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Five populations of a new dagger nematode species were recovered from natural grasslands and forests of north and northwest Iran, and described based upon morphological and molecular data in present paper. Xiphinema hyrcaniense n. sp. is characterized by 3.9–5.5 mm long females, having 102–142 μm long odontostyle, 64–88 μm long odontophore, guiding ring located at 115–147 μm distance from anterior end, two equally developed genital branches having crystalloids in tubular part of uteri and pseudo-Z-organ at their junction with pars dilatata uteri, short, rounded to dorsally more convex tail with a mucro or in few specimens, without it. Common males with 72–95 μm long spicules and four juvenile developmental stages. The new species is similar to six known species belonging to artificial morphospecies group 5, especially looking closest to X. montenegrinum in its general morphology, but could be separated by ontogenesis of tail shape and morphometric indices. In molecular phylogenetic analyses using partial large subunit, and internal transcribe spacer 1 ribosomal DNA (LSU D2-D3 and ITS1 rDNA) sequences, the new species formed a clade with X. cretense and Xiphinema sp. in LSU; and in ITS1 tree, with X. dentatum and X. paradentatum. © 2021, Koninklijke Nederlandse Planteziektenkundige Vereniging.

Interspecific hybridization increasingly occurs in the course of anthropogenic actions, such as species translocations and introductions, and habitat modifications or occurs in sympatric species due to the shortage of conspecific mates. Compared with anthropogenically caused hybridization, natural hybridization is more difficult to prove, but both play an important role in conservation. In this study, we detected hybridization of two gazelle sister species, Gazella bennettii (adapted to dry areas) and Gazella subgutturosa (adapted to open plains), in five habitat areas, where G. bennettii naturally occur in central Iran. The hybrids have a nuclear genomic identity (based on two introns), habitat preference, and phenotype of G. bennettii, but the mitochondrial identity (based on cyt b) of G. subgutturosa. We suggest that natural hybridization of female G. subgutturosa and male G. bennettii happened twice in central Iran in prehistoric times, based on the haplotype pattern that we found. However, we found indications of recent hybridization between both species under special circumstances, for example, in breeding centers, due to translocations, or in areas of sympatry due to the shortage of conspecific mates. Therefore, these two species must be kept separately in the breeding centers, and introduction of one of them into the habitat of the other must be strictly avoided.

The genus Dolichodorus was discovered from a natural forest in Gilan province, north Iran, in association with an oak tree. The recovered population represents a new species, and was described and illustrated based upon morphological and molecular data, as D. rex n. sp. It is characterized by 2171–3275 μm long females having offset crown-like cephalic region with well sclerotized cephalic framework, raised perioral disc apparently with a small raised oral plate, 118.5, 130.0 μm long stylet, its conus ca. 55% of the total length and three posteriorly sloping knobs, 291–316 μm long pharynx with a short overlap, secretory-excretory pore at slightly variable position (one-two annuli posterior, or four annuli anterior to metacorpus base), vulva sunken in body, at %50 of the body length, vagina heavily sclerotized with two drop-like refractive pieces close to the vulval opening, 78–104 μm long tail with proximal convex conoid, and conical distal part with pointed to blunt tip; and a 2634 μm long male with 108.5 μm long stylet, 291 μm long pharynx, 20 μm long tail and 53 μm long spicules. In molecular phylogenetic analyses using partial sequences of the small, and D2-D3 expansion segments of the large subunit ribosomal DNA, the new species formed a clade with two other currently sequenced species of the genus in both phylogenies.

