A Digital Neuromorphic Realization of the 2-D Wilson Neuron Model

This brief presents a piecewise linear approximation of the nonlinear Wilson (NW) neuron model for the realization of an efficient digital circuit implementation. The accuracy of the proposed piecewise Wilson (PW) model is examined by calculating time domain signal shaping errors. Furthermore, bifurcation analyses demonstrate that the approximation follows the same bifurcation pattern as the NW model. As a proof of concept, both models are hardware synthesized and implemented on field programmable gate arrays, demonstrating that the PW model has a range of neuronal behaviors similar to the NW model with considerably higher computational performance and a lower hardware overhead. This approach can be used in hardware-based large scale biological neural network simulations and behavioral studies. The mean normalized root mean square error and maximum absolute error of the PW model are 6.32% and 0.31%, respectively, as compared to the NW model

Réponses morphologiques, physiologiques et biochimiques au déficit en eau chez les jeunes plants de trois populations de poiriers sauvages (Pyrus boisseriana)

Water shortage limits production of fruit orchards, like pear, in arid and semi-arid regions. The identification of wild pear germplasm for potential use as rootstock would be valuable for pear cultivation in semi-arid regions. Relative drought tolerance of wild pear germplasm (Pyrus boisseriana) from three different populations distributed along an elevational gradient (semi-arid 1000, semi-wet 1350 and semi-wet 1600 populations) was evaluated in a greenhouse trial. Established container-grown seedlings were exposed to 18 days of simulated drought, or not, followed by a seven day recovery. Biomass allocation and accumulation, physiological (stomatal conductance, photosynthesis, transpiration, xylem water potential) and biochemical parameters (leaf pigments, free proline, malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide production) were evaluated. Although all populations were able to recover from water shortage, thereby being relatively drought tolerant, some differences among populations were detected for gas exchange parameters, biomass accumulation and proline concentration in favor of the semi-arid 1000 elevation population, which was more drought tolerant; it had the most rapid and complete recovery of physiological activity (stomatal conductance and carbon fixation). In addition, all populations increased carotenoids in leaves. Overall, we showed that plants from semi-arid 1000 elevation greater tolerance to drought than those from higher elevations. Although the initial drought resistance response of the 1000 elevation source was promising, additional field studies are needed to confirm the greenhouse results and the benefit of a more drought resistant rootstock to commercial scions.En régions arides et semi-arides, la disponibilité en eau est le facteur limitant des vergers de production, comme en culture de poirier, par exemple. À cet égard, l’évaluation d’une collection de poiriers sauvages pourrait mettre en évidence du matériel potentiellement utilisable comme porte-greffe et tolérant à la sécheresse dans ces régions. Des poiriers sauvages (Pyrus boisseriana) originaires de trois populations différentes selon leur répartition en altitude (populations « semi-aride 1 000 m », « semi-humide 1350 m » et « semi-humide 1 600 m ») ont été évalués pour leur tolérance à la sécheresse dans un essai en serre. Des semis cultivés en pots ont été soumis à 18 jours de sécheresse, puis à une reprise de sept jours de croissance en conditions normales d’irrigation. La répartition et l’accumulation de la biomasse, les paramètres physiologiques (conductance stomatique, photosynthèse, transpiration, potentiel hydrique du xylème) et biochimiques (teneurs en pigments des feuilles, proline libre et malondialdéhyde ; production de peroxyde d’hydrogène) ont été évalués par rapport à des témoins non soumis au stress hydrique. Bien que toutes les populations de poirier aient pu se rétablir après la période sans irrigation et présentent de ce fait une certaine tolérance à la sécheresse, certaines différences de comportement entre celles-ci ont été détectées pour ce qui concerne les échanges gazeux, l’accumulation de la biomasse et la concentration de la proline dont les valeurs étaient en faveur de la population établie en zone semi-aride à une altitude de 1000 m. Celle-ci a d’ailleurs montré une reprise plus rapide et plus complète de son activité physiologique (conductance stomatique et fixation du carbone). À noter que le taux de caroténoïdes dans les feuilles a augmenté dans toutes les populations soumises au stress hydrique. De manière générale, nous avons montré que les plantes appartenant à la population établie en zone semi-aride à 1 000 m d’altitude présentaient une plus grande tolérance à la sécheresse que celles appartenant aux populations des altitudes plus élevées (populations semi-humides). Ces plantes constituent donc un matériel prometteur comme candidats porte-greffe pour les greffons commerciaux de poiriers destinés à la culture dans les régions soumises fréquemment à des déficits hydriques.Fil: Zarafshar, Mehrdad. Tarbiat Modares University. Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Sciences. Department of Forestry; IránFil: Akbarinia, Moslem. Tarbiat Modares University. Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Sciences. Department of Forestry; IránFil: Askari, Hossein. Shahid Beheshti University, G.C. Faculty of New Technologies and Energy Engineering. Biotechnology Department; IránFil: Hosseini, Seyed Mohsen. Tarbiat Modares University. Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Sciences. Department of Forestry; IránFil: Rahaie, Mehdi. University of Tehran. Faculty of New Science and Technology. Department of Life Science Engineering; IránFil: Struve, Daniel. Ohio State University. Department of Horticulture and Crop Science.; Estados UnidosFil: Striker, Gustavo Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura; Argentin

