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We use all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to extract ΔGeff, the free energy of binding of potassium ions K+ to the partially charged polyelectrolyte poly(acrylic acid), or PAA, in dilute regimes. Upon increasing the charge fraction of PAA, the chains adopt more extended conformations, and simultaneously, potassium ions bind more strongly (i.e., with more negative ΔGeff) to the highly charged chains to relieve electrostatic repulsions between charged monomers along the chains. We compare the simulation results with the predictions of a model that describes potassium binding to PAA chains as a reversible reaction whose binding free energy (ΔGeff) is adjusted from its intrinsic value (ΔG) by electrostatic correlations, captured by a random phase approximation. The bare or intrinsic binding free energy ΔG, which is an input in the model, depends on the binding species and is obtained from the radial distribution function of K+ around the charged monomer of a singly charged, short PAA chain in dilute solutions. We find that the model yields semi-quantitative predictions for ΔGeff and the degree of potassium binding to PAA chains, α, as a function of PAA charge fraction without using fitting parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a character χ of a finite group G the number cod(χ) = |G: Ker(χ)|/χ(1) is called the codegree of χ. In this note, we verify the equivalent version of Huppert's conjecture for K3 -groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Improvement of attachment with parents can enhance children’s social anxiety and lead to the reduction of urinary disorders. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate nocturnal enuresis correlation with attachment with parents in children. Methods: We evaluated two hundred cases aged 5 - 12 years. Children were enrolled in two groups control (healthy cases) and case (with nocturnal enuresis). We assessed the status of attachment with parents and demographic data of cases. These factors were compared between the two groups by SPSS version 23. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Demographic data were significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). Nevertheless, attachment styles, including avoidance (P = 0.003), anxiety (P = 0.001), and security (P = 0.001), had statistically significant differences between the two groups. Conclusions: Parents’ attachment condition was different in the two groups. Therefore, these indices as psychosocial factors may be important in nocturnal enuresis management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today's supercomputers contain thousands of processing cores. As the number of processing units grows, the probability of failing some processing units increases. Therefore, finding faulty units has become a concern in these systems which depends on the diagnosability of the interconnection network that connects processing units. In this paper, we investigate the g-good-neighbor diagnosability of triangle-free graphs under the MM ∗ and PMC models. We show that if G is a connected triangle-free graph with minimum degree δ , its diagnosability under the MM ∗ model, i.e., t MM ∗ (G) , is either δ - 2 , δ - 1 , or δ . Also, the 1-good-neighbor diagnosability of G, i.e., t 1 MM ∗ (G) , is at least δ - 1 if it does not contain any subgraph isomorphic to K δ , δ . Moreover, we show that if G does not contain a subgraph isomorphic to K δ - 1 , δ - 1 , then it is 1-good-neighbor δ + 1 -diagnosable under PMC model when | V (G) | > 2 δ + 2 . Our results give lower bounds on the diagnosability and 1-good-neighbor diagnosability of triangle-free graphs which covers a broad class of interconnection networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Software developers want to meet the requirements of customers in next versions. Choosing which set of requirements can be done according to cost and time is an NP-hard problem known as Next Release Problem (NRP). In this article, a multi objective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA) framework is proposed to solve NRP. The framework applies the non-repetitive population, integrates solutions and external repository. Furthermore, a novel approach is implemented to satisfy the constraints of the problem. In this framework, six evolutionary algorithms are implemented and using seven quality indicators, the achieved results of that algorithms are compared with the original versions of same algorithms. Through using HV (the ratio of the region covered by Pareto Front) and NDS (the number of solutions in the Pareto Front) metrics, the effects of the proposed algorithms are compared with other works' results. The efficacy of the proposed MOEA framework is measured using three real world datasets. The gained results represent that the implemented algorithms perform better than other related algorithms previously published. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resource-constrained project scheduling has been a significant and practical problem in recent decades. In this research, besides previous assumptions and models regarding scheduling, the reliability function with a novel approach is included in the model. A new look at the project scheduling problem is pursued by studying the probability of access to renewable resources. The mentioned problem programming model is a mixed nonlinear mathematical model that uses the properties of an exponential function to become a linear programming model, exact optimization software is used to solve it in smaller dimensions, and a genetic algorithm is used to solve it in NP-hard dimensions. The algorithms and statistical analysis results at a 95% confidence level show the proper performance of the genetic algorithm; therefore, this algorithm is more efficient for the proposed model. Using the provided mathematical model, this research leads to decreasing time and lags, decreasing costs, and increasing reliability in multimode activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, the 1T/2H MoS 2 /Fe 3 O 4 /Ag ternary nanocomposite was fabricated, and its features were compared with MoS 2. Characterization was carried out by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV–visible spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, and Zeta potential analysis. Adsorption, antibacterial, and anticancer activities were also studied for this nanocomposite. To find the best removal efficiency of methylene blue adsorption under ultrasonic conditions were examined at three levels of pH (5, 7, and 9), methylene blue concentration (5, 10, and 20 ppm), nanocomposite dosage (2, 4, and 6 mg), and ultrasonic time (3, 6, and 12 min) using the L9 (3^4) orthogonal array of Taguchi's method in design of experiment. 