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The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNFα) in one bout of strenuous physical activity with and without saffron supplementation in male mountain climbers. Participants were eleven male mountain climbers with 27–37 years of age. The physical activity session included running on a treadmill with 5% gradient for 45 min with 80–90% maximum heart rate. Blood samples were taken in three different times- before, immediately and one h after the physical activity—in order to measure HSP70, IL-6 and TNFα. After three days of recovery, participants started consuming 300 mg/d capsulated dried saffron stigma for10 days. The physical activity session was repeated and blood samples were again taken before, immediately and one h after it. Pearson's chi-squared test was used for analysis of results (α = 0.05). TNFα has a considerably negative correlation with IL-6 immediately and one h after physical activity. TNFα showed a significantly positive correlation with HSP70 after supplementation. TNFα and HSP70 concentrations decreased following physical activity both before and after saffron supplementation and their increase was positively correlated to/with each other. Finally Ten days Saffron supplementation showed positive influences on mentioned immune responses after physical activity. Due to supplement's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in gredients, a positive correlation between TNFα and HSP70 happened immediately and one h after physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatiotemporal changes of net primary production (NPP) is one of the essential indicators in determining rangeland ecosystem condition. Therefore, the aim of current research was to map and monitor the actual and potential NPP of rangeland ecosystems in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, using CASA and Miami models, MODIS and field data from 2009 to 2018. The accuracy of the produced NPP maps was assessed in 253 sampling sites located in different vegetation types with good, fair and poor rangeland conditions, using linear regression. Results showed that the difference between actual and potential NPP was greater than 56 gr C/m²/month, which can be a sign of human impacts and interferences in the rangeland ecosystems of the region. The highest and lowest relationships between modeled and field productions were observed in the Astragalus spp. - Bromus tomentellus vegetation type with good rangeland condition (R²=0.84) and Astragalus sieberi- Stipa capensis vegetation type with poor rangeland condition (R²=28), respectively. The present research findings indicated the importance of drought conditions, vegetation type and rangeland condition in estimating the actual and potential NPP and the difference of these productions can be used as an index to determine and monitor the condition of rangeland ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Determining effective factors in cloud computing adoption on employees of Noor credit institution in South Khorasan province, Iran, is the purpose of the present study. A practical oriented method is applied regarding the research objective and a descriptive-survey method is used for collecting field data. Employees of Noor credit institution of South Khorasan province (50 people) are selected as the research sample. Methods: Accurate questionnaires are analyzed. Two researcher-made questionnaires are conducted as research tools. These questionnaires consist of effective factors in cloud computing adoption (12 factors including 47 items) and cloud computing adoption intention (3 items). The reliability of the research is evaluated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient which is obtained α=0.54% for the questionnaire of effective factors in cloud computing adoption and has various values for the questionnaire of the cloud computing adoption intention. Also, the descriptive statistics approach is used to define variables, and confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis are applied in the inferential section. Structural equation modeling using Smart-PLS software is used to determine the effective factors in cloud computing adoption Results: All 12 determined factors in cloud computing adoption are considered as dependent variables and cloud computing adoption intention is considered as an independent variable. 12 effective factors in cloud computing adoption on Noor credit institution of South Khorasan in Iran are determined and examined. Conclusion: It can be concluded that all factors (except the support of the top manager) have a positive and significant effect on cloud computing adoption intention, nonetheless, the value of statistic t for path analysis of the support of the top manager on cloud computing adoption intention is less than 1.96. This shows that the support of the top manager does not have a significant effect on cloud computing adoption intention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) provides protocols based on factors for reducing delirium. Due to the lack of geriatric wards and aged care teams in Iran, it seems that some of the original HELP