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BACKGROUND: Health care workers (HCWs) in hospitals are at risk of infection with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Prevention measures are necessary to protect HCWs against COVID-19. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the status of occupational risk factors and prevention measures for COVID-19 in hospitals. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Iranian hospitals. Based on the results of reviewing the literature and guidelines, two checklists on occupational risk factors and prevention measures for COVID-19 in hospitals were designed and validated. The status of occupational risk factors and prevention measures against COVID-19 in governmental, non-governmental public, private, and military hospitals were determined using designed checklists. RESULTS: Results confirmed the validity of checklists for assessing the status of COVID-19 prevention measures in hospitals. The military hospitals had the lowest mean risk factors compared to other hospitals, but there was no significant difference in occupational risk factors of infection with COVID-19 among governmental, non-governmental public, private, and military hospitals (P-value > 0.05). In the checklist of occupational risk factors of Covid-19, the type of hospital had a significant relationship with the provision and use of personal protective equipment (P-value<0.05). The mean of implementation of prevention measures among all hospitals were not statistically significant difference (P-value > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The provided checklists could be a suitable tool for monitoring of status of prevention measures for COVID-19 in hospitals. Improving ventilation systems is necessary in most of the hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study investigates the motion, temperature and volume fraction of a nanofluid that flows at a vertical channel exposed to natural and forced (mixed) convection heat transfer. The distribution function for temperature and volume fraction on the channel's wall is exponential. Nanofluid governing equations have been solved using the radial basis function method. Various parameters, including Grashof number, Brownian motion, thermophoresis parameter, plus distinct states for temperature and volume fraction functions for the channel's wall, have been probed. The results show that increasing the Grashof number by 50% will increase the fluid velocity and temperature by about 41% and 5.7% and decrease the volume fraction by 22%. In addition, it has been proved that doubling the Brownian motion parameter improves the fluid temperature and velocity by 67% and 66% and lowers the volume fraction by 53%. Moreover, increasing the thermophoresis parameter has a similar effect to the Brownian motion parameter. Finally, it has been seen that velocity, temperature and volume fraction functions strongly depend on temperature and volume fraction distribution functions on the channel's wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boronic acids and their conjugate esters have been employed in a variety of biomedical applications. This work reports structural, bonding, and thermochemical calculations for the boronic acids, RB(OH)2 (R = H, methyl, phenyl, and ortho-methyl-phenyl) and the corresponding ethylene glycol diesters, RB(−OCH2CH2O−), in the presence of explicit NH3 and/or H2O molecules. Calculations were performed in vacuo and in polarizable continuum model (PCM) aqueous media using density functional theory (DFT) and second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) with the Dunning-Woon aug-cc-pVTZ basis set. These results quantify the relative stability of N→B dative-bonded, water-inserted Owater→B (Ow→B) dative-bonded, Zwitterionic, and hydrogen-bonded conformers on the model RB(OH)2⋅NH3⋅H2O and RB(−OCH2CH2O−)⋅NH3⋅H2O potential energy surfaces (PESs). In the PCM aqueous media model, conformers containing an H3N→B dative bond and a water molecule bridging the NH3 and acid/ester moieties were found consistently to be lower in energy than arrangements with either a H3N⋯H(H)Ow→B linkage or Zwitterionic forms, [H4N]+[HOw−BR(OH)2]− or [H4N]+[HOw−BR(−OCH2CH2O−)]−. For the acids, however, conformers with a H3N⋯HOwH moiety hydrogen bonded to the boronate hydroxyl group(s) proved to be lowest in energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the most important fundamental issues in mental health is patients' satisfaction with the beauty of their teeth and their compatibility with complete dentures. Therefore, this study investigated the role of early maladaptive schemas and body image in the level of satisfaction with complete dentures among patients referred to the dental clinic of Islamic Azad University of Tabriz, Iran, in 2021-2022. Methods: The research was a descriptive correlational study. This study's statistical population included all candidates for complete dentures referring to the dental clinic of Islamic Azad University of Tabriz in 2021-22, from among which, 168 people were selected through convenience sampling method. The research tools included the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (YSQ-SF) (1988), Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI) Littleton