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The presence of optical anisotropy in liquid crystals (LCs) has caused these materials to have dual refractive indices: ordinary (no) and extra-ordinary (ne). Many fundamental information about LCs can be found by looking at these refractive indices. In this work, the refractive indices of four mixtures nematic liquid crystal (NLC) have been studied as a function of temperature, and the relevant functions were then calculated. Subsequently, the order parameter of mentioned LCs was determined using three methods: Vuks, Haller, and the effective geometry parameter method. It was concluded that the obtained values are not significantly different and exhibit the same temperature dependence. The obtained results were evaluated in relation to the approach utilized.

We study bicomponent systems where one component represents a liquid crystalline (LC) phase, and the other component randomly perturbs the LC order. Such systems can serve as a testbed to systematically analyse the impact of qualitatively different types of random-type sources of perturbation on the orientational and/or translational order. This mini-review presents typical representatives of such systems, where orientational and translational order is probed in nematic and smectic A LCs, respectively. As a source of perturbation, we consider either different porous matrices (control-pore glass, aerogels) or aerosil nanoparticles, which can form in LCs' different fractal-like network organizations. In such complex systems, LC ordering fingerprints the interplay among LC elastic forces, interfacial forces, and randomness. The resulting LC behaviour could be characterised by either long-range, quasi long-range, or short-range order. We demonstrate under which conditions random-field-like phenomena or interfacial effects dominate. However, these effects are relatively strongly entangled in most experimental systems, and individual impacts cannot be precisely identified.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical and chemical properties such as plant height, length of panicles, number of effective tillers, total number of grains, number of unfilled and filled grains, weight of 1000 grains, biological and economic yield, harvest index, chlorophyll index, growth period, total phenol (TP), and total antioxidant capacity based on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) in 30 genotypes of elite rice grown in Iran. The highest 1000-grain weight was observed in genotype IR56 (G30) with 27.15 g; the highest biological yield was observed in Neda (G28) genotype (24.92 t/ha) that was at the same statistical level with national genotype (G25) (24.19 t/ha). Keshvari genotype has the highest grain yield (7.64 ton * hec). The highest amount of chlorophyll index was observed in genotype line 101 (G9) with 45.75%. In addition, the range of antioxidant capacity based on DPPH was 9.033–19.067% and genotype 13 (Bijar) had the highest antioxidant capacity. The highest TP content was 1.137 mg gallic acid (GAE) per g. According to the correlation, (0.555) had a positive and significant correlation with the antioxidant capacity based on DPPH. Also based on cluster analysis, the 30 genotypes were located in 5 main clusters. The present research reveals the potential of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes studied for the improvement of nutritional value through germplasm enhancement programs.

Pemphigus is a severe, potentially life-threatening autoimmune blistering mucocutaneous disease which establishes with autoreactive IgG antibodies that target cellular adhesions, precisely extracellular domains of keratinocyte proteins. Several genetic and environmental elements are believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease. The extent to which the initiation and progress of this autoimmune blistering disease may be influenced by the expression of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) remains to be elucidated. In this study, we evaluated the expression of HERV groups (K, W, and H) in pemphigus vulgaris (PV) patients in comparison to controls. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 24 PV patients and the corresponding age- and sex-matched healthy controls to extract total RNA for evaluation of HERV-K (HML-2), HERV-W, and HERV-H, env gene expression profile by qPCR. The mRNA expression level of HERV-K, HERV-W, and HERV-H were significantly upregulated in PV patients in comparison to healthy controls (P 0.0001). The difference in expression of studied HERVs groups between men and women was no significant (P 0.05). Although rituximab taking patients had a decreased expression level of studied HERVs, the results were not significant (P 0.05). According to our obtained data, HERVs expression could be measured as a possible diagnostic tool for detection of PV and monitoring of the treatment.

Bridges serve essential roles in a state economy whose collapse leads to grave consequences with serious economic losses. Seismic loads and corrosive conditions cause their deterioration over time. In this paper, a comprehensive framework is developed using probabilistic fragility analysis and life-cycle assessment for the collapse assessment of deteriorating bridges under multi-hazard conditions including carbonation, corrosion, scour, and seismic loads. The proposed approach takes into account the combined effects of pier scour, corrosion, and carbonation on the seismic vulnerability of reinforced concrete bridge during its life-cycle for design and retrofit purposes. To achieve this goal, the collapse probability of the bridge due to such hazards is determined for a range of possible hazard intensities. Also, to make an engineering decision regarding different scenarios, the results of the life-cycle assessment are scored. Afterward, based on the cost of each scenario, a cost–benefit analysis is conducted. Finally, the proposed approach is represented using a river-crossing bridge as a case study.

Although hosting international high-profile sporting events such as the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup are attractive soft power tools for governments to achieve public diplomacy goals, not all sports diplomacy efforts are mega-sporting events. This study explores the use of sports diplomacy by nations and attempts to identify the most applicable sports diplomacy resources available to governments to employ as soft power tools. The data for this research are composed of 30 online surveys completed by international experts in the fields of sports and public diplomacy. The responses were qualitatively analyzed using the fuzzy Delphi method (FDM). After running two rounds of fuzzy Delphi, sports diplomacy resources were classified into three categories: “Sports Events,” “Sports Human Capitals,” and “Sports Products.” Further, “sports players”; “women’s sports”; “hosting/participating in regional, international, continental, or global events”; “coaches”; and “authentic sports leagues” were identified as the most important sports diplomacy resources.

Background There is no identified pharmacological therapy for COVID-19 patients, where potential therapeutic strategies are underway to determine effective therapy under such unprecedented pandemic. Therefore, combination therapies may have the potential of alleviating the patient’s outcome. This study aimed at comparing the efficacy of two different combination regimens in improving outcomes of patients infected by novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Methods This is a single centered, retrospective, observational study of 60 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 positive inpatients (≥18 years old) at two wards of the Baqiyatallah Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Patient’s data including clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded. According to the drug regimen, the patients were divided into two groups; group I who received regimen I consisting azithromycin, prednisolone, naproxen, and lopinavir/ritonavir and group II who received regimen II including meropenem, levofloxacin, vancomycin, hydroxychloroquine, and oseltamivir. Results The oxygen saturation (SpO2) and temperature were positively changed in patients receiving regimen I compared to regimen II (P = 0.013 and P = 0.012, respectively). The serum level of C-reactive protein (CRP) changed positively in group I (P

This study aimed to determine whether MSAF is associated with endometritis after delivery. This cohort study was conducted from 2012 to 2013 in Kosar Hospital of Qazvin, Iran. All women with cesarean delivery (1239 women) beyond 37 weeks of gestational age participated in the study. Data were collected on rates of endomyometritis, quality of amniotic fluid and were analyzed with bivariate and multivariate statistics. Probability values of

Well’s syndrome, in many circumstances, is determined by intensive eosinophilic infiltration into dermal layer with the clinical presentation of erythematous and edematous plaques which can easily be remitted by current corticosteroid therapies. Up to now, different etiologies have been proposed governing Well’s pathophysiological procedure. Of note, no evidence of seasonal association has been already reported. A 70-years-old afebrile male presented with a chief complaint of 30-years history of cutaneous manifestations along with non-ulcerated edematous, erythematous plaques and patches, and extensive pruritus confined on both dorsal and palmar surface of upper extremities occurred annually in early summer. We hereby report a case in season-dependent of Well’s syndrome occurrence.

Preeclampsia is an important cause of maternal and perinatal mortality worldwide. The etiology of this relatively common medical complication of pregnancy, however, remains unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the copper concentrations in serum and urine samples of preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women to establish the possible contribution of this parameter to the etiology of this condition. Ninety-five preeclamptic and 92 normotensive pregnant women were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. The Cu content of serum and 24-h urine was compared among the women. The individual samples were analyzed for copper by atomic absorption spectrometry. The obtained data were recorded and analyzed statistically using t test, X2. Comparing the Cu concentrations in serum and urine samples of preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women, significant differences between the two groups were observed. Obtained results of this study revealed that Cu content of serum and urine is increased in preeclamptic pregnancy.

Experimental data from dielectric investigations of solutions of flourobenzene (FB) and its mesogenic derivative (1-fluoro-4-(4-pentylcyclohexyl) benzene (FPCHB) in 1,4-dioxane are reported for various mole fractions and temperatures. The molecular dipole moments were determined using the Guggenheim-Debye method in the temperature range of 298.2 to 318.2 K. Both fluorinated compounds show a positive and small temperature coefficient for the effective dipole moment. Variations of the effective dipole moment and correlation factor, g, with mole fraction in these mixtures were investigated using the Kirkwood-Frohlich equation. Dielectric measurements were also carried out on binary mixtures of FPCHB with 1-butanol for various concentrations at 318.2 K. The Kirkwood correlation factor, the Bruggeman factor, and the excess permittivity were determined.