A strategic analysis of carp culture development in Iran

The thesis is concerned with the strategic analysis of carp culture development in Iran, based on an assessment of the supply potential from various forms of carp farming, and on the potential demand, market features and price determinants for carp and carp products. Based on a sample of 188 farms from the three main carp farming provinces plus two case studies, all farmers in all locations and categories made a profit, with feed and fertiliser dominating variable costs. Considerable variation in production costs and profitability was observed. Where some degree of investment and support services have been provided, major increases in output have occurred. The culture of carp is technically possible in a variety of conditions within the country, though, expanding large scale farming mainly depends on reducing the cost of feed and fertiliser. Future targets could be to integrate with other agricultural activities, intensify smaller farms in the Caspian area, and consider developing larger scale commercial production in Khuzestan. A market and consumer survey was conducted, including a sample of 357 consumers in Tehran and Karaj, and 96 sellers in 11 main cities from 6 provinces. Younger consumers had the strongest preferences for ready meals product, while to increase consumption, a rise in income and decline in price will have a greater effect on older groups, larger sized families and educated people. The growing willingness to buy new product forms, particularly by younger consumers, educated groups, inland urban dwellers and high-middle income groups might be expected to increase demand. A range of supply/demand scenarios has been presented, offering projections for the year 2010, suggested target levels of 284,000-348,000t. In broad terms a policy for carp production was described to meet these targets. As in developing markets elsewhere, the traditional wholesale sector may lose its position as multiple retailers and supermarket chains become increasingly important outlets for carp and its products, and opportunities may arise for adding value in a range of ways. Within rural areas, and smaller cities, consumers may also increase their ability to buy fresh fish at the farm gate or at local outlets

Challenges of Soil Taxonomy and WRB in classifying soils: some examples from Iranian soils

The two most widely used soil classification are Soil Taxonomy (ST) and World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB). The purpose of this paper is to clarify the differences and the similarities between ST and WRB in their current state, with some examples for representative soils in arid and semi-arid regions of Iran. Four representative pedons were classified and soil units from WRB were compared to those obtained by using ST at the family level. WRB could show the status of polluted soils by heavy metals through “toxic” qualifier and its subqualifiers. On the other hand, ST could indicate the status of shallow soils in our studied soils but it was not able to show gleyic conditions and the existence of salic horizon because of the differences of salic horizon criteria with WRB. Special effort should be done to quantify various anthropogenic activities in upcoming editions of both classification systems.

Post-saccadic Eye Movement Indices Under Cognitive Load: A Path Analysis to Determine Visual Performance

Purpose: The evidence on the linear relationship between cognitive load, saccade, fixation, and task performance was uncertain. We tested pathway models for degraded task performance resulting from changes in saccadic and post-saccadic fixation under cognitive load. Methods: Participants’ (n = 38) eye movements were recorded using a post-saccadic discrimination task with and without arithmetic operations to impose cognitive load, validated through recording heart rate variability and subjective measurement. Results: Results showed that cognitive load led to longer latencies of saccade and fixation; more inaccurate responses and fewer secondary saccades (P < 0.001). Longer saccade latencies influenced task performance indirectly via increases in fixation latency, therefore, longer reaction times and higher response errors were observed due to limited fixation duration on desired target. Conclusion: We suggest that latency and duration of fixation indicate efficiency of information processing and can predict the speed and accuracy of task performance under cognitive load

An Effective Research Methodology for Studying Film Tourism in Iran

One out of five destination tourists have been attracted by a film [8]. This means tourism research needs to experience more research at this remarkable growth area in future. To produce scientific research in this research area, it is essential to develop skills in the specific research area or method. It is not only need to understand tourism research method, but also, we need to find and merge research method in the field of media’s research area. The goal of any researcher is to find a solution for a gap with sufficient knowledge of understanding. Research design and methods are used for data collection. First part of this paper is to highlights what is research and research methodology. Second part focuses about qualitative and quantitative methods and approaches on data collection methods in this area. In fact, this article summarizes basic steps and methodological prerequisites and principles for the research area of film tourism as the research guide throughout the research period for research areas including cultural studies, tourism, and media

Max-Min Fairness Based on Cooperative-NOMA Clustering for Ultra-Reliable and Low-Latency Communications

In this paper, the performance of a cooperative relaying technique in a non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) system, briefly named cooperative NOMA (C-NOMA), is considered in short packet communications with finite blocklength (FBL) codes. We examine the performance of a decode-and-forward (DF) relaying along with selection combining (SC) and maximum ratio combining (MRC) strategies at the receiver. Our goal is user clustering based on C-NOMA to maximize fair throughput in a DL-NOMA scenario. In each cluster, the user with a stronger channel (strong user) acts as a relay for the other one (weak user), and optimal power and blocklength are allocated to achieve max-min throughput.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures, This paper has been submitted for IEEE systems journa

Effects of Three Media Cultures on Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics in Two Turf Grass Genera for Sod Production

Agricultural environments can be described by several different variables that include soil chemical, physical, and biological data (Mele and Crowley, 2008). Soil structure provides the essential framework which maintains the basic production at farming systems (Smith and Powlson, 2003). Soil responses vary for a number of reasons, such as variability in initial ecosystem conditions, diversity in agricultural methods, variability in the mix of crops and cropping intensity, and environmental sensitivity to alteration (varying resistance and resilience) (Homburg and Sandor, 2011). Application of compost in turf grass soils can affect dissolved organic C (DOC) levels which affects nutrient dynamics in soil such that the addition of compost in soil decreased NO3, increased P, and decreased soil pH relative to unamended soil (Wright et al. 2008). Furthermore, compost is a way to nourish roots and make a lawn stronger and greener. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of various media cultures of soil, leaf and animal manure composts and mixes, on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of turf grass sodding

Geo-economics and Considerations on the Tourism Industry with Emphasis on Historical Cities Tourism and Ecotourism in Iran

Considering its many potentials in the tourism industry, Iran has constantly been among the leading countries seeking development in this industry. Iran is a country with many attractions in different tourism sections including cultural, urban, and monument tourism, and ancient places as well as ecotourism, and water tourism etc. for tourists. However, Iran has never economically prospered regarding its potentials in this industry as compared to its rivals. Thus, the main objective of this work is to list the main necessities of harnessing economic power and required instruments to fulfill this goal. In addition, the tourism industry is discussed as an important strategy for reaching this power, and the Iranian wildlife is introduced as an intact environment. It is also discussed that what economic benefits are obtained through using this tourism industry. It must be noted that the main emphasis of this work is on urban, monument tourism, ancient places, and ecotourism as a case study in two Iranian provinces. Finally, the required analyses are performed considering the affinity between these two sections and two provinces. Results indicated that while Iran having the highest percent of growth compared to the two other countries active in this area, however this advantage has not significantly affected the GDP in Iran, and Iran has not been able to improve its geo-economic capacity in this area

Childhood Physical Abnormalities following Paternal Exposure to Sulfur Mustard Gas in Iran: a Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND:Mustard gas, a known chemical weapon, was used during the Iran-Iraq war of 1980-1988. We aimed to determine if exposure to mustard gas among men was significantly associated with abnormalities and disorders among progenies.METHODS:Using a case-control design, we identified all progenies of Sardasht men (exposed group, n = 498), who were born at least nine months after the exposure, compared to age-matched controls in Rabat, a nearby city (non-exposed group, n = 689). We conducted a thorough medical history, physical examination, and appropriate paraclinical studies to detect any physical abnormality and/or disorder. Given the presence of correlated data, we applied Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) multivariable models to determine associations.RESULTS:The overall frequency of detected physical abnormalities and disorders was significantly higher in the exposed group (19% vs. 11%, Odds Ratio [OR] 1.93, 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.37-2.72, P = 0.0002). This was consistent across sexes. Congenital anomalies (OR 3.54, 95% CI, 1.58-7.93, P = 0.002) and asthma (OR, 3.12, 95% CI, 1.43-6.80, P = 0.004) were most commonly associated with exposure. No single abnormality was associated with paternal exposure to mustard gas.CONCLUSION:Our study demonstrates a generational effect of exposure to mustard gas. The lasting effects of mustard gas exposure in parents effects fertility and may impact child health and development in the long-term