Nonlinear Interval Parameter Programming Combined with Cooperative Games: a Tool for Addressing Uncertainty in Water Allocation Using Water Diplomacy Framework

This paper shows the utility of a new interval cooperative game theory as an effective water diplomacy tool to resolve competing and conflicting needs of water users from different sectors including agriculture, domestic, industry and environment. Interval parameter programming is applied in combination with cooperative game theoretic concepts such as Shapley values and the Nucleolus to provide mutually beneficial solutions for water allocation problems under uncertainty. The allocation problem consists of two steps: water resources are initially allocated to water users based on the Nash bargaining model and the achieved nonlinear interval parameter model is solved by transforming it into a problem with a deterministic weighted objective function. Water amounts and net benefits are reallocated to achieve efficient water usage through net benefit transfers. The net benefit reallocation is done by the application of different cooperative game theoretical methods. Then, the optimization problem is solved by linear interval programming and by converting it into a problem with two deterministic objective functions. The suggested model is then applied to the Zarrinehrud sub-basin, within Urmia Lake basin in Northwestern Iran. Findings suggest that a reframing of the problem using cooperative strategies within the context of water diplomacy framework - creating flexibility in water allocation using mutual gains approach - provides better outcomes for all competing users of water

1H NMR-based metabolomics approach to understanding the temperature-dependent pathogenicity of Lactococcus garvieae

Lactococcus garvieae is known as main agent of the bacterial diseases, Lactococcosis in trout farms. The present study was aimed to study the metabolic bases of the temperature-dependent pathogenicity of the L. garvieae using 1H NMR spectroscopy. The bacteria were grown at different temperatures, including 10, 14, 18 and 22˚C and then the metabolites extracted, identified and quantified. The results of PLS-DA analysis clearly separated the experimental treatments. The main metabolites responsible for this separation were acetate, acetoacetate, creatine phosphate, succinylacetone and trehalose. Furthermore, the result of the analysis of variance indicated also significant differences in metabolome content between temperature treatments. The bacteria exposed to higher temperatures showed more concentration of acetate and acetoacetate compared to those grown at 10°C. The concentrations of trehalose were higher in the bacteria grown at 14 and 18°C compared to other temperature treatments. The higher levels of succinylacetone were found in the bacteria exposed to the temperature less than 14°C compared to those grown at 18 and 22°C. The creatine phosphate concentrations increased with temperature, however, a significant decline occurred at 22°C. The levels of isoeugenol, methionine and betaine significantly declined with increase of temperature from 10 to 22°C. Also, the concentration of N-Acetylglutamine significantly raised as the temperature increased from 10 to 22°C. In conclusion, the temperature altered the metabolome of L. garvie, which this may be linked to the pathogenicity. The temperature probably affects fermentation, homeostasis, energetic condition and metabolism of amino acids in L. garvieae

Low Level Laser Therapy in Management of Complications after Intra Oral Surgeries

One of the basic purposes in dental treatment is providing a painless treatment for patients. This purpose may be achieved by the application of laser in dentistry. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is an internationally accepted title for biomodulation with low-level lasers which we use to achieve ideal therapeutic effects. Low-level laser therapy is a painless, reproducible, non-invasive, and without need of anesthesia treatment which is used to treat a variety of pain syndromes, injuries, wounds, fractures, neurological conditions and pathologies. Laser therapy works on the principle of inducing a biological response through energy transfer. The parameters that used in laser therapy determine the effective depth of penetration. We can mention anti-inflammatory effects, stimulation of wound healing, stimulation of immune system, increase of blood flow and activation of vasodilatation, increase of cellular metabolism and analgesic effects as advantages of the application of this type of laser. The aim of this review study was to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy after oral surgeries

Path analysis of the relationship between optimism, humor, affectivity, and marital satisfaction among infertile couples

