Factors affecting phytoplankton fluctuations in the Persian Gulf (Bushehr coastal waters) during winter and spring 2012 - 2013

In this study, surface water samples were collected monthly from five stations inclduing Nayband Bay, Assaloye, Dayer, Kabgan and Bushehr from December 2012 to June 2013. Sampling stations were chosen according to data being collected during algal bloom caused by Cochlodinium polykrikoides in 2008. A total of 45 genera of phytoplankton belongs to four classes were totally identified accounting for 53 species of Bacilariophyceae, 32 species of Dinophyceae, one genus of Euglenophyceae, and one genus of Cyanophyceae. Bacilariophyceae with 89.5% was the most abundant family followed by Dinophyceae with 9.03%, Cyanophyceae with 1.25 % and Euglenophyceae with 0.22 %, respectively. The highest phytoplankton abundance was observed in Bushehr and Nayband Bay stations. In addition to statistical tests, Shannon (Shanon-Winner) and dominance indices were investigated. The lowest variability for Shannon index (1.90) was recorded in Bushehr Station in comparison with other stations. The highest Shanon index was in Dayer station (2.90) with the increase of diversity in Dinophyceae. Evidence of coastal pollution in Dayer along with nutrient inputs from land might be effective in increasing the Shannon index. At 80-90% simmilarity, the results of Cluster analysis separated Dayer station from other stations. It seems that a part of uniformity in phytoplankton abundance is affected by the mild conditions of ambient temperature. The total diversity of phytoplankton in the study area was low. The relative moderation of temperature seems to have contributed to the dominance of diatoms. Yet, the increased volume dust (as emerged by the increased dusty days per year) and the introduction of its accumulation in the Persian Gulf waters, along with other pollutants on phytoplankton communities might be underlaying factors for the dominace of diatoms in the study area

Genetic variation of Metapenaeus affinis in Persian Gulf coastal waters using microsatellite markers

Genetic diversity of Metapenaeus affinis population from the northern coasts of the Persian Gulf (Bahrakan, Lifeh-Boosiaf) was studies using microsatellite markers. During September to October 2007, 60 samples of pleopods tissue of the shrimp were taken and genomic DNA was extracted by acetate method. PCR was performed on microsatellite primers. To measure fragment size, samples were run on an 8% polyacrylamid gel. For each microsatellite locus, using genetic software, Pop Gene and Gene Alex, allele frequency, real and expected heterozygosity, Fst and Rst and other relevant factors were measured. Of the obtained 5 paired microsatellite primers, all were polymorphic. The mean observed and effective alleles number was 7 and 3.67, respectively and also the mean observed and expected heterozygosis was 0.27 and 0.66, respectively. It was also seen that specimens from all regions were not in HardyWeinberg Equibrium in all of the loci. Based on the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) Fst, Rst and Nm were 0.107, 0.372 and 2.092, respectively. The highest genetic distance was 0.571 and the lowest was 0.561. The present study showed that two different populations of Metapenaeus affinis are living in the Bahrakan and Lifeh-Boosiaf region northwest coasts of the Persian Gulf

Comparing the Effects of Active and Passive Intradialytic Pedaling Exercises on Dialysis Efficacy, Electrolytes, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Blood Pressure and Health-Related Quality of Life

Background: The effect of exercise during hemodialysis has been a controversial issue, however, there are just few studies about the effect of active exercise during hemodialysis. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of passive and active intradialytic pedaling exercises on dialysis efficacy, electrolytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, blood pressure and health-related quality of life in hemodialysis patients. Patients and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 16 hemodialysis patients in Akhavan hemodialysis center in Kashan from April to November 2013. Active or passive intradialytic pedaling exercise was performed using a Mini-Bike for 30 minutes during the first two hours of the dialysis sessions. The quality of life (QOL) was assessed before and after the intervention. Blood pressure was examined at the beginning and then hourly during the dialysis sessions. Dialysis efficacy, levels of phosphorus, calcium, sodium, potassium and Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured at the end of the intervention. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, paired t test, Wilcoxon signed rank and Friedman tests and repeated measure analysis of variancewere used to analyze the data. Results: No significant changes were observed in serum potassium, phosphorus and calcium levels at the end of the passive exercise program compared to the baseline. However, phosphorus levels were significantly decreased in the active exercise program (P < 0.05). Moreover, the mean diastolic blood pressure was significantly decreased after the passive exercise (P = 0.039). Passive exercise did not significantly change the dialysis efficacy, urea reduction rate, hemoglobin and calcium levels. The mean overall QOL was 63.78 ± 21.15 at the beginning of the study, which was increased to 77.07 ± 21.14 at the end of eight weeks of the intradialytic exercise (P = 0.007). Conclusions: The passive intradialytic exercise had a positive effect on blood pressure. The active exercise could decrease the serum phosphorus and potassium levels. Moreover, both exercise programs could significantly improve the QOL. Both active and passive intradialytic exercises can have some beneficial effects

