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Abstract The mutual interplays between plate tectonic processes, orogenesis and continental uplift, high-flux magmatism, and high sedimentation rates can affect the geochemical signatures and composition of marine sediments. Here, we examine two major disconformities, the Cenomanian–Turonian boundary (CT-ES) and the middle Turonian (mT-ES) exposure surfaces, from the Upper Cretaceous sedimentary successions of the southeastern Neo-Tethys Ocean in the Zagros Basin (Iran). The disconformities are expressed as distinct positive peaks in rubidium (Rb) contents and 87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratios of carbonates. The 87Sr/86Sr values of samples bracketing the disconformities in seven well cores give average age ranges of 94.4–93.6 Ma for the CT-ES and 91–86 Ma for the mT-ES. These ages fall in the timespan of forearc/ophiolite formation through subduction initiation in the Neo-Tethys realm (southern margin of Eurasia), high convergence velocities between Arabia and Eurasia, and blueschist exhumation. All these processes involved buckling of the Neo-Tethyan lithosphere, initiating the Neo-Tethys closure and a high erosion rate on the Eurasian margin. The first two mechanisms exerted considerable compressional forces on the adjacent carbonate platforms, reactivated basement faults, and led to the uplift and erosion of the Arabian Plate, which provided the high contents of Rb and the high 87Sr/86Sr ratios in the carbonates.

Abstract Hydrocarbon reserves are commonly estimated from electrical logs based on the Archie’s law. Therefore, understanding the concepts and precise determination of Archie’s parameters play an essential role in reservoir studies. The electrical properties of carbonates are affected by both microstructures and wetting characteristics of these heterogeneous rocks. Understanding of these effects and prediction of Archie’s parameters are significant theoretical and experimental challenges. In this paper, these effects were analyzed separately using rocks with various lithologies including limestone, dolomitic limestone and dolostones. Samples with different sedimentary textures (grainstones and packstones), porosities and pore types were also considered under different laboratory conditions. For microstructure effects analysis, 16 heterogeneous carbonate samples having a wide range of microstructures were selected. To decrease wetting effect, the washed samples were tested in air–brine injection system at ambient conditions to measure saturation exponent. Subsequently, in order to investigate the influence of the wetting characteristics on this exponent, 25 homogeneous limestone samples were employed for water–oil injection under reservoir conditions. The porous plate was used as a standard technique to determine the saturation exponent as an electrical index. The results showed that pore connectivity and wettability are the main factors affecting the saturation exponent. Heterogeneity, including the presence of large pores and bimodal texture, is another effective factor that complicates the relationship between saturation exponent and wettability. Furthermore, results indicate variation of the saturation exponent with fluid saturation. Finally, equations were obtained to interpret and calculate the saturation exponent using capillary pressure data by mercury injection method. The derived equations clearly demonstrate the significant impact of the studied parameters on the saturation exponent in carbonate rocks.

Abstract Peat forming environment strongly influences the economic value of any coal seam and coal-bearing strata. Hence, palaeoenvironmental studies provide important information for coal resource exploration. In this context, detailed studies on selected coals from the Parvadeh Area, Iran, were conducted using sedimentology, coal petrology, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy- energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (SEM-EDX), and proximate analysis. The sedimentary facies above and below the coal seams are mainly marine or marine-influenced facies, supporting that the coal-forming mires in the Parvadeh Area developed in a paralic environment, where the base level must be closely related to sea level. Sulfur contents are moderate to high and mark the influence of brackish/marine water, especially during transgression after peat growth in a lower delta plain environment. The peat-forming mires extended on coastal/delta plain lobes. The lower delta plain/coastal plain coals are characterized by lateral continuity and substantial thickness, whereas few coals possibly representing the upper delta plain are thin and more discontinuous. The detrital nature and composition of the numerous partings and the overall high ash yield in the coal seams indicate an active tectonic area with high rates of creation of accommodation space over peat growth. Coal petrology and coal facies analysis exhibits a permanently high water table within a forest swamp and mostly rheotrophic conditions, sometimes with connection to the seawater. According to paleoenvironmental reconstructions, it seems that coal layers may be thicker, with less sulfur (pyrite), but more clastic minerals and partings toward the western part of the area. Although these coal seams presently have low economic potential for the mining operation, partly due to great depth, this humic, high-volatile to medium-volatile bituminous coal may be suitable for exploration of coal bed methane resources.