97% removal efficiency was found at 5, 20 ppm, 2 mg, and 3 min for pH, methylene blue concentration, nanocomposite dosage, and ultrasonic time, respectively. Additionally, in-vitro studies of antibacterial activity (for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) and cytotoxicity (for HCT-116 and NIH-3T3 cell lines) of the nanocomposite were studied. The half minimum inhibitory concentration of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were calculated at 13.09 and 49.54 μ g / mL , respectively. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration of the HCT-116 was obtained at 57.16 and 42.52 μ g / mL for 24 and 48 h, respectively. [Display omitted] • M o S 2 and M o S 2 / F e 3 O 4 / A g nanostructures were synthesized by hydrothermal and coprecipitation methods. • The characterization was done by different tests such as XRD, FTIR, FESEM, EDX, VSM, UV–Vis, and zeta potential. • The methylene blue adsorption was optimized by the Taguchi method in different conditions. • Antibacterial activity was examined for S. aureus and E. coli bacteria. • Anticancer activity was studied for the HCT-116 human colon cancer cell line by MTT assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modified bubble-sort graph MBn (n ≥ 2) has been known as a topology structure of interconnection networks. In this paper, we propose simple method for arc-transitivity of MBn (n ≥ 2). Also by using this result we investigate some reliability measures, including super-connectivity, cyclic edge connectivity, etc., in the modified bubble-sort graphs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, multi-objective optimization of mechanical properties in friction-stir-welding of AH12 1050 aluminum alloy is performed using a combination of the response surface method and multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm. The process parameters are considered as tool pin diameter, shoulder diameter, rotational speed, feed speed, and tool tilt angle. The heat-affected zone's yield strength, fracture strain, impact toughness, and hardness on the advancing and retreating sides are selected as the objective functions. Threaded and simple conical pins are utilized to evaluate the effect of the pin geometry on the specimen mechanical properties. Optimization model outputs are in agree with the obtained experimental results. The effects of process parameters on the mechanical properties of the friction-stir-welded sheets are studied. Results reveal that the lower rotational speed and higher feed speed improve the material strength and hardness. Moreover, the microstructural analysis demonstrates that the proposed methodology can achieve a fine-grained structure with the minimum defects. Improvement in the material flow is observed for the threaded cylindrical pin compared with the conical pin due to the geometric shape of the tool pin leading to more functional mechanical properties. It is found that the combination of the response surface methodology and the multi-objective particle swarm algorithm led to the modeling and optimization of the process with outstanding accuracy and low experimental cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban soil pollution with heavy metals is one of the environmental problems in recent years, especially in industrial cities. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of geogenic and anthropogenic sources in the urban soil pollution in Yazd, Iran. For this purpose, 30 top-soil (0–10 cm) samples from Yazd within an area of 136.37 Km2 and population of nearly 656 thousand are collected, and the concentration of heavy elements is measured. To evaluate factors affecting the concentration of heavy elements in urban soils and determine their possible sources, Multivariate statistical analysis, including correlation coefficient, principal components analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) are performed. Enrichment Factor (EF), Geo-accumulation index (Igeo), and Modified potential ecological Risk Index (MRI) are used to assess the level and extension of contamination. Results of this study suggest that As, Cd, Pb and Zn are affected by anthropogenic source, while the concentrations of Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr, Co, Cu and Cs have come from mostly natural geologic sources. As, Cd and Pb are considerably enriched in the area, provided moderately enriched for the elements Mn, Zn and Cu. However, the other heavy elements show minimal enrichment. Igeo reveal that Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn and Ni with negative values are unpolluted, Pb posed unpolluted to moderately polluted, and As and Cd represent high polluted. Based on the results of the ecological risk factor, the heavy metals of Mn, Ni, Cr, Zn and Cu have a low ecological risk level. More specifically, we find that Pb shows a moderated ecological risk in 39% of the urban soil in the studied area. As and Cd with respectively 100 and 72% contribution have considerable and very high ecological risk. According to the results of MRI, the area is in a very high ecological risk level, and appropriate management practice is essential to reduce the pollution of heavy elements in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we investigate some reliability measures, including super-connectivity, cyclic edge connectivity, etc., in the folded hypercubes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most serious complications of systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). With no specific clinical or laboratory manifestation to predict response to treatment, this study was aimed to provide a panel of predictive biomarkers of response before initiation of treatment.Methods: Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis was performed on plasma and urine samples of 11 patients with biopsy proven proliferative LN at the time of biopsy. Unsupervised principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal projection to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), gene ontology annotation and protein mapping were performed on 326 proteins in plasma and 1381 proteins in urine samples.Results: Samples of eight patients achieved complete remission and three reached partial remission were analyzed. The mean 24-hour protein excretion was 3259 mg/day and the mean eGFR was 87.73 cc/min. OPLS-DA analysis of plasma samples showed a clear discrimination for complete and partial remission patients. Twenty plasma proteins and ten urine proteins with the highest fold changes and AUCs were selected as candidate biomarkers (IGHV1-18, PI16, IGHD, C3, FCER2, EPS8L2, CTTN, BLVRB). This plasma and urine biomarker panel is involved in oxidative stress, acute inflammation, reduction in regulatory T cells, complement pathway consumption, and proximal tubule bicarbonate reclamation.Conclusion: Our suggested panel of plasma and urine biomarkers can precisely discriminate patients with possibility of complete response to treatment. It seems that the higher indices of inflammation will associate with better chance of achieving complete remission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1995, Paul Erdós and András Gyárfás conjectured that for every graph X of minimum degree at least 3, there exists a non-negative integer m such that X contains a simple cycle of length 2m. In this paper, we prove that the conjecture holds for Cayley graphs of order 2p2 and 4p. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The NiFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles are prepared in different annealing temperature using the facile hydrothermal method. • The microstructure parameters are determined by XRD and SEM images. • The BET and BJH analysis are used to determine the specific surface areas and the pore size distribution. • The optical band gaps of samples are investigated. • Correlation between optical, FTIR properties and microstructure parameters is studied. In this study, NiFe 2 O 4 spinel nanoparticles were prepared using the hydrothermal method and annealed at different temperatures of 550, 650, 750, and 850 °C. The crystallite size increased from 19.0 to 28.6 nm and the dislocation density decreased from 7.2 × 10 14 to 5.3 × 10 14 m - 2 . Also, the Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) shifted absorption bands, ν 1 (594 to 616 cm−1) and ν 2 (400 to 422 cm−1), were observed. The FTIR-shifted absorbance bands have a good correlation with lattice microstructure parameters. Finally, the obtained results can provide useful information about the synthesis of spinel nanoparticles sensitive to lattice defects, using changes in physical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using black coatings and materials with high light absorbance that are capable of absorbing photons at visible and longer wavelengths is a very effective way to reduce unwanted stray light, also known as optical noise, within optical equipment. These lights can be greatly reduced to a reasonable level by functional and performable black coatings that are modified to absorb incident light as much as possible by their specific pigments. In the present work, several carbonaceous pigments were synthesized for the first time from wasteful materials and their optical properties in the visible and near‐infrared ranges studied. First, MCM‐48 and SBA‐15 were synthesized at different conditions and were then used as templates for carbonaceous products. SSS‐1 (the carbonic pigment synthesized by the mixture of sucrose and sodium silicate), SSS‐2 (the carbonic pigment synthesized by the mixture of sawdust and sodium silicate), and mesoporous carbon pigments (CMK‐3 and CMK‐1 with different levels of saturations) were synthesized. Finally, their structure, morphology, and optical properties were investigated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE‐SEM), and Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS). The results indicated that the SSS‐1 pigment had a lower reflectance (below 1%) than carbon black (about 2.5%) in the visible region despite it being more cost‐effective than carbon black. The mesoporous pigments showed very high light absorbance in the visible region (about 2.5%). Compared with other black pigments, the CMK‐1 was the blackest synthesized material with a very low reflectance (about 0.05% in visible region), making it an ideal candidate as a super black pigment for reducing unwanted stray light within optical equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Any assertion that there are traces of mysticism in deconstruction has been severely rejected by Jacques Derrida from the very beginning. In discussing the juxtaposition of mysticism and deconstruction, he explains that he is not mystical and there is nothing mystical in his work. But the possibility of studying the two in parallel is both challenging and interesting. The proximity and engagement of deconstruction and mysticism can be seen when Buddhist, Jewish, or Muslim theologians can imagine that they have known deconstruction for centuries, and this is because they may find some common terminologies. This article is a reflection upon a central question: what is in deconstruction that provokes its general reader to juxtapose it with mysticism? Obviously, mystical annihilation is a subject that can be enigmatically compared and contrasted to deconstruction. However, mysticism is anti-philosophic by nature, and this is a starting point to study it with deconstruction. Nevertheless, the focus of this paper is that the mystic becomes a primal gesture of hospitality as subservience to the other, and it is because mystical love is the moment that the mystic should primarily sacrifice that which is held dear, namely his/her self, being, identity, or subjectivity, for the sake of the other. This situation can be developed through Derrida's argument of hospitality because the very law of hospitality is to accept being hostage for the other. In this situation, the mystic becomes a subject who exists only through its nonexistence. In deconstruction this is an inward tension between absence and presence of a phenomenon which can partially be defined as annihilation in mysticism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• T50 increased by increasing the elapsed time and use of SCMs, especially pumice. • The NZ-SCCs' compressive strengths is higher than reference SCC at all curing ages. • The early age compressive strengths of pumice-SCCs is lower than the reference SCC. • Retempering with withhold water is an optimized technique. • P15-0.40 and Z10-0.40 are the optimal mixtures to be used. Substituting portland cement with natural zeolite (NZ) and pumice in self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is used to improve the workability and hardened properties of mixtures. The workability retention of SCC incorporating these natural pozzolans has remained a challenge in the literature. In this study, different methods of workability retention improvement on the natural pozzolan-SCC mixtures were investigated. These methods include the use of polycarboxylate with larger molecular weight and side chain density, retempering with superplasticizer (SP), retempering with withhold water, and a combination of retarder and SP. The fresh and hardened properties of the NZ and pumice-incorporated mixtures were investigated through measuring workability retention, setting time, and compressive strengths, in two ratios of water-to-cementitious materials (w/cm). Results show that the SCC mixtures incorporating NZ had lower setting time in comparison to the SCCs without natural pozzolans, although the setting time of SCC contained pumice increased. The NZ-incorporated SCCs required a higher dosage of SP for retempering however the pumice contained SCCs required lower SP than the reference due to the low-polymer adsorption of pumice-blended cement. The slump loss in SCC mixture without pozzolan (Ref-0.36) was more severe than the mixtures containing