A Series Solution of the Cauchy Problem for Turing Reaction-diffusion Model

In this paper, the series pattern solution of the Cauchy problem for Turing reaction-diffusion model is obtained by using the homotopy analysis method (HAM). Turing reaction-diffusion model is nonlinear reaction-diffusion system which usually has power-law nonlinearities or may be rewritten in the form of power-law nonlinearities. Using the HAM, it is possible to find the exact solution or an approximate solution of the problem. This technique provides a series of functions which converges rapidly to the exact solution of the problem. The efficiency of the approach will be shown by applying the procedure on two problems. Furthermore, the so-called homotopy-Pade technique (HPT) is applied to enlarge the convergence region and rate of solution series given by the HAM

An inverse problem for a linear diffusion equation with non-linear boundary condition

AbstractIn this paper we consider the determination of an unknown radiation term in the non-linear boundary condition of a linear diffusion equation from an overspecified condition. It is shown that the solutions of this inverse problem is unique and stable

A method for solving an inverse biharmonic problem

AbstractThis paper deals with the problem of determining of an unknown coefficient in an inverse boundary value problem. Using a nonconstant overspecified data, it has been shown that the solution to this inverse problem exists and is unique

Relationship between breast feeding and obesity in children with low birth weight

Background: Breast feeding appears to play a role in determining obesity and abdominal obesity during childhood, specifically in children with a history of low birth weight. Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relation of breast-feeding with either of abdominal obesity and obesity among Iranian school children. Materials and Methods: A total of 1184 students (625 girls and 559 boys), aged 10 to 13 years old, were selected from 112 governmental elementary schools in Iran. Height, weight, waist circumference and blood pressure were measured using standard instruments and a pretested standardized questionnaire was performed for compiling information about family economics and educational level, first–degree family history of obesity, history of breast feeding, food pattern and birth weight, as well. Results: 13.68% (n = 160) of students had a history of low birth weight, and 26.41% of them had abdominal obesity. Of all participants, 22.04% were overweight and 5.32% were obese which was more prevalent in girls than in boys (P = 0.03). First-degree family history of obesity (P = 0.001), excessive gestational weight gain (P = 0.001) and birth weight (P = 0.01) were significantly correlated with the prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity during childhood. Moreover the prevalence of abdominal obesity in children with low birth weight was significantly correlated with breast feeding (P = 0.04); But this relation was not significantly about obesity in our participants (P = 0.9). Furthermore duration of breast feeding was significantly and inversely correlated with obesity and abdominal obesity in schoolchildren with low birth weight (P = 0.01). Conclusions: The results suggest that Breast feeding and its long-term consequences were important factors for preventing metabolic syndrome criteria in childhood and later years of life span. With regard to the increasing prevalence of obesity in children, more research is urgently needed to clarify whether breast feeding have negative consequences for the risk of chronic disease in children, especially in children with low birth weight

Project management contractor's procurement process development

Projektinjohtourakoinnissa varsin merkittävä tekijä projektin menestyksen kannalta on hankintaprosessi. Hankintavaiheessa projektinjohtourakoitsijan on pystyttävä etsimään parhaat yhteistyökumppanit, joiden avulla on mahdollista viedä projekti aikataulu- ja kustannustehokkaasti läpi. Aikataulu- ja kustannustehokkuuden lisäksi projektinjohtourakoitsijan on pystyttävä huolehtimaan myös laatutason säilymisestä. Toteutuakseen tämä yhdistelmä vaati projektinjohtourakoitsijan hankintaprosessilta oikeanlaisia toimenpiteitä sekä osaamista. Tutkimuksen kirjallisuuskatsauksessa perehdyttiin Lean supply chain- ajatteluun ja sen mukaisiin toimintatapoihin. Edelleen mentiin syvemmälle Lean-ajatteluun ja lähestyttiin projektinjohtourakoitsijan hankintaprosessia näiden periaatteiden näkökulmasta. Pitkäaikainen yhteistyökumppanuus projektinjohtourakoitsijan sekä sen aliurakoitsijoiden välillä mahdollistaa hankintaprosessin kehittämisen ja toiminnan tehostamisen. Tässä työssä tutkittiin kuitenkin hankintaprosessia myös sellaisissa tapauksissa, joissa tarjoaja ei ole projektinjohtourakoitsijan pitkäaikainen yhteistyökumppani. Hankintaprosessin parissa työskenteleviltä rakennusalan ammattilaisilta haettiin tietoa tätä työtä varten haastattelututkimuksen avulla. Haastateltavista henkilöistä puolet olivat erittäin kokeneita, SRV Rakennus Oy:n palveluksessa työskenteleviä hankintatoimen ammattilaisia. Toinen puolikas haastateltavista muodostui SRV Rakennus Oy:n käyttämien aliurakoitsijoiden ja toimittajien henkilöstöstä. Tämä henkilöstö valikoitui siten, että kaikki haastateltavat olivat olleet projektissa pitkään aktiivisesti mukana aina urakan hankintavaiheesta lähtien. Haastattelututkimuksella saatiin selville parhaimmat toimintatavat, joiden avulla voidaan varmistaa että toiminta työmaalla on myös hankintavaiheen jälkeen selkeää ja kustannustehokasta. Työn tuloksena syntyi SRV Rakennus Oy:n käyttöön tarkastuslista hankintaprosessia varten. Haastattelututkimuksen tulosten pohjalta laaditun listan tarkoituksena on toimia hankintaprosessia hoitavan projekti-insinöörin tai muun vastaavan henkilön apuvälineenä. Tarkastuslista toimii yleispätevänä muistutuskeinona niistä toimenpiteistä, joista osa saattaa projektinjohtourakan hankintaprosessissa unohtua