AbstractPaleohighs play an important role in increasing the quality and sedimentological characteristics of the reservoirs. The Upper Dalan Formation with Late Permian age in the center of the Persian Gulf Basin is known as a giant gas reservoir. In this paper, 60 meters of the Upper Dalan Formation have been studied in two fields in the center of the Persian Gulf Basin. Petrographic studies of the two fields led to the identification of seven microfacies in field A and six microfacies in field B in the form of four facies belts in the carbonated ramp environment. In order to evaluate the heterogeneity of the reservoir, the determination of rock types was performed by using four standard methods. Examination of the average porosity and permeability shows that the dissolution in field B is more severe than in field A. Study of diagenetic processes, the type of dolomites formed and the average porosity and permeability in the samples of the two fields indicate that the location of field B on the Qatar arc leads to the formation of dolomicrites, increased dissolution and finally higher reservoir quality in microfacies groups in this field in comparison with field A.Keywords: Upper Dalan Formation, Qatar Arc, Permian–Triassic boundary, Microfacies, Heterogeneity IntroductionDue to the presence of great hydrocarbon resources and fields in the south and southwest of Iran, the study and investigation of fields and formations in these areas was an important and a significant topic for many researches in recent decades. The Dalan Formation of the Middle–Late Permian age forms the main gas and condensate reservoirs in numerous hydrocarbon fields in the south and southwest of Iran (Alsharhan and Nairn 1994; Ehrenberg et al. 2007; Tavakoli 2015). The Upper Dalan Formation of the Late Permian age has one of the largest gas reservoirs in the world and it is placed on the Faragan Formation of the Early Permian and continues to the Kangan Formation of the Early Triassic. This formation is mainly composed of carbonate-evaporite sequences that developed on a homoclinal carbonate ramp continuously with significant changes in heterogeneity and reservoir quality towards the Late Permian Paleotethys Ocean (Fallah-Bagtash et al. 2020; Ghasemi et al. 2022). Extensive studies have been conducted concerning the investigation and analysis of sedimentological evolution, texture (petrographic analysis), analysis of facies groups, sedimentary environments and sub-environments, diagenetic processes and investigation of heterogeneities in it. The most common pores identified in the formation are interparticle, moldic and connected vuggy types. The main diagenetic processes affecting the upper Dalan Formation in these studies are dolomitization and dissolution which increase the reservoir quality and the formation of anhydrite and calcite cements as well as compaction that reduce the reservoir quality (Amel et al. 2015; Fallah-Bagtash et al. 2020; Ghasemi et al. 2022). There have been limited case studies on paleohighs in the world. For example, concerning the effect of paleohighs on gas reservoirs, we can refer to the research conducted on the Middle Permian Maoko Limestone, which is a main natural gas production reservoir in the southern Sichuan basin of China. The results of these studies state that the presence of ancient elevations causes special changes in hydrocarbon reservoirs. These changes may increase reservoir quality, change the diagenetic processes, and subsequently increase dissolution which makes favorable conditions for the accumulation of hydrocarbon materials in reservoirs. Despite such importance, the influence of the Qatar-Arc on the sedimentological and petrophysical characteristics of the Dalan Formation has not been studied. Therefore, the main goal of this paper is to investigate the effects of the presence of the Qatar-Arc on the reservoir quality (porosity and permeability), diagenetic processes, facies properties, and sedimentological evolution of a part (30 meters in each field) of the Upper Dalan Formation below the Permian–Triassic boundary. This study compares the effects of the presence of the arc in the upper part of the Dalan Formation in two fields A and B in the central part of the Persian Gulf basin. Materials & MethodsData studied in this research was obtained from two exploration wells in two different fields. The data includes information obtained from the study of 30 meters of cores in each field. In X1 well (Field A) and X2 well (Field B), the studied data are related to the amount of porosity, permeability, investigation of facies and sedimentary characteristics. In each meter, four thin sections and a total of 123 thin sections in X1 well and 121 thin sections in t X2 well have been studied and analyzed. The number of plugs taken in X1 well is 93 for porosity and 92 for permeability. In X2 well, 103 plugs have been prepared for porosity and 96 plugs for