Accumulation of heavy metals in sediment and oyster (Saccostrea cucullata) in the intertidal zone of Chabahar coast

In order to understand the extent of heavy metals contamination in sediments and rock oyster Saccostrea cucullata, of Chabahar intertidal zone, samples of sediment and oyster were collected from 5 different stations namely Guatr, Beris, Ramin, Shahid Beheshti and Tiss during low tide. Sediment and tissue samples were acid digested and heavy metals content of the samples were analyzed. Results showed that Cu, Pb and Ni concentration in the sediment samples was 15.87-16.96, 10.98-15.79 and 12.39-17.10 µg/g, respectively. Heavy metals concentration in soft tissues of oyster was 84.96-289.93, 3.83-5.26 and 6.05-7.19 µg/g for Cu, Pb and Ni, respectively. Similarly, Cu, Pb and Ni concentration in shell ranged between 13.83-6.67, 11.32-14.93 and 5.97-7.97 µg/g, respectively. No significant difference was found between Cu and Ni concentrations in sediment samples. It is suggested that metals accumulation in different oyster tissues was related to their essentiality for oyster. Heavy metals concentration in oyster and sediment was found to fall within the range of some available standards, indicating that metals contamination does not seems to be problematic in the area

The study characterization of morphology and abundance of zoea larval stages of two species of the family Epialtidae (Crustacea: Brachyura) in the coastal waters of Hengam Island (The Persian Gulf)

This research has been done on larval stage of two species of Epialtidae's Family on coastal waters of Hengam Island (The Persian Gulf) in 2011. Sampling is done by plankton net with 300 μm mesh size by method of diagonal traction from bottom to surface in 6 station for a year from winter 2011 to autumn 2012. This research is done based on morphological characteristics, such as overall shape and appendages of larvae in the lab by contrast phase inverted microscope of the first zoea larval stages of species Menaethuis monoceros and second zoea of Menaethiops nodulosus was studied. Larval species density studied at different stations and seasons were calculated. The highest average density respectively with 22/33 and 72/7 individual per m3 in the summer was calculated

Spatial and temporal variability of brittle star (Macrophiothrix cheneyi: Ophiuroidea) in the shores of Chabahar Bay, Oman Sea

Echinoderm species are important members of benthic communities existing in subtropical to Polar Regions. They have an important role in nutrient cycles and other communications between organisms. This study investigated the distribution and abundance of brittle star Macrophiothrix cheneyi in the intertidal zone of Chabahar bay, the Oman Sea. Sampling was randomly done bimonthly using a square meter quadrate during one year, from November 2008 to September 2009, at 5 selected stations. According to the results of a Kruskal-Wallis analysis, the density of this species at different sampling times and stations revealed a significant difference (P<0/05). The highest frequency of this species was measured at the station of Chabahar University of Maritime and Marine Science in September 2008 (±1/54 3/58 ind.m^-2) and its lowest frequency was measured at Kolbe Qavasi station during the whole year except January. The difference in abundance (between the different months and stations) seems to be influenced by ecological (bed, food and shelter) and biological factors (fertility, hunting and competition). The investigation of distribution revealed that brittle stars in the intertidal zone under study followed random and patchy dispersion. The results of the stability indicator revealed that though the brittle star was rarely found during some periods, it was a common species in September 2008

Petroleum hydrocarbon assessment in the wastewaters of petrochemical special economic zone and sediment benchmark calculation of the coastal area - northwest of the Persian Gulf

