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In view of the great importance of dynamical behavior prediction of nanostructures in contact with fluid and their vast range of applications in biomedical engineering, aerospace, etc., in this research, the free vibration of a Nanoscale Euler-Bernoulli rotating beam coupled with incompressible viscous fluid is studied. Small-scale effects are applied by using nonlocal elasticity theory. Using the Navier-Stokes relation, the interaction forces between the fluid and nanobeam are obtained. Governing differential equations have been solved by Galerkin method and the system vibrations frequency response has been obtained for clamped-free boundary condition. Based on the results of this research, nonlocal elasticity has a different effect on different vibration modes. The frequency of the nanobeam coupled with the fluid quickly increases when applying this theory, and the presence of fluid reduces the natural frequencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) have shown promising performance in medical image analysis, including breast lesion classification in 2D ultrasound (US) images. Despite the outstanding performance of DCNN solutions, explaining their decisions remains an open investigation. Yet, the explainability of DCNN models has become essential for healthcare systems to accept and trust the models. This paper presents a novel framework for explaining DCNN classification decisions of lesions in ultrasound images using the saliency maps linking the DCNN decisions to known cancer characteristics in the medical domain. The proposed framework consists of three main phases. First, DCNN models for classification in ultrasound images are built. Next, selected methods for visualization are applied to obtain saliency maps on the input images of the DCNN models. In the final phase, the visualization outputs and domain-known cancer characteristics are mapped. The paper then demonstrates the use of the framework for breast lesion classification from ultrasound images. We first follow the transfer learning approach and build two DCNN models. We then analyze the visualization outputs of the trained DCNN models using the EGrad-CAM and Ablation-CAM methods. We map the DCNN model decisions of benign and malignant lesions through the visualization outputs to the characteristics such as echogenicity, calcification, shape, and margin. A retrospective dataset of 1298 US images collected from different hospitals is used to evaluate the effectiveness of the framework. The test results show that these characteristics contribute differently to the benign and malignant lesions' decisions. Our study provides the foundation for other researchers to explain the DCNN classification decisions of other cancer types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tissues and organs consist of cells organized in specified patterns that support their function, as exemplified by tissues such as skin, muscle, and cornea. It is, therefore, important to understand how external cues, such as engineered surfaces or chemical contaminants, can influence the organization and morphology of cells. In this work, we studied the impact of indium sulfate on human dermal fibroblast (GM5565) viability, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), morphology, and alignment behavior on tantalum/silicon oxide parallel line/trench surface structures. The viability of cells was measured using the alamarBlue™ Cell Viability Reagent probe, while the ROS levels in cells were quantified using cell-permeant 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate. Cell morphology and orientation on the engineered surfaces were characterized using fluorescence confocal and scanning electron microscopy. When cells were cultured in media containing indium (III) sulfate, the average cell viability decreased by as much as ~32% and the concentration of cellular ROS increased. Cell geometry became more circular and compact in the presence of indium sulfate. Even though actin microfilaments continue to preferentially adhere to tantalum-coated trenches in the presence of indium sulfate, the cells are less able to orient along the line axes of the chips. Interestingly, the indium sulfate-induced changes in cell alignment behavior are pattern dependent—a larger proportion of adherent cells on structures with line/trench widths in the range of 1 μm and 10 μm lose the ability to orient themselves, compared to those grown on structures with line widths smaller than 0.5 μm. Our results show that indium sulfate impacts the response of human fibroblasts to the surface structure to which they adhere and underscores the importance of evaluating cell behaviors on textured surfaces, especially in the presence of potential chemical contaminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Criconemoides neoinformis n. sp., a cryptic species of C. informis group, and C. persicus n. sp. were recovered from the rhizosphere of pear and grass, in Zanjan and West Azerbaijan provinces, northwestern Iran, respectively. Criconemoides neoinformis n. sp. is characterised by 522-585 μ m long females, having four separated pseudolips, anteriorly flattened lip region comprised of two annuli, 57-63 retrorse body annuli with smooth to slightly crenate margins, without anastomoses, 86.9-90.4 μ m long stylet, having 6-10 annuli from vulva to posterior end and tail conical rounded with two, three or multilobed terminus and presence of males. Criconemoides persicus n. sp. could be characterised by flatly rounded lip region, having fused rectangular pseudolips, 515-615 μ m body length, stylet 60-65 μ m, body annuli 120-132 with smooth to slightly crenate margins, without anastomoses, 9-12 annuli from vulva to posterior end and tail conical rounded with two trilobed terminus. In inferred phylogenies, these two new species clustered with known Criconemoides species in 18S, 28S, ITS and COI trees. These species are clearly separated molecularly by all the studied markers. The use of molecular markers, mainly D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rRNA, ITS region and COI , are very promising in the case of cryptic species found in this group of nematodes. We provided molecular markers (two sequences per marker) for these new species with morphological/morphometrical data using an integrative taxonomy approach for the unequivocal identification of these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell adhesion is an essential biological function for division, migration, signaling and tissue development. While it has been demonstrated that this cell function can be modified by using nanometer-scale surface topographic structures, it remains unknown how contaminants such as indium (III) ion might influence this specific cell behavior. Herein, the influence of indium chloride on human dermal fibroblast (GM5565) adhesion characteristics was investigated, given the frequent contact of contaminants with skin. The morphology of the adherent cells and their mitochondrial reticulum was characterized on cell culture dishes and nanopatterned surfaces by using fluorescence confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Results showed a significant proportion of cells lost their ability to align preferentially along the line axes of the nanopattern upon exposure to 3.2 mM indium chloride, with cells aligned within 10° of the pattern line axes reduced by as much as ~70%. Concurrent with the cell adhesion behaviors, the mitochondria in cells exposed to indium chloride exhibit a punctate staining that contrasts with the normal network of elongated tubular geometry seen in control cells. Our results demonstrate that exposure to indium chloride has detrimental effects on the behavior of human fibroblasts and adversely impacts their mitochondrial morphology. This shows the importance of evaluating the biological impacts of indium compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A new species of Tylenchidae from the rhizosphere of mangrove trees in Hormozgan and Khuzestan provinces, Iran, is described based on morphological and molecular data. Ottolenchus sinipersici n. sp., is characterised by a slightly fusiform body 560-665 μ m long, lateral field in the form of a narrow band with two faint incisures that are not visible in fatter females, indistinct transverse annuli under the light microscope, cephalic region continuous with the body contour, smooth and flattened dorsoventrally, longitudinal and narrow sigmoid amphidial slits, stylet delicate, 10.1-11.2 μ m long, with small rounded to slightly posteriorly sloping knobs, well-developed median bulb, offset and pyriform pharyngeal basal bulb, vulva located at 66.9-69.6% of body length, offset spermatheca, short post-vulval uterine sac, spicules 18.5-20.5 μ m long with highly curved blades, and a 113-135 μ m long filiform tail with a hook-like or coiled terminus. In Bayesian inference phylogenetic trees based on the partial small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) and D2-D3 expansion segment of large subunit ribosomal DNA (D2-D3 LSU rDNA) genes, the new species clustered together with O. facultativus (KJ869310) in SSU, and forms a clade with three isolates of O. discrepans in LSU phylogeny. Ottolenchus fungivorus n. comb. (= Filenchus fungivorus) is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A new species of Coslenchus from north-western Iran is illustrated and described using morphological, morphometric and molecular data. Coslenchus persicus n. sp. is characterised by a medium-sized body of 694-810 μ m, often 18 (seldom 20-22) longitudinal ridges excluding lateral field, head with four distinct annuli, stylet 9.6-10.8 μ m long, pharyngeal basal bulb large and cylindrical, spermatheca offset and ovate, without sperm, vulval flaps extending for two annuli, 5-7 μ m in length, tail striated with finely to bluntly rounded tip, 110-153 μ m long and without males. The new species comes close to C. assamensis , C. diversus , C. japonicus , C. leiocephalus , C. maritus , C. multigyrus , C. paramaritus , C. pastor , and C. polonicus , but can be distinguished from all by differences in body length, stylet length and shape of basal bulb, post-vulval uterine sac, tail and certain morphometric data. Molecular data are provided for the characterisation of the new species using ribosomal genes (18S and 28S rRNA). In the 18S rRNA tree, the new species was placed in a clade including one isolate of Coslenchus sp. from Iran. In the reconstructed 28S rRNA phylogenetic tree, C. persicus n. sp. clustered with other known Coslenchus species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Two new and one known species of Atetylenchus recovered from Dezful, Khuzestan Province, south-western Iran, are illustrated and described using morphological, morphometric and molecular data. Atetylenchus dezfuliensis n. sp. is characterised by medium-sized body 700-998 μ m long, stylet 10.0-11.5 μ m long, characteristic tail shape, first tapering regularly but then cylindrical to slightly clavate and 90-136 μ m long, phasmids located at one-third anterior part of tail and short spicules 18.7 μ m long. Atetylenchus longilabiatus n. sp. is characterised by small-sized body 593-720 μ m long, prominent lip region, stylet 9.5-12.5 μ m long, conical tail with hook-shaped terminus and 42-63 μ m long, phasmids located near mid-tail and short spicules 17.5 μ m long. Atetylenchus cf. graminus is characterised by small-sized body 643-787 μ m long, stylet 10.7-11.7 μ m long, vulva located at 51.7-55.1% of the body length, and conical tail with finely rounded end and 63-69 μ m long. Molecular data are provided for the characterisation of this genus from these two new and one known species using ribosomal genes (18S and 28S rRNA). This genus is molecularly separated from Psilenchus , but closely related in both genes. These molecular markers showed different phylogenies for both genera; partial 18S showed their relationship with Tylenchidae, while 28S rRNA showed their relationship with Merliniidae. A key to the genus is provided for species identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: An undescribed species from the rhizosphere of tamarisk, Tamarix passerinoides , Telotylenchus tamariscus n. sp., is illustrated and described based on morphological, morphometric and molecular approaches. The new species is characterised by female characters including body size of ca 1 mm, areolated lateral fields, cephalic region rounded, distinctly set off from the body contour, stylet 19.5 (18.5-20.5) μ m long with posteriorly directed basal knobs, pharyngeal glands overlapping intestine dorso-laterally, subcylindrical tail bearing 32 (25-37) cuticular annuli and ending in an annulated terminus, and male spicules and gubernaculum 27 (25-29) and 13 (12.5-14.5) μ m long, respectively. Morphologically, our population comes close to several known species of