Numerical Modeling of Wave- and Current-supported Turbidity Currents over Erodible Bed

The physical processes that route sediments from nearshore to the continental margin provide vital information to the global assessment of the geochemically important matter and the life in the ocean. Therefore, understanding these processes at the fundamental level will help develop accurate models that can be integrated into operational ocean models. Wave- and current-supported turbidity currents (WCSTCs) are one of the mechanisms that deliver sediments to the continental margin. WCSTCs are slow-moving turbidity currents where near-bed turbulence driven by strong surface waves and/or currents, tide- and/or wind-driven, maintain the turbidity current in motion. This study investigates the along-shelf current-supported turbidity currents (ACSTCs) over an erodible bed, where only the along-shelf current drives the flow, and sediment suspension is sourced from the ephemeral fine sediment deposits. To mimic ACSTCs, direct numerical simulations of a flow in a steady, turbulent, sediment-laden channel with a mild spanwise slope were conducted over an erodible bed. The primary focus of this study is to determine the effect of various sediment settling velocity, erosion parameters, and associated sediment-induced density stratification on total suspended sediment concentration, velocity structure, and turbulent characteristics of the ACSTCs. Specifically, this study aims to analytically and numerically investigates the transition of alongshore current-supported turbidity currents to self-sustaining turbidity currents over erodible seabed composed of fine sediment. Thus, a simplified depth-integrated dynamic equation is developed for suspended sediment concentration. The stability of the developed equation is analyzed both in itself and through temporal linear stability analysis. The analyses find two criteria for the inception of the aforementioned transition. Both criteria indicate that transition is found to reflect the competition between erosion flux, enhanced by the cross-shelf motion of alongshore current-supported turbidity currents, and the deposition flux. In addition, drag coefficient associated with cross-shelf motion of ACSTCs is formulated as a function of the Reynolds number, sediment concentration, sediment settling velocity, and the bed slope

Social Movements\u27 Emergence and Form: The Green Movement in Iran

Theories of social movements suggest that \u27objective\u27 changes in the structure of political opportunities and their interaction with mobilizing and framing mechanisms render a system vulnerable to mass protest. By examining the variables relevant to such interaction, this study seeks to account for the emergence and form of the 2009 Green Movement in Iran. This research uses the congruence method and process traces the movement adherents\u27 activities, mainly their use of Information Communication Technologies, and investigates the so-called opposition leaders\u27 activities and statements. The study argues that in accounting for emergence and form of the Green Movement, we need to attribute the central role to the bottom-up framing processes that gave value and meaning to the movement\u27s goals and strategies. Political opportunity structures only appear in terms of \u27perceptual\u27 rather than \u27objective\u27 changes in the structure of the system. Further, the research investigates implications for other authoritarian settings and, more generally, for theories of social movements

The Effect of Emotional State, Interoception, Intuitive Eating, and Self-Regulation on the Energy Intake of College Students

College students are known to be susceptible to weight gain. Transitioning to college brings new stresses and challenges which may lead to unhealthy eating behaviors and weight gain. There are multiple factors which have been attributed to exacerbating determinants for college weight gain including eating in the absence of hunger, lack of self-regulation, and emotional eating. As researchers have become more aware of the disadvantages of dieting and restricted eating, cognitive related behaviors, as a way to control weight, have gained more attention recently. The aim of this study is to examine the association between internal bodily signals of hunger and satiety, intuitive eating, eating behaviors, mood change, and self-regulation of food intake in college students. In this randomized cross-over study 60 students with the mean age of 19.8 (SD = 1.43), completed the trials successfully. Students were asked to complete 2 visits one week apart. Then, students were asked to watch an emotional movie, drink a preload drink (either low or high calorie) 30 minutes prior to lunch, and then were offered with a buffet style lunch with variety of options. Food intake was measured using plate waste methodology. The results of the study indicated a great range of self-regulatory abilities in food consumption; however, participants showed a significant difference in energy intake affected by the calorie content of the preload. Self-regulation seemed to be greater in females and students with normal weight. According to our findings, interoception, where individuals are able to detect and respond to their internal bodily cues may be a good predictor for self-regulation. Additionally, lower intuitive eating, higher mood change, and higher restraint and emotional eating habits are significantly correlated with poorer self-regulation in college students. In conclusion, students who have a higher ability to detect their internal bodily signals of hunger and satiety and respond to them, seem to be more successful in controlling their energy intake and maintaining their healthy weight. Students who experience more intense emotional changes seem to have difficulty controlling their consumption. Additionally, eating intuitively and lower restricted or emotional eating significantly affects self-regulation of food intake

Chiral Recognition Using Polymeric and Monomeric Amino Acid Based Surfactants.

