Interacting new agegraphic dark energy in a cyclic universe

The main goal of this work is investigation of NADE in the cyclic universe scenario. Since, cyclic universe is explained by a phantom phase (ω<−1), it is shown when there is no interaction between matter and dark energy, ADE and NADE do not produce a phantom phase, then can not describe cyclic universe. Therefore, we study interacting models of ADE and NADE in the modified Friedmann equation. We find out that, in the high energy regime, which it is a necessary part of cyclic universe evolution, only NADE can describe this phantom phase era for cyclic universe. Considering deceleration parameter tells us that the universe has a deceleration phase after an acceleration phase, and NADE is able to produce a cyclic universe. Also it is found valuable to study generalized second law of thermodynamics. Since the loop quantum correction is taken account in high energy regime, it may not be suitable to use standard treatment of thermodynamics, so we turn our attention to the result of Li et al. (Adv. High Energy Phys. 2009: 905705, 2009), which the authors have studied thermodynamics in loop quantum gravity, and we show that which condition can satisfy generalized second law of thermodynamics.     

A multicriteria spatial decision support system for solving emergency service station location problems

Earthquakes occurring in urban areas constitute an important concern for emergency management and rescue services. Emergency service location problems may be formulated in discrete space or by restricting the potential location(s) to a specified finite set of points in continuous space. We propose a Multicriteria Spatial Decision Support System to identify shelters and emergency service locations in urban evacuation planning. The proposed system has emerged as an integration of the geographical information systems (GIS) and the multicriteria Decision-Making method of Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluation IV (PROMETHEE IV). This system incorporates multiple and often conflicting criteria and decision-makers’ preferences into a spatial decision model. We consider three standard structural attributes (i.e., durability density, population density, and oldness density) in the form of spatial maps to determine the zones most vulnerable to an earthquake. The information on these spatial maps is then entered into the ArcGIS software to define the relevant scores for each point with regards to the aforementioned attributes. These scores will be used to compute the preference functions in PROMETHEE IV, whose net flow outranking for each alternative will be inputted in ArcGIS to determine the zones that are most vulnerable to an earthquake. The final scores obtained are integrated into a mathematical programming model designed to find the most suitable locations for the construction of emergency service stations. We demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method and the efficacy of the procedures and algorithms in an earthquake emergency service station planning case study in the city of Tehran.     

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.     

Geothermometry and circulation depth of groundwater in Semnan thermal springs,Northern Iran

Semnan thermal springs with high TDS and moderate temperature are located northwest of Semnan, the northern part of Iran. The spatial and temporal variations of physicochemical characteristics of the thermal and cold springs were investigated for the recognition of origin and dominant hydrogeochemical processes. Results show that the thermal springs have the same origin, but due to different ascending flow paths and different conductive cooling mechanism, their temperatures vary. The chemical composition of thermal waters is controlled by dolomite, halite and sulfate minerals dissolution and calcite precipitation and bacterial sulfate reduction. The concentration of major and trace elements in the thermal springs does not change in wet and dry seasons notably because they are derived from old groundwater with deep circulation and high temperature. Seasonal change in the concentration of some trace elements is due to the seasonal variation of pH, Eh, temperature and dilution by shallow waters. Decreasing SO₄ and carbonate saturation index and increasing Na/Cl ratios and Ca content in the dry season show dilution effect caused by the previous heavy rainfall events. The temperature of the heating reservoir based on K–Mg, chalcedony, quartz and chemical equilibrium approach was approximately estimated in the range of 60–80 °C. Hydrogeologically, a conceptual model was suggested for the thermal springs. The general groundwater flow direction is probably from the dolomite Lar Formation in Chenaran anticline toward the adjacent syncline in a confined condition, and then a thrust fault acts as a conduit and redirects the thermal water to the emerging springs at the surface.     

Association between cloudiness and rainfall over Fars province in Iran

Relationship between precipitation sum and cloud properties over Fars province in Iran was analyzed for the cases of light (4 mm), moderate (17 mm), and heavy (62 mm) precipitation. The cloud properties (temperature and pressure at the top, cloud optical thickness and cloud water path) were obtained from satellite data of spectoradiometer MODIS (MODO6). The spatial distribution of rainfall was obtained from the 3-hourly data of TRMM (3B42). The multivariate regression model was developed to predict the spatial distribution of rainfall. A strong significant positive association between the spatial distribution of cloud characteristics and heavy precipitation was found, while no clear correlation was revealed between light precipitation and cloud properties. The developed regression model comprised 64, 47, and 24% of spatial variance of heavy, moderate, and light rainfall, respectively. The influence of cloud water path on the spatial distribution of rainfall dominates.     

