Using publicly-available average monthly groundwater level data in 478 sub-basins and 30 basins in Iran, we quantify country-wide groundwater depletion in Iran. Natural and anthropogenic elements ...affecting the dynamics of groundwater storage are taken into account and quantified during the period of 2002-2015. We estimate that the total groundwater depletion in Iran to be ~ 74 km
during this period with highly localized and variable rates of change at basin and sub-basin scales. The impact of depletion in Iran's groundwater reserves is already manifested by extreme overdrafts in ~ 77% of Iran's land area, a growing soil salinity across the entire country, and increasing frequency and extent of land subsidence in Iran's planes. While meteorological/hydrological droughts act as triggers and intensify the rate of depletion in country-wide groundwater storage, basin-scale groundwater depletions in Iran are mainly caused by extensive human water withdrawals. We warn that continuation of unsustainable groundwater management in Iran can lead to potentially irreversible impacts on land and environment, threatening country's water, food, socio-economic security.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
By combining long-term ground-based data on water withdrawal with climate model projections, this study quantifies the compounding effects of human activities and climate change on surface water ...availability in Iran over the twenty-first century. Our findings show that increasing water withdrawal in Iran, due to population growth and increased agricultural activities, has been the main source of historical water stress. Increased levels of water stress across Iran are expected to continue or even worsen over the next decades due to projected variability and change in precipitation combined with heightened water withdrawals due to increasing population and socio-economic activities. The greatest rate of decreased water storage is expected in the Urmia Basin, northwest of Iran, (varying from ~ − 8.3 mm/year in 2010–2039 to ~ − 61.6 mm/year in 2070–2099 compared with an observed rate of 4 mm/year in 1976–2005). Human activities, however, strongly dominate the effects of precipitation variability and change. Major shifts toward sustainable land and water management are needed to reduce the impacts of water scarcity in the future, particularly in Iran’s heavily stressed basins like Urmia Basin, which feeds the shrinking Lake Urmia.
In the wake of climate change, extreme events such as heatwaves are considered to be key players in the terrestrial biosphere. In the past decades, the frequency and severity of heatwaves have risen ...substantially, and they are projected to continue to intensify in the future. One key question is therefore: how do changes in extreme heatwaves affect the carbon cycle? Although soil respiration (Rs) is the second largest contributor to the carbon cycle, the impacts of heatwaves on Rs have not been fully understood. Using a unique set of continuous high frequency in-situ measurements from our field site, we characterize the relationship between Rs and heatwaves. We further compare the Rs response to heatwaves across ten additional sites spanning the contiguous United States (CONUS). Applying a probabilistic framework, we conclude that during heatwaves Rs rates increase significantly, on average, by ~ 26% relative to that of non-heatwave conditions over the CONUS. Since previous in-situ observations have not measured the Rs response to heatwaves (e.g., rate, amount) at the high frequency that we present here, the terrestrial feedback to the carbon cycle may be underestimated without capturing these high frequency extreme heatwave events.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
The rapid shrinkage of Lake Urmia, one of the world's largest saline lakes located in northwestern Iran, is a tragic wake-up call to revisit the principles of water resources management based on the ...socio-economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. The overarching goal of this paper is to set a framework for deriving dynamic, climate-informed environmental inflows for drying lakes considering both meteorological/climatic and anthropogenic conditions. We report on the compounding effects of meteorological drought and unsustainable water resource management that contributed to Lake Urmia's contemporary environmental catastrophe. Using rich datasets of hydrologic attributes, water demands and withdrawals, as well as water management infrastructure (i.e. reservoir capacity and operating policies), we provide a quantitative assessment of the basin's water resources, demonstrating that Lake Urmia reached a tipping point in the early 2000s. The lake level failed to rebound to its designated ecological threshold (1274 m above sea level) during a relatively normal hydro-period immediately after the drought of record (1998-2002). The collapse was caused by a marked overshoot of the basin's hydrologic capacity due to growing anthropogenic drought in the face of extreme climatological stressors. We offer a dynamic environmental inflow plan for different climate conditions (dry, wet and near normal), combined with three representative water withdrawal scenarios. Assuming effective implementation of the proposed 40% reduction in the current water withdrawals, the required environmental inflows range from 2900 million cubic meters per year (mcm yr−1) during dry conditions to 5400 mcm yr−1 during wet periods with the average being 4100 mcm yr−1. Finally, for different environmental inflow scenarios, we estimate the expected recovery time for re-establishing the ecological level of Lake Urmia.
