilon pages, 6 figure

Morphology of urohyal bone and its importance in taxonomy of some freshwater fishes of Iran

The urohyal bone is a single median solid bone with anterior tip generally connected to the ventral hypohyal and to the first basibranchial, and the posterior end attached to the pectoral girdle by means of muscle. This bone has been generally used for age determination, but recently it has been distinguished that its morphology is diverse in different groups of fishes such that it could be used in fish taxonomy. The morphology of urohyal in 12 freshwater fishes from 12 genera, 9 families and 6 orders was been studied. Results showed that the urohyals were varied in ratio of length and width relative to total length and fish head length, ventral shape, presence and number of processes in the anterior part, origin of dorsal keel (distance from anterior tip), groove in ventral portion and some other attributes. In all examined cyprinid fish, the ventral part of the urohyal forms a triangular flat facet and there was no process in anterior part of urohyal. In Salmonidae family the ventral part was rhomboid in shape and its anterior end was not completely forked. There was a spine-like process in dorsal part of urohyal in Cyprinodontidae and Poecilidae families. In Hormuz Cichlid, Iranocichla hormuzensis (Perciformes) and Abu Mullet Liza abu, (Mugiliformes) the ventral part forms a triangular grooved facet and its dorsal part bears a process. In Tenualosa ilisha (Clupeidae), there are two lateral processes in the anterior end. Based on the findings, we prepared a key for identification of some freshwater fishes of Iran for the first time

Investigating the level of moral distress and its related factors among nurses in mazandaran burn center

Background and purpose: Moral distress is a common phenomenon in nursing professional and burn nurses are constantly faced with making different moral decisions for patients who are in terrible conditions. Therefore, nurses in burn units experience moral distress as mental tension. This study was conducted to determine the severity of moral distress and the factors associated with that in burn nurses. Materials and methods: A descriptive- analytical study was conducted using census sampling on 172 nurses working in Mazandaran burn center, 2014. Data was collected through identifying demographic and occupational characteristics of the nurses (using relevant questionnaires) and Corley’s Moral Distress Scale. Data analysis was performed applying Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: The mean score for moral distress was 105.65±52.39 which indicates a moderate level experienced by nurses. Kruskal-Wallis test showed a significant positive correlation between educational level and level of moral distress (P=0.011). There was no significant association between moral distress and other individual and professional characteristics (P>0.05). Conclusion: Moral distress is accompanied by many complications that have direct effects on nurses’ professional practice. Therefore, nurse managers should consider this issue and plan for programs on appropriate coping strategies. © 2015, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Otolith morphology of some freshwater fishes of Iran

Otoliths or ear stones are small white bodies present in the ear of bony fishes. Otoliths are important in keeping fish position and steadiness and also are useful structures in hearing. There are three pairs of otoliths which are called Sagittus, Lapillus and Astriscus. In the present study, otoliths of 15 species belonging to 14 genera and 6 families were collected from different basins including Kor Watershed, (Ghadamgah), Persian Gulf (Ghara Aghaj River), Hormuz (Khurgu Hot Spring), Tigris and Karon (Ghaghakhor wetland) and also some fish farms of Fars province were examined. Results showed that in Salmonidae, Cichlidae and Cyprinodontidae families Sagittus is larger while in the Balitoridae, Cobitidae and Cyprinidae Asteriscus is bigger than the other otoliths. Moreover, there is high variation in Asteriscus shape in different families

Histomorphometrical study of gonads in the endemic cyprinid fish, Cyprinion tenuiradius Heckel, 1847 (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

