A hybrid approach to determining cornea mechanical properties using a combination of inverse finite element analysis and experimental techniques

It is of great clinical importance to predict the behaviour of the cornea in various diseases and post-surgical recovery. Therefore, a numerical model that is able to simulate the corneal behaviour, considering corneal material properties obtained from individuals is highly desirable. In this work a combined numerical-experimental technique has been developed that can characterize the mechanical properties of a cornea properties from two aspects: time-dependency and spatial variation. Initially, an analysis of the material properties of porcine corneas was performed to investigate the time-dependent behaviour of the cornea. A simple stress relaxation test was used to determine the viscoelastic properties of a cornea and a rheological model was built based on the Generalized Maxwell (GM) approach. A validation experiment using nano-indentation showed that an isotropic GM model was insufficient for describing the corneal time-dependent behaviour when exposed to a complex stress state. A technique was proposed that takes into account the microstructural composition of the cornea and is based on a combination of nano-indentation experiment, isotropic and transversely isotropic numerical models, and an inverse finite element method. The good agreement using this method suggests that this is a promising technique for measuring the time-dependent properties of the cornea. The spatial variation of the properties was then investigated. This time, the long term structural response of the cornea was targeted. A full field displacement response of a loaded cornea was evaluated from Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) volume reconstructions of the cornea using Digital Volume Correlation (DVC). The inverse finite element method was employed with two models sequentially; first, a radially partitioned model and then a circumferentially partitioned model, in order to recover the elastic parameters in radial and circumferential directions. The good agreement using this method suggests that this is a promising and reliable technique for identifying the distribution of the corneal properties. In this research, we have shown that it is possible to determine the local time-dependent properties of the cornea and the in-depth (2D) distribution of the properties using the hybrid technique. This technique has the potential to be implemented in vivo. However, further work should focus on the feasibility of this technique in practice

The Effect of the Internet of Things (IoT) on Education Business Model

The introduction of the Internet of Things (IoT) in education, which allows Internet based communications to happen between physical objects, sensors and controllers, has changed educational institutions massively. By embedding sensors in objects and integrating cloud computing, augmented reality, wearable technologies and big data in this platform, different parameters of the educational environment can be measured and analysed to provide useful information. It also has created a new interaction between people and the environment in educational organisation. In this research based on the recent IoT projects in education, we will categorize the application of IoT in education into four groups: energy management and real time ecosystem monitoring, monitoring student’s healthcare, classroom access control and improving teaching and learning. We will investigate and analyse how this platform has changed the Education Business Model and added new value propositions in such organizations based on the Canvas Business Model

Attitudes towards Student Support System in Distance Learning: A Questionnaire Survey

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors affecting learners’ satisfaction with the student support system. 37 sophomores (at University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran) out of 44, who were selected through convenience sampling method, participated in this study. A mixed approach was adopted and data was collected using a researcher-made questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings indicated that several issues should be in focus while planning the distance learning courses, such as: reducing the sense of isolation, holding a number of workshops, allocating financial aids, providing learners with video and audio tools, and facilitating the interaction between the instructor and the learners. It was concluded that identifying mismatches between the expectation of distance learners and what has been provided by student support system might facilitate the level of learner satisfaction. Also, identifying the gaps showed several specific areas where developments in the distance learning course could be made.&nbsp

Measuring the relative performance of stock market using TOPSIS

For many years, investors used some basic financial ratios to measure the relative performance of various active industries based on two-digit ISIC classification. However, direct implementation of basic financial figures may not be practical in today's business environment since investors face with different criteria. The proposed model of this paper uses Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) to compare 37 various industries based on different financial figures. We gather the necessary data over the period of 2009-2010 from Tehran Stock Exchange and investigate the data in two stages. In the first stage, we perform fundamental analysis to select the most appropriate firms and the in the second stage, we use TOPSIS to rank selected firms based on different criteria. The results of the study confirm that information and communication technology, which is one of the biggest firms in this exchange is considered as the best option (relative ranking 0.88 in two years) followed by some Cement industry (with relative ranking of 0.26 in 2009 and 0.19 in 2010) and oil refinery units (with relative ranking of 0.23 in 2009 and 0.19 in 2010). The figure also shows that other firms maintain low ratios varied from 0.23 to 0.01. The lowest industry ranking belongs to marine industry

