Response Characterization for Auditing Cell Dynamics in Long Short-term Memory Networks

In this paper, we introduce a novel method to interpret recurrent neural networks (RNNs), particularly long short-term memory networks (LSTMs) at the cellular level. We propose a systematic pipeline for interpreting individual hidden state dynamics within the network using response characterization methods. The ranked contribution of individual cells to the network's output is computed by analyzing a set of interpretable metrics of their decoupled step and sinusoidal responses. As a result, our method is able to uniquely identify neurons with insightful dynamics, quantify relationships between dynamical properties and test accuracy through ablation analysis, and interpret the impact of network capacity on a network's dynamical distribution. Finally, we demonstrate generalizability and scalability of our method by evaluating a series of different benchmark sequential datasets

Microbiological quality of traditional ice cream and homemade juices in Gorgan and its relationship with health conditions of workers and environment

Background and Aims: Staphylococcus aureus is an important cause of food poisoning. Owing to the high consumption of fruit and ice cream, this study was carried out to examine the contamination of traditional ice cream and homemade juices to gram positive bacteria.  Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Gorgan during the summer months. Totally, 25 distinct sites producing handmade traditional juice and ice cream were included in this study.  Ice cream (100 g) as well as carrot and cantaloupe juices (100 cc) were sampled in sterile containers. Collected samples were then transported to the relevant laboratory in due time, where they were analyzed using methods specified for different types of microbes and bacteria. All the Operators participated in the study were completed informed consent form.Results: Results showed that traditional ice cream samples were contaminated to S. aureus (56%), yeast (44%), B. cereus (28%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (16%), Listeria (12%), Bacillus subtilis (8%), Bacillus licheniformis (4%) and actinomycetes (4%). Furthermore, respectively 14.8, 33.3, 28.57, 4.76, 14.28, 4.28 and 0 percent infection was traced to contaminated homemade juices (carrot juice and cantaloupe). Conclusion: The  findings of this study revealed the contamination of traditional ice cream and juice to Staphylococcus aureus and various other microorganisms. Therefore, the more surveillance of health care centers, promoting personal hygiene through health education, and enhancing sanitary conditions is required. The continuous sampling from corporate units should be noticed as well.   Key words: Traditional Ice Cream, Juice, Staphylococcus Aureu

Effectiveness of Emotional Self-Regulation Training on Social Competence and Emotional Expressiveness in Male Students with Evidence of Bullying

The present study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of emotional self-regulation training on social competence and emotional expressiveness in male students with signs of bullying. It was an experimental study with pretest, posttest, control group, and two-month follow-up period. The statistical population of the study included male students with signs of bullying in the first secondary school of Yasouj during the academic year 2018-2019. The research sample included 40 students with signs of bullying, who were selected through multistage random sampling and randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group (each group consisted of 20 students). The research instruments included questionnaires on Illinois Bullying Scale (IBS), Social Competence (SCQ), and Emotional Expressiveness (EEQ). The pretest was administered to both groups before the intervention began. Then, the experimental group received emotional self-regulation training for nine weeks, while the control group received no intervention. After the intervention, 4 students in the experimental group and 3 students in the control group fell. At the end of the intervention, a posttest was administered in both groups, and two months after the posttest, the follow-up test was also administered. The data of the study were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA using SPSS23 software. The results showed that the emotional self-regulation training had a significant effect on social skills and emotional expressiveness in male students with signs of bullying. Thus, this intervention was able to increase the social competence and emotional expression of male students with signs of bullying. The findings of the present study suggest that emotional self-regulation training can be used as an efficient method to improve social competence and emotional expression in male students with signs of bullying by using techniques such as anger control skills, emotional awareness training, increasing positive emotions, and recognizing emotions

Evaluation of the neuroprotective effect of alcoholic extract of Achillea santolina L. flower on the degeneration of spinal cord alpha motor neurons after sciatica nerve injury in rat

As a consequence of peripheral nerve damage, the material released from the lesion received by the cell body of neurons in the central nervous system leads to apoptosis. As Achillea santolina L. has anti-inflammatory effects, it may reduce the severity of the lesion. Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether the alcoholic extract of Achillea santolina had neuroprotective effects on the degeneration of spinal cord alpha motoneurons after sciatica nerve injury in Rats. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: compression, compression and treatment with 50 mg/kg, compression in addition to treatment with 75 mg/kg, and a group without any intervention as a control. In groups of compression and treatment, the sciatic nerve was compressed for sixty seconds by artery forceps. After compression, the extract of Achillea santolina was injected intraperitoneally during the first and second weeks. 28 days later, the rats were sampled from the lumbar spinal cord. Comparing neuronal density in each group was done with the compression group. In the compression group, the density of alpha-motoneurons showed a significant decrease compared to the control group, and in the treatment groups of 50 and 75 mg/kg, the density of alpha-motoneurons increased significantly compared to the compression group. These findings showed that Achillea santolina alcoholic extract of flowers has compounds that due to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant factors have restorative and neuroprotective effects on spinal cord alpha-motoneurons after lesion and a dose of 75 mg/kg has the greatest effect in preventing the severity of degeneration.

