A Multiscale Pyramid Transform for Graph Signals

Multiscale transforms designed to process analog and discrete-time signals and images cannot be directly applied to analyze high-dimensional data residing on the vertices of a weighted graph, as they do not capture the intrinsic geometric structure of the underlying graph data domain. In this paper, we adapt the Laplacian pyramid transform for signals on Euclidean domains so that it can be used to analyze high-dimensional data residing on the vertices of a weighted graph. Our approach is to study existing methods and develop new methods for the four fundamental operations of graph downsampling, graph reduction, and filtering and interpolation of signals on graphs. Equipped with appropriate notions of these operations, we leverage the basic multiscale constructs and intuitions from classical signal processing to generate a transform that yields both a multiresolution of graphs and an associated multiresolution of a graph signal on the underlying sequence of graphs.Comment: 16 pages, 13 figure

Prevalence and risk factors of urethral, penile, and scrotal cancers in Iranian men during 2004-2015: A national cancer registry-based study

Introduction: Urethral, penile, and scrotal cancers are rare and represent less than 1% of all malignancies. However, they are associated with a high mortality rate and have a significant effect on patients’ quality of life. Penile and urethral cancers comprise 0.6% of all urological cancers. Because of ethnic, geographical, and cultural diversity, risk factors and cancer patterns vary in different communities. We aimed to provide valid information on the prevalence, incidence, and epidemiology of urethral, penile, and scrotal cancers using the National Registry on Cancer of Iran. Methods: This retrospective study of 465 patients included all known cases of urethral, penile, and scrotal cancers from the Department of National Registry on Cancer at the Ministry of Health and Medical Education in Iran during 2004-2015. This study examined the demographic characteristics of patients and discussed the risk factors and possible causes of the above-mentioned cancers. Results: The mean ±SD age at the time of registration was 58.49±20.82 years. The highest and lowest proportions of cases belonged to Tehran/Alborz (14.2%) and Mazandaran (0.65%) provinces, Iran, respectively. Regarding the distribution of records according to a year of registration, these cancers were more prevalent in 2014, and less prevalent in 2004. Conclusion: Urethral, penile, and scrotal cancers were more common in Tehran and Alborz. There was a strong possibility that the prevalence of these cancers is linked to the industrial nature of Tehran and Alborz and the prevalence of human papillomavirus

Application of Sulfur-Modified Magnetic Nanoparticles for Cadmium Removal from Aqueous Solutions

Even at low levels, heavy metals are toxic and can damage living things. They do not break down or decompose and tend to build up in plants, animals, and people causing health concerns. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) can be considered as potential adsorbents for the removal of cadmium (Cd2+) from aqueous solutions because of their high surface area and the combined effect of adsorption and separation under external magnetic fields. In this study, a novel sulfur-modified magnetic nanoparticle was applied as an adsorbent for the removal of Cd2+ ions from aqueous solutions. The adsorbent was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The effects of pH, contact time, and initial concentration of Cd2+ on the removal efficiency of it were investigated in batch adsorption experiments. The equilibrium data fitted the Langmuir isotherm model better than the Freundlich isotherm model, and they were well explained in terms of pseudo-second-order kinetics. The maximum monolayer capacity qm and KL the Langmuir constant were calculated from the Langmuir as 5.1867 mg/g and 0.1562 L/mg, respectively

Coronavirus disease 2019: a revolution in biological triage in the emergency setting

Triage is a familiar concept for all who work at the forefront of the treatment of patients and the emergency medical staff know their duty in different situations including crisis and epidemics. Accordingly, the coronavirus outbreak has also a major effect on the emergency department (ED) as it changes the routine ED function. Our main question was what are the main triage challenges in the recent pandemic and how we could overcome these challenges? Therefore, a search of the main Web databases was performed for articles published till May 1st, 2020 using various related keywords. In various steps, the title, summary, methodology, results, and discussion of the selected studies were assessed to find out the recent triage strategies in the COVID-19 outbreak. Hence, all the available and related English review articles, case series, and experimental studies were evaluated. Among 200 studies initially reviewed, 59 met the study criteria for the final assessment. COVID-19 puts a significant load on public health services and potential damage to social and psychiatric situations by marked morbidity and mortality. In line with the various presentations and according to the changing of the COVID-19 epidemic to a worldwide pandemic problem, the management and treatment protocols changed several times. Accordingly, the local and even global hospital protocols were changed as well. The first simple concept of coronavirus triage in an emergency department is the separation of COVID-19 infected patients from the others. This approach has been practiced around the world. Changing the ED layout from a usual triage or fast track set to an isolated room is necessary for such a pandemic situation. It is very important to consider staff communication and the application of PPE. All the efforts should be taken to protect patients as well as the medical staff from unnecessary exposure and infection; this serves to keep the health facilities working well in the outbreak and diffusion of SARS-CoV-2

