Protective Role of α-Pinene in Cuprizone-Induced Multiple Sclerosis in Mice

Introduction: It is clamied that α-pinene has properties against Multiple Sclerosis (MS) which is known as demyelination of the neurons. Given that, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of α-pinene on Cuprizone-induced (CPZ) MS. Materials and Methods: A total of forty C57BL/6 mice were allocated to 4 groups. Mice in group 1 (control) were treated with a normal diet. In group 2, CPZ-induced demyelination was done by chew palate containing .2% (w/w) CPZ for 5 weeks. In group 3, a normal diet was provided and mice were injected with -pinene (1 mg/kg; i.p.) 3 times a week for 5 weeks. In group 4, mice were fed with the CPZ containing diet and injected with -pinene (1 mg/kg; i.p.) three times a week for 5 weeks. At the end of the study, reflexive motor behavior and depressive- like behavior tests were performed. Additionally, serum anti-oxidant activity was determined. Results: Results show that the CPZ had an adverse effect on reflexive motor behavior tests (P<.05) and co-administration of the CPZ+-pinene diminished the adverse effect of the CPZ on the reflexive motor behavior tests (P<.05). Moreover, CPZ significantly amplified immobility time (P<.05) and co-administration of the CPZ+-pinene reduced the adverse effect of the CPZ on depressive-like behavior tests (P<.05). CPZ significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant status (TAS) and also these effects were reversed by α-pinene (P<.05). The data indicate that co-administration of the CPZ+-pinene significantly improved the adverse effect of the CPZ on serum antioxidants (P<.05)

Comparison of regular aerobic and yoga on the quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis

Background: The pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by fatigue, motor weakness, and spasticity, to name a few. MS symptoms may lead to physical inactivity associated with the development of secondary diseases. This study was to investigate the effect of regular aerobic and yoga on the quality of life of patients with MS. Methods: The present quasi-experimental study was conducted on 90 patients with chronic MS chosen randomly and divided into two test and one control groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 11.5) through paired t-test, ANOVA, and Tukey's post hoc. Results: There were no significant differences among the scores of quality of life in the three groups prior to investigation. Although they were significant after intervention. The mean score of yoga group was higher than that of aerobic group, and aerobic group showed a higher mean score compared with the control. Conclusion: Yoga and aerobic exercises may improve quality of life in patients with MS. It is highly recommended that the governor along with MS societies and other organizations servicing and supporting patients start to develop sport-regulated programs to help improve quality of life for these patients

World Literature: A Panacea for the Colonial Prejudice of English Literature

The present study is an attempt to discuss the importance of “World Literature” for English literary studies in universities and societies around the world. In this regard, this paper shall refer to the stances adopted by various thinkers against the colonial and ideological essence of the English literature in developing countries. In this part, references are made to postcolonial thinkers and the way they have exposed the barbaric nature of colonialism, in that it has, for decades, marginalized the culture and literature of other nations through cultural (neo)colonialism. The next part offers a brief introduction to the history of the emergence of “World Literature” and the ways in which it contributes to bridging the gap between nations across continents and ideological divides. The final section is devoted to a recapitulatory remark vis-à-vis the reorientation of the public’s eyes towards “World Literature” as a panacea for the colonial prejudice of English literature

Evaluating the Wear of Polycrystalline Diamond Compact Drill Bit Cutters using Indentation and Scratch Tests

Abstract–Polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) drill bits are widely used in oil and gas drilling. The wear of PDC cutters is a major problem during drilling. It leads to severe time losses which affect the overall drilling operation cost. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the wear tendency for these cutters using predictive approaches. The present research is focused on studying the wear mechanisms of PDC cutters and the effect of their mechanical properties on the extent of wear. The volume of wear for the PDC cutters was determined experimentally using micro- and nano-scratch tests by implementing an approach based on the geometry of the removed material after micro- and nano-scratch tests. The experimental wear results were compared to the predictions from current models in the literature.Various wear models are evaluated for micro- and nano-scratch tests on both layers of the PDC samples. The study shows that the wear of the PDC cutters can be predicted from the material mechanical properties, applied load, sliding distance, and hardness of the PDC cutters. The study could be extended for the evaluation of wear intensity of PDC cutters from various manufactures without using the previous techniques of abrasion testing

Developing technology strategy for consulting engineers in water sector

Nowadays, technology is one of the most important factors in economic and social development. In recent decades, the rapid advancement of technology and its effects of human life have made its importance even more obvious. To continuously expand and improve their business and to achieve a reasonable degree of competitiveness, developing countries need to develop technology strategy. Among the effective factors on lack of attention to technology strategy in those countries, lack of integrated technology platform, having many clients while having a low income, and high costs and lack of capital can be mentioned. Developing technology strategy is the first and most important step for long-term recognition of investment priorities for firms. This research aims to introduce the importance and status of technology strategy and developing procedures and analysis steps and its implementation in the level of consulting engineers (water sector). The obtained results can help business firms to choose the appropriate technology strategy development method

