Spectral Clustering for Optical Confirmation and Redshift Estimation of X-ray Selected Galaxy Cluster Candidates in the SDSS Stripe 82

We develop a galaxy cluster finding algorithm based on spectral clustering technique to identify optical counterparts and estimate optical redshifts for X-ray selected cluster candidates. As an application, we run our algorithm on a sample of X-ray cluster candidates selected from the third XMM-Newton serendipitous source catalog (3XMM-DR5) that are located in the Stripe 82 of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). Our method works on galaxies described in the color-magnitude feature space. We begin by examining 45 galaxy clusters with published spectroscopic redshifts in the range of 0.1 to 0.8 with a median of 0.36. As a result, we are able to identify their optical counterparts and estimate their photometric redshifts, which have a typical accuracy of 0.025 and agree with the published ones. Then, we investigate another 40 X-ray cluster candidates (from the same cluster survey) with no redshift information in the literature and found that 12 candidates are considered as galaxy clusters in the redshift range from 0.29 to 0.76 with a median of 0.57. These systems are newly discovered clusters in X-rays and optical data. Among them 7 clusters have spectroscopic redshifts for at least one member galaxy.Comment: 15 pages, 7 figures, 3 tables, 1 appendix, Accepted by Journal of "Astronomy and Computing

Communication Over MIMO Broadcast Channels Using Lattice-Basis Reduction

A simple scheme for communication over MIMO broadcast channels is introduced which adopts the lattice reduction technique to improve the naive channel inversion method. Lattice basis reduction helps us to reduce the average transmitted energy by modifying the region which includes the constellation points. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme performs well, and as compared to the more complex methods (such as the perturbation method) has a negligible loss. Moreover, the proposed method is extended to the case of different rates for different users. The asymptotic behavior of the symbol error rate of the proposed method and the perturbation technique, and also the outage probability for the case of fixed-rate users is analyzed. It is shown that the proposed method, based on LLL lattice reduction, achieves the optimum asymptotic slope of symbol-error-rate (called the precoding diversity). Also, the outage probability for the case of fixed sum-rate is analyzed.Comment: Submitted to IEEE Trans. on Info. Theory (Jan. 15, 2006), Revised (Jun. 12, 2007

Aloe vera toxic effects: expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in testis of Wistar rat

Objective(s): Nitric oxide (NO), a product of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), contributes in germ cell apoptosis. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of Aloe vera gel (AVG) on male Wistar rat reproductive organ, serum NO level, and expression of iNOS gene in leydig cells. Materials and Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (n=36) were used for experiments in three groups. The experimental groups were orally administered with the AVG extract solution once-daily as follow: 150 mg.kg(-1); group A, 300 mg.kg(-1); group B, and only normal saline; group C (control group). They were mated with untreated females and the reproductive and chemical parameters were assessed for each group, including semen quality, serum testosterone, sperm fertility, gonad and body weight, serum NO concentration (by the Griess method), and iNOS gene expression (using RT-PCR). Results: The testes weight, serum testosterone, as well as sperm count and fertility of the AVG treated groups were significantly reduced when compared to the control (P<0.001). Concentration of serum NO was significantly increased (37.1 +/- 4.63 mu M) in the administrated group with higher AVG concentration, compared to the control group (P<0.001; 10.19 +/- 0.87 mu M); however, iNOS mRNA expression was increased in the treated animals (P<0.001). Conclusion: iNOS may play a functional role in spermatogenesis via apoptosis, reducing sperm count, but further studies are needed to illustrate the mechanisms by which AVG exerts its negative effects on spermatogenesis and sperm quality

Observing the Cross-Infection Control Among Dental Clinics and Laboratories

Introduction: Dentists and all related oral hygiene occupations are endanger of cross contamination because of close contacts with patients. Dental laboratories are one of those which have a direct contact with dentist and cross infection control plays an important role to prevent exposure to pathogens. According to the fact that many dental laboratories are not well informed about cross infection control; the aim of this study is to prepare a questionnaire for evaluating both dentists and dental laboratories knowledge about cross control infections. Materials & Methods: 250 dentist and 50 dental laboratories were randomly chosen and prepared questionnaire distributed. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software and Chi-Square test. Results: There was no significant differences between general and post graduated dentist in using gloves, masks and protective eye glasses (p value > 0.05).the results showed no significant differences in uses of protective eye glasses between dentist who worked in clinics and private offices (p value = 0.384), but there was significant differences in using gloves (p value = 0.02).condensation silicones (90.5%) and alginates (90%) were the most impression materials and 88% of dentist rinsed the impressions always while 0.8% never did that. Conclusion: The cross control infection is no

Dokaz protutijela za kugu malih preživača i goveđu kugu u saudijskih ovaca i koza u prirodnim uvjetima.

This study represents the first survey for serum antibodies against peste des petits ruminants (PPR) and rinderpest (RP) viruses, in sheep and goats in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study involved the Eastern region of the country. A total of 1035 serum samples were examined (750 sheep and 285 goats). In order to obtain a genuine insight into the activity of the two viruses as reflected by seroconversion, serum samples were collected only from sedentary, locally-bred, non-vaccinated sheep and goats that were more than one year old. The number of samples collected followed standard epidemiological criteria in similar situations. The prevalence of PPR virus antibodies was 3.1% in sheep and 0.6% in goats, while that of RPV antibodies was 3.6% in sheep and 5.7% in goats. Generally speaking, the prevalence of PPRV antibodies in both species was 2.3%, while that of RPV was 4.3%.The mono-specific reactivity in both species was 93.2 % for rinderpest and 66.7 % for PPR.Rad iznosi prve rezultate istraživanja protutijela za virus kuge malih preživača (KMP) i virus goveđe kuge (GK) u ovaca i koza u Saudijskoj Arabiji. Istraživanjem je bilo obuhvaćeno istočno područje zemlje. Pretraženo je ukupno 1035 uzoraka seruma (750 ovčjih i 285 kozjih). Radi dobivanja stvarne slike aktivnosti ovih dvaju virusa, uzorci seruma bili su sakupljani samo od domaćih, lokalno rasplođivanih, nevakciniranih ovaca i koza starijih od godinu dana. Broj sakupljenih uzoraka bio je u skladu sa standardnim epidemiološkim kriterijima. Proširenost protutijela za virus KMP iznosila je 3,1% u ovaca i 0,6% u koza, dok je proširenost protutijela za virus GK bila 3,6% u ovaca i 5,7% u koza. Općenito prikazana, proširenost KMP u obje vrste iznosila je 2,3%, dok je za GK iznosila 4,3%. Monospecifična reaktivnost u obje vrste bila je 93,2% za GK i 66,7% za KMP

Damage intensity of carvacrol on prostatic cancer cells lineDu145 and molecular dynamic simulation of it effect on apoptotic factors

Prostatic cancer is one of the most dangerous diseases in men worldwide. The apoptotic factors such as BID, BIM and APAF1 have a main role in inducing apoptotic pathways. On the other hand, some compounds can active this apoptotic factors. In this study, this notion was investigated by the use of the comet assay technique and molecular dynamics simulations. In the comet assay technique, different concentrations including 130, 230, and 360 μM of Carvacrol were selected according to IC50 using MTT assay on the cell line DU145. Then, alkaline electrophoresis was performed and 100 comet pictures were analyzed using CASP software. Data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software and also using molecular dynamics simulations, wherein protein and Carvacrol were studied, thus avoiding the necessity for quantum mechanical calculations. Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out using with Carvacrol closed in a fully hydrated simulation box with a protein (Bak, Bax, Bim, Apaf1, Bid and P38). The IC50 for Carvacrol was determined at 360μM by MTT test. Rate of tail to head in alkaline electrophoresis at 130, 230, and 360 μM of Carvacrol concentrations were 13. 8±0. 3, 40. 6±0. 3, and 47. 6±0. 5 percent, respectively. Statistical analysis of the molecular dynamics and calculated potential energy, radius of gyration (Rg), temperature, root mean square fluctuation (RMSF) and root mean square deviation (RMSD) indicated that Carvacrol affected protein which stimulated the apoptosis cascade. Therefore, both experimental and theoretical results demonstrate carvacrol directly affects factors initiating apoptosis. © 2016, Sphinx Knowledge House. All rights reserved