Estimating the mechanical anisotropy of the Iranian lithosphere using the wavelet coherence method

We calculated anisotropic wavelet coherence between Bouguer anomaly and topography in order to map the anisotropy of the effective elastic thickness of the Iranian lithosphere (Te). An orthotropic elastic plate model is used for inverting the anisotropic wavelet coherence to compute the mechanical anisotropy through the weak axis of the Te. Anisotropy of the Te-weak axis and the strength of the anisotropic parameter, namely the anisotropic coherence effect over the study area are estimated by restricting the rotated Morlet wavelet (fan wavelet) geometry over an azimuthal range of 90°. Large-scale Te variations have been shown to be associated with phenomena, such as mountain belts, subduction zones, craton boundaries, fault zones, and seismogenic regions. Although the correlation between the major tectonic features of the Iranian lithosphere and the distribution of the Te-weak axis is not general or precise, in some regions, such as the Central Iran Blocks, and the Alborz, Kopeh Dagh, Zagros, and Makran orogenic belts, the weak axis has a uniform or slowly varying pattern which changes over their boundaries. A perpendicular alignment between seismic anisotropy measurements in Iran and the Te-weak directions suggests a lithospheric origin for anisotropy. The correlation between averaged stress directions and the weak axis of the Te in Iran indicates that the present day stress field and the fossil strain are still related. Correlation between these factors suggests vertically coherent deformation of the lithosphere in Iran resulting from the multiply convergent orogenic processes. The complex mechanical anisotropy pattern of the Iranian lithosphere results from the interaction of many pre-existent structures which dominantly control the mechanical anisotropy of the lithosphere

Serum hyaluronate as a non-invasive marker of hepatic fibrosis and inflammation in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B

Background: HBV infection is a serious global heath problem. It is crucial to monitor this disease more closely with a non-invasive marker in clinical trials. We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of serum hyaluronate for the presence of extensive liver fibrosis and inflammation. Methods: 28 healthy volunteers and 65 patients with HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B were enrolled. Liver biopsies scored according to Ishak system. Association of serum hyaloronate with liver fibrosis and inflammation were assessed, and cut off points for serum hyaluronate levels were identified by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves and their values for prediction of fibrosis and inflammation were assessed. Results: In patients with CHB serum hyaluronate had the most significant correlation and predictive values for the liver fibrosis and inflammation comparing to the other variables. At the cut off point of 126.4 ngm/ml it could discriminate extensive fibrosis from milder ones with sensitivity of 90.9% and specificity of 98.1%. With the same value it could discriminate extensive inflammation from their milder counterparts with sensitivity of 63.6% and specificity of 92.6%. Conclusion: Serum hyaluronate was the best predictor of extensive liver fibrosis and inflammation and it could discriminate subgroups of patients with chronic hepatitis B. It could be used as a non-invasive test to monitor these patients more closely with developing anti viral agents in clinical trials

Kinematic 3D Retro-Deformation of Fault Blocks Picked from 3D Seismics

Movement on fault planes causes a large amount of smaller-scale deformation, ductile or brittle, in the area surrounding the fault. Much of this deformation is below the resolution of reflection seismics (i.e. sub-seismic, <10m displacement), but it is important to determine this deformation, since it can make up a large portion of the total bulk strain, for instance in a developing sedimentary basin. Calculation of the amount of sub-seismic strain around a fault by 3-D geometrical kinematic retro-deformation can also be used to predict the orientation and magnitude of these smaller-scale structures. However, firstly a 3-D model of the fault and its faulted horizons must be constructed at a high enough resolution to be able to preserve fault and horizon morphology with a grid spacing of less than 10 m. Secondly, the kinematics of the fault need to be determined, and thirdly a suitable deformation algorithm chosen to fit the deformation style. Then by restoring the faulted horizons to their pre-deformation state (a ‘regional’), the moved horizons can be interrogated as to the strain they underwent. Since strain is commutative, the deformation demonstrated during this retro-deformation is equivalent to that during the natural, forward deformation...conferenc

Comparison the Effect of Placenta Membrane Using Alone or With Silver Sulfadiazine in Treatment of Burns in Rats

Aims: Silver sulfadiazine is widely used for burning wound. Studies have shown that, dressing wounds with placental membrane can accelerate their healing. Our objective was to evaluate the recovery of second-degree burns in male rats that treated with topical Silver sulfadiazine-impregnated placental amniotic membrane. Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, 64 male rats were divided into 4 similar groups. In all rats, the second degree burn was induced under general anesthesia. Wound dressing in the first group (control) included simple dressing, but amniotic membrane in second group, and Silver sulfadiazine in third group and in the fourth group it was Silver sulfadiazine impregnated amniotic membrane. At the end of the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th day, under the general anesthesia, the tissue biopsies were taken from burns and microscopic evaluation was done. Data were analyzed statistically using ANOVA and P less than 0.05 was considered as significant. Findings: In treated groups, the PMN leukocyte count was significantly lower than control (p<0.001), also the amount of granular formation and its organization, the number of fibroblasts, and the rate of wound healing were greater than control (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in measured parameters between the 3 treatment groups. Conclusion: Considering the biological effects of the ammonium membrane, it is recommended to use it as an effective dressing method to accelerate burn wound healing

Мотивация целевых групп при выводе продукта на рынок

Сделан вывод о том, что при разработке системы мотивации необходимо проводить сегментацию клиентов и персонала по группам преобладающих потребностей, как это делается с рынками в маркетинге. А также выделены целевые группы, влияющие на процесс вывода нового продукта на рынок, и особенности их мотивации

Continues renal replacement therapy (CRRT) with disposable hemoperfusion cartridge: A promising option for severe COVID-19

Cytokine release syndrome is prevalent in severe cases of COVID-19. In this syndrome, an uncontrolled response of immune system occurs. Extracorporeal blood purification has been proven to effectively remove the released inflammatory cytokines. Here, we reported a successful case to represent our experience of extracorporeal blood purification in a patient with severe COVID-19. © 2020 The Author

Methadone dosing strategies in preterm neonates can be simplified

Aims: A dramatic increase in newborn infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome has been observed and these neonates are frequently treated with complex methadone dosing schemes to control their withdrawal symptoms. Despite its abundant use, hardly any data on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of methadone is available in preterm neonates. Therefore we investigated developmental PK of methadone and evaluated current dosing strategies and possible simplification in this vulnerable population. Methods: A single-centre open-label prospective study was performed to collect PK data after a single oral dose of methadone in preterm neonates. A population PK model was built to characterize developmental PK of (R)- and (S)-methadone. Model-based simulations were performed to identify a simplified dosing strategy to reach and maintain target methadone exposure. Results: A total of 121 methadone concentrations were collected from 31 preterm neonates. A one-compartment model with first order absorption and elimination kinetics best described PK data for (R)- and (S)-methadone. Clearance increases with advancing gestational age and differs between R- and S-enantiomer, being slightly higher for the former (0.244 vs 0.167 L/h). Preterm neonates reached target exposure after 48 hours with currently used dosing schedules. Output from simulations revealed that target exposures can be achieved with a simplified dosing strategy during the first 4 days of treatment. Conclusion: Methadone clearance in preterm neonates increases with advancing gestational age and its disposition is influenced by its chirality. Simulations that account for developmental PK changes indicate a shorter methadone dosing strategy can maintain target exposure to control withdrawal symptoms. © 2019 The British Pharmacological Societ

Is salt intake reduction a universal intervention for both normotensive and hypertensive people: a case from Iran STEPS survey 2016

Purpose: There is a direct association between salt intake and blood pressure (BP), one of the main risk factors for CVDs. However, yet there has been a debate that how strong is this association in people with and without hypertension. This study was conducted to evaluate the magnitude of the association between salt intake and BP in hypertensive and normotensive population among a nationally representative population. Methods: The study was conducted on a nationally representative sample of 18,635 Iranian adults aged 25 years and older who participated in the STEPS survey 2016 and provided urine sample. Salt intake was estimated through spot urine sample and Tanaka equation. Multiple linear regression model in survey data analysis was used to assess the independent effect of salt intake on BP. Results: After adjusting for covariates, there was a significant association between salt intake and SBP in hypertensive (p ' 0.001) and normotensive people (p ' 0.001). In hypertensive people, with 1 g of increase in salt intake, the SBP and DBP increased 0.37 mmHg and 0.07 mmHg, respectively. Whereas in normotensive people, with 1 g of increase in salt intake, the SBP and DBP increased 0.26 mmHg and 0.05 mmHg, respectively. Moreover, there was a significant trend toward an increase of SBP across salt intake quartiles in both hypertensive (p ' 0.001) and normotensive people (p = 0.002), though the slope was steeper in hypertensive than in normotensive people. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that salt intake significantly increased SBP in both hypertensive and normotensive people, though the magnitude of this increase was greater in hypertensive people as compared with normotensive people