Domain decomposition by the advancing-partition method for parallel unstructured grid generation

In a method for domain decomposition for generating unstructured grids, a surface mesh is generated for a spatial domain. A location of a partition plane dividing the domain into two sections is determined. Triangular faces on the surface mesh that intersect the partition plane are identified. A partition grid of tetrahedral cells, dividing the domain into two sub-domains, is generated using a marching process in which a front comprises only faces of new cells which intersect the partition plane. The partition grid is generated until no active faces remain on the front. Triangular faces on each side of the partition plane are collected into two separate subsets. Each subset of triangular faces is renumbered locally and a local/global mapping is created for each sub-domain. A volume grid is generated for each sub-domain. The partition grid and volume grids are then merged using the local-global mapping

Vegetative compatibility grouping of Verticillium dahliae from pistachio in Iran

Sixty-nine isolates of Verticillium dahliae were recovered from pistachio (Pistacia vera) trees in the Kerman province of Iran. They were analyzed using complementation tests with nitrate-nonutilizing (nit) mutants to identify their vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) and were compared with the four internationally recognized VCGs. Based on their ability to form heterokaryons, three local VCGs were identifi ed (using reference strains) as VCG2B (50 isolates), VCG4A (7 isolates) and VCG1 (2 isolates). Ten isolates could not be characterized with the reference strains. Thirty-four cotton isolates were also compared with the pistachio isolates using the reference strains; they were identifi ed as VCG1 (10 isolates), VCG2B (11 isolates) and VCG4A (6 isolates). (A few isolates belonged to both VCG2A and VCG2B, and a few to both VCG4A and VCG4B.) The cotton defoliating isolates (D pathotype) belonged to VCG1, and the cotton non-defoliating isolates (ND pathotype) to VCG2 and VCG4. Greenhouse pathogenicity tests of 22 isolates on cotton and okra showed that all cotton and pistachio VCG1 isolates were highly virulent and were of the defoliating pathotype (D) in both hosts. On the other hand, the isolates of VCG2B and VCG4B ranged in virulence from weakly virulent to highly virulent irrespective of their host origin. The similarity in the VCG spectrum suggests that cotton was the most likely source of Verticillium dahliae in pistachio in Iran

Effects of temperature and photoperiod on germination and germ tube development of dikaryotic stages of Pileolaria terebinthi

The germination and germ tube development of urediospores, aeciospores and teliospores of Pileolaria terebinthi, the causal agent of Pistacia spp. rust, were investigated under different temperature and light conditions. The urediospores and aeciospores germinated in a range of 10–30°C, the optimum being 25–30°C. Both spore types died after 24 h exposure at 35°C. Incubation at -5°C for 24 h caused a significant decrease in spore germinability and germ tube growth. A significant increase in germination and germ tube growth was observed in the dark. Teliospores germinated well in a range of 15–30°C. Differentiation of basidia occurred at 20–25°C. Optimum temperature for teliospore germination and basidium differentiation was found to be 20°C. The maximum differentiation of basidia was observed in short day exposures (0.5 h light/23.5 h dark). No basidia differentiated under continuous fluorescent illumination

Further investigations on the biology of Phomopsis cinerascens, the cause of fig canker in Iran

Fig branch canker is a major disease in most parts of Iran, especially in Estahban (Fars province), which has the largest area of dry fig plantations in that country. In 1999–2000 a general survey was conducted in rainfed fig plantations throughout Fars province. In this survey Phomopsis cinerascens was consistently isolated from the cankers. . The fungus produced pycnidia containing α-conidia on active cankers from fall to mid spring. No β-conidia were found under natural conditions, but many isolates produced β-conidia intermixed with α-conidia in culture. Only α-conidia germinated on agar medium. The optimum temperature for growth, pycnidial formation and pycnidiospore germination was 25°C. Pathogenicity tests revealed that the fungus infected inoculated branches at 15–25°C but no infection occurred at 5°C or at 30°C or higher. Under field conditions, the pathogen infected branches from fall to mid spring, but little infection occurred in summer. The pruning wounds remained receptive to the pathogen from fall to mid spring. Pycnidiospores that over-summered on trees or on branches lying on orchard floors were not viable. Infected branches under moist conditions produced new pycnidia containing viable conidia. Mycelia are considered important for over-summering the pathogen in Fars province

Effect of Water Potential on Germination of Verticillum dahliae microsclerotia

The effects of osmotic and matric potentials on the microsclerotial germination of Verticillium dahliae was examined at room temperature in 1% water agar amended with sodium chloride and polyethylene glycole. Treatments consisted of 6 levels of osmotic and matric potentials (0, -0.3, -0.6, -0.9, -1.2, and -1.5 MPa) laid out as factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design. Decreasing matric potential reduced germination, whereas the osmotic potential increased germination up to -0.6 MPa but any further increase caused it to decline. It was concluded that the matric potential is a more limiting factor than the osmotic potential for the germination of V. dahliae microsclerotia

Controlled hypotension during rhinoplasty: A comparison of dexmedetomidine with magnesium sulfate

Objective: The current study aimed at comparing the efficacy of dexmedetomidine and magnesium sulfate to control blood pressure (BP) during rhinoplasty and the resultant effects on the quality of surgical field in terms of bleeding and visibility. Methods: The current randomized, prospective, double-blind study was conducted on 60 patients aged 18 to 50 years classified as ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) physical status I who were candidates for rhinoplasty. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: (1) group Dex, received 1 µg/kg dexmedetomidine in 10 minutes before induction of anesthesia, followed by 0.4 - 0.6 µg/kg/hour during the maintenance of anesthesia, and (2) group Mg, received 40 mg/kg in 10 minutes before anesthesia induction followed by 10 - 15 mg/kg/hour during anesthesia maintenance. In both groups, the goal was to achieve a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 60 - 70 mmHg. Hemodynamic variables, anesthetic, opioid, muscle relaxant requirements, and surgical field condition were recorded. Sedation score, time to reach modified Aldrete score � 9, and adverse effects including nausea and vomiting (N&V) and shivering were recorded. Results: Controlled hypotension was achieved in both groups. There was no significant difference in MAP between the groups, but heart rate (HR) was significantly lower in the Dex group (P < 0.001), compared with that of the Mg group. Bleeding score was lower (P < 0.001) and surgeon�s satisfaction score was higher (P < 0.001) in the Dex group. More patients required fentanyl (P < 0.001) or nitroglycerin (P < 0.001) and the mean fentanyl (P = 0.005) or nitroglycerin (P < 0.001) required doses were higher in the Mg group. Patients in the Dex group required more frequent administration of cisatracurium (P = 0.004). Five patients in the Dex group versus no patients in the Mg group received atropine (P = 0.023). Ramsay sedation score and time to reach modified Aldrete score � 9 were significantly higher in the Dex group (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). The incidence rate of N&V and shivering were similar in both groups. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine was more effective than magnesium to achieve controlled hypotension, and provide a favorable surgical field condition. However, dexmedetomidine also heightened the risk of induced bradycardia and prolonged sedation. These are 2 important points to consider when applying this drug as a hypotensive agent during operation. © 2017, Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

Progress towards Every Newborn Action Plan (ENAP) implementation in Iran: obstacles and bottlenecks