Goitered gazelles, Gazella subgutturosa, exist in arid and semiarid regions of Asia from the Middle to the Far East. Although large populations were present over a vast area until recently, a decline of the population as a result of hunting, poaching, and habitat loss led to the IUCN classification of G. subgutturosa as “vulnerable." We examined genetic diversity, structure, and phylogeny of G. subgutturosa using mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences from 18 geographically distant populations in Iran. The median‐joining network of cyt b haplotypes indicated that three clades of goitered gazelles can be distinguished: a Middle Eastern clade west of the Zagros Mountains (and connected to populations in Turkey and Iraq), a Central Iranian clade (with connection to Azerbaijan), and an Asiatic clade in northeastern Iran (with connection to Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and other Asian countries as far as northeastern China and Mongolia). Based on our results, we argue that Iran is the center of diversification of goitered gazelles, due to the presence of large mountain ranges and deserts that lead to the separation of populations. In accordance with previous morphological studies, we identified the Asiatic clade as the subspecies G. s. yarkandensis, and the other two clades as the nominate form G. s. subgutturosa. The new genetic information for goitered gazelles in Iran provides the basis for future national conservation programs of this species., Based on our results, we argue that Iran is the center of diversification of goitered gazelles, due to the presence of large mountain ranges and deserts that lead to the separation of populations. In accordance with previous morphological studies, we identified the Asiatic clade as the subspecies G. s. yarkandensis, and the other two clades as the nominate form G. s. subgutturosa.

Background: Urban liveability and its relationship with health indices is now an emerging topic in health research. In order to conduct liveability research, initially, the liveability index should be calculated according to a comprehensive, transparent, and standardized methodology. Objectives: The purpose of this paper was to apply the Global Liveable Cities Index (GLCI), to assess and rank liveability in 31 Iranian cities. Methods: The GLCI is based on 114 indicators in five domains, which include economic, environmental, security and stability, socio-cultural, and political factors. This study was based on two scenarios. The first scenario was to assign equal weights to each indicator. The second scenario was the Shapley weighing method and allocated different weights to indices. City rankings were calculated and compared in both scenarios. Results: The cities of Tehran, Sari, and Tabriz generally performed well in the overall liveability ranking. Tehran ranked first based on the economic vibrancy and competitiveness domain, while Sari, Karaj, and Tabriz held the second to fourth ranks in both methods, respectively. Tabriz ranked first in the environmental friendliness and sustainability and domestic security and stability domains, and Sari ranked first in the socio-cultural conditions domain. Tehran and Semnan had the first rank in the political governance domain. Conclusions: The findings of this research show that different cities of Iran are very different in regard to liveability. These rankings can help policymakers find out what domains need more attention to improve the liveability of cities.

A carbon nanotube/chitosan-ferrocene nanocomposite (CNTs/Cs-Fc) was synthesized and its competence as an electrode material for a supercapacitor was studied. Chitosan (Cs) was functionalized with 4-bromobutylferrocene and then the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were modified by ferrocenyl-based chitosan to obtain the desired CNTs/Cs-Fc system. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used for characterization of the CNTs/Cs-Fc nanocomposite. The FT-IR and XRD patterns of the CNTs/Cs-Fc nanocomposite show that the Cs-Fc moieties have successfully been functionalized on CNTs. The morphology of the CNTs/Cs-Fc nanocomposite was shown by the SEM analysis. The existence of carbon, nitrogen, iron and oxygen elements in the CNTs/Cs-Fc nanocomposite were demonstrated by the use of the EDX spectrum. The cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used for the investigation of the electrochemical performance of the papered nanocomposite. A 1 M sulfuric acid solution was used as an electrolyte. The specific capacitances (Csp) calculated at a current density of 1 A g−1 were found to be 75 and 695 (F g−1) for the CNTs and the CNTs/Cs-Fc nanocomposite, respectively. The CNTs/Cs-Fc nanocomposite retained 99.93% after 2000 cycles of cyclic voltammetry.

Iran with its highly structured landscape, such as the Zagros Mountain Range that stretches across the country from East to West, is home to at least three different gazelle species. For some of them, intraspecific genetic patterning is to be expected, as different populations show different pelage coloration or body sizes, e.g., in the Persian gazelle (G. subgutturosa). This species is especially interesting due to its taxonomic history, as it was considered to be conspecific with sand gazelle (G. marica) from Arabia until recently. G. marica and G. subgutturosa were even thought to intergrade/hybridize in a broad region from the Euphrates/Tigris basin to the Zagros Mountains. This area is inhabited by small gazelles that seem to be intermediate in size and other characters between the two species. However, so far all molecular studies showed that the mitochondrial haplotypes of gazelles in this supposed hybrid zone only belong to G. subgutturosa. We collected samples from four populations of Persian gazelles in Iran, in the eastern part of the Zagros Mountains. In two of these locations, we found mitochondrial haplotypes of G. marica, including one potentially pure natural population in Bushehr Province, and one reintroduced mixed population with G. marica and G. subgutturosa haplotypes in Khuzestan Province. It might therefore be possible that G. marica, which is phenomically most similar to G. subgutturosa, exits in Iran as a fourth gazelle species besides G. subgutturosa, G. bennettii, and G. arabica. We strongly recommend that future conservation management decisions, especially animal translocations, should be based on genetic analyses of the populations under consideration.

Producing nanoparticles with controlled size without any aggregation is an important challenge for enhancing the catalytic activities of the metal nanoparticles (MNPs) supported on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). In this work, a new hybrid nanoporous material, Pd nanoparticles at N-heterocyclic carbene at zeolitic imidazolate framework (Pd NPs at NHC at ZIF-8), with a high internal surface area was successfully prepared by immobilizing anionic sulfonated N-heterocyclic carbene–palladium(II) precursor inside the cavities of ZIF-8 using “impregnation approach” followed by reduction with Sodium borohydride (NaBH4). The as-prepared new Pd NPs at NHC at ZIF-8 composite proved to be highly active and showed excellent stability as a heterogeneous catalyst for Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction.

The [3 + 2]-cycloaddition reaction of nitrile imines with 2,2-dimethyl-5-[(4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl)methylene]-1,3-dioxane-4,6-dione tends to form the reverse-orientation products under ultrasound irradiation in EtOH in the presence of Et3N. Evidence for the structure of product 5b was obtained from single-crystal X-ray analysis.

In this manuscript we use the dynamical system approach to study the linear dynamics of a Randall-Sundrum braneworld model with a tachyon scalar field confined to the brane. We recognize that the form of the tachyon potential plays a significant role in the evolution of the universe. For the case of an inverse square potential we find that one of our new variables, $\lambda$, is constant. We obtain critical points of the system in this situation and investigate their stability using the linear perturbation method. Then we turn to a Gaussian potential in which $\lambda$ is not constant. Using the idea of instantaneous critical points we study the behavior of the universe and its possible fates. One of the interesting results of this manuscript is that our universe will probably experience another phase transition from acceleration to deceleration in the future.

This paper presents numerical study on a novel type of plasmonic-based metal-semiconductor-metal photodetector (MSM-PD) for extraordinary light absorption, which can drastically modify transmission spectra when a thin film is designed inside the central subwavelength slit. This strategy assists to recover non-propagating evanescent waves at nano-scale. Furthermore, by focusing on metallic nanostructures and surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs), and their contribution to the confinement of light in subwavelength scale, we introduce the concept of plasmonic lens that significantly reduces metal induced energy losses. The proposed novel photodetector with a thin film on the central slit assists the device to absorb ∼280-times more light than the bare slit plasmonic-based MSM-PDs.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the vascular density (VD) and the flow area on optic nerve head (ONH) and peripapillary area, and the impact of age and sex using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in healthy human subjects.Both eyes of each volunteer were scanned by an RTVue XR Avanti; Optovue with OCTA using the split-spectrum amplitude-decorrelation angiography algorithm technique. Masked graders evaluated enface angiodisc OCTA data. The flow area of ONH and the VD were automatically calculated.A total of 79 eyes of patients with a mean age of 37.03±11.27 were examined. The total ONH (papillary and peripapillary) area VD was 56.03%±4.55%. The flow area of the ONH was 1.74±0.10 mm/1.34 mm. The temporal and inferotemporal peripapillary VD was different between male and female patients. Increasing age causes some changes in the flow area of the ONH and the papillary VD from the third to the fourth decade (analysis of variance test; P0.05).A normal quantitative database of the flow area and VD of the papillary and peripapillary area, obtained by RTVue XR with OCT angiography technique, is presented here.

Numerical modeling of periodically patterned graphene sheets (PPGS) embedded in planar multilayered media using Fourier-based methods suffers from very slow convergence because of the fact that the conductivity is zero in unfilled areas of the patterned surface and, thus, the so-called Li’s inverse rule is not applicable. In this paper, a simple and efficient approach is proposed to overcome this problem such that the exact boundary condition can be applied and the surface current density on PPGS can be obtained accurately. Here, the PPGS is modeled as a conductive surface and only its conductivity representation by the Fourier series is modified. The proposed method can be used easily for 1-D and 2-D periodic structures without the need to change the basic formulations of Fourier-based methods. Fast convergence and accuracy of the method will be demonstrated by computing the absorption of 1-D and 2-D PPGS. Moreover, the proposed method is utilized to design a wideband tunable wide-angle polarizer consisting of two-parallel PPGS separated by a 0.5- $\mu \text{m}$ layer of SiO2. The transmittance of the structure exceeds 95% from microwaves up to 2 THz.

Aim The Asiatic cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus venaticus, a critically endangered large felid, has disappeared from vast tracks of its historical range across south-western Asia. It is currently confined to the arid ecosystems of central Iran for which little is known about its distribution and habitat linkages. We proposed the first evaluation of Asiatic cheetah's distribution and developed models of landscape suitability and connectivity to inform future conservation planning. Location Central Iran. Methods We analysed presence data of a 14-year-long cheetah monitoring programme according to environmental and anthropogenic factors, and generated an ensemble model of habitat suitability based on seven species distribution models (SDMs). We then used the concept of circuit theory and landscape connectivity prioritization (LCP) on resultant core habitats and landscape suitability to evaluate potential linkages between core areas. Results Core habitats, that is, the areas hosting the largest continuous suitable habitats for Asiatic cheetahs, covered approximately 49,144 km2 (c. 6.3% of the study area). Availability of prey species, avoidance of human-dominated areas and their infrastructures, and rough landscapes covered with sparse vegetation were the most predictive factors of the core habitats for the last cheetah population in Asia. Although relatively vast, the area of potential core habitats available to cheetahs appeared to be fragmented with limited connectivity between the northern and southern parts of this distribution. Main conclusions Our approach highlights the importance of distribution models to recognize, at a coarse-scale level, a spatial population structure and habitat suitability characteristics for a large carnivore surviving at very low density. We have identified specific areas of suitable habitat where developing new landscape protection and adaptive conservation management; and improving the safety of important linkages between core habitats are likely to promote the conservation of the last surviving population of cheetah in Asia.

Rapidly growing topic, the discrete fracture network engineering (DFNE), has already attracted many talents from diverse disciplines in academia and industry around the world to challenge difficult problems related to mining, geothermal, civil, oil and gas, water and many other projects. Although, there are few commercial software capable of providing some useful functionalities fundamental for DFNE, their costs, closed code (black box) distributions and hence limited programmability and tractability encouraged us to respond to this rising demand with a new solution. This paper introduces an open source comprehensive software package for stochastic modeling of fracture networks in two- and three-dimension in discrete formulation. Functionalities included are geometric modeling (e.g., complex polygonal fracture faces, and utilizing directional statistics), simulations, characterizations (e.g., intersection, clustering and connectivity analyses) and applications (e.g., fluid flow). The package is completely written in Matlab scripting language. Significant efforts have been made to bring maximum flexibility to the functions in order to solve problems in both two- and three-dimensions in an easy and united way that is suitable for beginners, advanced and experienced users.

1-Allyl-3-methylimidazolium tetraflouroborate ([AMIM][BF 4 ]) ionic liquid modified carbon-ceramic electrode was applied for Imidacloprid electrochemical determination. Surface of the modified electrode was characterized using s canning electron microscopy (SEM), and Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDX). These analyses showed the deposition of ionic liquid on the surface of carbon-ceramic electrode caused formation of graphene-like nanoplatelets. Based on high surface area and rich edge defects which resulting from graphene-like nanoplatelets and high ionic conductivity of ionic liquid (IL), the modified electrode exhibited electro-catalytic activity for Imidacloprid reduction. Operational parameters including IL volume, solution pH; which affect the analytical performance of modified electrode were optimized. The calibration curve for Imidaclopride was linear in the range of 5 × 10 −8 –7 × 10 −6 M with the detection limit (S/N = 3) of 31 nM (3.1 × 10 −8 M). This modified electrode was applied for imidacloprid determination in some commercial formulation and agricultural products and the results were in good agreement with standard high-performance liquid chromatography method.

A proposal to study the effect of interaction in an agegraphic dark energy model in DGP brane-world cosmology is presented in this paper. After explaining the details, we proceed to apply the dynamical system approach to the model to analyze its stability. We first constrain model parameters with a variety of independent observational data such as cosmic microwave background anisotropies, baryon acoustic oscillation peaks and observational Hubble data. Then, we obtain the critical points related to different cosmological epochs. In particular, we conclude that in the presence of interaction, dark energy dominated era could be a stable point if model parameters n and [Formula: see text], obey a given constraint. Also, big rip singularity is avoidable in this model.

Room temperature ionic liquid as 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium tetraflouroborate ([AMIM][BF 4 ]) was used for surface modification of carbon-ceramic electrode. The surface of the modified electrode was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy. Based on these studies we were concluded that deposition of ionic liquid on the carbon-ceramic electrode surface caused the formation of graphene nanoplatelets like structures on its surface. This modified electrode was used for simultaneous electrochemical determination of dopamine (DA) and acetaminophen (AP). Because of effective separation of oxidation peak potentials of DA and AP on modified electrode, simultaneous determination of them was possible. Operational parameters such as amount of IL volume, solution pH, scan rate; which affected the analytical performance of modified electrode were optimized. The calibration curves for DA and AP were linear in the range of 0.1–20 μM and 0.1–20 μM with the detection limit (S/N = 3) of 68 nM and 63 nM, respectively. The high repeatability, reproducibility, and long-term life time were of modified electrode figure of merits. The present electrode was successfully applied for the determination of DA and AP in some commercial pharmaceutical samples, human blood serum, and urine samples with satisfactory results.

A novel ionic liquid, 1-(ferrocenyl butyl)-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (Fc-IL), was synthesised. The nanocomposite of Fc-IL and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was constructed and used for surface modification of carbon-ceramic electrode. The modified electrode was applied to the determination of hydrazine. Operational parameters such as pH of the solution, ionic liquid volume and amount of carbon nanotubes, which affect the analytical performance of the modified electrode, were optimised. The linear range of the modified electrode toward hydrazine concentration was 0.96–106.10 μg L–1 with a detection limit of 0.64 μg L–1 (S/N = 3). The modified electrode displayed high repeatability, reproducibility, long-term life time and low response time (

The Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) is a small migratory falcon which nests coloni- ally on inland cliffs and ruined buildings. Bandar Turkman city holds one of the most important breeding colonies in Iran. It nests in holes in roofs, walls or on ledges of buildings throughout of the city. We tried to find out whether there is a relationship between nest-site selection and breeding success. Although height from the ground is the most important factor in nest-site selection by F. naumanni, height from the floor and distance to the nearest neighbour are other main factors which affect breeding success. This could be the result of accessibility by human and natural predators such as domestic cats which threaten nests. The number of possible nest-sites in the study area is limited as many old, ruined buildings are being replaced by new construc- tions; this colonially breeding bird species therefore suffers from a lack of highly suitable nest-sites and this directly affect breeding success.

