UV exposure is a major source of degradation and deterioration of textile materials including carpets. Samples of machine-woven cut-pile carpets were prepared and exposed to different UV exposure ...times using a UV chamber. The short-term static loading was then applied to the carpets and the recovery properties and the thickness loss of the samples were measured using standard methods. The results showed that the variation of the thickness loss in different load removal times was steep at first and obeyed an exponential trend. As the time was increased, it tended to a lower slope and at a certain point, it reached a constant value. No statistically significance difference was observed in the thickness losses following 60 min of load removal time after static loading. UV radiation caused a significant increase in the thickness loss, or compression of piles, under static loading. Curve fitting process was applied and then the theoretical recovery speed equation was predicted. The results revealed that the compression of the carpets under static loading was higher in the case of UV exposure carpets. However, the speed of the recovery after load removal was much higher in the case of UV exposure carpets, in comparison to the non-exposure carpets.
Electropermanent magnets for variable-field NMR Ropp, Chad; Chen, Cheng; Greer, Mason ...
Journal of magnetic resonance (1997),
June 2019, 2019-06-00, 20190601, Letnik:
303
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Display omitted
•A dynamically tunable B0 field to perform variable-field NMR.•Offer both the advantages of a permanent magnet and an electromagnet.•Full theoretical estimation of effective SNR for ...CPMG-like measurement.•Alternative to low-cost fast field-cycling NMR system.
In this work, a dynamically tunable B0 field is used to perform variable-field NMR. The system consists of an array of electropermanent AlNiCo-5 magnets whose magnetizations are individually programmed using pulse-power control. This design allows the field strength to be varied for field-dispersion measurements. An ultra-broadband front-end is utilized that maintains efficient power transmission over a broad range of frequencies for robust operation without probe tuning. We perform T1-T2 correlation measurements at various B0 field strengths (0.5–2 MHz) and demonstrate discrimination of different dairy products. We observe variation in the frequency dependence of the proton spin–lattice relaxation for the different products as a function of the degree of protein hydration. This variable-field technique provides a low-cost alternative to fast field-cycling NMR and could open possibilities for novel contrast measurements and spatial encoding in magnetic resonance imaging.
We aimed to study dietary patterns in association with the relative expression levels of PPAR-γ, vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in women with ...benign breast disease (BBD). The study design was combinative, included a case-series and case-control compartments. Initially, eligible BBD patients (n 77, aged 19-52 years old) were recruited at Nour-Nejat hospital, Tabriz, Iran (2012-2014). A hospital-based group of healthy controls was matched for age (n 231, aged 20-63 years old) and sex. Dietary data were collected using a valid 136-item FFQ. Principal component analysis generated two main components (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin = 0·684), including a Healthy pattern (whole bread, fruits, vegetables, vegetable oils, legumes, spices, seafood, low-fat meat, skinless poultry, low-fat dairy products, nuts and seeds) and a Western pattern (starchy foods, high-fat meat and poultry, high-fat dairy products, hydrogenated fat, fast food, salt and sweets). High adherence to the Western pattern increased the risk of BBD (ORadj 5·59; 95 % CI 2·06, 15·10; P < 0·01), whereas high intake of the Healthy pattern was associated with a 74 % lower risk of BBD (95 % CI 0·08, 0·81; P < 0·05). In the BBD population, the Western pattern was correlated with over-expression of HIF-1α (radj 0·309, P < 0·05). There were inverse correlations between the Healthy pattern and expressions of PPAR-γ (radj -0·338, P < 0·05), HIF-1α (radj -0·340, P < 0·05) and VEGF-A (radj -0·286, P < 0·05). In conclusion, new findings suggested that the Healthy pattern was associated inversely with the risk of BBD, and this could be correlated with down-regulation of PPAR-γ, VEGF-A and HIF-1α genes, which might hold promise to preclude BBD of malignant pathological transformation.
