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Lithium (Li) is a scarce and technologically important element; the demand for which has recently increased due to its extensive consumption, particularly in manufacturing of Li-ion batteries, renewable energy, and electronics. Li is extracted from brines, pegmatite, and clay minerals; though extraction from brines is economically preferred. More than 200 salt plugs are in the Zagros Mountains which represent potential sources for Li exploration. This preliminary study collected first data on the abundance of Li in the salt plugs in southern Iran, and investigated Li distribution during evaporation of halite-producing brine ponds. The XRD analysis of powdered samples showed that gypsum and halite are the dominant solid phases in the ponds in which Li is concentrated in gypsum, while halite is depleted of Li. ICP-MS and ICP-OES analyses showed that Li in brines is concentrated during the evaporation by factors up to 28 with total contents up to 40 mg kg‒1. The Mg/Li ratio was higher than 70, which makes the brine unsuitable for conventional evaporation extraction techniques which require Mg/Li ratios of less than 6. Considering that 25 mg kg‒1 is a suitable concentration of Li for exploration purposes, the results of this study suggest that with the advancement of extraction techniques, the depletion of presently used high-grade Li reserves, the increasing demand for lithium, the need for extraction from diverse sources, and the exploration of new resources, the salt plug brines have an exploratory potential for Li in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium (Li) is a scarce and technologically important element; the demand for which has recently increased due to its extensive consumption, particularly in manufacturing of Li-ion batteries, renewable energy, and electronics. Li is extracted from brines, pegmatite, and clay minerals; though extraction from brines is economically preferred. More than 200 salt plugs are in the Zagros Mountains which represent potential sources for Li exploration. This preliminary study collected first data on the abundance of Li in the salt plugs in southern Iran, and investigated Li distribution during evaporation of halite-producing brine ponds. The XRD analysis of powdered samples showed that gypsum and halite are the dominant solid phases in the ponds in which Li is concentrated in gypsum, while halite is depleted of Li. ICP-MS and ICP-OES analyses showed that Li in brines is concentrated during the evaporation by factors up to 28 with total contents up to 40 mg kg‒1. The Mg/Li ratio was higher than 70, which makes the brine unsuitable for conventional evaporation extraction techniques which require Mg/Li ratios of less than 6. Considering that 25 mg kg‒1 is a suitable concentration of Li for exploration purposes, the results of this study suggest that with the advancement of extraction techniques, the depletion of presently used high-grade Li reserves, the increasing demand for lithium, the need for extraction from diverse sources, and the exploration of new resources, the salt plug brines have an exploratory potential for Li in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperspectral and high spatial resolution sensors allow for better discrimination of geological features and combining the products of these two kinds of sensors hypothetically improves this task. We evaluated the synergies of WorldView-3 (WV-3) and Hyperion datasets by fusing them to get a spatially enhanced hyperspectral dataset for mapping hydrothermal alteration minerals of Chadormalu iron oxide-apatite deposit area, in Central Iran. Due to the fact that faults and hydrothermal alteration minerals are inseparable phenomena for mineral exploration, lineaments of the study area were extracted manually and automatically using ALOS World 3D—30 m (AW3D30) and WV-3 data respectively. Subsequently, the alteration minerals were mapped by the use of Mixture Tuned Matched Filtering (MTMF) partial unmixing method on the WV-3, Hyperion, and their fused dataset. Results revealed that fusion of Hyperion and WV-3 data provides higher model accuracies than using solely one sensor dataset. Hyperion and Hyperion- WV-3 fused datasets reached 59.15% and 66. 41% overall accuracies as comparing to WV-3 MTMF mineral map for concentrations greater than 50%. This study introduced two prospecting areas of iron ore by matching the lineaments and alteration mineral maps. Furthermore, it was revealed that WV-3 data can discriminate the rock units and their approximate geometry in messy and stripy active open-pit which are concordant with the 1:1000 lithological map. Importantly, ground truthing and field validation, reflectance spectroscopy, TSG analysis, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) supported the results of this research. Findings of this research stated the potential use of WV-3 and Hyperion data as well as their fusion for lineament and mineralogical discriminations to further develop new hyperspectral image processing approach and making synthetic high spatio-spectral dataset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mapping lithological units and conducting mineral exploration in a relatively short time and at a reduced cost, requires high-resolution satellite data and state-of-the-art image processing approaches and methods. In this regard, the current paper aims to test an integration of visible-near infrared imagery from WorldView-3 (WV-3) and object-based classification for mapping potential deposits of ocher in Hormuz Island, southern Iran. A combination of field observations, spectroscopy, microscopic mineralogy, and geochemical-based XRD and XRF analyses were conducted on the samples collected throughout the study area. The reflectance and absorption features of the ocher were extracted from spectroscopic measurements of samples from well-known ocher mines at the area, and were then convolved to the WV-3 bands. Results showed that the spectral characteristics of ocher are governed by iron oxides and clay minerals with a presence of distinct strong absorption and high reflectance features in the 510–625 nm and 630–745 nm wavelength regions, respectively. These features are complemented by molecular vibration processes of water O–H