Background: Assisted hatching techniques are utilized to facilitate the embryo escape out of the zona pellucida and increase the pregnancy rates in IVF centers. The objective of this study was to evaluate if Assisted hatching improved the rates of pregnancy for in-vitro fertilization, in Isfahan Infertility Center.Materials and methods: This case-control study was carried out on 296 infertile patients. Patients with Assisted hatching were 131 (case group) and non-treated patients were 165 (control group). Patients' age, number of oocytes aspirated, number of oocytes fertilized, and numbers of embryos transferred were matched. The pregnancy was determined by positive b-HCG, 14 days after transfer; and implantation was defined as presence of gestational sac in uterus on sonography. Statistical analysis was done with the student t-test and X2 test. A Pvalue of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: No significant difference was noted in the mean age of patients, the number of oocytes aspirated, the number of oocytes fertilized, and the number of embryos transferred between the case and control groups. In addition, no significant difference was observed in the rates of pregnancy between the hatched and control groups (22.9% versus 20.6%, respectively).Conclusion: Assisted hatching has no significant impact on pregnancy rates in the patients population studied. Further data are needed to determine if Assisted hatching has beneficial effect on pregnancy rate.

Salbutamol is a short-acting, selective beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist used in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In this work a salbutamol selective nanocomposite sensor based on ion-pair as a sensing element, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), graphite powder and paraffin oil is constructed. The optimized composition of 7% MWCNTs, 20% Ionophore, 20% paraffin oil and 53% graphite powder shows a Nernestian response of 29. 1± 0. 4 in the range of 5×10-6-1×10-2 mol L-1. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes are used because of electrical conductivity and remarkable mechanical strength. The proposed carbon paste electrode can be used over the pH range of 3. 5– 10 and has a detection limit of 3. 0×10-6 mol L-1. This method is used to salbutamol recognition in pure solutions and pharmaceutical preparations with high accuracy and precision.

The removal of nitrate concentrations above international drinking water standards is a prominent task of governments. In this regard, various technologies such as reverse osmosis, biological denitrification, electrodialysis, and capacitive deionization (CDI) as an electrochemical approach have been used for nitrate removal from water. In the present research study, a novel composite electrode named E2 was synthesized and used to improve the efficiency of the membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI) process for increasing the electrosorption capacity of nitrate from water. E1 as a based electrode composed of activated carbon (AC), PVDF, and E2 as an optimal electrode containing (AC), PVDF, ZrO2, and PANi-ES were utilized. The morphology and structure of the composite electrode were determined using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) techniques. Also, the cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods were applied to investigate the electrochemical behavior of the electrodes. In the MCDI process with the presence of the E2 electrode, the amounts of separated nitrate ion and its adsorption efficiency were 7. 51 mg/g and 81. 6%, respectively, this demonstrated that the capacity of the adsorbed nitrate ion by the MCDI process was 30. 34% higher than the CDI process. On the other hand, the E2 electrode, compared to the E1 electrode, ameliorated the performance by almost 50% of the amount of adsorbed nitrate ion and also ion adsorption efficiency during the CDI and MCDI processes.

Based on the review of the previous researches, more than 50% of the cost of ceramic parts is related to machining costs, about silicon nitride (Si3N4), which is one of the most important engineering ceramics, while up to 80% has been reported. This ceramic has a combination of desirable properties such as wear and corrosion resistance and high hardness. Due to the high tool wear in machining process, the use of traditional methods is not appropriate. The electrical discharging machining process is a method that can machined all conductive materials without regard to mechanical and metallurgical properties, but machining of non-conducting ceramics such as silicon nitride is not normally possible by electrical discharging machining process. Therefore, in this research, the Assisted electrode method has been used to perform the electrical discharge machining of silicon nitride ceramics. After preparing ceramic samples, copper-carbon bilayer and single copper layer were coating on the Si3N4 and they were successfully machined. In order to further examine the machined surface, imaging was performed by SEM. The results show that an increase in material removal rate in two-layer coating compared to single-layer coating. Also, after finishing machining process, EDX analysis was performed from the surface of ceramic workpiece, which indicates the presence of carbon and copper elements in the machined surface. In addition, the copper tool wear ratio in two-layer coating is less than that of single-layer coating.

This study explores the electrochemical storage potential of Ag₂Se nanosphere electrode material synthesized via a hydrothermal method, demonstrating their applicability in supercapacitors. Comprehensive structural, morphological, and optical analyses were conducted using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV-visible spectroscopy, confirming the formation of Ag₂Se nanospheres. Supercapacitive performance was assessed through cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in a three-electrode configuration using KOH as the electrolyte. The Ag₂Se nanospheres exhibited high pseudocapacitive behavior, delivering a specific capacitance of 437.5 F/g, an energy density of 29.5 Wh/kg, and a power density of 89.32 W/kg, positioning them as effective energy storage materials. Notably, the nanospheres displayed remarkable cyclic stability, retaining 90% of their capacitance after 100 cycles, underscoring their durability for long-term applications. These findings suggest that Ag₂Se nanospheres offer a promising balance between high performance and cyclic stability, making them suitable candidates for advanced supercapacitor applications.

Objective: COVID-19 can have potential pathogenic effects on the oocyte and embryos, but there is limited data about its impact. This study aimed to investigate the COVID-19 impact on the outcome of Assisted Reproduction Techniques (ART) methods. Materials and methods: This case-control study was conducted on 190 infertile women who underwent oocyte retrieval at Yas Hospital in vitro fertilization (IVF) department affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences, from October 2021 to October 2022. The case group was defined as women whose PCR test was positive on puncture day and the control group was women with COVID-19 negative tests on puncture day. The study outcome measurements included the number of oocytes retrieved and the number and quality of embryos. Finally, the data were analyzed by SPSS 24. Results: The mean age of the participants was 32.89 ± 5.58 years with an age range of 18-49 years. No significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding baseline variables.  The mean number of oocytes was significantly (p =0.001) lower in the case (6.68±4.25) group versus the control (9.07±4.10) group. While there was no statistically significant difference regarding the mean number of embryos in the study groups, No grade A embryos were observed in more than half (57.5%) of the women in the case group. Furthermore, the frequency of grade C embryos on average was 1.08±1.11 in the case group and 0.57±0.75 in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (p =0.010). Conclusion: The findings of this research highlighted that women infected with COVID-19 on the puncture day have a lower number of oocytes and also good-quality embryos.

Nanocrystalline ZnO particles were prepared by a novel sonochemical route from zinc acetate and sodium hydroxide without any requirement of calcination steps at high temperature and without surfactants. Variations in several parameters and their effects on the structural (crystal size and morphology) properties of nanoparticles were investigated. Characterizations were carried out by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), IR spectroscopy, Thermal Gravimetry Analysis and Diffrential Thermal Analysis (TGA/DTA).

Background: In resent years, crime rate has been increased. The aim of this study was to evaluate the computer Assisted hand tracing overlay method for bite mark analysis.methods: Impressions of both, maxillary as well as mandibular arches of 50 consenting volunteers were taken and dentition casts were prepared. Tracing by hand was manually done, and computer Assisted overlay comparison was carried out.Results: Out of 2500 cross matches, expected result should have been 50 true positives and 2450 true negatives. In our study there were 38 true positive, 2406 true negatives, 44 false positive and 12 false negative matches in maxillary comparison, 44 true positive, 2424 true negatives, 26 false positive and 6 false negative matches in mandibular comparison and 31 true positive, 2446 true negatives, 4 false positive and 19 false negative matches when complete dentition (maxillary and mandibular) comparison was done. Hence this method showed significantly high false positive and true negative cases.Conclusion: We conclude that this computer Assisted hand tracing overlay method for bite mark analysis helps in arriving at an exclusion rather than inclusion type of identification, owing to its high true negative cases.

Background and Objectives: Ulva rigida is a type of green algae, belonging to the chlorophyta,which is known as a source of carotenoid pigments and chlorophyll due to its numerous chemical compounds. In this research, the extraction of carotenoid pigment was optimized using ultrasound-Assisted method by response surface methodology. Materials and methods: green algae Ulva rigida,In May 2022, fresh from the north of Qeshm Island, Direstan coast (Deirestan Gulf), the boundary of the region,The long slope up to Nakhzah and Salakh harbors, with latitude 260732329 and longitude 550848291, was taken. in order to,Optimizing the conditions of carotenoid extraction, using the response surface methodology, with three independent variables,ultrasonic power (5-300 W), ultrasonic time (1. 59-18. 40 minutes) and biomass-to-solvent ratio (1. 63-8. 46%). Findings: Optimizing carotenoid extraction conditions using ultrasound-Assisted method showed that All independent variables had a significant effect on the efficiency of carotenoids extraction (p<, 0. 05). In the optimum condition of carotenoid extraction using ultrasound-Assisted method (ratio of biomass to solvent is 5. 57%,ultrasonic power 177. 38 W and ultrasonic time 9. 93 min), carotenoid content and extraction efficiency were 0. 99 ±,0. 08 µ, g/ml and 18. 03% respectively. Conclusion: The content and the extraction efficiency of carotenoid using ultrasound-Assisted technology increased 4 times compared to the conventional extraction method. Therefore, using ultrasound-Assisted method for extraction of carotenoids from Ulva rigida were considered as an effective process.