Ocular biometry characteristics in cataract surgery candidates: A cross-sectional study

Background: This study was conducted to investigate ocular biometry parameters in cataract surgery candidates in northern Tehran, Iran using OA-2000 biometry device. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, values of ocular biometry parameters, including axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), mean corneal curvature (mean K), lens thickness (LT), corneal astigmatism (CA), and white-to-white (WTW) of 818 eyes with cataracts, were measured using the OA-2000 biometry device (Tomey, Nagoya, Japan). The participants were divided into six age subgroups, in 10-year intervals. Finally, the values of the biometry parameters were calculated, and the trend of changes was examined for both age and sex subgroups. Results: The mean± standard deviation (SD) of age of the participants was 63.82 ± 13.25 years. Mean ± SD of biometry parameters were as follows: AL, 23.36 ± 1.55 mm; ACD, 3.09 ± 0.40 mm; LT, 4.45 ± 0.55 mm; mean K, 44.51 ± 1.72 D; CA, 1.06 ± 0.94 D; and WTW, 11.81 ± 0.45 mm. Most of the parameters showed significant age-related changes in the total population. There was an increase in LT (P < 0.001) and mean K (P = 0.001), as well as a decrease in AL (P < 0.001) and ACD (P < 0.001) with age. Moreover, AL had a negative negligible correlation with LT (r = -0.24, P < 0.001) and mean K (r = -026, P < 0.001), as well as a weak positive correlation with ACD (r = 0.44, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Our study revealed that the mean values of most biometric parameters varied across age and sex subgroups. Moreover, most of the parameters showed significant age-related changes in the total population

Health and safety hazards identification and risk assessment in the swimming pools using combined HAZID and ALARP

Background: Swimming pools are recreation and sport sites where the lack of safety and health can have severe adverse effect on public health. This study aimed to identify and assess health and safety risks using HAZID and ALARP techniques in the different parts of the swimming pools. Methods: In this applied study, health risks were identified by field observations and environmental health questionnaire consisting swimming pool environmental health checklist, safety of equipment and so on. Then, the risks were categorized and corrective revisions were proposed. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 19. Results: After data analysis, 41 types of safety hazard and 35 types of health risk (potential and existing) were identified. A total of 7 work units and 6 jobs in swimming pools were classified, and 52 types of health risk and 69 types of safety risk were identified, assessed, and classified. After providing corrective measures, according to the ALARP principle, unacceptable risks were eliminated and 64 risk were classified as acceptable. Conclusion: According to the results, most of the health risks were related to the swimming pools area. So that health training course for swimmers and increasing health culture have an important role in controlling health risks. Changing the attitude of swimming pools managers and personnel towards health, safety and environment (HSE) issues also have an important role in controlling health and safety risks. Keywords: Environmental health, HAZID, Swimming pools, Risk assessment, Equipment safet

Effects of Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) Essential Oil Compared with Growth Promoter Antibiotic and Probiotic on Growth Performance, Meat Quality, and Immune Response of Broiler Chickens

