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Patients with chronic pruritus (CP) have a low quality of life, thus it is important to gain a better understanding of the underlying processes. Previous functional magnetic resonance imaging studies at rest (rsfMRI) have shown that mainly areas associated with the default mode network (DMN), sensorimotor (SMN), frontoparietal (FPN) and salience networks (SN) are involved in the processing of itch in patients with chronic pruritus (CP), as well as the cortico-striatal circuit, which is involved in the motoric preparation of scratching. rsfMRI studies on functional connectivity (FC) patterns of resting-state networks (RSNs) in patients with inflammatory atopic dermatitis (AD) or with neuropathic brachioradial pruritus (BRP) compared with healthy controls (HC) are lacking.The main goals of this study were to investigate whether functional connectivity within networks and areas associated with itch detection and processing are altered in patients with AD and BRP compared with matched healthy controls by rsfMRI, respectively.Patients with AD (n = 28) and with BRP (n = 28) were compared with corresponding matched healthy controls by rsfMRI. Group-specific RSNs were identified by independent component analysis (ICA) and between-group differences in the RSNs were analysed by dual regression technique. Seed-based functional connectivity was analysed in several itch-related brain regions belonging to the DMN, SN and FPN, respectively.ICA and seed-based analyses revealed decreased functional connectivity in BRP compared with HC specially within the DMN including the precuneus and cingulate cortex. For AD patients in comparison with HC, as well as when BRP and AD patients were compared directly, no significant FC differences at rest were seen.Our findings point towards decreased FC particularly in the DMN at rest in patients with BRP. These results seem to indicate that central connectivity patterns at rest differentially encode itch in BRP and AD.

The main goal of this paper is to solve a class of Darboux problems by converting them into the two-dimensional nonlinear Volterra integral equation of the second kind. The scheme approximates the solution of these integral equations using the discrete Galerkin method together with local radial basis functions, which use a small set of data instead of all points in the solution domain. We also employ the Gauss–Legendre integration rule on the influence domains of shape functions to compute the local integrals appearing in the method. Since the scheme is constructed on a set of scattered points and does not require any background meshes, it is meshless. The error bound and the convergence rate of the presented method are provided. Some illustrative examples are included to show the validity and efficiency of the new technique. Furthermore, the results obtained demonstrate that this method uses much less computer memory than the method established using global radial basis functions.

This study proposes a new high step-up DC–DC converter based on a novel super-lift structure and coupled inductor. The energy stored in the leakage inductance of the coupled inductor is recovered to the converter output, which leads to a snubber-less operation and consequently a fewer-component, lower-cost and more-efficient converter. This feature also reduces voltage stress and the current peak of the active switch without using a snubber circuit. Analysis of continuous current mode of the proposed converter considering the leakage inductance has been demonstrated. Moreover, a comparison between several converters has been done for further information about similar research works. Experimental results such as voltage and current waveforms and efficiency curve have been presented to show the practical characteristics of the proposed converter.

Due to the unknown nature of the mechanical loads, proper tuning of the speed controllers is always a serious challenge in servo motor drives. The problem becomes more complicated when the speed si...

Aims: Paying attention to mental and physical health is very important for all society sections, especially veterans. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical activity and self-esteem, body image concern, and veteranschr('39') self-esteem. Instrument & Methods: In this descriptive study, the statistical sample consisted of 100 male veterans who did not have any acute problems in physical and physical conditions and were selected by the available sampling method. The instruments used in this study included a demographic questionnaire, shark physical activity, body image concern, self-esteem, and physical self-worth. Data analysis was performed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis with simultaneous input of variables and SPSS 23 software. Findings: Physical activity had a positive relationship with self-esteem (r=0.442; p

