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Volume 0, Issue 0 (Articles accepted for Publication 2024)
Abstract
Aim and Introduction
One of the most important issues in Iran's economy is related to managing the exchange rate, inflation and budget deficit. During tightening of the sanctions, the oil revenues are limited which potentially leads to an increase in the budget deficit as well as a decrease in the currency supply which accelerates the exchange rate. On the other hand, with the increase in the budget deficit, the probability of borrowing from the banking system and also the issuance of bonds increases, which in turn rise the monetary base and liquidity. In addition, inflationary expectations also increase, which can be effective in improving assets prices. With an increase in inflation, based on the inflation-currency spiral, there is a possibility of a grow in exchange rate in order to maintain the competitiveness of domestic production. This can accelerate the price of imported commodities and cause domestic inflation again. With the increase in inflation and households spending, nominal wages will have a higher growth compared to normal conditions in order to maintain minimum purchasing power, which can again face the government with limited resources and more borrowing to meet current expenses. From the monetarists’ point of view and the classical economics, in general, the main stimulator in increasing inflation is the growth of money and liquidity. However, from the post-Keynesian economists’ point of view, inflation increases the demand of money and subsequently liquidity. On the other hand, with an increase in the exchange rate, the government's expenses usually increase more than its income, which can lead to an increase in the government's budget deficit. Also, considering the existence of a monopoly in currency supply by the central bank, the hypothesis of using currency exchange revenues (the difference between free and budget-approved currency) will be applicable and this issue can raise the impact of the budget deficit on the exchange rate. Therefore, there has always been a serious challenge among economists as well as macroeconomic decision-makers about the connectedness between macroeconomic variables. What is the main driver of the network between macro variables? Is there a different way of communication in different thresholds of their growth rate? These cases show that it is very important to examine the time-varying interrelationships between these macroeconomic variables.
Accordingly, there is a complex connection between exchange rate, inflation, budget deficit and liquidity, which can be varied in different years. Therefore, in this research, using the TVP-TVAR technique, the time-varying connectedness across exchange rate, inflation, budget deficit and liquidity is examined during March, 2006 to August, 2023.
Methodology
In the current research, the relationship between exchange rate fluctuations, inflation, government budget deficit and liquidity based on monthly data using the TVP-TVAR technique is investigated. It should be noted that all the required information is extracted from the economic indicators of the central bank, and the government's budget deficit data from 2017 onward are extracted from Iran's Program and Budget Organization.
Findings
The results show that exchange rate and liquidity are, respectively, the largest net transmitter of volatilities in the network. Moreover, inflation rate and government budget deficit, respectively, are the largest net receivers of shocks from network. On average, the TCI is 23%, and more than 70% of this interrelationship between variables is explained by other factors such as political ones. Moreover, if the variables underestimated grow up to 36% annually (3% monthly), the connection between them will be cut off. In the conditions of decreasing the growth rate of variables up to -3% per month, the exchange rate has played a dominant role and its volatilities are transferred more strongly to inflation rate and less strongly to the budget deficit and liquidity.
If the growth rate of the variables is up to 24% annually (threshold of +2% monthly growth rate), the exchange rate volatilities are transferred to inflation and no interconnectedness between other variables is observed.
Discussion and Conclusion
Our results show that, on average, the total connectedness index from 2012 to 2016 has been upward, which is caused by the tightening of sanctions and the increase in inflationary expectations, psychological factors and emotions. Moreover, the connectedness between them is increased in 2018 and 2019, which is related to the intensification of sanctions and the reduction of currency supply and the increase in inflation and budget deficit and subsequently the increase in the issuance of debt securities in the capital market in order to manage the budget deficit and as a result increase liquidity. The results show that exchange rate is a main net transmitter of volatilities in most years and the inflation rate is a main net receiver of volatilities in many years. From 2016 onwards, the budget deficit is the net receiver of shocks from network in most periods, except for one period in 2019. It is interesting to note that in 2019, with the increase in the budget deficit and the issuance of debt securities, the budget deficit is transmitter, liquidity is receiver and inflation is more receiver variable than liquidity in the network. Totally, the results show that exchange rate is the major net transmitter of shocks to other macro variables.
Moreover, based on the results of the sensitivity analysis and thresholds effect, if the growth rate of variables is up to 24% annually (threshold of +2% monthly growth rate), the exchange rate fluctuations will be transferred to inflation and no connection between other components is observed. This shows that the macroeconomic management of the economy is very sensitive to the growth rate of the thresholds of the macroeconomic components, and before the political economy and also the factors of expectations and emotions dominated the economy, the macroeconomic management, especially the exchange rate, is required. Otherwise, it is impossible to manage the investigated variables with monetary and fiscal policies. Therefore, the managed floating exchange rate should be taken into consideration and if the goal is to manage the network using macroeconomic theories, the variables should not be allowed to increase by more than 24% annual growth. Other factors such as the political economy, and especially inflationary expectations will get the dominant role in the economy
One of the most important issues in Iran's economy is related to managing the exchange rate, inflation and budget deficit. During tightening of the sanctions, the oil revenues are limited which potentially leads to an increase in the budget deficit as well as a decrease in the currency supply which accelerates the exchange rate. On the other hand, with the increase in the budget deficit, the probability of borrowing from the banking system and also the issuance of bonds increases, which in turn rise the monetary base and liquidity. In addition, inflationary expectations also increase, which can be effective in improving assets prices. With an increase in inflation, based on the inflation-currency spiral, there is a possibility of a grow in exchange rate in order to maintain the competitiveness of domestic production. This can accelerate the price of imported commodities and cause domestic inflation again. With the increase in inflation and households spending, nominal wages will have a higher growth compared to normal conditions in order to maintain minimum purchasing power, which can again face the government with limited resources and more borrowing to meet current expenses. From the monetarists’ point of view and the classical economics, in general, the main stimulator in increasing inflation is the growth of money and liquidity. However, from the post-Keynesian economists’ point of view, inflation increases the demand of money and subsequently liquidity. On the other hand, with an increase in the exchange rate, the government's expenses usually increase more than its income, which can lead to an increase in the government's budget deficit. Also, considering the existence of a monopoly in currency supply by the central bank, the hypothesis of using currency exchange revenues (the difference between free and budget-approved currency) will be applicable and this issue can raise the impact of the budget deficit on the exchange rate. Therefore, there has always been a serious challenge among economists as well as macroeconomic decision-makers about the connectedness between macroeconomic variables. What is the main driver of the network between macro variables? Is there a different way of communication in different thresholds of their growth rate? These cases show that it is very important to examine the time-varying interrelationships between these macroeconomic variables.
