Quantitative analysis of palaeoecological features and paleobiogeographic setting of brachiopod fauna in the Julfa Formation (Early Lopingian), northwest Iran

Introduction Lopingian succession in the vicinity of Julfa (East Azerbaijan Province, NW Iran) have been known for a long time among the most fossiliferous sections in the south of Paleotethys, especially those of the Ali Bashi Mountains (Stepanov et al 1969). They play a key role in the subdivision of the Late Permian sedimentary successions of the Tethyan Realm. The Wuchiapingian Julfa Formation was accumulated on a shelf environment with a gradual deepening upward trend into the Changhsingian Ali-Bashi Formation. Brachiopods are the most important macrofaunal content of the Julfa Formation while the Ali-Bashi Formation (Sensu Teichert et al 1973) comprises a considerably rich pelagic fauna consisting of conodonts and cephalopods, allowing for the separation of a number of biozones within this time unit. The Julfa Formation contains well diversification of Wuchiapingian brachiopods, grade into 4 biozone in both Main Valley section of the Ali Bashi Mountains and the Zal section (Ghaderi et al., 2014 a, b). The aim of this research is the study of species diversity and settling preferences of these marine invertebrate and their relations with the sedimentary environment. For these purpose, 528 in situ brachiopod specimens have been collected from the Main Valley section of the Ali-Bashi Mountains and the Zal section.   Material & Methods The brachiopods specimens have been collected in situ from the shale, marl and limestone beds of the Julfa and Ali Bashi formations. Also, the upper parts of the Khachik Formation in the Zal section have been yielded few brachiopods (only 2 species). The total number of brachiopods obtained from both the Main Valley and Zal sections are 528 specimens, of which 275 of them belong to the Main Valley and 253 of them belong to the Zal section. The Shannon Wiener index has been used to study the biodiversity and the relative richness of the brachiopod communities. The trend of their diversity changes has also been analysed during the stratigraphic column of the Julfa and Ali-Bashi formations. Interpretation of the brachiopods settling preferences have been done based on Angiolini and Carabelli (2010), analysis of biodiversity and shell size changes according to the method by Angiolini (2007) and recognition of paleobiogeographic position is mainly based on Shen and Shi (2000) and Shen et al (2000).   Discussion of Results & Conclusion Paleoecological studies on 528 in situ specimens of Lopingian brachiopods from the Julfa area in the northwest of Iran provided an analysis of their distribution pattern on the Late Permian ecosystems. The present brachiopod fauna are mainly articulate specimens indicating that they are in life assemblages, with no or minor transport. Brachiopods have been grouped into five categories according to their settling preferences: 1- Concavo-convex with stout halteroid spines (i.e. Araxilevis); 2- Concavo-convex spiny semi-infaunal (i.e. Cathaysia, Spinomarginifera, Haydenella, Tschernyschewia, and Sarytchevinella); 3- Pediculate taxa (i.e. Transcaucasathyris, Araxathyris, Permophrycodothyris); 4- Pediculate stabilized by penetration of the elongate umbonal region (i.e. Meekella, Orthothetina, Perigeyerella); 5- Cemented taxa (Lyttoniidina). Evaluation of the brachiopod’s settling preferences demonstrate the dominance of spinoid taxa which authenticate the firmground substrates of low energy environments in the lower parts of the Lower Julfa beds. In contrast, the upper part of these Beds is the place of development of pediculate taxa, belong to higher energy conditions. The abundance and diversity of the brachiopods decrease in accordance with the facies changes from bioclastic rudstone/packston of the upper part of the Lower Julfa Beds into the lime mudstone/wackstone of Upper Julfa Beds and Ali-Bashi Formation (Leda et al 2014), where dominance of pelagic ammonoids and conodonts confirm the outer shelf environment. This suggests a deepening upward trend from rich nutrient settings below fair weather wave base into the deep water meagre nutrient substrates below the storm weather wave base in agreement with lithological and sedimentological data. Measurement of the Shannon-Wiener biodiversity index for the brachiopod contents and its inspection alongside the stratigraphic log indicates unfavorable environmental conditions for these animals during late Lopingian, while these conditions have deteriorated toward end Permian. This is in accordance with an increase in the mortality rate of brachiopods during the succession which is obtained from the analysis of the shell size. Comparison of the Julfa Formation brachiopods with the paleobiogeographic provinces of the Lopingian epoch (for example: Shi and Grunt 2000; Shen and Shi 2000) reveals the faunal affinity with the Cathaysian to Western Tethyan provinces. Contrary to previous beliefs that consider the tendency of the fauna from Cathaysian to Western Tethyan Province since the Changhsingian age, abundant presence of some species such as Tschernyschewia typica in the lower part of the Lower Wuchiapingian Julfa Beds suggest this inclination begins from the Wuchiapingian age

Design and Implementation of New Measurement Models and Procedures for Characterization and Diagnosis of Electrical Assets

The measurement is an essential procedure in power networks for both network stability, and diagnosis purposes. This work is an effort to confront the challenges in power networks using metrological approach. In this work three different research projects are carried out on Medium Voltage underground cable joints diagnosis, inductive Current Transformers modeling, and frequency modeling of the Low power Voltage Transformer as an example of measurement units in power networks. For the cable joints, the causes and effects of Loss Factor have been analyzed, while for the inductive current transformers a measurement model is developed for prediction of the ratio and phase error. Moreover, a frequency modeling approach has been introduced and tested on low power voltage transformers. The performance of the model on prediction of the low power voltage transformer output has been simulated and validated by experimental tests performed in the lab

Differentially expressed proteins in ER+ MCF7 and ER- MDA- MB-231 human breast cancer cells by RhoGDI-α silencing and overexpression

Background: The consequence of Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor alpha (RhoGDIα) activity on migration and invasion of estrogen receptor positive (ER+) and negative (ER-) breast cancer cells has not been studied using the proteomic approach. Changes in expression of RhoGDIα and other proteins interacting directly or indirectly with RhoGDIα in MCF7 and MDA-MB-231, with different metastatic potentials is of particular interest. Materials and Methods: ER+ MCF7 and ER- MDA-MB-231 cell lines were subjected to two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and spots of interest were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of- flight/timeof- flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) analysis after downregulation of RhoGDIα using short interfering RNA (siRNA) and upregulated using GFP-tagged ORF clone of RhoGDIα. Results: The results showed a total of 35 proteins that were either up- or down-regulated in these cells. Here we identifed 9 and 15 proteins differentially expressed with silencing of RhoGDIα in MCF-7 and the MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively. In addition, 10 proteins were differentially expressed in the upregulation of RhoGDIα in MCF7, while only one protein was identified in the upregulation of RhoGDIα in MDA-MB-231. Based on the biological functions of these proteins, the results revealed that proteins involved in cell migration are more strongly altered with RhoGDI-α activity. Although several of these proteins have been previously indicated in tumorigenesis and invasiveness of breast cancer cells, some ohave not been previously reported to be involved in breast cancer migration. Hence, these proteins may serve as useful candidate biomarkers for tumorigenesis and invasiveness of breast cancer cells. Conclusions: Future studies are needed to determine the mechanisms by which these proteins regulate cell migration. The combination of RhoGDIα with other potential biomarkers may be a more promising approach in the inhibition of breast cancer cell migration

Downregulation of RhoGDIα increased migration and invasion of ER+ MCF7 and ER− MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.

Rho GDp dissociation inhibitors (RhoGDIs) can inhibit cell motility, invasion, and metastasis in cancer by inactivating the RhoGTpases. A member of RhoGDI family has been consistently shown to interact with estrogen receptor (eR), and change its transcriptional activity. eR is a receptor known to be inversely correlated with cell motility and invasion in breast cancer. The consequence of RhoGDIα activity on migration and invasion of eR+ and eR− breast cancers is not clear. The aim of our study was to investigate the possible opposing effect of RhoGDIα on the migration and invasion of eR+ MCF7 and eR− MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. RhoGDIα was downregulated using short interfering RNA (siRNA) and upregulated using GFp-tagged ORF clone of RhoGDIα, and their ability for migration and invasion was assayed using transwell chambers. It was found that the silencing of RhoGDIα in MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells significantly increased migration and invasion of these cells into the lower surface of porous membrane of the chambers. Overexpression of RhoGDIα in MCF7 cells suppressed their migration and invasion, but no significant effect was found on MDA-MB-231 cells. Our results indicate that the downregulation of RhoGDIα similarly affects the in vitro migration and invasion of eR+ MCF7 and eR− MDA-MB-231 cells. however, our assays are differently affected by the upregulation of RhoGDIα in these two cell lines and this may be due to the differences in eR expression, primary invasive ability and/or other molecules between these two cell line models which warrant further investigation

Strategies to Treat Aggression in the View of the Quran and Narrations

For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Background and Objective: One of the unpleasant outcomes of today's society is aggression, which can have many reasons behind. The Qur'an perceives anger as an instance of ignorance; on the other hand, its controlling is considered to be one of the features of pious people. The aim of this research is to find the right Quran-narrative solutions to treat aggression given the behaviors that are regarded as aggressive, and need to be dealt with.Method: This research adopts a descriptive-analytic method and, by using the Quran-narrative approach, is looking for ways to treat aggression, namely determining the contributory factors and preventing them, addressing aggression, and also preventing its catastrophic consequences. To collect the data, information centers like the database for the magazines of Iran (Magiran) and Scientific Information Database (SID) were utilized. Moreover, in this study, the ethical issues were all considered and the authors declared no conflict of interest.Results: The results of this study show that in order for the strategies to take effect, it is necessary that all three solutions of cognitive, behavioral and emotional be used together to succeed in treating the aggression to a great extent.Conclusion: From religious viewpoint, the first way to treat aggression is cognitive. This solution which is also called cognitive therapy aims at changing the attitude of the individual, explaining the concept of anger and its effects and consequences, along with changing the view of one's self, the world and others in the light of the orthodox monotheism. Therefore, it will guide individuals and save them from plunging into abyss of anger. As the next step, this helps individuals through emotional and behavioral solutions to become aware of this realization, thus internalizing it.For downloading the full-text of this article please click here

Investigation of Geological Diversity Based on the Degree of Sensitivity and the Amount of Equilibrium and Resilience of the Geosystem (Case study: The Eastern Kopet-Dagh Zone)

Geomorphological principles show that the earth's surface is not fixed and changes over time. The physical elements of the earth's surface, from microscopic components such as minerals to macroscopic phenomena such as landforms, are all part of geodiversity. Landform equilibrium and resilience are related to the resistance to the erosion pattern. In other words, morphogenic processes in low resilience geosystems cause landform changes. Resilience is usually considered as increasing stability and reducing sensitivity; measuring the amount and quality of that issue is essential in protecting perspectives. Here, we evaluate the geo-diversity of the Eastern Kopet-Dagh Mountains in northeastern Iran based on the geosystem's degree of sensitivity, equilibrium, and resilience. In this study, using overlapping information layers, we classified each indicator into three degrees of sensitivity after selecting suitable indicators. Then, a geological diversity map was prepared by combining the data into two sub-sets of geosystem sensitivity and protection. We find that about 41% of the Eastern Kopet-Dagh Mountains, equivalent to 7800 km2, have a high degree of sensitivity, more in the southern half of the study area than in the northern half. In these sensitive areas the slightest change by disturbance can overwhelm the recovery potential and change the state of the geosystem. Consistency of research findings with field visits shows the necessity of proper management and exploitation of the mentioned areas to prevent critical conditions and further expansion of vulnerable regions

Exceptions to the temperature–size rule: no Lilliput Effect in end-Permian ostracods (Crustacea) from Aras Valley (northwest Iran)

The body size of marine ectotherms is often negatively correlated with ambient water temperature, as seen in many clades during the hyperthermal crisis of the end-Permian mass extinction (c. 252 Ma). However, in the case of ostracods, size changes during ancient hyperthermal events are rarely quantified. In this study, we evaluate the body size changes of ostracods in the Aras Valley section (northwest Iran) in response to the drastic warming during the end-Permian mass extinction at three taxonomic levels: class, order, species. At the assemblage level, the warming triggers a complete species turnover in the Aras Valley section, with larger, newly emerging species dominating the immediate post-extinction assemblage for a short time. Individual ostracod species and instars do not show dwarfing or a change in body size as an adaptation to the temperature stress during the end-Permian crisis. This may indicate that the ostracods in the Aras Valley section might have been exceptions to the temperature–size rule (TSR), using an adaptation mechanism that does not involve a decrease in body size. This adaptation might be similar to the accelerated development despite constant instar body sizes that can be observed in some recent experimental studies of ostracod responses to thermal stress

Main determinants of catastrophic health expenditures: a Bayesian logit approach on Iranian household survey data (2010)

BACKGROUND: During recent decades, increase in both health care expenditures and improvement of the awareness as well as health expectations have created some problems with regard to finance healthcare expenditures so that the issue of health financing by households has been determined as a major challenge in health sector. According to the definition by the World Health Organization, catastrophic health expenditure is considered if financial contribution for health service is more than 40 of income remaining after subsistence needs have been met. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of our study was determination of Main factors on catastrophic health expenditures in Iranian households. PATIENTS & METHODS: In this study, using an econometrics Bayesian logit model, determinants of the appearance of catastrophic health expenditure based on household budget data collected in 2010 were evaluated. RESULTS: Among Iranian households, the following groups were more likely to encounter with unsustainable health expenditures: rural households, households with the numbers of the elderly more than 65 years, illiterate householders, unemployed householders, households with some unemployed persons, households in upper rank and households with larger equivalent household size were higher than the average of community could significantly predict catastrophic health expenditures. CONCLUSIONS: About 2.1 of households were faced with catastrophic health expenditures in 2010. Thus, the implemented policies could not make considerable and significant change in improving justice in financing in health systems

Comparison of Osteogenic and Chondrogenic Differentiation Ability of Buccal Fat Pad Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Gingival Derived Cells

Statement of the Problem: One major goal of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine is to find an appropriate source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with higher differentiation ability. Purpose: In this experimental study, the osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation ability of buccal fat pad derived MSCs (BFP-MSCs) with gingival derived cells (GDCs) were compared. Materials and Method: BFP-MSCs and GDCs were cultured enzymatically and expanded. The expanded cells were analyzed for membrane-associated markers, using flow cytometry. Then the ability of these cells to differentiate into osteocyte and chondrocyte was assessed morphologically and by mRNA expression of collagen I (COLL), BGLA and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) using qRT-PCR. Results: Flow cytometry analysis showed that both BFP-MSCs and GDCs expressed the characteristic stem cell markers such as CD73, CD44, and CD90, whereas they did not express hematopoietic markers. Mineralized calcium deposition was observed apparently in BFP-MSCs cultured in osteogenic medium but GDCs showed fewer mineralized nodules. The mRNA expression levels of BGLA and BMP2 showed 7×105 and 733-fold more mRNA expression in BFP-MSCs treated with differentiation media compared to the control group. In chondrogenic differentiation, BFP-MSCs transformed from a spindle to a cuboidal shape while GDCs showed only a slight transformation. In addition, mRNA expression of COLL showed 282-fold higher expression in BFP-MSCs in comparison to the control group. Such significant difference in mRNA expression of BGLA, BMP2, and COLL was not observed in GDCs compared to their corresponding controls. Conclusion: Based on the present results, BFP yields a greater proportion of stem cells compared to gingiva. Therefore, this tissue can be introduced as an easily available source for the treatment of periodontal defects and other maxillofacial injuries