An Intelligent Assistive System Based on Augmented Reality and Internet of Things for Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

Independent life of the individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD) is compromised due to their memory loss. As a result, they depend on others to help them lead their daily life. In this situation, either the family members or the caregivers offer their help; they attach notes on every single object or take out the contents of a drawer to make those visible when they leave the patient alone. The aim of this thesis is to provide multi-level support and some helping means for AD patients and their family members through the integration of existing science and methods. This study reports results on an intelligent assistive (IA) system, achieved through the integration of Internet of Things (IoT), augmented reality (AR), and adaptive fuzzy decision-making methods. The proposed system has four main components; (1) a location and heading data stored in the local fog layer, (2) an AR device to make interactions with the AD patient, (3) a supervisory decision-maker to handle the direct and environmental interactions with the patient, (4) and a user interface for family or caregivers to monitor the patient's real-time situation and send reminders once required. The system operates in different modes, including automated and semi-automated. The first one helps the user complete the activities in their daily life by showing AR messages or making automatic changes. The second one allows manual changes after the real-time assessment of the user's cognitive state based on the AR game score. We provide further evidence that the accuracy, reliability and response time of the IA system are appropriate to be implemented in AD patients' homes. Moreover, the system response in the semi-automated mode causes less data loss than the automated mode, as the number of active devices decreases.Comment: M.Sc. Thesis (K N Toosi University of Technology, September 2020

Molecular Imprinting of Peptides and Proteins

Molecular imprinting described as a method utilized to create artificial receptors and antibodies by construction of selective recognition sites in a synthetic polymer can be a promising tool for generating peptide and protein artificial specific recognition sites. These materials, as potential antibody substitutes, have attracted great interest and attention in different fields such as peptide and protein purification and separation, chemical/electrochemical/optical sensors/biosensors, chromatographic stationary phases, and enzyme mimics. This review has focused on fundamentals of molecularly imprinted polymers in terms of selection of molecular template, functional monomer, cross linker, and polymerization format. Furthermore, several applications of peptide/protein-imprinted materials are highlighted and challenges regarding the intrinsic properties of peptide/ protein imprinting have been emphasized.HighlightsHighlights the fundamentals of peptides and proteins molecular imprinting.Summarizes the essential elements and polymer formats of peptide/protein imprinted materials.Highlights the applications of peptide/protein imprinting.Highlights the challenges in peptide/protein imprinting

Utjecaj trajanja ciklusa prešanja na ponašanje u primjeni ploče izrađene od kemijski modificiranih čestica

Although acetylation is effective in achieving high hydrophobicity, dimensional stability, and decay resistance of particleboards, springback and mechanical strength loss in modified boards should be improved to maintain high performance of this method. It is questioned if acetylation, due to the hydrophobic nature of modified flakes, could interfere with the polymerization reaction of the phenolic resin. In this research, the effect of different press durations on bioresistance, physical and mechanical behavior of acetylated particleboards at various weight percent gains (WPG) was investigated. Results showed that acetylated boards possessed very low moisture content, water absorption, thickness swelling and biological degradation values compared to control boards. Increasing press time intensified reduction in these boards, with the exception in untreated boards. Also acetylation resulted in high correlation between the springback and the strength losses of the boards due to weak bonding between the wood flakes. Prolongation of the press time in the acetylated boards caused significant reduction in springback and mechanical loss. Regarding the outdoor use with biological degradation for modified boards, an increase in the press time for improving these properties might be recommended.Iako je acetiliranje učinkovit postupak za postizanje visoke hidrofobnosti, stabilnosti dimenzija i otpornosti ploča iverica na propadanje, nužno je spriječiti njezine negativne posljedice kao što je smanjenje mehaničkih svojstava ploča, kako bi se održala visoka učinkovitost te metode. Postavlja se pitanje može li acetilacija zbog hidrofobne prirode modificiranog iverja utjecati na reakciju polimerizacije fenolne smole. U ovom se radu istražuje utjecaj različitog trajanja postupka prešanja na biološku otpornost iverice te fizikalno i mehaničko ponašanje acetiliranih ploča iverica pri različitim postocima porasta težine (WPG). Rezultati su pokazali da acetilirane ploče imaju vrlo nizak sadržaj vode, slabo upijaju vodu, manje debljinski bubre i bolja im je otpornost na biološku razgradnju u usporedbi s kontrolnim uzorcima ploče. Povećanje vremena prešanja poboljšava sva prenavedena svojstva, osim u nemodificiranih ploča. Također, acetilacija je rezultirala visokom korelacijom između nereverzibilnog bubrenja i gubitka čvrstoće ploče zbog slabih veza među drvnim iverjem. Produljenje vremena prešanja acetiliranih ploča iverica uzrokovalo je znatno smanjenje bubrenja i gubitak mehaničkih svojstava ploča. S obzirom na vanjsku uporabu ploča iverica i potrebnu otpornost na biološku razgradnju modificiranih ploča, preporučuje se povećati vrijeme prešanja kako bi se poboljšalo svojstvo biološke otpornosti ploča iverica

