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Background & Aims: Academic motivation plays an important role in acquiring knowledge and skills. The role of personality in educational success is beyond intelligence. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between personality traits and academic motivation in nursing students. Material & Methods: It was a descriptive- correlational study. The sample consisted of 250 undergraduate nursing students in Najafabad branch of Azad University who were recruited during 2010-2011 academic year by census. Data related to personality traits and academic motivation was collected by the Persian version of Neo Big Five Inventory (NEO-BFI) and Hurter’s Academic Motivation Questionnaire respectively and analyzed by SPSS-PC (v.16) using stepwise regression. Results: there was a direct significant correlation between academic motivation and conscientiousness trait (P=0.000, r= 0.234) and also extroversion trait (P= 0.001, r= 0.202). There was an inverse significant correlation between academic motivation and neuroticism trait (P= 0.000, r= - 0.219).no significant relationship was seen between academic motivation and openness and agreeableness traits. Conclusion: this study showed that some Personality traits explain academic motivation in nursing students. Therefore it is suggested that those involved in teaching nursing students consider the role of personality traits when recruiting this students in nursing schools

Let , and let be two rings. An additive map is called -Jordan homomorphism if for all . In this paper, we establish the Hyers-Ulam-Rassias stability of -Jordan homomorphisms on Banach algebras. Also we show that (a) to each approximate 3-Jordan homomorphism from a Banach algebra into a semisimple commutative Banach algebra there corresponds a unique 3-ring homomorphism near to , (b) to each approximate -Jordan homomorphism between two commutative Banach algebras there corresponds a unique -ring homomorphism near to for all .

Religious figures have an important role in increasing society’s religious understanding, so that it may behave and comply with the proper guidelines and teachings of Islam. An issue apparent in Toweren Village was that many of its population who kept dogs without observing shariah guidelines and understanding the proper concept of mughallazahnajs. The purposes of this research were: (1) the efforts exerted by the religious figures, (2) impeding factors, (3) and problem-solving solutions on the issue of increasing the religious understanding of the community members of Toweren Village, Lut Tawar District, Central Aceh Regency regarding mughallazahnajs on the context of dog keeping. It is a descriptive qualitative research, and data was collected through interview and observation. The research results indicated that: (1) the efforts exerted by the religious figures were only limited to general activities within the community, such as Friday prayer, teaching of village apparatus’ wives on Friday morning, reciting yasin on Thursday night, teaching of district officials every fifteenth of the month, giving advice during a wake, and doing announcements using the mosque’s loudspeaker; (2) impeding factors, comprising: (a) internal factors, such as education background and the difference in characters among the community members, and (b) external factors, such as the limitedness of energy, time, fund, facility, media, and fiqh-studying programs, as well as a lack ofcoordination between religious figures and relevant government agencies; (3) solutions to be implemented included: (a) increasing the frequency of fiqh studies, (b) intense socialization of fiqh studying on the mughallazahnajs concept, (c) conducting a shariah-complying village program, (e) forming a special team to handle the problems faced by dog-keeping community members, and (f) cooperating with the village apparatus and district/regency religious agencies to treat this case as a top priority.

