Ground-state phases of rung-alternated spin-1/2 Heisenberg ladder

The ground-state phase diagram of Heisenberg spin-1/2 system on a two-leg ladder with rung alternation is studied by combining analytical approaches with numerical simulations. For the case of ferromagnetic leg exchanges a unique ferrimagnetic ground state emerges, whereas for the case of antiferromagnetic leg exchanges several different ground states are stabilized depending on the ratio between exchanges along legs and rungs. For the more general case of a honeycomb-ladder model for the case of ferromagnetic leg exchanges besides usual rung-singlet and saturated ferromagnetic states we obtain a ferrimagnetic Luttinger liquid phase with both linear and quadratic low energy dispersions and ground state magnetization continuously changing with system parameters. For the case of antiferromagnetic exchanges along legs, different dimerized states including states with additional topological order are suggested to be realized

The impact of industrial pollution on macrobenthic fauna communities

Mossa creek is a long, deep, tidal canal in Iran. The creek stretches almost 56 km along the northwestern edge of the Persian Gulf. The creek contains numerous sources of organic pollution including industrial sewage effluent. A survey of the creek was performed assessing organic pollution, water properties, and the macrobenthic community. The need to assess the environmental status of marine and coastal waters encouraged the design of specific biotic indices to evaluate the response of benthic communities to human-induced changes in water quality. In this study of the benthic community structure in two creeks surrounding an industrial sewage discharge, water and sediment samples were collected at eight sites in the warm season (September) and cold season (February). Environmental data on physical and chemical variables were also collected from each site and a multivariate analysis was carried out to determine the effect of environmental factors on the biodiversity distribution. The result indicated that: Shannon's-weaver index has significant correlate with dissolved oxygen (DO) and organic matter (OM). In addition, in station near of the swage pollution biodiversity index, water quality and DO decreased and organic matter increased. However, very heavy pollution was observed according to the biodiversity index value in both seasons. The results showed that in both seasons 1, 2, 3 and 5 stations (which are located near the sewage output) in pollutant confine, 4 station in moderate confine and 6, 7, 8 stations located in un pollutant class. Also the results of water quality determine base on Welch index indicated that 1, 2, 5 stations in both season, 362.95 ha (7%) and other stations in moderate pollution load, 4885.73 ha (93%) located in high and moderate pollution load, respectively. Also, the results indicated that stations around the sewage outlet had less macrobenthic species and higher organic matter. On the contrary, the station furthest from the petrochemical industries (station located in Ghanam creek) had higher species diversity and consequently a higher value for the Shannon-Weaver diversity index. The present study also showed that Polychaetes, a biotic index of pollution biotic, were more abundant. Although Polychaetes were also recorded at all the other stations, these stations had greater biodiversity with different numerically dominant species such as: Isopoda, Decapoda, Gastropoda, Copepoda, Bivalvia, Pennatulacea, and Crustaceastations. Consequently, it was established that macrobenthic biodiversity was related to dissolved oxygen and the percentage of organic matter in the sediment.Key words: Biotic indices, pollution, macrobenthos

The effect of worry and rumination on cognitive abilities with considering role of mediating role of emotional intelligence

Background and aims: The cognitive abilities were included functions such as planning, attention, response inhibition, problem solving and cognitive flexibility. The aim of the present study was to investigate effects of worry and rumination on cognitive abilities based on emotional intelligence. Methods: The present study was a correlational and cross-sectional research. For this purpose, from the statistical population of the urmia University students, 340 were selected by multi-stage cluster random sampling. Then, the worry, rumination, emotional intelligence and cognitive abilities questionnaire were distributed among research participants to respond. Collected data were analyzed by using descriptive and correlational indicators, and structural equation modeling. Results: Results indicated that there is a significant negative correlation between worry and rumination and a positive correlation between emotional intelligence with cognitive abilities. Also, path analysis model indicated mediating role of emotional intelligence between worry and rumination with cognitive abilities. Conclusion: The results support the hypothesis that worry and rumination lead to disruption of cognitive abilities and high emotional intelligence can have a moderating role in this regard

Ground Wheat Grain for Midlactation Cows: Challenging a Common Wisdom

The objective was to determine the effects of ground wheat grain (GW) inclusion rate, grinding extent (GE), and their interaction on lactating cow performance. Eight midlactation cows in 3 × 4 m individual boxes were used in a 4 × 4 replicated Latin square design study with 4 21 d periods. GW was fed at either 10% or 20% of diet dry matter (DM), as either finer or coarser particles. DM intake increased and net energy for lactation (NEL) intake tended to increase when GW was fed at 10% instead of 20% of diet DM. Milk energy yield, milk solids content and yield, and urine pH were unaffected. Fecal pH tended to increase at 20% versus 10% GW. Total tract apparent NDF, but not DM, digestibility tended to be greater for coarsely than finely GW and tended to be greater at 10% versus 20% GW. GW at 10% versus 20% of diet DM decreased blood BHBA and increased blood concentrations of total proteins and albumin. Data provide novel evidence that both finely and coarsely ground WG can be safely fed up to 20% midlactation cows. Commercial accessibility and cost will determine feeding preference of wheat grain to dairy cows

Correlation between length-weight and age in Barbus sharpeyi and Barbus grypus broodstocks in artificial propagation

This study was carried out to identify proper broodstock of Barbus sharpeyi and Barbus grypus using working fecundity indices. For Barbus sharpeyi three female groups were chosen based on previous experiences that included treatment 1: 650±300g, 1±0.5 years, (T.L) 40.68±2.7cm, treatment 2: 1350±350g, 2.5±0.5 years, (T.L) 47.92±4.63cm and treatment 3: 2200±400g, 4±0.4 years, and (T.L) 59.62±3.56cm. The same male broodstock (700±80g) and 2 year old fish were used for all treatments. For Barbus grypus three female groups were chosen using previous experiences that included treatment 1: 2212.5±780g, 2.5±0.5 years, (T.L) 62.68±6.7cm, treatment 2: 4518±780g, 4±1 years (T.L) 79.12±4.36cm and treatment 3: 7712.5±171g, 7.7±1.3 years and (T.L) 92.62±3.13cm. The same male broodstock (1400±100g) and 2 year old fish were used for all treatments. Female broodstock of the two species were injected 3mg/kg of PG hormone two times at an interval of 10 hours and males were injected 2mg/kg. The maximum working fecundity was seen in treatment 2 for Barbus sharpeyi (33000±1450) and Barbus grypus and (13000.37±4651.57). Functional fecundity were calculated for Barbus sharpeyi in all treatments which was significantly different between treatment 2 and other treatments for the two species. After this stage, the working fecundity was decreased in treatments. We conclude that treatment 2 is the best for selection of broodstocks in the two fish species

Effect of fertilizer in controlling weeds under intercropping of pearl millet and red bean in Sistan region, Iran

This experiment was conducted at the Agriculture Research Center of Zabol University during 2007 cropping season. The experimental design was split plot, using randomized complete block design with three replications. The factors included were, main factors: unfertilized (F1), 100% fertilizer (F2), 100% manure (F3), 50% fertilizer + 50% manure (F4) and five sub factors: sole crop of millet (I1), 75% millet + 25% bean (I2), 50% millet + 50% bean (I3), 25% millet + 75% bean (I4) and sole crop of bean (I5). The plants were planted as replacement method. The results showed that the lowest dry matter for crops and total dry matter of weeds was achieved from 50% fertilizer + 50% manure treatment. Also, the highest total dry matter of millet and bean was obtained from this treatment. The highest dry matter of millet and bean was obtained from the sole crop of millet and bean. Further, the highest total dry matter of millet and bean was achieved from the intercropping treatments. The land equivalent ratio (LER) for most of the intercropping treatments was greater than one which indicated that intercropping had advantage over sole crop. Comparing the performance of sole crop and intercrop treatments, the results indicated that intercropping combinations were more advantageous in terms of weed control.Key words: Intercropping, pearl millet, red bean, weeds, land equivalent ratio, yield

Correlation between high-risk pregnancy and developmental delay in children aged 4-60 months

Background: The future development of children is considered more than ever now due to the advances in medical knowledge and thus the increase in survival rates of high-risk infants. This study investigated the correlation between high-risk pregnancy and developmental delay in children aged 4- 60 months.Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 401 mothers and their children (460 months) who visited health service centers affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2011. Sampling was carried out in several stages, and the Ages and Stage Questionnaire was completed by the participants. Data were analyzed with SPSS 18 software and independent t-test; Mann-Whitney and logistic-regression tests were used.Results: The average age of children in the low-risk pregnancy group was 22916 months, and that in the highrisk pregnancy group was 18.9914.8 months. The majority of children were female (53.1%). The prevalence ofhigh-risk pregnancies was 80.5%, and the prevalence of developmental delay was 18.7%. Multiple pregnancies, low birth weight, habitual abortions, maternal medical disorders in pregnancy, and gestational diabetes had significant correlations with developmental delay in children (PB0.04). In the logistic model, male gender, low birth weight, family marriage, and maternal medical disorders during pregnancy showed significant correlations with developmental delay in children (PB0.05). Additionally, abnormal body mass index (BMI) and social and economic status showed probability values close to the significance level (P0.05), whereas other high-risk pregnancy variables had no correlation with developmental delay in children. A correlation between high-risk pregnancy and developmental delay (P0.002) and fine motor delay was observed (P 0.02), but no correlation was observed between high-risk pregnancy and other developmental domains.Conclusion: This study showed that some high-risk pregnancy variables had a significant correlation with developmental delay. Moreover, a significant correlation was observed between high-risk pregnancy and fine motor developmental delay.Keywords: high-risk pregnancy; development delay; Ages and Stages Questionnair

Integrated Treatment of Saline Oily Wastewater Using Sono-Electrokinetic Process, Degradation Mechanism, and Toxicity Assessment

Integration of sonication (US) with electrokinetic (EK) oxidation was studied for the treatment of a saline oily wastewater, as well as the effect of operating parameters, including pH, voltage, electrode distance (ED), sonication power, and reaction time on COD removal. A COD removal of 98 % was observed for the sono-electrokinetic (SEK) process with an applied voltage of 2.5 V, US power of 300 W, initial COD concentration of 3850 mg L–1, and reaction time of 9 h. The efficiency of SEK over sonication alone and EK oxidation alone was also confirmed with a higher pseudo-first-order reaction rate constant of 0.43 h–1, compared to values of 0.13 and 0.01 for alternative processes. In addition, the biodegradability of effluent was improved based on average oxidation state (AOS) and carbon oxidation state (COS) analysis. Oxygen consumption rate inhibition, dehydrogenase activity inhibition, and growth rate inhibition methods demonstrated the low toxicity of effluent (12–15 %) compared to influent. The current work indicated that SEK is a reliable and efficient technology for the treatment of saline oily wastewaters containing recalcitrant aromatic organics. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Knowledge of medical professionalism in medical students and physicians at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and affiliated hospitals-Iran

Although medical professionalism is a fundamental aspect of competence in medicine and a distinct facet of physicians' competence, evidence suggests that the subject of professionalism is not taught or assessed as part of medical students' curricula in Iran and many other countries. Assessing the knowledge of medical students and physicians about medical professionalism seems to be helpful in identifying the weaknesses of training in the field of professionalism and devise plans for future training on the subject. The present cross-sectional, quantitative, observational, and prevalence study recruited 149 medical interns, clinical residents, physicians, and professors working in hospitals selected through stratified random sampling using a questionnaire designed by the researchers and confirmed for its validity and reliability. The results were analyzed by Stata at a significance level of 0.05. Out of 149 cases, 61.64 were male with the mean age of 30.81 years. A total of 66 participants (44.29) (95 confidence interval CI: 36.44%-52.44%) had heard and 83 (55.70%) (95% CI: 47.55%-63.55%) had not heard the term 'medical professionalism' before the study. After adjusting for potential confounders, age and degree did not have statistically significant difference in assessed knowledge of medical professionalism, but sex had (mean difference: 5.88, P=0.045), and the mean of the female was significantly higher than that of the male participants. The mean percentage of correct answers was 47.67. The present study demonstrated that the medical professionals working in the national healthcare system have an unfavorable theoretical knowledge about medical professionalism in Iran; although this does not indicate that their practices are unethical, it should be noted that one of the prerequisites of possessing a high level of medical professionalism and for establishing a proper relationship between the medical community and the patients is to have a proper knowledge of this concept. Improving behaviors and performances in medical professions requires adequate training on the concepts of medical professionalism and consequently the assessment of the levels of professionalism achieved in medical professionals. © 2016 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved

Epitope Mapping of Tetanus Toxin by Monoclonal Antibodies: Implication for Immunotherapy and Vaccine Design

Tetanus as a life-threatening disease is characterized by muscle spasm. The disease is caused by the neurotoxin of Clostridium tetani. Active form of tetanus neurotoxin is composed of the light chain (fragment A) and the heavy chain. Fragment A is a zinc metalloprotease, which cleaves the neuronal soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive attachment receptor (SNARE) protein, leading to the blockade of inhibitory neurotransmitter release and subsequent generalized muscular spasm. Two functional domains of the heavy chain are fragment C, which is required for neuronal cell binding of the toxin and subsequent endocytosis into the vesicles, and fragment B, which is important for fragment A translocation across the vesicular membrane into the neuronal cytosol. Currently, polyclonal immunoglobulins against tetanus neurotoxin obtained from human plasma of hyper-immunized donors are utilized for passive immunotherapy of tetanus; however, these preparations have many disadvantages including high lot-to-lot heterogeneity, possibility of transmitting microbial agents, and the adverse reactions to the other proteins in the plasma. Neutralizing anti-tetanus neurotoxin monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) lack these drawbacks and could be considered as a suitable alternative for passive immunotherapy of tetanus. In this review, we provide an overview of the literature discussing epitope mapping of the published neutralizing MAbs against tetanus toxin. © 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature