Stratigraphy and reconstruction of the sedimentary environment of the Dalichai and Lar formations in the Yengejeh section (southeast of Zanjan)

Abstract Stratigraphic and sedimentology studies have been carried out on sixty-nine rock samples related to the one hundred fifteen meters thickness of the Dalichai and Lar formations in the southeast of Zanjan. The carbonate layers of the Dalichai Formation with seventy-eight meters thickness overlay the strata of the Shemshak Group/Formation (the boundary has been covered) and are overlaid by thirty-seven meters thickness of carbonate layers of the Lar Formation with gradual boundary in this area. There are some sedimentological changes in the succession across the Dalichai-Lar formations boundary such as color changes, bedding thickness changes from medium to thick, disappearance of Thalassinoides facies, chert nodules, and Ammonite/Belemnite facies and finally changes in microfacies from mudstone to the wackestone/packstone (deeper to the shallower). The Lar Formation is the youngest formation in this area that has been covered by the Quaternary sediments. Five lithofacies have been identified based on field and microscopic studies: 1- Pelloidal packstone with intraclasts, 2- Pellet/oncoid wackestone/packstone, 3- Mudstone with Thalassinoides, 4- Bositra buchi pelagic packstone and 5- Pelagic mudstone that shows basin and outer ramp as depositional environments for the Dalichai and Lar formations in this section. Field and facies studies show a deepening upward trend to the middle parts of the section (upper parts of the Dalichai Formation) and followed by shallowing upward trend to the upper parts (Lar Formation) of the section. Keywords: Stratigraphy, Sedimentary environment, Dalichai Formation, Lar Formation, Zanjan.     Introduction      Several studies have been carried out on the stratigraphy and sedimentary environment of the Dalichai and Lar formations in different parts of the Alborz sedimentary basin, which show that the Dalichai Formation is lithologically composed of marls, shales, and limestones, and the  Lar Formation include thick-bedded fossiliferous limestones. Microfacies studies on the Dalichai Formation show that this formation was deposited in a deep marine ramp environment. Separation of the boundary between Dalichai and Lar formations has been discussed by many geologists, so for this purpose, in addition to fieldwork studies and lithological boundary, geochemical data have also been used for this purpose in some studies. In this research, a suitable outcrop in the southeast of Zanjan was examined for the purpose of studying stratigraphy, separating the boundary between the Dalichai and Lar formations, and reconstructing the sedimentary environment of these formations.   Material & Methods     During the initial field studies, the best and most complete section was selected for stratigraphic study and sampling. During the field studies, features such as changes in lithology composition and the thickness of succession, fossil content, the color of the weathered surface of rocks and rock texture were considered. Sixty-nine samples were collected from the Dalichai and Lar formations. Thirty samples are related to Dalichai Formation and the rest are related to Lar Formation. Also, two samples were collected from the Shemshak Formation/Group. Thin sections were prepared from all the samples. The classification of Dunham (1962) was used in determining and naming the microfacies, and the environmental interpretation was based on Flügel and Munnecke (2010). The proposed sedimentary model for these deposits was presented based on the combination of field and microscopic data.   Discussion of Results & Conclusions     The lithology of the Dalichai Formation in the western Alborz is mainly limestones and argillaceous limestones (Adabi and Abarghani 2001), but towards the central and eastern Alborz, it is observed as shale and marl (Hashemi-Yazdi et al. 2020). The Dalichai Formation in the studied section consists of about 78 meters of blue and grey medium-bedded limestones with mudstone texture. A collection of ammonite and belemnite fossils are observed in the upper parts of the Dalichai Formation, which are mainly in the form of external molds and in most cases are filled with secondary silica. The identification of the boundary between the Dalichai and Lar formations is based on the presence of cherty sequences and thick-bedded limestone layers, which is clearly visible in the studied section. The stratigraphic and sedimentological studies on the Dalichai and Lar formations in the Yengje section led to the identification of five facies, which are as follows from shallow to the deep marine environment: pelloidal packstone with intraclast, pellet-oncoid wackestone-packstone, mudstone with Thalassinoides, Bositra buchi pelagic packstone and finally pelagic mudstone. The identified microfacies indicate the deposition of the Dalichai Formation in the studied area in an open marine environment belonging to the outer ramp and deep basin during the Middle Jurassic. The dominant presence of micrite and little amounts of cement in the carbonate facies also probably indicates a low-energy sedimentary environment during the deposition of carbonates of the Dalichai Formation in the studied area. The presence of semi-rounded intraclasts shown in situ intra-basin transport can be affected by the activities of the Middle Cimmerian orogenic phase in the region. This facies can indicate the beginning of a transgression, and then, the facies of the deep basin were deposited. Following that, as a result of the sea level fall, the facies change to wackestone to packstone with pellets and ancoid related to the outer ramp of the Lar Formation

