A Parallel Fuzzy C-Mean algorithm for Image Segmentation

This paper proposes a parallel Fuzzy C-Mean (FCM) algorithm for image segmentation. The sequential FCM algorithm is computationally intensive and has significant memory requirements. For many applications such as medical image segmentation and geographical image analysis that deal with large size images, sequential FCM is very slow. In our parallel FCM algorithm, dividing the computations among the processors and minimizing the need for accessing secondary storage, enhance the performance and efficiency of image segmentation task as compared to the sequential algorithm. such as medical image segmentation and geographical image analysis that deal with large size images, sequenrial FCM is very slow. In our parallel FCM algorithm, dividing the computations among the processors and minimizing the need for accessing secondary storage, enhance the performance and efficiency of image segmentation task as compared to the sequential algorith

Investigation of anesthetizing effect of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) aqueous and alcoholic extract on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The main goal of anesthesia in rainbow trout is decrease mobility and reduce stress of fish while breeding, and also facilitate operation such as manipulation to Tagging, Biometry, Sorting, Inspection and Sampling for pathology test. In the present study, Aqueous and alcoholic extract of tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum) for Anaesthetizing Rainbow trout (Oncohrynchus mykiss) in 3 weight groups: fry (less than 80 g), growing(about 200 g) and breeding(larger than 1500g) were used. The effective dose of tobacco in treatments 200, 400, 800 and 1600mg/lit in aqueous and 0.7, 1, 1.7 and 3.5mg/lit in alcoholic extract were tested. Totally, we can say that tobacco extract Anaesthetizes the rainbow trout in less than 3 minutes and recovery time is less that 5 minutes. Regarding to anesthetizing time, recovery time and fish relaxing during anesthesia, aqueous extract applies more gentle anesthesia in rainbow trout, and dose 200 to 800 mg/lit of aqueous extract were more successful. Also Regarding to significant correlation between doze and Anesthetics extremity and recovery time (P<0.05), lower dose of tobacco extract can be used to making fish calm for transportation

From C-3PO to HAL: Opening The Discourse About The Dark Side of Multi-Modal Social Agents

The increasing prevalence of communicative agents raises questions about human-agent communication and the impact of such interaction on people's behavior in society and human-human communication. This workshop aims to address three of those questions: (i) How can we identify malicious design strategies - known as dark patterns - in social agents?; (ii) What is the necessity for and the effects of present and future design features, across different modalities and social contexts, in social agents?; (iii) How can we incorporate the findings of the first two questions into the design of social agents? This workshop seeks to conjoin ongoing discourses of the CUI and wider HCI communities, including recent trends focusing on ethical designs. Out of the collaborative discussion, the workshop will produce a document distilling possible research lines and topics encouraging future collaborations

Integrin α8β1 regulates adhesion, migration and proliferation of human intestinal crypt cells via a predominant RhoA/ROCK-dependent mechanism

Background. Integrins are transmembrane αβ heterodimer receptors that function as structural and functional bridges between the cytoskeleton and ECM (extracellular matrix) molecules. The RGD (arginine-glycine-aspartate tripeptide motif)-dependent integrin α8β1 has been shown to be involved in various cell functions in neuronal and mesenchymal-derived cell types. Its role in epithelial cells remains unknown

Production of monosex female population of rainbow trout by use of 17-B estradiol as direct method

In many species of finfish, females exhibit higher growth rates than males and achieve larger sizes. In addition, in some species, males mature before reaching marketable size. Therefore, there is great interest from the fish farmers to produce all-female stocks. In this project tried to reversing the sex of rainbow trout larvae by 17 estradiol and direct method, further more finding the optimum dose of this natural estrogen for endocrine sex reversion of Rainbow trout (O. mykiss). Four experimental treatments were designed with doses of 10, 20, 30 and 40 mg/kgf. Trout which treated with 40 mg/kgf yielded 96% female and greatest growth

Comparison of growth and survival rate between import and native rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Rainbow trout is only species of cold water fishes which is rearing and propagation in Iranian fishery farms. Along of develop aquaculture industries increase request of best produces such as trout eyed eggs and larva. For this reason fishery farmers must be to provide that the way of import of other countries, such as: Denmark, Norway and France. As for this importance subject and unknown basic information about preference ratio for doing it, we needed to study about that to answer the suppliant questions. In this study carried out 3 test groups (3 treatments with 3 repetitions) and compared specific growth rate (SGR), condition factor (CF) and survival rate (SVR) between in this groups. Statistical analysis were significantly difference of increase rate of length and weight in French group with other groups (p<0.05). Compared of main factors (SGR, CF, SVR) in French test group were significantly difference with other groups (p<0.05). Survival rate percentage in Iranian treatments (SVR=%67) were significantly with the others (p<0.05). This ratio respectively in Danish and French treatment was %54 and %48

Estimation of hormone residuals (B-Estradiole) in rainbow trout

Residual level of 17- Beta Stradiol and progesterone hormones in rainbow trout fish plasma were measured during different period using RIA method. Blood sampling from abdominal aorta were taken from 70 individual of female fishes (100±11 g) which had been exposed to hormone at 0.5, 1,2,4,8,12,24 and 168 h (7 groups) compared with control group which was not exposed to this hormone. Results showed that plasma hormones measurement in different fish groups after exposing had significant differences (P<0.01) and the highest and lowest 17-Beta Stradiol hormone residue were observed in fishes that exposed 0.5h and 168h to hormone respectively (121±9 ng. ml^-1 and 3±0.9 ng. ml^-1) but there is no any differences between fishes exposed 168h to hormone and control group. Also the highest progesterone hormone level were measured in fishes 0.5 an 1h exposed and the lowest one was in fishes 168 h exposed. The range of progesterone hormone were between 0.3 to 1.1 ng .ml^-1 and significant increasing of this hormone levels were obtained in fishes exposed to hormone 4 to 24h (P<0.01). As consequence these hormone can not residue in fishes for a long time and maximum after one week the levels back to the normal

Cryopreservation of rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss) semen

Breeding has moved beyond the point of simply propagating random stock. Genetic potential can be improved by establishing and crossing genetically defined strains, crossing species and manipulating gametes. Some of these activities require cryopreservation of semen. Cryopreserved sperm could also be a means of exchange of genetic material between locations and populations when transportation of live fish is restricted. In this study we had a survey on rainbow trout sperm quality in Genetic and Breeding Center for Coldwatwr Fishes, Shahid Motahari, Yasouj. Then Cryopreservation trials on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) sperm were carried out using six basic extenders. Egg batches of 25 g were inseminated with semen frozen in five 0.5-ml straws. Thowing temperature of cryopreserved sperm also was tested. In anather trial we investigate different cryoprotectant. The result showd that the best period for sperm collection in this center was from Novamber to January. The best extender based on sperm motility parameters were extender 2 and 1 with 57.2 and 56.9% fertilisatin rates, respectively. So this two extender were used in the further experiments. The best thowing temperathre was 25°C in 30s. Testing different cryoprotectant, adding 10% methanol to extender 1 gave the highest fertilization rate (64.6%) among cryoprotectant that used with this extender. In the other extender (2) adding 5% DMSO and mixture of 5% DMSO and 1% glycerol gave the highest fertilization rates (64.8% and 67.0%, respectively). In conclusion using extender 1 and 2 with mentioned cryoprotectant and thowing rate of 25°C in 30 s was recammended for rainbow trout sperm cryopreservation

Evaluation of sperm quality and different nutrient levels on sperm efficiency in male rainbow trout

Considering the importance of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in supplying required protein of people and effort to increase the efficiency of these fish reproduction, some related factors such as sperm quality and potential fertility of male are necessary. The aim of this study was to find out the effects of different dosages of Arginine on the biochemical parameters (including LDH, AST, ALT, ALP, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, chloride, calcium, sodium, Potassium, cholesterol, uric acid, urea, fructose, glucose, total protein and pH) of rainbow trout seminal plasma. For this purpose, five practical diets (each consisting of 3 triplicates) were supplemented with Arginine at 0.00 (Control), 0.50, 1.00, 1.50 and 2.00%. Broodstock feed last for 90 days. At the end of the feeding period one fish was captured from each replicate in order to collect their semen. Results indicate that there were no significant differences in LDH, ALP, Fe^2+ and P content among different treatments. The lowest level of AST and ALT and the highest level of Ca^2+ and Mg^2+ ions were observed in the treatment fed with 1.50% of Arginine which showed significant differences with other treatments (p<0.05). Moreover, the amount of Cl^-, Na^+ and K^+ ions were significantly increased in the seminal plasma in fish which were fed on diets containing arginine in comparison to control. As the amount of Arginine were increased, the levels of uric acid stepped up significantly in contrast to the urea and glucose. The highest amounts of cholesterol, fructose and total protein were observed in the treatments fed on 2.00, 0.50 and 1.00% of Arginine, respectively, that showed significant differences with other treatments (p<0.05). The highest pH value was assayed in the 1.50% of Arginine treatment. The results of the Pearson correlation coefficient showed a significant positive correlation between Ca^2+ and Mg^2+ ions and Na^+ with K^+ and Clions (r=0.750, r=0.769 and r= 0.938, p<0.01), respectively. On the other hand, a significant negative correlation between cholesterol with Cl^-, Na^+, K^+, ALT and LDH (r=- 0.764, r=-0.724 and r=-0.728, p<0.01) and (r=-0.531 and r=-0.560, p<0.05) and also a significant positive correlation between K^+ and Clions (r=0.836, p<0.01) were observed. Finally, it can be expressed that the levels of most of the ions were increased and there was a reduction in the levels of enzymes in seminal plasma of fish which were fed with practical diet including 1.5% of Arginine. So it can be recommended that adding this value of Arginine to the diets of rainbow trout broodstock, would improve the sperm quality which results in the enhancement of efficiency in rainbow trout reproduction

The production of all-female in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) using indirect feminization

The sex reversal technique in fish is widespread in many countries. The development of these techniques is desirable because rainbow trout males reach their gonad maturity earlier compared to the females. Rainbow trout alevins were treated with 17α-methyltestosterone incorporated in the diet (0.5. 1.5, 3, 6 and 10 mg/kg) for 60 days from the beginning of first feeding. Sex was determined at 180 and 680 dpf by sampling fish (n = 20) from each group and examining gross gonadal morphology under a dissecting microscope. Also sex reversal ratio and growth performance were determined in hormone-treated groups. These sex reversed functional males were reared for brood stock until they attained sexual maturity. At the end of experiment, normal rainbow trout eggs were fertilized with the sperms taken from sex reversed males for producing all-female populations. Examination of the results showed that 17α- methyltestosterone was effective in all treatment. The highest sex reversal ratio with 100% was observed in group treated with 0.5, 1.5 and 3 mg/kg 17α- methyltestosterone. The highest live weight ratios were observed in groups fed with 6, 0.5 17α-methyltestosterone and control group. Female progeny produced from the sex reversed males were 100 % in all males that sired offspring. All female trout stocks produced by this method have advantage in rainbow trout culture since the fish is not meant for direct human consumption and is used to generate brood stock, therefore, difference of growth parameters do not influence the success