Is opioid dependency related to coping strategies?

Using opioid for recreational purposes has a very long history in Iran. Social influence is a useful framework in understanding how the social environment affects the individual's behavioral choices to use drugs. We compared opioid dependents (n=149) with controls (n=221) on measures of coping strategies using the Jalowiec Coping Scale and some socioeconomic factors. The differences in 10 of 15 coping strategies were significant in the study groups (P<0.05). Although, the combined score of problem-oriented and affective-oriented items did not show any significant difference between the two groups. There was a significant relation between opioid dependence with smoking cigarettes (P<0.001), lower education (P=0.002), being employed (P<0.001), having children (P<0.001), and being married (P<0.001). Educational programs to improve problem solving and coping skills can be helpful to reduce the rate of dependency to opioid and smoking cigarettes. © 2015, Sadeghali Taziki, et al

Efficient adaptive integration of functions with sharp gradients and cusps in n-dimensional parallelepipeds

In this paper, we study the efficient numerical integration of functions with sharp gradients and cusps. An adaptive integration algorithm is presented that systematically improves the accuracy of the integration of a set of functions. The algorithm is based on a divide and conquer strategy and is independent of the location of the sharp gradient or cusp. The error analysis reveals that for a $C^0$ function (derivative-discontinuity at a point), a rate of convergence of $n+1$ is obtained in $R^n$. Two applications of the adaptive integration scheme are studied. First, we use the adaptive quadratures for the integration of the regularized Heaviside function---a strongly localized function that is used for modeling sharp gradients. Then, the adaptive quadratures are employed in the enriched finite element solution of the all-electron Coulomb problem in crystalline diamond. The source term and enrichment functions of this problem have sharp gradients and cusps at the nuclei. We show that the optimal rate of convergence is obtained with only a marginal increase in the number of integration points with respect to the pure finite element solution with the same number of elements. The adaptive integration scheme is simple, robust, and directly applicable to any generalized finite element method employing enrichments with sharp local variations or cusps in $n$-dimensional parallelepiped elements.Comment: 22 page

Generalized Duffy transformation for integrating vertex singularities

For an integrand with a 1/r vertex singularity, the Duffy transformation from a triangle (pyramid) to a square (cube) provides an accurate and efficient technique to evaluate the integral. In this paper, we generalize the Duffy transformation to power singularities of the form p(x)/r α , where p is a trivariate polynomial and α &gt; 0 is the strength of the singularity. We use the map (u, v, w) → (x, y, z) : x = u β , y = x v, z = x w, and judiciously choose β to accurately estimate the integral. For α = 1, the Duffy transformation (β = 1) is optimal, whereas if α ≠ 1, we show that there are other values of β that prove to be substantially better. Numerical tests in two and three dimensions are presented that reveal the improved accuracy of the new transformation. Higher-order partition of unity finite element solutions for the Laplace equation with a derivative singularity at a re-entrant corner are presented to demonstrate the benefits of using the generalized Duffy transformation

Purification and characterization of &#945-galactosidase from Lactobacillus acidofillus

α−Galactosidase (α-D-galactoside galactohydrolase [EC 3.2.1.22]) was obtained from Lactobacillus acidofillus which was grown in modified de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS) medium, supplemented with raffinose. α-Galactosidase was released from the cells by ultrasonic treatment, then precipitated by ammonium-sulfate and further purified with Sephadex G-200 and DEAE cellulose chromatography with a 18.5-fold increase in specific activity and 28% recovery. Km and Vmax for this enzyme was determined by p-nitrophenyl-α-D-galactoside as substrate, to be about 0.47 mM, and 17.54 μmol/min per mg of protein, respectively. Maximum enzymatic activity occurred at pH 5.5 and temperature at 45°C. The enzymatic activity was retained at least for 30 min, at temperatures of 25 - 55°C, but there was inactive temperature at about 60°C. Galactose was able to decrease the enzyme activity by a factor of 63%. Among the sugars tested, fructose, glucose, sucrose, lactose and mannose reduced the enzyme activity only slightly (less than 10% of the control). A strong inhibition of α-galactosidase activity was found in the presence of 0.1 mM HgCl.Key words: α-Galactosidase, enzyme purification, Lactobacillus acidofillus, kinetic studies

