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Aluminum foams are among the materials that have many applications in the construction of various building elements, including sandwich panels. This category of materials has unique features due to low density, the presence of small holes, sound insulation, thermal insulation, and corrosion resistance. In this paper, the Voronoi tessellation method is proposed to simulate the porous configuration of aluminum foams, which has the high capability to generate a porous structure with different densities. It is demonstrated that the Voronoi tessellation method can generate porous structures with different densities, hole sizes, and wall thicknesses stably. Moreover, the Voronoi tessellation method has a high speed and can be used to construct different sizes of aluminum foams. A comparison of the configurations obtained from the Voronoi tessellation method and experimental tests demonstrates the capability and competence of this method in generating the porous structure of the aluminum foam. In order to investigate the mechanical behavior numerically, the uniaxial tension test is applied to the aluminum nanofoams using the molecular dynamics (MD) method. The MD analysis is performed in the LAMMPS open-access software using the embedded-atom model (EAM) interatomic potential. The periodic boundary condition is imposed in all the boundaries of the atomistic model to satisfy the essential condition of the representative volume element (RVE) based on the homogenization theory. After minimization and relaxation of RVE, the uniaxial tension test is applied in an increment manner to reduce the strain rate effect. The evolution of the stress-strain curve, along with the stress contours, are presented for the aluminum nanofoam during the uniaxial tension test. Young’s modulus of nanofoam obtained by numerical analysis is compared to that of experimental data to confirm the accuracy of the computational modeling. Moreover, the results emphasize the high dependence of the mechanical behavior of aluminum nanofoams on the density and porosity.

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the short-term effects of low-level lasers (LLLs; also known as low-power laser therapy) on the structure, genetic, and phenotype of cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells from both adult and neonatal sources. Methods: Cultivated adult and neonatal hRPE cells were irradiated with two types of LLL (630 nm and 780 nm), 1 min daily for five consecutive days. Results: An increase in doubling time was observed in 630 nm-irradiated adult hRPE cells (P = 0.032). The gene expression profile revealed increased expression of retinoid isomerohydrolase RPE65 (RPE65) (P < 0.01 for 630 nm laser, P < 0.001 for 780 nm laser) and nestin (NES) (P < 0.01 for 630 nm laser) in neonatal hRPE cells, upregulation of RPE65 (P < 0.001 for 780 nm laser) and paired box 6 (PAX6) (P < 0.001 for 780 nm laser) genes in adult hRPE cells, and reduced expression of actin alpha 2 (ACTA2) in 780 nm-irradiated adult hRPE cells (P < 0.001). Except the significant increase of α -SMA in 780 nm-irradiated neonatal hRPE cells, no significant change was noted in the expressions of other investigated proteins. Conclusion: Short-term irradiation of neonatal and adult hRPE cells with LLLs may induce multipotency at the transcriptional level. Irradiation of neonatal hRPE cells with LLLs can be associated with increased risk of myofibroblastic transformation; however, adult hRPE cells irradiated with the 780 nm laser have minimal risk of myofibroblastic differentiation. It seems that the 780 nm laser may be a promising option for future photobiomodulation in retinal degenerations in adults.

Nanorobots, also known as nanobots, are promising medical structures with significant potential for revolutionizing medical treatments and preventing their onset. Nanorobotics shows promise for diagnosing, treating, and regenerating age-related diseases. These tiny machines can repair cellular damage, deliver drugs, stimulate tissue regeneration, and monitor treatments. However, their application in controlling cellular aging is in its early stages, requiring more research to fully understand their potential and address safety concerns. Despite this, the benefits of nanorobots in age-related disease management justify further investigation. This narrative review article provides an overview of recent developments in nanorobotics, specifically focusing on its medical applications. PubMed and Google Scholar were utilized to conduct a comprehensive search using relevant keywords including "nanorobots", "cellular aging", "drug delivery systems", "cellular repair", "therapeutics", and "diagnosis". Only articles published between 2005-2023 were selected to support the arguments with up-to-date evidence. The extracted information includes nanorobot design, fabrication methods, applications, and key findings. A quality assessment was performed, and the data were categorized thematically to identify patterns and trends. The article concludes with an examination of the current state and future prospects of nanorobotics in different fields. Our research showed that nanorobots have significant potential in the diagnosis, treatment, and regenerative medicine of age-related diseases. They can detect and repair cellular damage caused by aging, targeting DNA damage and cellular protein misfolding. Nanorobots can also deliver drugs directly to affected areas, reducing side effects. Furthermore, they stimulate tissue regeneration and the growth of new blood vessels by delivering growth factors. Nanorobots can also monitor treatment effectiveness by measuring drug concentration in tumor cells. However, there are concerns about their safety in long-term use that require further research. Overall, nanorobots present an innovative approach to addressing cellular changes in aging, but more research is needed to understand their full potential and address safety concerns. The use of nanorobots in treating cellular aging has opened new possibilities in diagnosing and treating age-related diseases and it is a rapidly evolving field with the potential to revolutionize age-related disease treatment and improve the quality of life globally.

