Heterogeneous catalytic ozonation of 2, 4-dinitrophenol in aqueous solution by magnetic carbonaceous nanocomposite: catalytic activity and mechanism

Herein, the catalytic properties of a carbonaceous nanocomposite in the catalytic ozonation process (COP) of 2, 4-dinitrophenol (2, 4-DNP) were investigated and the results were compared with those obtained from single ozonation process (SOP). Magnetic carbonaceous nanocomposite, as a novel catalyst, was applied to optimize the condition for the removal of 2, 4-DNP in the COP, and the influential parameters such as pH, catalyst dosage, addition of radical scavengers, and durability were all evaluated. The results showed that the degradation efficiency of 2, 4-DNP and COD in the COP (98.2, 92) was higher compared to the SOP (75, 61) and the highest catalytic potential was achieved at an optimal pH of 6. The first-order modeling demonstrated that the reactions were dependent on the concentration of the catalyst, with the kinetic constants varying from 0.022 (1/min) in the SOP to 1.377 (1/min) in the COP at the catalyst dosage of 4 g/L and the optimum concentration of catalyst (2 g/L). The addition of radical scavenger noticeably diminished the removal efficiency of 2, 4-DNP in the SOP from 75 down to 54, while the corresponding values for the COP dropped from 98.2 to 93. Furthermore, a negligible reduction in the catalytic properties of the catalyst was observed (~5) after five-time reuse. The results also revealed that the applied method is effectively suitable for the removal of 2, 4-DNP contaminant from industrial wastewaters. © 2015 Balaban Desalination Publications. All rights reserved

Trend of suicide in Iran during 2009 to 2012: Epidemiological evidences from national suicide registration

Background: Suicide behaviors cause a large portion of Disability adjusted life years worldwide. Objectives: The aim of this research was to study the trend, correlations and discrepancy of registered suicide incidents in Iran from 2009 to 2012 using data from the Iranian suicide registry. Materials and Methods: Suicide registry entries throughout the country between 2009 and 2012, including suicidal attempts and suicides, were collected. Data on age, gender, occupational, marital and residential status along with suicide method, history of previous attempt and history of medical or mental disorders were registered by health service provision staff at the service centers. Geographic mapping and statistical analysis were performed. Results: Amongst the 252911 attempted suicides during the period, we found suicide attempt and suicide rate of 30.5 - 44.8 and 1.76 - 2.23 per 100000 individuals, respectively, denoting overall suicide fatality rate of 2.63. The rate of suicide attempt in different provinces ranged between 0.7 and 271.1 and the rate of suicide between 0.17 and 17.7 per 100000 individuals. Attempted suicides showed more fatality in males, elderly, widow/widowers, divorced and unemployed subjects as well as in residents of rural areas. The most common attempt methods were medication overdose (84), and the mostcommonsuicide methods were hanging (30.3), medications overdose (28.1) and self-burning (17.9); these methods are found at different rates in various parts of the world. Conclusions: While the registry could provide us the most valid data on suicide, the wide range of suicide and suicide attempt rates in different provinces not only could question this statement but also could highlight the importance of studying the ethnic/geographic variations in suicide epidemiology with improved suicide registry and surveillance systems. � 2016, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences

Reduction in ischemic brain injury following the administration of pentoxifylline after transient global ischemia/reperfusion in a rat model

Background: It is well known that the hippocampus, the CA1 Pyramidal cells in particular, is selectively vulnerable during global cerebral ischemia. Recently, it is observed that pentoxifylline has a neuroprotective effect. This study explored the pharmacological relationship between ischemiainduced cell death of the hippocampus and the efficacy of a vasodilator agent (pentoxifylline) in the prevention of delayed neuronal death. Methods: This experimental study was performed on 4 groups: control, ischemia, experimental (200mg/kg pentoxifylline injection one hour prior to and one hour following ischemia) and vehicle (normal saline). Transient global ischemia was induced by bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion. To investigate the apoptotic bodies and caspase-3 activities as a central role in the execution phase of apoptosis, the brains were prepared for the TUNEL technique. Results: Pentoxifylline administration limited apoptosis and caspase-3 activities in rats' hippocampi. Our data showed no significant difference between the number of apoptotic bodies in the CA1 region of the hippocampus in the control and pentoxifylline -treated groups (p= 0.994). The results of one- way ANOVA revealed that that ischemia significantly increased caspase-3 levels in the hippocampus (p< 0.05); however, the level of caspase-3 in pentoxifylline -treated rats was less than the ischemic group. Conclusion: These results suggest that the neuroprotective effect of pentoxifylline (200mg/kg) may be accompanied by a reduction in ischemic damage within the CA1 region of the hippocampus in rats subjected to transient global cerebral ischemia

Serological survey and comparison of two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis in dogs

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is systemic zoonotic parasitic infection that is a health problem in some tropical and subtropical countries. The purpose of our study is to determine the seroprevalence of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) in owned dogs of the Sarab area and to identify the species of Leishmania isolated from these dogs. We also compared the sensitivities and specificities of two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays (kDNA and ITS1) used for Leishmania infantum identification with culture, microscopic detection and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods as well as validate the PCR techniques for the molecular diagnosis of CVL. Sera from 384 dogs of 30 villages around Sarab, were tested by ELISA and buffy coat blood fractions after sampling tested with PCR by specific primers (kDNA, ITS-18sRNA). Thirty-five dogs were seropositive by ELISA. The seroprevalence rate (SPR) of CVL was 9.1% (CI, 95% 6.6 -12.4). The most important serological result was a high proportion of seropositivity for leishmaniasis. Out of 361 (94%) asymptomatic dogs, 31 (8.6%) were seropositive, and out of 23 (6%) symptomatic dogs, 4 (17.4%) were seropositive. Agreement betweenthe ELISA test and clinical signs was 86.7%. Each assay was performed on 60 blood samples. PCR of kDNA (7/60 positives, 11.8%) was the most sensitive of the assays examined, followed by ELISA (3/60, 5%) and ITS1-PCR (2/60, 3.4 %). All diagnostic assays were highly specific (100 %) and had positive predictive values (PPV) &gt;90% and negative predictive values (NPV) &gt;88% for CVL. As expected, kDNAPCR proved to be the most sensitive (87.5 %) assay for leishmanial DNA in peripheral blood. This study shows that kDNA-PCR is significantly more sensitive than the other parasitological and serological methods, allowing the identification of infected dogs even before the appearance of serum L. infantum antibodies. Because kDNA-PCR is the most reliable, sensitive, and also a rapid diagnostic assay for CVL, it should be employed as the new standard for routine diagnosis.Key words: Leishmania infantum, polymerase chain reaction, kinetoplast DNA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Visceral leishmaniasis, dogs, prevalence

The Effect of Vitamin D3 Alone and Mixed With IFN-γ on Tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii (RH Strain) Proliferation and Nitric Oxide (NO) Production in Infected Macrophages of BALB/C Mice

Introduction: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligatory interacelullar parasite that infects nucleated cells in its intermediate hosts. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of vitamin D3 on the multiplication of T. gondii in peritoneal macrophage of Balb/c mice and nitric oxide production by macrophages. Methods: According to usage of vitamin D3 (one dose or seven doses) and INFγ in vitro and in vivo, this study was divided into four experiments. In all experiments, the macrophages were col­lected from peritoneum and cultured in RPMI-1640. Then the supernatants were collected after 24 h and their nitric oxide was measure. After 96 h, the macrophages were collected and stained and the number of tachyzoites was measured. Results: The first experiment (the mice were infected with tachyzoites and after 2 h, got one dose vita­min D3 intraperitonealy) showed the best results. The mean of tachyzoites per macrophages was 2.37, and mean ± SD of nitric oxide was 187.8 ± 9.Discussion: High-level production of nitric oxide may be related to the only one injection of vita­min D3. The injection in long time might suppress the immune system

Measuring the impact of virtual reality on a serious game for improving oral presentation skill

Background and Objectives: Oral presentation is a key competence for success in the diverse work environments that academics need. It is recommended as part of a higher education curriculum. The role of technology in improving oral presentation skills and especially facilitating feedback, is significant. In particular, the combination of serious game and virtual reality is a new area of ​​research that is a modern alternative to traditional skills training. The interactive digital environment, real-time feedback, the realism of the learning scenario, the direct experience, and the persistence of the knowledge gained are some of the virtual reality opportunities for skills training. It should not be overlooked that insufficient budget, negative attitude of users about their physical and psychological condition after experiencing virtual reality, and poor technological design of virtual reality environments are also among the limitations of this technology. However, recent meta-analyzes confirm the influence of virtual reality in learning environments. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to measure the impact of virtual reality on a serious game with the serious purpose of oral presentation training. Methods: We designed and developed an SG and conducted a quasi-experimental study with a post-test on 32 graduate students. The research question we sought to answer was “to what extent can VR impact the effectiveness of SGs in oral presentation training?” The authors also analyzed the cost-effectiveness of incorporating VR elements. The game focused on three key skills, eye contact, walking around while presenting, and time management. The experimental group played the game with the HTC Vive VR system and the control group played the same game with an HD display, a keyboard, and a mouse. In addition to that, we collected in-game data while players were playing the game. Mann-Whitney U test and Student's t-test were used to compare the two groups. Findings: Results revealed that VR elements did not have a significant impact on the demonstration of the players' eye contact skills but they increased players' tendency to walk around the virtual environment. Analysis of players’ performance regarding time management skills showed no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: It is concluded that even though playing the serious game with an HD display, a keyboard, and a mouse can be effective, turning the game into a VR experience would result in further improvement in the demonstration of some of the presentation key skills (walking around while presenting). However, creating a VR experience requires developers to spend more time and resources into developing the game. According to researchers, creating a VR SG for improving oral presentation skills allows for training to be done in the context that it occurs within. Moreover, the VR SG can be effectively used to overcome public presentation nerves. Also, due to the challenging economic situations outside the university and the need to benefit from communication skills and oral presentation, a serious game based on virtual reality can improve the indicators of oral presentation. Achieving this requires higher education attention to interactive technologies such as virtual reality.   ===================================================================================== COPYRIGHTS  ©2020 The author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, as long as the original authors and source are cited. No permission is required from the authors or the publishers.  ====================================================================================

Theoretical study of fMet-tRNA and fAla-tRNA structures by using quantum calculation

AbstractIn the prokaryotes, protein synthesis always starts with N-formylmethionine amino acid. Comparison of this amino acid with other amino acids is attempted and that is why formylmethionine is always the first amino acid to begin protein synthesis, in this paper we added a formyl group to alanine amino acid and then studied it when attached to the tRNA molecule and compared this structure with formylmethionine-tRNA structure. The quantum chemical calculations have performed using Gaussian 03 suite of programs. The fAla-tRNA and fMet-tRNA structures have fully optimized at the HF and B3LYP levels with 3–21G∗ and 6–31G∗ basis sets as well as MP2/3–21G∗ level and theoretically solvent effects on the structures were investigated. Then we studied electronic structures of the compounds using Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis and calculated NMR parameters at the gas-phase. Frequency analysis was also calculated at the HF and B3LYP/3-21G∗ levels in the different solvents in 298.15K, 310.15K temperatures and 1.00 atmosphere pressure

ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE 3D MODELLING USING UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES MULTI-VIEW IMAGING

Today, Architectural Heritage 3D models are created using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) imagery and processing through Computer Vision (CV) methods. They are becoming more acceptable as reliable sources for study, documentation, diagnostics, intervention planning, monitoring, and management decision-making. The Deir-e-Kaj caravanserai, located in Qom, Iran, is a massive and half-destroyed architectural heritage that belongs to the Seljuk era. The obstructed access due to illegal deep excavations and the extensive demolished structure did not allow for a complete mapping using traditional and terrestrial techniques. Considering the condition and vulnerability of the artifact, it looks necessary to use a safe, non-destructive, and remote method for 3D documenting. The literature review shows in most of the research UAVs are used for acquiring nadir images, which are combined with the terrestrially acquired data for complete 3D modelling. In this case, a multi-view UAV imaging strategy is considered for the as-is 3D modelling of Deire-e-Kaj. Three different imaging angles are designed and used to carry out the comprehensive and all-needed data acquisition. The nadir images are acquired to cover the plan and enclosure, and the horizontal and oblique images cover the façades and interior spaces of the artifact. Adopting a suitable photogrammetric process based on the SfM workflow allows for obtaining an accurate, high-quality, and textured 3D model of the caravanserai. Accuracy evaluation of the result using Ground Control Points shows a total accuracy of &plusmn;1 cm. This study demonstrates the efficiency of multi-view UAV photogrammetry as a rapid, safe, and precise method to create a complete 3D model of massive, hard-to-access, and vulnerable Architectural Heritage