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Mammalian prions are neurotropic pathogens formed from PrPSc assemblies, a misfolded variant of the host‐encoded prion protein PrPC. Multiple PrPSc conformations or strains self‐propagate in host populations or mouse models of prion diseases, exhibiting distinct biological and biochemical phenotypes. Constrained interactions between PrPSc and PrPC conformations confer species specificity and regulate cross‐species transmission. The pathogenicity of fibrillar assemblies derived from bacterially expressed recombinant PrP (rPrP) has been instrumental in demonstrating the protein‐only nature of prions. Yet, their ability to encode different strains and transmit between species remains poorly studied, hampering their use in exploring structure‐to‐strain relationships. Fibrillar assemblies from rPrP with hamster, mouse, human, and bovine primary structures were generated and tested for transmission and adaptation in tg7 transgenic mice expressing hamster PrPC. All assemblies, except the bovine ones, were fully pathogenic on the primary passage, causing clinical disease, PrPSc brain deposition, and spongiform degeneration. They exhibited divergent adaptation processes and strain properties upon subsequent passage. Assemblies of hamster origin propagated without apparent need for adaptation, those of mouse origin adapted abruptly, and those of human origin required serial passages for optimal fitness. Molecular analyses revealed the presence of endogenously truncated PrPSc species in the resulting synthetic strains that lack the 90–140 amino acid region considered crucial for infectivity. In conclusion, rPrP assemblies provide a facile means of generating novel prion strains with adaptative/evolutive properties mimicking genuine prions. The PrP amino acid backbone is sufficient to encode different strains with specific adaptative properties, offering insights into prion transmission and strain diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the rapid integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices into the healthcare sector has brought about revolutionary advancements in patient care and data management. While these technological innovations hold immense promise, they concurrently raise critical security concerns, particularly in safeguarding medical data against potential cyber threats. The sensitive nature of health-related information requires robust measures to ensure patient data's confidentiality, integrity, and availability within IoT-enabled medical environments. Addressing the imperative need for enhanced security in IoT-based healthcare systems, we propose a comprehensive method encompassing three distinct phases. In the first phase, we implement blockchain-enabled request and transaction encryption to fortify the security of data transactions, providing an immutable and transparent framework. Subsequently, in the second phase, we introduce request pattern recognition check, leveraging diverse data sources to identify and thwart potential unauthorized access attempts. Finally, the third phase incorporates feature selection and the BiLSTM network to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of intrusion detection through advanced machine-learning techniques. We compared the simulation results of the proposed method with three recent related methods, namely AIBPSF-IoMT, OMLIDS-PBIoT, and AIMMFIDS. The evaluation criteria encompass detection rates, false alarm rates, precision, recall, and accuracy, crucial benchmarks in assessing the overall performance of intrusion detection systems. Notably, our findings reveal that the proposed method outperforms these existing methods across all evaluated criteria, underscoring its superiority in enhancing the security posture of IoT-based healthcare systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrospinning is a technique used to fabricate polymer fibers in micro- and nanoscales. Due to the large distance between the nozzle and collector, there is a limited positioning accuracy of electrospun fibers. To enhance the possibility of fabricating structures with micrometer placement, an electroprinting technique has been developed. By reducing the distance between the nozzle and the collector it is demonstrated that it is possible to get an improved control over fiber positioning which gives a possibility to fabricate designed 3D structures at the micron scale. In this study, cellulose acetate (CA) has been selected as a biomaterial to advance the 3D printing of membranes with possible use in separation applications. Various parameters, such as CA concentration and molecular weight, printing speed, printing pattern, applied voltage, etc. are evaluated with respect to printing control. Results indicate that by optimizing the printing parameters it is possible to print structures with inter- fiber distances down to 3 µm and fiber diameters at a sub-µm scale. This electroprinting development is promising for the fabrication of customized separation membranes. However, printing speed still remains a challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Design patterns are an effective technique for software development. However, lacking suitable documents often reduces traceability, and advantages remain unclear in source lines of code (SLOC). Design patterns are proven, reliable solutions to several frequent problems in object‐oriented software design. Detecting design patterns in a software system contributes to maintainability and reengineering and facilitates understanding codes. Furthermore, different design pattern implementations impede the detection of code pattern instances. A design pattern is a set of roles played by the code classes. Roles are the main details and determinants in patterns. A pattern can be detected in its defined role as it is an instance of a role. It is also of great importance in system documentation. The proposed method exploits blockchain‐based approaches for pattern mining and isolating design patterns in order to identify intercode relationships. The results demonstrate that the blockchain is effective and efficient in extracting the connections of features from source codes and adapting to design patterns with precision 97.2%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Implantation is the key initial complex stage of pregnancy. Several factors are involved in implantation, but acute and controlled inflammation has been shown to play as a key role. On the other hand, the role of viral infections in directly infecting blastocyst and trophoblast and inducing chronic and uncontrolled inflammation and disrupting microRNAs expression can make this review strongly attractive and practical. We aim to provide an overview of viral infections as the potential etiology of unsuccessful implantation pathophysiology through alteration of the cellular and molecular endometrial microenvironment. Based on our search, this is the first review to discuss the role of inflammation associated with viral infection in implantation failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: GATA2 deficiency is an autosomal dominant disease that manifests with a range of clinical symptoms, including increased susceptibility to viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. Furthermore, the increased susceptibility to infections in GATA2 deficiency can trigger hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in these patients. Our systematic review evaluates reported cases of GATA2 deficiency and HLH in the literature. Methods: A systematic review of case reports was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, encompassing studies retrieved from Ovid MEDLINE ALL, Embase via Ovid SP, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar from inception until June 14, 2024. This review included studies reporting patients diagnosed with GATA2 deficiency or having a documented history of the condition, who subsequently developed or were concurrently diagnosed with HLH. Various study types were considered, such as case reports, case series, letters to editors, original articles, correspondences, and commentaries, without any restrictions on language. Results: In our systematic review, 15 studies from 2016 to 2024 were analyzed, encompassing 23 patients with GATA2 deficiency and HLH. the mean (SD) age of patients was 23.48 (10.54) years, ranging from 7 to 57 years. These patients exhibited diverse genetic mutations and a spectrum of infections, particularly Mycobacterium avium (M. avium), Mycobacterium kansasii (M. kansasii), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and influenza A, often leading to HLH. Family histories of GATA2-deficient patients with HLH occasionally reveal confirmed GATA2 mutations or suspicious cases among first-degree relatives. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) was performed in 8 patients with GATA2 deficiency and HLH. Among them, 6 patients survived post-therapy, while 2 patients died following HSCT. Currently, 1 patient is being considered for HSCT. The overall mortality rate among GATA2 deficiency patients who experienced HLH was 39.13%. Conclusions: This systematic review highlights GATA2 deficiency's association with diverse infections triggering HLH, emphasizing early infection management to mitigate mortality risks. This comprehensive analysis contributes to scientific knowledge, offering important insights for clinicians and researchers in diagnosing and managing this rare condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PDX1 is a crucial transcription factor in pancreas development and mature β-cell function. However, the regulation of PDX1 expression in larger animals mirroring human pancreas morphogenesis and endocrine maturation remains poorly understood. Therefore, we conducted a comparative analysis to characterize regulatory regions of goat PDX1 gene and assessed their transcriptional activity by transient transfection of several transgenic EGFP constructs in β- and non-β cell lines. We recognized several highly conserved regions encompassing the promoter and cis-regulatory elements (Area I-IV) at 5' flanking sequence of the genes. Within the promoter, we identified that a key E-box and nearby CAAT element synergistically drive transcription, constituting the basal promoter of goat PDX1 gene. Furthermore, each recognized regulatory area separately enhances this basal promoter activity in β-cells compared to non-β cells; however, cooperatively, they exhibit a bifunctional regulatory effect on transcription. Additionally, the intact ~ 3 kb upstream region (Area I-III) functions as the most efficient reporter transgene in vitro and shows islet-specific expression in native rat pancreas. Together, our findings suggest that the regulation of goat PDX1 gene is governed by conserved regions similar to other mammals, while both structurally and functionally, these regions exhibit a closer resemblance to those found in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: GATA2 deficiency is an autosomal dominant disease that manifests with a range of clinical symptoms, including increased susceptibility to viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. Furthermore, the increased susceptibility to infections in GATA2 deficiency can trigger hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in these patients. Our systematic review evaluates reported cases of GATA2 deficiency and HLH in the literature. Methods: A systematic review of case reports was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, encompassing studies retrieved from Ovid MEDLINE ALL, Embase via Ovid SP, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar from inception until June 14, 2024. This review included studies reporting patients diagnosed with GATA2 deficiency or having a documented history of the condition, who subsequently developed or were concurrently diagnosed with HLH. Various study types were considered, such as case reports, case series, letters to editors, original articles, correspondences, and commentaries, without any restrictions on language. Results: In our systematic review, 15 studies from 2016 to 2024 were analyzed, encompassing 23 patients with GATA2 deficiency and HLH. the mean (SD) age of patients was 23.48 (10.54) years, ranging from 7 to 57 years. These patients exhibited diverse genetic mutations and a spectrum of infections, particularly Mycobacterium avium (M. avium), Mycobacterium kansasii (M. kansasii), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and influenza A, often leading to HLH. Family histories of GATA2-deficient patients with HLH occasionally reveal confirmed GATA2 mutations or suspicious cases among first-degree relatives. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) was performed in 8 patients with GATA2 deficiency and HLH. Among them, 6 patients survived post-therapy, while 2 patients died following HSCT. Currently, 1 patient is being considered for HSCT. The overall mortality rate among GATA2 deficiency patients who experienced HLH was 39.13%. Conclusions: This systematic review highlights GATA2 deficiency's association with diverse infections triggering HLH, emphasizing early infection management to mitigate mortality risks. This comprehensive analysis contributes to scientific knowledge, offering important insights for clinicians and researchers in diagnosing and managing this rare condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sequestration of atmospheric CO2 into value-added products is of great interest from economic and environmental perspectives. The tetra-shelled Cr1.3Fe0.7O3 hollow sphere as a heterogeneous catalyst was synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method followed by calcination at 600 °C. The synthesized tetra-shelled hollow spheres were characterized by several effective tools. The catalytic performance was studied for the cycloaddition reaction of CO2 with epoxides under solvent-free conditions. The reaction time, reaction temperature, CO2 pressure, and the catalyst amount were systematically studied. Under the best-experimented condition (0.02 g of the catalyst, 80 °C, 6 h, and 4 bar CO2 pressure), the catalyst demonstrated a broad substrate scope and functional group tolerance. Besides, the catalyst showed high recycling efficiency for five consecutive reaction cycles with no significant decline in activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self‐induced extreme intoxication akin to automatism (SIEA) is a complicated and controversial legal concept resistant to jurisdictional consensus. In the United States, SIEA has, at times, been considered under the concept of "settled insanity.". In the United Kingdom, the defense may be allowed for specific intent crimes, though the defendant's awareness of the foreseeability of risk is addressed at trial. In Canada, recent jurisprudence has led to legal and practice landscape changes related to self‐induced extreme intoxication. Here, we provide an overview of automatism and an update on the Canadian perspective with a review of the facts and an analysis of the Supreme Court of Canada's landmark decision in R v. Brown, where the court permitted the SIEA defense to be utilized for general intent crimes and acquitted Matthew Winston Brown, a 26‐year‐old male with no history of mental illness, with respect to two counts of "break and enter" and one count of "aggravated assault." We review the social and legislative response to the changing case law as well as related implications for expert testimony, which may be provided by forensic mental health professionals. Given the judicial and legal implications of the recent changes for both perpetrators and victims of violent crime and given the dynamic international landscape on extreme intoxication in criminal law, the review is thought to be of interest to a broad category of stakeholders including policymakers and those working in forensic psychiatry and law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behcet's disease (BD) is a multisystem disorder prevalent along the historic Silk Road, with Behcet's uveitis (BU) representing a significant complication contributing to disability. Various studies have linked different HLA alleles with BD across diverse populations. In this study, we investigated the association between HLA-B51:01/x and HLA-B27/x genotypes with Behcet's uveitis in 50 unrelated Iranian patients diagnosed with Behcet's uveitis, comparing them to a control group of 70 healthy individuals. Our analysis aimed to determine the susceptibility conferred by these alleles and assess their clinical relevance. Our findings indicate a notable susceptibility conferred by the HLA-B51:01/x genotype for Behcet's uveitis (P = 0.0001). Conversely, the B27/x genotype did not demonstrate significant associations with Behcet's uveitis. Furthermore, we employed prevalence-corrected positive predictive value (PcPPV) calculations to gauge the clinical utility of testing for these alleles within the Iranian Behcet's uveitis patient population. The PcPPV for B27/x genotype testing was determined to be 0.05%, while the PcPPV for B51:01/x genotype testing in the same population was 0.065%. These results suggest that carriers of the B*51:01 allele, when presenting with clinical symptoms, exhibit a heightened risk for Behcet's uveitis compared to the general population. Individuals carrying the B51:01 allele, when symptomatic, face an elevated Behcet's uveitis risk. This insight aids in targeted clinical assessments for at-risk populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the utilization of a modified Ti/nano ZnO-Bi2O3 electrode for the electrochemical advanced oxidation-based removal of a pharmaceutical pollutant from an aqueous solution. To analyze the surface properties of Ti/nano ZnO, Ti/nano Bi2O3, and Ti/nano ZnO-Bi2O3 electrodes made using electrophoretic deposition, various analytical methods were used. These methods included X-ray diffraction analysis, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy confirmed the presence of ZnO nanoparticles and Bi2O3 nanoparticles in a layer that is uniformly coated on the Ti/nano ZnO-Bi2O3 electrode. Beside linear sweep voltammetry and Tafel plots confirmed the increased stability and electrocatalytic activity of the modified electrode compared to the initial electrode. Chronopotentiometry and chronoamperometry verified the stability and better conductivity of the nanocomposite electrode, and according to electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, charge transfer in the modified electrode has improved by 87%. We evaluated the effectiveness of the Ciprofloxacin removal process by considering factors, such as pH in the range of 3–11, electrolyte concentration in the range of 1–7 g L−1, and current density in the range of 1.2–5.75 mA