Accordingly, there is a complex connection between exchange rate, inflation, budget deficit and liquidity, which can be varied in different years. Therefore, in this research, using the TVP-TVAR technique, the time-varying connectedness across exchange rate, inflation, budget deficit and liquidity is examined during March, 2006 to August, 2023.
Methodology
In the current research, the relationship between exchange rate fluctuations, inflation, government budget deficit and liquidity based on monthly data using the TVP-TVAR technique is investigated. It should be noted that all the required information is extracted from the economic indicators of the central bank, and the government's budget deficit data from 2017 onward are extracted from Iran's Program and Budget Organization.
Findings
The results show that exchange rate and liquidity are, respectively, the largest net transmitter of volatilities in the network. Moreover, inflation rate and government budget deficit, respectively, are the largest net receivers of shocks from network. On average, the TCI is 23%, and more than 70% of this interrelationship between variables is explained by other factors such as political ones. Moreover, if the variables underestimated grow up to 36% annually (3% monthly), the connection between them will be cut off. In the conditions of decreasing the growth rate of variables up to -3% per month, the exchange rate has played a dominant role and its volatilities are transferred more strongly to inflation rate and less strongly to the budget deficit and liquidity.
If the growth rate of the variables is up to 24% annually (threshold of +2% monthly growth rate), the exchange rate volatilities are transferred to inflation and no interconnectedness between other variables is observed.
Discussion and Conclusion
Our results show that, on average, the total connectedness index from 2012 to 2016 has been upward, which is caused by the tightening of sanctions and the increase in inflationary expectations, psychological factors and emotions. Moreover, the connectedness between them is increased in 2018 and 2019, which is related to the intensification of sanctions and the reduction of currency supply and the increase in inflation and budget deficit and subsequently the increase in the issuance of debt securities in the capital market in order to manage the budget deficit and as a result increase liquidity. The results show that exchange rate is a main net transmitter of volatilities in most years and the inflation rate is a main net receiver of volatilities in many years. From 2016 onwards, the budget deficit is the net receiver of shocks from network in most periods, except for one period in 2019. It is interesting to note that in 2019, with the increase in the budget deficit and the issuance of debt securities, the budget deficit is transmitter, liquidity is receiver and inflation is more receiver variable than liquidity in the network. Totally, the results show that exchange rate is the major net transmitter of shocks to other macro variables.
Moreover, based on the results of the sensitivity analysis and thresholds effect, if the growth rate of variables is up to 24% annually (threshold of +2% monthly growth rate), the exchange rate fluctuations will be transferred to inflation and no connection between other components is observed. This shows that the macroeconomic management of the economy is very sensitive to the growth rate of the thresholds of the macroeconomic components, and before the political economy and also the factors of expectations and emotions dominated the economy, the macroeconomic management, especially the exchange rate, is required. Otherwise, it is impossible to manage the investigated variables with monetary and fiscal policies. Therefore, the managed floating exchange rate should be taken into consideration and if the goal is to manage the network using macroeconomic theories, the variables should not be allowed to increase by more than 24% annual growth. Other factors such as the political economy, and especially inflationary expectations will get the dominant role in the economy
Mossa Gardaneh, Nafiseh Deheshkar Farahani, Nader MaghSoudi, Hossein Attar, Abbas Rahimi Shamabadi, Ehsan Gharib,
Volume 2, Issue 1 (9-2011)
Volume 2, Issue 1 (9-2011)
Abstract
Lentiviruses are considered one of the most effective recombinant viruses for gene transfer to mammalian cells and tissues. This study comprises of two essential parts: (1) evaluation of efficiency of protein purification columns in concentration of recombinant lentiviruses, and (2) production of recombinant lentiviruses carrying GDNF coding sequences. In part (1) we co-transfected human embryonic kidney cell line HEK-293T with three lentivirus vectors called transfer (carrying either GFP or Jred), packaging and envelope vectors. After a filtration step, we applied the supernatant from transfected cells to Amicon protein columns for concentration purposes. Centrifugation removed 99% of the supernatant and left behind 500-µl-volume of solution full of virions. We thereby produced a of virus stock. Various dilutions of this stock were added to HEK-293T cells that produced up to 100% infected cells positively expressing transgenes. To examine whether the removed supernatant (overflow) has any trace of infective virus by chance, we also used dilutions of the overflow for infection and observed no sign of eGFP or Jred expression. Given the need for a high-titer virus stock for successful target cell transduction, our results indicate that our filtration method of virus concentration is able to produce high virus titer and is cost-effective and less time consuming than previous methods. In part (2), due to the importance of neurotrophic factor GDNF in differentiation and neuroprotection as well as in therapy of neurodegenerative disorders, we ligated GDNF coding sequence into the lentivirus backbone in the second phase of our study. We applied the same method outlined above to produce high-titer recombinant viruses. Following infection of human astrocytoma cells with this virus stock, we detected 3-fold increase in GDNF mRNA expression using RT-PCR. Lentiviruses carrying GDNF can therefore be generated at high titer using the column method and applied for differentiation and neuroprotection studies.