NZ. The reduction in compressive strength of mixtures treated with different retempering methods was insignificant but more tangible when superplasticizer and retarder were used. A larger quantity of SP was required for retempering the SCCs with retarder and SP compared with the those retempered with SP only. The increase or decrease in the SCC compressive strength in case of using retarder and SP for SCC retempering purpose was dependent on the amount of pozzolan replacement and the w/cm ratio in the mixtures. Overall, in w/cm ratio of 0.40, the SCC mixtures incorporating 10 and 15% NZ and pumice, respectively, possessed as the optimal mixtures considering the slump loss and the compressive strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple applications can be developed and produced with the LSPR biosensor. For these, in addition to experimental investigation, detailed modeling and simulation are investigational priorities. This study utilizes an inexpensive microchannel substrate to produce the biosensor via thermal evaporation without annealing. In addition to the experimental study, advanced 3D modeling besides FDTD optical simulation is used to investigate sensor characteristics. Initially, the extinction spectrum of the observed and simulated samples is matched well. In addition, the bulk RI sensitivity of the sensor was calculated to be 125 nm/RIU by the simulation procedure. Moreover, by developing the proposed model for considering local RI sensitivity, the 40 nm/RIU was simulated for local sensitivity. Furthermore, the simulation of the near-field effect highlights the significance of the microchannel substrate, as it offers a greater variety of spatial interaction possibilities between the recognition agents and the hot spots. For the fabricated sensor, the LOD of 1.14 μg/mL was determined for sensing VB 12 in water at concentrations between 0.25 and 4 μg/mL. Therefore, due to the introduction of strong modeling and simulation, simple and practical plasmonic biosensors can be better understood and, as a result, designed more appropriately. [Display omitted] • Advanced modeling of nonperiodic and disordered plasmonic nanostructures on microchannel substrates is presented. • Based on advanced modeling, 3D-FDTD is used to simulate optical biosensor parameters. • This study is used to investigate and characterize sensing factors such as Bulk RI and particularly local RI sensitivity. • The experimental detection of VB 12 demonstrates biosensing ability. • Without annealing treatment of the thermally evaporated nanostructure, the sensor can easily produce the correct output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, Sn doped In 2 O 3 (In 2 O 3 :Sn) nanostructured films as metal oxide semiconductor material which is very important in optoelectronics and gas sensing industries, were prepared by thermal evaporation technique. It is discussed how different deposition rate (0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 nm/s) affects the optical, electrical, microstructural and ethanol gas sensing characteristics of In 2 O 3 :Sn films and must be precisely monitored. The gas sensing performance of the films was evaluated in terms of gas concentration and operating temperature. A correlation between the crystallite size, porosity, dislocation density, outer cut-off radius of dislocation, optical band gap, activation energy and sensitivity of the films was established. The results demonstrate that the maximum sensitivity to ethanol vapors can be obtained for the sample grown at deposition rate of 0.2 nm/s. The response and recovery times of this sensor exposed to 100 ppm of ethanol vapors were determined and found to be 9.0 s and 3.9 s, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The power distribution networks (PDN) are spread in different street and Alley. Furthermore, nowadays, the DG is used in PDN, especially photovoltaic (PV). Therefore, fault location in these PDNs is complex. In this paper, an improved impedance based method has been proposed for fault location in power distribution network with presence of photovoltaic distributed generation resources. According that the PV has an uncertain behavior in different conditions, the proposed method is designed to be robust against PV behavior and upstream feeder changes. In the suggested method, detail equations are derived to prove a new quadratic equation for locating fault in PDNs using recorded voltage and current at the beginning of feeder and DG terminals. According to this proved equation is depended on to just voltage and currents of source or substation terminals, consequently dynamic modeling of PV and substation is not important in the proposed method. Within this method, the π line model is used for improving the accuracy of the suggested method. To evaluate the accuracy of the proposed method, the modified 11 node test Feeder is simulated in the MATLAB software and sensitivity of the suggested method was investigated against the different fault distances fault types, fault resistances and fault inception angles. Furthermore, the proposed method is investigated and tested on the real test feeder in power system simulator of power system and protection Lab. in Persian Gulf University. The results indicate the high accuracy of the algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study π-separable groups that every irreducible Isaacs π-partial character is monomial which we call Mπ-group. We show that every Mπ-group with solvable Oπ′(G), is solvable and we get an upper bound for derived length of these groups. Also, we prove that if N ⊴ G such that (|N|,|G : N|) is π′-number, then N is Mπ-group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let G be a graph. A vertex-cut S of G is said to be k-restricted if every component of G − S has at least k vertices, and cyclic if G − S has at least two components which contain a cycle. The minimum cardinality over all k -restricted vertex-cuts of G is called the k-restricted connectivity of G and is denoted by κ k (G). Also the minimum cardinality over all cyclic vertex-cuts of G is called the cyclic connectivity of graph G and is denoted by κ c (G). In this paper, the k -restricted connectivity and cyclic connectivity of the direct product of two graphs G 1 and G 2 is obtained for some k ≥ 2 , where G 1 is a complete graph, and G 2 is a complete graph, a complete bipartite graph or a cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let be a finite group and let be the set of all irreducible character degrees of . We consider finite groups with the property that has at most two composite members. We derive a bound 6 for the size of character degree sets of such groups. There are examples in both solvable and nonsolvable groups where this bound is met. In the case of nonsolvable groups, we are able to determine the structure of such groups with . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A graph is called integral, if all of its eigenvalues are integers. In this paper, we give some results about integral pentavalent Cayley graphs on abelian or dihedral groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A graph is vertex-transitive if its automorphism group acts transitively on vertices of the graph. A vertex-transitive graph is a Cayley graph if its automorphism group contains a subgroup acting regularly on its vertices. In this paper, a complete classification is given of tetravalent vertex-transitive non-Cayley graphs of order $$2p^2$$ for any prime p. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease which may be accompanied by cognitive impairments. The expression of the obesity gene (ob) is decreased in insulin-deficient diabetic animals and increased after the administration of insulin or leptin. Plasma leptin levels are reduced in the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Therefore, the deleterious effects of diabetes on memory may be due to the reduction of leptin. Aims: Investigate the effect of subcutaneous injection of leptin on spatial learning and memory in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Study Design: Animal experimentation. Methods: The rats were divided into three groups: 1- control, 2- diabetic, and 3- diabetic-leptin. Diabetes was induced in groups 2 and 3 by STZ injection (55 mg/kg) intraperitoneally (i.p). The animals received leptin (0.1 mg/kg) or saline subcutaneously (s.c) for 10 days before behavioral studies. Then, they were examined in the Morris water maze over 3 blocks after 3 days of the last injection of leptin. Results: The travelled path length and time spent to reach the platform significantly increased in the diabetic group (p<0.001) and decreased with leptin treatment (p<0.01 & p<0.001 respectively); also, a significant increase in path length and time was observed between the diabetic-leptin group and the diabetic group (p<0.01, p<0.001, respectively) in the probe test. Conclusion: Leptin can exert positive effects on memory impairments in diabetic rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ino80 is well known as a chromatin remodeling protein with the catalytic function of DNA dependent ATPase and is highly conserved across phyla. Ino80 in human and Drosophila is known to form the Ino80 complex in association with the DNA binding protein Ying–Yang 1 (YY1)/Pleiohomeotic (Pho) the Drosophila homologue. We have earlier reported that Ino80 sub-family of proteins has two functional domains, namely, the DNA dependent ATPase and the DNA binding domain. In the background of the essential role of dIno80 in development, we provide evidence of Pho independent function of dIno80 in development and analyze the dual role of dIno80 in activation as well as repression in the context of the homeotic gene Scr (sex combs reduced) in imaginal discs. This differential effect of dIno80 in different imaginal discs suggests the contextual function of dIno80 as an Enhancer of Trithorax and Polycomb (ETP). We speculate on the role of dIno80 as a chromatin remodeler on one hand and a potential recruiter of epigenetic regulatory complexes on the other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): Leptin exerts various effects on appetite and body weight. Disruption of the obesity gene is precedent to fatness. Insulin or glucose elevates leptin, but streptozotocin reduces it. However, controversial data exist for the effects of leptin on diabetes and leptin level in each gender. Leptin can damage the kidney function but little evidence exists for its hepatic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the probable sex-dependent differences in blood sugar levels, lipid profile, and renal and hepatic biochemical factors in the obesity and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats after leptin administration. Materials and Methods: Wistar rats of both sexes were randomly divided into two groups, namely obese and diabetic rats. Each group was further divided into male and female subgroups. Extra fat and carbohydrate was added to the diet to induce obesity. Furthermore, streptozotocin (55 mg/kg, IP) was injected to induce diabetes. The treatment groups received leptin (0.1 mg/kg SC) for 10 days, and then, blood samples were taken from the orbital sinus for laboratory evaluations. Results: Leptin resulted in a significant weight loss in both sexes (P<0.001), food intake reduction in male rats (P<0.05), LDL reduction in female rats (obese (P<0.05) and diabetic (P<0.001)), and glucose level decline in the female diabetic rats (P<0.001). However, total protein concentration, LFT (liver function tests), urea and creatinin concentrations among different groups did not show any significant changes. Conclusion: Leptin caused some discrepant results, especially regarding the LDL and glucose levels in diabetic female rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By looking at two of Derrida’s essays, ‘Faith and Knowledge” and “Above All, No Journalists!” this paper tries to expound Derrida’s way of seeing religion and the way he blends it with the media. For him, both have the phenomenon of “mediatization” because the attempt of both is to simulate a “live” transmission of an event or the thing itself that makes us believe the representation of an absent object in front of our eyes. Not only is such a transitory function not helpful in qualifying the mediatory role of religion and media, it can also bring closure to the meaning of God or deviate the broadcasting of the event. In other words, this function will secure a perpetual metaphysical foundation. The paper continues by explaining that deconstruction redefines the politics of religion, and replaces it with the politics of deconstruction that offers a “democracy to come” in media broadcast of an event or the religious representation of God, and it faces them both with “otherness” from within them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let s be a positive integer. A graph is s-transitive if its automorphism group is transitive on s-arcs but not on (s + 1)-arcs. Let p be a prime. In this article a complete classification of tetravalent s-transitive graphs of order 3p² is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A finite graph is one-regular if its automorphism group acts regularly on the set of its arcs. In the present paper, tetravalent one-regular graphs of order 7p2, where p is a prime, are classified using computer algebra tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Effects of metal dopants on the optical, microstructure and gas sensing properties of In 2 O 3 films is investigated. • Among metal dopants, including Sn, Zn, Mn and Ag, silver metal shows better sensing results. • The correlation between the physical characteristics and gas sensing properties is studied. • 3% doping of Ag is an effective method to improve the electro-optical and gas sensing properties of In 