Pyrrhotite Fe₁₋ₓS microcubes as a new anode material in potassium-ion batteries

Potassium-ion batteries are an emerging energy storage technology that could be a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to the abundance and low cost of potassium. Research on potassium-ion batteries has received considerable attention in recent years. With the progress that has been made, it is important yet challenging to discover electrode materials for potassium-ion batteries. Here, we report pyrrhotite Fe1−xS microcubes as a new anode material for this exciting energy storage technology. The anode delivers a reversible capacity of 418 mAh g−1 with an initial coulombic efficiency of ~70% at 50 mA g−1 and a great rate capability of 123 mAh g−1 at 6 A g−1 as well as good cyclability. Our analysis shows the structural stability of the anode after cycling and reveals surface-dominated K storage at high rates. These merits contribute to the obtained electrochemical performance. Our work may lead to a new class of anode materials based on sulfide chemistry for potassium storage and shed light on the development of new electrochemically active materials for ion storage in a wider range of energy applications

Mitogenic effects of phytohemagglutinin (PHA-P) and lipopolysacharide extracted from E.coli on cultured lymphocyte of the Caspian Sea ship sturgeon (Acipenser nudiventris)

The present study was designed to obtain the most effective dose for phtytohemagglutinin (PHA-P) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) extracted from E. coli to optimize the lymphocyte culture method, the highest mitotic index (MI) and metaphase plates number of ship sturgeon, Acipenser nudiventris. Twenty specimens of two-year old A. nudiventris weighing on average 137g and with an average length of 32cm were used in this study. Different doses (0, 40, 60 and 80kgml ^(-1)) of PHA-P, LPS and a combination of the most effective dose of both mitogenic factors {(40 kgml super(-1)) PHA-P+ (80kgml super(-1)) LPS} were added to the culture media and mitotic indices were calculated for each treatment. Results indicated that a dose of 40kgml^(-1) PHA-P and 80kgml ^(-1) LPS produced the highest MI (6.26 and 3.02 respectively). Using higher concentrations of PHA-P and LPS resulted in decreased MI, whereas at lower doses of these mitogenic factors, mitotic arrest of cultured lymphocytes was observed. Using a combination of the most effective dose of the two mentioned mitogens {(40kgml ^(-1)) PHA-P + (80kgml super(-1)) LPS} yielded a MI of about 3.84. A dose of 40kgml ^(-1) PHA-P produced the highest MI (6.26), the highest number of lymphocytes was cultured and the largest number of metaphase plate was counted

Bidirectional PageRank Estimation: From Average-Case to Worst-Case

We present a new algorithm for estimating the Personalized PageRank (PPR) between a source and target node on undirected graphs, with sublinear running-time guarantees over the worst-case choice of source and target nodes. Our work builds on a recent line of work on bidirectional estimators for PPR, which obtained sublinear running-time guarantees but in an average-case sense, for a uniformly random choice of target node. Crucially, we show how the reversibility of random walks on undirected networks can be exploited to convert average-case to worst-case guarantees. While past bidirectional methods combine forward random walks with reverse local pushes, our algorithm combines forward local pushes with reverse random walks. We also discuss how to modify our methods to estimate random-walk probabilities for any length distribution, thereby obtaining fast algorithms for estimating general graph diffusions, including the heat kernel, on undirected networks.Comment: Workshop on Algorithms and Models for the Web-Graph (WAW) 201

The effect of thyroxine on percentage of hatching (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

Studies showed that Thyroxine can play an important role on fish growth, osmoregulation system, and other physiological activities. Since the direct effect of thyroxine on growth and metamorphose of bony fish larvae has not been yet approved, therefore, present study were carried out in Shahid Ansary propagation and cultivation farm in order to find out the way of effect of this hormone on the survirval rate and early growth stage of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) fertiled eggs that were bathed in thyroxin with concentrations of 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 ppm (each one, replicates) for 6 hours. Then they were transfered into large incubators (zoog) with running water. After hatching all larvae were placed in mentioned thyroxin concentration bath for another 6 hours before being transfered into large incubators. Larvae stayed inzoogs until the yolk-sac was absorbed. Finally, live silver carp larvae were counted in separated plates. Results of present study indicated that the ra tio of hatched eggs in 0.5 ppm of thyroxin concentration was higher than other treatment

A study on embryonic development of Yellow Fin Seabream (Acanthopagrus latus)

Embryonic and larval development stages of yellow fin seabream (Acanthopagrus latus) were studied in two average temperatures (21 and 24C) in Marine Fish Research Center in Emam Khomeini Port. Egg diameter in initiation of fertilization was 739.35 plus or minus 0.0081k and during final hatching it was 792.36 plus or minus 0.0095k. The average egg diameter from fertilization until final hatching was 763.49 plus or minus 0.00l6k. The average egg diameter was 751.81 plus or minus 0.0064k in murola stage, 767.55 plus or minus 0.0074k in nurula stage, 779.97 plus or minus 0.0084k in appearance of heart stage and 780.84 plus or minus 0.0086k in the increasing of pigmentation stage. Duration of egg incubation and embryo development of yellow fin seabream (Acanthopagrus latus) was 31 hours and 15 minutes at 20clC and 26 hours and 15 minutes at 23 plus or minus 1C. In this study, 20 stages of embryo development of yellow fin seabream were identified through incubation period from fertilization to final hatching. It seems that water temperature can be an effective environmental factor in the fish embryo development, so that hatching at 20clC occurred in 5 hours later than when at 23clC. Temperature change had no effect on the number of larvae and characteristics of embryo development. The information gathered through this study is useful when planning for artificial reproduction of this commercial species and can improve the propagation process

Magnesium Supplementation and the Effects on Wound Healing and Metabolic Status in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcer: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Hypomagnesemia is associated with the development of neuropathy and abnormal platelet activity, both of which are risk factors for diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of magnesium administration on wound healing and metabolic status in subjects with DFU. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed among 70 subjects with grade 3 DFU. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups (35 subjects each group) to receive either 250 mg magnesium oxide supplements or placebo daily for 12 weeks. Pre- and post-intervention wound depth and appearance were scored in accordance with the “Wagner-Meggitt’s” wound assessment tool. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after the 12-week intervention to assess related markers. After the 12-week treatment, compared with the placebo, magnesium supplementation resulted in a significant increase in serum magnesium (+0.3 ± 0.3 vs. −0.1 ± 0.2 mg/dL, P < 0.001) and significant reductions in ulcer length (−1.8 ± 2.0 vs. −0.9 ± 1.1 cm, P = 0.01), width (−1.6 ± 2.0 vs. −0.8 ± 0.9 cm, P = 0.02), and depth (−0.8 ± 0.8 vs. −0.3 ± 0.5 cm, P = 0.003). In addition, significant reductions in fasting plasma glucose (−45.4 ± 82.6 vs. −10.6 ± 53.7 mg/dL, P = 0.04), serum insulin values (−2.4 ± 5.6 vs. +1.5 ± 9.6 μIU/mL, P = 0.04), and HbA1c (−0.7 ± 1.5 vs. −0.1 ± 0.4%, P = 0.03) and a significant rise in the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+0.01 ± 0.01 vs. −0.004 ± 0.02, P = 0.01) were seen following supplementation of magnesium compared with the placebo. Additionally, compared with the placebo, taking magnesium resulted in significant decrease in serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (−19.6 ± 32.5 vs. −4.8 ± 11.2 mg/L, P = 0.01) and significant increase in plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) concentrations (+6.4 ± 65.2 vs. −129.9 ± 208.3 mmol/L, P < 0.001). Overall, magnesium supplementation for 12 weeks among subjects with DFU had beneficial effects on parameters of ulcer size, glucose metabolism, serum hs-CRP, and plasma TAC levels

The Influences of Chromium Supplementation on Metabolic Status in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Coronary Heart Disease

This investigation was conducted to determine the effects of chromium supplementation on metabolic status in diabetic patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed in 64 diabetic patients with CHD between October 2017 and January 2018. Patients were randomly divided into two groups to obtain either 200 μg chromium (n = 32) or placebo (n = 32) for 12 weeks. Chromium supplementation significantly reduced body weight (� 0.9 ± 1.6 vs. + 0.1 ± 0.8 kg, P = 0.001), BMI (� 0.4 ± 0.7 vs. + 0.1 ± 0.3 kg/m2, P = 0.002), fasting glucose (β � 11.03 mg/dL; 95 CI, � 18.97, � 3.09; P = 0.007), insulin (β � 1.33 μIU/mL; 95 CI, � 1.90, � 0.76; P &lt; 0.001), and insulin resistance (β � 0.44; 95 CI, � 0.62, � 0.25; P &lt; 0.001) and significantly increased insulin sensitivity (β 0.007; 95 CI, 0.003, 0.01; P &lt; 0.001) compared with the placebo. In addition, taking chromium led to a significant reduction in serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (β � 0.49 mg/L; 95 CI, � 0.91, � 0.06; P = 0.02) and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (β � 0.22 μmol/L; 95 CI, � 0.35, � 0.10; P = 0.001); also, a significant rise in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (β 84.54 mmol/L; 95 CI, 31.05, 138.02; P = 0.002) was observed in comparison with placebo. Additionally, chromium administration significantly reduced diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (β � 5.01 mmHg; 95 CI, � 9.04, � 0.97; P = 0.01) compared with the placebo. Overall, the 12-week supplementation of chromium to diabetic patients with CHD had beneficial impacts on weight, BMI, glycemic control, hs-CRP, TAC, MDA, and DBP. Trial Registration www.irct.ir: http://www.irct.ir: IRCT20170513033941N30. © 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature

PHYTOTHERAPY IN FUNGI AND FUNGAL DISEASE: A REVIEW OF EFFECTIVE MEDICINAL PLANTS ON IMPORTANT FUNGAL STRAINS AND DISEASES

Infectious diseases are among the most important common diseases worldwide that bring stupendous costs for human community. Medicinal plants are considered a rich source of antimicrobial agents and therefore can be used as antimicrobial remedies because of producing secondary metabolites. This article was designed to review the effective medicinal plants on fungi and fungal disease. In this study, the relevant articles published in Persian and English languages were searched for in the databases Magiran, Iranmedex, Irandoc, PubMed, Scopus, SID, Web of Science, and Science Direct using the search engine Google Scholar. To maximize the comprehensiveness of the search, the general terms antimicrobial, dermatophyte, mycotic, Iran, and anti-Candida as well as their Persian equivalents were used. AND and OR were used for combining searches. Medicinal herbs such as Zataria multiflora, Thymus vulgaris, Thymus kotschyanus, Punicagranatum L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Matricaria chamomilla L., Urtica dioica L., Mentha piperita L. and Salvia officinalis L., Thymus vulgaris, Salvia officinalis, Eucalyptus globulus, Myentha piperita, Oliveria decumbens, Echinophora Platyloba, Thymus eriocalyx and Thymus X-porlock, Achillea millefolium, Artemisia sieberi, Cuminum cyminum, Nigella sativa, Heracleum persicum, Hyssopus officinalis, Matricaria recutital, Menta spicata, Foeniculum vulgare, Pimpinella anisum, Plargonium graveolens, Rosmarinus officinalis, Saturia hortensis, Zataria multiflora, Thymus kotschyanus, Zataria multiflora, Ziziphora clinopodioides, Mentha piperita L., Physalis alkekengi L., Hymenocrater longiflorus Benth and are the most important Medicinal herbs effective on fungal diseases. Medicinal herbs mentioned in this study due to phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities have antifungal effects

Effects of Long-Term Vitamin D Supplementation on Regression and Metabolic Status of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

We are not aware of any study examining the effects of long term vitamin D administration on regression and metabolic status of patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 (CIN1). This study was performed to evaluate the effects of long-term vitamin D administration on regression and metabolic status of patients with CIN1. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed among 58 women diagnosed with CIN1. CIN1 diagnosis was performed based on specific diagnostic procedures of biopsy, pathological diagnosis, and colposcopy. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups to take 50,000 IU vitamin D3 supplements (n = 29) or placebo (n = 29) every 2 weeks for 6 months. Fasting blood samples were taken at the beginning of the study and end-of-trial to measure related markers. After 6 months of vitamin D administration, greater percentage of women in the vitamin D group had regressed CIN1 (84.6 vs. 53.8%, P = 0.01) than those in the placebo group. Long-term vitamin D supplementation increased serum-25(OH) vitamin D levels in the intervention group compared to the placebo group (+12.3 ± 11.4 vs. -0.1 ± 3.7 ng/mL, P < 0.001). In addition, vitamin D intake led to significant decreases in serum insulin levels (−5.3 ± 7.3 vs. +2.4 ± 5.9 μIU/mL, P < 0.001), homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (−1.2 ± 1.6 vs. +0.5 ± 1.2, P < 0.001), homeostatic model assessment-Beta cell function (P = 0.005) and a significant elevation in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+0.03 ± 0.04 vs. -0.007 ± 0.02, P < 0.001) compared with the placebo group. Additionally, significant increases in plasma nitric oxide (NO) (+15.5 ± 10.3 vs. +4.0 ± 13.4 μmol/L, P = 0.001), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (P = 0.04), total glutathione (GSH) (+11.8 ± 153.5 vs. -294.2 ± 595.1 μmol/L, P = 0.01) and a significant reduction in plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (−0.8 ± 1.0 vs. -0.03 ± 1.4 μmol/L, P = 0.03) were observed following the administration of vitamin D supplements compared with the placebo group. In conclusion, vitamin D3 administration for 6 months among women with CIN1 resulted in its regression and had beneficial effects on markers of insulin metabolism, plasma NO, TAC, GSH and MDA levels. Clinical trial registration numberwww.irct.ir: IRCT201412065623N30

A review of the most important native medicinal plants of Iran effective on gastric acid

Gastrointestinal diseases such as gastric acid hypersecretion are highly prevalent. Gastrointestinal diseases manifest frequently with gastric and duodendal ulcers, gastritis, and dyspepsia which are due to impaired gastric acid secretion. Given the frequency of developing gastrointestinal diseases such as gastric acid hypersecretion and consequently gastric ulcer, the aim of this review article is to report the native medicinal plants of Iran that are used to decrease or neutralize gastric acid. Ziziphora clinopodioidesl, Achillea wilhelmsii, Allium sativum, Amirkabiria odoratissim, Heracleum persicum L. and Medicago sativa are the most native medicinal plants of Iran used to treat gastric acid hypersecretion. Certain compounds such as pulegon, cisisopulegon, cineol, thymol, alpha and betapinene, piperitenone, terpenoids, flavonoids, allicin, tannin, terpenoids, saponin, sterol, and leucoanthocyanin, 3, 4, and 7-trihydroxy flavonol, caffeic acid, and fetalid existing in these plants may be the main agents for reducing gastric acid