Search

Semiconductor heterojunctions are ubiquitous components of modern electronics. Their properties depend crucially on the band alignment at the interface, which may exhibit straddling gap (type-I), staggered gap (type-II) or broken gap (type-III). The distinct characteristics and applications associated with each alignment make it highly desirable to switch between them within a single material. Here we demonstrate an electrically tunable transition between type-I and type-II band alignments in MoSe2/WS2 heterobilayers by investigating their luminescence and photocurrent characteristics. In their intrinsic state, these heterobilayers exhibit a type-I band alignment, resulting in the dominant intralayer exciton luminescence from MoSe2. However, the application of a strong interlayer electric field induces a transition to a type-II band alignment, leading to pronounced interlayer exciton luminescence. Furthermore, the formation of the interlayer exciton state traps free carriers at the interface, leading to the suppression of interlayer photocurrent and highly nonlinear photocurrent-voltage characteristics. This breakthrough in electrical band alignment control, interlayer exciton manipulation, and carrier trapping heralds a new era of versatile optical and (opto)electronic devices composed of van der Waals heterostructures.

The matter of death has been and is always one of the greatest and major questions of the man. “What is death and how we can escape from or even having philosopher's stone” have been always one of the important subjects in the literature. The matter of death had and has also certain position in philosophy. Hence, this philosophical issue has been emerged in different forms in literary and artistic works. Samuel Beckett as one of the founders of absurdism in theater literature has coped to this important philosophical matter in his works. This article tries to review Heidegger’s perusal of the death matter in the play of “Endgame” by Beckett. In this research, the content of anguish and its relation with the matter of death in the play of Endgame which is resulted to prolonged ennui and absurdity has been reviewed on the strength of Heidegger’s opinions. Whereas, in this article the point is Endgame play with the theme of death, we should say the Heidegger’s philosophy could make us clear the philosophical sights of Beckett about death in this play. This matter could not just help the audiences of Beckett theater to better understand his hidden philosophy in his theater works, but could be a clear practical example to understand the phenomenological meaning of death from the Heidegger’s opinion. This article has been written by citing to librarian resources and references.

Abstract Background To discover effective drugs for treating Influenza (a disease with high annual mortality), large amounts of recombinant neuraminidase (NA) with suitable catalytic activity are needed. However, the functional activity of the full-length form of this enzyme in the bacterial host (as producing cells with a low cost) in a soluble form is limited. Thus, in the present study, a truncated form of the neuraminidase (derived from California H1N1 influenza strain) was designed, then biosynthesized in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), Shuffle T7, and SILEX systems. E. coli BL21 (DE3) was selected as a best host for statistical optimization. Using central composite design methodology, neuraminidase expression level was measured at 20 different runs considering most effective factors including; concentration of isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG), temperature, and induction time. Result The recombinant neuraminidase was purified using Ni-affinity chromatography in soluble form. The neuraminidase expression was confirmed by western blot technique with a molecular mass of 48 kDa. The optimum expression condition was at temperature (30°C), induction time (3 h), and concentration of IPTG (0.6 mM) resulting in maximum neuraminidase expression (7.6 µg/mL) with P

Introduction The contemporary world is characterized by continuous and extensive events and transformations. Among these, the geographic mobility of people stands out as one of the most significant aspects of human history. Humans are inherently migratory and migration has formed a persistent thread throughout our past. This phenomenon, whether on a macro or micro level, is complex and multifaceted; it cannot be attributed to a single cause or explained by a mere combination of theories. Rather, a variety of factors collectively drive individuals or groups to migrate. In recent years, Yazd has emerged as an industrial hub in central Iran. The abundance of job opportunities, stemming from mining activities and the growth of various service and industrial sectors, has made Yazd an attractive destination for many internal migrants and those from abroad. A significant number of these migrants hail from Sistan and Baluchestan, which has become the fifth largest source of migration to Yazd, according to the population census conducted between 2011 and 2016. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the migration of people from Sistan and Baluchestan to Yazd, focusing on the central question: What factors in Sistan and Baluchestan drive these individuals to relocate to the city of Yazd? Materials & Methods This research aimed to explore the migration of people from Sistan and Baluchestan to Yazd City. The study was conducted in Yazd in 2023 by employing qualitative methods and purposive sampling, involving semi-structured interviews with 13 participants. Data analysis was carried out using thematic analysis techniques. Given the variety of models available for thematic analysis, this research adopted a comprehensive, step-by-step approach that integrated methods proposed by Attride-Stirling, Braun and Clarke, and King and Horrocks. Discussion of Results & Conclusion The data analysis revealed 6 main themes: unfavorable conditions, challenging livelihoods, feelings of systemic rejection, de-tension, constraints of separation, and pursuit of progress. Among these, the most significant factor influencing the migration of people from Sistan and Baluchestan was the challenging nature of their livelihoods, which stemmed from the unfavorable conditions in the province. Sistan and Baluchestan is underdeveloped in terms of both natural resources and welfare infrastructure and residents feel that no substantial efforts have been made toward improvement. The migrants from this region expressed concerns about issues, such as water shortages, severe storms, droughts, high temperatures, and a lack of welfare and educational facilities. These challenges had contributed to an environment that many considered unsuitable for living. As a result, they had experienced difficult livelihoods characterized by inadequate employment opportunities and insufficient income, which had motivated their decision to migrate. In addition to these critical factors, feelings of systemic rejection had further reinforced the desire to migrate. Many people believed that effective policies for welfare and provincial development had not been implemented and they felt that local residents were not adequately involved in addressing the region's challenges. This perception—that the province was unlikely to embark on a path toward development and that individual growth necessitated migration—had become a significant driving force behind the movement to Yazd. Another contributing factor was the desire for de-tension as the migrants had sought to escape the anti-normative behaviors prevalent in their home province and avoided social issues, such as addiction, smuggling, and theft, while searching for greater security in Yazd. However, upon migrating, the individuals had encountered various constraints, including identity distortion. Many expressed dissatisfaction with how they were perceived by others, feeling that they were unjustly viewed as undesirable, subjected to humiliation and ridicule, and, at times, even questioned about their Iranian identity. Additionally, the pressures of adaptation had posed challenges, particularly in the initial stages of migration as they had to acclimate to the conditions of their new city. Alienation was another significant aspect of their experience. While migrants might have clan, family, and acquaintances in Yazd, they often felt a lack of meaningful connections, leading to feelings of estrangement. Despite these challenges, migrants remained determined to pursue opportunities for advancement, adapting to obstacles in order to improve their personal growth and living standards—conditions that were unavailable in their home city but were present in the more developed Yazd. Overall, migrants reported a sense of satisfaction with their decision to move as they perceived better prospects for personal and familial growth. This analysis indicated that while economic factors were the primary motivation for migration from Sistan and Baluchestan, social, cultural, and political elements also played significant roles. Consequently, addressing these issues—through investment, development, and creation of job opportunities—required the attention of policymakers to ensure the strategic position of the province was maintained with a balanced population.

IntroductionGirls with physical and motor disabilities represent one of the most vulnerable groups in contemporary society, possessing distinct needs and challenges compared to other segments of the population (Naghdi et al., 2023). Their disabilities are often subject to societal judgment, which can exacerbate their struggles (Blandul, 2024). This complex reality is further compounded by intersections with gender, class, poverty, and other social, cultural, political, and economic factors that shape their experiences (Amjad et al., 2023). Disability incurs significant social and health costs for these girls, leading to heightened stress and vulnerability (Schofield et al., 2024). As a result, disabled girls frequently become targets of stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes. This research aimed to explore the experiences and perspectives of disabled girls in Yazd City, addressing these questions: What experiences and mentalities does disability bring to these girls? How do they perceive, feel, and reinterpret disability within the contexts of family and society? Materials & MethodsThis study utilized a qualitative approach grounded in interpretive phenomenology based on the method developed by Dikelman et al. (1989). The participants were girls with physical and motor disabilities from Yazd City with a total of 18 individuals selected through purposive and theoretical sampling techniques. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews, which were recorded with the participants' consent. After conducting the interviews and transcribing the conversations, the data were analyzed using Dikelman's analytical method. The interview locations were chosen for the comfort of the participants. To ensure the quality and reliability of the data, the researchers collected multiple pieces of information and direct quotes. A key ethical consideration was obtaining informed consent from both the participants and their parents, with interviews conducted only as long as the participants were comfortable. The data collection process spanned 9 months. Discussion of Results & ConclusionThis article examined the experiences and perspectives of disabled girls through a qualitative lens. During the coding process, themes, such as identity stigma, leadership, marriage anxiety, forced confinement at home, educational challenges, inequality, and social restrictions emerged. The participants expressed that their disability was not the sole source of their difficulties; rather, it was the attitudes of family, peers, and society that had contributed to and exacerbated these challenges, creating a vicious cycle of limitations and exclusion. The girls reported that their families influenced by traditional and stereotypical beliefs feared social judgment and were often resistant to their pursuit of education, employment, and marriage. They perceived disability as a debilitating factor, instilling in them a sense of futility regarding their efforts. The belief that their movement difficulties and gender would render their aspirations fruitless further compounded their challenges.Participants noted that their limited mobility had prevented them from engaging in social situations. The absence of accessible facilities, such as ramps and elevators, along with inadequate transportation options and high travel costs, had created significant barriers to attending schools, universities, and workplaces. They highlighted that the partial implementation of laws and the lack of medical, educational, and employment support in organizational policies had led to their social exclusion. Moreover, the difficulties in commuting coupled with the meaningful stares, labels, and judgments from others had contributed to feelings of loneliness, depression, and a sense of being trapped at home.

Abstract The occurrence of unethical behavior, especially in government and public organizations, has become a challenge. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of perceived organizational justice in the management control system on unethical behaviors in budgeting with emphasis on considering the role of psychological dimensions.This research is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-survey in terms of implementation with structural equation modeling approach. The statistical population is the managers of the University of Medical Sciences and hospitals in Sistan and Baluchistan province. The sample was determined using Morgan's table, 169 persons were selected using simple random sampling method. The data collection tool is a questionnaire. The results show that the evidence obtained in reducing unethical behaviors is largely contradictory; So that participation in setting goals, using different performance indicators and the quality of feedback have a positive and significant effect on the desire to create a budget slack; While using the principle of controllability does not have a significant effect on creating a budget slack. The results of the path analysis show that organizational commitment has a negative and significant effect on creation of budget slack and data manipulation. Another result is that the effect of trust in superiors on the creation of budget slack is positive and significant. In addition, participation of managers in determining the goals and the principle of controllability do not have a significant effect on data manipulation, and the use of different measures of the organization's performance and the quality of feedback have a negative and significant effect on data manipulation.Introduction In recent years, the increasing attention to the issue of organizational justice and its effects on organizational performance has led organizations to use different models and methods to achieve their goals and continue their existence and gain a new competitive advantage. Be safe from falling, overturning and dangers caused by rapid environmental changes. Organizational justice is socially constructed and affects people's attitude and behavior in the workplace. Organizational justice refers to employees' understanding of what they consider to be fair or unfair in their work environment. Therefore, organizational justice, which is also called organizational fairness, is the fairness that employees perceive about working relationships within the organization.Research has been done to identify how the elements that increase the feeling of injustice and the main reactions of people occur. Langevin and Mendoza (2013) emphasize, if the management control system (MCS) is considered unfair, it can lead to behaviors in managers that are harmful to the organization. For example, this may lead managers to unethical behaviors such as a tendency to create budgetary slack and manipulate data.Case study In this study, the data obtained from the educational and therapeutic institutions of the Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education of Sistan and Baluchistan province (universities of medical sciences of Sistan and Baluchistan province and affiliated hospitals) have been used.Materials and Methods The statistical population used in this study is the managers of the University of Medical Sciences and the heads of affiliated hospitals of Sistan and Baluchistan province, the number of the statistical population in this study is 300 people. In this study, the sample size was determined using Cochran's formula, and the questionnaire was administered online through Google Form to more than 200 middle and senior managers. Among these people, 171 people answered all the questions and the information of 169 people can be analyzed, as it is in accordance with the sampling method based on Morgan's table. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and PLS software will be used to test the hypotheses.Discussion and Results The results of this study show that the role of participation in setting goals on increasing the perceived distributive justice in MCS is not significant. Also, participation in setting goals has a significant relationship with procedural justice. The quality of feedback is significantly related to the procedural and interactive justice of the management control system. In addition, the results indicate the significant impact of multiple performance indicators on distributive and procedural justice. The results show that three of the dimensions of the management control system; That is, participation in setting goals, using different performance measures and the quality of feedback have a positive and significant effect on create a budgetary slack; While application of the controllability principle does not have a significant effect on creation of budgetary slack. The results of the path analysis show that organizational commitment has a negative and significant effect on the two variables of unethical behavior, creation of budgetary slack and data manipulation. While the results show that the dimensions of the management control system do not reduce the creation of budgetary slack. Another result is that the effect of trust in superiors on the creation of budgetary slack is positive and significant. The obtained evidence shows that managers' participation in determining goals and the principle of controllability do not have a significant effect on data manipulation, and the use of different organizational performance measures and the quality of feedback have a negative and significant effect on data manipulation.ConclusionIn the past two decades, a large number of scandals have occurred in non-profit organizations, government or business enterprises, many of them related in various ways to accounting and management control systems. Understanding the inefficient effects of measurement systems and incentives and possible ways to overcome such inefficient effects is essential. Therefore, it is interesting to search for explanations and justifications about possible unethical behaviors in relation to the components of the management control system in organizations, because the result obtained may be one of the roots of many scandals.