2 O 3 films. • The effects of crystallite size, dislocation density, lattice strain and roughness on sensitivity is determined. Thin films of pure and Sn, Zn, Mn, and Ag-doped indium oxide (In 2 O 3) with a thickness of 150 nm are grown by co-deposition using thermal evaporation technique and annealed at 500 °C. The crystal lattice strain, dislocation density, optical band gap, surface roughness, and gas sensitivity of the films are studied. Comparison of AFM results shows that the Ag-doped In 2 O 3 has the highest roughness. The ethanol vapor sensing results demonstrate that 3% Ag-doped In 2 O 3 films have higher sensitivity at the operating temperature of 325 °C to 1000 ppm of ethanol vapor , due to the presence of more roughness and defects than other films. The response and recovery times of this sample at 1000 ppm ethanol vapor were 32 and 51 s, respectively. Finally, it is shown how 3% of metal impurities in the In 2 O 3 layer can affect the optical, microstructural, and gas sensing parameters of the samples, and also investigated the correlation between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A graph is symmetric if its automorphism group is transitive on the arc set of the graph. In this paper, we classify connected cubic symmetric graphs of order for each prime . All those symmetric graphs are explicitly constructed as normal Cayley graphs on some groups of order , and their automorphism groups are determined. There is a unique connected cubic symmetric graph of order . All connected cubic symmetric graphs of order for are regular covers of the three dimensional hypercube , and consist of four infinite families, of which two families exist if and only if and the other two families exist for each odd prime . In each family, there is a unique graph for a given order. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A Cayley graph (G,S) on a group G with respect to a Cayley subset S is said to be normal if the right regular representation R(G) of G is normal in the full automorphism group of (G,S). For a positive integer n, let Γn be a graph with vertex set {xi,yi|i ∈ ℤ2n} and edge set {{xi,xi+1}, {yi,yi+1}, {x2i,y2i+1}, {y2i,x2i+1}|i ∈ ℤ2n}. In this paper, it is shown that Γn is a Cayley graph and its full automorphism group is isomorphic to for n=2, and to for n > 2. Furthermore, we determine all pairs of G and S such that Γn=(G,S) is non-normal for G. Using this, all connected cubic non-normal Cayley graphs of order 8p are constructed explicitly for each prime p. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let s be a positive integer. A graph is s -transitive if its automorphism group is transitive on s-arcs but not on ( s + 1)-arcs. Let p be a prime. Zhou (Discrete Math 309:6081-6086, ) classified tetravalent s-transitive graphs of order 4 p. In this article a complete classification of tetravalent s-transitive graphs of order 4 p is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this article a complete classification of tetravalent arc-transitive graphs of order twice a product of two primes is given. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A regular edge-transitive graph is said to be semisymmetric if it is not vertex-transitive. By Folkman [J. Folkman, Regular line-symmetric graphs, J. Combin Theory 3 (1967) 215–232], there is no semisymmetric graph of order or for a prime and by Malnič, et al. [A. Malnič, D. Marušič, C.Q. Wang, Cubic edge-transitive graphs of order , Discrete Math. 274 (2004) 187–198], there exists a unique cubic semisymmetric graph of order , the so-called Gray graph of order 54. In this paper it is shown that a connected cubic semisymmetric graph of order exists if and only if is divisible by 3. There are exactly two such graphs for a given order, which are constructed explicitly. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films with composition of 9.42wt% SnO2 and 89.75wt% In2O3, and impurities balanced on glass substrates at room temperature were prepared by electron beam evaporation technique and then were annealed in air atmosphere at different temperatures from 350 to 550°C for 1h. XRD pattern showed that increasing annealing temperature increased the crystallinity of thin films and at 550°C, high-quality crystalline thin films with grain size of about 37nm were obtained. Increasing annealing temperature also increased conductivity of ITO thin films. Carrier densities (N D) and the flat-band potentials (E FB) were calculated by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). EIS results showed an enhancement in carrier densities and a shift of the flat-band potential to more positive values as the annealing temperature was increased. The UV–visible transmittance spectra were also confirmed that the annealing temperature has significant effect on the transparency of thin films. The highest transparency over the visible wavelength region of spectrum (93%) obtained at 550°C on annealing temperature. This result was equivalent with those values that have already been reported but with higher level (20wt%) tin-doped indium oxide thin films and also at 350°C substrate temperature. The allowed direct band gap at the annealing temperature range 350–550°C was estimated to be in the range 3.85–3.97eV. Band gap widening with an increase in annealing temperature was observed and is explained on the basis of Burstein–Moss shift. A comparison between the electron beam evaporation and other deposition techniques showed that the better figure of merit value can be obtained by the former technique. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Tin doped indium oxide (ITO) thin films with composition of 9.42wt% SnO2 and 89.75wt% In2O3, and impurities balanced on glass substrates at room temperature have been prepared by electron beam evaporation technique and then were annealed in air at different temperatures from 350 to 550°C for 1h. XRD pattern showed that increasing annealing temperature increased the crystallinity of thin films and at 550°C high quality crystalline thin films with grain size of about 37nm were obtained. Conductivity of ITO thin films was increased by increasing annealing temperature and conductivity obtained results in 350–550°C temperature range were also excellently fitted in both Arrhenius-type and Davis-Mott variable-range hopping conductivity models. The UV–vis transmittance spectra were also confirmed that the annealing temperature has significant effect on the transparency of thin films. The highest transparency over the visible wavelength region of spectrum (93%) obtained at 550°C on annealing temperature. It should be noted that this thin film was deposited on substrate at room temperature. This result obtained is equivalent with those values that have already been reported but with high-level (20wt%) tin doped indium oxide thin films and also at 350°C substrate temperature. The allowed direct band gap at the temperature range 350–550°C was estimated to be in the range 3.85–3.97eV. Band gap widening with an increase in annealing temperature was observed and is explained on the basis of Burstein-Moss shift. A comparison between the electron beam evaporation and other deposition techniques showed that the better figure of merit value can be obtained by the former technique. At the end we have compared our results with other techniques. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) thin films with composition of 9.42wt% SnO2 and 89.75wt% In2O3, and impurities balanced have been prepared by electron beam evaporation on glass substrates with different deposition rates at fixed low substrate temperature condition. Subsequently, the films were annealed at 400°C in a thermal furnace for 1h in air atmosphere. Hereafter, the films were quenched until room temperature and then have been characterized using X-ray diffraction and UV–visible spectroscopy. The lattice constant and the grain size of all thin films were derived to be 10.118Å and 37nm in diameter, respectively. A transmittance value of 92% in the visible wavelength region at room substrate temperature was obtained. A similar value was already reported for high-level (20wt%) tin-doped indium oxide thin films at 350°C substrate temperature. The resistivity of the films was found to be 7×10−4 Ωcm for the deposition rate of 0.05nms−1. Results showed that by decreasing the deposition rate, a lower resistivity and a higher transmittance were obtained at the lower substrate temperature. The obtained values were better than those reported by other authors. Further optical studies showed that in these films allowed indirect transitions can take place. The direct optical energy gap deduced from the optical transmittance data using the Tauc relation was estimated to be 3.80eV. Resistivity measurements showed that by decreasing the deposition rate, highly conductive transparent films can be obtained. Finally, it has been found that the deposition rate is a very important factor in controlling the electrical and optical properties of ITO films. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We investigate theoretically charge regulation of weakly dissociating polyacids by potentiometric titration of their aqueous solutions. By treating deprotonation and cation binding to the polyacids as reversible reactions in our model, the ionization constant of acid groups along the polyacid chain is adjusted from its intrinsic value by electrostatic correlations. If electrostatic correlations are modeled with a Debye-Hückel electrostatic free energy that ignores the connectivity of acid groups, the theory follows Henderson-Hasselbalch behavior for monoacids at low polyacid concentrations, and does not capture the shift of the ionization constant from its intrinsic value with increasing pH. Using a random phase approximation (RPA) that captures the chain connectivity, the shift of the ionization constant is predicted, which is found to directly originate from the electrostatic repulsions along the polyacid chain. We make predictions for titration of rodlike and Gaussian coil polyacids, and find that the former is followed by hydrophilic poly(acrylic acid), while the latter is followed more closely by hydrophobic poly(acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid). The results suggest that development of more advanced free energy models that allow chain configurations to self-adjust with changing pH and chain hydrophobicity could provide accurate a priori modeling of charge regulation of polyacids. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenge associated with large-scale hydrogen storage is a pertinent one to achieve a hydrogen economy. The increasing global demand for clean and green energy is the driving force to propel such an economy. Furthermore, hydrogen is also considered an alternative energy source compared to fossil fuel as a clean energy alternative. Hydrogen geo-storage in a deep saline aquifer, depleted oil and gas reservoirs can resolve this challenge. We assess the potential of a saline aquifer in a sandstone formation to store hydrogen through first-of-its-kind x-ray micro-computed tomography miniature coreflood experiments. The investigation shows that ~65% of the sandstone's pore volume can be occupied by hydrogen when injected at a slow rate. Residual saturation of hydrogen upon brine injection can be ~41%. [Display omitted] • A large-scale hydrogen geo-storage is under assessment in sub-surface formations. • Initial and residual saturations are 65% and 41%, respectively, for sandstone. • Wettability of hydrogen/brine/rock system is favourable for hydrogen geo-storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complexity and heterogeneity of the three-dimensional (3D) tumor microenvironment have brought challenges to tumor studies and cancer treatment. The complex functions and interactions of cells involved in tumor microenvironment have led to various multidrug resistance (MDR) and raised challenges for cancer treatment. Traditional tumor models are limited in their ability to simulate the resistance mechanisms and not conducive to the discovery of multidrug resistance and delivery processes. New technologies for making 3D tissue models have shown the potential to simulate the 3D tumor microenvironment and identify mechanisms underlying the MDR. This review overviews the main barriers against multidrug delivery in the tumor microenvironment and highlights the advances in microfluidic-based tumor models with the success in simulating several drug delivery barriers. It also presents the progress in modeling various genetic and epigenetic factors involved in regulating the tumor microenvironment as a noticeable insight in 3D microfluidic tumor models for recognizing multidrug resistance and delivery mechanisms. Further correlation between the results obtained from microfluidic drug resistance tumor models and the clinical MDR data would open up avenues to gain insight into the performance of different multidrug delivery treatment strategies. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we prove that some Janko groups are uniquely determined by their orders and one irreducible character degree. Also we prove that some finite simple K4-groups are uniquely determined by their character degree graphs and their orders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a thin film polarizer at the wavelength of 1540 nm in infrared region was designed and optimized using differential evolution method. It is shown how the algorithm’s parameters can change the output result to obtain the best consequence of optimization. This polarizer consists of a few pairs of high and low refractive index dielectric materials, titanium dioxide and silicon dioxide, respectively, with BK7 glass substrate and the angle of incident light was supposed 56° that is the Brewster angle for BK7 glass. Our final optimized polarizer has 91.20 and 0.336% transmittance for P and S polarization, respectively, and a 271 ratio of TPTS which has high significance for this polarizer. It consists of eight pairs of layers with low and high refractive index materials and 3369.1 nm physical thickness which is used to separate S and P polarized light for Q-switching process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a group G and a subset S of G the bi-Cayley graph BCay (G , S) of G with respect to S is the bipartite graph with vertex set G × { 0 , 1 } and edge set { { (x , 0) , (s x , 1) } | x ∈ G , s ∈ S }. A bi-Cayley graph BCay (G , S) is called a BCI-graph if for any bi-Cayley graph BCay (G , T) , BCay (G , S) ≅ BCay (G , T) implies that T = g S α for some g ∈ G and α ∈ Aut (G). A group G is called a m -BCI-group if all bi-Cayley graphs of G with valency at most m are BCI-graphs. In this paper, we characterize the m -BCI dihedral groups for m ≤ 3. Also, we show that the dihedral group D 2 p (p is prime) is a 4 -BCI-group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the composed nanocrystalline ZnCo 2 O 4 and graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were prepared using the facile hydrothermal method. Various microstructure characteristics were specified using X-ray diffraction analysis approaches, including Williamson-Hall and Williamson-Smallman methods. The analysis of scanning electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, and atomic force microscope were used to morphological characteristics and the pore size distributions of samples. Besides, the optical band gap was decreased by the addition of graphene quantum dots to the ZnCo 2 O 4 nanostructure. The greater crystallite size (45.0 nm) was accompanied by the smaller band gap (3.60 eV). The gas sensing investigations exposed that the coral-like ZnCo 2 O 4 /GQD composite nanostructures gas sensor exhibited high response (6.97–100 ppm), selectivity, and low detection limit (0.43 ppm) towards triethylamine. Moreover, enhanced gas sensing properties of coral-like ZnCo 2 O 4 /GQD composite nanostructures were observed when compared with coral-like ZnCo 2 O 4 nanostructures. These results can be attributed to their higher pore volume and diameter than nanocrystalline ZnCo 2 O 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, in order to study the correlation between the microstructure and optical properties of the low symmetry materials, two different nanopowders i.e. TiO 2 (tetragonal) and NaTaO 3 (orthorhombic) are synthesized by the sol-gel and hydrothermal methods, respectively. Based on the active slip systems in rutile crystals, the contrast factors of dislocations are calculated numerically for TiO 2 and then the microstructure behavior is investigated in terms of annealing temperature using the whole powder pattern modeling method. The NaTaO 3 is crystallized in perovskite structure with unknown slip systems, therefore the behavior of its microstructure is investigated by the Rietveld method. Furthermore, UV–Vis and photoluminescence spectra were measured for two series samples to find the relation between the optical and microstructure peculiarities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar Islamic calendar, during which Muslims are obliged to perform specific rites and rituals. Fasting is considered the most important ritual during the holy month of Ramadan. Fasting variably influences the health of individuals, which could be attributed to the changes in the concentrations of certain biochemical markers. This study aimed to elucidate the health effects of fasting through evaluating the impact of this Islamic duty on blood biochemistry. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 40 male volunteers employed at North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Data collection and phlebotomy were performed before fast breaking(Iftar) on the first and last day of Ramadan. Fasting duration was 11 hours per day. Serum biochemical factors, including blood glucose, uric acid, albumin, low-density lipoprotein(LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol and triglyceride(TG), were measured in all the participants at the beginning and end of Ramadan. Data analysis was performed in SPSS using paired-samples T-test to compare the mean variables. Results: Mean age of the participants in this study was 39.11±8.602 years. After one month of fasting, a significant reduction was observed in the mean levels of blood glucose, uric acid, TG, and LDL(P<0.05). Moreover, mean levels of total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol had an insignificant decrease, while mean albumin level significantly increased at the end of Ramadan(P=0.000). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, Ramadan fasting could lower blood cholesterol and uric acid, while enhancing the level of albumin in healthy adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The structure of the TiO 2 /Ag/MoO 3 (TAM) are simulated, designed and optimized as a transparent conductive multilayer using thin film characteristic matrix. • The optical features of green OLED based on TAM electrode are investigated and optimized using microcavity and interference effects. In this paper, first, multilayer features of TiO 2 /Ag/MoO 3 (TAM) are investigated as a transparent conductor structure alternative to Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) electrodes. Thickness effects on the electro-optical features are investigated and an optimal structure is designed. A maximum figure of merit (FOM) of 1.2 × 10-2 (Ω−1) was calculated for a asymmetric TiO 2 (45 nm) /Ag(10 nm) /MoO 3 (40 nm) multilayer. By considering an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) based on TAM trilayer electrode with TiO 2 /Ag/MoO 3 /TPD (N,N′-Bis(3-methylphenyl)-N,N′-diphenylbenzidine)/Alq 3 (tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum)/Al, the effect of variation in different layers thickness on OLED device are studied. Different output features are investigated using thin-film optics and OLEDs optical models based on microcavity and interference effects. The results showed that it is possible to tune output light, intensity, spectrum width, and the wavelength for intensity peak with respect to each of the layers thickness. Finally, the ultimate structure of such device based on TAM is suggested to be TiO 2 (45 nm)/Ag(10 nm)/MoO 3 (10 nm)/TPD(40 nm)/Alq 3 (50 nm)/Al, in which the optimal emission zone is located at the interface between the emitting and hole-transporting layers. Finally, the TAM-based OLED with optimized structure and OLED with ITO electrode were fabricated to compare and evaluate the results obtained from the simulation. The results show that OLED prepared on TAM anode has lower turn-on voltage, higher luminance intensity, higher current efficiency and higher power efficiency compared to the ITO-based device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]