On-road vehicle emissions forecast using ive simulation model

During the recent decades, rapid urbanization growth has led to even faster growth of motor vehicles and especially in large cities. Hence, evaluation of the actual level of traffic emissions has gained more interest. This paper, for the first time, presents a bottom-up approach for evaluation of vehicular emissions in Tehran- the capital of Iran- using the International Vehicle Emission [IVE] model. The IVE model uses local vehicle technology levels and its distributions, power based driving factors, vehicle soak distributions and meteorological parameters to tailor the model for specific evaluation of emissions. The results of this study demonstrate that carbon monoxide [CO] emission with 244.45 ton/hr during peak traffic hour is the most abundant criteria pollutant. About 25% of this quantity is emitted during start-up periods. Other pollutants such as NO[x], VOC[s], PM, VOC[evap] and SO[x] are ranked after CO accordingly. Also, carbon dioxide [CO[2] emissions of 1744.22 ton/hr during the study period indicate that light vehicles are responsible for more than 82% of this amount. Based on IVE's evaluation, about 25% of the total vehicle emissions in Tehran come from districts 2, 4 and 6 respectively. It has further been inferred that the development of public transportation systems and proper land-use and urban spatial planning for various centers in these districts are essential

comparative study on the increased radioresistance to lethal doses of gamma rays after exposure to microwave radiation and oral intake of flaxseed oil

Mobile phones, use electromagnetic radiation in the microwave range. On the other hand, there is only one report on radioprotective effects of flaxseed oil. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of irradiation of rats with microwaves and/or treatment with flaxseed oil on the induction of adaptive response to a subsequent lethal dose [LD] of gamma rays. Eighty male rats were randomly divided into 6 groups of 13-15 animals. The animals in the 1[st] to 5[th] groups received microwave exposure, microwave+flaxseed oil [dissolved in olive oil], flaxseed [continued after LD], flaxseed, and olive oil. At day 5, all animals were whole-body irradiated with a previously reported LD 50/30 of 8 Gy gamma radiation. The 6th group [controls] received the same LD 50/30, but there was not any other treatment before or after the LD. No death event was observed during days 1-9 after LD irradiation in either group. At day 10, death events started in the 4[th] group. Thirty days after irradiation of the animals, the survival fractions for the control group, as expected, was 53.3% while there was no death event in the 1[st] group [survival rate of 100% in microwave-pretreated animals]. The survival fractions for the 2[nd] to 5[th] groups were 69.2%, 92.3%, 46.1%, and 61.5%, respectively. While these findings open new horizons in radiation protection, the radioresistance induced by microwave radiations emitted by a mobile phone may interfere with the outcome of any subsequent therapeutic application of photons or radioisotopes

Estimating temporal and seasonal variation of ventilation coefficients

The main objective of a research program, whose output is presented here, has been to estimate "Ventilation Coefficients", a critical parameter in determining air pollution concentration near the surface ground which signifies the ability for natural ventilation of an air shed in an urban or rural area. Relevant measured data from the city of Tehran has been used to calibrate and further demonstrate the validity of the mathematical model developed. Since most polluted mega cities require significant air pollution modeling activities, capable of providing relatively reliable outputs, calculating such highly important parameter is by far the most important outcome of this research. The Ventilation Coefficients have been estimated assuming normal adiabatic lapse rates and utilizing ten-year daily atmospheric radio-sound data. Mean Maximum Mixing Depth, Wind Speed at Mean Maximum Mixing Depth, and the Ventilation Coefficients have been computed and as a result it has been noted that despite the fact than Mean Maximum Mixing Depth peacks in June and Wind Speed Coefficient to remain at its peack almost constant over April-June time span. It may also be observed for an urban area such as Tehran, the Ventilation Coefficient stands maximum in spring at 22329.17 m[2]/s and minimum in fall at 22329.17 m[2]/s

[ relationship between serum acid level and some cardiovascular markers in patients with myocardial infarctions]

Many reports indicate an idiopathic rise in sialic acid level after myocardial infarction [MI]. Such reaction attached to its correlation with both reactionary indices in the acute phase and fatty indices has been thoroughly studied and produced controversial findings. Hence, it is considered as an important diagnostic agent. To study the relationship between serum total sialic acid [TSA] level and several diagnostic markers including lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], creatine phosphokinase [CPK] and troponin in MI patients. This was a descriptive analytical study in which 30 patients with MI investigated. Blood samples were collected in three consecutive days following the occurrence of MI. Serum levels of TSA, CPK, and LDH were measured using spectrophotometric technique and troponin determination by ELISA. The data were investigated by SPSS using t-test and Pearsons correlation coefficient for further analysis. The serum levels of TSA and the target markers were considerably higher than recommended normal levels. There was a significant relationship between TSA and troponin [P=0.05, r=0.47] at the first day and TSA and LDH at the second day [P=0.01, r=0.52]. Regarding the results found in our study, higher level of TSA together with increase in concentration of several cardiac specific markers including troponin and LDH implies that it could be considered as an early diagnostic marker in cardiovascular diseases

