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Wireless sensor networks contain of many sensors that can serve as powerful tools for data collection in environments. A key challenge in these networks is the limited lifetime of sensor batteries. Ideally, all nodes would exhaust their energy simultaneously or through regular scheduling, maximizing the lifetime. Consequently, the primary concern is achieving optimal energy utilization to extend the network's lifetime over a logical duration. Depleting the batteries of the sensors means stopping the operation of the network, because it is practically impossible to replace the batteries of thousands of nodes. To address this issue, the low energy adaptive clustering hierarchical (LEACH) protocol has been widely recognized as one of the prominent solutions for clustering WSNs. However, the random selection of cluster heads in each round under the LEACH protocol fails to guarantee proper convergence. To overcome this limitation, this paper proposes a refined approach by utilizing a genetic algorithm and a novel objective function that incorporates various factors, including energy level and distance. The algorithm employs chromosomes to represent CHs and facilitates the selection of cluster nodes. Notably, the proposed algorithm dynamically performs clustering, meaning that clustering is conducted iteratively, considering identifying dead nodes. By leveraging this approach, the algorithm significantly enhances the clustering quality, ultimately leading to an increased network lifetime. To validate its effectiveness, it is compared with LEACH, LEACH_E and LEACH_EX algorithms, demonstrating its superior capabilities. On average, the proposed algorithm has more alive nodes in the network, and the remaining energy is at least 11% higher than the best other algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wireless sensor networks contain of many sensors that can serve as powerful tools for data collection in environments. A key challenge in these networks is the limited lifetime of sensor batteries. Ideally, all nodes would exhaust their energy simultaneously or through regular scheduling, maximizing the lifetime. Consequently, the primary concern is achieving optimal energy utilization to extend the network's lifetime over a logical duration. Depleting the batteries of the sensors means stopping the operation of the network, because it is practically impossible to replace the batteries of thousands of nodes. To address this issue, the low energy adaptive clustering hierarchical (LEACH) protocol has been widely recognized as one of the prominent solutions for clustering WSNs. However, the random selection of cluster heads in each round under the LEACH protocol fails to guarantee proper convergence. To overcome this limitation, this paper proposes a refined approach by utilizing a genetic algorithm and a novel objective function that incorporates various factors, including energy level and distance. The algorithm employs chromosomes to represent CHs and facilitates the selection of cluster nodes. Notably, the proposed algorithm dynamically performs clustering, meaning that clustering is conducted iteratively, considering identifying dead nodes. By leveraging this approach, the algorithm significantly enhances the clustering quality, ultimately leading to an increased network lifetime. To validate its effectiveness, it is compared with LEACH, LEACH_E and LEACH_EX algorithms, demonstrating its superior capabilities. On average, the proposed algorithm has more alive nodes in the network, and the remaining energy is at least 11% higher than the best other algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUNDS: The abnormal umbilical cord coiling index (UCI) may be one of the ways to predict adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study attempted to determine the association between abnormal UCI and maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes. METHODS: This longitudinal study was conducted on 400 women referred for delivery from April to August 2021. UCI was calculated by dividing the total number of coils by the total length of the umbilical cord in centimeters. In eligible cases, the length of the umbilical cord and the number of vascular coils along the total umbilical cord were measured after birth. UCI less than the 10th percentile and more than the 90th percentile was considered abnormal, and between the 10th and 90th percentiles was considered normal. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean length of the umbilical cord was 56.12±8.38 cm, the number of umbilical cord rings was 13.70±3.51, and the UCI was 0.24±0.07. In the regression analysis, women with gestational diabetes had a significant association with abnormal UCI (P = 0.044). Thus, the probability of abnormal UCI was about 3.5 times higher in women with gestational diabetes than in normal pregnancies. Also, the history of stillbirth had a significant association with abnormal UCI (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It is recommended to perform a UCI examination after delivery as part of a neonatal examination to find an explanation for maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Supplying vitamin D during pregnancy is necessary for fetal calcium homeostasis and bone growth and its mineralization, and its deficiency can lead to pregnancy complications. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of vitamin D level on pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 450 pregnant women referring to Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital in Babol. Mothers' information was collected using a questionnaire. Blood samples were collected from people to measure the serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 level by ELISA method using the EUROIMMUN kit. Patients were divided into two groups (vitamin D level< 25 and vitamin D level> 25) and were compared. Findings: 247 people (54.8%) had vitamin D level< 25 and 203 people (44.8%) had vitamin D level> 25. People with lower vitamin D levels had significantly more gestational hypertension (p=0.03) and premature rupture of membranes (PROM) (p=0.04) compared to people with higher vitamin D levels. The variables of labor pain, diabetes, fetal growth restriction and prolonged pregnancy did not show significant differences in people with high and low levels of vitamin D. Pregnancy complications including pre-eclampsia, preterm delivery, placental abruption and fetal growth restriction did not show any significant difference in people with high and low levels of vitamin D. In the evaluation of neonatal outcomes, infant weight, infant gender, fifth minute Apgar, head circumference and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, no significant differences were found. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that some pregnancy complications such as gestational hypertension and premature rupture of membranes (PROM) in pregnant women are related to vitamin D deficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to design plans to check the vitamin D level of mothers before pregnancy and correct it during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the common infectious and pathogenic agents, and some of its genotypes have the ability to cause malignant changes in the surface of mucous cells. By examining the prevalence of HPV in atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) Pap smear according to the risk factors, we can make a more correct decision in choosing the evaluation method and directing the patient to report the ASCUS lesion. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the types of human papillomavirus (HPV) in patients with ASCUS Pap smear. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 patients with ASCUS pap smear results and HPV test referred to the colposcopy clinic of Babol Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital during the last two years. Demographic information, history of obstetrics, history of OCP use, history of STD disease and high-risk behaviors, cervical treatments, HPV typing, Pap smear, colposcopy and cervical biopsy results were recorded and analyzed. Findings: The mean age of the patients was 33.83±8.09 years, and ASCUS pap smear showed 129 cases (64.5%) of high-risk papillomavirus, 16 cases (0.8%) of low-risk papillomavirus and 55 cases (27.5%) of both types. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 was in 18 cases (0.9%), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 in 10 cases (0.5%) and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 in 2 cases (0.1%). 17.1% of high-risk viruses caused cervical neoplasm. None of the low-risk viruses led to neoplasms and all of them were inflammatory. In both high-risk and low-risk cases, 14.5% neoplasm was seen. However, the relationship between the type of papillomavirus and the incidence of neoplasm was significant (p=0.058). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the ASCUS pap smear needs more detailed investigation such as colposcopy and cervical biopsy under the supervision of experts because it is associated with the high-risk HPV virus in many cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Supplying vitamin D during pregnancy is necessary for fetal calcium homeostasis and bone growth and its mineralization, and its deficiency can lead to pregnancy complications. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of vitamin D level on pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 450 pregnant women referring to Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital in Babol. Mothers' information was collected using a questionnaire. Blood samples were collected from people to measure the serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 level by ELISA method using the EUROIMMUN kit. Patients were divided into two groups (vitamin D level< 25 and vitamin D level> 25) and were compared. Findings: 247 people (54.8%) had vitamin D level< 25 and 203 people (44.8%) had vitamin D level> 25. People with lower vitamin D levels had significantly more gestational hypertension (p=0.03) and premature rupture of membranes (PROM) (p=0.04) compared to people with higher vitamin D levels. The variables of labor pain, diabetes, fetal growth restriction and prolonged pregnancy did not show significant differences in people with high and low levels of vitamin D. Pregnancy complications including pre-eclampsia, preterm delivery, placental abruption and fetal growth restriction did not show any significant difference in people with high and low levels of vitamin D. In the evaluation of neonatal outcomes, infant weight, infant gender, fifth minute Apgar, head circumference and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, no significant differences were found. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that some pregnancy complications such as gestational hypertension and premature rupture of membranes (PROM) in pregnant women are related to vitamin D deficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to design plans to check the vitamin D level of mothers before pregnancy and correct it during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the common infectious and pathogenic agents, and some of its genotypes have the ability to cause malignant changes in the surface of mucous cells. By examining the prevalence of HPV in atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) Pap smear according to the risk factors, we can make a more correct decision in choosing the evaluation method and directing the patient to report the ASCUS lesion. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the types of human papillomavirus (HPV) in patients with ASCUS Pap smear. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 patients with ASCUS pap smear results and HPV test referred to the colposcopy clinic of Babol Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital during the last two years. Demographic information, history of obstetrics, history of OCP use, history of STD disease and high-risk behaviors, cervical treatments, HPV typing, Pap smear, colposcopy and cervical biopsy results were recorded and analyzed. Findings: The mean age of the patients was 33.83±8.09 years, and ASCUS pap smear showed 129 cases (64.5%) of high-risk papillomavirus, 16 cases (0.8%) of low-risk papillomavirus and 55 cases (27.5%) of both types. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 was in 18 cases (0.9%), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 in 10 cases (0.5%) and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 in 2 cases (0.1%). 17.1% of high-risk viruses caused cervical neoplasm. None of the low-risk viruses led to neoplasms and all of them were inflammatory. In both high-risk and low-risk cases, 14.5% neoplasm was seen. However, the relationship between the type of papillomavirus and the incidence of neoplasm was significant (p=0.058). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the ASCUS pap smear needs more detailed investigation such as colposcopy and cervical biopsy under the supervision of experts because it is associated with the high-risk HPV virus in many cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fuzzy C-mean (FCM) is the most well-known and widely-used fuzzy clustering algorithm. However, one of the weaknesses of the FCM is the way it assigns membership degrees to data which is based on the distance to the cluster centers. Unfortunately, the membership degrees are determined without considering the shape and density of the clusters. In this paper, we propose an algorithm which takes the FCM clustering results and re-fuzzifies them by taking into account the shape and density of the clusters. The algorithm first defuzzifies the FCM clustering results. Then the crisp result is fuzzified again. Re-fuzzification in our algorithm has some advantages. The main advantage is that the fuzzy membership degrees of data points are obtained based on the shape and density of clusters. Adding the ability to eliminate noise and outlier data is the other advantage of our algorithm. Finally, our proposed re-fuzzification algorithm can slightly improve the FCM clustering quality, because the data points change their clusters according to similarity to the shape and density of their respective clusters. These advantages are supported by simulations on real and synthetic datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The Apgar score as a proven useful tool for rapid assessment of the neonate is often poorly correlated with other indicators of intrapartum neonatal well-being. This study was carried out to determine the correlation between umbilical cord pH and Apgar score in high-risk pregnancies. Methods: This is a prospective cross-sectional, analytic study performed on 96 mother-fetal pairs during 2004-2005 at Shahid Yahyanejad Hospital, which is affiliated to Babol University of Medical Sciences. Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes after birth was taken and an umbilical cord blood gas analysis was done immediately after birth in both groups. Mothers came with a labor pain and were divided into high-risk and low risk if they have had any perinatal risk factors. Other data like gestational age, birth weight, need for resuscitation and admission to the newborn ward or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit was gathered by a questionnaire for comparison between the two groups. P-value less than 0.05 was considered being significant.Findings: The gestational age and birth weight were the same in high-risk and low risk mothers. Mean umbilical artery blood pH in high-risk mothers was significantly lower than in low risk mothers (P=0.004). Mean Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes were significantly lower in high-risk mothers than in low risk mothers (P<0.05). According to the Kendal correlation coefficient there was no significant correlation between Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes and umbilical cord pH in low risk group (r=0.212, P=0.1). But in high-risk group there was significant correlation between Apgar score at 1st and 5th minute and the umbilical cord pH (r=0.01, P=0.036 and r=0.176, P=0.146, respectively). Conclusion: Combination of Apgar score and umbilical cord pH measurement in high-risk pregnant mother could better detect jeopardized baby. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the delivery of DNA vaccines encoding HIV-1 in laboratory chimpanzees. Toleration of the vaccine; Demonstration of the placental transfer of anti-Env; Inclusion of cellular responses in Gag-specific proliferation of lymphocytes.