Using fixed point methods, we investigate the stability of n-Jordan homomorphisms (n-Jordan "-homomorphisms) on Banach algebras (C"-algebras). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) is a shunt connected voltage source converter (VSC) based FACTS controller employed for reactive power control. SVC and STATCOM are members of FACTS family that are connected in shunt with the system. This paper describes the independent control of real and reactive power flow through a transmission line by using the d-q (direct axis-quadrature axis) control strategy. In this paper, principle of operation and the impact of (STATCOM) on midpoint voltage regulation are analyzed. Finally, the performance of the STATCOM is compared with static var compensator (SVC) under fault condition. Simulations are carried out in Matlab/Simulink environment and Simulation results show that STATCOM is effective in midpoint voltage regulation on transmission line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

D-STATCOM is one of the equipments for voltage flicker mitigation in power systems. Voltage flicker, a phenomenon of annoying light intensity fluctuation is caused by Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). The D-STATCOM is a three phase and shunt connected power electronics based reactive power compensation equipment, which generates and /or absorbs the reactive power. A Distribution Static Synchronous Compensator (D-STATCOM) is used to regulate voltage on a 25- kV distribution network. The (D-STATCOM) protects distribution system from voltage flicker. Simulations are carried out using MATLAB/SIMULINK to illustrate the use of (D-STATCOM) in mitigating voltage flicker in a distribution system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, among the renewable energy sources, wind systems are more economic in compare with the others Variable speed wind systems deliver 20% to 30% more energy tan the constant power systems. Also they reduce the power oscillation and optimize the reactive power presentation. However, the connection of large wind farms to the grid may cause problems in terms of power quality due to the variability of the energy extracted from the wind. The mentioned power quality problems are generally taken into consideration after the grid integration of wind farms. This paper discusses on the grid impedance evaluation method at wind farm terminals. The non-intrusive method uses variations of the wind power production, and this permanent variability allows us to apply the source impedance identification process, assuring its assessment. New algorithms are developed taking as a reference the accurate GPS synchronized measurement of phase at a very stable power plant, to evaluate the source impedance at a wind farm point of common coupling (PCC) where complex variations of the voltage are expected. The instantaneous value of the grid impedance will, not only, allow assigning responsibilities but also will facilitate the design of equipments, network components, control systems tuning and protections configuration. The development of dispersed generation will be positively influenced by the capacity of measuring the network strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the self-scheduling problem and design of optimal bidding strategy for a price-taker company. By restructuring the electric power systems, market participants are facing an important task of bidding energy to an Independent System Operator (ISO). This paper proposes a model and a method for optimization-based bidding and self-scheduling where a utility bids part of its energy and self-schedules the rest. The model considers ISO bid selections and uncertain bidding information of other market participants. With appropriately simplified bidding and ISO models, closed-form ISO solutions are first obtained. These solutions are then plugged into the utility's bidding and self-scheduling model which is solved by using Lagrangian relaxation. Testing results depicts that the method has effective solutions with acceptable computation time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS) devices can play very important role in power system security enhancement. One of the most effective FACTS devices is the thyristor controlled series capacitor (TCSC) which can smoothly and rapidly change its apparent reactance according to the system requirements. In this paper it is initially introduced a new method to allocate the optimum installation place of one or more TCSCs. The target function to determine the TCSCs installing place is increasing voltage stability during fault contingency. After determining TCSCs optimum installation place, their success rate in buses voltage stabilization is studied by a new following index, voltage stability index, and it is presented that they can be greatly effective in voltage stability. TCSC installation effect on amount of load shedding reduction is also presented as a new subject to keep buses voltage stability. IEEE 14&30 bus power systems are selected as the studied systems and mentioned analysis are applied on this system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper maximum power point tracking of wind turbine connected to induction generator are studied. The stator currents of the induction generator are optimally controlled using indirect orientation control (IFOC) according to the generator speed in order to maximize the generated power from the wind turbine. The induction generator is controlled by the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) below the base speed and the maximum energy can be captured from the wind turbine. In this method, generator side converter controls the maximum excitation (air gap flux) by machine's d-axis current and controls generator torque by machine's q-axis current. Induction generator speed is controlled by tip speed ratio (TSR) upon the wind speed variations in order to generate the maximum output power. Grid side converter regulates the DC link voltage and injective active power by d-axis current and regulates the injective reactive power by q-axis current using P-Q control method. Simulation results depct that the