Improving the Power Quality in Tehran Metro Line-Two Using the Ant Colony Algorithm

This research aims to survey the improvement of power quality in Tehran metro line 2 using the ant colony algorithm and to investigate all the factors affecting the achievement of this goal. In order to put Tehran on the road of sustainable development, finding a solution for dealing with air pollution is essential. The use of public transportation, especially metro, is one of the ways to achieve this goal. Since the highest share of pollutants in Tehran belongs to cars and mobile sources, relative statistical indicators are estimated through assuming the effect of metro lines development and subsequently reduction of traffic on power quality index

Use of simplex algorithm for optimizing simulation models

A methodology and computer model is developed to determine economically optimum closed subsurface drainage systems in irrigated areas. The mode 1 maximizes net benefits, by comparing profit driven by crop yields to drain system cost and selects an optimum drain layout. The optimization methodology used is the SIMPLEX method (Nelder and Mead, 1965). The SIMPLEX model was linked to the subsurface drainage model DRAINMOD (Skaggs, 1982) and to the surface hydraulic model KINE (Walker and Skogerboe 1987). The selected optimum drainage system maximizes the difference between total revenue, and the total cost of installation, operation and management of a particular drainage system. The optimization sub-program provides a workable and simple procedure for optimizing water management simulation models

Apparent digestibility coefficients and nutritional value of Iranian cottonseed meal varieties for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Three different varieties of cottonseed meal (CSM) were evaluated to measure the apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of the nutrients using chromic oxide (Cr2O3) as an indigestible marker. Five experimental diets were prepared and mixed with 1% of Cr2O3, 2% of mineral and vitamin each of which were premixed. Diet 1 was used as the control diet. Diets 2, 3, 4 and 5 were formulated using 70% of the control diet together with 30% of each of the cottonseed meal Pak (CSMP), cottonseed meal Sahel (CSMS), cottonseed meal Akra (CSMA), and soya bean meal (SBM), respectively, in three replications. The ADC of the three CSM varieties was measured to be 53.8-62.7%, 60.2-66.6% and 75.6-82.4% for dry matter, fat and crude protein, respectively. Survival rate for all fishes used in this study was more than 98%. Fishes fed with the CSM diets were not significantly different compared with those fed with the SBM diet in terms of survival rate (p>0.05). Apparent protein digestibility of CSMP and CSMS showed no significant difference with SBM (p>0.05). Therefore, it could be concluded that two kinds of CSM could be used as a replacement for SBM in rainbow trout as a protein source

The value of serum uric acid as a mortality prediction in critically ill children

Objective: The role of initial serum uric acid on admission in critically ill patients is controversial; we presumed that uric acid level can predict the mortality of the admitted patients to intensive care unit as a simple test. Methods: Totally, 220 consecutively admitted children (96 girls, 124 boys) with mean age 3.5 years, who were at least 24 hours in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), were enrolled in a prospective cohort study during January 2006 to December 2007. The subsequent PICU admission in the same hospitalization, those who were discharged from the hospital and then re-admitted to the PICU during the observation period, and the patients with chronic renal failure were excluded. Serum uric acid level was measured during the first day of PICU admission. Death or transfer from PICU was considered as final outcome. The statistical analysis was done by using linear regression analysis, ROC curve, Student t-test, and Chisquare. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Findings: From 44 patients who had serum uric acid level more than 8 mg/dl, 17 cases died showing with a higher relative risk of 1.88, higher mortality (P8 mg/dl and needed vasopressor was 1.04, and in those under mechanical ventilation 1.33. In patients who scored pediatric risk of mortality of >38 it was 1.4, and in septic cases 4 (P<0.05). Stepwise linear regression analysis showed that mainly the need for mechanical ventilation (P=0.001) and vasopressor had statistically significant correlation with the poor outcome (P=0.001). Conclusion: Uric acid level during the first day of intensive critical care admission is not an independent risk of mortality in PICU. Need for mechanical ventilation or inotropic agents was associated with poor outcome and only higher uric acid level in sepsis played an additive risk factor role. © 2010 by Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Reformism, Economic Liberalisation and Popular Mobilisation in Iran

Whereas in other MENA countries the impact of neo-liberal policies has been the subject of intense debate, there are at present few voices that directly analyse or critique its social and political consequences in Iran. This article seeks to address this lacuna by analysing the dynamics of reformism, economic liberalisation and popular mobilisation in Iran. It charts the country’s move from a post-revolutionary populism to a liberalised yet increasingly exclusivist model of politics and compares this to trajectories of economic liberalisation in Egypt. Two distinct outcomes of economic reform are analysed in the first part of the article: Socio-economic exclusion; and the contraction of political rights. In the second half, I investigate the ways successive post-war governments in Iran have packaged neo-liberal reforms, and how their re-imagining of the role of the state has led to differing levels of popular resistance. Finally I argue that under the present administration, political elites increasingly are oriented toward strengthening the state and seeking to limit opposition to their policies. However, the absence of neo-liberal hegemony in Iran means that growing mobilization on socio-economic issues is challenging these policies. The Right in Iranian politics is utilizing this mobilisation to present a populist challenge to the reformists in power

Aquaculture code of conduct and mechanization management

In this report rules and focal points about code of conduct for cold water farm, warm water establishment, mechanization management and oxygen generators are collected and discussed. One of the most important point difference between aquaculture engineering with mechanization. Mechanization is improvement of management level from ancient to better by some special tools but aquaculture engineering can do by any vessel in every management

