Islamic Azad University, Tehran

IMPORTANCE: The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019 (GBD 2019) provided systematic estimates of incidence, morbidity, and mortality to inform local and international efforts toward reducing cancer burden. OBJECTIVE: To estimate cancer burden and trends globally for 204 countries and territories and by Sociodemographic Index (SDI) quintiles from 2010 to 2019. EVIDENCE REVIEW: The GBD 2019 estimation methods were used to describe cancer incidence, mortality, years lived with disability, years of life lost, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in 2019 and over the past decade. Estimates are also provided by quintiles of the SDI, a composite measure of educational attainment, income per capita, and total fertility rate for those younger than 25 years. Estimates include 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). FINDINGS: In 2019, there were an estimated 23.6 million (95% UI, 22.2-24.9 million) new cancer cases (17.2 million when excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer) and 10.0 million (95% UI, 9.36-10.6 million) cancer deaths globally, with an estimated 250 million (235-264 million) DALYs due to cancer. Since 2010, these represented a 26.3% (95% UI, 20.3%-32.3%) increase in new cases, a 20.9% (95% UI, 14.2%-27.6%) increase in deaths, and a 16.0% (95% UI, 9.3%-22.8%) increase in DALYs. Among 22 groups of diseases and injuries in the GBD 2019 study, cancer was second only to cardiovascular diseases for the number of deaths, years of life lost, and DALYs globally in 2019. Cancer burden differed across SDI quintiles. The proportion of years lived with disability that contributed to DALYs increased with SDI, ranging from 1.4% (1.1%-1.8%) in the low SDI quintile to 5.7% (4.2%-7.1%) in the high SDI quintile. While the high SDI quintile had the highest number of new cases in 2019, the middle SDI quintile had the highest number of cancer deaths and DALYs. From 2010 to 2019, the largest percentage increase in the numbers of cases and deaths occurred in the low and low-middle SDI quintiles. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The results of this systematic analysis suggest that the global burden of cancer is substantial and growing, with burden differing by SDI. These results provide comprehensive and comparable estimates that can potentially inform efforts toward equitable cancer control around the world.

Based on environmental, legal, social, and economic factors, reverse logistics and closed-loop supply chain issues have attracted attention among both academia and practitioners. This attention is evident by the vast number of publications in scientific journals which have been published in recent years. Hence, a comprehensive literature review of recent and state-of-the-art papers is vital to draw a framework of the past, and to shed light on future directions. The aim of this paper is to review recently published papers in reverse logistic and closed-loop supply chain in scientific journals. A total of 382 papers published between January 2007 and March 2013 are selected and reviewed. The papers are then analyzed and categorized to construct a useful foundation of past research. Finally, gaps in the literature are identified to clarify and to suggest future research opportunities.

Nowadays, the world’s scientific community has been publishing an enormous number of papers in different scientific fields. In such environment, it is essential to know which databases are equally efficient and objective for literature searches. It seems that two most extensive databases are Web of Science and Scopus. Besides searching the literature, these two databases used to rank journals in terms of their productivity and the total citations received to indicate the journals impact, prestige or influence. This article attempts to provide a comprehensive comparison of these databases to answer frequent questions which researchers ask, such as: How Web of Science and Scopus are different? In which aspects these two databases are similar? Or, if the researchers are forced to choose one of them, which one should they prefer? For answering these questions, these two databases will be compared based on their qualitative and quantitative characteristics.

