Mixed-mode Oscillations in Pyramidal Neurons Under Antiepileptic Drug Conditions

Subthreshold oscillations in combination with large-amplitude oscillations generate mixedmode oscillations (MMOs), which mediate various spatial and temporal cognition and memory processes and behavioral motor tasks. Although many studies have shown that canard theory is a reliable method to investigate the properties underlying the MMOs phenomena, the relationship between the results obtained by applying canard theory and conductancebased models of neurons and their electrophysiological mechanisms are still not well understood. The goal of this study was to apply canard theory to the conductance-based model of pyramidal neurons in layer V of the Entorhinal Cortex to investigate the properties of MMOs under antiepileptic drug conditions (i.e., when persistent sodium current is inhibited). We investigated not only the mathematical properties of MMOs in these neurons, but also the electrophysiological mechanisms that shape spike clustering. Our results show that pyramidal neurons can display two types of MMOs and the magnitude of the slow potassium current determines whether MMOs of type I or type II would emerge. Our results also indicate that slow potassium currents with large time constant have significant impact on generating the MMOs, as opposed to fast inward currents. Our results provide complete characterization of the subthreshold activities in MMOs in pyramidal neurons and provide explanation to experimental studies that showed MMOs of type I or type II in pyramidal neurons under antiepileptic drug conditions

An efficient metal-free hydrophilic carbon as a counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

This study presents a new cost-effective metal-free counter electrode (CE) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). CE was prepared by doctor blading a hydrophilic carbon (HC) particle on a fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate. Thereafter, HC CE was characterized using X-ray diffraction, profilometry, four-point probe testing, and cyclic voltammetry. A 2 μm thick HC CE revealed a comparable catalytic activity to that of the Pt electrode under the same experimental conditions. DSSC based on HC CE was analyzed and showed J s c of 6.87 mA/cm2 close to that of DSSC with Pt CE (7.0 mA/cm2). More importantly, DSSC based on HC CE yielded a power conversion efficiency (η) of 2.93% under AM 1.5 irradiation (100 mW/cm2), which was comparable to that of DSSC based on standard Pt CE. These findings suggest that HC CE could be a promising CE for low-cost DSSCs

Effects of deposition time on of cobalt sulfide thin film electrode formation

Cobalt sulfide counter electrodes (CE) were prepared using the electrodeposition and ionic exchange deposition method on the fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO). Time deposition effect of thin film were analyzed by using a field emission scanning X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission electron microscope (FESEM), atomic force microscopic (AFM), and profilometry. The electrocatalytic activities of electrode were measured using cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis. The growth of cobalt sulfide structure was confirmed by XRD. Therefore, the optimum deposition time of cobalt sulfide thin film electrode at 10 min was exhibiting the higher electrocatalytic activity with cathodic current and surface roughness of -3.36 mA.cm-2 and 34 nm, respectively

Plasmonic Control of Radiative Properties of Semiconductor Quantum Dots Coupled to Plasmonic Ring Cavities

In recent years, a lot of effort has been made to achieve controlled delivery of target particles to the hotspots of plasmonic nanoantennas, in order to probe and/or exploit the extremely large field enhancements produced by such structures. While in many cases such high fields are advantageous, there are instances where they should be avoided. In this work, we consider the implications of using the standard nanoantenna geometries when colloidal quantum dots are employed as target entities. We show that in this case, and for various reasons, dimer antennas are not the optimum choice. Plasmonic ring cavities are a better option despite low field enhancements, as they allow collective coupling of many quantum dots in a reproducible and predictable manner. In cases where larger field enhancements are required, or for larger quantum dots, nonconcentric ring-disk cavities can be employed instead

Optical dark and bright soliton generation and amplification

We propose two designed systems consist of series of micro ring resonator (MRR) and an add/drop filter in which the optical dark and bright soliton pulse propagating within the nonlinear waveguides can be amplified which can be used in long communication system. The dark or bright soliton is input into designed systems and travels within the waveguide. A continuous soliton pulse is sliced into smaller pulses by the nonlinear effect which is known as chaos. The power amplification occurs when the soliton propagates along the MRRs or add/drop filter systems. The add/drop filter system can itself be used to amplify the optical soliton when the bright soliton is input at the drop part of the system. It this work we have studied the generation of amplified pulse of optical dark and bright soliton when they propagating inside single systems or when they interact and collide during propagation inside an add/drop filter system. It means that amplified soliton pulse also can be obtained when two types of soliton i.e., dark and bright soliton collide with each other in a same system. In such a way the amplified dark soliton or bright soliton can be used to perform the long distance link