A Novel Intervention Technology for Cerebral Palsy: Brain Stimulation

Abstract:A common pediatric disorder with posture and motor dysfunctionin neurological diseases is known as cerebral palsy (CP). Recently,a series of effective techniques have been developed for treatmentof CP. These promising methods need high-tech equipment forbrain stimulation and mainly classified into invasive and noinvasiveapproaches. This study aimed to introduce these techniquesfor treatment of patients who suffer from CP. The potential andperformance of currently available brain stimulation techniques havebeen mentioned in detail. Moreover, the clinical application, safety,efficacy and challenges of these methods have been discussed. Herewe review the recent advances in the CP treatment with an emphasison brain stimulation techniquesKeywords:Cerebral palsy; Brain stimulation; Pediatric disorde

Histopathological changes of spermatogenesis induced by Intra-peritoneal injection of CuO nanoparticles

A number of lifestyle-related factors, including smoking and obesity, as well as a number of environmental factors, such as exposure to dioxins, combustion products, and traffic exhaust gases, appear to have a deleterious influence on the testes and spermatogenesis. Because of its oxidation-reduction (Redox) potential, copper functions as a cofactor in a variety of enzymes that are essential for basic metabolic functions. We assess how copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) affected the male reproductive system and the probability of getting pregnant, both of which have not yet been studied. Four groups of creatures were chosen at random. The experimental group received daily doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg of CuO-NPs intraperitoneally (IP). According to the results of the histological investigation, CuO NPs treatment significantly enhanced Sertoli and Leydig cells as well as all testicular germ cells other than spermatozoa at a dose of 100 mg/kg in both the in vivo and in vitro stages. The 150 mg group\u27s spermatids and spermatocytes had significantly decreased as a result of CuO NP\u27s harmful effects during the in vitro phase (P <0.05). We can therefore conclude that a buildup of CuO in high doses may result in a disruption of the CuO homeostasis, which may subsequently reduce male fertility

Zoning areas prone to fire occurrences in the forest ecosystems of North Zagros (Case study: Sardasht forests in West Azarbaijan)

The ecological balance in nature is integrated with forest safety. Wildfire causes irreparable effects on the ecological functions of the forest and disrupts the production of oxygen and carbon sequestration, reducing biodiversity, expanding pests and diseases, and eventually breaking the balance of nature, which is the unique role of the forest. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors affecting the occurrence and zoning of fire hazards in Sardasht forests in the area of 1784.8 hectares to achieve control and counteraction strategies. At first, layers of elevation, slope, aspect, precipitation, temperature, organic carbon, soil texture, and vegetation cover were mapped for the study area. AHP was used for prioritization, evaluation criteria, and weighting of the layers. Finally, the classifications of the layer were done using GIS, and hazard scores were classified at four classes included; Safe, low risk, medium risk, and high risk. The results showed that 12.7% of the study area is at high risk, 39.9% has moderate risk, 31.9% is in the low-risk area and 15.5% is located in the safe area. Also, the Angstrom index was showed that wildfire occurring has maximum possibility between June to September. It was also found that the north-east of the study area is more at risk of fire due to the denser vegetation than other areas. The minimum fire hazard was observed in the north, part in the south, and the narrow strip in the central regions of the study area

Investigation of Leukemia Frequency in Children of Qazvin Province and its Correlation with Gender, Age, and Blood Groups between 2006-2016

Background: About 8 percent of all cancers in human population are related to leukemia and it is one of the most common malignancies in children. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of age, gender and blood group types with the frequency of leukemia among the children with leukemia in Qazvin province during the 2006 to 2016.Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis. Investigated population was 110 children and adolescents under 18 years in the hospitals of Qazvin province. The date collecting method was through review of medical records of the patients and their analysis performed by using SPSS version 16.Results: According to data from this study, leukemia ALL-L1 is more frequent in Qazvin than other types of leukemia, and children with ages 0-5 years was more than other age groups. This disorder is more common in boys than girls, and among the patients, the people who has A and O blood groups, and Rh + are the most abundant.Conclusion: such factors like age, gender and blood groups can use as prognostic factors in children leukemia. So that leukemia in children less than 5 years old is more than any other age. In addition to that; the incidence of leukemia ALL-L1 reduced with increasing age in the general population in Qazvin and number of boys with leukemia is more than girls

Effects of Thyme methanolic Extract on Ruminal Protein Degradation of Soybean Meal using Nylon Bag Technique

Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate effects of Thyme methanolic extract (0 and 0.15 mL/30 mL buffered rumen fluid) on ruminal Crude Protein (CP) degradation parameters of Soybean Meal (SBM). Nylon bags filled with 5 g of each of untreated or Thyme methanolic extract treated soybean meal, were suspended in the rumen of three fistulated Gezel rams for 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24 and 48 h, and obtained data were fitted to a nonlinear degradation model to calculate ruminal degradation characteristics. Thyme methanolic extract treatments significantly decreased protein degradability of soybean meal on different incubation times. Effective rumen degradable crude protein at a rate of 0.02/h, for untreated and Thyme methanolic extract treated soybean meal, 82.43 and 77.80%, respectively were estimated. Although Thyme methanolic extract decreased (p<0.05) the water soluble fraction (a), constant rate of degradation (c) and total degradability (a+b) of CP degradation but potentially degradable fraction (b), were not significantly affected by Thyme methanolic extract

Mapping 123 million neonatal, infant and child deaths between 2000 and 2017

Since 2000, many countries have achieved considerable success in improving child survival, but localized progress remains unclear. To inform efforts towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.2—to end preventable child deaths by 2030—we need consistently estimated data at the subnational level regarding child mortality rates and trends. Here we quantified, for the period 2000–2017, the subnational variation in mortality rates and number of deaths of neonates, infants and children under 5 years of age within 99 low- and middle-income countries using a geostatistical survival model. We estimated that 32% of children under 5 in these countries lived in districts that had attained rates of 25 or fewer child deaths per 1,000 live births by 2017, and that 58% of child deaths between 2000 and 2017 in these countries could have been averted in the absence of geographical inequality. This study enables the identification of high-mortality clusters, patterns of progress and geographical inequalities to inform appropriate investments and implementations that will help to improve the health of all populations