Volume 2, Issue 2 (6-2013)
Abstract
Medicinal plants were used from past to present. Different small arthropods such as Acari were found on these plants. Therefore a study on the Acari fauna associated with some medicinal plants (Family: Asteraceae) in Hamedan region was carried out during 2008–2009. In this survey, 23 species belonging 18 genera from 15 different families of the subclass Acari were collected and identified. Two spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) was determined as an abundant phytophagous mite species in this study.
Volume 3, Issue 1 (Number 1 - 2001)
Abstract
Many investigations have demonstrated that arid regions display ideal conditions for remote sensing applications such as, land cover/land use detection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capability of Thematic Mapper (TM) thermal band in land cover/land use mapping in the Ardakan region of Yazd province, an area of desert with severe salinity conditions, and the Mook region in the Farse province, an area of mountains, forests, dry farming and orchards. Landsat TM imagery recorded on September and October, 1990 were used for land cover/land use classifications of Ardakan and Mook areas respectively. Maximum likelihood classifications were used by including TM thermal band (TM6) in band combinations. The results of image classifications showed that TM6 has improved the accuracy of classification in Ardakan, while no meaningful role was found in Mook region. Based on the results obtained it may be concluded that the effectiveness of TM bands for classification is highly dependant on land cover type, climatic, and geographic conditions. Based on the results obtained it was also concluded that TM6 plays a key role in separating urban and dark colour salt crust classes as in Ardakan area. In other words, in climatic and geographic conditions represented by dry surface and sparse vegetation, thermal band data may prove more useful.
Volume 3, Issue 2 (6-2015)
Abstract
Land-use planning is a science that determines the type optimum of land-use through studying the ecological characteristics of the land as well as its socio-economic structure. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the land-use and natural resources for future sustainable land planning using GIS. In this study, the Makhdoom’s systematic method was used to analyze the ecological and resources maps of the study area. At first, ecological capability maps of different land-uses including forest, agriculture, rangeland, environmental conservation, ecotourism and development of village, urban and industry were developed by overlaying geographical maps in GIS for the township. The final step of this study was the prioritization of land-uses considering the ecological and socio-economic characteristics of the study area using a quantitative model. The results indicated that the maximum area of proposed use was 39.30 % that was related to range and dry farmingand minimum area of proposed use was 3.3 % which was related to irrigation agriculture with range.
Volume 3, Issue 4 (12-2014)
Abstract
Variable rate spray applications using proportional control systems can greatly reduce pesticide use and off-target contamination of environment in orchards. Variable rate spraying of the canopy allows growers to apply pesticides only to the target, only use the correct quantity according to canopy size, season and growth stage and to apply plant protection products in an economic and environmentally sound manner. A major challenge is the reduction of agrochemicals used as Plant Protection Products (PPP) while achieving suitable deposition on the canopy. Spraying efficiency can be improved by reducing the spray losses associated with deposition on the ground and off-target drift. Adjustment of application rate proportional to the size and shape of tree crops has shown high potential for reducing agrochemicals in automatically controlled sprayers. In recent years target detection methods have been developed by using advanced techniques such as vision and laser scanning systems or simpler ultrasound, infrared and spectral systems. These systems have made it possible to develop geometric maps of trees allowing site-specific management of orchards. Variable rate spraying can thus be utilized as a methodology for applying the required amount of PPPs to the canopy while preventing over dosage as well as drift. Utilization of sensors to monitor canopy, distances and location ensures better use of expensive inputs, resulting in a sustainable approach to an important practice. This paper discusses various methodologies available for determination of canopy structural parameters and introduces some applicable commercial systems while pointing out their similarities and differences.
Volume 4, Issue 5 (Supplementary Issue - 2015)
Abstract
Beauveria spp. as entomopathogenic fungi have extremely diverse insect host ranges.Here, a comparative transcript analysis of a Bassiasin I (BSNI), a Dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP), a Cytochrom P450 monooxygenase (CYP52), a Mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), and a Neuronal calcium sensor 1 (NCS) in two isolates of Beauveria bassiana., with low and high virulence, were carried out. For this, induction media, containing isolated cuticles from four insects, and a check medium lacking any cuticular extract were prepared and isolates were allowed to grow on them. Interestingly, up-regulation of BSNI and DPP in induction media was noted in comparison to the check, following normalization with γ-ACTIN. CYP52 was up-regulated in synthetic medium in comparison to cuticular extract. MAPK expression was greater in most virulent isolate once compared with the low virulent isolate. The expression of MAPK was greater in the presence of Caliptamus italicus cuticles and synthetic medium as opposed to others. NCS expression remained on changed in all media tested and can be suggested as a reference gene in transcriptomics of Beauveria spp. genes in future.
Volume 5, Issue 2 (6-2017)
Abstract
Background: Land use planning is a science that determines the type of land use through studying the ecological and socio-economic characteristics of the land.
Materials and Methods: A systematic method known as the Makhdoom Model was used for the analysis of maps to evaluate the land use and natural resources for future sustainable land planning of an area in Sistan region, using GIS as a tool. For this purpose, the ecological capability maps of different land uses, including forest and range, agriculture, ecotourism, rural and urban development were initially prepared by overlaying geographical maps in GIS for the study area. Then, the prioritization of land uses was assessed using a quantitative model by considering the ecological and socio-economic characteristics of the study area.