cm−2. We selected Ciprofloxacin as the specific pollutant for evaluating pollutant removal from aqueous solutions due to its widespread use and presence in the environment. We determined the optimal parameter values to be 6.25 mA cm−2, 5, and 3 g L−1. Under these optimal conditions, the efficiency of ciprofloxacin removal reached 96.33% within 300 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rational: Nickel is one of humans' most prevalent triggers of allergic contact dermatitis. However, the underlying mechanisms of this allergy still need to be fully understood. One aspect that has yet to be explored is the direct impact of common metal allergens on the skin's metabolites and lipids composition. Method: Our study employed matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI MSI) to analyze spatially resolved metabolic alterations induced by nickel exposure. Cross‐sections of ex vivo porcine ear skin exposed to increasing nickel (II) ion concentrations (17–167 μg/cm2) were measured with an AP‐SMALDI5 AF ion source coupled to Q Exactive HF Orbitrap mass spectrometer. Additionally, the penetration of nickel ions into the skin was observed through its pink complexation with dimethylglyoxime under light microscopy. Results: For nickel ion concentrations up to 84 μg/cm2, most nickel ions were stopped within the stratum corneum, while only a very small proportion of nickel ions penetrated the viable epidermis and dermis. Stratum corneum locations with high nickel ion concentrations showed a decrease in arginine and ceramides. Furthermore, several phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin species were found to be downregulated in the viable epidermis and dermis due to the nickel exposure. Conclusion: Nickel penetrates at a trace level into the viable skin and induces severe metabolomic and lipidomic changes in the stratum corneum, epidermis, and dermis, indicating a change in the skin (barrier) function. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of nickel‐induced skin allergies and provide a solid foundation for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted global healthcare utilization patterns. This study aimed to examine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on utilization rate of healthcare services in Iran. Method: In this quasi-experimental study, data on the utilization rates of laboratory services, sonography exams, CT scans, MRIs, and EKGs was collected from the Social Security Organization (SSO)'s insurance information system. This data, covering 47 months prior to the pandemic and 25 months during it, was analyzed to assess the pandemic's impact on healthcare utilization among insured individuals in Iran. The data was categorized into direct, indirect, and total sectors, and an Interrupted Time Series Analysis (ITSA) model was employed for data analysis, examining both total and sector-specific utilization rates. Findings: : The study for single group indicated that in the total sector, Utilization rate per 1000 insured significantly decreased by 25.25 for laboratory services, decreased by 3.99 for sonography, decreased by 1.08 for MRIs and decreased by 1.01 for EKGs, but increased by 2.28 for CT scans in the first pandemic month. Over following months, monthly utilization trends per 1000 insured increased significantly- laboratory services + 1.08, sonography + 0.11, CT scans + 0.12, MRIs + 0.06, and EKGs + 0.05. Pre-pandemic, monthly utilization per 1000 insured was 62.68 labs, 14.47 sonography, 0.72 CT scans, 2.06 MRIs, with all significantly higher in the indirect over direct sector except EKGs which were 2.08 higher in the direct sector. In the first pandemic month, there were significant between-sector differences per 1000 of -4.4 for sonography, + 1.89 CT scans, -1.01 MRIs and + 1.29 EKGs. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant decline in healthcare service utilization, particularly in total and direct sectors, while CT scans remained unaffected. To address these challenges and meet patient needs, Iran's health system should adopt alternative delivery methods like telemedicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Longevity is increasing worldwide due to improvements in healthcare and living standards. Aging is often associated with disability and multiple health concerns. To address these challenges, effective interventions are essential. This study investigated potential age-related declines in gait, balance, and strength. We also sought to assess any relationships between these three parameters and explore potential differences between women and men. Methods: Healthy individuals over 50 years of age were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Upper extremity (grip) strength and lower extremity (knee) strength of the dominant side were measured. Static balance was performed on the force plate in different situations each for 30 seconds: bilateral stance with eyes open, bilateral stance with eyes closed, as well as dominant leg and non-dominant leg unilateral stance with eyes open. Gait was measured during level walking using an optical motion capture system. Additionally, the dynamic stability margin (DSM) was calculated for the level walking trials. Results: The study results indicated that gait parameters were not significantly affected by age (p≥0.12), while knee and grip strength, along with several balance parameters, showed a significant decline with age. All individuals were able to maintain their bipedal balance, but their center of pressure movement increased significantly by age (p≤0.028). Z-scores were calculated to compare significant age parameters. Unipedal stance time was found to be the most affected by age compared to other contributing factors (p≤0.001). The duration of unipedal balance showed the most significant change per decade (non-dominant: -0.62 SDs; dominant: -0.53 SDs), while strength measures exhibited the lowest amount of change per decade (grip strength: -0.34 SDs; knee strength: -0.26 SDs). Sex differences were observed exclusively in strength parameters, with no discernible impact on the decline in balance parameters. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the duration of unipedal stance can serve as a reliable and gender-independent measure of neuromuscular aging for both elderly male and female subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enterobius vermicularis is a common parasitic infection worldwide. Acute appendicitis (AA) is a frequently encountered condition in general surgery; however, its association with E. vermicularis remains controversial. AA caused by E. vermicularis is a relatively uncommon infection that primarily affects children. We reported a 21‐year‐old female who was admitted to our hospital due to right lower quadrant abdominal tenderness. Laboratory tests and imaging were not consistent with AA. She underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy and appendectomy. Histopathological examinations revealed the presence of E. vermicularis in the lumen of the appendix, which caused its obstruction without evidence of inflammatory cell infiltration or lymphoid hyperplasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dogs may be infected with species of Leishmania parasites that are disseminated through blood circulation and invade the internal organs. In this study, we aim to detect the parasite in the blood of dogs using the PCR technique. The present work was performed from February 2022 to May 2023 in Fars Province, southern Iran, where the disease is endemic. Results: In total, 7(5.1%) out of 135 blood samples, six were identified as Leishmania tropica and one as Leishmania major. We found no trace of Leishmania infantum, which is always known for visceral infection. In addition, no sign of cutaneous lesions or a significant disease was seen in the animals infected with both species. Of 48 dogs with anemia, two were Leishmania positive. The mean value of hematological parameters in the infected dogs was within the normal range except for a significant reduction in the platelet measures (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our data revealed that both Leishmania species, tropica and major, may manifest as viscerotropic leishmaniasis. More investigations are needed to understand the conditions under which these species choose the type of infection. Moreover, our data emphasize the role of asymptomatic dogs in carrying these parasites, a crucial factor in spreading the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-yielding traits can potentially improve yield performance under climate change. However, data for these traits are limited to specific field sites. Despite this limitation, field-scale calibrated crop models for high-yielding traits are being applied over large scales using gridded weather and soil datasets. This study investigates the implications of this practice. The SIMPLACE modeling platform was applied using field, 1 km, 25 km, and 50 km input data resolution and sources, with 1881 combinations of three traits [radiation use efficiency (RUE), light extinction coefficient (K), and fruiting efficiency (FE)] for the period 2001–2010 across Germany. Simulations at the grid level were aggregated to the administrative units, enabling the quantification of the aggregation effect. The simulated yield increased by between 1.4 and 3.1 t ha− 1 with a maximum RUE trait value, compared