Modelling and validation of off-road vehicle ride dynamics

Increasing concerns on human driver comfort/health and emerging demands on suspension systems for off-road vehicles call for an effective and efficient off-road vehicle ride dynamics model. This study devotes both analytical and experimental efforts in developing a comprehensive off-road vehicle ride dynamics model. A three-dimensional tire model is formulated to characterize tire–terrain interactions along all the three translational axes. The random roughness properties of the two parallel tracks of terrain profiles are further synthesized considering equivalent undeformable terrain and a coherence function between the two tracks. The terrain roughness model, derived from the field-measured responses of a conventional forestry skidder, was considered for the synthesis. The simulation results of the suspended and unsuspended vehicle models are derived in terms of acceleration PSD, and weighted and unweighted rms acceleration along the different axes at the driver seat location. Comparisons of the model responses with the measured data revealed that the proposed model can yield reasonably good predictions of the ride responses along the translational as well as rotational axes for both the conventional and suspended vehicles. The developed off-road vehicle ride dynamics model could serve as an effective and efficient tool for predicting vehicle ride vibrations, to seek designs of primary and secondary suspensions, and to evaluate the roles of various operating conditions

Host reaction in paratenic fish hosts against 3rd stage larvae of Anguillicola crassus

Many fish species of Lake Balaton (Hungary) serve as paratenic hosts for the 3rd stage larvae of the eel parasite Anguillicola crassus. The incidence oi different phases of the host reaction varies with paratenic fish host but its nature is basically the same. The appearance of mononuclear cells around the larvae migrating in the tissues or in the abdominal cavity is regarded as a sign of cellular host reaction. The cells adhering to the surface of the larvae gradually assume an epithelioid shape and form a granuloma. With the advancement of the process the larvae and the epithelioid cells surrounding them undergo necrosis, and the granuloma becomes surrounded by a connective tissue capsule. In more chronic cases, the inside of the parasitic nodule surrounded by several layers of connective tissue is filled out by amorphous tissue and parasite debris. In the 'suitable paratenic hosts' Anguillicola sp. larvae not affected by the host's cellular reaction outnumber those affected by it, whereas in the 'less suitable paratenic hosts' the cellular reaction very rapidly forces the larvae into foci and destroys them

Dichelyne minutus Rudolphi, 1819 (Nematoda : Cucullanidae) infection in Neogobius fluviatilis and Neogobius kessleri from southern part of Caspian Sea

During a parasitological study on two Goby species, 15 Neogobius kesslerithe and 30 Neogobius fluviatilis caught in the South Caspian Sea and Tajan River (Mazandaran Province) respectively. The fish nematode Dichelyne minutus Rudalphi 1819 was isolated from 15 N kessleri and 2 N. fluviatilis. Both male and female specimen of this parasite, were observed in the intestine of 17 fishes, some of which had penetrated into the mucous membrane of the intestine. The infection rate in N. kessleri and N fluviatilis were 100% and 6.6% respectively

Occurence of Asymphylodora kubanicum in Vimba vimba (southern Caspian Sea, Iran)

During this study, 25 specimen of Vimba vimba were collected from southern Caspian Sea in spring after biometrical measurements, samples were transferred to laboratory for further pathological examinations. Observations of their intestines showed that 15 specimen (60% of total) were infected by Asymphylodora kubanicum. The intensity of infection was seven. It should be noted that there was no pathological effects on intestinal tissue

Synopsis of the parasites in Iranian freshwater fishes

Two hundred forty-seven species of parasites from Iranian freshwater fishes are presented in this synopsis. The parasites were recorded from infestations in fish from different parts of the country and summarized according to host species, organs were the parasite infestations occurred, province, faunal region and reference numbers. The following aspects of parasite infestations were also discussed: records of the most predominant parasites, the richest regions of parasite fauna, records of parasites according to province and the most severely infected fish species and finally host specificity in terms of exotic or endemic fish

Parasitic worm of digestive tracts of Emys orbicularis in pond culture of sturgeon fingerling in Gorgan province, Iran

During one months study on 33 digestive tracts of Emys orbicularis, caught from pond culture of sturgeon fingerling. All together, three different parasitic worms were identified. These worms belong to genera Anisakis, Camallanus and Hysterothylacium. Anisakis obtaind only from stomach tissue, Camallanus from intenstine and Hysterothylacium infected both mentioned organs. The prevalence and intensity of Anisakis, Camallanus and Hysterothylacium were 21.2%, 3.7%, 36.3%, 4.4, 15.1 and 26.0 respectively

Bactericidal and fungicidal activities of different crude extracts of Gelliodes carnosa (sponge, Persian Gulf)

Marine sponges which are known to own multiple functional properties have created significant interest among the researchers due to their biological activities and impending application in different industries. The aim of this study was to obtain bioactive components of sponges. Gelliodes carnosa sponge was collected from Nay Band Bay (Persian Gulf waters) and antimicrobial activities of crude extracts were explored by calculation of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) in media supplement with different concentrations of extract solutions. Seven extracts of sponge with solvents of different polarity (E1: Ethanol, E2: Methanol, E3: Acetone, E4: Ethyl acetate, E5: Chloroform, E6: Mixed (Ethanol: Ethyl acetate: Methanol 1:2:1), E7: Distilled water) were evaluated through disc diffusion assay. Different extracts inhibited the growth of bacteria (70%) more frequently compared to fungal strains (26%). Gram-negative bacteria were more sensitive (72%) to many extract compared to Gram-positive bacteria (65%). Considerable antibacterial activity was exhibited by E6 against Bacillus subtilis (MIC: 203 µg/ml), Klebsiella pneumonia (MIC: 203 µg/ml), Escherichia coli (MIC: 407 µg/ml) and Fusarium solani (MIC: 500 µg/ml). Strong antifungal activity was obtained by E4 against Fusarium sp.2, Fusarium sp.1, F. solani and Saprolegnia parasitica (MIC: 500µg/ml). This is the first report of antimicrobial and antifungal activities of G. carnosa extracts

ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIALOF HEMOLYMPH AND HEPATOPANCREAS OFPORTUNUSSEGNISCRABS

Objective: The potential of marine crabs as a source of bioactive products is largely unexplored. Methods: Portunussegnis crabs were collected from the northern coast of Persian Gulf. Antimicrobial activities of hepatopancreas,hemolymph and proteinsof hemplymphfrom P. segniscrabs against a range of 11 different bacterial and 6 fungal pathogen strains were examined. Two positive controls Amoxicillin and Penicillin were also used. Results: The maximum(16 mm) and minimum (7.2 mm) activity was recorded frommale hemolymph and male hepatopancreas against Entrobacter sp. and Serratiamarcesences respectively. Incomparison with bacterial pathogens, fungal pathogens showed more resistance to the extracts. Conclusion: Results show that hemolymph and hepatopancreas of brachyuran crabs may have Antimicrobial activity

Comparison of prevalence, mean intensity and abundance of metazoan parasites of Otolithes ruber (Osteichthyes: Sciaenidae) in Khozestan, Hormozgan and Sistan and Baluchestan Provinces

This study was carried out to comparison and survey on metazoan parasites of Otolithes ruber in coastal waters of Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman. Totally 318 fish specimens were seasonally caught by gill net, bottom trawl and hook in Khozestan, Hormozgan and Sistan and Baluchestan Provinces from summer 2013 to spring 2014. Specimens immediately were frozen and transferred to laboratory and after measuring fish weight and length, parasitological survey conducted on external and internal organs. Totally, 20 different parasites species were observed from O. ruber in mentioned areas that some of them occurred in all three regions and the others were only in one or two areas. The results of this study showed that monogeneans and digeneans had the highest occurrence in three regions while other groups were less abundant in each area. The results of statistical analyses showed significant differences among parasites abundance in different seasons. As well as a significant differences were found between male and female and parasites abundance of Digenea in Khozestan, Monogenea and Cestoda in Hormozgan and Nematoda in Sistan and Baluchesta Provinces. The prevalence of parasites depends on environmental conditions and presence of intermediate hosts that these factors are likely to be different in the three regions

A Comparison of the Conditions of Iran Public Libraries with the IFLA Standards

This study aimed to compare the conditions of the public libraries in Iran with the standards of IFLA. Iran is a country in the southwest of Asia. With 1,648,669 square kilometers, it is the 18th country in the world and has a population of 79,926,270. There are more than 3000 public libraries in Iran. Under Iran’s law, the Iran public libraries Foundation, which is a non-governmental entity, is responsible for the task of establishing, constructing, equipping, developing, managing, and monitoring the public libraries across the country. In this study, the five indicators of resources, Stack space, the space of the reading hall and public library staff are compared with the IFLA standards to determine the difference between the current conditions and the standards. The methodology of the research is comparative. Data collection instrument is a checklist, based on which the number of public libraries in different indices will be extracted and compared with IFLA standards. This study presents a clear portrait of the conditions of public libraries in a country and can be a model for other developing countries to compare the conditions of public libraries with IFLA standards. Presenting this article and sharing its results, the authors also hope to benefit from the opinions of other expert participants for the further improvement of public library activities