Assessing flow paths in a karst aquifer based on multiple dye tracing tests using stochastic simulation and the MODFLOW-CFP code

Karst systems show high spatial variability of hydraulic parameters over small distances and this makes their modeling a difficult task with several uncertainties. Interconnections of fractures have a major role on the transport of groundwater, but many of the stochastic methods in use do not have the capability to reproduce these complex structures. A methodology is presented for the quantification of tortuosity using the single normal equation simulation (SNESIM) algorithm and a groundwater flow model. A training image was produced based on the statistical parameters of fractures and then used in the simulation process. The SNESIM algorithm was used to generate 75 realizations of the four classes of fractures in a karst aquifer in Iran. The results from six dye tracing tests were used to assign hydraulic conductivity values to each class of fractures. In the next step, the MODFLOW-CFP and MODPATH codes were consecutively implemented to compute the groundwater flow paths. The 9,000 flow paths obtained from the MODPATH code were further analyzed to calculate the tortuosity factor. Finally, the hydraulic conductivity values calculated from the dye tracing experiments were refined using the actual flow paths of groundwater. The key outcomes of this research are: (1) a methodology for the quantification of tortuosity; (2) hydraulic conductivities, that are incorrectly estimated (biased low) with empirical equations that assume Darcian (laminar) flow with parallel rather than tortuous streamlines; and (3) an understanding of the scale-dependence and non-normal distributions of tortuosity.     

Utilization of waste coral for biodiesel production via transesterification of soybean oil

In the present study, the waste coral was utilized as a source of calcium oxide for transesterification of soybean oil into biodiesel (methyl esters). Characterization results revealed that the main component of the waste coral is calcium carbonate which transformed into calcium oxide when calcined above 700 °C. The Box–Behnken design of experiment was carried out, and the results were analyzed using response surface methodology. Calcination temperature, methanol– soybean oil molar ratio and catalyst concentration were chosen as variables. The methyl ester content (wt%) was response which must be maximized. A second-order model was obtained to predict methyl ester content as a function of these variables. Each variable was placed in the three low, medium and high levels (calcination temperature of 700, 800 and 900 °C; catalyst concentration of 3, 6 and 9 wt%; methanol-to-oil ratios of 12:1, 18:1 and 24:1). The optimum conditions from the experiment were found that the calcination temperature of 900 °C, catalyst concentration of 6 wt% and methanol-to-oil ratio of 12:1. Under these conditions, methyl ester content reached to 100 wt%. The waste catalyst was capable of being reused up to 4 times without much loss in the activity.     

Assessing hydrochemical evolution of groundwater in limestone terrain via principal component analysis

This paper describes the use of multivariate statistical analysis to trace hydrochemical evolution in a limestone terrain at Zagros region, Iran. The study area includes a deep confined aquifer, overlaid by an unconfined aquifer. The method involves the use of principal component analysis (PCA) to assess and evaluate the hydrochemical evolution based on chemical and isotope variables of 12 piezometers drilled in both the unconfined and confined aquifers. First PCA on all variables shows that water–rock interaction under different conditions with respect to the atmospheric CO₂ is the main process responsible for chemical constituents. As a result, combinations of several ratios such as Ca/TDS, SO₄/TDS and Mg/TDS with physico-chemical and isotope variables reveal different hydrochemical evolution trend in the aquifers. Second PCA on the selective samples and variables reveals that displacement of the unconfined samples from dry to wet season follows a refreshing trend towards river samples that is characterized by reducing electrical conductivity and increasing sulphate and tritium contents. However, the refreshing trend cannot be traced in the confined aquifer samples suggesting no recharge from river to the confined aquifer. Third PCA reveals that, chemical composition of water samples in the unconfined aquifer tends to have considerable difference from each other in the end of recharge period. In contrast, the confined aquifer samples have a tendency to show similar chemical composition during recharge period in comparison to end of dry period. This difference is caused by different mechanism of recharge in the unconfined aquifer (through the whole aquifer surface) and the confined aquifer (through the limited recharge area).