A New Method for Fault Current Limiting and Voltage Compensating in Power Systems Using Active Superconducting Current Controller

In this paper, a new method for both fault current limiting and voltage compensating using Active Superconducting Current Controller (ASCC) is proposed. The main objective of this paper is to present an appropriate control strategy for ASCC to achieve both the fault current limiting and voltage compensation purposes. Three different operating modes are defined for ASCC including normal mode, fault current limiting mode, and voltage compensation mode and a proper control strategy is designed for each mode. For the fault current limiting, the model of a typical three-phase system with ASCC is simulated and different states for current limiting in different levels are defined. Also, for the voltage compensating mode, the PI model for the line is considered and the line transmission matrix is obtained when the ASCC is connected at the sending end and middle of the line. Finally, proper settings for ASCC are determined such that the magnitude of the receiving end and the sending end voltages become equal. Simulation results using MATLAB software confirm the proper performance of the proposed method

Effect of health capital on the economic growth process of Iranian provinces using generalized method of moments approach

Many studies have been conducted on the relationship between education as an indicator of human capital and economic growth in our country. However, there have been a few studies regarding the simultaneous impact of health capital and education indicators on the economic growth of the provinces up to now. In this regard, the present study examined the impact of human health indicators and educational expenditures on the economic growth of the provinces of Iran. In this study, the dynamic effect of health capital indicators and educational expenditure along with the performance of the capital assets ownership on the growth of the economies was examined using the panel data obtained from the provinces during the years 2005-2015 by employing the generalized method of moments. The study results indicate that the fertility rate with a coefficient of 0.39, life expectancy with a coefficient of 0.202, and growth of household health expenditures with a coefficient of 0.045 had a positive effect on the economic growth of the provinces. However, the mortality rate with a coefficient of 0.203 had a significant negative effect on the provinces economic growth during the years under study. It was also found that educational expenditures growth and performance of capital assets ownership had a significant positive effect on the economic growth of the provinces. The health capital and its indicators are a long-term investment that should be considered as an important priority by the policymakers of the country and provinces

Penetration Depth of Sodium Hypochlorite in Dentinal Tubules after Conventional Irrigation, Passive Ultrasonic Agitation and Nd:YAG Laser Activated Irrigation

Introduction: The penetration depth of irrigating solutions in dentinal tubules is limited; consequently, bacteria can remain inside dentinal tubules after the cleaning and shaping of the root canal system. Therefore, new irrigation systems are required to increase the penetration depth of irrigating solutions in dentinal tubules.Methods: A comparative study regarding the penetration depth of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solution in dentinal tubules using four methods, (1) conventional irrigation (CI), (2) smear layer removal plus conventional irrigation (gold standard), (3) passive ultrasonic agitation (PUA) and (4) Nd:YAG laser activated irrigation (LAI), took place on 144 extracted mandibular teeth with a single root canal. After decoronation with a diamond disc and working length determination, the apical foramen was sealed with wax. The canals were prepared up to #35 Mtwo rotary file and 5.25% NaOCl was used for irrigation during preparation. To study the penetration depth of NaOCl, smear layer was eliminated in all samples. Dentinal tubules were stained with crystal violet and after longitudinal sectioning of teeth, the two halves were reassembled and root canal preparation was performed up to #40 Mtwo rotary file. Then the samples were distributed into four experimental groups. Depth of the bleached zone was evaluated by stereomicroscope (20X). Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test.Results: The highest and lowest average for NaOCl penetration depth in all three coronal, middle and apical sections belonged to CI + smear layer removal and CI. A statistically significant difference was seen when comparing the penetration depth of CI + smear layer removal group to CI and PUA groups in coronal and middle third, in which the average NaOCl penetration depth of the gold standard group was higher (P < 0.05). A statistically significant difference was seen between CI + smear layer removal group and the other three groups including CI, PUA and LAI in apical third, in which the average NaOCl penetration depth in the gold standard group was higher (P < 0.001).Conclusion: The standard protocol for smear layer removal led to more effective smear layer elimination and deeper penetration depth of irrigation solutions. PUA and LAI groups exhibited less smear layer elimination and penetration depth of irrigation solutions. Therefore, CI+smear layer removal should still be considered as the gold standard

Anti-inflammatory effects of Vitex trifolia leaves hydroalcoholic extract against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)- and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells

Inflammation is the human body’s defensive response against harmful events and a hallmark of many chronic conditions. Commonly, pharmacological approaches to treat inflammation include the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that could potentially possess life-threatening side effects after prolonged use. Hence there is a need for safer alternatives with fewer possible side effects. Vitex trifolia is a shrub from the family Verbenaceae, which possesses potential anti-inflammatory effects and is traditionally used to treat inflammation-related diseases in several Asian countries. This study aimed to explore the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of V. trifolia leaves hydroalcoholic extract (VT) against murine macrophages (RAW 264.7 cells) induced with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was evaluated in the H2O2-induced macrophages. On the other hand, the interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and cyclooxygenase (COX) levels were quantified in the LPS-induced macrophages. VT (25 & 50 μg/mL) showed protective effects and significantly (p<0.05) increased the cell viability and reduced the ROS production compared to that of macrophages treated with 300 μM H2O2 alone. Additionally, VT (50 & 100 μg/mL) significantly (p<0.05) reduced LPS-induced TNF-α and IL-6 levels and COX activity compared to the macrophages treated with LPS (1 μg/mL), alone. However, VT and diclofenac had no inhibitory effect on IL-1β induced by LPS. Moreover, a significant positive correlation was found between VT antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Concisely, these outcomes showed the potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of VT with a positive correlation between these protective actions. Therefore, our results suggest that VT may serve as a source of nutraceutical compounds with impending antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, further molecular investigations on the isolated compounds of the plant and in vivo studies are suggested for future work

