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The monogeneric family Calomyscidae includes the brush-tailed mice, genus Calomyscus, which have a Palearctic distribution ranging from the Hindu Kush Mountains in western Pakistan to the eastern Mediterranean region. Zagros Mountains—stretching from northwest to south of Iran—was assumed for long as the range of a single species, Calomyscus bailwardi; however, recent studies revealed considerable heterogeneities among the geographical populations presumably referring to the persistence of undescribed diversity. One such group from the western Zagros Mountains has recently been recognized as C. behzadiAkbarirad, Dezhman, Aliabadian, Siahsarvie, Shafaeipour, and Mirshamsi, 2021. Using molecular, morphometric, geometric morphometric, and karyotypic data, we examine the divergence of 2 additional groups from western Iran and name these as new species. The first of these species is distributed in the northern Zagros and western Alborz Mountains in northwestern Iran was recovered as the sister species to C. urartensisfrom the South Caucuses. The second species from a single locality in the central Zagros Mountains was clustered closely with C. grandisfrom the western Alborz Mountains. Morphologic analyses, karyological features, and genetic distances disentangled these 2 new species from their sister species.We describe 2 new species of brush-tailed mice from western and northwestern Iran, Calomyscus kiabiiand C. darvishi, on the basis of molecular, morphological, and karyotype data. These findings further highlight the importance of the Iranian Plateau as a source of underrecognized diversity in small mammals. Following this study, 11 species can now be recognized in the monogeneric family Calomyscidae.

Clostridioides difficileinfection (CDI) is the leading cause of healthcare-acquired infections worldwide. Probiotics are widely recommended to prevent CDI and its recurrences. Akkermansia muciniphila, as a therapeutic symbiont colonizing the intestinal mucosal layer, is considered to be a promising next-generation probiotic. In this work, we assessed the inhibitory effects of A. muciniphilaMucT and its derivatives on cytotoxicity and inflammatory response induced by C. difficileRT001 in Caco-2 cells. The results obtained from SEM revealed that the morphology of UV-killed A. muciniphilaremained unchanged after UV inactivation. TEM analysis showed that A. muciniphila–isolated extracellular vesicles (EVs) were spherical and ranged from 50 to 200 nm in size. Toxigenic supernatant (Tox-S) of C. difficileRT001 (500 μg/ml) significantly (P<0.01) reduced the cell viability of Caco-2 cells. Caco-2 cells treated with live (MOI 10), UV-killed (MOI 10), cell-free supernatant (CFS, 106cfu/ml), and EVs (20 μg/ml) of A. muciniphilaexhibited over 90% viability in comparison to untreated control. The neutralized CFS preparation using A. muciniphilaand its derivatives could notably reduce the expression level of inflammatory markers. Additionally, A. muciniphilaand its derivatives modulated the production of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-10 in Tox-S stimulated Caco-2 cells. We demonstrated that A. muciniphilaand its derivatives can modulate changes in the gut barrier–related genes and inflammatory response caused by C. difficileTox-S in Caco-2 cells.

We have designed, fabricated, and characterized a low polarization dependent multicast and select (MCS) switch based on a newly developed novel bulk SOA co-integrated with passive waveguides. The proposed new bulk SOA-based MCS switch requires the co-integration of active SOAs (gate and booster) with several passive InP elements. First, we have presented a theoretical analysis and the design and properties of the proposed bulk SOA and demonstrated its low polarization-dependent properties. Then, we evaluated and characterized the switch's performance, including gain, optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR), and data transmission features. The experimental results verify that the MCS switch exhibits polarization-dependent gain in the range of 0.1 to 2.2 dB for all ports and a broadband gain of approximately 70 nm across all ports. The measured OSNR, for all channels, is > 42 dB at 1580 nm. Moreover, experimental data transmission assessments show operation at high bitrates of 30 Gb/s with a low power penalty of less than 1 dB at 10−9. The dynamic power penalty range of the switch is also investigated. The MCS switch exhibits a wide range of > 20 dB input power dynamic range for a power penalty of less than 3 dB for a 10 Gb/s NRZ signal.

Addressing the capacity, low cost, and low power challenges of 6G distribution networks, this paper proposes and demonstrates a multi-band optical metro-access network architecture employing semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA)-based wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) switches as low-cost and low-power multi-band optical add-drop multiplexers (MB-OADMs) to extend the capacity beyond C-band limits. We implemented and evaluated the performance of an SOA-based MB-OADM prototype in the C- and O-bands including the network reconfigurability, the node scalability, and the capability to support high-capacity transmission. Experimental results show that the MB-OADM-based network maintains high optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) values up to 35.38 dB in the C-band and 33.56 dB in the O-band over 100 km across five nodes with a 20 km linkspan in between (a total of 100 km) without additional optical amplifiers at 25 Gbps. This work also assesses the MB-OADM-based network scalability in terms of nodes and data rate. Results indicated that the architecture supports cascading through nine C-band nodes over 45 km with a 3.6 dB power penalty at 25 Gbps for a bit error rate (BER) of ${{10}^{- 6}}$ and through four O-band nodes with a 3 dB penalty at 25 Gbps for a BER of ${{10}^{- 6}}$, maintaining nearly uniform power levels across channels at a BER under the FEC threshold. It successfully demonstrates PAM-4 at 50 Gbps and 100 Gbps data rate transmission operation crossing four nodes over a 4 km distance, with 2 dB and 2.4 dB power penalty at a BER of ${{10}^{- 3}}$ in the C-band and 1.85 dB and 2.2 dB power penalty at a BER of ${{10}^{- 3}}$ in the O-band, respectively.