The main aim of this study was to identify and analyze the effect of social capital on entrepreneurial activities of Fars province specialized companies in Iran to improve their status. This descriptive research was accomplished using survey and required data was collected through questionnaire. Stratified random sampling was used and sample size was estimated to be 380 rural women. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed by the viewpoints of professors as well as conducting a pilot study, calculating the Cronbach's alpha coefficient, respectively. Based on the results of path analysis, social capital and social networks activities had a direct and significant effect on entrepreneurial activities. Business plan writing skill, creativity, entrepreneurial motivation, family communication, supportive policies, educational-counseling policies, and business environments also had a direct and significant effect on social capital. Creativity, entrepreneurial motivation, family communication and educational policies had a direct and significant effect on social networking activities, as well. Enhancing the ability of entrepreneurs to start and continue entrepreneurial activities, paying attention to the role of social networks and their interacting as well as considering social capital as a link between business networks by identifying entrepreneurial opportunities and providing resources and facilities are essential in this regard.

In this paper, we investigate the properties of the reduced minimum modulus in the context of Banach spaces. Given a Banach space $X$, we denote the algebra of bounded operators on $X$ as $B(X)$. Our primary focus is on examining the relationship between the reduced minimum modulus of a given operator $T \in B(X)$ and its associated left and right multiplication operators, denoted by $L_T: S \mapsto TS$ and $R_T: S \mapsto ST$, respectively. By analyzing these relationships, we present a comprehensive analysis of their properties and derive novel results concerning the reduced minimum modulus of $L_T$ and $R_T$.

Background: Traffic accidents are one of the most important factors contributing to the deaths and injuries of humans around the world. One of the factors causing traffic accidents is hotspots, which increase the possibility of crashes occurring due to the kind of path geometry. One of the ways of preventing crashes and increasing drivers' caution is to utilize technologies such as a hotspot warning system.Objectives: In this study, the impact of this system on narrowing the road was examined on the drivers' behavior in both clear and foggy weather.Methods: This experimental study was performed on a simulator with 40 drivers, including men and women. The warning system is an audio and visual kind, so a hotspot was shown in the path of the map on the system screen, and the driver received an alarm. The range in this scenario includes prewarning, from a warning to the onset of a hotspot, a hotspot zone, and after-warning. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20, and the significant level of tests was considered 0.05.Results: The results indicated that a hotspot warning system could affect the drivers' performance, and this effect was observed in variables including speed, steering angle, deceleration, and gas pedal performance. Moreover, the driver's behavior was significant in both clear and foggy weather.Conclusion: These findings can be used to correct the warning locations and times in the hotspot warning systems when approaching a narrow road.

Abstract Enrichment of ultrafine liberated valuable minerals from their associated gangue phases is one of the emerging investigation topics within mineral processing and recycling. Using green flotation reagents and turning processes into eco-friendly systems is also one of the challenges in the green transition of ore beneficiation plants. Starch and Tanin as biodegradable depressants for hematite depression have been commercially used in various iron ore processing plants. However, their depression effects on ultrafine particles were not systemically assessed and compared. To fill this gap, this investigation examined the effects of starch, tannin, their mixtures (different ratios), and their different conditioning sequence on the floatability of ultrafine quartz and hematite (− 15 µm). Since the macromolecular polymer of these biodegradable depressants can bind particles together and flocculate them, turbidity analyses were used to assess their optimum ratio for hematite depression without affecting quartz floatability. Turbidity analyses provided a mixture of tannin and starch might enhance the flotation separation of quartz from hematite. Starch could flocculate ultrafine hematite particles, while tannin could disperse ultrafine quartz particles. Floatability experiments indicated that starch had the highest performance in hematite depression (lowest effect on quartz particles) compared to other conditions. Surface analyses (zeta potential and FTIR) proved floatability outcomes and highlighted starch had stronger adsorption on the hematite surface than tannin.

Abstract Dam construction has some qualitative and quantitative effects on groundwater resources. This effect may be in the form of an increasing groundwater table or a changing groundwater system. In this paper, the effect of the Rodbal dam construction on the Darab aquifer was investigated. For this paper water table levels from observation wells and precipitation data was used. The study aims to analyse the behaviour of the water table during precipitation by employing a combination of the standardisation process, Fuzzy Inference System (FIS), and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) calculations. Fuzzy logic involves the fuzzification of input data, transforming precise values into fuzzy sets. The effectiveness of the FIS is highlighted, particularly in determining the number of membership functions for inputs. The performance of the results is assessed using indicators such as RMSE and Coefficient of Determination (R2). The FIS showed a high level of effectiveness in performance assessment, exhibiting a 70% similarity between the fuzzy and Mann–Kendall methods. Nonetheless, the Fuzzy Purpose Method corresponded more closely with the observed data, indicating a more accurate reflection of reality. The findings indicate that for P3, P7, and P8, the results from the Mann–Kendall method do not show a discernible trend. Conversely, the proposed Fuzzy method accounts for changes in the behaviour of these piezometers.

Abstract Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of risk factors and the Framingham risk score (FRS) is a useful metric for measuring the 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk of the population. The present study aimed to determine the 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease using the Framingham risk score in people with and without MetS in a large Iranian cohort study. Methods This cross-sectional study was done using the Fasa cohort. Participants aged ≥ 35 years old were recruited to the study from 2015 to 2016. The FRS was calculated using age, sex, current smoking, diabetes, systolic blood pressure (SBP), total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. MetS was defined as the presence of three or more of the MetS risk factors including triglyceride (TG) level ≥ 150 mg dl− 1, HDL level

Abstract Background Pseudoaneurysm of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa (PMAIF) is a rare complication of infective endocarditis or aortic valve surgery. Surgical treatment is suggested, but the long-term follow-up of conservative management remains unclear. Case presentation A 33-year follow-up of a patient who developed PMAIF six years after aortic valve replacement is reported. The patient presented to our center with dyspnea, and the echocardiography revealed an ejection fraction of 20% and a PMAIF measuring 7 × 10 mm. Despite being advised to undergo surgery, the patient declined due to fear of surgical outcomes. Consequently, conservative treatment with close observation but without surgery was initiated. During the 33-year follow-up period, the patient did not experience any adverse health effects. Conclusion Surgical intervention should be considered whenever the PMAIF is diagnosed. However, in any case that the surgery was not applicable, conservative management might lead to long-term survival, based on this and similar case reports in the literature.

Abstract Background Smoking cessation is a dynamic process that often involves a series of unsuccessful quit attempts before long-term abstinence is achieved. To implement interventions that lead to long-term abstinence, it will be necessary to understand the determinants of smoking cessation. Therefore, the main objective of the present study was to determine the effect of factors influencing both smoking cessation attempts and successful smoking cessation in the general population of Iran. Methods The data of 1293 participants whose information was obtained through a national cross-sectional study entitled “Survey of Risk Factors of Noncommunicable Diseases in 2016” were analyzed. There were three response levels: “quit attempt and successful quit”, “quit attempt and unsuccessful quit”, and “no quit attempt and unsuccessful quit”. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to assess the effect of covariates on response. Results The mean (sd) age of all participants was 47.21 (13.65) years. According to the results, 883 people (68.29%) did not attempt to quit smoking, and of those who attempted to quit smoking, only 64 (15.61%) men were successful. The factors of living in an urban area (OR = 1.71) and past smoking intensity (OR = 1.967) were associated with no quit attempt and unsuccessful quitting. In addition, physician recommendation to quit smoking was a protective factor for no quit attempt and unsuccessful quit (OR = 0.599). Alcohol consumption was also a protective factor against successful quitting for both attempters (OR = 0.351) and nonattempters (OR = 0.359). Conclusions Tobacco control programs should be implemented with a greater focus on heavy smokers and alcohol users. In addition, the role of health professionals in encouraging smokers to quit smoking should not be ignored.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) disrupts the body's capability to control blood glucose statuses. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) arises from inadequate insulin production and is treated with insulin replacement therapy. Stem cell therapy is a hopeful treatment for T1DM that involves using adult stem cells to generate insulin-producing cells (IPCs). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are particularly advantageous for generating IPCs. The islet cells require interactions with the extracellular matrix for survival, which is lacking in conventional 2D culture systems. Natural or synthetic polymers create a supportive 3D microenvironment in tissue engineering. We aim to construct superior differentiation conditions employing polyethersulfone (PES)/Fish gelatin scaffolds to differentiate Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) to IPCs. In this study, the PES/fish gelatin scaffold (3D) was manufactured by electrospinning, and then its biocompatibility and non-toxicity were investigated by MTT assay. After that, scaffold-supportive effects on WJ-MSCs differentiation to IPCs were studied at the gene and protein levels. After exposure to the differentiation media, 2D and 3D (PES/Fish gelatin) cultured cells were slowly aggregated and developed spherical-shaped clusters. The viability of cells was found to be comparable in both 2D and 3D cultures. The gene expression analysis showed that efficiency of differentiation was more elevated in 3D culture. Additionally, ELISA results indicated that C-peptide and insulin release were more significant in 3D than in 2D culture. In conclusion, the PES/fish gelatin scaffold is highly promising for pancreatic tissue engineering because it supports the viability, growth, and differentiation of WJ-MSCs into IPCs.

Abstract Objectives Recognition of mobile applications within encrypted network traffic holds considerable effects across multiple domains, encompassing network administration, security, and digital marketing. The creation of network traffic classifiers capable of adjusting to dynamic and unforeseeable real-world settings presents a tremendous challenge. Presently available datasets exclusively encompass traffic data obtained from a singular network environment, thereby restricting their utility in evaluating the robustness and compatibility of a given model. Data description This dataset was gathered from 60 popular Android applications in five different network scenarios, with the intention of overcoming the limitations of previous datasets. The scenarios were the same in the applications set but differed in terms of Internet service provider (ISP), geographic location, device, application version, and individual users. The traffic was generated through real human interactions on physical devices for 3–15 min. The method used to capture the traffic did not require root privileges on mobile phones and filtered out any background traffic. In total, the collected dataset comprises over 48 million packets, 450K bidirectional flows, and 36 GB of data.

Abstract Background This study explored the impact of predicted miRNAs on DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and the PODXL gene in Nalm6 cells, revealing the significance of these miRNAs in acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Methods A comprehensive approach was adopted, integrating bioinformatic analyses encompassing protein structure prediction, molecular docking, dynamics, and ADMET profiling, in conjunction with evaluations of gene and miRNA expression patterns. This methodology was employed to elucidate the therapeutic potential of catechin compounds in modulating the activity of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and the PODXL gene. Results The findings from our investigation indicate that catechins possess the capability to inhibit DNMT enzymes. This inhibitory effect is associated with the upregulation of microRNAs miR-200c and miR-548 and a concurrent downregulation of PODXL gene expression. These molecular interactions culminate in an augmented apoptotic response within ALL (Nalm6) cells. Conclusion The study posits that catechins may represent a viable therapeutic avenue for inducing apoptosis in ALL cells. This is achieved through the modulation of epigenetic mechanisms and alterations in gene expression profiles, highlighting the potential of catechins as agents for cancer therapy.

Abstract Background This study examines the impact of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) on gene expression associated with menthol biosynthesis and selected biochemical parameters in peppermint plants (Mentha piperita L.). Menthol, the active ingredient in peppermint, is synthesized through various pathways involving key genes like geranyl diphosphate synthase, menthone reductase, and menthofuran synthase. Seedlings were treated with different concentrations of TiO2NPs (50, 100, 200, and 300 ppm) via foliar spray. After three weeks of treatment, leaf samples were gathered and kept at -70 °C for analysis. Results According to our findings, there was a significant elevation (P ≤ 0.05) in proline content at concentrations of 200 and 300 ppm in comparison with the control. Specifically, the highest proline level was registered at 200 ppm, reaching 259.64 ± 33.33 µg/g FW. Additionally, hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde content exhibited a decreasing trend following nanoparticle treatments. Catalase activity was notably affected by varying TiO2NP concentrations, with a significant decrease observed at 200 and 300 ppm compared to the control (P ≤ 0.05). Conversely, at 100 ppm, catalase activity significantly increased (11.035 ± 1.12 units/mg of protein/min). Guaiacol peroxidase activity decreased across all nanoparticle concentrations. Furthermore, RT-qPCR analysis indicated increased expression of the studied genes at 300 ppm concentration. Conclusions Hence, it can be inferred that at the transcript level, this nanoparticle exhibited efficacy in influencing the biosynthetic pathway of menthol. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Rivers and streams are dynamic linear features that undergo numerous disturbances from nearby human activities. This is particularly evident in Iranian arid regions, where agricultural activities are concentrated along these water bodies to harness their freshwater resources. This study utilized 12 stations in the Maharlu stream network to assess the impact of human activities on its water quality and aquatic fauna. Results indicated that severe nutrient pollution attributed to a high mean nitrate concentration (67.77 ± 79.72 mg/L). By employing PCA analysis, three main principal components were extracted, explaining a variance of 82.61%. PC1 exhibited high positive loadings for dissolved oxygen (DO), while PC2 showed an elevated salt concentration. Midges and non-biting mosquitoes, predominantly from the Chironomidae family, emerged as the dominant taxon, contributing to over 98% of the total species abundance. Furthermore, integrated PCA–CCA analysis revealed downstream shifts in species composition toward more tolerant species, driven by decreasing DO levels and increasing salt concentrations. These shifts in trends found in water quality parameters and species composition were linked to agricultural runoff carrying substantial amounts of fertilizers, pesticides, and organic matter from livestock farming. Consequently, there is an urgent need to implement conservation measures to mitigate their adverse effects.

Abstract Background Citrus canker caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas citri (Hasse 1915) is known as a dangerous disease that has serious economic impacts on citrus production in many tropical and subtropical countries. In Iran, Citrus canker disease has caused significant damage to various citrus fruits, particularly limes. Nowadays, employing antagonistic bacteria as an effective and environmentally friendly method for plant disease management has gained special importance. Results Citrus leaf samples were collected from different regions of Iran, and after isolating epiphytic bacteria, ex planta and in planta investigations concerning antagonistic activities of the isolates against Xanthomonas citri pathotypes A and A* were performed. A total of 94 epiphytic bacterial isolates were isolated from citrus aerial parts. Based on biochemical, physiological, morphological, and genotypic tests, it was determined that these bacteria belong to the Bacillus and Staphylococcus genera. The highest inhibition activity against the pathogenic bacterium was related to isolates D4 and D5. Using the molecular method and the resulting dendrogram, it was found that these isolates were most similar to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. The present findings demonstrated that pathogenicity test on key lime leaves infected with X. citri pathotypes A and A*, along with the application of the biocontrol strain B. amyloliquefaciens, resulted in a significant reduction in the number of canker lesions. Conclusion The results strongly suggested that the identified antagonistic bacterial isolates hold promising potential as biocontrol agents for managing citrus bacterial canker disease.

Abstract MicroRNA-98 (miR-98) stands as an important molecule in the intricate landscape of oncology. As a subset of microRNAs, these small non-coding RNAs have accompanied a new era in cancer research, underpinning their significant roles in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and therapeutic interventions. This review provides a comprehensive insight into the biogenesis, molecular properties, and physiological undertakings of miR-98, highlighting its double-edged role in cancer progression—acting both as a tumor promoter and suppressor. Intriguingly, miR-98 has profound implications for various aspects of cancer progression, modulating key cellular functions, including proliferation, apoptosis, and the cell cycle. Given its expression patterns, the potential of miR-98 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker, especially in liquid biopsies and tumor tissues, is explored, emphasizing the hurdles in translating these findings clinically. The review concludes by evaluating therapeutic avenues to modulate miR-98 expression, addressing the challenges in therapy resistance, and assessing the efficacy of miR-98 interventions. In conclusion, while miR-98’s involvement in cancer showcases promising diagnostic and therapeutic avenues, future research should pivot towards understanding its role in tumor-stroma interactions, immune modulation, and metabolic regulation, thereby unlocking novel strategies for cancer management. Graphical Abstract

