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Abstract PDX1 is a crucial transcription factor in pancreas development and mature β-cell function. However, the regulation of PDX1 expression in larger animals mirroring human pancreas morphogenesis and endocrine maturation remains poorly understood. Therefore, we conducted a comparative analysis to characterize regulatory regions of goat PDX1 gene and assessed their transcriptional activity by transient transfection of several transgenic EGFP constructs in β- and non-β cell lines. We recognized several highly conserved regions encompassing the promoter and cis-regulatory elements (Area I-IV) at 5’ flanking sequence of the genes. Within the promoter, we identified that a key E-box and nearby CAAT element synergistically drive transcription, constituting the basal promoter of goat PDX1 gene. Furthermore, each recognized regulatory area separately enhances this basal promoter activity in β-cells compared to non-β cells; however, cooperatively, they exhibit a bifunctional regulatory effect on transcription. Additionally, the intact ~ 3 kb upstream region (Area I-III) functions as the most efficient reporter transgene in vitro and shows islet-specific expression in native rat pancreas. Together, our findings suggest that the regulation of goat PDX1 gene is governed by conserved regions similar to other mammals, while both structurally and functionally, these regions exhibit a closer resemblance to those found in humans.

Multidimensional-engineering chalcogenide glasses is widely explored to construct various infrared photonic devices, with their surface as a key dimension for wavefront control. Here, we demonstrate direct patterning high-aspect-ratio microstructures on the surface of chalcogenide glasses offers an efficient and robust method to manipulate longwave infrared radiations. Despite chalcogenide glass being considered soft in terms of its mechanical properties, we successfullyfabricate high-aspect-ratio micropillars with a height of 8 μm using optimized deep etching process, and we demonstrate a 2-mm-diameter all-chalcogenide metalens with a numerical aperture of 0.45 on the surface of a 1.5-mm-thick As2Se3 glass. Leveraging the exceptional longwave infrared (LWIR) transparency and moderate refractive index of As2Se3 glass, the all-chalcogenide metalens produces a focal spot size of ~1.39λ0 with a focusing efficiency of 47% at the wavelength of 9.78 μm, while also exhibiting high-resolution imaging capabilities. Our work provides a promising route to realize easy-to-fabricate, mass-producible planar infrared optics for compact, light-weight LWIR imaging systems.

Abstract Nonlinear metasurfaces have experienced rapid growth recently due to their potential in various applications, including infrared imaging and spectroscopy. However, due to the low conversion efficiencies of metasurfaces, several strategies have been adopted to enhance their performances, including employing resonances at signal or nonlinear emission wavelengths. This strategy results in a narrow operational band of the nonlinear metasurfaces, which has bottlenecked many applications, including nonlinear holography, image encoding, and nonlinear metalenses. Here, we overcome this issue by introducing a new nonlinear imaging platform utilizing a pump beam to enhance signal conversion through four-wave mixing (FWM), whereby the metasurface is resonant at the pump wavelength rather than the signal or nonlinear emissions. As a result, we demonstrate broadband nonlinear imaging for arbitrary objects using metasurfaces. A silicon disk-on-slab metasurface is introduced with an excitable guided-mode resonance at the pump wavelength. This enabled direct conversion of a broad IR image ranging from >1000 to 4000 nm into visible. Importantly, adopting FWM substantially reduces the dependence on high-power signal inputs or resonant features at the signal beam of nonlinear imaging by utilizing the quadratic relationship between the pump beam intensity and the signal conversion efficiency. Our results, therefore, unlock the potential for broadband infrared imaging capabilities with metasurfaces, making a promising advancement for next-generation all-optical infrared imaging techniques with chip-scale photonic devices.

The modular multilevel converter (MMC) is a favored topology in the industry, but its reliability is at risk with an increase in the number of sub-modules (SMs) due to a rise in switching components. The essential need for maintaining capacitor voltage balance in each arm leads to increased complexity and cost, as numerous voltage sensors are required. This study introduces an innovative approach to minimize the number of voltage sensors by employing an enhanced algorithm for open-circuit fault detection in switches. The proposed scheme organizes each arm into groups, each containing two SMs and one voltage sensor, aiming to reduce the overall sensor count. A novel fault detection mechanism is presented, identifying open-circuit faults by comparing group output voltages in healthy and defective conditions. The capacitor voltage estimation algorithm in the sensor reduction scheme is noted for its simplicity compared to other methods. The effectiveness of these methods is validated through simulations and experimental implementations across diverse scenarios, affirming their reliability.

