The Romanian Intellectual, Christian Orthodoxy, and Identity in connection to Iron Guardism

As the  second part of a two part series, this article explores the confluence of Romanian intellectual culture and the rise of fascism  in the interwar period, with a distinct concentration on the particularity of Romanian identity and its transformation amid the changing rhetoric of pluri nationality. Ultimately the process by which a concrete Romanian identity was formed within the rhetoric of intellectuals was the result of elements of differing views of nationality, the Romanian peasantry, and Christian Orthodoxy all of which were salient elements of Romanian society during the rise of extremists groups such as the Iron Guard. In this second part I explore the way that the Jewish population, and Jewish identity in Romania was used by intellectuals to define Romanian identity by positing that in fact it was the complete opposite of ‘Romanianism’ as it was defined by the rhetoric of the intelligentsia, which manifested itself in the rise of Iron Guard. The ideals of ‘race,’ and ‘ethnicity’ were therefore paradoxes for many Romanian thinkers and writers

Cyclic Compression of Compacted Clayey Sand at Small Cyclic Strains

Ten drained cyclic strain-controlled direct simple shear tests were conducted on compacted low-plasticity clayey sand to measure its cyclic compression properties. The soil had 37 % fines, liquid limit of 28% and plasticity index 14. The relative compaction of specimens prior to consolidation and cyclic shearing was between 80 and 90 %. Cyclic compression is expressed as the accumulation of vertical strain with the number of cycles, N. Vertical strain recorded at the end of every cycle, ενc, increased with the cyclic shear strain amplitude, γc, and N. Such behavior is typical and has been obtained by others on other types of soils. Amplitude γc was relatively small, ranging between 0.008% and 0.24%. Such small cyclic strains are common in moderate and large earthquakes. The effects of the dry unit weight, γd, and corresponding void ratio, e, vertical consolidation stress, σνc, and certain aspects of the degree of saturation, S, on ενc are evaluated. The test results revealed that for the applied conditions ενc increases with σνc and e (decreases with γd) and is smaller if S is increased above approximately 90%. For this soil the cyclic threshold shear strain of about 0.02% was obtained. Simple mechanisms that most likely govern the cyclic compression of compacted soils are discussed

