Repetative Transcranial Magnetic Stimulator (rTMS) Characterization and How to Develop the Functionalities for Treating Neural Disorders

Background: Repetative transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an important non-invasive technique with several protocols to treat a wide variety of neural disorders. This method utilizes a strong power supply to discharge high currents in a single or dual flat spiral coil with specific characterizations. It makes a magnetic field that promotes neuroplasticity by applying the field distribution on the appropriate brain zone and requires adjusting time and frequency relating to intervention protocols. Aim: This study investigates components of an rTMS machine to describe development approaches to increase performance, specifically in the binary mode of recovering proportionally with brain and heart signals. Methods: The proposed method achieves an rTMS and probe-set coil prototypes whose performance is approved with some statistical modelings and experiments analysis. Results: Results show that the physical properties of the coil are proportional to the power supply effect and the magnetic field distribution in front of the probe set. Conclusion: By clarifying the mechanism of oscillator switching modes and the location of the processing unit in rTMS, this paper is directed to utilize external sensors to create a smart stimulator with touch EEG or ECG signals through the most accurate intervention

The potential of highly nutritious frozen stages of Tyrophagus putrescentiae as a supplemental food source for the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii

Astigmatid mites have potential as supplementary prey items to support generalist predator populations in crops. However, applying living prey mites has some disadvantages; if not predated they have the potential to cause crop damage and allergies. In this study, we evaluated various diets based on the astigmatid mite Tyrophagous putrescentiae (Schrank) as a supplemental food source for the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii Ahias-Henriot. Eggs and larvae of T. putrescentiae were reared on a diet of dog food (rich in proteins and fat) or bran (rich in carbohydrate); they were offered either frozen or alive, and either with or without cattail pollen (Typha angustifolia L.). Oviposition rate of A. swirskii fed with frozen mite larvae reared on dog food was similar to the rate observed when they were fed with cattail pollen or living prey mites, but developmental time of A. swirskii was longer on this frozen diet than on a diet of living prey mites or pollen. Both living and frozen prey mites were, in contrast with cattail pollen, not suitable for oviposition by western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande. In a greenhouse study, the use of frozen prey mite stages as supplemental food on chrysanthemum plants allowed populations of A. swirskii to establish, but not increase; in contrast, provision of living prey mites and pollen increased A. swirskii populations on plants. Hence, our study shows that living prey mites, but not frozen prey mites, had the greatest potential as a supplemental food source for A. swirskii.</p

A Study on Tensile Behavior and Water Uptake of Wood Powder-Composites Based on Epoxy and Unsaturated Polyester Resins

In this study, two kinds of epoxy resins (i.e. high-viscosity and low-viscosity) as well as one polyester resin (orthophthalic grade) were selected and examined as pure resins and also as a polymeric matrix for producing wood-composites. In this study, tensile properties, water uptake, and degradation of samples in water were also investigated. The results show that addition of wood particles to the thermoset resins strongly impresses on their tensile behavior and water uptake. Tensile studies show that addition of wood powder improves the tensile properties of polyester resin as compared with viscosity epoxy one, although its modulus value is relatively less than that of low viscosity epoxy resin. Water uptake measurements also revealed that pure polyester resin and its related composites possess minimum water uptake and less degradation in water as compared with corresponding epoxy specimens and from which the lowest extent of materials is extracted and migrated to the water even after 50 days immersion in water

The Investigation of Acoustic Properties of Carbon Fiber-Polyester Composites and Comparing the Results with Poplar, Walnut and Beech Wood Specimens

In this paper, regarding the high capability of polymeric composites as a substitute of the wood in musical instruments, the acoustic properties of carbon fiber-polyester composites, such as elastic modulus, acoustic coefficient, acoustic coefficient efficiency etc, were investigated using free longitudinal and flexural vibration non-destructive tests and forced vibration non-destructive test. For better understanding, three wooden samples of poplar, walnut and beech trees (frequently used in the manufacturing of musical instruments) were chosen and analyzed. Comparing the results showed that the resultant composites had essential acoustic and vibrational properties higher than those of wood samples. Ultrasonic velocity and elastic modulus in longitudinal direction of carbon composites were approximately 11300 m/s and 130GPa, respectively. Besides, the damping results of carbon composites are magnificent and far better than those of the wood specimens