The aim of the current research is to identify, stratify and analyze the main dimensions and indicators affecting the dynamic capabilities of information technology in small and medium-sized companies using the structural-interpretive modeling (ISM) technique. The dimensions and indicators of the dynamic capabilities of information technology have been identified based on the literature study and content analysis and comparisons of related researches and interviews with experts and specialists, and then, using structural-interpretive modeling, the relationships between the dimensions and indicators of the dynamic capabilities of information technology have been determined as Integrated analysis. Finally, by using MICMAC analysis, the types of variables have been determined according to their influence and effectiveness on other variables. The results show that the variable of digitalization of business processes is among the linked variables and has a high power of influence and dependence. This variable with the greatest influence is considered as the driver and motivator of the dynamic capabilities of information technology in small and medium-sized companies, and any action on this variable causes the change of other variables. Also, measurement variables, resources and competencies and coordination are among the key variables for the development of dynamic capabilities of information technology in small and medium companies. These variables have a great impact on the realization and promotion of dynamic capabilities of information technology in small and medium-sized companies and have high influence and low dependence.

Estimating properties of quantum states via randomized measurements has become a significant part of quantum information science. In this paper, we design an innovative approach leveraging metasurfaces to perform randomized measurements on photonic qubits, together with error mitigation techniques that suppress realistic metasurface measurement noise. Through fidelity and purity estimation, we confirm the capability of metasurfaces to implement randomized measurements and the unbiased nature of our error-mitigated estimator. Our findings show the potential of metasurface-based randomized measurement schemes in achieving robust and resource-efficient estimation of quantum state properties.

Dielectric metasurfaces play an increasingly important role in enhancing optical nonlinear generations owing to their ability to support strong light-matter interactions based on Mie-type multipolar resonances. Compared to metasurfaces composed of the periodic arrangement of nanoparticles, inverse, so-called, membrane metasurfaces offer unique possibilities for supporting multipolar resonances, while maintaining small unit cell size, large mode volume and high field enhancement for enhancing nonlinear frequency conversion. Here, we theoretically and experimentally investigate the formation of bound states in the continuum (BICs) from silicon dimer-hole membrane metasurfaces. We demonstrate that our BIC-formed resonance features a strong and tailorable electric near-field confinement inside the silicon membrane films. Furthermore, we show that by tuning the gap between the holes, one can open a leaky channel to transform these regular BICs into quasi-BICs, which can be excited directly under normal plane wave incidence. To prove the capabilities of such metasurfaces, we demonstrate the conversion of an infrared image to the visible range, based on the Third-harmonic generation (THG) process with the resonant membrane metasurfaces. Our results suggest a new paradigm for realising efficient nonlinear photonics metadevices and hold promise for extending the applications of nonlinear structuring surfaces to new types of all-optical near-infrared imaging technologies.

Testicular dysfunction, whether linked to varicocele, obesity, diabetes, aging, inflammation, or lifestyle or environmentalissues, is frequently accompanied by an accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins, indicating impaired endoplasmicreticulum (ER) function. In this review, we examined the Google Scholar, Scopus and PubMed databases (from 2011to 2022) to support the association of ER stress with defective spermatogenesis in animal models and humans. ERstress, whether in its pro-survival or pro-apoptotic aspect, appears to be closely linked to each studied situation.Several studies have demonstrated a significant increase in oxidative stress (OS) levels in infertile men compared tofertile individuals, which is associated with poor spermatogenesis quality. OS is likely the result of the interplay betweenER stress and spermatogenesis defects. These findings suggest that therapeutic strategies aimed at mitigating bothER stress and OS could be of interest in restoring male reproductive function.

In this paper, we present a novel framework that considers the expiration period time of the Internet of Things (IoT) data stream to anonymize it. IoT stands among one of most fast-growing technology in the world. Also, anonymity is one of the safeguards in place to protect data privacy. Because of the dynamic nature, vastness, and rapid changes in data streams, traditional approaches cannot be used to anonymize IoT data. The anonymization framework proposed in this paper performs its operation using a new clustering method and Apache Flink flow data processing engine. In this framework, firstly, we cluster received data. Then, if the size of the clusters doesn't meet the K-anonymity threshold, our review will continue to suppress and delete them; otherwise, the data would be anonymized and published. In this way, the framework handles both numerical and categorical data. At the end of the stream, the final remaining data will be merged and anonymized. Implementing and evaluating the framework using Scala and Apache Flink shows that the proposed approach reduces data delay by 12.33–66.62% compared with the other methods. Furthermore, in the end, combining the leftover clusters avoids information loss. In comparison with similar methods, information loss is reduced by 5.68–18.26%. The evaluation results show better performance in terms of data delay and information loss.

A rapid and programmable amplitude modulator based on the thermo-optical effect has been demonstrated by integrating transparent microheaters with metasurfaces.

Epistemology is a science that discusses human knowledge, including its nature, possibility, ways, types, territory, etc. of knowledge. It is a field that philosophers, theologians, and religious scholars have taken more effective steps in deepening and developing it. Jewish thinkers have also paid special attention to this issue. Sadia bin yusuf al-fayoumi, nicknamed Sadia Gaon, the father of Jewish philosophy and the head of the Rabbinical religious school "Sura", is considered one of the most important theologians in the history of the tradition of Rabbinical Judaism. He is known as the first Jewish philosopher and exegete in the middle centuries due to his innovative and systematic ideas. He is the first person who, in addition to his detailed views on theology and cosmology, has also raised important opinions on epistemology in two works ‘Kitab Al-Amanat Wa'l-'tiqadat (the Book of Beliefs and Opinions)’ and ‘Tafsir Sefer Yetsira (Commentary on the Sefer Yetzira)’. The two works suggest two different structures of epistemology. Sadia points out that the human mind is able to explain reality in two ways: one is based on empirical rationalism and the other is based on divine illumination and self-revelation in the mind. In other words, the human mind can act in two modes like the act of dialogue (i.e. arguing and reasoning or being silent, meditating, listening, and seeing).Considering the unique role of knowledge arising from reflection and revelation, in reaching the complete truth, Sadia plans and examines it from various angles in his important works. Along with Al-Amanat Wa'l-'tiqadat, he makes a detailed discussion in the Commentary on the Sefer Yetzira about epistemology. Its study helps a lot to understand his thought. Sadia's thinking in religions and beliefs has a controversial nature. In the Commentary on the Sefer Yetzira, he has relatively deep and esoteric thinking.This study, using the analytical comparative method, investigates the topics related to epistemology raised in the two mentioned works of Sadia. In his works, knowledge has different meanings: in Al-Amanat Wa'l-'tiqadat, it is shown as the correspondence between external reality and its concept in the human mind, while in Commentary on the Sefer Yetzira, knowledge is related to the origin and nature of creation.In ‘the Book of Beliefs and Opinions’, Sadia, in a positive answer regarding the possibility of acquiring knowledge, considers his goal to be certain and removes all doubts. In this book, while proving the same validity of knowledge and results that can be achieved through revelation and rational reasoning, he cites verses from the Bible to prove the foundations of his epistemological teachings. He considers the factor of knowledge to be the intellectual power of the soul, which only God has rightly placed in the person's existence. Despite the fact that the cognitive process relies on sensory perception, the intellect includes a system of principles and generalities that exist independently of sensory data. The Commentary on the Sefer Yetzira considers the goal of the author of the book to be the representation (portrait) of how things come into being and find their existence so that the knower can understand them and the wise beings can learn them. Therefore, while confirming the possibility of acquiring knowledge, this work emphasizes the role of revelation in this connection.Al-Amanat Wa'l-'tiqadat presents the elements of the ‘cognition process’ in the form of a hierarchical model in three steps: 1) a complex and vague idea that is only a vague and confused idea of the nature of the research subject, 2) an analysis of this idea, and 3) accepting the ultimate truth by a belief freed from doubts. Here we witness a process of gradual internalization of knowledge that occurs in the mind, a process during which sensory perception turns into belief. In this process, reason gradually removes the factors that cause doubt and error, and then reaches the understanding of the truth by refining and classifying the mixed information of the external world. This is Saadia's model to reach the correct belief.The Commentary on the Sefer Yetzira does not include regular epistemological statements that describe the process of cognition in detail. But it associates three necessary factors (knowing, thinking, and believing) with the three corresponding faculties of the soul. He attributes knowledge to the power of collecting data (al-Qowwah al-Hashira) of the soul, which collects the discussed data and transmits them to the second power. The second power is the ‘discernment power’ (al-Qowwah al-Momaizah), which recognizes true and false data and verifies the facts by rejecting false data. Then, this power transfers the refined information to ‘Al-Qowwah al-Mu’taqidah’ which preserves it and becomes sure of its authenticity.In the Commentary on the Sefer Yetzira, along with the three general sources of knowledge, mentioned in Al-Amanat Wa'l-'tiqadat, the knowledge of ‘lightning-like’ (Kal-barq), i.e. illumination, plays a prominent role. In complete contrast to his negative assessment of lightning-like knowledge in Al-Amanat, in the Commentary on the Sefer Yetzira, he states that the principles of things appear in the mind like lightning, then they become clear and certain before his eyes. Of course, this duality goes back to different approaches of Sadia's epistemology in these two works as well as the related fields. In Al-Amanat, the knowledge of ‘lightning-like’ refers to sensible reality per se. But in Commentary on the Sefer Yetzira, knowledge has the nature of representation. That is, the mind relies on itself in the complete absence of sensory data. Therefore, it seems that illumination is the only way to understand this ‘other reality’.In al-Amanat and beliefs, knowledge means the correspondence of external reality and its meaning in the human mind, while in the Commentary on the Sefer Yetzira, it is related to the ultimate roots of creation, without considering sensory perception.Wisdom is one of the most controversial epistemological words of Sadia. Saadia's definition of wisdom is based on various biblical passages, and thus it can be seen as the result of Saadia's exegetical activities rather than independent philosophical reflection. In Al-Amanat, al-Hikmat is defined as “kawn al-ashyaʾ ʿala ḥaqaʾiqiha al-maʿluma wa-laysa-l-ḥikma an takun al-ashyaʾ ʿala tamanni mutamanin wa-la shahwa mushtahin” and the Commentary on the Sefer Yetzira defines it as “al-ḥikma hiya tartib al-ashyaʾ maratibaha wa-taqdiruha maqadiraha”.In short, according to Sadia, it should be said that reality speaks in two languages. In other words, the human mind is able to understand and express reality in two ways: one is universal and unanimous, and ultimately based on sensory and intellectual perception, and the other is based on God's self-revelation through human intuition.

Feature selection plays an important role as a preprocessing step for pattern recognition and machine learning. The goal of feature selection is to determine an optimal subset of relevant features out of a large number of features. The neighborhood discrimination index (NDI) is one of the newest and the most efficient measures to determine distinguishing ability of a feature subset. NDI is computed based on a neighborhood radius (E). Due to the significant impact of E on NDI, selecting an appropriate value of E for each data set might be challenging and very time-consuming. This paper proposes a new approach based on targEt PointS To computE neIgh- borhood relatioNs (EPSTEIN). At first, all the data points are sorted in the descending order of their density. Then, the highest density data points are selected as many as the number of classes. To determine the neighborhood relations, the circles centered on the target points are drawn and the points inside or on the circles are considered to be neighbors. In the next step, the significance of each feature is computed and a greedy algorithm selects appropriate features. The performance of the proposed approach is compared to both the commonest and newest methods of feature selection. The experimental results show that EPSTEIN could select more efficient subsets of features and improve the prediction accuracy of classifiers in comparison to the other state-of-the-art methods such as Correlation-based Feature Selection (CFS), Fast Correlation-Based Filter (FCBF), Heuris- tic Algorithm Based on Neighborhood Discrimination Index (HANDI), Ranking Based Feature Inclusion for Optimal Feature Subset (KNFI), Ranking Based Feature Elimination (KNFE) and Principal Component Analysis and Information Gain (PCA-IG).

Background: COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-COV-2 virus and mainly affects the lung tissue. In addition, other tissues are attacked by the virus. Reports have shown that clinical manifestations in Covid-19 patients vary from asymptomatic to acute respiratory symptoms in the lung and septic shock affecting the immune system in other organs. This review article aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms associated with SARS-COV-2 pathogenicity and the relationship between these mechanisms and the severity of various clinical manifestations in patients. Materials and Methods: Published articles by researchers in PubMed and Google scholar databases from 2019 to 2021 were collected and reviewed based on the keywords SARS-COV-2, COVID-19 and disease severity. Results: After entering the SARS-COV-2 virus into the body and the activation of the immune system for reasons such as increased NET production, oxidative stress, activation of cell death pathways including ferroptosis and finally the explosion of cytokine storm and pyroptosis, exacerbate the severity of the disease and increase mortality. In addition, the molecular expression of NLRP3 can play a major role in the development of cytokine storms in patients, some depend on their immune system to fight the virus due to the proliferation of NLRP3 and other destructive molecular mechanisms, thus showing the different severity of the disease. Conclusion: Individuals in the community show varying degrees of Covid-19 disease depending on the different reactions of their immune systems. Various cellular and molecular mechanisms appear to be activated in sufferers that NLRP3 expression plays a large role.

The emergence of two dimensional (2D) materials has opened new possibilities for exhibiting second harmonic generation (SHG) at the nanoscale, due to their remarkable optical response related to stable excitons at room temperature. However, the ultimate atomic-scale interaction length with light makes the SHG of Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (TMDs) monolayers naturally weak. Here, we propose coupling a monolayer of TMDs with a photonic grating slab that works with doubly resonant bound states in the continuum (BIC). The BIC slabs are designed to exhibit a pair of BICs, resonant with both the fundamental wave (FW) and the second harmonic wave (SHW). Firstly, the spatial mode matching can be fulfilled by tilting FW's incident angle. We theoretically demonstrate that this strategy leads to more than four orders of magnitude enhancement of SHG efficiency than a sole monolayer of TMDs, under a pump light intensity of 0.1 GW/cm2. Moreover, we demonstrate that patterning the TMDs monolayer can further enhance the spatial overlap coefficient, which leads to an extra three orders of magnitude enhancement of SHG efficiency. These results demonstrate remarkable possibilities for enhancing SHG with nonlinear 2D materials, opening many opportunities for chip-based light sources, nanolasers, imaging, and biochemical sensing.

Résumé Contexte L’infertilité liée à la varicocèle, aux infections, aux dysfonctionnements métaboliques, au stress oxydant et aux toxiques environnementaux est. également associée à des processus inflammatoires qui conduisent finalement à l’activation de la voie de l’inflammasome (IP). Cette voie est. classiquement activée par des DAMPs, MAMPs ou LAMPs, qui signifient respectivement Damage-, Microbe- ou Lifestyle-Associated Molecular Patterns. L’acteur le plus important dans l’activation de l’inflammasome est. la protéine NLRP3 (NOD[Nuclear Oligomerization Domain]-, LRR[Leucine Rich Repeat]- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3) qui fonctionne comme un capteur intracellulaire de D/M/L-AMPs résultant en l’activation de la caspase-1, la promotion de l’apoptose, la pyroptose et la génération de cytokines inflammatoires. Cette revue aborde la question de savoir si l’activation de l’inflammasome pourrait être associée à des situations d’infertilité masculine. Résultats et conclusions Nous avons réalisé une revue systématique des articles publiés dans les bases de données Google Scholar, et PubMed jusqu’en octobre 2021. Il s’avère que l’activation de l’inflammasome et ses conséquences, y compris les “orages” de cytokines, l’apoptose et la pyroptose, pourraient être associées à la réduction du nombre de spermatozoïdes ainsi qu’aux défauts structurels et fonctionnels des spermatozoïdes enregistrés dans plusieurs situations associées à l’infertilité masculine, ce qui suggère que des stratégies thérapeutiques anti-inflammatoires pourraient être éventuellement envisagées pour restaurer la fertilité masculine dans les recherches futures.

Nonlinear frequency generation at the nanoscale is a hot research topic which is gaining increasing attention in nanophotonics. The generation of harmonics in subwavelength volumes is historically associated with the enhancement of electric fields in the interface of plasmonic structures. Recently, new platforms based on high-index dielectric nanoparticles have emerged as promising alternatives to plasmonic structures for many applications. By exploiting optically induced electric and magnetic response via multipolar Mie resonances, dielectric nanoelements may lead to innovative opportunities in nanoscale nonlinear optics. Dielectric optical nanoantennas enlarge the volume of light–matter interaction with respect to their plasmonic counterpart, since the electromagnetic field can penetrate such materials, and therefore producing a high throughput of the generated harmonics. In this review, we first recap recent developments obtained in high refractive index structures, which mainly concern nonlinear second order effects. Moreover, we discuss configurations of dielectric nano-devices where reconfigurable nonlinear behavior is achieved. The main focus of this work concerns efficient Sum Frequency Generation in dielectric nano-platforms. The reported results may serve as a reference for the development of new nonlinear devices for nanophotonic applications.

Though high-index dielectric metasurfaces are attractive due to their nonlinear effects, channelling of 2nd and 3rd harmonic generation into a single beam remains a challenge. The authors addressed this using transition-metal-dichalcogenide metasurfaces with tunable nonlinear emission direction.

Background: We aimed to compare the effects of using high-fat (HF) and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) containing dietsto induce obesity and diabetes on sperm function in mice. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, twenty-five 4-week old C57BL/6 mice were divided into 5 groups and were fed with control, 45% HF, 60% HF, 45% AGEs-HF, or 60% AGEs-HF diet. After 28 weeks, fast blood sugar, glucose intolerance, insulin concentration, homeostatic model assessments (HOMA) for insulin resistance (IR) and HOMA for beta cells (HOMA beta) from systematic blood were assessed. In addition, body weight, morphometric characteristics of testes, sperm parameters, DNA damage (AO), protamine deficiency (CMAA3), and sperm membrane (DCFH-DA) and intracellular (BODIPY) lipid peroxidation were measured. Results: Body mass and fasting blood sugar increased significantly in all experimental groups compared to the control group. Insulin concentration, glucose intolerance, HOMA IR, and HOMA beta were also increased significantly with higher levels of fat and AGEs in all four diets (p

In this paper, crushing length, deformations and energy absorption of thin walled square and rectangular composite tubes which are reinforced with Aluminium and SMA wires and without wire have been investigated under a quasi-static lateral load, both experimentally and numerically. To experimental study, square and rectangular composite tubes have been fabricated with SMA wire, Aluminium wire and without wire. To validate the results, a finite element model is constructed and analysed under the same conditions by using FEM27 and LS-DYNA software packages for composite tubes with Aluminium wire and without wire. The numerical results are in a good agreement with the experimental data. The results show that section geometry and the types of reinforcement wires have a considerable effect on the energy absorption. Rectangular cross-section samples with SMA wires have the most energy absorption capacity.

Abstract Expanding the service life length of wooden made furniture, and consequently decreasing the demand for raw wood could help the economy of the world society and environmental safety. In this research, an experimental inquiry was conducted to determine the effects of curved members, the frame integrity, chair scheme, and rehabilitation of even the failed chairs on the behavior of chairs. The flexural properties of the curved specimens were firstly determined using the ASTM D143-94 test. Then, three layouts of chairs (A, B, and C) made from poplar wood were examined under the DIN EN-1729-1&2 standard. Finally, the failed chairs were rehabilitated using the sheets of glass fiber-reinforcing polymers (GFRP) and re-tested. The results showed that the rehabilitation of the curved samples causes rebounding of their mechanical properties. Besides, the rehabilitated samples are more flexible than primary ones. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that the capability of the proposed normalized modulus of rupture (NMOR) criterion, in contrast to the current modulus of rupture (MOR) one, for predicting the failure modes and regions of the wooden and composite structures. The experiments on the chairs showed that all rehabilitated patterns are more robust than primary schemes. That means, the discarded (or discarding) chairs (due to failure of joints, legs, or, in general, a part of the chairs) return to their service life, and massively reduce the demand for wood, which is strongly favored by environmental aspects. Moreover, rehabilitated layout B (RB), which has two continuous-main-curved members is at least 2.4 times stronger than other rehabilitated patterns, and rehabilitated layout C (RC) having three continuous-main-curved members is about 40% stronger than a rehabilitated custom chair (RA), that illustrates more integrity and strength. Besides that, the strength of RB is 2.22 and 2.04 times that of the corresponding primary chairs, depending on front-to-back and up-to-down loading, respectively. Finally, univariate analyses of variance and least significant difference (LSD) showed the high precision of the results. Consequently, the research provides a facility not only to save original material resources, but also to eliminate furniture waste going in the landfill.

Vibration behavior of different types of porous functionally graded (FG) conical sandwich shells are investigated based on a modified high order sandwich shells theory for the first time. Sandwich shell includes FG face sheets covering a homogeneous core and the second one includes homogeneous face sheets and a FG core. Power law rule modified by considering two types of porosity distributions is used to model the functionally graded materials. All materials are temperature dependent and uniform, linear and nonlinear temperature distributions are used to model the effect of the temperature variation in the sandwiches. Governing equations are obtained by the Hamilton's energy principle and solved with Galerkin method. To verify the results, they are compared with ones achieved by finite element method obtained by Abaqus software for special cases with the results in literatures.

Abstract An innovative time-varying metasurface has been reported to realise dual-channel data transmissions for light-to-microwave signal conversion. Such a novel technique is a remarkable step forward to realise full-spectrum networks for catering for the growing demand for wireless communications. Moreover, this technique enriches the functionalities of tunable metasurfaces and stimulates new information-oriented applications.

The current study investigated the associations among trait perfectionism, worry about mistakes, mistake rumination, L2 anxiety, and willingness to communicate in adolescents. A key element was examining the psychometric properties of a new measure of worry about mistakes as well as the Mistake Rumination Scale and the short Child-Adolescent Perfectionism Scale and its two dimensions (i.e., self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism). Our participants were 954 Iranian adolescent English learners. Psychometric tests supported the psychometric properties and use of the mistakes and perfectionism measures. Correlation analyses indicated that both trait perfectionism dimensions were associated with mistake rumination and worry about mistakes, and socially prescribed perfectionism was associated with L2 anxiety. However, self-oriented perfectionism was associated with greater willingness to communicate. Further analyses showed that worry about mistakes and mistake rumination mediated the association that socially prescribed perfectionism had with L2 anxiety. The vulnerabilities of adolescent perfectionists are discussed in terms of the approach-avoidance conflict as it relates to worry about mistakes and pressures to be perfect. It is evident that adolescents who are vulnerable must learn cognitive and emotional regulation techniques to effectively manage mistakes and the pressure to be perfect.

For the first time, by applying a modified high order sandwich plates theory, vibration behaviour of two types of porous FG circular sandwich plates are investigated. In the first type, the face sheets and in the second one, the core is made of FGM which is modelled by power law rule that is modified by considering two types of porosity distributions. All materials are temperature dependent and uniform temperature distribution is used to model the effect of the temperature changing in the sandwiches. Governing equations are obtained by the Hamilton's energy principle and solved by Galerkin method for a clamped boundary condition. To verify the results, they are compared with FEM results obtained by Abaqus software and for special cases with the results in literatures.

Nanopore sensors provide a unique platform to detect individual nucleic acids, proteins, and other biomolecules without the need for fluorescent labeling or chemical modifications. Solid-state nanopores offer the potential to integrate nanopore sensing with other technologies such as field-effect transistors (FETs), optics, plasmonics, and microfluidics, thereby attracting attention to the development of commercial instruments for diagnostics and healthcare applications. Stable nanopores with ideal dimensions are particularly critical for nanopore sensors to be integrated into other sensing devices and provide a high signal-to-noise ratio. Nanopore fabrication, although having benefited largely from the development of sophisticated nanofabrication techniques, remains a challenge in terms of cost, time consumption and accessibility. One of the latest developed methods—controlled breakdown (CBD)—has made the nanopore technique broadly accessible, boosting the use of nanopore sensing in both fundamental research and biomedical applications. Many works have been developed to improve the efficiency and robustness of pore formation by CBD. However, nanopores formed by traditional CBD are randomly positioned in the membrane. To expand nanopore sensing to a wider biomedical application, controlling the localization of nanopores formed by CBD is essential. This article reviews the recent strategies to control the location of nanopores formed by CBD. We discuss the fundamental mechanism and the efforts of different approaches to confine the region of nanopore formation.

Novel types of optical hybrid metasurfaces consist of metallic and dielectric elements are designed and proposed for controlling the interference between magnetic and electric modes of the system, in a reversible manner. By employing the thermo-optical effect of silicon and gold nanoantennas we demonstrate an active control on the excitation and interference between electric and magnetic modes, and subsequently, the Kerker condition, as a directive radiation pattern with zero backscattering, via temperature control as a versatile tool. This control allows precise tuning optical properties of the system and stimulating switchable sharp spectral Fano-like resonance. Furthermore, it is shown that by adjusting the intermediate distance between metallic and dielectric elements, opposite scattering directionalities are achievable in an arbitrary wavelength. Interestingly, this effect is shown to have a direct influence on nonlinear properties, too, where 10-fold enhancement in the intensity of third harmonic light can be obtained for this system, via heating. This hybrid metasurface can find a wide range of applications in slow light, nonlinear optics and bio-chemical sensing.

Tailoring optically resonant features in dielectric metasurfaces unveils a robust scheme to control electromagnetic near fields of light and thus to boost the nanoscale nonlinear light–matter interactions. Membrane metasurfaces offer unique possibilities for supporting multipolar resonances and meanwhile maintaining high mode volume for enhancing nonlinear frequency conversion. Here we design a silicon membrane metasurface consisting of dimer airy holes, as a versatile platform for generating four-wave mixing (FWM). We show that such a metasurface exhibits a multi-resonant feature, including a quasi bound state in the continuum (BIC) generated by the collective toroidal dipole mode excited in the designed subdiffractive periodic system. We show that via employing the BIC mode in the short-wave infrared (SWIR), together with other resonant enhanced electric near fields in the near-infrared (NIR) region, simultaneously, one can convert invisible SWIR light to visible light radiation with high efficiency, via FWM. We experimentally demonstrated a significant FWM emission enhancement from our metasurface, which leads to a conversion efficiency of 0.76 × 10 ^−6 using pump and signal beam peak intensities as low as 0.33 GW cm ^−2 and 0.17 GW cm ^−2 , respectively. Our results open new routes for enhancing nonlinear efficiencies for up-conversion processes.

Abstract Dynamical tuning of the nonlinear optical wavefront allows for a specific spectral response of predefined profiles, enabling various applications of nonlinear nanophotonics. This study experimentally demonstrates the dynamical switching of images generated by an ultrathin silicon nonlinear metasurface supporting a high‐quality leaky mode, which is formed by partially breaking a bound‐state‐in‐the‐continuum (BIC) generated by the collective magnetic dipole (MD) resonance excited in the subdiffractive periodic systems. Such a quasi‐BIC MD state can be excited directly under normal plane wave incidence and leads to a strong near‐field enhancement to further boost the nonlinear process, resulting in a 500‐fold enhancement of the third‐harmonic emission experimentally. Due to sharp spectral features and asymmetry of the unit cell, it allows for effective tailoring of the nonlinear emissions over spectral or polarization responses. Dynamical nonlinear image tuning is experimentally demonstarted via polarization and wavelength control. The results pave the way for nanophotonics applications such as tunable displays, nonlinear holograms, tunable nanolaser, and ultrathin nonlinear nanodevices with various functionalities.

Background & Aim: Body image flexibility is defined as the capacity to experience the ongoing perceptions, sensations, feelings, thoughts, and beliefs associated with one's body fully and intentionally while pursuing chosen values. This study was aimed to translate Body Image flexibility Questionnaire (BI-AAQ ) into Persian language and assess the validity and reliability of the translated version as an instrument to measure body image resilience . Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 354 students (130 males and 224 females) studying in an academic year (2012-2013) at Tehran University of Medical Sciences were selected through convenience sampling method . Students filled out demographic questionnaires, "body image flexibility questionnaires", "acceptance and action questionnaire edition 2", and "depression, anxiety and stress scale". For data analysis, IBM SPSS 21 and IBM SPSS Amos 21 software were used . Results: The test-retest coefficient was 0.72. The correlation of the scale with the weight consent, psychological flexibility, stress, depression and anxiety was -0.54, 0.33, 0.33, 0.45, and 0.37, respectively; which represented the concurrent validity of the scale. Confirmatory factor analysis results also showed that single-factor model of body image flexibility questionnaire has good fitting the Iran' community. Internal consistency reliability was estimated with Cronbach ’s alpha (α=0.87) . Conclusion: Psychometric characteristics of the body image flexibility questionnaires showed that the questionnaire seems to be acceptable in Iranian society. It is a useful tool for research in the psychological and psychiatric clinics .

Background & Aim: Body image flexibility is defined as the capacity to experience the ongoing perceptions, sensations, feelings, thoughts, and beliefs associated with onechr('39')s body fully and intentionally while pursuing chosen values. This study was aimed to translate Body Image flexibility Questionnaire (BI-AAQ ) into Persian language and assess the validity and reliability of the translated version as an instrument to measure body image resilience . Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 354 students (130 males and 224 females) studying in an academic year (2012-2013) at Tehran University of Medical Sciences were selected through convenience sampling method . Students filled out demographic questionnaires, "body image flexibility questionnaires", "acceptance and action questionnaire edition 2", and "depression, anxiety and stress scale". For data analysis, IBM SPSS 21 and IBM SPSS Amos 21 software were used . Results: The test-retest coefficient was 0.72. The correlation of the scale with the weight consent, psychological flexibility, stress, depression and anxiety was -0.54, 0.33, 0.33, 0.45, and 0.37, respectively which represented the concurrent validity of the scale. Confirmatory factor analysis results also showed that single-factor model of body image flexibility questionnaire has good fitting the Iranchr('39') community. Internal consistency reliability was estimated with Cronbach ’s alpha (α=0.87) . Conclusion: Psychometric characteristics of the body image flexibility questionnaires showed that the questionnaire seems to be acceptable in Iranian society. It is a useful tool for research in the psychological and psychiatric clinics .

We design an asymmetric nonlinear optical nanoantenna composed of a dielectric nanodisc and an adjacent nanobar. The proposed composite structure made of AlGaAs exhibits resonant response at both the fundamental and doubled frequencies. Being driven by the strong magnetic dipole resonance at the pump wavelength and a high-quality mode at the harmonic wavelength, the efficient second-harmonic radiation is generated predominantly along the vertical directions under the normally incident plane-wave excitation.

Gelotophobia (the fear of being laughed at) is an individual difference variable that relates to a particular set of emotional reactions, behaviors, and processes towards laughter and ridicule that are potentially detrimental to learning processes. We extend the research of gelotophobia to the educational domain by exploring the direct effect of gelotophobia on willingness to communicate (WTC) and second-language (L2) achievement. We hypothesized that communication anxiety might have an indirect effect on the relation between gelotophobia and WTC and L2 achievement. A sample of 483 Iranian high school students completed measures of gelotophobia, WTC, and communication anxiety. The results of structural equation modeling indicated that gelotophobia was negatively related to both L2 achievement and WTC. Further, communication anxiety showed the expected indirect effect on the gelotophobia-WTC association. Finally, we incorporated teacher-ratings of students' gelotophobia and found that (a) the accuracy of teachers' impressions was comparatively low and (b) that higher accuracy was associated with better L2 achievement. We argue that because of fear of anticipated derision in performance situations such as speaking an L2, gelotophobic L2 learners might adopt a withdrawal strategy by avoiding the social situation altogether. Hence, L2 teachers should be aware that not all students enjoy humor and laughter, and they are recommended to use humor judiciously without laughing at students, and to adapt to students' engagement and perceptions of laughter., Author(s): Elyas Barabadi [sup.1] , Kay Brauer [sup.2] , René T. Proyer [sup.2] , Mohsen Rahmani Tabar [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.488432.1, 0000 0004 5935 1577, University of Bojnord, , [...]