environmental and economic analysis for reducing energy subsides

This paper estimates the trend of total energy subsidies from year 2003 [that is 16.68% of GDP] and running a model, predicts that energy subsidies will reach to 20% of GDP by 2019 if subsidies continue. Also environmental damage costs of energy consumption have been entered the model [Environmental Cost-Benefit Analysis Model: ECBA Model] in addition to the vast amounts of subsidies. So damages caused by energy consumption as air pollution and Green House Gases have been considered as an attempt to internalize energy cycle externalities. Using an ECBA Model which considers changes in level of social welfare and environmental quality as probable benefits, the Benefit/Cost ratio for running price reform policy under two scenarios has been analyzed and calculated. The analysis shows that reducing energy subsidies for each energy form is considerably beneficial. Apart from the environmental benefits, the increase in prices can be a base for a redistribution of income within the poor deciles of economy and this policy would increase the government revenue and economic growth in long-term

interactive environmental economy model for energy cycle in Iran

The growing world economy calls for saving natural resources with sustainable development framework. This paper intends to look at the environment-energy interface [impacts on the environment stemming form the energy sector] and to propose measures for reducing this impact without trying to impede economic development. In addition, this paper estimates the amounts of energy subsidies about 20% of Gross Domestic Product [GDP] in 2019 if the conditions do not change. Meanwhile, environmental damage from air pollution has been assessed by scaling according to GDP per capita measured in purchase power parity [PPP] terms. Using this approach, the total damage from air pollution in 2001 was assessed about $7billion; equivalent to 8.4% of nominal GDP. Lacking price reform and control policies, the authors estimate that damage in Iran will grow to 10.9% of GDP by 2019. In line with difficulties of eliminating subsidies, a list of 25 measures has been analyzed, using the environmental cost-benefit analysis and based on cost-effectiveness of the policies to verify which ones would be implemented. Finally the financial effects of implementing different combinations of price reform and carrying out those policies on the state budget, damage costs and subsidies have been calculated

[Evaluation of garlic extract on ACE activity in STZ-induced diabetic rats]

Diabetes mellitus induces several complications and causes damage to organs. However the etiology of complications of diabetes still remains poorly understood. An increased serum ACE activity has been reported in diabetic subjects with vascular complications and in animal model of diabetes. Studies suggest that ACE inhibitors may be useful in diabetic complications. ACE inhibition by garlic extract has been reported in vitro. Therefore, because of the importance of changes in ACE activity in diabetes and ACE inhibitory effect of garlic, the study of this extract on ACE activity, affected complications of diabetes, is more considerable. In the present study, the level of ACE activity has been measured in the serum of streptozotocin- induced diabetic rats treated by garlic extract and compared with ACE level in diabetic rats without treatment, normal rats, and normal rats treated by garlic extract. ACE activity was measured by Cushman and Cheung colorimetric method at start of study and after one and two mounts. Results showed that ACE activity increases in STZ- induced diabetic rats compared to normal subjects but in STZ- induced diabetic rats treated by garlic extract this increase in ACE activity was not found. Therefore garlic extract can be introduced as a useful ACE inhibitor to prevent complications of diabetes mellitus

Some eco - Physiological responses of Mail Nileand ilapia [Oreochromis Niloticus] to thermal and salinity conditions

Two trials were conducted in Animal Physiology Lab., Faculty of Agriculture; Cairo University from May to November, 1999 to quantify and evaluate the growth performance of male Nile Tilapia [Oreochromis niloticus] affected by physiological responses to thermal and salinity conditions in aquaria. The experiments were conducted cither on fry [for 30 days] or fingerlings [for 42 days]. The experimental study incorporated six treatments [T1-T6] between two temperature degrees [28.59, 33°C for fry mid 23.91, 33°C for fingerlings] and three salinity levels fresh brackish and sea water [0.1, 15 and 30 ppt, respectively]. Both dissolved oxygen [DO] and pH did not reach critical values for both fry and fingerlings. The daily weight gain of fry was greater [0.145 g/ fish/day] in fresh water than in brackish water [0.041 g/fish/ day]. The lowest daily gain was in seawater [0.037 g/fish/day], the differences were significant [p < 0.05]. After 30 days from starting the experiment, the daily weight gain of finger-lings showed equal means [0.1955 and 0.196 g/ fish/day] in both fresh water and brackish water, compared to half value in seawater [0.096 g/fish/ day]. The fish could not tolerate the high temperature and/or concentrated salinity [seawater 30 ppt] further than 30 days. It was obvious that the fish chemical constitutions were not affected by temperature or salinity us well as their interactions. The concentrations of Na[+], K[+], P[---] and Cl- in blood plasma were, 477 47, 40.44, 0.88 and 249.09 mg/dl, respectively, under fresh water [0.1 ppt salinity]. In the sea water [30 ppt salinity] the values were 490.97, 34.37, 1.24 and 300.5 mg/dl, while in brackish water were 456.45, 31.99, 1.31 and 337.59, respectively. The ions [Na[+], K[+] and P[---]] besides Ca[++] and Mg[++] in the fish tissue [dried body] were 22.95, 0.21, 3.36, 41.18 and 2.27 mg/g respectively in fresh water [0.1 ppt], while in seawater [30 ppt] the values were 18.1, 0.19, 3.38, 42.09 and 2.31 mg/g respectively. Fish in seawater treatments had the highest concentration of aldosterone hormone in blood plasma with the average of 0.55 picag/ml, while fresh and brackish water treatments induced lower and similar concentrations of aldosterone, 0.46 and 0.48 picog/ml, respectively after 30 days