The present study evaluated the interaction effects of n-3 fatty acids (from linseed oil (LSO), 0 v. 2·5, % DM basis) with rumen undegradable:degradable protein (RUP:RDP) ratios (low ratio (LR) 27:73; high ratio (HR) 38:62 based on crude protein %) in dairy calves’ starter diet. Forty-eight 3-d-old female Holstein dairy calves (41·5 kg of body weight (BW)) were allocated in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangements in the following treatments (n 12 calves/each): (1) no supplementation of LSO with LR (NLSO-LR); (2) no supplementation of LSO with HR (NLSO-HR); (3) supplementation of LSO with LR (LSO-LR) and (4) supplementation of LSO with HR (LSO-HR). The calves were weaned on day 53 of the experiment and remained in the study until day 73. Intake was not affected by LSO and RUP:RDP ratio. However, average daily gain (ADG) was improved with LSO supplementation. Feeding the HR diet increased ADG compared with the LR diet during the entire period. Final BW was greater in calves fed on the LSO than those fed the NLSO diet. Microbial protein production did not differ among treatments. Calves fed on LSO diets had greater feed efficiency than those which were not fed on LSO diets. The calves supplemented with LSO had greater wither and hip heights compared with the unsupplemented calves. The glucose, cholesterol, HDL and insulin concentrations increased in calves supplemented with LSO. In conclusion, the HR diet improved calves’ performance post-weaning; however, LSO could enhance growth performance of dairy calves during the pre-weaning period.

Gut microbial colonization and immune response may be affected by milk feeding method. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of feeding high or low volumes of milk on fecal bacterial count, inflammatory response, blood metabolites and growth performance of Holstein female calves. Colostrum-fed calves (n = 48) were randomly assigned to either high milk (HM; n = 24) or low milk (LM; n = 24) feeding groups. Low milk-fed calves were fed pasteurized whole milk at 10% of BW until weaning. In HM group, milk was offered to calves at 20% of BW for the first 3 weeks of life. Then, milk allowance was decreased gradually to reach 10% of BW on day 26 and remained constant until weaning on day 51. Calves were allowed free access to water and starter throughout the experiment. Body weight was measured weekly, and blood samples were taken on days 14, 28 and 57. Fecal samples were collected on days 7, 14 and 21 of age for the measurement of selected microbial species. By design, HM calves consumed more nutrients from milk during the first 3 weeks and they were heavier than LM calves on days 21, 56 and 98. High milk-fed calves had greater serum glucose and triglyceride levels on day 14 with no significant difference between groups on days 28 and 57. Blood urea nitrogen was higher in LM calves on day 14, but it was lower in HM calves on day 28. Calves in LM group had significantly greater blood tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) than HM calves throughout the experiment. Serum amyloid A (SAA) concentration was higher in LM calves on day 14. However, HM calves showed higher levels of SAA at the time of weaning. Feeding high volumes of milk resulted in lower serum cortisol levels on days 14 and 28 but not at the time of weaning in HM calves compared to LM counterparts. Lactobacillus count was higher in feces sample of HM calves. Conversely, the numbers of Escherichia coli was greater in the feces of LM calves. Calves in HM group showed fewer days with fever and tended to have fewer days treated compared to LM group. In conclusion, feeding higher amounts of milk during the first 3 weeks of life improved gut microbiota, inflammation and health status and growth performance of Holstein dairy calves.

We present first preliminary results of a novel method for measuring independent isotopic fission yields (IIFYs) of spontaneous fission (SF) via direct mass measurements, at the FRS Ion Catcher (FRS-IC) at GSI. Fission products were generated from a 252Cf source installed in a cryogenic stopping cell, and were identified and counted with the multiple-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MR-TOF-MS) of the FRS-IC, utilizing well-established measurement and data analysis methods. The MR-TOF-MS resolves isobars unambiguously, even with limited statistics, and its non-scanning nature ensures minimal relative systematic uncertainties amongst fission products. The analysis for extracting IIFYs includes isotope-dependent efficiency corrections for all components of the FRS-IC. In particular, we applied a self-consistent technique that takes into account the element-dependent survival efficiencies in the CSC, due to chemical reactions with the buffer gas. Our IIFY results, which cover several tens of fission products in the less-accessible high-mass peak (Z = 56 to 63) down to fission yields at the level of 10−5, are generally similar to those of the nuclear database ENDF/B-VII.0. Nevertheless, they reveal some structures that are not observed in the database smooth trends. These are the first results of a planned campaign to investigate IIFY distributions of spontaneous fission at the FRS-IC. Upcoming experiments will extend our results to wider Z and N ranges, lower fission yields, and other spontaneously-fissioning actinides.