interventions need to be modified through a trial study. Hence, this study was conducted to determine whether the Iranian modified HELP could reduce delirium in geriatric hospitalized patients.Methods: This double-blind randomized controlled trial was designed and conducted in a hospital at Kashan University of Medical Sciences in Iran. A total of 195 hospitalized patients aged ≥70 years, were 84 in the Intervention Group (IG) and 111 in the Control Group (CG). After assessing delirium risk factors, participants in the IG group received interventions based on the cognitive, vision/hearing, sleep, mobility, feeding, and hydration protocols by nursing students and the CG group received routine care. Delirium incidence was assessed by the Confusion Assessment Method. Delirium incidence, cognitive and functional abilities, frailty, fall, and length of stay were outcomes.Results: The mean age of the patients was 78.53(Standard Deviation = 5.87) years. Delirium incidence was higher in the CG comparing to IG (14.71% vs 3.66%).Significant reduction observed in risk incidence of delirium because of interventions [Odds Ratio:0.124, Confidence Interval: 0.03-0.48].Conclusion: The modified HELP effectively reduced delirium rates in geriatric hospitalized patients.Trial Registration: This study was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20180910040995N1 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effect of simultaneously using of chapped carbon fibers and an elastomer as hydroxyl terminated poly butadiene (HTPB) on tensile and impact strength and thermal resistance of phenolic matrix composite was investigated and optimized experimentally. This optimization was done by designing of weight percentages of components using design expert software. To fabricate all of composite samples, mix of resole and novalac phenolic resins (80-20 wt.%) was used as matrix and the HTPB and then carbon chapped fibers were added. Also thermal behavior of composite and pure phenolic was studied through thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) and differential TGA (DTGA). The best result about tensile tests is related to composite contains 55.48 wt.% of carbon fibers and 2.2 wt.% of HTPB. Also the highest impact strength was obtained for composite contain 38.41 wt.% of carbon fibers and 12.8 wt.% of HTPB. Integration of experimental and analytical results showed the optimum weight percentages about 38.41 wt.% of carbon fibers and 2.2 wt.% of HTPB with the achievable tensile and impact strength about 6 times more than phenolic resin. The results of TGA and DTGA tests showed that the thermal resistance of phenolic matrix composite is higher than pure phenolic, so its destruction rate up to 500 ºC is less than pure matrix depend on wt.% of carbon fibers. But the effect of HTPB on thermal resistance of phenolic matrix is negligible and a little negative because of it's fully destruction at 390 ºC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effect of longitudinal and transversal reinforcing of epoxy based carbon fiber reinforced composite/Al (CFRP/Al) and glass fiber reinforced composite/Al (GFRP/Al) single lap joints (SLJs) by using of pins and wires has been investigated under hygrothermal conditions. Overall three sets of specimens for each composite/Al joint were manufactured which consist of single lap joint (SLJ), single lap joint reinforced with 6 steel pins of 1 mm diameter in transverse direction (SLJP) and single lap joint reinforced with wires of diameter 0.2 mm, in longitudinal direction (SLJW) for CFRP/Al and GFRP/Al adherends. The tensile properties of the samples were measured after 500 and 1000 hrs. in hygrothermal conditions of 70 °C, relative humidity of 85 % and compared corresponding to unheated samples. The results show that using of pins, increases the tensile strength by 14 % in GFRP/Al and 13.7 % in CFRP/Al SLJs. Also wire increased the tensile strength of the SLJs by 26 % in GFRP/Al and 19 % in CFRP/Al SLJs. Hygrothermal conditions decreased the tensile strength of both GFRP/Al and CFRP/Al SLJs samples, where the highest degradation was observed in simple GFRP/Al SLJs (34.45 %) and the lowest was in wire reinforced CFRP/Al SLJs (21 %). Overall it could be concluded that wires and pins increases the lifespan of both CFRP/Al and GFRP/Al SLJs under hygrothermal conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in the spring of 2019 from the water sample of Abbasabad River in 17 stations. In this study, the optimized and modified method of methylene blue was used to measure the amount of LAS. After preparing the samples using the methylene blue method, the organic phase of the sample was separated and the LAS absorption was read using a spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 650 nm, and the LAS concentration was calculated using the obtained absorption and calibration curve. LAS health risk assessment was performed by calculating the risk quotient (RQ) index. Results: The results showed LAS concentration ranged from 0.11 to 2.65 mg/L with a mean of 1.25 mg/L. Based on field observations, the entry of untreated wastewater into the Abbasabad River was the main cause of the high concentration of LAS. The results of the health risk assessment showed no risk in different age groups. Conclusion: The results show that at this level of LAS concentration in the Abbasabad River of Hamadan, there is no significant concern for human health. However, it is worthwhile to prevent the entry of untreated or inadequately treated wastewater into valuable water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

