Iran Banking Institute

This study presents a CNN-based deep learning framework to automate the accurate authentication of mericarp seeds from 15 commercially important medicinal Apiaceae species, which exhibit subtle morphological overlaps and face risks of toxic adulteration (e.g., hemlock contamination), threatening consumer safety and trade integrity. Six CNN models were evaluated, with DenseNet121 demonstrating superior performance in terms of accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and convergence stability, followed by MobileNetV2, InceptionV3, and VGG16. Confusion matrix analysis revealed that higher-resolution inputs significantly improved discrimination, particularly for similar seeds like Anethum graveolens L. and Apium graveolens L. Batch size minimally influenced outcomes. Analysis of accuracy-loss dynamics further indicated that EfficientNetB0 and ResNet50 underperformed, while DenseNet121, which excelled in performance, convergence stability, strong generalization, and minimal overfitting, highlighted the critical role of architectural design in feature learning and optimization of key performance metrics. Additionally, t-SNE visualization confirmed DenseNet121's superior feature learning, achieving distinct separation of all 15 species and resolving intricate visual ambiguities that confound traditional methods and limit clearer clustering in other architectures. These findings underscore the potential of CNNs as scalable tools for botanical authentication-particularly for detecting adulteration and species complexities using seed digital morphometric characters-to safeguard public health and reinforce supply-chain safety.

The emergence and spread of infectious diseases pose significant challenges to public health systems worldwide. Understanding the dynamics of epidemic outbreaks is crucial for effective intervention strategies. The goal of change point detection is to find time steps when the mean, standard deviation, or slope of the data changes from one value to another. This paper explores the concept of epidemic change points through the lens of Nash equilibrium. We propose a mathematical model that incorporates the dynamics of epidemic the change point's model into game theory. Game Theory refers to a language used to model choices made by purposive agents, where the outcomes of each player are influenced by the actions of other agents. Game theory is the science of strategy. It attempts to determine mathematically and logically the actions that players should take to secure the best outcomes. This article is worth reading because it demonstrates the use of game theory in estimating change points. It studies interactive decision-making, where the outcome for each participant or player depends on the actions of all. And it is interesting that the Nash equilibrium points of the two actors and the researcher are for optimizing their utility functions (minimizing loss functions). We demonstrate the applicability of our approach through simulations of hypothetical epidemics, revealing how game-theoretic strategies can enhance decision-making processes in real-time.

Attention impairment is a dimensional and heterogeneous trait, distributed continuously across the population. Understanding the pathophysiology of eye movement control offers valuable insight into attention dysfunctions and their underlying neural circuits. This systematic review aims to map different oculomotor paradigms and metrics to key attention systems across a range of psychiatric conditions, highlighting their potential for identifying biological markers of attention. We conducted a systematic search on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases using keywords related to ‘eye-tracking,’ ‘(in)attention,’ and ‘mental disorders.’ Seventy-five studies were included, categorized into three core domains of attention: Selective Attention (spatial/feature), Sustained Attention, and Executive Control, based on the associated oculomotor paradigms. These studies covered various psychiatric conditions, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Tourette Syndrome (TS), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), and Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders (SSD). The findings highlighted impairments in several key oculomotor metrics shared across psychiatric conditions, and moderately correlated with self-reported and behavioral measures of inattention symptoms. These include antisaccade direction errors, fixation durations on task-relevant/irrelevant areas, the latency to first fixation, and anticipatory and intrusive saccades. These metrics are particularly important in paradigms requiring endogenous shifts of attention. Eye-tracking metrics could serve as transdiagnostic biomarkers for identifying inattention symptoms across normative and psychiatric conditions. Further research is needed to transition eye-tracking from a research tool to a clinically actionable biomarker for personalized assessment and intervention.

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and nanofat have emerged as promising autologous biomaterials in tissue regeneration and facial rejuvenation. Both serve as vehicles for cellular growth factors that promote wound healing and tissue remodeling. This study aims to investigate the presence of endothelial and stem cell markers in nanofat membranes through immunohistochemical analysis. Eleven patients (nine women, two men) with a mean age of 36.82 ± 5.79 were included in this case-series study. Tissue samples were obtained using a mixture of nanofat and injectable PRF, with two different concentration ratios (2:1 and 1:1), in addition to solid PRF and stromal vascular fraction (SVF) gel membrane for comparison. The samples were fixed in 10% formaldehyde, processed into paraffin blocks, and sectioned (2-5μm). Immunohistochemical staining was performed using markers CD31 (endothelial cells), CD34 (hematopoietic and adipose-derived stem cells, and endothelial cells), CD163 (macrophages), ERG (endothelial marker), S100 (adipocyte marker), and CD10 (adipose-derived stem cells). Histopathologic examination evaluated endothelial and stem cell presence as well as macrophage infiltration. Histopathological analysis revealed fragmented adipose tissue with vascular proliferation, as well as platelet and fibrin deposition. Immunohistochemical staining showed the presence of endothelial markers (CD31: 36.82%, CD34: 22.73%, ERG: 19.09%) in the nanofat membrane, indicating vascularization. CD163 staining highlighted macrophages, although they were sparse in the nanofat membrane (<1% of cells). The SVF gel membrane exhibited substantial platelet aggregation but lacked evidence of cellular differentiation. CD34 staining confirmed the presence of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), though in lower-than-expected quantities. This study demonstrates the presence of endothelial cells and limited macrophages within the nanofat membranes, suggesting potential for vascular neoformation and tissue remodeling. However, the lack of detection of significant adipose-derived stem cells highlights the need for more advanced immunohistochemical markers to fully evaluate regenerative potential. The nanofat membrane provides a viable scaffold for tissue regeneration, with further research needed to optimize protocols for enhanced clinical outcomes. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Two farmers decide to divide a triangle farm between them. The problem is modeled as a simple application of game theory in geometry. The game is defined and is solved, theoretically, in independent case. Simulation results are proposed using the copula function, in the dependent cases. Finally, concluding remarks are proposed.

Climate change has diverse effects on the planet’s environment, including changes and shifts in the distribution and abundance of species. In this paper, we present a robust prediction ensemble algorithm for the current and future species distribution of Aegilops tauschii. Four modeling approaches were trained using various environmental variables (bioclimatic and soil variables) to accurately predict the species distribution for future scenarios. The results showed that GBM and RF demonstrated the most accurate predictions with an Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curve (AUC) of 0.80 and 0.83, respectively. The results of variable importance depicted that the temperature seasonality (bio4) was the most important and effective factor in determining the habitat suitability of Ae. tauschii, followed closely by the precipitation seasonality (bioclimate 15) and the mean temperature of the warmest quarter (bio10). Then, the distribution maps of Ae. tauschii were produced under climate change scenarios for 2050 and 2070. The results showed that Ae. tauschii will lose some of its suitable habitats under climate change and that this loss will be more severe in the east part of the study area. The results of the present study have important implications for ecological conservation as they can assist in identifying critical habitats and inform conservation planning efforts. Our model provides a valuable tool for understanding the potential future distribution of Ae. tauschii and highlights the need for continuous monitoring and protection of this species.

Recent studies scrutinize how NETosis (a unique cell death mechanism of neutrophil), impacts thrombosis patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET). This research evaluates the susceptibility of ET neutrophils to form NETs and tests two potential inhibitors, resveratrol (RSV) and tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ), in vitro. Platelet-rich plasma from low-risk ET patients was used, along with neutrophils from both patients and controls. NET formation assays, with or without RSV and THIQ treatment after LPS stimulation, were conducted in a CO2 incubator. Evaluation included flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy for NET formation and ELISA for TNFα, IL8, and vWF:Ag levels in patient and control plasma. Neutrophils from ET patients released more NETs than controls, confirmed by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Additionally, patients had significantly higher plasma levels of IL8 and TNFα compared to controls, while RSV was more effective than THIQ in reducing NETosis rates in these patients. In ET patients, a platelet counts over 1 million indicates the need for preventive treatment against thrombotic events. Similarly, in this study, RSV and THIQ significantly reduced the rate of NETosis in ET patients with higher platelet counts, and this role was more prominent in the case of the second inhibitor (RSV).

Important inferences in statistics, economics and finance such as mixture distribution fitting in portfolio management are closely related to finding statistical properties of points between two random points. This problem is studied in the literature; however, accurate and fast approximations and Monte Carlo simulations are not well studied. This paper is concerned to finding these properties such as distribution function and moment generating function of points between two random points are derived. To this end, the random linear transformation technique plays important role. Also, the moment generating function is represented as expectation of random variable indexed by a Poisson variable. This note is useful to propose the Monte Carlo simulation of generating function. Two applications in mixture distribution fitting and properties of weighted averages are given. These two applications have been used in the literature for Bayesian bootstrap, change point analysis, DNA segmentations, where all theoretical results may be applied in these fields, directly. Finally, conclusions are presented.

Treatment of keratoconus is one of the most interesting research fields for researchers in the world. Regenerative medicine based on human stem cells in the treatment of keratoconus has recently received attention. Despite extensive laboratory and animal studies in regenerative medicine of cornea, there are limited clinical studies in keratoconus. These studies showed promising results of stem cell therapy. In initial studies, the transplantation of these cells into stroma was associated with increased vision and improved corneal parameters without side effects. In this article, we tried to review different aspects of keratoconus stem cell therapy, including cell extraction and culture, surgical procedure, effectiveness and safety of this method in human clinical studies.