Crime mapping and spatial analysis

Crime maps are becoming significant tools in crime and justice. Advances in the areas of information technology and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have opened new opportunities for the use of digital mapping in crime control and prevention programs. Crime maps are also valuable for the study of the ecology and the locational aspects of crime. Maps enable areas of unusually high or low concentration of crime to be visually identified. Maps are however only pictorial representations of the results of more or less complex spatial data analyses. A hierarchical model dealing with crime analysis is proposed and applied to the regional analysis of crime in Tehran, the model helps to identify spatial concentration of crimes in specific area (area based method). In area-based methods, crime data are aggregated into geographical areas such as blocks, precincts, and for each area, the analyst computes a measure of crime value. Multicriteria evaluation concept has been used to assess the crime rate in various blocks a discrete (part) of Tehran city. In this part we used two methods for crime density assessment: • Crime assessment based on crime per block, • Crime assessment based on density of crime per population. After determination of hot spots based on two methods mentioned above spatial function is used to find suitable location to establish new police station or direct patrol to the hot spots to reduce of crime

Enhanced vision-based localization and control for navigation of non-holonomic omnidirectional mobile robots in GPS-denied environments

New Zealand’s economy relies on primary production to a great extent, where use of the technological advances can have a significant impact on the productivity. Robotics and automation can play a key role in increasing productivity in primary sector, leading to a boost in national economy. This thesis investigates novel methodologies for design, control, and navigation of a mobile robotic platform, aimed for field service applications, specifically in agricultural environments such as orchards to automate the agricultural tasks. The design process of this robotic platform as a non-holonomic omnidirectional mobile robot, includes an innovative integrated application of CAD, CAM, CAE, and RP for development and manufacturing of the platform. Robot Operating System (ROS) is employed for the optimum embedded software system design and development to enable control, sensing, and navigation of the platform. 3D modelling and simulation of the robotic system is performed through interfacing ROS and Gazebo simulator, aiming for off-line programming, optimal control system design, and system performance analysis. Gazebo simulator provides 3D simulation of the robotic system, sensors, and control interfaces. It also enables simulation of the world environment, allowing the simulated robot to operate in a modelled environment. The model based controller for kinematic control of the non-holonomic omnidirectional platform is tested and validated through experimental results obtained from the simulated and the physical robot. The challenges of the kinematic model based controller including the mathematical and kinematic singularities are discussed and the solution to enable an optimal kinematic model based controller is presented. The kinematic singularity associated with the non-holonomic omnidirectional robots is solved using a novel fuzzy logic based approach. The proposed approach is successfully validated and tested through the simulation and experimental results. Development of a reliable localization system is aimed to enable navigation of the platform in GPS-denied environments such as orchards. For this aim, stereo visual odometry (SVO) is considered as the core of the non-GPS localization system. Challenges of SVO are introduced and the SVO accumulative drift is considered as the main challenge to overcome. SVO drift is identified in form of rotational and translational drift. Sensor fusion is employed to improve the SVO rotational drift through the integration of IMU and SVO. A novel machine learning approach is proposed to improve the SVO translational drift using Neural-Fuzzy system and RBF neural network. The machine learning system is formulated as a drift estimator for each image frame, then correction is applied at that frame to avoid the accumulation of the drift over time. The experimental results and analyses are presented to validate the effectiveness of the methodology in improving the SVO accuracy. An enhanced SVO is aimed through combination of sensor fusion and machine learning methods to improve the SVO rotational and translational drifts. Furthermore, to achieve a robust non-GPS localization system for the platform, sensor fusion of the wheel odometry and the enhanced SVO is performed to increase the accuracy of the overall system, as well as the robustness of the non-GPS localization system. The experimental results and analyses are conducted to support the methodology

