Hamedan Province Research Articles

Determination of Geotechnical Properties of Anisotropic Rocks Using Some Index Tests

To determine the geotechnical properties of anisotropic rocks, five types of various metamorphic rocks were selected from different parts of Hamedan province, west of Iran. These samples were subjected to mineralogical, physical, and mechanical laboratory tests and their behaviors were obtained at different angles between loading axis and foliation planes (anisotropy angle or β; 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, and 90°). Based on the results, type, and amount of contained minerals have influence on the physical and mechanical properties of anisotropic tested rocks. Also, the Schmidt hardness (Hs) and mechanical properties of the samples, such as point load index (Is(50)) and Brazilian tensile strength (BTS) are affected by the anisotropy angle (β). In this research, the empirical equations relating different studied properties of the anisotropic rocks were obtained. In this regard, new equations were proposed for calculating point load index (Is(50)) and Brazilian tensile strength (BTS) in different angles of anisotropy (β).

Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs and domestic equine from western Iran

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs, horses, and donkeys from west of Iran. Blood samples were collected randomly from 270 dogs, 120 horses, and 100 donkeys from Hamedan province. Using Modified Agglutination Test (MAT),10.7 %, 13.3 %, and 47 % of samples were seropositive in dogs, horses, and donkeys, respectively. There were statistical differences among dogs infection and age groups, and type of dogs, unlike to gender. In donkeys, there were statistical differences in age groups and gender, contrast to horses. This study is the first report of T. gondii infection in donkeys from Iran. Therefore, it is necessary to take integrated strategies for prevention and control of infection in animals, which could help to reduce human infections in this region.

Serology based comprehensive study of Neospora infection in domestic animals in Hamedan province, Iran

This study was conducted to determine seroprevalence of Neospora infection in cattle, sheep, horses, donkeys, and dogs in Hamedan province, Iran. Blood samples (n=2254) from the animals were collected randomly during 2009 to 2012. Sera were prepared from the collected blood samples, which were then examined for the presence of antibodies against Neospora using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Neospora modified direct agglutination test (N-MAT), and indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The seroprevalence rates of Neospora were found as 17.4% (n=245/1406) in cattle, 2.2% (n=8/358) in sheep, 40.8% (n=49/120) in horses, 52% (n=52/100) in donkeys, and 27% (n=73/270) in dogs. In this study, higher levels of Neospora infection were detected in cattle, horses, donkeys, and dogs. This is the first comprehensive study of Neospora infection in domestic animals in Iran. Further researches on molecular and bioassay studies and designing appropriate control strategies against neosporosis in Iran are necessary and strongly recommended. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5455/javar.2014.a23 J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 1(3): 119-124, September 2014

Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii infections in aborted cattle in Hamedan, Iran

The aim of current study was to assess the seroprevalence of Neospora (N.) caninum and Toxoplasma (T.) gondii infections in aborted cattle and subsequent estimation of role of these parasites in cattle abortion in Hamedan province, Iran. Blood samples (n=85) of aborted cattle were collected from different locations of Hamedan province for a period of two years from January, 2010 to December, 2012. All the samples were evaluated for the presence of IgG-antibodies against N. caninum and T. gondii using Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA). The results showed that 61.2% (n=52/85), 5.9% (n=5/85) and 3.5% (n=3/85) animals were positive for N. caninum, T. gondii and co-infection of these two, respectively. There was no significant correlation between seroprevalence rates, age groups and breeding (p>0.05). However, a significant difference was found between T. gondii infection and the type of cattle (p=0.05), unlike to N. caninum (p=0.52). This is the first report of N. caninum and T. gondii co-infection in cattle in Iran. Although the rate of T. gondii infection was lower but this parasite might partly be responsible to be transmitted to humans. Further investigations and appropriate control strategies in management of cattle farms are highly recommended.

A new species of <em>Tenuipalpus</em> Donnadieu (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) from Iran

Tenuipalpus zahirii Khanjani & Seeman sp. nov., collected from leaves of hawthorn trees, Crataegus monogyna Jacq. (Rosaceae), and oleaster trees, Elaeagnus angustifolia L. (Elaeagnaceae), is illustrated and described from Simin, Hamedan Province, Iran. This species is the first member of the Tenuipalpus proteae species group from Iran. A key to all known Iranian species is provided.

Quantification of strength anisotropy of metamorphic rocks of the Hamedan province, Iran, as determined from cylindrical punch, point load and Brazilian tests

In this research, different experimental techniques have been used to determine the strength of five types of anisotropic foliated rocks, selected from different parts of the Hamedan Province, west of Iran. For this purpose, after sample preparation and assessment of mineralogical and physical properties, selected samples were subjected to Cylindrical Punch, Point Load and Brazilian tests and their strengths were evaluated with respect to different angles, beta (i.e. β=0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75° and 90°), between anisotropy planes and the major loading directions. Data analyses show that the types and amounts of minerals have an influence on the physical and mechanical properties of the tested anisotropic rocks. Porosity and water absorption also have a dominant control on the mechanical indices such as cylindrical punch index (CPI), point load index (Is(50)) and Brazilian tensile strength (BTS). On the basis of the test result, two empirical equations (Eqs. (3) and (5)) are proposed for calculating CPI and Is(50). Other empirical equations relating studied indices are also presented.

Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in sheep from Western Iran

Aim: The aim of present study was to determine the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum infection in aborted sheep population from Hamedan province of Iran. Materials and Methods: 358 serum samples of aborted ewes were evaluated for IgG-antibodies to N. caninum using enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: 8 samples (2.2%) were found seropositive for this infection (2.05< Confidence interval 0.95 <2.35). Further, no statistical difference found between infection rates in different ewes age groups and fetal age groups. Conclusion: Although the rate of infection is low but the result indicates that N. caninum infection may partly be responsible for abortion and economic losses in Sheep husbandry in this region.

Predicting house price via gene expression programming

PurposeThe housing sector is one of the main sources of economic growth in both developing and developed countries. Although many methods for modeling house prices have been proposed, each has its own limitations. The present paper aims to propose gene expression programming (GEP) as a new approach for prediction of housing price.Design/methodology/approachThis study introduces gene expression programming (GEP) as a new approach for predicting housing price. This is the first time that this metaheuristic method is used in the housing literature.FindingsThe housing price model based on the gene expression programming is compared with a least square regression model that is derived from a stepwise process. The results indicate that the GEP‐based model provides superior performance to the traditional regression.Originality/valueData used in this study is derived from the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) in Iran that is conducted by the Statistical Center of Iran (SCI). Housing price model is estimated by administering the questionnaires of this survey in Hamedan Province. To show the applicability of the derived model by GEP technique, it is verified applying parts of the data, namely test data sets that were not included in the modeling process.

Phytoextraction and phytostabilization potential of plants grown in the vicinity of heavy metal-contaminated soils: a case study at an industrial town site

With the development of urbanization and industrialization, soils have become increasingly polluted by heavy metals. Phytoremediation, an emerging cost-effective, nonintrusive, and aesthetically pleasing technology that uses the remarkable ability of plants to concentrate elements, can be potentially used to remediate metal-contaminated sites. In this research, two processes of phytoremediation (phytoextraction and phytostabilization) were surveyed in some plant species around an industrial town in the Hamedan Province in the central-western part of Iran. To this purpose, shoots and roots of the seven plant species and the associated soil samples were collected and analyzed by measuring Pb, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn concentrations using ICP-AES and then calculating the biological absorption coefficient, bioconcentration factor, and translocation factor parameters for each element. The obtained results showed that among the collected plants, Salsola soda is the most effective species for phytoextraction and phytostabilization and Cirsium arvense has the potential for phytostabilization of the measured heavy metals.

Serological study of Neospora caninum infection in dogs and cattle from west of Iran

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum infection in dogs and cattle from Hamedan province (West of Iran). Blood samples were collected from 1,046 cattle and 270 dogs in this area. Cattle and dog samples were tested and analyzed using ELISA and IFAT, respectively. IgG-antibodies to N. caninum were found in 27 and 17.4 % of dogs and cattle samples, respectively. In cattle study, The association between infection and type of cattle was statistically significant (P = 0.004). Also, significant statistical differences were observed regarding to stray canids presence in farm (P < 0.0001), and abortion history (P < 0.001), unlike to age (P = 0.195) and breed (P = 0.077). In dog study, there was statistical differences among age groups (P < 0.001) and type of dogs (P < 0.001) opposite to gender (P = 0.112). This study is the first report of N. caninum infection in dogs and cattle from west of Iran. There is both horizontal and vertical transmission of N. caninum in this area, and the presence of stray dogs may be a risk factor for N. caninum infection in cattle. N. caninum is an important factor in the economic losses of the cattle breeding in Hamedan province. Therefore, further investigations and designing control strategies for improving management in cattle farms is highly recommended.

A predictive spatial model for gray wolf (Canis lupus) denning sites in a human‐dominated landscape in western Iran

AbstractPredictive models of species denning habitat are useful for understanding distribution of core use areas and identifying areas with potential conflicts. Wolf den site selection in unmanaged areas with dominance of agriculture‐lands and human disturbance is not completely understood. We used a GIS multivariate model based on the Mahalanobis distance statistic and 11 digital habitat layers to evaluate gray wolf denning site suitability in Hamedan province (HP), western Iran. Results showed that &gt;74 % of dens occurred in potential denning sites that occupied 14 % (2,785 km2) of the study area. Based on sensitivity analysis with ROC, we found that the distance to rangelands, elevation, and distance to roads, human settlements and streams were the most predictive variables. Our potential distribution model of wolf den sites showed a very good overall performance according to classification accuracy and discrimination capacity. Denning in elevated rugged terrains adjacent to rangelands and away from roads and villages revealed that wolf den distribution in HP is highly influenced primarily by factors associated with human disturbance. The derived predicted distribution map can be used to prioritize areas for conservation, identify areas with potential conflicts, and to implement adaptive management in regions beyond wilderness and protected areas.

Siting MSW landfills by combining AHP with GIS in Hamedan province, western Iran

In most large and fast growing urban areas, finding suitable lands for construction of landfill is one of the serious problems in environmental management. Land fill site selection process depends on different factors, regulations and constraints. Ignoring each of these parameters may cause miscalculations and lead to selection of an inappropriate landfill site which could have negative environmental, economical, and ecological impacts. Therefore, this process must be accomplished by taking into account all of the related criterions and variables. In this study, landfill site selection is performed by combining geographic information system (GIS) and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) in Hamedan province, west of Iran. In relation to landfill site selection, ten different criteria including Geology, surface water, aquifer, land use, elevation, slope, and distance to main roads, residential areas, faults and sinkholes were investigated. Using AHP each criterion was weighted, then geographic information system (Arc GIS 9.3 software) was used to manipulate and present spatial data. Finally, suitability map was prepared by overlay analyses and most suitable and suitable areas were identified and checked in field. The results indicate that 60.4 % of the area in the Hamedan province (11,631 km2) is unsuitable, 33 % (6,257.7 km2) moderately suitable and 6.6 % (1,344 km2) most suitable for construction of landfill.

An Improved Method for Seismic Site Characterization with Emphasis on Liquefaction Phenomenon

Iran is an active seismic region and frequent earthquakes and because of the active faults, often leads to severe casual-ties caused by structural destruction. Earthquake damage is commonly controlled by three interacting factors, source and path characteristics, local geological and geotechnical conditions and type of the structures. Obviously, all of this would require analysis and presentation of a large amount of geological, seismological and geotechnical data. In this paper, nonlinear geotechnical seismic hazard analysis considering the local site effects was executed and the soil lique-faction potential analysis has been evaluated for the Nemat Abad earth dam in Hamedan province of Iran because of its important socioeconomic interest and its location. Liquefaction susceptibility mapping is carried out using a decisional flow chart for evaluation of earthquake-induced effects, based on available data such as geological, groundwater depth, seismotectonic, sedimentary features, in situ, field and laboratory geotechnical parameters. A series model tests were conducted and then on base of the achieved data the idealized soil profile constructed. A C# GUI computer code “NLGSS_Shahri” was Generate, developed and then employed to evaluate the variation of shear modulus and damping ratio with shear strain amplitude to assess their effects on site response. To verify and validate the methodology, the obtained results of the generated code were compared to several known applicable procedures. It showed that computed output of this code has good and suitable agreement with other known applicable procedures.

A new species of Aegyptobia (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) from Hamedan province, Iran

Aegyptobia pirii sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on female specimens collected from Bromus tectorum L. (Poaceae) in Tuyserkan, Hamedan province in Iran. A key to all known Iranian species of the genus is provided.

Seroprevalence of Neospora infection in horses and donkeys in Hamedan province, Western Iran

Aim: The aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of Neospora infection in horses and donkeys in Hamedan province, Western Iran. Materials and Methods: In cross-sectional study, Blood samples (n=220) were collected from 120 horses and 100 donkeys in 2012 year. All sera were screened for Neospora using Neospora modified direct agglutination test (N-MAT). Results: Antibodies to Neospora infection in horses and donkeys were reported in 40.8% and 52%, respectively. There was not significant correlation demonstrated between infection rates in different age groups and genders. Conclusion: The current study is the first report of Neospora infection in donkeys from Iran. Further investigations and designing control strategies is recommended.

Variation of chromosome numbers in 14 populations of Tanacetum parthenium and eight populations of T. polycephalum in Hamedan Province, Iran

Variation of chromosome numbers in 14 populations of Tanacetum parthenium and eight populations of T. polycephalum in Hamedan Province, Iran

The effect of quality circles on job satisfaction and quality of work-life of staff in emergency medical services

IntroductionQuality circles, as a participatory management technique, offer one alternative for dealing with frustration and discontent of today’s workers. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of implementation of quality circles on nurses’ quality of work-life and job satisfaction. Materials and methodsIn this study, two emergency medical services (EMS) of Hamedan province were selected and randomly assigned as the experimental and control groups. After the experimental group was trained and quality circles were established in this group, the levels of quality of work-life and job satisfaction were measured in the two groups. Then, the statistical analyses were performed using t-test. ResultsAfter the intervention, the results showed significant differences between the scores of motivational factors (p=0.001), the total scores of job satisfaction (p=0.003), and the scores of some quality of work life (QWL) conceptual categories including the use and development of capacities (p=0.008), the total space of life (p=0.003), and the total scores of QWL (p=0.031) in the experimental group compared to those in the control group. ConclusionThis study confirms the effectiveness of quality circles in improving quality of work-life and job satisfaction of nurses working in EMS, and offers their application as a management method that can be used by EMS managers.

REVIEW OF TAXONOMY AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE Eirenis medus GROUP (CHERNOV, 1940) (OPHIDIA: COLUBRIDAE) WITH DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF THE GENUS Eirenis FROM KERMAN PROVINCE, SOUTHEASTERN IRAN

Specimens of three populations of the Eirenis medus group from Hamedan province in western, Esfahan province in central and Kerman province in southeastern Iran have been examined morphologically and compared with typical Eirenis medus in Turkmenistan and northeastern Iran. Based on morphological data, specimens of Kerman province differ from known populations of Eirenis medus in morphometric and meristic characters and should be regarded as a different taxon. As a result Eirenis kermanensis sp. nov. is described based on the examination of a couple of specimens from Sarduieh region, Kerman Province, southeastern Iran. Compared with Eirenis medus , Eirenis kermanensis sp. nov. has a higher number of subcaudals and a higher ratio of tail length on total length. Also in Eirenis kermanensis , the loreal scale is deeper than long while in Eirenis medus the loreal is longer than deep. Further studies are necessary to determine the taxonomy of Hamedan and Isfahan province specimens and this study could only show that they belong to the Eirenis medus-kermanensis species group.

The effects of road salt application on the accumulation and speciation of cations and anions in an urban environment

AbstractThis study aimed to assess the quality of road runoff in heavy traffic and residential areas of Hamedan province, in the western region of Iran. To investigate the effects of salt pollution, 14 runoff samples were collected from streets during the winter and spring of 2009. Streets received different amounts of deicing salt depending on the traffic density. Results showed that deicing salt has major affects on sodium (Na+), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), chloride (Cl−), bicarbonate (), sulfate () and phosphate () pollution. This is important because this type of watercourse contamination can lead to serious problems, such as eutrophication. We also found an increase in lead (Pb2+) concentration, which was not attributable to the application of deicing agents, but that was due to the combustion of leaded gasoline. Speciation of Ca, Mg, Pb and P chemical species in the samples was calculated using Visual Minteq 2.6 program. The results indicated that Ca and Mg were mainly present as free ions, Pb was mainly present as PbCO3 (aq), while the dominant P species were and .

The Potential of Phytoremediation Using Hyperaccumulator Plants: A Case Study at a Lead-Zinc Mine Site

Contamination with heavy metals is one of the most pressing threats to water and soil resources, as well as human health. Phytoremediation might potentially be used to remediate metal-contaminated sites. A major advance in the development of phytoremediation for heavy metal affected soils was the discovery of heavy metal hyperaccumulation in plants. This study applied several established criteria to identify hyperaccumulator plants. A case study was conducted at a mining area in the Hamedan province in the west central region of Iran. The results indicated that plant metal accumulation differed among species and plant parts. Plant species grown in substrata with elevated metal levels contained significantly higher metal levels. Using the most common criteria, Euphorbia macroclada and Centaurea virgata can be classified as hyperaccumulators of specific heavy metals measured in this study and they might potentially be used for the phytoremediation of contaminated soils.