Abdominal pain-related functional gastrointestinal disorders based on Rome III criteria in a pediatric gastroenterology clinic

Background: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) entail several distinct conditions that collectively account for a sizeable proportion of patients complaining of abdominal pain. Physicians' awareness is fundamental to avoid unnecessary evaluations and to alleviate stress-related problems. This study aimed to assess the relative frequencies of FGIDs and related categories in a selected Iranian population. Methods: We conducted this cross-sectional study in a gastroenterology clinic of a tertiary care pediatric hospital in Iran. Children and adolescents between the age of 4 and 18 years referred to the clinic from October 2011 to February 2013 were enrolled if they were diagnosed with FGID according to the Rome III criteria. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic characteristics, pain location, duration and frequency, associated symptoms, and pertinent family history. We used descriptive analyses to show mean (±SD) and relative frequencies of categories of FGIDs. Results: We diagnosed 183 (114 female) with FGIDs out of 1307 children and adolescents who were visited in the clinic. There was history of psychiatric disorders in 42 (22.9) participants, and migraine headaches and gastrointestinal disorders were at least in one of the parents in 21 (11.5) and 64 (34.9) participants, respectively. We defined 84 (46) patients under Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) category, 38 (21) under Abdominal Migraine, 26 (14) under Functional Abdominal Pain, 21 (11) under Functional Dyspepsia, and 7 (4) under Functional Abdominal Pain Syndrome. Seven children (4) had no defining feature for FGID categories and therefore labeled as unclassified. Conclusion: FGID was a prevalent diagnosis among children and adolescents with abdominal pain. IBS was the largest category. Only a minority were unclassifiable under the Rome III criteria, indicating improved differentiation characteristics of Rome III criteria compared to the Rome II version

Robust Attitude Control of an Agile Aircraft Using Improved Q-Learning

Attitude control of a novel regional truss-braced wing (TBW) aircraft with low stability characteristics is addressed in this paper using Reinforcement Learning (RL). In recent years, RL has been increasingly employed in challenging applications, particularly, autonomous flight control. However, a significant predicament confronting discrete RL algorithms is the dimension limitation of the state-action table and difficulties in defining the elements of the RL environment. To address these issues, in this paper, a detailed mathematical model of the mentioned aircraft is first developed to shape an RL environment. Subsequently, Q-learning, the most prevalent discrete RL algorithm, will be implemented in both the Markov Decision Process (MDP) and Partially Observable Markov Decision Process (POMDP) frameworks to control the longitudinal mode of the proposed aircraft. In order to eliminate residual fluctuations that are a consequence of discrete action selection, and simultaneously track variable pitch angles, a Fuzzy Action Assignment (FAA) method is proposed to generate continuous control commands using the trained optimal Q-table. Accordingly, it will be proved that by defining a comprehensive reward function based on dynamic behavior considerations, along with observing all crucial states (equivalent to satisfying the Markov Property), the air vehicle would be capable of tracking the desired attitude in the presence of different uncertain dynamics including measurement noises, atmospheric disturbances, actuator faults, and model uncertainties where the performance of the introduced control system surpasses a well-tuned Proportional–Integral–Derivative (PID) controller

Induction of cytochrome P4501A1 by beta-naphtho flavone and determination of enzyme properties in Huso huso

Cytochrome P4501 AI is a major isoenzyme in fish monooxygenase system which is induced by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) compounds. In this research, the inducing effect of p-naphtoflavone and its catalytic properties was studied in Huso huso liver. Fish were given ip injection of p-naphthoflavone at three different doses. The enzyme activity was measured with de-ethylation of ethoxyresorufin reaction (EROD) by flourometery method and relative amount of induced proteins were determined using polyacrylamid del electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The results showed that EROD activity in the microsomal fraction of the treated fish was 15-26 folds that of the control group. Optimum activity of this enzyme was observed at 20-25 degrees centivade. The maximum enzyme activity was seen in the precence of 180 micrograms of microsomai protein and 1.5311M of 7-ethoxyresorufin. SDS-PAGE of microsomal protein pattern in the treated fish revealed a protein with molecular mass 58+1 KDa translating to cytochrome P4501A. We conclude that the p-naphtoflovone in fish liver can induce cytochrome P4501A gene and increase its biosenthysis leading to raised enzyme activity in EROD reaction

Growth pattern and body weight-length relationship of narrow clawed crayfish, Astacus leptoductylus

In order to investigation of growth pattern and body weight-length relationship of narrow clawed crayfish, Astacus leptodactylus in different stages of its life, approximately 10000 newborn crayfish were released in earthen pond. This pond had the similar condition to their habitat. Sampling was done during four stages of their life, under 2 months and 4, 6, 15 months among crayfish population. After separating the samples as sexes, some indices such as total length, total weight, claw weight and abdomen meat weight were measured. The results of this study showed, there is a power relation between length and weight indices in different parts of crayfish body for male and female. The growth pattern in experimental crayfish was isometric while the claw growth pattern was observed as allometric in male according to this relationships and regressions analysis

Infinitely many weak solutions for fourth-order equations depending on two parameters

In this paper, by employing Ricceri variational principle, we prove the existence of infinitely many weak solutions for fourth-order problems depending on two real parameters. We also provide some particular cases and a concrete example in order to illustrate the main abstract results of this paper

Caspian whitefish, Rutilus frisii kutum Kamensky, 1901 a potential aquaculture candidate: study on the cumulative effects of salinity and temperature on culture performance

In this study, growth and survival of the Caspian whitefish, Rutilus frisii kutum, (mean weight 0.59±0.06g) have been estimated at different rearing salinities (0, 5 and 10‰) and temperatures (24 and 28˚C). Maximum fish weight gain (493.65±14.07%) and specific growth rate (SGR) (2.74±0.15%), and minimum feed conversion ratio (FCR) (1.66±0.06) were obtained at salinity of 5‰ and temperature of 24˚C. There were significant differences in fish weight and length gain between the two rearing temperatures at salinity of 10‰ and between salinities of 0 and 5‰ at 24˚C (p<0.05). However, salinity and temperature did not significantly affect fish survival. Factorial analysis of variance showed significant cumulative effects of salinity and temperature on fish weight and length gain, final weight and SGR (p<0.05). This study confirmed that optimization of salinity and temperature is crucial in rearing a new fish species. Caspian whitefish fingerlings can be grown well at 5‰ and 24˚C; although, it is recommended that the effects of a broader range of environmental variables as well as feed items must also be examined

Insulin-Like Growth Factor I and II mRNA Levels in Rumen Wall of Calves Fed with Different Physical Forms of Diets

This study was designed to investigate the effects of physical forms and hay contents of diets on gene expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) I and II in rumen epithelium of Holstein calves. Twelve male calves were assigned to 4 treatments: ground (GR), texturized (TX), pellet (PL), and ground+10% forage (GF). Calves were weaned on day 50 of age and then slaughtered on day 70 after birth. Rumen epithelial tissue samples were immediately collected for quantification of mRNA abundance. Results indicated that only IGF I expression was influenced by the dietary treatments. A significant (pIGF I expression and each of histological parameters denoted as length of rumen villi and diameter of keratinocyte layer was observed. No significant correlation between IGF II expression and rumen histological parameters was found (p&gt;0.05). Regarding the results, higher 0.05). Regarding the results, higher IGF I expression in PL and TX treatments despite the low growth rate might be due to the challenging condition of developing rumen in calves. In fact, the rumen tissue attempted to maintain rumen pH at least by induction of a higher IGF I expression

Experimental study on the performance of slant end-plate connections at elevated temperature

Axially restrained steel beams exhibit lower structural efficiency when they are subjected to elevated temperature. Thermal expansion is one of the most hazardous conditions such beams could experience throughout their service life. In this regard, using an adequately performing connection can enhance the thermal performance of the beams. This paper, therefore, evaluates experimentally the performance of slant end-plate as a proposed connection for dissipating thermal expansion experienced by the steel beam. In this study, several experimental tests were carried out on two different specimens in terms of scaling and gravity loads to prove the hypothesis and results obtained from a present analytical study. The evaluation of tests and analytical results showed that both outcomes are consistent with each other with comparison ratios between 0.96 and 1.09. In addition, the experimental tests, as well as analytical outcomes, have proven that the slant end-plate connection can successfully reduce the additional thermally induced axial forces via the upward crawling mechanism. © 2018, Hong Kong Institute of Steel Construction

The effect of various concentrations of dietary calcium and phosphorus on biological and culture characteristics of juvenile freshwater crayfish, Astacus Leptodactylus

This study was performed to investigate the effect of Ca and P on rearing and biological indices of crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus). Twenty-five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were used. The experimental diets were made of the basal diet that was contained casein and gelatin. The basal diet was supplemented with five levels of calcium (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 %) from calcium chloride and five levels of phosphorus (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2%) from natrium phosphate monobasic. The study was conducted in two phases and four experiments. In each experiment the diets with three replicates, totally in the 75 culture tanks containing 100l were used for feeding crayfish with average weights 1-2g and 8-9g for 80 days. In the first and second experiments, 5 and 3 indivisiual crayfish (miniatures) with average weights 1.22±0.21g and 1.31±0.29 g respectively and during the third and fourth experiment 10 and 4 indivisiuals crayfish with the average weights 8.48 ±1.03g and 9.06±1.41g respectively were stocked in each cultural tanks. The physicochemical factors of water (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH as daily and hardness, nitrite, nitrate and phosphate as weekly) were measured for monitoring the condition of farming. The crayfish were fed about 5% of body weight for 3 times per day. The graded levels of Ca did not affect the growth indices. In crayfish (1-2g), weight gain and specific growth rate was significantly affected by the phosphorus levels. The average weight gain, survival, biomass increment in the different treatments was significantly affected by the graded levels of phosphorus. The crayfish were fed with diet containing calcium with 3-4% and phosphorus 1% showed the better growth. In the both group of experimental crayfish, were showed the graded levels of dietary Ca were caused the reduction the body ash and P values were increased. The clear correlation was not observed between the dietary levels of P and body ash and phosphorus in crayfish (1-2g). However, high levels of dietary phosphorus developed the body calcium. In Crayfish (8-9g) showed strong and negatively correlation between the dietary P levels and body ash and calcium. The graded dietary levels of Ca and P were caused increase in molting frequency and weight increment in molting. The optimum dietary levels of Ca and P were analyzed by broken –line regression showed 3-4%, 1% for crayfish 1-2g and 2-3, 1 -1.5% for crayfish 8-9g respectively. The results showed the presence of Ca and P are necessary for normal growth and molting in both group of crayfish. The proper growth was obtained at levels of 2-3% Ca and level of 1% P. Furthermore, the Ca and P ration in diet could not describe the interaction between Ca and P levels on growth function. So the determined Ca and P ratio were not obtained base of growth indices in the freshwater crayfish, Astacus leptodactylus