intramolecular stretching and H–O–H bending that generate absorption features in the 1440–1940 nm region. Additional absorption features in the 2210–2300 nm are most likely due to the Al-OH and CO3−2 vibrations. The absorptions centered at 480 nm, 540 nm, and 820 nm correspond to bands 2, 3, and 7 of the WV-3, respectively, whereas the high reflectance feature centered near 700 nm corresponds to band 6. These four bands, which were considered as index bands of ocher in this study, were used to assign the segmentation weights and to create the thresholds during image processing. Brightness, density, compactness, and homogeneity features were the primary factors for selecting the training areas in the index bands. The ocher-rich areas were enhanced by using a two-stepapproach of object-based image analysis (OBIA) and image classification, for suitable threshold selection. The information about the feature variables of the ocher within the image and lithological object hierarchy were obtained to evaluate the features of ocher deposits. Information extracted from the index bands provided an important description of the object features, including mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum pixel values, hue, saturation, and intensity, while the training areas obtained information from the three known ocher mines. Considering the fixed numerical range of ocher mines as a reference, the fixed numerical range of general and specific features of ocher in index bands of WV-3 were achieved. The numerical ranges of pixels were used for creating threshold conditions when applying the "assign class" algorithm in bands 2, 3, and 7 are 815–975 nm, 930–1052 nm, and 1721–1904 nm, respectively. The presented OBIA approach shows a high potential with an overall accuracy of 88 % to discriminate deposits of ocher based on compatibility between ocher mines and identified ocher-bearing pixels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Miocene Daralu Porphyry Copper Deposits (PCDs) is found associated with other porphyries such as Sarcheshmeh and Meiduk in the Kerman Cenozoic Magmatic Arc (KCMA), southern Iran. In this research, we provided whole-rock geochemical data, characteristics of hydrothermal fluid and sulfur isotope composition of the Daralu intrusive body, and discussed the nature, tectonic setting and fluid evolution of this deposit aiming to investigate its fertility. The Daralu porphyry shows adakites affinity, that is, high Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios and positive Eu anomalies. The REEs patterns indicate a strong fractionation ([La/Yb]n= 28.73). High La/Sm and Dy/Yb ratios suggest enrichment of amphibole and garnet as residual phases in melt source, whereas partial melting of plagioclase increases Eu and Sr in the parent magma. The presence of garnet implies a pressure equivalent to the thickness of more than 40km of crust. To elucidate the evolutionary history of fluids and the origin of the Daralu deposit, we focused on the origin and composition of the fluid through petrography, Raman spectroscopy, and microthermometry studies of fluid inclusions. The fluid inclusions have been divided into four types: vapor (type I), aqueous-vapor (type II), CO2-bearing (type III), and multiphase (type IV). The Raman shifts included 1284 and 1388 cm-1 for CO2 and 2750-3900 cm-1 for H2O. The events such as NaCl supersaturation, exhausting of CO2-rich components, high oxygen fugacity and temperature decreasing through mineralization stages were critical in controlling the fertility of the Daralu PCD. The obtained δ34S data for sulfides yielded an average of +5.5‰. Based on the observed features, it was concluded that Daralu porphyry shares formation conditions with other productive porphyries of the KCMA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to evaluate and compare Geographical Information Systems (GIS)-based fuzzy models for producing orogenic gold prospectivity maps in the Saqqez area, NW of Iran. Gold occurrences are hosted in sericite schist and mafic to felsic meta-volcanic rocks in this area, and are associated with hydrothermal alterations that extend over ductile to brittle shear zones. The predictor maps, which represent the Pre-(Source/Triger/Pathway), syn-(deposition/physical/chemical traps) and post-mineralization (preservation/distribution of indicator minerals) sub-systems for gold mineralization, were generated using empirical understandings of the specifications of known orogenic gold deposits and gold mineral systems, and were then pre-processed and integrated to produce mineral prospectivity maps. Five fuzzy logic operators, including AND, OR, Fuzzy Algebraic Product (FAP), Fuzzy Algebraic Sum (FAS), and GAMMA, were applied to the predictor maps in order to find the most efficient prediction model. Prediction-Area (P-A) plots and field observations were used to assess and evaluate the accuracy of prediction models. Mineral prospectivity maps generated by AND, OR, FAP, and FAS operators were inaccurate and therefore unable to pinpoint the exact location of discovered gold occurrences. The GAMMA operator, on the other hand, produced acceptable results and identified potentially economic target sites. The P-A plot revealed that 68% of known orogenic gold deposits are found in high and very high potential regions. The GAMMA operator was shown to be useful in predicting and defining cost-effective target sites for orogenic gold deposits, as well as optimizing mineral deposit exploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental and numerical approaches have their own advantages and limitations, in particular, when dealing with complex phenomena such as snow particles falling at moderate Reynolds numbers (Re). Time-resolved, three-dimensional particle tracking velocimetry (4D-PTV) experiments of free-falling, three-dimensional (3D)-printed snowflakes' analogs shed light on the elaborate falling dynamics of irregular snow particles but present a lower resolution (tracer seeding density) and a limited field of view (domain size) to fully capture the wake flow. Delayed-detached eddy simulations of fixed snow particles do not realistically represent all the physics of a falling ice particle, especially for cases with unsteady falling attitudes, but accurately predict the drag coefficient and capture the wake characteristics for steadily falling snowflakes. In this work, we compare both approaches on time- and space-averaged flow quantities in the snowflake wake. First, we cross validate the two approaches for low Re cases, where close agreement of the wake features is expected, and second, we assess how strongly the unsteady falling motion perturbs the average wake pattern as compared to a fixed particle at higher Re. For steadily falling snowflakes, the fixed-particle model can properly represent the wake flow with errors within the experimental uncertainty (±15%). At moderate/high Re (unsteady falling motion), larger differences are present. Applying a co-moving frame to the experimental data to account for the particle movement or filtering the numerical data on larger grids reduces these differences only to some extent, implying that an unsteady fall significantly alters the average wake structure as compared to a fixed particle model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithological maps derived from traditional pixel-based image analysis are widely established in remote sensing. Recent development of new segmentation-based approaches such as object-based image analysis (OBIA) has led to significant improvements of accuracy in land cover classifications. However, additional enhancements have been reported by coupling OBIA with machine learning (ML) techniques. ML which automates computer algorithms and model building, enables learning, reasoning, and decision making through analysis and interpretation of data patterns and structures. This study is an attempt for evaluating and comparing the performances of four ML classifiers, including support vector machine (SVM), normal Bayes (NB), k-nearest neighbor (k-NN), and random forest (RF). This approach was tested with medium resolution imagery using an object-based classification procedure in a metamorphic complex, SW Iran. The multi-band input datasets were assembled form individual and multi-sensor layers from ASTER, Landsat 8 OLI, Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2A. Results revealed that combined data sets obtain more reasonable classes for lithology, and combination of ASTER + simulated panchromatic of Sentinel-2A data shows the most efficient results. We also showed that, in general, RF and SVM algorithms were the most advantageous classifiers when using an object-based image analysis approach. When integrating the data sets aiming improvement of spatial resolution, the maximum accuracies of RF, SVM, k-NN and NB algorithms increased from 90% to 98%, 81% to 97%, 52 to 75%, and 40% to 64%, respectively. We also revealed that the integration of Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2A data was promising and allowed for additional extraction of rock relief. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Auditory deprivation following congenital/pre‐lingual deafness (C/PD) can drastically affect brain development and its functional organisation. This systematic review intends to extend current knowledge of the impact of C/PD and deafness duration on brain resting‐state networks (RSNs), review changes in RSNs and spoken language outcomes post‐cochlear implant (CI) and draw conclusions for future research. The systematic literature search followed the PRISMA guideline. Two independent reviewers searched four electronic databases using combined keywords: 'auditory deprivation', 'congenital/prelingual deafness', 'resting‐state functional connectivity' (RSFC), 'resting‐state fMRI' and 'cochlear implant'. Seventeen studies (16 cross‐sectional and one longitudinal) met the inclusion criteria. Using the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool, the publications' quality was rated between 65.0% and 92.5% (mean: 84.10%), ≥80% in 13 out of 17 studies. A few studies were deficient in sampling and/or ethical considerations. According to the findings, early auditory deprivation results in enhanced RSFC between the auditory network and brain networks involved in non‐verbal communication, and high levels of spontaneous neural activity in the auditory cortex before CI are evidence of occupied auditory cortical areas with other sensory modalities (cross‐modal plasticity) and sub‐optimal CI outcomes. Overall, current evidence supports the idea that moreover intramodal and cross‐modal plasticity, the entire brain adaptation following auditory deprivation contributes to spoken language development and compensatory behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to determine the effect of different levels of local concentrated protein extracted from slaughterhouse wastes on some carcasses traits of broiler. A total of 225 female broiler Ross 308 chicks, one day, were used, randomized distributed into five treatments, with three replicates per treatment (15 chicks each replicate). The treatments were as follows: T1; basal diet contains 4% imported protein. T2; basal diet contains 2% imported protein+2% local manufactured protein. T3; basal diet contains 4% local manufactured protein. T4; basal diet contains 6% local manufactured protein. T5; basal diet contains 8% local manufactured protein. The results showed that there were no significant differences between the treatments on the carcass weight, dressing percentage, relative weights of the thigh and breast, as well as the relative weight of the abdominal fat. There were no significant differences among all treatments for the sensory traits of the thigh and breast. In conclusion, the locally manufactured animal protein extraction had no negative significant effect on the characteristics of carcasses and could be used as an efficient alternative to imported protein concentration used in broiler diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study the underlay relay-aided Device-to-Device (D2D) communications to improve the physical layer (PHY) security of the cellular network. We propose a cooperative scheme, whereby the D2D pair, in return of being allowed to share the spectrum band of the cellular network, serves as a friendly jammer, through its multiple-input multiple-output relay, to degrade the wiretapped signal at an eavesdropper. This paper aims to show that spectrum sharing is advantageous for both D2D communications and cellular