A declustered earthquake catalog for the Iranian Plateau

A unified catalog of earthquakes in Iran and adjacent regions (the area bounded in 22º-42ºN and 42º-66ºE) covering the period of 4th century B.C. through 2012 with Mw≥4 is provided. The catalog includes all events for which magnitude have been determined by international agencies and most reliable individual sources. Since the recurrence time of maximum credible earthquake cannot be directly estimated from the mb, empirical formulae are established to convert mb to Ms, mb to Mw and Ms to Mw for each major seismotectonic province separately. The unified catalog is declustered using conjugated distance-time windows. In order to estimate completeness thresholds, magnitude-time (M-T) diagram and Stepp’s method are applied on the declustered catalog for each seismotectonic province. The magnitude of completeness (Mc) decreases with development of local and regional seismic stations. The results of present study are particularly important in seismic hazard analysis in Iran

Estimating the maximum earthquake magnitude in the Iranian Plateau

The Iranian Plateau has been subjected to destructive earthquakes throughout its history. Reliable assessment of the seismic hazard in this earthquake-prone region is therefore essential. Our study focuses on estimating the maximum earthquake magnitude as one of the main parameters of seismic hazard analysis. We implemented two quantitative approaches, namely, probabilistic and deterministic. The probabilistic method allows combining the historical (i.e. incomplete) and the instrumental parts of a catalogue with different levels of completeness and considers the uncertainties in earthquake magnitude determination. In this study, we used a unified, declustered, and complete catalogue of earthquakes in Iran, covering the period from the fourth century BC to 2019. We calculated the maximum possible magnitudes for hundreds of grid points by using the seismicity data in a 200-km radial region around each grid point. The maximum possible earthquake was observed to vary between 6.0 and 8.2, and the highest values were found in the Alborz-Azarbayejan seismotectonic province, Kopeh-Dagh, central east Iran, Makran, and the southeast Zagros. The lowest mmax values were found in the Persian Gulf, Arabian Platform, Esfahan-Sirjan region, and the Dasht-e-Kavir Desert in central Iran. As a second part to this study, we calculated the maximum credible earthquakes for 1103 identified major faults by using five empirical magnitude-scaling relationships. Our results were consistent with both the observed earthquakes and the seismic potential of the various seismogenic zones of Iran. The study results can be used in future seismic hazard analyses and have fundamental implications for mitigating seismic risk in Iran.http://link.springer.com/journal/10950hj2022Geolog

Disaggregation of probabilistic ground motions in two cities of Western Iran, Kermanshah and Sanandaj

This article presents the results of disaggregation of ground motion hazard obtained for two of Iran’s urban centers, Kermanshah and Sanandaj. Disaggregation of peak ground acceleration (PGA) and spectral acceleration hazard corresponding to mean return periods of 475 and 50 years is performed. 12 area seismic sources in the study region as well as 15 area seismic sources in a 150-km distance from the region are delineated. The scenario earthquakes are characterized by bins of magnitude, M, source-to-site distance, R, and number of standard deviations, ε, that the ground-motion parameter is away from its median value for that M-R pair as estimated by a prediction equation. In most cases, the sources closer to the site dominate. Larger, more distant earthquakes contribute more significantly to hazard for longer periods than for shorter periods. Disaggregation plots can provide useful information on the distance and magnitude of predominant sources, which can be used to generate scenario earthquakes and select corresponding time histories for seismic design

Monthly changes in the quantity of throughfall and water infiltration of litter in Hyrcanian forest stands

The canopy architecture of different forest trees results in different species interception, quantity and quality of litterfall. Litterfall characteristics affect thickness of organic layer, water storage potential and runoff due to different decomposition rate in habitat conditions. Furthermore, throughfall content and water infiltration of litter are different through time as a result of differences in the evapotranspiration potential, leaf area index (LAI), canopy coverage, tree diameter, stand stages and other geographic factors. This paper was aimed to examine throughfall and water infiltrated of litter changes amongst three important species of Hyrcanian forest over a year. For this purpose, individual hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.), velvet maple (Acer velutinum Boiss.) and chestnut-leaved oak (Quercus castaneifolia C. A. Mey.) species were selected in a mixed stand in Shast-Kalateh Forest, and quantity of water passing through the canopy of individual tree and organic litter layer beneath them were investigated with 9 throughfall collectors and 18 forest floor infiltration collectors after each rainfall event over a year. The results showed that species and times are two important factors in changing water balance. The hornbeam and maple species have the most throughfall and litter water contents, respectively (hornbeam with 71.1 % of throughfall and maple with 40.5 % of water infiltration of litter). The litter water infiltration of hornbeam and velvet maple in non-growing season were higher compared to the growing season, while throughfall showed no significant difference. The results of this study are concluded to be helpful for managers to regulate the stand composition as a reaction to the increasing water crisis

Quantification of a Low-Cost Stretchable Conductive Sensor Using an Expansion/Contraction Simulator Machine: A Step towards Validation of a Noninvasive Cardiac and Respiration Monitoring Prototype

The use of wearable sensors in health monitoring is increasing dramatically, largely due to their convenience and low-cost. Understanding the accuracy of any given sensor is paramount to avoid potential misdiagnosis. Commercially available electro-resistive band (ERB) sensors have been integrated into several newly developed wearable devices with a view to using these sensors to monitor a range of respiratory and cardiovascular metrics. Quantification of the ERBs is a necessary to step towards validation of these prototypes, as it provides valuable information, which could be exploited for compensation and ultimately, for improvement of their performance. Here, we present an analysis of the ERB sensors using an expansion/contraction simulator machine. Using the developed rig, the characteristics of four ERBs were compared with a linear displacement sensor (string potentiometer) during continuous use over the course of four-and-a-half days to investigate the error and nonlinearity of the ERBs. The analysis of the recorded data includes calculation and comparison of the total harmonic distortions of the two sensors to quantify ERB nonlinearity. Moreover, comparisons between the peak-to-peak voltages and signal-to-noise ratios of the ERB and string potentiometer demonstrate the effect nonlinearity on these factors. This paper demonstrates the nonlinearity of ERBs and highlights the implications for their use in practice

Peripheral vascular disease assessment in the lower limb: a review of current and emerging non-invasive diagnostic methods

Abstract Background Worldwide, at least 200 million people are affected by peripheral vascular diseases (PVDs), including peripheral arterial disease (PAD), chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The high prevalence and serious consequences of PVDs have led to the development of several diagnostic tools and clinical guidelines to assist timely diagnosis and patient management. Given the increasing number of diagnostic methods available, a comprehensive review of available technologies is timely in order to understand their limitations and direct future development effort. Main body This paper reviews the available diagnostic methods for PAD, CVI, and DVT with a focus on non-invasive modalities. Each method is critically evaluated in terms of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, ease of use, procedure time duration, and training requirements where applicable. Conclusion This review emphasizes the limitations of existing methods, highlighting a latent need for the development of new non-invasive, efficient diagnostic methods. Some newly emerging technologies are identified, in particular wearable sensors, which demonstrate considerable potential to address the need for simple, cost-effective, accurate and timely diagnosis of PVDs

The relationship between passive smoking and ovarian response outcome in ART cycles

Background: Smoking has negative effects on reproductive process. Exposing to cigarette smoking (passive smoking) may exert some effects as the direct smoking. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between ovarian response and passive smoking in women who underwent ART cycles. Materials and Methods: One hundred-sixty patients who underwent ICSI between 2000 and 2001 were studied in a prospective cohort study. The case group included women whose husbands smoked at least 5 cigarettes daily for 1 year or more. The control group included women with nonsmoking husbands. Women with high FSH level (>12 IU/ml) were excluded. Long standard protocol with GnRH agonist and HMG were used in all patients. In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer was carried out in a standard fashion. Results: Eighty one women were in case group and 82 in control group. Ovarian response variables were not significantly different between two groups but there was a significant relation between passive smoking and fertilization (RR= 1.18, 95% CI: 1.07-1.31). However pregnancy rate was not significantly different between two groups. Moreover there were no significant differences between heavy and light smokers in ovarian response outcomes. Conclusion: This study showed no correlation between ovarian response parameters and passive smoking in women underwent ART cycles, whereas fertilization rate is significantly lower in this group compared to control group. It may be related to sperm quality than oocytes. Assessment of nicotin in follicular fluid and cytogenetic evaluation of embryo before transfer are recommended for more information and confirmation

Association of serum content of 25-hydroxy vitamin D with semen quality in normozoospermic and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic men

Background: Vitamin D has multifaceted function in human reproductive physiology. It has been revealed that vitamin D is involved in spermatogenesis, and semen quality can be linked to vitamin D status in men. Objective: Evaluating the correlation of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) levels in serum with basic and advanced semen parameters and essential determinants of spermatozoa function. Materials and Methods: Participants were categorized, based on semen parameters, into normozoospermic (NS) and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (OAT) men. Serum level of 25-OHD was measured. Apoptotic status of spermatozoa, mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species content of semen were assessed. Results: Difference of 25-OHD concentration in serum of NS men versus OAT ones did not meet significance threshold. DNA fragmentation, reactive oxygen species content of semen and mitochondrial membrane potential state revealed significant difference between NS and OAT subjects. There were no significant differences in basic and functional semen parameters when men were stratified based on serum 25-OHD level. Taking both 25-OHD and semen categories (NS and OAT) into consideration did not indicate any significant difference in studied parameters. Total motility of spermatozoa was positively correlated with serum concentration of 25-OHD in all studied subjects. In addition, normal morphology of spermatozoa in NS men revealed a positive and significant correlation with levels of 25-OHD in serum. Conclusion: Vitamin D may affect motility and morphology of spermatozoa. Lower content of serum vitamin D may affect fertility of men and should be considered in examination of men with abnormal spermogram

Cross-talk between the HPA axis and addiction-related regions in stressful situations

Addiction is a worldwide problem that has a negative impact on society by imposing significant costs on health care, public security, and the deactivation of the community economic cycle. Stress is an important risk factor in the development of addiction and relapse vulnerability. Here we review studies that have demonstrated the diverse roles of stress in addiction. Term searches were conducted manually in important reference journals as well as in the Google Scholar and PubMed databases, between 2010 and 2022. In each section of this narrative review, an effort has been made to use pertinent sources. First, we will provide an overview of changes in the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis component following stress, which impact reward-related regions including the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens (NAc). Then we will focus on internal factors altered by stress and their effects on drug addiction vulnerability. We conclude that alterations in neuro-inflammatory, neurotrophic, and neurotransmitter factors following stress pathways can impact related mechanisms on craving and relapse susceptibility