to a control cultivar. No significant yield improvement (< 0.4 t ha− 1) was observed with increases in K and FE alone. Utilizing field-scale input data showed the greatest yield improvement per unit increment in RUE. Resolution of water related inputs (soil characteristics and precipitation) had a notably higher impact on simulated yield than of temperature. However, it did not alter the effects of high-yielding traits on yield. Simulated yields were only slightly affected by data aggregation for the different trait combinations. Warm-dry conditions diminished the benefits of high-yielding traits, suggesting that benefits from high-yielding traits depend on environments. The current findings emphasize the critical role of input data resolution and source in quantifying a large-scale impact of high-yielding traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurately predicting industrial electricity consumption is essential for optimizing energy efficiency, and reducing costs in industrial operations. This study presents a novel hybrid prediction model based on radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) and kernelized support vector regression (KSVR) methods (RBFNN-KSVR) for estimating industrial electricity consumption. Key input variables include population, electricity price in the industry sector, gross domestic product (GDP), and the number of electricity subscribers. The proposed hybrid model was implemented in a real-world case study to estimate industrial electricity consumption in Iran and compared against base methods (RBFNN, SVR, and KSVR). Extensive evaluation reveals the superior performance of the RBFNN-KSVR model in predicting industrial electricity consumption. This study provides a robust and reliable approach for industrial stakeholders to enhance energy planning, identify energy-saving opportunities, and ensure a stable power supply. The findings have significant implications for optimizing energy usage, improving efficiency, and reducing costs in industrial operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of mineral filler weight ratio on the low-temperature performance of hot asphalt mixtures with continuous gradation has been a subject of significant interest in the field of pavement engineering. This study focused on testing mastic, which is a bitumen mixture with mineral filler passing through a No. 200 sieve, using various tests, such as the bending beam rheometer test (BBR), direct tensile (DT) test, Infrared spectroscopy test (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) test, and semi-circular bending (SCB) test. Different weight ratios of mineral filler to useful bitumen ranging from 0.4 to 1.6 were investigated for PG 70-16 bitumen. According to the SHRP-A-407 standard, the weight ratio of mineral filler to useful bitumen plays a crucial role in determining the low-temperature performance of asphalt mixtures. The research findings confirm this fact, indicating that the weight ratio of mineral filler to bitumen plays a crucial role in determining the low-temperature performance of asphalt mixtures. As the filler-to-bitumen ratio increased, the stiffness of the bituminous mastic increased, leading to reduced fracture strain and decreased low-temperature cracking life. The optimal filler-to-bitumen ratio was recommended to be a maximum of 0.8 to balance performance and control low-temperature behavior. The results of this study underscore the importance of considering the rheological properties of bitumen mastic in addition to bitumen and asphalt mix when evaluating low-temperature performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the effect of adding three different types of standby components to a k–out–of–n:F system based on the dynamic stress–strength model. For this purpose, the system reliability in the three different types of standby components, i.e., cold, warm and hot standby components, are calculated. Also, it is assumed that the stress and the strength components follow the Weibull distribution and the Weibull process, respectively. The maximum likelihood estimators of the redundancy system reliability are obtained. In addition, a simulation study is performed based on the Monte Carlo method. Finally, the results are illustrated via a practical example that is the time of successive failures of the air conditioning system of every member of a fleet of jet airplanes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age, characterized by hyperandrogenism, chronic anovulation, and polycystic ovaries. Obesity often exacerbates the clinical manifestations of PCOS, contributing to insulin resistance, metabolic disturbances, and reproductive issues. This study aims to evaluate the effect of a period of aerobic exercises on sexual hormones and appetite in obese women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Methods: This semi-experimental study involved 30 obese women with PCOS, divided into an aerobic exercise group and a control group (15 participants each). The exercise group underwent a supervised 12-week aerobic training program, consisting of three 60-minute sessions per week. Hormonal levels (prolactin, luteinizing hormone [LH], follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], total testosterone, hydroxyprogesterone, LH/FSH ratio) and appetite scores were measured before and after the intervention. Statistical analyses were performed using ANCOVA to assess the impact of the exercise intervention, adjusting for pre-test scores. Results: Significant improvements were observed in the experimental group postintervention. Prolactin levels decreased from 20.95 ± 2.63 ng/mL to 18.50 ± 1.82 ng/mL (P < 0.001), LH levels from 9.47 ± 2.35 mIU/mL to 6.02 ± 1.45 mIU/mL (P < 0.001), FSH levels from 5.21 ±1.09 mIU/mL to 4.21 ±1.22 mIU/mL (p < 0.001), total testosterone levels from 59.19 ± 20.20 g/mL to 40.62 ± 14.81 g/mL (P < 0.001), and hydroxyprogesterone levels from 4.83 ± 1.65 Mol/L to 3.98 ± 0.95 Mol/L (P < 0.001). The LH/FSH ratio improved from 1.87 ± 0.54 to 1.52 ± 0.47 (p = 0.025), and appetite scores decreased from 7.53 ± 1.50 to 6.33 ± 1.18 (P< 0.001). Conclusion: Aerobic exercise significantly improves hormonal profiles and reduces appetite in obese women with PCOS, highlighting its potential as an effective therapeutic intervention. Regular aerobic training can address both reproductive and metabolic aspects of PCOS, enhancing overall health and quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dogs may be infected with species of Leishmania parasites that are disseminated through blood circulation and invade the internal organs. In this study, we aim to detect the parasite in the blood of dogs using the PCR technique. The present work was performed from February 2022 to May 2023 in Fars Province, southern Iran, where the disease is endemic. Results: In total, 7(5.1%) out of 135 blood samples, six were identified as Leishmania tropica and one as Leishmania major. We found no trace of Leishmania infantum, which is always known for visceral infection. In addition, no sign of cutaneous lesions or a significant disease was seen in the animals infected with both species. Of 48 dogs with anemia, two were Leishmania positive. The mean value of hematological parameters in the infected dogs was within the normal range except for a significant reduction in the platelet measures (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our data revealed that both Leishmania species, tropica and major, may manifest as viscerotropic leishmaniasis. More investigations are needed to understand the conditions under which these species choose the type of infection. Moreover, our data emphasize the role of asymptomatic dogs in carrying these parasites, a crucial factor in spreading the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender‐affirming care is treatment that recognizes and affirms the gender identity of transgender and gender‐diverse (TGD) individuals. Though not all TGD people choose to surgically transition, gender‐affirming surgeries (GAS) are an important part of many TGD people's transition. GAS can include a wide array of procedures aimed at aligning an individual's physical characteristics and gender identity. This review describes the most common procedures considered to be GAS, detailing important relevant considerations for each procedure. These include transfeminine procedures (i.e., breast augmentation, penile inversion vaginoplasty, orchiectomy, tracheal shave, and facial feminization); transmasculine procedures (i.e., chest masculinization, hysterectomy, phalloplasty, and metoidioplasty); and other procedures (i.e., fertility preservation and hair removal). Patient outcomes and the legal landscape for GAS are also discussed to contextualize these procedures within largest discourses surrounding gender‐affirming care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is ranked among the top causes of mortality throughout the world. Conventional therapies are associated with toxicity and undesirable side effects, rendering them unsuitable for prolonged use. Additionally, there is a high occurrence of resistance to anticancer drugs and recurrence in certain circumstances. Hence, it is essential to discover potent anticancer drugs that exhibit specificity and minimal unwanted effects. Curcumin, a polyphenol derivative, is present in the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa L.) and has chemopreventive, anticancer, radio-, and chemo-sensitizing activities. Curcumin exerts its anti-tumor effects on cancer cells by modulating the disrupted cell cycle through p53-dependent, p53-independent, and cyclin-dependent mechanisms. This review provides a summary of the formulations of curcumin based on nanospheres, since there is increasing interest in its medicinal usage for treating malignancies and tumors. Nanospheres are composed of a dense polymeric matrix, and have a size ranging from 10 to 200 nm. Lactic acid polymers, glycolic acid polymers, or mixtures of them, together with poly (methyl methacrylate), are primarily used as matrices in nanospheres. Nanospheres are suitable for local, oral, and systemic delivery due to their minuscule particle size. The majority of nanospheres are created using polymers that are both biocompatible and biodegradable. Previous investigations have shown that the use of a nanosphere delivery method can enhance tumor targeting, therapeutic efficacy, and biocompatibility of different anticancer agents. Moreover, these nanospheres can be easily taken up by mammalian cells. This review discusses the many curcumin nanosphere formulations used in cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, the fishery industry plays a crucial role in meeting the global demand for human food. However, the increased production and processing of aquatic animals like fish, shellfish, squids, and bivalves have resulted in a significant amount of waste generation. This waste, which includes fish heads, viscera, skin, bones, scales, exoskeletons, pens, ink, and clam, account for approximately 30–70% of the total aquatic product. The accumulation of this waste not only adds to production costs but also poses a serious environmental challenge. To address these issues, researchers have turned to utilizing fish by-products to extract bioactive compounds such as protein hydrolysate, chitin, chitosan, carotenoid, carotenoproteins, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and gelatin. These compounds possess desirable properties such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and therapeutic effects. As a result, they have grabbed the attention of the food and feed industry for various applications. In this article, we aim to provide a concise review of the bioactivity properties of these compounds and their potential applications specifically in aquaculture and seafood processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogels have several characteristics, including biocompatibility, physical similarity with the skin's extracellular matrix, and regeneration capacity. Cell migration and proliferation are facilitated by natural polymers such as gelatin (Gel) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Gelatin dressing acts as a structural framework for cell migration into the wound area, stimulating cell division and promoting granulation tissue formation. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil may prevent wound infection and improve the healing of wounds in the early stages. We studied the preparation of wound dressing containing Omega-3 and its ability to heal wounds. In this study, CMC-Gel hydrogels containing different concentrations of Omega-3 were investigated in full-thickness wounds. After the fabrication of the hydrogels by using surfactant (tween 20) and microemulsion method (oil in water), various tests such as SEM, Water uptake evaluation, weight loss, cell viability, blood compatibility, and in vivo study in rat cutaneous modeling during 14 days were performed to evaluate the properties of the fabricated hydrogels. The analysis of the hydrogels revealed that they possess porous structures with interconnected pores, with an average size of 83.23 ± 6.43 μm. The hydrogels exhibited a swelling capacity of up to 60% of their initial weight within 24 h, as indicated by the weight loss and swelling measurements. Cell viability study with the MTT technique showed that no cytotoxicity was observed at the recommended dosage, however, increasing the amount of omega-3 caused hemolysis, cell death, and inhibition of coagulation activity. An in vivo study in adult male rats with a full-thickness model showed greater than 91% improvement of the primary wound region after 2 weeks of treatment. Histological analysis demonstrated Omega-3 in hydrogels, which is a promising approach for topical skin treatment to prevent scar, and has shown efficacy as wound dressing by improving the repair process at the defect site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3D printed mixed matrix membrane (MMM) thin film, as a novel adsorbent, was introduced for the extraction of two steroid hormones from wastewater and tap water samples before their determination by high-performance liquid chromatography. The designed adsorbent was fabricated as thin film utilizing digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing. The thin film was made of acrylate photo resin, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), and polyvinylpyrrolidone and its application was investigated for thin film microextraction of 17β-estradiol (E2) and estrone (E1). The morphology of the 3D printed film surface and its chemical changes were studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The surface wettability of the proposed MMM films was measured by water contact angle analysis and its porosity was studied by N2 adsorption/desorption analysis. To attain optimal microextraction performance, optimization of both thin film composition and microextraction procedure was conducted, followed by a thorough evaluation of figures of merit under the optimized conditions. The limits of detection and quantitation were determined to be 1.5 and 5 µg L−1 for both E2 and E1. The linear dynamic range for both compounds was from 5 to 150 µg L−1. The method's repeatability was investigated on a single film for 6 extractions, as well as on 3 different films and the relative standard deviation values were 4.43 and 4.91 for E2 and 5.36 and 6.03 for E1, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a high correlation between rock engineering behavior and the anisotropy index, which is crucial for the safety assessment of rock properties. In rock drilling, rock anisotropy significantly affects the cost and efficiency of the drilling project. Therefore, the anisotropy during the rock drilling process is investigated in this study. First, measurements of horizontal and vertical drilling rates were conducted at a marble quarry. Then, experimental tests were conducted to measure the physical and mechanical properties of collected minor rock blocks corresponding to the major under-drilling marble blocks. Through this process, a total of 40 data sets comprising vertical and horizontal drilling rates and 12 different rock properties were provided. The results showed that the vertical drilling rate correlates more with rock mechanical properties, while the horizontal drilling rate is associated more with physical characteristics. Also, sensitivity analysis confirmed that porosity and dry density are the most and least effective variables on both vertical and horizontal drilling rates, respectively. Based on the analysis of variance, the polynomial equation was found to be the optimum relationship between vertical and horizontal drilling rates. Based on the comparative analysis and using actual data sets, the accuracy of the proposed equation was proved. Finally, a drilling anisotropy index was proposed based on the ratio of vertical to horizontal drilling rates. The results showed that the drilling anisotropy index is more prominent in rock blocks with high-strength properties. Also, it was proved that the drilling anisotropy index has an inverse relation with vertical and horizontal drilling rates. As the vertical and horizontal drilling rates are inherently affected by different rock properties, it can be concluded that the suggested relationship between vertical and horizontal drilling rates and the proposed drilling anisotropy index could be effectively applied to assessing the interaction of drilling rates with rock properties in anisotropic rocks. Practical Applications: This study investigated the relationships between rock properties and vertical and horizontal drilling rates, which is one of the main issues in rock drilling operations. According to the field and laboratory results, the correlation between the physical and mechanical properties of rocks with vertical and horizontal drilling rates was achieved, which can be considered during the drilling operation to enhance the drilling efficiency. Also, a new drilling anisotropy index was proposed, which can help identify a good interaction between drilling tools and the rock environment in anisotropic rocks. In addition, a new relation was proposed between vertical and horizontal drilling rates, which can be applied in practice to predict one of them based on the other. Generally, the outputs of this research could be applied to specifying the relationship between rock properties and vertical and horizontal drilling rates, emphasizing the drilling anisotropy index. In practice, the study outputs can lead to enhanced drilling efficiency and mine productivity in marble quarry mining by providing a deep knowledge of rock interaction with drilling tools while drilling in both the vertical and horizontal directions and choosing proper drilling tools for the under-drilling rock type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regular black holes are crucially important as approaches to solving the singularity problem, and in this paper, the accretion disk of Bardeen and Hayward models has been studied. For this purpose, we calculated the physical properties of black holes, including radiant energy, luminosity derivative, temperature, and conversion efficiency of accretion mass into radiation. The obtained results show that the nonzero-free parameters of regular black holes cause the radius of the innermost stable circular orbit of the disk to shift to smaller values. As a result of this displacement, we saw an increase in the profiles of radiant energy, luminosity derivative, and temperature. We also find that Bardeen and Hayward’s black holes are more efficient in converting mass to radiation than Schwarzschild. Finally, we compared the free parameter of these two black holes with the spin of the rotating black hole and found that the Bardeen and Hayward black holes can mimic the slowly rotating Kerr black hole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfonated melamine‐formaldehyde (SMF) containing high dispersed TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles were fabricated into magnetic nanocomposites by two different method material incorporation protocols, including calcination and wet impregnation. Their catalytic performance was investigated toward Biginelli reaction. For the preparation of the first catalyst series, a two‐step protocol was used. Initially, Fe3O4 nanoparticles were coated with SMF (Fe3O4/SMF). Subsequently, they were decorated consecutively with TiO2 (Fe3O4/SMF/TiO2) and ZnO (Fe3O4/SMF/ZnO). The second set of catalysts was prepared using a two‐step process. Fe3O4 nanoparticles were first used to modify SMF (SMF/Fe3O4). Following the initial step, the surface of SMF/Fe3O4 was decorated with both TiO2 (SMF/Fe3O4/TiO2) and ZnO (SMF/Fe3O4/ZnO). To understand the characteristics of the synthesized nanocomposites, a variety of characterization techniques were employed. New catalysts enabled the rapid synthesis (30–45 min) of a range of biologically active 3,4‐dihydropyrimidinones based on the Biginelli reaction with high yields (70–95 % isolated). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigate the behavior of the Dirac–Born–Infeld (DBI) scalar field as a candidate for the nature of dark energy in a non-minimal coupling scenario with the scalar torsion within the framework of teleparallel gravity. We present numerical solutions for the equations of motion and analyze the behavior of various cosmological parameters for different values of the parameter ṽ and f̃. Our findings reveal that the DBI scalar field can contribute significantly to the energy density of the universe and drive the late-time acceleration of the universe, with a transition from deceleration to acceleration occurring within a redshift range consistent with recent observational bounds. We show that the present-day value of the deceleration parameter is consistent with recent observational constraints, and the DBI scalar field behaves like a cosmological constant model. Our results suggest that the DBI scalar field can play a significant role in driving the late-time acceleration of the universe and that it has the potential to be a viable alternative to the cosmological constant model. Further investigations are necessary to better understand the nature of the dark energy component and its implications for cosmology within the framework of teleparallel gravity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the key functions and ultimate goals of health systems is to provide financial protection for individuals when using health services. This study sought to evaluate the level of financial protection and its inequality among individuals covered by the Social Security Organization (SSO) health insurance between September and December 2023 in Iran. Methods: We collected data on 1691 households in five provinces using multistage sampling to examine the prevalence of catastrophic healthcare expenditure (CHE) at four different thresholds (10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) of the household's capacity to pay (CTP). Additionally, we explored the prevalence of impoverishment due to health costs and assessed socioeconomic-related inequality in OOP payments for healthcare using the concentration index and concentration curve. To measure equity in out-of-pocket (OOP) payments for healthcare, we utilized the Kakwani progressivity index (KPI). Furthermore, we employed multiple logistic regression to identify the main factors contributing to households experiencing CHE. Findings: : The study revealed that households in our sample allocated approximately 11% of their budgets to healthcare services. The prevalence of CHE at the thresholds of 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% was found to be 47.1%, 30.1%, 20.1%, and 15.7%, respectively. Additionally, we observed that about 7.9% of the households experienced impoverishment due to health costs. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the age of the head of the household, place of residence, socioeconomic status, utilization of dental services, utilization of medicine, and province of residence were the main factors influencing CHE. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that while wealthy households spend more money on healthcare, poorer households spend a larger proportion of their total income to healthcare costs. The KPI showed that households with lower total expenditures had higher OOP payments relative to their CTP. Conclusion: The study findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve financial protection in healthcare and mitigate inequalities among individuals covered by SSO. It is recommended that these interventions prioritize the expansion of coverage for dental services and medication expenses, particularly for lower socioeconomic status household. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to investigate the effect of vitamin D and/or synbiotics on the response to treatment, cytokines profile and hormonal biomarkers in breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy. A total of 76 patients were recruited and completed the course of the intervention between 2019 and 2021 in Kerman, Iran. breast cancer patients were randomly enrolled in this study. Patients divided into four groups to receive one of the following regimens: placebo, vitamin D, synbiotics and a combination of vitamin D and synbiotics. clinicopathologic parameters, inflammatory and anti-inflammatory biomarkers and hormonal levels were measured at the baseline and four months after intervention. The study results found no clear link between the interventions and achieving pathological complete response (pCR), and a similar trend was observed in Ki-67 index examination. After neoadjuvant therapy, TNF-α concentrations decreased, with vitamin D supplementation moderating this decline. Vitamin D supplemented groups showed a significant increase in serum IL-6 levels. While IL-10 levels decreased in the placebo group, all intervention groups were protected from this decline. Moreover, there was a notable increase in the anti-inflammatory index, particularly in the group receiving both vitamin D and synbiotic supplementation, suggesting potential synergistic anti-inflammatory effects from their combined administration. The outcomes suggest a potential anti-inflammatory function of this combination. Consequently, more extensive studies with prolonged follow-up periods and substantial sample sizes are warranted to thoroughly evaluate their potential benefits for breast cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study involved the determination of the equilibrium mole fraction solubility of sildenafil citrate in aqueous binary mixtures of acetonitrile across a range of temperatures (from 293.15 K to 313.15 K). To represent this data numerically, both linear and non-linear cosolvency models were employed, and their performances were assessed through mean relative deviations or MRD%. Additionally, this study calculated the apparent thermodynamic properties (Gibbs energy, entropy, and enthalpy) for the dissolution processes using the van’t Hoff and Gibbs equations. Moreover, the study determined the density values of sildenafil citrate saturated solutions and presented them through the van’t Hoff equation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of M/NiCo-Ferrite (M: Pt, Pd, Ru, and Rh) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized, through a facile sol–gel auto-combustion followed by impregnation-reduction approach, as a catalyst for hydrogen generation from hydrolysis of NaBH4. All synthesized samples were characterized by XRD, N2 adsorption–desorption method, ICP-OES, FE-SEM, and EDX analysis. Compared to the other samples, it was observed that the Rh/NiCo-Ferrite sample exhibited higher particle distribution and surface area. To evaluate the hydrogen generation rate, the hydrolysis was carried out at a temperature of 35 °C, with an aqueous solution containing 5 wt.% NaBH4 and 3 wt.