An inquiry into non-survey techniques for updating input-output coefficients: Comparative experiments with data from the Soviet Union

The study begins with explanation of I-O tables, intertemporal stability of its coefficients, and logic of updating techniques. Following a literature review, nine non-survey updating methods are selected and utilized to update the actual 1966 table of the Soviet Union to the target year of 1972. Next, the data and simulation procedure are specified and justified. The concept of matrix comparison along with methods to accomplish this task are discussed. Then, the resultant updated matrices are compared with the actual data, via employment of 25 criterions. Accordingly, RAS and Friedlander procedures are ranked as top performers. The results, while reasonable in holistic sense, are not impressive partitively. Exogenous estimation of a subset of coefficients is considered next. Several possibilities for selective targeting are investigated, and three such criterions, namely key, most important, and largest coefficients are adopted. These criterions, then are used to modify RAS, Friedlander, and NAIVE methods via incorporation of exogenous data. An additional approach, Residual Minimum method, is also employed. Thus, ten modified estimates are obtained and compared with the actual table. The outcome indicates substantial improvements in the RAS and Friedlander updates, particularly when exogenously estimated subset consists of the largest, or the most important coefficients. NAIVE method displays reasonable improvement. Inclusion of prior information, however, in some instances leads to deterioration of individual estimates for the remaining coefficients. Finally, sectoral aggregation and its effects on the performances of updating methods are addressed. Aggregated estimates at three levels of sectoral details, i.e., 36, 16, and 6 sectors, are obtained and comparisons are performed. The results indicate that, generally the performances of the updating methods, as well as the intertemporal stability of coefficients, are direct functions of the level of sectoral detail. No change in ranking occurs due to aggregation, Conclusions of this research may be used for selection of updating methods, as well as in construction phase of tables, to identify and focus on the most influential coefficients. Throughout, a rather detailed presentation of methods and statistical tools are offered. All experiments are conducted for both direct and inverse matrices. NAIVE, (constant coefficient), is added for comparative purposes

Stiffness and Strength of Granular Soils Improved by Biological Treatment Bacteria Microbial Cements

In some parts of the world mechanical properties of problematic soils are not suitable for construction purposes. Today, regard to the importance of the soil improvement; by considering methods with more concordance with the environmental mechanisms in the nature, and with study and combination of geotechnical science, microbiology and geochemistry; researchers try to provide a suitable way to improve the physical and mechanical properties of the problematic soils. In this paper, the effect of the aerobic microorganisms of Sporosarsina Pasteurii (PTCC 1645), as a producer of Urease for the sedimentation of calcium carbonate and improvement of granular soil of Garmsar Industrial Town is evaluated experimentally in order to check the effects of this phenomena on the shear strength and stiffness of the granular soils. The results of the uniaxial compressive strength tests show the effect of adding the above mentioned microbial solution to the soils, in case of increased uniaxial compressive strength and stiffness of the soil. It should be mentioned that the granular soils have no compressive strength, naturally but after bio cementation the samples got notable values

In Vitro Assessment of Synthetic Nano Engineered Graft Designed for Further Clinical Study in Nerve Regeneration

Background: Electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds are considered as promising candidates in neural tissue regeneration due to their ability to support neural cell attachment, spreading and proliferation.Methods: In this paper, various type of nanofibers scaffold based on polycaprolactone) (PCL) were fabricated using electrospinning. The main drawback of PCL scaffolds is their low bioactivity of scaffold surface. To overcome this surface and composition modification was used to enhanced hydrophilicity and bioactivity of scaffold.Results: The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results indicate that fiber diameter entirely depends on the solvent system and added component of gelatin and chitosan which by adding gelatin and chitosan fiber diameter decreased. In vitro studies using PC12 cells revealed that the plasma surface modified and blended scaffold with chitosan and gelatin nanofibrous scaffold supports cell attachment, spreading and indicate a significant increase in proliferation of PC12 in the presence of chitosan. The results demonstrated that gelatin and chitosan caused a significant enhancement in the bioactivity of the scaffold, which confirmed by MTT assay and improved the cell spreading and proliferation of neural cell on the scaffolds.Conclusion: Based on the experimental results, the PCL/chitosan/PPy conductive substrate could be used as a potential scaffold for clinical research in the field of neural regeneration and healing

Correction to “In Vitro Assessment of Synthetic Nano Engineered Graft Designed for Further Clinical Study in Nerve Regeneration”

In the article entitled “In vitro assessment of synthetic nano engineered graft designed for further clinical study in nerve regeneration” which published in International Clinical Neuroscience Journal 2018;5(3)86-91, Figure 6 contained some errors, in which panels A, C, and D have been reported mistakenly. This mistake happened inadvertently during the data processing and data collection. The corrected Figure 6 and corresponding caption is presented in the present correction, in which the correct SEM images replaces in panels A, C, and D. The reader should note that this error does not affect the scientific quality of the work and no other section of the manuscript is affected by this error. In addition, the correction does not affect the conclusions of that paper. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused

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

The Mediating Role of Self- Control in the Relationship between Emotion Regulation and Addiction Potential among Students

Introduction: Psychological factors are very important variables in the addiction potential. The aim of current research was to investigate the mediating role of self-control in the relationship between emotion regulation and addiction potential among university students. Methods: This research was cross-sectional correlational. The statistical population of the present study included students from Yasouj University in the academic year 2017-18. 394 of the university students were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling method and responded to the Iranian scale of addiction potential, emotion regulation subscale, and self-control scale. The gathered data were analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient, regression analysis, path analysis and sobel test (p≤0.05). Results: Results showed that, emotion regulation could negatively predict addiction potential (p=0.01) and positively predict self-control (p=0.01). Also emotion regulation could indirectly predict addiction potential with the mediating role of self- control (p=0.01) Conclusion: The results of current research implies the importance of psychological factors such as emotion regulation and self- control in explaining addiction potential. Also, the role of emotional regulation in direct and indirect explanation of addiction is important

Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training on Emotional Maturity and Occupational Stress of Nurses

Introduction: Emotional maturity and occupational stress can play an important role in explaining the general health of nurses and their job performance. Mindfulness interventions have been increasingly used in different situations. The aim of present research was to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness training on emotional maturity and occupational stress of nurses. Methods: In this study, the research method was semi-experimental and the pretest- posttest design with control group was used. The statistical population in this study was nurses of Hajar hospital in Tehran in August 2017. 24 volunteer nurses were selected based on convenience sampling and were randomly assigned in to experiment and control groups (each group 14 individuals). The experimental group participated in 8 sessions of mindfulness training and the control group received no intervention. Occupational stress and emotional maturity questionnaires were used for data collection. The gathered data were analyzed by SPSS (version 18) using multivariate analysis of covariance (p≤0.05). Results: The results showed that there are significant differences between post-test scores of the experimental and control group and mindfulness training could significantly improve emotional maturity (p= 0.001) and reduce occupational stress (p= 0.001). Conclusion: Mindfulness is beneficial for improving emotional maturity and reducing occupational stress among nurses

Analyzing the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Different Educational Aspects of Surgical Specialties’ Residency Program: A Preliminary Report

Introduction: The lifestyle and learning of trainees from different surgical specialties have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the growing body of research, the extent to which their surgical or educational performance is affected is not yet well-understood. We investigated the Iranian multi-specialty surgical residents nationwide to clarify the extent this new pandemic’s has affected their surgical and educational activities. Material and Methods: Our specialized board designed a questionnaire which was sent to residents from the 18th of May to 12th of Jun 2020. The questionnaire comprised demographic data, questions on the clinical, surgical, and educational activities during and before the pandemic. Results: Out of 700 eligible residents, 543 (77%) submitted their answers to all questions. 417 (76.8%) of the respondents declared they had spent their residency program at a hospital that was the main referral center for patients with COVID-19 infection. The weekly number of the outpatient and emergent visits decreased by one third (P<0.001) and one-half (P<0.001), respectively, following the pandemic. Also, the amount of surgeries has dramatically decreased (P<0.001). The median weekly hours devoted to face-to-face activities decreased, while the study time increased and the share of virtual education has a five-fold increase (P<0.001). Conclusion: This pandemic had a significant impact on many aspects of training in surgical specialties’ residency program in Iran. Increasing the time available to study is an opportunity, and online education, despite its challenges, has been effective

Homing and mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) are non-stop travelers throughout body in both time and space. Understanding the mechanism of HSPCs homing and mobilization is important to enhance the efficacy at bone marrow transplantation and cellular therapy. Mobilized HSPCs has largely replaced than the use of bone marrow as a source of stem cells for both allogeneic and autologous stem cell transplantation. This review describes the specific factors which play a key role in homing and mobilization of HSPCs, includes SDF-1 and its receptor CXCR4, proteases (MMPs and CPM). Moreover, chemokines inducing rapid HPSCs mobilization would be discussed. In this article we showed that many factors such as adhesion molecules and SDF-1/CXCR4 have critical roles in homing hematopoietic stem cells and G.CSF, MMPs, adhesion molecules and ROS involvement in mobilization of stem cells. According to above, we can be rich the peripheral blood of HSPCS using of this factors and antagonist for this receptors on the osteoblastic cells or/and HSPCs to bone marrow transplant

Hydrogen Peroxide Preconditioning Promotes Protective Effects of Umbilical Cord Vein Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Experimental Pulmonary Fibrosis

Purpose Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disorder with few available treatments. Mesenchymal stem cell therapy (MSCT), an innovative approach, has high therapeutic potential when used to treat IPF. According to recent data, preconditioning of MSCs can improve their therapeutic effects. Our research focuses on investigating the anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects of H2O2-preconditioned MSCs (p-MSCs) on mice with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Methods Eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were induced with PF by intratracheal (IT) instillation of bleomycin (4 U/kg). Human umbilical cord vein-derived MSCs (hUCV-MSCs) were isolated and exposed to a sub-lethal concentration (15 pM for 24 h) of H2O2 in vitro. One week following the injection of bleomycin, MSCs or p-MSCs were injected (IT) into the experimental PF. The survival rate and weight of mice were recorded, and 14 days after MSCs injection, all mice were sacrificed. Lung tissue was removed from these mice to examine the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, histopathological changes (hematoxylin-eosin and Masson\u27s trichrome) and expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) through immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. Results Compared to the PF+MSC group, p-MSCs transplantation results in significantly decreased connective tissue () and collagen deposition. Additionally, it is determined that lung tissue in the PF+pMSC group has increased alveolar space () and diminished expression of TGF-β1 and α-SMA. Conclusion The results demonstrate that MSCT using p-MSCs decreases inflammatory and fibrotic factors in bleomycin-induced PF, while also able to increase the therapeutic potency of MSCT in IPF