Functional and Performance Analysis of Network-on-Chips Using Actor-based Modeling and Formal Verification

Network on Chip (NoC) has emerged as a promising architecture paradigmfor todays many-core systems. As complexity grows in NoCs, functional verificationand performance prediction in the early stages of the design process are suggestedas ways to reduce the fabrication cost. Formal methods have gained moreattention as alternative ways for analyzing NoC designs. In this paper we propose amethod to model different characteristics of the system, and also verify various functionaland performance properties by generating the full state space of the model fordifferent scenarios. We present a formal model for two-dimensional mesh GloballyAsynchronous Locally Synchronous (GALS) NoCs with four-phase handshakecommunication protocol, using the actor-based modeling language Rebeca. Functionaland timing behaviors, routing algorithm and communication protocol are capturedin the model. Deadlock freedom, message arrival, and end-to-end packet latencyare checked. In order to analyze large NoCs we propose a scalable approachbased on compositional verification for estimating maximum end-to-end packet latency.The compositional approach is specific for the XY-routing algorithm. Resultsof verification are compared and matched to simulation results of HSPICE using32nm technology

Modulation of the Expression of the GABAA Receptor β1 and β3 Subunits by Pretreatment with Quercetin in the KA Model of Epilepsy in Mice -The Effect of Quercetin on GABAA Receptor Beta Subunits-

Objectives: Quercetin is a flavonoid and an important dietary constituent of fruits and vegetables. In recent years, several pharmacological activities of quercetin, such as its neuroprotective activity and, more specifically, its anti-convulsant effects in animal models of epilepsy, have been reported. This study evaluated the role of quercetin pretreatment on gene expression of γ-amino butyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor beta subunits in kainic acid (KA)-induced seizures in mice. Methods: The animals were divided into four groups: one saline group, one group in which seizures were induced by using KA (10 mg/kg) without quercetin pretreatment and two groups pretreated with quercetin (50 and 100 mg/kg) prior to seizures being induced by using KA. Next, the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of the GABAA receptor β subunits in the hippocampus of each animal were assessed at 2 hours and 7 days after KA administration. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was used to detect mRNA content in hippocampal tissues. Results: Pretreatments with quercetin at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg prevented significant increases in the mRNA levels of the β1 and the β3 subunits of the GABAA receptor at 2 hours after KA injection. Pretreatment with quercetin (100 mg/kg) significantly inhibited β1 and β3 gene expression in the hippocampus at 7 days after KA injection. But, this inhibitory effect of quercetin at 50 mg/kg on the mRNA levels of the β3 subunit of the GABAA receptor was not observed at 7 days after KA administration. Conclusion: These results suggest that quercetin (100 mg/kg) modulates the expression of the GABAA receptor β1 and β3 subunits in the KA model of epilepsy, most likely to prevent compensatory responses. This may be related to the narrow therapeutic dose range for the anticonvulsant activities of quercetin

Zaraza vrstama Helicobacter i razvoj želučanih lezija u domaćih mačaka i mačaka lutalica

