Contamination assessment and spatial distribution of heavy metals in the Sefidrud Delta coastal lagoons, Caspian Sea, N Iran.

Three coastal lagoons on the Sefidrud Delta, Caspian Sea, were investigated to evaluate heavy metal pollution in sediments. Amirkola Lagoon is located in the eastern part of the delta (abandoned delta lobe) and is aged more than 500 years, whereas Kiashahr and Zibakenar lagoons are in the western or active part delta lobe and formed in the last decades. One hundred six sediment samples and three sediment cores were taken from studied lagoons. The samples were analyzed by ICP-OES. Geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), degree of contamination (Cdeg), pollution load index (PLI), and Potential ecological risk index (RI) were employed to determine heavy metal pollution for Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V and Zn. Nonparametric statistical analysis (Two-step cluster analysis, analysis of variance, and T-test technique) was used to discriminate the pollution sources. Based on contamination indices, the Kiashahr and Zibakenar lagoons show significant to moderate contamination with Co, Cu, Pb, Zn, and V, whereas the Amirkola Lagoon samples show the lowest metal contamination. PLI values demonstrated metal contamination in the Kiashahr and Zibakenar lagoons but no contamination in the Amirkola Lagoon. Although there was a notable rise in RI values from Amirkola to two other lagoons, all indicated low ecological risk. Statistical methods designated the unique interpretation of contaminant sources. Although the same geogenic origin of sediments in the Sefidrud Delta and lagoons deposits, Co, Zn, and Pb show anthropogenic sources in the newly-formed Kiashahr and Zibakenar lagoons.

Application of ordinal logistic and gene expression programming methods to predict the collapse sensitivity classes of loess soils, a case study: Golestan Province, northeastern Iran.

The current study assesses the collapse sensitivity classes of loess soils using gene expression programming (GEP) and ordinal logistic regression (OLR). The crucial variable to forecast the possible development of loess caves in the Golestan Province (northeast of Iran) is the collapse sensitivity factor (Is). A database of 62 records, including the mechanical and physical characteristics of soils, was used. Oedometer tests were used to estimate the parameters of the collapse coefficient, the time needed for 90% settlement (T90%), and collapse sensitivity. The database includes 10 inputs (grain size, porosity, initial water content, precipitation, climatic data, liquid limit, calcium carbonate content, vegetation, and degree of soil saturation) and one output (collapse sensitivity classes). This is a complicated approach due to the complexity of setting up and performing such kinds of tests in the laboratory. The likelihood of soil classification ranks as severe, moderately severe, moderate, and small sensitivity was inspected using OLR and GEP. This study demonstrated that the OLR approach could effectively differentiate among more than 70% of distinct groups. Furthermore, experimental data reported from Semnan, Sarakhs, and Mashhad also attests to the accuracy of the OLR model. The sensitivity analysis indicated that silt fraction imparts the maximum effect on the collapse sensitivity classes. The trial-and-error method was used to determine the configurations of the GEP model prior to developing an ideal model. The performance of the GEP model to estimate the collapse sensitivity categories in a trustworthy, strong, and useful way is well documented by comparison between the results of the GEP and the experimental findings, which are affordable.

Treatment of liver and spleen illnesses by herbs: Recommendations of Avicenna's heritage "Canon of Medicine".

OBJECTIVE: Avicenna (Abu Ali al-Hossein ibn Abdullah ibn Sina) who had a special attention toward diseases treatments, gathered results of ages of herbal medicine experiments on humans and animals in his book "Al-Qanun fi Tibb" or "The Canon of Medicine", which is a reliable book in Iranian traditional medicine. The aim of this research was to build a reliable list of plants effective against liver and spleen diseases, based on Avicenna's book (volume 2). MATERIALS AND METHODS: By studying the monographs, introduced agents that have been effective in liver and spleen diseases were identified. Upon their origin and effectiveness in diseases of the liver, spleen or both, treatments were organized. RESULTS: From a huge number of drugs, 163 plants from 73 families were found to be effective in treatment of liver and spleen illnesses. In addition, 30 non-herbal agents effective in treatment of liver diseases were detected. The Lamiaceae family have the most effective herbs for treatment of diseases of the liver, spleen or both. Hemp Agrimony, Irsa, and Fudhanj achieved the highest scores. CONCLUSION: The effects of different plants on liver and spleen diseases were indicated in Avicenna's book. Due to the report on the above book, further studies needed specially on the effect of Irsa (Iris ensata) and family Lamiaceae on liver and spleen diseases.