Electrical conductive coals were invented about a hundred years. Coals often were composed of carbon materials, solid lubricants, metals, resins and etc. The main use of coal is in electric motors. In this paper Graphite, Copper and Ferromolybdenum were used as conductive carbon material, conductive metal and auxiliary material respectively. Further, epoxy resin was used as reinforcing material. Carbon brushes with resin due to suitable properties such as low resistance, conductivity and high speed are used. In this experiment first, the mixture of all materials was molded. The electrical conductivity test, FE-SEM images, Raman spectrum, and I–V diagram were carried out. FE-SEM images indicated the rate of scattering of the main materials in the samples. In this work, the electrical resistance of the optimum sample was 0.87 Ω.

Due to the importance of hydrogen as an effective antioxidant for its applications in therapy, this research reports the fabrication of a coupled microfluidic microbial electrochemical cell (MXC), including microfluidic microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and a microfluidic microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) series in order to perform it as a self-powered biohydrogen generator. Being able to be a platform of implantable medical devices, utilization a non-phatogenic strain of Escherichia coli as the biocatalyst in order to exploit the embodied energy from human blood and excrement and finally the use of cheap and facile materials (

In this manuscript we use the dynamical system approach to study the linear dynamics of a normal DGP brane-world model with a tachyon field as the dark energy component. Our focus is on a Gaussian tachyonic potential in which the parameter $\lambda=-V_\phi/V^{3/2}$, goes to infinity. One of the most important results of this study is that we find critical submanifolds which indicate the effect of extra dimension.

Highly conductive and transparent Al-doped zinc oxide films were produced by RF magnetron sputtering for plasmonic applications in the infrared region of the spectrum. These films were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the Hall effect, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy and spectral data analysis. Analysis of the results shows a carrier concentration of up to 2.6 × 1020 cm−3, as well as transmission over 80% near the plasma frequency where plasmonic properties are expected. The plasma frequency was calculated from the spectroscopy measurements and subsequent data analysis, and was in agreement with the results from the Hall effect measurements and the free electron gas (Drude) model. Based on these results, the Al-doped zinc oxide thin films are well-suited for plasmonic applications in the infrared region.

This paper mainly discusses about the maximum light absorption by nano-grating structure assisted metal-semiconductor-metal-photodetectors (MSM-PDs). The nano-grating structure assisted MSM-PDs are suitable candidate for various applications, such as faster optical fibre communications, high-speed chip-to-chip interconnects, sensor networks and high-speed sampling. For this modelling, finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulation tool is used to simulate and calculate the light absorption enhancement factor (LAEF) of nano-structured MSM-PDs. In this research, various nano-grating shapes are used, such as, hyperbolic, trapezoidal, triangular and rectangular. Based on simulation results, we have compared the LAEF of nano-grating shape dependent MSM-PDs. In a particular case of simulation, rectangular shaped nano-grating structure MSM-PDs achieved about 12-times higher LAEF than the conventional MSM-PDs.

The varying speed of light (VSL) has been used in cosmological models in which the physical constants vary over time. On the other hand, the Dvali, Gabadadze and Porrati (DGP) brane world model, especially its normal branch has been extensively discussed to justify the current cosmic acceleration. In this article we show that the normal branch of DGP in VSL cosmology leads to a self-accelerating behavior and therefore can interpret cosmic acceleration. Applying statefinder diagnostics demonstrate that our result slightly deviates {\Lambda}CDM model.

Due to the rising power demand and substantial interest in acquiring green energy from sunlight, there has been rapid development in the science and technology of photovoltaics (PV) in the last few decades. Furthermore, the synergy of the fields of metrology and fabrication has paved the way to acquire improved light collecting ability for solar cells. Based on recent studies, the performance of solar cell can improve due to the application of subwavelength nano-structures which results in smaller reflection losses and better light manipulation and/or trapping at subwavelength scale. In this paper, we propose a numerical optimization technique to analyze the reflection losses on an optimized GaAs-based solar cell which is covered with nano-structured features from the same material. Using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method, we have designed, modelled, and analyzed the performance of three different arrangements of periodic nano-structures with different pitches and heights. The simulated results confirmed that different geometries of nano-structures behave uniquely towards the impinging light.

