Investigation of Changes in the Amount and Distribution of Precipitation and Temperature in Iran and Their Effects on Extreme Events

Global warming in recent decades has caused significant changes in precipitation and temperature, including changes in the mean and standard deviation of these variables and changes in the intensity and frequency of climatic extremes (floods and droughts). Given the importance of these changes in water resources management, it is crucial to study the trends in these variables. In this study, in 12 selected stations in different climatic regions in Iran, the changes in monthly and annual precipitation and mean temperature during 1961-1990 and 1991-2020 were examined. The results of Mann-Kendall test showed in most stations precipitation had an increasing trend in the first period, and a decreasing trend in the second period; although in both periods the trend was not significant (Z2,576) and greater slope than in the first period. The average annual rainfall has decreased in most stations, and the average annual temperature has increased in all stations. The distribution of precipitation and temperature showed that in some stations, the probability of occurrence of extreme events and hot and cold periods in the second period has increased compared to the first period. In some other stations, droughts/floods are more/less likely to occur. This indicates that the activity of air masses affecting each station can be intensified or weakened due to climate change

Investigation of Phytochemical and Antioxidant Capacity of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) Against Gout

Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (Apiaceae) is an aromatic plant, with medicinal and culinary applications, widely naturalized worldwide, especially near the see coasts and riversides. Fennel has long been used in Iran as a traditional remedy against gout. The objective of our study was to uncover the scientific basis of this traditional gout therapy. Different plant parts were extracted by methanol and used in phytochemical assessment and examined for possible inhibitory effects on xanthine oxidase -the main enzyme responsible for uric acid accumulation in blood. FRAP and β-carotene bleaching assays, total anthocyanin, carotenoids, soluble sugars, phenolics and flavonoids content were measured spectrophotometrically, while caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid and quercitin contents were measured by HPLC. The experiments were performed using a 3-stage nested statistical design with three biological replications. Results showed that the flower extract exhibited the most xanthine oxidase inhibitory effect (80% of Allopurinol), the highest amounts of total phenol, flavonoid and cafeic acid (53.55, 7.71 and 0.049 mg gdw-1,respectively), as well as significant antioxidant activity in scavenging free radicals. These results suggest that flower extract of fennel is a natural source of valuable compounds against xanthine oxidase activity, with potential therapeutic applications in human gout treatment

Seasonal Variations in Carnosic Acid Content of Rosemary Correlates with Anthocyanins and Soluble Sugars

Seasonal variations may influence the quality and quantity of biologically active ingredients in medicinal plants. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) a member of the Lamiaceae family, contains valuable antioxidant, anticancer and antibacterial substances, including Carnosic acid (CA). Here, the fluctuations of important active compounds present in rosemary leaf extracts collected in Golestan, Iran were studied during the year of 2012-2013. Plant phenolics, flavonoids, ascorbates, anthocyanins and soluble sugars were analyzed spectrophotometrically, while CA content was measured by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The highest amounts of total flavonoids occurred in autumn; while CA, phenolics, ascorbic acids and soluble sugars were greatest in winter, probably due to regional high precipitation and subtle winters. Most of the above indicated active compounds were low in early summer. Furthermore, total anthocyanins and soluble sugars showed significant positive correlations with CA over the year. These data suggest that rosemary extracts from the collected leaves in winter contain greater amounts of biologically active compounds; and can be used for standardization of plant materials harvested throughout a year

Silk-Based Biopolymers Promise Extensive Biomedical Applications in Tissue Engineering, Drug Delivery, and BioMEMS

As an FDA-approved biopolymer, silk has been contemplated for a wide range of applications based on its unique merits, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and piezoelectricity. As silk, in both crystalline structure and amorphous state, exhibits unique physical, mechanical, and biological properties (promoting cell migration, differentiation, growth, and protein-surface interaction), it is fruitful to understand its potential applications. Sensors, actuators, and drug delivery systems are the best in case. As such, the current effort first introduces silk fibroin (SF) and delineates its characteristics. It then explores the extensive use of this biomaterial in tissue engineering approaches, in addition to its biosensor and electro-active wearable bioelectronic application. To this end, the SF application in cardiovascular, skin, cartilage, and drug delivery systems for cancer therapy and wound healing was studied precisely. Compositing any type of other variables to induce a specific application or improve any SF barriers, namely its hydrophobicity, poor electrical conductivity, or tuning its mechanical properties, especially in tissue engineering applications, has also been discussed wherever it is deemed informative.</p

Silk-Based Biopolymers Promise Extensive Biomedical Applications in Tissue Engineering, Drug Delivery, and BioMEMS