Marital satisfaction is an important factor for establishing a family relationship, feeling satisfied, and living happily together. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between optimism, humor, positive and negative affect, and marital satisfaction among infertile couples. The sample comprised 80 infertile Iranian couples (n = 160) who visited infertility clinics. Participants completed a series of Persian versions of psychometric scales related to optimism (Attributional Style Questionnaire), humor (Humor Styles Questionnaire), marital satisfaction (Enrich Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire), positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA) (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule). The obtained result of Smart PLS statistical analysis confirmed the significant positive correlation between optimism and humor with marital satisfaction and high PA and low NA. Moreover, the findings also provided an adequate fit of the model. The findings demonstrated that infertile couples high in optimism and humor have higher levels of marital satisfaction and high PA and low PA. Based on the study’s findings, interventions for facilitating optimism and humor among infertile couples are discussed

Histological Study of Bone Marrow and Umbilical Cord Stromal Cell Transplantation in Regenerating Rat Peripheral Nerve

Objective: Bone marrow and umbilical cord stromal cells are multipotential stem cells that have the ability to produce growth factors that play an important role in survival and generation of axons. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of the two different mesenchymal stem cells on peripheral nerve regeneration. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, a 10 mm segment of the left sciatic nerve of male Wistar rats (250-300 g) was removed with a silicone tube interposed into this nerve gap. Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and human umbilical cord stromal cells (HUCSCs) were respectively obtained from rat and human. The cells were separately cultured and transplanted into the nerve gap. The sciatic nerve regeneration was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, and light and electron microscopy. Moreover, histomorphology of the gastrocnemius muscle was observed. Results: The nerve regeneration in the BMSCs and HUCSCs groups that had received the stem cells was significantly more favorable than the control group. In addition, the BMSCs group was significantly more favorable than the HUCSCs group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that both homograft BMSCs and heterograft HUCSCs may have the potential to regenerate peripheral nerve injury and transplantation of BMSCs may be more effective than HUCSCs in rat

Determining of Factors Affecting on Mortality of AIDS Patients by Using Extended Cox Model

Background and Aim: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is caused by body contamination with human immunodeficiency virus. Several factors affect the survival of people with AIDS, which are often examined using Cox regression models. The default is to use the Cox model as a proportionate hazard, which in case of a violation, this model does not have the required performance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effective factors on survival of AIDS patients using the developed Cox model. Materials and Methods: In this cohort study, 1050 patients with AIDS who referred to Imam Khomeini and Zamzam Behavioral Counseling Centers in Tehran Province during the years 2004 to 2014 were studied. The effect of clinical and demographic factors on survival of patients has been investigated using extended Cox model. Findings: 79% of patients were men. The mean age of the patients was 34.84 ± 10. 21 years old. The mean of the diagnosis time to AIDS was 23.64 ± 15.53 months. 76% of patients were cencored. Age at diagnosis, transmission modes, ART, CD4 count, and time to diagnosis of AIDS in univariate and multivariate analysis were significant (p <0.05). Conclusion: Several clinical factors have implications for the survival of AIDS patients. The most important of these factors is the use of ART and early detection of the disease, which greatly increases the chance of survival of the affected population. Therefore, it seems necessary to provide screening and treatment services for high-risk individuals

Measuring the Effect of Vision on the Synergy of Lower Extremity Muscles during Walking using Nonnegative Matrix Factorization (NNMF) Algorithm Method

Introduction. Lack of visual information in blind people during walking can affect the choice of muscle synergy from among the many incoming messages that reach the central nervous system (CNS). This study aimed to determine the effect of vision on the synergy of lower limb muscles during walking using the nonnegative matrix factorization algorithm (NNMF). Methods. Ten blind people and 10 people with normal vision participated in this study. Activities of involved muscles were recorded during walking. Muscle synergy matrix and synergy activation coefficient were calculated using the NNMF algorithm, while the variance accounted for criterion was used to determine the number of synergies required during walking. In order to assess the similarity of muscle synergy pattern and the relative weight of each muscle in each synergy in each group, Pearson correlation and independent samples t-test at a significance level of α ≤ 0.05 were used. Results. Four muscle synergies were extracted from EMG data during walking. The first (r = 0.431) and the second (r = 0.457) synergy patterns showed a moderate correlation between the two groups. However, the third (r = 0.302) and the fourth (r = 0.329) synergy patterns showed a weak correlation between the two groups. In the blind group, the relative weight of the muscles in the first synergy was significant for the external extensor muscle (P=0.023), and in the second synergy for the biceps femoris. Also, in the third synergy, the relative weight was found to be significant in none of the muscles. In the fourth synergy, however, the relative weight of external extensor muscle in the blind group showed a significant decrease, as compared to the group with normal vision. Conclusions. These changes can be the strategy of the CNS to preserve the optimal functioning in the motor system of blind people

Prevalence of Class I and II Integrons of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Hospitals in Hamadan, Iran

Background and Objectives: In recent years, the role of integrons has been identified in the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes. The aim of this study was to determine the antibiotic resistance pattern and to identify class I and II integrons and associated gene cassettes in clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 100 isolates of S. aureus were isolated from clinical samples in 2015. After cultivation, the isolates were verified by standard biochemical tests. Then, PCR test was used on nuc gene for final confirmation of the isolates and presence of methicillin-resistance gene. Then, methicillin-resistant isolates were tested for susceptibility to 9 antibiotics. Finally, identification of Class I and II integrons genes and associated gene cassettes was performed on mecA gene using PCR method. Data analysis was carried out using Chi square test. Results: Forty-one out of 100 S. aureus isolates carried mecA gene. The most frequent antibiotic resistance was for cefoxitin and tetracycline (41 and 36 isolates, respectively) and the lowest resistance was reported for vancomycin (0). In this study, The prevalence of 38 isolates (92.68%) and 3 isolates (7.31%) produced class I and II integrons. One type of gene cassette was identified in these isolates, which was related to aadA1 gene cassette. Conclusion: The results of the current study were indicative of high prevalence of antibiotic resistance and class I integrons in S. aureus isolates carrying mecA gene

Stable and Antibacterial Magnesium-Graphene Nanocomposite-Based Implants for Bone Repair

Magnesium (Mg)-based alloys are promising biodegradable materials for bone repair applications. However, due to their rapid degradation and high corrosion rate, Mg-based alloys are typically associated with in vivo infections and implant failure. This study evaluated the synergistic stability and anti-inflammatory properties that could potentially be achieved by the modification of the Mg alloy with graphene nanoparticles (Gr). Incorporation of low dosages of Gr (0.18 and 0.50 wt %) in a Mg alloy with aluminum (Al, 1 wt %) and copper (Cu, 0.25 wt %) was successfully achieved by a spark plasma sintering (SPS) method. Notably, the degradation rate of the Mg-based alloys was reduced approximately 4-fold and the bactericidal activity was enhanced up to 5-fold with incorporation of only 0.18 wt % Gr to the Mg-1Al-Cu matrix. Moreover, the modified Mg-based nanocomposites with 0.18 wt % Gr demonstrated compressive properties within the range of native cancellous bone (modulus of approximately 6 GPa), whereas in vitro studies with human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) showed high cytocompatibility and superior osteogenic properties compared to non-Gr-modified Mg-1Al-Cu implants. Overall, this study provides foundations for the fabrication of stable, yet fully resorbable, Mg-based bone implants that could reduce implant-associated infections

Stable and Antibacterial Magnesium-Graphene Nanocomposite-Based Implants for Bone Repair

Magnesium (Mg)-based alloys are promising biodegradable materials for bone repair applications. However, due to their rapid degradation and high corrosion rate, Mg-based alloys are typically associated with in vivo infections and implant failure. This study evaluated the synergistic stability and anti-inflammatory properties that could potentially be achieved by the modification of the Mg alloy with graphene nanoparticles (Gr). Incorporation of low dosages of Gr (0.18 and 0.50 wt %) in a Mg alloy with aluminum (Al, 1 wt %) and copper (Cu, 0.25 wt %) was successfully achieved by a spark plasma sintering (SPS) method. Notably, the degradation rate of the Mg-based alloys was reduced approximately 4-fold and the bactericidal activity was enhanced up to 5-fold with incorporation of only 0.18 wt % Gr to the Mg–1Al–Cu matrix. Moreover, the modified Mg-based nanocomposites with 0.18 wt % Gr demonstrated compressive properties within the range of native cancellous bone (modulus of approximately 6 GPa), whereas in vitro studies with human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) showed high cytocompatibility and superior osteogenic properties compared to non-Gr-modified Mg–1Al–Cu implants. Overall, this study provides foundations for the fabrication of stable, yet fully resorbable, Mg-based bone implants that could reduce implant-associated infections