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Some reinforced concrete (RC) structures requiring strengthening intervention are subjected to cyclic loads during their lifetime. To evaluate the effect of this kind of loading on the behavior of flexurally strengthened RC slabs with prestressed near‐surface mounted (NSM) carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates, an experimental program formed by 10 RC slabs was carried out. Four specimens were submitted to monotonic loading and the remaining were submitted to 1 million cycles at a frequency of 1 Hz. Two levels of fatigue loading were applied and, for each one, three prestress levels for the CFRP were tested (0%, 20%, and 40%). Failure during the fatigue loading was occurred only in one specimen (at 752,000 cycles) with a maximum fatigue stress level of 92% (percentage of the maximum load carrying capacity of the equivalent slab tested up the failure under monotonic static loading). The other specimens, submitted to a maximum fatigue stress level between 46% and 82%, did not fail during the fatigue loading process. After 1 million cycles, the NSM strengthened slabs with 0%, 20%, and 40% of prestress presented an increase of 20%, 18%, and 25%, respectively in mid‐span deflection. In general, the strains in the CFRP laminates marginally increased during the fatigue loading. The results of the postfatigue monotonic tests until failure showed that the damage accumulation due the fatigue cycles neither affected the ultimate load capacity of the strengthened NSM CFRP slabs nor the failure mode in which the CFRP rupture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we will introduce an enzyme‐free solid‐state electrochemiluminescent (ECL) sensor for ultrasensitive detection of Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), as a significant molecule in many fundamental biological processes. It was fabricated based on the electro immobilization of poly (Luminol/Aniline) (PLA) nanocomposite on the surface of electrochemically reduced Graphene oxide (ERGO)/CeO2 /GCE modified electrode. We applied electrochemical technique as a controllable, rapid and simple method for the electro copolymerization of Luminol and Aniline and also the electrochemical reduction of graphene oxide (GO). The oxygen functional groups in ERGO were mostly eliminated. The properties of the ERGO/CeO2 /PLA modified electrode were also studied by FE‐SEM, Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods. Under the optimal conditions, this proposed ECL sensor exhibits high sensitivity and wide linear dynamic range for H2O2 determination from 0.8 pmolL-1 to 8 mmolL-1 with the low detection limit of 0.36 p molL-1 (S/N=3) and RSD 1.89 %. The results demonstrate that this enzyme‐free solid‐state ECL sensor offers a promising candidate for quantification of H2O2 concentration in biological fluids such as human urineIntroduction [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Implementing more sustainable practices in the construction industry would provide healthier and safer environmental conditions as well as ethical approaches. The conventional wisdom is that their uptake will continue to improve in line with its familiarity and applicability among industry stakeholders at the forefront of onsite project activities. Thus, an investigation was carried out into the factors affecting the sustainability performance of contractors in Palestine, particularly at the project execution stage. A questionnaire survey of 42 factors was administered to 90 registered contractors. Analysis of results using the mean value technique revealed that the cost of fundamental project resources, labor‐related factors, and destruction of natural habitat and depletion of natural resources were the most significant factors affecting contractors' sustainability performance. Despite being a limited exercise in scope, it is recommended that consideration is given to any potential cost fluctuations, as well as explicit mention of gain and pain issues within the project documentation, in order to sustainably operate in the construction sector of Palestine, while continuing to contribute to the national economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A direct borohydride fuel cell (DBFC) using H2O2 as oxidizer has been developed. The NaBH4/H2O2 fuel cell is assembled by using Ni-Pt/C composite as anode catalyst, Pt/C as cathode catalyst, and Nafion® membrane as electrolyte. The compositions, morphology and particle sizes and of catalysts are