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Spinal posture is a crucial input in biomechanical models and an essential factor in ergonomics investigations to evaluate risk of low back injury. In vivo measurement of spinal posture through the common motion capture techniques is limited to equipped laboratories and thus impractical for workplace applications. Posture prediction models are therefore considered indispensable tools. This study aims to investigate the capability of artificial neural networks (ANNs) in predicting the three-dimensional posture of the spine (S1, T12 and T1 orientations) in various activities. Two ANNs were trained and tested using measurements from spinal postures of 40 male subjects by an inertial tracking device in various static reaching and lifting (of 5kg) activities. Inputs of each ANN were position of the hand load and body height, while outputs were rotations of the three foregoing segments relative to their initial orientation in the neutral upright posture. Effect of posture prediction errors on the estimated spinal loads in symmetric reaching activities was also investigated using a biomechanical model. Results indicated that both trained ANNs could generate outputs (three-dimensional orientations of the segments) from novel sets of inputs that were not included in the training processes (root-mean-squared-error (RMSE)<11° and coefficient-of-determination (R2)>0.95). A graphic user interface was designed and made available to facilitate use of the ANNs. The difference between the mean of each measured angle in a reaching task and the corresponding angle in a lifting task remained smaller than 8°. Spinal loads estimated by the biomechanical model based on the predicted postures were on average different by < 12% from those estimated based on the exact measured postures (RMSE=173 and 35N for the L5-S1 compression and shear loads, respectively).

Polycaprolactone nanofibers were prepared using five different solvents (glacial acetic acid, 90% acetic acid, methylene chloride/DMF 4/1, glacial formic acid, and formic acid/acetone 4/1) by electrospinning process. The effect of solution concentrations (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) and applied voltages during spinning (10 KV to 20 KV) on the nanofibers formation, morphology, and structure were investigated. SEM micrographs showed successful production of PCL nanofibers with different solvents. With increasing the polymer concentration, the average diameter of nanofibers increases. In glacial acetic acid solvent, above 15% concentration bimodal web without beads was obtained. In MC/DMF beads was observed only at 5% solution concentration. However, in glacial formic acid a uniform web without beads were obtained above 10% and the nanofibers were brittle. In formic acid/acetone solution the PCL web formed showed lots of beads along with fine fibers. Increasing applied voltage resulted in fibers with larger diameter.

Investigated in this paper is the first on the moving-load-caused nonlinear coupled dynamics of beam-mass systems. A constant value load excites the beam-mass system where its position on the beam-mass system changes periodically. The energy contribution of the moving load is included via a virtual work formulation. The kinetic energy of the mass together with the beam as well as energy stored in the beam after deflection is formulated. Hamilton’s principle gives nonlinear equations of the beam-mass system under a moving load in a coupled transverse/longitudinal form. A weighted-residual-based discretisation gives a 20 degree of freedom which is numerically integrated via continuation/time integration along with Floquet theory techniques. The resonance dynamics in time, frequency, and spatial domains is investigated. As we shall see, torus bifurcations are present for some beam-mass structure parameters as well as travelling waves. A finite element analysis is performed for a simpler linear version of the problem for to-some-extend verifications.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise and token-behavior therapy on the negative symptoms of schizophrenic patients. Comparison of the effectiveness of exercise and token-behavior therapy on the negative symptoms of schizophrenic patients. This research was a randomized controlled clinical trial that was done on 45 schizophrenic patients, hospitalized in Rasht, Iran. Through systematic random allocation, the samples were placed in one control and two intervention groups, 15 patients in each. To assess the negative symptoms, the scale for the assessment of negative symptoms (SANS) was used. The effect of the interventions used (exercise and token-behavior therapy) was studied by completing the relevant checklists before and after using the interventions, and then, by comparing it with that of the studied control group. In order to analyze the collected data, one way ANOVA and Bonferroni's test and SPSS software were used. Analyses showed that the token reinforcement approach was highly and significantly more effective than exercise for reducing the negative symptoms in schizophrenic patients (-36 ± 7 vs. -21 ± 8, respectively; P<0.001). Exercise was also shown to have a highly significant advantage over no therapy, in controls, to improve the negative symptoms in schizophrenic patients (-25 ± 8 vs. 0.2 ± 1.08, respectively; P<0.001). Both exercise and token-behavior therapies, along with drug treatment, are very effective in reducing the negative symptoms of schizophrenia; but the impact of token therapy issignificantly higher.

