Bahman Akbari

Bio: Bahman Akbari is an academic researcher from Islamic Azad University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Epidermal growth factor receptor & Acceptance and commitment therapy. The author has an hindex of 11, co-authored 73 publications receiving 489 citations. Previous affiliations of Bahman Akbari include Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences & Tabriz University of Medical Sciences.

Immunotoxins in cancer therapy: Review and update.

Abstract: Immunotoxins are a novel class of cancer therapeutics that contains a cytotoxic agent fused to a targeting moiety. Various toxic agents from different sources are used in immunotoxin development, including bacterial, plant and human origin cytotoxic elements. Although bacterial and plant-derived toxins are highly toxic and commonly used in immunotoxins, their immunogenicity for human restricted their application in cancer therapy. Here, we discuss the advantages and limitations of bacterial toxins such as Pseudomonas and Diphtheria toxins, plant toxins such as ricin and gelonin, and some endogenous protein of human origin such as RNases and Granzymes. This article will also review different generations of immunotoxins with special focus on immunotoxins which are under clinical trials or approved for clinical use. Finally, current deimmunization strategies for development of new less-immunogenic recombinant immunotoxins will be discussed.Abbreviations: mAbs: Monoclonal antibodies; EF2: elongation f...

Evolution of phage display technology: from discovery to application

Abstract: Phage display technology as a selection-based system is an attractive method for evolution of new biological drugs. Unique ability of phage libraries for displaying proteins on bacteriophage surfaces enable them to make a major contribution in diverse fields of researches related to the diagnosis and therapy of diseases. One of the great challenges facing researchers is the modification of phage display technology and the development of new applications. This article reviews the molecular basis of phage display library, and summarizes the novel and specific applications of this technique in the field of biological drugs development including therapeutic antibodies, peptides, vaccines, and catalytic antibodies.

Coseismic Deformation Field of the Mw 7.3 12 November 2017 Sarpol-e Zahab (Iran) Earthquake: A Decoupling Horizon in the Northern Zagros Mountains Inferred from InSAR Observations

Abstract: The study of crustal deformation fields caused by earthquakes is important for a better understanding of seismic hazard and growth of geological structures in tectonically active areas. In this study, we present, using interferometric measurements constructed from Sentinel-1 Terrain Observation with Progressive Scan (TOPS) data and ALOS-2 ScanSAR, coseismic deformation and source model of the Mw 7.3, 12 November 2017 earthquake that hit northwest of the Zagros Mountains in the region between Iran–Iraq border. This was one of the strongest seismic events to hit this region in the past century, and it resulted in an uplift area of about 3500 km2 between the High Zagros Fault (HZF) and Mountain Front Fault (MFF) with a maximum amount of 70 cm south of Miringe fault. A subsidence over an area of 1200 km2 with a maximum amount of 35 cm occurred near Vanisar village at the hanging wall of the HZF. Bayesian inversion of interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) observations suggests a source model at a depth between 14 and 20 km that is consistent with the existence of a decoupling horizon southwest edge of the northern portion of the Zagros Mountains near the MFF. Moreover, we present evidence for a number of coseismically induced rockslides and landslides, the majority of them which occurred along or close to pre-existing faults, causing decorrelation in differential interferograms. Exploiting the offset-tracking technique, we estimated surface motion by up to 34 and 10 m in horizontal and vertical directions, respectively, due to lateral spreading on a big coseismic-induced landslide near Mela-Kabod. Field observations also revealed several zones of en echelon fractures and crack zones developed along a pre-existing fault passing through Qasr-e Shirin City, which exhibited secondary surface slip by up to 14 cm along its strike.

Monitoring Landslides and Tectonic Motions with the Permanent Scatterers Technique

Abstract: Spaceborne differential synthetic aperture radar interferometry (DInSAR) has already proven its potential for mapping ground deformation phenomena, e.g. volcano dynamics. However, atmospheric disturbances as well as phase decorrelation have prevented hitherto this technique from achieving full operational capability. These drawbacks are overcome by carrying out measurements on a subset of image pixels corresponding to pointwise stable reflectors (Permanent Scatterers, PS) and exploiting long temporal series of interferometric data. Results obtained by processing 55 images acquired by the European Space Agency (ESA) ERS SAR sensors over Southern California show that the PS approach pushes measurement accuracy very close to its theoretical limit (about 1 mm), allowing the description of millimetric deformation phenomena occurring in a complex fault system. A comparison with corresponding displacement time series relative to permanent GPS stations of the Southern California Integrated GPS network (SCIGN) is carried out. Moreover, the pixel-by-pixel character of the PS analysis allows the exploitation of individual phase stable radar targets in low-coherence areas. This makes spaceborne interferometric measurements possible in vegetated areas, as long as a sufficient spatial density of individual isolated man-made structures or exposed rocks is available. The evolution of the Ancona landslide (central Italy) was analysed by processing 61 ERS images acquired in the time span between June 1992 and December 2000. The results have been compared with deformation values detected during optical levelling campaigns ordered by the Municipality of Ancona. The characteristics of PS, GPS and optical levelling surveying are to some extent complementary: a synergistic use of the three techniques could strongly enhance quality and reliability of ground deformation monitoring. D 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Sensation Seeking and Internet Dependence of Taiwanese High School Adolescents

Abstract: The present study examined excessive Internet use of Taiwanese adolescents and a psychological aspect of users, sensation seeking, thus to differentiate motivation of Internet dependents and non-dependents. Seven hundred and fifty three Taiwanese high school students were selected using cluster sampling and 88 of them were categorized as Internet dependent users. Results indicated that Internet dependents spent more time on-line than non-dependents. While Internet dependents perceived significantly more negative Internet influences on daily routines, school performance, and parental relation than non-dependents, both Internet dependents and non-dependents viewed Internet use as enhancing peer relations. Making friends through the Internet has become a popular activity among adolescents, potentially leading to its excessive use. Internet dependents scored significantly higher on overall sensation seeking and disinhibition than Internet non-dependents. However, both groups did not differ in the life experience seeking subscale and thrill and adventure seeking subscale. This finding contradicts that of Lavin, Marvin, McLarney, Nola, and Scott [CyberPsychol. Behav. 2 (2000) 425]. Possible reasons for this discrepancy and for the relation between Internet dependence and disinhibition in Taiwanese adolescents are also discussed.

Complex hazard cascade culminating in the Anak Krakatau sector collapse.

Abstract: Flank instability and sector collapses, which pose major threats, are common on volcanic islands. On 22 Dec 2018, a sector collapse event occurred at Anak Krakatau volcano in the Sunda Strait, triggering a deadly tsunami. Here we use multiparametric ground-based and space-borne data to show that prior to its collapse, the volcano exhibited an elevated state of activity, including precursory thermal anomalies, an increase in the island’s surface area, and a gradual seaward motion of its southwestern flank on a dipping decollement. Two minutes after a small earthquake, seismic signals characterize the collapse of the volcano’s flank at 13:55 UTC. This sector collapse decapitated the cone-shaped edifice and triggered a tsunami that caused 430 fatalities. We discuss the nature of the precursor processes underpinning the collapse that culminated in a complex hazard cascade with important implications for the early detection of potential flank instability at other volcanoes. On 22 December 2018, the western flank of Anak Krakatau collapsed into the sea of the Sunda Strait triggering a tsunami which killed approximately 430 people and displaced 33,000. Here, the authors show that Anak Krakatau exhibited an elevated state of activity several months prior to the collapse, including precursory thermal anomalies, an increase in the island’s surface area, and a gradual seaward motion of the southwestern flank.

Water quality prediction using machine learning methods

Abstract: This study investigates the performance of artificial intelligence techniques including artificial neural network (ANN), group method of data handling (GMDH) and support vector machine (SVM) for predicting water quality components of Tireh River located in the southwest of Iran. To develop the ANN and SVM, different types of transfer and kernel functions were tested, respectively. Reviewing the results of ANN and SVM indicated that both models have suitable performance for predicting water quality components. During the process of development of ANN and SVM, it was found that tansig and RBF as transfer and kernel functions have the best performance among the tested functions. Comparison of outcomes of GMDH model with other applied models shows that although this model has acceptable performance for predicting the components of water quality, its accuracy is slightly less than ANN and SVM. The evaluation of the accuracy of the applied models according to the error indexes declared that SVM was the most accurate model. Examining the results of the models showed that all of them had some over-estimation properties. By evaluating the results of the models based on the DDR index, it was found that the lowest DDR value was related to the performance of the SVM model.