Economic development and health status in Iran: A panel data analysis

Researchers are highly interested in exploring the interconnection of economic condition and health status which are two crucial dimensions of sustainability, including the 3rd and 8th sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. To investigate this relationship, this study applies the panel corrected standard errors method to estimate the fixed-effects model using data of provinces in Iran during 2006–2019. Our findings show different relationships between mortality and economic conditions considering cause-specific (disease), age, sex, and rural/urban groups. Most cause-specific mortality shows a countercyclical relationship with economic fluctuations, including 1- total, 2- heart, 3- mental, behavioral, and nervous, 4- cancer, 5- pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium mortality. Nonetheless, other mortality causes follow procyclical patterns, including respiratory system diseases. By age, employment and mortality follow a countercyclical pattern in youngers but a procyclical relationship in older age groups. By sex, men are more vulnerable than women to economic cycles. By rural/urban, this study reveals that the rural population is more vulnerable than the urban to economic fluctuations. Our research suggests that policymakers consider the health effects of the socioeconomic strategies and trace them to mitigate the destructive effects of the programs on people's health. They should develop strategies to maintain economic stability by controlling inflation and economic growth. These plans have spillover effects on health outcomes, especially for men, working and elderly age groups, and the rural population

The Effect of using microwave pretreatment in drying roots nutmeg on antimicrobial properties against pathogenic bacteria and spoilage molds

Background and Aim: Plants produce a diverse range of bioactive molecules, making them rich source of different types of medicines. Combinational technology is method which combination two or more technology (Conventional or advanced( to transfer heat and humidity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of microwave pretreatment in drying  roots nutmeg on Antimicrobial activity in the against disease bacteria and spoilage mold. Materials and Methods: In this study, two methods, oven and microwave oven with pre-treatment has been used for drying the roots  nutmeg and antibacterial effects of extracts produced by both methods against pathogenic bacteria and spoilage mold was studied by disk diffusion method and dilution in the wells. Results: The results of the comparison and analysis of data showed that the methods of drying of the Hindi roots nutmeg was significant at the 99% level (p<0.01). Also the results showed that extract of  roots nutmeg had the most antimicrobial effect on Salmonella enterica  among the bacteria studied and  Trichoderma viride among  spoilage molds studied in this research. Conclusions: The results showed that extracts of  roots  nutmeg avoid the growth of spoilage mold and pathogenic bacteria. Also, The results showed that using of microwave pretreatment in drying of  Hindi roots  nutmeg, increase antimicrobial properties

The effect of consumption of garlic tablet on proteins oxidation biomarkers in postmenopausal osteoporotic women: A randomized clinical trial

Background: Osteoporosis (OP) is one of the most prevalent metabolic bone diseases at higher ages, especially in postmenopausal women. Objective: To determine the effect of consumption of garlic tablet on proteins oxidation biomarkers in postmenopausal osteoporotic women. Methods: The present study was a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial that included 42 postmenopausal women in Yazd during 2014-2015. Osteoporotic women were randomly assigned into two groups: the garlic group (GG) and the placebo group (PG). Participants in GG took two garlic tablets daily for 1 month and the participants in PG took placebo tablets in the same manner. After 30 days, the plasma level of carbonyl groups (PCO), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) were assessed by spectrophotometric assays. Also, Malondialdehyde (MDA) content was measured according to the procedure of Thiobarbituric Acid (TBA). Data were analyzed by SPSS version 18, using paired-samples ttest, independent-samples t-test, Wilcoxon, and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: This study showed that garlic tablets had decreased PCO plasma levels (47.37±5.98 vs. 19.62±3.40 nM, p≤0.001, before and after the study, respectively), AOPPs (738.95±151.86 vs. 585.12±209.99 µM, p≤0.008, before and after the study, respectively), and increased TAC (11.34±10.80 vs. 47.93±17.80, p≤0.001, before and after the study, respectively). The parameters in placebo groups showed no significant differences before and after the study, respectively. The levels of MDA before taking the drug in comparison to before Garlic group was also reduced (1.30±1.04 vs. 0.92±0.81 µM, p=0.01, before and after the study, respectively). Conclusion: The role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of many diseases such as osteoporosis has been demonstrated. The present study showed that garlic consumption can reduce the oxidative stress. Trial registration: The protocol of trial was registered at the Iranian clinical trial register (www.irct.ir) with ID: IRCT138811183273N1. Funding: This study funded by Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences (Yazd, Iran)