Abstract This research investigates the interactions between a novel environmentally friendly chemical fluid consisting of Xanthan gum and bio-based surfactants, and crude oil. The surfactants, derived from various leaves using the spray drying technique, were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, zeta potential analysis, Dynamic light scattering, and evaluation of critical micelle concentration. Static emulsion tests were conducted to explore the emulsification between crude oil and the polymer-surfactant solution. Analysis of the bulk oil FTIR spectra revealed that saturated hydrocarbons and light aromatic hydrocarbons exhibited a higher tendency to adsorb onto the emulsion phase. Furthermore, the increased presence of polar hydrocarbons in emulsion phases generated by polar surfactants confirmed the activation of electrostatic forces in fluid–fluid interactions. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed that the xanthan solution without surfactants had a greater potential to adsorb asphaltenes with highly fused aromatic rings, while the presence of bio-based surfactants reduced the solution's ability to adsorb asphaltenes with larger cores. Microfluidic tests demonstrated that incorporating surfactants derived from Morus nigra and Aloevera leaves into the xanthan solution enhanced oil recovery. While injection of the xanthan solution resulted in a 49.8% recovery rate, the addition of Morus nigra and Aloevera leaf-derived surfactants to the xanthan solution increased oil recovery to 58.1% and 55.8%, respectively.

Abstract Studies on the beneficial role of dietary antioxidants in preventing or managing hypertension in postmenopausal women are infrequent. The present cross-sectional study aimed to assess the association between dietary antioxidants and hypertension among menopausal women in Rafsanjan, a city located in the southeast of Iran. This study was based on data from the Rafsanjan Cohort Study (RCS), as part of the Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in IrAN (PERSIAN). Among 2359 postmenopausal women, finally, 1936 women were included in this study. Participants were grouped as having normal blood pressure (BP), elevated BP, stage 1 hypertension, or stage 2 hypertension as defined by the 2017 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) BP guideline. A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), was utilized to ascertain the levels of various nutrients and dietary antioxidants in the diet. The association between dietary intakes of antioxidants and blood pressure groups was evaluated by crude and adjusted models in the multinominal logistics regression analysis. Normal BP, elevated BP, stage 1 hypertension, and stage 2 hypertension were observed in 35.69%, 3.62%, 10.59%, and 50.10% of postmenopausal women respectively. In the adjusted model, in subjects with higher consumption of β-carotene, the odds ratios of elevated BP in the 3rd quartile was about 2 times (OR: 2.04 (1.06–3.93) higher than 1st quartile. Also, in subjects with medium quality of DAQS, the odds ratios of elevated BP and stage 1 blood pressure were about 2 times (OR: 2.09 (1.05–4.17) and 1.69 times (OR: 1.69 (1.09–2.63) higher than subjects with low quality respectively. Furthermore, we did not find any statistically significant association between increased intake of dietary antioxidants and decreased odds of hypertension. After controlling the effects of confounding variables, increased dietary intake of selenium, carotenoids, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E did not decrease the odds of hypertension in postmenopausal women. Accordingly, it is suggested that this association be further investigated in the follow-up phase of this prospective study.

Abstract Excessive Cu2+ intake can cause neurological disorders (e.g. Wilson’s disease) and adversely affect the gastrointestinal, liver, and kidney organs. The presence of Cu2+ is strongly linked to the emergence and progression of Wilson's disease (WD), and accurately measuring the amount of copper is a crucial step in diagnosing WD at an early stage in a clinical setting. In this work, CQDs were fabricated through a facile technique as a novel fluorescence-based sensing platform for detecting Cu(II) in aqueous solutions, and in the serum samples of healthy and affected individuals by WD. The CQDs interact with Cu(II) ions to produce Turn-on and Turn-off states at nano-molar and micro-molar levels, respectively, with LODs of 0.001 µM and 1 µM. In fact, the Cu2+ ions can act like a bridge between two CQDs by which the charge and electron transfer between the CQDs may increase, possibly can have significant effects on the spectroscopic features of the CQDs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported research that can detect Cu(II) at low levels using two different complexation states, with promising results in testing serum. The potential of the sensor to detect Cu(II) was tested on serum samples from healthy and affected individuals by WD, and compared to results obtained by ICP-OES. Astonishingly, the results showed an excellent correlation between the measured Cu(II) levels using the proposed technique and ICP-OES, indicating the high potential of the fluorimetric CQD-based probe for Cu(II) detection. The accuracy, sensitivity, selectivity, high precision, accuracy, and applicability of the probe toward Cu(II) ions make it a potential diagnostic tool for Wilson's disease in a clinical setting.

Abstract High health literacy (HL) plays a critical role in preventing or delaying the onset of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and can improve disease management and control. The present study aims to determine the association between HL and non-laboratory-based (office-based) Framingham 10-year risk score of CVD. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 648 people aged 30–65 in the health centers of Jahrom. The Health Literacy Instrument for Adults (HELIA) was used to assess HL. The non-laboratory-based Framingham risk score (FRS) was utilized to determine the 10-year risk of CVDs. Risk factors such as age, gender, diabetes, current smoking status, systolic blood pressure (SBP), hypertension (HTN) treatment, and body mass index (BMI) were applied in the non-laboratory-based model. The average age of the subjects was 44.7 ± 10.5 years, among which 49.2% were males. The prevalence of diabetes, HTN, and smoking equaled 8.5%, 15.7%, and 10%, respectively. In addition, the average BMI was 26.1 ± 3.6 kg/m2. Based on the non-laboratory-based Framingham 10-year risk score of CVD, 72.5%, 13.9%, and 13.6% of the subjects were in the low, moderate, and high risk groups, respectively. Based on the HL grouping, the levels of insufficient, borderline, sufficient, and excellent HL were 19.3%, 26.4%, 34.6%, and 19.7%, respectively. A significant association was observed between 10-year CVD risk and HL grouping. In addition, a negative correlation was reported at the individual level between HL and non-laboratory-based FRS among the whole population (r = − 0.39, p

Abstract Background SARS-CoV-2 caused an outbreak in late December 2019. It has been suggested that gut microbiota dysbiosis influences the severity, mortality, and quality of life of patients with COVID-19. So, identifying the gut microbiota pattern could be helpful to determine the prognosis of the disease, and maybe determine some potential treatment approaches. Our aim will be to compare gut microbiota patterns between patients with severe or non-severe COVID-19, and healthy controls. Methods We will include 183 samples: 122 samples from COVID-19 patients, including 61 severe patients and 61 non-severe patients, and 61 samples from healthy controls. Total bacterial DNA will be extracted from samples and 16 S rRNA gene will be amplified through two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) stages. Fecal samples will be analyzed using a targeted metabolomics technique. The differences in each RNA or DNA expression between patients with severe COVID-19, patients with non-severe COVID-19, and controls will be compared. Also, we will assess the relationships between each DNA or RNA and the risk of COVID-19 severity, sort of clinical manifestations, and comorbidities. Concurrent medication data will be collected and patients will also be grouped based on their drug history. Results We hypothesize that the gut microbiota composition will be affected by the COVID-19 severity and there might be differences in terms of sex and age. Conclusions The results of our study could be the backbone for further trials which might lead to the development of prognostic factors and treatment options. Further studies can also consider the limitations of the study like potential confounders and selection and recall biases.

IntroductionDue to the increasing need for agricultural products, protection of products against pathogens and preventing them from being wasted is important. Studies on droplet charging systems result in the reduction of chemical usage and an increase in the deposition of droplets on the target. Conventional sprayers used in Iran have numerous disadvantages such as drift, environmental pollution, lack of complete and homogeneous coverage of the spraying surface, phytotoxicity, and crop losses. Therefore, evaluation of new spraying methods and using a variety of electrical sprayers as alternatives to conventional spraying is essential. This study aims to design, construct, and optimize the performance of the electrodynamic head of an atomizer motorized knapsack sprayer, and study the effects of the angle of the target position, spraying distance, and wind speed on the performance of the electrodynamic sprayer.Materials and MethodsExperiments were performed in an agricultural machinery workshop at The Department of Biosystems Engineering, the University of Kurdistan, Iran, with an atomizer motorized knapsack sprayer equipped with an electrodynamic head. The effect of some factors including wind speed, spraying angle, and spraying distance on deposition, coverage percentage, and uniformity of spraying were investigated. These effects were investigated to determine the uniformity coefficient of total spraying. Design Expert 8.0.6 Trial software was used to design the experiments based on central composite design and to analyze the data. The investigated factors and levels were: the distance of nozzles from the target (at three levels of 2, 4, and 6 m), the angle of the target position (at three levels of 0, 45, and 90 degrees), and wind speed (at three levels of 2.5, 3, and 3.5 m s-1). Water-sensitive paper cards were used to evaluate the quality of the spraying. The cards were scanned and magnified with an Olympus SZX12 Stereo Microscope equipped with an objective lens of X1 and a total magnification of 7X. The characteristics of droplet size were determined using Mountains Map Trial and Deposit Scan software.Results and DiscussionThe maximum value of the total spraying uniformity coefficient was equal to 1.95 for the spraying angle of 0 degrees, the distance of 6 meters, and the speed of 3.5 meters per second. Meanwhile, the lowest value of the spray uniformity coefficient of 1.18 was obtained for the test conditions of 90 degrees, distance of 2 m, and speed of 2.5 m s-1, respectively. Based on analysis of variance for the two-factor interactions model (P-value less than 0.0001, explanation coefficient 0.9383, absolute explanation coefficient 0.910, standard deviation 0.0590, and coefficient of variation 3.790%). It can be stated that this model is highly accurate in predicting the uniformity of the total spraying, and the linear components of spraying angle and spraying distance, as well as the interaction of spraying angle × spraying distance and spraying distance × wind speed, significantly affect the uniformity of the total spraying (p

Background: Ankle sprains are common musculoskeletal injuries in sports and physical activities, often leading to balance impairments. The research investigated the impact of combined fibular repositioning taping (FRT) and facilitatory fibularis longus taping on postural balance and proprioception of the ankle joint in individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI). Methods:The double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Rehabilitation Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS). A total of 40 patients aged between 18 and 50 were randomly allocated to either the intervention or placebo group. In the intervention group, participants received a combined FRT and facilitatory fibularis longus taping. In contrast, participants in the placebo group received an adhesive gauze from the medial malleolus to the midpoint of the tibia. Static and dynamic postural stability and stability limits were evaluated using the Biodex Balance SD system. Proprioception of the ankle joint was assessed using the active ankle joint repositioning test with a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer. Data within each group were compared before and immediately after taping and 48 hours after taping. Results: The comparison of static postural stability before and immediately after the taping application revealed a significant decrease within groups (P = 0.01). Additionally, there was a statistically significant difference between groups before and 48 hours after taping (P = 0.002). A significant difference was observed between groups immediately after taping (P = 0.03) for dynamic postural stability at the double leg stance position. In contrast, no significant difference was found between groups 48 hours after taping (P = 0.05). Conclusion:The results suggest that combined FRT and facilitatory fibularis longus taping could enhance static and dynamic postural stability in individuals with CAI.

Background and objectives: Neurocognitive deficits in bipolar disorder (BD) have a negative impact on the quality of life, even during the euthymic phase. And many studies conducted to improve cognitive deficits in bipolar disorder. This systematic review aims to summarize studies on cognitive rehabilitation (CR) conducted in bipolar patients and evaluate its impact on neurocognitive deficits. The primary objective is to explore how CR interventions can enhance cognitive functioning, treatment outcomes, and overall quality of life in this population. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted on PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Embase, and PsycINFO databases from 1950 to 2023, following the 2015 PRISMA-P guidelines, using search terms related to BD and CR. Results: The initial search yielded 371 titles across the five databases. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria through screening, a total of 23 articles were included in the study. The selected articles evaluated verbal memory, attention, executive functions, and social cognition. Conclusion: The findings suggest that CR can be an effective treatment approach for bipolar patients, aimed at enhancing their cognitive abilities, treatment outcomes, and overall quality of life. The primary finding of this study indicates that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) protocols, skill training, and homework exercises, which offer a daily structure, social support, and opportunities for exchanging coping strategies, are more effective in enhancing cognitive functions. However, it is important to acknowledge the notable limitations of this review. Firstly, we did not assess the methodological rigor of the included studies. Additionally, there was a lack of detailed analysis regarding specific cognitive rehabilitation approaches that adhere to core CR principles, resulting in increased heterogeneity within the reviewed studies.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains have emerged as important foodborne patho-gens of global public health concern, causing life-threatening diseases. Animals and their products have been documented as important reservoirs for STECs, especially E. coli O157. The aim of this study was to investigate STECs from healthy and diarrhoeic sheep in Sanandaj, Iran. In the current study, a total of 81 sheep faecal samples were taken (22 from diarrhoeic sheep and 59 from healthy sheep). E. coli and subsequently STEC strains was detected according to standard protocol (cultural characterisation and PCR assays). Finally, the frequency of Shiga-toxin producing gene(s) (stx1, stx2), intimin (eaeA) and enterohaemolysin (hlyA) was detected among STEC isolates using duplex PCR. Totally, 42 E. coli were isolated from 81 faecal samples (51.85% contamination). Of these, 34 isolates (80.9%) were identified as STEC patotypes based on Sorbitol-MacConkey (SMAC) medium culturing and also the presence of stx1 and/or stx2. Of these, only 3 isolates (7.1%) were identified as serotype O157:H7 based on PCR assay. In addition, the results showed that STEC bacteria were sig-nificantly more prevalent in diarrhoeic samples than in healthy samples (50% vs. 22.1%). Overall, the PCR results showed that 33 (97%), 12 (35.3%) and 8 (23.5%) isolates carried stx1, stx2 and hlyA, respectively. The eaeA gene was not found in any isolate. The number of isolated STEC bacteria in spring (10 isolates) and winter (14 isolates) were significantly higher than those in summer (4 iso-lates) and autumn (6 isolates) (P=0.039). Also, the number of STEC in diarrhoea samples was signifi-cantly higher compared to non-diarrhoea samples (P=0.032). In conclusion, the present study re-vealed high prevalence rate of STEC including serotype O157:H7 and non-O157:H7 in sheep faeces which highlights the importance of sheep as a reservoir of STEC pathogen in Sanandaj region. Therefore, additional control and preventive measures must be undertaken to control the contamination by this pathogen.

Bladder cancer (BC) is a highly frequent neoplasm in correlation with significant rate of morbidity, mortality, and cost. The onset of BC is predominantly triggered by environmental and/or occupational exposures to carcinogens, such as tobacco. There are two distinct pathways by which BC can be developed, including non-muscle-invasive papillary tumors (NMIBC) and non-papillary (or solid) muscle-invasive tumors (MIBC). The Cancer Genome Atlas project has further recognized key genetic drivers of MIBC along with its subtypes with particular properties and therapeutic responses; nonetheless, NMIBC is the predominant BC presentation among the suffering individuals. Radical cystoprostatectomy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy have been verified to be the common therapeutic interventions in metastatic tumors, among which chemotherapeutics are more conventionally utilized. Although multiple chemo drugs have been broadly administered for BC treatment, cisplatin is reportedly the most effective chemo drug against the corresponding malignancy. Notwithstanding, tumor recurrence is usually occurred following the consumption of cisplatin regimens, particularly due to the progression of chemo-resistant trait. In this framework, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), as abundant RNA transcripts arise from the human genome, are introduced to serve as crucial contributors to tumor expansion and cisplatin chemo-resistance in bladder neoplasm. In the current review, we first investigated the best-known ncRNAs, i.e. microRNAs (miRNAs), long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), correlated with cisplatin chemo-resistance in BC cells and tissues. We noticed that these ncRNAs could mediate the BC-related cisplatin-resistant phenotype through diverse cellular processes and signaling mechanisms, reviewed here. Eventually, diagnostic and prognostic potential of ncRNAs, as well as their therapeutic capabilities were highlighted in regard to BC management.

Metaphor analysis has been used as a cognitive tool to raise awareness about assumptions and beliefs held by teachers and learners about the process of learning and teaching. Motivated by such an ambition, this study conducted with a quantitative and descriptive design examined the metaphors produced by Iranian high school students in an EFL context about the concept of English teacher, EFL learner, teaching, learning, English textbook, and English language classroom. The study used the convenient sampling technique. The participants of this study included 200 individuals (female= 100, male=100) from Khajenasir and Rahmany high schools in Maragheh, Iran. For gathering the data, a metaphor elicitation instrument adapted from Can, Bedir, and Kilianska-Przybylo' s (2011) study was employed. It consisted of six prompts to elicit students' associations and images related to the selected concepts of foreign language education: "1. English teacher is like…." "2. English learner is like…." "3. Teaching English is like…" "4. Learning English is like…" 5. English textbook is like…." "6. English classroom is like…." According to the findings, participants conceptualized selected components with about 370 metaphors categorized under 19 categories. There were similarities and differences in learners' conceptualization of these concepts regarding the participants' gender. The findings of this study might shed light on the view cultural linguistics represents a framework that provides a basis for understanding cultural conceptualizations and their realization in language.

This research was conducted to design a model to influence the strategic orientation and management of export market orientation on export performance in business environment transformations. The method of this research is Grounded theory. For this purpose, the topic was investigated by interviewing experts who were selected by a purposeful method of judgment from the managers and marketing experts of 52 sample exporting companies in Isfahan province in 2020. The validity of the interview questions was assessed with the Binominal test and the reliability was assessed with the Cronbach's alpha test. The research results indicate that; Strategic export orientation, export market orientation, and export performance are the three main pillars of exports in the trans formatives. To direct an effective export strategy in the current situation, six key factors of information systems strategy, customer-oriented engineering strategy, increasing innovation strategy, Competitive orientation strategy, learning orientation strategy, and cost control strategy must be included. Moreover, the results of the analysis aimed at extracting four components for export market orientation, including; Virtual marketing, distribution through capillary networks, video branding, and health brand led. Furthermore, the results of content analysis for export performance include 2 components financial and operational. Examining the export performance in transformations should be considered as the contribution of the article in the management of knowledge in the field.

Objective(s): Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) causes a developmental arrest of antral follicles and disrupts oocyte maturation. Retinoic acid (RA) and Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF2) are effective in follicle growth, thus their effects on histopathology and in vitro fertility of oocytes were investigated in PCOS-induced mice.Materials and Methods: Eighty female NMRI mice were randomly divided into 8 groups including 1-Normal mice, 2-PCOS mice without any treatment, 3-Normal mice treated with RA, 4-Normal mice treated with FGF2, 5-PCOS mice treated with RA, 6- PCOS mice treated with FGF2, 7- PCOS mice treated with RA and FGF2, and 8- Normal mice treated with RA and FGF2. Following PCOS induction, the mice were treated with intraperitoneal RA and FGF2 as a treatment. Then ovarian stimulation, for preparing the oocyte and embryo microscopic examinations was performed. After oocyte morphometry, through in vitro fertilization, the embryo formation was assessed. Data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests.Results: The results showed simultaneous injection of RA and FGF2 into PCOS-induced mice increases antral follicles and corpus luteum, but decreases cystic follicles. Simultaneous injection of these two substances into healthy mice increases the pre-antral follicles and corpus luteum. Simultaneous injection of RA and FGF2 increases the number of embryos in both control and intervention groups. Conclusion: It can be concluded that RA and FGF2 increase the maturity of ovarian follicles, the number of two-celled embryos, and the number of grade-A embryos in mice with PCOS, which is more effective when these two substances are injected simultaneously.

Abstract There is an increasing concern about the health effects of exposure to a mixture of pollutants. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between serum levels of heavy/essential metals ([Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), and Zinc (Zn)]) and the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Data were collected from 450 participants (150 with CVDs, 150 with T2D, and 150 healthy subjects) randomly selected from the Ravansar Non-Communicable Disease (RaNCD) cohort in Western Iran, covering the years 2018–2023. Trace element levels in the serum samples were assayed using ICP-MS. Logistic regression was performed to estimate the adjusted risk of exposure to single and multi-metals and CVD/T2D. Odds ratios were adjusted for age, sex, education, residential areas, hypertension, and BMI. The mixture effect of exposure to multi-metals and CVD/T2D was obtained using Quantile G-computation (QGC). In the logistic regression model, chromium, nickel, and zinc levels were associated with CVD, and significant trends were observed for these chemical quartiles (P