Municipal landfill site selection for Isfahan city by use of Fuzzy logic and analytic hierarchy process

Selecting the most suitable site for landfill can avoid any ecological and socio-economical effects. The increase in industrial and economical development along with the increase of population growth in Isfahan city generates tremendous amount of solid waste within the region. Factors such as the scarcity of land, life span of landfill, and environmental considerations warrant that the scientific and fundamental studies are carried in selecting the suitability of a landfill site. The analysis of spatial data and consideration of regulations, and accepted criteria are part of the important elements in the site selection. The present study presents a multi criteria evaluation method using GIS technique for landfill suitability site evaluation. The Analytic Hierarchy Process [AHP] was used for weighing the information layers. By using the fuzzy logic method [classification of suitable areas in the range of 0 to 255 byte scale] the superposing of the information layers related to topography, soil, water table, sensitive ecosystems, land use and geology maps was performed in the study. Only after omission of inappropriate areas, the suitability examination of the residue areas was accomplished. The application of the present method in Isfahan city shows approximately 5% of the south east and north east parts of the study area with the value of more than 220 byte scale, which are suitable for landfill establishment

Adding [166]Ho data to VARSKIN2 code and dose calculation to human skin

Skin cancer can be treated by various methods. Electron radiotherapy has been a useful therapeutic modality in the treatment of skin cancers in areas which are difficult to cure by other methods. Depth dose distribution of [166]Ho using VARSKIN2 code is presented in this work. Depth dose distribution of [166]Ho was calculated, using VARSKIN2 code by adding of [166]Ho data to the library of VARSKIN2 code. After adding [166]Ho radionuclide data to the library of the code, it was run for various input parameters including: density, air gap thickness, radiation time and different source geometry. Different forms of sources which have been used in this research are 2-D disk, cylindrical and spherical shapes. The result showed that the skin absorbed depth dose variation was an exponential function because of short range of beta ray. Dose gradient was very high near the sources. For the same activity, disk source induced a dose more than spherical and cylindrical source to skin surface. Superficial skin tumors could be successfully treated by topical application of beta-emitting [166]Ho source. VARSKIN2 is a fast, accurate and user friendly code for beta dosimetry and can be used for dose optimization calculation, especially in beta source over the human skin

[Psychometric properties of DASS-42 as assessed in a sample of Kermanshah high school students]

Psychological scales are increasingly used as important tools for assessment of intelligence, talents, academic achievement and personality characteristics and as a help in diagnosis of mental or personality disorders. Besides other methods of studying behaviors, these tools can be used for such purposes in schools, industrial and commercial organizations, public offices, universities and medical centers. This study aimed to assess psychometric properties of Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale [DASS-42] in a sample of high school students in Kermanshah. This was a psychometric study executed on Kermanshah high school students in 2003-2004 academic year. A total number of 400 students were selected through multi-stage cluster sampling. In addition to DASS-44, other scales used in this study include: Beck Depression Inventory [BDI], Zung Anxiety Scale [ZAS] and Studets' Stress Scale [SSS].Data were analysed running SPSS-10 software. The depression subscale of DASS-42 showed a high correlation [0.849] with the BDI in a 0.01 level of statistical significance. The stress subscale of DASS-42 was also found to have a 0.757 correlation co-efficient with SSS, again statistically significant at a 0.01 level. The rates of Chronbach alpha for the depression, anxiety and Stress subscales of DASS-42 were found to be 0.94, 0.85 and 0.87 respectively. The KMO rate for the present study was 0.88 which indicates a large-enough sample size for factor analysis. The Cruet-Bartlett's test also showed a chi-square rate of 0.794 with a degree of freedom equal to 861, which was again significant at a 0.01 alpha level. After factor analysis, the factors which showed high specificity measures were compared with those introduced by the original authors. Hence this study identified a three factor model which can be regarded as identical with the model introduced by the original authors

Evaluation of the effect of four current Iranian processing solutions on the image quality of two dental X-ray films

The combination of different processing solutions and dental film types can affect sensitometric properties [density and contrast]. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of 4 currently used Iranian processing solutions on the image quality of 2 types of dental films. In this experimental-laboratory study, a casted mandibular 2nd premolar along with a step wedge was used, to obtain 248 periapical radiographs during 10 working-days. All films were processed in four Iranian processing solutions: Teifsaz, Jahan, Farhan and Champion. Endodontic files were used to assess the diagnostic accuracy, Densitometric evaluation of the lead wedge radiographs was done at the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran using an Iranian digital software densitometry. Data were analyzed using the ANOVA test. The mean density and contrast of the Kodak images was significantly higher than the Agfa images [P=0.001], Films processed with Champion solution revealed the highest radiographic contrast [P=0.001]. No significant difference was found between the Agfa and Kodak films in determining the position of the endodontic file [P>0.05]. This study showed that the type of processing solution and film can significantly affect radiographic density and, contrast. Kodak films processed in Champion solution revealed the highest radiographic density among the studied materials