Results: The results indicated that the maximum area of the proposed uses (28.7%) was related to conservation, showing this land use had high potential in the study area. Also, the minimum area of proposed uses was related to dry farming.
Discussion and Conclusions: This research proved that quantitative methods can be more useful than classic methods (qualitative).
Volume 6, Issue 4 (2016 2017)
Abstract
Volume 7, Issue 2 (Spring 2018)
Abstract
Aims: Arachidonic acid is an essential fatty acid that plays an important role in the fish reproduction process by regulating the function of the intravenous system, including the synthesis of steroid hormones. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of dietary arachidonic acid on calcium, thyroid hormone, and cortisol levels in vitellogenesis and maturation stages of female blue gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus).
Materials and Methods: In this applied research, 150 one-month blue gourami were distributed among 15 aquariums (3 replicates for each treatment) and fed with 5 different dietary ARA levels (0.02, 0.53, 1.05, 1.6 and 2.12% of diet) until the completion of maturation over 5 months. After they reached sexual maturity, 12 females from each treatment were selected; calcium level in plasma, cortisol concentrations in serum, and thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), were measured in ovary in both vitellogenesis and maturation stages by photometry and ELISA methods, respectively. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA after Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Duncan’s multiple range test was used at 5% level for a meaningful comparison between the means. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to calculate the relationship between arachidonic levels of diet and the measured parameters. All analyses were performed by SPSS 22 software.
Findings: In the vitellogenesis stage, in the treatments with high arachidonic levels, calcium ion had the highest and cortisol hormone had the lowest levels (p<0.05). The level of cortisol in the maturation stage was higher than that of the vitellogenesis and also increased with increasing arachidonic levels. The level of T3 in the ovaries of fish in both stages of vitellogenesis and maturation increased significantly with increasing ARA levels (p<0.05). The level of T4 in the ovaries of the fish did not have a significant relationship with the increase in ARA levels in the vitellogenesis stage, while in the maturation stage, with increasing ARA, the amount of storage of this hormone significantly increased (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Using high levels of arachidonic in the reproduction stage can increase the level of calcium and thyroid hormones and, as a result, improve the vitellogenesis. In the maturation stage, increasing arachidonic levels up to 1.6% increases the levels of cortisol.
Materials and Methods: In this applied research, 150 one-month blue gourami were distributed among 15 aquariums (3 replicates for each treatment) and fed with 5 different dietary ARA levels (0.02, 0.53, 1.05, 1.6 and 2.12% of diet) until the completion of maturation over 5 months. After they reached sexual maturity, 12 females from each treatment were selected; calcium level in plasma, cortisol concentrations in serum, and thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), were measured in ovary in both vitellogenesis and maturation stages by photometry and ELISA methods, respectively. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA after Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Duncan’s multiple range test was used at 5% level for a meaningful comparison between the means. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to calculate the relationship between arachidonic levels of diet and the measured parameters. All analyses were performed by SPSS 22 software.
Findings: In the vitellogenesis stage, in the treatments with high arachidonic levels, calcium ion had the highest and cortisol hormone had the lowest levels (p<0.05). The level of cortisol in the maturation stage was higher than that of the vitellogenesis and also increased with increasing arachidonic levels. The level of T3 in the ovaries of fish in both stages of vitellogenesis and maturation increased significantly with increasing ARA levels (p<0.05). The level of T4 in the ovaries of the fish did not have a significant relationship with the increase in ARA levels in the vitellogenesis stage, while in the maturation stage, with increasing ARA, the amount of storage of this hormone significantly increased (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Using high levels of arachidonic in the reproduction stage can increase the level of calcium and thyroid hormones and, as a result, improve the vitellogenesis. In the maturation stage, increasing arachidonic levels up to 1.6% increases the levels of cortisol.
Volume 8, Issue 4 (Number 4 - 2006)
Abstract
In drought prone environments wheat crop growth and production depends strongly on the water stored in the soil before anthesis and, although some water remains in the soil after harvest, plants experience water deficit. In order to investigate whether water ex-traction patterns, as a plant feature, have a regulating effect on the amount of water used by them at different soil depths, three wheat cultivars (Asakaze, BR9, BR10) differing in origin and drought resistance in terms of grain yield were grown in pots under gradually downward soil drying conditions. The total water used by cultivars was the same up to the post anthesis stage of growth when plants were harvested. However, Asakaze used more water from emergence to the beginning of the stem elongation period of growth and BR9 used more after that period up to the post anthesis stage. Cultivars showed significant dif-ferences in root length at different soil depths. Asakaze was predicted to use more water from topsoil layers compared to BR9 and BR10. On the other hand, BR9 was expected to use more water from deep layers in comparison to Asakaze. These were suggested to be the effect of the higher root density of each cultivar in the top and deep soil layers. It is also suggested that higher root length density in deep soil layers could be targeted as a fa-vorable trait for breeding wheat Cultivars, which are growing under gradually downward soil drying conditions.
F. Moghadami, M.r. Soudi ,
Volume 9, Issue 2 (Spring 2018)
Volume 9, Issue 2 (Spring 2018)
Abstract
Aims: Adaptation of native bacterial strains in every climate is considerable. Evaluation of native thermotolerant acetic acid bacteria effectively influence their optimal and beneficial use. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of productive thermotolerant acetic acid bacteria with focusing on Acetobacter sp. A10.
Materials and Methods: In the present experimental study, the native thermotolerant strain of Acetobacter sp. A10 was used. For preparation of fresh culture and maintenance of thermotolerant strain glucose yeast extract calcium carbonate was used, which contained 50g glucose, 10g yeast extract, 30g calcium carbonate, and 25g agar per liter. In order to produce acetic acid by the strain of Acetobacter sp. A10, ethanol yeast extract broth culture was used. Effect of initial concentrations of ethanol and acetic acid on the production of acetic acid by Acetobacter sp. A10 was investigated, using a culture meda containing 2% to 9% ethanol and 2% to 9% acetic acid.
Findings: This strain could produce 40g/l acetic acid from 4% (WV) ethanol in baffled shake-flasks in 24h under optimized conditions of pH 4, at 33°C, and 150rpm. The strain at 37 °C was able to produce acetic acid in the presence of a 4% and 8% initial concentration of acetic acid a. The rate of fermentation was 2.5 times more than mesophilic ones.
Conclusion: Acetobacter sp. A10 is active in a different temperature range compared to mesophilic strains and it is able to withstand ethanol and acetic acid to more concentrations. In addition, it has higher efficiency, as well as greater rate and power of fermentation.
Materials and Methods: In the present experimental study, the native thermotolerant strain of Acetobacter sp. A10 was used. For preparation of fresh culture and maintenance of thermotolerant strain glucose yeast extract calcium carbonate was used, which contained 50g glucose, 10g yeast extract, 30g calcium carbonate, and 25g agar per liter. In order to produce acetic acid by the strain of Acetobacter sp. A10, ethanol yeast extract broth culture was used. Effect of initial concentrations of ethanol and acetic acid on the production of acetic acid by Acetobacter sp. A10 was investigated, using a culture meda containing 2% to 9% ethanol and 2% to 9% acetic acid.
Findings: This strain could produce 40g/l acetic acid from 4% (WV) ethanol in baffled shake-flasks in 24h under optimized conditions of pH 4, at 33°C, and 150rpm. The strain at 37 °C was able to produce acetic acid in the presence of a 4% and 8% initial concentration of acetic acid a. The rate of fermentation was 2.5 times more than mesophilic ones.
Conclusion: Acetobacter sp. A10 is active in a different temperature range compared to mesophilic strains and it is able to withstand ethanol and acetic acid to more concentrations. In addition, it has higher efficiency, as well as greater rate and power of fermentation.
Volume 10, Issue 1 (Winter 2022)
Abstract
Aims: The social status of nurses is one of the factors affecting the professional identity and plays an important role in how people perceive this profession and also the tendency of people to this profession. So this study was conducted to determine the Iranian population's attitude toward the social status of the nursing profession.
Instrument & Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-section study was conducted in public places in Hamadan from October to February 2019. Four hundred citizens participated in the study by available sampling method from 4 urban areas of Hamedan. The data were collected by a social status researcher-made questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS 16 and, parametric statistical tests such as t-test and ANOVA and non-parametric tests such as Chi-square.
Findings: The mean age of participants was 34.30±9.98 years. The mean of the obtained score from the status questionnaire was 71.23±11.76, which was at a moderate level in qualitative leveling. Statistical tests showed that social status score was statistically significantly related to gender, education, and media relations (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Considering that individuals' attitudes on the social status of the nursing profession are moderate and people who had more contact with the media reported lower scores of social status, it is recommended that members of the media take action to reflect the true image of the nursing profession.
Volume 10, Issue 3 (Summer 2022)
Abstract
Aims: The present study aimed to determine the oral health-related quality of life in the retired elderly population.
Material & Methods: A descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 196 elderly members of retirement centers using convenient sampling in Rasht city, Iran. Data collection included oral examinations and structured interviews. The geriatric oral health assessment index was used to measure oral health-related quality of life. Moreover, information on sociodemographic characteristics, use of dental services, and subjective health measures were collected. The independent t-test and ANOVA were used for statistical analysis in SPSS 21.
Findings: The mean GOHAI score was 47.5±6.3 (range 26-59). The mean psychosocial domain score was significantly lower than others (p<0.001). Participants with complete dentures and those with more than 20 teeth showed the highest, and those with partial dentures had the lowest quality of life. Xerostomia was the most prevalent oral condition (29.1%).
Conclusion: The findings indicated the retired elderly who were members of the retirement center had a moderate level of oral health-related quality of life. The obtained data on oral health-related quality of life in the elderly can help the decision-makers plan oral health programs for the elderly.
Z. Safari, S. Soudi, A. Zavaran Hosseini, H. Bardania, M. Sadeghizadeh ,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (Fall 2019)
Volume 10, Issue 4 (Fall 2019)
Abstract
Aims: One of the most important regenerative medical purposes is the production of alternative tissues with proper function. Fibroblast cells are one of the most important types of cells in the repair process that also play a role in the formation of blood vessels. Stimulation of fibroblastic cells requires the appearance of external signals to begin the proliferation and recall of other cells, as well as angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of M13 in combination with RGD peptide on fibroblastic cells.
Materials and Methods: For this study, M13 bacteriophage was first amplified and isolated. Then RGD peptide was synthesized and purified. Then, isolated mouse fibroblastic cells were culture on surfaces coated with M13 bacteriophage, bacteriophage M13 and RGD, gelatin, and surfaces without coated as a control for 48 hours. MTT assay was used to measure the proliferation and survival of cells, and then the expression of FGF-2, TGF-β1 and VEGF-A genes was measured by real-time PCR.
Findings: The results of this study showed that the M13 and RGD bacteriophage increased cell proliferation and the fibroblast cell survival rate. In addition, expression of FGF-2, TGF-β1 and VEGF-A genes in cultured fibroblasts on the M13 and RGD bacteriophages surface increased significantly.
Conclusion: Our research showed that scaffolds of M13 bacteriophage and RGD peptide are nontoxic and bio-compatible so they can be a suitable candidate for induction of repair and angiogenesis in tissue engineering.
Materials and Methods: For this study, M13 bacteriophage was first amplified and isolated. Then RGD peptide was synthesized and purified. Then, isolated mouse fibroblastic cells were culture on surfaces coated with M13 bacteriophage, bacteriophage M13 and RGD, gelatin, and surfaces without coated as a control for 48 hours. MTT assay was used to measure the proliferation and survival of cells, and then the expression of FGF-2, TGF-β1 and VEGF-A genes was measured by real-time PCR.
Findings: The results of this study showed that the M13 and RGD bacteriophage increased cell proliferation and the fibroblast cell survival rate. In addition, expression of FGF-2, TGF-β1 and VEGF-A genes in cultured fibroblasts on the M13 and RGD bacteriophages surface increased significantly.
Conclusion: Our research showed that scaffolds of M13 bacteriophage and RGD peptide are nontoxic and bio-compatible so they can be a suitable candidate for induction of repair and angiogenesis in tissue engineering.
S. Karimian Bahnamiri, A. MaghSoudi, F. Yazdian,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (Fall 2019)
Volume 10, Issue 4 (Fall 2019)
Abstract
Aims: Curcumin is a natural molecule that due to its various curative effects including antibacterial properties, it can be used as a medicine, albeit after reducing its disadvantages. The aim of the present study is to develop a method for preparation of nanoparticles of curcumin using PAA, PVA, and PEI polymers with a view to improve its stability, increasing bioavailability and aqueous solubility as well as study its effectiveness against methicillin-resistant to Staphylococcus aureus.
Materials & Methods: In order to synthesize polymeric nanoparticles including curcumin with the nano-precipitation method, optimizing the effective concentration of polymer, curcumin, and water were determined by using the Response Surface Method (RSM). Synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and zeta potential measurement methods. Furthermore, minimal concentration inhibitory of synthesized nanoparticles against the Staphylococcus aureus resistant to methicillin was measured.
Findings: The created nanoparticles were round, discrete and smooth in surface morphology and the average particle size for PAA, PVA, and PEI were 149±7nm, 175±8nm, and 184±9nm respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration for PAA, PVA and PEI nanoparticles against the Staphylococcus aureus were 0.480±0.024, 0.390±0.019 and 0.340±0.017mg/ml. The concentration of solvent, polymer, and curcumin was important to obtain small size particles.
Conclusion: The results indicated that the water solubility of curcumin significantly improved by particle size reduction up to the nano range. The inhibitory property of curcumin nanoparticles has greatly increased due to the smaller particle size and their increased penetration into the bacteria and nanoparticles loaded with curcumin could be a promising drug carrier for the treatment of cancer, infections and other diseases.
Materials & Methods: In order to synthesize polymeric nanoparticles including curcumin with the nano-precipitation method, optimizing the effective concentration of polymer, curcumin, and water were determined by using the Response Surface Method (RSM). Synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and zeta potential measurement methods. Furthermore, minimal concentration inhibitory of synthesized nanoparticles against the Staphylococcus aureus resistant to methicillin was measured.
Findings: The created nanoparticles were round, discrete and smooth in surface morphology and the average particle size for PAA, PVA, and PEI were 149±7nm, 175±8nm, and 184±9nm respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration for PAA, PVA and PEI nanoparticles against the Staphylococcus aureus were 0.480±0.024, 0.390±0.019 and 0.340±0.017mg/ml. The concentration of solvent, polymer, and curcumin was important to obtain small size particles.
Conclusion: The results indicated that the water solubility of curcumin significantly improved by particle size reduction up to the nano range. The inhibitory property of curcumin nanoparticles has greatly increased due to the smaller particle size and their increased penetration into the bacteria and nanoparticles loaded with curcumin could be a promising drug carrier for the treatment of cancer, infections and other diseases.
Volume 10, Issue 4 (Fall 2022)
Abstract
Aims: In the present study, groundwater quality evaluation for drinking and irrigation purposes in Tashk-Bakhtegan and Maharloo basin was investigated using the data from 420 observation wells.
Materials and Methods: To assess the suitability of groundwater in terms of hydrogeochemical parameters including potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), magnesium (Mg2+), calcium (Ca2+), chloride (Cl-), bicarbonate (HCO3-), sulfate (SO42-), Electrical conductivity (EC) and total soluble solids (TDS) for 420 monitoring wells in November 2017 (as a dry month) and May 2018 (as a wet month) and to calculate the Drinking Water Quality Index (DWQI) and Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI) were used.
Findings: The results showed that groundwater quality for drinking purpose varied widely across the basin, with the average DWQI value increasing from 238.83 in November 2017 to 249.79 in May 2018. IWQI results also indicated that in most areas, especially in the northern and southern parts of the basin, groundwater has moderate, high and severe limitations for agricultural activities in both months. The average value of IWQI increased from 47.67 in November, 2017 to 49.67 in May, 2018, indicating a slight increase in groundwater quality for agricultural use.
Conclusion: According to the obtained results, necessary precautions should be taken for groundwater before using it for different purposes, and the results of this study can be used in the planning and management of groundwater resources.
Volume 11, Issue 2 (Spring 2023)
Abstract
Aims: The World Health Organization recommends preventive behaviors despite the approval of several vaccines to control COVID-19. Mass media and digital technologies also play an important role in addressing public health issues. This study aimed to investigate the protection motivation theory constructs by COVID-related information channels on protective behaviors against COVID-19 in southwestern Iran.
Instrument & Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study from July to August 2021, 255 patients referred to urban health centers were included by simple random sampling. Data were analyzed by SPSS 24 software using correlation and regression tests.
Findings: 32.2% of the participants received COVID-19 information through radio, TV, and satellite, and 30.6% through WhatsApp and Telegram social networks. Awareness predicted 11% of protective behavior (p<0.001; R=0.118; β=0.343). Protective motivation (behavioral intention) predicted 49.5% of behavior (p<0.001; R=0.495; R2=0.487).
Conclusion: Using protection motivation theory by information channels facilitates preventive behavior against COVID-19.
Volume 12, Issue 2 (June & July 2021 (Articles in Persian) 2021)
Abstract
Analysis of Oral Discourse Based on Hyme's Speaking Model that unvestigates the interwoven relation between culture and language has long been discussed by anthropologists, pragmatists and sociolinguists. One of the new areas of research on this type of relation is the study of cultural representation of a language or cultuling.This research aimed at investigating respect cultuling with regard to the status of etiquette in the Iranians Islamic-Iranian culture. The objectives of the study were to identify the realizations of the current culture of the Persian-speakers in respect cultuling and to probe what aspects of etiquette were mirrored in it. Accordingly, 140 excerpts pertaining to etiquette were selected from a pool of 320 oral discourse excerpts recorded in different situations. They were ShadGan, Tabriz, Rasht, Herand, Dehloran, Kermanshah, Khoram Abad, Sarepol Zahab, Brojen, Aran Bidgol, Najaf Abad, Eizeh and Miandasht. They had various educational backgrounds (illiterate to highly educated) and also various occupations as: housewife, school student, university student, teacher, engineer, clerk, physician, nurse, retired, and self-employed. Having been recorded, the excerpts were then transcribed into forms using conversational transcription conventions highlighting pauses, interruptions, etc. Hymes' (1967) SPEAKING model was used to study respect cultuling. Data analysis based on this model showed that the frequency of use of this cultuling in public situations is higher than private ones and is more common among unequal participants (formal and informal) than people with equal social status. Regarding the purpose of pragmatics, expressing interest and devotion (love and affection), praisecollected from the individuals (132 females and 169 males) whose ages ranged from 15 to 61. They came from different cities in Iran as Arak, Isfahan, Shahre Kord, Tehran, Ghom, Saveh, Gplpaiegan, , reverence, invitation, modesty and flattery had the highest frequency in this cultuling. Deeper study showed that respect cultuling has to be distinguished from power cultuling. In addition, it overlaps power cultuling and ambiguity cultuling, despite it's an independent concept. In addition, it is influenced by collectivism metacultuling and class society metacultuling. The results also indicated that the respect cultuling, as being reflected in the data, was justifiable in terms of power and interdependence as two axes of etiquette, and its intensity and variety were simultaneously determined by these two factors.
1. Introduction
The interwoven relation between culture and language has long been discussed by anthropologists, pragmatists and sociolinguists. One of the new areas of research on this type of relation is the study of cultural representation of a language or cultuling. The concept of cultuling was introduced by Pishghadam (2012) based on three theories that have been previously proposed in the field of linguistics. In this regard, first, the functional grammar which proposed and stated that language is a function-oriented phenomenon and its meaning cannot be studies outside the context in which it appears, and at the same time, language, as a systemic phenomenon, contains a set of options for constructing a particular meaning. Another pillar of the concept of cultuling is the view that the phenomenon of language, like learning any other phenomenon, is understood in the form of its socio-cultural context, and considers language learning as a kind of social transfer of knowledge. It goes on to say that it considers an equal role for the individual and society, during which the language and consequently the thought of the individual are formed in his socio-cultural context become part of his nature. Finally, the concept of language owes much to the theory of Sapir and Whorf. This theory itself consists of two parts; one is the linguistic determinism, which states that it shapes the language of human thought, and the other is the relativity of the language, which states that speakers of different languages have different worldviews. Cultuling is the result of a combination of these three theories and is defined as "cultural representation of a language" (Pishghadam, 2012, p. 52).This research aimed at investigating respect cultuling with regard to the status of etiquette in the Iranians Islamic-Iranian culture. The objectives of the study were to identify the realizations of the current culture of the Persian-speakers in respect cultuling and to probe what aspects of etiquette were mirrored in it.
The interwoven relation between culture and language has long been discussed by anthropologists, pragmatists and sociolinguists. One of the new areas of research on this type of relation is the study of cultural representation of a language or cultuling. The concept of cultuling was introduced by Pishghadam (2012) based on three theories that have been previously proposed in the field of linguistics. In this regard, first, the functional grammar which proposed and stated that language is a function-oriented phenomenon and its meaning cannot be studies outside the context in which it appears, and at the same time, language, as a systemic phenomenon, contains a set of options for constructing a particular meaning. Another pillar of the concept of cultuling is the view that the phenomenon of language, like learning any other phenomenon, is understood in the form of its socio-cultural context, and considers language learning as a kind of social transfer of knowledge. It goes on to say that it considers an equal role for the individual and society, during which the language and consequently the thought of the individual are formed in his socio-cultural context become part of his nature. Finally, the concept of language owes much to the theory of Sapir and Whorf. This theory itself consists of two parts; one is the linguistic determinism, which states that it shapes the language of human thought, and the other is the relativity of the language, which states that speakers of different languages have different worldviews. Cultuling is the result of a combination of these three theories and is defined as "cultural representation of a language" (Pishghadam, 2012, p. 52).This research aimed at investigating respect cultuling with regard to the status of etiquette in the Iranians Islamic-Iranian culture. The objectives of the study were to identify the realizations of the current culture of the Persian-speakers in respect cultuling and to probe what aspects of etiquette were mirrored in it.
2. Literature Review
What is discussed in this study about the concept of respect is actually discussed in the literature related to social sciences, cultural studies and anthropology as social politeness, which is equivalent to etiquette in English and is also referred to as the first type of politeness. (Spencer-Oatey & Zing, 2003). This type of politeness, as previously defined, refers to a person's behavior within the social norms of the society in which he lives (Jahangiri, 2008). But what has been considered in previous researches such as Ahmadi (2014) about politeness is linguistically-oriented, which is also called the second type of politeness (Spencer-Otti & Jing, 2003). This type of politeness examines the verbal behavior of an individual or individuals in a linguistic community within the framework of the linguistic rules of verbal behavior. These rules are discussed in the works of Grice, Searle, and Leech under the category of face which is the general image that others have of each person, which can be positive or negative (Brown & Levinson, 1987). Being positive means being interested in being respected, and being negative means being interested in freedom of action, privacy, and not being offended by others (Brown & Levinson, 1987). Accordingly, positive linguistic politeness (such as praise or empathy) involves the needs of individuals' positive aspects, and negative linguistic politeness involves threatening or endangering the speaker's image (such as leaving a question unanswered). Since the purpose of this article was to examine the first type of politeness, it was necessary to choose a foundation other than what was used in previous research on linguistic politeness, or the second type of politeness, as was used in the speech of Persian speakers. Therefore, the use of categories such as the strategies of Brown and Levinson (1987) politeness taxonomy did not fit the purpose of this study. For this reason, in order to better understand the representation of the dimensions and aspects of social politeness of Persian speakers' discourse, the concept of cultuling was used.
3. Method
Accordingly, 140 excerpts pertaining to etiquette were selected from a pool of 320 oral discourse excerpts recorded in different situations. They were Shadegan, Tabriz, Rasht, Herand, Dehloran, Kermanshah, Khoram Abad, Sarepol Zahab, Broujen, Aran Bidgol, Najaf Abad, Izeh and Miandasht. They had various educational backgrounds (illiterate to highly educated) and also various occupations as: housewife, school student, university student, teacher, engineer, clerk, physician, nurse, retired, and self-employed. Having been recorded, the excerpts were then transcribed into forms using conversational transcription conventions highlighting pauses, interruptions, etc. Hymes' (1967) SPEAKING model was used to study respect cultuling.
4. Conclusion
Based on this model, data analysis showed that the frequency of use of this cultuling in public situations is higher than private ones and is more common among unequal participants (formal and informal) than people with equal social status. Regarding the purpose of pragmatics, expressing interest and devotion (love and affection), praise collected from the individuals (132 females and 169 males) whose ages ranged from 15 to 61. They came from different cities in Iran as Arak, Isfahan, Shahre Kord, Tehran, Ghom, Saveh, Golpayegan, , reverence, invitation, modesty and flattery had the highest frequency in this cultuling. Deeper study showed that respect cultuling has to be distinguished from power cultuling. In addition, it overlaps power cultuling and ambiguity cultuling, despite it's an independent concept. In addition, it is influenced by collectivism metacultuling and class society metacultuling. The results also indicated that the respect cultuling, as being reflected in the data, was justifiable in terms of power and interdependence as two axes of etiquette, and its intensity and variety were simultaneously determined by these two factors.
In addition, more features can be enumerated from the perspective of cultuling with more reflection and attention on the manifestations of respectful language from a sociological and psychological point of view. One of these dimensions is underestimation by the speaker, which sometimes manifests itself in the denial of his abilities, strengths or positive characteristics by the speaker. Humility comes from human perfection and consequently from cultural values. In other words, since Iranian thought, in particular, and Eastern thought, in general, are based on the philosophy of perseverance and endurance, the dignity of the human soul is less attended in them than Western culture. Therefore, honoring and exalting the other party in speech and placing him in a higher position than the speaker himself can have historical roots in the class culture of Iran and Eastern culture in general. This historically institutionalized practice, rooted in the imbalance of class power, forces the speaker to sacrifice his dignity and to show the other side in a dignified manner, to meet his primary and secondary needs in an unequal interaction.
Dependence of respect on power and its event as a verbal action, especially in situations where participants are in unequal positions, can turn into extreme praise or flattery. Although it should be said that respecting the other party is not always accompanied by flattery, but it can be said that this verbal action depends on the depth or intensity of the need of the participant and the distance or degree of inequality between participants. In general, apart from honoring and respecting the other party as a respecting strategy, it should be said that in most cases, more precisely, in cases where participants are in unequal positions, honoring and exalting the other party appears as the other side of the coin of underestimation and self-forgiveness.
Volume 12, Issue 5 (November & December, (Articles in English & French) 2021)
Abstract
In order to engage students in higher-level thinking, cognitive activation (CA) strategies have been advanced and utilized in mathematics. CA develops when learners are challenged, confronted with conflicts, asked to think and explain clearly on their learning, and realize connections between new and previous content. Extending the theme to English language teaching (ELT), this study investigated Iranian English language teachers’ knowledge and practice of cognitive activation writing strategies (CAWS). In so doing, a model was proposed based on a questionnaire that was developed and validated in the present study. Through this scale, knowledge and practice of CAWS by 213 English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers were explored. During a pilot phase, the reliability of the questionnaire was calculated to be .78 for the knowledge section and .81 for the practice section. Two items in each section were removed after conducting exploratory factor analysis. Ultimately, the confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the proposed model was fit for the data. Five components were confirmed as constituents of CAWS for the knowledge section, and four components were identified for the practice section. The findings revealed that Iranian EFL teachers were already familiar with the CAWS and purportedly practiced them in their writing classes. Using the scale in the process of writing instruction can provide ELT practitioners with a helpful platform for relating to CA strategies and empowers learners to accomplish tasks such as problem-solving in their writing assignments, similar to what is practiced in mathematics.