In this paper, we introduce a new approach for detecting community structures in networks. The approach is subject to modifying one of the connectivity-based community quality functions based on considering the impact that each community’s most influential node has on the other vertices. Utilizing the proposed quality measure, we devise an algorithm that aims to detect high-quality communities of a given network based on two stages: finding a promising initial solution using greedy methods and then refining the solutions in a local search manner.The performance of our algorithm has been evaluated on some standard real-world networks as well as on some artificial networks. The experimental results of the algorithm are reported and compared with several state-of-the-art algorithms. The experiments show that our approach is competitive with the other well-known techniques in the literature and even outperforms them. This approach can be used as a new community detection method in network analysis.

The current research was conducted to compare the effect of various buffers or alkalizers in Arabi lambs and find new and less expensive buffering resources. Forty-five Arabi lambs with an average weight of 29.37 ± 3.63 kg were used in a completely randomized design with five treatments and nine replicates. Treatments included 1 — control diet (no buffer); 2 — base diet + 0.75% sodium sesquicarbonate, 0.75% sodium bicarbonate; 3 — base diet + 2% zeolite; 4 — base diet + 1.5% sodium bicarbonate; and 5 — base diet + 1.5% sodium sesquicarbonate. Results showed that rumen pH increased and ammonia nitrogen concentration decreased in diets containing buffer in comparison to control diet (P

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing essential fatty acids (FA), during late gestation and the preweaning and early weaning periods on passive immunity, growth, health, rumen fermentation parameters, blood metabolites and behaviour of dairy calves. During the last 3 weeks of pregnancy, cattle (n 120), within parity, were randomly assigned to one of three diets with different fat supplements: (a) no supplemental fat (CON), (b) supplement rich in linoleic acid (CSO), or (c) supplement rich in EPA and DHA (CFO). Eighty-four newborn Holstein calves were randomly assigned, within the prepartum diets, to one of two calf starters: no fat supplement (FC-0) or 2 % Ca-salt of unsaturated FA (FC-2). Overall, the interaction between dam diets and calf starters did not affect calf performance or any other parameter measured. Calves born from dams fed fat (CSO or CFO) performed better than calves born from dams fed CON. Namely, calves born from dams fed fat had greater plasma concentrations of IgG (P < 0·01), better apparent efficiency of IgG absorption (P < 0·01) and average daily gain (ADG, 597 v. 558 g/d; P = 0·02), and lower rectal temperature (RT; P < 0·01). Calves fed a calf starter rich in unsaturated FA (FC-2) had greater (P ≤ 0·01) ADG, skeletal growth, feed efficiency, and weaning weight compared with FC-0-fed calves. Furthermore, calves fed FC-2 had lower RT during the pre- and post-weaning periods (P ≤ 0·04) and fewer days with diarrhoea (P < 0·001) compared with calves fed CF-0. Time spent eating, ruminating, standing, lying, and on non-nutritive oral behaviour did not differ by treatment. Similarly, treatments did not affect ruminal fermentation parameters. At 28 and 77 d of age, calves fed CF-2 had higher plasma concentrations of albumin and cholesterol (P ≤ 0·02) and lower urea N compared with calves fed CF-0. Plasma concentrations of alkaline phosphatase were higher in calves fed CF-2 compared with those fed CF-0, when they were 77 d old. These findings support feeding moderate amounts of long-chain PUFA during late uterine life or during the preweaning period have beneficial effects on calf metabolism, growth, and health performance.

In this paper, the wave propagation analysis of fluid-conveying Magneto-Electro-Elastic (MEE) nanotube subjected to multi-physical fields is investigated via nonlocal strain gradient elasticity theory (NSGT). To take into account the small-scale effects, the nonlocal elasticity theory of Eringen is employed. Nonlocal governing equations of MEE nanotube have been derived utilizing Hamilton’s principle. The results of this study have been verified by checking them of antecedent investigations. An analytical solution of governing equations is used to acquire wave frequencies and phase velocities. The Knudsen number is considered to study the slip boundary wall of nanotube and flow. The effects of various parameters such as multi-physical fields, the Knudsen number, different mode, length parameter, nonlocal parameter, fluid velocity, fluid effect and the slip boundary condition on wave propagation characteristics of fluid-conveying MEE nanotube are investigated in detail.

