Livelihood Vulnerability of Semi-Mobile Pastoral Communities to Climate Change in Arid and Semiarid of Iran

Climate change is impacting on natural resource based livelihood systems such as pastoralist communities in arid and semi-arid regions. Vulnerability to climate change refers to the potential of a system to be harmed by this external stress. The level of vulnerability of pastoral communities and the effective components determine the extent of climate change impacts on these communities and thereby help identify institutional options that have the potential to reduce their vulnerability. This study assessed climate change vulnerability of semi-mobile pastoralist communities in five main regions (Gozm, Kaht, Madan, Rochon and Jarob) of Khabr rangelands, Kerman, Iran using the Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI). The data comprised of primary data on seven main components including socio-demographic profile, livelihood strategies, social networks, health, food, water availability, natural disasters and climate variability which were collected through survey of 70 semi-mobile pastoral households, and secondary data on rainfall and temperature. Data were aggregated using composite LVI index and vulnerabilities of communities were compared. Results suggested that semi-mobile pastoralists in Rochon region had the highest (0.63) LVI showing relatively the greatest vulnerability to climate change impacts in terms of Socio-Demographic Profile, Livelihood Strategies and Health while Kaht region had the least (0.49) LVI showing relatively the smallest vulnerability to climate change impacts. The results of this study are useful to access pastoralist communities’ vulnerability and set risk management policies. Keywords: climate change; livelihood vulnerability index ; semi-mobile pastoralist

Overcoming multidrug-resistant bacteria and fungi by green synthesis of AgNPs using Nepeta pogonosperma extract, optimization, characterization and evaluation of antibacterial and antifungal effects

This study explained a green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Nepeta pogonosperma extract and evaluated their antibacterial activity. Optimization of the temperature, concentration, pH, and reaction time was established to produce silver nanoparticles. The best condition was 10 mM AgNO3, pH = 14, temperature 85 °C, and reaction time 24 hours. The formation of silver nanoparticles was confirmed by colour-changing, UV-vis, FE-SEM, EDX, XRD, FT-IR, and DLS analysis. The prepared AgNPs had a spherical shape with an average size of 51.21±0.02 nm. In addition, our biofabricated nanoparticles displayed potential antibacterial activity against the tested strains. The MIC value of 1.17 µg/mL was determined against strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Escherichia coli and 2.34 µg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis and Enterococcus faecalis. Furthermore, AgNPs exhibited excellent antifungal effects against Candida albicans strains (0.073 μg/mL). In general, N. pogonosperma played an important role in reducing Ag(+1) to Ag(0) and the production of Ag(0) with suitable surface features in combination with efficient biological activities

Inhibitory effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles and fibrillar chitosan‐zinc oxide nanostructures against herpes simplex virus infection

Abstract Although zinc ions have a strong antiviral impact against viral infections, they have a high level of toxicity in cell culture and in animal models. In the current work, ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and fibrillar chitosan‐ZnO nanostructures (CS‐ZnO NSs) were synthesized in order to evaluate their cytotoxicity and inhibitory impact against HSV (herpes simplex virus) replication in vitro using the MTT, plaque, and Real‐time PCR methods. Also, different characterization approaches such as FE‐SEM, XRD, FTIR and fluorescence microscope were used to evaluate prepared NPs. The findings revealed that CS‐ZnO NSs exhibit negligible cytotoxicity in cells, whereas ZnO NPs were exceedingly harmful at high doses. Also, CS‐ZnO NSs could considerably internalize cells and reduce virus titration in HSV‐infected cells. Furthermore, their inhibitory effect against HSV replication was quite effective, which may be more related to the antiviral activity of chitosan and ZnO. In conclusion, the new fibrillar chitosan‐ZnO NS was prepared with the least toxicity for host cells

Hermite-Hadamard Inequality for functions whose derivatives absolute values are preinvex

In this article, we extend some estimates of the right-hand side of a Hermite-Hadamard-type inequality for preinvex functions

Biopolymer-based composites for tissue engineering applications:a basis for future opportunities

Abstract Biomimetic scaffolds supporting tissue regeneration are complex materials with multifunctional characteristics. The unique biocompatibility and biodegradability of biopolymers make them excellent candidates for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Biopolymers, which have a wide range of properties, can be obtained from different natural sources. Depending on the target tissue, biopolymers can be engineered to meet a series of specific functions. We review different types of biopolymers and their composites, besides their interactions with specific cells and tissues. Specific cellular mechanisms in tissue regeneration are also considered to elucidate the effects of biopolymers on controlling cellular mechanisms given their advantages and challenging aspects. Furthermore, the modifications required to mimic the properties of neural, cardiac, bone, and skin tissues are discussed. Utilization of biopolymer-based composites in tissue engineering requires additional improvements, where several challenges should be overcome. This work is mainly focused on biopolymers used in tissue engineering, providing support for engineering of future biocomposites for the same purpose. Some examples of biocomposites are also provided, a general guide for selection of biopolymers and the secondary component (biopolymers as complements, additives, or nano-scale biomaterials) to develop biocomposites