Holographic Mutual Information for Singular Surfaces

We study corner contributions to holographic mutual information for entangling regions composed of a set of disjoint sectors of a single infinite circle in three-dimensional conformal field theories. In spite of the UV divergence of holographic mutual information, it exhibits a first order phase transition. We show that tripartite information is also divergent for disjoint sectors, which is in contrast with the well-known feature of tripartite information being finite even when entangling regions share boundaries. We also verify the locality of corner effects by studying mutual information between regions separated by a sharp annular region. Possible extensions to higher dimensions and hyperscaling violating geometries is also considered for disjoint sectors.Comment: 35 pages, 25 Figures, v2: presentation improved, v3: matches published version in JHE

Multi-BD Symbiotic Radio-Aided 6G IoT Network: Energy Consumption Optimization with QoS Constraint Approach

The commensal symbiotic radio (CSR) system is proposed as a novel solution for connecting systems through green communication networks. This system enables us to establish secure, ubiquitous, and unlimited connectivity, which is a goal of 6G. The base station uses MIMO antennas to transmit its signal. Passive IoT devices, called symbiotic backscatter devices (SBDs), receive the signal and use it to charge their power supply. When the SBDs have data to transmit, they modulate the information onto the received ambient RF signal and send it to the symbiotic user equipment, which is a typical active device. The main purpose is to enhance energy efficiency in this network by minimizing energy consumption (EC) while ensuring the minimum required throughput for SBDs. To achieve this, we propose a new scheduling scheme called Timing-SR that optimally allocates resources to SBDs. The main optimization problem involves non-convex objective functions and constraints. To solve this, we use mathematical techniques and introduce a new approach called sequential quadratic and conic quadratic representation to relax and discipline the problem, leading to reducing its complexity and convergence time. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms other outlined schemes in reducing EC

Reconnecting Magnetic Flux Tubes as a Source of In Situ Acceleration in Extragalactic Radio Sources

Many extended extragalactic radio sources require a local {\it in situ\/} acceleration mechanism for electrons, in part because the synchrotron lifetimes are shorter than the bulk travel time across the emitting regions. If the magnetic field in these sources is localized in flux tubes, reconnection may occur between regions of plasma \be (ratio of particle to magnetic pressure) $<<1$, even though $\beta$ averaged over the plasma volume may be \gsim 1. Reconnection in low $\beta$ regions is most favorable to acceleration from reconnection shocks. The reconnection X-point regions may provide the injection electrons for their subsequent non-thermal shock acceleration to distributions reasonably consistent with observed spectra. Flux tube reconnection might therefore be able to provide $in\ situ$ acceleration required by large scale jets and lobes.Comment: 14 pages, plain TeX, accepted to Ap.J.Let

Cloud Point Extraction and Spectrophotometric Determination of Uranium (VI) in Water Samples after Mixed Micelle-Mediated Extraction Using Chromotrope 2R as Complexing Agent

A rapid, selective and sensitive method for the preconcentration and determination of uranium (VI) by cloud point extraction (CPE) was developed. The method was based on the color reaction of 5.00 ng mL−1 uranium (VI) with 1.5×10−4 mol L−1 of chromotrope 2R in the presence of 0.015 mol L−1 potassi-um iodide at pH 8 in HEPES buffer and mixed micelle-mediated extraction of complex. The mixture of a nonionic surfactant (0.2 % (v/v) of (Triton X-114) and a cationic (2.0×10−4 mol L−1 of CTAB) was utilized as a suitable micellar medium for preconcentration and extraction of uranium (VI) complexes. Effect of extraction and reaction parameters was studied and optimum parameters were established. The analytical characteristics of the method (e.g. linear range, limit of detection, preconcentration and improvement factors) were obtained. Linearity was obeyed in the range of 0.2−10 ng mL−1 of uranium (VI) with a detection limit of 0.035 ng mL−1. The diverse ion effect of some anions and cations on the extraction efficiency of target ions was tested. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of uranium (VI) in various water samples. (doi: 10.5562/cca1922

Comparison of anxiety and depression symptoms between male daily smokers and nondaily smokers resident in Kashan city during 2016-2017

Background: Several studies have shown the dangers of cigarette smoking among daily smokers. However, another group that has recently been investigated is a nondaily smoking group. The nondaily smokers experience the adverse health effects of smoking more than nonsmokers. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of depression and anxiety among daily and nondaily smokers. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study with snowball sampling, 385 male residents of Kashan were selected and divided into three groups of daily smokers (118), nondaily smokers (114) and nonsmokers (135). Depression and anxiety were measured by the Beck depression inventory and beck anxiety inventory. Results: The results of the current study showed no significant difference in the prevalence of depression and anxiety in both daily and nondaily smokers (P&lt;0.05). Also, depression and anxiety levels in daily smokers and nondaily smokers were significantly higher than nonsmokers (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of depression and anxiety among nondaily smokers is the same as the daily smokers. Thus, in both groups, in addition to smoking, special attention should be paid to anxiety and depression disorders

Multiple shoot regeneration of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) via shoot apex culture system

Induction of multiple shoots of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plant in two commercial varieties (Sahel and Varamin) using shoot apex was done. Explants were isolated from 3 - 4 days old seedlings, then they were cultured on a shoot induction media, modified MS nutrient agar with combinations: 1- Kinetin (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 mg l-1) and 6-benzyaminopurine (BAP) (0.0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 mg l-1), 2- α- naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) (0.0, 0.1, 1.0 mg l-1) and BAP (0.0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 mg l-1). After 1.5 - 2 months, multiple shoot induction medium with 0.1 mg l-1 NAA and 0.1 mg l-1 BAP resulted in the highest number of regenerated shoots per explant (3 - 4 shoots per explant) for the two cultivars. Elongation of multiple shoots was obtained on modified MS nutrient agar without any phytohormone. In vitro shoots were rooted on half-strength agar-solidified MS basal medium supplied with 0.1 mg l-1 Iidole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and MS vitamins.Key words: Cotton, Shoot apex, multiple shoot

Role of mindfulness, psychological flexibility and integrative self-knowledge on psychological well-being among the university students

Background: Studies has shown the effect on environmental conditions on psychological well-being. In this regard, psychological characteristics have an important role. This study aimed to investigate the role of mindfulness, psychological flexibility and integrative self -knowledge amonge the university students. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on the students of Kashan university of medical sciences (n=300) and based on quota sampling, a number of students (n=241) were selected based on the faculty and the major of the study. The administered tools were Ryff scale of psychological well-being (RSPWB-18), mindfulness (MAAS), acceptance and actions (AAQ-II) questionnaires and integrative self-knowledge scale (ISKS). Finally the data were analyzed using correlation and stepwise regression. Results: Pearson correlation disclosed a positive and considerable relation between mindfulness, integrative self-knowledge, psychological flexibility and psychological well-being. In addition, the findings showed significant role of mindfulness, integrative self-knowledge and psychological flexibility to predict the psychological well-being of the students; so these variables can predict 21 of psychological wellbeing changes. Conclusion: This study disclosed that the mindfulness, psychological flexibility and integrative self -knowledge can in part specify the variance of psychological well-being

Expression, Tissue Distribution and Function of miR-21 in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objective:MiR-21 is an oncomir expressed by malignant cells and/or tumor microenvironment components. In this study we focused on understanding the effects of stromal miR-21 on esophageal malignant cells.Design:MiR-21 expression was evaluated in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples from patients with esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) by quantitative RT-PCR. MiR-21 tissue distribution was visualized with in situ hybridization. A co-culture system of normal fibroblasts and esophageal cancer cells was used to determine the effects of fibroblasts on miR-21 expression levels, and on SCC cell migration and invasion.Results:MiR-21 was overexpressed in SCCs, when compared to the adjacent non-tumor tissues (P = 0.0007), and was mainly localized in the cytoplasm of stromal cells adjacent to malignant cells. Accordingly, miR-21 expression was increased in tumors with high versus low stromal content (P = 0.04). When co-cultured with normal fibroblasts, miR-21 expression was elevated in SCC cells (KYSE-30), while its expression was restricted to fibroblasts when co-cultured with adenocarcinoma cells (OE-33 and FLO-1). MiR-21 was detected in conditioned media of cancer cell lines, illustrating the release of this miRNA into the environment. Co-culturing with normal fibroblasts or addition of fibroblast conditioned media caused a significant increase in cell migration and invasion potency of KYSE-30 cells (P<0.0001). In addition, co-culturing cancer cells with fibroblasts and expression of miR-21 induced the expression of the cancer associated fibroblast (CAF) marker S100A4.Conclusions:MiR-21 expression is mostly confined to the SCC stroma and its release from fibroblasts influences the migration and invasion capacity of SCC cells. Moreover, miR-21 may be an important factor in "activating" fibroblasts to CAFs. These findings provide new insights into the role of CAFs and the extracellular matrix in tumor microenvironment formation and in tumor cell maintenance, and suggest miR-21 may contribute to cellular crosstalk in the tumor microenvironment. © 2013 Nouraee et al

Ability of biofilm production and molecular analysis of spa and ica genes among clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of biofilm formation and spa and ica genes among clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Result: This cross-sectional study was performed on 146 Staphylococcus aureus isolates from hospitalized patients in Isfahan Province Hospitals. MRSA isolates were confirmed using disk diffusion test with oxacillin disk and amplification of mecA gene by PCR assays. Ability of biofilm production was evaluated targeting the icaA and icaD genes. Of 146 Staphylococcus aureus isolates, 24 (16.4) carried mecA genes and identified as MRSA strains. Strong ability of biofilm production was seen among 76.02 (111/146) S. aureus isolates and 87.5 (21/24) MRSA strains, respectively. Also, 75.0 (18/24) MRSA isolates carried icaA and icaD was not detected in these strains. Analysis of spa gene showed 70.83 (17/24) MRSA strains were spa positive. From which 14 and 3 strains identified with one band (150, 270, 300, 360, 400 bp) and two bands (150-300 bp), respectively. According to data obtained, the prevalence of MRSA isolates from Isfahan Province Hospitals is relatively high and a remarkable percentage of them show strong power in biofilm production. Also analysis of spa gene showed a fairly large diversity among MRSA strains. © 2020 The Author(s)