Crosstalk between mast cells and adipocytes in physiologic and pathologic conditions

Excessive fatty acids and glucose uptake support the infiltration of adipose tissue (AT) by a variety of immune cells including neutrophils, pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages, and mast cells (MCs). These cells promote inflammation by releasing pro-inflammatory mediators. The involvement of MCs in AT biology is supported by their accumulation in the AT of obese individuals along with significantly higher serum levels of MC-derived tryptase. AT-resident MCs under the influence of locally derived adipokines such as leptin become activated and release pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNFα that worsens the inflammatory state. MCs support angiogenesis in AT by releasing chymase and inducing preadipocyte differentiation and also the proliferation of adipocytes through 15-deoxy-delta PGJ2/PPARγ interaction. Additionally, they contribute to the remodeling of the AT extracellular matrix (ECM) and play a role in the recruitment and activation of leukocytes. MC degranulation has been linked to brown adipocyte activation, and evidence indicates an important link between MCs and the appearance of BRITE/beige adipocytes in white AT. Cell crosstalk between MCs and AT-resident cells, mainly adipocytes and immune cells, shows that these cells play a critical role in the regulation of AT homeostasis and inflammation

Employing biomimicry in urban metamorphosis seeking for sustainability: case studies

Objective: The current study has aimed to develop the framework of biomimicry involvement in urban metamorphosis for sustainability. This research has engaged four objectives to achieve the aim. Objective one is to explore the rudiment interaction between human and nature through interrogating history, nature’s design. Objective two is to excavate the biomimicry in emulating nature’s genius. Objective three is to investigate the association between biomimicry and sustainable development, focusing on architectural features. Objective four is to develop the framework based on the biomimicry rules for human evolution and survival in the natural environment. Methodology: To achieve objective one, the grounded theory method was applied for scrutinizing human development and human awareness about their natural environment. To achieve objective two, an evidence study was conducted on the biomimicry emulation of nature’s genius. To achieve objective three, a critical literature review was conducted using content analysis method to identify the biomimicry focus and architectural features. Through matrix development method, the focus and architectural features were tabulated. To achieve objective four, the waterfall framework design method and case studies were conducted to plot this framework. Conclusions: This research gained a better understanding of biomimicry-based on theories of the evolution of organisms, including humans in the urban context, as measurement against sustainable benchmarks. It followed the paths of ecological researcher and urban philosophers, such as Freya Mathews and Moore, by re-versioned the human relationship with nature and the surrounding environment and observing human actions and development about life principles. In particular, the research found out that biomimicry is an approach that recently becomes the focus of many researchers of different disciplines seeking a solution for human problems.The biomimicry has been merged with sustainable architecture design through specific features; included, form and function, geometry, metaphor, movement, material, pattern, proportion, sustainability, and technology. Furthermore, biomimicry is an approach that involves nature as a model, mentor, and measure for inspiration, which converges law, principles, and strategies in the context of biomimicry-based on human evolution. Originality: The findings allowed architects and urban designers to enhance people’s awareness of their natural environment and provide a better perception of biomimicry in the application of human world, whether founded because of base instinct or a strategic view derived from the life’s principle

Factors affecting the choice of treatment center by infertile couples: A cross-sectional study in Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute

Background: Infertility is one of the critical health issues in Iran. There are more than 70 specialized infertility treatment centers in Iran, of which the Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, is one of the most important ones. Objective: This study aimed to determine the factors influencing infertile couples’ choice of Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 275 infertile couples aged 18 and older, referring to Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Yazd, Iran from September 2021 to March 2022. Data were gathered using a 2-part questionnaire. Data analysis was done through SPSS software. We used descriptive statistics, Kruskal- Wallis, Mann-Whitney, and t test for data analysis. Results: Most participants were individuals who came from other provinces of Iran (74.9%) and were referred to the Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute. Among the 4 categories that influenced couples’ decision to choose this center, factors related to the personnel and treatment staff received the highest score (75.83), while personal factors received the lowest score (65.76). The average score for factors related to doctors was 72.90, and for factors related to the center, it was 73.65. The satisfaction with personnel and treatment staff varied based on participants’ education levels, with those who had lower levels of education reporting higher levels of satisfaction (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The primary factors contributing to the success of the Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute in attracting clients were the dedication and expertise of the staff, as well as the esteemed reputation of the doctors at the center. Key words: Infertility, Fertility clinics, Yazd, Iran

Construction player’s perception of training approach using serious game–A pilot study

Construction workers are always exposed to numerous occupational hazards of different kinds and levels of complexity in every project they engage in. Therefore, there is a need for training modules which can provide the knowledge to construction workers to acquire the skills necessary for occupational and environmental safety on site. However, current safety training still lacks hands-on approaches and it is theory-oriented. This is due to the nature of the construction environment itself in which hands-on approaches are impossible to be applied for certain types of hazards. Training which is assisted by technology is an effective tool in improving learning for not just for children but also for adults. Currently, serious game has become a new approach in training and learning not limited to the field of education but this approach has been applied across disciplines and areas including military, mining, transportation, oil and gas and also the construction industry. Therefore, this paper sought to review construction workers’ perceptions toward serious game as a training tool. Fifty players at various levels from the construction industry participated in a pilot study. A set of questionnaire was distributed to the participants during an occupational safety and hazard (OSH) training course with the cooperation of OSH state agency in the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia and also online. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data from the questionnaire. Preliminary findings of the pilot study indicated that construction workers had high expectation toward serious game in delivering hands-on training in safer environment. They also believed training module using serious game had the potential in creating affordable, interactive and entertaining training module for the industry. The study contributes to an understanding of occupational safety training needs in the construction industry for a safer, more affordable and interactive as well as entertaining approach

Effect of recycled homogeneous ceramic waste aggregates on water absorption of mortar

Nowadays, concern for environmental issues encourages the researchers to find a solution for reducing depletion of natural resources. Utilizing the industrial wastes as a construction material is a win-win situation which has two benefits; first, will solve the problem of the landfill and on another hand by recycling and reusing the waste will increase natural materials reservation life span. Ceramic wastes are one of the by-products of ceramic manufacturing, which is directly meant for landfill ends traditionally. There have been several studies on replacement of ceramic waste with concrete admixture. However, there is no research on the effect of the using high rate of ceramic waste replacement on the rate of water absorption. This experimental work focuses on utilizing the homogeneous ceramic wastes as recycled aggregates and partial cement replacement and verifies the effect of this replacement on water absorption of mortar. River sand fully replaced by recycled ceramic aggregates and 40% of cement was replaced by fine ceramic powder. The specimens were cast in 100 x 100 x 100 mm cube for compressive strength test and water absorption test. Mortar containing the recycled ceramic wastes shows lower water absorption in compared to control specimens where the rate value, at the age of 90 days, are 1.32% and 2.11%, respectively

Emerging factors shaping identity of indigenous urbanism concurrently adopting modernity in qatar: The application of diffusion theory

Forms, designs, and symbols are the components of built environment, which transfer the information of place and identity to users. This research aimed to explore the emerging factors shaping the identity of local urban districts while adopting the global culture and modernity. To achieve this aim, the research has conducted two phases within which include a few steps. Phase one was to explore different urban zoning. It includes a detailed analysis of the different architectural styles and elements that have spread the identity concerning the main constituents of urban zones. Because of the difficulty to survey the whole Doha region, this research has focused on four mega projects with different characteristics in Doha Governorates; Pearl Qatar (representing Islamic architecture), Souq Waqif (representing traditional architecture), Msheireb project (as the combination of traditional and modern architecture), and West Bay (as the reference for global approach). Phase one has two steps; Field Observation and Field survey. Phase two was to explore the new elements spread for built environment's identity with the concentration on the selected sites in Doha. Phase two has two steps; Photo survey and Interviews. To test the proposed premise, this phase prolonged into human geography using Torsten Hagerstrand's diffusion theory. The findings of this research help architects and urban designers to enhance susers' awareness of their natural environment, and provide a better perception of identity in local urban districts and vernacular architecture, based on instinct and strategic view derived from the global culture and societal modern architecture principles.Scopu

The Capabilities of Iranian Hospitals in Attracting Medical Tourists; Based on Joint Commission International: A Case Study of Shiraz Hospitals

Introduction: Medical tourism is one of the competitive and income industries in world and has the ability to attract tourists in the health sector and international markets are totally dependent on international accreditation. This study has been done to evaluate the capabilities of active public and private hospitals in Shiraz regarding attraction of tourists’ base on accreditation standards. Methods: This is a descriptive-analytic and cross-sectional study which performed on four hospitals which were active in medical tourism in 2012. A checklist of international accreditation standards based on Joint Commission International (JCI) was applied for collecting data. Data were analyzed using descriptive analytic statistical tests. In descriptive statistics, frequency tables and standard deviation were used for scoring the hospitals. Independent student (T-test) was used to compare the mean of public and private hospitals in attracting medical tourists. Results: Hospital No.3 in the Patient-Centered Standards and Health Care Organization Management Standards was in the best position whilst hospital No.2 in the Patient-Centered Standards was in the worst state and hospital no.1 in Health Care Organization Management was in the worst position. Also there was a significant difference between public and private hospitals in attracting medical tourists according to Joint Commission International (sig=0.01). Conclusion: Shiraz hospitals have good ability to attract medical tourists; these abilities are very good in most cases and in some cases there is a need to improve. Having recognized the strengths and weaknesses of these hospitals can use SWOT analysis model, which is used in medical tourism program of some countries, for improving their abilities in attracting medical tourists

Waterproof performance of concrete: a critical review on implemented approaches

Permeation of water and other fluids in concrete can result in degradation and other aesthetic problems which shorten concrete structures' life. Several studies have been undertaken to produce waterproofing additives that extend the service life of concrete elements. Consequently, a great deal of repair and maintenance costs could be avoided. This paper aims to review the studies which have used various agents and tests to evaluate the waterproofing efficiency of concrete. The study establishes the taxonomy and construct of research in concrete waterproofing research. Study established frequency aggregation of different additive used and tests applied. The technique adopted by majority of the researchers was the use of surface coating. Water absorption was found to be the most common test in this research area. Study delineated that most researchers focused on the use of polymer-based materials, silicates containing compound, silanes, siloxanes, cementing materials and some nano materials. Finally, study established three classification of additives based on material structure, method of application and additives functions

Efficiency of Microalgae Chlamydomonas on the Removal of Pollutants from Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME)

AbstractMalaysia is considered as a major palm oil producer in the world. Therefore, it is vital to utilize an environmentally friendly and inexpensive method to treat palm oil mill effluent (POME) in Malaysia. Nowadays, the use of microalgae to remove pollutants from POME has gained a lot of attention. The main objective of this research was to investigate the effect of POME as a nutrient on the microalgae growth and analyze the removal rate of pollution. In this study, a pure culture Chlamydomonas incerta was aseptically transferred to an Erlenmeyer flask containing POME. The effect of POME as a high nutritional substrate, different cultivation scales, carbon total nitrogen (C:TN) ratio, and the lipid productivity of microalgae C. incerta were assessed. C. incerta was grown at room temperature under continuous illumination with the intensity of ± 15 (μmol/m2/s) for 28 days, followed by the measurement of chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction at different substrate concentrations. The results of this study demonstrated that organic carbon was removed by C. incerta for the ratio of 100:7, 100:13, and 100:31 respectively within the second day of cultivation. Fast growth of microalgae was observed in organic and inorganic substrates for adoption within the second day of experiment. The optimum achievement rate of nutrient removal with C. incerta was about 67.35% of COD for 250mg/L of POME concentrations in 28 days. The significance of this study is regarding the introduction of a new microalgae strain with a high ability to remove nutrients from POME, which can contribute to the effort in finding an efficient and economic technology for improving our environment

Pavement structural assessment using automated tools: a comparative study

Pavement distress evaluation was traditionally conducted through visual observation. Traditional practice requires a person to walk along the stretch of pavement in order to survey distresses, take photos, and measure defects occurred at the deteriorated surface. However, this approach is too subjective causes inconsistencies of information, less reliable and time-consuming. Due to these shortcomings, the practitioners in pavement maintenance sector seek for a reliable alternative tools and techniques to arrest incapability of traditional approach. This research aimed to investigate feasibility of automated tools for pavement structural assessment conducting a comparative study. Series of interviews with expert panels and comparison matrix have been conducted comparing Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Infrared Thermograph (IR), and Portable Seismic Pavement Analyzer (PSPA) by investigating across parameters; cost-time effectiveness, operating principle, depth of performance, method of application, and limitations of pavement evaluations. The research indicated the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is highly advantageous over IR and PSPA for pavement structural assessment. The GPR, as a geophysical tool, has extensive capabilities to accommodate data in pavement assessment, geotechnical investigation and structural assessment. GPR can considerably perform at high speed and save time. It is also beneficial for long-term investment with deeper information. Notably, the interpretation of radar gram images of GPR tool needs sufficient time and skill