proposed method operates correctly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Islanding operations of DG usually occur when the main utility supply is interrupted due to several contingencies (inrush currents, faults, etc) while the DG is still supplying power to the distribution networks. These conditions have negative impacts on the system protection, restoration, operation, and management. Therefore, it is necessary to detect the presence of this condition and switch off the DG from distribution network or isolate the DG with its load from the rest of the system. In this paper, a new islanding detection method for any possible network loading is proposed based on utilizing and combining various system parameter indices. In order to secure the detection of islanding, eight intentional disturbances are imposed to the system under study in which two sets of them simulate the islanding condition. The proposed technique uses the adaptive notch filters for extracting the frequency of oscillation of generator's output waveform as one of the output parameter indices. An advantage of this technique is that it does not need to vary the islanding detection boundaries under various system loading conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, a new method is proposed to solve the problem of optimal placement of meters for static estimation of harmonic sources in a power system. Because of limitation the number of harmonic measurements that must be installed in the network, harmonic state estimation has been considered as one of the famous methods for measuring voltage and injection current busbar, lines current and placement these measurements with algorithm based on sequential elimination method. Also, after that algorithm could find location of measurements in various busbars at harmonics, technique minimization number of sites that they collect harmonic data from measurement devices, optimal placement of these measurements will be done. By use this technique, it can find optimal place of measurement for identification location and intensity of harmonic sources. This investigation have been performed on IEEE 14-bus with 69 possible location to install these measurement in Matlab software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a new configuration of UPQC (Unified Power Quality Conditioner) that consists of the DC/DC converter and the super-capacitors for compensating the voltage interruption. The proposed UPQC can compensate the reactive power, harmonic current, voltage sag and swell, voltage unbalance, and the voltage interruption. The performance of proposed system was analyzed through simulations with MATLAB\SIMULINK software. The proposed system can improve the power quality at the common connection point of the non-linear load and the sensitive load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper the design of combined operation of UPQC and PV array is proposed. The proposed system is composed of series and shunt inverters, PV array connected to DC link by boost converter which is able to compensate the voltage sag and swell and voltage interruption, harmonics and reactive power in both islanding and interconnected modes. The proposed system is able to inject the active power to grid in addition to its ability in improvement of power quality in point of common coupling. Also it can provide a part of sensitive load power during voltage interruption. The results of simulation in MATLAB/SIMULINK software show that the mentioned system operates correctly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let n ϵ N, and let A, B be two rings. An additive map h : A → B is called n-Jordan homomorphism if h(an) = (h(a))n for all a ϵ A. In this paper, we establish the Hyers-Ulam-Rassias stability of n-Jordan homomorphisms on Banach algebras. Also we show that (a) to each approximate 3-Jordan homomorphism h from a Banach algebra into a semisimple commutative Banach algebra there corresponds a unique 3-ring homomorphism near to f, (b) to each approximate n-Jordan homomorphism h between two commutative Banach algebras there corresponds a unique n-ring homomorphism near to f for all n ϵ (3, 4, 5). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let A be a unital C*-algebras, B be a Banach algebra and let X be a Banach A-module. By using fixed point methods, we prove that: i) Every almost linear mapping h : A → B which satisfies h(2nuy) = h(2nu)h(y) for all u ∈ A+, all y ∈ A, and all n = 0, 1,2,…, is a homomorphism. ii) Every almost linear continuous mapping d : A → X is a derivation when d(2nuy) = d(2nu)y + 2nud(y) holds for all u ∈ A+, all u ∈ A, and all n = 0, 1, 2,…. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We say a functional equation (ξ) is stable if any function g satisfying the equation (ξ) approximately is near to true-solution of (ξ). In this paper, we prove the Generalized Hyers-Ulam stability of ternary Jordan *-derivations in C* -ternary algebras for the following generalized Cauchy-Jensen additive mapping: rƒ(sΣj=1p xj + t Σj=1d xj/r = s Σj=1p ƒ(xj) + t Σj=1d ƒ(xj). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arrhythmias of the heart are currently treated by implanting electronic pacemakers and defibrillators. Unmodified adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) have the potential to differentiate into all three germ layers but have not yet been tested for the generation of pacemaker and Purkinje cells. We investigated if-based on overexpression of dominant conduction cell-specific genes in ASCs-biological pacemaker cells could be induced. Here we show that by overexpression of certain genes that are active during the natural development of the conduction system, the differentiation of ASCs to pacemaker and Purkinje-like cells is feasible. Our study revealed that the most effective procedure consisted of short-term upregulation of gene combinations SHOX2-TBX5-HCN2, and to a lesser extent SHOX2-TBX3-HCN2. Single-gene expression protocols were ineffective. Future clinical implantation of such pacemaker and Purkinje cells, derived from unmodified ASCs of the same patient, could open up new horizons for the treatment of arrythmias.

