Evaluation of Skills and Use of Computer and Internet among Professors, Postgraduate and Undergraduate Students in Kerman, Iran

Background & Objective: In the 21 century using computers and the internet are necessary. Computers and internet provide professors and students with the possibility of accessing scientific information very quickly. The aim of this study was the evaluation of skills and use of computer and internet among professors, and postgraduate and undergraduate students in Kerman University of Medical Sciences, School of Dentistry. Methods: In this cross-sectional and descriptive-analytic study a questionnaire was given to 51 professors, 42 postgraduate and 241 undergraduate dental students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences. After completing the questionnaires, data were analyzed using chi-square test. Results: Statistical analysis showed that the rate of access to computers at home and universities among professors, and post- and undergraduate students was 88.2%, 84.7%, 85.4%, respectively. 98% of professors, 95% of postgraduates, and 94% of undergraduate students use the internet. The most rate of computer use was 0.5-2 hours during the day. 87.4% of professors, 71.4% of postgraduates, and 71% of undergraduate students do not need education for using the internet. Professors and assistants use of computers for academic activities was higher than students. Conclusion: Skills and use rate of computers and internet was higher in professors in comparison with other groups and there were no statistically significant difference between men and women in three groups. Keywords Dentistry Internet Compute

Entropy Filter for Anomaly Detection with Eddy Current Remote Field Sensors

We consider the problem of extracting a specific feature from a noisy signal generated by a multi-channels Remote Field Eddy Current Sensor. The sensor is installed on a mobile robot whose mission is the detection of anomalous regions in metal pipelines. Given the presence of noise that characterizes the data series, anomaly signals could be masked by noise and therefore difficult to identify in some instances. In order to enhance signal peaks that potentially identify anomalies we consider an entropy filter built on a-posteriori probability density functions associated with data series. Thresholds based on the Neyman-Pearson criterion for hypothesis testing are derived. The algorithmic tool is applied to the analysis of data from a portion of pipeline with a set of anomalies introduced at predetermined locations. Critical areas identifying anomalies capture the set of damaged locations, demonstrating the effectiveness of the filter in detection with Remote Field Eddy Current Sensor

Rutin activates the MAPK pathway and BDNF gene expression onbeta-amyloid induced neurotoxicity in rats

Flavonoids are present in foods such as fruits and vegetables. A relationship between the consumption offlavonoid-rich foods and prevention of human disease including neurodegenerative disorders has beendemonstrated. We assessed the effect of rutin (3,3�,4�,5,7-pentahydroxyflavone-3-rhamnoglucoside) onthe mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, memory retrieval and oxidative stress in ratsinjected with �-amyloid (A�), which is implicated to have an important role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD).A� was injected bilaterally in the deep frontal cortex of rat brain. Next, rutin and saline were injected(i.p.) for 3 weeks. In comparison to the control group, rutin significantly increased extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1 (ERK1), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and brain-derivedneurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene expression in the hippocampus of rats. Rutin (100 mg/kg) significantlyincreased memory retrieval compared to the control group. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the hip-pocampus of the rutin group was significantly lower than those in the control group. The content ofsulfhydryl groups in the rutin group was higher than that in the control group. The findings show apossibility that rutin may have beneficial effects against neurotoxicity of A� on memory in rats