Performance Analysis of Multi-Antenna Relay Networks over Nakagami-m Fading Channel

In this chapter, the authors present the performance of multi-antenna selective combining decode-and- forward (SC-DF) relay networks over independent and identically distributed (i.i.d) Nakagami-m fading channels. The outage probability, moment generation function, symbol error probability and average channel capacity are derived in closed-form using the Signal-to-Noise-Ratio (SNR) statistical character- istics. After that, the authors formulate the outage probability problem, optimize it with an approximated problem, and then solve it analytically. Finally, for comparison with analytical formulas, the authors perform some Monte-Carlo simulations

Shape self-sensing with mutual inductance sensor array

Real-time sensing of shape is an important tool for many intelligent machines, particularly in soft robotics. Mutual induction data from an array of sensors shows great promise as an accurate tool for shape sensing. In this paper, we show how inductive array data can be used for shape imaging and topographic shape tracking. The idea has been extended to many geometrical settings showing a versatile tool for shape sensing. The sensors are arranged around a circular array allowing reconstruction of the deformation from circular shape to generic polygon shape including elliptic shape. A linear array shows the sensing of tension force and various deformation of lines. Finally, the sensor array is used on a surface allowing reconstruction of both shear force and the normal force to the surface. A suitable method of calculation of the mutual inductance between two coils has been implemented and a range of methods including inversion algorithms, calibration methods, and a machine learning tool show the application of the new shape sensor system

N-acetylcysteine compared to metformin, improves the expression profile of growth differentiation factor-9 and receptor tyrosine kinase c-kit in the oocytes of patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Background: Paracrine disruption of growth factors in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) results in production of low quality oocyte, especially following ovulation induction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of metformin (MET), N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and their combination on the hormonal levels and expression profile of GDF-9, BMP-15 and c-kit, as hallmarks of oocyte quality, in PCOS patients. Materials and Methods: This prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial aims to study the effects of MET, NAC and their combination (MET+NAC) on expression of GDF-9, BMP-15 and c-kit mRNA in oocytes [10 at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage, 10 at the MI stage, and 10 at the MII stage from per group] derived following ovulation induction in PCOS. Treatment was carried out for six weeks, starting on the third day of previous cycle until oocyte aspiration. The expression of GDF9, BMP15 and c-kit were determined by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot analysis. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA. Results: The follicular fluid (FF) level of c-kit protein significantly decreased in the NAC group compared to the other groups. Significant correlations were observed between the FF soluble c-kit protein with FF volume, androstenedione and estradiol. The GDF-9 expression in unfertilized mature oocytes were significantly higher in the NAC group compared to the other groups (P<0.001). Similar difference was not observed between the MET, NAC+MET and control groups. The c-kit expression in unfertilized mature oocytes were significantly lower in the NAC group compared to the other groups (P<0.001). Similar difference was not observed between the MET, NAC+MET and control groups (Registration number: IRCT201204159476N1). Conclusion: We concluded that NAC can improve the quality of oocytes in PCOS. © 2017, Royan Institute (ACECR). All rights reserved

Effect of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide and HLA-DRB1 subtypes on clinical disease activity index in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a crippling disease with a global prevalence of approximately 0.5%-1% in adults. Genetic, environmental and immunologic factors contribute importantly to pathogenesis of RA. American College of Rheumatology (ACR) assists in early diagnosis of the disease. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of HLA- DRB1 gene and anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (CCP) antibody on Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and to determine the frequency of HLA-DRB1 alleles in the patients with RA. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 64 patients with RA referring rheumatology clinic of Hajar Hospital, Shahr-e-Kord, Iran were enrolled based on ACR criteria (1987) by convenience sampling. All patients were examined to assess primary CDAI and referred to laboratory for serologic tests [Rheumatoid Factor (RF) and anti-CCP]. After the patients’ DNA was extracted, HLA-DRB1 was determined per single specific primer-polymerase chain reaction by inno-train kits. The patients were re-examined six months later. Results: The most prevalent type of HLA-DRB1 in the studied patients was 04. In patients with HLA-DRB1 (04), HLA-DRB1 (01), and HLA-DRB1 (15), CDAI decreased pronouncedly after six months, but in other patients it did not (p<0.05). Of the patients, 81.3% had high titers of anti-CCP, but no association between anti-CCP and CDAI was found. Conclusion: RA could be a multifactorial disease. The patients with HLA-DRB1 (04), HLA-DRB1 (01) and HLA-DRB1 (15) showed a good response to routine treatments. The patients with HLA- DRB1 (04) are likely to have no decrease in secondary CDAI. High titers of anti-CCP in patients may indicate the severity of RA in the studied region and perhaps environmental, genetic and unknown or idiopathic factors are aetiologically crucia