evaluated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. TEM images show that Ni-Pt/C nanoparticles have an even size distribution with an average diameter of less than 20 nm. In this work, DBFC performance is studied under different operation conditions including operation temperature, borohydride concentration, and oxidant concentration. The experimental results show that the power density increased by increasing the temperature and increasing the concentration of oxidant. Experiments also show that electrochemical performance is not considerably affected by NaBH4 concentration. So that, it is found that 1.5M NaBH4 concentration is optimum for DBFC operation. A maximum power density of 140 mW cm−2 or 0.11 mW µg−1Pt total has been achieved at a cell voltage of 1.011 V at 55 °C. The cell is operated for about 72 h and its performance stability is recorded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, dairy farmers in semi-arid regions have shifted from maize ( Zea mays L.) as their primary source of feed to drought-tolerant crops, such as millet ( Pennisetum glaucum L.), due to lack of water for irrigation. However, millet alone may not provide feed of sufficient quality and crude protein content for dairy cows. A field experiment was conducted in 2 years to evaluate (i) whether intercropping millet with a relatively drought-tolerant soya bean cultivar ( Glycine max Merr, cv. Williams) could improve silage quality with minimum yield penalty, and (ii) if the application of molasses could further enhance the nutritive value of silage of millet-soya bean intercrops. There were three intercropping ratios (60% millet with 40% soya bean, 50% millet with 50% soya bean, 40% millet with 60% soya bean) and monocultures of millet and soya bean. Mixed forages were treated with three levels of molasses: M0 (without molasses), M1, and M2 (2·5 and 5% fresh matter respectively). Inclusion of soya bean in millet crops resulted in decreased silage yield compared with millet alone. The highest yield was obtained from the ratio of 60% millet with 40% soya bean. Molasses-treated silage had higher lactic acid, lower pH, and lower acid detergent fibre ( ADF) and neutral detergent fibre ( NDF). Silage produced from millet-soya bean intercrops exhibited enhanced fermentation, indicated by lower pH (3·64) and higher lactic acid (16·63 g kg−1 DM) than silage from monocultures. Intercropping ratios had lower water-soluble carbohydrate, ADF and NDF than millet monoculture. Overall, an intercropping ratio of 60% millet with 40% soya bean was advantageous over other ratios in terms of higher yield, nutritive value and economic value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective vaccination against pathogens, which enter the body through mucosal surfaces, requires the induction of both mucosal and systemic immune responses. Here, mucosal as well as systemic immune responses in the lung and spleen of BALB/c mice which were orally vaccinated with a single dose of alginate-encapsulated bacille Calmette-Guerin ( BCG) were evaluated. Twenty weeks after immunization, the vaccinated mice were challenged intranasally with BCG. Twelve weeks after immunization and 5 weeks after challenge, the immune responses were evaluated. Moreover, immune responses were compared with those of mice that were vaccinated with free BCG by subcutaneous (sc) and oral routes. Twelve weeks after the immunization, serum IgG level was higher in the sc-immunized mice, while serum IgA level was higher in the orally immunized mice with encapsulated BCG. Significant productions of both IgG and IgA were only detected in lungs of mice orally immunized with encapsulated BCG. Proliferative and delayed-type hypersensitivity responses and IFN- γ production were significantly higher in mice immunized orally with encapsulated BCG, compared to mice immunized orally with free BCG. After challenge, the levels of IFN- γ were comparable between sc-immunized mice with free BCG and orally immunized with encapsulated BCG; however, significantly less IL-4 was detected in mice which had received encapsulated BCG via oral route. Moreover, significant control of the bacilli growth in the lung of the immunized mice after intranasal challenge with BCG was documented in mice vaccinated with encapsulated BCG. These results suggest that oral immunization with alginate-encapsulated BCG is an effective mean of inducing mucosal and systemic specific immune responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanostructured metals have different mechanical, chemical, and physical behaviors in comparison with the microstructured ones. Numerous research studies demonstrated that the biological behavior of nanostructured metallic implants was improved significantly. Concerning the nanostructured metals, decreasing the corrosion rate and the releasing of hazardous ions from metallic implants, and thus increasing the biocompatibility of implants are due to improving the native oxide layer. In the present study, nanostructured 316L stainless steel (biomedical grade) was manufactured via equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) method. To do so, the 316L stainless steel (SS) was exposed to the ECAP operation for eight passes. The impact of the ECAP process on corrosion behavior of SS samples was evaluated through performing the electrochemical polarization corrosion tests in Ringer's solution. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to study the surface morphology of common SS and ECAPed SS sample after the electrochemical polarization tests. Moreover, the biological behavior of the samples was evaluated via cell culture using fibroblast cells. The corrosion test results revealed a substantial decrease of corrosion rate from 3.12 (coarse-grained sample) to 0.42 μA cm−2 (for nanostructured). Furthermore, the cell proliferation in the interface of nanostructured sample and cell culture medium enhanced dramatically compared with the coarse-grained one. The much better biological behavior of nanostructured SS sample in comparison with the coarse-grained one is mostly due to the significant decrease of corrosion rate on the surface of SS samples, and the presence of much more chrome oxide on the surface of SS sample. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper describes the system for the dose delivery currently used at the Centro Nazionale di Adroterapia Oncologica (CNAO) for ion beam modulated scanning radiotherapy. Methods: CNAO Foundation, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare and University of Torino have designed, built, and commissioned a dose delivery system (DDS) to monitor and guide ion beams accelerated by a dedicated synchrotron and to distribute the dose with a full 3D scanning technique. Protons and carbon ions are provided for a wide range of energies in order to cover a sizable span of treatment depths. The target volume, segmented in several layers orthogonally to the beam direction, is irradiated by thousands of pencil beams which must be steered and held to the prescribed positions until the prescribed number of particles has been delivered. For the CNAO beam lines, these operations are performed by the DDS. The main components of this system are two independent beam monitoring detectors, called BOX1 and BOX2, interfaced with two control systems performing the tasks of real-time fast and slow control, and connected to the scanning magnets and the beam chopper. As a reaction to any condition leading to a potential hazard, a DDS interlock signal is sent to the patient interlock system which immediately stops the irradiation. The essential tasks and operations performed by the DDS are described following the data flow from the treatment planning system through the end of the treatment delivery. Results: The ability of the DDS to guarantee a safe and accurate treatment was validated during the commissioning phase by means of checks of the charge collection efficiency, gain uniformity of the chambers, and 2D dose distribution homogeneity and stability. A high level of reliability and robustness has been proven by three years of system activity needing rarely more than regular maintenance and working with 100% uptime. Four identical and independent DDS devices have been tested showing comparable performances and are presently in use on the CNAO beam lines for clinical activity. Conclusions: The dose delivery system described in this paper is one among the few worldwide existing systems to operate ion beam for modulated scanning radiotherapy. At the time of writing, it has been used to treat more than 350 patients and it has proven to guide and control the therapeutic pencil beams reaching performances well above clinical requirements. In particular, in terms of dose accuracy and stability, daily quality assurance measurements have shown dose deviations always lower than the acceptance threshold of 5% and 2.5%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shortage of irrigation water in arid and semi-arid regions has forced forage producers to look for drought-tolerant species for silage production. To evaluate silage yield and nutritive value of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] intercrops as influenced by intercropping ratios and N rates, a 2-yr field experiment was conducted using split-plot lay out on a randomized complete block (RCB) design. Main plots consisted of 0, 37, and 74 kg N ha-1 (N0, N37, and N74, respectively) and intercropping ratios of millet and soybean (50%M:50%S; 60%M:40%S; and 40%M:60%S) along with monocultures were assigned to subplots. Increasing N resulted in 9.9 and 17.6% silage yield increase at N37 and N74 levels compared with N0. Nitrogen also increased organic acids and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) content. Silage pH was lower (4.23) where no fertilizer was applied compared with the fertilized plants (4.33). The highest crude protein (CP) content (170 g kg-1 dry matter [DM]) and dry mass (248 g DM kg-1 fresh weight) was at the N74. Silage produced by the millet-soybean mixtures was well fermented indicated by low pH and high lactic acid. Also, intercropping ratios had less acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) than monocultures. Although all of the intercropping ratios had characteristics of well-fermented silage, a mixture of 60% millet and 40% soybean could be superior because of higher silage yield and CP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The denitrification potential of a continuous denitrifying granular-sludge bioreactor for concentrated nitrate/nitrite wastes was investigated. Granules were cultivated using nitrite as sole electron acceptor. Complete denitrification could be achieved at nitrite, nitrate, and nitrate-nitrite mixture (50:50) loading rates up to 2.7, 3 and 3 g N L-1d-1, respectively. The maximum nitrite and nitrate reduction capacities were limited by the biomass concentration. Removal of nitrate and nitrite was studied with constant biomass concentration at different pH values. A lower pH value resulted in a considerable increase of inhibitory effects of both nitrite and nitrate whereby nitrate exhibited the more significant impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A residential photovoltaic (PV)-based hydrogen fuel cell (FC) system is analyzed using exergoeconomic methods, and its monthly performance is investigated. Mathematical models for predicting the power outputs of the PV and FC systems are presented. The results reported include the PV output and the shares attributable to the battery and the SOFC in supplying the electrical demand. Moreover, to study the performance of the hybrid system in supplying the daily demand, results are presented for two typical days in summer and winter. An exergoeconomic analysis is performed to determine the electricity unit cost over the system lifetime. The PV-electrolyzer system is not able to produce a sufficient amount of hydrogen during winter days, so seasonal hydrogen storage is required to feed the FC. Power penetrations of the PV and the battery systems are at maxima during the summer months, while the penetration of the FC system reaches 67% in January and December. Due to its low efficiency (16%), the maximum exergy destruction occurs in the PV modules (86%). The unit cost of electricity varies on a monthly basis, reaching a minimum of 0.26 $ kWh-1 in July and a maximum of 1.8 $ kWh-1 in January and December. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

. Surendran RP, Visser ME, Heemelaar S, Wang J, Peter J, Defesche JC, Kuivenhoven JA, Hosseini M, Péterfy M, Kastelein JJP, Johansen CT, Hegele RA, Stroes ESG, Dallinga-Thie GM (Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; UCLA, University of California; Medical Genetics Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA). Mutations in LPL, APOC2, APOA5, GPIHBP1 and LMF1 in patients with severe hypertriglyceridaemia. J Intern Med 2012; 272: 185-196. Objectives. The severe forms of hypertriglyceridaemia (HTG) are caused by mutations in genes that lead to the loss of function of lipoprotein lipase (LPL). In most patients with severe HTG (TG > 10 mmol L−1), it is a challenge to define the underlying cause. We investigated the molecular basis of severe HTG in patients referred to the Lipid Clinic at the Academic Medical Center Amsterdam. Methods. The coding regions of LPL, APOC2, APOA5 and two novel genes, lipase maturation factor 1 ( LMF1) and GPI-anchored high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-binding protein 1 ( GPIHBP1), were sequenced in 86 patients with type 1 and type 5 HTG and 327 controls. Results. In 46 patients (54%), rare DNA sequence variants were identified, comprising variants in LPL ( n = 19), APOC2 ( n = 1), APOA5 ( n = 2), GPIHBP1 ( n = 3) and LMF1 ( n = 8). In 22 patients (26%), only common variants in LPL (p.Asp36Asn, p.Asn318Ser and p.Ser474Ter) and APOA5 (p.Ser19Trp) could be identified, whereas no mutations were found in 18 patients (21%) . In vitro validation revealed that the mutations in LMF1 were not associated with compromised LPL function. Consistent with this, five of the eight LMF1 variants were also found in controls and therefore cannot account for the observed phenotype. Conclusions. The prevalence of mutations in LPL was 34% and mostly restricted to patients with type 1 HTG. Mutations in GPIHBP1 ( n = 3), APOC2 ( n = 1) and APOA5 ( n = 2) were rare but the associated clinical phenotype was severe. Routine sequencing of candidate genes in severe HTG has improved our understanding of the molecular basis of this phenotype associated with acute pancreatitis and may help to guide future individualized therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palladium nanoparticles (Pd-NPs)/polyaniline (PAni)/titanium (Ti) catalysts were prepared using electroless deposition of Pd-NPs on PAni matrixes coated on Ti substrate. PAni/Ti electrodes were synthesized by electro-polymerization of aniline on Ti. The morphology of Pd-NPs on PAni/Ti electrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy technique and results indicated that Pd-NPs were uniformly dispersed on the surface of PAni film. The electro-catalytic properties of Pd-NPs/PAni/Ti catalysts toward oxidation of hydrazine were investigated by different electrochemical methods and results showed that Pd-NPs/PAni/Ti catalysts have high electrochemical activity. In addition, the mechanism of hydrazine electrochemical oxidation catalyzed by Pd-NPs/PAni/Ti was investigated. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT A novel and simple fluorescence enhancement method is introduced for selective pyrophosphate (PPi) sensing in an aqueous solution. The method is based on a 1:1 metal complex formation between tris(8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulphonate) thulium(III) [Tm(QS)3] and PPi ion. The linear response covers a concentration range of 1.6 × 10−7-1.0 × 10−5 mol/L PPi and the detection limit is 2.3 × 10−8 mol/L. The association constant of Tm(QS)3-PPi complex was calculated as 2.6 × 105 mol/L. Tm(QS)3 shows a selective and sensitive fluorescence enhancement toward PPi ion in comparion with I3−, NO3−, CN−, CO32−, Br−, Cl−, F−, H2PO4− and SO42−, which is attributed to higher stability of the inorganic complex between pyrophosphate ion and Tm(QS)3. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polypyrrole (PPy) and Polypyrrole-ZnO (PPy-ZnO) nanocomposites were electrodeposited on mild steel and its corrosion protection ability was studied by Tafel and Impedance techniques in 3.5% NaCl solution. Pure Polypyrrole film was not found to protect the mild steel perfectly but the coating with nano-sized ZnO (PPy-ZnO) has dramatically increased the corrosion resistance of mild steel. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) measurements indicated that the coating resistance ( R) and corrosion resistance ( R) values for the PPy-ZnO nanocomposite coating was much higher than that of pure PPy coated electrode. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Secular trends in height and weight are interesting because in middle- and low-income countries they are a marker for changes in population health. The present study aims to evaluate the secular trend in height and weight and body mass index (BMI) of Iranian children and adolescents aged 2-18 years old between 1990-1991 and 1999 and compare the magnitude of urban-rural differences during this period for the first time in an Asian country. Methods Data from two national health surveys in 1990-1991 and 1999, of 22 349 and 25 196 weight and height measures of Iranian children and adolescents were used to study the trend and compare its difference in urban and rural children. Logarithmic transformation of weight, height and BMI was modelled as a polynomial in age for urban and rural boys and girls in each survey separately. The trend in urban and rural growth indexes (weight, height and BMI) and also the comparisons of urban-rural differences between two national surveys were tested in logarithmic scale using a weighted form of Z statistic for comparison of two means adjusted for age groups. Results Urban and rural boys and girls became taller and heavier ( P≤ 