Assessing land use changes' effect on river water quality in the Dez Basin using land change modeler.

Changes in land use due to urbanization, industrialization, and agriculture will adversely affect water quality at all scales. This study examined the possible effects of future land use on the water quality of the Dez River located in Iran. The QUAL2Kw dynamic model was used to simulate the water quality of the Dez River. Data and information available in July 2019 and 2013 were used for calibration and validation. According to the comparison of the RMSE, RMSE%, and percent bias error indices for the model during the calibration and validation period, the QUAL2Kw model of Dez River had high accuracy with acceptable values of errors. The land use changes in the Dez river basin were modeled and predicted by the LCM model after simulating water quality. The images from Landsat 8/OLI were used for 2013, 2016, and 2019, respectively. Based on the accurate evaluation of classified images, Kappa coefficients for 2013, 2016, and 2019 were 88.19, 87.46, and 89.91, respectively. Modeling land use and land cover changes was conducted to predict 2030. As a result of the study, agricultural and built-up areas and water bodies will increase in 2030. The possible effects of land use changes in 2030 on river water quality were examined as a final step. Based on the results of the water quality simulation in 2030, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, and NO3 parameters exceeded the maximum permissible level of drinking standard. This study recommends frequent water quality monitoring and LULC planning and management to reduce pollution in river basins.

Cold Spray: Over 30 Years of Development Toward a Hot Future.

Cold Spray (CS) is a deposition process, part of the thermal spray family. In this method, powder particles are accelerated at supersonic speed within a nozzle; impacts against a substrate material triggers a complex process, ultimately leading to consolidation and bonding. CS, in its modern form, has been around for approximately 30 years and has undergone through exciting and unprecedented developmental steps. In this article, we have summarized the key inventions and sub-inventions which pioneered the innovation aspect to the process that is known today, and the key breakthroughs related to the processing of materials CS is currently mastering. CS has not followed a liner path since its invention, but an evolution more similar to a hype cycle: high initial growth of expectations, followed by a decrease in interest and a renewed thrust pushed by a number of demonstrated industrial applications. The process interest is expected to continue (gently) to grow, alongside with further development of equipment and feedstock materials specific for CS processing. A number of current applications have been identified the areas that the process is likely to be the most disruptive in the medium-long term future have been laid down.

A combined panel of circulating microRNA as a diagnostic tool for detection of the non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Recently, much attention has been paid to use circulating microRNAs (miRs) as a non-invasive tumor marker. The present study for the first time was designed to evaluate concurrent use of miR-21, miR-638, miR148 and miR-152 as putative diagnostic tool for detection of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). METHODS: Forty-three patients diagnosed as primary NSCLC was included in this study. The level of selected miRs was measured in whole blood specimens of patients and controls. The corresponding values were also obtained in stages I-IV. We also assessed possible correlation between selected miRs and the clinicopathological findings of studied individuals. RESULTS: miR-21 was increased in patients compared to controls (P = 0.004). In contrast, circulating miR-638, miR-148 and miR-152 was observed to be down-regulated in NSCLC patients than controls (P = 0.001, 0.003, 0.053, respectively). Rise in miR-21-5p expression and decreased blood level of miR-148a-3p was associated with higher stage of NSCLC. The highest sensitivity (90%) was observed for miR-21 while miR-148 had the highest specificity (71%). The corresponding sensitivity and specificity for combined-miRs-panel was 96.4% and 86.67%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In summary, our data suggested the diagnostic importance of combined-miR-panel including miR-21, miR-638, miR148 and miR-152 for effective discrimination of NSCLC from non-cancerous subjects.

Comparative effect of order based resistance exercises on number of repetitions, rating of perceived exertion and muscle damage biomarkers in men / / Efeito comparativo da sequência de execução dos exercícios resistidos no número de repetições, percepção subjetiva de esforço e biomarcadores de danos musculares em homens / / Efecto comparativo de la secuencia de ejecución de ejercicios de fuerza en el número de repeticiones, el grado de percepción subjetiva del esfuerzo y biomarcadores de daño muscular en hombres (AU)

