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Objective. Analysis of functional and structural brain networks has suggested that major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with a disruption in brain networks. This paper aims to investigate the abnormalities of brain networks in MDD. Approach. To this aim, we constructed weighted directed functional networks based on electroencephalography (EEG) signals of 26 MDD patients and 23 normal (N) subjects. The nodes of networks were 19 EEG electrodes, and the edges were phase transfer entropy (PTE) between each pair of electrodes. PTE is a model-free, phase-based effective connectivity measure that is relatively robust to noise and linear mixing. Since the correct instantaneous phase of a signal is computed for narrow frequency bands, the networks were analyzed in eight frequency sub-bands including delta, theta, alpha1, alpha2, beta1, beta2, beta3, and beta4. To assess the alteration in the topology of brain networks in MDD patients, graph theory metrics consisting of global efficiency, local efficiency, node betweenness centrality, node degree, and node strength were analyzed by statistical tests and classification. Furthermore, directed differential connectivity graphs (dDCGs) for the MDD and N groups were studied. Main results. These analyses revealed a higher node degree and strength in the dDCGs of the MDD group than the normal group. It was also found that MDD brain networks have a more randomized structure than the N group. Moreover, our results indicated that the out-degree of networks classified MDD and N subjects with an accuracy of 92%; thus, our method can be considered as a powerful tool for depression detection. Significance. Our analysis may provide new insights into developing biomarkers for depression detection based on brain networks.

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Introduction: Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylene (BTEX) as the ozone precursors have been classified as the hazardous air pollutants because of their negative effects on humans. This article presents the results of the first assessment of source identification, spatial distribution and BTEX's Ozone- Forming Potential (OFP) in Zarand. Materials and methods: The current study was conducted at 30 geographically separated locations, in Zarand, Kerman, southeastern Iran, during the summer and winter of 2020. BTEX samples were collected using passive samplers and then analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Spatial variations were surveyed using the Kriging method in GIS. Results: Total BTEX levels (79.26±26.87 µg/m3) during the summer were greater than their levels in the winter (37.38±29.18 µg/m3). The ranking of BTEX level in all samples followed as: toluene>m,p-xylene>o- xylene>ethylbenzene>benzene. The overall OFP of 374.79±135.08 µg/m3 in the summer and 172.61±148.81 µg/m3 in the winter were more than 100 µg/m3 as recommended guideline defined by World Health Organization (WHO), with toluene having the highest potential. Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, BTEX relative abundances in all samples were toluene>m,p-xylene>o- xylene>ethylbenzene>benzene. Despite of concerns among inhabitants and workers, benzene concentration was lower than other studied species. Control measures such as management of fuel use in motor vehicles and industries and development of green space must be adopted to attenuate the level of toluene in the atmosphere in the studied area.

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