% NaOH. The experimental findings indicate that the Rh/NiCo-Ferrite sample exhibited a superior rate of hydrogen generation, with an average value of 11,667 mL/min.gcat, compared to the other samples studied. Enhanced catalytic properties may be responsible for its high activity. In addition, the activation energy of hydrolysis of sodium borohydride over the Rh/NiCo-Ferrite sample was 54.5 kJ/mol which is lower than the activation energy of many Ferrite-based catalysts. Moreover, the re-usability test of the Rh/NiCo-Ferrite sample denoted a decline in the catalytic activity after 4 recycling experiments due to the alterations in morphology and the reduction in the quantity of active phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corneal abrasion is a frequent complication in critically ill, intubated patients, potentially leading to visual impairment. This study compares the efficacy of three ocular care methods in preventing corneal abrasion among this vulnerable population. We conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 156 intubated adult patients admitted to the ICU. Participants were randomly allocated to one of three intervention groups (n = 52 per group): (1) polyethylene cover only, (2) polyethylene cover with artificial tear drops, and (3) polyethylene cover with Lubratex eye ointment. One eye per patient was randomly assigned as the control, receiving standard ICU eye care. Daily assessments over five days included a standardized dryness and corneal abrasion checklist, graded strip evaluation of eye dryness, and documentation of corneal abrasion incidence. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (SPSS-18). The incidence of corneal abrasion was significantly lower in the group receiving polyethylene cover with Lubratex eye ointment (4%) compared to the polyethylene cover with artificial tears group (36%, p < 0.001) and the polyethylene cover only group (60%, p < 0.001). The combined application of a polyethylene cover with Lubratex eye ointment effectively prevents corneal abrasion in intubated ICU patients. This method demonstrates superior efficacy compared to polyethylene covers used alone or with artificial tears. We recommend its implementation as standard practice for corneal abrasion prophylaxis in this high-risk population. Trial Registration. This study is registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT201506294736N8) and can be accessed at www.IRCT.ir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Active switching components are employed to propose a novel compact dual-band matching network (MN) with an adapted frequency in this paper. The design method involves the integration of active switching devices, stepped impedance resonator (SIR), and microstrip transmission line into the frequency response of a dual-band MNs. The PIN diode is employed as an active switching device in the proposed structure to increase the bandwidth of the MNs and attain the desired frequency. The dual-band MNs that are being proposed are fabricated and designed on the Rogers RO4350B substrate for use in Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). The simulation results demonstrate a high degree of congruence with the measurements. The maximal insertion losses and return losses in the first band are -1.3 and -24 dB, respectively. In the second band, they are -2.2 and -20.69 dB. The primary benefits of the proposed dual-band MNs are their high attenuation between two passbands, frequency matching capability, suitable return loss, and low insertion loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic endometritis (CE) is a frequent pathological condition that is defined as localized inflammation in the endometrium. Some adverse fertility consequences such as recurrent miscarriage and failure of implantation are associated with chronic endometritis. On the one hand, inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of endometritis, and on the other hand, the role of viral infections in inducing inflammation can make this review strongly attractive and practical. We set out to provide an overview of viral infections as a potential etiology of CE pathophysiology through the alteration of an endometrial microenvironment and its association with infertility. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review to demonstrate the role of viral infection in chronic endometritis, and whether or not infection ultimately plays a role.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study of stiffness characteristics plays a key role in application of parallel robots in precision manufacturing. In this study, stiffness index improvement is utilised as the objective function to obtain optimal configurations and dimensions for parallel robots. The optimisation goal is to maximise the stiffness index throughout workspace of the robots. First, stiffness of the robots is obtained by the strain energy of main components of the robots and Castigliano's theorem. For a more realistic simulation, compliance of moving platform of the robots is considered. Then a non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) is utilised to solve the optimisation problem. A comprehensive case study of stiffness analysis of three conventional SPS (spherical– prismatic–spherical) Stewart platforms to examine such a platform's optimised design is performed. The relationship between the objective and decision spaces is investigated. A similar approach can be utilised to study optimised design for other parallel robots. Findings of this study provide a general stepwise and conceptual approach to the stiffness analysis of parallel robots that depends on design parameters and configuration of the robots. In case of Stewart platforms, 3SPS configuration was found to be optimised in terms of stiffness performance in their workspace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine whether a period of high intensity intermittent training (HIIT) training influences aerobic and anaerobic performance in elite Karate athletes. Sixteen elite karate athletes volunteered to participate in this study. The athletes were randomly and gender-specifically divided into high intensity intermittent training (HIIT) group performed three times/week in addition to normal training for 6 weeks, and a traditional training (TT) group completing regular karate training. Body composition and maximal oxygen consumption as well as muscle power, speed, agility, and anaerobic power variables were assessed before and after the intervention. In addition, the blood lactate levels were measured in rest, after a warm-up period, and immediately, 5, 30, and 60 min after a Wingate test. The level of significance set ρ ≤ 0.05 for the study. A significant difference was observed in VO2max between HIIT and TT groups in post-test (p = 0.006). Furthermore, a significant difference observed between the muscle power (p = 0.001), speed (p = 0.013), agility (p = 0.004), peak power (PP) (p = 0.002), average power (AP) (p = 0.004), VO2max (p = 0.002), and level of the blood lactate concentration 60 min after Wingate test (p = 0.001) in HIIT group from pre- to post-test. A time × group interaction in muscle power (p = 0.001), speed (p = 0.021), and VO2max (p = 0.005) was observed. HIIT positively influences aerobic and anaerobic power in elite karate athletes compared to TT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monoclonal antibodies are attractive therapeutic agents in a wide range of human disorders that bind specifically to their target through their complementary‐determining regions (CDRs). Small proteins with structurally preserved CDRs are promising antibodies mimetics. In this in silico study, we presented new antibody mimetics against the cancer marker epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) created by the CDRs grafting technique. Ten potential graft acceptor sites that efficiently immobilize the grafted CDR loops were selected from three small protein scaffolds using a computer. The three most involved CDR loops in antibody‐receptor interactions extracted from panitumumab antibody against the EGFR domain III crystal structure were then grafted to the selected scaffolds through the loop randomization technique. The combination of three CDR loops and 10 grafting sites revealed that three of the 36 combinations showed specific binding to EGFR DIII by binding energy calculations. Thus, the present strategy and selected small protein scaffolds are promising tools in the design of new binders against EGFR with high binding energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, the solubility of amlodipine besylate was studied in the propylene glycol + ethanol mixtures at different temperatures (293.2–313.2 K). The study showed that the solubility increases with an increase in propylene glycol concentration, reaching its highest point at w1 = 0.8. Additionally, the solubility values have a positive correlation with temperature, which is typical for the solid solutes. The experimental solubility data were correlated with some well known cosolvency models and the accuracy of these models was investigated with the mean relative deviations (MRDs%) of the back-calculated data. MRDs were 1.2% for the van't Hoff model, 4.3 and 4.6% for the Jouyban–Acree and Jouyban–Acree–van't Hoff equations, 1.4% for the MRS model and 2.1% for the modified Wilson model. The apparent thermodynamic parameters (standard state Gibbs energy, enthalpy, and entropy) of dissolution of ADB in the non-aqueous saturated mixtures were also calculated with the van't Hoff and Gibbs equations at Thm = 303.0 