This paper deals with the synchronization problem of bidirectional associative memory (Bam) Cohen-Grossberg fuzzy cellular neural networks (CGFCNNs) with discrete time-varying and unbounded distributed delays. Some sufficient conditions are obtained to guarantee the robust synchronization of Bam CGFCNNs with discrete time-varying and unbounded distributed delays subjected to parametric uncertainty by using Lyapunov-Krasovskii (LK) functional and Linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach. Sufficient criteria ensure that the error dynamics of considered system is globally asymptotically stable. Finally, numerical examples with simulations are given to show the efficacy of the derived results.

Biology of rose saw fly, Arge rosae was studied at 25 - 28 QC, 70-75% of relative humidity and room light condition. Spatial distribution of sawfly population was also studied by weekly sampling of larvae and adult insects at the college of agriculture, Guilan University Rasht, Iran in 1998. The yellowish coloured females after emerging from overwintering pupae mated and start oviposition. They laid their yellow coloured eggs in slits (20.4±2.72 mm long) cut in the young shoots. Each slit contained 13.5±2.02 eggs. There is a positive correlation between length of slit and number of eggs it contains. Egg slit changes gradually in colour and turns into brown or black. They are easily found and recognized on the shoots and branches of the host plant. Larval development takes 23.7±1.5 days. Early larval instars appear gregariously on the host plant and feed on leaves and flower buds. As the dark green larvae grow older, they feed individually. Due to intensity of pest attack, apical shoots and branches were free of leaves and a considerable damage was caused to flower bearing branches. The mature larvae spin two inner and outer tough silk cocoons and turn into prepupa at first and then to pupa. This took 13.3±1.6 hrs. Pupation lasted 14.2±0.88 days. Female adults with a 5.8±0.27 day longevity laid 75.66±3.5 eggs. They were able to lay eggs parthenogenetically but all off springs were males. The sex ratio (male: female) is 0.35±0.06. Adult insects appear in the late April. They can be found individually on the rose and briar foliages. Taylor’s power law model described data well (R2=0.6581) and the index of aggregation was greater than I (b=1.8003). This indicates that the larvae are aggregated on the host plant and there is a close relationship between oviposition sites and larval feeding place.

The rose sawfly, Arge rosae Linnaeus, is one of the most destructive pests of rose bushes in the north of Iran. Nowadays, many attempts have been made to reduce pesticide application by looking for new methods of pest control. A non chemical method for controlling insect pests including A. rosae can be achieved by using genetically engineered plants expressing carbohydrase inhibitors. Therefore, in present study we characterized biochemical properties of digestive carbohydrases in the gut of A. rosae for achieving a new method for control of this pest. The specific activity of a-amylase in the digestive system of last larval instars of A. rosae was obtained as 9.46 ± 0.06 mmol min-1 mg-1 protein. Also, the optimal pH and temperature for a-amylase were found to be at pH 8 and 50 oC. As calculated from Lineweaver-Burk plots, the Km and Vmax values for a-amylase were 0.82 mg/ml and 7.32 μmol min-1 mg-1 protein, respectively, when starch was used as substrate. The effects of ions on amylolytic activity showed that Mg2+ and Na+ significantly increased amylase activity, whereas SDS and EDTA decreased the enzyme activity. The highest activities of a-/b-glucosidase and β-galactosidase were obtained at pH 5.0. By the native PAGE, three, one, one and two bands were clearly detected for a- amylase, a-/ b -glucosidase and b -galactosidase, respectively. No bands were found for a-galactosidase that confirmed the absence or low activity of this carbohydrate in the digestive system of A. rosae. These results could provide the knowledge needed to produce transgenic plants for control of this pest.

Unlike the traditional Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach, the efficiency of network structures depends on the performance of their internal components. This paper proposes a novel approach for evaluating the performance of network structures by employing a bounded adjusted measure (Bam) non-radial model. This method identifies all inefficiencies arising from intermediate variables. Moreover, the study incorporates intermediate products in assessing both overall efficiency and the efficiency of sub-sectors, thereby enhancing the model’s discriminatory power. Through six different scenarios and by developing multiple production possibility sets based on the concept of controllability, the study determines the optimal values for the links connecting the sections of a network. A key advantage of this method is its ability to decompose overall efficiency into the efficiencies of its constituent sub-sectors. Finally, to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method, a practical example is provided to illustrate and compare the outcomes of the different scenarios.