Effects of symbiotic and vitamin E supplementation on blood pressure, nitric oxide and inflammatory factors in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been suggested to be well correlated with altered blood pressure. This study was conducted to determine the effects of symbiotic and vitamin E supplementation on blood pressure and inflammatory indices of patients with NAFLD. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed among 60 NAFLD patients aged 25 to 64 years old. Participants were randomly divided into four groups to receive a 400 IU alpha-tocopherol and 2 × 108 CFU/g symbiotic supplement for 8 weeks. The anthropometric parameters, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), serum malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention. After 8 weeks of intervention, combined symbiotic and alpha-tocopherol, symbiotic and alpha-tocopherol lone administration, compared with the placebo, resulted in significant decreases in SBP (-17.07±2.1, -16.07±3.56, -1.73±2.25 and -1.55±3.01 mmHg, P=0.01), serum MDA (-1.19±0.5, -0.12±0.65, 0.14 ± 0.64 and 0.16±0.34 nmol/mL, P<0.001), serum TNFα (-15.62±13.93, -9.24±7.12, -11.44 ± 15.47 and 3.01±1.71 pg/ml, P<0.001) concentrations. A significant decrease in serum AST (-11.36±4.52, -7.43±8.58, -5.93±6.61 and 2.5±5.75 μmol/L, P <0.001), ALT (-12.79±3.65, -3.66±6.81, -6.54±7.66 and 4.16±3.43 μmol/L, P <0.001) and ALP (-26.8±11.1, -4.56±9.22, -14.48±12.22 and 5.19±2.64 μmol/L, P <0.001) was seen. Variations in DBP and serum NO concentration were not significant. Alpha-tocopherol and symbiotic supplementation among patients with NAFLD resulted in decreased SBP, serum MDA, TNFα levels and enzymes liver; however, they did not affect DBP and serum NO concentration

Comparison of the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on the eradication of helicobacter pylori infection, serum inflammatory factors and total antioxidant capacity

Helicobacter pylori infection, the most common chronic bacterial infection in the world, and an important cause of gastrointestinal disorders, may be involved in the pathogenesis of some extra-gastrointestinal disturbances, as well as an increase in blood levels of certain inflammatory markers. Anti-bacterial activity against Helicobacter pylori and anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 fatty acids have been studied in several research studies. The purpose of the present study was the comparison of the effects of Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid supplementation on Helicobacter pylori eradication, serum levels of some inflammatory markers and total antioxidant capacity. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 97 Helicobacter pylori positive patients (64 patients in the two intervention groups and 33 in the control group), received 2 grams daily of Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Docosahexaenoic Acid or Medium Chain Triglyceride oil as placebo, along with conventional tetra-drug Helicobacter pylori eradication regimen, for 12 weeks. Helicobacter pylori eradication test and measurement of concentration of interleukine-6, interleukine-8, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and total antioxidant capacity were performed after the intervention. There was no significant difference in eradication rate of the infection, levels of interleukine-6 and total antioxidant capacity among the three groups, while the levels of interleukine-8 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were statistically different. Eicosapentaenoic Acid or Docosahexaenoic Acid supplementation had no significant differential impact on the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection, and serum levels of interleukine-6 and total antioxidant capacity. However, it had a desirable effect on the levels of interleukine-8 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in Helicobacter pylori positive patients. © 2015 by School of Pharmacy Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services

Comparison of the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid with docosahexaenoic acid on the level of serum lipoproteins in helicobacter pylori: A randomized clinical trial

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection is the most common chronic bacterial infection around the world and an important cause of gastrointestinal disorders, which might be involved in the pathogenesis of some extragastrointestinal disturbances as well as changes in serum lipid profile. Hypolipemic properties of omega-3 fatty acids have been studied in several studies. Objectives: The present study aimed to compare the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation on the level of serum lipoproteins in H. pylori. Patients and Methods: In a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial in Iran, 105 Helicobacter pylori were randomly allocated to receive 2 g of daily EPA (35 patients), DHA (35 patients), or medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil as placebo (33 patients) along with conventional tetra-drug H. pylori eradication regimen for 12 weeks. Results: From 105 included patients, 97 (31 in EPA, 33 in DHA, and 33 in control groups) completed the study and were included in final analysis. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and the ratios of TG/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C were not significantly different among the three groups, while the level of triglyceride (TG) was statistically different. DHA (-16.6 ± 30.34) and control (+ 15.32 ± 56.47) groups were statistically different with regard to changes in TG levels (P = 0.000). Conclusions: There was no difference between the effects of 2 g of EPA or DHA supplementation for 12 weeks on the levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C; however, it had a desirable effect on the level of TG in a way that the effect of DHA was clearer. © 2015, Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal

Beneficial effects of whey protein preloads on some cardiovascular diseases risk factors of overweight and obese men are stronger than soy protein preloads - A randomized clinical trial

Background The hypothesis that long term supplemental preloads of whey protein concentrate (WPC) and soy protein isolate (SPI) 30 min before the largest meal, will improve blood pressure (BP), fasting blood sugar (FBS) and lipid profile of overweight and obese men in their in free living condition was tested. Methods Forty - five men of 52, BMI = 25-40 kg/m2, after random allocation in WPC (n = 26) or SPI (n = 19) groups, drank 65 gr WPC or 60 gr SPI dissolved in 500 ml water 30 min before their ad libitum lunch for 12 weeks. Lipid profile and FBS were assessed before and after the study. Systolic and diastolic BP were measured before and after the study and every two weeks. Results After 12 weeks, mean changes between the groups were significant for SBP (p &lt; 0.02), DBP (p = 0.001), apo A-I, apo B (p &lt; 0.001), LDL (p = 0.015), HDL (p = 0.017). Within group mean changes of WPC were significant for reduction of DBP, FBS, apo B, VLDL, LDL, TG (p &lt; 0.001), SBP, TC (p = 0.001), and for increase of apo A-I (p &lt; 0.001) and HDL (p = 0.001) relative to baseline. In SPI group, mean changes were significant relative to baseline for decrease of SBP (p &lt; 0.02), DBP (p = 0.001), apo B (p &lt; 0.001), LDL (p = 0.015) and for increase of apo A-I (p &lt; 0.001) and HDL (p = 0.017). Conclusion According to this study, WPC preloads at 30 min before ad libitum main meal, exert stronger beneficial effects than SPI preloads on BP, FBS and lipid profile of free living overweight and obese men after 12 weeks. Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials: IRCT201109062365N3. © 2015 Published by Elsevier Inc

The impact of probiotic yogurt consumption on lipid profiles in subjects with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background and aims: Potential beneficial effect of probiotic yogurt on the lipid profile has raised much interest. However, the results are inconsistent in this regard. The aim of the study is to determine the effects of probiotic yogurt on serum lipid profile in individuals with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia. Methods and results: Online databases including PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Science Direct, Google Scholar and Igaku Chuo Zasshi were searched until March 19th 2019. The effect sizes were expressed as the weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95 confidence interval (CI). Seven eligible trials with 274 participants were included in this systematic review. Pooling of 9 effect sizes from these seven articles revealed a significant reduction in total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels following probiotic yogurt consumption (mean difference: �8.73 mg/dl, 95 CI: �15.98, �1.48, p-value = 0.018 and mean difference: �10.611 mg/dl, 95 CI: �16.529, �4.693, p-value = 0.000, respectively) without significant heterogeneity among the studies (I2 = 40.6, p-value = 0.1 and I2 = 24.2, p-value = 0.229, respectively). The results showed no significant changes in high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Also, none of the variables showed a significant change for sensitivity analysis. Conclusion: Available evidence suggests that probiotic yogurt can significantly reduce total cholesterol and LDL-c in subjects with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia without a significant effect on HDL-c and triglyceride levels. © 2019 The Italian Society of Diabetology, the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis, the Italian Society of Human Nutrition, and the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II Universit