Gastritis is a common finding in dogs with 35% of the dogs investigated for chronic vomiting and 26% to 48% of asymptomatic dogs affected. However, the true prevalence in cats is yet to be determined. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic gastritis in domestic and stray cats. The total rate was an estimated as 66.6%. Thorough histopathological studies revealed no significant association between the occurrence of chronic gastritis and age and sex in either stray or domestic cats. Gastritis was significantly more prevalent in the antrum than the gastric body and only chronic non-specific gastritis was diagnosed. The most common types of chronic non-specific gastritis were atrophic (26.3%), lympho-plasmacytic (24.6%) and hypertrophic (15.8%), respectively. In chronic gastritis cases, fibrosis and lymphoid follicles were seen in 42.1% and 31.6% of the subjects respectively, but no significant associations were observed between the type of non-specific chronic gastritis, fibrosis and occurrence of lymphoid follicles. The prevalence of gastric erosion and ulcers in cats was 19.2% and 3.5%, respectively, and there was no significant association between chronic gastritis occurrence and gastric ulceration or erosions. Cytological examination revealed GHLO colonization in 63.15% of the antrum and 77.19% of the gastric body, with no correlation with non-specific chronic gastritis in the studied subjects.Gastritis je čest nalaz u pasa sa stopom od 35% u onih s kroničnim povraćanjem i 26% do 48% pasa bez znakova bolesti. Taj nalaz upućuju na zaključak da treba istražiti prevalenciju gastritisa u mačaka. Ovo istraživanje poduzeto je radi određivanja prevalencije kroničnog gastritisa u domaćih mačaka i mačaka lutalica. Procjenjuje se da se javlja u 66,6% mačaka. Patohistološke pretrage pokazale su da ne postoji značajna povezanost između pojave kroničnog gastritisa te dobi i spola u domaćih mačaka i lutalica. Gastritis se značajno češće javljao u antrumu nego u trupu želuca. Dijagnosticiran je bio samo kronični nespecifični gastritis. Najčešće se javljao atrofični gastritis (26,3%), limfo-plazmatski (24,6%) i hipertrofični (15,8%). U 42,1% kroničnih gastritisa ustanovljena je fibroza, a u 31,6% limfoidni folikuli. Nije uočena znatna povezanost između tipa nespecifičnoga kroničnoga gastritisa i fibroze te pojave limfoidnih folikula. Prevalencija želučanih erozija iznosila je 19,2%, a čireva 3,5%. Nije ustanovljena značajna povezanost između pojave kroničnog gastritisa i ulceracija ili erozija. Citološkim pretragama ustanovljena je kolonizacija antruma organizmima sličnima helikobakteru u 63,15% pretraženih mačaka, a želučanog trupa u 77,19% pretraženih mačaka. Nije ustanovljena korelacija s nespecifičnim kroničnim gastritisom

The Effect of Guided Imagery and Music on the Level of Sexual Satisfaction of Women of Reproductive Age: A parallel cluster- Randomized Trial

Background & aim: As one of the most influential factors of marital life, sexual satisfaction can significantly lead to peace and compatibility of couples. The present study investigated the effect of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) on the level of sexual satisfaction in women of reproductive age.Methods: In this parallel cluster-randomized trial which was conducted from Feb. 2019 to Apr. 2020, 72 women of reproductive age (two groups of 36 subjects) who had moderate or undesirable sexual satisfaction were sampled. The guided imagery music was presented for the intervention group for 6 weeks as twice a week. No intervention was performed for the control group.  The data collection tool included fertility characteristics and Larson questionnaires, which was completed before, immediately and one month after the intervention. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 20) using independent t-test, chi-square, Mann-Whitney and variance analysis with repeated measurements.Results:  There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the sexual satisfaction score before the intervention. The mean sexual satisfaction score in the intervention group had a statistically significant difference between the baseline (91.1±9.1), immediately after intervention (112±4.46) and one month later (102±9.24) (P< 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the changes in the sexual satisfaction of women in the control group between three times.Conclusion: GIM technique improves women's sexual satisfaction. It is recommended to health care providers to use this behavioral technique to enhance the level of sexual satisfaction in women of reproductive age

Evaluation of dentin penetration of three different endodontic sealers in the presence and absence of the smear layer

Introduction: A sealer&amp;rsquo;s ability to effectively and stably penetrate the dentinal tubules is an essential factor for selecting an effective root canal obturation material. Evaluation of the sealers&amp;rsquo; penetration into the dentinal tubules provides valuable data in the endodontic treatment outcome.Aim: To compare the dentin penetration of AH Plus, Endoseal MTA, and Syntex endodontic sealers in the presence and absence of the smear layer.Materials and methods: Thirty single-rooted teeth were selected in the present in vitro study and randomly assigned to three experimental groups (n=10). Half of the samples were prepared by removing the smear layer in each group, and the remaining samples were prepared without removing the smear layer. Root canal preparation was carried out with the Perfect Rotary system up to file T3. The root canals were obturated with gutta-percha and AH Plus, Endoseal MTA, or Syntex endodontic sealers. The samples were incubated at 100% relative humidity at 37&amp;deg;C for one week. Each root was sectioned at 2-, 5-, and 8-mm distances from the apex, and sealer penetration depth at each section was determined under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). ANOVA was used to compare penetration depths.Results: There were significant differences in sealer penetration between the samples with and without smear layer removal in each group. The maximum and minimum sealer penetration was at the coronal and apical sections, respectively. The maximum sealer penetration depths in descending order were observed with AH Plus, Syntex, and Endoseal MTA sealers (p&amp;lt;0.05).Conclusions: Elimination of smear layer increased three sealers&amp;rsquo; dentin penetration depth, with the deepest penetration for the AH Plus sealer in the coronal section without the smear layer