networks with respect to reliability and robustness for the former, and the physical layer security enhancement for the latter. To assess the proposed cooperative system model, closed-form expressions for the D2D outage probability, the secrecy outage probability, and the probability of non-zero secrecy capacity are derived. More importantly, the benefits due to the cooperation scheme are verified through numerical and simulation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Suriyan area, southwestern Iran, possesses a variety of sedimentary, volcanic, and metamorphic rocks. This paper investigates the potential of Sentinel-2A multispectral data for lithological mapping of this geologically complex terrain using the principal component analysis (PCA), band ratio, and spectral information divergence (SID) methods. Spectral features of lithological units were analysed by surveying the laboratory spectra of hand samples, the resampled spectra of rock types to spectra from Sentinel-2A wavelength ranges, and the spectra extracted directly from applied imagery. The absorption features dominantly attributed to Fe2+, Fe3+, and Al-OH electronic and vibrational modes were observable in Sentinel-2A bands; however, the main absorption feature of Mg-OH and C-O near 2.33 µm is not collected in a distinct band by this satellite. Data processing results revealed that PCA was more successful in discriminating vegetation, greenschist, and shale, whereas it could not differentiate various types of limestone. The proposed Band Ratios, (4 + 6)/(7 + 8), (2 + 11 + 6)/(3 + 4), 12/8, and 2/5, enhanced sandstone, shale, basaltic dyke, greenschist, mica schist, meta-tuff, and various types of limestone. However, the SID algorithm discriminated few lithological units including greenschist, mica schist, shale, and Fe-bearing limestone. Considering output results, it was suggested that proposed band ratios as well as the PCA method were more successful in discriminating various lithological units, while the SID algorithm was advantageous in enhancing the metamorphic units. Field observations and microscopic studies verified the occurrences of rock units and their spatial compatibility with differentiated lithologies. It was concluded that Sentinel-2A data were successful in enhancement and discrimination of various rock types in a lithologically complex terrain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field experiment was performed during the autumn growing season 2019 in Al Khyoot village of the Qurna town which is located at 75 km northern Basrah city centre. For improving the maize growth and yield, the effect of foliar spraying with iron and zinc and the most important technological characteristics of the knapsack sprayer such as nozzle types was studied. Three nozzle types were investigated as standard Flat fan nozzle, Hollow cone nozzle, and Tip nozzle (as reference nozzle in this study). Three foliar concentrations (0, Zn30 + Fe100 and Fe100+ Zn30) as well as a 16- litre capacity of the knapsack sprayer were used for fertilizer spraying experiments. All field experiments were carried out using the complete randomized block design (RCBD) with three replications. The results of the statistical analysis showed that there was a significant effect of the nozzle type and foliar spraying on the plant growth and yield characteristics as plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, leaf area, number of grains, and yields (152.39 cm, 1.88 cm, 13.98, 4559 cm², 376.51 and 5.51 Mg ha-1 respectively). Also, these characteristics showed an increase percentage as following (2.79%, 2.25%, 0.60%, 3.11%, 3.70%, and 1.73% respectively) when the hollow cone nozzle was used compared to the reference nozzle. In addition, an interaction between the studied factors also appeared a significant difference in the grain number and yield characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this review was to summarize the histological, physical, chemical and microbial aspects and ways to stop the fluctuation in meat quality in addition to enhance its sensory quality using electrical stimulation. The low-voltage electrical stimulation and high-voltage electrical stimulation were employed. Electrical stimulation improves quality of poultry meat by reducing shear, increasing Sarcomere length, and reducing the diameter of muscle fibers. Low-voltage electrical stimulation affects voltages (120 volts directly in the nervous system, while high voltages were more than enough) to remove the polarization of the cover and produce a dense physio-chemical response in the muscles that had a direct effect. Electrical stimulation and injection with salts of sodium chloride and calcium chloride in the carcasses of female goats improved the tenderness of the meat. It was found that electrical stimulation accelerated the development of rigor mortis. Although electrical stimulation reduces breast meat shear, there was limited information about the effects of electrical stimulation on the other quality attributes of poultry meat and the results vary with quality attribute and differ from experimental conditions High voltage (higher than 120 volts) electrical stimulation improved meat quality and decreased the pH. Low voltages (below 120 volts) are used to ensure the safety of workers and give the desired results when used in commercial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigate the synthetic tunability of a solvent-free synthesis of crystalline ZSM-5 zeolite. Conventional zeolite syntheses use hydrothermal reactions to facilitate reagent dissolution and atomic level mixing that lead to zeolite crystallization at moderate temperatures near 200 °C. In solvent-free reactions, a reagent mixing step is very important to a successful synthesis of homogeneous and structurally stable zeolites. Key to synthetic success in our ZSM-5 zeolite syntheses is utilization of extended grinding that facilitates identifiable chemical exchange reactions prior to thermal processing. This mechanochemical pre-reaction step allows several key energy intensive or costly synthetic variables to be reduced and still yield thermally stable ZSM-5 products. A grinding induced exchange reaction yields a strongly basic ammonia environment as paste formed by reagents and released