0.02) with no change of BMI ( P > 0.05) during the period. There was not any significant difference between the magnitudes of urban-rural difference between two surveys ( P≥ 0.61). Conclusion Although generally positive weight and height trend was observed among urban and rural residents, the magnitude of their differences was not changed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A compact ring Branch-Line Coupler (BLC) with size reduction of about 50%(in circuit area) of conventional BLCs at frequency 2 GHz is introduced. The coupler is designed by using nonuniform transmission lines (NTL) instead of Uniform Transmission Lines in each arm. The normalized width w (z)/h function of the NTLs is expanded in a truncated Fourier series. The reduced size couplers are potential building blocks for the growing wireless communication markets. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 2679–2682, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24703 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Matricaria recutita L. is a well-known medicinal plant that is suggested as being carminative, analgesic, and anticonvulsant in traditional medicine. In the present investigation the effect of hydro-methanolic percolated extract of this plant on seizure induced by picrotoxin was studied in male mice. This study was performed on animals pretreated with doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg of extract or 40 mg/kg phenobarbital as the reference drug via intraperitoneal injection. After 20 min each animal received 12 mg/kg picrotoxin for induction of seizure. Latency of onset time of seizure, duration of seizure, death latency, and death rate were determined in experimental and control groups. The results showed that latency of the beginning time of seizure was increased in groups that were pretreated with different doses of extract. The most effective dose was 200 mg/kg ( P < 0.05). In addition, this dose delayed the time of death in mice ( P < 0.01). The extract had no effect on the death rate. The results indicate that the extract of M. recutita possesses suitable effects on seizure induced by picrotoxin, and more experiments are needed in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents research that compares the corrosion protection of mild steel by polypyrrole-phosphate (PPy-P) and polyprrole-tungstenate (PPy-W) coatings. In this study, the corrosion behavior was examined through a potentiodynamic polarization technique and open-circuit potential-time curves among others. The study showed that PPy-W coating provided better protection than the PPy-P and polypyrrole coatings.

Background. Tuberculosis (TB) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients and, because of its infrequency and the lack of medical awareness, it is usually misdiagnosed. This study was carried out to determine frequency and weight of multiple risk factors for post kidney transplantation TB. Methods. A total of 44 cases (0.3%), out of 12,820 patients from 12 major kidney transplantation centers in Iran from 1984 to 2003, were compared with 184 healthy transplant subjects who were transplanted by the same surgical team. Results. The mean age of cases and controls was 37.7 (13–63) and 35.6 (8–67) years ( P=0.3), respectively. The mean duration of pre-transplantation hemodialysis was 30.3 (3–168) months in cases and 18.2 (1–180) months in controls ( P=0.03). A positive past history of TB was detected in 2 cases and 1 control ( P=0.3). The mean doses of initial and maintenance immunosuppressive drugs in cases and controls were not significantly different. A total of 25 cases (56.8%) and 60 controls (32.6%) had rejection before diagnosis of TB ( P=0.004; OR=2.7, CI95%: 1.3–5.6). Conclusions. To our knowledge, this is the first study that demonstrated an increase in the risk of post-transplant TB by increasing the duration of pre-transplant hemodialysis and the number of post-transplant rejection episodes as 2 immunocompromised states. Further study is needed to clarify our new findings, specifically in relation to different immunosuppressive regimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research done on the improvement of the redoxability, electroactivity, and conductivity of polythiophene by electropolymerization of thiophene in the presence of catalytic amount of 1-(2-pyrrolyl)-2-(2-thienyl) ethylene (PTE). The Wittig reaction was applied by the researchers to synthesize PTE. The researchers also obtained the cyclic votammograms of polythiophenes (PThs) in various conditions.