El cuento de los sótanos. Sofocada Teherán, rugiente Teherán

No hay cuerpo perfecto en la naturaleza que no esté en armonía con el alma en la que se encuentra. Cuando el alma está en problemas, el cuerpo se incapacita, y cuando el cuerpo se vuelve imperfecto, el alma muere si no se intenta corregir el defecto. La ciudad es la cristalización del cuerpo de la sociedad en la que vive, por lo que la ciudad es el cuerpo y la sociedad es su alma. Obviamente, cuando el cuerpo de la ciudad sufre, su alma se encuentra en un estado de confusión y agitación, y si el alma de la comunidad se estresa, deprime y se enferma, el cuerpo pierde sus capacidades con el tiempo. El espacio, solo con su cuerpo, no tiene sentido sin la presencia del ser humano y la formación de la actividad humana; la atmósfera colectiva es creada por la vida urbana y el soplo del espíritu colectivo en el cuerpo de la ciudad. Este tipo de espacio en el que se desarrolla la vida ciudadana, tiene un papel significativo en la ciudad basado en el recorrido histórico en los espacios urbanos. Un espacio colectivo es una forma de democracia. Es un espacio de libertad de movimiento, expresión y, lo más importante, es nuestro primer contacto con una ciudad. Un mero reflejo del tejido urbano, revela influencias culturales, económicas y políticas. El espacio público diverso, por definición, nos da la posibilidad de estar expuestos a diferentes tipos de personas, especialmente en las zonas urbanas. En general, para conocer el comportamiento de un barrio, un distrito o una ciudad, solemos acudir a estos espacios. Cuando están animados, estos lugares de encuentro pueden incluso cambiar la imagen de una ciudad temporalmente con la implementación de mercados, desfiles y festividades, o permanentemente mediante la introducción de nuevos programas. Pueden variar desde calles planificadas, intersecciones, plazas, bulevares y parques, hasta escenarios informales de aceras, espacios intersticiales y un desbordamiento de espacios privados hacia el dominio público. El espacio social, formado en diferentes períodos históricos de una nación, es uno de los elementos más importantes de la construcción espacial de una ciudad. Este elemento, en el que se han desarrollado diversas actividades culturales, económicas, sociales y de otro tipo, siempre ha estado enraizado en, y ha narrado la historia de la ciudad. Entre todos los espacios conocidos por la variedad de actividades de ocio, el espacio social juega un papel especial. Este entorno es un lugar donde los seres humanos se reúnen para encontrarse, establecer relaciones mutuas y exponer sus experiencias espirituales y sociales entre sí. El espacio social está directamente relacionado con la estructura de la ciudad y el estilo de vida de sus ciudadanos, día y noche, y no se limita a los caminos para pasear o pasar el tiempo libre; es una oportunidad para hacer una pausa y conocer a los residentes de la ciudad. Dado que el espacio social deriva su vida de la presencia de las personas, su formación no es una cuestión de orden, y requiere una coordinación en el conjunto de factores físicos, culturales, sociales, políticos y económicos. Si alguno de estos factores se ve afectado, la naturaleza del espacio social se verá alterada. Teherán, como un organismo dentro del sistema totalitario vigente en Irán, nos muestra la relación entre el sistema, la sociedad y el urbanismo y la forma en que se afectan entre sí. Por ejemplo, ¿cómo es posible que el espacio público, según ciertos criterios, esté muerto ahora debido al uso consciente del diseño urbano por parte del gobierno con fines políticos y, como resultado, todas esas actividades colectivas se llevan a cabo en un espacio privado, oculto al gobierno? Un espacio público es un reflejo de la ciudad. Para descubrir el comportamiento de una ciudad, tenemos que recurrir a estos espacios. Si no son funcionales, la ciudad no es funcional y tampoco lo es la sociedad. El Teherán contemporáneo es gris, torpe, abarrotado, superpoblado y deprimido. Su gente se siente absolutamente impotente y atrapada en una jaula sin barrotes. Pero independientemente de la clase social, el conocimiento, la cultura, la capacidad financiera, la inteligencia social y las opiniones políticas, el cuerpo humano ha sido la herramienta de batalla más primitiva y accesible a lo largo de la historia. Todos los movimientos pacíficos han avanzado gracias a la ocupación física del espacio por parte de los humanos. Los sistemas autoritarios conocen esta herramienta y tratan de evitar su uso a toda costa. Según Havel, aunque en la superficie parezca que estos sistemas se hayan apoderado de todas las fuentes de poder, y la gente sea absolutamente impotente, interiormente, los Individuos tienen el potencial de una identidad dual, una enorme fuente de poder que, dependiendo de qué aspecto de esta identidad dual nutran, se puede utilizar para enfrentarse el autoritarismo o, por el contrario, para fortalecerlo. Definitivamente existe un vínculo entre las preocupaciones más amplias de la sociedad o la situación en la que nos encontramos y la arquitectura. Durante la historia ha habido demasiado mal uso de la arquitectura para crear una narrativa fuera del entorno construido. Muchas veces se ha visto que los políticos o demás buscan construir un monumento, o crear una demostración de poder. Le piden a la arquitectura que haga cosas que vayan más allá de los verdaderos valores de la arquitectura. Es molesto escuchar, “vamos a crear un nuevo ícono para esta ciudad o este país”. Un ícono es algo que evoluciona a través de la aclamación o aceptación popular y se desarrolla con el tiempo o puede ser el resultado de un evento especial o un momento de la historia. Pedirle a un arquitecto que cree un icono para una ciudad, o un renacimiento económico, es perder el sentido. El primer propósito de la arquitectura es crear un hábitat y satisfacer las necesidades de la sociedad o los individuos a lugares para trabajar y vivir. El propósito de la arquitectura no es crear un monumento para ayudar a que alguien sea elegido o para que aparezca en la portada de una revista. Los arquitectos y diseñadores urbanos tienen la capacidad (o tal vez la responsabilidad) de mantenerse comprometidos con su gente, luchar por crear espacios seguros y construir una sociedad que se pueda defender a sí misma y sus derechos. La arquitectura y la planificación urbana tienen un nivel de agencia tan alto. Porque la arquitectura es una profesión que produce espacio y todo sucede en el espacio. Según la manera en que se produzca el espacio, tiene la capacidad de crear un paradigma de cambio. Puede afectar los sistemas socioeconómicos y, conUniversidad de Sevilla. Máster en Ciudad y Arquitectura Sostenible

The effect of hyperthyroidism on the levels of liver enzymes in adult male Wistar rats

 Thyrotoxicosis is a condition in which tissues are stimulated by increased secretion of thyroid hormone. The most common cause is diffuse toxic goiter and toxic multi-nodular goiter. For more reviews on this disease, the effects of hyperthyroidism on liver enzyme levels were studied. A total of 30 adult male Wistar rats weighing about 190 g were purchased from the Pasteur Institute of Iran. In this study, rats were divided into control group, the group receiving vitamin E, the group receiving levothyroxine, the group receiving levothyroxine treated with vitamin E; blood was taken from all groups over a period of 10 days after injection, and measurement of thyroid hormones and liver tests was made. The findings obtained in this study show that Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) hormone levels in rats treated with levothyroxine, Treatment with vitamin E may reduce serum levels of ISH , Hormone levels of T4 in the rats treated with levothyroxine were increased compared to normal rates. Treatment with vitamin E reduces serum levels of T4 compared to the first hyper group. T4 hormone levels in rats treated with levothyroxine were reduced compared to normal rates. Treatment with vitamin E may reduce serum levels of T4 compared with the first hyper group. Asparagine Transferase (AST) enzyme levels in rats treated with levothyroxine were increased compared, Treatment with vitamin E may reduce serum levels of AST , Alanine transferase (ALT) enzyme levels in rats treated with levothyroxine were increased , Treatment with vitamin E may increase serum levels of ALT , alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme levels in rats treated with levothyroxine has been increased compared with normal rates. Treatment with vitamin E resulted in serum levels of ALT not to be increased compared with the first group. According to the results of hyperthyroidism and levels of liver enzymes, it can be concluded that hyperthyroidism induced by levothyroxine can increase the levels of hormones T3, T4 and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), and then increase the levels of liver enzymes. Treatment of empirical samples with vitamin E is likely to reduce liver damages and prevent the increased levels of liver enzymes compared to empirical samples of hyperthyroidism which have been treated with vitamin E.

Assessing the Safety of Children's Playgrounds from the Parents' Point of View: A Case of the Third District of Tehran

Undoubtedly, playgrounds should be safe and secure environments for children so that children can play in them, enjoy the game and gain different experiences. Despite the above, the statistics regarding the playground environmental incidents in urban areas indicate a lack of proper attention to the safety of playgrounds. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety of children’s playgrounds from the perspective of parents in district 3 of Tehran. The sample of the present study included 295 children from district 3 of Tehran, Iran. The data was collected by the use of standard questionnaires. Also, in order to organize, summarize and describe the data, descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation) were implemented, and in order to test statistical assumptions and prioritization with the normally distributed data, T-Hotelling test and Friedman test were performed. It should be noted that in this study, SPSS software version 23 was used to analyze the data, also the level of reliability of the scale used in this study is 95%. The results of the t-hotelling test showed that the safety of design, the safety of the equipment and the safety of the environmental features in children's playgrounds were in good condition in Tehran's third district. The differences and priorities among these components are also identifie

The Problem of Mixing up of Leishmania Isolates in the Laboratory: Suggestion of ITS1 Gene Sequencing for Verification of Species

Background: Leishmaniasis is endemic in Iran. Different species of Leishmania (L.) parasites are causative agents of this disease. Correct identification of Leishmania species is important for clinical studies,prevention, and control of the diseases. Mix up of Leishmania isolates is possible in the laboratory, so there is need for verification of species for isolates of uncertain identity. Different methods may be used for this purpose including isoenzyme electrophoresis and molecular methods. The isoenzyme lectrophoresis, due to its drawbacks, is feasible only in specialized laboratories while molecular methods may be more feasible. The aim of this research was to study the application of the internal transcribedspacer 1 (ITS1) sequencing method, in comparison to isoenzyme electrophoresis method, for verification of Leishmania species.Methods: Six Leishmania isolates were received from different research institutions in Iran. The species of these isolates were known by donating institution according to their isoenzyme profile. The species of these isolates were re-identified in Pasteur Institute of Iran by PCR amplification of ITS1 followed bysequencing and comparison of these sequences with Leishmania sequences in GenBank. Isoenzyme electrophoresis was performed for confirmation of the results of ITS1.Results: ITS1 sequence showed that some isolates were mixed up or contaminated with Crithidia. Isoenzyme electrophoresis confirmed the results of ITS1 sequences.Conclusion: ITS1 sequencing is relatively more feasible than the traditional isoenzyme electrophoresismethod and is suggested for verification of Leishmania species

Detection of Sea, Seb, Sec, Seq genes in staphylococcus aureus isolated from nasal carriers in Tehran province, Iran; by multiplex PCR

Staphylococcus(S.) aureus  produces different extra-cellular protein toxins and virulence factors. One of the most important extra-cellular proteins is an enterotoxin which causes staphylococcal food poisoning (SFP) due to their enterotoxins. Different methods have been used to detect this toxin, each of which has advantages and disadvantages. DNA amplification methods, however, can show the presence of enterotoxigenic strains of S. aureus before the expression of enterotoxins on the basis of specific gene sequences. In this study, 150 S. aureus strains isolated from nasal carriers were confirmed by biochemical testing. PCR was used to amplify the staphylococcal enterotoxin A, B, C and Q genes, as well as the staphylococcal nuclease gene.  Among the 150 healthy human isolates from the nasal carrier, 95 were confirmed as S. aureus.  Only 58.9% of the isolates were diagnosed as sea, b, c, q positive. There were 24 (25.3%) isolates associated with the sea gene, 15.8% isolates associated with the seb gene, 9.5% of the isolates were associated with the sec gene, and 8.4% of the isolates associated with the seq gene. Of these isolates, 41% might be possessing additional se genes but they were not see (178 bp) and sed (319 bp) genes.  The nuc gene, which encodes thermo nuclease, was used as a target DNA to identify S. aureus. Additionally, one of these enterotoxigenic isolates carried more than one toxin gene

Cloning and Expression of N-terminal Region of IpaD from Shigella dysenteriae in E. coli

Genus Shigella is one of the important members of the family enterobacteriacae. There are numerous antigens in Shigella carrying by a 220 kb plasmid. Among them, IpaD is the key virulence factor of S. flexneri. Apart from having effectors function that is essential for host cell invasion and intracellular survival, this protein also controls the secretion and translocation of other effector proteins into eukaryotic host cells. In the present study, we have cloned and expressed the ipaD in E. coli. The ipaD gene was amplified by PCR. Prokaryote expression vector pET-28a(+)- ipaD was constructed, and used to transform E. coli BL21DE3 plySs. The expression of recombinant protein induced by IPTG was examined by SDS-PAGE. Western blot were used to determine immunoreactivity of IpaD-His by a rabbit monoclonal antibodies against his-tag. SDS-PAGE demonstrated that the constructed prokaryotic expression efficiently produced IpaD at the 1 mmol/L of IPTG. IpaD protein was able to react with the rabbit monoclonal antibody against His-tag.  IpaD is essential for Shigella spp invasion. N-terminal region is most significant functional fragment of IpaD. Purification of IpaD from the wild type of Shigella is difficult furthermore profound study on a specific domain on the N-terminal of IpaD by using the wild type of purified IpaD is not feasible.

Plate Wave Propagation in Transversely Isotropic Materials

In this work, the modes of plate wave propagation in a fiber reinforced com posite (assumed to be transversely isotropic) were investigated. The waves were modeled as harmonic plane waves propagating in the plane of an infinite plate whose bounding sur faces were assumed to be stress free. A numerical analysis procedure was developed to calculate the dispersion relationships for plate waves propagating in arbitrary directions in the plate. Particle displacements and stress distributions were calculated for several im portant propagation modes. Possible applications to nondestructive testing of composites are discussed.Yeshttps://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/manuscript-submission-guideline