Reporting of T4 Genotype of Acanthamoeba Isolates in Recreational Water Sources of Gilan Province, Northern Iran

Background: Acanthamoeba spp. is the causative agent of blindness keratitis and fatal encephalaitis. Presence of Acanthamoeba spp. in a wide variety of niches such as different water types can lead to exposure of high risk people such as contact lens wearers. The main aim of the present study was to explore the occurrence of Acanthamoeba genotypes in the recreational water sources using both morphological and molecular approaches in Gilan province, Iran.Materials and Methods: Overall, 50 samples were collected from recreational water sources including man- made and natural waters in Gilan province. Filtration and cultivation of samples was performed using non-nutrient agar. Cloning of Acanthamoeba spp. was done to eliminate bacterial and fungi contamination. PCR amplification and sequencing were performed using genus-specific primer pair. Genotype identification was based on homology analysis of 18S rRNA gene (DF3) of the obtained sequences with the available genes in the gene bank data base.Results: Out of 50 water samples, 15 (30%) were positive for Acanthamoeba trophozoites and cysts according to morphological criteria. Cloning of 13 isolates (26%) was done successfully. Molecular analysis of 13 Acanthamoeba strain revealed that all isolates were belonged to potentially pathogenic T4 genotype.Conclusion: T4 genotype is the main cause of Acanthamoeba-related infections. Presence of Acanthamoeba belonged to T4 genotype in recreational water sources is of concern for high risk people. Alarming sign and education to high risk people is of utmost importance to prevent such infections

The relationship of dietary content of fiber and macronutrients with impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes in first-degree relatives of type II diabetic patients

زمینه و هدف: با توجه به نقش رژیم غذایی و عادات غلط تغذیه ای در افزایش خطر بروز دیابت نوع II و شناخته شدن زمینه ژنتیکی در افراد بالای 35 سال به عنوان یک عامل خطر برای آن، این مطالعه با هدف تعیین وضعیت مصرف درشت مغذی‌ها و فیبر در الگوی غذایی فامیل درجه یک بیماران دیابتی نوع II به انجام رسیده است. روش مطالعه: 210 نفر از افراد فامیل درجه یک بیماران دیابتی نوع II، بر مبنای نتایجOGTT (Oral glucose tolerance test)، به دو دسته مختل (‌دیابتی+Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)، 56 نفر و سالم 154 نفر تقسیم بندی گردیدند. سپس پرسشنامه مصرف سه روزه غذایی از این دو گروه دریافت و میزان انرژی، کربوهیدراتهای کمپلکس و تصفیه شده، چربیهای اشباع و غیر اشباع، پروتئین و فیبر غذایی به صورت روزانه تا سه روز محاسبه و نتایج مورد مقایسه قرار گرفتند. نتایج: میانگین سن و نمایه توده بدنی (BMI) در دو گروه مختل و سالم به ترتیب 2/5±9/48 و 7/6±6/43 سال و 7/0±3/29 و 8/0±7/28 کیلوگرم بر متر مربع بود. میانگین انرژی همچنین درصد کربو هیدرات، پروتئین، چربی و فیبر دریافتی در دو گروه تفاوت معنی داری نداشت. میزان مصرف روغن مایع در گروه مختل کمتر از گروه سالم بود (01/0

The Effects of Neurofeedback and Play Therapy on Dynamic Balance in 4-10 years old Children with Diplegic Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Background: Dynamic balance is one of the most important challenges for kids who suffer from cerebral palsy especially diplegic spastic ones. Therefore, this study designed to compare the neurofeedback and play therapy training on dynamic balance in 4-10 years old diplegic spastic cerebral palsy kids. Methods: Quasi-experimental with three groups and pre-posttest design. This study has involved 26 spastic diplegia cerebral palsy children in 1st and 2nd grades, according to the GMFCS protocol. The researcher performed first, initial tests to evaluate the patient’s equilibrium level, by using the PBS assessment instruments. To investigate the study goals, the patients were divided into two groups with a two-study method of neurofeedback and play therapy. Each group has done their special exercises during 10 sessions in 2 weeks for the first group and 20 sessions in 4 weeks for the second time and finally, the PBS test was repeated. Primary data were analyzed using descriptive and argumentative statistics by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, independent t-test, Wilcoxon test, and one-way and two-way ANOVA test. All of these analyzes were done by SPSS software. Results: The study’s results confirm that play therapy has shown a meaningful effect (Pvalue=0.042), while the effect of the neurofeedback method does not represent any legal effect on one’s dynamic balance. In the case of the dynamic balance, the play therapy group has shown better operation in post-tests compared with the neurofeedback group. Conclusions: As results show the play therapy method has shown a meaningful effect on dynamic balance so it has been suggested to improving elderlies balance. Keywords: Cerebral palsy, Neurofeedback, Play therapy, Statistic equivalent, Dynamic equivalent

Subcritical water extraction of Thymol from Ajowan seeds by Taguchi experimental design

In this study, the essential oil of Ajowan seeds was extracted by subcritical water extraction process (SWE). Thymol as the main component of the extracted essential oils was quantified by GC and GCâmass spectrometry. This extraction has been performed using Taguchi design approach under following conditions: temperature (100, 150 and 175 â¦C), mean particles size (0.25, 0.5 and 1 mm) and water flow rates (1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mL/min). The optimum conditions as obtained from signal-to-noise ratio analysis in terms of amount Thymol were as follows: 175 â¦C, 0.25 mm and 2.0 mL/min. The SWE efficiency at optimized conditions was compared with the other conventional methods such as hydrodistillation and Soxhlet extraction. The SWE results showed a higher amount of Thymol (25.248 mg/g dried sample) than hydrodistillation (13.992) and Soxhlet extraction (7.209)

The Effects of Neurofeedback and Play Therapy on Dynamic Balance in 4-10 years old Children with Diplegic Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Background: Dynamic balance is one of the most important challenges for kids who suffer from cerebral palsy especially diplegic spastic ones. Therefore, this study designed to compare the neurofeedback and play therapy training on dynamic balance in 4-10 years old diplegic spastic cerebral palsy kids. Methods: Quasi-experimental with three groups and pre-posttest design. This study has involved 26 spastic diplegia cerebral palsy children in 1st and 2nd grades, according to the GMFCS protocol. The researcher performed first, initial tests to evaluate the patient’s equilibrium level, by using the PBS assessment instruments. To investigate the study goals, the patients were divided into two groups with a two-study method of neurofeedback and play therapy. Each group has done their special exercises during 10 sessions in 2 weeks for the first group and 20 sessions in 4 weeks for the second time and finally, the PBS test was repeated. Primary data were analyzed using descriptive and argumentative statistics by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, independent t-test, Wilcoxon test, and one-way and two-way ANOVA test. All of these analyzes were done by SPSS software. Results: The study’s results confirm that play therapy has shown a meaningful effect (Pvalue=0.042), while the effect of the neurofeedback method does not represent any legal effect on one’s dynamic balance. In the case of the dynamic balance, the play therapy group has shown better operation in post-tests compared with the neurofeedback group. Conclusions: As results show the play therapy method has shown a meaningful effect on dynamic balance so it has been suggested to improving elderlies balance. Keywords: Cerebral palsy, Neurofeedback, Play therapy, Statistic equivalent, Dynamic equivalent

Depth-resolved full-field measurement of corneal deformation by optical coherence tomography and digital volume correlation

The study of vertebrate eye cornea is an interdisciplinary subject and the research on its mechanical properties has significant importance in ophthalmology. The measurement of depth-resolved 3D full-field deformation behaviour of cornea under changing intraocular pressure is a useful method to study the local corneal mechanical properties. In this work, optical coherence tomography was adopted to reconstruct the internal structure of a porcine cornea inflated from 15 to 18.75 mmHg (close to the physical porcine intraocular pressure) in the form of 3D image sequences. An effective method has been developed to correct the commonly seen refraction induced distortions in the optical coherence tomography reconstructions, based on Fermat’s principle. The 3D deformation field was then determined by performing digital volume correlation on these corrected 3D reconstructions. A simple finite element model of the inflation test was developed and the predicted values were compared against digital volume correlation results, showing good overall agreement