Objective The aim of this double-blind and placebo-controlled trial was to investigate whether saffron (stigma of Crocus sativus L.) could relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Design Double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled trial. Setting Departments of Gynaecology/Obstetrics and Psychiatry, Tehran and Zanjan University of Medical Sciences. Population Women aged 20–45 years with regular menstrual cycles and experience of PMS symptoms for at least 6 months were eligible for the study. Method Women were randomly assigned to receive capsule saffron 30 mg/day (15 mg twice a day; morning and evening) (group A) or capsule placebo (twice a day) for a two menstrual cycles (cycles 3 and 4). Main outcome measures The primary outcome measure was the Daily Symptom Report, and secondary outcome measure was the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Results In this trial, saffron was found to be effective in relieving symptoms of PMS. A significant difference was observed in efficacy of saffron in cycles 3 and 4 in the Total Premenstrual Daily Symptoms and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Conclusion The results of this study indicate the efficacy of C. sativus L. in the treatment of PMS. However, a tolerable adverse effects profile of saffron may well confirm the application of saffron as an alternative treatment for PMS. These results deserved further investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This study was conducted to assess the national prevalence of different grades of nutritional status (underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity) among Iranian school-students and to compare the prevalence of overweight and obesity using three different sets of criteria. Methods This cross-sectional national survey was conducted on a representative sample of 21 111 school students including 10 253 boys (48.6%) and 10 858 girls (51.4%) aged 6-18 years, selected by multistage random cluster sampling from urban (84.6%) and rural (15.4%) areas of 23 provinces in Iran The percentage of subjects in the corresponding body mass index (BMI) categories of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and the obtained national percentiles were assessed and compared. Results There was no gender differences in BMI, but was higher in boys living in urban than in rural areas (18.4 ± 3.88 vs. 17.86 ± 3.66 kg/m2 respectively, P < 0.05). The prevalence of underweight was 13.9% (8.1% of boys and 5.7% of girls) according to the CDC percentiles, and 5% (2.6% of boys and 2.4% of girls) according to the obtained percentiles. According to the CDC, IOTF and national cut-offs, the prevalence of overweight was 8.82%, 11.3% and 10.1% respectively; and the prevalence of obesity was 4.5%, 2.9% and 4.79% respectively. The prevalence of overweight was highest (10.98%) in the 12-year-old group and that of obesity (7.81%) in the 6-year-old group. The kappa correlation coefficient was 0.71 between the CDC and IOTF criteria, 0.64 between IOTF and national cut-offs, and 0.77 between CDC and national cut-offs. Conclusions The findings of this study warrant the necessity of paying special attention to monitoring of the time trends in child obesity based on uniform definitions, as well as to design programmes to prevent and control associated factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on the kinetic model of granular sludge sequencing batch reactors (SBR). The field of aerobic wastewater treatment has developed an aerobic granular sledge technology which is based on SBRs in which the fast settling aerobic granules are produced after a cycle of configuration. It is noted that the system is beneficial due to the compactness, lower operational and construction costs as well as lower energy requirement. The study revealed that the model can be a standard for designing treatment plants.

A method for parametric system identification of classically damped linear system in frequency domain is adopted and extended for non-classically damped linear systems subjected up to six components of earthquake ground motions. This method is able to work in multi-input/multi-output (MIMO) case. The response of a two-degree-of-freedom model with non-classical damping, excited by one-component earthquake ground motion, is simulated and used to verify the proposed system identification method in the single-input/multi-output case. Also, the records of a 10 storey real building during the Northridge earthquake is used to verify the proposed system identification method in the MIMO case. In this case, at first, a single-input/multi-output assumption is considered for the system and modal parameters are identified, then other components of earthquake ground motions are added, respectively, and the modal parameters are identified again. This procedure is repeated until all four components of earthquake ground motions which are measured at the base level of the building are included in the identification process. The results of identification of real building show that consideration of non-classical damping and inclusion of the multi-components effect of earthquake ground motions can improve the least-squares match between the finite Fourier transforms of recorded and calculated acceleration responses. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an innovative methodology for designing three new Artificial Magnetic Conductors (AMC) with very little sensitivity to the angle of incidence and compact size. The AMC structures are composed of a Frequency Selective Surface (FSS) placed at the interface of a metal-backed dielectric slab. The FSSs used belong to the family of Skewed Crosses (SC). The paper begins by investigating the properties of a GA-designed AMC presented in a previous literature. After that, a basic SC-based AMC is extracted from this AMC and is modified step by step to improve the desired features. The modifications are performed not based on time-consuming optimization methods, but by utilizing the theoretical clues presented in another literature for similar structures. Taking these strategies, such AMCs are obtained that have very good angular stability, compact size, and acceptable bandwidth. Periodic Method of Moments (PMM) is used to analyze and study the proposed periodic structure. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49: 781–786, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.22280 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Janus green B (JG-B) dye is used for vital staining of mitochondria and its reduction and oxidation shows the electron transfer chain alteration. The defect in electron transfer chain of mitochondria by paraquat is linked to free radical formation. In this present study we compared the abilities of different angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, captopril (a thiol ACEi), enalapril, and lisinopril (two nonthiol ACEi) on mitochondria toxicity due to paraquat. The rat liver mitochondria were first isolated by centrifuge (at 4°C at a speed of 7,000 g) in a mixture of 0.25 M saccharose solution and 0.05 M Tris buffer. Various concentrations of paraquat (1, 5, 10 mM), enalapril (0.25, 0.5, 1 mM), lisinopril (0.01, 0.05, 0.1 mM), and captopril (0.08, 0.1, 1 mM) on the mitochondria isolated from the liver with respect to time were investigated. Paraquat at a concentration of 5 mM was determined to be significantly different compared to control values ( P < 0.05) and captopril at a concentration of 0.08 mM, lisinopril (0.01 mM), and enalapril (0.25 mM) were found not to be significantly different from controls as found by spectroscopy at wavelength of 607 nm. Simultaneous treatment of mitochondria with captopril (0.08 mM) and paraquat (5 mM) significantly ameliorates the mitochondria toxicity of paraquat (5 mM) alone ( P < 0.05). Our results show that captopril is a more effective antioxidant than the nonthiol ACEi. Lisinopril (0.01 mM) and enalapril (0.25 mM) did not significantly change the mitochondrial toxicity by paraquat (5 mM) ( P > 0.05). The antioxidative action of captopril appears to be attributable to the sulfahydryl group (SH) in the compound. This effect may be due to captopril's abilities to scavenge reactive oxygen species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article develops a methodology for the distributed active control of large structural systems. The central idea is to use a set of active members in a structural system, each locally controlled. The method relies on an understanding of (1) the peculiar interaction of force feedback and velocity feedback in an active member and (2) the interaction between such active members, as well as that between active and passive members in a structural system. Using a commonly occurring MDOF model of a structural system, we show that the distributed-local-control design is robust. Locating the active members so that all the eigenvalues of the damping and stiffness matrices of the controlled system are assuredly increased leads to several results on where and how active members might be located in such a structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which identifies the genetic causes of primary microcephaly in Bushehr, Iran. The study involved 14 families with autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH) loci. The families were genotyped using microsatellite markers. It also examines the missense mutations of abnormal spindle-like microcephaly associated (ASPM ) and STIL genes of the families.

A letter to the editor is presented which discusses a research on the effectiveness of capsaicin versus clobetasol in treating alopecia areata.

Phytoestrogens with a biological activity like estradiol are naturally found in many plants. This study was designed to investigate the effect of red clover, a phytoestrogen-rich member of the legume family ( Trifolium pratense) on the development of atherosclerosis in male hyperlipidemic rabbits. Twenty rabbits were semi-randomly distributed into four groups of five each. Two groups received either normal diet or normal diet supplemented with red clover. Two other groups received similar diets to both of which 1% cholesterol was added. Dietary use of red clover (RC) in hyperlipidemic rabbits significantly decreased C-reactive protein (CRP), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) whereas, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly increased in those animals ( p < 0.05). Fatty streak formation was also significantly lower in aorta and left and right coronary arteries in the same animals due to use of dietary RC supplementation. These findings suggest that dietary RC may reduce cardiovascular risk factors. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A compact patch antenna periodically loaded by air gaps is presented. The gaps are arranged to create EBG cells, which affect the dispersivebehaviours of the patch (as a transmission line). This causes waves totravel faster along the patch, and increases the cumulative radiationfrom the structure. The proposed antenna is compared with its conventional counterpart, considering the efficiency, electrical/physical sizeand the potential to achieve an electrically small footprint. Experimental results validate the analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented regarding the case of a 77-year-old man with HIV infection who has developed vitiligo and repigmentation under antiretroviral therapy.