Robert Fielding, a multi-media artist of Mimili descent, is known for his diverse artistic practice that includes photography, sculpture, painting, printmaking, installation, and salvaging. He recently added glass to his repertoire after a residency at Canberra Glassworks. Fielding's work is deeply rooted in the preservation of the Mimili Tjukurpa (Dreaming) and aims to share the importance of these stories. He incorporates found objects into his artwork, drawing on the memory held within the objects and their connection to Country. Fielding's upcoming exhibition at Canberra Glassworks will showcase his experimentation with glass production techniques and his unique combination of found objects and installation with glass. [Extracted from the article]

In the Massim Island region of southeastern Papua New Guinea secondary interment of skeletal remains was widely practiced historically, but its social context and regional expression in the deeper past remains uncertain. In this paper the chronology of secondary burial on Panaeati Island is established indirectly by reconstructing the cultural and spatiotemporal association of 21 clay pots placed with human skeletal remains at Biniwaga Cave, coincidently establishing the first whole vessel typology of Southern Massim Combed Pottery(SMCP) and Southern Massim Pottery(SMP). Comparison with excavated pottery assemblages on Panaeati and elsewhere in the region demonstrates that the Biniwaga pots are consistent with SMCP and early SMP, dating from 740 to 470 calBP. Secondary burial practices on Panaeati are contemporary with those recorded elsewhere in the region and coincide with changes in pottery production centres. Compared to excavated pottery assemblages from contemporary sites, a relatively narrow range of pots are represented at Biniwaga. It is hypothesised that pots were selected to reflect the cultural affiliation of deceased individuals during a period of increasing inter‐island interaction. Dans la région insulaire de Massim, au sud‐est de la Papouasie‐Nouvelle‐Guinée, l'inhumation secondaire de restes squelettiques était historiquement largement pratiquée, mais son contexte social et son expression régionale dans un passé plus profond restent incertains. Dans cet article, la chronologie de l'inhumation secondaire sur l'île de Panaeati est établie indirectement en reconstruisant l'association culturelle et spatio‐temporelle de 21 pots en argile placés avec des restes squelettiques humains dans la grotte de Biniwaga, établissant ainsi par coïncidence la première typologie de récipients entiers de la poterie peignée du Massim du Sud (SMCP) et Poterie Massim du Sud (SMP). La comparaison avec les assemblages de poteries excavés à Panaeati et ailleurs dans la région démontre que les pots de Biniwaga sont cohérents avec le SMCP et le premier SMP, datant de 740 à 470 calBP. Les pratiques funéraires secondaires à Panaeati sont contemporaines de celles enregistrées ailleurs dans la région et coïncident avec les changements dans les centres de production de poterie. Comparée a ux assemblages de poteries excavés sur des sites contemporains, une gamme relativement restreinte de pots est représentée à Biniwaga. On suppose que les pots ont été sélectionnés pour refléter l'affiliation culturelle des individus décédés au cours d'une période d'interaction croissante entre les îles.

Byline: Ehsan. Nazemalhosseini-Mojarad, Hamid. Asadzadeh-Aghdaei, Somayeh. Mohammadpour, Amir. Esfahani, Mohammad. Porhoseingholi, Mahsa. Molaei, Amir. Jalali, Peter. K. Kuppen, Mohammad. Zali Aim: In the present study, we evaluated the clinical prognostic [...]

ABSTRACTObjective:Health professionals who work with women in pregnancy and postpartum are rarely educated in psychosocial aspects of body image and mental health, despite this being a time of significant bodily change for women. This study presents the results of a needs assessment to determine the extent, nature, and format of health professional education in relation to body image and perinatal mental health.Method:Participants were N = 257 health professionals (89% female) from 16 European countries, recruited through the authors professional networks, who completed an online survey about their existing knowledge and experience, and preferences for further education.Results:Current knowledge about body image was low, and open-ended comments indicated that body image was integrated into pregnancy and postpartum care within the context of encouraging weight loss. Health professionals saw opportunities for the inclusion of conversations about body image and mental health within their clinical care and a need for training about ‘what to say’ to mothers, as well as recommendations for diagnostic and referral pathways, and more general information about postpartum body image and mental health that could inform their practice.Discussion:This research indicates the need for health professional education in relation to perinatal body image and mental health.