The Impact of Individualized Music Therapy on the Behavior of Agitation in Elderly Patients with Alzheimer Living in Nursing Homes

Background and objective: Music therapy is a non- expensive, non- invasive and applicable nursing intervention that can be applied by nurses and family caregivers in different situations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of selected music on agitation behaviors of elderlies who are suffering from Alzheimer disease and residing at selected nursing homes of Tehran city. Methods: The present study was performed in a Semi-experiential.  34 elderly individuals with Alzheimer who show agitation behaviors were selected and they were randomly divided to two groups: intervention group (n=17) and control group (n=17). The individualized music was collected on CDs based on the elderly peoples’ preferences or if they suffered from severe cognitive impairment, their families were asked to select the music. Subsequently the individualized music was played by headphone in three sessions per week, afternoon and each session lasted for 20-30 minutes during 1.5 month for intervention group. For control group, no intervention was taken and they only received routine daily care measures of nursing homes. Data was gathered in 4 times for groups: Pre Test, Post Test1 (after 9 sessions), Post Test 2(after 18 sessions) and follow up step (a month after intervention). The tools for collecting data include: demographic inventory, Cohen- Mansfield’s Agitation Inventory (1986) and Abbreviated mental test (1972). The data were analyzed by MANOVA/ANOVA test on p 0.05), while after execution of intervention, significant difference was observed in all three measurement stages (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study supports the effect of individualized music on reduction of agitation behaviors of elderly people who are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and reside in nursing homes. Paper Type: Research Article

The Role of School Backpack and Training Habits on Development of Spinal Pain among Iranian Primary Student

In the recent studies, some variables such as weight of the school backpack, how to carry it or backpack features are currently under study in relation with low back pain (LBP) among students. The present study aimed to assess the role of school backpack and training habits on the development of spinal pain among Iranian students. A current cross-sectional study was performed between November 2015 and April 2016 on 616 primary school children with age between 11-13 years in Karaj city, Iran. We gathered information on demographic characteristics and ergonomic data on backpacks via a specific checklist. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) to determine the prevalence of spinal complaints was used among the participants. To assess the ergonomic status of backpacks, the students were asked to carry with the consistent and conventional method. Study findings showed that unfortunately, only 1.9% of students carried their bags correctly. Musculoskeletal complaints in the neck region were significantly higher among students who do their homework on the floor in compare with students that doing their homework behind the desk. Musculoskeletal complaints in the shoulder region of students had a significant association with Bag handle type, TV & game time, doing homework position, Bag use with 2 ropes and Bag weight/body weight. Findings of the present study recommended that we need to step up public health strategies and develop a monitoring system that is both preventative and proactive

Encapsulation of Vitamins Using Nanoliposome: Recent Advances and Perspectives

Nowadays the importance of vitamins is clear for everyone. However, many patients are suffering from insufficient intake of vitamins. Incomplete intake of different vitamins from food sources due to their destruction during food processing or decrease in their bioavailability when mixing with other food materials, are factors resulting in vitamin deficiency in the body. Therefore, various lipid based nanocarriers such as nanoliposomes were developed to increase the bioavailability of bioactive compounds. Since the function of nanoliposomes containing vitamins on the body has a direct relationship with the quality of produced nanoliposomes, this review study was planned to investigate the several aspects of liposomal characteristics such as size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency on the quality of synthesized vitamin-loaded nanoliposomes

Why has the taxing policy on sugar sweetened beverages not reduced their purchase in Iranian households?

