Interior Point Decoding for Linear Vector Channels

In this paper, a novel decoding algorithm for low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes based on convex optimization is presented. The decoding algorithm, called interior point decoding, is designed for linear vector channels. The linear vector channels include many practically important channels such as inter symbol interference channels and partial response channels. It is shown that the maximum likelihood decoding (MLD) rule for a linear vector channel can be relaxed to a convex optimization problem, which is called a relaxed MLD problem. The proposed decoding algorithm is based on a numerical optimization technique so called interior point method with barrier function. Approximate variations of the gradient descent and the Newton methods are used to solve the convex optimization problem. In a decoding process of the proposed algorithm, a search point always lies in the fundamental polytope defined based on a low-density parity-check matrix. Compared with a convectional joint message passing decoder, the proposed decoding algorithm achieves better BER performance with less complexity in the case of partial response channels in many cases.Comment: 18 pages, 17 figures, The paper has been submitted to IEEE Transaction on Information Theor

USE OF A NEW INDIRECT METHOD IN DETERMINING THE CONTRIBUTION OF LEGS AND HANDS TO PROPULSION IN FRONT CRAWL

The aim of the present study was to determine the contributions of arms and legs action in front crawl. So far many researchers using different methods, such as oxygen consumption, filming and measurement of active drag, measured and reported the percentage of arms and legs contributions to propulsive force. A newly indirect measurement of active drag IMAD, which has recently been introduced, enabled us to estimate not only the percentage of arms and legs contributions but also the percentage of swimmers´ arms and legs coordination. Our results have been well comparable with other researchers’ results

USE OF A NEW INDIRECT METHOD IN DETERMINING THE CONTRIBUTION OF LEGS AND HANDS TO PROPULSION IN FRONT CRAWL

The aim of the present study was to determine the contributions of arms and legs action in front crawl. So far many researchers using different methods, such as oxygen consumption, filming and measurement of active drag, measured and reported the percentage of arms and legs contributions to propulsive force. A newly indirect measurement of active drag IMAD, which has recently been introduced, enabled us to estimate not only the percentage of arms and legs contributions but also the percentage of swimmers´ arms and legs coordination. Our results have been well comparable with other researchers’ results

Distribution and molecular identification of some causative agents of streptococcosis isolated from farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum) in Iran

Over the past few years, the syndrome of streptococcosis has been associated with outbreaks in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum) and caused significant economic losses in the aquaculture industry in Iran. The main purpose of this work was molecular identification of some causative agents of streptococcosis in rainbow trout. A total of 520 samples were collected from the head kidney of diseased fish (weight, 50_200g) in 72 farms of 8 provinces in Iran, during 2008 to 2009. Bacterial isolates representing morphology and biochemical profiles of Streptococcus spp. were further confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). DNA extraction was carried out from a single colony by using the extraction promega kit following the conditions described by the supplier. The PCR assay was developed based on the 16S rRNA and glucose kinase genes of Streptococcus spp. for the rapid and specific detection and identification of this pathogen from different sources. Approximately 40% of specimens were infected to Streptococcus spp. Consequently, five pathogenic species have been identified, including S. iniae in Fars province, S. faecium in Mazandaran province, S. agalactiae in Gilan and Mazandaran provinces, S. dysgalatiae in Lorestan, Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad, Gilan and Kermanshah provinces and S. uberis, which was common in all provinces (except Mazandaran and Lorestan). The dominant species (based on important species index) were S. uberis, S. dysgalactiae and S. agalactiae, respectively

Automated implantable cardiac defibrillator and biventricular thoratec assist device as bridge to transplantation in a patient with sarcoidosis

AbstractJ Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2001;121:1198-

Generating GHZ state in 2m-qubit spin network

We consider a pure 2m-qubit initial state to evolve under a particular quantum me- chanical spin Hamiltonian, which can be written in terms of the adjacency matrix of the Johnson network J(2m;m). Then, by using some techniques such as spectral dis- tribution and stratification associated with the graphs, employed in [1, 2], a maximally entangled GHZ state is generated between the antipodes of the network. In fact, an explicit formula is given for the suitable coupling strengths of the hamiltonian, so that a maximally entangled state can be generated between antipodes of the network. By using some known multipartite entanglement measures, the amount of the entanglement of the final evolved state is calculated, and finally two examples of four qubit and six qubit states are considered in details.Comment: 22 page

A randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating quality of life when using a simple acupressure protocol in women with primary dysmenorrhea

Objective: To evaluate a simple acupressure protocol in LIV3 and LI4 acupoints in women with primary dysmenorrhea. Methods: This paper reports a randomized, single blinded clinical trial. 90 young women with dysmenorrhea were recruited to three groups to receive 20 minutes acupressure every day in either LIV3 or LI4, or placebo points. Acupressure was timed five days before menstruation for three successive menstrual cycles. On menstruation, each participant completed the Wong Baker faces pain scale, and the quality of life short form -12 (QOL SF-12). Results: Intensity and duration of pain between the three groups in the second and third cycles during the intervention (p<0.05) differed significantly. Significant differences were seen in all domains of QOL except for mental health (p=0.4), general health (p=0.7) and mental subscale component (p=0.12) in the second cycle, and mental health (p=0.9), and mental subscale component (p=0.14) in the third cycle. Conclusion: Performing the simple acupressure protocol is an effective method to decrease the intensity and duration of dysmenorrhea, and improve the QOL. Key words: Dysmenorrhea, acupressure, quality of life Registration ID in IRCT: IRCT2016052428038N

Psychometrics properties of the Iranian version of fertility quality of life tool: a cross- sectional study

Background: Clinical measurement of quality of life for assessing reproductive problems should be considered as a standard investigation at the initial and continuing medical consultations with infertile people. Objective: The purpose of this study was comprehensive testing the psychometric properties of the Iranian version of fertility quality of life (FertiQol) as its use could be considerable due to the prevalence of infertility in Iran and the importance of evaluation of QoL in patients with infertility. Method and material: This was a psychometric properties study of 300 women referred to infertility clinic, Hormozgan, Iran. After linguistic validation of the Iranian version of MPCOSQ, a semi-structured interview was conducted to assess face validity. Consequently exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed to indicate the scale constructs. Discriminant validity was assessed using the known groups comparison. Convergent validity was evaluated by assessing the correlation between similar content on the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and FertiQol. In addition, reliability analysis was carried out with internal consistency. Results: The reliability of the Iranian version of the FertiQol questionnaire was satisfactory in all dimensions (Cronbach’s alpha ranging from 0.77 to 0.83 ). Six factors (emotional, mind/body, relational, social, environmental and tolerability) were extracted from the results of EFA with factor loading of the more than 0.3. Discrimination validity showed that FertiQol can differentiate between female patients with differing duration of infertility and number of children; this indicates favorable discrimination validity. Moreover, the results of convergent validity showed a favorable correlation between the related dimensions of 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (correlation ranging from 0.43 to 0.68 ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(correlation ranging from 0.47 to 0.52 ) and FertiQol. Conclusion: The Iranian version of FertiQol is valid and reliable for assessing infertility problems and the effects of treatment on quality of life of infertile patients referred for diagnosis and treatment at an Iranian infertility clinic. The clinical use of this measure is recommended for Iranian infertility clinics

Identification genetic characterization and population of Barbus brachycephalic caspius, Lucioperca lucioperca, Rutilus rutilus caspius, Rutilus frisii kutum and Salmo trutta caspius in southern part of the Caspian Sea by molecular method (Microsatellites) and formation DNA bank

In this study genetic characterization of Barbus brachycephalus caspius, Lucioperca lucioperca, Rutilus rutilus caspius, Rutilus frisi kutum and Salmo trutta caspius were examined by 611 samples from regions in East (Guilan province), Middle (Mazandaran province) and west (Golestan province) of southen part of the Caspian Sea. DNA was extracted from fin tissue by phenol -chlorophorm method and then PCR was performed using special primers. Statistical analysis of data was performed by Gene Alex, MEGA and Arlequin softwares. -Rutilus frisi kutum: The results showed that nine of ten primers were polymorphic loci. The mean of effective and observed alleles were 7.26±0.49 and 4.37±0.35 respectively. Also, the mean of expected and observed heterozygosity were 0.55±0.03 and 0.69±0.02 respectively Of the analysed loci, all of the samples (except Tajan and samples in LOC4 and Gilan samples in MFW2) possible tests were found to deviate significantly from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (P<0.05). The genetic diversity was significantly different between samples of Golestan and Gilan, Golestan and sefidrood, Golestan and Tajan, Mazandaran and sefidrood and Gilan and Tajan (p<0.05). -Rutilus rutilus caspius: Sevan variable microsatellite loci were used to investigate genetic diversity and population structure of R. rutilus caspius. The mean of effective and observed alleles were 5.75±0.30 and 4.76±0.25 respectively. Also, the mean of expected and observed heterozygosity were 0.58±0.18 and 0.73±0.01 respectively. All of the samples (except golestan samples in LOC3) possible tests were found to deviate significantly from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (P<0.05) Of the analysed loci, the genetic divergence was significantly different between samples of Golestan and Gilan, Gilan and Mazandaran and Gilan with Gorgan bay (p<0.05). -Salmo trutta caspius: Genetic characterization of S. trutta caspius was comparatively analyzed with mitochondrial DNA sequencing that 45 haplotypes was observed. The average of expected and observed heterozygosity were 0.61±0.35 and 0.33±0.12 respectively. The maximum of haplotype diversity (0.089±0.04) was in sardabrood river and the minimum was in Astara river (0.81±0.02). Also, the maximum of nucleotid diversity was 0.13±0.07 in Sardabrood and Chalos rivers and the minimum was 0.11±0.06 in Tonekabon river. In addition, the maximum and minimum of FST was 0.08 and 0.01 respectively. Of the analysed loci, the genetic divergence was significantly different between samples of Astara and Chalos, Astara and Tonekabon, Chalos and Karganrood and Tonekabon with Kaganrood (p<0.05). - Barbus brachycephalus caspius: The size of amplified fragment was 800 bp in all of the samples. There were 24 variable loci and 12 haplotype that the maximum of haplotype was in Gilan area (8 haplotype). The average of expected and observed heterozygosity were 0.003±0.35 and 0.42±0.12 respectively. The results showed that the haplotype diversity was significantly different between samples of Sefidrood whit other samples (p<0.05). In addition The maximum of nocleotid diversity was 0.005±0.003 in Sefidrood and minimum was 0.001± 0.001 in Tajan river. Of the analysed loci, the genetic divergence was significantly different between samples of Gilan and Tajan, Mazandaran and Sefidrood (p<0.05). -Lucioperca lucioperca: The genetic diversity of L. lucioperca was analyzed by using microsatellite markers. Seven primer sequences available for were tested to amplify microsatellite loci that all of loci were polymorphic. The mean of effective and observed alleles were 6.14±0.45 and 3.88±0.34 respectively. Also, the mean of expected and observed heterozygosity were 0.662±0.03 and 0.70±0.02 respectively. The most of samples in PflaL6, PflaL7and PflaL8 loci possible tests were found to deviate significantly from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (P<0.05). The maximum of FST was 0.30 between Gilan and Mazandaran samples that there were minimum gene flow (8.18). The genetic divergence was significantly different between samples of Gilan and Mazandaran and Golestan whit mazandaran (p<0.05)