Protein attributes contribute to halo-stability, bioinformatics approach

Halophile proteins can tolerate high salt concentrations. Understanding halophilicity features is the first step toward engineering halostable crops. To this end, we examined protein features contributing to the halo-toleration of halophilic organisms. We compared more than 850 features for halophilic and non-halophilic proteins with various screening, clustering, decision tree, and generalized rule induction models to search for patterns that code for halo-toleration. Up to 251 protein attributes selected by various attribute weighting algorithms as important features contribute to halo-stability; from them 14 attributes selected by 90% of models and the count of hydrogen gained the highest value (1.0) in 70% of attribute weighting models, showing the importance of this attribute in feature selection modeling. The other attributes mostly were the frequencies of di-peptides. No changes were found in the numbers of groups when K-Means and TwoStep clustering modeling were performed on datasets with or without feature selection filtering. Although the depths of induced trees were not high, the accuracies of trees were higher than 94% and the frequency of hydrophobic residues pointed as the most important feature to build trees. The performance evaluation of decision tree models had the same values and the best correctness percentage recorded with the Exhaustive CHAID and CHAID models. We did not find any significant difference in the percent of correctness, performance evaluation, and mean correctness of various decision tree models with or without feature selection. For the first time, we analyzed the performance of different screening, clustering, and decision tree algorithms for discriminating halophilic and non-halophilic proteins and the results showed that amino acid composition can be used to discriminate between halo-tolerant and halo-sensitive proteins

The Impact of Perception toward the Built Environment in Airport Access Mode Choice Using Hybrid Choice Modeling

Built environment (BE), as an objective variable, plays a substantial role in urban residents’ behavior. However, the perception toward a BE, as a subjective variable, varies among people. To identify the role of perception toward BE, we used a stated preference (SP) survey conducted in January–February 2015 at the Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKIA), Tehran, Iran. The data was drawn from 641 individuals; 359 of them were residents of Tehran. For the estimation of the model, a hybrid discrete choice model was used to capture the latent variable, in addition to mode attributes and trip conditions, with 1795 SP observations. Psychometric questions concerned the perception of ease in access to main streets or highways and good traffic conditions within their residential areas. The results showed that the latent variable (positive perception toward built environment or PBE) had a significant positive effect on people’s willingness to park at the airport. Moreover, the gender, age, marital status, level of education, experience living in a foreign country, and income level also influenced the formation of perception toward the BE and airport transportation mode choice. Document type: Articl

Critical review of “the epistemology of involvement” in understanding religious beliefs

John Cottingham, a contemporary English philosopher, considers the best way to understand religious beliefs to be an empathic understanding. He calls his theory “the epistemology of involvement”. Based on this theory, in order to understand religious beliefs, one should put aside the detachment approach and by entering the life of faith, provide the conditions for the realization of the religious experiences of the believers, and at the same time, maintain the critical opinion in this sympathetic participation in religion. He considers such an approach to be a middle way between Kierkegaard's irrationalism and Plantinga's relativism and considers it generalizable to other philosophical fields. This approach faces criticism. First, before entering a religious life, it is necessary to evaluate its worldview, and this evaluation precedes the practical system and literary and emotional texts of that religion. Second, there is no connection between an empathetic understanding of religion and entering into a life of faith, and thirdly, by entering into a life of faith, the acceptance of a belief will be involuntary, and after the realization of such a belief, it is not possible to criticize it

Therapeutic Effects of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in Knee Osteoarthritis, Compared to Therapeutic Ultrasound

INTRODUCTION: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is thought to have analgesic and biomodulatory effects. Our objective was to assess the pain-relieving effect of LLLT and possible changes in joint stiffness and disability of patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and compare it to the more commonly used modality; therapeutic ultrasound(US).METHODS: 37 patients with mild or moderate KOA were randomized to receive either LLLT, placebo LLLT or US. All patients received a common treatment including acetaminophen (up to 2gr/d) and medical advices for lifestyle modification and exercise. Treatments were delivered 5 times a week over a period of 2 weeks. Active laser group was treated with a diode laser (wavelength 880 nm, continuous wave, power 50 mW) at a dose of 6 J/point (24 J/knee). The placebo control group was treated with an ineffective probe (power 0 mW) of the same appearance. The third group received pulsed ultrasound with an intensity of 1.5-2 w/cm2, and for 5 minutes per knee. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Western Ontario MacMaster (WOMAC) questionnaires were used for data gathering before,1 and 3 months after completing the therapy.RESULTS: Pain reduced in all 3 groups but laser was superior in comparison. Stiffness improved 1 mo after therapy in the laser group but not in the others. Disability decreased in both laser and US groups (more significantly in the laser group) but not in the placebo group.CONCLUSION: Our results show that LLLT reduces pain, joint stiffness and disability in KOA and is superior to placebo and US

Happiness and Willingness to Communicate in Three Attachment Styles: A Study on College Students

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate happiness and willingness to communicate in three attachment styles on college students. using cluster sampling method, 400 students were selected as sample. Hazan and Shaver‘s Adult attachment styles scale, Memorial University of Newfoundland Scale of Happiness (MUNSCH) and willingness to communicate scale were used for collecting of data. Data analysis using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc multiple comparison were performed. the results showed that there are significant difference among attachment styles on happiness. Students with secure attachment style than non-secure have a higher happiness and student with avoidant attachment style compared with ambivalent attachment have a higher happiness. Another result showed that there are significant differences among attachment styles on willingness to communicate. Students with secure attachment style than non-secure students have a higher willingness to communicate and also students with ambivalent attachment style compared with avoidant students have a higher willingness to communicate. these results suggest that secure attachment style is a main factor in happiness and willingness to communicate of individuals

Relationship Between Personality Dimensions and Hopelessness: A Study on College Students

AbstractAim: the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between personality dimensions and hopelessness.Method: in this descriptive and cross-sectional study, 120 college students from Kermanshah University were selected by convenience sampling method as research sample. NEO-FFM Questionnaire and Beck's Hopelessness Scale were used to collect data. Descriptive statistical indicators (statistics), such as frequency, mean, standard deviation and Pearson's correlation test were utilized to analyze the data.Results: the findings showed that there is significant relationship between hopelessness and extraversion (r= -0/58, p> 0/01), conscientiousness (r= 0/60, p> 0/01), neuroticism (r= 0/54, p> 0/01) and agreeableness (r= -0/50, p> 0/01). The relationship between hopelessness and openness was not significant.Conclusion: these results suggests that personality dimensions of conscientiousness, neuroticism, extraversion and agreeableness have essential roles in hopelessness of college student

Down-regulation of miR-135b in colon adenocarcinoma induced by a TGF-β receptor I kinase inhibitor (SD-208).

OBJECTIVES Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is involved in colorectal cancer (CRC). The SD-208 acts as an anti-cancer agent in different malignancies via TGF-β signaling. This work aims to show the effect of manipulation of TGF-β signaling on some miRNAs implicated in CRC. MATERIALS AND METHODS We investigated the effects of SD-208 on SW-48, a colon adenocarcinoma cell line. The cell line was treated with 0.5, 1 and 2 μM concentrations of SD-208. Then, the xenograft model of colon cancer was established by subcutaneous inoculation of SW-48 cell line into the nude mice. The animals were treated with SD-208 for three weeks. A quantitative real-time PCR was carried out for expression level analysis of selected oncogenic (miR-21, 31, 20a and 135b) and suppressor-miRNAs (let7-g, miR-133b, 145 and 200c). Data were analyzed using the 2-∆∆CT method through student's t-test via the GraphPad Prism software. RESULTS Our results revealed that SD-208 could significantly down-regulate the expression of one key onco-miRNA, miR-135b, in either SW-48 colon cells (P=0.006) or tumors orthotopically implanted in nude mice (P=0.018). Our in silico study also predicted that SD-208 could modulate the expression of potential downstream tumor suppressor targets of the miR135b. CONCLUSION Our data provide novel evidence that anticancer effects of SD-208 (and likely other TGF-β inhibitors) may be owing to their ability to regulate miRNAs expression

Geochemical and environmental monitoring of the major and minor elements in coastal sediments of Hormoz Island coasts and drawing its distribution maps

Assessing pollution of coastal sediments is environmentally and ecologically important. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine environmental pollution and to prepare the geochemical distribution map of elements in the coastal sediments of Hormoz Island at the north of Hormoz Strait. For this purpose, 27 sediment samples were taken to a depth of 10 cm from the surface sediments. These samples were analyzed for the elemental composition using X-ray fluorescence method (XRF). The elemental spatial distribution was mapped using linear Kriging method in GIS environment. The sediments mineralogical analysis using XRF showed that the sediment is mainly consisted of a collection of minerals such as hematite, calcite, quartz, feldspar, plagioclase, dolomite, aragonite, clay minerals and heavy minerals. Calculating the Muller environmental indices (Igeo) and enrichment factor (EF) showed that the sediments of the coastal strip of the Hormuz Island are contaminated with Cr, As, and Pb. Based on the sedimentology and sedimentary geochemistry on one hand and refereeing to interpreting the distribution maps on the other hand, it became clear that alteration and erosion of rock units exposed in the center of the Hormuz Island series under hot and humid weather conditions are the source of these elements. Source of chromium is caused by anthropogenic activities

Attachment styles and emotional intelligence components: the predictors of health dimensions

Health, as one of the most important sources of comfort in life, is the complete physical, mental and social well-being, while there are dynamic mutual relationships among the three components. This study was aimed to investigate the role of attachment styles and emotional intelligence components in the prediction of health dimensions. The statistical population was consisted 160 parents who participated in the trainees’ health assessment programs in Khalkhal city (Iran). Attachment styles questionnaire, emotional intelligence questionnaire and general health questionnaire were used to collect data. Results of the study indicated that avoidant and ambivalent attachment styles has significant relationship with depression dimension. The relationship between emotional intelligence and dimensions of depression, anxiety, physical symptoms and social performance was also significant. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that dependent and ambivalent attachments are predictors of depression/anxiety; secure attachment is a predictors of depression moreover, stress tolerance, social responsibility, empathy, self-esteem, optimism, self-actualization, interpersonal relations, problem solving, independence and assertiveness are predictors of depression, anxiety, physical symptoms and social performance. This study demonstrated that attachment styles and emotional intelligence components play important role in the prediction of health dimensions. Therefore they are applicable and effective in health related programs

Export Barriers of Honey in Iran: The Application of the DEMATEL Method

The rapid world economic growth has driven the businesses towards involvement in international marketplaces due to lower business risks, lower commitment of resources, and higher flexibility of these markets. However, evidence indicates that barriers to exportation vary across different stages of internationalization. Therefore, this empirical study was carried out to explore exportation barriers of agricultural commodities, especially honey, in Iran. Based on an explorative literature review, several factors were considered as export barriers of agricultural commodities. These barriers were provided to a sample of 20 honey exporters in Ardabil province using a questionnaire. After collecting and analyzing the data, 21 factors were identified as the important barriers to honey export. A graph theory-based technique (DEMATEL) with feedback structure was used to explore the direct and indirect effects of barriers on the other barriers and the whole system. The results indicate that adjusting export promotion activities, lack of home government assistance/incentives, shortage of working capital to finance exports, high tariff and nontariff barriers, different foreign customer habits/attitudes are the most critical barriers in the order of importance