waters of hydration. This locally basic environment likely contributes to formation and assembly of tetrahedral structure building components (MO 4 where M = Si, Al) that assemble into extended zeolite pore structures around the amine template. Specific synthetic conditions examined here for their influence on stable crystalline ZSM-5 growth include variation in reaction temperature (120–180 °C), reaction time (4–22 h) and amount of organic template (0–15 wt%). With the appropriate mechanochemical pre-reaction chemistry and reagent intimate mixing, crystalline and thermally robust ZSM-5 is formed at temperatures as low as 160 °C in 10 h with as little as 5 wt% organic template. The as-formed zeolite shows high relative crystallinity and is structurally stable during higher temperature 550 °C air calcination to remove the organic template from the internal pores and yields zeolites with surface areas near 300 m2/g. The decrease in organoamine template content is noteworthy as it is an expensive non-recyclable molecular template and lower template use appears to increase zeolite crystallite size. The synthesized ZSM-5 materials shows expected catalytic activity in biomass conversion of cellulose and glucose into hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Glucose showed higher catalytic degradation (biomass conversion 72–79% with 33–42% yield of HMF) than the cellulose (biomass conversion 55–58% with 33–38% yield of HMF). Image 1 • Mechanochemical pre-reactions between NH 4 Cl and Na 2 SiO 3 improve ZSM-5 synthesis. • Solvent-free autoclave reactions require only moderate 160 °C temperatures for 10 h. • Pre-reaction solid-state mixing leads to lower 5 wt % organoamine template use. • Crystalline ZSM-5 microparticles show expected activity for biomass conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease with a chronic relapsed-remitting course with manifestations started at early childhood. AD is two types; extrinsic and intrinsic. Zinc has a crucial role in the immune system functions and antioxidant mechanisms, it also serves in the metabolism and cell growth through signaling several enzymes. Objective To assess serum zinc level in patients with childhood AD. Methods A case-controlled study was conducted in Dermatology outpatient’s clinic in Al-Imamein Al-Kadhimein Medical City, from the period of September 2016-June 2017. Twenty patients with AD were enrolled in this study. AD severity was graded using the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis Index (SCORAD). The control group consisted of age-matched and sex-matched twenty healthy children were taken with weight above 80%. Fasting blood samples were taken from patients and controls between 8 AM and 10 AM. Results Of the twenty patients of AD, 13 (65%) were males and 7 (35%) were females. Their mean age was 4.58±3.13. Regarding the control group 9 (45%) were males and 11 (55%) were females, their mean age was 4.29±2.46. No statistical difference in serum zinc level between AD patients and control groups. Concerning zinc level in males and females, no statistical differences was found in AD patients, but highly significant difference was found in control group. Serum zinc level was highly significantly low in patients with moderate AD than in those with mild AD. There was negative correlation between serum zinc level and severity of AD. Conclusion There is a negative correlation between serum zinc level and severity of AD, also there is a gender variation in serum zinc level in normal children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Solvent-free methods for the synthesis of ZSM-5 have been previously reported in the literature. These methods typically involve grinding the starting materials together prior to the hydrothermal reaction step. However, very little is known about the reaction intermediates formed during the mechanochemical pre-reaction or about how the pre-reaction impacts the subsequent hydrothermal synthesis conditions (temperature and length of hydrothermal treatment). In this study, the solvent-free synthesis of ZSM-5 was investigated while varying the length and type of grinding (manual, ball-mill) and the components of the reaction mixture. The initial reactions that occurred between the solid-state raw materials during grinding were monitored by powder X-ray diffraction (pXRD). Extended grinding initiates exchange reactions between several reagents to form NaCl and to liberate ammonia and water. The resulting wet paste undergoes facile thermal conversion to crystalline zeolite ZSM-5 framework structures. These results provide valuable insights used to guide the optimization of the synthesis conditions required to prepare stable, crystalline and high surface area ZSM-5 under solvent-free synthesis conditions. The solvent-free approach contributes to the overall goal of a greener, more sustainable ZSM-5 synthesis. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Mechanochemical grinding pre-reactions monitored in solvent-free synthesis of ZSM-5. • Grinding initiates exchange reactions between starting materials. • The formation of NaCl and NH 3 were observed during the grinding step. • A paste-like phase of the solid raw materials was formed after 15 min of grinding and leads to highly crystalline ZSM-5. • Insights on mechanochemistry useful for optimizing synthesis conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of electric stimulation on some quantitative characters of aged ducks and layers chicken carcasses were the main objectives of the present study. Electric stimulation apparatus of meat tenderness was designed and manufactured at Department of Food Sciences, College of Agriculture, University of Basrah. A total of 36 Ducks and Layers chicken aged 1.5 years. Birds were slaughtered by hand, were defeathered, and all internal organs were removed. Carcasses were divided into three treatments with different electric stimulation. Control group (no electric stimulation). The second treatment (Electric conductivity 3.67 V/cm) was low voltage of 110 volt and 1% saline solution. The third treatment (7.33 V/cm) was 220V and 1% saline solution. All traits were measured at 25 min, 6 hrs. and 24 hrs. Carcasses stored by freezing for 30 and 60 days. The results showed that the number of proteolysis, lipolysis, Psychrophiles bacteria were affected by electric stimulation, the third treatment revealed the lower number of bacteria. Electric stimulation (especially 220 V) was significantly reduced the number of bacteria in both chicken and duck. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effect of spatial subsets of Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection radiometer (ASTER) L1B visible-near infrared and short wave-infrared (VNIR-SWIR) data on matched filtering results at the central part of Kerman magmatic arc, where abundant porphyry copper deposits exist. The matched filtering (MF) procedure was run separately at sites containing hydrothermal minerals such as sericite, kaolinite, chlorite, and jarosite to map the abundances of these minerals on spatial subsets containing 100, 75, 50, and 25 percent of the original scene. Results were evaluated by comparing the matched filtering scores with the mineral abundances obtained by semi-quantitative XRD analysis of corresponding field samples. It was concluded that MF method should be applied to the whole scene prior to any data subsetting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to present the available vaccines for E.coli in chicken and discuss the immune response induced by E.coli. It is based on statistical data provided by already published articles and data interpreted from specialised journals. Avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) represents the most economically significant disease which has a negative impact on the industry of broilers. In many countries, a common practice during the last decades has been to administer antibiotics in order to suppress infection with APEC, but lately market pressures, by trade and statutory restraints, have limited the use of antibiotics and this has led to the development of specially designed E.coli vaccines, to stimulate an immune response against pathogenic E. coli, besides vaccination against primary respiratory and immuno-suppressive pathogens. Chickens display different mechanisms to protect against and to combat pathogenic infection. Typically APEC is inhaled or ingested, by crossing the mucosal barrier; it cannot penetrate the skin, which generally acts as a protective element. In broilers, the source of infection are, usually, the contaminated drinking water or the inhaled dust, laden with APEC. Antimicrobial drugs remain an important tool in reducing of incidence as of mortality, associated with this disease, but a vaccine-based approach for the disease control remains highly desirable, which is why the focus of this paper will be to analyze and criticize each available type of E.coli vaccine, including the advantages and disadvantages of each, in terms of preparation, efficiency, costs and other important factors. The latest developments in molecular biology have created new vaccine strains effective against APEC, like the modified gene-deleted vaccines which stimulate both, tissue (cellular) associated immunity and humoral (circulating antibody) immunity. The first commercial E. coli vaccine for chickens was licensed by the US Department of Agriculture in 2006, so this paper will also try to focus on the newest research, directed after this year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective key management has been a fundamental prelude before encryption of single-layer video streams in the public Internet. In addition to single-layer video, multi-layer video can provide scalable on-demand video streaming, especially within a mobile network. The objective of the proposed mechanism was to reduce the number of keys exchanged for setting up an encrypted scalable video stream. The method proposed had access to the highest enhancement layer to which users were entitled, together with access to all layers below down to the base layer. A low-latency key exchange mechanism i.e. Zimmermann Real-time Transport Protocol (ZRTP) was used for the hierarchical key's generation of scalable video in conjunction with an in-house form of selective encryption. The results confirmed that the key's generation time was reduced by 7 μs than the previous techniques. It was also concluded from the results that the selective encryption method was decoder compatible and produced zero bit-rate overhead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthesizing nanocrystalline ZSM-5 using a templating method is considered to be time, energy, and materials inefficient. In addition, the production of CO 2 from the calcination process has a negative impact on the environment. Therefore, finding another method to synthesize nanocrystalline ZSM-5 without using an organic template would be beneficial. Here, nanocrystalline ZSM-5 was synthesized successfully in high yield by using a seed-assisted method and without using the organic template. In addition, the effects of synthesis temperature, synthesis time, pH, amount of seeds, size of seeds, aging time, and use of calcined and uncalcined seeds were investigated. The synthesized nanocrystalline ZSM-5 materials were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), gas adsorption isotherm (BET/BJH), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP/OES), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was found that the synthesis temperature and time have a strong influence on the crystallinity of the synthesized nanocrystalline ZSM-5. Under the conditions reported here, the ideal synthesis temperature and time to synthesize fully crystalline ZSM-5 crystals are 165 °C, and 14–24 h, respectively. Controlling the pH and seed amount facilitated the synthesis of ZSM-5 with high crystallinity. A basic environment with Na 2 O/SiO 2 = 0.4, and a seed amount of 0.35 wt % were necessary to form fully crystalline ZSM-5 particles. In addition, ZSM-5 with high crystallinity and yield could be obtained using calcined seeds. Finally, seeds with large complex aggregates showed a strong influence on the size and aggregation of the synthesized particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of network-driven applications, such as internet, video conferencing, and online gaming, brings in the need for a network the environments with capability of providing diverse Quality of Services (QoS). In this paper, a new code family of novel spreading