permeability. The study of thin sections has been done by a polarizing microscope. To accurately determine the lithology of limestone from dolomite, one-third of each thin section was stained with Alizarin Red-S solution according to the common method of Dickson (1965). Boyle's law has been used to determine the porosity and Darcy's law has been used to determine the permeability of core plugs. Blue epoxy impregnation has been used to determine the types of pores (Choquette and Pray 1970). The classification of microfacies analyzed in both fields is based on Dunham classification (Dunham 1962) and the division related to facies belts based on Flugel (2010). To determine the rock types, four common methods, Winland (Winland-Plot; Schmalz and Rahme 1950; Kolodzie 1980; Pitman 1992; Amaefule et al. 1993; Rezaee et al. 2006; Purcell 2013), Lorenz (SML-Plot; Lorenz 1905), Reservoir quality index (RQI-FZI Method; Amaefule et al. 1993) and Lucia's Method (1995) have been used. Discussion of Results & ConclusionsFacies analysis led to the identification of seven microfacies in field A and six microfacies in field B belonging to four sub-environments deposited in a carbonate ramp. Micriticization, bioturbation, cementation, dolomization, neomorphism, dissolution, compaction (chemical) and fracturing are observed in the studied succession. These diagenetic processes affected the deposits of the Upper Dalan Formation during different stages of marine, meteoric and burial diagenesis. The study of the reservoir quality in the upper Dalan in both fields indicates that the reservoir quality is higher in the B field compared to field A. Detection and evaluation of heterogeneity were performed to increase the quality and accuracy of studying reservoirs. Four common methods of determining rock types and evaluating heterogeneity have been used. In the Winland method, plotting the porosity and permeability data related to two fields separately has led to the identification of six rock types in field A and seven rock types in field B. In the A field, most samples have small pore-throats and in field B, a large number of samples have a medium, and particularly large pore-throats (pore-throats between 5 to 15 and 15 to 60 microns). In the hydraulic flow unit method, six rock types have been determined after performing calculations in both fields. The results show that the reservoir quality is higher in the samples of B field compared to field A. In the method, Lucia, based on the standard ranges in both fields A and B, five rock types were determined from the final results. In field A, the amount of non-reservoir samples is more than in field B, the changes in the diagrams are almost uniform, and the samples are distributed in three classes 1 (grain support), 2 (grain support-packstone), and 3 (mud support) of Lucia. In field B, most of the samples are concentrated in classes 1 and 2 of the Lucia classification, respectively. In the Lorenz method, four rock types have been determined in both fields. Distribution patterns are almost the same in both fields. Rock type 1 with the highest reservoir quality has the lowest amount of abundance.The most abundant sedimentary sub-environments in field A are leeward shoal and lagoon while in field B, tidal facies and lagoon are more abundant. In field B, the low depth and high evaporation have caused intolerable conditions for living organisms. Also, the bioturbation process has not been observed near the Permian–Triassic boundary (PTB) of field B. Isopachous cements were not formed in field B because these sediments have not spent a long time in the marine environment and the water depth has decreased rapidly. The abundant dissolution of grains in B field and the lack of observation of this phenomenon in field A is other evidence of the influence of atmospheric diagenesis on the sediments near the boundary in field B. The dolomites formed in B field are fine-grained compared to field A, which indicates the formation in a marine diagenetic environment with a short time for formation. The seepage-reflux dolomitization model has been widely accepted for these fine-grained (dolomicrite) and anhedral dolomites (Tucker 1994; Amel et al. 2015; Fallah-Bagtash et al. 2020; Enayati-Bidgoli and Navidtalab 2020). The model states that dolomites have been formed in an early diagenetic stage in shallow water depth. It can be seen that the presence of the Qatar-Arc and the decrease in water depth have led to strong effects of the evaporation process in field B. It also caused increasing dolomite and anhydrite formation in the lower part of the PTB. An increase in dissolution in the upper part of the boundary is another effect of the Arc. The formation of fine-crystalline dolomites, increased dissolution (moldic and vuggy), formation of anhydrite nodules, and better reservoir quality in field B compared to field A are the results of the presence of the Qatar-Arc in the field B.