Objetivo. el propósito del presente estudio fue comparar los efectos de la secuencia de ejercicios de entrenamiento de la fuerza en el número de repeticiones realizadas, la percepción del esfuerzo y en los marcadores de daño muscular. Objetivo. O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar os efeitos da ordem de exercícios resistidos sobre o número de repetições, percepção subjetiva de esforço e biomarcadores de danos musculares. Método. Una semana despues de la realización de un test de una repetición máxima (1RM), los 11 varones sanos no entrenados participantes, realizaron dos secuencias de ejercicios de fuerza, consistentes en 4 series de 4 ejercicios al 70% de 1RM con dos minutos de reposo entre series, con los ejercicios ejecutados hasta el fallo y distinto orden: la secuencia A consistió: sentadillas hack (HS), prensa de piernas (LP), extensión de piernas (LE), y flexión curl de piernas (LC), mientras que para la secuencia B la secuencia era la opuesta a la A (LC, LE, LP, HS). Método. Uma semana após o teste de uma repetição máxima (1 RM), 11 homens saudáveis não treinados completaram duas ordens de exercícios resistidos, incluindo 4 séries de 4 exercícios a 70% de 1RM, com intervalos de 2 minutos entre as séries com exercícios realizados até a falha e de ordem distintas: ordem A incluiu: agachamento hack (HS), leg press (LP), extensão da perna (LE) e flexão de perna (LC), por outro lado, a ordem B ocorreu de forma oposta à ordem A (LC, LE, LP, HS). Resultados. el incremento de la actividad CK y de la concentración de lactato fue la misma para la secuencia A y la secuencia B (P> 0.05). El total de la media del número de repeticiones para HS y LC mostraron un descenso significativo (P< 0.05) cuando se realizaron posteriormente en cada secuencia de ejercicios; no obstante, no se observó una diferencia significativa, en el recuento del número total de repeticiones, de cada una de las secuencias de ejercicios de fuerza (secuencia A= 8.59 ± 1.61, secuencia B= 8.78 ± 1.96). el grado de percepción del esfuerzo (RPE) no presentó cambios significativos entre las secuencias de ejercicios; no obstante, la RPE aumenta para HS y LC cuando este fue la última secuencia de ejercicio. Resultados. Ocorreram aumentos da atividade de CK e concentração de lactato tanto para a ordem A e B (P> 0.05). A média do número total de repetições para HS e LC indicou uma diminuição significativa (P <0.05), quando foram realizadas posteriormente em cada ordem de exercícios; no entanto, não houve diferença significativa na média do número total de repetições nos exercícios resistidos (Ordem A = 8.59 ± 1.61, B = 8.78 ± 1.96). A percepção subjetiva de esforço (RPE) não foi significativamente diferente entre as ordens de exercícios; contudo, a percepção subjetiva de esforço aumentou para HS e LC, quando estes exercícios foram realizados por último. Conclusão. Ambas as ordens de exercícios resistidos foram igualmente eficientes nos parâmetros de danos musculares (CK, lactato), percepção subjetiva de esforço, assim como na média do número total de repetições, contudo à medida que a sessão de exercício progredia, o número de repetições realizadas até a falha diminui no último exercício em uma única ordem e a ordem dos exercícios pode influenciar no desempenho. Conclusion. se puede concluir que ambas secuencias de ejercicios de fuerza fueron igualmente de efectivos en los parámetros de daño muscular (CK, lactate), RPE y el recuento del total del número de repeticiones del ejercicio, aunque cuando la sesión de ejercicio progresaba, el número de repeticiones realizadas hasta la fatiga mental, disminuía en el último ejercicio en sólo uno de las secuencias, por lo que la secuencia de ejercicios puede influir en el rendimiento (AU)

Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of orders of resistance exercise, on the number of repetitions performed, rating of perceived exertion and muscle damage biomarkers. Method: One week after the 1 repetition maximum (1RM) test, 11 healthy untrained male participants completed two resistance exercise protocols including 4 sets of 4 exercises at 70% 1RM, with 2 min rest intervals between sets, exercises performed until failure and different orders: order A including: hack squat (HS), leg press (LP), leg extension (LE), and leg curl (LC), while order B was opposed to order A (LC, LE, LP, HS). Results: Increase of CK activity and lactate concentration was the same for order A and order B (P > 0.05). The total mean number of repetitions for HS and LC indicated a significant decrease (P < 0.05) when they were performed later in each exercise orders; however, no significant difference in the average of total number of exercise repetition was observed for neither resistance exercise orders (order A = 8.59 ± 1.61, order B = 8.78 ± 1.96). Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) was not significantly different between the exercise orders; however, the RPE increases for HS and LC when they were the last exercise orders. Conclusion: It can be concluded that both of the resistance exercise orders were equally effective in muscle damage parameters (CK, lactate), RPE and the average of the total number of exercise repetitions, although when the exercise session progressed, the number of repetitions performed to volitional failure decreased in last exercise in one single order, and the exercise order can influence performance (AU)