The systematization of species in plant taxonomy based on the phylogenetic relationships among them are of utmost importance and also very challenging in large genera. In those, phylogenetic results often may suggest substantially different relationships than previous classifications, and call for large-scale taxonomic revisions. Delimitation of the genus Silene has been and is still somewhat controversial, and recent molecular phylogenetic studies have settled several monophyletic groups that differ substantially from previous taxonomies. The infrageneric taxonomy of Silene s.str. has not been updated as a whole taking the phylogenetic information into account. In this study, we review previous phylogenetic results based on multiple loci, and conducted comprehensive gene tree analyses based on the nrDNA ITS and cpDNA rps16 regions for 1586 and 944 samples representing 415 and 397 species, respectively, including Silene and its allies, as well as a species tree analysis including 262 samples representing 243 species. We sampled representatives from all 44 sections recognized in the most recent global revision of the genus. The results support the recognition of three subgenera, i.e., S. subg. Behenantha, S. subg. Lychnis and S. subg. Silene, which is partly in agreement with previous molecular phylogenetic findings and contradicts all previous traditional classifications. Silene sect. Atocion, with a few annual species showing a narrowdistribution range in the eastern Mediterranean, is treated as incertae sedis because of its uncertain phylogenetic position, possibly due to exceptionally high substitution rates. Silene subg. Lychnis, weakly supported as sister to the other subgenera, splits into three main clades and includes four sections. Silene subg. Behenantha, which forms a possible sister group in relation to S. subg. Silene, is poorly resolved basally and includes a large number of mostly small clades recognized as 18 sections. In S. subg. Silene, 11 sections are recognized, among which four are broadly circumscribed: S. sect. Auriculatae, S. sect. Sclerocalycinae, S. sect. Silene and S. sect. Siphonomorpha. Silene sect. Acutifoliae and S. sect. Portenses are described here as new taxa, whereas new status or newcombinations are proposed for S. sect. Anotites, S. sect. Muscipula, S. sect. Petrocoma, S. sect. Pulvinatae, S. sect. Sclerophyllae and S. sect. Uebelinia. Five new combinations and two new names are proposed for taxa in Silene formerly assigned to Lychnis and Uebelinia. The correct infrageneric nomenclature compatible with the new infrageneric system is provided along with synonymy and type citations. Shortcomings of this study, such as the lack of a morphological diagnostic key and sparse sampling of some large sections, are listed and discussed.

Nowadays, problems and barriers to supply adequate water and address environmental issues have caused wastewater treatment (WWT) to be considered a high priority. In light of high costs of WWT, using natural capacities to reduce pollution could be potentially economically significant. In this paper, the impact of varying temperature and channel roughness has been investigated on the wastewater quality parameters using the QUAL2K (Q2K) Numerical Model. The results show, as temperature increases, the reduction rate of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) is more than the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). Also, organic nitrogen (ON), organic phosphorus (P), coliforms, total organic carbon (C), total suspended solids (TSS) and total nitrogen (TN) decrease; but nitrate concentration (NO3) increases. This numerical assessment indicates that the purification rate is greater as temperature rises above 30°C. The results show that by increasing channel roughness, BOD, COD, Particle Organic Matter (POM), organic nitrogen, phosphorus and coliforms have descending trends while inorganic phosphorus and ammonium concentrations have ascending trends. According to the obtained results, nitrate (NO3) has a decreasing trend when the Manning Roughness Coefficient (N) is higher than 0.04 along the channel, but is reduced when \"N\" is less than 0.04.

