The impact of neighborhood services on land values: an estimation through the hedonic pricing model

A strong need exists to increase the knowledge and recognize the values of neighborhood services. This paper makes an attempt to examine the impact of neighborhood services on land values, through analysis based on results obtained from multi linear regression analysis. This case study was done in area of dense urban settlement to check the consequence of neighborhood services through the hedonic pricing model base variables which include the structural, locational, community and neighborhood services. The regression coefficient was checked at (p?<?0.05) level of significance for each variable. The primary data was collect through the questionnaire filling by random sampling and Punjab Urban Gazette was used for the verification of land values in study area. The results found a valuable potential on land and property values of neighborhood services through the regression analysis results express through R (0.926), R² (0.856) and coefficient tables to represent the effect of each individual variable on property and land values. Every individual variable play role in defining the values of land and property based upon its utilization such as larger the structure of a property, more the covered area, larger size of a property more the land area higher price. Similarly, for locational factor study in geography, a piece of land adjacent to the road have high land values 50–70% compare to those located at distance. Very less attention has been paid on such issues in the world due to lack of effective urban planning and research on such crucial issues. If empirical studies on such issue has been done, effective way can be obtained for urban planning.

     

Prediction of the sawing quality of Marmarit stones using the capability of artificial neural network

The sawing rate is one of the most significant and effective parameters in extracting building stones via diamond wire sawing. This parameter designates the capability of diamond wire sawing for sawing different stones; in addition, the parameter gives rise to economical considerations for quarry designers. In this study, the existent relations between stone geotechnical parameters and the sawing rate of stones via diamond wire sawing were analyzed using regression and correlation coefficient as well as the collected data from Marmarit stone quarries. Moreover, we estimated the sawing rate of Marmarit using the dimensional stone rock mass rating (DSRMR); upon comparison of the data obtained from DSRMR our pre‐collected data on quarries, we did not gain satisfactory results from DSRMR, hence we used artificial neural network (ANN). The results showed that the percentage of Silica, the coefficient of water absorption, the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), and abrasive hardness are the proper parameters for creating the ANN. Discontinuities have the least effects possible on diamond wire sawing. Having given the training possibility of the ANN, and its ability to evaluate relations among input parameters, the ANN, which was being trained with Marmarit's traits, was an accurate network for estimating diamond wire sawing in Marmarit quarries, although it could not generalize this network for other stones such as Chini and Crystal. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Historical tsunami in the Makran Subduction Zone off the southern coasts of Iran and Pakistan and results of numerical modeling

Tsunami hazard in the Makran Subduction Zone (MSZ), off the southern coasts of Iran and Pakistan, was studied by numerical modeling of historical tsunami in this region. Although the MSZ triggered the second deadliest tsunami in the Indian Ocean, among those known, the tsunami hazard in this region has yet to be analyzed in detail. This paper reports the results of a risk analysis using five scenario events based on the historic records, and identifies a seismic gap area in western Makran off the southern coast of Iran. This is a possible site for a future large earthquake and tsunami. In addition, we performed numerical modeling to explain some ambiguities in the historical reports. Based on the modeling results, we conclude that either the extreme run-up of 12–15 m assigned for the 1945 Makran tsunami in the historical record was produced by a submarine landslide triggered by the parent earthquake, or that these reports are exaggerated. The other possibility could be the generation of the huge run-up heights by large displacements on splay faults. The results of run-up modeling reveal that a large earthquake and tsunami in the MSZ is capable of producing considerable run-up heights in the far field. Therefore, it is possible that the MSZ was the source of the tsunami encountered by a Portuguese fleet in Dabhul in 1524.     

The key‐group method

This paper proposes an extension to the key‐block method, called ‘key‐group method’, that considers not only individual key blocks but also groups of collapsable blocks into an iterative and progressive analysis of the stability of discontinuous rock slopes. The basics of the key‐block method are recalled herein and then used to prove how key groups can be identified. We reveal that a key group must contain at least one basic key block, yet this condition is not entirely sufficient. The second block candidate for grouping must be another key block or a block whose movement‐preventing faces are common to one or more single key blocks. We also show that the proposed method yields more realistic results than the basic key‐block method and a comparison with results obtained using a distinct element analysis demonstrates the ability of this new method. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Storage dam’s locality placing by MCDM techniques (case study: three dams in Iran)

MCDM (multi-criteria decision making) techniques are used to choose the best alternative among the relevant ones and rank the others. In this research, MCDM techniques were used to choose and rank the best places for constructing storage dams in Iran. To achieve this goal, the relevant information and data about dam construction situations were collected. Then, the recommended places for constructing storage dams were ranked by using MCDM techniques and according to the most suitable criteria which have been chosen based on experts’ opinions. To rank dam constructing project, three MCDM techniques, i.e., TOPSIS, AHP, and DEMATEL, were used. The results showed that the application of MCDM models by putting emphasis on economic, social, political, and technical criteria enables government and watershed managers to choose the best alternative(s) for constructing a storage dam.     

Sarma‐based key‐group method for rock slope reliability analyses

The methods used in conducting static stability analyses have remained pertinent to this day for reasons of both simplicity and speed of execution. The most well‐known of these methods for purposes of stability analysis of fractured rock masses is the key‐block method (KBM). This paper proposes an extension to the KBM, called the ‘key‐group method’ (KGM), which combines not only individual key‐blocks but also groups of collapsable blocks into an iterative and progressive analysis of the stability of discontinuous rock slopes. To take intra‐group forces into account, the Sarma method has been implemented within the KGM in order to generate a Sarma‐based KGM, abbreviated ‘SKGM’. We will discuss herein the hypothesis behind this new method, details regarding its implementation, and validation through comparison with results obtained from the distinct element method. Furthermore, as an alternative to deterministic methods, reliability analyses or probabilistic analyses have been proposed to take account of the uncertainty in analytical parameters and models. The FOSM and ASM probabilistic methods could be implemented within the KGM and SKGM framework in order to take account of the uncertainty due to physical and mechanical data (density, cohesion and angle of friction). We will then show how such reliability analyses can be introduced into SKGM to give rise to the probabilistic SKGM (PSKGM) and how it can be used for rock slope reliability analyses. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exposure of rainbow trout to industrial wastewater is associated with immune-related gene expression and hematological changes

Inappropriate management of industrial effluents has been among major causes of water pollution and subsequent fish physiological and behavioral disorders and mortalities. This study investigated the effects of wastewater from a paper mill on immune-related gene expressions (lysozyme, tumor necrosis factor and heat shock protein 70) and hematological alterations, in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) during a 14-day exposure period. Following the determination of LC50, fish (135 ± 10 g body weight) were exposed to three effluent treatments: control (0), 10 and 25% of LC50, in laboratory conditions. The wastewater exposure initially increased lysozyme and tumor necrosis factor gene expression, and the expression of both genes was suppressed on the 14th day after exposure. There was a rise in heat shock protein 70 gene expression at the beginning of the experiment and then decreased to the level observed in the control group. Fish exposed to wastewater showed a significant increase in the levels of red blood cells, white blood cells and hematocrit three days following exposure, but the levels of these blood parameters significantly decreased at the end of the exposure period (P < 0.05). Our results indicated a range of immune-related gene toxicity and hematotoxicity in rainbow trout caused by the negative impacts of the industrial wastewater. Here we also discussed that poor biosecurity controls and inadequate treatments of effluents from industrial activities can lead to serious damages among wild populations.     

Geo-Spatial Dynamics of Snow Cover and Hydro-Meteorological Parameters of Hunza Basin,HKH Region,Pakistan

Water Resources - Snow cover dynamics play an important role in the hydrological characteristics of Upper Indus Basin (UIB) of Pakistan in terms of seasonal accumulation and depletions. The current...