this paper, we discuss about bounded, isometric and hypercyclic composition operators on Cesáro function spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the influence of the pin rotating speed on corrosion behavior and mechanical properties of the friction stir welded (FSW) 6063 aluminum alloy joints was investigated. The welding process was performed at rotating speeds of 800, 1000, and 1200 rpm and a constant traverse speed of 50 mm/min. The joints were analyzed via optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and microhardness test. A cyclic polarization test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were performed so as to study the effect of the pin rotating speed on corrosion behavior of joints in the solution of sodium chloride (3.5%). Microhardness results showed that the maximum amount of hardness is related to the sample with 1000 rpm rotating speed because of optimized input heat, which caused an increase in the grain refinement and dynamic recrystallization. The cyclic polarization test demonstrated that the corrosion rate in the heat affected zone (HAZ) was higher than that of the base and weld metals; this is due to grain coarsening and an increase of secondary phase particles, which causes intensification of galvanic corrosion. It was found that the higher the pin rotating speed, the higher the corrosion rate. The growth of secondary phase particles was identified due to an input heat increase. Also, EIS results indicated that increasing the pin rotating speed at FSW reduces the polarization resistance (RP) amount at the Nyquist diagram, followed by a decrease of corrosion resistance. A lower amount of RP and corrosion resistance verified in the HAZ was compared to those of the weld metal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, chemical compositions of the essential oil and antioxidant activities of four Satureja species, namely S. hortensis (SH), S. bachtiarica (SB), S. laxiflora (SL), and S. intermedia (SI) were evaluated. GC and GC/MS were employed to analyze the essential oil samples extracted via hydrodistillation. DPPH and FRAP assays were used to evaluate the radical scavenging and antioxidant properties as well as antimicrobial activities. The GC and GC/MS analysis revealed and identified a total of 25 compounds. The most abundant chemical constituents were ρ-cymene (13.07 - 17.50%) in all four species, γ-terpinene in SL, SH, and SI (11.35 - 37.60%), thymol in SL, SB, and SI (24.54 - 38.75%), and carvacrol in SB and SH (32.07 - 42.51%). The FRAP assay showed that none of the methanol and dichloromethane extracts possessed significant antioxidant activity as compared to quercetin. In addition, the radical scavenging activity of SB and SI methanol extracts were higher than that of SL and SH (DPPH assay). However, all extracts did not show potent radical scavenging activities. It should be noted that this study was the first to evaluate the possible antioxidant or radical scavenging properties of SI and SL. The antimicrobial assay demonstrated a potent activity of all samples against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Epidermophyton floccosum (minimum inhibitory concentrations, MIC = 0.06 - 8 μg/mL). Due to rich content of thymol and carvacrol isomers in Satureja species, they can be suggested for use in various pharmacological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the strong coupling between exciton-plasmon by the aid of reflectance spectroscopy under different dye molecules weight in the samples. For this purpose, we have prepared five different samples as Glass/Cr/Au/PMMA (RB); in which the weight of RB has been changed from 0 to 4 mg. The spectroscopy of the samples has been done under angular modulation and also the dispersion relation of the samples has been extracted from this measurement. These measurements revealed the formation of two split polaritonic extreme in reflectance spectra as a function of wavelength. Then we have shown exciton-plasmon coupling in dispersiondiagram which presented an extra allowed mode between the polaritonic branches. After that, the circular dichroism spectra of samples have been measured to see the strong coupling circular dichroism. Our results show that, we have significant change in the dichroism of gold thin film due to strong coupling in all of visible region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the most important determinants of health and marital satisfaction, the family and religious adherence can be effective because religion includes guidelines for life and providing a system of beliefs and values make these features can affect family life. Approach: This descriptive research - an analysis performed to assess the level of satisfaction of 47 questionnaires