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Seismic design codes predominantly assume that earthquakes involve a single ground shaking event; however, earthquakes can occur as a series of shocks. Consequently, the capacity of structures to resist earthquakes with multiple peaks without suffering severe damage is a crucial parameter. This research study evaluates the seismic performance of a high-rise building in Dubai using existing records of single and multiple peaks. Three-dimensional building model was developed considering the actual cross-sections of the horizontal and vertical elements fitting the seismic zone through dynamic response spectrum analysis. The building is analyzed using the nonlinear regime employing fast-nonlinear timehistory analysis with the scaled NS and EW records of the Niigata earthquake. The main finding of this work is that records with multiple peaks significantly increase structural response and magnify the structural damage compared with records of single-peak earthquakes; thus, earthquakes involving multiple shocks significantly increase the risk of structural failure in a building.

The Wadi Ranga sulfidic jasperoids in the Southern Eastern Desert (SED) of Egypt are hosted within the Neoproterozoic Shadli metavolcanics as an important juvenile crustal section of the Arabian Nubian Shield (ANS). This study deals with remote sensing and geochemical data to understand the mechanism and source of pyritization, silicification, and hematization in the host metavolcanics and to shed light on the genesis of their jasperoids. The host rocks are mainly dacitic to rhyolitic metatuffs, which are proximal to volcanic vents. They show peraluminous calc-alkaline affinity. These felsic metatuffs also exhibit a nearly flat REE pattern with slight LREE enrichment (La/Yb = 1.19–1.25) that has a nearly negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 0.708–0.776), while their spider patterns display enrichment in Ba, K, and Pb and depletion in Nb, Ta, P, and Ti, reflecting the role of slab-derived fluid metasomatism during their formation in the island arc setting. The ratios of La/Yb (1.19–1.25) and La/Gd (1.0–1.17) of the studied felsic metatuffs are similar to those of the primitive mantle, suggesting their generation from fractionated melts that were derived from a depleted mantle source. Their Nb and Ti negative anomalies, along with the positive anomalies at Pb, K, Rb, and Ba, are attributed to the influence of fluids/melt derived from the subducted slab. The Wadi Ranga jasperoids are mainly composed of SiO2 (89.73–90.35 wt.%) and show wide ranges of Fe2O3t (2.73–6.63 wt.%) attributed to the significant amount of pyrite (up to 10 vol.%), hematite, goethite, and magnetite. They are also rich in some base metals (Cu + Pb + Zn = 58.32–240.68 ppm), leading to sulfidic jasperoids. Pyrite crystals with a minor concentration of Ag (up to 0.32 wt.%) are partially to completely converted to secondary hematite and goethite, giving the red ochre and forming hematization. Euhedral cubic pyrite is of magmatic origin and was formed in the early stages and accumulated in jasperoid by epigenetic Si-rich magmatic-derived hydrothermal fluids; pyritization is considered a magmatic–hydrothermal stage, followed by silicification and then hematization as post-magmatic stages. The euhedral apatite crystals in jasperoid are used to estimate the saturation temperature of their crystallization from the melt at about 850 °C. The chondrite (C1)-normalized REE pattern of the jasperoids shows slightly U–shaped patterns with a slightly negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 0.43–0.98) due to slab-derived fluid metasomatism during their origin; these jasperoids are also rich in LILEs (e.g., K, Pb, and Sr) and depleted in HFSEs (e.g., Nb and Ta), reflecting their hydrothermal origin in the island arc tectonic setting. The source of silica in the studied jasperoids is likely derived from the felsic dyke and a nearby volcanic vent, where the resultant Si-rich fluids may circulate along the NW–SE, NE–SW, and E–W major faults and shear zones in the surrounding metavolcanics to leach Fe, S, and Si to form hydrothermal jasperoid lenses and veins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The effects of oligopin as an antioxidant on polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM) have not yet been examined. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the oligopin supplementation on PCOM among patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Methods. This randomized, placebo‐controlled trial was carried out at Shariati Hospital, Arash Hospital, and Yas Hospital, Tehran, Iran, to determine the effect of oligopin (50 mg/d) or placebo in PCOS patients. The ultrasonographic ovarian morphology was assessed in women aged 18–40 years, before and after 3 months of intervention. Results. Among 45 randomized participants, 32 participants, of whom 17 were in the oligopin group and 15 were in the placebo group completed the trial. There was only one adverse event in the oligopin group. The mean (standard deviation) age of the patients was 30.47 (6.30) years and the median (interquartile range) BMI was 27.50 (23.42–33.55). Three months of oligopin therapy significantly decreased ovarian stromal area (p = 0.01) and stromal/total area (p = 0.003). However, no significant differences were observed in the ovarian volume, ovarian area, 2–9 mm antral follicle counts, or peripheral follicle distribution pattern at 3 months. Conclusion. Among participants with PCOS, the use of oligopin (50 mg) daily, as compared with a placebo, resulted in improvement of the stromal area and stromal/total area at the end of the 3 months of treatment. Further studies are, however, needed to evaluate the longer‐term efficacy and safety. This trial is registered with IRCT20140406017139N3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugar beet molasses is a low-value byproduct from the sugar industry. It contains significant amounts of sucrose (approx. 50% (w/w)), which can be used for many different applications, for example, as feedstock for the production of fuel (as ethanol) and biobased chemicals such as 5-hydoxymethyl furfural (HMF). To produce platform chemicals, sucrose is hydrolyzed into its monomeric C6 sugars: glucose and fructose. When comparing the hydrolysis rates of molasses with a pure sucrose solution, the specific reaction rate is much slower (Qp/x,60min = 93 and 70 gprod L−1 h−1 gcell−1 for pure sucrose and crude molasses, respectively) at the same sucrose concentration (300 g/L) and process conditions. To clarify why molasses inhibits the enzymatic hydrolysis rate, the influence of its viscosity and inorganic and organic composition was investigated. Also, the effects of molasses and treated molasses on pure enzymes, invertase (from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, 0.05 mg/mL), compared with hydrolysis using whole cells of Baker's yeast (3 mg/mL), were tested. The results indicate an inhibitory effect of potassium (Qp/x,60min = 76 gprod L−1 h−1 gcell−1), generally at high salt concentrations (Qp/x,60min = 67 gprod L−1 h−1 gcell−1), which could be correlated to the solution's high salt concentrations and possibly the synergistic effects of different ions when applying concentrations that were four times that in the molasses. Also, the viscosity and sucrose purity seem to have an effect, where pure sucrose solutions and thick juice from the sugar mill yielded higher hydrolysis rates (Qp/x,60min = 97 gprod L−1 h−1 gcell−1) than molasses-type solutions with a higher viscosity (Qp/x,60min = 70–74 gprod L−1 h−1 gcell−1). Attempting to further understand the effects of different components on the invertase activity, an in silico investigation was performed, indicating that high salt concentrations affected the binding of sucrose to the active site of the enzyme, which can result in a lower reaction rate. This knowledge is important for future scale-up of the hydrolysis process, since reduced hydrolysis rates require larger volumes to provide a certain productivity, requiring larger process equipment and thereby higher investment costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to exam Auditors’ Performance in fraud brainstorming sessions. The audit team needs some discussion and dialogue sessions to discuss how and when the financial statements of an entity can be susceptible to significant financial misstatement due to fraud or error .In this study, we refer to paragraph 19 of Auditing Standard 240; evaluate the effect of brainstorming sessions in the performance of auditors, in discovering the fraud. For gathering of data one scenario was provided and distributed between 216 people of administrators and auditors working in the public audit firms of Certified Public Accountants that divided to four groups. The responds of Nominal Group Technique and interactive Groups for fraud risk factors, Quality of Fraud Hypothesis were compared. The methods used to test hypotheses were independent t-test and continual multivariate. Overall, our results show that nominal teams outperform interacting teams. We also provide evidence that social loafing there are in interacting teams.

Abstract Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is the most rare and lethal form of thyroid cancer and requires effective treatment. Efforts have been made to restore sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) expression in ATC cells where it has been downregulated, yet without complete success. Systems biology approaches have been used to simplify complex biological networks. Here, we attempt to find more suitable targets in order to restore NIS expression in ATC cells. We have built a simplified protein interaction network including transcription factors and proteins involved in MAPK, TGFβ/SMAD, PI3K/AKT, and TSHR signaling pathways which regulate NIS expression, alongside proteins interacting with them. The network was analyzed, and proteins were ranked based on several centrality indices. Our results suggest that the protein interaction network of NIS expression regulation is modular, and distance-based and information-flow-based centrality indices may be better predictors of important proteins in such networks. We propose that the high-ranked proteins found in our analysis are expected to be more promising targets in attempts to restore NIS expression in ATC cells.