Background: Maternal dietary intake during pregnancy plays an important role in fetal development and birth outcomes. The aim of the present study was to determine maternal dietary diversity and Nutritional adequacy in relation with anthropometric measurements of newborn at birth as a cohort study in Tehran city., Methods: This prospective cohort study, was conducted by participation of 585 pregnant women referred to public health centers and hospitals covered by Shahid Beheshti, Tehran and Iran Universities in Tehran City. Using face-to-face interviews, general characteristics were obtained by questionnaire. Pre-pregnancy dietary intake was measured by a 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire at the first visit, and dietary intake during pregnancy was measured by 2 non-consecutive 24-h food recall (one holiday and one regular day) at 31-34 weeks. Maternal height and weight were measured using standard tools and protocol at the first visit, and maternal weight at the end of pregnancy and data related to neonatal anthropometric indices were collected from mothers and neonates health records in the Sib electrical system. By applying SPSS software (version 23) the association was analyzed by linear regression with adjusting for confounding factors. P-value< 0.05 was considered as significant., Results: Mean ± standard deviation of body mass index (BMI) of pre-pregnancy, pregnancy weight gain, BMI for age z-score (BAZ) at birth of infants were 24.52 ± 4.12, 12.16 ± 6.85 kg and - 0.61 ± 1.48, respectively. Mean ± SD of the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) and Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR) before and during pregnancy were 5.31 ± 1.11, vs.5.23 ± 1.42 and 289.85 ± 113.12 vs. 371.07 ± 197.28, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors DDS in the third trimester of pregnancy was inversely correlated with WAZ (B = -0.16, 95% CI = - 0.23&#95;0.30) and BAZ (B = - 0.24, 95% CI = - 0.06&#95;0. 42) at birth, MAR of pre-pregnancy (B = - 0.001, 95% CI = - 0.002&#95;0.00) and in the third trimester of pregnancy (B = - 0.18, 95% CI = - 0.35&#95;0.004) were negatively associated with WAZ at birth., Conclusion: The findings showed that maternal nutritional status (dietary diversity and nutritional adequacy) before and during pregnancy were correlated with neonatal anthropometric indices at birth., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate sex differences in dietary habits and the moderating effect of self-efficacy on the adoption of a healthy diet., Design: Cross-sectional study., Setting: The healthy population of Tehran, Iran., Participants: A total of 262 participants from the general population with normal health status., Main Outcome Measure: The adoption of a healthy diet was based on the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) scores and the moderating effect of self-efficacy on eating behaviors., Analysis: Logistic regression analysis and multiple linear regression (moderation) analysis were conducted using PROCESS macro (version 3.5)., Results: The sex-based analysis revealed that females were more likely to adopt a healthy diet vs males (adjusted odds ratio, 1.85; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-3.35). The moderation analysis showed that eating behavior self-efficacy significantly moderated the relationship between sex differences and HEI-2015 scores (ΔR 2  = 0.01; P = 0.033). Males with low self-efficacy scores had the highest difference in HEI-2015 with females with low self-efficacy scores, whereas the difference in HEI-2015 was very small in males and females with high self-efficacy scores., Conclusions and Implications: Eating behavior self-efficacy had a significantly decreasing moderating effect on sex differences in the adoption of a healthy diet. Future research needs to clarify the impact of eating`` behavior self-efficacy in the adoption of a healthy diet, particularly in males, and to confirm the study's findings., (Copyright © 2021 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Farmers' investment in more efficient irrigation systems represents a primary adaptation strategy when confronting climate change. However, the regional benefits of these investments and their influence on the conflicting demands among different water dependent stakeholders for intensely irrigated regions remains an open question. Using the Pacific Northwest of the United States