The research presented in this dissertation involves the comparison and characterization of polymeric and monomeric amino acid based surfactants for the enantiomeric separation of chiral compounds. Comparison of the performance of these two kinds of surfactants in EKC suggest that polymers are better chiral pseudostationary phases (CPSP) than the monomers for enantiomeric separation of neutral and cationic analytes, at least for the examined in this dissertation. However, the anionic enantiomers of 1,1\u27-binaphthyl-2-2 \u27-dihydrogen phosphate (BNP) were better separated using monomeric CPSPs. The depth of penetration of binaphthyl derivatives into the micellar core of chiral dipeptide surfactants (CDS) was examined using various techniques. The results indicate that enantiomers of BNP interact preferentially with the C-terminal amino acid of monomeric CDS, whereas these enantiomers interact with both chiral centers (C- and N-terminal) of polymeric CDS. In this dissertation, steady state fluorescence anisotropy and pulse field gradient NMR techniques are used to study the chiral interactions of binaphthyl derivatives with these amino acid based surfactants. The results indicate that the anisotropy and diffusion coefficients of various enantiomers are different when complexed to poly sodium undecanoyl leucyl-leucinate. Interestingly, the enantiomer that binds stronger to the CPSP, as evidenced by EKC experiments, has higher anisotropy values and lower diffusion coefficients. The results of this study suggest that these two techniques can be used to gain further insight into chiral recognition. The physical properties of CDS are examined in Chapters 4 and 5 of this dissertation. The polymeric CDS examined in this dissertation always have lower aggregation numbers than their monomeric counterparts. As can be deduced from the aggregation numbers, regardless of the size of the polar head, polymeric CDS most likely adopt a spherical shape in solution, while the shape of monomeric CDS depend on the size of the polar head group. In addition, polymeric CDS have a higher effective charge, and are less polar than the monomers. Furthermore, polymeric surfactants have a lower solubilization capacity for neutral organic probes compared to the monomer. This in turn results in faster mass transfer in EKC experiments when polymeric surfactants are used as a CPSP. Finally, the chiral separations of a variety of analytes are examined using polymeric surfactants. Some of the factors examined were number and position of chiral centers, dipeptide amino acid order, and steric effects

Consciously uncontrolled: a psychogeographic approach to urban mapping

This paper focuses on the potentialities of mapping urban spaces through a ‘consciously uncontrolled’ action of walking, observing, recording an unknown place. In particular, the paper is a reflective narrative of a particular technique developed by some postgraduate students at Sheffield School of Architecture to interpret Debord’s theory of drifting as a qualitative tool for mapping the “unexpected” within the post-industrial neighbourhood of Holbeck, in Leeds. Located south to the river Aire, Holbeck, is known for being the centre of industrial revolution in Leeds. In the late 18th century, Holbeck developed from a small village into an important industrial site with a large number of mills and foundries manufacturing flax-based textiles. The prosperity however, did not last for long and from the late 19th century Holbeck saw a decline in heavy industries and consequently experienced a huge decrease in its population, becoming a ‘wasteland’. Within a range of investigative spatial tools developed within the MA in Architectural Design, it seems particularly consistent with the aim of this workshop the method elaborated by Haddadian and Zhang who used a double-view recorded walk to discover simultaneously the place from multiple observation points, using their bodies as a recording device (Fig.1). At first, the idea was to use multiple cameras installed on different parts of the body at different heights and directions. The idea was to give a multidimensional image of Holbeck and come to a new understanding of the place by putting all these movies together and comparing them. However, during the design of the recording technique, the number of cameras was reduced to two: the front and the back camera. While the front camera was recording images and scenes consciuolsy selected by the holder, the rear camera was not focusing on anything deliberately. This status of ‘not being consciously controlled’ lead the walkers to see things that they rarely pay attention to or – actually - never do. While the movie recorded with the front camera was showing the glorious façade of an historical building, the one from the rear was an unxepcted close-up of brick texture. In other words, using the rear camera was an invitation to see differently (from another perspective) or an attempt to remember scenes that are replaced every second by the rush of new ones. The paper will finally introduce a reflection on the possibilities and challenges to use the data collected through this method to shape the design process

Diagnostic value of high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in dedifferentiation of stable angina from unstable angina

BACKGROUND: Differentiation of stable angina from unstable angina is important because they need different approaches. Few studies have been conducted to assess the diagnostic value of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in differentiating these two diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of hs-CRP levels for differentiating stable angina from unstable angina. METHODS: After signing the consent form, patients with unstable angina who referred to Tohid Hospital emergency in Sanandaj, Iran, and patients with stable angina who referred to the special clinic of the hospital were evaluated. Disease was confirmed by a cardiologist. Morning serum hs-CRP was tested using MONOBIND laboratory kit (USA). Data were analyzed by SPSS using Student’s independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U, chi-square, Fisher exact test, and receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: hs-CRP levels in patients with stable angina and unstable angina were 1.6 (± 1.18) and 2.35 (± 1.30) mg/l, respectively (P = 0.025). The hs-CRP level ≥ 2.31 mg/l was the best cut-off point for differentiating stable from unstable angina. At this cut-off point, the sensitivity and specificity were 56% and 73%, respectively. Area under the curve was calculated to be 0.679 (95% confidence interval: 0.54-0.81) (P = 0.017). CONCLUSION: hs-CRP level is helpful for differentiating patients with stable angina from those with unstable angina. It is recommended to consider the hs-CRP level of 2.31 mg/l as the best cut-off point

Comparison the efficacy of Hypericum perforatum and vitex agnus-castus in hot flushes: A double-blinded randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Treating hot flushes in middle-aged women is an important health issue. Recently, Hypericum perforatum and vitex agnus-castus were investigated to decrease hot flushes. This study was conducted to compare the efficacy of Hypericum perforatum and vitex agnus-castus in hot flushes among menopausal women. METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial. The Hypericum perforatum group received 330 µg Hypericum perforatum and second group received vitex agnus-castus in the same tablet forms. Data were analyzed using repeated measurement for comparing Greene Climacteric Scale. RESULTS: Trend of Greene Climacteric Scale and hot flushness attack were decreased in both groups and it presented a decreasing trend within two months; however, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups. CONCLUSION: It seems that Hypericum perforatum and vitex agnus-castus could be similarly effective in decreasing hot flushes. These two medicines did not have any special severe side effects.

Diagnostic value of high sensitivity C-reactive protein in differentiating unstable angina from myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND: Differentiating between unstable angina and myocardial infarction (MI) is clinically important as they require different treatments. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) has recently been recognized as prognostic factor in acute coronary syndrome. Since this biomarker may indicate the prognosis of heart disease, identifying its diagnostic value will be clinically important. This study investigated the diagnostic value of the level of hs-CRP in differentiating MI from unstable angina. METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from all patients with suspected MI or unstable angina at the time of referral. The patients were put in one of the two groups based on final diagnosis. The exclusion criteria were infectious diseases, immune system diseases, history of a recent surgery or trauma, kidney failure, liver failure, cancers, and use of anti-inflammatory drugs. Data was entered in SPSS and analyzed by independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U and chi-square or Fisher’s exact test. ROC curve was used to determine hs-CRP cut-off point. The sensitivity and specificity were calculated at the cut-off point. RESULTS: Overall, 60 patients (30 patients with MI and 30 patients with unstable angina) were studied. Hs-CRP level was 3.68 ± 0.86 mg/l in patients with MI and 2.35 ± 1.30 mg/l in patients with unstable angina (P < 0.001). The best cut-off point for differentiating unstable angina from MI was hs-CRP levels equal to or greater than 3.27 mg/l. At this cutoff point, the sensitivity and specificity were both 77%. CONCLUSION: Patients with MI had higher levels of hs-CRP than subjects with unstable angina. Hs-CRP levels equal to or higher than 3.27 mg/l are more likely to be associated with MI. It is recommended to test this biomarker in all patients with acute coronary syndrome

The cultural Cold War in the Middle East: William Faulkner and Franklin Book Programs

William Faulkner is an interesting case for the history of American cultural diplomacy. Although the State Department hailed him as a Cold War warrior, it had difficulty sponsoring his “modernist” novels in a book program that promoted American ideals during the Cold War. In this article I examine how the Franklin Book Programs arranged for some of Faulkner’s novels to be translated into Arabic and Persian by using sources from the Program’s archive and an interview with a former Franklin editor. The analysis is framed by Faulkner’s rise in status from a marginal to a major world writer. I also assess the cultural forces that led to his inclusion in Franklin’s list of publications. The analysis reveals a tension between American idealism and Cold War imperatives, further challenging the propagandist reading of the program and calling for a more nuanced understanding of the dynamics of the cultural Cold War in the region.Horizon 2020(H2020)845798History and International Relation

Investigating the Relationship between the amount of Cash Held by Companies and Future Cumulative Abnormal Returns

Stock companies decisions in relation with financial leverage are one of the most important decisions taken by corporate executives. Financial decisions not only affect the company’s future performance, but also affect the country’s macroeconomic performance. The current study was done to investigate the relationship between the amount of cash held by companies and future cumulative abnormal returns. In order to conduct the survey, 120 companies listed in Tehran Stock Exchange during 2004 to 2010 were analyzed. Analysis evidence based on panel data shows that the company’s future performance which represents the cumulative abnormal returns in the future indicates decreased future stock returns due to Excessive   cash which indicates that the market was not able to completely predict the effects of Excessive   cash in the current returns