In the history of Iranian territory, attention towards defensive fortifications has always ambitiously been concerned as an important factor for survival of the residential and governmental centers. Detailed and precise focusing on each of these defensive structures will provide useful information on the characteristics of this type of military architecture. An MW 6. 5 earthquake devastated the town of Bam in southeast Iran on 26 December 2003. After the Bam earthquake, attentions have been attracted towards Arg-e-Bam complex which had been extensively damaged, and methodical studies were initiated in various parts of this world heritage site. The citadel is located on the northeast of Bam, a dependency of Kerman province located 193 kilometers southeast of Kerman (the province center) and 1257 kilometers southeast of Tehran. The citadel consists of two main areas, the ruler’ s seat and the commoners’ area, which are separated by walls and watchtowers. Another wall, lined by a moat, runs approximately 2, 000 meters around this ensemble, separating it from the surrounding fields. Hence, the present study was being carried out from 2005 to 2008, and aimed at introducing and recognizing the main structure of Arg-e-Bam defense system. In this research which has based on a scientific viewpoint and a logical analysis focusing on findings, elements observations and architectural bodies obtained from a part of the fence between towers (8) and (9) on the southern (main) front up to reaching the ditch and also from new-found parts of the fence body, it has been shown that the image formed in pictures, reports and public opinion about the nature of Bam citadel defensive structure was actually a part of it, as a volume of accumulated historical debris caused by demolitions and reconstructions during the past centuries, which can be seen as a ramp adjacent to the fence up to reaching the ditch and around all sides of the citadel. Understanding the physical situation and constituting layers of this massive defensive structure at the corner of Lut Desert will be useful for researchers not only to know about the architectural aspects, but also to better understand the socio-political conditions of governmental structures during different historical periods in this area. According to the revision of Arg-e-Bam defensive fortifications based on the field studies and explorations, new-found parts include an extensive wall located between the ditch and the fence wall with a height of 2. 7 m, which is larger than the human size, and the ramp which is elevated from the top of this wall to fence base, expressing its defensive role as an obstacle preventing the invaders from easy access to the fence side, and stressing on its role as an strengthening element for retrofitting the citadel defensive wall structure from the structural engineering viewpoint. Evaluating the natural ground bed of the area and the artificial effects created by human activities on the area, detailed studying and scientific perceptions about the manner of positioning and distribution of various defensive elements relative to each other, and detecting the level differences between Sharestan (public stand) bed, fence and fortifications, ditch and the natural ground bed around the complex indicate that there have been extensive changes in the complex area in order to construct the spaces and architectural body of Arg-e-Bam complex as a world heritage site. Findings have suggested the use of ground bed soil as brick and clay materials for the construction of Bam structures and its architectural components. This study has been accompanied with field exploration, mapping and analysis of findings, along with a reviewing of the books and documents available on Bam and defensive fortifications and structures, and with the guidance given by experts.

Iran Plateau is located in a convergent zone, between Arabian and Eurasia plates, so that, tectonically it is an active area. Occurrence of permanent and damaging earthquakes prove this activity. Disastrous Barn earthquake of moment magnitude (Mw) 6.6 occurred on December 26.2003 and caused widespread damages. At first it was suggested that the rupturing of Barn active fault (striking north - northwest) caused this earthquake, but later studies showed that this earthquake is the result of a concealed fault activity that striking under the town of Barn and parallel to the Barn active fault. This fault is known as a branch of Barn fault. In this study in addition to reviewing the application of remote sensing, especially thermal remote sensing in seismic studies, the relationship between near surface geological formations and amplification of shaking during the earthquake, the geomorphologic evidences of tectonic activity in the barn area, and geomorphology and geometry of barn active fault is studied. This study shows that a 15 - 20 m high fault scarp, deflected steams, deep gullies and mass movements altogether are the result of tectonic processes in the area. Regarding these evidences, the active faults in the area may cause other earthquakes in the future.

Geoelectrical study designation has been done on the basis of pre knowledge about study area (on the basis of visiting have been done), process of buried fault, after shock data of Bam earthquake, remote sensing study and the process of recognized fault of Bam. The aim of this study is the investigation of faults and fractures location.Methods which are used in these studies are consist of electrical sounding with schlomberger array, 3 electrode MN (3MN method), CRP and cross (perpendicular) arrangement around Bam city. The assessment of electrical sounding point shows that the main result of this project is made by electrical sounding points which consist of 213 sounding.Estimating the strike of the lateral discontinuity was used too.In 3MN method of measurement, 3 measurements of electrical resistance with 3 different lengths of potential electrodes for each current electrode space were done and 3 separate curves for each station were produced. Investigation of these curves was very useful in direction determination and the strike of lateral discontinuities. In another profile and for 21 stations measurements CRP method which has high capability in determination of faults and fractures location was used.In another profile and in the middle of studied area and in 21 stations of cross perpendicular sounding was performed. In this method the location of lateral discontinuity (faults and) in relation with measurement point was determined. Coordination of all sounding point was picked up by GPS equipment.

We established and characterized a hymenopteran cell line from Arge ochropus for the first time. The established cell line was named AOU-G, standing for Arge ochropus University of Guilan. This cell line was derived from larval hemocytes of the rose sawfly whose characteristics and susceptibility to 20-hydroxyecdysone have been verified. We also noticed four types of hemocytes such as prohemocytes, plasmatocytes, granulocytes and oenocytes. The population doubling time of 20th passage of this new cell line in EX-cell or Grace medium at 28˚ C was 3 and 5 days, respectively. Biochemical studies in rose sawfly hemocytes showed considerable changes in some component: protein, glucose, cholesterol and urea. Except urea, all components were significantly reduced. We suggest that the AOU-G cell line as a productive new cell line that could be very useful in studies concerning bio-insecticides, immunology, endocrinology and toxicology.