Introduction In recent years, the ever-increasing population growth and rampant use of personal transportation and daily trips have caused many problems in the field of transportation, including high fuel consumption, air pollution, noise, high density streets, reduced physical activity, etc. In many metroplolitan areas during the past decades, the sudden increase of motor vehicles has caused heavy street traffic in intra-city trips, and the main reason for this can be considered the weak relationship between urban morphology and transportation, in other words, urban forms that avoid pedestrians and encourage motor trips. Urban morphology is one of the most important and main factors that affect the demand for urban transportation. The quality of land use (density of residential units or their dispersion) forms the important basis of urban morphology. In the formation of urban morphology, natural and human factors play varried roles, among them road network is of paramount importance in construction and morphology of a city. Since urban morphology has a significant effect on urban transportation, how to establish a strong relationship between urban morphology and travel modes has has always been of great interst of researchers. This study is aiming at investigating the impact of morphology characteristics on urban transportation demand. In this research, features of urban morphology, such as overall residential density, connectivity index, and the average width of roads, with the help of demographic characteristics, such as population density, female and female working poulation, total working population etc., on demand for urban transportation have been ivestigated. These include four parameters such as creation of public and personal trips and attraction of public and personal trips on in 186 traffic areas of Isfahan city. Methodology This research has been conducted with a descriptive causal approach based on the data and information required in the study areas. To achieve the research goals, 186 traffic areas of Isfahan City have been studied. For analyzing the characteristics of urban morphology, including average width of roads, overall residential density, and connectivity index (street density), in the form of GIS maps have been investigated, and for demographic characteristics, the population and housing census map of Isfahan City was obtained and researched from the Deputy Planning and Human Capital Development Organization of Isfahan Municipality. Then, using the map of 186 traffic areas of Isfahan City, the amount of these variables was calculated and extracted by GIS software. Moreover, the information related to urban transportation demand based on public transportation demand, including public travel creation, public travel attraction, and personal transportation demand, including personal travel creation and personal travel attraction from the origin-destination matrix of the year 2021 of Isfahan city on a normal working day and at the peak hour of 7:00 to 8:00 a.m., the transportation and traffic department of Isfahan municipality has been obtained and used for evaluation. In the present research, in order to reach a complete and comprehensive answer, after extracting the data from GIS software, the Eviuse software was used. According to the number and nature of the research variables, the specification of the model is done using the multivariate regression method and the weighted least squares method. GIS software was also used for drawing the maps. Findings The research findings show that in the TSS and JSS models, with the increase in the average width of traffic areas, the creation and attraction of personal travel have also increased, and in the TSO and JSO models, the creation and attraction of public travel have decreased with the increase in the average width of traffic areas. In TSS model, the coefficient is negative and in JSO model, the coefficient is positive, which shows that with an increase in the overall residential density, the use of private transportation decreases and the use of public transportation increases. In terms of street density, which also indicates the connection index, the coefficient value is positive in TSS and negative in TSO model. The results also show that women in general use public transportation, but working women use private transportation more. The estimation of TSS model shows that as population is aging in the traffic areas of Isfahan City, the preferrence in using personal transportation has been rising. In JSS model, the parking variable has a direct relationship with the attraction of personal travel. In the personal travel attraction model, health-therapeutic use and commercial use have a direct relationship with the attraction of personal trips, and in the public travel attraction model, commercial, educational, and health-therapeutic uses have a direct relationship with the attraction of public trips. Finally, the increased number and variety of the users will also increase intra-city trips. Discussion and Conclusion In this research, an attempt has been made to investigate the effect of urban morphology variables on urban transportation demand with a general perspective. The results of the estimation of the research models show that the widening of urban roads as a management policy for intra-city travel demand increases people's trips using personal transportation and as a result, increases the number of road users. Street density, which indicates the number of higher streets and therefore greater connectivity, has a direct relationship with citizens' use of private transportation. Residents of areas that have higher overall residential density and population density, which indicates denser urban fabric and more dispersion, are less likely to use personal transportation, and people in those areas prefer to use public transportation and walking options. Also, as the age of the residents of the area increases, they use private cars for their daily trips. Another examination of the results of the research indicates that areas with parking facility, will attract passengers who have used private transportation compared to the areas that do not have such possibility. In general, as the total working population increases in the areas, they use personal transportation to go to their workplace, and it can be said that the female population uses public transportation more for their daily trips. In the public travel attraction model, the positive coefficient of commercial use is higher than the coefficient of health-therapeutic use and educational use, and with the increase in the number of commercial uses, the attraction of public travel increases to a greater extent. In the personal travel absorption model, the effect value of the healthcare usage coefficient is higher than the commercial usage coefficient and it shows that with the increase in the number of healthcare usages, the absorption of personal travel will increase. Moreover, the increased number and variety of the users will also increase intra-city trips.