as an illustrative region of focus, we show that higher irrigation efficiency has diverse effects across stakeholders that are contingent on many local climatic, institutional and infrastructural factors such as the availability of water storage, the location of hydropower generators, and water rights. These complexities limit simple abstractions of irrigation efficiency as broader policy challenge and are central to its inclusion within the class of "wicked problems". Additionally, we argue that the widely used rebound effect concept, which implicitly discourages irrigation efficiency supporting policies, should not be assumed to fully capture the nuances of the complex suite of regional impacts that emerge from irrigation efficiency investments. Consequently, the evaluation of irrigation efficiency investments requires a broader framing across a diversity of perspectives. policies and actions that are pluralistic, context-specific, and closely engage various groups of stakeholders in the policymaking process., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Food systems are increasingly challenged to meet growing demand for specialty crops due to the effects of climate change and increased competition for resources. Here, we apply an integrated methodology that includes climate, crop, economic and life cycle assessment models to US potato and tomato supply chains. We find that supply chains for two popular processed products in the United States, French fries and pasta sauce, will be remarkably resilient, through planting adaptation strategies that avoid higher temperatures. Land and water footprints will decline over time due to higher yields, and greenhouse gas emissions can be mitigated by waste reduction and process modification. Our integrated methodology can be applied to other crops, health-based consumer scenarios (fresh versus processed) and geographies, thereby informing decision-making throughout supply chains. Employing such methods will be essential as food systems are forced to adapt and transform to become carbon neutral due to the imperatives of climate change., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

Wheat covers a significant fraction of the US Pacific Northwest (PNW) dryland agriculture. Past studies have suggested that management practices can differentially affect productivity and emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) across the different agro-ecological Zones (AEZs) in PNW. In this study we used CropSyst, a biophysically-based cropping systems model that simulates crop processes and water and nitrogen cycles, with the purpose of evaluating relevant scenarios and contributing analyses to inform adaptation and mitigation strategies aimed at reducing and managing the risks of climate change. We compared the baseline historical period of 1980-2010 with three future periods: 2015-2045 (2030s), 2035-2065 (2050s), and 2055-2085 (2070s). The uncertainty of the future climate was captured using 12 general circulation models (GCMs) forced with two representative carbon dioxide concentration pathways (RCP 4.5 and 8.5). The study region was divided into three AEZs: crop-fallow (CF), continuous cropping to fallow transition (CCF), and continuous cropping (CC). The results indicated that areas with higher precipitation, N fertilization, and mineralization produced more N 2 O emissions during both baseline and future periods. The average annual N 2 O emission during the baseline period was between 1.8 and 4.1 kg ha -1 depending on AEZ. The overall N 2 O emission showed decreasing future trends from 2030s to 2070s which resulted from a higher proportion of N used by crops. From 2015 to 2085 under RCP 4.5, the average N 2 O emission was between 1.8 and 4.4 kg ha -1 year -1 . They are slightly higher under RCP 8.5 since it is a warmer scenario. The soil organic carbon (SOC) content decreased during the baseline period while SOC did not reach equilibrium with the cropping systems considered in the study. SOC decreased during the future periods as well, with rate of change ranging from -146 to -352 kg ha -1 year -1 depending on AEZ and RCP. Warming increased SOC oxidation in future scenarios, but after an initial increase of SOC losses during the 2030s period, the rate of SOC losses decreased in the 2050s, and more so in the 2070s as SOC and carbon input reached equilibrium with losses. Higher carbon input resulted from higher biomass production under elevated CO 2 scenarios. The total GHG emissions were 1.95, 3.16 and 4.84 Mg CO 2 -equivalent ha -1 year -1 under RCP 4.5, and 1.99, 3.43 and 5.49 Mg CO 2 -equivalent ha -1 year -1 under RCP 8.5 during 2070s in CF, CCF and CC respectively, with N 2 O accounting for about 81% of total GHG emissions., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is an anticancer agent used for the treatment ofacute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). However, 5%-10% of patients fail to respond or experience disease relapse. Based on poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) 1 involvement in the processing of DNA demethylation, here we have tested the in vitro susceptibility of ATO-resistant clones (derived from the human APL cell line NB4) to PARP inhibitors (PARPi) in combination with hypomethylating agents (azacitidine and decitabine) or high-dose vitamin C (ascorbate), which induces 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC)-mediated DNA demethylation. ATO-sensitive and -resistant APL cell clones were generated and initially analyzed for their susceptibility to five clinically used PARPi (olaparib, niraparib, rucaparib, veliparib, and talazoparib). The obtained PARPi IC 50 values were far below (olaparib and niraparib), within the range (talazoparib), or above (rucaparib and veliparib) the C max reported in patients, likely as a result of differences in the mechanisms of their cytotoxic activity. ATO-resistant APL cells were also susceptible to clinically relevant concentrations of azacitidine and decitabine and to high-dose ascorbate. Interestingly, the combination of these agents with olaparib, niraparib, or talazoparib resulted in synergistic antitumor activity. In combination with ascorbate, PARPi increased the ascorbate-mediated induction of 5hmC, which likely resulted in stalled DNA repair and cytotoxicity. Talazoparib was the most effective PARPi in synergizing with ascorbate, in accordance with its marked ability to trap PARP1 at damaged DNA. These findings suggest that ATO and PARPi have nonoverlapping resistance mechanisms and support further investigation on PARPi combination with hypomethylating agents or high-dose ascorbate for relapsed/ATO-refractory APL, especially in frail patients. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study found that poly(ADP-ribose) inhibitors (PARPi) show activity as single agents against human acute promyelocytic leukemia cells resistant to arsenic trioxide at clinically relevant concentrations. Furthermore, PARPi enhance the in vitro efficacy of azacitidine, decitabine, and high-dose vitamin C, all agents that alter DNA methylation. In combination with vitamin C, PARPi increase the levels of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, likely as a result of altered processing of the oxidized intermediates associated with DNA demethylation., (Copyright © 2021 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.)

High-dose vitamin C has been proposed as a potential therapeutic approach for patients with advanced tumors who failed previous treatment with chemotherapy. Due to vitamin C complex pharmacokinetics, only intravenous administration allows reaching sufficiently high plasma concentrations required for most of the antitumor effects observed in preclinical studies (>0.250 mM). Moreover, vitamin C entry into cells is tightly regulated by SVCT and GLUT transporters, and is cell type-dependent. Importantly, besides its well-recognized pro-oxidant effects, vitamin C modulates TET enzymes promoting DNA demethylation and acts as cofactor of HIF hydroxylases, whose activity is required for HIF-1α proteasomal degradation. Furthermore, at pharmacological concentrations lower than those required for its pro-oxidant activity (<1 mM), vitamin C in specific genetic contexts may alter the DNA damage response by increasing 5-hydroxymethylcytosine levels. These more recently described vitamin C mechanisms offer new treatment opportunities for tumors with specific molecular defects (e.g., HIF-1α over-expression or TET2, IDH1/2, and WT1 alterations). Moreover, vitamin C action at DNA levels may provide the rationale basis for combination therapies with PARP inhibitors and hypomethylating agents. This review outlines the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of vitamin C to be taken into account in designing clinical studies that evaluate its potential use as anticancer agent.