Objetivo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar os efeitos da ordem de exercícios resistidos sobre o número de repetições, percepção subjetiva de esforço e biomarcadores de danos musculares. Método: Uma semana após o teste de uma repetição máxima (1 RM), 11 homens saudáveis não treinados completaram duas ordens de exercícios resistidos, incluindo 4 séries de 4 exercícios a 70% de 1RM, com intervalos de 2 minutos entre as séries com exercícios realizados até a falha e de ordem distintas: ordem A incluiu: agachamento hack (HS), leg press (LP), extensão da perna (LE) e flexão de perna (LC), por outro lado, a ordem B ocorreu de forma oposta à ordem A (LC, LE, LP, HS). Resultados: Ocorreram aumentos da atividade de CK e concentração de lactato tanto para a ordem A e B (P> 0.05). A média do número total de repetições para HS e LC indicou uma diminuição significativa (P <0.05), quando foram realizadas posteriormente em cada ordem de exercícios; no entanto, não houve diferença significativa na média do número total de repetições nos exercícios resistidos (Ordem A = 8.59 ± 1.61, B = 8.78 ± 1.96). A percepção subjetiva de esforço (RPE) não foi significativamente diferente entre as ordens de exercícios; contudo, a percepção subjetiva de esforço aumentou para HS e LC, quando estes exercícios foram realizados por último. Conclusão: Ambas as ordens de exercícios resistidos foram igualmente eficientes nos parâmetros de danos musculares (CK, lactato), percepção subjetiva de esforço, assim como na média do número total de repetições, contudo à medida que a sessão de exercício progredia, o número de repetições realizadas até a falha diminui no último exercício em uma única ordem e a ordem dos exercícios pode influenciar no desempenho (AU)

Prediction of weightlifters' motor behavior to evaluate snatch weightlifting techniques based on a new method of investigation of consumed energy.

Using proper technique in different sports is an inevitable factor. In this study, available techniques for snatch weightlifting are mathematically evaluated. The optimal motion trajectory is a technique used by weightlifters, which could be determined based on minimizing specific object functions. Object functions based on total kinetic energy, total torque and total power and some new multiobjective functions are minimized using genetic algorithm and the minimax principle. Some important motion characteristics of 13 professional weightlifters were extracted and used to validate the mathematical results. The double knee bending (DKB) technique was studied as a benchmark test. Some important movement features of the technique were shown by the mathematical analysis when applying an object function, that minimized joint torques and powers of different muscles independently. An object function based on joint forces did not show these features.

Topoisomerase IV, alone, unknots DNA in E. coli.

Knotted DNA has potentially devastating effects on cells. By using two site-specific recombination systems, we tied all biologically significant simple DNA knots in Escherichia coli. When topoisomerase IV activity was blocked, either with a drug or in a temperature-sensitive mutant, the knotted recombination intermediates accumulated whether or not gyrase was active. In contrast to its decatenation activity, which is strongly affected by DNA supercoiling, topoisomerase IV unknotted DNA independently of supercoiling. This differential supercoiling effect held true regardless of the relative sizes of the catenanes and knots. Finally, topoisomerase IV unknotted DNA equally well when DNA replication was blocked with hydroxyurea. We conclude that topoisomerase IV, not gyrase, unknots DNA and that it is able to access DNA in the cell freely. With these results, it is now possible to assign completely the topological roles of the topoisomerases in E. coli. It is clear that the topoisomerases in the cell have distinct and nonoverlapping roles. Consequently, our results suggest limitations in assigning a physiological function to a protein based upon sequence similarity or even upon in vitro biochemical activity.

Isothermic hemodialysis and ultrafiltration.