Nutritional requirements to increase the survival rate of black-lip pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera from D-shape to spate stage

Black lip pearl oyster (pinctada magaritifera) is one of the most important species of Pearl maker in the world. Its reserves in the Persian Gulf waters is facing to a variety of causes, especially oil pollution from Persian Gulf war that cause genetic changes in pearl oyster. 65 broodstocks black lip pearl oyster mature with average length of the dorsal ventral (15 ± 2cm DVM) were collected from its typical natural Lavan Island in the months of June and July 2007 and were transferred to the research station and then were washed in cold rooms (20 ° C). The gonad indices were determined by microscope based on the gametogenez steps. After 2 days from collection time, the broodstocks were exposed to thermal shock in order of spawning stimulation. For the analysis of biochemical compounds, microalgae were sampled at logarithmic phase stage with three replications. Firstly, the samples were concentrated by centrifuges (3500g, 20 min). After washing with ammonium formate solution 0.5 molar, the samples were again centrifuged at 3500 g for 15 min. After spawning, D shape larvae form and then the larva ambo feeded from different micro-algae and lipid and the amount of growth and survival rates were studied. D shape larvae with 3 larvae per ml density and dorsal- abdominal length of 78.9 ± 0.7 μm were cultured in 5 liter Erlenmeyer flask containing 2 liters water. Whereas, samples at umbo stage with average dorsal-ventral length of 133 ± 3.1 μm were cultured in 15 liters plastic containers at 27- 29 ° C and salinity of 34 to 35 parts per thousand. The studied microalgae were Isochrysis aff galbana, Chaetoceros calcitrans and c.muelleri. The results of biochemical compounds showed that protein is the most component of all species with a maximum amount of 527.5 ± 2.1 mg g^-1 in T. Iso microalgae. Also, T. Iso has a maximum amount of lipids, following by seek c. muelleri and c. calcitrans, respectively. Test results showed that feeding of larvae black lip pearl oyster in stage D shape with microalgae T. Iso alone has more growth rate than double or triple mixtures. However, diatoms have a high nutritional value for larval mussels in umbo state, and they are accounted as important components in a double and triple mixture of microalgae diet. The size of the larval D shape after 10 days showed a difference among treatments. The cultured larves that feeded from T Iso reached to maximum length of 111.4 ± 10 μm and the maximum survival rate of 57.7% was related to larves that feeded by fresh microalgae T. Iso. D.V.M for microalgae with microalgae or lipid nutrition showed no significant difference

Fish gene bank of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea

Genetic studies and gene banks preparation can identify guidelines for improving diversity and population structure and estimation, poaching and also the amount of cross breeding and provide genetic classification. In this study, sampling was performed from the important studied species habitats areas for the species such as: Dasyatis bennetti، Netuma thalassina, Netuma bilineata Carcharhinus leucas، Choerodon robustus، Pseudorhombus pentophthalmus ،Pseudorhombus arsius Thunnus tonggol ،Euthynnus affinis and Trichiurus lepturus. Total DNA extraction was performed using phenol - chloroform method which is the most common method for DNA extraction in order to achieve high quality of DNA was performed in the preparation of gene bank in this study. After relevant studies on this gene primers were designed and in use. After editing the sequences, nucleotide BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) was performed using NCBI blast main page. The sequences obtained from each sample were aligned and corrected from any ambiguities and assembled using Bio edit program .Trees were generated using maximum parsimony (MP), a character-based algorithm and neighbor joining (NJ) a distance-based algorithm for phenetic analysis. The distance matrix option of MEGA4 was used to calculate genetic distance according to the Kimura 2-parameter model of sequence evolution. Based on the results obtained, the optical density of 260 to 280 nm in the samples was recorded between 1/8 - 2, indicating good quality DNA samples. Optimized PCR reaction to 16SrRNA gene amplification using the gradient between 48 - 60° C showed that the most suitable criteria for binding primers, 54 to 58 Celsius degrees respectively. The project objectives including the identification of the genetic structure of the species, and draw the phylogenetic trees using two genes 16SrRNA, making identification and registration of specified computer storage and regulate the structure and management of mentioned species by focus on genetic resources 10 species of majour commercial and noncommercial fishes in the Persia Gulf and Oman Sea through the creation of an integrated network of aquatic genetic resources in the region to try to identify genetic resources and aquatic gene bank. This type of analysis could be considered as an important tool to be used in broodstock selection in breeding programs. Also identify the species of fish named as Pseudorhombus pentophthalmus with a new haplotype and genetic differences 7% in compare to the samples recorded in the World gene Bank can considered as a major achievements of this research

Standardization of insurance operations and risk assessment and edition of manual for recognition of management and natural disaster risks in shrimp farms, and feasibility study of insuring shrimp hatcheries

According to achieve sustainable production in shrimp farming industry, it is necessary to provide the relief of producers through insurance. Aquaculture faces various environmental conditions such as unpredictable climate changes, epidemic diseases, harsh water factors, that may affect the production cycle, and impact on producer's life. In this research, the effects of various factors on production of cultured shrimp have been studied. The project conducted through completion of questionaries by random selected of small scale farms, and all large farms which engaged in production in that years. In order to increase the accuracy of responses, special questionnaires provided to fill in by expertise experts. All data explained the share of management and natural factors on production process