We studied the effect of nearest pattern interaction on a global pattern formation in a two-dimensional space, where patterns are to grow initially from a noise in the presence of a periodic supply of energy. Although our approach is general, we found that this study is relevant in particular to the pattern formation on a periodically vibrated granular layer, as it gives a unified perspective o...

The ability of Gaussian noise to induce ordered states in dynamical systems is here presented in an overview of the main stochastic mechanisms able to generate spatial patterns. These mechanisms involve: (i) a deterministic local dynamics term, accounting for the local rate of variation of the field variable, (ii) a noise component (additive or multiplicative) accounting for the unavoidable env...

Localized ecological interactions can generate striking large-scale spatial patterns in ecosystems through spatial self-organization. Possible mechanisms include oscillating consumer-resource interactions, localized disturbance-recovery processes and scale-dependent feedback. Despite abundant theoretical literature, studies revealing spatial self-organization in real ecosystems are limited. Rec...

Exchange transfusion is the standard method for treatment of severe hyperbilirubinemia. Our goal was to determine the indications for exchange transfusion (ECT) and the rates of ECT-related adverse events. A retrospective descriptive investigation was performed in newborns that underwent ECT at 17 Shahrivar Pediatric Hospital, Rasht, Guilan province during the period April 2008 to April 2011. O...

BACKGROUND Advances in the care of burn injuries have resulted from the efforts of regional patient-based specialist teams at burn care centers. OBJECTIVES We conducted this study to assess the four-year epidemiology of burn injuries in Rasht, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this cross-sectional study, medical records of 2274 burn patients, treated at Velayat hospital from January 2007 to De...

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of dental and oral mucosal lesions in institutionalised elderly people in Rasht. BACKGROUND Oral health in the elderly people is important to tailor the health programmes for this increasing age group within the population. METHODS A total of 216 elderly people residing in a geriatric nursing home were included in the study. Su...

This cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and predictors of overweight and obesity by location of residence among randomly-selected 2,577 urban school girls aged 12-17 years in Rasht, Iran. Data on age, frequency of skipping breakfast per week, physical activity, hours of television viewing, self-perception about body condition, and home address were collected. Birt...

OBJECTIVE Pregnancy is accompanied by profound alterations in thyroid economy and relative iodine deficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate urinary iodine excretion of pregnant women in cities with adequate and more than adequate iodine intake. METHODS A cross-sectional study was performed on schoolchildren and pregnant women in four cities in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Urinary iod...

BACKGROUND Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women associated with many reproductive, endocrine, metabolic and cardiovascular dysfunctions. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PCOS among high school students in Rasht. MATERIALS AND METHODS In a cross-sectional study, 1850 students were selected by a multi-stage cluster sampling from all high...

The apparently rare chelonine wasp genus Wushenia Zettel was previously known only from a single species Wushenia nana Zettel, collected by Townes at 1150 m from Wushe, Taiwan in 1983. Here we describe a second species, Wushenia australiensis sp. nov. from coastal New South Wales, Australia. This second species extends the known distribution of the genus from the Oriental into the Australasian ...