Land use planning for land management using the geographic information system (GIS) in the Loumir watershed of Guilan province in northern Iran

Land use planning is a science that determines the type of land use through studying the ecological character of the land as well as its socio-economic structure. It is possible to plan for the appropriate use of the land and to enhance the present management of the land use by utilizing Geographical Information System (GIS). To this end, our investigators identified and took steps toward developing maps to determine the ecological and socio-economic resources of the Loumir watershed that encompasses an area of 20884.94 hectares. Digital maps were inputted along with explanatory data into an ArcGIS software application. In addition, all digital maps of layers including, elevation, slopes and aspects, soil texture, depth and structure, geology, iso-hyetal, iso-thermal, iso-evaporation, soil erosion, vegetation or canopy percentage, climate and water resources have been integrated- superimposed in the ArcGIS environment based on the Makhdoom analytical and systematic analysis model. Finally, land use planning maps of the Loumir Watershed were developed considering the ecological and socio-economic characteristics of the area. The results of the evaluation of the area indicated land use appropriateness and allocation as follows: 6.07 percent for level 1 of agriculture, 1.1 percent for level 2 of agriculture, 4.34 percent for level 1 of forestry, 53.31 percent for level 2 of forestry, 11.01 percent for level 3 of forestry, 0.42 percent for conservation, 0.13 percent for level 1 of range management, 6.16 percent for level 2 of range management, 14.71 percent for level 3 of range management, 0.34 percent for aquaculture and 2.41 percent for ecotourism

Online) An Open Access

ABSTRACT According to the report of WHO, one person every 8 seconds (annual three million) loses her/his life due to smoking. The lateral smoke of a cigarette is the one that the people around the smoker inhale and it is more toxic than the main smoke of a cigarette. Nonsmokers who inhale cigarette smoke indirectly are called passive smokers. In this study, the effect of passive cigarette smoke inhalation on lipid profiles in diabetic rats was evaluated. In this intervention study, 24 male Wistar rats weighing 200 to 220 g randomly divided into 4 groups of 6 animals: healthy control, diabetic control, smoker treatment and smoker-diabetic treatment groups. In the diabetic control and treatment groups the diabetes was induced with a single dose (65mg / kg) injection of streptozotocin in the IP form. The blood sugar levels of rats were measured using a glucometer after 24 hours; so, the rats with higher glucose levels than 250 mg / dl were considered as diabetic. The healthy treatment and diabetic treatment groups were exposed to the inhalation of passive smoke of a cigarette burned during 1 to 2 minutes for 30 days routinely. After one month, the rats were decapitated and the blood samples were obtained. The samples were centrifuged and the serum was separated. The amounts of serum lipid profiles, including triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL were measured using diagnostic kits and spectrophotometric method and the obtained results were analyzed by ANOVA and Tokay test. During the study, all groups were exposed to the same environmental and light conditions as well as unlimited access to food and water. Statistical comparison of the results obtained in this study showed that there is no significant difference serum LDL and HDL levels in Treatment group. In conclusion it can be said that smoking causes the LDL increase and the HDL decrease which are in turn the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases

Association of deficiency of coagulation factors (Prs, Prc, ATIII) and FVL positivity with preeclampsia and/or eclampsia in pregnant women

Background: Thrombophilia is a pathological state of increased blood coagulability. It causes problems during pregnancy including preeclampsia, stillbirth, repeated abortions, and detached pair. Out of the most prevalent factors causing inherited thrombophilia, protein S (Prs), protein C (Prc), and antithrombin III (ATIII) deficiency, and Factor V Leiden (FVL) mutation could be mentioned. This study aimed to investigate association of these parameters with preeclampsia. Methods: In this case-control study, 142 pregnant women with preeclampsia referred to Obstetric Clinic of Hajar Hospital, southwest of Iran, were assigned to the case group after clinical laboratory tests and according to specialist point of view and 142 pregnant women with normal blood pressure were assigned to the control group. After obtaining consent and completing relevant questionnaire, a 4-cc blood sample was taken from the patients. Coagulation factors and FVL rate were measured and after 6 months patients were followed- up. Data analysis was done by SPSS software using t-test. Results: In view of deficiency of Prs, Prc, and ATIII, no statistically significant association was observed between case and control groups (P>0.05). Statistical t-test indicated that the rate of FVL deficiency in pregnant patients with preeclampsia was significantly different from that in the control group (p=0.03). In addition, the body mass index of case group was significantly higher than that of control group prior to pregnancy (P=0.001). In case group, preeclampsia history contributed to development of current preeclampsia in contrast to control group (p<0.001). The patients of case group were followed up after 6 months in view of blood pressure and all had a normal mean blood pressure at the completion of the study. Conclusion: Measurement of FVL deficiency could help to decrease the unpleasant complications of vascular disorders during pregnancy. But, screening test for pre-eclampsia does not seem necessary to determine the deficiency of coagulation factors, Prs, Prc, and ATIII. © 2014, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). All rights reserved

