Relativistic Models for Strange Stars in Massive Brans–Dicke Gravity

Astronomy Reports - In this paper, we examine the salient features of anisotropic quark stellar model in the background of massive Brans–Dicke gravity. We use the MIT bag model along with...     

A study of crude oil‐degrading bacteria from mangrove forests in the Persian Gulf

Mangroves are coastal ecosystems, found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. They are found in the transitional zones between land, sea, and rivers. Petroleum hydrocarbons are the most common environmental pollutants, and oil spills pose a great hazard to mangroves forests. This research was focused on the isolation and characterization of crude oil‐degrading bacteria from mangrove ecosystems at the Persian Gulf. Sixty‐one crude oil‐degrading bacteria were isolated from mangrove samples (plant, sediment, and seawater) that enriched in ONR7a medium with crude oil as only carbon source. Some screening tests such as growth at high concentration of crude oil, bioemulsifier production, and surface hydrophobicity were done to select the most efficient strains for crude oil degradation. Molecular identification of strains was carried out by amplification of the 16S rRNA gene by PCR. The results of this study were indicated that the quantity of crude oil‐degrading bacteria was higher in the root of mangrove plants compare to other mangrove samples (sediment and seawater). Also, identification results confirmed that these isolated strains belong to Vibrio sp. strain NW4, Idiomarina sp. strain BW32, Kangiella sp. strain DP40, Marinobacter sp. strain DW44, Halomonas sp. strain BS53, and Vibrio sp. strain DS35. The application of bioremediation strategies with these bacteria can reduce crude oil pollution in this important marine environment.     

Experimental study on the effect of bottomless structure in front of a bottom outlet on a sediment flushing cone

One of the main problems in reservoirs is sedimentation which reduces the operating life of dams if a proper plan and analysis method are not in place.The techniques to manage sediment in reservoirs include several sustainable management techniques that route sediment through or around the reservoir.One of the main economical methods in arid and semi-arid regions is pressurized flushing using moderate drawdown of the water level of the reservoir to evacuate sediment deposited behind dams.In the current study,the effect of a new structure called a dendritic bottomless extended(DBE)outlet structure at three angles of 30°,45°,and 60°
on pressurized flushing efficiency was investigated.Consequently,45 experiments were designed for three discharge rates (Qo),three sediment levels(Hs),four types of structure,and a no-structure condition(reference test).The results indicated that the DBE structure with a 30°angle between the branches,a sedimentary dimensionless index of Hs/Do=4.59,and a flow dimensionless index of Qo=/√gD05=1:43(where g is the acceleration of gravity and Do is the diameter of the bottom outlet)lead to 10-fold increase in the sediment flushing cone dimensions and sediment removal efficiency compared to the results of the reference test.Finally,according to a statistical analysis of the results,a dimensionless equation for calculating the sediment flushing cone dimensions was developed for the tested sediment characteristics.     

A comparison of state space and multiple regression for monthly forecasts: U.S. Fuel consumption

Monthly consumption forecasts for U.S. oil, natural gas, and coal are made using state space and multiple regression applied to the same data. These forecasts are compared with actual consumption for a test period. The forecasts made using state space are preferred to those made using multiple regression models for both expost and exante cases. The state space forecasts track data cycles better than do the regression forecasts. Average absolute forecast errors are less for the state space models than they are for the multiple regression models.     

Strengthening ties in production systems. Two approaches exemplified by the Volvo case

The effects of corporate efforts to reduce tied-up capital is exemplified by the production system of Volve cars. Two approaches are applied. The first one shows how Volvo gradually integrated production units into the system, through takeovers and new establishments. The second one discusses the integration of one particular process, the body assembly, against varying technologies and contracts of cooperation between the two companies involved.     

Internationalization — an essential strategy for a Swedish textile firm?

Corporate strategies and results of three Swedish textile companies are discussed against international trends. The country's high wage level and low import duties have prompted the surviving companies to resort to improved quality and design, sophisticated production technology and, in particular, internationalization. Internationalization is seen as a manifestation of the structural necessity of capitalistic companies to expand, with monopoly as the ultimate goal. Internationalization has implied both the establishment of new product lines abroad and the transfer of existing lines from Sweden. Diversification has also proved successful although the firms have increasingly lost their character as textile companies. Government subsidies have been instrumental for continued domestic textile production but detrimental to corporate growth.     

General conservation equations for multi-phase systems: 3. Constitutive theory for porous media flow

Equations which describe single phase fluid flow and transport through an elastic porous media are obtained by applying constitutive theory to a set of general multiphase mass, momentum, energy, and entropy equations. Linearization of these equations yields a set of equations solvable upon specification of the material coefficients which arise. Further restriction of the flow to small velocities proves that Darcy's law is a special case of the general momentum balance.     

Determination of organophosphorus insecticide residues in the rice paddies

In most rice paddies in Mazandaran Province, diazinon is applied to control Chilo suppressalis. Due to the extensive application of insecticides in the rice paddies of the Caspian coasts of Iran, this investigation was carried out on the rice fields in order to obtain the necessary data and information on the concentration of insecticide residues. A total of 125 samples were taken from five areas of Amol township in 2007. Then, according to the analysis of variance procedures, the water samples were statistically analyzed after the spraying of diazinon. Results indicate that the insecticide was used frequently to control stem boring caterpillar of rice. The residuals of this toxic chemical were observed in the majority of stations from the day after the spraying until one to two months later. The greatest level of diazinon was observed in station 1 in amount of 1.14 ppm. This study revealed that the physical and chemical properties of the studied diazinon such as fumigation characteristic as well as the ecological conditions and soil type influence the reduction and eventual removal of the insecticides during the cultivation and harvest periods.