Efficacy of flour fortification with folic acid in women of childbearing age in Iran

Background: Flour fortification with folic acid is one of the main strategies for improving folate status in women of childbearing age. No interventional trial on the efficacy of folic acid fortification has been conducted so far in Iran. Objectives: To study the effects of flour fortification with folic acid on any reduction in neural tube defects (NTDs) and folate status of women of childbearing age. Methods: In a longitudinal hospital-based study, 13,361 postpartum women were studied after admission for childbirth before and after fortification. In addition, two cross-sectional surveys were conducted before (2006) and after flour fortification (2008). The cluster sampling method was used and 580 women, 15-49 years old, were studied as a representative sample of Golestan province in the north of Iran. Fasting blood samples were collected to measure serum vitamin B 12, folate and plasma homocysteine. Sociodemographic data, health characteristics and dietary intake were determined. Results: The mean daily intakes of folate from natural food before and after flour fortification were 198.3 and 200.8 μg/day, respectively. The total folate intake increased significantly from 198.3 to 413.7 μg/day after fortification (p < 0.001). Folate intake increased by an average of 226 μg/day from fortified bread. The mean serum folate level increased from 13.6 to 18.1 nmol/l; folate deficiency decreased from 14.3 to 2.3% (p < 0.001). The incidence rate of NTDs declined by 31% (p < 0.01) in the post-fortification period (2.19 per 1,000 births; December 2007 to December 2008) compared to the pre-fortification period (3.16 per 1,000 births; September 2006 to July 2007). Conclusions: Implementation of mandatory flour fortification with folic acid can lead to a significant increase in serum folate and a significant decrease in NTDs. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel

Do hands-free cell phone conversation while driving increase the risk of cognitive distraction among drivers? A cross-over quasi-experimental study

Background: Background: Conversation over the cell phone while driving is a known risk factor for road traffic crash. Using handsfree to talk on the cell phone may remove visual and manual distraction yet not the cognitive distraction. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to better understand the mechanisms of cognitive distraction due to hands-free cell phone conversation (HFPC) while driving. Methods: Twelve male and 12 female University students in Tehran, Iran, were selected via the consecutive convenient sampling method, and randomly assigned to one of the following administrations of cross-over quasi-experimental study design, during year 2016: Administration 1, participants performed the tests while involved in HFPC, took rest for 60 minute, and then performed the tests another time without HFPC; Administration 2, participants performed the tests without HFPC, took rest, and then performed the tests another time with HFPC. Each participant moved to the other administration after 7 to 10 days. The Vienna test system (VTS) was used to measure simple and choice reaction time, selective attention, visual orientation, and visual memory. Linear regression analysis was used to study the change in test scores due to HFPC. Results: The mean age of participants was 27.1±5.3 years. A history of road traffic crash (regardless of severity) was reported among 9 (37.5) participants in the previous year. Hands-free cell phone conversation while driving was directly associated with mean time correct rejection score (P < 0.01) (selective attention), omitted response (P < 0.01) and median reaction time (P < 0.01) (choice reaction time), and mean reaction time (P < 0.01) (Simple reaction time). Moreover, HPFC was inversely associated with sum hits (P = 0.05) (selective attention), incorrect (P < 0.02) and correct response (P < 0.01) (choice reaction time), score based on viewing and working time (P < 0. 01) (visual orientation), and visual memory performance (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Using hands-free devices to converse during driving, impaired reaction time, selective attention, visual orientation and visual memory, which are essential for safe driving. Thus, the use of these devices does not preclude cognitive distraction and should be restricted. © 2018, Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal

The prevalence and incidence of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol study

Context: Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), being more prevalent in infants and children, is recognized by a triad of acute kidney injury, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and thrombocytopenia. It is classified according to the underlying disorders, such as infection, systemic, metabolic disorder, or complement dysregulation. It has a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Many types of treatment, such as conservative management, plasma exchange, regular plasma infusion, and even a new expensive medication, "Ecluzimab", have been suggested. The aim of this systematic review is to estimate the incidence and prevalence of HUS (according to diarrhea positive or negative samples). In addition, the study will investigate the clinical presentation and the outcome of Iranian patients. Evidence Acquisition: The following data bases will be explored for articles published between years 1985 and 2016, PubMed, EMBASE, OVID, SCOPUS,Web of Sciences, Google Scholar, Google, barakatkns.com, MagIran, SID, dociran, PDFiran, and ganj.irandoc. Besides, all online university databases will be searched for theses and abstracts of local or international congresses; a manual search will be performed to identify pertinent cross references. Systematic reviewor meta-analysis, longitudinal and cohort studies, crosssectional, case-control, and epidemiological studies will be included in this review. Relevant conference proceedings, theses or unpublished data will also be considered. The retrieved data should comprise of proportions, incidence, prevalence, geographical distribution, mortality and morbidity rates (i.e. dialysis and central nervous system involvement). A meta-analysis will be performed if 3 similar studies are found. If sufficient data is extracted, subgroup analysis will be performed for age, gender, acute kidney injury, dialysis, and death. Results: The results of the current study could have implications for health policies, practice, research, and medical education: The data could improve clinical and health care decisions, allow estimation of the number of patients that require new medication, and could direct future research design in this field. © 2018, Journal of Comprehensive Pediatrics

The prevalence and incidence of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol study

Context: Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), being more prevalent in infants and children, is recognized by a triad of acute kidney injury, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and thrombocytopenia. It is classified according to the underlying disorders, such as infection, systemic, metabolic disorder, or complement dysregulation. It has a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Many types of treatment, such as conservative management, plasma exchange, regular plasma infusion, and even a new expensive medication, "Ecluzimab", have been suggested. The aim of this systematic review is to estimate the incidence and prevalence of HUS (according to diarrhea positive or negative samples). In addition, the study will investigate the clinical presentation and the outcome of Iranian patients. Evidence Acquisition: The following data bases will be explored for articles published between years 1985 and 2016, PubMed, EMBASE, OVID, SCOPUS,Web of Sciences, Google Scholar, Google, barakatkns.com, MagIran, SID, dociran, PDFiran, and ganj.irandoc. Besides, all online university databases will be searched for theses and abstracts of local or international congresses; a manual search will be performed to identify pertinent cross references. Systematic reviewor meta-analysis, longitudinal and cohort studies, crosssectional, case-control, and epidemiological studies will be included in this review. Relevant conference proceedings, theses or unpublished data will also be considered. The retrieved data should comprise of proportions, incidence, prevalence, geographical distribution, mortality and morbidity rates (i.e. dialysis and central nervous system involvement). A meta-analysis will be performed if 3 similar studies are found. If sufficient data is extracted, subgroup analysis will be performed for age, gender, acute kidney injury, dialysis, and death. Results: The results of the current study could have implications for health policies, practice, research, and medical education: The data could improve clinical and health care decisions, allow estimation of the number of patients that require new medication, and could direct future research design in this field. © 2018, Journal of Comprehensive Pediatrics

Petrology, petrogenesis, and geochronology review of the Cenozoic adakitic rocks of northeast Iran: Implications for evolution of the northern branch of Neo-Tethys

Cenozoic adakitic rocks of the northern part of the Central Iran Structural Zone (CISZ) are among the notable geological features of the terrains in northeast Iran, so a comprehensive comparison of several of these adakitic sequences is presented. This lithogeochemical analysis is constrained to examining adakitic magmatism of the three magmatic belts within the CISZ, which from southeast to northeast and from oldest to youngest are as follows: (a) south of Shahrood-Damghan, (b) north-northwest of Sabzevar-Neyshabour, and (c) south of Qouchan and west of Esfarayen. Radiogenic isotope analysis using Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd methods show that the adakitic rocks associated with Qouchan-Esfarayen magmatism have 0.512581 to 0.51288 initial 143Nd/144Nd and 0.703903 to 0.705627 initial 87Sr/86Sr, with εNd −0.86 to 4.98. Adakitic rocks in south to southeast Shahrood have 0.512775 to 0.512893 initial 143Nd/144Nd and 0.703746 to 0.705314 initial 87Sr/88Sr, with εNd 3.69 to 6.0, and adakites emplaced into the Sabzevar ophiolite have 0.512846 to 0.512911 initial 143Nd/144Nd and 0.70379 to 0.705019 initial 87Sr/86Sr contents with εNd of 5.26 to 6.54. Isotopic initial ratios of Nd and Sr support an origin involving partial melting of the subducting oceanic lithosphere of the northern branch of Neo-Tethys and the associated suprasubduction mantle wedge in producing these adakitic rocks

Tracking Control of Redundant Manipulators with Singularity-Free Orientation Representation and Null-Space Compliant Behaviour

This paper presents a suitable solution to control the pose of the end-effector of a redundant robot along a pre-planned trajectory, while addressing an active compliant behaviour in the null-space. The orientation of the robot is expressed through a singularity-free representation form. To accomplish the task, no exteroceptive sensor is needed. While a rigorous stability proof confirms the developed theory, experimental results bolster the performance of the proposed approach

The GstLAL Search Analysis Methods for Compact Binary Mergers in Advanced LIGO's Second and Advanced Virgo's First Observing Runs

After their successful first observing run (September 12, 2015 - January 12, 2016), the Advanced LIGO detectors were upgraded to increase their sensitivity for the second observing run (November 30, 2016 - August 26, 2017). The Advanced Virgo detector joined the second observing run on August 1, 2017. We discuss the updates that happened during this period in the GstLAL-based inspiral pipeline, which is used to detect gravitational waves from the coalescence of compact binaries both in low latency and an offline configuration. These updates include deployment of a zero-latency whitening filter to reduce the over-all latency of the pipeline by up to 32 seconds, incorporation of the Virgo data stream in the analysis, introduction of a single-detector search to analyze data from the periods when only one of the detectors is running, addition of new parameters to the likelihood ratio ranking statistic, increase in the parameter space of the search, and introduction of a template mass-dependent glitch-excision thresholding method.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, to be submitted to Phys. Rev. D, comments welcom

Influence of heat input on microstructure and mechanical properties of gas tungsten arc welded HSLA S500MC steel joints

High-strength low alloy (HSLA) S500MC steel is widely used for chassis components, structural parts, and pressure vessels. In this study, the effects of heat input during automatic gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) on microstructure and mechanical properties of thermomechanically controlled processed (TMP) S500MC steel were investigated. A butt joint configuration was used, and welding was performed in autogenous mode. Six different levels of heat input namely 1.764 kJ/mm, 1.995 kJ/mm, 2.035 kJ/mm, 2.132 kJ/mm, 2.229 kJ/mm, and 2.33 kJ/mm were considered. Microstructural investigations revealed a different microstructure than base metal in the fusion zone (FZ) of all welded joints which was most likely due to a lath martensitic microstructure surrounded by retained austenite. With increased heat input, the amount of retained austenite and the size of packets increased. In the heat-affected zone (HAZ), two distinct regions of coarse grain (CG-HAZ) and fine grain (FG-HAZ) were observed. Due to the presence of carbides in the HAZ, mostly a martensitic microstructure with smaller packets, compared to FZ, was formed. By increasing the heat input and through the dissolution of carbides, the dimension of packets increased. Due to microstructural changes and grain growth, in both the FZ and the HAZ, the mechanical properties produced by TMP were lost in these regions. However, failure occurred in the base metal of all samples with a maximum tensile strength of 690 MPa. Thus, tensile strength in the weld zone and HAZ were higher than the base metal even for the highest heat input indicating the formation of a good joint between S500MC plates with GTAW, regardless of heat input

Geochemical and Nd-Sr Isotopic Compositions of Hypabyssal Adakites in the Torud-Ahmad Abad Magmatic Belt, Northern Central Iran Zone: Analysis of Petrogenesis and Geodynamic Implications

Eocene intermediate to felsic subvolcanic rocks of the Torud-Ahmad Abad magmatic belt (TAMB), in the northern part of the Central Iran zone, are exposed between the Torud and Ahmad Abad regions in South-Southeast Shahrood. These igneous rocks include hypabyssal dacite, trachyte, andesite, trachy-andesite, and basaltic andesite; they are mainly composed of phenocrysts and microcrystalline groundmass of pyroxene, amphibole, and plagioclase, with minor biotite and titanomagnetite; they form domal structures (plugs and stocks), dikes, and sills that intruded into Neoproterozoic to cogenetic Eocene volcano-sedimentary sequences. Based on isotopic analysis of these intermediate to acidic rocks, initial ratios of 143Nd/144Nd range from 0.512 775 to 0.512 893 and initial ratios of 87Sr/86Sr range from 0.703 746 to 0.705 314, with quite positive εNd(i) values of +3.69 to +6.00. They are enriched in light rare earth elements and large ion lithophile elements and depleted in heavy rare earth elements and high-field strength elements, the SiO2 content is (52–62) wt.%, and Na2O content &gt;3 wt.%, Al2O3 content &gt;16 wt.%, Yb &lt;1.8 ppm, and Y &lt;18 ppm. These geological, geochemical, and Sr and Nd isotopic data are consistent with adakitic signatures originating by partial melting of the subducted Neo-Tethys oceanic slab (Sabzevar branch) and lithospheric suprasubduction zone mantle. The mantle signatures typifying the rapidly emplaced adakitic rocks (slab (high-silica adakite) and suprasubduction zone (low-silica adakite) melts) together with their locally voluminous extent are evidences that support a locally extensional geodynamic setting; and the evidence is consistent with an evolution to local transpression in the Late Eocene in this convergent margin arc environment to rifting (basalts to adakites) towards submarine conditions in the Neogene

BLUF Domain Function Does Not Require a Metastable Radical Intermediate State

BLUF (blue light using flavin) domain proteins are an important family of blue light-sensing proteins which control a wide variety of functions in cells. The primary light-activated step in the BLUF domain is not yet established. A number of experimental and theoretical studies points to a role for photoinduced electron transfer (PET) between a highly conserved tyrosine and the flavin chromophore to form a radical intermediate state. Here we investigate the role of PET in three different BLUF proteins, using ultrafast broadband transient infrared spectroscopy. We characterize and identify infrared active marker modes for excited and ground state species and use them to record photochemical dynamics in the proteins. We also generate mutants which unambiguously show PET and, through isotope labeling of the protein and the chromophore, are able to assign modes characteristic of both flavin and protein radical states. We find that these radical intermediates are not observed in two of the three BLUF domains studied, casting doubt on the importance of the formation of a population of radical intermediates in the BLUF photocycle. Further, unnatural amino acid mutagenesis is used to replace the conserved tyrosine with fluorotyrosines, thus modifying the driving force for the proposed electron transfer reaction; the rate changes observed are also not consistent with a PET mechanism. Thus, while intermediates of PET reactions can be observed in BLUF proteins they are not correlated with photoactivity, suggesting that radical intermediates are not central to their operation. Alternative nonradical pathways including a keto–enol tautomerization induced by electronic excitation of the flavin ring are considered