The Relationship of Academic Achievement Motivation with Emotional Intelligence and Quality of Life of University Students

Background & Objectives: Today, studies have shown the impact of emotional intelligence and quality of life on academic achievement motivation. Paying attention to the factors that lead to academic motivation is very important. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of academic achievement motivation with emotional intelligence and quality of life in students of Bam University of Medical Sciences in 2015. Methods: This cross- sectional, descriptive-analytic study was conducted on 232 students in Bam University of Medical Sciences selected through stratified random sampling. Research instruments were Hermen’s achievement motivation questionnaire, emotional intelligence Bradbry-Graves test and 36-item questionnaire of quality of life. Data analysis was done through SPSS20 and using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson and linear regression analysis. Results: From all, 87% were female, 81% were single, 58.2% were undergraduate students and 71.1% were in the age group of 18-22 years old. Mean scores of academic achievement motivation, emotional intelligence and quality of life showed no significant relationship with demographic features of students. Regression analysis results showed no significant correlation between the motivation of academic achievement and variables of quality of life and emotional intelligence. Conclusion: Although there was no significant relationship between the motivations of academic achievement and variables of emotional intelligence and quality of life, the motivation for advancement can be generalized and thought; so, training courses for motivation development can be very helpful. Key¬words: Motivation of academic achievement, Quality of life, Emotional intelligence, Students Citation: Ghorbani Nia R, Izadi F. The Relationship of Academic Achievement Motivation with Emotional Intelligence and Quality of Life of University Students. Journal of Health Based Research 2017; 3(3): 297-307

Utilizing Microbiome Approaches for Antibiotic Resistance Analysis; an Ocular Case Evaluation

Background: Metaorganism or microbial communities of eukaryotic organisms provide an inclusive set of functions related to immunity, host metabolism, and stress tolerance. Ocular microbiota refers to pathogenic and commensal microorganisms in or on the eye. On the one hand, antibiotic treatment can give rise to pathogen overgrowth due to an imbalance of microbiota and cause various ophthalmic diseases. On the other, antibiotic therapy is considered the leading cause of antibiotic resistance. The present study aimed to describe the bacterial community changes following antibiotic treatment in the ocular surface microbiome. Material and Methods: In this scenario, we evaluated the composition of thirteen canine ocular microbiomes during treatment with a typical mixture of antibiotics, neomycin-polymyxin-bacitracin. Microbiome taxonomy and downstream bacterial richness and evenness were analyzed using microbiome bioinformatics platforms. Results: Accordingly, bacterial taxonomy at the level of phyla and genus was mapped, and alter of antibiotic resistance genes  werereported. An increase in the Staphylococcus genus traced during the time and one month following antibiotic treatment. Bacterial network, alpha, and beta diversity indicated a significant microbiota change at the genus level. Conclusion: This study highlights the effect of commonly used ocular antibiotics on commensal microbiota and the emergence of the antibiotic-resistant genus

The Relationship Between Integrative Self-Knowledge, Mindfulness, Self-Control, and Mental Health Parameters

Background: Self-regulating is a set of processes that controls or alters individuals’ behavior, emotion, and performance. We aimed to evaluate the relation between three components of self-regulating including integrative self-knowledge, mindfulness, self-control, and some variables of mental health and self-conscious emotions. Methods: A total of 233 Iranian university students voluntarily enrolled in the study. Seven questionnaire forms including Integrative Self-Knowledge Scale (ISKS), Attention Awareness Scale (MASS), Short Self Control Scale (SSCS), Costello & Comrey's Anxiety and Depression Scale, Rosenberg Self–Esteem Scale (RSES), Authentic Pride Scale (APS), and other as sham scale (OAS) were distributed to participants. The correlation between self-regulating variables, mental health, and self-conscious emotions were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient test. Results: We found a negative correlation between self-regulating variables, depression, and anxiety. Our data also revealed that self-esteem positively related to integrative self-knowledge, mindfulness, and self-control. Among self-conscious emotions variables, authentic pride had a positive correlation with self-regulating variables whereas feelings of shame appeared a negative relationship with them. Conclusion: Integrative self-knowledge, mindfulness, and self-control as self-regulating components correlated to mental health and self-conscious emotions

Role of Apoptotic Biomarkers in Ameloblastoma and Dental Follicle

Objectives Ameloblastoma is an odontogenic neoplasm with locally aggressive behavior. Fas and FasL play important roles in apoptotic pathways. The aim of this study was to determine the possible role of expression of apoptotic pathways (Fas and FasL) in human ameloblastoma and the relationship of apoptosis with the clinical biological characteristics of ameloblastoma. Methods In this descriptive retrospective study, we investigated the anti-Fas and anti-FasL antibody expression in 11 dental follicles and 56 ameloblastoma specimens (35 conventional, 15 unicystic and 6 ameloblastic carcinoma samples) by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The percentage of positive cells was calculated by using the Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis test. Results The rate of expression of markers was significantly lower in dental follicles than all subtypes of ameloblastoma (P=0.01 for Fas, and P=0.0001 for FasL). The FasL proportional score was significantly higher in conventional ameloblastoma than in unicystic ameloblastoma and ameloblastic carcinoma (P=0.003). There was no significant relationship between the type of ameloblastoma and expression of Fas. Conclusion This study shows that the process of apoptosis in ameloblastomais a sign of behavioral change in odontogenic epithelial cells especially in conventional ameloblastoma and that the apoptotic factors may not play an effective role in the malignancy of ameloblastoma

Study and Comparison of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the Survivors of the Earthquake in the Sarpol-E Zahab City and the Villages of Dasht-E Zahab

The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in the survivors of the Sarpol-e Zahab earthquake and the villages of Dasht-e Zahab. This research was carried out with a quantitative approach and a cross-sectional survey method in 1397 in Sarpol-e Zahab city. 400 survivors of the earthquake in Sarpol-e Zahab city and Dasht-e Zahab villages were selected by a random sampling method to participate in this study. The results of the findings with the spss software showed that there is no significant difference in comparison of the post-traumatic stress disorder spread after the earthquake in the villages of Dasht-e Zahab to the quake-affected population of the city of Sarpol-e Zahab. The results of the study showed that the affected people of the villages of Dasht-e Zahab were more prone to post-traumatic stress disorder than those in the quake-stricken city of Sarpol-e Zahab. Based on the findings of this study, the importance of psychological interventions and providing psychological and social support can be emphasized by considering and comparing the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in earthquake survivors in the city and villages of Sarpol-e Zahab

Microbial Protein Production from Candida tropicalis ATCC13803 in a Submerged Batch Fermentation Process

Background and Objective: Microbial protein production can resolve one of the major world challenges, i.e. lack of protein sources. Candida tropicalis growth was investigated to specify a medium to reach the highest cell proliferation and protein production.Material and Methods: Fractional factorial design and the index of signal to noise ratio were applied for optimization of microbial protein production. Optimization process was conducted based on the experimental results of Taguchi approach designs. Fermentationwas performed at 25oC and the agitation speed of 300 rpm for 70 h. Ammonium sulfate, iron sulfate, glycine and glucose concentrations were considered as process variables. Optimization of the culture medium composition was conducted in order to obtain the highest cell biomass concentration and protein content. Experiment design was performed based on the Taguchi approach and L-16 orthogonal arrays using Qualitek-4 software.Results and Conclusion: Maximum biomass of 8.72 log (CFU ml-1) was obtained using the optimized medium with 0.3, 0.15, 2 and 80 g l-1 of ammonium sulfate, iron sulfate, glycine and glucose, respectively. Iron sulfate and ammonium sulfate with 41.76% (w w-1) and 35.27% (w w-1) contributions, respectively, were recognized as the main components for cell growth. Glucose and glycine with 17.12% and 5.86% (w w-1) contributions,respectively, also affected cell production. The highest interaction severity index of +54.16% was observed between glycine and glucose while the least one of +0.43% was recorded for ammonium sulfate and glycine. A deviation of 7% between the highestpredicted cell numbers and the experimented count confirms the suitability of the applied statistical method. High protein content of 52.16% (w w-1) as well as low fat and nucleic acids content suggest that Candida tropicalis is a suitable case for commercial processes.Conflict of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest