Facies analysis and paleoenvironmental reconstruction of Upper Cretaceous sequences in the eastern Para-Tethys Basin, NW Iran

Upper Cretaceous mixed carbonate-siliciclastic sequences are among the most important targets for hydrocarbon exploration in the Moghan area, located in the eastern Para-Tethys Basin. Despite of their significance, little is known about their facies characteristics and depositional environments. Detailed facies analysis and paleoenvironmental reconstruction of these sequences have been carried out in eight surface sections. Accordingly, four siliciclastic facies, eight carbonate facies and one volcanic facies have been recognized. Detailed facies descriptions and interpretations, together with the results of facies frequency analysis, standard facies models and Upper Cretaceous depositional models of Para-Tethys Basin, have been integrated and a non-rimmed carbonate platform is presented. This platform was affected by siliciclastic influx, in the form of coastal fan delta and submarine fans in the shallow- to deep-marine parts, respectively. This model is interpreted to be shallower in the central and northeastern parts of the Moghan area. Toward the southeast and southwest, this shallow platform turns into deep marine settings along steep slopes without remarkable marginal barriers

Investigation of the role of exogenous use of sucrose as an osmoprotectant in increasing Azolla filiculoides resistance to air high temperature and salt stress

Influence of 2.75 to 11 moles sucrose as an exogenous osmoprotectant on salt stressed (7.8-9.1 and 18.2 ms/cm) and temperature stressed (42.36°C) Azolla (A. filiculoides Lam.) was studied. Results showed that enriching salt stressed (9.1 ms/cm) Azolla by 5.5 moles sucrose significantly increased survival percent (S%) and freshness percent (F%), in comparison with control treatment in which no sucrose was used. Enriching Azolla media by 2.75, 5.5 and 8.25 moles sucrose in optimum growth condition (24.18C and 0.65 mS/cm), had no significant effects on growth doubling time (D.T), S% and F% in comparison with control. Enriching Azolla media by 11 moles sucrose in optimum growth condition decreased significantly the S% and F%, in comparison with control plots. Enriching Azolla media by 5.5 moles sucrose, in all salinity levels (0.65, 7.8, 9.1 and 18.25 ms/cm), and air temperatures (24.18 and 42.36C), non-increased S% and F% but not significantly and decreased D.T.A positive correlation was observed between high air temperature and medium salinity in Azolla growth

Facies analysis and paleoenvironmental reconstruction of Upper Cretaceous sequences in the eastern Para-Tethys Basin, NW Iran

Upper Cretaceous mixed carbonate-siliciclastic sequences are among the most important targets for hydrocarbon exploration in the Moghan area, located in the eastern Para-Tethys Basin. Despite of their significance, little is known about their facies characteristics and depositional environments. Detailed facies analysis and paleoenvironmental reconstruction of these sequences have been carried out in eight surface sections. Accordingly, four siliciclastic facies, eight carbonate facies and one volcanic facies have been recognized. Detailed facies descriptions and interpretations, together with the results of facies frequency analysis, standard facies models and Upper Cretaceous depositional models of Para-Tethys Basin, have been integrated and a non-rimmed carbonate platform is presented. This platform was affected by siliciclastic influx, in the form of coastal fan delta and submarine fans in the shallow- to deep-marine parts, respectively. This model is interpreted to be shallower in the central and northeastern parts of the Moghan area. Toward the southeast and southwest, this shallow platform turns into deep marine settings along steep slopes without remarkable marginal barriers

How social media facilitate health knowledge sharing among physicians

Recent studies have increasingly emphasised the importance of using social media for knowledge sharing in healthcare. However, few studies have explored physicians� perspectives. The present study aimed to explore the potential roles of social media for facilitating knowledge sharing from Iranian physicians� perspectives. In the present qualitative study, semi-structure interview was administered to 21 physicians by adopting a purposive snowball sampling method. The data analysis was done using the thematic analysis method by MAXQDA 10. The analysis of interviews resulted in the extraction of 164 codes into three themes and eight sub-themes. Accordingly, the main benefits of social media for sharing health knowledge were as follows: supporting information encountering, stimulate knowledge sharing and facilitating tacit knowledge sharing. Although physicians have different attitudes toward using social media, similar to other health professionals, facilitating the role of social media to facilitate knowledge sharing can be beneficial to physicians The study aims to provide an opportunity for physicians and healthcare management to better understand the impact of social media in health knowledge sharing. © 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

Facies analysis and paleoenvironmental reconstruction of Upper Cretaceous sequences in the eastern Para-Tethys Basin, NW Iran

Upper Cretaceous mixed carbonate-siliciclastic sequences are among the most important targets for hydrocarbon exploration in the Moghan area, located in the eastern Para-Tethys Basin. Despite of their significance, little is known about their facies characteristics and depositional environments. Detailed facies analysis and paleoenvironmental reconstruction of these sequences have been carried out in eight surface sections. Accordingly, four siliciclastic facies, eight carbonate facies and one volcanic facies have been recognized. Detailed facies descriptions and interpretations, together with the results of facies frequency analysis, standard facies models and Upper Cretaceous depositional models of Para-Tethys Basin, have been integrated and a non-rimmed carbonate platform is presented. This platform was affected by siliciclastic influx, in the form of coastal fan delta and submarine fans in the shallow- to deep-marine parts, respectively. This model is interpreted to be shallower in the central and northeastern parts of the Moghan area. Toward the southeast and southwest, this shallow platform turns into deep marine settings along steep slopes without remarkable marginal barriers

Exploring the common factors affecting the strategic plans in Iranian academic libraries

Purpose: One of the important processes for success or failure of strategic plans in academic libraries is identifying different dimensions and factors affecting library activities and services. However, more previous studies focusing on strategic planning processes and few research have explored perspectives of academic library managers in factors affecting designed strategic plans. This article aims to identify the common factors affecting the strategic plans in Iranian academic libraries. Design/methodology/approach: After adopting a qualitative survey design, 28 Iranian academic library managers were interviewed. Purposive snowball sampling method was used to select the libraries� managers, and the data analysis was done using the thematic analysis method by MAXQDA 10. Findings: The study revealed three main themes including personal, professional and organizational factors that effect on academic libraries� strategic plans. Users' expectations and librarians' personality characteristics were identified as two sub-themes for personal factors. In term of professional factors, scientific achievement of libraries and communication skills are the most important factors. Academicals factors, managerial factors and budget alignment are most important organizational factors that affect the Iranian academic libraries� strategic plans. Originality/value: Iranian academic libraries use different approaches for developing their strategic plans. However, by revealing the common affecting factors by academic library managers, the study provides an opportunity for better controlling the academic libraries' strategic plans progresses. © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

Molecular Characterization of Resistance to Second-Line Anti-Mycobacterial Drugs among Clinical Isolates of Multidrug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Background: The emergence of multidrug resistance and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis is a serious public health crisis. Using rapid and inexpensive molecular methods such as HRM assay in the detection of second-line drugs resistance in M. tuberculosis would be helpful in the treatment and control of XDR tuberculosis cases. Methods: MDR-TB isolates were collected from Iranian tuberculosis laboratories. Drug susceptibility test performed via the indirect proportion method utilizing LJ Medium. Susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, amikacin, kanamycin, and capreomycin, as second-line anti-tuberculosis agents were assessed. Single point mutations in gyrA, rrs and eis genes were detected via HRM assay and DNA sequencing. Results: A DST test was performed for 56 MDR isolates and at least 27 (48.2) isolates were resistant to CIP or OFL. Also, 14 (25), 12 (21.4), and 15 (26.7) isolates were resistant to capreomycin, amikacin, and kanamycin, respectively. D94G, A90V, and G88C mutations were the most frequent mutations in gyrA gene. Also, A1401G mutation was detected more than the other mutations in rrs gene. Conclusions: The frequency of CIP/OFL and AMK/CAP/KAN-resistant TB is considerable among Iranian tuberculosis cases. HRM assay is a rapid and inexpensive test and can detect important mutation-based drug resistance in MDR-TB and XDR-TB isolates

The relationship between phoH and colistin-heteroresistant in clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii

Heteroresistant phenotype is defined as a subpopulation of major bacteria with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) higher than the original population. The molecular mechanisms of this phenotype have not yet been fully described. Therefore, finding its molecular mechanisms to control infection and prevent disease recurrence in the world is of great importance. This study investigated the relationship between phoH and heterogeneity to colistin in A. baumannii clinical isolates. A total of sixty A. baumannii isolates were isolated from the burn ward of Tehran hospitals and identified by biochemical test, and confirmed by molecular methods. The MIC values of the isolates relative to colistin were determined using the broth micro dilution method, and then heteroresistant isolates were identified using the modified population analysis profile (PAP) method. Finally, phoH gene expression in heteroresistant isolates and non-heteroresistant isolates was compared by RT-qPCR. All isolates were intermediate to colistin (MIC <2), and out of 60 confirmed isolates, seven isolates were heteroresistant (11.66). Quantitative real-time PCR results showed that phoH expression was high in the heteroresistant group, while phoH expression was the lowest in Non-heteroresistant. This study indicates that the phoH gene can be considered an anti-heteroresistant target against colistin in A. baumannii isolates, although further studies are needed

Molecular Characterization of Resistance to Second-Line Anti-Mycobacterial Drugs among Clinical Isolates of Multidrug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Background: The emergence of multidrug resistance and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis is a serious public health crisis. Using rapid and inexpensive molecular methods such as HRM assay in the detection of second-line drugs resistance in M. tuberculosis would be helpful in the treatment and control of XDR tuberculosis cases. Methods: MDR-TB isolates were collected from Iranian tuberculosis laboratories. Drug susceptibility test performed via the indirect proportion method utilizing LJ Medium. Susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, amikacin, kanamycin, and capreomycin, as second-line anti-tuberculosis agents were assessed. Single point mutations in gyrA, rrs and eis genes were detected via HRM assay and DNA sequencing. Results: A DST test was performed for 56 MDR isolates and at least 27 (48.2) isolates were resistant to CIP or OFL. Also, 14 (25), 12 (21.4), and 15 (26.7) isolates were resistant to capreomycin, amikacin, and kanamycin, respectively. D94G, A90V, and G88C mutations were the most frequent mutations in gyrA gene. Also, A1401G mutation was detected more than the other mutations in rrs gene. Conclusions: The frequency of CIP/OFL and AMK/CAP/KAN-resistant TB is considerable among Iranian tuberculosis cases. HRM assay is a rapid and inexpensive test and can detect important mutation-based drug resistance in MDR-TB and XDR-TB isolates