Introduction: Application of growth-promoting antibiotics in poultry nutrition improves growth, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and reduces mortality. But, due to their persistent effects and increased drug resistance to pathogenic bacteria and the transmission of bacteria to humans through the food chain, the European Union banned their use. One of the natural alternatives is medicinal plants. Because plant products for reasons such as availability, ease of use, reduction of side effects, antibacterial and antioxidant properties, were used to treat some diseases in humans and animals. Among these medicinal plants we can mention yarrow with the scientific name of Achillea millefolium. This plant in addition to high antimicrobial and antioxidant properties; has antifungal properties, stimulates appetite, improves digestion and feed intake, improves the condition of the gastrointestinal tract, etc. This plant also accelerates digestion and shortens the passage of food through the gastrointestinal tract by increasing bile production and enzymatic activity. On the other hand, probiotics are living microorganisms of a nonpathogenic and nontoxic in nature that improve gastrointestinal health and improve performance in birds by improving intestinal microbial balance. According to these cases, this study was performed to evaluate the effect of yarrow essential oil in comparison with a growth-promoting antibiotic and probiotic on performance of broiler chickens.Materials and Methods: A total of 200 day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were studied in a completely randomized design with five treatments, and four replicates. Experimental diets were: 1) basal diet (control), 2 and 3) basal diets supplemented with 100 and 200 mg/kg of yarrow essential oil, respectively, 4) basal diet supplemented with 200 mg/kg probiotic, and 5) basal diet supplemented with 500 mg/kg antibiotic (flavophospholipol). Body weight and feed intake were measured at the end of each growing period and were used to calculate Performance parameters such as body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio. At the end of the experiment, one bird per each replicate was slaughtered for meat quality tests, including measurements of TBARS, pH, water holding capacity, dripping loss and antibody titer. For TBARS, the amount of fat oxidation of the sample was measured by measuring the amount of malondialdehyde and the microtiter hemagglutination method was used to determine the antibody titer produced against sheep erythrocytes.Results and Discussion: During the whole experimental period, birds received yarrow essential oil at 100 mg/kg diet, showed significantly higher body weight and lower FCR compared to the control group(P <0.05).  The lowest feed intake was observed in birds that were fed from the level of 200 mg/kg of yarrow essential oil. However, this effect was significant only in comparison with antibiotic treatment, which showed the highest feed intake (P <0.05). Different results have been reported in this regard which can be related to the type of plant, the amount of active ingredients, the level of the medicinal plant used and the interactions with other components of the diet. The TBARS index, indicating lipid oxidation of meat, in chickens fed with different levels of yarrow essential oil and probiotic were lower compared to the control group and antibiotics. In vitro, researchers have shown that plant essential oils, such as yarrow alkaloids, can reduce free radicals and can be a good alternative to synthetic antioxidants. Also in the study of using a mixture of plant extracts increased the concentration of phenols and decreased the amount of TBARS in the meat of broilers. pH, water holding capacity, dripping loss and cooking loss were not affected by the dietary treatments. The antibody titer against sheep red blood cell (SRBC) was lower in the control group in compare to those fed different levels of yarrow essential oil. In some studies, yarrow has increased humoral immunity with its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties; but, the amount used and the concentration of plant material were also effective.Conclusion: Based on the results, the use of 100 mg/kg yarrow essential oil increased body weight, improved feed conversion ratio and also increased antibody titer at 42 days of age. On the other hand, the TBARS index in chickens fed with different levels of yarrow essential oil was lower in compare to control group. Finally, according to the results, it can be concluded that the use of yarrow essential oil at the level of 100 mg/kg can be a good substitute to antibiotics in poultry nutrition

A Randomized Triple-Blind Clinical Trial of the Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Infiltration Injection Pain in the Anterior Maxilla

Objective:&nbsp;To evaluate the level of pain experienced during infiltration anesthesia of the anterior maxilla following low-level laser therapy (LLLT) with 810-980 nm wavelengths.&nbsp;Material and Methods:&nbsp;In the current triple-blind clinical trial, 84 patients received a total of 168 infiltration anesthesia injections (1.8 mL of 2% lidocaine plus 1:100,000 epinephrine) in the anterior maxilla. Each patient received two injections into the buccal mucosa of the right and left central incisors with a two-week interval. One injection was performed after LLLT, while the other injection was administered conventionally without laser. The pain level was measured immediately after injection using a visual analog scale (VAS).&nbsp;Results:&nbsp;There was a significant difference in the pain level experienced with and without LLLT, such that the mean pain score following LLLT was significantly lower than that without LLLT (p&lt;0.05). No significant difference was found in the pain level between laser and no laser groups in males, but the difference in this regard was significant in females (p&lt;0.05) and female patients experienced a significantly lower level of pain following LLLT.&nbsp;Conclusion:&nbsp;The low-level laser therapy can be successfully used to decrease the level of pain experienced during infiltration anesthesia of the anterior maxilla