Heat treatable Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys are widely used in automobile industries, aerospace and military applications. This study investigates the effects of different amounts of copper and magnesium on microstructure and mechanical properties. The as-cast alloys prepared in a permanent mould showed a dendritic microstructure and the intermetallic phase surrounded by secondary phases. As-cast microstructure was refined substantially during hot rolling processes. The ultimate tensile strength and hardness values both in hot-rolled and aged conditions along longitudinal and transverse directions were found greater for the alloy containing 1.33 wt.% copper and 1.01 wt.% magnesium, whereas strain to fracture values for alloy 01 with 1.09 wt.% copper and 1.8 wt.% magnesium. The fracture surface of the tensile sample having relatively lower amount of copper content revealed dimple rupture behaviour, while higher 4.32 wt.% copper content indicated transgranular and cleavage fracture. A similar pattern was also observed along the transverse direction. Overall, copper appeared to be more effective in strengthening of the studied alloys.

Abstract Upper Dalan and Kangan carbonate formations with Late Permian–Early Triassic ages are considered the main gas reservoir rocks in some Persian Gulf fields. In this study, to investigate the factors affecting the distribution of reservoir rock types, microfacies and diagenetic processes in the upper part of Dalan and Kangan formations in one of the Persian Gulf fields have been investigated. A total of 1110 thin sections and 840 porosity and permeability data (RCAL data) were used. In the petrographic studies, 15 microfacies were classified into four facies belts of the tidal zone, lagoon, shoal, and open marine in an epeiric carbonate platform environment. Studies showed that diagenetic imprints such as calcite cementation, dolomitization, anhydrite nodule formation, dissolution, and compaction had been occurred in three marine, meteoric, and burial diagenetic environments. To investigate and group the reservoir rock types on the Lucia petrophysical diagram, the porosity and permeability data were plotted on this diagram. Depending on the type of microfacies and diagenetic processes, porosity and permeability data are included in all parts of the diagram. This study shows that the reservoir rock of the studied field is very heterogeneous in terms of reservoir properties and is affected by sedimentary and diagenetic processes. Accordingly, grain supported samples have been moved from classes one and two to the lower parts of the diagram, in the non-reservoir section, due to calcite and anhydrite cement. In contrast, in some cases, dissolution and dolomitization in mud-supported microfacies led to data placement from class three of Lucia to classes one and two. Dissolution and dolomitization in grain-supported microfacies have resulted in the placement of these samples in the upper parts of classes one and two. Keywords:Upper Dalan Formation, Kangan Formation, Microfacies, Diagenesis, Lucia diagram Introduction Diagenetic processes are one of the main reservoir quality controllers in carbonate reservoirs in the world. These processes play a constructive or destructive role in the reservoir. They could also have no effect on the initial reservoir quality of the facies (Ahr 2008). The most important application of the geological rock typing method is to investigate the effect of geological factors on petrophysical behavior (Nazari et al. 2019). The petrophysical characteristics in Dalan and Kangan carbonate formations are under the control of sedimentary and diagenetic processes (Nazemi et al. 2019). One of the important methods for rock typing that connects geology and petrophysics is the Lucia method. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of sedimentary and diagenesis processes on changing the reservoir quality of microfacies on the Lucia petrophysical diagram. Material & Methods For the present study, 242.7 m of the succession, including 1110 thin sections with distances of approximately 20 cm from the upper Dalan and Kangan formations were investigated from well X of one of the fields located in the east of the Persian Gulf. No thin section was available from the K4 unit. To determine the amount of calcite and dolomite, all thin sections were stained with Alizarin Red-S solution. Types of microfacies were described and named by the Dunham method (Dunham 1962). Flügel classification (Flügel 2010) was used to determine the sedimentary environments. Lucia petrophysical chart (Lucia 1995) with 840 porosity and permeability data (RCAL data) were used to investigate the reservoir characteristics of microfacies and the diagenetic processes affecting them. The frequency of each microfacies was determined in Lucia petrophysical classes. Discussion of Results & Conclusions Facies analysis led to the identification of 15 microfacies (MF1 to MF15) in the four facies belts (tidal zone, lagoon, shoal, and open marine) deposited in an epeiric carbonate platform. Studies showed that diagenetic imprints such as calcite cementation, dolomitization, anhydrite nodule formation, dissolution and compaction have occurred in three marine, meteoric, and burial diagenetic environments. In the upper Dalan and Kangan formations, moldic, fenestral, interparticle, intraparticle, intercrystalline and vuggy porosity are observed; but common porosities are moldic, intraparticle and vuggy. Sedimentary and diagenetic processes control the porosity and permeability of the rocks. Depending on the type of microfacies and diagenetic processes, porosity and permeability data are included in all parts of the diagram. An important factor in the distribution of porosity and permeability in carbonate reservoirs is diagenesis (Lucia 2007, Ahr 2008). Due to diagenesis, porosity can enter from one group to another. Dolomitization and dissolution have a positive effect while calcite cement, anhydrite nodule formation, and compaction have a negative effect on reservoir quality. Microfacies that have a higher frequency percentage in classes one and two have a better reservoir quality.

Abstract In this study, 110 m of carbonate rocks from one well of the Dariyan Formation in the central part of the Persian Gulf were investigated by using 390 thin-sections and gamma ray data. In order to determine the depositional sequences of this formation, facies analysis led to the identification of nine microfacies in five sub-environments deposited in a carbonate ramp platform. The sea-level changes at the time of deposition of the Dariyan Formation have resulted in formation of three third-order complete depositional sequences. To determine the boundaries by gamma deviation method, each gamma ray data was subtracted from the average data in the whole well and then the obtained values were added together to calculate cumulative deviation from the mean value. Three units and the associated main boundaries were identified by the first level analysis. The second level analysis, which was done separately on all three units, other sequence boundaries (except the boundary at a depth of 1127.2 m) were identified. Comparing the determined boundaries resulting from this method with sequence stratigraphic studies based on the core analysis results indicates that this tool is valuable in determining sequence stratigraphic boundaries in carbonate formations. Keywords: Dariyan Formation, Gamma ray, Standard deviation, Sequence stratigraphy. Introduction Given the importance of oil and gas reservoirs in the world, careful study of facies, sedimentary environments and detection of depositional sequences are very important for identifying oil and gas reservoirs. Accordingly, interpretation of facies associations from thin-sections and reconstructing the sedimentary model are recommended (Reading 1986). Sequences are determined by examining the relationship between facies and depositional environments with the unconformities in sedimentary succession (Catuneanu et al. 2009). Various types of data, such as the outcrops, cores, well logs, cuttings and seismic data are used. However, due to limitations in the production of core data, it is not possible to use them in all cases. Therefore, well log data that are available in most reservoirs can be used as the best tool for sequence stratigraphic studies. Despite the great importance of gamma ray log in determination of sequence stratigraphic framework, few studies have been performed on this subject due to the low amplitude changes of this log in carbonate formations (Aigner et al. 1995; Heimhofer et al. 2010; Peyravi et al. 2010; Ghasemi-Nejad et al. 2015; Mansouri-Daneshvar et al. 2015; Gholami Zadeh et al. 2019). Some previous studies (Tavakoli 2014, 2017; Ghiasvand 2016) determined the sequence boundaries suggested by the gamma deviation log. The present study was performed on the Dariyan Formation (Late Barremian to Early Aptian) from the Khami Group. The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability of gamma deviation log in sequence stratigraphy analysis of carbonate successions (third-order depositional sequences). Materials and Methods For the present study, 110 m of carbonate rocks from one well of the Dariyan Formation in the central part of the Persian Gulf were investigated by using 390 thin-sections and gamma ray data. In order to understand the geological properties and determine the sequence stratigraphy framework of the Dariyan Formation, petrographic studies were carried out and samples were classified according to Dunham (1962) facies classification. Then, using the transgressive-regressive sequence method, depositional sequences were determined. To determine the boundaries by gamma deviation method, each gamma ray data (CGR-SGR) was subtracted from the average data in the whole well and then the obtained values were added together to calculate cumulative deviation from the mean value) Tavakoli 2014). Finally, the defined sequence boundaries were compared with the results of the gamma deviation log and the method was used in well B with no core data. Discussion of Results and Conclusions Facies analysis led to the identification of nine microfacies (T1, L1, L2, L3, S1, S2, R1, R2, O1) in five sub-environments (tidal zone, lagoon, shoal, proximal open marine and open marine) deposited in a carbonate ramp platform (inner- to mid-ramp). Sea-level changes at the time of deposition of the Dariyan Formation have resulted in formation of three third-order complete depositional sequences with thicknesses of 25, 30.2 and 54.8 m from bottom to the top. Three lithostratigraphic units (Lower Dariyan, Hawar, Upper Dariyan) and the main boundaries were identified by the first level analysis. The second level analysis, which was performed separately on each of the first three units, revealed other sequence boundaries (except the boundary at a depth of 1127.2 m). The reason for the uncertainty of this boundary was very limited change of facies which could not change the gamma ray values. Comparing the determined boundaries with sequence stratigraphic studies based on the core analysis indicates that this tool is valuable in determining sequence stratigraphic boundaries in carbonate succession. The method can also be used in wells with no core data (such as well B).

Objective(s): Human T cell leukaemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is associated with adult T cell leukaemia (ATL), a malignant lymphoproliferative disease that infects CD4 T cells. It is not clear why the majority of HTLV-1-infected individuals remain asymptomatic carries (ACs) and a minority develop ATL. Cellular immune response has a critical role in ATL and destroys malignant and HTLV-1-infected cells. Perforin and granzyme have important functional roles in apoptosis and destruction of infected cells. In the present study we examined the role of perforin and granzyme in ATL patients and ACs.Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from ATL patients and ACs by using Ficoll-hypaque density centrifugation. RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized. A real-time PCR TaqMan method was designed and optimized for evaluation of perforin, granzyme, tax, and HBZ gene expression. HTLV-1 proviral load (PVL) was quantified in patients with ATL and ACs.Results: The mRNA expression of tax and HBZ was significantly higher in ATL patients than ACs (P=0.011 and P=0.0001,respectively). The HTLV-1 PVL was higher in ATL patients compared to with AC group (P=0.015). There was a significant increase in perforin gene expression in ACs compared with ATL patients (P=0.002). Furthermore, the expression of granzyme was also higher in ACs compared with ATL patients, and significant differences were observed between the two groups (P=0.036).Conclusion: Low expression of perforin and granzyme in ATL patients seems to influence the efficiency of CTL function and destruction of HTLV-1-infected cells, which might contribute to the disease pathogenesis.

Abstract The Upper Arab reservoir in the central Persian Gulf was examined for depositional, diagenetic, sequence stratigraphic and petrophysical features. This succession is composed of eight sedimentary facies that deposited on a carbonate ramp. Three-third-order sequences prograded across the Late Jurassic Arab Platform. This interval was complicated by multiple diagenetic phases including eogenesis and mesogenesis that strongly influenced reservoir properties. Dolomitization, dissolution, cementation and compaction are major diagenetic processes which played an essential role in increasing or decreasing reservoir quality. Four hydraulic flow units (HFU) were determined by flow zone indicator approach for evaluation of the reservoir quality. In addition to depositional features, diagenetic alterations have changed general HFUs characterizations such as porosity, permeability and pore-throat size. Likewise, via Lucia classification, HFUs of the Arab reservoir were grouped based on the integration of geological and petrophysical attributes in detail. Among diagenetic processes, dolomitization and dissolution have positive effects while cementation and stylolitization have a negative effect on HFUs characteristics in the studied reservoir. Put another way, since diagenetic alterations lead to the intensification of heterogeneity in carbonate reservoir, prediction of the relationship between pore type and pore throat size is a problematic issue. Recognition of the hydraulic flow units considered as a practical tool for grouping reservoir rocks and characterizing heterogeneity using porosity and permeability relationship. Finally, specifying of the contribution of various diagenetic imprints in each hydraulic flow unit in a sequence stratigraphic framework results in a conceptual reservoir model that could predict reservoir quality variations across the field.

In order to study the effect of water deficit and the application of humic and salicylic acid on physiological traits, yield and yield components of corn, an experiment was carried out as a split-plot based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications at the research field of Islamic Azad Universityof Birjand, Iran in 2014. The main factor was irrigation in three levels (supply of 33, 67 and 100% water requirement) and the sub-factor was humic and salicylic acid application in 4 levels (application of humic acid, salicylic acid, humic + salicylic acid and no application). The results of variance analysis showed that irrigation significantly affected traits of physiological, seed yield components and yield but humic acid and salicylic acid application significantly affected chlorophyle index, stomatal conductivity, 1000-seed weight and seed yield. Also, interaction effect of irrigation and humic acid and salicylic acid was no significant on measured traits. Chlorophyle index, stomatal conductivity, ear number per m2, row number per ear, seed number per row, seed number per ear and 1000-seed weight significantly decreased by 15.6, 35.6, 41.2, 14.1, 33.9, 61.8 and 40%, respectively with the decreas of water requirement from 100 to 33%. Seed yield and biological yield in treatment of 100% water requirement supply, had significantly superiority 3.9 and 2.4 times, respectively as compared with treatment of 33% water requirement supply. Chlorophyle index by 7.5, 7.7 and 8.9%, 1000-seed weight by 22.5, 26.6 and 20.7% and seed yield by 26.5, 18.5 and 21.7%, significantly increased with application of humic acid, salicylic acid and humic acid + salicylic acid respectively as compaed with no application of this acids. The results showed that supply of 100% water requirement and independent application of humic acid or salicylic acid can increase seed yield of corn.

Background and Aim: Several studies have compared the orthodontists’, dentists’, and dental patients’ opinions with regard to facial profile esthetics; however, the Iranian population has been limitedly researched in this respect. Our aim was to determine the differences in the esthetic preferences of Iranian patients, dentists, and orthodontists with regard to facial profile esthetics. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, ideal facial profiles for both genders were chosen, and nine anteroposterior combinations for each sex were obtained using the Dolphin imaging software program. 132 individuals (44 subjects per group) were asked to rank the facial profiles from 1 to 9 (the least and most attractive facial profiles, respectively). Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-U-Whitney tests were utilized to compare the results. Results: The facial profile with a retrusive maxilla/protrusive mandible was ranked as the worst profile by orthodontists, dentists, and patients (males: 1.25, 1.52, and 1.45, respectively, P=0.128; females: 1.89, 1.84, and 1.59, respectively, P=0.745). The orthodontists and dentists rated the ideal facial profile as the best profile (males: 7.98 and 7.80, respectively, P=0.033; females: 8.05 and 8.02, respectively, P=0.008); howev-er, the patients chose the retrusive mandible as the most attractive facial profile (males: 7.82, P=0.043; females: 7.89, P=0.009). Conclusion: Clinicians must consider the patient’s idea about the ideal facial profile that he/she wants to achieve at the end of the treatment. Based on the results of this study, the Iranian patients prefer a more convex facial profile, which can be considered as an important factor in treatment planning.

Kangan and Dalan formations are the main reservoir rocks of the central Persian Gulf hydrocarbon fields. The aim of this study is determining the approprate sequence stratigraphic model to separate the reservoir zones of the carbonate-evaporate Dalan Formation. In this regard, a total of 9 facies and 4 depositional environments determined using petrographical studies. The sequence stratigraphic boundaries determined in two transgressive-regressive and EXXON models using all available data. One complete third order sequence as well as two other incomplete sequences determined in the first method that continue in Nar anhydrite and Kangan Formation respectivly. In the second method, the studied interval was divided into two sequences and 6 systems tracts. Regarding the chosen methods, the LST of each EXXON sequence is part of the HST of the previous sequence. In LST, precipitation of evaporites cause low reservoir properties. TSTs are the same in both models and have good reservoir properties due to the low anhydrite and frequent marine cements. HST is also a good reservoir zone in EXXON model. This systems tract has dual reservoir properties in T-R model because the LST of the EXXON model is also included. The results show that the EXXON model with separating the LST and HST with different reservoir properties has higher ability for differentiation of the reservoir zones in Dalan Formation. These systems tracts have different reservoir quality parameters (porosity and permeability) that is ignored in transgressive-regressive model.

To study, 30 sediment samples were collected from the 7 boreholes with maximum depth 520 cm in the Meyghan playa bed which is located in 15 km northeastern part of Arak. Sediment samples were studied for sedimentological characteristic include mineralogy, granolometry, calcimetery, organic matter content, pH, EC and physical characteristics of sediments. Meyghan playa sediments are mostly of chemicals and detrital. Percentage of evaporative minerals in surface sediments is greater than the clastic minerals. Sediments of this playa are mainly chemical (evaporites) and clastic components. Amount of evaporative minerals in surface sediments is greater than the clastic minerals. This study shows, Chemical sediments are formed Mainlyو during periods of low water levels and sometimes, the lake is fed from the land. While castic sediments of the basin were deposited during periods of high water levels and transported by rivers and floods as bed load and suspended load to playa and deposited. Considering sedimentology and mineralogy profiles with depth despite visible fluctuations due to climate change (dry and wet seasons), indicative almost regular process of parameters along the borehole. So that with depth abundance of detrital minerals, calcium carbonate, and mean of grain size is increased while organic matter and mean of grain’s sorting is decreased. These factors along with the reduction of evaporative minerals with depth, especially minerals with high solubility such as gypsum and Halite indicate there was a high water level and cold - humid climate for the past (late Pleistocene) in the Meighan playa and/or maybe there is a lake with fresh water or Low salinity in the past that its salinity has increased over time.

To study, 30 sediment samples were collected from the 7 boreholes with maximum depth 520 cm in the Meyghan playa bed which is located in 15 km northeastern part of Arak. Sediment samples were studied for sedimentological characteristic include mineralogy, granolometry, calcimetery, organic matter content, pH, EC and physical characteristics of sediments. Meyghan playa sediments are mostly of chemicals and detrital. Percentage of evaporative minerals in surface sediments is greater than the clastic minerals. Sediments of this playa are mainly chemical (evaporites) and clastic components. Amount of evaporative minerals in surface sediments is greater than the clastic minerals. This study shows, Chemical sediments are formed MainlyÙ during periods of low water levels and sometimes, the lake is fed from the land. While castic sediments of the basin were deposited during periods of high water levels and transported by rivers and floods as bed load and suspended load to playa and deposited. Considering sedimentology and mineralogy profiles with depth despite visible fluctuations due to climate change (dry and wet seasons), indicative almost regular process of parameters along the borehole. So that with depth abundance of detrital minerals, calcium carbonate, and mean of grain size is increased while organic matter and mean of grainâs sorting is decreased. These factors along with the reduction of evaporative minerals with depth, especially minerals with high solubility such as gypsum and Halite indicate there was a high water level and cold - humid climate for the past (late Pleistocene) in the Meighan playa and/or maybe there is a lake with fresh water or Low salinity in the past that its salinity has increased over time.

Background: Various techniques are used in diagnosing cardiac diseases. The electrocardiogram is one of these tools in common use. In this study vectorcardiogram (VCG) signals are used as a tool for detection of cardiac ischemia. Methods: VCG signals used in this study were obtained form 60 patients suspected to have ischemia disease and 10 normal candidates. Verification of the ischemia had done by the cardiologist during strain test by the evaluation of electrocardiogram (ECG) records and patient′s clinical history. The recorder device was Cardiax digital recorder system. The VCG signals were recorded in Frank lead configuration system. Results: Extracted ischemia VCG signals have been configured with 22 features. Feature dimensionalities were reduced by the use of Independent Components Analysis and Principal Component Analysis tools. Results obtained from strain test indicated that among 60 subjects, 50 had negative results and 10 had positive results. Ischemia detection of neural network using VCG parameters indicates 86% accuracy. Classification result on neural network using ECG ischemia detection parameters is 73% accurate. Accumulative evaluation including VCG analysis and strain test indicates 90% consistency. Conclusions: Regarding the obtained results in this study, VCG has higher accuracy than ECG, so that in cases which ECG signal cannot provide certain diagnosis of existence or non-existence of ischemia, VCG signal can help in a wider range. We suggest the use of VCG as an auxiliary low cost tool in ischemia detection.