The increase in patient temperature during hemodialysis is explained by hemodynamic compensation during ultrafiltration and hypovolemia that leads to peripheral vasoconstriction and reduced heat losses. We analyzed 51 stable high-efficiency hemodialysis treatments in 27 patients during isothermic dialysis in which body temperature was maintained at a constant level (+/-0.1 degrees C) using the temperature-control option of the Blood Temperature Monitor (BTM; Fresenius Medical Care, Bad Homburg, Germany). Hemodialysis was delivered using ultrapure water (limulus amebocyte lysate test < 0. 06 endotoxin units/mL) at mean blood flows of 410 +/- 40 mL/min. During treatments lasting 178 +/- 23 minutes, 4.8% +/- 1.4% of postdialysis body weight (W%) and 9.5% +/- 2.5% of postdialysis body water were removed using mean ultrafiltration rates of 1.1 +/- 0.3 L/h. Dialysate temperatures significantly decreased from 35.9 degrees C +/- 0.3 degrees C to 35.6 degrees C +/- 0.6 degrees C during hemodialysis. During these treatments, 187 +/- 69 kJ of thermal energy were removed from the patients through the extracorporeal circulation using cool dialysate. Extracorporeal heat flow was 17 +/- 6 W. Energy expenditure (H) estimated from anthropometric data was 65 +/- 12 W. Thus, 28% +/- 10% of estimated energy expenditure (H%) was removed during isothermic dialysis. A highly significant correlation was observed between H% and W% (H% = -5.6 * W%; r(2) = 0.91; P < 0.0001). This result is in support of the volume hypothesis of intradialytic heat accumulation and provides a rule of thumb to estimate extracorporeal cooling requirements for isothermic dialysis. Approximately 6% of H must be removed through the extracorporeal circulation for each percent of ultrafiltration-induced body-weight change. The importance of body temperature control during hemodialysis increases with increased ultrafiltration requirements.

Structure-function analysis of the mammalian DNA polymerase beta active site: role of aspartic acid 256, arginine 254, and arginine 258 in nucleotidyl transfer.

The crystal structure of the catalytic domain of rat DNA polymerase beta revealed that Asp256 is located in proximity to the previously identified active site residues Asp190 and Asp192. We have prepared and kinetically characterized the nucleotidyl transfer activity of wild type and several mutant forms of human and rat pol beta. Herein we report steady-state kinetic determinations of KmdTTP, Km(dT)16, and kcat for mutants in residue Asp256 and two neighboring residues, Arg254 and Arg258, all centrally located on strand beta 7 in the pol beta structure. Mutation of Asp256 to alanine abolished the enzymatic activity of pol beta. Conservative replacement with glutamic acid (D256E) led to a 320-fold reduction of kcat compared to wild type. Replacement of Arg254 with an alanine (R254A) resulted in a 50-fold reduction of kcat compared to wild type. The Km(dT)16 of D256E and R254A increased about 18-fold relative to wild type. Replacement of Arg254 with a lysine resulted in a 15-fold decrease in kcat, and a 5-fold increase in the Km(dT)16. These kinetic observations support a role of Asp256 and Arg254 in the positioning of divalent metal ions and substrates in precise geometrical orientation for efficient catalysis. The mutation of Arg258 to alanine (R258A) resulted in a 10-fold increase in KmdTTP and a 65-fold increase in Km(dT)16 but resulted in no change of kcat. These observations are discussed in the context of the three-dimensional structures of the catalytic domain of pol beta and the ternary complex of pol beta, ddCTP, and DNA.

RNase D, a reported new activity associated with HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, displays the same cleavage specificity as Escherichia coli RNase III.

RNase D was recently reported as a new enzymatic activity associated with HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT), cleaving RNA at two positions within the double-stranded region of the tRNA primer-viral RNA template complex (Ben-Artzi et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89 (1992) 927-931). This would make RNase D a fourth distinct activity of HIV-1 RT, in addition to RNA- and DNA-dependent DNA polymerase and RNase H. Using a specific substrate containing tRNA(Lys,3) hybridized to the primer binding site, we were able to detect the reported RNase D activity in our preparations of recombinant HIV-1 RT. This activity was also present in several active-site mutants of RT, suggesting that it is independent of the RNase H and polymerase functionalities of RT. Furthermore, we found that the cleavage specificity of RNase D is the same as that of RNase III isolated from E.coli. A likely explantation of these results--that the observed RNase D activity is attributable to traces of RNase III contamination--was further strengthened by the finding that the recombinant preparations of HIV-1 RT can specifically cleave a phage T7-derived double-stranded RNA processing signal, which has been used as a model substrate for detection of E.coli RNase III. Moreover, RT purified from an RNase III- strain of E.coli displayed no cleavage of the tRNA primer-RNA template complex.