Abstract Background We sought to analyze, in well-defined clinical setting, the first 100 patients treated at the intraoperative MRI (iMRI) hybrid surgical theatre at our facility in a population-based setting to evaluate which pathologies are best approached with iMRI assisted surgeries, as this is not yet clearly defined. Methods Patients undergoing surgery in the 3T iMRI hybrid surgical theatre at our neurosurgical department between December 2017 to May 2021 were included after informed consent. Demographic, clinical, surgical, histological, radiological and outcome parameters, as well as variables related to iMRI, were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Patients were subdivided into adult and pediatric cohorts. Results Various neurosurgical procedures were performed; resection of tumors and epileptic foci, endoscopic skull base procedures including pituitary lesions, deep brain stimulation (DBS) and laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT). In total, 41 patients were pediatric. An iMRI scan was carried out in 96% of cases and led to continuation of surgery in 50% of cases, mainly due to visualized remaining pathological tissue (95.2%). Median time to iMRI from intubation was 280 min and median total duration of surgery was 445 min. The majority of patients experienced no postoperative complications (70%), 13 patients suffered permanent postoperative deficits, predominantly visual. Conclusion Herein, we demonstrate the first 100 patients undergoing neurosurgery aided by iMRI at our facility since introduction. Indications for surgery differed between pediatric and adult patients. The iMRI was utilized for tumor surgeries, particularly adult low-grade gliomas and pediatric tumors, as well as for epilepsy surgery and DBS. In this heterogenous population, iMRI led to continuation of surgery in 50%. To establish the benefit in maximizing the extent of resection in these brain pathologies future studies are recommended. Clinical trial number Not applicable.