To describe the morphological and histological changes during the annual reproductive cycle of the gonads of Cyprinion tenuiradius, a total of 341 specimens (102 female and 235 male specimens) were collected monthly from the Rudbal River (in the Qarah Aghaj sub-basin, the Persian Gulf basin), Firuzabad, Fars Province, southern Iran. The randomly sampling was adequate to collect males and females at the immature, mature, spawning-active, and non-active phases of reproduction. Five ovarian and five testicular maturation stages (I–V) were described using macroscopic and light and electron microscopic criteria. Also based on the histological examination, six types of ovarian follicles (A-F) and five types of testicular cells were designated. The largest ovarian follicles were found in the stage V of ovarian developmental stages in females with mean body weight and standard length of 22.27 g and 95.13 mm, respectively. The highest number of sperms was observed in the stage V of testicular developmental stages in males with mean body weight of 25.67 g and mean standard length of 97.83 mm. Based on the percentage of late ovary and testis maturation stages (IV, V) and high frequency of large oocytes and sperms it was concluded that the Qarah Aghaj botak spawns once a year during spring and the beginning of summer from April to July

Investigating the role of organizational happiness inteachers’ occupational burnout

The present paper studies the impact of organizational happiness on teachers’ occupational burnout. This research employs a descriptive-correlational method. The statistical population is consisted of all 530 elementary school teachers in the city of Kuhdasht. Using Krejcie and Morgan table, sample size is determined to be 226. In order to collect the required data, the Oxford Happiness questionnaire and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) questionnaire have been used. In order to analyze the data and examine the hypotheses, descriptive statistic indices including mean and standard deviation as well as inferential statistics such as Pearson’s correlation test have been used. The results indicate that the total scale of organizational happiness and the components of self-concept, life satisfaction, mental preparation, aesthetic emotion, self-efficacy, and hopefulness have a negative and significant relationship with occupational burnout. This implies that as teachers’ self-concept, life satisfaction, mental preparation, aesthetic emotion, self-efficacy, and hopefulness improve, their occupational burnout decreases.Keywords: happiness, occupational burnout, teacher

An investigation on the sustained releasing delivery of GnRHa using Freund's incomplete adjuvant in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

In this study, Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FIA) was used for emulsifying and sustained releasing of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) in Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The hormone [D-Ala6, des GlylO] m GnRHa was diluted in 0.25ml physiological saline and mixed with equal volume of FIA (GnRHa-FIA). A group of Rainbow trout broodstock were injected with GnRHa-FIA and compared with those receiving the treatment in two steps or one acute GnRHa injection. All of the fish that received GnRHa in emulsified form or in two steps injection ovulated in 10 and 11 days after injection respectively. In contrast, only 75% of the control fish and 60% of the fish with an acute injection ovulated up to 36 days after injection

The properties of nanofiber scaffolds of polyurethane-Cinnamomum zeylanicum against pathogens of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus

This study designed to investigate the properties of antibacterial nanofiber scaffolds of polyurethane-Cinnamomum zeylanicum against virulence gene expression inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus that are important in burn wounds. With attention to burn wound infections in hospitals and mortality increase in patients, it is necessary to design nanodressing. Clinical isolates were confirmed by biochemical and microbiological tests. DNA of isolates was extracted and PCR used to confirm the alp gene of P. aeruginosa and Pv gene of S. aureus. Polyurethane nanofiber and cinnamon polymers were used to prepare the scaffold under the electrospinning process. Infrared spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and mechanical tensile tests were used to confirm the scaffolds. The susceptibility testing and minimum inhibitory concentration of polyurethane-cinnamon nanofiber scaffold were determined against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. For confirmation of polyurethane-cinnamon nanofiber scaffold were used the cytotoxicity test (MTT), FTIR, mechanical tensile test, and a scanning electron microscope. The expression of virulence genes was investigated using the real-time RT-PCR technique. The results of the susceptibility testing indicated that P. aeruginosa and S. aureus were susceptible to polyurethane-cinnamon nanofiber scaffold. The MTT, FTIR, mechanical tensile test, and SEM confirmed the different features of the polyurethane-cinnamon nanofiber scaffold. Results of real-time PCR demonstrated that the expression levels of p�v and alp genes after treatment decreased, respectively, 2.71- and 1.06-fold. Results indicated that the electrospun polyurethane-cinnamon nanofiber scaffold for the first time could inhibit both important pathogens of the hospital and the expression of the virulence genes. Considering the susceptibility of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus to and its inhibitory effect on an alp and p�v genes, this system could probably be a candidate in wound dressing for commercial purposes to burn healing and infection inhibition. © 2020, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature