In situ synthesis of hydroxyapatite-grafted titanium nanotube composite

The present study is an investigation to demonstrate the effectiveness of insitu approach in the synthesis of hydroxyapatite-grafted titanium nanotube composite (HA-TNT). This method involves combining the process of HA sol–gel and rapid breakdown anodisation of titanium in a novel solution consisting of NaCl and N3PO4. This new synthesis approach produced a uniform dispersion of Anatase and Rutile phases of TiO2 nanotubes with minimal agglomeration in the matrix of crystalline HA. The characterisation of homogenised HA-TNT composite was investigated via field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). FESEM and TEM images indicated the nanostructure of composite with TiO2 nanotube diameter of approximately 10 nm. XRD and EDS analyses confirmed the formation of HA crystalline with the Ca/P ratio of 1.58 and formation of Anatase and Rutile phase of TiO2 nanotubes

Construction Risk Analysis and Control

This course focuses on risk identification, risk assessment, risk management, risk mitigation, acceptance, and transfer. Quality assurance and Quality control are introduced also

The clonal composition of human CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells determined by a comprehensive DNA-based multiplex PCR for TCRB gene rearrangements

The characterization of the T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire of CD4+ regulatory T cells (TR) have been limited due to the RNA degradation that results following permeabilization and fixation as routinely used for intracellular staining of Foxp3. In the present study the clonal composition of human umbilical cord blood (UCB) and adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) CD4+ TR and non-TR was characterized by a DNA-based multiplex PCR which allowed for the consistent clonotypic characterization of cells that have undergone fixation and permeabilization. To validate this method, CD8+ T cells from two HLA A*0201 individuals were sorted and compared clonotypically based upon their ability either to secrete interferon-γ in response to a CMV pp65 epitope or to bind to the corresponding pMHC I tetramer. In the UCB and PBMCs clonotypes shared between the CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ and CD4+CD25+Foxp3− was observed in all 3 UCB and in one adult PBMCs, suggesting that naïve and memory CD4+ TR can share the same clonotypes as CD4+ non-TR in humans

A Potential Role of Cytomegalovirus Reactivation in the Severity of COVID-19 in the Elderly

In late 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome- coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was reported in Wuhan, China. This virus spread quickly worldwide, with millions of victims until now. The clinical manifestations of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are a broad spectrum, from asymptomatic and mild cases with a flu-like syndrome to severe cases requiring intensive care1. The severity of diseases and risk of mortality is higher in the elderly, which most authorities attribute to underlying conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory diseases. However, some neglected factors, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation, can affect patient outcomes2

Effectiveness of Accommodation in the Assessment of Iranian EFL Learners

This study has investigated the impact of accommodation on test performance as well as achievement scores of Iranian EFL learners at the intermediate level. Initially, 60 female EFL learners of a language school took a version of PET following the standard procedure of the test with no accommodation. Ten days later, the same 60 learners took the second version of PET with some forms of accommodation including: extended time, setting alteration, test illustration, and response presentation. In the second phase, the 60 participants were divided into two 30-member groups of experimental and control and their equality was checked in terms of language proficiency. The experimental group, in addition to its regular lesson plan, underwent accommodated formative assessment. Consequently, as they finished each session, they took quizzes in the next session and received feedback on their progress in terms of four skills. The accommodation activities used during instruction included extended time, setting, presentation and response. The intervention in the control group was the same except for its accommodation. At the end, both groups sat for the achievement test of the language school to exhibit any possible impact of accommodation on their general achievement. On the whole, accommodation was found to be positively effective on the assessment of Iranian female intermediate learners as it contributed to better understanding of the test, reducing test anxiety, and finally an overall better performance on the achievement test

Employing biomimicry in Urban metamorphosis seeking for sustainability: Case studies

Objective The current study has aimed to develop the framework of biomimicry involvement in urban metamorphosis for sustainability. This research has engaged four objectives to achieve the aim. Objective one is to explore the rudiment interaction between human and nature through interrogating history, nature's design. Objective two is to excavate the biomimicry in emulating nature's genius. Objective three is to investigate the association between biomimicry and sustainable development, focusing on architectural features. Objective four is to develop the framework based on the biomimicry rules for human evolution and survival in the natural environment. Methodology To achieve objective one, the grounded theory method was applied for scrutinizing human development and human awareness about their natural environment. To achieve objective two, an evidence study was conducted on the biomimicry emulation of nature's genius. To achieve objective three, a critical literature review was conducted using content analysis method to identify the biomimicry focus and architectural features. Through matrix development method, the focus and architectural features were tabulated. To achieve objective four, the waterfall framework design method and case studies were conducted to plot this framework. Conclusions This research gained a better understanding of biomimicry-based on theories of the evolution of organisms, including humans in the urban context, as measurement against sustainable benchmarks. It followed the paths of ecological researcher and urban philosophers, such as Freya Mathews and Moore, by re-versioned the human relationship with nature and the surrounding environment and observing human actions and development about life principles.In particular, the research found out that biomimicry is an approach that recently becomes the focus of many researchers of different disciplines seeking a solution for human problems. The biomimicry has been merged with sustainable architecture design through specific features; included, form and function, geometry, metaphor, movement, material, pattern, proportion, sustainability, and technology. Furthermore, biomimicry is an approach that involves nature as a model, mentor, and measure for inspiration, which converges law, principles, and strategies in the context of biomimicry-based on human evolution. Originality The findings allowed architects and urban designers to enhance people's awareness of their natural environment and provide a better perception of biomimicry in the application of human world, whether founded because of base instinct or a strategic view derived from the life's principles.The authors would like to thank the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) for funding this research via the grant number PY/2015/04995.Scopu

