Improving Learning Automata based Particle Swarm: An optimization algorithm

Optimization (PSO) algorithms have been recently developed, with the best aim of escaping from local minima. One of these recent variations is PSO-LA model which employs a Learning Automata (LA) that controls the velocity of the particle. Another variation of PSO enables particles to dynamically search through global and local space. This paper presents a Dynamic Global and Local Combined Particle Swarm Optimization based on a 3-action Learning Automata (DPSOLA). The embedded learning automaton accumulates the information from individuals, local best and global best particles then combines them to navigate the particle through the problem space. The proposed algorithm has been tested on eight benchmark functions with different dimensions. The work is unique from its test bed; evaluations contain large population size (150) and high dimension (150). The results show that, fitness and convergence pace is better than traditional PSO, DGLCPSO and previous PSO based LA algorithms. I

Effects of 3 Hz and 60 Hz Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields on Anxiety-Like Behaviors, Memory Retention of Passive Avoidance and Electrophysiological Properties of Male Rats

Introduction: The effects of electromagnetic fields on biological organisms have been a controversial and also interesting debate over the past few decades, despite the wide range of investigations, many aspects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF/EMFs) effects including mechanism of their interaction with live organisms and also their possible biological applications still remain ambiguous. In the present study, we investigated whether the exposures of ELF/EMF with frequencies of 3 Hz and 60 Hz can affect the memory, anxiety like behaviors, electrophysiological properties and brain’s proteome in rats. Methods: Male rats were exposed to 3 Hz and 60 Hz ELF/EMFs in a protocol consisting of 2 cycles of 2 h/day exposure for 4 days separated with a 2-day interval. Short term memory and anxiety like behaviors were assessed immediately, 1 and 2 weeks after the exposures. Effects of short term exposure were also assessed using electrophysiological approach immediately after 2 hours exposure. Results: Behavioral test revealed that immediately after the end of exposures, locomotor activity of both 3 Hz and 60 Hz exposed groups significantly decreased compared to sham group. This exposure protocol had no effect on anxiety like behavior during the 2 weeks after the treatment and also on short term memory. A significant reduction in firing rate of locus coeruleus (LC) was found after 2 hours of both 3 Hz and 60 Hz exposures. Proteome analysis also revealed global changes in whole brain proteome after treatment.Conclusion: Here, some evidence regarding the fact that such exposures can alter locomotor activity and neurons firing rate in male rats were presented

Investigating the effect of a brief period of praying in emotional suppression situation on mood and ego depletion

For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Background and Objective: According to the strength model, self-control is a finite resource that determines the capacity for effortful control over dominant responses and, once expended, leads to impaired self-control task performance, known as "ego depletion". The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of a brief period of praying in situation of emotional suppression on ego depletion and mood in non-clinical samples.Method: To achieve this goal, an experimental study was conducted. A total number of 32 students were selected to participate in the experiments via multi-stage cluster sampling, and were randomly assigned to two emotional suppression/ prayer (experiment) and control/control (control) groups. Participants took part in individual sessions. First, they completed several questionnaires such the General Health (GHQ-12), Religious Attitude Scale-Revised (RAS-R), emotion regulation, Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS-32) and stroop task (pre-tests). Then, each individual watched three negative clips while he/she was asked to suppress the emotions that might be elicited from clips (experimental group) or just watch them naturally (control group). Next, the experiment group was engaged in personal prayer manipulation, whereas the control group didn’t do anything. Finally, the mood (BRUMS-32) and self-control performance (stroop task) of all participants were measured again. All ethical issues were observed in this study and the researchers declared no conflict of interests.Results: After the end of the experiments, the results didn’t show any significant difference between the two groups in self-control performance. In addition, both groups reported similar levels of negative mood, but those who first suppressed their emotions and then prayed had greater positive mood compared to the control group.Conclusion: The results showed that individuals who used a combination of emotional suppression and prayer while being exposed to negative emotions showed higher positive mood, and had more vigor, calmness and happiness compared to those who behaved naturally.For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Please cite this article as: Yarollahi N.A, Shairi M.R, Hasanzadeh Dastjerdi Z. Investigating the effect of a brief period of praying in emotional suppression situation on mood and ego depletion. J Res Relig Health. 2019; 5(1): 47- 63. doi:https://doi.org/10.22037/jrrh.v5i1.1843

The role of T helper 9(Th9) against Infectious Diseases

Background and aims: Infectious diseases are disorders caused by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites .The Th9 subset develops in response to combined signals from TGF-b and IL-4 among a cacophony of other cytokines in an extracellular milieu. T helper 9 (Th9) cells, as a novel CD4 T cell subset, seem to play a complex role in the outcome of specific immune responses. In this article, we aimed to review the role of these cells in infectious disease. Methods: In this mini-review study, we study 25 novel articles since 2009 to 2014 about the role of T helper 9 in some Infectious Diseases. Results: Pleural mesothelial cells promoted Th9 cell differentiation by presenting antigen. It significantly differentiated Th17, but not Th9 cells in the development of CVB3-induced VMC. The microenvironment of VMC seemed to contribute to the differentiation and proliferation of Th17 rather than to differentiation of Th9 cells. Having reviewed the limited number of articles considering this relevance, we came to this result that Lymphatic Filariasis and mycobacterium tuberculosis infections confirmed the existence of such relationship. In addition, Rapamycin resistant murine Th9 cells have a stable in vivo phenotype and inhibit graft-versus-host reactivity but concerning Viral Myocarditis, Th9 cells could not protect against it. Conclusion: The accurate molecular mechanisms underlying the generation and differentiation of human Th9 cells are not elucidated completely. Th9 cells exhibit Ag specific expansion in a chronic helminth infection (lymphatic filariasis), but in relevance to viral myocarditis, Th9 cells did not play an efficient role against it. However; knowing that whether Th9 cells participate in the protection against infections needs further research

An Improved Performance Measurement Approach for Knowledge-Based Companies Using Kalman Filter Forecasting Method

Performance measurement and forecasting are crucial for effective management of innovative projects in emerging knowledge-based companies. This study proposes an integrated performance assessment and forecasting model based on a combination of earned schedule methodology and the learning curve theory under risk condition. The operational performance is measured in terms of time and cost at completion indicators. As a novelty, the learning effects and Kalman filter forecasting method are employed to accurately estimate the future performance of the company. Furthermore, in order to predict the cost performance accurately, a logistic growth model is utilized. The validity of this integrated performance measurement model is demonstrated based on a case study. The computational results confirmed that the developed performance measurement framework provides, on average, more accurate forecast in terms of mean and standard deviation of the forecasting error for the future performance as against the traditional deterministic performance measurement methods

Nanotechnology-based electrochemical biosensors for monitoring breast cancer biomarkers

Breast cancer is categorized as the most widespread cancer type among women globally. On-time diagnosis can decrease the mortality rate by making the right decision in the therapy procedure. These features lead to a reduction in medication time and socio-economic burden. The current review article provides a comprehensive assessment for breast cancer diagnosis using nanomaterials and related technologies. Growing use of the nano/biotechnology domain in terms of electrochemical nanobiosensor designing was discussed in detail. In this regard, recent advances in nanomaterial applied for amplified biosensing methodologies were assessed for breast cancer diagnosis by focusing on the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches. We also monitored designing methods, advantages, and the necessity of suitable (nano) materials from a statistical standpoint. The main objective of this review is to classify the applicable biosensors based on breast cancer biomarkers. With numerous nano-sized platforms published for breast cancer diagnosis, this review tried to collect the most suitable methodologies for detecting biomarkers and certain breast cancer cell types

Outpatient Transurethral Cystolithotripsy of Large Bladder Stones by Holmium Laser

Introduction: To assessment of the efficacy and safety of transurethral cystolithotripsy of large bladder stones by holmium laser in the outpatient setting.Methods: In a prospective study, 48 consecutive adult patients with large bladder stones, were enrolled for transurethral cystolithotripsy. Patients older than 18 years, with bladder stones larger than 2 cm were enrolled. Urethral stricture, active urinary infection, and any anesthetic contraindications for operation, were the exclusion criteria. Demographic characteristics of patients, outcomes and complications related to operation and post operation period, were recorded.Results: Patients mean age was 46 ± 7.3 years. Male to female ratio was 45/3. Mean body mass index of patients was 28.5 ± 3.5. Mean stone size was 3.7 ± 1.6 cm. Mean operation time was 43.5 ± 15.5 minutes. Nearly complete stone clearance (98.5%) was achieved in all patients. Mean hospital stay was 6.5 ± 1.3 hours. No major complications were seen. Mean visual analog pain score (VAS) was 4.2 ± 2.1 and 1.4 ± 0.6, during and 1 hour after operation, respectively. During follow up of 22.4 ± 12.5 months, recurrence of bladder stone was not seen. No case of urethral stricture was detected.Conclusion: Transurethral holmium laser lithotripsy is an effective and safe alternative in selected patients with large bladder stones. This procedure can be easily performed in the outpatient setting

The relationship between genetic variants associated with primary ovarian insufficiency and lipid profile in women recruited from MASHAD cohort study

Background and aim: Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) is defined by the occurrence of menopause before the age of 40 years. It is often associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between POI-associated genotypes cardiometabolic disorder risk factors. Methods: One hundred seventeen women with POI and one hundred eighty-three healthy women without POI were recruited in this study. DNA was extracted and analyzed using ASO-PCR or Tetra ARMS-PCR. Lipid profiles were also assessed. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that individuals with GG vs. TT genotype of the rs1046089 SNP were more likely to have a higher serum LDL (p = 0.03) compared to the control group. There was also a significant association between low serum HDL and rs2303369 and rs4806660 SNP genotypes in the POI group. In the POI group, the percentage of those with high total cholesterol was lower in those with a CC genotype compared to those with a TT genotype (p = 0.03). Conclusion: Some SNPs reported to be associated with POI appear to be independently associated with dyslipidemia. These results may be helpful to identify subjects with POI who may be susceptible to CVD

Reference intervals for routine biochemical markers and body mass index: a study based on healthcare center database in northeastern Iran

Age‐ and sex‐specific reference intervals (RIs) for some biochemical tests may be useful for their interpretation, due to the variations in lifestyle and genetic, or ethnic factors. The aim of this study was to obtain RIs for some routine biochemical markers including a serum lipid profile, fasting blood glucose (FBG), aspartate and alanine aminotransferase (AST and ALT), uric acid, and body mass index (BMI) in subjects who attended primary healthcare centers. The large database of primary healthcare centers uses RIs to report results for children, adolescents, and young and old adults. RIs were obtained by using the indirect method, recommended by the CLSI Ep28‐A3 guidelines. RIs for FBG, BMI, and serum lipid profile, including triglyceride, total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol in people aged 18 to 120 years, were obtained without age/sex segmentation. RIs for serum AST, ALT, and uric acid were obtained without age segmentation, though these RIs were higher in males than females. The RIs for AST, ALT, and uric acid were higher in men, while the RIs for the other variables were similar in both sexes. This is the first study reporting the use of indirect RIs for BMI