Viscoelastic impact between a cylindrical striker and a long cylindrical bar

International audienceAxial impact between a cylindrical striker of finite length and a long cylindrical bar, both of linearly viscoelastic materials, is considered under uni-axial conditions. General results are derived for the impact force, the particle velocity and the strain in the bar in terms of closed-contour integrals suitable for numerical evaluation. Such results are derived also for the transfer of momentum and energy from the striker to the bar. Numerical results for elastic and viscoelastic impact of a striker and a bar with different cross-sectional areas are compared. In viscoelastic impact, unlike elastic impact, the duration of impact may be finite but larger than two transit times for a wave front through the striker due to the for-mation of a tail after the main pulse. Furthermore, repeated contacts and separations of the striker and the bar may occur within a range of striker-to bar characteristic impedance ratios smaller than one. In viscoelastic impact, the duration of impact is at least as long and the momentum and energy transferred are at most as large as in elastic impact. Strains measured at three locations of a PMMA bar impacted by PMMA strikers of three different lengths agree well with the theoretical results

Effects of dietary physical form and dietary inclusion of probiotic and enzyme on growth performance, cellular and humoral immunity, and relative weights of lymphoid organs at early period of broiler chickens fed triticale-based diets

The aim of the present study was to investigate interactions between feed form and dietary inclusion of probiotics (live organisms) and enzymes on growth performance, cellular and humoral immunity, and relative weights of lymphoid organs of broiler chicks fed a triticale-based diet. A total of 640 broiler chicks were allocated to eight treatments when they were one day old, with four replicates (n = 20 chicks in each). The dietary treatments consisted of feed form (pellets or mash) and dietary supplementation with or without a Bacillus-based probiotic (0.03% diet) and enzyme (carbohydrase, 0.05% diet) in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated based on feed intake (FI) and weight gain (WG). The WG of the broiler chicks fed the pelleted diets containing the enzyme and probiotic (alone or in combination) was greater than that of the birds fed the mash diets without these additives. Significant interaction effects of the enzyme and probiotic on FCR and FI were observed in the starter period. The heterophil : lymphocyte (H : L) ratio of the chicks fed the pelleted diet containing the enzyme and probiotic was lower than that of the birds fed the other diets. The cellular immunity of the birds fed this diet increased after 24 hours, as shown by the results of a challenge experiment with dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) or an injection of phytohemagglutinin (PHA). In conclusion, feed form and supplementation of a triticale-based diet with feed enzymes and probiotics can greatly improve the growth performance and immunity of broiler chicks. Keywords: Dinitrochlorobenzene, Di-Pro probiotic, phytohemagglutinin, Rovabio enzyme, spleen, viscosit

Determination of heavy metal content of processed fruit products from Tehran's market using ICP- OES: A risk assessment study

Abstract In this study, the levels of Cd, Hg, Sn, Al, Pb and As of 72 samples (36 samples for fruits juices and 36 samples for fruits canned) of three different brands including of Peach, Orange, Cherry, and Pineapple (18 samples of each fruits) marketed in Tehran, Iran (2015) were evaluated using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) technique. Also, Probabilistic risk assessment (non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks) was estimated by models include target hazard quotient (THQ) and cancer risk (CR) in the Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) model. However, all samples were contaminated with the heavy metals investigated, most of them not surpassed established standards. The range of concentration for Al, Sn, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb as average in fruit juices were reported as 340.62 (65.17–1039.2), 72.33 (49.76–119.4), 3.76 (1.137–18.36), 2.12 (0.89–3.44), 0.351 and 40.86 (27.87–66.1) μg/kg, respectively. The level of heavy metals measured in different kinds of fruit juices was ranked as Al > Sn > Pb > As > Cd > Hg, and for fruits canned this rank was Pb > Al > Sn > As > Cd > Hg. The range of concentration for Al, Sn, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb in fruits canned were reported as 361.23 (43.15–1121.2), 101.42 (71.45–141.61), 3.92 (1.279–19.50), 2.78 (1.09–5.56), 0.35 and 690.54 (470.56–910.14) μg/kg, respectively. The lead (Pb) concentration in 97.22% (35 out of 36 samples) of fruit juices samples surpassed Codex limit (0.05 mg/kg) and in all samples of FC was lower than the legal limit of Codex limit (1 mg/kg). All of the samples had Tin (Sn) lower than the legal limit of Codex (fruit juices 100 mg/kg and FC 250 mg/kg). The MCS indicated that the rank order of heavy metals in both adults and children based on THQ was Al > Sn > As > Pb > Cd > Hg. The THQ of Al and Sn in the FJ and FC, for both adults, and children, was considerably higher than 1 value. Also, CR of As in both adults and children were higher than 1E-6 value. Although the mean concentration of heavy metal in the FJ and FC was lower than the standard limit, the MCS indicated that adults and children are at considerable non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks. Keywords: Heavy metals Fruits juice Health risk assessment Monte Carlo simulation Fruit canned Food safety ICPOES