A novel motion-model-free UWB short-range positioning method

In recent years, the number of location-based services is increasing and consequently, the researchers’ attentions are captivated in designing accurate real-time positioning systems. Despite having a good performance in outdoor environment, Global Positioning System (GPS) is not capable of estimating an object’s position in an indoor environment precisely. In this paper, we present a novel tracking algorithm for indoor environment with a known floor plan. The object location is estimated by utilizing the information of the multipath components which are created by one physical and some virtual anchors. We will link this information to the floor plan by defining a channel model that has a combination of stochastic and deterministic traits. As we have used only one physical anchor in this paper, we would encounter several challenges such as lack of data association and existence of clutters amid real data. We dealt with these problems through random finite set methodology. Additionally, we will demonstrate that the proposed method is not restricted by the model of motion and is capable to precisely track the trajectory. It will be shown that it provides a better accuracy, particularly in non-linear trajectories, compared with two other relevant models which are adopting linear motion model

Development and validation of a metacognitive-cognitive-behavioral model for explaining trichotillomania

Background & Aims: Trichotillomania (TTM) is an unknown disorder and resistant to treatment. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate the new metacognitive-cognitive-behavioral model for trichotillomania. Methods: The present study was a description and correlation study. In this study, 635 participants (304 male and 331 female) were selected. The participants completed the Massachusetts general hospital hair pulling scale (MGH-HPS), dysfunctional attitude scale (DAS), cognitive distortion scale (CDS), automatic thought questionnaire (ATQ), metacognition questionnaire (MCQ), and the obsessive-compulsive behavior scale (OCBS). For reliability assessment of the factor structure of the metacognitive-cognitive-behavioral model, the structural equation modeling analysis was used by AMOS software. Results: The results of the structural equation modeling supported a metacognitive-cognitive-behavioral model for trichotillomania. Moreover, the results showed that the model had the best fit to the data and was closely related to the theoretical assumptions. Conclusion: The model presented in this study illustrates a multidimensional approach that focuses on the metacognitive, cognitive, and behavioral dimensions; hence, the model presented in this study is a new explanatory model. This model may prompt future research into trichotillomania and facilitate clinical treatment and case formulation. © 2014, Kerman University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Antioxidative effects of tempol on mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetic nephropathy

Introduction. Oxidative stress has a well-known role in diabetic nephropathy, and mitochondria are the major source of reactive oxygen species production. This study aimed to assess the effect of tempol, a superoxide dismutase mimetic agent, on mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes and cell viability in diabetic nephropathy. Materials and Methods. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 7 animals. Diabetes mellitus was induced by injection of streptozotocin in 2 groups, the rat in one of which were also treated with tempol for 4 weeks. Another group without diabetes mellitus received tempol, and the last group was the control. At the end of the treatment period, the kidney mitochondria were isolated and their antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase were assessed. Malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, and kidney cells viability were studied, as well. Results. The diabetic group was significantly different compared with the control group in malondialdehyde, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities. Superoxide dismutase and total antioxidative capacity did not show any significant differences among the four groups. Moreover, the diabetic group treated with tempol had significantly different glutathione peroxidase level and kidney cells viability, compared to the other diabetic group (P <.05) Conclusions. Diabetic nephropathy induces changes in mitochondrial antioxidative biomarkers and cells viability, some of which can be modified by tempol administration in rats. © 2018, Iranian Society of Nephrology. All rights reserved

A nano-particle based approach to improve filtration control of water based muds under high pressure high temperature conditions

There have been many attempts to improve the filtration control of water based muds under High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) condition using a cost effective approach. Nano particles are perhaps the best option considering their successful applications reported in many studies. However, they are often expensive and pose unfavourably changes on the rheology of the muds. In this paper, an attempt was made to show the application of Nano Glass Flakes (NGFs) as a cheap but effective nano particle to control the filtration of water based muds under HPHT conditions. Performing a series of rheology, filtration and conductivity tests on the mud samples with unmodified NGFs revealed that this nano particle increases the mud rheology, yield point and gel strength of the mud with a slight impact on the filtration loss. However, by modifying the surface charges of NGFs with a cationic surfactant, filtration loss was significantly reduced without any severe impacts on the mud rheology. Considering the conductivity of the mud which increases by adding the modified NGF, this nano particle might be a good choice to improve the overall performance of water based muds under HPHT conditions