As an FDA-approved biopolymer, silk has been contemplated for a wide range of applications based on its unique merits, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and piezoelectricity. As silk, in both crystalline structure and amorphous state, exhibits unique physical, mechanical, and biological properties (promoting cell migration, differentiation, growth, and protein-surface interaction), it is fruitful to understand its potential applications. Sensors, actuators, and drug delivery systems are the best in case. As such, the current effort first introduces silk fibroin (SF) and delineates its characteristics. It then explores the extensive use of this biomaterial in tissue engineering approaches, in addition to its biosensor and electro-active wearable bioelectronic application. To this end, the SF application in cardiovascular, skin, cartilage, and drug delivery systems for cancer therapy and wound healing was studied precisely. Compositing any type of other variables to induce a specific application or improve any SF barriers, namely its hydrophobicity, poor electrical conductivity, or tuning its mechanical properties, especially in tissue engineering applications, has also been discussed wherever it is deemed informative.</p

Relative deprivation, a silent driver in hydropolitics: Evidence from Afghanistan–Iran water diplomacy

This paper aims to unpack the affective factors in Afghanistan–Iran water conflict dynamics. It examines the role played by the feeling of relative deprivation (RD) (that is, riparian states’ subjective perception of their relative position) in conflicts over shared water resources. The model of RD-mediated hydropolitics is conceptualised through its application to Afghanistan-Iran water diplomacy by conducting process tracing and content analysis. The results reveal that Afghanistan’s domestic issues have led to a feeling of RD in its water sharing relations with Iran. Afghans’ feeling of RD has led to negative emotions and responses, which have in turn influenced decisions regarding their domestic use of transboundary waters and their withholding of water from downstream users. The RD feeling within Afghan society has a contributory role in hydro-infrastructural developments and the resultant desire on the part of government to meet societal expectations, notably within the Helmand/Hirmand River Basin. These responses aim to alleviate the RD feeling but have evoked social and political reactions as well as emotionally charged verbal disputes and water conflicts between riparian states. The research findings emphasise that RD feeling as a subjective and affective factor can subtly influence transboundary water behaviours, politics and diplomacy

Summer Savory (Satureja hortensis) Extract Inhibits Xanthine Oxidase

Xanthine oxidase plays crucial roles in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and uric acid in blood which may lead to gout, one of the oldest known forms of arthritis amongst humans. Summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) a medicinal/spice exhibits antioxidant activity, but unknown effects on xanthine oxidase activity. Here, for the first time, we examined the effects of S. hortensis extracts on alleviation of oxidative stress and in vitro xanthine oxidase activity. Total phenolic compounds, soluble sugar, carotenoid contents of methanolic extracts of roots, leaves, stems, flowers and seeds as well as their antioxidant activity and potential inhibitory effects on xanthine oxidase were analyzed. Leaves, flowers and fruits of the plant exhibited the highest amounts of phenolic contents. The flavonoid content was highest in the leaves of the vegetative stage and decreased when the plant entered the reproductive stage. In contrast, the anthocyanin and sugar contents as well as the antioxidant capacity were in their highest amounts when the plant entered the reproductive stage. Remarkably, the leaves of the flowering stage displayed significant inhibitory effects on xanthine oxidase activity, which may propose a novel potential role for S. hortensis leaves in effective treatment of gout

Theoretical evaluation of integrated Basin at Risk (iBAR) method for international water conflict-cooperation analysis

Comprehensive analysis of water interactions enhances understanding of the dynamic and complex conditions in transboundary river basins. The Basin at Risk (BAR) method is among common methods to analyze water interactions. The integrated Basin at Risk (iBAR) method has recently enhanced BAR. As an extension of BAR, iBAR emphasizes hidden drivers of water conflict and cooperation, whereas BAR includes visible ones. The novelty of iBAR is grounded in Johan Galtung’s theory of violence and the concept of positive peace. This method emphasizes the importance of capturing the hidden aspects of water conflicts as well as the concept of positive peace in water interactions. While iBAR has made significant improvements in addressing water conflicts, some challenges remain. This paper provides a review and theoretical analysis of iBAR. Initially, the iBAR development phases are reviewed in terms of positive peace conceptualization and contextualization in water interactions. Following this, the theoretical background of this method is discussed. The results suggest that the iBAR method could be further enhanced by revising concepts of positive peace, social justice, and environmental justice in water interactions

Mixed rules in multi-issue allocation situations

Multi-issue allocation situations study problems where we have to divide an estate among a group of agents. The claim of each agent is a vector specifying the amount claimed by each agent on each issue. We present a two-stage rule. First we divide the estate among the issues following the constrained equal awards rule. Second, the amount assigned to each issue is divided among the agents proportionally to their demands on this issue. We apply such rule to two real problems: the distribution of natural resources between countries and the distribution of budget for education and research between universities