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Since the change of land use accrued in the Iran, especially in northern Iran, this research aims tocompare the spatial variability of soil properties in three adjacent land uses including cultivated by wheat lands, grazing lands and forest Lands covered by juniperus sp,  fagus orientalis, quercus castanifolia, and acer velotinum species in kiasar region, Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. Some of soil features, i.e. pH, CaCO3, total nitrogen (TN), soil organic carbon (SOC), electric conductivity (EC), percentage of silt, clay and sand contents and saturation moisture content(SM) were measured at a grid with 20 m sampling distance on the top soil (0 – 30 cm depth). Accordingly, total of 147samples were taken from 49 soil sites. The normality of data was examined by the tests of normality. Then, data were analyzed by using of geostatistics approach. The results showed that spatial distribution of many soil properties could be well described by spherical model in the forest and exponential model in the cultivated and grazing lands. Spatial dependences were the highest for SOC, EC and the lowest for silt, (SOC and silt) in the forest method and grazing lands, respectively. Deforestation and conversion to cultivated and grazing lands decreased spatial dependence of soil properties.

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The effect of a probiotic containing five species of bacilli at four levels of 0 (control), 1×10⁶CFU/ml (T₁), 1×10⁷ CFU/ml (T ₂) and 1×10⁸CFU/ml (T ₃) per 100g of feed on the growth performances, resistance and survival of rainbow trout fry, Oncorhynchus mykiss (463±32 mg) were compared in a  60-days feeding trial. Growth parameters, such as ADG, SGR, RGR and TGC, were significantly enhanced (p<0.05) by the probiotic at all levels, and the performance in T₂ was significantly better than T₁. The fish under the probiotic treatments also showed higher resistance (p<0.05) to such Environmental stresses as alkaline pH, heat and ammonia (p<0.05). No significant difference in tolerance to acidic pH stress was observed between the control and treatments. In conclusion, the probiotic bacillus highly increased the growth performances, feeding efficiency, resistance and survival in rainbow trout fry.

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The present study was accomplished to purify and biochemically characterize the phenol-degrading enzyme from the bacteria existed in petroleum-contaminated soils. The catechol 1, 2 dioxygenase was extracted from Aneurinibacillus migulanus Isolate ZNU05 and purified using Q-Sepharose ion exchange chromatography column. The enzyme activity was examined under different pHs (ranged from 4 to 9), at different temperatures (ranged from 20 to 70˚C), in the presence of various metal ions chloride salts (Ca²⁺, K⁺, Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Na⁺), and with various solvents (ethanol, ethyl acetate, petroleum ether, acetonitrile, N-amyl alcohol, N-hexane, and toluene). In addition, the enzyme activity was investigated using different substrates such as phenol, catechol, benzoic acid, pyrogallol and α-naphtol. SDS-PAGE analysis indicated that there was a single-band protein with a molecular weight of approximately 40 kDa. The catechol 1, 2 dioxygenase had a maximum activity at temperature 30˚C at pH 8.5. Moreover, the catalytic activity of the enzyme was increased in the presence of cobalt and zinc ions as well as organic solvent of amyl alcohol, while it was decreased or inhibited in the presence of the other metal ions and organic solvents used. Among different substrates on enzyme activity, catechol was the most favorable for the enzyme, so that, the V_max and K_m were 8.959 U/mg and 4.992 µg/mL for the substrate, respectively.

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Nowadays, the peptides and proteins possessing anti-cancer, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties are used for disease treatment. Brazzein is a sweet protein containing 54 amino acids and according to reports, it has anti-cancer properties based on sequence and structurehas sequence. In this study, the role of position 40 aspartate in the structure and function of wild brazzein protein and mutants as well as the anti-cancer properties of the peptides obtained on the TLR5 receptor were investigated. For this, several models of mutated forms were designed and constructed using Modeller.v.9.20 software. Then, the accuracy of the models and the physico-chemical properties of wild type (WT) and mutants of D40N, D40R and D40Deletion were evaluated using various bioinformatics servers and softwares including ProtParam, ProtScale, SAVES, PIC, ModEval, and PredyFlexy. For predicting anticancer properties, the sequence of WT protein and mutants was examined and compared using ACPred and iACP servers. The quality and analysis of WT protein and mutants binding as a ligand with TLR5 receptor, triggering an anti-cancer signaling pathway, were investigated through molecular docking using HADDOCK software.The results of bioinformatics parameters analysis indicated the possibility of improving the stability of brazzein structure and function, and the probability of increasing the available surface to bind to the receptor. Moreover, based on the results of molecular docking analyses, the ability binding TLR5 receptor was higher in D40R than the other proteins indicating an increased probability in anti-cancer properties of the mutant.

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This paper studies the effects of soluble cutting fluid-based CuO Nanofluid on machining force and surface roughness in turning of hardened AISI 4340 tool steel. These influences, Moreover, are compared with the outputs of similar tests through dry and soluble cutting fluid. The obtained results showed 1% volume fraction of CuO Nanoparticles added to soluble oil as cutting fluid was considerably reduced machining force and surface roughness in comparison to soluble cutting oil and dry. The investigations indicated that CuO Nanofluid reduced surface roughness and machining force by 49% and 24% respectively. Moreover, the results illustrated that the lowest surface roughness obtained in cutting speed 250 m/min, feed rate 0.1 mm/rev and cutting nanofluid.

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Multi-effect distillation is one of the thermal desalting systems. MEDs have recently come to notice more than other systems because of their high energy utilizing and performance. High complicity and possessing different heat transfer mechanisms have distinguished them from other desalination systems such as Multi-stage flash. In MEDs although formation of thin falling-film layer on horizontal rows of tube-bundle increases heat transfer, however the risk of precipitation will be high especially on lower rows where film thickness is the least. Falling-film evaporation is a self-compensation phenomenon; the more the evaporation, the thinner the film, and subsequently the more the evaporation. In present work, an applicable algorithm is proposed and applied for thermohydraulic design of tube bundle, and heat transfer surface. Flow and heat distribution on tube-bundle is numerically simulated with the advantage of given algorithm. Results show that more concentration and precipitation risk will occur on outer surfaces, near the entrance of last rows. Uniform distribution of feed on tubes will result in non-uniform vapor generation throughout the tube length. Steam quality increases almost linearly inside tubes, whereas its cross-section is occupied by gas phase predominantly; and condensate film will experience an annular regime. Steam quality reduction and non-uniform vapor generation decrease thermal performance of the last zone of the tube-bundle.

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As a disastrous cyclic response of soils, liquefaction commonly takes place in the saturated soils overlaid in seismic regions. Earthquake excitation in loose deposits enforces the soil particles to displace towards a more compacted state. This tendency causes generation of excessive pore water pressure when drainage is prevented or its rate is less than the generation rate. Comprehensive laboratory investigations have been carried out so far in order to capture cyclic behavior of silicate soils. However, cyclic behaviour and liquefaction resistance of calcareous soils has not been fully recognized as well. Calcareous soils evolve from biological resources due to the physiochemical process of marine organisms. Such soils have excessive crushing capability; and thus, their mechanical behaviour is expected to be different than that of terrestrial soil deposits. The current study presents results of several undrained cyclic tests on isotropically and anisotropically consolidated samples of Boushehr calcareous sand. The tests were conducted via a triaxial machine in strain-controlled condition. Bulk samples of the sand were gathered from the coast of Boushehr city located in the southwest of Iran, north bank of Persian Gulf. The sand samples were reconstituted with dry deposition method of sample preparation under various initial relative densities and confining pressures. The consolidation phase of the tests was performed in drained condition for either isotropically or anisotropically consolidated samples. The cyclic loading phase of the tests was conducted by multi-stage procedure in order to recognize soil potential for excess pore water pressure generation. Various levels of controlled cyclic axial strains were applied on the sample in each stage of the cyclic loading phase and the samples were allowed to be drained at the end of each stage. The results are presented in terms of threshold shear strain and dissipated strain energy concept. Comparison is made between the tests results and those reported by the previous studies. The results revealed that liquefaction resistance of the studied sand increases with increasing initial relative density and effective confining pressure whereas the samples with high initial effective stress never liquefied even after one hundred cycles of loading. Relationships between excess pore water pressure and the normalized number of cycles as well as the normalized dissipated strain energy are studied and compared with the relationships presented by the previous researchers for silicate sands. According to the results, such relationships are strongly affected by type of cyclic loading i.e. strain or stress-controlled when excess pore water pressure is correlated to the normalized number of cycles. In fact, evaluation of excess pore pressure is more reasonable to be done with the normalized strain energy in order to minimize the influence of loading type. The threshold shear strain for the studied sand was found to be 0.015% which is comparable with this value for silicate sands.

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Shear modulus is one of the most important properties of soil deposit that should be evaluated as a preliminary step for site response analysis. Although numerous studies have been conducted to evaluate this parameter for silicate soils, there are considerably less studies on calcareous soils. However, extensive regions of the earth is covered with calcareous soils. This type of soil is typically observed near offshore hydrocarbon industries, such as the Persian Gulf. Calcareous sand is the accumulation of pieces of carbonate materials, originated from reworked shell fragments and skeletal debris of marine organism. These soils typically include huge oil and gas reservoirs which are continuously under an extending construction. Therefore, assessment of dynamic behavior of calcareous soils is a vital step for engineering projects. In this study, shear modulus of calcareous sand are investigated in the range of small and large strains using resonant column and cyclic triaxial tests, respectively. Bulk samples of Boushehr sand were collected from the North bank of the Persian Gulf near the Boushehr port. Preliminary mineralogy tests were conducted in order to estimate carbonate content of the samples. The sand contains considerable level of carbonate content and skeletal structure of the soil can be observed easily. Remolded samples of this sand were prepared via dry deposition method for either triaxial or resonant column tests. The results are presented in terms of shear modulus versus shear strain. The effects of confining pressure and relative density on the shear modulus of the calcareous soil are investigated. Moreover, for evaluating the effect of stress anisotropy on the shear modulus of calcareous soil, dynamic and cyclic tests were conducted under both isotropic and anisotropic conditions. The experimental results confirm that confining pressure has an important influence on the shear modulus of the tested samples. Increase of the mean confining pressure and relative density increases the shear modulus of the sand, as previously reported for the other sands. The results indicate that the effect of stress anisotropy on dynamic properties of calcareous sand is less important than those of mean confining pressure and relative density. With increasing mean confining pressure, the effect of relative density and initial stress anisotropy on the shear modulus increases. The normalized shear modulus are compared with the G-reduction ranges proposed for silicate sand by the previous researchers. This comparison show the need for some modification of the previous proposed ranges for normalized shear modulus curves. Finally, a modified hyperbolic model is presented for estimating the normalized shear modulus of Boushehr calcareous sand. It is demonstrated that the proposed model has more capability for prediction of the experimental G-reduction curves, compared with the models recommended for silicate soils. One advantage of the proposed model is the simple correlation developed for the reference shear strain in terms of initial effective confining pressure. The modified hyperbolic model presented in this study can be employed for site response analysis of the calcareous deposits of the Boushehr city.

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In the recent years, wind energy had a faster growth compared with the other renewable energies. The interaction between fluid and structure becomes more important as the wind turbine size and its power production capacity increases. In the present research, the effect of wind speed and blade materials on static deformation of a small size horizontal axis wind turbine blade has investigated. The shaft torque and root flap bending moment values obtained from simulation are in a good agreement with experimental data. Results demonstrated that the deformation of the blade increases as the wind speed grows although the increase rate has declined in the mean wind speed range because of the occurrence of separation phenomenon on the blade surface. The effect of blade components materials on blade deformation was investigated and the least deformed configurations were introduced. The thickness of the designated blade components has been investigated by means of the maximum strain theory. The final thickness of the skin, spur and root was estimated by 2.1 mm, 2.8 mm and 10 mm respectively which are 30% less than the primary one.

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Bearing capacity failure and seismically induced settlement of buildings with shallow foundations rested on liquefied soils have resulted in significant damage in recent earthquakes. Engineers still largely estimate seismic building settlement using procedures developed to calculate post-liquefaction reconsolidation settlement in free-field. They commonly disregard residual strength of liquefied soil in their design procedures. Previous studies of this problem have identified important factors involving shaking intensity, the liquefied soil’s relative density and thickness and the building weight and width. Newly studies have also showed that shear deformation combined with localized volumetric strains during partially drained loading are dominant mechanisms. Bearing capacity degradation due to high excess pore pressure development also has been reported in previous studies. Two series of physical modelling experiments involving shallow footing rested on liquefied sand have been performed to identify the mechanisms involved in liquefaction-induced building settlements and bearing capacity degradation. Experiments have performed on Babolsar sand with moderate relative density in a box with two plexiglass sides to observe sand deformations. Earthquake waves can cause pore pressure build up in saturated sands but complete liquefaction always do not occur. Anyhow excess pore pressure generation can cause bearing capacity degradation and excessive settlements. Various pore pressure ratios have been generated by static seepage through box base to assess bearing capacity degradation and excessive settlements before and in complete liquefaction conditions. First series of experiments are consisted of 8 tests related to bearing capacity measurements of square and spread foundation in pore pressure development conditions. Results show bearing capacity reduction due to excess pore pressure development, but there is remarkable strength even in complete liquefaction that is related to post-liquefaction strength of liquefied sand. Square foundations are more affected than spread footings by excess pore pressure ratios. Foundation’s loading behaviour and Shape factors are not affected by excess pore pressure ratios. Pore pressure decreased with loading increscent under the middle of foundation because of particle rearrangement and always was below the induced excess pore pressure. Complete liquefaction has never observed under footing. Safety factor selection is a challenging step in shallow foundation designs for engineers because of its economical view. Recent studies show the important role of shear deformations in shallow foundations as discussed before. In second test series of this experimental study, foundations firstly loaded to some safety factors and then its settlements due to pore pressure build up has measured, loading then increased to complete bearing capacity failure. This series are consisted of 12 tests for two types of foundations and various excess pore pressures, only shear deformations are assessed in this series because there is no volumetric deformation as excess pore pressure is constant during the tests. Results show increase of foundation settlements with safety reduction progressively, settlements for safety factors below 2 are negligible.

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The Caspian Sea is regularly visited by many tourists and the surrounding lands are densely populated. Accordingly, many tall buildings and heavy structures are constructing over this coastal area. The region is overlaid by poorly graded clean sand which seems to be susceptible to liquefaction occurrence. However, there is no documentation and field observation to ensure liquefaction triggering in the uniform rounded- shape deposits of the region during an actual earthquake. Hence, lots of research works are expected to be carried out to recognize cyclic behavior of these coastal deposits before the probable scenario earthquake and the consequent disaster happen. The undrained shear strength of granular soils is one of the most important parameters to evaluate flow liquefaction, which is prone to produce beneath the shallow foundations bearing considerable levels of static shear stress. Mechanism of flow liquefaction is commonly studied using triaxial apparatus to obtain a better understanding of the parameters controlling the phenomenon. Soils experiencing the flow type of liquefaction commonly undergo large deformations because the driving stresses tolerated by the soil exceed the shear strength reduced by generation of excess pore pressure in earthquake condition. There exist numerous studies for evaluation of undrained behavior of mixed soils comprising of gravels, sands, silts, and clays. Majority of the previous studies have focused on the homogeneous mixtures of soils while natural soils are generally found in the nature with levels of non-homogeneity. In this study, mechanical behaviors of homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures of the Babolsar sand and gravels are compared under different conditions such as initial effective stress, relative density, and heterogeneity. Several triaxial experiments were conducted to evaluate effects of stratified sedimentation and increase of heterogeneity on undrained shear strength and pore pressure development of sand-gravel mixtures in various relative densities and confining pressure. A simple formula has been defined to specify level of heterogeneity of the sample, which varies from zero to one percent. The results demonstrate that shear strength, the potential of pore water pressure, and internal friction angle of homogeneous samples are quite different from heterogeneous samples. The undrained shear strength of sand-gravel mixtures increases with increasing degree of heterogeneity even in identical gravels content. Excess pore water pressure in sand - gravel mixed samples with higher degrees of heterogeneity reduces and tends towards dilative behavior, with respect to the more homogeneous samples. The undrained shear strength of the samples is proportional to initial relative density and effective confining pressure, as expected and observed in other granular materials. It is found from the results of the tests that the type of mixed sedimentation has significant impact on the soil's friction angle. In fact, increase of heterogeneity level increases the internal friction angle of the mixed soils while the gravels content is kept identical.

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Gelatin has many applications in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries due to its technological and functional properties. By-products from fish cleaning are rich sources of collagen. The physical, chemical and rheological properties of gelatin or collagen depend on their sources as well as the extraction conditions. Response surface methodology (RSM) with three parameters was conducted to determine the optimum extraction conditions of gelatin from Caspian whitefish scale. A Box-Behnken design was used to study the combined effects of sodium hydroxide concentration (0.075-0.225 M), soaking time in sodium hydroxide solution (60-180 minute), and extraction temperature (30-50 ^oC) were determined. Viscosity (cp), gel strength (g), L*, a*, and b* were chosen as responses. The results showed the optimum conditions were sodium hydroxide concentration 0.109 M, soaking time in sodium hydroxide solution of 115.735 minutes, and Extraction temperature of 37.585^oC. The predicted responses including viscosity, gel strength, L*, a*, and b* were 2.17 cP, 145 g, 6.039, 6.801, and 38.859 respectively. The response surface method was able to estimate the optimal conditions of extraction gelatin with high desirability (0.99).
 

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Gravitational search algorithm (for the first time) has been used for two-objective optimization of airfoil shape, in this article. 2D compressible Navier-Stokes equations with Spalart-Allmaras model has been used to simulate viscous and turbulent flow. First, efficiency and accuracy of the optimizer sets have been evaluated using inverse optimization. Objective functions were differences between drag and lift with their corresponding values of the NACA0012 objective airfoil, as a set of airfoils randomly were chosen as starter airfoils, in this case and the aim was to obtain the airfoils that satisfy the considered objective functions. In direct optimization, gravitational search algorithm that has been used in the present work, has achieved proper parameters (related to the Parsec method) and consequently has found optimized airfoils with maximum lift and minimum drag objective functions. This algorithm starts to slove using a set of airfoils and it is directed towards the airfoils that provide the mentioned objective functions. Comparison of the results (Pareto fronts) shows better and more proper performance of the gravitational search algorithm rather than particle swarm optimization algorithm and former researches (done using other meta-heuristic algorithms) for aerodynamic optimizations.