Brain tumor localization and segmentation from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are hard and important tasks for several applications in the field of medical analysis. As each brain imaging modality gives unique and key details related to each part of the tumor, many recent approaches used four modalities T1, T1c, T2, and FLAIR. Although many of them obtained a promising segmentation result on the BRATS 2018 dataset, they suffer from a complex structure that needs more time to train and test. So, in this paper, to obtain a flexible and effective brain tumor segmentation system, first, we propose a preprocessing approach to work only on a small part of the image rather than the whole part of the image. This method leads to a decrease in computing time and overcomes the overfitting problems in a Cascade Deep Learning model. In the second step, as we are dealing with a smaller part of brain images in each slice, a simple and efficient Cascade Convolutional Neural Network (C-ConvNet/C-CNN) is proposed. This C-CNN model mines both local and global features in two different routes. Also, to improve the brain tumor segmentation accuracy compared with the state-of-the-art models, a novel Distance-Wise Attention (DWA) mechanism is introduced. The DWA mechanism considers the effect of the center location of the tumor and the brain inside the model. Comprehensive experiments are conducted on the BRATS 2018 dataset and show that the proposed model obtains competitive results: the proposed method achieves a mean whole tumor, enhancing tumor, and tumor core dice scores of 0.9203, 0.9113 and 0.8726 respectively. Other quantitative and qualitative assessments are presented and discussed.

Among various immobilizing materials, conductive polymer-based nanocomposites have been widely applied to fabricate the biosensors, because of their outstanding properties such as excellent electrocatalytic activity, high conductivity, and strong adsorptive ability compared to conventional conductive polymers. Electrochemical biosensors have played a significant role in delivering the diagnostic information and therapy monitoring in a rapid, simple, and low cost portable device. This paper reviews the recent developments in conductive polymer-based nanocomposites and their applications in electrochemical biosensors. The article starts with a general and concise comparison between the properties of conducting polymers and conducting polymer nanocomposites. Next, the current applications of conductive polymer-based nanocomposites of some important conducting polymers such as PANI, PPy, and PEDOT in enzymatic and nonenzymatic electrochemical biosensors are overviewed. This review article covers an 8-year period beginning in 2010.

The current nucleic acid signal amplification methods for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection heavily rely on the functions of biological enzymes which imposes stringent transportation and storage conditions, high cost and global supply shortages. Here, a non-enzymatic whole genome detection method based on a simple isothermal signal amplification approach is developed for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and potentially any types of nucleic acids regardless of their size. The assay, termed non-enzymatic isothermal strand displacement and amplification (NISDA), is able to quantify 10 RNA copies.µL−1. In 164 clinical oropharyngeal RNA samples, NISDA assay is 100 % specific, and it is 96.77% and 100% sensitive when setting up in the laboratory and hospital, respectively. The NISDA assay does not require RNA reverse-transcription step and is fast (<30 min), affordable, highly robust at room temperature (>1 month), isothermal (42 °C) and user-friendly, making it an excellent assay for broad-based testing.

Aroma of essential oil of geraniums can effectively reduce anxiety during labor and can be recommended as a non-invasive anti-anxiety aid during childbirth.

Lipase AK from Pseudomonas fluorescens and Lipase RM from Rhizomucor miehei were encapsulated into a zeolite imidazolate framework (ZIF‐8) by a “one‐pot” synthesis to obtain AK@ZIF‐8 and RM@ZIF‐8 biocatalysts. The effect of a high (1:40) and low (1:4) Zn/2‐methylimidazole molar ratio on the biocatalysts synthesis was investigated. The different Zn/ligand (L) ratios affected both the surface area, the loading, and the specific activity of the biocatalysts. Samples synthesized by using a high Zn/L ratio had high values of surface area whereas those obtained by using a low Zn/L ratio had higher loadings and specific activities. The decrease of pH (from 11.6 to 9.4) during the synthesis at high Zn/L ratio produced ZIF‐8 samples with features similar to those observed for low Zn/L ratio samples. The low Zn/L (1:4) ratio AK@ZIF‐8 biocatalyst retained 99 % activity after storage for 15 days at 5 °C and 40 % activity after five reaction cycles.

Recently, BYOD or Bring Your own Device has become one of the most popular models for enterprises to provide mobility and flexibility in workplaces. The emergence of new technologies and features of mobile devices makes them integral parts of every aspect of daily business activities. Also, mobile networks are now well integrated with the Internet (e.g. 3G, 4G and LTE technologies), therefore, in BYOD, the personal devices (i.e. mobile devices) can be used to increase employees' satisfaction and reduce an organization's device costs. Mobile devices are not well protected compared to computer and computer networks and users pay less attention to security updates and solutions. As a result, mobile security has become a crucial issue in BYOD as employees use their own mobile devices to access an organization's data and systems. Therefore, in this paper we present an overview of the current state of BYOD security and we discuss some future challenges in this area.

This study showed the prevalence of influenza infections among Iranian pilgrims and general population and suggests continuing surveillance, infection control and appropriate vaccination especially nowadays that the risk of influenza pandemic threatens the world, meanwhile accurate screening for MERS-CoV is also recommended.

Since its inception, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has infected millions of people around the world. Therefore, it is necessary to find effective treatments against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), as it is the viral source of COVID-19. Alkaloids are one of the most widespread plant-derived natural compounds with prominent antiviral effects. Accordingly, these phytochemicals have been promising candidates towards discovering effective treatments for COVID-19. Alkaloids have shown potential anti-SARS-CoV activities via inhibiting pathogenesis-associated targets of the Coronaviridae family that are required for the virus life cycle. In the current study, the chemistry, plant sources, and antiviral effects of alkaloids, as well as their anti-SARS-CoV-2 effect with related mechanisms, are reviewed towards discovering an effective treatment against COVID-19.