Underground Mining Monitoring and Communication Systems based on ZigBee and GIS

ZigBee as a wireless sensor network (WSN) was developed for underground mine monitoring and communication systems. The radio wave attenuations between ZigBee nodes were investigated to measure underground communication distances. Various sensor node arrangements of ZigBee topologies were evaluated. A system integration of a WSN-assisted GIS for underground mining monitoring and communication from a surface office was proposed. The controllable and uncontrollable parameters of underground environments were assessed to establish a reliable ZigBee network

Effect of Liquid Organic Fertilizers and Soil Moisture Status on Some Biological and Physical Properties of Soil

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of liquid organic fertilizers (LOFs) and soil moisture status on some biological and physical properties of postharvest soil of maize cultivation. For this purpose, a factorial greenhouse experiment was performed based on the completely randomized design with three replications. Treatments consisted of five levels of LOFs (control, vermicompost tea, vermiwash, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria [PGPR] enriched vermicompost tea and PGPR enriched vermiwash) and three levels of soil moisture status (field capacity [FC], 0.8 FC and 0.6 FC). The results showed LOFs caused an increase of soil biological properties (soil microbial respiration, soil microbial biomass, dehydrogenase activity and the number of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria) and the improvement of soil physical condition. LOFs increased aggregate stability, hydrophobicity and total porosity, while decreased bulk density and soil penetration resistance. Increasing water stress levels reduced soil biological activity and made soil physical properties more unfavorable. In general, LOFs improved soil conditions by enhancing soil physical and biological properties and decreased the negative effects of water stress. In addition, results showed that LOFs enriched with PGPR could be more effective than non-enriched ones

Prediction and Analysis of Eutrophication in a Reservoir Using Three-dimensional Modeling: Application to the Planned Abolabbas Reservoir, Iran

Eco-Hydraulics and Eco-Hydrolog

The effect of cardiopulmonary resuscitation clinical audit on the patient survival in the emergency room

Background: The ability to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is among the most important professional skills for physicians and nurses. There is a wide difference among different countries respecting resuscitation success rate. Studies show weaknesses in performing resuscitation. Objectives: This study aimed at assessing the effects of clinical audit of CPR in the emergency room based on the Situation Stabilization Model (SSM). Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was done in 2017 in the emergency room of Baqiyatallah Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Using the Adib checklist, 35 resuscitations were assessed based on the steps of clinical audit. Then, a 1-month educational program was held for the resuscitation staffs in the study setting. Then, 35 new resuscitations were assessed using the same checklist. Finally, the results of the two measurements were compared. Results: There were significant differences between two measurement time points regarding the mean scores of different resuscitation skills (P P = 0.47). Conclusions: Clinical audit in the emergency room based on the SSM improves the quality and the success rate of CPR. The success rate is in our study increased. Furthermore, the reported data were not statistically significant for improving the success rate; it is clinically important. Because primary resuscitation success rate increased from 6 (17.1) cases at baseline to 8 (22.9) cases after the intervention. These findings highlight the necessity and the importance of the clinical audit of care services as well as the implementation of educational interventions based on the existing weaknesses. Given the great importance and sensitivity of resuscitation, health-care staffs need to receive regular theoretical and practical in-service resuscitation-related training

Auto Calibration and Optimization of Large-Scale Water Resources Systems

Water resource systems modelling have constantly been a challenge through history for human being. As the innovative methodological development is evolving alongside computer sciences on one hand, researches are likely to confront more complex and larger water resources systems due to new challenges regarding increased water demands, climate change and human interventions, socio-economic concerns, and environment protection and sustainability. In this research, an automatic calibration scheme has been applied on the Gilan's large-scale water resource model using mathematical programming. The water resource model's calibration is developed in order to attune unknown water return flows from demand sites in the complex Sefidroud irrigation network and other related areas. The calibration procedure is validated by comparing several gauged river outflows from the system in the past with model results. The calibration results are pleasantly reasonable presenting a rational insight of the system. Subsequently, the unknown optimized parameters were used in a basin-scale linear optimization model with the ability to evaluate the system's performance against a reduced inflow scenario in future. Results showed an acceptable match between predicted and observed outflows from the system at selected hydrometric stations. Moreover, an efficient operating policy was determined for Sefidroud dam leading to a minimum water shortage in the reduced inflow scenario

A Simulation Optimization Approach for Wetland Conservation and Management in an Agricultural Basin

Decreasing water quantity and growth in water demand have increased the competition between satisfying societal water needs and protecting ecosystem requirements. Wetlands are some of the most productive ecosystems on Earth. They provide various services to people’s livelihoods, in addition to being suitable habitats for many plant and wildlife species. However, wetlands are under threat of loss and degradation due to anthropogenic activities, particularly the diversion of water for irrigation. The flow regime is usually considered the most crucial ecological factor and a key component of wetland management. So, determining the allocation of environmental requirements is a main factor for managing, restoring, and protecting wetlands, and it is crucial to reach a compromise for optimal water allocation between different sectors. For this purpose, in this research, a new approach is developed to achieve the optimal environmental flow of the wetland in an agricultural-dominated basin using a combination of remote sensing and the simulation optimization method. Waterbirds and vegetation are used as bioindicators of wetland ecosystems. First, using remote sensing data and analyses, we obtained the interrelation between the wetland water regime, vegetation, and waterbird characteristics using different time series of Landsat spectral indices. Then, by employing the long-term simulation optimization (WEAP-MOPSO) model, the optimal e-flow of the wetland is evaluated in such a way that the suitable ecological condition of the wetland is achieved and the wetland is able to provide its functions and services

A Conflict Resolution Model for Water Allocation and River Water Quality Management

In this study, a conflict resolution methodology for water quality management in a river system is presented. The proposed model maximizes an objective function based on the Nash product which includes different utility functions related to the water quality deviations from the standard limits. Simulation and optimization models are proposed to determine operating policies for river water quality management, based on evaluation of system performance to derive the most appropriate diffusing strategy for different stakeholders. The proposed model includes an integrated GA–based optimization and a water quality simulation model. Sustainability measures of system performance, termed "reliability, resiliency, and vulnerability", are calculated for each water withdrawal sector and combined into a Nash product as an objective function. The model is applied to the Karkheh River system in the southern part of Iran. The utility functions are based on the acceptable risk of the allocated water quality by different sectors, especially by the Environmental Protection Organization. The results of the proposed model show that the waste load allocation policies can significantly reduce the number and duration of deviations from the standard quality limit

Risk Factors of the Hip Fractures in Elderly Patients

Objective: The hip fractures are the most frequent cause of traumatic death after the age of 75 years, occurring more frequently in women that will make a negative impact of the patient's life style. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the risk factors of the hip fractures in elderly hospitalized in centers of education and treatment of Kerman and Rafsanjan cities in 1998-2000. Methods and Materials & Methods: This study was a descriptive method of sampling during 27 months (from 19 April 1998 to 21 July 2000) in hospitalized patients of orthopedic wards of Ali ebne Abitaleb hospital of Rafsanjan and Shahid bahonar hospital of Kerman. 257 patients who were afflicted with hip fracture were evaluated by a questionnaire with 20 statements (risk factors of hip fractures) that was used to recorded information about this study: This risk factors were including age, sex, type of fracture, osteoporosis, milk consumption, muscle atrophy, environmental hazards, body mass index diseases, diabetes, previous fracture, smoking, antidepressant and anti convulsion drugs, heart disease, low mobility and activity perception disorders, age of menopause, impaired visual and nonuse external hip protector (padding). Results: The results of this study showed that many of above risk factors were effective (>50%) than others. These factors were including environmental hazards (81.7%), muscle atrophy (72.8%), previous fractures (52.1%), low mobility and activity (70.8%), low milk consumption (100%), low BMI (79.8%), osteoporosis (52.1%) and nonuse external hip protector (100%). Conclusion: The results of this study recommend that environmental hazards of elderly should be modified (e.g. well lighted, stair case with secure hand rail) to prevent from falling Exercise and faradic current prevent muscle atrophy and improve physical fitness, muscle strength, balance and coordination. Treatment of impaired visual is important because risk of falling is decreased. Regular load-bearing exercise such as walking, adequate milk consumption and calcium intake prevent of osteoporosis so the risk of hip fracture is decreased The use of external hip protector (padding) is very important. in elderly because energy from falling is absorbed so it can decrease probability of hip fracture

Time-dependent behavior of tunnel lining in weak rock mass based on displacement back analysis method

Weak rock mass behavior is an important and challenging consideration during construction and utilization of a tunnel. Tunnel surrounding ground deformation in weak rocks causes to gradual development of loading on the support system and threats the opening stability. In this research, time-dependent behavior of Shibli twin tunnels was investigated using laboratory testing, monitoring data, and finite difference numerical simulation approaches. The host rock of Shibli tunnels are mainly composed of gray to black Shale, Marl and calcareous Shale. Geological maps and reports demonstrate a heavily jointed condition in the host rock through two orogenic phases. The experiment was organized in following order to understand the behavior of the rock mass around the tunnels. At first, triaxial creep test were conducted on intact rock specimens. Then, the time-dependent behavior of the tunnel host rock was numerically simulated considering Burger-creep visco-plastic model (CVISC). Finally, displacement based direct back analysis using univariate optimization algorithm was applied. Also, the properties of the CVISC model and initial stress ratio were estimated. Numerical modeling was verified by its comparison with tunnel displacement monitoring results. The creep behavior of the rock mass was predicted during tunnel service life based on back analysis results. Results show that thrust force, bending moment, and the resulting axial stresses will gradually increase at the spring line of the final lining. After 55 years of tunnel utilization the compressive strengths of lining concrete will not be stable against the induced-stresses by thrust force and bending moment, thus the tunnel inspection and rehabilitation are recommended