Background: Epidemics of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) are occurring more frequently and spreading faster and farther than before in many areas of the world. The present study aimed to assess a long-lasting emerging epidemic (2005-2019) of 5532 cases with anthroponotic CL (ACL) in peri-urban areas of Kerman city in southeastern Iran., Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was carried out for 15 years in Kerman province, southeastern Iran. The data were passively obtained through the health surveillance system and the Kerman Leishmaniasis Research Center. Every subject was diagnosed using direct smear microscopy. The representative causative agent was further examined by ITS1-PCR, PCR-RFLP, 7SL RNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. For each subject, a case report form designating demographic and clinical data was recorded., Results: A different pattern of ACL incidence was found in peri-urban areas compared to that in the city of Kerman. The incidence rate of ACL cases has significantly increased (P < 0.001) from 2005 to 2016 in new settlements with a gradual decline after that. The overall average risk of contracting the disease was 7.6 times higher in peri-urban areas compared to Kerman city, an old endemic focus. All isolates consisting of six variants were confirmed to be Leishmania tropica. The overall pattern of the ACL infection indicates that the etiological agent of ACL is propagated and transmitted by the bite of female Phlebotomus sergenti sandflies from person to person from dissimilar clones as reflected by the complexity of the migrants' backgrounds in the province., Conclusions: The movement of populations and establishment of new settlements in peri-urban areas close to endemic areas are major risk factors for and are directly linked to CL. The underlying factors of this emerging ACL epidemic caused by L. tropica were disasters and droughts, among others. A robust commitment to a multilateral approach is crucial to make improvements in this area. This will require decisive coordinated actions through all governmental factions and non-governmental organizations. Furthermore, active and passive case detection strategies, early diagnosis, and effective treatment could help control the disease.

Irrigated agriculture in snow-dependent regions contributes significantly to global food production. This study quantifies the impacts of climate change on irrigated agriculture in the snow-dependent Yakima River Basin (YRB) in the Pacific Northwest United States. Here we show that increasingly severe droughts and temperature driven reductions in growing season significantly reduces expected annual agricultural productivity. The overall reduction in mean annual productivity also dampens interannual yield variability, limiting yield-driven revenue fluctuations. Our findings show that farmers who adapt to climate change by planting improved crop varieties may potentially increase their expected mean annaul productivity in an altered climate, but remain strongly vulnerable to irrigation water shortages that substantially increase interannual yield variability (i.e., increasing revenue volatility). Our results underscore the importance for crop adaptation strategies to simultaneously capture the biophysical effects of warming as well as the institutional controls on water availability.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide after lung cancer. Mitochondria play a central role in the regulation of cellular function, metabolism, and cell death in cancer cells. We aim to examine the mitochondrial polymorphisms of complex I in association with breast cancer in an Iranian cohort.This experimental study includes 53 patients with breast cancer and 35 healthy control patients. In addition, tumor-adjacent normal breast tissue was obtained from each patient. The DNA of the tissue cells was extracted and analyzed for complex I mutations using a PCR sequencing method. Our results show 94 mtDNA complex I variants in tumor tissues. A10398G was the most prevalent polymorphism and strongly correlated with Her2 receptor in tumor tissue samples. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations have been widely linked to the etiology of numerous disorders. The mtDNA mutations screening on A10398G along with other mutations might provide insight on the role of mitochondrial mutations in breast cancer.