Microfacies, sedimentary environmental model and relative sea level change of marly strata of the Qom Formation in Zarrin-Abad section, South of Zanjan

Abstract In order to reconstruct the sedimentary environment of marly strata related to the upper parts of Qom Formation, one stratigraphic outcrop have been studied. Studied section is located in the Zarrin-Abad area (South of Zanjan) and is composed of 135 meters of marls and argillaceous limestones. Theses strata are limited by thick bedded limestone (related to the F Member of the Qom Formation) at the base. There is a thick bed of evaporate layer at the top of these strata with sharp boundary that can be stratigraphically related to the Upper Red Formation. Based on petrographic and texture studies, eight microfacies have been identified. These microfacies are related to the distal parts of inner shelf, patch reef, slope, toe of slop and deep shelf sub environments. Based on microfacies analysis we can propose an open shelf as sedimentary environment for these strata. Relative abundance of allochems show one cycle (rise and fall) in relative sea level along the stratigraphic column that can be correlated with eustasy curve.  Keywords: Microfacies, Sedimentary model, Qom Formation, Zarrin-Abad, Zanjan.   Introduction The Qom Formation (Oligocene–Miocene) in central Iran is composed of carbonate and silisiclastic strata that is related to the lagoon, reef and basin sedimentary environments (Reuter et al. 2009). Due to the hydrocarbon potential, this formation has been considered by many geologists. Different sedimentary environment (ramp and/orshelf) have been proposed for this formation. Thus, this study try to reconstruct the sedimentary environment for these strata in the south of Zanjan to complete the comprehensive plan for the sedimentary environment of the Qom Formation. This formation in the studied section (Zarrin-Abad) is unconformably underlain by silisiclastic strata of the Lower Red Formation (Aalipour et al. 2017) and overlain (covered boundary) by the evaporitic package of Upper Red Formation. This study focused on upper parts of Qom Formation (marls and argillaceous limestones) in order to reconstruct sedimentary environment.   Material & Method One stratigraphic section has been sampled in the South of Zanjan (Sothwest of Zarrin-Abad). Forty two samples from 135 meters of marls and argillaceous limestones (Upper parts of Qom Formation) have been collected and thin sections were prepared. Sampling intervals were about three meters in average and included hard and semi-hard sediments. The microfacies analysis using polarized microscope have allowed the reconstruction on carbonate environment of upper parts of the Qom Formation in this section. Carbonate rock classification, facies study and environmental interpretation on thin sections was based on Dunham (1962) and Flugel (2010). All thin sections have been housed in Paleontological Laboratory, Department of Geology, University of Zanjan.   Discussion of Results & Conclusions Biostratigraphic studies confirm a Burdigalian age for these strata based on two index fossils (Borelis meo curdica, Meandropsina Iranica). One biozone has been identified based on first occurrence of Borelis melo curdica in the base of section (S1) and last occurrence of ­Meandropsina Iranica in the top of section (S39). This biozone can be correlated with (Adams and Bourgeois 1967) and (Daneshian and Ramezani Dana 2019) zonations. Microfacies analysis lead to identification of eight microfacies (1- Bioclast benthic foraminifera algal grainstone, 2- Coral boundstone, 3- Bioclast wackestone, 4- Sandy bioclast grainstone, 5- Sandy bioclast packstone, 6- Bioclast mudstone, 7- Pelagic mudstone/wackestone and 8- Pelagic packstone) related to the middle to outer carbonate shelf environment. Coral reef facies in lower parts of studied section can approve a carbonate shelf as sedimentary environment. Moreover, bioclast particles that consist of corals, benthic foraminifera, algae and some other fossils beside coral boundstone facies show fore reef facies in front of the platform margin. Based on presence of clastic particles in pelagic facies, we can conclude that there were some channels in coral reef areas that connect back reef environments to the open marine areas. Based on field observation and microfacies analysis, we proposed non-rimmed carbonate shelf as sedimentary environment for the studied strata. Based on quantitative analysis on environmental data, most of samples (strata) are related to the deep shelf environment. Quantitative analysis diagrams (allochems percentage) shows in each samples that there were rising trend in relative sea level from the base of section to the middle part. Following this trend the falling trend towards the end of the section have been recorded. This trends can be correlated with the global sea level changes during this time (Burdigalian). Thus it can be concluded that the Burdigalian basin in this area had been connected to the open oceans

Comparison of photocatalytic activity of ZnO, Ag-ZnO, Cu-ZnO, Ag, Cu-ZnO and TPPS/ZnO for the degradation of methylene blue under UV and visible light irradiation

In this study, zinc oxide and silver and copper-doped zinc oxide nanorods were synthesized by a simple template-free precipitation technique. In addition, meso-tetrakis-(4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (TPPS4) was prepared and immobilized on ZnO nanorods (TPPS/ ZnO). The synthesized photocatalysts were characterized by various techniques such as X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy. The potential of the obtained photocatalysts in the degradation of methylene blue was investigated under UV and visible light irradiation. The results revealed that the photocatalytic activity of TPPS/ZnO was higher than those of the pure ZnO and doped ZnO under visible light irradiation

Vehicle Routing with Time Windows and Customer Selection for Perishable Goods

Delivering perishable products to customers as soon as possible and with the minimum cost has been always a challenge for producers and has been emphasized over recent years due to the global market becoming more competitive. In this paper a multi-objective mix integer non-linear programming model is proposed to maximize both profits of a distributer and the total freshness of the several products to be delivered to customers with respect to their demands and with consideration of different soft time windows for each customer, heterogeneous distribution fleet and customer selection option for the distributer. The proposed model is solved with TH method. The two genetic algorithm and simulated annealing algorithm are used to solve large-sized problems. Finally, their results are compared to each other when the optimization software becomes unable of solution representation

Comparison of Pneumatic Dilation with Pneumatic Dilation Plus Botulinum Toxin for Treatment of Achalasia

Among the therapeutic options for achalasia are pneumatic dilatation (PD), an appropriate long-term therapy, and botulinum toxin injection (BT) that is a relatively short-term therapy. This study aimed to compare therapeutic effect of repetitive pneumatic dilation with a combined method (botulinum toxin injection and pneumatic dilation) in a group of achalasia patients who are low responder to two initial pneumatic dilations. Thirty- four patients with documented primary achalasia that had low response to two times PD (<50% decrease in symptom score and barium height at 5 minute in timed esophagogram after 3month of late PD) were randomized to receive pneumatic dilation (n=18) or botulinum toxin injection and pneumatic dilation by four weeks interval (n=16), PD and BT+PD groups respectively. Symptom scores were evaluated before and at 1, 6 and 12 months after treatment. Clinical remission was defined as a decrease in symptom score ≥ 50% of baseline. There were no significant differences between the two groups in gender, age and achalasia type. Remission rate of patients in BT-PD group in comparison with PD group were 87.5% vs. 67.1% (P = 0.7), 87.5% vs. 61.1% (P = 0.59) and 87.5% vs. 55.5% (P = 0.53) at 1, 6 and 12 months respectively .There were no major complications in either group. The mean symptom score decreased by 62.71% in the BT-PD group (P < 0.002) and 50.77% in the PD group (P < 0.01) at the end of the first year. Despite a better response rate in BT+PD group, a difference was not statistically significant. A difference may be meaningful if a large numbers of patients are included in the study

Combination of atorvastatin/coenzyme Q10 as adjunctive treatment in congestive heart failure: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND: Heart failure is one of the leading causes of mortality, is a final common pathway of several cardiovascular diseases, and its treatment is a major concern in the science of cardiology. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of addition of the coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)/atorvastatin combination to standard congestive heart failure (CHF) treatment versus addition of atorvastatin alone on CHF outcomes. METHODS: This study was a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial. In the present study, 62 eligible patients were enrolled and randomized into 2 groups. In the intervention group patients received 10 mg atorvastatin daily plus 100 mg CoQ10 pearl supplement twice daily, and in the placebo group patients received 10 mg atorvastatin daily and the placebo of CoQ10 pearl for 4 months. For all patients echocardiography was performed and blood sample was obtained for determination of N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein levels. Echocardiography and laboratory test were repeated after 4 months. The New York Heart Association Function Class (NYHA FC) was also determined for each patient before and after the study period. RESULTS: Data analyses showed that ejection fraction (EF) and NYHA FC changes differ significantly between intervention and placebo group (P = 0.006 and P = 0.002, respectively). Changes in other parameters did not differ significantly between study groups. CONCLUSION: We deduce that combination of atorvastatin and CoQ10, as an adjunctive treatment of CHF, increase EF and improve NYHA FC in comparison with use of atorvastatin alone. &nbsp; Keywords: Coenzyme Q10, Atorvastatin, Clinical Trial, Congestive Heart Failure&nbsp;</div

Reliability of Pubertal Self Assessment Method: An Iranian Study

Objective: This investigation aims to evaluate the validity of a Persian Tanner Stages Self-Assessment Questionnaire Methods: In this cross sectional study, 190 male students aged 8-16 years selected from three layers of different regions of Tehran (North, Central and South) were enrolled. A Persian questionnaire illustrated with Tanner stages of puberty (genital development and pubic hair distribution) was prepared. Children were asked to select the illustration that best described their pubertal development. Tanner status of the children was also estimated by an independent physician using physical examination. The degree of agreement between subjects' judgments with assessments made by the rater was compared through the calculation of the weighted kappa statistic coefficient. Findings: We found a substantial agreement between self-assessment of pubertal development made by the children and doctor's assessment of genital development (kappa=0.63, P<0.0001) and also the pubic hair distribution (kappa= 0.74, P<0.0001). Although a large proportion of subjects in G4 (89.2%) and G5 (85.7%) were capable of accurately or almost accurately identifying their own Tanner sexual stages, some degree of disagreement was observed in G3 Tanner stage (%46.9). Conclusion: Self-assessment of puberty should be used very cautiously and may not be a substitute method for routine evaluation of pubertal state especially for early and mid pubertal groups

Does percutaneous nephrolithotomy cause elevated cardiac troponins?

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is the treatment of choice in large and staghorn renal stones, and myocardial infarction is one the possible complications during and after the surgery. We investigated if renal and skeletal muscle injury, caused by percutaneous nephrolithotomy, can cause elevation in cardiac troponins (cTn). METHODS: This study was conducted on otherwise healthy patients with renal stone undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy. A baseline 12-lead electrocardiogram, echocardiography, and cTn assessment confirmed no cardiac pathology in any patients. Cardiac troponins T (cTnT) and I (cTnI), and also creatine kinase (CK) were assessed before and after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients (69.1% males, mean age: 40.5 &plusmn; 13.8 year) were included. Serum creatinine level ranged from 0.7 to 1.3 mg/dl (mean = 1.03 &plusmn; 0.17). The level of CK was significantly increased by 469.5 &plusmn; 201.4 U/l (P &lt; 0.001), and no positive cTnT or cTnI was observed after surgery. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study showed that renal cell injury, caused by percutaneous nephrolithotomy, is not associated with elevated cardiac troponins. These findings show that increasing troponins in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy indicate a cardiovascular pathology. &nbsp; Keywords: Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy, Coronary Artery Disease, Acute Coronary Syndrome, Cardiac Markers, Troponin&nbsp;</div