ABSTRACTObjectivesDefensive medicine (DM) is the deviation of a physician from normal behavior or what is a good practice and is aimed at reducing or avoiding the risk of legal litigation from patients or their families. Therefore, this study aimed to determine DM-related behaviors and associated risk factors among Iranian surgeons.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 235 surgeons were selected using convenience sampling. The data gathering tool was a researcher-made questionnaire confirmed as a reliable and valid tool. Factors associated with DM-related behaviors were identified using logistic regression analysis.ResultsDM-related behaviors ranged from 14.9% to 88.9%. The most common positive DM-related behaviors, including unnecessary biopsy (78.7%), imaging and laboratory tests (72.4% and 70.6%), and refusing high-risk patients (61.7%), was the most common negative DM-related behavior. The likelihood of DM-related behaviors was more in younger and less experienced surgeons. Other variables, such as gender, specialty, and lawsuit history, positively affected some DM-related behaviors (p < 0.05).ConclusionThis study showed that the proportion of surgeons who frequently performed DM-related behaviors was higher than those who rarely performed it. Therefore, strategies including reforming the rules and regulations for medical errors and litigations, developing and implementing medical guidelines and evidence-based medicine, and improving the medical liability insurance system can reduce DM-related behaviors.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the leading causes of chronic liver diseases, affecting more than one-quarter of people worldwide. Hepatic steatosis can progress to more severe forms of NAFLD, including NASH and cirrhosis. It also may develop secondary diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Genetic and environmental factors regulate NAFLD incidence and progression, making it a complex disease. The contribution of various environmental risk factors, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, diet, and sedentary lifestyle, to the exacerbation of liver injury is highly understood. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms of genetic variations in the NAFLD occurrence or its deterioration still need to be clarified. Hence, understanding the genetic susceptibility to NAFLD is essential for controlling the course of the disease. The current review discusses genetics’ role in the pathological pathways of NAFLD, including lipid and glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, cellular stresses, and immune responses. Additionally, it explains the role of the genetic components in the induction and progression of NAFLD in lean individuals. Finally, it highlights the utility of genetic knowledge in precision medicine for the early diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD patients.

Corporate entrepreneurship activities are carried out by individuals working within organizations, including both managers and staff. Consequently, the implementation of corporate entrepreneurship is dependent on the active participation of employees and their demonstration of entrepreneurial behaviors. The research aim is to examine the process of employees’ entrepreneurial behavior within corporate settings and investigating relationships between components of this process such as entrepreneurial personality, entrepreneurial passion, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial ideation in umbrella of organizational entrepreneurial architecture. In order to reach this research goal, a survey questionnaire was utilized to collect data from 384 employees and managers working in Iranian electrical and electronics companies. The conceptual research model’s fit was assessed using structural equation modeling (SEM) and path analysis (PA) with the assistance of AMOS 22.0 software. The results from the path analysis indicate that employees’ entrepreneurial personality directly and positively influences their entrepreneurial passion, while also indirectly impacting their entrepreneurial self-efficacy through their entrepreneurial passion. Furthermore, the findings reveal that employees’ entrepreneurial self-efficacy has a direct effect on their entrepreneurial ideation, while entrepreneurial passion affects entrepreneurial ideation indirectly through entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Additionally, employees’ entrepreneurial ideation plays a role in emerging their entrepreneurial opportunities identification action. Lastly, if corporates possess a robust organizational entrepreneurial architecture (including entrepreneurial organizational culture, entrepreneurial leadership, structural flexibility, legal and technological infrastructure of company, and entrepreneurial financing), the action of entrepreneurial opportunities identification by employees contributes to their entrepreneurial opportunities exploitation action within corporates settings. Further, the research results show although entrepreneurial leadership governs in Iranian electrical and electronics companies but leaders and top managers have not yet enacted and applied polices of entrepreneurial financing for supporting their employee’s entrepreneurial idea and behaviors. The practical implications derived from this research focus primarily on managerial strategies that promote and support employees’ entrepreneurial behavior within organizations. These strategies involve the recruitment and selection of individuals who possess entrepreneurial personalities. Business owners and human resource managers can utilize established tools such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and Entrepreneurial ESTP personality profile to identify and encourage employees with entrepreneurial spirit and behaviors. By employing these measures, organizations can effectively nurture and promote an entrepreneurial culture within their workforce.

Background: As the pandemic unfolds, major concerns remain with those in disadvantaged positions who may be disproportionately affected. This paper aimed to present the characteristics of COVID-19 immigrant patients and investigate whether they were disproportionately affected by COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using data on 589,146 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in Iran. Descriptive analyses were used to summarize the study population’s characteristics. Chi-squared test and logistic regression model were applied. Results: After accounting for possible confounding covariates, being an immigrant was significantly associated with increased risk of death due to COVID-19 (OR 1.64, CI 1.568–1.727). When compared to Iranian-born patients, the prevalence of low blood oxygen levels on admission was higher among immigrant patients (53.9% versus 47.7%, Pvalue &lt; 0.001). Moreover, greater proportions of immigrants who were diagnosed with COVID-19 were admitted to an ICU (17% versus 15.8%, Pvalue &lt; 0.001). Patients aged 65 and above were the largest age category in both populations. However, there was a significant difference between the age profiles of patients, with children under the age of eighteen presenting 16% of immigrant patients vs 6.6% of Iranian-born patients (Pvalue &lt; 0.001). In both groups, more men were affected by COVID-19 than women, yet the sex bias was more prominent for migrant patients (Pvalue &lt; 0.001). Conclusion: The evidence from this study revealed that immigrant patients infected with COVID-19 were more likely to suffer from severe health outcome of the disease compared to Iranian-born patients.