مقدمه: این مطالعه، با هدف ارزیابی رنگ‌آميزي کالرتینین و نيتريك اكسيد در بخش گانگلیونیک روده‌ی بزرگ بیماران هیرشپرونگ (Hirschsprung's disease یا HD) انجام شد. روش‌ها: در يك مطالعه‌ی مقطعی،60 كودك مبتلا به هیرشپرونگ وارد مطالعه و با عمل جراحی، روده از مقعد بیرون کشیده و هر 5 سانتی‌متر از آن بیوپسی شد و بخش پروگزیمال نمونه‌برداری شده، با رنگ‌آمیزی هماتوکسیلین- ائوزین (H&E) و ایمونوهیستوشیمی (IHC) بررسی شد و نتیجه با مثبت ضعیف یا مثبت شدید برای کالرتینین و نیتریک اکسید گزارش شد. کلیه‌ی بیماران در 1 و 6 ماه بعد از عمل پی‌گیری شدند و نتیجه‌ی عمل در دو گروه مقایسه گردید. یافته‌ها: از 60 کودک مبتلا به هیرشپرونگ، 14 نفر (3/23 درصد) علامت‌دار بودند. همه‌ی نمونه‌های بخش‌های گانگلیونی کولورکتال بیماران علامت‌دار، از نظر رنگ‌آمیزی نيتريك اكسيد در مقایسه با رنگ‌آمیزی نيتريك اكسيد جفت، منفی بودند. بررسی ایمونوهیستوشیمی، رنگ‌آمیزی هسته‌ای و سیتوپلاسمی کالرتینین نشان داد که سلول‌های گانگلیونی در 52 بیمار شدیدا مثبت و در 8 بیمار مثبت ضعیف بود. 6 بيمار در گروه شديدا مثبت (5/11 درصد) علامت‌دار بودند؛ در حالي كه در 8 بيمار كه رنگ‌آميزي کالرتینین مثبت ضعیف گزارش شده بود، همه‌ی علایم وجود داشت (001/0 = P). دقت کلی پیش‌بینی یبوست بعد از عمل برای رنگ‌آمیزی کالرتینین 67/96 درصد بود. نتیجه‌گیری: با توجه به یافته‌های مطالعه‌ی حاضر، به نظر می‌رسد در كودكان مبتلا به هیرشپرونگ تحت عمل جراحي، رنگ‌آميزي ایمونوهیستوشیمی پروگزیمال قسمت گانگليونی براي تعیین اختلال عملکرد روده بعد از عمل، می‌تواند مؤثر باشد.

Abstract Background anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is one of the most lethal and aggressive cancers. Evidence has shown that the tumorigenesis of ATC is a multistep process involving the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic changes. Several studies have suggested that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) may play an important role in the development and progression of ATC. In this article, we have collected the published reports about the role of lncRNAs in ATC. Methods “Scopus”, “Web of Science”, “PubMed”, “Embase”, etc. were systematically searched for articles published since 1990 to 2020 in English language, using the predefined keywords. Results 961 papers were reviewed and finally 33 papers which fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected. Based on this systematic review, among a lot of evidences on examining the function of lncRNAs in thyroid cancer, there are only a small number of studies about the role of lncRNAs and their molecular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of ATC. Conclusions lncRNAs play a crucial role in regulation of different processes involved in the development and progression of ATC. Currently, just a few lncRNAs have been identified in ATC that may serve as prognosis markers such as GAS5, MIR22HG, and CASC2. Also, because of the dysregulation of Klhl14-AS, HOTAIRM1, and PCA3 during ATC development and progression, they may act as therapeutic targets. However, for most lncRNAs, only a single experiment has evaluated the expression profile in ATC tissues/cells. Therefore, further functional studies and expression profiling is needed to resolve this limitation and identify novel and valid biomarkers.

Abstract Background Many studies have been done to investigate the incidence and the course of the retromolar canal (RMC) in different populations either osseous studies using cadavers or dry mandibles, panoramic studies, or cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) studies. The location of the RMC is in the retromolar area distal to the third mandibular molar. The retromolar area is considered an imperative site where many dental surgeries are being held. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of RMC in the Egyptian population using CBCT and measure the distance between the RMF and neighboring anatomical landmarks to better allocate the RMC and RMF and avoid the complications. Two hundred and fourteen CBCT scans were examined to detect the presence of RMC. Their course was classified to 3 main types A, B, and C, and linear measurements were done from the retromolar foramen (RMF) to the 2nd and 3rd molars in anteroposterior direction and from the RMF to the mandibular foramen (MF) in anteroposterior and mediolateral directions. Results The RMC was present in 24 scans from the 214 with 11.2% incidence rate. The most common type was found to be type A, and type C was the rarest. The RMC has no significant difference between males and females, unilateral and bilateral distribution, and right and left sides. The linear measurements from the RMF to the 2nd and 3rd molars are 14.70 ± 5.07 mm and 4.26 ± 4.21 mm, respectively, and from the RMF to the MF in anteroposterior and mediolateral directions are 15.69 ± 3.43 mm and 2.62 ± 1.60 mm, respectively. Conclusions The incidence rate of RMC in Egyptian population represents 11.2%. The use of CBCT is quite important in the evaluation of the retromolar area to visualize the presence of the RMC or RMF and avoid the complications occurring due to different dental surgical procedures performed in the aforementioned site.

Background. Alopecia areata (AA) is an acquired hair loss disorder induced by a cell-mediated autoimmune attack against anagen hair follicles. CD27-CD70 is a receptor-ligand complex which enhances T helper and cytotoxic T cell activation, survival, and proliferation. The overstimulation of this complex can lead to a lack of tolerance and the development of autoimmunity. Objectives. This study aimed to assess the gene expression of CD27 and CD70 in patients with AA. Methods. CD70 and CD27 mRNA expressions were evaluated by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in scalp biopsies from 40 AA patients (both AA lesions and non-lesional areas) and 40 healthy controls (HCs). The Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score was used to assess AA severity. Patients were evaluated for signs of AA activity, including a positive hair pull test and dermoscopic features of black dots, broken hairs, and tapering hairs. Results. The gene expression of CD70 and CD27 was significantly higher in AA lesions than in non-lesional areas (p

Purpose: Resin composites are commonly used in pediatric dentistry, but there is limited evidence on adhesion to primary teeth, especially primary enamel. In this study, three bonding strategies were assessed - one-step self-etch (1-SE), two-step self-etch (2-SE), and three-step etch-and-rinse (3-ER) - by measuring the immediate and aged microshear bond strength (µSBS) to sound primary enamel. Materials and Methods: 120 extracted human primary molars with sound buccal surfaces were used for µSBS testing. Six adhesive protocols (two per bonding strategy) were selected and µSBS was measured either after 24 h or 10,000 thermal cycles (n = 10). Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to determine failure modes. Furthermore, 18 primary molars were etched using the different adhesive protocols (n = 3) for the measurement of surface roughness (Sa) using CLSM and morphological analysis using SEM. Results: After 24 h, there was no significant difference in µSBS between 1-SE and 2-SE strategies (p = 0.96), but the 2-SE strategy yielded significantly higher µSBS after thermocycling (p < 0.001). The highest µSBS was obtained using the 3-ER strategy regardless of aging (p < 0.001). The 3-ER strategy clearly exposed enamel prisms and resulted in the highest Sa (p < 0.001). In contrast, if SE strategies were used, enamel prisms were barely recognizable, and Sa was not significantly different from baseline (p > 0.95). Conclusion: The 3-ER strategy is optimal for bonding to primary enamel. The etching effect of SE strategies is weaker, resulting in lower µSBS. Thermocycling revealed that the bonding durability of the 1-SE strategy is inferior to that of to multi-step strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Maize is one of the important cereal food crops in the world. High temperature stress causes adverse influence on plant growth. When plants are exposed to high temperatures, they produce heat shock proteins (HSPs), which may impart a generalized role in tolerance to heat stress. Proteome analysis was performed in plant to assess the changes in protein types and their expression levels under abiotic stress. The purpose of the study is to explore which proteins are involved in the response of the maize plant to heat shock treatment. Results We investigated the responses of abundant proteins of maize leaves, in an Egyptian inbred line of maize “K1”, upon heat stress through two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) on samples of maize leaf proteome. 