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The very large global demand for energy storage as inherently-variable renewable-energy sources meet an increasing proportion of total electricity demand will be difficult to meet solely with existing technologies. Hence additional storage technologies that are safe and based on abundant primary resources are likely to come into play to facilitate the transition to zero net emissions at the global level. One such promising technology is the 'proton battery', which in its most general form is a rechargeable battery based on proton transfer and reversible electrochemical hydrogen storage. In the present review, a general definition of a proton battery is first proposed, since the term has been used broadly and somewhat inconsistently to date. The literature over the past thirty years on this technology is then critically reviewed, covering both proton batteries that meet the definition proposed in this paper as well as those that are merely self-identified. To the extent possible through published information, the performances of this range of cells are compared in terms of key parameters such as electrical energy stored per unit mass, cyclability, self-discharge and scale reached. The proton battery design developed by our group at RMIT is described in more detail, both theoretically and in terms of experimentally-measured performance, as an exemplar of a system that has already demonstrated a competitive storage capacity at a significant scale. In conclusion, potential future applications for proton batteries, and some directions for the research and development necessary to enable this potential to be realised, are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high consumption of pesticides in agricultural lands, especially wheat fields, due to the high volume of production of this product in the world, has created certain concerns regarding the product health. Therefore, this study aims to identify and assess the risk of malathion and deltamethrin pesticides in agricultural fields in Aran-Bidgol. At first, twelve wheat fields where spraying was done with malathion and deltamethrin, were selected. The health risk assessment showed that wheat and bread consumers, children and adults, were not at significant non-carcinogenic health risk (THQ <1), but environmental monitoring should be continuous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sensitive determination procedure was presented for two anticancer drugs (tamoxifen and raloxifene) in real water and biological samples based on magnetic dispersive micro solid-phase extraction–high-performance liquid chromatography with an ultraviolet detector. Fe3O4 NPs@SiO2@TiO2 nanocomposite was synthesised as a magnetic sorbent by the sol-gel technique. The effective parameters in the procedure were optimised with an experimental design, including screening and optimisation steps. Under the optimum determination conditions, the procedure displayed wide linear ranges of 5.3–735.0 and 7.0–806.0 ng mL−1 with R-squared of 0.9916 and 0.9908, limit of detections of 1.6 and 2.1 ng mL−1 for the raloxifene and tamoxifen determination, respectively. The intra-day relative standard deviations were 3.76 and 3.59% for three times the raloxifene and tamoxifen measurements, respectively. The preconcentration factors for the raloxifene and tamoxifen determination with a concentration of 20 ng mL−1 were 506.1 and 546.7, respectively. The method was applied to analyse well water, tap water, and hair samples and determine raloxifene and tamoxifen simultaneously with recoveries between 88.5–96.4 and relative standard deviations lower than 8.4%. The method's advantages for raloxifene and tamoxifen measurement included easy operation, low sorbent and desorption solvent consumption, simple sorbent preparation and separation, and suitable analysis time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the problems with a centralized cloud and the emergence of ultra-low latency applications, and the needs of the Internet of Things (IoT), it has been found that novel methods are needed to support centralized cloud technology. Mobile edge computing is one of the solutions to mitigate these challenges. In this paper, we study task caching at Device to Device (D2D)-assisted network edge. In the proposed scheme, we predict the possibility of re-requesting tasks in the future using convolutional neural networks (CNN). Based on this predicted possibility, the number of last requests, and the number of cached versions of this task type in the neighbors, in addition to the characteristics of a task itself, including the required cache volume and processing resources, we rank the tasks using the proposed Multi-Criteria Task Ranking using Predicted requests (MCTRP) scheme and select the best replacement option in the cache of each Mobile User Equipment (MUE). The proposed scheme has proved to be of considerable benefit in terms of reducing delay and energy consumption and improving the utility of MUEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Text summarization has been one of the most challenging areas of research in NLP. Much effort has been made to overcome this challenge by using either abstractive or extractive methods. Extractive methods are preferable due to their simplicity compared with the more elaborate abstractive methods. In extractive supervised single-document approaches, the system will not generate sentences. Instead, via supervised learning, it learns how to score sentences within the document based on some textual features and subsequently selects those with the highest rank. Therefore, the core objective is ranking, which enormously depends on the document structure and context. These dependencies have been unnoticed by many state-of-the-art solutions. In this work, document-related features such as topic and relative length are integrated into the vectors of every sentence to enhance the quality of summaries. Our experiment results show that the system takes contextual and structural patterns into account, which will increase the precision of the learned model. Consequently, our method will produce more comprehensive and concise summaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Alborz Mountains in north Iran underwent several tectono-metamorphic events during opening and closure of the Palaeotethys and Neotethys Oceans. These events are recorded by rare and discontinuously exposed metamorphic rocks, such as the HP-LT Asalem-Shanderman Complex and the Gasht Metamorphic Complex (GMC), that are considered to have been metamorphosed during the closure of the Palaeotethys Ocean. The GMC comprises poorly exposed metasediments and amphibolites metamorphosed under greenschist- to amphibolite-facies conditions, along with smaller volumes of granites. Different dating methods were applied to selected samples of the GMC basement to constrain the geological evolution of this part of the Alborz Mountains. A metagranite yielded two LA-ICP-MS U–Pb zircon ages of 638.4 ± 4.1 Ma and 590.3 ± 4.8 Ma that possibly date protolith crystallisation and later deformation and metamorphism, respectively, and a granite yielded a late Ediacaran 551 ± 2.5 Ma U–Pb zircon crystallisation age. A northern provenance from the basement to the South Caspian Basin can neither be established nor ruled out because no age data are available for this unit. Derivation of the GMC from Turan Block basement is unlikely, as this has a different crustal makeup and is probably composed of Paleoproterozoic and early Neoproterozoic material. The zircon ages are similar to published ages from the Arabian-Nubian Shield, indicating that this part of the Alborz basement may have belonged to the northern margin of Gondwana in the Neoproterozoic before rifting and drifting away along with other Iranian blocks (the Cimmerian terranes) during opening of the Neotethys Ocean. Chemical Th-U-total Pb ages for metamorphic monazites from two metapelite samples yielded a very large range of spot ages, of which c. 80% falls between 200 and 250 Ma, that do not allow to distinguish between Eo-Cimmerian and Main Cimmerian events in the GMC. However, they may indicate that the amphibolite-facies peak metamorphism of the GMC occurred sometime in the Triassic, in any case much later than the Carboniferous metamorphism in the neighbouring Asalem-Shanderman Metamorphic Complex to the north. Peak-metamorphic amphibole from amphibolite, retrograde white mica and foliation-defining biotite from metapelites and magmatic white mica from granite yielded much younger 175.1 ± 0.5 to 177.0 ± 0.4 Ma 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages. The Toarcian 40Ar/39Ar ages for minerals with different nominal closure temperatures reflect very rapid cooling of GMC basement below the Shemshak Group due to extension-triggered uplift. This late Toarcian to Aalenian extension event can be correlated with the regional Mid-Cimmerian unconformity of mid-Bajocian age (c. 170 Ma) that resulted from the tectonic movements causing rapid uplift and erosion. Extension probably started in the western Alborz Mountains in the Toarcian, migrated eastward, and culminated in the Aalenian in the eastern Alborz with the formation of a deep-marine basin. It was probably triggered by the onset of the subduction of Neotethys oceanic crust beneath the Central Iranian Microcontinent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]