Abstract Background Migraine affects one in ten individuals worldwide and is the second leading cause of disability. Studies have shown an association between migraine and the musculoskeletal system, and myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) play an essential role. Additionally, those with myofascial pain have been proven to experience higher levels of depression and anxiety. Understanding the association between MTrPs and migraine is crucial for developing targeted treatment strategies. Additionally, recognizing the link between MTrPs and migraine-related depression and anxiety underscores the importance of a holistic approach to migraine management. By addressing both musculoskeletal and neurological factors, healthcare providers can provide more effective and personalized care for migraine patients. This study aims to determine the association between MTrPs with migraine-related disability, anxiety, depression, and migraine characteristics. Methods This cross-sectional study included 68 migraine patients from an outpatient neurology clinic. The number of MTrPs was determined through examination by an experienced neurologist during a migraine-free period using the recommended international criteria. We evaluated anxiety and depression with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and disability with the Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS). Results We enrolled 68 patients (22 males) with a mean age of 36.23 ± 9.63 years. The mean number of MTrPs was 2.75 ± 2.934. MTrPs were positively correlated with severity (CC: 0.576, P-value

Surgery is the main efficacious treatment for many cases of cystic echinococcosis by removing Echi-nococcus granulosus cysts. However, to reduce risk of cyst spillage and insemination of the content, using a scolicidal agent is crucial. Considering side effects of available scolicidals, and growing nano-technological approaches in novel pharmaceuticals, the present study aimed to find out the scolicidal activity of geraniol (GL), geranium oil (GM), and their developed nanoemulsions (Nano-GL and Nano-GM) on the protoscoleces of E. granulosus. Nanoemulsions were developed by ultrasonication emulsification and characterised by dynamic light scattering method (DLS). The scolicidal effect of GL, GM, Nano-GL, and Nano-GM at different concentrations of 1, 2.5, 5, 10, 25, and 50 µg/mL were determined after 0.5, 1, and 2 hours of incubation. Mortality rates were measured by eosin exclusion test. The average droplet size for Nano-GM and Nano-GL were 124.8 and 88.59 nm, respectively. After one hour of exposure, all tested concentrations of GL and Nano-GL resulted in higher than 90% mortality rates, while GM and Nano-GM killed 70.66% and 90.33% of protoscoleces, respectively. Based on 50% lethal concentration, Nano-GL was significantly more potent than Nano-GM (LC50: 4.52 vs 102.95 μg/mL). Results of scanning electron microscopy revealed tegumental disruption in the treated protoscoleces. This study described an easily applicable and eco-friendly procedure of nano-formulating functional phytochemicals, showing promising scolicidal activity in vitro. The developed formulations, especially Nano-GL, showed the characteristics of an ideal scolicidal agent. Further studies are needed to assess in vivo efficacy and safety of this formulation.

Abstract Background and purpose The seroprevalence of antibodies against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) was evaluated 17 years following a mass vaccination campaign in individuals aged 2 to 22 years who had received routine immunization but were not eligible for an extended immunization program. Methods Samples were acquired from Iran’s National Measles Laboratory (NML), with individuals showing positive IgM results excluded. Out of the samples collected in 2020, a random selection of 290 serum samples was chosen, representing individuals between the ages of 2 and 22 years from diverse regions in the country. These samples were subjected to analysis using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify specific IgG antibodies against MMR. Results The seroprevalence rates of antibodies for measles, mumps, and rubella were determined to be 76.2%, 89.3%, and 76.9%, respectively. Younger age groups exhibited higher seropositivity rates for measles and mumps, whereas the 7- to 11-year-old group demonstrated the highest seropositivity rate for rubella. A reduction in antibody status was observed from younger to older age groups, particularly those aged 17–22. Conclusion The study unveiled suboptimal antibody levels for measles and rubella, highlighting the necessity for further investigation and potential adjustments to future vaccination strategies. Moreover, the decline in antibody status post-vaccination can accumulate in seronegative individuals over time, elevating the risk of outbreaks.