Background: Extravasation is a potentially hazardous event that may occur during chemotherapy. The aim of this study is to assess the quality of existing Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) for chemotherapy drug extravasation by Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II)., Materials and Methods: Valid electronic databases and CPGs from 2007 to August 2018 were searched by keywords of CPGs, extravasation, chemotherapy, and cancer. CPGs were evaluated independently by five experts through AGREE II tool, and the consensus among evaluators was calculated by ICC (Intra-class Correlation Coefficient)., Results: Five of the 111 CPGs matched the inclusion criteria. The methodological quality of CPGs in domains of "scope and purpose," "stakeholder involvement," "clarity of presentation," and "applicability" were good, in the domain of "rigor of development," was acceptable, and in "editorial independence" domain, it needed more attention of developers of CPGs. The range of assessors' consensus was within a range of moderate to very good (0.55--0.93)., Conclusions: The methodological quality of existing CPGs of chemotherapy drugs extravasation assessed by AGREE II tool is appropriate. Four CPGs had high level while one had moderate level of quality. Therefore, their use is recommended in the clinic to reduce the risk of chemotherapy extravasation to the entire treatment team and the nurses working in the oncology departments., Competing Interests: Nothing to declare., (Copyright: © 2019 Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research.)

Background: Numerous studies investigated cell-based therapies for myocardial infarction (MI). The conflicting results of these studies have established the need for developing innovative approaches for applying cell-based therapy for MI. Experimental studies on animal models demonstrated the potential of fresh, uncultured, unmodified, autologous adipose-derived regenerative cells (UA-ADRCs) for treating acute MI. In contrast, studies on the treatment of chronic MI (CMI; > 4 wk post-MI) with UA-ADRCs have not been published so far. Among several methods for delivering cells to the myocardium, retrograde delivery into a temporarily blocked coronary vein has recently been demonstrated as an effective option., Aim: To test the hypothesis that in experimentally-induced chronic myocardial infarction (CMI; > 4 wk post-MI) in pigs, retrograde delivery of fresh, uncultured, unmodified, autologous adipose-derived regenerative cells (UA-ADRCs) into a temporarily blocked coronary vein improves cardiac function and structure., Methods: The left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery of pigs was blocked for 180 min at time point T0. Then, either 18 × 10 6 UA-ADRCs prepared at "point of care" or saline as control were retrogradely delivered via an over-the-wire balloon catheter placed in the temporarily blocked LAD vein 4 wk after T0 (T1). Effects of cells or saline were assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, late gadolinium enhancement CMR imaging, and post mortem histologic analysis 10 wk after T0 (T2)., Results: Unlike the delivery of saline, delivery of UA-ADRCs demonstrated statistically significant improvements in cardiac function and structure at T2 compared to T1 (all values given as mean ± SE): Increased mean LVEF (UA-ADRCs group: 34.3% ± 2.9% at T1 vs 40.4 ± 2.6% at T2, P = 0.037; saline group: 37.8% ± 2.6% at T1 vs 36.2% ± 2.4% at T2, P > 0.999), increased mean cardiac output (UA-ADRCs group: 2.7 ± 0.2 L/min at T1 vs 3.8 ± 0.2 L/min at T2, P = 0.002; saline group: 3.4 ± 0.3 L/min at T1 vs 3.6 ± 0.3 L/min at T2, P = 0.798), increased mean mass of the left ventricle (UA-ADRCs group: 55.3 ± 5.0 g at T1 vs 71.3 ± 4.5 g at T2, P < 0.001; saline group: 63.2 ± 3.4 g at T1 vs 68.4 ± 4.0 g at T2, P = 0.321) and reduced mean relative amount of scar volume of the left ventricular wall (UA-ADRCs group: 20.9% ± 2.3% at T1 vs 16.6% ± 1.2% at T2, P = 0.042; saline group: 17.6% ± 1.4% at T1 vs 22.7% ± 1.8% at T2, P = 0.022)., Conclusion: Retrograde cell delivery of UA-ADRCs in a porcine model for the study of CMI significantly improved myocardial function, increased myocardial mass and reduced the formation of scar tissue., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: Schmitz C has served as consultant of SciCoTec (Grünwald, Germany), the principal shareholder of InGeneron, Inc. (Houston, TX, United States). Alt EU is Chairman of the Board of Isar Klinikum and of InGeneron, Inc., (©The Author(s) 2019. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)