Evaluation of Empirical Relationships for Dynamic Compaction in Liquefiable Reclaimed Silty Sand Layers Using Pre/Post Cone Penetration Tests

This case history presents an application of Dynamic Compaction of the soil layers susceptible to liquefaction behind the main container quay wall of Shahid Rajaee Port Complex Development (SRPCD), situated on shores of Persian Golf near Bandar-Abbas. The liquefaction of such layers during earthquake results in the great lateral earth pressure as well as the settlement and large horizontal deformation of the main wall and anchor wall. Regarding the extension and the depth of the identified liquefiable layers, the improvement method of dynamic compaction was employed to mitigate the liquefaction destructive effect. Generally, the subsoil liquefiable layers of the SRPCD site consisted of reclaimed layers of silty sand with the maximum depths of 7 to 12 meters and the fine content of 20% – 40%. The preliminary compaction patterns were obtained using the energy-based method and the available empirical relationships based on the depth of influence and the required improving energy. Considering the previously conducted researches, the effectiveness of dynamic compaction and the applied energy to subsoil collapsible layers deteriorates due to the presence of fine content. Therefore, the effective influence depth of soil that is affected by this method of improvement is reduced. The effectiveness of the employed dynamic compaction patterns for different parts behind the main quay wall and anchor wall is evaluated comparing the results of pre and post-CPT tests (cone penetration tests performed before and after the compaction) with the criterion. Such criterion is defined as the liquefaction threshold resistance of the soil layers that is obtained using the most recent and distinguished CPT based liquefaction evaluation method. In case the criterion is not satisfied using CPT test results, the pattern (weight and drop height of the tamper, spacing and the passes of compaction) is modified in order to apply the greater amount of energy. Comparing the obtained values for influence depth resulted from empirical formula and the Pre/Post-CPT results, the validity of the preliminary used relationships and empirical constants are studied. In addition, back calculating the constants using the obtained improved depths from pre/post-CPT, the achieved constants for the available relationships are suggested

Effects of nano-wollastonite on physical and Mechanical properties of medium-density fiberboard

Effects of nano-wollastonite (NW) on physical and mechanical properties of medium density fiberboard (MDF) were studied. NW was applied at 5, 10, 15, and 20 g/kg dry weight basis of wood fibers; the results were then compared with control specimens. Two application methods of NW were used: surface and internal applications. Density was kept constant at 0,67 g/cm3 for all treatments and tests were carried out in accordance with ASTM D-1037. Addition of NW contributed in improving the physical and mechanical properties of the panels, both when applied internally or as surface treatment.It was concluded that NW contents of 10% and 15% were the optimal levels for industrial purposes for internal and surface applications, respectively

Applying GC-MS analysis to identify chemical composition of Iranian propolis prepared with different solvent and evaluation of its biological activity

Background: Propolis as a natural product has shown beneficial effects on human health. This study was aimed to investigate the chemical compositions and biological activity of three different extracts of propolis from two distinct geographic areas in Iran. Methods: The chemical composition of Iranian propolis extracts that were collected in the Spring of 2016 from two provinces in northern Iran: Ardabil and Polur in Mazandaran Province were measured through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods. In addition, antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity effect on HN5 and LNCaP cell lines were evaluated. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and p<0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The GC-MS analysis identified the presence of compounds that belonged to the different groups such as aromatics acids and their related esters, flavonoid and flavonoid derivatives and terpenes. Flavanone was the most dominant compound of flavonoids. The maximum growth inhibition was observed against S. aureus of ethanolic extract of propolis (p<0.05). Moreover, cytotoxicity showed that ethanolic and dichloromethane extracts had more inhibitory effects on cell lines than the water extract. Conclusion: The results determined that extracts had the highest percentage of flavonoids. Therefore, it is expected that the synergistic effect of the main components of propolis is related to the increase of biological activity of propolis

Distribution of Serogroup and Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Shigella Species in Iran, 1984-2018: A systematic Review

Background: Shigellosis is recognized as a global concern by the WHO. Shigella genus includes 4 species of Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella flexneri, Shigella boydii and Shigella sonnei. Geographic distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Shigella species are different. Methods: We searched published studies in Science Direct, PubMed, PubMed Central (PMC), Scopus, Google Scholar, and ISI Web of Science, Medlib, Magiran, Iranian Scientific Information Database (SID) and 'IranMedex between 1984 and 2018. Results: Many studies in Iran and elsewhere in the world emphasize the emergence of Shigella resistant species. Most of them have shown high resistance to TMP/STX, tetracycline, ampicillin and streptomycin , and some have resistance to antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, and tetracyclines have reported. Conclusions: The frequency of Shigella species is very different in different countries. The distribution and prevalence of Shigella species in different countries may depend on the level of economic development, age, and environmental factors

Tollip deficiency exaggerates airway type 2 inflammation in mice exposed to allergen and influenza A virus: role of the ATP/IL-33 signaling axis

Toll-interacting protein (Tollip) is a negative regulator of the pro-inflammatory response to viruses, including influenza A virus (IAV). Genetic variation of Tollip has been associated with reduced airway epithelial Tollip expression and poor lung function in patients with asthma. Whether Tollip deficiency exaggerates type 2 inflammation (e.g., eosinophils) and viral infection in asthma remains unclear. We sought to address this critical, but unanswered question by using a Tollip deficient mouse asthma model with IAV infection. Further, we determined the underlying mechanisms by focusing on the role of the ATP/IL-33 signaling axis. Wild-type and Tollip KO mice were intranasally exposed to house dust mite (HDM) and IAV with or without inhibitors for IL-33 (i.e., soluble ST2, an IL-33 decoy receptor) and ATP signaling (i.e., an antagonist of the ATP receptor P2Y13). Tollip deficiency amplified airway type 2 inflammation (eosinophils, IL-5, IL-13 and mucins), and the release of ATP and IL-33. Blocking ATP receptor P2Y13 decreased IL-33 release during IAV infection in HDM-challenged Tollip KO mice. Furthermore, soluble ST2 attenuated airway eosinophilic inflammation in Tollip KO mice treated with HDM and IAV. HDM challenges decreased lung viral load in wild-type mice, but Tollip deficiency reduced the protective effects of HDM challenges on viral load. Our data suggests that during IAV infection, Tollip deficiency amplified type 2 inflammation and delayed viral clearance, in part by promoting ATP signaling and subsequent IL-33 release. Our findings may provide several therapeutic targets, including ATP and IL-33 signaling inhibition for attenuating excessive airway type 2 inflammation in human subjects with Tollip deficiency and IAV infection

Anticancer properties of chitosan on osteocarcinoma , breast cancer and cervical cancer cell lines

Background: Cancer refers to the abnormal growth of cells and is still the most common cause of morbidity in world. The purpose of this study was to determine cytotoxicity effect of high molecular weight (HMWC) and low molecular weight of chitosan (LMWC) on three cancerous cell lines MCF-7, HeLa and Saos-2 with different histological origin. Methods: The anticancer property of two types of chitosan on three cancerous cell lines and human fibroblast as normal cell was evaluated by cytotoxic activity and apoptosis induction .The cells were treated by different concentration of chitosan and viability was determined by MTT assay after 24, 48 and 72 h .Mode of death was determined by Annexin V staining assay for apoptosis and analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: While both types of chitosan were more efficient in inhibiting cell proliferation of three cancerous cell lines, fibroblast cells showed somehow more compatibility with chitosan .Viability of cells was reduced concentration-dependently to 70-90 of the untreated cells as control. There were no significant differences between the effect of both types of chitosan on all cell lines. Flow cytometry analysis showed necrosis more observable with MCF7 while the apoptosis pattern of death was more in Saos-2 and HeLa. Also higher viability with both types of chitosan was seen in fibroblast as normal cells. Conclusion: While chitosan is compatible with normal diploid fibroblast cells, it shows anticancerous effect against 3 cancerous cell lines. Furthermore, it seems that the molecular weight of chitosan does not affect its anticancerous property

Cognitive impairments in patients with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy

Citation for the original published paper (version of record): Tavakoli, M., Barekatain, M., Doust, H., Molavi, H., Kormi Nouri, R. et al. (2011) Cognitive impairments in patients with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy. Sciences, 16(11): 1466Sciences, 16(11): -1472 Access to the published version may require subscription. N.B. When citing this work, cite the original published paper. Cognitive impairment associated with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) has been recognized in multiple studies. We designed this study to find a specific cognitive profile in patients with TLE who were candidates for epilepsy surgery. We also sought to find if neuropsychological assessment could differentiate left TLE, right TLE and normal subjects. Journal of Research in Medica

Population food intake clusters and cardiovascular disease incidence: a Bayesian quantifying of a prospective population-based cohort study in a low and middle-income country

AimsThis study was designed to explore the relationship between cardiovascular disease incidence and population clusters, which were established based on daily food intake.MethodsThe current study examined 5,396 Iranian adults (2,627 males and 2,769 females) aged 35 years and older, who participated in a 10-year longitudinal population-based study that began in 2001. The frequency of food group consumption over the preceding year (daily, weekly, or monthly) was assessed using a 49-item qualitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) administered via a face-to-face interview conducted by an expert dietitian. Participants were clustered based on their dietary intake by applying the semi-parametric Bayesian approach of the Dirichlet Process. In this approach, individuals with the same multivariate distribution based on dietary intake were assigned to the same cluster. The association between the extracted population clusters and the incidence of cardiovascular diseases was examined using Cox proportional hazard models.ResultsIn the 10-year follow-up, 741 participants (401 men and 340 women) were diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases. Individuals were categorized into three primary dietary clusters: healthy, unhealthy, and mixed. After adjusting for potential confounders, subjects in the unhealthy cluster exhibited a higher risk for cardiovascular diseases [Hazard Ratio (HR): 2.059; 95% CI: 1.013, 4.184] compared to those in the healthy cluster. In the unadjusted model, individuals in the mixed cluster demonstrated a higher risk for cardiovascular disease than those in the healthy cluster (HR: 1.515; 95% CI: 1.097, 2.092). However, this association was attenuated after adjusting for potential confounders (HR: 1.145; 95% CI: 0.769, 1.706).ConclusionThe results have shown that individuals within an unhealthy cluster have a risk that is twice as high for the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. However, these associations need to be confirmed through further prospective investigations

Population and fertility by age and sex for 195 countries and territories, 1950–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background: Population estimates underpin demographic and epidemiological research and are used to track progress on numerous international indicators of health and development. To date, internationally available estimates of population and fertility, although useful, have not been produced with transparent and replicable methods and do not use standardised estimates of mortality. We present single-calendar year and single-year of age estimates of fertility and population by sex with standardised and replicable methods. Methods: We estimated population in 195 locations by single year of age and single calendar year from 1950 to 2017 with standardised and replicable methods. We based the estimates on the demographic balancing equation, with inputs of fertility, mortality, population, and migration data. Fertility data came from 7817 location-years of vital registration data, 429 surveys reporting complete birth histories, and 977 surveys and censuses reporting summary birth histories. We estimated age-specific fertility rates (ASFRs; the annual number of livebirths to women of a specified age group per 1000 women in that age group) by use of spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression and used the ASFRs to estimate total fertility rates (TFRs; the average number of children a woman would bear if she survived through the end of the reproductive age span [age 10–54 years] and experienced at each age a particular set of ASFRs observed in the year of interest). Because of sparse data, fertility at ages 10–14 years and 50–54 years was estimated from data on fertility in women aged 15–19 years and 45–49 years, through use of linear regression. Age-specific mortality data came from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2017 estimates. Data on population came from 1257 censuses and 761 population registry location-years and were adjusted for underenumeration and age misreporting with standard demographic methods. Migration was estimated with the GBD Bayesian demographic balancing model, after incorporating information about refugee migration into the model prior. Final population estimates used the cohort-component method of population projection, with inputs of fertility, mortality, and migration data. Population uncertainty was estimated by use of out-of-sample predictive validity testing. With these data, we estimated the trends in population by age and sex and in fertility by age between 1950 and 2017 in 195 countries and territories. Findings: From 1950 to 2017, TFRs decreased by 49·4% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 46·4–52·0). The TFR decreased from 4·7 livebirths (4·5–4·9) to 2·4 livebirths (2·2–2·5), and the ASFR of mothers aged 10–19 years decreased from 37 livebirths (34–40) to 22 livebirths (19–24) per 1000 women. Despite reductions in the TFR, the global population has been increasing by an average of 83·8 million people per year since 1985. The global population increased by 197·2% (193·3–200·8) since 1950, from 2·6 billion (2·5–2·6) to 7·6 billion (7·4–7·9) people in 2017; much of this increase was in the proportion of the global population in south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The global annual rate of population growth increased between 1950 and 1964, when it peaked at 2·0%; this rate then remained nearly constant until 1970 and then decreased to 1·1% in 2017. Population growth rates in the southeast Asia, east Asia, and Oceania GBD super-region decreased from 2·5% in 1963 to 0·7% in 2017, whereas in sub-Saharan Africa, population growth rates were almost at the highest reported levels ever in 2017, when they were at 2·7%. The global average age increased from 26·6 years in 1950 to 32·1 years in 2017, and the proportion of the population that is of working age (age 15–64 years) increased from 59·9% to 65·3%. At the national level, the TFR decreased in all countries and territories between 1950 and 2017; in 2017, TFRs ranged from a low of 1·0 livebirths (95% UI 0·9–1·2) in Cyprus to a high of 7·1 livebirths (6·8–7·4) in Niger. The TFR under age 25 years (TFU25; number of livebirths expected by age 25 years for a hypothetical woman who survived the age group and was exposed to current ASFRs) in 2017 ranged from 0·08 livebirths (0·07–0·09) in South Korea to 2·4 livebirths (2·2–2·6) in Niger, and the TFR over age 30 years (TFO30; number of livebirths expected for a hypothetical woman ageing from 30 to 54 years who survived the age group and was exposed to current ASFRs) ranged from a low of 0·3 livebirths (0·3–0·4) in Puerto Rico to a high of 3·1 livebirths (3·0–3·2) in Niger. TFO30 was higher than TFU25 in 145 countries and territories in 2017. 33 countries had a negative population growth rate from 2010 to 2017, most of which were located in central, eastern, and western Europe, whereas population growth rates of more than 2·0% were seen in 33 of 46 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2017, less than 65% of the national population was of working age in 12 of 34 high-income countries, and less than 50% of the national population was of working age in Mali, Chad, and Niger. Interpretation: Population trends create demographic dividends and headwinds (ie, economic benefits and detriments) that affect national economies and determine national planning needs. Although TFRs are decreasing, the global population continues to grow as mortality declines, with diverse patterns at the national level and across age groups. To our knowledge, this is the first study to provide transparent and replicable estimates of population and fertility, which can be used to inform decision making and to monitor progress

Population and fertility by age and sex for 195 countries and territories, 1950–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background: Population estimates underpin demographic and epidemiological research and are used to track progress on numerous international indicators of health and development. To date, internationally available estimates of population and fertility, although useful, have not been produced with transparent and replicable methods and do not use standardised estimates of mortality. We present single-calendar year and single-year of age estimates of fertility and population by sex with standardised and replicable methods. Methods: We estimated population in 195 locations by single year of age and single calendar year from 1950 to 2017 with standardised and replicable methods. We based the estimates on the demographic balancing equation, with inputs of fertility, mortality, population, and migration data. Fertility data came from 7817 location-years of vital registration data, 429 surveys reporting complete birth histories, and 977 surveys and censuses reporting summary birth histories. We estimated age-specific fertility rates (ASFRs; the annual number of livebirths to women of a specified age group per 1000 women in that age group) by use of spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression and used the ASFRs to estimate total fertility rates (TFRs; the average number of children a woman would bear if she survived through the end of the reproductive age span [age 10–54 years] and experienced at each age a particular set of ASFRs observed in the year of interest). Because of sparse data, fertility at ages 10–14 years and 50–54 years was estimated from data on fertility in women aged 15–19 years and 45–49 years, through use of linear regression. Age-specific mortality data came from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2017 estimates. Data on population came from 1257 censuses and 761 population registry location-years and were adjusted for underenumeration and age misreporting with standard demographic methods. Migration was estimated with the GBD Bayesian demographic balancing model, after incorporating information about refugee migration into the model prior. Final population estimates used the cohort-component method of population projection, with inputs of fertility, mortality, and migration data. Population uncertainty was estimated by use of out-of-sample predictive validity testing. With these data, we estimated the trends in population by age and sex and in fertility by age between 1950 and 2017 in 195 countries and territories. Findings: From 1950 to 2017, TFRs decreased by 49\ub74% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 46\ub74–52\ub70). The TFR decreased from 4\ub77 livebirths (4\ub75–4\ub79) to 2\ub74 livebirths (2\ub72–2\ub75), and the ASFR of mothers aged 10–19 years decreased from 37 livebirths (34–40) to 22 livebirths (19–24) per 1000 women. Despite reductions in the TFR, the global population has been increasing by an average of 83\ub78 million people per year since 1985. The global population increased by 197\ub72% (193\ub73–200\ub78) since 1950, from 2\ub76 billion (2\ub75–2\ub76) to 7\ub76 billion (7\ub74–7\ub79) people in 2017; much of this increase was in the proportion of the global population in south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The global annual rate of population growth increased between 1950 and 1964, when it peaked at 2\ub70%; this rate then remained nearly constant until 1970 and then decreased to 1\ub71% in 2017. Population growth rates in the southeast Asia, east Asia, and Oceania GBD super-region decreased from 2\ub75% in 1963 to 0\ub77% in 2017, whereas in sub-Saharan Africa, population growth rates were almost at the highest reported levels ever in 2017, when they were at 2\ub77%. The global average age increased from 26\ub76 years in 1950 to 32\ub71 years in 2017, and the proportion of the population that is of working age (age 15–64 years) increased from 59\ub79% to 65\ub73%. At the national level, the TFR decreased in all countries and territories between 1950 and 2017; in 2017, TFRs ranged from a low of 1\ub70 livebirths (95% UI 0\ub79–1\ub72) in Cyprus to a high of 7\ub71 livebirths (6\ub78–7\ub74) in Niger. The TFR under age 25 years (TFU25; number of livebirths expected by age 25 years for a hypothetical woman who survived the age group and was exposed to current ASFRs) in 2017 ranged from 0\ub708 livebirths (0\ub707–0\ub709) in South Korea to 2\ub74 livebirths (2\ub72–2\ub76) in Niger, and the TFR over age 30 years (TFO30; number of livebirths expected for a hypothetical woman ageing from 30 to 54 years who survived the age group and was exposed to current ASFRs) ranged from a low of 0\ub73 livebirths (0\ub73–0\ub74) in Puerto Rico to a high of 3\ub71 livebirths (3\ub70–3\ub72) in Niger. TFO30 was higher than TFU25 in 145 countries and territories in 2017. 33 countries had a negative population growth rate from 2010 to 2017, most of which were located in central, eastern, and western Europe, whereas population growth rates of more than 2\ub70% were seen in 33 of 46 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2017, less than 65% of the national population was of working age in 12 of 34 high-income countries, and less than 50% of the national population was of working age in Mali, Chad, and Niger. Interpretation: Population trends create demographic dividends and headwinds (ie, economic benefits and detriments) that affect national economies and determine national planning needs. Although TFRs are decreasing, the global population continues to grow as mortality declines, with diverse patterns at the national level and across age groups. To our knowledge, this is the first study to provide transparent and replicable estimates of population and fertility, which can be used to inform decision making and to monitor progress. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation