Introduction Flood has been one of the natural disasters in the world in the past decades, which has had many economic, social, and environmental consequences. In recent years, the increase in population, and the lack of attention to the capacities of the environment, and the improper use of resources have caused the spread of damages, and this problem reveals the necessity of applying efficient management for mitigating flood damages. Therefore, flood zoning, which includes determining the range of flood progress and its height, and also the characteristics of floods in different return periods, is very important. Since the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad is one of the largest and most important scientific centers in the country and is located at the bottom of several large urban basins, this research was conducted with the aim of assessing the flood risk in the campus of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Materials and Methods In this study, in order to investigate the characteristics of floods entering the campus of the university, the inlets flow to the campus of the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, which includes the four main inlet branches of Ab_o Bargh, Pazhuhesh, Loizan, and Chahar Cheshme were investigated. Due to the urban development, conversion of natural lands into residential surfaces, and encroachment of watercourses in the studied area, disturbance of the natural channels and the reduction of their capacity has occurred which has been effective in the hydrologic and hydraulic behavior of these areas. For this purpose, the map obtained from Mashhad District Nine municipality was reviewed and revised with the help of field observations, slope direction, the topography of the area, the use of Google Earth satellite images and geographic information system (ArcGIS software), and the changes and also the real borders for the related catchment was identified. The inflow data generated based on the amount of precipitation in the upstream area of the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad campus, including discharges with return periods of 25 and 50 years, were collected from Razavi Khorasan Regional Water Company. The input flows to each channel were calculated based on the upstream area of that channel based on the values of the total area of the upstream basin, based on Krieger's second equation. Then, using the HEC-RAS model and the HEC-GeoRAS extension, floods with different return periods were zoned and simulated in the channels inside the campus, and problematic areas were identified. In the present research, in order to collect the required data, it was necessary to have field visits in the study area to make the necessary measurements in addition to data obtained from the relevant organizations. In this regard, to measure the parameters of slope, width, and height of water transmission channels as well as the roughness of the channels in the campus of the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, several sections of these channels were observed and evaluated in different branches. For these measurements, different tools such as an inclinometer, Jalon, and geological meter were used. Results and Discussion The results showed that the canals in the studied area have the ability to transfer floods with a return period of two and ten years, but with the increase of the return period, it becomes flooded due to the low height of the bridges in some sections. Based on these results, in the area of ​​the final outlet of the campus and also the Ab_o Bargh canal, floods with a return period of 25 years and above will cause some problems due to the presence of various obstacles. Also in parts of the Pazhuhesh channel, floods with a return period of 50 years and above would cause damage. Considering the importance and location of the campus of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and the possibility of damage caused by discharges of more than 10 years of floods in this area, in this research various scenarios were proposed for the exit section of the campus to increase the capacity of the channel for floods with different return periods. These five scenarios which have been proposed and tested in this research are as follows: First scenario: removing the protection bars of the bridge opening. The second scenario: reopening one of the blocked openings of the bridge on the exit section. Third scenario: reopening one of the openings together with removing protective bars. Fourth scenario: reopening both blocked openings of the bridge on the exit section. Fifth scenario: reopening both blocked openings together with removing protective bars. According to the results obtained from flood zoning in this research, at the water entrance of Ab_o Bargh, discharges with return periods of 25 years and above, and also in parts of the Pazhuhesh area, discharges with return periods of 50 years and above have the potential to cause damage. Therefore, it is suggested that by constructing a protective wall on the left and right banks of these areas, the transfer capacity of these parts should be increased and adapted for discharges with a return period of up to 50 years. For this purpose, the considered protective wall in these sections has a height of 1.5 m and is considered to be 0.5 m away from the left and right banks. With the construction of these walls, discharge with a return period of 50 years has the ability to pass without causing damage. Conclusion Assessment of the results showed Examination of sections and modeling results show that all sections have the ability to pass floods with a return period of up to 10 years. Also, it is possible to prevent the risk of flooding in the campus of the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad by modifying sections in the outlet of the campus and creating a protective wall in the areas of Ab_o Bargh and Pazhuhesh canals to prevent the risk of flooding until the return period of 50 years. According to the obtained results, the largest area of flooding in different return periods on the campus of the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad is related to the final exit section of the campus.

Extensive impervious area and the man-made streams are the characteristics of urban areas. In recent years, rapid urbanization has led to change of rural areas into urban areas, and urban runoff will increase as the result of spread and growth of impervious areas. Land use changes, increasing urbanization, unauthorized construction, inefficiency of sewage system and increased impervious surface in urban areas have significant impacts on inundation hazard. Therefore, to manage urban areas and prioritize regions to inundation elimination problems, the area most affected by inundation should be determined. In this study, the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) is used to simulate the rainfall-runoff in the study area. The simulated runoff in the SWMM model is used as input to the HEC-RAS model and determines inundation hazard zones in 5, 25 and 50 return periods. Then, six factors such as distance from the main channel, slope, land use, drainage density, the main channel slope and elevation were selected to determine inundation hazard map using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The results showed that the combined model (SWMM and HEC-RAS) was suitable to analyze urban inundation and determine inundation hazard zones on urban areas. Simulated results can be used to develop urban inundation hazard forecasts. In addition, the result of inundation hazard map indicates that 8.2% of the case study is determined as a high hazard zone.

Biochar as an organic amendment improves soil attributes, with a potentially significant effect on soil chemical fertility and quality. The main objective of this study was to quantify the effect of biochar addition on nutrients, carbon sequestration and microbial activity and understand the mechanisms of controlling biochar effects in calcareous soils. Maize residue biochars produced at 200, 400 and 600 °C were added at 5 and 10 g kg−1 rates to sandy loam and clayey texture calcareous soils. The soil properties measured were pH and electrical conductivity (EC), plant-available potassium (K) and available phosphorus (P), total nitrogen (TN), C sequestration; and the fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis activity. Addition of raw material and biochars increased pH (0.15–0.46 units), EC (0.14–0.38 dS m−1), TN (63–120%), K (12–41%) and FDA activity (27–280%), but tended to decrease plant-available P (23–86%). Increasing pyrolysis temperature increased soil C pool index (CPI), but decreased the FDA and the changes depended largely upon the application rate and soil texture. The positive effects of biochar addition and its pyrolysis temperature on soil C sequestration potential were more pronounced at high than low application rate and in sandy loam than clayey soils. Nevertheless, the effect of biochar addition and pyrolysis temperature on the FDA activity was higher at high than low application rates, but lower in sandy loam than clayey soils. Although biochar application may successfully improve soil processes and attributes and have a high potential for C sequestration, its effects are controlled by soil texture, pyrolysis temperature and application rate.

ratios as 100:0, 80:20, 60:40, and 40:60. The application of NO3and NH4 + at ratio 40:60 caused a reduction in flower height, stem and disk diameter, number of flowers, inflorescence fresh and dry weight, and vase life. Results indicated that N, P and NH4 + concentrations were enhanced in leaves of gerbera cultivars by increase of NH4 + ratio, whereas K, Ca, Mg, and nitrate were decreased. As compared to ‘Double Dutch’, the ‘Stanza’ cultivar could uptake more of N, P, and Mg. Inversely, ‘Double Dutch’ was able to uptake more of K and Ca than ‘Stanza’. Defined optimal ratio of NO3 ̄:NH4 + 80:20 could be used for gerbera production in vegetative and reproductive stages.

Urban Inundation Hazard Potential using Evidential Belief Function model (EBF) (Case study: Emam Ali town, Mashhad city)

Seismic Potential Investigation in SE Tehran (in Vicinity of Mamlouk and Ghasre Firouzeh Fault) Base on Stress Trajectories

In this study, a multi-objective mathematical model is developed to optimize the distribution network in a three level supply chain based on the inventory location- models with the aim of locating distribution centers. also, appropriate allocation of customers in order to maximize coverage of the demand, increasing sales through discount policies and ultimately improving the transportation system by selling the package of products agaainst individual sales is considered.On the other hand, the policy of selling pakages, Increases the total sales and their profit margin by creating appropriate price for the customrers. Due to the circumstances, each distribution center has specific reliability level which the proposed model try to maximize it. In order to make the model more realistic, some parameters have been considered under conditions of uncertainty and robust planning techniques have been used to solve it, finally, to validate the presented model, and instance according to real-world problems were solved by GAMS software. The Results are presented in details

This experiment was performed to evaluate the effect of different growing media on nutrient uptake and yield of gerbera flower under soilless culture system. The experiment was performed using 10 treatments as follows: fine sand, peat+fine sand (25%+75%), peat+fine sand (50%+50%), perlite+peat (75%+25%), perlite+peat (50%+50%), perlite+peat (25%+75%), perlite+peat+expanded clay (25%+70%+5%), perlite+peat+ expanded clay (50%+25%+25%), perlite+peat+expanded clay (25%+50%+25%), peat+expanded clay (50%+50%), in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results indicated that planting beds had a statistically significant effect on the morphological characteristics and macro and micronutrients in plants. Media containing perlite (25%) + peat (70%) + expanded clay (5%) led to higher flower number (207 m2/year), flower disk diameter (12.4 cm), shoot diameter (0.8 cm), shoot neck diameter (0.58 cm), flower height (54.5 cm), and vase life (11.6 days). Plants growing in this treatment, showed the highest levels of mineral nutrients in their leaves, as concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were 4.17, 0.8, and 4.34 percent, respectively and micronutrients concentration such as iron, manganese, zinc, copper, and boron were 155.73, 194.83, 148.56, 44.92, and 51.5 mg kg-1 leaf dry weight, respectively. Therefore, it is concluded that good production was related to higher nutrients uptake from the growing media and can be proposed as a media for commercial gerbera planting.

Experimental and numerical study of scouring pattern on the direct and polo-shaped groynes have been investigated in this paper. In this study, direct and polo-shaped groynes models with a length of 0.12 meter have been used in discharges of 10.5, 15, 20 liters per second in a direct flume. The results showed that the maximum scour depth formed around the groyne head of direct and polo-shaped types has increased with augmentation of flow discharge, which was 0.095 and 0.104 meter in the case of 20 L/s discharge respectively. Also, the width of scour hole was 2.25 and 2 times of effective length of the groyne in direct and polo-shaped groynes respectively. In this regards, maximum scour depth around the head of groyne was seen 0.87 and 0.79 times of the effective length of the groyne. Sand form located at downstream of the direct groyne at the distance of 0.09 and 0.15 meters from the side wall of direct groyne was stretched and extended to about 1.3 times of the channel width as well. While the length of the sand form for direct groyne was 1.15 times of the channel width. Overall, the dimensions of the scour hole around the polo-shaped groyne, was less than the direct groyne. In addition to understanding the hydraulic behaviour around the groyne, Flow3D software was used. Statistical survey of the results obtained by experimental and numerical models attested that the relative error of the numerical model could be about 20%, which shows an appropriate performance of using Flow3D for predicting the maximum scour depth.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the response of soil arylsulfatase (ARS) kinetic and thermodynamic parameters to biochar application. The kinetic parameters including V-max , K-m and catalytic efficiency (V-max K-m(-1)) as well as thermodynamic ones (E-a, Delta H-a and Q(10)) were determined in two different textured clayey and sandy loam soils amended with 0.5 and 1.0% (w/w) of unpyrolyzed maize residue (UMR) or its biochars prepared at 200 and 600 degrees C (B200 and B600, respectively). The results showed that the application of amendments to sandy loam soil increased enzymatic activity (16-106%), K-m (37-113%) and the enzyme concentration (V-max) (13-39%), whereas the V-max K-m(-1) (38-86%), E-a (6-21%) and Q(10 )(8-11%) were decreased in the biocharamended soils compared to the unamended control (CK). In clayey soil, biochar addition increased ARS activity (16-150%) and decreased the V max (10-41%), V-max K-m(-1) (63-355%), E-a (20-63%) and Q(10) (10-32%) and had no significant effect on K-m. Generally, the effects of the amendments application were greater at 1% than 0.5% application rate and in clayey than sandy loam soil. Soil texture is a determinant factor in soil arylsulfatase response (activity, kinetics and thermodynamics) to biochar application.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease usually occurs when serious damages have occurred in the brain and common treatments are ineffective in preventing it. One of the RNAs involved in Alzheimer's disease is a long noncoding RNA, called BDNF antisense (BDNF-AS). The aim of this study is to determine the presence and compare the BDNF-AS levels in plasma of Alzheimer's patients and healthy subjects, and to evaluate its potential as a plasma marker for Alzheimer's disease. METHODS: In this case-control study, 30 patients with late-stage Alzheimer's disease and 30 healthy subjects without neurological disease who matched the patients in terms of age were selected by a specialist according to the criteria for clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and their intravenous blood samples were collected. The plasma of the blood samples was isolated and total plasma RNA was extracted. After cDNA synthesis, the presence of BDNF-AS in plasma was examined by PCR. Finally, the relative level of BDNF-AS transcripts in plasma samples of patients with Alzheimer's disease and healthy subjects was evaluated using Real Time PCR. FINDINGS: The results of this study showed that long noncoding RNA BDNF-AS was present in the plasma of patients and controls. Comparison of Real Time PCR data showed that BDNF-AS levels in the plasma of patients (0.107±0.021) showed significant increase compared to healthy subjects (0.039 ± 0.006). CONCLUSION: The results of this preliminary study indicate that the levels of long noncoding RNA BDNF-AS in plasma can be used as a blood/plasma marker for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

Nutrition is the cornerstone of plant production. Here, efforts have been made to study the effect of different nutrient solutions from the Netherlands floriculture companies (S1; Schreurs, S2: Florist, and S3: Research Station for Floriculture and Greenhouse Vegetables(RSFGV) on two gerbera cultivars (‘Stanza’ and ‘Double Dutch’). Total chlorophyll index (SPAD), flower harvest per plant, flower stem height, disk diameter, total carbohydrate, lignin, and cell membrane stability were significantly affected by treatments. The highest number of cut flowers was harvested in RSFGV solution which was about 24% and 50% more than Florist and Schreurs solutions, respectively. Schreurs’s solution showed the best impact on cell membrane stability, total carbohydrate, and lignin production. Flowers stem height, disk diameter, and hemi-cellulose content were significantly increased by RSFGV solution. The cultivar ‘Double Dutch’ showed the highest cell membrane stability, total carbohydrate, hemi-cellulose, lignin, and vase life. Flower stem height was highest in the cultivar ‘Stanza’. The interaction of nutrient solution and cultivar affected the studied parameters significantly, and the highest vase life was obtained in the cultivar ‘Double Dutch’ fertigated with Schreurs solution (11.4 d). Results indicated that Schreurs and RSFGV solutions could be the proper solutions for producing high-quality cut gerberas commercially.

Hassan Abad Region is located 180 kilomteres to the northeast of Esfahan along Uremia – Dokhtar Magmatic Belt. Most outcrops in this region belong to Eocene volcanic activity with rhyolite and tuff composition. The rhyolites consist of quartz, plagioclase, alkali feldspar minerals and glass fragments. The tuffs are of crystaline, vitric and ignimbrite typecropping out as interconnected domes along the great fault of Qom – Zofreh with a northern – southern trend. According to geochemical studies and diagrams, the constituent magma of the respective rocks with rholitic composition is classified in calc-alkaline series, and based on spider diagrams of the samples in the studied area, originates from partial melting of custral rocks. Discordant trends of Uremia – Dokhtar Belt and reverse faults as well as regional dykes according to Rieldel model imply that most volcanic and volcanoclastic rocks are subject to simple shear stress in the shear – compressional system (Bargowhar and Marbin – Rangan faults and Kachumesghal – Ganyan fault).

Separating erosion data and assessing season-based models are of great importance considering the variation in soil erosion processes in different seasons, especially in semi-arid regions. However, evaluation of an erosion model using seasonal classification of data and at a micro-watershed level have rarely been considered. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the modified universal soil loss equation (MUSLE): 1) with the seasonal classification of data and 2) with the traditional approach (no classification of data), in the Sanganeh research micro-watershed. This watershed has an area of 1.2 ha and is located in the north east of Iran. The results showed that the original MUSLE overestimated the sediment yield in the study watershed. Also, after calibration of MUSLE, the seasonal classification of data (with a relative estimation error (RE) of 34%) showed its superior performance compared with the traditional calibration approach (with a RE of 62%). In this regard, the obtained REs of 33, 40, and 31% respectively for spring, autumn, and winter are within or close to the acceptable range.

Metabolic syndrome is defined by a constellation of interconnected physiological, biochemical, clinical, and metabolic factors that directly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and all-cause mortality. Recently, studies demonstrated that elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration has emerged as an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was evaluating of association between components of metabolic syndrome and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in patients with metabolic syndrome compared with healthy persons. In a cross sectional case control study, 150 patients with metabolic syndrome compared with 150 healthy persons enrolled. Body mass index, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, blood pressure, lipids, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were measured. Metabolic syndrome was defined by According to guidelines from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the American Heart Association. In this study, mean ± SD high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration in metabolic syndrome and in healthy persons were 2.44 ± 0.16 mg/dl and 1.69 ± 0.31mg/dl respectively so that there was significant difference between two groups (p=0.02). Sensitivity of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in metabolic syndrome was 68% and other metabolic components were waist circumference 93%, blood pressure 98%, TG 81%, fasting blood glucose 98% and high density lipoprotein 21%. Sensitivity of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in comparison with other components was significant. There was a significant close relationship between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and metabolic syndrome components. This observation may in part account for the association of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein with markers of the metabolic syndrome. These data suggest that measurement of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein with other metabolic components have clinically important prognostic information and strong predictor of metabolic syndrome.

Main microstructural properties of organic aerogels dictate the thermal degradation of these materials. Incorporating of nanomaterials into the structure of organic aerogels can result in controlling and engineering the microstructural characteristics and as a result, the thermal degradation of organic aerogels. Here, the role of graphene oxide (GO) presence on the microstructure and morphology of novolac/GO nanocomposite aerogels is investigated. Although, the presence of GO nanosheets results in an enhancement of the density, but the specific surface area of aerogels increased with the contents of loaded-nanosheets, due to the high available surface area of GO nanosheets. The sol-gel polymerization of novolac resin in the presence of GO nanosheets results in formation of colloidal nanoparticles on the surface of GO nanosheets. Chemical characterizations confirm that the reason behind this phenomenon is the formation of covalent interactions between polymer chains and GO surface. Moreover, the thermal degradation and thermal conductivity behaviors of novolac/GO nanocomposite aerogels are studied here, to investigate the influences of GO presence on the heat-transfer mechanism through the aerogel. Thermal studies approve that the heat transfer depends strongly on the reduction of GO nanosheets, as well as on the contents of loaded-GO. As the contents of loaded-GO reach a percolation threshold, the structural characteristics, and consequently, the mechanism of thermal degradation throughout aerogel structure, change.

We investigated the effects of different NO3 −:NH4 + ratios in nutrient solution on the yield and growth of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) cut flowers in soilless culture. Two cultivars of gerbera (red ‘Stanza’ and yellow ‘Double Dutch’) were supplemented with four different NO3 −:NH4 + ratios (100:0, 80:20, 60:40, and 40:60). Replacing 20% nitrate in the nutrient solution with ammonium resulted in the higher number of leaves per plant, highest fresh and dry weights of roots and shoots, greatest number of flowers, highest flower stalk diameter and flower disk diameter, longest vase life, highest fresh and dry weight of inflorescences, and highest relative water contents in petals compared with the control. Decreasing the NO3 −:NH4 + ratio to 60:40 caused a considerable reduction in plant growth and biomass. The chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, as well as catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POX) activity, increased with increasing proportion of ammonium-to-nitrate in the nutrient solution. The results suggest that a NO3 −:NH4 + ratio of 80:20 should be used for gerbera cut flower production to achieve the highest growth and quality.

Background and purpose: Color vision deficiency is an X-linked recessive inherited disease that affects men more than women. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of color vision deficiency among patients with amblyopia aged 10 to 30 years old. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional population-based study was performed in 2846 participants, aged 10 to 30 years in 2013-15 attending the eye clinic in Boali Hospital, Qazvin, Iran. All participants completed a questionnaire and were examined by an optometrist and an ophthalmologist. The examinations included visual acuity (VA), refraction errors, and color vision test. Data was analyzed in SPSS ver.19 applying Chi-square and t tests. Results: The participants were 36.54% male. The prevalence of amblyopia was 9.24%. Of the total participants, the prevalence of color vision deficiency was 0.98%. Among this population 53.57% were seen in amblyopic patients. Among individuals with amblyopia (n= 263) 15 were found with color vision deficits. There was a significant difference in prevalence of color vision deficiency between amblyopic and non-amblyopic individuals (P<0.001). Conclusion: There was significant difference in prevalence of color vision deficiency among patients with amblyopia and non-amblyopic participants.

Burkh Anticline having a length of 50 km and a width of 9 km is located 40 km to the north of Bastak City in Internal Fars zone along folded-thrust belt of Zagros. In order to assess the active tectonics in the area of study, morphotectonical indices such as valley index (V), ratio of valley floor to valley height (Vf), channel sinuosity index (S), mountain front faceting index (F%) and mountain front sinuosity(Smf) are studied. These investigations show that the activity is not equal in various sections along Burkh Anticline and the central part of this anticline is the most active one.

Folds have a significant development in the Cretaceous-Tertiary rock units of the northern part of Bagheran Mountains in southwest Birjand between Lut and Sistan structural zones. The general trends of fold axis and axial surface are E-W and the folds are less exposed by distance from mountain and plain boundary. Geometric and kinematic status investigation of folds (such as f2 fold in the middle part) and faults shows that faulting process has created some of the folds leading to their development. Such structures are described as fault-related folds. Also, analysis of geometry and mechanism of faults indicate that back thrusts have the largest influence on generation and development of folds in this region.