sequences, called a Multi-Service (MS) code, has been constructed to support multiple services in Optical- Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system. The proposed method uses fixed weight for all services, however reducing the interfering codewords for the users requiring higher QoS. The performance of the proposed code is demonstrated using mathematical analysis. It shown that the total number of served users with satisfactory BER of 10 −9 using N B =2 is 82, while they are only 36 and 10 when N B =3 and 4 respectively. The developed MS code is compared with variable-weight codes such as Variable Weight-Khazani Syed (VW-KS) and Multi-Weight-Random Diagonal (MW-RD). Different numbers of basic users ( N B ) are used to support triple-play services (audio, data and video) with different QoS requirements. Furthermore, reference to the BER of 10 −12 , 10 −9 , and 10 −3 for video, data and audio, respectively, the system can support up to 45 total users. Hence, results show that the technique can clearly provide a relative QoS differentiation with lower value of basic users can support larger number of subscribers as well as better performance in terms of acceptable BER of 10 −9 at fixed code weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, frequency reconfigurable electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structure that integrates with a wideband antenna is proposed. The EBG structure consists of a circular patch shorted to the ground plane and a secondary circular patch connected to the circular patch. Switches are positioned between the via and the ground plane and by controlling the state of the switch, the band-stop operation of the EBG can be activated or deactivated. In order to control the single and dual band-stop operation, another switch is place between the circular patch and the secondary circular patch. The EBG structure is then placed underneath the feed line of a wideband antenna. The antenna is capable of reconfiguring to three different frequency bands. The proposed antenna has the potential to provide useful features for the wireless communication applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study applies Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data and the Mixture Tuned Matched Filtering (MTMF) algorithm to map the sub-pixel distribution of alteration minerals associated with the Masahim volcano, SE Iran for understanding the spatial relationship between alteration minerals and volcano facies. Investigations of the alteration mineralogy were conducted using field-spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and ASTER Short Wave Infrared (SWIR) spectral data. In order to spectrally characterize the stratovolcano deposits, lithological units and alteration minerals, the volcano was divided into three facies: the Central, Proximal, and Medial–distal facies. The reflectance spectra of rock samples show absorption features of a number of minerals including white mica, kaolinite, montmorillonite, illite, goethite, hematite, jarosite, opal, and chlorite. The end-members of key alteration minerals including sericite (phyllic zone), kaolinite (argillic zone) and chlorite (propylitic zone) were extracted from imagery using the Pixel Purity Index (PPI) method and were used to map alteration minerals. Accuracy assessment through field observations was used to verify the fraction maps. The results showed that most prominent altered rocks situated at the central facies of volcano. The alteration minerals were discriminated with the coefficient of determination ( R 2 ) of 0.74, 0.81, and 0.68 for kaolinite, sericite, and chlorite, respectively. The results of this study have the potential to refine the map of alteration zones in the Masahim volcano. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Visible near infrared and shortwave infrared (VNIR-SWIR, 350 to 2500nm) reflectance spectra obtained from an analytical spectral device (ASD) have been used to define alteration zones adjacent to porphyry copper deposits (PCDs), in the central part of Kerman magmatic arc, SE Iran. The spectral analysis identified sericite, illite, halloysite, montmorillonite, dickite, kaolinite, pyrophyllite, biotite, chlorite, epidote, calcite, jarosite, and iron oxyhydroxides (e.g. hematite, goethite) of hydrothermal and supergene origin. Identified alteration zones are classified into six principal types namely phyllic, phyllic/propylitic, propylitic, potassic, argillic and advanced argillic. The iron oxide minerals in the oxidized zone were also identified using spectral analysis. Results of spectral analyses of samples are consistent with mineralogical data obtained from X-ray diffraction (XRD) and petrographic studies. Spectroscopic studies by ASD demonstrate that this tool is very useful for semi-quantitative and cost effective identification of different types of alteration mineral assemblages. Furthermore, it can provide a valuable tool for evaluating aerial distribution of alteration minerals while coupled with remote sensing data analysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A Multi-Service Optical Code Division Multiple Access (MS-OCDMA) code based on Spectral Amplitude Coding (SAC) is proposed in this paper. The advantage of proposed code on setting a variable number of users in a basic code matrix with a fixed code weight makes it more flexible in generating codewords. The appropriate quality of service required for various network applications can be provided by choosing a different number of users for the basic code matrix of MS code. The properties of the proposed code is compared with other OCDMA codes in terms of code length and maximum cross-correlation. The performance of the MS code mathematically analysed and probability of error for users is plotted as a function of the number of active users and optical received power. Shot, phase induced intensity and thermal noises are considered in mathematical analysis. Results show that by choosing code weight of 4 and optimizing number of users per sequence, the MS code supports up to 82 users, each operating at a bit-rate of 622Mbps with reference to the Bit Error Rate (BER) of . [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • Extraction of rock and alteration geons by FODPSO segmentation. • Classification