In this paper, the wave propagation analysis of fluid-conveying magneto-electro-elastic (MEE) nanotube incorporating fluid effect is investigated. To take into account the small-scale effects, the nonlocal elasticity theory of Eringen is employed. Nonlocal governing equations of MEE-FG nanotube have been derived utilizing Hamilton’s principle. The results of this study have been verified by checking them with antecedent investigations. An analytical solution of governing equations is used to acquire wave frequencies and phase velocities. The Knudsen number is applied to study the effect of slip boundary wall of nanotube and flow. Effect of Knudsen number, different modes, length parameter, nonlocal parameter, fluid velocity, fluid effect and slip boundary condition on wave propagation characteristics of fluid-conveying MEE nanotube is investigated, and the results are presented in detail.

The objectives were to determine effects of feeding a live yeast supplement on the productive performance, blood metabolic profile, the immune function, and insulin sensitivity traits of transition dairy cows under the hot months of summer. From 21 d before expected date of calving until d 60 postpartum, two groups of multiparous Holstein cows (6 cows per treatment) were fed a diet without or with live yeast supplement (4 g yeast/d/head). Blood was collected on d −14, 0, 14, 28, and 60 d relative to parturition and analyzed for nonesterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, creatinine, urea-N, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine. Plasma concentrations of histamine and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) were also determined on d –21, 14, 28, and 49 relative to parturition. An intravenous glucose challenge was made on d 14 postpartum. The cell-mediated immune and humoral responses were established through phytohemagglutinin challenge and ovalbumin immunization, respectively. Prepartum DM intake was greater in yeast-fed cows; however, this difference disappeared after parturition. Cows receiving yeast supplement produced more milk (+1.40 kg/d) and had greater concentrations of milk fat and total solid than those receiving no yeast. Loss of body condition score from calving to d 21 postpartum tended to be lower in yeast-fed cows than control cows. Yeast supplementation had no effect on the response variables to the glucose tolerance test. Plasma concentration of Hsp70 was also lower on d 14 and 28 after parturition in yeast-fed cows. Yeast supplementation enhanced cellular immune function; however, it had no effect on immunoglobulin G secretion against ovalbumin immunization. Overall, live yeast supplementation benefited milk production and milk composition, lowered plasma level of Hsp70, and enhanced the lymphocyte proliferative response in transition dairy cows, which may suggest an immunomodulatory effect of yeast supplement.

ذرات معلق با قطر کمتر از 5/2 میکرون (PM2.5)، از 5/2 تا ده میکرون (PM10) و دید افقی، به عنوان سه فراسنج مهم در پژوهش‎های مرتبط با ریزگردها و گرد و غبارهای تروپوسفری شناخته می‎شوند که آلودگی هوا تا اندازه‎ی زیادی وابسته به مقدار آنها در زمان است. هدف از این پژوهش، برآورد رابطه‎ی میان فراسنج‎های PM10، PM2.5 و دید افقی را با کاربست الگوریتم تکاملی ژنتیک است. منطقه‎ی مورد بررسی شهر یزد در جایگاه نماینده‎ی ایران مرکزی بوده است. داده‎های PM2.5 و دید افقی به تفکیک شرایط همدیدی کدهای 05، 06، 07 و 09 در یک بازه زمانی پنج ساله (2010 تا 2015) از دفاتر سینوپتیک اداره کل هواشناسی استان یزد، و داده‎های PM10 از ایستگاه‎های پایش آلودگی هوا وابسته به اداره کل محیط زیست استان یزد گرفته شده است. برای رسیدن به روابط ریاضی گفته شده، معادله خط رگرسیون، و توابع ویبول، گویا، توانی، چند جمله‎ای، نمایی، خطی، فوریر و گوسین مورد هم‎سنجی قرار گرفتند؛ که بر اساس مجموع و میانگین مربعات خطای نسبی و همچنین ضریب همبستگی، تابع چند جمله‌ای به عنوان مناسب‎ترین تابع برازندگی گزینش گردید. دست‎آوردهای این پژوهش، ارائه‎ی چهار تابع و رابطه‎ی ریاضی بر پایه‎ی مدل خطی تابع چند جمله‎ای با سطح اطمینان 95 درصد در زمینه گرد و غبار و ریزگردها، برای برآورد روابط ریاضی میان PM10، PM2.5 و دید افقی در حالت فراگیر؛ و همچنین هنگام رخداد کدهای همدید 05، 06 و 07 است.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of dietary supplementation with calcium salts of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids (FA) during the last 3 weeks of gestation on colostrum composition and productive and reproductive performance of nulliparous and parous Holstein cows during the entire subsequent lactation. During the last 3 weeks of pregnancy, cattle (n = 120), within parity, were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments, no fat supplement (CON), a Ca-salt supplement enriched in C18:2n-6 (CSO), or a Ca-salt supplement enriched in eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid FA (CFO). After calving, all cows received a common lactation diet. As expected, cows fed CSO or CFO produced colostrum with higher (P

Mass measurements of the $^{69}$As, $^{70,71}$Se and $^{71}$Br isotopes, produced via fragmentation of a $^{124}$Xe primary beam at the FRS at GSI, have been performed with the multiple-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MR-TOF-MS) of the FRS Ion Catcher with an unprecedented mass resolving power of almost 1,000,000. For the $^{69}$As isotope, this is the first direct mass measurement. A mass uncertainty of 22 keV was achieved with only 10 events. For the $^{70}$Se isotope, a mass uncertainty of 2.6 keV was obtained, corresponding to a relative accuracy of $\delta$m/m = 4.0$\times 10^{-8}$, with less than 500 events. The masses of the $^{71}$Se and $^{71}$Br isotopes were measured with an uncertainty of 23 and 16 keV, respectively. Our results for the $^{70,71}$Se and $^{71}$Br isotopes agree with the 2016 Atomic Mass Evaluation, and our result for the $^{69}$As isotope resolves the discrepancy between previous indirect measurements. We measured also the mass of $^{14}$N$^{15}$N$^{40}$Ar (A=69) with a relative accuracy of $\delta$m/m = 1.7$\times 10^{-8}$, the highest yet achieved with a MR-TOF-MS. Our results show that the measured restrengthening of the proton-neutron interaction ($\delta$V$_{pn}$) for odd-odd nuclei at the N=Z line above Z=29 (recently extended to Z=37) is hardly evident at N-Z=2, and not evident at N-Z=4. Nevertheless, detailed structure of $\delta$V$_{pn}$ along the N-Z=2 and N-Z=4 lines, confirmed by our mass measurements, may provide a hint regarding the ongoing $\approx$500 keV discrepancy in the mass value of the $^{70}$Br isotope, which prevents including it in the world average of ${Ft}$-value for superallowed 0$^+\rightarrow$ 0$^+$ $\beta$ decays. The reported work sets the stage for mass measurements with the FRS Ion Catcher of nuclei at and beyond the N=Z line in the same region of the nuclear chart, including the $^{70}$Br isotope., Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication at Physical Review C

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of different supplemental fat sources (soyabean oil (SBO) as a source of n-6 fatty acid (FA) and fish oil (FO) as a source of n-3 FA) in the starter feed of milk-fed dairy calves during the hot season. Forty Holstein calves (3 d of age; 39·67 kg of body weight; ten calves per group) were randomly assigned to the experimental treatments as follows: (1) starter feed supplemented with no fat source (CON), (2) starter feed supplemented with 3 % SBO (DM basis), (3) starter feed supplemented with 3 % FO (DM basis) and (4) starter feed supplemented with an equal mixture of SBO and FO (1·5 % each, DM basis). The milk feeding schedule was constant for treatments and all calves were weaned on day 65 of age. Results show that calves had greater starter intake, average daily gain and body length when fed SBO compared with the other treatments. However, feed efficiency was increased and inflammatory indicators (TNF-α, serum amyloid A and haptoglobin) concentrations were reduced in the calves fed FO compared with the other treatments. In summary, it was revealed that SBO rich in n-6 FA improved starter intake and growth performance, while FO rich in n-3 FA could improve the immune function of calves. Due to the current experimental condition, an equal mixture of SBO and FO (1·5 % each, DM basis) can be recommended to have an optimum growth performance and immune function while the calves are reared under the heat conditions.

Objective: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Women often use cosmetics every day. This study aimed to investigate the association between cosmetic products and developing breast cancer. Patients and Methods: In a retrospective case-control study, 235 patients with breast cancer and 174 healthy women completed a valid questionnaire regarding the usage of cosmetic products (i.e., oxidant, hair color, tattoo, nail polish, lipstick, sunscreen, eye shadow, mascara, cream powder, and deodorant). Results: The results showed that among different cosmetic products, only use of sunscreen had a protective effect on developing breast cancer (Odds ratio = 0.79, confidence interval = 0.67- 0.93, p-value = 0.006). In addition, the history of chronic disease had a protective effect on developing breast cancer (Odds ratio = 0.28, confidence interval = 0.15- 0.52, p-value < 0.001). Conclusions: Use of oxidant, hair color, tattoo, nail polish, lipstick, eye shadow, mascara, cream powder, and deodorant were not associated with the risk of developing breast cancer. Use of sunscreen had a protective effect on developing breast cancer. According to the current study, cosmetic products may not increase the risk of breast cancer.

We hypothesized that plasma adipokine concentrations of early-lactation dairy cows are related to body condition score (BCS) at calving and to markers of metabolic status of the cow. As part of a larger study with 117 multiparous Holstein dairy cows, which had high BCS (BCS >4.0) or normal BCS (3.25-3.5) at calving, 22 cows were randomly selected (n = 11 per group) to be enrolled in this study. Cows were divided into 2 groups based on their BCS at calving: (1) normal BCS with BCS of 3.35 ± 0.13 (mean ± SD) and (2) high BCS cows with BCS of 4.14 ± 0.17. The 22 selected animals did not have a clinically diagnosed health problem after calving. Blood samples were taken right after calving (d 1) and before morning feeding on d 8, 15, and 21 postpartum concurrently with body condition scoring for all cows. Blood samples were analyzed for plasma adiponectin, leptin, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-6. The mean BCS remained highest in high-BCS cows during the first 21 d in milk. Leptin concentrations decreased progressively for all cows after calving. However, differences in BCS at calving were not related to leptin concentrations. Adiponectin, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α concentrations were neither influenced by days in milk nor BCS after calving. Leptin and the leptin-to-adiponectin ratio did not show any correlation at any time point during the first 21 d in milk with plasma concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids or β-hydroxybutyrate, which are considered as markers of metabolic status. Only for IL-6 at d 8 did we find a strong correlation with metabolic status indicators. In conclusion, plasma adipokine concentrations during the first 3 wk postpartum were not related to BCS in lactating Holstein cows that were clinically healthy at calving.

Early lactating dairy cows, are predisposed for calving-related diseases. Early prediction of “at risk” animals increases the likelihood of a successful recovery. In this regard, test-days milk data and body condition score (BCS) at calving have been evaluated as potential indicators of cows at-risk, but results were inconclusive. We hypothesised that a combined use of easily accessible data (BCS at calving, net BCS change over the first 2 weeks of lactation, rectal temperature (RT) and first 2 weeks test-days milk data) could improve the prognostic value. A total of 117 multiparous Holstein cows were selected according to their BCS at calving and divided into two experimental groups: a high BCS (HBCS; BCS ≥ 4.0) and a normal BCS group (NBCS from 3.25 to 3.5). The following data were collected and evaluated for each cow: milk yield and composition at the first two milk test-days (week 1 and 2 postpartum), BCS at calving and at the first two milk test-days and RT measured daily from day 1 (parturition) to 14 postpartum. Cows were furthermore monitored for subclinical mastitis (SCM), metritis and endometritis in the postpartum period, and diseases diagnosed using standardized definitions. The predicting value of variables were evaluated by Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis. None of the determined variables provided accuracy individually in prediction of post-partum diseases. Only the mean value of rectal temperature at week 2 (RT2) showed an area under the curve (AUC) higher than 0.60 (AUC = 0.67; P

