Futures of Iranian Children and Teenagers Engagement in Cyberspace

This study seeks to identify and describe believable and probable scenarios about the future engagement of children in cyberspace from the perspective of futures studies. Children's and adolescents’ access to the Internet and network-based technologies is becoming increasingly prevalent. So explaining the key factors and uncertainties affecting this phenomenon requires a comprehensive insight into current and emerging trends and the change drivers. For this purpose, after reviewing several useful technological and social trends, using scenario-based planning methodology, questionnaire tools and expert panel, 28 effective factors, ten key factors, and five driver forces (with uncertainty) were identified. Then, structural analysis and scenario logic explanations have been performed by Micmac, Scenario wizards, and cross-impact matrix analysis. Accordingly, the four scenarios of "salmon in the pool", "salmon in the river", "guppy in the tank", and "goldfish in the pond" have been identified and narrated for the future of Iranian children's engagement in cyberspace. The findings of this study provide a more comprehensive understanding of believable futures while emphasizing the importance of engaging and addressing the interests of audiences and the needs of stakeholders in designing relevant strategies and broadening the horizons of decision-makers toward future alternatives

Склад повітря та стан здоров'я людини

В обзоре проанализированы сведения од эволюции газового состава атмосферы Земного шара от протопланетного до современного периода развития. Показана положительная роль биогенного накопления кислорода в воздухе и отрицательные последствия кислородного стресса для организма человека. Рассмотрена биологическая роль электрических свойств воздуха, возможные последствия антропогенных влияний на состояние газовой оболочки Земли и лечебно-профилактические возможности инструментальной оротерапии в реабилитации пациентов в санаторно-курортных учреждениях.In review are analysed data about evolution contents of atmosphere of Earth. It is shown positive role of biogene accumulating in air of oxygen and negative consequences of oxygen stress. It is considered the biologic role of electric properties of air, potential consequences of anthropogenic influences on state atmosphere of Earth and healing and prophylactic possibilities of instrumental orotherapy in rehabilitation of patients on spa and resorts

Single molecule insights into interfacial molecular recognition for model electrochemical DNA biosensors

Electrochemical sensors that use surface-immobilized DNA to bind analytes and transduce the binding into electrochemical signals, have the potential for rapid, specific, and sensitive detection of bioanalytes via a compact and portable platform. However, accessing the structure of these surfaces/interfaces at the relevant spatial scale (<10 nm), which determines the interfacial interactions and ultimately sensing performance, remains an unsolved challenge. Here, we review studies that have used high resolution atomic force microscope imaging and spatial statistical analysis tools to understand crowding interactions between thiolated DNA probes immobilized on gold electrodes and how such interactions impact target binding. We also review related studies that attempt to control the nanoscale spatial arrangement of the immobilized recognition elements to optimize sensing performance. These efforts have led to new advances in understanding of the structure–function relationships of DNA-based electrochemical biosensors to move the field toward rational engineering of these biosensing interfaces

Synthesis and biological evaluation of propargyl acetate derivatives as anti-mycobacterial agents

Abstract Background The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) has intensified efforts to discover novel drugs for tuberculosis (TB) treatment. Targeting the persistent state of Mtb, a condition in which Mtb is resistant to conventional drug therapies, is of particular interest. Methods This study is focused on propargyl acetate derivatives. Eight molecules were designed based on propargyl alcohols and different acid anhydrides. Results All the synthesized compounds and commercially available ones were evaluated for anti-tuberculosis activity. Conclusions Inhibitors against Mtb have been identified and characterized for further development into potential novel anti-tubercular drugs. </jats:sec

A biophysical study on the mechanism of interactions of DOX or PTX with α-lactalbumin as a delivery carrier

© 2018, The Author(s). Doxorubicin and paclitaxel, two hydrophobic chemotherapeutic agents, are used in cancer therapies. Presence of hydrophobic patches and a flexible fold could probably make α-Lactalbumin a suitable carrier for hydrophobic drugs. In the present study, a variety of thermodynamic, spectroscopic, computational, and cellular techniques were applied to assess α-lactalbumin potential as a carrier for doxorubicin and paclitaxel. According to isothermal titration calorimetry data, the interaction between α-lactalbumin and doxorubicin or paclitaxel is spontaneous and the K (M−1) value for the interaction of α-lactalbumin and paclitaxel is higher than that for doxorubicin. Differential scanning calorimetry and anisotropy results indicated formation of α-lactalbumin complexes with doxorubicin or paclitaxel. Furthermore, molecular docking and dynamic studies revealed that TRPs are not involved in α-Lac’s interaction with Doxorubicin while TRP 60 interacts with paclitaxel. Based on Pace analysis to determine protein thermal stability, doxorubicin and paclitaxel induced higher and lower thermal stability in α-lactalbumin, respectively. Besides, fluorescence lifetime measurements reflected that the interaction between α-lactalbumin with doxorubicin or paclitaxel was of static nature. Therefore, the authors hypothesized that α-lactalbumin could serve as a carrier for doxorubicin and paclitaxel by reducing cytotoxicity and apoptosis which was demonstrated during our in vitro cell studies

The Application of LiDAR to Assessment of Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Deployment Potential in a Municipal District Unit

A methodology is provided for the application of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) to automated solar photovoltaic (PV) deployment analysis on the regional scale. Challenges in urban information extraction and management for solar PV deployment assessment are determined and quantitative solutions are offered. This paper provides the following contributions: (i) a methodology that is consistent with recommendations from existing literature advocating the integration of cross-disciplinary competences in remote sensing (RS), GIS, computer vision and urban environmental studies; (ii) a robust methodology that can work with low-resolution, incomprehensive data and reconstruct vegetation and building separately, but concurrently; (iii) recommendations for future generation of software. A case study is presented as an example of the methodology. Experience from the case study such as the trade-off between time consumption and data quality are discussed to highlight a need for connectivity between demographic information, electrical engineering schemes and GIS and a typical factor of solar useful roofs extracted per method. Finally, conclusions are developed to provide a final methodology to extract the most useful information from the lowest resolution and least comprehensive data to provide solar electric assessments over large areas, which can be adapted anywhere in the world