Background: Neonatal mortality accounts for more than 47 of deaths among children under five globally but proper care at and around the time of birth could prevent about two-thirds of these deaths. The Every Newborn Action Plan (ENAP) offers a plan and vision to improve and achieve equitable and high-quality care for mothers and newborns. We applied the bottleneck analysis tool offered by ENAP to identify obstacles and bottlenecks hindering the scale-up of newborn care across seven health system building blocks. Methods: We applied the every newborn bottleneck analysis tool to identify obstacles hindering the scale-up of newborn care across seven health system building blocks. We used qualitative methods to collect data from five medical universities and their corresponding hospitals in three provinces. We also interviewed other national experts, key informants, and stakeholders in neonatal care. In addition, we reviewed and qualitatively analyzed the performance report of neonatal care and services from 16 medical universities around the country. Results: We identified many challenges and bottlenecks in the scale-up of newborn care in Iran. The major obstacles included but were not limited to the lack of a single leading and governing entity for newborn care, insufficient financial resources for neonatal care services, insufficient number of skilled health professionals, and inadequate patient transfer. Conclusions: To address identified bottlenecks in neonatal health care in Iran, some of our recommendations were as follows: establishing a single national authorizing and leading entity, allocating specific budget to newborn care, matching high-quality neonatal health care providers to the needs of all urban and rural areas, maintaining clear policies on the distribution of NICUs to minimize the need for patient transfer, and using the available and reliable private sector NICU ambulances for safe patient transfer. © 2021, The Author(s)

Investigation of chromosomal abnormalities and microdeletion/ microduplication(s) in fifty Iranian patients with multiple congenital anomalies

Objective: Major birth defects are inborn structural or functional anomalies with long-term disability and adverse impacts on individuals, families, health-care systems, and societies. Approximately 20 of birth defects are due to chromosomal and genetic conditions. Inspired by the fact that neonatal deaths are caused by birth defects in about 20 and 10 of cases in Iran and worldwide respectively, we conducted the present study to unravel the role of chromosome abnormalities, including microdeletion/microduplication(s), in multiple congenital abnormalities in a number of Iranian patients. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 50 sporadic patients with Multiple Congenital Anomalies (MCA) were selected. The techniques employed included conventional karyotyping, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), and array comparative genomic hybridisation (array-CGH), according to the clinical diagnosis for each patient. Results: Chromosomal abnormalities and microdeletion/microduplication(s) were observed in eight out of fifty patients (16). The abnormalities proved to result from the imbalances in chromosomes 1, 3, 12, and 18 in four of the patients. However, the other four patients were diagnosed to suffer from the known microdeletions of 22q11.21, 16p13.3, 5q35.3, and 7q11.23. Conclusion: In the present study, we report a patient with 46,XY, der(18)12/46,XY, der(18), +mar8 dn presented with MCA associated with hypogammaglobulinemia. Given the patient�s seemingly rare and highly complex chromosomal abnormality and the lack of any concise mechanism presented in the literature to justify the case, we hereby propose a novel mechanism for the formation of both derivative and ring chromosome 18. In addition, we introduce a new 12q abnormality and a novel association of an Xp22.33 duplication with 1q43q44 deletion syndrome. The phenotype analysis of the patients with chromosome abnormality would be beneficial for further phenotype-genotype correlation studies. © 2019 Royan Institute (ACECR). All rights reserved

Morbidity and mortality from road injuries: results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

BackgroundThe global burden of road injuries is known to follow complex geographical, temporal and demographic patterns. While health loss from road injuries is a major topic of global importance, there has been no recent comprehensive assessment that includes estimates for every age group, sex and country over recent years.MethodsWe used results from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017 study to report incidence, prevalence, years lived with disability, deaths, years of life lost and disability-adjusted life years for all locations in the GBD 2017 hierarchy from 1990 to 2017 for road injuries. Second, we measured mortality-to-incidence ratios by location. Third, we assessed the distribution of the natures of injury (eg, traumatic brain injury) that result from each road injury.ResultsGlobally, 1 243 068 (95% uncertainty interval 1 191 889 to 1 276 940) people died from road injuries in 2017 out of 54 192 330 (47 381 583 to 61 645 891) new cases of road injuries. Age-standardised incidence rates of road injuries increased between 1990 and 2017, while mortality rates decreased. Regionally, age-standardised mortality rates decreased in all but two regions, South Asia and Southern Latin America, where rates did not change significantly. Nine of 21 GBD regions experienced significant increases in age-standardised incidence rates, while 10 experienced significant decreases and two experienced no significant change.ConclusionsWhile road injury mortality has improved in recent decades, there are worsening rates of incidence and significant geographical heterogeneity. These findings indicate that more research is needed to better understand how road injuries can be prevented