the genus, including T. avaricus , T. aerolatus , T. indicus , T. ventralis , T. paaloofi and T. namibiensis. In the 18S rRNA phylogenetic tree, it occupied a phylogenetic position in close affinity with two sequences of T. ventralis. In the 28S rRNA tree, the genus Telotylenchus did not form a monophyletic group, our isolate clustering with an unknown population of Histotylenchus and four isolates of Tylenchorhynchus mediterraneus in a clade well separated from another clade that included three other isolates tentatively named as Telotylenchus sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In this study, we provide morphological and molecular characterisation of three known species of the Criconematoidea, namely Criconema cylindraceum , Paratylenchus alleni and P. steineri , recovered from Iran. Descriptions, morphometric data, drawings and photomicrographs are provided, and comparisons are made with closely related species. Phylogenetic analysis using the D2-D3 expansion segments of the 28S rRNA gene revealed that C. cylindraceum formed a cluster with Ogma decalineatus , a species with a similar head structure, but with differences in cuticle ornamentation, tail shape and morphometric characters. Moreover, P. alleni grouped with species of Paratylenchus having four lateral lines and a short stylet (< 40 μ m), exceptionally including the unresolved P. straeleni , while P. steineri formed a clade with long stylet species, including P. teres and P. wuae. The taxonomic placement of C. cylindraceum in Criconema , rather than in Criconemoides , is justified, and P. teres is molecularly differentiated from P. steineri , the two species differing in having or lacking a stylet in the fourth-stage juvenile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesocriconema abolafiai n. sp. is described by morphological, morphometric, and molecular approaches. The new species is characterized by a body slightly curved with 402 to 612 μ m length, 90 to 113 cuticular body annuli with smooth to irregular margins lacking of crenation with not more than one anastomoses, lip region not offset, small flattened submedian lobes, stylet robust (52.8-60.0 μm) with well-developed knobs, open vulva with simple anterior lip, straight vagina, filled spermatheca with globular sperms, presence of males, and conical-acute tail with last annulus bilobed or rounded. Discussions are made on the characterization of M. abolafiai n. sp. from the most closely related species, M. ozarkiense, and several other species having similar tail shape. Furthermore, results of phylogenetic analyses inferred from D2 to D3 expansion fragments of 28S rRNA, 18S rRNA, and ITS rRNA gene sequences revealed the phylogenetic position of the new species within representatives of Criconematidae and supported morphological justifications for considering this population from Iran as a new species in the genus Mesocriconema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The second population of Pratylenchoides riparius , including females and males, is described and illustrated based upon morphological, morphometric and molecular data. The present population from Iran is characterised by some differences with the type population of the species from Hungary in stylet length (24-26 vs 21-22 μ m), slightly longer body (1002-1230 vs 830-960 μ m), pharynx (202-211 vs 182-190 μ m) and tail (64-85 vs 48-57 μ m), areolated outer bands of the lateral field (vs non-areolated), widening of the lateral field near tail terminus (vs lateral incisures connecting each other) and presence of males (vs absent). The taxonomic status of the species with regarding the data from the type and presently recovered population, as well as the closely similar species is discussed. The newly recovered population was studied based upon its molecular phylogenetic charactes using the D2-D3 of 28S rRNA and the partial 18S rRNA gene sequences and the results revealed that it forms a clade with P. magnicauda in 28S, but occupies a distant placement from it in 18S phylogeny. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coslenchus paramaritus n. sp. and C. cancellatus were identified based on morphological, morphometric, and molecular characteristics. The new species, C. paramaritus n. sp., is characterized by its cuticle with 18 longitudinal ridges excluding lateral lines, wide cuticular annuli (2.6-3.0 µm), a long tail (94-128 µm), the presence of males and the absence of sexual dimorphism in head shape. Molecular phylogenetic studies of the new species using D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rRNA revealed that the new species formed a sister clade with three unknown populations of Coslenchus in Bayesian inference (BI) phylogeny, while C. cancellatus formed a sister clade with other Coslenchus species including C. oligogyrus, C. franklinae, C. costatus, C. turkeyensis and three unknown populations. C. cancellatus is recovered from Iran for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two populations of the genus Trophotylenchulus and 10 species of the genus Paratylenchus from Iran were characterized based on morphometric, morphological and molecular characters. Our observations on the two populations of Trophotylenchulus from Iran revealed that T. asoensis and T. okamotoi have been distinguished from T. arenarius, on the basis of the features which cannot be longer considered as stable diagnostic characters. One of the populations shows a mixed combination of the characters of T. arenarius and T. asoensis; it has morphometrics more similar to T. arenarius but shows affinities with T. asoensis in the tail terminus shape of females and second-stage juveniles (J2) and in having a reduced stylet in males. The other population fit well with T. okamotoi; it has females with generally bluntly rounded tails typical for T. okamotoi, but sometimes with finely rounded tail termini, like those of T. arenarius or T. asoensis. The sequences of D2-D3 expansion segments of 28 S rRNA gene for the two populations are identical with each other, but only 4 bp (0.67%) difference with T. arenarius sequence deposited in the GenBank. Considering no stable difference allow separating species, synonymy of T. asoensis and T. okamotoi with T. arenarius, which has already been proposed, is supported and confirmed here. All studied Paratylenchus species with stylets longer than 40 µm, except P. straeleni, formed a basal cluster to Cacopaurus pestis and species of Paratylenchus bearing stylets shorter than 40 µm; thus, validity of Gracilacus cannot be rejected using our data sets. However, the synonymy of Paratylenchoides was supported by the positioning of P. sheri within representatives of Paratylenchus in the inferred phylogenetic tree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a nematological survey of the family Tripylidae, two new and two known species of the genus Tripyla, namely T. paraffinis sp. n., T. parafilicaudata sp. n., T. glomerans and T. setifera, were identified and described from soil samples collected from the rhizosphere of forest trees in northern Iran. Three populations of T. paraffinis sp. n., found in different locations, are described and morphometric data of the type and other populations provided. Tripyla paraffinis sp. n. is characterised by its body length of 1.21-1.89 mm, dorsal tooth wedge-shaped and triangular, short outer labial and cephalic sensilla, tail bent ventrad and gradually tapering to the end, horn-shaped spicules bearing a distinct constriction in the middle, and presence of 16-20 ventromedian supplementary papillae. Tripyla parafilicaudata sp. n. is described and illustrated from four different locations. It is characterised by females with a body length of 1.48-1.95 mm, dorsal tooth hook-shaped, vaginal wall with a downward pointing tooth-like projection in the middle, long outer labial and setiform cephalic sensilla, long tail, sausage-shaped spermatozoa, males with horn-shaped spicules and 11-17 ventromedian supplementary papillae. Tripyla glomerans and T. setifera are new records for the Iranian nematofauna. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of the partial 18S and D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rRNA from T. paraffinis sp. n. and T. parafilicaudata sp. n. and other species in the genus clearly support the proposal of T. paraffinis sp. n. and T. parafilicaudata sp. n. as new species, as well as indicating that Tripyla shares a more recent common ancestor with Tobrilus, Tripylella, Prismatolaimus, Diphtherophora and two trichodorids, Trichodorus and Paratrichodorus. The Tripylidae is placed in a main clade within the Triplonchida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Pratylenchoides has recently been transferred from the family Pratylenchidae to Merliniidae. To investigate further the relationship between these 'Pratylenchus-like' species (residing in the subfamily Pratylenchoidinae) and the subfamily Merliniinae, more than 500 soil samples were collected from various natural and agronomic habitats in the northern and north-western provinces of Iran. In this study, paratypes or populations of 22 species of Pratylenchoides, including the Iranian populations of P. alkani, P. crenicauda, P. erzurumensis, P. laticauda, P. nevadensis, P. ritteri and an undescribed species, were studied. Intra- and interspecies variation of the following characters were investigated: position of the pharyngeal gland nuclei, shape of female and male head, striation of female tail terminus, number of lateral lines at mid-body and in phasmid region for females, presence of intestinal fasciculi, and shape of sperm. Combining morphological and molecular data prompted us to propose two clusters of related Pratylenchoides species. One cluster includes P. crenicauda, P. variabilis and P. erzurumensis, whereas the second cluster consists of P. alkani, P. nevadensis and P. ritteri. Our data point to a sister positioning of P. magnicauda vis-à-vis all Pratylenchoides species included in this research. Analyses of SSU rDNA (for family and subfamily relationships) and partial LSU rDNA sequences (for intrageneric relationships) data revealed: i) the distal and nested positioning of all Pratylenchoidinae within the Merliniidae; ii) the single transition from ectoparasitism to migratory endoparasitism within the family Merliniidae corresponds with the current subfamily partitioning; and iii) support for the monophyletic nature of the genus Pratylenchoides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of Dorylaimidae from Iran are described using morphology and molecular data. Dorylaimus elegans sp. n. is characterised by 4.41-5.92 mm body length, lip region truncate, distinct from adjoining body by a depression, cuticle with 50-55 longitudinal ridges, odontostyle 42-51 μm long, thicker than cuticle at its level, didelphic female reproductive apparatus, vulva a small sub-equatorial pore, a variable number of advulval papillae (0-6), both pre- and post-vulval, present in most specimens, female tail elongate, 5.6-7.6 anal body diam. long, with ventrally hooked terminus. Male with 26-30 ventromedian supplements arranged very close to each other, copulatory hump weakly developed, and a convex-conoid tail with blunt terminus. Prodorylaimus reyesi sp. n. is characterised by 2.78-3.33 mm body length, lip region slightly angular and well set off from adjoining body by a depression, odontostyle 26-31 μm long, thicker than cuticle at its level, didelphic female reproductive apparatus, vulva longitudinal, a variable number of advulval papillae (0-3), both pre- and post-vulval, present in most specimens, tail in both sexes convex-conoid in its anterior part, then narrowing abruptly to a filiform hyaline appendix, longer in female (c' = 11.7-15.5) than in male (c' = 7-7.7), and 19-21 contiguous ventromedian supplements. A compendium of the main morphometric characters of Dorylaimus and a key to species are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A new species of the genus Talanema , T. maculatum sp. n., collected in a natural enclave of Iran, is characterised on the basis of morphological and molecular data. It is distinguishable by its 1.82-2.20 mm long body, lip region offset by constriction and 20-23 μ m wide with perioral liplets, odontostyle 21.5-28 μ m long, guiding ring double, neck 394-525 μ m long, pharyngeal expansion occupying 44-49% of the total neck length, uterus tripartite and 308-441 μ m long or 5.1-6.8 body diam., vulva transverse (V = 54-58), presence of abundant cuticle irregularities at the perivulval area, tail similar in both sexes, conical with a dorsal concavity (31-45 μ m, c = 46-71, c′ = 0.9-1.1), spicules 70-75 μ m long, and 14-18 shortly spaced ventromedian supplements ending at level of the anterior end of spicules, with hiatus. Molecular analysis of 28S-rDNA gene confirms the monophyly of Talanema and the difficulties in elucidating its external evolutionary relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the effects of drip irrigation regimes on potato (Solanum tuberosumL.) tuber yield and quality, an experiment was conducted in 2009 and 2010. Experimental factors were the irrigation regimes including: FI, providing 100% of the water requirement of potato; IR1, providing 70% of the water requirement of potato by reducing the applied irrigation water between planting and tuber initiation by 30%; and IR2, providing 70% of the water requirement of potato by reducing the applied irrigation water during the whole growing season by 30%; and three potato cultivars Agria, Almera and Sinora. The results indicated that cultivars Agria and Almera were much better than Sinora in terms of tuber yield under all irrigation regimes. For Agria and Almera, the experiments show that the full irrigation regime had the highest yield and water productivity. For Sinora, however, deficit irrigation yields higher water productivity than the full irrigation regime. Consequently, deficit irrigation IR1 and IR2 should be applied to Sinora, but not to Agria and Almera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During nematode surveys in Iran two Paratylenchus populations were found. Paratylenchus conicephalus sp. n. is described and figured from the rhizosphere of Prangos ferulacea (L.) Lindl. and is characterised by having a 365-501 μm long body, stylet 29.5-35 μm long, a conical lip region with four or five indistinct annuli, large submedian lobes and four large flaps around the stoma opening, these structures appearing as a small cap-like structure when viewed laterally with the light microscope, four lines in the lateral field, and a sharply pointed tail 25.5-46 μm long. Paratylenchus similis is described and figured from the rhizosphere of Artemisia aucheri Boiss. and compared with the various descriptions of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neolobocriconema iranense sp. n. is described from a forest in Iran. Females of N. iranense sp. n. are characterised by having a body length of 453 (371-569) μm, 78-87.5 μm long stylet, presence of a single lip annulus of smaller diam. than the adjacent body annulus and which has a smooth margin and four distinct submedian lobes, 37-43 wide, retrorse body annuli with crenate, dentate and lobulate margins, the latter becoming slightly longer on the last few annuli, annuli with numerous longitudinal grooves corresponding with the crenations, vulva without an overhanging dorsal lip and situated on posteriormost three or four annuli, and anus located on the last annulus. The J2 has 12 longitudinal rows of scales and the ?J4 has eight to ten longitudinal rows of broad, irregular scallops. SEM photographs of females are provided. In the presence of a single lip annulus, N. iranense sp. n. comes close to seven of the 13 species in Neolobocriconema. It can, however, be differentiated from them all in characters such as a shorter body length, shorter or longer stylet, different cuticular structures on the annuli, and in the absence of longitudinal rows of scales or scallops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six known species belonging to the genus Criconemoides, including some poorly known ones, are discussed, viz., C. parvus, C. informis, C. mongolensis, C. avicenniae, C. myungsugae and C. neoaxestis. The three latter species are reported for the first time since their original description and represent new records for Iran. Males of C. myungsugae were found for the first time and are described herein. Additional figures and measurements are provided for all of the aforementioned species, while SEM photographs, photomicrographs, illustrations and short notes are given for some of the species to supplement older or inadequate descriptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) is one of the most commonly ordered and frequently overused tests. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mean radiation dose to patients getting CTPA and to identify factors that are associated with higher dose. Material and Methods: This institutionally approved retrospective study included all patients who had a CTPA to rule out acute pulmonary embolism between 2016 and 2018 in a tertiary care center. Patient data (age, sex, body mass index [BMI], and patient location), CT scanner type, image reconstruction methodology, and radiation dose parameters (dose-length product [DLP]) were recorded. Effective dose estimates were obtained by multiplying DLP by conversion coefficient (0.014 mSv·mGy-1·cm-1). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors affecting the radiation dose. Results: There were 2342 patients (1099 men and 1243 women) with a mean age of 58.1 years (range 0.2-104.4 years) and BMI of 31.3 kg/m² (range 12-91.5 kg/m²). The mean effective radiation dose was 5.512 mSv (median - 4.27 mSv; range 0.1-43.0 mSv). Patient factors, including BMI >25 kg/m², male sex, age >18 years, and intensive care unit (ICU) location, were associated with significantly higher dose (P < 0.05). CT scanning using third generation dual-source scanner with model-based iterative reconstruction (IR) had significantly lower dose (mean: 4.90 mSv) versus single-source (64-slice) scanner with filtered back projection (mean: 9.29 mSv, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Patients with high BMI and ICU referrals are associated with high CT radiation dose. They are most likely to benefit by scanning on newer generation scanner using advance model-based IR techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted during 2016-2017 to investigate the effect of irrigation scheduling on three barley cultivars (viz Nosrat, Roudasht and Behrokh) under water deficit stress conditions. Irrigation treatment was applied based on the maximum allowable depletion of available soil water. Treatment levels comprised of irrigation scheduled at: (I1) 30%; (I2) 60%; and (I3) 90% depletion of available soil water which was applied after flowering stage. Studied traits included: plant height, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, the number of spikes per plant, the number of grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, awn length, harvest index, biological yield, grain yield, and total protein content of grain. Results showed that all traits were significantly reduced with an increase in the severity of stress due to a reduction in the availability of water. However, no significant reduction was observed for cultivar Nosrat regarding grain yield, biological yield and the number of spikes per plant between I2 and I3 treatment levels. Estimation of production functions with respect to yield contributing traits revealed that, at a severe drought stress, the order of the importance of yield-contributing traits was as: harvest index>biomass>spikes per plant>grains per spike. Based on the results, to achieve the highest grain yield and grain total protein content, irrigation should be scheduled at a maximum allowable depletion equal to 30% of available soil water. Nevertheless, an economic production can be achieved with a delayed irrigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Interleukin (IL)-23 and IL-27 are two IL-12-related cytokines which their function may dramatically influence the inflammatory response to tumor development. IL-12 and IL-27 seem to have antagonistic roles with IL-23 in tumor site. In this study, IL-23 and IL-27 mRNA expressions were analyzed in peripheral blood of patients with breast cancer and healthy volunteers using quantitative real-time PCR. Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 50 women with breast cancer and 50 healthy ones. The total RNA was extracted from peripheral blood after lysis with ammonium chloride and TRizol reagent and the cDNA was synthesized. The expression of IL-23 and IL-27 gene transcripts was determined with real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) using Syber Green PCR Master Mix. Results: It is found that IL-23 and IL-27 transcripts had significantly higher expression in peripheral blood of patients compared with the healthy controls. The ratio of IL-23 transcript expression to IL-27 was 3.4 fold lower in the studied patients compared with the normal individuals. Conclusion: It is concluded that the over expression of IL-23 and IL-27 gene transcript in peripheral blood of breast cancer patients may be an immune response against tumor development and the inflammatory response plays a critical role in tumor development via up regulating the corresponding cytokines. However, the IL-23/IL-27 ratio may play an important role in cytokine-based immunotherapy against cancer. Further research should be carried out to assess these cytokines in a larger sample size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperlipidemia can lead to atherosclerosis by lipoprotein deposition inside the vessel wall and oxidative stress induction that leads to the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein particles (Ox-LDL) have a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The lipid-lowering properties and antioxidants of the grape seed can be beneficial in atherosclerosis prevention. We conducted a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial. Fifty-two mildly hyperlipidemic individuals were divided into two groups that received either 200 mg/day of the red grape seed extract (RGSE) or placebo for 8 weeks. After an 8-week washout period, the groups were crossed over for another 8 weeks. Lipid profiles and Ox-LDL were measured at the beginning and the end of each phase. RGSE consumption reduced total cholesterol (−10.68±26.76 mg/dL, P=.015), LDL cholesterol (−9.66±23.92 mg/dL, P=.014), and Ox-LDL (−5.47±12.12 mg/dL, P=.008). While triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were decreased and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was increased by RGSE, the changes were not statistically significant. RGSE consumption decreases Ox-LDL and has beneficial effects on lipid profile-consequently decreasing the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disorders-in mild hyperlipidemic individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a model predictive control (MPC)-based coordinated scheduling framework for variable wind generation and battery energy storage systems (BESSs) is presented. On the basis of the short-term forecast of available wind generation and price information, a joint look-ahead optimization is performed by the wind farm and storage system to determine their net power injection to the electric power grid. In conjunction with moderate battery capacity, the excess unpredictable wind generation can be used to charge the battery storage and vice versa. The benefits of the proposed scheduling approach are that (1) the combined profit of wind generation and BESS is increased; (2) the net power injection from the wind farm into the power grid is smoothed out; and (3) the look-ahead optimization updates the price prediction in a moving horizon, which leads to more robust profit for wind farm and BESS against price uncertainties. By formulating the MPC-based coordinated scheduling as a quadratic programming problem, several numerically efficient algorithms to compute the optimal control strategy for wind generation and BESS are proposed. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in a modified IEEE 24-bus reliability test system with aggregated plug-in hybrid electric vehicles is demonstrated. It is shown that the proposed algorithm can increase the joint profit of wind farm and BESS while smoothing out the net power injection to the electricity grid. The proposed MPC-based scheduling problem can be solved in approximately 400 ms, which makes the framework implementable in realtime electricity market operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies suggested that the prone position (PP) improves oxygenation and reduces mortality among patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, the mechanism of this clinical benefit of PP is not completely understood. The aim of the present study was to quantitatively compare regional characteristics of lung functions in the PP with those in the supine position (SP) using inspiratory and expiratory computed tomography (CT) scans.Methods: Ninety subjects with normal pulmonary function and inspiration and expiration CT images were included in the study. Thirty-four subjects were scanned in PP, and 56 subjects were scanned in SP. Non-rigid image registration-based inspiratory-expiratory image matching assessment was used for regional lung function analysis. Tissue fractions (TF) were computed based on the CT density and compared on a lobar basis. Three registration-derived functional variables, relative regional air volume change (RRAVC), volumetric expansion ratio (J), and three-dimensional relative regional displacement (s*) were used to evaluate regional ventilation and deformation characteristics.Results: J was greater in PP than in SP in the right middle lobe (P = 0 .025), and RRAVC was increased in the upper and right middle lobes (P < 0.001). The ratio of the TF on inspiratory and expiratory scans, J, and RRAVC at the upper lobes to those at the middle and lower lobes and that ratio at the upper and middle lobes to those at the lower lobes of were all near unity in PP, and significantly higher than those in SP (0.98-1.06 vs 0.61-0.94, P < 0.001).Conclusion: We visually and quantitatively observed that PP not only induced more uniform contributions of regional lung ventilation along the ventral-dorsal axis but also minimized the lobar differences of lung functions in comparison with SP. This may help in the clinician's search for an understanding of the benefits of the application of PP to the patients with ARDS or other gravitationally dependent pathologic lung diseases.Trial Registration: Retrospectively registered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experimental results of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma treatment on barley (Hordeum Valgare L cv. Yusef) seed germination and seedling growth are analyzed and presented. The seeds were exposed to DBD plasma with 40-, 80-, and 120-W powers for 15 s. All treatments showed positive effects on seed germination, seedling growth, and vigor index. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and water imbibition evaluations of plasma-treated seeds revealed that the treatments improved water absorption in the seeds. Similar positive improvements were observed for the plasma-treated seeds in the seedling stage. The best germination characteristics were obtained in 80-W DBD plasma, which included an 18.28% increment in total germination percentage, and 13.35%, 66.83%, 38.55%, and 31.93% increment on the seed germination potential, vigor index, shoot height, and root length, respectively. Moreover, the seed germination of the plasma-treated barley was studied after 2, 7, 14, and 30 days of storage, which indicated the desirable effect of plasma over the storage time. It is concluded that the use of cold plasma can significantly improve the germination and seedling growth of barley seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ni-based alloys are resistant against wear and corrosion, and are widely applied in surface engineering. In this study, different amounts of graphite (0, 5 and 10 wt.%) are added to NiCrBSi powder as a solid lubricant. The pure and composite powders are deposited on 420 stainless steel through the high-velocity oxygen fuel process. The microstructure and properties of the coatings are examined through x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. Vickers microhardness test is run for the coatings' hardness measurement. NiCrBSi has the highest hardness of 650HV. Hardness of the coatings decreases with the increase in the graphite content. The porosity measurement by ImageJ analyzer indicates that the NiCrBSi coating has the lowest porosity. To assess the ambient and high-temperature wear resistance of the coatings, ball-on-disk wear tests were run with 15 N load and the sliding distance of 1000 m at 25 °C and 450 °C. The results indicate that the NiCrBSi and NiCrBSi-10 wt.%Gr coatings have the highest wear resistance at ambient and high temperatures, respectively. The friction coefficient of the coatings containing lubricant is lower than that of the NiCrBSi coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precipitation and temperature are two main climatic factors that influence crop productivity in arid and semi-arid areas. Study of the variability in these variables is thus important especially under dryland farming. In the present study, we evaluated the relationship between minimum, maximum, and mean temperatures; precipitation; and dryland wheat yield in northwest of Iran. The association between long-term weather data and dryland wheat yield for the time period bracketing 1990 and 2004 was investigated in seven stations (Ahar, Tabriz, Maragheh, Myaneh, Urmia, Khoy, and Makou) homogenously distributed over the study region. Aridity index (AI) was also calculated and its relationship with wheat yield was studied. Results showed that AI significantly decreased in the whole region (except for Urmia) with the highest variation in Maragheh and Myaneh. Increase in temperature was the major contributing factor to the increasing AI. Association between weather variables and dryland wheat yield at annual, seasonal, and monthly scales showed different results. At seasonal scale, spring was the main season affecting wheat yield. Also, at monthly scale, January, April, and May had more important role in wheat yield variation compared to the other months. The association between dryland wheat yield and weather variables was stronger in Maragheh and Myaneh. At the end, it was concluded that wheat yield was more affected by the variability in the climate in East Azerbaijan compared to that in West Azerbaijan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new bisexual species of Rotylenchus from North-western Iran is described and illustrated based on morphological, morphometric and molecular studies. Rotylenchus urmiaensis n. sp. is characterised by having a truncate lip region with irregular longitudinal striation, lateral field areolated only in pharynx region, stylet length 34-40 µm, vulva positioned at 53-61%, and female tail conoid-rounded to dorsally convex-conoid with 5-10 annuli. Rotylenchus urmiaensis n. sp. appears to be similar to R. striaticeps, from which it may be differentiated morphologically by a slightly shorter body length (870-1269 vs 1000-1723 µm), shorter stylet (34-40 vs 39-50 µm), female tail shape (conoid-rounded to dorsally convex-conoid vs rounded), frequency of males (rare vs common as abundant as females), shorter spicules (39-43 vs 41-50 µm) and phasmid position (varying from three annuli anterior or three annuli posterior to anus vs at level to seven annuli anterior to anus), and molecularly. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of D2-D3 expansion region of 28S, ITS-rDNA, 18S rDNA, and the partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (coxI) mtDNA, confirmed the species differentiation and the close molecular relationship between R. urmiaensis n. sp. and R. striaticeps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirteen species of Pratylenchidae: Pratylenchus cojfeae, P. delattrei, P. loosi, P. neglectus, P. penetrans, P. pseudopratensis, P. thornei, P. vulnus, Pratylenchus sp., Pratylenchoides alkani, P. ritten, Hirschmanniella sp. and Zygotylenchus guevarai were collected from different crops and plants throughout Iran. The specimens were identified using morphological and molecular methods. Morphometries and morphology are given for Pratylenchus sp., P. delattrei, Pratylenchoides alkani and Hirschmanniella sp. The D2-D3 expansion segments of the 28S rRNA gene were amplified and sequenced for all 13 species studied. Diagnostic PCR-ITS-RFLP profiles are given for Pratylenchus delattrei, P. penetrans, P. pseudopratensis, Pratylenchus sp., Pratylenchoides alkani and P. ritteri. Pratylenchus neglectus and P. thornei, collected from cereal fields, P. loosi from tea plantations, P. cojfeae from banana, P. penetrans from ornamental plants, P. vulnus from pines and Z. guevarai from almonds showed a high level of similarity in the D2-D3 sequences with corresponding GenBank sequences. Nucleotide differences between Iranian populations and reference species were in the intraspecific range. Pratylenchus delattrei, found in vegetable fields, and Pratylenchus sp. from palm rhizosphere, formed a highly supported clade with P. zeae, the two former species being morphologically very close to the latter except in tail shape. Pratylenchus pseudopratensis, from cereal fields, clustered with P. vulnus with low support. Phylogenetic relationships within Pratylenchus species were mainly congruent with those obtained in previous studies. Despite the morphological similarities between P. ritteri and P. alkani, the D2-D3 of 28S rRNA gene sequences differed by 5 bp. Hirschmanniella sp., from a rice field, formed a clade with H. loofi and H. kwazuna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Safety of and humoral immune response to the anti-influenza vaccine in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients were evaluated. The trivalent vaccine was administered to 137 eligible CAD patients and 67 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. Antibody (Ab) titers were measured before and 1 month after vaccination. CAD and HC groups were not significantly different in serologic response and magnitude of change in antibody titers against each of the vaccine antigens. In multivariate analyses, regular exercise and using multivitamin supplements were independently associated with better antibody response among CAD patients. There were no major cardiac or general adverse effects. Influenza vaccine was found safe in CAD patients and antibody responses were similar to HCs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Use of ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) changed the growth traits of fenugreek. • Use of EMS changed the morpho-physiological traits of fenugreek. • The maximum value of growth traits was attained in 0.2 % of EMS. • The nicotinic acid, trigonline and diosgenin content increased with the use of EMS. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is a member of the Fabaceae family which is an annual, dicotyledonous and self-pollinated plant. Since genetic diversity is the basis of plant breeding programs, it is important to create genetic mutations in order to increase diversity. To induce mutation, this experiment was conducted by applying four levels (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 %) of ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) on fenugreek seeds. The treated seeds were planted in the research greenhouse on basis of randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that different EMS concentrations had significant effect on all the studied characteristics. The lowest values of the studied traits were observed in the control. Although the highest values of most morpho-physiological traits were obtained in 0.2 % of EMS, but the highest amount of phytochemical compounds were related higher concentrations of EMS. The content of trigonelline, diosgenin, nicotinic acid, and mucilage of grain were significantly increased with increasing EMS concentration. The highest and lowest contents of grains trigonelline were obtained in 0.3 % of EMS and control treatment, respectively. The nicotinic acid content had a positive and significant correlation with trigonelline, diosgenin and mucilage content. Also, the diosgenin content of grains had a positive significant correlation with mucilage content. In general, the application of sufficient concentrations of EMS mutants could be used as an effective tool to increase grain yield and secondary metabolites in breeding programs of fenugreek. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Gamma irradiation improved the growth characteristics of fenugreek plants. • The seed yield was increased by low dose (100 Gy) gamma rays. • Trigonelline content increased in the plants raised from low dose irradiated seeds. • Low dose gamma rays application can be a useful seed pre-sowing technique. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), an aromatic and spice herb, is extensively used to treat a wide range of diseases such as paralysis and diabetes. In order to improve fenugreek growth and pro-health potential, seeds of fenugreek were exposed to gamma rays (including 0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 g) from cobalt 60 gamma radiation source. This experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results showed that, number of leaves per plants, shoot diameter, stems dry weight, leaf dry weight, shoot dry weight, number of pods per plant, 1000-seeds weight and biological yield in plants exposed to different doses of gamma radiation were significantly higher than those of the non-irradiated control. In addition, low-dose gamma irradiation especially 100 Gy had stimulatory effects on the number of branches per plant, pod length, seed yield, seed trigonelline and nicotinic acid content, while high-dose gamma irradiation (400 Gy) exhibited inhibitory effects. Furthermore, the maximum amounts of seeds diosgenin and mucilage were recorded in the control samples, while those of the samples exposed to gamma irradiation were gradually decreased by increment of gamma dose. These results indicate that the irradiation of low dose gamma rays (100 Gy) can be useful for improving the growth characteristics and accumulation of some valuable compounds in fenugreek seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]