Association between Grain Size and Shape and Quality Traits, and Path Analysis of Thousand Grain Weight in Iranian Bread Wheat Landraces from Different Geographic Regions

Grain characteristics, particularly grain weight, grain morphology, and grain protein content (GPC), are important components of grain yield and quality in wheat. A set of 98 bread wheat landraces from different geographic regions of Iran were used across 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 to determine the phenotypic diversity and relations between thousand grain weight (TGW), grain morphology and grain quality. A high-throughput method was used to capture grain size and shape. The genotypes were significantly different (P < 0.001) for all traits which reflects the high levels of diversity. A moderate to high broad sense heritability was found for all traits and ranged between 0.68 and 0.95 for grain yield and factor from density (FFD), respectively. Significant positive correlations were observed between TGW and grain size (or shape) exception of aspect ratio (AR) and roundness. However, grain quality traits, especially GPC had significant negative correlation with TGW. Based on stepwise regression analysis by taking TGW as dependent variable, grain volume, FFD, width, perimeter and Hardness Index (HI) were recognized as the most important traits and explained more than 99.3% of total variation of TGW. The path analysis revealed that FFD has maximum direct effect on TGW followed by volume, whereas perimeter and width had relatively less direct effect on TGW. According to cluster analysis, landraces separated into 5 clusters, and cluster III and IV had the maximum and minimum average for the most traits, respectively. Our study provides new knowledge on the relations between TGW, grain morphology and grain quality in bread wheat, which may aid the improvement of wheat grain weight trait in further research

Applying the Taguchi Method to the Optimization of Anticancer Activity of Bacterial Alginate-CuO Bionanocomposite

AIM: In recent decades, despite various types of cancer inflicting many people worldwide, the existing therapies are not satisfactory and have many side effects. The present study was conducted to optimise the synthesis of novel alginate-CuO nanocomposite with utmost anticancer activity. METHODS: In this study, 9 nanocomposites were designed using Taguchi method and three factors including copper oxide nanoparticles, alginate biopolymer and stirring times were assessed at three different levels. The anticancer activity of the synthesised nanocomposites was evaluated on the MCF-7 cell line using the MTT method. Using the Qulitek-4 software, we determined the optimum conditions for the synthesis of alginate-CuO nanocomposite with the highest anticancer activity. RESULTS: The results indicated that all three factors (copper oxide, alginate and stirring time) were effective on the anticancer activity of the alginate-CuO nanocomposite. Also, the nanocomposite produced under the conditions of experiment 9 (8 mg/ml of copper oxide, 2 mg/ml of alginate and 60 min of stirring time) provided the highest growth inhibition rate as 75.63% against cancer cells. CONCLUSION: The synthesised alginate-copper oxide nanocomposites in this study showed a significant anticancer effect. Therefore, the synthesised nanocomposite under optimal conditions can be used in the design of new anticancer drugs

A Randomized Triple-Blind Clinical Trial of the Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Infiltration Injection Pain in the Anterior Maxilla

Objective: To evaluate the level of pain experienced during infiltration anesthesia of the anterior maxilla following low-level laser therapy (LLLT) with 810-980 nm wavelengths. Material and Methods: In the current triple-blind clinical trial, 84 patients received a total of 168 infiltration anesthesia injections (1.8 mL of 2% lidocaine plus 1:100,000 epinephrine) in the anterior maxilla. Each patient received two injections into the buccal mucosa of the right and left central incisors with a two-week interval. One injection was performed after LLLT, while the other injection was administered conventionally without laser. The pain level was measured immediately after injection using a visual analog scale (VAS). Results: There was a significant difference in the pain level experienced with and without LLLT, such that the mean pain score following LLLT was significantly lower than that without LLLT (p<0.05). No significant difference was found in the pain level between laser and no laser groups in males, but the difference in this regard was significant in females (p<0.05) and female patients experienced a significantly lower level of pain following LLLT. Conclusion: The low-level laser therapy can be successfully used to decrease the level of pain experienced during infiltration anesthesia of the anterior maxilla