An interaction between human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) E2 and the cellular proteins TopBP1 and BRD4 is required for E2 plasmid segregation function. The E2-TopBP1 interaction promotes increased mitotic E2 protein levels in U2OS and N/Tert-1 cells, as well as in human foreskin keratinocytes immortalized by HPV16 (HFK + HPV16). SIRT1 deacetylation reduces E2 protein stability and here we demonstrate that increased E2 acetylation occurs during mitosis in a TopBP1 interacting-dependent manner, promoting E2 mitotic stabilization. p300 mediates E2 acetylation and acetylation is increased due to E2 switching off SIRT1 function during mitosis in a TopBP1 interacting-dependent manner, confirmed by increased p53 stability and acetylation on lysine 382, a known target for SIRT1 deacetylation. SIRT1 can complex with E2 in growing cells but is unable to do so during mitosis due to the E2-TopBP1 interaction; SIRT1 is also unable to complex with p53 in mitotic E2 wild-type cells but can complex with p53 outside of mitosis. E2 lysines 111 and 112 are highly conserved residues across all E2 proteins and we demonstrate that K111 hyper-acetylation occurs during mitosis, promoting E2 interaction with Topoisomerase 1 (Top1). We demonstrate that K112 ubiquitination promotes E2 proteasomal degradation during mitosis. E2-TopBP1 interaction promotes mitotic acetylation of CHK2, promoting phosphorylation and activation of the DNA damage response (DDR). The results present a new model in which the E2-TopBP1 complex inactivates SIRT1 during mitosis, and activates the DDR. This is a novel mechanism of HPV16 activation of the DDR, a requirement for the viral life cycle., Importance: Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are causative agents in around 5% of all human cancers. While there are prophylactic vaccines that will significantly alleviate HPV disease burden on future generations, there are currently no anti-viral strategies available for the treatment of HPV cancers. To generate such reagents, we must understand more about the HPV life cycle, and in particular about viral-host interactions. Here, we describe a novel mitotic complex generated by the HPV16 E2 protein interacting with the host protein TopBP1 that controls the function of the deacetylase SIRT1. The E2-TopBP1 interaction disrupts SIRT1 function during mitosis in order to enhance acetylation and stability of viral and host proteins. We also demonstrate that the E2-TopBP1 interaction activates the DDR. This novel complex is essential for the HPV16 life cycle and represents a novel anti-viral therapeutic target., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a causal agent of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in humans, and afflicts more than 70 million people worldwide. The HCV envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2 are responsible for the binding of the virus to the host cell, but the exact entry process remains undetermined 1 . The majority of broadly neutralizing antibodies block interaction between HCV E2 and the large extracellular loop (LEL) of the cellular receptor CD81 (CD81-LEL) 2 . Here we show that low pH enhances the binding of CD81-LEL to E2, and we determine the crystal structure of E2 in complex with an antigen-binding fragment (2A12) and CD81-LEL (E2-2A12-CD81-LEL); E2 in complex with 2A12 (E2-2A12); and CD81-LEL alone. After binding CD81, residues 418-422 in E2 are displaced, which allows for the extension of an internal loop consisting of residues 520-539. Docking of the E2-CD81-LEL complex onto a membrane-embedded, full-length CD81 places the residues Tyr529 and Trp531 of E2 proximal to the membrane. Liposome flotation assays show that low pH and CD81-LEL increase the interaction of E2 with membranes, whereas structure-based mutants of Tyr529, Trp531 and Ile422 in the amino terminus of E2 abolish membrane binding. These data support a model in which acidification and receptor binding result in a conformational change in E2 in preparation for membrane fusion., (© 2021. This is a U.S. government work and not under copyright protection in the U.S.; foreign copyright protection may apply.)

Prenatal viral infection can lead to a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disabilities or fetal demise. These can include microencephaly, global developmental delay, intellectual disability, refractory epilepsy, deafness, retinal defects, and cortical-visual impairment. Each of these clinical conditions can occur on a semi-quantitative to continuous spectrum, from mild to severe disease, and often as a collective of phenotypes. Such serious outcomes result from viruses' overlapping neuropathology and hosts' common neuronal and gene regulatory response to infections. The etiology of variability in clinical outcomes is not yet clear, but it may be related to viral, host, vector, and/or environmental risk and protective factors that likely interact in multiple ways. In this perspective of the literature, we work toward understanding the causes of phenotypic variability after prenatal viral infections by highlighting key aspects of the viral lifecycle that can affect human disease, with special attention to the 2015 Zika pandemic. Therefore, this work offers important insights into how viral infections and environmental teratogens affect the prenatal brain, toward our ultimate goal of preventing neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Purpose: DNA methylation is a well-characterized epigenetic repressor of mRNA transcription in many plant and vertebrate systems. However, the mechanism of this repression is not fully understood. The process of transcription is controlled by proteins that regulate recruitment and activity of RNA polymerase by binding to specific cis-regulatory sequences. Cone-rod homeobox (CRX) is a well-characterized mammalian transcription factor that controls photoreceptor cell-specific gene expression. Although much is known about the functions and DNA binding specificity of CRX, little is known about how DNA methylation modulates CRX binding affinity to genomic cis-regulatory elements., Methods: We used bisulfite pyrosequencing of human ocular tissues to measure DNA methylation levels of the regulatory regions of RHO , PDE6B, PAX6 , and LINE1 retrotransposon repeats. To describe the molecular mechanism of repression, we used molecular modeling to illustrate the effect of DNA methylation on human RHO regulatory sequences., Results: In this study, we demonstrate an inverse correlation between DNA methylation in regulatory regions adjacent to the human RHO and PDE6B genes and their subsequent transcription in human ocular tissues. Docking of CRX to the DNA models shows that CRX interacts with the grooves of these sequences, suggesting changes in groove structure could regulate binding. Molecular dynamics simulations of the RHO promoter and enhancer regions show changes in the flexibility and groove width upon epigenetic modification. Models also demonstrate changes in the local dynamics of CRX binding sites within RHO regulatory sequences which may account for the repression of CRX-dependent transcription., Conclusions: Collectively, these data demonstrate epigenetic regulation of CRX binding sites in human retinal tissue and provide insight into the mechanism of this mode of epigenetic regulation to be tested in future experiments.