Introduction: Cognitive dysfunction increasingly has been recognized as a complication after cardiac surgery. Different methods have been considered for the reduction of cognitive dysfunction after cardiac surgery. One of these methods is by using lidocaine during surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of adding lidocaine to the cardioplegia solution on cognitive impairment after coronary artery surgery. Design and methods: In a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial, 110 patients aged between 20-70 years, scheduled for elective CABG surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass, were recruited into the study. They were randomized into two groups who received either cardioplegia solution containing lidocaine 2 mg/kg or procaine hydrochloride 5 mg/kg. The neurocognitive test used in this study was the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) or Folstein test. The test was done on the day before and 10 days and 2 months after the operation. Results: In the procaine group, the total score after 10 days decreased significantly compared to the preoperative score (mean difference 0.68; 95% CI: 0.20 to 1.17, p=0.006). Comparison between mean differences after 10 and 60 days of operation between the lidocaine and procaine groups were statistically significant, p-value 0.017 and 0.013, respectively. There was no cognitive impairment in the lidocaine group, but, in the procaine group, four patients (7.7%) after 10 days and one patient (1.9%) after both 10 and 60 days had cognitive impairment, p=0.051. Conclusions: Administration of lidocaine compared to that of procaine through the cardioplegia solution had a better effect on cognitive function after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Loss of skin integrity can lead to serious problems and even death. In this study, for the first time, the effect of exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by cold-adapted yeast R. mucilaginosa sp. GUMS16 on a full-thickness wound in rats was evaluated. The GUMS16 strain’s EPS was precipitated by adding cold ethanol and then lyophilized. Afterward, the EPS with polycaprolactone (PCL) and gelatin was fabricated into nanofibers with two single-needle and double-needle procedures. The rats’ full-thickness wounds were treated with nanofibers and Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson’s Trichrome staining was done for studying the wound healing in rats. Obtained results from SEM, DLS, FTIR, and TGA showed that EPS has a carbohydrate chemical structure with an average diameter of 40 nm. Cell viability assessments showed that the 2% EPS loaded sample exhibits the highest cell activity. Moreover, in vivo implantation of nanofiber webs on the full-thickness wound on rat models displayed a faster healing rate when EPS was loaded into a nanofiber. These results suggest that the produced EPS can be used for skin tissue engineering applications.

Chitosan-poly(vinyl alcohol) (Cs:PVA) nanofibrous scaffolds were electrospun from 2:3 (wt/wt) Cs:PVA solution dissolved in 80% acetic acid. In vivo study was carried out on the dorsum skin of rat which burnt with a hot brass cylinder. The scaffolds were applied in two forms, that is, acellular (n=6) and cell-seeded with mesenchymal stem cells (n=6). Macroscopic measurements of wound area showed good aspect healing effect of scaffolds in comparison with control wounds specially in 15 days post operating. Pathological studies were done on the wounds to investigate the healing effects. The healing process of the wound covered with Cs/PVA nanofibrous scaffolds was much rapid compared to untreated wounds. However, the presence of stem cells on this scaffolds accelerated the wound healing process owing to their ability of collagen regeneration.

Silene (Caryophyllaceae) composed of 110 species in Iran from which 35 species are endemic. Lasiostemones section is one of Silene sections with 10 species in Iran. In present study leaf and stem anatomical structure were considered for the first time. In order to study the anatomical variations of stem and leaf, 36 populations of 7 species of Silene (Lasiostemonessection) were collected from different habitats of Iran. In leaf anatomy vascular bundle shape, shape of dorsal surface of mid vein, cortex diameter, hair presence in dorsal and ventral surface of leaf, mid rib diameter, cuticle upper and lower thickness, fiber presence in mid rib, stomata cell shape, stomata index and hair frequency show significant differences among studied species. In stem anatomy features as shape of cross section, hair type, cortex and xylem and phloem diameter were of diagnostic value in species separation.