Symmetry in Critical Random Boolean Network Dynamics

Using Boolean networks as prototypical examples, the role of symmetry in the dynamics of heterogeneous complex systems is explored. We show that symmetry of the dynamics, especially in critical states, is a controlling feature that can be used both to greatly simplify analysis and to characterize different types of dynamics. Symmetry in Boolean networks is found by determining the frequency at which the various Boolean output functions occur. There are classes of functions that consist of Boolean functions that behave similarly. These classes are orbits of the controlling symmetry group. We find that the symmetry that controls the critical random Boolean networks is expressed through the frequency by which output functions are utilized by nodes that remain active on dynamical attractors. This symmetry preserves canalization, a form of network robustness. We compare it to a different symmetry known to control the dynamics of an evolutionary process that allows Boolean networks to organize into a critical state. Our results demonstrate the usefulness and power of using the symmetry of the behavior of the nodes to characterize complex network dynamics, and introduce a novel approach to the analysis of heterogeneous complex systems

The Structural Model of Social Well-being in workplace based on Bright-side Personality, Dark Triad and Collectivism Culture,Considering the Mediating Role of Social Influence

Introduction: Social well-being is one of three employee well-being dimensions and the missed piece of subjective well-being literature. The purpose of current research was modeling the social well-being in workplace, based on person-situation model and social exchange theory. This mediated-moderated structural model is developed considering the interactive role of bright and dark triad and collectivism organizational culture, besides mediation role of social influence tactics.Method: Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used for analyzing this second-order hierarchical latent variable model. Participants were 292 employees of Iran National oil Company in the summer of 1398.Results: Fitness indices indicates the good fitness of social-wellbeing model (SRMR<0.08, NFI>0.9). Results showed that bright side of personality and collectivism organizational culture affect social well-being directly. In addition, findings showed that dark triad influences on social well-being is fully mediated by social influence tactics; so that Machiavellianism and narcissism increase the social well-being levels by influencing soft influence tactics utilization; Whereas psychopathy leads to applying hard influence tactics and cause social well-being reduction. Moderating effect of collectivism organizational culture on bright side of personality and social well-being was confirmed as well.Conclusion: Overall findings indicate that personality factors are important determinants of social well-being, but understanding the social well-being construct in workplace requires including the whole image of bright and dark side of personality, as well as organization cultural factors

4-(4-Pyrid­yl)pyridinium bis­(pyridine-2,6-dicarboxyl­ato)ferrate(III) tetra­hydrate

In the title compound, (C10H9N2)[Fe(C7H3NO4)2]·4H2O or (bpyH)[Fe(pydc)2]·4H2O, the asymmetric unit contains an [Fe(pydc)2]− (pydcH2= pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid) anion, a protonated 4,4′-bipyridine as a counter-ion, (bpyH)+, and four uncoordinated water mol­ecules. The anion is a six-coordinate complex with a distorted octa­hedral geometry around the FeIII atom. A wide range of non-covalent inter­actions, i.e. O—H⋯O, O—H⋯N and N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, ion pairing, C—O⋯π [3.431 (2) Å] and C—H⋯π stacking inter­actions result in the formation of a three-dimensional network structure

Axial-torsional dynamics of a drilling bit with non-uniform blade arrangement

Peer reviewedPostprin

The effect of follicular fluid selenium concentration on oocyte maturation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing in vitro fertilization/Intracytoplasmic sperm injection: A cross-sectional study

Background: A high level of free radicals and oxidative substances in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can affect the ovaries through oxidative stress. Antioxidants such as selenium, a vital trace element in human health, can improve the prognosis of PCOS by reducing oxidative stress. Objective: This study was performed due to the lack of comprehensive information about selenium concentration in follicular fluid and its effect on the oocyte count and quality in infertile women with PCOS. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 78 women with PCOS referred to Umm-al-Banin Infertility Clinic Center, Ganjavian Hospital, Dezful, Iran for in-vitro fertilization from March to November 2019 were enrolled. After ovarian stimulation with the antagonist protocol, the oocytes were retrieved under transvaginal ultrasound in in-vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles, and selenium concentrations were measured in the follicular fluid using an atomic absorption method by spectrophotometer device. Oocyte count and morphology were evaluated using inverted optical microscopy. Results: There were no significant differences between follicular fluid selenium concentrations in terms of the total number of oocytes and immature oocytes in the metaphase I and germinal vesicle stages. However, a significantly reduced number of metaphase II oocytes was observed at selenium levels < 40 μg/dL (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Based on our results, low levels of follicular selenium concentration in infertile women with PCOS can reduce the quality and potency of oocyte maturation. Key words: Polycystic ovary syndrome, Oxidative stress, Selenium, In vitro fertilization, Oocyte quality, Follicular fluid

Exosomes and other extracellular vesicles in response to exercise intervention: Organ crosstalk in health and diseases

Dear Editor-in-ChiefExosomes contain regulatory signals such as growth factors, miRNAs, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids that can be transported to adjacent or distant cells to affect the target tissue under both physiological and pathological conditions (Isaac et al., 2021). Exosomes are involved in various stages of disease control including apoptosis, immune regulation, angiogenesis, cell migration and cell proliferation. Exosomes are a ubiquitous, evolutionarily conserved mechanism of cellular communication. They play important roles in healthy physiological functions. Proteins, metabolites, and nucleic acids delivered by exosomes to recipient cells effectively modulate their biological response. Such exosome-mediated responses can promote or inhibit disease. The intrinsic properties of exosomes in regulating complex intracellular pathways have increased their potential application in the therapeutic control of many diseases, including neurological conditions and cancer.Many agents are involved in modulating exosomes and other extracellular vesicles gene expression and release. One of these agents is the mechanical stress caused by exercise training. Exercise with its mechanical and oxidative stress can disrupt cell homeostasis and create adaptations at the molecular and cellular level to improve physiological health, which is effective in prevention of different diseases. Exercise by activation of all organs of the body, especially skeletal muscle, promotes the release of exosomes, through which it can develop organ crosstalk and have beneficial effects at the cellular level. It has been show that exercise promotes the release of exosomes without modification of its vesicle size (Estebanez et al., 2021). Little current data suggests that exosomes are released into the circulation in an intensity-dependent manner in response to acute endurance exercise. Many of the currently reported myokines/exerkines are also produced from exosomes. Finally, exosomes within skeletal muscle are depleted in response to an acute bout of endurance exercise (Safdar & Tarnopolsky, 2018)

2-(2-Pyrid­yl)pyridinium bis­(pyridine-2,6-dicarboxyl­ato-κ3 O,N,O′)aluminate(III) trihydrate

The title compound, (C10H9N2)[Al(C7H3NO4)2]·3H2O or (2,2′-bipyH)[Al(pydc)2]·3H2O (where 2,2′-bipy is 2,2′-bipyridine and pydcH2 is pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid), was synthesized by the reaction of aluminium(III) nitrate nona­hydrate with pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid and 2,2′-bipyridine in a 1:2:4 molar ratio in aqueous solution. This compound is composed of an anionic complex, [Al(pydc)2]−, a protonated 2,2′-bipyridine mol­ecule as a counter-ion, (2,2′-bipyH)+, and three uncoordinated water mol­ecules. The anion is a six-coordinate complex, with the AlIII atom in a distorted octa­hedral geometry coordinated by two tridentate pyridine-2,6-dicarboxyl­ate groups. In the crystal structure, inter­molecular O—H⋯O, N—H⋯O, N—H⋯N and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, π–π stacking between two aromatic rings [centroid–centroid distance = 3.827 (10) Å], and C=O⋯π stacking [with distances of 3.2311 (13), 3.4924 (14) and 3.5731 (13) Å], connect the various components to form a supra­molecular structure

The First Reported Case of Ocular Syphilis in an Iranian Patient

Purpose: To report the first case of ocular syphilis in an Iranian patient and discuss its diagnostic challenges. Case Report: A man in his mid-70s presented with progressive bilateral visual and auditory decline. He had previously lived in a Southeast Asian country for 10 years. Prior steroid therapies entailed no inflammation subsidence. His visual acuity at presentation was light perception OU. Funduscopic findings included severe vitritis, severe optic atrophy, diffuse retinal vascular occlusion, and diffuse retinal atrophy OU. Angiography demonstrated diffuse areas of retinal and choriocapillaris atrophy with no active choroiditis. Scaly cutaneous lesions were noted on his palms and soles – atypical findings of secondary syphilis. Serum analysis revealed an underlying syphilis infection. The cerebrospinal fluid sample was reactive to anti-syphilis antibodies, securing a neurosyphilis diagnosis. Two weeks of antibiotic therapy resulted in cutaneous lesions resolution and relative visual improvement despite extensive baseline retinal atrophic damage. Conclusion: Ocular syphilis can mimic numerous ocular inflammatory scenarios. In cases of ocular inflammation that is unresponsive to steroids, reconsidering alternative diagnoses, especially infections with the highest clinical relevance, is necessary. We stress the importance of acquiring patients’ sexual history, regardless of cultural barriers and the rarity of the entity in some regions

Poly[propane-1,3-diammonium [cuprate(II)-bis­(μ2-pyridine-2,3-dicarboxyl­ato)] trihydrate]

The title polymeric compound {(C3H12N2)[Cu(C7H3NO4)2]·3H2O}n or {(pnH2)[Cu(py-2,3-dc)2]·3H2O}n (pn is propane-1,3-diamine and py-2,3-dcH2 is pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid), was synthesized by reaction of copper(II) chloride dihydrate with a proton-transfer compound, propane-1,3-diammonium pyridine-2,3-dicarboxyl­ate or (pnH2)(py-2,3-dc), in aqueous solution. The anion is a six-coordinate complex (site symmetry ), with a distorted octa­hedral geometry around CuII, consisting of two bidentate pyridine-2,3-dicarboxyl­ate groups and two O atoms of bridging ligands from (py-2,3-dc)2− fragments, which are located in trans positions. The (pnH2)2+ cation is disordered over two sites by the center of inversion. Inter­molecular hydrogen bonds, π–π [centroid–centroid distances of 3.539 (3) Å] and C—O⋯π stacking inter­actions [O⋯Cg = 3.240 (5) Å; Cg is the center of the pyridine ring], connect the various components into a supra­molecular structure