On groups with the same character degrees as almost simple groups with socle the Mathieu groups

Let $G$ be a finite group and $cd(G)$ denote the set of complex irreducible character degrees of $G$. In this paper, we prove that if $G$ is a finite group and $H$ is an almost simple group whose socle is Mathieu group such that $cd(G) =cd(H)$, then there exists an Abelian subgroup $A$ of $G$ such that $G/A$ is isomorphic to $H$. This study is heading towards the study of an extension of Huppert's conjecture (2000) for almost simple groups.Comment: arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1108.0010 by other author

A promising approach to low electrical percolation threshold in PMMA nanocomposites by using MWCNT-PEO predispersions

Electrical conductive poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposites with low percolation threshold are very challenging to be prepared. Here, we show that the miscibility between poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as matrix for predispersions of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and PMMA represents an efficient approach to achieve very low electrical percolation threshold. PMMA/PEO-MWCNTs nanocomposites were prepared by a two-step solution casting method involving pre-mixing of MWCNTs with PEO and then mixing of PEO-MWCNTs with PMMA, resulting in a PMMA/PEO ratio of 80/20 wt%. The electrical percolation threshold (EPT) value was determined to be ~ 0.07 wt% which is significantly lower than most of the reported EPT values in the literature for PMMA/CNT composites. The very low electrical percolation threshold was attributed to the effectual role of PEO in self-assembly of secondary structures of nanotubes into an electrically conductive network. This was further confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and by comparing the obtained EPT value with the prediction of the excluded volume model in which statistical percolation threshold is defined based on uniform distribution of high-aspect ratio sticks in a matrix. Moreover, based on UV–Vis measurements and linear viscoelastic rheological measurements, optical and rheological percolation thresholds were obtained at nearly 0.01 wt% and 0.5 wt%, respectively

The effect FRIENDS program on the anxiety of adolescent girls

Background: Anxiety is one of the most common psychological problems among adolescents which have been almost considered by researchers. In this regard, the present study was conducted to examine the effect of the FRIENDS training program on the anxiety of female adolescent clients referred to Tolou-e-Now Health Counseling Center of Bam. Methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial. The statistical population included 65 people of female adolescents with anxiety disorder referred to Tolou-e-Now Health Counseling Center of Bam, who were studying in academic year 2018-2019. Among them 30 people whose total anxiety level were higher than intermediate, were selected through convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to control (n=15) and experimental (n=15) groups. The experimental group received the FRIENDS training program for 10 sessions during 2 months and the control group did not receive any intervention. Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to collect data. The data were analyzed using analysis of covariance and SPSS software version 22. Results: the results of analyzing the data showed that FRIENDS program training had a statistically significant effect on reducing both obvious and hidden anxiety in female adolescents in experimental compare to control group. The rate of the effect of this training program was estimated 33.4% with statistic potent 92.4. Conclusion: FRIENDS training program could be considered as a protective intervention on reducing anxiety of adolescents

Correlation of Microstructure, Rheological and Morphological Characteristics of Synthesized Polypropylene (PP) Reactor Blends Using Homogeneous Binary Metallocene Catalyst

A novel binary homogeneous catalyst system based on (I): rac-Me2Si(2-Me-4-PhIn)2ZrCl2 and (II): (2-PhIn)2ZrCl2 catalysts at various molar ratios was utilized for the synthesis of polypropylene (PP) reactor blends with bimodal molecular weight distribution (MWD). The results of gel permeation chromatography analyses revealed that the catalyst (I) was responsible for the production of i-PP with high molecular weight (MW) while the individual use of catalyst (II) led to the production of an elastomeric PP with relatively low MW. However, application of the binary catalyst system led to high MW bimodal MWD products being highly dependent on the catalysts’ molar ratios. Increasing the molar ratio of catalyst (II) to catalyst (I) resulted in a notable enhancement of the products’ complex viscosity due to the increased MW, a higher level of chains’ entanglements and formation of amorphous blocks along the polymer chains. All products exhibited a single relaxation that shifted towards longer times upon changing the catalysts’ molar ratios. Scanning electron microscopy results revealed that the fracture surface of the blends, synthesized by the binary catalyst system, became more heterogeneous in comparison with the products obtained by the individual use of the catalyst (I). The observed heterogeneity was found to increase by increasing the amount of catalyst (II). Such morphological change was further corroborated by the dynamic rheological data, indicating a promising correlation between the linear rheological results and the morphological features of the synthesized PP reactor blends

Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes and Their Prognostic Value in Cutaneous Melanoma.