•According to these findings, we observed a significant reduction in serum levels of insulin (AG; P = 0.003, EG; P = 0.001) and HOMA-IR (AG; P = 0.01, EG; P = 0.00) and HOMA-B (AG; P = 0.00, EG; P = ...0.00) indices in the AE and EE intervention group, without no significant changes inFBS. There was also a significant reduction in serum levels of apoB (AG; P = 0.00, EG; P = 0.03) and apoB/apoA-I (AG; P = 0.01, EG; P = 0.04) ratio in both AG and EG; However, intervention in both AG and EG has no effect on apoA-I (P = 0.06). It seems that the ethanolic extract as well as aqueous extract of Rheum ribes is effective in diabetic patients.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus, one of the most common chronic metabolic disorders, occurs when the body is unable to utilize insulin effectively. Hyperglycemia, one of the most common characteristics of diabetes, is related to the development of several diabetic adverse effects, which lead to an elevation in oxidative stress and inflammation responses. Among the current therapeutic options, such as hypoglycemic drugs and insulin therapy, which have limitations, there has been much attention given to the use of traditional medicinal plant that modulate hyperglycemia, inflammation, improve oxidative stress, and prevent diabetes-induced complications. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to investigate whether the consumption of aqueous and ethanolic Rheum extractions improve insulin sensitivity, inflammation and oxidative status in subjects with T2DM. Sixty patients with T2DM (male and female) were recruited in this double-blind, randomized and controlled clinical trial from the Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. The participants were randomly allocated into three groups aqueous extract (n = 20), ethanolic extract (n = 20) and control (n = 20) who were given three Rheum ribes capsules daily for 6 weeks. A significant elevation in the quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index (QUICKI) was observed at the end of study in the aqueous extracts (P = 0.03) and also ethanolic extracts (P = 0.01) of Rheum extract groups compared to initial values. At the end of study, there was also a significant reduction in levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in ethanolic extracts (P = 0.002) compared to initial values; however, intervention with aqueous extracts had no effect on malondialdehyde. There was also a significant reduction of high sensitivity C-reactive protein in ethanolic extracts (P = 0.001) and aqueous extracts (P = 0.001) groups at the end of study compared to initial values. At the end of the study, there were significant differences in the insulin, ethanolic extract group compared to control group. It appears that the ethanolic extract is more effective than the aqueous extract of Rheum ribes in diabetic patients. Rheum ribes intake may have favorable effects on insulin sensitivity, malondialdehyde and high sensitivity C-reactive protein in diabetic patients.
Biofilms are a common and persistent cause of numerous illnesses. Compared to planktonic microbes, biofilm residing cells often demonstrate significant resistance to antimicrobial agents. Thus, ...methods for dislodging cells from the biofilm may increase the antimicrobial susceptibility of such cells, and serve as a mechanical means of increasing antimicrobial efficacy. Using Aspergillus fumigatus as a model microbe, we magnetically rotate microrods in and around biofilm. We show that such rods can improve the efficacy of antimicrobial Amphotericin B treatments in vitro. This work represents a first step in using kinetic magnetic particle therapy for disrupting fungal biofilms.
•Fungal biofilms have been implicated in a variety of medical ailments.•Magnetic microrods, grown via electroplating, were rotated in and around fungal biofilms.•Rotating microrods potentiate the effectiveness of antimicrobial drug.•Antimicrobial efficacy may be enhanced due to increased mixing.
Admittedly, composing an accurate and fluent paragraph is by no means an easy task. Since learning to write is an inseparable part of language learning without which effective acquisition cannot be ...obtained, writing has been drawing more and more attention in language teaching and learning. Topping (2001) defines paired writing as a structured system for effective learning in writing. Peer learning is a two-way reciprocal activity in which peers of the same level learn from and with each other (Boud, 2001). Since learners in peer collaboration follow a single goal, they share their cognitive resources, modifying solutions, and make joint decisions. Cooper (1986) expresses that writing is not only a cognitive activity but a social activity which requires L2 students to interact and discuss ideas in pairs or small groups. Since L2 writing is an invaluable process and product, requiring social exchange of meaning, there is a need to find out the importance of collaboration in L2 learning.
Introduction:The amylase enzyme hydrolyze starch and break glycosidic internal bonds of this polysaccharides. Amylases are important industrial enzymes for a wide range of applications including ...starch conversion to sugar syrup, dextrin production, and use in the pharmaceutical and medical industries. Materials and methods: In this study, thermophilic bacterium was isolated and purified from the Qynarcheh hot spring in Ardabil. Desired strain suspension in nutrient broth medium was placed in front of UV rays with a wavelength of 254 nm at a distance of 1 meter for 45 seconds in the laminar air flow. The mutant strains were compared to wild type in temperature and salinity tolerance, amylase production content and different antibiotics resistance. Results: In this study, two interesting mutant strains were isolated and named B.L.2.M.1 and B.L.2.M.2. Mutations caused many changes in bacteria such as cell growth speed and enzyme production content. Differences in cell growth, production of amylase and other characters were significant at 0.05 level (Pvalue
We present an innovative combined imaging/manipulation platform to administer, drive, and concentrate nimble magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) into a desired target in the brain. MNPs may carry useful ...payloads, such as agents for chemotherapy, genetic therapy, or radiation therapy. Imaging is provided by a novel head-dedicated magnetic resonance imaging system that uses ultrasteep and ultrafast magnetic field gradients that provide not only high-resolution images but also the required forces for MNP manipulation. The platform will allow new clinical procedures to apply minimally invasive treatment in difficult scenarios. Nonsurgical delivery of MNPs, as envisioned with the new system, would be expected to reduce the nonnegligible risks associated with surgical placement of MNPs. An important application of the new platform is the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). High-grade gliomas comprise a group of incurable and devastating rare diseases, with a very poor outcome, despite recent therapeutic efforts in surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Possibly, no single step will cure the disease, but the image-guided interventions envisaged by the new platform will have great impact on survival and quality of life of GBM patients. This method is especially interesting for patients who might otherwise be considered poor candidates for curative surgical tumor resection. This technology represents a more efficient therapy with fewer side-effects through the development of a formulation combining chemotherapy or gene therapy and thermotherapy, which is activated only at the target.
PDF