Correlation between moral sensitivity and self-esteem in nursing personnel

Nurses are continuously involved with ethical problems in their area of practice and need to possess a satisfactory level of moral sensitivity in order to be able to offer moral care. Additionally, they act as agents for proper management of ethical dilemmas and are therefore required to have high self-esteem. This study aimed to determine the correlation between moral sensitivity and self-esteem in nurses. In this descriptive-correlational research, sample study included 204 nursing personnel working in hospitals affiliated with Iran University of Medical Sciences. Participants were selected by convenience sampling. The data were collected using a demographic form, Lützén�s Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire, and Rosenberg�s Self-Esteem Questionnaire. Then, the data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics. Written informed consent was obtained from each subject who participated in the research. The mean score for moral sensitivity of the samples was 69.15 ± 5.70, and 20.01 ± 4.76 for their self-esteem. Pearson�s correlation coefficient test indicated a meaningful and positive relationship between the two variables under study (r = 0.472 and P = 0.001). There was no correlation between the participants� demographic data and moral sensitivity (P > 0.05), but a significant relationship was found between the participants� level of education and the variable self-esteem (P < 0.05). Since there was a positive and significant relationship between moral sensitivity and self-esteem among the nursing staff, nursing managers should focus on improving the quality of patient care by promoting nurses� moral sensitivity inspired by high self-esteem. © 2017 Medical Ethics and History of Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Concept analysis of human dignity in patient care: Rodgers� evolutionary approach

Human dignity (HD) in patient care is an important concept in clinical ethics that has various definitions in existing literature. This study aimed at analyzing the concept of HD in patient care. To this end, Rodgers� evolutionary concept analysis was used. For this purpose, scientific databases PubMed, Elsevier, ScienceDirect, Scopus, OVID, Web of Science, CINHAL, IRANDOC, Google Scholar, Magiran, SID and IranMedex were searched fusing the words �human dignity�, �patient care� and �ethics�. The main criterion for inclusion in the final analysis was the literature published in English and Persian from 2006 to 2016 in online scientific journals within the context of health care disciplines. Ultimately, 21 articles were selected for the study. The attributes of the concept under study were identified in two areas of individual HD and social HD. Antecedents included facilitators and threats, and the consequences consisted of both favorable and unfavorable consequences. HD forms the essence of patient care and is a value-based and humanistic concept based on respect for the integrity of human beings and their beliefs. This concept, with its holistic approach to humans, takes into account all stages of disease, old age and the end of life period. HD in patient care is influenced by cultural, social, spiritual and religious factors, and with its justice-based approach emphasizes equality of all patients and extends patient care to all areas of society rather than restricting it to hospital settings. In this study, a clear definition of HD is introduced. © 2018 Medical Ethics and History of Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Concept analysis of human dignity in patient care: Rodgers� evolutionary approach

Human dignity (HD) in patient care is an important concept in clinical ethics that has various definitions in existing literature. This study aimed at analyzing the concept of HD in patient care. To this end, Rodgers� evolutionary concept analysis was used. For this purpose, scientific databases PubMed, Elsevier, ScienceDirect, Scopus, OVID, Web of Science, CINHAL, IRANDOC, Google Scholar, Magiran, SID and IranMedex were searched fusing the words �human dignity�, �patient care� and �ethics�. The main criterion for inclusion in the final analysis was the literature published in English and Persian from 2006 to 2016 in online scientific journals within the context of health care disciplines. Ultimately, 21 articles were selected for the study. The attributes of the concept under study were identified in two areas of individual HD and social HD. Antecedents included facilitators and threats, and the consequences consisted of both favorable and unfavorable consequences. HD forms the essence of patient care and is a value-based and humanistic concept based on respect for the integrity of human beings and their beliefs. This concept, with its holistic approach to humans, takes into account all stages of disease, old age and the end of life period. HD in patient care is influenced by cultural, social, spiritual and religious factors, and with its justice-based approach emphasizes equality of all patients and extends patient care to all areas of society rather than restricting it to hospital settings. In this study, a clear definition of HD is introduced. © 2018 Medical Ethics and History of Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved