Studying the deformation and stability of rock mass surrounding the power station caverns using NA and GEP models

Morteza Rajabi,Reza Rahmannejad,Mohammad Rezaei 국제구조공학회 2021 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.79 No.1

In this research, an optimum equation is proposed for displacement estimation at the key point and key zone of powerhouse cavern sidewall in elasto-plastic condition based on the numerical experiments. Moreover, a new predictive equation is suggested to predict occurred displacement at the key point using the gene expression programming (GEP). Based on the numerical analyses (NA), the location of key point on the reciprocal longitudinal walls of the powerhouse cavern is studied. It was specified that for cavern with 33×52 m cross section, key point might be placed on the rock sidewall (left wall) or on the pillar side (right wall) of cavern. On the other hand, for cavern with 18×30 m cross section in various geo-engineering conditions, the key point was located on the rock sidewall. Verification of the proposed equations (from NA and GEP) were conducted using some case studies measurements which proved a good agreement of the new equations with the real values and showed the higher accuracy compared to the similar available equation. Finally, using warning levels of tunnel stability loss proposed by Sakurai, a new a system classification scheme is proposed for key point surrounding the powerhouse cavern based on the critical displacement.

Application of the Coral Health Chart to Determine Bleaching Status of Acropora downingi in a Subtropical Coral Reef

Mahshid Oladi,Mohammad Reza Shokri,Hassan Rajabi-Maham 한국해양과학기술원 2017 Ocean science journal Vol.52 No.2

The ‘Coral Health Chart’ has become a popular tool for monitoring coral bleaching worldwide. The scleractinian coral Acropora downingi (Wallace 1999) is highly vulnerable to temperature anomalies in the Persian Gulf. Our study tested the reliability of Coral Health Chart scores for the assessment of bleaching-related changes in the mitotic index (MI) and density of zooxanthellae cells in A. downingi in Qeshm Island, the Persian Gulf. The results revealed that, at least under severe conditions, it can be used as an effective proxy for detecting changes in the density of normal, transparent, or degraded zooxanthellae and MI. However, its ability to discern changes in pigment concentration and total zooxanthellae density should be viewed with some caution in the Gulf region, probably because the high levels of environmental variability in this region result in inherent variations in the characteristics of zooxanthellae among “healthy” looking corals.

Chemical Composition of Different Cultivars of Onion (Allium cepa L.) Produced in Iran

Mohsen Barzegar,Ali Rajabi,Mohammad Reza Hassandokht,Ali Jabbari 한국원예학회 2008 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.49 No.2

Due to the lack of information on the chemical composition of onions in Iran, very important in the understanding of their nutritional values, the main objective of this work was to study the chemical composition to form an important data base for 16 cultivars of onion in Iran. The moisture, ash, crude fiber, total fat, protein, phosphorous, oxalate, and total phenolic (extracted by water and methanol) contents of the samples were analyzed. In addition, free radical scavenging capacity (RSC) of three onion cultivars (No. 5, 9, and 13) was determined. The mineral elements (K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn) of the samples were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Carbohydrate analysis was carried out by HPLC and the predominant sugars were fructose (1.08-2.36 g/100 gdw), glucose (0.45-1.61 g/100 gdw) and sucrose (0.0-1.71 g/100 gdw). Ranges for the chemical composition were: moisture (86.3-91.5%), ash (0.379-0.756%), crude fiber (0.83-1.01 g/100 gdw), total fat (0.127-0.190 g/100 gdw), protein (0.913-1.925 g/100 gdw), oxalate (23.1-95.8 ㎎/100 gdw), total phenolic compounds 58.3-180.7 (water extract, ㎎ TAE/100 gfw), and 20.9-71.4 (methanol extract, ㎎TAE/100 gfw), K (127.4-327.9 m/100 gdw), Ca (12.2-22.9 ㎎/100 gdw), ㎎ (11.3-55.5 ㎎/100 gdw), Fe (0.338-1.220 ㎎/100 gdw), Cu (0.032-0.097 ㎎/100 gdw), Zn (0.126-0.274 ㎎/100 gdw), Mn (0.012-0.064 ㎎/100 gdw), and P (28.7-49.1 ㎎/100 gdw).

The effect of vitamin C on the gene expression profile of sperm protamines in the male partners of couples with recurrent pregnancy loss: A randomized clinical trial

Hamidian, Saeideh,Talebi, Ali Reza,Fesahat, Farzaneh,Bayat, Mohammad,Mirjalili, Ali Mohammad,Ashrafzadeh, Hamid Reza,Rajabi, Mahya,Montazeri, Fateme,Babaei, Saeid The Korean Society for Reproductive Medicine 2020 Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine Vol.47 No.1

Objective: Since sperm abnormalities are known to be a major reason for recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), any defects in DNA structure and chromatin condensation can place embryos at risk in the early stage of development and implantation. As antioxidants such as vitamin C may play a protective role against the destruction of protamine genes in sperm chromatin, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of vitamin C on chromatin and the expression of protamine genes in the male partners of couples with RPL. Methods: Twenty male partners of couples with RPL were selected as the intervention group and received vitamin C supplementation (250 mg daily for 3 months). Healthy fertile men (n = 20) were included as controls. Sperm chromatin, DNA integrity, and the expression levels of protamine genes were evaluated before and after treatment. Results: Significant differences were found in sperm morphology, protamine deficiency, and apoptosis between the two groups and before and after vitamin C administration. A significant change was found in mRNA levels of PRM1, PRM2, and the PRM1/PRM2 ratio after treatment. Conclusion: Daily oral administration of vitamin C may improve human sperm parameters and DNA integrity by increasing protamine gene expression levels in the male partners of couples with RPL. The beneficial effects of vitamin C supplementation as an antioxidant for the male partners of couples with RPL could lead to improved pregnancy outcomes in these cases.

Incidence, Prevalence, and Mortality Rate of Gastrointestinal Cancer in Isfahan, Iran: Application of the MIAMOD Method

Moradpour, Farhad,Gholami, Ali,Salehi, Mohammad,Mansori, Kamiar,Maracy, Mohammad Reza,Javanmardi, Setareh,Rajabi, Abdolhalim,Moradi, Yousef,Khodadost, Mahmod Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.no.sup3

Gastrointestinal cancers remain the most prevalent cancers in many developing countries such as Iran. The aim of this study was to estimate incidence, prevalence and mortality, as well as time trends for gastrointestinal cancers in Isfahan province of Iran for the period 2001 to 2010 and to project these estimates to the year 2020. Estimates were driven by applying the MIAMOD method (a backward calculation approach using mortality and relative survival rates). Mortality data were obtained from the Ministry of Health and the relative survival rate for all gastrointestinal cancers combined was derived from the Eurocare 3 study. Results indicated that there were clear upward trends in age adjusted incidence (males 22.9 to 74.2 and females 14.9 to 44.2), prevalence (males 52.6 to 177.7 and females 38.3 to 111.03), and mortality (males 14.6 to 47.2 and females 9.6 to 28.2) rates per 100,000 for the period of 2001 to 2010 and this upward state would persist for the projected period. For the entire period, the male to female ratio increased slightly for all parameters (incidence rate increased from 1.5 to 1.7, prevalence from 1.4 to 1.6, and mortality from 1.5 to 1.7). In males, totals of 2,179 incident cases, 5,097 prevalent cases and 1,398 mortality cases were predicated to occur during the study period. For females the predicted figures were 1,379, 3,190 and 891, respectively. It was concluded that the upward trend of incidence alongside increase in survival rates would induce a high burden on the health care infrastructure in the province of Isfahan in the future.

Evaluation of the serum sex hormones levels and alkaline phosphatase activity in rats’ testis after administering of berberine in experimental varicocele

Hamed Najaran,Hassan Hassani Bafrani,Hamid Rashtbari,Fatemeh Izadpanah,Mohammad Reza Rajabi,Hamed Haddad Kashani,Abouzar Mohammadi 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2019 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.19 No.2

Current study was aimed to investigate the protective effect of berberine (BB) on the serum gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), inhibin B (INHB), testosterone (T) and alkaline phosphatase (Alk-p) activity in the testis of experimental varicocele-induced animals. For the current objective, 30 mature-male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control (n = 6 rats), control-sham (n = 6 rats) and experimental groups (n = 18 rats). The animals in the experimental groups were undergone experimental varicocele and simple laparotomy was conducted in control-sham group. 60 days after varicocele (VCL) induction the experimental group subdivided into: nontreated VCL-induced and 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg BB-treated groups (intra-peritoneally). Following 60 days, the animals were euthanized and serum levels of testosterone and testicular activity of alkaline phosphatase were measured. Non-treated VCL-induced animals indicated a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in serum levels of T and INHB and a remarkable (P < 0.05) increase in GnRH, FSH, LH and Alk-p activity compared to control and control-sham groups. Insignificant changes were found between control and control-sham groups. Meanwhile, each BB administered group showed a remarkable (P < 0.05) increase in serum levels of T and INHB and a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in GnRH, FSH, LH and alkaline phosphatase activity in testis tissue. According to the current findings, BB by increasing serum levels of testosterone and INHB increases the testicular endocrine capacity and protects Leydig cell against inflammatory and oxidant injury of varicocele. In addition, BB by inhibiting GnRH, FSH, LH and alkaline phosphatase activity, regulate