Efficient upconversion of sub-THz radiation in a high-Q whispering gallery resonator

We demonstrate efficient upconversion of sub-THz radiation into the optical domain in a high-Q whispering gallery mode resonator with quadratic optical nonlinearity. The 5x10^{-3} power conversion efficiency of continuous wave 100GHz signal is achieved with only 16 mW of optical pump.Comment: This revision is limited to discussion of only optical WGMs coupled with the external Rf field. Discussion of RF WGMs is now posted separatel

Comparison of anthro-metabolic indicators for predicting the risk of metabolic syndrome in the elderly population: Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program

Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster metabolic disorder that includes central obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, and is highly associated with an increased risk of developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This study aimed to compare the reliability of anthro-metabolic indices [visceral adiposity index (VAI), body roundness index (BRI), and a body shape index (BSI), body adiposity index (BAI), lipid accumulation product (LAP), waist to hip ratio, and waist to height ratio] in predicting MetS in Iranian older people. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted based on the data of 2426 adults aged ≥60 years that participated in the second stage of the Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program, a population-based prospective cohort study being conducted in Bushehr, Iran. MetS was defined based on the revised National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) criteria. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess predictive performance of anthro-metabolic indices and determine optimal cutoff values. Logistic regression analysis was applied to determine the associations between MetS and indices. Results 2426 subjects (48.1% men) with mean ± SD age of 69.34 ± 6.40 years were included in the study. According to ATP III criteria, 34.8% of men and 65.2% of women had MetS (P < 0.001). Of the seven examined indices, the AUCs of VAI and LAP in both genders were higher than AUCs of other anthro-metabolic indices. Also, in general population, VAI and LAP had the greatest predictive power for MetS with AUC 0.87(0.86–0.89) and 0.87(0.85–0.88), respectively. The lowest AUC in total population belonged to BSI with the area under the curve of 0.60(0.58–0.62). After adjusting for potential confounders (e.g. age, sex, education, physical activity, current smoking) in the logistic regression model, the highest OR in the total population was observed for VAI and LAP, which was 16.63 (13.31–20.79) and 12.56 (10.23–15.43) respectively. The lowest OR for MetS was 1.93(1.61–2.30) for BSI. Conclusion This study indicated that both VAI and LAP are the most valuable indices among the anthro-metabolic indices to identify MetS among the elderly in both genders. So, they could be used as proper assessment tools for MetS in clinical practice. However, the cost-benefit of these indices compared to the ATP III criteria need further studies

Process evaluation of a community-based program for prevention and control of non-communicable disease in a developing country: The Isfahan Healthy Heart Program, Iran

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of mortality in Iran. A six-year, comprehensive, integrated community-based demonstration study entitled Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP) conducted in Iran, and it started in 2000. Evaluation and monitoring are integrated parts of this quasi-experimental trial, and consists of process, as well as short and long-term impact evaluations. This paper presents the design of the "process evaluation" for IHHP, and the results pertaining to some interventional strategies that were implemented in workplaces</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The process evaluation addresses the internal validity of IHHP by ascertaining the degree to which the program was implemented as intended. The IHHP process evaluation is a triangulated study conducted for all interventions at their respective venues. All interventional activities are monitored to determine why and how some are successful and sustainable, to identify mechanisms as well as barriers and facilitators of implementation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results suggest that factory workers and managers are satisfied with the interventions. In the current study, success was mainly shaped by the organizational readiness and timing of the implementation. Integrating most of activities of the project to the existing ongoing activities of public health officers in worksites is suggested to be the most effective means of implementation of the health promoting activities in workplaces.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results of our experience may help other developing countries to plan for similar interventions.</p