Link formation pattern during emergency response network dynamics

This study aims to understand the mechanisms of emergency response network evolution by quantitatively examining the link formation pattern among participants involved in a real emergency collaboration network. This is achieved by identifying the participants’ characteristics which can affect forming new links over time. The result indicates the existence of cumulative advantage process, where highly connected participants gain more new links over time. It also reveals the structural position of participants involved in a response network, i.e. brokering position, affects their number of future links. Understanding the link formation pattern is important for understanding the mechanisms of network evolution which help predict more precisely the behavior of actors and dynamics of network structure over time. This can assist researchers, decision makers and practitioners to manage and support the collaboration of actors in their systems in order to reach their organizational goals. The overall findings can contribute further to the development of network organizational theory in different contexts especially disaster and emergency response management.     

Predicting flow liquefaction,a constitutive model approach

In this paper, flow liquefaction criterion for contractive loose sands is analytically extracted based on the fundamental definition of flow liquefaction. In order to obtain the closed form of this criterion, Dafalias–Manzari constitutive model is employed; so the stress ratio at the onset of flow liquefaction is presented as a function of model parameters, state parameter and void ratio. Flow liquefaction line, as a graphical form of suggested criterion in stress space, shows that the peak points of undrained stress paths with same void ratios are not necessarily in a straight line. In order to validate the reliability of proposed flow liquefaction line to predict the onset of instability, it has been compared with the results of experimental tests performed on Toyoura, Ottawa and Leighton Buzzard sands. The verification results show that the present criterion can satisfactorily predict the onset of flow liquefaction in monotonic and cyclic undrained tests of saturated sands as well as the structural collapse in constant deviatoric stress tests of loose dry sands.     

Quantitative analysis of earthquake fatalities: case of Iran

Earthquakes in Iran are major and chronic disasters, but there is a seemingly downward trend in the number of lives lost from earthquake disasters in the past five decades. This paper particularly examines whether factors such as urbanization, literacy rate, wealth, and retrofitting measures have contributed to the declining trend of fatalities over past decades. Data records of 1960–2010 have been used to demonstrate the fatalities trend and a shorter series of 1990–2010 has been used to carry out a statistical analysis due to limited availability of information on retrofitting practices in the country. Regression models run in two stages. The first stage consists of normalized fatalities of Iran’s earthquakes, regressed on urbanization, wealth, and retrofitting. The second stage involves the measure of retrofit as the dependent variable regressed over urbanization and/or wealth as explanatory variables. The resulted regression models clearly explain the importance of retrofitting measure in saving lives in earthquakes disasters, as well as providing economic advantages and robust environment to the population. The study provides significant guidance for public policy. Undoubtedly, retrofitting, started in the country from 1990, has decreased the number of deaths; nonetheless, the measure is found to be mostly enforced in the cities and not in rural areas. Decision makers can use the results of this study to prioritize retrofit in rural areas, more than ever, and as much as possible.     

Numerical evaluation of liquefaction-induced damages in composite breakwaters and its application for performance-based improvement design

Breakwaters provide a calm sea basin for ships and protect harbor facilities by reflecting wave energy toward the open sea area. Their performance under environmental loadings is the main concern for coastal engineers. Liquefaction susceptibility of loose sediments of seabed threatens performance of these structures. The article investigates soil liquefaction effects on the seismic performance of Iran liquefied natural gas (LNG) composite breakwater. Performance-based design method, considering both grade of the breakwater and acceptable level of damages, was selected as design philosophy. Liquefaction-induced damages to the breakwater were determined by numerical analysis. Since the obtained level of deformations did not meet allowable damages, soil improvement against liquefaction was considered. Different improvement patterns were proposed based on distribution of pore pressure ratio (r_u) beneath the breakwater to control its seismic performance. This investigation revealed that the most important area for soil improvement is located near the toes of breakwater to control the slope instability and performance of the breakwater.     

Garnetization as a ground preparation process for copper mineralization: evidence from the Mazraeh skarn deposit, Iran

The Mazraeh Cu–Fe skarn deposit, NW Iran is the result of the intrusion of an Oligocene–Miocene granitic pluton into Cretaceous calcareous rocks. The pluton ranges in composition from monzonite to quartz monzonite, monzogranite, tonalite and granodiorite with I-type, calc-alkaline, and weakly peraluminous characteristics. The Mazraeh pluton was emplaced in a volcanic arc setting in an active continental margin at a depth of ~8 km. Pyroxene skarn, garnet skarn, and epidote skarn zones were formed during the intrusive phase. The garnet skarn developed as exoskarn and endoskarn from the calcareous wall rocks and the pluton, respectively, prior to mineralization. Garnet skarn from the exoskarn zone is identified by relict layering inherited from the precursor calcareous lithologies. Mass balance calculation of garnet skarn in the endoskarn zone indicates that hydrothermal fluids originating from the cooling magma introduced Si, Fe, Mn, Ca, Mg, P, Ag, Cu, Zn, La, Pb, Cd, Mo, and Y. The main mass loss in the garnet skarn was due to destruction of feldspars in the Mazraeh plutonic rocks and leaching of K₂O and Na₂O. Released Ca has been fixed in the andraditic garnet. Garnetization of the Mazraeh pluton was accompanied by mass and volume increase. The magnitude of these changes depends mainly on the degree of alteration and composition of the precursor. The brittle behavior of the endoskarn zone was increased due to formation of massive garnet which subsequently fractured. These fractures not only facilitated movement of hydrothermal fluids but also provided new locations for Cu mineralization. Therefore locating strongly garnetized zones may be a vector to ore in skarn deposits.     