Recent breakthroughs in tumor immunotherapy such as immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) antibodies, have demonstrated the capacity of the immune system to fight cancer in a number of malignancies such as melanoma and lung cancer. The numbers, localization and phenotypes of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) are not only predictive of response to immunotherapy but also key modulators of disease progression. In this review, we focus on TIL profiling in cutaneous melanoma using histopathological approaches and highlight the observed prognostic value of the primary TIL subsets. The quantification of TIL in formalin-fixed tumor samples ranges from visual scoring of lymphocytic infiltrates in H&E to multiplex immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence followed by enumeration using image analysis software. Nevertheless, TIL enumeration in the current literature primarily relies upon single marker immunohistochemistry analyses of major lymphocyte subsets such as conventional T cells (CD3, CD4, CD8), regulatory T cells (FOXP3) and B cells (CD20). We review key studies in the literature on associations between TIL subsets and patient survival. We also cover recent findings with respect to the existence of ectopic lymphoid aggregates found in the TME which are termed tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) and are generally a positive prognostic feature. In addition to their prognostic significance, the existence of various TIL sub-populations has also been reported to predict a patient's response to ICB. Thus, the literature on the predictive potential of TIL subsets in melanoma patients receiving ICB has also been discussed. Finally, we describe recently developed state-of-the-art profiling approaches for tumor infiltrating immune cells such as digital pathology scoring algorithms (e.g., Immunoscore) and multiplex proteomics-based immunophenotyping platforms (e.g., imaging mass cytometry). Translating these novel technologies have the potential to revolutionize tumor immunopathology leading to altering our current understanding of cancer immunology and dramatically improving outcomes for patients

Surface modification of MWCNT and its influence on properties of paraffin/MWCNT nanocomposites as phase change material

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were modified by an organo-silane in order to improve their dispersion state and stability in paraffin wax. A family of paraffin-based phase change material (PCM) composites filled with MWCNTs was prepared with different loadings (0, 0.1, 0.5, and 1 wt%) of pristine MWCNTs and organo-silane modified MWCNTs (Si-MWCNT). Structural analyses were performed by means of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and rheological studies using temperature sweeps. Moreover, phase change transition temperatures and heat of fusion as well as thermal and electrical conductivities of the developed PCM nanocomposites were determined. The SEM micrographs and FTIR absorption bands appearing at approximately 1038 and 1112 cm−1 confirmed the silane modification. Differential scanning calorimetery (DSC) results indicate that the presence of Si-MWCNTs leads to slightly favorable enhancement in the energy storage capacity at the maximum loading. It was also shown that the thermal conductivity of the PCM nanocomposites, in both solid and liquid phases, increased with increasing the MWCNT content independent of the kind of MWCNTs by up to about 30% at the maximum loading of MWCNTs. In addition, the modification of MWCNTs made the samples completely electrically nonconductive, and the electrical surface resistivity of the PCMs containing pristine MWCNTs decreased with increasing MWCNTs loading. Furthermore, the rheological assessment under consecutive cyclic phase change demonstrated that the samples containing modified MWCNTs are more stable compared to the PCM containing pristine MWCNTs. © 2019 Wile

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Epileptic Children in Tehran: A Cross-Sectional Study (2009-2011)

How to Cite This Article: Tonekaboni Sh, Jafari Naeini S, Khajeh A, Yaghini O, Ghazavi A, Abdollah Gorji F. Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Epileptic Children in Tehran: A Cross-Sectional Study (2009-2011). Iran J Child Neurol. 2014 Winter; 8(1):26-31.ObjectiveAlthough the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has been evaluated globally, there are few studies in our country on this subject. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence, pattern of use, parental sources of information, and benefits of CAM in epileptic children in Tehran.Materials & MethodsOne hundred thirty-three parents or relatives of epileptic children who were referred to outpatient clinics or admitted in neurologic ward of four major hospitals in Tehran, were interviewed by our researcher based on a structured questionnaire; from 2009 to 2010. The information obtained comprised the demographic data of patients and their parents, frequency and morphology of convulsions, the type and sources of CAM and finally, the benefits and adverseeffects of this practice.ResultsForty-four percent of the respondents had used CAM methods either alone or in combination with other methods. The most frequently used CAM was written prayers followed by oral herbs and special diets. CAM was mainly introduced to them by relatives. Only 16.7% of these parents had discussed this matter with their children’s physicians. No efficacy to control seizure was observed for most of these methods.ConclusionThis study showed that use of CAM in our study group is relatively common and may have a potentially hazardous role in the treatment process. So, it is necessary for physicians to have enough information about CAM practice in their patients. References:National Institutes of health. More than one third of US adults use complementary and alternative medicine, according to new government survey. [Serial online] 2004 (cited 2004 May 27). Available from: http://nccam. nih.gov/news/2004/052704.htm.Traditional Medicine: The Fifty-Sixth World Health Assembly WHO, 2003. World Health Organization, 2011. Available from: http://apps.who.int/gb/archive/ pdf_files/WHA56/ea56r31.pdfMichi CA. The use of herbal remedies in Jamaica. Ann Trop Paediatr 1992;12(1):31-6.Ricotti V, Delanty N. Use of complementary and alternative medicine in epilepsy. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2006;6(4):347-53.Aburahma SK, Khader YS, Alzoubi k, Sawalha N. Complemetary and alternative medicine use in a pediatric neurology clinic. Complement Ther Chin Pract 2010;16(3):117-20.Eisenberg DM, Davis RB, Ettner SL, Appel S, Wilkey S, Van Rompay M, et al. Trends in alternative medicine use in United States, 1990-1997: results of a follow-up national survey. JAMA 1998;280(18):1569-75.Khonsari A, Gorji K, Abdollahpur F, Dehestani S, Mousavi A, Delfan B et al. Study of international approaches on treatment of common diseases using different methods of complementary medicine. J Ilam Uni Med Sci 2009;4:37-45. (Full text in Persian)Kwan P, Brodie MJ. Early identification of refractory epilepsy. N Engl J Med 20003;342(5):314-9.Oshikoya KA, Senbanjo IO, Njokanma OF, Soipe A. Use of complementary and alternative medicine for children with chronic health conditions in Lagos, Nigeria. BMC Complement Altern Med 2008;8:66.Liow K, Ablah E, Nguyen JC, Sadler T, Wolfe D, Tran KD et al. Pattern and frequency of use of complementary and alternative medicine among patients with epilepsy in the mid western United States. Epilepsy Behav 2007;10(4):576-82.Tehrani Banihashemi SA, Asgharifard H, Haghdoost AA, Barghamdi M, Mohammadhosseini N. The use of complementary/ Alternative medicine among the general population in Tehran /Iran. Payesh 2008;7(4):355-62.(Full text in Persian)Ekici B, That B, Abah S, Aydinli N, Ozmen M. Application of complementary and alternative medicine in epileptic children at a tertiary pediatric neurology center in Turkey. Eur J Integr Med 2011;4:e71-5.Soo I, Mah JK, Barlow K, Hamiwka L, Wirrell E. Use of complementary and alternative medical therapies in pediatric neurology clinic. Can J Neurol Sci 2005;32(4):524-28.Cuzzolin L, Zaffani S, Murgia V, Gangemi M, Meneghelli G, Chiamenti G, et al. Patterns and perceptions of complementary/alternative medicine among paediatricians and patients’ mothers: a review of the literature. Eur J Pediatr 2003;162(12):820-7

Investigating the Effects of Re-generated Urban Spaces on the Socio-Economic Performance of the Historical Context of Isfahan (Case study: Imam Ali Square)

Extended Abstract:IntroductionImam Ali Square (AS) as the most important open space in the northern part of Isfahan with high activity density needs to achieve the desired quantitative and qualitative dimensions. The reconstruction and revitalization of the square has been the major costly urban renovation project in this city. For examlem to rehabilitate the square, the passing cars in the four streets leading to this place were first driven out of the square through the underpasses and then, all the shops in the middle of the square wer bought and demolished through public participation by using participation papers. Next, the markets on the sides of the square were completed and restored with traditional designs. The  local markets have now their activaties in this square on Mondays and Wednesdays, while the municipality has tried to organize or dismantle them. When paying attention to the actions taken, one can observe that they are comprehensive and holistic.However, only physical issues, such as paving and improvement of appearance, have been considered in the restoration plans of this complex. It seems that effective steps have not been taken to revitalize this square. Revitalization of an urban -- economic life and vitality --has a hidden dimension often overlooked. For example, this complex has not been successful in enabling the former merchants to buy new shops and got involved in such issues as lack of attending to former small businesses that have used to increase interactions, lack of welcoming citizens, and lack of maintaining meanings and memories. Due to its proximity to the old market and historical sites, this space has the potential to create an active tourist center that can provide strong roots of urban life. Therefore, paying more attention to the performance of this area could increase citizens' satisfaction and vitality and a sense of belonging for citizens and businesses. Undoubtedly, neglecting the mentioned factors and not conducting the necessary research in this regard would cause the lack of tangible identity, disorder and visual confusion, lack of psychological security and people’s confusion in the area, abandonment of cultural and historical elements, lack of positive people’s evaluation of urban spaces, reduced social interactions, and decreased sense of belonging. Therefore, the present made an attempt to study the effects of recreating Imam Ali Square on the socio-economic performance of the surrounding area. MethodologyThe present study was an applied research with a descriptive-analytical approach. In the first step, a list of the influential factors were identified as the research variables and compiled in the form of two questionnaires. In the first questionnaire, the importance of each factor based on Likert Spectrum was asked from 100 urban experts as the statistical population using the Snowball method. To assess the importance of economic and socio-cultural practices in Imam Ali Square, the information collected from the first questionnaire was analyzed through descriptive findings and Chi-square tests in the SPSS software environment. The average values of economic and socio-cultural indicators in the real society were assumed to be equal to 3. The importance of the studied indicators in all the items had to be higher than average. Applying the method of Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) in the LISREL software environment, the effective socio-economic factors in recreating the area of ​​Imam Ali Square were identified. DiscussionThe results showed that the level of satisfaction with the neighborhood was below the social criterion and the economic criterion of land and housing market was one of the most important factors affecting the quality of life in the area. Changing false and unstable activities and jobs, organizing suitable jobs and activities, modifying the prices of residential commercial lands, increasing the qualities of commercial units, attracting domestic and foreign investors to the economic sector, increasing the presence of pedestrians and social groups and their understanding of the area, removing the disturbing jobs, strengthening the national and international images of this square, organizing beggars, using the square as an urban space, and reducing individual and social insecurities in the social sector were among the factors that received the highest points in the fields of recreating the economic and socio-cultural performance of the square, thus indicating that the project of recreating the revitalizing Imam Ali Square had been successful in these fields. ConclusionImam Ali Square was considered as the most active and prosperous commercial and economic areas in Isfahan before its reconstruction. People from the surrounding cities and villages in addition to Isfahan used to come to this place for shopping due to the great variety of products offered in this area. For example, the fruit and vegetable market in the north of Abdul Razzaq Street was very prosperous though being an irregular complex of fruit stalls. In the past, especially during the Qajar period, this center was used to buy and sell coal. However, after supplying oil and gas to the domestic and industrial markets, the coal sale activity gradually declined and was replaced by peddling activities. Towards the end of the square, a gathering place was formed for vendors to sell second-hand and cheap goods. Another market in this area was the bird market in Cucumber Caravanserai. In this market, animals, such as chickens, roosters, partridges, pigeons, etc., were sold. The mentioned center and the coal market had a very dirty atmosphere and an unfavorable appearance. They had nothing to do with the historical identity and cultural values ​​of the area. In this place, peddling, smuggling, buying and selling drugs, and begging were done a lot.Nevertheless, among the actions taken, meanings and memorable messages, customer attraction, business satisfaction, and economic life were lacking in this area and this had caused it to be involved in a declined prosperity and hence not to have its former vitality. Keywords: urban space, recreation, historical context, Imam Ali Square, Isfahan References:- Aykaç, P., Rifaioğlu, M.N., Altınöz, A.G.B., Güçhan, N.Ş., (2009). Design Interventions as Regenerators in Historic Towns: Proposal for Ayvalık Historic Depots Region, In the International Conference on the Urban Projects, Architectural Intervention in Urban Areas, TU, Delft, The Netherlands.- Bailey, N., (2010). 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