Inductive and Deductive: Ambiguous Labels in Qualitative Content Analysis

The propounded dualism in Content Analysis as quantitative and qualitative approaches is widely supported and justified in nursing literature. Nevertheless, another sort of dualism is proposed for Qualitative Content Analysis, suggesting the adoption of inductive and/or deductive approaches in the process of qualitative data analysis. These approaches have been referred and labelled as inductive or conventional ; and deductive or directed content analysis in the literature. Authors argue that these labels could be fallacious, and may lead to ambiguity; as in effect, both approaches are employed with different dominancy during the process of any Qualitative Content Analysis. Thus, authors suggest more expressive, comprehensive, yet simple labels for this method of qualitative data analysis

Effect of Topical Application of Dentol Drop on the Success of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block for Teeth with Irreversible Pulpitis: A Double-blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction: The failure rate of inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) block is high for mandibular molars with irreversible pulpitis. This double-blind, randomized, clinical trial aimed to assess the effect of topical application of Dentol drop on the rate of successful anaesthesia of mandibular molars with irreversible pulpitis due to deep carious lesions. Methods and Materials: Seventy-two patients with mandibular first and second molars with irreversible pulpitis and deep cavitated carious lesions participated in this study. The patients were randomly assigned to the test and control groups (n=36). In the test group, a cotton pellet, dipped in Dentol drop, was placed in the cavity for 10 min. A placebo was used _in the same manner_ in the control group. Level of pain was measured before the intervention, 15 min after anaesthesia (when patients reported numbness at the corner of the mouth), during access cavity preparation, upon pulp exposure and after introduction of the initial file into the root canal; using a Heft-Parker “Visual Analog Scale” (VAS). Data were analysed using ANCOVA. Results: Levels of pain were recorded during access cavity preparation (P<0.001), pulp exposure (P<0.001) and file introduction into the canal (P=0.018). In the test (Dentol) group, the obtained levels of pain were significantly lower than those of the corresponding values in the control group. Conclusion: Topical application of Dentol drop increased the success rate of IAN block for root canal treatment of mandibular molars with irreversible pulpitis.Keywords: Dentol Drop; Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block; Irreversible Pulpiti

HIV-Related Stigma Among Healthcare Providers in Different Healthcare Settings: A Cross-Sectional Study in Kerman, Iran

Background: Stigmatizing attitudes among healthcare providers are an important barrier to accessing services among people living with HIV (PLHIV). This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the status and correlates of HIV-related stigma among healthcare providers in Kerman, Iran.Methods: Using a validated and pilot-tested stigma scale questionnaire, we measured HIV-related stigma among 400 healthcare providers recruited from three teaching hospitals (n = 363), private sectors (n = 28), and the only voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) center (n = 9) in Kerman city. Data were gathered using self-administered questionnaires at participants’ workplace during Fall 2016. To examine the correlates of stigmatizing attitudes, we constructed bivariable and multivariable linear regression models. Results: The mean ± standard deviation (SD) of stigma score was 25.95 ± 7.20 out of the possible 50, with higher scores reflecting more stigmatizing attitudes. Paramedics, nurses’ aides, and housekeeping staff had the highest, and VCT personnel had the lowest average stigma scores, respectively. Multivariable regression analyses showed that prior experience of working with PLHIV (β = -2.48; P = .03), exposure to HIV-related educational courses (β = -2.03; P = .02), and <10 years of work experience (β = -2.70; P < .001) were associated with lower stigma scores.Conclusion: Our findings highlight the need for health managers to provide training opportunities for healthcare providers, including programs that focus on improving HIV-related knowledge for healthcare providers. Enforcing policies that aim to reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination among healthcare providers in Iran are urgently needed

Antiproliferative effects of fresh water crab hemolymph and meat extract on breast cancer cell line

&lt;strong&gt;Background and aims:&lt;/strong&gt; Despite the advances in drugs, side effects of chemotherapy drugs continue to exist. Therefore, more attention has been paid to the compounds derived from medicinal herbs and aquatic organisms. This study aimed to investigate the effect of freshwater crab hemolymph and meat extract on breast cancer (BC) cell line (4T1). &lt;strong&gt;Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; After isolation of freshwater crab hemolymph and meat extract, protein concentration and total antioxidant capacity were analyzed by bicinchoninic acid (BCA) and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) methods. The 4T1 cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were treated with crab hemolymph (1, 2, 10 mg/mL) and meat extract (0.1, 0.2 and 1 mg/mL), and cell survival was analyzed using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay (MTT) at 48 and 72 hours. Nitric oxide (NO) secretion was measured by Griess method. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). &lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; Protein concentration of 23.25 mg/mL was shown in crab hemolymph, and 2.3 mg/mL in meat extract. Total antioxidant capacity was reported as 1.036 µM/mL and 1.104 µM/mL in crab hemolymph and meat extract, respectively. Cell survival in the 4T1 cells was decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt;�0.001). NO secretion of 4T1 cells was decreased after treatment with different concentrations of crab hemolymph and meat extract at 48 and 72 hours. Cellular growth was observed in BMSCs after treatment with different concentrations of crab hemolymph and meat extract at 48 and 72 hours. &lt;strong&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/strong&gt; Since crab hemolymph and meat extract have protein and antioxidant activities, they can have anti-cancer effects on 4T1 cells

Adult emergency department performance in the largest teaching hospital in southern Iran: a 1.5-year cross-sectional study

Background: Emergency department (ED) is one of the most important hospital departments, with significant effects on public health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adult ED's performance of the largest teaching hospital in southern Iran. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study (March 2017-August 2018), the registered data in the Hospital Information System (HIS) were collected, and the ED’s performance was assessed based on the Iranian emergency performance index. The slopes of the trend lines were calculated for each indicator. Moreover, 2 six-month periods were compared. Results: The data of 104,081 patients were analyzed. The mean (±standard deviation) of visited patients per-month was 5,782.28 (±1258.55). The slope of the trend line was negative for all indicators, except for discharge from ED with personal responsibility. The mean duration of waiting time for the first visit by physician in each triage level slightly decreased. Comparison of the two six-month periods showed a significant difference between the visited patient (P&lt;0.0001). The percentage of patients disposed within six hours (P&lt;0.0001), leaving ED within 12 hours (P&lt;0.0001), as well as the percentage of successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (P=0.014) in the six-month period of 2018 was significantly lower. The percentage of discharge with personal responsibility significantly increased (P=0.005). Conclusion: Although the number of patients visited in this ED decreased, all indicators had dropped. However, the percentage of discharge with personal responsibility was increased. Moreover, the mean duration of waiting time for the first visit by physician slightly decreased in each triage level

Evaluation of vacuum washing in the removal of SDS from decellularized bovine pericardium: method and device description.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to present a new method for removing Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) detergent from decellularized bovine pericardium using vacuum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cows' pericardia were collected and decellularized. The samples were incubated with SDS1% for 48 h at 40 °C. To perform vacuum washing (VW: negative pressure was used to wash and remove detergents), every decellularized tissue was cut in 75mm diameter and fixed via a stainless-steel ring with 60mm diameter in the center of filtration Buchner Funnel which was connected to glass filtration flask The system was connected to a vacuum pump by a hose, and a negative pressure of -100 mmHg was applied for 15 min. Then, the samples were shaken and washed at 40-rpm in 100 ml of distilled water for 45 min. This process was repeated for samples of each group (6 times for sample VW6h, 12 times for sample VW12h, and 24 times for sample VW24h). At the end of every cycle, the effluent was collected to take a sample for SDS measurement. The normal washing (NW) group containing distilled water (NWd) and PBS (Phosphate buffered saline) (NWp) were used to wash and remove detergents. SDS measurements, MTT Assay, histological and tensile test, to compare two methods were used. RESULTS: The highest SDS in the effluent was in groups VW12h and VW24h (P ≤ 0.001) and the lowest residual SDS in scaffold was in two groups of VW12h and VW24h (P ≤ 0.001). MTT assay showed that cell survival in the VW12h and VW24h groups was higher than other groups and there' was no significant difference between cell survival in the VW12h and VW24h groups. Histological study showed destruction of tissue in the VW24h group. The results of the tensile test were shown that the native group had the highest module and the lowest amount was the VW24h sample which was reported with P ≤ 0.001 significance for all groups. CONCLUSION: VW12h can be used as an effective method for SDS removal from decellularized pericardium which morphologically demonstrated a good structure in ECM. KEYWORDS: Acellular; Cell biology; Cell culture; Cytotoxicity; Extracellular matrix; Pericardium; Regenerative medicine; Sodium dodecyl sulfate; Stem cells research; Toxicit

Developing Inference Model to Diagnosis of Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases in Protégé

Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs) are a genetically  heterogeneous group disorders that affect distinct components of both humoral and cellular arms of the immune system (1,2). Overlapping signs and symptoms of these diseases is a challenge for diagnosis and treatment (3,4). Awareness of the  symptoms and considering   the   possibility   of   PID   in   differential diagnosis help to rapid recognition and more appropriate treatment   (2,5).   Timely   recognition   and   treatment reduced mortality and increased lifespan and quality of life of the patients (6). Memorization of all effective criteria to diagnosis is difficult, so developing a computerized program based on diagnosis criteria, improves significantly the quality of care (7,8).To develop the inference model to the diagnosis of PIDs, ontology has been used in this study. The study focused on eight common diseases of PIDs include Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID), X- Linked Agammaglobulinemia (Bruton’s) (XLA), Selective IgA Deficiency (SIgA), CD40L deficiency, UNG deficiency, Isolated immunoglobulin (Ig) G Subclass deficiency, Specific antibody deficiency (SAD) with normal Ig concentrations and normal numbers of B cells, Transient Hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy (THI) with normal numbers of B cells. Based on clinical guidelines  and   medical   literature   in   PID   (9),   we designed a checklist to extract and classified most important signs and symptoms, family history, and laboratory data for eight main type of primary antibody deficiencies   (PADs).   To   evaluate   the   quality   of checklist, data for 100 cases in a different type of PADs were tested. Using frame-based ontology modeling to create the inference model and "Noy and McGuinness" method to develop the inference model. "Noy and McGuinness" method includes seven stages (10). Below we describe each stage of the method

Amniotic Membrane Transplantation for Persistent Epithelial Defects and Ulceration due to Pseudomonas Keratitis in a Rabbit Model

Purpose: The use of amniotic membrane has been suggested in the treatment ofinfectious keratitis for its intrinsic anti-infective properties probably mediated by its antiinflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) along with ciprofloxacin to cure the primary stages of Pseudomonas keratitis. Methods: In total, 28 rabbits were selected and divided in four groups as follows: group 1 as control, group 2 with amniotic membrane, group 3 with ciprofloxacin, and group 4 with amniotic membrane combined with ciprofloxacin. About 0.05 cc suspension of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 27853 ATCC was injected into corneal stroma. Results: The results showed groups of AMT, AMT + ciprofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin had 0% perforation while the control group had 85.6%. Average infiltration of 5.5 mm was observed in ciprofloxacin group, 5 mm in AMT + ciprofloxacin group, 24 mm in AMT group, and finally 23.75 mm for control. Amniotic membrane showed to be effective in prevention of cornea perforation as well as remission of Pseudomonas keratitis. There was no significant difference between ciprofloxacin groups in comparison with ciprofloxacin + AMT group. However, regarding the anti-inflammatory effect, the process of improvement of inflammation in ciprofloxacin + AMT group was faster. Conclusion: Transplantation of amniotic membrane in the primary stages of Pseudomonas keratitis treatment remarkably prevents the disease and it can be used to control its process