2-DE technique was used to recognize heat-responsive protein spots using Coomassie Brilliant Blue (CBB) and silver staining. In 2-D analysis of proteins from plants treated at 45 °C for 2 h, the results manifested 59 protein spots (4.3%) which were reproducibly detected as new spots where did not present in the control. In 2D for treated plants for 4 h, 104 protein spots (7.7%) were expressed only under heat stress. Quantification of spot intensities derived from heat treatment showed that twenty protein spots revealed clear differences between the control and the two heat treatments. Nine spots appeared with more intensity after heat treatments than the control, while four spots appeared only after heat treatments. Five spots were clearly induced after heat treatment either at 2 h or 4 h and were chosen for more analysis by LC-MSMS. They were identified as ATPase beta subunit, HSP26, HSP16.9, and unknown HSP/Chaperonin. Conclusion The results revealed that the expressive level of the four heat shock proteins that were detected in this study plays important roles to avoid heat stress in maize plants.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the distribution of enteric parasitic infections and related risk factors among rural communities of Guilan province, Northern Iran, and to compare the results with the situation in the past. Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are still considered as a major public health concern, particularly in human communities with poor economy and sanitation. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in rural areas of Masal and Shanderman district from February to December 2020. A total of 917 stool samples were collected and examined for presence of intestinal helminthes and protozoa using direct, formalin-ether and Kato-Katz techniques. Results: A total of 156 (17%) out of 917 examined individuals were infected with intestinal parasites. The overall prevalence of protozoa, helminths and mixed infections were 11.8% (108/917), 4.5% (41/917) and 0.8% (7/917), respectively. Blastocystis was the most prevalent intestinal protozoa (9.6%) followed by Giardia lamblia (1.9%), Endolimax nana (1.1%), E. coli (0.8%) and Entamoeba hartmani (0.1%). The highest prevalence of intestinal helminths belonged to Trichostongylus spp. (3.5%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (1.3%). Statistical analysis showed significant association between giardiasis and sex (P<0.03). On the other hand, prevalence of enteric helminths was influenced by close contact with livestock, keeping herbivorous animals at home, job, education, and consumption of uncooked vegetables (P<0.05). Conclusion: The findings indicate a decreasing trend in the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in Guilan province in comparison to the past few decades. Hookworm infections, which was very prevalent in the area, are now rare, while trichostrongylosis showed a high prevalence in rural residents of the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent progress in additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, has offered several benefits, including high geometrical freedom and the ability to create bioinspired structures with intricate details. Mantis shrimp can scrape the shells of prey molluscs with its hammer-shaped stick, while beetles have highly adapted forewings that are lightweight, tough, and strong. This paper introduces a design approach for bioinspired lattice structures by mimicking the internal microstructures of a beetle's forewing, a mantis shrimp's shell, and a mantis shrimp's dactyl club, with improved mechanical properties. Finite element analysis (FEA) and experimental characterisation of 3D printed polylactic acid (PLA) samples with bioinspired structures were performed to determine their compression and impact properties. The results showed that designing a bioinspired lattice with unit cells parallel to the load direction improved quasi-static compressive performance, among other lattice structures. The gyroid honeycomb lattice design of the insect forewings and mantis shrimp dactyl clubs outperformed the gyroid honeycomb design of the mantis shrimp shell, with improvements in ultimate mechanical strength, Young's modulus, and drop weight impact. On the other hand, hybrid designs created by merging two different designs reduced bending deformation to control collapse during drop weight impact. This work holds promise for the development of bioinspired lattices employing designs with improved properties, which can have potential implications for lightweight high-performance applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of gas diffusion electrode (GDE) based flow cell can realize industrial-scale CO2 reduction reactions (CO2RRs). Controlling local CO2 and CO intermediate diffusion plays a key role in CO2RR toward multi-carbon (C2+) products. In this work, local CO2 and CO intermediate diffusion through the catalyst layer (CL) was investigated for improving CO2RR toward C2+ products. The gas permeability tests and finite element simulation results indicated CL can balance the CO2 gas diffusion and residence time of the CO intermediate, leading to a sufficient CO concentration with a suitable CO2/H2O supply for high C2+ products. As a result, an excellent selectivity of C2+ products ~ 79% at a high current density of 400 mA·cm−2 could be obtained on the optimal 500 nm Cu CL (Cu500). This work provides a new insight into the optimization of CO2/H2O supply and local CO concentration by controlling CL for C2+ products in CO2RR flow cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]