This work studies the underlying nature of H‐bonds (HBs) of different types and strengths and tries to predict binding energies (BEs) based on the properties derived from wave function analysis. A total of 42 HB complexes constructed from 28 neutral and 14 charged monomers were considered. This set was designed to sample a wide range of HB strengths to obtain a complete view about HBs. BEs were derived with the accurate coupled cluster singles and doubles with perturbative triples correction (CCSD(T))(T) method and the physical components of the BE were investigated by symmetry‐adapted perturbation theory (SAPT). Quantum theory of atoms‐in‐molecules (QTAIM) descriptors and other HB indices were calculated based on high‐quality density functional theory wave functions. We propose a new and rigorous classification of H‐bonds (HBs) based on the SAPT decomposition. Neutral complexes are either classified as “very weak” HBs with a BE ≥ −2.5 kcal/mol that are mainly dominated by both dispersion and electrostatic interactions or as “weak‐to‐medium” HBs with a BE varying between −2.5 and −14.0 kcal/mol that are only dominated by electrostatic interactions. On the other hand, charged complexes are divided into “medium” HBs with a BE in the range of −11.0 to −15.0 kcal/mol, which are mainly dominated by electrostatic interactions, or into “strong” HBs whose BE is more negative than −15.0 kcal/mol, which are mainly dominated by electrostatic together with induction interactions. Among various explored correlations between BEs and wave function‐based HB descriptors, a fairly satisfactory correlation was found for the electron density at the bond critical point (BCP; ρ BCP ) of HBs. The fitted equation for neutral complexes is BE /kcal/mol = − 223.08 × ρ BCP /a. u. + 0.7423 with a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 14.7%, while that for charged complexes is BE /kcal/mol = − 332.34 × ρ BCP /a. u. − 1.0661 with a MAPE of 10.0%. In practice, these equations may be used for a quick estimation of HB BEs, for example, for intramolecular HBs or large HB networks in biomolecules. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The phase-locked loops (PLLs) are probably the most widely used synchronization technique in grid-connected applications. The main challenge that is associated with the PLLs is how to precisely and fast estimate the phase and frequency, when the grid voltage is unbalanced and/or distorted. To overcome this challenge, incorporating moving average filter(s) (MAF) into the PLL structure has been proposed in some recent literature. An MAF is a linear-phase finite-impulse-response filter, which can act as an ideal low-pass filter, if certain conditions hold. The main aim of this paper is to present the control design guidelines for a typical MAF-based PLL. The paper starts with the general description of MAFs. The main challenge associated with using the MAFs is then explained, and its possible solutions are discussed. The paper then proceeds with a brief overview of the different MAF-based PLLs. In each case, the PLL block diagram description is shown, the advantages and limitations are briefly discussed, and the tuning approach (if available) is evaluated. The paper then presents two systematic methods to design the control parameters of a typical MAF-based PLL: one for the case of using a proportional-integral (PI) type loop filter (LF) in the PLL, and the other for the case of using a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) type LF. Finally, the paper compares the performance of a well-tuned MAF-based PLL when using the PI-type LF with the results of using the PID-type LF, which provides useful insights into their capabilities and limitations.

Natural bond orbital analysis, salvation, and substituent effects of electron-releasing (–CH 3 , –OH) and electron-withdrawing (–Cl, –NO 2 , –CF 3 ) groups at para positions on the molecular structure of synthesized 3-phenylbenzo[ d ]thiazole-2(3 H )-imine and its derivatives in selected solvents (acetone, toluene, and ethanol) and in the gas phase by employing the polarizable continuum method model are studied using the M06-2x method and 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The relative stability of the studied compounds is influenced by the possibility of intramolecular interactions between substituents and the electron donor–acceptor centers of the thiazole ring. Furthermore, atomic charges, electron density, chemical thermodynamics, energetic properties, dipole moments, and nucleus-independent chemical shifts of the studied compounds and their relative stability are considered. The dipole moment values and the highest occupied molecular orbital–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy gaps reveal different charge-transfer possibilities within the considered molecules. Finally, natural bond orbital analysis is carried out to picture the charge transfer between the localized bonds and lone pairs.

Recognition of the factors affecting the medical students' academic success is one of the most important challenges and concerns in medical schools. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the mediating effects of metacognitive learning strategies and learning-related emotions in the relationship between academic self-efficacy with academic performance in medical students. METHODS: The present study was carried out on 279 students of medicine studying at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The students filled out three questionnaires: academic emotions (AEQ), metacognitive learning strategies, and academic self-efficacy questionnaires. The data were analyzed using SPSS and Smart PLS3. RESULTS: The results of structural equation modeling revealed that the students' self-efficacy has an impact on their learning-related emotions and metacognitive learning strategies, and these, in turn, affect the students' academic performance. Moreover, learning-related emotions influence the metacognitive learning strategies, which in turn mediate the effect of emotions on academic performance. DISCUSSION: The results of this study revealed that metacognitive strategies and learning-related emotions could play a mediating role in the relationship between students' self-efficacy and academic performance.

The search for predictions of species diversity across environmental gradients has challenged ecologists for decades. The humped-back model (HBM) suggests that plant diversity peaks at intermediate productivity; at low productivity few species can tolerate the environmental stresses, and at high productivity a few highly competitive species dominate. Over time the HBM has become increasingly controversial, and recent studies claim to have refuted it. Here, by using data from coordinated surveys conducted throughout grasslands worldwide and comprising a wide range of site productivities, we provide evidence in support of the HBM pattern at both global and regional extents. The relationships described here provide a foundation for further research into the local, landscape, and historical factors that maintain biodiversity.

Significant recent developments in plant-derived nanostructures, their classes, and vital applications are discussed with insight into their use as bio-renewable, sustainable, and diversified resources for the production of useful nanostructures.

A variety of screening approaches have been proposed to diagnose epileptic seizures, using electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) modalities. Artificial intelligence encompasses a variety of areas, and one of its branches is deep learning (DL). Before the rise of DL, conventional machine learning algorithms involving feature extraction were performed. This limited their performance to the ability of those handcrafting the features. However, in DL, the extraction of features and classification are entirely automated. The advent of these techniques in many areas of medicine, such as in the diagnosis of epileptic seizures, has made significant advances. In this study, a comprehensive overview of works focused on automated epileptic seizure detection using DL techniques and neuroimaging modalities is presented. Various methods proposed to diagnose epileptic seizures automatically using EEG and MRI modalities are described. In addition, rehabilitation systems developed for epileptic seizures using DL have been analyzed, and a summary is provided. The rehabilitation tools include cloud computing techniques and hardware required for implementation of DL algorithms. The important challenges in accurate detection of automated epileptic seizures using DL with EEG and MRI modalities are discussed. The advantages and limitations in employing DL-based techniques for epileptic seizures diagnosis are presented. Finally, the most promising DL models proposed and possible future works on automated epileptic seizure detection are delineated.

Equilibrium and stability equations of a rectangular plate made of functionally graded material under thermal loads are derived, based on the classical plate theory. When it is assumed that the material properties vary as a power form of thicknesscoordinate variable z and when the variational method is used, the system of fundamental differential equations isestablished. Thederived equilibrium and stability equationsforfunctionally graded plates areidenticalwith theequationsforhomogeneousplates. Bucklinganalysisoffunctionally graded platesunderfour typesofthermalloadsiscarriedoutresultinginclosed-formsolutions.Thebucklingloadsarereducedtothecritical buckling temperature relationsfor functionally graded plates with linearcomposition of constituent materials and homogeneous plates. The results are validated with the reduction of the buckling relations for functionally graded plates to those of isotropic homogeneous plates given in the literature.

In grid-connected applications, the synchronous reference frame phase-locked loop (SRF-PLL) is a commonly used synchronization technique due to the advantages it offers such as ease of implementation and robust performance. Under ideal grid conditions, the SRF-PLL enables a fast and accurate phase/frequency detection; however, unbalanced and distorted grid conditions highly degrade its performance. To overcome this drawback, several advanced PLLs have been proposed, such as the multiple reference frame-based PLL, the dual second-order generalized integrator-based PLL, and the multiple complex coefficient filter-based PLL. In this paper, a comprehensive design-oriented study of these advanced PLLs is presented. The starting point of this study is to derive the small-signal model of the aforementioned PLLs, which simplifies the parameter design and the stability analysis. Then, a systematic design procedure to fine tune the PLLs parameters is presented. The stability margin, the transient response, and the disturbance rejection capability are the key factors that are considered in the design procedure. Finally, the experimental results are presented to support the theoretical analysis.

Green synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles is a vastly developing area of research. Metallic nanoparticles have received great attention from chemists, physicists, biologists, and engineers who wish to use them for the development of a new-generation of nanodevices. In this study, silver nanoparticles were biosynthesized from aqueous silver nitrate through a simple and eco-friendly route using Curcuma longa tuber-powder extracts, which acted as a reductant and stabilizer simultaneously. Characterizations of nanoparticles were done using different methods, which included ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The ultraviolet-visible spectrum of the aqueous medium containing silver nanoparticles showed an absorption peak at around 415 nm. Transmission electron microscopy showed that mean diameter and standard deviation for the formation of silver nanoparticles was 6.30 ± 2.64 nm. Powder X-ray diffraction showed that the particles are crystalline in nature, with a face-centered cubic structure. The most needed outcome of this work will be the development of value-added products from C. longa for biomedical and nanotechnology-based industries.

Following cancer, cells in a particular tissue can no longer respond to the factors involved in controlling cell survival, differentiation, proliferation, and death. In recent years, it has been indicated that alterations in the gut microbiota components, intestinal epithelium, and host immune system are associated with cancer incidence. Also, it has been demonstrated that the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) generated by gut microbiota are vitally crucial in cell homeostasis as they contribute to the modulation of histone deacetylases (HDACs), resulting effected cell attachment, immune cell immigration, cytokine production, chemotaxis, and the programmed cell death. Therefore, the manipulation of SCFA levels in the intestinal tract by alterations in the microbiota structure can be potentially taken into consideration for cancer treatment/prevention. In the current study, we will explain the most recent findings on the detrimental or protective roles of SFCA (particularly butyrate, propionate, and acetate) in several cancers, including bladder, colon, breast, stomach, liver, lung, pancreas, and prostate cancers.

Recently, several advanced phase-locked loop (PLL) techniques have been proposed for single-phase applications. Among these, the Park-PLL and the second-order-generalized-integrator-based PLL are very attractive, owing to their simple digital implementation, low computational burden, and desired performance under frequency-varying and harmonically distorted grid conditions. Despite the wide acceptance and use of these two advanced PLLs, no comprehensive design guidelines to fine-tune their parameters have been reported yet. Through a detailed mathematical analysis, it is shown that these two PLL structures are equivalent to each other, from the control point of view. Then, a linearized model is developed which is valid for both PLLs. The derived model significantly simplifies the stability analysis and the parameter design. To fine-tune the PLL parameters, a systematic design approach is suggested afterward, which guarantees a fast dynamic response, a high disturbance rejection ability, and a robust performance. Finally, the simulation and experimental results are presented to support the theoretical analysis.

Food consumption is an important notion in the hospitality literature. Although its role in gaining visitors’ satisfactory travel experience and in affecting tourists’ experiences of a destination is acknowledged, the impact of travelers’ local food consumption value on tourist behavior remains an underdeveloped topic. This study investigated the effect of tourists’ local food consumption value on their future behaviors by focusing on their destination food image and their attitudes toward local food. The data were collected from 891 tourists in Shiraz, Iran, through a survey-based method using structured questionnaires. Partial least square structural equation modeling was used to test the model proposed. Results indicated that taste/quality value, health value, price value, emotional value, and prestige value left a positive effect on tourist’ attitude toward local food. While destination food image did not influence the intention to visit the destination for food tourism, it positively affected the intention to recommend local food. The observations revealed marketing strategies substantially explored in the study.

The antioxidant activity of the aerial parts of Ferula assafoetida was determined by employing various in vitro assay systems. IC50 for DPPH radical-scavenging activity was 380 ± 12 mg ml-1. The extracts showed good nitric oxide-scavenging activity (IC50 was 270 ± 3) and Fe2+ chelating ability (IC50 was 0.57 ± 0.02 mg ml-1). The peroxidation inhibition (antioxidant activity) of the extracts exhibited values from 82% (at 24 hrs) and 88% (at 72 hrs). The extract exhibited a fairy weak reducing power at 25-800 μg ml-1 of extracts which was not comparable with Vitamin C (p < 0.001). The tested extracts exhibited very low antioxidant activity. In addition, the chemical composition of the essential oil of the aerial parts was determined. The major compounds were phenol, 2-methyl-5-(1-methyl ethyl) (18.2 %), α.-Bisabolol (10.4%) and Arsine triethyl (8.7 %). Total phenol compounds, as determined by the Folin Ciocalteu method, were 94.8 ± 5.9 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of extract powder and the total flavonoid content (by AlCl3 method) was 90.9 ± 6.3 mg quercetin equivalent/g of extract powder.

Hybrid lead halide perovskites have reached very large solar to electricity power conversion efficiencies, in some cases exceeding 20%. The most extensively used perovskite‐based solar cell configuration comprises CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 (MAPbI 3 ) in combination with electron (TiO 2 ) and hole 2,2′,7,7′‐tetrakis( N , N ‐di‐ p ‐methoxyphenylamine)‐9,9‐ spiro ‐bifluorene ( spiro ‐OMeTAD) selective contacts. The recognition that the solar cell performance is heavily affected by time scale of the measurement and preconditioning procedures has raised many concerns about the stability of the device and reliability for long‐time operation. Mechanisms at contacts originate observable current–voltage distortions. Two types of reactivity sources have been identified here: (i) weak Ti–I–Pb bonds that facilitate interfacial accommodation of moving iodine ions. This interaction produces a highly reversible capacitive current originated at the TiO 2 /MAPbI 3 interface, and it does not alter steady‐state photovoltaic features. (ii) An irreversible redox peak only observable after positive poling at slow scan rates. It corresponds to the chemical reaction between spiro ‐OMeTAD + and migrating I − which progressively reduces the hole transporting material conductivity and deteriorates solar cell performance.

Recently, the R\'{e}nyi and Tsallis generalized entropies have extensively been used in order to study various cosmological and gravitational setups. Here, using a special type of generalized entropy, a generalization of both the R\'{e}nyi and Tsallis entropy, together with holographic principle, we build a new model for holographic dark energy. Thereinafter, considering a flat FRW universe, filled by a pressureless component and the new obtained dark energy model, the evolution of cosmos has been investigated showing satisfactory results and behavior. In our model, the Hubble horizon plays the role of IR cutoff, and there is no mutual interaction between the cosmos components. Our results indicate that the generalized entropy formalism may open a new window to become more familiar with the nature of spacetime and its properties.

Berberine is widely used in traditional Iranian medicine to treat diabetes and inflammatory conditions. This study was aimed at developing a method for the preparation of Berberine nanoparticles (Nano-Ber) in order to improve its aqueous-phase solubility and its complex formation with human serum albumin (HSA) and holo-transferrin (HTF) from the viewpoint of interaction behavior. Nano-Ber was prepared with olive oil as the oil phase, Tween 80 as the surfactant and Span 60 as the co-surfactant. Nano-Ber was obtained with a spherical shape and a mean particle size of 43.7 ± 3.6 nm, with an optimal oil:surfactant:co-surfactant ratio of 1:2:2, w/w/w. The antioxidant activity of Nano-Ber in comparison with Berberine was tested using DPPH and it was found that Nano-Ber had a large antioxidant activity. The cytotoxicity effects of Nano-Ber and Berberine on HepG2 were compared by MTT assay and detected in the treated HepG2 cells at concentrations up to 0.1 mM. The binding constants of HSA-Nano-Ber and HTF-Nano-Ber complexes formation were (2.93 ± 0.02) × 104 and (9.62 ± 0.03) × 103 M−1, respectively. Hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions were the predominant forces in the HSA-Nano-Ber and HTF-Nano-Ber complexes, and the process of Nano-Ber binding HSA and HTF was driven by ΔH0 = –122.76 kJ mol−1, ΔS0 = –325.49 J mol−1K−1 for HSA and ΔH0 = –125.09 kJ mol−1, ΔS0 = –43.37 J mol−1K−1 for HTF. The results of the simulation demonstrated that the Nano-Ber molecules were stabilized on the surface of final aggregates through both hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions.Communicated by Ramaswamy Sarma