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The three important factors that affect the output power and temperature of fiber lasers (FLs) were investigated in a large mode area step-index FL under a high-power operation. Photodarkening (PD), quantum defect (QD), and background loss cause increases in the FLs temperature and reductions in beam quality, stability, and power. PD and background loss coefficients have different values for the signal (laser) or pump wavelength. But QD depends on the difference between the pump and the laser wavelength. By considering the PD attenuation in the rate equations, the effects of forward, backward, and bidirectional pump schemes on heat distribution agents were investigated. FL characters, including core and clad sizes, both side reflectors, and FL lengths in each heat generation agent, were studied in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Old age is a stage of life featured with many physiological and mental changes. The Iranian population is aging, and one of the problems that the elderly are faced with is sleep disorders. The present study is an attempt to examine the effectiveness of an exercise program on the sleep quality of the elderly.Methods: A semi-experimental study was carried out on the elderly males referred to the Shahid Yari Elderly Center, Kermanshah, Iran. The sample group comprised of 46 participants: 23 in the experimental group and 23 in the control group. The study was carried out for a period of 2 months and follow-up was conducted every week. To improve the quality of sleep of the participants, a four-stage exercise program was implemented and the collected data were analyzed by SPSS version 20.Results: The results of a Mann–Whitney test showed that the quality of sleep of the majority in the experimental group improved compared with that of the control group (P<0.05). In addition, a Wilcoxon test showed improvement of the Petersburg’s sleep quality index based on subelements and the results of a total score of sleep in the experimental group after the intervention.Conclusion: The study showed effectiveness of scheduled exercising on the quality of sleep of the elderly. It is recommended, therefore, to add an exercise program to the daily program of the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work describes the synthesis of novel 1,2,3-triazole-4-linked (2 E,6 E)-2-benzylidene-6-(4-nitrobenzylidene)cyclo-hexanones starting from cyclohexanone. 1-(Cyclohex-1-en-1-yl)piperidine, the enamine from cyclohexanone and piperidine, reacted with 4-nitrobenzaldehyde to obtain 2-(4-nitrobenzylidene)cyclohexanone. Condensation of the latter compound with (prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)benzaldehyde derivatives under acidic conditions gave (4-nitrobenzylidene)-[(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)-benzylidene]cyclohexanones. Finally, 'click reaction' of these derivatives and various organic azides led to the title compounds. All compounds were examined by MTT assay for cytotoxic activity in one human breast cancer cell line, MDA- MB-231. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistent activism has mostly been discussed in the context of Western socio-political and religious movements, where it is attributed to organizational and inter-personal networks and the development of identities and solidarities. Studies of persistent environmental activism are rare in countries that lack durable mobilizing structures. This study explores, for the first time, persistent anti-littering activism in an infrequently studied social and political setting, Iran. This allows us to assess the applicability of social movement findings from western cases to a non-western context. Drawing on in-depth interviews with eighteen persistent Iranian anti-littering activists we find that cosmopolitanism, which de-naturalizes pollution and littering, is a key motivating factor. Persistent anti-littering activism involves overcoming the difficulties of participation by finding pleasures in generating, together, a pragmatic identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the optimized ultrasound-assisted emulsification-microextraction followed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry was applied to simultaneous extraction and determination of holmium (Ho3+) and ytterbium (Yb3+) in water samples. 1-(2-Pyridylazo)-2-naphthol was used as chelating agent to form extractable complexes. Volume of extraction solvent, concentration of chelating agent, pH, ultrasonic time, temperature, and concentration of salt were considered as the variables of the method. To evaluate the results, extraction recovery was selected as the response. Significance of the variables was investigated by using a half-fraction factorial design (2f−1) and the optimization was performed by applying a central composite design. The calibration graphs were linear in the range of 4-200 µg L−1 for Ho3+ and 3-500 µg L−1 for Yb3+ with determination coefficients ( R2) of 0.988 and 0.997 for Ho3+ and Yb3+, respectively. Limit of detection was 0.364 µg L−1 for Ho3+ and 0.252 µg L−1 for Yb3+. The relative standard deviations ( C = 200 µg L−1, n = 6) were in the range of 4.2-4.5%. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of real water samples with the recoveries in the range of 80-95%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RoboCup is an international research aimed at improving artificial intelligence and robotics. It is a standard issue to get a wide range of technologies together and obtain new achievements. In 2D simulation league, after each game, server saves a log that contains all information about the game. By using data mining techniques knowledge can be discovered from this massive data. In this research we aimed to extract ball and player positions from log files and pre-process this data to specify some information including the action that have been taken place, start point, and involving players, etc. We mined this data to predict own and opponent action using C4.5 algorithm. The result showed that after applying our method the goal scoring was increased 251.39% with 64.13% confidence interval (with alpha = 0.1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Thermal comfort and air quality was successfully coupled for outdoor comfort index. • Moderate to very strong heat stress was observed during daytime. • Statistically significant hotspots for poor air quality were identified. • Poor outdoor comfort zones were clustered around large metropolitan areas. • Operational framework will serve as a forecasting tool for outdoor activities. Current bioclimate and air quality indices provide insufficient information about the combined effect on human physiology in outdoor spaces. This work examined, large scale gridded meteorological observations, including air temperature, wind speed, solar radiation, and relative humidity, to derive Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) at hourly intervals along with the air quality index (AQI) derived from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) observation stations. UTCI and AQI were combined into a single framework using geospatial analytics and a newly developed lookup table approach. High risk areas for heat stress and poor air quality were identified using Moran's I and Getis-Ord GI* statistics. Moderate to strong heat stress was observed during the summer months of 2015–2019, with UTCI ranging from 26 °C to 38 °C. Coastal regions consistently experienced higher UTCI during noon due to higher humidity but the effect subsided with cooler air circulation from the ocean, especially in the morning and evening. Results also indicated the vulnerability of this region due to the combined impact of heat stress and poor air quality based on 95th percentile values. The final products from this analysis can provide valuable insights for urban planning and preventative measures to ensure improved public health in outdoor environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the beginning of the pandemic in the U.S., most jurisdictions issued mitigation strategies, such as restricting businesses and population movements. This provided an opportunity to measure any positive implications on air quality and COVID-19 mortality rate during a time of limited social interactions. Four broad categories of stay-at-home orders (for states following the order for at least 40 days, for states with less than 40 days, for states with the advisory order, and the states with no stay-at-home order) were created to analyze change in air quality and mortality rate. Ground-based monitoring data for particulate matter (PM 2.5 , PM 10), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2), sulfur dioxide (SO 2) and carbon monoxide (CO) was collected during the initial country-wide lockdown period (15 March-15 June 2020). Data on confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths were also collected to analyze the effects of the four measures on the mortality trend. Findings show air quality improvement for the states staying under lockdown longer compared to states without a stay-at-home order. All stay-at-home order categories, except states without measures were observed a decrease in PM 2.5 and the core-based statistical areas (CBSAs) within the longer mitigation states had an improvement of their air quality index (AQI). • This work investigated the impact of stay-at-home orders on air-quality. • We Assessed PM 2.5 , PM 10 , NO 2 , SO 2 , CO levels during home orders periods. • Observations show a reduction of PM 2.5 in states that followed stay at home-orders. • All pollutants reduced following stay at home-orders that lasted more than 40 days. • Similarly, these states recorded a lower mortality rate (0.44 death/month). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cooling benefits of street trees were assessed for different urban-morphological scenarios. • Mixed-use areas provide highest pedestrian thermal comfort without trees and benefit from tree plantation. • Adult shade trees added maximum cooling benefits in residential areas followed by mixed-use areas. • Shade trees contributed insignificantly in improving thermal comfort level for the commercial sites Urban morphology directly influences heating or cooling rate in street canopies. This paper assessed cooling benefits of street-trees in Philadelphia city, PA considering morphological elements. We assessed summertime thermal comfort for humid subtropical climate (i.e. Philadelphia) by studying human-biometeorological parameters such as Mean-radiant temperature (T mrt) and Physically Equivalent Temperature (PET) utilizing Rayman model. This paper will; 1. Quantify impacts of built environment with and without existing vegetation on pedestrian level temperature, 2. Observe impacts of T mrt , surface temperature (T s) , PET and global radiation at road intersections in five different scenarios where urban canopies are characterized as: a) built environment without vegetation (BE), b) built environment with existing vegetation (BEEV), c) built environment with additional vegetation after 1-year (BEAV-1), d) built environment after 5-years (BEAV-5) and e) built environment after 10-years growth period (BEAV-10). Compared results with the BE scenario suggest that, planting trees in residential and mixed-use sites with higher Sky-view factor (SVF) can improve pedestrian comfort in the long-term by reducing Tmrt, and PET, compared to the commercial sites with lower SVF and T s. Mixed-use sites were observed to provide highest thermal comfort and further benefit from tree plantation, while commercial sites receive lowest cooling benefit from street trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban heat island (UHI) effects depend on several factors, including air quality, temperature changes, and land cover. We used a holistic approach to quantify the UHI factors affecting air quality by developing three index-models (i.e., an environmental risk impact index (ERII), a social vulnerability index (SVI), and a health impact index (HII)) via multiple linear regression analysis for the city of Camden, NJ. Landsat 8 images were used to create surface-temperature and proportional vegetation (P v) gradient, which were sampled along with environmental, social, and health variables in the study area. The results conclude that P v is a better regressor than normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). The highest contributors in the models were P v , water fraction, % imperviousness and digital elevation model (DEM) with the relative importance of 20.5%, 33.5%, 32.5%, 9% in ERII, 19.6%, 32.4%, 32%, 8% in SVI, and 20.1%, 32.6%, 31.8%, 8.9% in HII model, respectively. The neighborhoods at risk identified by the models are Lanning Square, Bergen Square, Central waterfront, Cooper grant, Gateway, Liberty Park, Whitman park and Parkside, which fall within the index range of 7.3–10 and mostly associate with >32 °C. The indices will provide guidance in identifying neighborhood-risks of UHI-air-pollution. Unlabelled Image • We developed risk models to quantify couple effects of Urban heat Islands and air pollution. • Environmental parameters play important role in defining vulnerability. • Proportional vegetation indicates vulnerability better than normalized difference vegetation index. • Proportional vegetation is the highest contributing model factor. • ~53–56% census-grids in the Camden city showed medium-high and high risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe aim of this study was to examine psychological responses, fear of negative evaluation, and mood-related alexithymia in individuals in addiction recovery who have succeeded versus those who have not. This study employed a causal-comparative design. The research focused on all individuals who sought treatment for addiction at clinics within a specific district in Zahedan city, Iran. Out of the group, 100 individuals were chosen (50 who successfully stopped their addiction and 50 who were unsuccessful in their attempts to quit) through convenience sampling. Data were gathered using the depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Lori’s fear of negative evaluation scale, and Toronto’s mood–emotional alexithymia scale. Data were examined through both descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis of variance. Based on the results, successful and unsuccessful individuals in addiction recovery showed varying levels of depression, stress, fear of negative evaluation, and having no fear of negative evaluation (p < .01). In simpler terms, unsuccessful individuals in addiction recovery scored higher in depression, stress, fear of negative evaluation, inability feeling emotions, inability to express feelings compared to successful individuals. But successful individuals in addiction recovery obtained higher mean scores than unsuccessful individuals in addiction recovery on having no fear of negative evaluation. According to the findings psychological reactions, fear of negative evaluation and mood–emotional alexithymia play a significant role in addiction treatment and can be helpful in addiction recovery in unsuccessful people in addiction recovery. It is feasible to enhance the effectiveness of addiction recovery by implementing interventions that target the reduction of depression, stress, fear of negative evaluation, and alexithymia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global challenges of water availability and quality are driven by land use and climate changes, further exacerbated by global warming. Altered Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) due to urbanization, deforestation, and agriculture triggers many environmental issues to eco-hydrological systems, which are already profoundly impacted by shifting climate patterns. The Upper Black Warrior River Basin in Birmingham, Alabama, is a prime example of how converting forests into urban areas impairs water quality and increases surface runoff due to impermeable surfaces. This study delved into the temporal and spatial alterations in eco-hydrologically relevant flows, considering individual and combined climate change scenarios and LULC transformation. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) served as the modeling platform, calibrated (2016–2022) and validated (2011–2015) at a daily time scale. Five distinct scenarios were crafted to portray eco-hydrology's past, present, and future responses (runoff and river nutrients) to climate and LULC variations. The model demonstrated strong performance for discharge and predicted increased runoff in future periods, which is attributed to the anticipated warmer, wetter winters and hotter, drier summers characterized by more intense rainfall events. Notably, the study unveiled the adverse impact of climate change on monthly nitrates leaching into surface runoff, with the lowest levels predicted during May to September coinciding with reduced precipitation. Conversely, human activity positively impacts runoff, especially in FMC, which has a higher deforestation rate (42.8%) and increased runoff compared to VC. The study also emphasized the significant link between flow and nutrient concentration, highlighting the dominant role of nonpoint sources in contributing to these inputs. These findings have significant implications for local stakeholders, necessitating considering the potential consequences of integrated climate change and urbanization on eco-hydrology. Effective management strategies, such as improved land use practices and reduced nutrient leaching, must be implemented to minimize these impacts. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human adenoviruses (HAdV) are classified as DNA tumor viruses due to their potential to mediate oncogenic transformation in non-permissive mammalian cells and certain human stem cells. To achieve transformation, the viral early proteins of the E1 and E4 regions must block apoptosis and activate proliferation: the former predominantly through modulating the cellular tumor suppressor p53 and the latter by activating cellular pro-survival and pro-metabolism protein cascades, such as the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K-Akt) pathway, which is activated by HAdV E4orf1. Focusing on HAdV-C5, we show that E4orf1 is necessary and sufficient to stimulate Akt activation through phosphorylation in H1299 cells, which is not only hindered but repressed during HAdV-C5 infection with a loss of E4orf1 function in p53-positive A549 cells. Contrary to other research, E4orf1 localized not only in the common, cytoplasmic PI3K-Akt-containing compartment, but also in distinct nuclear aggregates. We ident ified a novel inhibitory mechanism, where p53 selectively targeted E4orf1 to destabilize it, also stalling E4orf1-dependent Akt phosphorylation. Co-IP and immunofluorescence studies showed that p53 and E4orf1 interact, and since p53 is bound by the HAdV-C5 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, we also identified E4orf1 as a novel factor interacting with E1B-55K and E4orf6 during infection; overexpression of E4orf1 led to less-efficient E3 ubiquitin ligase-mediated proteasomal degradation of p53. We hypothesize that p53 specifically subverts the pro-survival function of E4orf1-mediated PI3K-Akt activation to protect the cell from metabolic hyper-activation or even transformation. IMPORTANCE Human adenoviruses (HAdV) are nearly ubiquitous pathogens comprising numerous subtypes that infect various tissues and organs. Among many encoded proteins that facilitate viral replication and subversion of host cellular processes, the viral E4orf1 protein has emerged as an intriguing yet under-investigated player in the complex interplay between the virus and its host. Nonetheless, E4orf1 has gained attention as a metabolism activator and oncogenic agent, while recent research is showing that E4orf1 may play a more important role in modulating the cellular pathways such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt-mTOR. Our study reveals a novel and general impact of E4orf1 on host mechanisms, providing a novel basis for innovative antiviral strategies in future therapeutic settings. Ongoing investigations of the cellular pathways modulated by HAdV are of great interest, particularly since adenovirus-based vectors actually serve as vaccine or gene vectors. HAdV constitute an ideal model system to analyze the underlying molecular principles of virus-induced tumorigenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]