marital satisfaction questionnaire whose validity and reliability were evaluated and a couple of them asked to assess adherence to religion. The study population included 382 couples in Tehran that a cluster of 22 districts of Tehran were the selected. To analyze the data, ANOVA, Chi-square, and Pearson correlation coefficient using the software SPSS (version 22) became all tests were performed at the 5% level. Results: The data showed that the average age is 34 for women and 38 years for men and the majority of couples are in appropriate level in religiosity (40.5 percent). The results showed a main direct relation among religiosity and marital satisfaction of men and women (p ≤ 0.001). The correlation among religiosity and marital satisfaction of women r = 0.271 and this factor in men r = 0.200 was obtained indicating a direct relationship was significant. Conclusion: couples who were both committed to religion, their marital satisfaction score was more than couples without adherence to religion, and thus promoting religious beliefs and commitment can increase their marital satisfaction in couples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The purpose of this research was to investigate and compare the rates of depression, anxiety, quality of life, vitality and mental health between premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Method The sample included 218 women selected randomly from the cultural center of Tehran in November and December 2013 and was divided into two groups. The first group included 110 postmenopausal women (45-55 years old). One year had passed since their last monthly period and they had not used any hormones. The second group included 108 premenopausal women (35-45 years old) who had not yet experienced menopause. In order to assess data, three tests were used: the Zung Anxiety Self-Report scale, the Beck Depression Inventory and the Quality of Life questionnaire (SF-36). The gathered data were analyzed with the T-test for independent groups. Results The results indicated that all five hypotheses were confirmed. There were significant differences between the scores of anxiety, depression, quality of life, vitality and mental health between the two groups. Conclusion Since menopausal women spend almost one-third of their long life in this situation, it can be useful to recognize the causes of these disorders in women and their influences on their families. We can also increase their motivation and self-efficacy in order to improve their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Investigation of seasonal suicide might help in learning about the etiology of suicide committers' behavior. Literature search indicates that a large number of preliminary studies have been carried out on this subject, in many of which seasonal and climatological aspects of suicide have been investigated. In the present study, the seasonal and time pattern of suicide incidence in Iran was determined based a systematic review. Materials and Methods: Search was performed in the national databases, namely, SID, Iranmedex, Magiran and Medlib, as well as international databases such as PubMed, Scopus and Google scholar, using such keywords as Iran/Iranian, seasonality and suicide. The technical quality of papers was assessed using checklists. Data of each of the preliminary studies were extracted in terms of general variables and such specific variables as season, month, hour, weekdays and climatic conditions. Results: Of a total number of 49,522 documents obtained from a primary electronic search, eventually 32 papers were included in this study. The highest numbers of suicides committed were 7 and 8 in summer and spring, respectively. Similarly, among the primary studies that had reported only the monthly occurrence of suicide, the highest rate in 7 cases was spring and 7 in summer. In most of the studies (8 cases) the highest number of suicides had taken place between 1:00 and 6:00 PM. Conclusion: These findings indicate that suicide occurrence in Iran has a seasonal pattern, most cases committed being in spring and summer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We provide a newproof for the description of holomorphic and biholomorphic flows onmultiply connected domains in the complex plane. In contrast to the original proof of Heins (1941) we do this by the means of operator theory and by utilizing the techniques of universal coverings of the underlying domains of holomorphic flows and their liftings on the corresponding universal coverings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The independence polynomial of a graph G is the polynomial Σikxk, where ik denote the number of independent sets of cardinality k in G. In this paper we study unimodality problem for the independence polynomial of certain classes of graphs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Biological hazards are among the major occupational hazards in blood transfusion centers. The aim of this study was to determine the exposure rate of the staff to biological hazards. Materials and Methods This research was a cross sectional study in 2009. A standard self administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed by SPSS15 by using the logistic regression model. Results Needle stick injury during the one year ending to the time of the study was reported in 11.9% of the staff and over their working lifetime 33%. Moucocutaneous exposure during the one year ending to the time of the study was 24% and over the working lifetime 39.6%. Regression analysis showed that occupational exposure was higher in the age groups of 20-29 (OR:2.29, 95%CI: 1.05-3.89) and 30-39 (OR:2.2l, 95% CI: 1.03-3.72), those with the work experience lower than 5 years (OR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.14-3.20), among the staff with elementary and secondary education (OR:2.29, 95%CI: 1.09-3.82), and among the personnel not having participated in occupational protection training courses (OR:0.60, 95% CI: 0.39-0.92). Conclusions Occupational exposure was lower among the personnel of Tehran Blood Transfusion Center compared to other medical centers in the country. Providing special training programs for different occupational groups, making improvement in managing and organizing the personnel, and exerting direct supervision over occupational protection programs can reduce working errors and hazardous exposures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we review some properties of permanent of a matrix in max-algebra. We find out a characteristic max-polynomial of triangular matrix and strictly double R — astic matrix whose diagonal entries are finite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Transfusion transmitted malaria is an ever present risk in endemic areas and the real threat for blood safety. There is a need for an effective malaria screening program and development of donor deferral criteria for the country. We evaluated the potential usefulness of Elisa screening for malaria antibody and antigen, thick and thin blood film, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) among Zahedan blood donors. Materials and Methods A total number of 384 blood donors in Zahedan in 2009 were screened for malaria parasite by thick and thin blood film using giemsa staining technique, Elisa antibody and antigen test, and PCR. Results The overall malaria antibody prevalence was 4.7%. In blood donors living in endemic regions, where there were reports for local Malaria transmission, the rate was 7.9%. The results of all antigen test, thick and thin blood films, and PCR were negative. Conclusions The present donor deferral system seems optimal at present; however, a small risk of transfusion transmitted malaria remains. In an endemic region like Sistan and Baluchestan the use of Elisa antibody test was an interesting alternative for the screening of blood donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The current study aims to observe the histological effects of paraquat on the adrenal Glands of the mice after single exposure to sub-lethal dose of the drug. Materials and Method: Forty male mice, fifteen control (group I) and twenty-five experimental (group II) were used. Each experimental animal (group II) was given a single dose of paraquat i.e 20 mg/kg dissolved in 0.2 ml normal saline as an intraperitoneal injection, while for the control group (I) each animal was given an equal amount of normal saline by the same route. The exposure duration for the study was comprised of ten days. On the tenth day all the animal (control and experimental) were slaughtered. Whole adrenals were removed, fixed in 10 % formal saline for 48 hours and processed for routine histological studies. Results: Histological examination of the experimental group showed that the adrenal cortical sinusoids contained large number of erythrocytes, suggesting congestion of the organ; similar changes were observed in blood vessels of medulla. Conclusion: Findings of the current study demonstrate congestion in the sinusoids. It can be assumed that this congestion was due to the formation of peroxynitrite anion (ONOO-) which may have major role in the progression of the paraquat toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was the evaluation of glycometabolic function, lipid profile, and liver function in patients with ß thalassemia major (TM) and their relationship with serum iron and ferritin. Methods: Fasting serum glucose, insulin, cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and liver enzymes were evaluated for 78 homozygous TM patients and 122 normal control subjects. Serum iron, ferritin, and insulin resistance index (IRI) were determined for them. Results: Fasting serum glucose, TG, aspartate transaminase (AST) levels, alanine transaminase (ALT) levels, and IRI were significantly higher in the homozygous TM patients than in the controls (P<0.0001 for all). Serum cholesterol was significantly lower in patients (P=0.003), and 5.1% of cases had diabetes mellitus. Conclusions: Impaired glucose and lipid metabolism, and also liver dysfunction were observed in about 18%, 30%, and 20% of the patients, respectively. Normoinsulinemia and a high IRI suggest beta cell failure. Better evaluation of iron toxicity can protect patients from complications associated with treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]