et al. (2005), and Dental Satisfaction Questionnaire (DSQ) by Davies and Ware (1982). The collected data were analyzed using multiple regression tests in SPSS software. Results: The results showed a relationship between the components of early maladaptive schemas [failure (B = -0.225), defectiveness/shame (B = -0.279), social isolation/alienation (B = 0.278), abandonment/instability (B = 0.331), subjugation (B = -0.264), and dependence/incompetence (B = 0.246)] and the level of satisfaction with complete dentures among the patients (P < 0.05). The results also showed a significant relationship between the components of body image and the level of satisfaction with complete dentures (P < 0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that early maladaptive schemas and body image playa role in the satisfaction level of patients referred to the dental clinic of Islamic Azad University of Tabriz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the new treatment methods studied and applied by a majority of researchers of autism is body and movement centering methodology. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Kephart's motor-perception skills training on executive functioning of children with autism spectrum disorders. The research method was quasi-experimental with pre-test-post-test design applied on two experimental and control groups. The population consisted of all children aged 5-18 years old with autism in Arak city in 2019, 30 of whom were selected through the availability sampling. They were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group participated in Kephart's motorperception skills training during twelve 12 (three sessions per week), each session for two hours, and no intervention was performed in the control group. The instrument was the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). The data were analyzed using covariance analysis by SPSS software. Testing the hypothesis of the research, the effectiveness of Kephart's motor-perception skills training on executive functioning of children with autism spectrum disorders showed that performing Kephart's training had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on improving the executive functions of children with autism spectrum dysfunction. Therefore, as the students in the upper grades are incompatible with aspects of emotional regulation, this interaction leads to a much greater impact on their emotional problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Human is a social beings and interpersonal relationships are behavioral characteristics affected by several components. This study aimed to examine the relationship between attachment style, and interpersonal relationship with the mediating role of moral identity. Methods: In this study, 200 residents of West Azerbaijan Province, Iran in 2022 were selected by convenience method and completed online attachment style, interpersonal relationship, and moral identity questionnaires. Results: The results of Pearson coefficient and path analysis with SPSS software, version 24 and Amos software showed that secure attachment style has a positive effect on the interpersonal relationship with mediating of moral identity, avoidant and anxious attachment styles have a negative effect on the interpersonal relationships with the mediating of moral identity (P<0.001). Conclusion: According to the results, attachment styles can affect interpersonal relationships, and moral identity is also affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In this study, the heat transfer and temperature distribution in a moving fin have been analyzed. The fin velocity was considered constant, and the thermal conductivity coefficient was variable with temperature, and the fin was under the effect of convection, radiation, and conduction heat transfer. The main equation of the problem was solved by the radial basis function method and validated by the numerical 4th-order Runge-Kutta method. Several parameters such as thermal conductivity parameter from 0 to 1, sink temperature parameter from 0.2 to 0.8, and Nr, Nc, Pe number from 1 to 4, were examined. The outcomes illustrate that increasing the thermal conductivity by 51.5% raises the conduction heat transfers as well as the dimensionless temperature by 3.42%. Moreover, increasing the sink temperature leads to a slow rise in ambient temperature by 22.8% in the maximum state. By raising the Nc and Nr parameters, near 33.3%, the temperature distribution profile is declined by 4% and 10.5%, respectively. And increasing the Pe number by 100% results in a rise in the temperature distribution by about 7%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past 3 decades, approximately three quarter million sites with potential contamination have been reported to federal or state authorities. Of these, about 300,000 sites still need remediation and new contaminated sites continue to appear each year. The most common type of contaminants are heavy metals, solvents and petroleum products. Heavy metals are present in two thirds of Department of Defense (DOD) and superfund sites and about 50% of Department of Energy (DOE) and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) sites. Heavy metals are the largest class of contaminates and also the most difficult to treat. Heavy metals most frequently found in the waste stream are lead, mercury, chromium, cadmium, arsenic and zinc. This work focuses on the removal of lead, cadmium and the mixture of the two from aqueous solution. Alkali Ash Material Permeable Reactive Barrier (AAM-PRB) is a material developed in our laboratory made with fly ash, alkali activating solution and filler material (sand and coarse aggregates). AAM-PRB was used to remove lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mixture of two from contamination water. AAM-PRB with high permeability was created. For reactive barrier material permeability, must be rapid, in the range of 10-2 cm/sec to 10-1 cm/sec. AAM - PRB from three ash sources with permeability of 10-1 cm/sec were produced and crushed into pelletized form. Effectiveness of the various barriers was determined by batch and column tests. Laboratory experiment indicates lead and cadmium ion reduces from 1000 ppm to less than 0.5 ppm and lead and cadmium ion from 10 ppm to less than 0.01 ppm after passing through AAMPRB. The removal of the mixture of lead and cadmium from aqueous solutions were also tested by using AAM-PRB. The results indicate that the efficiency of AAM-PRB for simultaneous removal of lead and cadmium were marginally below that of lead alone, but it was significantly lower for cadmium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Islamic work ethics is influenced by several variables, such as some psychological components. In this regard, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship of flexibility and resilience with Islamic work ethics. Methods: The statistical population of the current descriptive-correlational study included all the employees of Shahid Mahallati Hospital in Tabriz in 2019. A total of 200 individuals were selected using nonprobability convenience sampling and answered the questionnaires of resilience, flexibility, and Islamic work ethic. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS software using the Pearson correlation coefficient and regression test. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: As evidenced by the obtained results, Islamic work ethic has a positive significant correlation with the components of resilience (personal competence (P<0.001), confidence in one's instincts (P<0.003), positive acceptance of change and secure relationships (P= 0.001), control and spiritual influences (P<0.004) and the components of flexibility (task flexibility (P<0.008), skill flexibility (P<0.001) and behavioral flexibility (P <0.00)). It was also found that resilience with 60% and flexibility with 45% can predict Islamic ethics among the staff of Shahid Mahallati Hospital in Tabriz. Conclusion: Considering the impact of resilience and flexibility components on Islamic ethics, it can be concluded that people with a high degree of resilience and flexibility demonstrate a stronger tendency and commitment to Islamic ethics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited studies have examined the effects of vitamin D on liver enzymes in patients with liver disease but none has explored its effects in the healthy subjects. The aim of present study was to evaluate the effects of a high dose vitamin D supplementation on measures of liver function. A total of 988 adolescent girls were recruited; all were assessed for liver function tests (LFTs) including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), gamma‐glutamyl transferase (ϒGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, albumin, and total protein before and after supplementation with 50,000 IU cholecalciferol perls. Significant reductions were observed for AST, ALT, direct bilirubin, total bilirubin, LDH, and ϒGT at the end of supplementation, only in the group with abnormal reference value. Serum levels of total protein and albumin were higher at the end of follow up in the group with abnormal value. No significant change was obtained for LFTs in the group with normal value. Our findings suggest that vitamin D supplementation may improve markers of liver function in adolescents with abnormal LFTs. More randomized controlled trial with longer follow‐up time will be required. © 2019 BioFactors, 45(3):335–342, 2019 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diazinon (DZN) is an organophosphate insecticide that has cytotoxic and pathological effects on the reproductive system. It causes a wide variety of pathological effects on the reproductive system such as testicular atrophy, disturbance in sex hormones, impaired spermatogenesis, low quality of sperm, and fertility problems. However, molecular and cellular mechanisms of its adverse effects are not well understood. General events such as testicular damage, inflammation, mitochondrial deficiency, DNA fragmentation, disintegration of sperm plasma membrane, apoptosis, and cell death are observed in DZN-exposed animals. Oxidative stress (OS) induced by reactive oxygen species may be a main mechanism, which can be associated with sperm DNA fragmentation, reduced integrity of sperm cell membrane, apoptosis, depletion of antioxidants, and subsequently poor sperm quality and male infertility. Therefore, identification of these pathways may provide valuable information regarding the mechanisms of DZN action on the male reproductive system. In this review, we aim to discuss the proposed cellular and molecular mechanisms of DZN action on male reproductive system, the importance of OS and mechanisms by which DZN induces OS and depletion of other antioxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Sulfur mustard (SM) is a lipophilic and reactive chemical compound that targets human airway system. Objective: Glutathione (GSH) depletion, oxidative stress (OS) status, and changes in expression of GSH-dependent antioxidant enzymes were considered in human mustard lungs. Materials and methods: Lung biopsies and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were collected from non-exposed (n = 10) individuals and SM-exposed patients (n = 12). Alterations in expression of GSH-dependent enzymes were studied using RT2 Profiler™ PCR array. OS was evaluated by determining BAL fluid levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), and GSH. Results: Mean TAC (0.142 ± 0.027 µmol/l) and GSH (4.98 ± 1.02 nmol/l) in BAL fluids of control group was significantly higher (p < .05) than those in SM-exposed patients (TAC = 0.095 ± 0.018 µmol/l and GSH= 3.09 ± 1.02 nmol/l), while MDA level in BAL fluids of these patients (0.71 ± 0.06 nmol/l) was significantly (p = .001) higher than that in controls (0.49 ± 0.048 nmol/l). Glutathione peroxidases (GPXs), glutathione-s-transferases (GSTs), and glutathione synthetase (GSS) enzymes were overexpressed in mustard lung biopsies, while glutathione reductase (GSR) was significantly downregulated (14.95-fold). Conclusions: GSH depletion induced by GSR downregulation may be a major mechanism of SM toxicity on human lung. Despite overexpression of GSTs and GPXs genes, GSH depletion may decline the productivity of these enzymes and total antioxidants capacity, which is associated with OS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) powder (RP) and vitamin E (VE) at different levels on humoral immunity of broilers during a 42-day production cycle. A total of 270 1-day-old male chicks were assigned to nine groups with three replicates of ten birds each, and diets were supplemented with 0, 0.5, or 1.0% RP and 0, 100, or 200 mg/kg VE, respectively. Commercial-inactivated vaccines against avian influenza (AI) and Newcastle disease (ND) viruses, and living infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) vaccine were administered by spray method. Sheep red blood cells (SRBC) were administered subcutaneously. Blood samples were collected from birds 1 week after each vaccination to determine antibody titers. At the 42nd day, blood samples were also assessed for globulin level, and lymphoid tissues (thymus, spleen, and bursa) were weighed. Neither antibody titers against viruses nor lymphoid tissues weight were affected by RP and/or VE (P > 0.05) treatments. However, broilers supplemented with 0 mg/kg of VE had lower antibody titers against SRBC than those fed 100 mg/kg of VE (P < 0.05) at the 24th day. A significant RP × VE interaction effect (P < 0.05) on plasma globulin level was observed. The findings of our study suggest that dietary RP and VE additives can interact and modulate the humoral immunity of broilers, but not sufficiently to improve antibody titers against specific virus during a 42-day production cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan is considered as a functional packaging component for maintaining the quality and increasing the shelf life of perishable foods include meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, and all cooked leftovers. The present study was conducted to evaluate edible coating of chitosan (2%) containing ethanolic extract of propolis (1% and 2%) on microbiological (mesophilic aerobic, psychrotrophic, lactic acid bacteria, coliforms, and Staphylococcus aureus counts), chemical (TBARS, TVN and Peroxide values) and sensory (odor, color, texture, taste, and overall acceptance) properties of chicken fillet. Microbial analysis showed that coating had a significant reducing effect on growth of bacteria during 12 days at 4 °C. Besides, the increase of TBARS, Total volatile nitrogen, and peroxide value of samples coated by chitosan and ethanolic extract of propolis was less than control group. According to our results, chitosan and propolis can be used to enhance the shelf life of fillet and maintain its quality. Practical applications Propolis is used for infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungus, and by single-celled organisms called protozoans. Propolis is also used as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Ethanol extract of propolis improve the properties of chitosan edible coating in chicken fillet preservation. The chitosan coating incorporated with ethanolic extract of propolis can improve the microbial, chemical, and sensory quality of food and enhance the shelf life of them by synergistic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nano packaging is currently one of the most important topics in food packaging technologies. The aim of the application of this technology in food packaging is increasing shelf life of foods by preventing internal and external corruption and microbial contaminations. Use of silver nanoparticles in food packaging has recently attracted much attention. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nano-silver packaging in increasing the shelf life packages of nuts in an In vitro model. In this experimental study, the effects of different nano-silver concentrations (0, 1, 2 and 3 percent) on biological and chemical properties of 432 samples of nuts including walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds and pistachios were evaluated during 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24 months. In most samples, different concentrations of nano-silver (1, 2 and 3 %) significantly reduced total microbial count, mold and coliform counts compared to control group and the 3% nano-silver concentration was more effective than other concentrations (P<0.05). Moreover, using this packaging yielded an antioxidant effect especially when 2% and 3% nano-silver concentrations were used. Nano-silver also prevented growth of mold and so prevented aflatoxin production in all treatment groups. Results of chemical and biological tests showed that the silver nanoparticles had a significant effect on increasing the shelf life of nuts. The highest shelf life belonged to pistachios, almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts with 20, 19, 18 and 18 months, respectively. The shelf life was associated with amount of silver nanoparticles. The highest antimicrobial activity was observed when 3% nano-silver concentration was used in pistachios. The shelf life of control groups in similar storage conditions were calculated for an average of 13 months. In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrate the efficacy of nano-silver packing in increasing shelf life of nuts. Hence, use of nano-silver packaging in food industry, especially in food packaging is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis L.) powder and vitamin E, as feed additives combined at different levels, on oxidative stability of broiler meat up to 14th day after chilling. A total of 270 1-day-old male chicks of Ross 308 strain were randomly assigned to nine dietary groups with three replicates having 10 birds each. Diets were supplemented with 0, 0.5, or 1.0% of rosemary (R) powder and 0, 100, or 200 mg/kg of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol acetate; VitE) according to the following treatments: T1 - control basal diet (0R + 0VitE); T2 - 0R + 100VitE; T3 - 0R + 200VitE; T4 - 0.5R + 0VitE; T5 - 0.5R + 100VitE; T6 - 0.5R + 200VitE; T7 - 1.0R + 0VitE; T8 - 1.0R + 100VitE; and T9 - 1.0R + 200VitE. At day 42, two birds of each replicate were slaughtered and the length and weight of cecum was recorded. Carcasses and their economically valuable parts were also weighted and broiler breast refrigerated at 4°C for 14 days. At day 0, 4, 7, and 14 of storage the malondialdehyde ( MDA) content of breast meat was evaluated. After 4 days of storage, meat MDA contents of the T5 (0.43 mg/kg) and T9 (0.41 mg/kg) were lower than control group (T1: 0.55 mg/kg; p < .05). On day 7, groups supplemented with rosemary or VitE alone showed similar MDA contents ( p > .05) than control. On day 14, lower ( p < .05) MDA contents than T1 were observed in all groups except for broilers fed diet supplemented only with vitamin E. No effects were observed between treatments on the relative weight of the several carcass traits, however, VitE influenced ( p < .05) the weight and size of cecum. Based on our findings, the combination of rosemary powder and vitamin E at different levels in diet is useful to limit the lipid oxidation of chilled chicken meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to determine the effects of physical exercise on thrombin time and coagulation time in male rats. Male Wistar rats (n=40) weighing 90-100 gr were divided into two groups; control group (without exercise) and experimental group (exercise). In each group animals were divided into two subgroups: 30 days old rats and 90 days old rats . Blood samples were collected from rat tail tip in several stages as before and after physical exercise from experimental group and control group, to determine of coagulation time. Exercise programs included; swimming on water pool until five minute in experimental groups were performed. All of the rats were done autopsy. Thrombin time was measured for each tissue. Our data showed that in 30 days old rats, physical exercise significantly decreased thrombin time on all of tissues as compared baseline values in control group (P<0.001). In contrast, effect of exercise in 90 days old rats was not showed the same changes. In conclusion, these results suggest that there is a functional relationship between the exercise on changes of haemostatic parameters in different tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately 850 million tons of coal are consumed for electric generation and industrial use in the United States each year. This generates about 100 million tons of by-products including bottom ash, fly ash, flue gas desulfurization sludge, and boiler slag. One of these by-products, fly ash, has a potential to reduce the corrosion of reinforcing steel in concert. In this paper, the effect of Alkali activated Ash Material (AAM) on mechanical properties and corrosion protection are investigated. Our experiments showed that coating the rebar with AAM reduces the corrosion rate significantly. The most important advantage of using AAM coated rebar over epoxy coated rebar is their corrosion rate when the coating is damaged. The corrosion rate in a rebar coated with AAM remained almost the same after damaging the coating, while the corrosion rate of a rebar with damaged epoxy coating was the same as an uncoated rebar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this qualitative study was to determine the concerns of mothers referred to health center in south Tehran, Iran about immunizing children aged 0-24 months. Data were collected using individual semi-structured interviews and analyzed using content analysis. The mothers' concerns over immunizing their children fell into 5 main categories: (1) 'Factors that cause mothers' concerns,' (2) 'Factors that influence mothers' concerns,' (3) 'Information, education, and communication barriers,' (4) 'Informational/educational needs and sources,' and (5) 'The necessity of childhood vaccinations.' According to study findings, mothers consider immunizing children important and they have enough trust in the health system. A deep understanding of maternal concerns about immunizing their children at 0-24 months allows nurses to reduce mothers' concerns by removing communication barriers and providing appropriate and adequate information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Clostridium botulinum bacteria produces seven types of botulinum neurotoxins among which types A, B, E and F are responsible for human botulism. One of the treatments for botulism is the inhibition of botulinum neurotoxins catalytic domain activity by inhibitors. In this study, botulinum neurotoxin type E catalytic domain has been cloned in pET28a vector and expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3). Materials and methods: In order to cloning of the catalytic domain, the genomic DNA was extracted. The sequence was amplified by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and was inserted into pGEMT Easy vector. Then, the recombinant vector was transferred to E. coli DH5a cells. Afterwards, the cloning product was removed from pGEM-T Easy vector and inserted into pET28a vector using ligation reaction. Finally, the recombinant pET28a was transferred into E. coli BL21 (DE3) cells. Expression of catalytic domain was studied in standard conditions. Results: The results of enzymatic digestion and PCR reaction confirmed that cloning and subcloning occurred in pGEM-T Easy and pET28a vectors, respectively. The process was verified by sequencing. Finally, expression of this sequence was confirmed by the sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blot analysis. Conclusion: The cloning of the sequence was accurately conducted in pGEM-T Easy and pET28a vectors. Also, the results showed that the expression of this sequence has been performed properly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkali ash material (AAM) concrete is a unique material that is sustainable and cost-effective because it utilises waste fly ash, and has properties superior to other concrete products. The AAM concrete described here is produced from the addition of inexpensive chemicals to fly ash. AAM can be used to create a wide range of materials including high performance concrete (HPC-AAM) and lightweight (LW-AAM). The high performance AAM provides rapid strength gain along with high ultimate strengths of more than 110 MPa (16000 psi). LW-AAM can produce materials with densities ranging from 1200 to 2200 kg/m3 and compressive strengths from 2 (290 psi) to 65 MPa (9500 psi). Both HPC-AAM and LW-AAM have far better environmental resistance than Portland cement concrete, resisting attack from sulphuric acid (H2SO4), hydrochloric acid (HCl) and organic acids. AAMs resists freeze-thaw attack and high abrasion, possesses low chloride permeability and does not exhibit alkali silica reactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new lightweight material for construction applications that utilizes alkali activated fly ash along with a gassing agent and lightweight aggregates (e.g. vermiculite) has been developed. This Lightweight Alkali Ash Material (LW-AAM) does not require autoclaving, in contrast to the production of conventional Autoclave Cellular Concrete. LW-AAM can produce materials with densities ranging from 1200 kg/m3 to 2200 kg/m3 and compressive strength from 2 MPa to 65 MPa. These are highly resistant to corrosive action of sulfuric, nitric, hydrochloric and acetic acids which are known to readily deteriorate Portland cement concrete. LW-AAM is also a highly durable material. It resists the action of freezing and thawing. In addition to the development of new engineering material, utilization of AAMs for construction has the potential of recycling of a huge quantity of fly ash that otherwise would be landfilled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkali Ash Material (AAM) concrete is a new and unique material that is cost-effective because it utilizes waste fly ash, has properties superior to other concrete products and is potentially suitable for high strength construction in bridges and highways. The AAM concrete described here is produced from the addition of inexpensive chemicals to fly ash. Fly ash is by far the largest by-product of the consumption of coal for the generation of electricity. Only 30% of the 71 million tons of fly ash generated each year are recycled for use in structural fill, waste stabilization and additives to concrete. AAM has advantages over other concrete products. AAM can be used to create high performance concrete (AAM-HPC), providing rapid strength gain and development of high ultimate strengths of more than 110 MPa. AAM has far better environmental resistance than Portland cement concrete, resisting attack from sulfuric acid (H2SO4), hydrochloric acid (HCI), and organic acids. AAM resists freeze-thaw attack and high abrasion, possesses low chloride permeability and does not exhibit alkali silica reactivity. AAM concrete is mixed and molded like ordinary Portland cement using conventional technology, adapted from existing facilities in manufacture of pipe, block, and wet cast concrete products. AAM hardens with dry curing, whereas Portland cement is hydrated and requires moist curing. Applications of AAM are blocks, pipes, median barriers, sound barriers, overlaying materials, and chemical resistant products. With further development, AAM will be suitable for bridge beams, concrete tanks, highway appurtenances, and other high strength construction products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Annually, the United states produces some 90 million tons of ash, of which 55 million tons is fly ash. Only 27% of this large quantity of fly ash gets reused or recycled. The remaining 73% are dumped into landfills. Alkali Ash Material (MM) is a novel construction material that converts fly ash into a variety of construction materials. The hardened AAM material gains up to 11,000 psi compressive strength and flexural strength (up to 1,200 psi) in two days that highly engineered ultra high strength concrete takes in months to gain. MM also resist the corrosive impact of sulfuric acid far better than ordinary Portland cement concrete. Exposing ordinary cement concrete to a pH less than 3 causes severe damage in a short time, while MM can resist pH as low as 0.5 for extended periods of time. AAM can be used for many municipal and industrial applications such as pipes, sumps, tanks, etc. MM not only can solve problems that arise when infrastructure is subjected to aggressive conditions, but also helps the environment by recycling a large quantity of fly ash that otherwise would have been land filled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The differential affinity of boron towards the oxygen and nitrogen lone pairs of electrons in 2-aminocarbonyl-phenylboronic acid (2-AC-PBA) and its corresponding ester, ethanediol (2-aminocarbonyl) phenylboronate (ED-2-AC-PB), has been investigated computationally using both density functional theory and second-order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory. In vacuo, the optimized boron–oxygen or boron–nitrogen distances in conformers of 2-AC-PBA, that involve either an intramolecular five-membered (:OCB) or (:N–C–CB) ring motif, are long, ∼2.4–3.0Å, and the calculated charge distribution and 11B chemical shifts for these structures are not indicative of the presence of a B–O or B–N dative bond. In a variety of solvents, however, the optimized B–O or B–N distances from self-consistent reaction field calculations are much shorter, ∼1.7–1.8Å, and the charge distribution and 11B chemical shifts are consistent with the formation of dative bonds. The results for the ester ED-2-AC-PB are similar, although a conformer with a B–N dative bond is also found in vacuo. The calculations show that conformers with the (:OCB) ring motif are consistently lower in energy than the corresponding conformers with the (:N–C–CB) ring motif, both in vacuo and in solution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections are serious challenges for clinicians because of A. baumannii propensity to acquire resistance to a wide spectrum of antimicrobial agents. In this study, 91 A. baumannii isolates from patients in tertiary intensive care units of three university hospitals in the north, central, and south of Iran were selected and tested for susceptibility to 22 antimicrobials; amplified restriction fragment polymorphism and multiplex polymerase chain reaction methods were used to determine genetic relationships and International Clone (IC) of A. baumannii isolates, respectively. Twenty-four genotypes were identified in A. baumannii isolates. About 91.2% of isolates categorized into 4 distinct clusters; one was more heterogeneous and observed across the three locations. A considerable number of the isolates (27.5%) belonged to the novel IC variant, sequence group 7 (SG7), which was geographically widespread in three locations. The drug resistance pattern showed that 14.2%, 20%, and 77% of the A. baumannii isolates were resistant to colistin, tigecycline, and rifampicin, respectively. Nine percent of isolates (8) showed simultaneous resistance to colistin, rifampicin, and tigecycline. Interestingly, all of them were susceptible to ampicillin-sulbactam and/or tobramycin. According to our results, SG7 could be considered as a pan-Iranian clone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]