Errorless Practice to Facilitate Implicit Motor Learning in Children

The aim of this study was to determine if the reduction of errors during practice facilitates implicit motor learning processes in children. 30 children (meanage =11.33±1.32 yr) threw beanbags with a near-to-far or a far-to-near order, while their vision was occluded. The near-to-far group began the acquisition phase at a distance of 2 m from the target. Then, they practiced the task at a distance of 3 m, 4 m and finally 5 m from the target. Far-to-near group began the practice phase at the distance of 5 m and then moved to 4 m, 3 m and 2 m respectively. Delayed single-task and dual-task tests were administered at a distance of 3.50 m from the target. During the acquisition phase, the ratio of errors made by the near-to-far (errorless) group was found to be significantly less than the far-to-near (errorful) group. No significant intergroup difference was found in the single-task test. The results also revealed that the errorless group performed the task with less errors than the errorful group in the dual-task condition. It was generally concluded that less errors during practicing a motor skill can facilitate the use of implicit motor learning processes in children

Attacks and Intrusion Detection in Cloud Computing Using Neural Networks and Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithms

Today, cloud computing has become popular among users in organizations and companies. Security and efficiency are the two major issues facing cloud service providers and their customers. Since cloud computing is a virtual pool of resources provided in an open environment (Internet), cloud-based services entail security risks. Detection of intrusions and attacks through unauthorized users is one of the biggest challenges for both cloud service providers and cloud users. In the present study, artificial intelligence techniques, e.g. MLP Neural Network sand particle swarm optimization algorithm, were used to detect intrusion and attacks. The methods were tested for NSL-KDD, KDD-CUP datasets. The results showed improved accuracy in detecting attacks and intrusions by unauthorized users

Floristic study of the pure beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) stands in eastern Guilan, Iran

Hyrcanian forests in northern Iran have important tree and shrub elements of Euro-Siberian and rare forest communities, among them beech community widely covers the mountainous forests from Western to Eastern (Gorgan) Hyrcanian region. In order to identify the floristic characteristics and affecting factors on the species richness in pure beech stands in Eastern Guilan, using systematic-random method 54 plots were recorded. A total of 111 plant species belonging to 84 genera and 44 families were identified, with Orchidaceae having 9 species and genus Carex with 6 species being the largest family and genus, respectively. The highest frequency inter-species is Galium odoratum, an understory herb species forming communities in different areas of beech forests in Hyrcanian region. Since the studied region is forest and mountainous, hemicryptophytes and geophytes are the most life forms, respectively in these areas and Euro-Siberian elements (with 30.6 %) form the highest frequency from a chorological point of view. Also, the size of the microrelief and percentage of tree cover create different ecological conditions in plots such as moisture retention and change in the amount of incoming light into the plots, which are the most influential factors on species richness of these areas

Attacks and Intrusion Detection in Cloud Computing Using Neural Networks and Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithms

Today, cloud computing has become popular among users in organizations and companies. Security and efficiency are the two major issues facing cloud service providers and their customers. Since cloud computing is a virtual pool of resources provided in an open environment (Internet), cloud-based services entail security risks. Detection of intrusions and attacks through unauthorized users is one of the biggest challenges for both cloud service providers and cloud users. In the present study, artificial intelligence techniques, e.g. MLP Neural Network sand particle swarm optimization algorithm, were used to detect intrusion and attacks. The methods were tested for NSL-KDD, KDD-CUP datasets. The results showed improved accuracy in detecting attacks and intrusions by unauthorized users

Comparison of outcomes in four different surgical methods for sacral pilonidal sinus with long-term follows-up

Background: Sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease (PD) is prevalent in the young adults. The cause of PD is unclear, and there are different surgical procedures for the treatment. The Pilonidal sinus disease is an unpleasant, chronic relapsing condition that is difficult to cure. There is a wide variety of surgical treatments with sub-optimal results for it. The ideal treatment for the pilonidal sinus disease has yet to be defined. There are many surgical approaches described in the literature. In this study, the long-term outcomes of four current surgical methods for PD were evaluated and compared. We aimed to assess recurrence, satisfaction, complications rate and wound healing time in the four current surgical methods for PD. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Surgery at the Baqiyatallah University Hospital, Tehran, Iran, from April 2017 to September 2017. The study was carried out on 182 postoperative patients. Surgeries were performed in different methods such as; open, closed, semi-closed and limited excision. Diabetics, obese patients and patients with acute pilonidal abscess or prior PD surgery were excluded. All patients were followed for at least three years after surgery. During the follow -up period, patients were assessed for recurrence, satisfaction, complications rate and wound healing time. The outcomes were assessed by case notes analysis and follow-up telephone and postal questionnaires. Results: In this study forty-four patients were operated via closed Method, 48 patients through open, 48 via semi-closed and 42 one's trough limited excision methods. The highest rate of recurrence was in the open group. There were no cases of recurrence in the closed group. There were also less postoperative hemorrhage and faster wound healing in the closed group. The average satisfaction of all patients was 88.9±8.7. The mean satisfaction rate in the closed group was 95.9±5.3 which was higher than other groups. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that in the non-recurrent cases of sacral pilonidal sinus, complete Excision and primary repair have fewer complications and shows higher satisfaction rate

Assessment of needlestick injuries and hepatitis B and C infection among surgeons

Background Specialist surgeons are at high risk of exposure to hepatitis viruses through occupational exposure to blood or body fluids. Protective measures against occupational exposure to the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) must be taken in order to prevent infection in surgeons. We aimed to determine the needlestick injuries, and markers HBV and HCV in Iranian surgeons. Methods This study was cross-sectional research, performed in Baqyatallah, Shohada, Rasoul Akram, Sina, Taleghani, and Emam Hossein hospitals (all university hospitals) of Tehran, Iran. Overall 318 eligible surgeons were included. Anonymous questionnaires were used containing data about demographic characteristics, self-reported blood and needlestick contacts, occasional exposures, risk behaviors and vaccination. Also, the blood samples were taken and tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody against Hepatitis B surface antigen (antiHBs) and HCV antibody (HCVAb). Fisher exact test and Kruskal Wallis test were used to analyze the data. Results The mean age of the surgeons was 47.76 ± 8.95 years and 177 of them (55.66%) were male. The average number of needle–sticks was 28.28 ± 16.58 during the surgeons’ working life. Among them, 5 cases (1.59%) were positive for HBsAg and 2 cases (0.66%) were positive for HCVAb. Conclusion In spite of the high needlestick rate in Iranian surgeons, prevalence of hepatitis B and C is not very high among them. A high degree of vigilance and a careful surgical technique is the only means available to prevent the transmission of the viruses

Effects of Topical Tamoxifen on Wound Healing of Burned Skin in Rats

Background This study aimed to assess the effects of the topical application of tamoxifen on wound healing of burned skin in Wistar rats by evaluating 3 healing characteristics: fibrotic tissue thickness (FTT), scar surface area (SSA), and angiogenesis in the healed scar tissue. Methods Eighteen male Wistar rats were used in this study. A third-degree burn wound was made on the shaved animals’ back, measuring 2×2×2 cm. In the first group, a 2% tamoxifen ointment was applied to the wound twice daily for 8 weeks. The second group received a placebo ointment during the same period. The third group did not receive any treatment and served as the control group. Results The median (interquartile range=[Q1, Q3]) FTT was 1.35 (1.15, 1.62) mm, 1.00 (0.95, 1.02) mm, and 1.25 (0.8, 1.5) mm in the control, tamoxifen, and placebo groups, respectively (P=0.069). However, the FTT in the tamoxifen group was less than in the placebo and control groups. The median angiogenesis was 3.5 (3.00, 6.25), 8.00 (6.75, 9.25), and 7.00 (5.50, 8.25) vessels per high-power field for the control, tamoxifen, and placebo groups, respectively (P=0.067). However, the median angiogenesis was higher in the tamoxifen group than in the control group. No significant difference was observed in the mean SSA between the tamoxifen group and the control group (P=0.990). Conclusions Local application of tamoxifen increased angiogenesis and decreased the FTT, with no change in the SSA in burned skin areas. These effects are expected to expedite the wound healing process, reducing contracture and preventing hypertrophic scar and keloid formation

Trial design: The effect of high-dose rosuvastatin on echocardiographic parameters in patients with intermediate- and high-risk pulmonary embolism – A randomized placebo-controlled trial

Background: It has been shown recently that a considerable burden of pulmonary embolism (PE) roots from an inflammatory response. The activated inflammatory cascade will be responsible for the final fibrotic response of pulmonary vascular bed, creating further mechanical obstruction which results in subsequent right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, influencing functional capacity and future prognosis. Although anticoagulants represent the cornerstone treatment of PE, the drug class has a minimal effect on the mentioned pathology. Study Design: The present study is a single-center randomized, double-blind, parallel group controlled trial with placebo which will evaluate the effect of high-intensity statin – rosuvastatin 20 mg daily on patients with intermediate-to-high-risk PE. Study population will be selected from patients for whom statin is not otherwise indicated. Primary end point of the present trial will be echocardiographic measures of RV function. We believe that the mentioned indexes represent an accurate surrogate for the functional capacity and prognosis. Our secondary end point will be the composites of PE recurrence and exertional capacity measured by 6-minute walk test. Conclusions: The result of the present trial might influence the complimentary treatment of acute PE