Improving Grammar and Writing Skills of Iranian EFL Learners Through Portfolio Assessment

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of portfolio as a kind of alternative assessment on grammar knowledge and writing skill of Iranian EFL learners at the intermediate level. Based on convenience sampling, 32 adult Iranian IELTS students attended in an intensive preparation course of English in two consecutive terms twice a week for 90 minutes over 5 weeks. It is necessary to mention that basic elements of an acceptable writing were presented in both control and experimental groups to make students aware of the fundamental requirements of writing. The results through ANCOVA revealed that all the null hypotheses of the study, except one, were rejected and significant differences were found between the average performance of the two portfolio and the non-portfolio groups in grammar, IELTS and PET and finally PET writing. However, no difference was found between the average performance of the two portfolio and the non-portfolio groups in IELTS. It was hence concluded that the use of portfolio can significantly improve grammar knowledge, general proficiency and to a lesser extent the writing skill of Iranian EFL learners at the intermediate level. Moreover, parallel to portfolio application, students achieved authenticity, sense of responsibility and ownership. Self-assessment and peer-assessment, which were experienced by highly motivated learners, lead to a student-centered classroom in a process-oriented approach

Impact of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program on the Frequency of Drug resistant Bacteria in an Intensive Care Unit

Background: One of the major health problems in the intensive care unit (ICU) is the nosocomial infection caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. The antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) is a solution to prevent antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to determine the impact of an antimicrobial stewardship program on the frequency of drug-resistant bacteria in an ICU.Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted between 2019 and 2021 in Labbafinejad Hospital, Tehran, Iran. This study consisted of two time periods: 1) one year with no restriction of antibiotic prescription (before ASP), and 2) one year with restriction of antibiotic prescription based on the stewardship program (after ASP). We obtained demographic and clinical characteristics of patients from their medical records. Standard disk diffusion and broth microdilution were used to determine the antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial pathogens isolated from the patients.Results: A total of 300 ICU-admitted patients were included in the study (150 for each period). We found out that the total length of hospitalization, length of hospitalization in ICU, and treatment duration were lower after ASP (P=0.022, P=0.383, and P<0.001, respectively). Also, the frequency of antibiotic resistance, including MDR and Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE) strains, decreased significantly after performing ASP (P=0.013). However, in terms of mortality, there was no significant difference between the two periods (P=0.236).Conclusion: The results of our study highlight the implementation of the antibiotic Stewardship program and the rational use of antibiotics in the ICU setting to inhibit the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Driving behaviour and sustainable mobility-policies and approaches revisited

Climate change is receiving increasing attention in recent years. The transportation sector contributes substantially to increased fuel consumption, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and poor air quality, which imposes a serious respiratory health hazard. Road transport has made a significant contribution to this effect. Consequently, many countries have attempted to mitigate climate change using various strategies. This study analysed and compared the number of policies and other approaches necessary to achieve reduced fuel consumption and carbon emission. Frequency aggregation indicates that the mitigation policies associated with driving behaviours adopted to curtail this consumption and decrease hazardous emissions, as well as a safety enhancement. Furthermore, car-sharing/carpooling was the least investigated approach to establish its influence on mitigation of climate change. Additionally, the influence of such driving behaviours as acceleration/deceleration and the compliance to speed limits on each approach was discussed. Other driving behaviours, such as gear shifting, compliance to traffic laws, choice of route, and idling and braking style, were also discussed. Likewise, the influence of aggression, anxiety, and motivation on driving behaviour of motorists was highlighted. The research determined that driving behaviours can lead to new adaptive driving behaviours and, thus, cause a significant decrease of vehicle fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. - 2018 by the authors.Scopu

Detection of bovine coronavirus by RT-PCR in a field study

In the present study we used RT-PCR assay for detecting of BCoV, targeting a 730 bp fragment of the nucleocapsid (N) gene of BCoV with published primers that could amplify all BCoV strains. We evaluated presence of BCoV in diarrheic and nondiarrheic samples. 108 faecal samples from diarrheic calves and 80 faecal samples from nondiarrheic calves collected. In 13 of 108 diarrheic samples both ELISA and RT-PCR detected BCoV. In 4 of 80 samples second group (non diarrheic) BCoV was detected by RT-PCR only not capture ELISA. This report is the first detection of BCoV in Iran. The results suggest that RT-PCR is more sensitive than ELISA method to detect BCoV, especially in subclinical cases. Because these animals shed a low amount of virus in faeces we need to apply sensitive techniques, such as RT-PCR, nested PCR and real time RT-PCR