Developing technology strategy for consulting engineers in water sector

Nowadays, technology is one of the most important factors in economic and social development. In recent decades, the rapid advancement of technology and its effects of human life have made its importance even more obvious. To continuously expand and improve their business and to achieve a reasonable degree of competitiveness, developing countries need to develop technology strategy. Among the effective factors on lack of attention to technology strategy in those countries, lack of integrated technology platform, having many clients while having a low income, and high costs and lack of capital can be mentioned. Developing technology strategy is the first and most important step for long-term recognition of investment priorities for firms. This research aims to introduce the importance and status of technology strategy and developing procedures and analysis steps and its implementation in the level of consulting engineers (water sector). The obtained results can help business firms to choose the appropriate technology strategy development method

Developing technology strategy for consulting engineers in water sector

Nowadays, technology is one of the most important factors in economic and social development. In recent decades, the rapid advancement of technology and its effects of human life have made its importance even more obvious. To continuously expand and improve their business and to achieve a reasonable degree of competitiveness, developing countries need to develop technology strategy. Among the effective factors on lack of attention to technology strategy in those countries, lack of integrated technology platform, having many clients while having a low income, and high costs and lack of capital can be mentioned. Developing technology strategy is the first and most important step for long-term recognition of investment priorities for firms. This research aims to introduce the importance and status of technology strategy and developing procedures and analysis steps and its implementation in the level of consulting engineers (water sector). The obtained results can help business firms to choose the appropriate technology strategy development method

APPRAISAL OF TAKAGI–SUGENO TYPE NEURO-FUZZY NETWORK SYSTEM WITH A MODIFIED DIFFERENTIAL EVOLUTION METHOD TO PREDICT NONLINEAR WHEEL DYNAMICS CAUSED BY ROAD IRREGULARITIES

Wheel dynamics play a substantial role in traversing and controlling the vehicle, braking, ride comfort, steering, and maneuvering. The transient wheel dynamics are difficult to be ascertained in tire–obstacle contact condition. To this end, a single-wheel testing rig was utilized in a soil bin facility for provision of a controlled experimental medium. Differently manufactured obstacles (triangular and Gaussian shaped geometries) were employed at different obstacle heights, wheel loads, tire slippages and forward speeds to measure the forces induced at vertical and horizontal directions at tire–obstacle contact interface. A new Takagi–Sugeno type neuro-fuzzy network system with a modified Differential Evolution (DE) method was used to model wheel dynamics caused by road irregularities. DE is a robust optimization technique for complex and stochastic algorithms with ever expanding applications in real-world problems. It was revealed that the new proposed model can be served as a functional alternative to classical modeling tools for the prediction of nonlinear wheel dynamics

Exploration of Self-care in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: Hepatitis is a chronic disease which greatly impacts patients’ lives. Since patients with chronic hepatitis have special care needs, they experience many challenges. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore self-care in patients with chronic hepatitis. Method: This qualitative study was conducted through directed content analysis method among patients with chronic hepatitis in 2013 at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The study participants were selected through purposive sampling and data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Content analysis was used to extract data from verbatim transcripts of the participants’ interviews. Results: In this study, the 4 themes of requirements in the matrix of time and place, self-care agency, the need for change in self-care, and disease outcome were extracted. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that patients with hepatitis have specific vital, basic, sexual, physical, economical, and psychological-behavioral needs, and need for respect and belonging. These needs had a negative impact on self-care in patients with hepatitis. Keywords: Chronic hepatitis, Content analysis, Self-car

An Experimental Study of Hydraulic Jump in a Gradually Expanding Rectangular Stilling Basin with Roughened Bed

The paper presents the results of an experimental study carried out to investigate the effect of geometric and hydraulic parameters on energy dissipation and location of the hydraulic jump, with a change in the height of roughness elements and the divergence of walls in different discharges. Experiments were conducted in a horizontal rectangular basin with gradual expansion 0.5mwide and 10mlong. Four physical models were fixed in the flume. The measured characteristics of the hydraulic jump with different divergences ratio (B = b1/b2 = 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1) and the inflow Froude numbers (6 < Fr1 < 12) were compared with each other and with the corresponding values measured for the classical hydraulic jump. The results showed that the tailwater depth required to form a hydraulic jump and also the roller length of the hydraulic jump and the length of the hydraulic jump on a gradual expansion basin with the rough bed were appreciably smaller than that of the corresponding hydraulic jumps in a rectangular basin with smooth and rough bed. With the experimental data, empirical formulae were developed to express the hydraulic jump characteristics relating to roughness elements height and divergence ratio of wall. Also, the applicability of some empirical relationships for estimating the roller length was tested