Petrochemical industries can potentially impact the environment due to their activities and products. This case study has considered adverse effects of petrochemical industries that are located inside the PETZONE with respect to the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and total petroleum hydrocarbon in wastewater effluents. The average concentrations of ∑PAHs group I and II were lower than the guideline values, thus the effluents of the study area can be considered unpolluted. Also, the average concentration of TPH was lower than the guideline value at all almost stations except the effluent outlets of the Razi and Imam Khomeini petrochemical (BI-PC) companies which are proximal to Khowr-e Musa Bay. Thus, they may have an adverse impact on the aquatic ecosystem of the Bay. Therefore, the concentration of TPH was monitored in the sediments of the Bay (around the PETZONE coastal area) which was relatively moderate compared in the study area. Also, the sum of Chronic Potency Ratio of PAHs in sediments showed that the chronic benchmark was not more than the guideline at all stations (it is exceeded when the sum exceeds 1.0) except in the vicinity of the Aromatic effluent outlet of BI-PC. Thus, the chronic benchmark at this station indicates that it has the potential to cause a chronic effect on sediment-residence organisms like crabs, clams and worms. Moreover, PAHs concentration level in this station approached the NOAA sediment quality guideline value (ERL) of 4000 (ng/g dry weight)

Heavy metals contaminant evaluation in sediments of Khour-e-Musa creeks, northwest of Persian Gulf

Surface sediments contamination to heavy metals was evaluated in eight creeks of Mahshahr coastal waters (north-west of the Persian Gulf) from October. 2005 to November 2006. Sediments were collected seasonally by Peterson grab and the concentrations of heavy metals were measured using voltammetry and polarography methods. The range and the mean concentrations obtained in mg/kg were 15.03-35.16 (27.01) for Cu, 65.57-171.41 (102.67) for Ni, 4.63-20.06 (13.22) for Co, 0.093-0.78 (0.22) for Hg, 65.07-379 (113.70) for Zn, 0.27-1.00 (0.56) for Cd and 7.09-29.72 (14.66) for Pb. The background values for different heavy metals were calculated and the contamination factor for each metal and the degree of contamination for each creek we.re determined as well. Measured concentrations were compared with international standards. According to the contamination factor (Cf), the concentration of some elements such as Hg, Zn, and Ni were at risk level; according to the degree of contamination (Cd), all of the studied creeks could be classifieds moderately polluted except for Ghannam that showed a considerable degree of contamination

Classification of coastal-marine habitats in Gwatr Bay using ecological standard classification (CMECS)

This research was conducted during 2007-2008 with the main aim of classifying marine coastal habitats in Gwatr Bay located in Iran-Pakistan border, south east of Sistan-Blaluchetan Province. We used Coastal-Marine Ecological Standard Classification (CMECS) with three data layers covering water column, benthic cover classifier and geomorphology. Layers and habitats information were analyzed in a GIS environment and the indicator species were determined. WCC classification was done based on temperature, salinity and clarity classifiers for Ichthyoplankton communities. The result showed that two main seasonal habitats including spring habitat (spring, summer and winter) and fall habitat, affected by the monsoon season is present in the area. Also we considered particle size and total organic matter in sediment as classifiers for benthic habitats which indicated two different habitats based on distances from shore. Habitats were divided into unmixed macro-benthos community (polychaete) and mixed macro-benthos community including: Polychaete, Amphipoda and Gastropoda. The habitats were shown on digital GIS maps with their specific codes

Edge-Cut Bounds on Network Coding Rates

Active networks are network architectures with processors that are capable of executing code carried by the packets passing through them. A critical network management concern is the optimization of such networks and tight bounds on their performance serve as useful design benchmarks. A new bound on communication rates is developed that applies to network coding, which is a promising active network application that has processors transmit packets that are general functions, for example a bit-wise XOR, of selected received packets. The bound generalizes an edge-cut bound on routing rates by progressively removing edges from the network graph and checking whether certain strengthened d -separation conditions are satisfied. The bound improves on the cut-set bound and its efficacy is demonstrated by showing that routing is rate-optimal for some commonly cited examples in the networking literature.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/43451/1/10922_2005_Article_9019.pd