Right after a devastating multi-year drought, a number of flood events with unprecedented spatial extent hit different parts of Iran over the 2-week period of March 17th to April 1st, 2019, causing a ...human disaster and substantial loss of assets and infrastructure across urban and rural areas. Here, we investigate natural (e.g., rainfall, snow accumulation/melt, soil moisture) and anthropogenic drivers (e.g., deforestation, urbanization, and management practices) of these events using a range of ground-based data and satellite observations. These drivers can range from exceptionally extreme rainfall intensities, to cascades of several extreme and moderate events, and various anthropogenic interventions that exacerbated flooding. Our results reveal strong compounding impacts of natural drivers and anthropogenic triggers in escalating flood risks to unprecedented levels. We argue that a new form of floods, i.e. anthropogenic floods, is becoming more common and should be recognized during the “Anthropocene”. This specific form of floods refers to high to extreme streamflow/runoff events that are primarily caused, or largely exacerbated, by anthropogenic drivers. We demonstrate how the growing risk of anthropogenic floods can be assessed using a wide range of climatic and non-climatic satellite and in-situ data.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Problem
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and pro‐inflammatory condition. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of resveratrol ...treatment on pro‐inflammatory and ER stress markers in patients with PCOS.
Method of study
Cumulus cells were obtained from 40 patients with PCOS who were divided into two groups: placebo and resveratrol treatment (receiving 800 mg/d for 40 days) groups. Blood samples were obtained from all patients before and after the procedure to evaluate interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐1β, IL‐18, TNF‐α, NF‐κB, and C‐reactive protein (CRP). Total RNA was extracted from cumulus cells, and cDNA was synthesized by reverse transcription. Expressions of five genes in ER stress response pathway (ATF4, ATF6, CHOP, GRP78, and XBP1s) were assessed with quantitative real‐time PCR. Statistical analysis was performed with Student's t test.
Results
After treatment with resveratrol, it was found that serum levels of IL‐6, IL‐1β, TNF‐α, IL‐18, NF‐κB, and CRP decreased in the treatment group. In addition, gene expression results showed that the expression levels of ATF4 (P < .05) and ATF6 (P < .001) significantly increased in the resveratrol treatment group, while the expression levels of CHOP, GRP78, and XBP1 (P < .001 for all) significantly decreased.
Conclusion
Results demonstrated that resveratrol has anti‐inflammatory effects through the suppression of NF‐κB and NF‐κB–regulated gene products. On the other hand, resveratrol can modulate ER stress in granulosa cells (GCs) by altering the expression of genes involved in unfolding protein response (UPR) process. Our findings suggest that ER stress is a potential therapeutic target for patients with PCOS.
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DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Understanding and employing useful classroom assessments are crucial to increase student achievement (Marzano, 2000). Teachers' assessment literacy is viewed as a key link in the connection between ...assessment quality and student achievement. Reflective teaching is a movement in teacher education and crucial kind of thought that enables teachers to be aware of their experiences and analyze their own practice (Fatemipour & Hosseingholikhani, 2014). The purpose of the present study, in the first place, is to shed light on the relationship between Iranian EFL teachers' assessment literacy and their reflective teaching. To this end, 120 EFL teachers were selected randomly to fill out two questionnaires: assessment literacy inventory designed by Zolfaghari and Ashraf (2015), and reflective teaching questionnaire designed by Behzadpour (2007). The result of the study suggested that there is a relationship between EFL teachers' assessment literacy and their reflective teaching. Furthermore, it is observed that teachers' assessment literacy predicts their reflective teaching.
Crude oil contamination adversely affects soil water repellency. In this study the effect of biochar on this soil characteristic has been investigated in the laboratory. Soil sample was collected ...from a field located near Pars Oil Company, at the top depth of 0–15 cm below surface. After air-drying and passing through a 2-mm sieve, the soil was artificially contaminated with four levels of crude oil (1:0, 1:25, 1:16.6, and 1:12.5 ratios). Biochars used in this research were generated from beechwood and maize residues at three different pyrolysis temperatures (350 °C, 550 °C, and 750 °C). Chemical functionality of all biochar samples was determined using Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry. Sufficient amounts of beechwood and maize biochars, passed through a 0.053-mm and 2-mm sieves, were mixed into crude oil-contaminated soil at the rate of 0, 0.5, 1, and 2% of total dry soil weight. The mixed samples were then laboratory incubated for 90 days at 24 °C and 10% soil moisture. Water repellency was measured using water drop penetration time (WDPT). The experimental results showed that functional groups on the biochars’ surfaces produced at the studied temperatures were distinct. Beechwood and fine size of biochar showed more ability in reducing the hydrophobicity. The produced biochars, at higher temperature, had more potential to alleviate water repellency due to the strong interactions between functional groups of biochars and crude oil. The highest amount of biochar used (2%) significantly alleviated water repellency.
Objectives
Management options for PCOS, as the most prevalent endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, using natural supplements have a high priority for physicians, especially based on the ...etiological pathways. Therefore, this study was conducted to describe the effect of resveratrol on the angiogenesis pathway, for management of PCOS through assessing
VEGF
,
HIF1
gene expression, and laboratory parameters.
Methods
In this triple-blind RCT, PCOS was confirmed in ICSI candidates based on the Rotterdam criteria. Sixty-two patients that met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to two groups. All patients took resveratrol 800 mg/day or placebo for 40 days orally from the beginning of their previous menstruation cycle until the oocyte retrieval day. The serum levels of different hormones were measured, and the expression of
HIF1
&
VEGF
genes was quantified by real-time PCR.
Results
As for the laboratory hormone assay in 61 PCOS patients, a significant mean difference was seen in the FSH, LH, TSH, and testosterone between the two groups (
P
< 0.05). The results showed a reduction in the expression of
VEGF
&
HIF1
genes under the effect of resveratrol in the granulosa cells (
P
= 0.0001). The number of mature oocytes, cleavage rate, fertilization rate, and fertility rate were not significantly different between the two groups (
P
> 0.05), but the high-quality oocyte rate and high-quality embryo rate were higher in the resveratrol group (
P
< 0.05).
Conclusions
Based on the results, resveratrol may improve some outcomes of PCOS patients, probably through changing the serum levels of some sex hormones and expression of
VEGF
&
HIF1
genes in the angiogenesis pathway of granulosa cells.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Without an adequate immune response, SARS-CoV2 virus can simply spread throughout the body of the host. Two of the well-known immunonutrients are selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn). Se and Zn deficiency ...might lead to inflammation, oxidative stress, and viral entry into the cells by decreasing ACE-2 expression; three factors that are proposed to be involved in COVID-19 pathogenesis. Thus, in the current study we aimed at evaluating the correlation between serum Se and Zn status and COVID-19 severity. Eighty-four COVID-19 patients were enrolled in this observational study. Patients were diagnosed based on an infectious disease specialist diagnosis, using WHO interim guidance and the recommendations of the Iranian National Committee of Covid-19. The patients with acute respiratory tract infection symptoms were checked for compatibility of chest computed tomography (CT) scan results with that of Covid-19 and Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for corona virus infection. The severity of Covid-19 was categorized into three groups (mild, moderate, and severe) using CDC criteria. Serum Zn and Se level of all subjects was measured. The severity of the disease was determined only once at the onset of disease. According to the results of linear regression test, there was a significant association between Zn and Se level and COVID-19 severity (beta = - 0.28, P-value = 0.01 for Se; beta = - 0.26, P-value = 0.02). However the significance disappeared after adjusting for confounding factors. Spearman correlation analysis showed a significant negative association between serum Zn, Se and CRP level (r = - 0.35, P-value = 0.001 for Se; r = - 0.41, P-value < 0.001 for Zn).
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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