Active and frozen host mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acari : Acaridae) influence the mass production of the predatory mite Blattisocius mali (Acari: Blattisociidae): life table analysis

Blattisocius mali (Oudemans) is a candidate predatory mite on some astigmatid mite pests like Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank). In current study, life table parameters of B. mali were comparatively evaluated when fed on mixed life stages, frozen (one day at-20°C) and cold stored (90 days at-20°C and 4°C) eggs of T. putrescentiae. The highest and lowest values of fecundity, total longevity, oviposition period, life span and adult longevity of B. mali were observed when the predator provided with one-day and 90-days frozen eggs (stored at 4°C) of T. putrescentiae, respectively. Moreover, the highest values of net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) of B. mali were obtained by feeding on one-day frozen eggs (23.94 offspring/individual, 0.332 day-1, 1.39 day-1, respectively), without significant differences from the predators reared on alive mixed stages of T. putrescentiae. However, the lowest values of R0 (1.54 offspring/individual), r (0.058 day-1) and λ (1.06 day-1) were recorded when B. mali was reared on 90-days frozen eggs (stored at 4°C). The results, as first evidence of life-history of B. mali, represent not only the potential of the predator as suitable biological control agent against T. putrescentiae, but also the possibility of its mass production by frozen host stages. Provision of one-day frozen eggs of T. putrescentiae were the best choice for B. mali survival and reproduction with no harmful effects of living stages (direct damage, frass and exuviae) on crop

Bread-making characteristics of several Iranian wheat cultivars

Ten different Iranian cultivars of bread wheat (Alamoot, Alvand, Arta, Bahar, Chamran, Darya, Dez, Pishtaz, Shahriar and Tajan) were examined for their bread-making properties. To determine the best wheat cultivar, several quality attributes such as protein content on a dry basis (PRT), wet gluten content (WGL), Zeleny (ZLN) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) sedimentation values, hardness of grain (HRD) and bread volume (BVOL) were measured. Additionally, high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GSs) and low molecular weight glutenin subunits (LMW-GSs) of the wheat cultivars were studied using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Two alleles (2 + 12 and 5 + 10) were identified at HMW-GS Glu-D1 locus. Significant correlations were found between PRT and each of the following parameters: ZLN (r = 0.67), BVOL (r = 0.73), HRD (r = 0.71) and 5 + 10 subunit (r = 0.66). Also, correlation between BVOL and HRD (r = 0.67) and that between subunit 5 + 10 and BVOL (r = 0.71) were significant. Among HMW-GSs, 5 + 10 subunit had significant influence on bread-making qualities. Significant positive correlations were obtained for LMW-GSs with HRD and ZLN. Considering the traits such as PRT, HRD, SDS, WGL, ZLN, BVOL, HMW-GS (5 + 10) and LMW-GSs, it was concluded that Bahar was the best choice for making bread. Tajan was ranked as the second best cultivar using the HRD, SDS, ZLN, BVOL, HMW-GSs and LMW-GSs data

Designing and manufacturing of polyester composites reinforced with natural and synthetic fibers as an alternative for the wood in music instruments

In this study, three composites (Carbon fiber- Polyester resin, Glass fiber-Polyester resin and Hemp fiber-Polyester resin) are designed as a substitute for the wood in music instruments and their acoustic properties such as elastic modulus, acoustic coefficient, and acoustic coefficient efficiency are investigated. For better evaluation of the results, two wood specimens from Cupressus arizonica and Morus Alba trees (which are using in many acoustic applications) were chosen and analyzed as control samples. The results show that the resultant composites possess essential acoustic and vibrational properties so that the result for Carbon fiber-Polyester composite exhibits tremendous acoustic properties than wood samples did. In this paper, the water absorption of resultant composites and wood samples were also measured. The results demonstrate that composites specimens could resist against humidity much better than wood samples