An analytical approach has been presented to analyze the asymmetric and axisymmetric interactions between an annular crack and a rigid disc inclusion embedded in a transversely isotropic full-space. With the aid of a method of potential functions, Hankel and Abel transforms, the solution of the problems is reduced to a system of Fredholm integral equations, which are solved by using a numerical method. In each case, the stiffness of the disc inclusion and the stress intensity factor at the tips of the annular crack for different degrees of material anisotropy and different ratios of the inner and outer radius of the crack are illustrated graphically. Several limiting cases such as penny-shaped crack and external crack along with some exact solutions are presented to demonstrate the efficiency of the method.

The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of fat sources and various ratios of dietary C18:2 to C18:3 fatty acids, through inclusion of palm fat powder and flaxseed oil, on growth performance, ruminal fermentation, health indices and some blood components of Holstein calves during the pre and postweaning periods. A total of 65 Holstein calves (30 males and 35 females) were randomly assigned to 1 of the 5 experimental groups: 1- starter diet with no fat supplement (CON, C18:2:C18:3 = 18:1), 2- starter diet with 2.2% palm fat powder (PF, C18:2:C18:3 = 18:1), 3- starter diet with 1.5% palm fat powder and 0.8% Ca-salts of flaxseed oil (PCF, C18:2:C18:3 = 4:1), 4- starter diet with 2.7% Ca-salts of flaxseed oil (CFO, C18:2:C18:3 = 1.5:1) and 5- starter diet with 2.2% flaxseed oil (FO, C18:2:C18:3 = 1.5:1). Results showed that palm fat powder had no effect on feed efficiency, but increased (P

The present study aims to introduce the linear sampling method for cavity/inclusion detection in a two-dimensional Laplace problem by measuring data on the boundary. This method is categorized as a qualitative approach to image the geometrical features of unknown targets. There has been no specific attempt to apply this method to the identification of cavities/inclusions in the Laplace equation although it has been used in the context of inverse problems such as acoustics, electromagnetism and elastostatics. Therefore, the implementation of the linear sampling method, coupled with the finite element method, is emphasized in this study. A set of numerical simulations on two-dimensional problems is presented to highlight many effective features of the proposed qualitative identification method.

By considering a s-wave Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer superconductor, as a many body system, subject to a weak constant external potential, U, using perturbed linearized Gorkov equations at zero temperature and calculating perturbed Green’s functions up to the first approximation, we obtain the two-particle space-spin density matrix of the system. Then, we investigate the effect of the potential on bipartite entanglement (via concurrence) of electron spins of a Cooper pair and also quantum discord in terms of the potential and the relative distance of electrons of a Cooper pair, r. At some fixed values of r, concurrence is zero and does not change until U increases and receives to a special value. Specially, quantum entanglement length and quantum correlation length (in which quantum discord becomes zero) with respect to the potential are derived. We result that by increasing the potential, these lengths are increased. At higher values of U, quantum correlation length is not very sensitive to changes in U. Finally, the relation between these lengths is given.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the application of some Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) techniques among cancer patients in Kerman, Southeast of Iran. Patients and Methods: This is a descriptive-analytic study. The statistical population consisted of patients referring to the Cancer Clinic and Yas Association of Kerman in 2016-2017. Data were collected using a two-part researcher-made questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics (chi-square test and logistic regression test) with SPSS version 18. Results: According to the present study, 45.9% of participants used at least one of the CAM methods except for prayer in the past year. 37.5% of the people consulted with their doctor for the use of CAMs. Regarding the number of used methods, the result of the study showed that 88% of the subjects used one of the methods, 3.6% used two, 7.2% used 3, and 1.2% used 4 CAM methods during the last year. The multifactor logistic regression showed that gender was the only factor which had a significant association with being or not being a user of CAMs. Conclusions: The results showed that almost one out of two cancer patients uses CAMs for cancer treatment indicating high prevalence of these treatments in cancer. Women were more willing to use CAM methods than men. Therefore, health care providers must pay more attention to this group during cancer treatment to reduce treatment interactions and increase the quality of care.