Anti-inflammatory effects of Vitex trifolia leaves hydroalcoholic extract against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)- and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced raw 264.7 cells

Inflammation is the human body’s defensive response against harmful events and a hallmark of many chronic conditions. Commonly, pharmacological approaches to treat inflammation include the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that could potentially possess life-threatening side effects after prolonged use. Hence there is a need for safer alternatives with fewer possible side effects. Vitex trifolia is a shrub from the family Verbenaceae, which possesses potential anti-inflammatory effects and is traditionally used to treat inflammation-related diseases in several Asian countries. This study aimed to explore the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of V. trifolia leaves hydroalcoholic extract (VT) against murine macrophages (RAW 264.7 cells) induced with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was evaluated in the H2O2-induced macrophages. On the other hand, the interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and cyclooxygenase (COX) levels were quantified in the LPS-induced macrophages. VT (25 & 50 μg/mL) showed protective effects and significantly (p<0.05) increased the cell viability and reduced the ROS production compared to that of macrophages treated with 300 μM H2O2 alone. Additionally, VT (50 & 100 μg/mL) significantly (p<0.05) reduced LPS-induced TNF-α and IL-6 levels and COX activity compared to the macrophages treated with LPS (1 μg/mL), alone. However, VT and diclofenac had no inhibitory effect on IL-1β induced by LPS. Moreover, a significant positive correlation was found between VT antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Concisely, these outcomes showed the potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of VT with a positive correlation between these protective actions. Therefore, our results suggest that VT may serve as a source of nutraceutical compounds with impending antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, further molecular investigations on the isolated compounds of the plant and in vivo studies are suggested for future work

In vivo identification of novel TGIF2LX target genes in colorectal adenocarcinoma using the cDNA-AFLP method

Background and study aims: Homeobox-containing genes are composed of a group of regulatory genes encoding transcription factors involved in the control of developmental processes. The homeodomain proteins could activate or repress the expression of downstream target genes. This study was conducted to in vivo identify the potential target gene(s) of TGIF2LX in colorectal adenocarcinoma. Methods: A human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line, SW48, was transfected with the recombinant pEGFPN1-TGIF2LX. The cells were injected subcutaneously into the flank of the three groups of 6-week-old female athymic C56BL/6 nude mice (n = 6 per group). The transcript profiles in the developed tumours were investigated using the cDNA amplified fragment length polymorphism (cDNA-AFLP) technique. Results: The real-time RT-PCR and DNA sequencing data for the identified genes indicated that the N-terminal domain-interacting receptor 1 (Nir1) gene was suppressed whereas Nir2 and fragile histidine triad (FHIT) genes were upregulated followed by the overexpression of TGIF2LX gene. Conclusion: Downregulation of Nir1 and upregulation of Nir2 and FHIT genes due to the overexpression of TGIF2LX suggests that the gene plays an important role as a suppressor in colorectal adenocarcinoma. � 2018 Pan-Arab Association of Gastroenterology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Knowledge, Treatment, Control, and Risk Factors for Hypertension among Adults in Southern Iran

Hypertension is the first and the most common risk factor to diseases such as cardiovascular, stroke, and renal diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the factors relevant to hypertension knowledge, treatment, and control in southern Iran. In this cross-sectional study, conducted in Kohgiluye Boyer-Ahmad province, south of Iran, a total of 1836 hypertension patients were randomly selected to participate voluntarily in the study. Hypertension treatment and its control were defined during study. In addition, knowledge about hypertension was measured by hypertension knowledge level scale (HK-LS). Treatment rates were 75.5 and 37.7 percent for female and male, respectively. Habitat, education, income, family history with hypertension, smoking, and time of diagnosis to the disease were found to be related to the treatment of the disease. Control rates were 30.7 and 31.4 for males and females, respectively. Habitat, education, and time of diagnosis to the disease were related to control. Over 50 percent of patients had average knowledge on hypertension. Considering the low rate of control and knowledge on hypertension among patients, health care providers should reinforce their services to improve appropriate knowledge level among elders and, also, plan comprehensive programs to promote health in order to encourage patients change and reform their life style

"Effect of Aerobic Exercise Training on Pulmonary Function and Tolerance of Activity in Asthmatic Patients "

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of a course of aerobic exercise on pulmonary function and tolerance of activity in asthmatic patients. Among the asthmatic patients, 36 patients (M= 16, F= 20) were chosen after clinical examinations, pulmonary function test, skin prick test (SPT) for aeroallergen and a six minute walk test (6MWT) on their own free will. A patient was said to have Exercise Induced Asthma (EIA) when he/she fulfilled the following criteria; (1) FEV1 < 80%, (2) 12% increase or more in FEV1 or PEF after short-acting ß2 agonist prescription and (3) 15% decrease in FEV1 or PEF after 6MWT with 70% or 80% of maximum heart rate. The patients were randomly put into two groups of case (M=8, F=10, Mean age=27) and control (M=8, F=10, Mean age=29). Case group participated in eight-week aerobic exercise plan, while control group had no plan of exercise. Pulmonary function tests were done before and after the course of exercise. There were significant changes in FEV1, FVC, PEF, FEF25-75%, MVV, RF and 6MWT between asthmatic patients of the two groups (P≤0.05), but FEV1/FVC showed no significant change. Mean of changes in FEV1, FVC, PEF, FEF25-75%, MVV, RF and 6MWT were –25.56, -17.19, 32.09, -27.93, -22.18, 5.63 and –307.5 in case group respectively while they were 6.2, 4.67, 1.96, 6.65, 15.56,-2.87 and 18.78 in the control group. This study shows that aerobic exercises in asthmatic patients lead to an improvement in pulmonary functions. Aerobic exercise rehabilitation can be a complement to medical treatment of asthma