of alunite, jarosite, kaolinite, muscovite, and montmorillonite. • Classification of HyMap dataset by GP algorithm. • Applying the segmentation method and GP algorithm are suitable for mineral mapping. In lithological and mineralogical mapping geons are generated by transforming the solid spatial/spectral information of imagery objects into individual rocks and minerals through complex algorithms including interpolation, segmentation, generalization, and regionalization. In geological applications, the foundation of most remote sensing image interpretation is based on mapping and classification. The most common classification techniques are established for multispectral data analysis and are pixel-based. As a consequence, such analysis show disadvantages for classification of the hyperspectral images that contain abundant detailed spatial, spectral, and textural information. The major objective of this research was to extract the mineral and rock geons of HyMap mosaicked imagery scenes from Birjand, eastern Iran. The approach combines object based segmentation and machine learning classification algorithms. The utilized imagery was segmented by FODPSO algorithm that creates higher between-class variances while the output image was classified by Gaussian process (GP) algorithm using 272 and 127 geons as training and testing areas. The key alteration minerals including alunite, jarosite, kaolinite, muscovite, and montmorillonite, and the dominant rock types consisting of granodiorite, tuff breccia, tuff, ignimbrite, dacite, and andesite were mapped accordingly. All of the geons were verified through field observations and the final output map showed an overall accuracy of 89.66 %. This investigation showed that integration of FODPSO and GP algorithms could be introduced as a new approach to create geons of rocks and minerals, and for lithological and mineralogical mapping in various geological settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The main aim of the present study was to examine the feasibility of the EO-1 Hyperion data in discriminating and mapping diagnostic alteration minerals around porphyry copper deposits (PCDs), verified by field surveys and laboratory analyses. A partial sub-pixel method, mixture tuned matched filtering (MTMF), was implemented on a pre-processed and calibrated Hyperion dataset. The tested area is situated at the Central Iranian Volcano-Sedimentary Complex, where abundant porphyry copper deposits like Sarcheshmeh, Darrehzar, and Sereidun are located. The characteristic alteration minerals identified by Hyperion data included biotite, muscovite, illite, kaolinite, goethite, hematite, jarosite, pyrophyllite, and chlorite. Discrimination of these minerals especially biotite and iron oxide (hematite and goethite) can provide valuable evidences for PCD exploration projects. Results revealed that Hyperion data prove to be powerful in discriminating and mapping various types of alteration zones while the data were subjected to adequate pre-processing. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Geochemistry of alterations induced by hydrocarbon seepage are investigated. [•] Occurrence of jarosite, natroalunite, and sulfur were measured using XRD analysis. [•] Simultaneous decrease of sulfate and increase of carbonate were detected. [•] Carbon isotope analysis supports a partial contribution of hydrocarbon in carbonates. [•] Increase of Cr, Co, Ni, V, Cd, U, Cu, and Zn are detected in altered areas. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The thermal bands of ASTER level 1B (L1B) and ASTER 05 (AST_05) data sets were used to map lithological units of an area situated in the southeastern Iranian volcano-sedimentary complex, Kerman Province. The dominant lithological units exposed at the area include felsic and mafic igneous rocks and carbonate masses. The thermal bands of L1B were atmospherically corrected and converted into emissivity using the Reference Channel, Emissivity Normalization, and Alpha Residual algorithms. The Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) algorithm was implemented on the calibrated L1B and AST_05 data sets. The reference spectra were derived from the image using a spectral endmember selection procedure including minimum noise fraction (MNF), pixel purity index (PPI), andn-dimensional visualizer. Results were compared to the geological map of the study area to determine the accuracy of lithological mapping. The SAM algorithm showed reliable results for discriminating felsic, intermediate to mafic, carbonate, and quartz-sandstone units. AST_05, Reference Channel, and Emissivity Normalization showed approximately similar results with overall accuracy 83, 80.2 and 79.20, respectively. The Alpha Residual data set is less effective in identification of lithological units, as evidenced by a low overall classification accuracy of 50.5. It is concluded that AST_05, Reference Channel, and Emissivity Normalization data sets are suitable for lithological mapping by ASTER data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using millisecond-timescale voltage-sensitive dye imaging in lightly anesthetized or awake adult mice, we show that a palette of sensory-evoked and hemisphere-wide activity motifs are represented in spontaneous activity. These motifs can reflect multiple modes of sensory processing, including vision, audition and touch. We found similar cortical networks with direct cortical activation using channelrhodopsin-2. Regional analysis of activity spread indicated modality-specific sources, such as primary sensory areas, a common posterior-medial cortical sink where sensory activity was extinguished within the parietal association area and a secondary anterior medial sink within the cingulate and secondary motor cortices for visual stimuli. Correlation analysis between functional circuits and intracortical axonal projections indicated a common framework corresponding to long-range monosynaptic connections between cortical regions. Maps of intracortical monosynaptic structural connections predicted hemisphere-wide patterns of spontaneous and sensory-evoked depolarization. We suggest that an intracortical monosynaptic connectome shapes the ebb and flow of spontaneous cortical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]