Two dimensional fractional supersymmetric conformal field theories and the two point functions

A general two dimensional fractional supersymmetric conformal field theory is investigated. The structure of the symmetries of the theory is studied. Then, applying the generators of the closed subalgebra generated by $(L_{-1}, L_{0}, G_{-1/3})$ and $(\bar{L}_{-1}, \bar{L}_{0}, \bar{G}_{-1/3})$, the two point functions of the component fields of supermultiplets are calculated.Comment: 12 pages, latex, no figure

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on physical and mental health of Asians- A study of seven middle-income countries in Asia

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted the economy, livelihood, and physical and mental well-being of people worldwide. This study aimed to compare the mental health status during the pandemic in the general population of seven middle income countries (MICs) in Asia (China, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam). All the countries used the Impact of Event Scale–Revised (IES-R) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) to measure mental health. There were 4479 Asians completed the questionnaire with demographic characteristics, physical symptoms and health service utilization, contact history, knowledge and concern, precautionary measure, and rated their mental health with the IES-R and DASS-21. Descriptive statistics, One-Way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and linear regression were used to identify protective and risk factors associated with mental health parameters. There were significant differences in IES-R and DASS-21 scores between 7 MICs (p<0.05). Thailand had all the highest scores of IES-R, DASS-21 stress, anxiety, and depression scores whereas Vietnam had all the lowest scores. The risk factors for adverse mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic include age <30 years, high education background, single and separated status,discrimination by other countries and contact with people with COVID-19 (p<0.05). The protective factors for mental health include male gender, staying with children or more than 6 people in the same household, employment, confidence in doctors, high perceived likelihood of survival, and spending less time on health information (p<0.05). This comparative study among 7 MICs enhanced the understanding of metal health in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic

Evaluation of gait symmetry in poliomyelitis subjects : Comparison of a conventional knee ankle foot orthosis (KAFO) and a new powered KAFO.

Background: Compared to able-bodied subjects, subjects with post polio syndrome and poliomyelitis demonstrate a preference for weight-bearing on the non-paretic limb, causing gait asymmetry. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the gait symmetry of the poliomyelitis subjects when ambulating with either a drop- locked knee ankle foot orthosis (KAFO) or a newly developed powered KAFO. Methods: Seven subjects with poliomyelitis who routinely wore conventional KAFOs participated in this study, and received training to enable them to ambulate with the powered KAFO on level ground, prior to gait analysis. Results: There were no significant differences in the gait symmetry index (SI) of step length (P=0.085), stance time (P=0.082), double limb support time (P=0.929) or speed of walking (p=0.325) between the two test conditions. However, using the new powered KAFO improved the SI in step width (P=0.037), swing time (P=0.014), stance phase percentage (P=0.008) and knee flexion during swing phase (p≤0.001) compared to wearing the dropped locked KAFO. Conclusion: The use of a powered KAFO for ambulation by poliomyelitis subjects affects gait symmetry in the base of support, swing time, stance phase percentage and knee flexion during swing phase

Advances of natural fiber composites in diverse engineering applications—A review

This paper emphasizes the significant usage of natural fiber as a reinforced composite in the potential engineering field. Mechanical, civil, textile, agricultural, and other engineering sectors have already initiated the utilization of natural fiber in their multiple fields. After going through some processes like treating chemically and synthesizing them accordingly, natural fiber composites are prepared for respective implementation. Unlike other types of composite materials, natural fiber composites have some unique properties like recyclability, adaptability, environmental safety, and easy persuasion. On the other hand, different types of naturally oriented fiber like jute, cotton, silk, linen, hemp, etc. have almost the same kind of mechanical, thermal, and chemical features as traditional composite materials. Additionally; automobile, marine, aerospace, medical, and recreation industries claim a significant realm in this type of material kingdom. Though moisture problems, fiber swelling, and safe reusability are threatening for natural fiber-reinforced composites, more research will certainly reduce these problems. Researchers play a significant role in the permanent solution of different applications of natural fiber composites in every engineering sector

Prevalence of occult HCV infection in hemodialysis and kidney-transplanted patients: a systematic review

peer reviewedAim: We performed a systematic review for determining the prevalence rate of occult HCV infection (OCI) among hemodialysis and kidney-transplanted (KT) patients. Methods: Electronic databases were searched with appropriate search strategies. We considered positive result for tests of HCV-RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cell, ultracentrifuged serum or hepatocytes in the absence of HCV-RNA and anti-HCV antibody in patients' sera as the definition of OCI. Results: Two studies reported OCI prevalence rate of 0 and 2% among KT patients. Results of OCI prevalence rates among hemodialysis patients varied between 0 and 45% in ten different included studies showing a great heterogeneity. Conclusion: Although we still need more evidence to support our results, they suggest that checking OCI in hemodialysis or KT patients with unexplained signs of liver diseases may have some benefit

Mental Health of the General Population during the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic: A Tale of Two Developing Countries

Background: This study aimed to compare the severity of psychological impact, anxiety and depression between people from two developing countries, Iran and China, and to correlate mental health parameters with variables relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although China and Iran are developing countries based on the World Bank’s criteria, these two countries are different in access to resources and health care systems. We hypothesized that Iranians would show higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress as compared to Chinese. Methods: This study collected information related to the COVID-19 pandemic including physical health, precautionary measures and knowledge about the pandemic. We also used validated questionnaires such as the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) to assess the mental health status. Results: There were a total of 1411 respondents (550 from Iran; 861 from China). The mean IES-R scores of respondents from both countries were above the cut-off for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Iranians had significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression (p &lt; 0.01). Significantly more Iranians believed COVID-19 was transmitted via contact, practised hand hygiene, were unsatisfied with health information and expressed less confidence in their doctors, but were less likely to wear a facemask (p &lt; 0.001). Significantly more Iranians received health information related to COVID-19 via television while Chinese preferred the Internet (p &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: This cross-country study found that Iranians had significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression as compared to Chinese. The difference in reported measures between respondents from Iran and China were due to differences in access to healthcare services and governments’ responses to the pandemic

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on physical and mental health of Asians: A study of seven middle-income countries in Asia.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted the economy, livelihood, and physical and mental well-being of people worldwide. This study aimed to compare the mental health status during the pandemic in the general population of seven middle income countries (MICs) in Asia (China, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam). All the countries used the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) to measure mental health. There were 4479 Asians completed the questionnaire with demographic characteristics, physical symptoms and health service utilization, contact history, knowledge and concern, precautionary measure, and rated their mental health with the IES-R and DASS-21. Descriptive statistics, One-Way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and linear regression were used to identify protective and risk factors associated with mental health parameters. There were significant differences in IES-R and DASS-21 scores between 7 MICs (p<0.05). Thailand had all the highest scores of IES-R, DASS-21 stress, anxiety, and depression scores whereas Vietnam had all the lowest scores. The risk factors for adverse mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic include age <30 years, high education background, single and separated status, discrimination by other countries and contact with people with COVID-19 (p<0.05). The protective factors for mental health include male gender, staying with children or more than 6 people in the same household, employment, confidence in doctors, high perceived likelihood of survival, and spending less time on health information (p<0.05). This comparative study among 7 MICs enhanced the understanding of metal health in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic