Compressed Sensing based Dynamic PSD Map Construction in Cognitive Radio Networks

In the context of spectrum sensing in cognitive radio networks, collaborative spectrum sensing has been proposed as a way to overcome multipath and shadowing, and hence increasing the reliability of the sensing. Due to the high amount of information to be transmitted, a dynamic compressive sensing approach is proposed to map the PSD estimate to a sparse domain which is then transmitted to the fusion center. In this regard, CRs send a compressed version of their estimated PSD to the fusion center, whose job is to reconstruct the PSD estimates of the CRs, fuse them, and make a global decision on the availability of the spectrum in space and frequency domains at a given time. The proposed compressive sensing based method considers the dynamic nature of the PSD map, and uses this dynamicity in order to decrease the amount of data needed to be transmitted between CR sensors’ and the fusion center. By using the proposed method, an acceptable PSD map for cognitive radio purposes can be achieved by only 20 % of full data transmission between sensors and master node. Also, simulation results show the robustness of the proposed method against the channel variations, diverse compression ratios and processing times in comparison with static methods

The effect of individual counseling, line follow-up, and free nicotine replacement therapy on smoking cessation in the samples of Iranian smokers: Examination of transtheoretical model

Background: According to transtheoretical model(TTM), Stage matched interventions are more effective in quitting. The objective of current study was to investigate the effect of individual counseling, line follow-up, and free nicotine replacement therapy(NRT) on smoking cessation in smokers who are in preparation stage of smoking. Materials and Methods: In a randomized clinical trial design, through sending the short message system, potential participants in preparation stage of smoking were recruited and divided into control(n=60)and treatment(n=50) groups. The treatment group received an in-person counseling, line follow-up, and free NRT. TTM variables trend; pros and cons of smoking, behavioral and experiential processes, temptation, were assessed at baseline, 3 and 6months follow-up along with point prevalence and continuous abstinence. Results: Continuous abstinence at 6-month follow-up were 3.3%(n=2) in control group and 46%(n=23) in the treatment group(x 2 = 34.041, P < 0.001). Time � group analyses indicated that except cons of smoking (P > 0.05), all TTM constructs had significantly changed; temptation(F=36.864, P<0.001), pros (F=12.172, P<0.001), experiential processes(F=3.377, P<0.001), and behavioral processes(F=11.131, P<0.001). Conclusion: Interventions based on TTM variables increased the quite rate in prepared and motivated people. Our findings suggest that interventions through individual counseling along with free NRT and line follow-up in people who prepare for quitting are beneficial for our country

Content validity of national post marriage educational program using mixed methods

Background: Although the validity of content of program is mostly conducted with qualitative methods, this study used both qualitative and quantitative methods for the validation of content of post marriage training program provid-ed for newly married couples. Content validity is a preliminary step of obtaining authorization required to install the program in country's health care system. Methods: This mixed methodological content validation study carried out in four steps with forming three expert panels. Altogether 24 expert panelists were involved in 3 qualitative and quantitative panels; 6 in the first item devel-opment one; 12 in the reduction kind, 4 of them were common with the first panel, and 10 executive experts in the last one organized to evaluate psychometric properties of CVR and CVI and Face validity of 57 educational objectives. Results: The raw data of post marriage program had been written by professional experts of Ministry of Health, using qualitative expert panel, the content was more developed by generating 3 topics and refining one topic and its respec-tive content. In the second panel, totally six other objectives were deleted, three for being out of agreement cut of point and three on experts' consensus. The validity of all items was above 0.8 and their content validity indices (0.8-1) were completely appropriate in quantitative assessment. Conclusion: This study provided a good evidence for validation and accreditation of national post marriage program planned for newly married couples in health centers of the country in the near future. © 2015, Iranian Journal of Public Health. All right reserved

Thermal and mechanical stresses in thick spheres with an extended FGM model

In this study, an exact solution for the one-dimensional steady-state thermal and mechanical stresses in a hollow thick sphere made of functionally graded material with a new graded model is presented. The temperature distribution is assumed to be a function of radius. The material properties are graded along the radial direction according to exponential functions of radial direction. The advantage of this model, compared to the other models (linear or power law models), is in satisfaction of the material boundary conditions for several types of material variation profiles. Employing the model, the energy and Navier equations are solved using the generalized Bessel function and the Lagrange method. In addition, a method for solving the governing equations in spherical coordinates is presented. The analytical solution of the heat conduction equation and the Navier equation lead to the temperature profile, radial displacement, radial stress, and hoop stress as a function of radial direction

Detection of human papillomavirus DNA sequences in oral lesions using polymerase chain reaction

The purpose of the present study was to estimate the frequency of HPV DNA in four groups of oral lesions, including oral squamous cell carcinoma. Sixty paraffin-embedded oral tissue samples were examined for the presence of HPV DNAs using the PCR technique. These specimens were obtained from patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), leukoplakia, oral lichen planus (OLP), and pyogenic granuloma (PG). Consensus primers for L1 region (MY09 and MY11) and specific primers were used for detection of HPV DNA sequences in this study. we detected HPV DNA in 60% (9 out of 15) of OSCCs, 26.7% (4 out of 15) of leukoplakia, 13.3% (2 out of 15) of OLPs, and 6.7% (1 out of 15) of PGs. Statistical analysis showed that the prevalence of HPV in OSCC was significantly higher than other groups (P < 0.05). The frequency of HPV-16 and 18 detection in OSCC samples were 40% and 20%, respectively. The prevalence of these high risk HPVs was significantly higher in OSCC group (P < 0.05). The results of the present study show a successive increase of detection rate of HPV-16 and 18 DNAs from low level in samples of pyogenic granuloma and non-premalignant or questionably premalignant lesions of OLP to premalignant leukoplakia and to OSCC. © 2007 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Effects of Peer Education and Orientation Tour on Anxiety in Patient Candidates for Coronary Angiography

Background: Coronary angiography is a stressful procedure for most patients. The physiological responses caused by anxiety during coronary angiography increase the likelihood of dysrhythmia, coronary artery spasm, and rupture. Objectives: This study compared the effects of peer education and an orientation tour on anxiety in patients who were candidates for coronary artery angiography. Patients and Methods: This single blind quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2014. A total of 177 patients who were candidates for coronary artery angiography were divided into three groups: a peer education group, an orientation tour group, and a control group. The patients in the peer education group were trained by a peer educator, and the patients in in the orientation tour group were trained by the researcher, who worked in the angiography unit. The DASS-21 questionnaire was used to measure the patients’ anxiety levels before the intervention and two hours before undergoing the coronary angiography. The data were analyzed using a Chi-square test, analysis of variance, the Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney U tests, and an interquartile range. Results: The three groups did not significantly differ regarding the mean anxiety scores before the intervention. However, a significant difference was observed between the mean anxiety scores of the three groups after the intervention (P = 0.0001). In the peer education group, the mean anxiety score was 5.34 ± 2.52 and decreased to 3.69 ± 2.87 after the intervention (P = 0.0001). In the orientation tour group, the mean anxiety was 5.53 ± 3.49, which and changed to 3.10 ± 2.22 (P = 0.0001). However, the mean anxiety score significantly increased in the control group (5.66 ± 2.94 vs. 6.53 ± 3.43, P = 0.017). Conclusions: Both methods of peer education and orientation tour decreased the anxiety levels in patients undergoing coronary artery angiography. Therefore, these approaches should be carried out according to the hospital condition and facilities

Allantoin improves histopathological evaluations in a rat model of gastritis

Purpose Gastritis is found to be one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases worldwide. However, current therapeutic agents cause side effects, interaction, and recurrence. Allantoin has anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties. In this study, the therapeutic effect of allantoin has been assessed on the histopathological indices and gastric mucosal barrier of male rats. Methods Male rats were equally divided into control, ethanol-induced gastritis, and allantoin groups. The therapeutic groups consisted of gastritis plus 12.5 mg/kg allantoin, gastritis plus 25 mg/kg allantoin, and gastritis plus 50 mg/kg allantoin groups. After 5 days of allantoin administration, the rats were sacrificed and a part of their gastric tissue was maintained at −70 °C for prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and non-protein sulfhydryl (NP-SH) measurements. Another part was stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s trichrome. Results We found that Allantoin increased parietal and mucosal cell counts and mucosal thickness after gastritis induction. In addition, the number of leukocytes and vessels decreased in both of the mucosal and the submucosal layers. Allatoin improved gastric ulcer in all treatment groups. Gastric levels of PGE2 and NP-SH increased after allantoin treatment. Conclusion This study indicated that allantoin had a considerable effect on gastritis treatment, which seems to result from the reinforcement of gastric mucosal barrier

Application of Screening Analyses for the Stability of Landslide in Seymareh Dam Project

Seymareh dam and hydropower plant project is located in western province of Ilam, in Iran. This concrete arch dam with 178m height and 196 m crest length is to be placed on Seymareh River, the axis of which is located on the north wing of an anticline including Asmari limestone layers. The dramatic variation of dip angle of bedding in this part of anticline has created many fractures that result in slides. In October 1st 2003, when excavation in the left bank was being operated to construct an access road to the valley, a large landslide triggered on the top of power tunnel intake. The landslide complete in November 10th 2003 few hours after an intensive rainfall by leaving some 300000 m3 mass of debris. The sliding was a planar failure on a thin marly limestone of 26° dip and 40 cm thick. Due to the future location of water intake structure at the entrance part of power tunnel, it was quite vital to save this structure from any further movements of the debris left by the landslide. Further investigations showed that this is possible to keep debris in place by flattening the material in forms of stable slopes and berms. In order to decrease the remedial costs, the new recommended method of screening analyses for seismic stability proposed by SP117 Guideline in southern California Earthquake Center (2002) was adopted. Finally using this method, a slope design with almost minimum costs was achieved. This paper contains a description to geotechnical conditions, the history of landslide, and remedy works to protect water intake structure