ObjectiveThis study aimed at analyzing the effectiveness of the policy of taxing Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) on their purchases during the last decade in Iranian households.MethodsThe present mixed method study was done in 2017 in four phases: (1) A meta-review of the fiscal policies during the last decade, (2) Collecting existing data on soft drinks’ production, price, and household expenditure during the last decade, (3) Conducting 19 semi-structured interviews with key informants, and (4) Facilitating a national meeting to achieve a consensus on the recommendations and future implications.ResultsDocument reviews showed that based on the Permanent Provisions of National Development Plans of Iran, the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME) should announce the list of health threatening products to increase taxation for them. The government is allowed to impose taxes on domestically produced and imported SSBs. The average household expenditure on SSBs increased in the rural and urban households of Iran during 2006–2016 in spite of taxation. In the different key informants’ opinion, only value-added tax (VAT) was implemented among different fiscal policies, and the other parts, including tax and tolls were debated.ConclusionThe present research findings further proposed some suggestions for increasing the effectiveness of financial policies in reducing the prevalence of NCDs in Iran

Influence of food attractants (methionine, lysine and alanine) on sturgeon larvae and fingerlings nutrition

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of food attractants (methionine, lysine and alanine) on growth performance and survival rates of Acipenser percicus larvae and fingerlings during the acclimation period to the formulated diets. A total of 3300 Acipenser percicus larvae and 1500 Acipenser percicus fingerlings with the initial mean weights of 0.4±0.09 (mean±SD) and 1.8±0.3 (mean±SD) g, respectively were randomly distributed into 30 aerated plastic tanks of 30 L capacity for larval stage and 50 L capacity for fingerling stage provided with a water flow rate of 0.2 litre per second. This study was conducted at the International Sturgeon Research Institute for two periods of 62 and 70 days over two years. Nine iso-caloric diets were formulated to contain 0, 1 and 3 % of three amino acids methionine, lysine and alanine. In addition, a diet containing 50 % of plant protein supplemented with 3 % of methionine, lysine and alanine was also formulated to compare the effects of plant-protein-based diet with the experimental diets so as to prepare a cost-effective practical diet for this species. Fish were fed each of the ten experimental diets and a completely randomized design in a 3×3 factorial arrangement was used for the experiment. At the end of the feeding trial, final weight (7.5 ± 0.3 g) in Persian sturgeon larvae fed M3L1A3 diet (3% methionine and alanine and 1% lysine) was significantly higher than those of fish fed the other experimental diets (p≤0.05) and then M1L1A3 diet (1% methionine and lysine and 3% alanine) was significantly better (p≤0.05) than other experimental diets. There were no significant differences (p≥0.05) in final weights among M1L1A1, M3L1A1, M3L3A1, M1L3A3 and M3L3A3 diets, while theses diets showed significant differences in final weight with fish fed plant-protein-based diet (3.2±1 g) and without amino acids supplemented diet (M0L0A0) (3.6± 0.4 g). Based on final weigh obtained from Persian sturgeon fingerlings, there were significant differences (p≤0.05) between M3L3A3 (3% methionine, 3% lysine and 3% alanine) (11.1±3.6g) and M3L1A3 (3% methionine, 1% lysine and 3% alanine) (10.4±3.1g) diets with M1L1A1, M1L3A1, M1L1A3, M0L0A0 and plant-protein-based diets. Results of final weigh in fingerling stage also indicated that there were no significant differences (p≥0.05) among M1L1A1 (7±1.2 g), M3L1A1 (8.6±1.6 g), M1L3A1 (7±0.5 g) and M1L1A3 diets (6.6±1.0 g) with M0L0A0 (5.8±1.8 g) and plant-protein-based diets. Analysis of total length in Persian sturgeon fingerlings indicated that there were no significant differences (p≥0.05) among treatments. The highest total length (12±1.6 cm) was recorded in fish fed M3L1A3 diet. Results obtained from this study revealed that young growing Persian sturgeon has greater requirements for methionine in diet, while lysine and alanine at the levels of 1 and 3% for Persian sturgeon fingerlings and at the level of 3% for larvae stage show the same effects on growth performance. Hence, it may be concluded that the dietary alanine and lysine requirements for sturgeon larvae during the acclimation period to formulated diet is estimated to be more than 1 %. No significant differences were observed in survival rates in sturgeon larvae and fingerlings among treatments