Explicit exponential Runge-Kutta methods for semilinear integro-differential equations

The aim of this paper is to construct and analyze explicit exponential Runge-Kutta methods for the temporal discretization of linear and semilinear integro-differential equations. By expanding the errors of the numerical method in terms of the solution, we derive order conditions that form the basis of our error bounds for integro-differential equations. The order conditions are further used for constructing numerical methods. The convergence analysis is performed in a Hilbert space setting, where the smoothing effect of the resolvent family is heavily used. For the linear case, we derive the order conditions for general order $p$ and prove convergence of order $p$, whenever these conditions are satisfied. In the semilinear case, we consider in addition spatial discretization by a spectral Galerkin method, and we require locally Lipschitz continuous nonlinearities. We derive the order conditions for orders one and two, construct methods satisfying these conditions and prove their convergence. Finally, some numerical experiments illustrating our theoretical results are given

COMPONENTES CUANTITATIVOS Y CUALITATIVOS E INDICADORES DE PRODUCTIVIDAD EN CENTROS EDUCATIVOS

O papel dos recursos humanos na promoção da produtividade das organizações de serviços é importante devido à produção e entrega direta de serviços humanos. A aplicação de mão-de-obra motivada, capacitada e produtiva, além de fornecer serviços de qualidade, pode utilizar outros recursos dentro da organização de maneira eficiente e desejável e realizar os vários aspectos da produtividade e, finalmente, beneficiar a organização. Portanto, o objetivo deste artigo é componentes e indicadores quantitativos e qualitativos em centros educacionais. Esta pesquisa foi prática e descritiva. A população deste estudo incluiu todos os centros educacionais em 2018. O tamanho da amostra foi estimado com base em Krejcie e Morgan Table (123 pessoas) selecionadas por amostragem aleatória estratificada. A ferramenta de coleta de dados foi um questionário composto por 4 componentes de requisitos educacionais (4 itens), indicadores quantitativos de educação (4 itens), indicadores qualitativos de educação (8 itens), especificidade externa do ambiente (6 itens), características ambientais internas (7 itens) ), características do ambiente psicológico (11 itens) e gestão estratégica de recursos humanos (5 itens) que, com base em uma escala Likert de cinco pontos, de fortemente discordado a fortemente aceito. A validade do conteúdo do questionário foi confirmada pela opinião de especialistas. O coeficiente alfa de Cranach das variáveis também foi superior a 0,7, indicando consistência interna dos itens e confirmação de confiabilidade. O método dos mínimos quadrados parciais foi utilizado para testar o modelo de pesquisa usando o software PLS. Com base nos resultados, todos os componentes identificados foram significativos no modelo conceitual padrão e apenas os componentes "qualidade da educação" e "características do ambiente psicológico" não tiveram importância na formação do modelo de produtividade educacional no presente estudo.El papel de los recursos humanos en la promoción de la productividad de las organizaciones de servicios es importante debido a la producción y entrega directa de servicios humanos. La aplicación de mano de obra motivada, empoderada y productiva, además de proporcionar servicios de calidad, puede utilizar otros recursos dentro de la organización de manera eficiente y deseable y darse cuenta de los diversos aspectos de la productividad y, en última instancia, beneficiar a la organización. Por lo tanto, el propósito de este artículo es para componentes e indicadores cuantitativos y cualitativos en centros educativos. Esta investigación fue práctica y descriptiva. La población de este estudio incluyó todos los centros educativos en 2018. El tamaño de la muestra se estimó en base a Krejcie y Morgan Table (123 personas) que seleccionaron mediante muestreo aleatorio estratificado. La herramienta de recolección de datos fue un cuestionario que consta de 4 componentes de requisitos educativos (4 ítems), indicadores cuantitativos de educación (4 ítems), indicadores cualitativos de educación (8 ítems), especificidad del ambiente externo (6 ítems), características ambientales interiores (7 ítems) ), las características del entorno psicológico (11 ítems) y la gestión estratégica de los recursos humanos (5 ítems) que se basa en una escala Likert de cinco puntos desde muy en desacuerdo hasta muy de acuerdo. La validez de contenido del cuestionario fue confirmada por la opinión de expertos. El coeficiente alfa de Cranach de las variables también fue superior a 0.7, lo que indica la consistencia interna de los ítems y la confirmación de confiabilidad. Se usó el método de mínimos cuadrados parciales para probar el modelo de investigación utilizando el software PLS. Con base en los resultados, todos los componentes identificados fueron significativos en el modelo conceptual predeterminado y solo los componentes de "calidad de la educación" y "características del entorno psicológico" no tuvieron un significado en la formación del modelo de productividad educativa en el presente estudio.The role of human resources in promoting productivity of service organizations is important due to the direct production and delivery of human services. Applying manpower motivated, empowered and productive, in addition to providing quality services, can utilize other resources within the organization efficiently and desirably and realize the various aspects of productivity and ultimately benefit the organization. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to quantitative and qualitative components and indicators in educational centers. This research was practical and descriptive. The population of this study included all educational centers in 2018. Sample size was estimated based on Krejcie and Morgan Table (123 people) that selected by stratified random sampling. Data collection tool was a questionnaire consisting of 4 components of educational requirements (4 items), quantitative indicators of education (4 items), qualitative indicators of education (8 items), external environment specificity (6 items), indoor environmental characteristics (7 items), characteristics of psychological environment (11 items) and strategic human resource management (5 items) that based on a five-point Likert scale from strongly disagreed to strongly agreed. The content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by expert opinion. Cranach’s alpha coefficient of the variables was also higher than 0.7 that indicating internal consistency of the items and confirmation of reliability. Partial least squares method was used to test the research model by using PLS software. Based on the results, all identified components were significant in the default conceptual model and only the components of "quality of education" and "characteristics of the psychological environment" did not have a significance in forming the model of educational productivity in the present study

A New Generation of Thermal Energy Benchmarks for University Buildings

In 2008, the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE TM46 UC) presented an annual-fixed thermal energy benchmark of 240 kWh/m2/yr for university campus (UC) buildings as an attempt to reduce energy consumption in public buildings. However, the CIBSE TM46 UC benchmark fails to consider the difference between energy demand in warm and cold months, as the thermal performance of buildings largely depends on the ambient temperature. This paper presents a new generation of monthly thermal energy benchmarks (MTEBs) using two computational methods including mixed-use model and converter model, which consider the variations of thermal demand throughout a year. MTEBs were generated using five basic variables, including mixed activities in the typical college buildings, university campus revised benchmark (UCrb), typical operation of heating systems, activities impact, and heating degree days. The results showed that MTEBs vary from 24 kWh/m2/yr in January to one and nearly zero kWh/m2/yr in June and July, respectively. Based on the detailed assessments, a typical college building was defined in terms of the percentage of its component activities. Compared with the 100% estimation error of the TM46 UC benchmark, the maximum 21% error of the developed methodologies is a significant achievement. The R-squared value of 99% confirms the reliability of the new generation of benchmarks

Relationship between Estradiol and Antioxidant Enzymes Activity of Ischemic Stroke

Some evidence suggests the neuroprotection of estrogen provided by the antioxidant activity of this compound. The main objective of this study was to determine the level of estradiol and its correlation with the activity of antioxidant enzymes, total antioxidant status and ferritin from ischemic stroke subjects. The study population consisted of 30 patients with acute ischemic stroke and 30 controls. There was no significant difference between estradiol in stroke and control group. The activity of superoxide dismutase and level of ferritin was higher in stroke compared with control group (P < .05, P < .001, resp.). There was no significant correlation between estradiol and glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, catalase, total antioxidant status, and ferritin in stroke and control groups. We observed inverse correlation between estradiol with superoxide dismutase in males of stroke patients (r = −0.54, P = .029). Our results supported that endogenous estradiol of elderly men and women of stroke or control group has no antioxidant activity

Mathematical modeling of unsteady response of plate and fin heat exchanger to sudden change in liquid flow rate

A mathematical simulation of plate fin and tube heat exchanger will be presented. The transient operation of the heat exchanger was carried out using general numerical model developed in [1]. Reynolds number of the water flowing inside the tubes varied in the range from 4000 to 12000. A detailed analysis of transient response was modeled for growth in the water volume flow in time. At first, heat transfer correlations for air and water were determined based on the experimental data. Unknown parameters appearing in the relationships for the Nusselt numbers on the air and water-sides were estimated using the least squares method. The power-type form of the relationship for the air-side Nusselt number was used while two correlations of different form were chosen for the water-side Nusselt number. The first is the exponential correlation, and the second form is similar to the relationships of Petukhov-Kirillov and Gnielinski. These correlations were used in the mathematical model of the heat exchanger for the simulation of its transient operation. The results of the numerical simulations of a heat exchanger using experimentally determined air and water-side heat transfer formulas for calculation of heat transfer coefficient were compared with the experimental data. Very good agreement of computation results (i.e. air and water temperature at the outlet of the heat exchanger) with the experimental data was obtained

Chitotriosidase Activity and Gene Polymorphism in Iranian Patients with Gaucher Disease and Sibling Carriers

How to Cite This Article: Mozafari H, Taghikhani M, Khatami Sh, Alaei MR, Vaisi-Raygani A, Rahimi Z. Chitotriosidase Activity and Gene Polymorphism in Iranian Patients with Gaucher Disease and Sibling Carriers. Iran J Child Neurol. Autumn 2016; 10(4):62-70.AbstractObjectiveChitotriosidase (CT) activity is a useful biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring of Gaucher disease (GD). Its application is limited by some variants in the CT gene. Two main polymorphisms are 24 bp duplication and G102S led to reduce CT activity. The aim of this study was to determine these variants influencing on plasma CT activity. Materials &amp; MethodsBlood samples were collected from 33 patients with GD, 15 sibling carriers and 105 healthy individuals serving as controls. CT activity was measured using 4-methylumbelliferyl-β-D-N,N′,N″triacetylchitotrioside substrate in plasma samples. The CT genotypes of 24 bp duplication and G102S variants were determined using PCR and PCR-RFLP. ResultsUntreated GD patients had a significantly higher CT activity compared to treated patients (P = 0.021). In addition, chitotriosidase activity in carriers was higher rather than controls. Allele frequencies of 24 bp duplication in GD patients, sibling carriers and controls were 0.21, 0.266 and 0.29 and for G102S were 0.318, 0.366 and 0.219, respectively. Different G102S genotypes had not significant effect on CT activity. Chitotriosidase activity has a positive correlation with age in normal group, carriers, and negative correlation with hemoglobin in GD patients. Using cut-off level of 80.75 nmol/ml/h, sensitivity and specificity of CT activity were 93.9% and 100%, respectively. ConclusionChitotriosidase activity is a suitable biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring of GD. Determination of 24 bp duplication is helpful for more accurate monitoring the GD patient’s therapy. However, it seems that, specifying of the G102S polymorphism is not required for Iranian GD patients. References1. Bennett LL, Mohan D. Gaucher disease and its treatment  options. Ann Pharmacother 2013;47(9):1182-93.2. Shrestha B, Devgan A, Sharma M. Gaucher’s disease: rare presentation of a rare disease. J Child Neurol 2013;28(10):1296-8.3. Kanneganti M, Kamba A, Mizoguchi E. Role of chitotriosidase (chitinase 1) under normal and disease conditions. J Epithel Biol Pharmacol 2012;5:1-9.4. Adly AA, Ismail EA, Ibraheem TM. Macrophagederived soluble CD163 level in young patients with Gaucher disease: relation to phenotypes, disease severity and complications. Int Immunopharmacol 2015;24(2):416-22.5. Irún P, Alfonso P, Aznarez S, Giraldo P, Pocovi M.Chitotriosidase variants in patients with Gaucher disease.  Implications for diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring. Clin Biochem 2013;46(18):1804-7.6. Grace ME, Balwani M, Nazarenko I, Prakash- Cheng A, Desnick RJ. 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Bussink AP, Verhoek M, Vreede J, Ghauharalivan der Vlugt K, Donker-Koopman WE, Sprenger RR, et al. Common G102S polymorphism in chitotriosidase differentially affects activity towards 4-methylumbelliferyl substrates. FEBS J 2009;276(19):5678-88.26. Aerts JM, Kallemeijn WW, Wegdam W, Joao Ferraz M, van Breemen MJ, Dekker N, et al. Biomarkers in the diagnosis of lysosomal storage disorders: proteins, lipids, and inhibodies. J Inherit Metab Dis 2011;34(3):605-19.27. Giraldo P, Cenarro A, Alfonso P, Pérez-Calvo JI, Rubio- Félix D, Giralt M, et al. Chitotriosidase genotype and plasma activity in patients type 1 Gaucher’s disease and their relatives (carriers and non carriers). Haematologica 2001;86(9):977-84.28. Pocovi M, Cenarro A, Civeira F, Torralba MA, Perez- Calvo JI, Mozas P, et al. Beta-glucocerebrosidase gene locus as a link for Gaucher’s disease and familial hypoalpha- lipoproteinaemia. Lancet 1998;351(9120):1919-23.29. Fluiter K, van der Westhuijzen DR, van Berkel TJ. 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Prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression among the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on public mental health. Therefore, monitoring and oversight of the population mental health during crises such as a panedmic is an immediate priority. The aim of this study is to analyze the existing research works and findings in relation to the prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, articles that have focused on stress and anxiety prevalence among the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic were searched in the Science Direct, Embase, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science (ISI) and Google Scholar databases, without a lower time limit and until May 2020. In order to perform a meta-analysis of the collected studies, the random effects model was used, and the heterogeneity of studies was investigated using the I2 index. Moreover. data analysis was conducted using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software. Results: The prevalence of stress in 5 studies with a total sample size of 9074 is obtained as 29.6% (95% confidence limit: 24.3–35.4), the prevalence of anxiety in 17 studies with a sample size of 63,439 as 31.9% (95% confidence interval: 27.5–36.7), and the prevalence of depression in 14 studies with a sample size of 44,531 people as 33.7% (95% confidence interval: 27.5–40.6). Conclusion: COVID-19 not only causes physical health concerns but also results in a number of psychological disorders. The spread of the new coronavirus can impact the mental health of people in different communities. Thus, it is essential to preserve the mental health of individuals and to develop psychological interventions that can improve the mental health of vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 pandemic

A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence of insomnia in the third trimester of pregnancy

BackgroundSleep disorders, which are among the foremost important medical care issues, are prevalent in pregnancy. The present study is a meta-analysis of the prevalence of insomnia in the third trimester of pregnancy. This study aims to systematically review the overall prevalence of insomnia in the third trimester of pregnancy through conducting a meta-analysis.MethodThe literature used in this meta-analysis for the topic discussed above were obtained through searching several databases, including SID, MagIran, IranDoc, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science (WoS), PubMed Science Direct and Google Scholar databases without time limitation until December 2020. Articles developed based on cross-sectional studies were included in the study. The heterogeneity of studies was investigated using the I-2 index. Also, the possible effects of heterogeneity in the studied studies are investigated using meta-regression analysis.ResultIn 10 articles and 8798 participants aged between11-40, the overall prevalence of insomnia in the third trimester of pregnancy based on meta-analysis was 42.4% (95% CI: 32.9-52.5%). It was reported that as the sample size increases, the prevalence of insomnia in the third trimester of pregnancy increases. Conversely, as the year of research increases, the prevalence of insomnia in the third trimester of pregnancy decreases. Both of these differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).ConclusionInsomnia was highly prevalent in the last trimester of pregnancy. Sleep disorders are neglected among pregnant women, and they are considered natural. While sleep disturbances can cause mental and physical problems in pregnant women, they can consequently cause problems for the fetus. As a result, maintaining the physical and mental health of pregnant mothers is very important. It is thus recommended that in addition to having regular visits during pregnancy, pregnant women should also be continuously monitored for sleep-related disorders