• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.71-78
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• 2020

Background and Objectives: Currently limited information is available on speech stimuli processing at the subcortical level in the recipients of cochlear implant (CI). Speech processing in the brainstem level is measured using speech-auditory brainstem response (S-ABR). The purpose of the present study was to measure the S-ABR components in the sound-field presentation in CI recipients, and compare with normal hearing (NH) children. Subjects and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, participants were divided in two groups: patients with CIs; and NH group. The CI group consisted of 20 prelingual hearing impairment children (mean age=8.90±0.79 years), with ipsilateral CIs (right side). The control group consisted of 20 healthy NH children, with comparable age and sex distribution. The S-ABR was evoked by the 40-ms synthesized /da/ syllable stimulus that was indicated in the sound-field presentation. Results: Sound-field S-ABR measured in the CI recipients indicated statistically significant delayed latencies, than in the NH group. In addition, these results demonstrated that the frequency following response peak amplitude was significantly higher in CI recipients, than in the NH counterparts (p<0.05). Finally, the neural phase locking were significantly lower in CI recipients (p<0.05). Conclusions: The findings of sound-field S-ABR demonstrated that CI recipients have neural encoding deficits in temporal and spectral domains at the brainstem level; therefore, the sound-field S-ABR can be considered an efficient clinical procedure to assess the speech process in CI recipients.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.71-78
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• 2020

Background and Objectives: Currently limited information is available on speech stimuli processing at the subcortical level in the recipients of cochlear implant (CI). Speech processing in the brainstem level is measured using speech-auditory brainstem response (S-ABR). The purpose of the present study was to measure the S-ABR components in the sound-field presentation in CI recipients, and compare with normal hearing (NH) children. Subjects and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, participants were divided in two groups: patients with CIs; and NH group. The CI group consisted of 20 prelingual hearing impairment children (mean age=8.90±0.79 years), with ipsilateral CIs (right side). The control group consisted of 20 healthy NH children, with comparable age and sex distribution. The S-ABR was evoked by the 40-ms synthesized /da/ syllable stimulus that was indicated in the sound-field presentation. Results: Sound-field S-ABR measured in the CI recipients indicated statistically significant delayed latencies, than in the NH group. In addition, these results demonstrated that the frequency following response peak amplitude was significantly higher in CI recipients, than in the NH counterparts (p<0.05). Finally, the neural phase locking were significantly lower in CI recipients (p<0.05). Conclusions: The findings of sound-field S-ABR demonstrated that CI recipients have neural encoding deficits in temporal and spectral domains at the brainstem level; therefore, the sound-field S-ABR can be considered an efficient clinical procedure to assess the speech process in CI recipients.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.29.1-29.6
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• 2022

In September 2017, an outbreak with high mortality, which showed the typical signs of ND, occurred among a flock of more than 2000 Eurasian collared doves in Konarak, southeast of Iran. A confirmed pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 strain was isolated from the brain tissues of the dead doves. The isolate, which was called Pigeon/Iran/Konarak/Barin/2017, was classified as a highly velogenic NDV. Complete genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolate belonged to subgenotype XXI.2, which has never been reported from Iran before. The isolate had the highest homology (96.15%) with early 2010s Italian isolates. Further studies will be required to understand the diversity better.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.425-440
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• 2023

Background: Muscimol's quick onset and GABAergic properties make it a promising candidate for the treatment of pain. This systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies aimed at summarizing the evidence regarding the efficacy of muscimol administration in the amelioration of nerve injury-related neuropathic pain. Methods: Two independent researchers performed the screening process in Medline, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science extracting data were extracted into a checklist designed according to the PRISMA guideline. A standardized mean difference (SMD [95% confidence interval]) was calculated for each. To assess the heterogeneity between studies, ² and chi-square tests were utilized. In the case of heterogeneity, meta-regression and subgroup analyses were performed to identify the potential source. Results: Twenty-two articles met the inclusion criteria. Pooled data analysis showed that the administration of muscimol during the peak effect causes a significant reduction in mechanical allodynia (SMD = 1.78 [1.45-2.11]; P < 0.0001; I² = 72.70%), mechanical hyperalgesia (SMD = 1.62 [1.28-1.96]; P < 0.0001; I² = 40.66%), and thermal hyperalgesia (SMD = 2.59 [1.79-3.39]; P < 0.0001; I² = 80.33%). This significant amendment of pain was observed at a declining rate from 15 minutes to at least 180 minutes post-treatment in mechanical allodynia and mechanical hyperalgesia, and up to 30 minutes in thermal hyperalgesia (P < 0 .0001). Conclusions: Muscimol is effective in the amelioration of mechanical allodynia, mechanical hyperalgesia, and thermal hyperalgesia, exerting its analgesic effects 15 minutes after administration for up to at least 3 hours.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-19
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• 2014

Buckling and vibration characteristics of circular laminated plates under in-plane edge loads and resting on Winkler-type foundation are solved by the Ritz method. Inclusive numerical data are presented for the first three eigen-frequencies as a function of in-plane load for different classical edge conditions. Moreover, the effects of fiber orientation on the natural frequencies and critical buckling loads of laminated angle-ply plates with stacking sequence of $[({\beta}/-{\beta}/{\beta}/-{\beta})]_s$, are studied. Also, selected deformation mode shapes are illustrated. The correctness of results is established using finite element software as well as by comparison with the existing results in the literature.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.189-191
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• 2014

Visceral leishmaniasis or kala-azar is an endemic parasitic disease in some parts of the world which is characterized by fever, splenomegaly, and pancytopenia in most of the cases. Herein we report an 11 month-old male infant with diagnosis of kala-azar who presented with pallor, hepatosplenomegaly, failure to gain weight, and no history of fever. Surprisingly, fever started after beginning of meglumine antimoniate treatment in this patient. As far as we are aware of, this is a rare presentation of visceral leishmaniasis. Therefore, clinicians especially in endemic areas are highly recommended to include kala-azar among differential diagnosis of unexplained anemia without fever to prevent misdiagnosis of this potentially fatal, but treatable condition.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.117-132
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• 2011

This paper is aimed at presenting two methods on the basis of pattern search and genetic algorithms to detect and estimate damage in plates using the modal data of a damaged plate. The proposed methods determine the damages of plate structures using optimization of an objective function by pattern search and genetic algorithms. These methods have been applied to two numerical examples, namely four-fixed supported and cantilever plates with and without noise in the modal data and containing one or several damages. The obtained results clearly reveal that the proposed methods can be viewed as a powerful and reliable method for structural damage detection in plates using the modal data.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.475-490
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• 2010

It is the intention of this study to synthesize the effects of double-edge cracks on the dynamic characteristics of a beam. The stiffness matrix is first determined for a Timoshenko beam containing two same-line edge cracks. The presented model is then developed for elements with two parallel double-sided cracks, considering the interaction between the stress fields of adjacent cracks. Finally, a finite element code is implemented, to examine the influence of depth and location of double cracks, on the natural frequencies of the damaged system.

• Journal of Information Processing Systems
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.413-424
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• 2011

A variety of different metrics has been introduced to measure the similarity of two given sequences. These widely used metrics are ranging from spell correctors and categorizers to new sequence mining applications. Different metrics consider different aspects of sequences, but the essence of any sequence is extracted from the ordering of its elements. In this paper, we propose a novel sequence similarity measure that is based on all ordered pairs of one sequence and where a Hasse diagram is built in the other sequence. In contrast with existing approaches, the idea behind the proposed sequence similarity metric is to extract all ordering features to capture sequence properties. We designed a clustering problem to evaluate our sequence similarity metric. Experimental results showed the superiority of our proposed sequence similarity metric in maximizing the purity of clustering compared to metrics such as d2, Smith-Waterman, Levenshtein, and Needleman-Wunsch. The limitation of those methods originates from some neglected sequence features, which are considered in our proposed sequence similarity metric.

• International Journal of Railway
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.27-35
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• 2016

In spite of recent advances in ballasted railway track, the correct choice of ballast for rail track is still considered critical because aggregates progressively deteriorate under traffic loading and environmental exposures. Various ballast requirements, functions and duties have been defined by researchers, railway companies and countries' regulations even though it needs to be integrated to make following proper decision during track operation and maintenance. A proper understanding of ballast properties and suitable tests are prerequisites for minimizing maintenance costs. This paper presents a capable classification for ballast characteristics which need to be investigated beforehand to such a way, firstly to assign ballast functions, secondly need to clarify ballast requirements, thirdly to map appropriate tests to evaluate ballast characteristics and then it must be such that if ballast cannot carry out one of these duties, be able to call there is ballast defect. The paper is structured in order to achieve these objectives.