Impact of treated sewage sludge application on phosphorus release kinetics in some calcareous soils

Treated sewage sludge contains significant amount of phosphorus and is widely used in agriculture. Kinetics of P release in soils is a subject of importance in soil and environmental sciences. There are few studies about P release kinetics in treated sewage sludge amended soils. For this purpose, sludge was mixed with ten soils at a rate equivalent to 100 Mg sludge ha⁻¹, and P desorption was determined by successive extraction using 0.01 M CaCl₂ over a period of 65 days at 25 ± 1°C. Phosphorus release rate was rapid at first (until about first 360 h) and then became slower until equilibrium was approached. Average of P released within 360 h for the unamended and amended soils was about 65 and 73% of the total desorbed P, respectively. Zero-order, first-order, second-order, power function, simplified Elovich and parabolic diffusion law kinetics models were used to describe P release. First-order, Elovich, power function and parabolic diffusion models could well describe P release in the unamended and amended soils. Correlation coefficients between P release rate parameters and selected soil properties showed that in the control soils, calcium carbonate equivalent and Olsen-extractable P; and in the amended soils, calcium carbonate equivalent, cation exchange capacity, organic matter and Olsen-extractable P were significantly correlated with P release parameters. The results of this study showed that application of sewage sludge can change P release characteristics of soils and increase P in runoff.     

An Improvement on the Clustering of High-Resolution Satellite Images Using a Hybrid Algorithm

The challenge of obtaining training data for supervised classifications of satellite images has led researchers to unsupervised algorithms, i.e. cluster analysis. Numerous researches have been conducted to improve quality and decrease uncertainty of results of this analysis. This study proposes a hybrid cost function as well as a hybrid clustering algorithm-Artificial Bee Colony optimization approach for the clustering of high-resolution satellite images. In order to evaluate viability of the proposed methodology, it is compared to some other classic clustering algorithms such as modified K-Means, K-Medoids, Fuzzy C-Means, and Kernel-based Fuzzy C-Means methods over three different study areas selected from a WorldView-2 satellite image. The Shannon entropy technique, Kappa coefficient, compactness, and separation criteria are used as quality and uncertainty indicators for the evaluation. The results of the study show that, compared to other methods, the hybrid algorithm obtained from the proposed cost function, Kernel-based Fuzzy C-Means method, and ABC algorithm provide clustering capabilities of higher quality and lower uncertainty levels.     

Tschermak fractionation in calc-alkaline magmas: the Eocene Sabzevar volcanism (NE Iran)

Calc-alkaline arc magmatism at convergent plate margins is volumetrically dominated by metaluminous andesites. Many studies highlighted the importance of differentiation via fractionation processes of arc magmas, but only in the last decades, it has been demonstrated that not all rock-forming minerals may affect the evolution of calc-alkaline suites. In particular, a major role exerted by Al-rich hornblende amphibole as fractionating mineral phase has been documented in many volcanic arc settings. The aim of this work is to understand the role of the Tschermak molecule (CaAlAlSiO₆) hosted in the hornblende and plagioclase fractionation assemblage in driving magma differentiation in calc-alkaline magmatic suites. We explore this issue by applying replenishment–fractional crystallization (RFC) and rare earth element–Rayleigh fractional crystallization (REE-FC) modeling to the Sabzevar Eocene (ca. 45–47 Ma) calc-alkaline volcanism of NE Central Iran, where hornblende-controlled fractionation has been demonstrated. Major element mass balance modeling indicates RFC dominated by a fractionating assemblage made of Hbl_52.0–52.5 + Pl_44.1–44.2 + Ttn_3.3–3.9 (phases are expressed on total crystallized assemblage). REE-FC modeling shows, instead, a lower degree of fractionation with respect to RFC models that is interpreted as due to hornblende and plagioclase resorption by the residual melt. Calculations demonstrate that fractionation of the Tschermak molecule can readily produce dacite and rhyolite magmas starting from a calc-alkaline andesite source (FC = ca. 30 %). In particular, the Tschermak molecule controls both the heavy rare earth elements (HREE) and light rare earth element (LREE) budgets in calc-alkaline differentiation trends.