Many postpartum women often do not achieve recommendations of at least 150 minutes moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) each week. Previous qualitative work has focused on postpartum women's barriers and challenges to being active, with recent research starting to explore the characteristics of PA programs and women who are active during the postpartum period. Yet, little research has focused on the characteristics of key stakeholders and community organisations that support women to sustain their PA engagement during the postpartum period. This research generates practice‐based evidence to provide essential insights for effective implementation, strategies and actions of community group‐based PA programs that recruit and retain postpartum women to ensure future interventions are scalable and sustainable. Ten participants (90% female), ranging in age from 34 to 40 years, were recruited from nine community organisations/businesses. The ten participants engaged in semi‐structured interviews for an average length of 31 minutes. Inductive thematic analysis revealed four overarching themes (i) effective practitioners have a history of, and passion for women's health and PA; (ii) low‐cost, connected approaches attract postpartum women into community group‐based PA programs; (iii) inclusive, flexible, varied, and holistic approaches sustain postpartum women's participation; and (iv) utilise connections to overcome barriers to community group‐based PA programs. These four themes were informed by twelve sub‐themes relating to the background of stakeholders and practitioners and the approaches that they use to attract and sustain postpartum women in community group‐based PA programs. Practice‐based findings should inform future practices and the development of future real‐world group‐based PA interventions for postpartum women. Specifically, interventions will need to be designed and implemented by practitioners who have a history of, and passion for women's health and PA, be low‐cost, connected approaches, that are inclusive, flexible, varied, and holistic that prioritise physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.

Adolescent sexuality is one of the most important reproductive health issues that confronts healthcare professionals with moral dilemmas and legal issues. In this study, we aim to justify the at-risk adolescents’ regulations on access to key reproductive health services (KRHSs) based on principles of Islamic biomedical ethics and jurisprudence. Despite the illegitimacy and prohibition of sexuality for both girls and boys in Islamic communities, in this study, using 5 principles or universal rules of purpose; certainty, no-harm; necessity; and custom, we argue that first, applying these principles in the context of the no-harm principle can provide the best interests of at-risk adolescents; second, it is permissible to provide KRHSs to these adolescents with their own assent, as long as necessary, only with the intention of preventing or reducing harm. In this framework, while preventing harm, it tries to provide the best interests of at-risk adolescent. Thus, the principle of no-harm requires that the government, by designating the responsibility to healthcare professionals, protects at-risk adolescents from harm, and obliges these professionals to choose and implement the option that best suits adolescents’ interests.

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a common thrombotic complication of cirrhosis. It can lead to variceal bleeding and bowel ischemia and also complicate liver transplantation. Identifying the possible risk factors associated with PVT can aid in identifying patients at high risk, enabling their screening and potentially preventing PVT through the rational use of anticoagulants. This study focuses on examining the clinical characteristics of PVT in cirrhotic patients and identifying the clinical and biochemical factors that are linked to the development of PVT. Consecutive hospitalized cirrhotic patients between 2015 and 2023 were identified through the hospital’s computerized medical records based on the Tenth Revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) coding system and retrospectively analyzed. 928 individuals were included in this study; 783 (84.3%) without PVT and 145 (15.7%) with benign PVT. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) was significantly more common in the PVT group (P-value = .02), while alcohol and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) were less common in this group (P-value = .01 and .02, respectively). Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (P-value < .01), ascites (P-value = .01), and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) (P-value = .02) were more common in the PVT group. Patients with PVT had a higher international normalized ratio (INR) level (P-value = .042) and lower plasma albumin (P-value = .01). No differences were identified in white blood cell, hemoglobin, platelet, and bilirubin levels. However, patients with PVT had higher model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) (P-value = .01) and Child-Pugh scores (P-value = .03). This study demonstrated a higher likelihood of PVT presence in cirrhotic patients with advanced age, HBV, and HCC, along with ascites, SBP, splenomegaly, hypoalbuminemia, elevated INR, and a higher MELD score. Nevertheless, additional research endeavors are necessary to accurately ascertain and validate supplementary risk factors within a broader demographic.

In the present study, multi-environmental trials were performed on 19 newly developed barley genotypes at five test regions across the warm climate in Iran for two consecutive years. The results of additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI), GGE biplot (GGE) model, and several BLUP-based stability parameters and integrated models (WAASB and WAASBY) were used to reveal GEI patterns and identify superior genotypes with stable grain yield across test environments. Statistical analyses revealed that grain yield was influenced by significant environments (E), genotypes (G), and GEI effects. Among AMMI-, BLUP-, and grain mean-based stability parameters, the harmonic means of genotypic values (HMGV), relative performance of genotypic value (RPGV), and harmonic mean of RPGV parameters indicated a dynamicconcept of stability. Moreover, results of GGE biplot analysis identified three mega-environments with different winner genotypes in test environments. Regardless of the different years, the Ahvaz, Darab, and Moghan regions were identified as Type-II environments due to their highest discrimination power and representative ability. The grouping pattern considerably followed the ranking of genotypes in GGE biplot analysis and WAASB model. In conclusion, our results revealed that genotypes G9 and G10 had grain yield higher than the reference genotype and relative stability in specific environments with favorable environmental conditions. Genotype G5 had general adaptability and stability across all test environments. This genotype can be recommended for cultivation in a wide range of environments in the warm climate of Iran.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate multiple pathways and cellular mechanisms. Recent research has emphasized their involvement in the pathogenesis of complex diseases, such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) which is characterized by chronic inflammation of the intestines. The two most common types of IBD are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. CRNDE lncRNA was initially detected in colorectal cancer (CRC) and found to be involved in the tumorigenesis pathways. Further studies revealed the role of CRNDE in activating inflammation and promoting the release of inflammatory cytokines. This study utilizes the RNA-seq data analysis and bioinformatics tools to clarify the role of CRNDE in the IBD pathogenesis and confirms its expression in inflamed HT-29 and Caco-2 cell lines and also colonic and blood samples of UC patients and controls ex vivo. Based on our results, CRNDEwas significantly upregulated in IBD samples compared to controls in RNA-seq data analysis and Real-time PCR of inflamed HT-29 cell line and colonic biopsies from UC patients. Additionally, predicted that its expression is positively correlated with the pro-inflammatory cytokines production. CRNDE interactions was investigated with several inflammation-related miRNAs and regulatory proteins computationally. Thus, CRNDEupregulation in the colon of IBD patients could be involved in IBD pathogenesis by promoting inflammatory pathways and targeting anti-inflammatory miRNAs.

This paper delves into identifying the optimal scenario for the implementation of micro-turbines, specifically Pump-as-Turbines (PaTs), in a water distribution network (WDN) by achieving the highest consensus among the involved stakeholders. Utilising a simulations-optimisation model, the best location, type, and operation hours for micro-turbines were selected within a case study WDN. The objective was to maximise the generated energy, while maintaining the standard hydraulic conditions of the WDN. A total of 84 scenarios were developed, considering the number of installed turbines, allocation of the generated energy, and pricing schemes. The scenarios explore the possibilities of allocating the generated electricity to the water company, national grid, cryptocurrency mining, or electric car charging. Evaluation of the scenarios involves 36 criteria, and the study identifies 18 stakeholders involved in water and energy management within the case study. Stakeholder utility with respect to the criteria was determined through interviews, and weights for each stakeholder were assigned based on previous studies. The utility of each scenario was computed in a matrix, and scenarios were ranked accordingly, revealing that the scenario involving the generation of electricity by five turbines sold to the grid at twice the current price garnered the highest stakeholder support.

Due to its rough surface texture, Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) can create great qualities, such as good skid resistance and better visibility during rainy days, as well as optimal light reflection. The service life of SMA, on the other hand, reduces owing to a rapid increase in traffic loads, heavy traffic, and environmental conditions. TiO2's stable qualities and optimal content can help to improve the performance of modified asphalt at a reasonable cost and with low filler content. This study explores the effect of nano titanium on the performance of stone mastic asphalt. Virgin bitumen is modified with 2% and 4% of nano titanium by bitumen weight. The physical properties of the bitumen are accessed by carrying tests such as penetration tests, softening points, and ductility. The results show that the modified bitumen samples of 2% Nano-TiO2 powder content for bituminous tests have enhanced hardness, consistency, and ductility. While for the performance tests for the SMA samples are abrasion, Marshall stability, resilient modulus, and dynamic creep. Overall, 2% Nano-TiO2 powder content has been determined for the optimum content and best performance, where it provides high stability, strength and enhances stiffness effectiveness, which can improve SMA performance. However, the findings show lack of awareness and research is a factor that does not receive special consideration from the industry or the government. Therefore, the sharing of ideas and technology for each continuous research is needed to improve construction quality.

This paper highlights a study on the effects of medium dose gamma (γ) irradiation towards physical properties of TiO2 nanoparticles. Doses applied for gamma irradiation are 60, 100 and 150 kGy. Structural and morphological results show that gamma radiation did not change the crystallinity and shapes of TiO2 nanostructures. Ratio percentages of anatase:rutile for irradiated samples is around 89:11. Agglomerated samples shown in morphology images is support with the existence of binodial shapes peak from particles size distribution analysis.

Nickel Oxide nanofibers were successfully prepared by electrospinning with a precursor mixture of Ni acetate/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), followed by calcination treatment of the electrospun composite nanofibers. The parameter of solution and effect of applied voltage to the morphology of nanofibers were studied. Both Ni acetate/PVP and NiO NFs, nanofibers were characterized by FESEM and XRD. The results found that the nanofibers form with smooth surface without beads and the calcination temperature was at 500°C to produce NiO nanofibers.

Given the role and importance of competitiveness indicators for businesses’ performance and profitability, the question arises why no research has been undertaken internationally in this regard. Therefore, the main purpose of the present study is to investigate the impact of competitiveness index on the financial performance of top companies in the world using performance theory and to evaluate the validity of Global Competitiveness Index data. For this purpose, 176 top companies in the world from 2013 to 2018 that were profitable among the top 200 companies each year were selected as the statistical population. World Bank annual reports, Global Competitiveness Index, and Fortune site were used to collect the data. Also, the data analysis was done according to the panel data method using Eviews10 software. The results show that in general, there is a positive relationship between competitiveness index and financial performance of top companies in the world. On the other hand, the per capita income of the countries in which the top companies belonged was considered a control variable and the results show that the per capita income has a positive and significant relationship with the financial performance of the top companies in the world.