The Linear Kalman Filter (LKF) and Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) as correction-prediction observers are two common model-based filters, which are widely used to estimate the unmeasurable states and parameters in the chemical processes. The main disadvantages of LKF and EKF are low accuracy and reliability of estimation and high computational time, respectively. The main object of this work is the modification of conventional Kalman filter to cover the disadvantages of LKF and EKF. The proposed method is planned based on the systematic updating the Jacobian matrix of estimator applied on the nonlinear systems. In this regard, a linearity index is defined based on the characteristics of outputs to determine switching time between LKF and EKF to avoid unnecessary updating the Jacobian matrix. The performance of the proposed method is compared with the LKF and EKF considering four chemical benchmarks as the nonlinear state space models. Altought EKF and proposed filter present similar precision to estimate unmeasurable states, the proposed method has a lower computational time.

CH3NH3PbI3 planar-structure perovskite solar cells were fabricated with the configuration FTO/ZnO/CH3NH3PbI3/Au. ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by the precipitation method. Three different deposition methods including spin-coating, spraying and successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) were applied to fabricate the ZnO films as electron transport layers. Certain analyses, such as XRD, SEM, FESEM, UV-visible and I–V measurements, were carried out to evaluate the performance of the cells. The best cell performance was achieved for the perovskite solar cell with a ZnO film coated by the spin method. The average efficiency was 7% without using any hole transport materials and 10.25% using spiro-OMeTAD as a hole transport material. The average efficiencies of the cells coated by the spraying and SILAR methods using spiro-OMeTAD, were found to be 8.64% and 7.7% respectively. This study demonstrates the versatility of the spray and SILAR coating methods and their potential for fabricating low-cost, large scale, flexible and mass produced perovskite solar cells.

Rail transport is one of the transportation methods on earth that is very frugal in energy consumption. Electric railway technology has many advantages and disadvantages as well. The most important disadvantage of this technology is the creation power quality problems in the upstream power system. In other words, electric railway traction systems due to continuous load variations, Reactive power demand, asymmetry and harmonic Pollution can be challenged for the upstream power system. In this paper, after introducing the structure of the AC electric railway network and its related power quality issues, the railway power quality compensator (RPQC) is introduced. Also, in order to active power transfer between the various lines of electric railway, a railway interline power flow controller (RIPFC) has been introduced. The proposed structure RIPFC is in parallel, unlike the conventional one which is installed in series with the lines. RPQC and RIPFC contains two Separate single phase converters that are connected back to back (B2B) by sharing the same dc link. Extraction of compensating currents for RPQC and RIPFC is based on current measurement and its separation into active, reactive and harmonic components. Moreover, a controller is proposed to maintain the dc-link voltage. The simulation results using PSCAD/EMTDC are provided to demonstrate that the proposed strategies is very effective.

Cross-breeding can be a profitable strategy to improve beef production. The objective of this study was to compare feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and economic profits between four Holstein-beef crosses and pure-bred Holstein calves. Beef crosses were produced by crossing Holstein (H) cows with Angus (A), Charolais (C), Limousin (L) and INRA 95 (I) bull semen. The performance of 24 calves of each breed (120 calves in total) was compared in an experimental period of 11 months. The average calf age at the start of the experiment was 143, 169, 138, 186, and 133 d for A, I, C, L, and H groups, respectively. The experimental design was repeated-measures split-plot. The animals within each of five breeds (plots) were randomly divided into six pens of four animals each (consisting of half males and half females). The calves received starter, grower and finisher diets for the experimental period. The results indicated that average daily gain was significantly higher in crossbred calves than in pure-bred Holstein calves. The Charolais crossbred calves and pure Holsteins had significantly lower dry matter intake than other hybrids, and, as a result, feed conversion ratio in the C × H calves was remarkably more favorable compared to other groups. Dressing percentage for C × H, L × H and I × H crossbreds was higher than for pure-bred Holstein and the A × H crossbred cattle. The C × H crossbred cattle had significantly higher plasma urea concentrations than did other genetic groups (P