Growth performance, duodenal morphology and the caecal microbial population in female broiler chickens fed glycine-fortified low protein diets under heat stress conditions

This study was undertaken to examine the effect of feeding glycine (Gly)-fortified low protein (LP) diets on the growth performance, duodenal morphology and caecal microbial populations of broiler chickens raised under unheated, cyclic or constant heat stress environmental conditions. 2. From d 1 to 21 (starter phase), an equivalent number of birds were fed either a normal protein (NP) diet or a LP diet fortified with Gly. From d 22 to 42 (grower phase), an equivalent number of birds from each starter diet were distributed to one of the following dietary groups: (i) an NP diet during the starter and grower phases (NPNP), (ii) an NP diet during the starter phase and a LP diet during the grower phase (NPLP), (iii) an LP diet during the starter phase and an NP diet during the grower phase (LPNP) or (iv) LP diets during both phases (LPLP). 3. Commencing from d 22, an equivalent number of birds from each dietary group were exposed to (i) 23 ± 1°C throughout (unheated), (ii) 34 ± 1°C for 7 h each day from 10:00 to 17:00 (cyclic heat) or (iii) 34 ± 1°C throughout (constant heat). 4. Feeding the LP diet during the starter phase resulted in feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG), feed conversion ratios (FCR) and energy efficiency ratios (EER) similar to those for the NP diet. The birds fed the LP diet had a significantly higher protein efficiency ratio (PER) compared with the birds fed the NP diet. 5. During the grower phase, there were significant diet × temperature interactions for F, WG, FCR, PER, EER, villus height, crypt depth and caecal Clostridia. The birds fed the NPLP and LPLP diets had lower FI, WG and EER, higher FCR, shorter villus height and crypt depth and higher caecal Clostridia compared with the birds fed LPNP and NPNP diets under constant heat stress. However, feeding birds the NPLP and LPLP diets resulted in FI, WG, EER, FCR, morphology parameters and caecal Clostridia equivalent to the birds fed LPNP and NPNP diets, as well as improved PER, under unheated and cyclic heat stress conditions. 6. In conclusion, our results indicate that Gly-fortified LP diets can be fed to broilers under normal and acute heat stress environmental conditions without any adverse effects on performance. However, the use of such LP diets can be detrimental to broilers under chronic heat stress conditions

Detection of bacterial soft-rot of crown imperial caused by Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum using specific PCR primers

Pectobacterium is one of the major destructive causal agent in most crop plants throughout the world. During a survey in spring of 2005 in the rangeland of Kermanshah and Isfahan, provinces of Iran, samples of bulbs and stems of crown imperial with brown spot and soft rot were collected. Eight strains of pectolytic Erwinia were isolated and purified from these samples. Phenotypic tests indicated that the strains were gram-negative, facultative anaerobic, rod shaped, motile with peritrichous flagella. They were oxidase negative, catalase positive and also able to macerate potato slices. Pathogenicity of all the strains were confirmed on corn, philodendron and crown imperial by inoculation of these crops with a bacterial suspension and reisolation of the strain from symptomatic tissues. A pair of specific PCR primers was used to detect these bacterial strains. The primer set (EXPCCF/EXPCCR) amplified a single fragment of the expected size (0.55 kb) from genomic DNA of all strains used in this study. In nested PCR, the primer set (INPCCR/INPCCF) amplified the expected single fragment (0.4 kb) from the PCR product of first PCR amplification. On the basis of the biochemical and phenotypic characteristics and PCR amplification by the specific PCR primers, these strains were identified as Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum. This is the first report of occurrence of crown imperial bacterial soft-rot in Iran