In this article, a hybrid method comprising a sol–gel process and mechanical activation (MA) for the synthesis of bioceramic-based nanocomposites is proposed. The method was used to synthesize model akermanite (AKM)–monticellite (MNT) nanocomposites with high purity. The STA and XRD results confirm the successful formation of AKM–MNT bio-nanocomposite at a very low calcination temperature. Moreover, the STA results illustrate that the calcination initiation temperature of the synthesized nanoceramics decreased from 830 to 700 °C owing to MA, and the weight fraction of MNT increased with increasing MA duration. The crystallite sizes of AKM and MNT increased to values below 60 and 50 nm with increasing calcination temperature, respectively. Although the lattice constants of the produced AKM and MNT decreased with increasing MA duration, the values were very close to those of the reference codes. Furthermore, the samples were investigated with FESEM and TEM; according to the results, the longer MA process resulted in samples with finer particles. The biocompatibility of the synthesized nanocomposites was corroborated with an MTT assay; the nanocomposite extract with different dilution ratios had a crucial effect on the proliferation rate of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Overall, the results show that the proposed hybrid method is suitable for the synthesis and fabrication of nanocomposites.

Yellow chamomile (Cota tinctoria) is used for dye production in food industries and some health benefits as an herbal tea. This work was designed to comprehensively evaluate phenolic profiling, antioxidant activity, and therapeutic target enzymes' inhibitory effect of C. tinctoriausing chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis and total phenol and flavonoid content determination were performed to investigate phenolics composition and concentration. Chlorogenic acid (6518 and 8338 µg/g extract), rutin (752 and 1196 µg/g extract), catechin (764 and 804 µg/g extract), and apigenin (662 and 164 µg/g extract) were determined as the major phenolics of methanolic extract and infusion, respectively. The antioxidant ability of methanolic extract and infusion of the herb was tested using six different mechanisms. Promising antiradical properties were recorded in DPPH and ABTS test (125–275 mg Trolox equivalents/g sample). Also, methanolic extract and infusion exhibited high reducing power (207–350 mg TE/g sample). Moreover, yellow chamomile showed moderate cholinesterase inhibitory (0.2–1.7 mg GALE/g extract), antidiabetic (0.06–0.55 mmol AE/g extract), and tyrosinase inhibitory (11.12 mg KAE/g extract) activities. Results suggested that this plant could be used more in food and pharmaceutical products due to its valuable ingredients and biological activities.

•Different positions could lead to changes in intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral hemodynamics.•Cerebral autoregulation (CA) is a safeguard for adequate cerebral perfusion that keeps CBF constant in a variable range of cerebral perfusion pressures (CPP)•VAE occurs more commonly in the sitting position with a higher head angle.•The incidence of complications following a sitting position in neurosurgery has been reported at 1.45%, which includes venous air emboli, subdural hemorrhage, and tension hemocephalous.•The ICP monitoring aids us in managing surgical conditions and preventing sudden complications in neurosurgery, such as venous air embolism (VAE), hypotension, and arrhythmias.

The main issue with thorium (Th) and uranium (U) in radioactive wastewater is the potential of these elements to contaminate the water bodies. The unregulated radioactive wastewater release can affect the ecosystem and potentially harm aquatic life. Therefore, there is a need to establish the analysis of Th and U using standard method to obtain better sensitivity and good confidence in the final report. In this study, the determination of uranium and thorium was employed using the American Public Health Association (APHA) method 3125 standard method. The method performance and method detection level (MDL) samples for APHA 3125 were prepared in the deionized water and digested using hot block (APHA 3030E) and microwave digester (APHA 3030K). The quantification of 238U, 235U and 232Th in the method performance and MDL samples was performed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). From the results, the method performance samples for both digestion methods were in accordance with the APHA requirement. The MDL obtained from APHA 3030E for 232Th, 238U, and 235U were 5, 7, and 8 μg L−1respectively. Meanwhile, the MDL obtained from the microwave digester for 232Th, 238U, and 235U, and were 2, 3, and 3 μg L−1respectively. The APHA 3030K digestion technique gives lower and better detection limit compared to the APHA 3030E technique. Based on APHA 3030K MDL, 232Th was detected in the radioactive wastewater sample while 238U and 235U were less than MDL. Meanwhile, for APHA 3030E, all elements were below MDL. This study will enhance the detection of uranium and thorium in the radioactive wastewater sample towards better environmental monitoring programs at the national and global levels.

Dispersive soils pose significant challenges due to their inherent tendency to rapidly respond to the presence of water, resulting in erosion and heightened susceptibility to landslides. The inclusion of sodium (Na) onto the surface of soil clay particles results in the attenuation of the electrochemical interactions between the dispersed soil, leading to the repulsion and subsequent migration of the clay particles away from one another. This study employed Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to assess the Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) and Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) as indicators of soil dispersibility. The results indicate that soils containing montmorillonite clay mineral exhibit greater values of SAR > 11 and ESP > 20 in comparison to soils containing other clay minerals i.e. kaolinite, illite, and vermiculite. The calculated SAR and ESP values obtained from both analyses demonstrate a notable agreement, indicating a positive correlation. In conclusion, it is apparent that both NAA and ICP-MS method has the capability to be applied for the purpose of predicting soil dispersibility in landslide-prone regions of Malaysia.

Background Brain metastasis and glioblastoma multiforme are two of the most common malignant brain neoplasms. There are many difficulties in distinguishing these diseases from each other.Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine whether the mean apparent diffusion coefficient and absolute standard deviation derived from apparent diffusion coefficient measurements can be used to differentiate glioblastoma multiforme from brain metastasis based on cellularity levels.Material and methods Magnetic resonance images of 34 patients with histologically verified brain tumors were evaluated retrospectively. Apparent diffusion coefficient and standard deviation values were measured in the enhancing tumor, peritumoral region, and contralateral healthy white matter. Then, to determine whether there was a statistical difference between brain metastasis and glioblastoma multiforme, we analyzed different variables between the two groups.Results Neither mean apparent diffusion coefficient values and ratios nor standard deviation values and ratios were significantly different between glioblastoma multiforme and brain metastasis. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of the logistic model with backward stepwise feature selection yielded an area under the curve of 0.77, a specificity of 84%, a sensitivity of 67%, a positive predictive value of 83.33%, and a negative predictive value of 78.26% for distinguishing between glioblastoma multiforme and brain metastasis. The absolute standard deviation and standard deviation ratios were significantly higher in the peritumoral edema compared to the tumor region in each case.Conclusion Apparent diffusion coefficient values and ratios, as well as standard deviation values and ratios in peritumoral edema, cannot be used to differentiate edema with infiltration of tumor cells from vasogenic edema. However, standard deviation values could successfully characterize areas of peritumoral edema from the tumoral region in each case.

Statins have been used as adjuvants to standard treatment in order to increase the eradication ratesofHelicobacter pyloriinfection. This study aimed to summarize the results of the efficacy of adding statins to standard treatments used for the eradicationofH. pyloriinfection. We conducted a systematic search using a comprehensive combination of keywords in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus to retrieve relevant studies from 1990 to 2020. The estimate of pooled relative risk (RR), as the effect measure, was calculated using random effects meta-analyses in Stata 14. We finally included 5 studies (all of them were randomized controlled trials). The meta-analysis of all studies showed that the pooled RR (95% confidence interval) was 1.03 (0.64–1.68) in the random effects model, which was not statistically significant. In other words, based on our meta-analysis, the addition of statins as an adjuvant therapy to the standard treatment regimens does not increase the rate of H. pylorieradication. However, further evidence is needed to confirm this result as the number of available studies was small.

AbstractRecently, cognitive perspectives have garnered increasing attention in entrepreneurship alertness research. But the broader psychological basis of the alertness, which differentiates intrinsic and phasic aspects of alertness, has somehow been neglected, even though some entrepreneurship scholars have described alertness as the main cognitive capability of entrepreneurs in recognizing entrepreneurial opportunities. In this systematic review, the literature of entrepreneurial alertness has been critically examined. We categorize the previous works into five broad research themes: the alertness construct itself, its cognitive foundations, its operational measurement, the theoretical antecedents of alertness, and its consequences. We then identify two gaps where future research should direct greater efforts. First, past attention to the cognitive foundations of alertness has largely focused on its phasic aspects without exploration of the role of intrinsic alertness. The recent separate theorizing of opportunity creation/discovery has only begun to explore the potential of intrinsic alertness in opportunity spotting. Secondly, a lack of attention to establishing a clear definition of the alertness construct has hampered development of valid and robust measurement instruments, which may have confounded past efforts to empirically confirm the role of alertness in a range of theoretical models.

Nowadays, carbon-based nanostructure materials are regarded as promising carriers for drug delivery to improve the effective treatment of diseases. The formation of covalent and noncovalent molecular bonds can be used for surface modification of nano-carriers in order to manipulate their toxicity, water solubility, and cellular internalization. Graphene and its derivatives have shown important potential in drug delivery systems. Among different graphene derivatives, Graphene Oxide (GO) is the most extensively used derivative. GO sheets have possessed certain oxygen functional groups including carboxylic acid groups at the edges, epoxy and hydroxyl groups on the basal planes. The oxygen groups on the surface of GO sheets enhance their capabilities for functionalization with chemical and bioactive molecules. In this review, we highlight the recent researches about the effect of reactive sites on the surface of GO and its derivatives in drug delivery systems. Therefore, the application of GO and its derivatives have been discussed as a delivery system in cancer treatment, gene therapy, and combination therapy, followed by discussions on their related issues. Finally, the review will provide a future perspective to the applications of GO-based materials as part of drug delivery systems, and may open up new viewpoints to motivate broader interests across these interdisciplinary fields.

It is an important challenge to reduce the power consumption and size of lasers, but progress has been impeded by quantum noise overwhelming the coherent radiation at reduced power levels. Thus, despite considerable progress in microscale and nanoscale lasers, such as photonic crystal lasers, metallic lasers and plasmonic lasers, the coherence length remains very limited. Here we show that a bound state in the continuum based on Fano interference can effectively quench quantum fluctuations. Although fragile in nature, this unusual state redistributes photons such that the effect of spontaneous emission is suppressed. Based on this concept, we experimentally demonstrate a microscopic laser with a linewidth that is more than 20 times smaller than existing microscopic lasers and show that further reduction by several orders of magnitude is feasible. These findings pave the way for numerous applications of microscopic lasers and point to new opportunities beyond photonics.

A surface water quality assessment was carried out to explore the spatial variations between lakes and ex-mining ponds in Malacca with the aid of chemometrics tools. The physio-chemical data included pH, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, biological oxygen demand, and ammoniacal nitrogen, which were measured in situ. Meanwhile, the elemental concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Hierarchical cluster analysis of the water quality dataset revealed a clustering pattern that was strongly associated with their underlying geochemical variations. A similar trend was also demonstrated in the principal component analysis which suggested that the variability in the water quality depended mainly on the nature of ponds/lakes, whereby the dominance of Ca, Mg, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solid could plausibly be linked with the dissolution of rocks; and part of the variation was originated from their current uses. Based on the linear discriminant analysis model, the ex-mining ponds were characterized with As, Ca, Mg, and Mn concentrations whereas Na, Fe, pH, and ammoniacal nitrogen levels were associated with the lakes. Despite the inherent variability characteristics between both water sources, the corresponding metal index revealed no significant As a threat. But, in most cases, Fe exceeded the reference limit, which was attributed to its natural abundance. Therefore, these surface water sources could be considered as potential reservoirs for potable supply after conventional treatment.

Background/aimsCommunication problems are a core feature of autism spectrum disorder. These problems usually lead to challenges in social interactions. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the Son-Rise Programme on improving social interaction and communication in children with autism spectrum disorder.MethodsThirty children with autism spectrum disorder (aged 4–6) were involved in this study. The children were assigned randomly to one two groups, either the 1-week intensive Son-Rise Programme or the control group. They were evaluated using the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale before and after the study.ResultsThe participants in the group of the Son-Rise Programme showed a significant improvement in their social interaction skills compared to the control group (P=0.001).ConclusionsThe Son-Rise Programme could improve social interaction in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Introduction:Psychiatric disorders, especially anxiety, are considered extraintestinal manifestations of celiac disease (CD). Objective:This study aims to evaluate the level of anxiety in treated patients with CD in Iran. Methods:A total of 283 CD patients (190 female, 93 male) were enrolled in a study during 2016–2018 from 9 centers in Iran. The Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale questionnaire was completed. The anxiety index was calculated. Also, demographic data and the duration of treatment with a gluten-free diet (GFD) were recorded. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 20. Results:Anxiety symptoms were reported in 67.8% of patients. Female patients had a higher anxiety index than male patients. Duration of treatment with a GFD did not influence the anxiety index (17.3% were on a GFD for <1 year, 33.6% for 1–2 years, and 49.1% had GFD for >2 years; p= 0.86). Conclusions:These results suggest that anxiety symptoms are common among patients, especially females, with CD in Iran and GFD duration has no effect on their improvement.

Background: Bladder cancer accounts for almost 54% of urinary system cancer and is the second most frequent cause of death in genitourinary malignancies after prostate cancer. About 70% of bladder tumors are non-muscle-invasive, and the rest are muscle-invasive. Recurrence of the tumor is the common feature of bladder cancer. Chemotherapy is a conventional treatment for MIBC, but it cannot improve the survival rate of these patients sufficiently. Therefore, researchers must develop new therapies. Antibody-based therapy is one of the most important strategies for the treatment of solid tumors. Selecting a suitable target is the most critical step for this strategy. Objective: The aim of this study is to detect therapeutic cell surface antigen targets in bladder cancer using data obtained by proteomic studies. Methods: Isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) analysis had identified 131 overexpressed proteins in baldder cancer tissue and reverse-phase proteomic array (RPPA) analysis had been done for 343 tumor tissues and 208 antibodies. All identified proteins from two studies (131+208 proteins) were collected and duplicates were removed (331 unique proteins). Gene ontology study was performed using gene ontology (GO) and protein analysis through evolutionary relationships (PANTHER) databases. The Human Protein Atlas database was used to search the protein class and subcellular location of membrane proteins obtained from the PANTHER analysis. Results: Membrane proteins that could be suitable therapeutic targets for bladder cancer were selected. These included: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Her2, Kinase insert domain receptor (KDR), Heat shock protein 60 (HSP60), HSP90, Transferrin receptor (TFRC), Activin A Receptor Like Type 1 (ACVRL1), and cadherin 2 (CDH2). Monoclonal antibodies against these proteins or their inhibitors were used for the treatment of different cancers in preclinical and clinical trials. Conclusion: These monoclonal antibodies and inhibitor molecules and also their combination can be used for the treatment of bladder cancer.

Various techniques are available for improving speech production among subjects with speech problems, including paralysed patients. In this study, electropalatography (EPG) that detects the tongue and hard palate contact during continuous speech is used as a therapeutic instrument for improving the production of speech among paralysed patient. Five paralysed subjects with different medical background had been chosen. All paralysed subjects were asked to wear a Reading Palate which has 62 electrodes as a sensor to detect the tongue and hard palate contacts. The electrode sensors were divided into four zones which are alveolar, postalveolar, palatal and velar zones. The signals of the electrodes were transferred to a computer and analysed using Articulate Assistant TM1.18. The objective of this study is to determine the location of contact between the tongue and hard palate among five paralysed subjects during the production of bilabial, postalveolar, velar and glottal consonants. The contact patterns produced by the paralysed subject were compared with the contact pattern guideline of the Malay consonants. In conclusion, EPG is suitable to be used as a device to identify the difference in the contact pattern. Besides, EPG can also be used as an exercise instrument to train the muscle movement to improve the contact pattern.