Wild boar (Sus scrofa) are widely distributed throughout the Old World. Most studies have focused on Europe and East Asia with the genetic diversity of West Asia being less well studied. In particular, the genetic variability and genetic structure of the Iranian populations are not yet known; gaps which prevent scientists from resolving the genetic relationships of the Eurasian wild boar. This paper is the first attempt to provide information about genetic relationships among modern Iranian populations of the Eurasian wild boar (S. scrofa) by sequencing 572 bp of the mitochondrial (mt) DNA control region. As a result of this investigation, it was discovered that Iran contains not only Middle Eastern haplotypes, but also shares haplotypes with Europe and East Asia. The Italian clade, which is endemic in Italy, is not identified in Iran, while all other clades, including Asiatic, European, Near East 1, and Near East 2 are found based on the phylogenetic tree and median-joining network. The results of this study illustrate that north west of Iran (specifically Southwest Caspian Sea) is the contact zone between the Asian (Near Eastern and Far Eastern), and the European clades. In light of the fact that the domestication of pigs occurs in Anatolia, this finding is important.

Based on sub-wavelength energy concentration and enhancement of evanescent fields, far-field super-lenses (FSLs) were proposed recently as a means to achieve super-resolution imaging and thus improve the accuracy and resolution of optical microscopy. Comprised of a thin-film plasmonic enhancement layer and a diffraction grating, the performance of FSLs depends greatly on the geometry and size of its constituent parts. In this paper, we aim to characterize the resolution capabilities of FSLs in a novel and meaningful way, while also exploring the effects of non-ideal grating geometries due to fabrication limitations on imaging performance. We use finite element modelling to explore trapezoidal, inverse-trapezoidal, circular, rounded rectangular, and rectangular grating profiles and present a transfer function that quantifies the performance of these grating profiles in terms of their transmission at different wavenumbers.

In this article we study an intermediate inflationary model in the context of Dvali-Gabadadze-Porrati (DGP) cosmology caused by a tachyon scalar field. Considering slow-roll inflation we discuss the dynamics of the Universe. Using perturbation theory, we estimate some of the model parameters numerically and compare them with the recent results from Planck satellite.

The performance of a double pipe heat exchanger is analyzed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with various input parameters namely Reynolds number, twisted ratio(y/w) and concentration of SiO2 nanofluid of the output response the overall heat transfer coefficients of the double pipe heat exchanger. The experimental design is developed based on Box - Behnken design method. The influence of vital input parameters and interaction among them are investigated using analysis of variance (ANOVA). optimum value of the overall heat transfer coefficients is 2732.59(w/m2.k) when the Reynolds number ut is 19999.42, concentration(0.5%w) and twisted ratio(y/w) 5.87. In the desirability function approach, the value of desirability was 0.937 for the RSM model very close to The predicted RSM model is found to be capable of predictive overall heat transfer coefficients of double pipe heat exchanger.

In this article we study cosmic dynamics in the context of normal branch of DGP braneworld model. Using the current Planck data, we best fit the model and cosmological parameters in non-flat $\Lambda$DGP. With the transition redshift as a basic variable and statefinder parameters, our result shows that the Universe starts its accelerated expansion phase, slightly earlier than expected in $\Lambda$CDM cosmology. The result also alleviates the coincidence problem of the $\Lambda$CDM model.

Transmission line formulation is used to analyze two-dimensional low-loss metallic gratings at optical frequencies when plasmonic waves propagate in the structure. This method, like the Fourier modal method, suffers from numerical instabilities when applied to such structures. A systematic approach to avoid these instabilities is presented. These numerical artifacts are attributed to the violation of Li's inverse rule and the appearance of higher-order spurious modes. In this paper, a new approach is proposed to identify and to greatly reduce the effect of these spurious modes based on the accuracy by which these modes are satisfying the conservation of momentum. Furthermore, the proposed scheme conserves power and improves the convergence, i.e., reduces the required truncation order.